Abstract: A visual metaphor is provided on a computer and/or network environment for tagging documents with various types of (education) commentary to an author's (student's) work and indications of (educational) goals that have been or are to be achieved. One or more of the comments and goals are based on predetermined standards. The goals or comments are optionally weighted. Summaries of these goals can be generated to assist evaluators (teachers and administrators) in evaluating both the work of the authors (students) and the success of evaluator in managing (teaching the authors (students).

Abstract: The present invention combines the functionality of a computer pointing device with a fingerprint authentication system. In the preferred embodiment, by regularly scanning fingerprints acquired from the pointing device touch pad, fingerprint features may be extracted and compared to stored data on authorized users for passive authentication. Furthermore, calculations based upon the acquired fingerprint images and associated features allows the system to determine six degrees of freedom of the finger, allowing the user to control a variety of functions or to manipulate a three-dimensional model or virtual reality system.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for identifying useless or insignificant documents in a document hit list assembled from documents stored in one or more document collection databases. A search engine is used to compose the document hit list based on a query presented by a user. A text extraction algorithm run by a processor is then used to process the documents identified by the document hit list to produce a table of terms and their corresponding collection-level importance ranking called the IQ or Information Quotient. The text algorithm also produces a table of the most important terms per document. The documents are also scanned independently and a table of documents with filenames and lengths is also produced. A summarizing text algorithm is also run by a processor against the documents of the document hit list to produce a table of terms having a high tf*idf value for each document.

Abstract: A clock system is provided capable of using an external system clock for driving at least one charge circuit of a semiconductor memory unit for restoring and refreshing a data array of the memory unit. The clock system, in one embodiment, includes a plurality of control circuits each having a clock select circuit which has as an input the external system clock, an internal clock generator circuit for generating an internal system clock, and a multiplexer. The multiplexer has as inputs an output of the clock select circuit, i.e., the external system clock, and an output of the internal clock generator circuit, i.e., the internal system clock. The multiplexer outputs either the external system clock or the internal system clock to the at least one charge circuit according to at least one control signal transmitted by a central processing unit to the clock select circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for automatic selection of a vehicular sideview mirror using the eye gaze of a vehicle operator. Once a particular sideview mirror is selected, it can be adjusted as desired by the vehicle operator. The method and system includes an eye contact detection device or eye gaze tracking device for selecting a left or a right vehicle sideview mirror to adjust by detecting an eye gaze of the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A non intrusive method for freeing storage of portable devices (such as digital video cameras) when the portable device becomes full. This task is accomplished using a network of servers that communicate via wireless channels with the portable devices (like cameras) within the zones of these servers. That is, if a server detects that a camera (or other device) is near full with stored captured images (data), or meets some other criteria, this server moves stored images (data) to a storage server without interrupting possible owner actions with the camera/device. The owner can download all moved images/data from a storage server to his/her computer after returning to a home/office/hotel. Similar non intrusive services can be provided for other miniature devices with embedded storage that are using by owners during some their activities (like palmtops, tapes, smart phones, wrist watches etc.).

Abstract: A schedule management system and method of displaying a schedule of at least a part of a plurality of users on a schedule management apparatus includes a display screen and an input device, and manages personal schedule information registered for each of the plurality of users.

Abstract: Visually analyzing, selecting, manipulating, displaying, and exploring relationships among variables in data bases with a large number of variables is enables by visualization of pictorial presentations, usually scatter plots. Each scatter plot shows the relationship among some subset of variables in the database. The scatter plots are mutually coupled to one another so that any mathematical transformation of an independent variable in one plot causes changes in other plots with dependent variables according to the relationship between the changed independent variable and the dependent variable. The mutual coupling also applies to color selection and performing logical operations with color on the plots. The plots can access other subsidiary presentations by using specified access criteria. Subsidiary presentations also can access other presentations. All presentations are mutually coupled.

Abstract: A system and method for seamlessly combining client-only rendering techniques with server-only rendering techniques. The approach uses a composite stream containing three distinct streams. One stream is available to send geometry from the server to the client. Another stream contains video with transparent pixels that allow the client-rendered object to appear in the context of the server rendered objects. The third stream contains camera information. The invention can satisfy a number of viewing applications. For example, initially the most relevant geometry can stream to the client for high quality local rendering while the server delivers renderings of less relevant geometry at lower resolutions. After the most relevant geometry has been delivered to the client, the less important geometry can be optionally streamed to the client to increase the fidelity of the entire scene.

Abstract: System for continuous display and navigation in a virtual reality world comprising display means, a server, a computer including browsing means for communicating with the server, storage means for storing a plurality of files defining three dimensional virtual spaces which can be displayed on display means on request of browsing means, and virtual reality managing means for, upon receiving coordinates of the current viewpoint of the user from browsing means, directly requesting to server appropriate files, the selection of which is based on an evaluation of which three-dimensional virtual space will be most needed and loading these files into browsing means for displaying this three-dimensional space.

Abstract: A system and method for seamlessly combining client-only rendering techniques with server-only rendering techniques. The approach uses a composite stream containing three distinct streams. Two of the streams are synchronized and transmit camera definition, video of server-rendered objects, and a time dependent depth map for the server-rendered object. The third stream is available to send geometry from the server to the client, for local rendering if appropriate. The invention can satisfy a number of viewing applications. For example, initially the most relevant geometry can stream to the client for high quality local rendering while the server delivers renderings of less relevant geometry at lower resolutions. After the most relevant geometry has been delivered to the client, the less important geometry can be optionally streamed to the client to increase the fidelity of the entire scene.

