Abstract: Techniques and solutions are provided for improving query execution. Data models can be complex, which is often reflected in queries against such data models. The present disclosure provides a query refactoring technique where a complex query, such as a query expressed as a single select statement, can be formulated as a series of less complex queries. The workload of a database can be reduced by combining results of the less complex queries outside of the database. The present disclosure provides a framework for implementing these techniques, where the framework includes a virtual cube, a calculation engine, and one or more operations, which can all be implemented as classes in a programming language, and where a generic class or interface can help guide users in developing subclasses that provide a reformulation or refactoring of a complex query.

Abstract: Techniques and solutions are provided for providing software application functionality allowing users to perform analytical data operations. Software applications typically limit users to interacting with predefined data. Disclosed techniques allow users retrieve new data, or process data in different ways, by accessing lower-level objects, such as analytic queries defined in a virtual data model. An object of a data model defined for a collection of graphical user interfaces can be used to identify an analytical data object providing access to data defined by the data model. A query is executed to retrieve data corresponding to at least a portion of attributes defined in the data model. At least a portion of retrieved data is displayed. User input is received that requests a pivot operation, an operation to add a filter, or to add a multidimensional data element of the analytical data object to the graphical user interface display.

Abstract: Techniques and solutions are provided to assist users in creating an instance of a model object definition that can be used in generating user interface displays using data accessed using an analytic query. Often, the development of user interface displays, including binding aspects of a display to data, requires significant technical knowledge, and the user interface displays and supporting objects are often hardcoded for particular use scenarios. Disclosed techniques facilitate the creation of user interface displays by allowing users to select particular definitional elements of analytic queries and analytical data objects defined with respect thereto. The definitional elements are stored in an instance of a model object definition. Using disclosed techniques, users can create and modify user interface displays using a low code/no code approach.

Abstract: Techniques and solutions are provided for improving query execution. Data models can be complex, which is often reflected in queries against such data models. The present disclosure provides a query refactoring technique where a complex query, such as a query expressed as a single select statement, can be formulated as a series of less complex queries. The workload of a database can be reduced by combining results of the less complex queries outside of the database. The present disclosure provides a framework for implementing these techniques, where the framework includes a virtual cube, a calculation engine, and one or more operations, which can all be implemented as classes in a programming language, and where a generic class or interface can help guide users in developing subclasses that provide a reformulation or refactoring of a complex query.

Abstract: To ensure an effective mechanism for disaster recovery, system migration and network enlargement, a communication system (FIG. 6) comprises a narrowband-to-broadband interface (300) having a plurality of network adaptors (302-306) interconnected to a switch (314-316) that provides access to a plurality of virtual channels (318-321) supported by a broadband network. The plurality of network adaptors (302-306) are also coupled to a plurality of trunks (308-312) that each support at least one of a plurality of different communication functions. At least two call servers (324-326) are independently coupled to the narrowband-to-broadband interface (300) and are arranged to control interconnection of trunks to virtual channels, while each of the at least two call servers is responsible for controlling interconnections of group of trunks that share a common communication function within each group. Communication system functionality is therefore separated between the at least two call servers.

Abstract: An Internet Video Receiver (IVR) is an appliance for delivering content from the Internet for viewing on a television screen or other device. The major contribution that we have made is to shift the position where advertising is merged with content in the delivery of television services. Previously, content was delivered by a single service provider through a closed medium to many clients. The content and advertising was preselected by the service provider at the server side and delivered to the television on the client side with limited customization for individual viewers. With an IVR, the user can choose content from many independent suppliers from the Internet which is merged with independently supplied advertising in the IVR at the client side. Merging content with advertising in the IVR at the client side provides a new method for delivering a customized television service that can be tailored to individual viewers.

Abstract: An improved architecture in a circuit switched communications network is provided in which a plurality of network service provider devices, eg intelligent peripherals are arranged to provide network service data to a plurality of time division multiplex circuits and trunks by converting these circuits and trunks to streams of packets, and providing network service data packetized in a set of network service data packet streams to the circuit packet streams without incurring delays to the circuit packet streams. The circuit packet streams may be duplicated and forwarded to the network service provider devices without incurring delay to the ongoing through put packetized circuits, and similarly packet streams containing network service data may be superimposed into the circuit packet streams, without the requirement for the circuit packet streams to be switched to the network service provider devices.

