Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for conveying redundancies and omissions among components of a network framework such as a web architecture framework. First, an area of an existing network framework is determined in which redundancies and omissions exist. Next, a pictorial representation of the existing network framework is presented along with a plurality of its components. The foregoing redundancies and the omissions are then highlighted by indicia coding the components of the existing network that reside in the area. As such, a diagnostic analysis of redundant efforts and gaps in a current implementation of the existing network framework is effectively conveyed.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for retrieving multiple business objects across a network in one access operation. A business object and a plurality of remaining objects are provided on a persistent store. Upon receiving a request for the business object, it is established which of the remaining objects are related to the business object. The related objects and the business object are retrieved from the persistent store in one operation and it is determined how the retrieved related objects relate to the business object and each other. A graph of relationships of the business and related objects is instantiated in memory.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for translating an object attribute to and from a database value. A database is provided and a conversion process is determined for converting an object attribute to and from a database value. The conversion process is encapsulated in an attribute converter. A first object attribute is directed to the attribute converter for conversion to a first database value. A second database value is directed to the attribute converter for conversion to a second object attribute. The second attribute converter is substituted for the attribute converter for altering the conversion of the attribute, and the attribute converter is altered for relieving a performance bottleneck.

Abstract: A method for translating to and from an hierarchical information system, comprises identifying a non-hierarchical information system containing information stored in a non-hierarchical manner; developing a translation map that identifies organizational and content based rules for translating the non-hierarchical information into an hierarchical information system; and translating the non-hierarchical information for storage into the hierarchical information system according to the rules for translating.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for providing an interface between a first server and a second server with a proxy component situated therebetween. Initially, a request for a business object is identified by an application on the first server. The first server is then connected to the second server. Next, selection criteria from the first server is transmitted to the second server. In response to the selection criteria, the first server receives a first recordset and a second recordset from the second server. Business data is included in the first recordset and result codes are included in the second recordset. The first and second recordsets are mapped to the business object and the business object is sent to the application on the first server.

