Abstract: An injection mold design method for correcting a profile of a product to be fabricated into a releasable profile from a mold to design an injection mold based on a corrected product shape, utilizing a storage device for storing information of the product shape and mold profile, a display device for displaying the product shape or the mold profile on a screen based on the information read from the storage device, an input device for inputting designation information necessary for correction of the product shape or the mold profile, and a controlling device for unloading information of lines or planes being obstructive to correction of the product shape and the mold profile in the storage device in response to the designation information input by the input device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus pertains to aligning and/or stitching together several 3-D fragments. The steps comprise determining at least two fragments having a corresponding set of alignment marks and aligning at least two fragments with respect to a coordinate system using the corresponding set of alignment marks in the respective fragments.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for dynamic optimization of a dynamic physical system having a device under control and a controller along with a modeling system having an estimator and a constrained nonlinear program. The time varying trajectories of the dynamic physical system are parameterized and run through the modeling system in order to produce a set of optimal time varying setpoint trajectories to be used in the dynamic physical system. The optimal time varying setpoint trajectories optimize the physical system to produce the desired end result (or product) of the dynamic physical system.

Abstract: A method is presented of generating data on component arrangement capable of shortening the moving distance of the mounting head in an electronic component mounting machine, and enhancing the mounting efficiency.The distribution center coordinates and their distributed state values of electronic components on a circuit board grouped in accordance with their kind are determined. The arrangement position of each electronic component at a component feed section is determined based on the distribution center coordinates. When the arrangement positions of more than two kinds of electronic components thus determined are the same, the arrangement position of the electronic component having a smaller distributed state value is preferentially determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of generating a three dimensional representation of one or more anatomical joints, wherein the representation comprises two or more movable bodies and one or more links, comprising the steps of inputting anatomically representative data of two or more movable bodies of the selected joint or joints; selecting one or more link types responsive to the representative data of the bodies; selecting link characteristics responsive to each selected link type; generating an equilibrium condition responsive to interaction between the bodies and the links; and displaying a three dimensional representation of the selected joint or joints responsive to the data generated from the equilibrium condition of the anatomical joint or joints. The present invention further relates to a system for generating a three dimensional representation of one or more anatomical joints, and a method of planning surgery of one or more anatomical joints.

Abstract: A knowledge based, computer-aided system and method is disclosed for simulating any set of linear or nonlinear simultaneous parametric dependencies. The preferred embodiment creates a model and provides an estimate of the material properties of materials comprising thin films disposed on semiconductor materials. However the system and method are suitable for creating a model and providing an estimate of the physical properties of materials undergoing other material fabrication processes that are dependent on several parameters. The method is suitable for implementation on exisitng general purpose computers.

Abstract: A disassembly route producing apparatus searches for a disassembly route for disassembling a product into its component parts. In one embodiment, the apparatus selects one of the parts to be disassembled, and determines the closest distance the selected part may approach the remaining parts as the selected part is being moved. The selected part is disassembled through a series of translations in predetermined directions and for predetermined distances. After each translation, the apparatus determines whether the selected part collided with any of the remaining parts. If a collision occurs, the apparatus changes the direction for the translations and resumes the search. A corresponding assembly route is determined by reversing the disassembly route.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a catalytic converter includes ascertaining a measured variable at the catalytic converter and comparing it with a comparison value. The comparison value is ascertained in accordance with a model that uses at least one parameter of a comparison catalytic converter. The parameter of the comparison catalytic converter is adapted on the basis of a measured variable of the catalytic converter to be monitored.

Abstract: A test generation method and apparatus for generating an executable testcase from a high-level functional description that is generated from functional description data relating to a target system. Provided is a computer system with a knowledge base stored on an electronic memory storage device. The knowledge base has a set of functional description data that relates to the target system on which a software function is to be tested. Through a user interface, a high-level testcase request is made for a certain function of the target system. A testcase generation program accepts as an input argument the output file and generates an executable testcase based on the set of functional description data maintained in the knowledge base.

