3674results about "Using wave/particle radiation means" patented technology

An integrated system is described in which digital image data of a patient, obtained from a variety of image sources, including CT scanner, X-Ray, 2D or 3D scanners and color photographs, are combined into a common coordinate system to create a virtual three-dimensional patient model. Software tools are provided for manipulating the virtual patient model to simulation changes in position or orientation of craniofacial structures (e.g., jaw or teeth) and simulate their affect on the appearance of the patient. The simulation (which may be pure simulations or may be so-called “morphing” type simulations) enables a comprehensive approach to planning treatment for the patient. In one embodiment, the treatment may encompass orthodontic treatment. Similarly, surgical treatment plans can be created. Data is extracted from the virtual patient model or simulations thereof for purposes of manufacture of customized therapeutic devices for any component of the craniofacial structures, e.g., orthodontic appliances.

The invention relates to devices and methods for designing and manufacturing customized footwear, and components thereof. An example method includes a method of designing at least a portion of a sole of an article of footwear customized for a user. The method includes the steps of determining at least one input parameter related to a user, analyzing the at least one input parameter to determine at least one performance metric of a foot of the user, and determining at least one customized structural characteristic of at least a portion of a sole of an article of footwear for the user based on the performance metric.

Described are methods for patterning a substrate by imprint lithography. Imprint lithography is a process in which a liquid is dispensed onto a substrate. A template is brought into contact with the liquid and the liquid is cured. The cured liquid includes an imprint of any patterns formed in the template. Alignment of the template with the substrate is performed prior to curing the liquid. Alignment of the template with the substrate includes rotational alignment of the template with respect to the substrate.

A profile model for use in optical metrology of structures in a wafer is selected, the profile model having a set of geometric parameters associated with the dimensions of the structure. A set of optimization parameters is selected for the profile model using one or more input diffraction signals and one or more parameter selection criteria. The selected profile model and the set of optimization parameters are tested against one or more termination criteria. The process of selecting a profile model, selecting a set of optimization parameters, and testing the selected profile model and set of optimization parameters is performed until the one or more termination criteria are met.

The present invention is directed to automated apparatuses and methods for measuring fastener hole depth, fastener length, countersink depth and/or hole diameters in a workpiece (or other object) in an automated and extremely rapid, efficient and accurate manner. The apparatuses may be operably connected with a power source and with one or a plurality of computers or other data collection devices to transmit fastener hole depth, countersink depth and/or hole diameter measurement data and/or information to them each time that a fastener hole is measured, while the apparatus is continuously measuring fastener holes (i.e., with no interruptions). Extremely advantageously, using only one hand, and by only squeezing a trigger only one time, an operator of such an apparatus may successfully and very rapidly and accurately perform more than one, or all three, of the following functions: (i) normalize the apparatus relative to one or a plurality of fastener holes and/or workpiece surfaces; (ii) make one or a plurality of accurate measurements; and (iii) transmit the one or more measurements from the apparatus to one or a plurality of computers and/or other data collection devices for, for example, recordation, storage, manipulation, other use and/or the like.

The invention provides consumers, private enterprises, government agencies, contractors and third party vendors with tools and resources for gathering site specific information related to purchase and installation of energy systems. A system according to one embodiment of the invention remotely determines the measurements of a roof. An exemplary system comprises a computer including an input means, a display means and a working memory. An aerial image file database contains a plurality of aerial images of roofs of buildings in a selected region. A roof estimating software program receives location information of a building in the selected region and then presents the aerial image files showing roof sections of building located at the location information. Some embodiments of the system include a sizing tool for determining the size, geometry, and pitch of the roof sections of a building being displayed.

