Patents Examined by Andrew Schechter
  • Patent number: 8306761
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying the position of defects (100) in bodies (2), comprises feed means (3) for moving the body (3) along a feed direction (A), an emitter (5) designed to direct towards the body (2) a plurality of beams (6?, 6?, 6??) of electromagnetic radiation lying in lying planes (P1, P2, P3) set at different angles to each other, and transversal to the feed direction (A), and a plurality of sensors (8?, 8?, 8??) each facing the emitter (5) for receiving a respective beam (6?, 6?, 6??) after the beam (6?, 6?, 6??) has passed through the body (2). The lying planes (P1, P2, P3) are positioned one after another along the feed direction (A), allowing each portion of the body (2) to be struck by successive beams (6?, 6?, 6??) as the body (2) is fed forward. A corresponding method is also claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Microtec S.R.L.
    Inventor: Federico Giudiceandrea
  • Patent number: 8296099
    Abstract: A vehicle tilt detecting apparatus includes a load sensor provided for detecting a load acts on a supporting portion, a load detecting portion detecting a partial load value of the load placed on the seat on the basis of an output from the load sensor and outputting a detected load value, first interrelating portion indicates a relation between a detected load value of no-load and a front-rear tilt angle of the vehicle, unoccupied seat determining portion determining an unoccupied state, where no-load is placed on the seat, when the detected load value outputted from the load detecting portion is less than an unoccupied seat determining value and front-rear tilt angle calculating portion calculating the front-rear tilt angle corresponding to the detected load value outputted from the load detecting portion, on the basis of the first interrelating portion, when the unoccupied seat determining portion determines the unoccupied state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Ito, Muneto Inayoshi, Akira Enomoto, Hiroyuki Fujii
  • Patent number: 8290749
    Abstract: A method, an arrangement and a program process a measurement signal generated in a measurement transducer of an electronic force-measuring device, particularly a balance. The generated measurement signal corresponds to the force acting on the transducer. The measurement signal is entered directly or by way of a pre-processing stage into a display function which assigns corresponding output values to the values of the measurement signal. The output values are subsequently presented in a display or passed on for further processing. The input range of the display function contains a capture range, so that the values of the measurement signal that lie within the capture range are assigned a common output value by the display function, and the position of the capture range within the input range is controlled dependent on the generated measurement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Daniel Reber
  • Patent number: 8249825
    Abstract: A system and method for evaluating equipment in an improper cluster in a data center, the equipment including a plurality of equipment racks, and at least one cooling provider. In one aspect, the method includes receiving data regarding each of the plurality of equipment racks and the at least one cooling provider, the data including a layout of the improper cluster of equipment racks and the at least one cooling provider, storing the received data, identifying at least one gap in the layout, determining cooling performance of at least one of the plurality of equipment racks based, at least in part, on characteristics of the at least one gap, and displaying the layout of the data center, wherein the layout includes an indication of the cooling performance of the at least one of the plurality of equipment racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James W. VanGilder, Xuanhang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8234091
    Abstract: A measuring unit obtains measurement data of an object measured on the basis of a signal from a GPS satellite and angular velocity of an object output from an angular velocity sensor. An offset value computing unit estimates a running condition of the object on the basis of the measurement data and the angular velocity. The offset value computing unit sequentially derives temporary offset values while changing combination of the measurement data and the angular velocity in accordance with the estimated running condition of the object and, after that, executes statistical process on the temporary offset values, thereby deriving an offset value. An angular velocity conversion coefficient computing unit sequentially derives temporary angular velocity conversion coefficients on the basis of the measurement data and the angular velocity and, after that, executes statistical process on the temporary angular velocity conversion coefficients, thereby deriving an angular velocity conversion coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: JVC KENWOOD Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Kondoh
  • Patent number: 8234072
    Abstract: Methods for determining the locations/heights of fractures in a subterranean formation use a post-fracture log obtained with a compensated neutron or pulsed neutron logging tool. Utilizing predetermined relationships between tool count rates and associated near/far count rate ratios, the methods detect the presence of proppant containing high thermal neutron capture cross-section material, substantially eliminating proppant determination uncertainty resulting from changes in formation hydrogen index. In an interval of a well with given borehole and formation conditions, and not containing proppant, a relationship is developed between detector count rate and near/far ratio. This relationship is used to compute count rate from the ratio in intervals of the well possibly containing proppant and which have similar formation and borehole conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Carbo Ceramics, Inc
    Inventors: Harry D. Smith, Jr., Michael P. Smith, Robert Duenckel
  • Patent number: 8234092
