Abstract: A method selects a storage system, performed by assigning values to preselected parameters relating to each storage system under review. Several performance factors are calculated, each performance factor being based upon one or more of the selected parameters. The performance factors are multiplied to derive a product which represents a single figure of merit.

Abstract: A microcomputer repetitively samples a signal representative of the instantaneous state of an electrical contact and initiates a count in response to the first sample which indicates a contact state different from a stored status of the contact. The microprocessor counts up for samples indicating an active state of the contact and down for inactive samples. If the count increases to a predetermined count representing a certain net count of active samples when the stored status is inactive, the stored status is changed to active. Similarly, the stored status is changed from active to inactive if the count decreases to a predetermined count representing a certain net count of inactive samples. The time of the first sample which indicates a contact state different from the stored status of the contact is stored as a temporary time. If the stored contact status is changed, the stored temporary time is saved as the valid time of the change in status.

Abstract: A defect detection system detects defective portions such as scratches, pinholes and dust on a pattern formed surface of a medium such as an optical card, optical disk, holographic memory medium or photomask, on which fine patterns are formed. A light source irradiates a controlled ray to a recording portion as an object of detection of the medium, a position regulating mechanisn contrasts a light receiving position of the recording portion, a reflected ray detector distinctively detects reflected rays from defective portions and normal portions of the medium and a reflected ray controller contacts the reflected rays in a manner that the detector can detect optical data by imaging only the reflected ray from a defective portion without the reflected ray from a normal portion.

Abstract: A distributed processing system includes a host and at least one connected work station. At the host there are included heuristic logic circuits which respond to information objects received at the host to determine the likelihood of use of each such object by the work station. Information objects likely to be used at the work station are voluntarily transmitted by the host to the work station prior to a request being made by the work station.

Abstract: Apparatus measures output parameters including torque, work, power, rpm and time for selected rotations of the user of a power-using device having a pedal-crank assembly. Torque vs. angular position values are input from rotating strain gauges and angular position sensors to a programmed microprocessor which stores and processes this data. An approximate-integration algorithm produces a value for work produced over a selected rotation. This work value is further divided by the time interval to produce a value for the instantaneous power being produced. With appropriate sensors, many forms of data for both right and left crank arms can be displayed and/or stored separately.

Abstract: A power saving arrangement for a microcomputer having a first clock signal operating at a predetermined frequency employs a reduced clock frequency to peripheral circuitry to limit power consumption during a disable or halt mode. A control circuit disables a clock signal provided to the microcomputer, while a clock divider divides the predetermined frequency to generate a reduced frequency signal upon which the peripheral circuitry may operate. After receiving an external wake-up signal, the peripheral circuitry interrupts the microcomputer in order to revert the microcomputer back to normal operation.

Abstract: A target tracking system tracks the position of a vehicle, such as a racing vehicle. An oscillator is positioned at the target to be tracked, and a transmitter is also positioned at the target for transmitting a signal generated by the oscillator. At least three translators receive the signal transmitted from the target and each retransmits the signal to a base receiving station. The base receiving station also receives the signal sent from the target and includes a comparator for comparing each of the signals received from the translator with the signal sent directly from the target. The output of the comparator provides an indication of the position of the target relative to the base receiving station.

Abstract: In a method and a system for analyzing spectral data including a spectrophotometer and a spectral detector, a data station receives first transmittance spectrum data points and has a file register containing second transmittance spectrum data points. The first and second transmittance data points are transformed respectively to set of first and second absorbance spectrum data points. The first and second absorbance points are band pass filtered at a characteristic frequency nominally associated with spectral bandwidth so as to produce respective sets of first and second filtered data points. A set of weighting factors are established, each corresponding to the square of the sum of a first transmittance point and a second transmittance point for a selected frequency.

Abstract: Apparatus creates an image on photographic film in which the light intensity of the light source for exposing the film is calibrated to a predetermined value by measuring the light intensity of the light exposure while varying the digital form of the drive signal for controlling the intensity. A successive approximation sequence is used until the intensity approximates the predetermined value.

Abstract: A method manages cable in a building structure that includes the capabilities of automatically routing the cable between two locations in the structure, displaying the cable route, providing alternate cable routes, reporting on the cable and components of the structure, and alerting the user when percent fill capacity of the cable run is exceeded. The method also maintains the service and status of any location in the cable run.

Abstract: A predetermined gradation of film transmittance levels, e.g. a gray scale, provided by a film exposure system is calibrated so as to consistently create an image on photographic film in accordance with the predetermined gradation of film transmittance levels. A light source is responsive to a drive signal, for generating light so that the exposure of different portions of the film to the light can be varied as a function of the drive signal so as to vary the resulting transmittance level of the portions of the film after the exposed portions of film are developed in order that the image can be formed on the film, and a sensing device senses the transmittance level of a developed portion of film exposed to at least one preselected value of light exposure and generates a transmittance level signal representative of the sensed transmittance level.

