Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing user behavior to immediately modify sets of search results so that the most relevant documents are moved to the top. In one embodiment of the invention, behavior data, which can come from virtually any activity, is used to infer the user's intent. The updated inferred implicit user model is then exploited immediately by re-ranking the set of matched documents to best reflect the information need of the user. The system updates the user model and immediately re-ranks documents at every opportunity in order to constantly provide the most optimal results. In another embodiment, the system determines, based on the similarity of results sets, if the current query belongs in the same information session as one or more previous queries. If so, the current query is expanded with additional keywords in order to improve the targeting of the results.

Abstract: Data processing apparatus comprising: a chunk store containing specimen data chunks, a manifest store containing a plurality of manifests, each of which represents at least a part of a data set and each of which comprises at least one reference to at least one of said specimen data chunks, a sparse chunk index containing information on only some specimen data chunks, the processor being operable to: process input data into input data chunks; identify manifests having at least one reference to one of said specimen data chunks that corresponds to one of said input data chunks and on which there is information contained in the sparse chunk index; and prioritize the identified manifests for subsequent operation.

Abstract: A specification establishing method for controlling semiconductor process, the steps includes: sampling a plurality of sample groups from a population, each sample group being a non-normal distribution; filtering the sample groups; summarizing the filtered sample groups to form a non-normal distribution diagram; getting a value-at-risk and a median by calculating from the non-normal distribution diagram; getting a critical value by calculating the value-at-risk and the median with a critical formula; getting a plurality of state values by calculating the filtered sample groups with a proportion formula; and getting an index value by calculating the non-normal distribution diagram with the proportion formula. Thus, the state values indicate the states of the sample groups are abnormal or not by comparing the state values to the index value.

Abstract: A search data update system includes a navigation apparatus that uses search data and a data providing center that provides update data for updating the search data to the navigation apparatus. The navigation apparatus reads a search data main body constituted with search tree data and a plurality of sets of substance data each specified based upon the search tree data from a recording medium. The data providing center provides the update data to be used to update the search data to the navigation apparatus. The update data are provided in units of individual sets of substance data and include attached thereto information to be used in a search in correspondence to each set of substance data. Upon obtaining the update data from the data providing center, the navigation apparatus stores the obtained update data into a nonvolatile memory separately from the search data main body.

Abstract: To provide an index for a table in a database system, the index is partially sorted in an initial phase of building the index. Subsequently, in response to accessing portions of the index to process a database query, further sorting of the accessed portions of the index is performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically modifying search results “on the fly” based on the behavior of the user currently conducting a search. In one embodiment, data regarding user behavior is gathered from virtually any activity, including clicks on links, dwell times, downloads, transactions and cursor movements. Subordinate keywords are generated to reflect the intent of the user as inferred from the user's behavior. Subordinate keywords, as opposed to traditional primary keywords, are keywords that are identified as important to the search, but are not necessarily essential for a matched document. They are automatically generated by the system from a variety of places, such as documents clicked on by the user as well as documents that are skipped. The system uses the subordinate keywords to dynamically re-rank thatched documents and advertisements to best reflect the inferred intent of the user in order to continuously provide the most relevant results.

Abstract: A checkpoint system is provided to quickly identify differences or deltas between a baseline version and a modified version of a database and to quickly restore the database to the baseline version using the deltas. The checkpoint system identifies the deltas between versions of the database by a rapid comparison of the rows of each table within a baseline version and a modified version of the database. The checkpoint system can use the rapid comparison when testing to identify sets of deltas resulting from performing an old procedure on a test database and a new procedure on the test database. The rapid comparison can be applied to these sets of deltas to identify differences resulting from the new procedure. The deltas can also be used to rapidly restore a database from a modified version to a baseline version.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device includes an Application Programming Interface (API) that generates various notifications in certain circumstances. The handheld electronic device provides an improved method of employing the notifications to enable another device to reflect a change to a browser cache on the handheld electronic device.

Abstract: A database processing system including a plurality of partitioned databases. Data processing is performed with pieces of information processing apparatus associated with each of the partitioned databases respectively. In response to a query, a status table indicating availability of each information processing apparatus is read from the storage. Of the pieces of information processing apparatus for processing the received query, at least a serviceable one is determined as a process request destination. A process request corresponding to the query is transmitted to the information processing apparatus determined as the process request destination. The process request is received through a communication unit, and data on the database are consequently processed. A processing result is transmitted to a transmitting source through the communication unit.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to systems and methods that facilitate generation of a database to support a multidimensional model. A database schema is generated in a top-down fashion. In particular, multidimensional structures and attributes such as cubes and dimensions can be defined. From such definition, a proposed database schema can be produced. This schema can subsequently be modified prior to or after populating the database. For example, a table or column could be added. Thereafter, the cubes and dimensions could be altered and a modified schema generated that preserves changes made to the schema. Accordingly, the subject systems and methods disclose an iterative approach that supports both top-down and bottom-up multidimensional database design.

