Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods to facilitate reading a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, comprising: receiving, within a RFID tag reader, identification information corresponding to one or more RFID tags of interest; interrogating a plurality of RFID tags while the RFID tag reader is not in communication with a remote processor; receiving multiple corresponding RFID tag responses from the RFID tags; evaluating at the RFID tag reader each of the multiple RFID tag responses relative to the identification information; identifying, as a function of the evaluating, a plurality of RFID tags of interest; and producing, at the RFID tag reader, end user-perceivable indications corresponding to at least one RFID tag response from each of the RFID tags of interest to thereby inform an end user with respect to a corresponding reading state as regards to the plurality of RFID tags.

Abstract: Three-tier virtual classification model including search schemas, virtual object hierarchy, and databases to find existing components. A virtual object hierarchy is created with objects corresponding to different categories such as electrical or mechanical components. Each object category also has a plurality of associated categories such as a bolt or resistor. Each category has associated attributes such as length, width, cost, and color. Attributes are linked to tables columns in target databases. Search schemas are created by selecting objects and attributes from the object hierarchy. The search is carried out by accessing the database columns linked to the objects and attributes in the search schemas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for managing objects in a networked computer system. The networked computer system includes a client and a server. Data is persistently stored in the server in the form of an object. Each object includes attributes and methods and is accessible to a plurality of clients. An object is instantiated and materialized in a client when the client accesses the object. When a client desires to take an action in connection with an object, the server sends an updated object to the client. After receiving the updated object from the server, the client determines whether an existing object has been previously received from the server and stored in the client. If an existing object has not been previously received from the server and stored in the client, the client stores a pointer to the updated object in the client. In either case, the client then merges the existing object and the updated object and notifies windows in the client of changes to the existing object.