Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system having an array of light emitting semiconductor devices to performing an operation that have multiple characteristics associated with performing the operation. The array includes at least one detector located within the array to selectively monitor multiple characteristics of the light emitting semiconductor devices and is configured to generate a signal corresponding to the selected characteristic. A controller is configured to control the light emitting semiconductor devices in response to the signal from the at least one detector. At least one of the multiple characteristics may be concentrated at an area of the array and the at least one detector may be located within the array at the area of the array to selectively monitor characteristic that is concentrated at the area of the array.

Abstract: A device useful in determining the efficacy of a chemical sterilization process includes a dead end cavity closed by an access cap having a port coupled to a challenge tube defining the only path by which a substantial quantity of sterilant can reach the cavity. A biological indicator is located within the cavity and a chemical indicator is also provided. These indicators, and particularly the biological indicator, provide an indication of whether chemical sterilant would reach all interior exposed surfaces of a load in sufficient concentrations to adequately sterilize the load.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing fixed and temporal noise in an infrared imaging system. The system may use correction tables with correction factors, each correction factor indexed to a plurality of system parameters.

Abstract: Accurate measurements of the concentration of a sterilant in a sterilization chamber are provided through the use of a light source, a first detector that receives light from the light source that has not passed through the sterilization chamber and a detector that receives light from the light source that has passed through the sterilization chamber. The light contains wavelengths known to be absorbed by the sterilant. A controller receives and processes signals received from the two detectors to cancel changes in the output of the light source and then apply a modified Beer-Lambert law to determine the concentration of the sterilant gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system having an array of light emitting semiconductor devices to performing an operation that have multiple characteristics associated with performing the operation. The array includes at least one detector located within the array to selectively monitor multiple characteristics of the light emitting semiconductor devices and is configured to generate a signal corresponding to the selected characteristic. A controller is configured to control the light emitting semiconductor devices in response to the signal from the at least one detector. At least one of the multiple characteristics may be concentrated at an area of the array and the at least one detector may be located within the array at the area of the array to selectively monitor characteristic that is concentrated at the area of the array.

Abstract: The removal of moisture from an object to be sterilized is provided through at least the steps of placing the load in the chamber, reducing the pressure within the chamber to increase the rate of evaporation of moisture from the load, monitoring over a predetermined period of time the increase in the quantity of vapor within the chamber resulting from evaporation of moisture from the load, admitting gas into the chamber and repeating the steps following placing the load into the chamber.

Abstract: The removal of moisture from an object to be sterilized is provided through at least the steps of placing the load in the chamber, reducing the pressure within the chamber to increase the rate of evaporation of moisture from the load, monitoring over a predetermined period of time the increase in the quantity of vapor within the chamber resulting from evaporation of moisture from the load, admitting gas into the chamber and repeating the steps following placing the load into the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system having an array of light emitting semiconductor devices to performing an operation that have multiple characteristics associated with performing the operation. The array includes at least one detector located within the array to selectively monitor multiple characteristics of the light emitting semiconductor devices and is configured to generate a signal corresponding to the selected characteristic. A controller is configured to control the light emitting semiconductor devices in response to the signal from the at least one detector. At least one of the multiple characteristics may be concentrated at an area of the array and the at least one detector may be located within the array at the area of the array to selectively monitor characteristic that is concentrated at the area of the array.

Abstract: Controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be accomplished by using a wireless device (e.g., cell phone) to send a control message to a receiver at the UAV via a wireless telecommunication network (e.g., an existing cellular network configured primarily for mobile telephone communication). In addition, the wireless device may be used to receive communications from a transmitter at the UAV, wherein the wireless device receives the communications from the transmitter via the wireless network. Examples of such communications include surveillance information and UAV monitoring information.

Abstract: Accurate measurements of the concentration of a sterilant in a sterilization chamber are provided through the use of a light source, a first detector that receives light from the light source that has not passed through the sterilization chamber and a detector that receives light from the light source that has passed through the sterilization chamber. The light contains wavelengths known to be absorbed by the sterilant. A controller receives and processes signals received from the two detectors to cancel changes in the output of the light source and then apply a modified Beer-Lambert law to determine the concentration of the sterilant gas.

