Abstract: The present invention discloses a software method for creating a multilevel customer database that provides consumer data privacy via a smart card or other personal storage device. The method allows the merchant or business to access specific information that the consumer is willing to share. Each individual consumer maintains control of information that he or she considers to be personal, private, and only divulges the level or type of data that he or she feels is appropriate.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of determining initially the structure of the code being read, to identify the number of rows and columns of the code; generating an ideal rectangular grid formed by rows and columns unambiguously defining the coordinates of notable points corresponding to the central point of each code element; determining, on the basis of reference points of known position, the homographic transformation linking notable points of the rectangular grid and characteristic points on the deformed image; calculating the coordinates of the characteristic points; and generating a transformed image to be decoded, the pixels of transformed image having the coordinates of the grid notable points and a value equal to the binarized brightness value of the corresponding characteristic points.

Abstract: A web site server provides collaborative web page navigation feature for a group of user terminals. The location information of the web pages are relayed to all following terminals of the group, while a leading terminal of the group is navigating through the web pages by using its web browser. Each of the following terminals has a web navigation synchronizer. Upon receiving the web page location information, the web navigation synchronizer updates its respective web browser and activates the browser to locate web pages according to the web page location information.

Abstract: The mechanism is directed to a method and apparatus which provides a technique and tools to allow a combination of existing customer databases to be used by transforming a portion of the data in the existing data warehouses into a second data structure. Advantageously, greater functionality can be achieved by using new application programs while existing application programs can continue to be used without changes to code of the existing applications.

Abstract: A method of compressing data utilizes the prime number series to generate unique compression parameters that may be used to recover an original data stream. The original data is converted from a binary form to a decimal form. Various compression parameters are selected to initialize the system. The compression parameters include the number of prime numbers which will be used in the compression process and an exponential value corresponding to each prime number. A header is constructed which includes the compression parameters. The data is compressed by a compression algorithm which performs successive division operations by the series of prime numbers selected. The compression algorithm generates a plurality of exponential values corresponding to each of the prime numbers. The header is then assembled with the exponential values and transmitted to a receiving station.

Abstract: A system capable of pattern matching between a less noisy face image and a noisier face image obtained in different imaging conditions. A weighted sum of a covariance matrix calculated from less noisy sample images obtained for a plurality of sample faces and a covariance matrix calculated from differences between the less noisy sample images and corresponding noisier sample images obtained for the sample faces is first obtained. A principal component analysis is applied to the weighted sum to find and store in memory a result with which principal components are calculated from a given face image. In actual pattern matching, a first face image and a second face image are first obtained. The degree of similarity between the first and second face images is calculated based on a conventional formula by using the result of the principal component analysis. The matching between the first and second face images is achieved based on a comparison of the degree of similarity with a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A first signal represents an image of an object to be inspected. Portions of the first signal are selected as second signals respectively. The second signals represent partial images of the inspected-object image respectively. The partial images are of a given size. The second signals are compared with a third signal representing a predetermined reference image of a size equal to the size of the partial images, and thereby pattern matching is executed between the partial images and the reference image. Calculation is made as to scores of the pattern matching between the partial images and the reference image. A maximum score is selected from among the calculated scores. A fourth signal is generated which represents a position of the partial image corresponding to the maximum score. The partial-image position is defined as being relative to the inspected-object image. An invalid area of the reference image is determined according to a fifth signal representing a predetermined unreliable image area.

Abstract: A web site server provides collaborative web page navigation feature for a group of user terminals. A session list is created to register the group of terminals. The location information of the web pages are relayed to all following terminals of the group, while a leading terminal of the group is navigating through the web pages by using its web browser, according to the session list. A user terminal can join a session, thus becoming a following terminal, by answering a broadcast session inquiry, or by sending a request to receiving and then answering a session list.

Abstract: Described is a method of creating intelligent command objects for controlling a telephony system by selecting reusable image symbol to an application container, without requiring an application developer to write any programming code. After being embedded into CTI, these command objects are able to automatically monitor the operation status and enable and disable themselves according to the changes of the operation status of the telephony hardware system. To control the operation of the telephony system, a user simply activates (i.e. clicks) a respective command object when it is enabled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for calculating web site capacity using measurement performance values collected by a web server using data from web browser MIB's and a HTTP MIB. The measurement performance values are sent by a server in the web site to a remote computer on which resides a platform independent program capable of calculating web site capacity. The capacity is calculated using web server hit rate, response time and CPU utilization. This capacity calculation can be displayed in textual format in various views of performance such as server performance, cluster performance and history of the server and cluster.

