Abstract: A method of managing knowledge in a knowledge base involves representing instantiations of knowledge in knowledge objects, each of which has elements of information, managing knowledge objects to minimize the number of knowledge objects while ensuring that all known instantiations are represented in the knowledge base, generalizing instantiations to develop generalized instantiations, testing generalized instantiations against all known instantiations to identify redundancies among knowledge objects and to identify additional knowledge, and modifying the knowledge base to minimize redundancies and to add to the knowledge base only to facilitate retrieval of knowledge or to add additional knowledge.

Abstract: Improving an entity's operational performance involves monitoring use of its knowledge by measuring use of a knowledge base storing its knowledge, and monitoring knowledge that it generates by evaluating knowledge quality and efficiency of its knowledge generation. In another embodiment, an entity's operational performance is improved by developing processes to build knowledge and sustain its knowledge use, developing systems to facilitate reuse of knowledge (including storing its knowledge in a knowledge base); and developing systems to generate knowledge and incorporate it into the knowledge base. The entity's knowledge use is analyzed to analyze its operational performance.

Abstract: A method of and system for managing and maintaining knowledge bases having knowledge in objects involves authors creating authoring output comprising knowledge objects and analysts managing knowledge base content. Authors use conventions and guides to add uniformity among knowledge objects. Analysts manage backlog of knowledge awaiting entry into the knowledge base, provide to authors feedback from knowledge base users and beneficiaries, and review authoring output for technical accuracy, adherence with the conventions and guides, knowledge base usability, and responsiveness by authors to feedback.

Abstract: A method for creating knowledge bases comprises conducting a baseline analysis of aspects of developing a knowledge base. At least one aspect is surveyed, results developed, and a knowledge base complexity indicator is developed to demonstrate for each aspect an expected level of effort required in developing and operating the knowledge base. The results are used to define a scope of and approach for developing the knowledge base. They are input to an in-depth analysis, which may comprise a domain analysis, a reservoir analysis, and a vector analysis, and a construction and seeding plan for the knowledge base is output. The knowledge base is constructed and seeded in accordance with the plan. A deployment plan for deployment of the knowledge base is developed, and used to deploy the knowledge base. Operational processes for using, monitoring and maintaining the knowledge base are specified and implemented according to their specifications.

Abstract: A method and a domain candidate benefit indicator for selecting knowledge domains for a knowledge base from at least one domain candidate involves developing a domain candidate benefit value for each domain candidate. Domain selection is based on a comparison of the domain candidate benefit values, which are numerical values developed by identifying for each domain candidate at least one forecasting attribute having an ability to forecast an extent of benefit of selecting the domain candidate to be the selected domain. Sub-domains may be selected by identifying sub-domain candidates in the selected domain and developing a sub-domain candidate benefit value for each sub-domain candidate. The selected sub-domain is selected based on a comparison of sub-domain candidate benefit values. The domain selection methodology may also be used to develop a knowledge base seeding methodology.

Abstract: A shuttle exchanger 22 exchanges a shuttle 19 circulating in a reentrant lumen 13 by actuating a channel selector 27 to alter the path of the shuttle to be exchanged. Following the altered path the to-be-exchanged shuttle impinges on a shuttle 42 stored in a storage channel 25 and drives it into the reentrant loop while the to-be-exchanged shuttle is retained in the storage channel. The enclosing wall 23 of the shuttle exchanger defines part of the reentrant lumen and includes therein the channel selector 27, the shuttle storage channel 25, a bypass channel 26, and a collector section 29.

Abstract: A cushioning pad, sized to be disposed about the inguinal area of a human male and to be worn for the support and protection of said area, contains a gel material to protect against both localized blows and chafing. The pad fits into a protective garment having a securing means for securing it about the inguinal area. In one embodiment, the pad further comprises an inner layer of gel material, an outer layer of gel material, and a layer of shaping material disposed therebetween. The layer of shaping material may be sized to be shorter and narrower than the inner layer and outer layer of gel material so that the layer of shaping material is completely interior to the cushioning pad, and no sharp or blunt plastic edges can come into contact with the body of the athlete.

Abstract: A unitary garment for full or partial coverage of a torso that may be fully put on or removed, at the choice of the wearer, as an assembled or a disassembled garment, and subsequently may be partially removed and put on, again at the choice of the wearer, has a torso portion for providing at least some coverage of the front and back of a wearer, a pants portion having a front portion, a crotch portion for passing between the legs and connected to the front portion, and a seat portion connected to the crotch portion. One of the seat portion and front portion is connected to the torso portion, and the other of the front portion and seat portion has at its edges first fastening elements to selectively attach and release to assemble and disassemble the garment.

Abstract: A unitary garment for full or partial coverage of a torso that may be fully put on or removed, at the choice of the wearer, as an assembled or a disassembled garment, and subsequently may be partially removed and put on, again at the choice of the wearer, has a torso portion for providing at least some coverage of the front and back of a wearer, a pants portion having a front portion, a crotch portion for passing between the legs and connected to the front portion, and a seat portion connected to the crotch portion. One of the seat portion and front portion is connected to the torso portion, and the other of the front portion and seat portion has at its edges first fastening elements to selectively attach and release to assemble and disassemble the garment.

Abstract: A microprogrammed data processing system uses a plurality of control stores to control the data processing system in response to a macroinstruction sequence. Between each control store is a latch element resulting in a given address being applied to each control store at different system clock cycles. The corresponding microinstruction segment from each control store is therefore provided at different clock cycles, making it possible to coordinate the microinstruction segment with the corresponding flow of data through the central processing unit. The use of a plurality of control stores can reduce the number of gate elements needed to delay microinstruction segments.

Abstract: A cache memory unit is disclosed in which, in response to the application of a write command, the write operation is performed in two system clock cycles. During the first clock cycle, the data signal group is stored in a temporary storage unit while a determination is made if the address signal group associated with the data signal group is present in the cache memory unit. When the address signal group is present, the data signal group is stored in the cache memory unit during the next application of a write command to the cache memory unit. If a read command is applied to the cache memory unit involving the data signal group stored in the temporary storage unit, then this data signal group is transferred to the central processing unit in response to the read command. Instead of performing the storage into the cache memory unit as a result of the next write command, the storage of the data signal in the cache memory unit can occur during any free cycle.

Abstract: A clock apparatus provides variable frequency system clock signals for synchronizing the operation of data processing apparatus and constant frequency timing signals, in phase with the system clock signals, for controlling the operation of an interval timer or related apparatus. The variable frequency system clock signals are produced by placing a controllable divider network in the phase locked loop. The input signals to the controllable divider network are distributed as the system clock signals. The constant frequency is obtained by distributing count signals from the controllable divider network of the phase locked loop circuit to a plurality of comparator circuits and output signals from the comparator provide a multiplicity of timing intervals that result in the constant frequency signals. The timing intervals are determined by the control signals that are applied to controllable divider network and to a plurality of divider circuits associated with the comparator circuits.