With Calibration Patents (Class 340/870.04)
  • Patent number: 10763964
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods and structures providing bidirectional optical fiber communication and sensing using the same fiber transmission band and bidirectional WDM fiber sharing such that communications channels and optical fiber sensing channel(s) coexist on the same fiber. As a result, nonlinear interaction between communications channels and interrogating pulse(s) of sensing are much reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yue-Kai Huang, Ezra Ip, Philip Nan Ji, Ming-Fang Huang
  • Patent number: 10691233
    Abstract: Logic of a handheld controller can implement sensor fusion algorithms based on force data provided by a force sensing resistor (FSR) in combination with touch data or proximity data provided by a touch sensor or an array of proximity sensors, respectively. An example sensor fusion algorithm can be used to re-calibrate the FSR when an object contacts an associated control, as detected by the touch sensor. Another example sensor fusion algorithm can be used to ignore spurious inputs detected by the FSR when an object is in contact with an adjacent control. Another example sensor fusion algorithm can be used to detect a hand size of a hand grasping a handle of the controller, as detected by the array of proximity sensors, and to adjust the threshold force to register a FSR input event at the FSR according to the hand size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Dalton, Jeffrey Peter Bellinghausen, Scott Douglas Nietfeld, Jeffrey George Leinbaugh, Ian Campbell, Cheang Tad Yoo, Lawrence Yang, Jeffrey Walter Mucha
  • Patent number: 10670471
    Abstract: An electronic system may include a controller that measures a plurality of temperatures of the electronic system. Each of the plurality of temperatures may be indicated by one of a plurality of temperature voltages, each of which is generated across the same voltage-generation circuit. The controller and the voltage-generation circuit may be located on a component of the system, such as an integrated circuit, and external temperature sensors may provide their respective temperature signals to an input circuit located on the component. The controller may switch between activating and deactivating a temperature sensor located on the component and the input circuit to generate the plurality of temperature voltages across the voltage-generation circuit at different time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Prasad Naidu
  • Patent number: 10649583
    Abstract: Logic of a handheld controller can implement sensor fusion algorithms based on force data provided by a force sensing resistor (FSR) in combination with touch sensor data provided by a touch sensor. An example sensor fusion algorithm can be used to pause calibration adjustments for the touch sensor—at least with respect to a high-level value that corresponds to a touch of a control—in response to a user pressing upon the control of the handheld controller with an above-threshold amount of force, which may be detected by a FSR associated with the control. For instance, calibration adjustments with respect to the high-level value can be paused in response to FSR values crossing a threshold value from below the threshold value to above the threshold value, and the calibration adjustments can be resumed in response to the FSR values crossing the threshold value in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey George Leinbaugh
  • Patent number: 10598705
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for measurement of power in an electric power transmission line (20) is disclosed. The apparatus (10) comprises a magnetic field sensor (30) for measuring the magnetic field (35) at the electric power transmission line (20) and transmitting magnetic field data (37) to a processor (40). The magnetic field sensor (30) is arranged at a minimum threshold distance from the electric power transmission line (20). The apparatus (10) also has a voltage sensor (50) arranged distally from the magnetic field sensor (30) for transmitting voltage waveform data (55) to the processor (40) and a transfer function calculator (60) for calculating the relationship between the transmitted voltage waveform data at the voltage sensor (50) and transmission line voltage waveform data (55).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Live Power Intelligence Company NA, LLC
    Inventor: Pål Eevn R Gaarder
  • Patent number: 10268342
    Abstract: An electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface: displays a first user interface that includes a plurality of selectable objects; while a focus selector is at a location that corresponds to a respective selectable object, detects an input that includes detecting a contact on the touch-sensitive surface; and in response to detecting the input: in accordance with a determination that detecting the input includes detecting an increase in intensity of the contact that meets intensity criteria, displays a menu that includes contact information for the respective selectable object overlaid on top of the first user interface; and in accordance with a determination that detecting the input includes detecting a liftoff of the contact without meeting the intensity criteria, replaces display of the first user interface with display of a second user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Foss, Sebastian J. Bauer, Jonathan R. Dascola, Stephen O. Lemay, Wan Si Wan, Marcos Alonso Ruiz, Gregory M. Apodaca, Alan C. Dye, Jonathan Ive, Chanaka G. Karunamuni, Kenneth L. Kocienda
  • Patent number: 9793679
