Abstract: File system methods and systems enabling efficient detection that a filename exists, by executing a hash function on the file name to reduce the overall computational complexity of determining that a directory entry might match the target filename, prior to performing the string comparison to determine the entry does match the target filename. A cross-device extensible means of providing a conversion function, such as uppercasing the filename, occurs prior to the hash. Methods of creating, deleting, and modifying the directory entries is further provided, as well as details of an embodiment of the file system described.

Abstract: To enhance the targeting accuracy in providing services such as provision of samples for members by performing management of member information and authentication while securing personal anonymity. There is provided a center server and a store terminal. The center server gives a unique ID to a member application, sends it to a particular mobile information terminal and manages it as authentication information about a member who is the user of the mobile information terminal. In response to purchases of a particular article by the member, the store terminal inputs the ID from the mobile information terminal and inputs purchase information about the article the member purchases. The center server then acquires attribute information about a member identified by the ID.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically populating contact information using an voice message addressed to a distribution list. In one example method, a new distribution list is identified that contains the telephone numbers or other contact information of a group of intended recipients. The contact information for the recipients is identified, and the contact information databases at least one of the recipients is automatically populated with the contact information of the other recipients and/or the distribution list information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for ranking local businesses. One or more signals indicating one or more actions related to a plurality of business listings are received. The business listings are ranked based on the signals. A search query is received, and in response to the search query, one or more of the business listings are presented in an order based at least on the ranking.

Abstract: An approach that tracks curation history of sensitive information is described. In one embodiment, there is a database that contains a plurality of sensitive information. The database comprises a plurality of base tables and backlog tables for each of the base tables. A curation audit query generator is configured to receive a curation audit expression that specifies sensitive information to be audited and generates a curation audit query from the curation audit expression to run against the database. The curation audit expression contains syntax clauses that specify a time period for the audit, stipulate a specific base table in the database as source of the audit and examine whom is responsible for making changes to the specified sensitive information.

Abstract: A system for performing data classification operations. In one embodiment, the system comprises a filesystem configured to store a plurality of computer files and a scanning agent configured to traverse the filesystem and compile data regarding the attributes and content of the plurality of computer files. The system also comprises an index configured to store the data regarding attributes and content of the plurality of computer files and a file classifier configured to analyze the data regarding the attributes and content of the plurality of computer files and to classify the plurality of computer files into one or more categories based on the data regarding the attributes and content of the plurality of computer files. Results of the file classification operations can be used to set appropriate security permissions on files which include sensitive information or to control the way that a file is backed up or the schedule according to which it is archived.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for hosting within a search engine, large-scale heterogeneous repositories of searchable and navigable content. Customers of the hosting platform are customers wanting to outsource the management of their searchable content. Content domain experts from each customer independently define a taxonomy of categories and attributes for their structured content that form a hierarchical set of nodes (a directed graph) that are mapped to a common physical search engine infrastructure. The mapping algorithm that maps unique attributes across potentially very different subject domains onto the same physical infrastructure is introduced. Once the physical structure is created, the search engine can use it for searching or navigating just within one customer's domain or users can search across multiple customer domains.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that manages resource information which is information related to resources constituting a system, includes: a first condition setting section that sets first conditions which are predetermined conditions between given resource information and other resource information; a first condition extraction section that extracts, from the first conditions set by the first condition setting section, a first condition set to resource information, on which changed information that is information indicating a change to the resource information is based; and a first condition determination section that determines whether the changed information satisfies the first condition extracted by the first condition extraction section.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for querying databases maintained by electronic gaming machines (“EGMs”). The databases preferably follow a predetermined naming convention. In some such implementations, a query is written in a predetermined message field. For example, the query string may be written in a predetermined extension of the Gaming Standards Association's G2S Message Protocol. An EGM (or other device) receiving a message containing such a query may extract the query from the predetermined field, parse the query, determine the requested data and return a responsive message that includes the requested data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, mechanism, and computer usable medium for managing and accessing static and shard data. In one approach, described is a method and mechanism for implementing group dependent keys (GDKs) in a computing system, in which the GDK is visible to all members of a distributed system, but its value(s) and subtree(s) could be different for different groups. Members of each group see the same view of the value and subtree of a GDK. Also disclosed is a method, mechanism, and computer usable medium for implementing group dependent links (GDLs) in a computing system. According to one approach, a data transformation function is used to coordinate changes to different versions of shared data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for providing scenario based content responsive to a given client. The method of the present invention comprises receiving a content request from a given client. Characteristics associated with a client from whom the content request is received are then identified. One or more scenarios corresponding to the one or more characteristics associated with the client are subsequently identified and the client is provided with the content associated with the one or more identified scenarios.

