Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an improved heading estimate of a mobile device in a vehicle is presented. First, the mobile device determines if it is mounted in a cradle attached to the vehicle; if so, inertia sensor data may be valid. While in a mounted stated, the mobile device determines whether it has been rotated in the cradle; if so, inertia sensor data may no longer be reliable and a recalibration to determine a new relative orientation between the vehicle and the mobile device is needed. If the mobile device is mounted and not recently rotated, heading data from multiple sensors (e.g., GPS, gyroscope, accelerometer) may be computed and combined to form the improved heading estimate. This improved heading estimate may be used to form an improved velocity estimate. The improved heading estimate may also be used to compute a bias to correct a gyroscope.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for performing deduced reckoning navigation without a constraint relationship between orientation of a sensor platform and a direction of travel of an object are described herein. A sensor fusion component can be configured to receive data from sensors of a sensor platform coupled to a pedestrian; and generate world coordinate information based on the data. Further, a gait recognition component can be configured to record one or more walking patterns of the pedestrian in a training database; and determine whether the world coordinate information is associated with a walking pattern of the one or more walking patterns. Furthermore, a position estimation component can be configured to estimate a position of the pedestrian based on the world coordinate information if the world coordinate information is associated with the walking pattern, regardless of an orientation of the sensor platform with respect to the position of the pedestrian.

Abstract: A method and a system of determining a position of a mobile machine are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the system may include a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a parameter of the mobile machine. The system may also include a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a pose of the mobile machine. The system may further include a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to generate one or more estimated poses of the mobile machine based on the first signal. The controller may further be configured to update each estimated pose with a fraction of a correction. The correction may be determined, based on the second signal, in a measurement update stage of a Kalman filter.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a portable electronic device is provided. The device may have wireless circuitry such as a global satellite navigation system receiver for receiving global satellite navigation system signals and for producing corresponding global satellite navigation system data. The global satellite navigation system data may include information on the current position of the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may also have one or more sensors that are used to gather data in addition to the global satellite navigation system data. The sensors may include accelerometers and other devices capable of determining how the portable electronic device is oriented with respect to the Earth's magnetic field and how the device is being moved. When the device is moved, the movement and resulting change in orientation may be used in conjunction with the global satellite navigation system data to compute a current geographic location.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to roadmaps for mobile robotic devices are provided. A computing device can receive a roadmap. The roadmap can include an intersection between first and second edges. The computing device can determine a transition curve between the first and second edges and includes first, second, and third curve segments. The first and second curve segments can connect at a first curve junction point. The second and third curve segments can connect at a second curve junction point. The first and third curve segments each include a segment of an Euler spiral and the second curve segment can be a circular curve segment having a fixed radius. The computing device can update the roadmap by replacing the intersection between the first and second edges with the transition curve. The computing device can provide the updated roadmap.

Abstract: A technique for updating road maps is disclosed. A number of GPS traces can be matched with a number of roads in a map. Matched GPS traces may be processed by a matched segment module to produce proposed changes to the map. The map can be updated using a map updating module based on the proposed changes from the matched segment module. Unmatched GPS traces may be processed by an unmatched segment module to produce proposed changes to the map. The map can be updated using a map updating module based on the proposed changes from the unmatched segment module. The proposed changes to the map may include metadata defining new roads in the map, new intersections in the map, updates to turn restrictions in the map, updates to the allowable directional traffic flow on the roads within the map, updates to road closures in the map.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides a computer-implemented transportation system which can include at least the following components: a specialized computer machine, including: a non-transient memory, electronically storing particular computer executable program code; a specifically programmed computer processor of the specialized computer machine of the computer-implemented transportation system that is configured to perform at least the following operations: electronically receiving, in real-time, via a computer network, a plurality of electronic riding requests from a plurality of electronic computing devices operated by a plurality of ride-sharing requesting passengers; where each electronic riding request from each ride-sharing requesting passenger includes: a passenger-requested origin point, and a passenger-requested destination point; for a particular electronic riding request, dynamically determining, in real-time, from a plurality of candidate vehicles an assigned vehicle for picking

