Abstract: A wavelength-swept light source apparatus comprises a light source that emits a wavelength-swept light that varies in a predetermined cycle, a mode hop detector that detects a mode hop of the wavelength-swept light emitted from the light source; and a control unit that controls at least one of a parameter that defines a specified period having a predetermined fixed or variable time length provided in the predetermined cycle and a control parameter of the light source, thereby to set an occurrence timing of the mode hop detected by the mode hop detector outside of the specified period.

Abstract: An apparatus, includes first and second measurement devices configured to measure a position in a first direction of a moving body; a drive unit configured to drive the moving body in the first direction; a controller configured to generate a control input for driving the drive unit, based on a control deviation in accordance with position command information in the first direction of the moving body and position measurement information from the first or second measurement device, and a control parameter set to a certain value.

Abstract: Acquisition or pick-up tools that themselves aid in improving the ease with which images of an acquired substrate may be captured are provided. The pick-up tools may include a pick-up surface adapted to interface with a foreign substrate and a light source integrated with the pick-up tool such that light emitted from the light source passes through the pick-up surface to the foreign substrate when the foreign substrate is temporarily coupled with the pick-up surface to create a silhouette of the foreign substrate. A vision system may be adapted for capturing the silhouette of the foreign substrate when the foreign substrate is temporarily coupled with the pick-up surface. The substrate pick-up surface may be formed of one of a transparent, a semi-transparent, or a translucent material such that light may at least partially pass there through.

Abstract: An adaptive depth sensing system (ADSS) illuminates a scene with a pattern that is constructed based on an analysis of at least one prior-generated depth map. In one implementation, the pattern is a composite pattern that includes two or more component patterns associated with different depth regions in the depth map. The composite pattern may also include different illumination intensities associated with the different depth regions. By using this composite pattern, the ADSS can illuminate different objects in a scene with different component patterns and different illumination intensities, where those objects are located at different depths in the scene. This process, in turn, can reduce the occurrence of defocus blur, underexposure, and overexposure in the image information.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring of a curvature of a thin film, is adapted to measure the curvature of a thin-film. The apparatus includes a light emitting module, a first optical module, a second optical module, a third optical module, an image capture module, and an image analysis module. The light emitting module emits at least one line laser as an incident light whose cross-sectional shape is a geometric picture formed of lines. The incident light is transmitted through a first optical path formed of the first optical module, and is directed to incident the thin film by the second optical module. The reflected light is reflected by the thin film go through the second optical path, and is directed to transmit through the third optical path by the third optical module, and then is captured by the capture module to form a second geometric picture.

Abstract: Sinusoidal signals (S1, S2) having a phase difference of 120° are output from two magnetic sensors in accordance with rotation of an input shaft. A first rotation angle computation unit computes a rotation angle ?(n) on the basis of output signals S1(n), S1(n?1), S2(n), S2(n?1) from the magnetic sensors, which are sampled at two sampling timings. At this time, the first rotation angle computation unit computes the rotation angle ?(n) on the assumption that there are no variations of amplitudes of the output signals (S1, S2) from each one of the two sensors due to temperature changes between the two sampling timings.

Abstract: A surveying instrument includes a main body including a base and a pedestal rotating in a horizontal direction relative to the base, and a cover member which covers the main body, wherein the pedestal is provided with a support member which supports a lens barrel of a ranging optical system to be rotatable in a vertical direction, and the cover member covers the support member of the pedestal, the lens barrel, and a guide light irradiation unit which irradiates with guide light indicating a collimation direction of the main body to an operator.

Abstract: A survey apparatus includes a guide light emitting optical system emitting a fan-like visible laser light elongated in upward and downward directions as a guide light, a cylindrical part having a scanning optical system searching a corner reflector provided on a survey pole and a ranging optical system measuring a distance to the corner reflector, a driving part rotating the cylindrical part about a vertical axis in a horizontal direction and rotating the cylindrical part about a horizontal axis, and an angle measurement part measuring a direction of the cylindrical part. The guide light emitting optical system is rotated about the vertical axis in a horizontal direction integrally with the cylindrical part.

