Abstract: A power steering system according to the invention includes a running speed detector 1 for detecting the running speed of a vehicle, an operating speed detector 11 for detecting the operating speed of a steering wheel which is the turning speed of the steering wheel, a controller 2 for calculating a target steering speed which is a target turning speed for a steering mechanism 14 based on the operating speed so detected and comparing an actual steering speed which is an actual turning speed by the steering mechanism 14 with the target steering speed for calculation of a deviation and a driving device 15 for driving the steering mechanism 14 in response to the deviation so calculated, the controller being configured to change a set ratio of the target steering speed to the operating speed so as to increase or decrease in response to the running speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved weight-based occupant characterization method reliably distinguishes between a child or small adult and a tightly cinched child seat based on a variance in the sensed occupant weight and a variance in the vehicle acceleration. The weight variance and acceleration variance are used to determine a relative or normalized variance that compensates for the effects of operating the vehicle on a rough road surface. The occupant is characterized as a child seat if the normalized variance is below a first threshold for a predetermined interval, and as a child or small adult if the normalized variation exceeds a second threshold for a predetermined interval.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the multiplication for a continuously variable transmission with electrohydraulic control by means of a control loop having a linear PID controller with the specified multiplication of the variator iv_soll as command variable, the actual multiplication iv as regulating variable and the multiplication changing speed as correcting variable, the correcting variable delivered by the PID controller is limited to limiting values determined by the design for an upshift and downshift wherein said limiting values are calculated form the limits determined by construction and from the operating-point dependent limits determined by volume flow and the intersection of both admissible intervals determined by construction and by volume flow is defined as admissible multiplication changing speed range.

Abstract: An automatic transmission controller having automatic-shifting-to-neutral control is provided, wherein automatic-shifting-to-neutral control is notified to a driver so as not give him a sense of incongruity and it is prohibited on a slope so as to prevent backward moving of a vehicle. In an automatic transmission controller having automatic-shifting-to-neutral control for shifting the automatic transmission to neutral when a vehicle is continuously stopped in an idling state for a predetermined time, the automatic transmission controller comprises automatic-shifting-to-neutral notifying/warning means for notifying the automatic-shifting-to-neutral state, slope detecting means for detecting that the vehicle is on a slope, and automatic-shifting-to-neutral control prohibiting means for prohibiting the automatic-shifting-to-neutral control when it is detected that the vehicle is on the slope.

Abstract: A device for controlling at least one vehicle motion quantity which describes a motion of a vehicle is presented. For this purpose, the device contains a control arrangement for activating actuators to control the vehicle motion quantity. The device also contains a determining arrangement for determining a poor road stretch quantity which describes the travel of the vehicle on a poor road stretch. The control arrangement is affected as a function of the poor road stretch quantity so that the sensitivity of the control arrangement is adapted to the travel of the vehicle on a poor road stretch.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling tractive force of a ground vehicle. The method is adaptive to vehicles which have both driven axles and non driven axles or, alternatively, vehicles which have only driven axles. Slip is determined either by comparing the angular velocities of the driven and non driven axles or, alternatively, by monitoring the angular velocity of the driven axle as a function of time to determine an instantaneous angular acceleration. The tractive force command is varied as a function of slip of the driven axle and is increased or decreased relative to the tractive force request provided by the operator in order to most efficiently respond to the operator command.

Abstract: A device for representing on a display device a control situation determined by a motor vehicle distance control device, the distance control device being connected to a sensor which detects the coordinates and the relative speed of the obstacles located ahead of the motor vehicle and relays them to the distance control device, which determines the expected lane of the motor vehicle, the distance control device determining from these data a control object with reference to which the distance of the motor vehicle is controlled. Referring lso a device referring the multiplicity of the data required for distance control in a motor vehicle can be checked in a simple way for their correctness, the distance control device (3) is connected to a display control device (14) which converts the data detected by the sensor (9) and calculated by the distance control device (10) into an approximately true-to-scale plan view of the control situation ahead of the vehicle (1), which is displayed on the display device (15).

