Abstract: Children, particularly those younger than 4 years, frequently place foreign objects such as toys and small parts of consumer products in their mouths, nasal cavities and ear canals. These actions not infrequently lead to injury or death. To asses the risk of injury or death in children at the critical stages of child development, accurate computerized and physical models of anatomical areas including the oral cavity, orbit, ear canal and nasal passages that are most often severely injured by foreign body impaction are created. These computer and physical anatomical models are used in combination with computer and physical models of products to assess the possible hazards inherent in a product design and to communicate the risks associated with product design to manufacturers and marketing groups.

Abstract: A simulation method and a simulation apparatus suppress a parabolic increase in depth angle calculation time to a linear increase at most with respect to an increase in the number of depth angle calculation points on a surface string that represents a processing surface to be simulated. The simulation method and apparatus are applicable to a deposition process that deposits metal such as aluminum on a semiconductor substrate in a vacuum with the use of physical adsorption. The simulation method and apparatus are effective, in particular, to quickly calculate depth angles on a two-dimensional shape to a processing surface to which the deposition process is applied. The depth angles are angles in which particles fly toward the processing surface during the deposition process. The simulation method and apparatus trace a surface string representing the processing surface from the origin to the terminal thereof and find depth angles at all points on the surface string.

Abstract: A method for simulating control functions of a control device, in which a control program code for execution of control functions is stored in a first memory area of a memory belonging to the control device, the control program code including one or more control program code modules for the control functions, and containing at least one switching device for switching over from a control program code module SPCM to a simulation program code module. At least one simulation program code module for one or more test control functions is made available in a second memory area of the memory. The switching devices switch over from the control program code module to a pertinent simulation program code module stored in the second memory area. The control program code is then processed, the simulation program code module being executed, via the switched-over switching device, instead of the control program code module.

Abstract: A system is provided which translates phrases from a source language to a target language, and which includes means for continually updating the set of phrases that are known and translatable by the system so as to ensure that the set of phrases accurately reflects the sentences that users most frequently ask to have translated.

Abstract: A computer readable medium has computer executable components that include a morphological analyzer capable of using a corpus of words to automatically form a dictionary containing words associated with respective lemmas and respective parts of speech. The computer executable components also include a dictionary analyzer capable of automatically improving such a dictionary.

Abstract: Auxiliary multi-pulse setting circuit 130 set candidates of pulse positions so that the pulse positions to which no pulse is located are selected in auxiliary multi-pulse searching circuit 131 prior to the pulse positions at which pulses have already been encoded in multi-pulse searching circuit 110. Auxiliary multi-pulse searching circuit 131 generates an auxiliary multi-pulse signal according to the candidates of pulse positions set in auxiliary multi-pulse setting circuit 130 and encodes the auxiliary multi-pulse signal so that difference between the reproduced audio signal which is obtained by driving a linear predictive synthesis filter with the auxiliary multi-pulse signal and an input audio signal is minimized similarly to multi-pulse searching circuit 110.

Abstract: In producing from an original speech signal a plurality of parameters from which an approximation of the original speech signal can be reconstructed, a coded signal of the original speech signal is generated. At least one of the parameters is determined using first and second differences between the original speech signal and the coded signal. The first difference is a difference between a waveform associated with the original speech signal and a waveform associated with the coded signal, and the second difference is a difference between an energy parameter derived from the original speech signal and a corresponding energy parameter associated with the coded signal.

Abstract: Method and system aspects for searching for an optimal codevector from a plurality of codevectors in a codebook, the optimal codevector having a minimum distance to a given vector, are provided. The aspects determine a partial distance with a current vector component of a current codevector and of the given vector, compare the partial distance to a saved renormalized minimum partial distance, and proceed to a next codevector when the saved renormalized minimum partial distance is smaller than the partial distance. In addition, the present invention proceeds to a next vector component when the partial distance is smaller than the saved renormalized minimum partial distance. When the partial distance computed with each next vector component is smaller than the saved renormalized minimum partial distance, the present invention calculates a full weighted distance value, compares it to a saved minimum full weighted distance, and updates chosen values.

