Abstract: The present invention relates generally to any plating solution and methods for monitoring its performance. More specifically, the present invention relates to plating bath and methods for monitoring its plating functionality based on chemometric analysis of voltammetric data obtained for these baths. More particularly, the method of the present invention relates to application of numerous chemometric techniques to describe quantitatively plating bath functionality in order to maintain its proper performance.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for processing event records. The present invention includes a detection layer, an analysis layer, an expert systems layer and a presentation layer. The layered system includes a core infrastructure and a configurable, domain-specific implementation. The detection layer employs one or more detection engines, such as a rules-based thresholding engine and a profiling engine. The detection layer can include an Artificial Intelligence based pattern recognition engine for analyzing data records, for detecting new and interesting patterns and for updating the detection engines to insure that the detection engines can detect the new patterns. In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a telecommunications fraud detection system. When fraud is detected, the detection layer generates alarms which are sent to the analysis layer. The analysis layer filters and consolidates the alarms to generate fraud cases.

Abstract: A robot (1) is provided which includes a situated behaviors layer (SBL) (58). This SBL (58) is formed in the form of a tree structure in which a plurality of schemata (behavior modules) is connected hierarchically in such a matter that the schemata are highly independent of each other for each of them to behave uniquely. A patent schema can define a pattern in which child schemata are connected, such as an OR type pattern in which the child schemata are caused to behave uniquely, AND type pattern in which the plurality of child schemata are caused to behave simultaneously or a SEQUENCE type pattern indicating a sequence in which the plurality of child schemata should behave, thereby permitting to select a behavior pattern of the robot (1). Also, a new child schema can additionally be included in the SBL (58) without having to rewrite the schemata connection in the tree structure, whereby a new behavior or function can be added to the robot (1).

Abstract: A method for predicting a time to failure of a component in a system is presented. The method comprises obtaining a set of data measurements related to the component. The set of data measurements are representative of a plurality of parameters including a plurality of leading parameters. The method comprises generating a prediction model based upon the leading parameters considered in combination. The prediction model is then used to predict the time to failure of the component based on a set of real-time measurements, wherein the plurality of parameters are processed to predict the time to failure for the component. Finally, a confidence level for the predicted time to failure is determined based upon the plurality of parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for customizing e-mail transmissions based on content detection determines when an e-mail user likely intends to customize an e-mail message and prompts the user to customize the e-mail message if they have not done so. A parser parses the e-mail message (including the subject line) for clues that indicate that the sender likely intends to customize the message in a particular manner, then the e-mail program prompts the user to perform the customization. The prompt may be generated in response to the e-mail program detecting that customization settings have not been entered or may be generated unconditionally upon detecting a clue. The parser may also decompose sentences to provide matching of common phrases or meanings with phrases or meanings that indicate that the sender likely intends to perform a particular customization.

Abstract: A system for automatic control of a process, comprising a process model using data and further comprising a data model for generating data for said process model and an empirical data extractor for extracting data from said process for said model, and wherein said data used by said process model is interchangeable between data obtained by said data model and data obtained by said extractor. The data model may be a partly statistical partly empirical orthogonal process model. The system is useful in allowing control systems using empirical prediction methods to perform automatic control before having built up a full results database.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is represented with multiple attributes. In some situations, the providing includes a first computer receiving indications of multiple characterization modules, each characterization module executing on a computer to model an aspect of a current state related to that computer; receiving an indication of one of the multiple attributes of the represented current state; determining multiple of the characterization modules whose modeled aspects are related to the indicated one attribute; and gathering information about the modeled aspects related to the indicated one attribute from the determined characterization modules so that a value for the indicated one attribute can be generated based on the gathered information.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a job flow system for use in a manufacturing environment, such as a semiconductor fab. The job flow system includes a plurality of sequence-related jobs associated with the manufacturing and a computer-controlled Petri Net structure. The Petri Net structure includes a plurality of agents associated with each of the sequence-related jobs. The Petri Net structure also includes a plurality of application processes to be performed by the agents, one or more description files, and a PN Center for loading the one or more description files and activating a first agent to perform one or more of the application processes in response to the one or more description files and in response to process status information from application processes.

Abstract: The universal, Web browser-based Enterprise JavaBean (EJB) test client is itself a Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) application packaged in a Web archive file. This archive, when extracted, consists of a set of files that are installed on a target application server. The installation makes it possible for a user of a Web browser on a workstation remote from the application server to perform a number of tests on, and invoke, methods in EJB beans that are installed on the staging, or even production, servers. It is also possible to perform tests in real time under real conditions.

