Abstract: A new processing capability for dust enhancement over land or water using image data from the Sea-viewing Wide Field of View Sensor (SeaWiFS) has been developed for Naval meteorology/oceanography (MetOc) operations support. The data are captured via direct broadcast high-resolution picture transmission (HRPT) at Navy Regional Centers in Rota, Bahrain, and Yokosuka, and processed at the Naval Research Laboratory in Monterey. The raw data are calibrated, corrected for missing lines and clutter, corrected for molecular scatter contamination, and enhanced through multispectral combination to yield value added products. The processing has been automated completely such that products, generated upon receipt of data, are hosted upon a password protected website typically 60 to 90 minutes from time of initial capture.

Abstract: An integrated component mounting system that includes a component mounted to a shaft and secured in place by a nut. The component and the nut each define respective annular shaped surfaces. The shaped surfaces are each inclined at a similar angle and are arranged for sliding contact with respect to each other. As the nut is tightened on the shaft, the shaped surface of the nut exerts both radial and axial forces on the shaped surface of the component, thereby automatically centering the component radially on the shaft as well as securing the component at a desired location along the shaft.

Abstract: A shielding disk for managing x-ray emission form a stationary anode x-ray tube is disclosed. The stationary anode x-ray tube includes an anode housing and a stainless steel can that together form an evacuated enclosure and respectively contain a stationary anode and a cathode assembly. The shielding disk, comprised of tungsten, is interposed between the anode housing and the can, and is formed with a region, such as a hole, formed through a central portion thereof. During tube operation, electrons pass through the shielding disk hole to impact a target surface on the anode and produce x-rays. Those x-rays that do not pass through a window defined in the anode housing to exit the tube but instead emanate toward the can, are intercepted and absorbed by the shielding disk before entering the can. This results in a reduced need for lead shielding disposed about external surfaces of the x-ray tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of computer software, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for generating a value-bearing instrument.

Abstract: A computer implemented system provides secure distribution of value-bearing instruments, such as coupons, tickets, gift certificates, money orders and traveler's checks. The distribution system involves three parties which are the consumer of the instrument, the supplier of the instrument and a security party which is referred to as a secure transaction service. The consumer registers with the secure transaction service for identity verification either before or after a transaction is initiated with the supplier of products or services. Verification of the consumer's identity can be established at any required level. In one aspect of the system, the supplier provides the consumer with a confirmation token which the consumer must then provide to the secure transaction service together with identification information of the consumer, so that only the valid consumer can complete the transaction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system provides secure distribution of value-bearing instruments, such as coupons, tickets, gift certificates, money orders and traveler's checks. The distribution system involves three parties which are the consumer of the instrument, the supplier of the instrument and a security party which is referred to as a secure transaction service. The consumer registers with the secure transaction service for identity verification either before or after a transaction is initiated with the supplier products or services. Verification of the consumer's identity can be established at any required level. In one aspect of the system, the supplier provides the consumer with a confirmation token which the consumer must then provide to the secure transaction service together with identification information of the consumer, so that only the valid consumer can complete the transaction.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting information, such as metadata, from a media object, such as a multimedia object or a streaming media object, utilizes a single device (44) to extract the information from a plurality of media objects having different formats. The media object is examined to determine its format (40). The media object is then provided to a multi-format extractor (44), wherein information is extracted from the media object in accordance with the appropriate format. The extracted information is compiled (46) into a singular data structure, such that the format of the universal data structure is compatible with a plurality of media object formats (30).

Abstract: In a computer system having a plurality of modules connected by a bus, wherein the plurality of modules includes a first module and wherein the system has a word width of two or more bytes, a system and method of byte swapping bytes within a word stored in a location on the first module. An address is constructed, wherein constructing an address includes inserting address bits pointing to the location and activating an attribute bit in the address indicating whether bytes within the word should be swapped. The address is driven on the bus and received at the first module. If the attribute bit is active, byte swapping the word.

Abstract: A system and method for searching a network for target content, such as media files, decompose encountered web pages into frafments (218). Each fragment is searched for character patterns, which relate to the target content (220). The results of each fragment search are combined (226) to provide network-based search results to a user, agent, and/or system (228). The system and method search a network in a more efficient manner, and utilize less memory and processing resources, than prior art search engines and/or agents. This is especially applicable to target content that comprises streaming media, multimedia, and metadata related thereto, because of the large amounts of data that are processed.

Abstract: A sleeve or cover for preventing the production of secondary x-ray signal contamination from an analytical x-ray tube is disclosed. The x-ray tube includes an evacuated enclosure in which is disposed a cathode and anode. The sleeve or cover is useful in applications such as x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy for improving the spectral purity of the primary stream of x-rays produced by electron bombardment of the anode target surface by the cathode. In one embodiment, the sleeve is disposed about a portion of the anode substrate, and is comprised of beryllium. Electrons back-scattered from the target surface are attracted to the anode substrate and impact the beryllium sleeve, producing secondary x-rays that are not detected by spectroscopic detectors and are therefore not contaminating to the primary x-ray stream.

