1335results about "Calibration apparatus" patented technology

A method for managing UV irradiation for treating substrates in the course of treating multiple substrates consecutively with UV light, includes: exposing a first UV sensor to the UV light at first intervals to measure illumination intensity of the UV light so as to adjust the illumination intensity to a desired level based on the measured illumination intensity; and exposing a second UV sensor to the UV light at second intervals to measure illumination intensity of the UV light so as to calibrate the first UV sensor by equalizing the illumination intensity measured by the first UV sensor substantially with the illumination intensity measured by the second UV sensor, wherein each second interval is longer than each first interval.

A system and method for auto-calibrating a barcode scanning tunnel to determine the orientation of one or more cameras with respect to a range finder and a conveyor belt comprises providing a scanning tunnel having a moveable surface, at least one range finder having an orientation, at least one camera having an orientation and at least one calibration object having at least one indicia disposed in a predetermined relationship to one or more features of the at least one calibration object, capturing at least one image of the at least one calibration object by the at least one camera, electronically detecting the at least one calibration object at least one indicia and the one or more object features and electronically calculating at least one component of the at least one camera orientation with respect to the moveable surface in response to information obtained from the image and the at least one calibration object at least one indicia.

A method for separately calibrating an optical model and a resist model of lithography process using information derived from in-situ aerial image measurements to improve the calibration of both the optical model and the resist model components of the lithography simulation model. Aerial images produced by an exposure tool are measured using an image sensor array loaded into the exposure tool. Multiple embodiments of measuring aerial image information and using the measured aerial image information to calibrate the optical model and the resist model are disclosed. The method of the invention creates more accurate and separable optical and resist models, leading to better predictability of the pattern transfer process from mask to wafer, more accurate verification of circuit patterns and how they will actually print in production, and more accurate model-based process control in the wafer fabrication facility.

Methods and apparatus for delivering fluidic materials to sample destinations, including mass spectrometers for analysis are provided. In preferred embodiments, sample aliquots are electrosprayed from tapered spray tips of capillary elements into the orifices of mass spectrometric inlet systems. In certain embodiments, fluidic samples are orthogonally sprayed from capillary elements or other fluid conduits, whereas in other embodiments samples are sprayed after devices are rotated or otherwise translocated from sample sources to sample destinations. In still other embodiments, samples are sprayed from flexed or deflected capillary elements at selected sample destinations.

A calibration method for a hand-held surgical instrument is disclosed. The hand-held instrument includes a drive motor, a firing rod controlled by the drive motor and having at least one indicator, and a sensor configured to detect the at least one indicator. A microcontroller includes a pulse modulation algorithm stored therein to control the drive motor. The microcontroller executes a calibration algorithm to adjust at least one program coefficient in the pulse modulation algorithm.

A vascular access port system including means for detecting and indicating the presence or absence of a needle. The detecting and indicating means may be carried in whole or in part by one of or both of the needle and / or the vascular access port. The detecting and indicating means may utilize a conductive needle, a mechanical switch, a magnetic switch, a Hall effect sensor, an electric field, a magnetic field, or an inductor, for example, for detection purposes. The vascular access port system permits the practitioner to confirm that the needle has been correctly inserted into the VAP, and notifies the patient and / or practitioner if the needle has been accidentally withdrawn.

An apparatus and method for automatically tuning a resonant circuit in a chiroptical measurement system. A sample cell holds a sample being measured for a chiroptical property as the sample is modulated by the resonant circuit. A signal source coupled to the resonant circuit generates a driving signal at one of a plurality of frequencies to modulate the resonant circuit. The frequencies are within a range of expected resonant frequencies for the resonant circuit. A feedback loop circuit coupled to the signal source is used to adjust the frequency of the driving signal to another of the frequencies in response to a feedback signal associated with a measured parameter of the driving signal. In this way, the frequency of the driving signal is adjusted to create a resonant condition. The driving signal may also be applied at a reduced power level so that the resonant circuit can be driven at off-resonant frequencies within the range of frequencies.

