Abstract: A device repeatedly measures a characteristic, such as electrical conductivity, of water in a water line. A plurality of the measurements are averaged to arrive at a water quality value. This value is displayed and another plurality of measurements are averaged to arrive at another value, which is then displayed in place of the previous value. The process continues at selected intervals in order to provide a continuous display of the condition of water in the line. Each new value is compared to a reference value representing a maximum acceptable level of contaminants. If the water quality value exceeds the reference value, an overvalue signal is produced, indicating an unacceptable level of contaminants in the water. The repeated measurements are obtained at selected intervals, and a new water quality value may be derived at the same intervals by discarding the oldest of the measurements from the previous plurality and including the most recent measurement to create a new plurality of measurements.

Abstract: Neural networks may be used to determine and predict formation dip angles and perform quality assurance assessments from data collected with a multi-component induction tool used for well logging. The neural networks make use of corrected, rotated and normalized data to provide the predictions and assessments. Synthetic data using various models is used to train the neural networks. The teachings herein provide for real-time determinations with a substantial degree of accuracy in the results.

Abstract: A method and a device for signal separation. First, values of signals observed by M sensors are transformed into frequency domain values, and these frequency domain values are used to calculate relative values of the observed values between the sensors at each frequency. These relative values are clustered into N clusters, and the representative value of each cluster is calculated. Then, using these representative values, a mask is produced to extract the values of the signals emitted by V (1?V?M) signal sources from the frequency-domain signal values, and this mask is applied to the frequency-domain signal values. After that, if V=1 then the limited signal is output directly as a separated signal, while if V?2 then the separated values are obtained by separating this limited signal with separation techniques such as ICA.

Abstract: A method to create an instance of a defect-based production and testing process analysis machine (DPTPAM) provides continual process improvement based on foundational questions and classified defect data. The method includes the following steps: obtaining domain specific questions; developing a domain specific classification scheme that supports the answering of the foundational and domain specific questions; determining a method of using the domain specific classification scheme to answer both the foundational and domain specific questions; and creating a domain specific DPTPAM instance embodying the domain specific classification scheme and the method of answering the foundational and domain specific questions. The method can be implemented with a machine and a computer readable medium comprising logic for performing the method.

Abstract: An interactive media table that includes a tabletop that supports of plurality of movable objects each of which is identified by a unique identification code and each of which can be moved from place to place on said tabletop surface by one or more media table users. A display unit produces a visual image on the surface of the tabletop surface and a position tracking system determines the current positions of each of said movable objects by transmitting timed acoustic signals to each movable object, sensing the timing of arrival of these signals using an acoustic pickup on each object, and estimating the location of the object by triangulation. An infrared communications network exchanges timing information, commands and data between the objects and a controller which provides an API to a personal computer which executes an application program that controls the display.

Abstract: A current synthetic UV index is developed and successfully verified against direct surface measurements of UV index values. The purpose of this invention is to distribute this current synthetic UV index through cell phones nationwide. This will inform cell phone users for the first time about the current UV index value when they carry their cell phones. The current UV index will be calculated using the geographical location of the cell phone, the time of the day, and the cloud cover conditions in that area. The algorithm will then use this information to calculate the solar elevation needed to determine the amount of UV radiation reaching the earth's surface at any given time. The total column ozone for that particular day will be taken into account for each calculation. This mechanism of dissemination of the actual/current UV index values will be an important achievement with the intention of raising the public's awareness of the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays.

Abstract: Metrology data from a semiconductor treatment system is transformed using multivariate analysis. In particular, a set of metrology data measured or simulated for one or more substrates treated using the treatment system is obtained. One or more essential variables for the obtained set of metrology data is determined using multivariate analysis. A first metrology data measured or simulated for one or more substrates treated using the treatment system is obtained. The first obtained metrology data is not one of the metrology data in the set of metrology data earlier obtained. The first metrology data is transformed into a second metrology data using the one or more of the determined essential variables.

Abstract: Precomputed databases of sensor responses are used to convert measurement data into properties of interest, for example, conductivity or lift-off. These databases of responses may be generated prior to data acquisition and provide sensor response values that span appropriate ranges for the property values. After data acquisition, estimates for the property values are obtained from measurement values by minimizing the difference between the database of responses and the measurement values. The minimization can take the form of a least-squares minimization. Alternatively, iterative techniques can be used to minimize the difference between the database and measurement values.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying the weight or cost of an uncut selected segment of an item involves passing a position indicating member over the item lying on a support surface. The position indicating member carries one or more sensors which generate signals corresponding to succeeding cross sectional contours of the item as the member is traversed along the item from a reference position to a selected other position over this item, defining the selected segment of the item. At the same time, a motion detector arrangement preferably comprised of one or more microelectromechanical (MEMS) accelerometer devices generates signals corresponding to motion of the position indicator support member as it is moved along the item. These signals are processed in a signal processor to determine the volume of the uncut selected segment of the item lying between selected successive positions of the indication member.

