Database Schema Or Data Structure (707/100) Patents (Class 707/999.1)
  • Patent number: 7890471
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ViST (or “virtual suffix tree”), which is a novel index structure for searching XML documents. By representing both XML documents and XML queries in structure-encoded sequences, it is shown that querying XML data is equivalent to finding (non-contiguous) subsequence matches. A variety of XML queries, including those with branches, or wild-cards (‘*’ and ‘//’), can be expressed by structure-encoded sequences. Unlike index methods that disassemble a query into multiple sub-queries, and then join the results of these sub-queries to provide the final answers, ViST uses tree structures as the basic unit of query to avoid expensive join operations. Furthermore, ViST provides a unified index on both content and structure of the XML documents, hence it has a performance advantage over methods indexing either just content or structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Fan, Haixun Wang, Philip Shi-Lung Yu
  • Patent number: 7890602
    Abstract: The present inventions may be implemented by tools enabling preferred domain positioning on a registration website. An example may comprise a computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by a server computer, cause the server to receive a bid from a registry seeking such preferred placement for a domain (that may be administered by the registry), generate a quality score for the domain, and determine the preferred placement based upon the bid and the quality score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Go Daddy Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Parsons, Barbara Rechterman, Micheal Zimmerman, James Bladel, Richard Merdinger
  • Patent number: 7890543
    Abstract: An architecture and methodology for designing, deploying, and managing a distributed application onto a distributed computing system is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Galen C. Hunt, Bassam Tabbara, Kevin Grealish, Geoffrey Outhred, Rob Mensching
  • Patent number: 7890532
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media implementing various aspects of complex data in a conceptual table are disclosed which enable complex data in the form of tables to be added to a conceptual table. The complex data can map to scalar values in a plurality of data tables. Complex data may be entered via data modeling methods, accessed via cursoring methods, and queried via query expansion methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Cole, Gloria M. Godfrey, Neil W. Black, Sumit Chauhan, Suraj T. Poozhiyil
  • Patent number: 7890548
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically transforming non-Unicode supporting files into Unicode supporting files via one or more reusable maps. The system comprises a reusable source type tree organized from a schema, wherein the schema is created from a file; and one or more reusable maps, structured to automatically map one or more rules onto the reusable source type tree to transform the reusable source type tree into a reusable target type tree. The method comprises determining a type of data to be supported; defining one or more rules to support the type of data; and applying the one or more rules automatically to a reusable source type tree to transform the reusable source type tree into a reusable target type tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Sandipan Sengupta
  • Patent number: 7877418
    Abstract: A schema for storing the meta data that describes relational databases. Advantageously, the schema can be used in both database vendor environments and toolkit vendor environments, thereby facilitating the sharing of relational database types. In addition, by describing the schema in a standard modeling language, even among multiple implementations of storage systems designed according to the schema, the conceptual structure and understanding of each storage system can be the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Harm Sluiman
  • Patent number: 7873153
    Abstract: Tasks for managing a network can be displayed in a priority task list. Tasks can be selected for inclusion based on rules, such as rules relating to best practices. The rules can be applied against network status, usage status, user profiles, and the like. Upon selection of a user interface element in the priority task list, an appropriate user interface for accomplishing the task can be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mai-lan Tomsen Bukovec, Eric B. Watson, Gary James Purchase
  • Patent number: 7873690
    Abstract: A management device (D) that is part of a communication network (R1) to which can be connected items of communication equipment (T1-T4) constituting peers storing content data and operating in P2P mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Christoph Neumann, Xavier Lebegue
  • Patent number: 7865540
    Abstract: A semantic publish/subscribe system enables semantic event routing and allows publishers (resp. subscribers) to use self-defined event schemas to publish (resp. subscribe) events. The constraints on value-based publish/subscribe systems that publishers and subscribers must share the same event schemas are removed. With ontology support, the system conducts event correlation based on their semantics using relational operators. Event sources are searched for subscriptions and selected events are automatically correlated according to subscriptions. The system enables efficient semantic event routing by rewriting the subscription SQL statement, wherein no redundant events are generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hui Lei, Liangzhao Zeng
  • Patent number: 7865521
    Abstract: A method, for controlling access to elements in a database object are provided. The method provide for receiving a request from a user to access the database object, determining whether an access restriction is imposed on the database object, and controlling access to the elements in the database object by the user based on the access restriction. The access restriction specifies one or more users to which the access restriction is applicable, defines a dynamic condition the one or more users must satisfy in order to access the database object, and identifies one or more of the elements in the database object accessible to the one or more users when the dynamic condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Miller Bird, Walid Rjaibi
  • Patent number: 7860886
    Abstract: A strategy is described for responding to a user's query based on a consideration of the user's intent in entering the query. The user's intent, in turn, is determined by examining prior query-related behavior of a population of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: A9.Com, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Loftesness
  • Patent number: 7860863
    Abstract: Provided are techniques for optimizing the processing of hierarchical data. A linear processing graph is received, wherein the linear processing graph includes a plurality of operators, wherein each operator in the plurality is connected to at least one other operator by an arc, wherein hierarchical data flows on arcs, wherein the operators read and replace identified subregions within the hierarchical data flowing into the operators on the arcs, and wherein the operators do not modify the hierarchical data outside of these identified subregions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amir Bar-Or, Michael James Beckerle
  • Patent number: 7853621
    Abstract: A method of integrating syntactically valid medical images into a database management system. A database table is created and a database object is initialized with a medical image object. The medical image object is parsed. An XML representation of metadata associated with the medical image object is created and the database object is inserted in the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Oracle International Corp.
