Abstract: A vault controller manages resources in a secure environment or vault dedicated to an authorized user(s) for conducting electronic business in a distributed information system. The controller includes a web server and a supervisor in a shared object library, which runs as part of an HTTP daemon. The supervisor runs as a multi-threaded process with state and data tables and a vault daemon to support launching secure processes mapped to users through digital certificates. The vault daemon generates a password for a user request based on the user ID. The vault daemon launches a vault process (VP) running in a vault mapped to the user ID. After launching, the VP returns a message to the supervisor including a token identifying the thread. The supervisor sends the user request through a socket to the secure VP mapped to the user ID. The VP receives the request and launches a VP thread to handle the request.

Abstract: A system and method composes heterogeneous media components into a unified environment for rich spatio-temporal hotlink authoring and action enablement in low-bandwidth presentations. The media client master coupled to the server receives a first heterogeneous media file. The master parses the file to identify the various media tracks in the file, their types, and the object which would render them. When the master encounters a media frame, an internal table is checked to verify whether a media object has been instantiated to handle the corresponding media track. If not, the master fetches the appropriate object from the server and instantiates the object in the media track. The master verifies the frame to determine if an action enablement kernel has been created. If not, the master fetches the appropriate object from the server and instantiates the object in the frame, to activate an action enabler for display of the action.

Abstract: A secure end-to-end communications system provides end users access to vault-based custom applications of an organization for purposes of conducting electronic commerce. The system includes a web-based vault controller running an application, e.g. a registrations application in a vault cryptographically linked to a database and a Certificate Management System (CMS) for generating digital certificates, and at least one remote vault agent coupled to the vault controller for providing vault-based custom applications to end users. An X.500 directory is coupled to the CMS and cryptographically linked to the remote vault agents for storing end user data. The remote vault agent is an application which comprises a collection of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) which provide a secure interface to the vault controller; a Lightweight Data Access Protocol (LDAP) used to access the X.500 directory; a secure depositor coupled to vault-based custom applications of an organization.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product for achieving interoperability between cryptographic key recovery enabled and unaware systems. The method includes the steps of encrypting data using a cryptography key to generate ciphertext; generating a key recovery block containing key recovery information for the ciphertext; determining whether a receiver for the ciphertext is key recovery unaware; and sending the key recovery block to a key recovery client when it is determined that the receiver is key recovery unaware. In a preferred embodiment, the ciphertext is sent to the receiver only after receiving confirmation from the key recovery client of the receipt of the key recovery block. Also in a preferred embodiment, the key recovery block is sent as part of an Internet Message Control Protocol (ICMP) message.

Abstract: A flexibly interfaceable portable computing device includes a display coupled to a processor, which is coupled or selectively coupled to either or both of a keyboard and a recording unit. The display and the keyboard provide a first user interface to the processor. The recording unit is superimposable with a removable markable surface. A stylus allows user marking on the markable surface. The stylus provides a stroke signal and a stroke mark. The recording unit, the markable surface, and the stylus provide a second user interface to the processor. Optionally, the display also contributes to providing the second user interface to the processor. Switching among viewing modes for the display, and synchronization of information between the processor and a processor of the recording unit are also provided. A casing can enfold the display, the keyboard, and the recording unit to form a relatively slim profile.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the operation of linear variable-gain amplifiers to allow for such linear variable gain amplifiers to have a wider operating range at high current levels, control inputs for selectable gains and improved low-voltage operation. In a first mode, the amplifier includes an additional source of current to allow for an enhanced operating range. In a second embodiment, the amplifier includes a plurality of selective resistive levels and a selection system which allows the selection of one of the resistive levels which, in turn, controls the gain range of the amplifier system of the present invention. A third embodiment of the present invention illustrates the use of an amplifier system useful for a low voltage input signal to reduce errors caused by variations in the base to emitter in the two transistors providing the amplification.

