Abstract: A system for selling, manufacturing and distributing a custom digital data product from retail stores, over the Internet, over the telephone, or by electronic means (e.g., fax, e-mail, and the like) wherein a customer is provided (e.g., by electronic mail verification) order tracking information. After a customer selects a "set" of sound recordings or data from a library or catalog of such recordings or data and payment or credit is received or verified, an image of the "set" is assembled from a storage or "disk" farm. The image is preferably assembled at a manufacturing facility, e.g., a CD-ROM burner farm, where the product is then made. Every data object on the product may have a code associated therewith for later reference. The disk and burner farms communicate via a high speed communications subsystem to facilitate continuous processing. Upon assembly and manufacture, the product is packaged and shipped.

Abstract: According to the present invention, when image data high-efficiency-coded based on the MPEG standard or the like is clustered at every sector of a predetermined number, a link sector is provided at a connected portion of each cluster and the image data is interleaved and recorded on a mini disc, the image data is recorded on each cluster at the unit of 1GOP. When the mini disc is a preformatted one and a P picture or B picture exists at the starting portion of the cluster, a picture which becomes a predictive standard is encoded as an I picture and recorded on the link sector of the immediately-preceding cluster independently of an original P picture. Upon decoding, when the I picture was not recorded on the link sector of the immediately-preceding cluster, the P picture or the B picture recorded at the starting portion of the cluster is inhibited from substantially being decoded.

Abstract: A component machine testing technique is provided that performs diagnostic analysis on a vibration signal of the component machine that has been separated from power and load machine background noise in a first neural network. The diagnostic analysis, with operator direction through an interactive interface, uses a second neural network in performing a series of diagnostic operations followed by archival of any experience acquired in the testing operation being performed.In the diagnostic analysis, both time based and frequency based vibration signal information from the component machine under test are used together through a simultaneous multiple display interactive interface under operator direction.

Abstract: Signals from sixteen video cameras are selectively captured using three video decoding circuits. Each decoding circuit is selectively connectable to each camera. Each of two A/D converters is selectively connectable to each of the three decoding circuits. Two video field buffers are provided to store, respectively, the digital video signals generated by the two A/D converters.

Abstract: An information providing apparatus identifies a transmission enabled band of a transmission line and selects information conforming to the band, thereby effectively utilizing the transmission band of the transmission line. The apparatus determined a period which is to be required before demanded information is provided and notifies it to the user as a wait period, whereby the apparatus is made convenient for the user to operate. The apparatus is disconnected from the line during the wait period, thereby reducing a waste of a line charge.

Abstract: Immersive video, or television, images of a real-world scene are synthesized, including on demand and/or in real time, as are linked to any of a particular perspective on the scene, or an object or event in the scene. Synthesis is in accordance with user-specified parameters of presentation, including presentations that are any of panoramic, magnified, stereoscopic, or possessed of motional parallax. The image synthesis is based on computerized video processing--called "hypermosaicing"--of multiple video perspectives on the scene. In hypermosaicing a knowledge database contains information about the scene; for example scene geometry, shapes and behaviors of objects in the scene, and/or internal and/or external camera calibration models. Multiple video cameras each at a different spatial location produce multiple two-dimensional video images of the scene. A viewer/user specifies viewing criterion (ia) at a viewer interface.

Abstract: A method for testing the authenticity of a data carrier having at least an integrated circuit with memory units and logic units as well as a data line for data exchange with an external device. The invention is characterized in that the integrated circuit additionally has a separate hard-wired circuit for transmitting and/or receiving data during the power-up sequence, which is used for authenticity testing, the first transmission or reception of data being completed within a defined time domain of the power-up sequence in which the data line has no defined state.

Abstract: A technique for interactively analyzing system log-files. System log-files, which are monitored by technical personnel and systems specialists to determine system performance, status, and software faults, are often generated during various hardware and software monitoring operations. Each log-file contains time stamped reports. This technique is especially useful for analyzing large log-files. A new release of software may contain many incremental versions that must be tested. The testing of each incremental version may generate a log-file containing thousands of reports. Using this technique, reports are correlated, faults are isolated, and temporal patterns are recognized more quickly and efficiently than by using conventional, non-graphical techniques.

Abstract: A variable-speed communication and reproduction system consists of a server and a client device, and comprises a variable-speed data supplier for supplying a requested data set at a play speed specified by the user. The variable-speed data supplier includes the server. A control data communication system and a time-series data communication system are also included in the data supplier, which connect the server and the client. The communication and reproduction system further comprises a variable-speed reproducer for reproducing the data set supplied from the variable-speed data supplier at the specified play speed by adjusting the pitch of audio and the video frequencies, and a play speed setter responsive to the specified play speed for setting the specified play speed to the variable-speed data supplier and the variable-speed reproducer.

Abstract: An automated system and method for producing a work breakdown structure for a project, such as a software development project. The resulting work breakdown structure provides a common framework for communicating cost, scope and schedule information relating to the project. The system includes a function point component list which identifies the files and tables which represent the product to be developed for the project or projects. The function point component list also contains information about the elementary transactions by which each file or table is modified or maintained. The system further includes a work breakdown structure template file, in which a list of identifiable tasks and resources required to accomplish a project is maintained. Using the function point component list and the work breakdown structure template file, the system generates an electronic work breakdown structure output file in which information about the total work required to accomplish the objectives of a project is stored.

