Abstract: The present invention is directed to a transaction network that facilitates and simplifies purchase transactions between any number of customers and any number of merchants. The transaction network is primarily utilized in the sale and purchase of digital content via a network such as the Internet. The transaction network registers and authenticates customer purchase activities and maintains customer account data including payment information. Once registered, a customer will generally not register again for further purchase activities at participating merchant sites. Additionally, the transaction network provides a single, central authentication mechanism for all participating merchant sites using a single customer identifier and password. Further, the transaction network accumulates purchase information across all of the merchant sites and the ultimate payment processing of those purchase transactions.

Abstract: A third party (30) provides a vendor (20) with immediate payment (32), bills the customers (10), while still providing the vendor (20) with a substantial upside benefit for customers (10) that settle their accounts in a desirable fashion. The methods and systems can be conveniently implemented using an improved hand carried electronic transaction device that concurrently displays different first and second account codes. The methods and systems are contemplated to be particularly useful for doctors, dentists, and other professionals.

Abstract: A payment system and method are disclosed, whereby a user can order content or services via the Internet using a mobile radiotelephone. The mobile phone can be coupled to the content or service provider via the Internet (e.g., using the Wireless Application Protocol). The user can be billed for the purchased content or service(s) in the bill for the mobile phone.

Abstract: A bill-paying system includes a customer deposit account which receives periodic payroll deposits of an individual or a couple. A bill-paying service enrolls the individual or couple for a fee, and is authorized to transfer money from the deposit account to the accounts of various creditors. An originating depository financial institution, such as a bank, actually handles all the transfers of money, and such transfers are preferably all done electronically. The automated clearing house (ACH) network supports such electronic money transfers. The various bills and debts of the individual or couple come due at times that are asynchronous to their income structure. The bill-paying service is authorized to debit the deposit account for more than the basic minimums due all the creditors each month. Such excess is used to accelerate the repayment of various loans and debts according to what particular application at that time will have the greatest long-term beneficial effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for loading money from money loading means (15) to money depositing means (1). In the method, money is deposited in electrical form. In the method, a loading condition is determined. Further in the method, a signal transmitted by the money loading means (15) is received, and said loading condition is examined. Thus, if the loading condition is fulfilled and if the signal transmitted by the loading means (15) can be received, money is loaded automatically.

Abstract: A trusted system having at least one repository for controlling use of digital works in accordance with usage rights associated with the digital works. A request to use a digital work in accordance with usage rights associated with the digital work is received. The usage rights specify a manner of use and an access specification indicating a security class. A security level of a repository controlling the requested use is determined. The request is granted and the user is permitted to exercise the manner of use specified in the usage rights associated with the digital work if the security level of the repository corresponds to the security class of the access specification specified in the usage rights associated with the digital work.

Abstract: A data brokering system for semiconductor wafer data is presented that comprises: a FAB having at least one automated semiconductor wafer manufacturing tool; a plurality of OEMs, coupled to the FAB via a secure service net; means for providing data about a semiconductor wafer manufactured by the tool to one of the OEMs without revealing information about the tool; and means for collecting fees based on characteristics of the provided data.

Abstract: A coding and deciphering system is used to prevent fraudulent credit card transactions. The traditional plastic credit card is replaced by an electronic credit card that may look like a credit card sized calculator. The electronic credit card is password protected. After activated by entering the correct password, it turns the data of a transaction into an enciphered code uniquely associated to that transaction. Such an enciphered code must accompany the un-coded transaction data for each transaction. The computer of the credit company deciphers this code by using the information stored in the authorized user's account. The deciphered code is used to compare with the un-coded transaction data. The transaction is authorized if a match is found, otherwise the transaction is denied. The extremely high level of security this method provides will make most credit card fraud impossible.

