Patents Examined by Cheryl R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5758352
    Abstract: An operating system provides a common name space for both long filenames and short filenames. In this common namespace, a long filename and a short filename are provided for each file. Each file has a short filename directory entry and may have at least one long filename directory entry associated with it. The number of long filename directory entries that are associated with a file depends on the number of characters in the long filename of the file. The long filename directory entries are configured to minimize compatibility problems with existing installed program bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron R. Reynolds, Dennis R. Adler, Ralph A. Lipe, Ray D. Pedrizetti, Jeffrey T. Parsons, Rasipuram V. Arun
  • Patent number: 5758348
    Abstract: The method of the present invention defines a method in a computer system having a user interface, a memory, a repository and a database, and a repository program operating in the computer system for generically manipulating properties of objects stored in the repository. The program executes a method comprising the steps of determining if the current value of the property is known, and if not; determining if the current value of the property is needed, and if so; calling getProperty to retrieve the current value of the property; determining if the value of the property is to be changed, and if so; calling setProperty to alter the value of the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Unisys Corp.
    Inventor: Ronald Jay Neubauer
  • Patent number: 5752027
    Abstract: A new computerized object oriented technology is provided. The present invention introduces an apparatus and process for creating an object representative of a set of command interfaces for a database centric item, and an apparatus and process for interfacing the database centric object across a variety of computer applications. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a three category structure to create and access the database centric objects. Each category contains classes which are used to define components (objects) corresponding to the database centric object. The objects further contain methods and properties for accessing the database centric item in response to requests from an application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Dun & Bradstreet Software Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Familiar
  • Patent number: 5745901
    Abstract: A method for workflow processing of objects stored in the memory of a computer system in accordance with the invention includes storing an object, which is to be processed, in the memory of a computer system; reading the object, which is to be processed, from the memory, and adding a graphical symbol to the object; processing the graphical symbol with middleware; and in response to the processing of the graphical symbol with the middleware initiating actions to process the object in accordance with business rules; and wherein the graphical symbol is an object which, when interpreted by the middleware into a computer readable format, initiates an action resulting in the use of at least one tool to process the object with each tool performing a different operation on the object or at least one additional object event or changing at least one attribute of the object, based on business rules, with the rules being comprised of at least one of the set of controls or procedures under which a computer implemented bus
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Kodak Limited
    Inventors: Diane T. Entner, Phyllis J. Wormington, Chih Ru Lin
  • Patent number: 5745897
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a plurality of output files based on a Management Information Base (MIB) specification is provided. The system includes one or more MIB compilers designed to produce outputs based on a MIB specification. Each of the MIB compilers reads a set of directives that are maintained separate from the MIB specification. The set of directives indicate which of the modules and items defined in the MIB specification are to be processed during a given MIB compilation operation. The set of directives may also specify MIB additional attributes and values for items that are defined in the MIB specification. The set of directives may also specify that, for the purposes of the MIB compilation operation, a MIB item is to be treated as though it had a different attribute than an attribute specified for the MIB item in the MIB specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Bay Networks Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David Theodore Perkins, Gregory Allen Foster
  • Patent number: 5745895
    Abstract: A coherent method for the creating, capturing, and retrieving of ideas, concepts, data, and/or multi-media information The system establishes a framework in which knowledge can be represented. The system is a computer-based system which utilizes multimedia, databases, and mass storage to implement this framework. It has an architecture and an open-ended-set of functional elements that combine to support knowledge processing. Knowledge is created by uniquely identifying and interrelating heterogeneous datasets located locally on a user's workstation or dispersed across computer networks. By uniquely identifying and storing the created interrelationships, the datasets themselves need not be locally stored. Datasets may therefore be located, interrelated and accessed across computer networks. In addition, an almost unlimited number of relationships can be created and stored as knowledge to be selectively filtered and collected by the end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Bingham, Harry R. Campbell, Michael J. Dockter, Joel F. Farber, Kevin D. Seppi
  • Patent number: 5742815
