Area Or Volume Patents (Class 702/156)
  • Patent number: 8447533
    Abstract: A method of reducing rainwater and/or groundwater inflow and infiltration into a wastewater treatment collection grid. The method preferably involves the steps of (a) dividing the grid into a plurality of major subsystems, (b) determining flow depth levels in each major subsystem under dry and wet conditions, (c) using these wet weather and dry weather flow depth measurements to determine a volume flow ratio for wet versus dry conditions, (d) using these flow ratios to identify the particular major subsystem(s) in which the greatest amount of inflow or infiltration is occurring, and then (e) further dividing the highest ranking major subsystem(s) into smaller subsystems in which the same dry and wet weather level measurement and ranking analysis is preferably conducted to further isolate problem locations for surveillance, maintenance, and/or repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Eastech Flow Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin Sinclair, David D. Williams
  • Publication number: 20130110459
    Abstract: A contact-terminal apparatus for use in measuring an electrical property of an object includes a first contact-terminal unit made of a conductive material to come in contact with the object, a movable part having a first surface on which the first contact-terminal unit is placed, and a pressure sensor situated beneath a second surface of the movable part, wherein the pressure sensor has a pressure detecting part that is in contact with the second surface of the movable part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Koichi Kiryu, SeungSeaok Beak, Kimiyo Takahashi, Mitsuru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8408081
    Abstract: A method for determining the nodosity of a wooden plank comprises the operating steps of observing the lateral surface (4) of the wooden plank (1) to identify its zones (7) corresponding to knots (6), assessing the overall extent of the knots (6) inside the plank (1) and the relative volume, and determining the nodosity as a ratio of the volume occupied by the knots (6) to the overall volume of the plank (1) or the remaining volume of the plank (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Microtec S.R.L.
    Inventor: Federico Giudiceandrea
  • Publication number: 20130054191
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method, apparatus and computer program for detecting the locations of boundaries between different materials in a desired measurement volume. The apparatus uses at least one measuring probe, the electrodes of which are characterized in that they together form an assembly that differs from a straight line. In addition, a volume at a further distance from the assembly can also be observed by the assembly, so that measurements can be conducted remotely and, on the other hand, the apparatus stays unbroken in diverse measurement situations. By using the EIT-measurement and applying for example a so-called 1D-?-method or methods of machine learning, electrical conductivity distributions in the measured volume are detected. As a result, the locations of the possible boundaries between different materials or for example thicknesses of different material layers are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Jari Kaipio, Marko Vauhkonen, Juha Reunanen, Anssi Lehikoinen
  • Patent number: 8370088
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the real-time determination of the filling level of a cryogenic tank intended to house a two-phase liquid/gas mixture, in which at least one of the the level, volume or mass contained in the tank is calculated for the liquid or the gas at each time step. The method includes the use of a thermal model at each time step to calculate the average temperatures of the liquid and the gas in the tank on the basis of the measured pressure differential and at least one of the pressures of said differential; calculation of the change over time in at least the density of the liquid on the basis of the average temperature of the liquid and the pressures in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Fouad Ammouri, Florence Boutemy, Jonathan Macron, Alain Donzel
  • Publication number: 20130030757
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a method for reconstructing the spatial distribution of a reflection coefficient for waves in a sample body, comprising the following steps: parameterizing the sample body by means of N volume elements; determining M different measurement configurations of an emitting device and an associated receiving device; defining the number T of measurement points; setting up M path matrices G[i], wherein the possible paths of reflected or scattered waves are encoded in the i-th path matrix; registering M series of measurements, wherein an excitation signal a[i] is fed to the emitting device in the i-th series of measurements, and the associated receiving device (5) registers a series of measurements x[i]; calculating a predictive differential vector ?x=x?G·s[n], which contains the difference between the elements of the M registered series of measurements x[i]t and the predictable series of measurements G[i]tj·s[n]j; minimizing a norm of the predictive differential vector ??x?; and
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUR TECHNOLOGIE
    Inventors: Rainer Stotzka, Nicole Ruiter
  • Patent number: 8355886
    Abstract: A method to determine the misalignment and/or clearance of a door relative to its frame includes a phase to determine a law of variation of the clearance and/or misalignment values for the different inspection points, in relation to various opening positions of the door taken with respect to a reference position in which the door occupies its closed position, a measurement phase in which the door occupies any position relative to the frame, and during which the clearance and/or misalignment values are measured, and a phase to take into account the measured clearance and/or misalignment values and the law of variation so as to determine the true values of clearance and/or misalignment at the different inspection points corresponding to the door in its reference closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Edixia
