Abstract: A thermal processing system for performing thermal processing can include a workpiece support plate configured to support a workpiece and heat source(s) configured to heat the workpiece. The thermal processing system can include window(s) having transparent region(s) that are transparent to electromagnetic radiation within a measurement wavelength range and opaque region(s) that are opaque to electromagnetic radiation within a portion of the measurement wavelength range. A temperature measurement system can include a plurality of infrared emitters configured to emit infrared radiation and a plurality of infrared sensors configured to measure infrared radiation within the measurement wavelength range where the transparent region(s) are at least partially within a field of view the infrared sensors.

Abstract: A calibration setup for calibrating a temperature sensor includes a temperature calibrator, a temperature measuring unit connected to the temperature sensor, a camera unit configured to detect a measured temperature value and to transmit the measured temperature value to a storage medium in the temperature calibrator. A method of calibrating a temperature sensor using the calibration setup includes heating the temperature sensor to a first calibration temperature; detecting a first temperature value by the camera unit; transmitting the first temperature value from the camera unit to a storage medium in the temperature calibrator; heating the temperature sensor to at least a second calibration temperature; detecting a second temperature value by the camera unit; transmitting the second temperature value from the camera unit to the storage medium; and displaying the detected and stored temperature values on a calibrator indicator display in a respective association with the calibration temperatures.

Abstract: Exemplary systems for detecting water include: a light source positioned to transmit thermal radiation through a sample; a lens assembly positioned to: receive the thermal radiation transmitted through the sample; and focus the transmitted thermal radiation onto a filter positioned between the lens assembly and a detector; and a cooling subsystem for cooling the filter and the detector to a temperature below that of the sample. The filter (1) selectively transmits first portions of the thermal radiation received from the lens assembly and characterized by a wavelength at least partially overlapping a predefined water absorption band and/or a predefined water absorption line; and (2) selectively blocks second portions of the thermal radiation received from the lens assembly and characterized by a wavelength outside the predefined water absorption band and/or the predefined water absorption line. Methods for detecting presence of water in a sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser tracker system and method of operating the laser tracker system is provided. The laser tracker system includes a laser tracker device and a mobile computing device, each coupled for communication to a computer network. The mobile computing device includes processors that are responsive to computer instructions to perform a method. The method includes identifying the laser tracker device on the computer network. Selecting the first laser tracker device. Connecting to the laser tracker device to transmit signals therebetween via the computer network in response to an input from a user. Then causing the laser tracker device to perform one or more control functions in response to one or more second inputs from the user, wherein at least one of the one or more control functions includes selecting with the mobile computing device a retroreflective target and locking a light beam on the retroreflective target.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying information about objects. Radiant intensity measurements for an object are identified from sensor data for a plurality of bands of electromagnetic radiation. The object has parts. A system of equations that includes the radiant intensity measurements is generated. The system of equations is solved to identify information about each part in the parts of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus that senses temperature from a digital infrared sensor is described. A digital signal representing a temperature without conversion from analog is transmitted from the digital infrared sensor received by a microprocessor and converted to body core temperature by the microprocessor.

Abstract: An improved measurement apparatus employs a support that includes a housing and that further includes a follower that is movably situated on the support. The follower is biased in a direction generally away from the housing. The housing and follower are receivable between a spring/dimple pair, and a sensor detects the distance between the housing and the follower when interposed between the spring and dimple. An indicator apparatus employs the signal to output and indication that is representative of the amount of compressive loading that will be applied to a fuel rod by the spring/dimple pair, and the indication is based at least in part upon the distance between the portion of the housing that is engaged with the dimple and the portion of the follower that is engaged with the spring.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring cooling effectiveness of a component is disclosed. The method includes providing a component having a surface provided with a coating including a volatilization-susceptible constituent and a volatilization-resistant constituent. Further, the method includes supplying a first gaseous medium over the surface of the component through a plurality of holes in the component and feeding a second gaseous medium along the surface of the component. The method includes exposing the surface of the component to the first and second gaseous mediums for a predetermined period. The method further includes determining a thickness of the coating exposed to the flow of the first and second gaseous mediums. The method includes analyzing the thickness of the coating to determine whether the coating is removed from the surface of the component upon exposure to the first and second gaseous mediums.

