Abstract: A method of efficiently extracting the pull-in parameters of an electrostatically activated actuator. The actuator is modeled as an elastic element. For each of a plurality of deformations of the elastic element, a corresponding voltage is calculated. The highest such voltage is the pull-in voltage of the actuator. The corresponding deformation is the pull-in deformation of the actuator. Each deformation is defined by fixing a displacement of one degree of freedom of the elastic body and calculating corresponding equilibrium displacements of all the other degrees of freedom without the application of any external mechanical forces to ensure equilibrium. The actuator is altered to optimize whichever pull-in parameter is relevant to the desired application of the actuator.

Abstract: In a mutual immittance calculation apparatus, an input section inputs data of a model of an electric circuit apparatus, being a target for analysis of the electromagnetic-field strength and being divided into a plurality of patches. A mutual immittance calculation section calculates respective mutual immittance for combinations of patches corresponding to the main portion and to the additional portion. The mutual immittance calculation section uses a stored calculation result corresponding to the main portion when the model in which only the additional portion has been changed is calculated for a second time onward, and recalculates the mutual immittance corresponding to the changed additional portion.

Abstract: A method for deforming a plurality of shapes is described wherein each of the shapes comprises a set of parametric curves. The method comprises: providing a parametric surface, and forming a deformed shape for each of the shapes by performing a symbolic composition between the parametric surface and each parametric curve from the set of parametric curves comprising the shape being deformed. The parametric surface is defined by two parameters varying over a parametric domain, such that each of the parametric curves comprising the shapes lies in the parametric domain of the surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for prognosticating system performance in a dynamic system influenced by planned human activities the dynamic system comprising a telemetry subsystem. The apparatus comprises a processor coupled to the telemetry subsystem and configured to acquire data relating to the system state vector, a memory coupled to the processor, the memory containing mission plan data comprising information relating to said planned human activities influencing said dynamic system, and a dynamic system simulation core in said memory and executable on said processor to form a dynamic system simulation incorporating said mission plan data and said state vector data. The method includes parsing human activities into plannable elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for real-time realistic river modeling. In one implementation, when provided with the physical features of a modeled terrain, the systems and methods described herein automatically determine a watercourse route in relation to the terrain and calculate river borders. The systems and methods then calculate a surface structure for the river between the borders and map texture coordinates to the surface structure. The systems and methods apply textures at the texture coordinates to provide an animated, view-dependent representation of wave geometries for the modeled water surface including reflection, refraction, and Fresnel effects.

Abstract: Irregular volumes within one or more three-dimensional volume datasets are identified and extracted in response to criteria. The processing involves automatically finding a seed voxel or seed cell that meets the criteria and thus belongs to an irregular volume of interest, and then identifying cells related to the seed cell by one or more predetermined relationships that are therefore also to be grouped into that irregular volume. Information, which can be of any suitable type, identifying each such cell as being related to other cells and belonging to an irregular volume is stored in a suitable data structure. The location or similar neighborhood information and other data describing properties or attributes of the identified cell are also stored. Because the irregular volumes are extracted and pre-processed in this manner, operations including rendering them on a display and performing Boolean and arithmetic operations on them can readily be performed.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for reducing processing time related to relative geometry calculations performed for objects in a simulated three-dimensional environment. The method converts three-dimensional location coordinates of each object of a plurality of simulated objects in the simulated three-dimensional environment to coordinates of a two-dimensional grid. Then, a two-dimensional grid area that is associated with the scan of an object is calculated. Objects with two-dimensional grid coordinates that are collocated with the calculated area of the scan are determined and relative geometry calculations for the scan of the object determined to be collocated with the calculated area of the scan is performed.

Abstract: An environmental impact estimation method comprising storing information related to reuse and recycle objects in a memory unit, performing life cycle modeling to make a life cycle model, the life cycle modeling including reading information related to the reuse and recycle objects, selecting some of the reuse and recycle objects which can be diverted to a new product, and combining the reuse and recycle objects selected together to assemble new product, predicting, as a superposition of two or more arbitrary shapes, recovery distribution of products by the life cycle modeling to predict a recovery quantity of the reuse and recycle objected, using the life cycle model, determining the arbitrary shapes as a peak of the product worth life or product useful life, and evaluating an environmental impact and a cost to bear in reuse or recycle based on prediction result.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating code in a block diagram environment. The method for generating code eliminates a need to use logical predicates to identify an invoking rate of a portion of a block in the block diagram environment. This eliminates the need for contiguous sets of conditional code statements in the generated code.

