Geophysical (e.g., Fault Slip) Patents (Class 340/690)
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Patent number: 11763109Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 24, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Paratech, IncorporatedInventors: Kenneth E. Nielsen, William O. Teach
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Patent number: 11714207Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: View, Inc.Inventor: Vince Vancho
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Patent number: 11131191Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Inventors: Christer Gotmalm, Josef Robert Mankowski
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Patent number: 11002135Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: EPIROC DRILLING TOOLS ABInventors: Paolo Ettore Pastorino, Adrian Berghorst
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Patent number: 11004001Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 18, 2017Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: ONE CONCERN, INC.Inventors: Timothy Frank, Ahmad Wani, Nicole Hu, Gabe Alvarez
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Patent number: 10739476Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2016Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignees: TOKYO GAS CO., LTD., Omron CorporationInventors: Hirohisa Sakuma, Naotsugu Ueda, Hiroyuki Mino
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Patent number: 10684383Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Seon Hwa Choi, Kihwan Lim, Myoung Jin Lee, Jae Seon Kim, Hyeong Gu Kang, Keumho Oh, Young-woo Kwon
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Patent number: 10657791Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: John Gerken, Michele C. Stewart-Smith, Fernando Ewald, Diogo S. Araujo
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Patent number: 10106172Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Eric H. Wingfield, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Michael Cavaretta, Kathleen Blackmore, Clifford Anthony Bailey, John Shutko
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Patent number: 10065804Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Fan Jiang, Zhencai Zhu, Wei Li, Sunyang Wu, Gongbo Zhou, Guohua Cao, Yuxing Peng, Hao Lu, Chunli Hua
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Patent number: 9558644Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Vivint, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy B. Warren, Jeffrey G. Thomas
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Patent number: 9305451Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 31, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Inventors: Yuxiang Liu, Sichen Liu
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Patent number: 9282648Abstract: 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 ofType: GrantFiled: May 9, 2011Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Epigem LimitedInventors: Thomas Harvey, Timothy George Ryan
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Patent number: 9261260Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Chau-Jin Hu, Li-Ying Wang He
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Patent number: 9207338Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: SAP AGInventor: Aaron Williams
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Patent number: 9082286Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 27, 2012Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Seismic Warning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael John Price, Gilead Wurman
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Patent number: 9041620Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hisashi Watanabe, Shigeto Yoshida, Kentarou Imamura
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Patent number: 9035784Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Inventor: Joseph Maanuel Garcia
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Patent number: 8994549Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 11, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Carlos F. P. Rocha, Flavio Ivan Da Silva
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Patent number: 8988242Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ho-Seok Han, Jae-Myung Jang, Jeong-Geun Yoo, Sang-Hoon Shin
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Patent number: 8981931Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Inventor: Che-Wei Liu
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Patent number: 8963732Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 20, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Groundprobe Pty LtdInventors: David Noon, Lachlan Campbell
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Publication number: 20140266762Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Vivint, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy B. Warren, Jeffrey G. Thomas
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Patent number: 8829907Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Jack Signorelli, Sheng Fang, Samuel Bell
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Patent number: 8818729Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Hunt Advanced Drilling Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian E. Stokeld, Todd W. Benson, Dwight A. Lockhart
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Patent number: 8686850Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 17, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLCInventors: Tao Zeng, Bing Zhang, Huayin Zheng, Jianzhong Deng
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Patent number: 8669881Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Li-Wen Chang
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Publication number: 20130328688Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2011Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventors: Michael John Price, Gilead Wurman
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Patent number: 8508364Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Acumine Party LtdInventor: Eduardo Nebot
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Patent number: 8488416Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 5, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Inventors: Habib Jeries Nasser, Meir Gitelis
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Patent number: 8422987Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.Inventors: John Richard Kane, Andrew Aftelak, Farideh Gozleveli, Li-Xin Zhen
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Publication number: 20130076524Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Inventor: I-Hao HO
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Patent number: 8354933Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 10, 2006Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd.Inventors: David Bresch, Pamela Koellner-Heck, Stefan Wunderlich
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Patent number: 8325034Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Inventor: Jason Lee Moore
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Publication number: 20120262299Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventor: Chia-Chun HUNG
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Patent number: 8284072Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Anthony A. Ruffa, Richard A. Erwin, Fletcher A. Blackmon
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Patent number: 8140050Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: KYOCERA CorporationInventors: Yukari Oue, Haruyoshi Oshinome
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Patent number: 8089356Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2009Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Inventor: Jason Lee Moore
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Patent number: 8059018Abstract: Methods and systems for digital control utilizing oversampling.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: L&L Engineering, LLCInventors: Paul Latham, Stewart Kenly
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Patent number: 8035497Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Terry M. Ciccaglione, Mark E. Maresh, Robert T. Sanders
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Patent number: 8023360Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 13, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Inventor: Larry A. Park
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Publication number: 20110037588Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: Tao ZENG, Bing Zhang, Huayin Zheng, Jiauzhang Deng
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Patent number: 7880598Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 8, 2006Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Terry Michele Ciccaglione, Mark Edmund Maresh, Robert Tucker Sanders
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Patent number: 7864068Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: NEC CorporationInventors: Ryosuke Komiya, Hiroaki Kuba, Naoki Kuwamori
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Patent number: 7855640Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Groundprobe Pty LtdInventors: Bryan Reeves, David Noon
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Patent number: 7839290Abstract: A safety device which emits sounds that guide rescuers to people trapped in collapsed structures.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Inventors: David Welford Chidakel, William Harris Groves, Jr., Paul A. Boduch, Michael Ellsworth Beach
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Publication number: 20100277334Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: FOXCONN COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY CORP.Inventor: Ta-Lun She
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Patent number: 7795881Abstract: 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 volType: GrantFiled: January 17, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Masashi Masuda, Junji Hayakawa
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Publication number: 20100207776Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2008Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventors: Shinji Takuno, Teruyuki Yorita
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Patent number: 7714714Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 7, 2006Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: Paul Edward Voglewede, Scott J. Cloutier, Michael D. Jordan