Abstract: A system (8) for monitoring a high-temperature region of interest in a turbine engine (10) is provided. The system includes an internally cooled stationary vane (12) located in a path of a working gas of the turbine. A monitoring port (14) is located in the stationary vane. A monitoring instrument (16) is operatively connected to the monitoring port of the stationary vane to provide a field of view of the region of interest.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer includes a probe adapted to be heated by a subject for use in measuring a temperature of the subject. At least one temperature sensor detects a temperature of the probe. A probe sensor detects a condition at the probe. The probe sensor has an idle condition when the probe is not inserted into the subject. A processor is operatively connected to the probe sensor and programmed to monitor a change in the condition of the probe sensor from the idle condition to determine whether the probe has been received in a probe cover and inserted into the subject.

Abstract: After flash irradiation on a semiconductor wafer is started and then the temperatures of front and back surfaces of the semiconductor wafer become equal to each other, the temperature of the back surface of the semiconductor wafer, which has a known emissivity, is measured with a radiation thermometer. The emissivity of the front surface of the semiconductor wafer is calculated based on the intensity of radiated light from a black body having an equal temperature to the temperature of the back surface thereof, and the intensity of radiated light actually radiated from the front surface of the semiconductor wafer. Then, the temperature of the front surface of the semiconductor wafer heated by the flash irradiation is calculated based on the calculated emissivity and the intensity of the radiated light from the front surface of the semiconductor wafer that has been measured after the flash irradiation is started.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the freezing temperature of an ice-water mixture on a road surface. Reference measurements of ice-to-water ratios in dependence on road temperatures for different salt contents of reference ice-water mixtures are provided to the device. The thickness of a water layer on the road surface is detected and the thickness of an ice layer of the road surface is detected by the device and method. From the detected thickness of the water layer and the detected thickness of the ice layer, an ice-to-water ratio of the ice-water mixture is determined. The temperature of the road surface is also detected. The freezing temperature of the ice-water mixture is determined by the device and method from the determined ice-to-water ratio and the detected temperature by means of the provided reference measurements.

Abstract: Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.

Abstract: Provided according to one or more embodiments is a thermostat having a housing, the housing including a forward-facing surface, the thermostat comprising a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor disposed inside the housing for sensing occupancy in the vicinity of the thermostat. The PIR motion sensor has a radiation receiving surface and is able to detect the lateral movement of an occupant in front of the forward-facing surface of the housing. The thermostat further comprises a grille member having one or more openings and included along the forward-facing surface of the housing, the grille member being placed over the radiation receiving surface of the PIR motion sensor. The grille member is configured and dimensioned to visually conceal and protect the PIR motion sensor disposed inside the housing, the visual concealment promoting a visually pleasing quality of the thermostat, while at the same time permitting the PIR motion sensor to effectively detect the lateral movement of the occupant.

