Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a device or component are provided. In particular, a controller and/or a field device may be adapted to transmit monitoring data associated with the field device or component to the computer system when an amount of time that the field device has been in operation is greater than a predetermined amount of time. Also, a server can be adapted to access the monitoring data, and to transmit a request to replace the field device and a recommendation for maintenance to be performed on the field device independently from a performance of the field device.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an application of combinatorial materials development with minimum materials development, minimum variance, and maximum integration is provided. The embodiment is directed to a method of project development of a combinatorial materials development process using DFSS techniques having four major elements. The first element is the use of a design for six sigma (DFSS) process mapping to convert a complex and disorganized process structure to an organized structure that can be further analyzed. The second element comprises the use of quality function deployment houses as a method of flowing critical to quality characteristics (CTQ) through a research project. The third element comprises a transfer function that connects the overall steps of the project to the output which is measured as variability not as mean. Score cards are used as the “function” to total the variabilities of each process step.

Abstract: The ability to perform Assembly/Disassembly analysis of one or more components of the geometric model (e.g., a CAD model) of a multi-component assembly is helpful for design, construction and tear-down, maintenance (in-place and replacement), and reuse/recycling of the assembly. To facilitate assembly and disassembly analysis of geometric models, methods have been developed which allow generating, editing, validating and animating/digitizing assembly/disassembly sequences and directions for 3D geometric models, e.g., CAD models. These methods allow assembly/disassembly analysis to be performed based on non-contact geometric reasoning (i.e., spatial reasoning rather than contact reasoning) to determine an optimal non-interfering sequence (a valid sequence) to disassemble/assemble the modeled components.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for modeling noise present in an integrated circuit substrate are disclosed. A position on a surface of the integrated circuit substrate is obtained. A combination of layers associated with the position and defining a vertical column beneath the position is ascertained. A doping profile associated with the combination of layers is obtained. The doping profile includes a plurality of portions, each of which is associated with a different range of substrate depth. Noise in the integrated circuit substrate is then modeled using the obtained doping profile.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of logic simulation performed by a simulator for solving the problem of the false unknown state. The method includes steps of defining a high potential state, a low potential state, an unknown state and an inverse unknown state for a plurality of nodes of a logic circuit, obtaining a plurality of truth tables according to the high potential state, the low potential state, the unknown state and the inverse unknown state, and achieving the logic simulation according to the plural truth tables.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for selectively inferring latch elements in a circuit design from an event-driven hardware description language (HDL) file to an event-independent format. The method includes modeling the file as a plurality of data flow equations, analyzing the plurality of equations for uninitialized variables, and placing a latch at any utilized, uninitialized variable. Control signal information for an inferred latch is also derived during the data flow analysis.

Abstract: An operating system is simulated to run in conjunction with a native operating system, allowing processes originally developed for the operating system being simulated to be ported to the environment of the native operating system with a minimum of effort. Ported processes will consume resources of both operating systems, the native operating system and the simulated operating system, that are cleaned or otherwise removed when the ported process ends by setting up a monitoring facility to detect when the ported process ends. When that occurs, the simulated operating system resources are cleaned by a cleanup process that impersonates the ported process that ended. The cleanup process is also monitored, so that when it ends, additional cleanup processes are called into action to cleanup the system resources of the remaining simulated operating system used by the ported process that ended, and the system resources used by the cleanup process.

Abstract: An adapter program couples a legacy operating system to a driver program of an I/O channel which has an incompatible interface to a native operating system. The adapter program includes a translator which receives legacy control structures from the legacy operating system that represents a legacy I/O instruction. The adapter program also includes an interface to the driver program which simulates the native operating system interface. The adapter program further includes an emulator for performing the I/O instruction by interacting with the driver program thru the simulated native operating system interface.

