Abstract: The invention concerns the compact representation of a reflectance spectrum of a material. For example, for in compression, identification and comparison of reflectance spectrum data of multiple materials. The compressed representation interpolating a spline curve to the reflectance spectrum data, the spline curve having a set of control points, a knot vector, and representing wavelength and reflectance as functions of an independent parameter (42). Then removing one or more knots from the knot vector that minimise a cost function in a parameter domain of the spline curve based on the wavelength function (44). Aspects of the invention include a method, software, a computer system and the compact representation itself.

Abstract: A method for optimum sensor layout for detecting an intruder may include selecting candidate sensor locations within a representation of an area of regard. The method may also include determining a sub-region of detection for each sensor based on a preset probability of detection of the intruder traversing a sub-region associated with each sensor. The method may additionally include determining each pair of sensors with overlapping sub-regions of detection and determining a lowest probability of detection for any path between each pair of sensors with overlapping sub-regions of detection. The method may further include determining an optimum layout of sensor locations or sensors from candidate sensor locations based on a path of the lowest probability of detection for any path between each pair of sensors with overlapping sub-regions of detection.

Abstract: A method dresses a polishing member with a diamond dresser having diamond particles arranged on a surface thereof. The method includes determining dressing conditions by performing a simulation of a distribution of a sliding distance of the diamond dresser on a surface of the polishing member, and dressing the polishing member with the diamond dresser under the determined dressing conditions. The simulation includes calculating the sliding distance corrected in accordance with a depth of the diamond particles thrusting into the polishing member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring depth, velocity, or both depth and velocity of instrumentation along a wellbore is provided. The apparatus includes a downhole portion movable within the wellbore in a direction generally parallel to the wellbore. The apparatus further includes a first acceleration sensor that generates a first signal indicative of a first acceleration. The apparatus further includes a second acceleration sensor that generates a second signal indicative of a second acceleration. The apparatus further includes a bend sensor generating a third signal indicative of an amount of bend of at least a portion of the downhole portion.

Abstract: A method includes identifying device description files corresponding to first and second field devices associated with an industrial process control system. The method also includes comparing multiple field device characteristics of the first and second field devices using the device description files. The method further includes identifying any differences between the device characteristics of the first field device and the device characteristics of the second field device. In addition, the method includes determining a compatibility of the first and second field devices based on any identified differences. The field device characteristics can relate to field device attributes, field device function blocks, and function block parameters of the first and second field devices.

Abstract: A test system for facilitating determining whether a plasma processing system (which includes a plasma processing chamber) is ready for processing wafers. The test system may include a computer-readable medium storing at least a test program. The test program may include code for receiving electric parameter values derived from signals detected by at least one sensor when no plasma is present in the plasma processing chamber. The test program may also include code for generating electric model parameter values using the electric parameter values and a mathematical model. The test program may also include code for comparing the electric model parameter values with baseline model parameter value information. The test program may also include code for determining readiness of the plasma processing system based on the comparison. The test system may also include circuit hardware for performing one or more tasks associated with the test program.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for controlling environmental systems in containers. A first set of environmental conditions for a first product to be stored in a container is received and it is determined if the first set of environmental conditions are compatible with a second set of environmental conditions for one or more second products in the container. An acceptable set of environmental conditions for both first and second products based on the first set of environmental conditions and the second set of environmental conditions is determined and the acceptable set of environmental conditions are stored.

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a counting signal generation unit, a counting signal decoding unit, an input reference voltage selection unit, and a latch pulse generation unit. The counting signal generation unit is configured to generate one or more counting signals in response to an oscillation signal. The counting signal decoding unit is configured to decode the one or more counting signals and to generate one or more test selection signals and an end signal. The input reference voltage selection unit is configured to output a first selection reference voltage or a second selection reference voltage as an input reference voltage in response to the one or more test selection signals. The latch pulse generation unit is configured to generate one or more latch pulses in response to the one or more test selection signals.

Abstract: A billiard cue stroke simulator includes a wireless acceleration sensing device and a computing system. The wireless acceleration sensing device measures acceleration of a billiard cue along two or more axes of a coordinate system during a stroke of the billiard cue and generates acceleration data including the acceleration data. Additionally, the wireless acceleration sensing device transmits a wireless communication signal including the acceleration data to the computing system. The computing system generates image data indicating movement of the billiard cue during the stroke of the billiard cue based on the acceleration data and displays the image data. In this way, the billiard cue stroke simulator simulates the stroke of the billiard cue.

