Pressure Patents (Class 702/138)
  • Patent number: 11761765
    Abstract: Calibrating a pressure sensor of a mobile device incudes determining an absolute calibration value used to calibrate pressure measurements by a pressure sensor of a mobile device; determining a first revisit zone as a first location to which the mobile device repeatedly returns; determining first and second calibrations for first and second visits to the first revisit zone; determining a first relative calibration adjustment value based on a difference between the first and second calibrations; determining an adjusted absolute calibration value based on a sum of the absolute calibration value and the first relative calibration adjustment value; and estimating an altitude of the mobile device based on a pressure measurement by the pressure sensor and the adjusted absolute calibration value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: NextNav, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Dormody, Deepak Joseph, Badrinath Nagarajan, Guiyuan Han, Arun Raghupathy
  • Patent number: 11670164
    Abstract: A crosswind effect estimation device is mounted in a vehicle and configured to estimate an effect on the vehicle due to a crosswind. The crosswind effect estimation device includes a processor configured to i) acquire information on the crosswind in a predetermined region forward of the vehicle in a traveling direction of the vehicle, ii) acquire information on a shielding object that is located on a windward side in a direction of the crosswind, and iii) estimate the effect on the vehicle due to the crosswind based on the acquired information on the crosswind and the acquired information on the shielding object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyouhei Takamori, Hiroto Takaue
  • Patent number: 11574725
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for generating a message to a friend of a user is provided, comprising: processing activity data of a first user measured by an activity monitoring device to update a value of an activity metric for the first user; identifying a change in an inequality relationship between the value of the activity metric for the first user and a value of the activity metric for a second user; in response to identifying the change in the inequality relationship, prompting the first user to generate a message to the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: FITBIT, INC.
    Inventors: Nichiketa Choudhary, Timothy Roberts, David Knight
  • Patent number: 11480927
    Abstract: An electronic watch includes a display surface, a magnetic sensor including a first detection axis and a second detection axis orthogonal to the first detection axis, with the first detection axis and the second detection axis being disposed in a plane parallel to the display surface, a correction unit configured to correct an error due to an offset magnetic field included in a detection value of the magnetic sensor, a calculation unit configured to calculate a bearing and magnetic intensity, based on a value acquired by correcting the detection value by the correction unit, and a display unit configured to cause the display surface to display the bearing and the magnetic intensity that are calculated by the calculation unit to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Nozawa
  • Patent number: 11328226
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of efficiently determining the effectiveness of managing a chemical or industrial facility. The method involves identifying various industrial site assets and recording various specs of those assets over time. The various assets are grouped according to some hierarchy such as location, problem to be solved, or just asset type. The specs are compared to acceptable ranges and are scored positively or negatively. The system allows a user to determine trends by asset type, spec type, or by position within the hierarchy. This system allows both small scale and large-scale perspective, and can be used for both reactive and preemptive decision making.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Schlitt, William R. Esposito
  • Patent number: 11183289
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for generating a message to a friend of a user is provided, comprising: processing activity data of a first user measured by an activity monitoring device to update a value of an activity metric for the first user; identifying a change in an inequality relationship between the value of the activity metric for the first user and a value of the activity metric for a second user; in response to identifying the change in the inequality relationship, prompting the first user to generate a message to the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Fitbit Inc.
