Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating with chaotic and other waveforms employs a filter for estimating a parameter that describes a property of a signal. The filter is constructed by defining a system that models the source of the signal. The system is partitioned into a first subsystem that contains the parameter and a second subsystem that does not contain the parameter, the second subsystem including a term that makes the second subsystem stable and synchronizable with the signal. The signal is introduced as input to the second subsystem and an element of the second subsystem is substituted into a corresponding element of the first subsystem, thereby generating a signal-activated subsystem. An integration factor is introduced to the signal-activated subsystem to cause the parameter to behave as a constant when the signal-activated subsystem with the integration factor is integrated with respect to time.

Abstract: A system and method for providing improved de novo structure-based drug design that include a method for more accurately predicting binding free energy. The system and method use a coarse-graining model with corresponding knowledge-based potential data to grow candidate molecules or ligands. In light of the present inventions using the coarse-graining model, the novel growth method of the present invention uses a metropolis Monte Carlo selection process which result in a low energy structure that is not necessarily the lowest energy structure, yet a better candidate can result.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating an NDIR gas analyzer is provided. According to the method, the apparatus under calibration is calibrated with the help of a reference apparatus under controlled conditions. The reference apparatus is a laboratory-calibrated NDIR measurement apparatus in an arrangement based on circulating ambient air via both a measurement chamber of the measurement apparatus under calibration and measurement chamber of the laboratory-calibrated measurement apparatus. Adjusting the reading of a display, or alternatively, an output signal of the measurement apparatus under calibration to be equal to the reading of the display, or the output signal, respectively, of the reference apparatus is performed by a control device of the measurement apparatus.

Abstract: A photographic album is proposed for a selected theme which has pre-printed pictures or views, with accompanying text, to provide the user with guidance and inspiration to take a corresponding series of photographs on the same theme. The photographs taken are then processed and substituted for the corresponding pre-printed views, either in the same album or in a reproduction of the album so that the customer then has a structured album of photographs with appropriate accompanying text.

Abstract: A prediction method and apparatus for secondary structures of a protein in which accuracy in prediction of a formation of a .beta.-sheet is increased and which can applied to any type of protein including an .alpha.-helix and a .beta.-sheet. Formation of the .alpha.-helix is predicted with respect to each amino acid residue in a sequence of amino acid residues. Then, formation of the .beta.-sheet is predicted with respect to all pairs of residues which were not predicted to form the .alpha.-helix. Results of prediction of the .alpha.-helix and the .beta.-sheet are combined to obtain a result of prediction of the secondary structure of the protein.

Abstract: A method, based on UV/VIS/NIR/IR (including Raman spectroscopy), is provided for the qualitative and quantitative determination of quality parameters in pulp and paper and/or the organic content in effluents from pulp and paper production, by applying chemometric methods.

Abstract: An electrical home appliance (14) such as a dishwasher, a clothes dryer, a washing machine, a lighting arrangement, a heating system control or the like, which, via an interface arranged on or in the home appliance, can be connected to a bus system supplied to several home appliances and controlled by a single central control computer (17), with the interface being connected to a bus connection module for transmitting control commands and/or sensor signals between the bus system and the home appliance (14). The home appliance (14) additionally is provided with a plug-in position (18) for the detachable plugging in of the control computer (17). A contact configuration (19) establishing the connection between the plugged-in control computer (17) and the interface is arranged at the plug-in position (18). A great flexibility is accomplished since the control computer (17) can also be plugged in at the plug-in positions of other home appliances connected to the bus system.

Abstract: A control system for a gas generator is disclosed. The control system includes an automotive type oxygen sensor that produces a signal responsive to the oxygen content of a product gas. The automotive type oxygen sensor is connected to a controller and is installed in the gas generator so that the sensor tip is in the product gas, downstream of a first heat exchanger. Preferably, the installation of the automotive sensor is at a point where the product gas has been cooled to at least 1500.degree. F. at a rate of at least 4000.degree. F. The controller produces an output signal responsive to the oxygen sensor signal. A trim valve receives the controller output signal and responsively varies an input gas to vary the composition of the product gas.

Abstract: A hand-held probe monitors the presence of trace hazardous materials including nitrocompounds and halogen-containing compounds. The hand-held probe provides real-time and in-situ site characterization and analysis. The probe operates in accordance with a laser photofragmentation/fragment detection technique which employs one or more lasers for photolysis of the analyte molecules and/or facilitating the detection of the characteristic fragments by multiphoton ionization. The probe includes a tunable laser, a pair of miniature electrodes coupled with a fiberoptic cable and lens assembly mounted in a sweep wand, and a data and analysis system. An adjustable laser beam stopper allows for atmospheric sampling or surface analysis at the point of interest. Applications include the detection of nitrocompounds by probing the characteristic NO photofragment and halogenated compounds by probing the respective characteristic halogen atom photofragment.

Abstract: A system for electric power demand monitoring and control includes one or more data distribution networks interconnecting network interfaces or intelligent utility units located at customer sites with a host computer located in the utility company offices. A network within the site interconnects each intelligent utility unit or network interface with power consuming units for providing data on power usage and power control. A data distribution network interconnects the plurality of intelligent utility units or network interfaces to the host computer as a head end unit, the data distribution network providing downstream communication channels from the host computer to the plurality of intelligent utility units and network interfaces, and upstream communication channels from the plurality of intelligent utility units and network interfaces to the host computer. The communication channels are organized as frequency division multiplex channels in a frequency spectrum.

