Patents Examined by Felix Suarez
  • Patent number: 9944499
    Abstract: A computing system (CS) calculates a three-dimensional (3D) position of an origin of a 3D upperworks coordinate system for a crane based on local coordinates of the crane. The origin is located along an axis of rotation between an upperworks of the crane and a lowerworks of the crane that is rotatably coupled with the upperworks. The CS transforms the 3D position of the origin from the local coordinates to global 3D coordinates using absolute position sensing data from first and second positioning sensors attached to the crane and using global 3D coordinates specific to the jobsite where the crane is located. The CS computes positions of at least one movable component of the crane with respect to a tracked object on the jobsite. The CS utilizes the computed positions to provide assistance in maneuvering the crane with respect to the tracked object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Schoonmaker, Kurtis L. Maynard, Eric Fidler
  • Patent number: 9933469
    Abstract: A movement-sensitive capacitive sensor includes a first conductive element and a second conductive element positioned adjacent to the first conductive element. The sensor also includes a first protective insulator and a second protective insulator sealed to the first protective insulator with the first conductive element and the second conductive element positioned between the first protective insulator and the second protective insulator. The sensor further includes a circuit configured to calculate, over time while a person is occupying the movement-sensitive capacitive sensor and moving while occupying the movement-sensitive capacitive sensor, capacitance values between the first conductive element and the second conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Samuel Alden Ridenour, Paul Michael Wempe, Mark Andrew Hanson, Adam T. Barth
  • Patent number: 9917023
    Abstract: The display element manufacturing apparatus has a transporting part, which transports a substrate in a first direction, a first alignment system, which detects fiducial marks, a second alignment system, which is arranged at a prescribed distance from the first alignment system in the first direction and detects fiducial marks, calculating parts, which detect the fiducial marks and calculate the expansion/contraction of the substrate in the first direction or the transport speed of the substrate, and a processing part, which processes a prescribed position of the substrate based on at least one of the expansion/contraction of the substrate in the first direction or the transport speed of the substrate and the fiducial marks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohide Hamada, Kei Nara
  • Patent number: 9804142
    Abstract: A method of detecting the extent of degradation of an oil is provided. The method may comprise the steps of analyzing samples of the oil when fresh and when used; calculating electrochemical property data of the fresh and used engine oil; determining whether the electrochemical property data correlates with the degradation marker data; and using the electrochemical property to detect the extent of degradation of the oil of a used sample of the oil. The method may be used for any suitable oil, including mineral oil, synthetic oil and blends (a.k.a. semi-synthetic). The method can be used to maximize oil usage by monitoring used oil quality over time so that the oil is replaced when necessary and not before. The method can also identify trends in oil degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Amiyo K. Basu, R. Vinu, Anand Kumar Tripathi
  • Patent number: 9775374
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for calculating a food additive. A first method includes identifying chemical compounds of an averse food ingredient, identifying chemical compounds of a flavorful food ingredient and calculating a set of chemical compounds for the food additive such that an olfactory perception of a mixture of the averse food ingredient, the flavorful food ingredient and the food additive is the same as an olfactory perception of only the flavorful food ingredient. A first device includes a database storing information identifying chemical compounds of an averse food ingredient and identifying chemical compounds of a flavorful food ingredient, and a processor for calculating a food additive such that an olfactory perception of flavors of a mixture of the averse food ingredient, the flavorful food ingredient and the food additive is the same as an olfactory perception of only the flavorful food ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kush R. Varshney, Lav R. Varshney
  • Patent number: 9773090
