Geophysical (e.g., Fault Slip) Patents (Class 340/690)
  • Patent number: 11763109
    Abstract: A monitor configured to be removably coupled to a strut that forms part of a temporary support structure. The monitor may include an electronic monitoring device that includes a load cell. The monitor may be configured to be position in-line with strut and subject to the same forces exerted upon the strut. Further the monitor may be configured to wirelessly communicate the sensor information to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Paratech, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Nielsen, William O. Teach
  • Patent number: 11714207
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for detecting seismic events. Systems may include inertial sensors distributed on or in communication with a network of optically switchable windows in the building. In some systems, inertial sensors are located within a window controller, within an insulated glass unit, or in some way rigidly attached to the structure of a building. Logic is described for leveraging sensed inertial data to predicted a seismic event and/or evaluate the structural health of the building. In some cases, logic may be used to issue an alert to building occupants about impending shear waves that will arrive at the building's location. In some cases, a window network may respond to a detected seismic event by, e.g., changing the optical state of windows and/or providing occupants with evacuation instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventor: Vince Vancho
  • Patent number: 11131191
    Abstract: Rock bolts are typically used to provide support for rock formations and to hold the formation together. Rock bolts may fail due to a number of reasons. Failures in rock bolts may cause overload or loss of preload in the rock bolt. Aspects of the disclosure provide a sensing device for a rock bolt. The sensing device includes a spacer and at least one load sensor. Each said at least one load sensor includes a respective resilient compressible element that is adjacent a respective end of the spacer. The resilient compressible element compresses responsive to a respective load threshold. Each load sensor provides respective sensor output as a function of whether or not the respective resilient compressible element is compressed. The sensing device generates device output indicating a status of the rock bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventors: Christer Gotmalm, Josef Robert Mankowski
  • Patent number: 11002135
    Abstract: A tool to aid in the installation of a rock bolt assembly in a rock hole which includes a drive shaft having a proximal end, which is adapted to engage with a drilling rig, and a distal end which includes a recess which is adapted to receive a trailing end portion of the rock bolt and which has a first seat against which an axially pre-set component of the rock bolt assembly abuts, a tubular sleeve telescopically engaged with the shaft which has a first end, which is adapted to receive an axially moveable component of the rock bolt assembly and which has a second seat against which the axially moveable component abuts, and a second end, wherein the sleeve is reciprocally moveable relatively to the shaft between a biased forward position in which the axially pre-set component and the axially moveable component are spaced, and a retracted second position in which the axially pre-set component engages or connects to the axially moveable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: EPIROC DRILLING TOOLS AB
    Inventors: Paolo Ettore Pastorino, Adrian Berghorst
  • Patent number: 11004001
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for determining cluster areas within a region having higher estimates of damage caused by an earthquake as compared to damage in nearby areas. One method includes operations for identifying features associated with buildings within the region, and for training a machine learning program based on the identified features and earthquake damage data. In addition, the method includes operations for estimating, by the machine learning program, block damage caused by an earthquake, and for identifying a critical damage area (CDA) within the region. The CDA comprises a plurality of blocks geographically clustered that have a highest value of block damage. Additionally, the method includes an operation for causing presentation of the CDA within a map of the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: ONE CONCERN, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Frank, Ahmad Wani, Nicole Hu, Gabe Alvarez
  • Patent number: 10739476
    Abstract: A seismic sensor that suppresses power consumption operates in a power-saving mode and a measurement mode in which the power consumption is larger than that in the power-saving mode. The seismic sensor includes a measurement unit that measures an acceleration, a filtering unit that, if the acceleration measured by the measurement unit exceeds a predetermined threshold, causes a shift from the power-saving mode to the measurement mode to be performed, and performs filtering on the measured acceleration, an earthquake determination unit that determines whether or not an earthquake has occurred based on the filtered acceleration, and an index calculation unit that, if where the earthquake determination unit determined that an earthquake has occurred, calculates an index value indicating the scale of the earthquake. A shift from the measurement mode to the power-saving mode is performed if the earthquake determination unit determined that no earthquake has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignees: TOKYO GAS CO., LTD., Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Hirohisa Sakuma, Naotsugu Ueda, Hiroyuki Mino
