Patents Examined by Jeffrey Aiello
  • Patent number: 9733274
    Abstract: An adapter, and a method of using the adapter, for an electric meter, which includes a set of connections for interfacing to a panel box, a set of connectors for interfacing to the electric meter; and circuitry for intercepting FAN or HAN traffic, injecting FAN or HAN traffic and communicating intercepted traffic and local information from the electric meter and sensors over a network to a management entity that collects and process the data. Data from environmental, electric quality, and usage sensors are supplied to the network. External commands, originating in a management entity or with a customer are provided from the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Vencore Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley Pietrowicz
  • Patent number: 9717967
    Abstract: A tennis racket fitting method according to the present invention comprises: a first step of preparing a plurality of test tennis rackets, at least one type of racket property that influences swing for hitting a ball being defined for each of the test tennis rackets; a second step of causing a reference tennis racket to be swung at least one time by a user in order to hit a tennis ball, and acquiring a measured value by measuring transition in at least one of the position, the velocity, the acceleration, and the angular velocity of the reference tennis racket in at least a portion of an interval from when the swing starts until when the swing ends; a third step of calculating at least one evaluation indicator to be an evaluation of the swing of the reference tennis racket based on the measured value; and a fourth step of, based on the racket property, selecting a tennis racket that can improve at least one evaluation indicator from among the test tennis rackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Yosuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9715478
    Abstract: A method is provided for detecting the correct rotational direction of a centrifugal apparatus. The method includes rotating the centrifugal apparatus in a first direction, acquiring first frequency data relating to the step of rotating the centrifugal apparatus in the first direction, rotating the centrifugal apparatus in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, and acquiring second frequency data relating to the step of rotating the centrifugal apparatus in the second direction. The method also includes detecting the correct rotational direction of the centrifugal apparatus based on comparing the first frequency data with the second frequency data, the comparison being carried out with respect to at least one significant frequency range. In each of the at least one significant frequency range, a smaller magnitude is interpreted as an indication of the correct rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Technology OY
    Inventors: Jussi Tamminen, Tero Ahonen, Jero Ahola, Markku Niemelä
  • Patent number: 9689708
    Abstract: A method for determining a value of a measured variable, which is a function of a first auxiliary measured variable and at least a second auxiliary measured variable, comprising: registering and providing a sequence of measured values of the first auxiliary measured variable over at least a first time range; providing a value of the second auxiliary measured variable, wherein the point in time of registering the provided value lies in the first time range; selecting a value of the first auxiliary measured variable from the sequence of measured values of the first auxiliary measured variable as a function of information concerning point in time of registering the provided value of the second auxiliary measured variable; and ascertaining a value of the measured variable as a function of the selected value of the first auxiliary measured variable and the value of the second auxiliary measured variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Romuald Girardey, Roland Dieterle, Marc Schlachter
  • Patent number: 9687169
    Abstract: A system for determining a conductance of an object includes a sensor configured to emit an electromagnetic field when an excitation signal is received, wherein the electromagnetic field interacts with the object when the object is positioned within the electromagnetic field. A signal processing circuit is coupled to the sensor and configured to provide an adjustable capacitance to the sensor to adjust a phase angle of a current flowing through the sensor, to generate a voltage measurement representative of a voltage across the sensor, and to generate a current measurement representative of the current flowing through the sensor. A controller is coupled to the signal processing circuit and configured to calculate an admittance of the sensor based on the voltage measurement and the current measurement, and to determine a conductance of the object based on the calculated admittance of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Feldkamp
  • Patent number: 9683865
    Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for calibrating an accelerometer in a portable device is disclosed. The method, system and computer readable medium comprises receiving data from the accelerometer, and providing accelerometer samples from the data based upon one or more selection rules that adaptively selects data that satisfy certain criteria. The method system and computer readable medium also includes fitting the accelerometer samples to a mathematical mode. The method system and computer readable medium further includes providing a bias of the accelerometer based upon a center of the mathematical model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kerry Keal, Yuan Zheng, Anjia Gu, James Lim, Shang-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 9678048
