Abstract: When image data has been decomposed into a plurality of components, and a plurality of components of the components have been encrypted, the encrypted image file must be able to be used without confusion. On a component decomposing apparatus, image data is decomposed into a plurality of components for the hierarchical levels, for example. On an encrypting apparatus, a plurality of components of the components are encrypted. And, on an encrypting information preparing means, encrypting information H concerning the contents of this encryption is prepared, and from the encrypted components and the non-encrypted components, and the encrypting information H, an encrypted image file F is generated on an encrypted image file generating apparatus. When the encrypted image file F is to be decrypted, the encryption contents of the encrypted components can easily be grasped by referring to the encrypting information H.

Abstract: In a computer system, a method for making the system and a method for using the system, the invention includes providing a data processing system to generate projected data for variables. The data processing system includes a digital computer performing steps of processing the input data to calculate projected data respectively for a plurality of variables, and generating output including the projected data; wherein the processing was first tested for accuracy by preprocessing input test data to calculate projected test data for the variables and by preprocessing the projected test data to derive a portion of the input test data from the projected test data.

Abstract: An edit command delegation (ECD) utility that provides a user with the ability to edit an electronic file in a creator application program while the electronic file is open in a separate viewing application program operable only for viewing the electronic file. In response to a user input to edit the electronic file, the ECD utility opens the electronic file and reads an application identification tag contained within the content of the electronic file. The application identification tag identifies a creator application program, which was used to create the electronic file and is operable for editing the content data of the electronic file. Once the ECD utility reads the application identification tag, the ECD launches the creator application program. The ECD utility then causes the creator application program to open the electronic file. Once the electronic file is open, the content data is displayed in a window controlled by the creator application program to allow the user to edit the content data.

Abstract: In an electronic document circulating method of circulating an electronic document having a plurality of data blocks to a plurality of workers, a data block in a document is encrypted by using an encrypting key corresponding to a certain worker, and a document having the encrypted data block is transmitted and received over a network. A time necessary for encrypting and decrypting an electronic form may be reduced. The encrypted data block in the document is decrypted by using a decrypting key corresponding to a specific worker, and it is determined how to display the data block and execute a processing in response to whether or not the encrypted data block is decrypted correctly or the existence of the data block.

Abstract: The video information retrieval system includes a client for inputting video data or retrieving a registered video file, and a retrieval server for registering video data transmitted from the client and retrieving the registered video data in response to a request from the client. The retrieval server analyzes a video stream upon registration of the video data and separates contents of a video constituting the video stream. The server extracts annotation information such as image feature vectors for each of the separated video contents and stores the annotation information in a video information table as a video object. The retrieval server performs retrieval processing in a unit of object on the basis of the retrieval condition designated for each video object by the user and judges the simultaneous appearance on the basis of appearance time section information of the object coincident with the retrieval condition to thereby extract the user's desired video scene and present it to the user.

Abstract: Data capture which occurs at the consumer end of an electronic bill pay transaction is assisted by machine readable information in a standardized format on an invoice where the machine readable information includes biller identification and a C-B account number and the information is readable at the consumer end without prior arrangements being made specifically between the consumer and the biller. The biller identification is either a universal biller reference number or sufficient information to allow manual identification and contact with the biller. The machine readable information is an optically-readable bar code, characters in a font designed for error-free character recognition by optical or magnetic means.

Abstract: A system and method for distribution of electronic content over a network infrastructure and compensation of vendors of such data using prepaid media that includes a client device for operation by a user desiring to receive the electronic content and server that contains the electronic content and offering the electronic content for downloading to the client device via the network infrastructure. The client device communicates a unique identifier associated with a particular piece of media to which the electronic content is to be stored to the server. The server contacts a media tracking sever to determine if the media is valid and a remaining balance of the prepaid media. The cost of the electronic content to be downloaded is deducted from the remaining balance and credited to the vendor's account.

Abstract: An interactive system adapted for use in a shopping venue, comprises: an interactive and intelligent source of information, for example supplemental information related to articles available for selection by shoppers in a shopping venue, and not otherwise available to the shoppers during shopping; and, a plurality of interactive, mobile apparatus which shoppers can move throughout the shopping venue and use for transmitting queries to the interactive source of information and use for receiving information transmitted from the interactive source of information, whereby shoppers can receive information useful for evaluating the articles when making article selection decisions, and at least some of the received information can be formulated to influence the article selection decisions. At least some of the information transmitted to the shoppers can be responsive to the queries. An artificial intelligence unit can evaluate the queries and select information for inclusion in responses to the queries.

Abstract: A method of operating a retail terminal includes the step of determining if a user of the retail terminal operates an input device so as to enter a first character, a second character, and a third character associated with a first item name and generating a character-entered control signal in response thereto. The method also includes the step of displaying a first menu having a first plurality of item names containing each of the first character, the second character, and the third character in response to generation of the character-entered control signal. Moreover, the method includes the step of determining if the user operates the input device so as to select the first item name from the first plurality of item names listed on the first menu. A retail terminal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A postage meter machine with a chip card write/read unit has a controller which, in conjunction with suitably initialized chip cards, allows the function input and the administration of cost center to be handled to be simplified. For deriving chip cards that individually allow only a limited function to be implemented, i.e. the cards are of a limited function scope, a table with a specific hierarchic structure can be produced using the keyboard and display and with the assistance of the microprocessor and the appertaining non-volatile memories within the postage meter machine, so that a pre-stored structure is correspondingly modified by the user. A tree structure in the hierarchy thereby arises for second chip cards and further successor cards derived from the specific application function cards that allow access to the table with their chip card number internally stored in the chip card.

