Abstract: A financial planner and portfolio simulation system projects the simulated cumulative risks and rewards of a plurality of mixed portfolios in relation to the expected risk and reward of a minimum-risk or relatively risk-free baseline portfolio. Through simulation, the system generates, for each mixed portfolio, a distribution of average retirement budgets that the corresponding mixed portfolio would be projected to sustain. An asset allocation risk and reward spectrum chart is provided that graphs various percentile-ranked samples from each distribution on a computer-generated plot that also displays the sustainable retirement budget supported by a baseline portfolio. The statistical and graphical comparisons of the mixed portfolios to the baseline portfolio assist investors in choosing mixed portfolios best suited to their retirement goals and risk tolerance.

Abstract: An approach for the selection of Compton camera shapes, configurations, positions, orientations, trajectory paths, and detector element sets is provided for collecting data for analysis using the surface integral and integral-of-line-integral methods of reconstruction Compton data. Methods are introduced for (1) selecting one or more imaging lines through a radioactive distribution for which approximations of integrals of radioactivity are to be derived, (2) selecting and using Compton camera relative positions, relative orientations, and detector element sets that “correspond to” the selected imaging lines to collect the needed data; and (3) deriving approximations of integrals of radioactivity along those imaging lines. This methodological approach is used to reconstruct line integrals, cross-sections, local volumes, parallel projections, and cone-beam projections of radioactive distributions.

Abstract: A multiple watt-linkage force transfer mechanism is provided for an internal-combustion engine. The force transfer mechanism comprises two “bell cranks” that are used to drive a single crankshaft through a watt linkage mechanism. Each bell crank, in turn, is driven by two pistons through corresponding watt linkage mechanisms. The watt linkages connected to the pistons enable the connection ends of the pistons to travel along substantially straight paths, significantly reducing side loads against the piston walls. Also, all four pistons preferably drive a single connecting rod. This changes the role of the crankshaft—and the corresponding strength and rigidity requirements for the crankshaft—by reducing the necessary number of rod journals and main journals on the crankshaft.

Abstract: A portable multispectral data acquisition system for use on a vehicle such as an aircraft comprises a plurality of gyroscope-stabilized remote sensing devices synchronized to simultaneously capture images of a common spatial area in both visible and invisible bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, a computer and digital recorder to record and correlate the captured images with temporospatial reference information, image processing software to stack or layer the images and to extract and compare the images in order to identify and filter hidden or subsurface anomalies that are invisible to the naked eye, and additional image processing software to orthorectify the images to a three-dimensional digital terrain map and to stitch adjacent images together into a mosaic. Methods for using the portable multispectral data acquisition system are also provided.

Abstract: An articulated and animated toy capable of recognizing human users and selected inanimate objects and interacting therewith which includes a computer-based device having stored thereon encoded first human or human-like facial images, a video camera and video digitizer for acquiring data representative of a second human or human-like facial image, and software resident within said computer-based device for facial recognition, which includes Principal Component Analysis, Neural Networks, or another equivalent algorithm for comparing said first human or human-like facial images with said second human or human-like facial image and producing an output signal therefrom for use in identifying said human users. The apparatus can further include software for recognizing speech, generating speech and controlling animation of the articulated toy. In addition, said computer-based device is capable of learning and storing information pertaining to each of said human users such as name, age, sex, favorite color, etc.