Abstract: A system and method for automatically predicting timing and costs of future service events in a life cycle of a product. A database contains a plurality of service information and performance information for the product. A statistical analyzer automatically analyzes the plurality of processed service information to determine a plurality of compartment failure information. A performance deterioration rate analyzer automatically analyzes the performance deterioration rate of the product from the plurality of service information and performance information. A simulator, automatically simulates a distribution of future service events in the life cycle of the product and predicts the costs of the service events according to the plurality of compartment failure information and the performance deterioration rate analysis.

Abstract: Regeneration controller and method for controlling regeneration of a water softener are provided. The controller includes a water meter configured to output a signal indicative of the volume of influent water received by the water softener. A water-hardness indicator, such as a conductivity meter or ion-selective electrode, is configured to output a signal indicative of a degree of hardness of the influent water. A processor is coupled to receive the respective signals from the water meter and the hardness indicator. The processor is further configured to calculate a value indicative of the total level of hardness removed by the water softener. A comparator is coupled to receive a signal indicative of the quantity of resin capacity of the water softener. The comparator is further configured to receive the value indicative of total hardness to issue a regeneration command based on comparing the resin capacity relative to the value of total hardness.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting timing of future service events of a product. A database contains a plurality of service information and performance information for the product. A statistical analyzer analyzes the plurality of processed service information to determine a plurality of compartment failure information. A performance deterioration rate analyzer analyzes the performance deterioration rate of the product from the plurality of service information and performance information. A simulator, simulates a distribution of future service events of the product according to the plurality of compartment failure information and the performance deterioration rate analysis.

Abstract: A delegated administration tool for administrating information in a database directory. The delegated administration tool enables an administrator to delegate administration and various types of administrative authority to other users within a community of users. In particular, an administrator with proper authority may create new administrative domains and assign authority referred to as delegation authority and edit authority to other users. The creation of additional administrative domains and the assignment of the delegation authority and edit authority can continue to an arbitrary level within the community.

Abstract: An automatic train handling controller. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a system and method for tracking a velocity profile in a rail-based transportation system. A fuzzy logic controller is used to ensure that a train simulator complies to the velocity profile over a specified track profile while providing a smooth ride. A safety constraint enforcer is used to minimize sudden slack movements by ensuring that the control action provided by the fuzzy logic controller is kept in compliance with a set of predetermined safety constraints. In a second embodiment, there is an automatic train handling controller that smoothly manages the slack of the couplers while keeping the train within prescribed speed limits over a varying terrain.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and tools to aggregate information stemming from a plurality of different classification tools and supportive evidential information to arrive at a unified classification estimate. The information fusion system according to the present invention has a plurality of sensors associated with the system, where each sensor is related to at least one class of the system and is data-related to the at least one class. A plurality of classification tools are each designed to receive selected and pre-processed outputs from the sensors and to generate classification outputs representing a state of at least one class of the system. An information fusion tool is configured to receive the outputs of the classification tools as well as evidential information as inputs, and has an hierarchical architecture which manipulates the inputs to generate an output of aggregated fused information for a particular class of the system.

Abstract: A method and system for automating a process for valuing a property that produces an estimated value of a subject property, and a reliability assessment of the estimated value. The process is a generative artificial intelligence method that trains a fuzzy-neural network using a subset of cases from a case-base, and produces a run-time system to provide an estimate of the subject property's value. A network-based implementation of fuzzy inference is based on a system that implements a fuzzy system as a five-layer neural network so that the structure of the network can be interpreted in terms of high-level rules. The neural network is trained automatically from data. IF/THEN rules are used to map inputs to outputs by a fuzzy logic inference system. Different models for the same problem can be obtained by changing the inputs to the neuro-fuzzy network, or by varying its architecture.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for generating software cards that summarize and index information. A documentation storage unit stores a variety of documentation. A software card generator generates each of the software cards for a predetermined card category. Each software card points to blocks of information stored in the documentation storage unit that relate to the predetermined card category. A software card database stores the generated plurality of software cards. A user can search the software cards in order to quickly and easily access documentation and materials specific to their specific area of interest.

