Abstract: An apparatus and method acquires and stores multiple resolution images from a specimen on a support and provides to the user a low magnification, reconstructed macro image of the entire specimen, or a large portion thereof, to aid the person in selecting points of interest to be viewed or analyzed at higher magnifications and resolution. The reconstructed image is formed of a large number of tiled, stored images which are coordinated and assembled to form the macro image of the specimen which is displayed on a monitor. Preferably, the stored, reconstructed image is reduced further in size by a software system before it is displayed to the user. The display may be on a local monitor over a local area network or sent over the Internet to the user who is typically a pathologist. The user selects by a marker such as a cursor the defined area of interest or region and then views higher magnification images or has them analyzed.

Abstract: An electronic discussion system of the client/server structure for an electronic exchange of messages which are presented by a plurality of users and shown on a display of a client computer, wherein the servers comprise at least one storage server for holding detailed contents of respective pieces of opinion information, and at least one discussion server for holding opinion indexes showing the storage locations of opinion contents of respective pieces of opinion information, wherein the clients comprise an opinion writing client for transferring and writing the opinion index created from a newly presented piece of opinion information and the opinion content into the discussion server and the storage server, and a reading client for referring to opinion indexes and opinion contents recorded and managed in the discussion server and the storage server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the distributed monitoring of network traffic deploys end system agents to collect traffic statistics at distributed points in the network. These statistics are forwarded to collectors which compile the statistics to create higher level pictures of network performance. A collector may act as a proxy for a prior art standalone network probe and may interact with network management software as though it were a standalone network probe. The invention is designed to work in accordance with a variety of standard network management protocols including SNMP, RMON, and RMON2 but is not limited to those environments.

Abstract: A medical installation system including at least one medical therapy and/or diagnostics apparatus having a controller with a control computer, and further including at least one computer work station connected to a first data network. The control computer is connected thereto via a second data network separated from the first data network such that the computer work station and the control computer are capable of communicating with one another.

Abstract: In a computing network environment having a gateway device that is electronically connected on one side to at least one local area network and on other side to a plurality of initiating hosts, an apparatus for establishing direct communication between a first initiating host and a second initiating host through the gateway device without necessity of involving the local area network in the communication and its related data transmission. The apparatus comprises of an initialization component for obtaining all information about all connected hosts and storing it in a port-sharing table in a memory location accessible to the gateway device. The gateway device controls all communications through a controller component. Upon receiving of a request for establishing communication between two initiating hosts, retrieving means is used for obtaining all information for establishing of a successful communication from said port-sharing table.

Abstract: A network managing method which divides a network to be managed into a plurality of virtual closed area networks, and defines management information on the virtual closed area networks separately in a plurality of logical hierarchies. A virtual LAN/network space defines a connection state among closed area networks, a closed area space defines attribute information on nodes within a closed area network, and a virtual service defines logical arrangement information on nodes in the overall network. The management information is distributively stored in each node and utilized for communication control and so on. When the configuration of the network is changed due to movements of nodes and so on, an administrator inputs the contents of update from the manager of each layer, so that the manager communicates with a node containing corresponding management information to instruct the node to update the management information.

Abstract: By providing a plurality of virtual LAN's such that ports communicating according to one protocol are grouped and communication is performed between the ports in the group, a communication is possible according to a plurality of protocols and it is possible to enter into other virtual LAN's than a virtual LAN to which a connection is made.

Abstract: In a computing network environment having a gateway device that is connected on one side to at least one local area network and on other side to a plurality of initiating hosts, a method of establishing direct communication between a first initiating host and a second initiating host through the gateway device without necessity of involving the local area network in this communication and its related data transmission. The method comprising the steps of first obtaining the addresses and information of all connected hosts needed for establishing communication and storing it in a memory location accessible to said gateway device in form of a port-sharing table. The gateway device will be handling all requests for communication setups between hosts.

Abstract: There is provided a communication apparatus, adapted to be used as a user terminal, connected to a message communication system in which a plurality of user terminals are interconnected, the plurality of user terminals sharing virtual worlds and avatars (symbols) of users each operating an associated one of the user terminals, and messages are exchanged among the plurality of user terminals while creating an atmosphere such that as if one's own self enters the virtual world and has conversations. In the communication apparatus, the users (symbols) are classified into a plurality of categories, and action contents of the symbols are controlled in accordance with the categories. According to the communication apparatus, a symbol with a great deal of individuality is produced, so that a virtual world full of variety may be implemented.

Abstract: A data transmission apparatus in which the bandwidth necessary for an application is determined and is communicated to a transmission interval counting function. The transmission interval counting function determines a transmission interval according to the necessary bandwidth and effects transmit control on a transmission unit transmitting function with timing set at this transmission interval so as to transfer data in a desired bandwidth. Owing to the above construction, even when a plurality of types of applications for transmitting data at desired times exist and they perform data transmissions while sharing the use of a network, the contention between the data transmissions in the network can be prevented from occurring. This prevents data losses and delays in data transmission from increasing.

