Abstract: System and method for performing Unicode matching for comparing and merging similar data objects having Unicode strings that are equivalent yet not exact matches. Unicode characters are characterized by number of strokes, stroke order, radicals, geometry, phonemes in association with input method editor and keyboard characteristics such as location of a character on an IME or keyboard (or number of GUI interface interactions used in entering the character, e.g., via tapping where “a” on a mobile device keyboard takes 1 tap of a key, “b” takes 2 taps). These characteristics associated with code points and IME's/keyboards are utilized to create subdomains for matching and determining “distance” to other Unicode code points (e.g., number of keyboard keys away). Allows for determining whether close, yet incorrect data entry may have taken place. Enables merging of duplicate data objects into master data object where minor differences or spelling errors introduce actually represent duplicate data.

Abstract: Enables locating and merging potential data record matches. Enables locating duplicates through the definition of matching strategies. Each strategy may include transformations, matching rules and scoring thresholds to implement fuzzy matches that match closely related data records that are not exact matches. Performing a search allows for narrowing down the records to a desired set on which to apply a given matching strategy. Merging is performed on the potential duplicates thus located to consolidate data and remove duplicates. By narrowing down the records to a closely related set via a search, merging is simplified to work on a small number of closely related records, thus simplifying the process. The total matching score obtained via execution of match strategies may be utilized to determine which potential record(s) to merge for example. May utilize past user input to provide intelligent inputs for rules, tokens, weights, fields, parameters or any other past user input.

Abstract: System and method for performing Unicode matching for comparing and merging similar data objects having Unicode strings that are equivalent yet not exact matches. Unicode characters are characterized by number of strokes, stroke order, radicals, geometry, phonemes in association with input method editor and keyboard characteristics such as location of a character on an IME or keyboard (or number of GUI interface interactions used in entering the character, e.g., via tapping where “a” on a mobile device keyboard takes 1 tap of a key, “b” takes 2 taps). These characteristics associated with code points and IME's/keyboards are utilized to create subdomains for matching and determining “distance” to other Unicode code points (e.g., number of keyboard keys away). Allows for determining whether close, yet incorrect data entry may have taken place. Enables merging of duplicate data objects into master data object where minor differences or spelling errors introduce actually represent duplicate data.

Abstract: The present invention provides for storage of data items with dissimilar structures in a single database table while minimizing the problems associated with prior approaches. In one aspect of the invention, a method of efficiently storing data items in a database management system (DBMS) is provided wherein each data item has at least one attribute associated with it, the method comprising identifying a set of attributes associated with each data item, creating, for use with all of the data items, a common data structure that excludes those attributes unique to any one of the data items, and associating each data item with attributes excluded from the data structure.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a timeshared electronic catalog is disclosed. The system comprises an electronic database having a plurality of data records that comprise a master data set. The system comprises at least a first and second subset of the data records, wherein each subset comprises one or more data records selected from the master data set. The system includes a software program comprising a data record masking module for selectively providing a first view for displaying one of the subsets to a first user. Each of the plurality of data records contains a plurality of data elements, or fields, or attributes. The data record masking module is further for selecting which data elements are provided in the view. The system further includes a means for selectively providing which executable features from a plurality of executable features may be provided with each view.

Abstract: Enables locating and merging potential data record matches. Enables locating duplicates through the definition of matching strategies. Each strategy may include transformations, matching rules and scoring thresholds to implement fuzzy matches that match closely related data records that are not exact matches. Performing a search allows for narrowing down the records to a desired set on which to apply a given matching strategy. Merging is performed on the potential duplicates thus located to consolidate data and remove duplicates. By narrowing down the records to a closely related set via a search, merging is simplified to work on a small number of closely related records, thus simplifying the process. The total matching score obtained via execution of match strategies may be utilized to determine which potential record(s) to merge for example. May utilize past user input to provide intelligent inputs for rules, tokens, weights, fields, parameters or any other past user input.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention improve upon current systems by allowing users to dynamically generate and repeatedly modify the appearance of any set of tabular data. When the system obtains input relating to formatting the table, the appearance of the table is dynamically modified so the users can instantaneously view any changes to the table caused by the input (e.g., WYSIWYG). Users provide input (e.g., layout information) that relates to various types of pivot operations, sorting operation, and/or merging operations performed on the table. The user may, for example, select a certain field and then initiate a pivot operation using the selected field. The system is configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention so that the layout information is stored independent of and/or associated with the table data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a method and apparatus for transforming data. Systems implementing the invention allow for loading the data from one or more source tables into one or more destination tables. The system allows for parsing source data fields, defining new source data fields, combining source fields to create source field combinations, and combining destination fields to create destination field combinations. The system allows for mapping source fields and values to destination fields and values, where either the source fields and values or destination fields and values may be field and value combinations, and allows for transforming field values based on destination field type. The tools provided in a system implementing the invention provide a user the ability to intervene at each step during the data transform task. A user may manually input a hierarchy definition, a specific mapping, define rules for combining data fields, or define rules for converting data values.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a timeshared electronic catalog is disclosed. The system comprises an electronic database having a plurality of data records that comprise a master data set. The system comprises at least a first and second subset of the data records, wherein each subset comprises one or more data records selected from the master data set. The system includes a software program comprising a data record masking module for selectively providing a first view for displaying one of the subsets to a first user. Each of the plurality of data records contains a plurality of data elements, or fields, or attributes. The data record masking module is further for selecting which data elements are provided in the view. The system further includes a means for selectively providing which executable features from a plurality of executable features may be provided with each view.

