Abstract: A process correctly senses an outside temperature. In the case of vehicles, outside temperature sensors are conventionally provided which falsify measuring results due to environmental and outside influences. For example, the engine temperature heats the temperature sensor to a different degree according to the driving speed, the driving situation and condition or, shortly after the switch-off. The process correctly senses an outside temperature, by which a signal can be formed which corresponds to the actual value of the outside temperature. The outside temperature is sensed by a temperature sensor arranged in a vehicle. A corresponding temperature signal is generated. The vehicle operating and/or vehicle condition requirements are sensed. Correction values are determined as a function of the vehicle operating and/or vehicle condition requirements. Finally, the temperature signal emitted by the temperature sensor is changed corresponding to these correction values.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprises two sensor, a casing and a filter. A first sensor is a suction air pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the air sucked in an internal combustion engine and the like. A second sensor is an atmospheric pressure sensor for measuring the atmospheric pressure. The casing accommodates the suction air pressure sensor and the atmospheric pressure sensor. The filter prevents the infiltration of solid matter and liquid form outside of the puressure sensor, and is mounted on the air introducing part of the atmospheric pressure sensor in the casing.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring wafer support pedestal temperature in a semiconductor wafer processing system. The apparatus measures infrared energy emitted by the bottom of the pedestal via a tube having one end inserted in a bore through the underside of the cathode pedestal base. The distal end of the tube is coupled to a temperature sensor. Both the tube and temperature sensor are fitted with insulating sleeve adapters to suppress unwanted RF signals from coupling to the sensor.

Abstract: A central member of a sensor unit is inserted through a sensor unit mounting hole of a cylindrical body having a main passage and the sensor unit is assembled on the cylindrical body. The sensor unit comprises the central member which is provided at the center of the main passage and has internally a bypass passage, a flow sensor provided in the bypass passage, a rib which supports the central member, a mounting section which secures the rib to the cylindrical body, an electronic circuit assembled on the rib, and a connector section retaining terminals being connected electrically to the electronic circuit section. Positioning, mounting and securing of the flow sensor can be made simultaneously by a simple process to insert the sensor sensor unit through the hole. Turbulence, eccentricity and others in the upstream air are reduced so that the flow rate of a highly rectified fluid can be measured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for regulating discounts on merchandise distributed through networked computer systems. The method and system involve the use of discount coupons valid toward the repurchase of the merchandise. These discount coupons include mechanisms for verifying the validity of the coupons. A system in which the present invention operates includes a vendor computer system and a user computer system connected via a network. The vendor and user computer systems each include a computer connected to a display device, a keyboard, and a secondary storage device. A vendor discount regulator and a user discount regulator are stored in the vendor/user secondary storage devices for execution by the vendor/user computers. In operation, when a user desires to purchase merchandise, the user creates a request to purchase the merchandise and sends the request to purchase to a vendor.

Abstract: A self-verifying temperature sensor and method for measuring and verifying the true thermodynamic temperature of a system. The sensor is constructed of various combinations of the following temperature-dependent elements: thermoelements, resistive elements, capacitive elements and other inductive elements. In the preferred embodiment, the sensor is constructed of resistive element connected between four thermoelement wires. A fifth thermoelement wire is connected to the resistive element. The sensor produces a data signature from various voltage, resistance, inductance, and capacitance measurements. Measurement electronics collect and condition the data signature. A computer analyzes the data signature and provides the system operator with a verified sensor temperature, thus, allowing the system operator to recognize and account for drift or decalibration of the sensor.

Abstract: A media compatible microsensor structure (11) for sensing an environmental condition in a harsh media includes an inorganic protective film (17) covering portions of the structure that will be exposed to the harsh media. In one embodiment, the microsensor structure (11) includes a microsensor package (12), a microsensor device (16) bonded to the microsensor package (12), a leadframe (13), a connective wire (14) connecting the microsensor device (16) to the leadframe (13), and an inorganic protective film (17) formed on all or portion of the exposed surfaces of the structure.

