Abstract: An object oriented framework mechanism provides a straightforward and convenient way to implement an order processing system for a manufacturing environment. The order processing framework includes an order class and an order item class that are core classes, and several classes that are extensible according to the needs of the user. The core classes and class relationships define the core function of the framework mechanism. Extensible classes include a configuration process class, an order input class, an order output class, an exploder class, a validator class, a link generator class, and a test data class. These extensible classes are extended by a programmer to implement a desired order processing environment. The framework provides consistent programmer interfaces over a wide variety of different production environments, which greatly enhances programmer efficiency and which makes the resultant code much easier to maintain.

Abstract: A concrete-based building block has an integrally-formed wooden attachment layer on one or both exterior surfaces of the block that can receive and hold a penetrating fastener such as a nail, screw, staple, or the like. This allows surficial coverings such as wallboard, siding or other materials to be easily attached to a block wall made of the building blocks. The block includes substantially semi-cylindrical concave portions that form a cross-linked structure of channels when the blocks are assembled into a wall. Once the blocks have been stacked in place in a wall, grout or other suitable filling material is poured into the cross-linked structure of channels. When the filling material hardens, the blocks are locked together. Surficial covering materials may then be nailed, screwed, or stapled directly to the attachment layer of the blocks.

Abstract: A framework for use with object-oriented programming systems provides a case-based reasoning (CBR) system shell that permits a framework user to develop a case base having case histories and generates a case-based reasoning system that receives user requests for query solutions and produces a query solution that can be incorporated into the case base. The framework includes a Session component that controls processing of the CBR system, a Control Flow component that manages the extension of the categories and classes of the OO framework, a Data Store component that stores persistent case structure definitions, case instances, and a change log, a Presentation component that manages the user interface to the CBR system user, and a Query Engine that evaluates a received query against the case base. The case definitions and case base descriptions comprise a set of object oriented classes that are organized into an inheritance hierarchy.

Abstract: A framework for use with object-oriented programming systems provides a common message processing system structure that can be placed on any OOP platform and be configured to support any e-mail message protocol standard or specific mail server function. The framework defines an e-mail message as a number of distinct objects, each of which contains information that describes some portion of the message. All messages received by a system in which the framework is implemented are defined on this core object structure. Another set of objects and methods define the processing steps required for a mail server to process a message. A message is received as a class of message objects, which are assigned a message type that determines the subsequent processing steps to which the message object is subjected. As a message is processed, the objects of which it is comprised are changed, so that the message processing can be interrupted and then resumed without loss or duplication of processing steps.

Abstract: A cutting device is operable with one hand for cutting an elliptical shape in a sheet of material. The cutting device includes an elliptically-shaped base plate for placement on the sheet material and a cutting member for simultaneous pivotal and translatable movement with respect to the base plate. The base plate has a first pivot point that is movable along a first axis, while the cutting member has a second pivot point that is movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The base plate and cutting member are operably connected to each other at the first and second pivot points. A knob is connected to one of pivot points and is sized to be grasped by one hand and rotated. Rotation of the knob about the one pivot point causes the cutting member to rotate and slide in an elliptical pattern with respect to the base plate to thereby cut an elliptical shape in the sheet of material.

Abstract: An object oriented framework mechanism provides a straightforward and convenient way to implement an electronic catalog by providing an infrastructure that embodies the steps necessary for a framework consumer to define an electronic catalog by extending the framework to fit a particular electronic catalog environment. The electronic catalog framework includes core classes and extensible classes that allow a framework consumer to implement a desired electronic catalog. The core classes and class relationships define the core function of the framework mechanism. Extensible classes include a catalog class, a content page class, a table of contents page class, an index page class, a content list page class, a cover class, and a jacket class. These extensible classes are extended by a framework consumer to implement a desired electronic catalog environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for updating objects sets up morphing on affected classes, and the actual morph of each object is performed the first time the object is touched, i.e., the first time a method on the object is invoked after the morph is set up. Morphing objects on first touch allows an application that requires a new object configuration to be loaded and executed immediately, because new methods and/or data will become available when an instance is first touched. The apparatus and method of the invention set up morphing on first touch by overriding methods on the old class with morph and retry methods that first perform the morph of the object, then route the method call to the newly morphed object. The first touch of an object to be updated thus updates (or morphs) the object, and each subsequent access will be to the updated object.

Abstract: An object oriented data format mapping mechanism provides a framework for mapping data from one or more stored formats to a desired format without custom-generating the conversion code from scratch. The extensible portions of the framework allow a programmer to extend the framework to define a particular data format mapping environment. The framework maps all data to rows, with individual data being accessed by specifying an index within the row. One or more mapped rows define entries in the desired format, but instead of containing data, they contain method calls to classes that perform the desired retrieval and/or manipulation of the data.

