Abstract: An apparatus aims at detecting an angle of a rotating shaft as a train of bits. A first signal including a train of pulses corresponding to angle intervals of a rotation of the rotating shaft is inputted to the apparatus, and a second signal including a train of clock pulses whose clock cycle is a positive integer submultiple of a pulse cycle of the first signal is inputted to the apparatus. In the apparatus, a first counter is indicative of a higher-order of the train of bits, and counts up or down in synchronization with the pulse cycle of the first signal. A second counter is indicative of a lower-order of the train of bits, and counts either up or down in synchronization with the clock cycle of the second signal. The second counter is cleared in synchronization with the pulse cycle of the first signal.

Abstract: A circuit for temperature sensing receives a differential voltage that corresponds to the voltage across a forward-biased PN junction. The circuit for temperature sensing provides a first current to the PN junction, and subsequently provides a second current. Also, the temperature of the PN junction is determined based on the difference between the differential voltage when the first current is applied and the differential voltage when the second current is applied. Further, the circuit for temperature sensing self-biases half of the differential signal. The other half of the differential signal is level-shifted by an amount that is fixed and predetermined based on the self-biasing to provide a sub-ranging voltage. A sub-ranging analog-to-digital conversion is performed on the differential voltage in which the sub-ranging voltage is subtracted from the differential voltage during the conversion.

Abstract: An inspection and verification system includes an inspection fixture for inspecting a finished part prior to its placement in a shipping container. The inspection fixture signals a processor that the finished part has “passed” or “failed”. A finished part that passes is placed in the shipping container, which is locked in a loading position on the weighing platform of an electronic scale. If the weight of the finished part does not match a standard finished part weight, the part is rejected, the shipping container is removed and quarantined, and a new shipping container is locked in the loading position. When the weight of the finished part matches the standard weight, the part is accepted and it remains in the shipping container. When the processor receives a number of “accept” signals equal to a standard shipping container quantity, it releases the shipping container.

Abstract: Methods for analyzing the timing in integrated circuits and for reducing the pessimism in timing slack calculations in static timing analysis (STA). The methods involve grouping and canceling the delay contributions of elements having similar delays in early and late circuit paths. An adjusted timing slack is calculated using the delay contributions of elements having dissimilar delays. In some embodiments, the delay contributions of elements having dissimilar delays are root sum squared. Embodiments of the invention provide methods for reducing the pessimism due to both cell-based and wire-dependent delays. The delays considered in embodiments of the invention may include delays due to the location of elements in a path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for condition diagnosing of a tap changer immersed in a cooling fluid, controlling and regulating an inductive power device, such as a transformer or reactor. The diagnosing method compares and evaluates expected heat exchanges between the tap changer and ambient air and the inductive power device, an expected amount of heat generated by the tap changer during operation, together with an actual temperature of the fluid. From the actual temperature, expected heat exchanges and expected generated heat, the heat balance in the system may be obtained and is used for disgnosing the operation conditions of the tap changer. The results from the condition diagnosing may be used as indicators that can alarm operators or may be sent as a data signal to remote and/or portable display means, such as a computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing an average test time (TA) include determining a first time interval (TG) nominally associated with non-failing testing of a unit under test (UUT), and determining a second time interval (TPR) nominally associated with troubleshooting and repairing a failed unit under test. Additionally, a percent yield (Y) nominally associated with a proportion of non-failing units under test is determined. The average test time is a sum of the first time interval associated with the non-failing testing of the UUT, and a ratio of the second time interval associated with troubleshooting and repair of a failed UUT with respect to the yield.

Abstract: Two centerlines each of which goes through the center of a surface and is parallel to one of the coordinate axes are considered for each surface constituting a cell. If one of the centerlines intersects a boundary, a line which goes through the intersection and is orthogonal to the centerline is approximated as a new boundary. If a boundary intersects with each of the two centerlines, an orthogonal line expressed by each of two lines which is obtained by crossing each of the two centerlines parallel to each different coordinate axis and a boundary is approximated as a new boundary. Thus, the new boundary is expressed by each part of these orthogonal lines toward the centerline from their intersection.

Abstract: A method for providing quality control on wafers running on a manufacturing line is disclosed. The resistances on a group of manufacturing test structures within a wafer running on a wafer manufacturing line are initially measured. Then, an actual distribution value is obtained based on the result of the measured resistances on the group of manufacturing test structures. The difference between the actual distribution value and a predetermined distribution value is recorded. Next, the resistances on a group of design test structures within the wafer are measured. The measured resistances of the group of design test structures are correlated to the measured resistances of the group of manufacturing test structures in order to obtain an offset value. The resistance of an adjustable resistor circuit within the wafer and subsequent wafers running on the wafer manufacturing line are adjusted according to the offset value.

Abstract: One embodiment the invention includes a method of determining an orientation of a sensor. The method includes measuring a local magnetic field vector and a local gravity vector and using those measurements to determine the orientation of the sensor. Embodiments can include measuring the magnetic field vector and the local gravity vector using quaternion coordinates. Another embodiment includes measuring a local magnetic field vector, a local gravity vector, and the angular velocity of the sensor. These three vectors are processed to determine the orientation of the sensor. In one embodiment the three vectors can all be measured in quaternion coordinates. Another method embodiment includes determining a local gravity vector by providing a acceleration detector, moving the detector from a start point to an end point over a time period, and summing acceleration measurements over the time period. The local gravity vector is calculated using the summed acceleration measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the defects of at least one rotor of a rotary wing aircraft, in particular a helicopter, in order to adjust the rotor. In the method, in a preliminary step, a reference aircraft is used corresponding to a particular type of aircraft and having a rotor (6, 10) without defect and adjusted so that the level of vibration is at a minimum, a series of measurements are taken on the aircraft (1), and a neural network is deduced therefrom illustrating the relationships between accelerations representative of vibration, and defects, and adjustment parameters. Thereafter, in a later step, for a particular aircraft (1) of the same type, measurements are taken on the particular aircraft (1) and on the basis of said measurements and on the basis of the neural network, the defects, if any, are detected and values for the adjustment parameters are determined that will enable the level of vibration of the aircraft (1) to be minimized, which parameters are applied to the rotor (6, 10).

