Abstract: A radiation measuring device comprising a radiation detector for detecting radiation quantum arriving in the Poisson distribution, a phase height analyzer for analyzing a height of an output signal from the detector to extract signal components at a level within a predetermined level, converter for integrating an output signal from the detector to produce pulses of which the number corresponds to the integrated value, a switch for selecting the output signal from the analyzer when the number of arrival photons is smaller than a predetermined value and for selecting the output signal from the converter when the number of photons is larger than the predetermined value and a counter for counting output pulses of the selected analyzer or counter.

Abstract: A method and system of process control comprising in combination a feed-back control in which a deviation of a controlled variable with reference to a target value is applied to a velocity type controller and a manipulated variable is determined in accordance with the output of the controller and a feed-forward control in which a disturbance is detected and a disturbance compensation is determined and added in determining the manipulated variable to counteract the effect of the disturbance. A static compensation component and a dynamic compensation component of the disturbance compensation are separately determined in accordance with the detected disturbance, and the static compensation component is converted to a velocity type signal, and added to the output of the controller to obtain a first sum. The first sum is converted to a position type signal, and added to the dynamic compensation component to obtain a second sum, in accordance with which the manipulated variable is determined.

Abstract: A method of judging and controlling simultaneous machining in a quadriaxial numerical control lathe having two tool rests. A machining pattern pair memory stores a pair table showing possibility of simultaneous execution of different machining patterns. A judgement is made as to whether a simultaneous execution of two machining processes in accordance with input machining informations is possible, through a retrieval of the table in the machining pattern pair memory, and machining programs for two tool rests are formed through an automatic judging concerning the possibility of simultaneous machining to relieve the programmer from the work for making such a decision.

Abstract: A manual crate controller for debugging and testing of CAMAC-modules (CAMAC is an acronym for computer automated measurement and control, an internationally accepted standard for interfacing modular instrumentation with computers through a bused back plane called a dataway) with capabilities for executing a large number of commands with full synchronization in conformity with CAMAC-modes for data exchange, that finds application in minicomputers using the CAMAC-standard. The manual crate controller includes a working and a control station. The latter includes a control panel, a program memory for storing commands entered with keys on the control panel and a start-up logic block. The working station contains a data memory with data inputs connected to the data buses of the CAMAC-main bus, and an input logic with inputs connected to the two most significant buses for function, and to the buses for "BUSY", initiation, resetting, first-strobe and second-strobe of the CAMAC-main bus.

Abstract: In a fractional distillation process in which it is desired to maintain a desired ASTM end point temperature of the overhead liquid product withdrawn from the fractional distillation process, changes in the slope of the equilibrium flash vaporization boiling point line are utilized to determine the actual slope of the ASTM boiling point curve at any particular time. The actual ASTM end point temperature for the overhead liquid product is derived based on the actual slope of the ASTM boiling point curve thus determined. The actual ASTM end point temperature is utilized to control the fractional distillation process so as to maintain a desired ASTM end point temperature for the overhead liquid product withdrawn from the fractional distillation process.

Abstract: A computer tomography device, in which the row of detectors has been rotated through the quarter of a detector angle (.DELTA..psi./4) with respect to the X-ray source. The invention filters selected parallel measurement values which were measured in a single direction instead of doing so with all the selected measurement values measured in parallel and antiparallel directions. The calculating time required for filtering is reduced by a factor of 2 and the values can be pipeline processed.

Abstract: In a subtraction angiography hybrid difference images are generated and reviewed visually. Hybrid images that exhibit no x-ray contrast medium and are free of artifacts are identified and selected for forming an integrated mask image. Hybrid images that exhibit contrast medium and are free of artifacts are identified and selected for forming an integrated contrast medium image. The selected images that exhibit no contrast medium are integrated and those that exhibit contrast medium are integrated separately. The result of one integration is subtracted from the other to yield a single final image that exhibits substantially only the contrast medium in a blood vessel. In an alternate method temporal difference images are reviewed and a similar selection of some that exhibit no contrast medium and some that exhibit contrast medium is made. These images are separately integrated and subtracted to yield a single final image that exhibits substantially only contrast medium in the blood vessel.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the performance of a cutting tool which moves relative to a workpiece through a cycle including the steps of dividing the cycle into a plurality of increments, sensing the function of force applied to the tool during each of the increments, determining and storing the highest function of force and lowest function of force applied to the workpiece during each of the increments, setting a maximum differential function of force limit, calculating the difference between the highest and lowest function of force sensed during each increment and comparing the calculated function of force differential with the set maximum function of force differential and establishing a signal when the calculated function of force differential exceeds the set maximum differential. In the preferred embodiment, the function of force is torque.

Abstract: A programmer for a pacemaker which has telemetric capabilities is disclosed. The programmer, in addition to being able to program the pacemaker through telemetric transmission of programming codes can receive digital and analog (including marker) information from the pacemaker for remote display and utilization, and for program modification in response thereto, if desired. Implementation of the programmer is accomplished partly by circuitry which includes pulse duration measurement circuitry for measuring time duration intervals of incoming RF telemetric signals and partly by a firmware program stored in the programmer.

