Abstract: A method of coding a time-discrete stereo signal, the stereo signal having a first and a second channel, permits scalable stereo coding. At first, a mono signal is formed from the stereo signal, which is then coded, whereupon the coded mono signal is transmitted to a bit stream. Thereafter, the coded mono singal is decoded again, whereupon stereo information is formed on the basis of the coded/decoded mono signal and the first and second channels, with such stereo information being coded and being also written into the bit stream in order to obtain a bit stream comprising a complete coded monolayer as well as a layer with coded stereo information.

Abstract: A document localization, management and delivery system in a computer environment. A preferred embodiment of the invention automatically determines the language and country of a Web site visitor and directs the Web server to deliver the appropriate localized content contained in a country/language database to the visitor's browser. The visitor's browser is notified of the proper font and content encoding needed to display the selected language and is allowed to download the font. A toolkit is provided which allows a master site to be built that is language and country-independent. The actual language and country content is placed in a language/country database where it is easily managed and maintained. When a visitor enters the site, the requested document is automatically served in the visitor's language and for the visitor's country by filling in a document template from the master site with the correct language content from the language/country database.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for converting a textual portion of an electronic mail message into audio and delivering the audio through a telephone call to a recipient. An electronic mail server is configured to receive a mail message and parse an address to retrieve a telephone number included in or associated with said address. One or more textual portions of the mail message are converted to audio by a text-to-audio converter and combined into an audio message. The audio message may include an identifier of a sender or originator of the mail message, a subject of the mail message, text included in the body of the mail message, etc. An audio attachment included with the mail message may be included in the audio message. A call processor establishes a telephonic connection with the recipient, plays the audio message and may record a response from the recipient. If a response is provided, it is relayed back to the originator of the mail message. The recipient may be able to specify circumstances (.g.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein enables a collection of computers and associated communications infrastructure to offer a new communications process which allows information providers to broadcast information to a population of information consumers. The information may be targeted to those consumers who have a precisely formulated need for the information. This targeting may be based on information which is inaccessible to other communications protocols. The targeting also includes a time element. Information can be brought to the attention of the consumer precisely when it has become applicable, which may occur immediately upon receipt of the message, but may also occur long after the message arrives. The communications process may operate without intruding on consumers who do not exhibit the precisely-specified need for the information, and it may operate without compromising the security or privacy of the consumers who participate.

Abstract: A spatial tracking system tracks movements of sources of radiated energy. In the one embodiment of the invention, three sensor sets are included each containing a pair of sensors. Movements of a single radiation source with a radially symmetric emission pattern is tracked in up to six dimensions; X, Y, Z, yaw, pitch and radiation intensity. Sources with different radiation ranges or types are tracked at the same time using sensors tuned to the different radiation ranges or types. The sensor sets may include more than two sensors which increases the spatial range monitored and increases tracking accuracy and optionally include sensors tuned to different radiation sources, such as light of different wavelengths. Individual sensors can be included with the sensor sets which increase the rotational range of the system beyond the range for translation tracking.

Abstract: A method and system for producing multiple copies of an executable software object, in which a copy is functionally identical to all other copies while being structurally unique, alter the source code according to parameters specified by a seed and a set of preferences. High-level source code is translated to assembly code. Selected procedures from the assembly code are blended to form larger procedures functionally equivalent to the original procedures. Instructions within procedures are reshuffled, while the original flow of execution is conserved. Dummy opcodes are interspersed with executable instructions. The resulting modified code is translated to object code and an executable object is constructed. The invention is also embodied as a computer readable program product on a computer readable medium. Each copy bears a unique fingerprint that allows the producer of the product to exercise control over the use of the software product and prevent unauthorized use and copying.

Abstract: The invention provides a mechanism for oscillating the spectral grating of a monochromator. The mechanism couples the spectral grating of the monochromator to an oscillating spatial linkage mechanism which accepts a rotational input and converts it into an oscillatory motion. A monochromator according to the invention comprises an oscillating grating that is oscillated by such spacial linkage mechanism drive.

Abstract: An embedded data acquisition and control system for a precision instruments, such as a non-invasive glucose prediction instrument is disclosed. One feature of the invention provides synchronization of stepper motor position and analog-to-digital converters. An embedded controller is provided that controls the stepper motor driver directly to minimize the wavelength shift error due to the asynchronous condition. The controller synchronizes the event of reading the A/D converters with each stepper motor position. Because the stepper motor controls the wavelength of the monochromator optical output, the net result is that each A/D conversion recorded by the embedded controller is precisely tracked to a specific wavelength. Another feature of the invention provides closed loop motor position control for enhanced system performance. In the closed loop system, a position encoder is coupled to the stepper motor shaft.

Abstract: A current measuring device for measuring the current through one or a plurality of conductors (L1, L2, L3) of an array of n conductors, n being a natural number≧2, comprises n+1 magnetic-field-sensitive sensors (S1 to S4) which are arranged such that two respective magnetic-field-sensitive sensors are arranged adjacent a respective conductor. A unit (12) for reading out output signals of the magnetic-field-sensitive sensors is provided. Furthermore, the current measuring device is provided with a unit (10) for calculating the current through one or a plurality of conductors on the basis of the read output signals and on the basis of coefficients which describe the influence of currents flowing through each of the n conductors and of a constant magnetic field on the output signal of each of the magnetic-field-sensitive sensors.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an HTTP based extensible protocol supporting a subset of the workflow object names and definitions of the OMG workflow protocol. HTTP is a synchronous communication interface. The HTTP based protocol can communicate across the Internet, traversing firewalls. Workflow applications requiring such traversal could then be built and readily integrated into the enterprise side workflow systems built with the OMG workflow protocol and CORBA.