Abstract: A computer system for controlling a nonlinear physical process. The computer system comprises a linear controller and a neural network. The linear controller receives a command signal for control of the nonlinear physical process and a measured output signal from the output of the nonlinear physical process. The linear controller generates a control signal based on the command signal, a measured output signal, and a fixed linear model for the process. The neural network receives the control signal from the linear controller and the measured output signal from the output of the nonlinear physical process. The neural network uses the measured output signal to modify the connection weights of the neural network. The neural network also generates a modified control signal supplied to the linear controller to iterate a fixed point solution for the modified control signal used to control the nonlinear physical process.

Abstract: A parallel data processing system in which a plurality of data processing devices are coupled to a data network. Each of the data processing devices has a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. A reward is provided for use of the processors. A job includes a plurality of tasks. Responsive to a request signal from one of the data processing devices, one of the tasks is sent to the one data processing device over the data network. The one task is stored in the memory of the one data processing device. The processor of the one data processing device retrieves the one task from the memory. The processor of the one data processing device performs the one task to define a result. After defining the result, the reward is provided to a recipient associated with the one data processing device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for detecting intrusions in a host system on a network. The intrusion detection system comprises an analysis engine configured to use continuations and apply forward- and backward-chaining using rules. Also provided are sensors, which communicate with the analysis engine using a meta-protocol in which the data packet comprises a 4-tuple. A configuration discovery mechanism locates host system files and communicates the locations to the analysis engine. A file processing mechanism matches contents of a deleted file to a directory or filename, and a directory processing mechanism extracts deallocated directory entries from a directory, creating a partial ordering of the entries. A signature checking mechanism computes the signature of a file and compares it to previously computed signatures. A buffer overflow attack detector compares access times of commands and their associated files.

Abstract: Roughly described, the interpretation phase of a system using an Adaptive Agent-Oriented Software Architecture allows queried agents to respond to queries before they have all their own responses from their own downchain agents. Alternatively or additionally, the originating agent can include a “depth-or-search” indication with each query, thereby preventing propagation of the query through more than the indicated number of agents. In the latter alternative, the originating agent can subsequently make the same query to the same downchain agents, but with an increased depth-or-search indication, if for example the originating agent is not yet satisfied with the claims it received in response to the first query.

Abstract: A system with accompanying method and computer program product are provided for database management and recovery. Included are information source modules for collecting network communications usage information in real-time from a plurality of network devices. Also included is a plurality of gatherers coupled to the information source modules. The gatherers are adapted for filtering and aggregating the network communications usage information. A central event manager is coupled to the gatherers for completing a plurality of data records from the filtered and aggregated network communications usage information. Such data records correspond to network usage by a plurality of users. A database is coupled to the central event manager for storing the data records. Further provided is logic for continuously monitoring a state of the gatherers, detecting a fault, and utilizing the state of the gatherers and the stored data records to recover from the fault upon the detection thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a software integration program to automate lighting control is disclosed. The software integration program comprises a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied in the medium for control of remote control units (RCUs) manufactured by a first company based on information received from facilities reservation and booking software (FRBS) developed by a different company; computer readable program code means for setting up lighting related options and preferences from a remote location; computer readable program code means for allowing a user to assign remote control units (RCUs) and zones to appropriate locations, the location having data within the database of the FRBS; computer readable program code means for getting data from the database of the FRBS; and working with the data to automate lighting control.

Abstract: A system is controlled by an actor-critic based fuzzy reinforcement learning algorithm that provides instructions to a processor of the system for applying actor-critic based fuzzy reinforcement learning. The system includes a database of fuzzy-logic rules for mapping input data to output commands for modifying a system state, and a reinforcement learning algorithm for updating the fuzzy-logic rules database based on effects on the system state of the output commands mapped from the input data. The reinforcement learning algorithm is configured to converge at least one parameter of the system state to at least approximately an optimum value following multiple mapping and updating iterations. The reinforcement learning algorithm may be based on an update equation including a derivative with respect to at least one parameter of a logarithm of a probability function for taking a selected action when a selected state is encountered.