Abstract: Controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be accomplished by using a wireless device (e.g., cell phone) to send a control message to a receiver at the UAV via a wireless telecommunication network (e.g., an existing cellular network configured primarily for mobile telephone communication). In addition, the wireless device may be used to receive communications from a transmitter at the UAV, wherein the wireless device receives the communications from the transmitter via the wireless network. Examples of such communications include surveillance information and UAV monitoring information.

Abstract: A control system for the operation of a centrifugal pump which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well. The control system includes vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters an estimated value of a pumping system parameter and controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters to control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input near an optimum level.

Abstract: Controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be accomplished by using a wireless device (e.g., cell phone) to send a control message to a receiver at the UAV via a wireless telecommunication network (e.g., an existing cellular network configured primarily for mobile telephone communication). In addition, the wireless device may be used to receive communications from a transmitter at the UAV, wherein the wireless device receives the communications from the transmitter via the wireless network. Examples of such communications include surveillance information and UAV monitoring information.

Abstract: A control system for the operation of a centrifugal pump which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well. The control system includes vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters an estimated value of a pumping system parameter and controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters to control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input near an optimum level.

Abstract: A control system for the operation of a progressing cavity pump which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well. The control system includes vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters an estimated value of a pumping system parameter and controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters to control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input near an optimum level.

Abstract: A control system for the operation of a centrifugal pump which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well. The control system includes vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters an estimated value of a pumping system parameter and controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters to control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input near an optimum level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image processing provides a memory having a plurality of individual parallel buffers constructed from random access memories (RAMs) for storing data related to a group of image pixels. The buffers each store a parallel, identical version of the image data so that an image processor can access data related to a given pixel in the overall data from each buffer simultaneously. An address expander for the buffer rows and buffer columns is used to convert a row and column address of a selected “central” pixel into a plurality of related pixel data addresses offset at predetermined distances from the selected pixel data's address. In this manner, the address expanders enable a group of related pixels, each in a different parallel buffer, to be accessed simultaneously, without requiring the processor to be interconnected with all of the buffers. This substantially reduces the complexity of processor interconnection design, while substantially enhancing processor speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing image pixel data in a plurality of parallel random access memories (RAMs) includes providing the RAMs so that they are arranged in pairs that each include an even RAM and an odd RAM. Each of the pairs includes an identical copy of the image pixel data stored at identical addresses in each of the RAMs relative to each other. An image processor receives image pixel data from the RAMs over multi-bit data lines. and addresses rows and columns of the pairs so that alternating columns of image pixel data corresponding to alternating pixel columns in an acquired image are stored in an alternating manner in each of an even RAM and an odd RAM. In other words, pixel data of alternating odd pixel columns are stored in succeeding columns in the odd RAM and pixel data of all even pixel columns are stored in succeeding columns in the even RAM.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for forming and image from a stream of non-interleaved image date, e.g., a stream of non-contiguous rows of pixels. Such a system includes a memory, in which the image is to be formed (and stored), and a controller, for initiating memory transfers that move rows of pixels from the stream to their (the rows') respective locations in memory. The controller initiates those transfers such that (i) the rows of pixels are transferred to the memory in the order in which they are received from the stream, and (ii) each row of pixels is transferred directly to the location in memory corresponding to that row's respective position in the image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for addressing a parallel image processing memory provides a plurality of random access memories arranged in an array in a set of array rows and array columns. Each of the memories has addresses for storing image pixel data that are arranged identically to each other. Each of the random access memories stores the group of image pixel data at the identical addresses. The entire group of image pixel data is stored in each of the plurality of random access memories. The random access memories can be constructed from a plurality of individual random access memory structures that are joined as a single memory storage unit, or buffer that enables one image pixel data to be addressed in each addressing cycle. An image processor generates address values for accessing the group of image pixel data over a plurality of address lines interconnected with respective of the plurality of buffers. The image processor manipulates the group of image pixel data.