Abstract: An apparatus, method, system, computer program and product, each capable of assisting a current user for information search or retrieval. Upon receiving keyword information from the user, a previous user who has accessed an inaccessible document having the keyword information or who has used the keyword information may be searched.

Abstract: A computer-readable recording medium is disclosed that stores a workflow function addition program for causing a computer to execute a method including the steps of (a) displaying a list of work items on a screen related to an e-mail program and (b) changing the display state of the list displayed in step (a).

Abstract: A Web service providing method of a Web service provider providing a Web service comprises a decoding request transmission step transmitting, in response to a request from a client, a decoding request of Web service use permission information related to permission of use of the Web service, to an authentication service provider that provides a service related to authentication, and a decode response reception step, receiving a decode response of the Web service use permission information issued in response to said decoding request of the Web service use permission information, from the authentication service provider.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, system, computer program and product, each capable of assisting a current user for information search or retrieval. Upon receiving keyword information from the user, a previous user who has accessed an inaccessible document having the keyword information or who has used the keyword information may be searched.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an authentication service includes an authentication service providing unit. The authentication service providing unit includes an authentication level calculating unit configured to calculate an authentication level indicative of strength of authentication, and a user authentication information managing unit configured to manage user authentication information relating to user authentication associated with the authentication level calculated by the authentication level calculating unit.

Abstract: A computer-readable recording medium is disclosed that stores a workflow function addition program for causing a computer to execute a method including the steps of (a) displaying a list of work items on a screen related to an e-mail program and (b) changing the display state of the list displayed in step (a).

Abstract: A Web service providing method of a Web service provider providing a Web service comprises a decoding request transmission step transmitting, in response to a request from a client, a decoding request of Web service use permission information related to permission of use of the Web service, to an authentication service provider that provides a service related to authentication, and a decode response reception step, receiving a decode response of the Web service use permission information issued in response to said decoding request of the Web service use permission information, from the authentication service provider.

Abstract: A merge information providing apparatus has a merge user information providing function, the merge user information providing function includes plural user information providing functions providing information regarding a user as subordinate user information providing functions, wherein the merge information providing apparatus acquires the information regarding the user from the user information providing function and provides the acquired information regarding the user with merging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a B.sup.+ tree structure having dual transverse directional links on a leaf of the B.sup.+ tree structure. The method includes a step of carrying out a lock to a partial tree structure so as to descend from a root to the leaf at the necessary side of a partial tree structure in the case where the leaves at both sides of the partial tree structure are changed, and a step of using the lock in order to finally lock the leaves at both of the sides of the partial tree structure.