Abstract: Improved gas leak detection from moving platforms is provided. Automatic horizontal spatial scale analysis can be performed in order to distinguish a leak from background levels of the measured gas. Source identification can be provided by using isotopic ratios and/or chemical tracers to distinguish gas leaks from other sources of the measured gas. Multi-point measurements combined with spatial analysis of the multi-point measurement results can provide leak source distance estimates. These methods can be practiced individually or in any combination.

Abstract: Based on an event classification for an event of a cross-domain computing environment, a metric of a configuration item is obtained and used to isolate a causation of the event.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated systems and methods relate to automated learning of a baseline differential pressure (dP) characteristic to monitor the performance of a field-installed gas flow meter by comparing on-line dP measurements to the learned baseline dP characteristic. In an exemplary embodiment, a first baseline dP characteristic may be learned in a first mode over a first predetermined period of time according to a first set of learning criteria, and a second baseline dP characteristic may be learned in a second mode over a second predetermined period of time according to a second set of learning criteria. The first period of time may be substantially shorter than the second period of time. The first set of criteria may be substantially more relaxed than the second set of criteria. During the second mode, meter performance degradation may be diagnosed by comparing measured dP against the first baseline dP characteristic.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining and monitoring the fill level of a medium in a container via a field device, wherein transmission signals are transmitted toward the medium and are received as reflection signals. The transmission signals and the reflection signals are registered by means of data points in an envelope curve dependent on travel time or travel distance. Disturbance echo signals are registered by means of data points in a masking curve, the data points are connected with one another via connecting functions An evaluation curve is ascertained from the envelope curve; wherein, by means of a reduction algorithm, the number of data points in the masking curve and/or in the evaluation curve is reduced; and wherein, by an echo search algorithm, by means of the reduced masking curve and/or reduced evaluation curve, at least one wanted echo signal in the current envelope curve is ascertained.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring operation of an LED string. An exemplary system includes an LED string, a circuit that supplies current to the LEDs, a current measuring circuit that measures current through the LEDs, a voltage measuring circuit that measures voltage across the LEDs, and a temperature sensor that measures temperature proximate to the LEDs. A processor calculates a predicted string voltage based on a predefined voltage-current curve, number of LEDs, a predefined temperature coefficient value, the measured string current, a measured junction temperature, a life curve function, a prestored calibration string current value, a prestored calibration string voltage value, a prestored junction calibration temperature and an accumulated time value. The process also calculates an error value based on the predicted string voltage and a measured string voltage and generates an indication that there is a failure in the LED string if the calculated error value is greater than the predefined error limit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bore measurement unit having an elongate main body with first and second ends. A first adjustment mechanism is disposed near the first end and a second adjustment mechanism is disposed near said second end. The adjustment mechanisms expand or contract, through triangulating arms, to relative diameters, such that when the unit is inserted into a hollow bore it may be centered therein. A measuring portion of the unit measures the internal diameter of the bore. The measuring unit includes at least one sensor and preferably takes more than three readings at each distance of insertion to formulate a best fit circle of the inner bore diameter.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for simultaneously determining settings for a plurality of parameter variations. In use, a plurality of parameter variations associated with a device is identified. Additionally, settings for each of the plurality of parameter variations are determined simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the potential friction between a tire and a rolling surface wherein: the tire is rotated on the rolling surface so as to subject a crown portion of the tire to an acceleration radial component; data are obtained which are representative of the acceleration radial component to which the crown portion is subjected during at least one tire revolution; starting from the data, data are selected which are representative of at least one transition region of the acceleration radial component; the selected data are processed so as to obtain information correlated with the steepness of transition of the at least one transition region; and the potential friction is estimated on the basis of the information correlated with the steepness of transition.

Abstract: One or more natural resources (e.g., bodies of water, volumes of air or earth, mineral deposits, or wildlife populations) may be tracked by one or more natural resource quality sensors, each of which may detect and report various natural resource quality indicators (e.g., indicators of purity, biological or chemical contaminants, physical properties, and indicators of various components of a processing facility managing the natural resource, such as a water supply system). These indicators may be reported to one or more natural resource servers, which may store the indicators and, upon request of one or more users, generate a natural resource quality report indicating the quality of various natural resources. Reports may also be generated spontaneously and delivered as an alert based upon alert criteria (e.g., upon detecting a water height in a river correlated with flooding, a natural resource server may notify users residing near the river).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed to assign one or more tasks to a plurality of warehouse employees. In one embodiment, a method is provided which comprises receiving an order for an item stored in a warehouse. A location of the item in the warehouse can be determined. A current location of each of the warehouse employees can be determined based on a strength of a signal from a wireless device assigned to each of the warehouse employees. The signal can be detected by at least two wireless access points at different location in the warehouse. At least one of the warehouse employees can be selected to fill the order based on the current location of each of the warehouse employees and the locations of the item.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for tagging reference materials of interest in spectroscopic searching applications is presented. A reference list of materials to be considered as part of a final analysis of a spectroscopic analysis of a sample material is generated. A watchlist of at least one material to be retained for a final analysis of the spectroscopic analysis of a sample material is provided. A final analysis of the sample material is preformed using the watchlist of at least one material and the reference list of materials. A determination is then made regarding whether a spectrum of the sample material matches at least one spectrum of materials on the watchlist and on the reference list.