Abstract: A method of training at least one new word for addition to a vocabulary of a speech recognition engine containing existing words comprises the steps of: a user uttering the at least one new word; computing respective measures between the at least one newly uttered word and at least a portion of the existing vocabulary words, the respective measures indicative of acoustic similarity between the at least one word and the at least a portion of existing words; if no measure is within the threshold range, automatically adding the at least one newly uttered word to the vocabulary; and if at least one measure is within a threshold range, refraining from automatically adding the at least one newly uttered word to the vocabulary.

Abstract: A network resource system includes a first server which can communicate with a client computer. The first server produces a speech signal representing speech from a user at the client computer, and context information which indicates the semantic context of the user's speech and a predefined format in which data are returned to the first server. A network knowledge server is in communication with and separated from the first server. The network knowledge server returns to the first server a text structure having one or more fields corresponding to the predefined format. The first server uses data from the one or more fields to determine a response to the user's speech.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the method and apparatus for managing multiple speech applications, a common development platform and a common environment are provided. The common environment interfaces with the speech applications, receives information from an application information storage and a plurality of speech input sources, allows the speech applications to execute simultaneously and transitions from one said speech application to another seamlessly. In addition, the speech applications are developed based on the common development platform. Thus, application developers may utilize the common development platform to design and implement the speech applications independently.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of, and a method of, playing audio, the apparatus comprising communicating, processing, and playing means for, and the method comprising the steps of: communicating a user's information preferences to an information provider; receiving, from the information provider, informational items that are responsive to the user's information references; interleaving and sequencing, for the user, a playing of the received informational items with a playing of a plurality of musical items included in an audio library of the user; and playing, for the user and responsive to the interleaving and sequencing, the received informational items within a playing of the plurality of musical items; and wherein the playing comprises a voice synthesizing of an at least one of informational item; wherein the playing is responsive to a schedule preferences of the user; wherein a verified apparent listening of a playing of an informational item is associated with a credit; and/or wherein a user's rec

Abstract: A data processing system and method for customizing a user output of a data processing system are disclosed. According to the method, a user preference for an audio or visual user output of a data processing system is determined. In response to determination of a user output having a first audio or visual frequency, the user output is mapped to a second audio or visual frequency in accordance with the user preference to obtain a customized user output. Thereafter, the customized user output is presented by the data processing system. In accordance with one embodiment, the user preference is determined by administering a test of the user's visual or aural acuity.

Abstract: A camera is targeted using voice recognition analysis. Audio information is received by a talker identification (TID) module from a microphone. The TID module automatically performs a voice recognition analysis on the audio information to uniquely identify which of a plurality of talkers is talking. The camera is automatically controlled to target a camera preset location corresponding to the talker identified to be talking.

Abstract: A speech recognition system which interprets speech queries such as help queries and presents a list of relevant proposed commands sorted in order based upon relevance of the commands. The system organizes the displayed commands being prompted to the user through probability determining means which for each of a predetermined plurality of speech commands store an associated set of speech terms, each term having relevance to its associated command combined with means responsive to a speech query for determining the probability of speech terms from said set in said query, and means responsive to said probability determining means for prompting the user with a displayed sequence of commands sorted based upon said probability of speech terms associated with said commands. When such a sorted command is selected, the system has means responsive to a speech command for carrying out the system action corresponding to the command.

Abstract: A method for adding a spoken language for output generated by a messaging program including a voice messaging program and a voice messaging program running without re-compiling the messaging program includes providing the voice messaging program configured to generate an output message, providing the language server to receive the output message, to receive an ordered plurality of phrase references, to use phrase references from the ordered plurality of phrase references to identify a plurality of spoken phrases, and to output the plurality of spoken phrases, installing a set of language configuration data in a directory in the memory, the set of language configuration data configured to specify an ordered plurality of phrase references to the language server in response to the output message, installing a set of phrase files in a second directory in the memory, each phrase file in the set having an associated phrase reference and configured to store a unique spoken phrase, the set of language configuration d

