Abstract: A digital linear measuring device that digitizes the length of the extended tape and displays this measurement on a primary display screen that continually updates to a current measurement. The user can decide when to save a measurement, at which point the saved measurement will appear on a secondary screen (either a portion of the primary display, or a secondary adjacent display) as a previously taken measurement. These measurements can account for both an external measurement read from the tape measure, as well as an internal measurement, and the measurement may be adjusted where necessary to take into consideration the length of the device body. In use, there is no need to write down or remember a previous measurement, as they are displayed and easily accessible.

Abstract: The capacitance-grating type digital display measuring tape includes a shell, a tape box, a tape body and a capacitance-grating sensor. A rotatable central shaft is disposed in the shell in an axial direction thereof. The tape box is mounted at one side in the shell close to the back side in the shell by the central shaft. A mainspring configured to pre-tighten the tape box is disposed in the tape box. The tape body is wound and collected in a groove in the outer circumference of the tape box. The capacitance-grating sensor is located in a position close to the front side in the shell. A self-adjusting mechanism is disposed at a position, corresponding to the outlet, on the inner wall of the shell. The self-adjusting mechanism automatically adjusts the speed at which the tape body extends out of or retracts into the shell.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device for detecting pedestrian stride length and walking path. A peak value of longitudinal acceleration data is detected. The longitudinal acceleration data between two adjacent peaks are integrated twice. A longitudinal displacement amplitude value is obtained based on the integration result. The stride length data is obtained based on the longitudinal displacement amplitude value, user's foot length and user's leg length. The method and the electronic device for detecting pedestrian stride length and walking path provided improves the positioning accuracy of the pedestrian and reduce the implementation cost.

Abstract: A display device also includes an available amount-of-fuel calculator for calculating an available amount of fuel, an average mileage calculator for calculating an average mileage from a consumed amount of fuel and a vehicle's traveled distance, an available travel distance calculator for calculating an available travel distance from the available amount of fuel and the average mileage, and a display unit for displaying the available travel distance. The available amount-of-fuel calculator uses a learned value based on outputs as a corrective value for correcting the output of a second sensor when the calculation of the available amount of fuel switches from being based on the output of the second sensor to being based on the output of a first sensor.

Abstract: A circuit includes a ring oscillator and a state capture register to receive a multi-bit state of the ring oscillator captured upon occurrence of an edge of input periodic signal. The circuit also includes an edge-phase detector to assert an edge detect high signal in response to a first reference clock derived from the ring oscillator being high upon occurrence of the edge of the input periodic signal and to assert an edge detect low signal in response to the first reference clock derived from the ring oscillator being low upon occurrence of the edge of the input periodic signal. A first register receives data from the state capture register upon occurrence of one of a rising or falling edge of a second clock derived from the ring oscillator.

Abstract: A motor controller includes a single-rotation signal detector detecting a single-rotation signal that indicates a single rotation of a main spindle, a rotation angle detector detecting a rotation angle of a motor every predetermined time, and a counter adding up the rotation angle. A value of the counter is reset when the single-rotation signal detector detects the single-rotation signal of the main spindle. The motor controller further includes a judgment unit judging that a power transmission unit has abnormality when a value of the rotation angle of the motor added up in the counter deviates from a predetermined range.

Abstract: A position-measuring device includes a module configured to vary a signal period of a position-dependent sinusoidal analog scanning signal. A conversion unit is configured to receive the sinusoidal analog scanning signal and to generate therefrom a sinusoidal digital output signal having a varied signal period compared to the sinusoidal analog scanning signal. A digital-to-analog converter is configured to generate, from the sinusoidal digital output signal, a sinusoidal analog output signal having a varied signal period. The conversion unit is configured to change an operating mode in dependence upon a frequency of the sinusoidal analog scanning signal in such a way that in a case of higher frequencies of the sinusoidal analog scanning signal, the sinusoidal digital output signal is fed to the digital-to-analog converter at a higher output rate and with a smaller word width than in a case of lower frequencies of the sinusoidal analog scanning signal.

