Abstract: The invention provides information concerning records that cannot be retrieved on a search path among databases when the retrieval of search keys for other related databases and records is carried out in a plurality of databases in a chain-reactive manner. In the course of retrieving search keys and records in a chain-reactive manner up to a terminal database, information for identifying a group of search keys and a group of records retrieved through a series of retrieval processing is outputted in one line or one column of a table. When the record retrieved from a certain database in the chain-reactive search procedure does not contain a search key to be entered into a subsequent database, information for identifying a record that does not contain the search key and information for identifying a database having the record is outputted.

Abstract: Data relating to a predetermined media are formed as a database which can be retrieved by key data generated based on information of a predetermined area of such media. When a predetermined media is inserted into an apparatus, data relating to corresponding media within the database is retrieved and the retrieved data can be obtained. Therefore, information relating to package media such as a CD can be provided with ease.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for utilizing electronic document usage information are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software utilizing electronic document usage information to respond to user search requests with search engines are disclosed. Embodiments include receiving a search request from a requesting user and receiving document utilization information associated with one or more electronic documents, where the document utilization information provides an indication of the usage of the electronic documents by one or more users. Further embodiments include generating search results based at least partially on the search request and the document utilization information and transmitting an indication of the search results to the requesting user. Further embodiments include generating statistical information regarding the search results for electronic documents and transmitting the generated statistical information.

Abstract: Host systems can be accessed via industry standard query languages such as SQL by encapsulating the structure of the host application and allowing data to be retrieved or changed without knowledge of how the host application functions. Encapsulation and ability to use a standard database interface dramatically reduces the size, complexity and cost of developing clients.

Abstract: A process and system for metasearching on a distributed network activated by a request executed on a client device to request a metasearch engine to send at least one search query to a plurality of server devices, which may be search engines, the at least one search query comprising at least one keyword phrase, comprising at least one keyword, comprising incorporating, by the metasearch engine, received search results into at least one display list corresponding to the at least one keyword phrase, incorporating means for inputting at least one quantity of at least one item that may be ordered into the at least one display list, providing means for ordering the at least one item, and communicating a response to the client device.

Abstract: A mechanism of ranking weblog or “blog” items is provided. More particularly, the subject ranking mechanisms can facilitate ranking blog feeds and blog items contained therein thus focusing and intelligently delivering content (e.g., blog items) to users. The subject innovation facilitates ranking the blog feeds and blog items by creating a context rank around each blog feed. The context rank represents a sum of a context weight, a track-back weight and a comment weight. Accordingly, this context rank can allow readers to sort blog items in the order of popularity or importance thus effectively reducing content noise.

Abstract: A method that enables real-time processing of mobile based transactions in a three-tier database by employing pending operation/locks databases at each mirror in the three-tier database and generating a token for each proposed transaction that indicates the operations/locks needed to perform the transaction. The token is passed to each mirror database to compare with the corresponding operation/lock database. When a conflict is detected, a flag indicating such is set.

Abstract: System management information may be obtained from multiple input devices associated with system management mode drivers during pre-boot and during runtime of an operating system. The system management information may be converted to a form for presentation management and stored in an indexed database accessible during runtime. A lock provides mutually exclusive access to the stored system management information for either updating or display.

Abstract: A system facilitates a search by a user. The system detects selection of one or more words in a document currently accessed by the user, generates a search query using the selected word(s), and retrieves a document based on the search query. When the document includes one or more links corresponding to a linked document, the system analyzes each of the links, prefetches the linked documents corresponding to a number of the links, and presents the document to the user. The system receives selection of one of the links and retrieves the linked document corresponding to the selected link. The system identifies one or more pieces of information in the retrieved document, determines a link to a related document for each of the identified pieces of information, and provides the determined links with the related document to the user.

