Abstract: A micro-diverse directional transmitting antenna array positioned proximately upon the boundary of a convex shape whereby the primary attenuation lobes of neighboring antennae overlap. Distinct transmissions by distinct directional antenna components utilize the same channel resources using transmitting directional antenna components that are not adjacent. Further, a micro-diverse directional antenna array comprising both transmitting and receiving directional antenna components positioned proximately upon the boundary of a convex shape whereby the primary attenuation lobes of nearest neighbor transmitting directional antenna components overlap and the primary attenuation lobes of nearest neighbor receiving directional antenna components overlap.

Abstract: A system for automatically tuning the radio equipment of an aircraft in response to a verbal communication to the system.

Abstract: A fixed cellular interface system is disclosed that includes an interface system arranged between a standard telephone unit and a fixed cellular terminal. The interface system includes a voice prompt system, which can be programmed to generate speech using the native language for the geographical region involved. The voice prompt system detects the user of the POTS phone going “off hook”, and vocally prompts the user to enter the desired number followed by the “#” sign. The interface system converts the received “#” sign to a “SEND” signal. The interface system transfers the dialed number followed by the “send” signal to the fixed cellular terminal which initiates the call to the cellular system.

Abstract: A cellular telephone (10) has a user interface (5) that includes an actuator (23) for inputting information to the telephone. The actuator extends from a surface of the telephone and has multiple degrees of freedom for selecting at least individual ones of numeric digits 0 through 9. Indicia representing individual ones of the numeric digits 0 through 9 in addition to the characters * and # may be arrayed about the actuator, and may correspond to a clock face, wherein the indicia “1” corresponds to the 1:00 position, and wherein one of the indicia “*” and “#” corresponds to the 12:00 position. Alternatively, digits may be displayed to the user in an n by m matrix format. Further in accordance with this invention the user interface also includes a display (20) disposed on the surface. The display is capable of displaying characters with a non-perpendicular orientation (e.g.

Abstract: A wireless mobile telephone includes a connector adapted for connecting to a socket of a mobile telephone to receive power supply and caller's signal from it, a first amplifier and a modulator circuit and a transmitter circuit connected in series to the connector and adapted to transmit caller's signal from the mobile telephone to a car radio, a microphone and a second amplifier connected in series to the connector and adapted to transmit the user's voice signal to the mobile telephone for output to the opponent's mobile telephone, whereby a user can use the mobile telephone without holding it in his or her hand.

Abstract: A pulse oximeter sensor having an emitter(s) and a detector, with a layer having a first portion of the emitter and a second portion of layer over the detector is provided. A barrier is included between the first and second portions of the overlying layer to substantially block radiation of the wavelengths emitted by the emitter(s). Preferably, the barrier reduces the radiation shunted to less than 10% of the radiation detected, and more preferably to less than 1% of the radiation detected. Additionally the shunt barrier is selected from a fibrous material, a woven material, and a compressible foam.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring microvascular blood flow in tissue including a monochromatic light source arranged to irradiate a section of the tissue with the monochromatic light from the light source, a photodetector arranged to collect light scattered from the irradiated section, a processor for processing the electrical output signals from the photodetector, calculating the power spectrum of photocurrents generated in the detection of laser light scattered from static tissue and Doppler broadend laser light scattered from moving blood cells, and recording the average Doppler frequency shift, and further calculating and recording the blood concentration. The apparatus further measures and records the intensity of the detected scattered light, calculates and records the blood perfusion (flux), filters movement artefact noise, and displays the blood perfusion measured parameters. By filtering movement artefact noise, the apparatus enables fast tissue blood perfusion monitoring with enhanced signal quality.

Abstract: A positioning device for the accurate placement of biomedical sensors. The positioning device has a template frame and one or more template arms. The template frame is able to be referenced to at least one anatomical site upon the human body, such as the sternal notch or the navel. Template arms extend from the template frame to the electrode positioning site. The length and angle of the template arms corresponds to the distance from the template frame to the electrode positioning site. The template arms reference the electrode positioning sites with respect to the template frame. The template frame references the template arms with respect to anatomical sites upon the human body.

