Abstract: A computer-controlled device for determining relative yarn hairiness. Yarn is moved past a light source to create a yarn shadow, and an imaging device captures the yarn shadow. The imaging device includes a number of separate, closely-spaced light sensing elements, each with an output level related to the amount of light shining on the element. A selected sensing element output level is established as indicative that an element is blocked by the yarn. The width of a number of closely-spaced portions of the yarn is determined, at two different selected sensing elements output levels, to distinguish the yarn hairs from the yarn core.

Abstract: A medication dispensing and timing system includes a central monitoring computer which generates and sends an address-specific medication prompting message in accordance with a prescribed medication dispensing schedule over a two-way paging system to a communicator carried by a patient. The communicator includes receiver circuitry which responds to the prompt message to generate a display and audible alarm to alert the patient. Upon the patient acknowledging the message by actuating a switch on the communicator transmitter circuitry within the pager sends a reply message to the monitoring computer. In the event that a reply message is not received within a predetermined time period following the dispensing event, the computer initiates an alternative communication procedure which includes telephone calls to 1) the patient, 2) his doctor, 3) his care provider, or 4) an emergency contact.

Abstract: A source reduction analysis software in a paint application system to minimize paint usage. The differences in paint volumes per paint applicators' settings are identified. These settings include trigger point count settings, and/or pushout count settings, and/or fluid pressure settings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using a computer to collect chemical signals directly from a chemical sensor. This method first converts output signals received from the chemical sensor into digital signals by using a transforming circuit and an analog-to-digital converter in cooperation with a control computer program executed in the computer; transfers the digital signals to the computer and processes the digital signals in the computer in accordance with the type of the chemical sensor used.

Abstract: A plurality of sensor units are distributed over an area and communicate via a network with a central monitoring unit. The sensor units include sensor arrays that provide them with raw data in response to the presence of selected compounds in the ambient fluid. The raw sensor data is then processed to compute a local profile, which (a) illustrates a change in the compounds in the fluid from their normal state (change detection) , (b) indicates the presence and total concentration of foreign compounds in the fluid (presence detection), or (c) details the composition and concentrations of defined classes or individual species of compounds in the fluid (composition detection). The local profiles from the individual sensor units are then used to compute a spatial and temporal map for the compounds in the fluid.

Abstract: A portable self-contained data collection system for measuring and collecting vibration data from machines includes an accelerometer which is coupled to the analog input of a data acquisition card. The data acquisition card samples and digitizes the analog signal to produce a time domain digital signal. The data acquisition card output is coupled to a battery-powered portable computer. The battery-powered portable computer includes a database having machine identifications and associated measurement parameters. The portable computer processes the time domain digital signal according to the measurement parameters associated with a selected machine identification, and produces a frequency domain digital signal by performing a Fast Fourier Transform and other digital signal processing operations. The frequency domain signal is also analyzed in the portable computer to produce predictive maintenance information. A power supply for supplying power to the accelerometer is also included.

Abstract: An information processing system includes a modem communicating with a remote console through a telephone line, an information processing apparatus communicating with the remote console through the modem, a service processor, a power supply continuously supplying power to the modem and the service processor, a power supply supplying power to the information processing apparatus according to commands from the service processor, and a switch connecting the modem to the service processor or the information processing apparatus in accordance with a switching signal from the service processor. The service processor controls the switch to connect the modem to the service processor when the information processing apparatus power supply is in the off state.

Abstract: A system for issuing ID cards to which personal information data such as a personal identification number are written and verifying whether or not the information data are successfully written to the ID card. When the information data are confirmed to be unsuccessfully written to the ID card as the result of verification, the card is regarded as a faulty card, and an erase signal is automatically overwritten to the faulty card before discharging the card out of the system, so as to ensure absolute secrecy of the personal information.

Abstract: A monitor for an ac electrical system generates on-line a display presenting the values, either in magnitude or as a percent of the fundamental, of 50 harmonics of any of the currents and voltages in the system. The display also incudes the phase angle of each harmonic relative to a reference waveform, which is preferably phase A-B voltage or phase A to neutral voltage.

Abstract: Analysis of electromagnetics for an antenna analyzes a current on a conductor having a junction between a linear conductor and a planar conductor relying upon a moment method. A planar dipole segment 9 includes a planar monopole 91-2 in which the current flows in the same direction as the current flowing through part of a quadrangle 41-2-4 of a radial segment 41, and a planar monopole 91-1 in which the current flows in the same direction as the current flowing in a planar monopole 35-1 of a planar dipole segment 35. In the vicinity of the junction between the linear conductor and the planar conductor, currents are expressed that flow through the vicinity of the junction where three segments consisting of a radial segment and two planar dipole segments are overlapped one upon the other.