    Inventor: Dongbai Guo
  • Patent number: 7853576
    Abstract: A system, method, and program storage device implementing the method, for integrating data in a database management system, wherein the method comprises grouping data sources and replicas of the data sources that provide analogous data into a common logical domain; writing application queries against the common logical domain; selecting a correct set of replicas of the data sources and a query-execution strategy for combining a content of the correct set of replicas of the data sources in order to answer the application queries according to query-cost-based optimization; selecting a correct set of data sources according to run-time constraints; shielding the application queries from changes to the data sources by dynamically binding the application queries against the correct sets of data sources and replicas of the data sources; and processing the application queries by generating an optimum query result based on the steps of grouping and shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Inderpal S. Narang, Vijayshankar Raman, Peter M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 7853622
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes inferring labels for videos, users, advertisements, groups of users, and other entities included in a social network system. The inferred labels can be used to generate recommendations such as videos or advertisements in which a user may be interested. Inferred labels can be generated based on social or other relationships derived from, for example, profiles or activities of social network users. Inferred labels can be advantageous when explicit information about these entities is not available. For example, a particular user may not have clicked on any online advertisements, so the user is not explicitly linked to any advertisements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Shumeet Baluja, Yushi Jing, Dandapani Sivakumar, Jay Yagnik
  • Patent number: 7853624
    Abstract: Method, system, and program product for configuring and using a federated database and data structure management system with error prone data. The design of the metadata and queries includes the steps of first determining schema and metadata configurations of the data source servers. The next step is enumerating available resources, and enumerating security and confidentiality requirements. These are used for calculating an optimal federated database management system design based on the schema and metadata, the enumerated available resources, and the enumerated security and confidentiality requirements; and designing an optimal federated database management system with provision for exception detection and error handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Friedlander, Richard Hennessy, James R. Kraemer
  • Patent number: 7828218
    Abstract: A method and a communicating system to enhance the reliability of communication between devices by protecting against failure of a device, e.g. due to power interruption. Additional data is included in communication primitives transmitted between communicating devices. The additional data relates to state data of the device having generated the additional data. The additional data is used to check the state data. The state data may also be derivable from the additional data upon receiving the additional data back from an other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventor: Eduard Karel De Jong
  • Patent number: 7827061
    Abstract: A database system and method for ordering marketing events for offering to a candidate. The database system comprises a database manager software application, a first database structure storing a first list identifying marketing events, and a second database structure storing a second list of candidates. The database manager software application is stored on a computer readable medium. The database manager software application comprises an optimization tool. Each marketing event from the first list comprises a marketing offer and an identified channel means for communicating the marketing offer. The optimization tool is for optimizing and sorting, the marketing events from the first list for a first candidate from said second list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Ramsey, David A. Selby
  • Patent number: 7822772
    Abstract: A data processor requires setting a plurality of items to a plurality of data sets. The data processor includes a setting unit, a determining unit, a first prompting unit, and a second prompting unit. The setting unit sets an item to a data set. The first prompting unit prompts the setting unit to change the setting of an item from the currently setting item by the setting unit to remaining one of the plurality of items other than the currently setting item when the determining unit determines that a data set which is set for the currently setting item satisfies a prescribed condition for the data set of the currently setting item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kudo
  • Patent number: 7818381
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system for transmitting, receiving, and posting messages, a method thereof, and a computer readable recording medium for recording a program for realizing the method in a computer. When a service subscriber generates a message and transmits the message, a first record and a second record are generated based on the transmitted message, the generated first and second messages are respectively stored and then transmitted to user terminals of an addresser and an addressee, and the user terminals display the transmitted message contents together with previously transmitted related message contents based on record fields. In this instance, the addressee is restricted to be a service subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: NHN Corporation
