Author: claimsbot

1. A method of determining whether a metric is an anomaly, the method comprising:
receiving a data point;
determining the metric in accordance with the data point and a center value;
determining whether the metric is the anomaly by:
determining that the data point is not the anomaly when the metric is below a lower threshold;
determining that the data point is the anomaly when the metric is above an upper threshold; and
determining that the data point might be the anomaly when the metric is between the lower threshold and the upper threshold.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the data point might be the anomaly comprises:
determining a first length of time that a plurality of data points comprising the data point have been between the lower threshold and the upper threshold;
comparing the first length of time to a second length of time of a delay window; and
determining that the data point is the anomaly when the first length of time is greater than or equal to the second length of time of the delay window.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining that the data point might be the anomaly further comprises:
determining whether a delay window timer has been set; and
setting the delay window timer when the delay window timer has not been set.
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising releasing a delay window timer when the metric is below the lower threshold.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the metric comprises determining a Mahalanobis distance between the data point and the center value.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining the lower threshold; and
determining the upper threshold.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving a sensitivity level, wherein determining the lower threshold comprises determining the lower threshold in accordance with the sensitivity level, and wherein determining the upper threshold comprises determining the upper threshold in accordance with the sensitivity level.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the upper threshold comprises:
receiving a user input; and
setting the upper threshold to the user input.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a probabilistic root cause of the anomaly when the data point is determined to be the anomaly.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the probabilistic root cause of the anomaly comprises traversing a soft decision tree.
11. A method of root cause analysis, the method comprising traversing a soft decision tree, wherein the soft decision tree comprises a plurality of decision nodes and a plurality of root cause nodes, wherein traversing the soft decision tree comprises:
determining a first plurality of probabilities that the plurality of decision nodes indicate an event which is an anomaly; and
determining a second plurality of probabilities of the plurality of root causes in accordance with the first plurality of probabilities.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining a first probability of the first plurality of probabilities comprises calculating the first probability to be
1

1
–

\uf74d

–

(

f
–
\u03c4

)
,
wherein f is a Mahalanobis distance between a test vector and a center value, and wherein \u03c4 is a threshold.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the second plurality of probabilities comprises determining a plurality of edge weights in accordance with first plurality of probabilities.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the plurality of edge weights comprises calculating negatives of the natural logarithm of the first plurality of probabilities and negatives of the natural logarithm of one minus the first plurality of probabilities.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the plurality of edge weights comprises determining a plurality of path distances in accordance with the plurality of edge weights.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
determining the minimum of the plurality of path distances to produce a most likely root cause; and
transmitting the most likely root cause.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
determining which of the plurality of path distances are below a path threshold to produce a group of likely causes; and
transmitting the group of likely causes.
18. The method of claim 11, further comprising constructing the soft decision tree.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein constructing the soft decision tree comprises constructing the soft decision tree in accordance with user input.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein constructing the soft decision tree comprises performing a machine learning algorithm on a plurality of labels.
21. The method of claim 11, further comprising detecting an initial anomaly.
22. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the second plurality of probabilities of the plurality of root causes comprises determining a probability of a first root cause comprises multiplying a subset of the first plurality of probabilities to determine the probability of the first root cause, wherein the plurality of root causes comprises the first root cause, wherein the subset of the first plurality of probabilities are on a path along the soft decision tree from a root level of the soft decision tree to the first root cause.
23. A computer for detecting an anomaly comprising:
a processor; and
a computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming including instructions to
receive a data point,
determine a metric in accordance with the data point and a center value,
determine whether the metric is less than a lower threshold, between the lower threshold and an upper threshold, or greater than the upper threshold,
determine that the data point is not the anomaly when the metric is less than the lower threshold,
determine that the data point is the anomaly when the metric is greater than the upper threshold, and
determine that the data point might be the anomaly when the metric is between the lower threshold and the upper threshold.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A sole component for an article of footwear, the sole component comprising:
a bladder formed of a barrier material that encloses a fluid; and
a reinforcing structure at least partially recessed into the barrier material and bonded to the barrier material, the reinforcing structure extending through at least a sidewall of the bladder to restrict distension of the sidewall.
2. The sole component recited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing structure has a first portion, a second portion, and a plurality of connecting portions extending between the first portion and the second portion.
3. The sole component recited in claim 2, wherein the first portion is secured to the bladder at an interface between a first surface and the sidewall, and the second portion is secured to the bladder at an interface between a second surface and the sidewall, the first surface being positioned opposite the second surface.
4. The sole component recited in claim 3, wherein the connecting portions are at least partially recessed into the sidewall and bonded to the sidewall.
5. The sole component recited in claim 3, wherein the first portion extends along a lateral side of the bladder, around a heel region of the bladder, and along a medial side of the bladder.
6. The sole component recited in claim 5, wherein at least one bridge member extends laterally across the bladder and connects opposite sides of the first portion.
7. The sole component recited in claim 3, wherein at least one of the connecting portions is inclined.
8. The sole component recited in claim 3, wherein a space between two adjacent connecting portions is positioned in a rear-lateral region of the sole structure.
9. The sole component recited in claim 1, wherein a material forming the reinforcing structure has a greater modulus of elasticity than the barrier material.
10. The sole component recited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing structure is formed of a first material and a different second material, each of the first material and the second material having a greater modulus of elasticity than the barrier material.
11. The sole component recited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing structure includes extensions that extend outward from the bladder.
12. The sole component recited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing structure includes vent apertures that release air from between the bladder and the reinforcing structure.
13. The sole component recited in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing structure extends between a first surface of the bladder and a second surface of the bladder only in a midfoot region and a heel region of the sole component.
14. The sole component recited in claim 1, wherein the bladder is formed of a first barrier layer that forms a first surface and the sidewall, and the bladder is formed of a second barrier layer that forms a second surface that is opposite the first surface, the reinforcing structure being bonded only to the first barrier layer.
15. The sole component recited in claim 1, wherein edges of the reinforcing member are beveled.
16. A sole component for an article of footwear, the sole component comprising:
a bladder formed of a barrier material that encloses a pressurized fluid, the bladder having a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface; and
a reinforcing structure bonded to the bladder, the reinforcing structure including:
a first portion positioned at an interface of the first surface and the sidewall, the first portion extending along a lateral side of the bladder, around a heel region of the bladder, and along a medial side of the bladder,
a second portion spaced from the first portion and positioned at an interface of the second surface and the sidewall, the second portion extending along the lateral side, around the heel region, and along a medial side of the bladder, and
a plurality of connecting portions extending along the sidewall and between the first portion and the second portion, the connecting portions being recessed into sidewall,

