Abstract: A system for validating network communication, such as e-mail. A person sending information to a previously unverified recipient first enters “Address Book” information about the unverified recipient into the sender's e-mail system. Part of this initial information includes the recipient's e-mail address and a way of communicating with the intended recipient other than by using the e-mail address. For example, regular mail, fax, or other means can be specified. When the sender sends the information to the intended recipient, the recipient is not able to receive the information until an identification code is entered by the intended recipient. The identification code is transferred via the different way of communicating that does not use the intended recipient's e-mail address. For example, the code can be sent via fax. The intended recipient then logs on to the e-mail system and enters their user name and the code.

Abstract: A system for producing presentations of computer application programs. The system also allows the inclusion of advertising, or other information, into a presentation. When the presentation is viewed online, the ads can be updated by a central ad server. This allows different ads to be inserted into the presentation, tailoring ads to the viewer, etc. When the presentation is viewed offline, default ads are kept in the presentation. Authoring software is used to create a sequence of screenshot images of an application program to be presented. Each screenshot is a slide in the presentation and is displayed for an interval of time during playback of the presentation. The authoring software also allows control of cursor movement animation to be played back during the presentation. Text description in the form of “bubble text,” “memo text,” “questions,” etc. can be specified along with the position, size and other properties of the text.

Abstract: A computer-based system for designing and using three-dimensional environments over a bandwidth limited network such as the Internet. The system allows an environment to be specified as a series of two-dimensional grids of text characters. Each character occupies a single grid position and represents an object in the environment. Objects can be given characteristics such as texture maps, and associated images and sounds that are triggered by events such as a user approaching the object. An object or image can be a hyperlink so that, when clicked or moved upon, the user is transported to a new location. A basic set of objects and media (images and sounds) is provided so that a designer of an environment does not have to perform low-level three-dimensional modeling. Objects can behave differently when placed near one another. For example, walls fuse together to provide a longer wall.

Abstract: A system whereby a computer program can be transformed so that one or more of the program's symbolic references are made suitable for redirection. Once provided with redirectable symbols, the functionality of the program is easily changed at a later time, such as at start-up time or at run-time. A first phase converts a pre-existing computer program so that symbols can be re-directed. This first phase also generates auxiliary files for use in a later phase. A second phase is where the converted computer program is loaded into, and executed upon, a user's computer. A third phase is where the original computer program functionality is modified. The modification occurs at a high-level and can be performed easily by someone who was not involved in the programming of the original program. Modifications are simplified to the extent that even non-programmers can change the functionality of the computer program. This third phase uses the auxiliary file generated in the first phase.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently analyzing databases. In one embodiment, the invention is used to analyze data represented in the form of attribute-value (a-v) pairs. A primary step in building the ontology is to identify parent, child and related a-v pairs of each given a-v pair in the database. A parent is an a-v pair that is always present whenever a given a-v pair is present. A child is an a-v pair that is never present unless the given a-v pair is present. Related pairs of a given a-v pair are those a-v pairs present some of the time when a given a-v pair is present. The system calculates relationships between a-v pairs to produce tables of a-v pairs presented according to the relationships. The user performs additional analysis by investigating the a-v pair relationships through a graphical user interface. Additional visualizations of the data are possible such as through Venn diagrams and animations. Plain-text data documents collected, for example, from the Internet can be analyzed.

Abstract: A relational database access system and method provides a new data representation and a query technique which allows information system end users to access (query) relational databases without knowing the relational structure or the structure query language (SQL). The present invention utilizes semantically dynamic objects.

Abstract: A system for identifying and tagging anomalies, such as images of dust and scratches, in a digital image so that they can be removed from the image. The invention implements a technique for detecting anomalies designed to minimize the number of false positives, i.e., non-anomalous portions of the image falsely identified as anomalies. The technique bases the initial first-pass identification of anomalous image regions on the difference between the gradient of the image at each of a set of grid points in the image and the mean of the gradient of the image at nearby points. Thus a region is identified as anomalous if original image pixel values in its immediate neighborhood are more variable than they are in a larger neighborhood. This technique greatly reduces (when compared to the prior art) the identification of false positives in noisy regions of the image, such as the leaves of a tree in daylight or a pebbly beach.

Abstract: Different viewing mechanisms are used for left and right eyes. One of the eyes is presented with an image from a single image source that occupies the entire field of view of the eye. The view presented by this first image source is a wide field of view with a relatively low resolution. A second image source presents a second view to the other eye of the user. The second view is a narrower-field-of-view, higher resolution depiction of the same view or scene as presented by the first image source. Additionally, the second image source includes a direct see-through path so that the user can view the real outside surroundings. The combination of low resolution, wide field of view in one eye combined with a high resolution, narrow field of view with see-through in the other eye allows the user to be presented with a computer-generated simulation view having both wide field of view with specific, high resolution at the viewer's visual center of interest.

Abstract: A metal enclosure formed of three basic parts of stamped sheet metal. The parts include a system of retention clips, spring fingers and embossed dimples to achieve easy assembly and a high level of electromagnetic interference containment when the parts are assembled. The design also provides high structural rigidity, mechanical strength and ease of assembly/disassembly.

