Abstract: A cycle time analyzer system and method monitors machine events (analog or digital) and calculates elapsed times for these events. The system and method allow an operator to setup and recall process configurations that define the machine events to be monitored. The process configurations comprise machine event descriptions along with respective programmable logic controller (PLC) addresses that define the start and stop of an event. Each event relates to a step or operation performed by the machine. Standard times or tolerances for performing the steps are specified. Machine cycle times that are outside the standard times or tolerances may be indicative of a malfunction in the manufacturing production environment. Various software modules support process configurations for controlling which machine events are monitored and how they are monitored. The source of a problem may be located by defining additional process configurations to focus on a particular set or series of machine events.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated problem identification system. The invention analyzes a customer's computing environment, including administration practices, system configuration including hardware, software and the operating system. Then the invention compares the computing environment to an internal rules database. The internal rules database is a compilation of various problems that are known to exist on various configurations. Then, instead of calling an expert when there is a problem and repeating the process for every customer, the invention uses a proactive approach by analyzing a given system configuration and comparing it to a body of known problems, before the system breaks down.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described that use models of measurement variables to provide self-adjusting policies that: (a) reduce the administrative overhead of specifying thresholds and (b) provide a means for pro-active management by automatically constructing warning thresholds based on the probability of an alarm occurring within a time horizon. The invention includes components for model construction, threshold construction, policy evaluation, and action taking. Several kinds of meta policies are used in accordance with the invention to provide adaptation and pro-active management.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing the surface contour of the human foot uses an array of sensing pins that are resiliently biased in an extended position by springs. As a foot is pressed down on the pins, a counter counts decrements of vertical movement and therefore generates a count state that corresponds to the relative displacement of the foot in relation to the pins. As each pin contacts the surface of the foot, a control mechanism automatically stores the relative displacement position at which the pin is touched by the foot. These stored values provide a digital representation of the sensed contour of the foot. This digital data may be used to provide a contour image of the foot or select or manufacture shoes or shoe inserts. The contour data may also be used to obtain medical information concerning the shape of the foot.

Abstract: In a workflow system performing works by circulating data to a plurality of staffs via a network, a processing history of a workflow case is recorded and processing histories are collected. A processing situation in the workflow system is checked by using the processing histories collected. In case the situation check decides that a delay is present, case entry is suppressed so as to control a case amount and a work amount.

Abstract: A desired Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL), a desired Key Defect Rate (KDR), a desired power of a sampling plan for items that are manufactured and a desired false alarm rate for the sampling plan are input into a computer. The computer calculates a required sample size to provide the desired AQL, the desired KDR, the desired power of the sampling plan for the items that are manufactured and the desired false alarm rate for the sampling plan. Thus, each of the individual parameters may be independently specified based on the items that are manufactured, desired AQLs, KDRs, power and false alarm rates. Reliance on ANSI/ASQ Z1.9 tables which might best fit a user's desired parameters can be reduced and preferably eliminated. In addition to calculating the required sample size, a decision rule critical value also may be calculated based upon the required sample size to provide the desired AQL, the desired KDR, the desired power and the desired false alarm rate for the sampling plan.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and arrangement for use in an electrical utility meter, the electrical utility meter operable to be connected to a plurality of electrical service types. The arrangement is operable to identify a present service type, the present service type being one of the plurality of electrical service types to which the electrical utility meter is connected. The arrangement comprises: conversion circuit for obtaining measured voltage magnitude and phase angle data for a plurality of phases in a polyphase electrical system; a memory; and a processor connected to said memory and said conversion circuit. The processor is operable to execute programming steps stored in the memory to receive the measured voltage magnitude and phase angle data from the conversion circuit and identify the present electrical service type based on the measured voltage magnitude and phase angle data.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically collecting and for analyzing information about time and work performed on a computer includes a hardware abstraction layer for monitoring activity on various user input devices. The system also includes the following elements: a data collector for monitoring certain portions of a user's computer activity and for logging into a log file those certain portions of a user's computer activity; a data analyzer for determining by following user-defined rules showing which portions of those certain portions of a user's computer activity constitutes continuous work activities, and how this work should be categorized by project and task with project; and an external interface for building the rules defining work. The data collector includes a resident module, such as a TSR (terminate-and-stay-resident) module, which extends the file system of the computer so that detailed records are kept of file activities.

Abstract: An electronic circuit comprises a plurality of input/output (I/O) nodes for connecting the electronic circuit to a further electronic circuit via interconnects. A main unit implements a normal mode function of the electronic circuit. A test unit tests the interconnects. The electronic circuit has a normal mode in which the I/O nodes are logically connected to the main unit and a test mode in which the I/O nodes are logically connected to the test unit. In the test mode the test unit is operable as a low complexity memory via the I/O nodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for taking the data generated from an array of responses from a multichannel instrument, and determining the characteristics of a chemical in the sample without the necessity of calibrating or training the instrument with known samples containing the same chemical. The characteristics determined by the method are then used to classify and identify the chemical in the sample. The method can also be used to quantify the concentration of the chemical in the sample.