Abstract: A self validating flame detection system (10) for a turbine engine (12) configured to determine whether a flame exists in a turbine engine combustor is disclosed. The self validating flame detection system (10) may include two different types of flame detection sensors to reduce the risk of false positive signals. In at least one embodiment, the flame detection system (10) may include one or more infrared sensors (20) that sense infrared radiation within the combustor of the turbine engine (12) and one or more ultraviolet light sensors (22) that sense ultraviolet light within the combustor of the turbine engine (12). The flame detection system (10) may include a processor (24) configured to ignore the steady state infrared signal generated and instead analyze the dynamic infrared signal. The processor (24) may be configured to determine whether both types of sensors indicate a flame out condition so that a false alarm does not occur.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a temperature measurement made with an infrared thermometer is accurate is disclosed. An infrared sensor array is used to detect infrared radiation from a target object. By analyzing the relative values of output signals from the individual sensor elements, a determination can be made whether radiation from the target object sufficiently fills the field of view of the detecting element of the instrument. A temperature measurement is considered accurate if this criteria is met.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip is defined by a stack of several interconnected layers. The integrated circuit chip includes at least two layers of dissimilar metal patterned to define an array of integrated bimetallic thermocouples.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing temperatures of objects using mobile devices and more particularly for sensing the temperature of children using smart cellular telephones and/or cameras with infrared thermal sensors. The sensed temperatures can be output via user interfaces of the mobile devices. However, this abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit the claims.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a temperature measurement at a flow plane of a gas turbine engine. The method may include using a camera to capture at least one image of a temperature sensor disposed in the flow plane. The method may further include analyzing the image in a processing unit to obtain location data indicating a location of the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A device and method of precise distance measurement of a transmission line to any object below it is disclosed, along with a network of such devices. The technique employs ultrasonic or laser sensor technology to measure the distance to the nearest object, be it vegetation or a crossing conductor below, and reports that distance wirelessly to the system operator or transmission asset owner. The ultrasonic measurement package may be part of a Transmission Line Security Monitor, which mounts to a transmission line conductor and is powered by the transmission line, transmitting the data by radio links. The technology is equally applicable to encroachment of objects from the side (for example, other transmission lines), as well as to other electrical lines, such as distribution lines, or to other sensing. A built-in transceiver allows the device to communicate with other devices and forward alerts from these devices in a daisy-chain fashion to the intended recipient.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that determines the emissivity and temperature of a target object. A compact emitter capable of sequentially emitting blackbody-like radiation at two different temperatures is used to determine the target object's emissivity and temperature.

Abstract: Different advantageous embodiments provide a monitoring system comprising one or more sensor systems and a processing unit. The one or more sensor systems is configured to monitor a subject for change in temperature and generate monitoring data. The processing unit is configured to analyze the monitoring data to generate a result.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a temperature measurement made with an infrared thermometer is accurate is disclosed. An infrared sensor array is used to detect infrared radiation from a target object. By analyzing the relative values of output signals from the individual sensor elements, a determination can be made whether radiation from the target object sufficiently fills the field of view of the detecting element of the instrument. A temperature measurement is considered accurate if this criteria is met.

Abstract: A camera based positioner (CBP) for near-field measurement and a method therefor, and a near-field measurement system are provided. A measurement probe and an antenna under test (AUT) are automatically aligned to a position for near-field antenna measurement by recognizing a position and a rotation angle of the AUT based on an interval and an angle between neighboring laser sources represented in an image taken by emitting laser beams from at least two laser sources located with a predetermined interval and a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A non-contact type temperature sensing device includes an emitting unit, a detecting unit and a single chip microprocessor. The emitting unit emits a signal to a temperature-measured body. The detecting unit receiving a reflected signal emitted by the emitting unit and reflected by the temperature-measured body. The single chip microprocessor is electrically connected to the emitting unit and the detecting unit. The single chip microprocessor determines a measuring distance between non-contact type temperature sensing device and the temperature-measured body according to the reflected signal. When the measuring distance is located within a preset measuring range, the single chip microprocessor outputs an enabling signal of measuring temperature.

Abstract: A temperature sensing system used to test the temperature of a surface of a to-be-tested object includes an image capturing unit to capture an image of a base supporting the to-be-tested object. A host obtains and displays the captured image, and maps the image to a coordinate system. Each point of the image corresponds to a coordinate of the coordinate system. The host further determines the coordinate of a selected point of the displayed image. A temperature sensing unit senses the temperature of the surface of the to-be-tested object according to the coordinate of the selected point of the displayed image. A method for sensing the temperature of surface of a to-be-tested object is also provided.

