Abstract: A torsional vibration measuring instrument which can be placed in a narrow space to measure the torsional vibration of a rotated object, is portable, avoids the possibility of occurrence of unrecorded data, stores recorded data in a detachable storage means, can be attached to a portable data analyzing/processing device, and can transmit the analyzed data. A portable torsional vibration measuring instrument (data logger) has a display means which can display at least the rotational speed and the torsional amplitude and a storage means in which recorded data are stored and which is detachably attached to the casing of the instrument. By attaching the storage means to a portable data analyzing/processing device (notebook personal computer), frequency analysis can be carried out and the recorded data stored in the storage means can be transmitted.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an instrumentation system, wherein the present invention includes an improved instrument driver software architecture. The instrument driver software architecture of the present invention provides a number of features, including improved simulation features. The system may comprise a computer system comprising a CPU and memory. The memory of the computer system may store a user application, a class driver, and a class simulation driver. The user application is operable to perform an application using an instrument, wherein the instrument is of a first class. The class driver is operable to receive calls from the user application, wherein the class driver is common to a plurality of instruments of the first class. The class driver may then call a class simulation driver, wherein the class simulation driver is operable to simulate operation of the instrument.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for taking the data generated from an array of responses from a multichannel instrument, and determining the characteristics of a chemical in the sample without the necessity of calibrating or training the instrument with known samples containing the same chemical. The characteristics determined by the method are then used to classify and identify the chemical in the sample. The method can also be used to quantify the concentration of the chemical in the sample.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an instrumentation system, wherein the present invention includes an improved instrument driver software architecture. The instrument driver software architecture of the present invention provides a number of features, including instrument interchangeability, i.e., the use of interchangeable virtual instruments or interchangeable instrument drivers, improved performance, an improved attribute model, improved range checking, and improved simulation features, among others.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically collecting and for analyzing information about time and work performed on a computer includes a hardware abstraction layer for monitoring activity on various user input devices. The system also includes the following elements: a data collector for monitoring certain portions of a user's computer activity and for logging into a log file those certain portions of a user's computer activity; a data analyzer for determining by following user-defined rules showing which portions of those certain portions of a user's computer activity constitutes continuous work activities, and how this work should be categorized by project and task with project; and an external interface for building the rules defining work. The data collector includes a resident module, such as a TSR (terminate-and-stay-resident) module, which extends the file system of the computer so that detailed records are kept of file activities.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flowmeter using ultrasonic pulses transmitted within a pipe containing flowing fluid determines values, including flow rate or fluid velocity of the flowing fluid. The ultrasonic flowmeter transmits trains of ultrasonic pulses having velocity components either in the upstream or downstream direction. The ultrasonic flowmeter includes the transducer placed downstream external to the pipe and a transducer placed upstream external to the pipe. Time measurements are made to determine a time, TU, required for a pulse train to travel from the downstream transducer to the upstream transducer and the time, TD, required for a pulse train to travel from the upstream transducer to the downstream transducer. The ultrasonic flowmeter is configured to have consistent triggering of the pulses of the pulse train to reduce error. Also, the electronics are simplified to allow for lower timing resolution requirements.

Abstract: A system for monitoring near-instantaneous system parameters of electrical energy having at least one phase provided to an energy meter via a service type comprises a memory for storing reference information reflective of different service types, a digital signal processor for measuring characteristics of the electrical energy, and a microcontroller for retrieving the reference information from the memory and determining the near-instantaneous system parameters responsive to the reference information for the service type and the measured characteristics. The characteristics are derived from phase voltage and phase current, and are measured for a predetermined amount of time, such as a number of line cycles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to communication with remote crop characteristic sensors and verification of data transmitted therefrom. Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and apparatus for transmitting calibration data directly to a remote crop characteristic sensor and calibrating the remote sensor such that its measurements reflect accurate crop characteristics. Also comprised in embodiments of the present invention are systems, methods and apparatus for verifying remote crop sensor output. Some of these methods comprise transmitting from remote sensors crop characteristic data combined with calibration data identification so that a party can verify that the correct calibration data was used by the sensor while making the crop characteristic measurements.

Abstract: A system for measuring differences in a physical variable, such as temperature, by utilizing predictable behavior in the relative time drift of offset curves for various circuit elements, including two sensors connected to a difference signal amplifier, an ambient condition amplifier, and an analog to digital converter. In an initial calibration mode, the system records several offset curves, stored in memory, correlating ambient condition measurements to offset measurements acquired from the ambient condition amplifier and the difference signal amplifier. Offset curves recorded in the initial calibration mode, correlating ambient condition measurements to measurements from the difference signal amplifier, include one curve recorded with both inputs of the difference signal amplifier held at equal potential and another curve recorded with both sensors held at the same value of the physical variable, over a given ambient condition range.

Abstract: A correction method for an electronic instrument accessory probe utilizes an error correction equation wherein at least one term contains an exponent less than unity. One simple such equation is: S=Cs2+Bs+A+b|s|x (where 0<x<1), but additional terms may be added, either with integer exponents greater than 2, or with other fractional exponents less than one. In the most simple embodiment, there are only four coefficients and the only term with a fractional exponent has an exponent of ½ (i.e., x=0.5). A second set of coefficients may be needed for the correction of negative values.