Abstract: A travelable distance calculation apparatus comprises: an update device 72 for recording a measured remaining fuel amount value, and also sequentially updating the recorded value; a calculation device 73 for calculating a travelable distance based on the remaining capacity of a battery and the recorded value; and a display device 80 for displaying at least the travelable distance. During a period when an engine 13 is stopped, the update device 72 holds, as the recorded value, a value recorded during operation of the engine 13.

Abstract: A device includes a delay line, a first readout circuit electrically connected to the delay line, a second readout circuit electrically connected to the delay line, and a phase interpolator electrically connected to the second readout circuit.

Abstract: A time recorder includes a first sensor that detects the side edge of a time card having a cut-out formed at at least one corner of the bottom, a second sensor that detects the bottom of the time card, and a card feeding unit that feeds the time card. When the time card is fed by this card feeding unit, a pulse counter of the card feeding unit counts the number of pulses of predetermined pulse signals after the first sensor detects the time card and until the second sensor detects the time card. Next, the front and back faces of the time card are determined based on the number of pulses that is a counting result. Hence, the front and back faces can be determined by the first sensor and the second sensor only.

Abstract: A method executes an altimeter function to unlock a portable electronic device. A user can move the portable electronic device in an up-down direction to set a predetermined changed height for unlocking the portable electronic device. In an unlock procedure, an altimeter detects a changed height of the portable electronic device and outputs detected information of the portable electronic device. If the changed height is the same as the predetermined changed height, the locked portable electronic device is unlocked.

Abstract: An application for a device for directly measuring the number of homogeneous objects in a linear collection of homogeneous objects.

Abstract: A method of calibrating once-around and harmonic errors of encoded nips is provided. An encoder with an index pulse is used to measure the velocity and rotation of the driven wheel or idler. The geometry of the drive train and wheel and idler is chosen so that their once around and harmonic frequencies are unique such that no other drive errors will generate these frequencies. The method includes running the idler or wheel at substantially constant velocity for N revolutions. Each index triggers the collection of velocity data, which is averaged for N revolutions. This process detects drive train motion errors that are periodic with respect to the timing of the index pulse (i.e., once per revolution of the wheel or idler). Once the velocity errors have been measured, corrections are made. This method may be incorporated in xerographic machines as part of a setup or calibration procedure.

Abstract: A method using a printing system comprising a controller programmed for rendering imposed documents given media cost considerations is described. The method includes steps of: evaluating a print job; evaluate media loaded within printer; and determining media print options including cost. Additionally, embodiments enable user selection of printing option prior to the printing system or rendering the print job or selecting a printing option based on user profile. The print job is then rendered.

Abstract: A counting device includes a counting unit, period measuring unit, frequency distribution generating unit, representative value calculation unit, and correction value calculation unit. The counting unit counts the number of signals input during a counting interval. The number of signals has a linear relationship with a physical quantity. The signals have a substantially single frequency when the physical quantity is constant. The period measuring unit measures the period of a signal every time a signal is input during the counting interval. The frequency distribution generating unit generates the frequency distribution of signal periods from the measurement result. The representative value calculation unit calculates the representative value of the distribution of periods of signals from the frequency distribution.

Abstract: A pedometer or other portable electronic device may include substantially triangular first and second sections hinged together along a diagonal. A storage compartment is provided in one or both of the sections. The storage compartment may be accessed when the first section is pivoted open relative to the second section. A belt or pocket clip may be provided on the back of the first or second section. If used, the clip may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the hinge. A display, and control switches are provided for interaction with the electronic device.

Abstract: Counting circuits applied to distance estimation for ultra wideband (UWB) application, in which a first counting unit generates a sequence of pseudo-random number series not including zero, a first recoding unit records a first series and a second series from the sequence according to a first signal and a second signal, and a transfer unit generates a binary counting value according to the first series and second series from the recording unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for transmitting digital signals across safety transmission barrier. High data transfer rates are achieved for transfer from a safe certified device across the transmission barrier to a standard or non-rated device. A signal pair is generated including a first digital signal from the safe device and a second digital signal that is phase shifted from the first digital signal. Preferably, the second signal is phase shifted by 180 degrees, essentially being an inverted version of the first digital signal. The first and second digital signals are transmitted across the transmission barrier to a receiver in a safe area. An output signal is then reconstructed based on the falling edges of the first and second digital signals. The reconstructed signal closely approximates the first digital signal.

