Abstract: A system and technique for optimizing the efficiency of maintenance operations performed on skip lists of data elements or nodes stored in memory is provided. Each node of a skip list includes a back pointer for pointing to an immediate predecessor node and a node level field for recording the node level associated with the node. The system further includes a system agent for operating on the data structure, the system agent capable of locating the address of the immediate predecessor node pointing to a selected node by using the back pointer in the selected node.

Abstract: In a data processing system, a block of N bytes is selected, wherein N is greater than one. Thereafter, a group of N data cells is created wherein each cell has a physical tag for indicating a physical order in the group and a substring that includes a sequence of bytes from the block of N bytes. Next, the group of N cells is sorted lexically to establish a lexical order based upon the lexical value of the substring in each of the N cells. Matching strings in the substrings of selected ones of the N cells are identified in the lexically sorted group of N cells. Thereafter, the block of N bytes is encoded utilizing the identified matching strings to produce a compressed data set, wherein the compressed data set is efficiently produced by identifying redundant information in the lexically sorted group of N cells. Such encoding may be accomplished by comparing lexically adjacent cells in the lexically sorted group of N cells to identify matching strings.

Abstract: A compressor receives a plurality of characters in a character string, and encodes the input character string to generate an encoded string. The encoding preserves the original binary order of the input character strings in the encoded strings. A predicted character is generated for each character based on prior character sequences in the character string. In one embodiment, a hash based predictive technique is used to generate the predicted characters. A correct order indicating token is generated for an input character if a predicted character, corresponding to the input character, is the input character. The compressor stores the order indicating token in the encoded string to represent the character. However, if an input character has a binary representation greater than a binary representation of a corresponding predicted character, then a failure greater than token and the input character are stored in the encoded string to represent the input character.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating and refreshing compound documents include a query part in a compound document to incorporate data from an independent data processing application. Upon creating or refreshing a document, the query part automatically generates a predetermined command and causes the predetermined independent application to execute the predetermined command. The datastream output which is produced in response thereto is automatically captured and incorporated into the document text to thereby create or refresh the compound document. The need for customized or proprietary links is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling data flow between a computer and a group of memory devices arranged in a particular logical configuration. The system includes a group of first level controllers and a group of second level controllers. The first level controllers and the second level controllers work together such that if one of the second level controllers fails, the routing between the first level controllers and the memory devices is switched to a properly functioning second level controller without the need to involve the computer in the rerouting process. The logical configuration of the memory devices remains constant. The invention also includes switching circuitry which permits a functioning second level controller to assume control of a group of memory devices formerly primarily controlled by the failed second level controller.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for a computer of known type, to retrieve files from its disk storage system, based on the files' specification and or directory information about said files or a string within the set of files specified. Said retrieval may be limited to a single directory, or extend to all the subdirectories subordinate to said directory or extend to two or more independent directories on the same or different disks optionally including subdirectories subordinate to said directories, or extend to the entire disk storage system on said computer. Said string search can be limited to less than the entire file to speed up the selection.

Abstract: A system for electronically storing and retrieving information. Information is scanned into the system and a user manually designates that the information is to be sorted using boxes which are like folders, sorted by date, or sorted by a card such as by cards which are arranged alphabetically. When the user manually indicates that the information is to be sorted by box, there is also an automatic sort by date and by card. In this case the card which is used is a temporary sort card which is automatically designated. When the user manually indicates that the sort is other than by box, the information is automatically sorted into a temporary box. After the information is stored and sorted, the information can be retrieved and printed, as desired. The system utilizes a scanner, processor, storage device and printer.

Abstract: A code server operates in a data processing system having an operating system or environment, such as OS/2 or Windows, which processes coded programs in discrete code modules. The code server maintains linkage information between the various code modules forming an association representing all the linkage data for the entire program. This information is gathered by way of searching through the files of the computer network or by direct insertion into the code module information table. Once the associative data has been gathered, a coded program may be retrieved quickly and efficiently without the need for repetitive on-line searching because the user need refer only to the code server which contains a look-up tables storing the data representing the associative information.

Abstract: Remote control of the use of computer data is described in a system for renting computer software which derives use and billing information, prevents unauthorized use, maintains integrity of the software and controls related intercomputer communications. A user at a target computer "downloads" programs or data, via a telephone line and remote control modules, from a host computer. Usage of the programs or data by the target computer or other accounting data are recorded and stored and, at predetermined times, the host computer "uploads" the usage data for processing. Other features include: (1) software and usage security for rental programs; (2) a polynomial generator/checker for generating block check characters for assuring integrity of data transmitted and received; (3) a voice-data switch for switching between data communication and normal telephone communication; and (4) an audio amplifier and speaker for monitoring of activity on the communication line during data transfers.

