Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method and system for creating and implementing a personalized training program. The method includes receiving a request to generate a personalized training program by a user; retrieving feedback surveys associated with the user; assessing the user's knowledge relating to leadership competencies, working environment, and leadership approaches; generating a training plan for the user in response to the feedback surveys and user's knowledge; and tracking the user's progress relating to said training plan.

Abstract: The invention provides systems, methods and software for creating or maintaining distributed transparent persistence of complex data objects and associated data stores. In one aspect, the invention also relates to an application programming object capable of creating or maintaining distributed transparent persistence of data objects or data object graphs without the necessity of inserting any byte codes or modification of the object graph. Virtually any java object or object praph can be transparently persisted. Further, copies of a data graph or of a portion of the data graph can be automatically reconciled and changes persisted without any persistence coding in the object model.creating.

Abstract: A user's action of depicting a vision is closely associated with image retrieval. Images are selected with each stroke made in order to paint a color or a draw a line on a canvas at a step of creating a retrieval key. The resultant images and corresponding areas within the images are presented to a user. Thus, the user can create the retrieval key while looking at the results of retrieval. Owing to this technique, even a person who is poor at drawing a picture can retrieve images as if to draw a picture. One attribute information or a plurality of attribute information items is selected from among attribute information items prepared in advance. The attribute information is assigned to a designated area. Images having area-attribute information produced using the attribute information in combination with information specifying the area are retrieved from an image database, and then provided.

Abstract: An editor server in a server transmits a layout image to a user PC. An image editor in the user PC sets the layout of a print image in accordance with the layout image and an edit command entered by the user through an input device. When the user enters a print start command through the input device, the editor server transmits the layout information defining the layout of the print image at the point in time to the editor server. The editor server puts the layout information into a file in the server and after completion of transmission of an original image container to the user PC, transmits the layout information file to the user PC. Print OCX in the user PC prepares a print image based on original image data in the original image container and the layout information in the layout information file, and requests a printer driver to print.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving and presenting digital data, includes a network that includes data archives containing digital data, a terminal that can be connected to the network, a retrieval device that retrieves digital data, using a database of digital data retrieval information including information added to each group of digital data that can be provided over the network, and a communication quality determination device that determines a quality of communication between the terminal and a data archive containing digital data extracted by the retrieval device based on search conditions specified by a user via the terminal. Digital data sorted into an order in accordance with a priority specified by the user is downloaded to a user terminal.

Abstract: Automated techniques for storing data in a data storage environment. Techniques are provided for determining storage locations for data in a heterogeneous storage environment based upon storage policies configured for the storage environment. The data is stored in storage locations that enable efficient data access while optimizing the use of available storage resources with minimum human intervention.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for monitoring status in a relatively continuous consistent and intelligent manner. A status monitor receives monitoring data, and adaptively and dynamically associates those known combinations with assessments of the monitored devices, systems, or networks. From an initial set of selected knowledge (or even no knowledge at all), the status monitor develops a database of information regarding anomalous conditions, and measurements of likely causes and faults and learns which of those anomalous conditions require response. Appropriate responses can include informing a system operator, taking remedial action, and altering or terminating the monitored device, systems or network.

Abstract: Database systems, methods and/or computer program products provide for multiple but exclusive relationships between tables in a relational database. The multiple but exclusive relationship may be enforced based on a type associated with a record in a relating table. The multiple but exclusive relationship may be a one-to-many or a many-to-many relationship. A foreign key value of a record in a relating table may be selectively associated with a specific one of a plurality of related tables based on at least one attribute of the record containing the foreign key in the relating table. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the foreign key values of a record in the relating table are selectively associated with one of the plurality of related tables by defining a foreign key of records of the relating table and defining a plurality of types of foreign key associations, each of the types corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of related tables.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and signal-bearing media for communicating information relative to the location of a mobile device via an instant message. A mobile device may request information from an instant-messaging server, which personalizes the information to the location of the mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single “container” for storing and/or transporting electronic data, the container including data (externally of the “container”) which is universally readable and/or decipherable and which can be used to specify to the wide range of different applications the format of the encapsulated data, reference the rights management technology used to package the data, and provide policies in order to obtain and interpret the data content.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for searching for web content. Specifically, the present invention provides a system and method for retrieving web content from designated web pages and hyperlinks, indexing the retrieved web content in a local database, and searching the local database for desired web content. Retrieved content is indexed in the local database so that future access of the web content can be more efficient.

