Abstract: In a patient monitoring system (10), shorter interval physiological parameters and longer interval clinical data are collected from a monitored patient (12). A composite acuity score generator (70) generates or updates a composite acuity score indicative of wellbeing of the patient (12) based at least on the sensed physiological parameters and the longer interval data. A monitor (22, 56) displays current values of at least one of selected sensed physiological parameters, longer interval data, and the composite acuity score.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence or absence of malignant features in medical images, wherein a plurality of base comparison or training images of various types of lesions taken of actual patient is examined by one or more image reading experts to create a first database array. Low-level features of each of the lesions in the same plurality of base comparisons or training images are determined using one or more image processing algorithms to obtain a second database array set. The first and second database array set are combined to create a training database array set which is input to a learning system that discovers/learns a classifier that maps from a subset of the low-level features to the expert's evaluation in the first database array set. The classifier is used to determine the presence of a particular mid-level feature in an image of lesion in a patient based solely on the image.

Abstract: The invention recommends television programs that are similar to shows identified by a user by computing a similarity metric between programs both in a user-specified selected set and in an identified time interval. The selected set comprises programs currently of interest to the user, for allowing the user or viewer to easily select one or more programs of interest. The similarity metric is a sum of weighted scores for each matching attribute between programs in the selected set and programs in the identified time interval. Shows that are actually selected for viewing are observed and the weightings, wi, assigned to each matching program attribute are adjusted, so that over time, the similarity metric, SM, more accurately reflects the viewer's idea of “similar shows.

Abstract: A physiological data analysis component (10) determines a condition of an individual. The physiological data analysis component (10) includes an input component (12) that receives a plurality of different physiological parameters of the individual. A classification component (20) of the physiological data analysis component (10) maps these parameters to a multi-dimensional space having a plurality of regions corresponding to two or more conditions. The classification component (20) determines the condition of the individual based on the region the physiological parameters mapped within. An output component (24) of the physiological data analysis component (10) conveys the condition of the individual to a user of the physiological data analysis component (10).

Abstract: In a patient monitoring system (10), shorter interval physiological parameters and longer interval clinical data are collected from a monitored patient (12). A composite acuity score generator (70) generates or updates a composite acuity score indicative of wellbeing of the patient (12) based at least on the sensed physiological parameters and the longer interval data. A monitor (22, 56) displays current values of at least one of selected sensed physiological parameters, longer interval data, and the composite acuity score.

Abstract: An animated virtual creature is generated on a display such as a television set, in order to simulate a pet or to facilitate user interface functions. In one embodiment, one or more signals corresponding to the program being watched are monitored. When certain events are detected based on this monitoring, the animated character is controlled in a manner that corresponds to the detected event. In another embodiment, the animated virtual creature responds to program selections made by a user in a program recommendation system.

Abstract: An interaction simulator, such as a chatterbot, is connected with an external database, such as an electronic program guide. The information gathered during interaction, particularly conversational, is parsed and used to augment the database data. The interaction simulator may be guided by the data residing in the database so as to help fill in recognizable gaps by, for example, intermittently asking questions relating to the subject data requirement. The interaction simulator may be provided with specific response templates based on the needs of the database and a corresponding set of templates to extract the information required by the database. Another example database may be for recording and indexing by key word stories or other free-form verbal data uttered by the user. The interaction simulator may be programmed to help the user develop the story using templates designed for this purpose.

Abstract: The appearance of a cabinet for a device (e.g., a television) is dynamically controlled. One way of controlling the appearance of the cabinet is by providing a display panel on the cabinet. At least one input is obtained from an input device and processed by a controller. Based on these inputs, the controller sends signals to the display panel to change the appearance of the display panel. Lamps and heat-sensitive materials may be used to effectuate the desired change in appearance. The cabinet display features may be controlled to give the device the appearance of having a persona or of being an independent animate being. For example, lights in the cabinet could flash to suggest the device is laughing in response to the detection of a laugh track in a sitcom being displayed on the device. Patterns and colors can be generated to reflect moods according to the preferences of an interaction-design programmer.

Abstract: An electronic assistant, incorporates electronic functions in a personal object that the user finds indispensable. Examples of personal objects include a cane, a walking stick, a walker, a wheelchair, a personal transportation vehicle, a purse, a key holder, a watch, a pendant, a hearing aid, an eyeglass frame, or a crutch. Electronics may include a PDA, a cell phone, a navigation module, a biosensor module, and an emergency alert module. The navigation module might include a GPS, an altimeter, an electronic compass, and/or a stored map. Biosensors may be directly incorporated into the personal device or communicate with a receiver therein if the biosensor is required to be attached directly to the user's body or surgically implanted. The emergency alert module may include an emergency button, and an emergency notification sequence stored in the electronic assistant capable of calling for assistance through the cell phone.

