Abstract: A central depository for secure storage and rapid retrieval of important documents and information, such as living wills, durable powers of attorney, testamentary wills, authorization for organ donation, authorization of bone marrow donation, and insurance information. The depository includes a data storage facility having a computer and Write Once, Read Many (WORM) drive CD-ROM player connected to an optical scanner. The documents are scanned by the optical scanner and stored on the CD-ROM player. Other information is entered into data storage facilities connected to the computer. Requests for information can be received by the depository from remote locations by data transmission devices, such as telephone, facsimile, postal service, or electronic mail. The system also provides a procedure for updating the information and documents as legislation regarding the stored information and documents changes. Also, the system monitors for changes in residence which may affect the information and documents.

Abstract: An automatic performance apparatus includes a memory for storing performance data which is generated by an external unit such as an electronic musical instrument having a keyboard. The apparatus includes a measuring unit for measuring the elapsed time of a progressive tune, and a ratio computing unit for computing a time ratio between the measured elapsed time and the total time required to read out all the performance data. This time ratio is displayed to the user. Further, a jump control unit employs the time ratio to determine a jump amount in a fast-forward and fast-rewind mode.

Abstract: A personal financial assistant computer method includes customer terminals at financial institution branch offices or other locations. Each customer terminal stores financial information for the particular financial services (such as insurance, annuities, bonds, mortgages or loans) sold at that terminal. A display is also provided at each terminal for displaying selected information. At least one representative terminal is provided at a central location and includes a display and keyboard. A telephone link is also provided between the customer terminals and the representative terminals for voice communication. According to the invention, a representative at the representative terminal controls the customer terminal in response to commands initiated from the input device, thereby displaying financial service information at the customer terminal under control of the representative terminal.

Abstract: Apparatus for categorizing and certifying a batch of mail by determining parameters of the mail pieces of such batch. The parameters that are determined include the physical dimensions, the weight, the size, class, readability, print contrast and reflectivity of the mail pieces. Based upon these determinations, the deliverability of the mail can be assessed. The mail pieces are also weighed, sized and the class of mail determined and postage amount is checked for the purpose of assuring the accuracy of the postage paid for the mail.

Abstract: In an X-ray three-dimensional image display apparatus, a rotary encoder unit is employed which determines a window level and width of a two-dimensional image, and furthermore determines both upper and lower threshold limits in an X-ray CT (computerized tomographic) value of an X-ray tomographic image. The three-dimensional image display apparatus further includes a 3-dimensional image construction unit for constructing the 3-dimensional image from image data of a plurality of X-ray CT slices based upon the determined upper and lower limit values of the X-ray value. The rotary encoder unit includes D-type flip-flops which provide pulse signals to pulse counters.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling an irrigation system within prescribed limits of pump capacity and flow capacity through water line branches and defined local zones. Watering schedules may be all simultaneously activated and will make multiple requests for watering time, for posting in a flow management roster. The requests in the roster are processed and satisfied only if overall pump capacity permits and if local flow zone capacities, and the capacities of water lines feeding the flow zones, are not exceeded. Pump capacity is expanded incrementally as more requests are processed, but only in accordance with predefined limits on the conditions that have to be met before moving to an expanded capacity. This flow management technique is best employed with a cycle-and-soak feature to avoid runoff problems at selected sites, and using an evapotranspiration approach to vary the watering times in accordance with changing weather conditions.

Abstract: An efficient spatial smoothing algorithm for filtering data while preserving spatial detail is obtained using the system (impulse response) function of the sensor. In contrast to the normal procedure for determining the filter coefficients for an arbitrary system function, this technique avoids the use of Fourier transforms. The spatial filtering coefficients are obtained analytically for the frequently applicable Gaussian system function. The efficiency of this procedure is illustrated by filtering discrete data. For realtime smoothing of nuclear log data, a filter length of five times the vertical resolution is required.

Abstract: A practical system and method for the remote distribution of financial services (e.g., home banking and bill-paying) involves distributing portable terminals to a user base. The terminals include a multi-line display, keys "pointer to" lines on the display, and additional keys. Contact is established between the terminals and a central computer operated by a service provider, preferably over a dial-up telephone line and a packet data network. Information exchange between the central computer and the terminal solicits information from the terminal user related to requested financial services (e.g., for billpaying, the user provides payee selection and amount and his bank account PIN number). The central computer then transmits a message over a conventional ATM network debiting the user's bank account in real time, and may pay the specified payees the specified amount electronically or in other ways as appropriate. Payments and transfers may be scheduled in advance or on a periodic basis.

Abstract: An instrument for recording individual body temperature data by means of an electrical temperature sensor to determine the ovulation time of humans or animals, has a data counter which is fed by temperature data pulses, and generates a mean value which is fed to an output of the data counter thus enabling the instrument to self-adjust for sensor drift and physiological changes. The instrument also has an electrical display, which is connected to the output, to display temperature data.

Abstract: A method for elimination of parasitic noise in an x-ray scanner consists of computing the mean value of the signals of the ten first views in a circuit (26). This mean value is subtracted from the signals of the first view V.sub.1 in a circuit (27) so as to obtain the high-frequency components H.sub.1 which are considered as parasitic noise. The signals H.sub.1 are filtered in a high-pass filter before being subtracted from the signals of the view V.sub.1 to obtain signals V'.sub.1 which are free of parasitic components. The signals V'.sub.1 are processed in a sequential circuit (31) in order to obtain signals V'.sub.2 which are free of parasitic component. The same process is repeated for the signals of the other views V.sub.3 to V.sub.m.

