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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A remote editor system (26) is provided for remotely editing files stored on a remote Internet server (15). The remote editor system (26) includes a client (12), using a web browser (32), and the remote Internet server (15) having a mass storage device (44), for storing computer files, and a processor (42). The processor (42) is responsive to one or more of the computer files of the mass storage device (44). The processor (42) is responsive to communicate an editor input form to the client (12) and to receive an input text string from the client (12) that includes a server path input that identifies a path of the remote Internet server (15). The processor (42) is further responsive to store the server path input as a variable and to communicate a file selection form to the client (12) so that a user may a select a file to edit. The processor (42) receives a file selection input identifying the user's selection and provides the text of the selected file to the web browser (32) of the client (12) for editing.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for processing a query. The method comprises receiving a query requesting at least one specific attribute of selected ones of a plurality of objects satisfying a query criteria. The query is directed to a database containing state data for the plurality of objects. A data structure is generated in response to the query, the data structure comprising, for each object satisfying the query criteria, each specific attribute requested by the query and the identifier of the object, even if the identifier of the object was not requested as a specific attribute in the query.

Abstract: An automated system (10) is provided for identifying alternate low-cost travel arrangements. The system (10) obtains inventory information specifying the rates and/or availability of a plurality of travel arrangements, from one or more computer reservation systems. The inventory information is stored in a database (14) along with one or more portfolios of information (relating to a travel agency and each business entity customer of the travel agency) that can be used to discount the listed rates of the travel arrangements. In response to travel request information received from a customer, the system (10) automatically retrieves the inventory and/or discount information from the database (14) and determines a plurality of low-cost alternate travel arrangements that are available to the customer Consequently, a travel agent using the system (10) does not have to spend time manually identifying alternate low-cost travel arrangements.

Abstract: A method is described for storing and retrieving reports from a computer database with control of access to the database and to the reports. The reports are stored in a current database (16) for a selected period of time and are stored in a library database (18) on a permanent basis. The reports are provided in a report configuration which has data elements of the same parameter at specified locations according to the report configuration. When a report is received for storage in the database, indices are generated relating data elements of various data parameters to memory location of such data elements in the storage locations of the database. The indices can be used to retrieve portions of the report of interest. Access to the database is controlled by report type, report date, and report segment.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting 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 images. 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: The automated improved check processing system and method includes a data entry device (200, 202) for receiving checking account information (304, 306, 308) and a check amount (302) of a check (210, 300) provided for deposit in a transaction, which are electronically transmitted and stored in a database (204). A document identifier is automatically generated and also stored with the checking account information in the database (204). Further, the depositor's account information may also be read and stored in the database. A power encoder (208, 414) is then used to match the paper checks (210, 300) with the respective electronic checking account information and check amount so that the correct check amounts can be encoded onto the face of the checks. The power encoder may also spray endorse a depositor's account information on the check to facilitate returns processing (416).

Abstract: A resource access control system and method (50) for a corporate enterprise includes a security administrator (60, 62) in communication with a plurality of users (90), each of the users (90) having an assigned role and a unique user identifier. A temporary credential token (52) is generated correlative to the assigned role of the user by the security administrator (62) as the user logs on by entering the assigned unique user identifier and indicates a desire to access a resource (56). The temporary credential token (52) is communicated to the resource (56) and any subsequent resources (56) to allow access by the user (90), and deleted as the user (90) terminates the session.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for monitoring and logging performance characteristics of a database (18). According to one aspect of the invention, a method of monitoring and logging the performance of a database (18) comprises initiating a database performance monitoring session, repeatedly obtaining selected performance data comprising at least one performance value comprising a measure of the performance of the database (18), and logging the performance data to a storage medium (20) operable to facilitate subsequent retrieval of a subset (222) of the selected performance values for analysis.