    Abstract: A distributed Raman amplifier comprises a loss-measuring device that measures losses in an optical fiber transmission line; a signal processing circuit that compares the measured losses to a threshold, below which a pumping light source is permitted to pump the transmission line; a control circuit responsive to a control signal from the signal processing circuit for controlling operation of the pumping light source; and a spool of fiber configurable to be optically coupled between the pumping light source and optical point-loss sources in the transmission line when the losses are above the threshold. The spool of fiber has a fiber of sufficient length to offset aggregated losses, which prevents the distributed Raman amplifier from shutting down while also allowing the distributed Raman amplifier to achieve entitled gain by pumping the fiber in the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Mox Networks, LLC
    Inventor: David Hochhalter
  • Patent number: 9722429
    Abstract: Power delivery of an image modality system for transferring power from a transmission unit (e.g., stationary unit) to a reception unit (e.g., a moving and/or rotating unit). A modulated electric signal comprising at least two modulated characteristics (e.g., such as amplitude and frequency) is configured to (e.g., concurrently) supply power to both high voltage and lower voltage components (216, 222) of the reception unit. An auxiliary component (316) is configured to utilize a first of the modulated characteristics (e.g., amplitude) to adjust/regulate a voltage applied to the lower voltage component (s), and a filter component (324) (e.g., such as a frequency selective circuit) is configured to utilize a second of the modulated characteristics (e.g., frequency) to adjust/regulate a voltage applied to the high voltage component (s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ANALOGIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hans J. Weedon, Stephen Quigley
  • Patent number: 9595829
    Abstract: A power control apparatus includes: a first obtainment unit which obtains a power flow value at a power flow measuring point and a voltage value at a voltage measuring point provided; a power flow control unit which calculates a first power change value, to cause the power flow value to approach a predetermined target value; a voltage control unit calculates a voltage value at the voltage measuring point when the first power has been changed by the first power change value, and sets a second power change value, based on whether or not the voltage value falls within a predetermined voltage range; and a notification unit which notifies the power adjustment apparatus of a command value for causing the power adjustment apparatus to input or output the first power changed by the first power change value and the second power changed by the second power change value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9372097
    Abstract: A rotational rate sensor is provided having a substrate and a Coriolis element, the rotational rate sensor having a drive means for exciting the Coriolis element to a Coriolis oscillation, and the rotational rate sensor having a detection device for producing a sensor signal as a function of a deflection of the Coriolis element relative to the substrate on the basis of a Coriolis force acting on the Coriolis element, and in addition the rotational rate sensor being configured to carry out a self-calibration when a rotational acceleration signal produced as a function of the sensor signal falls below a specified threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Oliver Kohn, Thomas Claus, Fouad Bennini
  • Patent number: 9322724
    Abstract: The invention relates to an algorithm for detecting activation of a tactile pressure sensor having a mechanic structure that includes the steps of: (a) measuring periodically an input quantity (V0; f0) of the sensor, when it is not pressed, the period being set according to sensor dynamic requirements; (b) computing a current idle quantity (Vidle; fidle) depending on the input quantity (V0; f0) measured at step a); (c) computing an activation threshold (?VP; ?fP) based on a quantity characterization of the sensor mechanic structure and depending on the idle quantity (Vidle; fidle) defined at step b); (d) comparing the sensor input quantity (V0; f0) with the last defined idle quantity (Vidle; fidle) increased by the activation threshold (?VP; ?fP) computed in step c) in order to determine whether the sensor is pressed or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Grandemange, Pierre-Benoit Prud'Homme, Etienne Aufrere, Quang Huong
  • Patent number: 9207129
    Abstract: A preexisting voltage across a sensor is latched to a storage capacitor prior to any excitation current being applied to the sensor. Once the excitation current is applied, the voltage on the storage capacitor is directly subtracted from a differential voltage across the sensor. The subtraction is done before a measurement is converted to a digital value and passed to a transmitter. The subtraction is performed in hardware, and a time required to sample and hold the preexisting voltage across the storage capacitor is within a settling time used for collecting any sensor measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Jason H. Rud
  • Patent number: 9202093
    Abstract: A method for determining a value of an environment variable using raw data from an energetically essentially passive remote-access apparatus. A value of a first measurable quantity indicative of the environment variable is obtained from the raw data. The value of the environment variable is determined using calibration data and the value of the first measurable quantity. The accuracy is enhanced by measuring the value of the measurable quantity with a measuring signal of which strength is regulated or by obtaining a value of a second measurable quantity. The second measurable quantity is indicative of the environment variable or measurement conditions of the first measurable quantity. A method for forming calibration data for the measurements. RFID reader devices arranged to carry out the methods and energetically essentially passive remote-access apparatuses for the methods. A database that may be used with the method and a computer product including the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: SMARTRAC IP B.V.
