Abstract: A system and method is described for database split generation in a massively parallel or distributed database environment including a plurality of databases and a data warehouse layer providing data summarization and querying functionality. A database table accessor of the system obtains, from an associated client application, a query for data in a table of the data warehouse layer, wherein the query includes a user preference. The system obtains table data representative of properties of the table, and determines a splits generator in accordance with one or more of the user preference or the properties of the table. The system generates, by the selected splits generator, table splits dividing the user query into a plurality of query splits, and outputs the plurality of query splits to an associated plurality of mappers for execution by the associated plurality of mappers of each of the plurality of query splits against the table.

Abstract: A publication information acquisition apparatus used by a user of a service converts information extracted from a newspaper into electronic information and transmits the electronic information to a publication information providing apparatus. The publication information providing apparatus decodes the electronic information, acquires key information for searching for characters and/or an image from the decoded electronic information, and searches newspaper information in a database based on the key information. The publication information providing apparatus acquires the name of a newspaper and the date of issue thereof as confirmation information and transmits the confirmation information to the publication information acquisition apparatus. It is therefore possible to easily know from which newspaper the extraction is acquired and when the newspaper was issued.

Abstract: A method for handling a database containing objects extending into a coordinate system, representing a multidimensional reality. The coordinate system is divisible into a plurality of defined, multidimensional intervals. Each time an object is entered into the database, the method determines the multidimensional intervals into which the object extends. For each of these intervals, the method determines the number of objects extending into the interval and compares the number of objects with a predetermined threshold value. If the threshold value is exceeded, the interval is divided into at least two smaller intervals, in order to limit the number of objects within any interval. Each interval is linked to a set of objects extending into that interval, and each object is linked to a set of intervals into which the object at least partly extends.