Abstract: A method is provided for invoking condition monitoring among a plurality of machines, comprising establishing a network of automated local experts at generally fixed locations and interconnected by at least one network connection, configuring each of the local experts to receive vibration data from at least one of the plurality of machines which is located in relative physical proximity thereto and configuring each of the local experts to analyze the received vibration data and to diagnose a condition of the machine providing the received vibration data based on the received vibration, and configuring each of the local experts to transmit diagnostic information relating to the condition of the respective machines via the at least one network connection.

Abstract: An apparatus automatically estimates the effect of processing steps of procedures in parallel by computer. The apparatus collects SMF (system management function) records from an SMF data set that is in a magnetic disk, analyzes the SMF records, calculates series-processing time for processing the steps of the procedures in series, estimates, from the SMF records, time reduction produced by processing the steps of the procedures in parallel, and subtracts the time reduction from the series-processing time, to estimate parallel-processing time for processing the steps of the procedures in parallel.

Abstract: An electronic circuit dynamically compensates a sensor output signal subject to varying conditions. In particular, the circuitry dynamically determines the DC offset level of an incoming sensor analog output signal. The DC amplitude or offset level varies as a result of changing conditions, such as speed, airgap, alignment and temperature. The circuitry compares the DC offset level with the original sensor analog output signal by way of a comparator to provide a digital output signal with a zero DC offset, which compensates for the varying conditions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a test procedure for measuring the speed of individual objects, in which the test objects (5) are recorded one after another by three sensors (1, 2, 3) arranged on the trajectory. The time that the test object takes to go the distance from the first sensor (1) to the second sensor (2) is determined by means of a time-interval measuring device controlled by the sensors through the test signals (11a, 11b). The test signal outcome (11b) occurring at the second sensor (2) is stored and, during the recording of the test object through the third sensor (3), cross-correlated with the test signal outcome (11c) occurring at this occasion, whereby a corrected value results through the proposed assessment procedure in real time for the first-recorded time test value, which greatly reduces its test error.

Abstract: An impedance spectroscopy system characterizes the rheologic and thixotropic properties of solder paste and residues by measuring its impedance at various frequencies. The impedance spectroscopy system provides voltage and current inputs to a sample at various frequencies and measures the resulting impedance. The impedance spectroscopy system stores equivalent circuit parameters for multiple solder pastes and residues, controls the voltage and current inputs to the sample, displays measurement data in real-time, displays results, and notifies the operator if results exceed preset limits.

Abstract: Methods of controlling manufacturing processes manufacturing, for example, absorbent articles. A target parameter to be measured is established, as are acceptable conditions of the target parameter. The target parameter is detected with first and second replications of determinations of the condition of the goods using multiple independent determinors, for example multiple sensors, or multiple replications using a common determinator, for example software instructions for analyzing a full digital vision image. Multiple determinations are taken at sites which are selected for their prospects for indicating acceptable conditions of the parameter. The method includes developing a measurement strategy, programming a computer to use appropriate analysis tools to evaluate the determination signals, transmitting the signals to the computer, and processing the signals according to an appropriate method.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an instrumentation system, wherein the present invention includes an improved instrument driver software architecture. The instrument driver software architecture of the present invention provides a number of features, including instrument interchangeability, i.e., the use of interchangeable virtual instruments or interchangeable instrument drivers, improved performance, an improved attribute model, improved range checking, and improved simulation features, among others.

Abstract: A system to diagnose potential malfunctions in semiconductor manufacturing equipment components, this system includes a transducer to monitor component vibration signatures of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment components. This transducer provides an output signal representative of the component vibration signature to an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit contains a transmitter which transmits via a carrier signal, a data signal representative of the output signal of the transducer. A computer system receives and stores the data signal. The computer system contains a software application to analyze the data signal and alert a user to differences between the data signal and a historical signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus capable of generating and executing large numbers of functional tests for complex digital electronic systems at low cost are presented. The apparatus includes a test generator which uses a decision tree representation of a verification space, derived from a functional specification of the digital electronic system, to generate functional tests. A decision tree representation of a verification space includes an initial goal node, a leaf goal node, and at least one intermediate goal node interconnected by a plurality of directed decision arcs formed between the initial goal node and the leaf goal node. Goal plans assigned to goal nodes include operations which generate functional tests. Functional tests are generated by recursively “walking” the decision tree, the choices of which goal node to visit next being made at random and according to decision weights assigned to each goal node.

Abstract: Statistical methods of partial discharge analysis utilizing histogram similarity measures are provided by quality assessment and condition monitoring methods of evaluating high voltage electrical insulation. The quality assessment method is utilized to evaluate the quality of insulation within the electrical equipment. The condition monitoring method is utilized during normal operation of the equipment to identify degradation in the insulation and to predict catastrophic insulation failures.