Abstract: A method improves a search in a hierarchical structure by focusing the search to selected regions within the structure. The method defines one or more region-sets and uses the region-set(s) as either a filter for the results of a key-word search or an integrated part of a search engine to increase the efficiency of the search engine. The method also provides for dynamic creation of new region-sets from existing region-sets using a prescribed set of operators.

Abstract: A method more efficiently indexes dynamic documents. The method adjusts the frequency with which dynamic documents are retrieved taking into account the extent to which the document varies between its most recent retrievals. Furthermore, the method selects portions of the document to be indexed based on the substance of the differences between recently retrieved copies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for one user of the World Wide Web (WWW) to share an interesting WWW page with other users who have interest in the subject matter thereof. The user offers to share this WWW page by transmitting an announcement thereof. The other users have pre-arranged specifications stored in memory of their server(s) of what subject matter announcements will be accepted from which announcing users. Thus, the recipients can limit or filter the announcements of the URL's that they receive from others. If there is a match between the announcer's subject matter, perhaps the announcer's identity and/or employer's identity, and the recipient's specified acceptance criteria, then the server performing match up will take the action specified by the other user to be taken. Actions to be taken include load URL into WWW browser and download announced WWW page immediately for viewing, and store URL for later review.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a process which is performed at least in part by a device such as a computer operating system. The techniques involve a process server which controls the process in response to indications that steps of the process have taken place, an envelope which encloses the device and generates event messages when the device performs operations, and a translator which translates steps of the process into sequences of events and monitors the event messages. When the translator determines that a sequence of events which constitute a process step has occurred, it provides an indication that the step has occurred to the process server. In a preferred embodiment, the device is an operating system, the envelope is a dynamically-linked library of file system commands, the translator includes the Yeast event-action system, and the process server is a process control system which models entities involved in the process as objects and makes state transitions by firing rules which modify the objects.