    Inventors: Nichiketa Choudhary, Timothy Roberts, David Knight
  • Patent number: 11127275
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a fall detection apparatus for detecting a fall by a user, the fall detection apparatus comprising a processing unit configured to: receive measurements of movements of the user over time from a first movement sensor that is to be worn or carried by the user; determine if any of one or more objects are being carried or used by the user; and determine whether the user has fallen by processing the received measurements of the movements of the user and measurements of movements of any object that is being carried or used by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Lifeline Systems Company
    Inventors: Warner Rudolph Theophile Ten Kate, Ronaldus Maria Aarts, Mark Thomas Johnson, Patrick Kechichian
  • Patent number: 11008015
    Abstract: A method for determining a wheel load acting on a vehicle wheel having a rim, a tire mounted on the rim and a sensor unit mounted at the wheel, includes determining a tire pressure of the tire using the sensor unit, determining a tire footprint of the tire using the sensor unit when the vehicle is driving, determining the wheel load based on a predetermined relationship between the wheel load, the tire pressure and the tire footprint, analyzing temporal variations of the tire pressure during a standstill of the vehicle for determining one or more parameters indicating temporal variations of the tire pressure. A change of the wheel load during the standstill is estimated based on the determined parameters. A device for determining a wheel load and a method and a device for determining a weight of a vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Parthiv Dharamshi, Matthias Kretschmann
  • Patent number: 10775332
    Abstract: Concrete can be one of the most durable building materials and structures made of concrete can have a long service life. Consumption is projected to reach approximately 40 billion tons in 2017. Despite this the testing of concrete at all stages of its life cycle is still in its early stages although testing for corrosion is well established. Further many of the tests today are time consuming, expensive, and provide results only after it has been poured and set. Embodiments of the invention provide concrete suppliers, construction companies, regulators, architects, and others with rapid testing and performance data regarding the cure, performance, corrosion of concrete at different points in its life cycle based upon a simple electrical tests that remove subjectivity, allow for rapid assessment, are integrable to the construction process, and provided full life cycle assessment. Wireless sensors can be embedded from initial loading through post-cure into service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Giatec Scientific Ltd.
    Inventors: Rouhollah Alizadeh, Pouria Ghods, Amir Hosein Ghods, Mustafa Salehi
  • Patent number: 10598486
    Abstract: Improving an estimated altitude of a receiver by mitigating the effects of transmitter heating. Systems and methods for improving estimates of a receiver's altitude determine a reference pressure at a reference altitude using a temperature measured at a transmitter or another temperature value, an altitude of the transmitter, and a pressure measured by the transmitter or another pressure value. A local reference pressure for a receiver is determined using the reference pressure and other reference pressures from other transmitters. Reference pressures from overheating transmitters may be weighted less than reference pressures from other transmitters when determining the local reference pressure. The local reference pressure is then used to estimate the altitude of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: NextNav, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Dormody, Thomas Wolf, Arun Raghupathy, Andrew Sendonaris
  • Patent number: 10569035
    Abstract: A respiratory apparatus evaluates accuracy of a pressure sensor, such as when only a single pressure sensor is provided. The accuracy of the pressure sensor may be assessed based on pressure measurement obtained from the pressure sensor and a subordinate or secondary characteristic of the respiratory device such as altitude or atmospheric pressure. A controller or processor may calculate the altitude of the respiratory device based in part on the pressure measurement. In some embodiments, the assessment of the pressure sensor may involve an evaluation of the calculated altitude. In some cases, the assessment of the pressure sensor may involve determining an estimated pressure based on a calculated altitude, and comparing the pressure measurement obtained from the pressure sensor with the estimated pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Joel Cappelli, Cem Tarakci, Barton John Kenyon
  • Patent number: 10456763
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a carbonated water producing apparatus which guides a replacement of a cylinder using sound generated when carbon dioxide is supplied from the cylinder, and a refrigerator having the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae Sung Kim, Sang Chul Ryu
