Patents Examined by Hal D Wachsman
  • Patent number: 7747415
    Abstract: A system includes a structure and a circuit. The circuit is mounted to the structure. The circuit includes a sensor, a non-volatile memory, and a voltage sensitive switch. The memory and the voltage sensitive switch are connected for recording an event sensed by said sensor. The recording only uses power derived from the sensor. One embodiment of the circuit includes a processor connected for receiving a signal derived from the sensor. In this embodiment the non-volatile memory is connected to the processor for receiving and storing data derived from the signal. In one embodiment a first energy storage device is connected to receive energy from the sensor. The voltage sensitive switch is connected for releasing energy from the first energy storage device when energy stored in the first energy storage device exceeds a threshold. The processor and the non-volatile memory are connected for receiving power from the released energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Frederic P. Martin, Michael J. Hamel, Christopher P. Townsend, Steven W. Arms
  • Patent number: 7742894
    Abstract: In the present invention, a multi-person pose recognition system has been developed. This system includes a body pose detection module, a CC2420DBK board and a multi-person pose monitoring software module. The body pose detection module includes a triaxial accelerometer, a Zigbee chip and an 8-bit microcontroller. Several body pose detection modules and the CC2420DBK board form a Zigbee wireless sensor network (WSN). The CC2420DBK board functions as the receiver of the Zigbee WSN and communicates with a robot onboard computer or a host computer through a RS-232 port. The multi-person pose monitoring software monitors and records activities of multiple users simultaneously. The present invention provides a pose recognition algorithm by combining time-domain analysis and wavelet transform analysis. This algorithm has been implemented in the microcontroller of a body pose estimation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Chun-Wei Chen, Kai-Tai Song
  • Patent number: 7742896
    Abstract: A plurality of first measured values (xi) are obtained by respectively measuring a plurality of measuring objects in a plurality of first measuring systems and a plurality of second measured values (yi) are obtained by respectively measuring the plurality of measuring objects in a plurality of second measuring systems, and a combination of a first measured value and a second measured value corresponding to each other is obtained as a sample point (Pi). A transformation function representing a relationship between a first reconstituted system derived from the plurality of first measuring systems and a second reconstituted system derived from the plurality of second measuring system is obtained statistically processing a plurality of sample points of the plurality of measuring objects. Subsequently, a transformed value (?i) is obtained by transforming a second measured value (yi) with the transformation function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Takanori Ikegami
  • Patent number: 7739060
    Abstract: The detection system of the first preferred embodiment includes a detector, having a wide dynamic range, that receives photonic inputs from the interrogation zone and produces an analog signal; and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), having a high bit resolution, that is coupled to the detector and converts an analog signal to a digital signal. The digital signal includes an initial data set of the full dynamic range of the input signals from the flow cytometer sample. The method of extracting and analyzing data from a flow cytometer system of the first preferred embodiment preferably includes the steps of: collecting a full dynamic range of input signals from a flow cytometer sample; recognizing and annotating aggregate particle events; and storing an initial data set and an annotated data set of the full dynamic range of the input signals from the flow cytometer sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Accuri Cytometers, Inc.