    Abstract: A method, computer program and system to identify peaks generated by different physical ions in a solution including substances by analyzing mass and intensity coordinates of all peaks in a set of mass spectra measured with errors for a certain concentration c of the solution is here disclosed. The peaks in different mass spectra are associated to a same ion if they are sufficiently ‘close’ according to specific discrimination criteria that go beyond the proximity of mass values. A two stage process is applied, each stage consisting in applying the method to identify peaks in mass spectra. In stage 1, the method to identify peaks is applied on each set of mass spectra for each concentration. Resulting sequences of peaks, one peak in each spectrum, are associated to different ions. This output of stage 1 is converted into a set of virtual mass spectra having as virtual peaks, average peak coordinate values calculated on each sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Marcello Vitaletti
  • Patent number: 9772919
    Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU) is tested by an automated D-bus testing tool in a first device. The test tool establishes one or more secure shells between the first device and the ECU. The tool reads test input data from an Excel input file. The ECU comprises a software stack including a test client, a Bluetooth middle layer and a hardware abstraction layer, that communicate internally relative to the ECU, via a D-bus. The test tool sends function calls and parameters via the secure shells to the ECU to test execution of Bluetooth functions and/or Bluetooth profiles. The function calls enable simulation of a human machine interface by the test client. The tool monitors API call returns and logs D-bus communications via the one or more secure shells. The test tool outputs test verdict information and/or D-bus communication logs as text in an Excel file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited
    Inventors: Vidya Rajagopal, Divya Kilari Chandrababu naidu, Marin Grace, Sudhir Kudva
  • Patent number: 9766097
    Abstract: In a monitoring unit for monitoring position signals of incremental position-measuring devices, at least two position signals are applied on the input side that result from the scanning of an incremental graduation track by a scanning unit and that are out-of-phase with each other. The monitoring unit includes a signal logic unit with which at least two position-dependent status data words are able to be generated from different position signals, and an evaluation unit to which the status data words are supplied, in which invalid statuses are ascertainable by comparing the status data words, and an error signal is able to be generated in response to an ascertained invalid status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventors: Ingo Joachimsthaler, Thomas Mueller, Thomas Schuermann
  • Patent number: 9746855
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided with a first sensor unit that obtains two-dimensional information or three-dimensional information about a target object with a first position and orientation, a second sensor unit that obtains the two-dimensional information about the target object, a three-dimensional position and orientation measurement unit that measures three-dimensional position and orientation of the target object based on the information obtained by the first sensor unit, a second sensor position and orientation determination unit that calculates second position and orientation based on a measurement result with the three-dimensional position and orientation measurement unit and model information about the target object, and a three-dimensional position and orientation measurement unit that measures the three-dimensional position and orientation of the target object based on the information obtained by the second sensor unit with the second position and orientation and the model information about the target ob
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kobayashi, Masahiro Suzuki, Shinji Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 9746363
    Abstract: A method of detecting one or more blocked sampling holes in a pipe of an aspirated smoke detector system. The method includes ascertaining the base flow of fluid through a particle detector using a flow sensor; monitoring subsequent flow through the particle detector; comparing the subsequent flow with the base flow; and indicating a fault if the difference between the base flow and the subsequent flow exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Garrett Thermal Systems Limited
    Inventors: Kemal Ajay, Arjun Vinoo Caprihan, Michael Rezny
  • Patent number: 9740828
    Abstract: A medicine container configured to hold one or more different medications. The container may include an orientation sensor to determine the orientation of the container. The container may also include one or more additional sensors to detect other physical characteristics about the container and/or medicine. The orientation of the container in combination with the information from the one or more additional sensors is used to determine an accurate indication of an amount of the medicine within the container and thus usage information. The container also includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting the information regarding the medicine to a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SMRxT Inc.
