Patents Examined by Diego Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 7432718
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a main body, a drive mechanism configured to move the main body, a detector having a plurality of sensors mounted in the main body for detecting distances to an object which is present in a space around the main body, a calculator configured to calculate a direction of the object relative to the main body based on the detected distances, and a controller configured to control the drive mechanism to change an orientation of the main body dependent on the calculated direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Ishihara, Tomohiro Yamada, Yoshihiro Chosokabe
  • Patent number: 7432706
    Abstract: An fMRI study is conducted using a 2D EPI pulse sequence. A separate blood flow navigator pulse sequence is interleaved with the fMRI data acquisition to monitor blood flow in arteries that feed the brain tissue. Information in the blood flow navigator data is used to reduce errors in the fMRI data due to tissue motion caused by pulsatile blood flow. In one embodiment the blood flow navigator information is used to gate the fMRI acquisition and in another embodiment the information is used to retrospectively correct acquired fMRI data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventor: Andre van der Kouwe
  • Patent number: 7432717
    Abstract: A repair device for fixing a malfunctioning shunt across a failed filament in a light bulb in a group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs includes a high-voltage pulse generator producing one or more pulses of a magnitude greater than the standard AC power line voltage. A connector receives the pulses from the pulse generator and supplies them to the group of series-connected miniature decorative bulbs. The pulse generator may be a piezoelectric pulse generator, a battery-powered electronic pulse generator, and/or an AC-powered electrical pulse generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Ulta-Lit Tree Co.
    Inventors: W. Richard Frederick, John Prey
  • Patent number: 7429861
    Abstract: In a method for operation of a magnetic resonance system, radio-frequency excitation pulses are radiated into a tissue that contains at least a first tissue type with a first resonance frequency and a second tissue type with a second resonance frequency. A readout gradient is activated with polarity changing at least twice between two radio-frequency excitation pulses, to read out the signals of the at least two gradient echoes at points in time of the signal readout selected such that the gradient echoes of both tissue types have the same phase position, and/or the phase position of the gradient echoes of the first tissue lies counter to the phase position of the gradient echoes of the second tissue type, or the phase positions of the gradient echoes of both tissue types relative to one another are not taken into account in the selection of the signal readout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Deimling
  • Patent number: 7427866
    Abstract: A system and method of calibration develops a function from which is generated a monotonic time response; a gating period is defined from the monotonic time response and any error in the frequency of a reference signal is determined during the gating period; from that error an error signal is generated for adjusting the time constant of a circuit to be calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Ellersick, Jennifer A. Lloyd, Daniel J. Mulcahy
  • Patent number: 7425834
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to select functional parameters and/or operating modes of a circuit based on a time measurement are disclosed. One example integrated circuit includes a threshold detection and timing circuit that is coupled to measure a signal during an initialization period of the integrated circuit from a multifunction capacitor that is to be coupled to a first terminal of the integrated circuit. A selection circuit is coupled to the threshold detection and timing circuit to select a parameter/mode of the integrated circuit in response to the measured signal from the multifunction capacitor during the initialization period of the integrated circuit. The multifunction capacitor is coupled to provide an additional function for the integrated circuit after the initialization period of the integrated circuit is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: David Michael Hugh Matthews, Alex B. Djenguerian, Kent Wong, Balu Balakrishnan
  • Patent number: 7423438
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for measuring body fat using current electrodes and voltage electrodes. The method includes continually detecting a voltage drop across the voltage electrodes by smoothly raising a contact pressure applied to the electrodes; determining a threshold contact pressure with reference to the detected voltage drop depending on variation of the contact pressure, the voltage drop across the voltage electrodes not increasing under the threshold contact pressure even when the contact pressure increases; comparing a detected contact pressure with the threshold contact pressure; detecting a measurement voltage across the voltage electrodes only when the detected contact pressure is larger than the threshold contact pressure; and compensating the measurement voltage for a threshold contact voltage corresponding to the threshold contact pressure and calculating a body fat value corresponding to the compensated measurement voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun-kook Park, Kyung-Ho Kim, Jeong-Je Park
