Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically measuring and recording erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) of blood samples according to the Westergren method includes a controllable specimen device member which measures sedimentation data of blood samples, and a data processor which controls the specimen device analyzes the sedimentation data and reports the results of its analyses. The specimen device is equipped with a controllable camera which measures the opacity of light passing through a specimen being analyzed. The camera has a high dynamic range, meaning that it is sensitive over a blood spectrum of light intensities, so that it guarantees an accurate reading even when the blood sample is hemolyzed or has turbid plasma. The apparatus makes an initial sedimentation height measurement on a specimen sample, and after a given amount of time makes a final sedimentation height measurement on that specimen.

Abstract: A first end user creates an original note and enters any additional attributes to enable an electronic mail system to deliver the note to an intended second end user. The first end user enters data which informs the second end user of the first end user's intent relating whether the original note should be appended to the reply note. Thereafter, the system delivers the note to the intended recipient end user and appends the original to any reply generated by the recipient end user based upon the intent entered into the system.

Abstract: A method and system determines the density of a liquid, such as aircraft fuel, by measuring the amplitude of the reflections of ultrasonic pulses from the faces of the walls of a reference material. A transducer is used to transmit an ultrasonic interrogation pulse through a liquid to the reference material. The density of the reference material is known, and its boundaries are well defined. The interrogation pulse is reflected from the faces of the reference material boundaries to provide first, second and third return pulses that can be used to determine the density of the liquid. The density determination is accomplished by determining characteristic impedances, reflection coefficients and transmission coefficients as a function of the returned pulse amplitudes.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle is equipped with an on-board microcomputer having a function of pre-diagnosing and indicating a possibility of arising of an automotive trouble in response to electrical informations relatable to the trouble which informations are stored in a memory device. Additionally, an acoustical coupler is mounted on the vehicle and electrically connected to the memory device to convert the electrical informations to acoustic signals. The thus converted acoustical signals are to be transmitted via a telephone line to a computer for automotive trouble diagnosis purpose which computer is located remote from the vehicle, for example, in the head office of a service firm, thereby making it possible to achieve automotive trouble diagnosis without carrying the memory device to a service factory.

Abstract: A safety device for a heating apparatus detects the errors of the input power-supply voltage, failures of the respective heating device and control device, and displays the detected failure and safety stops the associated apparatus. The safety device quickly and safely stops only a faulty heating function if the heating apparatus further has a plurality of heating functions, and allows the other normal heating functions of the heating apparatus to be used.

Abstract: Tissue signatures are obtained from first and second order statistics of an image texture to discriminate between different normal tissues and to detect abnormal conditions. These signatures described intrinsic backscatter properties of the tissue imaged and are used as the basis of an automatic tissue characterization algorithm. A device for on-line classifying of the texture of an image measures a total of four first and second order statistical properties of echo signals of a region of interest (ROI) selected by an operator, the echo signals being contained in an image memory. These can be used to obtain the tissue signatures, to detect low contrast lesions by machine, and to produce parametric images.

Abstract: A non-destructive method for evaluating ropes, cables, and strands for flaws and tension is shown. The method permits detecting flaws by recognizing certain vibrational wave amplitude and distribution patterns resulting from striking a test subject with a transverse force. Tension on a test subject is calculated by measuring propagation velocity of the vibrational waves through the test subject. An apparatus is provided which produces vibrational waves in a test subject, measures the amplitude and time distribution of the waves, and displays the measurements for analysis.

Abstract: At least one frame of a strip of photographic film is exposed to an image, and, prior to being developed, six (or so) calibration strips in a specially reserved frame on the same film are individually exposed to six predetermined calibration light sources producing six progressively increasing exposure levels spanning the exposure latitude of the film. A film layer develops a positive image in one color and a negative image in another color using positive and negative dyes, respectively. The film is scanned to determine the positive and negative dye amounts, D.sub.p and D.sub.n at each scanner pixel. The likeliest exposure value E as a function of D.sub.n and D.sub.p is determined probabilistically from six histograms obtained by scanning the six calibration patches on the film, all of the E's thus obtained being stored in a look-up table addressed by the corresponding values of D.sub.p and D.sub.n. The images recorded on the film are then scanned pixel-by-pixel, the D.sub.p and D.sub.

Abstract: A device analyzes vibration-related problems in large rotating machinery which has the capability to receive input simultaneously from a plurality of vibration sensors. A microprocessor stores and processes the data collected, which is output as a value for the amplitude and phase of vibration at each location where a sensor is placed. The device includes communications capabilities which permit the collected data to be transmitted to a remote location for analysis.

Abstract: In a particle counting system for sensing and counting particles, a sample fluid is drawn through an orifice from a sample chamber into a substantially enclosed fluid passage at a selected rate sufficient to maintain the pressure in the substantially closed fluid passage at a predetermined pressure level if the orifice and the substantially closed fluid passage are free from leaks and clogs. A sensor detects the actual pressure in the substantially closed fluid passage. The actual pressure is compared to the predetermined pressure level to identify clogs or leaks in the particle counting system. If a clog is identified, an automatic clog removal sequence is inititiated for dislodging or otherwise removing the clog from the particle counting system. The particle counting system is tested to determine if the clog has indeed been removed.