Abstract: A reliability assessment analysis system. Included as part of system are a plurality of analysis stations, at least one of the analysis stations being located at a remote geographic location from others, and each of the analysis stations being capable of performing reliability assessment analysis processes on components or systems of components. Further provided is a plurality of database sites, where at least one of the database sites is located at a remote geographic location from the others. Each database site includes a database of data, at least some of the data being usable by at least one of the analysis stations. A communications infrastructure provides a communication path between and among the plurality of analysis stations and the plurality of database sites. The analysis stations and database sites are configured to provide a user of at least one of the analysis stations with access to more than a single one of the database sites.

Abstract: Predicting material color shifts due to weathering. A color formulation tool determines the concentration of colorants from a color standard. The color formulation tool obtains weathered optical parameters for the color standard from a color database and predicts the color of the color standard from the colorant concentrations and weathered optical parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating the time to failure acceleration factor of a large industrial motor includes a sensor, a clock for controlling sensor sampling times, and a memory address calculator for mapping output signals of the sensor to a memory address. A unit is provided for incrementing the content of a specified memory address by unity.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for aiding a field engineer in the field such as at a remote service facility in analyzing a fault log of a malfunctioning machine such as a locomotive. The method includes obtaining data associated with operation of the malfunctioning machine from a user at a second computing unit coupled via a communications network such as the Internet to a first computing unit such as a centrally located server operable to provide data associated with analysis of the malfunctioning machine, and providing at the second computing unit at least one of a diagnosis of and a repair for the malfunctioning machine based on the data associated with the operation of the malfunctioning machine and the data associated with analysis of the malfunctioning machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an X-ray detector assembly and a fabrication method, where the X-ray detector assembly comprises a scintillator material disposed on a detector matrix array disposed on a detector substrate; an encapsulating coating disposed on the scintillator material; a moisture resistant cover disposed over the detector substrate and the encapsulating coating, and an adhesive material disposed between the detector substrate and the moisture resistant cover so as to form a moisture vapor barrier. The adhesive material is disposed so that it is not in contact with the encapsulating coating. The fabrication method of the X-ray detector assembly includes the steps of disposing the encapsulating coating on the scintillator material and a portion of the detector substrate and removing the encapsulating coating from the portion of the detector substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for tuning a raw mix proportioning controller used in a cement plant. A fuzzy logic supervisory controller tracks the performance of a cement plant simulator to target set points for attaining a correct mix and composition of raw materials. A genetic algorithm adjusts the fuzzy logic supervisory controller's performance by adjusting its parameters in a sequential order of significance.

Abstract: Establishment and maintenance of a managed community. In this disclosure there is an approach and tool that enables an administration tool to manage communities whose information resides in separate and differently structured directories and databases. In addition, this disclosure describes an approach and tool that enables an administration tool to establish information to be managed from the broad range of directories and databases, which includes defining information that is to be managed and information that is not to be managed and the discovering of new information to manage.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing and validating a machine with waveform data generated therefrom. Historical waveform data are obtained from machines having known faults along with corresponding actions for repairing the machines and are used to develop fault classification rules. The fault classification rules are stored in a diagnostic knowledge database. The database of classification rules are used to diagnose new waveform data from a machine having an unknown fault.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing and validating a machine over a network using waveform data. Historical waveform data are obtained via the network from machines having known faults along with corresponding actions for repairing the machines and are used to develop fault classification rules. The fault classification rules are stored in a diagnostic knowledge database. The database of classification rules are used to diagnose new waveform data from a machine having an unknown fault, via the network.

Abstract: A system and method for performing electronic triage of a turbine part. A triage storage unit stores a variety of repair information. A repair triage application facilitates the repair of the turbine part in accordance with the repair information stored in the triage storage unit. A computing unit is configured to execute the repair triage application. A second computing unit is configured to serve the triage storage unit and the repair triage application to the first computing unit over a network.

Abstract: System and method for generating a time-to-break prediction for a paper web in a paper machine. This invention uses principal components analysis, neuro-fuzzy systems and trending analysis to form a model for predicting the time-to-break of the paper web from paper mill measurements of paper machine process variables. The model is used to isolate the root cause of the predicted web break.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting web breaks in a paper machine. Principal components analysis (PCA) and classification and regression tree (CART) modeling are used to predict web break sensitivity from measurements taken from the paper mill. Also, the CART model is used to isolate the root cause of the predicted web break sensitivity.