Abstract: An object matching system comprises a plurality of disparate databases comprising data objects and a master data server. The master data server comprises a computer programmed to provide a plurality of adapters configured to connect to said plurality of disparate databases, a matching module configured to compare data objects provided by said plurality of adapters through use of an object matching rule to determine at least two matching data objects, and a data integrator configured to merge said at least two matching data objects to produce a master data object.

Abstract: When a set of screen elements are identified as a family a bounded extent is placed around the identified elements. Items can be automatically grouped based on their association with a set of data defined in a DBMS as a family, for example. When one of the elements within the group is moved, the extent automatically resizes to a new geometry that fits around each of the elements within the group. If an element within the group is moved against the extent and then extended beyond the boundaries of the extent, the extent automatically resizes to cover a bigger area; if an element within the group that is against the extent is moved inside the boundary of the extent, the extent automatically resizes to cover a smaller area. It is possible to nest a set of these extensible groups within a single extensible group thereby providing maximum flexibility while still maintaining optimal flexibility.

Abstract: A multi-user document editing system and method. Embodiments of the invention utilize a model-view-controller design pattern to successfully control changes in parallel to underlying backend database information presentation related information. Granularity of protection and check in/check out on family, spread, presentation layer and presentation object. In addition, enables automatic update of changes to all users editing or viewing the information. Changes to the backend database may also include changes to the family hierarchy with real-time update of publication WYSIWYG pages for example. Enables rollback of changes. Instead of waiting constantly for other users to finish editing information before other edits can be made, the typical serial editing methodology is transformed by embodiments of the invention into a parallel methodology that greatly increases throughput and lowers the costs associated with large publications.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention improve upon existing auto formatting functions for tables presented in a graphical user interface by providing an improved mechanism for changing table columns in real-time. One embodiment of the invention incorporates a callback or module in a program implementing the mechanism for changing table columns in real-time that intercepts a table column resize event and automatically resizes the other columns in the table. In resizing the table columns the module can employ various approaches. The system may utilize the various resizing approaches to arrive at a desired result.

Abstract: A multi-layered data model for determining image choice across a set of audience-specific documents comprising language, regional, regulatory and/or cultural differences. Enables generation of audience-specific documents with audience specific images and audience-specific image placement based on inheritance of images and image metadata associated with hierarchical audiences. For data entry, enables a user to rapidly determine if images in an audience specific document conform to the expectations or requirements of an intended audience. The data entry and edit interface distinguishes between current and inherited audience levels through the use of color or any other mechanism that allows a user to quickly identify data that is missing and needs to be populated, changed or remain unchanged if the inherited image or image title or placement is suitable for the given audience. Documents are generated to any number of media types such as HTML, XML and paper.

Abstract: An object matching system comprises a plurality of disparate databases comprising data objects and a master data server. The master data server comprises a computer programmed to provide a plurality of adapters configured to connect to said plurality of disparate databases, a matching module configured to compare data objects provided by said plurality of adapters through use of an object matching rule to determine at least two matching data objects, and a data integrator configured to merge said at least two matching data objects to produce a master data object.

Abstract: A conditional text publication system and method. Conditional text publication allows for the publication of text that varies based on data values associated with the text. More specifically, allows for the inclusion and exclusion of text to or from a publication based on clauses such as conditional clause, functions such as database functions, and operators such as mathematical, logical and set operators that utilize selectors such as fields, attributes, validations, families and other entities associated with data in a database.

Abstract: Enables search and test for at least one value in layers of audience specific data comprising language, regional, regulatory and/or cultural specific values per layer. The word “audience” for the purposes of this specification means a group of document consumers such as people or computers that are associated with a language, country, region, regulation, culture or any other user defined division. A search utilizing at least one embodiment of the invention occurs with respect to data that makes use of rule-based inheritance. Testing multiple audience layers for all values that meet a specific fine or coarse grained search criteria allows quality assurance testing across all target audiences for a document before publication.

Abstract: Rule based data object matching to determine if two or more objects are similar to allow the objects to be merged into one master data object. The rules explicitly state what conditions are required to consider two or more objects equal. The certainty of the rule may be specified. Examples for the certainty are automatic, manual high, medium and low probability. For example, the certainty “automatic” specifies that the objects can be considered matches and no additional manual verification is needed. The certainty “manual low probability” specifies that there is a low probability that the objects are matches and that a manual verification is needed. Matching rules may be grouped by priority. If matches are not found, the next highest priority group of rules is processed. Hierarchical matching rules may be specified that are able to express similarity of objects considering structured objects containing sub-objects in a hierarchical manner.

Abstract: Audience specific documents targeted at a plurality of media types are generated by accessing data from a multi-layered data model comprising an audience hierarchy. When obtaining a data value for a particular audience, if that value does not exist for that audience then the audience hierarchy may be utilized to find the data value for an inherited audience. By adding regional, cultural or regulatory subdivisions within the audience hierarchy and inheriting large portions of existing audience specific data entries, a large number of audience specific documents may be generated with a minimal amount of data entry required. Audiences may be specified in a given order for traversal within the hierarchy and displayed in a data entry and editing application utilizing visual characteristics to inform a user if the value for a particular piece of data is inherited from another layer or utilized from the particular layer in use.

