Abstract: In order to reduce the influence of fluid velocity on a measurement of a concentration characteristic of a fluid, the magnitude of an r.m.s. signal V derived from a voltage induced in a sensor provided in relation to the fluid passage is adjusted using a factor dependent upon the measured velocity v of the fluid. Consequently, the accuracy with which the mass flow rate M of the solids in the fluid can be determined is improved.

Abstract: A method for performing pre-stack time migration of seismic data in a region where the subsurface seismic wave propagation velocity varies in both the vertical direction and a horizontal direction. The migration is performed in the wave number—frequency domain and involves using travel time maps to find a linear fitting of the migration phase shift for a given ray parameter and at a given vertical depth versus horizontal position. The slope and intercept parameters from the linear fit are used to adjust a known pre-stack time migration equation, with the accuracy of the linear approximation requiring mild horizontal velocity variation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for filling a gap of missing data using source specified data. The method includes analyzing a first set of data representative of utility consumption for a plurality of days to determine clusters of days of the week having similar utility consumption. The method further includes generating an individual profile of utility consumption for each cluster, and copying data from at least one individual profile into the gap to form a second set of data without any gaps. A system for filling a gap of missing data using source specified data includes a microprocessor programmed to copy data from at least one individual profile into the gap, and to adjust the copied data up or down to account for local trend information adjacent to the gap.

Abstract: Inertial Measurement Units based on integrated designs to reduce alignment and assembly costs. Integration also leads to performance improvement, increased miniaturization and simplification as well as reduced cost. Also disclosed are gyroscopes and accelerometers that are identical, yet by their mechanization, can be made to act as separate sensors. Miniaturization and simplification is improved by combining instruments that can share a common member. Savings in space and complexity are also possible in the electronics when elements are shared.

Abstract: A method for identifying spectral impulses applies a window filter to an acquired waveform to produce a filtered waveform, and performs an FFT function on the filtered waveform to produce a spectrum of bins. An estimating window is located on the spectrum and centered on a target bin. Bins adjacent to the target bin are excluded and the remaining bins are used to form a noise estimate. The estimate is compared to the target bin and if the result exceeds a threshold value, a spectral impulse is identified.

Abstract: A need exists in the art for a method of generating junction temperatures for multiple-chip packages that takes into account the non-linearity of thermal systems, improves accuracy, and allows more than one multiple-chip package to be measured without again determining the power distribution ratio of each device. To meet this need, the invention includes a method of generating junction temperatures in a multiple-chip package by heating a single chip in the multiple-chip package, measuring the change in temperature of each chip in the multiple-chip package, storing the measured temperature change of each chip, and repeating the heating, measuring, and storing steps for each chip in the multiple-chip package.

Abstract: A method for calibration of memory circuits is provided that adjusts memory circuit output parameters based on data eye measurements. Data eye patterns from the memory circuit outputs are measured by the memory controller for different settings of the memory circuit output parameters. Memory circuit output parameters can be adjusted to settings that correspond to widest average data eye widths, highest average data eye heights, or other suitable criteria.

Abstract: In a two-wire electromagnetic flowmeter, an exciting coil generates a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the flowing direction of a fluid that flows through a measurement tube. A flow measuring output circuit adjusts an output current that flows to a pair of power supply lines to which an external power is supplied, in accordance with a flow measurement value obtained on the basis of a signal electromotive force which is generated in a direction perpendicular to the flowing direction of the fluid that flows through the measurement tube and the direction of the magnetic field generated from the exciting coil. An exciting circuit is connected in series with the flow measuring output circuit between the pair of power supply lines and supplies part of the output current to the exciting coil as an exciting current. In the exciting circuit, an exciting voltage circuit generates an exciting voltage between first and second lines.

Abstract: The disclosed device features is a contacting three dimensional sole measuring device to produce accurate three dimensional renditions of the bottom of a human foot placed thereon. The device features one or a plurality of sensors groups communicating with the top surface of a case. Each sensor group is dimensioned to accommodate the area of a footprint of a human foot when placed on top of it. Each sensor group is composed of a plurality of linear displacement sensors which measure the displacement caused by the bottom surface of the foot and communicate that displacement to a data processing device which compiles a three dimensional rendition of the bottom of the foot surface from the individual data points from the displacement senors. Accurate renditions of the bottom surface of a human foot may be achieved by a person simply standing on the sensor groups barefoot.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high precision, low cost laser power calibration system. First, the photo signals output from a standard photo diode are received by a photo calibration system; then a set of standards consisting of the corresponding current signals and the power signals are saved in an EEPROM. Finally, the photo diode to be calibrated can be calibrated using the present system in accordance with the calibration standards.

Abstract: An electron beam test system which can determine whether a potential is high or low for a DC signal or a signal having no potential change before the time of observation. The electron beam test system obtains potential contrast data for analysis by irradiating electron beam to a semiconductor integrated circuit device which is an analysis object. This system has a tester which supplies a test pattern signal for analysis to the semiconductor integrated circuit device and holds the supplied test pattern signal at a given time; an electron gun which irradiates electron beam to the semiconductor integrated circuit device in response to the hold; and a detector which detects the potential contrast data of the semiconductor integrated circuit device which is irradiated with electron beam.

