Abstract: A method packs input rectangles into a target rectangle. The rectangles are permuted into one or more an ordered list according to dimensions of the rectangles, e.g., width, height, perimeter, and area. The rectangles are then marked as unaccepted. A next unaccepted rectangle is selected from the ordered list beginning with a first rectangle in the list. Accepting the next rectangle if it is the last unaccepted rectangles, and otherwise, accepting the next rectangle with a probability p, and marking the next rectangle as accepted, and repeating the steps until all rectangles have been accepted.

Abstract: A system enables an interactively guided heuristic search for solving a combinatorial optimization problem. The system initially performs a hill-climbing search on the combinatorial optimization problem to obtain a solution using initial default parameters. The current solution and the combinatorial optimization problem are visualized on an optimization table, a table-top display device. The parameters are altered based on the visualization of the combinatorial optimization problem and the current solution. Then, the searching, visualizing, and setting are repeated until the solution is selected as an acceptable solution of the combinatorial optimization problem. During the repeating, the parameters can be a set of probabilities, and in which case the search is a random perturbation-based search. Alternatively, the parameters can be a set of priorities, in which case the search is an exhaustive local search.

Abstract: A system and method provides visualization and layout schemes for a circular graphical user interface using global and local polar coordinate systems to display images. The system gives a user of the interface the full capability to relocate, re-orient, scale and layout images in the circular interface. Further, methods are provided to layout images in the Cartesian coordinate system, minimizing overlapping and crowding of images, and supporting users' focus in a group setting for group collaboration around the interface.

Abstract: A method packs input rectangles into a target rectangle. The rectangles are permuted into one or more an ordered list according to dimensions of the rectangles, e.g., width, height, perimeter, and area. The rectangles are then marked as unaccepted. A next unaccepted rectangle is selected from the ordered list beginning with a first rectangle in the list. Accepting the next rectangle if it is the last unaccepted rectangles, and otherwise, accepting the next rectangle with a probability p, and marking the next rectangle as accepted, and repeating the steps until all rectangles have been accepted.

Abstract: A method and system models a multi-dimensional linear polymer in a computer system. The linear polymer includes sequentially linked elements such as amino acids in a protein. The model initially is in a valid configuration of the polymer. The model includes multi-dimensional grid of nodes, and the elements corresponding to selected nodes of the grid. Linear local transforms are applied to selected elements of the linear polymer to produce a different valid configurations. The different valid configurations are scored and searched for the configuration having a lowest free energy.

Abstract: An antenna design method is supplied with antenna design parameters in an antenna specification. The design specification is parsed to produce free variables and constraints. A random sampling of a set of antenna designs is generated from the free variables and constraints in the form of performance vectors. The performance vectors are then dispersed in a design space which is visualized vectors as antenna designs, and a particular antenna design is selected as a useful antenna design.

Abstract: A system enables multiple users to interact with a picture presentation. The system includes a display surface having a horizontal orientation, preferably circular. A processor is configured to composite an image. The composite image includes a picture display area, an orientation area, and a plurality of control panels. There is one control panel for each of the users. A database, coupled to the processor, stores annotated pictures. Selected annotated pictures are to be composited into the picture display area of the displayed image. The pictures are selected using the control panel. A display device, coupled to the processor, displays the composite image on the display surface, and an input device is used to interact with the control panels, the orientation area, and the annotated pictures to enable the users to concurrently control the compositing of the sequence of images.

Abstract: A system and method provides visualization and layout schemes for a circular graphical user interface using global and local polar coordinate systems to display images. The system gives a user of the interface the full capability to relocate, re-orient, scale and layout images in the circular interface. Further, methods are provided to layout images in the Cartesian coordinate system, minimizing overlapping and crowding of images, and supporting users' focus in a group setting for group collaboration around the interface.

Abstract: A wearable device is configured for navigating in an indoor environment. The device includes passive sensors for measuring environmental physical conditions at known locations in the indoor environment and at an unknown locations in the indoor environment. A wearable computer is coupled to passive sensors. The computer is configured to construct a first statistical model of the environment according to the measured physical conditions at the known locations and a second statistical model of the environment according to the measured physical conditions at the unknown locations. Processing means of the computer determines a probability that the unknown locations correspond to the known locations by comparing the second statistical model to the first statistical model.