Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes one or more neuron MOS transistors on a substrate. The MOS transistor comprises a semiconductor region of one conductivity type, source and drain regions of opposite conductivity type disposed in this region, floating gate disposed on an insulating film between the source and drain regions, and a plurality of input coupling electrodes making capacitive coupling with the floating gate through the insulating film, wherein the floating gate is connected to at least one switching device.

Abstract: A method is described for performing distributed genetic programming using a server and a plurality of client machines which are connected together by a computer network such as the Internet. The genetic programming seeks to optimise a population of individuals against one or more predetermined fitness criteria. The method includes downloading instructions for performing a fitness evaluation on an individual from the server to the client machines; distributing individuals from the population of individuals from the server across the plurality of client machines; and evaluating the fitness of the distributed individuals at the client machines by using the downloaded instructions. Those individuals which have the best fitness are preferentially selected for breeding to produce the next generation of individuals. This breeding is preferably also performed on the client machines.

Abstract: An automated teller machine (10) or a home banking system (32) is operated to provide, during the delays associated with authorizing and acting upon a user instruction, a sales presentation related to a financial product. The type of presentation is selected by matching a profile of the user, obtained from a central information store (20), with profiles of target customers for a number of financial products.

Abstract: A function for compensating an error between a teacher signal and an output signal with a weight value is defined. A multilayered neural network is changed so that the function becomes minimum. Thus, the multilayered neural network can be adaptively controlled.

Abstract: A data string is a sequence of atomic units of data that represent information. In the context of computer data, examples of data strings include executable programs, data files, and boot records consisting of sequences of bytes, or text files consisting of sequences of bytes or characters. The invention solves the problem of automatically constructing a classifier of data strings, i.e., constructing a classifier which, given a string, determines which of two or more class labels should be assigned to it. From a set of (string, class-label) pairs, this invention provides an automated technique for extracting features of data strings that are relevant to the classification decision, and an automated technique for developing a classifier which uses those features to classify correctly the data strings in the original examples and, with high accuracy, classify correctly novel data strings not contained in the example set.

Abstract: A likelihood of detecting a reflected signal characterized by phase discontinuities and background noise is enhanced by utilizing neural networks to identify coherency intervals. The received signal is processed into a predetermined format such as a digital time series. Neural networks perform different tests over arbitrary testing intervals to determine the likelihood of a phase discontinuity occurring in any such interval. An integration time generator subsequently uses this information to define a series of contiguous coherency intervals over the duration of the received signal. These coherency intervals are then used for piece-wise processing of the received signal by parallel quadrature receivers. The outputs are combined and processed for detecting the presence of the reflected signal.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing one or more specific purpose rule-based n-bit virtual processing machines. Specific purposes include, but are not limited to, encryption, compression, and arbitrary precision arithmetic. Each virtual machine consists of a command processor, a rule-base, and an interface between the command processor and the rule-base. Each of the elements of a specific purpose rule-based n-bit virtual machine--the command processor, the rule-base, and the rule-base interface--is preferably implemented as software. In the preferred embodiment, the system uses a stored rule-base as its instruction set and provides for input and output in the form of variable length bit strings of length n where n is any number greater than zero. Each of the rules within the rule-base performs one or more binary string operations against one or more variable length n-bit strings.

Abstract: Apparatus for assisting management of services provided by a computer system includes an inferencing engine (30) for carrying out inferencing operations on a declarative model (24) of a service, using facts about the system stored in a fact base (32). A resident goal store (102) contains declarative definitions of goals which concern availability of services and which it is desirable for the system to continue to satisfy; these definitions are linked to associated facts in the fact base. The service model (24) includes definitions of events which can occur in the system and may affect availability of services, and definitions of actions which can be taken to modify the configuration of the system. When occurrence of an event defined in the service model is reported to the apparatus, the event definition is used to guide analysis of the event report and appropriate updating of the fact base. Goals which are linked to the updated facts are then examined to assess whether the goals are still satisfied.

Abstract: The present invention provides a project optimization software tool in which a single window in a graphical user interface serves as a tool for planning future actions, reviewing past actions, organizing meetings and launching executable software tools. A project pathway window supports: 1) the listing and viewing of sequences of pathway steps, which, if accomplished, lead towards a defined project goal, 2) the ability to link software tools to those pathway steps, and launch the software tools for execution, 3) the creation of meeting agendas, each of which may encompass several pathway steps, without demoting the included pathway steps, and 4) the marking of the status of pathway steps.

Abstract: A content processing system determines content of input discourse. The content processing system includes a theme vector processor that determines themes in the input discourse. The theme vector processor identifies themes, including identifying the relative importance of the themes in the input discourse by generating a theme strength. The theme strength indicates relative thematic importance for the theme in the input discourse. A knowledge catalog, which includes static ontologies arranged in a hierarchical structure, is also disclosed. The static ontologies are independent and parallel of each other, and contain knowledge concepts to represent a world view of knowledge. The theme vector processor utilizes the static ontologies to generate a theme concept for each theme by extracting a knowledge concept from a higher level node in the hierarchical structure of a static ontology.

