Sensor Or Transducer Patents (Class 702/104)
  • Patent number: 8583401
    Abstract: The method and device for analyzing position are disclosed. By analyzing sensing information with at least one zero-crossing, each position can be analyzed. The number of analyzed positions may be different from the number of zero-crossings. When the number of analyzed positions is different from the number of zero-crossing, the number of analyzed positions is more than one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Egalax—Empia Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Fu Chang, Cheng-Han Lee, Chi-Hao Tang, Shun-Lung Ho
  • Patent number: 8583382
    Abstract: The apparatus, system, and method provides an instrumented container with a contour similar to that of a production container which includes two portions spaced apart and joined by a torque sensor. The instrumented container also includes a processor which directs the periodic sampling of data measured by the torque sensor during the capping process, and a memory which stores a plurality of data values. The apparatus, system, and method provides a reusable instrumented container form to which a portion of an actual production container may be attached. The instrumented container is indistinguishable, for purposes of the capping line, from a regular production container. It may thus be used to test individual spindles, randomly test application torque, verify set application torques, and provide accurate information as to the impact of a particular dye or other variable on bottle capping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pneumatic Scale Corporation
    Inventors: James C Loase, Michael Mihalik, Bethany Reinhardt
  • Publication number: 20130297246
    Abstract: A computing device receives acceleration information from an accelerometer mechanically coupled to a wireless controller, magnetic bearing information from a magnetometer mechanically coupled to the wireless controller, and rotation information from a gyroscope mechanically coupled to the wireless controller. When the wireless controller is primarily vertical, the computing device determines a rotation angle of the wireless controller by filtering the rotation information using the acceleration information. When the wireless controller is primarily horizontal, the computing device determines the rotation angle of the wireless controller by filtering the rotation information using the magnetic bearing information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Wilson, David Russo
  • Patent number: 8577633
    Abstract: A personal mobile device housing contains a display screen, a wireless telephony communications transceiver, and a battery charger interface. A temperature sensor and a gyro sensor whose zero turn rate output contains an offset are also included. A lookup table has gyro zero turn rate offset correction values associated with different temperature values. A programmed processor accesses the lookup table to correct the output of the gyro sensor for zero turn rate offset. It is automatically determined, during in-the-field use, when the device is in a motionless state, and the output of the temperature and gyro sensors are read. The read gyro output is written to the lookup table as part of a pair of associated temperature and zero turn rate offset correction values. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Parin Patel
  • Patent number: 8577640
    Abstract: The computer implemented method, system or computer program product comprises collecting magnetometer data from the device; and calculating a center of a shape of the magnetometer data as a result of minimization. The minimization of calculating the center of the shape further comprises calculating a plurality of running sums of the magnetometer data; storing the plurality of running sums; storing a count of the number of terms in each of the running sums; and calculating the center of the shape and setting the estimated magnetometer bias to the center of the shape. The radius of the sphere is calculated to ensure accuracy in the estimator of the magnetometer bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Invensense, Inc.
