Patents Examined by Marc S. Hoff
  • Patent number: 7356423
    Abstract: An apparatus for reading out a differential capacity with a first and second partial capacity includes a first oscillator having a first frequency-determining element connectable to the first partial capacity and a second oscillator having a second frequency-determining element connectable to the second partial capacity; a switching means to switch the first frequency-determining element into a first state or to switch it into a second state, and to switch the second frequency-determining element into a third state or to switch it into a fourth state; read apparatus having a first detection means connected to the first oscillator; and an evaluation means which carries out a quotient formation to obtain a value indicating a quotient of the first and the second partial capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderderung der angewandten Forschung e.V
    Inventor: Oliver Nehrig
  • Patent number: 7324919
    Abstract: An apparatus for analysing the condition of a machine having a rotating shaft, includes: at least one input for receiving measurement data from a sensor for surveying a measuring point of the machine, the measurement data being dependent on rotation of the shaft; and a data processing device for processing condition data dependent on the measurement data. The data processing device includes a device for performing a plurality of condition monitoring functions (F1, F2, Fn), wherein the data processing device includes a Field Programmable Gate Array circuit coupled to the at least one input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: SPM Instrument AB
    Inventors: Stafan Lindberg, Håkan Hedlund, Jim Kummelstam, Jarl-Ove Lindberg
  • Patent number: 7319935
    Abstract: A system and method to perform analysis on test results of multiple integrated circuits. Based on the analysis, the system and method display a wafer map having map indicators representing statistical values of the test results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xueqing Sun, Mark Eyolfson, Chris Langworthy, Karl L. Major
  • Patent number: 7275017
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for network knowledge-based diagnosis comprising the machine-implemented steps of creating and storing one or more symptoms, wherein each symptom comprises a set of information elements that represent one or more network events that may be potentially received from a computer network; associating a weight value with each information element of the one or more symptoms; associating a confidence time interval value with each of the one or more symptoms; receiving one or more network events from elements in the computer network; and determining a set of one or more candidate diagnoses of a problem indicated by the received network events, by (a) selecting one or more symptoms that include at least one of the received network events and (b) using functions that map the selected symptoms to one or more candidate diagnoses, based on all weight values of events in the selected symptoms and the confidence time interval values of the selected symptoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Petre Dini, Chris Riggins, Manuela I. Popescu
  • Patent number: 7272539
    Abstract: Unique representation, such as music or image full of originality, is generated in relation to a specific data sequence such as a telephone number. A music generation server 10 is provided with a material table TA in which material data associated with music phrases are provided in correspondence with the digits of the telephone number and the numerals thereof given at the respective digits, and such server is connected to a user's terminal, such as a PC 50 or a cellular phone 56. When a specific data acquisition program 30 is executed to acquire a telephone number as a specific data sequence from a user, a material data extraction program 32 is executed to make reference to the foregoing material table TA and extract therefrom a particular material data MD corresponding to the acquired telephone number. Then, a generation program 34 is executed to arrange such material data MD in a predetermined order and thereby generate one completed piece of music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Sano
  • Patent number: 7260501
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring, diagnosis and condition-based maintenance of mechanical systems. The disclosed systems and methods employ intelligent model-based diagnostic methodologies to effectuate such monitoring, diagnosis and maintenance. According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the intelligent model-based diagnostic methodologies combine or integrate quantitative (analytical) models and graph-based dependency models to enhance diagnostic performance. The disclosed systems and methods may be employed a wide variety of applications, including automotive, aircraft, power systems, manufacturing systems, chemical processes and systems, transportation systems, and industrial machines/equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignees: University of Connecticut, Toyota Technical Center, U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Krishna R. Pattipatti, Jianhui Luo, Liu Qiao, Shunsuke Chigusa
  • Patent number: 7260486
    Abstract: A flow meter includes a measuring tube for conveying a fluid to be measured and a magnetic field system, which has at least one field coil, through which an exciter current (IM) flows, at least at times, for producing a magnetic field passing through the fluid at least partly perpendicularly to a stream direction. In the method, the voltage (UH) instantaneously driving the exciter current (IM) is changed at a second point in time, t2, from the second voltage level, Udrv, to a third voltage level, Ushort, especially to a third voltage level which is constant or controlled to be constant, in order to achieve a sinking of the electrical current strength of the exciter current (IM) instantaneously flowing in the at least one field coil from the maximum current value, Im, to an electrical current end value, Iczu, especially a constant end value, predetermined for the exciter current (IM). In such case, the third voltage level, Ushort, is chosen smaller than the second voltage level, Urev.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Thomas Budmiger
