Abstract: Methods of providing a combined synthesis of cost-effective heat and power (CHP) utility systems and the key process systems are provided. An exemplary method includes process steps for identifying the best key subsystem design and operating conditions for both the process and the utility systems. The method can include the step of determining an optimal allocation of steam and power between both process and utility systems for one or more industrial process facilities in both partially and totally decentralized environments. This can include defining rigorously bounded decision variables as model input data, processing the model input data by a combined heat and power utility and process subsystem mathematical program model, and determining a plurality of at least substantially optimal process and utility subsystem conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for realizing a building system is disclosed. In an embodiment, a holistic approach to a complex building system involves using high-productivity high-performance computing resources, such as cloud services, to manage a complex building system from building inception through to building operation. Because high-productivity high-performance computing resources are used, modeling, optimization, simulation, and verification can be performed from a single platform on a scale which heretofore has not been applied to complex building systems. Additionally, the holistic approach to complex building systems involves using a centralized database to manage all of the information related to a building system.

Abstract: A surgery simulator includes a physical surrogate surgical interface that represents an interface between a user and a simulated patient in a simulated surgical scenario that involves manipulation of both simulated hard and soft tissue. Sensor(s) sense the user's manipulation of the surrogate surgical interface. A surgical simulation generator generates a real time 3D surgical simulation of the surgical scenario based on the manipulation sensed by the sensor(s). The real time 3D surgical simulation comprises real time simulation state data. The surgical simulation generator renders the real time simulation state data into a real time computer graphics generated video representation of the surgical simulation and provides the real time video representation to a display for real time viewing by the user. The surgical simulation generator simulates effects of the manipulation on both simulated hard tissue and simulated soft tissue of the simulated patient.

Abstract: A wall area estimation system generates an estimated wall area measurement of a building based on the received roof measurements (e.g., those generated by, received from or found in a three-dimensional model of the roof) and a reference distance. The reference distance is a measurement indicative of a distance between the roof and a model ground surface placed on an image of the building where the walls of the building meet the ground. This reference distance may be used to determine how for down to extend the walls of the building (e.g., to a ground level) when building a three-dimensional digital model of the building to aid in generating wall area measurements. The resulting wall measurements, roof measurements, measurements of areas missing from the wall used to generate a wall estimate report, or a combined roof and wall estimate report including various different identifiers indicating the different features and measurements based on the three-dimensional model.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are described herein that are configured to perform aggregation of phrase specifications. In some example embodiments, a method is provided that comprises identifying two or more generalized phrase specifications. In some example embodiments, the two or more generalized phrase specifications contain at least one aggregatable constituent. The method of this embodiment may also include generating an aggregated phrase specification from the two or more generalized phrase specifications. In some example embodiments, the aggregated phrase specification comprises a combined noun phrase generated from the aggregatable constituents and one or more additional constituents based on a determined level of generalization.

Abstract: A drawing apparatus includes a flow line generation section configured to generate the flow line from a predetermined start position; a view setting section configured to set the viewpoint position in the 3D-space; a band-of-facets forming section configured to form a band of facets connecting a plurality of polygon facets along the flow line based on the set viewpoint position; and a texture mapping section configured to map texture onto each of the plurality of polygon facets. The texture represents reflected light on the band of facets with respect to a light source placed at a predetermined position in the 3D-space.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for determining the placement of one or more lightning rods in one or more circles of non-interference in a solar field, where the placement is based on a determined location of one or more ungrounded triangular heliostat structures and one or more circles of interference, where the one or more circles of interference are areas within a range of motion of one or more heliostats disposed on corners of the one or more triangular heliostat structures in the solar field.

Abstract: A lens flare generation method and apparatus simulates lens flare effects through paraxial approximation-based linear approximation to generate a lens flare utilizing physical characteristics of a lens system while generating a lens flare at high speed. A non-linear effect may be added to a linear pattern-based lens flare effect to generate an actual lens flare reflecting most of physical characteristics generated from the lens system. A pre-recorded non-linear pattern may be used.

