Abstract: A passenger detector detects a passenger occupying a seat based on his/her weight. Output signals of the passenger detector are fed to, e.g., an airbag controller so that a degree of inflation of the airbag is controlled according to the output signals of the passenger detector. The passenger detector is composed of an ECU and load sensors for detecting a load imposed on the seat. The ECU includes a ROM in which an original design-target threshold load for detecting a passenger is stored and a rewritable memory such as EEPROM in which a load for adjusting the design-target threshold load according to an actual operation of the load sensors is stored. The adjusting load stored in the rewritable memory is easily renewed by communication with an outside adjusting tool.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for testing a peripheral device such that the device can remain installed in a housing and connected to a communication bus such as a SCSI bus. The apparatus, system, and method include a communication port that is connectable to a peripheral device connected to a terminated communication bus. The communication port is connected to a first transceiver and a second transceiver. A microcontroller is also connected to the first transceiver and the second transceiver. The microcontroller is programmed to detect an operation mode for the peripheral device and selectively activate the first transceiver or the second transceiver based on the detected operation mode. The microcontroller is further programmed to perform a logical diagnostic test on the peripheral device using the activated transceiver. A user interface is included to communicate to a user a result of the diagnostic test.

Abstract: A method and related ultrasonic meter identify and correct for transit time errors such as peak switch errors. The method includes calculating values for a set of diagnostics from measurements of the fluid flow, including transit time measurements. Based on the values for the diagnostics, and whether and how they fall outside of their respective ranges, the meter can identify a variety of problems with the meter or fluid flow, such as whether there has been an intermittent peak switch, a permanent peak switch, or the presence of noise, velocity pulsation in the fluid flow, temperature stratification, of other problem. In the event there is a problem with the meter, the meter self-tunes in order to minimize the chances of the problem happening again.

Abstract: A sensor system for monitoring fluid flow through a tube/pipe has one or more sensors coupled to the tube/piping. An I/O board is coupled to the sensor for receiving measurement signals from the sensor. A computer system is coupled to the I/O board and having an application program to interpret and record the measurement signals.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided that can facilitate providing test data for communications cables to remotely located customers. A customer accesses a server of a cable manufacturer via a client program executing on a client device. The server accepts entry of identification information for a communications cable (e.g., a unique identifier printed on the cable at predetermined intervals) via the remotely located client device. The server retrieves test data for the communications cable based on the entered information and provides the retrieved test data to the client device.

Abstract: An apparatus for predicting life expectancy of a rotary machine includes: a load recipe input module acquiring loading conditions of a rotary machine; a characterizing feature input module obtaining characterizing feature data of a rotary machine; and a life expectancy prediction module calculating life expectancy of the rotary machine in conformity with the loading conditions and the characterizing feature data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved method and apparatus for simultaneously performing tests on several devices at the same time. An aspect of one embodiment of the invention is an improved DMA controller that automatically selects certain pin groups, which are connected to a common data bus, to receive test data words from a common data bus. By selecting more than one pin group at the same time, test data (such as a test data word) can be simultaneously loaded onto multiple pin cards at the same time. By loading this data into multiple pin cards at the same time, test data can be “fanned-out” to multiple pin cards and thereby be sent to multiple device sites at the same time. Another aspect of one embodiment of the invention utilizes DMA-based hardware to select which pin groups should received “fanned-out” test data. By utilizing DMA-based hardware to fan-out the test data, the software-based test programs and patterns may be created to manipulate a single device.

Abstract: An ultra accurate gas injection system with vehicle transient air simulation is provided. The device includes an input device, at least one mass flow device, an air flow device, a controller, such as a PC based controller, and an output device. The air flow device issues an air flow rate signal indicative of at least the actual air flow rate and receives an air flow control signal. The controller issues gas and air flow control signals, repeatedly reads the air flow rate signal and compares the actual air flow rate with the target air flow rate. The controller adjusts the air flow control signal such that the actual air flow rate is substantially equal to the target air flow rate. The mass flow device injects at least one gas into the air stream which is subsequently emitted into the external system to simulate exhaust gas from a vehicle.

Abstract: Due to restrictive tolerancing, structural imperfections that reduce performance of fabricated micro gyroscopes are typical. While feedback control is normally used to compensate for these imperfections, there are limitations to how large of errors for which this strategy can compensate without interfering with the performance of the sensor. A multi stage control architecture comprising in situ self-diagnostic capabilities, electronic “trimming” of errors, and feedback control allows for the compensation of all magnitudes of errors without interfering with the performance of the device. The self-diagnostic capabilities include an algorithm for determining structural imperfections based on the dynamic response of the system. The feedforward portion of the control is used to “trim” large imperfections, while the feedback portion compensates for the remaining non-idealities and small perturbations. A control architecture is shown in a gyroscope using nonlinear electrostatic parallel plate actuation.