Abstract: An interactive virtual telepresence system allows an Internet user to view three-dimensional objects from any perspective in a studio at a remote server. The system includes several video cameras trained on the three-dimensional objects and a computer that calculates the voxel-representation of the solid. The server broadcasts each camera view and voxel information. A user selects the viewing perspective desired, and the computer at the user's site receives the nearest camera views to the requested perspective and voxel information for the interpolation and renders the selected view.

Abstract: An enhanced swim fin is provided comprising a flipper blade having an increased effective surface area during movement in a first direction, and a decreased effective surface area during movement in a second direction. The swim fin preferably comprises a staged opening during movement in the first direction, in which the opened flipper blade provides increased flexion as the effective surface area is increased. The swim fin preferably comprises a staged closing during movement in the second direction, in which the opened flipper blade provides decreased flexion as the effective surface area is decreased. In some embodiments of the staged swim fin, a central hinge, generally located longitudinally along the blade on the fin, provides staged opening and flexion. Various embodiments provide fin opening and closing for either forward or backward kicks. The enhanced swim fin is typically attached to a foot, such as for performance, for training, or for physical therapy.

Abstract: A portable pipe irrigation system that is used primarily for temporary drip and sprinkler installations includes a unique trailer that comprises a platform which simplifies installation and removal of the irrigation system. The trailer is either self propelled or pulled by a tractor. A magazine in the central portion of the trailer is of a sufficient length to accommodate pipe of various lengths and cross sections. A work platform is located at either end of the magazine, allowing workers to manipulate the pipe in the magazine and load the pipe into one of two installation chutes. Catwalks are located on one or both sides of the magazine. Two chutes or channels are located on the platform at a comfortable work level. A primary chute is located closest to the magazine and is fitted with a fixed stop on the front end and a pushing lever on the rear end. A secondary chute is provided for final assembly of the pipe sections.

Abstract: A sensor component comprises a ceramic support (12) with a metal film (14) applied thereto. At least one connecting wire (16) is electrically connected to the metal film (14) in a contact area (18). A fixing glaze (20) is applied to the metal film (14) and the at least one connecting wire (16) in the contact area (18). The ceramic support (12) has at least one recess (24) in the area of the fixing glaze (20).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved race detection and expression is disclosed. The race detection method and apparatus disclosed herein detects races statically by analyzing the circuits, which are usually written in a hardware description language (HDL), such as VHDL or Verilog. Compared with known simulation approaches, the inventive method and apparatus has at least the following advantages: no test vectors are required; all potential races can be detected; and in simulator approaches, if the right test vectors are not provided, then the races cannot be found (the invention avoids this last constraint).

Abstract: An analog video tagging and encoding system. The invention inserts an analog tag frame into the analog video stream such that the luminance values are made to approach zero, i.e., black, allowing a potential tag frame to be quickly identified. Tag information is then encoded as a structured color pattern into the chrominance portions of the frame and contains program start/stop information, program segment identification, or data downloads. The color pattern is chosen such that when it is converted into digital form according to the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) standard, the digital signal so produced may be easily and minimally parsed to recognize the presence or absence of a tag within a normal frame time period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for functionally verifying an integrated circuit design. A hardware-oriented verification-specific object-oriented programming language is used to construct and customize verification tests. The language is extensible, and shaped to provide elements for stimulating and observing hardware device models. The invention is platform and simulator-independent, and is adapted for integration with Verilog, VHDL, and C functions. A modular system environment ensures interaction with any simulator through a unified system interface that supports multiple external types. A test generator module automatically creates verification tests from a functional description. A test suite can include any combination of statically and dynamically-generated tests. Directed generation constrains generated tests to specific functionalities. Test parameters are varied at any point during generation and random stability is supported.

Abstract: A method for electronic reduction of the contrast of video images as early as during recording provides electronic brightening of the shaded zones of a video image in a camera as early as during recording while maintaining the detail contrast even in the brightened regions. A blurred diffuse image of the motif is produced on the image sensor in the camera by the objective and the electronically alterable diffusion element, and is stored in a frame store. The black and white contrast of the mask is determined in the evaluation circuit, and a control variable is generated pixel-by-pixel from this. The focused video image which is subsequently produced on the image sensor when the diffusion element is switch to be crystal-clear is read and is amplified or attenuated pixel-by-pixel such that the shadowed parts are brightened and/or the bright zones are attenuated.

Abstract: A translation management system in a computer environment. A preferred embodiment of the invention automatically detects when a document, data stream, or non-text file in the master language has been updated and notifies the user which corresponding documents, data streams, or non-text files in the other languages require translation which are then staged and dynamically routed and sequenced to individual translation resources where the actual translation is performed. Management status, reporting, scheduling, and accounting information is sent to the user as the translation process ensues. The user is notified of the completion of translation and the invention coordinates the delivery of the translated documents, data streams, or non-text files back to the user's site for installation and optional review.

Abstract: A design-timing-determination process for an electronic design automation system approximates the timing of a whole design quickly and on-the-fly. Such allows a scheduling system to construct operation schedules that are ultimately realizable. A timing analysis is applied each time an individual operation is scheduled, and may be called many times to get a single operation scheduled. A graph representing combinational logic is partitioned into a collection of logic trees with nodes that represent gates and terminals, and arcs that represent connections. A compacted model of each logic tree is constructed by replacing them with equivalent trees having no interior nodes. The timing of the original circuit is analyzed along each path from the leaves to the roots. A propagation delay for each path is determined, and such is annotated onto each corresponding arc of the simplified tree.