Abstract: Generation of output or reports on information contained in a data source which may be any of two or more types of source data, in a standardized or uniform manner is provided. A plurality of drivers are provided specific to different types of source data which include programming for identifying structural or other characteristics of the various data sources, e.g. for use in defining a new database. Preferably the new database is configured to permit highly flexible and/or rapid output or reporting or is otherwise optimized for reporting purposes. In one embodiment, the present invention includes conversion of one or more data sources into one or more uniform databases, preferably generating one or more key categories for organizing the data, optionally generating category groupings or rollups and additional data or optional references.

Abstract: A method for storing and retrieving a key using a hash table, the method comprising the steps of: (a) hashing the key using a first hash function, thereby transforming the key into a table address in the hash table; (b) hashing the key using a second hash function, distinct from the first hash function, thereby transforming the key into a key signature; and (c) entering the key signature in a signature page located at the table address.

Abstract: A method and system for placing an order to purchase an item via the Internet. The order is placed by a purchaser at a client system and received by a server system. The server system receives purchaser information including identification of the purchaser, payment information, and shipment information from the client system. The server system then assigns a client identifier to the client system and associates the assigned client identifier with the received purchaser information. The server system sends to the client system the assigned client identifier and an HTML document identifying the item and including an order button. The client system receives and stores the assigned client identifier and receives and displays the HTML document. In response to the selection of the -order button, the client system sends to the server system a request to purchase the identified item.

Abstract: A system and method for managing binary large objects in a database are described in various embodiments. A database management system manages a database table having a plurality of rows of data. Each row includes one or more fixed-length data elements and one or more object identifiers that reference and are associated with respective binary large objects. An object handler coupled to the database management system, the object handler configured and arranged to store each binary large object in a section of contiguous storage referenced by the associated identifier, manages binary large objects.

Abstract: Techniques for ordering categorical attributes so as to better visualize data are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an ordering algorithm comprises the steps of: (a) translating the discrete ordering problem to a continuous optimization problem; (b) solving the continuous optimization problem; and (c) mapping an optimal continuous solution to the closest discrete solution.

Abstract: The invention concerns quantitatively evaluating retrieval performance of retrieving systems that allow information retrieval when natural sentences are input as retrieval requests. Text and a title (heading) thereof are recognized as a pair of documents, and multiple documents individually having the texts and the headings are prepared as retrieval-target documents. In this, for example, each of the headings is used as contents of a retrieval request, and each of the texts is used as retrieval-target information. One of the headings is input to a retrieving device, and retrieving processing is performed, results of retrieval performed ranked for the headings according to the above, and retrieval-process evaluation is performed according to the ranks. The same processing is repeated for the following headings, and total retrieval processing is performed for the retrieving system according to the individual results of retrieval.

Abstract: The storage and retrieval of medical information is provided by use of a database that facilitates accurate clinical audit, research and/or presentation activities. Comprehensive patient information may be retrieved based on patient descriptive categories including the anatomy, pathology or clinical presentation, treatment and outcome factors of each case. The categories include data options that may be organized in the form of a hierarchical tree that has branching levels of data options with decreasing specificity. Data from the various levels may be compared, as well as data between individual categories. In some embodiments, selected multimedia data may be accessed based on criteria from data options of the patient descriptive categories.

Abstract: An interactive collaborative information visualization system provides improved visualizations of relationships or connections in collaborative information relating to network interaction media such as email and email lists, conferencing systems and bulletin boards, chats, multi-user dungeons (MUDs), multi-user games and graphical virtual worlds, etc. In one implementation, network graphs in various display or visualization formats represent the collaborative information as nodes that are connected together by links. With reference to collaborative information about Usenet newsgroups, one visualization format provides an inter-group visualization in which newsgroup nodes are linked together by links representing messages that are cross-posted between the newsgroups. Other visualization format can be provided. In one implementation, a graphical user interface allows a user to control the database filter to select the selected portion of the collaborative information to be obtained and measured.

Abstract: A method and computer system are described for conducting commercial transactions by the exchange of electronic documents. The computer system includes a transaction services network, which comprises a plurality of transaction servers for providing services to support commercial transactions. Trading partners operate servers which communicate with the transaction services network via the Internet. The electronic documents are exchanged between trading partners engaged in a transaction. The documents are written in a markup language such as XML. The tags used in the document instances are defined in schemas. Each schema defines a document type, which corresponds to a type of transaction. An enhanced type of XML schema may be used which supports integrity constraints and polymorphism. Schemas are identified by the use of Uniform Resource Names.

