Patents Examined by Hien Vo
  • Patent number: 8478555
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and methods of improved tomography imaging such as microwave tomography (MWT). An improved inversion technique surrounds the imaging region with an electrically conducting surface to create field distortions producing an improved tomographic image. The improved inversion technique of the present invention creates a new physical situation for proposed imaging systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: University of Manitoba
    Inventors: Colin Gilmore, Joe LoVetri
  • Patent number: 8473250
    Abstract: A monitoring system and method for monitoring performance of individual powers sources in a distributed power source system. A monitoring module is coupled to each of the power sources, or to each string of serially connected power sources, to monitor and collect data regarding current, voltage, temperature and other environmental factors at the power source. The collected data is transmitted over a power line to a central analysis station for analysis. Data collected from each source indicates malfunction or degradation at the source. Comparison of data collected from adjacent sources filters for environmental factors impacting neighboring sources such as cloudy days for a solar panel. Comparison of data collected from the same source at different times indicates soiling or degradation of the source with time or periodic events such as a moving shade from an adjacent building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Solaredge, Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Adest, Lior Handelsman, Yoav Galin, Amir Fishelov, Guy Sella
  • Patent number: 8473248
    Abstract: A first transform unit transforms clock change point information which indicates the change timing of a clock signal into information with respect to the frequency domain thereof so as to generate first clock change point frequency information. A digital filter performs filtering of the first clock change point frequency information so as to generate second clock change point frequency information. A second transform unit inverse-transforms the second clock change point frequency information into information with respect to the time domain so as to generate second clock change point information. A judgment unit evaluates a DUT based upon difference data between the change timing represented by the data change point information and the change timing represented by the second clock change point information in increments of phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Okayasu
  • Patent number: 8463578
    Abstract: A hardware based utilization metering device, and a corresponding method are used in a computer system having one or more central processor units (CPUs) to provide a measure of CPU utilization. The device includes a state indicator coupled to a CPU. The state indicator receives an indication when the CPU is in a first state, which may be a busy state. A counter coupled to the state indicator and coupled to a system clock, receives a measure of system time from the system clock and receives data related to the indication when the CPU is in the first state, and generates a counter value indicative of time the CPU is in the first state. A data usage provider coupled to the counter maintains a non-volatile value of the counter value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Edgar Circenis
  • Patent number: 8452563
    Abstract: Provided is an error measurement and correction device of a stage of a wafer prober. The error measurement and correction device includes a jig member, a vision module, a central processing unit, and an interface unit. The jig member is disposed on a chuck on the stage, and the vision module is disposed on an upper plate of the wafer prober disposed at a position facing the jig member to enable the camera of the vision module to acquire images of the patterns of the jig member and transmits the acquired images to the central processing unit. The central processing unit acquires images of the patterns of the jig member disposed on the chuck by using the vision module to extract reference position information, moves the stage at a unit interval of the pattern, acquires images of the patterns of the jig member again to extract measured position information, and generates and stores mapping data by calculating difference between the measured position information and the reference position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Semics Inc.