Abstract: The present invention is provided for utilizing various types of user indicia such as search requests, products purchased, products looked at but not purchased, products purchased and returned, reasons for returning products, customers stated profile including income level, education level, stated profession, etc. for the purpose of customizing a user interface.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for affording a table-driven automated scripting architecture. First, test script information is divided into a plurality of components of one or more words having a commonly understood meaning. Then the components are stored into a database. Later, the components are parsed into one or more words (each having a commonly understood meaning). The database is queried for the words to retrieve a set of computer instructions that cause a computer to perform functions related to the commonly understood meaning of the words and then to perform those functions.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for minimizing the amount of changes that need to be made to exception handling logic when new exceptions are added. Exceptions are organized into hierarchies in a polymorphic exception handler. A root of one of the hierarchies in which an exception occurs is caught. The exception is instructed to rethrow itself. The rethrown exception is caught and identified. A type of the rethrown exception is determined and a message is outputted indicating the type of the rethrown exception.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that enables intelligent environments comprised of physical spaces that sense and respond to the people and events taking place in them to dynamically influence environmental factors that affect them, such as the lighting, temperature, décor or background music. An intelligent environment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention controls the selection of music played in a fitness center. Two different algorithms are utilized to arbitrate preferences in a shared environment: one seeks to maximize the average satisfaction of the inhabitants, the other seeks to maximize the equitable distribution of satisfaction among the inhabitants. The resultant system is an approach that affords effective environmental control.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting emotional states using statistics. First, a speech signal is received. At least one acoustic parameter is extracted from the speech signal. Then statistics or features from samples of the voice are calculated from extracted speech parameters. The features serve as inputs to a classifier, which can be a computer program, a device or both. The classifier assigns at least one emotional state from a finite number of possible emotional states to the speech signal. The classifier also estimates the confidence of its decision. Features that are calculated may include a maximum value of a fundamental frequency, a standard deviation of the fundamental frequency, a range of the fundamental frequency, a mean of the fundamental frequency, and a variety of other statistics.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for detecting an orphaned server context. A collection of outstanding server objects is maintained and a list of contexts is created for each of the outstanding server objects. A compilation of clients who are interested in each of the outstanding server objects are added to the list. Recorded on the list is a duration of time since the clients invoked a method accessing each of the contexts of the outstanding server objects. The list is examined at predetermined intervals for determining whether a predetermined amount of time has passed since each of the objects has been accessed. Contexts that have not been accessed in the predetermined amount of time are selected and information is sent to the clients identifying the contexts that have not been accessed in the predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for monitoring emotions in voice signals and providing feedback thereon. First, a voice signal is received representative of a component of a conversation between at least two subjects. Thereafter, an emotion associated with the voice signal is determined. Feedback then provided to a third party based on the determined emotion.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture are described for providing a self-describing stream-based communication system. Messages are sent which include data between a sending system and a receiving system. Meta-data is attached to the messages being sent between the sending system and the receiving system. The data of the messages sent from the sending system to the receiving system is translated based on the meta-data. The meta-data includes first and second sections. The first section identifies a type of object associated with the data and a number of attribute descriptors in the data. The second section includes a series of the attribute descriptors defining elements of the data.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for implementing environment services patterns. First, a successfulness of an operation is tested, wherein the operation has pre-conditions and post-conditions that must be satisfied for the operation to be successful. Then, there is an attempt to detect an orphaned server context. A common interface is created for exception handling. Requirements for such exception handling are also recorded to maintain a consistent error handling approach. Incoming requests are distributed amongst server components for optimizing usage of resources. Finally, the amount of changes that need to be made to exception handling logic are minimized when new exceptions are added.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for planning the testing of components of an existing network framework. First, a pictorial representation of an existing network framework is displayed along with a plurality of components of the existing network framework. Thereafter, the components of the existing network framework are indicia coded in order to convey a plan by which the components of the existing network framework are to be tested. The components may be indicia coded in order to convey an order of the testing or which components of the existing network framework are to be tested.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for regulating border crossing based on voice signals. First, voice signals are received from a person attempting to cross a border. The voice signals of the person are analyzed to determine whether the person meets predetermined criteria to cross the border. Then, an indication is output as to whether the person meets the predetermined criteria to cross the border. In one embodiment of the present invention, an identity of the person is determined from the voice signals. In another embodiment of the present invention, emotion is detected in the voice signals of the person.

Abstract: According to a broad aspect of a preferred embodiment of the invention, a Customer Quality of Service Management system is provided. First, a hybrid network event is received which may include customer inquiries, required reports, completion notification, quality of service terms, service level agreement terms, service problem data, quality data, network performance data, and/or network configuration data. Next, the system determines customer reports to be generated and generates the customer reports accordingly based on the event received.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture for facilitating a user in, or creating for a user, a web-based active knowledge management system to facilitate an intelligent agent coordinator. The architecture facilitates delivery of information whenever and where ever a user requires the information in an appropriate format based on characteristics of the user at that instant. Personalization of information is also afforded by taking into account the history of user interactions with various applications and current real time situations, such a time and place, in order to create a plurality of unique user profile. Each unique profile can then be associated with a unique address, as well as being given restriction exclusive to that profile. Associations, such as business rules or databases, can also be related to each such profile. A fast and scalable information prioritization subsystem is also utilized to incorporate intelligent agents coordinator opinion, user preferences, and history of user interactions.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for separating logic and data access concerns during development of a persistent object for insulating development of business logic from development of data access routine. A persistent object being developed is accessed and a state of the persistent object is detached into a separate state class. The state class serves as a contract between a logic development team and a data access development team. Logic development is limited by the logic development team to developing business logic. Data access development is restricted by the data access development team to providing data creation, retrieval, updating, and deletion capabilities.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for delivering service via a locally addressable interface. A plurality of globally addressable interfaces and a plurality of locally addressable interfaces are provided. Access is allowed to a plurality of different sets of services from each of the globally addressable interfaces and the locally addressable interface. Each interface has a unique set of services associated therewith. The globally addressable interfaces are registered in a naming service for facilitating access thereto. Use of the locally addressable interfaces is permitted only via the globally addressable interfaces or another locally addressable interface.