Showing papers on "Object (computer science) published in 1994"

The visual hull concept for silhouette-based image understanding

Abstract: Many algorithms for both identifying and reconstructing a 3-D object are based on the 2-D silhouettes of the object. In general, identifying a nonconvex object using a silhouette-based approach implies neglecting some features of its surface as identification clues. The same features cannot be reconstructed by volume intersection techniques using multiple silhouettes of the object. This paper addresses the problem of finding which parts of a nonconvex object are relevant for silhouette-based image understanding. For this purpose, the geometric concept of visual hull of a 3-D object is introduced. This is the closest approximation of object S that can be obtained with the volume intersection approach; it is the maximal object silhouette-equivalent to S, i.e., which can be substituted for S without affecting any silhouette. Only the parts of the surface of S that also lie on the surface of the visual hull can be reconstructed or identified using silhouette-based algorithms. The visual hull depends not only on the object but also on the region allowed to the viewpoint. Two main viewing regions result in the external and internal visual hull. In the former case the viewing region is related to the convex hull of S, in the latter it is bounded by S. The internal visual hull also admits an interpretation not related to silhouettes. Algorithms for computing visual hulls are presented and their complexity analyzed. In general, the visual hull of a 3-D planar face object turns out to be bounded by planar and curved patches. >

Real-time object-oriented modeling

Abstract: The "architecture" of a software system refers to its highest-level modular decomposition and the interrelationship patterns between its modules. An architecture serves as a blueprint for implementation and also as the chief determinant of a system's ability evolve. Consequently, there is an increased interest in methods for specifying and validating software architectures. One such method is based on the ROOM mode ling language which combines the object paradigm with mode ling abstractions devised specifically for distributed real-time software. To overcome the treacherous "architectural decay" phenomenon, whereby, over time, software diverges increasingly from its specification, ROOM formally constrains the implementation to its architectural specification. This is achieved primarily through full automated code generation, a technique that is panicularly challenging in real-time applications where stringent performance and memory requirements are the norm.

Methods and systems for object-based relational distributed databases

Abstract: An object-based relational distributed database system and associated methods of operation that transforms data stored in a plurality of remote, heterogeneous user databases into a homogeneous data model is disclosed. Data stored in distributed, heterogeneous user database structures is homogenized by mapping into object attributes of predetermined instances of objects forming to a conceptual model that relates the various heterogeneous databases. The object attributes are stored in remote databases at client sites, which can be separate computer systems from the heterogeneous user databases or separate processes running on a computer system that maintains the heterogeneous user databases. The system stores location information and status information relating to the homogenized data in a centralized object broker for object management, thereby facilitating location and retrieval of data items from one or more of the remote, heterogeneous user databases.

Multimedia service access by reading marks on an object

Abstract: An apparatus and method enables a user to control the selection of electronic multimedia services to be provided to the user by one or more servers over a communication medium. The apparatus includes a scanner for reading marks on an object and for communicating a request signal, having an object code representing the read marks, to a user interface. The interface receives the request signal and transmits to the servers a request command including an interface identification code and the object code which is used to select the desired electronic multimedia service. The servers identify the selected electronic multimedia service using the object code. The interface then enables the selected electronic multimedia service transmitted from the servers to be received by the user's receiver.

Distributed hypermedia method for automatically invoking external application providing interaction and display of embedded objects within a hypermedia document

Abstract: A system allowing a user of a browser program on a computer connected to an open distributed hypermedia system to access and execute an embedded program object. The program object is embedded into a hypermedia document much like data objects. The user may select the program object from the screen. Once selected the program object executes on the user's (client) computer or may execute on a remote server or additional remote computers in a distributed processing arrangement. After launching the program object, the user is able to interact with the object as the invention provides for ongoing interprocess communication between the application object (program) and the browser program. One application of the embedded program object allows a user to view large and complex multi-dimensional objects from within the browser's window. The user can manipulate a control panel to change the viewpoint used to view the image. The invention allows a program to execute on a remote server or other computers to calculate the viewing transformations and send frame data to the client computer thus providing the user of the client computer with interactive features and allowing the user to have access to greater computing power than may be available at the user's client computer.

