Abstract: The method of the present invention utilizes a microcomputer in combination with a CRT and a multiplicity of transducers for monitoring process parameters in the operation of a reciprocating device having a linear stroke. A profile of the process parameters including pressure and velocity are generated as a function of stroke length and time and are stored in a non-volatile memory and graphically displayed on the CRT as master traces for comparison with current data profiles. The velocity is calculated by dividing distance transversed with time or by use of a velocity position transducer.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the life usage of components subject to variable operating conditions particularly helicopter gears subject to variable torque. A monitor 10 provides an analogue signal of the level of operating parameter which is passed through conditioning means 26 including pre-amplifier 29, filter stage 31, multiplexer 38 and analogue to digital converter 40. A memory 42 stores life usage data for the component and a microprocessor 43 repeatedly samples the monitored level of the parameter and determines the life usage in successive time intervals. Electromechanical counter 53 provides a cumulative output of the life usage of the components. The microprocessor 43 also analyses the parameter levels into ranges or bands and the total time each component is operating in each range is stored and printed out.

Abstract: A universal fuel quantity indicator apparatus (100,102) includes a digital fuel quantity indicator (100) having an internal microprocessor control unit (104) and a removably connectable digital calibration trim unit interface (102) which enables the fuel quantity indicator (100) to be reconfigured for different fuel tanks by varying selectable fuel tank parameters, such as constants associated with a fuel quantity determination based on calculations of capacitance of a tank capacitor array (110) and a compensator capacitor (112).

Abstract: An electronic postage meter which has a computer and apparatus for printing a postage value, wherein the computer includes instrumentalities for authorizing printing the postage value, and has shutter apparatus which is operable for alternately preventing and permitting operation of the postage printing apparatus, and has interposing apparatus which is operable for alternately preventing and permitting operation of the shutter apparatus, is provided with an improvement for controlling the operation of the interposing apparatus.

Abstract: An automatic dimension analyzer is disclosed which comprises a power driven table on which an object being measured is placed, the table being movable in orthogonal directions, and an optical system for forming an optical image of the object in a sample point field. The sample point field is electronically scanned in a rectangular raster format to produce sample point data bits each representing a sample point having a predetermined optical level. A cursor generator is synchronized with the raster to generate a cursor in the sample point field. A coincidence detector is provided to detect a coincidence between a sample point data bit and the cursor. Measurement instructions are stored in sequentially addressible locations of a memory through a data entry means.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring peak gamma radiation is provided wherein the method includes the steps of determining a minimum and maximum number of counts within a preselected multiple channel energy spectrum measurement range, determining a channel having approximately one-half the number of maximum counts, determining a channel representing a background energy, computing a peak energy centroid channel, computing a channel to energy conversion factor and recomputing the boundry channels for the preselected multiple channel energy spectrum measurement range.

Abstract: An image of a person who has taken off his/her spectacles is taken on a video camera; then video signals for the image of the person are A/D-converted and stored into a video memory device as the digital signals; thereafter display signals are produced by synthesizing data for the image of the person and data for the spectacles frame as stored in the video memory device; and finally a state of the person with the spectacles frame being put on his/her face is displayed on a display device to thereby match the spectacles with the person.

Abstract: A display method in a computer tomographic apparatus is disclosed wherein a plurality of bar graphs representing the scanning schedule are generated on a display. The bar graph depicts the scanning time extending one distance and the margin time extending a second distance at a smaller width. When the scanning is taking place, signals are generated to plot over the scanning bar graph during the scanning time and plot over the margin bar graph during the margin time. The scanning time and margin time bar graphs adjoin one another and are distinguishable by the margin time extending from the scanning bar at a narrower width. This configuration allows an operator to readily determine at a glance the scanning step and progress thereof.

Abstract: In a pattern data conversion processing system, one-character pattern data generated by a character generator is divided by a shift register into a plurality of basic pattern data. The divided basic pattern data are sequentially subjected to enlargement, 90.degree. conversion or nonrotational conversion by using a 4/3 times elongation conversion ROM, a double elongation/90.degree. conversion ROM and a bypass circuit. The converted one-character data is stored in a one-character ROM and, as such, the one-character pattern data from the one-character ROM is stored by a direct memory access controller (DMAC) into a frame memory. When 180.degree. conversion is designated, the one-character data is subjected to 90.degree. conversion, and the converted data is stored in the frame memory. The pattern data from the frame memory is transferred by the DMAC to a page printer which then prints the transferred data.

