Abstract: A device receives current vehicle data that describes a current state of each of a plurality of components of the vehicle. The device accesses historical data describing prior services previously performed on the vehicle and applies the current vehicle data and the historical vehicle data to a trained machine learning model to obtain a set of recommended services, where the model was trained using labeled training data associated with additional vehicles having a threshold similarity to the vehicle. The machine learning model is trained to output a set of recommended services to be performed for a given vehicle based on inputs of given current vehicle data and given historical vehicle data for the given vehicle. The device outputs for display the set of recommended services to be performed on the vehicle to a user.

Abstract: The package dimensioning device is configured for ascertaining measurements of cuboidal and boxed items to provide data to computer-implemented package management processes. The device has a base and a vertical support member. The base is configured to receive a package thereon and includes a weight sensor. There are multiple space-apart contactless sensors including a top sensor carried by the vertical support member, and side sensors positioned adjacent sides of the base which output dimensional data signals related to a height, length and width of the package. A control unit is communicatively coupled to the weight sensor and multiple spaced apart sensors and configured to calculate weight, height, length and width measurements of the package based upon the weight data signal and dimensional data signals.

Abstract: A method for controlling an automation process in real time based on a change profile of at least one process variable, comprises determining a first change profile by a real-time-capable recognition method based on a non-linear optimization process taking into consideration at least one boundary condition of the process variable, determining a second change profile by a numerical algorithm based on the first change profile, including adapting a selected profile function to the first change profile by a numerical adaptation process and identifying the adapted profile function as a second change profile, checking whether the second change profile satisfies at least one secondary condition of the process variable, controlling the automation process based on the second change profile if the second change profile satisfies the secondary condition, and controlling the automation process based on a predetermined fallback profile if the second change profile does not satisfy the secondary condition.

Abstract: A method can include identifying an inspected object with an inspection device; viewing the inspected object through an augmented reality device to identify points; and measuring a thickness of a layer at the inspection points. In response to detecting a region of interest on the surface of the inspected object, an image of the region of interest can be taken. By operation of communication circuits, at least the thickness measurements and images can be transmitted to a server system. A value of the inspected object can be adjusted based on at least the thickness measurements and images from the at least one inspection device. Corresponding devices and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rigging equipment diagnostic device includes a processor and a storage to store a program to be executed by the processor. The processor executes an equipment information collection process in which information on equipment fitted to a hull is collected, an attribute information acquisition process in which an attribute database to store attribute information including information on functions to be realized is searched and attribute information on equipment fitted to the hull is acquired, a requirement information acquisition process in which requirement information is acquired by searching a requirement database that stores requirement information necessary to realize functions corresponding to respective attribute information, a function determination process in which a realizable function and an unrealizable function are determined by comparing equipment information and requirement information, and a function information provision process in which the determination result is provided.

Abstract: A controllable force cushion device that can be programmed to provide a variable and/or pulsating force that can be used in any application where force control is desirable. The frequency of the pulsation can be adjusted to suit different applications and/or circumstances (e.g., forming of sheet metals in die applications, etc.). The cushion can comprise one or more manifolds containing hydraulic cylinders that can be compressed during operation pushing fluid through a proportional relief valve that can be controlled by a motion control device, thereby creating a desired force. Material (e.g., sheet metal, etc.) flow can be controlled by using a gap control method. In use, the variable pulsating, gap control, auto-learning press cushion device of the present invention can optionally be mounted to the underside of a press bolster and can be used in conjunction with a stamping press.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for elastic delivery, processing, and storage for wearable devices based on system resources. For example, a wearable apparatus may have at least one battery; at least one sensor configured to measure at least one property associated with a user of the wearable apparatus; at least one memory storing measurements from the at least one sensor and instructions; at least one transmitter configured to send data to a device remote from the wearable apparatus; and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to: receive, from the at least one battery, an indicator of a charge; and based on the received indicator, sending a command to the at least one sensor to operate in a low-power mode or a high-power mode, the low-power mode having. a lower sampling rate than the high-power mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein increase a scan rates of parcels within a material handling facility. In some instances, the systems and methods described herein focus an imaging device on a label attached to a parcel to capture image data of the label that is in focus. This permits the image data to be analyzed for discerning shipping identifiers that are used for sortation and/or processing the parcels. For example, a height of the parcel may be determined and a field of view (FOV) associated with capturing the image data may be correspondingly adjusted. Furthermore, other setting(s) associated with imaging the parcels may be adjusted. For example, lighting conditions may be adjusted to reduce glare, contrast, and/or brightness captured within the image(s), and/or other setting(s) of the imaging device may be updated, such as gain and exposure.

