Abstract: An apparatus for measuring temperature of turbine blades, including: a radiation collection device, a data processing module; a master control unit (MCU); a calibration module; and a motion servo. The radiation collection device includes a scan reflector, a collimator lens, a first dichroic mirror, a first focus lens, a visible and near-infrared (VNIR) detector, a second dichroic mirror, a second focus lens, a short-wave infrared (SWIR) detector, a third focus lens, and a medium-wave infrared (MWIR) detector. The calibration module includes a calibration reflection mirror and a blackbody furnace. The scan reflector, the collimator lens, the first dichroic mirror, the second dichroic mirror, the third focus lens, and the MWIR detector are disposed successively along a first optical axis; the first dichroic mirror, the first focus lens, and the VNIR detector are disposed successively along a second optical axis that is perpendicular to the first optical axis.

Abstract: A pooling operation method for a convolutional neural network includes the following steps of: reading multiple new data in at least one column of a pooling window; performing a first pooling operation with the new data to generate at least a pooling result column; storing the pooling result column in a buffer; and performing a second pooling operation with the pooling result column and at least a preceding pooling result column stored in the buffer to generate a pooling result of the pooling window. The first pooling operation and the second pooling operation are max pooling operations.

Abstract: An operation method for a convolutional neural network includes the following steps of: performing an add operation with a plurality of input data to output an accumulated result; performing a bit-shift operation with the accumulated result to output a shifted result; and performing a weight-scaling operation with the shifted result to output a weighted result. Herein, a weighting factor of the weight-scaling operation is determined according to the amount of input data, the amount of right-shifting bits in the bit-shift operation, and a scaled weight value of a consecutive layer in the convolutional neural network.

Abstract: A convolution operation method includes the following steps of: performing convolution operations for data inputted in channels, respectively, so as to output a plurality of convolution results; and alternately summing the convolution results of the channels in order so as to output a sum result. A convolution operation device executing the convolution operation method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A buffer device includes input lines, an input buffer unit and a remapping unit. The input lines are coupled to a memory and configured to be inputted with data from the memory in a current clock. The input buffer unit is coupled to the input lines and configured to buffer one part of the inputted data and output the part of the inputted data in a later clock. The remapping unit is coupled to the input lines and the input buffer unit, and configured to generate remap data for a convolution operation according to the data on the input lines and the output of the input buffer unit in the current clock. A convolution operation method for a data stream is also disclosed.

Abstract: A convolution operation device includes a convolution calculation module, a memory and a buffer device. The convolution calculation module has a plurality of convolution units, and each convolution unit performs a convolution operation according to a filter and a plurality of current data, and remains a part of the current data after the convolution operation. The buffer device is coupled to the memory and the convolution calculation module for retrieving a plurality of new data from the memory and inputting the new data to each of the convolution units. The new data are not duplicated with the current data. A convolution operation method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A convolution operation method includes the following steps of: decomposing a large convolution operation region to multiple small convolution operation regions; the small convolution operation regions perform convolution operations so as to generate partial results, respectively; and summing the partial results as a convolution operation result of the large convolution operation region. A convolution operation device capable of supporting the convolution operation method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-layer artificial neural network having at least one high-speed communication interface and N computational layers is provided. N is an integer larger than 1. The N computational layers are serially connected via the at least one high-speed communication interface. Each of the N computational layers respectively includes a computation circuit and a local memory. The local memory is configured to store input data and learnable parameters for the computation circuit. The computation circuit in the ith computational layer provides its computation results, via the at least one high-speed communication interface, to the local memory in the (i+1)th computational layer as the input data for the computation circuit in the (i+1)th computational layer, wherein i is an integer index ranging from 1 to (N?1).

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting wear particles in a fluid includes an inlet channel and an outlet channel. An ultrasonic transducer creating an acoustic wave that defines an acoustic focal zone is located between the inlet and outlet channels. A flow path located between the inlet and outlet channel is shaped to restrict the flow of the fluid to be within the acoustic focal zone. An inductive pulse sensor includes a plurality of flow channels receiving the fluid and a plurality of planar coils wound around the flow channels. The inductive pulse sensor includes a detection system for the detection of wear particles passing through the flow channels based on a change in an electrical property of the planar coils. A single combined excitation signal is sent to all the planar coils at once and the detection system measures one single output measurement for the plurality of flow channels.

Abstract: A high sensitivity inductive sensor for measuring clearance of a rotating blade tip includes a one or more of sensing coils. The sensing coils are formed of magnet wire, which is wound to form planar spiral coils. Each of the coils are coupled in series with a function generator, which applies an excitation signal thereto. Accordingly, based on the change in impedance of the coils, a clearance measurement, which identifies the distance between the coil and the tip of the rotating blade can be obtained using predetermined calibration curve values.

