184results about How to "Accurately measure" patented technology

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the non-invasive analysis of physiological attributes, such as heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, respiratory response, body composition, and blood chemistry analytes including glucose, lactate, hemoglobin, and oxygen saturation. Using a combination of multi-functioning disparate sensors, such as optical and electrical, improvements are made over existing physiological measurement devices and techniques. The special configuration of one or more multi-functional sensors is used to non-invasively measure multi-wavelength optical plus one or more of ECG, Bio-impedance, and RF-impedance spectroscopic data. This information is used to develop self-consistent, non-linear algorithm in order to derive the physiological attributes while compensating for various forms of interfering effects including motion artifacts, sensor attachment variability, device component variability, subject physical and physiology variability, and various interfering physiological attributes.

Systems and methods for non-vascular sensor implantation and for measuring physiological parameters in areas of a body where the physiological parameters are heterogeneous. An implant unit is implanted in an area of a body and a foreign body capsule is allowed to form around the implant unit area. A sensor may be directed into a body cavity such as, for example, the peritoneal space, subcutaneous tissues, the foreign body capsule, or other area. A subcutaneous area of the body may be tunneled for sensor placement. Spatially separated sensing elements may be used for detecting individual amounts of the physiological parameter. An overall amount of the physiological parameter may be determined by calculating a statistical measurement of the individual sensed amounts in the area. Another embodiment of the invention, a multi-analyte measuring device, may include a substrate having an electrode array on one side and an integrated circuit on another side.

A method for ablating tissue in an organ inside a body of a subject includes bringing a probe inside the body into a position in contact with the tissue to be ablated, and measuring one or more local parameters at the position using the probe prior to ablating the tissue. A map of the organ is displayed, showing, based on the one or more local parameters, a predicted extent of ablation of the tissue to be achieved for a given dosage of energy applied at the position using the probe. The given dosage of energy is applied to ablate the tissue using the probe, and an actual extent of the ablation at the position is measured using the probe subsequent to ablating the tissue. The measured actual extent of the ablation is displayed on the map for comparison with the predicted extent.

An eye measurement system may include a target that moves transverse to an optical path from the target to eye, so as to relax accommodation of the lens of the eye. The target may move transverse to the optical path on a display. The patient may be fogged while the target moves transverse to the optical path, and the target may become smaller such that the patient perceives the target to be moving away from the patient. A pupil camera may measure eye position that can be correlated with the position of the target on the display to determine that the patient has maintained fixation on the moving target. A visible measurement light beam may be pulsed subsequent to and/or during motion of the target that relaxes accommodation of the eye so as to avoid visual interference of the measurement light beam with the target on the display.

The invention provides a system for measuring respiratory rate (RR) from a patient. The system includes an impedance pneumography (IP) sensor, connected to at least two electrodes, and a processing system that receives and processes signals from the electrodes to measure an IP signal. A motion sensor (e.g. an accelerometer) measures at least one motion signal (e.g. an ACC waveform) describing movement of a portion of the patient's body to which it is attached. The processing system receives the IP and motion signals, and processes them to determine, respectfully, frequency-domain IP and motion spectra. Both spectra are then collectively processed to remove motion components from the IP spectrum and determine RR. For example, during the processing, an algorithm determines motion frequency components from the frequency-domain motion spectrum, and then using a digital filter removes these, or parameters calculated therefrom, from the IP spectrum.

A caddy system and method of providing a shot recommendation to a golfer is disclosed wherein real-time shot information, including the current location of a golf ball on a golf course, as well as golf course information, are used to provide a recommended golf shot to the golfer. According to another aspect of the invention, a golfer's shot history is used, in addition to the current location of the golf ball and the golf course information, to provide a shot recommendation to the golfer. According to yet another aspect of the invention, a caddy system and method of providing real-time shot information are disclosed, wherein the real-time information may be displayed alone or in conjunction with certain information about a golf course being played, including the display of the golf ball location in relation to a digital course map.

A custom brace and method for fabricating the custom brace includes marking a body with reference points and/or other indicators. Multiple images of the body from multiple angles are then obtained. The images are used to determine the contours of the body and the other markings are located and used to design the custom brace. Fenestrations can be added to the brace design. The custom brace can be fabricated with the fenestrations as a single piece structure or in multiple pieces that are assembled to complete the custom device.

