Abstract: A system features a combination of an acoustic sensor and a communication transmitter. The acoustic sensor is arranged on a rotating container or drum having a slurry contained therein, including concrete, and configured to provide an acoustic signal to sense an acoustic signal containing information about a characteristic of the slurry, and provide acoustic sensor signaling containing information about the acoustic signal sensed. The communication transmitter is arranged on the rotating container or drum, and configured to receive the acoustic signal, and provide the acoustic signal received from the rotating container or drum for further processing.

Abstract: New techniques are provided for measuring the thickness of a pipe wall using ultrasonic reflections. The apparatus includes a signal processor that receives a signal containing information about ultrasonic pulses injected into a pipe wall; and determines a pipe wall thickness measurement based at least partly on decomposing the signal received in order to identify either peaks using a cepstrum analysis or repeated spacing using a wavelet analysis. The wavelet analysis includes dividing data in the signal received into a specific frequency component and a defined temporal component in order to detect correct pulses where multiple reflections are caused by irregularities in the pipe wall surface being measured. The cepstrum analysis includes processing repeating pulses in the signal in order to detect correct pulses where multiple reflections are caused by irregularities in the pipe wall surface being measured.

Abstract: An improved, self-contained, obstacle detector assembly and alert system consisting of a weather resistant housing unit, a proximity probe frictionally attached to the front end of a rod positioned within a rod guide. Inside the detector assembly housing, the rod is connected to return spring, electrical switching mechanism, battery pack, and alarm system. When the impact probe encounters an obstacle, the rod is pushed into the housing and depresses a mechanical switching lever that contacts the ground plan effectively closing an electrical circuit activating the alarm thus alerting the operator that an obstacle has been encountered. The primary objective of the invention is to provide an improved obstacle detector and alarm system that ALERTS the operator of modern motor vehicles of the immediate proximity of a curb, parking block, roof overhang, or similar impediment prior to impact.

Abstract: New techniques are provided for measuring the thickness of a pipe wall using ultrasonic reflections. The apparatus includes a signal processor that receives a signal containing information about ultrasonic pulses injected into a pipe wall; and determines a pipe wall thickness measurement based at least partly on decomposing the signal received in order to identify either peaks using a cepstrum analysis or repeated spacing using a wavelet analysis. The wavelet analysis includes dividing data in the signal received into a specific frequency component and a defined temporal component in order to detect correct pulses where multiple reflections are caused by irregularities in the pipe wall surface being measured. The cepstrum analysis includes processing repeating pulses in the signal in order to detect correct pulses where multiple reflections are caused by irregularities in the pipe wall surface being measured.

Abstract: Interface apparatus is adapted for interconnection between a host computer and a Commercial Standard Digital Bus (CSDB) for translating the CSDB signal protocol of the data frames provided over the bus by different signal sources into a signal format which is compatible with the host computer.

Abstract: A state machine has specific states to boot a microprocessor and retrieve data from the microprocessor's memories while the microprocessor is running, but with operation temporarily suspended under control of the state machine. The state machine is programmed after it is installed on a circuit board with the microprocessor. The state machine is connected to a standard bus and through its specific states provides an interface to the microprocessor as well as the instructions for booting the microprocessor when the microprocessor is powered up.