Abstract: A production management system 1 includes a production line 2, a plurality of image-taking components 22 and a communications line 5. The production line 2 includes a combination weigher 2a and a bagger 2b. The communications line 5 is capable of distributing operating conditions from the combination weigher 2a and the bagger 2b. The plurality of image-taking components 22 are provided at the combination weigher 2a and the bagger 2b respectively, and are used for checking operating conditions. The communications line 5 is capable of distributing image information from the plurality of image-taking components 22. The present invention provides at low cost a production management system having a production line that includes a combination weigher and a bagger and is capable of using image information for monitoring.

Abstract: A method for monitoring processes includes identifying process variables in a process space as operating values, carrying out a measurement of actual values of the operating values, presetting or measuring actual values of at least one operating parameter that influences these operating values, assessing operating values as a function of the operating parameters, and generating a map of the process space by allocating at least one subset of points of the process space to at least two classes which represent a measure of the risk of the operating state of the printing machine. An apparatus for implementing the above-described method has at least one diagnostic apparatus, an input unit, a machine control unit and a display apparatus. The apparatus also has a cartography unit which provides a map of the process space of the operating values as a function of the operating parameters.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for updating a historian with data captured by a process variable transmitter, in which the process variable transmitter incorporates the data into an electronic mail message and a historian host receives the electronic mail message, extracts the data and incorporates it into the historian. The system includes a process variable transmitter configured as an electronic mail client, and includes a remote historian.

Abstract: A measurement system for analyzing data values that are stored in memory and that represent a sampled electrical signal under analysis (SUA). Each of the data values represents the SUA at respective points in time over a time interval during which the SUA was sampled. The stored data values constitute a main data record. The system includes processing logic that is configured to generate at least a first reduced data record from the main data record. The first reduced data record comprises a subset of the data values of the main data record. The first reduced data record is processed by the processing logic to locate an edge (i.e., a voltage transition) in the first reduced data record. Thus, it is not necessary that the main data record, which is more voluminous than the first reduced data record, be used to locate the edge.

Abstract: A method comprises: sampling a current waveform of an induction machine to obtain sampled points; characterizing the sampled current over a selected first time window to obtain characterized points; subtracting the characterized points from respective sampled points to obtain a residual signal comprising residual points; obtaining a frequency spectrum representative of the residual signal over a selected second time window; and identifying a rotor bar pass frequency from the frequency spectrum. The method is typically carried out by a system comprising a computer, a computer-readable medium, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: In a machine for monitoring an instrumented process or for analyzing one or more signals, an empirical modeling module for modeling non-linearly and linearly correlated signal inputs using a non-linear angular similarity function with variable sensitivity across the range of a signal input. A different angle-based similarity function can be chosen for different inputs for improved sensitivity particular to the behavior of that input. Sections of interest within a range of a signal input can be lensed for particular sensitivity.

Abstract: A method of detecting errors in air data sensing systems having multi-function probes being used in combinations to define probe systems includes a step (A) of, for each probe system, making a first prediction of an aircraft parameter as a function of local angles of attack at two member probes of the particular system, and making a second prediction of the aircraft parameter as a function of local pressure ratios at the two member probes of the particular system. A step (B) is performed in which, for each of the probe systems, the first and second predictions of the aircraft parameter are compared to determine whether the first and second predictions are within a predetermined threshold of each other. Then, a step (C) is performed in which, for each of the probe systems, if the first and second predictions of the aircraft parameter are not within the predetermined threshold of each other, then the particular probe system is identified as having a malfunctioning member probe.

Abstract: A CPU of an effector calculates envelopes of an impulse response waveform from sample data of impulse response waveform data supplied from a microphone via an A/D converter circuit. Next, CPU detects a section during which a slope of the detected envelopes takes a value near “0” during a predetermined time or longer. CPU calculates an average value of sample data during the detected section to correct a DC offset. Thereafter, CPU acquires a maximum value of absolute values among the sample data during the detected section, and determines this maximum value as a background noise component value. The background noise components are removed from each sample data constituting the impulse response waveform data.

Abstract: The inventive method assesses the stability of an electric power transmission network, where said network comprises a plurality of substations, buses and lines, and a system protection center (8). It comprises the steps of 1. measuring phasor data (9) for voltages and currents at a plurality of locations of the network, 2. transmitting said phasor data (9) to said system protection center (8), 3. transmitting information (5) regarding the state of switches of at least one substation to the system protection center (8), and 4. the system protection center (8) determining at least one stability margin value of the transmission network. In this way, detailed real-time information about the state of the network is collected at a system level of the network, allowing a corresponding global analysis of the information. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system protection center determines one or more control commands (6), based on the phasor data (9) and on the state of switches.

Abstract: A method for identifying faulty wafers includes processing a set of wafers in a tool; collecting tool state information during the processing of the set of wafers; generating a tool state information baseline; comparing the tool state information for each wafer to the tool state information baseline to identify any wafers with outlying tool state information; and designating a particular wafer in the set as suspect in response to identifying outlying tool state information for the particular wafer. A processing line includes a tool adapted to process a set of wafers, and a process controller.