Abstract: An autonomous device behaving adaptively to a user includes a sensing unit; a recognition unit for recognizing user's command, a current user-related status, and a current user-unrelated status based on the sensed signals; a pseudo-personality-forming unit for establishing a pseudo-personality based on the result of the preceding recognition; a pseudo-emotion-forming unit for establishing pseudo-emotions based on the result of the preceding recognition and the pseudo-personality; an autonomous behavior-establishing unit for selecting autonomous behavior based on the result of the preceding recognition, the pseudo-personality, and the pseudo-emotions; a new behavior pattern generation unit for generating new patterns of autonomous behavior, linked to the autonomous behavior-establishing unit; a commanded behavior-establishing unit for constituting commanded behavior in accordance with the user's command; a behavior control unit for controlling behavior by combining the autonomous behavior and the commanded beh

Abstract: A method and architecture for efficiently solving complex distributed problems uses coevolutionary agents incorporating evolutionary algorithms located at different nodes in a distributed network. The coevolutionary agents conduct localized database searches and evolve at their respective nodes while sharing information with other coevolutionary agents working the same problem. Results or solutions to the problem posed are available at each network node containing a coevolutionary agent working the problem.

Abstract: Disclosed are computer systems with intelligent or autonomous decision systems which include means for determining relevancy, i.e., the threats to and opportunities of the autonomous decision system. Also disclosed are such autonomous decision systems constructed and arranged to interact sociably with humans, including the use of natural languages and bonding. The desired “whether concrete is included in abstract” computation system is enhanced by a system of categorizing natural objects using as primitives a set of self tendencies suitable, when hierarchically assigned to objects, to do incremental simulation of “future” situations (including such objects) from a presented situation. Using such primitives and computation system, planning, learning, languaging, etc., are efficiently accomplished.

Abstract: A method for distributed agent based non-expert simulation of manufacturing process behavior on a single-processor computer comprises the steps of: object modeling a manufacturing technique having a plurality of processes; associating a distributed agent with each the process; and, programming each the agent to respond to discrete events corresponding to the manufacturing technique, wherein each discrete event triggers a programmed response. The method can further comprise the step of transmitting the discrete events to each agent in a message loop. In addition, the programming step comprises the step of conditioning each agent to respond to a discrete event selected from the group consisting of a clock tick message, a resources received message, and a request for output production message.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for problem identification and resolution using intelligent agents. In at least one embodiment, an agent is a software element configured to detect a situation (e.g., problem or problems) and take steps to preserve a context in which the situation occurs. The agent may also be configured to identify one or more courses of action (e.g., solutions) to be taken in response to the situation. In one embodiment, a user trains an agent to take a particular action upon detecting a particular problem. The training may be initiated after accessing a log containing details about the problem context and recommended courses of action.

Abstract: A method of determining spatial target probability using a model of multisensory processing by the brain includes acquiring at least two inputs from a location in a desired environment where a first target is detected, and applying the inputs to a plurality of model units in a map corresponding to a plurality of locations in the environment. A posterior probability of the first target at each of the model units is approximated, and a model unit with a highest posterior probability is found. A location in the environment corresponding to the model unit with a highest posterior probability is chosen as the location of the next target.

Abstract: An integrated cellular network structure that is programmable to solve partial derivative differential equations in order to control a phenomenon of diffusion or a propagation of electric drive pulses for robot actuators. Such structure includes analog and digital portions interconnected with each other; the analog portion having a matrix array of analog cells arranged to receive data from an I/O interface, and the digital portion having first and second memory arrays for storing a desired configuration and the initial state of such analog matrix array, respectively.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for processing event records. The present invention includes a detection layer, an analysis layer, an expert systems layer and a presentation layer. The layered system includes a core infrastructure and a configurable, domain-specific implementation. The detection layer employs one or more detection engines, such as a rules-based thresholding engine and a profiling engine. The detection layer can include an Artificial Intelligence based pattern recognition engine for analyzing data records, for detecting new and interesting patterns and for updating the detection engines to insure that the detection engines can detect the new patterns. In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a telecommunications fraud detection system. When fraud is detected, the detection layer generates alarms which are sent to the analysis layer. The analysis layer filters and consolidates the alarms to generate fraud cases.

Abstract: A system and method is described for generic automated tuning for performance management. The system comprises a target to be controlled and a generic automated tuning agent (GATA) that performs this control. The controlled target provides interfaces to metrics relating to workload, service levels, and configuration information, as well as a means to adjust tuning controls that determine resource allocations within the target. The GATA inputs the metrics, estimates new tuning control settings based on service objectives specified by administrators, and outputs the tuning control settings.