    Inventors: Young-Joon Hyuong, Joon-Kee Chang, Mun-Jun Seo
  • Patent number: 7814046
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for facilitating plasma processing tool component management across plurality of tools is provided. The method includes receiving first component data for first plurality of components, including identification and usage history, at first database associated with first tool. The method also includes receiving second component data for second plurality of components at second database associated with second tool, which is different from first tool. The method further includes synchronizing first and second component data with third database. The synchronizing includes synchronizing between third database and at least one of first and second database rules that govern usage of at least one component of first and second plurality of components. The third database is coupled to exchange data with plurality of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Chung-Ho Huang, Hae-Pyng Jea, Tung Hsu, Jackie Seto
  • Patent number: 7809767
    Abstract: An architecture and methodology for designing, deploying, and managing a distributed application onto a distributed computing system is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Galen C. Hunt, Bassam Tabbara, Kevin Grealish, Geoffrey Outhred, Rob Mensching
  • Patent number: 7805497
    Abstract: Deployment of a computer program including a global NOI audit model together with standards, procedures, documentation, and reporting requirements in interactive, digital form to a plurality of audit firms operating independently of each other and having a reporting relationship with an investment entity. The program is adapted for receiving audit data from a respective audit firm in connection with an associated real estate property and for generating an associated respective Current NOI audit report. The specific fields and screen arrangements, together with interactive instructions and definitions of the program require that each audit firm identify a consistent set of input parameters and apply them in a consistent way, as driven by the global audit model, thereby assuring computation and transmission of structurally consistent Current NOI audit reports to the investment entity, wherein the Current NOI calculations have been developed by substantially identical audit practices, procedures and assumptions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation
    Inventor: Mary Kay McCoy
  • Patent number: 7801849
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for a user to test and transfer data from a client's database or network to a host's database or network. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a user acquires data information from a client. The user uses this information to generate a spreadsheet, and to populate the spreadsheet with assumed values based on the information received from the client. The spreadsheet is configured in a fashion such that it is consistent with the host's database or network. The user requests and receives a test file from the client and uses a developed algorithm, generally in the form of a computer program, to reformat the file so that it is consistent with the host's database configuration. The user determines the consistency between the reformatted file and the host's database by comparing the reformatted file to the previously generated spreadsheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Beth Bolstad, Debbie Counce, Elizabeth Gray, Alana King, Carla Nelson
  • Patent number: 7792888
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method, system, and program for managing the customer and product information of a client by maintaining a common database is disclosed. The present invention connects the client, call center, repair facility and warehouse to efficiently coordinate the customer and product management process. By allowing access to a common database, a user can view and update changes in the customer and product management process in real time increasing the communication and efficiency of delivering service to a customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Alorica, Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Ming Lee, Hsyh-Min Hsu, Paul Hao, Shyh-Tyng Edward Sun, Tracy Tseng
  • Patent number: 7792889
    Abstract: Managing customer and product information over a network using a multi-functional management tool uses a computer which is programmed for generating a customer database including customer records, wherein each customer record tracks a customer. The computer updates the customer database from information received from the customer to add or modify a specific customer record indicating customer contact and product purchase information about the customer. The computer is used for updating the product database from information received from a client to add or modify a specific product record indicating product and inventory information about the product. The information can include a troubleshooting sequence for the specific product and a specific problem. One option during at least one part of said troubleshooting sequence includes at least one part sale option as an upselling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Alorica Inc
    Inventors: Andy Ming Lee, Hysh-Min Hsu, Paul Hao, Shyh-Tyng Edward Sun, Tracy Tseng, Carrie Renner Edwards, Connie Dentz, Vu Tran, Samuel Jen-Chang Chi
  • Patent number: 7783670
