Abstract: In the present invention, utilizing a data processing system at one location such as the home office, and another data processing system at a remote location such as a convenience store, an authorized convenience store employee may print financial instruments. According to the present invention, pre-printed forms are not needed in order to print financial instruments. When a financial instrument is to be printed, a valid password must first be entered. Thereafter, the employee may insert blank paper into the printer included within the remote data processing system and print a complete financial instrument. All necessary parameters may be printed by the remote data processing system, including financial institution identification number, account number, financial instrument number, date, amount, and payee. A transaction log may be automatically maintained by the remote data processing system. A log entry may be created each time a financial instrument is created.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing access control to objects in a distributed network directory employing static resolution to resolve object attributes. A first object has a Security Equals attribute and a second object has an Equivalent To Me attribute. Upon receiving a request for the first object to access the second object, authorization of such access is verified by checking if the two attributes are synchronized. The attributes are synchronized when the Security Equals attribute of the first object includes the second object, and the Equivalent To Me attribute of the second object includes the first object. A method of synchronizing the two attributes is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for compressing and decompressing audio and video signals. The audio and video signals can be compressed and decompressed according to different standards, such as MPEG-1 and MPEG-2. The audio and video signals can also be compressed and decompressed at different rates. Compression rates can be varied to fit the audio and video signals into a narrow transmission bandwidth, such as an RF transmission bandwidth.

Abstract: A computer-based method and system describes molecules in a most fundamental and compact way using a set of attributes of the molecule derived from data representing the atomic structure and atomic charge of the molecule. The attributes include the shape of the molecule as defined by the moment of inertia of the molecule, the charge distribution of the molecule as defined by a novel representation of molecular quadrupole, and/or attributes that represent the relationship of the shape to the charge distribution of the molecule. A set of these physical attributes are represented by a set of descriptors. The set of descriptors may be used for molecular matching and activity prediction, as well as in 3D-QSAR analysis.

Abstract: A process for designing an integrated circuit chip s comprises specifying a plurality of regions on the chip in which a plurality of objects are to be placed, such that there are more of the objects than the regions, and specifying penalties for the objects to be placed in the regions respectively. The objects can be microelectronic cells, interconnect wiring segments, etc. An assignment of the objects to the regions is constructed, and a number of objects for movement between the regions is selected. An optimal permutation of movement of the selected number of objects between the regions is computed such that a cost corresponding to the total penalties for the assignment is maximally reduced, and the assignment is modified by moving the selected number of objects through the optimal permutation. The process steps are repeated iteratively such that a maximum number of objects which will produce a maximal reduction in cost is moved during each iteration.

Abstract: Visualization of how multiple constraints may effect design implementation choices and characterization of design spaces is provided by a system for computer aided design of a higher level electronic system which is itself constructed from lower level entities. A plurality of violation free regions is defined, with each region being determined by a particular entity-to-entity spacing rule or rule set. The multiplicity of violation free regions define ranges of valid position placements for entities within a particular constraint domain. Multiple constraint domains are handled by defining additional violation free regions which determine ranges of valid position placements for entities which satisfy the various additional constraint domains. The various violation free regions are logically combined to define a resulting violation free volume in which a component may be placed which will satisfy the constraints of all of the constraint domains whose violation free regions have been logically combined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a first coordinate system of a digitizing panel with a second coordinate system of a display device. The method includes the steps of displaying a plurality of reference points on the display device, each of the reference points having a X.sub.ref, Y.sub.ref coordinate value, determining a plurality of first Xr, Yr coordinate values from the digitizing panel which are indicative of a plurality of positions of an object positioned relative to the plurality of reference points, determining a plurality of channel gain correction values from the plurality of first Xr, Yr coordinate, values and the plurality of X.sub.ref, Y.sub.ref coordinate values, and storing the plurality of channel gain correction values for use in correcting a second Xr, Yr coordinate value which is indicative of a position of an object relative to the digitizing panel.

Abstract: In a material handling system in which a chemical treatment and water are added to a bulk solid, a method and apparatus for minimizing the amount of moisture added to the bulk solid while effectively controlling dust in the system. A moisture analyzing means monitors the surface moisture level of the bulk solid, and a calibration/measuring means determines the proper amount of chemical and water to be fed to the system for dust control. There are associated means for feeding the chemical treatment and water to the bulk solid, and a dust analyzing means, which monitors dust levels in the system and sends an electrical signal to the calibration/measuring means in order to adjust chemical feed and water flow in the system.

Abstract: A distributed computer system is disclosed which includes a central location and a plurality of remote locations. A central location computer system generates a module which includes a data section containing a plurality of data units. Each of the data units is either a minimum addressable data unit or a longer data unit. Each longer data unit contains a plurality of minimum addressable data units. The module also includes a swap section containing data identifying locations of longer data units within the data section. A remote location computer system receives a module, and contains a loader. The loader swaps the minimum addressable data units of the longer data units in the data section. A transmission link, transmits the module from the central location computer system to the remote location computer system.

