Sensor Or Transducer Patents (Class 702/104)
  • Patent number: 9157833
    Abstract: A running resistance device for a chassis dynamometer performs an environmental test while applying a running resistance and an environmental condition similar to a road running to the chassis dynamometer. Air-conditioning equipment, a thermometer and a barometer are provided in an environmental test laboratory. An air-conditioning control panel and a chassis-dynamometer control section are provided outside the environmental test laboratory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: MEIDENSHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasumasa Narumi
  • Patent number: 9150169
    Abstract: A method and a system that diagnose failure of an oil pressure sensor that senses or detects an operating oil pressure in a target device (e.g., a hydraulic clutch) using oil pressure. The method includes a controller that is configured to store an ignition off time that an ignition is turned off and detect an ignition on time that the ignition is turned on after the ignition has been turned off. In addition, the controller is configured to calculate an elapsed time from the ignition off time to the ignition on time and determine whether the elapsed time is equal to or greater than a predetermined time. When the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the predetermined time the controller is configured to diagnose oil pressure sensor failure and when the elapsed time is less than the predetermined time, stop diagnosing failure of the oil pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joonyoung Park, Dong Ho Yang
  • Patent number: 9109868
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring device includes a measuring probe measuring three-dimensional coordinates; a measuring arm supporting the measuring probe and outputting position information for calculating the three-dimensional coordinates; a controller connected to the measuring arm and detecting the three-dimensional coordinates based on the position information; and a display displaying a menu. The controller further displays the menu on the display when a predefined menu display operation performed using the measuring probe is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinsaku Abe
  • Patent number: 9097533
    Abstract: A method of generating a geometric heading during positioning is provided. The method includes the following steps: estimating a current declination information of a current position according to a declination database, wherein the declination database gathers a magnetic map and a plurality of declination information corresponding to a difference between a magnetic north and a geometric north at all grid positions on the magnetic map; generating a predicted heading according to an angular velocity reading of a gyroscope and a magnetic heading reading of a magnetometer; and generating the geometric heading according to the current declination information of the current position and the predicted heading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Cywee Group Limited
    Inventors: Zhou Ye, Shun-Nan Liou, Chin-Lung Lee
  • Patent number: 9078081
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and a method for service processing thereof are provided in the present invention. The mobile terminal includes a determining module for determining whether the first service needs to be opened and obtaining a determining result; a register information collecting module for collecting the first register information used for opening the first service when said determining result indicates that the first service needs to be opened; a first transmission module for transmitting a first register request comprising first register information to the first server by using a communication module to request for opening the first service; a first receiving module for receiving the service setting information by using the communication module; and a setting module for setting the first service module according to the service setting information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignees: BEIJING LENOVO SOFTWARE LTD., LENOVO (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rui Yang, Chunlei Zhao
  • Patent number: 9068886
    Abstract: A method and a system for vicarious characterization of a remote sensing sensor are described. The system includes a plurality of reflective mirrors configured and arranged to reflect radiation from a source of radiation onto a remotely located radiation sensor. The plurality of mirrors are spaced apart so as to obtain a plurality of distinct spot images on the remotely located radiation sensor. The system further includes a processor configured to analyze the plurality of spot images by fitting the images to obtain a point spread function of the remote sensing sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: John F. Silny, Stephen J. Schiller
  • Patent number: 9064034
