Patents Examined by Luke Ratcliffe
  • Patent number: 9632191
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sound source detection device 1 which compares information of sound collected by sound collectors 13, 14, 15, and 16 to detect a predetermined sound source. The sound source detection device 1 includes a target determination unit 22 which arranges sound collectors at the same distance from a noise source inside a mobile object to determine a detection-target region of a sound source, and a sound source detection unit 25 which detects the direction of the predetermined sound source using information of sound of the detection-target region determined by the target determination unit 22. Accordingly, the sound source detection unit 25 does not determine sound input to the sound collectors 13, 14, 15, and 16 at the same timing as a detection target, making it possible to eliminate the influence of a noise source other than a sound source inside the mobile object in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Sato, Ryuji Funayama
  • Patent number: 9634739
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and a method thereof. The wireless communication system comprises a signal encoding module for encoding a preset high-frequency audio signal frequency according to a preset encoding rule, and creating an encoding library for storing the code; a signal sampling module for sampling a high-frequency audio signal produced by a high-frequency audio signal generating device; a signal transformation module for performing Fourier transformation on the sampled audio signal firstly to transform the audio signal into frequencies, acquiring a main frequency from the transformed frequencies, and storing the acquired main frequency; a signal decoding module for decoding the main frequency into a preset code according to the code in the library; and an output module for outputting the decoded code. The wireless communication system and the method of the present invention do not need hardware supports, thereby reducing the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: X.ON COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Chi Ho Leung, Yuet Fong
  • Patent number: 9632304
    Abstract: A direct view optical sight including an integrated laser rangefinder. One example of the sight includes an eyepiece, an objective providing an optical aperture and configured to direct electromagnetic radiation from a viewed scene to the eyepiece, an erector tube assembly coupled between the eyepiece and the objective, the laser rangefinder configured to transmit and receive laser radiation, and a beam combiner assembly mounted to the erector tube assembly and positioned between the erector tube assembly and the objective, the beam combiner assembly configured to combine the laser radiation and the electromagnetic radiation to allow the laser rangefinder to transmit and receive the laser radiation via the optical aperture of the objective, and to maintain optical alignment of the laser rangefinder and the viewed scene during movement of the erector tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Waterman, Robert B. Chipper, Gilbert J. Islas, James Allen McIntosh, John R. Staley, III, James M. Florence
  • Patent number: 9625595
    Abstract: Example embodiments of the present disclosure include one or more of a method, computing device, computer-readable medium, and system for creating a heightmap based on at least a portion of seismic data, rendering the heightmap, and illuminating at least a portion of the rendered heightmap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Westlye Larsen, Jimmy Klinger, Amadeus Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 9625593
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for reducing noise in migration of seismic data, particularly advantageous for imaging by simultaneous encoded source reverse-time migration (SS-RTM). One example embodiment includes the steps of obtaining a plurality of initial subsurface images; decomposing each of the initial subsurface images into components; identifying a set of components comprising one of (i) components having at least one substantially similar characteristic across the plurality of initial subsurface images, and (ii) components having substantially dissimilar characteristics across the plurality of initial subsurface images; and generating an enhanced subsurface image using the identified set of components. For SS-RTM, each of the initial subsurface images is generated by migrating several sources simultaneously using a unique random set of encoding functions. Another embodiment of the invention uses SS-RTM for velocity model building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Ramesh Neelamani, Partha S. Routh, Jerome R. Krebs, Anatoly Baumstein, Thomas A. Dickens, Warren S. Ross, Gopalkrishna Palacharla
  • Patent number: 9625594
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a barrier detection system that includes a plurality of sensors that are coupled in series to a seismograph. The seismograph receives a signal from the sensors. The system includes a computer system including computer storage and a processor. The computer system is in communication with the seismograph so that the computer system receives signals from seismograph and stores them in the computer storage. The system can include an object detection system that can process the signals received by the computer system from the seismograph. The object detection system can select a first portion of the signal to analyze based a predetermined time interval, create a baseline value for the first portion, and select a plurality of peaks from the first portion. The object detection can also analyze an amplitude, frequency, and periodicity of the first portion to assess the origin of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ARDMORE ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventors: Glenn Spencer, Michael S. King