Abstract: A method for simulating visual effects is disclosed. The method comprises modeling each visual effect within a simulation as a set of associated particles with associated constraints applicable thereto. It also comprises predicting first velocities and first positions of a plurality of particles being used to simulate a visual effect based on an external force applied to the plurality of particles. Next, it comprises identifying a set of neighboring particles for each of the plurality of particles. The method also comprises solving a plurality of constraints related to the visual effect, wherein each of the plurality of constraints is solved for the plurality of particles in parallel. Lastly, responsive to the solving, the method comprises determining second velocities and second positions for the plurality of particles.

Abstract: A space object modeling system that models the evolution of space debris is provided. The modeling system simulates interaction of space objects at simulation times throughout a simulation period. The modeling system includes a propagator that calculates the position of each object at each simulation time based on orbital parameters. The modeling system also includes a collision detector that, for each pair of objects at each simulation time, performs a collision analysis. When the distance between objects satisfies a conjunction criterion, the modeling system calculates a local minimum distance between the pair of objects based on a curve fitting to identify a time of closest approach at the simulation times and calculating the position of the objects at the identified time. When the local minimum distance satisfies a collision criterion, the modeling system models the debris created by the collision of the pair of objects.

Abstract: Various implementations directed to determining three-dimensional (3D) rock properties using cross well seismic are provided. In one implementation, a method may include receiving 3D seismic data acquired in a seismic survey of a region of interest. The method may also include receiving cross well seismic data acquired in a cross well seismic survey of the region of interest. The method may further include determining a first set of rock properties of the region of interest based on the cross well seismic data. The method may additionally include determining one or more variograms based on the first set of rock properties. The method may also include determining one or more 3D rock properties of the region of interest based on the one or more variograms and the 3D seismic data.

Abstract: An approach for crowd congestion detection, the approach determines one or more selected locations. The approach determines a frequency spectrum history of one or more users within the one or more selected locations. The approach determines a location of the one or more users within the one or more selected locations. The approach determines a frequency spectrum of the one or more users within the one or more selected locations. The approach determines a crowding measure for the one or more selected locations based, at least in part, on the frequency spectrum history and the frequency spectrum of the one or more users within the one or more selected locations. The approach ranks the one or more selected locations based, at least in part, on the crowding measure.

Abstract: A computer implemented modeling method and system that includes using a visual programming language to create a topological framework model configured to spatially arrange a set of one more agent submodels and incorporate an environmental submodel for each position of the topological framework model. The method further includes capturing the topological framework model by converting elements of the visual programming language into a textual programming language.

Abstract: A 3D landscape real-time imager, and method for operating such an imager, where the imager includes: at least one illuminating part which is designed to scan at least a portion of the landscape at a given range and having an ultra-short laser pulse source emitting at least one wavelength, and an optical rotating block, with a vertical axis of rotation, and controlled such that given packets of pulses are shaped in a pattern of rotating beams sent toward the at least partial landscape; and at least one receiving part which includes a set of SPAD detector arrays, each arranged along a vertical direction and rotating at a given speed in synchronism with the optical rotating block of the illuminating part, the detection data of the SPAD detector arrays being combined to acquire 3D imaging data of the at least partial landscape in a central controller.

Abstract: A method of tuning a hearing device includes sending a test signal to a model of a hearing device that may be remote from the actual hearing device being tuned. The test signal is encoded by the model and sent to the hearing device being tuned. The user of that hearing device sends a response signal based at least in part on the encoded test signal. This response is received and compared to the original test signal. Thereafter, an operational parameter is sent to the hearing device based on the comparison.

Abstract: Context-aware training systems, apparatuses and systems. The context-aware training systems, apparatuses and systems are computer-implemented and include sensing a user action and, based on a training needs model, estimating a cost or benefit to exposing the user to a training action, selecting a training action from a collection of available training actions and delivering the training action to the user if the user action indicates a need for the user to be trained and the cost or benefit to exposing the user to the training action indicates user exposure to the training action is warranted.

