Abstract: Provided are a prediction device, a prediction method, and a computer program, which related to prediction method using Taguchi-method, and which reflect, in addition to a time difference model, trends in changes over time, thus further improving prediction accuracy. For example, the prediction device determines, from signal values stored in a time series and data for each item, whether or not the signal trend of the signal values has periodicity, and if the signal trend has not periodicity, then a signal period is selected on the basis of the most recent signal trend and the MD trend for each item, and Taguchi-method is used on the data for each item and the signal values in the selected signal period, and prediction is carried out.

Abstract: Provided are a prediction device, a prediction method, and a computer program, related to prediction method using Taguchi-method, and which reflect, in addition to a time difference model, trends, in changes over time, thus further improving prediction accuracy. For example, the prediction device selects, from signal values stored in a time series and data for each item, a period based on the MD of the data for each item and the trend of the MD, namely a signal period in which the data for each item is similar, and carries out a prediction using Taguchi-method on the signal values and data for each item in the selected period.

Abstract: For each item, a factorial effect value is derived that represents the SN ratio of the prediction object to each data including the data of the item relative to the SN ratio of the prediction object to each data excluding the data of the item. The strength of the SN ratio of the comprehensive estimated value to the data of a plurality of items selected in descending order of the derived factorial effect value is calculated for each value of the number of items. On the basis of the calculated SN ratio of the comprehensive estimated value, the number of items is determined. In descending order of the derived factorial effect value, items in the determined number of items are selected. On the basis of the data of the selected items, a change of the prediction object is predicted by using a method such as a T-method.

Abstract: For a plurality of items allowed to serve as variable factors of the prediction object, for each item, a factorial effect value is derived that represents the SN ratio of the prediction object to each data including the data of the item relative to the SN ratio of the prediction object to each data excluding the data of the item. The strength of the SN ratio of the comprehensive estimated value to the data of a plurality of items selected in descending order of the derived value is calculated for each value of the number of items. On the basis of the SN ratio of the comprehensive estimated value, the number of items is determined. In descending order of the derived factorial effect value, items in the determined number of items are selected. The selected items are outputted as a prediction result.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a main combustion chamber in a top portion of a piston, and an ignition chamber which is provided with a fuel injection valve and an ignition plug, in a cylinder head, the direction in which fuel is ejected from the fuel injection valve being set in accordance with the forward direction of a swirl, the axis of the ejected fuel being spaced from a central portion of the main combustion chamber by a distance of not more than 1/2 of the radius thereof, a recess in communication with the main combustion chamber being provided in the section of the top portion of the piston which is on an extension of the ignition chamber.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for synchronizing the movement of a first recording medium by a first transport mechanism including a capstan with the movement of a second recording medium by a second transport mechanism also including a capstan, each of the first and second recording media having addressable recording frames identified by frame signals and addresses recorded thereon. The first and second recording media are rewound from respective predetermined addressable frames identified as T.sub.AO and T.sub.BO, respectively. The first recording medium is advanced from its rewound position toward frame T.sub.AO at a fixed speed, e.g., a normal tape advance speed, in a capstan servo-locked condition, and the second recording medium is advanced from its rewound position toward frame T.sub.BO at a selective speed greater than, equal to or less than the fixed speed. Addresses T.sub.A and T.sub.B of the first and second recording media, respectively, are played back as the recording media are advanced.