    Inventors: Kaj Nummila, Kaarle Jaakkola, Miika Huusko, Heikki Seppä, Juhani Virtanen, Juha Vattulainen
  • Patent number: 8970370
    Abstract: A system and method for calibrating physical data sensing devices with physical data control devices is disclosed. The system and method are particularly useful for calibrating physical data sensing devices that measure physical data at periodic intervals different from the periodic intervals in which the physical data control device measure the physical data. The system and method provide a quick and accurate calibration between devices sampling at different rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley J. Clement, Steven Tethrake, Steven Morrison
  • Patent number: 8939068
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a smoker with multiple separate drawers for smoking meat, fish, sausage, etc. In an example embodiment, one drawer may contain water and another drawer may contain smoking material such as wood chips. The sliding drawers enable the maintenance of a stable smoking temperature and offer a safer means to replenish water and/or wood during the actual smoking operation. The multiple drawers allow a user to add wood and/or water without opening the smoking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Landmann USA
    Inventor: Jared I. Cohen
  • Patent number: 8913126
    Abstract: A device for attaching to an electric power line conductor includes an electrically conductive housing having an opening for accepting the power line conductor and configured to be grounded to the electric power line conductor. At least one magnetic core is configured to surround the power line conductor and power a power supply electronics module. At least one camera assembly is connected to the housing and configured to capture fault and lightning stroke images along the electric power line conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Murray W. Davis
  • Publication number: 20140266785
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing, transmitting and displaying data received from an analyte sensor, such as a glucose sensor, are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for transmitting data between a first communication device associated with an analyte sensor and a second communication device configured to provide user access to sensor-related information comprises: activating a transceiver of a first communication device associated with an analyte sensor at a first time; and establishing a two-way communication channel with the second communication device; wherein the activating comprises waking the transceiver from a low power sleep mode using a forced wakeup from the second communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Miller, Mark Dervaes, Phong Lieu, Peter C. Simpson, Shawn Larvenz, Jacob S. Leach, Sebastian Bohm
  • Patent number: 8816870
    Abstract: A user display for a healthy home or like building structure. The user display includes a hardware housing and a display device coupled to the hardware housing. The user display further includes a plurality of graphical objects corresponding respectively to a plurality of different loads numbered from a through N, where N is an integer greater than 1. The loads can include, among others, air conditioning, water, heat, electricity, swimming pool, and others. Each of the graphical objects is displayed in a common unit of measurement and comprises a total demand portion and a fraction of renewable energy portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: PVT Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Reed Plaisted, Gordon Michael Handelsman
  • Publication number: 20140077971
    Abstract: Raman amplifier systems and methods with an integrated Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) for integrated testing functionality include an amplifier system, an OTDR and telemetry subsystem, and a method of operation. The OTDR and telemetry subsystem is configured to operate in an OTDR mode when coupled to a line in port and to operate in a telemetry mode when coupled to a line out port. The OTDR and telemetry subsystem enables on-demand fiber testing while also operating as a telemetry channel that is both a redundant optical service channel (OSC) and provides a mechanism to monitor Raman gain over time. The OTDR and telemetry subsystem minimizes cost and space by sharing major optical and electrical components between the integrated OTDR and other functions on the Raman amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: CIENA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Archambault, Jun Bao, Balakrishnan Sridhar
  • Publication number: 20140043170
    Abstract: A method is disclosed including receiving with a controller at a destination node signal samples and associated sampling time indications. The signal samples and the associated sampling time indications are received from a source node via a mesh network. The signal samples are delivered with sampling time indications generated at the source node to form a series of signals corresponding to one or more characteristic(s) related to electricity supplied to one or more electrical devices from a power source. The method also includes applying a time domain convolution procedure to the received signal in the time domain that is uniformly sampled. The weighting of sample values in time domain convolution procedure is determined at least partially based on information indicative of the statistical behavior of a corresponding realized sample process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Utilidata, Inc.