Abstract: An object tracking method using traffic information, includes the steps of: receiving a travel route request for a first vehicle from a terminal; and allowing a database, in which a record for each of a plurality of frames included in images captured by a plurality of cameras for photographing traffic information is stored and includes an object tag and an event tag recognized in each frame, to provide, while searching for the record in chronological order, route information including photographing position information and/or images corresponding to a continuous first record section including an object tag corresponding to first vehicle information, a second record including an object tag and a stopover event tag corresponding to the first vehicle information, and a continuous third record section, which is continuous to the second record and includes an object tag corresponding to first person information included in the stopover event tag of the second record.

Abstract: In a method of measuring moisture in corn, an ear of corn is operatively coupled to a moisture meter and an amount of moisture is determined while the ear of corn is being grown on a corn plant. The moisture meter can use a spectrometry to determine the amount of moisture in the corn. A moisture meter includes a corn interface configured to conformingly engage the ear of corn when pressed against the ear of corn to form an optical seal about an opening through which the spectrometer determines the amount of moisture in the corn to inhibit ambient light from passing between the corn interface and the ear of corn into the at least one opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for determining an output value, the sensor having: a detection unit configured to detect a sensor signal; a preprocessing unit configured to determine an intermediate signal on the basis of the sensor signal and of a predefined reference signal; and an evaluation unit that is trained in accordance with a machine learning method and that is configured to determine the output value on the basis of the intermediate signal.

Abstract: A thickness prediction network learning method includes measuring spectrums of optical characteristics of a plurality of semiconductor structures each including a substrate and first and second semiconductor material layers alternately stacked thereon to generate sets of spectrum measurement data, measuring thicknesses of the first and second semiconductor material layers to generate sets of thickness data, training a simulation network using the sets of spectrum measurement data and the sets of thickness data, generating sets of spectrum simulation data of spectrums of the optical characteristics of a plurality of virtual semiconductor structures based on thicknesses of first and second virtual semiconductor material layers using the simulation network, each of the first and second virtual semiconductor layers including the same material as the first and second semiconductor material layers, respectively; and training a thickness prediction network by using the sets of spectrum measurement data and the sets

Abstract: Provided are a diagnostic device and the like for easily diagnosing the condition of the interior of a pipeline. This diagnostic device is provided with: a frictional loss calculating unit which, on the basis of the pressure of a fluid in the pipeline, finds a pressure frictional loss; and a diagnosing unit which diagnoses the condition of the inner surface of the pipeline on the basis of the frictional loss.

Abstract: A processor may receive, from one or more electronic control units (ECUs) of a particular vehicle, vehicle-system data including information about a state of one or more vehicle-systems of the particular vehicle. Also, the processor may receive, from one or more data sources other than the one or more ECUs, other input data indicative of a state of the particular vehicle. Based on the vehicle-system data and on the other input data, the processor may determine repair information to be specified in a repair order (RO) associated with the particular vehicle. Further, the processor may generate an RO specifying at least the determined repair information, wherein the generated RO is associated with the particular vehicle. Then, the processor may direct a display device to display at least one visual indication representative of the generated RO.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing fluid resources are disclosed. A system or method may comprise developing an accurate fluid resource need that allows for expedited true up of fluid resource deliver from resource suppliers to a utility provider. The system and methods for delivering a fluid resource may include calculating a regression line based on fluid resource usage, and an associated temperature during the usage period, and a forecasted temperature for a future time period when the fluid resource will needed. The regression line may be used to obtain the amount fluid resource needed from resource suppliers for deliver by a utility provider to customers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for elastic delivery, processing, and storage for wearable devices based on system resources. For example, a wearable apparatus may have at least one battery; at least one sensor configured to measure at least one property associated with a user of the wearable apparatus; at least one memory storing measurements from the at least one sensor and instructions; at least one transmitter configured to send data to a device remote from the wearable apparatus; and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to: receive, from the at least one battery, an indicator of a charge; and based on the received indicator, sending a command to the at least one sensor to operate in a low-power mode or a high-power mode, the low-power mode having. a lower sampling rate than the high-power mode.