    Inventor: William Kerry Keal
  • Patent number: 8577639
    Abstract: A calibration assembly for a spectrometer is provided. The assembly includes a spectrometer having n detector elements, where each detector element is assigned a predetermined wavelength value. A first source emitting first radiation is used to calibrate the spectrometer. A device is placed in the path of the first radiation to split the first radiation into a first beam and a second beam. The assembly is configured so that one of the first and second beams travels a path-difference distance longer than the other of the first and second beams. An output signal is generated by the spectrometer when the first and second beams enter the spectrometer. The assembly includes a controller operable for processing the output signal and adapted to calculate correction factors for the respective predetermined wavelength values assigned to each detector element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Robert C. Youngquist, Stephen M. Simmons
  • Patent number: 8577629
    Abstract: A method and system related to phased array ultrasonic systems identifies faults in individual element on a regular basis. The method and system are based on a simple approach of calculating energy levels in response signals from each individual element and then identifying any discontinuities or unexpected drops in energy levels sensed during a typical phased array operation, by comparing responses for individual transducer elements to the group response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus NDT
    Inventors: Christian Simard, Michael Drummy
  • Patent number: 8577641
    Abstract: An improved method for calibration of dynamic motion sensors. In one aspect, the method comprises sending a low frequency driving signal to an exciter to generate a harmonic movement in a shaker table, using an optical position sensor to produce an output representative of position, computing the acceleration of the shaker table and a dynamic motion sensor under test (SUT), and comparing the output of the SUT with the instantaneous acceleration of the shaker table at different frequencies sufficient to define the performance characteristics of the SUT within a selected frequency range, among other things. In another aspect, the method comprises calibration of a dynamic motion SUT by simultaneous direct measurement of position and time. In another aspect, the optical position sensor has an electrical output representative of position for attaining a desired degree of positional accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Modal Shop
    Inventors: Robert D Sill, Mark I Schiefer, Joshua B Moses
  • Publication number: 20130289919
    Abstract: A clogged filter detector has a transmitter and a sensor which are held in place by a transmitter bracket and a sensor bracket, respectively. The transmitter emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation, and the sensor is positioned in the path of this beam at a point such that the beam travels through a filter between the transmitter and the sensor. The transmitter and sensor are misaligned with the air flow at the point where the beam contacts the filter. The transmitter alternates between a transmitting mode and a dormant mode, and the transmitter emits a plurality of electromagnetic pulses during each transmitting mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Filtersmarts, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Wilson, JR., Douglas Morris
  • Publication number: 20130289920
    Abstract: A measuring device comprises a signal-processing device, a processor for controlling the measuring device and a communications device. The signal-processing device and the communications device are each connected to the processor. The measuring device further comprises a calibration-parameter store connected to the processor for the storage of calibration parameters. The processor is embodied to communicate calibration parameters, which are stored in the calibration-parameter store, to a calibration device by means of the communications device and to implement calibration measurements by means of the signal-processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Braunstorfinger
  • Publication number: 20130289921
    Abstract: Methods and systems for high-confidence utilization of datasets are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a metric for determining substantially optimal combination of true positives and false positives in a data set, applying an optimization technique, and obtaining, from the results of the optimization technique, a value for at least one optimization parameter, the value for at least one optimization parameter resulting in substantially optimal combination of true positives and false positives. A number of true positives and a number of false positives are a function of the one or more optimization parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Suresh Gopalan
  • Publication number: 20130282321
    Abstract: The calibrating breathalyzer comprises an alcohol sensor, a non-volatile memory, a processing unit or processor, a display and a housing to house these components. The processing unit can calibrate the breathalyzer using the user's body as a simulator based on the user's metabolism rate, type and amount of alcohol consumed by the user. The processing unit determines a sample time to receive a breath sample from the user based on a time to a predetermined calibration point from the drinking start time calculated using the user's metabolism rate and the determined maximum alcohol level. The BAC % measurement based on the user's breath sample at the sample time is used as a reference point in calibrating the breathalyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: MATTHEW HOGYUN SON, JUNG HOON SON
  • Publication number: 20130282322
