Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for calibrating cost estimator for trustworthy DBMS performance. An aspect of the disclosure provides for a method, which includes generating a plurality of plans for potential execution by a DBMS, each of the plurality of plans being configured to generate a same response to a same specified database query. The method further includes generating, for each plan, a set of probability-cost value pairs, each indicative of an estimated upper cost for said plan and a probability that a cost for said plan will be equal to or less than said estimated upper cost, if and when said plan is executed. The method further includes selecting one of the plurality of plans based at least in part on an evaluation of the sets of probability-cost value pairs for the plurality of plans, and causing the DBMS to execute the selected plan.

Abstract: A network security system is provided to secure one or more digital commerce or advertising processes for one more users, based on the presence of the one or more users in the proximity of one or more beacons. One or more coordinating components are associated with the beacons, and these provide an identifier uniquely to the one or more users. One or more security components are configured to automatically modify an identifier associated with each beacon, based on a predetermined pattern. One or more network connected devices associated with the one or more users, receive modified identifier, process one or more data elements, and communicate with a server computer or computer network service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for propagating updates in databases are disclosed. For example, the present method uses “blocking” and/or “thresholding” to delay update propagation and/or to limit the propagation of updates to an optimal stage. For example, the present method receives at least one database update and extracts at least one token from the at least one database update. The method then determines whether a threshold for propagating the at least one database update for the at least one token is reached. The method then propagates the at least one database update for updating an index structure of a database pertaining to the at least one token whose threshold has been reached.

Abstract: A method of adaptively evaluating a top-k query involves (1204) forming a servers having respective server queues storing candidate answers, processing (1322) the candidate answers, and (1232) providing a top-k set as a query evaluation. Processing includes (1402) adaptively choosing a winning server to whose queue a current candidate answer should be sent; (1404) sending the current candidate answer to the winning server's queue; (1334) adaptively choosing a next candidate answer to process from the winning server's queue; (1336) computing a join between the current candidate answer and next candidate answers at the winning server, so as to produce a new current candidate answer; and (1338) updating the top-k set with the new current candidate answer only if a score of the new current candidate answer exceeds a score of a top-k answer in a top-k set. A method of calculating scores for candidate answers is also provided.

Abstract: A method of adaptively evaluating a top-k query involves (1204) forming a servers having respective server queues storing candidate answers, processing (1322) the candidate answers, and (1232) providing a top-k set as a query evaluation. Processing includes (1402) adaptively choosing a winning server to whose queue a current candidate answer should be sent; (1404) sending the current candidate answer to the winning server's queue; (1334) adaptively choosing a next candidate answer to process from the winning server's queue; (1336) computing a join between the current candidate answer and next candidate answers at the winning server, so as to produce a new current candidate answer; and (1338) updating the top-k set with the new current candidate answer only if a score of the new current candidate answer exceeds a score of a top-k answer in a top-k set. A method of calculating scores for candidate answers is also provided.

Abstract: A method of adaptively evaluating a top-k query involves (1204) forming a servers having respective server queues storing candidate answers, processing (1322) the candidate answers, and (1232) providing a top-k set as a query evaluation. Processing includes (1402) adaptively choosing a winning server to whose queue a current candidate answer should be sent; (1404) sending the current candidate answer to the winning server's queue; (1334) adaptively choosing a next candidate answer to process from the winning server's queue; (1336) computing a join between the current candidate answer and next candidate answers at the winning server, so as to produce a new current candidate answer; and (1338) updating the top-k set with the new current candidate answer only if a score of the new current candidate answer exceeds a score of a top-k answer in a top-k set. A method of calculating scores for candidate answers is also provided.

Abstract: A data structure that includes at least one partition containing non-confidential quasi-identifier microdata and at least one other partition containing confidential microdata is formed. The partitioned confidential microdata is disguised by transforming the confidential microdata to conform to a target distribution. The disguised confidential microdata and the quasi-identifier microdata are combined to generate a disguised data structure. The disguised data structure is used to carry out statistical analysis and to respond to a statistical query is directed to the use of confidential microdata. In this manner, the privacy of the confidential microdata is preserved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid identification of column heterogeneity in databases are disclosed. For example, the method receives data associated with a column in a database. The method computes a cluster entropy for the data as a measure of data heterogeneity and then determines whether said data is heterogeneous in accordance with the cluster entropy.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method comprising: automatically: receiving a plurality of elements for each of a plurality of continuous data streams; treating the plurality of elements as a first data stream matrix that defines a first dimensionality; reducing the first dimensionality of the first data stream matrix to obtain a second data stream matrix; computing a singular value decomposition of the second data stream matrix; and based on the singular value decomposition of the second data stream matrix, quantifying approximate linear correlations between the plurality of elements.