Abstract: A technique includes providing a cost model to predict a total cost for supporting a computer-based product system. The cost model predicts preventive, reactive and deferred components of the total cost. The technique includes determining features of the support and computer-based product system based at least in part on the cost model.

Abstract: The present invention provides a general four-port on-wafer high frequency de-embedding method. The method comprises: for each on-wafer de-embedding dummy, building a model considering the distributive nature of high frequency characteristics of the on-wafer de-embedding dummy; obtaining the intrinsic Y-parameter admittance matrix of said N on-wafer de-embedding dummies by calculation or simulation by using said models; and solving the equation set which the corresponding measurement and calculation or simulation data of said on-wafer de-embedding dummies satisfy for the elements of the related admittance matrices of the parasitic four-port network to be stripped in de-embedding and model parameters of models on which said calculation or simulation is based.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided. The method may include receiving or identifying a first point cloud associated with a train-time object or model. The method may further include selecting one or more probes associated with the first point cloud wherein selection of the one or more probes is based upon, at least in part, a score of a particular feature associated with the first point cloud. The method may also include analyzing a second point cloud associated with a run-time object, wherein the analysis is based upon the first point cloud. This analysis may produce an estimate of the difference in pose between the train time object and the run time object. Pose estimates may be obtained by matching points between the two point clouds based in part on features used during probe selection. Pose estimates may be scored, and refined, using the points selected as probes.

Abstract: A method of polishing a substrate is disclosed. The method includes irradiating the substrate with light; measuring intensity of the reflected light; producing spectral waveform representing relationship between relative reflectance and wavelength of the light; performing a Fourier transform process on the spectral waveform to determine a thickness of the film and a corresponding strength of frequency component; determining whether the determined thickness of the film is reliable or not by comparing the strength of frequency component with a threshold value; calculating a defective data rate representing a proportion of the number of unreliable measured values to the total number of measured values; and changing the threshold value based on the defective data rate.

Abstract: A method for detecting a narrow road includes calculating relative heights of points from a distance measuring sensor to a ground based on distance information. A left boundary point and a right boundary point, at which a difference in relative heights from adjacent points becomes maximal, are acquired. A road boundary line of a driving road is acquired based on the left boundary point and the right boundary point depending on a movement trajectory of the vehicle when a difference in relative heights at the left boundary point and the right boundary point is more than or equal to a reference value. A road width of the driving road is calculated based on the road boundary line. It is detected whether the driving road of the vehicle is a narrow road based on the road width.

Abstract: A method of generating a library of reference spectra includes storing an optical model for a layer stack having at a plurality of layers, receiving user input identifying a set of one or more refractive index functions and a set of one or more extinction coefficient functions a first layer from the plurality of layers, wherein the set of one or more refractive index functions includes a plurality of different refractive index functions or the set of one or more extinction coefficient functions includes a plurality of different extinction coefficient functions, and for each combination of a refractive index function from the set of refractive index functions and an extinction coefficient function from the set of extinction coefficient functions, calculating a reference spectrum using the optical model based on the refractive index function, the extinction coefficient function and a first thickness of the first layer.

Abstract: A probe card for an electric test of a device under test on a working table incorporating a heat source includes a circuit base plate including conductive paths connected to a tester, a probe base plate including conductive paths corresponding to the conductive paths and provided with probes connected to the conductive paths, and a heat expansion adjusting member bonded to the probe base plate, having a different linear expansion coefficient from that of the probe base plate to restrain heat expansion of the probe base plate, and constituting a composite body with the probe base plate. In a case where, when the device under test is at two measuring temperatures, the composite body is at corresponding achieving temperatures, expansion changing amounts of the device under test and the composite body under temperature differences between the respective measuring temperatures and the corresponding achieving temperatures are set to be approximately equal.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating layers, including interlayer gaps, in a multi-layer structure; the multi-layer structure presenting a plurality of edges generally aligned athwart an axis; the apparatus includes: (a) a sensing unit configured for sensing at least one parameter; (b) a positioning unit coupled with the sensing unit; the positioning unit being configured to effect moving the sensing unit generally along the axis; and (c) a control unit coupled with at least one of the positioning unit and the sensing unit. The control unit provides an electrical signal to the sensing unit. The control unit monitors changes in the at least one parameter as the sensing unit moves past the plurality of edges. The control unit employs the changes in the at least one parameter to effect the evaluating.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for cutting a food product into slices for producing portions by taking into account the target weight thereof. Information about a remainder of the food product to be sliced is used to control corresponding actuators for a successive food product to be sliced.

