Patents Examined by Edward R. Cosimano
  • Patent number: 8024153
    Abstract: An improved solution for managing wireless devices that uses lifecycle analysis is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, the method for managing wireless devices includes obtaining data regarding at least one new wireless device; automatically evaluating a feasibility of redeploying at least one of a plurality of pre-existing wireless devices, based on the data regarding the at least one new wireless device; and identifying a distribution for the at least one of the plurality of pre-existing wireless devices, based on the automatically evaluating. In another embodiment, the distribution may include cascading and/or retiring the pre-existing wireless device(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brink, Jr., Randy S. Johnson, Raymond T. Malkowski, Jeffrey H. Martin, Tedrick N. Northway, Patrick J. Richards, Jr., Duane L. Winkler
  • Patent number: 8014968
    Abstract: A high-definition multimedia interface circuit uses a high-definition multimedia interface encoder to produce a plurality of channels of data. An output circuit, connected to the high-definition multimedia interface encoder, produces a plurality of channels of high frequency data from the data produced by the high-definition multimedia interface encoder. A multiplexer selects a channel for sampling, and a capacitive coupler capacitively couples the multiplexer to a sampling circuit. The sampling circuit produces sampled data corresponding to the high frequency data having a clock rate less than a clock rate of the high frequency data. A test circuit compares the sampled data with the data produced by the high-definition multimedia interface encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry L. Stakely, Rodney D. Miller, Jingang Yi
  • Patent number: 8010291
    Abstract: To process measurement data representing a subterranean structure, a derivative of the measurement data collected by at least one survey receiver is computed, with respect to frequency. A response representing the subterranean structure is then computed based on the derivative of the measurement data, where the response contains an air-wave component that has been suppressed due to computing the derivative of the measurement data relative to at least another component that is sensitive to the subterranean structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jiuping Chen, David L. Alumbaugh, Edward Nichols, Stephen A. Horne, Kevin Eyl
  • Patent number: 8010308
    Abstract: A method of navigation includes providing an angular rate sensor and a direction-of-gravity reference. The method also includes determining bias error of the angular rate sensor about a vertical axis based on data substantially from the angular rate sensor and from the direction-of-gravity reference. In one embodiment, the first angular rate sensor is moved from a first position around a substantially horizontal axis to a second position around the substantially horizontal axis. The first angular rate sensor provides angular rate data for attitude at the first position and for compass heading at the second position. Data from the first angular rate sensor and from the direction-of-gravity reference is processed with a program for determining a bias error correction for the first angular rate sensor while the first angular rate sensor is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Churchill
  • Patent number: 8000940
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for describing characteristics of a data sample. This description is used to represent the shape of a histogram of the data sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiuliu Lu, Phaisit Chewputtanagul
  • Patent number: 8000934
    Abstract: A method and a device for diagnosing an ascertainment of a performance quantity of an internal combustion engine. Within the scope of a first diagnostic process a first value which is characteristic of a first performance quantity of the internal combustion engine ascertained at a first point in time after switching off the internal combustion engine is compared to a predefined value, and an error is identified when in the comparison it is detected that the absolute value of a first difference between the first value and the predefined value exceeds a predefined first threshold value for the first point in time. The predefined first threshold value is predefined to be smaller the longer the time since the internal combustion engine has been switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Oberascher, Damien Bouvier
  • Patent number: 8000898
    Abstract: A method of collecting weather data includes determining probable occurrences of weather events. Contact information corresponding to a plurality of users is maintained. Weather collection devices are sent to the plurality of users prior to the occurrence of the probable weather event. Data is collected by the weather collection devices upon the actual occurrence of the probable weather event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Strategic Design Federation W., Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Rose, Ian James Miller, Eli L. Wendkos
  • Patent number: 7996171
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provides high-accuracy measurements of an electrical parameter across a broad range of parameter input values. In one embodiment, an intelligent electronic device (IED), e.g., a digital electrical power and energy meter, with a plurality of independently-adjustable gain factors measures a parameter, and calculates and stores calibration factors associated with known values of the measured parameter. The IED or meter applies the stored calibration factors when measuring unknown values of the measured parameter, to improve the accuracy of the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Electro Industries/Gauge Tech
    Inventor: Tibor Banhegyesi
  • Patent number: 7991576
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a portable device that generates position and orientation data to facilitate movement within a building. The device can be, for example, handheld or affixed to a cane. Data for navigation is derived from reflections from interior surfaces and dead reckoning sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Stergios I. Roumeliotis
  • Patent number: 7987059
    Abstract: A power system oscillation detection device is provided for use in an electric power system. A plurality of sample signals are acquired from the electrical power system via a plurality of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) in communication with the power system. The power system oscillation detection device includes a real-time modal analysis module, a real-time mode identification module, and real-time decision and control logic. The real-time modal analysis module calculates modes of at least one of the signals, each mode including mode information. The real-time mode identification module together with the real-time decision and control logic determines, from the mode information, whether there is an undesirable oscillation in the electric power system and activates a remedial action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc
    Inventors: Yanfeng Gong, Armando Guzman-Casillas
  • Patent number: 7970544