Abstract: A method of transferring digital image data over a communication link transforms and orders the data so that, as data is received by a receiving station, a low detail version of the image is immediately generated with later transmissions of data providing progressively greater detail in this image. User instructions are accepted, limiting the ultimate resolution of the image or suspending enhancement of the image except in certain user defined regions. When a low detail image is requested followed by a request for a high detailed version of the same image, the originally transmitted data of the low resolution image is not discarded or retransmitted but used with later data to improve the originally transmitted image. Only a single copy of the transformed image need be retained by the transmitting device in order to satisfy requests for different amounts of image detail.

Abstract: A multiple processing system, comprises at least a pair of processor units communicatively connected to a number of peripheral devices through a network that includes routing devices interconnected to route information in the form of message packets sent between the processor units and peripheral devices. Data describing the topographical interconnections of the system elements is maintained with the system. A service processor accesses the data, determines therefrom the topographical interconnections forming the network, assigns addresses/identifications to the system elements, and configures the router devices to establish the most direct routes between system elements for message packets sent on the network.

Abstract: In a braille recognition system according to the present invention, light is obliquely irradiated onto the surface of a document in braille, and its reflected light is received by imaging means, to obtain a gray image. An image corresponding to a pattern of projected points on the document in braille is obtained on the basis of the obtained gray image. An image is then cut in braille units from the image corresponding to the pattern of projected points. A braille code is generated for each cut image in the braille unit.

Abstract: A FIFO controller circuit for interfacing data from a device running at one clock speed so that it is compatible with another device or transmission medium running at a different clock speed. A write controller is used to control the writing of data into the FIFO. The write controller is clocked at a first clock speed. A read controller is used to control the reading of data from the FIFO at a second, different clock speed. A counter is incremented when data is written to the FIFO and decremented when data is read from the FIFO. Thereby, the counter represents an amount of memory within the FIFO that is currently available. The decrement signal is generated in the first clock domain and then synchronized to the second clock domain. This provides error-free interfacing, irrespective of any phase differences existing between the two clock signals.

Abstract: A network file server includes an integrated cached disk array and a plurality of data mover computers linking the cached disk array to the data network for file access. Each data mover computer maintains a local cache of file directory information including locking information of locked files that are accessible through the data mover. A cache consistency scheme ensures that shared locking information is consistent in the local caches. In a preferred embodiment, the cache consistency scheme uses an internal data link to pass messages between the data movers. The file directory information in the local cache includes information mapping file names to a list of logical blocks for each file name, file attributes that affect data access, and locking information down to a block level of granularity.

Abstract: The image composition system includes a display device coupled to a central processing device for displaying a user selected image. A camera coupled to the central processing device enables a real subject to be incorporated into the user selected image. Accessory items are stored in a memory device coupled to the central processing unit for combining with the subject in the user selected image.

Abstract: A conference server system, for internal use in the public switched telephone network (PSTN), links to public data communication networks (e.g. the Internet) for distributing computer displayable data between participants in voice telephone conferences. The server system includes a computer sub-system for storing data generated by the participants and distributing the data in coordination with voice presentations of respective participants. Data so stored and distributed includes computer-displayable data. Other data handled by the computer subsystem represents commands and functional requests issued by participants which pertain to the handling of computer-displayable data and voice parameters of the conference. Conference participants, having separate and concurrent access to both the PSTN and the data network, receive and view computer-displayable data prepared by one of the participants in coordination with the respective voice conference.

Abstract: The image data of the mail, which has not been recognized by a read/sort apparatus, and the address writing form thereof are transmitted to an image distribution section of a video coding system. A control section of the video coding system sends the image data received by the image distribution section to one of video coding disks in accordance with the address writing form. Thus, images of the mails having the same address writing form are displayed on a display section of the same video coding disk. Viewing the display section, an operator input address information from an input section to correct the address of the mail. A collation section confirms whether the corrected address exists or not with reference to an address information storage section.

Abstract: A method for storing, processing, and retrieving images in/from a graphic database. The graphic database is a digital database which is created by converting an original image into a digital format and arranging and organizing the digital format so as to identify elements of the converted image. The graphic database is so arranged and organized as to enable the identifiable elements of the converted image to be searched and displayed with the look and format of the original image.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuous sensing of hand and arm gestures comprises hand-held means for continuously sensing at least tempo and emphasis. These sensed parameters are represented quantitatively, and transduced by appropriate circuitry into electrical signals indicative of the parameter quantities. The signals may be used to control the performance of a musical composition (or the evolution of some other dynamic system), or may instead convey information. The signals may, for example, be provided to an interpreter that dynamically infers control commands from the gestures on a real-time basis in accordance with the generally accepted canon of musical conducting, directing the controlled system in accordance therewith. The invention may also sense one or more additional conducting parameters such as the speed and/or velocity, direction (i.e.