Abstract: An approach and tool integrate cyber-physical systems design based on the function-behavior-state (FBS) methodology where multi-domain simulation models capturing both the behavioral and structural aspects of a system are automatically generated from its functional description. The approach focuses on simulation-enabled FBS models using automatic and context-sensitive mappings of functional basis elementary functions to simulation components described in physical modeling languages. Potentially beneficial process loops are recognized and inserted in the functional model.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a remote plant simulation system is disclosed. The system and method uses a light application at the plant to collect relevant data and communicate it to a remote plant simulation. The remote plant simulation uses the relevant data, including data from the actual process, to create a process simulation and communicate the display data to the light application operating at the plant where it is displayed to a user. The remote system offers the advantage of offering decreased cost and improved simulation as the equipment cost, operator cost and set up cost is shared by a plurality of users. Further, the data may be stored remotely and subject to data analytics which may identify additional areas for efficiency in the plant.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of inspecting a photomask to decrease false defects, which uses a plurality of image rendering models with varying emphasis on different design aspects, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming an integrated circuit (IC) design comprising a graphical representation of an integrated circuit. A first image rendering simulation is performed on the IC design using an initial image rendering model to determine a plurality of initial mask defects. A second image rendering simulation is performed on the IC design using a modified image rendering model that emphasizes a design aspect to determine a plurality of modified mask defects. By comparing the plurality of initial mask defects with the plurality of modified mask defects, falsely identified mask defects can be detected and eliminated.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for determining a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) model for a building are described herein. One method includes receiving a description of the building, receiving an HVAC meta-model, wherein the HVAC meta-model is independent of the building, and determining an HVAC model for the building based on the description of the building and the HVAC meta-model.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method of generating a simulation model of a space, the simulation model being a three-dimensional geometrical representation of the space in a format appropriate for computational fluid dynamic analysis; the method comprising: obtaining a geometrical representation of the space; obtaining a characterization of the operation and/or arrangement of physical entities influencing airflow in the space, from among a predetermined set of characterizations; generating the simulation model of the space based on the geometrical representation, wherein said generating includes: configuring the simulation model by selecting configuration options, from those associated with the obtained characterization in a database in which each of the predetermined set of characterizations are codified as a set of configuration options for a simulation model, in dependence upon the content of the geometrical representation.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a plurality of elements in a process control system that uses a process value from a field device. The method also includes identifying an aggregate control connection status of the field device by (i) determining whether one or more of the elements can use a manual value in place of the process value, (ii) determining whether one or more other elements in the plurality can use a user configured value, and (iii) evaluating a logic expression based on results of the determining in (i) and (ii). The method further includes determining whether the field device is available to be taken offline based on the aggregate control connection status. In addition, the method includes generating a notification based on the determination of whether the field device is available to be taken offline.

Abstract: An environmental monitoring system that processes at least one report from at least one environmental sensor in the environment. The system comprises a computing device configured to compute, based on values of physical properties of a simulated object and the at least one report, a simulated condition of the simulated object within the environment. The computing device is also configured to compare the simulated condition to a criterion. The computing device is further configured to selectively output an indication of an alarm condition based on the comparing. The computing device may also be configured to receive through a user interface an input of the values of the physical properties of the simulated object. The environment may be managed by a user, and the computing device may be further configured to associate input with an account based on credentials issued to a user for the account. A method for operating the computing device.

Abstract: A system and method for construction estimation using aerial images is provided. The system receives at least one aerial image of a building. An estimation engine processes the aerial image at a plurality of angles to automatically identify a plurality (e.g., perimeter and interior) lines in the image corresponding to a plurality of features of a roof the building. The estimation engine allows users to generate two-dimensional and three-dimensional models of the roof by automatically delineating various roof features, and generates a report including information about the roof of the building.

Abstract: A motion signal processing technique modifies digital audio recordings in order to restore a sense of motion, liveliness, and spatial dynamics. The technique compensates for the static presentation of sound created by modern recording and sound synthesis techniques and common modern playback equipment such as headphones and ear buds in order to create a more natural, immersive, and enjoyable listening experience.

Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods automatically assess claims. A device may receive one or more images of a claimed object, such as a building or vehicle, compare the images to reference images and generate an estimate of financial damages to the object. The device may then generate a claim assessment based on previous comparisons and generated estimates. The claim assessment may be sent directly to a client or to an agent for review and/or processing.

Abstract: A method and system to estimate failure rates in designs. N Monte Carlo samples are drawn from the random distribution that describes process variation in the design. A subset of these samples is selected, and that subset of Ninit samples are simulated (with a circuit simulator) to measure a performance value for each sample. A model is constructed, using the values of the Ninit process points as training inputs, and the corresponding Ninit performance values as training outputs. The candidate Monte Carlo samples are from the N Monte Carlo samples that have not yet been simulated. Each candidate is simulated on the model to get predicted performance values, and the samples are ordered in ascending (or descending) order of the predicted performance values. Simulation of candidates samples is then begun, in that order. The sampling and simulation will stops once there is sufficient confidence that all failures are found.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, article of manufacture, and computer readable storage medium provide the ability to optimize a design for a vertical road profile. A ground surface profile is obtained. From the ground surface profile, an initial set of points of vertical intersection (PVIs) are obtained. An optimized earthwork cost for the PVIs is determined. The PVIs and curve configurations are then modified to reduce the earth work cost.

Abstract: Rising and falling edges captured by a digital acquisition device appear to chatter on the X-axis by two or more sampling bin boundaries as live acquisition continually updates. This leads to a confusing display of limited usefulness. Averaging of multiple edges eliminates chatter while at the same time increases timing accuracy of the edges beyond the abilities of the base acquisition system. An object of the invention is to display a waveform for an averaged digital signal converted from an analog signal received by a signal processing instrument. A plurality of data acquisitions is stored in memory, and for each data acquisition, a number of rising and falling edges are identified. Each rising and falling edge is counted in each data acquisition. From these counted edges, an average waveform is calculated from the plurality of data acquisitions. The average waveform is displayed as an improved representation of the digital signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to more accurate indication of fever. Temperature data from a large population of individuals are obtained and the temperature data are processed to determine a threshold, at a fever bump, above a normal range of distribution. The fever threshold, along with an individual's temperature, is used to indicate if the individual has a fever. Further, circadian information may be utilized to adjust the temperature data for an individual or the population of individuals.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an application data structure includes a physical computing system comprising processor(s), input device(s), display(s), and memor(ies). The memory includes executable instructions that cause a processor to perform the acts of embedding a multiphysics model data structure for a physical system in an application data structure. Application features are determined to add to the application data structure. First data is added representing a form feature for the application features for the model of the physical system. Second data is added representing at an action feature for the application features. The second data is associated with at least one modeling operation to define a sequence of operations for modeling the physical system. The application data structure is updated including the added first and second data and the associating defining the sequence of operations. The updated application data structure is stored on the memory device(s).

Abstract: The attenuation and other optical properties of a medium are exploited to measure a thickness of the medium between a sensor and a target surface. Disclosed herein are various mediums, arrangements of hardware, and processing techniques that can be used to capture these thickness measurements and obtain dynamic three-dimensional images of the target surface in a variety of imaging contexts. This includes general techniques for imaging interior/concave surfaces as well as exterior/convex surfaces, as well as specific adaptations of these techniques to imaging ear canals, human dentition, and so forth.

Abstract: An in-ground geothermal heat pump (GHP) closed loop design program is disclosed for designing, analyzing, and simulating a detailed model and analysis of a proposed buildings in-ground geothermal heat pump system, including borehole length, number of boreholes, heat pump capacity, grid layout, total electric operating costs, efficiency ratios, and hybrid designs, among others. In one aspect of the disclosure described herein, the GHP design program can reliably and efficiently predict the fluctuations of the GHP equipment performance in very small increments which enables the determination of energy consumption and demand information on a specific and unique hourly schedule basis for a proposed building design, including incorporating thermal load data for each individual zone of the building.