    Inventors: Michel Ollivier, Arnaud Legeard
  • Patent number: 8349185
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for rebalancing a solvent solution useful for treating photosensitive printing elements having a photopolymerizable layer. The solvent solution becomes contaminated with unpolymerized material and other materials that release from the photosensitive printing elements during washout treating, and separation of contaminates also removes some of one or more components in the used solvent solution. The method rebalances the proportion of the components in a solvent solution having 3 or more components. The method includes measuring a reclaimant, which has been separated from the contaminates, for two or more properties, calculating a mass of the components to be added to the reclaimant based on an equation generated for each measured property, and adding the mass of the component or components to the reclaimant to adjust the proportion of the components in the reclaimant to targeted proportions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Hackler, Rajgopal Subramanian
  • Patent number: 8352208
    Abstract: Evaluation of tree production capacity by a non-destructive method using a tree crown structure measurement device or using an image capture device with a fisheye lens mounted, for isolated trees or for trees existing at intervals, is enabled without requiring a large amount of time. A semi-spheroid of revolution model is established as a representation of the outer shape of a tree, an optical tree structure measurement device is placed at a position apart from the main trunk by a prescribed distance, the intensity of light passing through tree leaves and the intensity of light not passing through tree leaves are measured, the optical path length of light incident on the tree is calculated using the semi-spheroid model and the total tree leaf area is determined from the measured light intensities and optical path length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaguchi University
    Inventors: Haruhiko Yamamoto, Kiyoshi Iwaya, Yasushi Tsuchiya
  • Publication number: 20120323526
    Abstract: A polishing estimation/evaluation device includes a dividing unit, an overpolished area extracting unit, and a dummy modifying unit. The dividing unit divides a layout of an integrated circuit into a plurality of partial areas. The overpolished area extracting unit refers to an overpolishing condition indicating whether overpolishing occurs in a vicinity of a partial area based on a wiring density in the partial area and a wiring density in surrounding areas of the partial area, and extracts a partial area where the overpolishing occurs from the plurality of partial areas obtained by the division by the dividing unit. The dummy modifying unit modifies dummy wiring in the partial area where the overpolishing occurs extracted by the overpolished area extracting unit and/or dummy wiring in surrounding areas of the partial area to reduce the number of partial areas where the overpolishing occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Daisuke FUKUDA
  • Patent number: 8332156
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for pseudo acoustic quasi-P wave propagation which remain stable in anisotropic media with variable tilt and is not limited to weak anisotropic conditions. The method includes acquiring a seismic exploration volume for a subsurface region of interest, and determining a modeling geometry for the seismic exploration volume. The method further includes propagating at least one wavefield through the seismic exploration volume utilizing the modeling geometry and initial conditions and preventing the accumulation of energy along the axis of symmetry of the seismic exploration volume and ensuring positive stiffness coefficients in the stress-strain relations through the use of finite quasi-S wave velocities thereby producing a stable wavefield. The method includes utilizing the stable wavefield to generate subsurface images of the subsurface region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Kenneth P. Bube
  • Patent number: 8328527
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining pump fillage, using data arrays of pump plunger position with respect to time and/or pump plunger load with respect to time. In this manner, well operators may be able to accurately monitor the pump fillage and control the pump accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Victoria M. Ehimeakhe
  • Patent number: 8322995
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining pump fillage, using data arrays of pump plunger position with respect to time and/or pump plunger load with respect to time. In this manner, well operators may be able to accurately monitor the pump fillage and control the pump accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Victoria M. Ehimeakhe, Ken George Booth
  • Patent number: 8315824
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting the remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen stored in a hydrogen storage device. In this system, the remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen is calculated accurately without being affected by the previous state in a tank. The internal pressure of the tank is detected. A fixed heat quantity is applied into the liquid hydrogen. The pressure in the tank after the application of heat quantity is detected. The volume of phase-transited hydrogen gas is calculated based on the heat quantity applied into the tank. The change amount of pressure in the tank before and after the application of heat quantity is calculated based on the pressure and the pressure. The remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen in the tank is calculated based on the volume of hydrogen gas and the change amount of pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Hirose
  • Publication number: 20120253740
