Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle-based infrastructure diagnostic apparatus to assist in the maintenance of rail networks. This is a complete system—from the acquisition of vibration signals in a moving vehicle, to the presentation of the infrastructure changes to the maintenance workers. This apparatus relies on novel techniques to account for the variable speed of the train (making it useful even on non-dedicated rail vehicles) and novel techniques to normalize for various environmental conditions. This system could help maintenance departments identify and remediate anomalies more rapidly, as well as trace network deterioration over time. The apparatus consists of low-cost unobtrusive sensors, software for data analysis, and hardware that makes it easy to deploy widely even on existing rail networks.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes, in one aspect, retrieving HVAC system information; converting the retrieved HVAC system information from one or more first data formats to a second data format; storing the converted HVAC system information; identifying first portions of the stored HVAC system information that pertain to a particular component; and generating one or more associations among the identified, first portions of the stored HVAC system information; receiving a request for HVAC system information that is used by a performance analysis algorithm; determining a type of component of the HVAC system that is related to the requested HVAC system information; and identifying one or more items of the stored HVAC system information that is of the requested HVAC system information; and transmitting the identified one or more items of the stored HVAC system information for use in execution of the performance analysis algorithm.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes, in one aspect, receiving a request for a spatial analysis of building behavior of an entity within a building facility; retrieving building maintenance information about the entity within the building facility; accessing a building information model for the building facility; identifying a portion of the building information model that pertains to the entity; and based on the retrieved building maintenance information and the identified portion of the building information model, generating the spatial analysis of the building behavior for the entity within the building facility.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes, in one aspect, retrieving HVAC system information; converting the retrieved HVAC system information from one or more first data formats to a second data format; storing the converted HVAC system information; identifying first portions of the stored HVAC system information that pertain to a particular component; and generating one or more associations among the identified, first portions of the stored HVAC system information; receiving a request for HVAC system information that is used by a performance analysis algorithm; determining a type of component of the HVAC system that is related to the requested HVAC system information; and identifying one or more items of the stored HVAC system information that is of the requested HVAC system information; and transmitting the identified one or more items of the stored HVAC system information for use in execution of the performance analysis algorithm.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel which has its contrast controlled through the use of a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit contained in the video controller and a contrast control circuit. In response to a particular video refresh mode, the PWM circuit modulates the pulse width of a signal that is an input to the contrast control circuit. The pulse width is changed by the use of a base contrast register and two offset registers. Depending on the video mode, the base register is used alone or is combined with one of the offset registers to provide a signal to indicate the duty cycle of the signal. The pulse width modulated signal is converted to a DC bias contrast voltage which is provided to the LCD panel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a neural network-based system for detecting the presence of a vehicle within a traffic scene. The vehicle detection system comprises an apparatus for producing an image signal representative of an image of the traffic scene and a trainable neural network for identifying the presence of a vehicle within the traffic scene. The present invention is also directed to a method for detecting the presence of a vehicle within a traffic scene. The vehicle detection method includes the steps of producing an image signal representative of an image of the traffic scene, collecting a training set of these image signals, training a neural network from this training set of image signals to correctly identify the presence of a vehicle within the traffic scene and performing surveillance of the traffic scene with the trained neural network to detect the presence of a vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which provide a means for both spatially and temporarily resolving the on/off states of a two-state display device such as a liquid crystal display to provide apparent shades of gray. A particular feature of this method is that the cycling between on and off states is not performed in a single, repetitive pattern. Rather, a pattern is utilized which repeats only after many cycles. Additionally, when the 10 method disclosed herein is utilized, adjacent pixels, when selected to display the same shade of gray, do not cycle on and off in synchronization, but rather utilize out-of-phase cycling patterns. This spatial resolution reduces perceived flicker in the display and provides a more stable image. In one embodiment, sixteen shades of gray are provided. The shades are generated by cycling individual pixels such that when averaged over time, the duty cycles of such cycling are 0, 1/9, 1/7, 1/5, 2/7, 1/3, 2/5, 7/15, 8/15, 3/5, 2/3, 5/7, 4/5, 6/7, 8/9 and 1.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) clock generator circuit which is capable of changing the frequency of its outpt clock signal in a stable fashion. Selection of the frequency of the output clock signal is made by way of a selectable frequency divider coupled between the reference clock signal and an input of the PLL, with another frequency divider in the feedback loop of the PLL; each of these frequency dividers are selectable according to a signal on a select bus, translated by way of a ROM look-up table. The circuit also includes a multiplexer having a first input coupled to the PLL output, and a second input coupled to a stable clock signal, for example to the referenc clock signal or to the output of a fixed frequency PLL. The conrol input of the multiplexer is controlled by a state machine which monitors the select bus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which provide a means for both spatially and temporally resolving the on/off states of a two-state display device such as a liquid cystal display to provide apparent shades of gray. A particular feature of this method is that the cycling between on and off states is not performed in a discernible pattern. Rather, a pseudo-random pattern is utilized which repeats only after many cycles. Additionally, when the method disclosed herein is utilized, adjacent pixels, when selected to display the same shade of gray, do not cycle on and off in synchronization, but rather utilize out-of-phase cycling patterns. This spatial resolution reduces perceived flicker in the display and provides a more stable image. In one embodiment, eight shades of gray are provided.