Abstract: In connection with blind source separation, proposed herein, inter alia, are: expectation-maximization equations to iteratively estimate unmixing filters and source density parameters in the context of convolutive independent component analysis where the sources are modeled with mixtures of Gaussians; a scheme to estimate the length of unmixing filters; and two alternative initialization schemes.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for monitoring test question response time from a remote location are provided. More specifically, the present invention provides a mechanism by which tests may be proctored to users from a remote location as a test administration service and providing alert notifications to the users based on the amount of time that has elapsed during the test taking process as well as the amount of time remaining to take the test. With the present invention, test progress data is obtained from the user and forwarded to a proctor workstation. A proctor device may monitor the user's test progress to determine if expected progress on the test is being attained. The testing progress data may be recorded along with test input data from the user's client device for later use. Moreover, the administering of the test may be done by a third party as a test administration service to which a test developer may subscribe.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a structure comprising a substrate having a surface; a plurality of elongated electrical conductors extending away from the surface; each of said elongated electrical conductors having a first end affixed to the surface and a second end projecting away from the surface; there being a plurality of second ends; and a means for maintaining the plurality of the second ends in substantially fixed positions with respect to each other. The structure is useful as a probe for testing and burning in integrated circuit chips at the wafer level.

Abstract: A system for providing interactive views of 3-dimensional models with surface properties is disclosed. The system provides a compact representation of a 3D model and its surface features and provides for efficiently viewing and interacting with the model using dynamically switched texture maps. The compact representation is beneficial for transmission of the model across a network as well as for local storage of the model in the computer memory. The dynamically switched texture maps allow for more accurate surface details on the 3D model, as well as speedy interaction between a user and the 3D model.

Abstract: A system and method for aggregating rankings from a plurality of ranking sources to generate a maximally consistent ranking by minimizing a distance measure. The ranking sources may be search engines executing queries on web pages that have been deliberately modified to cause an incorrect estimate of their relevance. The invention supports combining partial rankings.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the impedance of a medical lead connecting an implantable stimulation device to a nerve or a muscle. The implantable device is of the type comprising a capacitor for stimulating the nerve or the muscle. The system of the invention comprises a current generator for generating a testing current “I” during a calibrated testing pulse and a power circuit coupled to the capacitor and to the current generator for determining if the capacitor is charged by the testing current during the calibrated testing pulse.

Abstract: In an apparatus for editing an application having a model and a view separated from each other, there is provided an application A execution module for editing a first model in the application, a model converter for converting the first model into a second model, and an application B execution module for displaying the second model in its view on a display device. The application B execution module includes an event generator for generating an event based on an update made to the second model when the second model is updated and changes the view displayed on the display device based on the event generated by the event generator.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a clock signal is provided. The clock signal is first stored in a storage device. An input representing a clock control signal is input into a first end of a plurality of interconnected memory storage circuits. An outputted clock signal is output from a second end of the plurality of interconnected memory storage circuits based on receipt of the pulse representing the clock control signal. In one embodiment, the plurality of interconnected memory storage circuits is comprised of latches. In an alternate embodiment, the plurality of interconnected memory storage circuits is comprised of latches and master/slave flip-flops.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the rapid adaptation of classification systems using small amounts of adaptation data. Improvements in classification accuracy are attainable when conditions similar to those that present in adaptation are observed. The attendant methods and apparatus are suitable for a wide variety of different classification schemes, including, e.g., speaker identification and speaker verification.