Abstract: System and method for mapping parameters of a queue of a road congestion. Length of the road congestion, motion rate and average arrival rate to the road congestion may be used to determine an expected delay in traveling as well as trends, using special radio systems and also existing radio networks such as Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMN) and Private/Public Data Networks (PDN). The mapping is performed relative to a front end of a queue of a road congestion. The mapping system may construct snapshots of mapping samples received from a small percentage of pre-designated probes. The mapping samples are received in response to predefined broadcast control messages. The determination of the length of a road congestion may be based on a direct approach, in dynamic conditions that include variations in the arrival rate of vehicles to the road congestion and the departure rate of vehicles from the congestion over time.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying target vehicle position that combines the data available from a plurality of surveillance sensors. Data from the plurality of sensors is fused to calculate a composite target position and a projected track for each vehicle within the range of the sensors. The composite data is also used to calculate a boundary of certainty for both the position and the projected track. The position, projected track and the boundaries of certainty for each target vehicle can be displayed on a display screen.

Abstract: An improved method for correlating between targets in an air traffic control system. A methods or systems according to the invention compare selected components of a first target report to the components of a second target report, produce a confidence level on each component comparison, and determine whether to declare the targets similar based on the confidence level on each component compared. The first and second target reports may include ADS-B target reports and TIS target reports. The individual components of the reports may be range, bearing, track angle, and relative altitude. The methods or systems may use a fuzzy logic probability model to produce a continuous confidence level on each component comparison.

Abstract: A walker navigation apparatus, including an input designation device to input a departure location and destination; a road data storage unit to store road data; a supplemental data storage unit to store supplemental data representing at least one of stairs, an elevator, an escalator, a step, and a road width corresponding to the road data; a route generator to generate an optimum route by calculating a cost of a route from the departure location to the destination based on the road data and the supplement data; and an output device to visually output the optimum route.

Abstract: In a navigation device, user profiles may be stored and used to navigate a user who may be driving in a vehicle, on foot, or in other mode of transportation. Each user profile corresponds to one of the user's personae. For example, the user business profile corresponding to the user's business persona may be different from the user personal profile corresponding to the user's personal persona. For instance, the user business profile may include fine-dining type restaurants for business meetings while the user personal profile may instead include fast-food type restaurants for personal dining. The navigation device provides the user with a navigated route, together with information concerning the favorite facilities and events surrounding the navigated route, which satisfy the preferences in a selected user profile. In addition, blockages may also be established using the device to avoid selected areas, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of geographic information systems (GIS). The invention presents an apparatus and a method for automatic managing a database (1) of geolocation information and for providing this information to geoinformation systems of for example wireless communication systems. According to the present invention an automatic search agent is provided effecting the following steps for managing the database (1): searching (4) nodes of a network, detecting (13), if geographical position information and associate information of a location is present at the searched node, retrieving the geographical position information and the associated information of the location present at the node of the network, and automatically entering the acquired geographical position information and associated information to the geographic information database (1).

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method and apparatus for providing a display of points of interest in conjunction with a vehicle navigation system. According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle navigation system is provided and includes a processor configured to identify and display a plurality of points of interest with reference to a vehicle's location, and to repeat the display to reflect changes in the vehicle's location. In another embodiment, the vehicle navigation system includes a processor configured so that the plurality of points of interest identified is within a radius of the current position when the current location is within a densely digitized area. When the vehicle is not within a densely digitized area, the plurality of points of interest lie ahead along the current road within a second distance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a desirable route that avoids particular roads where a start point or the like has been set on a particular road type. In the present invention, route evaluation values of links A and B on a toll road are multiplied by, for example, 1.0 times. Therefore, the sum of route evaluation values of a route through links A→G→D→E→F becomes 5+2+5+20+15=47 and the sum of evaluation values of a route through links B→G→F becomes 20+2+15=37. Thus, a route passing link B having a small sum of evaluation value is set as a route to the destination.

Abstract: A communication navigation system, wherein a navigation apparatus requests a recommended route guidance data to a information center and guides a user of the navigation apparatus to a destination by using the recommended route guidance data received from the information center. In this present invention, the navigation apparatus transmits version data of road data held in the navigation apparatus at the request to the information center. The information center prepares a guidance data of recommended route using latest road data held in the information center, and transmits the data to the navigation apparatus. When the information center transmits the guidance data, the information center selects the type of data of the road links along the recommended route, in the guidance data, by comparing the version data received from the navigation apparatus and the version data of each road link along the recommended route.