Abstract: A method of measuring the thickness of a coating layer of a workpiece, the layer being formed on a substrate of the workpiece. The method comprises several steps. First, feeding a probe alternating electrical signal to induction device in order to induce a magnetic field in the workpiece. Second, measuring at least one physical characteristic that varies as a function of the magnetic field induced in the workpiece. Third, determining first and second values of an indicator, the values being determined respectively from measurements of the physical characteristic taken when the electrical signal has first and second given frequencies. Forth, calculating the difference between the first and second values of the indicator and determining the thickness of the coating layer as a function of the difference and of predetermined data correlating: the difference between the values of the indicator; and corresponding values for thicknesses of the coating layer.

Abstract: A low cost method of measuring parameters of a product in the field, such as the coating thickness on an individual vehicle, sends the measurement data set to a common pocket-size device also carried by the inspector, labels the data set, and transmits the data set to a remote computer to produce a product condition report. Alternately, the data can be transmitted directly to a remote buyer. The method is a low cost, practical and efficient because the inspector in the field only requires two pocket-size wireless devices. Inspectors are freed from carrying relatively bulky or heavy computers in the field. Furthermore, the method employs devices already owned by a numerous inspectors and the method requires no proprietary or expensive equipment. The remote computer permits the efficient addition of further information to create detailed reports that are organized or compiled and transmitted to customers.

Abstract: A cooling fan having a motor is disclosed. The cooling fan includes a stator assembly and an impeller. The stator assembly includes a shaft-coupling portion and a coil unit. The impeller includes a hub and a magnetic element. An axial air gap is formed between the magnetic element and the coil unit. A height between a bottom face of the shaft-coupling portion and a top face of the hub is from 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm. The coil unit has a first maximum width, and the hub has a second maximum width. A ratio of the first maximum width to the second maximum width is from 0.7 to 1.3. A method for determining the dimensional proportion of the motor includes selecting a ratio of a first maximum width to a second maximum width as 0.7 to 1.3, and determining the values of the first and second maximum widths.

Abstract: Techniques for quantifying ?Dfin in FINFET technology are provided. In one aspect, a method for quantifying ?Dfin between a pair of long channel FINFET devices includes the steps of: (a) obtaining Vth values for each of the long channel FINFET devices in the pair; (b) determining a ?Vth for the pair of long channel FINFET devices; and (c) using the ?Vth to determine the ?Dfin between the pair of long channel FINFET devices, wherein the ?Vth is a function of a difference in a Qbody and a gate capacitance between the pair of long channel FINFET devices, and wherein the Qbody is a function of Dfin and Nch for each of the long channel FINFET devices in the pair, and as such the ?Vth is proportional to the ?Dfin between the pair of long channel FINFET devices.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides an ejection volume correction method for an inkjet head, including: an arranging step of ejecting functional ink as ink droplets from nozzles of an inkjet head so as to discretely arrange the ink droplets on a front surface of a substrate; a contacting step of filling the functional ink in between a mold and the substrate by causing the mold to contact the ink droplets arranged on the front surface of the substrate; a curing step of curing the filled functional ink so as to generate a functional film ; a separating step of separating the mold from the functional film; a measuring step of measuring a thickness of the functional film; and a correcting step of correcting an ejection volume from the nozzles based on the measured thickness.

Abstract: A coating thickness measuring instrument has a probe for measuring the thickness of a coating applied to a substrate and producing an output relating to the measured thickness; a memory storing calibration data; and a processor arranged to process the output produced by the probe, together with calibration data stored by the memory, and produce a coating thickness measurement. The memory stores at least two sets of calibration data, each set associated with a different surface profile value and a user may select the set of calibration data to be used by the processor according to the surface profile of the substrate on which a measurement is to be made. This enables a user to make coating thickness measurements on substrates with at least two different, known, surface profiles without having to calibrate the instrument specifically for those surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring substrate media thickness including a nip assembly having a first nip for engaging substrate media and transporting the media along a process direction. The first nip has a nip velocity. A sensor is in operative communication with the first nip for sensing the nip velocity. A processor is operably connected to the sensor. The processor determines a media thickness responsive to a change in nip velocity detected by the velocity sensor upon entry of the media in the first nip.

