Abstract: A method to hide small messages in a wavelet compressed fingerprint image is presented. The method is characterized by random placement of the message bits in the compressed and quantized indices. The compressed image can be decompressed by any certified decompressor without any visible difference. However, the decoder aware of the decompression can only retrieve the hidden message in the image and additionally decompress the image without any error in pixel values.

Abstract: Noise-corrupted boundary information in tomographic images is restored using a data structure, called a “boundary envelope”. Both the restored boundary information and a measure of the precision of the restoration are described by the process. This data structure is used to describe the restored information in both qualitative and quantitative terms. The results of the boundary restoration process are described qualitatively by graphically displaying the boundary envelope together with the noisy CT image in such a way that allows a human observer to (a) see more details of the boundary than are visible in the CT image alone, and (b) to visually apprehend the precision with which the boundary has been restored. A boundary envelope describes a region in the image within which the boundary of a given noisy object is guaranteed to lie. The boundary envelope describes a set of limits on the object boundary, and limits on those properties of a noisy object that can be computed from boundary information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of synchronizing instruction execution in the apparatus with external events. The apparatus may be a processor or microprocessor capable of executing a function specific wait state that is dependant upon a type specified by an instruction field. The processor includes an event counter that maintains an event occurrence count, an instruction parser that strips the instruction type and event count from instructions and passes the stripped information to a comparator. The comparator compares the stripped information against an event count. The instruction types include: a relative type indicating execution at some event occurrence subsequent to the present cycle; a direct type indicating an absolute event occurrence count for execution; and a event range indicating a range of event occurrences wherein execution is valid.

Abstract: The invention is a broadband network monitoring system and method. The system has one or more RF carrier generators that generate one or more generator signals, called a reference signal, each of the generator signals having a generator signal frequency. One or more RF transient detectors sense a line signal on one or more broadband lines in the broadband network. Each line signal has one or more test signals applied by a remote RF carrier generator. Each test signal has a frequency equal to one of the reference signals. Each RF transient detector senses and compares the test signal and the reference signal in various ways to produce a transient indicator when the test signal and reference/generator signal are not the same. The transient indicator indicates that there may be a perturbation or some other problem in the respective broadband line. A controller is connected to each of the RF transient detectors and controls an RF switch and an analyzer.

Abstract: A progress note in a patient's medical record can be created in a database format which is unalterable. New versions of the notes which reflect revised viewpoints of the user may be created without deleting original notes. The database which stores these progress notes can check accuracy in diagnosis and orders by the user.

Abstract: An electronic location tag comprises stored data which includes a identifier. The data is transmitted to an attached data processing system through an interface. The attached data processing system is adapted to initiate a security action responsive to receiving the identifier. The electronic location tag is adapted to be physically attached to the environment surrounding the tag.

Abstract: A reliable estimate of image pixel (fingerprint ridge) orientations, and block orientations for a given block is determined by finding an optimal block size in an area of an image, e.g., a fingerprint image. An initial block size is chosen. Then a block direction is determined, e.g., by analyzing intensity gradients in two directions, preferably two orthogonal directions, at a plurality (preferably all) of the pixels locations in the block. Block directions of blocks in a given area of the images (fingerprint) are compared. If the compared directions are within a tolerance of one another, the determined direction of the block is considered correct. However, if the compared directions are not within a tolerance of one another, the block size is changed and the process is repeated.

Abstract: A computer system and method for natural language translation uses a translation process to translate a source natural language segment (e.g. English) of one or more source words/elements into a target natural language (e.g. German) segment of one or more target words/elements. An evaluation module determines a confidence measure of the natural language translation. Typically, the confidence measure indicates less confidence as the complexity of the translation increases. Various novel features for determining complexity and confidence measure at different steps in the translation are used. The translation process can be terminated if the confidence measure fails to meet a threshold criterion.

Abstract: An air conditioning system and an air conditioning method are disclosed for quickly and effectively controlling the temperature in a room requiring cooling and keeping the room at a uniform temperature. The present invention estimates a temperature distribution in a room through a simulation and controls airflow rates and airflow directions of a plurality of fans on the basis of the simulation result. Temperature sensors are arranged at predetermined positions in a room such as a computer room. A simulation is performed on the basis of temperatures detected by the temperature sensor Sn and the current airflow rates and airflow directions of a plurality of fans to obtain a temperature distribution in the room. It is determined whether obtained temperatures are in a predetermined temperature range. As the result of such determination, at least one of airflow rate and airflow direction of a fan which covers a position being at a temperature out of the predetermined temperature range is controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to the entering, displaying and processing of text of various human languages consisting of multi-byte characters when the text is entered by means of a touchscreen terminal keyboard into a programmed computer system. The computer system includes an operating system and other software providing means for converting inputs from the touchscreen keyboard into displayed characters and a keyboard definition file for processing by the computer system to provide the touchscreen keyboard on the display. The keyboard definition file includes means for specifying a national language and means for supporting inputs of multi-byte character language. A touchscreen support module functions in conjunction with the converting means and a keyboard input module functions in conjunction with the keyboard definition file.

Abstract: An antenna composed of composite material which can be screen printed is proposed for RFID transponders and other RF communication systems.

