Abstract: A model creation unit creates a three-dimensional optical model in which one or more optical components are disposed on an optical path extending from a light source to an image forming position. For creating optical axis models in the three-dimensional optical model, an optical axis auto-creation unit figures out behaviors of beams of light on the basis of predetermined set parameters. The optical axis auto-creation unit provides a display of the behaviors of beams of light in the three-dimensional optical model, for verification, and further provides a print output of letters or the like created by use of the model.

Abstract: A system for advertisers to efficiently manage their search listings in placement database search system includes grouping means for managing multiple categories for the search listings and query means for searching search listings. The system further includes quick-fill means for modifying an attribute in plurality of search listings by specifying the modification at single location.

Abstract: According to the electrical modeling system and method provided by the present invention, the electronic structure to be modeled is segmented into an ordered sequence of segments, each segment is electrically analyzed individually, and the resulting data is collated, or integrated back again whereby the model output is preferably created in a format generally suitable for electrical models of integrated circuits. Examples of electronic structures which can be modeled by the system and method of the invention include leadframes, packages, complete devices, and electronic devices assembled on motherboards.

Abstract: An improved system for database query processing by means of “query decomposition” intercepts database queries prior to processing by a database management system (“DBMS”). The system decomposes at least selected queries to generate multiple subqueries for application, in parallel, to the DBMS, in lieu of the intercepted query. Responses by the DBMS to the subqueries are assembled by the system to generate a final response. The system also provides improved methods and apparatus for storage and retrieval of records from a database utilizing the DBMS's cluster storage and index retrieval facilitates, in combination with a smaller-than-usual hash bucket size.

Abstract: A method and mechanism to execute a query against a partitioned database object. Data processed or created for an earlier partition is maintained even after further processing is performed against a subsequent partition. A shared data object, such as a context object, is maintained to store data from processing the partitions of a partitioned table. Rather than discarding or overwriting the shared data object after processing each partition, the data from a subsequent partition is instead appended to the shared data object.

Abstract: Reference material in a digital graphics album is specified. Annotation data is extracted from the reference material and may be processed by a natural language processor to produce search keywords. In addition to the keywords, user directives may be provided, both of which are used to conduct a search for related graphical materials. The search is conducted by querying a graphical material database through a network connection. The search results are received and the user can select from the resultant materials for inclusion in the digital graphics album. If no satisfactory material is found, the user can specify a reference graphical image that is processed to produce search criteria that are image content descriptors. The database is again queried in accordance with these descriptors to provide search results for possible inclusion.

Abstract: A system and method for managing deadlocks in a database management system (DBMS) for a demultiplexed database system. The DBMS supports applications that are capable of holding and retaining locks on database resources while disassociated from worker agents. The system and method includes an application scheduler for managing requests for access to the database, and a deadlock detector for identifying a deadlock. The application scheduler assigns one worker agent to an application requesting access to a database resource, assigns a flag to an application holding a lock on the database resource while disassociated from a worker agent, and in cooperation with the deadlock detector, resolves the deadlock between the application requesting access and the flagged application holding the lock.

Abstract: A transaction processing system providing improved methodology for invoking two-phase commit protocol (2PC) is described. More particularly, a transaction is handled without use of 2PC until the system determines that the transaction does, in fact, involve changes to more than one database. The methodology improves overall system performance by looking at each transaction to determine whether the transaction actually requires use of 2PC before incurring the overhead associated with use of the two-phase commit protocol. Because only a small percentage of real world transactions result in updates to more than one database, the methodology improves the overall performance of transaction processing systems considerably.

Abstract: A method and mechanism to improve the response time of a query that is executed against a partitioned database object. Only a subset or portion of the partitions are accessed during each pass through the partitions, in which only the retrieved portions of the partitions are processed, and in which results can be immediately returned for the query. Processing only a subset of a partition in a given pass permits each partition to be processed multiple times, rather than requiring a first partition to be entirely processed before processing a second partition. In one approach, the query includes a statement to order the result set for a query against a partitioned database object that contains a local index.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording time information for received digital data streams to be recorded on a recording medium such as a digital video disk and searching the recorded digital data streams using the time information. The format of the time information is the same as that of the time data in the navigation information and the time information is used as the low-unit time value of the arrival time of data stream in the case of data search. The error in the start position of each stream object unit, resulting from insufficient resolution of the packet arrival time format, is corrected without additional information indicative of the offset between the start time of a stream object unit and the time value obtained from incremental arrival time information, thereby enabling precise and fast data search capability and increasing recording efficiency.

Abstract: Independent and individual requests are aggregated and presented as a single request to a resource management system. The response from the resource management system is subsequently resolved back to the individual requests. The requesters generate multiple independent requests. The server receives such requests and sorts them into classes of requests, which are capable of being aggregated and processed as a single request by a resource management system. Parameters are pulled from the individual requests and used in the aggregated request.