    Abstract: A method for storing, processing, and retrieving images in/from a graphic database. The graphic database is a digital database which is created by converting an original image into a digital format and arranging and organizing the digital format so as to identify elements of the converted image. The graphic database is so arranged and organized as to enable the identifiable elements of the converted image to be searched and displayed with the look and format of the original image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventor: Yonatan Pesach Stern
  • Patent number: 5740434
    Abstract: A method and system for maintaining database integrity utilizes a LOG file organized into slots with the number of slots never exceeding the largest number of concurrent transactions updating the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Tandem Computers Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas M. Eastep
  • Patent number: 5737600
    Abstract: In a coupled data processing system having multiple users, either in a single system or in a multi-system environment, a coupling facility storage structure is used to provide a log management facility. The log management facility provides for a real time physical log merge of the data written into the log stream without interprocessor communication required to process the records in logical sequence. The log management facility supports concurrent write, delete, browse, and asynchronous off-load to dasd processes across multi-users and multi-systems. The log management facility maintains the log records, independent of the log media, in time sequence. A logical block id is assigned to each log record written so that it can be directly accessed at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Vaughn Geiner, Jeffrey Mark Nick, Mark Phillips, James Henry Warnes, Dennis Jack Zimmer
  • Patent number: 5737737
    Abstract: CCP data as common data, which can be utilized by a plurality of users or applications, are stored in a CCP buffer in units of data types (format IDs). More specifically, the CCP buffer stores one CCP data per format ID. Upon reception of a request for CCP data from an application, the system analyzes this request to acquire the format ID of the CCP data requested by the application. The system searches CCP data having a format ID coinciding with the requested format ID from data management information of CCP data. The system passes the searched CCP data to the application, and ends processing. In this manner, CCP data can be stored in correspondence with a plurality of data types, and required CCP data can be easily selected by using its format ID. Therefore, operability with respect to common data can be improved, and work efficiency of users can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiro Hikida, Yasufumi Takada, Naohiro Yoshikawa, Satoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5734886
    Abstract: A method and system for displaying names of data files in a collection of data files represented by a corresponding symbol. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a user may display a listing of subroutine library files required to execute a particular subroutine. In such an embodiment, the user may enter the subroutine name as the symbol of interest and the system would display the library file containing that subroutine as well as those data files that contain subroutines called by that subroutine of interest. The present invention uses a transitive closure technique to traverse a data structure generated from a database and retrieve the data file list. The transitive closure technique enables the use of a compact database that contains only the data file names, corresponding symbol names, and symbol names of only data files for each data file that are directly related to that data file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Grosse, David Leo Presotto
  • Patent number: 5734899
    Abstract: A version control device comprises an entire-generic information storage object for storing version control information common to data under the application of a version control, version-generic information storage objects which are managed by the entire-generic information storage object and stores version control information corresponding to each piece of the data and common to all versions of the data, and version-specific information storage objects which are managed by one of the version-generic information storage object and stores version control information corresponding to each of the versions of the data and specific to each version.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Naomi Yoshizawa, Hiroshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5724581
    Abstract: In a data base management system, a checkpoint is recorded at appropriate intervals by recording a checkpoint during the process of a transaction and during the update of a logical page by providing a page table management table for managing a page table by a shadow page method. The page table also manages by the shadow page method a physical page corresponding to each logical page of a data base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Fumihiko Kozakura
  • Patent number: 5724567
    Abstract: An information access system stores items of information in an unstructured global database. When a user requests access to the system, the system delivers to that user an identification of only those items of information which are believed to be relevant to the user's interest. The determination as to the items of information that are relevant to a user is carried out by ranking each available item in accordance with any one or more techniques. In one approach, the content of each document is matched with an adaptive profile of a user's interest. In another approach, a feedback mechanism is provided to allow users to indicate their degree of interest in each item of information. These indications are used to determine whether other users, who have similar or dissimilar interests, will find a particular item to be relevant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Rose, Jeremy J. Bornstein, Kevin Tiene, Dulce B. Ponceleon