Abstract: The process consists of carrying out the first phase of generating the transaction signature (9), with prior authentication by the cardholder, in the issuing centre (3) through its authentication server (5), a second phase of decimalising (10) the signature (9) to obtain a valid permutation number and a third phase of permuting (11) the intermediary positions or digits of the card, the processor fixing a BIN and maintaining the check digit. In this way, the digits forming the expiry date are permuted. The card and expiry date are sent in the data flow (12) of the transaction to the acquiring server (7), from where they are sent back to the issuing centre (3), to its processing centre (6) to be specific, where three other operative phases are carried out: the new generation of the signature (13), its decimalisation (14) and lastly the inverse process (15) to reestablish the card's real data and expiry date.

Abstract: Artificial neural network systems where each signal processing junction connected between signal processing elements is operable to, in response to a received impulse action potential, operate in at least one of three permitted manners: (1) producing one single corresponding impulse, (2) producing no corresponding impulse, and (3) producing two or more corresponding impulse. A preprocessing module may be used to filter the input signal to such networks. Various control mechanism may be implemented.

Abstract: A neural fuzzy data classifier for handwritten character classification is provided. The classifier has an I/O circuit for inputting and outputting a plurality of membership functions. An input buffer receives a to-be-recognized character having a plurality of input features for generating a plurality of features values. A main computation unit comprising a computation array and a local thresholds block store the plurality of membership functions and receives the plurality of features values to generate a plurality of current-type weights. A difference circuit block compares the current output from the computation array and local thresholds lock. A plurality of switched-current integrators receives the plurality of current-type weights for generating a plurality of synthesis weights.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for constructing optimal cybernetic based systems. The method is based on a process of formalized rational inquiry, measurement and planned action.

Abstract: A database is populated for further medical characterization through a world wide network of computers. The database is populated with a plurality of user health information from a plurality of users. The user health information includes genetic data and phenotypic data for a user. The database is populated at least in part through browsing activities of the plurality of users on the world wide network of computers.

Abstract: A method for classifying a substrate first provides the substrate and its corresponding inspection map. Then, a database having a plurality of specification data is provided. After that, the inspection map is compared with each of the specification data so as to find the specification data coinciding with the inspection map. Finally, the substrate is defined according to the layout of active areas coinciding with the inspection map, and then the substrate is classified and stored.

Abstract: A service element is defined and represented by a data structure. It includes one or more components and/or one or more other service elements. A service element providing a complete function is a service offering. Management of service elements and/or service offerings is facilitated by a Service Development Tool. In different aspects, the management includes various tasks associated with creating, modifying and deleting service elements, establishing relationships, error checking and optimization. In a further aspect, service elements are packaged and distributed to enable customers to deliver the service elements. Additionally, the hosting of software packages is facilitated.

Abstract: A data transform system comprises a processor, a memory connected to the processor, storing a collection of data, and a data transform module, accepting two data constraints and the collection of data from memory, wherein a first constraint is a usage constraint and a second constraint is a privacy constraint, the data transform module transforming the collection of data according to the usage constraint and the privacy constraint.

Abstract: The present invention generally is directed to a system, method and article of manufacture for accessing data independent of the particular manner in which the data is physically represented. In one embodiment, a data repository abstraction layer provides a logical view of the underlying data repository that is independent of the particular manner of data representation. In one embodiment, the data repository abstraction layer specifies a location of data in a repository and a method for accessing the data. A query abstraction layer is also provided and is based on the data repository abstraction layer. A runtime component performs translation of an abstract query into a form that can be used against a particular physical data representation.

Abstract: The collaborative context information management system comprises a system of networked context-aware databases that are capable of managing information in various interlinked collaborative contexts, recognizing a user's individual context, and applying this individual context across all collaborative contexts in the networked context-aware databases to provide users with exactly the information they need. The context information management system enables each information element to recognize its multiple contexts, how it is related to other contextual information, and how it inherits properties and attributes from the contexts in which it resides. The context information management system recognizes and then applies a user's present context across the networked context-aware databases to return exactly the data that is relevant to the user's information context.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and data structures are provided to generate and link reports. Requirements are received and associated with identified report processing objects used to generate report specifications defining a report. In one embodiment, new report processing objects are devised and associated with the requirements and also used in generating the report specifications. Furthermore, report specifications and a data store schema, describing a data store having data used to generate a report, are received. The report specifications and the data store schema are used to generate report metadata that can be linked to a specific report tool used to produce an instance of the report.

