Abstract: A user interface for a computer device includes an image collage layout including a plurality of image receiving areas each configured to receive an image, a first control configured to select a number of the image receiving areas in the image collage layout, a second control configured to select tilt angles of one or more of the image receiving areas in the image collage layout, a third control configured to select an amount of padding between the image receiving areas in the image collage layout, and a fourth control configured to select a width of a canvas border for the image receiving areas in the image collage layout, wherein the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control are configured to be actuated by a user.

Abstract: Embodiments for displaying multiple page files are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a plurality of files may be automatically displayed. For the respective files of the plurality of files, a count of pages may be determined, and at least one of the pages of the file may be displayed. If the count of pages is determined to be greater than one, a plurality of pages of the file may be automatically displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing for virtual communication and collaboration comprises a collaborative virtual environment (CVE) application executing within a distributed data processing system, and a navigation module implemented within the CVE application. The CVE application provides a virtual world represented as a grid of an interconnected set of locations each divided into a set of zones and each having an assigned context through a user interface provided to a plurality of users through one or more client systems. The CVE provides each user with a respective avatar representation for navigating and interacting within the locations of the virtual world. The navigation module provides a user interface element and automatically directs the avatar representation to traverse the set of zones the set of locations of the virtual world in a particular order of locations and at a particular.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for providing content-owner control in a device is optionally networked. A method for accessing media content has steps of initiating a first view providing access to at least a portion of a first content within the first view, initiating a second view providing access to a second content within the second view and preventing the second content from being accessed with the first content in the first view. Additionally, access to a third content with the first content is allowed in the first view. An apparatus includes a first view configured to provide access to a first content, a second view configured to provide access to a second content, and a graphical subsystem configured to prevent the second content from being access in the first view. In one variation, the first view is a media content view, and the second view is a web view.

Abstract: An information gathering facility is provided to gather information on a state of a computer system. The information gathering facility includes a dictionary file data structure having at least one inquiry which comprises at least one instruction to call a pre-existing executable on the computer system. The pre-existing executable is executed in response to processing of the at least one instruction and data is obtained from the executable. This data is used in accordance with the at least one instruction to derive a result to be included as part of the state information on the computer system.

Abstract: A system for implementing a real-time distributed, hierarchical database uses a proxiable protocol. The system includes a first proxy server for receiving a first proxiable protocol message from a first network element. The first proxy server performs a first database lookup based on information contained in the first message. If the first proxy server does not obtain the requested information, the first proxy server formulates a second proxiable protocol message and forwards the message to a second proxy server. A second proxy server receives the second message and performs a second database lookup based on information contained in the second message. The second proxy server sends the results from the second database lookup to the first proxy server and the first proxy server forwards the results to the database user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for persisting object oriented data are provided in various embodiments. Persistent storage is established for a working data set and a committed data set. The areas for the working and committed data sets are used for storage of the persistent data objects. After a persistent data object is updated in computer memory, the updated version is written to the working data set. Then, references to the working data set and the committed data set are switched, whereby the working data set becomes the committed data set and the committed data set becomes the working data set.

Abstract: A method and system for creating an interactive virtual community of famous people, or those people who wish to attain the status of a famous person, in a field of endeavor, such as arts, accounting, animal rights, business, education, engineering, entertainment, financing, government affairs, human rights, legal, medical, philanthropy, politics, religion, research, science, sports, etc. The virtual community of the present invention is unique in that the members of the virtual community can update, modify or revise their individual profile, and interact with other members of the virtual community, as well as the non-members of the virtual community.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for defining object classes to match corresponding specialized data types stored in a relational database. An object-oriented application program may create an instance of a class for the purpose of representing data in a relational table that comprise a specialized data type. The attributes and behavior of the specialized data type in the database are preserved, where appropriate, in the corresponding class, and are available to the application program.

Abstract: A computerized data processing system for categorizing documents that applies candidate functions, such as entropy, cross-entropy, and KL-distance, to data classification is disclosed. A computerized method for categorizing documents employing the candidate functions is also disclosed. The computerized data processing system and method of this invention allows for the automatic categorization, retrieval, and filtration of documents based upon the degree and/or rate of divergence from a reference standard.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for estimating a construction project over a computer network. The first step in the process starts when an architect or contractor enters information relating to at least one construction project into an online database. This online database is stored on a server creating a series of quantities for each of the at least one construction projects. Next, a system host presents a series of quantities for each of the at least one construction projects. Next, users such as contractors, subcontractors or construction managers can purchase and download these quantities and a construction report. These quantities are presented in a unique electronic spreadsheet template. Once the users have this template with the quantities included, they can bid on each construction project either online or through any other communication means.