Abstract: A system and method provides for the formation of transparent links between subsystems or blocks within a graphical model. The transparent link allows marking one or multiple subsystems in the graphical model as the reference source that, similar to a library block, can be linked with other blocks in the graphical model. The referenced subsystem or block is not located in a separate file from the graphical model file. Changes made to a source block in the model can be propagated to linked destinations.

Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media are provided for determining design parameters for oil well casing and tubing to prevent buckling in deviated wellbores. Well parameter data including tubing size, tubing weight, well depth, and well geometry is obtained and may be utilized to calculate parameters for predicting the movement of tubing near a packer or centralizer in the deviated wellbore based on the received well parameter data, predicting a total bending moment near the packer or centralizer, predicting a maximum bending stress near the packer or centralizer based on the total bending moment, and predicting the minimum axial force necessary to initiate buckling due to friction, and predicting the onset of buckling for the connection of tubing of different sizes. After the parameters have been calculated, they may be utilized in the design of the oil well casing and tubing to prevent buckling in the deviated wellbore.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for designing and optimizing a memory for use in an embedded processing system. The apparatus comprises: 1) a simulation controller for simulating execution of a test program to be executed by the embedded processing system; 2) a memory access monitor for monitoring memory accesses to a simulated memory space during the simulated execution of the test program, wherein the memory access monitor generates memory usage statistical data associated with the monitored memory accesses; and 3) a memory optimization controller for comparing the memory usage statistical data and one or more predetermined design criteria associated with the embedded processing system and, in response to the comparison, determining at least one memory configuration capable of satisfying the one or more predetermined design criteria.

Abstract: The response of linear and non-linear systems to an arbitrary pulse train is modeled for efficient and accurate circuit simulation. First, a harmonic balance analysis is performed for a system incorporating linear and non-linear components. Then, the even and odd frequency components of the harmonic balance result are separated and interpolated. Finally, the resulting interpolated components are combined to generate the frequency domain positive step response and the frequency domain negative step response of the system. These resulting frequency domain step responses are utilized to generate a low order pole/zero model of the step responses. The pole/zero model can then be used to efficiently and accurately model the response of the system to an arbitrary sequence of positive and negative going pulses.

Abstract: A system, and a corresponding method, provides time synchronized playback and control of dissimilar data in a simulation architecture. The system includes a master site including a controller, and agents, implemented by the controller, where the controller directs the agents to control simulation data logging and playback; simulation sites, including: one or more simulation computers, where simulation events occur, a computer, where the agents control the simulation site to record the simulation data, and a local log that stores the simulation data as events, where the agents control the test computer to replay the events; a time reference system including a master site time stamp, local time stamp pair for each of the simulation sites, each of the local time stamps related to a master time stamp, and one or more time normalization factors. The time normalization factors relate times recorded for each of the events to an earliest recorded event and to a time of initiation of a replay command.

Abstract: A channel emulating device includes a first choosing module, a first signal integrating module, a first parameter adjusting module, a second choosing module, a second signal integrating module, a second parameter adjusting module and a third choosing module. The first signal integrating module generates at least one first integrated signal in accordance with a first input signal and at least one second input signal. The first and the second parameter adjusting modules respectively generate at least one first parameter signal and at least one second parameter signal. The second signal integrating module generates a plurality of second integrated signals in accordance with the first parameter signal and the second parameter signal. One of the second integrated signals acts as a first output signal.