Abstract: The performance of a database system can be improved by tracking the way in which data is accessed. By tracking such information, it is possible to load frequently-accessed fields of an entity bean, as well as related beans that are frequently accessed, by optimizing a field group for that entity bean. It is also possible to use the tracking information to prevent infrequently accessed fields from being automatically loaded. Information to be monitored can include how often each field is accessed, how many times a particular entity or application accesses a field, and how often a field is accessed for a given transaction context. By using this information to periodically optimize field groups, the fields and associated entity beans that are most often accessed, such as by the entity and/or transaction causing the entity bean to be loaded, can be automatically loaded when an entity bean is loaded into a container.

Abstract: A host computer to establishes a coupling between a logical storage area of a storage device and a virtual storage area of the storage device by sending a first command to the storage device to register the logical storage area. Following the first command, the host computer sends a second command to the storage device to relate the logical storage area to the virtual storage area. Following the second command, the host computer sends a third command to the storage device to activate the coupling between the logical storage area and the virtual storage area, where following activating the coupling, pointers of the virtual storage area point to sections of the logical storage area and where a write to the logical storage area causes data to be copied from the logical storage area to an other area of the storage device.

Abstract: Accessing data includes a host establishing a relationship between a first storage area of a first type containing data and a second storage area of a second type containing pointers to data provided in storage areas of the first type, where the storage areas are provided in a storage device coupled to the host. In response to the host writing data to a particular section of the first storage area after establishing the relationship, the particular section is copied from the first storage area to a third storage area of the first type prior to the write operation being executed. A corresponding pointer of the second storage area is adjusted to point to the third storage area.

Abstract: A method and an associated apparatus manage log records during rollback of a group of changes within a unit of work in a database system, by distinguishing between temporary and permanent objects when creating log records. Log records associated with temporary objects are limited to those records that are required to support the rollback of changes made to the temporary table objects. Advantageously, log space consumption and reservation may be reduced, and performance may be improved by reducing the number of and content of log records written to a log.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing medical information that includes the steps of: providing a central database of information having disparate data fields containing data, and performing an action based upon the data in the disparate data fields. The method includes of sorting, providing warnings or reminders, searching, organizing, transmitting, and presenting data from the database. The medical information management system includes a central database resident on a computing system. The central database has multiple disparate data fields containing data pertaining to patient-related information. A user interface communicates with the central database for accepting user input and transmitting system output. A visual display also communicates with the user interface to display the disparate data fields in selected or selectable formats.

Abstract: A digital department system is disclosed. The digital department system of the present invention includes a network management center, a network operating center that is coupled to the network management center, a multimedia server, a multicasting transmission medium coupling the network operating center and the multimedia server, a listening post coupled to the multimedia server by the network, and one or more audio/video display capable of displaying video and capable of playing audio, the audio video display coupled to the multimedia server by the network. The audio and video content are stored in digitized files on the multimedia server for distribution throughout the site via the network.

Abstract: Tasks can be done on a network of multiple computers interconnected by communication links. At each of the computers, Knowbot programs may be received and transmitted on the communication links, and may be stored and created; and execution of the tasks associated with the Knowbot programs may be advanced. Each Knowbot program includes a globally unique identifier; navigation information defining a route through the network; and information concerning a task to be done. Knowbot programs may interact with each other and with other network resources. Authenticated Knowbot service stations and Couriers may be used to protect data as well as control its application in the network environment according to stated terms and conditions.