Abstract: A medical progress note documentation system using an organized “language” of codes (a code consisting of at least two letters of the alphabet), that when entered into a programmed processor in a particular arrangement, will generate a descriptive sentence depicting predetermined, frequently used processes in a medical office. Via a predictable, simple and repeatable “language,” a doctor can utilize the base of approximately 350,000 bytes of medical descriptive terminology to construct his/her particular medical progress note. Upon completion of the patient encounter, the doctor proceeds to write a short “code” (at least 2 letters) in the appropriate box on a predesigned form. One the “language” is learned, this process uses approximately 15 to 90 seconds of the doctor's time. The code is then entered into the programmed processor. The descriptive information corresponding to the code is printed, reviewed and signed by the doctor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacation and holiday scheduling system. The system includes a variety of objects to assist a business in controlling and managing the scheduling of vacations by their employees and for assisting the employees in bidding on vacation days and holidays based upon employee seniority.

Abstract: A computer system, and methods for making and using it, for manipulating digital electrical signals to produce an illustration of a decomposition of property into separately valued components. The computer system includes a digital electrical computer controlled by a processor. There is a first logic means controlling the processor in manipulating digital electrical signals representing input data to the computer, the input data characterizing at least two components decomposed from the property, the manipulating including transforming the digital electrical signals into modified digital electrical signals representing respective values for each of the components, the values being computed to reflect taxation for the components. Input means is coupled to the computer and operable for converting the input data into the digital electrical signals and communicating the digital electrical signals to the computer.

Abstract: The method interactively enables a switching over of the acquisition of charges during the utilization of programmed services or services available via a program. The charge acquisition can be switched over to a personal account, for example, during an Internet session. In a multitasking environment, a separate accounting manager that communicates with an accounting program that runs in parallel in the user environment is provided for each net browser.

Abstract: A smart card, (a type of credit card containing storage capacity and processing ability preferably in the form of a microprocessor), is used to store an electronic ticket provided from the service provider's computer system to the customer's computer over an insecure communications line. Upon the request for a ticket from the customer's computer, the service provider's system transmits a ticket loading request token TLR to the customer's computer to be loaded into a smart card of the customer. The smart card responds to the ticket loading request token TLR by producing a ticket loading token TL containing a hash of the ticket loading request token TLR; the smart card's identifier TID; a secret number GC and ticket loading token TL′ from the previous transaction of the smart card. The hash signal is attached to the ticket loading token TL′ from the previous transaction and shipped back to the ticket provider.

Abstract: The process for usage-dependent determination of costs in making communication links between at least three communication facilities (12) of a group or network (10), which are connected with each other by usage-independent fixed lines, includes assigning a link logical record to each communication link made between the communication facilities (12) and evaluating each link logical record according to usage for usage-dependent determination of costs, so that individual user costs may be reduced according to usage. The link logical record includes all information clearly defining the link including user information and communication path information consisting of a sequence of code numbers describing the sequence in which the other communication facilities are connected when the link is made as the path information.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pattern identifying neural network comprising at least an input and an output layer, the output layer having a plurality of principal nodes, each principal node trained to recognize a different class of patterns, and at least one fuzzy node trained to recognize all classes of patterns recognized by the principal nodes but with outputs set out at levels lower than the corresponding outputs of the principal nodes.

Abstract: Power industry boiler tube failures are a major cause of utility forced outages in the United States, with approximately 41,000 tube failures occurring every year at a cost of $5 billion a year. Accordingly, early tube leak detection and isolation is highly desirable. Early detection allows scheduling of a repair rather than suffering a forced outage, and significantly increases the chance of preventing damage to adjacent tubes. The instant detection scheme starts with identification of boiler tube leak process variables which are divided into universal sensitive variables, local leak sensitive variables, group leak sensitive variables, and subgroup leak sensitive variables, and which may be automatically be obtained using a data driven approach and a leak sensitivity function. One embodiment uses artificial neural networks (ANN) to learn the map between appropriate leak sensitive variables and the leak behavior.