Abstract: Computer method and apparatus identifies content owner of a Web site. A collecting step or element collects candidate names from the subject Web site. For each candidate name, a test module (or testing step) runs tests that provide quantitative/statistical evaluation of the candidate name being the content owner name of the subject Web site. The test results are combined mathematically, such as by a Bayesian network, into an indication of content owner name.

Abstract: The method and system for extracting information from a plurality of articles and for storing the extracted information in a knowledge-based information store. The method and system identify a plurality of articles from which information is to be extracted. The method and system identify and assign a plurality of information extractors for extracting information from the plurality of articles. The method and system receive information extracted by an information extractor from an article assigned to the information extractor. The method and system enable a content reviewer to review the extracted information received from the information extractor and the content reviewer identifies errors associated with the extracted information. If the error count is above the threshold level, the article may be reassigned for information extraction. If the error count is equal to or below the threshold level, the content reviewer may change the extracted information to correct the errors.

Abstract: A search engine architecture is designed to handle a full range of user queries, from complex sentence-based queries to simple keyword searches. The search engine architecture includes a natural language parser that parses a user query and extracts syntactic and semantic information. The parser is robust in the sense that it not only returns fully-parsed results (e.g., a parse tree), but is also capable of returning partially-parsed fragments in those cases where more accurate or descriptive information in the user query is unavailable. A question matcher is employed to match the fully-parsed output and the partially-parsed fragments to a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) stored in a database. The question matcher then correlates the questions with a group of possible answers arranged in standard templates that represent possible solutions to the user query. The search engine architecture also has a keyword searcher to locate other possible answers by searching on any keywords returned from the parser.

Abstract: A system for using a lease to detect a failure and to perform failure recovery is provided in using this system, a client requests a lease from a server to utilize a resource managed by the server for a period of time. Responsive to the request, the server grants the lease, and the client continually requests renewal of the lease. If the client fails to renew the lease, the server detects that an error has occurred to the client. Similarly, if the server fails to respond to a renew request, the client detects that an error has occurred to the server. As part of the lease establishment, the client and server exchange failure-recovery routines that each invokes if the other experiences a failure.

Abstract: A Sort-on-the-Fly/Search-on-the-Fly search engine provides an intuitive mechanisms for searching databases, allowing a user to access data in the database without having to know anything about the database structure. A user selects a desired search term, and the search engine searches the database for all instances of the desired term, even if a specific file or table does not contain the instance. The database need not have a specific file (in a flat database) or a table (in a relational database) of names. The user may specify other criteria, or constraints to narrow the search results, or for other reasons. The search engine then conducts a further search using this criteria and produces a second search result. Further narrowing or broadening of the search are permitted, with the search-on-the-fly search engine returning results based on any new constraints.

Abstract: A system and method for privatizing computer data involves the steps of opening a plurality of original data files, fragmenting said original data files into fragments, and interspersing said fragments among each other forming composite files (privacy protected files). The method then includes the steps of creating a reconstitution file, which identifies hidden dispersion locations and placement of individual fragments to reconstruct the original data files. Finally, the composite files are dispersed to hidden locations. To enhance security, each fragment may be disguised through a multiplicity of high speed mathematical operations, which are directed by a fragment handling guide drawn from a random table, before interspersing fragments in the composite files.

Abstract: A data management apparatus for high-speed, seamless recording and reproduction of data, equipped with a recovery function and a defective region detection function, a data management function, and a recording medium. The data management apparatus records blocks of a fixed size on a first recording medium after dividing a stream data in blocks of a fixed size and manages the stream data recorded on the first recording medium based on the file management information to specify the stream data. After generating retrieval information on the blocks of a fixed size, the retrieval information is recorded in the blocks of a fixed size. File management information based on the retrieval information when the recovery of the file management information is requested. The retrieval information is recorded on a remaining region of the last sector where the data block is recorded.

Abstract: A method and system for reliably performing extra-long operations in a reliable state-full system (such as a file system). The file system includes a separate portion of the file system reserved for files having extra-long operations in progress, including file deletion and file truncation. This separate portion of the file system is called the zombie file space; it includes a separate name space from the regular (“live”) file system that is accessible to users, and is maintained as part of the file system when recording a consistency point.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for analyzing data within a personal information management program. Position records are provided in a database for at least one user. Each position record includes a time period value and event information indicating an event that occurred with respect to the user during the time period. The time period value and event information in each position record is based on time information and position coordinates generated by a wireless device associated with the user that indicate a location of the wireless device for time periods. The database is queried to determine position records for one user that satisfy at least one search criteria. Information is generated characterizing data in the determined position records.