    Abstract: Methods, system and devices for providing improved calibration accuracy of continuous glucose monitoring system based on insulin delivery information are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Gary Alan Hayter, Erwin Satrya Budiman
  • Publication number: 20130282302
    Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for receiving sensor data from an analyte sensor of a sensor monitoring system, processing the received sensor data with time corresponding calibration data, outputting the processed sensor data, detecting one or more adverse conditions associated with the sensor monitoring system, disabling the output of the sensor data during the adverse condition time period, determining that the one or more detected adverse conditions is no longer present in the sensor monitoring system, retrieving the sensor data during the adverse condition time period, processing the retrieved sensor data during the adverse condition time period, and outputting the processed retrieved sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Wesley Scott Harper
  • Patent number: 8563909
    Abstract: An apparatus and method improves the fault tolerance of a rocket or missile guidance system which includes a resonant sensor. When improper initialization is detected, the resonant sensor is reinitialized, repeatedly if necessary, until normal operation is achieved. Improper initialization is detected by comparing data from the guidance system with pre-specified physical limits to roll, pitch, yaw, and/or other features of the flight scenario. Embodiments can also detect a fault condition due to an error signal from a “Built-in-Test” (BIT) module. The initialization sequence initiated by the invention can be identical to the power-on sequence, or it can be a separate, reinitiating sequence. Subsequent resets are initiated as needed, for example until the burn of the rocket fuel and the associated vibrations have ceased and the resonant sensor has been successfully initialized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Derek P. Janiak, James H. Steenson, Jr., David Schorr, Stephen W. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 8566057
    Abstract: A method for self-adjustment of a triaxial acceleration sensor during operation includes: calibrating the sensor; checking the self-adjustment for an interfering acceleration, with the aid of a measurement equation and estimated values for sensitivity and offset; repeating the adjustment if an interfering acceleration is recognized; and accepting the estimated values for sensitivity and offset as calibration values if an interfering acceleration is not recognized. The step of checking the self-adjustment includes: estimating sensitivity and/or offset and the variance thereof; determining an innovation as the difference between a measured value of the measurement equation and an estimated value of the measurement equation; testing the innovation for a normal distribution; and recognizing the interfering acceleration in the event of a deviation from the normal distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Franke, Alexander Buhmann
  • Patent number: 8566042
    Abstract: A system for measuring forces from a rotating object is presented. In one aspect, the measurement system has a plurality of strain sensors that are configured to attach to the sidewall of a tire of a vehicle and measure the strain on the sidewall. The system can also have a data processor to relate the strain on the sidewall to the normal force exerted on the driving surface from the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Southern Research Institute
    Inventors: Percy Wang, Daniel Duke
  • Patent number: 8561944
    Abstract: A method of de-saturating a control moment gyroscope that leverages a torque on an aircraft that is generated by airflow over the aircraft. As an aircraft navigates through an airspace, the aircraft may destabilize and reorient to form a sideslip angle that forms the airflow torque on the aircraft. The control moment gyroscope may be de-saturated into a neutral position that in turn exerts a torque on the aircraft that counters the airflow torque. A scissor pair of first and second control moment gyroscopes can be used for generating a torque in a single plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. McClure, Kenneth M. Dorsett
  • Patent number: 8560260
    Abstract: In a rotation angle positioning device 6 including: a rotation angle detection device 7 which has a detection target ring 8 and an angle detection sensor 9; and a rotating-shaft driving device 10 rotating a rotating shaft so as to cause a rotation angle to become a given command value ? for rotation angle, there are provided: an error pattern storage unit 11a storing a tooth-to-tooth period error pattern F made up of errors between detected rotation angles by the angle detection sensor 9 and actual rotation angles, corresponding to respective correction dividing points of an arbitrary tooth-to-tooth period in the detection target ring 8; and a command value correction unit 11b correcting the command value ? for rotation angle based on the tooth-to-tooth period error pattern F to find a corrected command value ?2 for rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignees: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd., Mitsubushi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Munetaka Wakizaka, Hideaki Hiramitsu
  • Patent number: 8560261
    Abstract: A sensor fixture can be affixed within a wall and powered using the same cable along which data signals are transmitted. A data cable is attached to the fixture, and power for a sensor is isolated from the data signals. The sensor may be used in conjunction with a building automation system in order to provide environmental inputs, such as from a motion sensor, a light sensor, and an audio sensor. The sensor may also be combined with LED lights for a combined fixture that lights when sensing motion or other environmental changes, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: American Megatrends, Inc.