Abstract: A mechanism for locating a linked file is described. The mechanism retrieves a reference to a linked file linked to a document. The reference specifies an absolute pathname. The mechanism parses the absolute pathname into a plurality of relative pathnames and appends a first one of the relative pathnames to a current directory specification for the document to produce a new absolute pathname. Subsequent ones of the plurality of relative pathnames are appended to the current directory specification until the new absolute pathname points to the linked file.

Abstract: An adaptive distributed network includes a plurality of information centers connected over a network. Each information center holds any number of information units. The plurality of information applications are connected over the network to the information centers. The information applications retrieve information units from and/or update units at one or more of the information centers. Information applications retrieve and/or update information units at specified information centers. The passage of information over the network is monitored and the distribution of information units across the information centers is controlled adaptively, together with knowledge of the required connectivity between information application and information units. Also the specified information centers are determined in response to the monitored passage of information to improve the system performance.

Abstract: A computer system for enhanced management and archiving of select data types includes algorithms for transforming the data types into special system recognized objects and associated meta-data. High volume archiving is accomplished at low costs and substantially facilitated retrieval. The system is particularly useful in managing electronic message systems for institutions complying with regulatory requirements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of handling the event recordings in a service database system. The database comprises measurement tables (MT) which include consecutive rows (Ri). A single row comprises data about a single measurement object. In order to be able to share the processor load evenly (a) the counters on the measurement table row have been duplicated, and in every recording interval the counter values of a given counter group on said row are incremented, and the counter values of another counter group on the same row are recorded according to a predefined rotation principle, and (b) the recording and zeroing process of the counters is started during each recording interval repeatedly at short intervals, and during each startup the processing is performed on a limited portion of the measurement objects included in the measurement group.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a database of metadata (metabase) of a variety of digital media content, including TV and radio content delivered on Internet. This semantic-based method captures and enhances domain or subject specific metadata of digital media content, including the specific meaning and intended use of original content. To support semantics, a WorldModel is provided that includes specific domain knowledge, ontologies as well as a set of rules relevant to the original content. The metabase may also be dynamic in that it may track changes to the any variety of accessible content, including live and archival TV and radio programming.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of handling the event recordings in a service database system. The database contains stored measurement tables (MT) which include consecutive rows (Ri). So that the activation values of individual objects can be changed or individual objects can be added/deleted at any time causing as little interference as possible to the measurement, the value of the activation parameter of the measurement object is stored on the row and the zeroing of the counter groups of the measurement object is performed during the recording and zeroing phase of the counters so that for each counter group of the measurement object the first processing after the activation of the measurement object in question is forced to be such that the recording of the counter group is blocked, but the zeroing of the counter group is allowed.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of managing the navigation data for a rewritable recording medium which are referred to for control of recording, editing, and reproduction. It enables to access to each information table in the navigation data directly by referring to the start address, which is kept in the first information table in the navigation data. When data are recorded to the rewritable recording medium, the management data which are relevant to the data to be recorded are created and written to the relevant information tables, which are accessed directly based on the start addresses. When data on the recording medium are reproduced, the information tables which contain management data required for reproduction of the requested data are located directly by the start addresses. Then, the data are read out from the rewritable recording medium and reproduced in reference to the management data.

Abstract: A system for connecting a mobile computing device (10) to a remotely located data collection device (20). The system includes a synchronization device (38) that couples the mobile device to a digital telephone (40). The synchronization device operates to convert the data received from the mobile computing device into a format that can be transmitted by the digital telephone. In addition, the synchronization device transmits an identifier that specifies the data collection device to which the data shall be transmitted. The identifier is preferably read by a digital PBX and used to establish a communication path between the data collection device and the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A customer administrative system of a wireless communications system is interfaced with one or more system database network elements to support single command meta-service activation and management tasks. In this regard, a meta-service comprises a package of individual services. An agent is included in the interface to process single meta-service command for handling by the database network elements. The database network elements supporting the individual services implicated by the meta-service command are identified and are issued appropriately formatted, device specific commands for effectuating the meta-service activation or management task. In the event that each implicated database network element cannot successfully complete the requisite meta-service activation or management task, the service provision state of each implicated database network element is rolled-back to a service provision state prior to receipt of the meta-service command.