Abstract: A logically-partitioned computer system provides support for multiple logical partitions to access a single file system, thereby allowing the logical partitions to share a file without the overhead of communicating over a VLAN. An area of shared memory is defined that multiple logical partitions may access. One or more file control blocks that control access to the files in the file system are then created in the shared memory. Existing mechanisms for locking a file system between processes may then be used across logical partitions to serialize access to the file system by all processes in all logical partitions that share the file system. In this manner the sharing of files in a file system is enabled by leveraging existing technology that is used within a single logical partition to extend across multiple logical partitions.

Abstract: An interactive system provides journaling and life coaching. Storage of information, images and the like is provided. Users can request referrals to product and service vendors providing appropriate advice, goods and services as may be desired at specific stages of life. The system can be divided into life phase portions, to assist in keeping of journals or memories at specific phases of life, and to provide information and advice appropriate to experiences one encounters at those particular phases.

Abstract: An optimization technique is provided which automatically reduces the number of globals in a program to the minimum required. The optimization technique identifies those elements which are placed in a program as global elements, but which do not need to be global elements. The optimization technique parses all files in a program, identifies all global elements, and removes any global elements that are not used outside of a particular file within the program by converting these global elements to local elements or by disregarding those elements.

Abstract: A logic table object for accessing configuration information sourced by one or more datastores is employed in a catalog environment of an attribute-based programming model. A logic table object may provide supplemental logic, consolidate multiple underlying tables, map between different disparate table coordinates, trigger external operations, and synthesize data for inclusion in a virtual table presented to a caller. A logic table object can provide access to configuration information cached in an underlying data table object and derived from a datastore. Alternatively, a logic table can include its own cache, servicing calls therefrom until an update to or from an underlying datastore is required.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for storing data in a multimedia file, the multimedia file containing an absolute time base indicator and at least a track wherein the data are stored. Said data comprise time values. The method is characterised in that it consists in associating with each track; at least a relative time base indicator which is a function of said absolute time base, and in determining some or all the time values contained in a track, with respect to a relative time base indicator associated with said track.

Abstract: A data loading tool for loading a target database is provided. The data loading tool includes an initialization component operable to utilize data and a key of a first table of a database to generate a load file identifying related keys and associated data in the database. The data loading tool further comprises a control generator, an extractor component and a loader component. The control generator is operable to generate at least one control file related to the database. The extractor component is operable to extract data from the database based on the load file and the loader component is operable to load the data extracted by the extractor component into the target database utilizing the at least one control file. A method for loading a target database is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for transforming hierarchical information into a rowset and for transforming a rowset into hierarchical information. In transforming hierarchical information, such as an XML data file, into a rowset, a parser parses the XML data file to form an active store. A query processor, after receiving a query including a number of metaproperties, processes data from the XML active store to form a rowset. The rowset can be processed further using a query language, such as the Structured Query Language (SQL). After processing, the rowset can be converted back into an XML data file using an XML formatter. An overflow feature facilitates the addition of text data to the rowset. A fusion feature facilitates defining a relationship between different data items in the rowset such that they can be merged into a single data element as the rowset is converted into an XML data file.

Abstract: A system for posting records in customs includes a number of client computers (10), an enterprise server (12), a customs server (16) and a database (14). The client computers provide interfaces for users to input information and obtain information. The enterprise server receives and handles input information, generates records for posting in customs, and transmits the records to the customs server. The enterprise server includes a system configuring module (21), an information maintaining module (22), a records posting module (23), an information enquiring module (24), and a customs data synchronizing module (25). The database stores configured information on an enterprise, contracts, materials and customs, generated records, and customs feedback. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention utilize context subsystems to logically group resources according to context. Such context subsystems can be nested (i.e. hierarchical), and thus further simplify the complex configuration relationships encountered with complex systems. Higher level (i.e. parent) context subsystems contain at least one resource that is utilized by a lower level (i.e. child) component, subsystem, or context subsystem. Context subsystems can be hierarchically arranged in single- and multi-parent arrangements and single- and multi-child arrangements. The number of context subsystem hierarchical levels is virtually unlimited and is generally dictated by the complexity of the system and the corresponding simplification needs of the configuration technology being utilized to configure the system. Context subsystems are applicable and useful in a configuration environment for virtually any configurable system amenable to contextual groupings of resources.

Abstract: A user interface including data display elements and a data selection element corresponding to each data display element. The data selection elements can be operable to select data for display in the corresponding data display element. The user interface can also include a display manager to update the data display elements with the data selected by the data selection elements.

