Patents Examined by Meagan S Walling
  • Patent number: 6931341
    Abstract: An apparatus that automatically adjusts self-noise and can lower the lower limit value of a measurement range by reducing the effects of self-noise on measured values. This apparatus corrects self-noise when amplifying an output signal from a sensor so as to conform to a sensor sensitivity G, further processing the amplified signal, and then outputting the processed signal as a measured value. This apparatus includes a sensor sensitivity adjusting circuit that adjusts an amplification factor so as to conform to the sensor sensitivity G, a self-noise value calculating circuit 4 that calculates a self-noise component F·N from the amplification factor adjusted by the sensor sensitivity adjusting circuit so as to conform to the sensor sensitivity G, and a measured value correcting circuit that calculates a true measured value F·S from the self-noise component F·N calculated by the self-noise value calculating circuit 4 as well as a measured value L containing the self-noise component F·N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Rion Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoharu Wakabayashi, Masaharu Ohya, Kazuyoshi Kobayashi, Hiroaki Takinami, Nobuhiko Takeda
  • Patent number: 6931342
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to regulate and/or calibrate a mixing valve, in particular in a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine, with which a volume flow can be separated into two partial flows as a function of controlled quantity, whereby the separating ratio of the mixing valve is determined by comparing a target quantity with an actual measured quantity. It is planned that a correction value that is computed during operation is taken into consideration in calculating the separating ratio or mixing ratio (MR). In addition, the invention relates to a corresponding regulating device to regulate and/or calibrate a mixing valve. In this case, it is planned that a correction value that is computed during operation can be taken into consideration in calculating the separating ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Mann, Oliver Kaefer
  • Patent number: 6928369
    Abstract: The present invention provides a small, low power consumption ultrasonic flow velocity meter. The burst signal generation section 110 generates two kinds of burst signals with a phase difference and sends these burst signals to a pair of transmission/reception ultrasonic transducers 6 and 7 located on the upstream side and downstream side of the conduit to be measured 9. Upon reception of the corresponding burst signals, the pair of the transmission/reception ultrasonic transducers 6 and 7 convert the burst signals, send ultrasonic waves with a phase difference to the conduit to be measured 9, receive the ultrasonic wave sent by the other transmission/reception ultrasonic transducer and propagated through the conduit to be measured and convert the ultrasonic waves to received signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Tokimec, Inc.
    Inventors: Masao Kishimoto, Ryohei Motegi, Yukihiko Suzuki, Hiroshi Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 6925415
    Abstract: A measuring method and system for liquid crystal display driver chips applies a new method to measure voltages of driver chips, and utilizes probability and statistics for analysis and determination so as to yield a rather accurate effect even under noisy environments. Accordingly, analog-to-digital converters can be replaced for faster sampling. The measuring method and system can be implemented using comparator circuits or pin electronics cards so that the measuring procedure for driver chips is simplified. Measured results are analyzed and verified by application of probability and statistics. As such, testing of liquid crystal display driver chips is more accurate, testing time is reduced, and accuracy level is promoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Chroma Ate Inc.
    Inventors: I-Shih Tseng, Chau-Chin Su, Wei-Juo Wang
  • Patent number: 6917889
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument acquires a signal from a device under test, displays that signal as a source waveform, and makes measurements on that source waveform with regard to a predetermined property or event. The test and measurement instrument employs the method of the subject invention for placing these measurements into a waveform and directly correlating a position in the measurement waveform to the same area on the source waveform where they were measured. Specifically, the subject invention displays the correlation of points on a source waveform and a measurement waveform without requiring the use of a common horizontal time scale. In one embodiment of the invention, the measurement waveform is a histogram and a pointer to a given location in the histogram causes identification of corresponding areas in the source waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Ward, John J. Pickerd
  • Patent number: 6917891
    Abstract: A fluid flow system for continuously monitoring the flow of fluid including fluid flow conduit with an upstream side and a downstream side, sensors and fluid flow elements, with the method for analyzing the operation of a fluid flow system by determining whether the fluid flow subsystem of the main system is operating properly, inputting a sensor reading of the parameter in the fluid flow of the main system and outputting an error indication of the main system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin A. Rothfuss, Richard J. Depoint, Sami S. Hanna, Ahmed-Mohsen T. Shehata
  • Patent number: 6917893
    Abstract: A spatial data collection apparatus collects and correlates spatial data for use in creating floor plans, maps and models of existing spaces. The apparatus includes a mobile platform with wheels to allow movement around a space. One or more positional sensors on the platform generate positional data related to a position of the platform. The positional data can include odometry data and optionally gyroscopic data for correcting the odometry data. One or more range-finding devices on the platform measure and calculate range data (e.g., 2-D or 3-D) relating to distances and angles between the platform and objects in the space. The apparatus collects, fuses and correlates the positional data and range data to produce spatial data and stores the spatial data for transfer to a PC for use in creating, viewing and/or editing a map of the space. The apparatus can also record media files (e.g., audio, video, or images) to be associated with locations within the map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: ActivMedia Robotics, LLC
