Abstract: A method of responding to random service request messages received on an enterprise service bus of a computer network, each of said messages being a member of a group of related messages, in which the received messages are stored in a queue when detected by a listener for processing in a process flow having one or more nodes connected by respective edges between the listener and an emitter. In immediate mode, a message is accepted for processing only when a node is available and no other message in the same group is being processed. In batch mode, all of the messages in a group must be present in the queue before the messages in the group can be processed in predetermined order.

Abstract: Records in databases or unstructured files are enriched with metadata and are indexed for retrieval by a search engine. In response to a search request, a graphical user interface (GUI) control based on the metadata associated with the search hits is constructed and displayed with the search results in a standard view. Selection of a metadata value via the GUI control filters the previously matched records down to those matching the value selected via the GUI control. The metadata in the search results is arranged in a tabular view which is embedded in the display of search results and rendered invisible until selected by the user. Reports can be constructed from an identifier each returned record set for presenting, analyzing and modifying the data, and for generating further reports.

Abstract: A method for drawing pie charts illustrating comparative data on the display of a client computer in a client-server environment with horizontal parallel lines each having a height of one pixel. A circular or elliptical pie is first defined in an array of endpoints of a set of horizontal lines from which the pie is constructed. Each slice of the pie is assigned a start angle and a stop angle as a function of the datum that it represents and its proximity to other slices. Pixels on the horizontal lines forming the pie are then tested to define segments of the horizontal lines for inclusion in the slices. The pixels of each line segment are illuminated on the display to form an image of a pie with each slice proportional in area to its respective datum.

Abstract: A method of making adapters for enabling incompatible computer systems to work in cooperation by providing a framework of software rules and resources from which to configure adapters for mediating between incompatible applications. The adapters are each provided with at least one interface for receiving requests and another interface for sending information. The framework resources and rules provide objects which can be reused for making one-way adapters, bi-directional adapters, round-trip adapters, and compound adapters.

Abstract: A method of making adapters for enabling incompatible computer systems to work in cooperation by providing a framework of software rules and resources from which to configure adapters for mediating between incompatible applications. The adapters are each provided with at least one interface for receiving requests and another interface for sending information. The framework resources and rules provide objects which can be reused for making one-way adapters, bi-directional adapters, round-trip adapters, and compound adapters.

Abstract: A query processor for parallel processing translates an input query which references data stored in one or more homogenous or heterogenous databases into a plurality of parallel output queries each of which is directed to a single one of the databases or a partition thereof. A runner combines the results of each of the output queries and integrates them into a single coherent answer set.