Abstract: A system and method for providing raw mix proportioning control in a cement plant with a fuzzy logic supervisory controller. A raw mix proportioning controller determines the correct mix and composition of raw materials to be transported to a mixer. The raw mix proportioning controller uses the fuzzy logic supervisory controller to determine the proper mix and composition of raw materials. The fuzzy logic supervisory controller takes targeted set points and the chemical composition of the raw material as inputs and generates the proportions of the raw material to be provided as an output for the next time step.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for validating specified prices on real property. A set of real estate properties comparable to the subject property are retrieved. A measurement of similarity between each comparable property and the subject property is then determined. A plurality of adjustment rules are then applied to adjust the price of the comparable properties. The adjusted comparable properties are then extracted, sorted, and ranked, according to the specified sale price. The extracted comparable properties are then aggregated into an estimate price of the subject property. After aggregation, the estimate price of the subject property is compared to the specified price and a measurement of confidence validating the reliability of the specified price is then generated.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining a color formula to enable reproduction of a color standard on one or more production lines, which includes for example, reading a color spectrum of the color standard with a spectrophotometer, and retrieving data such as absorption and scattering coefficients regarding a plurality of color samples produced by a production line. The color spectrum and coefficients are then processed, for example in a color model, to predict the color formula thereby reducing the need to adjust the color formula during start-up of the production line in order to match the color standard. Desirably, the method and system are operable to selectively provide a color formula for reproducing the color standard on any one of a plurality of different production lines.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting the dryness of clothing articles in a clothes dryer. In one embodiment, the clothes dryer uses a temperature sensor, a phase angle sensor, and a humidity sensor to generate signal representations of the temperature of the clothing articles, the motor phase angle, and the humidity of the heated air in the duct, respectively. A controller receives the signal representations and determines a feature vector. A neural network uses the feature vector to predict a percentage of moisture content and a degree of dryness of the clothing articles in the clothes dryer. In another embodiment, the clothes dryer uses a combination of sensors to predict a percentage of moisture content and a degree of dryness of the clothing articles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an ultrasonic phased array transducer with an ultralow backfill and a method for making. The ultrasonic phased array includes a low density backfill material having an ultralow acoustic impedance. The backfill material is either an aerogel, a carbon aerogel, an xerogel, or a carbon xerogel. A piezoelectric ceramic material and two matching layers are bonded to the backfill material. In one embodiment, a plurality of interconnect vias are formed in the backfill material with conducting material deposited in the vias. A portion of the bonded matching layers, the piezoelectric ceramic material, and the backfill material have isolation cuts therethrough to form an array of electrically and acoustically isolated individual elements. In a second embodiment, the backfill material is bonded to an electronic layer at a face opposite to the piezoelectric ceramic material and the matching layers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for improving speech recognition. In this invention, there is a training phase where text data generated from a speech recognition system is collected and aligned with a corresponding true transcription of the speech recognition text data. A preliminary set of correction rules are generated and observed against a corpus of fully verified text data. Rules that are applicable are validated, while invalid rules are updated. The updated rules are then applied to the parallel sample of speech recognition text data and corresponding text data, as well as the corpus of text data. The rules are examined again to determine their validity. This process continues until all of the rules have been validated or until no further progress is made. The finalized correction rules are then put into a production phase.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for determining a level of liquid to be supplied for a wash cycle operation in a washing machine given a clothes load and clothes type. The liquid level setting is determined by measuring the time to fill the washer basket and the washer tub with a predetermined initial level of liquid, measuring a change in the level of liquid in the tub and basket after soaking for a predetermined time, and applying a fuzzy logic algorithm to the measured values.

Abstract: An exemplary inspection apparatus for inspecting an article comprises a flexible sensor for sensing a characteristic of the article, which sensor conforms to a surface of the article, a finger cover which fits over a finger of a user, and an attachment device for removably attaching the sensor to the finger cover. The apparatus allows the user to traverse the sensor over a large range of smoothly varying concave or convex inspection surfaces, for example, while providing the user with direct control of the sensor.

Abstract: Cooking speed and efficiency are increased in radiant ovens by reducing the intensity of energy emitted by the oven's radiant energy source that does not deeply penetrate food. Undesired photochemical reactions in the cooked food are also reduced or eliminated. In one embodiment, the radiant energy source includes at least one lamp having a coating that reflects at least some of the radiant energy that does not deeply penetrate food. In another embodiment, a plate that reflects or absorbs at least some of the radiant energy that does not deeply penetrate food is disposed between the radiant energy source and a location within the oven where food to be cooked is placed.

Abstract: A variable volume oven that can be modified to adjust its volume according to the cooking load. The volume of the oven is able to be adjusted by providing a heating element that is vertically adjustable within the oven to a position that provides better convective and radiative heating to the cooking load.