Abstract: Method for controlling the level of tractive efforts in a train having a first locomotive at a head end of the train, constituting a lead locomotive, and a second locomotive positioned in the train behind the lead locomotive, constituting a remote locomotive, with the remote locomotive being configured to selectively operate in either of two modes of operation, such as a first mode in which the locomotive operates at a full tractive effort level of operation and a second mode in which the locomotive operates in a partial tractive effort level of operation producing a tractive effort which is less than the full tractive effort of the locomotive. The method allows selecting (e.g., at the lead locomotive) one of the two modes of operation for producing a level of tractive effort appropriate for conditions as the train moves along a length of track. The method further allows transmitting a signal indicative of the selected mode of operation from the lead locomotive to the remote locomotive.

Abstract: A digital counter with a dial position having a hardware part which determines the n lowest-value bits of the dial position and a software part which determines the remaining higher-value bits of the dial position includes first and a second software parts as the software part with the dial position being a combination of the first software part and the hardware part when the hardware part is in a first counting range, and being a combination of the second software part and the hardware part when the hardware part is in a second counting range.

Abstract: An improved vehicle odometer is provided with an encoder and a microcontroller. The encoder has a unique key that configures an encryption algorithm. The encryption algorithm can be in the form of circuitry or software or any combination there between. The encoder receives a increment signal from the vehicle indicating that the vehicle has traveled a pre-determined distance. The encoder then increments the odometer-related value and then encrypts it with the encryption algorithm. The encoder then wraps the encrypted odometer-related value into a data packet with a serial number. Only a suitably equipped computing device, such as a microcontroller, identify and correctly decrypt and process the encrypted odometer-related value, thereby preventing the tampering of the vehicle's odometer.

Abstract: A high-resolution position sensor device for use in precise positioning of servomechanisms, by providing increased resolution using of an encoder mounted on the shaft of a motor, which produces transition pulses through a light-sensitive arrangement using a photodetector. Each time the pulse makes a transition because the groove of the encoder wheel has passed, a reset signal is produced which resets to zero the number of clock pulses which have been measured for that interval between the transition pulses. The transition pulses and the time between them changes with changes in motor speed, while the system clock pulse rate remains fixed. The invention provides a more accurate position sensor, which operates by generating more transition pulses than the encoder itself actually generates. If the encoder produces transition pulses at a given resolution, the sensor device produces output pulses having a higher resolution.

Abstract: In a thermal developing method for continuously and thermally developing thermal developing sheets which have a latent image formed thereon by exposure and various sizes, a minimum temperature recovery time required for thermally developing a next thermal developing sheet is determined from physical information about a thermally developed sheet, and the next thermal developing sheet is started to be developed after the minimum temperature recovery time passes.

Abstract: The pedometer having improved accuracy by being calibrated to actual user stride lengths and stride rates, and being recalibrated as necessary based on subsequent actual stride rates and lengths. The pedometer can also interact with a heart monitoring device.

Abstract: This is a method of analyzing train handling by setting a standard for the run, collecting train operating or handling data from the run and determining operating constraints during the run which are not included in the standard run. The determination of operating constraints during a run also includes determining differences between the operating constraints during the run of those included in the standard. The train handling data is compared to the standard and the comparison is adjusted for the operating constraints. The adjustment of the comparison includes nullifying any deviation of the handling data from the standard resulting from the operating constraints. A report is created from the standard and the handling data correlating the energy usage for specific categories. These categories include one or more of pneumatic braking, dynamic braking and track topology. The report further includes energy adjustments for the operating constraints determined during the run.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for determining the deployed length of a flexible tension element such as cable which is wrapped in a pack and fed through a funnel. The element may be sensed using different types of sensors such as optical, acoustical or magnetic sensors. A sensor is mounted in a funnel flush with the inside funnel surface. As wraps of the flexible tension element are deployed, or pulled off from the pack, individual wraps of the flexible tension element pass across the face of a detector as the flexible tension element is displaced in a generally circular pattern around the inside of the funnel. Signal processing circuitry produces a signal indicating the presence of the flexible tension element within a predetermined distance of the sensor.