  • Patent number: 10684383
    Abstract: Provided is an earthquake response system using a seismic motion sensor. The seismic motion sensor of the earthquake response system includes: a sensor unit measuring a sensor value including peak ground acceleration (PGA) of the ground due to shaking; a seismic motion sensing unit sensing seismic motion on the basis of a seismic motion sensing result value calculated from an artificial neural network that uses the peak ground acceleration as input when the peak ground acceleration satisfies a seismic motion sensing condition; a seismic motion determiner determining generation of final seismic motion on the basis of a seismic motion determination parameter calculated from the sensor value on the basis of the seismic motion sensing result; a shaking grade calculator calculating a shaking grade of the determined final seismic motion through the peak ground acceleration; and a communication unit notifying the shaking grade of the final seismic motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Seon Hwa Choi, Kihwan Lim, Myoung Jin Lee, Jae Seon Kim, Hyeong Gu Kang, Keumho Oh, Young-woo Kwon
  • Patent number: 10657791
    Abstract: A method and system for improving an interactive security alert process is provided. The method includes querying a status associated with an alarm system resulting in detection of an alarm system active state and detecting a user located within a specified proximity of an exit point location of a structure. An alert indicating that the user is located within the specified proximity of the exit point location of the structure is generated. The alert is presented to the user and feedback associated with the alert is received from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Gerken, Michele C. Stewart-Smith, Fernando Ewald, Diogo S. Araujo
  • Patent number: 10106172
    Abstract: A selection for a shared vehicle is received. Whether the shared vehicle is in view of a user device camera is determined. At least one of directions to the shared vehicle are provided to the user device. Data of the shared vehicle are identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Wingfield, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Michael Cavaretta, Kathleen Blackmore, Clifford Anthony Bailey, John Shutko
  • Patent number: 10065804
    Abstract: A chain fault diagnosis system and a chain fault diagnosis method for a scraper conveyor are provided. The diagnosis system includes a strain rosette attached on a top end surface of each sprocket tooth of the scraper conveyor. The strain rosette is connected to a signal gathering unit fixed on a scraper conveyor roller through a shielded conductor, the signal gathering unit sends a gathered signal to a wireless receiving device by means of wireless transmission, and the wireless receiving device transmits the gathered signal obtained thereby to an industrial control computer through a USB interface. The diagnosis method includes the following three steps: chain dislocation/skip fault judgment, chain breakage fault judgment and chain seizure fault judgment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Fan Jiang, Zhencai Zhu, Wei Li, Sunyang Wu, Gongbo Zhou, Guohua Cao, Yuxing Peng, Hao Lu, Chunli Hua
  • Patent number: 9558644
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to approaches for detecting and monitoring for earthquakes using a control unit of a security system. A security system may include a plurality of sensors that detect alarm conditions and send alarm condition messages to a control unit for the security system. The control unit may be communicatively coupled to the sensors and configured to receive the alarm condition messages from the sensors. The security system may also include an earthquake sensor that senses earthquake conditions and sends an earthquake condition message to the control unit if it detects the earthquake condition. The control unit may include an alarm module. The control unit causes the alarm module to generate an alarm in response to receiving the earthquake condition message from the earthquake sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Warren, Jeffrey G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9305451
    Abstract: An improved seismic alarm system designed to alarm users of an upcoming seismic event and other natural disasters, and aid victims' survival after an earthquake. The seismic alarm system includes an accelerometer, a controller, an acoustic-to-electric transducer for acoustic pattern detection, and RF module to receive emergency radio signals. The alarm system has central controlling unit that sets off an alarm after processing signals from several module and components: accelerometer detects seismic P wave acceleration changes for early earthquake detection; acoustic-to-electric transducer detects human acoustics or predetermined acoustic patterns, then initiates an alarm that brings rescue attention to survivors; RF module is tuned to receive emergency radio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventors: Yuxiang Liu, Sichen Liu
  • Patent number: 9282648
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composite electrode and method of manufacturing such a composite electrode, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first substrate layer with an electrically conducting surface; providing a non-conducting curable material; providing a second substrate layer which has a surface relief pattern defining at least one retaining feature corresponding to a desired metal track pattern; forming a line of contact between the conducting carrier layer and at least a part of the surface relief pattern; depositing curable material onto at least part of the surface relief pattern or the electrically conducting surface along the line of contact; advancing the line of contact and curing the curable material through the second substrate layer; releasing the cured material from the surface relief pattern feature so as to leave behind a surface relief pattern on the conducting carrier layer; depositing a first metal layer onto the exposed regions of the electrically conducting surface of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Epigem Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Harvey, Timothy George Ryan
