Abstract: A method of forecasting comprises, for each respective time period of a plurality of time periods, transforming a plurality of observations from the respective time period into observation sketches. The method then proceeds to extract a set of targeted attributes and constraints from a forecast request, and construct a set expression using the targeted attributes and the associated constraints. The method further comprises selecting one or more sample periods from the plurality of time periods, and for each sample period of the one or more selected sample periods: mapping the set of targeted attributes to observation sketches in the sample period to identify a subset of sketches, and performing a set operation on the subset of sketches using the set expression to determine a cardinality corresponding to the sample period; and generating a forecast result using one or more cardinalities corresponding to the one or more sample periods.

Abstract: A method of forecasting comprises, for each respective time period of a plurality of time periods, transforming a plurality of observations from the respective time period into observation sketches. The method then proceeds to extract a set of targeted attributes and constraints from a forecast request, and construct a set expression using the targeted attributes and the associated constraints. The method further comprises selecting one or more sample periods from the plurality of time periods, and for each sample period of the one or more selected sample periods: mapping the set of targeted attributes to observation sketches in the sample period to identify a subset of sketches, and performing a set operation on the subset of sketches using the set expression to determine a cardinality corresponding to the sample period; and generating a forecast result using one or more cardinalities corresponding to the one or more sample periods.

Abstract: A method for visually merging design databases without generating a merged database of the design databases is disclosed. A first display window that is to display information from a particular database in non-overlay mode is assigned to the first stack position, and a second display window that is to display information from another database in overlay mode is assigned to a next stack position. The second display window is positioned relative to the first display window using position information received from the first display window via an inter-process communication channel.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for improving performance of spatial queries by defining a grid that divides the domain space into cells, and then using a cell-to-item mapping to determine which items do not have to be individually evaluated against the location criteria of the spatial queries. Based on the cell to which an item belongs, the item may automatically qualify as a match, be automatically disqualified, or require item-specific evaluation. To account for items with size, the query window of a spatial query may be expanded. To limit the degree to which the query window is expanded, a plurality of grids may be established for the domain space, where each grid has differently sized cells, and items are assigned to grids based on the size of the items.

Abstract: A method for visually merging design databases without generating a merged database of the design databases is disclosed. A first display window that is to display information from a particular database in non-overlay mode is assigned to the first stack position, and a second display window that is to display information from another database in overlay mode is assigned to a next stack position. The second display window is positioned relative to the first display window using position information received from the first display window via an inter-process communication channel.

Abstract: Techniques herein are for generating geometric models. A method involves receiving a raw data set. Generation parameters include an abstraction function, a raw data set, a plurality of size pairs, and a quality interval. Each size pair comprises a view size and a portion size. The view size comprises an amount of display area. The portion size comprises an amount of raw data. For each size pair, associate a set of grid square sizes with the size pair. Each grid square size comprises a multiple of natural units. The quality interval contains a multiplicative product of the grid square size times a ratio of the view size to the portion size. Generate a set of geometric models based on the raw data set, the plurality of size pairs, the abstraction function, and the set of grid square sizes associated with the plurality of size pairs.

Abstract: Techniques herein are for generating geometric models. A method involves receiving a raw data set. Generation parameters include an abstraction function, a raw data set, a plurality of size pairs, and a quality interval. Each size pair comprises a view size and a portion size. The view size comprises an amount of display area. The portion size comprises an amount of raw data. For each size pair, associate a set of grid square sizes with the size pair. Each grid square size comprises a multiple of natural units. The quality interval contains a multiplicative product of the grid square size times a ratio of the view size to the portion size. Generate a set of geometric models based on the raw data set, the plurality of size pairs, the abstraction function, and the set of grid square sizes associated with the plurality of size pairs.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for improving performance of spatial queries by defining a grid that divides the domain space into cells, and then using a cell-to-item mapping to determine which items do not have to be individually evaluated against the location criteria of the spatial queries. Based on the cell to which an item belongs, the item may automatically qualify as a match, be automatically disqualified, or require item-specific evaluation. To account for items with size, the query window of a spatial query may be expanded. To limit the degree to which the query window is expanded, a plurality of grids may be established for the domain space, where each grid has differently sized cells, and items are assigned to grids based on the size of the items.