Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether a subsequent sample is substantially identical to an initial sample in a near infrared quantitative analysis instrument. An initial sample is measured for a plurality of characteristics which include the ambient temperature of the analysis instrument at the time of reading, the temperature of the sample itself, the optical energy level of the sample, the moisture content of the sample, and the percent protein of the sample. These characteristics are stored in a computer to provide a series of comparison criteria. A subsequent sample is then measured for the same characteristics as the initial sample and these characteristics are compared to the comparison criteria to determine if the subsequent sample is substantially identical to the previous sample.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining whether a specific spatial relationship exists among physical spatial entities. First, spatially significant descriptors such as the interior and boundary of the physical spatial entities are selected and sets of elements forming a representation of each of the descriptors for each spatial entity is determined. Intersections are then determined between the sets of elements for every combination of descriptors and these intersections are categorized. The categorized relationships are then combined to determine a unique mathematical relationship between the spatial entities. The specific spatial relationship to be analyzed is broken down into the set of desired mathetmatical relationships.

Abstract: In a process for the ink control or regulation of a printing machine the actual color coordinates of measuring fields are compared with the desired color location. If the desired color location is found outside the correction color space defined by the boundary values of the full tone densities of the printing inks, as a substitute for the given desirable color locations, attainable desired color locations are determined on the surface of the correction color space by finding the point on the surface of the color correction space that is nearest to the given desired color location. The search for the nearest point may also be carried out in a manner such that the nearest point on the surface of the correction color space is sought in the direction of the brightness axis of the color space.

Abstract: An aid for design analysis of timing requirements of a computer operation by operating a computer system and identifying an optimized reduced set of requirements which is self consistent and which is minimally reduced from the original.

Abstract: In computer control of machine tools there is a need to measure the diameters of cylindrical workpieces automatically and preferably without touching the workpiece. For this purpose an inductive proximity sensor is mounted for circular or linear movement along a path adjacent to a cylindrical workpiece and in a plane normal to a radius of the workpiece. A discrete fast Fourier transform (FFT) is carried out on the output of the sensor as it moves along the path and the amplitude of the second ac component of the FFT is an indication of the workpiece diameter. By calibrating with workpieces of different diameters, the said amplitude can be used as a measure of workpiece diameter.

Abstract: A plan checking data processing system (10) has an input (12) for providing a development plan to be checked to the system in a form intelligible to the system (10). Memory (18) contains standards (22) against which the development plan is to be checked, also in a form intelligible to the system (10). A program (20) is used by processor (26) for evaluating the development plan according to the standards (22). An output (30) receives results of the evaluation.

Abstract: A hand-held, battery-powered harmonic distortion meter reduces the level of the AC power waveform of interest to a level compatible with the measurements to be performed, converts successive portions of the reduced waveform to digital representations in a multi-bit format for processing, stores a predetermined number of sequences of the digital representations, processes the stored sequences according to a fast Fourier transform algorithm using time decomposition with input bit reversal to produce intermediate calculations of the real and imaginary parts of the DC, fundamental frequency and harmonic components of the input waveform, further processes the intermediate calculations to obtain various parameters of the input waveform including magnitude of the harmonic components as a percentage of the fundamental frequency of the waveform, and selectively displays the final calculations according to switch selections on the face of the meter.

Abstract: A system for processing batch mail in which the need for on-site inspection is unnecessary. A mail sender purchases postage from a central station thereby authorizing him to send mail equal to the amount of postage purchased. The mail sender processes batches of mail each batch being accompanied by a statement summarizing the type and number of mail pieces sent and amount of postage for that batch. The statement contains data that allows mail payment verification.

Abstract: The present invention employs random electrostatic discharges to stress test electrical machinery, particularly digital computer systems running repetitive diagnostic programs. There is provided an interactive capability which allows the user to determine test duration either in terms of a fixed time or in terms of a specified confidence level, the latter case being one in which the system provides the user with an indication of the run time required. Significant improvements over deterministic "zapping" devices result.

Abstract: Auto-correlation techniques are employed to monitor railway care wheel bearings. Three successive bearing temperatures A, B and C are measured and those two temperatures that are the closest in value determined. The least of these is used as a reference to be multiplied by a constant and thereby define a limit value which when exceeded generates an alarm signal.

Abstract: A pavement inspection apparatus 10 is described for inspecting the condition of a full lane of pavement using a vehicle capable of traveling along the lane at normal traffic speeds, such as 55 miles per hour. The apparatus is capable of determing the elevational profile of the pavement and the size and shapes of surface distress features such as longitudinal cracks, transverse cracks, aligator cracks, design cracks, potholes and rutting. The apparatus 10 has two video array cameras 36 and 40 that project downward onto the pavement with overlapping fields of view for generating X-Y pixel data representing the intensities of reflected light from a full lane width of pavement as the vehicle moves over the pavement. The cameras 36 and 40 are mounted at acute angles with respect to each other to enable an elevational profile to be developed for the pavement from correlated pixel data from the two cameras.

