Abstract: Chemical proportioning and dispensing systems discussed herein include systems for producing a desired admixture ratio of a first fluid and one or more other fluids. The systems may include one, two, or three eductors with each eductor including one or two suction inlet ports. An admixture of one or more than one fluids may be outputted via a common output header or from a single eductor outlet port having two suction inlet ports. The admixture may be used to sterilize or disinfect a number of equipment and surfaces including those found in a health care facility. Finally, the ratio of admixture may be adjusted by controlling the pressure drop of the suction inlets and/or the supply pressure of the motive source. Methods for utilizing the chemical proportioning and dispensing systems are also discussed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for viewing the effect of changes to an index for a database table on an optimization plan for a database query, such as an SQL statement. A virtual table is created which mimics the structure of an original table on the database. The virtual table is created by copying the original table, excluding any data in the original table. Any existing original indexes associated with original table are copied to define a virtual index associated with the virtual table. References in the query to the original table are replaced with references to the virtual table. The database management system then determines a new optimization plan for the query.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for viewing the effect of changes to an index for a database table on an optimization plan for a database query, such as an SQL statement. A virtual table is created which mimics the structure of an original table on the database. The virtual table is created by copying the original table, excluding any data in the original table. Any existing original indexes associated with original table are copied to define a virtual index associated with the virtual table. References in the query to the original table are replaced with references to the virtual table. The database management system then determines a new optimization plan for the query.

Abstract: A method of automatically synchronizing a database with a backup database. The method automatically detects whether the backup database has fallen out of sync with the primary database which it mirrors. In response, a resynchronization process is automatically initiated in which the starting point for reading a redo log of the primary database is automatically determined and in which the backup database is automatically synchronized with the primary dataset.

Abstract: An application configuration system including a database, a preprocessed configuration (“PPC”) service processor that communicates with the database, a data exchange system preprocessed configuration application program interface (“DEX PPC API”) that communicates with the PPC service processor, and an application that communicates with the DEX PPC API. A plurality of files having configuration data are stored in the database in a hierarchical arrangement.

Abstract: A method for automatically processing a file, such as a web page or an ASCII file, is provided to treat the file as a database with one or more database tables. An HTML page is retrieved from a user specified URL or from a disk file and is parsed for any HTML tables or text blocks that are translated into a database table in a database representation of the HTML page. ASCII files can also be parsed to identify data blocks to be represented as a database table.

Abstract: A method and system for providing dynamic run-time object definition in a relational database. A mediating layer is introduced between applications and database objects. This layer mediates access to the physical database objects, such as tables, and allows applications to embed logical instead of physical names. If desired, the mediating layer can be maintained dynamically, as applications are running. The mediating layer preferably can run on a variety of relational databases, overcoming the vendor-specific extensions to SQL that relational database vendors have introduced.

Abstract: A system is provided for selecting an appropriate aggregated fact data table to use as the basis for calculating an aggregation request from a set of stored aggregated fact data tables. An estimate is established of the amount of processing time required to aggregate each of the tables. The table with the lowest estimate is then used to perform the aggregation.

Abstract: A method of joining two or more sets of data in a database is provided wherein certain dimensions in the fact data are designated as being forced dimensions, and wherein for each forced dimension, a set of entries is created in the fact data each with the same key values in all of the dimensions other than the forced dimension, and each with a different member of the set of values existing in the fact data for that dimension, if and only if at least one entry exists in the fact data with the same set of key values in the dimensions other than the forced dimension.

Abstract: In response to a constraint violation in a row of a database table, an output file is generated including the characteristics of the table containing the row in error as well as an SQL UPDATE statement for the row. The SQL UPDATE statement includes the column values in the row which can be corrected by the user, the user modified SQL UPDATE statement being subsequently executed to repair the constraint violation.

Abstract: A method of mirroring log data in real time. The method can be used to mirror all log data from a source database or only that log data pertaining to a subset of objects in the source database. The log data is written to one or more datasets which are created and stored in a target database system which is typically remotely located. The log datasets in the target system can be used for disaster recovery of the source system. The method monitors log data from the source system and automatically updates target log datasets accordingly.

Abstract: A method of defining aggregate levels to be used in aggregation in a data store having one or more dimensions. Levels are defined corresponding to attributes in the dimension, so that data can be aggregated into aggregates corresponding to values of those attributes. The invention provides for the definition of sub-levels which act as levels but define which detail entries in the associated dimension will contribute to the sub-level. The invention also provides for the definition of level groups. A level group can replace a level in a level cross-product and such a cross product is then expanded before aggregation into a set of cross products, each containing one of the level group entries.