Abstract: In a test system, test fixtures that hold modules are controlled to enable an operator to separate modules that pass a test from modules that fail. When a module under test is properly loaded in a test fixture, a test fixture controller instructs a tester to start a test procedure. For a semiautomatic test fixture, a test start command is automatically supplied to the tester when the test fixture is closed around the module under test. The test fixture controller automatically interprets the test results provided by the tester. The module that passes the test is automatically released from the test fixture. If the module fails, the test fixture controller keeps it locked in the test fixture. The module is released only when an operator presses a failure acknowledgement button on a control box.

Abstract: A filtering processor for performing filtering by use of an N-tap filter (N is a natural number) of this invention includes: means for transforming a first signal series having M.sub.1 signals (M.sub.1 is a natural number) into a second signal series having M.sub.2 signals (M.sub.2 is a natural number); and means for performing filtering on the second signal series to generate a third signal series having M.sub.3 signals (M.sub.3 is a natural number), wherein the second signal series is composed of the first signal series and signals of a predetermined value added to precede the start and follow the end thereof, and M.sub.1 signals among the M.sub.3 signals included in the third signal series is independent.

Abstract: The present invention constitutes a data crossloading system for use with a programmable controller system having primary and secondary (or "back-up") systems each of which have redundant hardware components and have data structures associated with these components. The present invention further relates to the interconnection of the hardware components and to the processes for providing redundant data structures which enable a secondary or back-up system to rapidly and effectively assume control when a malfunction occurs in a primary control system. Both systems are connected via the same remote data links to common I/O racks which interface to sensing and output devices on the equipment being controlled.

Abstract: A process for sampling half cycles of AC waves and using precomputed stacks of sine values for obtaining fundamental components and odd harmonic phasers of said AC waves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and responding to conditions of an industrial process. Industrial process signals, such as repetitive manufacturing, testing and operational machine signals, are generated by a system. Sensor signals characteristic of the process are generated over a time length and compared to reference signals over the time length. The industrial signals are adjusted over the time length relative to the reference signals, the phase shift of the industrial signals is optimized to the reference signals and the resulting signals output for analysis by systems such as SPRT.

Abstract: An fully integrated on-line frequency award program is disclosed. A user may access the program on-line and may brows a product catalog for shopping. The user may electronically place an order, upon which the program automatically checks the user's credit and electronically issues a purchase order to the supplying company. The program also calculates award points, updates the award account of enrolled users, and communicates that number of awarded points to the user. Enrolled users may browse through an award catalog and electronically redeem an amount of awarded points towards an award. The program then electronically places an award redeeming order with the fulfillment house and updates the user's award account.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the behavior over time of a distributed system. Time-stamped data descriptive of events at one subsystem are placed into a local buffer. The subsystem is notified of the time when a trap condition occurs at another subsystem. Data having a time-stamp within a certain interval of the occurrence of the trap condition are archived to provide a history of the system for later analysis. Time is determined by a local clock in each subsystem. These clocks are synchronized to ensure accurate correlation between events at different subsystems. Trap conditions are categorized and data descriptive of subsystem states are classified to facilitate selective notification of one or more other subsystems, and selective retention of the data, depending on which category of trap condition has occurred and which class of data has been collected.

Abstract: A virtual reality generator having an input module that receives as input financial information is disclosed. The virtual reality generator outputs to a display device a virtual reality world generated from the financial information. The financial information can be preprocessed by a financial analytic system prior to input to the virtual reality generator. The financial information can be received from a data file. The virtual reality generator can dynamically display and continuously update the virtual reality world. Further, movement through the virtual reality world can be simulated.

Abstract: A method of managing the activities of one or more floor brokers situated on the floor of an exchange is disclosed. In one respect, the method uses a programmed computer to compare a relative number of instructions having a pending status that have been delegated to the floor brokers and find the floor broker having comparatively few pending instructions. The computer then delegates a further instruction to the floor broker that has been found. Typical instructions that may be managed by the inventive method may be quotation requests, quotations, orders, partial executions, and executions. A related method enables an operator to delegate instructions to one of plural floor brokers by providing the operator with a computer and the floor brokers with two-way communication devices and by receiving at the operator's computer current-status information on any delegated instructions and automatically displaying that information at the computer.

Abstract: A process for decoding MPEG encoded image data stored in a system memory utilizing a configurable image decoding apparatus.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a dimension of strip stock formed by a cutting device includes: providing an image producer that is movable between a home position and at least one subsequent position associated with the strip stock; moving the image producer to the at least one subsequent position where the field of view of the image producer substantially frames the strip stock dimension to be monitored; forming a first image of the strip stock dimension; and analyzing the first image of the strip stock dimension to determine the length thereof.