Abstract: Structural join mechanisms provide efficient query pattern matching. In one embodiment, tree-merge mechanisms are provided. In another embodiment, stack-tree mechanisms are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ranked join indices includes a solution providing performance guarantees for top-k join queries over two relations, when preprocessing to construct a ranked join index for a specific join condition is permitted. The concepts of ranking join indices presented herein are also applicable in the case of a single relation. In this case, the concepts herein provide a solution to the top-k selection problem with monotone linear functions, having guaranteed worst case search performance for the case of two ranked attributes and arbitrary preference vectors.

Abstract: Structural join mechanisms provide efficient query pattern matching. In one embodiment, tree-merge mechanisms are provided. In another embodiment, stack-tree mechanisms are provided.

Abstract: A vast amount of information currently accessible over the Web, and in corporate networks, is stored in a variety of databases, and is being exported as XML data. However, querying this totality of information in a declarative and timely fashion is problematic because this set of databases is dynamic, and a common schema is difficult to maintain. The present invention provides a solution to the problem of issuing declarative, ad hoc XPath queries against such a dynamic collection of XML databases, and receiving timely answers. There is proposed a decentralized architectures, under the open and the agreement cooperation models between a set of sites, for processing queries and updates to XML data. Each site consists of XML data nodes. (which export their data as XML, and also pose queries) and one XML router node (which manages the query and update interactions between sites). The architectures differ in the degree of knowledge individual router nodes have about data nodes containing specific XML data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for optimizing queries. The present invention discloses an efficient method for providing answers to queries under parametric aggregation constraints.

Abstract: A method and system for performing a data stream query. A data stream query requiring a join operation on multiple data streams is approximated without performing the join operation. It is determined whether conditions of the query are proper to accurately approximate the join operation, and if the conditions are proper the join operation is approximated. The join operation is approximated by independently aggregating values of the data streams and comparing the independently aggregated values.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium are disclosed for identifying representative data using sketches. The method embodiment comprises generating a plurality of vectors from a data set, modifying each of the vectors of the plurality of vectors and selecting one of the plurality of generated vectors according to a comparison of a summed distance between a modified vector associated with the selected generated vector and remaining modified vectors. Modifying the generated vectors may involve reduced each generated vector to a lower dimensional vector. The summed distance then represents a summed distance between the lower dimensional vector and remaining lower dimensional vectors.

Abstract: A data structure that includes at least one partition containing non-confidential quasi-identifier microdata and at least one other partition containing confidential microdata is formed. The partitioned confidential microdata is disguised by transforming the confidential microdata to conform to a target distribution. The disguised confidential microdata and the quasi-identifier microdata are combined to generate a disguised data structure. The disguised data structure is used to carry out statistical analysis and to respond to a statistical query is directed to the use of confidential microdata. In this manner, the privacy of the confidential microdata is preserved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ranked join indices includes a solution providing performance guarantees for top-k join queries over two relations, when preprocessing to construct a ranked join index for a specific join condition is permitted. The concepts of ranking join indices presented herein are also applicable in the case of a single relation. In this case, the concepts herein provide a solution to the top-k selection problem with monotone linear functions, having guaranteed worst case search performance for the case of two ranked attributes and arbitrary preference vectors.

Abstract: A vast amount of information currently accessible over the Web, and in corporate networks, is stored in a variety of databases, and is being exported as XML data. However, querying this totality of information in a declarative and timely fashion is problematic because this set of databases is dynamic, and a common schema is difficult to maintain. The present invention provides a solution to the problem of issuing declarative, ad hoc XPath queries against such a dynamic collection of XML databases, and receiving timely answers. There is proposed a decentralized architectures, under the open and the agreement cooperation models between a set of sites, for processing queries and updates to XML data. Each site consists of XML data nodes. (which export their data as XML, and also pose queries) and one XML router node (which manages the query and update interactions between sites). The architectures differ in the degree of knowledge individual router nodes have about data nodes containing specific XML data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for optimizing queries. The present invention discloses an efficient method for providing answers to queries under parametric aggregation constraints.