  • Patent number: 9261260
    Abstract: A lens unit includes a lens and a reflector hung to the lens. The lens includes a bottom face, a light incident face formed in the bottom face, a light emerging face opposite to the bottom face and a lateral face connecting the bottom face with the light emerging face. A wire extends through the light incident face and the light emerging face. A top end of the wire is attached on a block disposed on the light emerging face, a bottom end of the wire is attached to the reflector. An LED module incorporating the lens unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chau-Jin Hu, Li-Ying Wang He
  • Patent number: 9207338
    Abstract: The systems, methods and articles described herein are directed to a cloud based server which can access and retrieve data for dynamically calculating and generating information relating to an earthquake (or other hazard event), including damage and injury caused by the earthquake. In addition, the information relating to the earthquake can be distributed to one or more cloud connected vehicles and external sources, such as for either providing early warning or assistance with emergency response. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Aaron Williams
  • Patent number: 9082286
    Abstract: Embodiments disclose a system and method that distributes warning with a description the probability of the severity of the hazardous condition producing the warning and incorporating a policy engine for expressing rules for responding to the warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Seismic Warning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Price, Gilead Wurman
  • Patent number: 9041620
    Abstract: An interface (303) between adjacent ones of light guide sections (310) is inclined with respect to an incident surface (301) and an emission surface (302) of the light guide element (300A) so that an incident surface (311) of at least a part of the light guide sections (310) overlaps a part of a display region (202) in a liquid crystal panel (200A) and an emission surface (312) of said at least a part of the light guide sections (310) overlaps at least a part of a frame region (203) above which an image on the display region (202) is to be displayed. Furthermore, a relation 5°<?<85° is met, where ? indicates an angle between a direction of a borderline between adjacent light guide sections (310) on a plan view and a direction in which pixels (201) adjacent to the frame region (203) are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Watanabe, Shigeto Yoshida, Kentarou Imamura
  • Patent number: 9035784
    Abstract: A machine for detecting earthquake precursory signals that comprises a spring-loaded balance wheel that is in reality an oscillating seismometer, the oscillating seismometer employed as a local oscillator in a seismic wave receiver. A clock and balance wheel make up the seismic wave receiver which detects the precursory micro-seismic vibrations that precede the earthquake. Extreme sensitivity is accomplished by the immense storage capacity of the clock, for each individual swing of the balance wheel, a miniscule interruption takes place that will go unnoticed but after tens of thousands of swings, which would take place over night for example, a buildup of these interruptions will eventually have their effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph Maanuel Garcia
  • Patent number: 8994549
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for facilitating oilfield operations utilizing auditory data. In one embodiment, the present invention generates one or more auditory mapping structures whereby oilfield data may be mapped to sounds. The present invention provides at least one computer generated selection tool through which the user may select one or more portions of displayed oilfield data for auditory enhancement. Once the user has indicated an area of interest using the selection tool, the present invention may identify the oilfield data displayed within the outlined area of interest, identify auditory data associated with the displayed oilfield data utilizing one or more auditory mapping structures, and emit at least a portion of the identified auditory data to enhance the user's understanding of the displayed oilfield data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos F. P. Rocha, Flavio Ivan Da Silva
  • Patent number: 8988242
    Abstract: A flat panel display device and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The flat panel display device includes: a pixel unit including a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines intersecting with the plurality of scan lines, and a plurality of pixels connected to the plurality of the scan lines and the plurality of the data lines, the plurality of pixels comprising red, green, blue and white pixels, a data driver outputting a data signal to the data lines, and a scan driver outputting a scan signal to the scan lines, where a storage capacitor of the blue pixel is formed in a lower portion of the white pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ho-Seok Han, Jae-Myung Jang, Jeong-Geun Yoo, Sang-Hoon Shin
  • Patent number: 8981931