Abstract: A linear measurement and control apparatus uses a press roll for directly engraving the surface of a linear control bar and then engaging the control bar which is attached to a machine element, to measure its linear motion and thereby identifying its position. As the machine element moves, the attached control bar transmits its motion to the press roll, inducing rotation. The press roll is attached to a measurement disk having a sensory pickup so that rotation of the press roll is sensed. Light transmission is used for sensing motion of a measurement disk and for counting pulses for determining position.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing odometer fraud on a vehicle having a multiplex ring including a plurality of vehicle control modules in electrical communication with each other. The multiplex ring includes a cluster control module with an odometer display. The method includes: a) displaying an odometer mileage variable; b) periodically storing the displayed odometer mileage variable in a non-volatile memory location in the cluster control module; and c) periodically storing the displayed odometer mileage variable in a non-volatile memory location in at least one of the vehicle control modules other than the cluster control module, thereby increasing the level of difficulty of odometer tampering.

Abstract: There is provided a time counting circuit for measuring a pulse spacing of a pulse signal with high accuracy and with low power consumption. An inverter ring composed of an odd number of inverters connected in a ring oscillates and one signal transition occurs after another as though seemingly circulating around the inverter ring. Holding circuits connected to respective output terminals of the inverters composing the inverter ring output, on the rising edge of a pulse signal to be measured, signals outputted from the inverters at the same time. The outputted signals are then converted by a signal converting circuit to numeric data. A counter circuit connected to the output terminal of one of the inverters composing the inverter ring counts the number of circulations of signal transition.

Abstract: There is provided a time counting circuit for measuring a pulse spacing of a pulse signal with high accuracy and with low power consumption.An inverter ring composed of an odd number of inverters connected in a ring oscillates and one signal transition occurs after another as though seemingly circulating around the inverter ring. Holding circuits connected to respective output terminals of the inverters composing the inverter ring output, on the rising edge of a pulse signal to be measured, signals outputted from the inverters at the same time. The outputted signals are then converted by a signal converting circuit to numeric data. A counter circuit connected to the output terminal of one of the inverters composing the inverter ring counts the number of circulations of signal transition.

Abstract: A system for counting the number of objects of known thickness in a stack and identifying the objects by their color in which an ultrasonic sensor is mounted at a known distance from a reference point that defines the beginning of the stack. The ultrasonic sensor is operated to measure the round trip transit time of ultrasonic energy reflected back from the closest object in the stack and the number of objects in the stack is calculated on the basis of the known distance and the round trip transit time. A color sensor senses the color of at least one object in the stack to identify the object. In a casino application where the objects are chips of known monetary value, the value of the chips in the stack can be calculated.

Abstract: A method for identifying a principal tooth in a series of teeth extending along at least a portion of a periphery of a rotatable object includes the steps of rotating the rotatable object, setting a counter to a predetermined value, measuring a first tooth in the series of teeth to obtain a first measurement, adding a qualifying value to the measurement to obtain a qualification measurement, measuring a second tooth in the series of teeth to obtain a second measurement, comparing the second measurement to the qualification measurement, and identifying the second tooth as the principal tooth when the second measurement exceeds the qualification measurement.

Abstract: Signals S.sub.j and S.sub.j-1 that are deviate from each other by a phase value of 2 .pi./M are generated by combining two sinusoidal detection signals. A reference signal .DELTA.S is generated which represents a difference between the signals S.sub.j and S.sub.j-1. An up-pulse or a down-pulse is generated every time the signal S.sub.j or S.sub.j-1 varies by .DELTA.S/n. An n-ary reversible ring counter outputs a first count value and a carry or borrow pulse by counting the up-pulse and the down-pulse, and the first count value is used to control the operation of generating the up-pulse or down-pulse. An M-ary reversible ring counter outputs a second count value by counting the carry pulse or the borrow pulse, and the second count value is used to control the operation of generating the signals S.sub.j and S.sub.j-1.