In one embodiment the invention comprises a particle velocity sensor that includes a housing with a geophone mounted in the housing. A fluid that substantially surrounds the geophone is included within the housing. The particle velocity sensor has an acoustic impedance within the range of about 750,000 Newton seconds per cubic meter (Ns/m<3>) to about 3,000,000 Newton seconds per cubic meter (Ns/m<3>). In another embodiment the invention comprises method of geophysical exploration in which a seismic signal is generated in a body of water and detected with a plurality of co-located particle velocity sensors and pressure gradient sensors positioned within a seismic cable. The output signal of either or both of the particle velocity sensors or the pressure gradient sensors is modified to substantially equalize the output signals from the particle velocity sensors and the pressure gradient sensors. The output signals from particle velocity sensors and pressure gradient sensors are then combined.

A method for modeling diffraction includes constructing a theoretical model of the subject. A numerical method is then used to predict the output field that is created when an incident field is diffracted by the subject. The numerical method begins by computing the output field at the upper boundary of the substrate and then iterates upward through each of the subject's layers. Structurally simple layers are evaluated directly. More complex layers are discretized into slices. A finite difference scheme is performed for these layers using a recursive expansion of the field-current ratio that starts (or has a base case) at the lowermost slice. The combined evaluation, through all layers, creates a scattering matrix that is evaluated to determine the output field for the subject.

The top-view profiles of repeating structures in a wafer are characterized and parameters to represent variations in the top-view profile of the repeating structures are selected. An optical metrology model is developed that includes the selected top-view profile parameters of the repeating structures. The optimized optical metrology model is used to generate simulated diffraction signals that are compared to measured diffraction signals.

A system and method for high-speed radiographic inspection of fluid transport vessels in which a radiation source and a radiation detector are positioned on opposite sides of the outside surface of the vessel. A positioning system is provided for moving and locating the radiation source and radiation detector longitudinally with respect to the vessel and for moving the radiation source and radiation detector circumferentially with respect to the vessel. In operation, the positioning system causes the radiation source and radiation detector to spiral along the vessel in a coordinated manner while the radiation source illuminates an adjacent region of the vessel with radiation. The radiation is converted into corresponding electrical signals used to generate images of objects in the radiation path. Finally, an operator inspects the images for defects.

Provided is an information processing apparatus including a position detection unit that detects a position of an operating tool pressing a screen, a pressure intensity detection unit that detects pressure intensity of the operating tool, a movement detection unit that detects a movement of the operating tool based on information on the position detected by the position detection unit, and a function providing unit that provides a specific function corresponding to an increase in the pressure intensity in a case a rest state or a subtly-moving state of the operating tool is detected by the movement detection unit and the pressure intensity detected by the pressure intensity detection unit increases.

A dual energy scanning densitometry system for imaging and measuring bone density maintains acceptable flux by adjusting the x-ray current or scan speed according to preceding scan line data. The amount of acceptable flux is maintained within limits modified by information about the region of the body being scanned so that different precisions may be maintained for different body regions. Scan speed and current may be controlled so that scan speed is maximized within the current limits. Essentially continuous flux control can be achieved.

Apparatus for inspection of a sample includes a radiation source and an array of detector elements arranged to receive radiation from the surface due to irradiation of an area of the surface by the radiation source. The array has a first operative configuration for resolving the received radiation along a first axis perpendicular to the surface, and a second operative configuration for resolving the received radiation along a second axis parallel to the surface. A signal processor processes the signal from the detector array in the two configurations so as to determine a reflectance of the surface as a function of elevation angle relative to the surface and a scattering profile of the surface as a function of azimuthal angle in a plane of the surface.

Radiation scanning systems to inspect objects are disclosed comprising a first vehicle supporting a radiation source. A second vehicle supports a detector. The source and the detector may be moved to scan an object, such as a cargo conveyance, between the vehicles. The first and second vehicles may having an expandable length and the source and detector may be moved across the expandable length, to scan long objects. The radiation source may be adapted to emit a vertically diverging beam of radiation, such as a fan beam. The radiation may be X-ray radiation, for example. The vehicle may comprise a truck and an expandable trailer releasably coupled to the truck. The trailer may comprise telescoping rails. The first and second vehicles may be driven to an inspection site, where they may be rapidly deployed. Methods of inspecting objects are disclosed, as well.

A system and method for real-time monitoring and failure prediction of electrical submersible pumps.