Abstract: Narrowband subscriber terminals (40,52,58) of different narrowband networks are interconnected via a broadband network (48) that supports dissimilar signaling protocols to those maintained on the respective narrowband networks (40,52,58). A call server in a first narrowband network (40), in response to a call (100) from a first subscriber terminal (12) to a second subscriber terminal (68) in a second but different narrowband network (52), selects a phantom trunk (202) between the two networks. The phantom trunk has a unique circuit identity, which circuit identify is used in a first instance to relay to the second network an address of the second subscriber terminal (68). Then, in a second instance, the unique circuit identify is used to relay to the second network an address of the first subscriber terminal (68).

Abstract: A method of animating a sprite in a video production comprising a plurality of sequential video frames is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of selecting (2004) a feature, with which the sprite is to be juxtaposed, in one of said video frames, applying (2006) a feature tracking process to the video production to thereby output (2008), for a series of said plurality of video frames containing the feature, a temporal-spatial record for the feature across the plurality of video frames, and compositing (2010), with the series of said plurality of video frames, a corresponding series of instantiations of the sprite dependent upon the temporal-spatial record.

Abstract: A method (500, 600) of tracking a feature (201) across a sequence of image frames is disclosed. A current feature position in a current frame is estimated from at least a previous feature position in a previous frame. Feature data is extracted from pixel data of the current frame. The feature data is then compared with reference data. If a difference between the feature data and the reference data is larger than a predetermined number, then track of the feature (201) has been lost. Alternatively, the current feature position is appended to the trajectory of the feature, and the reference data is updated periodically with feature data of a plurality of frames. Preferably the reference data is a statistical representation of feature data of the plurality of frames.

Abstract: A method (300) and apparatus (400) is described for segmenting an image (102). Starting with each pixel of the image (102) being a separate region, segments are formed by merging the regions. As merging proceeds, a merging cost of the regions being merged generally increases. This increase however is not purely monotonic as the overall rise in the merging cost is punctuated by departures from monotonicity. A complete pass is made through the segmentation, in which all regions are merged until only one remains. By analysing the points immediately after significant departures from monotonicity, a final segmentation stopping value (?stop) is chosen as being the last return to monotonicity from such a significant departure. Segmentation is repeated until the merging cost reaches the final segmentation stopping value (?stop).

Abstract: To ensure an effective mechanism for disaster recovery, system migration and network enlargement, a communication system (FIG. 6) comprises a narrowband-to-broadband interface (300) having a plurality of network adaptors (302-306) interconnected to a switch (314-316) that provides access to a plurality of virtual channels (318-321) supported by a broadband network. The plurality of network adaptors (302-306) are also coupled to a plurality of trunks (308-312) that each support at least one of a plurality of different communication functions. At least two call servers (324-326) are independently coupled to the narrowband-to-broadband interface (300) and are arranged to control interconnection of trunks to virtual channels, while each of the at least two call servers is responsible for controlling interconnections of group of trunks that share a common communication function within each group. Communication system functionality is therefore separated between the at least two call servers.

Abstract: A border gateway protocol (BGP) management system (10) dynamically determines an optimum or preferred data route (12) from wireline networks (18) into a satellite communication system (11). Multiple gateways (16, 30-34) provide access points to the wireline networks. The management system includes a connectivity matrix which processes (74) information, such as bandwidth availability and route congestion, and then generate a BGP update that is communicated (80) into at least one of the gateways. The BGP update promotes preferred gateways and so identifies a preferred access path to the satellite system. Specifically, the BGP update instruction contains a metric altering a weighting of an identified route data route, which metric effects path selection at a gateway receiving IP datagrams. The metric is derived from information pertaining to a connectivity matrix associated with the satellite system.