Abstract: A catheter having a distal end portion including a sensor responsive to the presence of a magnetic field or flux of a predetermined strength is provided. Also provided is a catheter system which further includes an external magnet. The sensor in the distal end portion is selected to respond when the distal end portion of the catheter is exposed to a magnetic field, such as provided by the external magnet, sufficient to capture and maneuver the distal end of the catheter. A catheter having a distal end portion that includes a steering portion for maneuvering the distal end of the catheter during intubation of a patient is also provided. A method for intubating a patient using the catheter systems provided, including an external magnet, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining the transverse axis for flexion of a condylar ended bone comprises the steps of: conducting a computer tomographic (CT) scan from the end of the condyles inwardly, transverse to the transverse axis of the limb (or extremity) with the joint flexion plane facing forwardly. One then selects the CT slice image exhibiting maximum epicondylar width and establishes a line between the epicondyles at the widest extent. A line is then established joining the posterior condylar tangents on the CT image. Measured lines are established from the posterior condylar tangent line at right angles to the said line between said epicondyles; and then the transverse axis of motion as referenced from the transepicondylar line is obtained.

Abstract: A method of stereotactic therapy. A frame including at least three markers that are imaged by a structural imaging modality such as CT or MRI, is rigidly secured to a patient and a structural image, of a target inside the patient including diseased tissue, and of a part of the frame including the markers, is acquired. A functional image, such as a SPECT image or a PET image, of the diseased tissue is acquired and registered with the structural image to produce a combined image. A stereotactic guide is rigidly attached to the frame and is used to guide an instrument such as a biopsy needle or a brachytherapy needle to the diseased tissue, with reference to the combined image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the flux rate of a fluid through a biological membrane. The method includes the steps of porating a section of the tissue to form one or more micropores in the tissue, and applying a flux enhancer to the tissue through the one or more micropores. The resulting enhancement of fluid flux in the tissue enables more effective harvesting from the body of fluids, as well as more effective delivery of a drug.

Abstract: A floating mounting structure is provided for protectively mounting an electronic circuitry system within an automated external defibrillator case. A method of assembling an electronic circuitry system within an automated external defibrillator case is also provided. A circuit mounting system is utilized and includes a spacer and a shock mount. The spacer may include cut out portions to accommodate raised elements on circuit boards of the electronic circuitry system. The spacer is disposed between two circuit boards which may be affixed to each other. The affixed circuit boards and spacer are folded within the shock mount and disposed within the defibrillator case. Alternatively, a single mounting structure may be used to secure and protect the circuit board within the defibrillator case. A shielding may be present on an exterior surface of the foam mounting structures to protect the electronic circuitry from electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: An external defibrillator for applying a multiphasic defibrillation pulse to a patient uses a single semiconductor switching element in combination with a relay switching element. The semiconductor switching element is used to stop the flow of current from the energy storage device to the patient in between the phases of the multiphasic defibrillation pulse. The relay element is used to switch the leads of the energy storage device so as to create the different phases of the multiphasic defibrillation pulse. In various examples, the relay element is shown to be in the form of: a double-pole, double-throw relay; two single-pole, double-throw relays; or four reed relays. The timing between the activation of the semiconductor switching element and the relay switches may be delayed, so as to give the relatively slower relay switches time to respond.

Abstract: A defibrillation electrophysiology catheter for stimulating the heart and sensing the resulting activity of the heart for determining a patient's potential to have an arrhythmia occur under uncontrolled circumstances and for defibrillating the heart if fibrillation occurs accidentally during the testing is disclosed. The catheter is provided with electrodes formed on the distal surface of the catheter which is placed near the patient's heart. The electrodes may be placed on the catheter in a variety of configurations. An external electrode in the form of a patch or pad is placed on the patient's back. Energy is applied to the system in order to shock the heart and defibrillate the same. The procedure is less invasive than the procedures requiring the electrodes to be implanted at or near the patient's heart and chest wall and requires less energy and time than the procedures requiring the use of two external paddles.

Abstract: A temporary cardiac pacing wire (TPW) includes an electrically conductive flexible wire having a bioabsorbable anchor near its distal end. The anchor includes a tubular section that surrounds the wire and a leg that extends from the tubular section at an acute angle to the wire. The bioabsorbable anchor causes minimal trauma to the heart when it is inserted with the TPW, but securely anchors the TPW in the heart. After the TPW is no longer needed, it can be removed, again with minimal trauma to the heart, leaving behind only the bioabsorbable anchor. The bioabsorbable anchor is suitable for use with both monopolar and bipolar TPWs.

