Abstract: The extraction program and method of extraction of the present invention can be utilized by emergency response personnel to safely extract passengers from a vehicle and handle hazardous chemical spills. Another embodiment of the present invention provides for vehicle make and model recognition technology. Another embodiment provides for damage estimates to be given in a speedy manner.

Abstract: A monitoring system for use in detecting an electrical discharge within at least one component of a machine includes at least one sensor coupled to the machine for measuring an operating condition of the at least one component. The monitoring system includes a signal analysis module configured to receive a signal representative of the measured operating condition and to calculate an asymmetry value based on the signal received. The monitoring system includes a detection module coupled to the signal analysis module for detecting an electrical discharge within the at least one component based on the asymmetry value.

Abstract: Managing changes to a collection of records includes storing a first set of records in a data storage system, the first set of records representing a first version of the collection of records, and validating a proposed change to the collection of records specified by an input received over a user interface. The data storage system is queried based on validation criteria associated with the proposed change, and a first result is received in response to the querying. A second set of records is processed representing changes not yet applied to the collection of records to generate a second result. The first result is updated based on the second result to generate a third result. The third result is processed to determine whether the proposed change is valid according to the validation criteria.

Abstract: Managing data set objects for graph-based data processing includes: storing a group of one or more data set objects in a data storage system, the data set objects each representing a respective data set; and generating an association between at least a first data set object in the group and at least a first node of a dataflow graph for processing data in a data processing system, the first node representing a source or sink of data in a flow of data represented by a link in the dataflow graph, and the first data set object including a plurality of modes in which different transformational logic is applied to data processed by the first node.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a method and system of detecting defects in a transparent media such as a piece of glass. The method comprises the steps of transmitting light from a light source towards the transparent media and then detecting defects in the transparent media by scanning the light as it is reflected or passes through the transparent media. The method and system may operate in any one of a dark field mode, a bright field mode for scanning or a bright field mode for inspecting.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the condition of a gear assembly analyzes a signal output by a vibration detector that is attached to the gear assembly. Each time that an amplitude of the signal output from the vibration detector exceeds a threshold value, the system assumes that a debris particle has passed between meshing parts of the gear assembly. The number of times that this occurs, and possibly the amplitude of the vibrations are analyzed to determine a condition of the gear assembly, and possibly a damage index. This system and method are particularly applicable to planetary gear arrangements where the vibration detector can be mounted on a fixed ring gear of the gear assembly, or a structure upon which the fixed ring gear is mounted.

Abstract: A computerized method for providing targeted offers to a subset of a plurality of users. The method comprises receiving offer data from an offerror, receiving a filtering parameter for the offer data, generating an offerror profile, which includes the offer data and the filtering parameter; comparing the offerror profile to a plurality of user profiles; determining a matching user profile from the plurality of user profiles; and forwarding an offer to a user account that is associated with the matching user profile, wherein the offer data includes the offer.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the condition of a gear assembly analyzes a signal output by a vibration detector that is attached to the gear assembly. Each time that an amplitude of the signal output from the vibration detector exceeds a threshold value, the system assumes that a debris particle has passed between meshing parts of the gear assembly. The number of times that this occurs, and possibly the amplitude of the vibrations are analyzed to determine a condition of the gear assembly, and possibly a damage index. This system and method are particularly applicable to planetary gear arrangements where the vibration detector can be mounted on a fixed ring gear of the gear assembly, or a structure upon which the fixed ring gear is mounted.

Abstract: Mapping data stored in a data storage system for use by a computer system includes processing specifications of dataflow graphs that include nodes representing computations interconnected by links representing flows of data. At least one of the dataflow graphs receives a flow of data from at least one input dataset and at least one of the dataflow graphs provides a flow of data to at least one output dataset. A mapper identifies one or more sets of datasets. Each dataset in a given set matches one or more criteria for identifying different versions of a single dataset. A user interface is provided to receive a mapping between at least two datasets in a given set. The mapping received over the user interface is stored in association with a dataflow graph that provides data to or receives data from the datasets of the mapping.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a method and apparatus for auto-focusing an infinity corrected microscope. Light beams are directed and then converged towards a specimen of interest and at least one image is formed from the reflected light. The image, or images, are then reviewed and calibration measurements are retrieved from the image. These calibration measurement are then used to determine focusing measurements which are used to auto-focus the microscope.