    Inventor: Jong-Guk Lee
  • Patent number: 8447527
    Abstract: A method for matching a precursor ion with one or more related product ions includes providing input data sets obtained from sample injections, each of the data sets including a precursor ion and one or more product ions, normalizing the input data sets in accordance with a single retention time for the precursor ion, determining which product ions are within a predetermined retention time window with respect to the single retention time, and, if a product ion is within the predetermined retention time window for a specified number of the input data sets, determining that the product ion is related to the precursor having the single retention time. An apparatus for analyzing a sample includes a chromatography module, a mass-spectrometry module in communication with the chromatography module, and control unit in communication with the chromatography module and the mass-spectrometry module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Marc V. Gorenstein, Scott J. Geromanos, Jeffrey Cruz Silva, Guo-Zhong Li
  • Patent number: 8442788
    Abstract: Provided is a measurement apparatus that measures a signal under measurement, including a strobe timing generator that sequentially generates strobes arranged at substantially equal time intervals; a level comparing section that detects a signal level of the signal under measurement at a timing of each sequentially provided strobe; a capture memory that stores therein a data sequence of the signal levels sequentially detected by the level comparing section; a window function multiplying section that multiplies the data sequence by a window function; a frequency domain converting section that converts the data sequence multiplied by the window function into a spectrum in the frequency domain; and an instantaneous phase noise calculating section that calculates instantaneous phase noise on a time axis of the signal under measurement, based on the spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Harry Hou, Takahiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8423319
    Abstract: A process of mapping piping systems associated with a refinery and petrochemical facilities is disclosed, which maps piping systems, which interconnect facility operating units with other operating units, utilities, distribution facilities and storage units. A system for aiding in the isolation of piping systems, operating units and other facility components is also disclosed. The system includes a search database having representations of the piping systems and its related components. A method of isolating an event within a facility is also disclosed. The method includes identifying the location of an event in the facility, performing a search to identify the impacted piping systems and related components, and identifying measures to isolate the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Susan C. Hill, Elvis L. Calhoun, William Castro
  • Patent number: 8423299
    Abstract: The present invention accepts attribute information of evaluation subject parts, and judgment standards of parts category by a data acquiring unit; acquires attribute information and chemical substance information relating to a part already inspected; categorizes the relevant attribute information and the relevant chemical substance information to a part group having attribute information of the evaluation subject parts, and a part group not having it; carries out calculation of statistic values of the content rate of a specified chemical substance in each of the parts groups, comparison between difference of said statistic values in each of the parts groups and the relevant judgment standards, and extraction of said attribute information; extracts attribute information and chemical substance information of said parts already inspected, coincident with all of attribute information extracted; and calculates the statistic value such as an average value relating to the content rate of the chemical substance of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masataka Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8423303
    Abstract: The mass flow rate of bulk solids in a pneumatic transport system is measured in real time. At least two pressure gauges (P1, P2) are provided in a pipe section of the transport system. The pressure drop ?P between the pressure gauges is determined during a gas-solids flow of air and bulk solids through the pipe section. The suspension density ?sus of the flowing mixture of air and bulk solids is calculated. The bulk solids mass flow rate Ms at a given location along a given length of a pipeline is estimated based at least on the suspension density ?sus of the flowing mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Marine AS
    Inventors: Per Soleng, Per Huse
  • Patent number: 8401803
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for determining the remaining lifetime of a component of a power electronics appliance, such as a frequency converter, in which the lifetime data that is dependent on the ambient conditions and operation as specified by the manufacturer of the component is used, in which method at least one magnitude connected to ambient conditions, such as temperature, is determined, at least one loading magnitude of the component, such as speed of rotation, is determined and the calculation of the remaining lifetime is performed on the basis of at least one magnitude connected to ambient conditions, such as temperature, and of at least one loading magnitude of the component, such as speed of rotation, as well as of the lifetime data that is dependent on these ambient conditions and loading as specified by the manufacturer of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Vacon Oyj
    Inventor: Osmo Miettinen
  • Patent number: 8401824
    Abstract: In a method for determining an output value of a sensor of automation technology, in a case in which the sensor has a non-linear characteristic curve K, which is pointwise specified, help points Hj are additionally produced according to a simple calculational specification. The output value is obtained from the input value via an interpolation of at least two points of the characteristic curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Walter Borst
  • Patent number: 8392145
    Abstract: A delay setting data generator generates delay setting data based on rate data. A variable delay circuit delays the test pattern data by a delay time determined by the delay setting data with reference to a predefined unit amount of delay. First rate data designates the period of the test pattern data with a precision determined by the unit amount of delay. Second rate data designates the period of the test pattern data with a precision higher than that determined by the unit amount of delay. The delay setting data generator outputs a first value and a second value in a time division manner at a ratio determined by the second rate data, the first and second values being determined by the first rate data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Watanabe, Toshiyuki Okayasu
