Abstract: An apparatus-based method is disclosed for calibration of a 3D field sensor. The method includes accessing a plurality of samples, where the samples are from the 3D field sensor. Each sample represents a magnitude and an orientation of a three-dimensional field sensed by the 3D field sensor. Using the plurality of samples, a plurality of parameters is determined of an ellipsoid. The determination of the plurality of parameters is performed so that the ellipsoid fits the plurality of samples. A transformation is determined that transforms the ellipsoid into a sphere. The transformation is applied to a sample to create a transformed sample. Apparatus and signal bearing media are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the time delay between adjacent clock edges includes target and delay signal paths, a variable delay module in said delay signal path, the delay cell having a delay bias input, and a phase detector having respective inputs coupled to the target and delay signal paths. The variable delay module is operable to delay a first clock signal on the delay path so that a bias input signal presented to the delay bias input, when a bias input signal is present, corresponds to the time delay between the first clock signal and a second clock signal on the target signal path.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and data construct set for generating simulation data structures which can be used by a modeling system to interface between a PLC and simulator, the construct set encapsulating logic and at least a sub-set of simulation information for a particular resource.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) sampling a data signal and a clock signal by applying strobes for obtaining a corresponding bit values each for the data signal and for the clock signal, each of the strobes having a different phase offset with respect to a tester clock signal, (b) deriving first comparison results for the bit values of the data signal by comparing the bit values of the data signal each with an expected data bit value of expected data, (c) deriving second comparison results for the bit values of the clock signal by comparing the bit values of the clock signal each with an expected clock bit value, (d) deriving for the strobes combined comparison results by applying logical operations each on pairs of corresponding first and second comparison results, and (e) deriving a test result based on the combined comparison results.

Abstract: A testing technique and apparatus are described for apply a test to a System Under Test (SUT) in one or more configurations of the SUT. The test can generate and store multiple output results that capture the behavior of the SUT in performing the test. Policy analysis logic applies a policy to the output results to generate an output verdict that reaches some conclusion regarding the outcome of the test. That is, the applied policy maps a subset of stored output results (and possibly input parameters) into the output verdict based on specified rules. A tester can apply different policies to investigate different aspects of the SUT's behavior.

Abstract: A method for recalibrating a material attribute monitor for a mobile vehicle includes accumulating an aggregate amount of material from a plurality of material transfers; accumulating a plurality of material attribute data sets via a series of data transfers from at least one vehicle to another vehicle, wherein each material attribute data set of the plurality of material attribute data sets is associated with a corresponding material transfer of the plurality of material transfers; measuring aggregate material attributes of the aggregate amount of material; and generating material attribute calibration data from the accumulated plurality of material attribute data sets and the measured aggregate material attributes.

Abstract: A solution engine (31) of a vendor's highly-automated adaptive computer support system (10) for a remote customer (20) automatically generates proposed solutions, e.g., sets of support documents, as a function of diagnostic data received from a customer's computer system (23). The automatically generated solution can be subject to expert review (35) prior to publication (37) to the customer, e.g., when the automated system assigns a low confidence level to the solution. In addition, expert review can be triggered by feedback (39) from the customer once a proposed solution is communicated. The diagnostic data, solutions and feedback for an incident are packaged (at 41) as a “case” and entered into an historical case database (45). A solution function updater (43) updates the solution function as a function, at least in part, of the expert review and customer feedback.

Abstract: Methods for estimating performance of and/or detecting faults in components of a multi-component system, where the performance of each component is defined by one or more performance parameters x related to measurement parameters z that can be expressed as a function of the performance and operating parameters defining an operating condition of the system. The methods include: defining a series of fault classes corresponding to possible outcomes of faulty components; creating an initial population of strings for each fault class, each including a plurality of elements corresponding to the performance and operating parameters, values being assigned to the string elements which represent estimated values of said parameters and are constrained only to indicate fault affected values for performance parameters of the fault affected component of the respective class; and optimising an objective function which gives a measure of the consistency between measured and calculated values of the measurement parameters.

Abstract: The diagnosis problem arises when a system's actual behavior contradicts the expected behavior, thereby exhibiting symptoms (a collection of conflict sets). System diagnosis is then the task of identifying faulty components that are responsible for anomalous behavior. To solve the diagnosis problem, the present invention describes a method for finding the minimal set of faulty components (minimal diagnosis set) that explain the conflict sets. The method includes acts of creating a matrix of the collection of conflict sets, and then creating nodes from the matrix such that each node is a node in a search tree. A determination is made as to whether each node is a leaf node or has any children nodes. If any given node has children nodes, then the node is split until all nodes are leaf nodes. Information gathered from the leaf nodes is used to determine the minimal diagnosis set.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide approaches for synchronizing signals in a testing system. In some embodiments, the timing signal associated with each device under test (DUT) is maintained at an integer multiple of the tester timing signal. Additionally, in other embodiments, the timing signal associated with various DUTs is used as a timing reference for other devices.

Abstract: Techniques for monitoring thermal emissivity levels of human traffic within a plurality of sections of a zone of interest are presented. The thermal emissivity levels are monitored using an infrared detector with sensitivity range of less than fifty milliKelvin, and in some variations, about fifteen to thirty milliKelvin, such as a quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) equipped camera. Based on differential emissivity calculations, a determination is made whether the monitored emissivity level corresponds to at least one calibrated emissivity level associated with an explosive material. The monitored emissivity levels are calibrated to eliminate the effects of other synthetic objects such as clothing, personal items, and other harmless objects. The monitored emissivity levels are also buffered against changes in environmental factors.