Abstract: A hierarchical and distributed system architecture for a container monitoring and security system is provided. The architecture may be a hierarchical chain of separate, related processing elements. The partitioning of functions and distribution of processing among these or other similar hierarchical elements in the network is provided. The elements may further be described in successive layers, each have a greater level of network intelligence than the former.

Abstract: A software and/or hardware facility for scoring the quality of traffic to a site accessible via the Internet or other network. The facility may evaluate traffic based on multiple agent actions in order to detect bogus agent actions. The agent actions may be generic agent actions that are applicable to substantially all network sites. The facility may characterize the quality of an agent's interaction with the network site based on whether one or more of the multiple agent actions occurred during the agent's interaction. The facility may generate non-binary generic and custom scores, classifying traffic as fraudulent if its custom score is substantially higher than its generic score. The facility may characterize the quality of traffic to a network site based on dual algorithms. A first algorithm may be applied to traffic that is statistically significant, while a second algorithm may be applied to traffic that is not statistically significant.

Abstract: Controlling a digging operation of an industrial machine that includes a dipper, a crowd motor drive, and a controller. The crowd motor drive is configured to provide one or more control signals to a crowd motor, and the crowd motor is operable to provide a force to the dipper to move the dipper toward or away from a bank. The controller is connected to the crowd motor drive and is configured to monitor a characteristic of the industrial machine, identify an impact event associated with the dipper based on the monitored characteristic of the industrial machine, and set a crowd motoring torque limit for the crowd motor drive when the impact event is identified.

Abstract: An apparatus that determines an immersion risk of a mobile terminal user, includes an immersion determination unit configured to determine whether the user is immersed in a mobile terminal based on data of the user, and calculate an immersion frequency based on a result of the determination. The apparatus further includes an immersion risk determination unit configured to calculate a degree of the immersion risk based on the immersion frequency, and determine whether the immersion risk is present based on the degree of the immersion risk.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that facilitates providing real-time in situ measurements in an environment. A sensor module can employ real-time in situ measurements associated with a parameter within the environment. A sensor operation module communicatively coupled to the sensor module via an interface can analyze the real-time in situ measurements, wherein at least one of the sensor module and the sensor operation module allows expansion for at least one module.

Abstract: A test and measurement instrument and method for generating IQ-based time domain waveform information and presenting the IQ-based time domain waveform information together with other time domain waveform on a common axis through a user interface. The test and measurement instrument can include, for example, one or more input terminals to receive an electrical signal under test, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to digitize the signal under test, a digital downconverter to produce I (in-phase) and Q (quadrature) baseband component information from the digitized signal, a memory configured to store the IQ baseband component information, a user interface, and a controller. The controller can be configured to generate an IQ-based time domain waveform using the IQ baseband component information, and present the IQ-based time domain waveform and a second time domain waveform on a common axis through the user interface.

Abstract: A first performance measurement of an executing task may be determined, while the task is executed by a first number of nodes operating in parallel. A second performance measurement of the executing task may be determined, while the task is being executed by a second number of nodes operating in parallel. An overhead factor characterizing a change of a parallelism overhead of executing the task with nodes executing in parallel may then be calculated, relative to a change in a number of the nodes, based on the first performance measurement and the second performance measurement. Then, an optimal number of nodes to operate in parallel to continue executing the task may be determined, based on the overhead factor.

Abstract: A computer software execution system may have a configurable memory allocation and management system. A configuration file or other definition may be created by analyzing a running application and determining an optimized set of settings for the application on the fly. The settings may include memory allocated to individual processes, memory allocation and deallocation schemes, garbage collection policies, and other settings. The optimization analysis may be performed offline from the execution system. The execution environment may capture processes during creation, then allocate memory and configure memory management settings for each individual process.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and fabrication methods are provided for sensing devices. An exemplary sensing device includes a first sensing arrangement to measure a first property and provide one or more measured values for the first property, a second sensing arrangement to measure a second property, a storage element coupled to the second sensing arrangement to maintain a stored value for the second property measured by the second sensing arrangement, and a control system coupled to the first sensing arrangement and the storage element to determine one or more calibrated measurement values for the first property using the one or more measured values for the first property from the first sensing arrangement and the stored value for the second property.

