Abstract: Systems and methods of diagnosing a communication system within an industrial machine. The method includes receiving, from the industrial machine, communication system data of the communication system of the industrial machine and determining whether the received communication system data indicates an occurrence of a communication system issue. The method further includes determining whether the received communication system data includes one or more dismissive parameters in response to determining that the received communication system data indicates the occurrence of the communication system issue. The method also includes analyzing the received communication system data to determine whether a remote resolution to the communication system issue is available and transmitting the remote resolution to a user associated with the industrial machine in response to determining that the remote resolution to the communication system issue is available.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed that efficiently projects electromagnetic radiation over a predetermined spherical sector with a tailored intensity distribution. The apparatus includes a base having a cavity and aperture that faces the spherical sector to be illuminated, with a flat, ring-shaped shoulder surrounding the aperture. The apparatus further includes a mask spaced over the aperture and a baffle projecting from the mask toward the aperture. The base, the mask, and the baffle are formed of a material having an outer surface with a significant diffuse, reflective characteristic. A source emits electromagnetic radiation (e.g., visible light) into the base cavity, and the base, mask and baffle are configured to redirect this radiation outwardly with the tailored intensity distribution (e.g., a uniform distribution) over the predetermined spherical sector (e.g., a hemisphere, or 2 .pi.steradians).

Abstract: A radiant energy transducer system includes a base. The base has a diffusely reflective surface and an optical area defining a horizon district with respect to the transducer system. A mask occludes a portion of the optical area so as to present a substantially constant portion of the optical area over a range of angles above the horizon district. An electromagnetic transducer converts between radiation associated with the optical area and corresponding signals. Examples of the transducing systems provide emission of radiant energy with a tailored intensity distribution over an area illuminated by the system. Other examples of the transducing systems detect radiant energy, and the position of the mask relative to the optical area of the detector system serves to tailor the sensitivity of the detector over a field of view. The emitters and detectors can be used together, for example in a system for tracking the position of an object.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed that efficiently projects electromagnetic radiation over a predetermined spherical sector with a tailored intensity distribution. The apparatus includes a base having a cavity and aperture that faces the spherical sector to be illuminated, with a flat, ring-shaped shoulder surrounding the aperture. The apparatus further includes a mask spaced over the aperture and a baffle projecting from the mask toward the aperture. The base, the mask, and the baffle are formed of a material having an outer surface with a significant diffuse, reflective characteristic. A source emits electromagnetic radiation (e.g., visible light) into the base cavity, and the base, mask and baffle are configured to redirect this radiation outwardly with the tailored intensity distribution (e.g., a uniform distribution) over the predetermined spherical sector (e.g., a hemisphere, or 2.PI. steradians).

Abstract: A method and composition facilitating the inspection of structural surfaces, such as fuel tank walls, to identify or locate cracks, flaws and other defects. The composition is a system of materials including a dye-containing penetrant material and a chemiluminescent material which reacts with the dye in the penetrant material. The method involves application of the two materials sequentially such that they react chemically to produce light which is visible to the naked, unaided eye, thereby eliminating the need for electrically-powered or "hot" light.