Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptively optimizing a performance function for operating a system. A performance function for a system is adaptively optimized, and utilized for the operation of the system, by selecting a first value for a first independent variable that determines an operating state of the system described by a performance function; establishing a first range of values for the first independent variable; selecting a first number of values in the first range of values to test the first independent variable; selecting first random values within the first range of values for the first independent variable based on the first number of values; evaluating the performance function at the first random values; optimizing the performance function by selecting the first value of the first independent variable from the first random values that provides a first extremum value for the performance function.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the automatic routing of data packets in dynamic networks, wherein at least a portion of a route for a data packet is modeled as a fluid dynamics potential flow characterized by an irrotational velocity field. Each data packet is the analogue of a flow particle, an originating node of the data packet is the analogue of a source, and a destination node of the data packet is the analogue of a sink. Each of one or more nodes intermediate to the originating node and the destination node for a data packet are defined as a stream function (?) which adheres to the definition of irrotational and incompressible potential flow that independently represents a flow phenomenon that can influence the route of the data packet. A route for a data packet is calculated based on its current location and the aggregate stream function comprising the sum of each of the flow phenomena acting on the data packet.

Abstract: A methodology for correlated histogram clustering for machine learning which does not require a priori knowledge of cluster numbers, which extends beyond bimodal scenarios to multimodal scenarios, and does not need iterative optimization methods nor require powerful data processing.

Abstract: A portable drinking vessel assembly removably engages an open end of a bottle neck to enable drinking directly from a bottle while aerating the liquid. The assembly comprises a vessel defined by a side wall, a bottom portion forming a bottom opening, and a top portion forming a top opening. A tapered conduit defined by a wide end and a narrow end integrally joins with the vessel through the wide end, and detachably attaches to the bottle through the narrow end. The liquid is aerated while flowing from narrow end, to wide end, and finally into the vessel. A silicone sleeve having ribs encapsulates a longitudinal portion of the conduit. The ribs engage an inner surface of the bottle neck to create a self-tapping rotatable action in the bottle neck, and a seal against the inner surface of bottle neck. The vessel joins a stand to remain upright.

Abstract: Distributed analytics system used to control the operation of at least one monitored system; the system includes an architect subsystem and an edge subsystem, wherein the edge subsystem comprises at least one edge processing device associated with at least one monitored system. The architect subsystem deploys at least one analytic model to an edge processing device based on characteristics of a monitored system associated with the edge processing device, the analytic model to be used by the edge processing device to provide control signals to a monitored system; and, receives information related to the monitored system from the edge processing device, the information utilized by the architect subsystem to modify the analytic model deployed to the at least one edge processing device to improve system performance of the monitored system.

Abstract: Architecture and related method of constructing a model of a real system, including constructing an initial neural-like representation of the real system with a combination of layers, the layers comprising mathematical functions including at least one independent variable; inputting a first set of known data to the initial neural-like representation to generate a corresponding set of output data, the known data comprising values for the at least one independent variable of the neural-like representation; feeding the corresponding set of output data of the initial neural-like representation and a second set of known data correlated to the first set of known data, to a comparator, the comparator generating error signals representing a difference between members of the set of output data and correlated members of the second set of known data; and, iteratively varying a weight parameter of at least one of the combination of terms comprising the initial neural-like representation to produce a refined neural-like r

Abstract: An air cleaner arrangement or assembly is provided. The air cleaner arrangement includes a serviceable filter cartridge. The air cleaner assembly also includes an arrangement for positioning the filter cartridge into a preferred, sealing, orientation and for securing the filter cartridge in that location. Preferred serviceable filter cartridges are provided, as well as methods of assembly and use.

Abstract: A system for displaying a simulated room can comprise a projector, a wall structure element, a physical object, and a room customization station. The room customization station can view images of selectable products and allows a selection thereof to be displayed on the wall structure element or the physical object. The projector can display the selectable product(s) on the wall structure element or the physical object. The physical object can be adjustable in size for different selectable product sizes. The system can include a physical accessory placeable in the simulated room to facilitate visualization of how the physical accessory would appear in the simulated room with the selectable product. Further, the room customization station can prevent a portion of the images from being projected onto a physical feature in the simulated room and allow other portions of the images to be projected into a portion of the simulated room.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. During assembly of the elastomeric laminate, elastic material may be advanced and stretched in a machine direction and joined with either or both first and second substrates advancing in the machine direction. The apparatuses according to the present disclosure may be configured with a plurality of spools, wherein each spool comprises a single elastic strand wound onto a core. The elastic strands are unwound from respective spools by rotating the spools about the cores. Neighboring elastic strands may be spaced or separated from each other at a desired distance in a cross direction by advancing the elastic strands through a strand guide that may comprise a plurality of tines or reeds. The assembled elastomeric laminate may then be accumulated by being wound onto a roll or festooned in a container.

