Abstract: An energy system that has components connected by buses, and a method and an apparatus for controlling same is provided. The components are labelled as either non-fixed or fixed, depending on whether their energy operating point is specified. The control of the energy system includes performing an iteration process via all of the buses. A respective iteration for the respectively selected bus includes attempting to balance a power budget of the selected bus by specifying the energy operating points of components connected to the respective bus that are labelled as non-fixed. If the balancing for the respective bus is successful, all of the components connected to the respective bus are labelled as fixed; otherwise, the label of components connected to the respective bus is converted from fixed to non-fixed and a fresh iteration for the bus is triggered.

Abstract: A system for utilizing wearable, wireless-connected sensors that record both IMU and EMG muscle activity for rehabilitation with kinematic monitoring is disclosed. The system runs an efficient quaternion-based complementary filter that estimates the sensor orientation while correcting for estimate drift and constraining magnetometer estimates to only influence heading. The difference in the two sensor orientations is used to estimate the joint angle, which can be further improved with joint axis estimation. Thus, successful tracking of joint angle and muscle activity in a home environment can be accomplished with the sensors and a smartphone. Further, a system utilizing these sensors may include video-capable cameras configured for capturing a video of a pose of the user, and a game framework executable by a processor in communication with the sensors and the cameras.

Abstract: Aspects provide for dynamic pathloss mitigation via a cross layer tool chain by simulating a three-dimensional model of a physical environment including an access point, an endpoint running an application, and a passive object; emulating network traffic for the application transmitted between the access point and the endpoint; simulating, in the model, pathways for signals to carry the traffic in a plurality of regions for the physical environment; emulating signal degradation along the pathways in the plurality of regions based on respective locations for the access point, the endpoint, and the passive object in the physical environment; and in response to the signal degradation satisfying a pathloss threshold, outputting a command to the application to affect operations of the endpoint. Additionally, the cross layer tool chain outputs a Graphical User Interface showing a signal degradation map based on the simulated network traffic overlaid on the model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for simulating a circuit board design include receiving a printed circuit board design comprising an electronic component and a dielectric board, generating a first finite element model of the dielectric board independent of the electronic component, and generating a second finite element model for the electronic component. The method further includes combining the first finite element model with the second finite element model to obtain a final finite element model for the printed circuit board design.

Abstract: Provided is a tensor decomposition processing system capable of comprehensively finding factors obtained by tensor decomposition on a given tensor. A decomposition execution unit 3 executes tensor decomposition on a given tensor a plurality of times until a predetermined end condition is satisfied. A condition determination unit 5 determines whether the predetermined end condition is satisfied. When executing the tensor decomposition on the tensor, the decomposition execution unit 3 executes the tensor decomposition under a constraint of obtaining factors different from factors obtained by previous execution of the tensor decomposition.

Abstract: An architecture and associated techniques of an apparatus for hardware accelerated machine learning are disclosed. The architecture features multiple memory banks storing tensor data. The tensor data may be concurrently fetched by a number of execution units working in parallel. Each operational unit supports an instruction set specific to certain primitive operations for machine learning. An instruction decoder is employed to decode a machine learning instruction and reveal one or more of the primitive operations to be performed by the execution units, as well as the memory addresses of the operands of the primitive operations as stored in the memory banks. The primitive operations, upon performed or executed by the execution units, may generate some output that can be saved into the memory banks. The fetching of the operands and the saving of the output may involve permutation and duplication of the data elements involved.

Abstract: A method of testing a physical system that includes software and hardware includes developing a software application arranged to operate at least a portion of the physical system and constructing a simulation of the physical system within a test ecosystem, the simulation including inputs that simulate control inputs of the physical system and outputs that simulate control and informational outputs. The method also includes connecting the software application to the simulation of the physical system to test the operation of the software application, and simulating operation of the physical system and the software application within test ecosystem operation of the software application as each of a cloud application, a network operation of the software application as each of a cloud application, a network application, and a local application.

