Abstract: A system for determining a composite signal level at which a signal path begins to generate non-linear distortion. A reference test signal, which is preferably a short-duration burst of repeatable broadband energy, is passed through the signal path and received on a digital signal acquisition unit. An impaired received reference test signal is comprised of the transmitted reference test signal, linear distortion components, and non-linear distortion components. The impaired received reference test signal is digitally processed to reveal the non-linear distortion components. The impaired received reference test signal may be processed with a stored reference test signal to find a time-domain impulse response from which the uncorrelated distortion energy can be measured.

Abstract: Collected user parameters include category 210, category weight 230, and value 240 information. A search support application creates 300 a query based on the user parameters. The query is sent to structured 450 and unstructured 470 databases, and heterogeneous query results are stored 630. Stored query results are ordered in a tree-shaped hierarchy (FIG. 8). The tree-shaped hierarchy has ordered levels of nodes 710-750 with levels corresponding to categories, and nodes 1.0-3.9 corresponding to values for categories. Leaf nodes 4.0-4.15 correspond to actual results 900-915, but the intermediate nodes 1.0-4.15 correspond to conceptual or meta relationships. Display of the results is restricted using the tree-shaped hierarchy to help manage result complexity.

Abstract: A distributed collaborative computer system is provided that comprises a plurality of server computers interconnected via a high-speed link. Client computers can connect to any available server computer and start or join a conference hosted on either the server computer to which the client computer is connected or any other server in the system. As a result, the system and method of the present invention is easily scalable to support an arbitrary number of participants to a conference by merely adding the appropriate number of server computers to the system. In addition, by replicating the conference information on more than one server computer, the single point of failure limitation is eliminated. In fact, if a server hosting or participating in a conference malfunctions, the failure is detected by other server computers and the client computer is able to reconnect to the conference through a new server computer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and methods for creating object-oriented objects, comprising data and method(s), without any source code being compiled; invoking the method(s) of the objects without compilation and generation of object code; and using such classes and objects to create a software application.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, method, and program for extracting data from a record in a first format and inserting data into a record in a second format during an insert operation. A determination is made of location information for data in at least one record in at least one column in the first format involved in the insert operation from which data will be extracted and of location information for data in at least one record in at least one column in the second format involved in the insert operation into which the data extracted from a corresponding column in the first format will be inserted. For each column from which data will be extracted, the determined location information is used to generate at least one instruction to move the data in each column in the record in the first format to each corresponding column of one record in the second format.

Abstract: A system for automatically initiating a query of a knowledge portal from within a displayed document includes a word designation module configured to receive a user designation of at least one word of the document; an object identification module configured to automatically identify a first object within the knowledge portal corresponding to the at least one designated word; a query formulation module configured to automatically formulate a query for identifying at least one additional object within the knowledge portal having a relationship with the first object; and a query initiation module configured to automatically direct the knowledge portal to initiate the query.

Abstract: An improved method for consistent updates of redundant data in a database is achieved advantageously by providing a dependency model identifying source fields and respective derived fields. The model having the necessary information for dependent data to be identified and calculated on a change of respective source data according to some predetermined rules. Further, by recording changes, i.e., modifications to data involved in a redundancy, and propagating changes including cascaded changes directed to the derived fields using the rules defied in said dependency model. Advantageously, the dependency model is stored as a database table (2) and the changes are recorded in a change table in the database. The step of recording changes is separated from the step of propagating changes to derived fields in order to improve performance.

Abstract: A computer system updates a data object that is maintained in data storage external to a database management system (DBMS), after receiving an update request from a DBMS client for the data object, by first scheduling the update request with the DBMS to provide access to the external data object, then initiating a subtransaction in the DBMS for the update request, updating the data object with an in-place update action at the external data storage to thereby produce an updated data object and also updating the DBMS metadata of the data object, next appending information relating to type and time of the update action in an object version table, and then executing a backup operation of the updated data object. This permits update-in-place operations on the external data object, under supervision of the DBMS.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for random sampling of rows stored in a table, wherein the table has a plurality of partitions. A row count is determined for each of the partitions of the table and a total number of rows in the table is determined from the row count for each of the partitions of the table. A proportional allocation of a sample size is computed for each of the partitions based on the row count and the total number of rows. A sample set of rows of the sample size is retrieved from the table, wherein each of the partitions of the table contributes its proportional allocation of rows to the sample set of rows. Preferably, the computer system is a parallel processing database system, wherein each of its processing units manages a partition of the table, and some of the above steps can be performed in parallel by the processing units.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for managing distribution of data structures. A first data structure is received including a first version identifier. The version identifier is stored for the first data structure. A second structure is received including a second version identifier. Responsive to receiving a second data structure, a determination is made as to whether the second data structure is a replacement for the first data structure. Responsive to the second data structure being a replacement for the first data structure, a determination is made as to whether the first version identifier is different from the second version identifier. Responsive to a determination that the first version identifier is different from the second version identifier, the first data structure is replaced with the second data structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securely archiving, searching, and retrieving images from a centralized image location are provided. Along with the goal of protecting a major corporate asset from theft and damage with the passage of time, the present invention provides an economical way for users from different divisions to share previously produced images and composites. Furthermore, by utilizing ultra-high resolution scanning in the archival process, re-creation of images that are of substantially the same quality as the original is achieved. Thus, ultra-high scanning allows re-creation of images that are photo-quality acceptable for commercial use in magazines, video packaging, movie posters, etc. With a centralized system of storage and distribution of images, it is possible for users to take advantage of a single and comprehensive catalog/index of all content. By using pre-defined image content criteria, users locate, select, and retrieve particular images stored in the system.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for enabling the on-demand generation, packaging, and delivery of archive files (such as cabinet, or “.cab”, files and Java archive, or “.jar”, files). This technique provides a more powerful, more flexible archive capability than the static technique of the prior art. A target server application is specified in place of a static pre-packaged archive file name, where this target will dynamically create an archive file in an application-dependent manner. Zero or more parameter name/value pairs may be specified as well, where the parameter values may be used by the target to customize the dynamic creation. Once created, archive files may optionally be cached to optimize future invocations of the archive content delivery process. Existing browser software may take advantage of the present invention without modification.