Abstract: A system for measuring bidirectional flow, including backflow, of fluid in a conduit. The system utilizes a structural mechanism to create a pressure differential in the conduit. Pressure sensors are positioned upstream from the mechanism, at the mechanism, and downstream from the mechanism. Data from the pressure sensors are transmitted to a microprocessor or computer, and pressure differential detected between the pressure sensors is then used to calculate the backflow. Control signals may then be generated by the microprocessor or computer to shut off valves located in the conduit, upon the occurrence of backflow, or to control flow, total material dispersed, etc. in the conduit.

Abstract: A cylindrical vessel body 20 has an end opened. A urine taking cap 50 comprises a fitting cylinder section 51 which can be freely fitted in tight contact with the opened end of the vessel body 20, a urine sampling cylinder section 52 connected to the fitting cylinder section 51 and having a urine sampling inlet 5b opened thereon, and a grip section 53 connected to an outer end of the urine sampling cylinder section 52. In addition, a cover cylinder 30 has an end opened, the opened end being capable of being fitted in tight contact with a tapered face 5e of the urine sampling cylinder section 52 in the state in which the vessel body 20 having the urine taking cap 50 attached thereto is inserted. A ring protrusion 55 is formed on an outer peripheral face of a connecting portion of the urine sampling cylinder section 52 and the grip section 53, and the grip section 53 can be freely extended axially by an extension cylinder 5g.

Abstract: A technique to dynamically configure a Secure Processing Unit (SPU) chip in a secure manner using a capability table, which defines the functions that an SPU can perform. The capability table employs a digital signature to ensure the authenticity of the source and contents of the table. It also contains information which identifies the SPU for which the table is intended and a time-stamp indicating the time by which the table must be loaded into an SPU.

Abstract: An elongate temperature probe is provided for extending into a fluid flow. First an second temperature sensors are mounted in the temperature probe, spaced apart from each other along the length of the probe. The first and second temperature sensors provide temperature signals to a data processor. The data processor in use determines the temperature of the fluid flow from the temperature signals and at least one other fluid parameter, using a mathematical model of the heat transfer along the probe.

Abstract: A method which exploits the phenomenon that an increase of the collector-emitter voltage U.sub.CE of a semiconductor power component during a load change test can be correlated with the service life expectancy of the relevant IGBT module. A method for estimating the service life of a power semiconductor component, comprising the steps of subjecting the component to a periodic load change, measuring an electrical parameter P of the component that serves as an indicator for reliability or durability against the number N of load changes, calculating a derivative dP/dN of the electrical parameter P according to the number N of load changes; and comparing the derivative dP/dN with a target value representing a determined service life. The characteristic "longer-lived than a reference module" or, respectively, "more resistant to failure" can be allocated to a test module if the derivatives of the respective voltage U.sub.CE satisfy the condition (dU.sub.CE /dN).sub.Test <(dU.sub.CE /dN).sub.

Abstract: A computerized, electronic purchase mediating system includes a purchaser database having a list of purchasers and a merchant database having a list of merchants. The purchaser database stores information about each purchaser including a set of personal payment methods that the purchaser could use to purchase goods and/or services. Similarly, the merchant database stores information about each merchant including a set of accepted payment methods that the merchant would accept for sale of the goods and/or services. The purchase system also includes a processor coupled to the purchaser and merchant databases. The processor receives a purchase request and accesses the merchant database according to a merchant identified in the purchase request to retrieve the set of accepted payment methods which corresponds to that merchant. The processor also accesses the purchaser database to retrieve the set of personal payment methods which corresponds to the identified purchaser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for noncontact temperature measurement of a substrate insitu by measuring the temperature of a substrate support member and an intermediate member located between the substrate and the substrate support member. The intermediate member has a given heat transfer surface area adjacent both the substrate and the substrate support member and high thermal conductivity so that the intermediate member rapidly approaches a steady state surface temperature after the substrate is positioned in the substrate support member. In this arrangement, the temperature of the substrate can be determined either by calibration or application of a heat transfer equation. Various temperature measuring instruments may be used, including a light probe located in the substrate support member normal to the surface of the intermediate member to measure the radiation from a temperature sensitive material deposited on the bottom surface of the intermediate member.