  • Patent number: 9625368
    Abstract: An optical assembly for a system for inspecting or measuring of an object is provided that is configured to move as a unit with a system, as the system is pointed at a target, and eliminates the need for a large scanning (pointing) mirror that is moveable relative to other parts of the system. The optical assembly comprises catadioptric optics configured to fold the optical path of the pointing beam and measurement beam that are being directed through the outlet of the system, to compress the size of the optical assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Peter Goodwin, David Michael Williamson, Daniel Gene Smith, Michel Pharand, Alexander Cooper, Alec Robertson, Brian L. Stamper
  • Patent number: 9625580
    Abstract: A method for developing a map of objects in a region surrounding a location is disclosed. The method includes interrogating the region along a detection axis with a series of optical pulses and detecting reflections of the optical pulses that originate at objects located along the detection axis. A multi-dimensional map of the region is developed by scanning the detection axis about the location in at least one dimension. The reflections are detected via a single-photon detector that is armed using a sub-gating scheme such that the single-photon detector selectively detects photons of reflections that originate only within each of a plurality of zones that collectively define the detection field. In some embodiments, the optical pulses have a wavelength within the range of 1350 nm to 1390 nm, which is a spectral range having a relatively high eye-safety threshold and a relatively low solar background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Princeton Lightwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Evgenii Yuryevich Kotelnikov, William Paul Mordarski, Igor Kudryashov, Mark D. Entwistle, Sabbir Sajjad Rangwala
  • Patent number: 9625569
    Abstract: A method for operating a time-of-flight camera including a time-of-flight sensor comprising an array of time-of-flight pixels with at least two integration nodes, wherein in a 3D mode the time-of-flight sensor and an illumination means are operated by means of a modulation signal and on the basis of the charges accumulated at the integration nodes distance values are determined, characterized in that in a power saving mode the time-of-flight sensor is operated with a control signal for motion detection, the frequency of which is lower than a lowest frequency of the modulation signal for a distance determination in the 3D mode, wherein an object motion is determined based on a differential value at the integration nodes is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: PMDTECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventor: Robert Lange
  • Patent number: 9625592
    Abstract: A method for localizing a marine animal in an underwater environment implemented by a passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) system. The passive acoustic monitoring system includes network of acoustic sensors adapted to carry out measurements of acoustic signals. The method includes: obtaining, from the network of acoustic sensors, measured data of an acoustic signal emitted by a marine animal; defining a space of dimensional representation of the underwater environment discretized in a plurality of predefined cells, for each cell of a predefined set, obtaining an error defined as a value of a cost function for the cell, the cost function giving a deviation between: at least some of the measured data; and corresponding theoretical data obtained by assuming the marine animal is located in the cell, the errors obtained for the predefined set of cells enabling to obtain at least one piece of information about localization of the marine animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SERCEL
    Inventors: Christophe L'Her, Simon Vallez, Veronique L'Her Marrec
  • Patent number: 9625422
    Abstract: During a marine seismic survey, shots are fired at a time interval shorter than an S-wave listening time during which seismic receivers within a predetermined distance from the shot location detect reflected S-waves caused by an earlier shot. In portion of data acquired during the survey, information related to the S-wave reflections caused by the earlier shot is blended with information related to P-wave and S-wave reflections from a later shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventor: Julien Cloud
  • Patent number: 9625570
    Abstract: An apparatus is utilized for measuring a circumference. The apparatus includes a body section, and at least one wheel rotatably attached to the body section. Additionally, at least one vacuum generating device is disposed on the body section, and is configured to generate an effective amount of vacuum between the body section and an adjacent arcuate surface which is sufficient to retain the body section against the arcuate surface. At least one of a reflector and a gap detector may also be affixed to the body section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kyle S. Biondich, Truong D. Pham, Zachary Talus
  • Patent number: 9620099
    Abstract: The ultrasonic transducer device in accordance with the present invention includes a body unit and a fixing member. The body unit includes a housing including a space which is in a front surface of the housing and is for receiving an ultrasonic transducer, and a clip part provided to a side surface of the housing. The fixing member includes a fixing plate including a fixing surface to be attached to a rear surface of an exterior panel of a vehicle, and a through hole to communicate to an opening in the exterior panel, and an interlocked part removably connected to the clip part so that the space faces the through hole. The clip part includes an interlocking part, and a spring part keeping the interlocking part in a position in which the interlocking part is physically connected to the interlocked part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Osamu Hirakawa
