Abstract: A method for managing hierarchal listings of indented caption sets in a relational database of complete listings can include uniquely identifying each listing by a listing object identifier (LOID). The method also can include uniquely identifying each caption set within the listings and each level of indentation for each caption set by a caption set object identifier (CSOID). Individual words for each listing can be parsed and a relational table indexed by the relational database with an entry for each of the parsed words can be created. Each of the entries can include a respective LOID and CSOID for each parsed word. Caption sets can be searched for in the relational database by searching the parsed words in the relational table. The LOID and the CSOID can be used as index links to the relational database to retrieve data.

Abstract: An automated data storage library, method, and a computer program product manage categories of physical media volumes, which may store stacked logical volumes, in partitions of the library. A media sensor senses the VOLSER identifier of thee physical media volumes at an input station. A library manager is provided, having a computer processor. Upon receipt of a physical media volume at the input station, the library manager receives the sensed VOLSER of the physical media volume; places the physical media volume in an “UNASSIGNED” category of an inventory; and sends a message at an interface to a host system, the message identifying the sensed VOLSER and indicating that the physical media volume has transitioned to the “UNASSIGNED” category.

Abstract: A method for problem diagnosis based on queries received from remote locations includes the steps of determining applicable solution recommendations based on a diagnosis query, displaying the applicable solution recommendations on a screen of a remote terminal, and determining whether a case based reasoning tool is available to answer the diagnosis query. When the case based reasoning tool is available, the method presents the case based reasoning tool on the screen with the applicable solution recommendations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for managing distribution of data structures. A first data structure is received including a first version identifier. The version identifier is stored for the first data structure. A second structure is received including a second version identifier. Responsive to receiving a second data structure, a determination is made as to whether the second data structure is a replacement for the first data structure. Responsive to the second data structure being a replacement for the first data structure, a determination is made as to whether the first version identifier is different from the second version identifier. Responsive to a determination that the first version identifier is different from the second version identifier, the first data structure is replaced with the second data structure.

Abstract: When a volume is created, a Modified Files List (MFL) is established and an epoch timestamp, identifying an important point in time, is set for the volume. Entries are inserted into the MFL whenever files are first added to or changed on the volume. Entries are flagged with the epoch timestamp in which they are added to the MFL. Entries are removed from the MFL when files are restored to an already-archived condition or are deleted from the volume. A system administrator can declare a new epoch at any time, and will declare a new epoch before performing a backup. The system administrator will select an epoch for backup purposes. The files inserted into the MFL before the selected epoch timestamp are enumerated and archived using a backup tool. After the backup tool turns off a file's data and metadata archive bits, the corresponding entry is removed from the MFL.

Abstract: A method and system for generating notifications of auctions based on user notification requests. In one embodiment, the notification system receives from users selection specifications that specify the types of auctions for which the user is to be notified. The selection specifications may include a category of the auctions, keywords for identifying auctions, and values for attributes associated with the category. When the notification system receives a selection specification, it determines whether that selection specification is the same as or nearly the same as other selection specifications that have been received. The notification system periodically determines whether any new auctions satisfy a selection specification by submitting a query to an auction database and then notifies the users when new auctions are identified.

Abstract: A data structure includes variable-size data objects [“VSDOs”] and enables selective and efficient retrieval of data in particular VSDOs. The data structure includes multiple packets. Each packet includes a reference count field, a references field, and an objects field. The references field stores references to VSDOs within the data structure. The reference count field indicates the number of references stored in the references field. The objects field stores the actual VSDOs. To access a particular VSDO, an accessing unit traverses the reference count fields of the multiple packets until the accessing unit finds a packet that includes the reference to the particular VSDO. The accessing unit accesses the particular VSDO based upon the reference. To further improve the efficiency of an access operation, packets form metapackets. A metapacket header sums the reference count fields of the packets within the metapacket.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the structure and display of complex data filters is provided. The system includes software modules for creating, optimizing and then displaying complex data filter queries structured according to a particular query language. The query is modeled by generating a filter network comprising a plurality of filter nodes, wherein each filter node corresponds to a conditional expression in the query. Optimization modules then optimize the structure and visual display of the filter network. The system software modules may include a query input module, a graphical interface module, a visual optimization module, and a query language optimization module. The query input module enables a user to input a data filter query into the system using a particular query language. The graphical interface module then maps the input query into a graphical representation of the data filter using a readily understandable graphical paradigm.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method of processing customer issues using a server coupled to a user system by a network. The method includes providing the user system with a customer issue form including a plurality of fields to be completed. The completed customer issue form is provided to the server. Customer issue information from the completed customer issue form is added to a customer issue database. A notification is generated and provided to a vendor authority in response to one of the fields. Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for facilitating return of a product from a customer to a vendor using a server coupled to a user system by a network. The method includes providing the user system with a customer issue form including a plurality of fields to be completed.

Abstract: A method and system for organizing documents in a database into categories within a single view. The method comprises the steps of providing a database having one or more documents storing data in one or more fields; providing a view having a column formula, said column formula being adapted to run only once upon selecting said view; coding a plurality of statements, each said statement referencing data in said one or more documents storing data one or more fields; concatenating said plurality of statements to form said column formula; and selecting said view to organize and display said one or more documents in categories.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and software are disclosed for efficient estimation of the size of an aggregation, or summary of data, in a database. This estimate is used in selecting which aggregations are materialized in an OLAP system or relational database. The estimate is based on cardinalities of aggregation levels and of dimension groups consisting of related dimensions, as well as on the size of the underlying detailed data.

Abstract: A disclosed method includes mapping at least one local application module to respective message type data, and storing the message type data in association with the local application module in a local database accessible to a local server. The method includes mapping gateway account data for internetwork access to at least one remote database, to respective message type data. The first method further includes storing the message type data in association with respective gateway account data in the local database, mapping remote attribute data to local attribute data, and storing the remote attribute data in association with the local attribute data in the local database. Similar steps can be used to prepare the remote server and database for operation. Using the local client device a user can generate message type data transmitted from the local client device to the local server that determines whether the received message type data is associated with a local application module.

Abstract: A method and system for managing the replication and version synchronization of updates to a set of source files on geographically distributed heterogeneous content servers with minimal impact on a network's bandwidth. The configuration of each content server is either manually entered or automatically determined. The current version of the source files are created on at least one source server. A Primary global server stores a copy of the current version of the set of the source files along with the configuration of each content server. The Primary global server generates and distributes a particular version change container and version distribution list to each remotely located Secondary global server. Each Secondary global server employs the version distribution list and the contents of the version change container to identify the current version of each source file necessary to upgrade the set of source files on each local content server.

Abstract: File locks and file metadata are distributed from a file manager to clients in a data network to permit the clients to share access to file data in data storage. The file manager is permitted to grant a second lock upon the file data without necessarily receiving notification from a client that it has relinquished a first lock on the file data while ensuring that conflicting locks are never granted. The client sets the beginning of a first period of time over which the client may access the file data once the first lock on the file data has been granted by the file manager, and the client sends a lock request to the file manager. The file manager responds by setting the beginning of a second period of time such that the first period of time is certain to have expired once the second period of time has expired, granting the first lock upon the file data to the client, and transmitting a lock grant message to the client.