Abstract: An activity monitor is provided that corrects for the effects of motion external to the entity being monitored. For example, the activity monitor can overcome the effects of vehicular travel.

Abstract: A tester for testing an active wheel speed sensor of a vehicle, comprising: a module testing portion to assess operation of a system control module by monitoring an electrical output from the system control module and to indicate proper operation of the system control module with a first indicator; and a sensor testing portion to assess the operation of the active wheel speed sensor and to indicate proper operation with a second indicator.

Abstract: An automotive speedometer drive apparatus is disclosed that replaces an existing speedometer cable of the type used to drive mechanical speedometer instruments. The drive being an electronically controlled motor made to rotate at the correct rate to give an accurate speed indication, taking into consideration the specific tire size and specific speedometer involved. The drive may also be easily installed and field-calibrated by the user without the need of any special knowledge or equipment.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor is provided, which is capable of accurate failure diagnosis on a detecting portion despite of its simple configuration and small size without providing additional means on an oscillator separately from the driving portion and a detecting portion. When a check signal for carrying out failure diagnosis is input to terminal (54) from outside, the degree of amplification at amplifier (45) is decreased, and the degree of amplification at amplifier (44) is simultaneously increased by an operation of AGC circuit (43). As a result, a driving signal having the decreased amplitude can be obtained at terminals (50) and (53), and a driving signal having the increased amplitude can be obtained at terminals (51) and (52). The driving signals are supplied to one driving electrode and another driving electrode, respectively, of a pair of driving electrodes spaced from each other across the center of the arm of a tuning fork type oscillator through terminals (50) to (53).

Abstract: A method for providing dynamic disturbance compensation to an inertial system is described. The method includes determining estimated correction factors based on received acceleration components, and dynamically determining filter coefficients for a filter configured to receive velocity and position signals and output a prediction error. The method further includes combining the estimated correction factors and the prediction error into adjustment factors, where the prediction error is configured to be a feedback control signal, and applying the adjustment factors to compensate the inertial system such that effects of the dynamic disturbance are removed.

Abstract: An error in a camera having angular velocity sensors is eliminated. A camera is placed on a rotating table and rotated, angular velocities are detected by angular velocity sensors, and a CZP chart is photographed. The motion of the camera is computed as a locus of motion of a point light source on an imaging plane from the outputs from the angular velocity sensors. The inclination of the locus motion is compared with the inclination of a zero-crossing line which has been obtained by subjecting the photographed image to Fourier transformation, to thus compute angles of relative inclination of the angular velocity sensors with respect to the image sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of tuning properties of a gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor. The gravity gradiometer comprises a pair of first and second transversely arranged sensor masses that are arranged for movement about an axis and relative to each other in response to a gravity gradient. The gravity gradiometer further comprises first and second capacitors for sensing and influencing the movement of the first and second sensor masses. The method comprising applying a bias voltage to at least one of the capacitors for generating an electrostatic force which acts on one of the sensor masses and thereby influences the movement of that sensor mass.

Abstract: An elastic wave pulse is generated in a metal rod (1) by impacting an end surface (2) of the metal rod with each of two round, concentric projectiles (8, 10) from a double launch tube (4, 5) independently, and by impacting both projectiles simultaneously or at a prescribed time interval. An acceleration sensor (23) is provided on another end surface (22) of the metal rod to measure an acceleration of the other end surface arising when the elastic wave pulse generated by the impact of the projectiles reflects at the other end surface. The motion of the end surface is measured by a laser interferometer (24) or by a strain gauge (25) provided on a side surface of the metal rod, and the measured signals are calculated and corrected as appropriate. The dynamic linearity of the acceleration sensor is obtained by comparing in time domain and frequency domain the calculated results with the measured values of the acceleration sensor.

Abstract: A tester for testing an active wheel speed sensor of a vehicle, comprising: a module testing portion to assess operation of a system control module by monitoring an electrical output from the system control module and to indicate proper operation of the system control module with a first indicator; and a sensor testing portion to assess the operation of the active wheel speed sensor and to indicate proper operation with a second indicator.