Abstract: An interaction simulator uses computer vision, and inputs of other modalities, to analyze the user's mental state and/or personality. The mental state and/or personality are classified and this information used to guide conversation and other interaction. In a chatterbot embodiment, the substance of the conversation may be altered in response to the mental state and/or personality class, for example, by changing the topic of conversation to a favorite subject when the user is sad or by telling a joke when the user is in a good mood.

Abstract: An interaction simulator has the ability to dynamically update response templates and response data by retrieving current information from a data source. The interaction simulator may interact verbally or by other means such as gesture, typed text, or other means to generate a “dialogue. ” The interaction simulator, by dynamically updating its responses, is able to be more interesting and useful to users and also more personally relevant than prior art, so-called chatterbots. The device also reduces the required number of rules and library of response data that must be retained compared to prior art conversation simulators. The criteria used to create new response data can come from fixed specifications, for example, the current weather, or from the content of previous conversations (for example, the system creating a new template about a topic indicated by the user to be of interest to him/her).

Abstract: An interaction simulator, such as a chatterbot, is enabled to simulate an awareness of the user to generate an interaction that is more natural and appropriate than prior art chatterbots. For example, the device may employ machine vision to detect the number of persons present or the activity of the user and respond accordingly by interrupting its output or by inviting a conversation or other interaction when a user approaches. The device may modify its responses according to the user's activity, for example, by playing music when the user falls asleep or requesting an introduction when another user speaks. The device may also respond to unrecognized changes in the situation by inquiring about what is going on to stimulate interaction or generate new responses.

Abstract: The present invention is a telephone conversation quality enhancer using an emotional conversational analyzer for analyzing the conversation between a primary party and a secondary party. Its focus is on improving the nature of the conversation quality by first analyzing the nature and quality of the conversation, determining how the analysis fits into a set of conversation conditions, and then determining what conversational aids may be used to assist in the enhancement of the conversation. The apparatus includes a microprocessor which communicates with the first and second telephone units and a database which stores conversational conditions and conversational aids. A conversation analyzer in the microprocessor analyzes the conversation occurring between the first and second telephone units and provides an analysis of the conversation. The microprocessor then applies the conversational conditions to the conversation analysis to select conversational aids.

Abstract: The telephone memory aid provides a database to a primary party for storing and retrieving personal information about a secondary party, including summary information related to communication exchanges between the primary and secondary parties. The summary information includes, for example, the date and time of prior telephone calls and the topics discussed. This secondary party information, including the summaries of prior telephone calls, is available for review by the primary party during future phone calls with the secondary party. The telephone memory aid also facilitates entry of information into the database through speech recognition algorithms and through question and answer sessions with the primary and secondary parties.

Abstract: A modular optimizer, for use in determining a configuration of a production line with one or more component placement machines, is configured to handle precedence constraints. The precedence constraints may be of the form A B MT, which specifies that part A must be placed on a designated assembly board before part B if either part is to be placed by a machine type MT. A given set of precedence constraints includes at least a first class of constraints that apply to only one component placement machine type and a second class of constraints that apply to more than one component placement machine type. Assignment of constraints to the different classes is based on decisions of a part splitter module of the modular optimizer regarding which parts are assigned to which machine types. Each of the constraints in the first class of constraints associated with a given machine type are handled in a corresponding machine module of the modular optimizer.

Abstract: Neural network architectures are represented by symbol strings. An initial population of networks is trained and evaluated. The strings representing the fittest networks are modified according to a genetic algorithm and the process is repeated until an optimized network is produced.

Abstract: Briefly, an alarm system monitors conditions of an independent person, yet one requiring some supervision, such as an elderly person living alone at home. The system monitors a variety of independent signals and combines them to recognize subtle cues that may indicate there will be a need for intervention by a supervisor.

Abstract: Neural network architectures are represented by symbol strings. An initial population of networks is trained and evaluated. The strings representing the fittest networks are modified according to a genetic algorithm and the process is repeated until an optimized network is produced.

Abstract: A modular optimizer, for use in determining a configuration of a production line with one or more component placement machines, is configured to learn a foreign optimizer module associated with a component placement machine type foreign to the modular optimizer. The modular optimizer includes an adapting estimator which estimates an output value, such as a placement cycle time measure, for the foreign optimizer module. The estimated output value may be used in determining the configuration of the production line.

Abstract: The noise associated with conventional techniques for evolutionary improvement of neural network architectures is reduced so that of an optimum architecture can be determined more efficiently and more effectively. Parameters that affect the initialization of a neural network architecture are included within the encoding that is used by an evolutionary algorithm to optimize the neural network architecture. The example initialization parameters include an encoding that determines the initial nodal weights used in each architecture at the commencement of the training cycle. By including the initialization parameters within the encoding used by the evolutionary algorithm, the initialization parameters that have a positive effect on the performance of the resultant evolved network architecture are propagated and potentially improved from generation to generation. Conversely, initialization parameters that, for example, cause the resultant evolved network to be poorly trained, will not be propagated.