Abstract: An interface device for connecting to and retrieving data from a remote computer system, and method of compressing, decompressing and transferring data therefor. A user may set transfer constraints on the interface device. The interface device may be a web browser. The user selecting a web site requests data, normally image data from a remote computer system. The interface device includes a cache memory where generic objects may be stored. Each generic object corresponds to an original object in the requested data. Depending on the data transfer constraints, instead of retrieving the entire image, e.g., web page image, unaltered from the host system, a compact generic image is retrieved, initially, wherein generic objects are substituted for each corresponding original object. A pseudo-image is displayed, with the generic objects substituted for corresponding original objects. Subsequently received original objects may be substituted for generic objects as each original object is received.

Abstract: An interface device for connecting to and retrieving data from a remote computer system, and method of compressing, decompressing and transferring data therefor. A user may set transfer constraints on the interface device. The interface device may be a web browser. The user selecting a web site requests data, normally image data from a remote computer system. The interface device includes a cache memory where generic objects may be stored. Each generic object corresponds to an original object in the requested data. Depending on the data transfer constraints, instead of retrieving the entire image, e.g., web page image, unaltered from the host system, a compact generic image is retrieved, initially, wherein generic objects are substituted for each corresponding original object. A pseudo-image is displayed, with the generic objects substituted for corresponding original objects. Subsequently received original objects may be substituted for generic objects as each original object is received.

Abstract: A programmable alarm clock system, method of operation and program product therefor with sleep analysis to identify and wake a person during non-REM sleep patterns, resulting in less subsequent drowsiness and better day-to-day functioning. The programmable alarm clock system includes at least one brain activity sensor attachable to a head of a sleeper. Brain activity signals from the sensor(s) are sent to a receiver at a local computer. The user, before retiring inputs a wake up time and attaches the sensor(s). The local computer sends brain activity signals to a remotely connected sleep analyzing server which analyzes the brain activity and identifies REM sleep periods and non-REM sleep periods. The labeled brain activity periods are returned to the local computer which waits for the wake up time. Then, the local computer sets an alarm time by adjusting the wake up time to coincide with a non-REM sleep period, if necessary and if possible.

Abstract: This patent describes a novel system, method, and program product that are used in interactive natural language dialog. One or more presentation managers operating on a computer system present information from the computer system to one or more users over network interface(s) and accept queries from the users using one or more known input/output modalities (e.g. Speech, typed in text, pointing devices, etc.). A natural language parser parses one or more natural language phrases received over one or more of the network interfaces by one or more of the presentation managers into one or more logical forms (parsed user input), each logical form having a grammatical and structural organization. A dialog manager module maintains and directs interactive sessions between each of the users and the computer system.

Abstract: A method of language recognition wherein decoding ambiguities are identified and at least partially resolved intermediate to the language decoding procedures to reduce the subsequent number of final decoding alternatives. The user is questioned about identified decoding ambiguities as they are being decoded. There are two language decoding levels: fast match and detailed match. During the fast match decoding level a large potential candidate list is generated, very quickly. Then, during the more comprehensive (and slower) detailed match decoding level, the fast match candidate list is applied to the ambiguity to reduce the potential selections for final recognition. During the detailed match decoding level a unique candidate is selected for decoding. Decoding may be interactive and, as each ambiguity is encountered, recognition suspended to present questions to the user that will discriminate between potential response classes.

Abstract: A method for promoting use of a product having an adaptation module is provided comprising the steps of: providing sample data of a person; accessing the sample data associated with the person; using the sample data to adapt the product to the person utilizing the adaptation module of the product; making the product available to the person; tracking use of the adapted product by the selected person; storing data in the person database as tracking data associated with the selected person; obtaining feedback data from the selected person regarding the selected person's satisfaction with the product; storing the feedback data in the person database in association with the selected person; incorporating the tracking data and the feedback data associated with the selected person into an advertisement; and advertising the product.

Abstract: A method of language recognition wherein decoding ambiguities are identified and at least partially resolved intermediate to the language decoding procedures to reduce the subsequent number of final decoding alternatives. The user is questioned about identified decoding ambiguities as they are being decoded. There are two language decoding levels: fast match and detailed match. During the fast match decoding level a large potential candidate list is generated, very quickly. Then, during the more comprehensive (and slower) detailed match decoding level, the fast match candidate list is applied to the ambiguity to reduce the potential selections for final recognition. During the detailed match decoding level a unique candidate is selected for decoding. Decoding may be interactive and, as each ambiguity is encountered, recognition suspended to present questions to the user that will discriminate between potential response classes.

Abstract: An emergency backup system, method and computer program product for backing up data on one or more computers located in an identified danger zone. When an emergency occurs, computers in the danger zone are connected to a network. The computers may be distributed at various remote locations. The protected locations each include a sensor for sensing an emergency situation and signaling the local computer of an impending emergency. The sensor also signals remote computers of the occurrence of the emergency. The computers may have been connected together over a network or, upon receiving an emergency signal, may connect together into a backup network. Local computers in the danger zone are connected across the network to remote computers with sufficient available storage to backup data from a connected local computer. The backup may be a full backup, a partial backup or a selective backup. The computers may include PCs, PDAs and servers. The network may be a LAN, a wireless network, a phone network or a WAN.

Abstract: A removable data storage unit for an image capturing device. The data storage unit may be a film storage cylinder and the image capturing device may be a camera. An energy storage source is contained within a plastic film storage cylinder. The battery may be a rechargeable battery. The film storage cylinder includes a pair of electrical contacts, each of the pair being located at opposite ends of the cylinder and connected to a corresponding one of a pair of electrical contacts internally mounted within the film storage cylinder.