Abstract: A method for estimating values assumed at a certain instant of each period by currents flowing respectively in two distinct windings of a poly-phase load controlled in a space vector modulation (SVM) mode, using a same measuring device, may include coupling the measuring device to the first winding and measuring a current flowing therethrough with an anticipation from the certain instant smaller than or equal to an SVM half-period. The method may also include coupling the measuring device to the second winding, measuring a current flowing therethrough at the certain instant, coupling the measuring device to the first winding, and measuring a current flowing therethrough with a delay equal to the anticipation. The method may also include estimating a value assumed at the certain instant by the current flowing through the first winding based upon the two measured values with the anticipation and with the delay respectively.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced accuracy in cable diagnostics of cable length. Conventional cable diagnostics such as time domain reflectometry can be used to determine cable length. This conventional technique can have accuracy limitations in certain situation such as with perfectly terminated cable. A cable length can also be determined through the use of link delay measurements that are based on clock synchronization between nodes in a network. Notwithstanding the accuracy issues of these link delay measurements, overall accuracy can be increased through the combination of the two cable length delay measurements into a final estimate.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a condition and an operation of a periodically moving object is provided. Herein a synchronized time average is calculated for a measurement signal, the signal containing periodical variations and obtained from the object response. In general, a frequency response is determined based on the periodical variations of the measurement signal. A signal component representing the determined frequency response is filtered from the measurement signal. The filtered signal is used as a synchronizing signal. A synchronized time average of sequences, determined by dividing the measurement signal by the synchronizing signal, is calculated.

Abstract: A circuit and a method for detecting noise events in a system with time variable operating points is provided. A switched capacitor filter comprising a plurality of capacitor units, samples a first voltage to determine an average of a set of voltage measurements, forming an average voltage. A filter control unit controls the plurality of capacitor units in the switched capacitor filter. A comparing unit compares the average voltage to the first voltage to form a comparison. A signaling unit generates a signal to instruct circuits in a processor to initiate actions to keep the first voltage from drooping below a threshold level in response to the comparison.

Abstract: The invention relates to the automatic rendering of a lighting scene with a lighting system, particularly the control of the rendering. A basic idea of the invention is to improve rendering of a lighting scene by automatically compensating interference, such as an alien light source or a dynamic perturbing event of a rendered lighting scene. An embodiment of the invention provides a light control system (10) for automatically rendering a lighting scene with a lighting system, wherein the light control (10) system is adapted for monitoring the rendered lighting scene for the occurrence of interference (14, 20, 22, 24) and automatically reconfiguring the lighting system such that a monitored occurrence of an interference is compensated (16, 18, 12). As result, the invention allows to prevent dynamic disturbances or unforeseen events, for example caused by faulty or alien light sources, from distorting the rendering of an intended lighting scene.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing the quality of a reagent solution may comprise a reagent solution source for supplying the reagent solution to an emissions catalyst of an internal combustion engine. Means may be provided for determining a quality value corresponding to the quality of the reagent solution. A first filter may receive the quality value and produce a first filtered quality value, and a first comparator may compare the filtered quality value to a threshold and produce a fault value if the first filtered quality value crosses the threshold. Alternatively or additionally, a second filter may receive the quality value and produce a second filtered quality value. A second comparator may compare a difference between the first and second filtered quality values to another threshold and produce another fault value if the difference crosses that threshold.

Abstract: A system for measuring signals received by an apparatus. An antenna system in the apparatus may include two or more antennas. A receiver in the apparatus may be configured to measure signal response induced in the antenna system in accordance with a pattern. After the signal response for the antenna system is measured at least once, the pattern may be altered and the signal response for the antenna system may be measured again in accordance with the altered pattern. The signal response in the antenna system measured for the pattern may then be averaged with the signal response in the antenna system measured for the altered pattern, and the average may be utilized as input to, for example, a directional determination process.

Abstract: A method of estimating a change of a variable over a measurement window, including the steps of taking multiple samples of the variable during the measurement window, defining a weight to be associated with each sample, the weight varying as a function of position of the sample within the measurement window, processing the samples taking account of their weight to form an estimate of the change in the variable.