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying stands or portions thereof that are not growing as expected. In one embodiment, a computer system compares a measured leaf area index of a stand that is determined from remotely sensed data to an expected leaf area index. The computer system identifies stands or portions of stands where the measured leaf area index is greater than the expected leaf area index and/or stands or portions of stands where the measured leaf area index is less than the expected leaf area index. In one embodiment, the comparison is used to identify stands or portions thereof where silviculture treatments may be necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: Julio C. Rojas
  • Publication number: 20120222579
    Abstract: A method for delivering ballast to a section of railroad track includes measuring an existing ballast profile of a section of railroad track using a remote sensing system, and providing a signal indicative thereof to a first computer. Using the first computer, the existing ballast profile is compared with an ideal ballast profile to compute a track file representing a volume of additional ballast needed as a function of linear position along the section of railroad track, and data representing the track file is transmitted to a second computer of an automatic ballast dump train. Ballast is dumped along the section of railroad track according to the track file under control of the second computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: H. Lynn Turner, William C. Shell, Brian Roger VanVoorst, David Rozacky, Carlos Martinez, Charles W. Aaron, John Joseph Shackleton, JR., Joel Scott Howard
  • Patent number: 8209134
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed wherein the structural health of a civil structure, such as, but not limited to, a bridge or the like is measured by electronic distance measurement (EDM) from a plurality of stable locations to a plurality of cardinal points on the structure in a methodical manner. By measuring the coordinates of the cardinal points, the dynamic and long-term static behavior of the structure provide an indication of the health of the structure. Analysis includes: comparison to a Finite Element Model (FEM); comparison to historical data; and modeling based on linearity, hysteresis, symmetry, creep, damping coefficient, and harmonic analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignees: Sophie Lin
    Inventors: David H. Parker, John M. Payne, Sophie Lin, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8185344
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a dimension of a construction material is provided. At least one material-interacting device is configured to interact with the construction material so as to determine at least one surface characteristic thereof. A computer device is configured to be capable of receiving the at least one surface characteristic from the at least one material-interacting device, and to manipulate the at least one surface characteristic so as to form a multi-dimensional representation of the construction material. The computer device is further configured to determine the surface or volume characteristic of the construction material from the multi-dimensional representation thereof. By determining the mass of the construction material, the density of the construction material can be provided. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ernest Troxler, James Daniel Pratt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8170827
    Abstract: A drop mass deviation measuring apparatus, a drop mass deviation measuring method, a pattern forming system, and a control method measure mass deviations of drops discharged from a plurality of drop discharge units in real time with high precision. The apparatus utilizes a plurality of drops discharged from a plurality of drop discharge units, a drop moving force providing part to provide moving forces, having directions different from discharge directions of each of the plurality of drops, to the plurality of drops, a discharged drop position detection member to acquire drop position images individually reflecting the a position of each of the plurality of drops, and a drop mass deviation measurement control part to calculate a drop discharge direction separation angle of each of the plurality of drops using the drop position images acquired by the discharged drop position detection member to measure mass deviation of each of the drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chong Uck Kim, Hyuk Kim, Sano Jin Choi, Seong Wook Cheong, Eun Seon Lim, Byung Il Ahn, Joong He Lee
  • Patent number: 8160822
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring optimum water-quality and informing quality of water 100 measures an amount of impurities of water, keeps to renew an optimum value by a lowest amount of the impurities until the present use, compares the optimum value with the present amount of the impurities measured in the water and informs the result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: Sechang Instruments Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung June Song
  • Publication number: 20110313721
    Abstract: A structured light sensor system for measuring contour of a surface includes a control module that coordinates control of both a projection system and an imaging system to operate the structured light sensor system in three different modes. The imaging system is configured to selectively capture an image of light reflected off of the surface. In point mode, the imaging system is on for a first period during which the projection system projects a point of light onto the surface. In line mode, the imaging system is on for a second period during which the projection system projects onto the surface a first plurality of points of light forming a line of light. In area mode, the imaging system is on for a third period during which the projection system projects onto the surface a second plurality of points of light forming a plurality of lines of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: PERCEPTRON, INC.