    Inventor: David Gordon Bell
  • Publication number: 20140043171
    Abstract: A method is disclosed including receiving with a controller at a destination node signal samples and associated sampling time indications. The signal samples and the associated sampling time indications are received from a source node via a mesh network. The signal samples are delivered with sampling time indications generated at the source node to form a series of signals corresponding to one or more characteristic(s) related to electricity supplied to one or more electrical devices from a power source. The method also includes applying a time domain convolution procedure to the received signal in the time domain that is uniformly sampled. The weighting of sample values in time domain convolution procedure is determined at least partially based on information indicative of the statistical behavior of a corresponding realized sample process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Utilidata, Inc.
    Inventor: David Gordon Bell
  • Patent number: 8624527
    Abstract: An illumination system in accordance with an embodiment hereof includes a plurality of LED units, a system controller, at least one sensing unit, and a plurality of local controllers each associated with at least one LED unit. Each LED unit includes a plurality of differently colored, independently controllable LEDs forming a color gamut. The system controller generates control signals for each of the LED units consistent with a desired system-level output. The sensing unit(s) senses an operating state of the LEDs during operation thereof, and each local controller includes a memory and a compensator. The memory includes calibration data for use over a short time period, and the compensator updates the calibration data based on measurements from a sensing unit over a long time period. Based at least in part on the calibration data, the local controller operates the LEDs of the LED unit to maintain output intensities consistent with commands issued by the system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Oree, Inc.
    Inventors: Noam Meir, Ilan Landsmann, Ori Spier, Tania Kosburd, Eran Fine
  • Patent number: 8542646
    Abstract: In a network having a plurality of network devices communicating across the network, a method, includes performing a first scan of a first plurality of channels of the network, wherein the channels are scanned for a first scan time; identifying a list of one or more potentially available channels based on results of the first scan; performing a second scan of the network channels, the second scan scanning only those channels identified as potentially available channels based on the first scan, one of the each potentially available channel for a second scan time and wherein the second scan time is longer than the first scan time; and identifying an available channel based on results of the second scan and selecting the available channel for communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Gang Ding
  • Patent number: 8321080
    Abstract: In engine temperature display device for a watercraft, an engine temperature data value is calculated based on a detection signal of a temperature of an engine of an outboard motor. The engine temperature data value is sent to an engine state display device installed in a watercraft by a LAN. A control portion of the engine state display device computes the engine temperature data value based on a plurality of threshold temperatures of a standard engine model stored in a nonvolatile memory, and converts the data value into a display data for indicating a temperature level among a plurality of temperature levels. The display data is displayed on a display device on the watercraft. An engine temperature data value calculating and sending device computes using a plurality of threshold values on an engine block wall temperature specific to an engine, and sends the appropriately converted engine temperature data value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takaaki Bamba
  • Patent number: 8203463
    Abstract: A meter data collection system in which a licensed narrowband frequency channel is used to wake up carrier-sensed, battery-powered meter reading devices (MRDs) is disclosed herein. In the meter data collection system disclosed herein, an unlicensed wideband channel is used to transmit data replies from the MRDs to a mobile data collection device. In another embodiment disclosed herein, a meshed network of MRDs communicating on the unlicensed channel is combined with a roaming interrogator that uses the licensed channel to send commands or to perform on-demand reads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Elster Electricity LLC
    Inventors: Steven D. Bragg, Robert W. Yost
  • Patent number: 8184015
    Abstract: A lightweight and energetically autonomous device for real-time monitoring of overhead power lines, comprising:—an external housing (EMS1) provided, at opposed ends thereof, with a first (OP1) and a second (OP2) opening for a power line cable (HVC) traversing said external housing; a monitoring subsystem (B) for monitoring at least a mechanical parameter of said overhead power line; and—a communication subsystem (D) for transmitting monitoring information generated by said monitoring subsystem; characterized in that: an internal housing (EMS2) is provided within said external housing (EMS1), said power line cable (HVC) passing outside said internal housing (EMS2); said monitoring subsystem (B) is disposed within said internal housing (EMS2); said external (EMS1) and internal (EMS2) housings are both made of a conducting material in order to form electromagnetic shields; and said monitoring subsystem (B) comprises at least an oscillation sensor for detecting mechanical oscillations of said power line cable (HV
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Université de Liège
