Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing storage space allocations, using at least one processor, for computer data in distributed file systems is described. In one embodiment, the method includes processing input/output activity that is associated with computer data to determine a current state of at least one file in a distributed file system, at flush time, combining various storage space allocation decisions applied over at least one network protocol to determine a plurality of file system operations that define storage space, based on the current state of the at least one file, for the computer data and executing the plurality of file system operations on the computer data stored in the storage space.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for the transfer and/or aggregation of data and, in particular, integrating data used in managing a professional services practice. The invention preferably transfers and/or aggregates data relating to the identity of client and matters for whom professional services are being rendered with data relating to the work which data may be maintained in inconsistent, proprietary formats, comprising one or more of the following types of information: accounting; budgeting; docketing; time and billing; work product; word processing; records; project management; and/or other information relating to the professional services. The system of the present invention preferably comprises data storage and data processing means adapted to use the data in substantially portable and/or application-independent format, and/or and transfer or aggregate data between common, and/or proprietary data formats.

Abstract: A computer method and a system for detecting the file type of an electronic file, the method including the steps of: (a) using a predetermined number of bytes at the beginning of the file to create a list of probable file types; (b) testing the file against a detection rule for each file type in the list until a match is found; if no match is found (c) testing the file against other known detection rules for file types to find a match.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a virtual loyalty card program are provided. The systems and methods enable a user to manage loyalty cards and receive offers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a network repository for metadata. Embodiments of a data repository include a memory to store data including one or more data content items, where each data content item is associated with zero or more metadata items, and where each data content item is associated with a handle and each metadata item is associated with an attribute name. The data repository further includes a network interface configured to communicate with a client device, and a control unit configured to control the storage of data in the memory, where the control unit provides functions for writing data to and reading data from the memory and where the control unit is to transfer the data without interpretation.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to the field of federated configuration management databases (CMDBs). To claim compliance with the CMDBf Standard (“the Standard”), a CMDB implementation must provide working and interoperable implementations of the interfaces defined in the Standard. To make a working implementation, certain non-obvious features are required that are not addressed by the Standard. Among these requirements are: registering management data repositories (MDRs) so that they can be federated; managing/maintaining the list of federated MDRs; querying an MDR for its Data Model; using such MDR Data Models to define mappings of one or more attributes from the MDR data model to one or more attributes of one or more of the CMDB's data models; identifying attributes and defining rules to be used when reconciliation is performed; and managing as well as storing data representative of those mappings. This disclosure addresses these and other deficiencies.

Abstract: A method and system for managing data can be used to provide a comprehensive solution to retaining electronic data within an enterprise. Data may come from backup tapes or a network. Email files may be separated from other files on the backup tape. Data from the email files may be extracted and fed to a collective database. The other files (from the file backup tapes) and data from the network are processed by a de-duplication engine to remove duplicates of the content while keeping metadata from each copy of the content. The content and metadata are forwarded to the collective database. Filters or other rules may be applied to the collective database to identify compliant or targeted data. Many different operations can then be performed on the compliant and targeted data.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for generating a filter expression using tree parameters receives an expression wherein operators of the expression bind multiple data items to a single parameter to form a received expression, generates a default prompt control using received metadata and the received expression and prompts for an input selection using the default prompt control. Responsive to receiving selected values in response to the default prompt control to form received values the computer-implemented process generates a native database query using the received expression with the single parameter and the received values, wherein the single parameter is a tree parameter.

Abstract: A post sleeve installation device is used to install post sleeves at selected positions and orientations to support the fence posts of a fence. Data, such as relative spacing, orientation, and elevation of the post sleeves is collected for off-site manufacture of fence panels. A consumer views a rendering of the fence and selects a fence design on a web site or at a retail location. A manufacturer obtains the collected data and the consumer-selected design, and fabricates the fence panels accordingly. The panels are then transported to the fence location and installed on the fence posts. Additionally, a repository is provided, to which the data is transmitted for retention, and from which the data can be retrieved for manufacture of replacement fence panels.