Abstract: A portal system identifies a language in which content can be displayed to the user. Possible languages can be determined from one or more of identity information for the user, a container for the user's directory entry, and the user's location. The determined languages can be ranked, and the highest-ranked available language can be selected for content display to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing the perceptual quality of stereo speech signals transmitted via a telecommunications network and recorded acoustically from an acoustic terminal device in which a mono reference signal comprising a single channel is aligned with a degraded stereo signal comprising a left and a right channel; a delay between each channel of said degraded signal and said reference signal is estimated; a noise masking indicator in dependence upon said estimated delays is generated; the level of the stereo signals is adjusted in dependence upon said noise masking indicator; a set of perceptually relevant parameters for each of said reference and degraded signals are generated; the perceptually relevant parameters of the reference signal with the perceptually relevant parameters of the degraded signal to generate a disturbance profile are compared; and a speech quality prediction is generated in dependence upon said disturbance profile.

Abstract: A “speech onset detector” provides a variable length frame buffer in combination with either variable transmission rate or temporal speech compression for buffered signal frames. The variable length buffer buffers frames that are not clearly identified as either speech or non-speech frames during an initial analysis. Buffering of signal frames continues until a current frame is identified as either speech or non-speech. If the current frame is identified as non-speech, buffered frames are encoded as non-speech frames. However, if the current frame is identified as a speech frame, buffered frames are searched for the actual onset point of the speech. Once that onset point is identified, the signal is either transmitted in a burst, or a time-scale modification of the buffered signal is applied for compressing buffered frames beginning with the frame in which onset point is detected. The compressed frames are then encoded as one or more speech frames.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for generating a voice model in speech processing. Upon accepting at least two input vectors with spectral features, vectors of ranks are created via ranking values of the spectral features of each input vector, ordered vectors are created via arranging the values of each input vector according to rank, and a vector of ordered average values is created via determining the average of corresponding values of the ordered vectors. Thence, a vector of ordered average ranks is created via determining the sum or average of the vectors of ranks, a vector of ordered ranks is created via ranking the values of the ordered average ranks and a spectral feature vector is created via employing the rank order represented by the vector of ordered ranks to reorder the vector of ordered average ranks.

Abstract: A method (10) and system of adjusting a speech output rate to match a speech input rate can include the steps of receiving (12) speech input, computing (14) a speech input rate, and dynamically adjusting (18 or 26) a speech output rate to match the speech input rate. If the type of speech output is TTS, then a rate of TTS can be adjusted (18). If the type of speech output is recorded and alternate text is available, then steps (22 and 24) of counting alternate text available from a recorded output and determining an audio file length is used to compute a default output rate to adjust a recorded output rate. If the type is recorded and alternate text is unavailable, then steps (21 and 24) of obtaining an output word count from a transcription of a recorded speech output and determining an audio file length is used.

Abstract: Techniques utilising Time Scale Modification (TSM) of signals are described. The signal is analysed and divided into frames of similar signal types. Techniques specific to the signal type are then applied to the frames thereby optimising the modification process. The method of the present invention enables TSM of different audio signal parts to be realized using different methods, and a system for effecting said method is also described.

Abstract: Modifying an audio signal comprising a plurality of channel signals is disclosed. At least selected ones of the channel signals are transformed into a time-frequency domain. The at least selected ones of the channel signals are compared in the time-frequency domain to identify corresponding portions of the channel signals that are not correlated or are only weakly correlated across channels. The identified corresponding portions of said channel signals are modified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing multiple descriptive source coding in which a plurality of homogeneous encoders are advantageously employed in combination with a corresponding plurality of advantageously substantially identical decoders. In particular, diversity is provided to the multiple encoders by modifying the quantization process in at least one of the encoders such that the modified quantization process is based at least on a quantization error resulting from the quantization process of another one of the encoders. In this manner, diversity among the multiple bit streams is obtained, and in particular, the quality of a reconstructed signal based on a combination of multiple decoded bit streams at the receiver is advantageously superior to that based on any one of the decoded bit streams. In accordance with a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention, two Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) coders are employed.