Abstract: A control system that provides accurate timing information for sensor data samples and accurate timing for the application of control values to actuators in the face of non-deterministic communication. The control system employs circuitry for accurately associating sensor data samples and sensor time-stamps and circuitry for triggering the application of the control values to an actuator.

Abstract: Structured control codes which control a subject system are generated in a process control system having a user interface of a function block diagram editor including basic function block menus which represent a plurality of predetermined basic function blocks. The structured control codes are generated by the steps of: providing input/output data of the subject system in the form of database; retrieving the input/output data of the subject system; providing the input/output data as an input/output block menu on the user interface of the function block diagram editor; building a control algorithm by using the input/output block menus and the basic function block menus on the user interface; and converting the control algorithm to structured control codes.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system for managing admission to an attraction. In one or more embodiments, the system comprises a first queue by which customers may access the attraction by waiting in line and a second queue by which customers may access the attraction in a manner which avoids the first queue. The system includes a first validator for validating an entitlement of a customer to receive an assigned time in the future for accessing the attraction via the second queue, a media distributor for distributing a media to an entitled customer, the media including the assigned time at which the entitled customer is entitled to access the attraction in the future, and a second validator for validating the entitled customer access to the attraction at the time provided on the media.

Abstract: An automated seal selection, seal design, manufacturing, and post sales system allows a distributor or untrained user to select a replacement seal for a pump. The automated system designs and engineers the seal, whether standard or special, and creates all drawings, documentation, quotations, and other output forms. The automated system initiates selection from inventory or purchasing of materials to be used in the manufacturing operations, creates all manufacturing CNC programs for the components to be manufactured and downloads to CNC from manufacturing equipment. The system allows selection of a seal based upon a seal part number, or selection of a seal based upon the pump into which the seal will be installed and the operating conditions of the pump. The pump may be defined by searching through a database of existing pumps, or may be defined as a new pump if it is not in the pump database.

Abstract: A method for making fabric pattern pieces for assembly into garments, upholstery or the like, with the fabric of each pattern piece having a fabric design with design features arranged in a predetermined manner with respect to the lines defining the boundary of the piece. The fabric design, which is printed on the fabric web by a computer-controlled dye-jet process, is printed only within the outlines of the desired pattern pieces. This avoids the problems previously associated with alignment of the pattern pieces relative to a repeating fabric design preprinted over the entire surface of the fabric web used as the work material and allows a more compact nesting of the pattern pieces on the web. An electronic pattern piece database is generated, including a template each of the desired pattern pieces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the automatic receipt and distribution of products, such as parenteral products from a hospital pharmacy or specimen from a laboratory, through a pneumatic tube transport system. The system of the present invention includes a method and apparatus for the automatic receipt of a pneumatic tube carrier, the automatic opening of the carrier, the loading of a product into the carrier, the automatic closing of the carrier, and the automatic distribution of the carrier into a pneumatic tube transport system.

Abstract: The wheel style recognition system for identifying and orienting wheel workpieces includes a wheel style recognition station, a conveyor for delivering a wheel workpiece to the wheel style recognition station, and a wheel orientation sensor that senses the radial orientation of the wheel workpiece on the wheel style recognition station, and generates a radial orientation signal. A wheel mapping sensor scans the wheel workpiece and generates a wheel style mapping signal pattern, while the wheel workpiece is rotated at a steady rate of rotation. A control unit compares the wheel style mapping signal pattern with at least one reference wheel style mapping signal pattern.

Abstract: A batch delivery system that maximizes the amount of material to be transferred from a material source to a material destination by determining whether a primary total and/or a secondary total from a flowmeter have reached a primary target and a secondary target. In one embodiment of the invention, the primary target and the secondary target are mass, volume, and/or net solid.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for responding to the detection of an obstacle in the path of a mobile machine as the mobile machine traverses the path at a work site. The method includes the steps of scanning a field of interest, detecting the presence of an obstacle, and determining a set of parameters as a function of the mobile machine, the obstacle, and the work site. The method also includes the steps of determining a level of predictability of motion of the obstacle, defining ranges of a plurality of zones as a function of the level of predictability and the parameters, and initiating an action in response to the obstacle being in one of the zones.

