Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying textual documents and multi-media files corresponding to a search topic. A plurality of document records, each of which is representative of at least one textual document, are stored, and a plurality of multi-media records, each of which is representative of at least one of multi-media file, are also stored. The document records have text information fields associated therewith, each of the text information fields representing text from one of the plurality of textual documents. The multi-media records have multi-media information fields for representing only digital video or audio information and associated text fields, each of the associated text fields representing text associated with one of the multi-media information fields. A single search query corresponding to the search topic is received. The single search query is preferably in a natural language format.

Abstract: A handstamping apparatus comprises a first housing member and a second housing member. The first and the second housing members are moveable relative to each other from a first position to a second position. The first position is a ready position and the second position is a print position. A biasing element is coupled to the first and second housing members for biasing the members to the first position. A die support is coupled to the first housing member for movement therewith relative to the second housing member. A printing die is on the die support and the printing die and die support are disposed within a second housing member. The die support and the printing die are moveable relative to the housings from a ready position to a print position. The printing die is in the print position when the housings are disposed in the second position. An ink roller is coupled to the second housing member.

Abstract: A method of forming a layer of oxide on a surface of a wafer is disclosed, in which the wafer surface is heated at a first temperature and a first pressure during a first period of time in a first ambient gas comprising nitrogen and oxygen species at a first concentration, and the wafer surface is heated at a second temperature and a second pressure during a second period of time in a second ambient gas comprising ozone and oxygen at a second concentration. The oxide structure formed thereby is also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication method is provided for forming transistors upon a semiconductor substrate wherein the semiconductor substrate has first, second and third substrate regions. A single mask layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate. The single mask layer has a first mask portion covering the first substrate region, a second mask portion exposing the second substrate region, and a third mask portion partially covering the third substrate region. A first type impurity dopant is differentially introduced into the first, second and third substrate regions according to the single mask layer. First, second and third transistors are formed in the first, second and third substrate regions, respectively. The first and second transistors have differing conductivity types and the first and third transistors have the same conductivity type. The first and third transistors also have differing threshold voltages according to the differential introducing of the dopant.

Abstract: A method for performing a search of a database in an information retrieval system in response to a query having at least one query word with a query word weight and for applying the query word to the database and selecting information from the information retrieval system in accordance with the query word. A query word is selected and assigned a weight. The weight is adjusted depending on whether the query word is a proper noun or slow word. The adjusting can be an increase or a decrease in the weight. Information is selected from the information retrieval system in accordance with the adjusted weight.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of recognizing a shunt caused by formation of dendrites in a rechargeable lithium battery which comprises charging the battery with a charging current, sampling the charging current voltage of the battery at pre-determined time intervals in order to identify one or more point indicating onset of shunting, and terminating charging if the shunt or dendrite is indicated. If a shunt is not recognized charging is continued. Dendrite formation or the beginning of shunting due to such formation is indicated by any one of the following conditions: a negative gradient in sampled voltage values; a negative gradient in sampled steady open circuit values; and a negative gradient in the chemical polarization voltage values which may be calculated by sampling both the open circuit voltage soon after current interruption and steady open circuit voltages during a plurality of currentless phases.

Abstract: A press feed apparatus for use in feeding stock material to a high speed automatic press. The feed roller is driven by a servo motor integral with the shaft of the roller, the feed roller release mechanism is infinitely adjustable, and a feedback system is used to accurately determine the position of various shafts. The apparatus is controlled electronically, by a microprocessor or the like, which permits the press feed to be electronically geared to the press and accurately operate at high speeds.

Abstract: A method for searching a database of an information retrieval system in response to a query having at least one query word with a part of speech, for applying the query word to the database and selecting information from the database according to the query word. A semantic network is provided for determining expansion words to expand the search of the database in response to said the query word. The part of speech of the selected query word is determined. The selected query word is applied to the semantic network to provide a query expansion word in response to the selected query word. The part of speech of the query expansion word is determined. The query expansion word is applied to the database in accordance with the part of speech of the selected query word and the part of speech of the query expansion word.

