Abstract: A lexical knowledge base is compiled automatically from a machine-readable source (such as an on-line dictionary or unstructured text). The preferred embodiment of the invention makes use of “backward linking,” by which inverse semantic relations are discerned from the text and used to augment the knowledge base. By this arrangement, on-line dictionaries and other texts can provide formidable sources of “common sense” knowledge about the world.

Abstract: A method for providing aligned editorial corrections to a database is discussed. The method includes receiving a first text in a language and organizing the first text into one or more sentences. The method further includes editing a copy of the first text to create a second text. The second text is in the language of the first text. The method further includes aligning the sentences of the first text with corresponding sentences of the second text storing the aligned sentences on a computer readable medium. A system for providing a data structure having aligned editorial corrections is also discussed. The system includes an alignment component for receiving a first text and organizing the first text into sentences. The system also includes a user interface configured to provide a second text, wherein the second text is an edited version of the first text in the language of the first text.

Abstract: A system is utilized for determining a relationship between first and second textual inputs. The system identifies constituents in the first textual input, having predetermined characteristics indicative of usefulness in determining the relationship. The relationship is then determined based on the constituents identified. The constituents can be eliminated from the first textual input, weighted in the first textual input, or simply annotated in one of a variety of ways.

Abstract: A system is utilized for determining a relationship between first and second textual inputs. The system identifies constituents in the first textual input, having predetermined characteristics indicative of usefulness in determining the relationship. The relationship is then determined based on the constituents identified. The constituents can be eliminated from the first textual input, weighted in the first textual input, or simply annotated in one of a variety of ways.

Abstract: A system is utilized for determining a relationship between first and second textual inputs. The system identifies constituents in the first textual input, having predetermined characteristics indicative of usefulness in determining the relationship. The relationship is then determined based on the constituents identified. The constituents can be eliminated from the first textual input, weighted in the first textual input, or simply annotated in one of a variety of ways.

Abstract: A system is utilized for determining a relationship between first and second textual inputs. The system identifies constituents in the first textual input, having predetermined characteristics indicative of usefulness in determining the relationship. The relationship is then determined based on the constituents identified. The constituents can be eliminated from the first textual input, weighted in the first textual input, or simply annotated in one of a variety of ways.

Abstract: A system is utilized for determining a relationship between first and second textual inputs. The system identifies constituents in the first textual input, having predetermined characteristics indicative of usefulness in determining the relationship. The relationship is then determined based on the constituents identified. The constituents can be eliminated from the first textual input, weighted in the first textual input, or simply annotated in one of a variety of ways.

Abstract: A method translates a textual input in a first language to a textual output in a second language. An input logical form is generated based on the textual input. When a plurality of transfer mappings in a transfer mapping database match the input logical form (or at least a portion thereof) one or more of those plurality of matching transfer mappings is selected based on a predetermined metric. Textual output is generated based on the selected transfer logical form.

Abstract: A computer implemented method translates a textual input in a first language to a textual output in a second language. An input logical form is generated based on the textual input. When a plurality of transfer mappings in a transfer mapping database match the input logical form (or at least a portion thereof) one or more of those plurality of matching transfer mappings is selected based on a predetermined metric. Textual output is generated based on the selected transfer logical form.

Abstract: An author-oriented document summarizer for a word processor is described. The document summarizer performs a statistical analysis to generate a list of ranked sentences for consideration in the summary. The summarizer counts how frequently content words appear in a document and produces a table correlating the content words with their corresponding frequency counts. Phrase compression techniques are used to produce more accurate counts of repeatedly used phrases. A sentence score for each sentence is derived by summing the frequency counts of the content words in a sentence and dividing that tally by the number of the content words in the sentence. The sentences are then ranked in order of their sentence scores. Concurrent with the statistical analysis, during the same pass through the document the summarizer performs a cue-phrase analysis to weed out sentences with words or phrases that have been pre-identified as potential problem phrases.

Abstract: The present invention can be used in a natural language processing system to determine a relationship (such as similarity in meaning) between two textual segments. The relationship can be identified or determined based on logical graphs generated from the textual segments. A relationship between first and second logical graphs is determined. This is accomplished regardless of whether there is an exact match between the first and second logical graphs. In one embodiment, the first graph represents an input textual discourse unit. The second graph, in one embodiment, represents information in a lexical knowledge base (LKB). The input graph can be matched against the second graph, if they have similar meaning, even if the two differ lexically or structurally.

