Patents Examined by Michael P Nghiem
  • Patent number: 10339782
    Abstract: A method includes receiving location data of a monitoring device when carried by a user and receiving motion data of the monitoring device. The motion data is associated with a time of occurrence and the location data. The method includes processing the received motion data to identify a group of the motion data having a substantially common characteristic and processing the location data for the group of the motion data. The group of motion data by way of processing the location data provides an activity identifier. The motion data includes metric data that identifies characteristics of the motion data. The method includes transferring the activity identifier and the characteristics of the motion data to a screen of a device for display. The activity identifier being a graphical user interface that receives an input for rendering more or less of the characteristics of the motion data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelten Gee Jao Yuen, James Park, Hans Christiansen Lee
  • Patent number: 10338150
    Abstract: System and methods for determining battery system energy capability in a vehicle are presented. A voltage offset of a battery system may be determined based on comparison of an open circuit voltage of the battery system and a measured voltage. An estimated remaining pack energy may be determined based, at least in part, on the voltage offset. Similarly, an estimated total pack energy may be determined based, at least in part, on the voltage offset. An energy capability of the battery system may be determined based on the estimated remaining pack energy and the estimated total pack energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Johnson, Brian J. Koch
  • Patent number: 10338033
    Abstract: An ultrasonic material-evaluation or classification method using spectral and envelope-statistics variables from backscattered ultrasound echo signals using an adaptive-bandwidth and combined with global variables. This classification method can be applied to any organ or tissue among biological materials and any non-biological material that produces backscattered signals as a result of microscopic internal in homogeneities such as a crystalline structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Riverside Research Institute
    Inventors: Ernest J. Feleppa, Jonathan Mamou, Daniel Rohrbach
  • Patent number: 10331089
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a computer-implemented method of forecasting power generation. The method includes analyzing, using a processor, a set of historical weather data. A set of historical power generation data is analyzed using the processor. The processor then determines a plurality of clusters, where each cluster of the plurality of clusters represents weather data for a time period and power generated during the time period. The processor then receives a weather forecast for a future time period. The processor determines which cluster of the set of cluster contains weather data that is most similar to the weather forecast. The processor then uses the historical power generation data of the cluster to forecast power generation for the future time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ildar Khabibrakhmanov, Tarun Kumar, Rui Zhang
  • Patent number: 10324117
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring power consumption by electrical devices. In some aspects, a computing device can detect a change in aggregate electricity usage at a monitored environment that includes multiple electrical devices. The computing device can determine that electricity usage by one of the electrical devices has changed. The computing device can determine that the change in electricity usage has occurred based on a change in a monitored operational parameter other than electrical power provided to the electrical device. The value of the monitored operational parameter can change based on an operation performed by the electrical device when using electricity. The computing device can determine how electricity is used by the electrical device by correlating the change in the aggregate electricity usage and the change in the electricity usage by the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Monnerie, Patrick Melet, Ruben Emilio Salazar Cardozo
  • Patent number: 10321623
    Abstract: A soil mapping system for collecting and mapping soil reflectance data in a field includes an implement having a furrow opener for creating a furrow and an optical module. The optical module is arranged to collect soil reflectance data at a predetermined depth within the furrow as the implement traverses a field. The optical module includes two monochromatic light sources, a window arranged to press against the soil, and a photodiode for receiving light reflected back from the soil through the window. The two light sources have different wavelengths and are modulated at different frequencies. The photodiode provides a modulated voltage output signal that contains reflectance data from both of the light sources. Additional measurement devices are carried by the implement for collecting additional soil property data, such as electrical conductivity, pH, and elevation, which can be used together with the optical data to determine variations in soil organic matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Veris Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chase Maxton, Paul Drummond, Eric Lund, Kyle Jensen
  • Patent number: 10317550