Abstract: A speech reconstruction method and system for converting a series of binned spectra or functions thereof such as the Mel Frequency Cepstra Coefficients (MFCC), of an original digitized speech signal, into a reconstructed speech signal, where each binned spectrum has a respective pitch value and voicing decision. The binned spectra are derived from the original digitized speech signal at successive instances by multiplying each estimate of the spectral envelope by a predetermined set of frequency domain window functions and computing the integrals thereof. At each respective time instance, harmonic frequencies and weights are generated according to the respective pitch value and voicing decision. Basis functions having bounded supports on the frequency axis are each sampled at all said harmonic frequencies, which are within its support and multiplied by respective harmonic weights.

Abstract: A method for transmitting speech of a first person communicating with a second person via a packet switched network comprising: generating a stream of samples of the first person's speech during the communication; parsing the sample stream into audio frames; determining which audio frames correspond to periods when the first person is speaking and which correspond to periods when the first person is silent; transmitting audio frames corresponding to silent periods and speaking periods of the first person's speech; and transmitting at least some of the audio frames corresponding to speaking periods, but none of the audio frames corresponding to silent periods, at least twice.

Abstract: In an audio coding and quantization method, each of spectral subband components of an audio signal is quantized whereby a quantizer step size for a related one of spectral subbands is obtained from a bit allocation. The bit allocation is controlled for each subband by using a psychoacoustic model. During the controlling, a quantization of frequency domain values of a related one of blocks is calculated through a first control loop, the first control loop being repeated until a bit rate requirement is met. A quantization noise for each subband, produced within the first control loop, is calculated through a second control loop, the second control loop being repeated until a masking requirement is met. The first control loop and the second control loop are alternately performed for the related block such that both the requirements are met, and, thereafter, an output vector of quantized frequency domain values is finally produced.

Abstract: A voice recognition system for use with a communication system having an incoming line carrying an incoming signal from a first end to a second end operably attached to a speaker and the outgoing line carrying an outgoing signal from a microphone near the speaker. A first speech recognition unit (SRU) detects selected incoming words and a second SRU detect outgoing words. A comparator/signal generator compares the outgoing word with the incoming word and outputs the outgoing word when the outgoing word does not match the incoming word. The first SRU may be delayed relative to the second SRU. The SRU's may also search only for selected words in template, or may ignore words which are first detected by the other SRU. A signaler may also provide a signal indicating inclusion of one of the selected words in a known incoming signal with an SRU being responsive to that signal to ignore the included one command word in the template for a selected period of time.

Abstract: In a speech recognition device (1) comprising receiving means (36) for receiving voice information (AI) uttered by a speaker and including speech coefficient memory means (38) for storing a speech coefficient indicator (SKI, PRI, SMI, WI) and including speech recognition means (42) which are arranged for recognizing text information (RTI) corresponding to the received voice information (AI) by evaluating the voice information (AI) and the speech coefficient indicator (SKI, PRI, SMI, WI), and including correction means (49) for correcting the recognized text information (RTI) and for producing corrected text information (CTI), text comparing means (52) are provided for comparing the recognized text information (RTI) with the corrected text information (CTI) and for determining at least a correspondence indicator (CI) and the adjusting means (50) are provided for adjusting the stored speech coefficient indicator (SKI, PRI, SMI, WI) by evaluating only one of such text parts (P2) of the corrected text information

Abstract: Probabilistic recognition using clusters and simple probability functions provides improved performance by employing a limited number of clusters each using a relatively large number of simple probability functions. The simple probability functions for each of the limited number of state clusters are greater in number than the limited number of state clusters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for matching a first sequence of patterns representative of a first signal with a second sequence of patterns representative of a second signal. The system uses a plurality of different pruning thresholds (th) to control the propagation of paths which represent possible matchings between a sequence of second signal patterns and a sequence of first signal patterns ending at the current first signal pattern. In particular, the pruning threshold used for a given path during the processing of a current first signal pattern depends upon the position, within the sequence of patterns representing the second signal, of the second signal pattern which is at the end of the given path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of automatic recognition of an at least partly spelled speech utterance, with a speech recognition unit (2) based on statistical models that include a linguistic speech model (6).

