Abstract: A method and system for detecting transitional markers such as uniform images in a digital video signal made up of a series of video images is disclosed. One aspect of the invention is a method for detecting uniform fields. The method comprises segmenting a plurality of the video images into a number of cells, each cell comprising a number of pixels, each pixel associated with an intensity value representing the intensity of the pixel. Then, a plurality of cell contrast vectors each associated with one of the segmented video images is generated. Each element of the cell contrast vector is associated with one of the cells of the video image and comprises the standard deviation of the pixel intensity values for the pixels in that cell. A uniform image is detected for a video image in response to the cell contrast vector for that image.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically synchronizing a target and source directory in a computer system are provided. The system (8) includes a first file directory (32) which has a first plurality of files (33). A second file directory (70) has a second plurality of files (71). A directory synchronizer (14) sequentially selects one of the first plurality of files (33), determines whether one of the second plurality of files (71) is substantially similar to the selected one of the first plurality of files (33), and copies the selected one of the first plurality of files (33) into the second file directory (70) if no similar file is found.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting cuts in a digital video signal made up of a series of video images is disclosed. The method comprises segmenting a plurality of the video images into a number of cells, each comprised of a number of pixels having a pixel intensity value. Then, a plurality of cell contrast vectors each associated with one of the segmented video images is generated. An element of the cell contrast vector comprises the standard deviation of the pixel intensity values for the pixels in a particular cell. A cut detect signal is generated for a video image in response to the cell contrast vector associated with that image.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking the configuration of a computer coupled to a computer network is shown such that configuration data is repeatedly obtained using a first computer wherein the configuration data comprises information about the configuration of the first computer. The configuration data is automatically sent over the computer network to a second computer coupled to the network. The configuration data is logged to a configuration database using the second computer.

Abstract: A system is provided for converting representations of year. The system includes a database which stores a representation of year in either a two-digit format or a four-digit format. A processor, coupled to the database, converts the representation into the other of the two-digit format or the four-digit format if the represented year falls within a floating window of years. If the represented year does not fall within the floating window, the processor rejects the representation.

Abstract: A system (10) for automated retrieval of information from one or more information sources (30) includes user parameters (14) that specify an attribute (114, 116, 118, 120) of a user (102). A library (18) contains filters (20) that each specify one or more search parameters for an associated attribute (114, 116, 118, 120). A translator (16) selects one or more filters (20) from the library (18) in accordance with the user parameters (14). A searcher (28) retrieves information from the information sources (30) using the selected filters (20).

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system (10) for arrangement of documents (13) is provided. The system includes a document repository (12) storing a plurality of documents (13). An arrangement engine (14) is coupled to the document repository (12). The arrangement engine (14) is operable to build a plurality of symmetric matrices based upon a plurality of identified arrangements of the plurality of documents (13) in the document repository (12). Each matrix is structured such that each row and each column is associated with a document (13).

Abstract: A data processing system (10) is provided that comprises a number of TPF mainframe computers (12a) and (12b) which use a number of MVS mainframe computers (24a) and (24b) to access tape drive silos (34), (36) and (38). The TPF consoles (14), (16), (18) and (20) are coupled to MVS consoles (26), (28), (30) and (32) through a network bus (22). The TPF consoles and the MVS consoles function in a client server architecture to provide for the communication of tape mount and dismount requests from the TPF mainframes to the MVS mainframes and for confirmation of those activities from the MVS mainframes to the TPF mainframes.

Abstract: Assessment tool (12) for gathering meaningful information concerning an object. The assessment tool (12) includes a plurality of statements (40) directed toward observable characteristics of the object. A frequency estimation scale (42) corresponds to each statement (40). At least one statement (40) is reverse keyed from the remaining statements (40).

Abstract: A method for providing pager services to users of a computer network (10) is presented. The method includes the step of sending pager address data and pager message data from a client node (14) on a computer network (10) to a primary pager server (40) on the computer network (10). The primary pager server (40) converts the pager address data into operating instructions for an external communications medium interface device, and communicates with a pager system via the external communications medium interface device. The primary pager server (40) then sends the pager message data to the pager system using the external communications medium interface device.

