Abstract: A computer-readable medium comprises data structure for providing information about levels of similarity between pairs of N documents. The data structure comprises a plurality of entries of similarity values representing levels of similarity for a plurality of pairs of the documents. Each of the similarity values represents a level of similarity of one document of a given pair relative to the other document of the given pair. The similarity value of each entry is greater than a threshold similarity value that is greater than zero. The plurality of similarity-value entries are fewer than N2?N in number if the similarity values are asymmetric with regard to document pairing, and the plurality of similarity-value entries are fewer than N 2 - N 2 in number if the similarity values are symmetric with regard to document pairing. A method and apparatus for generating the data structure are described.

Abstract: A technique for representing an information need and employing one or more filters to select documents that satisfy the represented information need, including a technique of creating filters that involves (a) dividing a set of documents into one or more subsets such that each subset can be used as the source of features for creating a filtering profile or used to set or validate the score threshold for the profile and (b) determining whether multiple profiles are required and how to combine them to create an effective filter. Multiple profiles can be incorporated into an individual filter and the individual filters combined to create an ensemble filter. Ensemble filters can then be further combined to create meta filters.

Abstract: The present invention combines a data processing structure with a graphical user interface (GUI) to create an information analysis tool wherein multiple functions are combined in a network to extract information from multiple data sources. The functional network is created, and graphically represented to the user, by linking individual operations together. The combination of individual operations is not limited by the input or output characteristic of any single operation. The form of the input to or output from a by individual operation, whether from a database or from another operation, is the same. That is, both the input to and the output from an analysis function is a list of document identifiers and corresponding document characteristics. Because the form of the input and output from each operation is the same, arbitrary combinations into of operations may be created. Moreover, functional networks of individual operations can then be used for database retrieval as well as to filter data streams.

Abstract: The present invention is a crimping machine capable of forming an improved building panel that includes notched inclined side walls. The crimping machine imparts a unique design of notched inclined side walls. The crimping machine incorporates two sets of male and female crimping roller, wherein each set of crimping rollers imparts a notch in one of the inclined side walls. The crimping machine also includes a gap adjustment mechanism for simultaneously adjusting the distance between both sets of male and female crimping rollers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving similar or identical textual passages among different documents is disclosed. Normal discourse structures along with textual content attributes are used to encode a known passage with “marker sequences” that give a characterizing “signature” to the passage. The encoded known passage is then evaluated against similarly encoded passages appearing in a database of documents. If it is determined that there is a possible match between the encoded known passage and an encoded passage in a database document, a sequential string search is performed to determine whether the two passages are likely to be similar or identical. If the sequential string search records a probable match between the known passage and the database passage, the database passage is displayed for further review.

Abstract: A technique for optimizing the number of terms in a profile used for information extraction. This optimization is performed by estimating the number of terms which will substantively affect the information extraction process. That is, the technique estimates the point in a term weight curve where that curve becomes flat. A term generally is important and remains part of the profile as long as its weight and the weight of the next term may be differentiated. When terms' weights are not differentiable, then they are not significant and may be cut off. Reducing the number of terms used in a profile increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the information retrieval process.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved building panel having increased strength and rigidity, thereby reducing present design constraints imposed upon buildings constructed of interconnected panels. The building panel includes notched inclined side walls extending from a central portion, wherein the notched portions are located between a neutral imaginary axis and the central portion. The notched portions have an open end and a closed end, wherein the open end faces away from the building panel. Including such notched portions within the inclined side walls provides the building panel with increased strength and rigidity, thereby allowing the building panel to withstand increased positive and negative bending moments. Thus, a building constructed of panels having such notched side walls will reduce the present design constraints and increase the size and shape of buildings constructed of such panels.