Abstract: A time measurement circuit includes N time stamping units that each includes a dual sinusoid interpolator for achieving high timing resolution. The time measurement circuit is capable of time stamping input signals at a high re-trigger rate, and is thus well suited for quickly measuring the timing jitter of test signals in automatic test systems.

Abstract: A technique for eliminating edge artifacts in magnetic microscopy includes the steps of scanning a SQUID over an object under study to acquire values of magnetic fields produced by currents running in the object to create a first data set having N data points. At the end of the first data set, N zero data points are added to create a second data set having 2N data points. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is further applied to the 2N data set to obtain k-space having b(k) values. The b(k) values of the k-space are averaged, and the averaged b(k) values corresponding to k exceeding a predetermined k value are filtered off. A set of current density representations i(k) in the k-space are obtained to which inverse FFT is applied to obtain a map of current densities I(x,y) of the object. A system for performing the method of the present invention includes a software designed to suppress (or eliminate) edge artifacts present in the obtained images.

Abstract: An alarm management device includes: a data collection device for collecting alarm data generated by an apparatus to be managed; a database device for storing the collected alarm data; and an alarm statistic device for preparing alarm statistics using the stored alarm data. The alarm statistic device includes: a weight coefficient provision unit for providing, for each alarm, one or more weight coefficient types; a total weight coefficient calculation unit, for multiplying these weight coefficients to obtain a total weight coefficient for each alarm; a weighted case count calculation unit, for multiplying, by the total weight coefficient, a “1” that represents a case count for the generation of each alarm and for obtaining a weighted case count; and a statistic preparation unit, for adding the weighted case counts for the individual alarms to prepare statistics for the weighted number of alarm generation cases.

Abstract: A surveying apparatus is provided that includes devices for measuring a range and angle of a point, a processor for processing results of a location survey from the range and angle measurements, a memory for storing the processed data of the location survey, a transmitter, such as a mobile phone, for transmitting the processed data to a communications object connected to a communications network, such as the Internet, in compliance with a communications protocol, and a receiver that receives the survey data in compliance with the communications protocol. The apparatus allows survey data from different surveying devices to interact bi-directionally via the Internet.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing website activity. According to an example embodiment, the system receives event-level data representing visitor session activity on a client website; attributes characteristic information of the event-level data associated with each visitor's session to at least one of a plurality of visitor segments, stores results of the attributed information aggregated according to visitor segment prior to a client-requested analysis of the event-level data, and provides online reports based on the resultant data in response to a client-requested analysis of the event-level data.

Abstract: A geographical information system and a method are disclosed for geospatially mapping a least one parcel polygon within a geographical region and for displaying at least one specific attribute of each parcel polygon, i.e. a topological area within the given geographical region, as an attached attribute of latitude and longitude coordinates. The centroid or center point of each of the parcel polygons is determined and stored into conventional computer storage means. The latitude and longitude point feature at the centroid of each parcel polygon is established and similarly stored. A unique tax identification number, e.g. the Assessor Parcel Number (APN) or Parcel Identifier Number (PIN), is assigned to each of the point features. A correlation is then made between the unique tax identification number of the point feature to a text list of at least one attribute, e.g., the physical address of the parcel polygon, of each of the point features. This attribute becomes attached to each point feature.

Abstract: An abnormality detection apparatus of an engine temperature adjusting thermostat is provided which is capable of accurately grasping the state of an amount of heat generated by an engine to prevent misdetection of abnormality in the thermostat for improved reliabilty.

Abstract: A system for validating a payload weight measurement for a machine includes a pressure sensor configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of an actuating fluid pressure associated with a fluid cylinder operatively coupled to a work implement of the machine. An extension sensor is configured to generate an extension signal indicative of an extension of the fluid cylinder. The system also includes a controller configured to monitor the pressure signal and the extension signal to determine a plurality of actuating fluid pressure values and corresponding extension values associated with the fluid cylinder while lifting a payload of unknown weight with the work implement.

Abstract: A refrigeration monitor and methodology are capable of detecting and recording data from selected sensors associated with monitored refrigeration equipment. The data are sampled periodically and stored as time series. Reference data are established and stored for normal operation of the system. Software operating on the data acts in real-time to detect fault conditions by comparing recent historic data with reference data. Upon detection of a fault, a technician is notified by a pager. Software used by the technician supports the monitoring in real-time of the operation of the refrigeration equipment and a review of the equipment's historical performance. The technician can access the monitor either by making a connection on-site or remotely over a communications network such as the Internet.

Abstract: A reduced order model called the Fundamental Mistuning Model (FMM) accurately predicts vibratory response of a bladed disk system. The FMM software may describe the normal modes and natural frequencies of a mistuned bladed disk using only its tuned system frequencies and the frequency mistuning of each blade/disk sector (i.e., the sector frequencies). The FMM system identification methods—basic and advanced FMM ID methods—use the normal (i.e., mistuned) modes and natural frequencies of the mistuned bladed disk to determine sector frequencies as well as tuned system frequencies. FMM may predict how much the bladed disk will vibrate under the operating (rotating) conditions. Field calibration and testing of the blades may be performed using traveling wave analysis and FMM ID methods. The FMM model can be generated completely from experimental data. Because of FMM's simplicity, no special interfaces are required for FMM to be compatible with a finite element model.