    Inventors: Shyam P. Keshavmurthy, Chengchih Lin, Alfred A. Pease, Richard A. Krakowski
  • Patent number: 8082120
    Abstract: A method and hand-held scanning apparatus for three-dimensional scanning of an object is described. The hand-held self-referenced scanning apparatus has a light source for illuminating retro-reflective markers, the retro-reflective markers being provided at fixed positions on or around the object, a photogrammetric high-resolution camera, a pattern projector for providing a projected pattern on a surface of the object; at least a pair of basic cameras, the basic camera cooperating with light sources, the projected pattern and at least a portion of the retro-reflective markers being apparent on the 2D images, a frame for holding all components in position within the hand-held apparatus, the frame having a handle, the frame allowing support and free movement of the scanning apparatus by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Creaform Inc.
    Inventors: Éric St-Pierre, Pierre-Luc Gagné, Antoine Thomas Caron, Nicolas Beaupré, Dragan Tubic, Patrick Hébert
  • Publication number: 20110270572
    Abstract: A device for calculating the density of blocks includes a block manufacturing machine. In the block manufacturing machine, blocks are formed on a pallet. The weight of the empty pallet is known and the weight of the pallet after being loaded with blocks is measured. The length and width of each block is known form the block mold. However, the height of each block is measure, preferably by a laser height measuring station. From the known quantities, the volume and total weight of the blocks on the pallet are known. From these measurements, the density can be calculated to ensure that a minimum density of the blocks is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen SCHOONOVER
  • Publication number: 20110194075
    Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and systems for the modeling and analysis of visual fields. Methods for global and regional measurement of visual sensitivity and quantification of field loss are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Further embodiments provide systems and methods for the diagnosis of diseases affecting the visual field. In addition, embodiments provide methods and systems for measuring and quantifying the volume of the Hill of Vision for an individual subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Oregon Health & Science University
    Inventors: Richard G. Weleber, Richard E. Crandall, Scott P. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 7979116
    Abstract: A body composition measuring instrument includes a body composition calculating unit for calculating the body composition of a user by using a plurality of electrodes, a reference value storage region for storing information of a reference value related to the past body composition of the user, a display control unit for performing a control to display a position of the body composition during the time calculated by the body composition calculating unit in reference to a line showing the reference value on a predetermined graph, and a display section for providing a display corresponding to the output from the display control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Feilang Tseng, Tetsuya Sato
  • Patent number: 7970578
    Abstract: A compensation table for compensating interference signal obtained by OCT measurement is generated easily. When a reflection body interference signal is obtained by OCT measurement, the reflection body interference signal is compensated by a compensation table (Formula (1)) to obtain an evaluation output signal. Then, a spectrum of the evaluation output signal is calculated to obtain an evaluation value of the spectrum. Thereafter, a model coefficient is updated such that the evaluation value becomes small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Kensuke Terakawa
  • Patent number: 7895015
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed wherein the structural health of a civil structure, such as, but not limited to, a bridge or the like is measured by electronic distance measurement from a plurality of stable locations to a plurality of cardinal points on the structure in a methodical manner. By measuring the coordinates of the cardinal points, the dynamic and long-term static behavior of the structure provide an indication of the health of the structure. Analysis includes; comparison to a Finite Element Model (FEM), comparison to historical data, linearity, hysteresis, symmetry, creep, damping coefficient, and harmonic terms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: David H. Parker, John M. Payne
  • Publication number: 20110040507
    Abstract: A method of inspecting a stack body of at least a porous layer and a dense layer comprises the first step of measuring the length of the stack body before the stack body is fired, the second step of measuring the length of the stack body after the stack body is fired, the third step of calculating a shrinkage rate of the stack body based on a first measured value from the first step and a second measured value from the second step, the fourth step of determining whether the calculated shrinkage rate of the stack body is acceptable or not based on the calculated shrinkage rate, the fifth step of calculating an S/N ratio of the stack body based on the first measured value and the second measured value, and the sixth step of determining whether the current-voltage characteristics of the stack body are acceptable or not based on the calculated S/N ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mari maruyama, Ushio Harada, Hiroshi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7856334
    Abstract: A method is disclosed whereby a laser-based spherical coordinate measurement system is dynamically calibrated. A mechanical oscillator, such as, but not limited to, a Foucault pendulum is used to generate periodic motions which can be fitted to Fourier series models. The residuals between the experimental measurements and the model can provide information which can be used to calibrate the instrument. The calibration information is used to augment the ASME B89.4.19-2006 standard to improve sensitivity to cyclic errors and include the servo systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: David H. Parker