Abstract: A prediction type electronic thermometer having an actively controlled heater element thermally isolating the probe tip from the probe shaft. Rapid and accurate temperature measurements are made using predictive algorithms. Control circuitry reads input from the temperature sensing element to compute best heater control signals so that the temperature of the probe shaft rapidly follows changes in the temperature of the probe tip. Thermal isolation between probe shaft and tip impedes heat flow from the heater element to the tip providing more accurate measurements. Rapid and accurate management of shaft temperature allows heat from the patient being measured to be most efficiently transmitted to the temperature sensor element resulting in very fast temperature measurements.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the calibration of an instrument. In a representative embodiment, a method includes determining instrument calibration status, wherein the determination is made automatically by the instrument examining calibration history data stored by the instrument. When instrument calibration is past due, a user is notified that the calibration is past due, wherein the notification is initiated automatically by the instrument. The user can decide to make the measurement with the out-of-calibration instrument. Otherwise, the instrument is removed from measurement service, the instrument is calibrated, the calibration history stored by the instrument is updated to reflect a new time that a new calibration is due, and the instrument is returned to measurement service. Also described are techniques for calibrating only those signal paths, subsystems, and ranges are actually being used or may potentially be used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a leak in a pipe, the apparatus comprising a sensor (11) located at a pipe (7), configured to detect a signal from the pipe, converter means to convert the signal detected by the sensor into a digital signal, and transform means to transform the digital signal into a different orthogonal space. The apparatus also comprises a transmitter (15) for transmitting the transformed digital signal back to a remote processor.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, systems, and arrangements facilitate the upkeep of an electronic device. In certain described implementations, one or more analyses and/or determinations may be completed with regard to one or more replaceable issues. If the replaceable issue(s) are determined to be deficient (including potentially deficient), then the electronic device may produce one or more upkeep-related items to facilitate an operator's upkeep thereof. Exemplary replaceable issues may be related to consumable item(s), maintenance items(s), ability items(s), etc. Exemplary upkeep-related items may include order-related items, reports, etc. Exemplary order-related items may include order forms, discount coupons and codes, network address and information combinations, etc.

Abstract: A system is provided for tracking the wheel bearing temperatures of a train and selecting those that are statistically determined to be abnormally high, while eliminating from consideration, or otherwise categorizing those high temperature readings which are the result of other anomalous and non-anomalous conditions. The system determines the overall distribution of the bearing temperatures for both sides of a train at each wayside location. The bearing temperatures are ranked for comparison with the overall train distribution. Outliers are detected and characterized based on temperature patterns and previous history.

Abstract: A cooking system having a cooking appliance and a remote computer. The cooking appliance has a programmable control module that controls a heating device. The heating device is in communication with and provides heat to a cooking location. The programmable control module is in communication with the remote computer unit via a wireless communication link. In a preferred embodiment, the remote computer unit is a Palm Pilot and the wireless communication link is an infrared (IR) link. Also, in the preferred embodiment, a temperature acquisition module is in communication with the Palm Pilot via a serial link. A temperature probe is connected to the temperature acquisition module. The temperature probe is in communication with the cooking location and senses the temperature of the cooking location. The sensed temperature is transmitted via the temperature acquisition module to the Palm Pilot. In a preferred embodiment, the Palm Pilot is used to transmit calibration instructions to the programmable control module.

Abstract: A method according to the present invention calculates a performance function for a structural system (10) that can be used to determine system dynamics at points of interest on the structural system (10). A test input force is applied to an input subsystem (12) and an output subsystem (14) while the motion in response to the test input force is measured to determine a drive point transfer function. A test relative force is applied to the input subsystem (12) and output subsystem (14) at interface points in all degrees of freedom while the motion in response to the test relative force is measured in all degrees of freedom to determine the interface transfer functions. A performance function for the structural system (10) is mathematically calculated based upon the measured drive point transfer functions and interface transfer functions.

Abstract: An ATE calibration method and system that does not require external test equipment to calibrate individual functional pins and provides balanced timing skews among the functional pins and pincards is disclosed. A functional pin in the test system is selected as a reference or “golden” pin and another is selected as a precision measurement unit (PMU). External test equipment and the reference PMU are used to measure the AC and DC characteristics of the reference pin, and any deviation represents a measurement error in the reference PMU. All functional pins in the test system can be measured against the reference pin using the reference PMU, taking into account the measurement error, without the need for external test equipment. To ensure that skews are balanced among all pins, the location of the reference pin is selected to be as close as possible to the midpoint of the functional pin range.

Abstract: System and method for analyzing an input signal acquired from a physical system with a rotating element. A tachometer signal is received comprising rotation speed information for the rotating element. A time sequence is determined using the tachometer signal, comprising time values for the rotating element at substantially equal angle increments, e.g., by edge detection software or timer/counter. A software-based first digital interpolation filter, e.g., a Cascade-Integrator-Comb filter, is applied to the time sequence, generating a modified time sequence. A digitized data signal is received comprising data for the rotating element at substantially equal time increments.