Abstract: A multi-user document editing system and method. Embodiments of the invention utilize a model-view-controller design pattern to successfully control changes in parallel to underlying backend database information presentation related information. Granularity of protection and check in/check out on family, spread, presentation layer and presentation object. In addition, enables automatic update of changes to all users editing or viewing the information. Changes to the backend database may also include changes to the family hierarchy with real-time update of publication WYSIWYG pages for example. Enables rollback of changes. Instead of waiting constantly for other users to finish editing information before other edits can be made, the typical serial editing methodology is transformed by embodiments of the invention into a parallel methodology that greatly increases throughput and lowers the costs associated with large publications.

Abstract: A conditional text publication system and method. Conditional text publication allows for the publication of text that varies based on data values associated with the text. More specifically, allows for the inclusion and exclusion of text to or from a publication based on clauses such as conditional clause, functions such as database functions, and operators such as mathematical, logical and set operators that utilize selectors such as fields, attributes, validations, families and other entities associated with data in a database.

Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting the components of a screen region such as a dialog box to maintain layout integrity independent of displayed language. For example, if two components such as a label and text field are treated as a group and given a desired width, then if the displayed language is changed from English to German and the label becomes longer, then embodiments of the invention make the text field smaller so that the group itself does not change. Allows for grouping components and associating row and column settings with components in order to rapidly create dialogs that resize automatically based on the language of the text elements displayed within them. Embodiments are also configured to make the programming task easier by limiting the number of parameters that are required in order to specify how components are positioned and sized in a dialog user interface component.

Abstract: When a set of screen elements are identified as a family a bounded extent is placed around the identified elements. Items can be automatically grouped based on their association with a set of data defined in a DBMS as a family, for example. When one of the elements within the group is moved, the extent automatically resizes to a new geometry that fits around each of the elements within the group. If an element within the group is moved against the extent and then extended beyond the boundaries of the extent, the extent automatically resizes to cover a bigger area; if an element within the group that is against the extent is moved inside the boundary of the extent, the extent automatically resizes to cover a smaller area. It is possible to nest a set of these extensible groups within a single extensible group thereby providing maximum flexibility while still maintaining optimal flexibility.

Abstract: Rule based data object matching to determine if two or more objects are similar to allow the objects to be merged into one master data object. The rules explicitly state what conditions are required to consider two or more objects equal. The certainty of the rule may be specified. Examples for the certainty are automatic, manual high, medium and low probability. For example, the certainty “automatic” specifies that the objects can be considered matches and no additional manual verification is needed. The certainty “manual low probability” specifies that there is a low probability that the objects are matches and that a manual verification is needed. Matching rules may be grouped by priority. If matches are not found, the next highest priority group of rules is processed. Hierarchical matching rules may be specified that are able to express similarity of objects considering structured objects containing sub-objects in a hierarchical manner.

Abstract: A multi-layered data model for determining image choice across a set of audience-specific documents comprising language, regional, regulatory and/or cultural differences. Enables generation of audience-specific documents with audience specific images and audience-specific image placement based on inheritance of images and image metadata associated with hierarchical audiences. For data entry, enables a user to rapidly determine if images in an audience specific document conform to the expectations or requirements of an intended audience. The data entry and edit interface distinguishes between current and inherited audience levels through the use of color or any other mechanism that allows a user to quickly identify data that is missing and needs to be populated, changed or remain unchanged if the inherited image or image title or placement is suitable for the given audience. Documents are generated to any number of media types such as HTML, XML and paper.

Abstract: Audience specific document targeted at a particular media type are generated by accessing data from an audience hierarchy. When obtaining a data value for a particular audience, if that value does not exist for that audience then the audience hierarchy may be utilized to find the data value for an inherited audience. By adding regional, cultural or regulatory subdivisions within the audience hierarchy and inheriting large portions of existing audience specific data entries, a large number of audience specific documents may be generated with a minimal amount of data entry required. Audiences may be specified in a given order for traversal within the hierarchy and displayed in a data entry and editing application utilizing visual characteristics to inform a user if the value for a particular piece of data is inherited from another layer or utilized from the particular layer in use. Audience specific documents may be masked and accessed by payment.

Abstract: Enables search and test for at least one value in layers of audience specific data comprising language, regional, regulatory and/or cultural specific values per layer. The word “audience” for the purposes of this specification means a group of document consumers such as people or computers that are associated with a language, country, region, regulation, culture or any other user defined division. A search utilizing at least one embodiment of the invention occurs with respect to data that makes use of rule-based inheritance. Testing multiple audience layers for all values that meet a specific fine or coarse grained search criteria allows quality assurance testing across all target audiences for a document before publication.

Abstract: An interface for indicating the presence of inherited values in a document. The interface enables a user to rapidly determine if an audience specific document conforms to the expectations or requirements of an intended audience. The interface distinguishes between current, primary and secondary audience layer values through the use of color or any other mechanism that allows a user to quickly identify data that is missing and needs to be populated, changed or remain unchanged if the inherited data is suitable for the given audience. Using the interface, users can determine at a glance what information is inherited and what level of inheritance that information is from. Before generating an audience specific document targeted at a particular media type, an audience hierarchy may be created and utilized for entry and edit of data for a desired audience.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of invention are directed to a multi-layered data model for generating audience-specific documents will now be described. The invention is used in the context of generating a document such as a catalog or web page for publication across regions and cultures comprising multiple languages. It allows users to rapidly generate multi-language, multi-culture and multi-region documents since fields flagged as multi-lingual may utilize existing buckets that comprise pre-filled multi-language, multi-culture and multi-region values without requiring the user to specify every multi-value when creating a record.