Abstract: A method, system and computer product for analyzing and monitoring business volume is provided. A database is linked with a database management utility. Business data is loaded on the database. The business data include data related to accounts, hierarchical account/product relationships, and hierarchical account/customer relationships. The database support relational data queries to the business data. A plurality of threshold changes is defined regarding the business data, and is associated with the database A plurality of threshold tests for detecting changes throughout a selected set of the business data is performed in accordance with the threshold change values. The results of the tests are combined to obtain a classification of data that produces business volume data. The business volume data permits the analysis and monitoring of flows of business into, out of and among account, customer and products groups of a business. The business volume data also provide customer behaviour data.

Abstract: A digital department system is disclosed. The digital department system of the present invention includes a network management center, a network operating center that is coupled to the network management center, a multimedia server, a multicasting transmission medium coupling the network operating center and the multimedia server, a listening post coupled to the multimedia server by the network, and one or more audio/video display capable of displaying video and capable of playing audio, the audio video display coupled to the multimedia server by the network. The audio and video content are stored in digitized files on the multimedia server for distribution throughout the site via the network.

Abstract: A collaborative workload management system comprises a workload scheduler co-operable with a schedule to submit work units for processing on a computer system according to the schedule; and a workload manager adapted to monitor work units being submitted for processing and to allocate resources for processing respective work units on the computer system according to a respective service class of the work units. The workload manager retrieves the work unit attributes and tunes the resources required to process the work unit according to the work unit's targeted completion schedule without exceeding the resources allowed for processing work units of the work unit's service class.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention encompasses a method of storing and retrieving a communication. A communication is stored in a database, and comprises a plurality of sub-components. The communication is stored utilizing software configured to save a plurality of machine-readable identifier codes associated with the communication in the database. The identifier codes identify different sub-components of the communication. Some of the sub-components of the communication are printed together with at least some of the identifier codes as a document. The document does not include all of the sub-components of the communication. The identifier codes are read from the document with a machine configured to extract the identifier codes from the machine-readable format. The identifier codes extracted by the machine are provided to a processor in data communication with the database. The processor is configured to identify all sub-components of the communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transparently linking keywords displayed in a document viewer on a display monitor attached to the said computer system to information on a remote web-based information retrieval system (or web site) comprises of an access agent executing on a computer system. The said web site is coupled to the said computer system over a computer network and executes a keyword lookup server as a server-side program (CGI) for providing a keyword-based information retrieval service which is remotely accessible using standard Universal Resource Locator (URL) web access method (or HTTP). The said access agent installs one or more input device handlers for intercepting and scanning user input for one or more pre-configured hot key. Each of the said hot keys is mapped to one or more URLs which contain a special marker to be replaced by a keyword selected by the user and is used to access the said lookup service for retrieving information associated with the said user-selected keyword.

Abstract: A method of browsing electronically-accessible resources using descriptions of the resources. These descriptions have descriptor components, which have attributes representative of at least two axes of access to the resources. These descriptions also have links to the corresponding resources. The method first reads the descriptions and displays a number of items (1608). Each one of these items are associated with a corresponding descriptor component of the read description that has an attribute. The method allows the browsing (1602,1603) of the descriptions and their corresponding electronically-accessible resources via the links using the displayed items.

Abstract: A method for providing a search result list. The method includes receiving a search request from a searcher. In a database of search listings in which each search listing is associated with an advertiser and includes at least one search term and a bid amount by the advertiser, search listings generating a match with the search request are identified. A predetermined number of identified search listings are selected according to bid amount for display to the searcher. The identified search listings are arranged for display in a random order as the search result list. The search result list is then communicated to the searcher.

Abstract: A search engine architecture substitutes short indices for large data widths, thereby reducing widths required for input to and output from the search engine. The search engine system comprises a search engine responsive to an input address to access an index in the search engine. The index has a width no greater than logarithm on base 2 of the search engine capacity, thereby permitting the search engine to be embodied in an IC chip of reduced area. A driver responds to input commands and to the search engine status to manage indices in the search engine and enable the memory to access its addressable locations based on indices in the search engine.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel methods and apparatus for providing configurable persistence in applets. In an embodiment, an apparatus for persisting data is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a persistence manager module, a persistent element, and a stream generator module. The persistence manager module may receive a data path request from the persistent element. The persistence manager module may resolve at least one token present in a data path provided by the persistent element. The stream generator module may correspond to a type of data provided by the persistent element. The persistence manager may further activate the stream generator module. In a further embodiment, the persistent element persists data based on a result of a persistence stream request.

