Abstract: Methods, functional data, and systems are provided for image feature translation. An image is decomposed into sub images, each sub image having its features identified by feature attributes. The feature attributes are used to identify a particular feature within each sub image. The orientation of the particular feature within the sub image is then mapped or calculated to a value. One or more of the mapped or calculated values are translated into a reading associated with an instrument. The reading is then optionally recorded or transmitted.

Abstract: A sensor having a nanotube grown on and supported by thermal bimorph structures. The nanotube rests on a heat sink during sensing gas or a liquid and is moved from the heat sink when the nanotube is heated to desorb gas or liquid from it. The heatsink may function as a gate along with the bimorph structures as the other terminals of a transistor. Current-voltage and current-gate voltage characteristics may be obtained of the nanotube as a device like a transistor. These characteristics may provide information on a gas or liquid absorbed by the nanotube.

Abstract: A control system coupled to a pressure sensor calibrates the pressure sensor. The control system may measure a plurality of capacitance values at a plurality of corresponding applied voltages to compare the values with a first calibration mechanism generated by sample pressure sensors in a comparison. A final calibration mechanism may be generated by adjusting the first calibration mechanism in response to the comparison. The unknown differential pressure may be applied to a diaphragm of the pressure sensor. A capacitance value at the unknown differential pressure may then be measured. Using the final calibration mechanism, the differential pressure at the measured capacitance value may be retrieved.

Abstract: An optical alignment system for aligning a light beam with a core flow in a flow stream. The flow stream may have a sheath fluid and a core flow, where the core flow has a current position within the flow stream. A light source may be used to produce a light beam, and an optical element may be used to direct the light beam at the core flow. In some illustrative embodiments, an actuator is provided for moving the optical element, light source and/or flow stream such that the light directed by the optical element is aligned with the current position of the core flow.

Abstract: A vacuum sealed SAW pressure sensor is disclosed herein, which includes a sensing element configured as a SAW device (e.g., SAW resonator or SAW delay line) supported by a thin diaphragm. The substrate material can be implemented as a quartz wafer (i.e., a “base” wafer). The SAW device can be configured on one side of the wafer and the diaphragm etched on the opposite side. A quartz micromachined pressure sensor can thus be realized, which operates based on a variation of the surface wave velocity of a SAW device situated on the thin diaphragm. The SAW sensor is generally sealed in a vacuum and diaphragm sustains the sensor, thereby implementing a sensor on a wafer scale while allowing for a cost reduction per chip.

Abstract: A sampling system for detecting an analyte, comprising a diaphragm pump, a buffer chamber, a sensor head and intake port. The pump includes a chamber for receiving fluids via first and second ports. A buffer chamber is located at the second port for holding a quantity of air, and a sensor head is adapted to identify the presence of a desired analyte and produce a signal in response to the quantity identified. Preferably the diaphragm pump has a volume of gas per stroke capacity slightly larger than the volume of the sensor head such that the pump chamber has a greater volume than the buffer chamber and the buffer chamber has about the same volume as the sensor head. A sensor intake port intakes a sample potentially containing the analyte for contact with the sensor head upon operation of the diaphragm pump and out of the sensor head by jet-action caused by rapid movement of the diaphragm pump. A filter may be used for filtering air drawn through the pump chamber.

Abstract: A visual object detection system to provide access and/or presence monitoring of an area of interest. In steady state operation, that is when no object is entering or within the area of interest, only those portions of the incoming images that correspond to the border of the area of interest are analyzed. Once the border is breached by an object, the present invention may begin analyzing the entire area or selected regions inside the border of the area of interest. This may provide some level of presence monitoring of the area of interest. It is contemplated that both modes of analysis can take place simultaneously or sequentially, depending on the application. Once the object leaves the area of interest, the present invention preferably returns to the original steady state, and monitors only the border regions of the incoming images.

Abstract: Multiple wavelength spectrometers can be tuned to particular wavelengths. A dual wavelength spectrometer can include a spectrometer configured to detect at least some wavelengths that fall within the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum and a spectrometer configured to detect at least some wavelengths that fall within the visible spectrum. In some embodiments, a UV light spectrometer and a visible light spectrometer are disposed adjacent one another on a single substrate. A dual wavelength spectrometer can be used for analyzing bioaerosols, as well as for numerous other applications.

Abstract: An intelligent information-mining system extracts desired intelligent information from unstructured text data in documents to categorize the unstructured text data based on the extracted desired intelligent information. This is accomplished by obtaining unstructured text data from documents in an electronic format. The obtained unstructured text data is then transformed into unstructured neutral format data. The transformed unstructured neutral format data is then converted into structured data based on desired intelligent information. Desired intelligent information is then extracted from the structured data by using a multilayer self-organizing maps (MSOM) algorithm.

Abstract: A flow control mechanism connected to the intake and exhaust systems of an engine. The mechanism may achieve recirculation of exhaust gases despite varying differential pressures or delta pressures between the systems, particularly since intake pressures may often exceed exhaust pressures. Pressure sensors may be situated proximate to the input and output of the flow control mechanism. There may a flow sensor proximate to the flow control mechanism. Cylinder pressure or pulse sensors may be situated in or about the engine. A processor may be connected to various sensors and provide prompt active control of a valve or like device in the flow control mechanism. Such valve may operate sufficiently quickly so as to prevent backflow from the intake system into the exhaust system upon sudden pressure changes in the systems. The quickness of the active valve control may also permit recirculating stipulated amounts of exhaust gas to each cylinder.