  • Patent number: 10417837
    Abstract: A method for identifying vehicle vibration includes receiving signals indicative of a vehicle vibration from one or more vehicle sensors while the vehicle is in operation. The method also includes determining a magnitude of the vehicle vibration at one or more target frequency bands. The method additionally includes determining whether the vehicle vibration is associated with one or more wheels of the vehicle based on the magnitude of the vehicle vibration at the one or more target frequency bands. The method further includes generating a diagnostic recommendation when the vehicle vibration is associated with the one or more wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, Jianbo Lu, Timothy Mark Feldkamp, Ryan Lee Baker, Fling Finn Tseng, Kelly Trost, David Scott Rohweder, Daniel Haakenson
  • Patent number: 10288424
    Abstract: Improving an estimated altitude of a receiver by mitigating the effects of transmitter heating. Systems and methods for improving estimates of a receiver's altitude determine a reference pressure at a reference altitude using a temperature measured at a transmitter or another temperature value, an altitude of the transmitter, and a pressure measured by the transmitter or another pressure value. A local reference pressure for a receiver is determined using the reference pressure and other reference pressures from other transmitters. Reference pressures from overheating transmitters may be weighted less than reference pressures from other transmitters when determining the local reference pressure. The local reference pressure is then used to estimate the altitude of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: NextNav, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Dormody, Thomas Wolf, Arun Raghupathy, Andrew Sendonaris
  • Patent number: 10267647
    Abstract: An information processing device acquires acceleration generated by movement of a user, and estimates that the movement of the user is walking or running based on this acquired acceleration. In addition, traveling direction estimation methods for estimating the traveling direction of the user are switched between, based on the estimation results for the movement of the user, and the traveling direction of the user is estimated by way of this selected traveling direction estimation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshitsugu Manabe
  • Patent number: 10166824
    Abstract: An indirect tire pressure monitoring system is provided that estimates a pressure in a tire more accurately than before. The system includes an estimated internal pressure transmitter (control unit) that calculates and transmits an estimated internal pressure of a tire when a vehicle is travelling based on a wheel speed, a measured internal pressure of the tire at halt and a measured temperature of the tire at halt. The system measures the internal pressure and the temperature for each tire, and carries out deflation evaluation independently for each tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinya Notomi
  • Patent number: 10064017
    Abstract: Determining building weather profile parameters, and correcting an estimated altitude of a receiver using the building weather profile parameters. Systems and methods for estimating an altitude of a receiver using building weather profile parameters may identify one or more weather profile parameters for a building, determine an initial estimate of a receiver's altitude at a floor inside the building, and use the initial estimate and the identified weather profile parameters to determine a corrected estimate of the receiver's altitude at the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: NextNav, LLC
    Inventors: Guiyuan Han, Michael Dormody, Thomas Wolf, Ganesh Pattabiraman
  • Patent number: 9917664
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the quality of a communication channel supported by a sliding contact is provided. The method includes controlling application of a continuous electrical signal onto one of elements of the sliding contact, receiving measured values of electrical signals measured on other of the elements of the sliding contact, estimating from the measured values, a variance parameter value, comparing the variance parameter value with a threshold and, on the basis of a result of the comparison, generating a signal representative of a quality of the communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: UNIVERSITÉ DE PICARDIE JULES VERNE, MERSEN FRANCE AMIENS SAS
    Inventors: Valery Bourny, Jerome Fortin, Thierry Capitaine, Aurelien Lorthois, Veronique Da Ros
  • Patent number: 9804050