Abstract: A route search method in a navigation system in which POI (Point of Interest) information regarding POIs is incorporated in map information and a route up to a specified POI is searched for. When a POI has a plurality of gateways, identification data for road links connected respectively to the gateways is incorporated in the POI information. When a certain POI is set as the destination, the navigation system refers to the POI information and checks whether a plurality of road links are stored corresponding to the set POI. If so, the system searches for a route up to each of the road links, and determines an optimum one of the found routes as the guide route.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for creating a real-time recording of a mobile vehicle route using a wireless communication system. The recording is initiated by the driver of the vehicle. Positional information is obtained for the vehicle at set time intervals using a global positioning system. The positional information is recorded by an on-board system and saved along with a nametag assigned by the driver. The vehicle initiates a call to a predetermined number and uploads the recording to a central storage location. The recorded route is displayed on a Web site and can be viewed and modified by an identified user.

Abstract: A technique for the determination of the current position of a mobile device based on a plurality of geolocation positioning services is proposed. Different position information sources are accessed wirelessly to acquire position information. The position information thereby comprises respectively at least information about the position of the corresponding position information source. At least one of the plurality of accessed position information sources is selected depending on the values of operation parameters, such as for example availability, cost, speed, power consumption and quality of the position information, wherein the operation parameters are associated with the different position information sources. The position of the mobile device is then determined based on the position information of the at least one selected position information source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a satellite tracking data that is valid for an extended period of time into the future. At least a portion of the satellite tracking data is formatted into a format prescribed by a remote receiver. The formatted data is transmitted to the remote receiver via a distribution network. As such, a remote receiver may accurately operate for days without receiving an update of the satellite tracking data.

Abstract: A global positioning system (GPS) receiver has first circuitry for receiving and processing pseudorandom sequences transmitted by a number of GPS satellites. The first circuitry is configured to perform conventional correlation operations on the received pseudorandom sequences to determine pseudoranges from the GPS receiver to the GPS satellites. The GPS receiver also includes second circuitry coupled to the first circuitry. The second circuitry is configured to receive and process the pseudorandom sequences during blockage conditions. The second circuitry processes the pseudorandom sequences by digitizing and storing a predetermined record length of the received sequences and then performing fast convolution operations on the stored data to determine the pseudoranges. The GPS receiver may have a common circuitry for receiving GPS signals from in view satellites and downconverting the RF frequency of the received GPS signals to an intermediate frequency (IF).

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically communicating content to an occupant of a moving vehicle according to the location and direction of travel of the vehicle. Multiple items of content are loaded onto the vehicle and updated at periodic intervals. Position information (such as Global Positioning System information) is used to determine the location of the vehicle. The direction of travel of the vehicle can also be determined from the position information. Using the vehicle's position and direction of travel as well as other factors such as the time of day, a particular item of content can be selected and communicated to an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a GPS system that can operate in different modes depending on the network facilities and bandwidth available, the GPS information that can be acquired, or user or system requirements. The modes comprise standalone mode, where a mobile communications device computes the position of the device, an autonomous mode, where the mobile communications device transmits the computed position to a server, application, or PSAP in a communications network, a network aided mode, where the network aides the mobile communications device in deter mg the position of the device, a network based mode, and other modes.