Abstract: An accelerometric measurement device with a return loop including accelerometer, a corrector generating a signal for correction of the position of the accelerometer, a closed return loop to apply this correction signal to the accelerometer, a detector to detect an error in operation of the accelerometer, and a modifying component making at least a first modification to operation of the corrector from its initial state to a modified operating state.

Abstract: In a method for electronic tuning of the frequency of the read oscillation to the frequency of the stimulation oscillation in a Coriolis gyro, the resonator of the Coriolis gyro has a disturbance force applied to it such that the stimulation oscillation remains essentially uninfluenced. The read oscillation is changed so that a read signal that represents the read oscillation contains a corresponding disturbance component. The frequency of the read oscillation is controlled so that the magnitude of the disturbance component contained in the read signal is a minimum.

Abstract: A system, computer program product and method of obtaining a performance parameter associated with a sensor, such as an accelerometer, is provided. The method includes applying an acceleration to the accelerometer and a first frequency to obtain a sensitivity of the accelerometer at the first frequency. A first self-test is performed on the accelerometer. The first self-test includes stimulating the accelerometer with a first self-test stimulation signal encoded with the first frequency, such that the accelerometer outputs a first signal. A self-test equivalent acceleration is then determined based, at least in part, on the first signal and the accelerometer sensitivity at the first frequency. A second self-test is performed on the accelerometer. The second self-test includes stimulating the accelerometer with a second self-test stimulation signal encoded with the second frequency, such that the accelerometer outputs a second signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides the stress detection method for force sensor device with multiple axis sensor device and force sensor device employing this method, whose installation angle is arbitrary. The stress detection method includes, first and second force sensors whose detection axes are orthogonal to each other. When the detection axis of first force sensor forms angle ? with direction of detected stress Ax, and the stress component of direction perpendicular to direction of the detected stress Ax is Az, output Apx of the axis direction of first force sensor is found as Apx=?x (Ax×cos ?+Az×sin ?), and output Apz of the axis direction of the second force sensor is found as Apz=?z (Ax×sin ?+Az×cos ?), and, when ?x and ?z are detection sensitivity coefficients of first and second force sensors respectively, the detection sensitivity coefficient ?z of second force sensor is set as ?z=?x tan ?, and the detected stress Ax is found as Ax=(Apx?Apz)/?x(cos ??tan ?×sin ?).

Abstract: A three-axial acceleration sensor inspection device is provided for inspecting a three-axial acceleration sensor that detects acceleration components in three axes crossing perpendicularly with each other and outputs acceleration component signals. The three-axial acceleration sensor inspection device includes a test plate for mounting the three-axial acceleration sensor thereon; a supporting plate for supporting and rotating the test plate; a main rotational shaft for rotating the supporting plate. The supporting plate is arranged radially around the main rotational shaft along a radius direction of the main rotational shaft, and is disposed at each of at least four locations with an equal angular interval along a circumferential direction of the main rotational shaft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting a rate of rotation. In one implementation, the method includes vibrating a proof mass at a pre-determined frequency in a drive axis. In response to a rotation, sensing an amount of deflection of the proof mass in an axis orthogonal to the drive axis, in which the amount of deflection is sensed as a change in charge. The method further includes generating a quadrature error cancellation signal to substantially cancel quadrature error from the sensed change in charge.

Abstract: An inertia sensor system incorporates a vibration-type angular-speed sensor unit and an acceleration sensor unit provided separately. The inertia sensor system also includes a second-type acceleration signal generation unit to extract an acceleration signal component from a detection-object vibration component generated by the vibration-type angular-speed sensor unit and outputs the extracted acceleration signal component as a second-type acceleration signal. An abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality of at least the vibration-type angular-speed sensor unit or the acceleration sensor unit based on the second-type acceleration signal and a first-type acceleration signal detected and output by the acceleration sensor unit.