Abstract: The routing of prioritized documents such as email messages is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method first receives a text. The method assigns a priority to the document, based on a text classifier such as a Bayesian classifier or a support-vector machine classifier. The method then routes the text based on a routing criteria. In one embodiment the routing is directed by a measure of priority that reflects the expected cost of delayed review of the document.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing the application of one or more XML data mappings or one or more XML schema files to a spreadsheet application workbook. One or more XML schema files for associating to the spreadsheet workbook are obtained. Each schema file is iterated to determine if one or more additional schema files are identified in each of the obtained schema files. Each obtained schema is parsed to determine data definitions, elements, attributes, structure, and simple data content required by each schema file for valid XML data. All obtained schema files are combined to create a unified schema definition. A single root element is selected to serve as a root element for the generalized instance structure. A generalized instance structure of the unified schema definition is built representing all available elements, attributes or simple data content of the unified schema definition that may be applied to the spreadsheet application workbook.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a computerized method of providing information to a customer in the power industry includes automatically receiving data representing a plurality of characteristics of a power plant device associated with a power plant of the customer based on monitoring of the power plant device, in which the data is received at a location remote from the power plant, processing the data, generating one or more outputs representative of the processed data, displaying, by a web page of a website, at least one of the outputs in response to a request by the customer, and displaying, by the web page, diagnostic information related to the displayed output.

Abstract: A multitier topology map describes a multitier compute infrastructure. The multitier topology map identifies components from at least two different tiers of the multitier compute infrastructure and indicates relationships between components including at least one cross-tier relationship between components. An interface module accesses the multitier topology map.

Abstract: There is provided a system for visually associating a search region containing search criteria with a search category from which the results of a search are found. The system contains a search region containing a user's search criteria, a result region comprising indicia of several search categories, and a connection indicator establishing a visual connection between the search term contained in a search region and a selected one of search category indicia so as to enable a user to make a cognitive connection indicating that the user's search term was found in the particular search category indicated by the connection indicator.

Abstract: Detects a condition for classification of data. Apparatus detects a set of some constituents as a factor of the classification. Apparatus has means for selecting a pattern which is a set of constituents; means of selecting a second pattern formed of the first pattern and at least one constituent added to the first pattern; means of generating an evaluation value for a measure of classification of the plurality of objects under a condition including the first pattern but not the second pattern on the basis of the number of objects satisfying the classification condition in the plurality of objects classified into the first group and the number of objects satisfying the classification condition in the objects classified into the second group; and means of outputting the first and second patterns as a factor of classification when the measure indicated by the evaluation value exceeds a reference measure.

Abstract: An XML document classifying method includes the steps of: classifying a plurality of XML documents stored in a storage unit, depending on whether a specific element/attribute is present in the XML documents and based on the identity of the value of the element/attribute; generating a folder hierarchical expression wherein the XML documents are sorted and arranged into folders; and providing the folder hierarchical expression for a hierarchical file GUI.

Abstract: The Java transaction API for use with global transaction can use a system using alias for the branch ID. The alias can allow multiple branch IDs for single resource.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for communicating service and maintenance information about equipment located at distributed building sites. A customer web portal is provided with a database for storing the equipment service information. The web portal provides an efficient way of determining the service activity for equipment located at distributed sites without the need for maintaining service related information at each site. The user can also obtain information about individual service orders and service agreements for individual pieces of equipment.

Abstract: The present invention may generally be thought of as a software reference tool that enables users to easily understand XML and other file types, including proprietary file types, and that provides the user the capability to map from one file type to another by using system templates that correspond to each file type. The data mapped from one file type to another has been pre-programmed or selected by the user to include only the data elements that are key to the transaction involved.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention enables nodes or endpoints involved with synchronization of data items to determine which version of a data item (if any) has priority over another version of that same data item. Within the present embodiment, when a data item is modified by a node, it is presumed that the modified data item takes priority over the previous version of that data item. Therefore, the “descendant” data item (modified) takes precedence over its “ancestor” data item (previous version). By including this type of “pedigree” information with data items involved with synchronization between different nodes or endpoints, the present embodiment enables the endpoints to determine which version of a data item (if any) has priority over another version of that same data item.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system to asynchronously remotely copy database content changes from a primary site to a remote site utilizing consistency groups. Log information and data are separated. When log information and data are copied to the remote site, the log information is given priority over data. Data is not copied for the current consistency group for which log information is in the process of being copied, until all log information in the current consistency group has been copied. Thus, only data included as part of the consistency groups for which all log information has been copied, is copied to the remote site. Because most logs are written sequentially, copying the log blocks immediately does not result in a larger amount of data being copied. In addition, since the log block has been copied over at the earliest instant possible, the extent of data loss has been reduced to the minimum possible in an asynchronous system.