    Inventor: Clas Gerhard Sivertsen
  • Patent number: 8560252
    Abstract: A coupling element of a sensor of an ultrasonic, flow measuring device, which includes at least three rods having, in each case, a first rod end and a second rod end. The rods, in each case, have, on their respective first ends, first end faces, which, in each case, can be acoustically coupled with the sound-emitting and/or sound-receiving area of an ultrasonic transducer element. The respective first end faces of the rods together form a first coupling surface of the coupling element, and the rods, in each case, have, on their respective second ends, second end faces, which form a second coupling surface of the coupling element, wherein the rods, in each case, have a first rod cross section, which is different in shape and/or size from a respective second rod cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Andreas Berger, Frank Wandeler, Achim Wiest
  • Publication number: 20130268227
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, apparatus and methods for digital automatic gain control for driving a MEMS device, such as a proof mass. In an example, an apparatus can include a driver configured to oscillate a proof mass of a MEMS device, a charge-to-voltage (C2V) converter configured to provide oscillation information of the proof mass, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to provide a digital representation of the oscillation information, and a digital, automatic gain control circuit to provide oscillation amplitude error information using a comparison of the oscillation information to target amplitude information, and to provide a digital drive command signal using an amplified representation of the oscillation amplitude error information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Ion Opris, Hai Tao, Shungneng Lee
  • Publication number: 20130268228
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, apparatus and methods quadrature cancelation of sense information from a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device, such as a MEMS gyroscope. In certain examples, a quadrature correction apparatus can include a drive charge-to-voltage (C2V) converter configured to provide drive information of a proof mass of a MEMS gyroscope, a sense C2V converter configured to provide sense information of the proof mass, a phase-shift module configured to provide phase shift information of the drive information, a drive demodulator configured to receive the drive information and the phase shift information and to provide demodulated drive information, a sense demodulator configured to receive the sense information and the phase shift information and to provide demodulated sense information, and wherein the quadrature correction apparatus is configured to provide corrected sense information using the demodulated drive information and the demodulated sense information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Ion Opris, Hai Tao, Shungneng Lee
  • Patent number: 8554504
    Abstract: Disclosed is a positioning apparatus including: an autonomous navigation sensor which is held by a pedestrian and which outputs periodic oscillation and direction information; a step length data storage section which stores step length data; a movement distance calculating section which calculates movement distance; a traveling direction calculating section which calculates a traveling direction; and a movement direction calculating section which calculates a movement direction for each step, wherein the movement distance calculating section includes a taken step angle calculating section which calculates a taken step angle from the movement direction for each step with respect to the traveling direction; and the movement distance calculating section corrects a value of the step length data so that the step length is larger as the taken step angle becomes larger to calculate a movement distance for each step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Sambongi
  • Patent number: 8554495
    Abstract: Systems and methods for head impact injury prediction. A computer implemented method is provided for event based injury predictions. The computer implemented method receives an indication of sensor data related to an impact of a user. The received sensor data is compared to previously stored sensor data in a data store. Each instance of the previously stored sensor data is associated with a medical diagnosis. If the received sensor data matches any of the previously stored sensor data based on the comparison, then an injury risk indicator is generated based on at least one of the medical diagnosis associated with the matching previously stored sensor data or an impact history of the user. The generated indicator is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: X2 Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Mack, Marina Kuznetsova, Scott Votaw, Robert Snook
  • Patent number: 8552739
    Abstract: In an electronic device and a method of correcting time-domain reflectometers, two channels of a time-domain reflectometer are connected to a corrector using cables, and the two channels are enabled to transmit pulses. Parameters Step Deskew and Channel Deskew of the two channels are zeroed. Resistance values of the two channels are measured simultaneously, and the value of the parameter Step Deskew of one of the two channels is adjusted according to the Resistance values of the two channels. Times of achieving the same resistance value of the two channels are measured after the cables and the connector have been disconnected, and the value of the parameter Channel Deskew of one of the two channels is adjusted according to the times of achieving the same resistance value. The adjusted values of the parameters Step Deskew and Channel Deskew are displayed through a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien-Chuan Liang, Shen-Chun Li, Shou-Kuo Hsu
