Patents Examined by Paul P. Gordon
  • Patent number: 6597959
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a process (10), having at least two sub-processes (20, 30), by tracking, processing and correcting variables for the product, the production means and/or any process media throughout the process line. The process flow for the first sub-process (20) is divided into slices, each slice representing a specific volume of process flow. At least some of the measured and sampled variable values are related to its specific slice volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Stefan Backa, Erik Dahlquist, Thomas Liljenberg
  • Patent number: 6594553
    Abstract: The present invention provides, according to one aspect thereof, a computer controlled process for reducing SO2 from a flue gas. The process includes the basic steps of providing an aqueous treatment solution containing an inorganic salt and a control unit for controlling the introduction of the aqueous treatment solution containing an inorganic salt and controlling the control unit in response to a computer program to effect introduction of the aqueous treatment solution into contact with alkaline earth material. Thereafter, the process includes heating the alkaline earth material in the presence of the flue gas containing SO2 to remove the SO2. The alkaline earth material may be limestone or dolomite. The inorganic salt is selected from the group consisting of thermally decomposable sodium compounds including sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium nitrate, and sodium acetate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Kurt W. Johnson, Ferdinand A. Ruszala, Peter T. Stromberg, Herbert E. Andrus, Jr., James F. Durant
  • Patent number: 6594529
    Abstract: A programmable logic controller with enhanced and extended the capabilities. A digital input filter implement filters with considerable less logic by simulating the action of a capacitor being driven by a constant current source whose output voltage is sensed by a comparator with a large amount of hysterisis. A pulse catch circuit captures the input pulse even though the update occurs between scan cycles. A pulse output controller includes a hardware pipeline mechanism to allow for smooth, hardware-controlled transitions from wave-form to wave-form. A free port link allows the user to control the port either manually or by operation of a user program. In order to provide higher performance for communication using PPI protocol, the PLC includes a built-in protocol. An n-bit modem protocol ensures data integrity without use of a parity type data integrity system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation
    Inventors: Mark Steven Boggs, Temple L. Fulton, Steve Hausman, Gary McNabb, Alan McNutt, Steven W. Stimmel
  • Patent number: 6587738
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for optimizing locomotive assignments on a railroad network. The locomotives are assigned to power and signaling classes, based on equipment installed within each locomotive. An objective function is set forth that considers the cost of moving extra power in the network, the penalties incurred for late train departures due to the failure to assign an appropriately-equipped locomotive and the cost of train operation. Various constraints are set forth that must be taken into consideration when optimizing the objective function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: GE-Harris Railway Electronics, L.L.C.
    Inventor: John M. Belcea
  • Patent number: 6587736
    Abstract: A distributed object for use in a networked computer system including a host computer and a remote computer, where the remote computer is in electronic communication with a device, is disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including a first member component implemented and stored on the host computer, and a second member component implemented and stored on the host computer. The second member component is in electronic communication with the remote computer, and the second member component functions to access data on the remote computer. The distributed object may be part of an object hierarchy. The object hierarchy includes a base class having member data and functions common to a set of remote computers, where the base class is implemented and stored on the host computer. The object hierarchy may also include a first subclass derived from the base class. The first subclass may be implemented and stored on the host computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: emWare, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Howard, William R. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6584367
    Abstract: A Y stage is capable of translational driving in the Y-axial direction, by independently controllable Y1 linear motor and Y2 linear motor. The amount of movement of the Y stage is detected by a Y1 linear encoder and Y2 linear encoder, and fed back to a Y control system and &thgr; control system. The Y control system outputs a translational thrust command value, by receiving the average value of each positional detecting value measured by the Y1 linear encoder and Y2 linear encoder as the stage translational direction position feedback value. The &thgr; control system receives the difference between each position detecting value as a stage yawing direction position feedback value, and outputs a yawing direction thrust command value. A non-interference block outputs Y1 linear motor thrust command value and Y2 linear motor thrust command value, by the use of the translational thrust command value and the thrust command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Makino, Yoshiyuki Tomita, Hidehiko Mori
  • Patent number: 6574519
