Abstract: A computer-based method for accessing the various individual tools from multiple continuous improvement programs from a single user interface is described. The method includes generating a user interface with a plurality of selectable icons, each icon corresponding to a predefined continuous improvement (CI) cycle step, providing, upon receiving a user selection of one of the CI cycle steps, user selectable process steps to the user interface, providing, upon receiving a user selection of one of the process steps, user selectable tool choices to the user interface, and generating, upon receiving a user selection of one of the tool choices, at least one interactive user interface that provides at least one of an example of the tool choice and instructions relating to the use of the tool choice.

Abstract: A computer-based method for accessing the various individual tools from multiple continuous improvement programs from a single user interface is described. The method includes generating a user interface with a plurality of selectable icons, each icon corresponding to a predefined continuous improvement (CI) cycle step, providing, upon receiving a user selection of one of the CI cycle steps, user selectable process steps to the user interface, providing, upon receiving a user selection of one of the process steps, user selectable tool choices to the user interface, and generating, upon receiving a user selection of one of the tool choices, at least one interactive user interface that provides at least one of an example of the tool choice and instructions relating to the use of the tool choice.

Abstract: System and method for archiving and retrieving documents based on attributes of the document. The attributes are located by a processor that searches the document for a predefined set of attributes. The attributes may be particular words, word locations, font sizes, or other properties that can be located by a computer processor. The values associated with the attributes are stored in an index along with the document location. An attribute search may be performed on the index enabling quick location of documents with similar attributes to the search. A file provided the list of documents in order of similarity is provided as a result of the search. The system and method may further be used to retrieve similar documents by locating documents with similar attribute values to a provided document creating a file linked to the similar documents.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing a digital image stores the original image and a series of codes describing the manipulations performed on the image. Each time the image is retrieved from an original image archive (110) for viewing on a display (120), corresponding codes are retrieved from an original sequence archive (122). If the codes have previously been optimized, the image processing system (108) applies the optimized codes to the image in order to recreate the enhanced image. If the codes have not been optimized, an optimizer (126) combines and reorders the image enhancement codes in light of certain criteria, including minimizing information loss. A strategy used by the optimizer (126) to minimize information loss separates the codes into sequences and then commutes and combines the codes based on the code types. The optimized codes are applied to the image and produce the image that is displayed on the display (120) and saved in the enhanced image cache memory (114).

Abstract: Transformation system 10A transforms target data from data base 11B into target' data by the execution of transform functions on the target data. Transform register 13 stores transformation UIDs (target UIDs and function UIDs and target' UIDs) for providing UID transformation instructions to effect the transformation of target data into target' data. The transform register has target column of rows 13T which store target UIDs identifying target data to be transformed. The transform register also has function column of rows 13F which store function UIDs. The function UID identifies a transform function for execution on the target data identified by the target UID stored in the target column along the same row as the function UID. The transform register also has a target' column of rows 13T' which store target' UIDs. The target' UID identifies target' data transformed from the target data by the execution of the transform function identified by UIDs stored along the same row as the target' UID.

Abstract: A system of data storage tables (10A) include an extendable subject table (12) for storing subject UID entries, and an extendable element table (16) for storing UID element entries and aggregate UID entries and role UID entries. The UIDs stored in the tables specify relationships between the UIDs, and collectively define a tangle (10B) of connecting paths. The tangle spreads out between subject nodes corresponding to subject UIDs, and aggregation nodes corresponding to aggregate UIDs, and role nodes corresponding to role UIDs. Each subject node and aggregation node and role node is path connected through the tangle to other subject UIDs and aggregate UIDs and role UIDs defining the relationship between the UIDs in the tables.

Abstract: A composition of matter for waterproofing a surface of a wall comprising from about 30 to about 55 parts by weight of a polymeric base, said polymer base including from about 20 to about 45 parts by weight of a hydrocarbon resin, and from about 55 to about 80 parts by weight of a copolymer; and from about 45 to about 70 parts by weight of a solvent system, said solvent system including a blend of petroleum distillates and heptane.

Abstract: Provided herein is a waterproofing composition and a method for applying the same to the surface of a wall. The waterproofing composition is polymer-based and includes an improved solvent system containing heptane. Also provided is a wall having a surface coated with the waterproofing composition of the present invention.