Abstract: A method for producing a simulator program includes: generating video and audio information from a camera mounted on a vehicle to be simulated; measuring motion data according to a pose change of the camera; processing the motion data and generating motion effect data comprising position and rotary motion information including acceleration and angular velocity for each axis x, y, and z; separating a motion unit from the motion data to generate a motion unit data stream and synchronizing the motion unit data with video/audio data; recognizing and determining a motion unit representing position and rotary motion information for each axis based on the motion unit data stream; and generating a control unit representing position and rotary motion information suitable for a simulator having a fixed degree of freedom and a fixed movement space, based on the motion unit, and producing a control unit shift function and composite control data.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a set of message sequence charts (MSCs) is realizable or safely realizable in an implementation is provided. The determination is made by analyzing the set of MSCs for the existence of unspecified, implied MSCs. If the set of MSCs can be realized in a deadlock-free automaton, then the set of MSCs is safely realizable. If the set of MSCs is realizable (no implied MSCs exist), a state machine can be synthesized from the set of MSCs. If the set of MSCs is not realizable, then implied, unspecified (partial) MSCs are produced. Also, given an undesirable MSC, the system determines whether the set of required MSCs implies the given undesired MSC.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for receiving incoming information from multiple information sources, both interactive and passive, and for engagingly presenting that information to a recipient on a presentation interface. The system includes a “background” element, which interacts with interactive information sources and receives from passive information sources, and determines whether information from those sources is likely to be interesting to the recipient, possibly using one information so source to determine priority for another. The system also includes a “foreground” element, which presents information to the recipient when active, but not when inactive.

Abstract: Disclosed are computer systems with intelligent or autonomous decision systems which include means for determining relevancy, i.e., the threats to and opportunities of the autonomous decision system. Also disclosed are such autonomous decision systems constructed and arranged to interact sociably with humans, including the use of natural languages and bonding. The desired “whether concrete is included in abstract” computation system is enhanced by a system of categorizing natural objects using as primitives a set of self tendencies suitable, when hierarchically assigned to objects, to do incremental simulation of “future” situations (including such objects) from a presented situation. Using such primitives and computation system, planning, learning, languaging, etc., are efficiently accomplished.

Abstract: Disclosed are a time scheduling method and scheduler for a modular engine, e.g. a sheet handling engine. Interaction between the modules (e.g., 12, 14, 16, 18) of the engine involves an output from one module being delivered as an input to another module. The engine has at least one module (e.g., 12) that does not need an input from another module for performing a first action. The method comprises the allocation of a time to each action to be performed by the modules on the basis of information on the current status and timing constraints of the respective modules, wherein each module allocates the timings for its own actions by sending a timing offer (e.g., F[OK, . . . , . . . ]) to the module to which the output has to be delivered and receiving from that module a message (e.g., B[OK, . . . ]; B[NOT OK, . . . ]) accepting or rejecting the offer.

Abstract: A system for helping a chemist to identify pharmacophoric mechanisms, based on a set of input data representing many chemical compounds. Given an input data set defining for each compound a feature characteristic and an activity characteristic, a computer agglomeratively clusters representations of the molecules based on their feature characteristics. The result of this process is a multi-domain pyramid structure, made up of a number of nodes each representing one or more molecules. For each node, the computer identifies a representative feature set (such as a largest substructure common among the molecules in the node) and a representative activity level (such as an average of the activity levels of the molecules in the node). The computer then provides as output to a chemist a description of all or part of the pyramid. This process thus converts a large set of raw data into an understandable and commercially useful form, which can assist the chemist in developing beneficial new pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: In a connection management system for setting up connections in a communications network, run-time negotiation is carried out to avoid feature interaction. Users of the network are provided with user agents (intelligent software) which have access to user profiles. When a calling user wants to set up a particular connection configuration, which may involve service features such as ring back later on busy, their user agent sends a connection configuration proposal to the user agent for a called user. The two user agents then negotiate to establish a mutually acceptable connection configuration, if one is available. The negotiation is based on alternative connection configurations stored in order of preference in the respective user profiles. These are proposed and counter-proposed by the user agents in descending preference order until the mutually acceptable configuration is reached or the connection fails.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising a logic processor and a fuzzy logic coprocessor is disclosed which processes a plurality of analog inputs. The logic processor and fuzzy logic processor are combined in the form of a single integrated circuit. The integrated circuit accepts a plurality of analog inputs which are digitized and provided as output to a display peripheral or are used to control an actuator peripheral such as a control unit for a valve. The integrated circuit includes means for loading or exchanging informational elements with other units of an installation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing Internet using voice and audio instead of a conventional visual display. POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) can be used to access the Internet by calling an “audio” ISP (Internet Service Provider) and interacting with an Intelligent Agent. An Audio ISP uses a standard telephone (POTS, digital or analog cellular telephone, PCS telephone, satellite telephone, etc.) instead of a modem, telephone line and traditional data ISP. The Intelligent Agent (IA) takes information from the caller, accesses the Internet, retrieves the desired information and reads it back to the caller using a voice signal. The IA can surf the net by responsively interacting with the caller using voice. The IA does not need a web browser. The IA does not require any change in the current world wide web data format to support audio. The IA works with the existing web data format. Users can also access email (both send and receive) by talking and listening through the IA using POTS.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for processing event records. The present invention includes a detection layer, an analysis layer, an expert systems layer and a presentation layer. The layered system includes a core infrastructure and a configurable, domain-specific implementation. The detection layer employs one or more detection engines, such as, for example, a rules-based thresholding engine and a profiling engine. The detection layer can include an AI-based pattern recognition engine for analyzing data records, for detecting new and interesting patterns and for updating the detection engines to insure that the detection engines can detect the new patterns. In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a telecommunications fraud detection system. When fraud is detected, the detection layer generates alarms which are sent to the analysis layer. The analysis layer filters and consolidates the alarms to generate fraud cases.