Abstract: A system and method for searching a database from a computer network is provided. A client computer sends a search request to a search engine. The search engine prepares a database request. The preparation may include converting the client's query into a structured query language command. The search engine sends the database request to one or more servers that include database management systems, such as IBM's DB2™. The servers receive the request and extract responsive data from the databases being managed by the database management system. The extracted data is returned to the search engine which is then formatted and returned to the client. In addition, the search engine may maintain a search index that includes a compilation of database indices that have been received from one or more servers. This search engine can be searched to gather results responsive to a client request.

Abstract: The American legal system, judges and lawyers are continually researching an ever-expanding body of past judicial opinions, or case law, for the ones most relevant to resolution of new disputes. To facilitate these searches, some companies collect and publish the judicial opinions of courts across the United States in both paper and electronic forms, with some of the cases containing references to prior cases from other courts that have previously ruled on all or part of the same dispute. Identifying the prior cases is problematic, because, for example, conventional computer text-matching not only suggests too many non-prior cases, but also misses too many actual prior cases. Accordingly, the present inventors devised systems, methods, and software that generally facilitate identification of one or more documents that are related to a given document, and particularly facilitate identification of prior cases for a given case.

Abstract: Robust design using a search engine in to solve technological design problems. The method including selecting one of first and second candidates based on at least one objective function, sampling the first candidate and determining one or more sample objective function values for the first candidate. The method continues by sampling the second candidate and determining one or more sample objective function values for the second candidate, then statistically determining, based on the sampled objective function values, corresponding first and second statistical estimators of design quality; and comparing the first and second statistical estimators of design quality. The method continues to take more samples and make more estimates adaptively, until a given level of certainty about one individual being best (“winning individual”) is surpassed, at which point the said winning individual is selected.

Abstract: A method for robust optimization of semiconductor product and manufacture design using a search engine. The method comprises selecting one of first and second candidates based on at least one objective function, sampling the first candidate and determining one or more sample objective function values for the first candidate; sampling the second candidate and determining one or more sample objective function values for the second candidate; statistically determining, based on the sampled objective function values, corresponding first and second statistical estimators of design quality; and comparing the first and second statistical estimators of design quality.

Abstract: A system prevents the creation of duplicate records and identifies, groups, and consolidates duplicate records and manages the associated workload. A method consolidates multiple records that are associated with a single entity and are stored in at least one record repository. The method involves identifying first and second records and applying record matching criteria to compare data element content of the first and second identified records to determine commonality data. The commonality data is indicative of a likelihood the first and second records are associated with a common entity. The first and second record content is merged into a composite record in response to the determined commonality data. One of the first and second records are selected as a surviving record based on earliest date of record creation or relative content of the first and second records.

Abstract: An information search system that enables efficient collection of information and support of formation of groups which people who share a same interest can join over a network. This system includes an intermediate server and a central server, wherein the intermediate server retains indexes for searching the content database on the central server. Users issue a search request to the intermediate server and search results are returned and recorded on the intermediate server as a search history. The search history is shared by users and used as references from which retrievable content can be selected.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described that facilitate the reuse of software assets within an enterprise. A software asset, as used herein, refers to a set of one or more related artifacts that have been created or harvested for the purpose of applying that asset repeatedly in subsequent development environments. A system, for example, is described that includes a repository to store artifacts, and an asset source to generate a software asset based on the artifacts. The system further includes an asset management system to receive the software asset from the asset source and store the software asset within an asset library. The system may further include a model having one or more elements, and an asset retrieval module to selectively retrieve a subset of the software assets from the asset library based on input from a user identifying one or more of the elements.

Abstract: Entertainment content complementary to a musical recording is delivered to a user's computer by means of a computer network link. The user employs a browser to access the computer network. A plug-in for the browser is able to control an audio CD or other device for playing the musical recording. A script stored on the remote computer accessed over the network is downloaded. The script synchronizes the delivery of the complementary entertainment content with the play of the musical recording.

Abstract: An automated system for performing a Kepner Tregoe analysis provides a graphical user interface having a home screen and data entry screens independently accessible through the home screen. The data entry screens include i) a first screen for allowing a user to specify criteria to be used in the Kepner Tregoe analysis, ii) a second screen for allowing a user to assign a relative importance value between each of the criteria and all others of the criteria, iii) a third screen for allowing a user to specify candidates to be used in the Kepner Tregoe analysis, and iv) a fourth screen for allowing a user to specify a raw score associated with each of the criteria for each of the candidates. A score processor coupled to the graphical user interface calculates the various parameters associated with the Kepner Tregoe analysis. A text file generator arranges the provided and calculated data in a format suitable for use by a spread sheet processor.