Abstract: A support member extending outwardly from the surface of a bearing overlies a rotatable shaft supported by the bearing. The support member is spaced a preselected distance from the shaft, and a plurality of sensors for detecting displacement of the shaft extend from the support member toward the shaft. Each sensor is positioned on the support member a preselected distance from the surface of the bearing. A probe extends from each sensor to a fixed distance from the shaft. Control means are electrically connected to each sensor and receive signals proportional to the shaft dynamic displacement therefrom. In response to shaft displacement the sensors generate displacement signals which are converted by the control means to a readout representative of the dynamic force applied by the shaft to the bearing.

Abstract: An improved side lobe suppression circuit in a racon for determining frequency band edge. As the temperature varies, a temperature frequency calibration table receives a temperature measurement and determines which frequencies are out of band as the temperature varies. A microprocessor changes the threshold values in a ram in response to temperature changes to suppress out of band frequencies but to allow the transmission of in band frequencies above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for producing a periodic output signal having a predetermined period ratio (a/b) relative to a periodic input signal.Signals from a tachometer on a gearbox are received by a counter timer unit, the counter timer unit evaluates the number of clock pulses k.sup.o received from a clock within each period of the tacho signal. A control unit receives values of k.sup.o from the counter timer and employs an algorithm based on the following equation to calculate a count value n.sup.o to be loaded into a register for the next tacho period. ##EQU1## where dK represents k.sup.-1 -k.sup.o. An accumulator is connected via an adder to the register and at receipt of each clock pulse from the clock adds the count stored in register into the accumulator. An output is produced on line when the accumulator overflows.

Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus for manufacturing semiconductor elements has a control system for correcting changes in imaging characteristics with high precision on a real-time basis and for correcting imaging characteristics of a projecting lens on the basis of information associated with the history of light incident on the projection lens, wherein even if the history information of incident light is lost, due to a power failure, for example, or an error occurs in the information, correction control for the imaging characteristics can be restored with high precision.

Abstract: An arrangement for detecting bank notes having magnetic properties, comprising transport means (11) for transporting documents past a magnetic detector (12-14). The object of the invention is to increase the possibility and the reliability of distinguishing bank notes which are not genuine from genuine bank notes and bank notes of a given denomination/kind from bank notes of another denomination/kind.The detector includes a permanent magnet (12) and a magnetic circuit (13) having detector means (14) for detecting changes in the magnetic field through the magnetic circuit (13). The output side of the detecting means (14) is connected to a signal processing means (20) for generating signals in response to the magnetic properties of bank notes transported through the arrangement.The magnetic circuit (13) includes an air gap (131) which is located closely adjacent the bank note transport path (0--0).

Abstract: An adaptive link assignment scheme for dynamically changing communication node topologies such as satellite networks, fleets of ships or aircraft, etc. Periodically each node in the network transmits topology information to all the nodes in the network. Then each node determines the degree of connectivity of the network. It is preferred that the network be at least triconnected, and if the network is less than that each node determines what connections it can make to improve the network connectivity. If more than one alternative is available, a choice is made based on line of sight endurance and then on traffic delay. The identification of the selected connection is then broadcast to all the nodes in the network. Each node thus receives the proposed changes from all the network nodes, and each node then resolves conflicts between the broadcast selections and determines what change it should make. Finally, the changes are implemented.

Abstract: A three-dimensional measurement system for measuring stator half coils includes a sonic digitizer which makes measurements of the stator half coil. These measurements are provided to a computing apparatus which converts the measured points to corresponding surface points on the surface of the stator half coil and combines the surface points into a measured shape. The measured shape is displayed on a display unit overlayed on the designed shape of the stator half coil for visual comparison of the two shapes. Preferably, the display is in color with different colors used for edges of the measured and designed shapes.

Abstract: The present invention is a cycle monitoring system and method that acquires, logs and analyzes analog and/or digital signals from component sensors in a process control plant such as a nuclear power plant. The system continuously monitors the sensors and records steady-state and transient phenomena. Compression of the data is performed to reduce storage load. The compression ratio for transient data is driven by a threshold indicating a measurement signficant to stress determination. Transient data is retained at a higher sampling rate, so that the parameters of transient such as the maximum value can be determined for stress analysis. The stress analysis determines pressure and thermal stresses which are used to calculate a usage factor which indicates the stress age and thus the remaining life of a component. The system provides estimates of fatigue accumulation associated with selected locations of critical power plant components.

Abstract: A optically linked calculator system for displaying data generated by a local calculator at both the local calculator and at a detached display. The calculator system includes a plurality of transmitting calculators and receiving units. The receiving units include remote display receiving units and receiving calculators. Transmitting calculators transmit entered data and calculated results. Receiving units receive and display transmitted data entries and calculated results. A calculator includes a keyboard, keyboard logic, processing logic, display, display logic, transmit logic, infrared transmitter, switching means, infrared receiver receiver logic and converting logic. The switching means selectively enables components of the calculator for effecting a transmit mode, receive mode, and calculate mode. The remote receiver display unit includes an infrared receiver, data detection logic, processing logic, and a display.