Abstract: A method for developing a landfill with a compactor machine having a three-dimensional position sensing equipment, a computer, and a display. The method includes traversing the worksite with the compactor machine and determining deflection of the worksite at a plurality of locations while each of the locations is beneath the compactor machine. The compactor machine defines wheel tracks over which a plurality of wheels pass while traversing the worksite. The method includes recording the determined deflection of each of the locations on the display. The deflection may be recorded beneath only the wheel tracks of the compactor machine, such that areas passing between the wheel tracks of the compactor machine are not recorded on the display.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, package evaluation systems and methods are provided for evaluating the sustainability of packaging used in the shipment of goods. In particular, the package evaluation systems and methods are configured for performing package evaluations and managing and providing access to data resulting from package evaluations. The package evaluations are designed to assess, among other things, the ability of sample packages to prevent damage to their contents, the volumetric efficiency of sample packages, and the sustainability of the materials used to construct sample packages. In addition, the systems and methods are further configured for assigning a certification to an entity associated with the evaluated packages based on the results of the evaluation.

Abstract: An exemplary gas turbine engine component assembly includes, among other things, a case having a generally cylindrical outer surface. At least one synchronizing ring is received at least partially about the outer surface of the case. A plurality shims situated between an inner surface on the at least one synchronizing ring and the outer surface of the case at a plurality of shim locations are circumferentially spaced about the case outer surface. Each shim location includes at least one of the shims. A radial thickness of the shims at a first one of the shim locations is different than the radial thickness of the shims at a second one of the shim locations.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing thin sections of a sample by means of a microtome is described, in which a camera acquires at least one image of a surface generated by sectioning of the sample. With the aid of an evaluation device, the image of the surface is evaluated in terms of predefined characteristic values of a section quality. As a function of the characteristic values that are identified, a decision is then made as to whether the section of the sample is accepted or not.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for deposition monitoring in a water system comprising a deposition measurement system, a DC power supply connected to a conductive deposition monitoring surface and a counter electrode, the apparatus has a first treatment configuration and a second treatment configuration, wherein one of the treatment configurations removes biofilm from the conductive deposition monitoring surface, and the other treatment configuration removes inorganic scale deposition from the conductive deposition monitoring surface.

Abstract: A test device includes a test port, a storage unit, and a processing unit. The test port connects to a test line including a test probe. The storage unit stores a relationship table defining relationships between various thicknesses of coatings and readings from the test probe. The processing unit includes a detection module, a power control module, and a result analysis module. The detection module detects a test signal to start a test and continue for a period of time. The power control module provides power to the test port for the test period. The test probe produces a stimulus signal when receiving the power from the test port, and produces a feedback signal containing a reading when the power voltage is cut off. The result analysis module obtains the particular reading and determines the thickness of the coating according to the relationship table.

Abstract: Methods for optimizing conductor patterns for conductors formed by ECP and CMP processes. A method includes receiving layout data for an IC design where electrochemical plating (ECP) processes form patterned conductors in at least one metal layer over a semiconductor wafer; determining from the received layout data a global effects factor corresponding to a global pattern density; determining layout effects factors for unit grid areas corresponding to the pattern density of the at least one metal layer within the unit grid areas, determining local effects factors for each unit grid area; using a computing device, executing an ECP simulator using at least one of the global effects factor and the local effects factors, and using the layout effects factor; outputting an predicted post-ECP hump data map from the ECP simulator; and if indicated by a threshold comparison, modifying the layout data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the vibration of rotating blades, such as turbines, compressors, fans, or pumps, including sensing the return signal from projected energy and/or field changes from a plurality of sensors mounted on the machine housing. One or more of the sensors has a narrow field of measurement and the data is processed to provide the referenced time of arrival of each blade, and therefore the blade tip deflection due to vibration. One or more of the sensors has a wide field of measurement, providing a time history of the approaching and receding blades, and the data is processed to provide frequency content and relative magnitudes of the active mode(s) of blade vibration. By combining the overall tip deflection magnitude with the relative magnitudes of the active modes, the total vibratory stress state of the blade can be determined.