Abstract: A method of tuning an ion beam in an ion implanter relative to, e.g., ion beam current, energy, size and shape, includes retrieving a set of parameters associated with operation of the ion implanter, at least some of which are stored in a dynamic database, configuring the ion implanter according to the retrieved set of parameters, to thereby provide an ion beam, optimizing the ion beam by varying one or more of the parameters, and updating the parameters stored in the dynamic database which changed during optimization.

Abstract: An apparatus or method can be configured to receive information indicative of respiratory air temperature of a subject from a respiratory air temperature piezoelectric film sensor and information indicative of respiratory air pressure of the subject from a respiratory air pressure piezoelectric film sensor, and to simultaneously process the received respiratory air temperature information and the received respiratory air pressure information to produce a first electronic signal output indicative of respiratory air temperature and a second electronic signal output indicative of respiratory air pressure.

Abstract: In a method of measuring cumulative polarization mode dispersion (PMD) along the length of a fiber-under-test (FUT), a polarization-sensitive optical time domain reflectometer (POTDR) is used to inject into the FUT plural series of light pulses arranged in several groups. Each group comprises at least two series of light pulses having different but closely-spaced wavelengths and the same state of polarization (SOP). At least two, and preferably a large number of such groups, are injected and corresponding OTDR traces obtained for each series of light pulses by averaging the impulse-response signals of the several series of light pulses in the group. The process is repeated for a large number of groups having different wavelengths and/or SOPs. The PMD then is obtained by normalizing the OTDR traces of all of the groups, then computing the difference between each normalized OTDR trace in one group and the corresponding normalized OTDR trace in another group, followed by the mean-square value of the differences.

Abstract: An electric field sensor or a magnetic field sensor includes an optical fiber and an electro-optic layer or a magneto-optic layer. The electro-optic layer or a magneto-optic layer is provided on an end surface of an end portion of the optical fiber. The end surface of the optical fiber is a convex shape. The optical fiber may have the end portion with a shape of a substantial cone formed by extending the end portion, and the electro-optic layer or the magneto-optic layer may be formed on a side surface of a front end of the substantial cone. A dielectric layer may be further included between the optic layer and the end surface.

Abstract: A sense signal outputted from a sensor element and a reference voltage having a constant voltage level are selectively inputted to an amplifier, and amplified signals thereof are sequentially outputted as A/D-converted data by an A/D converter. An average of a predetermined number of A/D-converted data corresponding to the reference voltage is calculated, and a correction value is obtained by subtracting the average from one of the A/D-converted data corresponding to the reference voltage. Corrected data is obtained by subtracting the correction value from each A/D-converted data corresponding to the sense signal outputted from the sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for high-confidence utilization of datasets are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a metric for determining substantially optimal combination of true positives and false positives in a data set, applying an optimization technique, and obtaining, from the results of the optimization technique, a value for at least one optimization parameter, the value for at least one optimization parameter resulting in substantially optimal combination of true positives and false positives. A number of true positives and a number of false positives are a function of the one or more optimization parameters.

Abstract: A method for determining the thermal efficiency of a heat sink for an electrical component includes determining an estimated temperature of the heat sink, determining an actual temperature of the heat sink, and determining a thermal efficiency of the heat sink based on a comparison of the estimated temperature of the heat sink to the actual temperature of the heat sink. A related diagnostic system is provided.

Abstract: A method for processing sensor data which are transmitted by at least one asynchronous sensor at a transfer rate, the sensor data being read at a predefined sampling rate, a mean value being computed from a predefined number of read sensor data, wherein the sampling ratio between the sampling rate and transfer rate is estimated for averaging, the number of transmitted data values and the number of sampling pulses within a predefined time span being ascertained and correlated to each other for estimating the sampling ratio.

Abstract: A method for estimating a state associated with a process includes receiving a state observation associated with the process. The state observation has an associated process time. A weighting factor to discount the state observation is generated based on the process time. A state estimate is generated based on the discounted state observation. A system includes a process tool, a metrology tool, and a process controller. The process tool is operable to perform a process in accordance with an operating recipe. The metrology tool is operable to generate a state observation associated with the process. The process controller is operable to receive the state observation, the state observation having an associated process time, generate a weighting factor to discount the state observation based on the process time, generate a state estimate based on the discounted state observation, and determine at least one parameter of the operating recipe based on the state estimate.

