Abstract: A one-dimensional (1D) Inverse Discrete Cosine Transform (IDCT) is applied to an input two-dimensional (2D) transform block along the axis to be modified. Since the one-dimensional IDCT is not performed on the other axis, each block is left in a one-dimensional transform space (called hybrid space). For a shift (merge), the appropriate “m” elements are picked up from one block and the “8−m” elements are picked up from the other block and are used as input to the one-dimensional forward DCT (FDCT) along that same axis. For two-dimensional shifts or merges, the results of the first one-dimensional IDCT and FDCT can be stored with extra precision to be used as input to a second one-dimensional IDCT and FDCT along the other axis. The execution time worst case conditions are approximately constant for all shift/merger amounts. Taking advantage of fast paths can improve the execution times for typical blocks.

Abstract: A system is described for collecting and displaying summary information from disparate sources. The system provides for user customization of data acquisition parameters for locating articles to be summarized, user customization of parameters for parsing the located source material so as to extract headlines, and user organization of extracted headlines into groups.

Abstract: A method to generate a strategic business plan to improve operations, and to closely monitor various performance measures of an enterprise. This is accomplished employing a more comprehensive approach to maximizing profitability, increasing revenue, and explicitly considering risk. In particular, the method extends supply chain management using financial management considerations, extends financial management using supply chain management considerations, employs supply chain management techniques to improve financial management, and employs financial management techniques to improve supply chain management.

Abstract: A method of transform domain processing of transformed data is applied to image processing in various applications. A one-dimensional algorithm allows for the selection of an arbitrary contiguous eight component DCT sub-block from two adjacent DCT blocks that foregoes the expense of image manipulation in the real domain. Due to the fact that non-zero DCT coefficients are generally sparse, this algorithm lends itself nicely to the development of special cases which are faster than methods in use today. The de-quantization and re-quantization can be combined at execution time with the constants.

Abstract: A method s for specifying and implementing automation of business processes where the specification is independently manipulable by both the business process owner and technical implementers, and resulting technical elements can be tested for compliance with every detail in the specification. The method creates a single shared model suitable for understanding and execution in both the business and technical domains by focusing on the specification problem in the area of business automation. The solution to the specification problem lies in Information, Function, Flow (IFF or IF2) factorization of business processes. Models of the business are constructed by way of the IF2 modeling methodology. This is a complete model which includes, by construction, external specifications of each task included in the business model. The modularization problem is solved by preserving the partitioning of the system created in the business model.

Abstract: Spinal modeling is based on a concept called spinal energy which assumes that the spine assumes a shape to minimize spinal energy. Spinal energy depends on parameters called stiffness coefficients. These parameters can be determined from human data which, by hypothesis, are universal for a large class of humans. The method adapts Newton's method to the manifold SO(3)n to find a solution of model of the human spine. Where basins of attraction are small in Newton's method, homotopy methods are introduced to move from known solutions to unknown solutions. By setting the gradient of the spinal energy to zero, Newton's method is used to solve the inverse problem of finding stiffness coefficients from human data. A new approach to improving deformed spines uses the modeling method based on spinal energy. This approach preserves maximally the range of motion of the spine. The technique used is vertebraplasty; i.e.

Abstract: A computer method for enhancing regional product allocation management. The method includes the steps of providing a demand database comprising a compendium of individual demand history; providing a supply database comprising a compendium of at least one of regional product allocation management solutions, regional product allocation information, and regional product allocation diagnostics; and, employing a data mining technique for interrogating the demand and supply databases for generating an output data stream, the output data stream correlating demand problem with supply solution.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a computer system adapted for composing sound. Sound is composed via a combination of blocks and modifiers, where a block is an abstraction of a collection of data that, when processed by appropriate algorithms and hardware, produces sound. Further, the current invention also comprises one or more modifiers, each of which, when applied to a block, alters the sound produced by that block.

Abstract: An alternative channel is provided for efficient communication between a presenter and audience members during a presentation. In one aspect, a presentation is presented to a plurality of audience members and an evaluation of the presentation is electronically received during the presentation. By virtue of this aspect, a presenter may be easily provided with adequate feedback, while the presentation is being presented, based on which a presentation may be tailored. The resulting presentation may therefore be more appealing to an audience member and more successful for the presenter.

Abstract: A procedure for clustering documents that operates in high dimensions, processes tens of thousands of documents and groups them into several thousand clusters or, by varying a single parameter, into a few dozen clusters. The procedure is specified in two parts: computing a similarity score representing the k most similar documents (typically the top ten) for each document in the collection, and grouping the documents into clusters using the similarly scores.

