Abstract: A method of determining or predicting a value P.sub.x of a property (e.g. octane number) of a material X or a property of a product of a process from said material or yield of said process, which method comprises measuring the absorption D.sub.ix of said material at more than one wavelength in the region 600-2600 nm, comparing the said absorptions or a derivative thereof with absorptions D.sub.im or the derivatives thereof at the same wavelength for a number of standards S in a bank for which the said property or yield P is known, and choosing from the bank at least one standard S.sub.m with property P.sub.m said standard having the smallest average value of the absolute difference at each wavelength i between the absorption D.sub.i x (or derivative thereof) for the material and the absorption D.sub.i m (or derivative thereof) for the standard S.sub.m to obtain the P.sub.x, with averaging of said properties or yields P.sub.m when more than one standard S.sub.m is chosen.

Abstract: The Automated Minimum Resolvable Temperature Difference Tester employs the se of tracker based algorithms and automated collection techniques to measure the system's Minimum Resolvable Temperature Difference at various spatial frequencies. The system employs a tracker-type system to resolve bar targets. The system in use provides a means for heating or cooling the target such that a temperature difference between the target and the background is apparent. The temperature difference is then decreased until the algorithm can no longer resolve the target. The candidate tracker system also utilizes a correlation tracking scheme. Changes in spatial frequencies (target sizes) and target temperatures along with data collection techniques is automated to expedite the process while establishing a method for achieving the required measurement which defines the range at which a given task can be accomplished.

Abstract: A method of creating a library of standardized spectral data and identifying a sample by searching the standardized library for a match with the sample spectrum. The method entails determining and applying a transfer function which equalizes instrument bias between instruments and within the same instruments over time. A transfer function is specific to a particular instrument, and is based on the relationship between a reference spectrum of a standard as stored in a library and a spectrum of the standard obtained on the particular instrument of interest. This method provides enhanced library searching capabilities.

Abstract: A liquid registration and control system (30) has an intrinsically safe (IS) fiber optic network (56) for the transmission of digital data between various modules (42, 54, 58, 146) in the system (30). The system (30) modules (42, 54, 58, 146) are dedicated to various liquid delivery functions and operational capabilities and send messages to each other over the network (56).

Abstract: A method and system for selecting molecules or molecular parts for screening. A base set of molecules on which chemical tests are to be performed is defined, and once defined, the base set may be extended by selecting molecules which are determined to maximize the diversity of the extended set. Diversity of a set of molecules is measured by reference to steric, electrostatic, and hydrogen bonding features of the set of 3D conformational shapes which each molecule in the set may take on. Each molecule is assigned a measure of incremental (added) diversity with respect to the base set of molecules on which chemical tests are to be performed. To do this, for each new molecule, a set of conformations is defined, and for each conformation, a measure of dissimilarity from each conformation of those molecules in the base set is defined. The molecule's measure of added diversity is responsive to a closest match between the any conformation of that molecule and any conformation of any molecule already in the base set.

Abstract: An isolated current shunt transducer includes a current shunt that produces a voltage difference between the current shunt's first and second ends, with the voltage difference being related to a current flowing through the current shunt. The transducer also includes an isolation barrier positioned between the current shunt and a processing circuit to isolate the processing circuit from a voltage that is common to both ends of the current shunt. Two or more transducers may be included in a power meter for measuring power delivered to a load by a multiple phase power distribution circuit. In such a power meter, a processing circuit is connected to the current shunts through the isolation barriers and is operable to produce multiple phase power measurements based on the differences between the voltages at the first and second ends of the current shunts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to computational methods for designing chemical structures sharing common useful, functional properties based on specific combinations of steric configuration and binding affinity. More particularly the present invention provides a method for producing computer-simulated receptors which functionally mimic biological receptors. The simulated receptors are designed to exhibit optimized selective affinity for known target molecules. Chemical structures are then generated and evolved to exhibit selective affinity for the simulated receptors.

Abstract: A golf ranging system is provided where a golfer positions a ranging unit at a ball position, indicates which hole is being played and the ranging unit reports the distance to the pin for that hole and/or the distance from the tee for that hole. The ranging signal is a direct sequence spread-spectrum signal and the ranging is repeated many times and an average taken, to improve the accuracy of the distance measurement. Optionally, the ranging system could operate over multiple frequencies to avoid interference. The multiple frequencies are scanned until an interference-free channel is found, or measurements are made at several frequencies and averaged. The pin unit might be housed just beyond the pin and include an offset to the pin. The offset can be set by simply sending an offset signal from a standard ranging unit, or a specially configured course management unit, held at the pin or manually entered via a serial port.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes conductive elements and a radiation sensitive material interposed between the conductive elements and dosed to different conductivities in different portions thereof. Another aspect is a process of integrated circuit fabrication including steps of depositing a radiation sensitive material as a layer and variably dosing it with radiation to establish areas of higher and lower resistivity in the layer. A printed wiring board includes radiation sensitive material and the board further has a conductor layer affixed to the base. A transistor has a radiation sensitive material dosed to have two conductive regions separated by a gap of a lower conductivity in the radiation sensitive material, and a conductive substance deposited over the gap. These elements are useful in smart power devices, digital computers, controllers and electronic applications generally. Other devices, systems and processes are disclosed.