Abstract: A method and system to calibrate an X-ray scanner uses a single circular phantom. The circular phantom is off-centered with respect to the axis of rotation of the scanner so as to introduce different paths in the phantom for each channel, depending on the angular positions of the scanner. This results in different attenuation measurements which are compared with values obtained by the computation of the path lengths which depend on the off-centered coordinates r and .PHI. and on the position of the scanner, thus enabling computation of the polynomial approximation coefficients to be applied to the measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring the efficiency of a manufacturing technician in the performance of selected operations within a computer based manufacturing process. A manufacturing process plan is stored within a computer system having a visual display. Those operations within the manufacturing process plan having a known labor standard time value are identified and the labor standard time value for each such operation is stored within the computer system. Upon the initiation of an operation having a known labor standard time value a graphic representation, such as an hourglass, is automatically presented displaying the amount of elapsed time since initiation of the selected operation and the amount of time remaining within the labor standard time. In one embodiment of the present invention, the elapsed time value may be stored, upon the temporary suspension of the selected operation, and subsequently displayed upon the reactivation of the suspended operation.

Abstract: A continuous input system allows a system operator to continuously input a plurality of polysemous icon symbols to access stored morphemes, words, phrases, or sentences corresponding to an icon sequence. The system, with automatic mode selection for the input system, containing a plurality of character and symbol keys, allows for automatically selecting of the icon mode, a character or word prediction mode, and even a subsequent suffix mode, to allow a user to enter morphemes, words, phrases, or sentences sequentially. Further, by utilizing the character and word prediction modes, including the suffix mode, words, phrases or sentences corresponding to non-accessible icon sequences can be automatically activated without having to manually switch out of the icon mode or select the character and word prediction mode.

Abstract: A system and method for transducing, recording, and displaying information relating to cardiac and respiratory functions of an infant. The system and method allows immediate detection of apnea events and of bradycardia associated therewith, as well as presentation of historical charts of such events.

Abstract: A mobile customer service station includes a console on a wheeled chassis. The console carries and houses a number of components which are used in merchandising operations to conclude customer purchase transactions. The items supported externally on the console are a printer for printing purchase receipts, customer credit charge agreements and records of transactions, and a magnetic card reader for reading information from a magnetic stripe of a customer's credit card. The console further features a cash drawer. The operation of the printer, credit card reader and the cash drawer is controlled by a multifunction control unit located within an enclosure of the console. The control unit is electrically powered by a self-contained power source which is preferably a deep cycle rechargeable battery. The console also houses a transceiver unit which under the control of the control unit is capable of interactive communication with a radio communications system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for processing billing records in a data packet transmission network by optimizing the search algorithm for accessing customer records. Using hashing techniques, the hashing parameters of hashing key and modulus base of the modulo arithmetic are varied to optimize the hashing function for recently received billing records. These optimum parameters are then used predictively to hash the next batch of billing records. In a preferred embodiment, the billing records are queued in two ping-pong memories and the contents of one are used to drive the optimizer while the contents of the other are used to drive the billing procedure.

Abstract: A data processing system is provided for monitoring and recording the information flow and data, and making all calculations, necessary for maintaining a partnership portfolio and partner fund (Hub and Spoke) financial services configuration. In particular, the data processing system makes a daily allocation of assets of two or more funds (Spokes) that are invested in a portfolio (Hub). The data processing system determines the percentage share (allocation ratio) that each fund has in the portfolio, while taking into consideration daily changes both in the value of the portfolio's investment securities and in the amount of each fund's assets. The system also calculates each fund's total investments based on the concept of a book capital account, which enables determination of a true asset value of each fund and accurate calculation of allocation ratios between the funds.

Abstract: An approximation of entropy is determined on a set of data by comparing subsets of the data. The comparison reveals the regularity and stability of similar patterns amongst subsets of the data. The comparisons perform such that the contribution of noise to measurement of the regularity and stability is minimized. Quantitative values are assigned to measure the degree of regularity and stability. From these quantitative values a single output measure is generated indicative of the amount of patternness of the sequence of data. The calculations required to determine this approximate entropy are preferably performed within a data processing system. Numerous peripheral devices may be attached to such a data processing system. The types of data for which the approximate entropy may be calculated include any sets of data wherein the amount of patternness is sought.

Abstract: A system and method for teaching a student physical skills includes a processing module for producing and display a model of the student. The processing module includes a computing module for generating the model. The model has the exact physical dimensions of the student and superiorly performs the skill. A video imaging module captures the movement of the student attempting to perform the skill and generates a video signal for effecting input the processing module. The processing module coordinates the movement of the model with movements of the student and generates a pixel image representation of the model overlayed on the student. The model is generated from a plurality of elite performers capable of superior performance. The model is enhance with superior characteristics of performing the skill, but constrained to human capabilities.

Abstract: A translation device for translating words includes a keyboard for entering an input word. Upon entering a word, the device displays a word stored in memory which corresponds to the input word, and its translation. Activation of a search key once intermittently causes the display of the next consecutive word stored in memory, along with its translation. Holding down the search key causes the display of a series of consecutive words stored in memory, bit with no translation. Upon release of the search key, the translation is displayed.