Abstract: Documentation of a software application is automatically generated for the classes, written in an object oriented-language, which comprise the application. The classes within the application are typically arranged in a hierarchy and contain productions of a specification grammar in Extended Backus Naur form. The automatically generated documentation corresponding to these productions are closely wired to the underlying class hierarchy by creating hypertext links between the productions in different classes. Thus, these generated hyperlinks allow browsing of the automatically generated documentation according to the hierarchical structure of the classes in the object-oriented class hierarchy being documented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a smooth ending system for an auction on the Internet. The system randomly selects an end time for the auction by picking an auction duration from a probability distribution, so that bidders have no preferences over the time of bidding. At any given time, assuming that the auction is still in process, there is a fixed probability, independent of the time that has elapsed since the beginning of the auction, that the auction will end within the next time unit.

Abstract: Upon receiving a read command, a disk drive moves a read head to target data and reads the data into a read buffer. In an action called “prefetching”, the drive continues to read nearby data into the read buffer which doubles as a data cache. When another I/O command is present and must be serviced, prefetching is preempted thereby reducing the data read into the cache. Moving the head from the current I/O command to the next I/O command creates a delay comprising two components: seek time and rational latency. Based on the relative values of these components, a time period, less than the entire delay period, is calculated in which prefetching will continue. By continuing prefetching instead of preempting it, the likelihood of cache hits is increased because more data is available in the read buffer. Furthermore, by performing prefetching during part of the otherwise unused delay period, no performance penalty is introduced.

Abstract: An initial icon is displayed as a watermark throughout related windows to represent a relationship to a particular application. As a user traverses related windows belonging to the same family, the initial icon, displayed as a watermark, is persistent throughout each of the related windows and is displayed in an area maximizing visibility, e.g. on the outer perimeter of the window workspace to maximize the likelihood of being seen when multiple windows overlap.

Abstract: An optical light coupling system is provided which includes an optical waveguide having a slanted end face, a lens for receiving a beam of light from the optical waveguide, wherein an optical axis of the lens defines a line extending through a center of the light guiding portion of the optical waveguide, and a powerless non-birefringent element disposed between the optical waveguide and the lens along the line defined between the optical axis of the lens and the center of the optical waveguide for maintaining a substantially linear propagation of the beam of light along the line, wherein the powerless non-birefringent element has a first end face facing an end face of said optical waveguide and defining an angle therebetween, and a second end face facing the lens. This angle can be adjusted to accommodate imperfect refractive index matches.

Abstract: An improved optic attenuator controllably filters an optical signal after the signal has been expanded and collimated. The optical signals are preferably expanded and refocused by a single GRIN lens, the signal passing through a variable filter between the GRIN lens and a reflector, and again between the reflector and the GRIN lens. Both the input and output fibers can be held within a single sleeve in alignment with the GRIN lens. The amount of attenuation can be indicated by a potentiometer.

Abstract: Calendar entries provide for a wealth of information. For example, for a meeting, information such as the start date, subject, attendees, and location are provided. Yet, when writing a follow up e-mail, that's exactly the information a user has to copy/or cut and paste from the calendar entries to the e-mail. Significant time is saved by automatically finding the relevant calendar entry(ies), extracting the known information, and augmenting that information into the e-mail and sending it via a server.

Abstract: An electronic calendaring system that automatically predicts calendar entries based upon previous activities. The system presents a user with an intelligent sequence of forms which query the user about events such as hotels for travel, attendees for meeting, etc. The initial information contained within the forms is generated by looking at previous records generated by the user; or in the case of a first time use, either selected defaults or blanks for data entry. Furthermore, the system automatically presents the user with an option to select a new activity or maintain the previous one. By presenting a structured sequence of appropriate forms and event history, the calendaring system simplifies planning for the user, or refreshes the user's memory, thereby intelligently assisting the user in the entry of event data.

Abstract: Images in an image database are indexed according to semantic labels from a surface color code book in order to allow querying and retrieving of images based on color contend. Regions of unsegmented images in a database are localized and described with semantic labels from a surface color code book. A database index is then built using this image region information and corresponding labels. This pre-generated color-region index allows querying by semantic labels in order to locate and retrieve similar images from a database. Querying for similar images by presenting a target image is also possible using the described color-region index. In this second type of query mode a target image is analyzed to determine semantic labels of color surfaces present in that image and these labels, in turn, are used to locate similar entries in the color-region index.

Abstract: Colored surfaces are represented in an illumination-invariant and pose-invariant manner through a color code book. Patches of each color surface are represented, under well-chosen illumination conditions and other imaging variations, as clusters in an optimal color space. For each surface, the color code book entries represent its clusters' means, covariance matrices, eigen values and eigen vectors. In addition, a corresponding semantic label is given to each surface's color code book entry to simplify image processing operations such as region localization and recognition as well as indexing and querying of image databases.

