Abstract: The invention relates to providing embedded data into a text page by means of a proxy. The proxy analyzes the unstructured data of a text page, understands the meaning behind the data, associates data with some of the unstructured data and stores this meta-data back into the original text page. The invention stores data in a location that is hidden from the user's view so that it is unobtrusive but easily retrievable.

Abstract: The invention relates to providing embedded meta-data into HTML pages by means of a plug-in residing on a user computer. The plug-in analyzes the unstructured data of a hypertext page, understands the meaning behind the data, associates meta-data with some of the unstructured data and stores this meta-data back into the original hypertext page. The plug-in stores meta-data in a location that is hidden from the user's view so that it is unobtrusive but easily retrievable.

Abstract: A user is connected to the Internet by a proxy server that impersonates the user. Websites are accessed by sending an HTTP request to the proxy server. The HTTP request is encoded with characters that are understood by the proxy as requiring that the HTTP request be intercepted and either an identified script be executed or data within the request be extracted. The impersonating proxy automatically carries out the steps that would otherwise be carried out by the user when performing a transaction at a website. In one example, a user checks a bank website for a balance inquiry. A first HTTP request includes a script identifier. The proxy retrieves and executes the identified script, which in turn causes a an HTTP response to be sent to the user's browser for personal information (e.g., user name and password).

Abstract: According to the invention, a process for selecting hierarchical information with a computer system user interface is disclosed. In one step, selection of an element in a hierarchy is recognized. A plurality of ancestor elements is determined for the element. A selection control allows selecting at least one of the plurality of ancestor elements hierarchically-related to the element. Manipulation of the selection control is recognized to select a unit that includes at least two of the plurality of ancestor elements and the element.

Abstract: There is provided a process for predicting whether a query will produce a result in an information system formed of objects having different instances and relations between the objects. An instance-to-object bitmap is computed off-line, before queries are generated by a user: the bitmap is used to represent the existence of a relation path from instances to the other objects of a database. When a query is generated, the bitmap is accessed to predict whether there exists a relation from the instance to the object, that is whether the query will issue a result. The process makes it possible for a user to abort queries without consuming run-time. It also makes it possible to guide users through navigation of a Webpage or the like, by suggesting relations that will produce results.

Abstract: The invention relates to providing embedded data into a text page by means of a proxy. The proxy analyzes the unstructured data of a text page, understands the meaning behind the data, associates data with some of the unstructured data and stores this meta-data back into the original text page. The invention stores data in a location that is hidden from the user's view so that it is unobtrusive but easily retrievable.

Abstract: The invention relates to providing embedded meta-data into HTML pages by means of a plug-in residing on a user computer. The plug-in analyzes the unstructured data of a hypertext page, understands the meaning behind the data, associates meta-data with some of the unstructured data and stores this meta-data back into the original hypertext page. The plug-in stores meta-data in a location that is hidden from the user's view so that it is unobtrusive but easily retrievable.

Abstract: A user is connected to the Internet by a proxy server that impersonates the user. Websites are accessed by sending an HTTP request to the proxy server. The HTTP request is encoded with characters that are understood by the proxy as requiring that the HTTP request be intercepted and either an identified script be executed or data within the request be extracted. The impersonating proxy automatically carries out the steps that would otherwise be carried out by the user when performing a transaction at a website. In one example, a user checks a bank website for a balance inquiry. A first HTTP request includes a script identifier. The proxy retrieves and executes the identified script, which in turn causes a an HTTP response to be sent to the user's browser for personal information (e.g., user name and password).

Abstract: According to the invention, a process for selecting hierarchical information with a computer system user interface is disclosed. In one step, selection of an element in a hierarchy is recognized. A plurality of ancestor elements is determined for the element. A selection control allows selecting at least one of the plurality of ancestor elements hierarchically-related to the element. Manipulation of the selection control is recognized to select a unit that includes at least two of the plurality of ancestor elements and the element.

Abstract: There is provided a process for predicting whether a query will produce a result in an information system formed of objects having different instances and relations between the objects. An instance-to-object bitmap is computed off-line, before queries are generated by a user: the bitmap is used to represent the existence of a relation path from instances to the other objects of a database. When a query is generated, the bitmap is accessed to predict whether there exists a relation from the instance to the object, that is whether the query will issue a result. The process makes it possible for a user to abort queries without consuming run-time. It also makes it possible to guide users through navigation of a Webpage or the like, by suggesting relations that will produce results.