Abstract: ATM cells (131-133, 141-143) are encapsulated within a DVB satellite transmission environment (10) to provide satellite broadband capabilities (74). as shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, DVB multiplexing (as opposed to ATM multiplexing), either at the ground station (71) associated with a content provider (32-28) or within a satellite (12) itself, consolidates the use of a mapping function (170) between the Program Identity (PID) of an MPEG transport (data-) stream and an ATM physical layer (PHY). More particularly, robust packaging of full (131-133) and partial (134, 144) ATM, cells within a DVB transport stream packet (150) is supported by a system-wide association between PIDs and ATM PHYs, whereby an addressed terminal or subscriber unit (18-22) reassembles ATM cells (160-162) based on PID information contained in received DVB transport stream packets (150).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling persistence measurement of channel associated signaling for a plurality of line circuits, eg, T1, E1, OC3, STM 1 circuits, which extracts channel associated signaling data from a plurality of line circuits; assembles the channel associated signaling data into a data frame; contains the data frame in a suitable carrier, eg, an AAL 0 cell; monitors a continuous stream of the data frames, to check for changes in line status; and generates an event message data frame when a persistent change of line state has been detected. The extracting of associated signaling data may be provided on a separate card to a call control processor, and using separate processor functionality.

Abstract: An improved architecture in a circuit switched communications network is provided in which a plurality of network service provider devices, eg intelligent peripherals are arranged to provide network service data to a plurality of time division multiplex circuits and trunks by converting these circuits and trunks to streams of packets, and providing network service data packetized in a set of network service data packet streams to the circuit packet streams without incurring delays to the circuit packet streams. The circuit packet streams may be duplicated and forwarded to the network service provider devices without incurring delay to the ongoing through put packetized circuits, and similarly packet streams containing network service data may be superimposed into the circuit packet streams, without the requirement for the circuit packet streams to be switched to the network service provider devices.

Abstract: An improved architecture in a circuit switched communications network is provided in which a plurality of network service provider devices, eg intelligent peripherals are arranged to provide network service data to a plurality of time division multiplex circuits and trunks by converting these circuits and trunks to streams of packets, and providing network service data packetized in a set of network service data packet streams to the circuit packet streams without incurring delays to the circuit packet streams. The circuit packet streams may be duplicated and forwarded to the network service provider devices without incurring delay to the ongoing through put packetized circuits, and similarly packet streams containing network service data may be superimposed into the circuit packet streams, without the requirement for the circuit packet streams to be switched to the network service provider devices.

Abstract: Narrowband subscriber terminals (40,52,58) of different narrowband networks are interconnected via a broadband network (48) that supports dissimilar signalling protocols to those maintained on the respective narrowband networks (40,52,58). A call server in a first narrowband network (40), in response to a call (100) from a first subscriber terminal (12) to a second subscriber terminal (68) in a second but different narrowband network (52), selects a phantom trunk (202) between the two networks. The phantom trunk has a unique circuit identity, which circuit identify is used in a first instance to relay to the second network an address of the second subscriber terminal (68). Then, in a second instance, the unique circuit identify is used to relay to the second network an address of the first subscriber terminal (68).

Abstract: A method of animating a sprite in a video production comprising a plurality of sequential video frames is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of selecting (2004) a feature, with which the sprite is to be juxtaposed, in one of said video frames, applying (2006) a feature tracking process to the video production to thereby output (2008), for a series of said plurality of video frames containing the feature, a temporal-spatial record for the feature across the plurality of video frames, and compositing (2010), with the series of said plurality of video frames, a corresponding series of instantiations of the sprite dependent upon the temporal-spatial record.

Abstract: Narrowband subscriber terminals (40,52,58) of different narrowband networks are interconnected via a broadband network (48) that supports dissimilar signalling protocols to those maintained on the respective narrowband networks (40,52,58). A call server in a first narrowband network (40), in response to a call (100) from a first subscriber terminal (12) to a second subscriber terminal (68) in a second but different narrowband network (52), selects a phantom trunk (202) between the two networks. The phantom trunk has a unique circuit identity, which circuit identify is used in a first instance to relay to the second network an address of the second subscriber terminal (68). Then, in a second instance, the unique circuit identify is used to relay to the second network an address of the first subscriber terminal (68).