    Abstract: Stoneley-wave data acquired in the LWD environment are used to characterize/estimate formation permeability. Real-time Stoneley-wave time-delay/slowness and center-frequency/attenuation data are used to indicate/characterize formation permeability even during drilling. The use of stabilizers mounted at the tool ends helps maintain the tool position from severe decentralization, reducing ambiguities in the permeability characterization/estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7970586
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a virtual accelerometer is described. The virtual accelerometer includes an active process identifier engine to identify any active application that may use accelerometer data. The virtual accelerometer also includes an intelligent signal interpretation and separation (ISIS) engine to separate raw accelerometer data for each of the active applications that use the accelerometer data. Additionally, the virtual accelerometer includes a universal application program interface (API) to provide separated accelerometer data to an application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: DP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Kahn, Arthur Kinsolving
  • Patent number: 7962293
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a level of stratification of a multiphase fluid flow passing through a pipe is provided. The method includes, and the apparatus is operable to perform, the steps of: 1) determining a flow velocity of the multiphase fluid flow passing through a first radial region of the pipe; 2) determining a flow velocity of a portion of the multiphase fluid flow passing within a second radial region of the pipe, wherein the second radial region is above the first radial region; and 3) comparing the flow velocity from the first radial region and flow velocity from the second radial region to determine information indicative of the stratification of the multiphase fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
  • Patent number: 7957927
    Abstract: Temperature compensation is applied to correct for temperature mismatch between a reference chamber and a disposable chamber in a pneumatic pumping system for dialysis fluid for peritoneal dialysis. The mismatch creates an error in the calculation of pumping volume of dialysate fluid. Applying a correction for the temperature mismatch helps to more precisely control the volume of dialysate that is metered to the patient. Also disclosed are ways to keep temperatures constant and to use temperature sensors to accurately measure the temperatures of the chambers. In other aspects, the temperature of the dialysate fluid itself may be measured and used to apply a correction to the volume of fluid that is pumped to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Bruce E. Huitt, Douglas E. Vincent, Gideon Hecht
  • Patent number: 7949493
    Abstract: A system and method for meeting performance goals in an electronic system in an energy efficient manner. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise operating an electrical circuit at a current level of performance and a current level of energy efficiency by providing the electrical circuit with electrical power characterized by a current set of power characteristics (e.g., utilizing a power control module). The current level of performance may be determined (e.g., by a performance monitor) and compared to a desired level of performance (e.g., by the power control module). If the current level of performance is higher than the desired level of performance, then the electrical circuit may be operated at a next (e.g., lower) level of performance and a next (e.g., higher) level of energy efficiency by providing the electrical circuit with electrical power characterized by a next set of power characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Pieter Vorenkamp, Neil Y. Kim
  • Patent number: 7945411
    Abstract: A technique for determining pump flow without using traditional sensors features steps and modules for creating a calibrated power curve at closed valve conditions at several speeds; calculating coefficients from a normalized power curve based on a pump's power ratio; and solving a polynomial power equation for flow at the current operating point. The calibrated power curve may be created by increasing the speed of the pump from a minimum speed to a maximum speed and operating the pump with a closed discharge valve. This data is used to correct published performance for shutoff power and best efficiency point power at rated speed in order to determine the pump's power ratio. It is also used to accurately determine closed valve power at the current operating speed. The pump's power ratio is determined by the equation: Pratio=Pshutoff @100%/PBEPā€”corr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc
    Inventors: Daniel J. Kernan, Eugene P. Sabini, Nicolas W. Ganzon, Anthony E. Stavale
  • Patent number: 7945399
    Abstract: Capacitive detection systems, modules, and methods. In one embodiment, time interval measurement(s) are generated that are monotonic functions of the capacitance(s) of capacitive sensor(s) in a capacitive sensing area. In one embodiment, the generated time interval measurement(s), or any other monotonic function(s) of capacitance(s) of capacitive sensor(s) in a capacitive sensing area, may be analyzed to detect the presence of an object near the capacitive sensing area and/or to detect the position of an object near the capacitive sensing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Nuvoton Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Einat Nosovitsky, Mark Lukoyanichev, Yehezkel Friedman, Nir Tasher
  • Patent number: 7945409
    Abstract: A monitoring system and data archive system for a stent crimping process. The information concerning the crimped stent is used in deciding whether the stent is acceptable for insertion into the body cavity of a human or animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: ICON Interventional Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph G. Furst, William Brodbeck
  • Patent number: 7941296
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for creating a peer unit and comparing that peer unit to a target unit in order to determine the difference in performance between the target unit and a peer unit. The peer unit is a hypothetical construct of user-defined performance variables whose values are determined based on outstanding performing units in a user-defined group. This comparison allows the user to assess what parameters of the target unit should be changed in order to improve overall performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: HSB Solomon Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald M. Fluegge, Richard B. Jones
  • Patent number: 7941293
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for determining a metric of capacity in computing systems and computer applications. Capacity in this sense refers to the ability of computer systems and computer applications to perform work. Many applications and multi-hop system strategies could benefit from understanding the amount of work a particular system or application is capable of performing. A metric such as this can be very difficult to calculate due to widely varying system hardware, operating system architectures, and application behavior/performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Bivens, Peter Yocom