Patents Examined by Brian M. Buroker
  • Patent number: 5315531
    Abstract: A PC computer monitors the energy, power, voltage, and current consumed at a plurality of local stations placed behind the electrical meter of the utility company for individual billing of the local users, a bidirectional communication line being used therebetween. A command from the PC computer causes at each station the power, voltage, current and totalized energy to be stored, and thereafter the PC computer derives individually the results for separate estimations and central billing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: David M. Oravetz, Robert T. Elms, Joseph C. Engel, Frank Klancher, Thomas J. Kenny
  • Patent number: 5272649
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the location and stability of location of the edges of an object such as an extruded blown film polymeric material annulus. By real time detection of the edge location and mathematical and statistical manipulation of the data in both time and frequency domains, the stability and effects of extrusion parameters on the object can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Inventors: Gregory A. Campbell, Paul A. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 5272652
    Abstract: An expanded field of view visual display concept capable of conducting credible close-in or within visual range (WVR) air-to-air combat from a single computer graphics display screen. By use of the invention, the visual scene content that normally exists outside and around the cockpit of a fighter aircraft can be condensed onto a single CRT screen or video projection screen in such a manner that pilots have good situational awareness, even in close-in-combat, and can fly credible air combat. An expanded field of view visual display is created, referred to as target coordinate display (TCD), capable of conducting credible close-in simulated air combat from a single CRT display or video projection screen. The display handles multiple aircraft, shows friendly aircraft formations, is usable in real time, shows weapon release information, is easily adapted to by pilots, and yields credible air combat simulation results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Eidetics International
    Inventors: Leon Rosenshein, James R. Cobasko, Donald I. Farmer, Steven M. Mosher, Andrew M. Skow, Robert C. Ettinger, Urban H. D. Lynch
  • Patent number: 5262967
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the air-void or aggregate content of a concrete specimen according to the point count and modified point count method utilizing coordinate data collected during linear traverse method inspection. A computer operates a computer driven stage containing the concrete specimen under a microscope, whereby positional data is transmitted to the computer. The computer controls the linear traverse pattern of the stage under the microscope, although the operator has the option to manually increase or decrease the traverse rate during the inspection cycle. The computer automatically records linear traverse coordinate data for the entire traverse pattern. An operator records in the computer beginning and ending coordinate data for air-voids or aggregates encountered on the traverse pattern from which the air-void or aggregate content is calculated according to the linear traverse method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Braun Intertec Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Tarif M. Jaber, Kim A. Pearson
  • Patent number: 5251161
    Abstract: A method of modeling a vehicle crash waveform to generate an infinite set of crash waveforms comprises breaking down a predetermined crash waveform into a crash pulse (signal of interest) and multiplicative noise signal. The multiplicative noise signal is then statistically characterized as a function of time. Randomly variable waveforms from a white noise generator are then modified with the statistical characterization and multiplied with the signal of interest to generate the infinite set of model crash waveforms. These model crash waveforms can then be used to evaluate the performance of crash detection system in accordance with a "Monte Carlo" probability determination technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Automatic Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Gioutsos, Michael A. Piskie
  • Patent number: 5249140
    Abstract: A control module adapted for use as either a master controller or device controller in a distributed electrohydraulic system includes a microprocessor-based control circuit with digital memory having stored therein a plurality of programs for controlling operation of the controller in a variety of applications. A plurality of analog inputs provide a mechanism for connecting sensor signals or the like to input ports of the control microprocessor. A plurality of electrohydraulic valve driver circuits have inputs for receiving valve control signals from the control microprocessor, and outputs for selective connection to electrohydraulic valves coupled to the devices to be controlled. Serial communication circuitry is coupled to the control microprocessor and adapted for connection to a high-speed electrohydraulic bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Vickers, Incorporated
    Inventor: James A. Kessler
  • Patent number: 5247463
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for inspection of the toothed configuration of an elastomeric tubular sleeve which will later be cut into short lengths to produce toothed driving belts. A tubular sleeve (2) having a toothed inner surface (2a) is operatively mounted around rollers (5, 6) operable in rotation to move the sleeve transversely to the direction of the teeth (3). A reading member (15) movable parallel to the rollers (5, 6) detects, through the repeated reading of the height of the toothed surface (2a) passing under a given read point, the transverse outline of the individual teeth (3), to enable comparison with geometric parameters stored in a processing unit (20). The translation speed of the sleeve (2) is identified by measuring the time necessary to the passage of two characteristic points of two contiguous teeth (3). Assigned to each height value detected by the reading member (15) is a corresponding distance value from one of the characteristic points of the teeth (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Pirelli Prodotti Diversificati S.p.A.
    Inventors: Federico Mancosu, Roberto Sgnaolin, Roberto Zavaglio
  • Patent number: 5243547
    Abstract: A plurality of conductors (10, 11, 12, 15) are formed into sections (13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19) having uniform cross-sectional area. Per unit electrical parameters are developed for each section (13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19). A conductor of the plurality of conductors (10, 11, 12, 15) is partitioned into a number of equal length segments. All other conductors are partitioned into the same number of segments. For each segment, a lumped element model (24, 26, 28, 29) is developed. The model (24, 26, 28, 29) includes a capacitor (33), an inductor (32), a plurality of mutual inductors (36, 38, 31), and a plurality of mutual capacitors (37, 39, 40). Each model (24, 26, 28, 29) of a conductor (10, 11, 12, 15) is serially connected to provide an equivalent circuit (23, 27) of each conductor (10, 11, 12, 15). The circuits (23, 27) are simulated to determine the amount of signal coupling. The conductors (10, 11, 12, 15) are then modified to limit the signal coupling to desired values, and the procedure is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Chi-Taou Tsai, Wai-Yeung Yip
  • Patent number: 5239491
    Abstract: A device has a plurality of recesses for holding a plurality of medication containers, each fitting into a unique recess. The geometry of the bottom of each medication container is unique and only matches one recess in the holder. A sensor in each recess signals the presence or absence of the dedicated container to a microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed with the prescribed dose administration schedule for each of the different medications in the different containers. A real time clock cooperates with the microprocessor and the program to signal audibly and visibly by a light at the appropriate container when a particular pill is to be administered. The signals stop when the appropriate container is removed from its recess. A different, warning sound indicates when the wrong container is lifted. Since only one particular container will fit into the programmed recess location, errors in medication administration are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventor: Domenic Mucciacciaro
  • Patent number: 5227985
    Abstract: A sensing system for monitoring the position and orientation of a rigid object (20). At least 4 point light sources (24) are mounted on the surface of the object (20) in a noncoplanar arrangement. A single electronic camera (26) captures images (59) of the point light sources (24). Locations of the images (59) of the light sources (24) are detected in each video image, and a computer runs a task using these locations to obtain close approximations of the rotation matrix and translation vector (33) of the object (20) in a camera coordinate system (74) at video rate. The object is held by an operator (90) for three-dimensional cursor (94) control and interaction with virtual reality scenes (96) on computer displays (88), and for remote interactive control of teleoperated mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: University of Maryland
    Inventor: Daniel F. DeMenthon