Abstract: Vision systems having knowledge of position and attitude can reliably determine what scenes are being addressed by the system. Real images of the scene can then be augmented with computer generated information which relates to the known scene. A determination of position and attitude of the device identifies which scene is being addressed. A computer recalls information regarding the scene and generates imagery according to that recalled information. The computer generated imagery is then combined with an image of the scene to form an augmented image which is presented to the user aligned to the viewing direction of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for test determining the optimal water-binding ability of wheat flour in order to bake bread with a desired baking result. A predetermined quantity of wheat flour is mixed with water and prepared by working the flour and water together over a given period of time. The starch content of the flour is washed out so as to obtain the gluten content of the flour and therewith a so-called wet gluten piece. This procedure is repeated at least twice at mutually different preparation times but at mutually equal temperatures. The wet gluten piece obtained with each test is first weighed with its water content. The piece is then dried and weighed again. The weights obtained are marked in a coordinate system or are alternatively fed into a computer and form the basis on which the water-binding ability of the gluten of the wheat flour can be indicated at a relevant working time.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for predicting the three-dimensional structure of a protein fragment from its amino acid sequence. A hierarchic procedure ascends the folding hierarchy in discrete stages with concomitant accretion of structure. The protein fragment may be represented by a simplified geometry and folds under the influence of a primitive energy function.

Abstract: A method for the quantification of the one or several of the physical properties selected from dry tensile strength, hydrophobicity, debonding energy, bursting strength, wettability and printability of pulp and/or paper which method comprises(I) developing a calibration model by(I.a) registering absorption, reflectance or emission spectra of reference samples of paper of known properties as defined above to develop learning sets;(I.b) processing the spectral raw data, to reduce noise and adjust for drift and diffuse light scatter;(I.c) performing a data analysis by applying chemometric techniques to the processed learning sets; and(II) determining the unknown properties as defined above of pulp and/or paper by registering the absorption, reflectance or emission spectrum, in correspondence to (I.a), from the pulp and/or paper having unknown properties; processing the thereby obtained spectral raw data as according to (I.b); and applying the developed calibration model to the processed data.

Abstract: A selective low power clocking apparatus and method is used to reduce power consumption by an electronic system or integrated circuit that is coupled to an external system via a system bus which is configured to selectively transmit or receive signals from the electronic system or integrated circuit. The electronic system or integrated circuit includes a plurality of sub-circuits or functional blocks. Each sub-circuit or functional block is configured to operate under control of a clock signal and further includes an apparatus for holding or rejecting the clock signal. Once each sub-circuit within the electronic system or integrated circuit rejects the clock signal, the clock signal to that sub-circuit is disabled. The arbiter circuit continuously monitors the system bus. Upon detecting that the external system needs to transmit or receive signals from the electronic system or integrated circuit, the arbiter re-enables the clock signal to the sub-circuits which are required for the transmission or reception.

Abstract: A method of configuring an artificial neural network for predicting residual chlorine concentration in water contained in a storage tank of a water supply system, the storage tank having an inlet for admitting water into the tank and an outlet for discharging water from the tank. The method of the invention comprises the steps of (a) collecting historical data representative of selected operational and water quality parameters associated with chlorine demand in the tank; (b) scaling the data collected in step (a); (c) organizing the data scaled in step (b) in the form of a set of time-lagged data; and (d) processing the data organized in step (c) through an artificial neural network by scanning a window over the set of data, the window having a size corresponding to a sub-set of the data, to associate a predicted value with a respective one of the sub-sets scanned by the window, the predicted value being representative of the residual chlorine concentration at the tank outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for updating upper and lower thresholds in peak and valley systems. The apparatus includes comparators which determine which peaks or valleys are eligible for use in the calculation of upper or lower threshold levels. The comparators output the eligible peaks and valleys into statistical blocks that calculate the mean of the peaks and valleys as well as the deviation over a predetermined number of samples. Additional comparators compare either the mean deviation, standard deviation, or variance of the eligible peaks and valleys to predetermined deviation thresholds to determine whether the mean peak or mean valley should be used to calculate update thresholds. The apparatus further includes memory elements that store the mean peak or mean valley values used in the calculation of upper or lower thresholds.

Abstract: A controlling device is operated continuously throughout the day to minimize the energy consumption of an electrical load. The controlling device processes at least one primary measured value and at least one primary nominal value to obtain a control value. The control value is output by the controlling device for controlling the flow of energy to the electrical load throughout the day. The at least one primary nominal value is adjusted for individual conditions occurring throughout the day by using an output obtained by processing at least one secondary measured value and at least one secondary nominal value. The at least one secondary measured value is influenced by a user. The energy consumption of the electrical load is minimized while the comfort level of the electrical load (i.e., readiness of the electrical load when usage is expected) is maximized or optimized.

Abstract: A system for three-dimensional position sensing including a target station, a reference station and a means for accurately calculating the position of the target station relative to the reference station. The system includes the use of at least one gyroscope and a computer to determine the position of the target station. Such a system may be used in land surveying, earth grading machinery position sensing, marine navigation and coordinate measuring.

Abstract: The invention relates to the continuous monitoring of a manufacturing process. Channels continuously inspect fundamental elements of the manufacturing process in order to detect any changes in the products or machine. The data is processed in each channel by frequency estimators and then analyzed in order to detect major variations and to trigger an alarm signal. A monitor analyzes the various alarm signals to correlate them with expected changes in order to accept these alarms and to record the state of the manufacturing process when the alarms relate to aberrant phenomena.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of measuring a swim performance and swim stroke efficiency uses a microcomputer based hand mounted device that can be worn by the swimmer during the swim exercise. The device is secured to a swimmers hand by an adjustable strap and fits roughly within the area defined by the user's fingers. An internal timer and contact switch within the device permit time keeping and stroke counting functions, from which the internal microcomputer derives a plurality of swim performance factors. The device is battery powered and has a "low-battery" indicator to warn the user in advance of total power drain. Swim performance can evaluated via a LCD and a variety of numeric and graphic indicators. The device can be a used by a swimmer to determine swim stroke rate, cycle rate, velocity, distance per stroke and other variables which effect swim performance. The data can be stored in an internal memory means and retrieved later by the user.