Abstract: For determining a displacement of an object (41) from sheetlike material along an observing position (11, 12), each time the object (41) has been displaced over a particular distance, a pulse is generated. The passing object (41) is scanned, whereby a plurality of samples are generated between two pulses, independently of the displacement of the object (41), and to these samples moreover sequence information (37) is coupled. The number of samples between two pulses (39) and the number of generated pulses (38) are counted. The sequence information (37, 38) coupled to identified samples and the counted number of samples between two pulses (39) are used to determine the displacement of the object with greater accuracy than would be possible with the displacement-dependent pulses alone, without requiring that to this end interpolation pulses be generated and processed which are to be processed separately.

Abstract: A position measuring method and apparatus for obtaining signals substantially free of harmonics with the aid of a periodic graduation and a non-periodic or aperiodic scanning graduation, wherein the position of the grating lines n within the scanning graduation is determined in accordance with a statistical distribution.

Abstract: A method and a system for counting irregularly shaped articles that are being moved along a path into and out of a machine. A microprocessor is responsive to three external devices with the first device being located at the input stage of the machine and detecting the leading and the trailing edges of the articles being moved into the machine and respectively generating start and stop events to the microprocessor. The second device is a distance sensing means used to determine the length of each of the articles being moved. The third device detects the movement of the articles in their formed state, such as a box, out of the machine. The microprocessor in response to the first occurring start event initiates the counting of the incremental changes from the distance sensing means and terminates the counting in response to the first occurring stop event.

Abstract: A sorting machine is disclosed based on a procedure utilizing standard length pulses initiated by the sensing of the leading edge of a sensed product and rejecting a defective product based on sensing where its trailing edge is or should be if covered up by a successive overlapping product. Such detection allows for rejecting products that are either too long or too short. The detection of the trailing edge location also is employed for the activation of a reject mechanism operated on a fixed delay from the occurrence of a defect signal for whatever reason produced from the sensing of a product in the product stream.

Abstract: A linear scale measuring device of the absolute type capable of exhibiting high resolution and accomplishing the measuring operation with high accuracy. In the device, A cycle of indented lines for increment data is set to be twice as large as that of indented lines for absolute data. Also provided is an absolute data detection section which detects absolute data values corresponding to the indented lines, and a data converter which converts an output of the absolute data detection section into a digital signal. An operation section which includes a computing element adds either +1 to -1 to the digital signal output from the data converter, or does not add to the digital signal, in accordance with an output signal from an interpolation section.

Abstract: The present invention (50) corrects duty-cycle errors generated by imperfections in encoder scales and encoder detectors. A preferred embodiment of the invention operates by detecting successive transparent-to-opaque transitions of the encoder scale (20), calculating the distance between the transitions, dividing that distance by two, and generating a synthetic encoder pluse that is timed to represent a position 50 percent of the distance between the transparent-to-opaque transitions.

Abstract: A digital linear measuring device includes a housing, a reel located within a housing and a measuring tape wound on the reel. The measuring tape is extendable through an opening in the housing as the reel is rotated. An incremental measuring means is associated with the reel for generating incremental measuring data and an absolute measuring means cooperates with the measuring tape for generating absolute measurement data as the measuring tape is extended. A processing unit is responsive to both the incremental measurement data and to the absolute measurement data for generating output reflecting linear extension of the measuring tape from the housing, and a display is responsive to the processing unit for displaying information reflecting the linear extension of the measuring tape from the housing.

Abstract: An evaluation device with an absolute value counter is provided in an incremental position measuring system, which determines the absolute position even in case of loss of the main power supply. The evaluation device is operated by means of an emergency power supply while the main power supply is out. Following the restoration of the main power supply, counting pulses are supplied to a follow-up counter (11) by a pulse emitter, until the follow-up counter has reached the counter reading of the absolute value counter. Two rectangular signals, which are phase-shifted by 90.degree. in relation to each other, are formed as a function of the counting signals, which are present at the evaluation device in the form of output signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pulse counting circuit for counting pulse signals comprising a first pulse signal generating means for generating a first pulse signal corresponding to an input signal, a counting means for counting at least either of said first pulse signal and a second pulse signal which differ from said first pulse signal corresponding to said input signal, said first pulse signal possessing a pitch set smaller than that of said second pulse signal, and a control means for selectively controlling the operation of said count means for counting said first and second pulse signal.