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the creation of trees for representing hierarchical data structures are provided. Trees are created on a server, with the tree having nodes that are associated with paths on a server. Each node is associated with a resource locator indicating data that can be accessed through the tree. A tree manager module generates a state of a tree that is then rendered on a client browser for access by a user. Embodiments of the present invention generate a rendering module that is transmitted to a client for use. The rendering module receives tree information from the server, from which it generates javascript that renders the tree on a client web browser. The present invention is advantageous as it allows customizable client-based rendering of tree structures while utilizing well-known mechanisms for creating trees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: BEA Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jalpesh Patadia
  • Patent number: 7783653
    Abstract: When a user selects to seek to a point in a non-indexed media file, a search starts for the beginning of the frame. Using a search algorithm, the bytes surrounding the selection point are examined to find data equal to a known frame beginning indicator. Once such a byte is found, a subsequent test is performed on the next byte to determine if it contains a valid frame length. The system examines the byte at this length to determine if it contains a value that points to the frame beginning indicator under examination. If such a pointer does exist, the system concludes that the byte with the value equal to a known frame beginning indicator is likely the byte beginning the frame. Additional tests may be performed on the bytes surrounding this frame to increase the confidence level that it is, in fact, a valid complete frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Srinivas Manapragada, Pritham Shetty, Asa Whillock
  • Patent number: 7778989
    Abstract: A file management apparatus includes the following elements: a first non-volatile storage medium that holds a metadata group including a plurality of pieces of metadata corresponding to a predetermined file type; a detector that detects a file of the predetermined file type; a metadata guide unit that introduces, as selection options, the plurality of pieces of metadata included in the metadata group corresponding to the predetermined file type of the detected file; a metadata selection unit that accepts selection of at least one piece of the introduced metadata; and a management data storage unit that stores the selected metadata in association with the detected file in a second non-volatile storage medium in which the detected file is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Oyanagi, Reiko Nomura
  • Patent number: 7779018
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for presenting data is disclosed. The method includes determining items in a question that are contained in a predefined list of items and are defined to be measures or dimensions, determining an association based on the determined items and, based on the determined association, retrieving presentation properties related to a stored association, applying the determined association query the database, and retrieving data which is presented using the presentation properties. The method also includes registering a count that representing a frequency of use of the presentation properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Targit A/S
    Inventor: Morten Middelfart
  • Patent number: 7774101
    Abstract: A method for managing buildings comprises providing a computer database 10 operative to store information relating to at least one building 30, said information comprising building characteristics; Each said building having associated therewith a facility; Each said facility having associated therewith an account; Providing an operational link between a user and said computer database 20, receiving a user request to interact with said computer database 100, providing means for a user to establish a selected account 101, 102, providing means for a user to establish a selected facility 103, providing means for a user to establish a selected building 104, and presenting a user with information relating to said selected building 105.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventors: Orlando E. Ballate, Venkitasamy Perumalsamy
  • Patent number: 7764390
    Abstract: An image forming device includes four operation modes: a copy mode, a fax mode, an e-mail mode and a scanner mode. The image forming device can set a processing content of each operation mode for each prescribed setting item. The image forming device includes a favorite keys group to which setting items selected from all setting items of all operation modes can be assigned. Setting items selected from all setting items of a particular operational mode can be assigned to a standby screen keys group included in a standby screen for that operational mode. A setting item not assigned to the standby screen keys group for a particular operational mode is assigned to a menu screen keys group for that operational mode. When detecting an operation performed on a key included in the favorite keys group, the standby screen keys group and the menu screen keys group, the image forming device performs a setting operation for the setting item assigned to the operated key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Kotani
  • Patent number: 7761493
    Abstract: A module possessing a class descriptor declares for the module the supported classes. The installation of the module triggers the examination class information model hierarchies possessed by the container on which the module is installed. Finding the established class information model hierarchies to be lacking with respect to the newly installed supported classes, a query is made to ascertain child-parent information for the newly installed supported classes. Using this information, an ancestry of each class is achieved so as to sparsely populate an information model hierarchy for each newly installed supported class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Oracle America, inc.
