Patents Examined by M. N. Von Buhr
  • Patent number: 7613539
    Abstract: A mechanism for enabling a user to treat 3D scan data model regions as surface bodies so as to eliminate the need to convert model regions to parametric surfaces as a prerequisite to performing part body modeling operations is discussed. During CAD re-modeling raw 3D scan data is imported. The present invention allows a user to use a region directly as an input argument for a part body modeling operation as long as a sheet body (surface body) is applicable as a modeling input argument. Additionally, if any regions used in the body modeling are modified by the user, surfaces which have been generated from fitting regions are also recalculated and the body model is updated automatically. The region modification can happen when the user includes more scan data in the region, excludes scan data from the region, smoothes geometry, or uses other editing functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: INUS Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Seockhoon Bae, Donghoon Lee, Doosoo Kim, Youngkwan Kim, Sungwook Cho
  • Patent number: 7606637
    Abstract: A sprinkler play system has a central distribution station and a plurality of sprinkler stations. The sprinkler stations may be spaced apart on a lawn. The sprinkler stations are connected to the distribution station with flexible water conduits. Each of the sprinkler stations includes a low voltage solenoid valve. Electrical conductors may be included with the flexible water conduits in order to operate the solenoid valves. A control unit permits selective activation of the individual sprinkler stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Dream Visions, LLC
    Inventor: Theodore G. Habing
  • Patent number: 7599759
    Abstract: A refrigeration system comprising a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing refrigerant to a liquid, an evaporator for evaporating liquid refrigerant from the condenser to a gas, an inner control loop for optimizing a supply of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator, and an outer control loop for optimizing a level of refrigerant in the evaporator, said outer control loop defining a supply rate for said inner control loop based on an optimization including measurement of evaporator performance, and said inner control loop optimizing liquid refrigerant supply based on said defined supply rate. Independent variables, such as proportion of oil in refrigerant, amount of refrigerant, contaminants, non-condensibles, scale and other deposits on heat transfer surfaces, may be estimated or measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Hudson Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Zugibe, Riyaz Papar
  • Patent number: 7596424
    Abstract: A method of determining machining condition for a sinker electric discharge machining apparatus in which a tool electrode is advanced along a z-axis to machine the workpiece, comprises the steps of: (a) producing a cavity model (D) as a solid model of part of the tool electrode; (b) tessellating the cavity model into a mesh of triangle each of triangles having an ordered set of vertices and having an orientation defined by the ordering of the vertices; (c) projecting the triangles on an xy plane surface; (d) summing up areas (S) of the projected triangles having the same orientation to calculate a machining area; and (e) determining machining conditions based on the machining area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Sodick Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lingshi Lin
  • Patent number: 7590458
    Abstract: Step data are sequentially read out from a conversational program created in a conversational format. The processor 13 determines whether or not leaning control in the step is possible. When the leaning control is possible, a learning start command is added to the start of the program to create and output an NC program in the step. Also a learning end command is added to the end of the NC program in the step. Conversion into the NC program is performed for each of steps. When a learning control automatic ON/OFF operation is selected to all the steps, a learning control start command and a learning control end command are added to the start and the end of the converted NC program when learning control of all the steps can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Takahiko Endo, Katsuhiro Endou
  • Patent number: 7590473
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for thermal management using an on-die thermal sensor. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit (e.g., a memory controller) includes temperature collection logic and control logic. The temperature collection logic receives and stores temperature data from a plurality of remote memory devices each having an on-die thermal sensor. In some embodiments, the control logic controls a thermal throttle based, at least in part, on the temperature data. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 7590465
    Abstract: In a method for detecting abnormal characteristic values of at least three products sequentially manufactured in the same manufacturing line, it is determined whether or not a successively-alternate increase/decrease tendency has occurred in a plurality of sequentially-obtained characteristic values of the products. Also, it is determined whether or not at least one of the characteristic values is located within a control region narrower than an allowable region and outside a normal region narrower than the control region. Further, when the successively-alternate increase/decrease tendency has occurred and the at least one characteristic value is located within the control region outside the normal region, an alarm state is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Masanobu Higashide
  • Patent number: 7574281
    Abstract: A method and system for determining an array sequence of processing operations to maximize the efficiency of steel plate processing. Between two processing operations, a first sequence constraint based on a first attribute of each processing operation and a second sequence constraint based on a second attribute of each processing operation are defined. A system selects, as a cluster, at least one of processing operations having a common attribute value of the first attribute, and arranged in a sequence satisfying the second sequence constraint. The system regards the first sequence constraint as a sequence constraint between a plurality of clusters, and arranges the plurality of clusters in a sequence maximizing the efficiency of processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hama, Hiroyuki Okano, Takayuki Yoshizumi
  • Patent number: 7574271
    Abstract: A passenger transportation system, such as an escalator or moving walk, contains a circulating band, a driving station, and a reversing station. The driving station is arranged in the area of a first end of the passenger transportation system and has a slave control unit. The reversing station in the area of a second end of the passenger transportation system has a master control unit. For the purpose of exchanging data, the master control unit and the slave control unit are connected together by a data bus. The slave control unit has a first printed circuit board on which is mounted a first set of electronic components and which serves to transmit to the master control unit data concerning the functioning of the passenger transportation system. The master control unit has a second printed circuit board on which is mounted a second set of electronic components and which serves to analyze the data and control of the passenger transportation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Gunter Steindl, Josef Wiesinger, Gerhard Stoiber, Dirk Blondiau
  • Patent number: 7571021
    Abstract: A method for improving critical dimension of a substrate is provided. Manufacturing data of a plurality of critical dimension deviations corresponding to a plurality of areas on the substrate is collected. A plurality of sensitivity data corresponding to the plurality of areas is also collected. A plurality of exposure dosage offsets corresponding to the plurality of areas are calculated based on the plurality of critical dimension deviations and the plurality of sensitivity data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Chun-Hung Lin, Shy-Jay Lin, Heng-Hsin Liu, Chien-Hsun Lin, Jui-Chung Peng, Yao-Wen Guo
  • Patent number: 7567849
    Abstract: A parametric design system comprises an estimate generator, a layout drawing generator, and a design generator. The estimate generator for generating a cost estimate based on at least one of predetermined properties of the engineered object as defined by a request for proposal defining the engineered object, parameters associated with components of the engineered object, and engineering rules and knowledge. The layout drawing generator generates a layout drawing based on at least one of specifications of the engineered object as defined by the request for proposal, parameters associated with components of the engineered object, and engineering rules and knowledge. The design generator generates the object design based on an order and a proposal. The proposal is generated based on the cost estimate and the layout drawing. The order is generated based on the proposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Tramco, Inc.