  • Patent number: 7260485
    Abstract: Various computer-implemented methods and systems are provided. One computer-implemented method includes determining a ratio between output signals generated by detecting spectra for a single event in two or more detection windows. The spectra are characteristic of different materials. At least a portion of the spectra overlap in at least one of the two or more detection windows. The method also includes determining which of the different materials are associated with the ratio. One embodiment of a system includes one or more detectors configured to detect spectra for a single event in two or more detection windows. The spectra may include spectra as described above. The one or more detectors are also configured to generate output signals in response to the detected spectra. The system also includes a processor configured to determine a ratio between the output signals and to determine which of the different materials are associated with the ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Luminex Corporation
    Inventor: Don J. Chandler
  • Patent number: 7260495
    Abstract: A system and method for test generation for system level verification using parallel algorithms are provided. The present invention generates test patterns for system level tests by exploiting the scalability of parallel algorithms while allowing for data set coloring and expected result checking. Based on the characteristics of the system being tested an iterative parallel algorithm is selected from a plurality of possible parallel algorithms. The selected parallel algorithm is then separated into separate program statements for execution by a plurality of processors. A serial version of the selected algorithm is executed to generate a set of expected results. The devised parallel version of the selected algorithm is then run to generate a set of test result data which is compared to the set of expected results. If the two sets of data match, it is determined that the system is operating correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sanjay Gupta, Steven L. Roberts, Christopher J. Spandikow
  • Patent number: 7260502
    Abstract: One of the thermal transmission rates that represent thermal transmission from gas to steam in a heat exchanger constituting a boiler is calculated based on thermal conductivity rate of pipes and thermal transfer of steam and gas, and the other is compared with the thermal conductivity rate calculated based on the thermal conductivity rate of the pipes and thermal transfer rate of steam and gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7257517
    Abstract: A detection apparatus that detects an exercise history of a user in a swimming pool includes: a plurality of receiving units operable to receive user identifying information for identifying the user from a portable device retained by the user; a recording unit operable to recording receiving unit identifying information for identifying one of the receiving units in association with the user identifying information when the one receiving unit receives the user identifying information; and a activity amount computing unit operable to compute a physical activity amount of the user based on a history of the receiving unit identifying information stored in association with the user identifying information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Konami Sports Life Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Shitan
  • Patent number: 7257515
    Abstract: A method for generating alerts from a periodically sampled system is disclosed. The method includes maintaining a sampling window having a predefined number of most-recently collected samples. The method further includes calculating an alert value, the alert value representing a ratio of a first value to a total number of samples in the sampling window, the first value representing a total number of samples in the sampling window having parameters exceeding a predefined sample alert threshold. The method additionally includes generating a first alert if the alert value exceeds a predefined alert threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael Haeuptle
  • Patent number: 7254500
    Abstract: A method of displaying signals containing a spatial and a temporal aspect, where multiple signals are received by multiple sensors. The received signals are decomposed into separate signal components within one or more distinct frequency bands. Signal components are isolated within each frequency band based on differences between the signal components within the same frequency band, and the signal components are displayed. The signal components may be analyzed to determine a time course of activity and a location of the associated source. Representations of the source may also be generated and displayed to aid in monitoring the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Scott Makeig, Jörn Anemüller
  • Patent number: 7251579
    Abstract: A method, system, and software for calculating a multi factor temperature index includes determining the values of at least two weather related parameters. The multi factor temperature index is calculated using the calculated values of the two weather related parameters and an actual temperature value. The two weather related parameters are selected from a group consisting of a wind speed parameter, a solar intensity parameter, a dew point parameter, an atmospheric pressure parameter and a precipitation parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: AccuWeather, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel N. Myers, Michael A. Steinberg, Joseph Sobel, Elliot Abrams, Evan Myers
