Abstract: A method for making a digital file available to a user at a client device. The method includes receiving the digital file at the client device, the client device having an associated client identifier, receiving a host identifier at the client device, the host identifier associated with the digital file and receiving a host payment identifier at the client device, the host payment identifier associated with the digital file and the host identifier. A product identifier is obtained from the digital file. A cost associated with the digital file is determined. Payment is obtained corresponding to the determined cost. The digital file is made available to a user at the client device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide security for data in a database system includes providing a secure user-defined data type (UDT) that has security features. The secure UDT defines security information, which in one arrangement is in the form of a list of identifiers of authorized users or other entities. Each data instance according to the secure UDT stored in tables of the database system is associated with such an access list. Thus, in response to a query, the security information is accessed to determine whether the user or other entity that issued the query has rights to access the data. Access is then allowed or denied based on the security information.

Abstract: A service establishment, such as a fast-food restaurant or a bank, improves customer satisfaction by monitoring the quality of service received by the customer and compensating the customer with a personalized offer of compensation when service is inadequate. When the customer visits the service establishment, the service establishment detects the customer's presence by acquiring a signal from a device, such as an RF transponder, carried by the customer. The establishment uses information contained in this signal to identify the customer and to retrieve archived information about previous interactions with the customer. The establishment then analyzes the archived information to identify a product or service of interest to the customer and, before the customer leaves the service establishment, to offer the product or service to the customer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide security for data in a database system includes providing a secure user-defined data type (UDT) that has security features. The secure UDT defines security information, which in one arrangement is in the form of a list of identifiers of authorized users or other entities. Each data instance according to the secure UDT stored in tables of the database system is associated with such an access list. Thus, in response to a query, the security information is accessed to determine whether the user or other entity that issued the query has rights to access the data. Access is then allowed or denied based on the security information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for parallel execution in a database system. In one implementation, a database system includes: one or more data storage facilities for use in storing data composing records in tables of a database; one or more processing modules configured to manage the data stored in the data-storage facilities, where at least one processing module is configured to: open a memory pipe for a pipe operator, run a first thread to execute a pipe source operation providing output data to the memory pipe, and run a second thread to execute a pipe sink operation receiving input data from the memory pipe while the first thread is running; and a database management component configured to parse an expression and recognize a pipe operator and a pipe source operation and a pipe sink operation for the pipe operator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for loading data into a database system using links to data. In one implementation, a database system includes: one or more data storage facilities for use in storing data composing records in tables of a database; one or more processing modules configured to manage the data stored in the data-storage facilities; and a database management component configured to load data into the data storage facilities using one or more links received in a request from a client system, where each link indicates a server connection and a storage location for data corresponding to the link.

Abstract: A server system is capable of receiving requests from a client system for data within a database system, such as an object relational database system. In one arrangement, objects are stored in relational tables, with the objects containing geospatial data. The geospatial data contains one or more of the following: an image, points, lines, and polygons. The objects containing the geospatial data are combined by a layer manager executing in the server system to form a composite image. The composite image is represented in a file, such as a markup language file, that is communicated to the client system. In one embodiment, the file is a Virtual Reality Markup Language file.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for streaming data from a database system to a client system. In one implementation, a database management system includes: one or more data storage facilities for use in storing data composing records in tables of a database, where the data includes media data stored in one or more media objects; one or more processing modules configured to manage the data stored in the data-storage facilities; one or more quality of service modules configured to manage streaming media data from the data-storage facilities; and a database management component configured to receive stream requests and database queries for data stored in the data-storage facilities, including passing a stream request indicating media data to the processing module that corresponds to the data-storage facility storing the media data indicated by the stream request.

Abstract: A database system is accessible by a client system over a data network. In one arrangement, a server system is connected to the data network to receive requests from the client system. In response to the request, the server system issues corresponding queries to the database system to retrieve data. The data is then formatted by the server system and sent to the client system, where the formatted data is displayed, such as in a browser screen. The formatted data includes hyperlinks that are user selectable to retrieve further objects from the database system. When selection of the hyperlink is received, the client system sends a request to the server system, which retrieves the requested object or objects from the database system. The objects are communicated back to the client system for presentation.

Abstract: A database system includes user-defined data types (UDTs) and user-defined methods (UDMs) that are defined by code according to an interpreted programming language (e.g., JAVA, C#, etc.). A virtual machine or other interpreter is provided to execute the interpreted programming language code defining the UDTs and UDMS. An interface is provided between a database and the virtual machine to enable communication between the database and the virtual machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accessing remote data in a database system. In one implementation, a database system includes: one or more data storage facilities for use in storing data composing records in tables of a database, where at least one data storage facility stores a remote database access type object representing a remote database access type field for storing remote access information indicating remote data stored in a remote system, where the remote system is outside of the database system and is connected to the database system; one or more processing modules configured to manage the data stored in the data-storage facilities; and a database management component configured to access remote data stored in the remote system using remote access information stored in the remote database access type object corresponding to the remote data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of implementing a neural network comprises storing a representation of the neural network in one or more storage modules. In one arrangement, the representation of the neural network comprises an object stored in a relational database management system or other type of database system. The neural network representation is accessed to perform an operation, e.g., a pattern recognition operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying at-risk data in systems with redundant components is described. The method comprises the steps of representing the system by a plurality of nodes representing components and a plurality of paths representing communication paths among the components, each node having a path count representing the number of paths leading into the node, decrementing the path count for each node by one, for each failure of a path leading to the node, decrementing the path count for each node by one, for every path leading from each node having a zero path count, decrementing the path count for each node by one, for every path leading from a failed node, and presenting a graphical depiction of the nodes and the paths to a user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring volume sets in a distributed processing system is described. The processing system comprises a plurality of compute nodes communicatively coupled to a plurality of input/output (I/O) nodes, each having storage space. The method comprises the steps of querying the I/O nodes to determine available storage space at each I/O node in the system, displaying information representing the available storage space to the user, and accepting a volume set name and selected volume set size smaller than the largest storage space block size. Next, the system scans the information to determine if there is a storage block substantially the same size as the selected volume set size. If there is such a storage block, the volume set is then created. If no such storage block exists, performance data for the available storage blocks is obtained, and used to recommend a selected storage block for the volume set.

Abstract: For use with trucks, aircraft and other motor vehicles, circuit apparatus signals, from within a pneumatic tire to a display near the operator, an abnormal tire pressure or temperature. A monitoring transmitter within the tire utilizes a negative coefficient thermistor maintained in thermal contact with the tire to sense an abnormal high temperature, and a bellows-type pressure sensor, internally pressurized to approximately the normal tire pressure, to sense abnormal high or low pressures. If one of these abnormal conditions is sensed, power is supplied from a long-lifetime battery to an FM transmitter modulated by a different selected frequency for each tire, selected by a potentiometer marked for each frequency. These circuit elements are on a circuit board secured to the inside of the tire by an overlaying elastic adhesive material which absorbs shock and thermally insulates the thermistor from the air within the tire.