Abstract: A distributed file system includes a plurality of nodes storing objects; an extractor and a semantic catalogue. The extractor extracts semantic information for the objects. The semantic catalogue includes the semantic information for the objects and may be stored by the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: A musical tune playback control apparatus adapted to a music playback apparatus performs prescribed musical tune playback controls on a digital audio medium (or a digital storage medium, e.g., a CD and a MD) in association with a storage device such as a hard disk drive. Musical tune data recorded on digital audio media satisfying prescribed conditions are automatically selected and are transferred to the storage device, thus allowing the user to easily create a musical tune collection or an album collection suiting the user's preferences. Prescribed conditions are described in such a way that musical tune data are reproduced over a prescribed time or more, or musical tune data are repeatedly reproduced a prescribed number of times or more, for example. Thus, it is possible to reduce a user's burden to perform troublesome operations in selecting musical tune data suiting the user's preferences.

Abstract: A first storage subsystem 100A comprises a first storage device 6A1 and one or more second storage devices 6A2, 6A3. A second storage subsystem 100B comprises a third storage device 6B1 and a fourth storage device 6B2. A third storage subsystem 100C comprises a fifth storage device 6C1 and a sixth storage device 6C2. The first storage subsystem 100A generates a data set, stores the generated data set in the second storage devices 6A2, 6A3, and transmits the data set to the second and third storage subsystems 100B, 100C. Each of the second and third storage subsystems 100B, 100C stores the received data set in the third storage device 6B1 or fifth storage device 6C1, reads a data set from the third or fifth storage device 6B1, 6C1, and stores the write data within the data set in the fourth storage device 6B2 or sixth storage device 6C2.

Abstract: A many-to-many relationship management system. In an object persistence management system, a many-to-many relationship manager can include one or more related objects; a junction table storing relationships between the related objects; and, one or more corresponding links. Each link can correspond to one of the objects. Furthermore, each link can persist state information for the corresponding object in an associated object table. Finally, each link can manage the junction table responsive to changing relationships with others of the related objects. Importantly, as the present invention distributes the management of the junction table, a counter-operation management protocol can be provided which can resolve conflicts which arise in the management of the junction table in response to changing relationships among their associated objects.

Abstract: A system and method to provide a data dictionary cache in a distributed system is disclosed. An application server may include a data dictionary broker agent to provide an interface between an underlying data dictionary and an application. The application server may also include one or more data dictionary caches to provide efficient access to frequently requested system information.

Abstract: A metadata management architecture. The architecture includes a property component that lists one or more properties related to a file, and a viewing component that present files having one or more of the related properties. A synchronization component provides immediate synchronization between property editing fields of the property component and a view in the property-based browser component, providing both instantaneous feedback on property changes and an ability to manipulate properties graphically. Thus, a change in the property pane is immediately reflected in the view component, and a change in the view component is immediately reflected in the property pane.

Abstract: Global metadata, such as a document identifier, which may be a globally unique identifier, is embedded into an embedded interactive code document by combining a first m-array and a plurality of copies of the first m-array to generate a combined m-array with encoded global metadata such that respective start positions (xd,yd)i of the plurality of copies of the first m-array in the combined m-array are each shifted, by respective amounts that are based on respective portions of the global metadata, relative to a start position of the first m-array in the combined m-array. Global metadata may be decoded from the combined m-array by determining the respective amounts by which the plurality of copies of the first m-array are shifted, relative to the first m-array, in the combined m-array and by combining the respective amounts to produce a decoded value of the global metadata.

Abstract: A method of transferring batches of data to a target database includes receiving ordered rows of data and loading the ordered rows into batch tables. Each batch table being either a parent table, a child table or a no dependency table. The parent batch tables and no dependency batch tables are entered into a ready queue and the child batch tables are entered into a into a waiting pool. Any batch table in the ready queue may be transferred to the database using one or more processors. Any child batch table is moved to the ready queue if no corresponding parent table is in the ready queue. A dependency count of a child table is maintained and decremented if a parent table is imported to a database. In one embodiment, the corresponding child table in the waiting pool is transferred to the ready queue if the dependency count is zero.

