Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting video data over a standard personal computer bus optimizes the video data transfer rate of the bus by parsing the video data into appropriately sized and selected blocks. The video data blocks required for display are stored in a first-in first-out register, addressed, and sent over the data bus of the computer. Video data not required for display is discarded. The video data may be addressed to any location in the memory of the computer for display or further processing.

Abstract: A computer implemented process for extracting and processing information in a vertical interval of a video signal comprising a plurality of video lines selects a portion of the vertical interval from the video lines as the video lines are coupled to a computer bus, detects information stored in the selected portion, places the detected information on the bus of the computer, processes the detected information according to the portion of the vertical interval from which it is selected, and processes the video lines responsive to the detected information from the vertical interval.

Abstract: Synthesis of novel images from example images is achieved by interpolating among example images based on user selection of parameter values in a hierarchy of networks referred to as parent networks and child networks. Child networks describe distinct physical characteristics of the image, such as thickness of eyebrows. Parent networks describe more general or abstract characteristics related to the image, such as emotional states expressed by the image.

Abstract: A face detection system (100) includes an imaging device, a computer having a pattern prototype synthesizer and an image classifier, and an output display device. Face and non-face pattern prototypes are synthesized by a network training process using a number of example images. A new applied image is analyzed by taking a distance from the applied image to each of the prototypes, and a decision is made as to whether the applied image contains a face based on the distances thus obtained. The system and method may be applied to various other detection tasks.

Abstract: A system and method of characterizing the colors displayed on a display device and calibrating the display device is disclosed. A series of images are displayed to the user, and the user selects portions of the image that match other portions, that match characteristics of a matching card juxtaposed to the display device or that meet other criteria.

Abstract: Pattern recognition, for instance optical character recognition, is achieved by training a neural network, scanning an image, segmenting the image to detect a pattern, preprocessing the detected pattern, and applying the preprocessed detected pattern to the trained neural network. The preprocessing includes determining a centroid of the pattern and centrally positioning the centroid in a frame containing the pattern. The training of the neural network includes randomly displacing template patterns within frames before applying the template patterns to the neural network.

Abstract: A prescription reminder system and method provides patients with paging devices, and uses a database of information about the patients and their prescriptions to generate reminder signals, based on which paging signals are transmitted to the paging devices, causing the paging devices to display reminder messages instructing each patient that it is time to take a dose of a prescribed medication.

Abstract: Method and system for selectively retrieving information contained in a stored document set using a metric-based or "fuzzy" finite-state non-deterministic automaton. An automaton is constructed (501) corresponding to a text string query, text strings are read (502) from storage and corresponding dissimilarity values are generated (505). Those strings resulting in values less than a given threshold are recorded (508) and listed for the user. Dissimilarity values are determined based on penalties associated with missing characters, extra characters, incorrect characters, and other differences between the text string query and a text string read from storage.

Abstract: An object movement estimator (400) predicts optical flow by estimating changes in sensed images using one-dimensional correlations. Sensed image portions are stored at a first instant of time and compared with sensed image portions at a second instant of time. An optimal flow is estimated by performing a one-dimensional correlation of the sensed image portions at the first and second instants of time, and a time-to-contact is estimated based on the predicted optical flow thus obtained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digital halftoning places curving structure centers at random locations within a halftone cell. Pixel illumination ordering is determined based on displacement from a pixel to a nearest CSC along a curving structure. Curving structures including spirals with varying numbers of arms, varying angles of departure, varying orientations, and varying other parameters are used to achieve visual aesthetics as desired.

Abstract: A broadcast system includes a device to compare program material to be transmitted with a database of known material, and to transmit along with the program material data corresponding to that program material. A corresponding receiving system stores the data in memory and displays, at the selection of the user, the data corresponding to the program material. The user selectively stores the data on a magnetic recording card for electronic coupon or other uses. Various modes of operation are selectable by the user, and the data may be used as electronic coupons, or to control attached equipment, or to sound alarms, or for other applications. Broadcast of the associated data commences earlier than that of the program material so that such data are available for display on a receiver when the program material is first received. The receiver is connectable to remote terminals for the collection of information relating to a user's pattern of storing and accessing the broadcast data.