Abstract: A dampproofing composition comprising from about 25 to about 80 parts by weight of a polymer based component, from about 15 to about 70 parts by weight of a solvent, and from about 5 to about 60 parts by weight of a processing oil, to total about 100 parts by weight, wherein the solvent produces a substantially homogeneous solution.

Abstract: A method and system for storing and selectively retrieving information, such as words, from a document set. The method includes generating an image data set representative of the information contained in the document set. The method also involves generating a text data set representative of a text portion of the information contained in the document set. A text-image correspondence (TIC) table is generated that includes data representative of coordinates information corresponding to each phrase of the document set. A search phrase is identified in response to user-specified search criteria and the search phrase is identified in the text image data set. Then, the TIC table is used to identify the coordinates information corresponding to the search phrase identified in the text data set. A display of the portion of the page containing the search phrase is generated using the coordinates information.

Abstract: Provided herein is a waterproofing composition and a method for applying the same to the surface of a wall. The waterproofing composition is polymer-based and includes an improved solvent system containing heptane. Also provided is a wall having a surface coated with the waterproofing composition of the present invention.

Abstract: A composition of matter for waterproofing a surface of a wall comprising a hydrocarbon resin, a copolymer and a solvent system, wherein said solvent system comprises an aliphatic component and an aromatic component. Also provided are a method for applying the waterproofing composition, as well as a wall that is waterproofed with the composition.

Abstract: Method and system for selectively retrieving information contained in a stored document set using a metric-based or "fuzzy" finite-state non-deterministic automaton. An automaton is constructed (501) corresponding to a text string query, text strings are read (502) from storage and corresponding dissimilarity values are generated (505). Those strings resulting in values less than a given threshold are recorded (508) and listed for the user. Dissimilarity values are determined based on penalties associated with missing characters, extra characters, incorrect characters, and other differences between the text string query and a text string read from storage.

Abstract: Method and system for selectively retrieving information contained in a stored document set using a non-literal, or "fuzzy", search strategy. A text string query is transmitted (200) to a computer processor, and a dissimilarity value D.sub.i is assigned (208) to selected ones of stored text strings representative of information contained in a stored document set, based upon a first set of rules (106). A set of retrieved text strings representative of stored information and related to the text string query is generated (212), based upon a second set of rules (107). Each of the retrieved text strings has an associated dissimilarity value D.sub.i, which is a function of at least one rule R.sub.n from the first set of rules (106) used to retrieve the text string and a weight value w.sub.n associated with that rule R.sub.n. The retrieved text strings are displayed (216) preferably in an order based on their associated dissimilarity value D.sub.i.

Abstract: A solvent mixture of a petroleum distillate and toluene is disclosed. The solvent is used to dissolve a hydrocarbon resin and block copolymers of styrene and isoprene or styrene and butadiene and the solution is applied to newly constructed basement walls to provide a water-resistant elastomeric coating on the walls.

Abstract: A solvent mixture of a petroleum distillate and toluene is disclosed. The solvent is used to dissolve a hydrocarbon resin and block copolymers of styrene and isoprene or styrene and butadiene and the solution is applied to newly constructed basement walls to provide a water-resistant elastomeric coating on the walls.

Abstract: A solvent mixture of a petroleum distillate and toluene is disclosed. The solvent is used to dissolve a hydrocarbon resin and block copolymers of styrene and isoprene or styrene and butadiene and the solution is applied to newly constructed basement walls to provide a water-resistant elastomeric coating on the walls.

Abstract: A membrane for waterproofing a building component, e.g., a roof or a basement wall. The membrane includes a first layer of asphalt-elastomer blend which preferably is self-adherent to the building component and an overlying layer of plastic film which bears at least one adhesive strip adhered to the plastic film. The membrane is in the form of elongated strips which are overlapped to cover the building component, and the adhesive of each strip ensures a waterproof joint between the laminae of the overlapped strips.

Abstract: An asphaltic coating composition in the form of an emulsion of chemically modified asphalt and a normal, non-modified asphalt in an aqueous emulsification medium. The emulsion can be used as a primer or damp-proof coating and has good adherence to concrete, wooden or asphaltic substrates to yield a coating of excellent physical properties. The chemically modified asphalt and the normal asphalt can be blended prior to emulsification, can be separately emulsified and mixed to form a blended emulsion, or can be individually emulsified in the same emulsification medium.

Abstract: A knitted unidirectional mat of glass rovings, factory coated with elastomeric modified asphalt, is used to reinforce a crack in an old road before applying a new layer of asphalt-based pavement.