A method for determining a property of an insulating film is provided. The method may include obtaining a charge density measurement of the film, a surface voltage potential of the film relative to a bulk voltage potential of the substrate, and a rate of voltage decay of the film. The method may also include determining the property of the film using the charge density, the surface voltage potential, and the rate of voltage decay. A method for determining a thickness of an insulating film is provided. The method may include depositing a charge on the film, measuring a surface voltage potential of the film relative to a bulk voltage potential of the substrate, and measuring a rate of voltage decay of the film. The method may also include determining a thickness of the film using the rate of voltage decay and a theoretical model relating to leakage and film thickness.

In order to provide a compact device easy to handle and adjust for use in bloodless measurement of the glucose concentration, in which the angle of polarization varies in synchronism with the magnetic field modulation, the direction of applying the magnetic field is so arranged as to cross the optical axis.

A method and apparatus are described for utilizing a source of vascular pulse waveform data from a patient for the purpose of measuring pulsus paradoxus. The arterial pulse waveform data source described is a pulse oximeter plethysmograph but can be any similar waveform data source, including an intra-arterial transducer, external blood pressure transducer, or plethysmograph. Through incorporation of measurements of values, such as an area under a pulse waveform curve, that are time-domain functions of a change in amplitude of the pulse waveform over a duration of the waveform, embodiments of the present invention represent a significant improvement upon previously described methods of measuring pulsus paradoxus.

A compact flat panel color calibration system includes a lens prism optic able to pass a narrow, perpendicular, and uniform cone angle of incoming light to a spectrally non-selective photodetector. The calibration system also includes a microprocessor operable to determine the luminance of the display based upon the information gathered by the photodetector. A software module included in the calibration system is then operable to process the luminance information in order to adjust the flat panel display.

Calibrating the measurement of a distance between a transceiver and an object such as a radiating element (antenna) or a target by continuously changing the wavelength (frequency) of the transmitted wave and observing the rate of phase shift as a function of change in wavelength. The rate of phase shift change as a function of wavelength can be mathematically related to the total displacement to the reflecting object. This calibration technique is applicable to a sensing device comprising a transceiver configured to transmit a signal toward an object, detectors offset in phase to receive the transmitted signal and a reflected signal, and a processor configured with logic to measure a rate of phase shift proportional to the change in wavelength between the transmitted signal and the reflected signal at the detectors. The processor can be further configured with logic to relate the phase shift to displacement between the transceiver and the reflecting object.

A method for automatically monitoring the viewing activities of television signals, characterized by providing a measurement device, in which the television signals are adapted to be communicated to the measurement device and the TV set, making the measurement device receive the same signals as the TV set; the measurement device is adapted to extract a fingerprint data from the television signals displayed to the viewers, making the measurement device measures the same video signals as those being seen by the viewers; and the fingerprint data is transferred to a data center; and sending the television signals which the viewers are selected to watch through the measurement device to a fingerprint matcher to be monitored. The method according to the present invention does not require any change to the other devices already in place before the measurement device is introduced into the connections.

The present invention relates to a method for estimating a distance between nodes by using a round trip time (RTT) of a packet based on a CSMA/CA protocol in wireless sensor networks and a system thereof. The present invention provides a method for estimating a distance between nodes in wireless sensor networks that includes (a) measuring a transmission time of a transmission signal transmitted to the other node and a reception time of a reception signal received from the other node in response the transmission signal, and receiving a reception time of the transmission signal through the reception signal from the other node and a transmission time of the reception signal through a signal received after the reception signal from the other node; and (b) estimating a distance to the other node by using the transmission/reception time of all signals acquired in step (a). According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately estimate the distance between two nodes and as a result, it is possible to accurately identify positions of nodes that are deployed in a sensor field.

An acoustic time-of-flight size measuring device is added to the sensing head of an insertion probe sensor which may be used for measuring the flow of fluid in a pipe. The size-measuring device defines an acoustic beam making a plurality of reflective contacts with the pipe's interior wall. A time-of-flight measurement of this path length provides an accurate measurement of the internal diameter of the pipe. The magnitude of the transit time signal can also be used as an indicator of both insertion depth and angular orientation of the probe with respect to the pipe axis. In addition, the arrangement allows one to sense acoustic path attenuation caused by factors such as the buildup of deposits.