Abstract: A medical image storage and retrieval system includes a database with relationally linked tables including a disease factoid table, an image and image caption table, and a patient data table. A flexible system allows for peer review, remote access and maintenance of the stored data, and query searching and retrieval of groups of related multimedia (image and text) case file information. The system facilitates distance learning and remote consultation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying an application of a database service, such as X.500 or LDAP, to a relational database, a database design and use of the database to perform such services. Specifically addressed is the problem of database searching, particularly search speed and complexity of search. The method and apparatus concern searching a directory service database, in which the scope of search area is initially prescribed and/or in which a filter is applied over the search area. Moreover, in dealing with an alias during a search, a unique set of areas is found which define areas of a search tree that need to be searched. A FLAG column is used to indicate if an alias points inside a subtree. The method and apparatus also enable single pass resolution in any one of a search, filter or subtree search of a directory service, the method and apparatus including the use of a path column to simultaneously apply an arbitrary filter over an arbitrary subtree.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a request to retrieve data from a database is disclosed. The method of the present invention comprises receiving the request which comprises a function that processes at least one data item specified in the request, retrieving the at least one data item from a database, and invoking the function. When the function is invoked, at least one parameter comprising information related to the at least one data item is passed to the function. Thus, a function can be written independently of the data which they are called to process.

Abstract: In one particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a network management system. The network monitoring system includes at least one device definition file, a simple network management protocol enabled communications interface, and a data access interface. The definition file includes query instructions associated with portions of MIBs associated with a network device. The simple network management protocol enabled communications interface may access the network device using the query instructions and may receive response data from the network device. The data access interface may be configured to provide external access to the response data and configure thresholds.

Abstract: A method for the automatic comparison of at least two different application protocols is described in which actions triggered in a database are logged in a first application protocol of at least one first program, and in which actions triggered on a database are logged in a second application protocol of at least one second program group. A hardware independent analysis of the performance of programs groups is thus made possible, that during logging at least page requests from a data management layer to a memory management layer are logged, and that at least one part of the page requests logged in the first application protocol are compared to at least one part of the page requests logged in the second application protocol.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of retrieving the pages according to the quality of the individual pages. The rank of a page for a keyword is a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic ranks. Intrinsic rank is the measure of the relevancy of a page to a given keyword as claimed by the author of the page while extrinsic rank is a measure of the relevancy of a page on a given keyword as indicated by other pages. The former is obtained from the analysis of the keyword matching in various pads of the page while the latter is obtained from the context-sensitive connectivity analysis of the links connecting the entire Web. The present invention also provides the methods to solve the self-consistent equation satisfied by the page weights iteratively in a very efficient way. The ranking mechanism for multi-word query is also described. Finally, the present invention provides a method to obtain the more relevant page weights by dividing the entire hypertext pages into distinct number of groups.

Abstract: An information search method of searching for output information strongly related to input information from a plurality of candidate information includes the steps of assigning in advance one or a plurality of keywords typically representing information to the input information and each of the plurality of candidate information, and a weight value set in association with information to each keyword, executing a predetermined arithmetic operation for the weight value of each keyword of the input information and the weight value of each keyword of each of the plurality of candidate information, and selecting target output information from the plurality of candidate information on the basis of a sum value of arithmetic results obtained by performing the predetermined arithmetic operation for substantially all keywords of each candidate information.

Abstract: The present invention provides an elegant solution for processing multi-feature queries, which considers the differing access costs associated with each feature. Access cost is a critical factor in determining how individual features should be processed in terms of retrieving through sorted or random access, and, hence, in minimizing the overall query response time. The present invention operates dynamically during query processing and seeks to minimize the total query cost in terms of number of features retrieved and cost for access. It works by evaluating different combinations of feature access plans (sorted and random access) according to the number of retrieved features and forward access costs, and it selects the lowest cost plan. Experimental results on practical data show a significant speed-up in multi-features queries using the proposed solution.

