Showing papers by "Hewlett-Packard published in 1997"

Geodesic Active Contours

Abstract: A novel scheme for the detection of object boundaries is presented. The technique is based on active contours evolving in time according to intrinsic geometric measures of the image. The evolving contours naturally split and merge, allowing the simultaneous detection of several objects and both interior and exterior boundaries. The proposed approach is based on the relation between active contours and the computation of geodesics or minimal distance curves. The minimal distance curve lays in a Riemannian space whose metric is defined by the image content. This geodesic approach for object segmentation allows to connect classical “snakes” based on energy minimization and geometric active contours based on the theory of curve evolution. Previous models of geometric active contours are improved, allowing stable boundary detection when their gradients suffer from large variations, including gaps. Formal results concerning existence, uniqueness, stability, and correctness of the evolution are presented as well. The scheme was implemented using an efficient algorithm for curve evolution. Experimental results of applying the scheme to real images including objects with holes and medical data imagery demonstrate its power. The results may be extended to 3D object segmentation as well.

ROOT — An object oriented data analysis framework

Abstract: The ROOT system in an Object Oriented framework for large scale data analysis. ROOT written in C++, contains, among others, an efficient hierarchical OO database, a C++ interpreter, advanced statistical analysis (multi-dimensional histogramming, fitting, minimization, cluster finding algorithms) and visualization tools. The user interacts with ROOT via a graphical user interface, the command line or batch scripts. The command and scripting language is C++ (using the interpreter) and large scripts can be compiled and dynamically linked in. The OO database design has been optimized for parallel access (reading as well as writing) by multiple processes.

An overview of data warehousing and OLAP technology

Abstract: Data warehousing and on-line analytical processing (OLAP) are essential elements of decision support, which has increasingly become a focus of the database industry. Many commercial products and services are now available, and all of the principal database management system vendors now have offerings in these areas. Decision support places some rather different requirements on database technology compared to traditional on-line transaction processing applications. This paper provides an overview of data warehousing and OLAP technologies, with an emphasis on their new requirements. We describe back end tools for extracting, cleaning and loading data into a data warehouse; multidimensional data models typical of OLAP; front end client tools for querying and data analysis; server extensions for efficient query processing; and tools for metadata management and for managing the warehouse. In addition to surveying the state of the art, this paper also identifies some promising research issues, some of which are related to problems that the database research community has worked on for years, but others are only just beginning to be addressed. This overview is based on a tutorial that the authors presented at the VLDB Conference, 1996.

Software Reuse: Architecture, Process and Organization for Business Success

Abstract: Systematic software reuse is the most effective way to significantly improve software development. Many organizations adopt object technology expecting significant reuse. Without an explicit reuse process, they will not succeed. Companies succeeding with reuse find that architecture, process, organization, culture, management and other non-technical factors are usually more critical than technology. This paper describes HP's software reuse practice and adoption experience, and a systematic approach to component-based software engineering based on object-oriented business and system modeling.

Backup and restore system for a computer network

Abstract: In a computer network environment (200), multiple clients (210) and multiple servers (230) are connected via a local area network (LAN) (220) to a backup file server (240). Each client (210) and each server is provided with backup agent software (215), which schedules backup operations on the basis of time since the last backup, the amount of information generated since the last backup, or the like. An agent (215) also sends a request to the backup server (240), prior to an actual backup, including information representative of the files that it intends to back up. The backup server (240) is provided with a mechanism to receive backup requests from the client agents (215) and accept or reject backup requests on the basis of backup server loading, network loading, or the like. The backup server (240) is further provided with mechanisms to enact redundant file elimination (RFE), whereby the server indicates to the client agents, prior to files being backed up, that certain of the files to be backed up are already stored by the backup server. Thus, the clients do not need to send the redundant files to be backed up.

System and method for performing flexible workflow process compensation in a distributed workflow management system

Abstract: A system and method for performing flexible workflow process execution in a distributed workflow management system is described. The distributed workflow management system is formed by a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. Each computer has a processor, memory and input/output facilities. A workflow process management system operates on one or more of the computers to control the computer network in executing the workflow process. The workflow process includes at least one sequence of multiple actions. A plurality of resources is coupled to respective ones of the computers to carry out the multiple actions. A plurality of state machines are stored as computer-operable code in at least one memory and include a plurality of states interconnected by arcs logically forming a directed graph. The workflow management system further includes logic for instantiating each action with one state and logic for executing the logical sequence of the action as state transitions in each state machine.