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a speech problem includes the steps of presenting a symbol representative of a word and prompting the user to pronounce the word represented by the symbol into an audio input device such as a microphone in signal communication with a processor. Next the therapist enters a phonetic representation of the user pronunciation into an operator input and storage device, the phonetic representation subsequently downloaded into the processor. It is then automatically determined whether an error exists in the user pronunciation. If an error exists, the error is automatically categorized.

Abstract: A speech synthesizer includes plural synthesis engines each having different characteristics and converting text-form utterances into speech form. One of the synthesis engines is selected as the current operative engine for producing speech-form utterances for a speech application. If the overall quality of the speech-form utterance produced by the text-to-speech converter of the current operative synthesis engine becomes inadequate, a different engine is selected as the current operative synthesis engine.

Abstract: The invention concerns a personal data archive system with portable personal storage devices allowing the owner to enter and store personal data. Authorization checking devices are allocated to the storage devices and grant access to at least some of the personal data stored in the storage devices only in the event of a positive authorization and/or authentication.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing lease insurance information, including a memory device for storing information for generating at least one of an insurance premium and an insurance policy for providing insurance for at least one of excess wear and tear for a leased entity and post warranty repairs for a leased entity, a processor for generating information concerning at least one of an insurance premium and an insurance policy for providing an insurance policy or an insurance product, and a device for displaying or outputting information concerning the insurance premium, the insurance policy, or the insurance product. The processor generates a fifth data set containing information regarding at least one of a liability, a potential liability, and a risk of loss, associated with the insurance policy or the insurance product.

Abstract: This invention allows a toll authority to monitor transaction numbers which are sent from a transponder (14) to an interrogator (12). By incrementing the transaction counter stored in the transponder with successful transactions the toll authority can ascertain whether accounting of a transaction has been missed (i.e., a transaction number missing from the sequence), or double-counted (i.e., two transactions with the same transaction number).

Abstract: An electronic advertisement method and system for an Internet browser with a book-like page-based flipping interface. Full pages of electronic advertisements are presented as needed on the computer screen without obstructing the viewing and reading of other contents. This benefits both the viewer as well as the advertiser. An advertisement matching/delivery system provides a novel method of inserting advertisements into content as well as a novel method for revenue sharing among the parties involved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for facilitating the sale and shipment of cores. The system includes a host processor that stores and processes data supplied by a plurality of vendors. The data includes the type quantity and asking price of cores the vendors have available for sale. The data is transferred from the host processor over a data link to a remote terminal for display to a purchaser of cores. An order is communicated from the purchaser to the host computer. The order includes an offer price to purchase at least one of the cores displayed on the remote terminal. The host processor compares the offer price with the asking price, and when the offer price meets or exceeds the asking price for a core, notifies the vendor of the core and the purchaser that a sale has been made.

Abstract: A method secures software in a computer system that has one or more fixed disk drives. Each fixed disk drive is configured with a predetermined system serial number, such that each fixed disk drive has the same system serial number. Software is received with an associated target serial number. The associated target serial number is compared to the system serial number on every fixed disk drive. The file is installed when the system serial number on every fixed disk drive is the same as the associated target serial number. A computer program product embodies the method described above.