Abstract: A vehicle warning system and method. A detector is onboard a first vehicle and automatically detects a travel condition problem encountered by the first vehicle at a first location. A vehicle position locator automatically determines the first location of the first vehicle. A communicator automatically transmits the determined first location and the detected travel condition problem to a second location. In one example, the vehicle is an automotive vehicle, and the second location is a communications center which transmits the determined first location and the detected travel condition problem (such as an icy roadway or a traffic jam) to only those other vehicles headed toward the first location.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system provides secure distribution of value-bearing instruments, such as coupons, tickets, gift certificates, money orders and traveler's checks. The distribution system involves three parties which are the consumer of the instrument, the supplier of the instrument and a security party which is referred to as a secure transaction service. The consumer registers with the secure transaction service for identity verification either before or after a transaction is initiated with the supplier of products or services. Verification of the consumer's identity can be established at any required level. In one aspect of the system, the supplier provides the consumer with a confirmation token which the consumer must then provide to the secure transaction service together with identification information of the consumer, so that only the valid consumer can complete the transaction.

Abstract: Translation of PCI level interrupts into packet based messages for edge event drive microprocessors includes, a bridge device receiving interrupts via an interrupt line from one or more PCI devices. The bridge device further sends an interrupt write packet to a CPU to launch the interrupt routine. The interrupt routine services the interrupt and the PCI device negates the interrupt line. At this point, the CPU generates a non-blocking write. This write causes the bridge to check the level of the PCI interrupt line. If the line is active with the interrupt, another write packet is sent, otherwise the interrupt line is negated and the blocking write is ignored. As a result, the present invention prevents an interrupt from a PCI device from being overlooked, from being missed, or from repeating the interrupt by a microprocessor.

Abstract: Computer implemented training exercises present stimuli to a user and receive responses by the user to the stimuli. The stimuli are specifically selected to challenge and improve a cognitive ability of the user, e.g., the ability to perceive and understand spoken language. As a result, the stimuli cannot be changed or adapted to motivate the user through entertainment. Motivation is therefore provided by periodic reward animations which include persistent plots and characters. Progress indicators represent progress toward reward animations and represent such progression with smooth, entertaining progress animations. Randomly appearing animations and variations in rewards and immediate feedback add to the surprise and curiosity of the user and motivate further correct responses to see further random animations and variations. Progress indicators also represent a relation between the number of steps taking toward completion of a task and a maximum number of steps which should be needed to complete the task.

Abstract: Computer implemented training exercises present stimuli to a user and receive responses by the user to the stimuli. The stimuli are specifically selected to challenge and improve a cognitive ability of the user, e.g., the ability to perceive and understand spoken language. As a result, the stimuli cannot be changed or adapted to motivate the user through entertainment. Motivation is therefore provided by periodic reward animations which include persistent plots and characters. Progress indicators represent progress toward reward animations and represent such progression with smooth, entertaining progress animations. Randomly appearing animations and variations in rewards and immediate feedback add to the surprise and curiosity of the user and motivate further correct responses to see further random animations and variations. Progress indicators also represent a relation between the number of steps taking toward completion of a task and a maximum number of steps which should be needed to complete the task.

Abstract: A modular, scalable high-bandwidth computer architecture. A single integrated router/bridge ASIC defines a family of peripheral controllers that accept high-speed packet switched data, either for routing to other, identical controllers, or for routing to on-board PCI buses, or a combination of the two destinations, depending on the number of ASICs employed and their selectable configuration.

Abstract: Computer implemented training exercises present stimuli to a user and receive responses by the user to the stimuli. The stimuli are specifically selected to challenge and improve a cognitive ability of the user, e.g., the ability to perceive and understand spoken language. As a result, the stimuli cannot be changed or adapted to motivate the user through entertainment. Motivation is therefore provided by periodic reward animations which include persistent plots and characters. Progress indicators represent progress toward reward animations and represent such progression with smooth, entertaining progress animations. Randomly appearing animations and variations in rewards and immediate feedback add to the surprise and curiosity of the user and motivate further correct responses to see further random animations and variations. Progress indicators,also represent a relation between the number of steps taking toward completion of a task and a maximum number of steps which should be needed to complete the task.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the activities conducted on a computer system, which are particularly suited for monitoring personal computer usage are disclosed. An application of this method and apparatus to personal computers is also disclosed.

Abstract: Meta-content analysis and annotation upon the body of email documents, and other electronic documents, and to create a displayable index of these instances of meta-content, which is sorted and annotated by type are provided. In addition, the electronic document is enhanced by providing links for the semantic foci to external documents containing related information.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing metadata associated with media, including multimedia and streaming media, include parsing the metadata into several categories of metadata. The categories of metadata are compared to corresponding categories of metadata obtained from a valid metadata database. The valid metadata database may be obtained from third party databases, referring web pages, and the multimedia/streaming media file itself. The metadata is modified if the comparison indicates that a category of metadata does not match a corresponding category of valid metadata. Modification includes replacing metadata with a corresponding valid metadata, and/or adding metadata to the original metadata.