  • Patent number: 8554505
    Abstract: A system and method allow a sensor device that is used in a process stream to be efficiently calibrated and monitored as to its operating condition. The sensor device is a measuring probe with a sensor portion, a memory device and an electrical input/output port, arranged so the memory device is in communication with both the sensor portion and the input/output port. The sensor device may be connected through an electrical connector to either a first external source, such as a personal computer having an input/output port, remote from the process stream, or a second external source, such as a transmitter, proximate to the process stream. Operating software is accessible to at least the first external source for monitoring and calibrating. Database software is accessible to each of the external sources, for storing data on every measuring probe used in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Marcus Vayhinger
  • Publication number: 20130262012
    Abstract: A system that includes a controller configured to receive data corresponding to at least a portion of a power system and one or more sensor measurements from one or more sensors in the power system. The controller may then generate a model of the power system based on at least a portion of the data and at least a portion of the sensor measurements such that the model may include one or more model measurements that correspond to the sensor measurements. After generating the model of the power system, the controller may determine one or more correction factors for the sensor measurements based on at least a portion of the sensor measurements and the model measurements, apply the correction factors to the sensor measurements to generate corrected sensor measurements, and determine one or more properties of the power system based on the corrected sensor measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Brendan O'Sullivan, Michael Anthony McCormack
  • Publication number: 20130262014
    Abstract: To calibrate a crosstalk correction coefficient of a multi-component force detector provided in a rolling resistance testing machine. A method of calibrating a multi-component force detector provided in a rolling resistance testing machine includes a spindle shaft attached with a tire, a running drum with a simulated road surface for pressing the tire thereon , and a rotation torque meter provided in a rotation shaft of the running drum, wherein when performing a process of calculating a force acting on the tire from a measurement value of the multi-component force detector using a crosstalk correction coefficient for calibrating an influence of crosstalk occurring in the multi-component force detector, the crosstalk correction coefficient is calibrated by using a rolling test data including a rotation torque measured by the rotation torque meter and a force measured by the multi-component force detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventors: Toru Okada, Takayuki Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20130262013
    Abstract: An information processing device includes a sensor that measures predetermined data, a model storage unit that stores a model obtained by modeling time series data measured in the past, an information amount computation unit that computes an information amount obtained from measurement based on the difference of an information amount when measurement by the sensor is not performed which is decided based on a prior distribution of state variables of the model and an information amount when measurement by the sensor is performed which is decided based on a posterior distribution of the state variables of the model, and a measurement control unit that controls the sensor based on the information amount obtained from the measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Ide
  • Patent number: 8549484
    Abstract: A configuration information verification apparatus includes an alive monitoring information collecting unit for collecting alive monitoring information from a plurality of configuration items constituting a network, a logical formula creating unit for referring to configuration information that represents information about connection relationships between the configuration items and creating a logical formula with respect to each configuration item by performing an AND operation on configuration items positioned on a route leading to corresponding configuration item, and assigning a “true” value to the logical formula if the alive monitoring information indicates that the corresponding configuration item is operating normally and assigning a “false” to the logical formula if the alive monitoring information indicates that the corresponding configuration item is not operating normally; and a logical formula verifying unit for verifying, from a plurality of logical formulae, whether an inconsistent logical form
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yuji Wada, Akira Katsuno, Yasuhide Matsumoto, Yukihiro Watanabe, Kuniaki Shimada, Masazumi Matsubara, Hiroshi Otsuka
  • Patent number: 8548766