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides systems and methods of compensating sensor drift. In one example embodiment, a system may comprise a primary sensor having a primary full-scale range and configured to output a primary environmental condition signal indicative of an environmental condition; a reference sensor having a reference full-scale range and configured to output a reference environmental condition signal indicative of the environmental condition, wherein the reference full-scale range is less than the primary full-scale range; and a drift compensation system configured to determine a drift compensation signal using the primary environmental signal and the reference environmental condition signal responsive to the reference environmental conditional signal being in the reference full-scale range and compensate the primary environmental condition signal using the drift compensation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Wolf S. Landmann
  • Patent number: 9745698
    Abstract: A roll for a machine for producing and/or processing a fibrous web, such as a paper, board or tissue web, has a circular-cylindrical main roll body. A roll cover covers the circumferential surface of the main roll body, at least in some segments. A pressure- and/or temperature-sensitive sensor is embedded in the roll cover. The sensor connects to an electrical and/or optical signal line. The signal line has a first line segment inside the roll. A second line segment extends substantially outside the roll and is connectable to a signal excitation and/or signal processing unit at one end. An electrical and/or optical rotational connection connects the first and second line segments to allow the line segments to be rotated relative to one another. When the roll is rotated, the first line segment rotates together with the main roll body. The second line segment does not have to follow the rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Schmitt, Wolfgang Ecke, Martin Breineder
  • Patent number: 9622258
    Abstract: A method for generating a time table determines the data exchange times between a control unit and wireless sensors in a vehicle, which includes said control unit. The wireless sensors detect properties of components of the vehicle and/or surrounding parameters, and carrying out data exchange with the control unit by establishing a wireless connection with at least one wireless port provided in the control unit. The method can include calculating the data exchange periods and/or the data exchange durations between each sensor and the control unit; generating a time table having an adjustable table length according to the data exchange periods and/or data exchange durations; splitting the time table into subunits according to the data exchange periods and/or data exchange durations; and entering the times at which each sensor performs data exchange with the control unit into the table according to a predefined priority order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: KOC Universitesi
    Inventors: Yalcin Sadi, Sinem Coleri Ergen
  • Patent number: 9586001
    Abstract: A patient care system is configured for infusing fluid to a patient. The system includes at least one fluid infusion pump connected to a respective fluid supply for pumping the contents of a fluid supply to a patient via fluid supply lines. The system includes a programming module that determines the efficiency of the fluid infusion pumps and dynamically adapt the infusion pumps based on one or more system parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Halbert, Gregory Borges
  • Patent number: 9551599
    Abstract: A sensing system includes a filter construction module that constructs a high pass filter for filtering sensor values indicative of a process variable, the filter construction module setting values for parameters of the filter based on a temperature value indicative of a temperature of the sensor that produced the sensor values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: John Philip Miller, Robert Carl Hedtke
  • Patent number: 9457840
    Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes an axial force sensor that detects a vibration of a vehicle wheel; and a control device including an FFT analysis unit that resolves the vibration of the vehicle wheel into a power spectrum. The control device executes compensation assist control that suppresses one of a deflection of the vehicle and a vibration of a steering component that are caused by a puncture or a burst of the vehicle wheel, based on the vibration calculated based on a radius of the vehicle wheel when the vehicle wheel is normal and a vehicle speed and an abnormal-wheel frequency calculated based on a radius of the vehicle wheel when the vehicle wheel is punctured or burst and the vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuma Kouchi
  • Patent number: 9452403
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the fluidization quality of a fluidized bed reactor is disclosed. The method includes measuring pressure within the fluidized bed reactor to obtain a pressure signal. The pressure signal is then transformed using wavelet decomposition into higher-frequency details and lower-frequency approximations. The dominance of the various features is then calculated based on the energy of each feature in relation to the normalized wavelet energies. The fluidization quality of the fluidized bed reactor is then determined from a comparison over time of the calculated energies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SunEdison, Inc.