Abstract: A method for comparing the quality of components with signal reception capabilities. The method generally includes the steps of: (1) providing at least two test vehicles, each equipped with a component to be tested, (2) providing each vehicle with a device for recording the output of the component to be tested, (3) providing at least one of the two vehicles with a video recording device, (4) simultaneously traveling a test route with the two vehicles remaining in close proximity, (5) recording the output signals of the two components to be tested as the vehicles travel the test route, (6) providing a video recording of the vehicles traveling the test route and (7) comparing the recorded signals of the two components while taking into consideration environmental conditions shown in the video recording. The present invention also provides a method for automatically rating the sound quality of a recorded FM broadcast.

Abstract: An electronic energy meter which receives a measurement request, and responsive to the measurement request and data stored in data tables in a memory, performs a function and generates output information. The output information is outputted in accordance with a predetermined priority scheme. Each different type of measurement request has a different output priority. An electronic energy meter that permits the addition of new measurements or testing capabilities without requiring factory modifications to effect such functionality changes is also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-disruptive, on-line testing and switchover method and apparatus in a high availability, fiber channel switching environment. In a network having an active switching element, a redundant switching element and a port, one aspect of the present invention provides for verifying a working data path from the port to the redundant switching element, and thereafter verifying a working control path to the redundant switching element. Both verification tests take place without interrupting operation on the network. In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides for recognizing a failure occurrence in the active switching element, and thereafter switching to the redundant switching element with the potential for minimal frame loss.

Abstract: Information transfer is effected using a network of electrical signal conductors and sensors forming crosspoint connections. The sensors are capable of representing a measurement parameter as an electrical impedance. One embodiment of the present invention includes output electrical conductors, input electrical conductors, and sensors. Each of the sensors is connected with one of the output electrical conductors and one of the input electrical conductors so as to form an array of crosspoint connections. Application of electrical signals to the sensors and measurement of electrical signals from the sensors provide sufficient information to derive relative information from each sensor using algorithms based on equations for combining impedance. The embodiment may further include one or more reference elements connected with the output electrical conductors and with the input electrical conductors so as to form crosspoint connections.

Abstract: A method and system for demonstrating compliance of nuclear fuel rods with fundamental licensing criteria for fuel rod internal pressure during nuclear reactor operation is presented. A nuclear fuel rod evaluation process is performed during the fuel cycle design and licensing process for each operating cycle of a particular nuclear reactor. The evaluation process includes a rod-by-rod internal pressure analysis based on empirical data of actual operational power output levels of each fuel rod in the reactor core. A computer program constructs individual fuel rod power histories for each nuclear fuel rod in the reactor core based on empirical information acquired during previous fuel cycles and the projected operation of the reactor in an upcoming fuel cycle. Using the constructed power histories for each fuel rod, the program then computes thermal and mechanical overpower limits and a maximum internal pressure for each rod in the upcoming fuel cycle.

Abstract: A system for monitoring power quality events of electrical energy provided to an energy meter via a service type comprises a memory for storing reference information reflective of different service types, a digital signal processor for measuring characteristics of the electrical energy, and a microcontroller for retrieving the reference information from the memory and comparing the measured characteristics to the reference information for the service type to determine the occurrence of power quality events. For each power quality event, at least one of a start time, a stop time, a duration, a measured phase, a magnitude of a measured quantity, and a predisturbance value, and a cumulative total of the power quality events is recorded.

Abstract: A pulse oximeter (100) includes two or more light sources (102) for transmitting optical signals through an appendage (103) of patient. The sources (102) are operated to transmit code division multiplexed (CDM) signals. That is, the sources (102) are driven by drives (104) in response to signals from a digital processing unit (116) such that the sources (102) are modulated using different code sequences. The code sequences are preferably non-periodic and may be orthogonal to one another. The use of such CDM signals provides certain advantages related to noise reduction.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for controlling the quantum state probability distribution of one quantum object of a pair of entangled quantum objects, which include providing a pair of entangled quantum objects, each of these objects having a uniform quantum state probability distribution, providing a system for controlling the quantum state probability distribution of the one quantum object by using the controlling system to choose the probability distribution of the observable quantum states of the other quantum object of the pair of entangled quantum objects, using the controlling system to choose the probability distribution of the quantum states of the other quantum object, choosing whether to observe the quantum state of the other quantum object, and subsequently observing the quantum state of the one quantum object of the pair of correlated quantum objects to determine if the prepared quantum state probability distribution of the one quantum object has been altered by an observation of the quantum

Abstract: A system that detects a motor fault includes a current sensor, a filter, and a controller. The sensor is electrically connected to the filter. A controller tunes the filter to a rotational frequency of a motor and compares a filtered signal to a predetermined value. A method that detects the motor fault condition selects an output signal conditioned by either a band pass filter or a low pass filter and compares the selected output to a predetermined value to identify a motor fault.

Abstract: A method for comparing the quality of components with signal reception capabilities. The method generally includes the steps of: (1) providing at least two test vehicles, each equipped with a component to be tested, (2) providing each vehicle with a device for recording the output of the component to be tested, (3) providing at least one of the two vehicles with a video recording device, (4) simultaneously traveling a test route with the two vehicles remaining in close proximity, (5) recording the output signals of the two components to be tested as the vehicles travel the test route, (6) providing a video recording of the vehicles traveling the test route and (7) comparing the recorded signals of the two components while taking into consideration environmental conditions shown in the video recording. The present invention also provides a method for automatically rating the sound quality of a recorded FM broadcast.