    Inventors: Clement James Goebel, Collin A. Rich
  • Patent number: 7739069
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, an integrated circuit comprises a mixer circuit and a local oscillator circuit. During testing a frequency divider circuit in the integrated circuit divides a local oscillator signal to a frequency below a normal operating range of the local oscillator. The integrated circuit applies the divided local oscillator signal to the mixer circuit instead of the local oscillator signal during testing. Signal properties of a signal derived from the mixer circuit are measured while the divided local oscillator signal is applied to the mixer circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Cicero Silveira Vaucher
  • Patent number: 7739065
    Abstract: Methods for determining customized defect detection inspection plans are provided. One method includes fabricating a test chip and generating test chip data from the fabricated test chip. Then, defining systematic signatures from the generated test chip data and identifying a yield relevant systematic signature from the defined systematic signatures. The method includes identifying a layout pattern associated with the yield relevant systematic signature and locating the identified layout pattern on a process module layer of a product chip. Further, the method includes defining a customized defect detection inspection or metrology methodology for detecting systematic defects on the process module layer based on the identified layout pattern associated with the yield relevant systematic signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: PDF Solutions, Incorporated
    Inventors: Sherry F. Lee, Kenneth R. Harris, David Joseph
  • Patent number: 7739073
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the physical quantities of a data center during operation and method for servicing large-scale computing systems is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cart that supports a plurality of sensors. The cart is moveable within the data center. The sensors capture temperature or other physical parameters within the room. The sensor readings, along with position and orientation information pertaining to the cart are transmitted to a computer system where the data is analyzed to select the optimum temperature or other system environmental parameters for the data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Martin P. O'Boyle, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7734435
    Abstract: This present specification provides, amongst other things, an electro-optical monitoring system for obtaining a once-per revolution signal based on the surface reflection of a rotating device that mandates non-contacting sensor input in potentially hostile environments. The system can use optical and electronic sections to illuminate and detect surface reflections from the rotating surface using existing mounting locations on the periphery of the machine to be measured. The electronic portion is configured to determine a unique mark as the once-per-revolution marker or allow an attending operator to assign a specific marker based on the observed reflected pattern. The optical portion consists of a light source, receiver, and optics that allow for focused and directed light paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Cognitive Vision Inc.
    Inventors: John Gordon Thomas, Peter James Neild, Raymond Joseph Schumacher
  • Patent number: 7729886
    Abstract: A system management human-machine interface application for use in a process control system is described here that enables users to view/monitor information regarding system status and performance and to initiate changes to the operation of system equipment, checkpoint control stations and execute diagnostics. A system management graphical user interface includes a number of features that address the accessibility of system status information to users. Such features include rendering selectable diagnostic information (e.g. online/offline status) on system component navigation view. The GUI also provides access to a variety of system information including: alarms, messages, watched system management parameters, and a legend for symbols displayed in a system management navigation tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dean Sherrill, Maria Dao Nguyen, Donald James Wayland, Jr., Kristen L. Garrison, Brian James Barry, Naredla Maharaj Kumar Murty
  • Patent number: 7729872
    Abstract: Selectable portions of a display on a display screen allow a user to select bits of a digital signal. A mode selection menu changes the bit selection to select bits in different ways. If an individual bit designation mode is selected, objects are displayed that correspond to the respective bits of the digital signal. A user selects the object corresponding to a desired bit by use of a mouse. After bit selection, an eye pattern, derived from only selected bits, is displayed. Additionally, jitter analysis results derived from only the selected bits are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Obata
  • Patent number: 7729887
    Abstract: A system management human-machine interface application for use in a process control system is described herein that enables users to view/monitor information regarding system status and performance and to initiate changes to the operation of system equipment, checkpoint control stations and execute diagnostics. A system management graphical user interface includes a number of features that address the accessibility of system status information to users. Such features include rendering selectable diagnostic information (e.g., online/offline status) on a system component navigation view. The GUI also provides access to a variety of system information including: alarms, messages, watched system management parameters, and a legend for symbols displayed in a system management navigation tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dean Sherrill, Maria Dao Nguyen, Donald James Wayland, Jr., Kristen L. Garrison, Brian James Barry, Naredla Maharaj Kumar Murty
  • Patent number: 7725288
    Abstract: A system (100) and method (400) for touchless object control is provided. The system can include a sensing unit (110) for capturing a first signal (677) reflected off a first object (151) at a first time and a second signal (679) reflected off the first object at a second time, a phase detector (116) for identifying a first phase difference (601) between the first signal and the second signal, and a processor (117) for updating an expected location of the first object using the first phase difference. A first object (143) can control a movement of a second object (124) using touchless control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: NaviSense
    Inventor: Marc Andre Boillot
  • Patent number: 7725296
