Abstract: Systems and methods for managing geographic and other data structures. Using an administrator application, an administrator identifies geographic data structures deemed to be of interest to an organization and compiles associated reference information. The reference information includes retrieval addresses and display information specifying the display format of the data structures. The administrator can establish relationships between the referenced geographic data structures, tabular data, or other data, which define the manner in which multiple data structures are to be displayed. These relationships can be expressed in geographic themes that specify an application and associated geographic and tabular data structures that can be displayed by the application. A user application allows the user to select geographic information of interest.

Abstract: A data processing system and a method for inputting data from storage devices provided in the data processing system, in which the ROM address areas in a memory map include an area for reading in a 32-bit bus mode and an area for reading in a 16-bit mode, which areas are set so that a portion of the addresses are equal. When a 32-bit data read is performed for the area used to read in 32-bit bus mode and the high-order 16 bits are invalid, it is determined that only one ROM device is mounted in the system. Therefore, accesses are performed with the area used to read in 16-bit bus mode. After determining the number of ROM devices in this way, the result is written to a mode register. The selector reads this result stored in the mode register and, when only one ROM device is mounted in the system, supplies Address A1 to the highest-order address terminal RA17 of the ROM device.

Abstract: A document production system is provided for preparing documents and managing a database of information pertaining to investigational studies of medical products. The document production system includes a data management user interface for providing user access to the database and for retrieving information from the database as specified by selected document templates for placement into word processor-compatible documents. Additionally, the data management user interface is capable of updating information stored within the database in accordance with information specified within a previously-prepared document.

Abstract: A method of providing information from a database to a user's system. According to the method, database query results are stored in a source code files and the source code files are compiled to provide compiled files. When information from the database is requested, at least one of the compiled files is downloaded to the user's system. In one preferred information providing method, the source code files are in the form of Java source code files and the compiled files are in the form of Java class files.18. Additionally, a method is provided for retrieving information from a database on a remote system for use on a user's system. A request for database information is transmitted over a network from the user's system to the remote system, and in response at least one compiled database result file is downloaded from the remote system. Each of the compiled database result files is used to store database query results in executable or bytecode form.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a system and method for switching between databases in the event of a database failure is provided. The preferred system and method provide for database switching without requiring the computer system to be taken down and then restarted. The preferred system and method uses a database switcher on each application server and a failure detector on each database. When the failure detector determines that a problem has arisen in a primary database it sends a signal to the database switcher on the application server. The database switcher contains a list of jobs that are to be notified of a database switch, as well as the system name of the primary and backup databases. The database switcher then sets flags on each of the jobs in the notify list. When these jobs next perform a function that requires database access, the flag informs the jobs that a database switch must first be made. That switch can then be accomplished, and the jobs continued.

Abstract: A current sorter for sorting a plurality of currents is disclosed. The current sorter comprises an input circuit unit for receiving a plurality of input currents to be sorted, a winner-take-all (WTA) circuit unit for finding the maximum current, a feedback control and voltage output circuit unit for generating feedback control signals and output voltages indicating the maximum current, and an output circuit unit for outputting sorted currents. A plurality of input currents are simultaneously input to the input circuit unit and the sorted results are output in a time-shared manner on the output circuit unit.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer program products are disclosed for archiving a hypertext document that contains a hyperlink definition. Archiving is the process of rendering a hypertext document for storage in a noninteractive form (for example, printing a copy of the hypertext document). The archival copy of the hypertext document presents the reader with a URL, contained in the hyperlink definition, as an embedded note, a footnote, or an endnote. Thus a reader of the archived hypertext document knows the URL associated with the hyperlink definition.

