Abstract: A system including at least (1) specialized elements that are restricted to a particular domain of data analysis or processing and (2) configurable data that permits the specialized elements to be tailored to a particular application. The configurable data expands applicability of the specialized elements to plural applications within the particular domain. The specialized elements can be provided by a supplier to a developer without the supplier having detailed knowledge of structures and internal operations used by the particular application. The particular application can be generated by the developer without the developer having detailed knowledge of internal operations used by the specialized elements.

Abstract: A Jersey type barrier having a modified surface structure so that vertical surfaces are formed in place of, or on the normally formed sloping sides, to form suitable vertical surface for mounting material thereon to increase the overall height of the barrier.

Abstract: A method of monitoring in a distributed computer network having a management server servicing a set of managed computers. The method begins by deploying a management infrastructure across a given subset of the managed computers, the management infrastructure comprising a runtime environment installed at a given managed computer. At the given managed computer, the routine executes a monitoring agent in the runtime environment to determine whether a given threshold has been exceeded. Then, a given action is taken if the given threshold has been exceeded. The monitoring agent is executed upon receipt of an external event or as a result of an internal timer. Execution of the monitoring agent involves taking a measurement, comparing the measurement against the given threshold, and then taking some corrective action if possible.

Abstract: A large distributed enterprise includes computing resources including a management server servicing a plurality of endpoint machines. A management infrastructure include a runtime engine is deployed on given endpoint machines. In response to a task deployment request at an administrative server, discovery agents may be launched into the computer network. When a software agent arrives at a given machine that supports the runtime engine, the agent is executed to determine whether the endpoint is a candidate for a particular task deployment.

Abstract: The invention comprises a computer-based system for creating, editing, and displaying works such as, for example, books, screenplays, speeches, or multimedia works, that include textual components that have a presentation metric associated with them. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the presentation metric is the time that passes when the component is delivered to the intended audience. In one or more embodiments, the components of a work are referred to as “events.” The invention creates graphical representations of events that visually display the presentation metric of the events and the temporal relationships between events. Events may be subsets of other events. In one or more embodiments, a hierarchy of events is displayed upon parallel levels, each of which represents a different level in the hierarchy.

Abstract: A method of event correlation implemented within a distributed environment having a management server and a set of managed machines. The preferred event correlation method begins by establishing a discrete set of correlation rules. One preferred implementation of a correlation rule is a software-based state machine. Each correlation rule is adapted to recognize a given pattern of one or more events indicative of a given condition. A set of correlation rules comprise a set of efficiently-coupled state machines, each of which is optimized for a particular, low-level logical function. Then, as events are received and/or generated at the machine, the events are examined by the state machines comprising the correlator to search for the defined event patterns. If a given event pattern is recognized, a given condition sought to be monitored has occurred, and the event correlator may then be used to take a given action.

Abstract: A method of automated distributed resource monitoring in a large distributed computing environment, wherein a given master resource comprises a set of given computing resources. The method begins by associating a set of one or more “cells” with a set of given computing resources that comprise the master resource. Each cell preferably is associated with a respective one of the set of given computing resources and has a set of one or more attributes whose values collectively define a “state” of the cell. Whenever a change in an attribute of a given cell effects a change in that cell's state, the attribute change is propagated across each cell directly impacted by the cell state change, as well as to those observing cells that may be indirectly affected.

Abstract: A method of managing time expressions for use by applications in a distributed computer network having a management server servicing a set of managed computers. The method begins by defining a set of timers, with each timer preferably comprising an expression of logical operators with a set of one or more primitives as operands. The set of timers is stored in a hierarchical namespace associated with the management server. Preferably, the timers and primitives are stored separately in the hierarchical namespace, with the primitives indexed by name for prompt retrieval.

Abstract: A method of deploying a “resource model” in a distributed computer network using a computer having graphical user interface (GUI). The resource model has a number of properties associated therewith including a set of mapping rules. To deploy the resource model, an icon representing the resource model is displayed on the interface, together with a set of distribution icons. Each distribution icon, for example, represents a set of given machines in the distributed computer network. The icon representing the resource model is then associated with a selected one of the distributed icons, preferably via a drag-and-drop protocol. When the resource model icon is dropped onto the selected distribution icon, the resource model is deployed in the network by instantiating its mapping rules at each machine in the set.

Abstract: A display method operative within a display device of a data processing system connected in a distributed computing environment having nodes located across geographically-dispersed boundaries. The method begins by defining a plurality of sets of holiday objects each corresponding to a set of holidays specific to a given locale. A graphical representation of a calendar, together with a set of holiday objects, are then displayed. If the user enters a new locale, the method dynamically switches between sets of holiday objects according to the new locale entered. The new set of holiday objects preferably are displayed on the same calendar yet in a different manner from the first set to enable a user to compare the holidays of two different locales.

Abstract: An imaging system produces an image of an internal part of an object and a representation of a tool, which representation corresponds to the position of the tool with respect to the actual object. An imaging apparatus defines an examination region. After an image of the object is obtained, the object is moved to a treatment position fixed in relation to the examination region. The object is supported on a moveable table, which is in turn supported on a pair of rails. A reference frame mounted to the imaging apparatus carries radiation detectors for detecting radiation emitted by emitters on a surgical tool. The position of the tool with respect to the reference frame, and hence with respect to the actual object, can therefore be determined.

Abstract: In a portable computer the BIOS software slows the system clock frequency during idle periods. The BIOS software returns the system to its normal operating frequency when an awaited event such as a keystroke occurs. In the event of an interrupt while the system clock is at the lower frequency, a hardware clock control circuit responds to the interrupt to promptly increase the system clock frequency to the normal value. By decoding the old frequency, new frequency and the several available frequencies, the change in frequency is timed to maintain proper phase and duty cycle without interruption.

Abstract: A computer system having a digitizing tablet overlaying the display screen. The tablet serves as a user's primary input device. Various features of the system make it possible for the user to run and interact with standard programs designed for keystroke and mouse input and not designed for use with a tablet. In addition to the main processor, on which the user's programs are executed, there is an interface processor. In addition to a standard display buffer, there is an ink plane buffer for interface display data that is combined with the data from the standard display buffer on a pixel-by-pixel basis according to data from a mask plane buffer. The interface processor manages input from the tablet, presents feedback to the user by means of the ink and mask planes, and provides keystroke and mouse data to the main processor as if from a standard keyboard controller. The interface processor presents the user with a collection of simulated devices, including standard devices such as a keyboard and a mouse.

Abstract: A computer system having a digitizing tablet overlaying the display screen. The tablet serves as a user's primary input device. Various features of the system make it possible for the user to run and interact with standard programs designed for keystroke and mouse input and not designed for use with a tablet. In addition to the main processor, on which the user's programs are executed, there is an interface processor. In addition to a standard display buffer, there is an ink plane buffer for interface display data that is combined with the data from the standard display buffer on a pixel-by-pixel basis according to data from a mask plane buffer. The interface processor manages input from the tablet, presents feedback to the user by means of the ink and mask planes, and provides keystroke and mouse data to the main processor as if from a standard keyboard controller. The interface processor presents the user with a collection of simulated devices, including standard devices such as a keyboard and a mouse.