Abstract: A method providing automatic learning belief functions enabling the combination of different, and possibly contradictory information sources. The present invention provides the ability to determine erroneous information sources, inappropriate information combinations, and optimal information granularities, along with enhanced system performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of performing statistical classification that can resolve conflict in independent sources of information, thereby creating a robust statistical classifier that has superior performance to classifiers currently available. Additionally, the present invention is automatically trainable, yielding improved classification performance. The present invention may be embodied in a method of statistically classifying events or objects, including the steps of gathering sets of information representative of features of an object or event; creating basic probability assignments based on said sets of information; determining a coarse information set from said sets of information; performing coarsening on said sets of information; performing linear superposition on each feature; and combining all features to reach a conclusion.

Abstract: A hierarchical object recognition method for aggregation, interpretation and classification of information from multiple sensor sources on the detection feature attribute level. The system extracts information derived from each sensor source to obtain detections and their feature attributes. At least two processing streams, one for each sensor source, are provided for converting the detections and their feature attributes into hypotheses on identity and class of detected objects. The detections are shared and combined between the two processing streams using hierarchical information fusion algorithms to determine which ones of the hypotheses on identity and class of detected objects have sufficient probabilities for classifying the information.

Abstract: A surface condition sensing system includes a frequency controlled source of electromagnetic power adapted to produce a band of selected frequencies which are directed to a surface under examination. A monitoring circuit compares transmitted and reflected electromagnetic power as a function of frequency from the surface, and generates a plurality of absorption signals representing the difference between the amplitude of the transmitted signal with the corresponding amplitude of the reflected signal. An evaluator circuit generates a surface condition signal representing the results of a comparison between the plurality of absorption signals with known surface models. A control circuit generates a status signal representative of the surface condition. The system can be configured as a road condition sensor or as an aircraft ice detection sensor.

Abstract: A knowledge-based system (10) which combines case-based reasoning, heuristic search and deductive rule application. The resulting inference engine is sensitive to the context of problem solving. The system (10) includes a heuristic searcher (22), a case memory (14), a rule memory (18), a rule applier (26) and a case matcher (24). The rule applier (26) uses stored rules to elaborate on new cases by deriving new features so that it will be closer to selected old cases. The case matcher (24) detects how close selected cases are to the new case and generates a score for the match. The heuristic searcher (22) maintains a plurality of elaborated cases and determines the goodness of each elaborated case, the goodness being a measure of the match between the elaborated case and the selected old case.

Abstract: Inspection of solder joints utilizing ilumination, reflected light intensity measurements to determine surface heights and comparison with predetermined inspection criteria to determine the integrity of the solder joint. A solder fillet (16b) is sequentially illuminated from first and second angles and optically scanned and reflected light intensity values at incremental values of inclination are measured. The heights of the fillet wall (16d) at predetermined points and the integrity of the fillet (16b) are determined using the measured reflected light intensity values and either using real-time computation or accessing an array of predetermined incremental inclination values as a function of the reflected light intensity values. Alternatively, the ratio of the sensed reflected light intensity values at each point may be used as an input variable to a one dimensional look-up table or for real-time computation. The solder fillet may be coated with a matte coating.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for bearing races is provided which enables split races for roller bearings to be fixed on a bearing member in a space-saving system wherein the bearing member includes at least one race groove parallel to two expanding grooves such that narrow webs are left on either side of the race groove. On assembly, for example, of the inner ring of a roller bearing in the race groove, these webs are flanged or crimped against the bearing end faces such that two ends of the axially split bearing race are securely held by appropriate profiling or beveling of the end faces of the race. Assembly may be carried out by inserting a crimping wheel into the expanding grooves and crimping the webs by means of a conically deforming surface. The mounting can be advantageously applied, for example, in connection with an eccentrically drilled bearing bushing for the plain bearings of blanket cylinders in offset printing machines.

Abstract: A flexible metal printing plate for a lithographic printing press made up of a sheet of iron having a thin adherent top layer of a metal more noble than iron and having a thin layer of sacrificial metal conductively bonded to the underside of the iron sheet, the sacrificial metal being less noble than iron as determined by its position above iron in the electromotive series, the preferred sacrificial metal being zinc.