Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing off-line secure communications is accomplished when an end-user is on-line with a security information repository and transmits a request for security information relating to at least one targeted communication entity. The targeted communication entity may be another end-user that has sent the present end-user an encrypted message or another end-user that will receive an encrypted message from the present end-user. In response to the request, the present end-user subsequently receives the security information and updates a local security information repository (e.g., cache memory) with the security information related to the at least one targeted communication entity. Having updated the local security information repository, the current end-user goes off-line from the security information repository.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing device drivers without requiring system re-boot includes installing a driver corresponding to a device into an operating system of a hardware system, wherein the operating system includes a multi-layered driver architecture, including identifying to the operating system at least one other driver to which the driver is to be bound. The driver is then started without re-booting the hardware system.

Abstract: A fitness function circuit for computing a fitness value for a trial solution to a set covering problem accelerates the execution speed of a genetic algorithm provided with a matrix circuit for outputting a column signal covered by a row signal corresponding to a bit in a chromosome, a column signal counter for counting column signals, a subtractor for calculating a difference between a counted number of column signals and a number of all elements and outputting the difference as a number of uncovered elements, a carry-save-adder for outputting a number of valid row signals as a chromosome cost, an aggregate cost register for holding the number of uncovered elements as a more significant portion of a total cost and the chromosome cost as a less significant portion of the total cost and outputting the total cost, an inverter for inverting a value of the total cost and outputting an inverted value as a fitness value.

Abstract: A method for modeling complex navigational logic that automatically controls the presentation of screen displays at the user interface of a client in a client/server environment utilizes a Navigation Analysis Vehicle “NAV”) (or module) and a Matrix Analysis Package (“MAP”). The MAP facilitates creation of navigation rules for linkage with the rest of the application. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the NAV communicates navigational instructions to a user interface for the display and take-down of screens, and also communicates with other processes such as editors and data manipulators. After the navigation rules are created, those rules are then applied to provide navigational logic for the user interface for the processing of the user interface screens. MAP creates the navigation rules in a user-friendly, C-like language and parses them into ANSI-standard C language for linkage with other processes that control the user interface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for embedding or embedding digital data into an analog host or cover signal. A distributed signal feature of the cover signal in a particular domain (time, frequency or space) is calculated and compared with a set of predefined quantization values corresponding to an information symbol to be encoded. The amount of change required to modify the signal feature to the determined target quantization value is calculated and the cover signal is modified accordingly to so change the feature value over a predefined interval. Information symbols are extracted by the opposite process.

Abstract: The software synthesis method and system of the present invention provides a problem solving environment for systems of partial differential equations (or other concise mathematical description), common in engineering, finance, and science, which automatically transforms a problem description into executable software code. The method and system uses a specification language to support a user's natural description of the geometry and mathematics of the problem and solution strategies. The natural description is concisely expressed using general coordinates and dimensionless parameters, using domain specific keywords as appropriate. The user's problem description is compared with the system's knowledge base to refine the problem—i.e., identifying constraints, applying heuristics and defaults, and applying elaboration rules.