    Inventor: Victor Chu
  • Patent number: 9733641
    Abstract: The method comprises obtaining data samples, each data sample comprising a process variable and a controller output for adjusting the process variable to reach a set-point variable; and determining if there is valve jump or stiction by calculating a jump index or a static band index; wherein calculating the jump index comprises calculating a mean of a first set of angles, each angle from the first set of angles being computed from a ratio of: a difference between a peak process variable and its preceding process variable, and, a difference between a controller output corresponding to the peak process variable and its preceding controller output; and wherein calculating the static band index comprises calculating a mean of a second set of angles, each angle of the second set of angles being computed from a difference between a controller output corresponding to a flat process variable and its preceding controller output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lakshmi Kiran Kanchi, Sankar Selvaraj
  • Patent number: 9701506
    Abstract: In a monitoring system (1) for an apparatus (2) for producing and/or processing a material web (4), the monitoring system has at least one processor (10) and is equipped to perform a state and process monitoring step at the apparatus by detecting and synchronously visualizing signals, which can be generated by at least one first analysis device (5) for detecting tearing of the material web (4) in the apparatus (2) and by a number of further analysis devices (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) for detecting physical measurement and influencing variables in the region of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Johannes Starkl, Alexander Stukenkemper
  • Patent number: 9696188
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter comprises a pipe section for process flow, a coil for generating a magnetic field across the pipe section, a current source for energizing the coil to generate the magnetic field at a coil drive frequency, and electrodes for sensing voltage induced across the process flow by the magnetic field. A processor calculates a function of the sensed voltage and generates a flow output based on the function. The processor adjusts an operating parameter of the flowmeter, such as electrode voltage sampling period, the coil drive frequency, or a phase shift, as a function of a sensed electrode-to-electrode or electrode-to-ground complex impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Bruce Rogers, Bruce D. Rovner, Scot Ronald Foss
  • Patent number: 9676357
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement includes a controller and an integrated driver arrangement coupled to the controller. The integrated driver circuit includes a driver unit having at least one operation parameter, and a diagnostic unit coupled to the driver unit. The diagnostic unit is adapted to retrieve the at least one operation parameter from the driver unit, and is coupled to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Timo Dittfeld, Wolfgang Scherr
  • Patent number: 9618546
    Abstract: A method for improving the usability of photovoltaic installations (PV installations) by taking account of shading information of adjacent PV installations for forecasting the power output by a relevant PV installation is provided. In particular, cloud movements and cloud shapes are taken into account. This improves the accuracy of the forecast. Here, it is advantageous that short-term forecasts in relation to e.g. the next 15 minutes are possible and a substitute energy source can be activated accordingly, in good time, prior to a dip in the power output by the PV installation. The invention can be used e.g. in the field of renewable energies, PV installations or smart grids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Joachim Bamberger, Ralph Grothmann, Kai Heesche, Clemens Hoffmann, Michael Metzger
  • Patent number: 9612211
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system for enhanced tip-tracking and navigation of visual inspection devices includes a visual inspection device. The system further includes a plurality of spatially sensitive fibers. The system includes a computing device. The computing device includes a memory device and a processor. The system includes a storage device. The storage device includes an engineering model representing the physical asset. The computing device is configured receive an insertion location from the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to receive fiber information associated with the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to determine the real-time location of the visual inspection device using the fiber information. The computing device is configured to identify the real-time location of the visual inspection device with respect to the engineering model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Guiju Song, Kevin George Harding, Thomas James Batzinger, Vinod Padmanabhan Kumar, Joseph Vincent Pawlowski, Kelles Jay Fleming
  • Patent number: 9606188
    Abstract: A measurement system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery pack and at least one type of connected device to which the pack is connected. The pack includes a first detection device detecting a predetermined physical quantity in the pack and having a predetermined measurement range. The connected device includes a second detection device detecting a physical quantity the same as the predetermined physical quantity and having a measurement range different from the range of the first detection device. One of the pack and the connected device includes a receiving device and a measurement processing device that performs a predetermined measurement process by using one of: a detection-value-related information received by the receiving device; and a detection result by one device of the first detection device and the second detection device, the one device being provided in one of the pack and the connected device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masafumi Noda, Hitoshi Suzuki, Masaaki Fukumoto, Takuya Umemura
  • Patent number: 9587992
    Abstract: The present invention relates to integrated circuits. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for determining temperatures of an integrated circuit using an one-point calibration technique, where temperature is determined by a single temperature measurement and calculation using known electrical characteristics of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: INPHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sadettin Cirit, Karthik S. Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 9571156
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a detector configured to detect a burst event for a selected frequency of a digital input signal having a predetermined bandwidth. The detector can provide a burst trigger, in response to detecting the burst event relative to a threshold, and provide other burst data for the detected burst event. A signal analyzer can be configured to measure signal information for another selected frequency of the digital input signal in response to the burst trigger. The signal analyzer can provide corresponding analysis data based on the measured signal information, the burst trigger, the other burst data, and the corresponding analysis data can be stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Meller, Glendon Leo Akins, III