Abstract: Provided are navigation technologies capable of preferentially guiding a vehicle to a route of a driving lane that can be available if given conditions are met. A navigation device is provided with a storage unit adapted to store lane information including the presence or absence of a driving lane that can be available if given conditions are met (hereinafter referred to as a conditional lane), a conditional-lane determining unit adapted to determine whether a vehicle equipped with the navigation device meets the conditions for driving in the conditional lane, and a route searching unit adapted to search a recommended route to a destination, wherein said route searching unit uses lane information to preferentially search for a route which utilizes a road including the conditional lane, when the conditional-lane determining unit determines that the aforementioned conditions are met.

Abstract: A technique is described for correcting digitized map data stored in a map database of a navigation device, wherein the map data comprises routing data in the form of route links and shape points, and wherein each route link is associated with a sequence of shape points representing a course of a road segment that is displayable on a navigation screen. A method aspect comprises the steps of detecting a first user input operation indicative of a selection of a road segment displayed on the screen, detecting at least one second user input operation indicative of a graphical manipulation of the course of the selected road segment on the screen, generating on basis of the detected second user input operation corrected routing data reflecting the manipulated course of the selected road segments and storing the corrected routing data in the map database.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for mitigating the risks associated with operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle by using calculated route traversal values to select less risky travel routes and/or modify vehicle operation. Various approaches to achieving this risk mitigation are presented. A computing device is configured to generate a database of route traversal values. This device may receive a variety of historical route traversal information, real-time vehicle information, and/or route information from one of more data sources and calculate a route traversal value for the associated driving route. Subsequently, the computing device may provide the associated route traversal value to other devices, such as a vehicle navigation device associated with the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. An insurance company may use this information to help determine insurance premiums for autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles by analyzing and/or mitigating the risk associated with operating those vehicles.

Abstract: A set of images that each include a comparable date, time, and location of image capture, and a directional bearing of image capture are correlated. The directional bearing of image capture specifies a direction of image capture relative to the respective location of image capture of each image. By analysis of image content within the correlated images, a determination is made that the correlated images include different directional representations of a single event, and that the single event is distinct from static fixed-location points of interest. Using the directional bearing of image capture of each correlated image, a location of an intersection region that results from intersecting directional bearings of image capture of the correlated images is identified as a dynamic attraction.

Abstract: An in-vehicle navigation apparatus that provides guidance to a lane on which a user's vehicle should travel, among driving lanes on a route, includes a landmark information acquiring unit and a lane guide unit. The landmark information acquiring unit acquires landmark information representing an object which serves as a landmark existing along the route within a landmark acquisition range that is set between a certain point on a near side of a specific point and the specific point. The lane on which the user's vehicle should travel on the route is restricted at the specific point. The lane guide unit provides guidance to the lane on which the user's vehicle should travel in association with the object represented by the landmark information acquired by the landmark information acquiring unit.

Abstract: A navigation system provides lane guidance for a navigation route. The navigation route specifies actions for a user to navigate a route from an originating point to a destination along a set of road segments. The lane guidance at a position along the navigation route scores the lanes and provides the lane scoring for the user. To score the lanes, the navigation system determines a lane distance for each lane indicating how far along the navigation route a user may continue to use this lane, without shifting to another lane. The lane distance may be measured up to a look-ahead distance. The lane distance includes distance along subsequent road segments of the route, such that when a lane turns onto a lane on another road segment according to the navigation route, the distance along the other road may be included in the lane distance.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a route reconstructing a track through a navigable network in an area covered by an electronic map is disclosed, wherein the track is represented by an ordered series of point locations. One or more of the point locations are selected and an area is defined and associated with each of the one or more selected point locations. The ordered series of point locations and the defined areas are used to determine a plurality of polylines, and, for each of the polylines, a first route is generated based on the respective polyline. A second route is generated through each of the defined areas connecting the respective first generated routes. The route reconstructing the track comprises the generated first routes and the one or more generated second routes.