Abstract: Information, or data, among applications in multiple diverse computer systems is represented in a uniform way allowing the data to be easily manipulated, navigated and modified. Each piece of information is stored as a uniquely identifiable object instance of one of multiple uniquely identifiable object classes that are themselves instances of a Root class. Two object instances can be linked by a uniquely identifiable two-way navigable link of a particular links class. Each link of a links class is constrained to linking object instances of either one or two different object classes. Each link also has a corresponding object instance such that the object class of the corresponding object instance is the links class, and the unique identifier of the object instance is the same in value as the unique identifier of the link.

Abstract: A skid with built-in heating elements for heating and supporting a compressed-gas dispensing bulk vessel, or cylinder, while allowing for manipulation and transportation of the cylinder and skid assembly. The skid incorporates all of the features necessary for handling a cylinder while also providing a means for heating the cylinder in a controlled manner. The heater skid comprises a framework for receiving the cylinder and one or more heaters coupled to the framework so that the received cylinder is proximate to the heaters, thus, allowing the heaters to heat the cylinder. A control system for the heaters is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved theater surround sound system incorporates a screen top speaker and an overhead speaker driven by corresponding upper surround channels to more accurately reproduce sounds produced from above the listener. These top surround channels are encoded along with the left and right surround channels. A pilot signal is used to direct the sound from the side surround channels to the upper surround channels when needed.

Abstract: A system for controlling distribution of sound in a multi-channel sound system such as a "surround sound" system in a movie theater. Control signals are used to steer, or distribute, portions of the sound signal between designated speakers. In a preferred embodiment the control signals are provided with the sound signals, themselves, and are separated from the sound signals by using a pilot signal or signals.

Abstract: A system for manipulating image fragments so that image processing devices such as copiers, fax machines and scanners may efficiently process oversize images. The system provides a user interface so that when an oversize image is scanned in multiple parts to produce multiple image fragments the user can manipulate the image fragments by performing drag, drop and merge operations on the image fragments. Embodiments of the invention include the use of a touch screen or mouse to allow the user to perform the operations. Other operations are selectable such as rotating an image fragment, zooming in or out on portions of the displayed fragments, merging the fragments into an integrated image and storing or printing the image fragments.

Abstract: An improved theater surround sound system incorporates a screen top speaker and an overhead speaker driven by corresponding upper surround channels to more accurately reproduce sounds produced from above the listener. These top surround channels are encoded along with the left and right surround channels. A pilot signal is used to direct the sound from the side surround channels to the upper surround channels when needed.

Abstract: Multiple large screens on movable arms form a gateway beneath which viewers may walk. The screens slide up or down, i.e., toward or away from, the viewers walking below. The screens also pivot in a circular arc to sweep toward, or away from, the viewers. In one embodiment a number of vertical support beams are employed. Elongated arms are attached to the support beams at one end so that the arms can each be rotated about their attached ends. The arms also slide up and down the length of the support beams. Projection screens are attached to the arms so that the screens move as the arms move. In a more specific embodiment each screen is provided with a rear-projection projector for displaying images onto the screens. A computer is used to control the sliding and rotating of the support beams so that preprogrammed patterns can be executed. A computer is also used to control the projectors so that coordinated patterns of images are displayed on the screens.

Abstract: A multiplex broadcasting method and system which limits an object district for broadcasting of district information such as a commercial message relating closely to the district is disclosed. On the broadcasting station side, multiplex data such as animation are broadcast with a district code such as a postal code number added thereto. On the receiving set side, a district code of the location is registered as an identification number of the multiplex broadcast receiving set in a memory in advance, and the district code of received multiplex data separated by a data extraction circuit and the identification number stored in the memory are compared with each other. Only when they coincide with each other, an image corresponding to the received multiplex data is displayed on the receiving set.

Abstract: A digital surround sound decoder. The decoder uses an architecture including two signal processing chips to achieve a program that can decode audio data at sufficiently high resolution. The decoder performs in real time and is compatible with standard surround sound formats. The decoder includes software that utilizes table lookups for critical functions in the decoding process. The processing flow of the decoder's program takes advantage of the multi-function capability within the specific processors used in the design while using a minimum number of program instructions. The program implements band pass filtering, sum-difference calculations, fast-attack slow-decay integration, summation and reciprocal processing, determination of fast and slow modes, look-up table indexing, adaptive matrix processing and various other functions to generate decoded surround sound signals from encoded left and right signal inputs.

Abstract: A system for simultaneous display of multiple video windows on a display device. This system includes a primary interface for receiving a primary video signal and a primary storage memory for storing data representing the primary video signal. Further, the present invention provides a plurality of secondary interface for receiving a plurality of secondary video signals and a secondary storage memory for storing data representing the plurality of secondary video signals. An output for selectively outputting the contents of a primary storage memory and the secondary storage memory to a display device so as to display video imagery represented by the primary video signal and secondary video signals in respective multiple video windows on the display device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a demonstration of home entertainment audio and/or video equipment. Upon receipt of a start signal from a switch, control signals are transmitted via infrared transmitter to the equipment being demonstrated. The infrared signals are identical to those which would be sent from a remote control unit (or may be signals sent through hard-wired connections). The infrared signals turn on power to the equipment, properly configure the equipment, adjust volume level and other parameters, and program the equipment to present the demonstration.