Abstract: The center of a reference mark is located by decreasing the range of pixel values defining an image defect. The pixel values defining the digital image are then enhanced to amplify the pixel values representing the reference mark and decrease the pixel values representing the background. The center of the digital image of the reference mark is determined from the altered image.

Abstract: A method for storing and searching documents also useful in disambiguating word senses and a method for generating a dictionary of context vectors. The dictionary of context vectors provides a context vector for each word stem in the dictionary. A context vector is a fixed length list of component values corresponding to a list of word-based features, the component values being an approximate measure of the conceptual relationship between the word stem and the word-based feature. Documents are stored by combining the context vectors of the words remaining in the document after uninteresting words are removed. The summary vector obtained by adding all of the context vectors of the remaining words is normalized. The normalized summary vector is stored for each document. The data base of normalized summary vectors is searched using a query vector and identifying the document whose vector is closest to that query vector.

Abstract: A system for monitoring play of a golfer (24, 26) comprises Location Information Transmitters (LIT) (54, 56) at predetermined locations within a golf course and a Mobile Electronic Transmitter/Receiver (METAR) (48, 50) carried in association with a golfer (24, 26) on a golf cart (28) or golf bag (32). A METAR (48) periodically transmits a METAR code over a restricted transmission range (300). In response to the METAR (48) being proximate to a LIT (54), LIT (54) receives the METAR code. After receiving the METAR code, LIT (54) transmits a play monitoring signal including its LIT code and the received METAR code to a Tracking Center (227) located in a clubhouse (22). Golf course personnel in the clubhouse (22) can monitor a display terminal (242) of the Tracking Center (227) and determine play of golfers (24, 26), use of golf carts (28, 34) and use of golf holes (10, 14).

Abstract: A distributed processing on-line automated trading system uses structured messages to represent each stage in the negotiation between a market maker (quoter) and a potential buyer or seller (requestor). Such a system is subject to uncertainties caused by the fact that a variable time is required for an order (buy or sell) message to be transmitted from the requestor to the quoter, or for a cancel (quote interrupt) message to be transmitted from the quoter to the requestor. Furthermore, it is possible that an equipment failure in the network, either in a communication link or even at the workstation of one of the traders, will prevent a small fraction of such order messages and cancel messages from reaching their intended destination within the relatively short time-frame typically associated with an on-line transaction system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for scheduling and confirming meetings in a data processing system which includes stored calendars for prospective attendees. A prompting screen is presented to a scheduler with blanks for keying in a desired meeting parameters including at least: a list of desired attendees; a desired date range; and a desired time span. A prompting screen is also presented to each prospective attendee to permit an attendee to key in attendee confirmation parameters which specify the conditions under which the prospective attendee will agree to attend a desired meeting. In a depicted embodiment of the present invention, a prospective attendee may identify selected attendees who must or must not attend a desired meeting in order to confirm the prospective attendees attendance at that meeting.

Abstract: A alphabet word input system includes a word dictionary for the object texts written in the alphabet, a search part for searching the word dictionary, and a replacing part for replacing word input using a wild card character for one portion into the character string of the word searched by the search part and therefore input character strings of alphabet words replaced by the replacing part.

Abstract: A fully integrated and comprehensive health care system that includes the integrated interconnection and interaction of the patient, health care provider, bank or other financial institution, insurance company, utilization reviewer and employer so as to include within a single system each of the essential participants to provide patients with complete and comprehensive pre-treatment, treatment and post-treatment health care and predetermined financial support therefor.

Abstract: An x-ray computed tomography system for helical scanning, translates a patient as projections of the patient at various beam angles are obtained and employs a detector array having multiple rows displaced along the direction of translation. The intensity signals from the multiple rows are combined to produce a composite projection having an improved beam profile along the translation direction. The composite projection is generated by adding together intensity signals obtained for detector elements in each column, at a given beam angle, and for related columns measuring rays having angles differing by x radians or an integer multiple thereof. The intensity signals are selected so that their points of acquisition cluster closely about the position of the desired slice plane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying complex impedance and related physical characteristics of an object at a plurality of sinusoidal frequencies over a wide frequency range. Excitation signal waveforms are stored in digital form. Digital sampling and processing circuitry provide high noise immunity and accurate measurement at all impedance phase angles. The technique is particularly well-suited to the measurement of complex impedances in living biological tissue because the digital implementation results in highly accurate measurement values over a plurality of selectable frequencies within a wide sinusoidal frequency region. A novel adaptation of digital cross-correlation and convolution techniques is used to simultaneously display real and imaginary electrical impedance of living biological tissue at several selectable sinusoidal frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the determination of a spatial formation parameter such as slowing down length and porosity in a measurement while drilling ("MWD") tool. The invention, more particularly, relates to the use of a neutron source and multiple neutron detectors in an MWD tool to determine the slowing down length of neutrons in the formation and to derive the formation porosity from the determined slowing down length.

