Patents Examined by Patrick J Assouad
  • Maintenance request systems and methods
    Patent number: 7133804
    Abstract: A method for requesting one or more machines to be maintained includes monitoring the machine or machines and detecting when a failure of at least one machine occurs. The method further includes executing a computer program on an electronic terminal associated with the failed machine. The method further includes entering data relating to the condition of the failed machine into the computer program via the electronic terminal and transmitting the data to a database server, thereby initiating a process to alter the condition of the failed machine. In one embodiment of the method, the database server compiles historical data relating to the condition of the one or more machines. The historical information may be used in a predictive maintenance environment to further minimize downtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: First Data Corporatino
    Inventors: Mark Tonack, Henry M. Abelman, Kenneth Algiene
  • Method for reconstructing complex wave attributes from limited view measurements
    Patent number: 7124044
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reconstructing complex wave attributes from limited view measurements of a scattering object. The method involves the analytic continuation of the Fourier transform of the object function into the area in which there is an absence of K-space coverage by requiring objects to be an even function. (It is assumed that physical objects are even functions, and it is this assumption that allows analytic continuation.) When the object function is not centered at the origin, the measurements are shifted to the origin prior to determining the analytic continuation and returned to their original location following analytic continuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Alan Witten
  • Methods and apparatus for classifying and selecting wine
    Patent number: 7124035
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for classifying wine in terms of fruit and non-fruit flavors. A first scale is provided for scoring wine in terms of fruit flavor, and a second scale is provided for scoring wine in terms of non-fruit flavor. The first and second scales may be displayed in a two-dimensional chart, and the fruit and non-fruit scores of particular wines may be displayed on the chart to visually communicate wine flavor information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Taste, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglass W. Tomlinson
  • Method in an integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing process for identifying and redirecting IC's mis-processed during their manufacture
    Patent number: 7124050
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing IC devices from semiconductor wafers includes providing the wafers and fabricating ICs on the wafers. At probe, a unique fuse ID is stored in each IC, and an electronic wafer map is electronically stored for each wafer indicating the locations of good and bad ICs on the wafer and the fuse IDs of the ICs on the wafer. Each IC is then separated from its wafer to form an IC die, and the IC dice are assembled into IC devices. At the opens/shorts test at the end of assembly, the fuse ID of each IC in each device is automatically retrieved so the wafer map of the IC device may be accessed and evaluated to identify any IC devices containing bad ICs that have accidentally been assembled into IC devices. Any “bad” IC devices are discarded while remaining IC devices continue on to back-end testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond J. Beffa
  • Lamp monitoring and control system and method
    Patent number: 7120560
    Abstract: A system and method for remotely monitoring and/or controlling an apparatus and specifically for remotely monitoring and/or controlling street lamps. The lamp monitoring and control system comprises lamp monitoring and control units, each coupled to a respective lamp to monitor and control, and each transmitting monitoring data having at least an ID field and a status field; and at least one base station, coupled to a group of the lamp monitoring and control units, for receiving the monitoring data, wherein each of the base stations includes an ID and status processing unit for processing the ID field of the monitoring data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: A.D. Air Data, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Williams, Michael F. Young
  • System and method for categorical analysis of time dependent dynamic processes
    Patent number: 7117108
    Abstract: A system and method for performing a categorical analysis on one or more time dependent dynamic processes is provided. A reference library of data pertaining to multiple characteristics of time series reflective of the dynamic process is created and used to define selected categories for performing the categorical analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventors: Paul Ernest Rapp, Christopher Joseph Cellucci, Tanya Schmah
  • Lamp monitoring and control unit and method
    Patent number: 7113893
    Abstract: A unit and method for remotely monitoring and/or controlling an apparatus and specifically for remotely monitoring and/or controlling street lamps. The lamp monitoring and control unit comprises a processing and sensing unit for sensing at least one lamp parameter of an associated lamp, and for processing the lamp parameter to monitor and control the associated lamp by outputting monitoring data and control information, and a transmit unit for transmitting the monitoring data, representing the at least one lamp parameter, from the processing and sensing unit. The method for monitoring and controlling a lamp comprises the steps of: sensing at least one lamp parameter of an associated lamp; processing the at least one lamp parameter to produce monitoring data and control information; transmitting the monitoring data; and applying the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: A.L. Air Data, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Williams, Michael F. Young, Hunter V. Jones
  • Apparatus and method for managing the performance of an electronic device
    Patent number: 7110913
    Abstract: The present invention provides a performance management system and method for generating a plurality of forecasts for one or more electronic devices. The forecasts are generated from stored performance data and analyzed to determine which devices are likely to experience performance degradation within a predetermined period of time. A single forecast is extracted for further analysis such that computer modeling may be performed upon the performance data to enable the user to predict when device performance will begin to degrade. In one embodiment, graphical displays are created for those devices forecasted to perform at an undesirable level such that suspect devices may be subjected to further analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Howard Marshall Monroe, Thomas Alan Mee
  • Phase measurement in measuring device
    Patent number: 7110899
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the phase of a signal in a measurement device having a digital signal processor are described. The signal is digitised and the digitised signal, or a signal derived therefrom, is numerically correlated with a numerically generated reference signal. In one embodiment, the reference signal has a predetermined phase. In a further embodiment, the numerically generated reference signal has a reference phase and the phase is determined from the result of the correlation. The techniques described herein may reduce the amount of information lost in determining the signal phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: ABB Limited
    Inventor: Troy Wray
  • Magnetic levitation force control
    Patent number: 7107163
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for predicting attractive magnetic levitation force comprising measuring flux density for a component of an attractive magnetic levitation system and computing a predicted attractive magnetic levitation force from the flux density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: John G. Hughes
  • Method for modeling system performance
    Patent number: 7107187