Abstract: A thermometer for determining the temperature of an animal's ear drum. The thermometer includes a probe, an infrared-radiation detector adapted to receive infrared radiation emitted by the ear drum, and devices that help insure that the probe is disposed in a desired position in the ear canal so as to optimize the infrared radiation received from the ear drum, and to minimize the infrared radiation received from other ear parts. A method of using the thermometer is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a finger-motion detecting apparatus and method and includes a sensing unit to be disposed on a wrist of a subject person, said sensing unit being configured to output a measurement signal into the wrist of the subject person and to receive a reflected signal of the measurement signal according to the motion of tendons in the wrist of the subject person, a signal control unit configured to control whether the measurement signal is outputted and to adjust the measurement signal on the basis of the reflected signal, and a finger-motion recognizing unit configured to detect finger motion of the subject person from the reflected signal. According to the present invention, since a sensor capable of detecting finger motion is worn on a wrist, the problem of inconvenience in existing methods is resolved.

Abstract: A method of measuring with a coordinate measurement device and a target sensor a sense characteristic and a surface set associated with the sense characteristic, the method including the steps of: providing the target sensor having a body, a first retroreflector, a sensor, and a sensor processor, providing the coordinate measurement device, sending the first beam of light from the coordinate measurement device to the first retroreflector; receiving the second beam of light from the first retroreflector; measuring the orientational set and the translational set, the translational set based at least in part on the second beam of light; determining the surface set; sensing the sense characteristic; and saving the surface set and the sense characteristic.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining freshness of living creatures obtained from sea. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a container containing the living creatures, wherein the container has an outside surface that is transparent. The embodiment includes a non-contact infra-red thermometer placed outside the container used to detect body temperature of the living creatures from outside the container. In the embodiment, the system includes a camera physically attached to the thermometer, wherein the camera captures images of the living creatures in the container. Further, the system includes a set of rf readers and a set of rf emitters to detect the living creatures passing by.

Abstract: A finger vein authentication apparatus includes an image pickup device that creates two kinds of picked-up images by performing line scanning in both of a direction along a lengthwise direction of a finger and a direction orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of the finger, and an imaging range detection unit that detects a relative position of an imaging range of the finger by using at least one of a crease pattern near a first joint and a crease pattern near a second joint of the finger existing in at least one of two kinds of vein patterns.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioner with spatial recognition and detection functions for deciding room shape by determining, based on temperature difference information between the floor and walls occurring during air conditioning operation, a human body detection position log, and a capacity zone of the air conditioner. In an embodiment, an infrared sensor detects a temperature of an area of the room by scanning the area and a control unit acquires thermal image data of the area scanned by the infrared sensor and then calculates a temperature of a wall of the room from the acquired thermal image data. The control unit detects a human body in the room from the thermal image data, calculates a distance between the body and the wall, and calculates a radiation temperature from the wall for the body based on the calculated temperature of the wall and the distance between the body and the wall.

Abstract: A system (8) for monitoring a high-temperature region of interest in a turbine engine (10) is provided. The system includes an internally cooled stationary vane (12) located in a path of a working gas of the turbine. A monitoring port (14) is located in the stationary vane. A monitoring instrument (16) is operatively connected to the monitoring port of the stationary vane to provide a field of view of the region of interest.

Abstract: A device can be made operable to distinguish between materials impinging on a predefined area based at least in part on differentials within sets of data indicative of measurable characteristics of the materials impinging on the defined area. Such a device can trigger a protection mechanism based at least in part on identification of such differentials.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for performing surface type detection in connection with locate and marking operations. In some embodiments, one or more sensors (e.g., radiation sensors, acoustic sensors, color sensors, light sensors, etc.) may be employed to collect information regarding a surface, such as a ground surface on which marking material is to be dispensed to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility. The collected sensor data may be analyzed to provide an estimate of a type of the surface that is being sensed. For example, a still-image or video camera may be used as a sensor that detects visible light reflecting from a surface. One or more images of the surface captured by the camera may be analyzed using some suitable image analysis software to identify one or more characteristics (e.g., color, intensity, randomness, presence/absence of lines, etc.) that may be indicative of a surface type.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining variable thickness of a coating on a surface of a substrate using in part a flash-lamp source, capable of generating a thermal pulse at the coating surface, and a image capture and processing device capable of capture sequential image frames of the coating surface, whereas each sequential image frame corresponds to an elapsed time and comprises a pixel array, and wherein each pixel of the array corresponds to a location on the coating surface. A method of calculating coating thickness is also provided.