Abstract: A method for comparing and correlating analyses of changes in cells and tissues wherein one or more analysts analyze features of medical importance in cytology specimens or surgical specimens to determine the degree of variation. A numeric or alphabetic scale is established, going from the least possible variation to the greatest possible variation of the feature. Using such a scale, each analyst assigns a number or letter to the degree of variation. These numbers or letters are displayed in specific locations along the first axis of an orthogonal system. Also displayed is a consensus degree of variation. The determination of one or more analysts is compared to the consensus degree of variation in order to determine, and assign an appropriate indicator based upon, the degree of accuracy. This may be done either visually or with a computer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating machine vision measuring systems that have more than one camera are disclosed. A first calibration target is mounted in a fixed relationship to a first camera of the machine vision measuring system. A third camera mounted in a fixed relationship to a second camera of the machine vision measuring system. Second and third calibration targets are mounted in a fixed relationship to one another and viewable by the first camera and by the third camera. A data processor is programmed to compute calibration of the first camera and the second camera, based on a position of the second calibration target relative to the third calibration target and based on a position of the first camera with respect to the third camera. The apparatus and method provide a way to continuously measure the positions of two or more cameras used in the measuring system, and to use such measurements to calibrate the system.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe field maintenance tool includes terminals selectably coupleable to a process communication loop having a process industry standard communication protocol. At least one media is configured to communicate in accordance with a process industry standard communication protocol. A battery pack connector is adapted to removably couple to an intrinsically safe removable battery pack and provide power to circuitry in intrinsically safe field maintenance tool. An intrinsically safe battery pack is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method provide the ability to establish, record, track, and report on all phases of product utilization and performance from the design phase to end use performance and validation in a real time environment. The present invention enables an organization, referred to herein as a participant or user, to measure, understand and promote tangible results as to the performance of an indoor air environment product installation. In one example, product performance gains can be monitored and reported.

Abstract: The remaining useful life of a transmission fluid in a vehicle is continually estimated by a transmission control computer module during vehicle operation using both an oxidation model and a shift energy model. The oxidation model uses experimentally determined remaining useful fluid life values obtained at temperatures experienced by the fluid in transmission usage and subtracts incremental values from said life based on the temperature-time experience of volume fractions of the fluid in the sump and torque converter. The shift energy model starts with an estimated maximum number of shifts and continually obtains a current remaining useful life by deducting for actual shifts and estimated shift energy inputs based on fluid temperature. Notice of end of fluid useful life is given when one of the models first determines no remaining useful fluid life.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system of calibrating the control delay time, providing effective calibration for the control delay time provided by a control chip to reach the optimal effect for effective reading. The control chip uses the connected buffer chip to produce a training sequence when the buffer chip enters a training mode. After the control chip receives the training sequence, the control chip will produce the training data to compare with the predefined pattern inside it and adjust the control delay time. Finally, the control chip will produce an optimal adjusting control delay time to allow the data strobe signal to control the effective retrieved range of the data.

Abstract: A method for determining the total mass flow through an engine (10) comprises measuring (32) the fuel flow to the engine (10) and measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide in the gases exhausted (22) from the engine (10). The concentration of carbon dioxide is measured by detecting the infrared radiation absorption spectrum of carbon dioxide using a laser (38) and a detector (46). The method comprises determining (48) the air to fuel ratio in the engine (10) from the fuel flow and the concentration of carbon dioxide. The method comprises determining (48) the air mass flow through the engine (10) from the air to fuel ratio and calculating (48) the total air and fuel mass flow through the engine (10) by adding the air mass flow through the engine (10) to the fuel mass flow to the engine (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring the connecting time of a terminal to a site in a communication environment comprising the terminal, site, and a server. The method comprises the steps of generating authentication code and sending it to the user server; authenticating the user when the user server requests for the main server to authenticate the user; recording the time when the user connects with the site; recording the time when the site is changed to another site.

Abstract: Auto-skew alignment of high-speed eye diagrams of a pair of differential signals defines a figure of merit containing time integrals of mathematical functions dependent on magnitudes of the differential signals and related skew, then calculating an optimized skew value that minimizes the figure of merit. Optimally integrals are performed over a random time interval including at least two consecutive bit periods of the differential signals. Calculations include coarse search for optimum skew and fine search using an adaptively decreasing fine skew interval. Data acquisition and control hardware includes paired independent skew circuits and paired sampling circuits coupled to a timebase generator and a processing unit, which performs calculations in accordance with an auto-deskew algorithm. The accuracy of the optimized skew value is limited only by hardware skew resolution which in present implementations is less than or equal to one picosecond.

Abstract: An operator controller 10 controls a motor 12 via a motor controller (11). The motor (12), in turn, selectively controls movement of an object (such as a movable barrier) along a substantially predetermined path. An incremental movement sensor (13) monitors movement of the object by monitoring, in one embodiment, movement associated with operation of the motor (12). At the same time, a passpoint event generator (15) generates at least some passpoint events that are uniquely identifiable. When a given predetermined passpoint event is detected, the incremental movement sensor activity is potentially recalibrated.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program for configuring power supply apparatus to supply a voltage optimized to tolerate a range about a nominal operating voltage of a device comprises a tester to test and communicate to a comparator a present utility voltage value. The comparator compares the present utility voltage with a present nominal operating voltage of the device. A configurator responds to the present utility voltage falling within an upper half of a first range having a centre point higher than the present nominal operating voltage and lower than an upper out-of-tolerance voltage of the device or within a lower half of a second range having a centre point lower than the present nominal operating voltage and higher than a lower out-of-tolerance voltage of the device, by configuring the power supply apparatus to supply a voltage respectively within the first range or the second range.