Abstract: Reorganization of database tables is performed while the tables being reorganized are available for normal OLTP activity. A trigger is setup to record OLTP activity on a source table to be reorganized. The source table is momentarily locked to establish an SCN checkpoint and determine the location of data blocks allocated for the source table. A copy of the table is created (new table) and blocks untouched/modified since the timestamp are unloaded from the source table and inserted into the new table. Transactions occurring since the timestamp are performed on the new table until no more transactions since the timestamp remain in the trigger record. The new table is switched with the source table (renamed as the source table), and the original source table is dropped.

Abstract: A fast and comprehensive analysis of a database table is peformed by reading a header block describing the location of blocks storing data information of a database table. The data blocks of the database table are read using direct asynchronous IO into memory. Data read in from the data blocks is analyzed to determine information regarding the health or condition of the database table. The analysis is performed by spawning separate processes, each process being assigned an approximately equivalent number of data blocks to analyze. Once each process completes analysis of the assigned data blocks, the analysis by each thread is summarized and averaged to provide information to the DBA relating to the condition of the database table. The information gathered regarding the database table is more comprehensive than that provided by currently available database management systems and tools.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for providing personalization parameters to allow an operating system to install itself on a computer system with the provided personalization parameters. A first operating system personalization file is used by the operating system to configure itself. A personalization parameters file is provided and read by an operating system installation process which is initiated in the computer system. The operating system installation process then displays a graphical user interface from which a user to selects personalization parameters with which the operating system is to configure itself. An editing module is executed to edit the operating system configuration file to include at least a portion of the selected personalization parameters so that the operating system is configured with the selected personalization parameters when it installs itself.

Abstract: A utility with which a programmer can generate or alter computer code for a calendaring function, and test the code prior to compilation. Entering the program in edit mode, the programmer locates a portion of the program where code for a calendaring function is to be generated or altered, and invokes the date logic generator. The date logic generator provides an initial window with a choice of calendaring functions, and upon selecting a calendaring function, a parameters window displaying a number of first-level parameters for that function is provided. Depending on the specification of the values of the first-level parameters, sub-windows with second-level parameters may be provided. And, in general, depending on the specification of the values of the n-level parameters, (n+1)-level parameters may be provided in sub-windows. The parameters provided at any instant are only those which have already been specified or those that require specification.

Abstract: A method and system for transforming and manipulating program object code. A set of program object code is transformed into a form in which it may be readily manipulated, preferably a form which is independent of both the processor and the operating system with which the object code will execute. The transformed object code is manipulated, preferably to add error-checking instructions, but possibly to add other functions or to alter the functions of the object code. The manipulated code is then reverse-transformed to program object code of the same type as the original object code.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method permit viewer navigation and object manipulation within a three-dimensional graphical experience or "virtual world" displayed by a programmable digital computer. The apparatus and method include the display of a series of six buttons. Twenty-four operations are divided among the six buttons, with each button having two pairs of cooperating or complementary operations. Three of the buttons are used to accomplish movement of the viewer in relation to the three-dimensional virtual world, and the other three buttons are used to manipulate selected objects within the virtual world. A mouse cursor is used to select one of the buttons and to activate one of four quadrants associated with the selected button to accomplish the operation associated with the activated quadrant. When a button is selected, it expands from its inactivated or "at rest" state to a larger, activated state. Two adjacent quadrants may be activated to perform two operations concurrently.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is implemented in a repository which stores metadata relating to data stored in one or more databases. The repository includes a repository database in which the metadata is stored, one or more scanners each of which scans at least one database and obtains metadata therefrom, and one or more loaders each of which loads metadata obtained by at least one scanner into the repository database in accordance with the externalized reuse criteria. According to the invention, metadata stored in the repository is reused, for example, not replaced by identical metadata when the repository is updated or populated, and the criteria governing reuse is externalized, i.e., accessible and modifiable by a repository user. The reuse criteria accessible to repository users is stored separate from repository program code at a non-programming level such that the customer (user) can change the reuse procedures without an experienced programmer.

Abstract: Three-dimensional scenes or movies are generated by a user of a computer system by interactively selecting a stage from among several available 3D stages, each of which has at least one predetermined feature such as a pedestal, lighting characteristics, a camera path or the like. The user may import predefined 3D objects into the selected stage and move and resize the objects as desired to compose a scene. Once composed, the scene is rendered to generate an image or a series of successive scenes is rendered to generate an animated movie.