Abstract: A method for object detection that utilizes a patterned background. Patterned backgrounds are chosen such that each reference image analyzed will have both light and dark pixels. The method calculates the difference between the expected value for the light pixels and the expected value of the dark pixels in the reference image. This difference is used to chose a threshold value. The difference in expected values for the corresponding pixels in a live image is calculated and compared to the threshold value. If the difference in expected values of the live image are less than the threshold value, object detection is indicated.

Abstract: An object detection system is provided that projects one or more patterns onto a monitored area, captures one or more live images of the monitored area, and detects objects that enter the monitored area by detecting changes in the one or more patterns in the live images. Such an object detection system may be less susceptible to dynamic lighting conditions, and more sensitive to object intrusions. One illustrative example projects a pattern of dots onto an area to be monitored, and captures images corresponding to the monitored area, comparing live images to reference images to determine whether an object has intruded a defined area. The area to be monitored does not consist solely of the area captured in the images and may include a volume illuminated by the pattern as well as a volume corresponding to the captured image area. Objects not in the field of view may be detected by the disclosed systems and methods. Several illustrative analytical methods are disclosed as well.

Abstract: A self-calibrating carbon dioxide sensor that includes a carbon dioxide detector and a carbon dioxide gas generator. In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide gas generator includes a heating element and a carbon dioxide gas releasing solid material in thermal communication with the heating element. The carbon dioxide gas releasing solid material releases carbon dioxide when heated by the heating element. Methods of calibrating a self-calibrating carbon dioxide sensor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer implemented method analyzes packets of data in frames on a process control bus. A frame is first selected, and a text file representative of specifications for the process control bus communication protocol is used to identify function code formats and calculate values and descriptions for the fields. A display of the values and fields is provided to the user. The display comprises a multi-pane screen of information that facilitates a user selecting a packet on the bus and view an interpretation of the data in the packet including values and descriptions for function codes as well as identifying the origination of the packet.

Abstract: A valve structure having a top part, a flexible media conveyance, such as a tube, a diaphragm and a bottom part with a support for the tube. The top surface of the diaphragm and the bottom surface of the top part may have electrodes attached. When there is no electric potential applied across the electrodes, the diaphragm may rest on and close the passageway in the flexible tube for effectively preventing a fluid flow. When an electrical potential is applied to the electrodes, the diaphragm may be pulled up off from the tube thereby opening or partially opening the passageway in the tube for a media flow or pressure transfer. Partial opening may be for modulation purposes. There may be a tension mechanism attached to the diaphragm. A controller may apply an electrical potential to the electrodes for at least partially opening or closing the valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of internally-generated hydrogen sulfide as a calibration gas for hydrogen sulfide sensors. The present invention also relates to an apparatus and methods for self-calibration of hydrogen sulfide sensors.

Abstract: A thermal sensor structure having one level for an infrared detecting pixel including the sensor associated electronics. The electronics displace a small area thereby having little effect on the fill area of the pixel relative to a level having no pixel electronics. That level has thermally isolation for the substrate through the limited structural attachment to the substrate because of the access vias to the silicon. It has additional isolation because of a pit of removed silicon from the substrate below that one level. The thermal sensor may have an array with a large number of pixels having the one level for the pixels and electronics structure.

Abstract: Methods and Systems for using a measure of fueling rate in the air side control of an engine. By using a measure of the fueling rate, the air side control may, for example, anticipate the future air side needs of the engine, and adjust one or more air side parameters to meet the anticipated future air side needs of the engine. This may improve the responsiveness, performance and emissions of the engine.

Abstract: A system and a method for an automated intelligent information mining includes receiving unstructured text from various text sources; extracting multiple key-phrases from the unstructured text; generating template and dynamic information contextual relation maps by mapping the extracted key-phrases to three-dimensional maps using a self organizing map, and a gaussian distribution technique. Further, the technique includes forming word clusters and constructing corresponding key-phrase frequency histograms for each of the generated contextual relation maps. Template and dynamic information three-dimensional structured document maps from the constructed phrase frequency histograms and the generated self-organizing maps. Desired information is extracted by mapping the generated dynamic information three-dimensional structured map onto the template three-dimensional structured map. A fuzzy prediction algorithm is used in possible error correction in extracting the desired intelligent information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an engine using feedback from one or more sensors are disclosed. An illustrative control system for controlling a diesel engine may include one or more post-combustion sensors adapted to directly sense at least one constituent of exhaust gasses emitted from the exhaust manifold of the engine, and a state observer for estimating the internal state of the diesel engine based on feedback signals received from the post-combustion sensors and from subsequent use of the estimated state in a controller that sends the actuator setpoints. The post-combustion sensors can be configured to directly measure emissions such as oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and/or particulate matter (PM) within the exhaust stream, and provide such information to a state observer that, in turn, updates an internal dynamical state based on these measurements.