Abstract: A hybrid optical/digital method for measuring the displacements of compact images, in particular, particle images recorded on photographic or other recording media in multiple exposure photography. The method compresses the two-dimensional image field of the particles into two one-dimensional line images that are perpendicular to each other. The mean particle displacement between multiple exposures is determined by digitizing the one dimensional images, computing their autocorrelations, and locating the peaks of those autocorrelations. This method is particularly adapted to measure the velocity fields in fluids containing many small particles. Alternatively, when the first and second images of a single particle are the only images in the image field, the displacement is found by locating the peak of each image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combined flight data recorder data aquisition circuitry (10) and airborne integrated data circuitry (12) that can be variously packaged to supplement and update existing aircraft systems or serve as a standalone flight data recording and/or airborne integrated data system. The flight data recorder system circuitry (10) and airborne integrated data system circuitry (12) are separately programmed microprocessor based systems that are capable of processing aircraft parametric signals provided by a variety of aircraft signal sources. In the disclosed arrangement, the airborne integrated data system circuitry (12) is arranged and programmed to automatically monitor engine start and shutdown procedures, aircraft takeoff and cruise and to provide a landing report that indicates fuel consumption and landing weight.

Abstract: A service estimation apparatus for an elevator adopting an estimated index with which service by the elevator can be estimated in any building and under any traffic state comprising a measurement apparatus to measure periods of service time and a microprocessor operating under program control to calculate a mean value and a variance of the periods of service time to set a reference value for designating a range of the periods of service time and to determine the estimated index, namely, an upper limit presumption value based on the mean value, the variance, and the reference value, and to determine an unachieved rate of service reference corresponding to the upper limit presumption value, the unachieved rate of service reference being a probability value at which the elevator periods of service time fall outside the range designated by the reference value.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer includes a temperature sensitive element and a programmable microcomputer coupled to receive temperature data from the element. After processing the data in accordance with a control program, a predicted temperature is provided on a display. The program includes instructions causing a microcomputer to store temperature data at selected intervals during a fixed duration sampling period. A computation algorithm is then selected from a high ambient temperature algorithm, a normal ambient temperature algorithm, and a low ambient temperature algorithm, and the body temperature computed using one of the selected algorithms. The thermometer also displays operator error if the temperature sensing element senses a decrease in temperature during the fixed duration sampling period.

Abstract: Light transmitted through a thin section of reservoir rock whose pores are filled with blue-dyed epoxy is passed sequentially through red, blue and green filters and the density levels in the filtered images thereafter converted into pixels. The intensity, hue and saturation are then calculated from the red, blue and green components in each scene pixel. From the calculated values of intensity, hue and saturation, the pixels representative of pores and pores underlain by mineral are separated from the non-pore representative pixels.

Abstract: A graphics, such as a shop drawing of a workpiece worked by a machine tool, is inputted as working data in an automatic programming function in accordance with the natural graphic recognition order for an operator, and the system therefor includes the steps of first designating the shape of a basic graphics of the workpiece, and then designating sizes of the basic graphics, and finally designating the shape and sizes of auxiliary graphics of the workpiece.

Abstract: A digital system simulation apparatus and method enable a user to interactively control, during simulation, the sampling of signals in the digital system whose behavior is being simulated. The behavior of the system can be approximated better by recognizing and allowing a precise definition of element outputs even though the element inputs can include undefined variables. The apparatus allows efficient and better utilization of system memories by providing the capability of defining multiple outputs of the circuit elements in a single instruction when those outputs all have common inputs.

Abstract: A processor responsive to multiple AC analog signals has individual sampling circuits to sample and hold each AC analog signal in DC form. After the DC signals are multiplexed, a single error correction circuit calculates correction voltages individualized for each sampling circuit and sums them with the DC signals. An instantaneous floating point amplifier amplifies each signal in 12 db increments up to a preselected limit, and then a second sampling circuit holds the amplified signal before an analog-to-digital converter generates a digital signal representative of the amplified signal.

Abstract: A novel constant-speed drive system for automotive vehicles is disclosed, in which in response to an instruction for constant-speed drive while the vehicle is under acceleration, it is decided whether the vehicle acceleration at that particular time is higher than a predetermined value, and in accordance with the result of this decision, the change rate of the opening of the throttle valve is determined by use of an equation in which the value of a factor is set accordingly. In the case where the acceleration is comparatively high, the value of the factor may be changed to improve the responsiveness of the change rate of the opening of the throttle valve with the change in vehicle speed, thus making it possible to fully prevent the overshoot of the running vehicle speed.

Abstract: An anti-skid braking device for use in a vehicle comprising a braking mechanism for supplying a braking force to a wheel of the vehicle, a moderator for moderating the braking force supplied from the braking mechanism to the wheel for a moderation time interval in a case where the acceleration relevant to the rotation of the wheel reaches a predetermined negative angular acceleration value during supply of the braking force to the wheel by the mechanism.

Abstract: A real-time data collection apparatus for use in collecting data from a multi-axis measuring machine comprises laser interferometers for outputting position measurement data from the measuring machine axis. A measuring probe produces an output signal as a function of probe deflection. The measurement data from the laser interferometers and the probe data are simultaneously captured in response to a data capture signal. The simultaneously captured data is input to a data analysis computer for subsequent processing.