Abstract: A water heater is provided with monitor/diagnostic display apparatus that selectively provides a user with visual or other type of indicia of the recovery time for the water heater. The apparatus includes a monitoring unit that may be mounted on the water heater, and a display unit that may be mounted either on the water heater or remotely therefrom.

Abstract: A method for automatically creating a probability of detection (POD) curve of an entire network of transducers monitoring and detecting damage in a structure is based on the POD of each of the individual actuator-sensor paths. These individual path PODs may be generated in different ways, such as by experimentation or simulation. This technique makes it possible to create the POD curve of a structural health monitoring (SHM) system for the detection of damages in structures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method implementable with a software application for checking or assessing exceedances of process variables beyond safe operating limits is described. The process has instruments, a process history database, and one or more external databases. The instruments measure process variables and can be associated with the equipment. The process history database stores a plurality of values of the process variables measured by the instruments. Data of the equipment, the associated instrument, and the safe operating limit for the equipment is defined in a limit sequence of the software application. The process history database is searched for one or more exceedance values that are measured by the defined instrument and that exceed the defined safe operating limit. The “apparent” exceedance values are then imported into the software application. Finally, the user uses the software application to evaluate and validate the exceedance values.

Abstract: The system for detecting a failure on a communication network according to an objective basis by analyzing an alarm log output by a management server of the communication network and evaluating a degree of abnormality of the communication network tracing back to a more significant factor causing the alarm, calculates an occurrence intensity of the more significant factor 500 causing an alarm based on the recording contents of the alarm, and detects a failure derived from the more significant factor of the communication network based on the calculated intensity of occurrence of said more significant factor 500.

Abstract: A computer-readable electronic services management system for a mobile communications network, comprising a distributed network of agents in the form of collaborative autonomous software agents wherein the agents are configured to represent and act on behalf of a user and to communicate with each other to manage, for the user, one or more electronic services (e.g. electronic messages, a purchase etc.) via the user's communications devices. Multiple types of agents include a primary personal agent, a primary creation agent for creating other agents and subordinate agents, and a primary destruction agent for destroying agents meeting pre-determined criteria based on a threshold value in relation to an agent value coefficient. Collaboration between agents is by a private user whiteboard facility whereby collaborating agents post to the whiteboard addressed electronic services, including service tasks to be performed for the user, and extract from the whiteboard electronic services addressed to them.

Abstract: There is provided a ubiquitous monitoring system comprising a plurality of sensor nodes, one or more agent adapters receiving sensing data from the plurality of sensor nodes and determining to where the sensing data is transmitted according to one of characteristics of the plurality of sensing nodes and characteristics of the sensing data, one or more first monitoring agents receiving the sensing data from the agent adapter, one or more second monitoring agents receiving the sensing data from one of the agent adapter and the first monitoring agent, one or more third monitoring agents receiving the sensing data from one of the agent adapter and the second monitoring agent, and a monitoring engine receiving the sensing data from the third monitoring agent and monitoring the received sensing data.

Abstract: Arrangement and method for monitoring weather includes a sensor system arranged in vehicles for obtaining information about the weather in the vicinity of the vehicle, a communication system arranged in each vehicle and coupled to a respective sensor system for communicating the obtained weather information to a control station or other remote facility, and a transmission system arranged at the control station for transmitting weather conditions in an area in which the vehicles travel based on the information obtained by the vehicles. A positioning system may be arranged on each vehicle to determine its position so that the communication systems transmit the position of each vehicle along with the obtained information. A display may be arranged in each vehicle for displaying the transmitted weather conditions to an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: An integrity management system predicts abnormalities in complex systems before they occur based upon the prior history of abnormalities within the complex system. A topology of the nodes of a complex system is generated and data is collected from the system based on predetermined metrics. In combination with dynamic thresholding, fingerprints of the relevant nodes within a complex system at various time intervals prior to the occurrence of the abnormality are captured and weighted. The fingerprints can then be applied to real-time data to provide alerts of potential abnormality prior to their actual occurrence.