Electronic document verification system and method

Abstract: The integrity or the signator of an electronic document can be verified by embedding a security object, for example, supported by an object linking and embedding (OLE) capability, in the electronic document at a location selected by the signator. The embedded security object includes security information and an identifier for invoking the processing of the security information. The security information may include a document digest that characterizes the electronic document at the time the security object was embedded, a signature digest that identifies the signator and that characterizes the instance of the embedded security object, and the signator's electronic chop, which may be the signator's digitized signature or other graphic image. In addition, the security information can be encrypted using either private key encryption or public key encryption. When the electronic document is later displayed, the identifier invokes processing that decrypts the security information and calculates the document digest based on the current state of the electronic document. The signator of the electronic document can be verified based upon the result of the decryption. The integrity of the electronic document can be verified if the decrypted document digest matches the calculated document digest. If the signator and the document integrity are confirmed, the electronic chop is displayed in the document. If, however, the signator or document integrity are not verified, the electronic chop is not displayed. In addition, a warning message may be displayed if verification fails.

Scene-specific memory for objects: A model of episodic memory impairment in monkeys with fornix transection

Abstract: A series of five experiments investigated the relationship between object memory and scene memory in normal and fornix-transected monkeys. An algorithm created formally defined background and objects on a large visual display; the disposition of some particular objects in particular places in a particular background constitutes a formally defined scene. The animals learned four types of discrimination problem: (1) object-in-place discrimination learning, in which the correct (rewarded) response was to a particular object that always occupied the same place in a particular unique background, (2) place discrimination learning, in which the correct response was to a particular place in a unique background, with no distinctive object at that place, (3) object discrimination learning in unique backgrounds, in which the correct response was to a particular object that could occupy one or the other of two possible places in a unique background, and (4) object discrimination learning in varying backgrounds, in which the correct response was to a particular object that could appear at any place in any background. The severest impairment produced by fornix transection was in object-in-place learning. Fornix transection did not impair object discrimination learning in varying backgrounds. The results from the other two types of learning task showed intermediate severity of impairment in the fornix-transected animals. The idea that fornix transection in the monkey impairs spatial memory but leaves object memory intact is thus shown to be an oversimplification. The impairments of object memory in the present experiments are analogous to the impairments of episodic memory seen in human amnesic patients.

Method and apparatus for utilizing annotations to facilitate computer retrieval of database material

Abstract: A method and apparatus for computer retrieval of database material which may be text, computer programs, graphics, audio, object classes, action specifications or other material which may be machine stored. Annotations are provided for at least selected database subdivisions, preferably with natural language questions, assertions or noun phrases or some combination/collection thereof. However, the annotations may also initially be generated in a structured form. Annotations are, if required, converted to a structured form and are stored in that form along with connections to corresponding subdivisions. Searching for relevant subdivisions involves entering a query in natural language or structured form, converting natural language queries to structured form, matching the structured form query against stored annotations and retrieving database subdivisions connected to matched annotations. The annotation process may be aided by utilizing various techniques for automatically or semiautomatically generating the annotations.

Home automation system

Abstract: A home automation system comprises a number of sub-systems for controlling various aspects of a house, such as a security sub-system, an HVAC sub-system, a lighting control sub-system, and an entertainment sub-system. The network comprises a host computer connected through a host interface to a plurality of nodes. The network is in a free form topology and employ asynchronous communication. The host computer polls each node on the network to determine system configuration and to perform a diagnostic check on the system. The messages that are transmitted between the nodes are comprised of a source address, a destination address that uniquely identifies the location of each piece of hardware on the system, a message type field, and a data length segment. Each hardware device has a mirror image software object in the host computer to which messages are directed. The user interfaces for the various sub-systems share a common interfacing method whereby use of the system is greatly simplified.