Abstract: Vehicle route-planning system can acquire position signals and surrounding images from vehicle terminal apparatuses in real time. The vehicle route-planning system includes an images-analyzing module and a vehicle route-planning module. The images-analyzing module synthesizes a driving condition signal in real time, according to position signals and surrounding images. The vehicle route-planning module can merge the real-time driving condition signal and a map data to synthesize a real-time driving condition mapping data. When a vehicle terminal apparatus receives a route terminal point configuration, the vehicle route-planning module can generate an optimized vehicle-route signal corresponded to the route terminal point configuration, according to the position signal of the vehicle terminal apparatus, the route terminal point configuration and the real-time driving condition mapping data.

Abstract: An electronic device offers acquired location information to a point-of-interest (POI) management server when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The POI management server offers POI identification information to the electronic device when the location information is matched to one of registered POIs. When the POI identification information is received from the POI management server, the electronic device performs a certain action.

Abstract: A road segment set influenced by an event on the basis of a connected network is identified. The connected network is built on the basis of reachability of a road segment in the road network. Furthermore, each road segment in the road segment set is reachable via the road network from the location of the event, or, in the alternative, the location of the event is reachable via the road network from each road segment in the road segment set. A query index is generated on the basis of the event and the road segment set.

Abstract: An event information memory stores an occurrence time of an event so as to cause the occurrence time of the event to correspond to each of monitoring targets in which the events occurred (or are scheduled to occur) among a plurality of the monitoring targets. Based on position information for displaying each of a plurality of monitoring targets on a general view, a controller instructs control to draw an event display image on the general view so as to cause the event display image to correspond to the monitoring target in which the event occurred (or scheduled to occur), the monitoring target being stored in the event information memory. The event display image includes: a circular portion indicating a predetermined time in a circumferential direction, an indicator indicating a current hour or minute, and an event occurrence time display portion caused to correspond to the occurrence time of the event.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with identifying mismappings of electric meters using voltage data are described. In one embodiment, a method includes selecting an electric meter from a plurality of electric meters represented in a connectivity model. The connectivity model is an electronic data structure that specifies information about connections between the plurality of electric meters and transformers in an electric distribution grid. The example method may also include analyzing mismapping metrics that characterize voltage data about the selected electric meter in relation to a set of electric meters that are geographically related to the selected electric meter to determine whether the connectivity model includes a mismapping of the selected electric meter.

Abstract: A magnetic angle detector (10) includes a detected object (20a) including a plurality of concave and convex parts (21a) formed at a predetermined pitch on an outer peripheral surface, and a detection body (30a) disposed to face an outer peripheral surface of the detected object. The detection body is a polyhedron, and at least two magnetic detection units (34a and 34b) matching a different detected object are arranged on one plane of the polyhedron. The at least two magnetic detection units are arranged rotationally symmetrically around an arbitrary axis of the detection body.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor may comprise a first linear output sensing element configured to sense a first component of an external magnetic field associated with a first axis. The first linear output sensing element may provide a first output voltage corresponding to the first component of the external magnetic field. The magnetic sensor may also comprise a second linear output sending component configured to sense a second component of the external magnetic field associated with a second axis. The second axis may be substantially orthogonal to the first axis. The second linear output sensing element may provide a second output voltage corresponding to the second component of the external magnetic field. The first output voltage and the second output voltage may be provided to determine an angle, associated with the external magnetic field, corresponding to a plane including the first axis and the second axis.