Abstract: A method for identifying records of variable length within a data block containing corrupted data is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, such a method may include scanning backward from an end of a data block containing variable-length records. The backward scan may proceed, one record at a time, to identify a first span of good (i.e., non-corrupt) records. The method may further include scanning forward from a front of the data block, also proceeding one record at a time, to identify a second span of good records. The method may include identifying a problem region by identifying data that resides between the first span and the second span. The method may also include creating a new record between the first span and the second span that contains the problem region. A corresponding computer program product, apparatus, and system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An Internet-based web application with a database back-end that processes user-entered data to automatically carry out various functions such as updating database tables, communicating with employees, reserving office space, assigning personal identification number, and any number of tasks required to properly manage employees and their information. The application is superior to repetitive manual entry of duplicative data into each employee database that a company manages while efficiently coordinating the various departmental functions required to modify the status and information of new, existing, and departing employees. The application efficiently updates all systems within the company as needed and interacts with users when information is needed from those users at various points in the process.

Abstract: A file system transfer designation section for transferring the file system matching with file system transfer rules from the first volume of the first storage apparatus to the second volume of the second storage apparatus based on the first file system transfer rules, a file system storage information manager for updating storage information of the file system in accordance with transfer of the file system by the file system transfer designation section, and transmitting the updated file system storage information, and a search information manager for updating search information for searching the files based on a file search request from the client apparatus using the file system storage information sent by the file system storage information manager are provided.

Abstract: Private or closed networks configured to provide location or venue specific content or other localization information to mobile computing devices are based on periodic or other reassignments of network access point identifiers. Authorized network subscribers and applications can determine accurate mobile device location based on updated access point identifiers and RF signatures provided by mobile devices. Appropriate venue-based content or services can then be provided to mobile devices, while non-authorized subscribers and applications are hindered in their ability to determine mobile device location.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for efficiently storing metadata of partitioned data (e.g., directed to a specific individual/user). A first subset of data is identified from the set of partitioned data. The first subset of data comprises data that has a high frequency of access, and may be identified, at least in part, by frequency of access metadata that is associated with the data in the set. Metadata, such as discovery information, permissions, version info, etc., that is associated with the data in the first subset can be stored in low latency (e.g., fast) storage, proving more efficient access. Metadata associated with data from the set of partitioned data that is not in the first subset (e.g., that is not accessed frequently) can be stored in higher latency (e.g., slower, less expensive) storage.

Abstract: A method and system for file-system based caching can be used to improve efficiency and security at network sites. In one set of embodiments, the delivery of content and storing content component(s) formed during generation of the content may be performed by different software components. Content that changes at a relatively high frequency or is likely to be regenerated between requests may not have some or all of its corresponding files cached. Additionally, extra white space may be removed before storing to reduce the file size. File mapping may be performed to ensure that a directory within the cache will have an optimal number of files. Security at the network site may be increased by using an internally generated filename that is not used or seen by the client computer. Many variations may be used is achieving any one or more of the advantages described herein.

Abstract: Techniques for managing memory usage in a processing system are provided. This may be achieved by receiving a data stream including multiple tuples and determining a query plan that was generated for a continuous query applied to the multiple tuples in the data stream. The query plan may include one or more operators. Before scheduling an operator in the query plan, it is determined when an eviction is to be performed based a level of free memory of the processing system. An eviction candidate is determined and a page associated with the eviction candidate is evicted from the memory to a persistent storage.