    Inventors: Jia Wei Chew, Satish Bhusarapu, Keith E. Weatherford
  • Patent number: 9395383
    Abstract: The present invention relates detecting the rotation speed of tires for a vehicle. In the present invention, signals are received from a plurality of wheel speed sensors, a reverse gear sensor, and a brake sensor. Errors of the wheel speed sensors are estimated using the received signals, a signal having a corrected error is obtained using the estimated errors, linear interpolation. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that rotation speed of tires for a vehicle can be determined accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI AUTRON CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Guy Championnet
  • Patent number: 9378636
    Abstract: A fall detector unit is worn by a patient and performs a wakeup when an acceleration signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. A barometer provides a series of pressure readings over a pressure examination period to provide a first pressure difference value. The pressure signals are further monitored over a compensation period after the examination period to obtain a second pressure difference value representing background environmental changes. The first pressure difference value is compensated by the second pressure difference value to obtain a total pressure difference value and thus derive a total height difference value. The fall detector unit determines a fall event using the total height difference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Tunstall Group Limited
    Inventors: Clive John Vallance, Richard James Farrell-Smith
  • Patent number: 9302871
    Abstract: A roll for a machine for processing a material web, in particular a paper, cardboard, or tissue machine, has a cylindrical roll core and a roll cover which is arranged on the radially outer lateral face of the roll core. The roll cover has a functional layer and a connecting structure which lies radially between the roll core and the functional layer. The radially outer lateral face of the functional layer provides a contact surface which can be brought into contact with the material web or a covering. A plurality of pressure and/or temperature-sensitive sensors are embedded in the roll cover. The sensors are arranged in the connecting structure or at the interface between the connecting structure and the functional layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Breineder, Hubert Bischof, Matthias Schmitt, Yang Shieh
  • Patent number: 9261399
    Abstract: A method for determining the acoustic absorption coefficient and/or the transmission coefficient at a chosen position in a space in which a certain sound field prevails as a result of the operation of a sound-emitting source, and/or the acoustic power emitted by the source comprises the following steps of: (a) measuring the sound pressure p(t) and the particle velocity v(t) at the chosen position in the space; (b) calculating the Fourier transforms P(f), V(f) of p(t), v(t); (c) calculating on the basis of P(f) and V(f) the time-averaged active intensity Iac(f) in the direction indicated with the vector n, being the normal vector on the relevant surface, and the time-averaged total intensity Itot(f), in the direction indicated with the vector n; (d) determining the time-averaged incident sound intensity in the direction n: Iin(f)=½(Iac(f)+Itot(f)); and the step of: (e) determining the time-averaged absorption coefficient in the direction n: ?=Iac(f)/Iin(f); and/or the step of: (f) determining the transm
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SoundInsight B.V.
    Inventor: Ysbrand Hans Wijnant
  • Patent number: 9254900
    Abstract: A dive computer with a free dive mode and/or wireless data transmission capabilities. In one embodiment the invention relates to a diving apparatus including a dive computer having a free dive mode, where the dive computer is configured to calculate a nitrogen loading in the free dive mode using a default value which is the fraction of oxygen in air, and where the free dive mode is used when a diver makes a dive without a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. Another embodiment includes a method of operating a dive computer including recording two or more first identifiers, receiving pressure information from two or more pressure transmitters, the pressure information comprising second identifiers and pressure measurements, determining whether the pressure information contains one of the two or more first identifiers, and displaying a message indicative of the pressure information that contains one of the two or more first identifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Pelagic Pressure Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Hollis, Michael S. Hollis, Jack Calvin Holman
  • Patent number: 9182139
    Abstract: A room pressure controlling system having a supply air valve, a common exhaust air valve, controllers, and a differential pressure sensor. The controller gradually changes a supply and an exhaust airflow rates when there is an airflow rate change controlling operation, and calculates, based on a setting value and a pressure difference that is measured by the differential pressure sensor, a correction control output value for the valve being operated as the room pressure controlling valve, and if the sum value of the control output value and the correction control output value is a value that causes operation of the room pressure controlling valve in the direction opposite of the desired direction, suspends the output of the sum value, but if the value causes the room pressure controlling valve to operate in the desired direction, outputs the sum value to the room pressure controlling valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Fujimura, Yasuhito Oomagari