The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray photon (including gamma ray photon) and particle radiation for radiographic imaging (including conventional CT and radiation therapy portal and CT), nuclear medicine, material composition analysis, container inspection, mine detection, remediation, high energy physics, and astronomy. This invention provides novel face-on, edge-on, edge-on sub-aperture resolution (SAR), and face-on SAR scintillator detectors, designs and systems for enhanced slit and slot scan radiographic imaging suitable for medical, industrial, Homeland Security, and scientific applications. Some of these detector designs are readily extended for use as area detectors, including cross-coupled arrays, gas detectors, and Compton gamma cameras. Energy integration, photon counting, and limited energy resolution readout capabilities are described. Continuous slit and slot designs as well as sub-slit and sub-slot geometries are described, permitting the use of modular detectors.

A system for updating, enhancing and / or refining a geographic database is disclosed. The system uses a plurality of data collecting sensors, each of which is installed in a separate one of a plurality of vehicles, each of which travels on roads in a geographic region. Each data-collecting sensor provides outputs indicative of the sensing of one or more features in the geographic region as the vehicle in which it is installed travels. A computer program process compares the outputs of the data collecting sensors to previously obtained data that represent the physical features, determines the significance of the comparisons, and updates, enhances, or refines the data in an existing geographic database accordingly. Data that have been updated, enhanced, or refined, are provided back to end users.

The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods for preventing / ameliorating formation of precipitate blockages in microfluidic devices. In particular the devices and methods of the invention utilize microchannels of specific cross-sectional configuration and of specific arrangement as well as application of AC current orthogonal to the direction of fluid flow, in order to preventing / ameliorating formation of precipitate blockages in microfluidic devices.

A blood glucose sensing system includes a sensor and a sensor electronics device. The sensor includes a plurality of electrodes. The sensor electronics device includes stabilization circuitry. The stabilization circuitry cases a first voltage to be applied to one of the electrodes for a first timeframe and causes a second voltage to be applied to one of the electrodes for a second timeframe. The stabilization circuitry repeats the application of the first voltage and the second voltage to continue the anodic-cathodic cycle. The sensor electronics device may include a power supply, a regulator, and a voltage application device, where the voltage application device receives a regulator voltage from the regulator, applies a first voltage to an electrode for the first timeframe, and applies a second voltage to an electrode for the second timeframe.

Systems and methods of identifying molecules of polymers such as, for example, a nucleic acid, are described. The method involves centering a bias voltage across a pair of nanoelectrodes separated by a channel that corresponds to one of any of the energy differences between any two internal energy levels of a molecule of interest, and modulating the bias voltage with a modulation waveform while the molecule of interest is in the channel. An electrical signal characteristic of the molecule of interest is derived from the tunneling current between the nanoelectrodes, and the characteristic electrical signal is compared with known values of the signal for chemically-known molecules in order to identify the molecule of interest. Multiple pairs of nano-electrodes may be employed to identify more reliably a single molecule or multiple molecules.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to methods and apparatus for determining a variation of a calibration parameter of a pixel of the thermal sensor during operation of the imaging apparatus, after an initial calibration procedure. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to methods and apparatus for calculating a gain calibration parameter using first and second ambient temperature values and respective first and second resistance values for a pixel of a sensor. A further embodiment of the invention is directed to calculating an offset calibration parameter for at least one pixel using a gain of the at least one pixel between first and second times and an ambient temperature at a third time, wherein the pixel is exposed to both scene and ambient radiation at the third time.

A method and apparatus for quality assurance of an image guided radiation treatment delivery system. A quality assurance (“QA”) marker is positioned at a preset position under guidance of an imaging guidance system of a radiation treatment delivery system. A radiation beam is emitted from a radiation source of the radiation treatment delivery system at the QA marker. An exposure image of the QA marker due to the radiation beam is generated. The exposure image is then analyzed to determine whether the radiation treatment delivery system is aligned.

