Abstract: A method and system for the graphical specification and modification of reports is disclosed which enables data reports to be easily created via a report design dialogue. The report design dialogue includes a group-level outline panel containing controls for grouping, as well as other report controls such as those for sorting and aggregating. A method and system for creating a group-level outline panel using an existing database report is also disclosed. Finally, a computer-readable medium storing a computer-interpretable data structure that stores one or more report specifications is disclosed.

Abstract: A formulation containing one or more biologically active substances dissolved, dispersed, emulsified, or suspended within a vehicle of one or more citric acid esters and/or citric acid ethers. Methods for making and using are disclosed, as are kits for administration of the pharmaceutical formulation.

Abstract: A formulation containing one or more biologically active substances dissolved, dispersed, emulsified, or suspended within a vehicle of one or more citric acid esters and/or citric acid ethers. Methods for making and using are disclosed, as are kits for administration of the pharmaceutical formulation.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for improved user prompting in the event of voice recognition failures. A system according to one aspect of the invention includes a central server hosting various modules employing voice recognition in order to interpret user inputs. When a module fails to recognize an input, it invokes a help application that selects an appropriate help prompt. The help application has access to user information including information indicating the user's experience with each function of each module. The help application receives notification of the module and function being used when the unrecognized input was received and examines the user information to determine the user's experience with the module and function. The help application categorizes a user as belonging to an experience category, such as novice, intermediate and expert based on the user's experience with the function and selects a help prompt associated with the user's experience with the function.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for improved efficiency and accuracy in voice dialing and directory lookup applications. A voice dialing module receives an input from a user and examines a directory to identify recognition results matching the voice input. A list of recognition results matching the voice input is constructed, the entries being ranked by confidence. A called party cache for each user includes entries for parties the user is likely to call. Once the result list has been constructed, the voice dialing module compares the list with the called party cache in order to determine if entries in the list appear in the cache. If an entry in the result list appears in the cache, the result list is reordered in order to take into account the increased likelihood that an entry appearing in the called party cache will be an entry the user wishes to call.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for improved user prompting. A system according to one aspect of the invention includes a central server hosting various modules providing services to users. The modules suitably employ voice recognition in order to interpret user inputs. Each module has access to user information that includes information indicating the user's experience with each function of each module. When a module needs to issue a prompt to the user, it retrieves and examines the user information to determine the user's experience with the module and function. Suitably, each module is operative to categorize a user as belonging to an experience category, such as novice, intermediate and expert based on the user's level of experience with the function. The module selects a prompt associated with the user's level of experience with the function and presents it to the user.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for analyzing voice recognition results in order to improve efficiency and accuracy of voice recognition. When a voice activated module undertakes a voice recognition attempt, it invokes a voice recognition module that constructs a list of voice recognition results. The list is analyzed by a results postprocessor that employs information relating to past recognition results and user information to make changes to the list. The results postprocessor may delete results that have been previously rejected during a current recognition transaction and may further alter and reorder the results list based on historical results. The results postprocessor may further alter and reorder the results list based on information relating to the user engaging in the recognition attempt.

Abstract: A dimensional gage adapted to make measurements on a workpiece has a fixed member, a spindle assembly comprising a hollow spindle which receives the fixed member and is rotatable with respect to the fixed member, a motor which rotates the spindle assembly, and a sensing assembly attached to the fixed member and adapted to measure one or more dimensions of the workpiece. The dimensions may be measured both statically and dynamically, and the sensing assembly can have separate sensor assemblies for each dimension to be measured.

Abstract: An interferometer arrangement includes an antenna array that receives radiation from a plane wave emitted by a transmitter, the radiation being incident on the array at an angle (?). The array includes a plurality of antennas that provide output signals to a switching unit. The switching unit selects pairs of signals and passes them to a processor for processing. The processor is configured to produce an output signal that unambiguously indicates the value of the angle (?).

Abstract: An apparatus and network, each including at least one expansion module, and an associated method are provided. The expansion module can be disposed between an aircraft connector and an avionic device connector to provide an electrical circuit for transmissions therebetween. The expansion module generates a signal representative of the transmissions, and the signal can be communicated, for example, via an Ethernet network to a controller, data storage device, or other devices. Further, the expansion module can be received by a tray that is also configured to receive the avionic device, so that the tray secures the avionic device to the aircraft, and the expansion module connects the avionic device and the aircraft when the avionic device is received by the tray. The expansion module can be disposed between corresponding aircraft connectors and avionic device connectors, such that the present invention can be used to retrofit existing aircraft.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a first URL address corresponding to a first web page, accessing content and serving the first web page based on the first URL address, receiving specification of a second URL address corresponding to a second web page, changing from the first web page to the second web page based on the received specification of the second URL address, motivating an automatic change in television channel from a first television channel to a second television channel based upon a change from the first web page to the second web page, and displaying the second television channel.

