Patents Examined by Hal Wachsman
  • Patent number: 8116998
    Abstract: A battery state of health estimator and similar method, system and computer product is disclosed providing for a estimate of a state of health (SOH) of one or more batteries, comprising, estimating a sampling of internal resistances of the one or more batteries, generating a time history of the internal resistance over a predetermined amount of time, generating a cumulative internal resistance histogram from the time history, calculating a final estimate of internal resistance of one or more batteries which represents the calculated SOH of one or more batteries and comparing the calculated SOH to a predetermined critical resistance threshold. If the calculated SOH is less than the predetermined critical resistance threshold, the battery is in no worse than a “Blue Monday” condition, and if the calculated SOH is greater than the critical resistance threshold, then the one or more batteries has failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: BAE Systems Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Hess
  • Patent number: 8116996
    Abstract: A system and method utilizing virtual switching in an electrical panel meter or multifunction device is provided. The virtual switching enables the meter or multifunction device to be upgraded or downgraded through a switching signal, by activating or deactivating multiple operative functions that are to be performed in the meter or multifunction device, such as operative functions for substation automation. Accordingly, when the upgrade or downgrade is necessary, the meter or multifunction device does not have to be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Electro Industries/ Gauge Tech
    Inventor: Erran Kagan
  • Patent number: 8112247
    Abstract: Introduced herein is a “resource adaptive” algorithm for spectrum and periodicity estimation on a continuous stream of data. The formulation is based on the derivation of a closed-form incremental computation of the spectrum, augmented by a load-shedding scheme that can adapt to available CPU resources to provide a resource efficient solution for real time spectrum estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Deepak Srinivao Turaga, Michail Vlachos, Philip S. Yu
  • Patent number: 8112240
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a leak detection circuit for a data monitoring and management system using the guard trace of a glucose sensor by applying a leak detection test signal to determine whether a leakage current is present is provided. The leak detection circuit may include an interface circuit, such as a capacitor, coupled to the guard trace to detect the leakage current when the leak detection test signal is applied to the guard trace, such that the user or patient using the data monitoring and management system, such as glucose monitoring systems, is notified of a failed sensor and prompted to replace the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventor: Martin J. Fennell
  • Patent number: 8103468
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of evaluating the operating characteristics of a Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) laser diode is provided. According to the method, a diagnostic electrical current is injected into the wavelength tuning section of the DBR laser to generate amplified spontaneous emission of light in the wavelength tuning section. Light emitted from the wavelength tuning section is absorbed by the gain section and photo current generated by the light absorbed in the gain section is measured. The photo current measured in the gain section can be correlated with an evaluation of the operating characteristics of the DBR laser diode. For example, the measured photo current can be correlated with a substandard operating characteristic when it departs from a given photo current metric by more than an acceptable amount. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Martin Hai Hu, Hong Ky Nguyen, Paul Willard Smith
  • Patent number: 8103479
    Abstract: A method of estimating the average response time and average I/O size that can be used as an alternative for or addition to existing response time and I/O estimation techniques. One method involves initializing values for an average response time and an average I/O size, and initializing an angle. Measurements of the I/O size and response times are received. The technique involves adjusting the average I/O size using the current value of the average I/O size and the received I/O size measurement. The average response time is adjusted using the current value for the average response time and the received response time measurement. The angle value is adjusted using the adjusted average I/O size, the current angle value and the I/O size and time measurements. The slope and y-intercept of a line, formed by plotting the average I/O size verses response time, can then be reported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Teradata US, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Frazier
  • Patent number: 8095328
    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: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cognitive Vision Inc.
    Inventors: John Gordon Thomas, Peter James Neild, Raymond Joseph Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8095336
    Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that use a visual sensor and dead reckoning sensors to process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These techniques can be used in robot navigation. Such visual techniques can be used to autonomously generate and update a map. Unlike with laser rangefinders, the visual techniques are practical in a wide range of applications and can be used in relatively dynamic environments, such as environments in which people move. One embodiment further uses multiple particles to maintain multiple hypotheses with respect to localization and mapping. One embodiment maintains the particles, thereby permitting the SLAM processes to be performed in software using microprocessor-based computer systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Evolution Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Filipe Domingues Goncalves, Enrico Di Bernardo, Paolo Pirjanian, L. Niklas Karlsson
  • Patent number: 8090556
    Abstract: A visualization system for monitoring performance data of an electrical power distribution network is provided. In one embodiment, a user may select a network circuit and view a network circuit diagram that includes indicia representing transformers and other electrical power distribution network elements positioned on a map. The relative positions of the indicia on the network circuit diagram may correspond to the relative physical locations of the transformers in the geographical area represented by the map. The indicia may be color coded to convey performance data to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Current Communications Services, LLC
    Inventors: R. Anthony Keefe, David Alan Mulder
  • Patent number: 8086419
    Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that use a visual sensor and dead reckoning sensors to process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These techniques can be used in robot navigation. Such visual techniques can be used to autonomously generate and update a map. Unlike with laser rangefinders, the visual techniques are practical in a wide range of applications and can be used in relatively dynamic environments, such as environments in which people move. One embodiment further uses multiple particles to maintain multiple hypotheses with respect to localization and mapping. One embodiment maintains the particles, thereby permitting the SLAM processes to be performed in software using microprocessor-based computer systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Evolution Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Filipe Domingues Goncalves, Enrico Di Bernardo, Paolo Pirjanian, L. Niklas Karlsson
  • Patent number: 8086425