Abstract: A wafer handling mechanism is operated to place a wafer on a chuck. A chucking force is then applied to the wafer, whereby wafer support features of the chuck transfer a defect pattern onto a surface of the wafer. The surface of the wafer is analyzed by a defect metrology tool to obtain a mapping of the defect pattern transferred onto the surface of the wafer. A center coordinate of the chuck within a coordinate system of the wafer is determined by analyzing the defect pattern as transferred to the surface of the wafer. A spatial offset between the center coordinate of the chuck and the center of the wafer is determined. The spatial offset is used to adjust the wafer handling mechanism so as to enable alignment of the center of the wafer to the center coordinate of the chuck.

Abstract: After power supply from a backup power source to a volatile memory is restored from temporary suspension, a remaining data determining section determines whether data of change history remaining in the volatile memory is data that has been stored immediately before the suspension of the power supply. When it is determined that the data remaining in the volatile memory is not the data that has been stored immediately before suspension of the power supply, a reference value learning section moves an actuator to a limit position, assigns the reference value to an initial value, and clears the change history. When suspension of the power supply from the backup power source reoccurs before completion of the reference value learning by the reference value learning section, a control section invalidates the determination of the remaining data determining section and performs the reference value learning, after the power supply is restored.

Abstract: An in-vehicle apparatus is connected with a portable terminal to enable communications. The in-vehicle apparatus then acquires an ID code of the portable terminal and opens a log file corresponding to the ID code, registering a record describing a vehicle compartment environment, etc. When the vehicle compartment is under an abnormal environment (high temperature, high humidity, or strong vibration environment), a record describing a duration of the abnormal environment is registered in the log file. In addition, when an operation anomaly occurs in the portable terminal or the vehicle compartment is under the abnormal environment, a record describing an operation state of the portable terminal is registered in the log file. Furthermore, when the connection between the portable terminal and the in-vehicle apparatus is released, a record describing a duration of the connection is registered in the log file.

Abstract: A device for monitoring eating behavior of a user is provided. The device includes at least one sensor mounted on a head of the user, the sensor being capable of detecting jaw muscle movement and sound while not occluding an ear canal of the user.

Abstract: A method may include and/or involve at least one mote of a mote network detecting a mechanical disturbance, and the at least one mote applying information about when the mechanical disturbance was detected in order to facilitate determination of a location of the at least one mote with respect to at least one other mote.

Abstract: An instrument (1) and a method for measuring pulses of partial electrical discharges in an electrical system comprise data processing means (5) operatively associated both with an input stage (2), able to receive an analogue signal (3) representing said pulses and to provide a digital representation of the entire wave form of the pulses, to receive said digital representation, extract the value of predetermined parameters relating to the wave form of the pulses and transfer to and output stage (4) a processed digital signal comprising said values, the processing means (5) being able to operate substantially in real time, i.e. with no need for a memory for the intermediate storage of the data.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a user's usage of a target application. Such a target application can, as examples, be a software program running on a computer or a workstation, an image forming device, an appliance, etc. The target application includes a user interface with a plurality of commands which a user can select. In the example of the target application being a software program, the commands may be icons displayed on a computer screen which a user can point to with a mouse pointer and then click on. In the case of the target application being an image forming device or an appliance, the interface may be an operation panel with buttons, a touch pad, etc. which a user can press. The present invention monitors the user's usage of such interfaces and logs data of the user's usage of such interfaces. The logged data is stored in a map mapping key data to value data. The logged data can then be communicated by the sending unit by Internet mail to a designated location.

Abstract: Ground support equipment for servicing an airplane includes a ground support equipment cart upon which are mounted at least two equipment modules and a control module. A first equipment module mounted upon the cart contains ground support equipment for servicing an airplane and also has a network connection, and at least one additional equipment module mounted upon the cart contains additional ground support equipment and also has a network connection. The control module has a user display and user controls that are connected to a control processor which has a network connection. The user display and the user controls serve as a shared control panel for the ground support equipment contained in the modules mounted upon the cart. In response the control processor sends over the network to one or more of the other modules information defining what particular services the selected type or class of airplane requires of the modules.