    Abstract: An earthquake alarming device with rescue assisting capability includes a casing and a circuit unit. The circuit unit is disposed in the casing and includes a control module, and a seismic sensory module, a speaker, a transmitter module and a heating module all connected to the control module. The seismic sensory is capable of detecting an earthquake. The control module controls the speaker to generate an audio alarm, controls the transmitter module to transmit a wireless signal, and controls the heating module to generate heat when informed by the seismic sensory module that an earthquake has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Che-Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 8963732
    Abstract: A method of generating an alarm indicating movement of a slope under inspection that sets an alarm if (1), where dX is a first measured displacement, dY is another measured displacement at a chosen difference from dX, and dZ is another measured displacement at a chosen difference from dY, and the corresponding times at which the chosen distances are measured are tA, tB and tC respectively for dX dY and dZ. So that an alarm is set if the ratio of the time taken for the slope to move between dY and dZ compared to moving between dX and dY is less than the ratio of the respective displacements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Groundprobe Pty Ltd
    Inventors: David Noon, Lachlan Campbell
  • Publication number: 20140266762
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to approaches for detecting and monitoring for earthquakes using a control unit of a security system. A security system may include a plurality of sensors that detect alarm conditions and send alarm condition messages to a control unit for the security system. The control unit may be communicatively coupled to the sensors and configured to receive the alarm condition messages from the sensors. The security system may also include an earthquake sensor that senses earthquake conditions and sends an earthquake condition message to the control unit if it detects the earthquake condition. The control unit may include an alarm module. The control unit causes the alarm module to generate an alarm in response to receiving the earthquake condition message from the earthquake sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Warren, Jeffrey G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8829907
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole, the apparatus having: a carrier configured to be conveyed through the borehole; a transmitter disposed at the carrier and configured to transmit electromagnetic energy at a first frequency into the formation; a first antenna disposed at the carrier and configured to receive electromagnetic signals from the formation as a result of the transmitted electromagnetic energy interacting with the formation; and an active filter coupled to the antenna and configured to filter electromagnetic signals received by the antenna to let the electromagnetic signals at the first frequency pass for processing to estimate the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack Signorelli, Sheng Fang, Samuel Bell
  • Patent number: 8818729
    Abstract: Provided are a system and method for identifying planned markers while drilling a borehole. In one example, the method includes obtaining a plan containing planned markers that each corresponds to a baseline marker from an existing well. Each of the baseline markers corresponds to a waveform from a log file obtained from the existing well and is associated with a waveform representation of the corresponding waveform. Each of the planned markers is associated with an estimated true vertical depth (TVD) value. A second log file corresponding to the borehole is obtained that contains waveforms representing formation information detected within the borehole. The second log file is scanned for a planned marker based on the estimated TVD value and the waveform representation of the baseline marker corresponding to the planned marker. At least one match may be identified and reported for the planned marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Hunt Advanced Drilling Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Stokeld, Todd W. Benson, Dwight A. Lockhart
  • Patent number: 8686850
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to detecting seismic movements and providing at least one alarm notification based on the detected seismic movement. Particularly, a sensor device, which may be positioned in a subterranean part of a structure, may detect a seismic movement. The sensor device may make a determination as to whether the received seismic movement is greater than a predetermined threshold. If the seismic movement is greater than a predetermined threshold, the sensor device may transmit an alarm notification to one or more alarm devices, which may be located within the structure, indicating the seismic movement. The alarm device(s) may provide an alarm, notifying people in the structure of the seismic movement. This may provide an opportunity for the people to leave the structure before the seismic movement reaches the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Bing Zhang, Huayin Zheng, Jianzhong Deng
  • Patent number: 8669881
    Abstract: A container data center includes a container, a plurality of power supplies, an electric switch system, a plurality of normally closed switches, an alarm device, and a controller. The electric switch system is received in the container. The plurality of normally closed switches are connected between the power supplies and the electric switch system. Each normally closed switch is connected with a corresponding one of the power supplies in series. The controller is connected to the normally closed switches and the alarm device, configured for receiving earthquake information containing an earthquake intensity, and configured for controlling the alarm device to activate alarms and controlling some of the normally closed switches or all the normally closed switches to open when the earthquake intensity is equal to or greater than a predetermined earthquake intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Wen Chang