    Inventors: Leon Trammell, Hiroshi Takaki
  • Patent number: 7567852
    Abstract: A method and system for determining an array sequence of processing operations to maximize the efficiency of steel plate processing. Between two processing operations, a first sequence constraint based on a first attribute of each processing operation and a second sequence constraint based on a second attribute of each processing operation are defined. A system selects, as a cluster, at least one of processing operations having a common attribute value of the first attribute, and arranged in a sequence satisfying the second sequence constraint. The system regards the first sequence constraint as a sequence constraint between a plurality of clusters, and arranges the plurality of clusters in a sequence maximizing the efficiency of processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hama, Hiroyuki Okano, Takayuki Yoshizumi
  • Patent number: 7565225
    Abstract: The present invention provides an environment measurement monitoring and response system. The present invention provides a method, system and program for managing multiple environmental systems in retail store locations geographically remote from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Venstar, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Dushane, Craig Godwin, Stephen Tudhope, Richard Russo, Mustafa Oransel
  • Patent number: 7561937
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for manufacturing workpieces, such as metal articles like sputtering target, the system comprising: comparing one or more physical or chemical values of a respective one of a plurality of metal target blanks to one or more comparable values of at least one desired criterion; selecting one of the metal target blanks from a plurality of metal target blanks as a work-in-progress; assigning a serial route for the work-in-progress; processing the work-in-progress by translating the work-in-progress from note to node with an automated transport, after completion of the events at each node; rejecting or accepting the work-in-progress as a metal target by evaluating a result of at least one event of the one or more respective events to be completed at, at least one of the plurality of nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Tosoh SMD, Inc.
    Inventors: Wiley Zane Reed, Bobby R. Cosper, Kenneth G. Schmidt, Neil D. Bultz, Charles E. Wickersham, John P. Matera
  • Patent number: 7558633
    Abstract: In a test automation method and test system for a user end apparatus that can be communicatively connected with a test automation apparatus, at least one data processing unit and a non-volatile memory for storage of a test workflow program as well as a first external interface and a second external interface are provided. The user end apparatus has at least one control unit, a non-volatile memory and an external interface. The user end apparatus is protected by a security housing and has an external interface that can be placed in communication with the special second external interface of the test automation apparatus. By loading release software, the user end apparatus is programmed to generate test output signals and to supply these to the external interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Gerrit Bleumer, Stefan Schwarz
  • Patent number: 7558648
    Abstract: A zone control panel that is easy and intuitive to use and to program. In some embodiments, a zone control panel may be configured to have an easy to use, single level menu structure with, for example, a configuration mode and/or a checkout mode. The configuration mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. Likewise, the checkout mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. A mode selector may be provided to select a particular mode, after which, the menu screens that correspond to the selected mode may be sequentially displayed to the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Hoglund, Paul G. Schwendinger, David J. Arneson
  • Patent number: 7551982
    Abstract: A system and method of determining clinker composition and optimizing raw material and fuel feed rates for a cement kiln plant is provided. Raw material data, fuel data, clinker kiln dust data, and emissions data are received. At least one of a raw material feed rate, a fuel feed rate, and an expected clinker composition are calculated based on the raw material data, the fuel data, the clinker kiln dust data, and the emission data. At least one of the raw material feed rate, the fuel feed rate, and the expected clinker composition are outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Holcim (US) Inc.
    Inventor: Dorit Hammerling
  • Patent number: 7551977
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for producing ceramic item from a photocurable ceramic filled material by stereolithography. The method compensates for the anisotropic shrinkage of the item during firing to produce a dimensionally accurate item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: M. Eric Schlienger, Nina Bergan French, Michael D. Baldwin, Michael Maguire, Paul Withey
  • Patent number: 7548793
    Abstract: A disposition process involves a part proceeding through a sequence of fabrication steps. The process involves obtaining a specified parameter for the part at an individual fabrication step; measuring the specified parameter of the part at the individual fabrication step; obtaining a final specified parameter for the part upon completion of the sequence of fabrication steps; and disposing the part at the individual fabrication step. Disposing the part uses a calculation of probability of the part meeting the final specified parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Eichblatt, Laurence S. Samuelson
  • Patent number: 7542809
    Abstract: An electrical control system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of variable transmittance windows. The electrical control system of the present invention comprises a master control circuit for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for the variable transmission windows, and a plurality of window control circuits coupled to each of the master control circuits. Because the window control circuits can sense abnormal load conditions in the variable transmission windows, the system further includes an interface to a security system to inform of a potential intrusion. Each window control circuit controls the transmittance of at least one of the variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from the master control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jon H. Bechtel, David L. Poll