  • Patent number: 9618646
    Abstract: A system for synchronizing instruments in a drill pipe to detect formation characteristics comprises at least one first transmitter for transmitting a first signal, at least one first receiver for receiving a second signal having information based on the first signal, at least one acoustic transmitter for transmitting an acoustic signal, and at least one acoustic sensor electrically connected to one of the at least one first transmitter and the at least one first receiver, the at least one acoustic sensor for sensing the acoustic signal for synchronizing the at least one first transmitter and the at least one first receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: BAKERY HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Christian Fulda
  • Patent number: 9618610
    Abstract: A light source is used for emitting an invisible light toward an object. The object reflects the invisible light and reflected light is formed, and a sensor is used for receiving the reflected light. A processor is coupled to the sensor for recording a time interval of the invisible light traveling from the light source to the object and reflected from the object to the sensor. Then, the processor estimates a measurement distance of the object according to the time interval, and adjusts an emission period of the light source, an exposure period of the sensor, intensity of the invisible light, and/or main sensing range of the sensor according to the measurement distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Tsan Kao, En-Feng Hsu, Chuan-Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 9618920
    Abstract: This document discusses among other things, methods and apparatus to conserve energy when providing proximity information. An example apparatus can include an energy emitter configured to emit a first pulse of energy, an energy sensor configured to receive reflected energy from the first pulse of energy, a control circuit including a processor, the processor configured to provide first proximity information of the apparatus with respect to an object using the reflected energy. The control circuit can be configured to control the energy emitter, to compare the first proximity information with second proximity information, and to modulate a delay between the first pulse of energy and a subsequent pulse of energy using the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Card
  • Patent number: 9618619
    Abstract: Laser radar systems include a pentaprism configured to scan a measurement beam with respect to a target surface. A focusing optical assembly includes a corner cube that is used to adjust measurement beam focus. Target distance is estimated based on heterodyne frequencies between a return beam and a local oscillator beam. The local oscillator beam is configured to propagate to and from the focusing optical assembly before mixing with the return beam. In some examples, heterodyne frequencies are calibrated with respect to target distance using a Fabry-Perot interferometer having mirrors fixed to a lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: Nikon Corporation, Nikon Metrology NV
    Inventors: Mina A. Rezk, Anthony R. Slotwinski, Daniel G. Smith, Eric Peter Goodwin, Alexander Cooper, Thomas M. Hedges
  • Patent number: 9618620
    Abstract: A method for measuring and registering 3D coordinates has a 3D scanner measure a first collection of 3D coordinates of points from a first registration position and a second collection of 3D coordinates of points from a second registration position. In between these positions, the 3D measuring device collects depth-camera images. A processor determines first and second translation values and a first rotation value based on the depth-camera images. The processor identifies a correspondence among registration targets in the first and second collection of 3D coordinates based at least in part on the first and second translation values and the first rotation value. The processor uses this correspondence and the first and second collection of 3D coordinates to determine 3D coordinates of a registered 3D collection of points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Oliver Zweigle, Bernd-Dietmar Becker, Reinhard Becker
  • Patent number: 9618742
    Abstract: Rotatable mirror assemblies and light detection and ranging systems containing rotatable mirror assemblies are described herein. An example rotatable mirror assembly may include (1) a housing having a top end, a bottom end, and a longitudinal axis intersecting the top and bottom ends, and (2) a set of reflective surfaces, where each reflective surface in the set is coupled to the top end of the housing and the bottom end of the housing such that each reflective surface possesses limited freedom of movement with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre-yves Droz, Drew E. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 9612115
    Abstract: A viewing device includes a laser rangefinder circuit configured to capture range data associated with a target within a view area and at least one sensor configured to capture orientation data associated with an aim-point of the laser rangefinder circuit concurrently with capturing the range data. The viewing device further includes a controller coupled to the laser rangefinder and to the at least one sensor and configured to automatically determine a range to the target from the range data based on the orientation data and a target location within the view area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: TRACKINGPOINT, INC.
    Inventors: John Francis McHale, John Hancock Lupher