Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for reducing data storage requirements in a database system are described herein. An embodiment includes identifying at least one data candidate of fixed length data type in at least one row of database data for compression based upon a predetermined threshold level and a boundary of compression, providing at least one bit within the at least one row for an identified data candidate according to the boundary of compression, and storing the at least one row as compressed data in the database system. For compression based on a row boundary, the identified data candidates for compression include fixed length columns having lengths that do not fall below the predetermined threshold level in a row of data and the at least one bit comprises a bitmap for a length of the identified data candidates following compression.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for reducing data storage requirements in a database system are described herein. An embodiment includes identifying at least one data candidate of fixed length data type in at least one row of database data for compression based upon a predetermined threshold level and a boundary of compression, providing at least one bit within the at least one row for an identified data candidate according to the boundary of compression, and storing the at least one row as compressed data in the database system. For compression based on a row boundary, the identified data candidates for compression include fixed length columns having lengths that do not fall below the predetermined threshold level in a row of data and the at least one bit comprises a bitmap for a length of the identified data candidates following compression.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for providing electronic navigation are disclosed. Map data can be downloaded from a server through a network, such as the Internet or a cellular telephone network, onto a portable device. A route may be calculated based on the map data for a starting point and a destination provided by the user. The portable device may include a GPS-enabled module for determining the current positional data. The portable device is able to generate directional instructions based on the map data and the current positional information and to provide the user with directional instructions, such as instructions to turn left or right. In one aspect, a navigational system includes a map data server adapted to provide map data to requesting clients through a communication network and a portable device adapted to receive map data from the map data server through the communication network and to provide directional instructions to a user.

Abstract: An improved tape dispenser and method of use is capable of applying tape to a substrate with only one hand of the user, and comprises a housing having a pair of parallel spaced-apart resilient side walls which can be spread apart to receive a spool of tape rotatably mounted toward the rear of the dispenser; an upper support block mounted between the side walls toward the front end of the dispenser, a cutter blade mounted on the upper support block at the front end of the dispenser, a pressure-applying element in the form of an anvil bar or cushion extending between the side walls behind and below the cutter blade, a lower support bar extending between the side walls behind and below the anvil bar, and biasing means to bias the tape against the lower support bar, whereby, when tape is threaded between the pressure-applying element and the lower support bar, and the dispenser is pressed against a substrate to be taped, the tape is pressed by the biasing means and by a lower edge of the pressure-applying element