Abstract: Radiance efficiency measurement. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium includes executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to calculate, based on input radiation data, which is based on radiation from a radiation source, a difference of a radiance of the radiation source and a radiance of a background to the radiation source. The one or more processors are further caused to calculate, based on the difference, a transmissivity of the radiation source such that the calculated transmissivity of the radiation source is defined for flare combustion temperatures. The one or more processors are further caused to output the transmissivity of the radiation source.

Abstract: A method for measuring the intra-die temperature of a wafer with a fast response time is described. The method includes providing a wafer in a thermal process chamber, radiating the wafer in a first predetermined radiation range to heat the wafer to a predetermined temperature range for a predetermined time, receiving the radiation reflected from a die area while the wafer is being heated and detecting reflected radiation having a second predetermined radiation range, and determining a temperature of the die area by a processor being responsive to the detected second predetermined radiation range.

Abstract: A non-destructive evaluation system and method is provided for detecting flaws in an object. The system includes a lamp for impinging the object with optical pulses and a focal plane array camera configured to capture the images corresponding to evolution of heat due to an impact of the optical pulses in the object. The system also includes an image acquisition system for capturing data corresponding to the images from the focal plane array camera. Both transmission mode imaging and reflection mode imaging techniques are used in an exemplary embodiment. A time of flight analysis system is also provided for analyzing the data from both transmission mode imaging technique and reflection mode imaging technique. The data from transmission mode imaging is used to determine thickness values at different points in the data and for determining location of flaws using the thickness values. The data from reflection mode imaging is used for determining depth of these flaws.

Abstract: A method of classifying an electromagnetic-energy emitting source event as one of a first, second, and third class event includes registering an irradiance spectrum from the source event. The intensity of the energy emitted from the source event is measured within each of first, second and third energy sub-ranges and first, second and third relative-energy values are associated with, respectively, the first, second and third energy sub-ranges. A first class-eliminating determination is rendered by comparing to one another a first selected set of two of the relative-energy values, thereby yielding two remaining-candidate event classes. When necessary, a second class-eliminating determination renders the proper classification for the source event by comparing to one another a second selected set of relative-energy values including the relative-energy value not selected for inclusion in the first selected set of two relative-energy values and one of the previously selected relative-energy values.

Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating installation of one or more electronics racks within a data center. The method includes: placing a plurality of thermal simulators in the data center in a data center layout to establish a thermally simulated data center, each thermal simulator simulating at least one of airflow intake or heated airflow exhaust of a respective electronics rack of a plurality of electronics racks to be installed in the data center; monitoring temperature within the thermally simulated data center at multiple locations, and verifying the data center layout if measured temperatures are within respective acceptable temperature ranges for the data center when containing the plurality of electronics racks; and establishing the plurality of electronics racks within the data center using the verified data center layout, the establishing including at least one of reconfiguring or replacing each thermal simulator with a respective electronics rack.

Abstract: A method for measurement of a film cooling effect is disclosed. Film cooling is a technique developed to protect gas turbine engine components from the extremely high temperatures created during its operation. A controlled air pressure is ducted into the hollow interior of the component and the mass rate of air flowing through the plurality of film cooling features or openings is measured. A coolant is then injected into the hollow interior of the component and allowed to flow out of a film cooling feature onto the heated outer surface of the component. The resulting infrared signature is a measure of the relative cooling effect generated by the individual film cool feature. The film cooling effect for an individual feature is quantified as the proportion of mass rate of airflow contributed by its relative individual cooling effect. The area, location and shape of the cooling effect are further classified to determine the degree of conformance to its design intent.