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of evaluating a final equilibrium pH of a contaminated soil on site by using a paste pH. The method includes measuring the paste pH by adding a solution to the contaminated soil, and evaluating the final equilibrium pH according to an initial pH by applying the paste pH to Final ? ? equilibrium ? ? pH = ( paste ? ? pH + 1 ) × exp ? ( - 1 initial ? ? pH ) - exp ? ( - 1 ? ( paste ? ? pH + 1 ) initital ? ? pH ) , Equation ? ? 1 in which the initial pH is a predetermined integer in a range of 1 to 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF GEOSCIENCE AND MINERAL RESOURCES
    Inventors: Pyeong-Koo Lee, Jung-Hae Choi
  • Patent number: 9575205
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus using frequency-selected electromagnetic inversion to obtain sub-surface geophysical characteristics. One embodiment relates to a computer-implemented method for inverting an electromagnetic geophysical data signal to obtain an earth response. The method involves computing uncertainties associated with an electromagnetic geophysical data signal and selecting subset of frequencies based on the uncertainties. The electromagnetic geophysical data signal may then be inverted for the subset of the frequencies to determine the earth response. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventor: Erik Björnemo
  • Patent number: 9541921
    Abstract: A computer program product and apparatus measure performance of an information appliance. The computer program product comprises code for: a test module receiving, from a client, and recording a request for processing of a sample data by an information appliance. The test module sends the sample data received from the client to the information appliance for processing. If a request to a backend application is present, the test module also sends the request to the backend application for processing and receives and records a response from the backend application. The test module sends the response from the backend application to the information appliance for processing. A generated correlation ID is used to update a performance data table with start time and a stop time of a response for transaction sample data processed by the information appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ta-Wei Lin, Jeffrey CH Liu, Lin Chan Hsiao, Shu-Hao Liang, Chih-Wen Su
  • Patent number: 9518860
    Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and a system that includes a fuzzy logic module arranged to apply a fuzzy logic algorithm for calculating, in response to received echoes that are received by a receiver, confidence levels of origins of received echoes; wherein the received echoes are reflected or scattered from the origins; and a volume calculator that is arranged to calculate a volume of the content in response to (a) estimated locations of the origins, and (b) the confidence levels of the origins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: APM AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS LTD
    Inventors: Avishai Bartov, Yossi Zlotnick
  • Patent number: 9518852
    Abstract: A wireless field device assembly comprises a process sensor, a housing, a power module, and a processor. The process sensor is configured to monitor a process variable and produce a sensor signal. The housing encloses an interior space of the wireless field device. The power module comprises an energy storage device and a connection to a local power source, and is configured to be housed in the wireless field device. The processor is located within the interior space, and is powered by the power module. The processor produces a fault signal value used to differentiate between energy storage device faults, local power source faults, and no-fault states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Michael McGuire, Kelly Michael Orth, Theodore Henry Schnaare
  • Patent number: 9504909
    Abstract: Apparatuses for motion capture are disclosed that includes a surface configured to support an object; and at least one sensor arranged with the surface, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to obtain at least one of ranging or inertial information for use in estimating a motion of the surface with respect to the object. A method for motion capture is also disclosed that includes providing a surface configured to support an object; and obtaining at least one of ranging or inertial information for use in estimating a motion of the surface with respect to the object via at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony G. Persaud, Adrian J. Prentice, George Joseph, Mark R. Storch
  • Patent number: 9502216
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining wafer bias are described. One of the methods includes detecting output of a generator to identify a generator output complex voltage and current (V&I). The generator is coupled to an impedance matching circuit and the impedance matching circuit is coupled to an electrostatic chuck (ESC). The method further includes determining from the generator output complex V&I a projected complex V&I at a point along a path between an output of a model of the impedance matching circuit and a model of the ESC. The operation of determining of the projected complex V&I is performed using a model for at least part of the path. The method includes applying the projected complex V&I as an input to a function to map the projected complex V&I to a wafer bias value at the ESC model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Valcore, Jr., Bradford J. Lyndaker
  • Patent number: 9500711
