Abstract: A file managing method includes subdividing an original file including records, each record including fields, for storing blocks, each block including fields subdivided from more than one of the records; coupling the blocks to into groups of blocks; rearranging the groups of blocks, and, after rearranging the groups of blocks, coupling the groups of blocks to each other to produce a transposed file; and accessing the fields from the transposed file, at random.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling collaboration between clients with respect to dynamic resources are described. The method includes the step of establishing a collaboration session between a first client and a second client through a session host. A first client request having a first uniform resource locator (URL) identifying a host other than the session host is re-directed through the session host. In one embodiment, the retrieved resource is modified such that for each embedded request identifying a host other than the session host, its associated embedded URL is replaced with a re-directed URL incorporating the embedded URL. The re-directed URL re-directs the corresponding request for a resource identified by the embedded URL through the session host. In an alternative embodiment, the retrieved resource is not modified. In either embodiment, the resulting resource is cached if necessary (e.g., when the resource is dynamic).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing and updating distributed directory objects is disclosed. The object oriented directory has a schema which has a first and second class. The schema has a schema engine which contains the method for managing and updating the distributed directory objects utilizing semantic and structural comparisons. The schema engine utilizes and updates the first and second classes of the object oriented directory.

Abstract: An improved user interface and query method permits a computer user to quickly specify field names, operators, and desired values for a database query. One or more of the desired values can be specified as an “ask me” value that will cause the user to be prompted (each time the query is to be executed) for a desired value prior to executing the query. A “wizard-like” set of dialog boxes guides the user through prompts to supply values for all such “ask me” values in a compound query. Rather than presenting the user with arcane logical operators and a formalistic query language, logical operators are converted into ordinary English phrases. The user can save the query for later re-use or modification. Another feature prompts the user with a constrained list of possible values that a field can assume, forcing the user to select from among the constrained values rather than requiring the entry of a discrete value.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for run-time support for user-defined index ranges and index filters. A statement is executed in a database stored on a data storage device, which is connected to a computer. The database contains data. A search range is generated based on a user-defined range function associated with a user-defined index.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device and a method for pattern analysis of large volumes of data in order to make it possible to distinguish tendencies to co-variations and developments in time from one large database, preferably one composed by a number of smaller databases. The data in the database is divided into on the one hand objects and on the other variables.

Abstract: The present information management system for personal health digitizers. This system provides a centralized database that collects and stores monitoring data from a large number of individuals who are termed “consumers” herein. The information management system for personal health digitizers includes processing elements that can be used to perform statistical analysis of the collected data on a per consumer, population segment, or query specific basis. The analysis function is made available to various classes of “users” which classes can include consumers, medical practitioners, health care providers, institutions, and the like. The database is architected in a hierarchical manner to enable the users to access only the relevant, prepartitioned segment of the collected data that this particular class of user is authorized to analyze.

Abstract: A Search Engine utilizing a method and system for efficient storage and retrieval of data. The system comprises a record file, an index file, a duplicate segment file and access to a network of computers. The index files contains locations of data items, pointers to other index files, or an empty designation. The index files are arrays that contain locations corresponding to a predetermined range of characters with which the data items may be formed. Data items are stored according to the character strings of each data item. The first portion of a data object is indexed according to the indexing method of the present invention while a second portion of the data object is indexed according to another known database technology, such as B-tree.

Abstract: A process for identifying a single item from a family of items presents a user with a feature screen having a series of groupings. Each grouping represents a feature having a set of alternatives from which to select. Selected alternatives are used as a selection criteria in a search operation. Results of the search operation is a revised feature screen indicating alternatives that remain available to the user for further selection and searching. The feature screen and search process, therefore, presents the user with a guided nonhierarchical parametric search to identify matching items based upon user specified criteria and priorities. Also disclosed is an adaptation of the claimed method and system appropriate in an Internet environment.

Abstract: An original (full size) image is automatically represented by a thumbnail (reduced size) image on a Web page. A user selects the original image that will be represented by the thumbnail image. The thumbnail image is produced and placed into a Web page that is being created or edited. While viewing the Web page, selection of the thumbnail image causes a hyperlink to the original image that is automatically associated with the thumbnail image to be traversed, so that the original image is retrieved and displayed. An auto thumbnail tool dialog box enables the user to define the size of the thumbnail image and to optionally select a border and/or a beveled edge for the thumbnail image. The coloring and the pattern of the border may also be optionally selected by the user.

Abstract: Method and an apparatuses for managing electronic documents on a digital processing system or computer. In one embodiment, a web page is accessed on the Internet at a first location. At least a portion of the web page is then displayed. An image file capturing the displayed visual representation of the web page is generated and stored on the computer at a second location. A thumbnail representation is generated from the displayed visual representation. The first location and the second location are then associated with the thumbnail. Textual information included in the displayed visual representation is preserved and added to a searchable database. Subsequent selection of the thumbnail representation allows one to access either the web page at the first location or access the image file stored at the second location. The image file may be viewed without having to access the electronic document at the first location. Annotations may be added to the stored image file in one embodiment.

