Abstract:
A synchronous collaboration environment that supports real-time collaboration of multiple participants, each having shared and independent views of the shared workspace. Multiple views per participant are provided. Some of the views seen by a participant can be shared views with the usual common cursor and annotation tools. The shared views need not be homogeneous, which means that for a given view, each participant can see more than just some common data in his or window for the view. What the participant sees separately from the common data can make his or her shared view different from that of other participants. The view can be different due to different data being exposed in the view. Some of the views seen by a participant can be independent views. This allows to the participant synchronous working with the shared workspace alone on his or her own. The collaboration system includes a user interface and support for aligning views including goto and overlaying. Participants can modify the workspace through their views in a synchronized manner provided the sharing and access rights of their views allow them to do so.
Abstract:
Effective real-time collaboration across remote sites in which any type of data can be shared in a common work space in a consistent manner is made possible by an annotation layer having multiple distinct modes of operation during a collaborative session with two or more people sharing the same work space. One mode is a discussion mode in which one or more users simply share a common view of the shared data and manipulate the view independent of the shared data. During the discussion mode, all user input is handled by the annotation layer which interprets user inputs to move common cursors, create, move or delete markings and text which, since the annotation layer is transparent, appear over the application. Another mode is an edit mode in which one or more users actually edit the shared data. The applications and the data are synchronized among all clients to display the same view. Manipulating the view includes moving a common cursor and placing markings on the common view using text and/or drawing tools.
Abstract:
A distributed server for real-time collaboration is substituted for a centralized server to address the problem of the development of unacceptable communication and computation bottlenecks resulting from the use of a one-software-process-based centralized server running somewhere on the available network. The substitute distributed server improves scaleability of real-time collaboration by being based on multiple, independently-communicating, asynchronous, independent (i.e., no shared memory, data, variables, etc.) software processes. The processes can be distributed to multiple machines throughout the network and run simultaneously in order to avoid the centralized server's bottlenecks. To be used, a distributed server requires a disjoint, fully covering partitioning of a work space, wherein it can handle partition hierarchies and groups comprehensively. The distributed server solution is general because of the ability of distributed servers to work with different definitions of a modification. The distributed server solution is extensible because of its simple and comprehensive treatment of inter-partition synchronization.
Abstract:
A method and system for bidding on multiple auctions. The multiple auction bidding system allows a user to define various models for bidding at multiple auctions. The bidding system then automatically places bids on behalf of the user. The bidding rules may specify to win at most one of multiple auctions at the lowest price or to bid at an auction only if successful at bidding at another auction.
Abstract:
A data storage device 12 includes a disk 14 having a surface zone 14a for storing data, and an access head 18 mounted on a slider 20 for writing data to and reading data from the data zone. The head 18 flies across the data zone 14a to access selected data tracks during spinning of the disk. And, the slider 20 seeks a predetermined shock buffer zone 30 atop the spinning disk, where critical data is not stored, during an idle mode for confining thereto any shock induced contact between the slider and disk surface.
Abstract:
An activity based system for long-lived transactions between disconnected servers and clients. The invention utilizes activities for processing information between occasionally connected servers and clients by executing code or both. The activity is a distributed object which executes the system script, extracts data from a database, and assigns tasks to be prepared by the client. The activity includes program code which provides failure recovery, restart from a termination and ACID interaction with a database.
Abstract:
A method and system for overcoming force which inhibits movement of a data storage device are provided. The invention includes generating momentum in a moveable member and then utilizing the momentum of the moveable member to generate a large impulse force on a stationary body (e.g., the data storage device) to overcome the movement-inhibiting force thereon. This is accomplished by allowing the moveable member to move along a trajectory independently of the stationary body, thereby building momentum in the moveable member. The subsequent impact of the member on the body overcomes the force. The moveable member can then also be used, in one embodiment, to continue driving the body during system operation.
Abstract:
In a direct access storage device having a head for interaction with a storage medium and a moving actuator on which the head is mounted, the improvement comprises a compound bearing system for the actuator, the bearing system including a first bearing of low friction for small movements of the actuator; and a second bearing of higher friction for coarse movements of the actuator. The storage medium is preferably a rotating magnetic disk having a series of concentric circular tracks. A single servo system drives the actuator so that the head follows a selected track with motion of the first bearing, and movement of the head to a new track causes motion of the second bearing. Preferably the first bearing is a flex bearing and the second bearing is a ball bearing.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for automating an invoice approval process are described herein. Rules are created which are evaluated against a set of attributes. A rules engine is automatically invoked upon receipt of a document in an electronic invoice presentment and payment system. The rules engine determines which rules are applicable to documents received and processed in the system, and applies those applicable rules in a pre-defined sequence.
Abstract:
A method and a system are provided for capturing a future location of a user. In one example, the system receives user data including plans for one or more future locations of one or more users. The system identifies a particular user who is associated with one or more users who plan to go to a particular future location. The system then provides to a particular user device a suggestion for the particular user to be at the particular future location. The particular user device is presumably operated by the particular user.