    Abstract: A method that compensates gyroscopes comprises rotating a sensor platform with three gyroscopes, three accelerometers and three magnetometers thereon; determining a first rotation vector Og based upon the rotation sensed by at least one of the three gyroscopes; determining a second rotation vector Om vector based upon the rotation sensed by the three accelerometers and the three magnetometers; and determining a compensation gain and a compensation bias for the at least one gyroscope based upon the first rotation vector and the second rotation vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Judd
  • Patent number: 8548755
    Abstract: Switching a transmitting and receiving direction of two transducers (2,3) in the forward and the reverse direction, a time differential memory part (17b) storing a propagation time differential every K times a unit measurement process being executed, the propagation time differential being a differential between a propagation time of the ultrasonic wave signal in a forward direction and in a reverse direction, a flow rate calculating part (15) calculating a flow rate of a passing fluid based on a lump sum of propagation times in both the forward and the reverse directions obtained at least every K times of a unit measurement process being executed, an estimating part (18) estimating a change in a momentary flow rate of the fluid based on the time differential obtained every K times of the unit measurement process being executed and storing thereof in a time differential memory part (17b), thus obtaining an accurate flow rate and detecting the change in the momentary flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Takemura, Fumikazu Shiba, Daisuke Bessho
  • Patent number: 8548765
    Abstract: A dynamically self-adjusting sensor is disclosed. In one embodiment, a sample module repeatedly generates an electronic signal related to a characteristic of an environment. A window module receives the electronic signal and provides an average signal for a pre-defined number of the electronic signals. A delta comparator module receives the electronic signal from the sample module and compares the electronic signal with a previously received electronic signal from the sample module to establish a change, wherein an output is generated if the change is greater than or equal to a threshold, the delta comparator module further receives the average signal from the window module and compares the average signal with a previously received average signal from the window module to establish an average change, wherein the output is generated if the change is greater than or equal to a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Broadband Discovery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Cory James Stephanson
  • Publication number: 20130253875
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that monitor movement of a person, or of a vehicle ridden by the person, to determine speed, distance traveled and/or airtime of the person or vehicle. Accelerometer-based sensors, pressure sensors or Doppler sensors may be employed in these systems and methods. A liquid crystal display may attach to the person to display speed, distance traveled and/or airtime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Flentov, Dennis M. Darcy, Curtis A. Vock
  • Publication number: 20130250301
    Abstract: Validation verification data quantifying an intensity of light reaching a detector of a spectrometer from a light source of the spectrometer after the light passes through a validation gas across a known path length can be collected or received. The validation gas can include an amount of an analyte compound and an undisturbed background composition that is representative of a sample gas background composition of a sample gas to be analyzed using a spectrometer. The sample gas background composition can include one or more background components. The validation verification data can be compared with stored calibration data for the spectrometer to calculate a concentration adjustment factor, and sample measurement data collected with the spectrometer can be modified using this adjustment factor to compensate for collisional broadening of a spectral peak of the analyte compound by the background components. Related methods, articles of manufacture, systems, and the like are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Alfred Feitisch, Xiang Liu, Hsu-Hung Huang, Wenhai Ji, Richard Cline
  • Publication number: 20130253874
    Abstract: A method for constructing data acquisition systems with focusing controlled sensitivity, capable of resolving physical parameters of the targeted area of a medium under investigation. The sensors of a data acquisition system may measure different physical fields and signals, generated by natural or artificial sources, including seismic, electromagnetic, gravity and/or magnetic fields, and/or optical, radio, low and high frequency radiation signals. A sensitivity of the data acquisition system to the parameters of the examined medium may be calculated. A priori integrated sensitivity, having maximum values within desirable parts of the examined medium, may be selected. The parameters of the optimal transformation of the original data acquisition system into a new one with integrated sensitivity closely duplicating the preselected sensitivity may be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: TECHNOIMAGING, LLC
    Inventor: Michael S. Zhdanov
  • Patent number: 8543348