Abstract: In a sliding mode control system to feedback control a control object amount to a target value by calculating an operation amount based on a non-linear term calculated corresponding to a switching function and a linear term, an abnormality judgment signal is output when an operation amount by the non-linear term does not change within a predetermined time from when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the target value has changed.

Abstract: A method is shown of predicting failure of resistive element heaters using a compiled database of measured ratiometric factors affecting heater life. The method can either be carried out actively, by continuously measuring known factors affecting heater life and decrementing a count of the remaining heater life, or the method may be carried out passively by estimating the operating profile and the averages within each segment of the profile, of the factors affecting heater life.

Abstract: A device for identification of an external start is fitted in a vehicle which has an electrical on-board power supply system (14) fed with an on-board power supply system voltage of about 12.5 V via a vehicle battery (10). A negative pole (11) of the battery (10) is connected to a vehicle earth (15). A monitoring unit (13) is arranged between a positive pole (12) of the battery (10) and the on-board power supply system (14). A conventional voltage sensor (20) for detection of the on-board power supply system voltage, a similarly conventional current sensor (21) for detection of the current flowing out of the battery, and a conventional temperature sensor (22) for detection of the operating temperature of the battery (10) are provided in the monitoring unit (13). The main measurement variable is the on-board power supply system voltage; the battery current and the battery temperature represent auxiliary measurement variables in a monitoring algorithm.

Abstract: A system and technique for detecting a device that requires power is implemented with a power detection station. The power detection system includes a detector having an output and a return which are coupled together by the device when the device requires power. The detector includes a word generator for generating test pulses for transmission to the device via the detector output, and a comparator for comparing the detector output with the detector return. The power detection station has a wide variety of applications, including by way of example, a switch or hub.

Abstract: A self-contained safety and security system and method that performs the multiple functions of theft deterrence, battery saving, battery analysis system, accident protection, and telemetry and control data communication for vehicles is disclosed. The electronically-based system for a vehicle having an existing power transmission circuit including a battery that can be readily installed and made operational by an individual having no special training using common household tools. The system requires the installation of no dedicated wiring in the vehicle. Furthermore, the system preferably installs without any cutting or splicing of the wiring in the vehicle's electrical system. The system preferably includes an electrical activity sensor sensing electrical activity on the power transmission circuit, a motion sensor sensing vibration associated with the vehicle, a battery-disconnect switch, and a controller to receive signals from the electrical activity and motion sensors and control the switch.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a malfunction of a slave power supply and triggering an interlock signal in response to the detection of the malfunction. The method for activating an interlock signal on detecting a malfunction of a slave power supply, includes receiving first and second inputs. In one embodiment, the first input received represents status of a set point, and the second input represents output power. On receiving the inputs the method determines that the slave power supply system has malfunctioned when the received inputs substantially mismatch. In response to the determination of the malfunction, an interlock signal is activated. In one embodiment, the system to implement the method includes a processing unit, memory coupled to the processing unit and a program included in the memory, where the program is executable to implement the method.

Abstract: An attitude indicator device for detecting, indicating, and/or logging the positional attitude of an individual in response to deviation from a set of one or more reference angles. By way of example and not of limitation, the device is mounted on the thigh of a patient and measurements are taken from an acceleration sensor within the device. The acceleration measurements are communicated to a receiver when the measurements deviate from acceptable thresholds, whereby the receiver indicates an alert condition. The device may be employed within numerous medical related applications, for example, to facilitate preventing patient egress and the prevention/detection of patient falls.

Abstract: With an object of separately and preferably forming a water image and a fat image even when there are present a plurality of independent signal regions in a complex number image taken by utilizing magnetic resonance, a complex number image is taken by utilizing magnetic resonance to provide a phase difference between water and fat (J1), phases are respectively corrected in respective signal regions a plurality of which are present independently in the complex number image (J3), phase shifts among the respective signal regions are corrected (J4) and a water image and a fat image are separately formed from the complex number image by utilizing a phase difference between water and fat (J5).

Abstract: The waveform signal analyzer of the present invention is equipped with: input means 10 that inputs a waveform signals; period detection means 20 that detects the period of the waveform signals inputted by input means 10; and division means 30 that divides the waveform signals by the period detected by period detection means 20. Wavelet transformation means 40 performs wavelet transformation of each individual division of the waveform signals. Display means 50 consecutively displays in time series the wavelet transformation results of each individual division of the waveform signals.

Abstract: A device and method for determining a roadway gradient quantity, which describes the gradient of a roadway on which a vehicle is situated, is described. The device includes a liquid container, which is mounted to the vehicle and contains a liquid, at least one pressure sensor, which is mounted in the bottom of the liquid container and is used to ascertain a pressure quantity which describes the hydrostatic pressure in the liquid container, and an evaluation unit to which the pressure sensor is connected. In the evaluation unit, the roadway gradient quantity is determined as a function of the pressure quantity.