Abstract: Coverage measurement tool enabling a user to create a specific coverage tool for a coverage model including a set of coverage tasks specified by the user for checking a design such as a hardware or software system, and being associated with a database and model definition that defines the coverage model. The tool includes an insertion engine for storing into the database a table containing traces resulting from multiple tests, a processing engine processing the traces in the database according to the model definition, and a coverage analyzer analyzing the measurement results from the processing engine and preparing coverage analysis reports according to the model definition.

Abstract: The visibility ordering of polyhedral cells is efficiently determined by building an ordering graph, comprising oriented edges between two cells. Each edge (A,B) corresponds to the fact that cell A has to be projected, or rendered, before B. A set of ordering relations and rules that can be shown to generate, if one exists, a global ordering of the polyhedral cell complex. Three different types of edges are used to accomplish this: MPVO, BSP and PPC edges. MPVO edges exist between two cells that share a face. To define the BSP edges, a BSP-tree of the boundary faces of the cell complex is constructed. During this construction, some of the boundary faces of the cells will be ‘cut’ by the BSP-tree ‘extended’ faces, into multiple pieces. If C is the boundary cell, and c′, c″, and so on, are the pieces of its boundary faces, the BSP_edge (c′, C) is defined to mean that cell C can only be projected after c′ has been projected by the BSP.

Abstract: Query objects are created by a client process. The query objects have one or more sub-query objects and one or more execute methods that are capable of operating on their respective query object to produce one or more query expressions. All of the execute methods are capable of producing the respective query expression that is compatible with a structured query language. A compound query contains one or more boolean expressions of one or more of the query objects. The compound query has one or more compound execute methods which invoke one or more the execute methods of each of the query objects. Each of the execute methods returns their respective query expression and the compound execute method uses one or more common table expressions to combine the query expressions to form a single compound query expression that represents the boolean expression. This single expression can be execute against a database to return a result without executing any of the query expressions against the database individually.

Abstract: A method of quickly displaying a truly intended graphical object among graphical objects hidden in complex in the screen by a simple mouse operation. A group of graphical objects which are a set of a plurality of graphical objects is displayed on a display screen. Each graphical object is managed by a hierarchical structure and displayed in the display screen based on graphical definition data. When an operator selects one graphical object from a group of graphical objects, an operation tablet is generated. When the operator moves a pointer to the right on the operation tablet, graphical objects positioned fore side are changed to non-display one after another and a graphical object hiding behind them is revealed. By moving the pointer downwardly after the operator clicks the left button of a mouse, graphical objects of the same hierarchy as the focused graphical object are changed to non-display in unison so that a desired graphical object can be efficiently searched for selection.

Abstract: A low-voltage, low-power DC voltage generator system is provided having two negative voltage pump circuits for generating voltages for operating negative wordline and substrate bias charge pump circuits, a reference generator for generating a reference voltage, and a two-stage cascaded positive pump system having a first stage pump circuit and a second stage pump circuit. The first stage converts a supply voltage to a higher voltage level, e.g., one volt to 1.5 volts, to be used for I/O drivers, and the second stage converts the output voltage from the first stage to a higher voltage level, e.g., from 1.5 volts to about 2.5 volts, for operating a boost wordline charge pump circuit. The DC voltage generator system further includes a micro pump circuit for providing a voltage level which is greater than one-volt to be used as reference voltages, even when an operating voltage of the DC voltage generator system is at or near one-volt.

Abstract: A set of software components, a system and a method provide to a user of a data processing system per-value interpretative information relating to application data values. The method includes the following steps: in response to user selection of a set of an application component's data values, generating per-value interpretation information corresponding to the selected data values; and, in response to subsequent movement of an input device pointer into a display screen area associated with a data value within the set, presenting the interpretation information to the user via an output device connected to the data processing system. A processing component selectable by the user from set of processing components preferably responds to user selection of both the operation to be performed and a set of application data by performing the processing operation on the set of data to produce a result, and then generating per-value interpretation information corresponding to that result.

Abstract: A graphical depiction of a carousel containing the icons or windows is provided for convenient presentation and manipulation on a screen of multiple windows, icons or TV broadcasts. These icons or windows are rotated into or out of view as the carousel rotates. Rotation can be controlled by mouse driven cursor, keyboard, application software, etc. Various identifying characteristics can be used to help users search through windows; for example, the title text of each window may be visible when the windows are in the carousel. Color can be an additional identifying characteristic. In instances where a large number of icons are used, this is a means for consolidating them. Multiple carousels can be used to consolidate different kinds of windows, icons, or TV broadcasts.

Abstract: A data compression method for processing topological structures of various geometric models. A topological transformation is performed for a three-dimensional (3D) geometric model that is to be compressed, and a triangle mesh is generated. A conventional triangle mesh compression method is employed. Associated data required for the performance of a reverse operation for the topological transformation are prepared. As a result, topological data for the 3D geometric model is compressed. As needed, the data for the compressed triangle mesh and associated operation data are output. Furthermore, a necessary process (e.g., a compression process) is also performed for geometric data for the 3D geometric model, and the resultant data are either stored or output. For the decompression of compressed data, the compressed triangle mesh is decompressed using the method employed for compression, and a triangle mesh is generated.

Abstract: A system and method use computer image processing for setting the parameters for an image acquisition device of a camera. The image parameters are set automatically by analyzing the image to be taken, and setting the controls according to the subject matter, in the same manner as an expert photographer would be able to. The system can run in a fully automatic mode choosing the best image parameters, or a “guided mode” where the user is prompted with choices where a number of alternate settings would be reasonable.