Modelling Accelerated Degradation Data Using Wiener Diffusion With A Time Scale Transformation

Abstract: Engineering degradation tests allow industry to assess the potential life span of long-life products that do not fail readily under accelerated conditions in life tests. A general statistical model is presented here for performance degradation of an item of equipment. The degradation process in the model is taken to be a Wiener diffusion process with a time scale transformation. The model incorporates Arrhenius extrapolation for high stress testing. The lifetime of an item is defined as the time until performance deteriorates to a specified failure threshold. The model can be used to predict the lifetime of an item or the extent of degradation of an item at a specified future time. Inference methods for the model parameters, based on accelerated degradation test data, are presented. The model and inference methods are illustrated with a case application involving self-regulating heating cables. The paper also discusses a number of practical issues encountered in applications.

Insecurity of quantum secure computations

Abstract: It had been widely claimed that quantum mechanics can protect private information during public decision in, for example, the so-called two-party secure computation. If this were the case, quantum smart-cards, storing confidential information accessible only to a proper reader, could prevent fake teller machines from learning the PIN (personal identification number) from the customers' input. Although such optimism has been challenged by the recent surprising discovery of the insecurity of the so-called quantum bit commitment, the security of quantum two-party computation itself remains unaddressed. Here I answer this question directly by showing that all one-sided two-party computations (which allow only one of the two parties to learn the result) are necessarily insecure. As corollaries to my results, quantum one-way oblivious password identification and the so-called quantum one-out-of-two oblivious transfer are impossible. I also construct a class of functions that cannot be computed securely in any two-sided two-party computation. Nevertheless, quantum cryptography remains useful in key distribution and can still provide partial security in ``quantum money'' proposed by Wiesner.

Towards situated computing

Abstract: Situated computing concerns the ability of computing devices to detect, interpret and respond to aspects of the user's local environment. In this paper, we use our recent prototyping experience to identify a number of challenging issues that must be resolved in building wearable computers that support situated applications. The paper is organized into three areas: Sensing the local environment, interpreting sensor data, and realizing the value of situated applications. We conclude that while it is feasible to develop interesting prototypes, there remain many difficulties to overcome before robust systems may be widely deployed.

Replaceable part with integral memory for usage, calibration and other data

Abstract: A printer/copier apparatus is adapted to receive a replacement ink cartridge that is employed during the printing/copying operation. The apparatus includes a receptacle with a first connector that is coupled to a processor which controls operation of the apparatus. The cartridge includes a second connector which mates with the first connector and a serial access memory that is connected to the second connector. Data transfers are enabled both from and to the memory to enable access and modification of data stored therein that is indicative of cartridge usage, calibration, and to parameters for controlling operation of the apparatus. The invention is applicable to replaceable apparatus used with laser and ink jet printers, copiers, etc.

Analysis of Oligonucleotides by HPLC-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

Abstract: A new interface procedure has been developed that allows, for the first time, the high-efficiency analysis of synthetic oligonucleotides up to 75 bases by reversed-phase HPLC and on-line electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. For oligonucleotides up to 30 bases in length, single-base resolution can be obtained with low levels of cation adduct formation in the negative ion electrospray mass spectra. A key part of the method uses 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol as an additive to the HPLC mobile phase, adjusted to pH 7.0 with triethylamine. This novel additive results in both good HPLC separation and efficient electrospray ionization. The broad potential of this new method is demonstrated for synthetic homopolymers of thymidine (PolyT), fragments based on the pBR322 plasmid sequence, and phosphorothioate ester antisense oligonucleotides. This approach will be of particular utility for the characterization of DNA probes and PCR primers and quality control of antisense compounds such as phosphorothioates...

Device access and control using embedded web access functionality

Abstract: A web access functionality embedded in a device includes modules for generating a device web page wherein the device web page enables selection of at least one control function for the device. The web access functionality also includes modules for accessing the device web page via a communication path such that a user of a web browser accesses the control function for the device through the device web page. The control function includes control functions for loading new information into the device via the communication path and control functions for providing notification messages via the communication path upon the occurrence of events in the device.

Integrated system and method for sampling blood and analysis

Abstract: A blood sampling apparatus for sampling blood from the skin of a patient for analysis. The apparatus includes a cartridge and a housing with a driver. The cartridge has a cartridge case, lancet, and a compartment associated with the cartridge case for receiving blood. The lancet is housed in the cartridge case and operatively connected thereto such that it is drivable to extend outside the cartridge case through a lancing opening for lancing the skin to yield blood. The housing has a driver for urging the lancet to extend outside the cartridge case. During lancing, the cartridge is preferably detachably held in the housing such that the cartridge can be disassociated from the driver after sampling blood.