    Inventors: Jeanne Dietsch, William Kennedy, Matthew LaFary
  • Patent number: 6904377
    Abstract: System and method for measuring force-dependent gyroscopic sensitivity. A force-effect model of the effects of acceleration on the output of a gyro triad is determined. Rotation sequences are then devised to permit excitation and observation of force-effect model parameters in order to provide calibration information for these parameters. A state diagram containing the gyro triad force-effect model parameters is derived from the force-effect model, where moving from one position in the state diagram to another position indicates the gyro triad error which would occur in rotating the gyro triad according to a corresponding motion. Searching for all possible closed loop paths achievable through the state diagram, by a multiple-axes rate table with a specified number of rotations, to separate gyro triad error calibration from the accelerometer calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: G. Kevin Liu, John Mark, Daniel A. Tazartes
  • Patent number: 6904383
    Abstract: A signal acquisition section 19 acquires, for example, a vehicle velocity pulse signal, which is generated from a vehicle velocity sensor 8 in accordance with the movement of a vehicle that is a mobile body. A distance information acquisition section 20 acquires distance information concerning the movement distance of the vehicle from a GPS receiver 2. A distance factor computing section 21 computes a distance factor value based on the acquired vehicle velocity pulse signal and distance information. A change detection section 23 then compares this computed distance factor value and a distance factor reference value stored in a reference value storage section 30 to detect a continuous change of the distance factor value. That is, change detection section 23 detects a change of tire outer diameter due to a change of the pneumatic pressure of the vehicle's tire or tire exchange, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Tanaka, Seiji Goto
  • Patent number: 6895351
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining fluid flow through a pressure regulator is disclosed. The pressure regulator is disposed in a fluid flow passage and has a throttling element moveable in the flow passage. A stem is attached to the throttling element. The apparatus includes a first pressure sensor for measuring pressure upstream of the throttling element, a second pressure sensor for measuring pressure downstream of the throttling element, and a travel sensor for detecting the position of the throttling element. A processor is provided which includes a stored algorithm for determining flow rate based on the measured pressure and travel values and for calibrating the pressure regulator using a temporary flow meter disposed downstream of the throttling element. A system and method is also provided for calibrating a temperature transmitter associated with the pressure regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Bruce F. Grumstrup, Paul R. Adams
  • Patent number: 6889150
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining and presenting an optimized arrangement and assembly of a measurement system of process measurement technology, especially of a radiometric measurement system, at a container or pipe, in which measurement system at least one characterizing parameter of a medium contained in the container or pipe is to be measured. The method proceeds with the aid of at least a first electronic computer (10) and a second electronic computer (11) connected therewith and containing a display- (12), a processor-controlled, data processing- (15) and an input-device (13), wherein container- or pipe-specific data and information on medium and on expected measurement range are taken into consideration. The method establishes therefrom an optimized arrangement of the measurement system at or on the container or pipe and presents this arrangement in a sketch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Neuhaus, Wolfgang Kämereit
  • Patent number: 6889160
    Abstract: To facilitate the testing of a testee network service such as a web service made available on the Internet, various embodiments of a network service test system are provided. In one embodiment, a testee network service is tested using a network service test environment. The network service test environment surrounds the testee network service. The network service test environment comprises at least one mock client that is in data communication with and interacts with the testee network service. The network service test environment also includes at least one mock support network service in data communication with the testee network service. The at least one mock support network service simulates a performance of an actual support network service while a data communication link exists between the actual support network service and the testee network service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark L. Sabiers, David Christopher Davidson, Jay D. Knitter, Donna J. Grush, Terry M. Martin, Blaine R. Southam
  • Patent number: 6889146
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt is provided with multiple seat belt tension sensors providing output signals that are received and averaged. Signals having values outside a band around the average are dynamically tested against a signal from an occupant weight sensor, vertical seat accelerometer or other sensor indicating expected vertical acceleration of an occupant restrained by the seat belt. This test provides variance values and time-averaged values of each signal, derives a reference value for each signal and compares the variance value for each signal to its reference value. If the comparisons indicate that the dynamic variance of the signals is significantly different, the signal is declared invalid and the average value is recalculated without the invalid signal. The final average signal after removal of all invalid signals determines the belt tension value, which may be used to compensate a weight sensor signal in an occupant characterization system to help control deployment of a vehicle airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart S. Sullivan, Morgan D. Murphy, James F. Patterson