Abstract: According to the present invention a method and a system is provided for establishing synchronized recovery log points in an infrastructure comprising at least a first database management system and a second database management system, whereby recovery log files are written and log points are created separately for each database management system. Firstly, log write of all database management systems is suspended, then, the corresponding log points for each database management system forming a global log point are recorded and log writes of all database management systems are resumed.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided in which a unique primary key is generated to identify an original message which is received for processing. The record for the original message is stored at the primary key. As the message is propagated to the services that are to be performed on the original message, the primary key is also passed to the service. Derivative messages which are produced as a result of the services applied to the original message are identified with the primary key code along with additional derivative key codes related to services applied to the original message. The resulting derivative message storing and tracking process provides a means by which derivative messages are readily identified and associated with an original message as well as the services performed upon the original message in generating the derivative message.

Abstract: A data migration method that reads data from a source volume on a source data storage device. The data is read as a bit image of a logical volume, cylinder by cylinder, track by track, and bit by bit. The data is moved on as an image of the logical volume, on a cylinder by cylinder, track by track, and bit by bit basis.

Abstract: A cloning manager preserves in-place file system objects during a clone operation. The cloning manager determines boundaries on a target storage medium to contain a resultant file system to be created by the clone operation, and identifies at least one protected area within the boundaries to be overwritten by the clone operation. The cloning manager also identifies at least one in-place file system object at least partially within the boundaries not to be overwritten during the clone operation. The cloning manager ensures that each in-place file system object is not located in a protected area, shifting the objects as necessary. The cloning manager performs the clone operation, creating the resultant file system only in locations within the boundaries in which no in-place file system object is located.

Abstract: Space within an IMS database can be managed during loading or updating of the database. After an IMS database is loaded, a space management program can assume control from the IMS program for a period of time. During this period of time, the space management program obtains memory addresses of IMS control blocks built by the IMS program and further obtains information about the IMS database. When the IMS program attempts to insert data into the IMS database, either during loading or updating of the database, the space management program reassumes control from the IMS program. The space management program selects a storage location for the data to be stored, and modifies the IMS control blocks to indicate the storage location selected. The space management program may also insert the data into the storage locations selected. Control is then passed back to the IMS program.

Abstract: A storage sub-system employs a staging control information table by which staging of data to be read and redundant data thereof can be executed together to reduce response time in the event of a data read failure. The staging control information table also permits pre-read staging to be executed in the forward, backward or both the forward and backward directions, to reduce response time.

Abstract: A method of managing a memory heap includes allocating a first portion of the memory heap to a young section. The first portion having a faster access time than at least one of a second portion and a third portion of the memory heap. The second portion being allocated to a tenured section and the third portion including an unused section. The method also includes filling the young section with objects from an application and deleting any objects in the young section that are no longer referenced. Any referenced objects are shifted. A memory system is also described herein.

Abstract: A low-power shift-and-negate unit within a fused multiply-adder circuit is disclosed. The shift-and-negate unit includes a large shift stage, a coarse shift stage, a negate stage and a fine shift stage. The large shift stage receives a first set of shift signals and a group of data signals to generate a group of first intermediate signals. The coarse shift stage receives a second set of shift signals and the group of first intermediate signals to generate a group of second intermediate signals and their complement signals. The large shift stage and the coarse shift stage are executed within a first single processor cycle. The negate stage receives a complement decision signal and the group of second intermediate signals along with their complement signals to generate a group of third intermediate signals. Finally, the fine shift stage receives a third set of shift signals and the group of third intermediate signals to generate a group of output signals.

Abstract: An exponent calculation apparatus calculates xe based on input two integers x and e. A pre-calculation module pre-calculates x^{l_i} for each of candidate exponents {l_i} (0?i?L?1) stored in a candidate exponents storing unit, the number of the candidate exponents being L, and stores the obtained values x^{l_i} in a pre-calculated values storing unit. A dividing module divides the integer e into a plurality of values {f_i} (0?i?F?1) so that each of the values {f_i} corresponds to one of the candidate exponents {l_i}. A sequential processing module sequentially updates a calculation result c, which is stored in a calculation result storing unit, for each of the values {f_i} by using each of the values x^{l_i}. The updated calculation result c for each of the values {f_i} is output as xe. Accordingly, the amount of pre-calculation and table size can be reduced and thus the number of calculations can be reduced.

Abstract: Linear transformations are carried out on a matrix that represents information such as an image or a communication. In an aspect, the matrix is processed to remove duplicate information. The duplicate information can be duplicate rows, or zero rows. This matrix is then transformed into a modified matrix, indicating duplicate information is removed to produce a modified matrix.

