Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing the operation of an equipment control system having an operating unit. In the method, an operating entity operable to perform a specific function is automatically added to the operating unit when such function is required of the operating unit. When the specific function of the operating entity is no longer required, the operating entity is automatically deleted from the operating unit.

Abstract: A recovery method for a resource management system having a message handler for communicating orders from a plurality of disparate hosts to an order processing system for assignment to remote resources includes shutting down the order processing system and the message handler. A restored order processing system is generated by replacing a current version of the order processing system with a previously saved version. The restored order processing system is restarted, as is the message handler. Each order in the restored processing system is set to pending. Orders in the restored order processing system that were closed subsequent to a time of the previously saved version are identified and deleted from the restored order processing system. Orders in the message handler that were transmitted from the message handler to the order processing system subsequent to the time of the previously saved version are identified.

Abstract: A communications system for remotely managing equipment includes a first remote device and a second remote device having the same network address. A communications network includes a first link connecting the first remote device to a management station and a second, disparate link connecting the second remote device to the management station. The management station is operable to individually access the first remote device via the first link and to individually access the second remote device via the second link.

Abstract: A system for retrieving and scoring of information from an information source includes a user interface operable to receive one or more search criterion and an importance rate assigned to each of the search criterion. A processor is coupled to the user interface and the information source and is operable to retrieve information from the information source. The system also includes a computer-readable storage medium coupled to the processor. A computer program encoded on the computer-readable storage medium and executable by the processor scores the retrieved information using the search criterion and the importance rates assigned to the search criterion.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a system for automating the communication of business information. The system comprises a server (20) operable to capture business information from a plurality of sources, capture distribution information associated with the business information, integrate the captured information in a standardized format, and display the captured information. The system also comprises a database (40) operable to communicate with the server (20). The database (40) is operable to store the captured information and communicate the captured information to the server (20).

Abstract: A customer at an enrollment section (12) uses a self-dial telephone (14) to make a toll-free call to a customer service operator at a workstation (26). The operator activates a check-cashing card (18) obtained by the customer at the enrollment section, which includes enrolling a checking account against which the customer wishes to cash checks. The customer can subsequently use the activated card with automatic teller machines (57) to cash checks in transactions that are entirely automated, and that do not require the customer to have funds available for withdrawal from an institutional account. Each automatic teller machine interacts with a switch system (42), which in turn interacts with a host system (37), in order to determine whether to proceed with the check-cashing transaction. If authorization is granted, a dispense amount is determined by deducting one or more fees from the amount of the check, and the customer is then paid the dispense amount in cash.

Abstract: A method and system for modifying program applications of a legacy computer system to directly output data as XML using a DOM instance, models the legacy computer system, maps the model to an XML schema and automatically modifies one or more applications to directly output XML formatted data from an internally constructed DOM instance in cooperation with a writer engine. The writer engine allows for an arbitrary number of contexts to be simultaneously active and builds a complete DOM instance by using the multiple contexts to buffer output data. The writer engine directly loads XML schema information to construct and output DOM instances in accordance with the schema and subject to further transformation by XSLT stylesheets.

Abstract: A computer program (38) for organization management can interact with a database (36) containing organization information, and includes a personnel administration module (41), a personnel development module (46), and a workflow engine (43). The personnel administration module can interact with the workflow engine to initiate a workflow to obtain approvals for a proposed change in the database. A supplemental program (51) is provided to permit the personnel development module to cause the workflow engine to initiate a workflow in association with a proposed change, and can interact with a scenario table and a scenario attributes table. The scenario table identifies different types of proposed changes, and identifies the particular workflow process to initiate for each such type. The scenario attributes table identifies one or more proposed changes which fall within each type, and indicates whether it is necessary to initiate a workflow for each such change.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a computer network used to transfer data includes measuring (112) the amount of data transferred across the network during each of a plurality of time periods. The method also includes determining (118) an actual level of network usage by a user for each of the time periods and comparing (120) the actual level of network usage generated for each time period with an authorized level of usage.

Abstract: A system for enhancing the performance of a relational database management system is provided which consists of a computer (10) running a relational database management system (16) (RDBMS) with a data storage device (12) containing a database (14) under control of the RDBMS (16). The RDBMS performance enhancement system utilizes a computer memory (22) to store certain data from the database (14). A pre-processor (20), which is part of an application (18) program, executes the performance enhancements which include staging data into memory (22), creating memory-based alternate indexes, and deferring updates until the application (18) terminates. The performance enhancements reduce data access requests to the RDBMS (16) and eliminate unnecessary RDBMS (16) operations.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for maintaining the integrity of shared objects based upon instance variable locking. In accordance with the method of the invention, a locking tag is attached to an instance variable, indicating that the instance variable was read by a first process. Reads of the instance variable by a second process are allowed while the first locking tag is present. A second locking tag is attached to the instance variable, indicating that the instance variable was read by the second process.