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring a lead edge and/or a trail edge media curl utilizing a dual cross beam sensor. The dual cross beam sensor includes one or more pairs of emitters (e.g., a pair to two pairs of emitters) and one or more detectors positioned sequentially in a media path so that a media passes via dual cross beams. Timing data with respect to the media can be measured as the media crosses via the dual cross beam sensor from a leading edge and/or trailing edge. A true instantaneous media speed and a curl height (i.e., media tip height or media curvature) can be simultaneously calculated from the timing data associated with the lead edge/trail edge with respect to each single cross beams of the dual cross beam sensor. An average curl height can be then calculated to enhance the accuracy of the media curl measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ming Yang, Thomas Jay Wyble, Keith Andrew Buddendeck
  • Patent number: 8214151
    Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the locations and heights of fractures in a subterranean formation using a neutron-emitting logging tool. Utilizing predetermined relationships (1) between logging tool count rates and associated apparent formation hydrogen index values and (2) between logging tool count rate ratios and associated apparent formation hydrogen index values, the methods detect the presence and heights in the formation of proppant containing high thermal neutron capture cross section material in a manner substantially eliminating proppant determination uncertainty resulting from a prior change in formation hydrogen index values. A second, associated, method employing logging tool count rates and count rate ratios to determine the presence of proppant containing high thermal neutron capture cross section absorbers utilizes a crossplot of count rate versus ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Carbo Ceramics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Duenckel, Harry D. Smith, Jr., Michael P. Smith
  • Patent number: 8214164
    Abstract: Abnormal battery depletion can be detected in an implantable medical device. Battery capacity consumed can be measured using a coulometer and using a capacity-by-voltage device, and the measurements can be blended to determine battery status. A drop in battery voltage below a specified threshold can be detected to identify a high-current depletion fault, and an alarm can be provided to indicate the fault has been detected. The specified threshold can be determined as a function of battery capacity consumed. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh K. Gandhi, William J. Linder, Scott Vanderlinde, James Kalgren, Hal M. Propp
  • Patent number: 8204702
    Abstract: A method for estimating an operating life for an electrical energy storage system electrically connected to transmit power to a hybrid powertrain system includes monitoring temperature state-of-charge and electric current of the electrical energy storage system, calculating a battery life metric for a time interval based upon the temperature, the state-of-charge, and the electric current discharge, determining a total battery life metric therefrom and determining the remaining operating life of the electrical energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Marc B. Center
  • Patent number: 8200445
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of analyzing power supply noise including: extracting power supply and ground information as well as a capacitor and an LSI chip connected to a power supply and ground from electronic circuit design information; creating an analytical model of power supply noise by connecting respective models of the impedance characteristics of the capacitor and LSI chip to mounting positions of a board model; calculating reflected voltage at the LSI chip based on an impedance characteristic between the power supply of the LSI chip and ground; calculating power supply noise from the LSI chip to the electronic circuit board; based on the reflected voltage at the LSI chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Kashiwakura
  • Patent number: 8190396
    Abstract: The failure diagnosis system of cooling fans of the present invention includes a first cooling device, a second cooling device and a control device. The first cooling device has a first cooling fan, and the second cooling device has a second cooling fan. The control device executes a first failure diagnosis which checks failure of the second cooling fan based on the rotation rate of the second cooling fan at the time at which the rotation rate of the first cooling fan is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takio Yanao
  • Patent number: 8126669
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to specification, optimization and matching of optical systems by use of orientation Zernike polynomials. In some embodiments, a method for assessing the suitability of an optical system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided. The method can include determining a Jones pupil of the optical system, at least approximately describing the Jones pupil using an expansion into orientation Zernike polynomials, and assessing the suitability of the optical system on the basis of the expansion coefficient of at least one of the orientation Zernike polynomials in the expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Totzeck, Daniel Kraehmer, Ralf Mueller, Johannes Ruoff, Vladan Blahnik
  • Patent number: 8126671
    Abstract: A measurement system has a transmitter for determining the position of a movable element, and a first energy store which, in the event of failure of an external electrical supply unit of the transmitter, supplies at least a part of the transmitter with electrical power such that a stored count of the transmitter is maintained in the event of failure of the external electrical supply voltage. The first energy store produces a first auxiliary supply voltage, wherein a first data item is stored in the transmitter when a reference mark of the transmitter is detected for the first time. The first data item is deleted in the event of failure of the external electrical supply voltage for the transmitter and failure of the first auxiliary supply voltage for the transmitter. As a result, an incorrectly determined position resulting from a failure of the electrical power supply for the transmitter can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Roland Finkler