    Abstract: A method of calculating the amount of a repair work of a vehicle body including marking pulling-out points of a damaged part at prescribed intervals in the damaged part of the panel of the vehicle body, counting the number of points marked , and calculating the amount of a repair work in the damaged part of the vehicle body by multiplying the points counted by a prescribed time or a prescribed area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventor: Tateo Uegaki
  • Patent number: 6571140
    Abstract: A system and method provide the creation and operation of remote real-time data monitoring and control systems. Such applications include a communications gateway coupled to real-time devices. The communications gateway transforms the real time data collected from disparate and non-interoperable systems in a single common data format. The communications gateway provides an object server with a list of the real-time devices to which the communications gateway is connected, and their attributes. The object server publishes this list. Subscribers can access this list, and request subscriptions to specific attributes of certain devices. The object server creates a data object corresponding to the requested information. A subscriber includes a service agent which accesses the object server. In addition, a subscriber may also comprise presentation cells, which provide a representation and mapping of data objects and hence underlying devices and systems, to allow a user to manage and control such systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Eutech Cybernetics Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Bandu J. Wewalaarachchi, M. V. Priyantha Gunasekera, Haritharan Gunasingham, Rohana Liyanarachchi
  • Patent number: 6571149
    Abstract: A computer processing system for a shipment transaction involving a shipper and a carrier. The system is particularly suited to efficiently automate the payment of a shipment transaction and to efficiently provide access to relevant shipment information. The system includes a shipper processor which receives purchase order information and assists in generating a bill of lading for the transaction. A shipper access terminal interfaces between the shipper processor and a central processor arrangement to control the quantity, quality, and timeliness of information transferred to the central processor arrangement. The central processor arrangement stores selective shipment information and generates reports regarding the transactions. A carrier processor provides proof of delivery to the central processor arrangement. The central processor communicates with one or more financial institutions so that the carrier is paid and shipper billed for the relevant transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: U.S. Bancorp
    Inventor: Dean W. Hahn-Carlson
  • Patent number: 6571137
    Abstract: A system for reducing jitter in a signal includes a processor and a timer. The processor is configured to operate a first program and a second program. The timer is configured to generate a first interrupt a predetermined time before a second interrupt and to provide the interrupts to the processor. The processor is further configured to switch operation from the first program to the second program in response to the first interrupt and to perform time sensitive tasks upon receipt of the second interrupt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Reiner Müller
  • Patent number: 6571133
    Abstract: A method, in particular for monitoring, controlling and adjusting a process, wherein a signal processing instruction is synthesized on a computer-assisted user interface by arranging and connecting icons (6, 7), and generated by the computer from base modules containing individual instructions, one base module being allocated to each icon (6, 7), and the individual instructions of the selected base modules being linked to one another according to the graphic integration of the symbols (6, 7) for transmitting and/or processing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Micro-Epsilon Messtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Mandl, Johann Nommer, Erich Fuchs, Bernhard Sick
  • Patent number: 6571141
    Abstract: A security system for controlling access to motion control systems. The security system limits access to application programming interface (API) functions. The limitations on API functions can be implemented as a denial of access to certain restricted functions and/or as a limitation on certain controlled parameters employed by certain restricted functions. The security system may allow or disallow access based on users or accounts. The security system may also be programmed to prevent access to certain functions arbitrarily as determined by a system administrator or on criteria such as the status of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Roy-G-Biv Corporation
    Inventor: David W. Brown
  • Patent number: 6567712
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of radio navigation and, more specifically, it relates to methods of determining the current values of the orbital position of the artificial satellite of the Earth which is used in a satellite radio navigation system (SRNS), by the ephemeredes and can be used when performing the radio navigation measurements in the equipment of the consumers of the SRNS signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrey Leonidovich Rog, Natalia P. Kakoshkina, Vladimir N. Ivanov, Gennady S. Tzekhanovich, Viktor I. Malashin, Serguey B. Pisarev, Denis G. Poverennyi, Boris V. Shebshaevich, Mikhail Yu. Silin
  • Patent number: 6564108