Abstract: A technique for calculating magnetic field information from a magnetic sensor employs a sensing unit containing the magnetic sensor and another sensor capable of providing a measure of change in orientation. The method includes sampling a magnetic field at points in time and sampling the other sensor at each point in time. The method then entails rotating to a common time instant the magnetic field samples using the orientation of the sensing unit estimated by means of the other sensing modality in order to eliminate variations between magnetic samples due to changes in orientation of the sensor unit within such time interval. The magnetic samples, corrected for the sensor rotation in such interval, are used to calculate magnetic field related information specific to the given time interval and the magnetic field related information is communicated to a receiver at a rate lower than the sample rate.

Abstract: A vibrating gyroscope includes a piezoelectric strip having length and width dimensions. The piezoelectric strip includes a piezoelectric material and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) substantially aligned and polled along the strip's length dimension. A spindle having an axis of rotation is coupled to the piezoelectric strip. The axis of rotation is parallel to the strip's width dimension. A first capacitance sensor is mechanically coupled to the spindle for rotation therewith. The first capacitance sensor is positioned at one of the strip's opposing ends and is spaced apart from one of the strip's opposing faces. A second capacitance sensor is mechanically coupled to the spindle for rotation therewith. The second capacitance sensor is positioned at another of the strip's opposing ends and is spaced apart from another of the strip's opposing faces. A voltage source applies an AC voltage to the piezoelectric strip.

Abstract: A vibrating element includes a vibrating arm for detection. An electrode is provided on the vibrating arm for detection. A wiring line is connected to the electrode. The wiring line is arranged on a piezoelectric body of a base portion. At least a part of the wiring line is an electrode for adjustment. The electrode for adjustment generates an electrical signal with an opposite phase to an output signal of leak vibration of the vibrating arm for detection.

Abstract: A navigation device for determining the location of the device includes a location determining module to generate data relating to a geographic location of the device, and to adjust frequency of transmission of the data over a communication interface based on a selectable threshold value representing an amount of change in the geographic location of the device.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying symbology that is indicative of the direction of a landing site is provided. The provided system and method generate and display, prior to the rotorcraft reaching the MAP, symbology that conveys visual guidance that may be quickly and easily comprehended by a pilot. The provided system and method reduce the pilot's visual scan area and associated search time, reducing cognitive workload and increasing situational awareness.

Abstract: A user portable terminal includes a camera, a GPS receiver for measuring a user's current location, an azimuth angle sensor for measuring an azimuth angle of a user's current line of sight, a memory for storing a plurality of reference areas allocated to target objects on the map and a plurality of tourist information which are correlated with each other, with some of the tourist information, correlated to each of the reference areas, including a plurality of azimuth angle specific tourist information as correlated to a plurality of azimuth angles; and a retrieve module. This retrieve module extracts, from the plurality of reference areas, a reference area containing the user's current location, further extracts, from the plurality of azimuth angle specific tourist information correlated to the extracted reference area, the tourist information corresponding to the user's current azimuth angle as measured, and sends the extracted tourist information to the user.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for presenting information from a management server on a mobile client device to facilitate the management of industrial vehicles. Embodiments of the system can include a plurality of industrial vehicles communicatively coupled to the management server, and a mobile client device communicatively coupled to the management server. The mobile client device can include a display, a wireless communication circuit, and one or more client processors. Encoded objects, vehicular objects, or combinations thereof can be presented upon the display of the mobile client device to present information from the management server.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for developing an improved route from a navigation mesh. A route is provided, wherein the route includes a plurality of connected nodes having a starting node, an ending node, and internal nodes. Each internal node of the plurality of connected nodes is scored by an algorithm, wherein the score provided for each internal node based on an importance of the respective internal node to the overall shape of the route. The internal node with a score having a least importance on the shape of the route is removed, so long a valid path between the starting node and the ending node is maintained. The process may be repeated until a threshold simplification of the route has been achieved or until no further internal nodes can be removed without creating an invalid path.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a route having a travel time and a travel distance; determining a context for using the route; determining a fuel usage factor based on the context for evaluating the route; calculating a fuel estimate for the route based on the fuel usage factor; and determining a fuel-optimization route based on the fuel estimate for displaying on a device.