Abstract: In a sensor system, a detection waveform-forming unit detects a vibration component and forms a waveform of a detected angular velocity based on the vibration component. Components of the waveform are of opposite phases relative to each other and acceleration waveform components are in phase relative to each other. An acceleration signal-forming unit operates on the waveform to cancel the waveform of opposite phases to each other, and produces a second kind acceleration signal. An abnormal condition-detecting unit detects an abnormal condition in either the angular velocity sensor unit or an acceleration sensor unit provided separately based on the second kind acceleration signal and a first kind acceleration signal.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor state detecting apparatus for detecting a state of an acceleration sensor provided at a vibrating body includes a calculating method for calculating a difference between measured results of the acceleration sensor obtained per first predetermined time that is shorter than a vibration period of the vibrating body, and a determining method for determining that the acceleration sensor is in an error state in a case that a state in which the difference calculated falls into a range between a predetermined upper limit value and a predetermined lower limit value continues for a second predetermined time or more.

Abstract: In a method for electronic tuning of the frequency of the read oscillation to the frequency of the stimulation oscillation in a Coriolis gyro the resonator of the Coriolis gyro has a disturbance force applied to it such that the stimulation oscillation remains essentially uninfluenced. The read oscillation is changed so that a read signal that represents the read oscillation contains a corresponding disturbance component. The disturbance force is defined as the force caused by the signal noise in the read signal. The frequency of the read oscillation is controlled so that the strength of the disturbance component contained in the read signal is a minimum.

Abstract: A projectile impact energy and location measurement system is taught employing a target apparatus having an impact plate of a solid durable substance such as steel or titanium. Disposed over the plate is a layer of elastoluminescent material composed of zinc sulfide and manganese embedded in an elastomeric composite. This luminescent material is designed to emit light or exhibit luminescence when elastically strained, for example when a projectile strikes the material. Optical photosensitive sensors are deployed at strategic locations to observe and record color images of the target before during and after impact by a projectile. These images capture the target luminescence and impact location of the projectile. The images are transmitted to a traditional image processing system that can isolate the impact location and correlate the light wave length with a known kinetic energy value that was obtained through initial calibration of the system.

Abstract: A method for correcting the position of the angle marks of an incremental gear of a rotary speed sensor and/or rotary angle sensor of an internal combustion engine and to a system therefor.

Abstract: Estimating the speed of movement of a mobile terminal includes estimating the impulse response of the transmission channel at a given instant, and estimating the time derivative of the estimated impulse response. Estimating the speed also includes determining of a ratio of the energy of the estimated impulse response to the energy of the estimated time derivative.

Abstract: A laser control method for controlling a laser beam irradiated, onto a target object to be processed, during execution of a laser processing program, the method including: providing a processing condition table describing a plurality of different feed velocities, in association with a processing condition of the laser beam corresponding to individual feed velocities; detecting an actual feed velocity of the laser beam that is relative processing velocity of the laser beam relative to the target object while a processing is performed along a processing path instructed by the laser processing program; and determining the processing condition of the laser beam corresponding to the actual feed velocity based on the processing condition table.

Abstract: In a method for determining the zero-point error of a Coriolis gyro, the resonator of the Coriolis gyro has a disturbance force applied to it such that a change in the stimulation oscillation of the resonator is brought about. A change in the read oscillation of the resonator, caused by a partial component of the disturbance force, is extracted from a read signal which represents the read oscillation of the resonator as a measure of the zero-point error.

Abstract: A method for determination of the zero error of a Coriolis gyro. Appropriate disturbance forces are applied to the resonator of the Coriolis gyro such that at least one natural oscillation of the resonator is stimulated that differs from the stimulating and read oscillations. A change in a read signal which represents the read oscillation and results from the stimulation of the at least one natural oscillation is determined as a measure of the zero error.

Abstract: Cross-monitoring sensor system and method in which a plurality of sensors each having a sensing element, circuitry for processing signals from the sensing element, an output interface for delivering processed signals, and an auxiliary input to which signals from another device can be input for processing and delivery by the output interface. Signals from each of the sensors are applied to the auxiliary input of another one of the sensors, and signals from the output interfaces of the sensors are compared to verify integrity of the system.