Abstract: When a volume is created, a Modified Files List (MFL) is established and an epoch timestamp, identifying an important point in time, is set for the volume. Entries are inserted into the MFL whenever files are first added to or changed on the volume. Entries are flagged with the epoch timestamp in which they are added to the MFL. Entries are removed from the MFL when files are restored to an already-archived condition or are deleted from the volume. A system administrator can declare a new epoch at any time, and will declare a new epoch before performing a backup. The system administrator will select an epoch for backup purposes. The files inserted into the MFL before the selected epoch timestamp are enumerated and archived using a backup tool. After the backup tool turns off a file's data and metadata archive bits, the corresponding entry is removed from the MFL.

Abstract: A three-wire sensor interface for field wiring of conventional on/off type control sensors that delivers power to the sensor, provides a normally open control output from the sensor and, concurrently, provides a normally closed control output from the sensor. The sensor interface includes a plurality of external terminals including a normally open external terminal for electrically connecting to zero, one, or more normally open load devices to control the operation of the normally open load device, and a normally closed external terminal for electrically connecting to zero, one, or more normally closed load devices to control the operation of the normally closed load device. A plurality of interface terminals are preferably electrically coupled between the sensor interface and the sensor and include a normally open control terminal and a normally closed control terminal.

Abstract: A monitoring circuit is provided to determine the proper operating condition of a cathodic protection circuit including a plurality of diodes and a capacitor. The monitoring circuit determines whether or not any of the diodes are shorted or open and whether or not the capacitor is open or operating properly. In addition, it determines whether or not the cathodic protection circuit is properly connected between a boat ground point and a shore ground point.

Abstract: In a system according to an embodiment of the invention, a data requester submits a query having a query characteristic to a data resolver. Based at least in part on the query characteristic, the data resolver obtains data responsive to the query from one among a plurality of data providers. Data normalization may also be performed.

Abstract: The invention provides an information processing apparatus which can input various kinds of information simply with reliability without increasing the scale thereof. An LCD is disposed on the back of a touch pad, and when a function button is operated, a menu for allowing selection of a function is displayed on the LCD. When a user operates the touch pad to select, for example, ten keys from within the menu, ten keys are displayed on the LCD. Desired operation can be performed by operating the ten keys.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention solve the limitations of current monitoring systems by automatically and completely monitoring various networks devices and services. Specifically, a network monitoring system monitors all services and conditions on various networks. Moreover, the network monitoring system may provide an advance warning of potential failures and may diagnose any problems that may surface.

Abstract: A method and device for easily defining new information services for delivery to customers. The information to be delivered is extracted from information sources such as standard Internet web pages, databases, text files or proprietary data sources. The customer is provided with a list of accessible services, and may choose from among the services and may also specify delivery schedules of the information service. Information may be delivered to a cellular telephone display, or sent to a fax machine, beeper or to an e-mail server. The user may create a rule, composed of condition on the data in the page which has to met—for example a known text that has to be located in a known table cell and an action—for example to search for the next table in the page that meets the specified condition. This rule is maintained as part of the extraction template.

Abstract: Roughly described, piezoelectric actuators are tested as part of an assembly using a three-stage process. In the first stage, a substantially steady state electromechanical potential is induced into a piezoelectric member of an assembly. Typically this can be accomplished by applying a DC voltage across the crystal for long enough period of time for it to achieve a substantially steady state mechanical distortion. In the second stage, the electromechanical potential of the piezoelectric actuator is discharged rapidly but incompletely. The third stage begins with the abrupt termination of the rapid-discharge stage, thereby causing the crystal, and the voltage produced across it, to oscillate and decay freely. The voltage across the crystal continues to decay slowly in the third stage, and the oscillations continue to decay in magnitude as well, providing a relatively complex signal from which features can be extracted and compared to those of known-good devices.