Abstract: A device (4) for producing information concerning one or more properties of an environment (1), comprising a sensor (5) movable in relation to the environment, for obtaining information from the environment by recording or measuring one or more properties of the environment in one or more positions and/or directions, and a transducer (6) mechanically connected to the sensor (5) so that the relative positions and orientations of the sensor and the transducer are fixable. The transducer (6) is arranged to determine its orientation and position with respect to at least four degrees of freedom relative to the environment by receiving incident signals from signal sources (7) in the environment and thereby produce corresponding information concerning the orientation and the position of the sensor, for at least one said recording or measuring accomplished by the sensor (5).

Abstract: The wall thickness and ovality of a tubular are simultaneously determined. The theoretical radius of a pipe is computed from a measurement of its circumference. An ultrasonic device conventionally used to measure the wall thickness of tubulars is adapted to also measure the maximum and minimum diameters and ovality by equipping or utilizing existing ultrasound inspection device with contact surfaces which contact the tubular at a fixed distance apart and at a known distance from the surface of the ultrasonic transducer. The contact surfaces define a chord of known length on the tubular under test. The mean radius of the tubular may be computed from multiple water path measurements around the circumference relative to a known fixture. The maximum and minimum diameter and ovality are calculated from the measured differences in distance from the surface of the tubular to the ultrasonic transducer and the theoretical circle.

Abstract: An air data sensing probe or MFP includes a barrel having multiple pressure sensing ports for sensing multiple pressures. Instrumentation coupled to the pressure sensing ports provides electrical signals related to the multiple pressures. A neural network, coupled to the instrumentation, receives as inputs the electrical signals related to the multiple pressures, and in response, the neural network provides, as an output, electrical signals indicative of at least one local air data parameter for the air data sensing probe.

Abstract: A position sensing system uses a resonant transmission line having a moveable dielectric as a position sensor. The system includes circuitry that supplies an RF drive signal to the resonant transmission line, which reflects the drive signal. Based on a standing wave signal, which is generated from the drive signal and the reflected drive signal, the circuitry determines the frequency of the RF sensor drive signal relative to a resonant frequency of the resonant transmission line, and adjusts the RF sensor drive signal frequency to match a resonant frequency of the transmission line. The system additionally includes integral circuitry that senses the temperature of the resonant transmission line and supplies a temperature signal representative thereof. The circuitry determines the relative position of the moveable dielectric based on the adjusted RF sensor drive signal frequency, and supplies a temperature compensated position signal representative thereof.

Abstract: A method of implementing vibration suppression at equipment residing at a local site includes the steps of transmitting a prompt from a remote site to the local site, automatically sensing vibration response information from the equipment in response to the prompt, and transmitting the sensed vibration response information to the remote site. The method further includes the steps of analyzing the sensed vibration response information at the remote site and creating a vibration suppression algorithm based on the analyzed information. Another prompt is then transferred from the remote site to the local site, and in response thereto, vibrations are induced within the equipment at the local site in accordance with the vibration suppression algorithm, and additional vibration response information from the equipment is sensed.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical waste identification system presents pharmaceutical waste information and, in response to a client entering a pharmaceutical name, the system provides a pharmaceutical waste disposal recommendation. This recommendation can include a labeling recommendation for a container for the pharmaceutical, a disposal recommendation for an empty container previously containing the pharmaceutical, and a disposal recommendation for the pharmaceutical.

Abstract: The installation of an electrical cable in a building and its subsequent testing are managed by first creating a computer database indicating the type of cable, the location where the cable is to be installed, the performance standard it should meet when installed in that location, and a test regimen to verify compliance with the performance standard. The database is then transferred into a hand held portable test instrument which is placed at the building site and connected to the cable to be tested.

Abstract: In order to provide an optical measurement system and an optical measurement method which is suitable for optically measuring a body to be inspected and easily obtaining an image of a desired item based on information obtained by the measurement, an optical measurement method including an initial display process for selectively instructing any one of selection of optical measurement, analysis of said optical measurement result and completion of a program; a process for inputting items of condition including a measurement mode; a process for displaying a light irradiation position and a light detection position and a state expressing measurement position relationship together with said mode; a process for instructing to form a file for storing said optical measurement result; a process for instructing a measurement condition to detect light signals from the inside of a body to be inspected which is irradiated by a multi-wavelength multi-channel; and a process for displaying said signals for each channel detect

Abstract: Apparatus for remotely changing the sensitivity of a sensor in a security system which includes at least a first sensor having at least first and second outputs corresponding respectively to first and second sensitivity settings, and programmable apparatus cooperating with the first and second outputs of the first sensor. The programmable apparatus is programmable to operatively connect one of the first and second outputs. The apparatus also includes a transmitter coupled to the sensor for transmitting the output of the sensor to an associated security system alarm panel. The invention also includes the method for remotely changing the sensitivity of a sensor in a security system which includes providing at least a first sensor having at least first and second outputs corresponding respectively to first and second sensitivity settings, providing a programmable apparatus for operatively connecting one of the first and second outputs of the first sensor.