Abstract: Gravity measurements from a borehole gravity survey are obtained by continuously moving the gravity meter within the borehole. Movement-induced acceleration errors are quantified and subtracted from the gross measurements from the gravity meter to obtain actual gravity values at a multitude of measurement points within the borehole. Acceleration errors are calculated from the second differential of the true vertical depth of the gravity meter, which is computed measured length and weight and elongation characteristics of a cable which suspends the gravity meter in the borehole, upper and lower tension measurements in the cable, and the topography of the borehole.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the diffusion tensor anisotropy or the surface energy anisotropy that does not require the formation of particular structures, and that is capable of being performed in cases of moderate-amplitude perturbations. The invention relates to measuring the temporal evolution of natural or artificial roughnesses, and analyzing the results in the firm of the 2D power spectral density for moderate-amplitude perturbations typically characterized by amplitude/wavelength ratios of the perturbation for a spatially defined perturbation having two wavelengths along two orthogonal directions, the ratios typically being less than 0.3.

Abstract: Ultrasonic inspection equipment facilitates alignment of display positions of three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and three-dimensional shape data, and quickly discriminates between a defect echo and an inner-wall echo. A computer 102A has a position correction function of correcting a relative display position between three-dimensional shape data and three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data. A display position of the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data or that of the three-dimensional shape data is moved by a norm of a mean vector along the mean vector that is calculated from a plurality of vectors defined by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional shape data. The three-dimensional shape data and the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data are displayed in such a manner as to be superimposed on each other on a three-dimensional display unit 103C.

Abstract: Method for detecting a change in mass with a quartz crystal impedance-scanning microbalance, which can be connected to an evaluation device, wherein the quartz crystal microbalance is designed to transmit the measurement points recorded at a predetermined data recording rate as raw data to the evaluation device, including at least the following steps: linearly fitting the measurement points of the raw data to a fractional rational function and determining at least one resonance frequency from the fitted measurement points of the raw data, wherein a change in the at least one resonance frequency corresponds to an effective change in mass.

Abstract: Transport scheduling and transport processes for low microbial (“LM”) bulk products are described. The transport scheduling and processes facilitate low microbial activity in a LM bulk product during the transport of the LM bulk product.

Abstract: Transport scheduling and transport processes for low microbial (“LM”) bulk products are described. The transport scheduling and processes facilitate low microbial activity in a LM bulk product during the transport of the LM bulk product.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for ascertaining the relative position of a first tire and a second tire in a multiple tire. The apparatus may include a first electromechanical transducer providing a first sensor signal indicating a contact area length of the first tire in the multiple tire, and a second electromechanical transducer providing a second sensor signal indicating a contact area length of the second tire in the multiple tire. The apparatus includes a reception unit configured for receiving the first and second sensor signals; a contact area characteristic ascertainment unit ascertaining the contact area lengths characteristic of the first and second tires based on the first and second sensor signals; and a position finding unit ascertaining the position of the first tire relative to the second tire by evaluating the contact length characteristics of the first and second tires during cornering.

Abstract: Transport scheduling and transport processes for low microbial (“LM”) bulk products are described. The transport scheduling and processes facilitate low microbial activity in a LM bulk product during the transport of the LM bulk product.

Abstract: A light source for a photo-reactive curing apparatus is provided, which includes a plurality of light source elements or modules, such as, UV or visible LEDs or LED arrays, arranged to provide a beam profile comprising irradiation zones separated by a dark zone. Photo-polymerization occurs during periods of irradiation and dark polymerization occurs during dark intervals between irradiation. The relative positioning or spacing of light source elements or modules is set to provide an exposure profile with a dark interval which matches the required dark reaction interval for optimal curing efficiency. In modular or adjustable light sources, the spacing is adjustable dependent on process parameters. For processes such as inkjet printing, the beam profile may be better matched to the ink chemistry, so as to control the polymerization reaction to meet a required process speed for single pass or multiple pass applications.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer readable media for controlling a digging operation of an industrial machine that includes a dipper and a crowd drive. A method includes determining an acceleration associated with the industrial machine, determining a crowd retract factor based on the acceleration, comparing the crowd retract factor to a threshold crowd retract factor, setting a crowd speed reference and a crowd retract torque for the crowd drive for a period of time based on the comparison of the crowd retract factor to the threshold crowd retract factor.