  • Patent number: 5721906
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system for managing resources, which can take the form of (a) computer-compatible information, such as data files and programs, and (b) non-computer-compatible information, such as data contained on microfiche, and (c) physical objects. The resources are located at geographically diverse sites. The invention contains a descriptive profile for each resource, and allows any user to search all profiles, and to search the profiles according to "fields" (a database term), such as by location of the resources, or by category of the resources. The user can order delivery of a selected resource, and the system causes delivery of the resource to be executed, irrespective of the form (eg, physical object) of the resource. The invention allows a provider of a new resource to limit access to the resource, by identifying users who are authorized to obtain access to the resource. Non-authorized users cannot obtain access to the profiles of these resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Siefert
  • Patent number: 5721913
    Abstract: A system for managing workflow of specific types of activities includes a database and at least one computer workstation connected to an integrated activities management system. The integrated activities management system strictly controls the entry, routing and processing of attribute information associated with each of the activities to manage the execution of the activity. The integrated activities management system utilizes an information organization system to maintain attribute information concerning each activity in the form of data records consisting of linked data objects in the database. Each type of data object has associated control rules which govern the entry, routing and processing of its attribute information. The data objects in each data record are arranged in a hierarchical manner and including data objects from at least a first hierarchical level and an activity level. The first hierarchical level data object contains information common to activities of all types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Ackroff, Michael M. Cruzcosa
  • Patent number: 5721915
    Abstract: The present invention includes reorganization of a Database Management System (DBMS) The reorganization of the present invention is implemented by recording a first current Relative Byte Address (RBA) Then, data is copied from the old area in the table space to a new area in the table space in reorganized form. In the present invention, throughout most of reorganization a user maintains access to the DBMS's normal facilities to read and write to the old area. The DBMS uses its normal facilities to record writing, which occurs during reorganization, in,a log. The reorganization in accordance with the present invention reads the log (that has been written to during reorganization) and processes the log to the new area to bring the new area up to date. This process is performed with the use of a RID mapping table. Finally, at the end of reorganization, the user's access is switched from the old area to the new area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Howard Sockut, Thomas Abel Beavin
  • Patent number: 5717917
    Abstract: A method of controlling information on data links is provided which allows a user to establish a new link between a data which is being referred to by some other user or task and another data and to update and delete pieces of link information which has been established for the former data. A data layer composed of a plurality of data and a link layer for holding link information which represents link relationships among the plurality of data are disposed separately. In the case that a user refers to a data in the data layer except when link information in the link layer is being referred to or updated, other users are inhibited from modifying the data and are allowed to read the data. Furthermore, other users are allowed to read and modify the link information in the link layer which corresponds to the data being referred to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Munakata
  • Patent number: 5717923
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically customizing electronic information to individual end users includes a client system containing a personal profile database which stores consumer information corresponding to individual end user(s) of the client system. The client system also includes a content adapter which compares electronic information received by the client system to the consumer information in the personal profile database and customizes the electronic information to an individual end user based on this comparison. The client system also includes a client activity monitor which monitors actions taken by an individual end user when consuming electronic information and updates the personal profile database based on these actions. In one embodiment, the client activity monitor also monitors which actions are ignored by the individual end user and updates the personal profile database based on the consumer's interaction with the electronic information (that is, both the consumer's action and inaction).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Rick Dedrick
  • Patent number: 5710920
    Abstract: In an object extending method for use in an object-oriented data base system having an object having an attribute, a relation and a procedure and a definition object having definition information determining a structure of the object, information on changes in attribute, relation and procedure which accompany a change in the definition object is held as a parts object in the definition object, and data to be newly appended to the object as a result of the change in the definition object is held as a parts object in the object, so that work to change the object in accordance with a change in schema may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Maruyama, Satoshi Wakayama, Yo-ichi Yamamoto