Data processing system having double supervising functions

Abstract: In a data processing system formed of a plurality of nodes each connected to networks, each node operates either as a manager or as an agent. The manager supervises information included in the agents which are managed by the manager itself. A super manager is connected to the network for recognizing the node which operates as the manager which performs double supervision of the information in the agents with the manager. The super manager has a receiving unit for receiving information to be supervised by the node which operates as the manager, a detecting unit for detecting a failure of the node which operates as the manager, and a supervising unit for specifying information to be supervised by the faulty manager in accordance with information received by the receiving unit when the detecting unit detects the failure. The super manager supervises the object information to be supervised instead of the manager when the manager fails.

Interactive information delivery system

Abstract: An information delivery system including a head end broadcasting a data stream of media objects, the head end being coupled to a broadcast television interface and at least one information service provider and including an encoder for encoding information in the media object is disclosed. The system may deliver and implement a programming guide delineating programming information available on the information delivery system in one or more media objects in the data stream in an encoded fashion by the encoder. A user terminal is coupled to the head-end and receives the media objects. The user terminal has an output and includes a decoder for the media objects. Also provided in one aspect is a user interface, at least partially stored in the user-terminal, which selects a user-defined subset of media objects for provision to the output of the user terminal. Further, an information navigation system for an information delivery system is provided. The navigation system functions with the electronic program guide and includes a user interface having a plurality of icon representations of various functions of the system, and including a broadcast television interface. The navigation system also includes a smart service navigator which interacts with the user interface and the electronic program guide to provide an output to the user.

Method and apparatus for determining position and orientation of a moveable object using accelerometers

Abstract: A three-dimensional position and orientation tracking system uses accelerometers to measure acceleration of a moveable object (e.g., a head-mounted display unit or a data glove). A tracking processor generates both position and orientation information on the object relative to a simulation environment as a function of the acceleration data. In one embodiment, a simplified radar-based tracking system is disposed relative to the object and periodically provides additional tracking data on the object to the tracking processor. The tracking processor uses the additional data to correct the position and orientation information using a feedback filter process. The position and orientation information signals generated can be used, for example, in a simulation or virtual reality application. Position and orientation information is received by a simulation processor relative to the object. The simulation processor modifies a simulation environment as a function of the position and orientation information received. Modified simulation environment information (e.g., video and/or audio information) is then presented to a user.

Method and apparatus for dynamic update of an existing object in an object editor

Abstract: User interface objects are stored in a user interface object archive which is a database physically located in the shared library of an associated application program. In order to facilitate "localization", or preparation of an application developed in one language for use in an "area" or a locale which uses another language, the user interface objects are stored in a hierarchical locale tree within the archive. All objects are stored in the base or root of the hierarchy, but only those objects which require a translation are stored in an area associated with a more specific locale. At runtime, a complete collection of objects is assembled by starting at the desired locale and proceeding up the hierarchy level-by-level. Translated objects at lower levels of the hierarchy "override" those at higher levels so that the most complete translations of each object are obtained during this search. The user interface objects which are stored in an archive are actually created via a predefined "constructor" program, and, in order to allow newly-created user interface objects to use the predesigned constructor program, each user interface object is contained in a special "escort" object that interfaces with the constructor program. A user can edit an existing object, and change its class. This results in a new object of the new class being created. The existing attributes of the old object are transferred to the new object. Only the attributes known to the common base class or classes of the two objects are transferred. The new object is substituted for the old object, and the old object is deleted.

Object-based and environment-based inhibition of return of visual attention.

