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: 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 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: 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: A process is provided for determining relevance using an electronic system. The process includes providing a first feature vector, providing a second feature vector, and providing an indexing parameter. A parametric family of sampling distributions are provided for the first feature vector using the indexing parameter. A parametric family of sampling distributions are also provided for the second feature vector using the indexing parameter. The process further includes providing a prior distribution of the indexing parameter. A distribution of the indexing parameter, given the second feature vector and an event that the first feature vector is not relevant to the second feature vector, is assigned the value of the prior distribution of the indexing parameter.

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.

Abstract: A system (10) for compressing and decompressing records includes a decompressed file (12) and a compressed file (14). A first record is stored in a first buffer (18) and a second record is stored in a second buffer (20). A vertical compression technique compares the first record and the second record, on a field-by-field basis, and replaces the field of the second record with a vertical repeat indicator if the field of the second record matches the corresponding field of the first record. A horizontal compression technique further compresses the second record by replacing adjacent matching characters with a horizontal repeat indicator.

Abstract: A database organization system that separates fields used for record selection into a search table, leaving fields used solely for retrieval in a separate detail table. The system constructs a bit-interleaved key field within the search table, causing records with similar field values to cluster. The system further partitions the tables into multiple pairs of sub-tables as size increases, and builds a statistics table with information describing each partitioned sub-table. Each sub-table is searched separately and the results merged. The bits of the bit-interleaved key are ordered by likelihood of data query, and the partitioning is performed using the value of each bit. The system keeps statistics for each partition, and allows parallel searching of each partition. Query speed is enhanced by culling sub-tables from the search process, by reading only the search table data, and by eliminating record-level tests on tables completely within the desired result set.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for monitoring the performance of a computer in a computer network using modular extension agents. In accordance with the method of the invention the first computer repeatedly obtains performance data including at least one performance value comprising a measure of the performance of the computer. The performance data is automatically sent over the computer network through a second computer coupled to the computer network. The second computer receives the performance data and passes the performance data to a first extension agent, wherein the first extension agent is operable to process the performance data.

Abstract: A system for storing array variables in a programming language, wherein all subscripts are converted to strings, and stored along with the name of the array, allowing strings to be used as subscripts. When the array subscript is another variable, the contents of the subscript variable are converted to a string which is stored along with the array name. Memory is allocated when data is stored in the variable, allowing sparse arrays. A record from a file can be stored with each field of the record stored as an element of an array, indexed by the field name. The type of the data stored in a variable is stored with the data, thus the type can be changed dynamically, and each array element can have a different data type. The size of each dimension of the array can be changed dynamically, and the number of dimensions can be increased dynamically.

Abstract: A method for detecting duplicate records generates a checksum (222) for each record and compares the generated checksum (222) to checksums stored in check files (30). In a particular application, a system (10) for processing call detail records utilizes a duplicate check module (28) that detects duplicate records using checksum processing.

Abstract: A system and method for automated rehosting of at least one software system from a source computing environment to a predetermined target computing environment is provided. A discovery utility performs an assessment of the subject software system and its source computing environment. The discovery utility then generates a description of the software system and the source computing environment. A migration utility receives the assessment and description from the discovery utility and rehosts the software application to the target computing environment based on such assessment and description. A run-time services utility provides operational system support for the rehosted software system now within the target computing environment similar to operational system support previously available in the source computing environment based on the assessment and description.

Abstract: A process for cryptographic key generation and safekeeping is provided. A plurality of key agents are selected, each having a copy of the source code. One copy of the source code is loaded onto a secure computer system and is compared with at least one other copy of the source code to validate the loaded copy of the source code. Master key information and locking key information are generated by executing compiled source code. The master key information is then separated into a plurality of master key shares which are distributed to master key agents such that each master key agent possesses one master key share. The locking key information is separated into a plurality of locking key shares which are distributed to locking key agents such that each locking key agent possesses one locking key share. Then, the plurality of locking key shares and the plurality of master key shares are validated, and the secure computer system is securely shut down.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides an improved service node containing at least one service application, a conversion process and a TCP/IP service circuit handler for communicating with a TCP/IP-driven external peripheral device over a communications link. According to a preferred embodiment, by selecting a switch as the TCP/IP-driven external peripheral device, the call capacity of the improved service node can also be increased. This is preferably accomplished by receiving an incoming call into the external switch, notifying the improved service node of the incoming call, and creating an instance of the service application on the service node, which service application is associated with the incoming call. The service application requests the switch place a corresponding outgoing call--which it does. The switch then hairpins the incoming and outgoing calls together and notifies the service application of their connection.

Abstract: A system and method for fully automated electronic transfer of cash or cash equivalent between a sender and a recipient is shown, including an initiating terminal for receiving a designation of an amount of money to be electronically transferred, an account from which it is to be transferred, and a security code from the sender, a central terminal for storing the amount and the security code in a file in the central terminal, and a dispensing terminal for receiving from the recipient an entry corresponding to the designated amount of money to be transferred and the security code, for providing the entered amount of money and security code to the central terminal for comparison with the information stored in the central terminal's file, and for dispensing to the recipient funds equivalent to the designated amount of money without requiring the recipient to have a card to activate the dispensing terminal.