  • Patent number: 9080920
    Abstract: A miniature pressure scanning system includes a plurality of miniature pressure sensors where each pressure sensors includes at least one sensor output for providing an analog output signal indicative of a detected pressure on a body, and each pressure sensor output has an associated output impedance; a plurality of buffers, each buffer electrically connected to the output port of a corresponding one of the pressure sensors, and configured to reduce the associated output impedance of the corresponding sensor output coupled thereto, and further configured to provide at an output of the buffer the analog output pressure signal from the pressure sensor; and a multiplexer coupled downstream of the plurality of buffers and configured to multiplex the buffered analog output pressure signals to output a multiplexed analog signal representing the detected pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Measurement Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Mark Keeter
  • Patent number: 9032703
    Abstract: In a gas turbine engine that includes a compressor and a combustor, wherein the combustor includes a primary fuel injector within a fuel nozzle and a secondary fuel injector that is upstream of the fuel nozzle and configured to inject fuel into a flow annulus of the combustor, a method for detecting a flame holding condition about a fuel injector. The method may include the steps of: detecting an upstream pressure upstream of the secondary fuel injector; detecting a downstream pressure downstream of the secondary fuel injector; determining a measured pressure difference between the upstream pressure and the downstream pressure; and comparing the measured pressure difference to an expected pressure difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anthony Wayne Krull, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Garth Curtis Frederick, David Kaylor Toronto
  • Patent number: 9009860
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses disclosed herein provide for a tamper resistant electronic device. The electronic device can include a circuit board, housing, a security shield, one or more pressure sensitive switches, and security electronics. The security shield can cover a first area of the circuit board and be configured to sense tampering. The security shield can also be integrated into the first part of the housing, wherein a second area of the circuit board is covered by the housing and is outside of the security shield, both the first area and the second area having electronics therein. The security electronics on the circuit board can be coupled to the security shield and the one or more pressure switches, and can be configured to zeroize data stored on the circuit board if the security shield senses tampering or if one or more of the one or more pressure sensitive switches is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Cram Worldwide, LLC
    Inventors: R. Daren Klum, Matthew D. Fairchild, Daniel L. Hench, Keith A. Pagan, Robert Sean Hagen
  • Publication number: 20150066421
    Abstract: A method for following the degassing of a component placed in a vacuum chamber, comprises: measuring partial pressures Pi for a set M of reference atomic masses, by means of a mass spectrometer connected to the vacuum chamber; determining a degassing rate ?, at least as a function of the measured partial pressures Pi; and, calculating a slope of the variation in the degassing rate. The degassing rate ? may advantageously be determined by calculation by means of a relationship of the type: ? = ? i ? M ? ? ? i ? P i ? i = 0 N ? ? ? i ? P i where M denotes the set of reference atomic masses, Pi denotes the partial pressures for the atomic masses measured by the mass spectrometer, the coefficients ?i denote preset weighting coefficients associated with each partial pressure Pi, and N denotes a maximum atomic mass for which the partial pressure Pi can be measured by the mass spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Alain Roger Dante BETTACCHIOLI
  • Patent number: 8972219
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems of monitoring electrical brushes in electrical rotating machinery. One embodiment of the method comprises continuously measuring at least one parameter associated with an electrical brush; and determining, using the at least one continuously measured parameter associated with the electrical brush, maintenance for the electrical brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sascha Schieke, Aditi Yogin Koppikar, Mark Andrew Sporer, Chongchan Lee
  • Patent number: 8965725
    Abstract: In order to mitigate the negative effects of a change in atmospheric pressure, an improved capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG) sensor incorporates an independent ambient atmospheric pressure sensor near the CDG sensor body. The ambient atmospheric sensor is located outside the CDG sensor body to sense the ambient atmospheric pressure surrounding the CDG sensor body. The ambient atmospheric sensor provides an output that represents the ambient atmospheric pressure. A sensor output processing circuit receives the output of the ambient atmospheric sensor as well as the output of the CDG sensor. The processing circuit utilizes the output from the ambient atmospheric pressure sensor to fine tune the CDG measurement of pressure by executing an in situ, real time, automatic calibration adjustment of the CDG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Reno Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Ferran, Robert J. Ferran
  • Patent number: 8942949