Abstract: A system and method to provide buyers with information that supports the selection of qualified vendors and service providers at the precise time they are prepared to make a purchase. To accomplish its function, the system includes three core elements: (1) a data retrieval system that makes it easy for ready and willing buyers to find and contact qualified businesses; (2) a proprietary electronic database with enhanced information regarding local businesses; (3) an electronic distribution network that employs live, enhanced directory assistance (EDA) operators via telephone as well as the World Wide Web, and simplifies the connections between motivated buyers and qualified sellers. Buyers are able to search the database of businesses to find the most qualified providers of goods/service that match their unique criteria. Sellers can use the service to better promote their offerings to a market that has moved beyond window shopping and that is ready to buy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a relational database system for storing biomolecular sequence information in a manner that allows sequences to be catalogued and searched according to association with one or more projects for obtaining full-length biomolecular sequences from shorter sequences. The relational database has sequence records containing information identifying one or more projects to which each of the sequence records belong. Each project groups together one or more biomolecular sequences generated during work to obtain a full-length gene sequence from a shorter sequence. The computer system has a user interface allowing a user to selectively view information regarding one or more projects. The relational database also provides interfaces and methods for accessing and manipulating and analyzing project-based information.

Abstract: A system and method for automated electronic document maintenance/deletion of articles in an electronic document system. In one embodiment, the present invention determines whether the contents of an electronic copy of an article are accurately reflected in metadata corresponding to the electronic copy of the article. In the present embodiment, the electronic copy of the article is believed to be located within an electronic document system. Next, provided metadata corresponding to the electronic copy of the article does not exist, the present embodiment creates metadata corresponding to the electronic copy of the article. Provided that the electronic copy of the article can not be located within the electronic document system, the present invention deletes any metadata corresponding to the electronic copy of the article.

Abstract: An information management, retrieval and display system searches through an informational resource, such as a document (e.g., a treaty), a number of individual documents (e.g., Web pages resident on the Internet), or a stream of information (e.g., DNA code, source code, satellite data transmissions, etc.) and displays the results of the search in an collapsible/expandable format based upon a user-selected display criteria or hierarchy. Such a display hierarchy will allow the end-user to effectively and quickly obtain items of interest from the search results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a decomposition tree in navigating through the data points in a multidimensional database.

Abstract: A system and method for automated electronic document maintenance/deletion of articles in an electronic document system. In one embodiment, the present invention determines whether the contents of an electronic copy of an article are accurately reflected in metadata corresponding to the electronic copy of the article. In the present embodiment, the electronic copy of the article is believed to be located within an electronic document system. Next, provided metadata corresponding to the electronic copy of the article does not exist, the present embodiment creates metadata corresponding to the electronic copy of the article. Provided that the electronic copy of the article can not be located within the electronic document system, the present invention deletes any metadata corresponding to the electronic copy of the article.

Abstract: A computer system includes several inputs for receiving documents being transmitted via different media, and several outputs for transmitting outgoing documents via different media. An input component is coupled to each of the inputs and an output component is coupled to each of the outputs. The input component and the output component each communicate with a processing system providing database services. The input component converts requests communicated through inputs into service items that typically include at least one document production item. Service items are communicated to the processing system, which tracks them. The processing system passes the service items on to the output component, which instructs appropriate ones of the outputs to produce output documents. Each of the input manager and output manage communicate with the processing system via a generalized API, and communicates with respective inputs and outputs via API's specific to those machines.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for distributing multimedia services. The apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting for receipt by at least one device a multimedia configuration file for configuring at least one device to present multimedia services to a user.

Abstract: A join optimization method is provided for use with a data processor for optimizing the processing of a query for retrieval of data from a relational computer database. The database is organized by relations and data is retrieved by preforming join operations on the relations. The join operations are optimized by randomly selecting an initial order for the join operations, assigning optimal join methods based on the initial order, finding an optimal order based on the assigned methods and repeating a polynomial number of times. The Krishanmurthy, Boral and Zaniolo (KBZ) Algorithm is used to determine a join optimization sequence and further refinement is provided by determining costs for alternate join order sequences using alternate join methods.

Abstract: An apparatus, embodied in an Intelligent Page Store, for providing concurrent and consistent access to a functionally separate transaction entity and a query entity to a shared database, while maintaining a single physical copy of most of the data. The Intelligent Page Store contains shared disk storage, and an intelligent versioning mechanism allows simultaneous access by the transaction entity and the query entity to the shared data. The transaction entity is presented the current data and the query entity is presented a recent and consistent version of the data. A single copy of all but recently updated pages is maintained by the Intelligent Page Store. The query and transaction entities operate independently of each other and are separately optimized.