Abstract: A voice interactive system includes an acoustic processing part 11 for performing acoustic signal processing with respect to an input voice signal, a voice recognizing part 12 for recognizing the contents of a voice contained in the voice signal after being subjected to the acoustic signal processing, a voice interacting part 13 for transmitting information to a user by using a voice output or a combination of a voice output and another information transmission unit based on the contents of the voice, and a barge-in control part 14 having a barge-in function of suspending the transmission of information based on an input of the acoustic processing part 11, an output thereof, or an input signal from an external input, in the course of transmission of information, wherein the barge-in control part 14 detects at least one feature value from the input signal from the input or the output of the acoustic processing part 11 or the external input, and determines the effectiveness of the barge-in function based on the

Abstract: Systems and methods for annotating speech data. The present invention reduces the time required to annotate speech data by selecting utterances for annotation that will be of greatest benefit. A selection module uses speech models, including speech recognition models and spoken language understanding models, to identify utterances that should be annotated based on criteria such as confidence scores generated by the models. These utterances are placed in an annotation list along with a type of annotation to be performed for the utterances and an order in which the annotation should proceed. The utterances in the annotation list can be annotated for speech recognition purposes, spoken language understanding purposes, labeling purposes, etc. The selection module can also select utterances for annotation based on previously annotated speech data and deficiencies in the various models.

Abstract: A digital signal processing method and learning method and devices therefor, and a program storage medium which are capable of further improving the waveform reproducibility of a digital signal. Self correlation coefficients are calculated by cutting parts out of the digital signal by multiple windows having different sizes, and the parts are classified based on the calculation results of the self correlation coefficients. Then, the digital signal is converted by the prediction method corresponding to the classified class, so that the conversion further suitable for the features of the digital signal can be conducted.

Abstract: The present invention obtains a set of text segments from a cluster of different articles written about a common event. The set of text segments is then subjected to textual alignment techniques to identify paraphrases from the text segments in the text. The invention can also be used to generate paraphrases.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer program product and service for directory dialer name recognition. The directory dialer has a directory of names and a first name grammar and a second name grammar representing phonetic baseforms of first names and second names respectively. The method includes: receiving voice data for a spoken name after requesting a user to speak the required name; extracting a set of phonetic baseforms for the voice data; and finding the best matches between the extracted set of phonetic baseforms voice data and any combination of the first name grammar and the second name grammar. The method can further include: checking the best match against the directory of names; if the best match does not exist in the directory, informing the user and prompting the next best match as an alternative; and if the best match does exist in the directory, forwarding the call to that best match.

Abstract: A method for improving spoken language includes accepting a speech input from by a speaker using a language, identifying the speaker with a predetermined speaker category and correcting an error in the speech input using an error model that is specific to the speaker category.

Abstract: Statements of a computer program expressed using a first source natural language are made meaningful to a programmer familiar with a second target natural language. The first source natural language of the computer program is determined from the programmer, or through analysis, and the second target natural language desired by the programmer is selected. Textual constructs may be parsed, with reference to stored coding conventions to determine meaningful lexical tokens. Such tokens are translated with a translation engine, and displayed to the programmer, desirably using a graphical user interface feature of an integrated development environment (IDE) for computer programming in a particular programming language.

Abstract: An animating system converts a text-based document into a sequence of animating pictures for helping a user to understand better and faster. First, the system provides interfaces for a user to build various object models, specify default rules for these object models, and construct the references for meanings and actions. Second, the system will analyze the document, extract desired information, identify various objects, and organize information. Then the system will create objects from corresponding object models and provide interfaces to modify default values and default rules and define specific values and specific rules. Further, the system will identify the meanings of words and phrases. Furthermore, the system will identify, interpolate, synchronize, and dispatch events. Finally, the system provides interface for the user to track events and particular objects.

Abstract: The emotion is to be added to the synthesized speech as the prosodic feature of the language is maintained. In a speech synthesis device 200, a language processor 201 generates a string of pronunciation marks from the text, and a prosodic data generating unit 202 creates prosodic data, expressing the time duration, pitch, sound volume or the like parameters of phonemes, based on the string of pronunciation marks. A constraint information generating unit 203 is fed with the prosodic data and with the string of pronunciation marks to generate the constraint information which limits the changes in the parameters to add the so generated constraint information to the prosodic data. A emotion filter 204, fed with the prosodic data, to which has been added the constraint information, changes the parameters of the prosodic data, within the constraint, responsive to the feeling state information, imparted to it.