Abstract: A multiple implant lightly doped drain ("MILDD") field effect transistor is disclosed. The transistor includes a channel, a gate, a dielectric structure that separates the gate from the channel, a source region and a drain region. The drain region has a first drain subregion, a second drain subregion and a third drain subregion. Each drain subregion has a dopant concentration that differs from that of the other two drain subregions. A method of forming the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for storing input information in an information retrieval system database wherein a plurality of information subject categories are provided. A plurality of subject lexicons are provided, each subject lexicon of the plurality of subject lexicons corresponding to an information subject category of the plurality of information categories. Each subject lexicon contains information representative of its corresponding information subject category. The input information is compared with the subject lexicons and the input information is stored in a selected information subject category according to the comparing of the input information with the subject lexicons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking the navigation path of a user that has been directed to a second site on the World Wide Web (WWW) from a first site on the WWW. The first site has a universal resource locator (URL) symbol for uniquely identifying an address of the first site on the WWW, and the second site has a URL symbol for uniquely identifying an address of the second site on the WWW. A composite URL symbol is received at the second WWW site when the user is directed from the first site to the second site. The composite URL symbol has a first portion corresponding to the URL symbol of the second site, and a second portion that includes information corresponding to the identity of the first site. Information representative of the identity of the first WWW site is captured at the second WWW site from the second portion of the composite URL.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a requisition and inventory management system is provided which employs both a host computer and a local computer which can be linked to permit two-way data communications in a real time environment. Each computer has an associated database which can be accessed by that computer. By accessing its respective database, each computer can build and transmit to the other computer communications blocks of data relating to a particular requisition of an item in Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory or to the management of the JIT inventory. The other computer can then use the received data to continue processing of the requisition or to update its JIT inventory records. Thus requisition records are created from a real-time interaction between the host and local computers, with each computer using data from its respective database in conjunction with information entered by a Customer Service Representative (CSR) operating the local computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking the navigation path of a user that has been directed to a second site on the WWW from a first site on the WWW. A URL is received at the second WWW site when the user is directed from the first site to the second site. At the second WWW site, information representative of an identity of the first WWW site is captured by identifying a first code in the URL. A destination web page is determined for the user, and a revised destination web page is formed by attaching a second code representative of the identity of the first WWW site into at least one selected web page link associated with the destination web page. The revised destination web page is then transmitted to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for objectively assessing the complexity of health-care services delivered by each health-care provider within a group of health-care providers to patients serviced by the group of health-care providers. In-patient data records representative of inpatient health-care services performed for patients by health-care providers with the group of health-care providers are stored in a database. Out-patient data records representative of out-patient health-care services performed for patients by health-care providers with the group of health-care providers are also stored in a database. A plurality of sickness episode data records are built by combining information from the in-patient and out-patient data records. Each sickness episode data record corresponds to an individual sickness episode for which health-care services were performed for one of the patients by at least one health-care provider from the group of health-care providers.

Abstract: An oxygen mixing arrangement for or in a pressure support ventilator, in which a modular oxygen-providing assembly is selectively insertable into a greater respiration apparatus. Mixing accuracy and controllability is maintained by using gas supplies that have a wide range of pressures. Further, oxygen leakage is minimized by connecting the modular oxygen-providing assembly at a point of the respiration circuit of the greater respiration apparatus that is downstream from a valving arrangement normally used for venting patient exhaust flow and for controlling system pressure by venting excess gas flow to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A valving arrangement for use with or for a blower-based ventilator system, such as a pressure support ventilator, and a pressure support ventilator having such a valving arrangement, in which blower output can be controlled in such a manner that desired levels of pressure are able to be provided without excessive waste of blower output flow. In one preferred embodiment, a first valve is provided that serves to restrict blower flow, without venting the same from the system, along with a second valve for relieving pressure as needed. Also contemplated herein are methods for controlling such a valving arrangement.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring a user in a user living area. The system includes a system controller and an activity detection subsystem. The activity detection subsystem monitors a daily living activity of the user and provides information representative of the daily living activity to the system controller. The system controller includes a control circuit which generates a control signal in response to the daily living activity information obtained by the activity detection subsystem. Control information from the system controller is applied by way of a control information communication channel both to the activity detection subsystem and to a remote monitoring site. The activity detection subsystem may be a system for determining the movement of the user around the home, medication compliance by the user, problems with usage of stoves or other potentially dangerous appliances, and selected auxiliary appliances.