Abstract: A method for controlling greenhouse light employs first and second algorithms for controlling a supplemental lighting system and a shade control system, respectively, in a greenhouse. The lighting control algorithm controls actuation of electric lamps in the greenhouse based upon a plurality of rules. These rules employ weather and climate data, accumulated and calculated photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) data and off-peak electricity rate hour data to provide uniform daily integrated PPF values in the most cost efficient manner. The shade control algorithm works in conjunction with the lighting control algorithm to insure that the daily PPF values do not exceed a target value on days when the PPF accumulated from solar insolation exceeds the target value. The shade control algorithm operates very precisely to avoid an over shading condition which would require undesirable actuation of the supplemental lighting control system for compensation.

Abstract: Small modules directly situated at power outlets in buildings, that contain at least one sensor gather and report local environmental data such as temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, motion, particulate matter concentration, carbon monoxide, methane, or other parameters. The local modules report data back over existing building power wiring to a central unit. The central unit may store or reduce data for reporting over to a computer over a conventional RS-232 link. The data can be used to prove compliance with environmental and safety regulations and requirements or used to control HVAC equipment. Also, the data can be displayed or used with energy price tier systems.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method and system for generating a sinusoidal signal as a combination of independently generated sinusoidal signals. A sinusoidal signal consisting of M data points per cycle is generated as a combination of P independently generated sinusoidal signals each consisting of M/P data points per cycle. Each independently generated sinusoidal signal is offset by P-1 data points and interleaved according to a prescribed sequence to represent the combined sinusoidal signal. The system of the present invention utilizes a processing unit having the capability of performing a single instruction on multiple data (SIMD) thereby executing multiple operations per cycle. This architecture enables each data point of the P independently generated sinusoidal signals to be generated simultaneously thereby decreasing the computational expense required to generate the sinusoidal signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a protective relaying system that trips a local circuit breaker (BL) connected to a transmission line by providing a trip signal ("TRIP.sub.-- BL") to the circuit breaker. The system comprises a local filter operatively coupled to the transmission line, and a local relay operatively coupled to the filter. The local filter receives inputs indicative of phase currents on the transmission line and provides an output ("VFL.sub.k ") derived from the inputs. The local relay (1) receives the output (VFL.sub.k) of the local filter, (2) receives an output ("VFR1.sub.k ", "VFR2.sub.k ") of at least one remote filter, and (3) generates the trip signal. The local filter and relay preferably employ substantially all digital electronic circuitry to generate the trip signal.

Abstract: The method of the invention establishes a reference state and a current state for an industrial evolutionary process from physical parameters measured on all the equipment items employing the evaluating process. These two states are compared, parameter by parameter, by resorting to fuzzy logic for classifying the quantities, and a diagnosis is established using expert rules.

Abstract: A distance measuring system includes a base unit and a remote unit. The remote unit transmits a first radio frequency signal to the base unit. The base unit transmits a second radio frequency signal upon receipt of the first radio frequency signal from the remote unit. The remote unit measures the time between transmission of the first radio frequency signal and receipt of the second radio frequency signal, thereby enabling the distance between the base unit and the remote unit to be ascertained. The accuracy of the measured distance may be improved by averaging additional measurement cycles.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for automatically tuning a plant. The method includes the steps of applying a plurality of sinusoidal signals to the plant, and measuring the frequency response of the plant to the plurality of sinusoidal signals to detect frequencies at which the plant is resonant. The coefficients of at least one digital filter are calculated such that the at least one filter when combined with the plant suppresses the detected resonances. The method further includes applying at least one sinusoidal signal having a frequency substantially equal to a crossover frequency of the system to the at least one filter and plant, and measuring the frequency response to calculate the magnitude and phase response of the filters and plant at that frequency. The coefficients of the compensator are calculated such that when combined with the plant and the at least one filter the combination provides a response which yields said predetermined system response.

Abstract: An apparatus to detect the failure of sensor is comprised of a microprocessor which reads sensor values. If the sensor values exceed the inherent noise level and exceed the maximum mechanical change in the system that portion of the signal is counted as noise. If the noise count exceeds a predetermined count, indicator signals the sensor is bad.

Abstract: A heat pump or air conditioning system includes a process for calculating on a real time basis the capacity contribution of each of a number of heating or cooling stages. The calculated contribution is utilized to determine the number of stages that need to be activated at any point in time in the heat pump or air conditioning system.

Abstract: The fuel character judging system has an electrical capacitance type sensor which outputs a first detection signal representative of a first character of a fuel mixture. A resistance type sensor outputs a second detection signal representative of a second character of the fuel mixture. A control unit stores first and second maps for a known fuel mixture having known first, second and third numbers corresponding to components of the known fuel mixture. The first map has a plurality of first characteristic lines which respectively correspond to a plurality of values of the first detection signal from the electrical capacitance type sensor. The second characteristic lines are plotted in accordance with the second signal from the resistance type sensor upon changing the known first number. One of the second characteristic lines in the second map is selected in accordance with the first detection signal from the electrical capacitance type sensor.