Abstract: An occupant of a cubicle or office can activate transparent partitions to partially or completely enclose a cubicle and/or office to minimize noise, optimize privacy, lighting, air flow and temperature. This transparent partition is coated with a thin layer material connected to electrodes. Once the occupant decides that changing working conditions (e.g., minimize noise, optimize privacy, adjust lighting, air flow and/or temperature) is needed, the occupant can activate the thin transparency control layer by appropriate electronic control. Movable parts of the partitions may also be adjusted. The transparent partitions may be made darker or opaque. Movable partitions may be used to provide optimized privacy, noise level, lighting, air flow and temperature control. Conversely, the partitions may be made transparent and movable sections retracted to permit greater worker-to-worker interaction.

Abstract: A gesture sensing split keyboard can couple the hand and keyboard rotations, can sense hand rotation and one or more keystrokes of each hand, can produce symbolic, control, command, and other types of information based upon all the sensed inputs, and can present the produced information to a computing, communications, or control device through electrical conductors, infrared transceivers, or other communications technologies. The various embodiments can be mounted on the operator's hands, arms, or belt, on a desktop or other stable surface, or may be embedded in the target device, such as a laptop computer. The ability of certain embodiments to fold into a compact size for storage while providing ease-of-use of a full-sized keyboard when unfolded for typing makes them well suited for laptop computers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for a datamining service vendor to provide subscribing power customers with electrical consumption data services. The system and method provide a mechanism by which electrical consumption is measured at the point of consumption over incremental periods of time. Customers can subscribe to a datamining service vendor which monitors and collects customer electrical consumption data at each addressed location within the customer's electrical network and provides the customer with a detailed report of power consumption statistics and trends. This allows the customer to make informed consumption choices resulting in cost savings to the customer and conservation of power generation resources.

Abstract: A method of constructing data classifiers in cases where the number of features is much larger than the number of training examples and it is critical to avoid overtraining, is particularly useful in recognizing computer objects containing or likely to contain a computer virus. The method provides a novel way of tolerating imperfectly classifiable data, of learning in time polynomial in the size of the input data, and of avoiding overtraining. Training is performed by constructing and solving a linear program (LP) or integer program (IP).

Abstract: A method and apparatus make keyword selection and/or weighting as a function of a session history of user input in order to answer queries submitted by the user to a computer system by providing answers based on stored documents. The aim is to find the best answers by matching stored natural language documents both to the most recent query and to the most latest query in a context that captures the recent history interaction. To do this, answers are matched against a set of keywords extracted from the most recent query as well as a set of keywords extracted from those queries received since the last topic switch was detected. A central feature of the method is for the computer system implementing this method to maintain a session history for each user session history. Keywords are extracted from each query by a system implementing this method. A graded keyword list is a list of keywords paired with ages, which are indicators of how long ago in the session the user employed this keyword in a query.

Abstract: A very fast method for correcting the spelling of a word or phrase in a document proceeds in two steps: first applying a very fast approximate method for eliminating most candidate words from consideration (without computing the exact edit distance between the given word whose spelling is to be corrected and any candidate word), followed by a “slow method” which computes the exact edit distance between the word whose spelling is to be corrected and each of the few remaining candidate words. The combination results in a method that is almost as fast as the fast approximate method and as exact as the slow method.

Abstract: A rules based configurable system efficiently and effectively determines for a given electronically represented text document which linguistic analysis and extraction processes and which application specific processes should be invoked to provide more accurate answers to a user's query. In a rules based classifier, where each category or topic is represented by a set of rules, in an application such as routing, the categorization effecting the routing can be effectively combined with processes extracting other information. This may be in the form of a prompt for the user to input additional information.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product for determining optimum routing of vehicles based on historical information as well as user preferences and current travel conditions. Historical data is compiled and statistically analyzed to determiner characteristics of each possible route between two points. The characteristic information is then used along with user preference information and current travel condition information to determine an optimum route between the two points.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring behavior patterns which effectively distinguishes between alarming and non-alarming behavior patterns, includes at least one sensor for detecting behavior patterns, a memory device coupled to the sensor, for storing standard behavior patterns, and a processor, coupled to the memory device, for comparing standard behavior patterns with detected behavior patterns, and causing a response to be activated when standard behavior patterns and detected behavior patterns have a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: A computer system and method uses one or more virtual wish lists of one or more shoppers over a computer network. One process extracts information from online address books or other personal databases, and creates lists of recipients for whom a shopper wants to purchase products. A second process obtains virtual wish lists of recipients by observing their visits to online stores, and other online behavior. Recipients are asked for permission to make this data available to other shoppers, online stores, and other Web sites. Recipients can modify their virtual wish lists, and selectively approve of their use by other shoppers, etc. A third process creates shopping lists for the recipients, and generates lists of recommended products for shoppers to buy for intended recipients.