Abstract: Methods and systems for replenishing a consumable include order satisfaction responsive to an indication of imminent failure or depletion of a consumable based on detected parameters. A sensor reading may indicate that a consumable is performing below a threshold, or has limited remaining capacity. Responsive to a determination that a replacement is necessary, the method may recommend one or more alternatives. The recommendation may be made based on how closely a candidate replacement's performance or other characteristic (e.g. cost, capacity) matches that of a currently-used consumable. The recommendation may be based on one or more attributes of a candidate replacement compared to a currently-used consumable. An order may be automatically placed according to the currently-used consumable or the recommended alternative(s). The order may be delivered with instructions regarding where and when to replace the consumable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calibrating a geodetic instrument, an instrument and a computer program product thereof. In the method and geodetic instrument of the present invention, a value of at least one parameter affecting the measurements made by the instrument is detected and compared with a predetermined threshold. On the basis of the comparison between the detected value and the predetermined threshold, the instrument aims at a reference target and a calibration is performed using the reference target. The present invention is advantageous in that the accuracy and reliability of the measurements performed by the instrument are increased. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that the requirements on mechanical stability are reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calibrating a geodetic instrument, an instrument and a computer program product thereof. In the method and geodetic instrument of the present invention, a value of at least one parameter affecting the measurements made by the instrument is detected and compared with a predetermined threshold. On the basis of the comparison between the detected value and the predetermined threshold, the instrument aims at a reference target and a calibration is performed using the reference target. The present invention is advantageous in that the accuracy and reliability of the measurements performed by the instrument are increased. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that the requirements on mechanical stability are reduced.

Abstract: A device and method for improved geodetic and seismic measurements are disclosed. The device comprises a triaxial accelerometer assembly, mounted to a reference structure, having full scale ranges greater than +/?1 G on three orthogonal axes and a mechanism for rotating the triaxial accelerometer assembly on the reference structure. The triaxial acceleration assembly is calibrated with an internal alignment matrix such that measurements of Earth's gravity vector are rotationally invariant with respect to the direction of Earth's 1 G static gravity vector irrespective of the orientation of the triaxial assembly on the reference structure. In-situ calibrations are performed by rotating the axes of the triaxial acceleration assembly in the direction of Earth's static gravity vector. Drift of the triaxial accelerometer assembly is compensated for by measuring changes in the values of the invariant static gravity vector for each axis and correcting for the drift with new calibration coefficients.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus and method capable of determining the time and location of a projectile's impact is disclosed. In another embodiment, an apparatus and method capable of determining the time and location of a projectile's impact as well as the direction from whence the projectile came is disclosed.

Abstract: A failure diagnostic device for diagnosing whether a failure has occurred in an acceleration sensor to be loaded in an electronic device such as a living body information measurement device of acquiring data concerning e.g. living body information includes: an acceleration calculator for calculating an acceleration applied to the electronic device based on an output from the acceleration sensor; and a first judger for judging whether the electronic device is in a stationary state based on a judgment as to whether an output value from the acceleration calculator lies within a predetermined range for a predetermined duration.

Abstract: A transducer (20) includes a movable element (24), a self-test actuator (22), and a sensing element (56, 58). The sensing element (56, 58) detects movement of the movable element (24) from a first position (96) to a second position (102) along an axis perpendicular to a plane of the sensing element (56, 58). The second position (102) results in an output signal (82) that simulates a free fall condition. A method (92) for testing a protection feature of a device (70) having the transducer (20) entails moving the movable element (24) to the first position (102) to produce a negative gravitational force detectable at the sensing element (56, 68), applying a signal (88) to the actuator (22) to move the movable element (24) to the second position (102) by the electrostatic force (100) , and ascertaining an enablement of the protection feature in response to the simulated free fall.

Abstract: An inclination sensor is provided with a main body fixed to a vehicle, a pendulum supported by the main body so as to swing in response to an inclination of the vehicle, and a magnetic sensor that senses the inclination of the pendulum in order to detect as to whether or not the vehicle has been inclined. The pendulum is swingable around two axes as to both a width direction of the vehicle, and forward/backward directions thereof. A sensitivity of the pendulum as to the width direction is higher than a sensitivity thereof as to the forward/backward directions.

Abstract: A metal rod guide (30) supports a metal rod (1) that can be inclined at an arbitrary angle, the support is instantaneously released to produce a free fall state, and during the release period, a first end surface (2) of the metal rod is impacted by a projectile (3) at the same angle as the metal rod, generating an elastic wave pulse in the metal rod. A direct current acceleration sensor (23) detects an acceleration arising when the elastic wave pulse reflects at the other end surface (22) of the metal rod. A strain gauge (25) provided on a side surface of the metal rod and/or a laser interferometer (24) measure strain and end surface motion and the measured values are processed to obtain a frequency response of the direct current acceleration sensor and measure frequency characteristics of the direct current acceleration sensor.