Abstract: In a method for electronic tuning of the frequency of the read oscillation to the frequency of the stimulation oscillation in a Coriolis gyro, the resonator of the Coriolis gyro has a disturbance force applied to it such that the stimulation oscillation remains essentially uninfluenced. The read oscillation is changed so that a read signal that represents the read oscillation contains a corresponding disturbance component. The frequency of the read oscillation is controlled so that the phase shift between the disturbance signal and the disturbance component contained in the read signal is a minimum.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the accuracy of a sensor is provided. The method includes determining a measure of the output of the sensor, determining whether the measure falls outside of an acceptable range for the output of the sensor, and, when the measure falls outside the acceptable range, modifying the measure of the output such that the measure falls within the acceptable range for the sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for aligning a rotation rate sensor with a vibration gyroscope, the first input and the first output of which is part of a primary control circuit. Said control circuit excites the vibration gyroscope to vibrate at its natural frequency by supplying it with an excitation signal. The second input and the second output of the vibration gyroscope is part of a secondary control circuit. An output signal can be gathered from the second output and said signal is demodulated after amplification and analog to digital conversion to give an in-phase component and a quadrature component. After filtering, these components are modulated and composed to give a driver signal that is supplied to the second input and a rotation rate signal is derived from the in-phase component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring a physical quantity using a vibrator. The vibrator has a plurality of driving vibration arms, a plurality of detection vibration arms, films for adjusting a weight provided on the driving vibration arms, and detecting electrodes provided on the detection vibration arms. A driving vibration is excited in the vibrator, and output signals are output from the detecting means based on a detection vibration excited in the vibrator responsive to the physical quantity. The weight of each of the films is adjusted based on a comparison of the output signals from the detection vibration arms.

Abstract: An oversampling electromechanical modulator, including a micro-electromechanical sensor which has a first sensing capacitance and a second sensing capacitance and supplies an analog quantity correlated to the first sensing capacitance and to the second sensing capacitance; a converter stage, which supplies a first numeric signal and a second numeric signal that are correlated to the analog quantity; and a first feedback control circuit for controlling the micro-electromechanical sensor, which supplies an electrical actuation quantity correlated to the second numeric signal.

Abstract: An inertia sensor unit having a detecting element, a signal processor being constituted as an element separate from the detecting element, for at least amplifying signals output from the detecting element, and an inertia sensor mounted to a detection object for detecting acceleration or angular velocity of the detection object as an inertial force of the detection object to output electrical signals changing according to the inertial force, includes: a first temperature detecting element for detecting the temperature of the signal processor, a second temperature detecting element for detecting the temperature of the detecting element directly or indirectly, and a correcting processor for correcting the signals output from the inertia sensor based on the result detected by the first temperature detecting element and the second temperature detecting element.

Abstract: A vibration type angular velocity sensor includes: a first and a second angular velocity sensors; and an anomaly monitoring signal generating and outputting unit including an opposite phase waveform synthesis portion. The first and the second angular velocity sensors include: a vibrator; a vibration driving unit; and a detection waveform generation unit. The opposite phase waveform synthesis portion synthesizes the first and the second detection waveforms with opposite phase. The anomaly monitoring signal generating and outputting unit generates and outputs an anomaly monitoring signal on the basis of a synthesized opposite phase waveform synthesized from the first and the second detection waveforms.

Abstract: A system for acquiring environmental information measurements. The 5 system (100) utilize a sensor, (205) a front-end circuit, (310) a loop filter (315), a switch controller (206), and a reduced-order loop control circuit to provide reliable data measurements while providing robust system behavior. The system further includes a sensor simulator (330) for simulating the operation of the sensor (205) and testing the operation of the front-end circuit (310) and the loop filter (315).

