Abstract: A system is provided to allow for automated planning and scheduling the work flow for reconfigurable production systems having a plurality of modules, with each module having alternative capabilities. The system includes a system controller, a planning function for planning the concurrent production of regular and diagnostic work units, and a scheduling function for scheduling the concurrent production of regular and diagnostic work units.

Abstract: A system is provided to allow automated planning and scheduling of the work flow for reconfigurable production systems having a plurality of modules, with each module having alternative capabilities. The system includes a system controller, at least one planning function, and at least one scheduling function.

Abstract: A media path jam clearance apparatus installable in a supporting structure includes media drive mechanisms for moving flexible media through media paths and a rotatable, removable jam clearance element. Within the jam clearance element facing surfaces of guide elements define guide surfaces for media paths, with the guide elements having external surfaces capable of supporting the flexible media as it is wrapped around the external surfaces. A pivotal support element supports and enables rotational movement of the jam clearance element within the supporting structure. The jam clearance element may be partially or entirely extracted from the supporting structure.

Abstract: A method for enhancing electronic images of a document, in which the electronic images contain a background with foreground markings, includes receiving an electronic image containing pixels and assigning an initial provisional foreground/background status to the pixels. The initial foreground/background estimate is revised and a determination is made as to whether the revised foreground/background estimate is to be the final status assignment for the pixels of the image. If a final pixel status assignment has not been achieved, the estimate is again revised until a final foreground/background status is reached for the image pixels prior to creation of an output image.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing three dimensional shapes from two dimensional image domains uses glyph address carpets as a structured light pattern. The glyph address carpet includes a glyph encoding scheme in which the coordinates of any given point can be computed by looking at the glyph marks in a small neighborhood. The method includes calibrating at least one projecting device and at least one image detecting device and projecting a glyph address carpet pattern onto a three dimensional figure. The projected glyph address carpet pattern is detected and used to reconstruct the three dimensional coordinates for each readable glyph mark within the projected glyph address carpet pattern.

Abstract: A device for effecting motion of liquid droplets on a surface through the use of electrostatic field force includes a single substrate on which are disposed a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes. A dielectric material surrounds the electrodes on the substrate. The surface on which the liquid droplets are deposited is fabricated from a material that facilitates motion of the liquid droplets.

Abstract: A nanocalorimeter array for detecting chemical reactions includes at least one thermal isolation region residing on a substrate. Each thermal isolation region includes at least one thermal equilibration region, within which resides a thermal measurement device connected to detection electronics.

Abstract: A computer controlled system provides for configuration-specific recovery of operation in a reconfigurable production system having a plurality of modules with a plurality of alternative capabilities for processing work units. The system includes a system controller having planning, scheduling, and performance failure identification functions. The planning function plans utilization of selected module capabilities in the production of jobs having not less than one work unit and the scheduling function schedules utilization of selected module capabilities in the production of jobs. The failure identification function identifies the failure of module capabilities to perform the work units for a scheduled job.

Abstract: A portable, compact electronic device is disclosed which is adapted for communication with a personal digital assistant. The electronic device includes a housing having an opening adapted for receiving a medium adapted for printing or scanning and at least one coiled structure formed from a coilable material. At least one guide positions the coilable material as it is extended from the coiled structure. The printing or scanning medium is moved through an opening in the housing by rotating elements. An activation means is utilized to perform printing or scanning of the medium, under the controlled extension and retraction of the coilable material from the coiled structure.

Abstract: A graphical input and display system having a user interface for selecting and creating image object elements includes input devices permitting a user to manipulate elements of electronic images. A processor, connected to the system, receives requests for various image object selection operations and also accesses a memory structure. The system memory structure includes a user interaction module, which allows a user to select image objects, an image object selection module for interpreting imprecise image object selection paths, and data memory.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for transporting materials or objects on substantially vertical structures for installation, deployment, inspection and repair purposes includes gripping mechanisms having a conformable gripping portion. The gripping mechanisms are separated by links, which are mutually attached to each other to permit angular rotation of the links relative to each other about a pivot point. A latching mechanism provides the capability for the gripping portion to be opened as well as secured for operation.

Abstract: A cooperative solving method for controlling a plurality of constraint problem solvers identifies complexity criteria, which provide direction for selecting and for transitioning between constraint problem solvers. The method includes randomly selecting a test point and determining whether the test point satisfies a first complexity criterion. A first constraint problem solver is selected, and an alternate test point is identified by the first solver if the complexity criterion has not been satisfied. If the alternate test point is a problem solution, it is transmitted to the system. If the alternate test point is not a problem solution or if the original randomly-selected test point satisfies the complexity criterion, a second constraint solver selects a new test point. If the new test point is a problem solution, it is transmitted to the system; if the new test point is not a solution, the cooperative solver is restarted.

