Abstract: A method for performing a variety of expert system functions on any continuous-state feedforward neural network. These functions include decision-making, explanation, computation of confidence measures, and intelligent direction of information acquisition. Additionally, the method converts the knowledge implicit in such a network into a set of explicit if-then rules.

Abstract: A system for proactively automating the use of a computer comprises a central processing unit (CPU), an input device, a display device and memory including a set of feature templates, context monitoring unit, input monitoring unit, feature presentation routines and feature implementation routines. The CPU is coupled to the display device and input devices for displaying information and receiving information, respectively. The CPU is also coupled to the input monitoring unit and the context monitoring unit to detect and record user manipulations of the input device and its context. The CPU is also coupled to a section of memory containing feature templates. Each template is a set of input manipulation steps and program contexts. The CPU compares the recorded user manipulations of the input and their corresponding program context with the feature templates stored in memory.

Abstract: A method for producing oriented, intermetallic, thin film structures having uniaxial magnetic, electronic, optical, and mechanical properties. Artificial superlattices (10) are assembled by sputter deposition of alternating layers of the component metals of the target intermetallic compound on an aligned substrate (16). Either single crystal substrates or crystallographically textured substrates may be used to induce alignment of the deposited layers (10, 12) in the method of the present invention. Annealing of the resulting superlattice (10) generates aligned, thin film intermetallic compounds (38) of the component metals at the interfaces (44) of the superlattice (10), the thin film intermetallic compounds having pronounced, uniaxial properties.

Abstract: A dielectric/conductive waveguide (20) includes a dielectric housing (22) having a longitudinal axis (14) and a central channel (29). A conductive layer (24,25) is affixed to the inner surface (21 ) and/or the outer surface (23) of the housing (22) to confine electromagnetic radiation (17) within the waveguide (20). Ribs (50,64) protruding into the channel (29) may be used to further confine the radiation (17). Sections of waveguide (20) may be combined using connectors (30). A local area network (90) can be formed using a plurality of sections of waveguide (20), computers (94), and bi-directional couplers (92). Air gaps (98) may break up the waveguide (20) at various places.

Abstract: An automated real estate appraisal system (100) and method generates estimates of real estate value using a predictive model such as a neural network (908). The predictive model (908) generates these estimates based on learned relationships among variables describing individual property characteristics (905) as well as general neighborhood characteristics at various levels of geographic specificity (906). The system (100) may also output reason codes indicating relative contributions (1009) of various variables to a particular result, and may generate reports (701) describing property valuations, market trend analyses, property conformity information, and recommendations regarding loans based on risk related to a property.

Abstract: Internal and external magnetic screens made of magnetic permeable material are added between the discharge chamber and the internal and external sources of magnetic field, respectively. A longitudinal gap is maintained between the screens and their respective internal and external poles, that does not exceed half the distance between the internal and external poles. The exit end part of the internal magnetic screen is placed closer to the middle point of the accelerating channel than the internal pole. The walls of the exit end part of the discharge chamber are constructed with an increased thickness, and extend beyond the planes that the poles lay. The magnetic screens can be located with a gap relative to the magnetic path if connected by a bridge between the screens. The discharge chamber, the anode, and the magnetic system are symmetrically designed relative to two mutually perpendicular longitudinal planes.

Abstract: A method for predicting and compensating for angular beam misalignment of an antenna (101) due to antenna shape distortion resulting from gravitational effects. Measured (701, 702) antenna shape data in a target gravity loading environment and several test environments (600-603) are used to compute expected antenna beam misalignment angles in the test gravity loading environments (600-603). Actual antenna beam misalignment angles are measured (705) with the antenna (101) positioned in each of the test gravity loading environments (600-603). The expected antenna beam misalignment angles (704) are combined (707) with measured beam misalignment angles (705) to predict the beam misalignment of the antenna (101) in the target gravity loading environment. If the antenna (101) is an adjustable type, then the antenna (101) can be deliberately misaligned on the test range so that it will be properly aligned in the different gravity condition of the target environment.

Abstract: A microwave power divider/combiner (10) comprises a preamplifier (12), a first microwave lens (14), a plurality of amplifiers (16), and a second microwave lens (18). The preamplifier (12) is coupled to receive a microwave source signal (20) and amplify it. The output of the preamplifier (12) feeds the first lens (14). The first lens (14) divides the signal received on its input into a plurality of signals of equal amplitude and phase. Each output of the first lens (14) is then provided to an input of a respective amplifier (16) from the plurality of amplifiers (16). The amplifiers (16) amplify the divided signals and output them to the second lens (18). The second lens (18) has a plurality of inputs and recombines the signals on the inputs into a single higher level signal at an output (22). The present invention also provides a compact configuration for the divider/combiner (10) of the present invention with the lenses (14, 18) mounted on top of each other separated by a mounting block (26).

Abstract: A man-made satellite (1) traveling in an elliptical orbit. The orbit has five or six daily apogees, which are positioned above the same longitudes of the earth at substantially the same local time-of-day for each day of the year. The longitudes and times-of-day can be preselected subject only to the proviso that they be equispaced. The apsidal rotation rate in inertial space (ARRIS) of the orbit is substantially equal to the mean rate at which the earth revolves about the sun. The orbit is preferably equatorial, in order to simplify ground tracking and to maximize the impact of the apsidal rotation.

Abstract: A graphical cursor in text mode is generated by replacing the characters on the display at positions under the cursor with new fonts comprising an image of the cursor superimposed on the image of the characters. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: determining the new cursor position; restoring the characters at the old cursor position; saving a plurality of the characters near the new cursor position; building new fonts with the plurality of characters near the new cursor position and the cursor symbol; and replacing the plurality of characters at the new cursor position with the new fonts. The preferred method may further comprise the step of detecting the position and movement of the input device when mouse-type input devices are used.

