Abstract: A system for creating database partial replicas is provided where the referential integrity of the original database is maintained in the partial replica. Filters are specified to allow a user to select, using boolean logic, which rows of the original database are to be propagated to the partial replica. A row containing the primary key corresponding to a foreign key of a row propagated to the partial replica is also propagated to the partial replica. Also, a filter may be specified to include rows that are part of a relationship between multiple record sources. The result is a partial replica database containing only those records desired by the user but also all the records necessary to maintain the referential integrity of the original database.

Abstract: A display system includes a plurality of display areas on which images are displayed, and a processing unit for controlling display formation of images on the plurality of display areas so that the images are displayed with predetermined orientations different from each other. Another type of display system includes a display panel on which an image is displayed, and a processing unit for controlling display formation of an image on the display panel so that the image is displayed rotated by an angle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing object data.

Abstract: The invention provides a data retrieval apparatus which includes a sensibility database 2 for storing a plurality of title names, evaluation points on a plurality of evaluation items, and identifiers assigned to evaluators responsible for the evaluation points; an evaluation point input block 1 for accepting an evaluation on each of the plurality of evaluation items; an evaluation point correction process block 5 for correcting each of the evaluations accepted by the evaluation point input block 1 by using a plurality of evaluator difference data for each of the plurality of evaluators; a retrieval criteria generating process block 6 for selecting a title name from the sensibility database 2 on the basis of each corrected evaluation; and a data retrieval process block 7.

Abstract: A client server network (10) has a number of clients (12, 14,16), each having a client transform generator (18, 20, 22). The clients (12, 14,16) transmit a number of messages each of which contains an address (38, 54) and a confirmer (40, 56). The clients (12, 14, 16) are all connected to a communication network (24, 26) that carries the messages. A server (28) has a server transform generator (44) and is coupled to the communication network (24, 26). The server (28) receives the messages containing the address (38, 54) and the confirmer (40, 56).

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a plurality of electronically stored documents in an open document repository employ a one-way hash function to compute a hash for the stored documents as an indexing link. A document management index maps an attribute of an original document stored in the repository to the hash and the document. A hash-to-location index maps the hash to an address location of the document in a file system of the repository. The attribute points to the hash which then points to the location for linking the attribute to the location.

Abstract: A technique for transferring a graphical object in a graphical user interface on a computer display from a source window to a target window. It is determined that a graphical object from the source window has entered the target window during a drag and drop operation. Next, it is determined that the graphical object has hit an interior boundary of the target window. The target window is scrolled so long as the graphical object continues to hit the interior boundary. Once the target location is visible in the target window, the graphical object is located at the target location at conclusion of the drag and drop operation. The invention contemplates a graphical user interface in which some target windows are scrollable during a drag and drop operation with a graphical object from a foreign window, while some windows are not. Thus, in a mixed graphical user interface, it must be determined whether the target window is scrollable during a drag and drop operation.

Abstract: A distributed database system includes a central station for accumulating and distributing data on a database, and a plurality of receiver stations that receive the data and selectively make available at least portions of the data in accordance with the demands of a user. A transmitter encodes and transmits the sequential data stream for delivery embedded within television signals.

Abstract: A saving tape is previously produced once on producing a file, and a block image after updating the file by a process group continues to be accumulated in a journal tape group. At an optional timing, a tape roll-forward process repeats to perform a roll forward for the saving tape and to produce a new saving tape in accordance with a journal accumulated into the journal group. On occurrence of fault in the file, a recovery is performed using the new saving tape and the journal tape group newly accumulated on and after the time of the final roll forward process.

Abstract: A computer system synchronizes data in multiple remote database files with data in a master database file. The system creates the remote files by copying data from the master file. For each remote file created, the system also creates a backup file. The backup file reflects contents of the remote file when the remote file was created or last synchronized, i.e., before a user can modify data in the remote file. From time to time, the system synchronizes data in the master file and a remote file. The system compares corresponding data in the master, remote, and backup files to determine which file (remote or master) has a more current version of the data. The system then updates the file that has the less current data with data from the file that has the more current data. After synchronizing the files, the system copies all data from the remote file to the backup file (or alternately creates a new backup file).