Abstract: In this invention there is disclosed a system and method for tuning a speed controller that is used to keep a rail-based transportation system within a prescribed speed limit while providing a smooth ride. A fuzzy logic controller is synthesized to track the performance of a train simulator to a predetermined velocity profile over a specified track profile. A genetic algorithm is used to adjust the fuzzy logic controller's performance by adjusting its parameters in a sequential order of significance.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for proactively monitoring risk exposure. In this invention, risk related information is received at an input knowledge source. A shared database stores the risk related information received at the input knowledge source. A plurality of domain knowledge sources formulates a decision on how the risk related information in the shared database affects a predetermined risk category. An output knowledge source generates a risk related report in response to the decisions formulated by each of the plurality of domain knowledge sources. A risk analytics router routes the risk related information in the input knowledge source to the shared database, the risk related information in the shared database to at least one of the domain knowledge sources, the decisions formulated from the domain knowledge sources to the shared database, and the decisions from the shared database to the output knowledge source.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for developing a time horizon based financial model for investing towards attaining at least one financial objective. Each financial objective is characterized by an event having a financial amount and a future time when the financial amount is expected to be needed. In the present invention, a time horizon is specified in accordance with the financial objectives. In addition, the time horizon is divided into a plurality of segments. An array of future expenses for each of the financial objectives is then provided. The array indicates recurring costs of a specified amount, frequency of the costs, and duration of the costs. A fraction of the future expenses accruing in each time horizon segment is then identified. An investment of a specified amount of money is then modeled during each of the time horizon segments for satisfying the future expenses. The amount of money invested may change as the time horizon changes from segment to segment.

Abstract: In this invention there is disclosed a system and method for tuning look-ahead error measurements that is used to improve the train handling performance of a rail-based transportation system. A look-ahead error module along with a fuzzy logic controller is synthesized to ensure that a train simulator complies to a prescribed speed limit over a specified track profile while providing a smooth ride. A genetic algorithm is used to adjust the parameters of the look-ahead error module.

Abstract: A method and system for matching new customer records to existing customer records in a database. The new customer records are validated for quality and normalized into a standard form. A hash key is selected to generate a candidate set of records from the existing records in the database that likely matches the new customer records. The new customer records are then matched to each of the records in the candidate set. Once the matching has been performed, a decision is made on whether to create a new customer record, update an existing record, or save the new record in a pending file for resolution at a later time. In another embodiment, there is a methodology for learning matching rules for matching records in a database. The matching rules are then used for matching a new customer record to existing records in a database.

Abstract: In this invention there is disclosed a system and method for predicting web breaks in a paper machine. In particular, this invention uses a neural network to predict web break tendencies from sensor measurements taken from the paper machine. Also, an induction tree model is used to isolate the root cause of the predicted web break tendencies.

Abstract: A method and a system for forming a composite airfoil structure from a preform composite airfoil structure made from resin impregnated prepreg plies. The preform is shaped with a mold having a stationary lower mold and an upper mold. The preform is inserted in the lower mold and the upper mold is then moved towards the lower mold. The preform is compressed with the upper and lower mold, providing a contact between the upper mold, the preform, and the lower mold. Extra resin from the preform is removed through the leading edge and trailing edge. During the compression molding process, the shear stress on the plies of the preform is balanced, hence eliminating ply movement and preventing wrinkles from occurring. In addition, the length of the resin flow path is reduced, which decreases the mold force requirement, shear stresses, and thus wrinkles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for designing a profile extrusion die for shaping a polymer resin material into a profile having a plurality of sections. In the present invention, a plurality of operating conditions for shaping the resin material into the profile are determined. The dimensions of each of the plurality of sections of the profile are then specified. The profile dimensions include width and thickness. Extrusion information for the polymer resin including die swell/drawdown and flow balance is obtained. Die dimensions for shaping the profile in accordance with the operating conditions, the profile dimensions, and the extrusion information are then determined.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a probe and method for inspecting a complex shaped object having an irregular surface. In this invention, a flexible film of piezoelectric elements is combined with a flexible film of eddy current elements into a single probe. The probe simultaneously inspects the volume and the surface of the object by using the flexible ultrasonic transducer and the flexible eddy current sensor, respectively.

Abstract: A method for evaluating moldability characteristics of a plastic resin in an injection molding process. A vital few process response variables are determined from a plurality of process response variables that are used to characterize the injection molding process. The vital few process response variables control a plurality of quality characteristics that are used to characterize a molded product made from the plastic resin. An empirical model is then developed describing the relationship between the vital few process response variables and the plurality of quality characteristics. The empirical model is then trained with experimental data taken from injection molding process runs using new grades of the plastic resin. The trained empirical model is then used to evaluate the moldability characteristics of new grades of the plastic resin.