Abstract: A thermometer for determining the temperature of an animal's ear drum. The thermometer includes a probe, an infrared-radiation detector adapted to receive infrared radiation emitted by the ear drum, and devices that help insure that the probe is disposed in a desired position in the ear canal so as to optimize the infrared radiation received from the ear drum, and to minimize the infrared radiation received from other ear parts. A method of using the thermometer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the freezing temperature of an ice-water mixture on a road surface. Reference measurements of ice-to-water ratios in dependence on road temperatures for different salt contents of reference ice-water mixtures are provided to the device. The thickness of a water layer on the road surface is detected and the thickness of an ice layer of the road surface is detected by the device and method. From the detected thickness of the water layer and the detected thickness of the ice layer, an ice-to-water ratio of the ice-water mixture is determined. The temperature of the road surface is also detected. The freezing temperature of the ice-water mixture is determined by the device and method from the determined ice-to-water ratio and the detected temperature by means of the provided reference measurements.

Abstract: The present invention provides for simple and streamlined boresight correlation of FLIR-to-missile video. Boresight correlation is performed with un-NUCed missile video, which allows boresight correlation and NUC to be performed simultaneously thereby reducing the time required to acquire a target and fire the missile. The current approach uses the motion of the missile seeker for NUCing to produce spatial gradient filtering in the missile image by differencing images as the seeker moves. This compensates DC non-uniformities in the image. A FLIR image is processed with a matching displace and subtract spatial filter constructed based on the tracked scene motion. The FLIR image is resampled to match the missile image resolution, and the two images are preprocessed and correlated using conventional methods. Improved NUC is provided by cross-referencing multiple measurements of each area of the scene as viewed by different pixels in the imager.

Abstract: A data processing system detects an ordinary consumer positioned in a specific space using an ultrasonic sensor, and detects specific temperature generated from the specific consumable commodity consumed by the ordinary consumer using an IR sensor. In this process, a sensor driving unit integrally moves the ultrasonic sensor and the IR sensor so as to direct them to the ordinary consumer whose position is detected, allows the IR sensor directed to the ordinary consumer to detect a specific temperature, and records the specific temperature and so forth as a consumption behavior. Accordingly, data regarding the consumption behavior, which is uncollectible at the points of time of order intake, production, shipping and selling of the specific consumable commodity, may be collected, making use of the specific temperature generated when the specific consumable commodity is consumed by the ordinary consumer.

Abstract: A temperature sensing unit senses a plurality of specific temperatures caused by a specific consumable commodity consumed by an ordinary consumer at a specific space, while allowing a behavior storage unit to store q plurality of combinations of the plurality of specific temperatures as a plurality of consumption behaviors of the specific consumable commodity by ordinary consumers. A behavior specifying unit specifies consumption behaviors which match a combination of the plurality of specific temperatures sensed for each piece of the specific consumable commodity, and a data collection unit compiles the specified consumption behavior. Accordingly, data regarding the consumption behaviors of the ordinary consumers, which are uncollectible at the points of time of order intake, production, shipping and selling and so forth of the specific consumable commodity, can be collected.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that determines the emissivity and temperature of a target object. A compact emitter capable of sequentially emitting blackbody-like radiation at two different temperatures is used to determine the target object's emissivity and temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a temperature measurement made with an infrared thermometer is accurate is disclosed. An infrared sensor array is used to detect infrared radiation from a target object. By analyzing the relative values of output signals from the individual sensor elements, a determination can be made whether radiation from the target object sufficiently fills the field of view of the detecting element of the instrument. A temperature measurement is considered accurate if this criteria is met.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method including hardware and software, which allows collecting and analyzing data to obtain information about mechanical properties of soft materials in a much faster way. The apparatus can be used as a stand-alone deice or an add-on to the existing AFM device. The apparatus allows collecting dynamical measurements using a set of multiple frequencies of interest at once, in one measurement instead of sequential, one frequency in a time; measurements.