Abstract: A travel detecting apparatus is disclosed which generates a pulse signal in response to vehicle motion and detects the actual rate of vehicle travel in accordance with the pulse signal. The apparatus comprises a speed or RPM sensor coupled to an automotive transmission for generating a first pulse signal representative of the vehicle speed or RPM, a tire-size setting switch for setting tire information relating to the dimensions of the tires of the vehicle, and a CPU for frequency converting the first pulse signal in response to the tire information to generate a second pulse and for detecting the rate of vehicle travel in accordance with the second pulse signal.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive transducer measuring system for precisely measuring the liquid level of fuel in an underground tank. The system provides for the measurement of the position of one or more transducer magnets in a tube that are positioned along a length of the transducer wire therein, with one of the magnets fixed in the tube to provide a reference position. A current pulse is applied to the transducer wire and sonic pulses are simultaneously produced through the interaction of the magnetic field of the transducer wire and the fields of the magnets. The sonic pulses are detected by a sensor and the time interval between the detected sonic pulses is determined to determine the distance between the magnets.

Abstract: Either a reciprocating or a stationary part in each of juxtaposed cylinder devices is provided with a scale having alternate projections and depressions which are arranged with regular pitches in a direction of reciprocation of the reciprocating part, while the other part is provided with a sensor engaging the scale for determining whether it is a projection or depression of the scale that the sensor engages at a particular point of time, and producing a pulse whenever it falls in any of the depressions. According to one preferred embodiment, the projections and the depessions of the scale of one of the cylinder devices are staggered relative to those of the scale of the other cylinder device by half a pitch. Thus, when the two cylinder devices are in synchronous operation, the sensors of the cylinder devices produce alternate pulses which do not overlap with each other in the time of occurrence.

Abstract: Separate density profiles are obtained for each station of a multi-station winder. The technique requires a single processor for simultaneously monitoring the density of any number of rolls being wound. The density may also be monitored for the unwind roll for determination of roll structuring changes by a winder. A simple system is provided in which each of the rolls is provided with an encoder. The encoder of a center roll of fixed diameter produces a fixed number of pulses per revolution representing paper length and the pulses produced by the encoders of each of the winding stations are counted along with the pulses produced by the winder of the center fixed diameter roll for computing density from roll and angular parameters and basis weight.

Abstract: Electronic measuring gauge and apparatus therefor comprising in combination apparatus and method for use in inspecting and determining vehicle body elevational position relative to the suspension which supports the vehicle body from the wheels or the floor on which the wheels rest. Components are provided to store and present alignment and body elevation measurement points for subsequent call up to suit a specific vehicle presented for inspection and a measuring device for finding the measurements at the measurement points. The apparatus and the method of its use increases the accuracy of inspection and reduces the time required to perform the linear measurements to assist in vehicle wheel alignment operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining an actual measurement in feet and inches of the distance between two points which appear on a scaled drawing by adjusting a first and second indicator to locate on the drawing a first and second point, and generating a voltage signal corresponding to the distance between the two points. A converter then converts the voltage signal to a frequency signal which is received by a first counter which generates a first binary count in response thereto. Logic gates couple the first counter to a second counter which generates a second binary count which is incremented by the first counter when the first counter reaches twelve. The first and second binary counts represent the feet and inches, respectively, portion of the measurement, and the actual measurement in feet and inches is displayed on liquid crystal displays mounted in the housing of the apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic tape rule comprising a housing (6), a tape (1) that may be extended from the housing and which carries a position track (3, 4) therealong, a reading system (30, 31) in the housing past which the position track travels during movement of the tape, a first processor (10) electrically connected to the reading system for receiving electrical signals therefrom and generating an output indicating the extent of extension of the tape, and a visual display (23) indicative of the extent of tape extension. A second processor (12) is electrically connected to the visual display and to the first processor.

Abstract: A system and method determines the rotational speed of a rotating member by determining speed from signals having a frequency directly proportional to the rotational speed. The system provides for the estimation of rotational speed even if no speed signals are detected over a sampling interval.