Abstract: A fiber optic rotary joint and an associated reflector assembly are provided for supporting optical communications between a rotor and a stator. The fiber optic rotary joint includes at least one optical source carried by the rotor or the stator for transmitting optical signals. The fiber optic rotary joint also includes a reflector mounted upon the other one of the rotor and stator for reflecting the optical signals. Further, the fiber optic rotary joint includes a receiver for receiving the optical signals following their reflection. The reflector is generally shaped and positioned such that the path length along which the optical signals propagate from the optical source(s) to the receiver is equal, regardless of the rotational position of the rotor to the stator. The reflector may have a reflective surface shaped to define a portion of an ellipse and/or a reflective surface shaped to define a portion of a hyperbola.

Abstract: A tracking system controls an aimed device (32) to keep it aimed at a target (34). A control system (10) determines when the tracker has lost its lock on the target (34) by comparing the target's instantaneous acceleration with its median acceleration. When the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system searches backwards through a chronological buffer until it finds position data which antedate the receipt of inaccurate position data from the tracker. A second-order filter such as a Kalman filter is used to provide estimated target states. The difference between a time updated output from the second-order filter (16) and the present measured state from the tracking device is low pass filtered to provide a measurement of the instantaneous acceleration of the target. The buffer (20) stores position, velocity, and median acceleration values covering a span of time at least about twice as long as the time required to determine that a breaklock has occurred.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for analyzing photon emission data to discriminate between photons emitted by transistors and photons emitted by background sources. The analysis involves spatial and/or temporal correlation of photon emissions. After correlation, the analysis may further involve obtaining a likelihood that the correlated photons were emitted by a transistor. After correlation, the analysis may also further involve assigning a weight to individual photon emissions as a function of the correlation. The weight, in some instances, reflecting a likelihood that the photons were emitted by a transistor. The analysis may further involve automatically identifying transistors in a photon emission image.

Abstract: A tracking system controls an aimed device (32) to keep it aimed at a target (34). A control system (10) determines when the tracker has lost its lock on the target (34) by comparing the target's instantaneous acceleration with its median acceleration. When the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system searches backwards through a chronological buffer until it finds position data which antedate the receipt of inaccurate position data from the tracker. A second-order filter such as a Kalman filter is used to provide estimated target states. The difference between a time updated output from the second-order filter (16) and the present measured state from the tracking device is low pass filtered to provide a measurement of the instantaneous acceleration of the target. The buffer (20) stores position, velocity, and median acceleration values covering a span of time at least about twice as long as the time required to determine that a breaklock has occurred.

Abstract: A micro-machined back-flush injector that allows for a sample introduced into the injector to be properly injected into a gas chromatography apparatus in a short time period of between 10 and 100 milliseconds. A micro-machined injector having back-flushing capability that allows back-purging of unwanted components in the device and provides clean-up of channels in contact with the sample. Further, a method of operating an injector such that a sample is properly injected and purged from the system to which the injector is operably attached.

Abstract: A fuzzy controller (130) for use in target detection systems. The fuzzy controller (130) includes a first circuit (132) for determining a number of false alarms in a frame of data. A second circuit (136) determines a desired number of false alarms for the frame of data. A third circuit (134-152) computes a threshold multiplier factor based on the number of false alarms, the desired number of false alarms, and one or more fuzzy rules. In a specific embodiment, the first circuit (132) includes a target detection system for providing addresses of pixels whose values are within a predetermined range relative to a detection threshold. The second circuit (136) includes an input device (136) for accepting the desired number of false alarms as input to the fuzzy controller (130). The third circuit (138-152) includes a fuzzifier input calculation circuit (134) that computes a fuzzifier input value based on the number of false alarms detected in a frame and the desired number of false alarms.