Abstract: A computing system (10) includes a program (16) that performs processing tasks. A configuration file manager (22) generates configuration information for the program (16) using an environment (26) and configuration files (28, 30, 32). Parameter expressions in the environment (26) and configuration files (28, 30, 32) are arranged in a hierarchy to promote organization and management of configuration information.

Abstract: A process management system (10) for operating on a computer (102, 104, 106) includes a graphical user interface (14) for graphically presenting a process or a portion thereof to a user, a work element for graphically representing a task to be performed in the process, a work product for graphically representing a resultant product of performing a task, an agent for graphically representing an actor responsible for performing a task, and a link for graphically connecting the work element, work product, and agent indicative of inter-relationships therebetween. A knowledge repository (16) is further coupled to the computer for storing valuable information regarding the process.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for achieving delegation in a class-based object oriented language. In accordance with the method of the invention, a message is received with a first object, the message including a first target parameter. The first object then generates a "self" message in response to the first message and sends the "self" message to the object identified by the first target parameter.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting the type of production media used to produce a digital video signal made up of a series of video images is disclosed. In accordance with the method of the invention, a plurality of the video images are segmented into a number of cells wherein each cell comprises a number of pixels having a pixel intensity value representing the intensity of the pixel. A plurality of cell contrast vectors each associated with one of the video images is generated wherein each element of the cell contrast vector comprises the standard deviation of the pixel intensity values for the pixels in a particular cell. A film media detect signal is generated in response to the cell contrast vectors.

Abstract: A data access system wherein users specify questions to be asked of a data source independent of the actual storage mechanism for the data source. Queries are stored in the relational structures of a meta dictionary using a common query definition. From the common query definition, the system parses the user question, selects a target language determined by the actual storage mechanism of the data, and generates the language syntax for the target language to obtain the answer to the query. The target language may be any well-defined syntax used for accessing data. Because of the language independence, the source of the data may be a relational database, flat file or other data structure that has an access language.

Abstract: A system (10) for evaluating a software product includes an interface (12). The interface (12) receives product data relating to the software product, and a first memory (14) stores the product data. A second memory (23, 32) stores a plurality of weighting values. A processor (26, 36) is coupled to the first memory (14) and the second memory (23, 32). The processor (26, 36) applies the plurality of weighting values to the product data to generate at least one criterion score for the software product. Each criterion score represents an evaluation of the software product.

Abstract: A method is provided for labeling a removable media cartridge (10). The removable media cartridge (10) encloses a storage media (13) and has an external label (15). The removable media cartridge (10) is mounted in physical hardware for writing data to the storage media (13). A label number is selected for the removable media cartridge (10). An internal label (14) is then written to the storage media (13) where the internal label (14) represents the selected label number, and data is written to the external label (15) where the data also represents the selected label number.

Abstract: A system for extending the capabilities of a programming language, particularly a 4GL, wherein an extension of the programming language is created as a class within the C++ programming language. The extension class must also include code to register the extension class with the programming language, so that the programming language execution engine can call the functions of the class. When the extension function receives control, it receives any parameters defined within the programming language statement that called the extension function, and it can return a value to the programming language. The extension function may call other functions of the programming language, and it may call any other types of functions, therefore, the extension function has complete control over its domain and scope.

Abstract: Method and system for arranging text for label printing employs a label program (28) operable to receive a data selection and a user interface (32) operable to receive format parameters of a form. The data selection include at least one data block. The format parameters includes an array corresponding to a layout of the form. The label program (28) is further operable to receive the format parameters from the user interface (32), to format an application file to conform to the format parameters, including a table of cells corresponding to the array, to transfer each data block to a cell of the table, and to print the application file to the form (42).

Abstract: An automated system and method for classifying audio or audio/video signals as music or non-music is provided. A spectrum module receives at least one digitized audio signal from a source and generates representations of the power distribution of the audio signal with respect to frequency and time. A first moment module calculates, for each time instant, a first moment of the distribution representation with respect to frequency and in turn generates a representation of a time series of first moment values.A degree of variation module in turn calculates a measure of degree of variation with respect to time of the values of the time series and produces a representation of the first moment time series variation measuring values.