Abstract: An automated system for tool mark analysis includes an acquisition mechanism for acquiring 3D data of tool marks left on the surfaces of specimens by tools, a signature generation module for generating tool mark signatures from the acquired data, an analysis unit for comparing pairs of the tool mark signatures to obtain a numerical similarity value reflective of their similarity, and a database in which the similarity values are stored. An automated method for tool mark analysis involves the steps of acquiring the 3D data of tool marks, generating the tool mark signature, statistically evaluating pairs of the tool mark signatures, and providing a numerical similarity value for each pair of tool mark signatures reflecting the degree of similarity between the tool mark signatures of each pair. The method is carried out with automated assistance of a computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to calibrate an on-board remote sensing system using a self-locking travel pattern and target remote sensing data. The self-locking travel pattern includes a number of parallel travel lines having overlapping swath widths between adjacent travel lines. The overlapping swath widths are used to determine the boresight angles and range offset of the remote sensor device. In addition, the method can be used to generate estimated horizontal and vertical displacement errors. These estimated errors can be used as correction factors for the range offset and boresight angles.

Abstract: An active tester for vehicle circuit evaluation includes a signal source for generating a dynamic signal, such as an AC current, for injecting to a circuit under test. The tester includes a data storage device for storing at least one test parameter and a data processor for processing data. In operation, the data processor controls to apply the dynamic signal to the separated points of the circuit via the first set of terminals. The response of the circuit under test to the applied dynamic signal is measured. The data processor determines a dynamic parameter of the circuit under test as a function of the dynamic signal and the response. The data process then generates a test result related to the characteristics of the circuit as a function of the at least one test parameter and the determined dynamic parameter. The test result is compared with specification values to determine whether the circuit under test works normally.

Abstract: This invention is a method to determine the condition of rotating equipment, namely drive spindles, to enable the timely maintenance or replacement of same. The method uses an electrical signal from a vibration sensor mounted on part of the drive train to measure the level of vibration energy when the equipment is rotating under loaded and unloaded conditions. The relative vibration under the loaded and unloaded conditions is used as an indicator of equipment condition. Typically there is more vibration under load when the equipment is in good condition. When the level of vibration under the no-load condition matches or exceeds that seen under load, the equipment needs to be serviced or replaced.

Abstract: During an incompressible fluid movement, three consecutive times during the movement of the fluid are called first, second, and third times in time order, calculation is performed with two different types of lattices for the first and third times and for the second time. Momentum and mass density at the first time are temporally developed to the third time in accordance with a conservation law by using an upwind velocity field. A pressure at the second time is determined so that a velocity field derived from momenta at the third time satisfies an incompressibility condition, and the field at the third time is corrected by adding a change in momentum caused by a pressure term using the determined pressure. This prevents pressure vibration and avoids the complexity of advective term calculation.

Abstract: A modular system and method is provided for enabling remote configuring and ordering of flowmeters in a client-server environment. The system includes a meter selection module configured to enable a user to select from a plurality of flowmeter types. A process data module receives process data from a client and a fluid selection module coupled to the process module is configured to receive a process fluid selection and to calculate properties thereof. A sizing module generates parameters of at least one sized flowmeter, sized in accordance with the received process data. A material selection module provides a list of materials from which the sized flowmeter may be fabricated, and a fluid rating module rates compatibility of the various materials with the process fluid selection. A results module is configured to generate data corresponding to expected performance of the sized flowmeter.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and apparatus are provided for collecting information gathered by an instrumentation mechanism for transport to an information collection facility. In one embodiment, the information that is collected is defined by a configuration file. An application may examine the configuration file, execute one or more queries specified by the configuration file, and write the data which is collected to one or more data structures employed by a transport mechanism in transferring information to the information collection facility. The process of collecting the information may occur periodically, such as nightly. The configuration file may be periodically updated to reflect new information that is to be collected.

Abstract: A temperature and pressure measuring circuit is provided. The circuit comprises an uncompensated pressure transducer, an analog-to-digital converter, a reference resistive device, and first and second switches. The transducer has variable resistive devices between first, second, third, and fourth bridge nodes. The analog-to-digital converter has first and second reference inputs and first and second differential inputs. When the first switch couples the first differential input and the third bridge node and the second switch couples the second differential input and a ground, a bridge voltage is measurable and a bridge resistance is ratiometrically determinable. The bridge resistance is employed to calculate a temperature. When the first switch couples the first differential input and the first bridge node and the second switch couples the second differential input and the second bridge node, a differential voltage is measurable. The differential voltage is employed to calculate a pressure.

Abstract: An interface that allows a user to model and analyze the properties of three dimensional surface and the regions surrounding such surfaces. The user manipulates a deformable physical modeling material that defines the geometry of a surface. A position sensor such as a laser scanner captures position data specifying the geometry of the surface. A processor processes the geometry data using a selected analysis function to produce result data representing computed characteristics of the surface or its surrounding region. The result data projected as an image onto the deformable surface. The interface permits the user to modify a surface geometry and directly visualize the characteristics of the modified geometry in real time.

Abstract: An interface that allows a user to model and analyze the properties of three dimensional surface and the regions surrounding such surfaces. The user manipulates a deformable bed of translucent glass beads that defines the geometry of a surface. An array of light emitting diodes underneath the beads transmits infrared light upwardly through the beads such that the intensity of radiation from each position on the surface of the beads is related to the depth of the beads at that position. A digital camera captures radiation image data which is then processed to create elevation data specifying the geometry of the surface. A processor processes the elevation data using a selected analysis function to produce result data representing computed characteristics of the surface or its surrounding region. The result data is projected as an image onto the surface of the beads. The interface permits the user to modify a surface geometry and directly visualize the characteristics of the modified geometry in real time.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method that allows the heat flux distribution on an object surface to be measured even when the heat flux is an unsteady or short-duration phenomenon, and that does not depend on the material of the object; and to provide a system for measuring the heat flux distribution on an object surface with the aid of this method. In the method for measuring the heat flux on an object surface in accordance with the present invention, the emission intensity of a temperature-sensitive paint that varies with the temperature of the object surface is chronologically captured and sensed as video information at a high frame rate, an image of the temperature distribution on the object surface is obtained based on characteristics between the emission intensity and temperature calibration, and the heat flux in each domain is calculated by the Cook and Feldermann method.