Abstract: Optical interferometery is used to probe an integrated circuit device under test (DUT). During each cycle of a repetitive electrical test pattern applied to the DUT a reference pulse is provided at a fixed time relative to the test pattern, and a probe pulse is provided at a time scanned through the test pattern in the manner of equivalent time sampling. The probe and reference light pulses are each split to provide at least a second probe pulse and a second reference pulse. One probe pulse and one reference pulse interact with the DUT at the same physical location, but at displaced times with respect to each other. The second probe pulse and the second reference pulse travel an optical delay path with length controlled to compensate for motions of the DUT. The probe pulses are recombined and detected to provide a probe interference signal. The reference pulses are recombined and detected to provide a reference interference signal.

Abstract: A micro-machined back-flush injector that allows for a sample introduced into the injector to be properly injected into a gas chromatography apparatus in a short time period of between 10 and 100 milliseconds. A micro-machined injector having back-flushing capability that allows back-purging of unwanted components in the device and provides clean-up of channels in contact with the sample. Further, a method of operating an injector such that a sample is properly injected and purged from the system to which the injector is operably attached.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optically probing an electrical device while the device is operating under control of a tester of the kind that applies test vectors and that has a test head in which the device can be mounted. An optical probe system has a light delivery and imaging module that is configured to be docked to a test head and that has imaging optics and a fine scanner. An optical processing subsystem can generate an incoming beam of light to illuminate the device through an optical fiber to a fiber end in the module. The fiber end is mounted in a fixed position on the optical axis of the imaging optics, and the fiber end and imaging optics are mounted in a fixed position to the platform of the fine scanner. Operating the fine scanner moves the fiber end, the imaging optics, the optical axis, and the focal point as a rigid unit.

Abstract: A process and system for managing business, technical and operational data uses a single interface in a shared space environment over the Internet, including a common authentication and environment. A supplier portal creates a central repository for registration process information, company information, and user information, making this information available to all applications that open into the supplier portal.

Abstract: An accurate target detection system. The system includes a sensor (22) that receives electromagnetic signals and provides electrical signals in response thereto. A non-uniformity correction circuit (28, 38, 52) corrects non-uniformities in the sensor (22) based on the electrical signals and provides calibrated electrical signals in response thereto. A third circuit (30, 32, 34, 38, 42, 44, 52) determines if a target signal is present within the calibrated electrical signals and provides a target detection signal in response thereto. A fourth circuit (38, 40, 48) selectively activates or deactivates the non-uniformity correction circuit (28, 38, 52) based on the target detection signal.

Abstract: A system and method of finding a detection threshold that separates real scene objects seen through an optical system from sensor fixed artifacts. The inventive system continuously scans the sensor so that objects in the scene move in an inverse sense relative to the scanning motion while fixed frame artifacts remain fixed in focal plane coordinate system. The difference in temporal behavior is used to discriminate against fixed frame artifacts. The inventive system finds a detection threshold that maximizes the portion of a target that may be segmented while avoiding setting the threshold so low that it merges spatially adjacent artifacts in with the target.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for horizontal stacking of sheets or signatures received from a web press or the like includes conveyor sections operative to convey the sheets in shingled relation from a generally horizontal conveyor path to an inclined conveyor section that progressively rotates the sheets to inclined positions such that the sheets slide downward against an edge guide. The inclined sheets then pass upwardly through a loop conveyor section at an inclined angle to vertical. The upper edge of each success sheet engages a stop mechanism after which the sheets move horizontally into a generally V-shaped trough that engages and supports two downwardly facing edges of each sheet.

Abstract: The portable and compact motion simulator (10) comprises of a platform (22), a support base (20), one powered and controlled extensible member (24), and a motion base controller (26). The simulator can be used like a seat cushion that can be placed on a chair or can be part of a chair. The platform (22) is driven by the said extensible member (24) via a motion base controller (26) to effect motion along the single degree-of-freedom in synchronization with audio and visual images. The said motion base controller (26) provides computing resources to operate and control the motion simulator (10), thereby eliminating the need for computing resources external to the motion simulator (10). A dynamics control means (40) optimizes the dynamic performance of the motion base in accordance with the weight of the patron (02). The portable and compact motion simulator (10) is designed to simulate motion for a patron playing an interactive computer game or participating in a virtual reality experience.