A controller for a gradient sequential compression system is provided for inflating a plurality of inflatable chambers of one or more compression sleeves according to several different modes of operation. A mode of operation may define the number and selection of chambers to be inflated, the pressurization levels, the pressurization time, or the sequence of chamber inflation. To enable the controller to automatically perform a designated mode of operation based on the type of compression sleeve connected, a new and improved connecting device is provided. An indicator on an interface connector associates a predetermined mode of operation with the interface connector. A sensor associated with a complementary connector identifies the mode of operation associated with the interface connector. It is contemplated that the universal connecting device can be used for any type of system, not just controllers for a gradient sequential compression system.

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining the life span for secure use of a pipeline comprising the steps of a) defining an area for surface corrosion analysis on the pipeline, b) providing a corrosion scanning system for scanning the defined area on the pipeline, c) localizing and measuring the corrosion on the surface of the defined area by means of the corrosion scanning system, d) determining the remaining wall-thickness of the pipeline at the defined area by means of the corrosion scanning system, and e) processing the surface condition data related to corrosion at the defined area obtained in steps c) and d) to determine the life span for secure use of the pipeline. In another aspect the present invention relates to a corrosion scanning system for performing for performing the method according to the invention. In another aspect the invention relates to a prediction system for predicting the secure life span of a pipeline.

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.

A plurality of temperature dependent focal plane arrays operate without a temperature stabilization cooler and / or heater over a wide range of ambient temperatures. Gain, offset and / or bias correction tables are provided in a flash memory in memory pages indexed by the measured temperature of the focal plane arrays. The memory stores a calibration database, which is accessed using a logic circuit which generates a memory page address from a digitized temperature measurement of each of the focal plane array. The calibration database is comprised of an array of bias, gain and offset values for each pixel in the focal plane array for each potential operating temperature over the entire range of potential operating temperatures. The bias, gain and offset data within the database are read out, converted to analog form, and used by analog circuits to correct the focal plane array response. The output of each of the FPAs is multiplexed to a shared processing module and calibration data for each of the FPAs is accessed from the shared processing module.

Mechanical sun trackers which have optical systems on their surface for concentrating direct solar radiation and its subsequent conversion into electricity through thermal or photovoltaic processes require precision solar tracking, which has to be all the more precise the greater the concentration factor used. Thus the precision required in these systems is generally less than a degree, and frequently of the order of a tenth of a degree. In view of the large dimensions of the surfaces, or apertures, of these trackers, currently in the approximate range of 20-250 m2, the difficulty of aligning these with the sun with such accuracy will be obvious. To achieve this objective a solar tracker must comply with strict rigidity specifications and its transmission must provide high resolution when positioning. In addition to this, equipment which is capable of controlling solar tracking with the specified precision at all times is required.

An electronic system for selectively detecting and identifying a plurality of chemical species, which comprises an array of nanostructure sensing devices, is disclosed. Within the array, there are at least two different selectivities for sensing among the nanostructure sensing devices. Methods for fabricating the electronic system are also disclosed. The methods involve modifiying nanostructures within the devices to have different selectivity for sensing chemical species. Modification can involve chemical, electrochemical, and self-limiting point defect reactions. Reactants for these reactions can be supplied using a bath method or a chemical jet method. Methods for using the arrays of nanostructure sensing devices to detect and identify a plurality of chemical species are also provided. The methods involve comparing signals from nanostructure sensing devices that have not been exposed to the chemical species of interest with signals from nanostructure sensing devices that have been exposed to the chemical species of interest. Nanostructure sensing device array structures that can measure and subtract out environmental factors are also disclosed.

A frequency swept laser source for TEFD-OCT imaging includes an integrated clock subsystem on the optical bench with the laser source. The clock subsystem generates frequency clock signals as the optical signal is tuned over the scan band. Preferably the laser source further includes a cavity extender in its optical cavity between a tunable filter and gain medium to increase an optical distance between the tunable filter and the gain medium in order to control the location of laser intensity pattern noise. The laser also include a fiber stub that allows for control over the cavity length while also controlling birefringence in the cavity.