Abstract: A system and method for organizing raw data from one or more sources. The content of the raw data is converted into an appropriate number system and stored in a format that facilitates the use of efficient mathematical operations. The number system is selected to handle each of the various elements, characters, or other representative indicia found in the raw data. Furthermore, the number system is selected so that the numerical data retains semantic significance with respect to the raw data. Once converted into the numeric format, the data is processed using various techniques to extract the best information from the raw data into a distilled database.

Abstract: Concurrency can be maintained in cluster caching when processing an update request on network server that is storing a local copy of a data item. The request can be processed using the local copy of the data item. A predicated update request can be sent to a network database storing the data item, wherein the database can commit the update if the local copy is current with the data item. If the local copy is not current, the network server can request a new copy, process the request using the current copy, and try another predicated request. The process can continue until the update is committed to the database or aborted. Once committed, any other servers in the cluster can be notified that the data item has been updated. Those other servers can drop any local copy of the data item and can request an updated copy of the data item.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and arrangements enable a service provider to facilitate communication between and among an employer and employees thereof while providing a service thereto. For example, a service provider that is interacting with a governmental entity for immigration purposes for the benefit of actual or prospective foreign national employees on behalf of a client corporation may improve client service by enabling the employees and employer to remain abreast of immigration developments. For example, an immigration status scheme in accordance with the present invention enables an employee to log into a web site and receive immigration status information relating to the employee. Such an immigration status scheme also enables an employer to receive, search, organize, etc. immigration status information for multiple employees. The employer may have the ability to limit/restrict access to certain employees at certain stages of employment.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for data storage and retrieval. According to some embodiments, data storage pursuant to the present invention includes receiving document information associated with a document to be stored. A pending record containing the document information is generated. The document information is verified, and an active record is generated if the verifying is successful.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for processing a transaction over a network. Clients connect over the internet to a web server, which is operatively connected to an integration engine, which is comprised of mediated-agents, one or more wrappers, and a user manager. The integration engine processes a transaction request initiated from a client against a plurality of data sources, which may include, for example, databases, legacy systems, flat files, and web sites, and thereafter transmits a response to the transaction request to the requesting client in real time.

Abstract: A bookmark managing system is provided which is capable of effectively managing a bookmark function even when a user is using a plurality of terminals. The bookmark managing system includes terminals to be used by the user, information providing server which provides contents to the terminals, an Internet to connect the terminals to the information providing server, and browsers used to browse contents incorporated in the terminals. It is also provided with a bookmark managing server being connected to the Internet and having a bookmark information list providing shared bookmark information which can perform a bookmark function even when the user is using a plurality of types of the terminals. The bookmark information has, at least, name information providing contents to be linked to and one and more URL information corresponding to the name information.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for utilizing transaction databases in a client-server environment. The transaction databases can be used to receive and retain multiple server responses to consecutive client requests regardless of the temporal relationship between the multiple responses and consecutive requests. One method of the invention relates to how a client device displays information. This method is for use in a client-server system including one or more servers and a client device having a client transaction database, a client template database, and a user interface adapted to enable a user to enter requests. The method includes the steps of receiving a user request from the user via the user interface and retrieving a template from the client template database based on the user request. The template includes one or more data fields.

Abstract: A database maintenance system and method are particularly suitable for maintaining a consistency of data between two or more database tables having schemas that may be heterogeneous (e.g., restructuring views of each other). Typically, one table is a base table and a second table is a restructuring view of the base table and may have been generated for faster query response, research, or the like. The restructuring view may have occurred naturally, or the base table may have been converted to the restructuring view using a series to of operators and optionally, a middleware schema. The restructuring view maintenance system is preferably configured to monitor changes to the base table, including changes to data and to metadata. The maintenance system is configured to receive notification of a modification to a base table, investigate the modifications, and determine which operator(s) have been used to convert the base table to the restructuring view.

Abstract: There is proposed a technique for counting channels at a node of a multi-channel optical network, where the node is connected to a following node and a preceding node by an optical communication line carrying a plurality of information optical channels. The technique comprises exchanging of information structures between the nodes, such that each of the information structures specifies particular optical information channels which are currently in use at a predetermined network section or node.