  • Patent number: 7423433
    Abstract: A method of testing a cable is provided. The method includes measuring at least one inductive ratio for the cable, determining an inductive gap from the at least one inductive ratio, measuring a parallel impedance of the cable, and determining a resistance of the cable based on the inductive gap and the parallel impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Mordin Hoyte, Richard Dale Slates
  • Patent number: 7420132
    Abstract: The present invention provides busway plug fitting having a housing assembly and a toggle mechanism disposed therein having at least two operatively linked operating handles. A first assembly is disposed on a first side member of the housing assembly and structured to move between a first position and a second position. The second handle assembly is disposed on a second, perpendicular side of the housing assembly and also structured to move between a first position and a second position. The toggle mechanism is coupled to the external coupling construct of the operating device and structured to move between a first position and a second position. The first and second handle assemblies are operatively linked by the toggle mechanism. In this configuration, a user may operate either handle assembly to actuate the operating device disposed with in the busway plug fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur J. Jur, Stephen W. Oneufer, Phillip D. Miller
  • Patent number: 7417440
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved scanning process having microwave arrays comprised of microwave transmitters in radiographic alignment with microwave receivers. The microwave array emits controllably directed microwave radiation toward an object under inspection. The object under inspection absorbs radiation in a manner dependent upon its metal content. The microwave radiation absorption can be used to generate a measurement of metal content. The measurement, in turn, can be used to calculate at least a portion of the volume and shape of the object under inspection. The measurement can be compared to a plurality of predefined threats. The microwave screening system can be used in combination with other screening technologies, such as NQR-based screening, X-ray transmission based screening, X-ray scattered based screening, or Computed Tomography based screening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Rapiscan Security Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian R. Peschmann, Kenneth Robert Mann
  • Patent number: 7418225
    Abstract: A developing apparatus, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which can obtain a good image, and an end portion regulating member provided in them. The end portion regulating members for regulating the layer thickness of developer passed through interstices between a developing blade for forming a layer of the developer having a predetermined thickness on the surface of a developing roller and magnetic seals provided on the longitudinally opposite end portions of the developing roller in opposed relationship with the surface of the developing roller is provided downstream of the developing blade with respect to the rotating direction of the developing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Yoshiyuki Batori, Hiroki Ogino
  • Patent number: 7414411
    Abstract: A method and apparatus adapted to calibrate signal path of a signal analysis system such that loading effects of additional probes are substantially removed from the measurement. A signal under test from a device under test is coupled to a test probe and used with selectable impedance loads in the test probe to acquires sets of samples for characterizing transfer parameters of the device under test and compute open circuit voltages at the test probe. Other probes are coupled to the device under test and a set of measurement samples are acquired via the test probe. An equalization filter in either the frequency or time domain is computed from the open circuit voltage and measurement samples for reducing signal errors attributable to the measurement loading of the device under test by the test probe and other probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kan Tan, John J. Pickerd
  • Patent number: 7411404
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method (10) for detecting an electrical short condition in a dynamoelectric machine are described. The method includes determining an operating parameter of a dynamoelectric machine (14) responsive to at least one output signal of the dynamoelectric machine and providing a transfer function (16) for predicting a field current of dynamoelectric machine. The method also includes obtaining a value for a predicted field current (18) of the dynamoelectric machine from the transfer function and the operating parameter and identifying a shorted turn condition of the dynamoelectric machine responsive to a difference between the value of the predicted field current and a value of an actual field current of the dynamoelectric machine (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Sudhanshu Rai
  • Patent number: 7408363