Abstract: Efficient search for an object often requires that attention be prevented from returning to recently examined environmental loci. M. I. Posner and Y. A. Cohen (1984) proposed that inhibition of return (IOR) of visual attention is a search mechanism that prevents such attentional perservation. The internal representations upon which IOR functions were examined and the following conclusions were drawn: First, IOR mechanisms have access to both object- and environment-based representations. Second, environment-based inhibition can be associated with a featureless environmental location, whereas the object-based mechanism requires that attention be oriented to a visible object. These findings are discussed in terms of physiological pathways that may mediate location- and object-based effects.

Vehicular position monitoring system with integral mirror video display

Abstract: A vehicular position monitoring system includes an integral mirror video display. The display is capable of showing various fields of vision from various parts of the vehicle and can be strobed by the vehicle operator. The position monitoring system can be combined with a distance measurement system so that alpha-numeric graphics of distance between a vehicle and an object behind the vehicle can be displayed with the video image of regions seen from various points on the vehicle.

Object-oriented methods: A foundation

Abstract: Presents the concepts and techniques that support almost any system development approach, involving computers, people or machines. This book considers object structure, object behaviour and concepts like composition, diagrams, meta-modelling and power types. It also outlines design considerations.

Information catalog system with object-dependent functionality

Abstract: A computer implemented information catalog database system is disclosed for cataloging information stored in one or more data storage resources under the control of one or more data processing nodes. The catalog system includes a cataloging service facility for performing one or more information cataloging functions to organize and present a graphical view of the information stored in the data storage resource. The information cataloging functions are categorized into a plurality of defined function categories. An object generation facility generates one or more meta-data objects corresponding to units of information stored in the data storage resource. The meta-data objects contain attributes defining characteristics of the information units to which they correspond and the meta-data objects are assigned to one or more of the function categories to define the information cataloging functions which may be performed on the meta-data objects. A user interface is provided for executing the information cataloging functions on the meta-data objects in response to user input.

Memory for spatial and object-specific cues in food-storing and non-storing birds

Abstract: Two storer/non-storer pairs of species, marsh tit (Parus palustris)/blue tit (P. caeruleus) and jay (Garrulus glandarius)/jackdaw (Corvus monedula) were compared on a one-trial associative memory task. In phase I of a trial birds searched for a reward in one of four feeders which differed in their trial-unique spatial location and object-specific cues. Following a retention interval, the birds had to return to the same feeder to obtain a further reward. In control trials the array of feeders was unaltered, whilst in dissociation tests it was transformed to separate spatial location and object-specific cues.

System and method for locating objects including an inhibiting feature

Abstract: A system and method are provided for communicating between a person, object, and/or vehicle carried transceiver and a monitor station to locate and track the movement of the same for security or anti-crime purposes. A portable computing and communication device carried by a person or located (hidden) in an object generates and transmits via radio signals a plurality of codes when remotely activated. One (or more) code(s), identifying or descriptive of the person, object or vehicle to be tracked, is (are) generated and transmitted to a monitor station to display character and/or video picture information describing and/or physically displaying a picture of a select person and/or vehicle and license plate information to permit police or security personnel to recognize the same. Such coded information may be immediately transmitted or retransmitted from the monitor station to a radio receiver carried by a policeman or in one or more police vehicles. The portable device is equipped with location sensing capability, such as receiving signals from satellites such as from the GPS constellation, and a computer for calculating its position using triangulation methods. Transmission of the position signals from the portable device is inhibited for a time by entering thereat an inhibit personal identification number (PIN). Further, PINs are used by the monitoring station to activate and/or override the inhibiting feature.

System for using object-oriented hierarchical representation to implement a configuration database for a layered computer network communications subsystem

Abstract: An object-oriented, hierarchical model of a computer network layered communications subsystem is implemented in a configuration database subsystem to create and maintain a configuration database and to provide configuration data to the layered communications subsystem. The layered communications subsystem is represented by a set of defined object classes, each object class corresponding to one or more functions defined at each of the communications subsystem layers, the object classes being related in a hierarchical relationship which preserves the functional relationship among the various functions in the various layers making up the layered communications subsystem. The configuration database subsystem provides a user interface for command and data input, a configuration support module which implements command processing, validation and object support programs which execute the input commands and allow a configuration database to be built and maintained while ensuring the integrity of the configuration data and the hierarchical relationship, and a database for storing the configuration database.

