Abstract: An expert system having a data storage device and a processor. The data storage device stores models having attributes, objectives having rules for evaluating the models, and strategies having rules for modifying the attributes. The processor evaluates a selected model in accordance with a selected objective and having the variable attribute set in accordance with a selected strategy to determine a characteristic value associated with the selected model and the variable attribute setting. The processor also stores information associated with improved results in the data storage device.

Abstract: A self-tuning filter is disclosed. The self-tuning filter includes a digital clocking signal and an input coupled to the digital clocking signal, whereby the input reads a value incident on the input when the digital clocking signal changes to a predetermined state. A clock-tunable filter is, furthermore, coupled to the digital clocking signal so that the frequency of the clock-tunable filter is adjusted in relation to a sampling frequency at which the digital clocking signal operates. The self-tuning filter may be applied to an input of a data acquisition unit and applied to an input having a variable sampling frequency. A method of controlling the frequency of a clock-tunable filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for predicting an engine operating condition and providing a component in accordance with the prediction.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for optimization. The apparatus, system, and method include a mechanism for ending an optimization when all models within one design tolerance of an optimum model have been simulated.

Abstract: A system, an apparatus, and a method for starting an engine. The system, apparatus, and method include determining a first quantity of fuel based on engine temperature, providing the first quantity of fuel to the engine during a first cycle of the engine, determining a second quantity of fuel based on engine temperature, providing the second quantity of fuel to the engine subsequently, and transitioning to an alternative fueling strategy.

Abstract: A signal modifying device, user interface, and method of modifying a signal. The signal modifying device includes a processor, a first input coupled to the processor and an output coupled to the processor. Instructions are stored within the processor that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to provide a signal incident at the output that corresponds to a signal incident at the input.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is disclosed. The imaging apparatus includes a motorized stage, a camera focussed relative to the stage, and a processor coupled to the camera. The processor contains instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to capture an image incident on the camera, convert the image into a plurality of pixels having a characteristic such as intensity, establish the characteristic for each pixel; and determine which pixels contain a target image based on the characteristic of the pixels. Another imaging apparatus includes a motorized stage, a camera having a lens directed toward the motorized stage, and a processor coupled to the camera.

Abstract: A system, an apparatus, and a method for starting an engine. The system, apparatus, and method include determining a first quantity of fuel based on engine temperature, providing the first quantity of fuel to the engine during a first cycle of the engine, determining a second quantity of fuel based on engine temperature, providing the second quantity of fuel to the engine subsequently, and transitioning to an alternative fueling strategy.

Abstract: A grinding machine (10) for double-sided grinding of tooth flanks, in particular hard-metal tipped circular saw blades (14) is described. The grinding machine comprises two grinding units (16, 18) each with a grinding body, a first drive to move at least one of the two grinding units (16, 18) along a first axis (x1, x2) running perpendicular to a plane containing the saw blade (14) and also a second drive (36) to move at least one of the two grinding units (16, 18) along a second axis (z) running parallel to axes of rotation of the grinding bodies. Furthermore a third drive (38) is provided to move at least one of the two grinding units (16, 18) along a third axis (y) running parallel to the first (x1, x2) and the second (y) axis. A control method according to the invention for the grinding machine (10) provides that a tangential clearance angle of a tooth is varied along a tooth flank during the grinding of the tooth.

Abstract: A signal conditioning device, user interface, and method of conditioning a signal. The signal conditioning device includes a processor, a first input coupled to the processor and an output coupled to the processor. Instructions are stored within the processor that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to provide a signal incident at the output that corresponds to a signal incident at the input.

Abstract: A system for processing a thumbnail image from a microscope slide to determine tissue locations on the slide. The system comprises an image cropping component, a tissue finding component, and a scan control component. The image cropping component crops the thumbnail image and removes portions of the image that fall outside of determined slide boundaries. The cropped image from the image cropping component is inputted into the tissue finding component. The tissue finding component identifies tissue regions by applying a sequence of filters that incorporate knowledge of typical appearance and location of tissue and non-tissue slide regions. The tissue finding component outputs a tiling matrix whose values indicate which tiles should be imaged. The scan control component interprets the tiling matrix and transposes positions of the tiling matrix into actual stage coordinate for a microscopic imaging.

Abstract: A throttle and fuel injector assembly and method of controlling fuel and air supply to an engine. The assembly and method provide combustion air through a carburetor and fuel through a carburetor.

Abstract: An illumination system for microscopic digital montage imaging based on a pulsed light illumination source triggered by the position of a specimen with respect to the optical axis of the microscope. The strobe illumination is used to facilitate high-speed tiled (montage) image capture of otherwise static specimens with higher throughput and significantly reduced mechanical precision requirements and cost. The invention allows for perfectly aligned montage tiles at high throughputs using standard microscope optics, having camera frame rate be the limiting factor in microscopic tiled image capture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting a quantity of fuel delivered to an engine when an engine operating state transitions is provided. The apparatus and method includes determining a current steady-state quantity of fuel to be delivered to the engine and add a transitory quantity of fuel, based on a difference between a previous steady-state quantity of fuel delivered and the current steady-state quantity of fuel to be delivered, to the current steady-state quantity of fuel for a period of time following initiation of the transition. The invention also provides an apparatus and method by which an operator may adjust the amount of fuel delivered during an engine operating state transition.

Abstract: A method and control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that allows an operator to calibrate engine performance relative to an engine operating characteristic. The control apparatus comprises a base engine control map that correlates values of the characteristic with values of a base engine control, a trim control map that correlates the values of the characteristic with values of a trim control, an engine control unit that obtains from the base engine control and trim control maps the respective base engine control and trim control values that are based on the characteristic value, and a panel that is operatively coupled with the engine control unit and includes a first switch regulating a trim signal supplied to the engine control unit. The trim control map is separated from the base control map. The engine control unit calculates an engine operating control value based on the obtained values.

Abstract: An engine management system for an internal combustion engine. The engine management system comprises an engine control system calculating an engine operating control value, a palm-size computer transportable relative to the engine control system, and an external computer communicating with the palm-size computer. The engine operating control value is adapted to be supplied to the internal combustion engine to vary engine performance. The palm-size computer has height, width, and thickness dimensions that are no larger than approximately 6 inches by approximately 4 inches by approximately 1 inch. The palm-size computer runs a set of engine management tools that communicate engine management data to the engine control system. The external computer downloads to the palm-size computer engine management tools and engine management files, and uploads from the palm-size computer engine management files.