Abstract: A solution is provided that efficiently tracks user paths within a large network. Raw node visit data may be received that indicates which users visited which nodes in the network at which time. This data may then be organized into sessions. Unique pathviews may be calculated for each session of the nodes visit data as well as the frequency of occurrence of each unique path view. This information may then be used to understand how users are progressing through a network.

Abstract: Trigger-based application control may be provided. A work implement may receive an application trigger comprising a location-based condition. In response to determining that the work implement has entered the work area associated with the location-based condition, an application associated with the work implement may be received and initialized.

Abstract: A method for data assurance in server consolidation is provided. The method includes collecting an inventory of a plurality of source servers in a desired environment and performance data of such source servers, evaluating and checking a data structure of the performance data, applying predetermined time stamps, checks, and statistic computations to the performance data, and evaluating a data quality of the performance data.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing data after they are collected and stored locally in sensor units in a distributed sensor system, so that wired or wireless communication is not required during a data-collection session. Each sensor unit has a local clock providing local-clock times before and after a data-collection session, and a data processor uses its local clock or a sensor unit's local clock as the reference to compute each sensor unit's time-scaling factor, which is the ratio of the elapsed reference local-clock time and the elapsed local-clock time. The data processor uses the time-scaling factor to convert each sensor unit's local-clock data-sampling times to the reference local-clock data-sampling times, and the data processor subsequently interpolates sensor data to approximate simultaneous sensor-data values at desired reference local-clock times. A physical-activity monitoring system can use this synchronization method to reduce the size, power consumption, and cost of the sensor units.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring a use of a cable assembly that includes a communication cable terminated by a termination module. Data indicative of the use is written to a writeable non-volatile memory in the termination module. The use of the cable assembly is acted upon by reading the data from the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: Pre-trigger and post-trigger acquisition for a no dead time acquisition system, where the data being displayed does not include a related trigger event, has a variable record length buffer having a maximum record length equal to a maximum desired pre-trigger interval, and has a trigger FIFO and timer for delaying the related trigger event. The record length of the buffer is determined by the desired pre-trigger interval, and fast rasterizers access the oldest data that encompasses the desired pre-trigger data. A first trigger event in the trigger signal may be delayed by a desired post-trigger interval before the fast rasterizers begin drawing the waveform data that encompasses the desired post-trigger data.

Abstract: A compressor inlet pressure estimation apparatus for a refrigeration cycle system is disclosed. An electronic control unit 14 uses Tefin_lag(N) as an actual corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) during a period Tp1 included in the timing t1 to t2. During a period Tp2 included in the timing t1 to t2, Tefin_fwd(N) is used as the actual corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N). Thus, a highly accurate corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) can be determined over the on period (t1 to t2) of a compressor 2. In addition, Tefin_fwd(N) is used as the actual corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) during the off period (t2 to 3) of the compressor 2. As a result, a highly accurate corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) can be determined over the whole period including the on and off periods of the compressor 2. In this way, a highly accurate estimated value Ps_es(N) of the refrigerant inlet pressure of the compressor 2 can be determined.

Abstract: Performance of an Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) is measured using a service deployed on a server. A client runs a compiler to add an aspect to an archive that provides a service when deployed to the server. The aspect causes the server to timestamp marked messages. The archive with the added aspect, which is the aspectized archive, is deployed to the server. The client measures the performance of the service deployed to the server by using timestamps of the marked messages returned from the server.

