Patents Examined by Hien Vo
  • Patent number: 8650001
    Abstract: A method for identifying a piece of wood amongst a plurality or for determining its rotation includes the operating steps of: acquiring at least one piece of real X-ray information about the piece of wood; calculating, based on a tomographic reconstruction, a piece of virtual X-ray information in the same way as in the acquisition of the real X-ray information; comparing the real and virtual X-ray information to verify whether they match; and repeating the calculation and comparison steps up to obtaining the matching, and/or, for identification method only, selecting a different tomographic reconstruction and reiterating the calculation and comparison steps and, if necessary, the repetition and/or selection steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Microtec S.R.L.
    Inventors: Frederico Giudiceandrea, Enrico Vicario
  • Patent number: 8649990
    Abstract: A method of detecting variance by regression model has the following steps. Step 1 is preparing the FDC data and WAT data for analysis. Step 2 is figuring out what latent variable effect of WAT data by Factor Analysis Step 3 is utilizing Principal Component Analysis to reduce the number of FDC variables to a few independent principal components. Step 4 is demonstrating how the tools and FDC data affect WAT data by Analysis of covariance model, and constructing interrelationship among FDC, WAT and tools. The interrelationship can point out which parameter effect WAT significantly. By the method, when WAT abnormal situation happened, it is easier for engineers to trace where the problem is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Inotera Memories, Inc.
    Inventors: Yij Chieh Chu, Chun Chi Chen, Yun-Zong Tian
  • Patent number: 8645104
    Abstract: A microbolometer comprises an array of sensor elements or ‘pixels’ each individually responsive to generate an output indicative of the intensity of infrared radiation incident thereupon. In practice there are significant non-uniformities in the response of each pixel and further processing of the outputs must take place to generate an accurate image. These non-uniformities are dealt with by means of individual correction factors to be applied to the outputs of each pixel in the image. Commonly, the correction used provides a constant offset (1pt) and a linear gain correction (2pt). As the optimal values of these corrections drifts over time it is still necessary to provide further correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Thermoteknix Systems Limited
    Inventor: Bruce Cairnduff
  • Patent number: 8635038
    Abstract: The invention is a monitoring system for a battery having a plurality of accumulators. The system comprises apparatus for measuring the voltage on the terminals of each accumulator; measuring the temperature of the battery; measuring the current flowing through the battery, calculating a voltage difference between a maximum voltage measured on the terminals of one of the accumulators and a minimum voltage measured on the terminals of one of the accumulators; comparing the voltage difference with at least one threshold value depending on the measured temperature and current, and reporting an error if the voltage difference is greater than or equal to the at least one threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventors: Sebastien Benjamin, Philippe Desprez, Gerard Barrailh, Philippe Laflaquiere
  • Patent number: 8612175
    Abstract: A measurement device system and method of using the same for determining the depth of a pile being installed and/or the equipment used to install the pile. The device including an encoder assembly having a support attachable to a structural component of a rig wherein the support has a pivot joint coaxial with a load arm axis. The encoder assembly has a load arm rotatable about the arm axis and with a wheel near its distal end that is rotatable about a wheel axis with an encoder joined to the wheel that moves with the wheel. The encoder assembly further including a biasing assembly to urge the load arm and wheel into an engaged condition relative to the associated pile installation machine such that the wheel frictionally engages a surface of another structural component of the rig. Thus, the displacement of the first structural component relative to the second component rotates the wheel about the wheel axis and the encoder. This information can then be used to determine pile depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Pile Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Dalton, Tim Raines
  • Patent number: 8600696
    Abstract: A method and a device for determining a reaction signal for a selected location in an information processing system (2) in response to at least one input signal (XIn) over an application period T. The effect of an input signal (XIn) on the information processing system is determined by: a) applying input signal(s) (X) to the information processing system (2), b) detecting output signal(s) (Yout) associated with a selected location in the information processing system in response to the input signal(s) (XIn), c) forming a value set (XIn, YOut, Zt) for an output signal (YOut) at the selected location in response to an input signal (XIn) for a given time (Zt), and d) determining the reaction signal (YOutMax) for the selected location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Oliver Zafiris
  • Patent number: 8589094
    Abstract: A method of setting a ground fault trip response function for a trip unit includes enabling a ground fault protection mode for the trip unit, setting the ground fault trip response function for the trip unit, wherein the ground fault trip response function is a double knee time current function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carmine Giglio, Todd Greenwood, Marcelo Esteban Valdes, Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Craig B. Williams
  • Patent number: 8583399
    Abstract: A method for behavior pattern analysis is provided in which the behavior signals of a subject are continuously detected using tri-axis accelerator. The behavior signals are divided as a plurality of time windows based on a predetermined time length. The plurality of time windows are configured as an X-Y matrix, and cross analysis is performed on the time windows as X-axis and Y-axis to obtain a plurality of correlation coefficients as being the preferred correlation values. A pattern with bright spots and dark spots is plotted according to the preferred correlation values, and behavior pattern is evaluated from the number and distribution of bright spots and the pattern. The behavior consistency of a subject can be efficiently evaluated, and his/her behavior abnormality, disease development or other situations can be determined accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: National Yang Ming University
    Inventors: Bo-Jau Kuo, Ching-Hsiu Yang
  • Patent number: 8583391
    Abstract: A health monitoring system for monitoring the health of an electronic system. The health monitoring system includes an analog-to-digital converter, and a monitoring circuit within the electronic system. The monitoring circuit includes fatigue life characterized electrical components representative of electrical components comprising the balance of the electronic system. The fatigue life characterized electrical components are employed solely to monitor the health of the electronic system. The monitoring circuit output is electrically connected to the analog-to-digital converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Edward R. Morgana, Kevin P. Roy
  • Patent number: 8577629
    Abstract: A method and system related to phased array ultrasonic systems identifies faults in individual element on a regular basis. The method and system are based on a simple approach of calculating energy levels in response signals from each individual element and then identifying any discontinuities or unexpected drops in energy levels sensed during a typical phased array operation, by comparing responses for individual transducer elements to the group response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus NDT
    Inventors: Christian Simard, Michael Drummy