Abstract: Various techniques for adaptive rendering of images with noise reduction are described. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to approaches for rendering and denoising images—such as ray-traced images—in an iterative process that distributes computational efforts to pixels where denoised output is predicted with higher uncertainty. In some embodiments, an input image may be fed into a deep neural network (DNN) to jointly predict a denoised image and an uncertainty map. The uncertainty map may be used to create a distribution of additional samples (e.g., for one or more samples per pixel on average), and the additional samples may be used with the input image to adaptively render a higher quality image. This process may be repeated in a loop, until some criterion is satisfied, for example, when the denoised image converges to a designated quality, a time or sampling budget is satisfied, or otherwise.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting physical properties of an amorphous porous material which may predict an acoustic physical property value and an absorption coefficient from parameters of an amorphous porous material, and may estimate the acoustic characteristics with the amorphous porous material which is an amorphous specimen even without separately producing a formalized specimen such as a cylindrical specimen or a flat specimen. Further, the method for predicting physical properties of the amorphous porous material may estimate the acoustic physical properties through the analysis of a three-dimensional pore connection structure, which is a microstructure of an amorphous specimen, even without acoustic impedance, thereby estimating the acoustic physical properties which accurately reflect the characteristics of the actual specimen.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and storage mediums storing methods of natural capital measurement are described. A region of influence for the area whose natural capital is to be measured is determined and segmented into a plurality of segments. A land assessment model, including a system dynamics model and a spatially explicit model, is generated for the region of influence by training one or more machine learning algorithms to classify land use categories for the segments and to determine statistical relationships between state variables and properties of the segment. A flow sequence for simulating a transport of materials between the plurality of segments is executed to update the land assessment model. Health indicators for the natural capital of the area are generated using the updated land assessment model.

Abstract: A method, a system, and non-transitory computer readable medium for aging analysis are provided. The method includes performing stress simulations for a plurality of process, voltage, temperature (PVT) conditions for a circuit, the circuit including one or more devices, extrapolating device level stresses obtained from the stress simulations into device level parameter degradations to a desired circuit age; and performing degradation simulations for the circuit for the same PVT conditions based on the device level parameter degradations. Each degradation simulation for a PVT condition of the plurality of PVT conditions is performed using the device level parameter degradations associated with the same PVT condition.

Abstract: Techniques are described for an anomaly detection service for metric data collected by a data monitoring service of a service provider network. The anomaly detection service provides various graphical user interfaces (GUIs), public application programming interfaces (APIs), and other interfaces that enable users to specify metric data of interest to the user and for which the user desires the service to detect occurrences of anomalies. The selected metric data generally can correspond to any type of time series data collected by the data monitoring service and to which a user has access. Example types of metric data that can be monitored by an anomaly detection service include, but are not limited to, operational data generated by various components of a computer system, business data generated by various types of applications, and the like.

Abstract: A method is described. The method includes calculating electric and/or magnetic fields in free space in response to: i) respective positions and motions of one or more charges and/or one or more current loops in the free space; ii) charges on nodes in the electrical circuit in the free space; iii) charge motions in the electrical circuit. The method includes calculating new respective positions and motions of the one or more charges and/or one or more current loops in the free space in response to respective forces applied to the one or more charges and/or the one or more current loops by the electric and/or magnetic fields. The method includes calculating new charges on nodes within the electrical circuit and new charge motions within the electrical circuit in response to the new positions and motions of the one or more charges and/or one or more current loops in free space, the charges on the nodes in the electrical circuit and the charge motions in the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A method for performing Internet reachability management and associated apparatus are provided. The method may include: establishing, by a processor of the UE, a first connection to a first access device; receiving, by the processor, an indicator complying with a first protocol sent from the first access device; in response to receiving the indicator, performing, by the processor, a reachability detection complying with a second protocol to generate a detection result; and in response to the detection result representing that a network is not reachable, performing at least one of: displaying, by a display of the UE, a message or icon to represent the first connection or the network is unavailable; disconnecting, by the processor, the first connection; and establishing, by the processor, a second connection to a second access device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosure provide a method and apparatus for performing a content search using a keypad (or a keyboard) in an electronic device. The electronic device according to various embodiments include a display; a wireless communication circuit; a memory; and a processor. The processor may be configured to: display an execution screen of an application; detect a first input for calling a keypad; display the keypad on the execution screen; detect a second input for a smart search while displaying the keypad; request a content search from at least one application of the electronic device; and display a search result searched by the at least one application through the keypad. Other embodiments are possible.