Abstract: Methods of determining three-dimensional perceived softness of baby care products based on assessed parameters of the products, for use in the design of new baby care products or changes in their raw materials.

Abstract: Electronic supervision may be provided. First, a stock number may be sent to a database server. The stock number may correspond to an electrical cable. In response to sending the database server the stock number, specification information corresponding to the product may be received from a database stored on the database server. The specification information may be, for an electrical cable, a number of wires, a weight per thousand feet, and a diameter. Next, product production may be monitored to determine faults occurring during production. Monitoring the production may include displaying a data monitoring screen to production personnel. The data monitoring screen may provide data regarding the product and product comparison against a standard maintained within the database for the product. Fault data corresponding to the determined faults occurring during the production may be saved to the database.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a thickness of at least one insulating layer of a printed circuit board (PCB), the at least one insulating layer having a transmission line located thereon. The apparatus includes an impedance measurement unit configured to input a plurality of input signals to the transmission line, each of the input signals having a respective frequency, to receive output signals from the transmission line, and to determine impedance values of the at least one insulating layer based on the input signals and the output signals; and a thickness calculation unit configured to calculate a thickness of the at least one insulating layer based on the impedance values.

Abstract: A method for calibration of a thickness gauge is provided in which the thickness gauge measures the thickness of a measured object in a stipulated measurement direction with at least one displacement sensor, operating contactless or by scanning, a reference object with known thickness and shape being brought into at least one partial area of the measurement field of the at least one displacement sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting sealant on an object. First data is generated for a first geometry of a first surface of the object prior to sealing the object. Second data is generated for a second geometry of a second surface of the object after the sealant has been applied to the object. A difference is identified between the first data and the second data. The difference indicates a thickness of the sealant on the object.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring ice thickness on a first surface of a construction element. The device includes a sensor arrangement arranged in connection with the construction element and arranged to provide signals related to an impedance. A processing unit is coupled to the sensor arrangement and arranged to determine the presence of ice based on the provided impedance signals. A reference sensor arrangement is arranged to generate reference impedance measurement signals. The processing unit is further arranged to determine the ice thickness based on determinations of a relation between the impedance signals determined by the sensor arrangement and the reference impedance values generated by the reference sensor arrangement.

Abstract: A system for measuring the displacement of a surface in a material handling system relative to a base reference is provided. The system includes scanning means to generate point cloud data of the surface relative to a reference point to define a three-dimensional image of the surface, storage means to store base reference data in respect of the base reference, and processing means to process the point cloud data and the base reference data to determine the relative displacement of the surface with respect to the base reference. The processing means includes a referencing means to orientate the point cloud data relative to key reference data of the base surface and transforming the point cloud data and the base reference data into a common co-ordinate system, and displacement processing means to calculate the displacement between the surface and the base reference using both sets of data in the co-ordinate system.

Abstract: A system and method by which thickness of a dielectric film on substrates can be noninvasively determined is invented. The system and method are especially applicable to areas and applications where traditional techniques have proven unsuccessful or limited. According to embodiments of the present invention the present system and method can be used to measure film thickness in confined and inaccessible locations, and on substrates of complex geometry. The method can be used with an arbitrary and time varying orientation of the substrate-film interface. The measurements of the film thickness on the inside of open or enclosed channels of an arbitrary geometry, and on flexible substrates are possible. With multiple embedded sensors, the film thickness in different lateral locations can be simultaneously measured. The dielectric permittivity of the FUT as a function of the distance from the substrate of the film can also be measured.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a presumably defective portion decision apparatus, including: an arithmetic operation section configured to divide a level difference included in level difference data which indicate a level difference distribution on the surface of a semiconductor device into two or more unit level differences in the depthwise direction of the level difference and determine, for each of the unit level differences obtained by the division, a relationship between the height of a contour line at a level difference position of an upper face and an area of an opening surrounded by the contour line to decide presence or absence of a presumably defective portion.

Abstract: A method of measuring the maximum thickness of a mailpiece while it is moving through a mail-handling machine. The method includes: acquiring a thickness measurement; recording the measured value in a register; determining a maximum value and a minimum value of the register; determining a difference between said maximum value and minimum value, and comparing the difference with a predetermined threshold value; and if the difference is less than the threshold value, and if the maximum value is greater than a current maximum thickness value, taking the maximum value as the new current maximum thickness value for the mailpiece.