Abstract: A method for processing sensor data which are transmitted by at least one asynchronous sensor at a transfer rate into a buffer memory, the sensor data being read from the buffer memory at a predefined sampling rate, and a mean value being computed from a predefined number of read sensor data. The transfer rate to sampling rate ratio is selected in such a way that the number of sensor data averaged within a sampling period is n or (n+1), the mean values of the read sensor data being computed using a fixed synchronized phase shift with respect to the sampling rate, which is determined in averaging (n+1) sensor data, n being a natural number greater than or equal to two.

Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a system comprises at least one computer system having a Basic Input/Output System (“BIOS”). The system further comprises means for collecting, via the BIOS, data about usage of at least one hardware component of the at least one computer system. According to at least one embodiment, a method comprises harvesting, from each of a plurality of computer systems, logged data regarding usage of hardware components of the computer systems. The method further comprises generating usage profile for the plurality of computer systems based at least in part on the harvested logged data.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for determining the state of a body, a number n of measured values {right arrow over (x)}i of a state of the body with i=1, . . . , n are measured and recorded, the measured values {right arrow over (x)}i representing points in the k-dimensional space. The measured values {right arrow over (x)}i of the state are then fed to a Kalman filter for estimating the state of the body. For each number n of measured values {right arrow over (x)}i of a state of the body, a first quantity {right arrow over (m)}n and a second quantity rn are derived, and are fed to the Kalman filter, the quantity {right arrow over (m)}n being the center vector, and the quantity rn being the radius of a k-dimensional sphere Bn within which all points {right arrow over (x)}i are situated.

Abstract: A method of estimating the average response time and average I/O size that can be used as an alternative for or addition to existing response time and I/O estimation techniques. One method involves initializing values for an average response time and an average I/O size, and initializing an angle. Measurements of the I/O size and response times are received. When measurements of the I/O size and response time are received the technique involves adjusting the average I/O size using the current value of the average I/O size and the received I/O size measurement. The average response time is adjusted using the current value for the average response time and the received response time measurement. The angle value is adjusted using the adjusted average I/O size, the current angle value and the I/O size and time measurements. The slope and y-intercept of a line, formed by plotting the average I/O size verses response time, can then be reported.

Abstract: An averaging circuit includes an averaging unit and an offset compensation unit. The averaging unit generates an average signal from first and second input signals. The offset compensating unit is coupled to the averaging unit for conducting away bias currents from the averaging unit for preventing an offset in the average signal when any of the first and second input signals is too low or too high.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for reducing coherent noise in measurements of repetitive analog signal waveforms by digital signal averagers. Coherent noise is repetitive and synchronous with the signal waveform and is therefore undiminished by conventional signal averaging techniques. A major source of coherent noise is the repetitive voltage transitions that occur within the digital signal averager itself. The apparatus and methods of the present invention introduce a known and variable phase offset during the signal averaging process between the signal waveform being measured and the internally generated coherent noise, thereby allowing such coherent noise to be averaged, and therefore reduced, during the signal averaging process. Consequently, the apparatus and methods of the present invention allow greater signal-to-noise ratio and signal dynamic range than with the prior art.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus for carrying it out, for processing pulses derived from a radiation detector, those pulses having already been resolved by a pulse-height analyzer into channels having respective addresses indicative of their respective heights. The method includes steps of receiving a plurality of channel-address values from the pulse-height analyzer, averaging over a window selected ones of the channel-address values to obtain an average channel address for the selected channel-address values, and using the average channel address to increment the content of a spectrum channel. Speed and accuracy of execution of the method may be optimized if a criterion for selecting channel-address values for averaging is made variable so as to permit recycling of the channel addresses and so as to avoid counting losses.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus for carrying it out, for processing pulses derived from a radiation detector, those pulses having already been resolved by a pulse-height analyzer into channels having respective addresses indicative of their respective heights. The method includes steps of receiving a plurality of channel-address values from the pulse-height analyzer, averaging over a window selected ones of the channel-address values to obtain an average channel address for the selected channel-address values, and using the average channel address to increment the content of a spectrum channel. Speed and accuracy of execution of the method may be optimized if a criterion for selecting channel-address values for averaging is made variable so as to permit recycling of the channel addresses and so as to avoid counting losses.