  • Patent number: 6885955
    Abstract: Semiconductor process yield analysis in which the relationship between a wafer-level parameter and a die-level parameter is evaluated can be performed more quickly and with greater accuracy than has been the case with previous such yield analysis. The yield analysis can be performed by selecting regions of a semiconductor wafer or wafers from which parametric data is to be obtained for use in the analysis, based on one or more characteristics of the wafer(s). The yield analysis can be performed by grouping the parametric data based on both a grouping of the wafer-level parametric data and a grouping of the die-level parametric data. The yield analysis can be performed by grouping the parametric data in greater than 3 groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Nickey Joe Atchison
  • Patent number: 6885960
    Abstract: A highly time resolved impedance spectroscopy that enhances the measurement of the dynamics of non-stationary systems with enhanced time resolution. The highly time resolved impedance spectroscopy includes an optimized, frequency rich a.c., or transient, voltage signal is used as the perturbation signal, non-stationary time to frequency transformation algorithms are used when processing the measured time signals of the voltage and current to determine impedance spectra which are localized in time; and the system-characterizing quantities are determined from the impedance spectra using equivalent circuit fitting in a time-resolution-optimized form. Methods and apparatus for processing impedance spectra data are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Zyomyx, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Wagner, Gerald Wiegand
  • Patent number: 6882938
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating energy resulting from actuating at least two different seismic energy sources from seismic signals. The sources are actuated to provide a variable time delay between successive actuations of a first one and a second one of the sources. The method includes sorting the seismic signals such that events therein resulting from actuations of the first source are substantially coherent in all spatial directions, coherency filtering the first source coherency sorted signals, sorting the seismic signals such that events therein resulting from actuations of the second source are substantially coherent in all spatial directions, and coherency filtering the second source coherency sorted signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: PGS Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Svein Torleif Vaage, Ruben D. Martinez, John Brittan
  • Patent number: 6882950
    Abstract: Building and testing complex electronic products especially large scale computer systems are handled with control remaining with the owner of the design while a contract manufacturer does the basic manufacturing processes and testing. Nearly all levels of testing are accomplished without sharing high level descriptions of the end product or its features by providing only low level files for test functions. Testing is accomplished without sharing the high level code descriptive of the system design so confidential information is retained. Testing using the low level data is made sufficient to identify what parts need repair despite the lack of high-level information transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Jennion, Gerald J. Maciona, William K. Shramko
  • Patent number: 6876945
    Abstract: The Seamless Sensory System (3S), the invention, integrates state-of-the-art sensor technology with modern software engineering practices to create seamless positioning. The invention can include the incorporation of GPS/Inertial Navigation/IR and other technologies into a handheld/man wearable/mounted system that will not be compromised in hostile environments. The invention continues accurate navigation in the absence of GPS satellite signals. The invention utilizes a “continuous calibration” Kalman Filter methodology and motion sensor(s) to maintain “GPS-like” accuracy after GPS signals are no longer available. A proprietary technology called an Ultrasonic Doppler Velocity Measurement (UVM) Sensor is the invention's ‘key component’ to create “GPS like performance” under any GPS denied condition. Additional sensors are included to complete the picture of the local environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Nicholas Jon Emord
  • Patent number: 6873930
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the rotational speed of an internal combustion engine (1). According to the invention, a sector wheel (4) connected to a crankshaft (3) is scanned and the duration of the scanning of a sector of a specific size is determined. Correction factors which arc dependent on the working parameters are then extracted from the characteristics in order to correct the measured duration in relation to the rotational speed oscillations occurring periodically during the operation of the internal combustion engine (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rainer Hirn
  • Patent number: 6868353
    Abstract: A method includes processing a workpiece in a process flow. Workpiece state trace data is collected for the workpiece during its processing in the process flow. A quality profile of the workpiece is generated based on the workpiece state trace data. A manufacturing system includes a plurality of tools configured to process a workpiece in a process flow and a quality monitor. The quality monitor is configured to collect workpiece slate trace data for the workpiece during its processing in the process flow generate a quality profile of the workpiece based on the workpiece state trace data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew S. Ryskoski