Abstract: A method, information processing system, and computer program storage product to compress sorted values. At least a first prefix and a second prefix in a plurality of prefixes are compared. Each prefix comprises at least a portion of a plurality of sorted values. A respective prefix comprises a set of consecutive characters including at least a first character of a respective sorted value. The respective sorted value further comprising a respective suffix comprising consecutive characters of the respective sorted value that are after the respective prefix. At least a respective first character of the first prefix and a respective first character of the second prefix are determined to be substantially identical. The first prefix is merged with the second prefix into a single prefix comprising the first character. A set of suffixes associated with the first prefix is updated to reflect an association with the second prefix.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for multi-prefix, interactive search capability on a mobile communications device. A keystroke is input into a search query field of a landing page and a multi-prefix search is performed. The landing page is refreshed to display the results. The landing page displays a first tier of search results, which can include channels or links to web pages associated with the user input. If the search result that is selected is a channel, the channel is displayed. If the search result that is selected is a web page, the web page is displayed. The landing page corresponding to the selected channel, or to the web page, may then be searched or explored. If the desired channel is not displayed within the first tier of search results, another keystroke may be input. The landing page refreshes accordingly and additional keystrokes may be entered.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data management system for AV/C descriptor data. The system includes a data container hierarchical structure. The system also includes a methodology for compiling data from the containers into a read buffer upon receipt of a request from a requestor. The data presented to the requestor will preferably be in a format that may be understood by other device requestors that mayor may not be utilizing this same container system.

Abstract: A database is used to store user interface state information. The database is accessed by a key having a service ID field, a caller ID field, and a caller context ID field. The caller context ID is used to identify the context in the application program from which the user interface is called. In this manner, the system can differentiate between calls from different portions of the application program which can have different user expectations of the desirable user interface state.

Abstract: A role-based operational directory facilitates identification of and communication with key contact personnel during an operation. Role-specific directory instances are created in the directory. The role-specific instances are created by a system operator and list the roles involved in an operation and the associations between the roles. The role-specific directory instance is advertised to a selected user, and the selected user associates with the role-specific directory instance. If the user is a key contact for the operation or is otherwise required or allowed to be associated with a role in the operation, the user also associates with a role from the list of roles in the role-specific directory instance. The directory instance is dynamically updated, modified, and tailored as necessary, and transmitted to the communication devices of the selected users of the role-specific directory instance.

Abstract: Groups of users accessing content are generated and modified to allow the users to more easily interact with each other. A number of groups and a maximum number of users in a group are received and used to generate shards. In one embodiment, the number of shards generated is based on the number of groups received. Each shard is associated with a unique shard identifier. In one embodiment, a user is associated with a shard when the user accesses content. For example, when a comment is received from a client device associated with a user, a user identifier is determined and associated with a shard. Using the shards, groups of users are generated. In one embodiment, a substring of the shard identifiers associated with the shards is determined and users associated with shard identifiers having the same substring of the shard identifier are included in a group.

Abstract: At least two devices having different characteristics are provided as one file system, and the file system stores a file in a device according to the file purpose. In file system operation, a device characteristic acquiring unit acquires characteristic information of the respective devices by using a device characteristic database, a device characteristic acquiring interface, and stores the information in the device characteristic holding. In file operation for preparing file management information in file storing process, a file purpose interpreting unit interprets the purpose and attribute of the file and registers a characteristic flag representing the characteristic of the file in the file management information. In file operation for actually writing a file, a storage device decision unit decides a file storage location device on the characteristic flag in the file management information and information of the device characteristic holding unit to perform a device free region securing process.

Abstract: A photo recommendation method using a mood of music is provided. The photo recommendation method using the mood of the music includes: categorizing the music into a mood by analyzing a sound source of the music; searching for a photo using meta information of the music; and recommending the photo corresponding to the categorized mood of the music according to a result of the searching.

Abstract: Included is a user device for communicating product information. The user device might include a data storage device and a product identifier input device configured to receive a product identifier. Also included in the user device is logic configured to retrieve at least one user preference, logic configured to retrieve information regarding a product related to the product identifier from a data network, and logic configured to compare the at least one user preference with at least a portion of the information related to the product.