Abstract: As a variation of the non-orthogonal filter, a phasor estimate is computed by using an N-point window. An aspect of the sub-window cosine filter is to repeat the basic cosine filter for only selected points of the window. In the end, a least-squares fit is used to obtain an estimate for the phasors components. Previous cosine techniques use a data window whose length is greater than 1 cycle while the present invention requires only 1 cycle.

Abstract: A method for controlling core logic temperature. The core logic having a memory controller and memory components coupled to system memory. The method having the step of determining access rate to the system memory through the core logic and controlling the temperature of the core logic by adjusting the access rate.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a propulsion system of a vehicle. The propulsion system includes at least one propulsion effector. The system also includes sensors for sensing vehicle position and motions, a control device for generating control signals, and a generator for generating desired vehicle forces/moments from the sensed vehicle position and motions and the generated control signals based on predefined vehicle compensation and control laws. Also included is a neural network controller for generating propulsion commands for the at least one propulsion effector based on the generated desire forces/moments, wherein said neural network controller was trained based on pregenerated vehicle control distribution data.

Abstract: A method for laterally avoiding a fixed zone in an aircraft. The contour of the zone to be avoided is modeled by a convex polygon shape. The planned route is located with respect to the modeled zone. The port and starboard sections of the route for exit and return of the planned route are computed. A predetermined angle is formed which meets with a corner point of the contour to obtain two avoidance routes formed by the exit and return sections of the route and by the portions of the contour. One of the two avoidance routes is then selected.

Abstract: An attitude direction indicator (ADI) display includes a horizon line that divides an upper colored portion, which represents the sky, from a lower colored portion, which represents the Earth. The ADI display includes indicia incorporated into the upper and/or lower portions for enhancing the operator's situational awareness of the vehicle. The indicia may be configured as a texturing of the colored portions and/or as a gradient color scheme associated with the colored portions. The texturing scheme or gradient color scheme may be utilized to convey viewable information related to the vehicle's altitude or position relative to a reference such as a runway. Furthermore, the texturing scheme or the gradient color scheme may be utilized to render a directional marker that indicates a direction toward the horizon line.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for controlling the steering angle of a motor vehicle having an operating element such as a steering wheel. According to the invention the steering angle adjustment takes place as a function of an actuating parameter of the operating element, with a steering ratio that depends on the vehicle speed. The ratio is constant in the lower speed range, increases at least linearly in a medium speed range, and increases at most linearly in an upper speed range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a steering control system and method for autonomous intelligent vehicles. The system includes image input means for supplying images of in front of the vehicle; a plurality of image grabbers which receive images from the image input means and capture image signals corresponding to the road; a first controller determining if the vehicle is being driven within the lane using near image signals received from the image grabbers; a second controller determining a driving direction of the vehicle and detecting curves in the road using distant image signals received from the image grabbers; a steering controller analyzing the information received from the first and second controllers to determine a steering angle and direction, and which outputs control signals corresponding to the analysis; and drive means for driving a steering system of the vehicle in a direction and angle corresponding to the control signals received from the steering controller.

Abstract: A variable assist power steering system (10) uses vehicle speed and steering wheel rate to vary the steering assist provided. A control module (30) receives vehicle speed and steering wheel rate data from sensors (24, 25) and produces a control signal for a flow control valve actuator (32) that bypasses fluid flow from the pump (22) to a reservoir (36), rather than to the steering valve (20) thereby affecting steering valve pressure which controls the rack piston (16) which changes the angle of the front vehicle wheels used for steering. The control module (30) employs first and second calibration tables (38, 40) to determine base and evasive desired actuator current values and then selects a final desired actuator current value using these values in combination with the steering wheel rate data.