  • Patent number: 7840373
    Abstract: A system and associated method for selecting or creating an area which meets meet a set of marking criteria, for example, corresponding to a minimum surface area; a maximum slope angle; and a minimum deviation from a specified height. A marking station is directed to mark the selected area that meets the marking criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Culp, Craig E. Farren, Artem Borovinskih, Eric Kuo
  • Patent number: 7809522
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining and numerically displaying the volume of an item or any part of the item by passing a manually held sensor member freely movable in both vertical and horizontal directions over and along an item lying on a support surface. Sensor and movement detector arrangements generate signals from which the volume of any segment of the item passed over is calculated. The calculated volume of part or all of the item may be converted into numeric values corresponding to the calculated volume such as weight or price numeric values based on an item density or cost per unit weight factor for the particular type of item on the support surface, whereby numeric weight and cost values of any segment of the item are displayed in a numeric display as the sensor member is passed along the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth Wargon
  • Patent number: 7729861
    Abstract: A method for conducting a formation test includes providing a volume change model for a tool component, and providing a control program that uses the volume change model to estimate a system volume change resulting from a change in the tool component during a downhole operation. An apparatus for conducting a formation test includes a carrier, a formation test tool, a measurement device that estimates a change in a tool component during operation, and a processor that uses a volume change model to estimate a system volume change resulting at least in part from the change in the tool component during a downhole operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Eick Niemeyer, Tobias Kischkat, Matthias Meister
  • Patent number: 7720624
    Abstract: An information processing method, an information processing apparatus and a program can prevent errors from arising when associating point group data obtained by actually measuring an item such as a metal part and design data defining the item. The characteristic value representing the profile of a face of the design data defining the item and the characteristic value computationally determined from the point group data obtained by actually measuring the item are compared and associated with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuma Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20100121584
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for detecting and characterizing heterogeneities within a bulk material that exhibit scale-dependent uniformity represented by locally representative volume elements (LRVEs). The invention is particularly useful in the characterization of local variations of crystallographic texture of metals and alloys, including metallurgical Ti alloys. The invention consists of generating ultrasonic waves through different paths in the object, and detecting differences in time, amplitude and/or phase of the detected frequency components traveling the different paths to characterize a statistical mean dimensions of the LRVEs, for example, by autocorrelation. Mean sizes of the LRVEs in the scan directions can be computed by autocorrelation, and mean sizes in the direction of the propagation can also be approximated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: André Moreau, Lotfi Toubal
  • Patent number: 7693682
    Abstract: A method for measuring critical dimensions of a pattern using an overlay measuring apparatus is provided. The method includes setting a first scan range, inputting a step pitch for the overlay measuring apparatus, inputting X and Y coordinates of a point on a reticle, and inputting a size of the reference pattern. The method further includes inputting a position of the reference pattern, inputting a second scan range, measuring the size of the reference pattern, and inputting an ideal pattern size. The method still further includes measuring a size and a first Z-axial focus position of a top region of the reference pattern, storing the first Z-axial focus position, measuring a size of the selected pattern of the first wafer using stored reference information, and determining whether the size of the selected pattern is suitable relative to the ideal pattern size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-Hee Cho, Hyun-Tae Kang, Jang-Hoon Kim, Ki-Hyun Chyun
  • Patent number: 7688678
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a processing subsystem (30) responsive to the detection of sound coming from a room (26) to establish an acoustic impulse response for the room (26), and determine a number of sound reflections corresponding to the impulse response. This subsystem (30) is further operable to determine volume of the room (26), one or more dimensions of the room (26) and/or at least one absorption coefficient of a room boundary as a function of the sound reflections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Erik Larsen, Albert Feng, Douglas L. Jones
  • Publication number: 20100070229
    Abstract: A distance measuring measurement instrument and a method for such a station for scanning a surface or volume of an object are disclosed. The measurement instrument includes a position calculating circuit adapted to calculate position data including at least horizontal and vertical angle and distance between the measurement instrument and the object. A plurality of points in each of a number of subsets of a scanning area of the object during a measurement session and, at detection of a new point in the new subset, information related to at least one point having a corresponding location in at least one preceding subset is used, wherein the preceding subset being adjacent to the new subset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Set Svanholm, Grégory Lepere, Guillaume David, Fredrik Gylesjö, Sven Johannson, Björn Magnusson