Abstract: A multiprocessing system uses remote file managers associated with each remote processor to prepare data for storage in a disk storage array. The data are then transferred from the remote processor to a host processor over one bus, and routed from the host processor to the disk storage array over another bus, all without intervention by the file manager associated with the host processor. Remote sound managers interpret sound generator calls and route them to a host sound manager for transfer to a sound generating device. Processors transfer processing requests and data with one another through direct access to a portion of each processor's memory. Virtual storage disks are created for each processor by interpreting conventional files as disks in the remote file managers. Conventional network services are provided over a computer bus by interpreting conventional network commands and translating them into a form communicable over the bus.

Abstract: A broadcast system includes a device to compare program material to be transmitted with a database of known material, and to transmit along with the program material data corresponding to that program material. A corresponding receiving system stores the data in memory and displays, at the selection of the user, the data corresponding to the program material. The user selectively stores the data on a magnetic recording card for electronic coupon or other uses.

Abstract: A system and process for digital printing processes commands to draw a trapezoidal image by initially rendering those commands into an intermediate representation based on pixel rows. Depending on the dimensions of the trapezoid or the regularity of the offset of the end pixels of each pixel row from the end pixels of an adjacent pixel row, data representing the trapezoid are sent to a display list as either individual pixel data, pixel row data, or a compact grouping of data derived from the intermediate representation.

Abstract: A multi-interpreter printer recognizes out-of-band characters by measuring pauses in applied data streams and examining as candidate out-of-band characters data portions separated in time from other data by pauses exceeding predetermined durations. Pauses before-and after the candidate out-of-band characters may be examined, and different thresholds may be used for pre-character and post-character pauses.

Abstract: Pattern recognition, for instance optical character recognition, is achieved by defining a minimal bounding rectangle around a pattern, dividing the pattern into a grid of boxes, comparing a vector derived from this partitioned pattern to vectors similarly derived from known patterns, choosing a set of Pareto non-inferior candidate patterns, and selecting a recognized pattern from the set of candidates. The vectors include pixel density matrices, matrices of horizontal connectivity of boxes, and matrices of vertical connectivity of boxes.

Abstract: A system and process for digital printing divides an image area into segments, defines display lists for each segment, generates graphic primitives from page description language commands, stores the graphic primitives in the display lists, and adaptively compresses and converts the contents of display lists as memory requirements exceed available memory capacity. Display lists contain either uncompressed pixel representations, compressed pixel representations, graphic primitives, or combinations of the foregoing.

Abstract: Digitized images are associated with English language captions and other data, collectively known as the metadata associated with the images. A natural language processing database removes ambiguities from the metadata, and the images and the metadata are stored in databases. A user formulates a search query, and natural language processing is used to determine matches between the query and the stored metadata. Images corresponding to the matches are then viewed, and desired images are selected for licensing. The license terms for selected images are displayed, and a subset of the selected images are ordered as desired by the user.

Abstract: A broadcast system includes a device to compare program material to be transmitted with a database of known material, and to transmit along with the program material data corresponding to that program material. A corresponding receiving system stores the data in memory and displays, at the selection of the user, the data corresponding to the program material. The user selectively stores the data on a magnetic recording card for electronic coupon or other uses.

Abstract: Pattern recognition, for instance optical character recognition, is achieved by training a neural network, scanning an image, segmenting the image to detect a pattern, preprocessing the detected pattern, and applying the preprocessed detected pattern to the trained neural network. The preprocessing includes determining a centroid of the pattern and centrally positioning the centroid in a frame containing the pattern. The training of the neural network includes randomly displacing template patterns within frames before applying the template patterns to the neural network.