Abstract: There is provided a method for managing an investment portfolio. The method includes determining a feasible change in value of a first asset, and determining an allocation between the first asset and a second asset based on the feasible change in value of the first asset. The second asset appreciates over a holding period, and the allocation yields an expected minimum future value for the investment portfolio.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium are described for assisting in protecting computing systems from unauthorized programs, such as by preventing computer viruses and other types of malware programs from executing during startup of a computing system and/or at other times. In some situations, computing system protection is provided by executing programs only if they have been confirmed as being authorized, which may be determined in various ways (e.g., if a program is automatically determined to be unchanged since a prior time when the program was authorized or to match a set of programs identified as being allowable, or if an appropriate user provides appropriate information). This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method and device is used to teach and simulate swing mechanics. A camera is coupled to a computer such that frames including an image of a golfer swinging a golf club may be captured. A key part of the image is identified by the computer in sequential frames captured from the camera, and the image is compared to swing mechanics of a known standard golfer. The position of the known standard golfer is capable of following the natural swing of a student golfer, and the method and device are capable of providing real-time feedback to the student golfer during the golfer's swing. An instant replay may be used to reinforce good swing mechanics. A marker attachment may be used to assist in tracking and analyzing the swing mechanics of the images.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a unique interactive diagnostic system and method driven by expert systems. In particular, a system and method for troubleshooting of networked electronic devices, driven by an inference engine which controls both the user interaction and the operation of and collection of data from diagnostic tools, are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention includes a knowledge base 200, an inference engine 201, a communications processor 210 for handling requests to and from the inference engine and the other components (except the knowledge base), an interaction management processor 220 for handling interactions with a plurality of end users 230 over a communications network 240, and a plurality of peripheral control units 250 and their associated peripheral units 250, which collectively can gather status information and perform diagnostic tests on the said networked electronic devices.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a unique interactive diagnostic system and method driven by expert systems. In particular, a system and method for troubleshooting of networked electronic devices, driven by an inference engine which controls both the user interaction and the operation of and collection of data from diagnostic tools, are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention comprises a knowledge base 200, an inference engine 201, a communications processor 210 for handling requests to and from the inference engine and the other components (except the knowledge base), an interaction management processor 220 for handling interactions with a plurality of end users 230 over a communications network 240, and a plurality of peripheral control units 250 and their associated peripheral units 250, which collectively can gather status information and perform diagnostic tests on the said networked electronic devices.

Abstract: There is provided a method for managing an investment portfolio. The method includes determining a feasible change in value of a first asset, and determining an allocation between the first asset and a second asset based on the feasible change in value of the first asset. The second asset appreciates over a holding period, and the allocation yields an expected minimum future value for the investment portfolio.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a package over/around a circuit is presented. A pressurized directional flow of plasma is applied between metal bonding edges of the package and a metal surface surrounding circuitry to be enclosed in the package. During the application of plasma between the bonding surfaces, a bonding devices direct contact fusion/diffusion bonds the metal bonding edges of the package to the metal bonding surface surrounding the circuitry to be enclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding solid sheets together is presented. A modulated directional flow of plasma is applied at and between the bonding surfaces of the sheets to be bonded prior to and during the application of pressure to compress the bonding surfaces together to form a direct contact or diffusion bond.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding solid plates together is presented. A modulated directional flow of plasma is applied at and between the bonding surfaces of the plates to be bonded prior to and during the application of pressure to compress the bonding surfaces together to form a direct contact or diffusion bond.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding solid materials together is presented. A modulated directional flow of plasma is applied at and between the bonding surfaces of members to be bonded prior to and during the application of pressure to compress the bonding surfaces together to form a direct contact or diffusion bond.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel technique and system that allows the pressure of a tire to be remotely monitored by sensing a tire parameter indicative of the tire's pressure without mounting any device on the tire itself, while the tire is or is not rotating. In the illustrative embodiment, a tire parameter indicative of the pressure inside the tire, such as the temperature, acoustical signature, or shape of the tire, is measured remotely with a remotely mounted sensor. The measured parameter is compared to a range of known acceptable limits for that particular parameter, and a warning signal is generated if the measured parameter is not within that range of acceptable limits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously cleaning and bonding a wire to a bonding surface is presented. In accordance with the invention, a gas is energized to form a plasma, which is then directed in a directional pressurized flow at the wire and bonding surface to form a dynamic plasma cleaning chamber bubble around the portion of the wire and bonding surface that are to be bonded together, and then the respective portions of the wire and bonding surface are bonded together within the plasma cleaning chamber bubble.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously cleaning and bonding a wire to a bonding surface is presented. In accordance with the invention, a gas is energized to form a plasma, which is then directed in a directional pressurized flow at the wire and bonding surface to form a dynamic plasma cleaning chamber bubble around the portion of the wire and bonding surface that are to be bonded together, and then the respective portions of the wire and bonding surface are bonded together within the plasma cleaning chamber bubble.

Abstract: A multi-spectral two-dimensional imaging spectrometer includes a combination of achromatic, well-corrected lenses for imaging a two-dimensional scene on an internal field stop. The light emanating from this intermediate image is collimated with another well-corrected lens. A spectral separation subassembly consisting of multiple dichroic filters divides the incident light into multiple, identical, and independent arms. The light in each arm is spectrally filtered based on the properties of the dichroic filters in the separation subassembly. An re-imaging subassembly composed of a well-corrected lens forms contiguous images onto a single two-dimensional detector array. The images are identical copies of the original object with each copy having a different spectral component and can be viewed on a standard monitor or alternatively on a computer employing an analog-to-digital conversion device.

Abstract: A multi-spectral two-dimensional imaging spectrometer includes a combination of single or multi-element, achromatic, well-corrected lenses for imaging a two-dimensional scene on an internal field stop. The light emanating from this intermediate image is collimated with another multi-element, achromatic, well-corrected lens. A spectral separation subassembly that divides the incident light into multiple, identical, and independent arms is placed in the collimated space following the collimating lens. The light in each arm is spectrally filtered based on the properties of an interference filter in each arm. An imaging subassembly composed of a single multi-element, achromatic, well-corrected lens system forms contiguous images onto a single two-dimensional detector array. The images are identical copies of the original object with each copy having a different spectral component and can be viewed on a standard monitor or alternatively on a computer employing an analog-to-digital conversion device.