Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for improving the prioritization of task items of a user within task management systems as for instance in electronic calendar systems or workflow systems. The current invention suggests a computerized prioritization technology which evaluates a specification of an importance function associated with a task item and dynamically determines an importance value of the task item as a function of one or a multitude of context attributes. As the importance functions are reevaluated continuously based on the current values of the context attributes it is achieved that the priority values of task items are adapted dynamically and may change during their lifetime.

Abstract: Scheme for the automated apprehension of textual information conveyed in an input string. The input string is segmented to generate segments and/or semantical units. The following steps are repeated for each segment in the input string until a subset for each segment in said input string is identified: a. identifying a matching semantical unit in a fractal hierarchical knowledge database of semantical units and pointers, said matching semantical units being deemed to be related to a segment of said input string, b. determining the fitness of said matching semantical unit by taking into consideration said semantical unit's associations, c. defining a subset of information related to said matching semantical unit within said fractal hierarchical knowledge database. Then these subsets are combined to form a resulting semantic network.

Abstract: Scheme for processing an input signal A(t) by N resonators (17), each having parameters characterizing it, to generate N individual output signals. Then each of the N individual output signals is weighted using a corresponding weight to generate N individual weighted output signals which are superposed to obtain M output signals C(t). One of the parameters or the weight depend on a time signal P(t).

Abstract: Database system (10) which comprises a fractal hierarchical index database (13), and a processing unit (19). The processing unit (19) is employed to evaluate an input string (12) describing an element (E1) that is to be added to the database system (10) in order to obtain an input network (18) comprising a semantical unit (SU1) representing the element (E1). Then the processing unit (19) updates the index database (13). Finally, either an existing access pointer (22) is maintained, or a new access pointer (22) is created between the element (E1) and the semantical unit (SU1) representing the element (E1) thereby rendering the element (E1) in the database system (10) accessible or retrievable.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device is proposed which comprises a substrate, thereupon a lower cladding layer, thereupon an upper cladding layer and between said cladding layers a waveguide element. The influence of the substrate on the stress-induced birefringence of the optical waveguide device is reduced by modification of the substrate from underneath the waveguide element.

Abstract: A magnetic sensing unit for measuring displacements on a nanometer scale is provided. A moveable part and a fixed part of a microdevice magnetic sensing unit comprises a magnetic element having a magnetic field and a magnetic sensor, the magnetic element being located on the moveable part and the magnetic sensor on the fixed part, or alternatively, the magnetic sensor being located on the moveable part and the magnetic element on the fixed part. The magnetic sensor and/or the magnetic element comprise an integral part of the microdevice. The magnetic element and the magnetic sensor are arranged relative to each other such that when the moveable part is displaced the change of the magnetic field at the magnetic sensor is detectable by use of the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: An optical device with a defined total device stress (&sgr;10) and a therefrom resulting defined birefringence in order to obtain a well defined optical polarization dependence is proposed. It comprises a lower cladding layer (3) with a first refractive index (n3), thereon an upper cladding layer (5) with a second refractive index (n5) and between an optical waveguide core (4) with a third refractive index (n4) which is bigger than the first refractive index (n3) and the second refractive index (n5). The optical waveguide core (4) has a waveguide core stress (&sgr;4) resulting from the manufacturing process and the upper cladding layer (5) is manufactured to have an inherent cladding layer stress (&sgr;5) which together with the waveguide core stress (&sgr;4) results in the total device stress (&sgr;10).