    Abstract: A patient monitoring network pertaining to blood glucose and other analyte measurements includes wireless blood glucose or other analyte measuring devices and a networked computer or server. Each monitoring device is associated with a patient and is configured to measure the glucose level or other analyte from a given blood sample via inserted test strips, transmit the measurements to the networked computer, and display received messages. The blood glucose monitoring device includes means for substantially reducing factors that could affect the glucose measurement such as thermal and RF interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignees: Telcare, Inc., Apex Biotechnology Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Javitt, John R. Dwyer, Thomas Y. S. Shen, Benjamin Cheng Yu Shen, Ching-Yuan Chu
  • Publication number: 20150149105
    Abstract: A method for applying accuracy compensation to a rotating measuring machine, a rotatable angular range of the machine is divided into sub-ranges. Each of the sub-ranges is selected, and the rotating measuring machine is rotated to an angle within the selected sub-range. After rotating, images of a working platform of the rotating measuring machine are captured to generate a point cloud. An initial plane is fitted according to the point cloud, and then an actual plane of the working platform is computed according to the initial plane, by iteration. An ideal plane of the working platform is obtained in CAD models of the rotating measuring machine, to compute a deviation angle between vectors of the actual plane and the ideal plane. When the deviation angle is less than a predetermined angle, the selected sub-range and the deviation angle are recorded into a form of a compensation report.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: CHIH-KUANG CHANG, XIN-YUAN WU, PENG XIE
  • Publication number: 20150149104
    Abstract: A system of sensors including 1) an accelerometer, 2) a magnetometer, and 3) a gyroscope, combined with a zero crossing error correction algorithm, as well as a method of using those sensors with the zero crossing error correction algorithm, for orientation motion tracking applications, including sports and athletics training, animation for motion picture and computer gaming industry, 3D joysticks, and peripherals for computer gaming industry, as well as medical and health diagnosis and monitoring systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: John Baker, Remigio Perales
  • Patent number: 9041988
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for exposure correction in scanners are disclosed. In the method, exposure is corrected for pixels received in an image sensor array. Exposure time is tracked for the incoming pixel data and a calibration factor is determined for correcting the gain, and the calibration factor is adjusted based on the tracked exposure time. In the apparatus, a scanner includes an illumination source and a sensor for receiving pixel data. Using values stored in a memory, circuitry is provided for determining a calibration factor, for tracking exposure time for the pixel data and for adjusting the pixel data based on the calibration factor and exposure time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas G. Keithley
  • Patent number: 9043178
    Abstract: Provided is an operating method of a sensor node. The operating method of a sensor node includes receiving a sensing request, adjusting a sensing condition on the basis of the received sensing request, and sensing according to the adjusted sensing condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Seung-Mok Yoo
  • Patent number: 9041422
    Abstract: Implementations are presented herein that include a plurality of on-chip monitor circuits and a controller. Each of the plurality of on-chip monitor circuits is configured to measure a parameter of a semiconductor chip. The controller is coupled to the plurality of on-chip monitor circuits. The controller is configured to receive a measurement result from at least one of the plurality of on-chip monitor circuits and to control a calibration of another one of the plurality of on-chip monitor circuits in accordance with the measurement result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: INTEL MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Baumann, Christian Pacha
  • Publication number: 20150142364
    Abstract: Aspects of spectrometer reference calibration are described. In one embodiment, a diagnostic measurement for evaluation of an aspect of calibration in spectroscopy is performed. A result of the diagnostic measurement is analyzed to determine a deviation from an expected result. Based on the analysis, a correction algorithm may be applied to the aspect of calibration, in view of the deviation. In some embodiments, a product model diagnostic measurement is also performed for further evaluation of the aspect of calibration. A result of the product model diagnostic measurement is analyzed to determine a product model deviation from an expected result of the product model diagnostic measurement, and a product model correction algorithm is applied, if necessary. According to aspects of the embodiments described herein, using reference standards permits reconstruction of calibration parameters without any need for a master instrument or other forms of calibrated reference instrumentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Jerome J. Workman
  • Publication number: 20150134290