Abstract: Publishers define relationships between their own content items (e.g., World Wide Web pages) and content items created or maintained by other publishers. A central namespace manager provides grouping labels that publishers insert into their content items. Content items having matching grouping labels are identified as related. Different classes of grouping labels can be used to define different types of relationships, and multiple classes of grouping labels can co-exist. Grouping labels are made available to an information server such as a search server, which uses the labels in identifying content items related to a currently displayed content item.

Abstract: A database system includes an intermediary program that provides a variety of functions. Logging on to the intermediary program results in log-in information being transmitted from an encrypted file to the database system via the intermediary program. The database system includes the ability for the user to enter criteria for a query in a variety of different manners, including the ability to directly modify generated SQL statements and the ability to use input lists in creating queries. In addition, the queries entered by the user can be stored in a separate database, such that the efficiency and operation of the database system can be improved. In addition, the delivery of query results and reports allows for delivery of files that are associated with a data period in any format and also allows the user to receive multiple reports in a single, compressed file.

Abstract: Large, unstructured objects can be manipulated within a relational database management system (RDBMS). A “filestream” data storage attribute is provided that can be used to tag a column in a relational table. The filestream attribute identifies the data for that column will be stored as a file in the file system in the operating system. The RDBMS manages the creation and deletion of the file in the file system. There is a 1:1 reference between the file in the file system and a cell (intersection of row and column). The data in the filestream column can be manipulated the same way as the data in other columns using a programming language, such as SQL or MICROSOFT®'s T-SQL.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for automatically creating a data feed file for use by desktop applications. The invention comprises a raw data files that is stored on electronic storage devices inaccessible to desktop software applications. To gain access to data stored in the raw data file, a data feed file is generated and electronically transmitted to a location electronically accessible to a user-preferred desktop application. To generate the data feed file, the desired data is extracted from the raw data file based on data-locating criteria. The extracted data is further analyzed for compliance with data-limiting criteria which further defines the characteristics of data needed for the data feed file. The data extracted from the raw data file is then used to populate the data feed file. The data feed file is thereafter transmitted to a location accessible to the user-preferred desktop application for data tracking, data compilation, and various other types of data manipulation.

Abstract: A technique for representing the structure of hierarchically-organized data in a non-hierarchical data structure, such as a relation. The hierarchically-organized data is represented as a tree, and each node in the tree is assigned a position identifier that represents both the depth level of the node within the hierarchy, and its ancestor/descendant relationship to other nodes. The data represented by each node, as well as its position identifier, is stored in a row of a relational database, thereby capturing the hierarchical structure of the data in such relational database. A technique is provided for the compressed storage of position identifiers in a format that allows an efficient bytewise comparison of position identifiers to determine relative order and ancestry.

Abstract: Various approaches for allocating storage for a file are disclosed. In one approach, in response to each call to allocate an available portion of storage, one of a plurality of allocation approaches is selected based on a value of a file attribute associated with the file. If a first one of the allocation approaches is selected, a portion of storage is selected for storage of data using an approach that emphasizes storage of data in sequential physical storage. If a second one of the allocation approaches is selected, a portion of storage using an approach that emphasizes maintaining concurrent access to the file.

Abstract: Configuration adjustment processing receives database configuration information and parameter adjustment policy information from an application. When database configuration information received from another application exists in DBMS, the configuration adjustment processing reads in the database configuration information and makes adjustment of the inputted database configuration information and the existing database configuration information in accordance with the parameter adjustment policy information. The configuration adjustment processing updates the existing database configuration information on the basis of the adjusted database configuration information.

Abstract: A system and method for managing web content are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request to store content of a webpage, where the webpage includes an annotation tag. In one embodiment, the annotation tag indicates that the content includes an annotation. The method also includes associating a first set of metadata with the annotation tag, storing the content, and storing the first set of metadata, wherein the first set of metadata can be accessed without accessing the content.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a unique system and method that facilitates management and navigation of various data objects by making use of a unique time-line based navigation tool. In particular, objects can organized into a plurality of bands based on their respective subject matter. Each band can be created to designate a particular topic. Objects are organized within the appropriate bands based in part on a time parameter such as a time or date that the object was created, for example. The navigation tool allows a user to navigate or browse through the bands and objects according to a desired time parameter or range of time. Zooming and other browsing options are available to the user to view objects of interest at varying levels of detail. The objects are represented as ASCII thumbnails that are operational. Thus, the content of any object can be modified directly via the thumbnail.