  • Publication number: 20100063771
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present application, a stimulus-responsive gel is disclosed with optical characteristic molecule introduced therein that is capable of easily and securely converting a volume change responding to external stimulus to optical data being easy to handle in the construction of sensor system; an external stimulus measuring apparatus making use of the same; and a method of measuring external stimulus therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Takashi Miyata
  • Publication number: 20100030514
    Abstract: A method for determining the outlet cross-section of a component including one or more turbine blades, in particular of a turbine blade twin, of a gas turbine, in which at least one closed outlet cross-section is measured between the turbine blades, and/or respective open outlet cross-sections are measured on the side of the at least one turbine blade, using a measurement device, wherein in order to determine the corresponding outlet cross-section its respective bounding walls are traversed by the measurement device along a measurement line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Anja Lange, Jens-Heiko Perleberg
  • Patent number: 7603252
    Abstract: A method for calculating the effective volume of a diesel particulate filter invention may include: determining whether regeneration efficiency exists; determining, if regeneration efficiency exists, whether a learning condition of the ash coefficient is satisfied; detecting an exhaust flow amount Qexh if the learning condition of the ash coefficient is satisfied; calculating change of a pressure difference ?(?Pash(n)) caused by the ash; calculating change of an ash coefficient ?(a4) by using the change of the pressure difference ?(?Pash(n)) caused by the ash and the exhaust flow amount Qexh; calculating a current ash coefficient a4(n) by using the change of the ash coefficient ?(a4) and a previous ash coefficient a4(n-1); and calculating the effective volume Ve by using the current ash coefficient a4(n) and a first filter coefficient a1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Yeon Lee, Youngjun Roh
  • Patent number: 7599814
    Abstract: The present invention relates to computing reachable areas given a first point. More specifically, the present invention relates to the computation of an intersection between a first surface and a second surface for determining a set of points that are reachable from a first point. Using the present invention, a user can determine either (1) a locus of target sites that can be struck by a ballistic projectile from a given launch site, or (2) a locus of launch sites that can be used to hit a given target site. The disclosed system and method employs graphics hardware to determine an intersection between a first surface defined by trajectory paths, and a second surface defined by terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Peter A. Tinker, David W. Payton
  • Publication number: 20090187009
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of and systems for translating conditions from a small-volume experiment to a larger-volume experiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew May, Hany Ramez Nassef
  • Publication number: 20090157348
    Abstract: A method for calculating the effective volume of a diesel particulate filter invention may include: determining whether regeneration efficiency exists; determining, if regeneration efficiency exists, whether a learning condition of the ash coefficient is satisfied; detecting an exhaust flow amount Qexh if the learning condition of the ash coefficient is satisfied; calculating change of a pressure difference ?(?Pash(n)) caused by the ash; calculating change of an ash coefficient ?(a4) by using the change of the pressure difference ?(?Pash(n)) caused by the ash and the exhaust flow amount Qexh; calculating a current ash coefficient a4(n) by using the change of the ash coefficient ?(a4) and a previous ash coefficient a4(n-1); and calculating the effective volume V by using the current ash coefficient a4(n) and a first filter coefficient a1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Yeon LEE, Youngjun Roh
  • Publication number: 20090112509
    Abstract: A method includes measuring a radius of curvature at each of the plurality of positions of the outer peripheral surface of the predetermined section of the pipe is measured through the first device. A second device is detachably coupled to the plurality of positions along the outer peripheral surface of the predetermined section of the pipe. A wall thickness at each of the plurality of positions of the outer peripheral surface of the predetermined section of the pipe is measured through the second device. A cross-sectional area of the predetermined section of the pipe is measured based on a measurement data including the radius of curvature and wall thickness at each of the plurality of positions of the outer peripheral surface of the predetermined section of the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas James Batzinger, Jeffrey David Tilden, Xiaolei Shirley Ao, Waseem Ibrahim Faidi, Yanyan Wu, Nelson Raymond Corby, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090055239
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for scheduling the emptying or replacement of a waste container based on the fullness of the container or the usage of the container. These factors may be considered to determine when the waste container will become completely full. Additionally, the system and method may consider the customer preferences or the limitations of the waste hauler. All of these factors may be considered to determine an optimal time for the waste container to be emptied or replaced. These factors are also considered to determine when to accomplish the scheduling (i.e. when to notify the waste hauler that the waste container should be emptied or replaced at a given time).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Richard E. Waitkus, JR.