Abstract: A system for consolidating and sorting event data include a computing platform communicatively coupled to a computer readable medium and a network. The computer readable medium may store an application that includes at least one node mapped into a tree. The at least one node may have a data element reference including a pointer to a data element that includes event data received via the network. In addition, the node may have a row indicator node count, a least child reference, a greatest child reference, a lesser sibling reference, a greatest sibling reference, a parent reference, and a status manager reference.

Abstract: Method and agent network architecture for processing a subject message, where each agent has a view of its own domain of responsibility. An initiator agent which receives a user-input request and does not itself have a relevant interpretation policy, queries its downchain agents whether the queried agent considers such message to be in its domain of responsibility. Each queried agent recursively determines whether it has an interpretation policy of its own that applies to the request, and if not, further queries its own further downchain neighboring agents. The further agents eventually respond to such further queries, thereby allowing the first-queried agents to respond to the initiator agent. The recursive invocation of this procedure ultimately determines one or more paths through the network from the initiator agent to one more more leaf agents.

Abstract: Model checking for message sequence charts (MSCs), message sequence chart graphs and hierarchical message sequence chart graphs (HMSCs) is provided. To verify the behavior of a given MSC, MSC graph and HMSC, a specification automaton is constructed. This specification automaton specifies the undesirable executions of the model under analysis. From the model under analysis, linearizations are defined from the model and a finite test automaton is constructed from the linearizations. The test automaton and the specification automaton are combined and it is determined whether there is an execution in the intersection. Where no state in the specification automaton is reachable from the test automaton, the model is verified.

Abstract: An intelligent method is provided to interpret a user's intention whenever an on/off button is activated. The method uses one or several activities to gauge the likelihood of a user's intention to switch off the device when the on/off button is activated. Such activities include the presence of an active network connection and time lapsed since a last keyboard activity or a pointer activity. If the user is in the midst of certain tasks as defined by the activities, a user prompt will seek the user's confirmation to switch off the device. Otherwise, the device switches off without prompting the user.

Abstract: A mobile user collaborator discovery method and system that tracks and correlates user position and gaze direction information in a physical environment in order to determine common interests. The physical environment is represented by an array divided into a plurality of elements, each representing a particular physical area of the environment. The mobile user collaborator discovery method and system includes an activity monitor to track user position and gaze direction information, an entry processor to process the user position and gaze direction information to determine the elements of the array corresponding to physical areas viewed by the user, and to provide the information to a match database, and a matcher to correlate information regarding elements of the array corresponding to physical areas viewed by the user in order to determine portions of the array representing areas of common interest to the users.

Abstract: A system and an arrangement that process payment requests received from a number of distinct data communication devices via respective communications channels and consistent with different communications protocols. In an example embodiment, a payment processing system includes a plurality of data communications devices that transmit a plurality of payment requests in connection with purchases via respective communication channels. Each transmitted payment request includes a merchant identification code and a set of customer financial account data. The system further includes a payment server arrangement that receives the payment requests from the data communications devices at the respective channels via a plurality of adapter modules corresponding to each of the communication channels. Each of the adapter modules includes a payment processing application that identifies a financial institution identification code associated with the merchant identification code.