    Abstract: A two-part sensor composed of a sensor head and a sensor-head counterpart, testing is performed as to whether a correct sensor head is connected with the sensor-head counterpart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess - und Regeltechnik mbh + Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Babel, Detlev Wittmer, Martin Gehrke, Andreas Gommlich
  • Publication number: 20150132795
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and/or identifying target cells (e.g., bacteria) using engineered transduction particles are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes mixing a quantity of transduction particles within a sample. The transduction particles are associated with a target cell. The transduction particles are non-replicative, and are engineered to include a nucleic acid molecule formulated to cause the target cell to produce a series of reporter molecules. The sample and the transduction particles are maintained to express the series of the reporter molecules when target cell is present in the sample. A signal associated with a quantity of the reporter molecules is received. In some embodiments, a magnitude of the signal is independent from a quantity of the transduction particle above a predetermined quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: GeneWeave Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan C. GRISWOLD, Bruce J. RICHARDSON, Rick V. STELLMACHER, Victor H. YEE
  • Publication number: 20150127291
    Abstract: Methods and systems for fast auto-calibrated reconstruction with random projection in parallel MRI are disclosed. In one embodiment, calibration and reconstruction are accelerated by reducing the number of k-space data channels before calibration. During calibration, a random projection is performed in order to reduce the dimensionality of the calibration equation. The reduced-dimensionality equation is used to obtain the reconstruction coefficients, which are then used to synthesize reconstructed k-space data. The received and reconstructed k-space data together construct a parallel MRI image. Systems for fast GRAPPA reconstruction are disclosed comprising a processor configured, for example, through software, to collect k-space data, reduce the number of data channels, perform the random projection, solve a reduced calibration equation, and synthesize the k-space data to construct a final parallel MRI image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Lei Leslie Ying, Jingyuan Lv
  • Publication number: 20150127289
    Abstract: Systems and methods for off-line and on-line sensor calibration are provided. In certain embodiments, a method for calibrating a sensor comprises receiving at least one reference measurement describing a system state for a system; and receiving at least one sensor measurement from the sensor, wherein the at least one sensor measurement is acquired from an observation of the environment of the system by the sensor. The method also comprises calculating a model residual power spectral density based on the at least one reference measurement and a sensor measurement model; and calculating a measurement residual power spectral density based on the at least one sensor measurement and the at least one reference measurement. Further, the method comprises identifying sensor parameters that morph the model residual power spectral density towards the measurement residual power spectral density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Vibhor L. Bageshwar, Michael Ray Elgersma
  • Publication number: 20150127290
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a user's steps in portable device include deriving amplitudes from raw sensor data; comparing the amplitudes to an amplitude threshold, and counting a step when one of the amplitudes exceeds the amplitude threshold to obtain a step count; determining a current gait type based on the step count; dynamically adjusting the amplitude threshold in order to reduce effects of swinging movements and false steps; and applying a post filter to the step count based on time between steps and a minimum number of prior consecutive steps to derive a filtered step count that reduces false readings due to short bursts of rapid movement by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Michael R. Plasterer, Samuel P. Kho
  • Patent number: 9020776
    Abstract: An inclination angle compensation system for determining an inclination angle of a machine is disclosed. The inclination angle compensation system may have a non-gravitational acceleration estimator configured to estimate a non-gravitational acceleration of a machine based on an estimated inclination angle and an acceleration output from a forward acceleration sensor. The inclination angle compensation system may also have an inclination angle sensor corrector configured to receive an inclination angle output from an inclination angle sensor, determine an inclination angle sensor acceleration based on the inclination angle output, and calculate a corrected inclination angle of the machine based on the non-gravitational acceleration and the inclination angle sensor acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Russell Friend
  • Patent number: 9020773
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: AK Globaltech Corp.