Abstract: A design support method includes an orthogonal array allocation step for arranging data regarding design variables and levels in columns and rows of an orthogonal array, a structural analysis step for carrying out structural analysis for data in each row of the orthogonal array, an analysis-of-variance step for carrying out an analysis of variance in accordance with the result of the structural analysis step, an estimation expression generation step for extracting those design variables and degree components which have high effectivity for characteristic values indicative of the properties of the object of analysis, in accordance with the analysis of variance, and generating estimation expressions based on orthogonal functions in accordance with the design variables and degree components, and an optimization process for making a target optimization calculation by using a mathematical optimization method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing and editing a distribution system for a building is disclosed. Elements of such distribution systems and requirements of relevant standard, are stored in a computer's memory. Building parameters are entered into a computer manually. The user identify the standard to be followed and the element to be optimized. The system divides the building into sections as appropriate to the user identified standard. The system then computes layout needed to comply with the selected standard. The layout is routed and sized to avoid building structural members, yet the elements of the layout are optimized for size and length. The apparatus prints out a hard copy of the design layout which can include an elements listing needed to complete the system. The design layout as well as the building parameters can be edited. The edited layout is checked for compliance with the identified standard as well as avoidance of building parameters.

Abstract: A computer system whereby the user selects any combination of hazards and buildings which are of interest in modeling and simulating potential explosions. The software of the present invention automatically calculates distance and orientation of various building surfaces from the hazard, and accounts for side-on and reflected loads based on the orientation. The user is then provided with the pressure-impulse diagrams (P-i diagrams) where the software determines the damage expected for each building component. The results are displayed in a table which gives the applied blast load and damage level for each component on each building surface.

Abstract: Enhanced realism of a real-time simulator having multiple computer-controlled units results from making the units capable of reacting to only those other units that each of them can be aware of because of their spatial relationships to the unit. Awareness is based upon probabilities; it can persist after a relationship changes; and it can be influenced by a unit's designation of a target. Each unit selects a target based upon a score incorporating multiple aspects of its tactical situation, and can change targets when the situation changes. A unit selects a strategy in response to which of a set of tactical configurations exist between the unit and its target; the strategy can change short of completion when the configuration changes. A plan produces guidance commands from the high-level strategy. The guidance commands are converted into control settings for guiding the subject unit using a physics engine for simulating the physical dynamics of the unit.

Abstract: A process control system determines optimal trajectories (input controls) using multiresolutional analysis of acquired data. In contrast to conventional control systems, the present control system does not use a predetermined mathematical model or algorithm to define the process in terms of a plurality of variables. Rather, the present system acquires system data and stores the data in a multiresolutional data structure. A knowledge base is created which can be searched at varying levels of resolution for determining optimal process trajectories. The continual addition of data to the data structure allows for continual top-down refinement of the determined trajectories and bottom-up improvement and updating of the system representation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modeling interactions between bodies. The method comprises representing two bodies undergoing translations and rotations by two hierarchical swept volume representations. Interactions such as nearest approach and collision can be modeled based on the swept body representations. The present invention can serve as a practical tool in motion planning, CAD systems, simulation systems, safety analysis, and applications that require modeling time-based interactions. A body can be represented in the present invention by a union of convex polygons and convex polyhedra. As used generally herein, polyhedron includes polygon, and polyhedra includes polygons.

Abstract: A computer program media embodies a program of instructions executable by a computer to perform method steps for simulating the dynamic response of a structural-acoustic system over a broad range of frequencies. The method includes the steps of wavenumber partioning a design of the structural-acoustic system into large-scale behavior and small-scale behavior; determining the large-scale behavior; and determining the small-scale behavior.

Abstract: A method for designing pneumatic tires for rolling conditions employs a finite element tire model configured by an operator. A first set of variables is applied to the tire model and steady state footprint conditions resulting from such application of the variables to the tire model are compared against predetermined footprint constraints to determine if the steady state footprint conditions and the footprint constraints have converged. If they have not, the set of control variables is incremented and the comparison is undertaken again until the steady state footprint conditions in the footprint constraints have converged. The concept of the invention is presented with particular application to a determination of the abrasion energy dissipation or wear potential, cornering stiffness, and residual aligning torque.