A circular chemiresistor for use in microchemical sensors. A pair of electrodes is fabricated on an electrically insulating substrate. The pattern of electrodes is arranged in a circle-filling geometry, such as a concentric, dual-track spiral design, or a circular interdigitated design. A drop of a chemically sensitive polymer (i.e., chemiresistive ink) is deposited on the insulating substrate on the electrodes, which spreads out into a thin, circular disk contacting the pair of electrodes. This circularly-shaped electrode geometry maximizes the contact area between the pair of electrodes and the polymer deposit, which provides a lower and more stable baseline resistance than with linear-trace designs. The circularly-shaped electrode pattern also serves to minimize batch-to-batch variations in the baseline resistance due to non-uniform distributions of conductive particles in the chemiresistive polymer film.

A system and method for controlling one or more remote sensors includes wirelessly communicating with the sensors, monitoring operation of each one of the sensors, and causing any one of the sensors that is operating in an unauthorized manner to be disabled. In one embodiment, the sensors can include micro-mechanical structure supporting electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry is capable of monitoring at least one performance parameter of the sensor, comparing the monitored parameter to a preset limit, and disabling the sensor if the preset performance limit is exceeded.

A calibration system for a robot and its peripheral includes an emitter attached to the robot or its peripheral and emits a laser beam and a receiver also mounted to the robot or its peripheral at a point to permit calibration and for receiving the laser beam and to permit calculations to determine the dimension between the emitter and the receiver.

A parallel fluid processing system including multiple fluid process regions containing solid material in fluid communication with a common first fluid source may be used to conduct analyses and / or synthesis in parallel. A parallel fluid processing data correction method includes supplying and processing a calibrant in each fluid process region, measuring a first physical parameter and deriving at least one correction factor based on the parameter, supplying and processing at least one second fluid in each fluid process region, and then applying the correction factor to yield corrected process data. Retention time correction, peak area correction, and other useful data corrections may be performed. Parallel fluid processing may be performed with microfluidic devices and systems. A system for correcting retention times in parallel liquid chromatography is further provided.

The present invention is directed to a method for determining the molecular weight and diffusivity of a sample solute by providing a plus shaped microchannel network on a microfluidic chip, having at least four microchannels intersecting at a cross point; flowing a sample stream comprising a sample solute of unknown diffusivity and a blank stream from separate microchannels through the cross point and out to separate microchannels; creating a sample curve measuring the concentration of the sample solute that diffuses from the sample stream to the blank stream at the cross point while altering the flowrate of one of the blank stream or the sample stream; and determining a diffusion coefficient of the sample solute by extrapolating data from similar curves of at least two solutes having known molecular weights and / or diffusion coefficients created under similar conditions as those generated by the sample solute.

A calibration device which has at least two targets. Each target has at least one surface exhibiting areas of optical contrast, and each surface has a general plane of orientation. The targets are oriented such that a general plane of orientation of one target is inclined at an angle relative to the general plane of orientation of a surface of the second target which has areas of optical contrast.

A chemical-sensing apparatus is formed from the combination of a chemical preconcentrator which sorbs and concentrates particular volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and one or more chemiresistors that sense the VOCs after the preconcentrator has been triggered to release them in concentrated form. Use of the preconcentrator and chemiresistor(s) in combination allows the VOCs to be detected at lower concentration than would be possible using the chemiresistor(s) alone and further allows measurements to be made in a variety of fluids, including liquids (e.g. groundwater). Additionally, the apparatus provides a new mode of operation for sensing VOCs based on the measurement of decay time constants, and a method for background correction to improve measurement precision.

A deformable phantom apparatus for simulating motion of a patient's anatomy in 3D during breathing, the apparatus comprising a chamber fillable with a first fluid, a deformable member comprising tissue equivalent material of the anatomy being simulated, the deformable member being positionable within the chamber in the first fluid and having an open end in fluid communication with a second fluid outside the chamber in use; and a mechanism for causing the second fluid to flow through the open end to deform the deformable member between a normal state and a deformed state to simulate motion during breathing.