Abstract: A cashierless shopping store includes a plurality of shopping carts into which selected items to be purchased are placed by shoppers. Each of the shopping carts includes a weight detector to measure the weight of items placed therein and a transmitter to transmit the measured weights over a wireless communications link. A portable wireless shopping terminal accompanies each of the shopping carts. Each shopping terminal reads item price and item weight data from each selected item to be purchased and receives the measured weight of each selected item transmitted over the wireless communication link by the transmitter. The shopping terminal compares the read item weight data with the transmitted measured weight to determine if the read item weight data and the transmitted measured weight for each selected item correlate.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically classifying a print medium entering a printing device as being a print medium type having known properties relevant to print operations. A detection system captures data indicative of optical characteristics of the incoming medium. The data is spectrally examined to derive frequency-related information. At least one neural network utilizes the frequency-related information to determine a medium type. In one embodiment, a major category network determines the medium type as one of five major medium types. Subsequently, the medium is subjected to analysis with a specific neural network for differentiating the identified major media type into narrower categories. Each neural network comprises a layer of adaptive decision-making nodes. Each node includes an activation function for processing the sum of multiple weighted inputs for generating an output. The output is directed to the output level that is at least partially utilized for a medium type determination.

Abstract: An optimization system is provided utilizing a Bayesian neural network calculation of a derivative wherein an output is optimized with respect to an input utilizing a stochastical method that averages over many regression models. This is done such that constraints from first principal models are incorporated in terms of prior art distributions.

Abstract: A system and method for providing computerized, knowledge-based medical diagnostic and treatment advice. The medical advice is provided to the general public over a telephone network. Two new authoring languages, interactive voice response and speech recognition are used to enable expert and general practitioner knowledge to be encoded for access by the public. “Meta” functions for time-density analysis of a number of factors regarding the number of medical complaints per unit of time are an integral part of the system. A semantic discrepancy evaluator routine along with a mental status examination are used to detect the consciousness level of a user of the system. A re-enter feature monitors the user's changing condition over time. A symptom severity analysis helps to respond to the changing conditions. System sensitivity factors may be changed at a global level or other levels to adjust the system advice as necessary.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing entries stored in an electronic database where each entry comprises a succession of data values of correlated variables. The entries are processed in order to provide predictions of future data values of the correlated variables. The invention has particular application to processing data entries that relate to customers of a bank or retail business so as to predict future data values of attributes of the customers. A prior distribution over the parameters of a first of the variables is accessed from the database and data values of the first variable are used to derive a posterior distribution of the parameters of the first variable. A prior distribution over the parameters of a second of the variables is accessed from the database, the second of the variables being correlated with the first. Data values of the second variable are accessed to derive a posterior distribution of the parameters of the second variable.

Abstract: A technique for determining an optimal number of tasks for processing requests is provided. It is determined whether there are one or more first requests that have not been processed. A parallelism assessment is performed for simulating the assignment of said first requests to one or more task representations.

Abstract: A method and system for graphically representing a plan for a query in a relational database management system is disclosed. The method includes receiving and processing an input query to form a plurality of plans, selecting at least one plan of the plurality of plans, and transforming the selected plan into a self-describing formatted file which is platform independent. The method further includes generating a graph representing the selected plan from the self-describing formatted file.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and mechanism for calling on external procedure in a database system in which the external procedure contains embedded database query language statements. According to an aspect of the invention, the external procedure executes using the same database connection and transaction as the original calling entity for that external procedure.

Abstract: Methods and Systems for finding a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that points to a most updated authoritative source of information contained in database systems, including crawling websites to determine likely publicly available records and processing the likely publicly available records to determine a unique list of URLs each of which point to information content of crawled web sites that are likely to be the most updated authoritative source of the information content.

Abstract: A content searching/providing system searching a record content from a randomly accessible memory storing contents and providing the record content to a user is provided. The system comprises: a content classification unit classifying the record contents of the memory in accordance with a predetermined rule; a channel assignment unit assigning a virtual channel to each classification; a content arrangement unit arranging the record contents classified into the same classification on the corresponding virtual channels; a user operation receiving unit receiving a user operation for commanding channel selection and content search on a channel; and a content providing unit acquiring a record content from a selected virtual channel in response to the user operation received via the user operation receiving unit and providing the record content.