The present invention includes a method and system for determining the profile of a structure in an integrated circuit from a measured signal, the signal measured off the structure with a metrology device, selecting a best match of the measured signal in a profile data space, the profile data space having data points with a specified extent of non-linearity, and performing a refinement procedure to determine refined profile parameters. One embodiment includes a refinement procedure comprising finding a polyhedron in a function domain of cost functions of the profile library signals and profile parameters and minimizing the total cost function using the weighted average method. Other embodiments include profile parameter refinement procedures using sensitivity analysis, a clustering approach, regression-based methods, localized fine-resolution refinement library method, iterative library refinement method, and other cost optimization or refinement algorithms, procedures, and methods. Refinement of profile parameters may be invoked automatically or invoked based on predetermined criteria such as exceeding an error metric between the measured signal versus the best match profile library.

Methods for classifying plants by remote sensing and image analysis technology are presented. These methods are useful for evaluating plants and for selecting plants for a plant breeding program which has as its goal to selectively alter phenotype. The methods combine the newer techniques of remote sensing technology to obtain indirect correlates of the traits of interest, with classical pedigree breeding strategies. Thermal and infrared reflectance measures of plant canopies are examples of energy values measured by remote sensing, used to indirectly predict the selected traits.

A method and system of analyzing the perceived quality of streaming media that includes transmitting at least one data packet from a stream sender to a stream receiver via a network connection; analyzing the data packets at the stream receiver, where the stream receiver determines whether there are data packets missing from the stream sender's data packets; requesting retransmission of specific data packets missing from the stream receiver; and retransmitting at least one specific data packet missing from the stream sender to the stream receiver.

A directionally-sensitive device for detecting and processing vibration waves includes an array of polymeric optical waveguide resonators positioned between a light source, such as an LED array, and a light detector, such as a photodiode array. The resonators which are preferably oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to incoming vibration waves, vibrate when a wave is detected, thus modulating light signals that are transmitted between the light source and the light detector. The light detector converts the modulated light into electrical signals which, in a preferred embodiment, are used to drive either the speaker of a hearing aid or the electrode array of a cochlear implant. The device is manufactured using a combination of traditional semiconductor processes and polymer microfabrication techniques.

Method and implementing apparatus useful in acquiring data on acoustic features within a sample provides a pulsed acoustic probe and a stage system for effecting relative movement between the sample and the probe. The stage system is commanded such that the probe interrogates a non-rectangularly bounded space on the sample surface or within the volume of the sample. Acoustic energy reflected from or transmitted through the sample is sensed. Amplitude signals are developed from the sensed acoustic energy. Data characterizing the developed amplitude signals are stored for subsequent processing.

A tomographic reconstruction method and system incorporating Bayesian estimation techniques to inspect and classify regions of imaged objects, especially objects of the type typically found in linear, areal, or 3-dimensional arrays. The method and system requires a highly constrained model M that incorporates prior information about the object or objects to be imaged, a set of prior probabilities P(M) of possible instances of the object; a forward map that calculates the probability density P(D|M), and a set of projections D of the object. Using Bayesian estimation, the posterior probability p(M|D) is calculated and an estimated model M_EST of the imaged object is generated. Classification of the imaged object into one of a plurality of classifications may be performed based on the estimated model M_EST, the posterior probability p(M|D) or MAP function, or calculated expectation values of features of interest of the object.

A fiber optic acoustic sensor system including an optical conductor having low reflectivity mirrors is provided. Optical sensors are provided by sections of the optical conductor bounded by pairs of the low reflectivity mirrors. Pulses of light are injected into the optical conductor and reflected by the low reflectivity mirrors. The reflected pulses of light are processed using a compensating interferometer to generate interference patterns representative of the environmental conditions acting upon the optical conductor.

