Abstract: A method of enlarging or reducing the size of a halftone one bit per pixel raster image without changing the screen pitch is disclosed. First, there is a determination of whether the current byte is on an image edge using any edge detection means. If the current byte is on an edge, the nearest neighbor algorithm is applied to the original image on a bit by bit basis to prevent edge jaggedness. If the current byte is not on an edge, the nearest neighbor algorithm is applied on a byte by byte basis to prevent Moire patterns in the solid areas of the image.

Abstract: A set of two processors operates on image pixel data using polynomial interpolation to generate pixel data for a spatially varied image. Image data is first stored in a buffer memory, and constants used in the polynomial interpolation are stored in a constants memory. One processor operates on the data from the buffer memory using constants from the constants memory, and the interpolated data is then stored in a display memory. The second processor controls the interpolation process by addressing the memories for the retrieval and storage of data.

Abstract: A method of determining the minimum level of enrichment required to render a substantially miscible gas miscible in a liquid hydrocarbon by observing the behavior of liquid hydrocarbon droplets as they fall through samples of enriched gas of incrementally increasing levels of enrichment. The lowest level of enrichment at which the droplet is observed to dissipate in the enriched gas is the minimum level of enrichment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing the rate at which fluid is transferred between an offshore well 16 and the formations 20 surrounding the well 16 in the course of drilling the well 16 from a floating drilling rig 14. A drilling fluid handling system 31 is used to inject drilling fluid into the well 16. A marine riser 22 extending from the sea bottom 18 to the rig 14 is provided to return the drilling fluid to the rig 14. The riser 22 is provided with a slip joint 26 to accommodate wave induced heave of the rig 14. Inflow and outflow flowmeters 42,44 are provided to monitor the rates at which drilling fluid is injected into the well 16 and returned to the rig 14. The return flow rate signal is filtered to mitigate the cyclical variations resulting from extension and contraction of the slip joint 26. A signal processing system 46 is provided to maintain the time constant applied in the filtering process at an optimum level as the rate and magnitude of rig heave varies with time.

Abstract: Method of dynamic balancing of rotating machines in assembled condition, the machines being symmetrical to their center of weight. The effective value of the speed of radial vibrations arising from unbalance when the machine is running at no-load speed and is vibro-isolated from the surrounding media are measured by measuring the relative acceleration phases of the vibrations. Correction masses are estimated for each balancing plane by dividing the measured effective speed values by a constant characterizing the machines of a given type, which is determined beforehand. When the machine is dismantled, correction masses are placed in the balancing planes at angles obtained from the determined relative acceleration phases plus 270.degree. they added along the directional rotation of the rotor of the machine. These angles are measured according to a mark on the shaft of the machine.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system and method are disclosed which include a transducer (10) for pulse insonification (16) of an object (14) and for receiving echo signals from within the object. Echo signals are converted to electrical signals at the transducer (10) and the electrical signals are supplied to a signal processor (30) for processing the same. The signal processor (30) includes a detector (40) and integrator (42) for integrating the detector output.Echo signals obtained from a range zone (Z) which is opposite the focal point (F) from the transducer (10) are integrated by integrator (42).The amplitude of echo signals from range zone (Z) is strongly dependent upon attenuation at the focal point (F) whereby the integrator (42) output (60) also is dependent upon attenuation at the focal point (F). The integrator (42) output (60) is supplied to a display (48) for use in establishing one pixel thereof.

Abstract: A response characteristics of a microwave spectroscopic measuring system is remarkably improved by supplying a carrier to a continuously flowing sample containing a polar substance to be measured quantitatively. The carrier contains a compound having at least similar chemical form to that of the polar substance.

Abstract: An arrangement for generating a classification code for a fingerprint having a pattern of ridges, the ridges having a plurality of reference features, which includes overlaying the intersection of a pair of cross-hairs at a first one of the reference features. A line is overlaid from a second one of the reference features to the first reference feature. The cross-hairs are oriented so that the line bisects a quadrant of the cross-hairs. The ridges crossed by predetermined portions of the cross-hairs are counted to generate the classification code.

Abstract: A character recognition apparatus has an image data generating section for storing image data corresponding to a character array on a sheet of paper and for generating a series of scan line data constituting one item of image data; a segmentation control section for generating starting and end scan line data which define a segment of each character data in accordance with the scan line data sequentially generated from the image data generating section; and a recognizing section for detecting any similarities between the reference character data and the character data generated from the data generating section in accordance with the starting and end scan line data and for generating effective data character data which has the largest similarity which is larger than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide gas detector comprises a housing consisting of two enclosures 10 and 12 having ports in the wall thereof to provide a tortuous path for air entering the inner enclosure 12. A gas cell transducer 16 connected to an electrical circuit 18 provides signals indicative of gas concentration. The detector is powered from a remote supply via wires 22 and 26 and provides gas concentration signals via a wire 24 to a remote central station with a fail-safe feature wherein failure of the circuit or the detector will provide signals interpreted as dangerous gas concentrations.