Abstract: Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems and method for handling application notifications. According to an example implementation, a method is provided. The method can include receiving a plurality of audio feeds from a respective plurality of applications, and determining a priority status for one or more of the respective applications. Based on the determined priority status, the method may further include determining a first prioritized audio feed and a second prioritized audio feed from the plurality of applications. The method includes detecting, in a signal associated with the first prioritized audio feed, a signal gap having a gap start. The method includes modifying, based at least in part on the signal of the first prioritized audio feed, one or more parameters associated with at least the second prioritized audio feed, and outputting, to an output device, at least a portion of the first prioritized audio feed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealed communication interfaces are disclosed. One example apparatus includes a translucent portion of a sealing gasket to allow signals to pass therethrough, a sealing wall of the gasket to define a substantially environmentally-isolated zone proximate the translucent portion, and a transmitter to transmit a signal across the translucent portion. The example apparatus also includes a receiver to detect a reflected signal corresponding to the transmitted signal, where the detection enables data communications across the translucent portion, and where the reflected signal is to be reflected from a surface on an opposite side of the translucent portion from the transmitter and receiver.

Abstract: The method and devices for remote metering the consumption, of utilities according to the present invention provide the possibility to retrieve a specific amount of data, i.e. consumption data and/or additional data, from remote meters of a remote metering system. The retrieved data provide a data profile in a given time interval than the entire buffer, for example indicative of the consumption characteristics over time at the location of a remote meter or, in the case of a distribution network for electric energy, indicative of a ratio of active and reactive energy consumption at the location of a remote meter over time.

Abstract: A method for predicting and correcting metering data in a non-metered section includes collecting energy-related metering data. The method includes generating, when a non-metered section occurs while collecting the metering data, predicted metering data for the non-metered section; and generating corrected metering data for the predicted metering data by analyzing history of the predicted metering data and collected metering data.

Abstract: A rotation angle measurement apparatus includes: a first Hall element pair for detecting a magnetic component in a first direction; a second Hall element pair for detecting a magnetic component in a second direction different from the first direction; a third Hall element pair for detecting a magnetic component in a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction; and a fourth Hall element pair for detecting a magnetic component in a fourth direction different from the first to third directions. An angle calculation unit calculates a first rotation angle ? of a rotating magnet based upon the strengths of the output signals from the first Hall element pair and the second Hall element pair, and calculates a second rotation angle ?c of the rotating magnet based upon the strengths of the output signals from the third Hall element pair and the fourth Hall element pair.

Abstract: Disclosed is an encoder and encoding method for slip ring. The encoder includes: an encoding belt that is fixed to a slip ring and has a plurality of holes regularly arranged on the encoding belt; at least one pair of first sensors provided on one side of the encoding belt, wherein the first sensors of each pair generate a first sense signal and a first redundant sense signal respectively based on light emitted from the other side of the encoding belt and passing through the plurality of holes, when the encoding belt rotates with the slip ring; and at least one signal combiner connected to the at least one pair of the first sensors, and configured to combine the first sense signal and the first redundant sense signal to obtain a combined sense signal as a first encoded signal.

Abstract: A rotation detector includes a sensor element, a signal wire connected to the sensor element, the signal wire transmitting the rotation detecting signal, a sensor coating portion integrally coating the sensor element and an end of the signal wire connected to the sensor element, and a sensor attachment member at least supporting a part of the sensor coating portion and a part of the signal wire. The signal wire includes a curved portion. The sensor attachment member has a surface provided with depression portions. When the sensor attachment member is being molded, the depression portions are engaged with a pair of guide members which protrude toward the curved portion in a cavity of a molding die in a direction perpendicular to a surface including the curved portion, and the guide members protrude in directions opposite to each other.

Abstract: The present teachings provide for a light guide for a vehicle dashboard display having a first display panel. The light guide can include a guide structure secured to the vehicle dashboard display proximate to the first display panel. The guide structure can be configured to transmit light from the first display panel at a first position, through the guide structure, to a second position spaced apart from the first display panel.