    Abstract: Autonomous fitness for continuing service assessment equipment interacts with the operator through natural speech, voice and sound and provides active failure prevention through automatic and/or continuous fitness for service assessment of a material under evaluation. The equipment comprises at least one computer and a material features acquisition system operable to detect a plurality of material features. The features are then evaluated according to rules that capture the multidiscipline knowledge of experts and are already inputted into the computer. The computer iterations are processed until an acceptable conclusion is made regarding the condition of the material under evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventors: Wanda G. Papadimitriou, Stylianos Papadimitriou
  • Patent number: 8082122
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting motion by a mobile device is provided. The mobile device determines whether motion is detected by a motion detector. The motion detection is sampled at a first sampling rate when no motion is detected for a specified time. The motion detection is sampled at a second sampling rate when motion is detected, wherein the second sampling rate is more frequent than the first sampling rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung Moon No, Zhikai Tang
  • Patent number: 8082117
    Abstract: A method utilizes an optical image processing system. The method includes providing a measured magnitude of the Fourier transform of a complex transmission function of an object or optical image. The method further includes providing an estimated phase term of the Fourier transform of the complex transmission function. The method further includes multiplying the measured magnitude and the estimated phase term to generate an estimated Fourier transform of the complex transmission function. The method further includes calculating an inverse Fourier transform of the estimated Fourier transform, wherein the inverse Fourier transform is a spatial function. The method further includes calculating an estimated complex transmission function by applying at least one constraint to the inverse Fourier transform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Aydogan Ozcan, Michel J. F. Digonnet, Gordon S. Kino
  • Patent number: 8073639
    Abstract: A method for identifying a convolved peak is described. A plurality of spectra is obtained. A multivariate analysis technique is used to assign data points from the plurality of spectra to a plurality of groups. A peak is selected from the plurality of spectra. If the peak includes data points assigned to two or more groups of the plurality of groups, the peak is identified as a convolved peak. Principal component analysis is one multivariate analysis technique that is used to assign data points. A number of principal components are selected. A subset principal component space is created. A data point in the subset principal component space is selected. A vector is extended from the origin of the subset principal component space to the data point. One or more data points within a spatial angle around the vector are assigned to a group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: DH Technologies Development Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Gordana Ivosev, Ronald Bonner
  • Patent number: 8073641
    Abstract: Electromagnetic field distribution is measured by considering time variations of a measured electric and/or magnetic field value. In response to scanning performed with a probe at an arbitrary set of measurement coordinates in a predetermined measurement plane in the vicinity of an object to be measured, a signal is detected at each of plural sets of coordinates in a measurement plane. Electric and magnetic fields are computed during a measurement time period at each set of measurement coordinates in the measurement plane based on measurement coordinates where the probe is positioned and the signal is detected with the probe. Amplitude probability distribution during the time period at each set of measurement coordinates in the vicinity of the object is computed based on a computed intensity, then mapped and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kazama, Keigo Hori, Hiroshi Tsutagaya
  • Patent number: 8073636
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the gas composition of a gas mixture in a fuel tank of a motor vehicle filled with a compressed natural gas (CNG) mixture are provided. A pressure sensor and a temperature sensor are used to measure a gas pressure and a gas temperature in the fuel tank A processor may execute an algorithm to determine, based at least on the measured gas temperature and the measured gas pressure in the fuel tank, a current vapor pressure of each of at least one component of the CNG mixture in the fuel tank. If the measured gas pressure in the fuel tank falls below a threshold, a corresponding current composition of the CNG mixture in the fuel tank may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Bauer, Dietmar Ellmer
  • Patent number: 8073642
    Abstract: A meter device for measuring electrical energy is provided. The meter device includes circuitry for measuring at least one parameter of electrical energy provided to the meter device. A storage device is provided for storing at least one calibration factor for compensating for errors associated with at least one of at least one external current transformer (CT) and at least one external potential transformer (PT) that operates on the electrical energy provided to the meter device. At least one processor is provided for processing the at least one calibration factor for adjusting the measuring for compensating for the errors when measuring the at least one parameter of electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Electro Industries/Gauge Tech
    Inventors: Frederick B. Slota, Andrew J. Werner
  • Patent number: 8073656
    Abstract: A method for improving bandwidth of an oscilloscope involves, in preferred embodiments, the use of frequency up-conversion and down-conversion techniques. In an illustrative embodiment the technique involves separating an input signal into a high frequency content and a low frequency content, down-converting the high frequency content in the analog domain so that it may be processed by the oscilloscope's analog front end, digitizing the low frequency content and the down-converted high frequency content, and forming a digital representation of the received analog signal from the digitized low frequency content and high frequency content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: LeCroy Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Pupalaikis, David C. Graef
  • Patent number: 8069000
    Abstract: An aging status diagnostic apparatus for a power conversion system and diagnosing method thereof are provided. The apparatus includes an output current sensing means detecting output current of an inverter switching module; and a measurement and diagnosis means receiving the output current, calculating one or more average values of the output current over one period, and magnitude or effective value of each harmonic of the output current, and determining whether aging of the inverter switching module has occurred. Furthermore, the measurement and diagnosis means determines that the aging of the inverter switching module has occurred if the average value of the output current over one period increases by a value equal to or greater than a predetermined range and/or an even order harmonic or a specific order harmonic based on FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) of the output current increases by a value equal to or greater than a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Powertron Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Deuk Soo Kim, Rae Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8069009
    Abstract: A physical quantity detection circuit (12) is used for a physical quantity sensor (10) that outputs a sensor signal according to a physical quantity given externally. A sampling phase adjustment circuit (100) adjusts the phase of a sampling clock (CKa). An analog-to-digital converter circuit (104) converts the sensor signal (Ssnc) to a digital sensor signal (Dsnc) in synchronization with the sampling clock (CKsp) phase-adjusted by the sampling phase adjustment circuit. A detection circuit (107) detects the physical quantity based on the digital sensor signal (Dsnc) from the analog-to-digital converter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Fumihito Inukai, Seiichi Muroya, Yoichi Kaino