Abstract: A system and method for retrieving information in a distributed table by partitioning a search key. A packet processor may generate a search key for a received packet of data. The packet processor may partition the search key into a plurality of segments where the length of each segment corresponds to a size of a particular layer of a table. The packet processor may read a particular entry in a particular layer, e.g., the first layer, of the table using a value of the segment, e.g., the first segment, associated with that layer. A determination may be made to determine if the particular entry read stores a pointer that points to the next level of the table. If so, then the packet processor may read a particular entry in the next level of the table using the value of the next segment of the plurality of segments.

Abstract: A computing system and method explores a knowledge repository by accepting a natural language query from a user, determining a distance between the query and every category in every partitioning of the knowledge repository, and displaying a radial graph (322) of the nearest categories. Further, in response to a user selecting a category, visually displaying matching elements in the category along with its nearest neighbor categories in a scatter plot (324).

Abstract: A computerized database system and method are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, database records are associated with respective unique identification keys. Each key specifies values that specify both a logical location and a physical server assigned to that location where the respective record associated with that key is located.

Abstract: An internet presentation system includes an internet accessible server that permits access to a database of editable and executable presentation files to select users with a specific type of periphery device. The periphery device, or projector, includes a hardware ID used by the server to authenticate the user. The server additionally maintains an administration mode by which select administrators may create and edit template files and color scheme files required, but not editable, by the select users. The server also maintain statistic of the select users and their activities. The administrators use the statistics to target template and color scheme files for deletion and editing.

Abstract: In an Internet-based process, a method of integrating paper-based business documents requiring an original signature with electronic data about those documents, and for later retrieving the data entered by the end user to create the documents is characterized by the steps of having the end user enter all required information for creating the required document, saving the gathered data in a database, associating the saved data with a unique identification code, and printing the unique identification code on the paper-based document when it is printed by the end user. The method can further include verification steps for the business client to independently verify the information entered, certification steps for the end user to certify the information entered, and fraud detection elements to protect against altered information on the documents. The printed paper-based document is signed by the end user, and submitted with supporting documentation.

Abstract: An image data transfer method and system therefor transfer image data via network 10 connecting between a plurality of clients 100 and a server 400. A plurality of files are stored in image data base storage unit 430 and file search unit 420 searches the files to be processed by desired client from the image data base storage unit 430 in response to the search request of the client 100. The transfer protocol is sorted in transfer protocol storage unit 520 and transfer protocol management unit 150 transmits to a desired client via the network 10 the image data related to the file searched by the file search unit 420 specified the transfer protocol in the transfer protocol storage unit 520 based on the search request of the desired client.

Abstract: An on-line commerce method and apparatus. A user can select products for purchase from plural merchant servers by examining product information stored on a shopping server. The product information related to selected products is verified by accessing a checkout page of each merchant server. The verified information is then presented to the user for confirmation. Upon confirmation, buy procedures are executed on each merchant server to purchase the products using existing account information for the user at each merchant server.

Abstract: A storage format and methods for improving the performance of the symbol table of an encoded vector index. The symbol table comprises a hash table, entries of the hash table storing associated key values and codes for the encoded vector index. Hash table entries store an accumulated count of occurrences of prior and the current key values, which improves the efficiency of responding to a request for a key range count. A binary radix tree is used to locate entries, which comprises a plurality of nodes, corresponding to binary digits of a binary representation of a key value. Codes are assigned to key values for the encoded vector index in a distributed fashion, so there are available code values between existing code values in the code ordering, that can be assigned to new key values, alleviating the need to reorganize the code values upon an insertion.

Abstract: A work flow system (15) comprises a controller (20) and a work flow processor (40). An indexing user interface (21) and a work flow processing user interface (22) interact with work flow processor interface components (23). An administration setup user interface (25) and an integration setup user interface (26) are linked to setup components (27) which generate and access a reference database (28) and a transaction database (29). The reference database (28) stores an organization model and a process model and an interface (23) controls the work flow processor (4) according to these models.