Abstract: Inertial measurement systems for measuring accelerations and angular speeds are currently widely used in vehicles where they serve as sensors for safety devices and navigation systems. The required reliability and precision, however, can be obtained only with extremely accurate sensors and precise finishing. The invention therefore provides for a method according to which an inertial measurement system comprising economical, mass-produced sensors is first gauged overall in a testing device in one calibration operation. During gauging any offset, mounting position and scaling errors are detected as coefficients of coupling matrices of the sensors and converted into compensation values which are then used to improved the accuracy of the sensors' measurement values when the measurement system is in operation. The above method is suitable for inertial measurement systems in land, air and water craft.

Abstract: A magnetic field is applied to a defective semiconductor device to be tested. A current is applied from a power supply to a wiring of the semiconductor device. At this time, a stress occurs to the wiring of the semiconductor device. A stress detector detects the stress and creates a first stress image. Next, a same magnetic field and a same current are applied to a good semiconductor device same in type and a stress is detected. By doing so, a second stress image as a comparison stress image is created. Next, a difference image between the first and second stress images is created by an image processor. As a result, only a stress resulting from a leak current is extracted. Next, the difference image is compared with a wiring pattern image of the semiconductor device to thereby specify a leakage portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are color filter producing method and apparatus in which while an ink-jet head having a plurality of nozzles arranged in a first direction and a substrate are relatively scanned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the ink-jet head ejects ink onto the substrate, so that filter elements arranged in the first direction have the same color, and filter elements adjacent from each other in the second direction have different colors. Three production conditions, the amount of ink ejected at one time by the nozzles, the number of times of the main scans and the sub-scanning distance, are changed in accordance with the width of each filter element of an obtained color filter. As a result, it is possible to provide a method whereby, even when the type of color filter to be produced is changed, the time required for the preparation accompanying the change can be reduced, and multiple types of color filters can be easily produced at a low cost, and to provide an apparatus therefor.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus that enables at least three different types of dots to be created in different ink weights by at least two different inks having an identical hue but different densities, the halftone processing is carried out in an appropriate sequence and according to an appropriate technique, which are determined by taking into account both the dispersibility of dots and the processing speed. The method of the present invention determines the on-off state of six different types of dots, which have different ink densities and ink weights, in the sequence of the large deep dot, the medium deep dot, the small deep dot, the large light dot, the medium light dot, and the small light dot. The dots created by an identical ink are subjected to the determination for the on-off state in a consecutive manner. A dither method that utilizes the recording ratio set for each type of dot according to the tone data is adopted in the determination for the on-off state of the dot.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an actuator for an inkjet print head. The actuator includes a vibrating plate having a thin film structure and flexurally deformable in its thickness direction; a first etch stopper film laminated on one surface of the vibrating plate; a chamber plate laminated on the surface of the first etch stopper film opposite to the vibrating plate, and having a plurality of solution chambers formed therein and spaced apart from each other by a desired distance, the solution chambers having a width gradually larger from a middle portion and toward upper and lower portions; and a second etch stopper film laminated on the surface of the chamber plate opposite to the first etch stopper film, and including through holes therein, the through holes being formed such that they communicated vertically concentrically with the corresponding ones of the solution chambers, the through holes having a width smaller than that of the solution chambers.

Abstract: In an ink-jet head substrate including a thermal effect section for applying thermal energy to liquid to form a bubble in the liquid, the thermal effect section being connected with a nozzle for discharging the liquid, an electrothermal transducer for generating the thermal energy, and a pair of electrodes, a resin layer composed of a polyether amide is formed on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An ink jet printing device supplies first and second signals to cause a pressure generating chamber to jet out ink droplets. A third signal is applied to the pressure generating chamber to effectively attenuate the kinetic energy of the meniscus and to hold the meniscus at a position suitable for jetting out the next ink droplet to provide a stable print output. Also, an ink-jet recording apparatus is provided with a control means for controlling the timing of the start of the second signal and the timing of the start of the third signal according to the environmental temperature. In the ink-jet recording apparatus, the discharge speed of ink drops is made constant by regulating the start time of the second signal so as to make constant the drawing position of a meniscus when the ink drops are discharged.

Abstract: In an apparatus producing a high-quality and high-resolution image having high water and light resistances with an orifice having a diameter less than &phgr;25 &mgr;m (less than 500 &mgr;m2 in terms of cross-sectional area of the orifice) by use of a fine particle dispersion recording composition, nozzle clogging can be prevented. A recording is accomplished by a liquid jet recording apparatus for ejecting a recording composition including dispersed fine particles from a small orifice toward a receiving medium, wherein a size Dp of the fine particles and a diameter Do of the small orifice are determined by a relationship 0.001≦Dp/Do≦0.01.

Abstract: A printhead mainly includes at least two ink supply holes on a single semiconductor substrate, a first signal processing circuit laid out at at least one corner of the semiconductor substrate to arbitrarily select a heater for heating the ink, and a second signal processing circuit, other than the first signal processing circuit for arbitrarily selecting a heater, that realizes a function without dividing an arrangement. The lengths of signal lines are minimized to realize a printhead free from any malfunction.