Abstract: A method of maintaining a file system of a computer in a known correct state begins by reserving a workspace in the file system itself. Upon a predetermined occurrence, file system organizing data structures are examined to determine and store in the workspace information reflecting a current state of the file system. The information preferably includes an inode table that identifies a status of each inode in the file system and a block map that maps all data blocks that are in use. The inode table is used verify the correctness of the root directory tree and that all in-use inodes are connected. Use of the inode table obviates recursive traversal of the inodes to verify the root directory and thus saves considerable processing time. Processor memory is not being used to support the current state information, eliminating the requirement for processor memory in proportion to file system size. After checking, the current stat is adjusted to the known correct state.

Abstract: A method for translating attribute data carried in Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP) Protocol Data Units (PDUs) to/from custom designed data structures. A supplementary method for incorporating user's preferences on the data structures and the relationships between different fields in these data structures and the corresponding attribute values is also provided. The translation method automatically performs conversions between the user-designed data structures and various CMIP requests/responses automatically, and, in accordance with user's preferences. The method allows users to simplify and/or compact the storage representation of the Managed Objects by taking advantage of application specific knowledge, and by eliminating unnecessary fields from CHOICE data types in the target data structures.

Abstract: In an automated virtual storage and retrieval library, a method for creating a new inventory of physical media volumes (cartridges) and of related logical volumes stored on the physical media, which method exports the existing logical volume records from a stored table to a file via a data base program, deletes the existing physical and logical volume records from the table, then imports the logical volume records from the file via the data base program into a new table, operates the library accessor to scan all the library cells to read the labels of all the physical media volumes (cartridges) in the cells, inserting physical volume records therefor into the stored table, and indicates to a host that the library is online. The copies of only the inserted physical volume records are uploaded to the host, providing a dramatic savings in processing time before the library is available for normal accessing.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for transferring data objects from a server to a client in a distributed computing system. The disclosed method comprises the steps of: receiving, at the server, a request from the client for the data object; determining whether a cached copy of the requested object retained by the client is the same as a current version of the requested object retained by the server, wherein the cached copy and the current version are stored in a compressed form; and transmitting the current version of the requested object from the server to the client in the compressed form if the cached copy of the requested object is not the same as the current version of the requested object.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method for efficiently identifying a new index bit sequence, utilizing a single technique to rearrange any size table, generating new index bit sequences without utilizing a significant amount of memory resources, and rearranging table entries only once. A mask array defines the new index bit sequence for a new table. The mask array has N entries of N bits each where N is equal to the number of bits in the old table index. The table entries in the old table to form a new table by initializing an old table index (OI) and a new table index (NI) and setting the new table entry associated with the NI equal to the old table entry associated with the OI. Then the new index that is associated with the next old index value by using the mask array to sequentially mask bits in the NI corresponding to mask bits in the mask array is dynamically generated.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for identifying if a document linked from a base document has changed over time. A first time and a later second time are identified. A link in a base document is recursively identified, where the link refers to a linked document. A version repository is searched to determine if the repository stores versions of the linked document associated with the first and second times. An indication is provided to the user if it is determined that a version associated with the first time and a version associated with the second time are stored in the repository.

Abstract: In methods for storing and retrieving data with a memory arrangement and central databases, a trie data structure is utilized in which the nodes are given unique multidimensional search keys in order to save memory space and to easily store and retrieve data, as a result, the efficiency of storage management will be highly improved.

Abstract: The operation of a computer system can be determined by the content of highlighted data on a display device and a predefined criterion. In this computer system, the highlighted data could be located anywhere on the display device. The highlighted data is not related to any embedded links. In one embodiment, a temporary storage buffer is used to store data highlighted by a user. The computer system also contains a table (or database) associating a list of computer operations with a list of keywords and a set of predefined criteria. When a pre-assigned key is pressed, the content of the temporary storage buffer is compared with the list of data in the database. When there is a match, the predefined criteria is used to select the associated operation. After selection, the operation is performed. As a result, the operation performed is related to the content of the highlighted data and the predefined criteria.

Abstract: A system for integrating multiple indexed files and searching the resulting integrated indexed file. An indexed core content file, which includes a core keyword list containing core keywords, can be updated with update keywords of an update content file. The update content file is accessed and, in response, a virtual keyword list is generated. The virtual keyword list, which contains update keywords and core keywords, is created by determining a position for inserting each update keyword within the core keyword list and positions for each core keyword affected by the insertion of update keywords. An index mapping table is created for tracking the positions of the update keywords and the core keywords within the virtual keyword list. The index mapping table maps the positions of the update keywords within the virtual keyword list to the update keywords within the update content file and maps the positions of the core keywords within the virtual keyword list to the core keywords within the core keyword list.

Abstract: A file recording support apparatus for supporting recording of a file on a home page on an internet and an intranet according to the present invention comprises means for entering a recording start command, means for entering a recording stop command, and recording means for recording a file acquired from a server, together with link information included in the file, in storage means in a period elapsed from the time when the recording start command is entered until the recording stop command is entered.