Abstract: An improved method and system for training and classifying using a low complexity and high accuracy multiresolutional polynomial classifier (412) is presented. A method of training an multiresolutional polynomial classifier which reduces the complexity of existing classifiers allows models representing subgroups of classes to easily be created. The models which represent subgroups of classes are applied to an unidentified input to produce a coarse classification of the unidentified input using a low order classifier. Once a coarse classification of the unidentified input is performed, a more detailed classification is performed using another low complexity classifier.

Abstract: The performance of a given computer task is optimized by utilizing a plurality of intelligent agents suited to perform the computer task but having varied degrees of domain knowledge. Based upon an objective criteria that may be determined for a given situation, one of the plurality of intelligent agents may be selected and dispatched to perform the task, thereby optimizing the performance of the computer task for a wide variety of situations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of configuring a set of objects in a computer, each object having at least one possible value, each value being determined or undetermined, and at least one of said object values being accessible to a user for assigning at least one value to be determined or undetermined, said values being constrained by a rule base defining a number of relationships between the values. The undetermined object values are searched in order to find at least one first subset of values, said first subset and a subset of determined values defining at least one first possible configuration of object values satisfying the rule base if said first subset exists, said search being initiated when at least one value of an object is changed or said search being initiated upon a user request.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically evaluating a decisional rule containing a task and a condition which must be fulfilled before the task can be performed and for automatically performing the task when or whenever the condition is fulfilled in which a decisional rule is entered into a computer, parsed, and then processed such that automatic and continuing iterative evaluations of whether the condition is fulfilled are provided until the condition is fulfilled and then the task associated with the decisional rule is automatically performed and whereby further processing is resumed only after the condition is fulfilled.

Abstract: A method of joining two or more sets of data in a database is provided wherein certain dimensions in the fact data are designated as being forced dimensions, and wherein for each forced dimension, a set of entries is created in the fact data each with the same key values in all of the dimensions other than the forced dimension, and each with a different member of the set of values existing in the fact data for that dimension, if and only if at least one entry exists in the fact data with the same set of key values in the dimensions other than the forced dimension.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer-implemented multiple-stage evaluation of a user-defined predicate. A statement is executed in a database stored on a data storage device connected to a computer. The statement is received containing a user-defined predicate with a user-defined function. Then, multiple-stage evaluation of the user-defined predicate is performed.

Abstract: A method and a system of database divisional management for use with a parallel database system comprising an FES (front end server), BES's (back end servers), an IOS (I/O server) and disk units. The numbers of processors assigned to the FES, BES's and IOS, the number of disk units, and the number of partitions of the disk units are determined in accordance with the load pattern in question. Illustratively, there may be established a configuration of one FES, four BES's, one IOS and eight disk units. The number of BES's is varied from one to four depending on the fluctuation in load, so that a scalable system configuration is implemented. When the number of BES's is increased or decreased, only the management information thereabout is transferred between nodes and not the data, whereby the desired degree of parallelism is obtained for high-speed query processing.

Abstract: A text classifier and building the text classifier by determining appropriate parameters for the text classifier.

Abstract: A full group privileges access mechanism which provides security protection for a telecommunications switching system which is accessible by users using a computer. The full group privileges access mechanism contains storage files which store information related to authorized users, a system manager building block which is in communication with the computer, a system security manager client building block which is in communication with the system manager building block, and a system security manager server building block which is in communication with the system security manager client building block. The system manager building block in combination with the system security manager client building block and the system security manager server building block are in communication with the storage files which contain information related to the authorized users.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a search form for accessing directory information is disclosed. The system comprises a server (200) for receiving a directory request, wherein said directory request comprises the search form; a request processor (202) in communication with said server (200), wherein the request processor (202) responds to the directory request; a server control and configuration system (218) in communication with the server (200) for configuring the search form; and an administrative interface (106) in communication with the server control and configuration system (218). The method for creating custom search forms for accessing directory information comprises the following steps: (1) determining an attribute to search; (2) creating a search format; (3) creating an input section, wherein said input section allows a user to enter search data; (4) creating a search request based on said search format and said search data; and (5) creating an action string for submitting said search request.