Abstract: A method to detect a section of a route of the vehicle using sensors, an actual speed-time profile when driving through the section, and parameters based on the actual speed-time profile. The method includes determining a route of the vehicle, wherein the route runs from a current position of the vehicle to a target position of the route; dividing the route into sections, wherein each of the sections is assigned to a predetermined section type and is assigned a reference speed-time profile which is dependent on the section type of the respective section; determining an expected speed-time profile for each of the sections in that the reference speed-time profile of the respective section is provided with parameters which are dependent on a current driver to determine the expected speed-time profile of the respective section; and determining the longitudinal guidance using the expected speed-time profiles of the sections of the route.

Abstract: Systems and methods for data analysis include constructing patient traces as a set of medical events for each patient of a patient population, the patient population being segmented based on patient outcomes. Medical events in one or more of the patient traces are reduced to provide processed patient traces. The processed patient traces are clustered to identify a cluster of patient traces. A process model is mined, using a processor, representing an aggregation of treatment pathways in the patient traces from the cluster. Patterns from patient traces are identified that are discriminative of patient outcomes. At least one of the patterns is represented with respect to the process model to identify treatment pathways correlated with the patient outcomes.

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing a user's posture in a horse-riding simulator, the apparatus comprising: a standard posture model generation module configured to find out a standard posture model by selecting feature points from an expert database, and generate the standard posture model; and a posture recognizing module configured to obtain a user's posture from the horse-riding simulator, recognize a user's horse-riding posture by matching the obtained user's posture with the standard posture model generated in the standard posture model generation module, and suggest a standard posture model appropriate for a user's level.

Abstract: A state of a particle which was in a liquid state at a first time is calculated at a second time after the first time when a continuum including a liquid and a solid is represented by the plurality of particles. It is determined whether the particle has become a first solid particle at the second time. The first solid particle and all particles belonging to a solid which includes a second solid particle arranged in a predetermined range from the first solid particle are defined as particles belonging to the same solid when it is determined that the particle which was in the liquid state at the first time has become the first solid particle at the second time. The state of each of the particles belonging to the same solid is calculated using an equation of motion of a rigid body.

Abstract: After establishing a design environmental condition (26, S1) for a wind turbine blade, and engineering a coefficient of lift and a corresponding optimum blade tip speed ratio (TSR 21) that maximizes annual energy production of the wind turbine when operating under the design environmental condition, determining a site-specific condition (28, S2, S3) that changes a wind loading condition on the blade compared to the design environmental condition, and providing an add-on device (49, 50, 60) for the blade that maximizes annual energy production of the wind turbine under the site-specific condition by changing the coefficient of lift and optimum TSR of the blade. Site specific conditions may include reduced RPM (28) for noise curtailment and/or specific mean wind speeds (S2, S3). The add-on device may include a flap (49, 60) and/or vortex generators (50).

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods for operating a fan kiosk. A graphical user interface at a kiosk provides a user with an option to select a player. One or more displays at the kiosk display one or more life-size representations and one or more sponsor identifiers of one or more sponsors of the selected player. The kiosk also uses information from a database to generate the displays. The kiosk can provide an image of the selected player superimposed on an image of the user. The kiosk saves user information and synchronizes saved data with the database.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a simulator including: an input section adapted to acquire processing conditions for a given process performed on a workpiece; and a damage calculation section adapted to acquire the damage of the workpiece, based on the processing conditions, by calculating, using a Flux method, the relationship between the amount of a first substance externally injected onto a given evaluation point on the workpiece during the given process and the amount of a second substance released from the given evaluation point on the workpiece as a result of the injection of the first substance.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging device with dynamically adjustable angular resolution for use as a sensor providing environmental information for navigating an autonomous vehicle is disclosed. A first region of a scanning zone is scanned while emitting light pulses at a first pulse rate, and a second region of the scanning zone is scanned while emitting light pulses at a second pulse rate different from the first pulse rate. Information from the LIDAR device indicative of the time delays between the emission of the light pulses and the reception of the corresponding returning light pulses is received. A three dimensional point map is generated where the resolution of the point map in the first region is based on the first pulse rate and is based on the second pulse rate in the second region.