Abstract: The present invention improves the human/computer interface by providing printable interfaces that enable a user to invoke and control computer processes. The present invention teaches an encoded physical medium suitable for use in interfacing a computer user and a computer system such that the user can control and/or access a plurality of computer implemented processes such computer applications and web pages. The encoded physical medium has a Linkmark and an instruction mark. Encoded within the Linkmark is machine readable linking information directing to a computer implemented process. Encoded within the instruction mark is a machine readable operating instruction that, when decoded, may be executed by the computer implemented process. The present invention also teaches that the marks can present human readable information related to the nature of the machine readable information stored therein.

Abstract: A system for automatically providing hypertext for character strings of a text file at a content server. A central server provides central control of the links of text files of a plurality of content servers in an information network such as the Internet. The central server intermittently updates each content server with new character strings and/or destination addresses, such as Uniform Resource Locators (URLs). The content servers also update the central server with new character strings. Optionally, each content server can query the central server on a real-time basis to obtain a destination address for a character string which does not have a corresponding valid destination address. The central server responds to such queries by searching its master databases, and using a search engine if required. Hit count data is maintained at the content servers and transmitted to the central server intermittently.

Abstract: A method and structure for indexing multi-media data comprising deriving keywords from a first media type (slides), matching the keywords to a second media type (video), identifying an appearance of the first media type in the second media type, and calculating a co-occurrence of the keywords and the appearance of the first media type in the second media type. The invention produces an index of the second media type based on the co-occurrence.

Abstract: A play list comprising the names of music pieces broadcasted from a broadcast station and broadcast time information are accumulated in a data base. If a user likes a music piece broadcasted from the broadcast station, he activates a book marker which stores time information representing the time at which the book marker is activated. The time information is supplied through a gateway device to a search engine which searches the data base for those broadcast stations in the user's geographic area which broadcasted music pieces or the like at a time that matches the time information. The search results are transmitted to the gateway device and displayed.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system that electronically collects, translates, groups, and delivers wage assignment information from at least one initiator to at least one recipient via an accumulator. An initiator initially receives the wage assignment information. Then, an accumulator collects the wage assignment information from at least one initiator, such as a government agency. The accumulator then translates the wage assignment information into a format compatible with electronic data interchange (EDI), such as the ANSI X12 standard. The accumulator then groups the EDI wage assignment information into specific files, batching the files based upon one data field contained within the wage assignment information data set, such as a recipient. The accumulator then delivers a batched EDI wage assignment file to each respective recipient. Once the EDI wage assignment file is received by the recipient, the wage assignment may then be implemented.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for generating a data request graphical user interface during project assessment. First, a request form including a plurality of fields relating to an assessment is displayed utilizing a network. Data is then received in the fields utilizing the network in response to displaying the request form. Then, the data is stored in a database. The stored data is then used in an assessment of a project.

Abstract: A computer program method enables a user to find the most relevant documents by searching of distributed databases, i.e., the World Wide Web. The program employs the user's profile, based on the user's foci of interest, the user's query and a semantic analysis of the query and documents. In one embodiment, the retrieved documents are ranked according to relevancy based on the user's profile and query.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically selecting a rule during the mapping process, and storing the rule independently of message type, is provided. The method and apparatus allow these rules to be inferred during the mapping process, and to be manipulated easily by a user.

Abstract: A system for tracking client contacts for a host organization utilizes a multimedia database and a user interface at a connected computer device. The database stores client communications as full content, and relates contacts by issue, and the user interface displays client contact communications as objects, such as icons, in issue related chronological strings. In a preferred embodiment the interface also provides an input facility for a host agent to select appropriate responses to client communications, to make commitments for response, to assign responsibility for commitments, and to notify personnel effected by entered commitments in various ways, such as reminders. Other notifications include fulfilled and unfulfilled commitments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for optimizing an IT environment, the method incorporating relational databases in conjunction with unique data acquisition and querying techniques providing a flexible query feedback of IT software, hardware and network parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data processing device comprising a database management system (470). The management system (470) can cooperate with an operating system so as to allow the user the creation/input and/or the use of a database comprising at least one data table (475) which can be broken down into rows and columns. According to the invention, the device furthermore comprises: an autonomous meta-dictionary (510) for dynamically storing chosen information relating to the structure of each table of the database, and to the relationships between tables, an analysis means (530) capable of determining and of storing at least temporarily a representation of groups of interrelated columns, and a restructuring module (580, 590) capable of cooperating with the analysis means and the meta-dictionary with a view to establishing for the user a presentation of the database which takes account of at least one group of thus related columns.