Abstract: A stroke sensor system includes a tubular vehicle-body-side member, a tubular vehicle-wheel-side member, and a displacement obtainer. The tubular vehicle-body-side member is disposed at a vehicle body side. The tubular vehicle-wheel-side member is coupled to the vehicle-body-side member on a vehicle wheel side and movable in an axial direction of the vehicle-body-side member relative to the vehicle-body-side member. At least one of the members is a conductor. Another one of the members includes a coil. The displacement obtainer includes a capacitor electrically coupled to the coil and constituting an LC oscillation circuit that outputs an oscillation waveform when the members move relative to each other.

Abstract: A transconductor converts voltage on an inductive sensor to a proportional current using two “coupling” capacitors. Responsive to movement of an electrically conductive target from the null position a resonant current is formed between the two sensor coils. A single differential transistor pair switched by periodic drive signals commutes the net alternating current at the single input to direct current.

Abstract: An encoding sequence is configured to detect the position and direction of motion of an actuator. The actuator includes at least two members where one of the members moves with respect to the other. Two sets of binary indicators are either affixed to or integrally assembled along one of the members. Each pair of indicators defines a position of the actuator and each binary indicator is configured to identify one of two states, such as a magnetic pole or a graphical mark where each state corresponds to a logical zero or a logical one. The indicators are arranged on the actuator such that at least one of the indicators transitions between one of the two states at each position along the actuator. At least one sensor is provided to detect the state of the binary indicators as the two members of the actuator move with respect to each other.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an optoelectronic position measuring device that may include a code carrier, which carries an optically detectable position code, a radiation source for emitting optical radiation onto the code carrier, and a detection element having a multiplicity of light-sensitive reception regions for receiving at least part of the optical radiation, as a result of which a scanning signal dependent on the position code can be generated and a position of the code carrier relative to the detection element can thus be detected, wherein the measurement components are arranged in a fixed spatial relationship with respect to one another on a carrier element, the code carrier is movable with one degree of freedom, in particular rotationally or along an axis, and the code carrier and the carrier element are arranged at a fixed spatial distance with respect to one another.

Abstract: Instead of tapping a mechano-elastic desnity wave (MEDW) from a wave conductor or a Villary band through a detector coil, a changing field strength H is captured by a XMR sensor which is positioned on a wave conductor or proximal to the wave conductor or on a Villary band or proximal to the Villary band.

Abstract: A smartphone-operated air pressure meter and system includes an air pressure meter having a pair of input channels that are each connected to a pressure chamber and pressure sensor. A control unit is included with the pressure meter for receiving air pressure data and for transmitting the same. The system also includes an airflow balancing application that generates one or more application icons, and calculates airflow information. The airflow information can include the received pressure data alone, or pressure data that has been applied to a mathematical algorithm, along with environmental data.

Abstract: The invention provides a boiler load analysis apparatus that has a simple configuration and achieves highly accurate analysis of a boiler load. A boiler load analysis apparatus (10) includes an opening sensor (15) provided to at least one of a fuel supply line (45) and a combustion air supply line (50) of a boiler (40) and configured to measure an opening degree of at least one of a fuel flow regulating mechanism (47) configured to regulate, with the opening degree, a fuel flow in the fuel supply line (45) and a supplied air flow regulating mechanism (54) configured to regulate, with the opening degree, a supplied air flow in the combustion air supply line (50), and a load analyzer (20) configured to calculate a steam load of the boiler (40) from a measurement value of the opening sensor (15), to analyze the steam load of the boiler (40).

