Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device and computer storage medium for determining whether two pages linked on the World Wide Web are a part of the same World Wide Web site. The method involves examining and comparing the IP addresses of the Web pages, and can also be extended to finding other pages to which a given Web page is linked on the Web, and to determining whether a Web page of interest is part of a Web site with a desired characteristic, such as being part of an electronic commerce site.

Abstract: Devices and methods for implementing computer-aided surgical procedures and more specifically devices and methods for implementing a computer-aided orthopedic surgery utilizing intra-operative feedback. A three-dimensional model of an area of a patient upon which a surgical procedure is to be performed is modeled using software techniques. The software model is used to generate a surgical plan, including placement of multifunctional markers, for performing the surgical procedure. After the markers are placed on the patient, an updated image of the patient is taken and used to calculate a final surgical plan for performing the remainder of the surgical procedure. The three-dimensional modeling, surgical planning, and surgery may all take place remote from each other. The various entities may communicate via an electronic communications network such as the Internet.

Abstract: A spoolable composite member having a sensor and an energy conductor embedded in the composite member. The spoolable composite member is capable of being spooled onto a reel for storage and for use in oil field applications. The spoolable tube exhibits unique anistropic characteristics that provide improved burst and collapse pressures, increased tensile strength, compression strength, and load carrying capacity, while still remaining sufficiently bendable to be spooled onto a reel in an open bore configuration. The spoolable composite tube can include an inner protective layer, an inner pressure barrier layer, an interface layer, fiber composite layers, an outer pressure barrier layer, and an outer protective layer.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for continuous back up of data stored on a computer network. To this end the systems of the invention include a synchronization process that replicates selected source data files data stored on the network and to create a corresponding set of replicated data files, called the target data files, that are stored on a back up server. This synchronization process builds a baseline data structure of target data files. In parallel to this synchronization process, the system includes a dynamic replication process that includes a plurality of agents, each of which monitors a portion of the source data files to detect and capture, at the byte-level, changes to the source data files.

Abstract: Systems and methods for prerating communication events, such as telephone calls, for prepaying customers are described. The systems and methods permit, at the beginning of a communication event, the determination of a time limit for the event based on the available balance in a prepayment account associated with the event.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a method of processing content for distribution over a computer network. The method includes receiving submitted electronic content, accessing identification of at least one of a set of more than one electronic book digital rights management (DRM) systems, and automatically generating an electronic book from the received electronic content for distribution in accordance with the identified electronic book digital rights management system(s).

Abstract: A computer assisted orthopedic surgery planner software for generation of 3D (three dimensional) solid bone models from two or more 2D (two dimensional) X-ray images of a patient's bone. The computer assisted orthopedic surgery planner software reconstructs the bone contours by starting with a 3D template bone and deforming the 3D template bone to substantially match the geometry of the patient's bone. A surgical planner and simulator module of the computer assisted orthopedic surgery planner software generates a simulated surgery plan showing the animation of the bone distraction process, the type and the size of the fixator frame to be mounted on the patient's bone, the frame mounting plan, the osteotomy/coricotomy site location and the day-by-day length adjustment schedule for each fixator strut. All bone models and surgery plans are shown as 3D graphics on a computer screen to provide realistic, pre-surgery guidance to the surgeon.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling critical dimension (CD) in a process system, including computing an exposure dose error based on at least one output of the process system, normalizing the computed exposure dose error based on a target exposure dose, and providing an exposure dose to the process system based on at least one normalized exposure dose error. The target exposure dose can be associated with a process system characteristic(s) and can be updated based on normalized computed exposure dose errors.

Abstract: A system and associated methods identify documents relevant to an inputted natural-language user query. One associate method includes: selecting a set of keywords from the user query; determining at least one word, not necessarily found in the user query, that is semantically similar to a keyword of the set of keywords; using the set of keywords and the at least one word to determining a subset of word sets from a database of pre-stored word sets, wherein the pre-stored word sets are each pre-associated with at least one document; determining a plurality of word sets, from the subset of word sets, that is most semantically similar to the user query; and identifying documents that have been pre-associated with the plurality of word sets as being relevant to the natural-language user query.

Abstract: The invention provides an Internet-based integrated household management system. Each user or household has a unique account with the provider of the system to manage their personal data within system. The provider uses this data to make available information that is relevant to the shopping and organizational tasks. This information may include promotional offers, product information and new product announcements for consumer products and services. The data structure can display information that is relevant to a user's specific needs, providing an efficient system of delivering highly targeted information to consumers. A directory format is included which enables users to search for specific types of information or browse available information that may have been filtered out based on the user's data. The user can be provided with purchase information and purchase incentives based on a user's profile and buying patterns.