A fiber optic sensor has a hollow tube bonded to the endface of an optical fiber, and a diaphragm bonded to the hollow tube. The fiber endface and diaphragm comprise an etalon cavity. The length of the etalon cavity changes when applied pressure or acceleration flexes the diaphragm. The entire structure can be made of fused silica. The fiber, tube, and diaphragm can be bonded with a fusion splice. The present sensor is particularly well suited for measuring pressure or acceleration in high temperature, high pressure and corrosive environments (e.g., oil well downholes and jet engines). The present sensors are also suitable for use in biological and medical applications.

A method for the detection of a specific material in an object (1), especially in a piece of luggage, using electromagnetic beams, whereby the intensities of non-absorbed beams from at least three beam planes (5.1–5.2) in corresponding detector arrays (4.1–4.5) are measured and evaluated, using the following steps according to the invention:

1. generating an at least two-dimensional picture of the object (1) from the measured intensity values;

2. selecting one of the spatial regions displayed in the picture as a basis of the value of a material value, which is determined from intensity measurements, for examination;

3. determining at least one spatial-geometric value in the region to the examined from positional data of a two-dimensional picture and from intensity values using a stored value of a specific, absorption-influenced value of a suspected material.

4. determining, in addition, the corresponding spatial-geometric value solely from three-dimensional geometric values, which are determined from measured intensity values; and

5. comparing, directly or indirectly, values of the spatial-geometric values determined in steps 3 and 4, or values derived therefrom, in order to determine if the suspected material is actually present.

Method and apparatus for ultrasonic inspection of an object. A tire is mounted for rolling along the surface of the object. It contains a liquid and a transducer assembly. The transducer assembly is positioned in the tire adjacent a portion of the surface of the tire in contact with the object. The liquid and the surface of the tire in contact with the object provide an acoustic bridge between the transducer assembly and the object. An electric signal processing system is connected to the transducer assembly. It generates electric signals which are converted to acoustic signals in the transducer assembly to place acoustic signals in the object. Acoustic signals returned from the object are converted to electric signals by the transducer assembly, and are processed in the electric signal processing system to indicate flaws in the object.

An apparatus and method for inspecting personnel or their effects. A first and second carriage each carries a source for producing a beam of penetrating radiation incident on a subject. A positioner provides for synchronized relative motion of each carriage vis-à-vis the subject in a direction having a vertical component. A detector receives radiation produced by at least one of the sources after the radiation interacts with the subject.

A technique facilitates the monitoring of elongate structures. An elongate structure is combined with an optical fiber deployed along the structure. An interrogation system is operatively joined with the optical fiber to input and monitor optical signals to determine any changes in parameters related to the structure.

The present invention is a guide wire imaging device for vascular or non-vascular imaging utilizing optic acoustical methods, which device has a profile of less than 1 mm in diameter. The ultrasound imaging device of the invention comprises a single mode optical fiber with at least one Bragg grating, and a piezoelectric or piezo-ceramic jacket, which device may achieve omnidirectional (360°) imaging. The imaging guide wire of the invention can function as a guide wire for vascular interventions, can enable real time imaging during balloon inflation, and stent deployment, thus will provide clinical information that is not available when catheter-based imaging systems are used. The device of the invention may enable shortened total procedure times, including the fluoroscopy time, will also reduce radiation exposure to the patient and to the operator.

There is provided an information processing device for measuring a dimension of an object to be measured in a low-load calculation processing. A handy terminal includes a depth map sensor block for generating a depth map of an object to be measured by use of a depth map sensor, and a coordinate transformation/side length calculation unit that measures a dimension of the object to be measured based on the depth map. The handy terminal may further includes a delivery fee calculation unit that calculates a delivery fee of the object to be measured based on the dimension.

A profile model for use in optical metrology of structures in a wafer is selected based on a template having one or more parameters including characteristics of process and modeling attributes associated with a structure in a wafer. The process includes performing a profile modeling process to generate a profile model of a wafer structure based on a template having one or more parameters including characteristics of process and modeling attributes. The profile model includes a set of geometric parameters associated with the dimensions of the structure. The generated profile model may further be tested against termination criteria and the one or more parameters modified. The process of performing a modeling process to generate a profile model and testing the generated profile model may be repeated until the termination criteria are met.