    Inventors: Matthew Hogyun Son, Jung Hoon Son
  • Publication number: 20150112630
    Abstract: A method of deriving correction for instrument-to-instrument variations in the illumination band centroid wavelengths and wavelength band shapes of the optical systems of clinical chemistry instruments includes the steps of determining the centroid wavelength and wavelength band shape of a light source used in the optical system of a clinical chemistry instrument to provide a determined wavelength band shape and centroid wavelength, comparing the determined wavelength band shape and centroid wavelength with a known reflection density or absorbance wavelength spectrum of a specific type of chemical reagent test to provide a correction value, and calculating the correction value, which is to be used to modify a reflection density or absorbance measurement taken by the instrument of a reagent test of the a specific type of chemical reagent test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventor: Garland Christian Misener
  • Patent number: 9014999
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a measuring system, which system comprises a structured light source, optics and a sensor. The light source is adapted to produce a light plane or sheet and the optics is located between the light plane and the sensor. The method is performed in order to obtain a mapping from the sensor to the light plane. In the method the light source is switched on such that the light plane is produced. In order to account for distortions due to the optics, a mapping calibration profile is introduced in the light plane, wherein the mapping calibration profile comprises at least three points forming a straight line. A non-linear mapping from the sensor to the light plane is then computed by using the at least three points. Next, in order to account for perspective distortions, a homography calibration profile is introduced in the light plane, wherein the homography calibration profile comprises at least four points the relative distance between which are predetermined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Sick IVP AB
    Inventors: Henrik Turbell, Robert Andersson
  • Patent number: 9015000
    Abstract: The monitoring breathalyzer has an alcohol sensor, a non-volatile memory, a processing unit or processor, a screen and a housing to house these components. The processing unit determines the accuracy of the breathalyzer using the user's body as a simulator. In monitoring mode, the processing unit receives a BAC % measurement from the alcohol sensor based on the breath sample provided by the user at a sample time to provide reference point. The sample time is determined based on the user's metabolism rate or based on a time to a predetermined calibration point from a drink start time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: AK Globaltech Corp.
    Inventors: Matthew Hogyun Son, Jung Hoon Son
  • Patent number: 9014998
    Abstract: A sensor includes an electronic module that comprises several electronic subassemblies and a processor that can be electrically coupled to the electronic subassemblies. The subassemblies respectively feature a programmable storage device with subassembly-specific data of the respective subassembly. The content of the respective programmable storage devices can be read out and evaluated by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Martin Gaiser, Juergen Haas, Juergen Motzer
  • Publication number: 20150106047
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an approach for calibrating the sensitivity to polarization, optics degradation, spectral and stray light response functions of instruments on orbit. The concept is based on using an accurate ground-based laser system, Ground-to-Space Laser Calibration (GSLC), transmitting laser light to instrument on orbit during nighttime substantially clear-sky conditions. To minimize atmospheric contribution to the calibration uncertainty the calibration cycles should be performed in short time intervals, and all required measurements are designed to be relative. The calibration cycles involve ground operations with laser beam polarization and wavelength changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: CONSTANTINE LUKASHIN, BRUCE A. WIELICKI
  • Patent number: 9004862
    Abstract: A control system for calibrating a wind turbine sensor placed on a component of a wind turbine and related methods are disclosed. The wind turbine includes a rotor having at least one wind turbine blade. The method comprises pitching one or more of the at least one of the wind turbine blades according to a predetermined pitch movement which induces a vibratory motion in the at least one turbine blade. A wind turbine sensor measures a vibratory response signal at least partly caused by the vibratory motion. A characteristic sensor response value is determined from the vibratory response signal. The characteristic sensor response value may be compared to a predetermined sensor calibration parameter to determine whether a difference is greater than a predefined tolerance parameter. In this manner, the wind turbine sensor may be calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Erik Carl Lehnskov Miranda
  • Patent number: 9008994
    Abstract: In a method for reporting a location of a portable electronic device, an acceleration of the portable electronic device is detected via an accelerometer of the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device is determined as falling when a difference between the acceleration of the portable electronic device and an acceleration of gravity is in a predetermined range. An angular velocity of the portable electronic device is detected via a gyroscope of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is determined as falling. The portable electronic device is determined as static when the angular velocity of the portable electronic device equals zero. If the portable electronic device is static for a predetermined time period, location information of the portable electronic device is collected from a global position system receiver of the portable electronic device. The location information is sent to a target electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Jay Fan