Abstract: A control circuit for a probe includes: at least one low thermal coefficient resistance (TCR) component placed in a first section of a probe, wherein the at least one low TCR component has low positive temperature resistance coefficient (PTC); at least one high TCR component placed in a second section of the probe and connected in series with the at least one low TCR component, wherein the at least one high TCR component has high PTC, and wherein the at least one high TCR component responds to temperature differently than the at least one low TCR component; and at least one shunt component connected in parallel with the at least one high TCR component, wherein when temperature of the at least one high TCR component exceeds a set temperature point, the at least one shunt component is activated to reduce current flowing through the at least one high TCR component.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is, in a thermal flow meter having a structure including a resin portion formed in the vicinity of a diaphragm structural portion using a mold, to prevent destruction of the diaphragm structural portion at the time of pressing the mold, in a method of manufacturing the thermal flow meter, including: supporting a gas flow measurement element 200 on support members 102b and 111, the gas flow measurement element 200 including a cavity portion 202 surrounded by a substrate inclined portion 202a inclined to a substrate surface, a diaphragm 201 that covers the cavity portion, and an electrical resistive element formed in the diaphragm 201; and covering the gas flow measurement element 200 and the support members 102b and 111 with the resin portion 104 formed with the mold, to set the mold 14 such that an acting portion of pressure force by the mold that molds the resin portion 104 is positioned outside the substrate inclined portion 202a in the entire periphery of the diaphragm

Abstract: A single dose dispenser for dispensing product from a container is disclosed. The dispenser includes a body portion having skirt configured to couple to a container. A top is connected to the body portion that has a dispensing orifice formed therethough. A middle deck extends across an interior of the body portion forming a storage chamber between the top, inner surface of the body portion and the middle deck for temporarily holding product therein from the container. A cap is connected to the upper deck to selectively seal the dispensing orifice. A reservoir chamber depends from the middle deck for temporarily receiving product from the storage chamber. A flow conduit extends upwards from the middle deck up to the dispensing orifice and downwards into the reservoir chamber for dispensing product from the reservoir chamber.

Abstract: A fuel flow meter assembly for detecting fraud caused by tampering. The fuel flow meter assembly comprises a fuel flow meter comprising a shaft and a fiber optic displacement sensor operatively connected to the fuel flow meter shaft for generating information representative of an amount of fuel delivered through the fuel flow meter. The fuel flow meter assembly also comprises at least one transponder coupled with one of the fuel flow meter shaft and the displacement sensor. Further, the fuel flow meter assembly comprises at least one interrogator electronics coupled with the other of the fuel flow meter shaft and the displacement sensor. The at least one interrogator electronics is configured for remote electronic communication with the at least one transponder.

Abstract: Fill level measuring device having a control unit, which contains a high-frequency generator for generating a transmission signal, an amplifier, an amplifier and an evaluation unit, and a spatially remote probe, which contains a measuring impedance, a reference impedance, a first rectifier and a second rectifier, as well as a connecting line between the control unit and the probe, wherein the rectifier detects the voltage of the transmission signal in the probe, and this voltage is transmitted to the control unit as a first DC voltage signal, and the rectifier converts the probe current in the probe into a second DC voltage signal via measuring resistors, and both signals are supplied to the control unit for the purpose of determining the fill level, wherein the rectifiers are thermally coupled to one another.

Abstract: A fuel-level measuring apparatus measures the level of fuel in a vehicle fuel tank. The apparatus can ensure a sufficient capacity of the fuel tank and sense the fuel level even when the fuel tank has a thin or complicated shape. A fuel-level measuring apparatus that senses the level of fuel in a vehicle fuel tank disposed below a floor panel of a vehicle includes a tank band that secures the fuel tank to a body of the vehicle, and a strain gauge attached to the tank band. The fuel level can be obtained from strain in the tank band detected by the strain gauge.