Abstract: An occupant-restraint deployment system and method for an automotive vehicle measures an initial vehicle velocity and a vehicle acceleration over a discrete time interval and calculates a vehicle velocity. An energy-momentum (e-m) waveform is determined for the time interval based upon the vehicle velocity and a vehicle mass. A semimetric distance is calculated between the e-m waveform and each of a set of signature waveforms characterizing collision classes. Identification of a collision class is then made based upon the semimetric distances, and deployment of an occupant restraint is activated if the identified collision class indicates a collision for which deployment is appropriate.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for controlling a power takeoff (PTO) shaft of a work vehicle (e.g., a tractor). The work vehicle includes an engine and an operator station, and the PTO shaft transfers power from the engine to an implement. The control system includes a remote switch, a vehicle speed sensor, and a control circuit. The remote switch is located remotely from the operator station and provides a remote switch signal to the control circuit to engage and disengage rotational movement of the PTO shaft. The vehicle speed sensor provides a vehicle speed signal to the control circuit representative of a speed of the work vehicle. The control circuit receives the remote switch signal and the vehicle speed signal and, when the vehicle speed signal exceeds a predetermined vehicle speed, the control circuit prevents engagement and disengagement of the PTO shaft with the remote switch.

Abstract: A control apparatus and method for a powertrain of a vehicle provided with a drive unit which has the powertrain including an engine or an electric motor and an automatic transmission, and a driving shaft. The control apparatus is provided with first torque estimating means for obtaining a first estimated driving shaft torque, second torque estimating unit for obtaining a second estimated driving shaft torque used to correct said first estimated driving shaft torque, comparison means for comparing said first estimated driving shaft torque with said second estimated driving shaft torque, and driving shaft torque calculating means for calculating a driving shaft torque on the basis of the result of the comparison.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of adjusting the transmission ratio of a continuously variable gear. The position of a current operating point (B_akt) in a predetermined driving range is constantly adjusted in accordance with the driving situation. The position of the operating point is also determined by range boundaries (UG, OG) which can be varied in accordance with the driving resistance and the driver's manner of driving. The method is characterized in that it simplifies development and application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controllably engaging, or disengaging, or both engaging and disengaging, a neutralize mode associated with a transmission located on a machine is disclosed. The machine has a controller, a memory associated with the controller, and a braking system. A determined system brake pressure is compared with at least one of an established neutralize pressure value and in gear pressure value. The neutralize mode is engaged or disengaged in response to the comparison.

Abstract: A microprocessor configuration for a control system of a vehicle comprises a plurality of microprocessor systems (4,5,6) which are interconnected by bus systems (1,2,3) and include an anti-lock and/or traction slip control system and further control systems, which require complex computing operations, as well as an input signal conditioning system (SC). For the purpose of error detection one part of the data processing is performed “symmetrically” redundantly in a plurality of microprocessor systems and another part of the data processing is additionally performed (“asymmetrically” redundantly) in accordance with simplified algorithms. Two like master microprocessor systems (5,6) are provided which serve the symmetrically redundant data processing. The input signal conditioning and the processing in accordance with simplified algorithms are installed in a third microprocessor system (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data link system between an aircraft and at least one ground station comprising an on-board assembly, a ground-air assembly, a land-based assembly, the last two assemblies being composed of sub-networks interconnected by routers and acting as the medium for distributed applications, the on-board assembly comprising a first (10) and a second (11) application computer. These two computers (10, 11) are distinct and interchangeable and receive both the same data supplied by the on-board user interface (12) and the same data supplied by an interface (13) with the ground-air sub-network access processor or processors (14) on the ground user side.

Abstract: A method and system of collecting data concerning thermal properties of roads and using the collected data to form a geographic database that can be used in a vehicle safety system to implement a safety process when the vehicle approaches a location of a potential ice hazard. Data indicative of the thermal properties of roads are collected by driving along roads in a vehicle equipped with equipment that senses thermal properties of the roads upon which the vehicle is being driven. Using the collected data, a geographic database is formed that relates positions along roads to thermal properties of the roads at the positions.

Abstract: A navigation system including an information memory device that stores road information for parallel roads and other information required for executing route guidance; a present position detection device that detects a present position of a vehicle by detecting vehicle travel information; and a control device that reads the road information stored in the information memory device on the basis of the present position detected by the present position detection device, and executes matching processing of the present position detection information to the road information to provide route guidance. The control device determines whether parallel roads exist on the basis of the road information stored in the information memory device and, when parallel roads exist, selects the road on which the vehicle is running from the identified parallel roads according to the road information and various indicative or decision parameters.