Abstract: A computer-readable system and method for interpreting and selectively forwarding an interpreted message derived from a user's received electronic message, such as an e-mail, fax, converted voice and pager messages, to a mobile communications device of the user. A structured knowledge base comprises knowledge objects of user-related information and the knowledge objects are interlinked by semantic links to permit dynamic navigation thereof. Navigating means dynamically navigates through the structured knowledge base using the content of the received message and determines key term(s) relating to the content as a result of the navigating. An interpreted message is determined from those key term(s). Prioritizing means determines the priority of the message, selects the second communications device based on the current context of the user and the content of the message in relation to the user-related information and assigns priority indicia to the interpreted message according thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensor signal prediction and for improving sensor signal response time, is disclosed. An adaptive filter or an artificial neural network is utilized to provide predictive sensor signal output and is further used to reduce sensor response time delay.

Abstract: A process control system is described using a plurality of autonomous process cells. Each process cell has data inputs, data outputs, processing logic, state variable, and link data specifying the other cells that provides its inputs. A scheduler triggers the plurality of cells as a whole to update their state. Cell may be recursive and contain child cells, at least some of which are linked to the parent cell. The cells can be subject to mutation and a non-brittle program language is provided for the logic within the cells in order to stop mutation causing a cell to cease to function. Cells within a neural network are provided with both fast and slow feedback mechanisms to improve their responsiveness to action reinforcement cycles. A mediated peer-to-peer network is described for use to simulate a tessellated virtual environment.

Abstract: A method for controlling a decisional process when pursuing an overall aim in a specific field of application, such as economic, technical, organisational or similar, which is automated by the placing in relation, according to rules and strategies predetermined in accordance with the overall aim of at least one knowledge object reflecting a point of view of the field of application and comprising an item of information interpreted as an alarm sign for the decisional process with other knowledge objects reflecting other points of view or other fonctional competencies of the same field of application or of other fields.

Abstract: An electronic pet having reality by various machines is implemented. An IC card stores a matter to be renewed in accordance with an action when an electronic pet takes the action on the basis of an internal status parameter which contains the feeling of the electronic pet and represents the internal status thereof, and it is detachably mounted in a device functioning as the body of the electronic pet. A virtual pet device functions as the body of the electronic pet and performs processing to display the electronic pet, and it has a slot in which the IC card is detachably mounted. A pet type robot functions as the body of the electronic pet, and it has a slot in which the IC card is detachably mounted.

Abstract: A method for a computer system including a memory includes storing a plurality of statements in the memory, selecting a first subset of statements from the plurality of statements, sending the first subset of statements to a first user at a computer client, receiving a first selection of statements, the first selection of statement selected from the first subset of statements by the first user, selecting a second subset of statements from the plurality of statements in response to the first selection of statements by the first user, sending the second subset of statements to a second user at a computer client, receiving a second selection of statements, the second selection of statement selected from the second subset of statements by the second user, determining a proposed selection of statements from the plurality of statements in response to the first selection of statements by the first user and to the second selection of statements by the second user, sending the proposed selection of statements to a thi

Abstract: A reduced control system suitable for control of a nonlinear or unstable plant is described. The reduced control system is configured to use a reduced sensor set for controlling the plant without significant loss of control quality (accuracy) as compared to an optimal control system with an optimum sensor set. The control system calculates the information content provided by the reduced sensor set as compared to the information content provided by the optimum set. The control system also calculates the difference between the entropy production rate of the plant and the entropy production rate of the controller. A genetic optimizer is used to tune a fuzzy neural network in the reduced controller. A fitness function for the genetic optimizer provides optimum control accuracy in the reduced control system by minimizing the difference in entropy production while maximizing the sensor information content.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of non-linear constraint optimization in a storage system configuration. In accordance with the primary aspect of the present invention, the objective function for a storage system is determined, the workload units are selected and their standards are determined, and the storage devices are selected and their characteristics are determined. These selections and determinations are then used by a constraint based solver through non-linear constraint integer optimization to generate an assignment plan for the workload units to the storage devices.

Abstract: A telecommunications performance management system for processing, analyzing and abstracting performance data from a traffic machine (3) in real time using a hierarchial structure of a performance agents (10) connected to a user interface (11) to ensure optimum network design and performance. Each agent (10) transmits performance data to a supra agent (10) and operates according to a subscription signal and associated delivery deadline received from the supra agent (10).