Abstract: The sensor array is positioned at a vantage point to detect and calibrate its reference frame to the external reference frame demarcated by light-emitting reference indicia. The sensor array encompasses a wide view calibration field and provides data indicating the spatial position of light sources placed within the calibration field. A tetrahedron framework with light-emitting diodes at the vertices serves as a portable reference target that is placed in front of the feature sensor to be calibrated. The sensor array reads and calibrates the position of the light-emitting diodes at the vertices while the structured light of the feature sensor is projected onto the framework of the reference target. The structured light intersects with and reflects from the reference target, providing the feature sensor with positional and orientation data. These data are correlated to map the coordinate system of the feature sensor to the coordinate system of the external reference frame.

Abstract: A shaking test system for testing a structure including a shaking device for shaking the structure, measuring devices mounted on the shaking device for shaking the structure, external signal input device for inputting data indicative of external force for shaking the structure, as well as other calculating arrangements. The shaking test system permits the setting of a large time interval of a shaking test by converting natural modes of vibration expressed by a second-order differential equation, namely second-order lag system of a vibration differential equation into a first-order lag system or (O)th order lag system for short period mode.

Abstract: A method and system for filtering a noisy input comprised of an information signal and a noise signal. No prior time domain value information or frequency domain parameter information on the information signal or noise signal is available. A whitening filter renders the noise part of a noise signal into a substantially white noise signal. A fourier transform system provides an amplitude spectrum output and a phase output. A multiplier squares the amplitude spectrum output thus providing a power spectrum output. A zero mean sub-system generates a zero mean power spectrum output from the power spectrum output. A square root sub-system squares the zero mean power spectrum output thus providing a resultant output. An inverse Fourier transform sub-system inversely transforms the resultant output to provide a time domain resultant output. An inverse whitening filter provides a substantially noise free output from the time domain resultant output.

Abstract: Digital circuitry (11) in a data processing system (10) includes parallel signature analysis circuitry (49, 49A) having a sampling feature (51, 53, 89) which permits sampling any given signal on all clock phases of the digital circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the force-displacement diagram of pairs of punches in a rotary pelleting machine involving measuring and storing the course of compression of punch pairs for each individual angle step, storing said data and preparing a correction table in a computer which is compared to the theoretical values of displacement.

Abstract: A transfer switch system includes a controller which sends separately timed restart signals over a communications network to an addressable relay associated with each load in order to sequentially restart the loads following a transfer. When the loads are elevators, the controller sends a prepare to transfer signal to each elevator through the associated addressable relay directing the elevator to park at a floor with its doors open and delays making a discretionary transfer until all elevators send a reply message over the network that they are appropriately parked. A message from the utility directing a reduction in use of their power can be sent to the controller over the communications network through an additional remote station. The controller can then transfer to the alternate power source and/or send messages to selected loads to shut down.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the dynamic characterisation of a cyclical process. Values of a dependent output variable and of a plurality of cyclically varying independent input variables of the process are monitored and the maximum and minimum values of the dependent output variable of the process in each of a plurality of successive cycles are detected and stored together with values of the independent variables at which the maxima and minima occurred. These values are normalised and subsequently used to synthesise dynamic characterisation descriptors which are applied to the input variables to simulate the process.

Abstract: An automatic VNA calibration apparatus is described which requires only a single connection at each of two test ports on a VNA and the pressing of one button. The apparatus comprises a housing for housing electrical components and a multi-throw switch which is controlled by a controller coupled to the housing. The switch is switched between a plurality of positions for coupling to the VNA a series of different calibration and verification components. The components need not be "perfect" standards so long as their values, including the phase shifts which they provide, are accurately measured.

Abstract: Aircraft cabin noise and engine vibration are monitored at selected cabin and engine locations (51a/51b), respectively. An optimizing equation uses aircraft cabin noise information to separately determine for each engine a balance solution (60) that minimizes aircraft cabin noise at the selected cabin locations over the engine RPM range of interest. Next, the balance solutions are used to predict the engine vibration levels (63) that will be produced if the balanced solution is implemented. Then a test (65) is made to determine if the predicted engine vibration levels are acceptable, i.e., below a predetermined level. If acceptable, the balance solutions are used to select balance weights suitable for the engines being balanced (66) and the result displayed (67) for implementation by engine maintenance personnel. If the predicted vibration level is unacceptable, a new balance solution is determined for each engine (68) using the optimizing equation constrained by the allowable vibration level.

Abstract: A video security surveillance system comprises a backup video switching control unit connected in tandem with a primary video switching control unit. A backup controller monitors operation of the primary switching control unit and automatically effects transfer of control of the video security system to the backup switching control unit upon detection of a failure condition of the primary switching control unit. During normal operation, the backup switching control unit is continuously updated with the same configuration parameters as the primary switching control unit so that in the event of a failure condition requiring a transfer to the backup switching control unit, the transfer of control is effected wherein the backup switching control unit operates in accordance with the same configuration data as the primary switching control unit prior to the failure condition.