Abstract: A system, method and program extender for enforcing the uniqueness of temporal data in an object/relational database management system is provided. There is a combination of user-defined functions, triggers and specified conditions to determine if attempts to insert new data or update existing data in a data object in which temporal integrity is a consideration are valid. Barriers exist to protect against inserts or updates that would violate the temporal integrity of the existing data. Also included are ways for a user to modify the behavior of the system or method to override triggers for cases in which temporal integrity is not desired.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture is provided for mapping persistent data objects residing in multiple data sources into a single, reusable software component accessible to an object-oriented programming language application performed by the computer, for multi-database access to data that may be physically distributed and stored in disparate DBMSs, each stored in an electronic storage device coupled to the computer. The method has steps for identifying data objects in multiple data sources, employing a multi-database software facility for connecting to the data sources containing the data objects, and registering the data objects with the multi-database software facility, creating a single virtual data object consolidating multiple attributes from the registered data objects, and establishing a connection to the multi-database software facility for referencing the virtual data object as though it was a single real data object.

Abstract: A method executed by a data processor for scanning a reverse range. The scan is conducted in an index for a table having an upper end and a lower end. The reverse range has a start key value for defining the reverse range, and the index has a set of keys representing a set of records and record attributes in the table. Each key in the set of keys has a RID designating a record in the table and a key value corresponding to an attribute of the record in the table. The method includes the steps of searching the index for a start key, selecting an upper bound of the reverse range, and, if the upper bound is the first key in the index, indicating that the index does not contain any key value within the reverse range, or, if the upper bound is not the first key in the index, then fetching each key below the upper bound in the index.

Abstract: A system, a program storage device and a software method, useable in a computer database system with a display device, is provided for displaying and selecting table joins. The method is capable of assisting in a user's selection of a table join by displaying all user-selected database tables in a join overview diagram and automatically inferring and displaying in a join grid each join grid row having a potential valid table join for a pair of user-selected database tables. The method accepts the user's selection of a join grid row from the join grid, and, in response, places a join indicator in the join overview diagram between icons representing the pair of user-selected database tables from the user-selected join grid row. The user's join grid row selection is performed with a single operation.

Abstract: An optimization technique for SQL queries, a program storage device storing the optimization program, and an apparatus for optimizing a query is provided. A query is analyzed to determine whether it includes the WHERE clause which contains an “EXISTS” subquery and a “NOT EXISTS” subquery, or EXISTS-equivalent subqueries, in Boolean factor. If so, the subsumption test is performed on two subqueries. Then, the compensation predicate is applied to one of them, to perform the QGM transformation of the query. One subquery block is stacked on top of the other subquery block, in order to eliminate one subquery. This procedure allows the transformed query to perform more efficiently than the original query while providing same results. The query is then executed in the computer to efficiently retrieve data from the relational database.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer-implemented technique for query optimization using a multi-layered object cache. An object-oriented query is executed to retrieve data from a database. The database is stored on a data storage device connected to a computer and queries are run against lower cache layers which have better performance characteristics than the external or upper layers. The multi-layered cache has an application objects (AOs) cache and a data access objects (DAOs) cache, and the application objects include methods deriving data from DAOs. The method includes a step of rewriting the query into a query directed against the DAOs cache, applying a pushdown transformation algorithm to the rewritten query directed against the DAOs cache, and executing the transformed query against the DAOs cache. The method also allows optimizing queries with path expressions by transforming path expression into joins.

Abstract: A game set which comprises a set of two-dimensional or three-dimensional game pieces of the same size and geometrical configuration and a method of playing with this game set, with or without a computer. In preferred embodiment, each game piece has a square-shaped playing surface. Each of the four sides of each playing surface of each game piece has a selected visible indicia. The criteria determining how the indicia are to be arranged on the sides are mathematically selected so as to permit the use of the game as a mathematical puzzle that may be played by one player, played competitively by two players, or for other purposes of entertainment or intellectual simulation. In many of the games, the game pieces are arranged in a mutually abutting side-by-side relationship, whereby the indicia on each of the sides may match and align with the indicia on respective abutting sides of other game pieces of the set, and with the top surfaces of the abutting game pieces forming a square.