Abstract: A method of protecting a rotating device, loaded by temperature of a machine tool with one temperature sensor on that device and a temperature bloc, comprising the steps of inputting specific parameters in the temperature bloc, estimating a value for the device temperature increase caused by the activity of the device and measuring the temperature of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for determining hysteresis of a process device in a process environment. The process comprises collecting (50) second-level sample data ys and us from control and measurement signals u and y of a control circuit. Minute mean values y(min) and u(min), which are stored in a database (52), are calculated from these second-level measurement values. The pairs suitable for hysteresis calculation are selected from the minute-level sample pairs um and ym according to a certain procedure. The pairs are also divided into two groups. Unsuitable pairs are rejected (57). Two characteristic curves (54) are calculated from the selected pairs (um, ym) for hysteresis calculation (55). The calculation (55) also includes a routine which evaluates the reliability of the identified hysteresis.

Abstract: At least one of the multiple process parameters (MPPs) is a controllable process parameter (CTPP) and one is a targeted process parameter (TPP). The process also has a defined target limit (DTV) representing a first limit on an actual average value (AAV) of the TPP. A first logical controller predicts future average values (FAVs) of the TPP based on the AAVs of the TPP over a first prior time period and the DTV. A second logical controller establishes a further target limit (FTV) representing a second limit on the AAV of the TPP based on one or more of the predicted FAVs, and also determines a target set point for each CTPP based on the AAVs of the TPP over a prior time period and the FTV. The second logical controller directs control of each CTPP in accordance with the determined target set point.

Abstract: A Q-Filter is a reconfigurable technique that performs a continuum of linear and nonlinear filtering operations. It is modeled by unique mathematical structure, utilizing a function called the Q-Measure, defined using a set of adjustable kernel parameters to enable efficient hardware and software implementations of a variety of useful, new and conventional, filtering operations. The Q-Measure is is based on an extension of the well-known Sugeno ?-Measure.

Abstract: A controller directs performance of a process having multiple process parameters (MPPs), including a controllable process parameter (CTPP), a targeted process parameter (TPP), a defined target value (DTV) representing a limit on an actual average value (AAV) of the TPP over a defined moving time period of length TPLAAV. A storage device stores historical data representing the AVs of the TPP at various times over a prior time period (PTP) having a length of at least TPLAAV. A processor predicts future average values (FAVs) of the TPP over a future time period (FTP) based on the stored historical data and the current values of the MPPs. The processor also determines a target set point for each CTPP based on the predicted FAVs, the current values of the MPPs and the DTV, and directs control of each CTPP in accordance with the determined target set point for that CTPP.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to minimize the number of in-process items. To this end, in an inter-process buffer controlling apparatus according to the invention, the size of a buffer to be used for storage of work subjects of predetermined work is increased if a difference or a ratio between a variance of first intervals at which the work subjects are delivered to the buffer and a variance of duration that is taken for the preceding process exceeds a prescribed first threshold value, and the size of the buffer is decreased if a difference or a ratio between an average of second intervals at which work subjects generated by the work are delivered to the following buffer and an average of the first intervals exceeds a prescribed second threshold value.

Abstract: An altitude measuring system and method for aircraft is provided. The altitude measuring system includes altitude sensors for providing data to an altitude processing unit. The altitude processing unit spatially averages each output to determine a mean altitude. Pitch and roll are accounted for by correction. A method of determining aircraft altitude from a plurality of altitude sensors includes receiving altitude sensor data from each sensor and spatially averaging the altitude sensor outputs to determine aircraft altitude. A method of estimating the maximum height of an ocean surface includes receiving a plurality of altitude sensor data and determining a mathematical description of the ocean surface from the sensor data. The maximum probable wave height of the ocean surface is estimated from the mathematical description. From the maximum wave height, a cruise altitude may be determined.

Abstract: A method and a device for monitoring at least one output stage which is actuated by a microcontroller using an input signal having any pulse duty factor. The output signal from the output stage is averaged by an electrical circuit and compared to a setpoint value which is calculated from the input signal of the output stage. An error in the output stage is diagnosed when the averaged value deviates from the calculated setpoint value.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a controlled parameter that affects a target parameter of a target zone is disclosed. The method comprises providing a feedback control loop having a switching controller, a controlled device, and an averaging device. The controlled device comprises a time constant and a specified operational characteristic. The controlled device comprises a first operational state and a second operational state. The method further comprises calculating a time constant for the averaging device based at least on the time constant for the controlled device, and the specified operational characteristic. The specified operational characteristic may comprises a minimum amount of time that the controlled device operates before it can be switched between the first operational state and the second operational state.