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Lilien, Jacques Destine
  • Patent number: 8175825
    Abstract: Accurate power usage for a portable information handling system is provided using input power measurement circuitry. A calibration step is performed when the portable information handling system is powered down and charging. The calibration step includes obtaining a battery charge measurement from a battery, and then using this measurement to calibrate an input power measurement made with respect to power being provided by the AC/DC adapter. Known losses from other sources within the system can also be considered in the auto-calibration of the input power measurement. Subsequently, when the portable information handling system is powered on and operating on power provided by the AC/DC adapter, power usage can be determined and reported using the auto-calibrated input power measurement as an indication of the power usage of the portable information handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Gary J. Verdun
  • Publication number: 20110291857
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments include methods, computer readable media, and devices for calibrating a non-linear power detector of a radio frequency device based upon measurements of the non-linear power detector output and the associated power amplifier output level, and a set of data points that characterize a nominal non-linear power detector. The set of data points that characterize the nominal non-linear power detector is stored in a calibration system memory as nominal power detector output data. The measured non-linear power detector outputs, power amplifier output levels, and the nominal power detector output data is used to determine a power detector error function that characterizes the difference between the response of the non-linear power detector and the nominal non-linear power detector. The power detector error function and the nominal power detector output data are used to develop a calibrated power detector output data set that is stored in the non-linear power detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: RF MICRO DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Wayne Hietala, Timothy E. Daughters
  • Publication number: 20110285545
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for searching and selecting an RF telemetry channel to establish a link between an active medical device and a remote device is disclosed. In the absence of any communication request, the available communication channels are scanned periodically to perform a long-term analysis. For each channel, a long-term indicator (iCLT) that is representative of a long-term availability is generated. Upon receipt of a communication request from the remote device, the communication channels are scanned to perform a short-term analysis, a short-term indicator (iCCT) that is representative of the short-term availability is generated. The short-term indicator is weighted by the long-term indicator, to generate a weighted short-term indicator (iCP). Based on the weighted short-term indicator, a communication channel is selected as the communication channel for the communication request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Thierry Scordilis
  • Patent number: 7868781
    Abstract: In an encoder constituted from a detection part (a light-emitting part, rotating disk, and light-receiving part), which detects a signal corresponding to the state of a specimen, and calculates and stores the position information of the specimen from a signal outputted from this detection part, and a signal processing part for transmitting the stored position information to a host machine by way of serial communications, the signal processing part being constituted having: a two-way communication mode M1 for receiving command data from the host machine, and, when this command data is a two-way communication request command (commands A through C), transmitting the requested position information and the like to the host machine; a one-way communication mode M2 for transmitting the position information to the host machine by executing one-way transmission processing S105 when the command data is a one-way communication request command (command P); and a quasi one-way communication mode M3 for transmitting the po
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Misumi, Shinichiro Kobashi, Yoshiji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7782225
    Abstract: A scalable and modular fixed-base wireless network system for wide-area metering data collection, composed of at least one of each of the following components: meter modules, which monitor, store, encode and periodically transmit metering data via radio signals (air messages). The network may contain both one-way (transmit only) and two-way (transmit and receive) meter modules; Receiver Base Stations, which receive, decode, store and forward metering data to a central database and metering data gateway, referred to here as the Data Operation Center (DOC). Base Stations do not perform any meter data processing, but simply transfer decoded air messages to the DOC; and a Data Operations Center, which communicates with all of the network's Base Stations and receives decoded air messages from the Base Stations. The DOC processes, validates and stores metering data in a meter database that it maintains for the entire meter population operating in the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: M&FC Holding, LLC
    Inventors: Shimon Zigdon, Carmel Heth
  • Publication number: 20100127891