the reinforcing structure being formed of a material with a greater modulus of elasticity than the barrier material, and at least one of the connecting portion being in tension to restrict distension of the sidewall due to an outward force induced by the pressurized fluid.
17. The sole component recited in claim 16, wherein at least one of the connecting portions is inclined.
18. The sole component recited in claim 16, wherein spaces are formed between the connecting portions.
19. The sole component recited in claim 16, wherein one of the spaces is positioned in a rear-lateral region of the sole component.
20. The sole component recited in claim 16, wherein at least one bridge member extends laterally across the bladder and connects opposite sides of the first portion.
21. The sole component recited in claim 16, wherein the material forming the reinforcing structure includes a first material and a different second material, each of the first material and the second material having a greater modulus of elasticity than the barrier material.
22. The sole component recited in claim 16, wherein the reinforcing structure includes extensions that extend outward from the bladder.
23. The sole component recited in claim 16, wherein the reinforcing structure includes vent apertures that release air from between the bladder and the reinforcing structure.
24. The sole component recited in claim 16, wherein edges of the reinforcing member are beveled.

What is claimed:

1. An apparatus for manufacturing a disk rotor, comprising:
means for charging and pressurizing molten metal in a cavity that is defined at least in part by first and second metal molds that are disposed for movement into and out of contact with each other, at least one pre-form being supported and secured in said cavity;
wherein at least one of said first and second metal molds further includes supporting means having a supporting part for supporting a marginal portion of said pre-form;
wherein said supporting means may assume a first state in which said pre-form may be guided to a preset site and a second state in which said cavity may be formed; and
wherein said supporting part supporting the marginal portion of said pre-form by said supporting means assumes said second state.
2. An apparatus for manufacturing a disk rotor by charging and pressurizing molten metal in a cavity defined by first and second metal molds disposed for movement into and out of contact with each other, during a pre-form is supported and secured in said cavity, wherein
at least one of said first and second metal molds comprises a main body part of the mold, movable between at least a first position and a second position, and supporting means for supporting a marginal portion of said pre-form and for sliding in a direction of intersecting the direction of movement of said main body part of the mold;
said pre-form can be guided to a preset site when the main body part of the mold is in said first position;
said supporting means forming a portion of said cavity and supporting the marginal portion of said pre-form when the main body part of the mold is at said second position.
3. An apparatus for manufacturing a disk rotor comprising a first metal mold and a second metal mold disposed for movement into and out of contact with said first metal mold, in which molten metal is charged and pressurized in a cavity defined by said first and second metal molds during at least one pre-form is supported and secured in said cavity to produce the disk rotor, wherein
said first metal mold comprises,
a main body part of the mold, movable between at least a first position and a second position,
a plurality of inclined guides supported and secured for extending in a direction of intersecting a direction of movement of said main body part of the mold, at an angle of inclination, and
a plurality of supporting means for supporting a marginal portion of the pre-form, said supporting means comprising insertion through-holes extending along said inclined guides, said inclined guides being introduced into said insertion through-holes;