Abstract: A portable electronic device that can obtain position information despite lacking GPS reception capability includes data storage that stores a reference position, a plurality of inertial motion sensors, and computational circuitry. The inertial motion sensors detect movement of the portable electronic device and output motion signals to the computation circuitry indicative of the sensed movement. In response to these motion signals and the stored reference position, the computational circuitry computes a position of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A system for providing real-time site specific weather information includes a plurality of remote sensing units, each of which incorporates an electronic messaging system for delivering electronic messages indicative of ground level meteorological observations, and a server system communicating with the remote sensing units to receive the electronic messages. The server system includes a database for storing information pertaining to the remote sensing units and instructions for routing the received electronic messages. At least one remote system is configured to receive non-ground level meteorological data indicative of a weather phenomenon and to associate the electronic messages with the non-ground level meteorological data for graphical display together with a graphical view of the geographic area affected by the weather phenomenon and the ground level meteorological observations. A method for providing real-time site specific weather information is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for sorting large volumes of seismic data portions into a defined order. The data portions are allocated to leaf files of a B-Tree structure and stored in a corresponding scratch memory space corresponding to the allocated leaf file. A full leaf file is read out into a sorting memory space wherein it is sorted into a respective sub-order. All the sorted data portions are output in the respective sub-orders for all the full leaf files in leaf order to a final output data stream, where the data portions in their respective sub-orders for all the full leaf files in leaf order are in the defined overall order.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring, controlling, recording, and transmitting operational parameters of an aquifer test, municipal well, dewatering project, pump and treat remediation project, or similar activity is presented. Water from a water source, typically a well, is directed through a flow control and monitoring assembly containing sensors to measure well parameters. Sensor readings are sent to a computing device for processing. Discrepancies are detected and operational parameters adjusted to avoid discrepancy-related failures. On-site and off-site personnel interface with the system through a man-machine interface or telephonic communication means, respectively. Performance and efficiency are determined in terms of drawdown, yield, rate of flow, residual drawdown, and specific capacity.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of at least one acid or base in a complex solution is described. Multiple physical property values are first measured for the solution. The physical properties can be defined in the form of a set of solution property equations. The measured physical property values are then inserted into the solution property equations. When the equations are simultaneously solved, the desired concentration of the acid or basic component can be determined.

Abstract: Accurate characterization of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) geometry is critical for device design and simulation, for material property extraction, and for post-fabrication trimming. According to the present embodiment, a method for characterizing parameters describing MEMS structures resulting from the fabrication process or process variations is presented. According to the prefered embodiment, experimentally obtained natural frequencies are compared with numerical simulations to identify unknown values of structural parameters or parameter variations. Further, the prefered embodiment teaches how electrostatically-driven laterally resonant comb-drive MEMS test structures with prescribed changes in spring width are used to characterize systematic variations in process offsets and sidewall angles. The disclosed technique is both in-situ and non-destructive.

Abstract: A process management system in accordance with the present invention includes inspection apparatuses for inspecting defects on a wafer, the inspection apparatuses being connected through a communication network, inspection information and image information obtained from these inspection apparatuses being collected to construct a data base and an image file, therein definition of defects is given by combinations of elements which characterize the defect based on the inspection information and the image information obtained from the inspection apparatuses. By giving definition of the defect, characteristics of the defect can be subdivided and known. Therefore, the cause of a defect can be studied.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring particles in an exhaust gas of a vehicle. A transmitter is adapted to provide a source of ultraviolet radiation. The radiation travels through the gas and impinges upon the particles in the gas generating a backscattered radiation. The transmitter also generates a timing signal. A receiver is located in proximity of the transmitter. The receiver is adapted to receive the backscattered radiation and to generate a backscattered signal indicative of the quantity of particles entrained in the gas. A data system is connected to the receiver, the data system is adapted to receive the timing signal and the backscattered signal as an input and to calculate a quantity of particles in the gas at a location from the transmitter.

Abstract: An error correction and detection system for a dual-pulse output metering device is provided. The system detects errors in the dual-pulse output of the metering device by comparing the current phase difference it between the pulse streams to a desired or known phase difference and generating an error signal if the current phase difference is different from the desired phase difference. If an error signal is generated, the system additionally accounts for the error and provides a corrected pulse count output by either discarding the extra pulse, or calculating the number of missed pulses, and adding the missing number of pulses to the pulse count output.

Abstract: A method for correcting the settings of a flow cytometer, designed for fast sample handling and counting, allowing about 500 samples per hour to be counted. The counting is based on the provision of data representing a PHA diagram (Pulse Height Analysis) of registered pulses, each indicating a passed cell or particle. To check the settings the user measures a standard sample of uniform microbeads 161 on the flow cytometer, and inserts information on a disk 162 in a computer arranged to process the measured data and to calculate: a plurality of particle counts on the same sample, a mean count, a standard deviation s and/or Coefficient of Variation CV, a signal mean value SM, a signal width (width of the bell-curve in the PHA-diagram). The parameters are compared to pre-set limits (165, 166, 167, 168) and the PHAS curve is compared to an ideal curve PHA0.

Abstract: Methods for calculating a total capacitance of a metal wire in an integrated circuit is disclosed. In the present invention, a library containing predetermined wiring topologies is created. Each of the wiring topologies has an associated capacitive value. After extracting a layout topology of a segment of the metal wire, the layout topology is used to find and extract one of the predetermined wiring topologies in the library that corresponds to the layout topology. The associated capacitive value for the extracted wiring topology is used to calculate the total capacitance of the metal wire.