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a state parameter of an object to be monitored includes a means for providing a plurality of measurement values, wherein the measurement values include information relating to the state parameter of the object to be monitored, a comparison means for comparing the measurement value to a predeterminable comparison parameter, wherein the comparison means is formed to output a first comparison signal when a predeterminable number of measurement values falls below the comparison parameter within a measurement interval, or to output a second comparison signal when the predeterminable number of measurement values exceeds or reaches the comparison parameter, wherein the first comparison signal or the second comparison signal indicate the state parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 8938367
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a motion detecting device is configured to detect whether one or more movement events have occurred. The motion detecting device can include: (a) a processing module configured to run on a computational unit; and (b) a sensing device having: (1) one or more pressure sensors configured to provide two or more pressure measurements; and (2) a transmitter electrically coupled to the one or more pressure sensors and configured to transmit the two or more pressure measurements to the computational unit. The processing module is configured to use the two or more pressure measurements to determine whether the one or more movement events have occurred. The sensing device can be configured to be placed in at least one of ductwork of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system or an air handler of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Shwetak N. Patel, Matthew S. Reynolds, Gregory D. Abowd
  • Patent number: 8935118
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to wetting agent compositions and methods for making and using the wetting agent compositions. The compositions of the invention include a sheeting agent, a defoaming agent, and an association disruption agent. The wetting agent compositions of the present invention result in a faster draining/drying time on most substrates compared to conventional wetting agents. The wetting agent compositions of the present invention are especially suitable for use on plastic substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Janel M. Kieffer, Michael C. Denoma, Yvonne M. Killeen, Joshua P. Magnuson
  • Patent number: 8935119
    Abstract: Biometric monitoring devices, including various technologies that may be implemented in such devices, are discussed herein. Additionally, techniques for utilizing altimeters in biometric monitoring devices are provided. Such techniques may, in some implementations, involve recalibrating a biometric monitoring device altimeter based on location data; using altimeter data as an aid to gesture recognition; and/or using altimeter data to manage an airplane mode of a biometric monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventor: Shelten Gee Jao Yuen
  • Patent number: 8930144
    Abstract: An apparatus as provided for measuring acceleration of a person's head or other object. The apparatus comprises a sensor for sensing acceleration and a controller for controlling recording of data resulting from the sensed acceleration due to an explosive force. The controller is adapted to determine whether or not to enable recording of the data based on the sensed acceleration. A data receiver is provided to receive the sensed acceleration data from the sensing means, and requires electrical power to enable data to be received thereby. The controller controls electrical power to the receiver so that if the sensed acceleration reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, electrical power to the data receiver is enabled. The recorded acceleration data may be used for injury analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Med-Eng, LLC
    Inventors: Graham Hubler, Jeffrey Byers, Brian Houston, Robert Corsaro, Phil Frank, Jason Kost, Kenny Opachko, Alain Berdoz, Peter Herdic, Lock-Sui Chin, Jeffrey Levine, Jean-Philippe Dionne, Doug Wong, Daniel Crossman
  • Publication number: 20150006104
    Abstract: In a wheel position detecting device, a receiver acquires gear information indicating a tooth position of a gear rotating in association with a corresponding wheel at a predetermined interval. In a wheel position detection, the receiver sets a variation allowance range based on the tooth position at a reception timing of a frame transmitted from a transmitter integrated to each wheel. When the tooth position of the gear at a subsequent reception timing of the frame is not within the variation allowance range, the receiver excludes the wheel corresponding to the gear from a candidate wheel. The receiver registers the wheel remaining last as the wheel to which the transmitter is integrated. The receiver performs the wheel position detection only when a wheel speed is higher than a predetermined threshold, so that the wheel position detection is performed based on an accurate tooth position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Noriaki Okada, Nobuya Watabe, Masashi Mori, Takatoshi Sekizawa
  • Publication number: 20140379291
    Abstract: In a wheel position detector for a vehicle, a transmitter on each wheel repeatedly transmits a data frame containing identification information when an angle of the transmitter reaches a transmission angle. A receiver for receiving the frame is mounted on a body of a vehicle and performs wheel position detection based on the frame to specify a target wheel from which the frame is transmitted. The receiver acquires a tooth position of a gear rotating with a corresponding wheel when receiving the frame and sets a variation allowable range based on the tooth position. The receiver specifies the target wheel by determining whether the tooth position falls within the variation allowable range. The transmitter changes the transmission angle at a predetermined time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Masashi Mori, Nobuya Watabe, Noriaki Okada, Takatoshi Sekizawa