Abstract: To perform multiplication of matrices in a vector processing system, partial products are obtained by dot multiplication of vector registers containing multiple copies of elements of a first matrix and vector registers containing values from rows of a second matrix. The dot products obtained from this dot multiplication are subsequently added to vector registers which form a product matrix. Each matrix can be divided into submatrices to facilitate the rapid and efficient multiplication of large matrices, which is done in parts by computing partial products of each submatrix. The matrix multiplication avoids rounding errors as it is bit-by-bit compatible with conventional matrix multiplication methods.

Abstract: A baseline for internet traffic duration is established by (i) collecting internet traffic data regarding file size, server response time, packet loss and round trip time, (ii) removing from this data outliers associated with file size, server response time and packet loss per client type, and (iii) organizing any remaining data into round trip time bins according to median values of round trip time per client type. Thereafter, historical or newly collected Internet traffic data is compared against threshold values for each round trip time bin to locate duration outliers. These duration outliers are indicators of congestion and congestion episodes may be identified by the continued presence of such outliers over successive time intervals.

Abstract: The Shared Internet Storage Resource provides Internet-based file storage, retrieval, access, control, and manipulation for a user. Additionally, an easy-to-use user interface is provided both for a browser or stand-alone application. The entire method provides means by which users can establish, use, and maintain files on the Internet in a manner remote from their local computers yet in a manner that is similar to the file manipulation used on their local computers. A high capacity or other storage system is attached to the Internet via an optional internal network that also serves to generate and direct metadata regarding the stored files. A web server using a CGI, Java®-based, or other interface transmits and retrieves TCP/IP packets or other Internet information through a load balancer/firewall by using XML to wrap the data packets. File instructions may be transmitted over the Internet to the Shared Resource System.

Abstract: A computer system on a network uses IP multicast to recruit other computer systems to share in the processing of a job. If a computer system on the network wants to be available to process shared jobs, it first registers for job sharing by invoking an IP multicast router at a particular IP address. All messages sent to the IP multicast router are broadcast to all computer systems that are registered with the router. When a computer system has a job to share, it recruits other computer systems to help process the job by sending a message to the IP multicast router that corresponds to a request to share the job. The candidate computer systems that receive the recruiter's broadcast determine if they can share the job according to one or more job sharing parameters. These parameters may relate to the job itself, network performance, security, or other criteria for sharing. If a computer system meets the parameters for taking on the particular job, it responds to the recruiter.

Abstract: In a computer network including a plurality of network elements, a network management architecture including a plurality of agents, each of the agents corresponding to a different one of the network elements, and a plurality of device components, each of the device components modeling at least one aspect of one of the network elements, the aspect being either of a physical and a functional characteristic of the network element, where each of the agents includes a plurality of the device components, and where at least of the two device components within at least one of the agents are logically interconnected, each logical interconnection corresponding to either of a physical and a functional interconnection found within or between any of the network elements.

Abstract: An instant messaging application intelligently infers a user's unavailability from one or more indicia which include the user's electronic calendar. Preferably, the instant messaging application may report not only that a user is unavailable, but also give a reason for inferring unavailability, in order to provide other users with additional potentially useful information. Preferably, the user may specify which indicia and which parameters may be used to infer his unavailability in an editable profile. When another user requests status, this value is returned by the server. An intelligent instant messaging application as described herein provides other users with more accurate and complete availability information.

Abstract: In a network conference system, a promoter terminal 10 has: a speaker selecting section 12 which selects the promoter terminal 10 itself or one of participant terminals 20 and 30, as a speaker terminal which is used by a speaker who makes an announcement in a conference; and a usage function controlling section 13 which, in accordance with a result of the selection by the speaker selecting section 12, controls the speaker terminal and the terminal other than the speaker terminal so that a predetermined application is available only in the speaker terminal. Further, method for using the network conference system is provided.

Abstract: A communication system that exchanges electronic mail information based on a mail address including a telephone number of a destination and a domain name of a telecommunication services operator, and that includes a communication device for inputting the telephone number including an operator code and for exchanging the electronic mail information in accordance with the mail address; a storage device which stores a reference table in which the operator code is correlated to the domain name; and a communication management device which uses the operator code as an address to read the domain name of the telecommunication services operator to establish the mail address by combining the telephone number input through the communication device and the domain name read from the storage device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing messages. In response to a request by an invitee to add a third party to a messaging session with a number of parties, a stealth invite is sent to the third party. If the stealth invite is accepted, messages sent to and received from the parties are sent to the third party without the number of parties knowing of a presence of the third party in the messaging session. The addition of the third party is not announced or indicated to the other parties. The third party also is unable to send messages to the other parties, but may in some cases send messages to the invitee. A recording feature allows a party to automatically record all messages that the party can see. This feature is initiated at the beginning of a messaging session and can be set as a default.