  • Patent number: 9008988
    Abstract: A method of calibrating inertial sensors of working equipment, such as a vehicle or survey equipment, includes determining whether the working equipment is in operation or not. Data is captured from inertial sensors and associated temperature sensors while the working equipment is out of operation. The captured data is used to update a thermal bias error model for the inertial sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventor: Damien Dusha
  • Patent number: 9008989
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Wilson, David Russo
  • Publication number: 20150097789
    Abstract: An automatic calibration method suitable for an electronic apparatus comprising a proximity sensor is disclosed. The automatic calibration method includes steps of: resetting data comprising a minimal index and a maximal index when a specific function is activated; updating the minimal index and the maximal index according to readings from the proximity sensor; resetting the minimal index when the proximity sensor detects a far event according to a threshold value of the proximity sensor; resetting the maximal index when the proximity sensor detects a near event according to the threshold value; and, re-calculating the threshold value according to the minimal index or the maximal index every time the minimal index or the maximal index is updated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Chuan-Ying HSU, Tung-Hao HSU, Chih-Hao YAN
  • Publication number: 20150100266
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for estimating drift in a solar radiation sensor (2) and for calibrating such a sensor, in which the radiation (GMES) measured by this sensor under its conditions of use and a radiation model (51) are taken into account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Sylvain Lespinats, Xavier Le Pivert
  • Publication number: 20150094977
    Abstract: Telematics system wherein a data processor is configured to: calculate a first rotation to isolate horizontal components of orientation data obtained from a three-axis accelerometer; calculate a second rotation of the orientation data dependent on acceleration data obtained from the velocity measuring device; and perform the first and second rotations on the orientation data to calibrate the orientation of the accelerometer relative to a vehicle on which the accelerometer is mounted. An associated method of calibrating the orientation of accelerometer is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Dobra, Jeremy Bentham
  • Patent number: 8996255
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided for controlling an actuatable restraint (14, 16) in a vehicle (12). An sensor (24) is mounted in the vehicle (12) and outputs an electrical signal having a characteristic indicative of a vehicle event. A discrimination circuit (42) is coupled to the sensor (24) and determines if a predetermined event occurred. A safing circuit (50) is coupled to the sensor (24) signal and sequestered from the discrimination circuit (42) for determining if the predetermined event occurred. An actuation device is actuates the restraint when both the discrimination circuit (42) and the safing circuit (50) determine the predetermined event occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Carl A. Munch
  • Publication number: 20150088449
    Abstract: A system (20) for quality assurance of a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging device (23) used in magnetic resonance based radiation therapy planning includes a phantom (10) weighing less than 18.2 kg (40 lbs.). The phantom includes a three dimensional spatial distribution of MR and CT imagable elements (12) located in an MR and CT inert foam support (14), and an MR and CT inert external support structure (16) which surrounds and hermetically seals the foam support. The spatial distribution is sized to completely fill an imaging volume of the magnetic resonance imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: David Leslie Foxall, Melanie Suzanne Kotys, Ajit Devaraj
  • Patent number: 8985988
    Abstract: A measuring device for determining at least one parameter value for the operation of a blow molding machine, a filling machine, and/or a labeling device, and having at least one measuring element for determining the at least one parameter value and a preform dummy, and disposing the at least one measuring element in and/or at the preform dummy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Frank Winzinger
  • Patent number: 8990040
    Abstract: A soft-field tomography system includes a plurality of transducers configured for positioning at a surface of an object. An excitation driver is configured to generate a precomputed default excitation pattern for the plurality of transducers. A processor stores the precomputed default excitation pattern and a corresponding predicted response for the precomputed excitation pattern. The processor further stores one or more precomputed fault excitation patterns and corresponding predicted response for the fault excitation patterns corresponding to one or more fault conditions of the plurality of transducers. A response measurement device is configured to measure a response at one or more of the transducers to determine if a fault condition exists. If a fault condition exists, the processor at least one of instructs the excitation driver to generate a precomputed fault excitation pattern or uses a predicted response that corresponds to the fault condition for a soft field tomography process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Alexander Seth Ross