  • Publication number: 20130328688
    Abstract: A method or system for detecting a seismic event includes detecting a primary wave of a seismic event using at least one sensor at a measurement location; using at least one parameter of the detected primary wave to determine an estimated peak ground intensity at the measurement location without determining the magnitude of the seismic event; determining an epicenter of the seismic event; and estimating the intensity of the seismic event at a specified location using the determined estimated peak ground intensity and the distance of the specified location from the epicenter. The epicenter can be determined using sensors at a single location. A noise detection system can filter out detected signals that correspond to local vibrations rather than seismic events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Michael John Price, Gilead Wurman
  • Patent number: 8508364
    Abstract: A method of enhancing the safety of a region includes defining a set of rules for the region. Collecting field data from a plurality of mobile stations movable throughout the region. The field data includes information relating to the relative movement of the mobile stations. Comparing the collected field data to the set of rules to identify one or more areas of potential risk within the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Acumine Party Ltd
    Inventor: Eduardo Nebot
  • Patent number: 8488416
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an earthquake detection and alarming apparatus, comprising: a transparent object (46) having a concave surface on the top thereof; a rollable object (34) placed on the concave surface; an apiary of light projectors (30) placed above the concave surface; an apiary of light receivers (38) correspondingly to the apiary of light projectors, the apiary of light receivers being placed below the concave surface; and circuitry for determining: (a) vibrating frequency and amplitude of the rollable object with reference to the concave surface from sensing of the receivers (38); and (b) deducing therefrom the arrival of primary waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventors: Habib Jeries Nasser, Meir Gitelis
  • Patent number: 8422987
    Abstract: A method and wireless device augment and manage, respectively, emergency alert messages with additional emergency information. An emergency alert message is determined to have been sent (404) to one or more wireless devices (102) in a given area. The emergency alert message is analyzed (406) to determine a type of emergency associated with the emergency alert message. Optionally, a current location of at least one wireless device (102) within the given area is determined. A message is generated (412), based at least in part on the type of emergency and logistics of the given area, including additional emergency information for augmenting the emergency alert message. The message that has been generated is transmitted to the at least one wireless device (102). This message is, optionally, adjusted based on the location of the device and the logistics of the given area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Richard Kane, Andrew Aftelak, Farideh Gozleveli, Li-Xin Zhen
  • Publication number: 20130076524
    Abstract: An earthquake alarm has a casing, a P-wave detecting device and an S-wave detecting device. The casing has a power supply, a controlling unit and a sound alarming unit. The controlling unit is electrically connected with the power supply. The sound alarming unit is electrically connected with the controlling unit. The P-wave detecting device has a longitudinally moving element and a contacting tab. The longitudinally moving element has a first end connected securely to the casing and a second end movable relative to the casing along a longitudinal direction. The contacting tab is spaced from and selectively contacting with the second end of the longitudinally moving element and is electrically connected with the controlling unit. The S-wave detecting device has a pendulum hung in the casing and a contacting ring. The contacting ring is mounted around the pendulum and is electrically connected with the controlling unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: I-Hao HO
  • Patent number: 8354933
    Abstract: An automated trigger device and a corresponding method for dynamic triggering of developing and/or imminent tropical storms for integrated monitoring devices and/or control devices and/or early warning systems. The trigger device includes a trigger module, and measurement devices arranged in cellular, geographically and/or topologically definable units or zones. Geophysical measurement parameters can be transmitted from the measurement devices to the trigger module. By a Monte Carlo module—and based on the measurement parameters—data records can be dynamically generated for definable future time intervals. By an extrapolation module track distribution parameters of a track distribution integrable over the plurality of data records are generated for each of the definable future time intervals. By an activating device—and based on the generated track distribution parameters and/or the trigger parameters—a corresponding control signal is transmitted to the monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd.