  • Patent number: 7481702
    Abstract: As disclosed herein, a method for determining when a coin storage bin having a bottom and sides is filled to a predetermined percentage of the volume of the coin storage bin comprises: determining a coin volume for a coin entering the coin storage bin, adding the coin volumes for each coin entering the coin storage bin to provide a running total volume of all coins entering the coin storage bin, comparing the running total volume of all coins entering the coin storage bin with the volume of the coin storage bin, and determining when the running total volume of all coins entering the coin storage bin is greater than or equal to the predetermined percentage of the volume of the coin storage bin. The volume for a coin can be determined from information provided by a coin acceptor, where the information is thickness, diameter, weight, or a combination comprising at least one of these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin H. Bell, Richard J. Kairis, Jr., Susan E. Wince
  • Patent number: 7474911
    Abstract: The proposed system introduces a multi-frequency electromagnetic wave analysis method for non invasive monitoring the volume of urine in the bladder. The innovation of the proposed system according to the present invention provides means for analyzing signal information received, after propagation via the bladder, by applying a pre-defined prediction function (resulting from the application of learning algorithm in conjunction with a Feature Extraction, algorithm for calculating the most contributing electromagnetic wavelengths, determining the most accurate measurements), and providing an accurate estimation of the volume of urine in the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Solulearn Learning Solutions Ltd.
    Inventors: Ben Natan Ya'akov, Ofer Givati
  • Publication number: 20090006014
    Abstract: A method for determining a line-to-line spacing of a device. The method includes experimentally determining a slope kCA, experimentally determining a slope kSE and determining a line-to-line spacing of a device from the slope kCA and the slope kSE. A structure for performing the method includes a non-destructive line-to-line spacing characterization macro.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaushik Chanda, Fen Chen, Paul S. McLaughlin, Ernest Y. Wu
  • Patent number: RE42430
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dimensioning and, optionally, weighing a cuboidal object. Four distance sensors are employed, one downwardly facing the top of the object, one facing one side thereof and two respectively facing mutually parallel sides of the object perpendicular to the one side. Distances are measured between the sensors and the top and sides of the object and subtracted from known distances to determine the length, width, height and spatial volume of the object. The object may be weighed as it is being dimensioned. Spatial volume and a “dim weight” for the object may be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Quantronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Eve A. Carlsruh, Craig R. Bailey, Robert L. Kennington, Marie L. Midboe, Clark P. Skeen, Brian H. Smith, Brandon M. Taylor
  • Patent number: RE42439
    Abstract: A method and system for determining canopy coverage to a golf green to assist in increasing sunlight exposure of the green. The system allows users to enter data regarding the golf green, surrounding foliage, and other topographical and man-made features surrounding the green. The system can then plot the sun's path for a specific date and simulate shadows cast on the green by the surrounding foliage and features. Furthermore, the system allows the user to generate what-if data, allowing projected effects on canopy coverage to be viewed before any modifications to the canopy are carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: ArborCom Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Fulton