Abstract: Information transfer is effected using a network of electrical signal conductors and sensors forming crosspoint connections. The sensors are capable of representing a measurement parameter as an electrical impedance. One embodiment of the present invention includes output electrical conductors, input electrical conductors, and sensors. Each of the sensors is connected with one of the output electrical conductors and one of the input electrical conductors so as to form an array of crosspoint connections. Application of electrical signals to the sensors and measurement of electrical signals from the sensors provide sufficient information to derive relative information from each sensor using algorithms based on equations for combining impedance. The embodiment may further include one or more reference elements connected with the output electrical conductors and with the input electrical conductors so as to form crosspoint connections.

Abstract: The waveform signal analyzer of the present invention is equipped with: input means 10 that inputs a waveform signals; period detection means 20 that detects the period of the waveform signals inputted by input means 10; and division means 30 that divides the waveform signals by the period detected by period detection means 20. Wavelet transformation means 40 performs wavelet transformation of each individual division of the waveform signals. Display means 50 consecutively displays in time series the wavelet transformation results of each individual division of the waveform signals.

Abstract: A wafer processing system is described located in at least one clean room and having an arrangement of manufacturing units for performing individual manufacturing operations. In a manufacturing unit, measuring devices are provided for determining process parameters in order to check the quality of wafer processing of the manufacturing operations. Process data generated by the measuring devices is compiled continuously in a computing unit assigned to the manufacturing unit. Characteristic quantities for evaluating the quality of wafer processing are derived from this process data.

Abstract: A system and method that configures a measurement device to a correct measurement range. The system and method implements an autoranging technique, preferably in software, that automatically determines a measurement range based on a measurement. Once an initial measurement is received, the initial measurement is compared with the current measurement range. If the current measurement range is the correct measurement range for the initial measurement, then the measurement device is already configured at the correct measurement range. However, if the current measurement range is found not to be the correct measurement range, then a new measurement range is determined based on the initial measurement. A new measurement is then taken using the new measurement range to ensure the new measurement range is the correct measurement range. The process repeats itself by comparing the new measurement with the new measurement range to see if the new measurement range, is the correct range.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for calibrating the position of a cassette indexer in a semiconductor process machine are described. The apparatus is constructed by a base plate, a top plate and at least two support members rigidly attaching the top plate to the base plate in a parallel relationship. On the bottom side of the top plate, is mounted at least two spaced-apart rows of distance sensors each having at least five sensors capable of sensing a distance in the cavity of the calibration apparatus. After a wafer blade is extended into the cavity of the apparatus, a sensor in the front row and a sensor in the back row can be used to sense a front-to-back tilt of the wafer blade, while two adjacent sensors in the same row can be used to sense a side-to-side tilt of the wafer blade.

Abstract: Simple calibration of a camera mounted on a mobile object is implemented. With a joint means, a target apparatus for calibration is physically fixed to the mobile object having a camera mounted thereon. The positional relation between the vehicle and the target apparatus is finely adjusted while visually confirming a target point on the vehicle through a scope means.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing test measurements for an optical entity. The method can include determining if testing is needed, and building an object that includes a test variable and a plurality of independent variables. If testing is needed, the method can include measuring a test variable value, and revising the object to include the test variable value.

Abstract: A method of compensating periodic error signals in sensor output is provided. The method comprises obtaining a sum signal from sensing outputs of M sensor elements (where M is a positive integer), obtaining the amplitude and phase of N frequency components included in the sum signal, and calculating a sensing output gain adjustment coefficient for each sensor output. To ensure that a sum signal level obtained by summing a pre-adjustment output of each sensor element multiplied by the gain adjustment coefficient equals a sum signal level obtained by summing the unmodified outputs of the sensors, a gain adjustment coefficient is obtained for each sensor output by using a calculated scaling coefficient to perform pre-adjustment scaling of each gain adjustment coefficient. The adjustment gains thus obtained are used to adjust the gain of each sensor output.