Abstract: A maintenance system (10) is provided for maintaining applications (14) in a computer system. The maintenance system (10) includes a database (28, 36) which stores a check-in entry (22) associated with an application (14) and configuration information (40). A processor (24, 26), coupled to the database (28, 36), determines whether a check-in time for the application (14) associated with the check-in entry (22) is later than a specified time. If such is the case, then the processor (24, 26) deactivates the application (14). The processor (24, 26) also functions to start the application (14) associated with the check-in entry (22) if the application (14) is not running.

Abstract: A network (10) is provided that has a network server (12) and a plurality of client systems (14). The network server (12) executes a server application (16), and the plurality of client systems (14) each execute a client application (20). The client applications (20) create and display situation board windows (22) on each client system (14) and allow users of each client system (14) to view information and submit information for the situation board windows (22). The server application (16) receives submitted information from the client applications (20) and maintains a current state of group information to be displayed in the situation board windows (22). The server application (16) also updates the situation board windows (22) such that the users are displayed the group information in the respective situation board windows (22).

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a distributed object system comprising a plurality of resources and a plurality of transactions where at least some of the plurality of transactions make use of at least one of the plurality of resources. A transaction service runs on at least one computer and is operable to interact with the resources and transactions. The transaction service comprises a deadlock detector operable to determine whether deadlock will occur if one of the plurality of transactions waits to use a resource currently being used by another of the plurality of transactions. A roll back method is operable to roll back a particular transaction if the deadlock detector determines that deadlock will occur if that particular transaction waits to use a resource currently being used by another of the plurality of transactions.

Abstract: The method and system of managing contract negotiation records may comprise a contract table (44), a plurality of activity tables (46) and a contract interface (124). The contract table (44) may comprise a plurality of contract records (50) each having a plurality of fields of contract data (54) and a unique contract identifier (52). The activity tables (46) may each comprise a plurality of activity records (100) associated with one of the contract records (50) to form a contract negotiation record (40). Each of the activity records (100) may have a plurality of fields of activity data (104). The contract interface (124) may be displayed as a series of graphical displays providing selections for manipulating at least one of the contract negotiation records (40). A selection to manipulate a contract negotiation record (40) may be received via the contract interface (124) and automatically processed.

Abstract: An automated satellite network sizing and pricing workbook (15) implemented on a computer system (10) that is programmed to execute electronic spreadsheet software. The workbook (15) is comprised of a number of worksheets (15A-15J). Some of the worksheets receive data, sometimes manually from a network provider and sometimes automatically from other worksheets, and perform “hidden” calculations to provide various data used for sizing and pricing the network. Other worksheets are for reference or for generating reports of calculated values. The worksheets interact with each other, and the network provider uses them interactively and iteratively to design a network that is feasible in terms of both capacity and cost.

Abstract: A method of authorizing access to records of members of a community in response to a request by a user may comprise determining if a relationship exists between the user requesting access to a record of a member of a community and the member. If a relationship exists between the user and the member, the type of relationship may be determined. For the relationship type, it may be determined if requested access to records of the member is authorized.

Abstract: A system (8) for testing an application program (20) includes a normal operating environment (12) within which the application program (20) is intended to execute when not being tested. A shared database (18) stores the application program (20) and provides a plurality of users (16) with access to the application program (20). A testing service (10) coupled to the normal operating environment (12) and the shared database (18) supports a base copy (22) of the normal operating environment (12) that simulates and is coupled to the normal operating environment (12). The testing service (10) also supports a first modified version (24) of the normal operating environment (12) that is isolated from the normal operating environment (12) and differs from the base copy (22) with respect to a first testing variable.

Abstract: A secure data storage system (28) may comprise a secured data file (40), a secured system file (44), and a data file application (42). The secured data file (40) may have a verification system (48) operable to allow access to the secured data file (40) only upon receipt of a unique identifier (84, 90) matching a stored, unique identifier (50). The data file application (42) may be operable to communicate the unique identifier (84, 90) to the secured data file (40) to access the data file (40) in a secured session. The secured system file (44) may be linked to the data file application (42) to establish access privileges during the secured session.

Abstract: A telecommunication management system is provided for managing hardware and software systems within a telecommunication network. The management system includes an Operator Services component, a Management Services component and an External Interfaces component. The Operator Services Component provides a user interface between one or more operators and the remainder of the system's processes. The Management Services Components provides servers which function as an interim stage of information transmittal between the operators and the external interfaces. The External Interfaces provide interfacing between network devices and the management system's operators by way of the Management Services component. The management system, for example, can efficiently manage a group of integrated receiver/decoders grouped together according to a satellite circuit.