Abstract: A user interface design apparatus which reduces the load associated with input operation by an author is provided. When a speech recognition grammar including a semantic structure generating rule is acquired, at least one semantic structure is extracted from the semantic structure generating rule included in the grammar. This semantic structure is presented to the author. The author can select the semantic structural element presented using an input device. Upon selection by the author is completed, the selected information is extracted and is reflected in user interface contents.

Abstract: A system that can receive information from a plurality of simultaneous remote conferences and scan the information for a key indicia. Upon determining that a key indicia is present in the information, the system is operative to alert a user.

Abstract: A method of developing a dialog manager for a spoken dialog service is disclosed. The method comprises selecting a top level flow controller based on application type, selecting available reusable subdialogs for each application part, developing a subdialog for each application part not having an available subdialog and testing and deploying the spoken dialog service using the selected top level flow controller, selected reusable subdialogs and developed subdialogs. The method enables a developer to create a dialog manager that has individual reusable dialog modules that operate independent of the dialog model of the other modules. Application dependencies and context shifts are defined independent of the subdialogs to enable them to be reusable. The spoken dialog server manages context shifts in the spoken dialog by transitioning between dialog modules and subdialog modules.

Abstract: A system for speeding up an establishment's foundation through Internet comprises a data storage device having databases built therein and an electronic hub connected to the data storage device through computer program. The electronic hub is cooperated with the data storage device, whereby is capable to communicate, examine the resource provider, save the resource provider, and match the resource provider and whereby speeds up the establishment's foundation. A method for speeding up founding establishment through Internet comprises communicating, examining the resource provider, saving the resource provider, and matching the resource provider.

Abstract: A system and a method for scheduling an emergency procedure in response to detecting that a patient has a high probability of acute myocardial infarction. The system is able to identify patients that are suspected of having acute myocardial infarction (or acute ischemia). The system uses one or more expert software tools or algorithms to analyze received ECG records. Each software tool has logic (e.g., thresholds and/or settings) for automatic routing which is configurable by the customer via a graphical user interface. If any sufficient condition for automatic routing is satisfied, the system routes the data (including the underlying ECG record) and an alert to an electronic device which is accessible by the cardiologist “on call” via a bidirectional pager. If the cardiologist decides that the requested emergency treatment or procedure should be performed, the system accesses the schedules of all associated catheterization labs across multiple hospitals to identify a lab having optimum time-to-treatment.

Abstract: A method is provided for a virtual clinic to establish communications and working relationships among itself, patients, physicians, and insurance companies patient to facilitate the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients. In one embodiment, a patient may contact its insurance carrier via a web page on the Internet. The insurance company then matches the patient to one of its plans and then forwards information to the virtual clinic which then responds to the patient's web request. The patient is then put in operative communication with a physician who is known by the virtual clinic to be licensed to practice medicine in the patient's current location and to have expertise in the patient's condition.

Abstract: Demanufacturing workload is forecast based on anticipated volumes of equipment to be disassembled and/or salvaged, as well as equipment complexity factors determined by disassembly prototyping. Staffing requirements are unique for each customer and are based on the number of pounds needed to be worked during each month and the associated complexity (work content multiplier) for that customer's typical or expected returns.

Abstract: After defining a relevant market area around a selected geographical point, a map is generated using stored geographical map information around a selected geographical point and a geographical area is selected around that point. Multiple bands are formed on the map around the geographical point and market information is gathered from a database for the defined geographical area. The bands are weighted based according to empirical data drawn from within the market area, if available, or from data from a demographically matched location. A net demand model is constructed to perform point studies, comparison studies, area studies, and multi-unit simulations for the selected geographical area.

Abstract: Executing business processes includes accessing a first business process comprising a first activity and accessing a second business process comprising a second activity, where the second activity is associated with the first activity. A first instance is received at the first activity of the first business process. A second instance is created at the second activity in response to receiving the first instance at the first activity of the first business process into the second business process.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a location owner's location information to third parties (location consumers) is provided. The location server obtains an owner profile controlling access to the location owner's location information. A location consumer requests the location owner's location information through a location request. The location server determines whether the location consumer is authorized to access the location owner's location information according to access information in the owner profile. If the location consumer is authorized to access the information, the location server obtains location information from a location provider and returns the location information to the location consumer. The location consumer may also subscribe to a location owner, such that when an identified subscription event occurs, the location server notifies the location consumer of the location owner's current location.

