2184 results about "Data resources" patented technology

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, association forming entities are: a) maintained as objects in a like manner to the data objects being associated; and b) are themselves partitioned objects comprising two or more association fragments, each association fragment being mostly concerned with the interfaces to a particular data object participating in the association. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each association fragment affiliated with a particular data object is stored in a location that enhances the ease of interaction between the association fragment and the data object. For example, where a first data object and second data object are maintained in data stores at some distance from one another, physically or logically, then a first association fragment will be located with or near to the first data object, and a second association fragment will be located with or near the second data object, at least within the same partition. This arrangement may be preferable because the volume of interaction between a data object and its respective association fragment may far outweigh the interaction needed between the two association fragments. This arrangement may also be preferable as the volume of interaction between a client application and both the data object and respective association fragment may exceed the interaction needed between the two association fragments. Some interactions will employ only one of the association fragments with the net result being a reduction in communications requirements and an improvement in performance. The present invention further provides for defining logical domains which are arbitrary and entirely orthogonal to partitions.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, association forming entities are: a) maintained as objects in a like manner to the data objects being associated; and 6) are themselves partitioned objects comprising two or more association fragments, each association fragment being mostly concerned with the interfaces to a particular data object participating in the association. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each association fragment affiliated with a particular data object is stored in a location that enhances the ease of interaction between the association fragment and the data object. For example, where a first data object and second data object are maintained in data stores at some distance from one another, physically or logically, then a first association fragment will be located with or near to the first data object and a second association fragment will be located with or near the second data object, at least within the same partition. This arrangement may be preferable because the volume of interaction between a data object and its respective association fragment may far outweigh the interaction needed between the two association fragments. This arrangement may also be preferable as the volume of interaction between a client application and both the data object and respective association fragment may exceed the interaction needed between the two association fragments. Some interactions will employ only one of the association fragments with the net result being a reduction in communications requirements and an improvement in performance. The present invention further provides for defining logical domains which are arbitrary and entirely orthogonal to partitions.

Resource usage data is automatically collected for an individual, household, family, organization, or other entity. The collected data is transmitted to a central repository, where it is stored and compared with real-time and / or historical usage data by that same entity and / or with data from other sources. Graphical, interactive displays and reports of resource usage data are then made available. These displays can include comparisons with data representing any or all of community averages, specific entities, historical use, representative similarly-situated entities, and the like. Resource usage data can be made available within a social networking context, published, and / or selectively shared with other entities.