Abstract: A method of restricting software operation within a license limitation that is applicable for a computer having a first non-volatile memory area, a second non-volatile memory area, and a volatile memory area. The method includes the steps of selecting a program residing in the volatile memory, setting up a verification structure in the non-volatile memories, verifying the program using the structure, and acting on the program according to the verification.

Abstract: The force plate data acquisition system measures, processes and analyzes the vertical reaction forces and various weight shifts between the ground and a golfer's feet during a swing. Plates are supported on cantilever beams through ball bearings. The beams are attached to a rigid frame and instrumented with strain gauges configured in a Wheatstone half bridge arrangement. An eight-channel strain gauge data acquisition board in a central processing unit records strain information. Data collection can be independent or controlled by a motion analysis system to provide synchronous foot force and video information. A set of BASIC programs collect strain readings from the foot plates, process the data, relate beam deflections to applied load and plots reaction force and weight shift information to the computer screen. Graphs produced are total vertical reaction force, foot-to-foot weight shift, heel-to-toe weight shift, outside-to-instep weight shift and the speeds of each.

Abstract: A computer implemented online music distribution system provides for the secure delivery of audio data and related media, including text and images, over a public communications network. The online music distribution system provides security through multiple layers of encryption, and the cryptographic binding of purchased audio data to each specific purchaser. The online music distribution system also provides for previewing of audio data prior to purchase. In one embodiment, the online music distribution system is a client-server system including a content manager, a delivery server, and an HTTP server, communicating with a client system including a Web browser and a media player. The content manager provides for management of media and audio content, and processing of purchase requests. The delivery server provides delivery of the purchased media data. The Web browser and HTTP server provide a communications interface over the public network between the content manager and media players.

Abstract: A postage printing system, comprising a computer, a data center and a control system. The computer is in operative communication with a printer for printing a postal indicia on an envelope. The data center is in operative communication with the computer which in turn is located remotely from the data center. The data center includes a plurality of user accounts and a plurality of advertiser accounts where each of the plurality of advertiser accounts includes respective ad data including message data and restriction data. The control system is in operative communication with the data center and the computer and is for: (i) establishing a transaction session between a user of the computer corresponding to one of the plurality of user accounts and the data center; (ii) obtaining the user profile data from the user; and (iii) using the user profile data to identify message data available for printing on the envelope in conjunction with the postal indicia.

Abstract: In a method for data processing in a mail processing system, the most beneficial carrier, among a number of available carriers, for shipping a particular item is determined by initializing the franking system with pre-selection of a group of carriers from which the desired carrier can be subsequently selected, processing inputs with respect to service demands made of the carrier and automatic selection of those carriers from the aforementioned group of carriers that meet the service demands that have been made, calculating the postage fee on the basis of current fee schedules for selected services, comparing the postage fee for cost optimization in the narrower automatic selection of the most beneficial carrier and debiting the calculated postage fee in a fee memory for the selected carrier.

Abstract: In an arrangement and method for data processing in a mail shipping system, a document is supplied to the mail shipping system having information printed thereon identifying a recipient of the document. The printed information is scanned at a postage meter machine to identify the recipient. The postage meter machine is in communication with at least one personal computer. In the personal computer, the contents of various documents to be mailed using the mail shipping system are stored in respective data files, and can be searched according to the respective recipient and the current date. The mail contents are stored in the personal computer allocated to instructional data, such as shipping information identifying a carrier and/or cost center information for use in accounting purposes for charging the fee for shipping the document.

Abstract: A wiring board for flip-chip-mounting in which a conductor layer is provided in a portion under the semiconductor element-mounting surface of the ceramic insulating board, the electrically conducting layer being electrically independent from the wiring pattern that is flip-chip-connected. The insulating board is effectively suppressed from deforming such as from warping or undulating. In particular, the semiconductor element-mounting surface exhibits a high degree of flatness. Therefore, the wiring board exhibits a high junction reliability at the flip-chip-connected portions, and is very useful as a semiconductor package or as a hybrid integrated circuit that is used in various electronic devices being mounted on the vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic advertising system. More specifically, the present invention allows telephone users to create a “mailbox” at the point of responding to an ad, regardless of whether the ad originated on the telephone or on the Internet. Similarly, Internet users can create a “mailbox” at the point of responding to a personal ad on the Internet, regardless of whether the ad originated on the telephone or via the Internet. By giving both advertisers and respondents a “mailbox”, the present invention allows for anonymous communication until one or both are comfortable with giving out a means of contact. Moreover, the communication can occur regardless of whether a user is on a telephone or on the Internet. This provides additional safety for users of personal ad systems while preserving the ability for telephone users to communicate with Internet users.

Abstract: A high temperature superconducting cable comprises a cryogenic core, with a superconducting material either inside the cryogenic core or wrapped around the core. A space maintained at a vacuum and functioning as a cryostat surrounds the core; within this space are a separator and superinsulation. A conventional dielectric at room temperature surrounds the superinsulation, and a conventional ground shield surrounds the conventional dielectric. This cable does not require a cryogenic dielectric and is of suitable size and nature to be used in retrofitting conventional cable pipes.

Abstract: A printed wiring board includes an insulating layer, conductive layers respectively formed into predetermined circuit patterns on the upper and lower surfaces of at least the insulating layer, and a conducting section formed in a portion of the insulating layer so as to enable electrical connection between the upper and lower conductive layers. A thickness of the insulating layer is varied to change the electric characteristics of the printed wiring board according to a circuit configuration of the conductive layers.