  • Patent number: 7251570
    Abstract: Systems and methods for ensuring data integrity in a mesh network. A mesh network can include multiple RF devices. Transmitting quality data in or on the mesh network is improved using communication validation functions. The communication validation functions ensure a reliable communication network, preserve data during a network outage, and validate data. The communication validation functions can measure or control data quality within a communication and analysis network. The communication validation function operates to control data quality, for example, by measuring the quality of wireless links, ensuring the presence of redundant links, testing the ability of the mesh network to establish a backup communication path, generating alarms based on communication thresholds, tracking the communication path followed by communication packets, and identifying placement locations for additional RF devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Power Measurement Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin A. Hancock, Arthur B. Wynans, Bernard C. Mansey, Darrin G. Marr, Simon H. Lightbody, Michael E. Teachman, Scott M. Henneberry
  • Patent number: 7249000
    Abstract: Various sensor unit configurations are disclosed within the context of a fluid quality monitoring system. The distribution of sensor units can be accomplished using existing product distribution channels to sell, distribute and install sensor units so that a fluid distribution monitoring system can be established at relatively low cost, on a wider basis, and by locating sensor units at the most desirable location from problem detection standpoint, the location of the end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Sensicore, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm R. Kahn, Piu Francis Man, Glenn Martin
  • Patent number: 7248991
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring a rotational speed, in particular a rotational speed of a wheel of a motor vehicle, by means of a speed sensor, wherein the speed sensor produces an output signal characterizing the actual rotational speed and wherein the output signal of the speed sensor is sampled and further processed in accordance with sampled values thus obtained. For an—in hardware terms—simple realization, according to the invention it is provided that the output signal is sampled at a predetermined sampling rate over at least one measuring cycle, that in each case the amplitude of sampled values obtained in the measuring cycle is determined and that from the rate of occurrence of sampled values of an amplitude lying within a predetermined amplitude range at least one signal level occurring during the measuring cycle in the output signal is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Eugen Goebel, Manfred Fuss, Ingo Alfter
  • Patent number: 7248972
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer program product or code in memory for detecting and transmitting sensory data from a portable field device 10 to a processor 12 via a computer network 10 for analytic purposes. The product includes a code directed to capturing analyte data pertaining to an unknown analyte using a field device 10. The product further includes a code directed to encoding the captured analyte data and transmitting the encoded analyte data via a computer network 18 to a processor 12 for analysis. The product also includes a code directed to performing an analysis of the captured analyte data at a remote location by the processor 12 using data of known analytes retrieved from an electronic library 14. This code and others can be used with the present invention to perform the functionality described herein as well as others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Smiths Detection, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Sunshine
  • Patent number: 7248978
    Abstract: A power management architecture for an electrical power distribution system, or portion thereof, is disclosed. The architecture includes multiple electronic devices distributed throughout the power distribution system to manage the flow and consumption of power from the system using real time communications. Power management application software and/or hardware components operate on the electronic devices and the back-end servers and inter-operate via the network to implement a power management application. The architecture provides a scalable and cost effective framework of hardware and software upon which such power management applications can operate to manage the distribution and consumption of electrical power by one or more utilities/suppliers and/or customers which provide and utilize the power distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Power Measurement Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas S. Ransom
  • Patent number: 7246018
    Abstract: An interpolator testing system and method comprises an interpolator that includes a phase shift module. The phase shift module receives a reference clock signal and generates M clock signals having phase shifts in increments of 360/M degrees relative to the reference clock signal. A phase select module receives the reference clock signal and a recovered clock signal during a normal mode and generates a select signal based on a comparison of the reference clock signal and the recovered clock signal during the normal mode. A selector receives the M clock signals and outputs one of the M clock signals as the recovered clock signal based on the select signal. A recovered clock counter counts an attribute of the recovered clock signal during a test mode. The phase select module sequentially selects the M clock signals N times during the test mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: William Lo, Francis Campana