Abstract: A gauging method for a plastic fuel tank mounted on a hybrid vehicle, the tank including a reservoir including a gauge for measuring an amount of fuel in the tank, the method including: measuring the amount of fuel in the tank using the gauge; estimating deformation of the tank using at least one sensor onboard the vehicle; and correcting the amount measured by the gauge based on the estimated deformation.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening and closing a hopper gate of the present invention, which is used in a combination weigher which performs combination calculation based on weights of objects, to find a combination in which a total of the weights of the objects falls within an allowable range with respect to a target weight, comprises an actuator (31) for generating a driving force for opening and closing the hopper gate (14A); a transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force to the hopper gate (14A); a detecting device (60) capable of detecting an original point of a rotary shaft of the transmission mechanism, the original point corresponding to a position in which the hopper gate (14A) is closed; and a controller (18) capable of receiving an output signal of the detecting device (60).

Abstract: A combination weighing apparatus comprises a distributing table having a conical vibrating surface, a cap disposed above an apex portion of the distributing table, a plurality of supply troughs arranged radially around the distributing table with a downward gap S interposed therebetween, and a rotary stirrer for stirring articles supplied from the distributing table to the plurality of supply troughs. The rotary stirrer includes a stirring arm extending from the apex portion of the distributing table along the vibrating surface and a leading end stirring plate disposed on the leading end side of the stirring arm. The leading end stirring plate is arranged in the gap.

Abstract: A weighing compartment (10) having a work surface (22), including a balance which is integrated into the weighing compartment and which has a scale pan (24) arranged on the work surface (22), and at least one operation surface (26) which is arranged within the area of the work surface (22). The work surface (22) is formed by the surface of a smooth, continuous plate (20) and the operation surface (26) is integrated into the work surface (22) and is designed as a sensor panel, wherein a sensor (28) is arranged below the plate which forms the work surface.

Abstract: The invention concerns a calibration device (40) for a force-measuring device (1), specifically a balance, with an electrically controllable force-generating means (41) designed to be coupled to a force-measuring cell (10) of a force-measuring device (1) in such a way that a predefined force (FC) can be applied to the force-measuring cell (10), so that the latter generates a measuring signal (SF) which correlates to the applied force (FC) and which can be transmitted to a processing unit (60, PU), where it can be processed in reference to the predefined force (FC).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for weighing pharmaceutical product capsules, whereby a capsule containing a pharmaceutical product is fed into a pocket to allow a measuring device to determine the weight of the pharmaceutical product and of a first portion of the capsule containing the pharmaceutical product; the pocket, and therefore the capsule, then being inverted to move the pharmaceutical product out of the first portion and into a second portion of the capsule, to allow the measuring device to determine the weight of the first portion only of the capsule.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing materials for testing materials using infrared spectrometry. Calibration of an infrared spectrometer for use in testing materials including the steps of: selecting variables which have the potential to influence the physical characteristics of a composite used in the aerospace industry, selecting values for each variable and inputting the variable and values into a design of experiments model, thereby obtaining a sample test matrix.

Abstract: A tunable coherent radiation source comprises a pump laser which outputs a pump beam and a non-linear optical medium having a tuning pattern to provide tuning across a wavelength range. A translation system is arranged such that the pump beam is translated across the tuning pattern. The scanning pattern is formed such that translation of the pump beam across the tuning pattern provides one or more discontinuities in tuning across the wavelength range. A spectroscopic system and a hyperspectral imaging system comprising such a tunable coherent radiation source are described, as is a non-linear optical medium adapted for use in such a source. A method of providing coherent radiation tuned over a wavelength range is also described.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for processing image data acquired using a multi-band infrared camera system with a spectral mosaic filter arranged in a geometric pattern without having to perform a demosaicing that is typical with processing data from an array of sensors. In one embodiment, image data that has been captured using a camera system that has a spectral filter mosaic comprising a plurality of spectral filters arrayed on a grid. A material index is determined, using intensity values collected by sensor elements associated with a cell's respective spectral filters. All of the material indices collectively generate a material index image. Thereafter, material identification is performed on the material index image using, for example, pixel classification. Because the demosaicing step can be effectively avoided, image processing time is reduced. The teachings hereof find their uses in a wide array of applications including automated HOV/HOT violation detection.