Abstract: A video compressor for use in an image processing system is provided. The compressor includes structure for detecting a data image pattern and for generating a code representing the detected data image pattern. A counter counts the number of times a data image pattern is detected and generates a repeat count. The code is stored in a fixed sized bit field. The repeat count is stored in a variable sized bit field. Structure is provided for merging the fixed sized bit field and the variable sized bit field into a continuous bit field.

Abstract: A method of determining source areas of pollution aerosol. Selected pollution derived, fine particle tracer elements from within the source region are measured. The measured results are expressed as ratios to one of the tracer elements. A signature of the source region is determined from modes in the logarithmic frequency of the ratios of the tracer elements. Measurements are made of the tracer elements from a receptor region and elemental ratios constructed. The elemental ratios from the receptor region are compared with the signatures from possible source regions to determine the most probable source region.

Abstract: An analogue delay line circuit arrangement is constructed by a plurality of delay line elements and a plurality of compensation amplifiers. These delay line elements and compensation amplifiers are series-connected, one by one, so as to construct a cascade connection. The input echo signals are delayed in the delay line elements and simultaneously the amplitudes thereof abruptly decrease at the high frequency range. The cascade-connected amplifiers can compensate for the abrupt decrease of the signal amplitudes. The delay line elements are constructed of passive elements such as the capacitors and inductors. The compensation amplifiers are constructed of active elements such as the emitter follower transistor.

Abstract: An electro-dynamic transducer head (107) coming into contact with a workpiece (14) comprises a protective cap (28, 38), which is at least partially surrounded by a sliding protection element (22). The sliding protective element has a basic member (24) with sections (26), which are introduced into recesses (28) by deposit welding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring tensile stress in a fastener already in place. This method capitalizes on the discovery that a longitudinal wave will travel roughly twice as fast as a transverse wave and the times-of-flight of the two waves are affected to different degrees by tensile stress. Longitudinal and transverse ultrasonic signals are applied to a first end of the fastener. The longitudinal and transverse signals are detected at this same first end of the fastener after they are reflected off of the second end of the fastener. The time-of-flight for each of the longitudinal and transverse waves is measured. The tensile stress, T, in the fastener is then determined by applying substantially the following equation: ##EQU1## where v.sub.10 and v.sub.20 =the velocities of the longitudinal and transverse signals, respectively, in a similar fastener not under stress;k=the length of the unstressed portion of the fastener;.lambda. and .mu.=Lame' constants for the fastener material; andD.sub.1 and D.sub.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensing device having a pair of bendable piezoelectric crystal members encounters undesirable effects due to linear acceleration. To buck out the sensing device signal component representing this effect, a compensating device having its own piezoelectric bendable crystal is mounted to the same spin axis shaft as the angular velocity device, in fixed offset relationship thereto, so that it generates a buck out signal in phase with the undesired signal component from the angular velocity sensing device.

Abstract: A mine roof bolt and a method of measuring the strain in mine roof bolts of this type are disclosed. According to the method, a flat portion on the head of the mine roof bolt is first machined. Next, a hole is drilled radially through the bolt at a predetermined distance from the bolt head. After installation of the mine roof bolt and loading, the strain of the mine roof bolt is measured by generating an ultrasonic pulse at the flat portion. The time of travel of the ultrasonic pulse reflected from the hole is measured. This time of travel is a function of the distance from the flat portion to the hole and increases as the bolt is loaded. Consequently, the time measurement is correlated to the strain in the bolt. Compensation for various factors affecting the travel time are also provided.

Abstract: A video correlator is provided for use in an image processing system wherein video data representative of a document image or portions thereof is received in a gray level data format in which the image is composed of a plurality of cells for enhancing the black/white characterization of each cell. The correlator includes structure for comparing a cell's gray level data with the average gray level of a preselected number of surrounding cells. Structure is also provided for automatically selecting the number of surrounding cells for determining the average gray level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring acceleration and/or gravity are disclosed. At least one auxiliary mass is provided which, in cooperation with apparatus in accordance with the invention, is alternately engaged to and disengaged from the proofmass of an accelerometer to provide two distinct torque values, each value including a pendulosity-modulated component and an unmodulated component from which a value of acceleration and/or gravity may be extracted that is essentially free from bias uncertainty.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining the eventual elongation property of a copper wire which has been cold drawn with an intermediate anneal and which is to be subsequently subjected to a predetermined heat treatment by a final in-line continuous anneal. Before a sample length of such wire is elongated to its breaking point in a tensile testing device, a capacitor is discharged through the wire length to produce a heating current flow therethrough of a magnitude and duration that produces a heat treatment of the wire length which approximately simulates that which would be the result of the final in-line continuous anneal. For this purpose, the wire holding devices of the tensile testing device have contact means to establish connection of the wire length in a discharge circuit for the capacitor.