  • Publication number: 20150081242
    Abstract: In general, the invention relates to an algorithm and process for automated and/or continuous calibration of magnetic sensor, for example such as a sensor installed in a mobile positioning system handset. According to certain aspects, the calibration process can use the normal motion of the handset such that all measurement data from the three orthogonal axes of sensor when exposed to Earth's magnetic field is collected. According to still further aspects, the process includes fitting measurement data to an ellipsoid that characterizes the actual magnetic field measurements from a magnetic sensor, so that anomalies such as hard iron effect, soft iron effect and scale factors can be extracted and/or corrected by comparison to a sphere represented by magnetic field data from a model at the sensor's location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Mahesh CHOWDHARY, Mahaveer JAIN
  • Patent number: 8983788
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a first event and executing a first procedure to identify a sensor offset in response to detecting the first event. The method further includes determining, via a computing device, whether the sensor offset was measured during the execution of the first procedure, scheduling a second procedure to execute in response to detecting a second event if the sensor offset was not measured during the first procedure, and scheduling the first procedure to execute in response to detecting a subsequent occurrence of the first event if the sensor offset was measured during the first procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wei D. Wang, Steven E. Schulz, Jeffrey David, Jackie L Cui, Andrew M. Zettel, Hanne Buur
  • Patent number: 8978442
    Abstract: An electric input key has an actuating surface and a plurality of displacement sensors which are each designed to generate a displacement signal when the actuating surface is touched. The input key also has an evaluation unit for evaluating the displacement signals and outputting a determined switching state. The input key has at least one analog displacement sensor, at least one digital displacement sensor, and a calibration device for calibrating the analog displacement sensor by using displacement signals measured by the digital displacement sensor. The evaluation unit is designed to carry out self-diagnosis by using calibrated and measured displacement signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Audi Ag
    Inventors: Harald Merklein, Martin Bauer
  • Patent number: 8983789
    Abstract: A bias calibration circuit includes a first current source that can provide a majority biasing current, sufficient to provide most but not all of a desired bias voltage across a sensor. A second current source can provide a remaining amount of biasing current (minority biasing current) to provide a bias voltage across the sensor. In some embodiments, the current sources are programmable and codes are determined for programming the first and second current sources. The codes can be stored in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Thart Fah Voo
  • Publication number: 20150073741
    Abstract: There is provided a portable electronic device with one or more environmental sensors for measuring an environmental or ambient parameter, a compensator for reducing the difference between a sensor output and the ambient parameter, the compensator being connected to receive a first input based on the sensor output and a second input based on an output of compensator calculated during a previous time step of calculation, and a context evaluator (36) for replacing the second input by an input selected based on conditions as determined by the context evaluator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Andrea Wüest, Pascal Gerner, Dominic Böni, Dominik Niederberger, Andrea Sacchetti, Martin Wirz, Markus Graf
  • Publication number: 20150066413
    Abstract: A method and apparatus correcting errors associated with timing offsets in radiofrequency coils. The method and apparatus include a memory element and a controller. The controller is configured to execute a set of instructions to receive data of a plurality of signals, the plurality of signals comprising at least one projection echo. The controller is also configured to identify a plurality of offsets of the plurality of signals based on the at least one projection echo. The controller is also configured to apply the plurality of offsets to a k-space of the plurality of signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Yusuf A. Bhagat, Sean Lai, Insoo Kim, Ying Dong, Zhouyue Pi, Xu Zhu
  • Publication number: 20150066412
    Abstract: In a method for calibrating a surroundings sensor for sensory detection of the surroundings of a vehicle, sensor data which are generated with the aid of the surroundings sensor and which correspond to the vehicle surroundings are transmitted to a server situated externally from the vehicle, and the server transmits calibration data generated based on the sensor data and on reference sensor data which correspond to the reference vehicle surroundings associated with the vehicle surroundings to the surroundings sensor. In the case of an unsuccessful sensor calibration, an error signal is transmitted to a control unit which subsequently controls a vehicle component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Stefan Nordbruch