Abstract: A method for booting up a mobile phone quickly is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: driving hardware devices when the mobile phone is turned on; initializing application software installed in the mobile phone; loading data in the mobile phone from a storage to a memory; creating a table for each kind of data in the memory, and ordering data in each table according to a particular order condition; converting each table into a binary file, and storing the binary file in the storage; loading the binary file of each table directly from the storage to the memory when the mobile phone is turned on. A related quickly booting mobile phone is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system and program for storing data for later retrieval and for transfer within a storage hierarchy. A data storage subsystem stores both individual user files and also managed files, each managed file comprising an aggregation of multiple user files. After receiving user files from a client station, the subsystem stores user files in a retrieval storage pool to facilitate file retrieval. Criteria are subsequently applied to the user files stored in the retrieval storage pool to delete low or lower priority files from the retrieval storage pool. In addition, user files are aggregated in managed files for transfer to another location within the storage hierarchy.

Abstract: The transfer of a duplicate electronic document between image forming devices is done with an electronic document that is formed of only resolution-independent vector data and the like, and a normal printing of the duplicate electronic document or printing of different resolution is performed by developing the vector data. In high-quality printing of the duplicate electronic document, a Fill Map included in the original document the information indicating the location of an electronic document of copy source that is embedded in a metadata specifies is obtained, and this printing is made using the Fill Map.

Abstract: A system to authorize access to secured data storage can comprise a user interface configured to receive a user code offline from a user to allow access to stored data, circuitry configured to authorize access to the stored data based, at least in part, on the user code and provide access to the stored data, and a storage system configured to store the stored data.

Abstract: Metadata regarding program content is created by monitoring a manner in which a first rendering of the program content is affected by a user whereupon the metadata will include data which defines one or more segments within the program content. The data within the metadata is then usable during a second rendering of the program content to inhibit, e.g., advance over during playing or omit during copying, the rendering of the one or more segments within the program content defined by the data within the metadata.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system and program for storing data for later retrieval and for transfer within a storage hierarchy. A data storage subsystem stores both individual user files and also managed files, each managed file comprising an aggregation of multiple user files. After receiving user files from a client station, the subsystem stores user files in a retrieval storage pool to facilitate file retrieval. Criteria are subsequently applied to the user files stored in the retrieval storage pool to delete low or lower priority files from the retrieval storage pool. In addition, user files are aggregated in managed files for transfer to another location within the storage hierarchy.

Abstract: Methods for advertising information include: displaying user-selectable category and geographic vicinity information at a port; and, at a database that is not at the same location as the port; responding to user input at the port to display, at the port, advertising information that is associated with a user-selected category and geographic vicinity. Methods for updating advertising information in a database include: storing advertising information about a plurality of places in the database; updating the advertising information from a first port connected to the database through the Internet; and responding, at the database, to user inputs at a second port connected to the database through the Internet, to display updated advertising information at the second port. Advertisements can be tagged to items of interest and displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aggregating user feedback associated with digital media files is provided. User feedback is received from a user that includes metadata which may correspond to a digital media file. A batch of such user feedback is received and may be filtered to discard any low quality user feedback entries. It then may be determined whether a user feedback entry corresponds to an existing metadata record stored as aggregated feedback. If not, the new user feedback entry is added to the aggregated feedback. If there is an existing metadata record which corresponds to the user feedback entry, the metadata contained in the entry may be used to edit the existing metadata record.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, method, and system for migration of metadata and storage management of data in a first storage environment to a second storage environment. A migration request is processed to migrate metadata and storage management of data in a first storage environment to a second storage environment, wherein the first storage environment has a first storage server, a first storage media, and first metadata describing first data objects stored in the first storage media, and wherein the second storage environment has a second storage server, a second storage media, and second metadata for second data objects stored in the second storage media. The first metadata is copied to the second storage environment to incorporate with the second metadata. The first metadata incorporated into the second metadata is modified to indicate first server information used by the second server to communicate with the first server to access the migrated data from the first storage media.