Abstract: A method and an adjustable portable illumination device, removably attachable to a user's shoe or garment, enabling hands-free operation, and allowing the user to see and be seen. The device has a light housing, a light assembly having an illumination member encapsulated in the light housing, a power source for providing power to the illumination member, a movable plate, attached to the light housing and a light housing attaching member for removably attaching the light housing to the top frontal area of a user's shoe, or on an other article of clothing. The movable plate has a swivel member attached to the movable plate, for vertical positioning of the light housing at an adjustable angle between 20 and 70 degrees relative to the ground.

Abstract: This invention relates to a racket string comb, to be used on the strings in the head of a tennis, racquetball, squash or badminton racket, that can be manually manipulated to move the strings back to their correct position. The improved tennis racket string straightener is a one-piece pocket comb, preferably of molded plastic, which consists of a comb body and integrally placed, widely spaced, narrow claws depending therefrom, along the width thereof. The claws in the preferred embodiment are all of the same size and spacing. The comb body has a handle extended from the comb body at a generally fortyfive degree angle, rounded at the bottom to provide finger comfort and prevent pocket snagging.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an anti-theft device for a personal watercraft which is powered by a gasoline engine-driven jet pump. The anti-theft device, having a nozzle cover, a cover holding mender and a cover locking member, is designed to be sealably attached to a jet pump steering diverter nozzle in order to prevent and deter theft of such a watercraft. The jet pump steering diverter nozzle, having an entrance and an exit end, is locked by mounting the nozzle cover to the exit end of the jet steering diverter nozzle, the nozzle cover is engaged in tight contact with the jet steering diverter nozzle with the cover holding member, whereby preventing movement of the nozzle cover in order to restrict the flow of water passing through the jet steering diverter nozzle, and the nozzle cover is locked to the jet steering diverted nozzle in order to prevent unauthorized removal thereof.

Abstract: A card game which comprises a set of cards of the same size and geometrical configuration, each having a square playing surface. Each of the four sides of each card has a selected visible indicia. The criteria determining how the indicia are to be arranged on the sides of the cards are mathematically selected so as to permit the use of the game as a mathematical puzzle that may be played by one player, played competitively by two players, or for other purposes of entertainment or intellectual stimulation. In many of the games the cards or other playing pieces are arranged in a mutually abutting side-by-side relationship whereby the indicia on each of the sides may match and align with the indicia on respective abutting sides of other cards of the set, and with the top surfaces of the abutting cards forming a square.

Abstract: A microphone stand assembly incorporating an adjustable height and angle microphone support column to be securely oriented in a plurality of positions is provided. In the preferred embodiment the column accommodates six microphones. This arrangement permits performers to utilize a single microphone stand with six microphones at different heights for simultaneous voice and musical instrument amplification. In addition, the invention provides a means for adjustably retaining a set of microphones in a preselected position, usable in a horizontal position, vertical position or in any other angle, allowing for a change in the position of a microphone support column and for accommodation of more than one microphone housing slot mounted on a single microphone support stand assembly. The result is an apparatus, relatively inexpensive and compact, with possibility of use by people of different heights without adjusting the stand or the microphone.

Abstract: An improved audio-visual computer-based home entertainment media inventory and control system is disclosed comprising a computer with associated software, for controlling any combination or number of video tape record-playback units, audio tape record-playback units, video disc record or playback units, CD audio record or playback units, and the like, said system includes a touch-screen color video display for displaying computer or TV format graphics, inventory lists, and operational touch screen menus for ease of operator use in inventorying and accessing audio-visual recordings. This system includes hardware and software facilities for accessing electronic mail sources of media content information, graphics data and broadcast air time guides.