A method is given for presentation of a multimedia software package, that comprises multiple assets, which can be presented in various combinations in a dialogue with a person involved. In particular, the method uses an explicit information structure description, in which multiple multimedia building blocks are being linked in accordance with an information model that is especially tailored towards a particular application domain. The information model allows expressing in the information structure description of dependency relations stating or implying that certain parts of the multimedia software package should be accessed before other parts. Also, the information model is being expanded with softwared facilities, using which the information structure description is accessible to said person involved, who as a user person can also directly access all multimedia building blocks. Using these, those parts of the software that have already been visited by the user involved become especially marked, and also those parts of the software that can be accessed subsequently by the user person subject to any dependency relations, also become especially marked. In addition, the information model may be expanded with softwared facilities supporting an author person to develop said information structure description under integration with multimedia content creation tools and without programming effort.

This invention provides a join processing system and method, which operates efficiently without a burden to a master processor, in a relational database on a multiprocessor. In a system which includes a master processor, multiple slave processors and disk drives, data is distributed and stored in the disk drives. Each of the slave processors retrieves a first sub-table and transfers the table to the master processor, and the master processor creates a first main table. Each of the slave processors retrieves the second data selectively with reference to the first main table, and creates a second sub-table. The master processor merges the second sub-tables, and creates a second main table. Then, a join processing of the first main table and the second main table is performed.

A system for comparing two complex entities, particularly appropriate for assisting in matching recipients with potential organ transplant donors or prostheses, utilizes a set of data corresponding to multiple diverse parameters representing a first complex entity, graphically represented on a helical structure having a discrete primary zone for each parameter and a series of secondary zones within each primary zone to establish scale means for quantitative representation of the data. The data is represented in a visual manner by means of shading in the secondary zones, with the shading increasing in hue and density with increasing distance of the secondary zones from the longitudinal axis of the helical structure, and terminating at a quantitative value for each parameter. Other sets of data corresponding to other complex entities are similarly represented on additional helical structures, and the helixes, or sections thereof, are superimposed on one another to determine the suitability of a match, with differences in values for each parameter being readily visible to an observer by looking at the differences in termination of the shaded regions.

A model information control system ("MICS") is used in conjunction with a user-defined information model and one or more conventional information system program modules or "functions" to execute business applications. The MICS includes an event-action-state machine that manipulates the user-defined information model and the functions.

Disclosed is a system and method of operating a computer to update a database. An entry made by a user for creating, deleting or modifying an entity type instance is checked to determine applicable constraints, which are then activated and placed in a pool. A firing order is then determined for the activated constraints. The first ranked constraint is then coded, using database calls if necessary to provide data for the logical statements, after which the coded constraint is fired. If the constraint was violated an error is signalled and processing is returned to the step of activating constraints for treatment of revised user data. Otherwise, it is determined if any constraints remain to be fired before returning to the step of activating or exiting.