Abstract: A method for performing table summarization. In a data network requests arrive at random from viewing devices (i.e., PC, PDA, laptop, etc.) to view objects which oftentimes contain large tables. The table summarization method compresses the rows/columns of the large tables in addition to the column formats to more easily display the table on the viewing device, which oftentimes has a limited display capability. A set of default rules is specified for determining how the table compression is to be performed. In addition to the default rules, a user may specify a user viewing preference to further modify the table display. The table summarization method is performed dynamically. That is, it is performed in real-time in response to a user request which typically is issued over a data network such as the Internet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing multiple output channels in a microphone. More particularly, provision is made for an arrangement wherein a single microphone is adapted to produce one or more different audio outputs depending upon characteristics of a speaker or user of the microphone while facilitating a high degree of accuracy in the recognition of the user or speaker by the arrangement. The microphone is adapted to produce one or more different audio streams or outputs depending upon the speaker presently using the microphone. In effect, this can be readily implemented by a main user or speaker, such as an interviewer on a radio or TV talk show, or any speaker in a conference room, intending to control the audio output streams by suitably activating a button or switch.

Abstract: A messaging system support service advantageously allows various types of messaging systems to send intelligent notification alerts to message recipient(s). The Short Message System (SMS) can be used with Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) cellular telephone networks to send an intelligent alert to a mobile phone after a voice message has been delivered to the recipient's voice mail box. In reply, the recipient can respond with a SMS message that directs the voice mail box to take one or more predetermined directions in relation to the message.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for representing the speech waveform in terms of a set of abstract, linguistic distinctions in order to derive a set of discriminative features for use in a speech recognizer. By combining the distinctive feature representation with an original waveform representation, it is possible to achieve a reduction in word error rate of 33% on an automatic speech recognition task.

Abstract: An electromechanical device having a size no larger than about 10 microns utilizing a working fluid in the high pressure liquid or supercritical fluid state. A process of preparing the electromechanical device involves the introduction of the liquid or supercritical fluid therein which permits the retention of the working fluid in the liquid or supercritical state after introduction.

Abstract: A method of selectively displaying a markup language form element on a Web page when an associated object is available to a Web server, the method comprising associating the markup language form element with the object, determining whether the object is available to the Web server; generating a markup language document that includes the markup language form element if the object is available to the Web server, and displaying the markup language form element if the markup language document contains the markup language form element.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for facilitating notification among at least two nodes in a distributed network, involving the designation of one of the nodes as a publisher node, the designation of at least one other of the nodes as at least one subscriber node, and the propagation of a transmission from the publisher node to the at least one subscriber node via at least one link. The propagation is undertaken via only one distinct transmission along any single link.

Abstract: A check valve for micro electro mechanical structure devices (MEMS), and in particular pertains to a check valve which is adapted to be employed in connection with micro electro mechanical structure devices which are intended to be employed with supercritical fluids constituting working fluids. In a preferred embodiment, the check valve is equipped with a bypass channel including a freely moveable plug structure which, in the open position of the valve enables the ingress of supercritical fluids under high superatmospheric pressures, and subsequent to the filling of the system, let down to atmospheric pressure, causes the plug to be moved into a permanent valve-closed position.

Abstract: The present invention includes a packaged coated workpiece. The packaged coated workpiece has: (1) a workpiece coated with a resist film sensitive to optical radiation, particulates or chemical contaminants; (2) an inner barrier sealed to enclose the coated workpiece and optionally a first getter agent, to produce a sealed first enclosure; and (3) an outer barrier sealed to enclose the sealed first enclosure and optionally a second getter agent, provided that the packaged coated workpiece has at least one getter agent, to produce a packaged coated workpiece suitable for storage for a period of at least one week without substantial loss of sensitvity, resolution or performance. The present invention also includes a process for preparing a packaged coated workpiece and a method of increasing the storage time of a coated workpiece to at least one week without substantial loss of sensitivity, resolution or performance.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for establishing group collaboration between different distributed networks. At least two publisher nodes are prompted to generate individual distribution trees associated with each publisher node, wherein each individual distribution tree includes at least one subscriber node.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for facilitating multicast communication among at least two nodes in a distributed network configured for point to point communications. Each router node is provided with a first switching arrangement adapted to route a message between a publisher node and a subscriber node in accordance with a first protocol, and a second switching arrangement adapted to route a message between the publisher node and the subscriber node in accordance with a second protocol.