Abstract: A method for generating three-dimensional image data including accessing, using one or more processors, a first set of data from a database, the first set of data relating to an electronic bill of materials of a product, generating, using one or more processors, a second set of data based on the first set of data that relates to a three-dimensional image of the product, enriching, using one or more processors, the second set of data with a third set of data, the third set of data relating to image information added to the three-dimensional image of the product, and storing, using one or more processors, the enriched second set of data in the database.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of gathering and analyzing data from device operators aiming their image capture devices and thereby creating a line of sight to an object of interest, for example through the process of obtaining photographs, videos or other digital images of an event or geographical location, where the real-time or embedded location, compass heading, and time data from each of a plurality of image providers are communicated from the plurality of image-capture devices to one or more servers for statistical analysis of the proportionate amount of providers focusing on each image target or sub-target at the event or location.

Abstract: Provided is a technique capable of efficiently operating files and directories that are stored in storage located in a physically far place from a file server, without causing a network latency. An index creation program is also loaded in a cloud computing environment, and a flag, which indicates whether or not to execute batch processing to a directory that has been migrated to the cloud side, is provided, whereby it becomes possible to collectively execute index creation processing for the migrated directory on the cloud side. More specifically, upon completion of migration of all files under a given directory to the cloud side, a flag, which indicates whether or not to perform batch processing on the cloud side, is validated for the metadata of the directory. Such a batch processing flag can be held for each application such as applications of the index creation processing and the virus check processing.

Abstract: An approach is provided to partition inter-linked documents into partitions of a database system. In some embodiments, a plurality of documents may be assigned to two or more partitions in the database system, thereby forming a number of inter-partition links between a first partition and a second partition. Here both the first partition and the second partition are in the two or more partitions. First documents may be assigned to the first partition while second documents are assigned to the second partition. Both the first documents and the second documents are in the plurality of documents. It is then determined whether moving one or more of the first documents in the first partition to the second partition reduces the number of inter-partition links between the first partition and the second partition. If that is the case, the one or more of the first documents are moved to the second partition.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing a graphical user interface control in a spectrum bar. The spectrum bar control is operable to switch between a statistical view of data and a discrete view of the data while maintaining a same size of the graphical user interface control. The spectrum bar control is operable to display data for multiple data elements, with different colors being used to represent different categories of the data elements. The spectrum bar control also enables three or more dimensions of data to be displayed in a small space.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for managing the identity of media content data. A server node processes metadata associated with a plurality of media content data files to generate a corresponding master identifier for each of the media content data files. A client node then provides the server node a first set of metadata corresponding to a media content data file that has no associated master identifier. In turn, the server node processes the first set of metadata to identify a corresponding master identifier and a second set of associated metadata, which it provides to the client node. The client node processes the second set of metadata to identify a matching set of metadata stored in its database of identification data and metadata. If found, the client node associates the master identifier with a second media content data file corresponding to the matching set of metadata.

Abstract: An electronic textbook system allows instructors to create custom coursebooks by integrating various materials from disparate sources. Instructors can arrange the materials, format them, provide tables of contents and indices. Payment mechanisms as well as policies for the components are integrated automatically so that the final book satisfies policy requirements for each of its component parts.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and managing custom lesson plans. A computing device includes a lesson planning tool that receives a lesson creation request from a user. The lesson planning tool is responsive to the lesson creation request to create a customized lesson plan based on game data and rule data included in the lesson creation request. The lesson planning tool also creates and stores a customized lesson plan record in a database. The customized lesson plan record identifies the customized lesson plan and audience members that are eligible to access the customized lesson plan. The lesson planning is responsive to a lesson plan request from another user to determine whether the other user is eligible to access customized lessons plans stored in the database based on audience data included in the lesson plan request.

Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving, mapping and structuring data from disparate systems in a healthcare environment are described. An example system for processing healthcare data includes an interface to receive input and display output, the input comprising a plurality of differently formatted healthcare messages and an identifier to identify a message type of the plurality of healthcare messages received. The example system also includes a mapper to map data of the plurality of healthcare messages to respective models based on the message type identified and a data store to store the models and corresponding mapped data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically processing a textual document by identifying occurrences of a piece of text having a predetermined format in the textual document; determining a depth-of-treatment value for each piece of formatted text in the textual document, the depth-of-treatment value indicating a depth of treatment in the textual document afforded to the particular piece of formatted text; associating an abstract with each piece of formatted text in the textual document; and generating a data record containing each identified piece of formatted text from the textual document, the depth-of-treatment value and the abstract associated with each piece of formatted text in the textual document.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention broadly contemplate systems, methods, apparatuses and program storage devices providing a mechanism in which a file system and copy command (or file transfer command) allows the start of a copy operation when a file is being copied to and allow the system to continue to read the file as and when it gets updated (appended with additional data), thus permitting automated simultaneous file transfer and copy operations.

Abstract: After a clone file is created from a file, a write request targeting the clone file can be handled. It is determined that the write request indicates the clone file that was cloned from a file in a first fileset. The clone file is of a second fileset and a clustered file system comprises the first fileset and the second fileset. A data block of the clone file affected by the write request is determined. It is then determined that the data block at a current location cannot be modified. The write request is implemented with respect to the data block at a different location.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for dynamically loading a relocatable file, comprising: analyzing the relocatable file; searching for a relocation section according to the information obtained through the analysis; obtaining a relocation target address after the relocation section is found and calculating an address to be relocated and a skipping distance; determining whether the skipping distance exceeds a range of a short skipping, and if the skipping distance does not exceed the range of the short skipping, then writing the relocation target address into the address to be relocated to perform relocation loading; if the skipping distance exceeds the range of the short skipping, then adding a veneer code segment and making the skipping whose distance exceeds the range of the short skipping indirectly skip to the relocation target address to perform relocation loading.

Abstract: A building information management system integrates data from project management, facilities management and building design tools from a variety of sources, and stores this information for access in a central repository. Owners, builders, facilities managers, architects, engineers and contractors and other constituents can access, store, update and view the integrated data according to the tasks for which they are responsible. Files representing three-dimensional models are stored in the building information management system by parsing them into part files, and by creating mappings among the part files and metadata, and by storing the part files and mappings in a database. The part files and metadata are sufficiently smaller than the larger file representing the three-dimensional model and provide significantly improved viewing performance over a computer network.

Abstract: Techniques for universal content traceability are presented. A piece of content is tagged with one or more content identifiers and with a unique instance identifier. The content also is tagged with content and instance-level metadata. The tagged information is maintained with the document and separately from the document in a centralized or distributed database system or table. As operations are performed on the content, the tagged information may be updated as necessary. The content can then use the tagged information in connection with the database to trace its origins and history during its lifecycle.

Abstract: Each data file of a distributed file system is identified by a corresponding globally-unique object identifier that is independent of any attribute of the data file. A node in the distributed file system has a file system that includes a plurality of directory entries, where each directory entry has a file name field, an attributes field, and an object identifier field configured for specifying a globally-unique object identifier. The globally-unique object identifier is universally reachable by any node of the distributed file system and uniquely identifies the data file, enabling the data file to be universally identifiable by any node based on the corresponding object identifier. The data file can be stored independently of a device file system based on providing a resolution between the data file name and its object identifier, followed by a resolution between the object identifier and a selected location for the data file.

Abstract: A hardware-based file system includes multiple linked sub-modules that perform functions ancillary to client data handling. Each sub-module is associated with a metadata cache. A doubly-rooted structure is used to store each file system object at successive checkpoints. Metadata is stored within an object and/or as a separate object. Provisions are made for allocating sparse objects. A delayed write feature is used for writing certain objects into non-volatile storage. Checkpoints can be retained as read-only versions of the file system. Modifications to the file system are accomplished without affecting the contents of retained checkpoints. The file system can be reverted to a retained checkpoint. Multiple file servers can be interconnected as a cluster, and each file server stores requests from another file server. Interconnections between file servers can be dynamically modified. A distributed locking mechanism is used to control access to file system objects stored by the file servers.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for optimizing files while allowing application servers access to metadata associated with preoptimized versions of the files. During file optimization involving compression and/or compaction, file metadata changes. In order to allow file optimization in a manner transparent to application servers, the metadata associated with preoptimized versions of the files is maintained in a metadata database as well as in an optimized version of the files themselves.