    Inventors: Arieh Markel, Jordan Boucher, Nicholas Stephen, Peter H. Schow
  • Patent number: 7756807
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems that extract facts of unstructured documents and build an oracle for various domains. The present invention addresses the problem of efficient finding and extraction of facts about a particular subject domain from semi-structured and unstructured documents, makes inferences of new facts from the extracted facts and the ways of verification of the facts, thus becoming a source of knowledge about the domain to be effectively queried. The methods and systems can also extract temporal information from unstructured and semi-structured documents, and can find and extract dynamically generated documents from Deep or Dynamic Web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Glennbrook Networks
    Inventors: Julia Komissarchik, Edward Komissarchik
  • Patent number: 7752244
    Abstract: A binary tree structure for detecting inventory problems. A first embodiment detects on-hand inventory problems. A second embodiment detects inventory requirements problems. Both embodiments use a binary tree whose nodes store time values and delta values. The delta values represent inventory consumers or producers. The time values of trees used for inventory requirements problems are shifted in accordance with build-ahead times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: i2 Technologies US, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Cline
  • Patent number: 7752246
    Abstract: A binary tree structure for detecting inventory problems. A first embodiment detects on-hand inventory problems. A second embodiment detects inventory requirements problems. Both embodiments use a binary tree whose nodes store time values and delta values. The delta values represent inventory consumers or producers. The time values of trees used for inventory requirements problems are shifted in accordance with build-ahead times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: i2 Technologies US, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Cline
  • Patent number: 7752245
    Abstract: A binary tree structure for detecting inventory problems. A first embodiment detects on-hand inventory problems. A second embodiment detects inventory requirements problems. Both embodiments use a binary tree whose nodes store time values and delta values. The delta values represent inventory consumers or producers. The time values of trees used for inventory requirements problems are shifted in accordance with build-ahead times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: i2 Technologies US, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Cline
  • Patent number: 7747577
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture wherein one client node is selected from a plurality of client nodes. A determination is made that an object corresponding to a client node has to be stored. A determination is made as to whether the object has already been stored in the server node by the one selected client node. The object is stored at the server node, in response to determining that the object has not already been stored in the server node by the one selected client node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Maxwell Cannon, Colin Scott Dawson, Robert Clair Edwards, Jr., Michael Allen Kaczmarski, Christopher Zaremba
  • Patent number: 7747650
    Abstract: Plural versions of an authoring/editing tool for fluid text include both a WYSIWYG editor and a content-driven treetable editor for producing narratives and their behavioral control in a fluid text viewing system environment. The tool includes content-driven treetable visualization and a layout mechanisms for authoring and/or editing hypertext narratives, electronic mail threads and other tree-oriented applications. Edit operations are disclosed that permit interactive development and modification of treetables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Polle Trescott Zellweger, Paula S. Newman, Maribeth J. Back
  • Patent number: 7743039
    Abstract: File systems which provide several different and improved locking capabilities. An application on a client workstation communicates through a client driver to a server which interfaces with a metadata database, which contains locking information about the files. Applications perform as normal. The client driver provides lock and unlock requests to the server when a write lock or a read with intent to write lock is required. If only a read lock is considered appropriate, the client driver does not provide a lock request. The server transparently performs read operations and read locking using the metadata database without specific requests from the client driver. When a read with intent to write or write lock is required, the lock ownership is placed with a given expiration time. When the time expires the lock is not automatically released but remains with the particular requesting client driver until another client driver requests it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: SimDesk Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Frederick Jones, John M. Eastman, Jr., John Thomas White, Jr., Charles G. Mattair, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7743067
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for recommending leisure activities to a user. During operation, the system receives at least one query for leisure activities. The system then determines a collaborative filtering score of a candidate activity based on a collaborative filtering model, a soft query score for the candidate activity based on a soft query model, a content preference score for the candidate activity based on a content preference model and the user's past behavior, and a distance score for the candidate activity based on a distance model. Next, the system generates a composite score for the candidate activity by calculating a weighted average of the collaborative filtering score, the soft query score, the content preference score, and the distance score. The system further returns a recommendation list containing the activities with the highest composite scores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas B. Ducheneaut, Robert R. Price, Kurt E. Partridge
  • Patent number: 7739272
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes searching resources related to an application in response to receiving a query, identifying an operation in the application that satisfies the query, and exposing an object that provides access to the identified operation, within the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Fishkin