  • Patent number: 8577647
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a trend in vertical track modulus are disclosed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Vertical deflection data is collected along a particular section of railroad track. A first set of vertical track modulus is determined, based in part, on the collected vertical deflection data. At a second time, vertical deflection data is again collected along the particular section of railroad track to be used in determining a second set of vertical track modulus. At least the first and second sets of vertical track modulus are analyzed to determine a mathematical algorithm that facilitates developing a trend in the vertical track modulus of the railroad track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Shane M. Farritor, Sheng Lu
  • Patent number: 8577614
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of normalizing characterization information comprising: defining a plurality of characteristics, for each characteristic defining a set of allowed values and defining a logging interval. The method further comprises: at a plurality of logging intervals, selecting a value from the set of allowed values for a characteristic of the plurality of characteristics, and storing the selected value for the characteristics at the plurality of logging intervals. The present disclosure also provides a system for correlating log information comprising: a core set log data module for storing core set log data information, an electrical log data module for storing electrical log data information, a correlation module for correlating the core set log data information with the electrical log data information, and an input/output module for inputting and displaying the core set log data information the electrical log data information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Straterra Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Norris, John H. Lake
  • Patent number: 8577623
    Abstract: An Anti-Terrorism water quality monitoring system for continuously monitoring a potable water treatment system and related potable water distribution network that provides potable water to a municipality, city, housing development or other potable water consumer. The system includes the collection of data from the water distribution system and from the water treatment facility and from advanced separation processes which are integrated into analytical instruments. The data collected are stored in a remote database on a remote server computer or bank of computers and accessible by Homeland Security or its designated agency. Preferred parameters of monitoring include the turbidity and disinfectant such as chlorine, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochloritc, ozone, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Thomas D. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 8577613
    Abstract: An improved methodology for managing hydrocarbon exploration of at least one prospect. The methodology involves iterative processing that allows decision makers to iterate on assumptions and refine underlying probabilistic models as well as optimize the set of recommended exploration activities that are to be performed over time as additional knowledge is gained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ian D. Bryant, Rodney Laver, Glenn Koller, Hans Eric Klumpen, Robin Walker, Andrew Bishop, Andrew Richardson
  • Patent number: 8577633
    Abstract: A personal mobile device housing contains a display screen, a wireless telephony communications transceiver, and a battery charger interface. A temperature sensor and a gyro sensor whose zero turn rate output contains an offset are also included. A lookup table has gyro zero turn rate offset correction values associated with different temperature values. A programmed processor accesses the lookup table to correct the output of the gyro sensor for zero turn rate offset. It is automatically determined, during in-the-field use, when the device is in a motionless state, and the output of the temperature and gyro sensors are read. The read gyro output is written to the lookup table as part of a pair of associated temperature and zero turn rate offset correction values. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Parin Patel
  • Patent number: 8571819
    Abstract: Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a Coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as Coriolis parameters of the Coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the Coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Manus P. Henry
  • Patent number: 8560273
    Abstract: Techniques for distributed testing are provided. Resources are identified for performing tests over a network. The tests and policies are sent to the resources and a proxy. The proxy delivers data for the tests to the resources and enforces the policies during the tests. The proxy also gathers statistics and results from the resources, which are executing the tests, and the proxy reports the statistics and results to one or more third-party services for subsequent manipulation and analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Novell, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Ray Brown, Lloyd Leon Burch
  • Patent number: 8548753
    Abstract: A process fluid flow measurement device includes a fluid flow member having an inlet with a first diameter and a throat with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. A first process fluid pressure tap is disposed proximate the inlet and a second process fluid pressure tap is disposed proximate the throat. A differential pressure sensor is operably coupled to the first and second process fluid pressure taps. Differential pressure measurement circuitry is coupled to the differential pressure sensor to provide a differential pressure signal related to a difference in pressure between process fluid pressure at the first and second taps. A process fluid velocity measurement device is positioned in the throat to measure a velocity of process fluid flowing therethrough and provide a fluid velocity indication. The differential pressure sensor signal and the fluid velocity indication are used to provide a calculated indication of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Bruce Rogers, Andrew J. Klosinski
  • Patent number: 8521442
    Abstract: An exemplary method for measuring the electrical resistance and/or electrical conductivity of solutions, includes: exciting the electrodes with a rectangular shaped, alternating current of a certain frequency fH through a connecting cable; synchronously rectifying a voltage of the electrodes of the measuring cell in response to the alternating current, calculating a first average voltage, dividing the first average voltage by the current amplitude to obtain a first impedance RH; then exciting the electrodes with a rectangular shaped, alternating current of another frequency fL through the connecting cable; synchronously rectifying the voltage of the electrodes in response to the alternating current, calculating a second average voltage, and dividing the second average voltage by the current amplitude to obtain a second impedance RL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Changlin Wang
  • Patent number: 8515698
    Abstract: A digital power meter communication system includes terminal network communication devices, at least one concentrator network communication device and a digital power meter communication device. The digital power meter communication device is electrically connected with the at least one concentrator network communication device. Each of the terminal network communication devices is electrically connected with a terminal digital power meter. The digital power meter communication device includes a storage unit and a processing unit. The storage unit stores pieces of electrical connection information and digital power meter communication programs. The processing unit constructs a virtual tunnel to build connection with the target network communication device through the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Institute For Information Industry
    Inventors: Hsueh-Han Lu, Tzu-Che Huang