Abstract: A cluster of data caching servers that provide UseNet service to customers. The cluster of data caching servers cache articles and data requested by customers after retrieving the articles and data from a backend server/server farm. The cluster of data caching servers are adapted to share their cache memories with the other clustered servers in the cluster such that, if an article is requested by a client and the article has already been stored in one of the clustered server's cache memories, there is no requirement to retrieve all the requested article from the backend server.

Abstract: An electronic system architecture comprises a plurality of client devices connected in a hierarchical structure in which the client devices form nodes in the structure interconnected by communications links. One client device at the top of the hierarchical structure provides a gateway to a server and each other client device is connected to a single client device through a single communications link in an upstream direction and each client device is connected to a number, which may be zero, of client devices through the same number of communications links in a downstream direction. The downstream client devices have lower bandwidth requirements than any client devices upstream of them and the sum of the bandwidths of the communications links from each client device in a downstream direction is less than the bandwidth of the communications links in the upstream direction.

Abstract: A method for providing user interfaces in a first network to a remote access device, the first network including first devices and at least one interface device for communication with the remote access device, the user interfaces for controlling the devices currently connected to the first network. The remote access device establishes communication with the first network via the interface device; the remote access device sends a request to the interface device for accessing the first network; at least one of the first devices in the first network obtains information from one or more of the first devices, the information including device information, and generating a user interface description including at least one reference associated with the device information of each of the one or more first devices; the interface device sends the user interface description to the remote access device; and the remote access device displays a user interface based on the user interface description.

Abstract: A secure simplified transaction processing method and apparatus for a palmtop computer. Sensitive personal information is stored in a secure personal information database. A site map database contains information which maps the fields of the personal information database to frames of a Web page. On request of a palmtop computer, a robot program correlates the personal information fields with the frames of the Web page and sends the personal information back to the palmtop computer. The palmtop computer uses this information to automatically populate the frames of a Web clipping representing a Web page. This has the advantage that the user does not have to manually fill in the frames of the web clipping while providing security for sensitive information.

Abstract: A local proxy in a home network may identify the device class to which a particular device in the home network belongs based on the receipt of a message requesting a network address for use by the device. A device class may include a broad category to describe the device (such as, a gaming device, a personal computer, an appliance, or a PDA), the type of platform (e.g., the type of hardware, such as a Macintosh™ personal computer, a Windows™-based personal computer, a Linux™-based personal computer, a PDA, a home appliance, or an entertainment device), and/or the operating environment (e.g., operating system type and/or version). The local proxy associates the device class with the device. The local proxy may process a request from a device in a home network based on the device class of the device that sent the request. For example, access to a game available on the home network may be restricted to a gaming device or personal computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a graphical user interface that allows a user to access, maintain, and troubleshoot services over a single digital subscriber line (DSL) through a unified interface. The interface permits the subscriber to simultaneously connect to multiple Internet connections and services.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method of managing service information in a network management system. The method includes the steps of loading the service information from a database into objects in a structure stored in a memory, receiving a change to be made to the service information, updating particular objects in accordance with the received change and sending a change notification to network nodes in accordance with a relationship in the structure between the particular objects.

Abstract: A method of suppressing a side-effect alarm in a network management system that includes a plurality of managed network elements, wherein the side-effect alarm arrives at the network management system before a triggering alarm, the method comprising the steps of creating and storing state information for each of the managed network elements, wherein the state information comprises a current connection state value and a parent state value; receiving segment alarm information that identifies a first arriving alarm relating to a segment of the connection; determining a new connection state value to which the connection transitions as a result of the segment alarm identified in the segment alarm information and based on the current connection state value; selectively suppressing or forwarding an alarm reflecting the new connection state value based on the parent state value, a self state transition value, and a secondary state transition value.

Abstract: A system for monitoring user activity in an instant messaging session on a computer network periodically sends an activity message to other participants in the instant messaging session if the user has actively entered data during a first predetermined time interval. The system periodically sends a new activity message at intervals corresponding to the first predetermined time interval so long as the user is actively entering data during each time interval. If the user has not entered data during the first predetermined time interval, the system will not send an activity message. Other participants in the instant messaging session receive the activity message and generate an activity indicator on their respective displays. The computer receiving the activity message displays an activity indicator on the computer display in response to receipt of an activity message and starts a timer to measure a second predetermined time interval.