Abstract: A fuel injection system (18) is calibrated as an assembled system. The fuel injection system (18) includes a unit pump (10) a cam follower (24), a joined fuel injection line (14) and injection nozzle (16). The fuel injection system (18) is mounted to a test stand an is subsequently calibrated to a specified fuel delivery and timing. The relative positions of the unit pump (10) and fuel injection nozzle (16) are fixed during calibration. The assembled fuel injection system is packaged and delivered so that the calibrated system can be installed in the relative positions fixed during calibration.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor (22) to be calibrated and evaluated is affixed to one end surface (22) of a metal rod (1), and a plurality of projectiles (3) are made to impact the other end surface (2) of the metal rod at prescribed time intervals, generating an elastic wave pulse in the metal rod. Dynamic displacement, velocity or acceleration in a direction normal to the other end surface arising in a process of the generated elastic wave pulse reaching and being reflected by the one end surface where the acceleration sensor is affixed is measured, and an acceleration measured, processed and corrected by a strain gauge (25) attached to a side surface of the metal rod or by a laser interferometer (24) is obtained, and the corrected acceleration and the output of the acceleration sensor are compared to thereby carry out calibration and evaluation of the acceleration sensor.

Abstract: An accelerometer includes a field emitter to generate an electron beam current and a medium. An effect is generated when the electron beam current bombards the medium. The magnitude of the effect is affected by a physical impact imparting an amount of energy to the accelerometer to cause a relative movement between the field emitter and the medium. The amount of energy imparted to the accelerometer by the physical impact is determined by measuring the magnitude of the effect. The accelerometer can be integrally implemented in a storage device.

Abstract: In a method for detecting rotational speed of an internal combustion engine (1), a sector wheel (4) which is driven by the internal combustion engine (1) is scanned, the run of a specific segment of the sector wheel is detected, the duration of said segment-run is measured and a rotational speed value is determined therefrom, the duration of the run of a specific segment is re-measured, a relative variation between two consecutive segment-runs is determined and the rotational speed value is determined therefrom.

Abstract: A method of detecting the improper mounting of a sensor on a motor vehicle includes monitoring the output signals of the sensor, determining the noise levels in the output signals, and comparing the noise levels from the output signals to a threshold noise value to determine if the sensor is properly mounted. Preferably, the method monitors the output signals of a first sensor and a second sensor, determines the noise levels in the output signals being emitted by each of the sensors, and compares the noise levels of the first sensor to the noise levels of the second sensor to determine if the sensors are properly mounted.

Abstract: A device and a method are proposed, which, upon triggering of the restraint devices via a control device (1), allow a systematic testing of the triggering characteristics of restraint devices in a motor vehicle under conditions as realistic as possible. For that purpose, the device according to the present invention includes an ambiency simulator (2), connectable to the control device (1), for stipulating defined peripheral states, an acceleration device for accelerating the control device (1), detecting means (3) for recording the triggering characteristics of the restraint devices in response to acceleration of the control device (1), and evaluation means for evaluating the recorded triggering characteristics.

Abstract: An impact detection device, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes at least one micromechanical acceleration switch having a contact element to be moved as a function of acceleration and a counter-contact element. A first voltage is fed to terminals of the contact elements by a monitoring circuit in order to detect an impact. A second voltage, through which the contact is closed on the basis of electrostatic forces of attraction, is fed in order to test the acceleration switch.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) to simulate the behavior of vehicle occupant and safety systems in a rollover accident, comprising: a frame (30) adapted to receive a portion of a vehicle to be tested or test buck (40), the frame being articulated, about a pivot (36), to enable it to rotate a predetermined amount; forcing device (24;72) for causing the frame, and test buck, to rotate.

Abstract: A sensor system for detecting impacts to a vehicle, allowing for actuation decisions of passive restraint devices. The sensor system includes one or more piezoelectric sensor assemblies (42), each including a coaxial piezoelectric cable (44) contained within a tube housing (54), which is mounted to a structural member of the vehicle. The sensor system may also include accelerometers (36, 38) that are also in communication with the restraints control module (40) and employed in combination with one or more piezoelectric sensor assemblies (42). Further, the sensor system may include diagnostics for monitoring one or more of the sensor assemblies (42) in order to detect a sensor failure, while not interfering with the impact signals from the sensor assemblies (42).