Abstract: System and methods for determining a non-condensable gas parameter relating to the amount of non-condensable gas within a variable flow rate fluid flow containing both non-condensable gas and condensate are disclosed. An apparatus may include a measurement tube for receiving the fluid flow and arranged such that the fluid flow through the measurement tube comprises alternating sections of non-condensable gas and condensate; a flow sensor for generating a flow rate signal relating to the flow rate of the fluid flow in the measurement tube; a phase sensor for monitoring over time the alternating sections of non-condensable gas and condensate flowing through the measurement tube and arranged generates a phase signal characteristic of the said sections monitored; and a non-condensable gas determining unit configured to determine a non-condensable gas parameter relating to the amount of non-condensable gas in the fluid flow based on the flow rate signal and phase signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter that includes a first ultrasonic transducer for making incident a first ultrasonic signal against a pipe through which a fluid flows; a second ultrasonic transducer, disposed in a position capable of receiving the first ultrasonic signal, for making incident a second ultrasonic signal against pipe; a flow velocity computation component for computing the flow velocity of the fluid within pipe based on a first time period during which the first ultrasonic signal arrives at the second ultrasonic transducer and on a second time period during which the second ultrasonic signal arrives at the first ultrasonic transducer; a logarithmic correction function saving component for saving a logarithmic correction function; and a logarithmic correction component for correction the flow velocity by using the correction coefficient that corresponds to the Reynolds number of the fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-invasive determination of one or more physical properties of a material in a conduit are presented. In one example, the method comprises initiating a vibration on a wall of the conduit at a first location, capturing a response to the vibration at the first location, capturing a response to the vibration at a second location, and determining at least one physical property of the material based on at least one of the captured responses at the first location and the second location.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing apparatus includes an actuator body with an actuator and a valve stem coupled for movement with the actuator, and a fluid body having a fluid chamber capable of fluid communication with an outlet. The valve stem is adapted to extend from the actuator body into the fluid chamber for dispensing fluid from the fluid chamber through the outlet. A quick connect member is provided to selectively fully engage and disengage a first coupling element on the actuator body with a second coupling element on the fluid body, to connect and disconnect the actuator body and the fluid body with respect to each other. The quick connect member advantageously connects or disconnects these bodies without requiring disassembly or dismounting of the bodies from other elements associated with the fluid dispensing apparatus, with a simple manual movement such as a sliding linear continuous movement.

Abstract: A welding method includes inserting a weldable object at least partially into a through-bore formed in a generally tubular body, the tubular body having an interior flow passageway and an outer surface, and the through-bore having a borehole wall; transmitting inert gas between the weldable object and the borehole wall, the gas being transmitted through the through-bore; and welding the weldable object to the tubular body while the inert gas is being transmitted.

Abstract: The measuring device includes: a detecting section including a coil which detects a change in a value of impedance caused by a change in a mold level; an amplifying section which amplifies an output of the detecting section; a pre-pouring calibration section which determines a reference value of a positive feedback ratio of the amplifying section in environmental conditions before pouring of molten metal; and a mold oscillation signal calibration section which obtains a standard value of difference in an output of the measuring device, the standard value of difference corresponding to a known value of amplitude of mold oscillation when the positive feedback ratio is the reference value, obtains a deviation of measurement based on a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the output in mold oscillation and the standard value, and corrects the positive feedback ratio within a predetermined range including the reference value.

Abstract: A device for weighing micro- and nano-sized particles. The device includes a base portion, an oscillator coupled to the base portion and configured to vibrate the base portion, a first cantilevered beam coupled to the base portion, a second cantilevered beam coupled to the base portion, a first plurality of fingers coupled to the first cantilevered beam near the tip inwardly pointing toward the second cantilevered beam, and a second plurality of fingers coupled to the second cantilevered beam near the tip inwardly pointing toward the first cantilevered beam.

Abstract: Fiber optic cable structures suitable for distributed acoustic sensing that are capable of discriminating between stimuli acting on the cable in different directions, the cable structure including a core structure (202, 203, 204) with an optical fiber wound around the periphery of the core structure, the core further including a mass (203) which is movable in a preferred direction within the cable such that movement of said mass in said preferred direction causes a change in length of the fiber wound around the periphery of the core.

Abstract: A capacitive ultrasonic transducer includes a sensor head having a back plate, the structured front side of which is provided with an insulation layer, and the back side of which is provided with an electrode. In order to achieve an improved construction by means of which increased temperature resistance up to several hundred degrees Celsius can be achieved even in strongly oxidizing and reducing media, the membrane provided as a sound generator is subjected to tensile stress in a planar direction.