Abstract: A converter including: an amplifier having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, the first input terminal configured to receive a reference voltage; an array of resistors configured to generate a tuning voltage; and a first plurality of switches coupled to the second input terminal of the amplifier and the array of resistors, the first plurality of switches configured to adjust a gain of the amplifier by selecting at least one resistor in the array of resistors to connect to the second input terminal of the amplifier.

Abstract: A converter including: an amplifier having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, the first input terminal configured to receive a reference voltage; an array of resistors configured to generate a tuning voltage; and a first plurality of switches coupled to the second input terminal of the amplifier and the array of resistors, the first plurality of switches configured to adjust a gain of the amplifier by selecting at least one resistor in the array of resistors to connect to the second input terminal of the amplifier.

Abstract: A high sensitivity inductive sensor for measuring clearance of a rotating blade tip includes a one or more of sensing coils. The sensing coils are formed of magnet wire, which is wound to form planar spiral coils. Each of the coils are coupled in series with a function generator, which applies an excitation signal thereto. Accordingly, based on the change in impedance of the coils, a clearance measurement, which identifies the distance between the coil and the tip of the rotating blade can be obtained using predetermined calibration curve values.

Abstract: A wearable inductive-force sensor, which provides high-sensitivity dynamic measurements of both normal force and shear force, utilizes three spiral planar force sensing coils. These spiral planar coils allow the measurement of shear force in the x and y directions and the measurement of a normal force in the z direction. The force sensor is configured to be mounted in various locations, such as an insole of a shoe, so as to provide real-time force sensing of forces that are applied to a patient's feet as they move. In addition, force-measurement electronics used with the force sensor are configured to use resonance-frequency division signal multiplexing to monitor the response of the force sensing coils, which allows the sensor to have minimal complexity, while still being highly sensitive.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting wear particles in a fluid includes an inlet channel and an outlet channel. An ultrasonic transducer creating an acoustic wave that defines an acoustic focal zone is located between the inlet and outlet channels. A flow path located between the inlet and outlet channel is shaped to restrict the flow of the fluid to be within the acoustic focal zone. An inductive pulse sensor includes a plurality of flow channels receiving the fluid and a plurality of planar coils wound around the flow channels. The inductive pulse sensor includes a detection system for the detection of wear particles passing through the flow channels based on a change in an electrical property of the planar coils. A single combined excitation signal is sent to all the planar coils at once and the detection system measures one single output measurement for the plurality of flow channels.

Abstract: The disclosed online transaction method and system uses payment platform acting as an intermediary agent between the merchant and the shipping company to handle the payment. While the payment platform receives payment from the shipping company, the merchant receives payment from the payment platform. The method and system do not require buyers to use the payment method provided by an intermediary transaction platform to make a payment. Instead, the buyer may pay directly to the shipping company. Unlike conventional transaction method based on COD, however, the disclosed online transaction method and system centrally manage a logistics platform or multiple logistics operations run by logistics companies. The merchant does not receive the payment from the logistics company, but rather receive the payment from a centralized payment platform to ensure secure and fast payment.

Abstract: The disclosed online transaction method and system uses payment platform acting as an intermediary agent between the merchant and the shipping company to handle the payment. While the payment platform receives payment from the shipping company, the merchant receives payment from the payment platform. The method and system do not require buyers to use the payment method provided by an intermediary transaction platform to make a payment. Instead, the buyer may pay directly to the shipping company. Unlike conventional transaction method based on COD, however, the disclosed online transaction method and system centrally manage a logistics platform or multiple logistics operations run by logistics companies. The merchant does not receive the payment from the logistics company, but rather receive the payment from a centralized payment platform to ensure secure and fast payment.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detection of wear particles in a lubricant are disclosed. The apparatus includes a microfluidic device including a microchannel sized for a lubricant containing wear particles to pass therethrough and first and second electrodes extending into the microchannel. A detection system is coupled with the electrodes for detection of wear particles passing through the microchannel, based on a change in capacitance of the electrodes.

Abstract: A method of double detection in a perpendicular magnetic read channel is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating an intermediate signal by performing a first detection on an input signal of the perpendicular read channel, the first detection having a first error rate, (B) generating a statistics signal based on the intermediate signal, the statistics signal conveying noise statistics that depend on data in the input signal and (C) generating an output signal by performing a second detection on the input signal using the noise statistics to reduce a second error rate of the second detection compared with the first error rate, wherein the first detection is independent of the second detection.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a switch device having changeable distances involves uniformly arranging more than two throws on the same circumference and then fixing the throws onto corresponding circular carriers. Included further is fixing a number of throws on the inner cylinder surface of a flat cylinder plate body, and fixing the poles in cylinder shape on to the top of the carrier in a cap shape which can be worn on the tip of a single finger. One end of the lead wires is connected to respective throws and pole, the other end is connected to the pin of the interface of the controlled object by fixing or inserting in order to form the switch device. Distances between the throws and the poles are variable.