Abstract: Monitoring and performance interfaces are disclosed for baler machines. The interfaces collect and analyze runtime and downtime data and present reports or varying detail to interested personnel that allow objective assessment of baler machine performance. Multiple baler machines may be monitored and analyzed to reveal human and machine-related issues that inhibit optimal performance but are otherwise extremely difficult to detect.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing virtual working pages are disclosed. One method includes storing a first set of parameters in a working page within the tested system, where the first set of parameters is used for calibration of the tested system. The method also includes storing a second set of parameters in a virtual working page within an observation system having a plurality of virtual working pages. The method further includes transferring the second set of parameters from the observation system to the tested system. The method also includes storing one or more parameters of the second set of parameters in the working page. A related user interface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a wind turbine. A monitoring signal, including an audio signal and/or an image signal, is received from a monitoring device. Operating data are calculated based on the received monitoring signal. An operating condition and/or a deviation is determined by comparing the operating data to baseline data.

Abstract: An instrumentation system for assessing operation of a reciprocating pump system which produces hydrocarbons from a non-vertical or a vertical wellbore. The instrumentation system periodically produces a downhole pump card as a function of a directly or indirectly measured surface card and a friction law function from a wave equation which describes the linear vibrations in a long slender rod. A control signal or command signal is generated based on characteristics of the downhole pump card for controlling the pumping system. It also generates a pump and well analysis report that is useful for a pump operation and determination of its condition.

Abstract: Information on an execution status of an information-collection target program is collected with an interrupt handler that is activated by an interrupt generated when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A target range for collecting the information with the interrupt handler is specified, and information to be collected by the interrupt handler when the interrupt is generated within the specified target range is set.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a device that includes a mass configured for motion. The system includes a tri-axial accelerometer disposed to detect acceleration vectors of the device and to output three channels of acceleration data, and a user interface receiving the three channels of acceleration data. The user interface is configured to correlate the three channels of acceleration data with a reference frame defined by three orthogonal axes intersecting at a vertex, and includes a display and a selector. The display shows sets of options that represent dispositions of the device with respect to gravity, placements of the tri-axial accelerometer with respect to the device, and orientations of the tri-axial accelerometer with respect to the device. The selector selects one device disposition option, one tri-axial accelerometer placement option, and one tri-axial accelerometer orientation option.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for testing a system logger. Randomized input is provided into a logging facility and automated testing of the logging facility is performed in a multi-processing environment. Self-verification of data retrieved from the logging facility is performed to ensure no data loss occurs due to external system events or failures driven by a test tool. Real-time analysis of results received is performed by the test tool based on the randomized input into the logging facility. First failure data is captured and self-verification of results of a data recovery operation of the logging facility is performed in a disaster recovery scenario. Self-verification includes writing log blocks of random sizes to the log stream, iteratively forcing log data to be offloaded from primary storage to secondary storage, iteratively updating log stream attributes, and iteratively swapping duplexing modes.

Abstract: A system for preventing objects from entering the intake of a jet engine including a deflector mounted to the turbine shaft and including a de-icing device to minimize collection of ice on the deflector. The deflector includes a sensor in one embodiment for measuring object strikes so that comprehensive impact data may be obtained to generate an impact report so that measures can be taken to minimize object impacts.

Abstract: A scalable middleware for supporting energy-efficient, long-term remote health monitoring and the capture and transmission of relative causative contextual history where data is collected using physiological sensors and transported back to the middleware through a mobile device serving as a gateway. The key to energy efficient operations lies in the adoption of an Activity Triggered Deep Monitoring paradigm, where data collection episodes are triggered only when the system is determined to possess a specified set of causative contexts. The system supports on-demand collection of causative contextual history using a low-overhead provenance collection sub-system. In a preferred embodiment the behavior of this sub-system is configured using an application-defined context composition graph. The resulting causative context history stream provides valuable insight into the states and conditions surround sensor readings and allows improved human interpretation of the ‘episodic’ sensor data streams.

