Abstract: A knowledge engineering tool for building expert systems is disclosed. The knowledge engineering tool includes a knowledge base containing "if-then" rules and an inference engine that includes a plurality of object processors. Each object processor has access to a set of variables defining an object. Rules are selected from the knowledge base and routed to the object processors having access to the objects referenced in the rule. In a parallel processing configuration, each object processor executes on a processing unit and rules are passed as messages.

Abstract: A computerized investment plan accounting system manages data for investment plans with multiple participants and multiple investment funds. When a transaction is entered, one side of the transaction (either units or dollars) may be flagged as pended. When the unit value for the fund is determined and stored, the pended side is calculated, stored, dated, and flagged as fixed. Investment fund balances are accumulated by posting the transactions to investment fund accounts. Individual participant fund balances are determined by accumulating transaction data in a multi-dimensional matrix. The participant fund balances are combined for all participants, and the combined totals are compared to the investment fund balances.

Abstract: A handling and loading system for relatively large caliber ammunition used by automatic weapons such as 20 mm to 40 mm rapid fire guns carried by military aircraft. The system includes an apparatus for automatically removing live rounds of ammunition from a belt of indeterminate length having a plurality of individual containers and loading such ammunition into the armament system of the aircraft while simultaneously removing expended shell casings from the aircraft and inserting the same into the containers which can then be returned for reloading.

Abstract: A belt apparatus having a multiplicity of tubular sleeves connected together in spaced parallel relationship, which serve as containers for slender elongated articles such as ammunition and the like. The sleeves are connected together by a plurality of flexible webs in a manner to maintain a constant pitch or distance between longitudinal axes of the sleeves while moving in a straight line as well as moving in an arcuate path.