Abstract: A technique for analyzing affect in which ambiguity in both emotion and natural language is explicitly represented and processed through fuzzy logic. In particular, textual information is processed to i) isolate a vocabulary of words belonging to an emotion, ii) represent the meaning of each word belonging to that emotion using multiple categories and scalar metrics, iii) compute profiles for text documents based on the categories and scores of their component words, and iv) manipulate the profiles to visualize the texts. The representation vehicle in the system is a set of fuzzy semantic categories (affect categories) followed by their respective centralities (degrees of relatedness between lexicon entries and their various categories) and intensities (representative of the strength of the affect level described by that word) called an affect set. A graphical representation of the affect set can also be used as a tool for decision making.

Abstract: A more efficient compressor control system and a more efficient method of operating a multiple throttled inlet rotary screw compressor system includes the method and control system which are a function of both the actual system pressure and volumetric flow rate. Specifically, a throttled inlet rotary screw compressor is loaded or unloaded from the compressor system after sensing the actual system pressure and calculating the system's actual volumetric flow rate. The control system calculates the system's volumetric flow rate by sensing each loaded throttled inlet rotary screw compressor's inlet pressure and converting those inlet pressures to outlet volumetric flow rates. The aggregate of the loaded compressors' volumetric flow rates represents the actual system flow rate.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises a system for monitoring the physiologic status of a plurality of individuals wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) mask. Each SCBA mask incorporates a series of physiologic sensors that monitor, among other things, heart rate and carbon monoxide and oxygen saturation levels. The physiologic sensors are connected to a transmitting apparatus attached to the SCBA. Each SCBA transmitter sends output data from the physiologic sensors, along with the wearer's location information, to a remote base unit. A processor within the base unit compiles the physiologic and location data. In this way, the base unit monitors the particular physiologic status of an individual in a hazardous environment from a remote location. A further embodiment of the present invention includes monitoring the physiologic status and location of groups of individuals by combining a plurality of base units into a station unit.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a computer program to size and orient one or more feature items on a jewelry design having a feature path. Typically feature paths are necklines, wristbands, broaches or rings. A feature item is a gemstone, set of gemstones or metal designs such as a cross, circle or other artful shape. The program and computer system of the present invention selects a feature path, detects a starting location on the feature path and then orients a first feature item in three dimensions on this feature path with respect to a three dimensional surface representing the jewelry wearer. Orienting the feature item in three dimensions is critical so that the feature item is properly displayed on the jewelry when the jewelry is worn. Once the initial feature item has been oriented, subsequent feature items are automatically placed on the feature path, sized with respect to the initial feature item and oriented with respect to both the initial feature item and the three dimensional surface.

Abstract: A novel approach for filtering documents involves the use of delivery ratio threshold setting technique to set an initial profile score threshold and the use of beta-gamma regulation for dynamic threshold updating. A group of documents is scored pursuant to a user profile. The score for each document is indicative of the relevance of the corresponding document to the user profile. The score can be compared with a profile score threshold to decide if the document should be accepted or rejected. According to one aspect of the invention, the initial threshold is set to a score threshold that approximates an expected ratio of acceptable documents calibrated with respect to a set of reference documents. According to another aspect of the invention, the score threshold can be updated based on the accumulated example documents, user's relevance judgment, and the user's utility function. The accumulated example documents are first scored against a profile and a ranked list of scored documents is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for operating a computer system to minimize the number of disk storage access operations used in creating an inverted database. This method divides a database into several smaller subdatabases. The documents of the subdatabases are decomposed into subdocuments. A postings list for each subdatabase is then created in which all the terms for the subdatabase are associated with the identity of each subdocument of the subdatabase in which the terms occur. The resulting postings lists for the subdatabases are then merged. The merge process sorts the postings of the subdatabases and merges common terms. The non-common terms are merged after the common terms. The process of sorting the postings list and then merging the common terms followed by the non-common terms minimizes the number of disk storage access operations required for creating the inverted database from a series of inverted subdatabases.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for operating a computer system to retrieve information from a computer database. This method decomposes documents from the database into subdocuments and then inverts the database. Also, a query for retrieving documents from a database is decomposed into terms. The subdocuments from the inverted database and the terms from the query are then used to compute a score that indicates a quantitative relation between terms in the query and the subdocuments. The resulting list of the subdocuments and their scores is then reorganized into a heap form. The highest ranking subdocument is then selected by the computer and the text associated with this subdocument is displayed. The remainder of the subdocument score list is concurrently reheapified.

