Abstract: An expression editor for creating and editing mathematical formulas is implemented as a computer software program. Using the editor, a keyboard and mouse are used to perform actions that build and traverse mathematical structures with a single visual cue, either for the purpose of displaying mathematics in a document, performing a scientific computation, or any combination of the two.

Abstract: Improvements in speech recognition systems are achieved by considering projections of the high dimensional data on lower dimensional subspaces, subsequently by estimating the univariate probability densities via known univariate techniques, and then by reconstructing the density in the original higher dimensional space from the collection of univariate densities so obtained. The reconstructed density is by no means unique unless further restrictions on the estimated density are imposed. The variety of choices of candidate univariate densities as well as the choices of subspaces on which to project the data including their number further add to this non-uniqueness. Probability density functions are then considered that maximize certain optimality criterion as a solution to this problem. Specifically, those probability density function's that either maximize the entropy functional, or alternatively, the likelihood associated with the data are considered.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a customer, an automobile dealership, a participating financial institution, and a credit bureau may be electronically connected in a system that preferably uses the internet in order to develop and process a legal document comprising a credit application. The system thereby eliminates a paper-based process of credit approval, providing an efficient interaction between businesses and their customer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for halftoning digital images renders color data subject to constraints on the number of colorants which can be deposited on a single pixel and constraints on consecutive pixels rendered with the same color. The color data to be rendered is mapped into a second data set in an achievable color gamut space. Then, using a digital halftoning method in the achievable color gamut space, the second data set is rendered, so that the constraints are satisfied.

Abstract: A system (and method) for linking wireless and land line communications media, includes a connector for connecting a communications media, and an indicator for alerting a user of the state of a connection. The connector automatically initiates a continuous reestablishment operation after the indicator announces a state of disconnection and in which the system provides a conferencing capability using the Internet. A handset to be used in voice communications includes a housing including a receiver and transmitter for connecting to a computer network, a plurality of wireless protocols for use with the transmitter, and a universal telephone port coupled to the housing for connecting to a universal telephone jack.

Abstract: A technique combines most of the advantages of both blue noise and clustering in generating a partially clustered aperiodic mask and using it in a dither array algorithm for halftoning, such that the amount of clustering can be modulated. A method to create an enlarged partially clustered aperiodic dither mask, appearing as a modulated version of a periodic enlargement of original mask, is used when the original mask generates patterns that are not visually pleasing or the original mask doesn't generate enough distinct grey levels. The method of halftoning of grey scale images utilizes a pixel-by-pixel comparison of the image against a partially clustered aperiodic mask in which the clustered aperiodic mask is comprised of a partly random and partly deterministic single valued function which is designed to produce visually pleasing dot configurations when thresholded at any level of grey.

Abstract: The invention discloses an assembly/methodology for writing/erasing high-density data on a ferroelectric recording media. A preferred embodiment of the invention features a novel thermal near-field heater that may be employed in the assembly, particularly for realizing the methodology in a substantially thermal near-field mode. The invention provides advantages of data storage densities greater than that of diffraction limited systems, for example, data storage densities of approximately greater than 100 Gbit/inch2, and writing speeds approximately greater than 100 MHz.

Abstract: This invention provides a computer-method for parsing by enabling scripts to be expressed in a language which is syntax-compatible with the document surrounding them. A document is loaded having script and non-script components. Script components are identified and delineated, and are then passed to an interpreter, which returns an object corresponding to each script component. Then, script elements in the original document are replaced with the last returned object from the interpreter. If the returned object is a suitable Document Object Model (DOM) Node, it replaces the script element in the document structure. If the object is not a DOM node, the server invokes its string conversion method to obtain a textual representation, and replaces the script element with that text. After all BML markup block elements in the document have been processed, the altered document is delivered to the client.

Abstract: This invention provides for the implementation of dynamic “event to method” adapter class generation. Event to method adapter classes and objects are automatically and dynamically generated and wired to source and target objects as required using a runtime environments language such as the Beans Markup Language (BML). Adapter classes and objects are automatically and dynamically generated as required while the application program loads and runs. Dynamically generated classes and objects need to exist only at the time that a running application calls for the adapters use, and can be dynamically modified or exchanged in order to optimize the running application or modify application functionality.

Abstract: A method utilizing continual sensor-based data to design an adjustable set of corrective braking/accelerating actions for a vehicle. The invention capabilities include cognizance of the dynamic workings of the vehicle in a changing real environment. For example, the forces and accelerations experienced by the vehicle during normal driving operations, may be taken into design account, to thereby provide an optimal balance between safety, support, and comfort.

Abstract: A computer method improves the robustness of population parameters estimated using sample responses. Two different factors that may impact the accuracy of estimates are considered. The first factor is referred to as statistical outliers. By statistical outliers, what is meant is observations that fall “statistically outside” of the other remaining observations in the sample. The second factor considered is the impact of the weight assigned to each observation on the overall parameter estimate. More specifically, the fact that weights assigned to each respondent are typically estimated and thus not exact is addressed. Consequently, the weights do not unduly influence the value of the parameter estimates.

