Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for comparing database tables. In one embodiment, the database tables are partitioned. Queries are generated for retrieving each partition. For each generated query, a stored procedure is invoked, using the respective generated query as an input parameter to the stored procedure. The stored procedure is configured to generate a checksum based on the partition retrieved from executing the respective query. The application compares the generated checksums to determine if the partitions and/or tables are consistent.

Abstract: A dictionary for compressing and decompressing textual data has a number of keys. Each key is associated with an identifier. The keys include static word or phrase keys, where each static word or phrase key lists one or more unchanging words in a particular order. The keys further include dynamic phrase keys, where each dynamic phrase key lists a number of words and one or more placeholders in a particular order, and each placeholder denotes a place where a word or phrase other than the words of the dynamic phrase key is to be inserted. At least one of the dynamic phrase keys may identify one or more of the words by identifiers for corresponding static words or phrase keys. At least one of the static word or phrase keys may identify one or more of the words by identifiers for corresponding other static words or phrase keys.

Abstract: A computer system is used to run one or more programs. It includes a memory having at least a first heap and a second heap in which objects are stored, with a first object being stored on the first heap. A write barrier is provided for detecting that said the first object has been updated by a program to include a first reference to a memory location in the second heap.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program, method and system providing simplified administration of groups of computer programs. Command target qualifiers are defined which enable a command to be targeted at either an individual computer program or all members of a group of computer programs. Additionally, scope parameters are defined which enable a command to be targeted at specific computer system resources managed by the computer programs within the group. The computer system resources which are to be accessible to all members of a group have an associated scope parameter defining shared or group access and are held in shared storage, whereas computer system resources to be accessed by only one computer program in the group have a corresponding scope parameter and are held in the local storage of the individual computer program.

Abstract: The invention provides a digital contract comprising a sealed package comprising: a header package comprising: rules defining any sealed packages to be included in said contract; a validating party who is to validate said header package; and a sealing party who is to seal said package; a body containing at least a portion of the content of the package; and a validating signature generated from said rules and said body according to a first key belonging to said validating party; any sealed packages defined in said rules; and a sealing signature generated from said header package and any of said sealed packages according to a first key belonging to said sealing party. Further provided is contract management software for generating, validating, exchanging and managing such contracts.

Abstract: A process for electroplating metallic features of different density on a surface of a substrate comprises providing an electroplating bath having an anode, immersing the substrate into the electroplating bath, spaced from the anode, the substrate comprising a cathode. Positioned in the electroplating bath between the substrate and the anode, and adjacent to and separated from the substrate surface is a second cathode that includes a wire mesh screening portion having openings of different sizes conforming to the metallic features to be electroplated. The second cathode screening portion has openings of larger size adjacent areas of higher density of features to be electroplated and openings of smaller size adjacent areas of lower density of features to be electroplated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing access rights information on computer accessible content are provided. The apparatus and method provide a mechanism through which access rights information is provided in association with information and content such that use of the information and content is controlled based on the access rights information. The apparatus and method include access rights information tags being associated with information and content to control access to the content. In alternative embodiments, the access rights information is implemented as metadata files rather than as tags. These metadata files are associated with content files and are processed when the access to the content is requested. In addition, when HTML content, which has associated ARI tags, is downloaded, the ARI tags may be stored as HTML code in a metadata file. The filesystem may then use a web browser or the like to parse and interpret the HTML code when access to the content file is desired.

Abstract: Methods for producing a multi-domain alignment layer, as well as the multi-domain alignment layers produced thereby and liquid crystal displays comprising the same, are provided. In the subject methods, a surface of an alignment film, usually present on a substrate such a planar component of a polarized material, is bombarded with ions initially at normal incidence in the presence of an electric field in a manner sufficient such that the ions contact the surface of the alignment film at non-normal incidence. In a preferred embodiment, the electric field is produced by an array of conducting means associated with the surface of the alignment film, at least two of which means are differentially biased, e.g. alternately biased. The resultant alignment layers find use in liquid crystal display devices.

Abstract: A laser diode with a low reflectivity output facet provides infrared light to a nonlinear crystal resonator such that a portion of the infrared light is converted to blue light. A mirror is located on the opposite side of the nonlinear crystal resonator from the laser. The mirror allows the blue light to pass, but reflects the infrared light exiting the resonator back through the resonator and into the laser diode. The laser diode is thereby locked at the resonance frequency of the nonlinear crystal resonator.