Abstract: A web page exploration indicator displays to a user the degree of exploration for a web page or for one or more links on a web page. A user defines the manner for displaying exploration information according to a specified exploration criteria. The exploration criteria generally defines which links are taken into consideration when displaying the exploration information. For example, the exploration criteria may analyze links at the next level, may analyze links that have been traversed by the user, or may analyze links to a specified depth. According to the preferred embodiments, the web page exploration indicator provides a visual indication of the degree of exploration for each displayed web page and for each link on the displayed web page. In this manner a user can easily tell from visual indicators on the screen the degree of exploration for each page and for each link on each page.

Abstract: In an object-oriented or object-based computer system, object methods are routed to users (e.g., client programs) after automatically performing supervisory functions. Examples of suitable supervisory functions include authorization checking and locking. One suitable way to automatically perform the supervisory functions is to provide a call method instruction in the operating system that automatically performs these supervisory functions when a user invokes the object method using the instruction. In this manner, the operating system can assure that the user calling the object method has sufficient authority and lock to access the object method. In addition, the method routing mechanism has the ability to forego authorization checking and locking for objects that are unprotected, and may perform abbreviated authorization checking and locking if the operating system determines from local knowledge that a user is currently authorized to and locked on the called object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method reorder portions of a computer program in a way that achieves both enhanced performance and maintainability of the computer program. A global call graph is initially constructed that includes profile data. From the information in the global call graph, an intramodular call graph is generated for each module. Reordering techniques are used to reorder the procedures in each module according to the profile data in each intramodular call graph. An intermodular call graph is generated from the information in the global call graph. Reordering techniques are used to reorder the modules in the computer program. By reordering procedures within modules, then reordering the modules, enhanced performance is achieved without reordering procedures across module boundaries.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide more complete profile data by instrumenting indirect procedure calls in a computer program. Indirect procedure calls have a number of counters allocated in a table at each indirect call site. The counters are divided into counters in a low volatility area and counters in a high volatility area. The counters in the high volatility area have a pointer that identifies the next procedure to be replaced. As the instrumented code executes, a call to a procedure that is in the table increments the count of the counter in the table. A call to a procedure not in the table is placed in the high volatility area, displacing the procedure at the pointer, and moves the pointer to a new location. The displaced procedure is either promoted to the low volatility area, or is discarded. If promoted, the procedure that it displaces in the low volatility area is demoted to the high volatility area, displacing a procedure there at the pointer (and moving the pointer to a new location).

Abstract: An object identity swapper dynamically updates the configuration of an object by taking a first object, instantiating a new second object, swapping the identities of the first and second objects, and reading and converting the state data of the old object (now the second object) into the new object (now the first object). The result is that the first object identity doesn't change, but its configuration is updated without passivating the object.

Abstract: An object oriented framework mechanism for fulfillment requirements management provides an infrastructure that embodies the steps necessary to manage and coordinate information throughout a given fulfillment requirements process, such as coordinating product information from the marketing of products to the ordering of products to the production of products. Certain core functions are provided by the framework, which interact with extensible functions provided by the framework consumer. The architecture of the framework allows a user to determine the conditions and parameters that apply to the specific environment while allowing a programmer to interact with the framework with an interface that is consistent regardless of the specific combination of parameters specified in the fulfillment requirements manager. The extensible functions allow new fulfillment requirements environments to be easily implemented using the framework.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for executing a sports card game. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a basketball card game with a plurality of basketball play action events distributed to two players as a hand of cards and dice for generating random numbers. Each card describes one event and dice are used to determine the success of field goal attempts and possession after the tip-off and loose balls. The recurrence of one event on multiple cards is similar to the regularity with which the event occurs in a real basketball game. Also, the probability of rolling a number that results in a score corresponds to the nominal field goal percentage for a typical, real game of professional basketball. Additionally, players may strategically select a card to enter into play similar to selecting predetermined plays in real basketball.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for forming watering notches through a sidewall of a conventional irrigation ditch.

Abstract: An object oriented programming (OOP) framework includes an Order Management (OM) mechanism that tracks sales orders received and matches them to warehouse inventory, a Sales Order (SA) mechanism that processes sales orders, and a Purchase Order (PU) mechanism that processes purchase orders. The OM mechanism comprises a category of OOP classes that provide the primary interface between the framework classes and underlying business objects that provide accounting functions and warehouse management interfaces, and the SA and PU mechanisms comprise respective categories of OOP classes that keep track of sales orders received and purchase orders issued.