    Inventors: David Bresch, Pamela Koellner-Heck, Stefan Wunderlich
  • Patent number: 8325034
    Abstract: Systems and methods to generate weather alerts are provided. A particular system includes one or more sensors to detect weather data. The system also includes a weather band radio receiver to receive weather alert messages. The system also includes a processor to perform an analysis of the weather data, to determine based on the analysis whether the weather data indicates a dangerous storm condition, and to initiate a first alert when the analysis indicates the dangerous storm condition and a weather alert message has been received. The first alert is not initiated when the weather alert message is received and the analysis does not indicate the dangerous storm condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Jason Lee Moore
  • Publication number: 20120262299
    Abstract: An earthquake-triggered emergency indicator includes an earthquake detector, an indicator, a controller, and a battery module. The earthquake detector is configured for detecting a vibration. The indicator is configured for generating an indication signal in a form of light, sound or vibration to guide a user to take an emergency measure. The controller is configured for generating a trigger signal based on a magnitude and a lasting time of the vibration so as to trigger the indicator to output the correspondent indication signal. The battery module is configured for providing power supply required for operation of the earthquake-triggered emergency indicator. Preferably, the above-mentioned earthquake-triggered emergency indicator includes a wireless communication module for connecting multiple earthquake-triggered emergency indicators to reduce adverse effects caused by malfunctioning single emergency indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Chia-Chun HUNG
  • Patent number: 8284072
    Abstract: The invention as disclosed is a system for real time detection of tsunami waves. A tsunami is considered a “shallow water wave”, having a large wavelength compared to the ocean depth. A tsunami can have wavelengths ranging from 100 to 500 km, and amplitudes up to 60 cm (i.e., a pressure signal of up to 1 psi). At least one telecommunications grade optical fiber cable fitted with repeaters spanning the length of an ocean, a laser and a signal processor are used to measure pressure signals over spatial cells as small as 0.5 meters in width based on Rayleigh scattering effects and employing optical time delay reflectometry. The tsunami pressure signals are extracted from the pressure signals generated by wind-generated water waves (having much shorter wavelengths) through signal processing to distinguish between the substantial differences in wavelength, period and propagation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Anthony A. Ruffa, Richard A. Erwin, Fletcher A. Blackmon
  • Patent number: 8140050
    Abstract: It is an aim of the present invention to easily transmit a user's critical state with certainty by an intuitive operation which is not difficult to operate while being able to avoid incorrect activations. A portable wireless terminal (110) of the present invention includes a vibration detection part (226) which detects a vibration of the portable wireless terminal and obtains a vibration value, a vibration amount judgment part (230) which judges whether a vibration amount calculated based on the detected vibration value and the time during which the vibration value exceeds a predetermined vibration value has reached a predetermined threshold, and a transmission part (232) which transmits to the contact destination terminal registered in the portable wireless terminal in the case where the vibration amount is judged to have reached the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Yukari Oue, Haruyoshi Oshinome
  • Patent number: 8089356
    Abstract: Systems and methods to generate weather alerts are provided. A particular system includes a weather band radio receiver to receive weather alerts. The system further includes a processor to perform an analysis of the received electromagnetic radiation and to determine based on the analysis whether the electromagnetic radiation indicates rotation in a storm system. The processor initiates an alert when the analysis indicates rotation in the storm system and a weather alert has been received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Jason Lee Moore
  • Patent number: 8059018
    Abstract: Methods and systems for digital control utilizing oversampling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: L&L Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Latham, Stewart Kenly
  • Patent number: 8035497
    Abstract: An apparatus and a computer implemented method for monitoring and recording the orientation data for an object. The orientation apparatus comprises an outer casing. Inside the outer casing is an orientation device that comprises six chambers, with a ball sensor in each chamber, and a ball. The orientation apparatus also comprises a data recorder for recording an event history of the orientation device, and a communicator for conveying the event history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Terry M. Ciccaglione, Mark E. Maresh, Robert T. Sanders
  • Patent number: 8023360
    Abstract: A system for detecting precursor seismic electromagnetic waveforms includes a transducer connected to the emitter of a transistor and arranged to conduct in response to an electromagnetic seismic precursor. Conduction by the transducer initiates a current in the transistor's base-emitter junction, reversing the bias of the function and enabling a resonating current in the junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Larry A. Park
  • Publication number: 20110037588
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to detecting seismic movements and providing at least one alarm notification based on the detected seismic movement. Particularly, a sensor device, which may be positioned in a subterranean part of a structure, may detect a seismic movement. The sensor device may make a determination as to whether the received seismic movement is greater than a predetermined threshold. If the seismic movement is greater than a predetermined threshold, the sensor device may transmit an alarm notification to one or more alarm devices, which may be located within the structure, indicating the seismic movement. The alarm device(s) may provide an alarm, notifying people in the structure of the seismic movement. This may provide an opportunity for the people to leave the structure before the seismic movement reaches the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Tao ZENG, Bing Zhang, Huayin Zheng, Jiauzhang Deng