Abstract: An application development environment is provided. Database contents or structure can be changed and the changes are seamlessly propagated to the applications or views that are impacted by the change. Similarly, from the application page, new database content can be added to the database. The taxonomy of the database is relational through the use context and data relationships are contextually presented by their relative relationships within a taxonomy structure. Controls are used to define the behavior of the application. The activity of each control is defined via declarative events. The application framework is generated from the taxonomy, which flexibly couples the application design to the required data.

Abstract: Described is the adding of padding to a content file (e.g., image and/or audiovisual file) for anticipated subsequent use such that the content file need not be re-encoded to add metadata and other data to it. For example, padding may be added to an image file directly after an image file directory, whereby the directory can grow as needed into the padded space. Metadata can likewise be added to the padding, e.g., from the opposite direction that the directory extends into the padding. The padding may be added on the first re-encoding of the file, reducing or eliminating the need for subsequent re-encoding. The padding also may be used to track dead space in the file, with adjacent regions of dead space coalesced into a single region of dead space.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for predicting the future behavior of data streams through the use of current trends of the data stream. By way of example, a technique for predicting the future behavior of a data stream comprises the following steps/operations. Statistics are obtained from the data stream. Estimated statistics for a future time interval are generated by using at least a portion of the obtained statistics. A portion of the estimated statistics are utilized to generate one or more representative pseudo-data records within the future time interval. Pseudo-data records are utilized for forecasting of at least one characteristic of the data stream.

Abstract: Asynchronously traversing a disjoint linked data structure is presented. A synergistic processing unit (SPU) includes a handler that works in conjunction with a memory flow controller (MFC) to traverse a disjoint linked data structure. The handler compares a search value with a node value, and provides the MFC with an effective address of the next node to traverse based upon the comparison. In turn, the MFC retrieves the corresponding node data from system memory and stores the node data in the SPU's local storage area. The MFC stalls processing and sends an asynchronous event interrupt to the SPU which, as a result, instructs the handler to retrieve and compare the latest node data in the local storage area with the search value. The traversal continues until the handler matches the search value with a node value or until the handler determines a failed search.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method of managing digital content received from content providers and for facilitating access to the digital content to many subscribers. The method includes receiving from the content providers incoming feed files where each feed file contains information describing the content. The method determines if the feed files are approved by applying a template to the feed files and also receives request files from the subscribers where each request file contains search criteria. The method provides one or more answer files in response to the request files where each answer file identifies feed files that meet the search criteria of a corresponding request file. The answer files are used to access or permit access to digital content on the web. In addition, a graphical user interface is described to manage, edit, promote and delete the feed files provided to the system.

Abstract: Arrangements and methods are described that provide organization of motion image data. In one exemplary implementation, a metadata file is stored in a memory of a computing device. The metadata file includes metadata derived from motion image data. The metadata may include at least a genre associated with the motion image data and a semantic attribute related to the motion image data. The metadata is capable of facilitating text-based searching operations to locate one or more motion image data associated with the metadata.

Abstract: A storage system carries out database reorganization processing. In a method of reorganizing, a database which is stored in a disk drive of a storage device is reorganized. The disk drive contains a first volume where the database is stored and a second volume paired with the first volume to store a copy of the database. The reorganization method includes the steps of: making transactions from the host computer into a quiescent state; splitting the paired first volume and second volume so as to only allow the database in the first volume to be accessed; releasing the quiescent state of the transactions; reorganizing the second volume; and copying data in the second volume to the first volume to resynchronize and pair the first volume and the second volume with each other.