  • Patent number: 8116999
    Abstract: Method to identify a current drawn by a fluorescent lamp in a circuit. Methods include receiving a voltage supplied to a fluorescent lamp drawing a current in response to the voltage, digitally sampling the voltage at a sampling frequency and associating a first time stamp with a voltage value representing one of a maximum or minimum value in observed voltage, receiving the current after receiving the voltage, digitally sampling the current at the sampling frequency and associating multiple second time stamps with a corresponding multiple current values, identifying a second time stamp, a difference between the first time stamp and the second time stamp being within a threshold, and identifying a current value associated with the second time stamp as the current drawn by the fluorescent lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Hubertus Notohamiprodjo, Radu Pitigoi-Aron
  • Patent number: 8103469
    Abstract: A method for predicting a predetermined bit error rate for an actual data transmission from a transmitter to a target receiver over an actual backplane link is disclosed. The method involves defining a simulated backplane corresponding to an actual backplane link intended to be used for data transmission between a transmitter and a target receiver. Once the simulated backplane is defined, a data transmission from the transmitter to the receiver is simulated and captured across the simulated backplane. A waveform simulation of the data transmission over the simulated backplane is then generated. The waveform simulation takes into account characteristics of the simulated backplane and the target receiver. From the waveform simulation, a total jitter for a predetermined bit error rate for the data transmission is extrapolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: San Wong, Daniel Tun Lai Chow, Geping Liu
  • Patent number: 8068997
    Abstract: A system and method of conducting a continuous performance analysis for a system includes collecting transient performance data for a first parameter of the system and a second parameter of the system. Transfer functions are applied to the transient performance data for at least one of the first and second parameters to thereby generate phase compensated performance data representative of a steady state relationship between the first and second parameter. For each phase compensated performance datum, an estimate of the first parameter is calculated at a predetermined value of the second parameter using the phase compensated performance datum and a previously stored performance characteristic curve representative of the steady state relationship between the first and second parameters in a deterioration model extrapolation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ling, Jan Goericke, Kevin Moeckly, Andy Stramiello, Larry Lee
  • Patent number: 8050882
    Abstract: A system and method for online configuration of a measurement system. The user may access a server over a network and specify a desired task, e.g., a measurement task, and receive programs and/or configuration information which are usable to configure the user's measurement system hardware (and/or software) to perform the desired task. Additionally, if the user does not have the hardware required to perform the task, the required hardware may be sent to the user, along with programs and/or configuration information. The hardware may be reconfigurable hardware, such as an FPGA or a processor/memory based device. In one embodiment, the required hardware may be pre-configured to perform the task before being sent to the user. In another embodiment, the system and method may provide a graphical program in response to receiving the user's task specification, where the graphical program may be usable by the measurement system to perform the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Sierer, Ganesh Ranganathan, John Pasquarette, David W Fuller, III, Joseph E. Peck, Matthew Novacek, Hugo A. Andrade
  • Patent number: 8041523
    Abstract: The battery charge/discharge current detection apparatus has a power supply circuit powered by a battery mounted on a vehicle and configured to detect a charge/discharge current of the battery by use of a current detecting resistor connected between a negative terminal of the battery and a ground. The battery charge/discharge current detection apparatus includes a first function of detecting a voltage across the voltage detecting resistor, a second function of detecting a charge/discharge current of the battery on the basis of the voltage detected by the first function, a third function of detecting presence of an abnormality of the current detecting resistor, and a fourth function of informing an abnormality detected by the third function to the outside. The battery-side negative terminal of the power supply circuit is connected to the negative terminal of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hidemitsu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8036829
    Abstract: An instrumentation system for assessing operation of a reciprocating pump system which produces hydrocarbons from a non-vertical or a vertical wellbore. The instrumentation system periodically produces a downhole pump card as a function of a directly or indirectly measured surface card and a friction law function from a wave equation which describes the linear vibrations in a long slender rod. A control signal or command signal is generated based on characteristics of the downhole pump card for controlling the pumping system. It also generates a pump and well analysis report that is useful for a pump operation and determination of its condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Lufkin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam G. Gibbs, Doneil M. Dorado, Kenneth B. Nolen, Eric S. Oestreich, Jeffrey J. DaCunha