Abstract: A method for determining the oxygen concentration of a sample made of a semiconductor material includes a heat treatment step of the sample to form thermal donors, the measurement of the resistivity in an area of the sample, the determination of the thermal donor concentration from a relation expressing the charge carrier mobility according to an ionized dopant impurity concentration, by adding to the dopant impurity concentration four times the thermal donor concentration, and from the measured resistivity value. The method finally includes determining the oxygen concentration from the thermal donor concentration.

Abstract: A method, and corresponding device, for processing a pressure signal from a pressure sensor mounted in a combustion chamber to detect a combustion in an internal combustion engine. The method provides a pressure signal; filters the pressure signal with a filtration mechanism having a variable gain; generates an output signal representative of the filtered pressure signal; generates a signal representative of the error between the pressure signal and the output signal; and determines if the combustion has occurred during an expansion phase of the thermodynamic cycle.

Abstract: To increase the number of analog inputs at low cost, an analog input system includes: one or more analog slave units each connected to a bus to which a CPU unit is connected, and each including an A/D-conversion device converting an analog value outputted by an external device into a first digital value, a buffer memory buffering a second digital value to be transferred to the CPU unit, and a nonvolatile storage device containing specific information of its own unit; and an analog master unit connected to the bus and including an operation section performing operation processing based on the specific information stored in the storage device with the first digital value being used as an input, to calculate the second digital value, the master unit performing on each of the slave input units the operation processing and processing of transferring the calculated second digital value to the buffer memory.

Abstract: Sensor(s) may be used to detect threat data. A processing system and/or a method may be used to fuse the detected threat data over time. Threat data may comprise information on a munition, missile, rocket, or nuclear/biological/chemical (NBC) projectile or delivery system. Detected threat data may be processed to create a target track-lethality list comprising the locations of any target(s) and a ranking of their lethality in comparison to decoys or chaff. The target track-lethality list may be used to create a target engagement-track list that matches available threat elimination resources (e.g. interceptors) to targets with a weapon-to-target assignment module.

Abstract: A method of determining face paper properties of all types of wallboard including providing a core strength value of the wallboard, determining a required nail pull value based the wallboard specifications and calculating a face paper stiffness value based on the provided core strength value and the determined nail pull value. The method includes displaying the calculated face paper stiffness value on a display device.

Abstract: A water bottle consumption counter apparatus includes a bottle having a bottom, a top, and a continuous side wall extending upwardly from the bottom to the top, the bottle defining a reservoir and an opening defined by the top in communication with the reservoir. A control module is mounted to the bottle bottom and defines an interior area. A processor is situated in the control module interior area. A battery is also situated in the control module interior area and electrically connected to the processor. A timer is electrically connected to the processor. At least one input and one output are positioned on the exterior of the bottle side wall and electrically connected to the processor. The processor is configured to actuate the output when the input is actuated.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a machine having a work tool and operating at a work site. The control system may have a sensor associated with the work tool and configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of the work tool, an offboard worksite controller, and an onboard controller in communication with the sensor and the offboard worksite controller. The onboard controller may be configured to receive from an operator an input indicative of a current task being performed by the machine, and track movement of a portion of the work tool corresponding with the operator input. The onboard controller may also be configured to communicate the tracked movement to the offboard worksite controller.

Abstract: A gas detector with a compensated electrochemical sensor exhibits altered sensitivity in response to decreasing stochastic noise in an output thereof. A gain parameter can be adjusted to alter sensitivity. A life-time estimate can be made based on sensitivity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for testing systems or devices with visual output and at least one mechanical input element. The device comprises an input unit for the automated mechanical actuation of the at least one input element of the device, an image analysis unit, which acquires and analyzes the visual output of the device, and a control unit, which controls the input unit and image analysis unit, and automatically determines a test result based on predetermined desired outputs and the findings of the image analysis unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for checking gripping elements for containers may include a plurality of gripping elements for gripping a plurality of containers. Occupancy states of these gripping elements with containers are regularly detected and statistics regarding these occupancy states are formed. Based on these statistics, in particular a failure of individual gripping elements can be ascertained and can be output to the user in a targeted manner.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method to determine the capture cross-section of a subsurface formation at a desired depth in the formation. A database of Sigma values for known lithologies, porosities, and salinities is provided, and multiple Sigma measurements are obtained from a downhole logging tool. Within the database, Sigma values are interpolated to determine the respective depths of investigation of the multiple Sigma measurements. A monotonic function is fitted to the multiple Sigma measurements at the determined depths of investigation, and the capture cross-section of the subsurface formation at any desired depth in the formation is determined using the fitted function. Similarly, a system to determine the capture cross-section of a subsurface formation at a desired depth in the formation and/or a depth of invasion of drilling fluids is also disclosed.