Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for compressing textual documents encoded using a tag-based markup language, such as XML or SGML documents, in a manner that allows a compressed document to be processed without decompression. A document is compressed using a standard compression algorithm that is applied only to the data elements of the document. The tag elements of the XML document that impose the hierarchical structure on the data elements are not compressed. The hierarchical relationship of the data elements can be ascertained from the compressed document. A user can thereafter selectively decompress desired portions of the document, without decompressing the entire document. An identification of the employed compression technique can be inserted into a root node tag element of the XML document or into an additional tag element pair that is inserted into the XML document.

Abstract: In an information processing system (300), a first sequence (202) of icons are displayed one after the other in a field (204) on the display (312). The icon (204) being displayed is made selectable to the user of the system. Upon selection of a particular icon (204) of the first sequence, a second sequence (208) of icons associated with the selected icon of the first sequence are displayed one after the other in another field (214) on the display. The sequences of icons, displayed in the different fields, constitute a hierarchical two-level menu structure which can now be realized with only two fields on the display.

Abstract: A method and system are for transforming an XML document structured according to a set of XML grammar rules to at least one XML document structured according to at least one subset of the set of XML grammar rules. The system includes a controller capable of executing a set of programmable instructions for retrieving at least one grammar restriction style sheet (GRSS) corresponding to at least one subset of a set of XML grammar rules, where the at least one GRSS includes transformation rules for transforming an XML document to at least one XML document structured according to the at least one subset of the set of XML grammar rules; and a transformation engine for using the transformation rules of each retrieved GRSS for transforming data elements of the XML document to data elements structured according to the at least one subset of the set of XML grammar rules to transform the XML document to the at least one XML document structured according to the at least one subset of the set of XML grammar rules.

Abstract: A method and system for the automatic detection of a sleeping person and for adjusting electrical power supplied to a number of electronic devices; it includes a unit for observing the behavior of a person in a predetermined area under surveillance and a unit for analyzing output data from the observing unit to determine whether the observed behavior is associated with predefined sleeping behaviors. Upon recognition that the observed behavior indicates the sleeping state of a person, the electrical power supplied to the plurality of electronic devices is selectively adjusted according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: Cameras and image processing techniques are applied to the problem of spill detection. Fixed background data may be removed using a technique based on image subtraction. The remainder of one or more images may be segmented. The segments may then be tested to identify and remove from further analysis segments corresponding to non-spill foreground objects, for example by forming luminance and/or chrominance profiles to detect the presence of a high rate of specular albido that would be associated with a wet spill. Further testing may be done, for example by determining if a segment corresponds to a planar object lying in the plane of the floor using planar projection transforms and multiple cameras. If a segment is likely to indicate a spill, a notification may be generated.

Abstract: An interaction simulator, such as a chatterbot, is connected with an external database, such as an electronic program guide. The information gathered during interaction, particularly conversational, is parsed and used to augment the database data. The interaction simulator may be guided by the data residing in the database so as to help fill in recognizable gaps by, for example, intermittently asking questions relating to the subject data requirement. The interaction simulator may be provided with specific response templates based on the needs of the database and a corresponding set of templates to extract the information required by the database. Another example database may be for recording and indexing by key word stories or other free-form verbal data uttered by the user. The interaction simulator may be programmed to help the user develop the story using templates designed for this purpose.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement (300) comprises a ground conductor (102) on which is mounted an antenna (304). The antenna is small relative to a wavelength at operational frequencies of the antenna arrangement (300) and the dimensions of the antenna (304) are selected so that the combined impedance of the antenna (304) and ground conductor (102) is suitable for driving via a conventional matching circuit. This condition is met when the bandwidth of the arrangement is dominated by that of the antenna and ground conductor, rather than that of the matching circuit. In one embodiment the antenna is a triangular conducting element which is considerably wider than its height, the length being sufficient to to give a reasonable resistance and the width being sufficient to reduce the reactance to a level that can reasonably be matched.

Abstract: A method for classification of objects in video image data. The method including the steps of: detecting moving objects in the image data; extracting two or more features from each detected moving object in the image data; classifying each moving object for each of the two or more features according to a classification method; and deriving a classification for each moving object based on the classification method for each of the two or more features. Also provided is an apparatus for classification of objects in video image data.

Abstract: A method of providing an estimate of GPS time from non-GPS timing information present in communications signals transmitted from a base station (BS1) to a first mobile communications device (MS1) is provided comprising the steps of (i) in a second mobile communications device (MS2), receiving corresponding non-GPS timing signals present in communications signals transmitted by the base station; (ii) in a GPS receiver (23, 24) of the second mobile communications device (MS2), obtaining at least one pseudorange to a GPS satellite (GPS SV) and obtaining an first estimate of GPS time; (iii) deriving a relationship between the receipt of timing signals received in step (i) and the estimate of GPS time obtained in step (ii); and (iv) from the non-GPS timing information received by the first mobile communications device (MS1) and the relationship derived in step (iii), calculating a second estimate of GPS time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an audio-visual communication device (SB) and an associated method. Said audio-visual communication device has two reception paths, one video (VRP_B) and one audio (ARP_B), said paths being suitable for receiving a video signal (VS) and an audio signal (AS), respectively, originating from a second audio-visual communication device (SA). Said device is characterized in that it comprises means of return control (CNTRL) suitable for adapting an image frequency (FR) of said video signal (VS) as a function of a noise signal.