Ant-like agents for load balancing in telecommunications networks

Abstract: This paper describes a novel method of achieving load balancing in telecommunications networks. A simulated network models a typical distribution of calls between arbitrary nodes; nodes carrying an excess of traffic can become congested , causing calls to fail. In addition to calls, the network also supports a population of simple mobile agents with behaviours modelled on the trail laying abilities of ants. The agents move across the network between arbitrary pairs of nodes, selecting their path at each intermediate node according to the distribution of simulated pheromones at each node. As they move they deposit simulated pheromones as a function of their distance from their source node, and the congestion encountered on their journey. Calls between nodes are routed as a function of the pheromone distributions at each intermediate node. The performance of the network is measured by the proportion of calls which fail. The results are compared with those achieved by using fixed shortest-path routes, and also by using an alternative algorithmically-based type of mobile agent. The ant-based system is shown to drop fewer calls than the other methods, while exhibiting many attractive features of distributed control.

System and method for selective and continuous index generation

Abstract: To improve access to documents in a large database, such as the World Wide Web of the Internet or a group intranet, a continuously updated computer organization and display system, and a method for such an organization and display system, is provided to quickly locate desired documents without generating references to undesired documents, and to quickly allow a user to determine if any documents of interest are available. In one embodiment, such organization and display system includes data structures for storing and processing information extracted from the header lines of web pages in file systems chosen by a user. Linked lists are created in such data structures to allow rapid construction and display of an alphabetical index of keywords from such header lines, each keyword having associated with it a title extracted from the same web-page header. The alphabetical index by keywords may be displayed on a file that permits the user readily to jump to a desired location in the alphabetical index. Alternatively, the user may search the alphabetical index to find titles or keywords that correspond with an entered character string. A user may select a title in the index and view the file from which the title was extracted.

An improved technique for permittivity measurements using a coaxial probe

Abstract: An enhanced model for an open-ended coaxial probe used for making permittivity measurements is presented. A permittivity measurement system consisting of the coaxial probe and a network analyzer is described including details of the error correction and curve fitting techniques. Determination of the percent dissolved solids in fructose solutions from permittivity measurements is presented as example of the usefulness of the coaxial probe/network analyzer measurement system.

Low-complexity block-based motion estimation via one-bit transforms

Abstract: We present an algorithm and a hardware architecture for block-based motion estimation that involves transforming video sequences from a multibit to a one-bit/pixel representation and then applying conventional motion estimation search strategies. This results in substantial reductions in arithmetic and hardware complexity and reduced power consumption, while maintaining good compression performance. Experimental results and a custom hardware design using a linear array of processing elements are also presented.

Apparatus controlled by data from consumable parts with incorporated memory devices

Abstract: A printing system includes a replaceable cartridge for housing a supply of consumable marking media. The cartridge includes a cartridge memory for recording printing system-related parameters, including marking media parameters. A replaceable printing device, such as an ink jet head, includes a printhead memory for recording printing device-related parameters. A processor is coupled to the cartridge memory, the printhead memory and is responsive to parameters read from both memories to derive printing system function control values that are dependent upon one or more marking media parameters from the cartridge memory and one or more parameters from the printhead memory. The processor is thus able (in the case of an ink jet printing system) to determine a current ink supply value from a cumulative usage value stored on the cartridge memory and a drop volume parameter stored on the printhead memory. Further, a drop volume parameter stored on the printhead memory can be adjusted to accommodate a media type sensed by a media sensor.

GEM: a generalized event monitoring language for distributed systems

Abstract: Event-based monitoring is critical for managing and debugging networks and distributed systems. This paper presents GEM - an interpreted generalized event monitoring language. It allows high-level, abstract events to be specified in terms of combinations of lower-level events from different nodes in a loosely coupled distributed system. Event monitoring components can thus be distributed within the system to perform filtering, correlation and notification of events close to where they occur and thus reduce network traffic. GEM is a declarative rule-based language in which the notion of real time has been closely integrated and various temporal constraints can be specified for event composition. The paper discusses the effect of communication delays on composite event detection and presents a tree-based solution for dealing with out-of-order event arrivals at event monitors.

Universally accessible healthcare devices with on the fly generation of HTML files

Abstract: A universally accessible healthcare device having a communication path and a server. The healthcare device generates a set of medical information and the server provides access to the medical information using an open standard network protocol on the communication path. HTML Files may be generated on the fly by the server in response to an HTTP command from a requesting web client.