Abstract: Amplitude of transmission error of tooth pair of a gear is obtained in relation to actual contact ratio (.epsilon..sub.r) which is an angular range (.theta..sub.r) of actual contact of the surfaces of the tooth pair divided by an angular pitch (.theta..sub.p) of the gear. The specifications and/or tooth surface modification of the gear is/are are determined so as to reduce the transmission error amplitude under non-load condition in which the actual contact ratio (.epsilon..sub.r) is 1.0. Alternatively, the specifications and/or tooth surface modifications is/are determined so as to increase an effective contact ratio (.epsilon..sub.n) which is an angular range (.theta..sub.n) divided by the angular pitch (.theta..sub.p), the angular range (.theta..sub.n) corresponding to a portion of a path of the tooth contact point in which an edge contact of the tooth pair does not take place at the tooth top or at the ends of the face width of the teeth.

Abstract: Damped structures with isolators such as, for example, total vehicles, are analyzed and automatically optimized using a model representing the structure, the model possibly consisting of both rigid and flexible components, together with initial values for isolator design variables, a set of design constraints, and an optimization criterion. Each isolator may have frequency dependent or frequency independent parameters. Excitations may come from a combination of internal and external sources that may be expressed as deterministic or random functions. Finite element modeling is used to determine eigenvectors of flexible finite element components. A total system model is obtained using the rigid component parameters, eigenvectors of flexible components, and spring-damping parameters of isolators. Vibration analysis using the total system model yields system frequency responses and an optimization function.

Abstract: A method of tracking a system (1) having sensors (3) (e.g. gas turbine engines) by providing a computer model (4) which, from changes in sensor readings, can track (follow) changes in performance parameters of the system. These may be e.g. efficiencies of various of components such as compressors and turbines. In the common embodiment, the method used (Singular Value Decomposition) is a way of computing the most likely solution when there are more performance parameters than the number of sensors used and thus a degree of redundancy. The method allows system diagnosis and most importantly a tracked model allows the selection of a tailored control regime (9) which results in optimum efficiency for the individual system (engine).

Abstract: A computer system for modeling is disclosed, where the computer system has a storage device, first and second platforms, a portable persistent model, and first and second platform-dependent computerized modeling systems (CMS). Each platform is interfaced to the storage device and provides system-dependent services. The first platform has a first type of operating system and a first type of computer hardware including a first memory, and the second platform has a second type of operating system and a second type of computer hardware including a second memory. The model resides in the storage device in a platform-independent format and includes persistent component objects. The first CMS resides in the first platform memory and the second platform-dependent CMS resides in the second platform memory.

Abstract: A model of a physical object is constructed in a modeling system running on a computer system. The model includes model objects and constraints. The constraints on the model describe the relationship between the model objects. The modeling system constructs a graph representing the model. The graph has nodes representing the modeling objects and arcs representing the relationships between the model objects. The relationships are either directed or nondirected. The modeling system then identifies the set of cycles in the graph. The cycles have a subset of the nodes of the graph coupled by arcs representing nondirected relationships. The modeling system starts with a first cycle from the set of cycles and determines the set of programs that can be used to satisfy all of the relationships between the model objects represented by nodes in the first cycle.

Abstract: A method of digitizing a three dimensional object 10. The method using a point digitizer which defines the envelope dimensions 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the object 10 and uses a cloud data capture technique to acquire data points as a pen-element of the digitizer is scrubbed or randomly moved across the object 10 surface. The data points being processed by the digitizer to produce a plurality of object contours between opposed edges of the envelope dimension 13, 14, 15, 16 at spaced points Sj, Ej respectively. These object contors defining the object 10 shape for digital mapping within a computer aided design (CAD) system.