Abstract: Many users of handheld computing devices or "palmtops" also own personal computers (PCs) 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 PC. A method and apparatus reconciles records on a palmtop with corresponding records on a PC.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a selected graphic control within a spreadsheet, chart, or dialog sheet. The graphic control can be selected from a Forms button toolbar and then positioned within a desired workspace of a spreadsheet program. The graphic controls provided on the Forms button toolbar include a check box, an option box, a list box, a drop-down box, a combination list-edit box, a combination drop-down list-edit box, a scrollbar, and a spinner. A Format Object properties dialog box is also provided on the Forms button toolbar to enable the user to set various parameters for the graphic control. These parameters include an identification of the cell within the spreadsheet to which the graphic control is bi-directionally linked. If the user manipulates the graphic control, a value in the spreadsheet cell that is linked to the graphic control changes in a corresponding fashion. Similarly, any change to the spreadsheet cell linked to the graphic control is reflected within the graphic control.

Abstract: The hierarchical data distribution system (HDDS) includes a top level master database system, bottom level client servers, each with its own database copy, and at least one intermediate database level. HDDS is an event driven pusher type system. The entry of update data into the system invokes the distribution process. First, the master database system is updated. Then, the master database system updates several database systems at the first intermediate database level. Each database system at the first intermediate database level then updates several database systems at the next lower database level. This may be a lower level intermediate level or it may be client servers. This process continues until the lowest level database systems, the client servers, have been updated. The distribution process performs any necessary reformatting, data assembly and data view processing before transmitting the update data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using a generalized windows split bar and tab bar library in a conferencing system handles windows display functions in order to free application programs from having to include such functionality. The split bar library is responsible for positioning a split bar window separating two other display windows. The split bar library includes a feature for automatically preventing the display of a title bar window when its corresponding display window is not concurrently displayed. The tab bar library allows easy access to information tagged by a tab. A special function tab is displayed which can be selected by the user by manipulating an input device. The special function tab allows the insertion of a new tab and a new page of information. Automatic scrolling tabs appear when the number of tabs to be displayed exceeds the amount of space available to display all of the tabs. The scrolling tabs allow access to the non-displayed tabs.

Abstract: A method of estimating the query size of two databases T and R is disclosed. The method uses a threshold value to categorize the databases as dense or sparse. A dense-dense procedure is then applied to the two databases to produce a dense-dense estimate (A.sub.d). A sparse-any procedure that suppresses the dense data items coming from database T is performed which produces a first sparse-any estimate (A.sub.s1). A second sparse-any estimate (A.sub.s2) is then produced by suppressing the dense data items from database R. Ultimately a query size estimate is produced by combining the dense-dense estimate, the first sparse-any estimate and the second sparse-any estimate.

Abstract: A method for storing and retrieving information on a magnetic storage medium, such as magnetic tape, organizes files into data blocks of variable encoded block sizes. The encoded block sizes indicate file boundaries of files, intrablock data organization and/or interblock data organization to facilitate data retrieval. For example, if encoded block sizes indicate file boundaries, then filemarks are not needed to separate files from each other. During an encoding process, data blocks are assigned corresponding data formats and block sizes are preferably quantized to equal distinctive integer multiples of an encoding constant. Decoding is accomplished by performing a modulo function on the quantized block size to identify corresponding data formats assigned to the data blocks. One practical application of the method of storage and retrieval is recovery of a corrupt or a missing file directory, which references files stored on the magnetic storage medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for developing graphics applications, including a framework for handling the exchange of graphical data between applications and for presenting and manipulating graphical objects. The framework includes a number of classes which are used by the application developer to facilitate the interaction between the major subsystems, Models, Views and User Interface, of the system architecture.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently presenting a series of alternatives for a user's selection using adaptive learning is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a software facility receives a request to select an item from an identified group of alternatives. The facility presents items from the group of alternatives identified by the request in decreasing order of their likelihood of selection. The facility subsequently receives an indication of the alternative to select, and proceeds to select that alternative. In a further preferred embodiment, the items each correspond to a set of one or more characters that cannot be generated using an available keyboard, and, when the user uses the facility to select an item, the facility inputs the corresponding set of characters.

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: Methods and apparatus for changing sets of configured operational features in a utility program based upon changing screen images in a currently active application program.