Abstract: A flexibly interfaceable portable computing device includes a display coupled to a processor, which is coupled or selectively coupled to either or both of a keyboard and a recording unit. The display and the keyboard provide a first user interface to the processor. The recording unit is superimposable with a removable markable surface. A stylus allows user marking on the markable surface. The stylus provides a stroke signal and a stroke mark. The recording unit, the markable surface, and the stylus provide a second user interface to the processor. Optionally, the display also contributes to providing the second user interface to the processor. Switching among viewing modes for the display, and synchronization of information between the processor and a processor of the recording unit are also provided. A casing can enfold the display, the keyboard, and the recording unit to form a relatively slim profile.

Abstract: A method is provided for the manufacture of micro-structures, such as micro-electromechanical structures (MEMS) or silicon optical benches (SiOB). The method includes using a single mask to pattern two or more cavity areas to be etched into a substrate in different etching steps, and then selectively choosing the cavity areas for etching. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes patterning a substrate to identify a plurality of cavity areas to be etched into the substrate and filling at least one of the cavity areas with a distinctive filler material. Filler material is chemically distinctive in the sense that it can be etched selectively with respect to the other filling materials. At least one of the cavity areas containing a distinctive filler material is then chosen based at least in part on the distinctive filler material. The chosen cavity area is then etched.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the operation of linear variable-gain amplifiers to allow for such linear variable gain amplifiers to have a wider operating range at high current levels, control inputs for selectable gains and improved low-voltage operation. In a first mode, the amplifier includes an additional source of current to allow for an enhanced operating range. In a second embodiment, the amplifier includes a plurality of selective resistive levels and a selection system which allows the selection of one of the resistive levels which, in turn, controls the gain range of the amplifier system of the present invention. A third embodiment of the present invention illustrates the use of an amplifier system useful for a low voltage input signal to reduce errors caused by variations in the base to emitter in the two transistors providing the amplification.

Abstract: A procedure is embodied as program code on a medium that is readable by a computer. The program code is used to direct operation of the computer to render lines corresponding to samples, from a digitizer tablet, that map onto a same pixel of a display screen. The program code includes a code segment for subdividing a display screen pixel into a plurality of sub-pixels; a code segment, responsive to each sample that maps onto a current pixel, for mapping the sample onto a sub-pixel center; a code segment for computing a bounding box that is centered on the sample; a code segment, responsive to a size and position of the bounding box, for determining those pixels in a neighborhood of the current pixel that are overlapped by the bounding box; and a code segment for varying an intensity of the overlapped pixels according to the amount of overlap.

Abstract: A method of controlling access of a speaker to one of a service and a facility, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving first spoken utterances of the speaker, the first spoken utterances containing indicia of the speaker;(b) decoding the first spoken utterances; (c) accessing a database corresponding to the decoded first spoken utterances, the database containing information attributable to a speaker candidate having indicia substantially similar to the speaker; (d) querying the speaker with at least one question based on the information contained in the accessed database; (e) receiving second spoken utterances of the speaker, the second spoken utterances being representative of at least one answer to the at least one question; (f) decoding the second spoken utterances; (g) verifying the accuracy of the decoded answer against the information contained in the accessed database serving as the basis for the question; (h) taking a voice sample from the utterances of the speaker and processing the voice

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for automatically segmenting and recognizing Chinese character strings continuously written by a user in a handwritten Chinese character processing system, comprising the steps of: creating a geometry model and a language mode; finding out all of potential segmentation schemes in the Chinese character strings continuously written by a user based on the associated timing information and said geometry model; recognizing the groups of strokes as defined by each of potential segmentation schemes and computing the probability characterizing the exactness of recognition results; correcting the probability characterizing the exactness of recognition results by said language model; and, selecting the recognition result and the corresponding segmentation scheme having the maximum probability value.

Abstract: A spoken language interface between a user and at least one application or system includes a dialog manager operatively coupled to the application or system, an audio input system, an audio output system, a speech decoding engine and a speech synthesizing engine; and at least one user interface data set operatively coupled to the dialog manager, the user interface data set representing spoken language interface elements and data recognizable by the application. The dialog manager enables connection between the input audio system and the speech decoding engine such that a spoken utterance provided by the user is provided from the input audio system to the speech decoding engine. The speech decoding engine decodes the spoken utterance to generate a decoded output which is returned to the dialog manager.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for correcting one or more error characters in results of speech recognition, the method comprising the steps of: marking the one or more error characters in the speech recognition results; inputting one or more correct characters corresponding to the one or more marked error characters by input based on character-shape; recognizing the input based on character-shape; displaying one or more candidate characters; selecting one or more desired characters from the one or more candidate characters in accordance with the user; and replacing the one or more error characters with the one or more selected characters; the method characterized by further comprising the step of filtering the one or more candidate characters in accordance with acoustic information associated with the one or more error characters.