Abstract: A method for feedback control of cooperative problem solving for real-time applications in complex systems utilizes solvers parameterized by control variables. The method includes initializing the time setting and selecting at least one solver parameter value. The solver is operated with the selected solver parameter value or values for a specified interim and the operational conditions are reviewed. A solution is transmitted to the system if a solution quality condition is satisfied. The solver continues to operate if the solution quality condition is not satisfied and the performance differential is not greater than a specified threshold. If the solution quality condition is unsatisfied, but the performance differential exceeds the threshold, at least one alternate solver parameter value is selected and the solver is operated with the new solver parameter value for a specified interim. The solver continues to operate until the solution quality condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A method for performing exception handling operates within a computer controlled multi-step production system for producing objects. The system includes a system controller, within which reside a planner/scheduler and module controller(s). The system controller receives a stream of object specifications for objects to be produced including the jobs to which they belong. The planner/scheduler plans and schedules the jobs incrementally, and the system controller sends commands to the module controller(s) directing production of the planned and scheduled objects by production system modules. The method includes receiving notice in the system controller of a problem situation present within the multi-step production system and halting planning for the production of subsequent objects. Plans are canceled plans for all objects that have not begun production, and all objects affected by the problem situation are marked as bad objects.

Abstract: A graphical input and display system for creating and manipulating image object(s) includes input devices permitting a user to select elements of image object(s) received from various image input sources. A processor, connected to the system, receives requests for various image editing operations and also accesses a user interaction module which enables the user to enter new image material or select and modify existing image material without pre-selecting an input mode. The system data memory structure includes a displayed objects data structure, and internal state data structure, and a selected material data structure.

Abstract: A method for developing and using real time applications for a dynamic system having a sensing subsystem, actuation subsystem, a control subsystem, and an application subsystem utilizes stochastic compute time algorithms. After optimization functions, desired state and constraints are received and detector data has been provided from a sensor subsystem, a statistical optimization error description is generated. From this statistical optimization error description a strategy is developed, including the optimization errors, within the control subsystem. An execution module within the control subsystem then sends an execution strategy to various actuators within the actuation subsystem.

Abstract: A method is provided for vehicle to vehicle communication among vehicles having wireless communication links. Upon receiving notification of a sudden change in vehicle behavior, a vehicle broadcasts a priority message to surrounding vehicles within a transmission range. If an emergency event has occurred, a repeat cycle is defined for re-broadcasting the message, and a maximum number of initial repetitions for the message is specified. The message is transmitted repeatedly by a leader vehicle, with a pause between each transmission, until the maximum number of repetitions has been reached.

Abstract: A self-learning diagnostic system provides diagnostics capabilities which may be applied to a population of networked machines or components and assemblies in a product. The self-learning diagnostic system uses both the components' own historical data and the data for an entire population of networked machines of a given product in the field as the training set to adjust critical threshold parameters for detection and diagnosis. The system includes a nominal diagnostic threshold setting module which sets initial thresholds and an adjustment module, which adjusts thresholds continuously based on machine performance data. A service records evaluation module checks service records periodically for correlations and an adjustment module adjust service strategies based on correlation data.

Abstract: A method for developing and using real time applications for a dynamic system having a sensing subsystem, actuation subsystem, a control subsystem, and an application subsystem utilizes stochastic compute time algorithms. After optimization functions, desired state and constraints are received and detector data has been provided from a sensor subsystem, a statistical optimization error description is generated. From this statistical optimization error description a strategy is developed, including the optimization errors, within the control subsystem. An execution module within the control subsystem then sends an execution strategy to various actuators within the actuation subsystem.

Abstract: In a problem partitioning method for problem solving in a computer system, a definition of a system to be controlled, a hierarchical control structure definition, problem definitions for a plurality of control nodes in the hierarchical control structure, and a structure evaluation function are used in partitioning the system problem. The partitioning method defines an instantiation of the hierarchical control structure by decomposing the system into a plurality of hierarchical control structure instances, with each control structure instance having a plurality of control levels. The performance of each of the hierarchical control structure instances is evaluated with the structure evaluation function and an optimal hierarchical control structure instance is selected.