Abstract: The present invention provides for simultaneous display of a tabular and a form view of the records, (b) displaying multiple disparate values in a single control, and (c) formatting the values based on characteristics of the records.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and apparatus for structuring, maintaining, and using families of data. According to the invention, given one or more sets of partitioning data, one may construct a set of families based on the values of fields and attributes of the records in a database system. The families are stored and managed in separate tables. The records in data tables are identified as belonging to one or more families. Furthermore, families may be represented in a hierarchical structure. Families may also inherit from each other based on a parent to child relationship also stored in the database. The invention provides means for fast and organized retrieval of sets data from a database. These and other features greatly facilitate automatic and consistent document generation.

Abstract: The present invention provides for storage of data items with dissimilar structures in a single database table while minimizing the problems associated with prior approaches. In one aspect of the invention, a method of efficiently storing data items in a database management system (DBMS) is provided wherein each data item has at least one attribute associated with it, the method comprising identifying a set of attributes associated with each data item, creating, for use with all of the data items, a common data structure that excludes those attributes unique to any one of the data items, and associating each data item with attributes excluded from the data structure.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a timeshared electronic catalog is disclosed. The system comprises an electronic database having a plurality of data records that comprise a master data set. The system comprises at least a first and second subset of the data records, wherein each subset comprises one or more data records selected from the master data set. The system includes a software program comprising a data record masking module for selectively providing a first view for displaying one of the subsets to a first user. Each of the plurality of data records contains a plurality of data elements, or fields, or attributes. The data record masking module is further for selecting which data elements are provided in the view. The system further includes a means for selectively providing which executable features from a plurality of executable features may be provided with each view.

Abstract: The present invention provides for simultaneous display of a tabular and a form view of the records, (b) displaying multiple disparate values in a single control, and (c) formatting the values based on characteristics of the records.

Abstract: The present invention provides for indexing of occurrences of a value in at least one data record using a bit vector wherein a bit vector is associated with the value and a bit of the bit vector representation is associated with the at least one data record, a determination is made whether the value exists in the at least one data record, a bit value is assigned to the bit in the bit vector representation based on the outcome of the determination. Further, operations may be performed on multiple bit vectors indexing data records and values used in the data records to determine the existence of combinations and associations between the corresponding values and the indexed data records.

Abstract: The present invention provides for storage of data items with dissimilar structures in a single database table while minimizing the problems associated with prior approaches. In one aspect of the invention, a method of efficiently storing data items in a database management system (DBMS) is provided wherein each data item has at least one attribute associated with it, the method comprising identifying a set of attributes associated with each data item, creating, for use with all of the data items, a common data structure that excludes those attributes unique to any one of the data items, and associating each data item with attributes excluded from the data structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a method and apparatus for transforming data. Systems implementing the invention allow for loading the data from one or more source tables into one or more destination tables. The system allows for parsing source data fields, defining new source data fields, combining source fields to create source field combinations, and combining destination fields to create destination field combinations. The system allows for mapping source fields and values to destination fields and values, where either the source fields and values or destination fields and values may be field and value combinations, and allows for transforming field values based on destination field type. The tools provided in a system implementing the invention provide a user the ability to intervene at each step during the data transform task. A user may manually input a hierarchy definition, a specific mapping, define rules for combining data fields, or define rules for converting data values.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention improve upon current systems by allowing users to dynamically generate and repeatedly modify the appearance of any set of tabular data. When the system obtains input relating to formatting the table, the appearance of the table is dynamically modified so the users can instantaneously view any changes to the table caused by the input (e.g., WYSIWYG). Users provide input (e.g., layout information) that relates to various types of pivot operations, sorting operation, and/or merging operations performed on the table. The user may, for example, select a certain field and then initiate a pivot operation using the selected field. The system is configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention so that the layout information is stored independent of and/or associated with the table data.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and apparatus for structuring, maintaining, and using families of data. According to the invention, given one or more sets of partitioning data, one may construct a set of families based on the values of fields and attributes of the records in a database system. The families are stored and managed in separate tables. The records in data tables are identified as belonging to one or more families. Furthermore, families may be represented in a hierarchical structure. Families may also inherit from each other based on a parent to child relationship also stored in the database.