Abstract: A method of and system for collecting, storing, and retrieving data in a data base management system. The database management system includes a master database server (4), at least one workgroup server (315), and a plurality of workgroup user clients (310). The workgroup server (315) is interposed between the master database server (4) and said workgroup user clients (310). The method creating a transaction in a local database resident on one of the workgroup user clients (310), entering the transaction into a transaction log resident on the workgroup user client (310), and creating a transaction file corresponding to the transaction in an outbox of said workgroup user client (310). Next, the transaction file is copied to an inbox identified to the workgroup user client (310) and updating the transaction file into a workgroup database (305) resident on the workgroup server (315). The workgroup database (305) includes a transaction log.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods and systems for creating version-stamps of database objects and for tracking, querying, retrieving, and deploying such versioned database objects in enterprise databases, data marts, or data warehouses. The database objects may be interrelated and may reference one another according to their accurate versions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium are provided. In one implementation, a system for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium includes a host interface that receives from the host device a command to transfer data between the host device and the storage medium, a buffer that temporarily stores data that is transferred between the host device and the storage medium, a first register that stores a value for tracking a number of data units that have been transferred into the buffer but that have not yet been transferred out of the buffer, a second register that stores a value for incrementing a value contained in the first register, and a third register that stores a value for decrementing a value contained in the first register.

Abstract: The amount of work processing (main processing amount) of a database is acquired and accumulated. A value (main processing index) indicating the transition of the amount of main processing amount available in a time frame that is presumed to be required for backup is calculated by using the amounts of main processing accumulated during the latest period of time. The main processing index is compared with the backup executability reference value which is a threshold value determining the backup executability. If the main processing index is smaller than the threshold value, backup is executed. If the main processing index is larger than the threshold value, backup is not executed but the amount of main processing is again acquired to calculate the main processing index, and the main processing index is compared with the backup executability reference value.

Abstract: A pipe reference and calculating device pipe reference and calculating device includes a housing that can be held in a hand of a user. A processor is contained within the housing. A keypad is on the housing and is electrically connected to the processor. The keypad operates a plurality of switches, each switch controlling a circuit to produce an input signal to the processor for a desired function. A display screen and a memory device are disposed in the housing and are electrically connected to the processor. Software is stored in the memory device. The software causes the processor access data from a database of pipe reference information and data, and formulas, perform pipefitting calculations with data accessed from the database, perform calculations on data input from the keypad, and perform pipefitting and geometric calculations using graphical images with labeled variables.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a random bit stream. In one embodiment the method comprises accumulation of a plurality of hardware driven numbers from whence a portion of each hardware driven number is extracted. The extracted portions are combined to form a random bit stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a random sequence generating apparatus for generating a sequence of integers. A seed receiving section receives a sequence of integers as a seed. An initialization section provides a transformation section with the received sequence of integers. The transformation section performs predetermined transformation on each of the provided integer sequence to acquire a sequence of integers. A rotation section acquires the number of rotation bits from a part of the acquired sequence of integers, performs a rotation operation on the acquired number of rotation bits with respect to all of or part of the sequence of integers taken as a bit sequence, and acquires a sequence of integers. An updating section provides the transformation section with the sequence of integers. An output section outputs part of a sequence of integers obtained last as a random sequence in case where transformation and rotation are repeated a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: A direct digital synthesizer (DDS) (300) that uses a system for reducing spurious emissions in a digital-to-time converter (DTC) (317). The DDS (300) includes one or more dither sources (307) and a random access memory (RAM) (305). The RAM (305) utilizes a look-up table for storing delay error values by using an output of the look-up table which is combined with the dither source (307) to compensate unequal unit delay values in the DTC (317).