Abstract: This invention provides an easy backup, restoration and migration method of a database system. The command interpreter receives a backup request and the controller identifies the backup object in the backup request by referring to the definition. The backup-migrate-restore-procedure generator generates a backup procedure of the backup object identified by the controller by referring to the definition. The controller converts the backup object to a command form of SQL in accordance with the procedure generated by the backup-migrate-restore-procedure generator and stores in the storage medium. The stored data are the replace information, definition, dependence information, data, journal and program. Restoration of the system and migration of the database to another system is enable by inputting such data. Backup, migration and restoration of a system is able to be made in an identical apparatus. Furthermore, since a command form of SQL is used, a special means is unnecessary for migration and restoration.

Abstract: A method and computer system for implementing concurrent edits of a database record by a plurality of users is provided. The preferred embodiment allocates a fixed mount of storage space in the computer system's main memory for each of the plurality of users. The fixed amount of storage space is for storing versions of the record created as a result of the user modifying the record. In response to an access request for the record by one of the plurality of users, the preferred embodiment determines whether the user should be given access to the record itself or to one of the versions of the record, if any exist. When the user modifies the record to create a version of the record, the preferred embodiment stores the version of the record within the fixed amount of storage space allocated to the user.

Abstract: A data processing system including automated forms generation uses data displayed at a predetermined position on a data terminal display screen and a data processing function selector, to automatically retrieve a pre-established form stored in a data processing system. In one embodiment, the form includes a number of uncompleted fields. The data processing system retrieves at least one datum from at least one data field displayed on the screen, and automatically inserts the data in a predetermined uncompleted field of the form. The partially or fully completed form is then stored for later retrieval, updating and printing by the data processing system.

Abstract: A method for searching a database of an information retrieval system in response to a query having a query length of at least one word, for applying the query word to the database and selecting information from the database according to the query word. The query is received and the length of the query is determined. Information is selected from the database according to the query. The relevance of the selected information is determined according to matches between the query and the information. The determined relevance of the selected information is adjusted according to the length of the query.

Abstract: A data retrieval method and apparatus in a distributed database system. Data is retrieved from a distributed database quickly with a minimum load on each terminal. A contents file is provided in each terminal, and a link file is provided in a center system to coordinate access to the distributed data in each terminal.

Abstract: In a computer database system, a method and system are provided for interactively and iteratively constructing a query using a table metaphor displayed on a user display. Alterations are made directly to the table metaphor by the database user. The alterations relate to adding, deleting, or combining columns of attributes and limiting ranges of attribute values. The alterations are registered and the table metaphor updated to reflect the registered alterations. The table metaphor can be repeatedly used to further register additional alterations. The query corresponding to the table metaphor in its final form is run against the full database to generate a report in the format indicated by the table metaphor.

Abstract: A data stream is received by a first in a series of repeating devices and retransmitted from repeating device to repeating device. As the data stream is retransmitted, the data stream accumulates jitter. A jitter reduction apparatus therefore is used after a series of repeating devices to substantially reduce the accumulated jitter. The jitter reduction apparatus receives the data stream, stores the recognized data, then retransmits the data using a recovered clock signal. According to one embodiment, the recovered clock signal is the clock signal of the original data transmission. According to another embodiment, the recovered clock signal is derived from the data stream as input to the first of the series of repeating devices. Such derived clock signal serves as an estimate of the original data source clock signal. By using a recovered clock signal (e.g.

Abstract: A preprocessing script-based data communications system and method that embeds information regarding the previous state of the system within script data. This effectively imposes a state memory upon what would otherwise be a stateless system. Typically, the scripts processed by this system are similar in structure and format to ordinary HTML scripts, with the addition of several commands that facilitate programming embedded state information. Within systems employing the invention a client is afforded the capability of having one script influence another by exploiting the preprocessor imposed state memory. In addition, the invention provides these advantages to a client without the need for storing state information on a data system server, thereby providing increased system security.

Abstract: A card creation apparatus including a microprocessor which controls operation of the card creation apparatus based on a predetermined card design that specifies positions on a planar surface of a card for layout frames of a video picture and cardholder information fields which are to be printed on the card is provided. An input mechanism is operatively coupled to the microprocessor to input a plurality of user commands and cardholder information corresponding to the cardholder information fields. A video camera is operatively coupled to the microprocessor to obtain a video picture of a subject. A display is operatively coupled to the microprocessor to display an image of the predetermined card design including the video picture and cardholder information within the predetermined card design substantially as can be printed in response to one user command of the plurality of user commands. A method of creating a card also is provided.

Abstract: A data processing method and apparatus are disclosed in which the class definition is first read from the class definition file to generate the structure and procedure definitions in memory. The pre-existence of a file storing the structure definition is then determined. If the file already exists, the structure definition in the memory is compared with the structure definition previously stored to the file to determine whether there is a meaningful difference between the two. If the file does not exist, or if there is a meaningful difference, the structure definition in memory is written to a newly created file or to the existing file. This same operation is executed for the procedure definitions.

Abstract: A Redundant Networked Database System is taught. Briefly stated, Control System Computers are designated for primary and backup database operation with applications being inputable to either primary or backup. Upon changes to the database, the primary and backup communication agents communicate with each other and to automatically update the backup. In this fashion, the primary and backup databases are automatically synchronized without manual intervention or the need for reinputting of the changes to the backup database.