Abstract: An inspection controller for an object includes a plurality of sensors for providing a set of input signal states representing characteristics of the object, a plurality of output terminals, a memory for storing a set of output signal states corresponding to each possible set of input signal states of the sensors, and a control device for selecting a set of output signal states stored in the memory and producing a set of output signal states at the output terminals corresponding to a set of the input states.

Abstract: A means and method for digitally analyzing multiple-component fields measures the relative proportional content of each component in the field. A selected field area is recorded to create a record which may be divided into a plurality of discrete segments each of which has an identifiable intensity, such as an ascertainable visible intensity. The visible intensity of each discrete segment is digitally resolved into one of a preselected multiple of discrete gray-level values, the frequency of which may then be registered to obtain a frequency distribution, such as a histogram. The frequency distribution is resolved, such as through a Gaussian mixture analysis, to approximate the observed data by multiple, normally distributed component distributions. Each of the component distributions is then representative of a selected component of the field, thereby providing a measure of the proportional content of the field area which is comprised by each component.

Abstract: A digital lock-in amplifier has a digital-to-analog converter connected between a central processing unit and a source of a signal to be detected or measured and which modulates the signal, an analog-to-digital converter connected between the source of the signal to be measured and the central processing unit, which includes a low pass filtered amplifier, a voltage controlled oscillator having a voltage offset reference supply and a counter, so that the modulated signal is converted to a series of electronic pulses counted over a set period, and a central processing unit which reads, resets and restarts the counter, analyzes the counts received, outputs digital information relating to the amplitude and phase of the signal to be measured or detected, reads a function table and outputs a signal to the digital-to-analog converter. A method detects and measure timed periodic signals using the above digital lock-in amplifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling a multi-pump system is described wherein wire-to-water efficiency (W) is accurately determined according to the formulaW=(Q.times.HS/K.times.E)wherein Q is flow through the system, HS is total dynamic head across the inlet and outlet headers of the system, E is energy input to the system to drive the pump, and K is a predetermined conversion factor. The pumps of the system are selectively energized and deenergized as the efficiency W varies above and/or below efficiency setpoints so as to optimize the efficiency of the pumping system.

Abstract: An X-ray inspection system for manually or automatically performing digital fluoroscopy inspections and/or computed tomography inspections by X-ray examination of manufactured parts incorporates a computer system which automatically analyzes the inspected parts for flaws. The system includes apparatus for automatically positioning the parts in an X-ray machine for obtaining fluoroscopy and tomography views of the part and for acquiring data from the inspections at production rates. The system automatically identifies the location of rejectable flaws in the parts during the fluoroscopy scanning and subsequently identifies those locations for obtaining tomography scans, if the identified flaw location is questionable. The system can automatically reject parts containing flaws identified during the fluoroscopy inspections. This system operates in a real-time environment by providing analysis of one part while a subsequent part is being subjected to X-ray examination.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of removing works from each of the facilities in a production line is described in order to facilitate changing of a work monitoring operation in accordance with, for example, a layout change in the production line and a change in the facilities. Work tracking conditions are stored in a memory in the form of a table, and work tracking management data and plant status data which have been stored in the memory separately are retrived while the work tracking conditions are referred to, thereby extracting management data for which tracking conditions have been completed. The extracted management data is subjected to processing such as movement and updating in accordance with the contents of the above-described data which are referred to.

Abstract: A fare computer for a taxi, a freight carrier, or other use calculates the fare, display the fare as it accrues and displays visual representations of each charge contributing to the accrued fare. The fare computer is particularly suited for use in those localitites in which the taxi fare is based upon zones of travel, in accordance with a zone tariff schedule, rather than on total distance travelled. In a first mode, or ZONE TARIFF MODE, the fare computer calculates the fare from primary charge data, derived from the number of zones traversed in travelling from the origin of the trip to the destination, and secondary charge data, derived from such events as the handling of luggage or pets, extra stops, extra passengers or responding to a telephone request for passenger pick up. A display presents visual representations of the origin and destination zones and of each secondary charge contributing to the accrued fare, along with display of the total accrued fare.

Abstract: A multiple set point material condition monitoring system includes a material responsive sensor developing a material condition dependent admittance and a reference admittance generator, generating a plurality of different admittance values in a predetermined sequence repeatedly during operation of the system. The circuitry coupled with the sensor and the reference admittance generator outputs a signal which is a function both of the material condition generated admittance and each of the plurality of reference admittance values, in sequence. Storage means are provided for storing a characteristic of the output signal for feedback to the circuitry when that particular reference admittance value for generating that output signal is again generated by the reference admittance generator. Preferably, the sensor and reference admittance generator are coupled across each of a pair of arms of bridge network which constitutes part of the circuitry developing the output signal.

Abstract: A programmable electronic digital thermostat provides improved control of a temperature conditioning system for varying load conditions in order to maintain the ambient temperature within a predefined range of a scheduled set temperature while minimizing ambient temperature overshoots and undershoots. The thermostat includes an improved power supply circuit for simply and effectively providing its operating power utilizing an external alternating current power source of the temperature conditioning system and utilizing conventional existing wiring. The thermostat includes a microprocessor for storing a program and for performing logical control operations in accordance with the stored program and a temperature sensing circuit that provides a pulse width modulated PWM signal representative of ambient temperature in response to an enable control signal from the microprocessor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method controls a dual piston pump for a liquid chromatography system so as to pump a flow of solvent through the liquid chromatography column at a constant flow rate and with a solvent composition which is substantially equal to the desired solvent composition despite changing conditions of compressibility of the solvent. A computer is used which measures the time it takes the pump shaft to move through an overlap region in the pump cycle when both pistons are simultaneously pumping as normalized to the time taken by the pump to move through a constant velocity portion of the piston travel defined by the user. This time is compared to the time stored in the computer for the particular flow rate used to measure the time defined above for the pump to move through the overlap region for an incompressible solvent at low pressure as normalized to the time taken by the input piston to move through the same user defined segment of the constant velocity portion of the travel of the input piston.