  • Patent number: 8364414
    Abstract: A biological information processing apparatus includes the following elements. A light source irradiates biological tissue with light. A transducer functions as an ultrasonic wave transmitting unit that applies an ultrasonic wave to a local region in the biological tissue. A photodetector detects modulated light obtained by modulating the light from the light source with the ultrasonic wave in the local region. The transducer also functions as an acoustic wave detecting unit that detects an acoustic wave emitted from the local region at a time when the local region absorbs the light from the light source. An absorption characteristic in the local region is calculated using an acoustic signal, serving as an output of the acoustic wave detecting unit, on the basis of a light intensity in the local region calculated based on a modulation signal, serving as an output of the photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Masumura
  • Patent number: 8359179
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an equipment, device (10; 110) and apparatus for applying electrical stimuli to a system and acquiring a system response. According to the present invention there is provided a test equipment such as a portable test device (10; 110) for testing a system, the equipment comprising: signal generation means, signal receiving means, and signal processing means, wherein, in use, the signal generation means generates a signal to be applied to a system to be tested and the signal receiving means receives a response signal of the system, and the generated and response signals undergo processing by the signal processing means so as to provide a measure of a characteristic of the system, wherein further the generated signal comprises a plurality of periodic signals each of different frequency and phase and which are applied to the system simultaneously. The equipment finds particular use in the field of dentistry, but also finds other uses, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: 3D Diagnostic Imaging PLC
    Inventors: Peter George Bruce, Alasdair McCall Christie, Christopher Longbottom, Nigel Berry Pitts
  • Patent number: 8321167
    Abstract: The present invention provides a surveying instrument, which comprises rotating units operated rotatably, supporting units to support the rotating units, a reflection mirror portion provided on one of the supporting unit or the rotating unit, tilt sensors arranged on the other of the supporting unit and the rotating unit and for projecting a detecting light and for detecting a relative tilting of the reflection surface of the reflection mirror portion with respect to the supporting unit by receiving the detecting light reflected by the reflection mirror portion, and a control unit for calculating an unsteadiness of rotation of the rotating unit based on a signal from the tilt sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Yasuhito Haijima, Kaoru Kumagai
  • Patent number: 8311768
    Abstract: A step count measuring system includes a pedometer and a step count managing apparatus which are able to communicate with each other. In the pedometer, a step count value sequentially detected for each unit of time is stored, and a time counted in the pedometer is stored as first time data by being brought into associated with each of the step count values. When a battery is replaced in the pedometer, a reset is executed to start initialization processing, and the time stored as first time data is stored as second time data which can be discriminated from the first time data. A recording time of each of the step count values being associated with the first time data before the initialization processing is set on the basis of the time counted by the step count managing apparatus, and a recording time of each of the step count values being associated with the second time data after the initialization processing is set on the basis of the second time data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignees: Nintendo Co., Ltd., Creatures Inc.
    Inventors: Hideaki Fukutome, Naoya Morimura, Hirofumi Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8285498
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a method for detection and automatic identification of defects in rolling bearings applicable in diagnosing rolling bearings and detecting damage in a very early stage of its occurrence. The inventive method in which the vibrations of a bearing in operation are measured, the measured analogue signals are converted to digital data which are filtered and next shock pulses are detected, whereupon defects present in the tested bearing or bearings are identified, characterized in that the detection of shock pulses is done using shock pulse likelihood ratio (Ms).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Kari Saarinen, Jaroslaw Nowak
  • Patent number: 8275572
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting objects. A first plurality of electromagnetic signals having a first frequency and a second plurality of electromagnetic signals having a second frequency are transmitted. At least one of the first frequency and the second frequency is changed through a range of frequencies. A delayed difference frequency signal substantially equal to a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency is monitored for. The delayed difference frequency signal is generated by an object having non-linear electrical characteristics in response to the object receiving the first plurality of electromagnetic signals and the second plurality of electromagnetic signals. A range measurement is generated for the object by comparing the delayed difference frequency signal and an undelayed difference frequency signal. The undelayed difference frequency signal is substantially equal to the difference between the first frequency and the second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard H. Burns, Donald Elliot Harrington
  • Patent number: 8260555
    Abstract: To perform a marine survey, a streamer is deployed into a body of water, where the streamer has plural first sensors to perform a subterranean survey. Indications are received from second sensors in corresponding sections of the streamer, where the indications are regarding which sections are in the body of water. Information is updated regarding which sections of the streamer are in the body of water in response to the received indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Welker