Abstract: Techniques to allocate storage space for database data sets based on the database's internal/logical boundaries is described. Metadata describing the structure and logical size requirements for various database sections are interrogated and used to guide the allocation of physical storage space on one or more storage devices. Data set extents allocated in symmetry with database internal boundaries can improve the physical database's input-output performance and storage device utilization.

Abstract: A method and system for viewing a record of an organization having a hierarchy of departments is provided. Specifically, under the present invention, a record having data, a record department label and an optional identifier is received. The record is compared to an organizational table having entries that each include an organizational department label and a list of hierarchical levels. Based upon the comparison, an entry in the organizational table that corresponds to the record department label is identified. Once identified, the list of hierarchical levels from the identified entry is added to the record and a view of the record is generated. The view includes categorized columns of the added list of hierarchical levels and the optional identifier.

Abstract: A method, system, and product are disclosed for providing calendar-enhanced awareness/presence information for instant messaging systems and electronic status boards. This invention automates status transitions, enhances and automates status messages, and automates and extends the IM “who can see me” function. Additionally, this invention extends awareness to dimensions other than IM status, to include availability in-person, via telephone, via wireless device or wireless messaging device (e.g., pager).

Abstract: A method for a partially self-training learning system is disclosed. The learning systems, such as document classifiers, are initially trained on a small amount of hand-sorted data. The learning systems process unlabeled data by assigning classifications to the data. A confidence level in the classification is verified for each newly classified document. If the classification is made with a sufficiently high confidence level, the learning system trains on the word vector of the newly classified document. If the classification of the newly classified document is not made with a sufficiently high confidence level, the learning system does not use the word vector in the newly classified document for training purposes.

Abstract: A transaction processing system providing improved methodology for invoking two-phase commit protocol (2PC) is described. More particularly, a transaction is handled without use of 2PC until the system determines that the transaction does, in fact, involve changes to more than one database. The methodology improves overall system performance by looking at each transaction to determine whether the transaction actually requires use of 2PC before incurring the overhead associated with use of the two-phase commit protocol. Because only a small percentage of real world transactions result in updates to more than one database, the methodology improves the overall performance of transaction processing systems considerably.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is disclosed for constructing, and updating, a searchable database from very large data collections including diverse types of data thus enabling the data to be cataloged, data mined, indexed, parsed, cross-referenced and published for rapid location and free text retrieval of data elements from terabytes of information or millions of elements. The method and apparatus enables full text searches with the aid of an Internet browser using very complex search criteria without special skills. The full text searches are performed on a searchable database developed from the data collections in a large data storage system and wherein data type elements are identified, hyperlinked when possible, and stored in a retrievable format. In addition to the searchable database, a database is constructed that shows graphically the relationships between a current module being viewed and any other modules the current module may reference or be referenced by.

Abstract: A hierarchical structure generating method and apparatus used in a communication system (for example, consisting of a parent station B and N child stations (relay station R or terminal station T) is disclosed, by which the whole hierarchical structure can be efficiently generated and displayed from the top level based on a parent-child relationship table between the constituent stations.

Abstract: A method and system for the integrated installation of software. The method includes the steps of discovering program descriptors of computer programs available to be installed and creating a software environment specification having one or more software environment objects, the specification based on the discovered program descriptors. The method further includes the steps of transferring required files from distribution storage onto a computer system for preparation of the software environment and writing parameter values to parameter storage based on the created software environment specification to adapt the installed software to form a software environment. In an embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes the step of evaluating validity conditions for the software environment objects to validate elements of the software environment.

Abstract: A software system includes a database containing data related to at least one software application and a general-purpose Java-based interpreter on a computer. The interpreter is coupled to the database and is operative to interpret the data, thus enabling a user of the computer to perform functions of the at least one application.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing web access. First, a plurality of web log records are received. Next, multi-dimensional summary information is generated based on the web log records. Then, derivation and analysis are performed to discover usage patterns and rules for supporting business intelligence by using the multi-dimensional summary information.

Abstract: A method for augmenting an event-based appointment in an electronic scheduler in real-time includes retrieving an appointment data associated with an appointment. The appointment data includes an event trigger and one or more event actions depending on the event trigger. The method also includes acquiring event-related information based on the event trigger, where the event-related information is capable of determining if the event trigger is satisfied. The method further includes determining if the acquired event-related information satisfies the event trigger; and in response to determining that the event trigger is satisfied, performing the one or more event actions. A portable electronic scheduler suitable to accompany a user of the portable electronic scheduler includes a storage device and a module coupled to the storage device.