Abstract: A playlist generator implements a net-based playlist generation process that comprises a multi-stage, hierarchical process. At a highest hierarchical level, the playlist generator applies parameters corresponding to a user's “general” preferences, wherein the parameters are relatively constant. At a lower level of the hierarchy, the playlist generator applies parameters corresponding to the user's “specific” preferences, wherein the parameters are dynamic time-dependent or event-dependent. The playlist generator uses the high-level parameters to generate a subset of material from a global collection of material, and applies the lower-level preferences to this subset of material in response to a change in the user's immediate preferences.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using undo hints to speed up segment extension are disclosed. While a process is searching other segments to find available space, the process collects undo hints that describe when space in a segment might become available. These undo hints are placed in a table of undo hints. When a process is not able to find available space, it may consult the table of undo hints to determine how much to decrease the undo retention. After the undo retention is decreased, the process may again consult the table of undo hints to find a segment that likely contains available space now that the undo retention time has been reduced.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing a shared RAM cache of a database, accessible by multiple processes. By sharing a single cache rather than local copies of the database, memory is saved and synchronization of data accessed by different processes is assured. Synchronization between the database and the shared cache is assured by using a unidirectional notification mechanism between the database and the shared cache. Client APIs within the processes search the data within the shared cache directly, rather than by making a request to a database server. Therefore server load is not affected by the number of requesting applications and data fetch time is not affected by Inter-Process Communication delay or by additional context switching. A new synchronization scheme allows multiple processes to be used in building and maintaining the cache, greatly reducing start up time.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for monitoring and controlling warehouse activities. Inbound information reflecting the status of wares destined for storage in a warehouse is monitored. Internal information reflecting movement of the wares within the warehouse is also monitored. Additionally, outbound information reflecting outbound processing of the wares is monitored. The status of the warehouse is presented based on at least one of the inbound information, internal information, and outbound information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus speeding up an incremental hash function is described. The method may comprise receiving a data string including a plurality of N data samples and, as each data sample is received, multiplying the data samples to obtain data sample multiplication results and multiplying a current hash value by a constant to obtain a hash multiplication result. Thereafter, the data sample multiplication results are added to the hash multiplication result to obtain new current hash values and a hash value of the data string is defined as the new hash value. In an embodiment, a moving window of length wl may be defined and data samples that were received wl to wl+N bytes previously may be multiplied with the constant raised to the power of w to wl+Nl to obtain n subtraction results.

Abstract: Providing updates to a computing device having a search engine capable of searching a local data store having an index with data related to a plurality of sites located on a wide area network. A first index builder capable of accessing sites on a wide area network is provided. The first index builder retrieves and analyzes data from the sites to create index data related to the sites. The method further includes communicating index data to the locally stored database for incrementally updating the index. A computing device capable of accessing a local data storage device is also provided. The device includes an index stored on the storage device including information related to data stored on the wide area network, a search engine capable of searching the index to retrieve information in response to a query, and a display.

Abstract: A display method comprises the steps of: searching, from a group of information including information associated with a plurality of programs, information corresponding to information obtained by extracting, using at least one of databases including: databases for a name of person, an attribute name of person, a name of thing and an attribute name of thing; databases for a name of place, an attribute name of place, a name of event, an attribute name of event; and databases into which a part or all of the databases is integrated, at least one of the information which can be identified in the database being used, from a group of information associated with a selected program; and displaying information on a program associated with the searched information.

Abstract: A data structure, apparatuses and methods for expanding a search query to be used by a web search engine is provided. The search query is expanded by accessing a concept knowledge base data structure having concept data objects and term data objects with each term data object defining a term and associated with at least one of the concept data objects. Search terms making up the search query are matched to term data objects and a concept set is generated containing concept data objects associated with the term data objects. A second set of term data objects are generated by using the concept data objects to locate term data objects associated with the concept data objects. A user can then select one of the term data objects in the second set to expand the user's search query.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for protecting sensitive data in databases and, more particularly, for managing access to sensitive data in a database. One embodiment comprises receiving a query against the data in the database comprising at least (i) a result field specification, and (ii) a sorting instruction. The method further comprises retrieving a result set from the database, and filtering the retrieved result set on the basis of predefined filtering rules to remove selected data from a selected result field of at least one data record included with the retrieved result set. The filtered result set is sorted according to the sorting instruction to produce the sorted result set, whereby the sorting is done independently of the removed selected data so that the sorted result set places the at least one data record at a position which is non-indicative of a value of the removed selected data.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for scalable data collection. Input is received from users of client devices, utilizing agents. Further, records are formatted with a predetermined format representative of the input, utilizing the agents. In addition, a priority is dynamically assigned to the records according to a policy, utilizing the agents. At least one of a plurality of server devices is also identified based on a load balancing algorithm, utilizing the agents. Further, the records are transmitted from the client devices to the identified server device as a function of the priority. Upon receipt of the records, the records are processed utilizing a hierarchical architecture associated with the at least one server device.