Abstract: A multimedia data encoding and decoding system capable of handling various types of data arranged in variable-size blocks. Frames of image, graphics and text data are supplied to a frame buffer. In response to an encoding command from a CPU, an MPEG encoder compresses the data from the frame buffer in accordance with the MPEG compression algorithm, and outputs to a texture buffer a variable-size data block that corresponds to the frame portion to be displayed. The size of the data block is set by the CPU, and may vary from one macroblock to, e.g., 22.times.16 macroblocks (one frame for MPEG-1). An MPEG decoder reads the variable-size data block from the texture buffer, decompresses and supplies it to a graphics engine that manipulates various type of data to create a picture to be displayed at a video monitor.

Abstract: An interactive multi-media presentation and marketing apparatus for a business entity to present its products to an audience, and to monitor and track the responses from the audience. The apparatus includes a self-contained stand-alone housing for containing a computer, a touch-screen monitor, and a business card scanner. When a user inserts the user's business card into the business card slot on the housing, the computer is programmed to operate the business card reader for scanning, and to retrieve and store information on the business card of the user. When the user elects to type-in the user's information on the touch-screen monitor, the computer is programmed to operate the touch-screen monitor for receiving, retrieving and storing information typed-in by the user. The computer has massive data storage and retrieval devices for storing and retrieving information on the business entity's products, and is programmed to present the information to the user based on the user's request.

Abstract: A system for mainly transferring various information of a newspaper, a magazine, an advertisement, and the like by dot data is provided. Data information provided from a newspaper company, publishing companies, and the like is converted into electronic press information via an electronic press producer 20. The electronic press information is dispatched from a center to an information vending machine through a satellite line or a terrestrial line. Dispatched press data is once accumulated to a recording unit in the information vending machine. When it is identified that an information fee has been paid by cash or a prepaid card, desired data in the information accumulated in the recording unit is written into a recording medium such as an IC card or the like of a consumer.

Abstract: A multimedia information processing apparatus comprises information source processing portions, element packet processing portions, packet processing portions, transmission path processing portions, an information source processing portion bus, an element packets processing bus and a packet multiplexing bus. A multimedia information processing apparatus is divided into a plurality of layers, and interface signals are defined between each processing portion and each processing is connected via buses. Contents such as broadcasting, communication and storage are secured by an editing unit comprised of a computer and by expansion of units via bus. Bus connection enables editing processing portions such as a complex processing portion including a plurality of processing portions and a computer to expand functions of a multimedia information processing apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sharing integrated testing services with a plurality of autonomous remote clients is disclosed. In the disclosed method, in response to an access request message, a process controller transmits an access enabling message to the remote client. The access enabling message includes instructions performable by a remote client to generate test equipment commands. A process controller interprets and transforms these commands into automated test instrument suite commands, which are provided to laboratory modules to perform the indicated tests. Test data results are then obtained and transmitted to the remote client.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a time domain reflectometry (TDR) signal to generate an output result corresponding to a valid process variable. The method includes the steps of processing the TDR signal using at least two different techniques for detecting a valid reflection pulse generated by the process variable to calculate an independent result using each of the at least two techniques, and applying a weighted factor to the independent results from each of the at least two different techniques to provide weighted output results. The method also includes the steps of comparing the weighted output results, and selecting the valid output result from the weighted output results based on the comparing step. In the illustrated method, the comparing step includes the step of summing the weighted factors for each independent result.

Abstract: A system for generating a signal for coupling digital audio, video and data signals in compressed form via a bus. A processing means formats the digital audio, video and data signals into superpackets for transmission via the bus. Each superpacket comprises a timestamp, and a transport packet, representative of the digital audio, video and data signals. The superpackets have a fixed duration and occur at variable intervals. Devices receive the superpacket signal and may utilize the timestamps for clock synchronization. A recording and replay device processes the variable superpacket signal occurrence for recording. Reproduced timestamps are utilized to control restoration of the superpacket signal to have substantially the duration and occurrence as when formatted for bus transmission. A simplified bus couples superpackets between devices. An indicia is added to a superpacket signal to provide automatic control of device bus interfaces.

Abstract: Systems and processes of the invention allow a computer to connect to a server of an Internet site for executing an application program that is stored on a disk linked to that server. Specifically, processes are disclosed that provide a data transport interface for connecting to the server. The processes transport from the server a server address signal representative of a network address of the server, and a path name signal representative of a file system that includes an application program. The process further generates a mount request as a function of the path name signal and transports the mount request to the server to direct the server to provide an array of server file pointers that point to a file descriptor representative of the file system that includes the application program.

Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed that allow a computer to connect to a server of an Internet site for executing an application program that is stored on a disk linked to that server. Specifically, processes are disclosed that provide a data transport interface for connecting to the server, transport from the server a server address signal representative of a network address of the server, and a path name signal representative of a file system that includes an application program. The process further generates a mount request as a function of the path name signal and transports the mount request to the server to direct the server to provide an array of server file pointers that point to a file descriptor representative of the file system that includes the application program.

Abstract: A local region image tracking apparatus continuously tracks an arbitrary local region within a search image that is described by search image data by comparing the search image data to be subjected to a tracking process out of input image data picked up by image pickup means with reference image data related to the arbitrary local region. The local region image tracking apparatus includes an image data bus transferring the input image data from the image pickup means, and a plurality of correlation tracking processors coupled in parallel to the image data bus and respectively capable of independently carrying out the tracking process with respect to at least one search image, where the tracking process with respect to one or a plurality of search images is distributively carried out by the correlation tracking processors.