    Abstract: A method for determining the charge state of a battery in a motor vehicle includes steps of applying a measuring voltage to a coil, cyclically reversing the polarity of the measuring voltage if the absolute value of the secondary current flowing through the coil exceeds a predetermined threshold value, scanning the secondary current, reconstructing the curve of the secondary current based on the scanned secondary current values, and determining the charge state based on the curve of the secondary current values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Axel Wenzler
  • Patent number: 9500710
    Abstract: Fault analysis and detection involving a generator neutral ground includes monitoring a voltage waveform across a neutral grounding transformer of a generator. During monitoring of the voltage waveform a sample of the voltage waveform is acquired. Previously, a number of similar past samples of the monitored waveform were acquired and stored as well. The present sample is compared to one or more of these stored, past samples so that, based on a similarity between the present sample to the past samples, a generator fault indicated by the present sample can be identified. Identifying the generator fault can include recognizing that it is presently occurring or that it may occur in a predictable timeframe. Additionally, identifying a component of the generator that caused, or will cause, the generator fault can be identified as well. A diagnostic message or control signal based on the identified generator fault can then be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Edward D. Thompson, James F. Lau
  • Patent number: 9484851
    Abstract: Disclosed is a technique of correcting a resolver offset by measuring and correcting an offset of a resolver assembled to a motor of an eco-friendly vehicle in an accurate and simple way. The offset measurement process includes, after completing the assembly of a resolver a resolver to a motor, rotating the motor by using a rotation device able to transfer a rotation force to the motor, setting a voltage instruction and current-controlling the motor according to the voltage instruction, and obtaining a d-axis current and a q-axis current, which are feedback currents, during the current-control of the motor. Then when the system is in a steady state, a resolver offset ({tilde over (?)}) is calculated from the d-axis current and the q-axis current by using {tilde over (?)}=tan?1(d-axis current/q-axis current).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Sung Bang, Yong Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 9448066
    Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a jammable structure functions as an HCI interface. A user provides input by changing the shape of a flexible layer of the jammable structure (e.g., by pressing against it or stretching, twisting or bending it) and receives haptic feedback (e.g., varying stiffness). Sensors are used to determine the shape of the flexible layer. The sensors output data that is indicative of electromagnetic waves that have traveled through the jammable media or of electrical or magnetic phenomena that are produced by the waves. For example, visible or infrared light may be shone through a transparent jammable media to the flexible layer and reflect back to a camera. The media may comprise granular particles (e.g., glass beads) and a liquid (e.g., oil) with matching indices of refraction. Or capacitive sensing may be used to detect the shape of the flexible layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sean Follmer, Daniel Leithinger, Hiroshi Ishii, Alex Olwal
  • Patent number: 9442218
    Abstract: A gas trap with a gas analyzer for continuous gas analysis can include a sample chamber, means for agitating and creating a vortex, gas capturing chamber for receiving liberated gas, gas analyzer for providing real-time gas speciation of the liberated gas. A suction pump can pull the liberated fluid, a filtration means can condition the liberated fluid, and an exhaust port can exhaust analyzed fluid. An exhaust line can flow non-analyzed fluid to a drilling fluid storage chamber, drilling fluid stream, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SELMAN AND ASSOCIATES, LTD.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Selman, Matthew J. Jennings, Stephen M. Bergman
  • Patent number: 9423407
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for verifying complete analysis coverage in a steam generator tube inspection. The analysis is conducted by an automated analysis process. The process includes setup and analysis functions. Information is entered into the setup function to identify abnormalities to be inspected and to model the steam generator tubes. The verification includes employing a software verification program to detect and identify a gap within analysis coverage for a particular abnormality or set of abnormalities for which the steam generator tube is inspected, in a particular portion of the steam generator tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Qui V. Le, Craig Bowser, Stephen Beehner
  • Patent number: 9360911
    Abstract: A rack server system and a control method thereof are provided. The rack server system establishes a communication link for communicating with a battery backup unit. The battery backup unit is connected to a power input port of the rack server system, and includes a number of battery modules connected with each other in parallel. The rack server system controls the battery backup unit to perform validity test on a first battery module during a first period and to perform validity test on a second battery module during a second period, wherein the first period and the second period are not overlapped with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Maw-Zan Jau, Tzu-Hung Wang, Chin-Hsiang Chan