Abstract: A method and system for compressing a data base that permits queries on the compressed representation of the data base. Another feature is that an approximation of the values of the data base are derivable directly from the compressed representation of the data base. Yet another feature is correction of poor approximations of the reconstructed data. Still another feature is the capability of performing aggregate queries of the compressed representation of the data base.

Abstract: The apparent speed of a connection between a browser at a user station and a proxy or gateway on a network such as the Internet is increased by providing a local proxy at the user station which interacts with a remote proxy. While the remote proxy is retrieving a newly requested World Wide Web page, for example, from the appropriate content provider, it may also be sending to the local proxy a stale cached version of that page. When the new version of the page is finally retrieved, the remote proxy determines the differences between the new version and the stale version, and, assuming the differences do not exceed the new page in size, sends the differences to the local proxy which then reconstructs the new page from the differences and the stale version. The local proxy delivers the new page to the browser, which need not even be aware that a local proxy exists; it is aware only that it received the page it requested.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for using materialized views to compute answers to SQL queries with grouping and aggregation. A query is evaluated a using a materialized view. The materialized view is semantically analyzed to determine whether the materialized view is usable in evaluating an input query. The semantic analysis includes determining that the materialized view does not project out any columns needed to evaluate the input query and determining that the view does not discard any tuple that satisfies a condition enforced in the input query. If the view is usable, the input query is rewritten to produce an output query that is multi-set equivalent to the input query and that specifies one or more occurrences of the materialized view as a source of information to be returned by the output query. The output query is then evaluated. The semantic analysis and rewriting may be iterated, with the output query of each iteration being the input query of the next iteration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide an interrupt-based add-on service for use in a service subscription system having a central service provider and at least one subscriber unit. The interrupt-based system includes a database for storing subscriber information specific to at least one subscriber, where the subscriber information includes at least one subscriber selectable condition. The system further includes a computer for interrupting a service request when the service request satisfies at least one subscriber selectable condition and for making a service connection when the service request does not match the subscriber selectable condition.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for analyzing and enhancing a received data signal representing one or more views of a captured scene. The received data signal includes a plurality of data points. Each view includes a plurality of image points. Ones of the plurality of data points are representative of ones of the plurality of image points. A plurality of data sets are identified wherein each one of the data sets includes ones of the plurality of data points. Ones of the identified data sets are compared with one or more standard values and, in response thereto, are enhanced selectively to generate an output signal representing a processed 3-D scene estimate.