Abstract: Exemplary impedance extraction methods, systems, and apparatus are described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of a circuit description indicative of a circuit layout is loaded. A signal-wire segment is selected. Loop inductance values and loop resistance values for the signal-wire segment are determined at at least a first frequency of operation and a second frequency of operation. Values for one or more inductance components and one or more resistance components of a broadband representation of the signal-wire segment are computed and stored. In this embodiment, the broadband representation comprises at least one but no more than two parallel-coupled resistance components and inductance components. Computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform any of the disclosed methods or storing data or information created or modified using any of the disclosed techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method to create an instance of a defect-based production and testing process analysis machine (DPTPAM) provides continual process improvement based on foundational questions and classified defect data. The method includes the following steps: obtaining domain specific questions; developing a domain specific classification scheme that supports the answering of the foundational and domain specific questions; determining a method of using the domain specific classification scheme to answer both the foundational and domain specific questions; and creating a domain specific DPTPAM instance embodying the domain specific classification scheme and the method of answering the foundational and domain specific questions. The method can be implemented with a machine and a computer readable medium comprising logic for performing the method.

Abstract: A method and a system are recited for obtaining a true azimuth heading for correcting a coarse azimuth heading measured from an observation position to a specific selected target by operating a data acquisition system disposed at the observation position. In principle, data is acquired and measurements are taken to allow calculation of a calculated target, including error area limits. The calculated target surrounded by error area limits is presented as a search zone to an operator for searching, finding and indicating on a display, on which is superimposed at least one map, of the specific selected target. Once found, calculations of the true azimuth are performed, allowing the derivation of the true North. The method and a system are operative with a variety of maps, including digital terrain models and stellar maps.

Abstract: A thermal device system including a device for measuring a temperature within a user environment and providing a device output signal indicative of the device measured temperature. The system also includes a thermal transfer indicia associated with the device. The thermal indicia provide thermal transfer parameters for compensating the device measured temperature as a function of the thermal transfer between the device and the user environment. The thermal transfer parameters are associated with predetermined thermal transfer information for characterizing a transfer of thermal energy between the device and the user environment. Also a method of compensating a temperature measurement of a thermal device in a user environment as a function of a thermal transfer of the thermal device in a temperature measurement system.

Abstract: A method and system for statistical pressure gradient and fluid contact analysis. The method and system include planning for a pressure gradient test by using expected parameters and statistical expected error analysis to set the actual pressure gradient test parameters within an acceptable range of reliability. The method and system may account for one or more fluids within a formation and may also perform fluid contact analysis as part of planning the overall pressure gradient test. The method and system also include performing the planned pressure gradient test and comparing the measured data and statistical measured data error analysis with statistical expected error analysis of the measured data. The method and system may also include the graphical display of both the expected and measured data to optimize the pressure gradient analysis and the pressure gradient test procedure.

Abstract: A digital power metering system reduces spectral leakage when determining the frequencies present in a power signal by a technique that includes sampling the signal and performing a transformation from the time domain to the frequency domain. The system initially measures the fundamental frequency of the power signal, and samples the power signal at a known sampling rate to produce digital sample values representing the power signal. The system then determines whether the known sampling rate is within a preselected range of a rate that is coherent with the measured fundamental frequency. If the answer is negative, then the system resamples the signal at a rate that is coherent with the measured fundamental frequency to produce resample values representing the signal, so that the frequencies present in the power signal can be determined from the resample values.

Abstract: A disc drive testing method is provided for testing a plurality of disc drives. The disc drive testing method includes steps of: selecting a disc drive as a current testing disc drive; sending load/unload commands to the current testing disc drive to drive the current testing disc drive to perform a load/unload operation; timing a load/unload duration of the current testing disc drive; and selecting a next disc drive as the current testing disc drive if the current testing disc drive is busy performing the load/unload operations. A related disc drive testing apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A system for measuring performance of a voltage regulator module (VRM) attached to a microprocessor includes: a voltage transient tester (VTT) fixture (5) for setting different working voltage levels of the VRM; an oscillograph (2) for measuring transient voltage levels of the VRM, and generating a transient voltage waveform according to the transient voltage levels; an voltmeter (3) for measuring steady voltage levels of the VRM under thermal effects generated by the microprocessor; a direct current (DC) electronic load (4) for educing load currents from the VRM; and a measurement control module (10) installed in a computer (1) for generating load current control signals, controlling the DC electronic load to educe the load currents from the VRM according to the load current control signals, and generating a performance report of the VRM by integrating various measurement results.

Abstract: A method of mitigating propagation of a thermal event in an energy storage system having a plurality of cells is disclosed. The method includes the steps of identifying the heat sources within the energy storage system and plurality of cells. The method then controls a temperature of the energy storage system and plurality of cells and also detects predetermined conditions within the energy storage system. The method then performs a predetermined action based on when one of the predetermined conditions is detected. A plurality of sensors and switches along with associated hardware or software will be used to control the temperature of the energy storage system upon detection of predetermined conditions involving overheating, over current, over voltage of the like.

Abstract: A waveform recorder device for mounting to an electronic circuit breaker having an electronic trip unit and a communication port is disclosed. The device includes a connector configured to connect with the communication port, and a processing circuit in signal communication with the connector. The processing circuit is responsive to instructions which, when executed by the processing circuit, facilitate responding to a conditional signal received from the circuit breaker, and in response thereto recording waveform information arising from an additional signal received from the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A particulate determination method determines by onetime scanning, the size of a particulate included in a plurality of particulates of various sizes which are arranged on a disc. False recognition of the number of particulates is avoided even when a plurality of particulates are adjacent to each other. A photodetector detection signal is judged using plural threshold values according to the sizes of particulates to be detected. Results of determinations corresponding to the respective threshold values are stored on mutually independent memory maps. When counting particulates, a particulate size and a particulate count value are determined from a combination of stored data appearing in a scanning window at the same position on the respective memory maps.