Abstract: A method and apparatus compare a star to be identified within an image with data in a database generated from known star data. According to a first aspect of the invention, a target star to be identified within an image is selected, and a number of adjacent stars, normally two, are also selected. The separation values between the stars and a geometric identity for each separation value are determined. This data is compared with corresponding data stored in a database for known stars, where the data in the database is generated using the same technique. According to a second aspect of the invention, a target star is selected, and adjacent stars are selected from an annulus centered on the target star. The separation values for the stars are determined and compared with known separation values stored in a database, where the data in the database is generated using the same annulus centered on each known target star.

Abstract: In a concentric cylinder macromolecule represented by a combination of B(2,1)n (n=1, 2, . . . ), each layer thereof has a conductivity of metal and hence there is obtained a concentric cylinder having a high conductivity. In graphite, the layers are bonded with each other by a weak van der Waals force and a two-dimensional band structure can be assumed. In a multi-layer cylinder, since the number of hexagons in the radial direction varies between the layers, the layers are much more independent of each other. There are accordingly implemented a semiconductor having a narrow band gap and a semiconductor having a relatively wide band gap; consequently, the macromolecule can be broadly adopted for various functional devices.

Abstract: A method for standardizing a spectrometer generating an optical spectrum from a sample, comprising generating at least one optical spectrum from at least one standardization sample each having a chemical composition resulting in the optical spectrum showing a characteristic pattern in a predetermined frequency range, comparing information relating to the pattern(s) to corresponding information relating to at least one reference pattern previously defined as the desired standard response from the at least one standardization sample, determining, based on the comparison, standardizing parameters describing the transition of the pattern(s) of the generated spectrum or spectra to the reference pattern(s) and storing said standardizing parameters in the spectrometer or a computer connected thereto, so that the spectrometer, when presented to an unknown sample, will, using the standardization parameters, generate an optical spectrum substantially identical to that which would be generated in a corresponding spectro

Abstract: A device for positioning a human body in a seat, wheelchair or other support is provided. The device enables a user to modify and adjust various components to position the seat to aid the posture of the user, by taking various measurements via sensors and controlling the position of the components to achieve an optimum configuration of the components to support the user. A computer can automatically make the adjustments and can monitor multiple seats. The seats can be truck, car or airplane seats.

Abstract: A computer-based knowledge management system (10) includes a database (4, 30) that contains a knowledge item (8) and an activity record (32, 34, 36) that is associated with the knowledge item (8). An accessor (14) accesses the knowledge item (8) and, in response, communicates feedback information (2) concerning the knowledge item (8). A knowledge office (18) receives the feedback information (2), generates an incentive (72) in response to the feedback information (2), and stores the incentive (72) in the activity record (32, 34, 36).

Abstract: First and second 1-bit A/D converters convert respective input voltages being in direct proportion to voltage and current of a measurement system into respective 1 bit codes. First and second up-down counters whose up/down count in respective clock terminals are controlled in accordance with respective 1 bit codes which are output from the first and second 1-bit A/D converters, and output A/D converted values of the respective input voltages. A latch holds data one clock prior to currently input data and outputs the data. An adder-subtractor adds and subtracts respective output data of the first and second up-down counters and a numerical value 1 to and from output data of the latch under control of respective output data of the first and second 1-bit A/D converters and an exclusive OR value of the respective output data and outputs arithmetic data which being in proportion to a product of the respective input voltages to the latch. An adder integrates the output data of the latch.

Abstract: The disclosed system controls, authorizes and accounts for liquid petroleum fuel dispensed from liquid petroleum fuel dispensers without the need for control and authorization input from individuals performing the fueling. The system comprises a radio frequency identification tag mounted on the fuel nozzle, an automotive information module mounted in the vehicle, a fuel island-mounted fuel management unit and on-site or remotely-located software which provides the system owner with fuel usage and invoicing reports.

Abstract: A method of estimating the distributed capacitance of an interconnection line within an integrated circuit. The invention includes a method for estimating distributed capacitance between interconnection lines within an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is modeled as including a middle plane which is planar and adjacent to a top plane and a bottom plane. Each plane includes a plurality of interconnection lines which are infinite in length and parallel. The interconnection lines of the middle plane are orthogonal to the interconnection lines of the top plane and the interconnection lines of the bottom plane. A ground plane is adjacent and planar to the bottom plane. A first value of capacitance between an interconnection line of the middle plane and an interconnection line of the top plane is estimated ignoring the effects of the bottom plane.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for controlling the dispensing of a fine liquid for coating or other applications, by detecting the volume of liquid dispensed when coating a single workpiece and sending a signal to a controller to disable the dispensing when an insufficient volume of liquid is being dispensed. In a preferred embodiment, the fine liquid is spin-on-glass (SOG) used in semiconductor processing machinery during wafer fabrication and the the SOG volume dispensed when coating a semiconductor wafer is measured using a weight measurement instrument, e.g., an electronic scale capable of 0.1 gm. accuracy, which outputs a weight signal that is input, along with a dispenser condition signal from the SOG dispensing machine, to a programmable logic controller (PLC). A set point is selected to produce a desired weight of dispensed liquid, e.g., 1.7 gms. when 2 ccs. are desired, and is programmed into the PLC.

