Abstract: System and method for structuring and manipulating data that includes a mechanism for processing the data and a mechanism for storing the data. A data structure includes a location structure, a content structure, and a mechanism for mapping each location structure to some or all of the variables within the storing mechanism. The location structure has at least two locators and each of the locators is configurable to have at least one resolution. Each resolution has one or more uniquely identifiable positions, wherein the juxtaposition of one position selected from each of the locators defines a unique location within the location structure. A content structure is provided which is configurable to have variables, wherein each of the variables defines a data item. A mechanism is also provided for mapping each location within the location structure to some or all of the variables within the content structure. A method is disclosed for structuring an manipulating data.

Abstract: Computerized tools for modeling database designs and specifying queries of the data contained therein. Once it is determined that an information system needs to be created, the Fact Compiler of the present invention is invoked to create it. After creating the information system, the user creates a fact-tree as a prelude to generating queries to the system. After creating the fact-tree, the user verifies that it is correct using the Tree Interpreter of the present invention. Once the fact tree has been verified, the Query Mapper of the present invention is used to generate information system queries.

Abstract: An event alerter system for notifying one application or process of a change in a database. A database management system includes an event generator that defines events to be reported, such as a change in a particular field of the database. Each time an change occurs, the event generator notifies an event manager of the name of the event. Whenever an event dependent process indicates an interest in a change in a field in a particular record or records in a database, it transfers a command to the event manager identifying each such record and change. When the event dependent process issues such a command, it enters a wait state to process the occurrence of an event in either a synchronous or asynchronous mode. The event manager converts such a command into entries in an event table that identifies, for that and other event dependent processes, the list of events in which a process has an interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic document filing system. The electronic document filing system comprises a document database for storing document, an input unit for controlling the system, a document data generating unit for generating the document data, a layout data generating unit for generating layout data, a display unit for displaying the data generated by the document data generating unit and layout data generating unit, and a control unit for controlling the display unit to send image data of the page being retrieved to the layout data generating unit upon receipt of a retrieval command from the input unit to display the resulting data of a conversion into the layout data, and to send the image data of the specified page to the document data generating unit to display the image data of the specified page in a legible image.

Abstract: A method for providing files to a remote node including the steps of determining whether bandwidth is available for transmitting across a communications link a file requested by a remote node, reserving bandwidth for the requested file if bandwidth is determined to be available, and opening the requested file for transmission only if bandwidth is reserved. In addition, an apparatus for providing files to a remote node including apparatus for determining whether bandwidth is available for transmitting across a communications link a file requested by a remote node, apparatus for reserving bandwidth for the requested file if bandwidth is determined to be available, and apparatus for opening the requested file for transmission only if bandwidth is reserved.

Abstract: A range of key values is partitioned into a plurality of key subranges equal in number to the number of record storage areas available for the sort. One of the key subranges is then assigned to each of the record storage areas and records to be sorted are transferred to the record storage areas in accordance with a sort key value within each record and the key subrange assigned to each of the record storage areas. Whenever a record is transferred to a filled record storage area, a record from the filled record storage area is transferred to an output string, namely the record that has the lowest key value that is not lower than the last record added to the output string of the filled record storage area.

Abstract: In a client/server environment, a method and means for reducing the storage requirement in the backup subsystem and further reducing the load on the transmission bandwidth where base files are maintained on the server in a segmented compressed format. When a file is modified on the client, the file is transmitted to the server and compared with the segmented compressed base version of the file utilizing a differencing function but without decompressing the entire base file. A delta file which is the difference between the compressed base file and the modified version of the file is created and stored on a storage medium which is part of the backup subsystem. Alternatively, a copy of frequently accessed base files are maintained on the client in a compressed format. Whenever the client detects that a frequently accessed file has been modified, the modified version of the file is differenced against the base version of that file without decompressing the entire base file and a delta file is generated.

Abstract: Computerized tools for modeling database designs and specifying queries of the data contained therein. Once it is determined that an information system needs to be created, the Fact Compiler of the present invention is invoked to create it. After creating the information system, the user creates a fact-tree as a prelude to generating queries to the system. After creating the fact-tree, the user verifies that it is correct using the Tree Interpreter of the present invention. Once the fact tree has been verified, the Query Mapper of the present invention is used to generate information system queries.

Abstract: A method for scheduling processes for execution in a computer system organizes the processes into run queues in accordance with the respective secrecy classes of the processes. A CPU time slot is assigned to each run queue. If all processes in a run queue give up the CPU before the expiration of the run queue's assigned time slot, the leftover time is given to a run queue whose secrecy class dominates that of the previous run queue. Covert-channel countermeasures are not taken in between two run queues if the secrecy class of the second run queue dominates the secrecy class of the first run queue.

Abstract: A document processing apparatus and method inputs character code information corresponding to a character to be output, stores a character or symbol pattern in the form of a plurality of fonts, discriminates whether a character or a symbol pattern to be output exists across a plurality of lines, generates one character or a symbol pattern existing across a single line from one stored font based on one character code of the input character code information in the event that the character or symbol pattern to be output is discriminated to exist, across only a single line, and generates one character or symbol pattern existing across a plurality of lines from the plurality of stored fonts based on one character code of the input character code information in the event that the character or symbol pattern to be output is discriminated to exist across a plurality of lines.