Abstract: A reference generator having a temperature-dependent output variation that is greater than an absolute temperature variation includes a first source and a second source, the first source generating a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) output. The second source generates an output having a temperature coefficient less than or equal to zero. The reference generator further includes a subtraction circuit coupled to the first and second sources, the subtraction circuit operatively subtracting the output of the second source from the PTAT output and generating an offset output, the offset output having a variation greater than an absolute temperature variation. Using the reference generator described herein in accordance with the invention, circuits having a relatively high temperature dependency can be easily compensated. Moreover, the reference generator is suitable for temperature sensing with large temperature dependency without requiring a high supply voltage.

Abstract: A call path display telephone system includes an establishment telephone and a user telephone. The establishment telephone includes a memory, communication module and controller. The user telephone includes a memory, microphone, speaker, keypad, communication module, controller, and a visual input/output module. The desired menu options for a call path are visually displayed to a user to allow the user to more rapidly and efficiently navigate through the call path menu. Unlike prior-art voice based systems, it is not necessary to sequentially listen to all available options; they can be rapidly viewed visually and selected as desired.

Abstract: In order to achieve low error rates in a speech recognition system, for example, in a system employing rank-based decoding, we discriminate the most confusable incorrect leaves from the correct leaf by lowering their ranks. That is, we increase the likelihood of the correct leaf of a frame, while decreasing the likelihoods of the confusable leaves. In order to do this, we use the auxiliary information from the prediction of the neighboring frames to augment the likelihood computation of the current frame. We then use the residual errors in the predictions of neighboring frames to discriminate between the correct (best) and incorrect leaves of a given frame. We present a new methodology that incorporates prediction error likelihoods into the overall likelihood computation to improve the rank position of the correct leaf.

Abstract: The boxed-in slot antenna is provided with a conductive box, functioning as a waveguide, which is configured substantially parallel to the ground plane in which the slot is formed, thereby providing significant space savings relative to prior art designs wherein the box is positioned perpendicular to the conductive ground plane. The inventive antenna can be easily constructed using printed circuit board technology, by forming the ground plane as a coating on one side of a printed circuit board substrate, forming the main conductive plane of the conductive box structure on the other side of the printed circuit board, and interconnecting the two using plated through holes (that is, vias). The folded structure of the conductive box of the present invention makes it particularly suited for space-critical applications, such as may be found in laptop computers and other portable and handheld electronic devices, which it is desired to interconnect with a wireless local area network (wireless LAN).

Abstract: One or more contours of a picture element (PEL) array pattern are detected and, then, a strength of concavity/convexity on each contour (acuteness) and a direction of concavity/convexity are determined. Using an acuteness value of a contour point of interest, its curvature is classified into a group of strong curvatures or another group of weak curvatures such that the definitions of a direction of the concavity/convexity (contour direction) is appropriately switched from one to another for calculation. In a preferred aspect of this invention, using an acuteness value of a contour point of interest, its contour curvature is classified into either one of five curvature groups, comprising “strong concavity,” “weak concavity,” “straight line/inflection point,” “weak convexity,” and “strong convexity.

Abstract: Feature vectors representing each of a plurality of overlapping frames of an arbitrary, text independent speech signal are computed and compared to vector parameters and variances stored as codewords in one or more codebooks corresponding to each of one or more enrolled users to provide speaker dependent information for speech recognition and/or ambiguity resolution. Other information such as aliases and preferences of each enrolled user may also be enrolled and stored, for example, in a database. Correspondence of the feature vectors may be ranked by closeness of correspondence to a codeword entry and the number of frames corresponding to each codebook are accumulated or counted to identify a potential enrolled speaker. The differences between the parameters of the feature vectors and codewords in the codebooks can be used to identify a new speaker and an enrollment procedure can be initiated.