Abstract: A temperature sensing system contains a plurality of thermocouple pairs which are connected to an interface. The interface contains a microprocessor and a memory and provides for fault tolerance within the system by comparing measurements from each thermocouple within a thermocouple pair to a predetermined threshold value. If the difference between the thermocouple readings is greater than the threshold value, a malfunction is identified and corrective action is taken. The system determines which thermocouple has malfunctioned by comparing the readings of each of the thermocouples to a projected value based on historical data contained in the memory. The thermocouple whose reading varies to the greatest degree from its associated projected value is identified as the malfunctioning thermocouple. The reading from the properly functioning thermocouple is then used to produce an output signal.

Abstract: Multimedia presentations of outdoor information, such as weather information and ski reports, are provided on information transmission networks, such as Internet, on-line services and interactive TV. The outdoor information is compiled from a plurality of sources by electronically transmitting it to a presentation generator. The outdoor information is converted into presentation information for generating multimedia presentations. The presentation information is stored in a computer database that is accessible through the network. When a request is received from a user device connected to the network for selected outdoor information, the presentation information corresponding to the selected outdoor information is transmitted from the database to the user device through the information transmission network. A multimedia presentation is generated at the user device.

Abstract: Wow and flutter of a tape player is measured by playing a recording of a constant frequency test tone, digitally sampling and storing each period of the tone over a test interval, subtracting the average period from each period to obtain deviation data, calculating the FFT of the deviation data, and then calculating power magnitude and wow and flutter. The apparatus includes an interface board which squares the signals from the player, and a desktop computer having a timing board for gating a counter for each square wave pulse to sample the periods, a memory for storing the samples, and a CPU programmed to analyze the samples according to the test method.

Abstract: A cyclometer computer display unit for providing an on-board computer to display real-time instructions to the cyclist. The computer has a central display mounted on a handlebar bracket. Sensors mounted to the front wheel detect the current wheel rotation velocity of the bicycle. Stored data in the computer including the wheel diameter, and gear ratios, and a maximum and minimum effective cadence range are used to calculate theoretical cadences (pedal rpms) for each gear for the cyclist. Certain theoretical cadences are displayed along with various gear ratios to coach the cyclist on which gears would place the cyclist in a cadence within the desired cadence range. Optional shifter position sensors, derailleur position sensors, or crankarm rotation sensors can be used to determine and display the actual cadence and current gear.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a multichannel chromatogram is realized for accurately resolving overlapping peaks on a multichannel chromatogram to permit analysis of the composition of a sample. First, components of overlapping peaks are specified. A data matrix Dij is determined, and compressed in the wavelength direction to obtain a data matrix vector Di. By compressing three-dimensional data in the wavelength direction, noise components cancel with each other to obtain noise free two-dimensional data Di.beta.. Next, the two-dimensional data is deconvoluted, final standard deviation s0 is registered, and the deconvoluted two-dimensional data is reconvoluted to a retention intensity matrix. A quantitative spectral intensity matrix is computed, components are identified, and the identified components are quantified. The quantified data is displayed on a screen.

Abstract: A method and device for positioning a human body in a wheelchair or other support is provided. The method and device enables a user to modify and adjust various components to orient the seat to aid the posture of the user, by taking various measurements via sensors and controlling the position of the components to achieve an optimum configuration of the components to support the user.

Abstract: Methods for searching stable docking models of biopolymer-ligand molecule complex, which comprise the steps of: (1) searching possible hydrogen-bond schemes between a biopolymer and a ligand molecule by preparing possible combination sets of hydrogen-bonding heteroatoms in the ligand molecule with dummy atoms located at the positions of heteroatoms that can be hydrogen-bond partners to hydrogen-bonding functional groups in the biopolymer; (2) estimating the possible the hydrogen-bond schemes between the biopolymer and ligand molecule and the possible conformations of a hydrogen-bonding part of the ligand molecule at the same time by comparing the distances between the dummy atoms with the distances between the hydrogen-bonding heteroatoms; and (3) obtaining the possible docking models of the biopolymer-ligand molecule complex by changing the coordinates of all atoms of the ligand molecule into the coordinate system of the biopolymer, according to the correspondences between the hydrogen-bonding heteroatoms in

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method that fits experimental pH titration data to a model titration curve. The model is designed to accommodate any practical number of weak acids or bases (i.e., buffers) with single or multiple pK.sub.a 's in the sample and/or the titrant. It is also possible by means of the present invention to use any choice of titrant, including weak acids or bases, buffered solutions, or either an acid or base titrant for the same sample. A non-linear curve-fitting procedure is used to fit the data to the model. Volume changes, ionic strength effects, and differences between measured pH and the proton concentration function p[H.sup.+ ] are taken into account. Mixtures of compounds with pK.sub.a 's less than 1 unit apart can be determined accurately. The results may be displayed in a deconvoluted form, facilitating the identification of compounds through their pK.sub.a 's.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recalibrating an electronic scale to maintain accurate weight measurements of a scale regardless of variations in the physical and/or environmental conditions under which the scale is operating between a site of origin and a site of installation which tend to adversely affect accurate weight. Also disclosed is method of obtaining an accurate indication of the weight of an article by an electronic scale at a site of installation regardless of variations in the physical and/or environmental conditions under which the scale is operating between a site of origin and the site of installation which tend to adversely affect accurate weight. Both methods are accomplished by recalibrating the scale to adjust the output of certain electronic control components to compensate for the difference in the physical and/or environmental conditions between the two sites which tend to adversely affect accurate weight indications of the scale.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various features of an integrated data processing system that includes a general purpose (GP) CPU core for processing data in accordance with a GP instruction set and a digital signal processor (DSP) module for processing data in accordance with command-list code. The DSP module is operable to execute the command-list code independent of and in parallel with execution of the GP instruction set by the CPU core. The system also includes test hook functions for facilitating production testing of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quantitatively ranking the performance of each attribute contributing to a manufacturing process. Various signals representing the measure (i.e., quality or yield) of a manufacturing run and representing the attributes that contributed to each manufacturing run are recorded. An iterative process is commenced whereby numeric weights are assigned to each attribute. In a first iterative step, the weight of each attribute is determined to be the weighted average of the measure of each manufacturing run to which that attribute contributed. In subsequent iteration steps, a refined weight for each attribute is determined by computing the ratio between the normalized measure and the product of all other weights associated with that manufacturing run. The iterations are continued until the weights determined for each attribute converge or become self consistent.