Abstract: A wireless telephone system capable of servicing a roaming wireless telephone user includes a satellite communications system consisting of one or more orbiting satellites, each carrying a database of users, destination codes and call codes, within a satellite service area, a satellite control center, and a plurality of terrestrial communications links.

Abstract: A chaotic transmitter (100) operates according to preselected chaotic protocols, such as a set of Lorenz equations. Modulation is accomplished by modifying a predetermined parameter of the set of chaotic Lorenz equations with a message signal, thereby producing a spread spectrum chaotic transmitted signal. A corresponding receiver (200) reconstructs a synchronizing drive signal, which is used by a demodulator (412) of the receiver (200) to detect the message signal.

Abstract: A laminate (10) which is transparent to radio frequency emissions, useful as a thermal control and electrostatic discharge surface, for example for protecting spacecraft antenna hardware, comprises a conductive layer (12) for dissipating electrostatic charges and a thermal control layer (24) for reflecting thermal radiation and reducing the effect of temperature variations on one side of the laminate on the region on the other side of the laminate. In a preferred embodiment, the conductive layer (12) preferably comprises a semiconductor, such as germanium. The thermal control layer (24) comprises a film layer (14), for example of polyimide film, a mesh layer (16), for example of polyamide fabric, attached to the film layer (14), and a thermally reflective coating (20), applied to the mesh layer (16) for aiding the conductive layer (12) and thermal control layer (24) in reflecting radiation.

Abstract: A method of conveniently making a selection from a set of options available in a computer program is described. As successive letters which make up the proposed selection are entered, successively smaller lists of options corresponding to the entered letters are displayed. At any point, the user makes a selection by moving a cursor to a desired selection and pressing a button or key to indicate that the selection has been made.

Abstract: A dual frequency band antenna (10) having frequency reuse capability. The antenna waveguide (12) includes a four port waveguide network which transmits and receives orthogonal, linearly polarized signals of each of two frequencies. A pyramidal horn (14) is engaged to the mouth of the waveguide, and a meanderline polarizer (16) is engaged to the aperture (17) of the horn (14) to convert the signals from linear polarizations to circular polarizations.

Abstract: A method for controlling reorientation of a spacecraft's spin from a minor axis spin bias to a desired major axis spin after spin transition. A control system monitors rotational rates about the principal axes to detect a separatrix crossing of a polhode path therein. Controlled thruster firings resulting from spin rate information successively decrease and increase a characteristic parameter and capture the spacecraft during a spin transition to a desired major bias orientation. It is possible to monitor only .omega..sub.1 and .omega..sub.3 in an alternate embodiment.

Abstract: A compact, reliable, paraboloid shaped assembly 7 is used as a reflector 7 on a satellite. The apparatus 7 is assembled from multiple panels 2, 3, 4, which connect to a central base 1 using hinges 20, 21. The apparatus 7 is compacted by rotating some or all of the panels 2, 3, 4 to be adjacent to one side 12 of the central base in stages, such that alternate panels 3 are rotated first. Folded onto these panels 3 are the remaining backwards-folding panels 2. The panels 4 which are not rotated backwards are then rotated forwards, completing a highly compact design. For deployment, the panels 2, 3, 4 are rotated in the reverse order and direction in which they were compacted. Latches 10 connect adjacent panels 2, 3, 4 and hold the panels 2, 3, 4 in the deployed position.

Abstract: A conical TEM power divider/combiner (10) comprises an input port (12), a first circular waveguide (14), a coaxial device (16), a plurality of amplifiers (18), a plurality of cooling fins (20), a second circular waveguide (22), an output port (24), a conical dividing waveguide (42, 32), a first parallel plate waveguide (40, 50), a second parallel plate waveguide (40, 52) and a conical combining waveguide (34, 44). The input port (12) is coupled to the first circular waveguide (14). The first circular waveguide (14) is in turn coupled to the coaxial device (16). The coaxial device (16) divides the signal using the conical dividing waveguide (42, 32), a first parallel plate waveguide (40, 50), and a first plurality of striplines (54). The striplines (54) couple the first parallel plate waveguide (40, 50) to the inputs of the plurality of amplifiers (18). The amplifiers (18) each amplify a respective divided signal and output the result to the second the second parallel plate waveguide (40, 52).

Abstract: A collapsible, dish shaped assembly, for example, for use with a satellite. The dish shaped surface is assembled from two sets of rigid panels. The first set of panels is rotated into position on hinges, which attach the panels to a base. The second set of panels is then rotated into position, also on hinges at the base, such that the second set of panels fill in the spaces between the panels of the first set. A latch connects each pair of adjoining panels. The latch comprises a protrusion which slides into a corresponding cavity. The resulting latch is resistant to lateral force. The latching process is facilitated by magnetic forces, which also add to the final latching force. The latches can be disengaged by jacking screws.

Abstract: A document transport apparatus (100) that may be attached to or integrated with a system (200) for performing a plurality of functions on a single sheet of paper. The apparatus (100) includes one or more elongate tray elements (102), having an end stop element (110) to stop the movement of the sheet of paper as it is delivered to the tray element (102). A rotation element (104), such as a roll bar, is attached to the tray element (102) and proximate to the receiving end (101) of the tray element (102). The rotation element (104) may selectively be activated by a motor (112) attached to the rotation element (104), to rotate the tray element (102) from a first position for receiving a sheet of paper from an output port (206) of one device, to a second position for delivering that same sheet of paper to the input port (208) of another device.