Abstract: A system for displaying a simulated room can comprise at least one projector, at least one wall structure element, at least one physical object, and a room customization station. The room customization station can be configured to permit viewing images of selectable products and selecting at least one of the selectable products to be displayed on at least one of the at least one wall structure element or the at least one physical object. The projector(s) can be adapted to display the selectable product(s) on at least one of the at least one wall structure element or the physical object(s). The physical object can be adjustable in size to correspond to different sizes of selectable products. The system can further include at least one physical accessory adapted to be placed in the simulated room to facilitate visualization of how the at least one physical accessory would appear in the presence of the simulated room and the at least one selectable product.

Abstract: Distributed analytics system used to control the operation of at least one monitored system; the system includes an architect subsystem and an edge subsystem, wherein the edge subsystem comprises at least one edge processing device associated with at least one monitored system. The architect subsystem deploys at least one analytic model to an edge processing device based on characteristics of a monitored system associated with the edge processing device, the analytic model to be used by the edge processing device to provide control signals to a monitored system; and, receives information related to the monitored system from the edge processing device, the information utilized by the architect subsystem to modify the analytic model deployed to the at least one edge processing device to improve system performance of the monitored system.

Abstract: A portable drinking vessel assembly removably engages an open end of a bottle neck to enable drinking directly from a bottle while aerating the liquid. The assembly comprises a vessel defined by a side wall, a bottom portion forming a bottom opening, and a top portion forming a top opening. A tapered conduit defined by a wide end and a narrow end integrally joins with the vessel through the wide end, and detachably attaches to the bottle through the narrow end. The liquid is aerated while flowing from narrow end, to wide end, and finally into the vessel. A silicone sleeve having ribs encapsulates a longitudinal portion of the conduit. The ribs engage an inner surface of the bottle neck to create a self-tapping rotatable action in the bottle neck, and a seal against the inner surface of bottle neck. The vessel joins a stand to remain upright.

Abstract: A portable drinking vessel assembly removably engages an open end of a bottle neck to enable drinking directly from a bottle while aerating the liquid. The assembly comprises a vessel defined by a side wall, a bottom portion forming a bottom opening, and a top portion forming a top opening. A tapered conduit defined by a wide end and a narrow end integrally joins with the vessel through the wide end, and detachably attaches to the bottle through the narrow end. The liquid is aerated while flowing from narrow end, to wide end, and finally into the vessel. A silicone sleeve having ribs encapsulates a longitudinal portion of the conduit. The ribs engage an inner surface of the bottle neck to create a self-tapping rotatable action in the bottle neck, and a seal against the inner surface of bottle neck. The vessel joins a stand to remain upright.

Abstract: A communication system and method that provides predictive and prescriptive analytics for a system running at an edge. In one embodiment, the communication system includes an architect subsystem configured to build, test and deploy a model based on sensor characteristics of the system. The sensor characteristics are from at least one of an operator input, a historical input, a specification input, and a subject-matter expert input. The communication system also includes an edge subsystem configured to receive said model and perform predictive and prescriptive analytics on sensor data from said system running on said model deployed at said edge.

Abstract: An air cleaner arrangement or assembly is provided. The air cleaner arrangement includes a serviceable filter cartridge. The air cleaner assembly also includes an arrangement for positioning the filter cartridge into a preferred, sealing, orientation and for securing the filter cartridge in that location. Preferred serviceable filter cartridges are provided, as well as methods of assembly and use.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting a characteristic of an object in an artificial intelligence system. The method includes evaluating the object using a first model to produce a first prediction of a characteristic of the object. The object is evaluated using a second model to produce a second prediction of the characteristic of the object, the second model being dissimilar to the first model. A final prediction of the characteristic of the object is generated as a function of dynamic weightings of the first prediction and the second prediction.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating a system state. The method includes constructing a first estimate of a system state at a first time including a first covariance matrix describing an accuracy of the first estimate. A second estimate of the state is constructed at a second time, after the first time, including a second covariance matrix. A value of a characteristic of the system state is measured at the second time and the second estimate of the system state and the second covariance matrix are adjusted based on the value of the characteristic. A third estimate of the system state is constructed at a third time, before the second time, including a third covariance matrix describing an accuracy of the third estimate. A fourth estimate of the system state is constructed at a fourth time being after the second time.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for selecting a value for an independent variable that determines an operating state of a system described by a performance function. In one embodiment, the method includes establishing a range of values for the independent variable, selecting a number of values in the range of values to test the independent variable, and selecting random values within the range of values for the independent variable based on the number of values. The method also includes evaluating the performance function at the random values, and selecting the value of the independent variable from the random values that provides an extremum value for the performance function.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing a mathematical model of a system. The method includes constructing an initial mathematical system representation with a combination of terms, the terms comprising mathematical functions including independent variables dependent on an input signal. A first set of known data is inputted to the initial mathematical representation to generate a corresponding set of output data. The corresponding set of output data of the initial mathematical representation and a second set of known data, correlated to the first set of known data, is fed to a comparator to generate error signals representing differences between output data and correlated members of the second set of known data.

Abstract: An air cleaner arrangement or assembly is provided. The air cleaner arrangement includes a serviceable filter cartridge. The air cleaner assembly also includes an arrangement for positioning the filter cartridge into a preferred, sealing, orientation and for securing the filter cartridge in that location. Preferred serviceable filter cartridges are provided, as well as methods of assembly and use.