Abstract: An improved method for executing a computer system novel software (SW) pram along with an enhanced series of five different data base logic tables that produce one or more tailored contracting documents (CDs) each with correctly selected Government Agency Regulation clauses (GARCs). In carrying out the method and producing any tailored CD, a multiline item (M/LI) multi-data field (M/DF) configuration table (CT) is formed when a user provides input data as well as from the data base selects categories and selectively answers questions. Then a M/LI M/DF logic test table (LTT) enables logic analysis either by itself as to any line item or in conjunction with a CT or a M/LI M/DF logic test results table (LTRT) all during a SW cycle (SWC). The SWC also permits analysis of certain test results of the LTRT prior to the LTRT coordinating with a logic test name table (LTNT) so as to enable formation of a M/LI M/DF pattern table (PT) having alpha-numeric identification of one or more correctly selected GARCs.

Abstract: A computer in a securities dealing decision support system is connected via a communication line to a dealer/trader terminal device and customer terminal device. A voice communication line is connected between the dealer/trader terminal device and customer terminal device. The information generated at the computer is outputted to both the terminal devices at the same time. The customer can decide the securities dealing by using the voice communication line while looking at the same information as that for the dealer/trader.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the instantaneous power generated by a leg extension, which includes a seat provided above a drive system unit on which a subject is seated. A slide rail extends forwardly from the drive system unit, and a foot plate slides along the slide rail in forward and backward directions. A rope connected to the foot plate is provided in the drive system unit in order to be paid out in response to the forward sliding movement of the foot plate. This apparatus also includes a transmission device, which rotates in response to the rope paying-out and a powder brake, which is rotated by the transmission device. A foot load sensor is also mounted on the foot plate in order to detect the foot load developed when the subject extends his/her legs, and a rotation frequency sensor is provided at a predetermined position within the drive system unit in order to detect the rotation frequency of the powder brake.

Abstract: A medical image displaying apparatus is provided with a display device, which reproduces a visible image from an image signal made up of a series of image signal components representing a medical image, and which displays the visible image. A conversion device receives a plurality of primary image signal components representing a medical image, each of the primary image signal components being composed of n bits, and converts them into a plurality of secondary image signal components representing an image with a desired gradation and having been compensated for gradation characteristics of the display device. Each of the secondary image signal components is composed of n+k bits, where k>0. The display device reproduces a visible image from the plurality of the secondary image signal components and displays it.

Abstract: A computer network system for simultaneously communicating between computer terminals at various bank locations for the purpose of entering a transaction for the exchange of currency of a selected currency pair provides a method for preventing a trading communication involving a selected currency pair between two banks wherein there is already a trading communication in progress between the two banks involving the same currency pair.

Abstract: An audit system for recording the activation of coin-operated electronic equipment and the amounts of money collected employing a real-time clock to time stamp information recorded in non-volatile or battery powered memory, such as total collections, number of games played, etc. The system also allows selective pricing based on a time of day schedule.

Abstract: An airline reservation system implemented using a computer wherein reservations are controlled by a seat inventory control system. The inventory control system produces optimal reservation control using network-wide booking limits while taking into account the probabilistic nature of demand. The inventory control system, based on a concept termed Network-Based Expected Marginal Seat Revenue (EMSR), does not require the large number of variables required by the other network-based approaches, and it incorporates a probabilistic demand model without resorting to computationally intractable integer programming.

Abstract: A modular processor unit, known as an ASP unit (50), is provided for intelligently enhancing a conventional physical security system (20) without significant reconfiguration. The unit (50) is installable between conventional sensors (30) and a conventional transponder (28), the transponder being in communication with a central control station (22) of the system. The ASP unit (50) analyzes, over a period of time, a plurality of preselected features of the signal received from said sensor and used the features to evaluate a polynomial and thereby classify an event as an intrusion or a nuisance. The ASP unit (50) further includes an output state simulation relay switch (72) responsive to the classification for simulating an element of the sensor (30) and for providing an output state to the transponder (28). In one embodiment, the ASP unit (50) is connected by an ASP communications network (52) to a retraining workstation (54).

Abstract: An interactive computerized dietary measurement system and process which can be used by lay people for accurate measurement of the intake of foods, nutrients, and other food components in the diet. The system includes a computer device coupled with an electronic balance, output/display device(s), user input element(s), a food codes database and a storage element. The system has the ability to provide a plurality of weigh-in measurement options with respect to different food service settings or habits and to respectively tag the measurement of each of the options selected by the user in the storage element so as to track the measurements. The system can instruct user on the next measurement action and required input so that users are not required to remember all of the measurement actions and sequences of the actions for the measurements.

Abstract: A method for generating a three dimensional velocity model from a grid of two dimensional lines is presented. Each of the two dimensional lines is common offset depth migrated and the migrated common offset sections are sorted into common image point (CIP) gathers. The proposed method examines all the common image point gathers from all the two dimensional lines and extracts out of plane three dimensional information. An initial three dimensional model is constructed from the two dimensional depth sections by mapping the depth images of several reflectors from each two dimensional line. Ray tracing through this initial three dimensional model, the out of plane three dimensional information is used to compute a set of corrections to the boundaries in the three dimensional model. The three dimensional model boundaries are then iterated until all mismatches are minimized.