Abstract: A value that bypasses some of the computations for an arithmetic operation can be supplied for performance of a dependent arithmetic operation without waiting for completion of the computations of the arithmetic operation. During performance of a first arithmetic operation, a value is generated. The value is viable for use in performing a second arithmetic operation that is dependent upon the first arithmetic operation. The value is utilized to continue performance of the first arithmetic operation and commence performance of the second arithmetic operation. As part of the continued performance of the first arithmetic operation, determining whether the value is to be modified for the first arithmetic operation. Compensating for modifications to the value for performance of the second arithmetic operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for presenting dynamic mapping information in a wireless network are useful in locating or identifying a desired service-providing device within the wireless network relative to a service-requesting device. The mapping information may be physical network mapping or it may be physical network mapping combined with logical network mapping. The mapping may further include supplemental information regarding the network and its devices. The physical network mapping provides information regarding the location of a service-providing device relative to a service-requesting device. Dynamic mapping information accommodates transient users of the wireless network, facilitating location or identification of a desired service-providing device in an unfamiliar network or surrounding.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a data providing system including a data providing apparatus having provision image data generating means for generating provision image data of a provision image which is reusable by inlaying a predetermined advertisement image into a predetermined template image into which a predetermined user image can be inlaid as superimposed upon the predetermined advertisement image and providing-side transmitting means for transmitting the provision image data via a network.

Abstract: A process and system for metasearching on a distributed network activated by a request executed on a client device to request a metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to a plurality of server devices, which may be search engines, each of the plurality of search queries comprising a keyword phrase, each of the keyword phrases comprising at least one keyword, at least two of the keyword phrases of the plurality of search queries being different from each other, comprising incorporating, by the metasearch engine, received search results into at least two different display lists corresponding to the at least two different keyword phrases, incorporating means for inputting at least one quantity of at least one item that may be ordered, providing means for ordering the at least one item, and communicating a response to the client device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is provided for initiating a collaborative computing session during a telephone call involving a plurality of users. The system includes a first advanced capability telephone operable to issue an initiate meeting request in response to an activation signal at the first advanced capability telephone. A first computer in communication with the first advanced capability telephone is operable to issue a start meeting request for establishing a meeting zone for the collaborative computing session. The first computer is operable to open a first collaborative meeting window for enabling a user of the first computer to participate in the collaborative computing session. The first advanced capability telephone is operable to issue a join meeting request to a second advanced capability telephone for causing a second collaborative meeting window to be opened at a second computer for enabling a user of the second computer to participate in the collaborative computing session.

Abstract: A method of real-time communication between a plurality of users each with respective communication devices having associated displays, the method comprising the steps of providing each of the plurality of users with collaboration initiation software at their communication devices and allowing at least first and second users to connect to at least one communication network by logging in at their respective communication devices. Further, the method comprises maintaining service records for at least the first and second logged in users, the service records including user identification information and an associated location where each user is logged in.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-user application that is configured to operate in various network communication configurations and that can dynamically change communication configurations during an online session of the application. One of the network communication configurations is a client-server configuration, wherein network computers, including at least one server computer and at least one client computer, participate in an online session of the application. The server computer serves application-related data to the client computer during the online session. In another communication configuration of the application, the network computers operate in a peer-to-peer configuration wherein the network computers have the ability to both serve data to and receive data from any of the other network computers that are participating in the online session.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for providing a multi-user shared e-mail system on a single computer is described. The system enables multiple users to use a single computer to provide for each user, one at a time, access to a personal secure e-mail account environment for that user. The e-mail account environment can include an inbox, an outbox and one or more folders to store received e-mail. The multiple e-mail account environments are all stored on the single computer. The single computer can be standalone, or can include an interface to a network, such as the Internet, for delivery of e-mail to users whose e-mail accounts do not reside on the single computer. The multi-user e-mail account system on a shared single computer provides cost efficient access for a large number of users which do not each need their own computer. The e-mail system includes a prioritization indicator to determine which of the multiple users of the shared e-mail system can get access first. Priority can reflect, e.

Abstract: A novel method of image communications with E-mail includes the steps of receiving, decoding, creating, attaching, and transmitting. The receiving step receives from a mail sender E-mail containing image information and including a request for a receipt acknowledgement. The decoding step decodes the image information contained in the E-mail. The creating step creates a return mail for acknowledging a receipt of the electronic mail. The attaching step attaches a predetermined page of the image information to the return mail. The transmitting step transmits the return mail back to the mail sender as a response to the request.