Abstract: A method of filtering content in a discovered topic. In one embodiment, a method for filtering content in a discovered topic is comprised of preprocessing querying data. The querying data has caused retrieval of a collection of documents. The collection of documents includes documents containing subject matter related to said querying data. The collection of documents also includes documents containing subject matter extraneous to said querying data. The querying data is clustered. Clustering of the querying data enables the discovered topic to be identified. The collection of documents are postfiltered. The postfiltering of the collection of documents generates a collection of documents having the related subject matter, and extraneous subject matter is excluded.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for accessing data independent of the particular manner in which the data is physically represented. In one embodiment, a plurality of data repository abstractions provide different logical views of the same underlying data repository. The plurality of data repository abstractions may each be associated with different users, thereby exposing a different set of data to each user. A runtime component performs translation of abstract queries into a form that can be used against a particular physical data representation.

Abstract: A trap matrix searches the entire contents of a data stream for a pattern that matches the pattern for a search term. In those circumstances where there is a match between patterns of the data stream and the search term, the method and system can proceed to an exact match operation. In particular, a pointer matrix and a corresponding active control matrix are generated according to a set of terms in a rule table. Data is sequenced the trap matrix according to the hierarchy of its trap elements. The trap elements perform a pattern match check between the sequenced data stream and any search term in the set of terms in the rule table. Results from a positive pattern match are preferably communicated from the matching trap element to an exact match lookup.

Abstract: A system and method to take data, which is in the form of an n-dimensional array of binary data where the binary data is comprised of bits that are identified by a bit position within the n-dimensional array, and create one file for each bit position of the binary data while maintaining the bit position identification and to store the bit with the corresponding bit position identification from the binary data within the created filed. Once this bit-sequential format of the data is achieved, the formatted data is structured into a tree format that is data-mining-ready. The formatted data is structured by dividing each of the files containing the binary data into quadrants according to the bit position identification and recording the count of 1-bits for each quadrant on a first level. Then, recursively dividing each of the quadrants into further quadrants and recording the count of 1-bits for each quadrant until all quadrants comprise a pure-1 quadrant or a pure-0 quadrant to form a basic tree structure.

Abstract: A method for physically executing parallel operations in a resource manager (10) while retaining the effect of a defined logical serial ordering is provided. A plurality of operations is applied by a client application (16, 17, 18) to the resource manager (10). The method includes commencing a transaction between the client application (16, 17, 18) and the resource manager (10). The resource manager (10) receives a plurality of operations from the client application (16, 17, 18) in a logical order. The client application (16, 17, 18) indicates to the resource manager (100 that these operations can be applied in parallel. The resource manager (10) implements the operations in parallel and controls the parallel operations to ensure that the plurality of operations is executed such that the result of the parallel execution is the same as the result that would have been achieved by serial execution in the logical order. The transaction then ends.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for improved data (or information) storage, control and/or access. A system/method according to the disclosure facilitates enhanced versioning of data files, data records, information, and the like, such that subsequent data file and/or record retrieval is consistent with and reflective of ancillary conditions at the time of the data file and/or record input. The system/method provides enhanced data/information storage, control and access that have applicability in a variety of fields, including applications related to health care, mental health care, financial and accounting systems, industrial control systems, and the like.

Abstract: System and method for facilitating a windowed content manifestation environment within a world wide web (WWW) browser client. The system and method include and involve a server system that is configured to serve a software system and associated content via an electronic data network such as the Internet and WWW. Also included and involved is a web browser client (web browser software application) operating within a data processing system that is coupled to said server system via the electronic data network and which instantiates a content manifestation environment (e.g., a dynamic screen display environment within the data processing system). The web browser client is operative to receive the software system and the associated content via the server system, to process the software system and the associated content to produce at least one window object within the content manifestation environment.