  • Publication number: 20140372070
    Abstract: A wheel position detector for a vehicle includes: a transmitter at each wheel having a first control portion for generating and transmitting a frame with specific identification information; and a receiver at a vehicle body receiving the frame from one wheel and having a second control portion for performing wheel position detection; and a wheel speed sensor for detecting a tooth of a gear. The second control portion: acquires gear information indicating a tooth position; corrects the tooth position based on a time difference between acquiring of the gear information and receiving time of the frame; and specifies the one wheel based on the tooth position at reception time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Noriaki Okada, Nobuya Watabe, Masashi Mori, Takatoshi Sekizawa
  • Publication number: 20140365162
    Abstract: In a wheel position detecting device, a transmission angular position of a transmitter to transmit a frame from the transmitter to a receiver is changed by a predetermined angle each time the transmitter transmits the frame. A receiver acquires gear information indicating a tooth position of a gear rotating in association with a corresponding wheel, based on a detection signal of a wheel speed sensor. The receiver specifies to which wheels the transmitter is integrated, based on the tooth position of the gear at a reception timing of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Masashi Mori, Nobuya Watabe, Noriaki Okada, Takatoshi Sekizawa
  • Publication number: 20140352813
    Abstract: A method of collecting data in a field device includes receiving indications of variables for which data is collected, receiving indications of trigger events to trigger collection of data, receiving threshold values associated with each of the trigger events, monitoring the trigger events, and initiating data collection when at least one of the trigger events crosses one the threshold values associated with the corresponding trigger event. A method of tuning a PID controller in a field device includes setting a limited range for selecting a value for a control parameter of the PID controller, selecting the value of the control parameter, wherein the selected value is constrained to be within the limited range, transmitting the selected value to the field device, obtaining, from the field device, a measurement of a response of the field device to a setpoint change, and displaying the obtained response measurements to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: TESCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Linda R. Tharaldson, Gordon C. Muir, Jeffrey A. Wakefield
  • Patent number: 8886489
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a motion detecting device is configured to detect whether one or more movement events have occurred. The motion detecting device can include: (a) a processing module configured to run on a computational unit; and (b) a sensing device having: (1) one or more pressure sensors configured to provide two or more pressure measurements; and (2) a transmitter electrically coupled to the one or more pressure sensors and configured to transmit the two or more pressure measurements to the computational unit. The processing module is configured to use the two or more pressure measurements to determine whether the one or more movement events have occurred. The sensing device can be configured to be placed in at least one of ductwork of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system or an air handler of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Shwetak N. Patel, Matthew S. Reynolds, Gregory D. Abowd
  • Patent number: 8882883
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed that allow for the monitoring and analysis of production process data for a multi-step asynchronous cyclic production process (e.g. pressure swing adsorption) in a steady state plant (such as a steam methane reforming plant). Data collected from cooperating sensors is processed applying a moving window discrete Fourier transform (DFT). The transformed data can be further analyzed in the broader steady-state plant environment to accurately detect any process anomalies and avoid false alarms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Erdem Arslan, Debashis Neogi, Xianming Jimmy Li, Pratik Misra
  • Patent number: 8878313
    Abstract: A pressure sensor has a sensor body at least partly formed with an electrically insulating material, particularly a ceramic material, defining a cavity facing on which is a diaphragm provided with an electric detector element, configured for detecting a bending of the diaphragm. The sensor body supports a circuit arrangement, including, a plurality of circuit components, among which is an integrated circuit, for treating a signal generated by the detection element. The circuit arrangement includes tracks made of electrically conductive material directly deposited on a surface of the sensor body made of electrically insulating material. The integrated circuit is made up of a die made of semiconductor material directly bonded onto the surface of the sensor body and the die is connected to respective tracks by means of wire bonding, i.e. by means of thin connecting wires made of electrically conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Metallux SA
    Inventor: Luca Salmaso