Abstract: Means for digitizing and averaging the signals in an optical time domain reflectometer are disclosed in which a comparator is used to output a 1 or 0 into an arbitrarily large number of successive time-bins. In each comparator choice, the analog voltage signal from the OTDR receiver is compared to a selected analog voltage value. The selected value is chosen randomly from the range of available signals in the interval of interest; and each such valve is used to provide a comparator input into every time-bin during one waveform recovery.Each comparator output signal (1 or 0) is directed to a separate time-bin (counter), representing the desired time interval (resolution). Subsequent comparator output signals are added to each time bin. The waveform recovery runs are repeated until an acceptable signal-to-noise result is achieved. Each waveform run uses a different voltage for comparison to the receiver voltage.

Abstract: A computer system is provided for timing contestants on a water race course. A computer interfaces through a card to four switches. A manual and an automatic switch are activated upon the contestant starting the race. Other manual and automatic switches are activated upon the contestant finishing the race. The computer has software which allows the time at which each switch is activated to be recorded and associated with the contestant. The start and finish times are determined by the respective automatic switches unless an automatic switch misfunctions, and doesn't provide a time. In that case, the start or finish time is determined from the affiliated manual switch. The software subtracts start time from finish time to yield elapse time.

Abstract: A method for reducing noise in an image signal includes the steps of sampling an image to produce a sampled image signal representing pixel amplitude values, the sampled image signal including noise having a known probabilty density function (pdf); digitizing the pixel amplitude values to produce a digital image; forming an image difference signal from the digital image signal by taking the difference between successive pixel amplitude values; processing the image difference signal in digital processing means including a digital MAP filter incorporating a MAP estimator for estimating the signal and noise pdf's of a signal having a Laplacian pdf degraded by noise having a know pdf, to produce a MAP filtered image difference signal; and recovering a restored digital image signal from the MAP filtered image difference signal by summing successive amplitude difference values in the MAP filtered image difference signal.

Abstract: A micropositionable contactor for use in automated testing of multiterminal electronic devices includes an elongated metal probe having a contact at one end. A plurality of piezoelectric motors are positioned about the probe are operative to move the probe in a corresponding plurality of directions. Digital electronic circuit means are coupled to the piezoelectric motors to move the probe through a sequence of motions which establish the locations of each contact on the device under test and make appropriate testing connections to one or more of the device contacts.

Abstract: A fabric grading method and system includes a computer and speech command system for converting oral commands spoken by an operator to signals for driving an inspection frame and a defect labeling device. The operator's spoken defect descriptions are automatically recorded and discriminated so that the defect labeler is only driven in response to detected major defects. The system also receives and records width and pick per inch measuring data for the fabric being inspected.

Abstract: A combination weighing device having a plurality of weighing units for weighing out batches of product successively by combining the contents of some of the weighing units which are selected as suitable, each batch, which is weighed out, having a volume controlled to fall within a predetermined range, as well as a weight satisfying a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A device for analyzing the characteristics of filamentary material while the filamentary material moves at high speed, and a method for using the device. The material is moved past a sensing array while a light shines against the array. The material will block the light to portions of the array; and, since the array is scanned by an electrical signal of high frequency, a width of the material will be indicated by the output signal. Successive scans, and successive widths, are stored in computer storage, and a profile of the material is constructed. Various statistical data can be computed, and a stop motion device can be activated in the event material is beyond preset standards.

Abstract: A novel and innovative series of programs are deployed to actuate and control the novel embodiment of an automated laser wave detection and emissive delivery system known as the Improved Coherent Beam Coupler which is useful in surgical operations and high resolution analytic procedures. The programs are collectively designed to provide the highest resolution of optical electronic spectra data and to promote the fastest most reliable response time necessary to control the electronic composition, dispersal, and wave amplitude modulation of emissive sources. High energy multiple emissions are generated in discrete steps which are specified by impulses derived or obtained from an array of feedback sensors. The necessary tactical and logistic information necessary to engage target loci, analyze specific chemical species or any associated processes are specified by pre-existing data contained within the existing framework of readily accessible programs.

Abstract: In a surface reflectance meter for directing light to a surface, receiving light reflected from the surface and measuring the rate of change of light flux upon withdrawal of a light chopper from the optical path, a fault detection means which detects and indicates a fault in the flux rate of change measurement is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment the rate of change of flux is detected by measuring the time for the light intensity to increase from a first to a second predetermined intensity and the fault detector means detects and indicates a fault when the light intensity does not reach the second predetermined intensity within a predetermined period of time. The surface reflectance meter is reset for repetition of the measurement upon indication of a fault. This invention is useful in portable surface reflectance meters which must be hand held to the surface to be measured, because instability in holding the meter to the surface can cause the fault.

Abstract: The large rotational inertia applied to a driveline component during normal driving conditions is simulated in a test stand that contains a component that driveably connects an input motor and an output motor. A computer repetitively executes an algorithm that produces a commanded torque signal which is supplied as a control signal to the motor drive of one of the electrical motors to produce an output within that motor equal to the commanded torque. The control system applies to the powertrain component under test an inertia that simulates the actual vehicle inertia. The target state of the system, when the vehicle inertia is applied, is completely defined from information known when the component being tested has substantially less inertia applied.

Abstract: A method of detecting the forming of defective parts with a progressive die includes the step of generating a reference force/displacement curve for each forming station of the die while a number of sample parts are formed. The curves are stored in a data processor. The forming force at each forming station, and the displacement are monitored during the formation of production parts and supplied to the data processor. The production force data are compared to the reference force data for each displacement to indicate faults in various parameters previously set into the data processor.

Abstract: A temperature control apparatus for a heating or cooling apparatus with a temperature sensor, a computer producing a control signal in response to temperature during an operation period and thereafter entering a halt period, a transmitter for sending the control signal to the heating or cooling apparatus and a timer for controlling the computer. The timer is activated by commencement of the operation period to reactivate the computer after a predetermined time.

Abstract: A processor responsive to multiple AC analog signals has individual sampling circuits to sample and hold each AC analog signal in DC form. After the DC signals are multiplexed, a single error correction circuit calculates correction voltages individualized for each sampling circuit and sums them with the DC signals. An instantaneous floating point amplifier amplifies each signal in 12 db increments up to a preselected limit, and then a second sampling circuit holds the amplified signal before an analog-to-digital converter generates a digital signal representative of the amplified signal.

Abstract: A method of discriminating between linear and nonlinear regions of measured data is based upon two hypotheses, one of which is a hypothesis that a response is merely a result of inherent randomness and the other of which is a hypothesis that the response is a result of a true nonlinear change greater than a value M. It is also based upon a relative cost between accepting the latter hypothesis when the former is true versus accepting the former hypothesis when the latter is true. A resulting probabilistic criterion (M/2)+(.sigma..sup.2 /M) [1n(P.sub.H0 /P.sub.H1)C] is graphically implemented for deriving offset values which can be used in a specific embodiment to construct tabular values defining linear/nonlinear regions from a presumed hypothetical straight line response.

Abstract: A digital temperature indicating system which enables a relatively inexpensive thermistor sensor to be used to obtain highly accurate temperature measurements over a number of relatively narrow temperature ranges, and to obtain acceptable temperature accuracy over an extended temperature range. The thermistor controls a bridge. The bridge produces an analog signal when the thermistor causes the bridge to become unbalanced from a null point as the thermistor senses different temperatures. The analog signal from the bridge is converted into digital signals which address memory locations in a programmable read-only memory (PROM) for both scaling and linearizing purposes. The resulting output signals from the PROM are used to control a display unit which displays the temperature readings.