Abstract: According to an objective measurement technique for determining the quality of an output signal (X(t)) of an audio or voice signals-processing and/or -transporting system, the output signal and a reference signal (Y(t)) are mapped on representation signals (R(X), R(Y)) of a suitably chosen perception model. A differential signal (D(t)) of the representation signals is averaged, in a time-averaging device, in two steps by two averaging members connected in series, over time, whereby a quality signal Q is generated. The time averaging is carried out by the first and second averaging members at the local and the global levels, respectively, using various averaging functions, e.g., preferably Lebesgue paveraging functions having various p-values p1>p2. The invention advantageously provides a high correlation between a generated quality signal Q and the human quality perception, even in the event of brief disturbances.

Abstract: This invention presents a method for computing Instantaneous Frequency by applying Empirical Mode Decomposition to a signal and using Generalized Zero-Crossing (GZC) and Extrema Sifting. The GZC approach is the most direct, local, and also the most accurate in the mean. Furthermore, this approach will also give a statistical measure of the scattering of the frequency value. For most practical applications, this mean frequency localized down to quarter of a wave period is already a well-accepted result. As this method physically measures the period, or part of it, the values obtained can serve as the best local mean over the period to which it applies. Through Extrema Sifting, instead of the cubic spline fitting, this invention constructs the upper envelope and the lower envelope by connecting local maxima points and local minima points of the signal with straight lines, respectively, when extracting a collection of Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs) from a signal under consideration.

Abstract: An image processing system includes an image collector and a light falloff correction system. The light falloff correction system comprises a polar transformer that converts an image into radial traces and a falloff fitter that fits the radial traces to a model of falloff to determine a light falloff correction for the image.

Abstract: The aim of the present invention is to estimate EDR directions in a single index model composed of a large number of variables with simple calculations without using the inverse matrix of the variance-covariance matrix and principle component analysis. Data conversion means 21 receives, from an input device 3, data to be analyzed, the data composed of sets of response variables and explanatory variables, standardizes the explanatory variables, and sends them to slice average calculating means 22. The slice average calculating means 22 divides the data into two slices with reference to the median of the response variables to calculate the mean vector of the explanatory variables on a slice basis. The calculated mean vectors are sent to EDR direction calculating means 23. The EDR direction calculating means 23 calculates the difference between the mean vectors for respective slices to estimate an EDR direction.

Abstract: An average position estimate is determined using an instantaneous position estimate, a previously-determined average position estimate, a previously-determined average signal power, and an instantaneous signal power. The average signal power is determined using the previously-determined average signal power and the instantaneous signal power.

Abstract: In a method of spectrum analysis, a sample signal, which is obtained by sampling an original signal at an original sampling rate within a sampling period, is transformed into a spectrum to be measured according to a frequency range scale. An optimum graduation interval of the frequency range scale is determined in accordance with frequency and amplitude parameters of the spectrum. An updated sampling rate is determined by multiplying the original sampling rate by the optimum graduation interval. The original signal is re-sampled at the updated sampling rate within the sampling period so as to obtain an updated sample signal. An optimum sample signal is obtained by multiplying the updated sample signal by a scale shift function that is based on the optimum graduation interval and the frequency and amplitude of the spectrum. Finally, the optimum sample signal is transformed into an optimized spectrum.

Abstract: Method and systems for reducing effects of magnetic field interference that may interfere with a magnetic field signal generated at or near an underground object, where the magnetic field signal is used to monitor the location of the underground object. At least two different moving averages of a plurality of samples that are representative of a detected magnetic field signal strength are produce. Each of the different moving averages is a moving average of a different number of the plurality of samples. A respective quality metric (e.g., variance) is then determined for each of the different moving average. One of the moving averages is selected based on the determined quality metrics. Further signal processing is then performed using the selected moving average. For example, the selected moving average is used to monitor the location of the object.