Abstract: A subset of quality metrics as input to a disk drive failure prediction algorithm (DFPA) may be selected using a genetic algorithm. The DFPA is executed for an initially selected generation of subset quality metrics using quality metric values stored in a reference data base. At least one DFPA setting is adjusted and the DFPA executed again for the selected subset. After training the DFPA, the best DFPA setting is saved for the selected subset. A fitness score is generated for the selected subset, representing an accuracy of the DFPA relative to failure indicators stored in the reference data base. At least one genetic operator is applied in response to the fitness scores to generate a new generation of subsets. The process is repeated until a best subset of quality metrics and corresponding DFPA setting are found.

Abstract: An eddy current inspection system and method for inspecting a component is provided. The system includes an eddy current probe for sensing eddy currents from the component and an analog to digital converter configured for converting eddy currents to digital signals. The system also includes a processor configured for generating an eddy current image from the digital signals and pre-processing the image to enhance a quality of the image. The processor is configured to identify regions displaying flaw patterns and calculating a defect characterizing parameter for the identified regions.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptively providing a power supply voltage. The system includes an input/output subsystem configured to receive a first voltage, an analog subsystem configured to receive a second voltage and coupled to the input/output subsystem, a first digital subsystem configured to receive a third voltage and coupled to the input/output subsystem, and a second digital subsystem configured to receive a fourth voltage and coupled to the input/output subsystem, the first digital subsystem, and the analog subsystem. Additionally, the system includes a first adaptive power supply configured to receive an input voltage and generate the third voltage, and a second adaptive power supply configured to receive the input voltage and generate the fourth voltage.

Abstract: A significant number of rescue workers are killed or injured each year as they conduct searches within damaged or burning structures, unaware that the structure is in imminent danger of collapse. The present invention provides a system and method for detecting and monitoring structural damages which are irreversible and which lead to inevitable collapse of a building or structure. The system includes at least one accelerometer that is housed in a device that is mounted on an exterior surface outside the burn area, and within the reach of the rescue worker. The device communicates with a remote display that provides visual and/or audible signals to indicate imminent collapse of the structure. Additionally, the system includes collapse detecting analysis processes for determining the likelihood of collapse.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises one or more control components that regulate one or more thermal test components to adjust one or more emulated operational characteristics for one or more electronic devices. The thermal test components are coupled with one or more rack-mount frames. The thermal test components create the emulated operational characteristics for the one or more electronic devices to generate one or more emulated environmental effects. The one or more control components obtain one or more measurements of one or more of the one or more emulated operational characteristics and the one or more emulated environmental effects. The one or more control components make a prediction of one or more of one or more actual operational characteristics and one or more actual environmental effects of the one or more electronic devices through employment of one or more of the one or more measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring a linear position, such as the distance between a sensing element and a movable object, and/or related parameters, such as displacement, direction, speed, velocity, and/or acceleration. The method utilizes a sensing element and an electrically conductive portion of the movable object, or a conductive target coupled to the movable object. The apparatus includes at least one sensing element formed by a section of a coupled slow-wave structure. The sensing element is connected to an RF or microwave generator, and an electronic circuit that converts at least one electromagnetic parameter of the section of the coupled slow-wave structure into a position reading. Electric and magnetic fields excited in the sensing element are split so that most of the electric energy is concentrated inside of the sensing element, while most of the magnetic energy is concentrated outside of the sensing element.

Abstract: A method for permitting an on-site diagnosis of the performance and/or production activity of one or more unit(s) of electrical equipment in a facility to determine if power is being wasted, comprising the steps of measuring the electricity consumptions of the unit(s); displaying time with a fixed relationship along two different coordinates of two separate, intersecting axes; dividing the time displayed into time segments corresponding to the operation times of the unit(s) over first and second time intervals for the respective coordinates, where the first time interval's time segments correspond to one or a small number of the second time interval's; and displaying the unit(s)' measured electricity consumptions, for each time segment, at each intersection of the two time coordinates such that an on-site determination of the operating condition of the electrical equipment unit(s) becomes visually apparent from the display.

Abstract: A detection method of reducing the air pressure of tires based on the rotational speed of wheels mounted on a vehicle. The method includes steps of: detecting the rotational speed of each of the wheels; storing the rotational speed of wheels; determining a judgment value of decompression of tires based on the relative comparison of the rotational speed; storing the judgment value in a non-volatile memory; determining an average value obtained by a moving average of a certain number of the judgment value; and judging decompression of tires by comparing the average value with a threshold. Decompression of tires can be detected even if the traveling of a vehicle is repeated for a short time and the chance of judging the reduced pressure of tires is magnified to be able to enhance the safety of vehicle traveling.

Abstract: A method of offline measurement for process tool monitoring applied to semiconductor processes. A self-tuning monitor rule database, storing predefined monitor rules for lot processing is provided. Monitor data related to the lot processing is defined. Desired monitor data is obtained according to selected monitor rules residing in the self-tuning monitor rule database. Offline measurement operations are implemented according to the obtained monitor data using a process tool to generate monitor results. It is determined whether abnormal states exist by comparing the selected monitor rules and monitor data according to the monitor results. If so, the lot processing for the process tool is terminated. If not, the lot processing for the process tool is allowed. A failure notice is sent in response and the selected monitor rules are re-defined to update the self-tuning monitor rule database.