Abstract: An automated computer-controlled method and apparatus for measuring the quality or fineness of a pigment dispersion sample, comprising placing the pigment dispersion at the deep end of the tapered path of a Hegman gage block, placing the Hegman gage block in a holder in a motorized drawdown device that draws the scraper along the length of the tapered path at an angle and to at a contact pressure and at a controlled rate, thereby creating a tapered film sample of paint whose thickness tapers from a maximum thickness of 100 micrometers to a minimum thickness of zero. An illuminator assembly illuminates the sample with a substantially collimated light source at an intensity level and the light reflected from the sample is collected by a lens onto a photodetector array in a digital camera. After a time interval the camera acquires an image of the sample.

Abstract: An image analysis method to quantify visual showthrough of printed images on the reverse face of planar objects, such as paper. An illumination level is set using a white reference object. A white reference image is stored in a computer memory. An image of a planar object having a printed image on the reverse face is stored in a computer memory. A pixel by pixel ratio of the two images is calculated and a mean value of the ratios is calculated to characterize the visual showthrough. The measurements are substantially independent of both the illumination level and image shading.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip has new Frequency dependent RLC extraction and modeling providing on chip integrity and noise verification and the extraction and modeling employs: A) 2D scan line algorithm for the collection of adjacent signal and power conductor coordinates; B) In core pair-wise frequency Dependent RL extraction; C) In core equivalent circuit synthesis; D) caching and partitioning RL extraction techniques for run time efficiency; and E) Techniques for synthesizing stable circuits to represent frequency dependent RL circuits for non-mono tonic R12.

Abstract: An automated computer-controlled method and apparatus for measuring the quality or fineness of a pigment dispersion sample, comprising placing the pigment dispersion at the deep end of the tapered path of a Hegman gage block, placing the Hegman gage block in a holder in a motorized drawdown device that draws the scraper along the length of the tapered path at an angle and to at a contact pressure and at a controlled rate, thereby creating a tapered film sample of paint whose thickness tapers from a maximum thickness of 100 micrometers to a minimum thickness of zero. An illuminator assembly illuminates the sample with a substantially collimated light source at an intensity level and the light reflected from the sample is collected by a lens onto a photodetector array in a digital camera. After a time interval the camera acquires an image of the sample.

Abstract: An image analysis method to quantify visual showthrough of printed images on the reverse face of planar objects, such as paper. An illumination level is set using a white reference object. A white reference image is stored in a computer memory. An image of a planar object having a printed image on the reverse face is stored in a computer memory. A pixel by pixel ratio of the two images is calculated and a mean value of the ratios is calculated to characterize the visual showthrough. The measurements are substantially independent of both the illumination level and image shading.

Abstract: This invention relates to computing numerical solutions of linear systems of equations, specifically to implementing preconditioning of the coefficient matrix of such a system. The preconditioning applies to any coefficient matrix, dense or sparse, based on the solutions of a physical problem of unknown functions, commonly referred to as basis or interpolation functions, where the basis function spans more then one mesh element. Examples of such linear systems can result from, as examples, an electromagnetic analysis of printed circuit boards or field scattering in radar applications, fluid mechanics and acoustics. A method and system to compute a preconditioner for a coefficient matrix A that is compatible with the linear system of equations that provides basis function support over at least two mesh elements. Coupling of the preconditioner between partitions of a portioned mesh representation is only through basis functions at the partition boundaries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for analyzing the noise prediction within one or more electrical circuits, wherein the electrical circuits have a power mesh grid distribution system that feeds power levels to the electrical circuits that are connected by signal wires. After identifying a driver and receiver electrical circuit to be analyzed, a power block is generated that is associated with the driver and receiver electrical circuit by partitioning an area of a power mesh grid distribution system into a power block that can be modeled with lossy transmission line techniques. Next, signal wires situated between the driver and receiver electrical circuits are partitioned into signal blocks that can be modeled with lossy transmission line techniques. Lastly, the power blocks and signal blocks associated with the electrical circuits are analyzed in order to predict the noise performance within the electrical circuits.

Abstract: A computer aided design (CAD) system. A template generation engine generates templates from interconnect configuration files. A field solver generates high frequency passive element relationships from the templates. A circuit builder generates circuit description files from device technology models and from high frequency passive element relationships. Parameterized circuit description models may be generated for large range of sensitivity analyses. A simulator simulates circuit responses for transmission line models from the circuit description files. Interconnect configuration files may be generated by a geometry and material definition module that receives process description data from a designer.

Abstract: An improved image analysis method to quantify uniformity of visual appearance of planar objects. The measurements are substantially independent of both the image shading and the overall lightness differences among the objects.

Abstract: An iridescent effect is achieved in satin weave filling-faced fabric using sheath-core filaments wherein the core is dyed to a color that is different from that of the sheath.

Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to a method of image analysis for analyzing the texture of a surface, and to a saxony-type carpet having a tightly tailored surface texture characterized by this method. The method employs a model based on a second order co-occurrence matrix model which calculates a set of textural parameters for image classification. This co-occurrence matrix model examines the statistics of the spatial relationship between gray levels in a homogeneously textured image with calculated textural features which represent measures such as homogeneity and contrast. The method of the present invention uses this model to construct a set of normalized textural parameters from the textural parameters and calculates a value for the normalized textural parameters from this set, where the normalized textural parameters are related to the physical properties of the surface, such as pile lay of a carpet.

Abstract: A method of determining luster characteristics of fiber filaments utilizing a mathematical model of filament cross sectional shape and simulated impinging light to determine light distribution after interaction with the fiber and thereby determine luster properties. The method also includes a method for deriving individual filament cross sectional shapes of fibers in a bundle of touching filaments and for deriving therefrom other fiber properties and controlling the manufacturing parameters affecting such properties as well as luster properties.

Abstract: An automated system is used for the inspection of a transparent film which has been metallized by vaporizing a metal so that it impacts the film's surface at a preselected angle, wherein the metallized film sample is illuminated with a light source, and the transmitted light is passed through a microscope to a video camera, which produces a videoscan. The videoscan is digitized, stored in a computer memory, and processed pixel by pixel by the computer which calculates asperity height distribution from the number and lengths of metallizing shadows caused by asperities on the film surface. This method is especially useful for inspecting film to be used for recording devices, especially for video tapes, where accurate information on the asperity height distribution is required.