Abstract: A system and method of identifying changes utilizing radio frequency polarization includes receiving a reflected and/or transmitted polarized radio frequency signal at a receiver, filtering, amplifying and conditioning the received signal, converting the received signal from an analog format to a digital format, processing the digital signal to elicit a polarization mode dispersion feature of the received signal, and comparing the polarization mode dispersion features to a known calibration to detect a change in a characteristic of the target object.

Abstract: A method for mapping a source location by an electronic device is described. The method includes obtaining sensor data. The method also includes mapping a source location to electronic device coordinates based on the sensor data. The method further includes mapping the source location from electronic device coordinates to physical coordinates. The method additionally includes performing an operation based on a mapping.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a three-dimensional stress concentrating feature of a component (60), such as a borehole (62), using a two-dimensional probabilistic technique. A circumferentially-dependent stress concentration profile around the stress concentrating feature is determined, and then a probability of failure of the component is calculated using a 2D probabilistic failure analysis of the stress concentration profile. The probabilistic failure analysis may include a Monte Carlo theta integration approach.

Abstract: A method for monitoring position of and controlling a second nanosatellite (NS) relative to a position of a first NS. Each of the first and second NSs has a rectangular or cubical configuration of independently activatable, current-carrying solenoids, each solenoid having an independent magnetic dipole moment vector, ?1 and ?2. A vector force F and a vector torque are expressed as linear or bilinear combinations of the first set and second set of magnetic moments, and a distance vector extending between the first and second NSs is estimated. Control equations are applied to estimate vectors, ?1 and ?2, required to move the NSs toward a desired NS configuration. This extends to control of N nanosatellites.

Abstract: A method of machine condition monitoring, wherein at least one measured and/or calculated machine parameter is monitored during the operation of a machine, and wherein a change in the machine condition, particularly a critical operating state of the machine, is deduced when at least one monitored machine parameter reaches a limit value, and wherein at least one monitored machine parameter is monitored depending on at least one other machine parameter in defined operating point ranges of the machine, wherein a change in machine condition is deduced when at least one monitored machine parameter within a defined operating point range reaches at least one limit value individual to the operating point range.

Abstract: In some embodiments, vehicle-based natural gas leak detection methods include assembling a collection of measured concentration peaks originating from a common natural gas leak according to wind direction, wind variability and inter-peak distance data, and selecting from the collection a subset of one or more representative peaks for display. Assigning peaks to a collection may be performed according to a peak overlap condition dependent upon a scaling (overlap) factor which scales the spatial reach of a peak, and according to a wind condition which determines whether a downwind event points toward an upwind event. The scaling factor may depend on wind variability and on an orientation of an inter-peak vector relative to a representative wind direction. Peak filtering is particularly useful in urban environments, where buildings channel gas plumes and one leak may lead to sequential detections of multiple concentration peaks along a path.

Abstract: Various embodiments manage the operation of a substrate penetrating device. In one embodiment, a set of location information associated with a substrate penetrating device is received. At least one database including information associated with obstructed objects is queried based on the set of location information. A determination is made, based on the querying, that the area where the substrate penetrating device is operating includes at least one obstructed object. A probability is calculated with respect to the substrate penetrating device encountering the at least one obstructed object while operating in the area.

Abstract: An integrated, portable sample analysis system and method. A viscometer subsystem receives a first portion of a sample. A spectrometer subsystem receives a second portion of the sample. A syringe pump subsystem receives a third portion of the sample and is configured to urge the third portion of the sample through a filter which collects particles in the sample thereon. An x-ray analysis subsystem is configured to x-ray the particles. The x-ray analysis subsystem also receives a fourth portion of the sample in order to determine the composition of any dissolved material in the sample. A processing subsystem provides a report concerning the sample and its viscosity, physical properties, particulate count and size distribution, and the composition of particulate and dissolved elements in the sample.