    Abstract: A method to present auxiliary lighting for enhancing a scene during a multimedia presentation. The method in photonic enclosure comprising the steps of: coupling one or more illumination sources over a network, so that at least one illumination source of the one or more illumination sources is capable of being uniquely addressed; displaying a multimedia presentation; reading a series of preprogrammed illumination identifiers stored in computer readable medium corresponding with the primary multimedia presentation; interpreting one or more illumination identifiers to set one or more illumination sources for a period of time and to set the address of at least one of the one or more illumination sources; and sending a set signal in response to the interpretation of the one more illumination identifiers to one or more illumination sources over the network. In another embodiment, a gaming helmet is disclosed as the photonic enclosure used to carry out the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: The DelFin Project, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Makar, Joseph M. Mosley, Tracy A. Tindall
  • Patent number: 6560495
    Abstract: The detectors, which are adapted to detect operation signals from operating devices for inputting actuation commands to a work machine, and hydraulic system locking switch, which is adapted to command locking so as to halt the work machine or unlocking to enable the work machine to resume working, are connected to a logic circuit adapted to compute the method of locking the work machine based on signals input from these components. A hydraulic system locking electromagnetic selector valve adapted to maintain or release the work machine at or from the locked state is connected to the logic circuit. In case an unlocking command is sent in the situation where there is an outstanding operation signal input to the work machine, the logic circuit maintains the work machine at the locked state until a safety check is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideto Furuta, Naoyuki Moriya
  • Patent number: 6556878
    Abstract: A method, user interface, computer storage medium and propagated signal for representing an architectural plan diagram on a graphical user interface connected to an interactive communications network is provided. The method includes the steps of displaying an architectural plan diagram on a graphical user interface, wherein the architectural plan diagram has multiple color-filled objects defined by voids, wherein the objects and voids represent features of an architectural plan; and displaying an architectural plan diagram key having a plurality of colored icons, each icon having associated feature information describing a functional feature, wherein the color of the colored icons corresponds to the color of the colored-filled objects such that each of the color-filled objects is associated with the feature information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Randall Jon Fielding
  • Patent number: 6546308
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system of inspecting a product, including extracting defects from the product, classifying the defects on the basis of information about the extracted defects representing the analogy of the defects, extracting the feature data of the defects on the basis of the result of defect classification, and feeding back the feature data of the extracted defects for inspection. The method and system is characterized in that the extracted feature data of the defects is fed back for inspecting the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd,
    Inventors: Yuji Takagi, Hideaki Doi, Makoto Ono
  • Patent number: 6539269
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for performance support configured to operate on at least one processor by a user. The system comprises content configured as granules of information in multi-media formats. The system further comprises a computer based learning module configured with performance-centered situated based instruction to generate a subset of the content having selected granules of information and at least one of the multi-media formats based upon a user selection. The system further comprises a user interface configured to generate the subset of content having the selected granules of information in the multi-media format for viewing by the user. Applications automate complex tasks by embedding business rules and procedures into the applications. Reference interventions are included that generate content, such as policies and procedures, in the form of references and cue cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Payless Shoesource, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamara L. Jarrow, Gary D. Elsbernd
  • Patent number: 6539286
    Abstract: A fluid level sensor is used in a container in a system for dispensing adhesive used in the formation of electronic devices. The sensor includes a pair of electrical conductors positioned inside the container. A voltage is applied across the conductors to cause a current flow through the fluid in the container. The magnitude of the current flow represents the amount of fluid remaining in the container. If an empty container is detected, the system is shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tongbi Jiang
  • Patent number: 6535772
    Abstract: In generating tone waveform data for each fixed or variable section via software of a personal computer or the like, a generation start condition is changed depending on an application of the waveform data. When the waveform data is to be sounded in real time, various programs are activated in synchronism with predetermined cycles, such as tempo clock and frame cycles, in order to generate the waveform data at accurate timing. When, on the other hand, the waveform data is to be recorded in a waveform file, various programs are activated on condition that waveform data generation processing has already been completed for a preceding section. Such arrangements can eliminate limitations to processing times of the programs and thereby provide a tone waveform of high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Miyamori, Yuichi Sekido