Abstract: A method of controlling a six pulse bridge phase controlled rectifier using a microprocessor is provided by the invention herein. The method involves synchronizing an oscillator to the frequency of an ac power source and driving first and second counters with the oscillator. The first counter is used in conjunction with a phase locked loop to monitor and adjust the oscillator frequency. The count of the second counter generates an .alpha. value used in a firing angle match routine. The match routine compares the desired output voltage to the cosine of .alpha. minus an inductance factor. The match routine takes less than 20 microseconds to run allowing a new .alpha. value to be checked every 0.5 degrees for a 60 hertz power source. When a match is found, the thyristors are fired and a reload value projecting a subsequent firing in 60.degree. is calculated for the second counter.

Abstract: Stored program controlled data processing apparatus operates in concert with display and printing equipment to create, modify and print graphics for consumer goods or other packaging applications. Packaging graphics are prepared by entering and defining plural image elements which may comprise photographic or other images, geometric form, text, or anything else capable of print reproduction. The evolving composite graphics are viewed on a computer display peripheral, and may be modified as desired.In accordance with varying aspects of the present invention, a display image is formed illustrating the packaging graphics "wrapped" around and onto the surface of a user-specified three dimensional form to present and evaluate the packaging in its intended application. Moreover, the wrapped three dimensional display can be rotated to view the packaging from diverse directions.

Abstract: A method and device of scanning objects by means of ultrasound echography by repeated transmission of ultrasound signals and the reception of the ultrasound echoes includes the following operations:(a) storing an echographic line in a memory;(b) determining the ratio of the power spectra for two distinct observation depths, including correction for the effects of the diffraction;(c) storing in a memory and/or displaying the frequency-dependency of the scatter function of the object examined;(d) repeating the proceding operations for two other observation depths which correspond to resepctive boundaries of homogeneous zones, and for other echographic lines.

Abstract: The measurement range of Moire contouring techniques is extended beyond the Nyquist frequency limit by constraining the reconstruction of a surface contour according to a priori knowledge about the surface. In one example the a priori knowledge is that the surface is smooth, being described by a function having continuous derivatives, and the location of a region where the surface changes by less than C/2 per sample. In another example, the a priori knowledge is the location and height of a step discontinuity to within C/2, where C is the contour interval.

Abstract: A conventional hydrogen-cooled electric generator having gland seals prevents the escape of hydrogen gas from the generator housing. A conventional seal oil system provides the gland seals with the necessary oil so as to perform their sealing function. Diagnostic apparatus is provided for the arrangement and includes a plurality of sensors which provide output signals indicative of certain parameters such as temperatures and pressures throughout the seal oil system. The output signals are provided to a diagnostic computer which, in a preferred embodiment, utilizes an expert system diagnostic routine for examining the sensor signals and deriving certain conclusions relative to the operating condition of the seal oil system. Various conclusions are additionally reached using operator-entered information from off-line sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting deviation from a constant scanning speed of a galvanometer driven by a linear drive signal, characterized in that the linear drive signal for driving the galvanometer is converted into a non-linear drive signal in accordance with predetermined correction data to thereby reduce the deviation to zero.

Abstract: A cryogenic thermometer using molecular luminescence determines temperature. A sensor material is used which is capable of emitting radiant energy from a spin multiplet when excited, the excited state being characterized by a large zero field splitting (ZFS), and in which two of the sublevels split by the ZFS are radiative in the visible or near infrared region and are optically resolvable from each other. Spin-lattice relaxation rates between the sublevels are much larger than the sublevel decay rates to other states in order that their populations remain close to thermal equilibrium during optical pumping. The relative intensity of the two bands of radiation is determined and the temperature calculated therefrom. Xanthione (XS) dissolved in n-hexane may be used as a sensor material in the optimum range of 3 to 10K, with estimated precision varying between 0.4 mK and 3.0 mK within this range.

Abstract: In a system for measuring the level of filling, particularly in a fuel tank, having an analog probe which extends over the filling-level region and supplies measurement values which are analogs of the level of filling, there is furthermore provided a digital probe which supplies measurement values which change rapidly with the level of filling. Correction values are derived from a comparison of the measurement values of the digital probe and analog prove. The measurement values of the analog probe are corrected by means of the correction values and displayed. The probes are preferably formed of temperature-dependent resistors.

Abstract: An automatic chemical analyzer including a cuvette wheel having a number of cuvette holding recesses formed along a periphery thereof, a driving unit for rotating the cuvette wheel in a stepwise manner, an automatic cuvette loader for supplying cuvettes into cuvette holding recesses of the cuvette wheel, a sample delivery device for supplying samples into cuvettes held on the cuvette wheel, a reagent delivery device for supplying reagents into cuvettes held on the cuvette wheel, a colorimeter for measuring an optical density of test liquids contained in cuvettes, a washing device for washing cuvettes, and an automatic cuvette unloader for removing cuvettes out of the cuvette wheel.

Abstract: A patient monitor monitors information on body condition. The monitor includes a sensor for detecting information on body condition and converting the detected information into an electrical analog signal. The electrical analog signal is converted into digital measured values and sampled by a data processor at a predetermined time interval. Or, the data processor calculates a representative data value from a predetermined number of digital measured values to obtain summary data. Continuity or discontinuity is determined from successive blocks of summary data. A read-write storage for the summary data and two different kinds of delimiters correspond to the cases where the continuity and discontinuity of successive blocks of summary data are identified.