Abstract: A method of selecting a combination of transmit antennas (TA1 to TA4) and receive antennas (RA1 to RA4) in a MIMO antenna system to give the best isolation from adjacent parallel signal streams comprises transmitting a first signal from one of the transmit antennas and measuring a quality metric, for example signal strength of the received signal at each of the receive antennas. The process is repeated using signals transmitted in turn by each the remaining transmit antennas. A channel matrix is compiled of the transmit antennas versus the receive antennas and a selection is made of a combination of transmit and receive antennas receiving acceptably a first signal and unacceptably a second signal and vice versa. The selected combination is used to send and receive MIMO signals. Switches (SW1, SW2) are provided for coupling the selected antennas to the respective transmitters (TX1, TX2) and receivers (RX1, RX2).

Abstract: A method for selecting a target in an automated video tracking system. The method including the steps of: displaying video image data of a scene having a target to be tracked; freezing the video image data to display a frame thereof; and selecting a desired target in the frame of the video image data. Also provided is an apparatus for selecting a target in an automated video tracking system and an automated video tracking system employing such methods and apparatus.

Abstract: A recording device that utilizes a determining device to make a determination whether a user is available to review user selected content at a scheduled time. First, the user makes a selection of content that the user wishes the recording device to record. The recording device then queries a database, such as an electronic programming guide (EPG) to determine the scheduled time of the user-selected content. The recording device then queries the determining device, such as a calendar device. In the event that the recording device determines that the user is unavailable at the scheduled time of the selected content, the recording device records the selected content.

Abstract: When a person requests access to a chat session, the time of the request is used to determine which chat room the person is placed. Other parameters are used to determine the surrounding factors, or context, within which the person initiated the request, such as the particular television program that the person was watching at the time of the request. By forming chat rooms based on the time of entry and the context in which the request is made, the chat rooms are likely to contain people with a common topic to discuss, such as the television news story being broadcast at that time. These time-of-entry chat rooms can also be structured to be of limited duration, obviating the overhead burden of deleting topic-specific chat rooms when the topic ceases to be of interest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for catching-up on viewing a program on a viewing device. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a storing mechanism configured for simultaneously recording and playing back digital video and audio streams. A controller is configured to control the storing mechanism to record and play back the digital video and audio streams. The controller is also configured to determine an accelerated playback speed that allows a viewer to catch-up to a real time viewing of the program. A playback mechanism operatively coupled between the storing mechanism and the viewing device is configured to control a playback speed of the video and audio streams provided to the viewing device from the storage mechanism in accordance with the accelerated playback speed.

Abstract: Projection systems are known to display images of all kind. The invention proposes to use of a ceiling of a room, for example the bedroom can be used to display all kind of images. Further the invention makes the projection system very much user-interactive.

Abstract: An image retrieval system contains a database with a large number of images. The system retrieves images from the database that are similar to a query image entered by the user. The images in the database are grouped in clusters according to a similarity criterion so that mutually similar images reside in the same cluster. Each cluster has a cluster center which is representative for the images in it. A first step of the search to similar images selects the clusters that may contain images similar with the query image, by comparing the query image with the cluster centers of all clusters. A second step of the search compares the images in the selected clusters with the query image in order to determine their similarity with the query image.

Abstract: In a garment 10, 12 incorporating an electronic device such as a radio 16, a variable of the device, such as volume, is varied by the use of two cords 22, 24, the electrical resistance of each cord decreasing in accordance with an increase in tension applied to the cord; pulling one cord increases the volume of the radio and pulling the other cord decreases the volume. The stronger the pull, the faster the change in volume. The ends of the cords lie outside the garment and carry toggles 26, 28 for easy operation by a gloved hand. Alternatively the ends of the cord outside the garment may be connected to opposite ends of a manual grip 48.

Abstract: Reproduction arrangement for receiving information coded in accordance with a predefined standard, decoding the coded information and reproducing the decoding result. The reproduction arrangement may further receive and decode trigger information, which differs from the standard in a predefined manner. This results in a predefined special output, which is reproduced by the reproduction arrangement. A manufacturer of hardware and/or software present in the reproduction arrangement may thus verify in a simple manner whether this hardware and/or software has been made by himself. If the predefined special output is reproduced when the trigger information is added, then the reproduction arrangement will contain his hardware and/or software.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to refine object boundaries of computer determined scene objects extracted from stereoscopic images is disclosed. In the method disclosed, a refinement of object boundaries is performed by altering the pixel combinations used to create scene objects. In this method, each pixel in a one image is re-combined with alternative pixels in a second image and a new disparity measure is determined for each of the re-matched pixel combinations. When the new disparity measure remains in dynamically specified boundaries the re-matched pixel combination is retained, thus, replacing a previous matched pixel combination. When the new disparity measure falls outside specified boundaries, a previous re-matched combination is retained. The process of altering pixel combinations by re-matching pixels between the stereoscopic images continues for each pixel of the combined image.