Abstract: A device for analyzing measurement data having a plurality of data sets, each data set being assigned to a respective one of a plurality of measurements, each data set having multiple features being indicative of different fractions of a fluidic sample, the device comprising a cluster determining unit configured for determining feature clusters by clustering features from different data sets presumably relating to the same fraction, a spread determining unit configured for determining for at least a part of the feature clusters a spread of the features within a respective feature cluster, and a display unit configured for displaying at least the part of the feature clusters together with a graphical indication of the corresponding spread.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for calculating a food additive. A first method includes identifying chemical compounds of an averse food ingredient, identifying chemical compounds of a flavorful food ingredient and calculating a set of chemical compounds for the food additive such that an olfactory perception of a mixture of the averse food ingredient, the flavorful food ingredient and the food additive is the same as an olfactory perception of only the flavorful food ingredient. A first device includes a database storing information identifying chemical compounds of an averse food ingredient and identifying chemical compounds of a flavorful food ingredient, and a processor for calculating a food additive such that an olfactory perception of flavors of a mixture of the averse food ingredient, the flavorful food ingredient and the food additive is the same as an olfactory perception of only the flavorful food ingredient.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for the generation of a stage speed profile and/or the selection of care areas for automated wafer inspection. The stage speed profile generated corresponds to a fastest speed the inspection machine is able to inspect provided a set of care areas. The set of care areas selected correspond to specific regions on the wafer which are to be imaged in detail by the inspection machine. The apparatus and methods herein may also calculate speed of inspection and coverage (and possibly other characteristics of the inspection) for a quantity of cases, and select the best trade-off of coverage versus inspection time using a cost function. Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, computer program and system to identify peaks generated by different physical ions in a solution including substances by analyzing mass and intensity coordinates of all peaks in a set of mass spectra measured with errors for a certain concentration c of the solution is here disclosed. The peaks in different mass spectra are associated to a same ion if they are sufficiently ‘close’ according to specific discrimination criteria that go beyond the proximity of mass values. A two stage process is applied, each stage consisting in applying the method to identify peaks in mass spectra. In stage 1, the method to identify peaks is applied on each set of mass spectra for each concentration. Resulting sequences of peaks, one peak in each spectrum, are associated to different ions. This output of stage 1 is converted into a set of virtual mass spectra having as virtual peaks, average peak coordinate values calculated on each sequence.

Abstract: A calibration system for a surgical instrument. The calibration system includes an actuator, such as a motor system and a flexible shaft. The calibration system also includes a surgical instrument actuatable by the actuator. The calibration system also include calibration data corresponding to the surgical instrument. A processor is configured to process the calibration data for determining a position of the surgical instrument. The calibration system may include a sensor configured to provide a signal corresponding to a movement of the actuator, the processor being further configured to process the signal for determining a position of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with a first sensor unit that obtains two-dimensional information or three-dimensional information about a target object with a first position and orientation, a second sensor unit that obtains the two-dimensional information about the target object, a three-dimensional position and orientation measurement unit that measures three-dimensional position and orientation of the target object based on the information obtained by the first sensor unit, a second sensor position and orientation determination unit that calculates second position and orientation based on a measurement result with the three-dimensional position and orientation measurement unit and model information about the target object, and a three-dimensional position and orientation measurement unit that measures the three-dimensional position and orientation of the target object based on the information obtained by the second sensor unit with the second position and orientation and the model information about the target ob

Abstract: Method and device for precision adjustment of the beam direction of the light source of a device for aligning two objects relative to one another, the beam direction being moved by a motor via input elements of the computer of the alignment device.

Abstract: A method of detecting one or more blocked sampling holes in a pipe of an aspirated smoke detector system. The method includes ascertaining the base flow of fluid through a particle detector using a flow sensor; monitoring subsequent flow through the particle detector; comparing the subsequent flow with the base flow; and indicating a fault if the difference between the base flow and the subsequent flow exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system includes a drill string to which a sensor is attached, a rotation unit configured to rotate the drill string, and a displacement unit configured to longitudinally displace the drill string. A processor is coupled to the rotation and displacement units. The processor is configured to coordinate sampling, by the sensor, of three-dimensional space surrounding the sensor while rotating and displacing the drill string. The processor is further configured to coordinate adjusting of at least one of drill string rotation and drill string displacement so that acceptable spatial sampling of the space surrounding the sensor is achieved.

Abstract: A method and a device for testing a computer core in a processor having at least two computer cores is described. The computer cores are connected to each other via an internal connecting system, both computer cores contributing toward the operating sequence of a machine. In the method for testing a computer core, with which a high error detection rate may be achieved in a minimum outlay of time, a test is run in one computer core, while a program for executing the driving operation of the motor vehicle is being processed in the other computer core at the same time.

Abstract: A method for increasing a reliability of a transducer is provided. The transducer has a first and a second IC, wherein the two ICs each have substantially the same monolithically integrated circuit components with one sensor apiece, and a signal contact for bidirectional data transmission. A reference contact on each of the two ICs is connected to or disconnected from the signal contact by a controllable switch, and a signal generated as a function of the physical quantity sensed by the relevant sensor is applied to the signal contact. The two ICs are integrated into a common IC package, and a supply voltage contact of the first IC is connected to a first package contact, and the first package contact is connected to a first terminal of a control unit, and the supply voltage contact of the second IC is connected to a second package contact.

Abstract: A load calculation device for determining the maximum electrical load that can be applied to an electrical circuit includes determines the temperature differential (?T) between a section of the electrical circuit and the ambient air temperature in which the section of the electrical circuit resides. The actual electrical load applied to the electrical circuit is also determined as is the design load of the electrical circuit. The maximum electrical load that can be applied to the electrical circuit is then determined based on the temperature differential and the electrical load applied to the electrical circuit and the circuit designed load. The load calculation device may be applied to an electrical joint and may be used to calculate the maximum temperature differential allowed for a given current to be applied at the electrical joint. This is particularly beneficial in connection with detecting and preventing electrical joint failure.