Abstract: The temperature of an infrared radiation scattering medium which contains water, for example, biological tissue and paper, cement and clay substrates, is determined by exposing the medium to infrared radiation, measuring the reflected radiation scattered by the medium, comparing the reflected radiation with calibrated values, and evaluating the temperature of the medium from the comparison; the technique provides a means of non-invasive determination of temperature in biological tissue which has utility in medical diagnosis.

Abstract: An instrumented device for the study of airflow over a structure (10), comprises a support (16) forming a thin plate (24) adapted to be applied and shaped to the contour of a predetermined region of the structure. Connection structure (22) cements a portion of an inner surface of the support to that predetermined region, leaving a space (36) of low height between an inner surface of the plate (24) of the support and that predetermined region. This height is substantially equal to the thickness of said cementing structure. Instrumentation (18) is connected to the support, a portion (28) of this instrumentation and wire connections (20) therefor being disposed in that space (36), whereby the device is adapted to form a skin on the structure.

Abstract: A system for encrypting a plaintext block using a block encryption algorithm having a block size smaller than that of the plaintext block. The plaintext block is transformed into a masked plaintext block using an invertible transformation optionally dependent on additional data and defined such that each bit of the masked plaintext block depends on every bit of the original plaintext block. A subportion of the masked plaintext block is encrypted using the encryption algorithm to generate an encrypted portion of the masked plaintext block. A ciphertext block is generated from the thus encrypted portion of the masked plaintext block and the remaining portion of the masked plaintext block. The ciphertext block is transmitted to a data recipient, who reverses the procedure to recover the original plaintext block.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for displaying a value of a measured parameter for an engine-driven vehicle, such as the speed of an engine. The apparatus includes a microcontroller which receives a data signal from a data concentrator. The data signal contains information relating to the value of a parameter which has been measured by a sensor or other measuring device. Based on the value of the data signal the microcontroller generates one or more motor control signals. The motor control signals are used to drive a stepper-motor. The motor rotates an output shaft which has a pointer mounted near one end of the shaft. The angular position of the output shaft upon rotation corresponds to the value of the parameter and the pointer helps to provide a human-readable format for the parameter value.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for protecting selected files in a portable computer system. With this invention a user selects a set of riles on a hard disk of the system for protection. This invention uses an encryption key, a secret key and an algorithmic transform to protect the selected files. With this invention the selected files are encrypted with the encryption key, and two copies of the encryption key are scrambled, one with the secret key and one with the transform of the secret key. Then, both scrambled versions of the encryption key are stored on the hard disk. When the user enters the secret key, the two scrambled versions of the encryption key are unscrambled using the key entered by the user and by using the transform of the key entered by the user. These unscrambled versions are then compared. If these unscrambled versions match, the original encryption key has been correctly restored and selected files will be decrypted either immediately or when referenced by an application program.

Abstract: A reduction in tire pressure in follower wheels and driven wheels is precisely determined irrespective of slipping states of the driven wheels through the use of apparatus wherein in a driven wheel slip amount calculating means M4 calculates a driven wheel slip amount KIDD as a left and right follower wheel speed difference FID and a left and right driven wheel speed difference RID; in a driven wheel torque calculating means M5, a driven wheel torque TQDW is calculated; in a driven wheel slip amount estimating means M6, a characteristic of variation in driven wheel slip amount KIDD relative to the variation in driven wheel torque TQDW is estimated using a least squares method; in a deviation calculating means M7, a deviation CKID between the follower wheel speed difference FID and the driven wheel speed difference RID in a state in which the driven wheels are not slipping, is calculated as an intercept of the driven wheel slip amount KIDD at a driven wheel torque equal to 0 (zero) in a graph of the variation