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for calibrating a spectrometer with a spectrometric apparatus for measuring spectral fractions of the substance to be examined as well as with a calibration unit. The calibrating of the spectrometric apparatus and/or measurement data based on measured spectrometric data is performed, by the following steps: a) measuring a totality of spectral fractions of the substance to be examined; b) storing the totality of the measured spectral fractions in a memory module in the form of a multidimensional coefficient vector; c) automatic extracting, from the totality of the measured spectral fractions physically relevant for the particular measuring procedure via an automatically running, iterative, estimation method furnished in the calibration unit; and d) calibrating the measured spectrometric measurement data for the investigated substance based on the step c) extracted, spectral fractions of the spectrometric data physically relevant for the substance to be examined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Alber, Edin Andelic
  • Patent number: 8538717
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for absorbance correction in a spectroscopic heating value sensor in which a reference light intensity measurement is made on a non-absorbing reference fluid, a light intensity measurement is made on a sample fluid, and a measured light absorbance of the sample fluid is determined. A corrective light intensity measurement at a non-absorbing wavelength of the sample fluid is made on the sample fluid from which an absorbance correction factor is determined. The absorbance correction factor is then applied to the measured light absorbance of the sample fluid to arrive at a true or accurate absorbance for the sample fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Gas Technology Institute, North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Alexei Saveliev, Vilas Vyankatrao Jangale, Sergeui Zelepouga, John Pratapas
  • Patent number: 8527225
    Abstract: An estimation apparatus has a controller which estimates an internal reaction of a secondary battery. The controller calculates a voltage drop amount due to an internal resistance of the secondary battery by using an expression (I): ? ? ? V = RT ? ? ? ? ? ? F ? arc ? ? sinh ( - R r ? I RT ? ? ? ? ? ? F ) - R d ? I ( I ) where ?V represents the voltage drop amount, R represents a gas constant, T represents a temperature, ? represents an oxidation reduction transfer coefficient (?=0.5) of an electrode, ? represents a correction coefficient (0<?<1), F represents the Faraday constant, I represents a discharge current, Rr represents a component of a reaction resistance included in the internal resistance, and Rd represents a component of a direct-current resistance included in the internal resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Takahashi, Yuji Nishi, Tetsuya Fuchimoto
  • Patent number: 8527230
    Abstract: An oxygen sensor control apparatus (10) obtains a correction coefficient for calibrating the relation between oxygen concentration and an output value of an oxygen sensor (20), when a fuel cut operation of an internal combustion engine (100) is performed. The apparatus includes average output value calculation means; inter-fuel-cut average output value calculation means; and correction coefficient calculation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ishiguro, Katsunori Yazawa, Hiroshi Inagaki, Keiji Suzuki, Tetsuma Shimozato
  • Patent number: 8527228
    Abstract: An electronic device can include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) operative to monitor the movement of the electronic device. The IMU used in the device can be inaccurate due to the manufacturing process used to construct the IMU and to incorporate the IMU in the electronic device. To correct the IMU output, the electronic device in which the IMU is incorporated can be placed in a testing apparatus that moves the device to known orientations. The IMU output at the known orientations can be compared to an expected true IMU output, and correction factors (e.g., sensitivity and offset matrices) can be calculated. The correction factors can be stored in the device, and applied to the IMU output to provide a true output. The testing apparatus can include a fixture placed in a gimbal movable around three axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Panagas
  • Patent number: 8527229
    Abstract: Calibration equipment for calibrating multiple test stations in a test system is provided. Each test station may include a test unit, a test chamber with multiple antennas, and radio-frequency (RF) cables that connect the test unit to the multiple antennas within the test chamber. Reference devices under test (DUTs) may be used to calibrate the OTA path loss of each test station while switching one of the multiple antennas into use one at a time at desired frequencies. A preferred antenna list indicating the preferred antenna that provides the optimal path loss for each desired frequency may be generated. Once calibrated, the test stations may be used during product testing to test factory DUTs to determine whether a particular production DUT satisfies pass/fail criteria. During product testing, a selected one of the multiple antennas is enabled based on the preferred antenna list to perform desired measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Chang, Peter Bevelacqua
  • Patent number: 8521247
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and apparatuses for certifying computers for use in conjunction with medical devices. These methods may be used in conjunction with a computer that includes software for operating the medical device. To certify a particular computer, one or more testing algorithms or routines for processing data, e.g., data representative of a typical output generated by use of the medical device on a patient, may be executed and the results may be compared to an expected result. In particular embodiments, the certification process may use data stored on the device itself to determine certification or may use data stored with or bundled with the software for operating the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Lockett E. Wood
