Abstract: An automated check processing system includes an input device receiving checking account information and a check amount of a check provided for payment in a translation. A transaction database coupled to the input device then electronically receives and stores the checking account information and check amount, which are then downloaded to a power encoder. The power encoder receives checking account information and check amount for transactions occurring over a predetermined transaction period, and then matches the checks with the electronic checking account information and check amounts. A check having a match results in the electronic checking amount being encoded on its face.

Abstract: An automated activity-based management system and method (10) for making thereof are provided. A business organization has costs associated with its employees, facilities, equipment, and overhead to produce products or provide services. Such a business organization typically generates traditional general ledger accounting information (152) and human resources information (150). This traditional accounting information (150, 152, 154) is used along with information directed to activities, equipment usage and facilities utilization to generate costs associated with activities performed by the organization. A computer workstation (40) with a graphical user interface (42) is used to accept entries of activity information (74). The activity information and traditional accounting information are fed to a relational database (12). The information is processed and costs associated with the employee, facilities, equipment, and overhead components (20, 22, 24, 26) of activities are computed.

Abstract: Assessment tool (12) for measuring effectiveness of a target. The assessment tool (12) includes a first part (14) and second part (16). The first part (14) includes a plurality of independent objects (35) each displaying a statement (36) directed toward a characteristic of the target. The second part (16) includes at least one inquiry (52) directed toward the verifiable performance of the target.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for monitoring the performance of a computer coupled to a computer network and, optionally, generating alerts when the performance of the computer has reached an alertable level. The method of monitoring the performance of the computer comprises repeatedly obtaining performance data using the computer wherein at least one performance value comprises a measure of the performance of the computer. The performance data is automatically sent over the computer network to a second computer coupled to the computer network. The performance data is then logged to a performance database using the second computer.

Abstract: A system (10) is provided for analyzing failures arising in computing environments. The system (10) includes an interface (12) which receives information relating to a current failure in a computing environment. A database (18) stores information relating to at least one prior failure in the same computing environment or another computing environment. A processor (22), which is coupled to the interface (12) and the database (18), compares the received information relating to the current failure with the stored information relating to the prior failure in order to find similarities. The processor (22) may then instruct a user to take appropriate action in response to similarities between the current failure and the prior failure, thereby analyzing the failures.

Abstract: A system (10) for recursive document retrieval is provided. An original repository (12) comprises a plurality of documents (14), and a query (16) comprises information by which the original repository (12) can be analyzed to identify relevant documents (14). A retrieval engine (18) is coupled to the original repository (12) and receives the query (16). The retrieval engine (18) is operable to execute an automatic recursive retrieval process with respect to the original repository (12) using the query (16) where the automatic recursive retrieval process comprises a plurality of iterations. The retrieval engine (18) is also operable to provide as system output a retrieved repository (28) comprising a plurality of documents (30) from the original repository (12) identified as sufficiently relevant to the query (16) according to the automatic recursive retrieval process for detection as relevant documents.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for automated reconfiguration of a client computer or user profile in a computer network. The invention allows a user to automatically reconfigure a client computer or user profile using computer software running on the client computer. The method of the invention comprises presenting a user of the client computer with a number of reconfiguration options using a user interface. The user may then select one or more of the reconfiguration options using the user interface. After receiving the user's input, a script is executed corresponding to the user's selection wherein the script causes a reconfiguration of the client computer or user profile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for interacting with a computer reservation system. A client computer (12) generates commands in response to user input. A server computer (14) receives the commands and generates requests to a computer reservation system through application program interfaces responsive to the commands. After receiving sets of reservation data from the computer reservation system in response to the requests, the received data is normalized and selected portions are returned to the client computer (12).

Abstract: A system and method (10) for collecting and processing input data (16) and generating output data (24). The system (10) uses a plurality of dictionary tables (22) to control the reading, processing, and outputting of data. The system (10) includes at least one input processing table (32) having format and content information of the input data (16), and at least one output processing table (34) having format and content information of said output data (24). A multi-tasking process (60) is used to spawn a plurality of subtasks (90), each subtask processing one type of data, said subtasks accessing said input processing table (32) for determining how said input data (16) are to be read, and further accessing said output processing table (34) for determining how to create and format said output data (24). Other data dictionary tables (22) are used to track system activity and statistics, define the system that generated the data, and avoid duplicate processing of data.

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 creating and manipulating database files comprises a plurality of database files (19, 23, 50) and an object maintenance module (26). The database files (19, 23, 50) may generate database objects. The object maintenance module (26) may automatically generate a batch execution file (42). The batch execution file (42) may automatically execute the database files (19, 23, 50). In another aspect of the invention, the method and system may comprise a first database environment (22, 24) and a migration module (36). The first database environment (22, 24) may include a first set of database files (19, 23). The migration module (36) may automatically generate a second set of database files (50) from the first set of database files (19, 23). The second set of database files (50) are for use in connection with a second database environment (48). The migration module (36) may transfer the second database files (19, 23) to the second database environment (48).

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 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 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 (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: 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: 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.