Abstract: The present invention is a panel seaming device that can seam both curved and straight panels. The panel seaming device accomplishes this task by incorporating a unique mechanical drive configuration that includes two gear box driven by a single motor and connected by a universal joint. This mechanical drive configuration and particularly, the universal joint allows the gear boxes to pivot amongst one another, thereby accommodating for the panel's profile change. In other words, as the panel passes through the seaming device and its profile changes, especially from a straight portion to a curved portion and vice versa, the gear boxes pivot amongst each other and accommodate for such change. Additionally, each gear box includes two portions, which also pivot amongst each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction that each of the first and second gear boxes is pivot. In other words, the portions of the gear boxes pivot in a direction perpendicular to the seam.

Abstract: A novel approach for filtering documents involves the use of delivery ratio threshold setting technique to set an initial profile score threshold and the use of beta-gamma regulation for dynamic threshold updating. A group of documents is scored pursuant to a user profile. The score for each document is indicative of the relevance of the corresponding document to the user profile. The score can be compared with a profile score threshold to decide if the document should be accepted or rejected. According to one aspect of the invention, the initial threshold is set to a score threshold that approximates an expected ratio of acceptable documents calibrated with respect to a set of reference documents. According to another aspect of the invention, the score threshold can be updated based on the accumulated example documents, user's relevance judgment, and the user's utility function. The accumulated example documents are first scored against a profile and a ranked list of scored documents is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for generating a database search result. The creation of the search result is achieved by representing the subdocument lists of an inverted database with encoded bit strings. The encoded bit strings are space efficient methods of storing the correspondence between terms in the database and their occurrence in subdocuments. Logical combinations of these bit strings are then obtained by identifying the intersection, union, and/or inversion of a plurality of the bit strings. Since keywords for a database search can be identified by selecting the terms of the inverted database, the logical combinations of bit strings represent search results over the database. This technique for method for generating a search result is computationally efficient because computers combine bit strings very efficiently. Also, the search elements of the present invention are not just limited to keywords. The search elements also include types of fields (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer system for modifying a database which comprises a computer that modifies records stored in a database. In the process for modifying records in the database, addresses to memory locations in a disk storage unit are accessed during the commit phase by first checking the address space in a transaction log. The computer system of the present invention operates by committing transactions without locking out readers. This is possible because any changed data in the database is reflected in the transaction log and the log must be accessed prior to reading from the disk storage unit. As a result, the user sees changed data when the log is accessed, or if data has not been changed, the log merely directs the computer to the address in the original database storage where unchanged data is stored.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for improving the connection between a building panel and a foundation. The improved connection is made possible by a unique form assembly that includes a trough assembly and a novel means for adequately supporting the trough assembly while the concrete is poured. The trough assembly creates a trough, which is an elongated hollow notch at the top of the foundation that resembles the shape of the trough assembly. Thus, the trough assembly is designed such that its width is approximately equal to the width of the building panel. The trough assembly also includes an angle iron affixed to the top of its sides. The trough assembly provides the building panel an elongated hollow groove having angle irons on each side. The prefabricated panel is therefor affixed to the angle irons. Placing the prefabricated panel in the foundation in such a manner and affixing it to the angle irons provides the panel with improved lateral and horizontal support.

Abstract: A mobile metal building forming machine forms panels of predetermined length from a coil of flat metal and then the formed panels are continuously crimped on their side edges for strength and are selectively curved by crimping the bottom of the panel. The crimping and curvature are automatically controlled so that building panels with vertical walls and an arched roof may be formed. A moveable crimping roll is automatically portioned to control the curvature and the roll is chain driven so that it may be moved without affecting its rotational drive.