Abstract: A data management apparatus and method provide for a virtual conversion by repeatedly reading at least one record from an input file having a plurality of records, each record including a plurality of fields, and adding the at least one record to a buffer. The records in the buffer are then converted into a post-conversion block on a field-by-field basis until data size of post-conversion blocks for each kind of field of the records in the buffer exceeds a threshold size. The number of records in the post-conversion blocks can be determined by counting the records in the buffer during a process immediately preceding a time when the data size exceeds the threshold size, and storing that number. The conversion is completed by reading out records of the stored number of records from the input file, converting the records read out into post-conversion blocks on a field-by-field basis, and storing the post-conversion blocks.

Abstract: A computer system using a queuing system and method for managing a queue having a plurality of generic queue headers connected together by a plurality of links in a predetermined manner. Each generic queue header may be attached to one of a plurality of data structures. The queuing system also includes a library of queue function calls for controlling the operations of each one of the plurality of generic queue headers.

Abstract: An advanced bookmark database system provides query, re-organization, information sharing, view, and access control capabilities to manage bookmarks. In one embodiment of the bookmark database system of the present invention, HTML document parsing, keyword extraction, and HTML/VRML document generation capabilities are provided, in addition to allowing comprehensive database query and navigation. The bookmark database system extracts document content semantics, intra-document structures, inter-document linkage, and useful metadata for users to allow query and organization based on various attributes, such as keywords, domains, and last visit times. Further, an access control capability allows sharing of bookmark databases among users. Multiple physical or logical bookmark databases can be merged to create new bookmark databases. Multiple bookmark databases can be organized as a hierarchical structure, to allowing grouping by individuals, projects, groups, departments, etc.

Abstract: A computer-based system catalogs and retrieves electronic messages saved in a message store. The system automatically organizes each saved message into multiple folders based on the contents and attributes of the message, and implements improved methods for manually organizing messages. Unlike prior art systems, where a message exists in only one folder, the system uses lightweight message shortcuts to display the message in multiple folders simultaneously. The system preferably permits messages to be organized by: 1) basic message and attachment properties, e.g. date, status, attachment type; 2) extended message properties that the user can specify, e.g. keywords; and 3) correspondent or bulk mail sender/recipient, with automatic separation of bulk mail from correspondence. Performance and usability are improved by performing reads incrementally and by providing multiple sorting keys.

Abstract: As part of electronically handling a large amount of data (e.g., error messages) generated within, for example, a telephone service provider's billing network, a configuration utility software allows a user to electronically change or update various configuration parameters for another software application, e.g., a loader application, and also to access the performance data generated by the loader application so as to optimize the performance of the loader application in varying data transfer situations. The loader application, in turn, is a computer-based data transfer application that electronically loads a large volume of data, e.g., telecommunication billing data, from one computer into another computer. The loader application thus substantially reduces human involvement during transfers of large amount of data, and thereby also reduces errors typically associated with manual data entries by human data operators.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for analyzing a process based on displaying data to a user from a plurality of different sources and a machine-readable medium for implementing such a method. The present invention also provides a mapping system and a method for displaying data to a user employing a hierarchy including data nodes and data leaves.

Abstract: A DICOM-to-XML conversion system is provided that converts the DICOM SR standard into a set of XML DTDs and Schemas. By providing a mapping between the DICOM SR standard and XML DTDs and Schemas, DICOM specific XML-based applications can be developed, via a larger field of XML-fluent application developers. Additionally, by providing standard XML DTDs and Schemas for containing DICOM data, other commonly available non-DICOM-related applications, such as accounting and mailing programs, can be structured to use information as required from DICOM reports that are converted to conform to these defined XML DTDs and Schemas. In a preferred embodiment, a two-phase conversion is employed. The DICOM SR specification is parsed and converted directly into a set of “raw” XML documents. Thereafter, the “raw” XML documents are transformed into the corresponding XML DTDs and Schemas, via an XSLT processor.