Abstract: A data management system includes a first consistency zone, a second consistency zone, and a repository manager. The repository manager identifies a calculation event for a derived object of the second consistency zone, the derived object includes a cross-zone reference to the first consistency zone; and in response to identifying the calculation event: identifies an object in the first consistency zone associated with the cross-zone reference; sends a remote object request, to the first consistency zone, for the object with reference to an event of the first consistency zone specified by the cross-zone reference; obtains the object after sending the remote object request; and obtains a derived object instance based, at least in part, on a computation specification of the derived object and the object.

Abstract: A method for performing a modified two point flux approximation scheme is disclosed. The method includes: obtaining a first pressure value for a first neighbor cell and a second pressure value for a second neighbor cell, where the first neighbor cell has a first value of a reservoir property and the second neighbor cell as a second value of the reservoir property; determining a first weight using the first pressure value and a second weight using the second pressure value; calculating a third value of the reservoir property as a weighted average of the first value and the second value; and applying the third value to the first neighbor cell.

Abstract: A method, device and system for calculating a microcirculation indicator are provided. A method includes: injecting a vasodilator and subjecting a blood vessel to be measured to coronary angiography; selecting at least one angiographic image of a first body position when the blood vessel to be measured is in a resting state and an angiographic image of a second body position when the blood vessel to be measured is in a dilated state; obtaining a three-dimensional coronary artery vascular model by three-dimensional modeling; injecting a contrast agent, and obtaining time T1 taken for the contrast agent flowing from an inlet to an outlet of the segment of blood vessel and time T2 taken for the contrast agent flowing from an inlet to an outlet of the segment of blood vessel; obtaining the microcirculation indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying an operational area to an operative of a host platform, said operational area being defined within an external real-world environment relative to said host platform, the apparatus comprising a viewing device (12) configured to provide to said operative, in use, a three-dimensional view of said external real-world environment, a display generating device for creating images at the viewing device, and a processor (32) comprising an input (34) for receiving real-time first data representative of a specified target and its location within said external real-world environment and configured to receive or obtain second data representative of at least one characteristic of said specified target, the processor (32) being further configured to: use said first and second data to calculate a geometric volume representative of a region of influence of said specified target relative to said real-world external environment and/or said host platform, generate three-dimensional image da

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an audio processing apparatus (200) configured to classify an audio signal into one or more audio scene classes, the audio signal comprising a component signal. The apparatus (200) comprises: processing circuitry configured to classify the component signal of the audio signal as a foreground layer component signal or a background layer component signal; obtain an audio signal feature on the basis of the audio signal; select, depending on the classification of the component signal, a first set of weights or a second set of weights; and to classify the audio signal on the basis of the audio signal features, the foreground layer component signal or the background layer component signal and the selected set of weights.

Abstract: It aims to make it possible to readily and rapidly scale up the server which executes one application. In a computer system which includes one or more compute server(s) which each has an application container which executes the one application and a management server which manages the compute server(s), the management server is configured to, in a case of increasing the number of the compute servers which each has the execution unit which executes the one application, specify a logic unit that a data unit that the execution unit of an existing compute server utilizes upon execution of an application is stored, and in a case where the execution unit of a newly added computer server executes the application, set the newly added compute server so as to refer to the specified logic unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology provide systems, methods, and computer storage media for facilitating anomaly detection. In some embodiments, a prediction model is generated using a training data set. The prediction model is used to predict an expected value for a latest (current) timestamp, which is used to determine that the incoming observed data value is an anomaly. Based on the incoming observed data value determined to be the anomaly or not, a corrected data value is generated to be included in the training data set. Thereafter, the training data set having the corrected data value is used to update the prediction model for use in determining whether a subsequent observed data value is anomalous. Such a process may be performed in an iterative manner to maintain optimized training data and prediction model.