Method and apparatus for managing relational data in an object cache

Abstract: In an object-oriented application being executed in a digital computing system comprising a processor, a method and apparatus are provided for managing information retrieved from a structured database, such as a relational database, wherein the processor is used to construct a plurality of object instances, each of these object instances having its own unique object ID that provides a mapping between the object instance and at least one row in the structured database. The processor is used to construct a single cohesive data structure, called an object cache, that comprises all the object instances and that represents information retrieved from the structured database in a form suitable for use by one or more object-oriented applications. A mechanism for managing the object cache is provided that has these three properties: First, through a technique called key swizzling, it uses explicit relationship pointers between object instances in the object cache to reduce the volume of queries to the structured database. Second, it ensures that only one copy of an object instance is in the cache at any given time, even if several different queries return the same information from the database. Third, the mechanism guarantees the integrity of data in the cache by locking data appropriately in the structured database during a database transaction, flushing cache data at the end of each transaction, and transparently re-reading the data and reacquiring the appropriate locks for an object instance whose data has been flushed.

A Neural Theory of Attentive Visual Search: Interactions of Boundary, Surface, Spatial, and Object Representations

Abstract: Visual search data are given a unified quantitative explanation by a model of how spatial maps in the parietal cortex and object recognition categories in the inferotemporal cortex deploy attentional resources as they reciprocally interact with visual representations in the prestriate cortex The model visual representations are organized into multiple boundary and surface representations Visual search in the model is initiated by organizing multiple items that lie within a given boundary or surface representation into a candidate search grouping These items are compared with object recognition categories to test for matches or mismatches Mismatches can trigger deeper searches and recursive selection of new groupings until a target object is identified The model provides an alternative to Feature Integration and Guided Search models

Integrating and Accessing Heterogeneous Information Sources in TSIMMIS

Abstract: A common problem facing many organizations today is that of multiple, disparate information sources and repositories, including databases, object stores, knowledge file systems, digital libraries, information retrieval systems, and electronic mail systems. Decision makers often need information from multiple sources, but are unable to get and fuse the required information in a timely fashion due to the diffculties of accessing the different systems, and due to the fact that the information obtained can be inconsistent and contradictory. The goal of the TSIMMIS 1 project is to provide tools for accessing, in an integrated fashion, multiple information sources. Numerous other recent projects have similar goals and are discussed briefly at the end of this abstract. For the following description of the TSIMMIS architecture refer to Figure 1. 1.1 T ranslators and Common Model Figure 1 shows a collection of (disk-shaped) heterogeneous information sources. Above each source is a translator (or wrapper ) that logically converts the underlying data objects to a common information model. To do this logical translation, the translator converts This work was supported by ARPA Contract F33615-93-1-1339, by the Anderson Faculty Scholar Fund, by the Center for Integrated Systems at Stanford University, and by equipment grants from Digital Equipment Corporation and IBM Corporation. The US Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Government purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation thereon. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the offcial policies or endorsements, either express or implied, of the US Government.

Workflow initiated by graphical symbols

Abstract: A method for workflow processing of objects stored in the memory of a computer system in accordance with the invention includes storing an object, which is to be processed, in the memory of a computer system; reading the object, which is to be processed, from the memory, and adding a graphical symbol to the object; processing the graphical symbol with middleware; and in response to the processing of the graphical symbol with the middleware initiating actions to process the object in accordance with business rules; and wherein the graphical symbol is an object which, when interpreted by the middleware into a computer readable format, initiates an action resulting in the use of at least one tool to process the object with each tool performing a different operation on the object or at least one additional object event or changing at least one attribute of the object, based on business rules, with the rules being comprised of at least one of the set of controls or procedures under which a computer implemented business process is conducted.

