Abstract: A method for presenting content from the page in a distributed database. In a preferred embodiment, a server receives a request from a client for a page from the database wherein the page has a plurality of links to linked pages in the database. The server retrieves the page and generates a set of thumbnails of the linked pages in the database. The server then sends the page and the set of thumbnails to the client.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for specifying monitored user participation in a messaging session is provided. A time status for a messaging system element is determined. The time status corresponds to a type of participation by at least one user in a messaging session. An output attribute is assigned to the messaging system element according to the time status, such that output of the messaging system element is specified to depict time status for the messaging session. A client messaging system, receiving the messaging system element with the output attribute, graphically displays the messaging system element in order to graphically reflect user participation in a messaging session.

Abstract: A method, system and program for tracking user availability are provided. Time estimates of a user availability are compiled for a separate user from among multiple users for participation in a messaging session. Then, the compiled time estimates of user availability are specified for output to at least one other user from among the multiple users, such that the at least one other user is enabled to track user availability for the separate user. In particular, compiled time estimates may be specified according to graphical, audio, video, or textual output preferences for the at least one other user. In addition, the compiled time estimates may be specified according to a current time zone for the at least one other user.

Abstract: Multiple health profiles from multiple personal health monitoring systems are compiled. The multiple personal health monitoring systems each monitor a current health profile including physical parameters and environmental parameters indicative of the current health of one of multiple users. The physical parameters and environmental parameters of each of the multiple health profiles are compared to determine health affecting factors for the multiple users, such that health affecting factors of public health are audited.

Abstract: Data records transmitted from a plurality of vehicles are collected at a central data repository, where realtime or batch analysis and profiling can take place to facilitate vehicle fleet maintenance. Preferably, each data record includes data derived by synchronizing on-board diagnostic computer output and GPS 3-dimensional location data, correlated by time and tagged with vehicle identification information, and is forwarded to the central data repository via cellular Internet. The central data repository includes analysis and profiling routines to identify immediate operational problems on a given vehicle, e.g., engine overheating, as well as overall fleet operational behavior, i.e. which vehicles, drivers and routes lead, over time, to increased maintenance costs.

Abstract: Current health parameters for a user are monitored at a personal health monitoring system. Current health parameters include multiple monitored physical parameters and multiple monitored environmental parameters. The current health parameters are compared with health allowances for the user. A control signal for transmission to a health control device that controls at least one parameter from among the multiple physical parameters and multiple environmental parameters is determined in response to determining that at least one of the current health parameters exceeds at least one of the health allowances, such that the at least one current health parameter that exceeds the at least one of the health allowances is adjusted by the health control device according to the control signal in order to balance the comprehensive health of the user.

Abstract: According to the present invention, physical health indicators computed for a particular user are received in a common transmittable data format at a portable computer system associated with the particular user, wherein each of the physical health indicators is computed by an electronic health measurement device from among multiple diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring the physical health of the particular user. Each of the physical health indicators is analyzed at the portable computer system in view of determined acceptable health levels for the particular user. Output of an indicator of acceptability of the physical health indicators for the particular user is controlled from the portable computer system, in response to the analysis of each of the physical health indicators, such that a single portable computer system monitors the physical health of an individual from multiple physical health indicators received from multiple diverse electronic health measurement devices.

Abstract: According to the present invention, physical health indicators computed for a particular user are received in a common transmittable data format at a computer system, wherein each of the physical health indicators is output by an electronic health measurement device from among multiple diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring the physical health of the particular user. Each of the physical health indicators is analyzed at the computer system in view of acceptable health levels retrieved at the computer system from a personal storage device proffered by the particular user. Output of an indicator of acceptability of the physical health indicators for the particular user is controlled from the computer system, in response to the analysis of each of the physical health indicators, such that a computer system monitors the physical health of an individual in view of acceptable health levels retrieved from the personal storage device.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, absent items from an intended inventory are monitored at a computer system. Search requests for the absent items are automatically transmitted from the computer system to multiple independent product databases each respectively associated with one of multiple retailers. Offers are returned from multiple retailers to the computer system, such that inventory purchases for the particular household are managed by the computer system.