Abstract: A real-time trigger figure-of-merit indicator for test and measurement instruments provides an indication of how close a signal-under-test is to satisfying a relevant trigger condition. The indicator includes a first marker that indicates a real-time trigger figure-of-merit that is calculated based on digital samples that represent the signal-under-test, and a second marker that indicates a level that the figure-of-merit must exceed in order for a trigger event detector to detect a trigger event and generate a trigger signal. Thus, by observing the indicator, a user may easily ascertain how close a signal-under-test is to satisfying the relevant trigger condition without requiring the instrument to actually trigger.

Abstract: A method and a system for configuring a sensor chassis are presented. In the presented method, a set of parameters may be remotely received by the sensor chassis for compressively sampling an input signal. Further, a compressive sampling protocol for compressively sampling the input signal may be dynamically determined based on the remotely received set of parameters. Particularly, the compressive sampling protocol may be dynamically determined for achieving a desired sampling performance. Subsequently, the input signal is compressively sampled according to the determined compressive sampling protocol.

Abstract: Configurable analog input circuits are provided. An analog input circuit may include a plurality of configurable input channels, at least one analog-to-digital converter, and at least one processor. Each input channel may include a plurality of switches utilized to select a type of input signal received via the input channel and a set of input terminals selectively utilized to correspond with the selected type of input signal. The at least one analog-to-digital converter may be configured to convert, for each of the plurality of input channels, the selected type of input signal into a digital output. The at least one processor may be configured to control operation of the plurality of switches associated with each of the plurality of configurable input channels.

Abstract: A method of estimating an instantaneous frequency of a component of interest in a complex primary signal via a complex Phase Locked Loop (PLL). A complex incident signal including a complex exponential evaluated at a synthesis frequency is calculated according to a complex Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) function. A complex mixed signal is calculated according to a function that includes multiplying the complex primary signal by a representation of the complex incident signal. A complex baseband signal is calculated according to a function that includes filtering the complex mixed signal such that the bandwidth of the complex baseband signal is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the complex mixed signal. A residual frequency of the complex baseband signal is calculated via a complex Phase Discriminator (PD). The synthesis frequency is modified according to a function that includes the synthesis frequency and the residual frequency, such that the residual frequency is minimized.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operational risk in a data processing system comprises a risk domain segmenter for segmenting the data processing system into a plurality of risk domains, a domain risk threshold selector for selecting a domain risk threshold for at least one of the plurality of risk domains, a system element monitor operable to query the data processing system for an indication of presence of system elements, a risk quantizer for evaluating a system element for element risk and for computing the potential contribution of the element risk to a domain risk total, a risk threshold comparator for comparing the domain risk total with the domain risk threshold, and a domain assignor operable to assign the system element to a risk domain in dependency upon an output of the risk threshold comparator.

Abstract: A data receiving and storage device designed to record and display any and all relevant data that might be useful to an angler. A portable platform containing a fish scale, fish measuring apparatus, and a display with a user interface allows an angler to record data on each fish that is caught, including GPS position where the fish was caught and what time of day. The device is capable of storing data for numerous fish and culling fish so that the angler knows to remove smaller fish when the device has determined that the most recently caught fish is larger than one stored in the boat's fish locker.

Abstract: A lightning detection system and method for detecting a lightning strike are provided. The system includes a lightning detector in a structure susceptible to a lightning strike. The lightning detector includes a data logger configured to log data indicative of a time of occurrence of the lightning strike. The system further includes memory to store data collected from a wide-area lightning detection network. The stored data includes at least one characteristic of the lightning strike. A processor may be configured to process data from the data logger relative to data collected from the wide-area lightning detection network to determine correlated data indicative of a lightning strike affecting the structure. In the event correlated data is determined, the processor may be configured to assign the characteristic of the lightning strike to the structure.

Abstract: A method and system of monitoring corrective measures within a process plant includes receiving equipment data pertaining to the status of equipment within the process plant, receiving corrective measure data pertaining to the status of a corrective measure associated with the equipment, and using the equipment data and the corrective measure data to perform a further function pertaining to the corrective measure associated with the equipment.

