Abstract: A system and method for conducting verifiably correct auctions that preserves the secrecy of the bids while providing for verifiable correctness and trustworthiness of the auction is disclosed. Some of the elements of the method and apparatus are that the auction operator accepts all bids submitted and follows the published rules of the auction. In one embodiment, the bids are maintained secret from the auctioneer and all bidders until the auction closes and no bidder is able to change or repudiate her bid. In another embodiment, the auction operator computes the auction results and publishes proofs of the results' correctness. In yet another embodiment, any party can check these proofs of correctness via publicly verifiable to computations on encrypted bids.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting verifiably correct auctions that preserves the secrecy of the bids while providing for verifiable correctness and trustworthiness of the auction is disclosed. Some of the elements of the method and apparatus are that the auction operator accepts all bids submitted and follows the published rules of the auction. In one embodiment, the bids are maintained secret from the auctioneer and all bidders until the auction closes and no bidder is able to change or repudiate her bid. In another embodiment, the auction operator computes the auction results and publishes proofs of the results' correctness. In yet another embodiment, any party can check these proofs of correctness via publicly verifiable computations on encrypted bids.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting verifiably correct auctions that preserves the secrecy of the bids while providing for verifiable correctness and trustworthiness of the auction is disclosed. Some of the elements of the method and apparatus are that the auction operator accepts all bids submitted and follows the published rules of the auction. In one embodiment, the bids are maintained secret from the auctioneer and all bidders until the auction closes and no bidder is able to change or repudiate her bid. In another embodiment, the auction operator computes the auction results and publishes proofs of the results' correctness. In yet another embodiment, any party can check these proofs of correctness via publicly verifiable computations on encrypted bids.

Abstract: A system and method of allowing a user to control a computer application with spoken commands, include the steps of processing the spoken commands with a Speech Recognition application into candidate word phrases, and parsing at least one candidate word phrase with a Context Free Grammar (CFG) parser, into a parse tree. A plurality of predefined rewrite rules grouped into a plurality of phases applied are to the parse tree, for rewriting the parse tree. Each of the plurality of rewrite rules includes a pattern matching portion, for matching at least a part of the parse tree, and a rewrite component, for rewriting the matched part. A command string is produced by traversing each terminal node of the modified parse tree. The command string is sent to an interpreter application or directly to the computer application. Possible applications include word processing and other voice-entry systems.

Abstract: A system for delineating partially- or fully-bounded areal regions of a map utilizes deformable templates, which it dynamically expands and contorts to conform to the boundaries of the regions. The system segments the map into a number of cells, with each cell relating, for example, to a pixel. The system then defines an "energy" field for the floor plan by assigning cells corresponding to boundary edges predetermined minimum energy values, cells corresponding to boundary interiors predetermined maximum energy values, and each non-boundary cell an energy value defined by the distance of the cell from the closest boundary edge cell. The system then iteratively manipulates a template over a selected region of the floor plan in an attempt to minimize the "potential" of the template, which is defined by a potential function that includes a "total energy score" and various size and test terms that encourage desired template deformations.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the structure of a hypermedia document containing ext and graphics that are to be laid out on several linked pages includes a system that specifies the assignment of text and graphics to pages and the links between the pages via a reduction to graph partitioning and the use of optimization techniques for graph partitioning. In one embodiment, display items and relations between these display items are listed along with a measure of their importance. These factors are captured in terms of numeric weights for edges between nodes in the associated graph to permit the system to assign display items to pages, and determine which pages should be linked, so that a user can move between pages in the most efficient manner.

Abstract: An image compression method based on symbol matching is disclosed. Precompression of the image is performed prior to symbol matching to improve efficiency. A voting scheme is used in conjunction with a plurality of novel similarity tests to improve symbol matching accuracy. A template composition scheme achieves image enhancement. Other disclosed features provide further advantages. Apparatus for implementing the image compression method for image transmission, storage, and enhancement are included.