Abstract: In a speedometer control system having wheel speed sensors as well as a vehicle speed sensor, both a PCM and a brake ECU are used to obtain vehicle speeds. Then, a signal corresponding to a vehicle speed is obtained basically from the PCM. However, if it is impossible to properly obtain a signal corresponding to a vehicle speed from the PCM, a signal corresponding to a vehicle speed is obtained from the brake ECU. Accordingly, even in the event that a signal corresponding to the vehicle speed is not obtained from the PCM, it is possible to obtain a signal corresponding to the vehicle speed from the brake ECU, and thus to display the vehicle speed on a speedometer.

Abstract: An electrical diagnostic tool for in situ testing of a tone wheel sensor mounted in proximity of a rotatable tone wheel. The tone wheel sensor produces a periodic pulse train signal as the rotatable tone wheel is rotated. The tool has a signal conditioning block for receiving the periodic pulse train signal and generating therefrom a logic-level signal having a frequency. A digital counter has a plurality of outputs and is clocked by the logic-level signal. A plurality of LEDs controlled by the digital counter are used to determine the operational condition of the tone wheel sensor by sequentially illuminating the LEDs at the frequency and in accordance with a counting sequence of the digital counter.

Abstract: A method for servicing companies associated with a spray device operating under guidelines of a regulatory body includes capturing in vitro actuation data associated with operation of the spray device and distributing the data to a company associated with an aspect of the spray device. The company may use the data for testing the spray device to ensure continued compliance with prior approval of the spray device by the regulatory body. The method may also include converting the data to parameters and distributing the parameters. Capturing the in vitro actuation data may include sorting the data based on in vitro age groups. Distributing the data may include providing the data in a format executable by an automated actuation system. The company receiving the data may be a drug development company, spray device manufacturer, or testing service. The regulatory body may be the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Abstract: In a method for detecting rotational speed of an internal combustion engine (1), a sector wheel (4) which is driven by the internal combustion engine (1) is scanned, the run of a specific segment of the sector wheel is detected, the duration of said segment-run is measured and a rotational speed value is determined therefrom, the duration of the run a specific segment is re-measured, a relative variation between two consecutive segment-runs is determined and the rotational speed value is determined therefrom.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor of the present invention includes a driving part for stably vibrating a driving part of a sensor element and a detector part for detecting an angular velocity of the sensor element and obtains a self diagnosis signal for a malfunction by detecting a mechanical coupling signal obtained at the detection part.

Abstract: Systems, methods and circuits for implementing a self test in a slowly varying sensor. In one particular case, a circuit is provided that includes two filters operating in parallel. One of the filters is tailored for filtering normal operational signals, and operates at a first oversampling rate. The other filter is tailored for filtering test signals, and operates at a second oversampling rate. The second oversampling rate is generally less than the first oversampling rate. In various cases, the filter tailored for filtering normal operational signals may be programmed for operation across a plurality of oversampling rates.

Abstract: A method of correcting a pointing position of a pointer rotated by a stepper motor includes the steps of: performing a prereset operation in which the pointer is rotated to a reset operation starting position that represents a pointing position of the pointer which is shifted by a predetermined amount in a plus direction of a scale from a reset position where a pin which is rotated in conjunction with a rotation of the pointer abuts against a fixed stopper; after the prereset operation, performing a reset operation in which the pointer is rotated in a minus direction of the scale to the reset position; and after the reset operation, performing a correcting operation in which the pointer is rotated in the plus direction up to a reference pointing position which is indicated by previously stored reference pointing positional information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling an SRM (Switched Reluctance Motor) switching angle by an analog encoder system that can perform a precise control of the switching angle of the SRM by comparing an analog sensor signal detected by the analog encoder system with a switching-on/off command signal. During a rotation of an encoder rotor having rotary slits formed at the same intervals on the encoder rotor and continuous contrast patterns formed between the respective rotary slits, analog sensor signals ?a to ?d detected in proportion to the contrast patterns are compared with a switching-on/off command signal controlled by a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter. A switching-on angle ?on is set to a crossing point of the switching-on command signal Von and a slope between the sensor signals ?a and ?o, and a switching-off angle ?off is set to a crossing point of the switching-off command signal Voff and a slope between the sensor signals ?o and ?d.

