Abstract: Apparatus for accessing a database having database records comprising data-compressed image data comprises a database server apparatus operable to respond to a database query by returning database records to the client process matching the criteria specified by the database query; and a client process for issuing database queries to the database server and for displaying information indicative of the database records returned by the database server apparatus; in which: the client process has a data decompressor for decompressing data-compressed images received from the database server and a data cache for storing decompressed image data representing those images; the client process is operable to retrieve, decompress, display and store in the data cache data-compressed a subset of the images relating to the database records returned by the database server; and the client process is then operable to retrieve, decompress and store in the data cache data-compressed images relating to the database records returne

Abstract: A videographics/video game fabricating system includes a multiprocessor based game processor console which includes a main central processing unit (CPU) which controls editing operations and operating system task execution and a game CPU for executing the model video game which is loaded into a pluggable RAM cartridge. The model video game provides a starting point from which a user can readily create an original video game including desired aspects of the model software. The system permits a user to modify any of the game's moving objects, background screens, music or sound effects. The main CPU and game CPU cooperate in the game execution and editorial process such that an editing screen generated by the main CPU is superimposed on a game screen generated by the program executing CPU. The game processing console includes ports for interconnection with a wide variety of peripheral devices.

Abstract: An improved method for encoding digital-data in a data processing system providing a buffer and utilizing a forward looking encoding process is disclosed. The forward looking encoding process includes the sequential steps of allocating a maximum number of bytes for a maximum size data-length field within the buffer and determining a data-length value for the digital data by encoding each of at least one portion of the digital data, the maximum size data-length field for receiving the data-length value. The forward looking encoding process also includes adjusting the maximum size data-length field, wherein the forward looking encoding process avoids a memory consuming duplication of the digital data.

Abstract: An improved method for value derivation allows for the definition of derived and defaulted information as database table columns. Derivation formulas are defined independently to the database management system. A derivation formula is assigned to each derived or defaulted column during their definition. Derivation formula parameter value assignments are also defined for each derived or defaulted column, if required by the derivation formula associated with the column. In addition, a derivation type is assigned to each derived or defaulted column specifying the conditions under which the value of the column is to be derived. During key processes, such as while inserting a row into a database or retrieving a row from a database, the database management system will determine whether a value is to be derived for each affected column. The database management system makes this determination through the examination of the derivation type associated with the column.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes a slip file for storing slip records each including item data corresponding to individual item names of the slip records, and a data file for storing data records in correspondence with individual item names of the data records. A memory stores a correlation table showing a correlation between individual item names of the slip records and individual item names of the data records to be processed at a time of renewal of the slip records. At renewal of the data records in the data file, the item data of each of the slip records in the slip file are arranged to correspond with an arrangement of each of the data records in the data file, in accordance with the correlation table stored in the memory, to thereby generate records for renewal. The data records in the data file are then renewed in accordance with the generated records for renewal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently matching a large collection of user profiles against a large volume of data in a webcasting system. The method removes redundant patterns in user profiles and information content to improve matching performance based on a Boolean-based query language. Users can select desired information content by choosing a set of predicates to assert the properties for each cyberspace document desired. Boolean operators of AND, OR and NOT connect predicates together on the information items that will be pushed to them. The method includes dynamic cost/credit adjustment based profile indexing and matching.

Abstract: A consistent set of data is supplied to a software application from databases. When a particular set of data is identified, a first process is requested to obtain a snapshot time from a database server associated with the first database. The snapshot time causes all subsequent reads of the first database by the first process to return data that reflects a database state associated with the snapshot time. A first set of data in the first database is locked in order to produce a copy of data from a first database. After locking the first set of data, a plurality of processes are requested to obtain snapshot times from a database server associated with the first database. The snapshot times cause all subsequent reads of the first database by the plurality of processes to return data from the first database as of the snapshot times.

Abstract: A program and method for a map display tool for use with a navigation system and used with a map database. The map display tool is adapted to render a map on a display or in a graphics buffer for a predetermined geographic region. The map display tool includes a map processing layer for performing the essential data manipulation, a graphics interface layer that maintains a series of look up tables with graphics commands, and a primitive layer customized to interact with an underlying graphics platform and the graphics interface layer. The map display tool renders a map by retrieving data items from the map database and processing each data item. Shape information is rendered on a screen or in a graphics buffer, name information is buffered and sorted to optimize filtering, prioritization, spatial conflicts resolution and other tasks prior to rendering.

Abstract: A method is described for storing and retrieving reports from a computer database with control of access to the database and to the reports. The reports are stored in a current database (16) for a selected period of time and are stored in a library database (18) on a permanent basis. The reports are provided in a report configuration which has data elements of the same parameter at specified locations according to the report configuration. When a report is received for storage in the database, indices are generated relating data elements of various data parameters to memory location of such data elements in the storage locations of the database. The indices can be used to retrieve portions of the report of interest. Access to the database is controlled by report type, report date, and report segment.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for performing a point-in-time backup using multiple copy technologies includes steps of suspending execution of updates to the source data; determining what point-in-time backup technology is supported by the device by determining the device and extents of the source data; processing each of the extents as determined by the backup technology supported and copying the source data in point-in-time; and backing up copied entire source data to a target media. If the backup process fails, the method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provides a restart function.