  • Patent number: 7734575
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for scalable data collection. Input is received from users of client devices, utilizing agents. Further, records are formatted with a predetermined format representative of the input, utilizing the agents. In addition, a priority is dynamically assigned to the records according to a policy, utilizing the agents. At least one of a plurality of server devices is also identified based on a load balancing algorithm, utilizing the agents. Further, the records are transmitted from the client devices to the identified server device as a function of the priority. Upon receipt of the records, the records are processed utilizing a hierarchical architecture associated with the at least one server device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Amdocs Software Systems Limited
    Inventor: Amit Kleinmann
  • Patent number: 7734669
    Abstract: A method in a computer system for retrieving data from one of multiple copies of the data is provided, referred to as the data management system. The data management system receives a request identifying at least one data object to be accessed. Then, the data management system queries a metabase to locate data copies that contain the identified at least one data object, wherein the data copies are created from similar source data, and wherein for each data copy the metabase contains an indication of the availability of the copy relative to other copies. Next, the data management system determines one of the located data copies to use to access the identified at least one data object, wherein the determination is made based on the indicated availability contained in the metabase for each of the located data copies. Then, the data management system accesses the identified at least one data object using the determined one of the located data copies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: CommVault Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Kottomtharayil, Parag Gokhale, Jun Lu
  • Patent number: 7730073
    Abstract: A system and method for presenting related items to a user. A universal data store is provided which contains a plurality of items. A portion of the items contain relational information that allows relationships between two or more of the plurality of items to be determined. A shell presents a selected item to a user and is configured to utilize the relational information to present one or more items in the data store which are related to the selected item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy P. McKee, David George De Vorchik, David Joel Sheldon, Chris J. Guzak, Jason Fergus Moore, Kerem B. Karatal, Giampiero Sierra, Leonard J. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7725510
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for multi-character multi-pattern pattern matching. In the multi-character multi-pattern pattern matching method, patterns in an input stream are detected by transitioning between states of a “compressed deterministic finite state automaton (DFA)”, with each transition based on multiple characters of the input stream. The compressed DFA is created by compressing an original DFA, such as an Aho-Corasick DFA, such that each state of the compressed DFA represents multiple consecutive states of the original DFA and each transition between the states of the compressed DFA is a combination of all of the transitions between the multiple consecutive states of the original DFA. This method can be implemented using a Ternary Content-Addressable Memory (TCAM) to store the transitions of the compressed DFA and compares the transitions with multiple characters of an input stream at a time to detect patterns in the input stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Mansoor Ali Khan Alicherry, Muthuprasanna Muthusrinivasan
  • Patent number: 7724599
    Abstract: A remote copy system includes a plurality of storage systems. Each first storage system assigns a sequential number to write data received from the host and sends the write data with the sequential number to the second storage system. One of the first storage systems defers the processing of the write request received from the host and instructs each of the first storage systems to create a marker that includes a sequential number that is a marker number. The second storage systems receive the marker from the first storage system and store the marker number included in the marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Arakawa, Kenta Ninose, Yoshihiro Asaka, Yusuke Hirakawa
  • Patent number: 7720893
    Abstract: In one illustrative example, a method for use in mapping a location in a computer device includes the steps of receiving an electronic file or message which includes a hypertext link mapping indicator associated with a uniform resource locator (URL) string having a server address and latitude and longitude coordinates; receiving, through a user interface of the computer device, an end user selection of the hypertext link mapping indicator in the electronic file or message; and in response to the end user selection of the hypertext link mapping indicator: if a predetermined type of mapping application is provided in the computer device, invoking a mapping function of the mapping application to produce a map of a location corresponding to the latitude and longitude coordinates for visual display in a display of the computer device (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Jesse Joseph Boudreau, Ronald Anthony Dicke
  • Patent number: 7720859
    Abstract: There is provided a device, which comprises a storage unit configured to store a plurality of items relating to setting of a predetermined device and parameters associated with the plurality of items, a search unit configured to search the storage unit for at least one item that matches a keyword, and a setting screen generation unit configured to generate a setting screen for the setting of the at least one setting item searched by the search unit, using the parameters associated with the at least one item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomomi Wakazono
  • Patent number: 7716262
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a technique of processing an index comprises receiving a portion of an index, wherein the index is associated with an identifier; determining whether the identifier is stored; and storing the received portion of the index in substantially the same entry as the stored identifier, if it is determined that the identifier is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventor: Ramesh Pallapotu