Abstract: A bookmark set is created from search results. First, a search request from a client browser is sent for pages in a distributed database which satisfy a search condition. A set of pages which satisfy the search condition are returned. In the page which presents the search results, each page is associated with a user input sensitive selection means, such as a checkbox. Responsive to user input, i.e. selection of certain pages, a bookmark set comprised of a path to selected pages is created. The created bookmark set is served as a unit to the client browser.

Abstract: Concurrently displaying a set of pages in a distributed database with a minimum of user interaction is disclosed. A set of bookmarked web pages in a browser interface are concurrently displaying a list of bookmarks in the interface, each bookmark associated with a respective one of the web pages. At least a subset of the web pages are displayed in a cascade of windows, each web page assigned to a respective window in the cascade in the order in which the associated bookmark is listed in the list of bookmarks. Each window in the cascade is arranged so that a title bar is visible and the alphanumeric content of the title bar can be easily related to an entry in the bookmark list.

Abstract: A method of browsing the Internet in which a browser retrieves a web page for presentation to a user. While the web page is being presented, using one or more background threads, the web page is parsed for a set of links to a set of linked web pages and that set of linked pages are retrieved. The set of linked pages is parsed for criteria set by the user. In response to finding the criteria on one or more of the linked pages, the presentation of the first page is changed to indicate the presence of the criteria on respective linked page. The linked pages may be located on the Internet or on local database on a standalone machine for browsing off-line.

Abstract: A method for presenting content from the page in a distributed database. In a preferred embodiment, a page of data from the database is presented to a user. The page has a plurality of links to linked pages in the database. A set of thumbnail images of the linked pages in the database is presented to the user near the links to the linked pages.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, method, and computer-readable medium for providing a highly efficient locking mechanism for an object's shared data. The locking mechanism is bound to an object during program execution (i.e. during run-time) when synchronization is first requested for the object's shared data. Thus, there are no changes to the actual code, either source code or binary code, which defines the object. A locking mechanism is bound to an object by defining a memory area within the object's header, which either contains the locking mechanism or a pointer to a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism remains bound to the object for the life of the object. Efficiency is gained by limiting the use of operating system semaphores (i.e. kernel semaphores). Operating system semaphores are not used unless blocking (i.e. contention) occurs. Rather, the locking mechanism bound to the object is used during non-blocking situations.

Abstract: A data processing system having shared, distributed personality neutral resources managed by a microkernel based operating system. The microkernel supports multiple personalities and manages common resources accessible to all personalities. The microkernel has a logical video buffer service that manages the creation, deletion, and maintenance of logical video buffers. Each personality uses the logical video buffers to store its character mode screen displays. The server maintains a handle to each logical video buffer that is accessible by all personalities. The microkernel also has an event window server that creates input queues and provides them to the personalities. The event window server receives all system input and places it into the appropriate personality's queue. The event window server provides APIs allowing personalities to read input queues, remove events from the queues, inject input events into the event window server, and register hot keys.

Abstract: A graphical user interface layout is defined by a resource definition file having a set of resource directives associated therewith. A method of translating the layout to native Java source code begins by identifying each resource file directive associated with the window layout. For each resource file directive, or for each subdirective within a file directive or subdirective, the method generates a stub or "snippet" of Java code. The Java code snippets may be generated by direct code or by using a text-editable file interface, and the snippets are then combined to created a Java source file.

Abstract: A method and system for enhanced locator hit testing and region clipping of windows in a windowing environment of a data processing system is provided. A global hit test data structure is generated having a plurality of compressed scan line data sets that represent scan lines of a display. Each compressed scan line data set contains one or more vectors and a window identifier associated with each vector that describe the window ownership of one or more spans in an associated scan line of the display. A vector identifies a span of the associated scan line, and each window identifier identifies the window that owns the span identified by its associated vector. The enhanced locator hit testing of windows identifies the window that owns a selected pel of the display by accessing the compressed scan line data set that defines the window ownership of the selected pel, determining the vector that contains the selected pel, and retrieving the window identifier associated with the determined vector.