Abstract: In order to determine the contents of a tank fitted with liquid level sensors and metering equipment, a microprocessor is programmed with an algorithm employing a mathematical expression for initially computing data value based on liquid level sensor outputs and tank dimensions, which data values are compared with actual volumetric amounts of liquid in the tank derived from the metering equipment so as to determine errors in a calibration characteristic for converting the sensor outputs into volumetric amounts. The calibration characteristic is refined by an iterative technique where constants in the mathematical expresson are varied, in accordance with the program so as to make the computed data values closer to the actual volumetric amounts derived from the metering equipment for respective liquid levels in the tank.

Abstract: The presence, size and location of a crack in a shaft is determined by comparing actual measured natural frequencies of the shaft with the results of an analytical model. From a multistation analytical model of an uncracked shaft, natural frequencies and associated mode shapes are derived. A suspected axial location of a crack is defined and a natural frequency of interest is selected which has an associated mode shape exhibiting maximum deflection at the supected axial location of the crack and at a site of excitation. The analytical model is modified to include a representation of an asymmetric crack, at the suspected crack location, and the predicted split and downward shift of the natural frequency of interest as a function of crack depth is calculated from the modified model. The actual shaft is subjected to a radial excitation force, and vibrational response measurements are taken with an accelerometer along multiple radial directions.

Abstract: An automatic, electronically operated data collection and display system for a pipeline video monitoring device, and a method for collecting and displaying information on a pipeline with a video image. A plurality of data inputs are connected to the monitoring device for receiving information on the operating parameters of the device. The data inputs include an operator input. A control unit is connected to the data inputs and has an interconnected central processor, input/output control system, and graphics generation and video overlay system. Data outputs are connected to the input/output control.

Abstract: A method identifies components in a sample by spectrally analyzing the sample in a spectrophotometer. The sample data points output from the spectrophotometer are detected in a detector before being stored in an array in a data station. A preselected smoothing bandwidth is entered into the data station from a keyboard. The bandwidth is converted to a strength parameter; and thereafter each of the smoothed data points is stored before being output as an array of smoothed data points to form a modified spectral display, which identifies the components in the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use on electronically controlled fuel injection systems senses speed, angular position, and direction of rotation using only a single Hall effect type sensor (24). A disk element (14) is fixedly connected to and rotatable with the camshaft of an internal combustion engine. The disk element (14) includes a plurality of circumferential zones (16a-16x) of substantially identical length with each zone (16a-16x) having first (18a-18x) and second (20a-20x) areas. A first portion 16c-16t, 16v-16x) of these circumferential zones (16a-16x) have first (18c-18t, 18v-18x) and second areas (20c-20t, 20v-20x) which are substantially different in length than the first (18a, 18b, 18u) and second areas (20a, 20b, 20u) of a second portion ( 16a, 16b, 16u) of the circumferential zones (16a-16x).

Abstract: An accumulated statistics CFAR method and device operates using integrated data to maximize the probability of target detection for a given false alarm rate. The CFAR hardware varies its detection criteria as a function of the statistics of the range gate in question. The detection threshold is based on other range gates seen in the past which contain the same terrain type.

Abstract: A soil permeameter and method of measuring soil conductivity utilizes a core device that is open at one end that is inserted a measure depth into the soil to be tested. A vertically elongated measuring column is connected to the core device and both are supplied with water sufficiently to develop a pressure head in the column. A timer and a data storage device responsive to the timer are provided to measure and store the time intervals for the level of liquid in the column to fall equal increments. The value of soil conductivity is calculated as a function of the depth of core insertion and the stored time intervals. Both horizontal and vertical components of soil conductivity can be determined separately.

Abstract: Connector plates are positioned at selected truss joints by representing each wood member of the truss as a corresponding two-dimensional polygon. Each side of the polygon is defined by a corresponding member vector having starting and ending points relative to a predetermined reference point. A particular member vector is selected as a boundary vector for each joint boundary, beyond which the connector plate cannot extend. The connector plate is represented as a rectangle of predetermined dimensions corresponding to the actual plate dimensions. Each side of the rectangle is defined by a corresponding plate vector having starting and ending points relative to the reference point. The rectangle is moved within the prescribed joint boundaries by eliminating the points of intersection between the boundary vectors and the plate vectors.

Abstract: An electronic communication system monitor in one embodiment has sensors for sensing electrical and environmental conditions for communication system elements. Control relays connect the elements to a programmable controller. The programmable controller has a keyboard, display, printer and modem for remote communication of information; especially alarms providing notice of operating conditions outside acceptable parameters. A second embodiment provides a logic circuit connected to selected sensors which determines when a combination of conditions exist to cause alarm and automatically activates a remedial device to alleviate a potential problem.

Abstract: An XYZ coordinates measuring system has a slit light source for projecting a slit light beam onto the surface of a work to be measured with a predetermined angle. Furthermore a television camera takes a light line formed on the surface of the work by the slit light beam to generate an output video signal. A coordinate measuring circuit has a look-up table for previously storing the interrelationship between the horizontal and vertical imaging positions of the light line and the XYZ coordinates on the surface of the actual work. The coordinate measuring circuit is adapted to process the video signal to detect the horizontal and vertical imaging positions Ks and Ls of the light line and to output the XYZ coordinates on the surface of the work from the look-up table, depending on the detected horizontal and vertical imaging positions Ks and Ls, the XYZ coordinates on the surface of the work can thus be real-time measured along the light line.