Abstract: A system for measuring light intensity of a specific location and wirelessly transferring the light intensity data contains at least one light intensity sensing assembly and a computing device. The light intensity data is recorded by the light intensity sensing assembly and is wirelessly transferred to the computing device. The light intensity sensing assembly contains a dome lens, a photocell, a processing unit, a wireless data-transferring module, and a portable power source. The photocell is centrally mounted within the dome lens in order to receive a maximum amount of light. The photocell is electronically connected to the processing unit. In order to transmit the light intensity data, the processing unit is electronically connected to the wireless data transfer module. The photocell, the processing unit, and the wireless data-transferring module are powered by the portable power source.

Abstract: An optical connector assembly may include a first housing having a first opening therein, a second housing having a second opening therein, a first optical window carried by the first housing within the first opening, a second optical window carried by the second housing within the second opening, at least one Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) carried within the first housing behind the first optical window, and at least one photodetector carried within the second housing behind the second optical window. A first magnetic member may be carried by the first housing, and a second magnetic member may be carried by the second housing and configured to cooperate with the first magnetic member to bias the first and second housings together so that the at least one VCSEL and the at least one photodetector are in optical alignment.

Abstract: A method for calculating a rate of UV radiation absorbed by a user's skin including: capturing image data of an area of the user's skin; determining a skin tone of the user's skin based on the captured image data; calculating a rate of UV radiation absorption for the determined skin tone; measuring an amount of UV radiation exposed to the user's skin; and calculating a rate of UV radiation that would be absorbed by the user's skin based on the user's skin tone and the amount of UV radiation exposed to the user's skin. The method can further comprise calculating an amount of time that the user can be exposed to the amount of UV radiation exposed to the user's skin based on predetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria can at least include an SPF level of sunscreen applied to the user's skin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensing system including an actuator configured to provide a stimulus to a detection-target material, a photo-detector configured to output an electrical signal having a snapback (SB) form corresponding to an optical reaction brought about according to the concentration of the detection-target material to which the stimulus has been provided, an amplifier configured to amplify the electrical signal output from the photo-detector and positively feedback and apply the amplified electrical signal to the actuator, a detector configured to receive the electrical signal and detect the detection-target material, and a voltage clamping device connected in parallel with the photo-detector and configured to clamp a voltage at both ends of the photo-detector so that the voltage does not exceed a predetermined voltage value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a meter and method of use for measuring an optical attenuation coefficient in a liquid medium. In operation, a collimated beam, produced by a laser of the attenuation meter apparatus, propagates thru the liquid medium with filtered back-scattered light arriving at a camera of the meter. A light image is formed at a focal plane of the camera. The light image is recorded and analyzed by a microcomputer to provide optical beam attenuations coefficients.

Abstract: A spectrometer includes a light source that emits a beam into a sample volume comprising an absorbing medium. Thereafter, at least one detector detects at least a portion of the beam emitted by the light source. It is later determined, based on the detected at least a portion of the beam and by a controller, that a position and/or an angle of the beam should be changed. The beam emitted by the light source is then actively steered by an actuation element under control of the controller. In addition, a concentration of the absorbing media can be quantified or otherwise calculated (using the controller or optionally a different processor that can be local or remote). The actuation element(s) can be coupled to one or more of the light source, a detector or detectors, and a reflector or reflectors intermediate the light source and the detector(s).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (2) and to a method for characterizing an ultrashort laser pulse. Furthermore, the invention relates to use of a self-contained optical assembly in a device (2) for characterizing an ultrashort laser pulse. The device (2) comprises an imaging optical element (4) configured to image the incident laser pulse (6) in a direction of a straight line (L). A first optical element (10) is configured to apply predetermined varying group delay dispersion on the line focused laser pulse. A non-linear optical element (14) is configured to generate a second harmonic laser pulse (30). An optical grating (20) generates a diffraction of the second harmonic laser pulse, which is imaged on a flat sensor (24). A processing unit (36) determines a best fit for the captured image thereby calculating a frequency spectrum and a spectral phase of the laser pulse.

