Abstract: The performance of a database system can be improved by tracking the way in which data is accessed. By tracking such information, it is possible to load frequently-accessed fields of an entity bean, as well as related beans that are frequently accessed, by optimizing a field group for that entity bean. It is also possible to use the tracking information to prevent infrequently accessed fields from being automatically loaded. Information to be monitored can include how often each field is accessed, how many times a particular entity or application accesses a field, and how often a field is accessed for a given transaction context. By using this information to periodically optimize field groups, the fields and associated entity beans that are most often accessed, such as by the entity and/or transaction causing the entity bean to be loaded, can be automatically loaded when an entity bean is loaded into a container.

Abstract: A memory device having an associative memory for the storage of data belonging to a plurality of classes. The associative memory has a plurality of memory locations aligned along rows and columns for the storage of data along the rows. Each memory row has a plurality of groups of memory locations, each storing a respective datum, wherein groups of memory locations adjacent along one and the same row store data belonging to different classes. Groups of memory locations adjacent in the direction of the columns and disposed on different rows store data belonging to one and the same class. Each class has data having a different maximum lengths. The device is particularly suitable for the storage of words belonging to a dictionary for automatic recognition of words in a written text.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for placing each of a plurality of observations into one of a predefined set of clusters is disclosed. The disclosed method includes, for each of a plurality of observations, obtaining a data set containing no more than one proxy value for each of a plurality of variables, each variable having a plurality of possible values, and obtaining a set of first dummy variables having a value indicative of an observation's membership or non-membership (i.e., membership status) in a particular cluster.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system and method for implementing and/or administering a competitive rewards database. Member data is received from at least one member computer via a data feed. The (raw) member data is automatically mapped and incorporated into the competitive rewards database. A data capture tool, preferably coupled to a data network, is operable to adjust the mapping of member data. A rewards workbench, preferably coupled to a data network, is generally operable to query the competitive rewards database.

Abstract: A system and method of information extraction and storage extracts information from a plurality of articles in a distributed manner and stores the extracted information in an information store. In one embodiment, the system includes identification of a plurality of articles from which information is to be extracted and a plurality of information extractors for extracting the information from the articles. A database is provided for storing information related to the plurality of articles and the plurality of information extractors. The plurality of articles are assigned to the plurality of information extractors for information extraction and the extracted information is then stored in the information store.

Abstract: A system and method for performing RCM analysis is disclosed. The system is an automated system for performing RCM analysis/maintenance program development requirements. The invention adheres to MSG-3 standards and guidelines. The system provides a user interface which is broken down in a hierarchical fashion which easily allows a user to enter data in accordance with MSG-3 procedures. A database includes one or more systems. Systems can be further refined to include one or more subsystems, sub-subsystems and parts. RCM analysis is performed at a Maintenance Significant Item (MSI) level which includes defining reliability data for the MSI. A part, by definition is an MSI. However, a subsystem or a system can also be an MSI. A system includes functions. A function can have one or more failures associated with it. There can be one or more effects associated with a failure. There can be one or more causes for an effect.

Abstract: A method for decomposing a service activation request (SAR) into sub-requests for specific network resources and classifying the SAR with an adaptive bucket value based on the dynamic performance characteristics of the corresponding network resources. Each SAR has a virtual bucket value whose size is determined by the bucket values of its constituent sub-requests. Over time, as multiple SARs are processed, the bucket values associated with each requested resource are adjusted to reflect system resource loading and availability. If the bucket value of a constituent sub-request is adaptively decreased down to a zero value, for instance due to an overflow condition or an excess of requests for that particular service, any new SAR requesting the same resource will be prevented from decomposition and processing. This will happen even if the sub-request is mature, i.e., due to be executed in the very near-term.

Abstract: A multi-node relational database management system is provided that can be embodied in software for managing a database having declared temporary tables associated with respective software application programs. The system comprises a plurality of nodes. The nodes include a catalog node for maintaining a list of identifiers for declared temporary tables associated with any application; a coordinator node for an application; at least one subordinate node for the application, the subordinate node having at least one partition of the declared temporary tables of the application; and a declared temporary table manager for causing the coordinator node to maintain for the application a list of declared temporary tables.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing logistics associated with an event or meeting enable a user to enter event-related information using a graphical user interface. The event-related information may include a list of invitees and a location and time for the planned event. The system then automatically transmits invitation messages to the desired invitees, re-invites those invitees that fail to respond to the invitation and sends reminder messages to those invitees that indicate that they will attend the event. The system also automatically generates a status report relating to the event based on the received responses and lack of responses.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described, for searching for items in an electronic catalog, e.g. an on-line catalog accessible over the Internet. A hierarchy of category names is defined, each item in the electronic catalog being associated with one of those category names. When a search page is accessed, the category names are scanned, to generate a list of words that appear in the category names at any level of the hierarchy. The list of words is displayed in the search page, allowing a user to select one. When the user selects a word from the list, a list of items whose category names contain the selected word is displayed.