Abstract: A method of immunoassay for analyzing a bodily fluid for the presence of an analyte relies on observing substantially the entire course of a precipitin reaction from initiation to substantial completion of the precipitation, defining a mathematical function which represents the amount of precipitation versus time and contains constants which can be adjusted so that the function matches the observed precipitation versus time curve, and fitting the observed data to the mathematical function by adjusting the constants so that the mathematical function matches the observed precipitation versus time curve as closely as possible. Values for the maximum rate of precipitation and for the time interval from initiation of the precipitation to the time of maximum rate of precipitation are calculated from the mathematical function. A reference curve is generated using standard containing known concentrations of analyte according to conventional analytical procedures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a control parameter of a controlled device, such as the idle speed of an internal combustion engine, permits the setting of the control parameter in a tamper-proof manner. A control unit receives an adjustment value in the form of a compensation signal from an adjusting device, such as a potentiometer, during an adjustment mode and calculates a control value to control the parameter of the controlled device. When adjustment of the control parameter is complete, a normal mode is entered in which the calculated control value is stored in a non-volatile memory for use in controlling the controlled device, and the control unit ignores further signals received from the adjusting device.

Abstract: A type characteristic of a measurement transducer is stored in a type memory of an evaluator. Deviations of the type characteristic from the individual characteristic of the measurement transducer are defined by individual values which accompany the measurement transducer in a coding memory. A computer of the evaluator identifies the corresponding measured value for every electrical measured signal from the type characteristic and from the individual values.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting erroneous logic outputs due to metastable behavior in multistable devices (i.e. flip flops) includes a digitally programmable delay unit integrally formed on a common substrate with the multistable devices. Strong correlations between the operating characteristics of the programmable delay unit and the multistable devices may be established during tests for different temperatures, power supply settings and fabrication process variations. Such integration and the digital nature of the programmable delay unit enables repeatable test results and strengthens confidence in predictions that are derived from tests conducted to determine the mean time between failure that is to be expected from the multistable devices. In one embodiment, metastable devices of different design are integrally formed on the common substrate so that comparisons can be made among the metastable behaviors of the different designs.

Abstract: A method for generating the characteristics of a set of colors involves selecting at least two, and typically more reference colors. Each of the selected reference colors is described by a set of color characteristic data indicating the reflectance of each color at each of a set of predetermined wavelengths; and descriptions of the intermediate color samples are generated by computer the relative proportions of each base color which characterizes each intermediate color and calculating a reflectance value at each wavelength for the color to be generated proportionate to the reflectance values for each base color at the corresponding wavelength. A set of color samples is created as a result of the method for generating the characteristics of the colors and arranged in a geometry indicative of the method.

Abstract: A processor controlled supervisory apparatus for a liquid level controller of a feedwater heater obtains DCA characteristics and breakpoints thereof in a programmed manner. A plurality of DCA characteristics are obtained for a plurality of load conditions, and the breakpoints and other operating parameters are stored in a database correlating operation parameters with load conditions. Equations describing the relationship between the parameters and the load conditions are determined by the programmed processor and additional data points determined therefrom to provide load-responsive control for liquid level setpoint. A retrofitting apparatus retrofits the inventive supervisory control apparatus onto existing liquid level controllers.

Abstract: A drawframe is disclosed which has a plurality of sets of draw rolls and includes a provision for the early detection of imperfections in rotating elements in the drawframe. The separation of the pairs of rolls is monitored, and a signal representative of that separation is generated. The resulting signal is then processed so that only intolerable errors remain, and the major harmonic elements of the remaining signal are correlated with the rotational frequencies of the rotating elements of the drafting or drawing apparatus. Establishment of synchronism between significant harmonic components in the signal representative of the separation of the cooperating pair of rolls and the rotational frequency of a rotating element in the apparatus makes it possible to identify any unacceptable mechanical cause of error while the machine is still running.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to evaluate the performance of an implanted medication delivery device such as pumps and ports is described. In the case of a pump, the system measures ambient pressure and obtains two pressure measurements from the implanted device. One of these measurements is device reservoir pressure and the other is based on a disturbance pulse injected into the system at a point downstream of the reservoir. Based on those measurements and input calibration data, an expected flow rate is determined. The expected flow rate together with device refill data is in turn used to determine a normalized flow rate for the in-vivo device. Determinations are then made as to the performance of the reservoir, its pump and the condition of the outlet catheter without explant of the device. In the case of a port, the system measures the catheter resistance based on decay time of a disturbance pulse.

Abstract: A totalizer apparatus, used with belt scales and other flow rate measuring devices producing output signals subject to zero drift, maintains an auxiliary totalizer register during zeroing operations so that should zero flow conditions be interrupted during such an operation, a correct total can still be maintained. This enables autozeroing operations to be implemented, for which purpose a further auxiliary totalizer is used to test for an extended absence of flow before permitting initiation of an autozeroing operation. If a zeroing operation results in an apparently excessive zero correction, it is rejected and assumed that flow has restarted during the operation; the first auxiliary totalizer register is used to update a primary register.