Abstract: A method for generating test patterns to detect an electric shortcircuit, a method for testing electric circuitry while using test patterns so generated, and a tester device for testing electric circuitry with such test patterns. If electric circuitry comprises a plurality of separate nets, a short circuit between an arbitrary pair of nets may be detected by driving the first net at logic zero and the second net at logic one. Measuring the two effective net potentials of the pair of nets will then reveal the short in that two equal potentials would occur. In the case of CMOS technology the driving patterns should also comprise the inverse of the combination above, and also for each pair of nets the number of non-identical overall patterns having the particular 1/0 and 0/1 combinations should be guaranteed and adjustable. The total number of patterns should be minimal. In a test pattern matrix, each column is a single overall pattern; each row is the sequence of signals for the net in question.

Abstract: In a measurement apparatus which performs reaction processings of plural measurement units in a timely overlapped manner, a predetermined time for performing the reaction processing is previously determined, pre-processings are divided when a sum time of required times for performing the plural pre-processings with a pre-processing apparatus is longer than predetermined time. Prior pre-processings among the divided pre-processings are then performed in package prior to the series of processings, so that a required time for the plural measurement units in the measurement apparatus is shortened.

Abstract: Dynamic security analysis of a power system is divided into several diverse sub-problems, including sub-problems that may be analyzed using artificial intelligence ("AI") technology. A rule-based topological analysis procedure distinguishes between outage contingencies that are definitely safe or harmless to the integrity of the power system, and potentially severe outage contingencies that are harmful to the power system. Initial outage selection correctly relates the state of the power system before the analysis. By methodically and automatically identifying potentially severe outages, the need for extensive off-line studies based on time domain simulations is avoided, thus promoting computational efficiency. This methodology further provides automatic detection of critical interfaces, e.g., flows through which may significantly impact the post-contingency state of the power system.

Abstract: A method for controlling an additive blending process includes determining the volume of main product and blending an amount of additive thereto to obtain a predefined ratio of additive to main product. The method includes the step of creating a non-volatile record of each significant event which occurs during blending operations and includes an extensive error checking and safety regime. A controller for accomplishing this method includes the ability to blend multiple additives simultaneously and with different types of blending systems such as piston injectors and streaming. The controller monitors status signals from the system and removes enabling signals from various components to effect a safe shut down in the event of an error condition being detected.

Abstract: A system for managing the alignment of a plurality of machine sets includes a portable alignment analyzer for calculating machine moves tending to bring the shafts of a machine set into alignment, and a base computer. A database of alignment documentation for the machine set is maintained in the base computer, the database including alignment fixture setup data, machine dimensions and tolerances, by way of example. A data link at least periodically enables communication between the base computer and the portable alignment analyzer. When the data link is active, alignment documentation for the machine set may be selectively Loaded into the portable alignment analyzer, and measured misalignment data may be selectively Dumped to the base computer for storage in the database. The system allows previously entered and stored machine-specific setup information to be used for a current alignment job, requiring only minor changes in the field.

Abstract: A first test circuit is connected to one end of a first wiring line, and a second test circuit is connected to one end of a second wiring line. The second wiring line serves as a data bus. N-channel MOS transistors, connected in series, are provided between the first and second wiring lines and located below a third wiring line. The transistors are set in a conductive state by a gate control signal from a test control circuit in a test mode, and are set in an OFF state in a normal operation mode. In the normal operation mode, the capacitance between the first and second wiring lines is small and does not adversely affect the operation speed of an integrated circuit.

Abstract: Static pressure sensing and free airstream temperature sensing is obviated in a method for determining aircraft velocity relative to an airmass by utilizing a static pressure and temperature component present in pressure variations sensed by a total pressure sensor located on a rotating arm mounted on the fuselage of an aircraft. A harmonic analysis of a quasi-sinusoidal total pressure variation includes a determination of steady state and both first and second harmonic components. These harmonic components are used to determine the static pressure, the free airstream temperature and the aircraft airspeed without separately sensing these parameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides an accurate machine monitoring technique based on vibration analysis. An AR parametric model is generated to characterize a normal machine condition. Subsequently, data is collected from a machine during operation. This data is fit to the AR parametric model, and an Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) statistic is derived therefrom. The EWMA statistic is able to identify whether the machine is in a normal state ("in control") or in an abnormal state ("out of control"). Additionally, an EWMA control chart is generated that distinguishes between normal and abnormal conditions, and between different abnormal conditions. As a result, once the EWMA statistic is generated, it is compared to the EWMA chart for determination of the specific fault that is ailing the machine.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method for determining the most stable tertiary structure of a protein having a known primary structure which comprises the steps of (a) producing a reduced representation of the protein by assigning to the protein (i) all secondary structural motifs present therein and (ii) all .phi. and .PHI. dihedral angles for the amino acid residues present therein; (b) determining which conformations of the reduced representation are physically permissible, so as to determine which conformations of the protein are physically permissible; and (c) determining which of the physically permissible conformations of the protein possesses the lowest free energy, so as to thereby determine the most stable tertiary structure of the protein.