Abstract: A document retrieving method in a document management system which manages documents, using a computer. The classification of documents is managed in accordance with a plurality of node trees constructed in a hierarchical structure. Each document is related to at least one node among a plurality of nodes in the node trees. In retrieval, an OR merge operation is performed on documents related to all the nodes ranging from the target node and extending through all lower nodes linked directly and indirectly to the target mode of a designated node tree to form a collection of documents. When a different node tree is designated, a similar OR operation is performed on documents related to all the nodes ranging from the target node to lower nodes linked directly and indirectly to the target node to create another collection of documents. These steps are repeated and an AND-marge operation is performed on the obtained collections of documents to create and output a final collection of documents.

Abstract: A computer system that incorporates an SQL type relational database is adapted to enterprises in which human performance is to be managed. There is a single table that contains linking information for multiple entity relationships among a plurality of information entities. Programs that cooperate with the database kernel include an entity relation manager for modifying the linker table to dynamically define entity relationships among the information entities; a hierarchal structure manager for dynamically defining hierarchal relationships among objects in the information entities; a load/unload utility, for changing information between a human-readable format and another format having a syntax acceptable to the database kernel; and an editor which provides an environment that enables a human operator to conveniently interact with the relational database.

Abstract: This invention is an information storage system which provides a self-contained environment for database management. Data are stored in the system not as conventional entries in memory locations, but instead as a group of connections between database sets. Procedures are also encoded as database set connections, and not in conventional form. Data and procedure cannot exist independently, in the present invention; instead, they are grouped together, into constructs called Contexts. Because the connections themselves are the data, the system is substantially independent of the particular hardware on which the system is implemented. The environment includes an editor which uses an icon-based syntax to create and manipulate data and procedure structures according to the invention. The present invention greatly reduces the time required to develop and maintain a database management system or other computer program. The system is not limited by the size of data variables.

Abstract: A customer and merchandise image data are picked up by an image generator and are stored in a customer data storage section and a merchandise data storage section in a data storage section together with link data and key data about each customer and each merchandise. Sales data of a merchandise for each customer is stored in a sales data storage section. In accordance with an instruction from an instruction input section, a processor searches the customer data and merchandise data storage sections and displays one of data about a specific customer and data about a specific merchandise with an image on a display, or retrieves data about a specific customer and data about each merchandise purchased by this customer from the customer data and merchandise data storage sections based on the sales data stored in the sales data storage section and displays those data with images on the display in association with each other.

Abstract: Multiple files are combined into a single file (64a) in new executable format to operate a hardware or software device, such as a peripheral device (30a), while retaining compatibility with an operating system (40). The resources portion (98) of the single file is extended to put one or more non-executable file (96) and executable file (97) in the single file. A header includes a resources table that identifies the location of the non-executable files and executable files within the resources section. The executable file is accessed and loaded by the operating system (40) after the peripheral device (30a) is connected to the computer (10), and the executable file is used to operate the peripheral device (30a).

Abstract: A method for coordinating updates to a medical database in a medical information system permits concurrent charting from different workstations and medical instruments. A first data value for a record is entered at a first workstation and a second data value for the record is entered at a second workstation without locking either workstation during data entry. The new data values are stored in the medical database after completion of data entry at each workstation, and a correction history is recorded. The correction history contains information as to the update of the record with the first data value and the second data value. The record is updated with the first and second data values without aborting user activities or notifying a user that an update conflict has occurred. After the new data values are stored in the medical database, all workstations containing a copy of the record are updated to reflect the current state of the record.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a master process for control of a shared system resource. The improved system requires the master process to hold exclusive access on a shared resource control file only intermittently. The master process periodically updates the shared resource control file with a new timestamp. Processes seeking resource access read the shared control file and determine whether another process has been designated master. If the interval since the latest timestamp is greater than a preset staleness interval, the shared control file is discarded and a new one created by the accessing process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing and effectively integrating non-object oriented data stores with object applications. An integrating environment is implemented wherein an application using a distributed object database and object database management system (ODBMS) is provided with an interface to external data stores in a manner so as to effect location transparency. The application, accessing data via the ODBMS, can manipulate data in foreign data stores which include external data that is mapped and converted into objects for use by object applications. A storage management application program interface ("SM API"), effects a functional interface for handling objects, referencing objects, implementing iteration and indexing of objects, and implementing object transaction and cache handling.

Abstract: In a database accessing system, access information concerning access to a database system is transferred using call control messages including user-to-user information within a control procedure defining the connection of a call on a signal channel. This results in a database accessing method that offers the improved use efficiencies of communication lines and the upgraded operating ratio of a database system, and allows users to enjoy reduced communication charges.

Abstract: A method for ensuring reliable interactions between principals within a database or between databases. The method involves the creation of database contracts which are, in essence, binding constraints on the behavior of entities within a database system that can be enforced by the system. A database contract is formed when two or more principals agree on the terms and conditions of the contract, and a monitor puts in to place the constraints necessary to enforce the agreed-upon terms and conditions after determining that each of the principals has the requisite authority and ability to carry out the contract.