Abstract: A method for producing matched surfaces on rotor units with integral blades comprising a hub and at least one blade ring, by removing by machine after integral joining with component overmeasure in the area of the joining zone, whereby at least one actual surface is acquired by measuring method, and a surface matching it, is produced. Acquisition by measuring method and production take place on a process machine in one clamping of the rotor unit. The desired surface of each processing area is provided in the form of stored data. Starting from at least one measured actual surface, a matched surface is produced beyond the joining zone, with the surface everywhere adjoining the actual surface and/or a so-called repair surface of which there is at least one, without any kinks or steps at a specifiable minimum curvature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracing hardware states using dynamically reconfigurable test circuits provides improved debug and troubleshooting capability for functional logic implemented within field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs). Special test logic configurations may be loaded to enhance the debugging of a system using FPGAs. Registers are used to capture snapshots of internal signals for access by a trace program and a test multiplexer is used to provide real-time output to test pins for use with external test equipment. By retrieving the hardware snapshot information with a trace program running on a system in which the FPGA is used, software and hardware debugging are coordinated, providing a sophisticated model of overall system behavior. Special test circuits are implemented within the test logic configurations to enable detection of various events and errors. Counters are used to capture count values when system processor execution reaches a hardware trace point or when events occur.

Abstract: A method of concurrently performing a component test with returning test result data in a distributed environment is disclosed. In general, in order to assure compatibility of the various components in an enterprise computing system, a service test is created as part of a compatibility test suite and passed to a test application server having a test application program. The test application program makes an initial connection to the component being tested that, in response, creates a connection to a logging listener. The logging listener spawns an acceptor corresponding to the component being tested. Once spawned, the component returns test data to its corresponding acceptor concurrently with the execution of the test.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a portable battery powered electronic device, and particularly, a portable battery powered ultrasound device, which controls the temperature of the device such that the external surface temperature satisfies medical safety regulatory requirements, and such that the heat generated by the device does not reduce battery life, reduce component life, decrease reliability of the device, or cause device shutdown because of overheating. A thermal management system monitors the respective temperatures of various system components, and, based on the monitored temperatures, performs control to cool the ultrasound system, maintaining the external surface temperature below the safety regulated temperatures and ensuring reliability of system components.

Abstract: The present invention describes a sensor assembly for detecting movements, wherein a sensor signal is produced in an active sensor (1) by an encoder (E) acted upon by the movement, and which includes a first device (2, 3, 4, 5) that permits converting the sensor signal, along with at least one additional information, into an output signal which can be transmitted to an evaluating device, and which is in particular characterized in that a second device (1a) is provided by which a signal voltage that depends on an air slot (d) between the active sensor (1) and the encoder (E) is detected and sent to the first device (2, 3, 4, 5) for transmission as additional information.

Abstract: A differential pressure gauge for a cryogenic storage tank provides onboard entry, by an operator, of tank dimensions, tank orientation, and the type of liquid stored within the tank. A differential pressure sensor supplies a signal corresponding to a differential pressure. The gauge uses the information supplied by an operator, combined with stored formulas and liquid characteristics, to perform real-time liquid volume computations. The liquid volume may be displayed on the gauge itself or may be transmitted via telemetry to an external device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the thickness of a sample and defect depth using thermal imaging in a variety of plastic, ceramic, metal and other products. A pair of flash lamps is positioned at a first side of the sample. An infrared camera is positioned near the first side of the sample. A data acquisition and processing computer is coupled to the flash lamps for triggering the flash lamps. The data acquisition and processing computer is coupled to the infrared camera for acquiring and processing thermal image data. The thermal image data are processed using a theoretical solution to analyze the thermal image data to determine the thickness of a sample and defect depth.

Abstract: An animal feeder has a hopper for storing pieces of food. The bottom of the hopper has an opening accessible by an animal. The opening is smaller than a piece of food, but large enough for the animal to gnaw the food through the opening. The hopper has a surface adjacent the opening, to receive fallen gnawed food and hold the fallen gnawed food in a position accessible by the animal for eating. The hopper engages a mounting bracket. The bracket is directly attachable to the animal's cage. The bracket has a lip which partially covers the receiving surface of the hopper to physically limit the animal from leaning on the hopper and to prevent the hopper from tipping back so far that it falls off the conical mount. A conical bottom surface is attached to the hopper. The conical bottom surface seats on a conical mount. The conical mount transmits a downward force from the conical bottom surface to a sensor, but does not transmit an upward force or moment to the sensor.