Abstract: A computer based image processing system uses an extraction process to include a pressure invariant feature for measuring distances between minutiae. The feature extraction process identifies one or more of the following features of the fingerprint: an orthogonal image contrast, a parallel image contrast, and a feature confidence. A ridge counter process, executing on the computer system, determines the number of ridges (ridge count) running across two given points and further qualifies (invalidates) this count if the confidence value of the pixels in the region adjoining the region is not reliable. The ridge count feature between minutiae is used for determining reliable features when matching fingerprints.

Abstract: Disclosed in a system and method for segmenting foreground pixel from background pixels in a digital image, specifically a fingerprint image. First the image is divided into blocks of optimal size. Then, for a given block, an overall gradient magnitude and a projected gradient magnitude is determined. The overall gradient magnitude is a measure of the amount of intensity variation in the current block. If a large number (or all) of the pixels have a direction that is the same as the overall gradient direction, the projected gradient magnitude will be nearly equal (will be equal) to the overall gradient magnitude. This indicates that the current block is a block in the foreground of the image. A relationship, e.g., a ratio, of the over gradient magnitude to the overall projected gradient magnitude is taken certainty level that the current block is in the foreground or background of the image.

Abstract: A computer system has an interface to one or more databases, one or more base query objects, query objects, compound queries, annotator objects and graphical user interfaces (GUI's). The base query objects have one or more base query object methods, base variables, and base objects, the base query object methods being specific to the specific database and capable of querying the specific database. Each of the query objects derived from one of the base objects, and has a query type, one or more query object methods, query object variables, and query object objects. Each query object method is capable of querying a specific database to obtain a type result having the respective type. The compound query has one or more compound query methods, compound query variables, and compound query object objects. The operator objects, are derived from one of the base query objects that are used with the specific database. (GUI) has one or more query elements with one or more operators.

Abstract: A hand-held device has access to a three-dimensional geometry database and a GPS receiver, and provides information on the one or more closest features to the device location in the three-dimensional geometry database. The system has data input devices, optionally digital cameras, and a data processor executing a location process. A multiresolution process creates one or more models of the three-dimensional geometry database. The models have a hierarchy of resolutions. The models have vertices, edges and polygons. The multiresolution process preferably associates data to the vertices, edges and polygons. A data processor executes a location process that determines a distance between the position of the hand-held device and corresponding one or more closest features on the hierarchy of resolutions of the database. The data processor produces display commands for displaying data and geometry relative to the one or more closest features.

Abstract: This invention is a broadband matrix switch system and method of operation. The broadband matrix switch has N number of broadband inputs, each of the broadband inputs having one or more broadband signals. The matrix switch has M number of broadband outputs. There are N number of splitters. Each of the splitters has a splitter input connected to one of the broadband inputs. Each of the splitters has M number of splitter outputs that produce the splitter output signal. There are N times M number of node switches. Each node switch is uniquely connected to one of the splitter outputs. The node switches have a control input that allows the node switch to pass the respective splitter output signal upon receiving a close command at the control input and to terminate the respective splitter output signal with an input impedance upon receiving an open command at the control input. There are M number of combiners. Each combiner has a combiner output connected to one of the broadband outputs.

Abstract: The present method and apparatus use image processing to determine information about the position of a designated object. The invention is particularly useful in applications where the object is difficult to view or locate. In particular, the invention is used in endoscopic surgery to determine positional information about an anatomical feature within a patient's body. The positional information is then used to position or reposition an instrument (surgical instrument) in relation to the designated object (anatomical feature). The invention comprises an instrument which is placed in relation to the designated object and which is capable of sending information about the object to a computer. Image processing methods are used to generated images of the object and determine positional information about it. This information can be used as input to robotic devices or can be rendered, in various ways (video graphics, speech synthesis), to a human user.

Abstract: Noise-corrupted boundary information in tomographic images is restored using a data structure, called a “boundary envelope”. Both the restored boundary information and a measure of the precision of the restoration are described by the process. This data structure is used to describe the restored information in both qualitative and quantitative terms. The results of the boundary restoration process are described qualitatively by graphically displaying the boundary envelope together with the noisy CT image in such a way that allows a human observer to (a) see more details of the boundary than are visible in the CT image alone, and (b) to visually apprehend the precision with which the boundary has been restored. A boundary envelope describes a region in the image within which the boundary of a given noisy object is guaranteed to lie. The boundary envelope describes a set of limits on the object boundary, and limits on those properties of a noisy object that can be computed from boundary information.

Abstract: A server system that is connected to one or more networks, e.g., the Internet, corporate or government intranets, extranets, etc. The server has one or more application files or configuration sets that the server serves to from one or more kiosks on the network. The configuration sets are application specific. (An application is a use for which the kiosks are configured or reconfigured.) One or more of the files in the configuration sets include one or more embedded (control) programs that are used to control the local APIs of one or more of the devices on the kiosk. In this way, the devices are controlled to configure the kiosk to perform the application.

Abstract: Two or more client users, connected by one or more networks to the server, cooperatively search a database. The server has a data structure that has two or more cooperative user identifiers. Each cooperative user identifier represents one of the clients that has indicated a desired to establish a cooperative search. The data structure further has a session identifier that associates two or more of the cooperative user identifiers as session participants in an established a cooperative session. A command process, executing on the server, receives a query from one of the session participants (clients), accesses results of the query from a search engine, and distributes the results to all of the session participants. Queries of the cooperative session are related to indexed terms so that future uses will find this relationship when using similar queries. These are applications in searching for sales and service information.