Abstract: A computer based, iterative process for generating chemical entities with defined physical chemical and/or bioactive properties. During each iteration of the process, (1) a directed diversity chemical library is robotically generated in accordance with robotic synthesis instructions; (2) the compounds in the directed diversity chemical library are analyzed to identify compounds with the desired properties; (3) structure-property data are used to select compounds to be synthesized in the next iteration; and (4) new robotic synthesis instructions are automatically generated to control the synthesis of the directed diversity chemical library for the next iteration.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is directed to an apparatus and a system for managing a card number for so-called electronic money cards and comprises an interface means for handling the signals between the head and branch offices of an issuing authority such a bank or credit card company, both domestic and overseas, a processing means for internal processing and controlling based on the signals received from by this interface means, unused card number storage means for storing card numbers not yet used for issued cards, drawn unused card number storage means for storing unused card numbers when retrieving such numbers from each head office and branch, currently used card number storage means for storing card numbers issued and currently being used, and invalid card number storage means for storing numbers of cards that have no remaining balance.

Abstract: A wafer prober system includes a host computer, and a prober device. The prober device includes a plurality of prober circuits, and a plurality of touch screens, each connected to the prober circuit for simultaneously displaying image data and display data from said prober circuit, each of the prober circuit including an image processing section for sequentially photographing wafers checked by probes and outputting image data, a display control section for outputting display data according to the checking, and a prober control section for controlling the outputs of the image processing section and display control section. The control section outputs the image data and display data from the prober circuit, so that the image data and display data are displayed on the touch screen at the same time. Image data and display data are selectively provided by one of prober circuits, from image data and display data displayed on each of touch screens, and are simultaneously displayed on the host computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for monitoring and controlling a chemical process with a chemical substance adapted for treatment of a semiconductor device. The chemical substance is held in a container. The process of monitoring is provided by transmitting a light or other electromagnetic energy from a source located within the container through the chemical substance. The electromagnetic energy transmitted through the chemical substance is sensed with a photosensor or a photosensor fiber located within the container. A comparison to a standard is made of the result of the sensing by spectrum analysis, with a passband filter between the source and the photosensor. The sensor may comprise a wavelength adjustable photosensor or a multiple wavelength photosensor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for controlling and extending the performance of lubricating fluids, such as lubricating oils. The method comprises simultaneous detection of multiple additives and contaminant levels in the lubricating fluids and measured input of selected additives to the lubricating fluids. The additive and contaminants levels are simultaneously and quantitatively determined using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, and any drop in additive levels below pre-specified limits automatically triggers corrective action whereby a computer-controlled delivery system is employed to replenish the depleted additives. The system can also be employed to detect irreversible degradation of the lubricating fluids and direct the degraded fluids to a holding area where they may undergo treatment or disposal and add new fresh lubricating fluids.

Abstract: The unconventional measurement transformer for protection and/or measurement equipment of a three-phase electricity grid delivers digital information representative of a voltage or of a current of an electricity line by making use of optical sensors that are provided in sufficient number to achieve a certain amount of redundancy in the measurement paths. The output paths of the optical sensors are processed by digital processing means to validate said voltage or current digital information by a majority vote. Advantage is taken of features specific to three-phase high voltage and to the performance of such optical sensors to reduce the number of optical sensors required in an unconventional measurement transformer to obtain a degree of redundancy.

Abstract: A method and knowledge-based system for generating a holistic health index for diagnosis and decision support in operational management of biological treatment of waste water with a microbial population; measured parameters of an operating biological treatment employing a microbial population are compared with benchmark values in a data base to generate a comparison value and a holistic health index of the operating microbial population is generated from the comparison values which provide an evaluation of the operational management of the biological treatment. Based on such evaluation the operating parameters of the treatment may be adjusted to maintain the treatment at an optimum level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the generation and representation of chemical libraries. More particularly, a computer-implemented method and apparatus is provided for the generation and representation of combinatorial chemistry libraries.

Abstract: An acquisition color specifying section works within a computer system to process graded color. The number of individual gradation levels which may be acquired in color gradation or density gradation is limited by the computer system. To address this limitation, the acquisition color specifying section specifies graded colors to be acquired without modification or substitution in a case where the number of available colors of the color table of a system is equal to or larger than the number of graded colors to be originally acquired. In a case where the number of available colors of the color table is less than the number of graded colors to be originally acquired, a blank is present in the color table. In this case, the acquisition color specifying section specifies graded colors of a number corresponding to the blank of the color table such that the graded colors will be uniformly distributed in a gradation range to be acquired.

Abstract: An electronic mail system connected to a network includes a section for converting an image of a document surface into corresponding document image data, and a section for compressing the document image data into compression-resultant image data. The electronic mail system also includes a section for converting the compression-resultant image data into corresponding image data of a given electronic-mail format, a section for receiving information of an electronic-mail destination address, and a section for transmitting the image data of the electronic-mail format toward the electronic-mail destination address via the network.

Abstract: Control of many chemical processes is optimized using compositional data, rather than physical properties, as the means of control. Using near infrared spectroscopy as the analytical tool affords the opportunity for on-line measurements in real time. A calibration set of NIR spectra bounding the acceptable process space within which a particular property is to be controlled is obtained by conventional means. Applying a multivariant statistical method to the calibration set affords a method of identifying the most important characteristics of the set which governs the controlled property, and is inherently related to the composition of the process product. Control then is effected by using only a small number (2-4) of such characteristics, which can be determined quickly and simply from the measured spectra, as the control criteria to be applied to the process as a whole.