Abstract: A sonic back-up proximity sensor employs a first sonic transducer and a second sonic transducer mounted on a rearward portion of a riding lawn mower to create three discrete zones of protection. The first sonic transducer has an associated first region of coverage, or sector, and the second sonic transducer has an associated second sector. The first sonic transducer and second sonic transducer are directed toward one another such that the first sector and second sector at least partially overlap. The overlapping portion of the first sector and second sector provides redundant coverage in an area directly behind the lawn mower. The non-overlapping portion of the first sector defines a second protection zone on one side of the lawn mower. The non-overlapping portion of the second sector defines a third protection zone on a second side of the lawn mower.

Abstract: The method for determining the sufficiency of fluid in a hydrodynamic fluid bearing motor involves making a first determination of a range of fluid bearing fly-heights for motors having a sufficient quantity of fluid within the hydrodynamic fluid bearing, and for motors having an insufficient quantity of fluid within the hydrodynamic fluid bearing. Thereafter, the fly-height of a particular hydrodynamic fluid bearing motors can be determined and compared with the range of hydrodynamic fluid bearing fly-heights to provide a determination of the sufficiency of fluid within the particular hydrodynamic fluid bearing motor. Determining the fly-height of a particular hydrodynamic fluid bearing motor involves the utilization of non-contact displacement probes that generate a first signal indicative of the displacement of a rotating component of the bearing at a time when the component is rotating at a maximum fly-height.

Abstract: In a method of estimating the lifetime of a floating SOI-MOSFET, constants A and B, stress condition dependency Idt(S) of a drain current and stress condition dependency Isub(S) of a substrate current in a body-fixed SOI-MOSFET, and stress condition dependency Idf(S) of a drain current in the floating SOI-MOSFET are obtained from experiment to estimate lifetime &ugr;f(S) from the following equation: τ f ⁡ ( S ) = A · W f ⁢   ⁢ 1 Id f ⁡ ( S )

Abstract: Line voltage and line current signals are sensed on a power line having at least one conducting path. The sensed line voltages and line currents are converted into a digital signal. A phase-to-neutral voltage signal and phase current signal are computed from the digital signal to thereby define a phase of the power line. An interval of orthogonality is determined from the sensed voltage and current signals, coinciding with passage of an integral number of cycles of a fundamental frequency reference signal which is computed from the computed phase-to-neutral voltage signal. A vector metering quantity is computed for the determined interval of orthogonality from the computed phase-to-neutral voltage signal and the computed phase current signal. The vector metering quantities to be computed may be identified and computed based upon an associated detent. The vector metering quantity is also computed based on an identified circuit topology.

Abstract: A method of producing roofing sealing material and roofing sealing material models includes producing a number of bitumen/polymers mixtures holding the polymers and bitumen identical in all of the mixtures and varying the respective percentages of the polymers from mixture to mixture.

Abstract: A failure analysis memory operating at high speed comprises low speed DRAMS. The failure analysis memory comprises a data compression part reducing a number of writing operations of failure data if the same address is repeatedly accessed in close test cycles and if a failure occurs at that address. Use of the failure data compression part results in reduction of the number of writing operations of failure data, and thus decreases the amount of interleaving required of the failure analysis memory. The failure analysis memory, therefore, can be constructed using a reduced number of memory elements.

Abstract: Systems are arranged to provide a user information which relates to objects of interest. A user may point a device toward an object to address it. The device determines which objects are being addressed by reference to an internal database containing preprogrammed information relating to objects. Information relating to objects being addressed can then be presented at a user interface. A device of the system may include a point reference, a direction reference, a position determining support, attitude determining support, a computer processor and database, and a user interface. Methods of systems include the steps of addressing an object, determining position and attitude, searching a database, and presenting information to a user.

Abstract: Method and system for determining the effects of variation of N statistically distributed variables (N≧1) in a fabrication process for semiconductor and other electronic devices by constructing and using an N-variable model function G(x1, . . . ,xN) to model the process. A sequence of orthogonal polynomials is associated with each probability density function Pi(xi) for each variable xi. These orthogonal polynomials, and products of these polynomials, are used to construct the model function G(x1, . . . ,xN), having undetermined coefficients. Coefficient values are estimated by results of measurements or simulations with variable input values determined by the zeroes (collocation points) of selected orthogonal polynomials. A Monte Carlo process is applied to estimate a probability density function associated with the process or device. Coefficients whose magnitudes are very small are used to identify regions of (x1, . . . ,xN)-space where subsequent Monte Carlo sampling may be substantially reduced.