Abstract: A position detector includes a position indicator. Transmission/reception of electromagnetic waves relative to the position indicator is performed at least twice while the same loop coil is being selected. With a counter circuit and a switch circuit, a phase difference less than or equal to one cycle of a resonant frequency fO is added to a signal in each transmission/reception. The phase of a reception signal generated at the loop coil is adjusted, and the phase-adjusted signal is used as a detection clock by a synchronous detector circuit to perform synchronous detection. By computing the average or the sum of the results, external noise in the reception signals is cancelled out.

Abstract: A multi-sensor transducer and processing method allow insitu monitoring of the senor accuracy and transducer ‘health’. In one embodiment, the transducer has multiple sensors to provide corresponding output signals in response to a stimulus, such as pressure. A processor applies individual weight factors to reach of the output signals and provide a single transducer output that reduces the contribution from inaccurate sensors. The weight factors can be updated and stored. The processor can use the weight factors to provide a ‘health’ of the transducer based upon the number of accurate versus in-accurate sensors in the transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an intake air flow of an internal combustion engine, wherein presence of a backflow is determined from a waveform of the electric signal of flow detecting unit. If a backflow is present, a kurtosis is calculated. A backflow ratio is calculated based on the relation obtained from the kurtosis and the backflow ratio. The mass of the flow obtained by converting electric signals from the flow detecting unit into flows are integrated or averaged. Then, the integrated value or the average value is compensated by the backflow ratio, and accumulate mass of the air flow is calculated.

Abstract: Principal features are inventively derived from a non-stationary time series signal, and can be used to classify the attributes of the signal. Intrinsic to the invention is its recognition of the value of information contained within singular vectors. The invention therefore seeks to render singular vectors as proper density functions for purposes of formulating at least one feature of a signal, which is or has been sensed. To this end, the signal is typically evaluated thusly according to the invention: a time-frequency distribution (e.g., positive time-frequency distribution) matrix is generated; the time-frequency distribution matrix is decomposed; an element-by-element square of singular vectors is performed; the non-principal singular values are sorted and truncated; density functions are obtained; the density functions are normalized; and, at least one feature from the normalized density functions is formulated.

Abstract: Sensors (12) attached to various parameters of a system (11), such as an elevator system or a chiller, provide values (14) of corresponding parameters which are utilized to build (15) an empirical distribution of the process, such as by means of bootstrapping methodology using a five-dimensional Markov chain model. In normal operation thereafter, the sensors are read periodically and in response to events, and an abnormality is determined by comparison of current information against the empirical distribution of the process. Deviations from normal behavior provide quantitative measure of system malfunction or abnormality; eliminating data from one or more sensors in each iteration of processing identifies one or more sensors associated with the abnormality. By utilizing cumulative distribution norm of deviation from normal behavior, the relative health of one system can be compared with the relative health of other, similar or dissimilar systems.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for precisely measuring time intervals, used to either characterize or diminish noise components in repetitive waveforms. An interval timer generates a whole number count of cycles in combination with beginning and ending ramps capable of resolving fractions of a cycle, to accurately register the time interval. Selection logic can be implemented to time either single periods or spans of multiple consecutive periods of the waveforms. Multiple time measurements are arranged in sets, each set corresponding to a different span of “N” consecutive periods over a range of values for N. A variance of each set is generated, and an array of variance vs N provides a function having properties of an auto-correlation function. Instrument jitter can be reduced based on measurements of period spans rather than individual periods, and is reduced in proportion to the increasing size of the measured span.

Abstract: The spectral energy in the signal emitted by a mobile telephone handset is measured for portions of the signal carrying random data, both before and after a non-random midamble. By including both random portions in the measurement the time taken to perform it is approximately halved, whilst maintaining its statistical significance.

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: The object of the invention is the detection of a given threshold (optionally zero) for filling, with an electrically conductive product, a reservoir made of electrically insulating material having a storage cavity connected to an outlet channel. An excitation signal is applied to the cavity, in periodic square waves, and a measurement signal is taken off, one characteristic of which varies substantially with the quantity of product contained in the cavity reaches the filling threshold. From this characteristic, by comparison with a reference threshold, a binary signal C,C′ is derived, which is filtered digitally whilst multiplying it (convolution product) by a signal which is identical to it, but with a delay equal to a multiple, at least equal to one, of the period of the square waves.