Apparatus and methods for use therein for an ISDN LAN modem that displays fault information to local hosts through interception of host DNS request messages

Abstract: Apparatus, and accompanying methods for use therein, for an ISDN LAN modem that is suited for small user environments and which contains an internal ISDN router having a self-contained network hub for inter-connecting multiple network devices, such as workstations, to each other through a local area network and for permitting each of those devices to each gain access through the router to any one of a number of different remote networks. The LAN modem communicates network failure messages to a host workstation connected to the LAN by intercepting and responding to various DNS (domain name system) messages issued by that workstation and intended for a remote DNS server. Specifically, the LAN modem supplies its own network (IP) address in response to these messages, thus assuming a role of both a remote DNS server and a remote web server in order to implement a mechanism through which a fault-specific web page can be dynamically constructed and downloaded to the workstation for subsequent display, through a browser executing thereat. The page, once rendered, provides a specific message pertinent to the failure.

System and method for performing scalable distribution of process flow activities in a distributed workflow management system

Abstract: A system and method for performing scalable distribution of process flow activities in a distributed workflow management system is described. The distributed workflow management system operates over the computer network which includes a plurality of interconnected computers. Each computer includes a processor, memory and input/output facilities. A plurality of resources are each operatively coupled to at least one of the computers and execute at least one of the activities in the process flow. A process flow engine, including a database in which is stored data used in effecting each of the process flow activities, coordinates and schedules execution of the process flow activities on the resources. Bidirectional proxy components are operatively interposed between the process flow engine and the resources. The bidirectional proxy components include logic for handling application data for the resources, logic for handling worklists for access by the resources and logic for managing transport of messages between the process flow engine and each of the resources.

Transparent substrate light emitting diodes with directed light output

Abstract: Methods for the fabrication of TS LED chips with improved light extraction and optics, particularly increased top surface emission, and the TS LEDs so fabricated are described. Non-absorbing DBRs within the chip permit the fabrication of the LEDs. The transparent DBRs redirect light away from absorbing regions such as contacts within the chip, increasing the light extraction efficiency of the LED. The non-absorbing DBRs can also redirect light toward the top surface of the chip, improving the amount of top surface emission and the on-axis intensity of the packaged LED. These benefits are accomplished with optically non-absorbing layers, maintaining the advantages of a TS LED, which advantages include ˜6 light escape cones, and improved multiple pass light extraction.

Minimal surfaces based object segmentation

Abstract: A geometric approach for 3D object segmentation and representation is presented. The segmentation is obtained by deformable surfaces moving towards the objects to be detected in the 3D image. The model is based on curvature motion and the computation of surfaces with minimal areas, better known as minimal surfaces. The space where the surfaces are computed is induced from the 3D image (volumetric data) in which the objects are to be detected. The model links between classical deformable surfaces obtained via energy minimization, and intrinsic ones derived from curvature based flows. The new approach is stable, robust, and automatically handles changes in the surface topology during the deformation.

Method for cost-based optimization over multimeida repositories

Abstract: A method for optimizing the cost of searches through a multimedia repository is disclosed where the repository contains a plurality of objects having at least two different attributes such as color in a newspaper photograph and text in the subtitle. The method comprises selecting a ranking expression, translating the ranking expression into resulting filter conditions and then optimizing the resulting filter conditions to perform the search. A database look-up step is included which determines the cost of performing searches over the various subconditions of the filter condition. The least costly subcondition is searched first to retrieve objects from the multimedia repository. The remaining subconditions are then evaluated on the retrieved objects using either a search step or probe step depending upon the determined cost to perform each. A further database look-up step predicts a grade of match necessary in the translated ranking expression to retrieve at least the number of objects requested in the search.

Optical components for WDM lightwave networks

Abstract: Recently, there has been growing interest in developing optical fiber networks to support the increasing bandwidth demands of multimedia applications, such as video conferencing and World Wide Web browsing. One technique for accessing the huge bandwidth available in an optical fiber is wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM). Under WDM, the optical fiber bandwidth is divided into a number of nonoverlapping wavelength bands, each of which may be accessed at peak electronic rates by an end user. By utilizing WDM in optical networks, we can achieve link capacities on the order of 50 THz. The success of WDM networks depends heavily on the available optical device technology. This paper is intended as a tutorial on some of the optical device issues in WDM networks. It discusses the basic principles of optical transmission in fiber and reviews the current state of the art in optical device technology. It introduces some of the basic components in WDM networks, discusses various implementations of these components, and provides insights into their capabilities and limitations. Then, this paper demonstrates how various optical components can be incorporated into WDM optical networks for both local and wide-area applications. Finally, the paper provides a brief review of experimental WDM networks that have been implemented.