Abstract: Proper user-to-data associations are maintained in shared spaces created in a peer-to-peer collaborative system by means of a simplified and minimal user interface that permits users to easily authenticate other members of a shared space. In particular, support is provided for automatically building authenticated relationships even if users do not take the time to authenticate other users. When a user enters a shared space and views the contacts in that space, the display names of each contact are accompanied by distinctive icons that identify that authentication status of that contact. A mechanism is provided for resolving conflicts between contacts with the same display names to prevent confusion and contact “spoofing.” Security policies can be established to provide a uniform approach to authentication. These policies can be set by a user or, alternatively, the policies can be set by an administrator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting data between elements of a data acquisition system are provided. The method includes receiving, at a first element, a self-describing control packet including a first configuration parameter, the first configuration parameter controls first data acquisition by the first element, acquiring first data by the first element in accordance with the first configuration parameter, generating a self-describing data packet including an identifier for the first configuration parameter and the acquired first data, and interpreting the acquired first data using the identifier.

Abstract: Proper user-to-data associations are maintained in shared spaces created in a peer-to-peer collaborative system by means of a simplified and minimal user interface that permits users to easily authenticate other members of a shared space. In particular, support is provided for automatically building authenticated relationships even if users do not take the time to authenticate other users. When a user enters a shared space and views the contacts in that space, the display names of each contact are accompanied by distinctive icons that identify that authentication status of that contact. A mechanism is provided for resolving conflicts between contacts with the same display names to prevent confusion and contact “spoofing.” Security policies can be established to provide a uniform approach to authentication. These policies can be set by a user or, alternatively, the policies can be set by an administrator.

Abstract: Providing TDM services over a packet-switched fabric. Distributed scheduling is provided by overlaying a synchronized frame structure on the packet switching of the packet-switched fabric. Contention-free scheduling is achieved by prescheduling TDM traffic with the distributed scheduling mechanism. The result is a deterministic timing procedure suitable for switching TDM traffic in a packet-switched fabric.

Abstract: A concurrent low resolution/high resolution parallel scanning system and method are provided as an improvement in the scanning process of an inspection system for planar objects, such as large flat plates employed in panel displays, whereby lower resolution defect detection efficiently overlaps and parallels higher resolution defect review and classification stages in which defects are automatically defined and resolved. Although the invention is a valid solution for the more general problem of optically inspecting the surface of a flat article for defects, the invention is particularly useful for detecting pattern defects on large glass plates deposited with integrated-circuits for forming LCD flat panel displays.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a method and system of detecting defects in a transparent media such as a piece of glass. The method comprises the steps of transmitting light from a light source towards the transparent media and then detecting defects in the transparent media by Photodiode array scanning the light as it is reflected or passes through the transparent media. The method and system may operate in any one of a dark field mode, a bright field mode for scanning or a bright field mode for inspecting.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting data between elements of a data acquisition system are provided. The method includes receiving, at a first element, a self-describing control packet including a first configuration parameter, the first configuration parameter controls first data acquisition by the first element, acquiring first data by the first element in accordance with the first configuration parameter, generating a self-describing data packet including an identifier for the first configuration parameter and the acquired first data, and interpreting the acquired first data using the identifier.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a method and apparatus for auto-focussing an infinity corrected microscope. Light beams are directed and then converged towards a specimen of interest and at least one image is formed from the reflected light. The image, or images, are then reviewed and calibration measurements are retrieved from the image. These calibration measurement are then used to determine focussing measurements which are used to auto-focus the microscope.

Abstract: A tracking auto-focus system maintains a microscope pointed at a TFT array continuously in focus so as to eliminate the auto-focusing time that would otherwise be required. The tracking auto-focus system includes, in part, a microscope Z actuator, an auto-focus sensor, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a signal conditioner, a digital proportional integrating and differentiating (PID) controller, and a digital-to-analog converter. The actuator adjusts the distance between the microscope's objective lens and the target and includes, in part, an amplifier, a linear motor, and a linear encoder which provides positional feedback. The auto-focus sensor together with the ADC and signal conditioner continuously monitor and detect the distance between the microscope's objective lens and the target and supply the measured distance to the amplifier. The PID controller together with the DAC stabilizes the distance separating the microscope's objective lens and the target to maintain the best focus.