Abstract: A data analysis program operable for displaying at least one representation of a buried pipeline in a geographical area and associated on-pipe current values at various locations along the pipeline. The data analysis program is storable in a memory device and executable by a processor to generate a display on a display device. The data analysis program includes instructions for displaying a digital map representing at least a portion of the buried pipeline extending across the geographical area being surveyed. The program further includes instructions for displaying a current plot of current values associated with the various locations in the geographical area, and instructions for displaying a table having a plurality of fields including the leakage current values and associated geographical coordinates where the current values were measured in the geographical area being surveyed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for describing characteristics of a data sample. This description is used to represent the shape of a histogram of the data sample.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for performing waveform analysis on physiological parameters. In one embodiment, a method includes reading measurement values of a first physiological parameter relating to time, and displaying them as a trend display graph in a trend display area that includes first coordinates representing time and second coordinates representing the measurement values. The method also includes acquiring a time selected in the trend display graph, and displaying, in a waveform display area, waveform data of a second physiological parameter associated with formation of the first physiological parameter during periods before and after the selected time. The waveform display area includes time coordinates. The disclosed embodiments allow medical staff to view the curve of a patient's physiological parameters throughout a monitoring/therapy period.

Abstract: A method of collecting weather data includes determining probable occurrences of weather events. Contact information corresponding to a plurality of users is maintained. Weather collection devices are sent to the plurality of users prior to the occurrence of the probable weather event. Data is collected by the weather collection devices upon the actual occurrence of the probable weather event.

Abstract: A method and a device for diagnosing an ascertainment of a performance quantity of an internal combustion engine. Within the scope of a first diagnostic process a first value which is characteristic of a first performance quantity of the internal combustion engine ascertained at a first point in time after switching off the internal combustion engine is compared to a predefined value, and an error is identified when in the comparison it is detected that the absolute value of a first difference between the first value and the predefined value exceeds a predefined first threshold value for the first point in time. The predefined first threshold value is predefined to be smaller the longer the time since the internal combustion engine has been switched off.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides high-accuracy measurements of an electrical parameter across a broad range of parameter input values. In one embodiment, an intelligent electronic device (IED), e.g., a digital electrical power and energy meter, with a plurality of independently-adjustable gain factors measures a parameter, and calculates and stores calibration factors associated with known values of the measured parameter. The IED or meter applies the stored calibration factors when measuring unknown values of the measured parameter, to improve the accuracy of the measurement.

Abstract: A machine data acquisition system is disclosed. The data acquisition system may include a sensor disposed on a machine and configured to produce a signal indicative of an operational parameter of the machine. The system may also include a data processor and controller configured to convert the signal into a plurality of parameter data points. The system may further include a primary data circular buffer disposed on the machine and configured to store the plurality of parameter data points. Additionally, a variable resolution circular buffer may be disposed on the machine and configured to store a compressed parameter data point calculated from the plurality of parameter data points.

Abstract: A power system oscillation detection device is provided for use in an electric power system. A plurality of sample signals are acquired from the electrical power system via a plurality of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) in communication with the power system. The power system oscillation detection device includes a real-time modal analysis module, a real-time mode identification module, and real-time decision and control logic. The real-time modal analysis module calculates modes of at least one of the signals, each mode including mode information. The real-time mode identification module together with the real-time decision and control logic determines, from the mode information, whether there is an undesirable oscillation in the electric power system and activates a remedial action.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an inexpensive and fast pulse characterization platform capable of real time operation, suitable for acquisition of single-photon data. Embodiments of the present invention include both a digital multi-channel data acquisition instrument and an analog pulse acquisition instrument suitable for a wide range of applications in physics laboratories. An FPGA performs multi-channel acquisition in real time, time stamps single events, and determines if the events fit a predetermined signature, which causes the events to be categorized as a coincidence. The indications of coincidences are then communicated to a host computer for further processing as desired.