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling a safety signal range of a medical patient monitoring apparatus. Such a medical patient monitoring apparatus is for instance an Electrocardiograph in emergency and intensive care areas in hospitals. The invention provides a device for controlling a safety signal range of a medical patient monitoring apparatus according to the invention comprising data acquisition means capable of acquiring data representing a patient monitoring parameter, processing means for processing the acquired data for providing a reference safety signal range for said patient monitoring parameter, and adjusting means for adjusting the safety signal range on the basis of reference safety signal range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Rudolf Johannes Holzhausen
  • Patent number: 7719440
    Abstract: This invention relates to an integrated building control and information system with wireless networking, including the controlling and/or monitoring of various building devices or appliances such as air conditioning, lighting, temperature, humidity, etc., including practically any environmental condition-or-mechanical operation. Also, the invention relates to a system which includes a vendor tracking system comprising an industrial operator interface, with communication, local data processing, and data storage capabilities, which provide an efficient information resource for service and product control. Additionally, the invention relates to a system including a utility monitoring and/or control system to monitor and/or control the facilities utilities such as electricity, gas, water, steam, etc., through revenue and non-revenue rated metering devices, allowing real-time demand side utility management through the controlled equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventors: Don Delp, Pat Renaldi
  • Patent number: 7703389
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus with an information exchange system that involves an assembly featuring a cooking apparatus such as a smoker or an electric turkey fryer and an information exchange system that provides for local and/or remote monitoring of cooking characteristic that preferably includes food item temperature probing that is displayed externally on the cooking appliance as in a local remote cooking characteristic information conveyance device that are preferably either in unidirectional of bi-directional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: John D. McLemore, Don McLemore
  • Publication number: 20090179771
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing accurate time-keeping on battery-powered communication devices used in AMI systems, mesh networks, and multi-channel radio networks. One embodiment allows the use of low power (and low cost) crystals in battery-powered endpoints by periodically correcting the poor timing of these crystals using communications with a nearby, non-battery-powered device. Such communications allow the battery-powered devices to align their timing with that of their non-battery neighbors, among other things.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Cellnet Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Keith Seal, John Bettendorff
  • Patent number: 7516026
    Abstract: The present disclosure introduces a simple method for an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system for determining quantities of a consumed utility product including electric, gas, and water service, using wireless data transfer. To compensate for the frequency drifts of the transmitters, the embodiments of this invention, with minimum pre-processing of the received data, allow for on-the-fly adjustability of the receiver bandwidth by merely changing a pre-calculated weighting function. As such, it is possible to use a fixed size Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), or in particular a fixed N-point Fast Fourier Transform, for signals of different bandwidths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, Bruce N. Weyrauch
  • Patent number: 7474230
    Abstract: A semi-passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag being coupled to a battery providing a battery voltage for powering a part of the circuitry of the RFID tag includes an RF communication block receiving and transmitting RF signals, a sensor block including a frequency ratio digitizing temperature sensor for alternately measuring the ambient temperature and the battery voltage, and a control logic block in communication with the RF communication block and the sensor block. The control logic controls the operation of the RF communication block and the sensor block and stores temperature and voltage measurement data generated by the sensor block. In one embodiment, the control logic block of the RFID tag operates based on a system clock and the sensor block provides a reference clock to the control logic block for use in calibrating the system clock of the control logic block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Eric D. Blom, Jun Wan, Stuart H. Urie
  • Patent number: 7359809
    Abstract: The data storage and processing resources required for an electric meter are reduced by basing the selection and application of phase error correction on a root mean square load current flowing through the meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Veris Industries, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Bruno
  • Patent number: 7171336
    Abstract: A method for operating a measuring instrument is capable of performing multiple diagnostic functions. For this, a process control is provided for the execution of the diagnostic functions in a manner whereby the normal measuring operation of the measuring instrument is interrupted, a first diagnostic function is performed during that interruption, the normal measuring operation is resumed after completion of the first diagnostic function, the normal measuring operation is again interrupted, and during that later interruption of the normal measuring operation a second diagnostic function is performed. In this fashion, even numerous diagnostic functions can be easily and efficiently integrated into the operation of a measuring instrument such as a magnetoinductive flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Krohne A.G.