Development system with methods for visual inheritance and improved object reusability

Abstract: Relational database management system (RDBMS) with an object-based, interactive visual-programming language provides programming by "visual inheritance." A user places screen objects (e.g., boxes, screen buttons, table objects, and the like) on an on-screen window or "form," visually attaches selected "properties" and "methods" to the screen objects, and then establishes an containership-based event model that dictates how and when these properties and methods will be invoked. An object inherits or derives properties and methods from other (parent) objects via its visual containership. The creation and maintenance of application programs is greatly simplified.

Cnc control system

Abstract: A machine tool control system that includes a controllable, movable tool for shaping a workpiece, a mechanism for receiving control instructions describing shaping functions to be performed on the workpiece, a processing unit and memory. The control system includes objects defined according to an object oriented design. One type of object is a model of a shaping process to be performed on a workpiece, including informational parameters regarding the physical dimensions of the shape resulting from the process. The process objects communicate through an object oriented messaging system to machine objects, which represent physical devices present on the CNC machine on which the control system operates. The system also includes object oriented motion control and exception handler objects, each of which may communicate with other object via object oriented messages. The control system permits easy modifications to the control system by persons with limited knowledge about the entire control system, and is readily adaptable to advances in new CNC machine tools.

Object oriented data store integration environment for integration of object oriented databases and non-object oriented data facilities

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing and effectively integrating non-object oriented data stores with object applications. An integrating environment is implemented wherein an application using a distributed object database and object database management system (ODBMS) is provided with an interface to external data stores in a manner so as to effect location transparency. The application, accessing data via the ODBMS, can manipulate data in foreign data stores which include external data that is mapped and converted into objects for use by object applications. A storage management application program interface ("SM API"), effects a functional interface for handling objects, referencing objects, implementing iteration and indexing of objects, and implementing object transaction and cache handling. The SM API is part of a modular architecture that includes an external storage manager which implements classes that provide the foundation for engaging external data stores, and which maps and converts external data into objects that can be manipulated by an application using the ODBMS.

Case database storage/retrieval system

Abstract: A case database storage/retrieval system comprises a database for storing as a case contents occurred on an object, a script storage section for storing at least one script which describes a typically conducted series of operation and condition descriptions in time order with regard to the object containing the case within the database, a case storage control section for defining a related link between a new case and a specific operation and situation description in the script relating to the new case in order to relate them, and for storing the new case into the database, and a case retrieval section for retrieving to output a case related by the related link from the database, with respect to a specific operation and situation description designated in the specific script.

Multimedia synchronization system

Abstract: A method and system for providing synchronization of the timing of various multimedia events is disclosed. Clock objects are defined in the storage and associated with an internal or external source of current time. The clock objects are able to be displayed on the display, but can be hidden once their linkages are defined. One or more multimedia objects representative of audio, visual or other multimedia events are defined and linked to a particular clock object or clock objects. Then, a processor synchronizes the multimedia objects with the associated clock object or objects. Finally, the various multimedia events are performed in synchronization with their associated clocks.

System for linking hypermedia data objects in accordance with associations of source and destination data objects and similarity threshold without using keywords or link-difining terms

Abstract: A networked data-handling system including a plurality of processor-database units is disclosed in this invention. Each processor-database unit includes a many structured data objects. Each structured data object contains retrievable user requested data stored in the data base of that unit. The networked system includes an user interface for allowing an user to enter and modify a plurality of query requests and link instructions. The networked system further includes a link generator for receiving and executing the query requests and the link instructions for generating links between the structured data object distributed among the networked processor-database units for retrieving the retrievable user requested data from the linked structured data object The link generator further includes a user profile generator for accumulating and employing the query requests and link instructions for generating a user profile filtering file. The link generator further includes an experience-based link creating unit for applying the accumulated query requests and link instructions and the user profile filtering file for generating a recommended links.