Abstract: There is disclosed a spectral imaging apparatus for processing electromagnetic (EM) radiation, the EM radiation originating from a target scene and comprising a wide range of frequencies, the system comprising: A dispersive element for receiving EM radiation from the target scene and promoting differing amounts of dispersion depending on the frequency of the EM radiation, A deformable lens arranged to receive EM radiation from the dispersive element, An imaging sensor for detecting EM radiation across the wide range of frequencies, and arranged to receive EM radiation from the deformable lens, Wherein the deformable lens is operable to adopt any one of a plurality of focal conditions, each focal condition tending to focus a different range of the EM radiation at the imaging sensor, each focal condition thereby defining a component band for the EM radiation.

Abstract: A spectrometer is provided. In one implementation, for example, a spectrometer comprises an excitation source, a focusing lens, a movable mirror, and an actuator assembly. The focusing lens is adapted to focus an incident beam from the excitation source. The actuator assembly is adapted to control the movable mirror to move a focused incident beam across a surface of the sample.

Abstract: A surface temperature measuring apparatus comprising a radiation thermometer configured to detect thermal radiation light emitted from a surface of a temperature measurement target material in a cooling process with water, a housing having an opening on a temperature measurement target material side, the housing storing, in an inside of the housing, at least a light receiving unit of the radiation thermometer among structural elements of the radiation thermometer, and an optical glass that is fit and sealed in the inside of the housing between the temperature measurement target material and the light receiving unit of the radiation thermometer, the optical glass being configured to transmit the thermal radiation light. The optical glass has, on the temperature measurement target material side, an end surface adjacent to the surface of the temperature measurement target material. A surface temperature measuring method is also provided.

Abstract: Passive detector structures for imaging systems are provided which implement unpowered, passive front-end detector structures with direct-to-digital measurement data output for detecting incident photonic radiation in various portions (e.g., thermal (IR), near IR, UV and visible light) of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Abstract: A temperature detecting apparatus includes a temperature detecting circuit configured to output a first pulse signal according to a temperature detected by a temperature sensor, and an insulating transformer configured to transmit the first pulse signal to an integrated circuit which is operated by an operation voltage different from that of the temperature detecting circuit. The insulating transformer is installed between the temperature detecting circuit and the integrated circuit. The temperature detecting circuit and the insulating transformer are mounted on a common substrate.

Abstract: Devices for determining sterilization conditions within a sterilization chamber are described. Such devices include an elongate tube to be placed within said sterilization chamber and at least two temperature sensors within the cavity of the elongate tube. The at least two temperature sensors are spaced apart from each other along the length of the elongate tube by a predetermined distance and spaced apart from the interior wall of the elongate tube. Methods for determining sterilization discussed.

Abstract: The temperature-dependent resistance of a MEMS structure is compared with an effective resistance of a switched CMOS capacitive element to implement a high performance temperature sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, forms a user interface permitting input of input instructions to an electronic device. Input commands are evidence by tactile input forces applied to a force receiving surface. Force sensing elements are positioned to sense indications of the tactile input force. The force sensing element is caused to exhibit a selected input parameter value through application of a selected force thereto by application of a tightening torque to a fastener positioned in proximity to the force sensing element.

Abstract: A transducer assembly configured to accommodate a plurality of individually tunable sensing elements of various geometries and configurations by using a cap and an accompanying capillary tube. The configuration of the various embodiments described herein eliminate the header to flat plate welds of the prior art, and therefore better accommodates a plurality of sensing elements and corresponding header assemblies within one transducer assembly.

Abstract: An electronic torque wrench is disclosed that instantaneously logs data in real time from a torqueing operation and can later transfer the data to an external device, such as a computer, for further analysis. For example, the computer can create a graph that can be analyzed to determine relevant parameters of the torqueing profile. The parameters of the graph can be analyzed to determine whether the torqueing operation was performed properly for a particular work piece or job task, or to assist users in future torqueing operations.