Abstract: An information system includes a plurality of messaging systems, a data center and a control system. The plurality of messaging systems process respective messages intended for recipients. The data center is in operative communication with the plurality of messaging systems and stores transaction data associated with each respective message. The control system is in operative communication with the data center. The control system identifies selected transaction data from among the transaction data corresponding to a defined recipient and uses the selected transaction data to generate a recipient profile of messages intended for the defined recipient that have been processed by the plurality of messaging systems.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system for optimizing agent performance includes a data collector configured to receive data representative of contact center statistics from a contact center and to use the statistics to calculate performance metrics. The system also includes a presentation module configured to provide data representative of the performance metrics to a client device configured to present the performance metrics for consideration by an agent associated with the contact center. The performance metrics are representative of agent performance in relation to at least one predefined performance threshold. In certain embodiments, the statistics include a customer satisfaction survey score that is based on actual feedback received from a customer. In certain embodiments, the performance metrics are provided to the client device in real time or near real time.

Abstract: A system for managing service provider agreements, the system comprising a server, an agreements database accessible by the server, the agreements database having stored thereon contracted performance data indicative of minimum service performance required by at least one service provider agreement, a user preferences database accessible by the server, the preferences database having stored thereon user preference data indicative of a user specified maximum allowable deviance from the minimum service performance, a performance measurement module in communication with the server; the performance measurement module gathering actual performance data indicative of actual service performance and a variance calculator in communication with the server, the variance calculator determining agreement conformity status by determining whether the actual system performance indicated by the actual service performance data corresponds with the minimum service performance indicated by the contracted performance data within t

Abstract: An electronic commerce system includes one or more databases operable to store product data for one or more products. The system also includes a master global content directory that includes a plurality of product classes organized in a hierarchy, the product class categorizing the products and associated with one or more attributes of the products. At least one of the product classes has one or more associated product pointers that identify one or more of the databases. The system further includes one or more secondary content directories including one or more classes mapping back to the product classes in the master global content directory and the classes having associated class pointers that identify product classes in the master global content directory. The system also includes a search interface that communicates a search query to one or more of the databases to search product data.

Abstract: A method for propagating advertisement for market controlled presentation among communication devices over a communication network accessed by service providers and an advertising service is stored and executed as an application for use by network devices. The method includes receiving advertising requests and bids from potential advertisers, with each bid including a presentation slot specification and a proposed amount of payment for presentation. Ranking information is computed from the bid, with the ranking reflecting the financial value of propagation of the advertising request to the advertising service. The method also provides certification of the advertising request, with certification including a signature of the contents of the advertising request, the requested presentation slot, and the ranking information. The certified advertisement is then propagated over the communication network.

Abstract: A system and method for the presentation of advertisements is present. According to one embodiment, a number of impressions of an advertisement message are presented over a computer network such as the Internet to a variety of viewer computers. Depending on the actions taken by the viewers (e.g., whether the Viewer selects the advertising message and accesses a web-link to the advertiser's web-site), bonus exposure (e.g., an additional number of impressions provided to the viewers) of the advertising message is given.

Abstract: A system for electronically publishing the requirements of a buyer that reduces the time and paperwork required by vendors to transact business with the buyer. The electronic publication includes one or more categorized lists of items that the buyer is seeking to procure. Each listed item includes the name of the item, a brief description of the item, the name of a contact person within the buyer's organization, and one or more dates relevant to the item. The name of the item is presented as a hyperlink that leads to a detailed description of the item and a list of electronically editable forms required by the buyer. The name of the contact person is also presented as a hyperlink that leads to contact information for the contact person. Within the electronic publication, vendors can register with the buyer regarding any listed item(s). Registered vendors receive automatic updates relating to items for which they registered.

Abstract: A method of submitting orders for products includes a customer preparing an order for submission to a supplier server. When the order is submitted to the supplier server, the supplier server determines whether the customer submitting the order is authorized to submit the order to the supplier. If not, the supplier server forwards the order to another customer who is authorized to submit the order. After forwarding the order, the order may be consolidated with other orders for resubmission to the supplier server.