  • Patent number: 7880598
    Abstract: An apparatus and a computer implemented method for monitoring and recording the orientation data for an object. The orientation apparatus comprises an outer casing. Inside the outer casing is an orientation device that comprises six chambers, with a ball sensor in each chamber, and a ball. The orientation apparatus also comprises a data recorder for recording an event history of the orientation device, and a communicator for conveying the event history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Terry Michele Ciccaglione, Mark Edmund Maresh, Robert Tucker Sanders
  • Patent number: 7864068
    Abstract: In an earthquake noticing system according to the present invention, an earthquake noticing server receives focal data, calculates an expected time of arrival from a distance calculated from an occurrence location of an earthquake, a self-location and a focal depth, calculates an estimated seismic intensity from the occurrence location of the earthquake, the self-location and the seismic magnitude, calculates a corrected value of the expected time of arrival from the occurrence location of the earthquake, the self location and the location of a sub-terminal, and transmits the corrected value and estimated seismic intensity to the sub-terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Ryosuke Komiya, Hiroaki Kuba, Naoki Kuwamori
  • Patent number: 7855640
    Abstract: A method and system for determining alarm conditions of a slope under inspection whereby one or more dimensionless threat estimate values are calculated for one or more time periods. The maximum dimensionless threat estimate value calculated is selected and compared with a threshold alarm value. If the maximum dimensionless threat estimate value exceeds the threshold alarm value alarm conditions are set to indicate that the slope under inspection is exhibiting unsafe movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Groundprobe Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Bryan Reeves, David Noon
  • Patent number: 7839290
    Abstract: A safety device which emits sounds that guide rescuers to people trapped in collapsed structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventors: David Welford Chidakel, William Harris Groves, Jr., Paul A. Boduch, Michael Ellsworth Beach
  • Publication number: 20100277334
    Abstract: A communication system for emergency transmissions and method thereof are disclosed. The communication system comprises a determination unit, a location detector, a message unit, and a wireless transceiver. The determination unit calculates an earthquake magnitude of an earthquake detected by a sensor, and determines whether the earthquake magnitude reaches a default threshold magnitude. The location detector acquires a coordinate of an earthquake location when the earthquake magnitude reaches the default threshold magnitude. The message unit then generates an emergency message embodying the coordinate of the earthquake location. The wireless transceiver then transmits the emergency message to at least one emergency center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: FOXCONN COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventor: Ta-Lun She
  • Patent number: 7795881
    Abstract: A capacitive physical quantity detection device comprising a plurality of capacitive physical quantity sensors, wherein each sensor includes: a detection unit having a movable electrode and a fixed electrode; a C-V conversion circuit having a differential amplifier circuit, wherein a first input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit is coupled with the movable electrode, a second input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit inputs a reference voltage and a self-diagnosis voltage therein during a normal operation and a self-diagnosis operation, respectively, and the C-V conversion circuit outputs an output voltage; and a signal processing circuit that performs a signal processing of the output voltage, wherein the reference voltage in each sensor is substantially the same, the plurality of sensors performs the self-diagnosis operation simultaneously, and the self-diagnosis voltage in one of the sensors is a first self-diagnosis voltage that is different in magnitude from the self-diagnosis vol
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Masuda, Junji Hayakawa
  • Publication number: 20100207776
    Abstract: A communication device of the present invention is provided with an evacuation direction portion receiving an earthquake early warning, and outputting a text image or sound for an evacuation direction. If the earthquake early warning is received under circumstances where a time adjusting portion cannot assure the accuracy of time kept by a timekeeping portion, the evacuation direction portion gives an evacuation direction based on earthquake information unassociated with the time. The evacuation direction portion is provided with a plurality of kinds of evacuation direction images or sounds. The evacuation direction portion determines an image or sound to be used for the evacuation direction based on an expected time period before a main tremor arrives calculated by an earthquake information calculating portion. Moreover, an evacuation direction registering portion receiving from a user, selection of evacuation direction data that the evacuation direction portion uses is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Shinji Takuno, Teruyuki Yorita
  • Patent number: 7714714
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for improved signal processing within a remote sensor system. The system includes a detection component and a classification component. The detection component is adapted to detect an event. The classification component is adapted to classify the event based at least in part on a situation. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for improved signal processing within a remote sensor system. The system includes determining a situation, detecting an event, and classifying the event based at least in part on a situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Edward Voglewede, Scott J. Cloutier, Michael D. Jordan