  • Patent number: 8521462
    Abstract: A calibration apparatus includes a fixture, which is coupled to accept a probe so that a distal tip of the probe presses against a point in the fixture and produces first measurements indicative of a deformation of the distal tip relative to a distal end of the probe, in response to pressure exerted on the distal tip. A sensing device is coupled to the fixture and is configured to produce second measurements of a mechanical force exerted by the distal tip against the point. A calibration processor is configured to receive the first measurements from the probe, to receive the second measurements from the sensing device and to compute, based on the first and second measurements, one or more calibration coefficients for assessing the pressure as a function of the first measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel), Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Yaron Ephrath, Andres Claudio Altmann
  • Patent number: 8521473
    Abstract: Methods for adaptive data acquisition are disclosed herein. In one aspect, methods for adaptive data acquisition include performing a first sensing method on a signal having a plurality of components to determine the likelihood that a component is not a relevant signal component, retaining a portion of the signal components sensed using the first sensing method that are above a first threshold, performing a second sensing method on the signal components retained above a first threshold to determine the likelihood that a component is not a relevant signal component, wherein the second sensing method is more reliable than the first sensing method at determining the likelihood that a component is not a relevant signal component, and retaining a portion of the signal components sensed using the second sensing method that are above a second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Rui Manuel Castro, Jarvis David Haupt, Robert David Nowak
  • Publication number: 20130218504
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for a method for obtaining an inertial measurement. The method includes obtaining multiple contiguous high sample rate readings during a time period from a conventional inertial sensor. Non-contiguous low sample rate reading of accumulated motion are also obtained over the time period from an atomic inertial sensor. One or more observable errors are estimated for the conventional inertial sensor based on comparing the low sample rate reading to the multiple high sample rate readings. A compensated hybrid reading is determined by compensating the high sample rate readings for the one or more observable errors based on the estimating of the one or more observable errors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Honeywell International Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130215260
    Abstract: Inspecting features of an object including measuring features of the master part that represents a desired nominal dimensions to obtain a preliminary set of dimensional data. The preliminary set of data becomes a master data set. The same master part is measured on a second machine to obtain another set of data on the master part. The two data sets are compared and correction data is generated representing differences between the different data sets for the same master part measured on different machines. Subsequent parts are then measured on the second machine to obtain measurement data that is corrected based on the correction data. The application of the correction information provides for the use of 5-axis machines within a desired measurement capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: United Technologies Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130218505
    Abstract: A hand-held processor system for processing data from an integrated MEMS device disposed within a hand-held computer system and method. A dynamic offset correction (DOC) process computes 3-axis accelerometer biases without needing to know the orientation of the device. Arbitrary output biases can be corrected to ensure consistent performance A system of linear equations is formed using basic observations of gravity measurements by an acceleration measuring device, conditioned upon constraints in data quality, degree of sensed motion, duration, and time separation. This system of equations is modified and solved when appropriate geometric diversity conditions are met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: mCube, Incorporated
    Inventor: mCube, Incorporated
  • Patent number: RE44582
    Abstract: In a magnetic data processing device, an input part sequentially inputs magnetic data outputted from a two-dimensional or three-dimensional magnetic sensor. The magnetic data is two-dimensional or three-dimensional vector data that is a linear combination of a set of fundamental vectors. The magnetic data processing device stores a plurality of the inputted magnetic data as a data set of statistical population in order to update an old offset of the magnetic data with a new offset. An offset derivation part derives the new offset based on the old offset and the data set of statistical population under a constraint condition that the new offset be obtained as the sum of the old offset and a correction vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Ibuki Handa