The methods of the present invention are directed at an accurate phase-based technique for measuring arbitrarily long optical distances with sub-nanometer precision. A preferred embodiment of the present invention method employs a interferometer, for example, a Michelson interferometer, with a pair of harmonically related light sources, one continuous wave (CW) and a second source having low coherence. By slightly adjusting the center wavelength of the low coherence source between scans of the target sample, the phase relationship between the heterodyne signals of the CW and low coherence light is used to measure the separation between reflecting interfaces with sub-nanometer precision. As the preferred embodiment of this method is completely free of 2π ambiguity, an issue that plagues most phase-based techniques, it can be used to measure arbitrarily long optical distances without loss of precision.

A fiber optic temperature sensor (10) and system employ optical (fiber 34) and a fiber Bragg grating (36) using non-silica materials that can withstand temperature ranges extending well above the silica-imposed limit of 1,100 degrees C. The system measures the wavelength shift of light reflected from the fiber Bragg grating (36) and converts it into a temperature value. Specific optical fibers include sapphire, which can be used at temperatures approaching 1,800 degrees C., and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), which can be used at temperature in excess of 2,300 degrees C. One specific grating employs alternating layers of YSZ, with the percentage of yttria varying in the alternating layers to achieve the desired difference of refractive index, and another grating employs alternating layers of alumina and zirconia.

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for accurately measuring torque in a rotating shaft. The apparatus comprises axially spaced magnet-detector pairs, mounted to rotate with the shaft and means for sensing relative rotation between the magnets.

System(s) and method(s) for stock monitoring are provided. Stock monitoring system(s) may include e.g., a housings one or more doors disposed in or on the housing, a sensor for sensing the condition of the door(s) and providing a door closed signal indicative of the door(s) having been closed by a user; one or more containers for stock items, located within the housing, the or each container having associated therewith a weight sensor for providing a weight signal indicative of the current weight of the container, and control circuitry, coupled for communication with the weight sensor(s). Method(s) may include, e.g., receiving a door closed signal; receiving one or more weight signals; and determining, for the or each container, the number of stock items removed from the container(s) by the user, from the weight signal(s) occurring during a predetermined sensing period, the predetermined sensing period being dependent upon the door closed signal.

A method and computer-program product are provided for distinguishing packets sent in successive packet groups. The packet groups are related to each other. The method includes providing an identification point to a connection of a communications network; receiving a sequence number associated with a first packet, which is part of a first group of packets; and receiving a packet-group-length parameter that denotes the number of packets in the first group of packets. Other embodiments are described herein.

A workpiece characterization system for measurement of photoluminescence and/or layer properties of a workpiece. The workpiece characterization system includes an excitation light impinging upon a surface of a workpiece whereby the workpiece emits photoluminescent light. The emitted photoluminescent light may be characterized and correlated for determination of workpiece parameters such as dopant concentrations and LED performance characteristics. Additionally, the workpiece characterization system may also include an illumination impinging upon a surface of said workpiece whereby the illumination source is encoded with layer information from said workpiece. One or both of the lights are selectively collected, and each collected light is angularly and spatially sampled. Layer properties and/or photoluminescence properties of said workpiece may be measured from the selectively collected, and angularly and spatially sampled lights.

A measuring system serves the purpose of measuring a directional characteristic of a first signal sent or received by a device under test comprising sensor means for determining its position and/or orientation. The device under test is set up for determining the position and/or orientation on the basis of its sensors and communicate this information to the measuring device either wireless or wired. The measuring device can be an external or internal means. The measuring system comprises positioning means for positioning and/or orienting the device under test and a measuring device comprising antenna means for receiving the first signal and processing means for processing the received first signal. The processing means comprise sensor processing means for determining the position and/or orientation included in the first signal. The processing means are set up for determining the directional characteristic from the device under test and the position and/or orientation.

A high performance solid-state heading sensor for underwater towed arrays is taught that combines high quality MEMS sensor components with data processing filters to resolve performance limitations present in prior art heading sensors. The heading sensor employs rate gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers and a customized Kalman filter formulation implemented on a micro-controller to improve performance in determining the roll, pitch and heading of a towed array.

