Abstract: A process and apparatus for improving the production of coke having a high volatile combustible material content are disclosed. The process may include, for example: heating a coker feedstock to a coking temperature to produce a heated coker feedstock; contacting the heated coker feedstock with a quench medium to reduce a temperature of the heated coker feedstock and produce a quenched feedstock; feeding the quenched feedstock to a coking drum; subjecting the quenched feedstock to thermal cracking in the coking drum to (a) crack a portion of the quenched feedstock to produce a cracked vapor product, and (b) produce a coke product having a volatile combustible material (VCM) concentration in the range from about 13% to about 50% by weight, as measured by ASTM D3175.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for improving the production of coke having a high volatile combustible material content are disclosed. The process may include, for example: heating a coker feedstock to a coking temperature to produce a heated coker feedstock; contacting the heated coker feedstock with a quench medium to reduce a temperature of the heated coker feedstock and produce a quenched feedstock; feeding the quenched feedstock to a coking drum; subjecting the quenched feedstock to thermal cracking in the coking drum to (a) crack a portion of the quenched feedstock to produce a cracked vapor product, and (b) produce a coke product having a volatile combustible material (VCM) concentration in the range from about 13% to about 50% by weight, as measured by ASTM D3175.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning and scheduling resource requests to resource providers use a modified "best-first" search technique that combines optimization, artificial intelligence, and constraint-processing to arrive at near-optimal assignment and scheduling solutions. In response to changes in a dynamic resource environment, potential changes to an existing assignment set are evaluated in a search for a better solution. New calls are assigned and scheduled as they are received, and the assignment set is readjusted as the field service environment changes, resulting in global optimization. Each search operation is in response to either an incremental change to the assignment set such as adding a new resource request, removing a pending resource request, reassigning a pending resource request, or to a request for further evaluation. Thus, the search technique assumes that the existing assignment set is already optimized, and limits the task only to evaluating the effects of the incremental change.

Abstract: A system that integrates active and simulated decisionmaking processes generates decisions in response to events representing changes in a domain model, and updates the domain model according to the decisions. The system includes a real-time mode for generating recommendations in response to real-time events, and a simulation mode for generating recommendations in response to simulated events. The simulation mode is capable of running on either randomly generated domain events or real-time domain events captured during the real-time mode. In addition, the simulation mode does not require development of a separate domain model for simulation. Rather, the simulation mode may use the contents of a domain model established during the real-time mode. Integration of an active decisionmaking tool with a simulation tool thereby eliminates the cost of constructing a separate simulation model, and avoids invalidation of the contents of the simulation model over time.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning and scheduling resource requests to resource providers use a modified "best-first" search technique that combines optimization, artificial intelligence, and constraint-processing to arrive at near-optimal assignment and scheduling solutions. In response to changes in a dynamic resource environment, potential changes to an existing assignment set are evaluated in a search for a better solution. New calls are assigned and scheduled as they are received, and the assignment set is readjusted as the field service environment changes, resulting in global optimization. Each search operation is in response to either an incremental change to the assignment set such as adding a new resource request, removing a pending resource request, reassigning a pending resource request, or to a request for further evaluation. Thus, the search technique assumes that the existing assignment set is already optimized, and limits the task only to evaluating the effects of the incremental change.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling resource requests for a resource provider generate a first schedule, based on expected durations of each resource request, and a second schedule, based on longer, pessimistic durations of each resource request. A user interface simultaneously displays the first and second schedules to a system user. The first schedule provides the system user with a guide to good overall management of the resource performance. The second schedule provides the system user with a guide for making time commitments to customers with a greater degree of confidence. The system and method employ a variety of techniques including statistic probability calculations to determine expected and pessimistic durations for each resource request, and incorporate features for updating the first and second schedules in response to dynamic changes in the resource environment.

Abstract: A resource assignment system provides mixed-initiative updates of a user interface display in response to asynchronous events independently triggering updates. The system features an update module capable of selecting one of a plurality of diverse update modes based on system user input and additional criteria relating to each update. The update modes enable the system user to develop an update behavior appropriate for her individual circumstances. Selection of an update behavior can prevent disruption of the system user's work, producing an appearance of interface stability without sacrificing near real-time response to asynchronous events.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning and scheduling resource requests to resource providers use a modified "best-first" search technique that combines optimization, artificial intelligence, and constraint-processing to arrive at near-optimal assignment and scheduling solutions. In response to changes in a dynamic resource environment, potential changes to an existing assignment set are evaluated in a search for a better solution. New calls are assigned and scheduled as they are received, and the assignment set is readjusted as the field service environment changes, resulting in global optimization. Each search operation is in response to either an incremental change to the assignment set such as adding a new resource request, removing a pending resource request, reassigning a pending resource request, or to a request for further evaluation. Thus, the search technique assumes that the existing assignment set is already optimized, and limits the task only to evaluating the effects of the incremental change.

Abstract: The invention relates to a harvester for lowbush berries such as wild blueberries. A truss section is mounted to the three-point hitch of a tractor adapted to run in reverse, the truss section pulling a pair of laterally and longitudinally offset picking heads contained within the periphery of the truss section. The picking heads are floatingly connected to the truss section so that they are free to follow the contours of the ground. Each picking head mounts a rotating, tine-carrying reel therein and is connected to one end of a counterbalance system, the other end of the system being carried by the tractor. The counterbalance system includes counterweights that can be raised or lowered between upper and lower limits at the will of the operator so as to offset the weight of the picking head, so that as little as 25% thereof is acting on the ground. This means that there will be little damage to the picking head if it encounters obstacles such as rocks or tree stumps during harvesting.

Abstract: A computerized data storage structure for storing garment pattern data in machine-readable form for use in connection with a computerized structure for manipulating the garment pattern data. The structure comprises coordinate data storage for storing points and lines depicting parts of a garment. The structure further comprises garment description storage for storing a description of the garment. The garment description storage comprises geometric constraint storage for storing constraint descriptions that specify limits on relationships among the points and lines that depict the garment. The garment description storage further comprises measurement storage for storing one or more measurement constraints that map the physical dimensions of the garment onto the points and lines and specify relationships between the physical dimensions of the garment and standard or individual body measurements.

Abstract: A computerized system for preparing garment pattern data to enable subsequent computerized prealteration based on standard or individual body measurements. The system comprises pattern storage for storing garment pattern data comprising points and lines depicting one or more garments. The system further comprises garment knowledge storage for storing generic garment knowledge for each of a plurality of garment styles. The garment knowledge storage comprises feature description storage for storing descriptions of landmarks and other garment features that are expected to be found in garments representative of the garment style. The garment knowledge storage further comprises generic constraint storage for storing at least one of algorithms and declarative structures for relating body measurements to changes in one or more of the landmarks and other garment features found in garments representative of the garment style.

Abstract: A computerized system for prealtering garment pattern data based on standard or individual body measurements. The system comprises a body measurement acceptance subsystem for accepting standard or individual body measurements and a pattern acceptance subsystem for accepting garment pattern data. The pattern acceptance subsystem comprises a coordinate data subsystem for accepting coordinate data comprising points and lines depicting a garment and a garment description subsystem for accepting a description of the garment. The garment description subsystem comprises geometric constraint subsystem for accepting geometric constraints that specify limits on relationships among the points and lines that depict the garment and a garment measurement subsystem for accepting one or more measurement constraints that map the physical dimensions of the garment onto the points and lines and specify relationships between the physical dimensions of the garment and the standard or individual body measurements.