Abstract: Computer vision systems and methods for detecting anomalous building models are provided. The systems and methods can detect anomalies in building models using one or more of an independent univariate Gaussian algorithm, a multivariate Gaussian algorithm, a combination of a multivariate Gaussian algorithm for continuous features and a frequency histogram algorithm for discrete features, and/or a bin frequency model. The system automatically processes computerized models to determine anomalies, and indicates whether the models are accurate and whether correction is required.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling an array of multiple autonomous robots. In particular, the methods addresses an issue of controlling the multiple autonomous robots with to-be-controlled object units (units) when there is a non-contact portion in a common location between a set of initial locations of the units and a set of target locations of the units. The methods include: selecting a head to-be-controlled object unit (head object) based on a object unit at a location inside a set of locations and adjacent to a destination location, selecting a tail to-be-controlled object unit (tail object) based on a unit at a location outside the set and inside the initial location, moving a series of units from the head unit to the tail unit so as to follow operation of the head unit, and updating the set based on the destination location.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine probabilistic media viewing metrics are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes memory including machine reachable instructions; and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to calculate a first probability for respective ones of a plurality of panelists as having viewed media based on viewing data, the viewing data including incomplete viewing data for one or more of the panelists relative to the media; identify respective ones of a plurality of panelists as included in a demographic subgroup based on demographic data for the panelists; assign a sampling weight to the respective ones of the plurality of panelists based on the demographic data; and calculate a second probability of the demographic subgroup having viewed the media based on the first probabilities and the sampling weights for the respective ones of the plurality of panelists in the demographic subgroup.

Abstract: A method of determining an overlay value of a substrate, the method including: obtaining temperature data that includes data on measured temperature at one or more positions on a substrate table after a substrate has been loaded onto the substrate table; and determining an overlay value of the substrate in dependence on the obtained temperature data. There is further disclosed a method of determining a performance of a clamping by a substrate table using a determined overlay value.

Abstract: Method for identifying slow transient variations and/or local spatial variations in vehicle related fluid dynamic conditions of a physical property in a set of data points. The method includes obtaining a first set of data points, calculating a temporal filtered value of the representation of the physical property for at least a portion of the first set of data points distributed over the total time period, combining at least a portion of the calculated temporal filtered values to obtain a second set of data points, and analysing in time sequence the second set of data points over at least a portion of the total time period.

Abstract: The disclosed systems, structures, and methods are directed to a LiDAR system comprising a radiation source configured to emit light pulses towards a region of interest (ROI), a detector configured to detect light pulses reflected from the ROI, a processor, communicatively coupled to the radiation source and the detector, configured to cause the radiation source to emit a preamble light pulse having an energy EP and a pulse width W1 towards the ROI, determine, if the preamble light pulse is detected by the detector and whether there is an object in the ROI, responsive to a determination that there is an object in the ROI, cause the radiation source to emit a scanning light pulse having an energy EL and a pulse width W2 towards the ROI, else the radiation source to emit a scanning light pulse having an energy EH and the pulse width W2 towards the ROI.

Abstract: Disclosed are a hybrid density abrupt interface inversion method based on machine learning constraints.

Abstract: A simulation suggestion system comprising a server connected with a plurality of clients via a network. The server executes a design engine for generating designs, a simulation suggestion engine for identifying suggested simulations for the designs, and a simulation engine for performing the suggested simulations on the designs. The simulation engine includes one or more simulation tools for performing one or more suggested simulations on a design. A user completes a design of an object via the design engine. The simulation suggestion engine automatically identifies one or more simulation tools that are appropriate for the completed design based on at least one characteristic of the design. The simulation suggestion engine automatically identifies and loads simulation parameters (boundary conditions) for the suggested simulation tools. The suggested simulation tools are then performed on the completed design via the simulation engine.

Abstract: Techniques that facilitate layered stochastics anonymization of data are provided. In one example, a system includes a machine learning component and an evaluation component. The machine learning component performs a machine learning process for first data associated with one or more features to generate second data indicative of one or more example datasets within a degree of similarity to the first data. The first data and the second data comprise a corresponding data format. The evaluation component evaluates the second data for a particular feature from the one or more features and generates third data indicative of a confidence score for the second data.

Abstract: Provided is an optimally deploying an application on a node of a network. An application deployment apparatus 10 is an apparatus that deploys an application in a node N in a network 4, the network 4 including a plurality of the nodes N communicably connected by links L, and includes a deployment determination unit 14 configured to determine, as a deployment destination of the application, a node of the nodes N having a minimum cost including a computation cost of the node N and a communication cost of a links of the links L, and a deployment execution unit 15 configured to distribute the application to the determined node N.