Abstract: A hybrid analyzer having a data derived primary analyzer and an error correction analyzer connected in parallel is disclosed. The primary analyzer, preferably a data derived linear model such as a partial least squares model, is trained using training data to generate major predictions of defined output variables. The error correction analyzer, preferably a neural network model is trained to capture the residuals between the primary analyzer outputs and the target process variables. The residuals generated by the error correction analyzer is summed with the output of the primary analyzer to compensate for the error residuals of the primary analyzer to arrive at a more accurate overall model of the target process. Additionally, an adaptive filter can be applied to the output of the primary analyzer to further capture the process dynamics. The data derived hybrid analyzer provides a readily adaptable framework to build the process model without requiring up-front knowledge.

Abstract: A method for storing a membership function, include storing a position of a vertex of a triangle that defines the membership function in a universe of discourse and storing a first distance between the position of the vertex a point of intersection between a left side of the triangle and an axis of the universe of discourse. Further, the method includes storing a second distance between the position of the vertex and point of intersection between right side of the triangle and the axis of the universe of discourse. The present invention furthermore relates to a circuit for calculating a grade of membership of an antecedent of a fuzzy rule, and is adapted to fuzzify an input variable by adopting the geometric proportions that occur between homologous sides of similar triangles defined by the position of the input value in the universe of discourse.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for imparting linear motion to tooling. The tooling is attached to a manipulator device having two different length arms. The tooling may be moved linearly from a first point to a second point by adjusting the angles of the first and second arms for a number of intermediate points extending along a straight line between the first and second points and along which the tooling passes.

Abstract: An expert system and processing method employing a three level hierarchical knowledge base that has a plurality of nodes coupled together. An uppermost level comprises a behavioral knowledge level, a middle level comprises a structural knowledge level and a lowermost level is an action level. Inference processing proceeds from the behavioral knowledge level through the structural knowledge level to a leaf node of the action level. One or more non-inferentially assessable utilities may be associated with the inference kernel of the expert system for accessing during inferential processing within the hierarchically structured knowledge base. A knowledge editor implements guidelines that structure received information in the desired hierarchical three level configuration. Further, interactive multimedia/hypermedia systems and methods are presented, which might be expert system based. Training and certification applications of the multimedia/hypermedia system/method are given.

Abstract: A circuit for the measurement of current in a load includes a non-linear element for transforming a current into a voltage and includes a fuzzy logic processor to process a measurement of the voltage and provide an information element representing the current. The device permits the precise use of semi-conductor or other components for the measurement of current in making a linear approximation of the current-voltage characteristics of the semi-conductors used by using triangular type membership functions. The linear approximation may also be combined with a Gaussian interpolation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for objectively monitoring the performance of a group of health-care providers. In-patient payment claim records representative of in-patient health-care services performed for patients by health-care providers within the group of health-care providers and out-patient payment claim records representative of out-patient health-care services performed for patients by health-care providers within group of health-care providers are stored in databases. A plurality of sickness episode data records are built from the in-patient payment claim records and the out-patient payment claim records, and an objective severity adjustment analysis is performed on the sickness episode data records to form a plurality of severity-adjusted sickness episode data records.

Abstract: A knowledge based planning and analysis system (30) is provided which includes a toolset (32) of expert systems and a knowledge base, or object repository (40). The system (30) assists a user in developing, customizing and analyzing reusable objects which are used to build model businesses. The models include data objects and activity objects which are decomposed in parallel until they can no longer be decomposed or until the process is terminated by the user.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically detecting fires in select areas, and reacting thereto to put out the fires. A stationary, earth orbit satellite, pilotless drone aircrafts or piloted aircraft contains one or more infrared detectors and optical means for detecting small fires when they first occur in fields and wooded areas, preferably where man made campfires and trash dumping are prohibited. A computer in the satellite, drone or piloted aircraft and/or on the ground receives and analyzes image signals of the earth area or areas being monitored and, upon detecting infrared radiation of varying intensity and variable shape, indicative that a fire has started, generates coded signals which are (a) indicative of the coordinate locations of the fire, (b) the extent of the fire, (c) the shape of the area(s) burning, (d) the direction of movement of the fires (e) the speed(s) of the flame fronts, (f) smoke condition, (g) intensity of the fire, (h) fire ball location(s), etc.

Abstract: In the design and implementation of neural networks, training is determined by a series of architectural and parametric decisions. A method is disclosed that, using genetic algorithms, improves the training characteristics of a neural network. The method begins with a population and iteratively modifies one or more parameters in each generation based on the network with the best training response in the previous generation.

Abstract: A recurrent, neural network-based fuzzy logic system includes in a rule base layer and a membership function layer neurons which each have a recurrent architecture with an output-to-input feedback path including a time delay element and a neural weight. Further included is a recurrent, neural network-based fuzzy logic rule generator wherein a neural network receives and fuzzifies input data and provides data corresponding to fuzzy logic membership functions and recurrent fuzzy logic rules.