Abstract: A system is utilized for determining a relationship between first and second textual inputs. The system identifies constituents in the first textual input, having predetermined characteristics indicative of usefulness in determining the relationship. The relationship is then determined based on the constituents identified. The constituents can be eliminated from the first textual input, weighted in the first textual input, or simply annotated in one of a variety of ways.

Abstract: A system filters documents in a document set retrieved from a document store in response to a query. The system obtains a first set of logical forms based on a selected one of the query and the documents in the document set. The system obtains a second set of logical forms based on another of the query and the documents in the document set. The system then uses natural language processing techniques to modify the first logical forms to obtain a modified set of logical forms. The system filters documents in the document set based on a predetermined relationship between the modified set of logical forms and the second set of logical forms.

Abstract: The present invention can be used in a natural language processing system to determine a relationship (such as similarity in meaning) between two textual segments. The relationship can be identified or determined based on logical graphs generated from the textual segments. A relationship between first and second logical graphs is determined. This is accomplished regardless of whether there is an exact match between the first and second logical graphs. In one embodiment, the first graph represents an input textual discourse unit. The second graph, in one embodiment, represents information in a lexical knowledge base (LKB). The input graph can be matched against the second graph, if they have similar meaning, even if the two differ lexically or structurally.

Abstract: An improved pressure swing adsorption process is provided for removing or separating a gas from a mixture of gases. The PSA process comprises selectively adsorbing a gas from the mixture to form a product gas having a reduced concentration of the selectively adsorbed gas and a low pressure purge stream containing a higher level of the selectively adsorbed gas than contained in the mixture. During regeneration of the adsorbent a co-current recycle stream is provided which has a pressure less than the product stream, but greater than the purge stream for recycle to feed so as to minimize loss of the product gas to purge. The PSA process is particularly useful for removing carbon dioxide from coal bed methane.

Abstract: A process for adsorbing hydrocarbons from an acid gas stream includes passing the acid gas stream through an adsorbent which selectively removes hydrocarbons, desorbing the hydrocarbons from the adsorbent and contacting the desorbed hydrocarbons with an acid gas removal solution to remove acid gases which have been coadsorbed with the hydrocarbons. The process is particularly useful in removing hydrocarbons from a hydrogen sulfide-containing stream which is being directed to Claus processing for conversion into elemental sulfur. Useful adsorbents include crystalline titanium silicate molecular sieves containing titania octahedral sites such as ETS-10 and similar materials, as well as high silica aluminosilicate zeolite.

Abstract: A computer implemented method translates a textual input in a first language to a textual output in a second language. An input logical form is generated based on the textual input. When a plurality of transfer mappings in a transfer mapping database match the input logical form (or at least a portion thereof) one or more of those plurality of matching transfer mappings is selected based on a predetermined metric. Textual output is generated based on the selected transfer logical form.

Abstract: A process for adsorbing hydrocarbons from an acid gas stream includes passing the acid gas stream through an adsorbent that selectively removes hydrocarbons, desorbing the hydrocarbons from the adsorbent and contacting the desorbed hydrocarbons with an acid gas removal solution to remove acid gases which have been coadsorbed with the hydrocarbons. The process is particularly useful in removing hydrocarbons from a hydrogen sulfide-containing stream that is being directed to Claus processing for conversion into elemental sulfur. Useful adsorbents include Y-type zeolites having a silica to alumina mole ratio of less than 15 and a reduced sodium content.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process for the separation of nitrogen from a mixture of same with methane, utilizing two separate PSA stages, one containing a nitrogen selective adsorbent and the second containing a methane-selective adsorbent. In the process, the first PSA unit containing a nitrogen selective adsorbent forms a product methane stream and a waste stream rich in nitrogen which is passed to a second PSA unit containing a methane selective adsorbent which forms a product nitrogen stream and a waste stream rich in methane. The waste stream rich in methane can be treated to remove heavy hydrocarbons therefrom before the methane is recycled to feed.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process for the separation of nitrogen from a mixture of of same with methane, utilizing two separate PSA stages, one containing a nitrogen selective adsorbent and the second containing a methane-selective adsorbent. In the process, the first PSA unit containing a nitrogen selective adsorbent forms a product methane stream and a waste stream rich in nitrogen which is passed to a second PSA unit containing a methane selective adsorbent which forms a product nitrogen stream and a waste stream rich in methane. The waste stream rich in methane can be treated to remove heavy hydrocarbons therefrom before the methane is recycled to feed.