Abstract: A vehicle speed display apparatus capable of displaying an accurate vehicle speed in either 2WD mode or in 4WD mode. A vehicle speed calculating unit 51 calculates the vehicle speed, according to the output from a wheel rotational speed sensor 22. A 2WD/4WD detecting unit 52 switches the destination of the vehicle speed calculated by the vehicle speed-calculating unit 51 between a 2WD correcting unit 53 and a 4WD correcting unit 54, depending whether the vehicle is traveling in 2WD mode or in 4WD mode. The 2WD correcting unit 53 corrects the vehicle speed in the 2WD mode using a first correction coefficient for the 2WD mode, and the 4WD correcting unit 54 corrects the vehicle speed in the 4WD mode using a second correction coefficient for the 4WD mode. The corrected vehicle speed is displayed by a vehicle speed display unit 55.

Abstract: The present invention aims to present an angular velocity sensor having a self diagnosis function. An angular velocity sensor of the present invention includes a driving part for stably vibrating a driving part of a sensor element having a driver part and a detector part for detecting an angular velocity and detection means for detecting the angular velocity of the sensor element and obtains a self diagnosis signal for a malfunction by detecting a mechanical coupling signal obtained at the detection means.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a MEMS sensor using a passive temperature compensation technique may provide an uncompensated sense output. Additionally, a circuit coupled to the MEMS sensor may include a diode having a voltage drop. A compensated sense output may be formed by combining the uncompensated sense output with a diode output that is proportional to the voltage drop across the diode.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to methods, processes and decisions on test outcomes for testing for faulty, therefor dangerous, performance of zero speed indicators that are used to control the opening of barriers guarding moving machine components. The indicators may be tested by removing them from the components during operation without shutting down production or in certain situations the indicators may be tested during the run down phase of the components caused by machine stop initiations. The tests allow to anticipate and hence prevent hazardous opening of barriers due to a faulty zero speed indication. Additionally, the invention is directed to testing of the insertion of motion interference devices in conjunction with zero speed indicators, both of which must perform correctly in order to permit the unlocking and opening of the protective barrier. There are included various exemplary devices for effecting the testing function.

Abstract: A sensor comprises a semiconductor pellet (10) including a working portion (11) adapted to undergo action of a force, a fixed portion (13) fixed on the sensor body, and a flexible portion (13) having flexibility formed therebetween, a working body (20) for transmitting an exterted force to the working portion, and detector means (60-63) for transforming a mechanical deformation produced in the semiconductor pellet to an electric signal to thereby detect a force exerted on the working body as an electric signal. A signal processing circuit is applied to the sensor. This circuit uses analog multipliers (101-109) and analog adders/subtracters (111-113), and has a function to cancel interference produced in different directions. Within the sensor, two portions (E3, E4-E8) located at positions opposite to each other and producing a displacement therebetween by action of a force are determined. By exerting a coulomb force between both the portions, the test of the sensor is carried out.

Abstract: Method for operating and testing a sensor assembly (210). The sensor assembly (210) preferably includes accelerometers with axes of sensitivity orthogonal to each other. The method preferably includes determining sensor tilt angle, determining the position of the sensor, and synchronizing the operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A way of converting sensed signals to a desirable form of electrical signals is provided that includes providing an input signal to a common input terminal of a sensing block. The way comprises receiving a sensed signal from the sensing block in response to applying the input signal.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to methods, processes and decisions on test outcomes for testing for faulty, therefor dangerous, performance of zero speed indicators that are used to control the opening of barriers guarding moving machine components. The indicators may be tested by removing them from the components during operation without shutting down production or in certain situations the indicators may be tested during the run down phase of the components caused by machine stop initiations. The tests allow to anticipate and hence prevent hazardous opening of barriers due to a faulty zero speed indication. Additionally, the invention is directed to testing of the insertion of motion interference devices in conjunction with zero speed indicators, both of which must perform correctly in order to permit the unlocking and opening of the protective barrier. There are included various exemplary devices for effecting the testing function.