Abstract: Data generated and accumulated during a multi-stage proceeding, such as a litigation proceeding, is organized in a matrix of screens according to Section (catagory) and Level for later retrieval. Each screen is accessed by user selection of a point on the matrix and each screen has a pattern of fields at which data can be entered into the system. By imposing a pattern of fields of data entry, codes can be associated with each entry which permit ease of retrieval. Different subsets of the set of fields in the various screens have like codes to encode data entered there and to retrieve there subsets of stored data entered at other fields and having like codes. A data file is established for each case and a matrix is operative in a manner analogous to a template where a field is like an aperture in the template permitting access only to the data at the aperture.

Abstract: Explicit support for custom gadgets is provided, at a system software level, in a manner that is essentially application-transparent. Specific support is provided for the addition of one custom gadget per window. The custom gadget is identified by a specific numeric code in the same manner as the close and zoom boxes. An application simply tells the system software what the custom gadget for a particular window should look like. The code responsible for drawing that window's frame then knows where to find the image of the custom gadget and will render it appropriately. When a user clicks in the custom gadget, the system software notifies the application of the event by means of the numeric code associated with the custom gadget. More particularly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a custom interactive user-interface element is provided in a title bar of a window of an application program in a graphical, event-driven computer system having a computer display.

Abstract: A method, in a computer system having a first plurality of stored data objects and capable of running multiple threads concurrently, for preventing access conflicts. The method includes the step of providing a dynamic lock structure having a plurality of dynamic lock structure members. There is also the step of mapping a second plurality of stored data objects of the first plurality of stored data objects into a first dynamic lock structure member of the plurality of dynamic lock structure members in accordance with a mapping function. Due to the mapping function, the plurality of dynamic lock structure members become fewer in number than the number of the first plurality of stored data objects. The first dynamic lock structure member is configured to store identities of a third plurality of stored data objects.

Abstract: An archiving device with a plurality of drive devices for reading out a plurality of data constituting one data file from a plurality of removable recording media in parallel. A recording media loading/unloading device selectively loads/unloads the removable recording media to/from the drive devices. A control device controls the media loading/unloading operations by the recording media loading/unloading device and data reading operations by the drive devices according to a reading request for a desired data file so as to selectively use the drive devices in reading the desired data file from the removable recording media.

Abstract: Many users of handheld computing devices or "palmtops" also own personal computers running applications that manage data similar to the data carried in the palmtops. In such cases, the users are likely to want the data on the palmtop to be synchronized with the data on the personal computer. A method and apparatus reconciles records on a palmtop with corresponding records on a personal computer.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the size of data as it is exchanged between a computer program and a database in situations when the computer program and the database use different formats for the data which is to be exchanged. A datum transfer direction determinator determines whether the datum which has the incompatible data format is being transferred to the database or to the computer program. The determinator examines the database operation issued from the computer program to determine whether the computer program is to receive the datum as in the case of a retrieve database operation or the database is to receive the data as in the case of an insert database operation. Based upon the datum direction and a predetermined adjustment value, a data size adjuster then adjusts the size of the data to be compatible with the data size used by the intended recipient of the data.

Abstract: An enhanced electronic encyclopedia is provided. The encyclopedia includes a database of articles stored in one or more memories. The database of articles includes base articles with article titles, article text and an objective rating. The database of articles also includes supplemental articles corresponding to base articles with a selected objective rating. Each supplemental article has an icon which identifies characteristics of the supplemental article. The encyclopedia also includes a processor, an input device and an output device. A method for creating an enhanced electronic encyclopedia is also provided.

Abstract: A SQL database server system having an enhanced logging system is described. The logging system implements a "private log cache" (PLC) for reducing the contention on the system's "log" resource (which is protected by a log semaphore). An area of memory private to a user's task is set aside as a PLC--a cache where log records are built and stored before being posted to the log. Each PLC may hold multiple log records for a single transaction before they are flushed to the log (page chain) through the log semaphore. When a transaction commits or the memory fills with log records, the PLC associated with the transaction is flushed to the log. Also described is improved log deallocation methodology provided by the system which alleviates the needs to read each of the log pages to be deallocated, as was conventionally required. The operation to do the deallocation occurs at the allocation page, not at the individual pages (which are to be deallocated).

Abstract: A video indexing and query execution system includes a processor which indexes video clips by: (a) identifying each symbol of one or more graphical icons in each frame of each video clip, (b) determining the horizontal, vertical and temporal coordinates of each symbol of the identified graphical icons, and (c) constructing a database for each identified symbol of the graphical icons. The processor converts a video query from graphical form to string form by: (a) receiving a video query specifying the vertical, horizontal and temporal coordinates of a graphical icon to be matched in at least one frame to be retrieved, and (b) constructing a normal 3-D string from the video query indicating the distance between each symbol of each icon in the video query in each direction.

Abstract: Information items commonly have a unique portion and a common portion that is the same for multiple items. The common portions of information items are stored once. Each common portion is assigned a globally unique single-instance identifier. Each unique portion of an information item stores the single-instance identifier of the associated common portion. A reference count, stored with the common portion, reflects the number of unique portions associated with the common portion. When an information item is created or distributed, the single-instance identifier of the common portion is used to ensure that multiple copies of the common portion are not stored.