Abstract: A data processing system 1 and a method are disclosed for provision of rewards such as mobile telephone air time to customers. A transaction means 11 comprises a database 111 at the checkout which stores product data for a plurality of-products for purchase. A second database 112 stores offer data representing a value (monetary or otherwise) of an offer relating to those products. A till 113 receives information on the products purchased and forwards it to a first data processor 114 where a total cost is calculated. This is combined with data from the database 112 at a second data processor 115 to produce a total offer amount. This is concatenated or otherwise combined with a live code 120 to produce an encrypted rebate code 119 that includes a representation of the rebate amount. This is printed onto a till receipt 118. A mobile telephone user sends the printed rebate code to an operator 211 at a clearing house location 21.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus, system and method for providing a user-initiated, non-voice communication. The apparatus includes an antenna for communicating within a control channel of a telephone communication network, and a communication device connected to the cellular antenna. The communication device includes (1) a memory storage device for storing information, (2) a preprogrammed circuit having at least one stock message that incorporates some or all of the stored information, and (3) a user interface connected to the preprogrammed circuit.

Abstract: A two-step blow molding machine (10) having flexible cavitation which includes a plurality of stations, a preform loading station (12), a thermal conditioning station (14) where preforms are heated and thermally conditioned prior to blow molding, a blow molding station (16) having a plurality of molds, the number of which defines the cavitation of the blow molding station, and an article unloader station (18). The machine includes a plurality of carriers (22) adapted to receive the preforms thereon at said preform loading station. The carriers are transported about the machine in an unrestrained manner where spacing of the carriers does not correspond with cavitation of the machine. First and second conveyors and associated drives convey the carriers at different rates. The first and second conveyors and their associated drivers are independently controllable from one another such that the first and second rates are independently variable which allows changeable cavitation.

Abstract: A formulation containing one or more biologically active substances dissolved, dispersed, emulsified, or suspended within a vehicle of one or more citric acid esters and/or citric acid ethers. Methods for making and using are disclosed, as are kits for administration of the pharmaceutical formulation.

Abstract: A high power optical combiner (18) is provided for amplifying an optical signal. The combiner (18) includes a splitter (20) having a splitter input (22)and two splitter outputs (24, 26). The splitter input (22) receives an optical signal which the splitter divides (20) into two sub-signals. The splitter outputs (24, 26) have respectively coupled thereto a reference arm (30) and a dither arm (32). Both arms (30, 32) receive the sub-signals from the respective splitter outputs (24, 26) and transmit the sub-signals in parallel. Each arm (30, 32) has an amplifier (34) integrated therein for amplifying the sub-signals in parallel thereby producing amplified sub-signals. The high power optical combiner (18) further includes a combining coupler (42) connected to both arms (30, 32). The combining coupler (42) has two coupler inputs (46, 48), and a coupler output (50). The coupler inputs (46, 48) receive the amplified sub-signals from the arms (30, 32).

Abstract: A method of detecting the quality or damage and/or deterioration of a coating when applied to a clean surface, the coating (6) consisting essentially of a paint into which is mixed a luminescent pigment additive which is less than 10% by weight, the luminescent additive being much less than that used for known luminescent paints where the level of luminescent pigment is as much as 45%. The coating (6) is illuminated by means of a projector (4) with ultraviolet light; the coating then being viewed for gaps or variations in the intensity of the luminescence of the image. The image is then preferably digitally recorded for detailed analysis and subsequent reference. The coating and method are advantageously used on surfaces which are difficult to view, such as ships' ballast tanks or tall structures such as bridges.

Abstract: A processing arrangement for a brake element for a vehicle employs a rotational support, such as a precision collet arrangement, for supporting the brake element rotatably about a fixed axis of rotation. The brake element and the spindle are rotated by a drive arrangement that causes the brake element to rotate about the axis of rotation while a rotary encoder that is coupled to the drive arrangement produces a rotation data signal containing rotational information responsive to the rotation of the brake element. Residual unbalances are measured by the production of an unbalance data signal that is responsive to forces that are themselves responsive to a residual unbalance of the brake element. In addition, a surface dimension detector produces a surface dimension data electrical signal that is responsive to a dimensional characteristic of a surface of the brake element.

Abstract: A gas flow control device is provided in which a regulator body has an inlet bore and an outlet bore extending therein, into which inlet and outlet sleeves having highly polished inner surfaces are secured, with the inlet and outlet sleeves further having connected thereto, at an exterior of the regulator body, connectors for an inlet line, an inlet pressure gauge, an outlet line and and outlet pressure gauge. The inlet and outlet sleeves are made of corrosion-resistant tubing, as are the connectors, in a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A camera is intended to be used with a multi-lamp flash wheel having flash lamps that are tilted from storage orientations to ignition orientations as the respective lamps are moved to behind a flash emission window. Tilting the flash lamp to its ignition orientation cocks a striker finger, which when released triggers flash ignition.