Abstract: A computer program memory stores computer instructions for securing data transmitted over a system, such as the Internet, enabling a user to be authenticated and authorized for a requested operation. An “eticket” architecture (including identification information) is generated by an authentication server. The information in the eticket is hashed using, for example, a Message Digest Protocol, and a hash number is generated. The hash number is then encrypted using a private key, and the identification information in the eticket and the encrypted hash number are concatenated to generate a completed “eticket” architecture. The “eticket” may then be transmitted over the Internet (i.e., a non-secure environment) from server to server without having the information in the “eticket” altered, and without having to “reauthenticate” the user at each server.

Abstract: All two-character chains including two general characters and all three-character chains including one special character between two general characters are detected from a registration character string in which a large number of special characters not having any meaning are frequently arranged, or all two-character chains including two general or symbolic characters are detected from a converted registration character string produced by changing each special character of the registration character string to one type of symbolic character determined in correspondence to one general character adjacent to the special character. Also, occurrence frequencies of the general or symbolic characters of each chain are counted and stored in a recording medium with the registration character chains.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system is disclosed for changing a display from a display of individual peak values of web site performance to a graphical display of web site performance, including at least one of the individual values. The individual peak values representing real-time web site performance are displayed. One of the individual peak values is selected. A graphical display of historical performance is displayed which includes the selected individual peak value.

Abstract: In a reproduction apparatus, for reproducing an original signal conveyed as main data by a data medium such as a recording disk or broadcasting system, with medium protection data which are specific to the data medium being conveyed together with the main data, the apparatus includes a section for generating apparatus protection data which are specific to the reproduction apparatus, a section for combining the apparatus protection data with the medium protection data to define a protection level, and a section for applying the protection level to restrict reproduction of the original signal, with stepwise variations in restriction occurring in accordance with changes in protection level. The medium protection data may include information for specifying restricted reproduction of portions of the original signal, such as by producing degraded resolution within specified regions of specified frames of a video signal.

Abstract: An inclination, at a pit forming position, of the information recording surface of an optical disc with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to laser light emitted from an optical pickup is detected by a tilt sensor. Pits are formed while the laser light intensity is increased as the detected inclination increases. The illumination light quantity per unit area decreases as the inclination of the information recording surface increases. Setting the laser light intensity at a larger value as the inclination of the information recording surface increases makes it possible to compensate for reduction of the illumination light quantity per unit area that occurs in association with inclination of the information recording surface without the need for correcting the laser light emitting direction. Therefore, even if the information recording surface of an optical information recording medium is inclined, information recording can be performed with a constant laser light emitting direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a plasma display panel in which front and rear substrates face and are spaced apart from each other, common electrode lines, scan electrode lines and address electrode lines are arranged between the front and rear substrates, the common electrode lines are arranged parallel to the scan electrode lines and the address electrode lines are arranged orthogonal to the scan electrode lines to define pixels at intersections thereof, the apparatus including a scan drive part having a memory in which scan data are stored in a predetermined scanning order, for applying a scan drive signal to the scan electrode lines in accordance with scan data corresponding to an input address, an address drive part for applying an address drive signal to the corresponding address electrode lines in accordance with an input display data signal, a common drive part for applying a common drive signal to the common electrode lines in accordance with an input common data signal, and a control part for processing e

Abstract: A coin-operated massage table features an intersegmented traction table having a plurality of rollers rotating in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions that travel up and down a patient's back. The patient is lying in a supine position on the table during the massaging process. A control panel is used to increase or decrease the height of the rollers which increases or decreases, respectively, the pressure on the back muscles. The control panel is mounted to the table and is connected to a bill acceptor device which accepts coins, bills, tokens, credit cards or debit cards. The massage table operates for a predetermined amount of time based upon the amount of money the patient inserts in the bill acceptor device. Other optional features of the massage table include a vibration device, and hot and cold and moist supplying devices in the table which are controlled by the control panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrodes apron for ECG which is comprised of an apron cast from flexible material to be placed over the chest of the patient, ten electrodes inlaid within the apron in predetermined places wherein six of the said electrodes are located at predetermined distances between the ribs, two under each shoulder and two at both sides of the stomach. Either curved or spiraled conductors are cast within flexible material and each conductor is connected to an electrode. A multiple-pronged cable feeds each of the conductors and includes a connector for connecting the apron to any standard ECG measuring device. The apron also has straps and a belt for tightening the apron on the body of the patient, locating the electrodes of the apron in their required locations for ECG tests. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is an electrodes apron having two bracelets for attaching to the arms of the patient.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes first and second shafts, inner and outer members and a constraining unit. The first shaft has a first yoke attached thereto and the second shaft has a second yoke, smaller than the first yoke, attached thereto. Each shaft has a socket at one end thereof where the socket is concentric about its respective shaft axis. The outer member is pivotally connected to the first yoke about a first rotation axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the first shaft. The inner member is pivotally connected to the second yoke about a second rotation axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the second shaft. The outer member is pivotally connected to the inner member about a third rotation axis which is perpendicular to both the first and second rotation axes. All of the five axes intersect at a joint center point.