Abstract: Theft identification, prevention, and remedy are provided. A determination is made that a client device has been compromised. When the device makes the determination, a message is conveyed to the server and the server replies with a security challenge. When the server makes the determination, the security challenge is automatically sent to the device. An intelligence manager on the device attempts to answer the security question without interaction from the user. If there is an anomaly, a challenge is output to the user. Based on a false response to the challenge, a current data stream may be disrupted and removed from the device. Further, other devices in the network may be notified about the compromised device.

Abstract: A method of detecting and mitigating flow instabilities, such as slugging, in hydrocarbon production wells. Real-time production data pertaining to each well is are retrieved. Using the production data, patterns of flow instability are identified therein. A numerical model of transient and thermal multiphase flow in each well is generated. Well test data is are retrieved from a database. The numerical model is calibrated using the well test data. Using the calibrated numerical model, a parametric study is performed to determine how input parameters affect at least one of stability and performance of the wells. Results of the parametric study are queried to determine a type of flow instability and to determine operating conditions to improve performance of the wells. An advisory is provided to a user to change operating conditions of one or more of the wells, to improve stability and/or performance of one or more of the wells.

Abstract: A method and system to receive a dataset for a new design; receive datasets for a plurality of different legacy systems; determine a legacy model for each of the plurality of different legacy systems based on the respective dataset for each of the plurality of different legacy systems and the dataset for the new design; calculate a model weight to associate with each of the determined legacy models; determine, based on a combination of the determined legacy models for the plurality of different legacy systems and the weight associated therewith, a multi-source model for new data for the new design; and save a record of the determined multi-source model.

Abstract: A system for determining pressure in a hydraulic fracturing system for a well includes a processing module executing code and configured to receive a plurality of input parameters. The processing module can predict either a bottomhole pressure, based on statistical predictions and physics-based predictions, or a surface pressure based on the predicted bottomhole pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods may generate code, for a model, with one or more service access points generated and at locations in the code based on an analysis of model constraints and deployment specifications (e.g., RTE specifications or OS specifications). The systems and methods may analyze the model and identify a functionality that needs an RTE service. The system and methods may receive deployment specifications. The systems and methods may generate code for the model, where an analysis of model constraints and the deployment specifications determine which service access points are generated and where in the code the service access points are located. In an embodiment, the code may be executed by different RTEs. In an embodiment, the systems and methods may determine, based on the analysis of the model constraints and the deployment specification, one or more admissible implementations for an RTE service that may be implemented in different ways.

Abstract: In an aspect, the present disclosure describes a method comprising using at least one robot to fully autonomously position and assemble at least one solar module and its supporting structure at a sensed geolocation without aid from a user.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a method and system for oil and gas predictive analytics. A computer system receives a set of production information for a well located in a region. The computing system generates a set of general reference groups comprising one or more reference wells for the region. The computing system determines whether the set of production information for the well includes the threshold amount of production information. The computing system selects a subset of reference wells from the general reference groups based on one or more traits of the well. The computing system generates a reference curve based on the set of production information associated with each reference well in the subset of reference wells. The computing system fits a decline curve to the reference curve, to determine an estimated ultimate recovery of the well.

Abstract: A surface inspection apparatus includes an imaging device that images a surface of an object to be inspected; and a processor configured to: calculate a texture of the object through processing of an image imaged by the imaging device; and display a symbol representing the texture of the object at a coordinate position on a multidimensional distribution map.

Abstract: A system for modeling the evolution of a system over time using an advection-based process is provided. The system continuously evolves a probability density function (“PDF”) for a characteristic of a characteristic of the state of the system and its time-varying parameters. The PDF is evolved based on advection by solving an advection partial differential equation that is based on a system model of the system. The system model has time-varying parameters for modeling the characteristic of the state of the system. The system uses the continuously evolving PDF to make predictions about the characteristic of the state of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the pre-operative prediction of post-operative tissue function to assist a clinician in planning for and carrying out a surgical procedure. In particular, systems and methods that facilitate the pre-operative prediction of post-resection lung tissue function, thus assisting a clinician in determining the location(s) and volume(s) of lung tissue to be resected.