Abstract: An operation control apparatus for industrial robot in which a speed pattern optimum for the particular task to be performed is utilized. The operational control apparatus includes a plurality of operating program memories for storing completed operating programs compiled by a separate programming device, a speed pattern memory for storing plural speed patterns, a changeover signal generator which generates a changeover signal in response to a predetermined sensed operating parameter of the industrial robot or in response to operation of manual changeover switch, and a changeover circuit for selecting an optimum speed pattern in response to the changeover signal. Rising and falling slopes of the speed patterns can be made different from one another so that the arm of the industrial robot can be moved at a greater speed when it is not in contact with a workpiece than when it is actively manipulating a workpiece.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for time lapse based measurement of impedance wherein a series of time measurements are made by voltage transitions with respect to a reference voltage across an unknown component and across a reference component with a known impedance. The time measurements are fed to a microprocessor or other computer means for calculating the impedance of the unknown component.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for continuously recording physiological data. The invention includes a unique data mapping and compression technique which allows relatively long term data acquisition without compromising the data sampling rate. The present physiological data recorder has application in recording physiological data which is non-periodic and is characterized by "bursts" of rapid activity interspersed among relatively long periods during which there is little or no activity. The invention has specific application in recording pH data in ambulatory patients and comprises a unique data compression means, an automatic calibration means, and a digital or analogue data playback means.

Abstract: A method of producing a controlled number of authorization members used for providing access to limited access machines or restricted areas, the method including generating a hierarchy of members having different levels of authorization prior to producing the authorization member.

Abstract: Low and high energy x-ray exposures are made before and after an injected x-ray contrast medium arrives at a blood vessel of interest. In one mode, low and high energy mask images are made and these are subtracted from subsequent low and high energy images, respectively, to yield temporal difference images. The projected intensities of the contrast medium with respect to time constitute matched filter coefficients by which the difference images are mulitplied. The matched filtered images are summed, multiplied by weighting factors and subtracted from each other to yield a final hybrid image. In an alternative mode, successive pairs of low and high energy images are subtracted to yield energy difference images. The difference images are subjected to matched filtering and summed and the results subtracted to produce a final hybrid image.

Abstract: The machine tool is a machining center having an angularly positionable tool spindle, a work table movable relative to the spindle, and a surface-sensing probe mountable on the spindle for measuring dimensions or positions on a work piece situated on the table. The probe senses a surface when the latter lies a small distance ("the probe offset") away from the spindle axis.The method comprises providing on the workpiece a bore 24 defining opposite test surfaces -DX and +DX. The mid-point between the test surfaces has a known nominal position but an unknown actual position. The method further comprises operating the machine in a specified way to measure the test surfaces, the operation including rotating the spindle through 180.degree. between certain of the measuring operations. The measurements are then used for computing the probe offsets and the distance ("the work offset") between said nominal and actual positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging the interior of a structure, such as a mineral or human body, having regions therein which differentially affect particular characteristics of electrical signals transmitted through the body. The method involves injecting a plurality of electrical signals into the body, measuring at least one characteristic of each such signal at a plurality of locations, comparing the measured characteristic with the corresponding characteristic measured at at least one reference point of the structure and generating comparison signals, iteratively reconstructing the impedance spatial relationships between the regions within the structure by utilizing the comparison signals, and providing an image of the interior of the structure from the reconstruction of such impedance spatial relationships.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system comprises a bistable device, a coincidence gate and a monitor circuit which monitors the speed control element of an engine and applies a first input signal to the coincidence gate if malfunction occurs in the speed control element. The coincidence gate provides a reset signal to the bistable device when it simultaneously receives a second input signal from a microprocessor. The microprocessor verifies the operating conditions of the bistable device before the system is switched to automatic mode and sets the bistable device into a condition for receiving the reset signal from the coincidence gate. During automatic control mode, the microprocessor constantly checks the bistable device if it turns to the reset condition while controlling the speed control element. Whenever the microprocessor detects a reset condition in the bistable device, it enables the speed control element to allow the engine to be controlled on manual mode.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery operated neutron spectrometer/dosimeter utilizing a microprocessor, a built-in tissue equivalent LET neutron detector, and a 128-channel pulse height analyzer with integral liquid crystal display. The apparatus calculates doses and dose rates from neutrons incident on the detector and displays a spectrum of rad or rem as a function of keV per micron of equivalent tissue and also calculates and displays accumulated dose in millirads and millirem as well as neutron dose rates in millirads per hour and millirem per hour.

Abstract: A digital control method for controlling a relative rotational phase angle p.theta. or the like in a fuel injection pump of an automobile. Decision is made of whether two successive deviations Er between the detected values and a target value are larger than a minimum reference deviation Ero or not. If they are larger than the Ero, decision is made of whether the signs of both the deviations are positive and/or negative. If both signs are positive, a given duration dTs is added to a fundamental duration ts of the next command signal for control. If both signs are different, a predetermined duration dTs is subtracted from the fundamental duration ts of the next command signal.

Abstract: The present invention is a means to race two or more conditions against each other to trigger a unique control response. In particular, a portion of a machine control is suspended upon the occurrence of conditions such as an input, a time delay, availability of data, or completion of a task. These conditions race against one another. That is, the occurrence of one of the conditions will initiate the response, and all other conditions will then be ignored. The type of response depends upon the particular condition that occurred first.