    Abstract: A method and apparatus adapted to calibrate a signal path of a signal analysis system such that digital samples acquired by the system are processed for representing an arbitrary impedance loading of the device under test. The method and apparatus calibrates the signal path to characterize transfer parameters of the device under test within a spectral domain. A reflection coefficient (?L) is defined representative of an arbitrary impedance load coupled to the device under test and an equalization filter is computed to represent the loading of the device under test by the arbitrary impedance. Additional digital samples are acquired using the equalization filter to effect thereby a representation of the arbitrary impedance loading of the device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kan Tan, John J. Pickerd
  • Patent number: 7408347
    Abstract: A series of image frames are acquired in which an MR parameter such as echo time (TE) is changed and the resulting image frames are employed to produce an MRS image of a metabolite. Scan time is reduced without sacrificing image quality by reconstructing a composite image from data acquired for a plurality of the image frames and using a highly constrained image reconstruction method with the composite image to produce each image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Charles A. Mistretta, Scott Reeder, John Perry, Oliver Wieben
  • Patent number: 7405575
    Abstract: A method and apparatus adapted to calibrate a signal path of a signal analysis system such that digital samples of a signal under test acquired by the system are processed for representing the impedance of a device under test. The method and apparatus calibrates the signal path to characterize transfer parameters of the device under test within a spectral domain. A reference impedance (Zref) is retrieved that is associated with the signal analysis system. The transfer parameters of the device under test and the reference impedance (Zref) are processed to effect thereby a representation of the device under test impedance (Zeq) as a function of frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kan Tan, John J. Pickerd, Ping Qiu
  • Patent number: 7405572
    Abstract: A non metallic flow through electrodeless conductivity sensor is provided with a conduit having primary and secondary process fluid flowpaths to form a fluid loop. At least one drive and one sense toroid surround the conduit on the fluid loop. Voltage supplied to the drive toroid induces a current in the sense toroid via the fluid loop to eliminate any need for metallic electrodes in contact with the process fluid. At least one additional drive and/or sense toroid is disposed on the fluid loop to enhance induction. Optionally one or more sense coils are disposed about the conduit outside of the fluid loop to cancel out stray electrical noise. An optional conductor disposed along the conduit detects any fluid leakage through changes in resistance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kevin Quackenbush, Michael M. Bower, Stephen B. Talutis, Donald S. McKinlay
  • Patent number: 7403020
    Abstract: For measuring unknown capacitances, which exist in capacitive sensors, such as pressure, moisture, inclination sensors and the like, the invention proposes a capacitance measurement method, in which a capacitance to be measured is charged and discharged across a resistor and the charging or discharging time up to a preset voltage value is measured and in which the charging/discharging times of a known reference capacitance and stray capacitances are measured across a resistor. The invention also proposes a circuit for measuring an unknown capacitance to be measured and having a voltage source, a resistor for charging or discharging at least the measuring capacitor, at least one switch for connecting and disconnecting the measuring capacitor with respect to the voltage supply and a time measuring device, in which switches are provided for connecting and disconnecting the measuring capacitor and at least one reference capacitor with respect to the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: acam-messelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Augustin Braun, Friedrich Bohnmüller
  • Patent number: 7403025
    Abstract: A membrane probing assembly includes a probe card with conductors supported thereon, wherein the conductors include at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. A membrane assembly includes a membrane with contacts thereon, and supporting at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. The guard conductors of the probe card are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly. The guard conductors of the membrane assembly are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Tervo, Kenneth R. Smith, Clarence E. Cowan, Mike P. Dauphinais, Martin J. Koxxy
  • Patent number: 7400515
    Abstract: An electrode connection structure between outer lead(s) of TCP(s), being first circuit board(s), and actuator member electrode(s) for connection to external circuitry, being second circuit board(s); actuator member(s) electrode(s) for connection to external circuitry being formed in or on floor(s) of recess(es) which is/are step(s) smaller in magnitude than thickness(es) of outer lead(s) protruding from polyimide substrate(s) of TCP(s); adhesive(s) having thickness(es) more or less equal to difference(s) between step(s) and thickness(es) of outer lead(s); and outer lead(s) being electrically and mechanically connected to electrode(s) for connection to external circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Sakamoto, Tomoyuki Sagara, Yoshinori Nakajima