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining a processor usage adjustment factor and for automatically applying the processor usage adjustment factor to provide an accurate processor usage estimate for an SMT processor. In one implementation, the methods and systems obtain samples of processor usage reported by the operating system at a predefined sampling rate over a predefined sampling interval. Thread states for the threads substantially corresponding to the reported processor usage are so obtained at the predefined sampling rate and over the predefined sampling interval. This sampling may be performed for servers running different applications and having diverse processing loads. An estimate of the distribution of the number of threads running for the processor usage reported may then be determined from the sampled data. A processor usage adjustment factor may then be derived, based on the distribution, and used to provide a more accurate processor usage estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Glen Alan Becker
  • Patent number: 7725285
    Abstract: A system that determines whether components are not present in a computer system is presented. During operation the system receives telemetry signals from sensors within the computer system. Next, the system dynamically generates a temperature map for the computer system based on the telemetry signals. The system then analyzes the temperature map to determine whether components are not present in the computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramakrishna C. Dhanekula, Kenny C. Gross, Kalyanaraman Vaidyanathan, Glenn A. Herdeg
  • Patent number: 7725270
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a parameter of a fluid flowing within a pipe includes a sensing device having a sensor for sensing an unsteady pressure of the fluid flow. The sensing device generates sensor data responsive to the parameter. A processing device, which communicates with the sensing device, receives and processes the sensor data to generate meter data. The apparatus includes a digital interface, which communicates with the processing device, that is configured to associate with a portable external digital storage device for transferring information between the apparatus and the portable external digital storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Davis
  • Patent number: 7720625
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a measuring device, especially a flowmeter. The aim of the invention is to simplify inspection if the sensors have been correctly installed. For this purpose, the installation state is detected by the sensors themselves, i.e. by sensing a corresponding sensor value and comparing it with characteristic data. The result of comparison is electronically evaluated and automatically estimated whether the characteristic data obtained match the comparative data within at least a defined tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Keese, Harry Plotzki, Frank Buhl, Karl-Heinz Rackebrandt, Andreas Thöne, Jörg Herwig, Rolf Merte, Peter Riegler
  • Patent number: 7720643
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining a processor usage adjustment factor and for automatically applying the processor usage adjustment factor to provide an accurate processor usage estimate for an SMT processor. In one implementation, the methods and systems obtain samples of processor usage reported by the operating system at a predefined sampling rate over a predefined sampling interval. Thread states for the threads substantially corresponding to the reported processor usage are so obtained at the predefined sampling rate and over the predefined sampling interval. This sampling may be performed for servers running different applications and having diverse processing loads. An estimate of the distribution of the number of threads running for the processor usage reported may then be determined from the sampled data. A processor usage adjustment factor may then be derived, based on the distribution, and used to provide a more accurate processor usage estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Glen Alan Becker
  • Patent number: 7715991
    Abstract: A method for estimating an amount of damages sustained by a component operating in an energy system by monitoring the component is provided. The method includes generating a transfer function that is dependent upon an input of at least one operating condition of the component and an output of a crack-initiation time and/or a crack propagation for at least one critical region. The method further includes receiving data from at least one sensor coupled to the component, wherein the data relates to the at least one operating condition of the component, and inputting the received data from the at least one sensor into the transfer function to calculate at least one of the crack-initiation time and the crack propagation for the at least one critical region. The method also includes recording at least one of the crack-initiation time and the crack propagation on a memory storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yogesh Kesrinath Potdar, David Ernest Welch, David Wing Chau
  • Patent number: 7716016
    Abstract: Improved management feedback-based controller techniques are disclosed for use in accordance with a computing system. For example, a method for managing a computing system includes the following steps. At least one measured performance metric is obtained from the computing system being managed. At least one control input value is generated based on parameters including a control error and a control deadzone such that uncertainty associated with the computing system is accounted for in accordance with the parameters. The control error is determined from a computation comprising the at least one measured performance metric and at least one performance metric goal. The control deadzone is defined such that the control input value is not generated when the control error is within the control deadzone. The control input value is sent to the computing system to effectuate achievement of the at least one performance metric goal associated with the computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yixin Diao, Hidayatullah Habeebullah Shaikh, Maheswaran Surendra
  • Patent number: 7711523
    Abstract: The invention relates to a web-based instrument and data management system and method including software executing on an instrument controller computer system that receives a web file from a web browsing software executing on a remote computer. The web-based interface also extracts a user identifier and a requested action, determines with the user is authorized for the requested action and performs the action is the user is authorized. If not the web-based interface generates and transmits a web file indicating that the user is not authorized for the requested action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: PerkinElmer LAS, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Linley, John A. Olbert