Abstract: A file server has an extent cache of pointers to leaf-level indirect blocks containing file mapping metadata. The extent cache improves file access read and write performance by returning a mapping for the data blocks to be read or written without having to iterate through intermediate level indirect blocks of the file. In addition, the extent cache contains pointers to the leaf-level indirect blocks in the file system cache. Therefore, in most cases, the time spent looking up pointers in the extent cache is offset by a reduction in the time that would otherwise be spent in locating the leaf-level indirect blocks in the file system cache. In a preferred implementation, the extent cache has a first least recently used (LRU) list and cache entry allocation for production files, and a second LRU list and cache entry allocation for snapshot copies of the production files.

Abstract: A management apparatus and a management method manage a plurality of albums. The management apparatus may include: a storing module which stores related information of photographs included in the plurality of albums; and an updating module which update the related information of photographs stored in the storing module according to copy, move or deletion of a photograph. The management apparatus may further include: an extracting module which in response to the user's request for displaying, copying, moving or sharing a photograph or an album, accesses an album which stores the photograph or the album requested by the user, so as to extract the photograph or album requested by the user.

Abstract: In a cluster that distributes fileset management, fileset managers will maintain a free block map and an in-flight block map to allocate blocks to clients writing to a relevant fileset. A fileset manager managing free block allocation for cluster clients that write to a fileset managed by the fileset manager. Since a clustered file system manager manages an initial free block map for the cluster (“cluster free block map”), the clustered file system manager provisions free blocks to fileset managers from the cluster free block map. The fileset manager then allocates free blocks from the provisioned free blocks to cluster clients that write to the fileset managed by the fileset manager.

Abstract: A system and method for organizing media assets of a media project. The method includes storing a plurality of versions of media assets of the media project, including an original version of the media asset and at least one modified version of the media asset. Each of the plurality of versions of the media assets include a plurality of components, and the modified versions of the media assets include at least one modified component. Metadata for each of the plurality of components is generated. The metadata indicates whether each of the plurality of component is a modified component, and the metadata of the modified component indicates a type of modification made to the modified component.

Abstract: A system and method for media asset management. An original media asset for a media project is identified and a plurality of versions of the original media asset is also identified. The plurality of versions of the media asset include at least one modified version of the original media asset. Typically each of the plurality of versions of the original media asset includes a plurality of components, and the modified versions of the original media asset include at least one modified component. The component being modified is based on a corresponding component of the original media asset. Metadata for each of the plurality of components is generated that indicates whether each component is a modified component, and the metadata of the modified component indicates a type of modification made to the modified component.

Abstract: An in-memory document model may be created from a markup language document while parsing the markup language document. The model includes small fixed-size memory structures allocated from a single larger memory pool. The model stores the data contained in the markup language document and the hierarchical relationship between the data items in the markup language document. Thus, random access to the markup language document is achieved without further access to the document and without the overhead of language-specific object construction. When an object-oriented computer program instance references the document model, a language-specific object may be constructed from the model including a pointer to an element of the model. The document model may be created when parsing extensible markup language (XML) documents.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, apparatus, methods, and computer readable media for creating and sharing social files in an on-demand database service environment. In one embodiment, a first document file is received at a computing device configured to provide on-demand computing services via a network. The first document file may be capable of being displayed on a display device. The first document file may be stored on a storage medium accessible via the network. The first document file may be designated as being associated with a social file. A reference to the social file may be stored as a first one of a plurality of feed items in a feed table in a database. The feed items may be capable of being published in an information feed displayed on a display device.