Abstract: There is provided a method of supplying multi-media data to a client through a network, including the steps of (a) requesting HTTP server to supply data to a client, (b) requesting a database server which is in communication with a plurality of database, to supply data to the HTTP server, (c) requesting a multi-media database storing multi-media data therein and correlating the multi-media data with one another, to supply the multi-media data to the database server, (d) requesting a template database storing template data, to supply the template data to the database server, (e) generating transmission data based on the multi-media data and the template data in the database server, and (f) transmitting the thus generated transmission data to the client through the HTTP server and a network. The above-mentioned method accomplishes data supplying service on a wide-area network through the use of WWW.

Abstract: A distributed computer database system connected to a network, e.g., the Internet or on an intranet, indexes interests of agents that have registered with the system, examines information objects, for example, that reside on the network, and, responsive to a match with the registered agents' interests, specifies to the agents the relevant information objects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for managing a transaction log which contains updates representing operations performed on a database replica in a network of disconnectable computers. The invention provides for compression of the log by the identification and removal of redundant updates. Log compression removes apparent inconsistencies between operations performed on disconnected computers, reduces storage requirements on each computer, and speeds up transaction synchronization when the computers are reconnected. The invention also provides for restoration of prior versions of database objects using the log.

Abstract: An integrated database system and a computer-readable recording medium recorded with a program for managing a database structure thereof which reduce work load and work cost by a relational database and a nonrelational database being integrated into a single system comprising storing means holding a database wherein a single record is made up of a record part of a relational database and a record part of a nonrelational database and the record part of the nonrelational database is made up of a parent record part only or a parent record part and at least one child record part linked to the parent record part and processing means for carrying out relational operation and data manipulation on the database.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture, and a memory structure for displaying and editing data fields in a data file is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a monitor, communicatively coupled to a computer, a window, displayable on the monitor, the window comprising a view of the data fields, the view indicating editable data fields with an indication derived from data structure information. The method comprises the steps of opening the data file and the file with the structure information, determining which of the data fields are editable from the structure information, and displaying a window on a monitor comprising a view of the data records. The data record view includes a view of the data fields that identifies data fields can be edited by the browser.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an object change manager includes methods afterCreation( ), beforeDeletion( ), beforeChange( ) and afterChange( ) that may be invoked when an object is changed. The object change manager automatically updates all data structures, such as indexes and has tables, that correspond to the object being changed when one of these methods is called. The object change manager is an extensible framework that allows a programmer to define custom change management environments. The object change manager of the preferred embodiments is a portion of code that automatically propagates changes to objects to their corresponding data structures in a way that is transparent to the programmer, without requiring excessive overhead in the object infrastructure code.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for accessing a hierarchical database. The database is modeled into an objects framework, wherein the objects framework corresponds to application views, data structures, and data defined and stored in the database. The database is then accessed through the objects framework. A class definition tool generates class definitions for objects that encapsulate or wrapper the data retrieved from the database.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling the real-time processing of large quantities of transactional data by providing a hybrid object-relational database management system for storing such data in optimized data structures in a large, main memory, wherein stored procedures and functions of user-defined types are executed in this main memory as methods of COM objects implemented in C++. The optimized data structures are stored as complex objects in the DBMS. This DBMS comprises a traditional relational DBMS as well as separate containers for storing these complex objects. The complex objects themselves are instances of persistent C++ classes. Instances are referred to by a unique Object Identifier (OID) and stored in the aforementioned separate containers. An SQL query from the client application calls the stored procedure via the method name of the COM object, a copy of which is made available in a main memory address space and dynamically linked to the DBMS process.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are disclosed for morphing an object from one class to another in an object oriented computing environment implemented by a relational database. Object morphing functionality is provided by first defining object classes, class attributes, class relationships, objects, object attributes and object relationships as tables of data in the relational database. In response to user input representing a request to reassign one of the objects from one class to another, a class identifier corresponding to the object in the database tables is changed. The object's edge relationships with other objects are then checked for continued validity and an error message is generated if any such edge relationships are no longer valid. If the object's edge relationships are valid, the attributes of the object are modified to reflect the new class assignment.