Abstract: A computer implemented method. The method includes generating, using a processor, a multi-dimensional object from a plurality of data obtained from a spectrophotometric measurement of a target coating. The method also includes calculating, using the processor, at least one geometric property of the multi-dimensional object. The method further includes correlating, using the processor, the at least one value with a plurality of known values to identify at least one pigment effect in the target coating, and outputting, using the processor, the at least one pigment effect.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for an image processing device to receive image information comprising image data for a plurality of mid-wave infrared region (MWIR) channels, where the image data is obtained during a first imaging period and during a second imaging period temporally different from the first imaging period. A plurality of sets of atmospheric wind vectors are calculated using differences between image data obtained during the first imaging period and the image data obtained during the second imaging period for corresponding sets of MWIR channels. An altitude is assigned to the plurality of atmospheric wind vectors in each set based on a brightness temperature of each wind vector and a pre-computed atmospheric temperature profile to generate a set of two-dimensional wind fields comprising one two-dimensional wind field for each set of MWIR channels.

Abstract: A temperature sensing device includes a probe unit on a first end and a sensor unit on a second end opposite the first end. The first end is introduced into an environment to be measured, such as an exhaust gas line from a combustion engine, and the second end is positioned in a region outside of the environment such that the sensor unit is at least partially insulated from a temperature of the environment. The probe unit, exposed to the temperature of the environment, achieves a temperature that corresponds to the temperature of the environment. The sensor unit is operable to sense the temperature of the probe unit and generate a corresponding electrical signal usable to determine a sensed temperature of the environment. The temperature of the environment can be determined on a cycle-by-cycle basis, and is usable for implementing advanced combustion strategies such as HCCI and SACI.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for a non-destructive, non-contacting and image forming examination of a sample by means of the heat flow thermography method where the examination consists of evaluating an existence and/or depth distance values of any heat flow velocity transitions below a surface of the sample, wherein the sample is excited by heat pulses of at least one excitation source, and a thermal flow originating therefrom is captured by at least one infrared sensor in an image sequence of thermal images, and wherein the thermal images obtained from the image sequence are evaluated by means of a signal and image processing and depicting a thermal flow with a resolution in time and in space.

Abstract: Provided is a thermistor fixing structure capable of facilitating insertion of a thermistor into a temperature sensitive cylinder, and preventing the thermistor from easily dropping off the temperature sensitive cylinder. In a thermistor fixing structure (4000), a fixture (400) for pressing a thermistor (80) against an inner surface of a temperature sensitive cylinder (90) includes an inner bending section (20) formed at one end portion (12) of a longitudinal section (10) so as to function as a stopper for the thermistor (80) inserted into the temperature sensitive cylinder (90) from a cylinder insertion end (95), an outer bending section (50) formed at the one end portion (12) of the longitudinal section (10) so as to be opposed to a cylinder stop end (94), and an inner folding section (30) and an outer folding section (60) formed at another end portion (13) of the longitudinal section (10) so as to sandwich a cylinder top surface of the temperature sensitive cylinder (90).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device for measuring a temperature distribution, which can measure a temperature distribution without contacting a minor sample having a three-dimensional structure. More particularly, the device for measuring the temperature distribution can measure a three-dimensional temperature distribution for a sample, wherein the temperature distribution in a depth direction (direction z) of the sample is measured by a thermo-reflectance technique using a chromatic dispersion lens, a diffraction spectrometer and an optical detection array; and the temperature distribution in parallel directions (direction x-y axes) of the sample is measured by the thermo-reflectance technique using a biaxial scanning mirror.