Abstract: A method for assessing the performance of a data classifier operable to generate an element of output data in response to an element of input data, such as a neural network, is disclosed. The method includes using the data classifier to generate elements of result output data in response to elements of test input data, determining a measure of difference between each element of test output data and each corresponding element of result output data, forming a distribution function of the measures of differences, and forming a measure of performance from the distribution function.

Abstract: A buoyancy control system for controlling the buoyancy of a tube may includes generally tubular length of buoyancy control material having a selected buoyancy characteristic. The length of buoyancy control material may be attached to a section of the length of the tube to adjust the buoyancy of the section of the tube. The length of buoyancy control material may be an integral, coaxial layer of the tube or, alternatively, the length of buoyancy control material may be externally attached to tube. In embodiments in which the length of the buoyancy control material is externally attached, the buoyancy control material may have a longitudinal axis that is spaced-apart from a longitudinal axis of the tube.

Abstract: A length of oxynitride optical fiber is exposed to actinic radiation that is modulated by an interference technique to form a pattern of refractive index variations that functions as a reflective grating.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for continuous back up of data stored on a computer network. To this end the systems of the invention include a synchronization process that replicates selected source data files data stored on the network and to create a corresponding set of replicated data files, called the target data files, that are stored on a back up server. This synchronization process builds a baseline data structure of target data files. In parallel to this synchronization process, the system includes a dynamic replication process that includes a plurality of agents, each of which monitors a portion of the source data files to detect and capture, at the byte-level, changes to the source data files.

Abstract: A method and system that include a first measurement signal and a second measurement signal that can be input to first and second filters. The filters can be subject to a first constraint to minimize the energy difference between the first and second measurement signals on a per frequency basis, and subject to a second constraint that includes a model frequency and phase response. By adapting the filters subject to the two constraints, coherent differences between the two measurement signals can be identified. In one embodiment, the system can be applied to Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data.

Abstract: A vortex flow meter has a vortex shedder that spans a diameter or other chord of a fluid-guiding pipe, and protrudes partially externally through two opposed openings in the pipe wall. The vortex shedder includes two spaced-apart mounting pads and an elongate portion spanning therebetween. At least one mounting pad includes a cavity for seating a sensor. One preferred practice of the invention inserts the shedder through the openings into the fluid-guiding pipe such that the elongate section resides within the flowing fluid and produces a stream of space-apart vortices, and the mounting pads protrude at least partially through the openings. The sensor produces electrical signals in response to the induced vortices, and an electronic module receives the electrical signals and calculates the flow velocity of the fluid based on the frequency of the electrical signals.

Abstract: A protective system for optical components, including a container, at least one optical component fixed inside said container, a length of optical fiber which has a plastic coating and is connected to said at least one optical component, and, an optical feedthrough for said length of fiber, placed in a feedthrough hole in a wall of said container and hermetically fixed therein, said optical feed through comprising an elongated body which has a longitudinal feedthrough hole into which said optical fiber can be placed, and, a portion of said length of fiber being stripped of said coating, wherein said portion of fiber which is stripped of the coating is soldered to one end of said elongated body by means of a metallic solder, such soldering in a surface portion around said portion of fiber being coated with a layer of a polymeric sealant. The polymeric sealant can be an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, or a silicon resin.

Abstract: A knowledge acquisition and retrieval apparatus and method that emulate the human brain and comprise at least one first memory segment, and a distinct second memory segment, wherein elements of the at least one first memory segment are reciprocally associated to elements of the second memory segment, and vice-versa. The at least one first memory segment comprises categorized data from the physical world, known as representational data, while the second memory segment contains abstract or conceptual data, otherwise known as consciousness data. Physical data comprises auditory data, language data, visual data, motion data, and sensory data, and each element of the at least one first memory segment is identified as auditory data, language data, visual data, motion data, or sensory data. By reciprocally associating the physical (representational) and conceptual (consciousness) data, a hierarchical structure is created that allows information retrieval by traversing the reciprocal associations.

Abstract: The invention includes a markup language according to the SGML standard in which document type definitions are created under which electronic documents are divided into blocks that are associated with logical fields that are specific to the type of block. Each of many different types of electronic documents can have a record mapping to a particular environment, such as a legacy environment of a banking network, a hospital's computer environment for electronic record keeping, a lending institution's computer environment for processing loan applications, or a court or arbitrator's computer system. Semantic document type definitions for various electronic document types (including, for example, electronic checks, mortgage applications, medical records, prescriptions, contracts, and the like) can be formed using mapping techniques between the logical content of the document and the block that is defined to include such content.

Abstract: The invention relates to an athermal optical waveguide grating device. The optical waveguide grating device includes a fiber Bragg grating secured and bonded to a supporting substrate member with a low thermal expansion securing glass, such as a copper alumino silicate glass. The inventive devices and method of making the devices include the utilization of intermediate solid insert members between the fiber and a negative thermal expansion substrate.