Abstract: A data select apparatus is constructed for selecting a desired data item. In the apparatus, an internal memory device memorizes a first set of data items. A peripheral device is provided for accessing an external memory medium. A detector device presents a detection signal when the peripheral device receives the external memory medium for accessing and when the received external memory medium stores a second set of data items upon accessing. A controller device responds to the detection signal for merging the first set of data items retrieved from the internal memory device and the second set of data items retrieved from the external memory medium with each other and for sorting the merged data items in a predetermined order. A display device operates upon presence of the detection signal for displaying both of the first and second sets of the data items in the predetermined order, and operates upon absence of the detection signal for displaying only the first set of data items.

Abstract: A method for managing hierarchal listings of indented caption sets in a relational database of complete listings, comprising the steps of: uniquely identifying each listing by a listing object identifier (LOID); uniquely identifying each caption set within the listings and each level of indentation for each caption set by a caption set object identifier (CSOID); parsing individual words of each listing; creating a relational table indexed by the relational database with an entry for each of the parsed words, each of the entries including a respective LOID and CSOID for each parsed word; searching for caption sets in the relational database by searching the parsed words in the relational table; and, using the LOID and the CSOID as index links to the relational database to retrieve data, for example telephone numbers, stored exclusively in the relational database.

Abstract: A methodology for producing efficient implementations of constructs such as feature tables is disclosed. The method of superimposed coding and the method of inverted list tables are combined. Although they both accomplish similar things, each method has advantages over the other under particular circumstances. The method of superimposed coding is used where feature table rows are “dense” or contain many records of interest, while the method of inverted list tables is used where feature table rows are “sparse” or contain few records of interest. The combination of the two methods results in a synergistic method that loses no accuracy and is generally faster in operation than what could be achieved by the application of either method alone.

Abstract: A method for managing a storage medium includes searching the storage medium for a first file having a reference to a second file that has moved to a new location on the storage medium. The reference is updated such that it indicates that the second file has moved to the new location.

Abstract: The method of the invention updates a tree arranged index for an hierarchical file system (HFS). The index includes at least one index value, i.e., an index page, that is logically positioned between an index anchor value and a sequence page. The sequence page includes actual index data. Logical positioning of the index page is determined by one or more pointers. The method initially responds to an index update request by making an update “shadow” copy of (i) a sequence page and (ii) any other index pages, up to and including a root page, that are to be updated in accord with the update request. Thereafter, an index manager updates the shadow copy of the sequence page in accord with the update request. The index manager further updates the root page and each shadowed index page that is present in a path to the updated sequence page to indicate that the path has been updated and includes the most current data.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining whether a transaction can use a version of a data item is provided. Transaction summary data is generated that is associated with one or more transactions that have updated a version of the data item. The transaction summary data specifies both a data buffer refresh time and a data buffer commit time. The data buffer refresh time is indicative of the latest time at which the version of data is guaranteed to be current. The data buffer commit time is indicative of the commit time of a most recently committed transaction from the one or more transactions that committed after updating the version of the data item. A determination is made, based upon the transaction summary data and a snapshot time used by the first transaction, whether the version of the data item is to be provided to the first transaction. The data buffer commit time is updated to reflect the commit time of other transactions that commit after updating the version of the data item.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining undo and redo contexts in a distributed access environment is described. A first user gains access to data items residing on a database and modifies the data items. The modifications are incorporated into a user activity log. A subsequent user also accesses and modifies the same data items, which modifications are merged into the activity log. The merged activity log forms one sequential well ordered set of actions, including the modification made by the first user and the subsequent user. The user activity logs may be created for individual data items, individual users or for all modifications made to separate data items. A system for combining undo and redo contexts in a distributed access environment is also described.