Abstract: A method and system for assisting a professional person to advise a client comprises a computer system 101, which presents a questionnaire to a client on a screen 104. The questionnaire includes a number of questions from which one or more answers can be selected. Each possible answer has an associated numerical value, and, by adding up the value for the selected answers, the computer system is able to provide indications regarding the client's position can be determined. This has particular application in the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders, and allows for a more complete diagnosis, which can be achieved more quickly.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing a state of an external apparatus connected thereto includes a database storing the state of the external apparatus, a managed object (MO) managing the state of the external apparatus, and a control interface for the MO performing outer control from the database. The MO is provided in the database and realized by an application, and the interface is provided in the MO.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for processing data are described herein. The system maintains first databases of patents, and second databases of non-patent information of interest to a corporate entity. The system also maintains one or more groups. Each of the groups comprises any number of the patents from the first databases. The system, upon receiving appropriate operator commands, automatically processes the patents in one of the groups in conjunction with non-patent information from the second databases. Accordingly, the system performs patent-centric and group-oriented processing of data. A group can also include any number of non-patent documents. The groups may be product based, person based, corporate entity based, or user-defined. Other types of groups are also covered, such as temporary groups.

Abstract: A system for processing issues comprising a system processor and at least one terminal coupled to the system processor through a network. A database is also coupled to the system processor. The terminal sends issue information through the network to the system processor, the issue information relating to an issue. The system processor stores the issue information in the database. The system processor also receives resolution information through the network, the resolution information relating to a resolution of the issue. The system processor stores the resolution information in the database. Upon request, the resolution information and issue information may be accessed by users of the system. Users may also enter follow-ups to resolutions.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for aggregating and maintaining data in a system having at least a first and a second platform generating data includes receiving initial data from the first and the second platforms. A staging table is generated based on the initial data, and the standardized data is associated with the initial data. In one embodiment, the association is performed by establishing one or more cross-reference tables.

Abstract: Helping users to track the contents (e.g., files) stored on various types of storage media without requiring the user to insert the storage media into a read device of a machine, such as a floppy drive of a personal computer, and/or helping users to locate desired content (e.g., a file) without having to insert numerous storage media into a read device of a machine. The contents of a given storage medium may be determined by associating a machine-readable label with each machine-readable medium, and the contents thereof. When a user wants to know the contents of the machine-readable medium, they merely need to have another device (e.g., a Palm Pilot provided with a bar code scanner) read the label. The device may include a database synchronized with a database managed by the machine which is used to write content to, and/or read content from, the machine-readable medium.

Abstract: An industry database and method of creating same is provided. The database is created in accordance with a process that includes: identifying a plurality of web sites meeting at least one search criteria; automatically extracting URL addresses for each of the plurality of web sites; automatically categorizing each of the web sites and their corresponding URL addresses in accordance with a predefined category structure; and automatically indexing and storing each of the URL addresses in accordance with the predefined category structure in the database. A method of using a database system is also provided.

Abstract: Measuring the reliability of a version of a software module in a customized manner that is independent of the written language used by versions of the software module to output objects. Language independent state tables may be generated from one version of a software module and then used to facilitate measuring the reliability of other versions of the software module. During the testing process, standardized pointers are used to reference objects that are common to a plurality of versions of a software module. Parameters representative of an actual state of a software module are compared to parameters representative of an anticipated state of the software module to determine if an action has performed as intended. Customized functions may be automatically loaded during the testing process and may receive data standardized for use with a plurality of version of a software module via common function headers.

Abstract: Techniques for restoring data in a heterogeneous storage environment. The data to be restored may be identified based upon user-specified contents and/or attributes of the data. The data to be restored may be identified from backup data, archived data, and other types of data. A single search-oriented uniform user interface is provided to restore data irrespective of the storage location of the data. Access to data regardless of the location and type (e.g., archived, backup, or otherwise) of the data is enabled.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to achieve high quality document output without garbled text by specifying an optimum typeface for each character in a paragraph or for each paragraph in a document such as tagged document by using typeface information. In order to achieve the object, according to the present invention, there is provided a text processing device comprising an input unit for inputting a document including typeface attributes and text, a specifying unit for specifying a font based on the typeface attribute included in the document input by the input unit, installed fonts, and a text code of the text, and an output unit for outputting characters of the text by using the font specified by the specifying unit.