Abstract: A method for detecting differences between two graphical programs. The graphical programs comprise graphical code. The graphical programs may include objects, preferably arranged as a user interface panel, including controls and indicators, and a block diagram, including graphical code function blocks connected together as a data flow program. Directed graph data structures are created to represent the graphical programs, wherein the vertices of the graphs are the objects of the graphical programs and the edges of the graphs are data flow signals of the block diagram and/or hierarchical relationships of the user interface panel objects. The objects of the two graphical programs are heuristically matched together using a scoring approach. The scores are stored in a match matrix and indicate a degree of similarity between an object in the first graphical program and an object in the second graphical program according to one or more criteria.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for in-system programming of programmable devices includes a device configuration program with adaptive programming source code instructions that characterize device configuration instructions and data. The adaptive source code instructions may include conditional branches, subroutines, variables, configurable arrays, integer operators, and Boolean operators. These features allow for more compact and efficient device configuration instructions and data. An interpreter converts the device configuration program into formatted device configuration instructions and data. The formatted device configuration instructions and data are preferably compatible with IEEE 1149.1 JTAG-BST specifications. The formatted device configuration instructions and data are used to program a programmable device in the manner specified by the adaptive programming source code instructions.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. Multiple "correct" answers are integrated into the learning system to allow individualized learning experiences in which navigation through the system is at a pace controlled by the learner.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for displaying circuit analysis results corresponding to parts of the circuit near the portion of the hardware description language (HDL) specification that generated that part of the circuit. The invention also includes a method for using probe statements in the HDL specification to mark additional points in the initial circuit that should not be eliminated during optimization. This improves the ability to display circuit analysis results near the appropriate part of the HDL specification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently debugging and/or testing a rules based expert system. To provide guidance when updating a test sequence, the present invention contemplates identifying which rule sets and/or rules were exercised by the test sequence, and which were not exercised. The present invention also contemplates identifying the rule sets and/or rules that were exercised, and the percent of the rule sets/rules that were exercised. This and other information may be useful in identifying appropriate changes for the test sequence so that those rule sets and/or rules that were not exercised during the previous iteration are exercised in a subsequent iteration.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a process and determining its condition. Initial data is sensed, a first set of virtual data is produced by applying a system state analyzation to the initial data, a second set of virtual data is produced by applying a neural network analyzation to the initial data and a parity space analyzation is applied to the first and second set of virtual data and also to the initial data to provide a parity space decision about the condition of the process. A logic test can further be applied to produce a further system decision about the state of the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for providing an estimate of the state of a contact. The method includes the steps of sensing the state of the contact; generating signals representative of the state of the contact; and processing the signals using a random search procedure to arrive at an estimate of the state of the contact. The random search procedure may employ the simulated annealing-based algorithm methodology or the genetic-based algorithm methodologies. The system includes sensors for sensing the state of the contact and a pre-programmed computer for generating the desired contact state estimates.

Abstract: A kernel-based method and apparatus includes a preprocessor, which operates on an input data in such a way as to provide invariance under some symmetry transformation.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. Multiple "correct" answers are integrated into the learning system to allow individualized learning experiences in which navigation through the system is at a pace controlled by the learner.

Abstract: A system and method for enforcing configuration parameters and detecting tampering of configuration files used by a software application. An enforced configuration packet (ECP) file generator generates an enforced configuration packet (ECP) file from a configuration parameter description file containing a set of configuration parameters. The ECP file includes a set of enforced configuration packets, which each include one of the configuration parameters from the ECP description file and a corresponding configuration parameter fingerprint unique to that particular configuration parameter. At startup of the software application, an ECP file reader validates the ECP file and each of the enforced configuration packets contained in the ECP file. Validation is achieved by regenerating the configuration parameter fingerprint of each configuration parameter and comparing the regenerated fingerprint to the fingerprint contained in the enforced configuration packet.

Abstract: A register optimizing compiler for use in a computer in which the type of a register for storing data to be used in each of a plurality of input operands is limited according to the location of each input operand in an intermediate text, includes an intermediate text creating part; an operand location relocating part; a register selecting part; and an object program creating part.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. Multiple "correct" answers are integrated into the learning system to allow individualized learning experiences in which navigation through the system is at a pace controlled by the learner.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. Multiple "correct" answers are integrated into the learning system to allow individualized learning experiences in which navigation through the system is at a pace controlled by the learner.

Abstract: An intelligent help system which processes information specific to a user and a system state is described. The system incorporates a monitoring device to determine which events to store as data in an historical queue. These data, as well as non-historical data (e.g. system state), are stored in a knowledge base. An inference engine tests rules against the knowledge base data, thereby providing a help tag. A display engine links the help tag with an appropriate solution tag to provide help text for display.