Abstract: The method generates a simulated object represented by finite elements each comprising two or more nodes that represent a first physical object, the first simulated object comprising a plurality of segments placed adjacent to each other to form a surface of the first simulated object. The method further includes generating a second simulated object. The method determines the distance between individual segments of the first simulated object and the plurality of segments of the second simulated object. The method determines a stiffness matrix and force vectors for the at least one segment of the first simulated object that is in contact with at least one segment of the second simulated object. The method transforms the stiffness matrix and the force vector from the segments to determine a stiffness matrix and a force vector on the two or more nodes of the finite element representation of the physical objects.

Abstract: The orthodontic alignment of misaligned teeth includes preparing a digital and/or physical overlay model which is the superimposed positioning of the patient's original misaligned dentition with the target or final position. The superimposition of one upon the other creates an open space through which teeth may move in a natural manner, allowing for a treatment plan that takes into account the physical interaction of one tooth with another or the differences in tooth movement rates due in part to differences in underlying bone density or the like. An aligner tray fabricated using the model will likewise represent the before and after tooth positions and will also have the open space to allow tooth movement. Force exerting structures are preferably placed into the aligner tray to impinge upon the patient's teeth in a prescribed manner when the aligner tray is inserted into the patient's oral cavity.

Abstract: A method for predicting energy consumption of an HVAC system is provided. The method includes providing a model for an indoor temperature of a building, a model for an operating state of the HVAC system, and predicted future outdoor temperatures. Utilizing at least the models for the indoor temperature and the operating state of the HVAC system and the predicted future outdoor temperatures, a predicted future energy consumption of the HVAC can be estimated.

Abstract: Embodiments describe new mechanisms for signalized intersection control. Embodiments expand inputs beyond traditional traffic control methods to include awareness of agency policies for signalized control, industry standardized calculations for traffic control parameters, geometric awareness of the roadway and/or intersection, and/or input of vehicle trajectory data relative to this intersection geometry. In certain embodiments, these new inputs facilitate a real-time, future-state trajectory modeling of the phase timing and sequencing options for signalized intersection control. Phase selection and timing can be improved or otherwise optimized based upon modeling the signal's future state impact on arriving vehicle trajectories. This improvement or optimization can be performed to reduce or minimize the cost basis of a user definable objective function.

Abstract: A computerized method for simulating deformation of a rubber compound with filler particles comprises: a step in which a pseudo-two-dimensional rubber compound model of the rubber compound is generated; a step in which a deformation calculation is performed by the use of the pseudo-two-dimensional rubber compound model; and a step in which a necessary physical quantity is acquired from the deformation calculation. The pseudo-two-dimensional rubber compound model comprises a model of a rubber matrix and a plurality of models of filler particles. The pseudo-two-dimensional rubber compound model has a small thickness and has the same cross section in succession in the thickness direction.

Abstract: A testbench for testing a device under test (DUT), wherein the testbench has a verification environment including a reference model, a scoreboard and a customized agent for each interface that the DUT needs to receive input from and/or transmit output on. The testbench system is able to be generated by a testbench builder that automatically creates a scoreboard, a reference model, a dispatcher and generic agents including generic drivers, loopback ports, sequencers and/or generic monitors for each interface and then automatically customize the generic agents based on their corresponding interface such that the agents meet the requirements of the interface for the DUT.

Abstract: A concert profiling server (CPS) obtains and analyzes information about a venue hosting a music concert and mobile phone location information related to the audience members attending the concert. Based on this information, the CPS determines the size of the audience in attendance. The CPS also obtains and analyzes sentiment information related to audience members at the concert with which the CPS determines the audience's sentiment toward the concert as favorable or unfavorable. The CPS further obtains and analyzes other information with which it makes a profile of the demographics of the audience and the audience members' levels of engagement.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for employing a software model transform. A software model transform is accepted, and the transform is manipulated to obtain a transform representation. At least one functional path is explored with respect to the transform representation. A trace is conducted of at least one explored path, and an abstraction of the transform is produced via utilizing the trace, the abstraction comprising a simplified semantic view of the transform.

Abstract: Methods of using computer based models for simulating the physical behavior of bodily exudates with absorbent articles.