  • Patent number: 8970553
    Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to light sensing circuits having a relatively simpler structure by using light-sensitive oxide semiconductor transistors as light sensing devices, and remote optical touch panels and image acquisition apparatuses, each including the light sensing circuits. The light sensing circuit includes a light-sensitive oxide semiconductor transistor in each pixel, wherein the light-sensitive oxide semiconductor transistor is configured as a light sensing device, and a driving circuit that outputs data. The light sensing circuit may have a relatively simple circuit structure including a plurality of transistors in one pixel. As a result, the structure and operation of the light sensing circuit may be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-ho Park, I-hun Song, Chang-jung Kim, Sang-hun Jeon, Seung-eon Ahn
  • Patent number: 8965726
    Abstract: A sensor circuit enables detection of DC offset in a sensor output signal. The sensor circuit includes a sensor that generates a sensor output signal corresponding to a physical signal coupled to an input of the sensor, and a modulator that generates a modulation signal, the modulator being coupled to the sensor to modulate a physical parameter of the sensor and to enable a DC offset to be separated from the sensor output signal. To enable the circuit to measure the DC offset even though the sensor output signal is inversely proportional to the output signal, the circuit includes a feedback circuit configured to generate a feedback signal. The feedback signal is coupled to the input of the sensor to enable the physical parameter of the sensor to be modulated without modulating a portion of the sensor output signal attributable to the physical signal being converted to an electrical signal by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Pedram Lajevardi, Vladimir Plamenov Petkov, Christoph Lang
  • Patent number: 8958898
    Abstract: The invention embodies methods and apparatuses to monitor and control the characteristics of a creping process. The method involves measuring optical properties of various points along a creped paper sheet and converting those measurements into characteristic defining data. The invention allows for determining the magnitude and distribution of crepe structures and their frequency and distribution. This allows for the generation of information that is accurate and is much more reliable than the coarse guessing that is currently used in the industry. Feeding this information to papermaking process equipment can result in increases in both quality and efficiency in papermaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: William A. Von Drasek, Sammy Lee Archer, Gary S. Furman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150046113
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sensor data and end of life detection are provided. In some embodiments, a method for determining the end of life of a continuous analyte sensor includes evaluating a plurality of risk factors using an end of life function to determine an end of life status of the sensor and providing an output related to the end of life status of the sensor. The plurality of risk factors may be selected from the list including the number of days the sensor has been in use, whether there has been a decrease in signal sensitivity, whether there is a predetermined noise pattern, whether there is a predetermined oxygen concentration pattern, and error between reference BG values and EGV sensor values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Naresh C. Bhavaraju, Arturo Garcia, Hari Hampapuram, Apurv Ullas Kamath, Aarthi Mahalingam, Dmytro Sokolovskyy, Stephen J. Vanslyke
  • Publication number: 20150044692
    Abstract: Identification and use of proteins fluorescently labeled and that undergo a change in fluorescence index upon binding bilirubin are described. Probes are disclosed which are labeled at a cysteine or lysine residue and also probes labeled at both cysteine and lysine with two different fluorophores. These probes are useful for determination of unbound bilirubin levels in a fluid sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Alan Marc Kleinfeld, Andrew Henry Huber, James Patrick Kampf, Thomas Kwan, Baolong Zhu
  • Publication number: 20150046114
    Abstract: A method for determining the amount of a specific analyte by photometric assays, wherein the specific analyte in a sample reacts with an analyte specific reaction partner in a reaction mixture. At least two calibration curves are generated, the first calibration curve recorded at a first wavelength is optimized for low concentrations of the specific analyte thereby maximizing the lower detection limit and, the second calibration curve recorded at a second wavelength is optimized for high concentrations of the specific analyte thereby maximizing the upper detection limit. The optimized lower detection limit and the optimized upper detection limit results in an extended dynamic range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Thornsten Brueckner, Eloisa Lopez-Calle, Norbert Oranth, Josef Roedl
  • Publication number: 20150039256
    Abstract: In a method for dynamic monitoring of gas sensors of an internal combustion engine, in the event of a change of the gas state variable to be measured, a dynamic diagnosis is carried out based on a comparison of a measured signal which is an actual value of an output signal of the gas sensor and a modeled signal which is a model value. The output signal of the gas sensor is filtered using a high-pass filter and higher-frequency signal components are analyzed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Andreas Michalske