A system and method for detecting multiple incidents in a set of flow meter units attached to a set of water consuming units. A plurality of uniquely identified flow meter units are operatively connected to a central control unit. The control unit is programmable to send alerts based on leaking incident status of particular flow meter units so that a responder may receive the alert and timely address the alert. The central control receives and stores data from the multiple flow meter units, including volumetric flow, time, and status and location of each alert. A method of detecting leaking in a building having multiple separate units, each unit having a unit water supply, includes placing a specially configured controller having a flow meter and automatic shut-off valve in each unit of the building. Leak sensors are positioned in water-leak risk areas wherein the controller communicates with both the flow meter and the sensors. A communication is established in between the controller and the sensors. One or more individuals are identified to receive an alert when leakage (or over-pressure conditions) occurs. Water flow is measured with the controller in multiple of the units and using one or more of the sensors. The measurements detect changes when compared to earlier established baseline parameters. An alert is sent to one or more of the individuals (e.g. owner(s), maintenance staff, management) when an abnormal water flow valve is measured.

An aerial work apparatus having a boom mounted to a base, a platform attached to the distal end of the boom, a boom mechanism for positioning the platform, a boom control module mounted with respect to the platform, a vertical load-sensing mechanism mounted at the platform for measuring the platform load and generating a load signal based on that measurement, and a controller operationally attached to the boom mechanism and boom control module. The controller receives the load signal and at least one position signal relating to the position of the platform and generates at least one control signal based thereon. The boom mechanism is controlled by the boom control module through the controller. Preferably, the load-sensing mechanism is held in position by a vertical support column attached at the distal end of the boom so that the mechanism fully supports a platform support member attached to the platform.

The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for monitoring optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) in a wavelength division multiplexing optical transmission system. The present invention utilizes a polarization nulling method and a tunable optical bandpass filter in order to reliably monitor the OSNR by considering a finite polarization nulling ratio, polarization mode dispersion and non-linear birefringence of the optical system in real time measurement of the OSNR. Further, the tunable optical bandpass filter is controlled to filter all wavelength bands of wavelength division multiplexed signals. Since the invention may monitor a plurality of demultiplexed optical signals with a single apparatus, the overall cost of the OSNR monitoring equipment is significantly reduced.

A method and system for detection of potentially undesirable and/or dangerously low levels of blood glucose based on heart rate measurements in conjunction with initial calibration of blood glucose levels, and continuous monitoring of heart rate and estimation of blood glucose levels during periods of sleep.

Provided is a terminal that can accurately measure channel information between the terminal and each TP subjected to CoMP control. In this terminal, a reception processing unit (203) receives a reference signal transmitted from a specific transmission point and control information, and receives a signal transmitted from a transmission point other than the specific transmission point, this signal being received in resources comprising, from among a reference-signal resource group, a resource of a first number specified from the control information, and a resource of a second number separated from the first number by a predetermined number. A CSI generation unit (206) uses the reference signal and a signal received by an interference measurement resource to generate channel information. A transmission signal-forming unit (208) transmits the generated channel information.

A pressure sensor, a pressure control apparatus, and a flow rate control apparatus are provided to automatically correct temperature drift of the pressure sensor and accurately detect pressure despite changes in temperature. An embodiment includes an upstream side pressure sensor between an orifice and a control valve, to control flow rate through the orifice by a regulating control valve, while calculating the flow from the upstream side pressure. With a temperature sensor, a memory means, and a temperature drift correcting means which calculates drift of the upstream side pressure sensor from data in the memory means when the temperature of the fluid changes and offsets the output drift of the upstream side pressure sensor with the calculated amount of the output drift, temperature drift of the pressure sensor is automatically corrected, enabling accurate control of flow rate.

A method for the substantially complete detection and measurement of all surface imperfections, within a predetermined size range, contained on the surface of a machined metal component comprising the steps of: a) the accurate positioning of a sample so to expose substantially all of the surface imperfections to be viewed by a high resolution sensor; b) uniformly illuminating the surface of the sample with light; and c) detecting at least one of light scatter, light reflection and light extinction caused by said surface imperfections, with detectors having a depth of focus and field of view of detection over the entire visible surface of the sample. Wherein the detectors are positioned, relative to the sample whereby the optical path and field of view allows the sensor sufficient focus to view substantially all of the samples' surface. The method and apparatus produces a geometric representation of the surface imperfections in the detection region, whereby the size of detected imperfections can be is accurately adjusted to an actual size by either calculation or by calculated offset to allow accurate dimensional measurement of the imperfections.