Abstract: An accurate target detection system. The system includes a sensor (22) that receives electromagnetic signals and provides electrical signals in response thereto. A non-uniformity correction circuit (28, 38, 52) corrects non-uniformities in the sensor (22) based on the electrical signals and provides calibrated electrical signals in response thereto. A third circuit (30, 32, 34, 38, 42, 44, 52) determines if a target signal is present within the calibrated electrical signals and provides a target detection signal in response thereto. A fourth circuit (38, 40, 48) selectively activates or deactivates the non-uniformity correction circuit (28, 38, 52) based on the target detection signal. In a specific embodiment, the sensor (22) is an array of electromagnetic energy detectors (22), each detector providing an electrical detector output signal.

Abstract: A process for reducing background clutter of a scene, and isolating an object of interest. The process includes calculating a minimum output from a plurality of appropriately configured anti-median filters representing a minimum difference processor (MDP) filter. In a first embodiment, the MDP filter includes a (5.times.5) matrix of elements wherein each element has an intensity value representation of the scene. A first anti-median filter array is configured as a horizontal array of 5 pixel elements in which the center element of the matrix is the center element of the horizontal array. A median value of the 5 elements of the horizontal array is determined, and is subtracted from the value of the center element to determine an anti-median value of the horizontal array. The same process is performed for a vertical 5 element anti-median array, and two diagonal 5 element anti-median arrays, all including the center element of the matrix as the center common element of the arrays.

Abstract: An arrangement for decelerating and shingling printed products as they are conveyed from a variable rotary cutter by a high-speed belt conveyor to a slower speed belt conveyor includes at least one depressor wheel at the entry end of the slower speed conveyor. The depressor wheel carries a plurality of depressor members in circumferential positions corresponding to the circumferential positions of cutting knives on the rotary cutter. The leading edge of each printed product entering the slow speed conveyor enters a headstop nip which reduces the speed of the entering product while its trailing edge is simultaneously momentarily depressed by a depressor on the rotating depressor wheel to enable shingling between successive products. A brake pad cooperates with the depressors to decelerate the printed products to a speed close to the surface speed of the slower belt conveyor.

Abstract: The portable and compact motion stimulator (10)comprises of a platform (22), a support base (20), three extensible members (24), and a motion base controller (26). The simulator can be used like a seat cushion that can be placed on a chair or can be a part of a chair. The motion base controller (26) drives the extensible members (24) to produce rotations about the pitch axis (14), roll axis (16), and translation in the heave (18) direction in synchronization with audio and visual images. The motion simulator system can be used interactively with a computer game or in a virtual reality environment. Numerous motion simulators can be linked to a common system controller (12) to provide identical synchronous motions to a plurality of users in a theater application.

Abstract: An arrangement for decelerating and shingling printed products as they are conveyed from a variable rotary cutter by a high-speed belt conveyor to a slower speed belt conveyor includes at least one depressor wheel at the entry end of the slower speed conveyor. The depressor wheel carries a plurality of depressor members in circumferential positions corresponding to the circumferential positions of cutting knives on the rotary cutter. The leading edge of each printed product entering the slow speed conveyor enters a headstop nip which reduces the speed of the entering product while its trailing edge is simultaneously momentarily depressed by a depressor on the rotating depressor wheel to enable shingling between successive products. A brake pad cooperates with the depressors to decelerate the printed products to a speed close to the surface speed of the slower belt conveyor.

Abstract: An optical system for a particle beam device such as an electron microscope, e-beam device or FIB device, including a particle beam column having an optical axis along which a beam of particles is projected and an apertured plate positioned in the column having an aperture which is coaxial with the optical axis, the plate being moveable in a direction which is parallel to the optical axis.