Abstract: A data processing system includes at least one central processor for executing instructions of software programs. In addition the data processing system includes a memory containing a data structure common to the software programs. The common data structure includes a compressed index data structure. The index structure stores index entries referencing a database. The database includes multiple records, each having a unique address in the database. Each index entry includes a word entry if the index entry represents a compressed encoding of a unique portion of information sequentially parsed from the database. The word entry is followed by one or more location entries which reference occurrences of the portions of information. Each index entry includes a metaword entry if the index entry represents a unique attribute of one or more related words. The metaword entry is followed by one or more location entries referencing occurrences of the attributes.

Abstract: An information processing system for processing a document including non-coded data comprising an extracting unit for extracting non-coded data included in the document, a label information making unit for making a label information item from the non-coded data, the label information item representing a feature of the non-coded data, a management unit for managing documents so that each of the documents corresponds to the label information item, and a retrieval unit for, when a label information item is supplied as a retrieval key, retrieving a document which is managed so that the document corresponds to a label information item substantially identical to the specified label information item, from documents managed by the management unit.

Abstract: A method for broadcasting data to a television set using a carrier signal such as a television or commercial radio carrier signal composed of the steps of: constructing a data stream from individual first record of a transmission database, each first record comprising one of a selection of formats, at least one of the first records comprising executable program code or an object, broadcasting the data stream within the carrier signal, providing a user with a user's device for receiving and decoding the data stream, the user's device receiving and decoding the data stream to a user's database, the user's database having second records comprising at least some of the first records, the second records comprising one of a selection of formats and at least one record comprising executable program code or an object broadcast from the first records determining the format a second record using a control program running, when required, the executable program code, and generating a display on the television consistent

Abstract: A method and system for managing memory resources in a system used in conjunction with a navigation application program that accesses geographic data. The geographic data are comprised of a plurality of data records. The plurality of data records are organized into parcels, each of which contains a portion of the plurality of data records, such that the data records in each portion of the plurality of data records that forms each parcel are accessed together. One or more buffers each that forms a contiguous portion of the memory of the navigation system is provided as a cache to store a plurality of parcels. One or more data structures located outside the contiguous portion of memory identify the parcels of data stored in the cache and the locations in the cache at which the parcels are stored. The one or more data structures located outside the contiguous portion of memory in which the parcels are cached are used to manage the parcel cache to use it efficiently.

Abstract: A database having fixed length records stored together in record number order and an index structure for the database. The index structure comprises a separate index for each searchable field of the records. For purposes of indexing, the records are logically divided into fine slices of 8,000 records each, and the fine slices are grouped into coarse slices of 4,000 fine slices each. The indexes include fine and coarse keys, each of which corresponds to a particular data value and a particular fine or coarse slice. Associated with each key is a link that is used to determine which records contain the data value. For the fine keys, the link includes a pointer to a bit vector that has a single bit for each of the records within the fine slice associated with the key. For the coarse keys, the link includes a pointer to a bit vector that has a single bit for each of the fine slices contained in the coarse slice.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting garbage collection process within a Java virtual machine are disclosed. A virtual object heap and a physical object heap are provided within the Java virtual machine, with the virtual object heap considerably larger than the physical object heap. Objects from Java applications are allocated within the virtual object heap. Each address of the allocated objects within the virtual object heap is translated into an address of a location within the physical object heap. Garbage collection is performed in the virtual object heap only when a total number of objects within the virtual object heap has reached a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and system for providing computer-network related information about a calling party. First, the called party receives a telephone number of a calling party. The called party's customer premises equipment (CPE) or elements in a telephone network then use the telephone number to index a database, which contains combinations of telephone numbers and computer-network addresses. Once the calling party's computer-network address is retrieved, calling-party-customized information present at the computer-network location specified by the computer-network address can be sent to and displayed on the called party's CPE. Also, the calling party's telephone number can be sent to an application in the computer network, causing the calling-party-customized information to be automatically displayed on the called party's CPE.

Abstract: A technique of transmitting documents relating to, for example, financial transactions wherein information to be filled in using fill-ins or resolvers are transmitted separately so that it may be checked and processed independently of the remainder of the document.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a decision-tree classifier from a training set of records, independent of the system memory size. The method includes the steps of: generating an attribute list for each attribute of the records, sorting the attribute lists for numeric attributes, and generating a decision tree by repeatedly partitioning the records using the attribute lists. For each node, split points are evaluated to determine the best split test for partitioning the records at the node. Preferably, a gini index and class histograms are used in determining the best splits. The gini index indicates how well a split point separates the records while the class histograms reflect the class distribution of the records at the node. Also, a hash table is built as the attribute list of the split attribute is divided among the child nodes, which is then used for splitting the remaining attribute lists of the node.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing the allocation and release of memory space within a number of files shared by a number of hosts in a data processing system. A number of allocate and release tables are provided which are accessible by the number of hosts for managing the allocation and release of space within the number of files. Each one of the number of allocate and release tables corresponds to one of the number of files and provides a file location, file size, and indication to the number of hosts of which of the number of blocks within the file have been allocated and which of the number of blocks have been released. Any host may allocate one or more of the number of blocks to store messages created or received by the host by determining from the allocate and release tables which one or more of the number of blocks within one of the number of files are available.