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems, methods, and computer program products for determining fracture and stress characterization using layer thickness variation over an azimuthally anisotropic medium, which may include one or more of the following functions: acquiring seismic data by recording reflected seismic waves in at least two directions; sorting of the seismic data so that offset is zero at a center and increases radially from a single common-point (CMP) gather for a plurality of data points; generating a multi-dimensional volume by juxtaposing a set of common-offset sections by one of their common-depth point (CDP) and CMP locations; selecting reflectors for each layer in the one of the multi-dimensional volume; computing layer parameters including effective anisotropy and interval anisotropy for each layer in the multi-dimensional volume based on a geometry of the reflectors selected for each layer in the multi-dimensional volume; and applying the layer parameters to an earth model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehdi Eftekhari Far, Natasa Mekic
  • Patent number: 10309496
    Abstract: A belt drive and a method for the monitoring thereof allows conclusions to be drawn regarding loads to which the belt has been subjected over its past usage period. The method includes a rotatably mounted disc and a belt which is deflected at the disc. The belt and the disc are equipped with a marking and are positioned with respect to each other such that the markings are directly opposite each other in a trigger position when the belt circulates around the disc. The trigger position is recorded by a monitoring device, which emits a signal when the markings are located in the trigger position. The number of signals triggered over a time period is recorded. The loads to which the belt or the disc have been subjected during the time period is determined while taking into consideration relevant influencing variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Walther Flender GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Scholzen, Simon-Martin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10310485
    Abstract: A measurement transmitter for a multisensor system for process automation technology, wherein the measurement transmitter, for processing in- and output signals, has a processor, which is connected with an interface, to which a sensor is connected for transmission of data via a transmission line. In communication between the processor and the interface, or the sensor and the interface, different transmission rates of data occur. In order to be able to connect to the measurement transmitter a plurality of sensors working with different principles of operation, and, in spite of the plurality of sensors, largely avoid errors in the data transmission, at least two sensors are present, wherein a function module is present in the interface for each sensor and the function module for each sensor is connected with such sensor via a dedicated transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Robl
  • Patent number: 10302687
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a receiver configured to receive a measurement signal indicative of a parameter of a measured object. The measurement system also includes a processor configured to iteratively filter the measurement signal using a threshold value. The processor is also configured to adjust the threshold value for each iteration of filtration and determine a signal-to-noise ratio for each iteration of filtration. The processor is also configured to set a filter threshold value to the threshold value for the iteration based on the signal-to-noise ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sheri George, JeanFrancois Bureau, Ranjith Kundoly Pushpangathan, Haribaskar Govindasamy
  • Patent number: 10302415
    Abstract: Provided is a method for calculating a height map of a sample comprising a body of a transparent material having a refractive index with an inclined or curved surface, the body being provided on an underlying surface extending laterally from underneath the body. The method may include positioning a first area of a body of a transparent material with an inclined or curved surface and a second area of the underlying surface extending laterally from underneath the body under an optical profiler, measuring a height map of the first area and the second area with the optical profiler; and calculating a height map of the inclined or curved surface by using the refractive index, the measured height map of the first area and the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Johannes Anna Quaedackers
  • Patent number: 10292445
    Abstract: A dosimetry apparatus includes at least one sensor in a housing, a cover configured to permit compression waves to pass through, the cover is seated over the at least one sensor, and a dosimetry processing device with a memory. The dosimetry processing device is coupled to the at least one sensor in the housing. The dosimetry processing device is configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory comprising: obtaining readings from the at least one sensor; storing the readings with a time and date stamp when obtained; conducting an analysis based on the obtained readings; and outputting at least one of the stored readings or the conducted analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: David A. Borkholder, Werner Fassler, Andrew Blair, Kim Sherman, Derek DeBusschere
  • Patent number: 10288452
    Abstract: A sensor for an encoder. The sensor includes a sensing circuit, an active setting module, an inactive setting module, and a sensor interface. The sensing circuit module is configured to generate an output signal related to a sensed characteristic. The active setting module includes a first pole width setting. The first pole width setting is associated with a first pole width for the encoder. The first pole width setting is accessible by the sensing circuit module. The inactive setting module includes second pole width setting. The second pole width setting is associated with a second pole width for the encoder. The second pole width setting is not accessible by the sensing circuit module. The sensor interface is configured for retrieving the second pole width setting from the inactive setting module and writing the second pole width setting to the active setting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventor: John Santos
  • Patent number: 10281495