Abstract: Various approaches for testing an electronic system are disclosed. The hardware units of a hardware configuration of the system are determined, and a time constraint parameter value is input. Also input is a hardware unit type identifier that specifies a first type of hardware unit of the electronic system to be tested. A database that describes a plurality of test programs is provided, and from the database at least one test program that tests the specified type of hardware unit is selected. A subset of identifiers of the hardware units of the configuration is selected for testing based on the input time constraint parameter value and the type of hardware unit tested by the at least one test program. The at least one test program is executed on the electronic system with the identifiers of the subset of hardware units as inputs.

Abstract: An electronic maintenance record file system for facilities comprising local monitoring units, installed near the equipment to be maintained, a calculator made available to the maintenance company and connected to the local units using a transmission network to receive and process the information transmitted by the local units. Each local unit includes identification resources of the technician in charge of maintaining the associated equipment; time stamping resources of the start and end of each operation performed by the technician; data input resources of the description of the work performed during the technician? s operation; and storage resources for storing, in the form of an electronic maintenance report file, the description of each operation performed on the associated equipment in relation with the identification information of the technician that performed the operation and the time stamp information of the start and end of the operation.

Abstract: A method performs quality control testing on the objects in a set of objects to obtain a level of quality. The method identifies a number of objects that satisfy the static testing limits, determines statistical measures from the number of objects, determines a dynamic range of values from the statistical measures, and then identifies the objects that satisfy the dynamic range of values.

Abstract: In a method for detection of a stable installation of a system that has a rotation device mounted to rotate around a system axis and an arrangement for detection of measurement values indicative of oscillation of the rotation device, a statistical spread of the measurement values is calculated from N measurement values of different rotations of the rotation device, and the stable installation of the system is detected by a comparison of the calculated statistical spread with a predeterminable threshold. The detected N measurement values can be detected with a known arrangement for determination of an out-of-balance condition, so the method for detection of a stable installation can be implemented without the use of additional hardware components.

Abstract: A thermo-anemometer-type fluid flow rate sensor design and a method for its operation that overcome the response time limitations of prior known fluid flow rate sensors is disclosed. The fluid flow rate sensor includes a probe having a detection module adapted to change condition in response to the presence of the flow of the fluid, a control module that is electrically connected to the probe that monitors the condition of the detection module over time (e.g., a temperature), determines a rate of change of that condition over time, and generates an output that is indicative of the rate of flow of the fluid, and a I/O module connected to the control module to provide a means for communicating the output of the control module to another device or a user.

Abstract: A method to identify a water flow anomaly in a system having first and second water using devices to generate baseline data that preferably has water use signatures and corresponding water pressure information regarding the water using devices; comparing the baseline data with actual water usage signatures and corresponding actual water pressure information to identify a flow anomaly with the water using devices; and providing information on the flow anomaly to an individual. It is especially contemplated that baseline data are generated for multiple devices coupled to a common water supply system, with baseline data from two or more water using devices compared against future water use patterns of the same devices. Apparatus to accomplish these tasks is preferably housed in an irrigation controller, which may be advantageously coupled to a flow meter.

Abstract: Systems and methods measure the effectiveness of network-centric environments. A network-centric environment is described by a computerized model that includes a plurality of parameters describing the various sensors and effectors available within the scenario. As the model is executed, numerical representations of the level of interoperability (e.g. a speed of command parameter, a situational awareness parameter, an asset utilization parameter and/or the like) are computed. A measure of effectiveness is then determined for the scenario as a function of the numerical representations. The measure of effectiveness can then be reported to a user, administrator or other use, who may use the data to compare and contrast different resources or scenarios, to design improved network centric environments, and/or for other purposes.

Abstract: A method for determining a voltage based or current based state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) of a battery system is provided. The method includes: providing a model of the battery system including an equivalent circuit having both low frequency and high frequency elements; establishing a plurality of functional relationships comprising relationship of the equivalent circuit with SOC; reducing at least part of the plurality of functional relationships into a set of time segmented recursive functional relationships, wherein a state at a first time t can be modeled by a functional presentation of a state at a second time t??t that occurred before the first time t; and computing a set of data points based upon the set of time segmented recursive functional relationships using a matrix for operation in matrix algebra.

Abstract: A business method for comprehensively planning the installation into a building of various dissimilar types of electrical cables. A feature of the method is that each individual cable, when installed in place, is then tested for the level of performance which will be required of that cable in that location.

Abstract: A valve body defines an inlet, an outlet, a valving cavity disposed between the inlet and outlet and a valving surface between the inlet and the outlet. A valve is moveable to a position away from the valving surface for permitting flow from the inlet through the valving cavity to the outlet. The fluid flow rate sensor includes a probe having a detection module adapted to change condition in response to the presence of the flow of the fluid, a control module that is electrically connected to the probe that monitors the condition of the detection module over time (e.g., a temperature), determines a rate of change of that condition over time, and generates an output that is indicative of the rate of flow of the fluid, and a I/O module connected to the control module and communicating the output of the control module to another device or a user.

Abstract: A computer platform automatic testing method and system is proposed, which is designed for use in conjunction with a computer platform for performing an automatic testing procedure on a computer-dedicated circuit unit installed on the computer platform, and which is characterized by the capability of performing an automatic testing procedure on a computer-dedicated circuit unit based on a user-specified set of hardware specification data about the computer platform and circuit unit under test, and the capability of automatically generating a test report that lists related data about each faulted part of the circuit unit being tested. This feature allows hardware engineers to more conveniently and efficiently correct faulted parts in the circuit unit being tested.