    Inventor: Helmut Brockhaus
  • Patent number: 7079962
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for Automated Meter Reading (AMR) systems for determining quantities of a consumed utility product including electric, gas, and water service, using wireless data transfer. To compensate for the frequency drifts of the transmitters, these methods and apparatus, with minimum pre-processing of the received data, allow for on-the-fly adjustability of receiver bandwidth by merely changing a pre-calculated weighting function. As such, it is possible to use a fixed size Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), or in particular a fixed N-point Fast Fourier Transform, for signals of different bandwidths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, Bruce N. Weyrauch
  • Patent number: 7009491
    Abstract: A dual purpose key fob has manipulable keys for, in a normal mode, locking and unlocking a vehicle and keys for opening a vehicle trunk and activating a panic alarm and, in a training mode, for sending code signals to tire pressure sensors to tell the sensors what tire they are in, e.g., after wheel rotation, so that the sensors subsequently can transmit the proper location signals to the vehicle's ECM along with the pressure signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hector H. Rodriguez, Robert A. Newman
  • Patent number: 6988043
    Abstract: A method compensates for measurement errors of an external transformer coupled between an electricity meter and one or more power lines. The method includes a first step of obtaining at least one error rating for the external transformer. The method also includes the step of storing data representative of the at least one error rating in a memory within the meter. At some point the electricity meter is coupled to the external transformer. The method further includes the step of employing the meter to obtain at least one electricity consumption measurement value, the at least one electricity consumption value including either a sampled current value or a sampled voltage value. Finally, the method includes the step of causing the meter to adjust the at least one electricity consumption measurement value using at least a portion of the stored data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce E. Randall
  • Patent number: 6781521
    Abstract: An electromagnetic borehole telemetry system providing improved signal to noise ratio. Adaptive filters use noise channels as references to remove noise from the signal channel. Multiple noise channels are coupled to series connected adaptive filters for removing each noise source from the signal channel. The order of noise removal is selected to remove the most significant first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Wallace R. Gardner, Paul F. Rodney, Harrison C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040074323
    Abstract: A measuring device incorporating a substrate with sensors that measure the processing conditions that a wafer may undergo during manufacturing. The substrate can be inserted into a processing chamber by a robot head and the measuring device can transmit the conditions in real time or store the conditions for subsequent analysis. Sensitive electronic components of the device can be distanced or isolated from the most deleterious processing conditions in order increase the accuracy, operating range, and reliability of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Wayne G. Renken
  • Publication number: 20040031340
    Abstract: A measuring device incorporating a substrate with sensors that measure the processing conditions that a wafer may undergo during manufacturing. The substrate can be inserted into a processing chamber by a robot head and the measuring device can transmit the conditions in real time or store the conditions for subsequent analysis. Sensitive electronic components of the device can be distanced or isolated from the most deleterious processing conditions in order increase the accuracy, operating range, and reliability of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Wayne G. Renken
  • Patent number: 6664900
    Abstract: A programmable transducer device that includes a signal source (e.g., a sensor) and a transducer output to output a transducer output signal and to receive a control signal from an external control unit. The control signal is superposed on the transducer output signal, and is detected at the transducer output from a resultant superposition signal by a detector circuit. The transducer output signal and the control signal may co-exist on the transducer output. Advantageously, providing a programmable transducer device that is actuated by control signals conducted through the transducer output and does not need to be switched over to a special receiving state, ensures the uninterrupted transmission of transducer output signals even while the control signals are received by the programmable transducer device. In addition, no additional signal path is required for programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Micronas GmbH
    Inventors: Mario Motz, Michael Besemann
  • Patent number: 6647351
    Abstract: The position of the inner surface of a hollow metal workpiece on a machine tool is detected by connecting an operating member of the machine, preferably a tool, to a first terminal of an electric power source; connecting the inner surface to a second terminal of the power source; moving the operating member gradually towards the inner surface to detect the emission of a signal generated by an emitting device interposed between one of the terminals and the inner surface, and corresponding to a condition in which initial contact is established between the operating member and the inner surface; and determining the position of the operating member at the instant the signal is emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Fiatavio S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio D'Ambra
  • Publication number: 20030174068
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a digital field sensor comprises a digital communication circuit. The digital communication circuit is operative to output a digital signal indicative of calibration information for the digital field sensor. A processor is connected in operational communication to the digital communication circuit. The processor is operative to receive a value communicated to the processor by the digital field sensor. The processor is also operative to calculate calibration information based on the value and to provide the calibration information to the digital communication circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Dobos, Stephen J. Szczecinski, David L. Thomas, Robert A. Custer, Christopher J. Krempel, Richard A. D'Angelo
  • Publication number: 20030038711
    Abstract: Trainline controller including testing of signal quality on a trainline network by commanding each node to transmitter calibration signal. A signal detector is connected to the trainline at a common junction with a head end termination circuit. A stuck-on transmitter is determined by a transmission current drawn by the transceiver is on for a present amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Anthony W. Lumbis, Dale R. Stevens, John N. Versic
  • Publication number: 20020070877
    Abstract: A measuring transducer with a sensor for converting a detected measured value into a sensor signal. The sensor signal is processed in a signal processing device to form a measuring signal that is transmitted to a central location via a data interface. The data interface is also used as a conduit for signals to parameterize the measuring transducer. The measuring transducer includes a device that provides a simulated measuring signal that can be transmitted to the central location on request via the data interface instead of the detected measured value. Further, a function can be performed on the simulated measuring signal before it is transmitted or a sequence of simulated measuring values can be transmitted corresponding to particular operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: SIEMENS AG
    Inventors: Andreas Muhr, Peter Schmith