Abstract: A work flow system (15) comprises a controller (20) and a work flow processor (40). An indexing user interface (21) and a work flow processing user interface (22) interact with work flow processor interface components (23). An administration setup user interface (25) and an integration setup user interface (26) are linked to setup components (27) which generate and access a reference database (28) and a transaction database (29). The reference database (28) stores an organization model and a process model and an interface (23) controls the work flow processor (4) according to these models.

Abstract: A data management apparatus and method provide for a virtual conversion by repeatedly reading at least one record from an input file having a plurality of records, each record including a plurality of fields, and adding the at least one record to a buffer. The records in the buffer are then converted into a post-conversion block on a field-by-field basis until data size of post-conversion blocks for each kind of field of the records in the buffer exceeds a threshold size. The number of records in the post-conversion blocks can be determined by counting the records in the buffer during a process immediately preceding a time when the data size exceeds the threshold size, and storing that number. The conversion is completed by reading out records of the stored number of records from the input file, converting the records read out into post-conversion blocks on a field-by-field basis, and storing the post-conversion blocks.

Abstract: At least a portion of a table stored in a global data repository is selected to be accessed and modified. The selected portion is stored in a local table in local memory of a node of a client-server environment. The local table is modified, and then at least a portion of the modified local table is merged with the global table. The merger is performed without requiring any user locking of the global table.

Abstract: A computer-based method and system for facilitating production changes in an extended enterprise via a network environment. The system includes a manufacturing enterprise system including a host system operating a web server, a data storage device in communication with the host system, and at least one terminal for accessing the host system. The manufacturing enterprise system runs on a network that is coupled to the Internet and is accessible to an outside enterprise or trading partner identified with having proper access permissions. The server executes a set of programs for the process and product change notification application of the present invention. PCN notices and EOL requests are inputted into the manufacturing enterprise system via the process and product change notification application where required data are supplied, destination resources of affected parties are determined and decisions are calculated according to these inputs.

Abstract: A data warehouse, including a modeler for database modeling, and an extraction program for extracting data from the database and storing the extracted data. A reporting tool is used to make inquiries of the stored data and to format the results of the inquiries, and a single meta data catalog is coupled to the modeler, the extraction program, and the reporting tool. With the preferred embodiment of this invention, a user needs to update information only once. The meta data then drives changes in associated systems, such as the warehouse, extraction programs and reporting tools. In order to accomplish this, the meta data catalog holds enough information to control all these various part of the process.

Abstract: A trusted process for use with a hierarchical directory service such as LDAP for enabling different security systems to store and retrieve unique identifiers that are shared or common to the entire directory. The trusted process allows LDAP users to store and to retrieve unique identifiers on LDAP using standard LDAP interfaces. It also allows security systems to share unique identifier information. The trusted process generates or verifies a unique identifier, guarantees the uniqueness of a unique identifier within the entire directory (rather than just within a single security system), and guarantees that any unique identifier returned to an LDAP user is a trusted unique identifier.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of storing, manipulating, assessing, and displaying data and its relationships, and a computer system (with memory) programmed to implement such method. The data are stored as linked nodes, and can be visualized as a displayed sea of node representations. Interactions with the user organize the data from a defined, and then refined, point of view, with relevant data preferably brought to the user's attention by smooth changes in the displayed appearance of the data. The data (stored as linked nodes) can be queried by establishing a first point of view and displaying representations of the nodes as a sea of node representations whose point of view is the first point of view, and responding to a command (which determines a query) by displaying a changed sea of node representations which emphasizes information having greater relevance, and deemphasizes information having less relevance, to the query.

Abstract: A persistent object service (POS) that interfaces to a set of one or more relational database management systems. A persistent object is mapped to one or more tables in a relational database based on the object's attribute types and the object's relationships with other objects. If the object inherits from another object, the mapping creates multiple tables, a top level table for base attributes, and a set of one or more child tables that contain extended attributes of the inherited objects. A routine for storing an object converts persistent object operations to a sequence of SQL statements for storing the object in the relational database.

Abstract: A request accepting server accepts a processing request of data of a predetermined type, analyzes the request, and allocates a process corresponding to the request to either one of the request accepting server and at least one database processing server. A handle is a control block to manage a storage area of data as a processing target and has a server in which the processing target data has been stored and information regarding its storing position. When the processing target data corresponding to the processing request is processed in accordance with the processing request, the request accepting server executes a process according to the processing request by using a handle regarding the processing target data. When an entity of the processing target data is necessary the entity of the processing target data is obtained on the basis of the handle and is processed.

Abstract: An information managing apparatus having a plurality of different information management functions comprises a data selection unit for selecting data corresponding to each management function from data items entered, and a data generation unit for generating data for each management function using the thus selected data, wherein of data necessary for creation of information corresponding to the plurality of different management functions, common data are prepared as entry items so that when required data are entered, the data items are automatically selected for each of the management functions, after which data on each management function are generated.