Abstract: The learning chair helps to teach a child important tools for life, such as how to tell time and days of the week, how to organize a daily wardrobe, and develop communication and organizational skills. The chair is shaped in the form of a fictional character or likable “buddy” to a child, such as a robot, doll, action figure, or cartoon character. A child learns how to prepare a daily wardrobe and vocabulary for placement of pants, dresses, shirts, hats, and shoes. The learning chair is a fun communication tool between a parent and child. The chair has the ability to play pre-recorded messages as alarms on a clock. Messages may be pre-recorded according to the voice of a fictional character portrayed by the chair, or pre-recorded by a parent or adult. Messages may include personal announcement using the child's name such as time to wake up, get dressed, go to bed, take a bath, etc. The chair has a chalkboard for leaving written messages between the parent and child.

Abstract: A objective function based on a Bayesian statistical estimation framework is used to determine an optimal model selection by choosing both the optimal number of clusters and the optimal feature set. Heuristics can be applied to find the optimal (or at least sub-optimal) of this objective function in terms of the feature sets and the number of clusters, wherein the maximization of the objective function corresponds to the optimal model structure.

Abstract: A method and system provides a structured and accessible information repository for an entities personal information. An information server contains a personal information database and a set of information preferences associated with the personal information database. The personal information database contains personal information about an entity, such as name, phone number, address, etc. The information preferences define an entities preferences regarding the conditions of use under which the personal information will be released. When another computer or user of another computer, a requestor, requests personal information from the information server, the requestor then identifies the information it is requesting and provides the conditions under which the information is to be used. The received conditions of use are compared to the set of information preferences to determine if the received conditions of use are acceptable.

Abstract: A system for determining a composite signal level at which a signal path begins to generate non-linear distortion. A reference test signal, which is preferably a short-duration burst of repeatable broadband energy, is passed through the signal path and received on a digital signal acquisition unit. An impaired received reference test signal is comprised of the transmitted reference test signal, linear distortion components, and non-linear distortion components. The impaired received reference test signal is digitally processed to reveal the non-linear distortion components. The impaired received reference test signal may be processed with a stored reference test signal to find a time-domain impulse response from which the uncorrelated distortion energy can be measured.

Abstract: A graphical user interface includes a plurality of pie menu levels concentrically arranged. Located within the center most section are menu selections generally of greater importance, highest probability of use, historical favorites, category headings, tabs from a tab menu, as well as other high level menu items. Levels extending from the center decrease in frequency of use while increasing in granularity of menu items. Variations in geometric shapes, number of divisions, levels, use of color or texture enhance the use of the pie menus.

Abstract: A laser tool is designed to indicate and align measurements, preferably holes to be drilled for hangers that support plumbing and electrical piping, without the need for the use of a tape measure. The laser tool contains an angled base with magnets that allow the tool to remain steady on a pipe. Also included in the base is a bubble level, indicating and allowing the user to balance the tool in relation to the pipe. The laser of the tool is connected to the base by means of a swivel device, so that the user is capable of moving the laser at an angle to obtain additional measurements that are level and aligned with the original measurement for a hole.

Abstract: A virtual input device uses the acoustical signature of the user's fingers to determine which character is selected. Rows of acoustical sensors having different acoustical properties are spaced in the vertical direction. When a user touches a specific row with a particular finger a unique acoustical signature is produced. The acoustical signature is analyzed to determine the finger used, the row, and the specific action by the finger, e.g. slide, press, tap. The combinations of the row, finger and action define the character selected. The characters are associated with the combinations in such a way to provide a traditional keyboard setup. Visual feedback of the character selected is provided by a display device of the system.

Abstract: Recovery of a filesystem directory structure is performed to restore it to any point in time and also to synchronize a database restore and a filesystem restore to bring the two restores to a database consistent state. A database management system (DBMS) manages external files and hierarchical directory structures to enable recovery and reconciliation of the files and filesystems, under DBMS control, after filesystem crashes. First, a database table, which recorded previous directory creations and deletions, is used to rebuild a filesystem's directory structure to any previous database state and then external file link information is used to restore files to that same state.

Abstract: A writing pad for use with a computer includes a number of sheets each having a flexure sensor affixed thereto. Circuitry connected to the sensors determines whether the sheets are lifted and removed from the pad, whereby the particular sheet currently in use may be identified. The flexure sensor system can be used in various configurations such as: a one or multiple-part checkbook systems with recognition of check writing environment, as a children's book to add sound to identified pages, as an answer sheet for testing or voting, in a clipboard configuration or to assist a speaker during a slide-show presentation. The flexure sensors include resistive structures such as carbon based goo, transducers, conductive inks, strain gauges, patterned dissolved graphite, embossed sensors or other pressure/flexure sensors or equivalents thereof.

Abstract: A surface color code book is used to allow region localization and recognition within images without the need for pre-segmentation of the image. Pixels in an image are first mapped into an optimal color space and assigned a closest color label from the surface color code book. Clusters of adjacent pixels having a similar color label are then tentatively grouped to form a region. These tentative regions are then projected into the optimal color space and a descriptor is formulated for each re-projected cluster. Each descriptor is compared against the color codes in the color code book to determine if the initially assigned color label was correct; if correct, then that region receives both a color label from the color code book and a region identifier.