Abstract: A system and method for transmission of documents including word processing, spread sheets, and other formatted documents, over a computer network with no need for additional formatting software by using a CGI sending script to send e-mail with the selected document, in its native format, as an attachment to e-mail submissions or obtained directly from websites using standard word processing programs, with end user prerequisites for using the method and system being standard word processing software and e-mail capability; the form may returned to the server in electronic form, and the accompanying data posted to one or more databases, or automatically stored on disk, printed, or routed to other e-mail addresses.

Abstract: A video filter processes pixel data by storing multiple lines of pixel data in a memory buffer and computes a weighted average of the data using a plurality of multipliers and accumulators. The pixel data which, for example, may represent luminance and/or chrominance values is stored in the buffer in an interleaved fashion. Preferably multiple lines of pixel data is stored in a single buffer, thereby reducing the number of traces that would otherwise be required if a separate buffer was used for each line of pixel data.

Abstract: The system, method, and program of this invention collects multi-column statistics, by a database management system, to reflect a relationship among multiple columns of a table in a relational database. These statistics are stored in the system catalog, and are used during query optimization to obtain an estimate of the number of qualifying rows when a query has predicates on multiple columns of a table. A multi-column linear quantile statistic is collected by dividing the data of multiple columns into sub-ranges where each sub-range has approximately an even distribution of data, and determining a frequency and cardinality of each sub-range. A multi-column polygonal quantile statistic is collected by dividing the data of multiple columns into sub-spaces where each sub-space contains approximately the same number of tuples, and determining a frequency and cardinality of each sub-space.

Abstract: A video clip storage and retrieval system whereby video clips, stored locally and/or at a more remote location, can be requested and retrieved by a user at the user's multimedia terminal. When the user requests a desired video clip, the request is processed by a primary index manager (“PIM”) via a Local Search and Retrieval Unit (“SRU”). Before the message is communicated to the PIM, the local SRU checks its own storage to see whether the requested video clips are available locally. If some of the video clips are local, the local SRU still forwards the request to the PIM so that the PIM may determine specific video clip usage. The PIM determines the extended SRU where the audio-visual data is stored and passes this information to a Data Sequencing Interface (“DSI”). The DSI collects the video clips and downloads the clips to the user's terminal. The user may then view, copy, or print the video clip as desired.

Abstract: A method for persisting a container-managed server object or bean in a distributed data processing system is provided. A method in a Tie object is invoked by the container of the bean to assist in the persistence of the bean. The bean may have container-managed fields of both primitive and complex data-types, and the complex data-types may include references to other objects or beans. The Tie object obtains the object reference to the other object. The Tie object unwraps an adapter from the object reference to obtain a proxy of the referred object and stringifies the proxy. The string is then stored by the container in a back-end data store as a known primitive data-type. The referred object may be resurrected by unstringifying the string and reversing the process.

Abstract: An index tuning wizard produces a fast and reasonable recommendation identifying database indexes to use given a specified workload. A query optimizer is used to determine the expected usefulness of potential indexes for the specified workload by taking cost of queries in the workload into account. A cost based pruning of indexes is then performed to provide an intermediate set of proposed indexes. Indexes having most benefit based on storage constraints are then selected. The optimizer is then used again, and further pruning is done on a benefits basis. An index is not recommended unless it has a significant impact on the workload.

Abstract: A system and method for determining when data stored in a data storage device is becoming unreliable. A list of trigger events is maintained, either on the media, or on a host processor, and the number of trigger events pertaining to data retrieval errors is also maintained either on the disc media or on the host processor. Based upon the trigger events and the running totals, the disc media is scanned for errors from time to time and the error detecting algorithm can change depending upon the respective trigger totals.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus has a data processing unit and a data store with a variable data storage structure. The data processing unit preferably divides received data into parts of at least two different sizes, stores the parts in the data store, generates connection information indicating how the parts are connected, and reassembles the parts when read from the data store. The connection information may be stored together with the relevant parts of the data.

Abstract: A method of and system for collecting, storing, and retrieving data in a data base management system. The database management system includes a master database server (4), at least one workgroup server (315), and a plurality of workgroup user clients (310). The workgroup server (315) is interposed between the master database server (4) and said workgroup user clients (310). The method creating a transaction in a local database resident on one of the workgroup user clients (310), entering the transaction into a transaction log resident on the workgroup user client (310), and creating a transaction file corresponding to the transaction in an outbox of said workgroup user client (310). Next, the transaction file is copied to an inbox identified to the workgroup user client (310) and updating the transaction file into a workgroup database (305) resident on the workgroup server (315). The workgroup database (305) includes a transaction log.