Abstract: A method of identifying and storing data changes of a first compressed database compared with a previous compressed database and updating a second compressed database on a user device based on the stored data changes. Data changes are stored in a compressed data structure and data in the first, second, and previous compressed databases is stored in compressed form in one or more uniquely identified data pages. A data page of the first compressed database and the previous compressed database are decompressed and an entry from the first and previous compressed databases is read and compared. If the read entries differ, a type of action performed on the previous entry is identified and an entry in a delta file based on the read entry comparison is stored. The delta file is then compressed. The second compressed database is updated based on the delta file.

Abstract: A method of interacting with one or more data sources storing information and a system for performing the method thereof. The method receives a user request to interact with data source information, e.g. retrieve or update user contact information in a data source, identifies one or more data sources to interact with based on the user request, interacts with one or more of the identified data sources and receives a result of interacting with the identified data sources. Responsive to the user request, the method transmits the interaction result to the user. A system for interacting with a data source according to the above-described method includes: a memory storing (1) a data structure and (2) a sequence of executable instructions; and a processor for executing the instructions. The data structure stores information including user contact information and data source information. The sequence of executable instructions include a data retrieval application including the above-described method.

Abstract: A method of providing an electronic business card (EBC) access and organization service on the Web. The cardholder database is accessible and searchable from any browser connected to the Internet or the EBC service may be installed behind a conventional firewall and thus accessible only to intranet users. The service thus provides easy access to cardholder contact information with privacy assured by use of integrated access restrictions. Access to and delivery of contact information by the service is not limited to a Web browser interface as commonly known today. The service provides multi-mode access and/or data delivery interfaces. The service also provides an export feature that formats search results into a pre-defined file structure readable by a conventional contact management programs. Custom export file formats may also be defined provide even wider connectivity and cross-platform utility.

Abstract: A method of and computer--readable instructions for updating data stored in a compressed data structure. The data is stored in compressed form in one or more uniquely identified data pages. The method includes decompressing a data page and reading an entry, having an identifier, from a delta file and reading an entry from the decompressed data page. If the delta file entry identifier identifies the data page entry, the data page entry is updated based on the delta file entry. If the delta file entry identifier does not identify a data page entry, a data page entry based on the delta file entry is created. If all data file entries and data page entries have been read and handled, the data page entries are compressed.

Abstract: A method of providing an electronic business card (EBC) access and organization service on the Web. The cardholder database is accessible and searchable from any browser connected to the Internet or the EBC service may be installed behind a conventional firewall and thus accessible only to intranet users. The service thus provides easy access to cardholder contact information with privacy assured by use of integrated access restrictions. Access to and delivery of contact information by the service is not limited to a Web browser interface as commonly known today. The service provides multi-mode access and/or data delivery interfaces. The service also provides an export feature that formats search results into a pre-defined file structure readable by a conventional contact management programs. Custom export file formats may also be defined provide even wider connectivity and cross-platform utility.

Abstract: A method of identifying and storing data changes of a first compressed database compared with a previous compressed database and updating a second compressed database on a user device based on the stored data changes. Data changes are stored in a compressed data structure and data in the first, second, and previous compressed databases is stored in compressed form in one or more uniquely identified data pages. A data page of the first compressed database and the previous compressed database are decompressed and an entry from the first and previous compressed databases read and compared. If the read entries differ, a type of action performed on the previous entry is identified and an entry in a delta file based on the read entry comparison is stored. The delta file is then compressed. The second compressed database is update based on the delta file.

Abstract: A method of and computer-readable medium containing instructions for storing data in a compressed data structure. The data is stored in compressed form in one or more uniquely identified data pages along with configuration information stored in at least one configuration file. Index information is stored in one or more uniquely identified index pages. The index information includes pointers to data in the uniquely identified data pages and data from one or more fields of data from the uniquely identified data pages. The index information in the index pages is ordered based on the stored index information data from one or more fields of data from the data pages and the ordering basis is stored in configuration information in the one or more configuration files.

Abstract: A method of interacting with one or more data sources storing information and a system for performing the method thereof. The method receives a user request to interact with data source information, e.g. retrieve or update user contact information in a data source, identifies one or more data sources to interact with based on the user request, interacts with one or more of the identified data sources and receives a result of interacting with the identified data sources. Responsive to the user request, the method transmits the interaction result to the user. A system for interacting with a data source according to the above-described method includes: a memory storing (1) a data structure and (2) a sequence of executable instructions; and a processor for executing the instructions. The data structure stores information including user contact information and data source information. The sequence of executable instructions include a data retrieval application including the above-described method.

Abstract: A method of and computer-readable instructions for updating data stored in a compressed data structure. The data is stored in compressed form in one or more uniquely identified data pages. The method includes decompressing a data page and reading an entry, having an identifier, from a delta file and reading an entry from the decompressed data page. If the delta file entry identifier identifies the data page entry, the data page entry is updated based on the delta file entry. If the delta file entry identifier does not identify a data page entry, a data page entry based on the delta file entry is created. If all data file entries and data page entries have been read and handled, the data page entries are compressed.

Abstract: A method of providing an electronic business card (EBC) access and organization service on the Web. The cardholder database is accessible and searchable from any browser connected to the Internet or the EBC service may be installed behind a conventional firewall and thus accessible only to intranet users. The service thus provides easy access to cardholder contact information with privacy assured by use of integrated access restrictions. Access to and delivery of contact information by the service is not limited to a Web browser interface as commonly known today. The service provides multi-mode access and/or data delivery interfaces. The service also provides an export feature that formats search results into a pre-defined file structure readable by a conventional contact management programs. Custom export file formats may also be defined provide even wider connectivity and cross-platform utility.

Abstract: A method of providing an electronic business card (EBC) access and organization service on the Web. The cardholder database is accessible and searchable from any browser connected to the Internet or the EBC service may be installed behind a conventional firewall and thus accessible only to intranet users. The service thus provides easy access to cardholder contact information with privacy assured by use of integrated access restrictions. Access to and delivery of contact information by the service is not limited to a Web browser interface as commonly known today. The service provides multi-mode access and/or data delivery interfaces. The service also provides an export feature that formats search results into a pre-defined file structure readable by a conventional contact management programs. Custom export file formats may also be defined provide even wider connectivity and cross-platform utility.

Abstract: A method of providing an electronic business card (EBC) access and organization service on the Web. The cardholder database is accessible and searchable from any browser connected to the Internet or the EBC service may be installed behind a conventional firewall and thus accessible only to intranet users. Using integrated access restrictions, the service provides easy privacy assured access to cardholder contact information. The service provides multi-mode access, data delivery interfaces, and an export feature including custom export file format definition. Record level and field level access to individual records is controlled, including multiple privacy levels for each field. A location tracking feature allows the cardholder to rapidly designate a pre-defined contact location or a temporary contact location.

Abstract: A method of providing an electronic business card (EBC) access and organization service on the Web. The cardholder database is accessible and searchable from any browser connected to the Internet or the EBC service may be installed behind a conventional firewall and thus accessible only to internet users. The service thus provides easy access to cardholder contact information with privacy assured by use of integrated access restrictions. Access to and delivery of contact information by the service is not limited to a Web browser interface as commonly known today. The service provides multi-mode access and/or data delivery interfaces. The service also provides an export feature that formats search results into a pre-defined file structure readable by conventional contact management programs. Custom export file formats may also be defined to provide even wider connectivity and cross-platform utility.