    Abstract: A switcher transmits, to an extractor/signal determiner, a converted current signal generated by a current-voltage converter when a converted current signal determiner determines that the converted current signal is generated by transmission of a current signal over a communication line, in the meantime, performs a switch-over so as not to transmit, to the extractor/signal determiner, a converted voltage signal generated by a voltage sensor. In addition, the switcher transmits, to the extractor/signal determiner, the converted voltage signal when a converted voltage signal determiner determines that the converted voltage signal is generated by transmission of a voltage signal over a communication line, in the meantime, performs a switch-over so as not to transmit, to the extractor/signal determiner, the converted current signal generated by the current-voltage converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Endo, Yoshiaki Koizumi, Takuya Mukai
  • Patent number: 10262552
    Abstract: In a ball movement state measuring system with a ball, a sensing module, a wireless communication module, a power supply and an induction coil, the speed, rotation speed, rotation axis and trace of the ball at first movement state are calculated based on first accelerated speed and first angular velocity of the ball at first movement state and first movement result is obtained by the processor. The speed, rotation speed, rotation axis and trace of the ball at second movement state are calculated based on speed and rotation axis of the ball at first movement state, second accelerated speed and environment parameter of the ball at second movement state and second movement result is obtained by the processor. The ball is forced by gravity, applied force and air resistance at first movement state, and the ball is forced by gravity, air resistance and centripetal force at second movement state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventors: Ching-Lun Lin, Yu-Lin Wang, Yin-Lin Chen, Hsin-Hsi Li, Hong-Lin Chen, Pei-Yin Tsai, I-Tai Wu, Hsuan-Bin Huang
  • Patent number: 10251382
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a wearable device used to record fishing data. The wearable device may include a housing. The housing may include a sensor or sensors to detect motion. The housing may include a computer system with a processor and memory. The memory may have a plurality of executable instructions. When the executable instructions are executed by the processor, the processor may receive motion data from the sensor or sensors and determine whether a cast has been made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: NAVICO HOLDING AS
    Inventor: Paul Robert Bailey
  • Patent number: 10254318
    Abstract: A method of estimating an input power of a motor comprises determining an output power of the motor; determining a speed of the motor; calculating a scaling factor as a function of the speed of the motor; and estimating the input power as a function of the scaling factor and the output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Prakash B. Shahi, Robert J. Ploof, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10228357
    Abstract: An egg flat identification system for identifying an egg flat among a collection of egg flats is provided. Such a system includes a first measurement device configured to determine a first measurement of a plurality of eggs carried by an egg flat. A processor is in communication with the first measurement device. The processor is configured to receive the first measurements from the first measurement device. A second measurement device is configured to determine a second measurement of the eggs in the collection of egg flats. The second measurement device is in communication with the processor such that the processor is capable of receiving the second measurements. The processor compares the second measurements with the first measurements so as to identify a respective egg flat among the collection of egg flats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Zoetis Services LLC
    Inventors: William Douglas Samson, John Hilbert Hebrank
  • Patent number: 10221746
    Abstract: The invention provides a technique for more accurately executing failure diagnosis for an exhaust gas control apparatus having both a selective reduction function and a filter function. To this end, a failure diagnosis apparatus according to the invention for the exhaust gas control apparatus having both the selective reduction function and the filter function computes a NOx purification rate pertaining to a case where the exhaust gas control apparatus is normal based on an estimated value of the amount of particulate matter (PM) collected or accumulated in the exhaust gas control apparatus and an estimated value of the NO2 ratio of exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust gas control apparatus, and determines that the exhaust gas control apparatus fails when the difference between the result of the calculation and an actual NOx purification rate exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Kidokoro, Arifumi Matsumoto, Kazuya Takaoka, Hirokazu Nishijima, Taiga Hagimoto, Yuki Terui, Akifumi Uozumi
  • Patent number: 10223325
    Abstract: The sail force gauge utilizes an electronic system to measure the vectored force of the mainsheet or jib sheet. By gaining the vectored force of the sheet, a relative vectored force upon the sail can be acquired thru simple trigonometric equations. To obtain the vectored force measurement, a multi-axis load cell will measure the force in the lateral and axial directions. These forces can be used to calculate the vectored force of the mainsheet. By knowing the dimensions of the boom length, the sheet block positions, and the vector angle, the resultant angle of the boom can be calculated as well as the perpendicular sail force acting upon the boom. From these calculations, the relative axial force acting upon the boat can be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Jeffrey A Lawrence