Abstract: A method for iteratively drilling-down on a user's textual free-form natural language query uses a session history to interpret successive queries in the context of previous queries on a topic or topics and to detect an implicit switch in topic. By maintaining a session history of the user's free-form natural language input and by automatically determining whether there is a topic or context switch, the search process is substantially simplified and is more effective; that is, more accurate answers to a user's queries are found faster. In addition, as the system operates on free-form natural language input, automatically constructing the actual search expressions, the complexity of constructing successive search expressions is obviated. If the system determines the user is, according to its session history and tests, asking successive questions within a given topic or context, the system keeps searching within a previously determined given set of previous responses on that context or topic.

Abstract: A method to automatically categorize messages or documents containing text. The method of solution fits in the general framework of supervised learning, in which a rule or rules for categorizing data is automatically constructed by a computer on the basis of training data that has been labeled beforehand. More specifically, the method involves the construction of a linear separator: training data is used to construct for each category a weight vector w and a threshold t, and the decision of whether a hitherto unseen document d is in the category will depend on the outcome of the test wTx≧t, where x is a vector derived from the document d. The method also uses a set L of features selected from the training data in order to construct the numerical vector representation x of a document.

Abstract: A Web browser is used as the rendering engine for the client application. The browser is instructed to load a “page” (some set of instructions that eventually resolves to a sequence of HTML (HyperText Markup Language) tags which instruct the browser regarding the number/nature and layout of the controls desired) which the browser parses to produce a set of controls with the indicated containment hierarchy. These controls may contain definitions of data stores (such as the support for an XML (eXtended Markup Language) tag which produces a W3C compliant DOM (Docunent Object Model) with built-in parsing for XML documents) which may either locally define their data or cause the browser to request the data from a server on the network. Preferably, the browser then passes control to a data binding agent which will examine the controls for specification of desired data binding(s).

Abstract: An optical system includes a spectrometer and a multipass optical probe. The multipass optical probe includes a retroreflective element such that light propagating, in a first direction, from the probe to a sample under test and passing through or reflecting from the sample under test, is reflected back in a second direction opposite the first direction, so as to pass through the sample under test a total of at least two times.

Abstract: A computerized system responds, not just to a single query issued by a user, but to a query in the context of a dialog with the user. The system, which is referred to as an interactive automated response system, consists of three principal components or subsystems, which are a text categorizer that assigns categories to text extracted from a dialog, a search system whose purpose is to match text extracted from a dialog with answers, and a dialog manager whose purpose is to maintain a user's session history, to decide what text should be sent to the text categorizer and to the search system, to make use of a partially ordered category scheme to categorize each stage of the dialog based on the results returned by the other components, and to use the results of dialog categorization, as well as the results returned by the other components to create suitable responses to the user's query in the context of his or her earlier queries.

Abstract: A watermark in the form of an added message is attached to a digital recording so that a significant content of the recording is completely unchanged by the process in the sense that any reader commonly used for such recording will extract from the recording exactly what would have been extracted in the case the added message had not been attached. This is done by hiding the added message in the error correcting code (ECC) for the significant content of the recording.

Abstract: A method of boosting of predictive models, called cascade boosting, for resolving the interpretability problem of previous boosting methods while mitigating the fragmentation problem when applied to decision trees. This method of cascade boosting always applies a single weak model to any given data point. An improvement to the common method of boosting lies in how weak models are organized in a decision list rather than a weighted average. Cascade boosting resolves the interpretability problem of previous boosting methods while mitigating the fragmentation problem when applied to decision trees. Cascade boosting is simplest when applied to segmented predictive models but may also be applied to predictive models that do not explicitly segment the space of possible data points. The predictive model resulting from cascade boosting has fewer rules, or tree leaves, thereby enabling a modeler to better understand the correlations among the data.

Abstract: Timing characteristics of message-oriented transports are measured using common personal computers which easily support a wide variety of analytical tools. The apparatus measures timing characteristics of bursty message traffic over relatively low-speed digital transports such as the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI). The apparatus includes means for generating a reference pulse stream, such as a sequencer. A transcoder device receives the reference pulse stream and routes the pulse stream to a device under test and, in analog form, to a first channel input of a digital recording device, such as a sound card installed in a personal computer. The transcoder also receives an output pulse stream from the device under test and routes the output pulse stream, in analog form, to a second channel input of the digital recording device. A differential technique allows timing errors in the reference pulse stream to be eliminated from measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product for monitoring and controlling bio-enhancement implants is provided. With the apparatus, system, method and computer program product, a user may control the operation of implantable devices within the user's body by operation of a personal digital device. The personal digital device may obtain operational settings of the various implantable devices based on information stored within the personal digital device and/or information obtained from a network. The settings of the various implants are established in view of the possible interactions of the implants with one another. The personal digital device further monitors the operation of the implantable devices and the user's biological indicia. Based on the monitoring, the operation of the implantable devices are modified to obtain a desired result.