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for modeling the performance of a system comprising computer software operating on computer hardware. In accordance with the present invention, system performance is modeled by fitting non-linear curves to data points for system performance parameters, such as response time and throughput, as a function of load. Data points may be measured in testing may be measured through monitoring a system operating in a production environment. While a variety of non-linear curves may be used in accordance with the present invention, a logarithmic curve may be used to model system throughput and an exponential curve may be used to model system response time. By defining a relationship between throughput and response time a distance may be calculated between the curves, and this distance may be used to determine an optimal load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Dean Lee Saghier, Justin A. Martin
  • Determining an operational limit of a power transmission line
    Patent number: 7107162
    Abstract: In a method, computer program and system for determining an operational limit of a power transmission line, time-stamped current phasor information and voltage phasor information for a first end and a second end of the line are determined, an ohmic resistance of the line is computed from the phasor information, and an average line temperature is computed from the ohmic resistance. This allows to determine the average line temperature without dedicated temperature sensors. The average line temperature represents the actual average temperature and is largely independent of assumptions regarding line parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Marek Zima, Christian Rehtanz, Mats Larsson
  • Method and a computer for handling operational data of wind power plants
    Patent number: 7099800
    Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for collecting data from a wind turbine plant, where data are collected regularly. The collected data made can be stored, where corrections are performed on the stored data. The method also maintains or stores the originally collected data, so that reports may be generated to represent selected data in a plurality of different types of reports. Accordingly, a wind turbine plant may be controlled in relation to originally collected data and in relation to possible correction made to the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Neg Micon Control Systems A/S
    Inventors: Ulrik Husted Henriksen, Nicolaj From Mensberg
  • Method and apparatus for preventing overloads of power distribution networks
    Patent number: 7099784
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring power in power distribution systems are provided. In one aspect, a system for monitoring power includes a power monitoring device that measures a value of at least one characteristic of power provided to a branch of a power distribution system. The power monitoring device includes an output that provides the value measured. The system further includes a controller having an input to receive the value measured and an output that couples to a first device powered by the branch to send a maximum power signal to the first device to command the first device to operate at a percentage of maximum power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James Spitaels, Neil Rasmussen
  • System for changing and/or evaluating a speed signal
    Patent number: 7099795
    Abstract: A system for a transmission of several additional pieces of information by a single modification of a speed signal. In addition to the modification of the speed signal in the area near the wheel (modified speed sensor), the system provides the special evaluation of the speed signal, modified, at a distance from the wheel (controller). In addition, the system naturally also includes the combination of the special speed sensor and the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Gerstenmeier, Matthias Moerbe
  • System and method for automatic testing of output device capabilities via electronic document
    Patent number: 7096143
    Abstract: A system and related techniques automatically exercise the output capabilities of a printer or other output device, and return a log or record of those capabilities to the print manager of a host operating system or other destination. According to embodiments, the host, client or other machine may decide to query a printer, facsimile machine, copy or multifunction machine or other device to determine its range of output capabilities such as available fonts, graphical or rending routines, firmware compatibility or other functions or capabilities. The host may transmit a composite electronic document, containing various components including intermediate language objects which may be interpreted to execute various output processing, such as exercising a set of fonts, scaling, rotating, or other rendering or output functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Ternasky, Robert L. C. Parker, Michael M. Byrd, Adam Eversole, Joseph King, Michael Stokes
  • Report format editor for circuit test
    Patent number: 7096142
    Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) of a report format editor for circuit test displays a number of user-selectable representations of circuit test data. The GUI also displays a user-modifiable ASCII report format that is formed, at least in part, of placed ones of the user-selectable representations of circuit test data. Program code interprets the relative sizes and placements of elements forming the user-modifiable ASCII report format, and generates an ASCII format description file in response to the interpretation. A circuit test system then formats circuit test data in accordance with the ASCII format description file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Stanley Kolman
  • Method and system for calculating the transit time of an ultrasonic pulse
    Patent number: 7096135
    Abstract: An automated method and system for calculating the transit time of a pulsed signal transmitted from a first ultrasonic transducer to a second ultrasonic transducer is provided. The method includes measuring the amplitude of the pulsed signal received at the second transducer from the first transducer; measuring the amplitude of any noise proximate to the received pulsed signal; and calculating the signal to noise ratio of the received pulsed signal and the noise, respectively. If the signal to noise ratio is above a predetermined threshold, a first technique is automatically implemented for calculating the transit time of the received pulsed signal. If the signal to noise ratio is less than the predetermined threshold, a second different technique is automatically implemented for calculating the transit time of the received pulsed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Panametrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaolei S. Ao, Oleg A. Khrakovsky, Jeffrey D. Tilden
  • Clock trim mechanism for onboard system clock
    Patent number: 7096137
    Abstract: An integrated circuit, comprising a processor, an onboard system clock for generating a clock signal, and clock trim circuitry, the integrated circuit being configured to: (a) receive an external signal; (b) determine either the number of cycles of the clock signal during a predetermined number of cycles of the external signal, or the number of cycles of the external signal during a predetermined number of cycles of the clock signal; (c) store a trim value in the integrated circuit, the trim value having been determined on the basis of the determined number of cycles; and (d) use the trim value to control the internal clock frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research PTY LTD
    Inventors: Gary Shipton, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Large group interactions via mass communication network
    Patent number: 7092821
    Abstract: A method of supporting mass human-interaction events, including: providing a mass interaction event by a computer network (100) in which a plurality of participants (102) interact with each other by generating information comprising of questions, responses to questions and fact information for presentation to other participants and assimilating information: and controlling, automatically by a computer (104) the rate of information presentation to each participant, to be below a maximum information assimilation rate of each participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Invoke Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Aharon Ronen Mizrahi, Amir Meir Weisenstern