Abstract: A method for operating an industrial automation system may include receiving, via a first module of a plurality of modules in a control system, a plurality of datasets via at least a portion of the plurality of modules. The plurality datasets may include raw values without context regarding the plurality datasets. The method may then include identifying a subset of the plurality of datasets that influences a value of a target variable by analyzing the data without regard to the context, modeling a behavior of the target variable over time based on the subset of the plurality of datasets, and adjusting one or more operations of an automation device based on the model.

Abstract: A casting solidification analysis method, which can analyze positions of shrinkage cavities more accurately than in the past, a casting method using the above method, and an electronic program are provided. A following casting solidification analysis method is provided. An amount of expansion/shrinkage for each solidification step length separated by inflection points in a cooling curve is determined, by setting a solid phase ratio at a completion of pouring to 0, setting a solid phase ratio at an end of solidification to 1.0, and determining the expansion/shrinkage amount for the each solidification step length by proportionally distributing the each solidification step length to the total solid phase ratio length.

Abstract: The present application provides a quantitative assessment method, apparatus and device for global stability of surrounding rocks of underground caverns, which are configured to provide a concrete, practical and effective quantitative assessment solution for a global stability state of the surrounding rocks of the underground caverns. The quantitative assessment method for global stability of surrounding rocks of underground caverns includes: extracting, after determining an assessment task for the global stability of the surrounding rock of a target underground cavern, initial data of the target underground cavern; dividing, according to the initial data, the target underground cavern into different independent cavern units or cavern sections; and rating, according to a preset stability assessment strategy, the eight factors influencing the stability of surrounding rocks of cavern units or the cavern sections are rated respectively, as a global stability assessment result of the target underground cavern.

Abstract: A method of clustering data generated by an unknown model, the method including accessing the data, wherein the data includes a prediction target and a confidence, extracting a data group with high prediction confidence from the data, wherein the data group comprises a plurality of data cases, and where each of the data cases is described by a plurality of predictors, identifying high rank predictors of each the data cases in the data group, transforming the data group into a transformed data group including only the high rank predictors for each of the data cases, wherein the high rank predictors are ranked within each of the data cases included in the transformed data group, clustering the transformed data group to generate clusters, and profiling the clusters to extract an insight about the unknown model.

Abstract: A multi-channel communication platform includes a messaging engine operative to receive a plurality of textual messages from a user, a routing engine, and an agent interface. The plurality of textual messages form a message thread and include at least one query requesting a reply. The routing engine is operative to transmit the message thread to a message queue associated with a live agent and to receive a reply from the live agent and transmit the reply to the user. The agent interface includes an active chat thread displaying the message thread and operative to receive the reply from the live agent, and a support window operative to display contextual information to the live agent about at least one of the user or the message thread. The routing engine further includes an automated agent that is configured to analyze the query and provide one or more proposed responses to the query.

Abstract: A system and method are provided herein for modeling of force vectors for serial casts to correct orthopedic deformities includes a camera configured to capture a three-dimensional image of the deformity, a computing device programmed to generate a three-dimensional model of the deformity based on the image of the deformity, determine the boundary conditions for the deformity based on the three-dimensional image of the deformity, and generate force vectors for a series of casts to correct the deformity. In exemplary embodiments, the system can print a series of casts to correct the deformity.

Abstract: A molecular dynamics system employing a spliced soft-core potential (the “MD/SSCP”) facilitates studying the arrangement of particles in an enclosure and/or near an interface. In some embodiments, the MD/SSCP initializes a three-dimensional representation containing the enclosure and the particles in a first arrangement. The MD/SSCP conducts a first simulation to transition the representation to a second arrangement, during which the particles are allowed to move through a wall of the enclosure while the SSCP is unengaged. The MD/SSCP conducts a second simulation to transition the representation to a third arrangement, during which it becomes more difficult for the particles to move through the wall of the enclosure while the SSCP is gradually engaged. The MD/SSCP conducts a third simulation to transition the representation to a fourth arrangement of the particles, during which it becomes almost impossible for the particles to move through the wall of the enclosure.

Abstract: A method involving determining a contribution that one or more process apparatuses make to a characteristic of a substrate after the substrate has been processed according to a patterning process by the one or more process apparatuses by removing from values of the characteristic of the substrate a contribution of a lithography apparatus to the characteristic and a contribution of one or more pre-lithography process apparatuses to the characteristic.