wherein said supporting means assuming a first state to guide said pre-form to a preset site when said main body part of the mold is at said first position; and
wherein said supporting means forming a portion of said cavity and assuming a second state to support the marginal portion of said pre-form when said main body part of the mold is at said second position.
4. The apparatus for manufacturing a disk rotor as defined in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said support means is adapted for supporting the marginal portions of two pre-forms which are in a state of being separated from each other.
5. A method for manufacturing a disk rotor comprising;
a pre-form supporting step of supporting and securing a pre-form at a preset site of a first metal mold during a second metal mold is separated from said first metal mold; and
a molding step of charging and pressuring molten metal in a cavity defined between the first and second molds during said second metal mold is contacted with said first metal mold, by way of mold clamping;
providing a movable main body part of the first metal mold;
providing a supporting member assuming a second state in contact with said main body part of the metal mold and a first state slidable towards an outer periphery with respect to said second state, wherein in the pre-form supporting step, said main body part of the metal mold is located at a preset position to set the first state of said supporting member to guide said pre-form to a preset position; said main body part of the metal mold then being located at another preset position to set said supporting member in the second state; a marginal portion of said disk rotor being supported and secured in said second state by said supporting member.
6. An apparatus for manufacturing a disk rotor by charging, and optionally further pressurizing, the molten metal in a cavity defined by first and second metal molds disposed for movement into and out of contact with each other, during at least one pre-form is supported and secured in said cavity, said apparatus comprising;
a core made up by a plurality of annularly arranged split core elements movable along a radial direction; and
supporting parts disposed on inner surfaces of said core elements, said supporting parts being formed in such a manner that, in an opened state of said core when said plural core elements have been moved radially outwards, at least one pre-form can be introduced into a space defined by said core elements; and also in such a manner that, in a closed state of said core when the core elements have been moved to a preset location in a radially inner direction, said supporting parts are configured to hold the outer marginal portion of said at least one pre-form.
7. The apparatus for manufacturing a disk rotor as defined in claim 6 wherein said supporting parts each comprise first and second lugs extending radially inwardly for holding both surfaces of said pre-form of a disk shape.
8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said first lug has a surface abutting with an upper mold when the upper mold is at a molding position.
9. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said second lug has a generally radially extending fin-forming lug arm for forming fin.
10. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said supporting parts is defined by a bottom surface which comes to hold another pre-form disposed axially distant form said one pre-form when said supporting parts are positioned at a radially inner molding position.
11. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said supporting parts are configured and disposed such that said one pre-form and said another pre-form are disposed to form a pair of surfaces defining a cavity for molding a molded product.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A system for detecting an undesirable condition and manipulating at least one electronic device, the system comprising:
at least one liquid detector, each liquid detector comprising a cathode and an anode that are adapted to form a galvanic cell when the cathode and the anode both contact a polar liquid;
a switching mechanism electrically coupled to the at least one liquid detector, wherein the switching mechanism (i) is adapted to receive a positive voltage from the galvanic cell formed from the cathode and anode of the liquid detector, and (ii) comprises at least one switching component electrically coupled to at least one power source, the at least one power source to flow through the at least one switching component when the positive voltage is sufficient to activate the at least one switching component.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein each switching component comprises a transistor, a voltage comparator, an operational amplifier, a thyristor, or a field-effect transistor.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a gas detector comprising a gas detection means and a power source adapted to activate the at least one switching component, when a pre-defined quantity of gas is detected.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature detector comprising a thermocouple and a power source adapted to activate the at least one switching component, when a pre-defined temperature is detected.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising
a base unit communicating with the switching mechanism;
at least one application control device, each application control device communicating with the base unit;
each application control device electrically couple to at least one electronic control apparatus adapted to prevent the undesirable condition;
at least one notification control device, each notification control device communicating with the base unit; and
each notification control device electrically coupled to an electronic notification apparatus adapted to notify a user that the undesirable condition has been detected.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the switching mechanism is electrically connected with the base unit.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein the base unit communicates with the switching mechanism via a remote transmission unit, the remote transmission unit comprising:
a housing;
the switching mechanism;
at least one input adapted to electrically couple the at least one liquid detector to the switching mechanism;
a transmitter electrically coupled to the switching mechanism; and
wherein the transmitter is adapted to send a signal to the base unit upon receiving electrical current from the switching mechanism.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the signal comprises a rolling code signal, a billion code signal, a 9-pin DIP code signal, or a 12-pin DIP code signal.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the remote transmission unit further comprises battery test circuit adapted to test the at least one power source.
10. The system of claim 5, wherein the electronic control apparatus comprises an electronic valve.
11. The system of claim 5, wherein the electronic control apparatus comprises an appliance’s ONOFF switch.
12. The system of claim 11 where the appliance’s ONOFF switch further comprises a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) circuit.
13. The system of claim 5, wherein the notification control device comprises an autodialer adapted to communicate with the base unit, and wherein the electronic notification apparatus comprises a telephone adapted to communicate with a remote agent.
14. The system of claim 5, wherein
the electronic notification apparatus comprises a personal computer or a handheld computing device electrically coupled to the notification control device; and
the notification control device is adapted to instruct the electronic notification apparatus to transmit a text message to a remote agent, when the notification control device receives a signal from the base unit.
15. The system of claim 5, wherein the electronic notification apparatus is integrated with the base unit and comprises at least one apparatus selected from a group consisting of a light, a light-emitting diode, and an alarm.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein each switching component is adapted to be activated, when the switching component receives a voltage that exceeds a threshold voltage of the switching component.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the threshold voltage is zero volts.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein the threshold voltage is greater than zero volts.
19. A system for detecting an undesirable condition and manipulating at least one electronic device, the system comprising:
at least one liquid detector, each liquid detector comprising a cathode and an anode that are adapted to form a galvanic cell when the cathode and the anode both contact a polar liquid;
a switching mechanism electrically coupled to the at least one liquid detector, wherein the switching mechanism (i) is adapted to receive a positive voltage from the galvanic cell formed from the cathode and anode of the liquid detector, (ii) comprises at least one switching component adapted to allow electrical current from at least one power source to flow through the at least one switching component when the positive voltage is sufficient to activate the at least one switching component, and (iii) comprises a mechanism adapted to adjust a sensitivity of the switching mechanism.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein:
the at least one switching component includes:
a first-stage switching component having a first threshold voltage, the first-stage switching component electrically coupled to a first power source; and
a second-stage switching component having a second threshold voltage, the second-stage switching component electrically coupled to a second power source;
wherein the first-stage switching component is adapted to allow electrical current from the first power source to flow to the second-stage switching component, when the positive voltage meets or exceeds the first threshold voltage, and wherein the second-stage switching component is adapted to allow electrical current from the second power source to drive a load when a voltage corresponding to the electrical current received from the first power source meets or exceeds the second threshold voltage; and

the mechanism to adjust the sensitivity of the switching mechanism comprises a variable resistor electrically coupled to the first-stage switching component, the second-stage switching component, or a combination thereof.
21. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one switching component includes:
a first-stage switching component having a first threshold voltage, the first-stage switching component electrically coupled to a first power source and to a first input jack;
a second-stage switching component having a second threshold voltage different from the first threshold voltage, the second-stage switching component electrically coupled to a second power source and to a second input jack;
wherein the first-stage switching component is adapted to (i) receive the positive voltage when the liquid detector whose cathode and anode have formed a galvanic cell is coupled to the first input jack, and (ii) allow a first electrical current from the first power source to flow to the second-stage switching component when the positive voltage meets or exceeds the first threshold voltage; and
wherein the second-stage switching component is adapted to (i) allow a second electrical current from the second power source to drive a load, when the first electrical current received from the first power source meets or exceeds the second threshold voltage, and (ii) receive the positive voltage when the liquid detector whose cathode and anode have formed a galvanic cell is coupled to the second input jack, and allow a second electrical current from the second power source to drive a load when the positive voltage meets or exceeds the second threshold voltage.