Patents Examined by Thomas H. Stevens
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Patent number: 7818071Abstract: This invention discloses a system for controlling and optimizing production operations oil and/or gas production wells and facilities, which are equipped with sensors that generate raw reservoir, production and/or production equipment performance data. This system collects raw data processes it in a central data center to produce component data and system performance data.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Peter Laurens Hartkamp, Sebastiaan Arnold Paul Joseph Hendriksen
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Patent number: 7813815Abstract: An integrated circuit contains within the chip one or more measuring devices that provide a digital value corresponding to respective physical operating parameters of the chip. The digital values can be communicated to other devices using an interrupt handler.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2006Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Herschel Ainspan, Philip G. Emma, Rick A. Rand, Arthur R Zingher
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Patent number: 7813831Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for controlling a plurality of devices having at least two operating modes comprises a first software operating layer configured to control the operation of at least one of the devices in a first operational mode and a second software operating layer configured to control the operation of at least one of the devices in a second operational mode. In another embodiment, a control system for controlling a plurality of devices connected by a communications network comprises a user interface configured to receive the selection of a cycle of operation; a first system element isolated from the network and configured to implement the selected cycle of operation to define a first control state; and a second system element exposed to the network and configured to implement the selected cycle of operation to define a second control state.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Richard A. McCoy, Matthew P. Ebrom, Mark E. Glotzbach, Andrew D. Whipple, Patrick J. Glotzbach
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Patent number: 7813817Abstract: An online data driven computerized procedures system that guides an operator through a complex process facility's operating procedures. The system monitors plant data, processes the data and then, based upon this processing, presents the status of the current procedure step and/or substep to the operator. The system supports multiple users and a single procedure definition supports several interface formats that can be tailored to the individual user. Layered security controls access privileges and revisions are version controlled. The procedures run on a server that is platform independent of the user workstations that the server interfaces with and the user interface supports diverse procedural views.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co LLCInventors: Melvin H. Lipner, Roger A. Mundy, Michael D. Franusich
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Patent number: 7813814Abstract: Systems and methods for the control of distributed systems are presented, particularly virtual power plants. Control software therefore communicates through an interface with decentralized devices. Modules are provided to formulate strategies based on predicted demand for the system, for controlling individual system devices, for system evaluation, for accounting purposes and to provide a user interface.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: SAP AGInventor: Uwe Dittes
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Patent number: 7809461Abstract: In estimating a curved surface model by approximating the shape of the board surface of a circuit board, auxiliary measurement spots are set other than measurement spots on the board surface, eligibility as a sampling displacement magnitude in estimating a curved surface model is determined according to a difference in a displacement magnitude from a work reference surface. When the sampling displacement magnitude is determined to be ineligible, a new measurement spot is reset. By this operation, a local increase and decrease in the displacement magnitude due to a discontinuity of the board surface exerts no influence on the estimation of the curved surface model, and the curved surface model approximated more closely to the shape of the actual board surface is estimated, leading to an improvement in the work quality with the working height adjusted to the proper height.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2006Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Takahiro Noda, Tadashi Endo, Osamu Okuda, Kazuhide Nagao
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Patent number: 7809455Abstract: A die is produced based on die model data. The produced die is corrected. The corrected die is three-dimensionally measured by a measuring tool to produce measured three-dimensional die data. A polygonal surface represented by the measured three-dimensional die data and a model surface represented by the die model data are compared with each other. The polygonal surface is brought into proximity to the model surface, and the absolute values of the distances between a plurality of pairs of measuring points on the polygonal surface and corresponding points on the model surface are calculated. The die model data are corrected based on the absolute values of the distances.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2008Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshio Kanai, Koji Hara
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Patent number: 7792603Abstract: An approximate curve generation method according to the present invention generates an approximate curve as smooth as an original curve from point group data obtained by approximating a curve shape, and includes: an approximate polygon shape range determining step of sectioning point group data for each line segment of an approximate polygon shape which is generated when the point group data approximating the curve shape are obtained, and sorting the point group data close to a section boundary as valid point group data, and the point group data inside the valid point group data as invalid point group data; and an approximate curve generating step of regarding only the valid point group data, and generating an approximate curve passing through or close to the regarded valid point group data as an approximate curve to be finally obtained.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2007Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Okuma CorporationInventor: Katsuya Hioki
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Patent number: 7787982Abstract: The object is to aim at the reduction in the influence of noises in an output of an AE sensor in a working machine. In a working system comprising a working device for working a work W by causing a tool 14 to come into contact work W, an AE sensor 21, and an AE signal processing section 22 for processing an AE signal output from the AE sensor, AE signal processing section 22 comprises an A/D converter 33 for converting an AE signal into a digital signal, a frequency analysis section 34 for calculating the frequency characteristics of a digital AE signal, storage sections 35, 37 for storing the frequency characteristics when the tool is not in contact with the work or tool dresser as non-contact frequency characteristics, and a difference calculation section 35 for calculating a difference between the frequency characteristics of the detected digital AE signal and the non-contact frequency characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazuo Meki
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Patent number: 7787970Abstract: A position-measuring device having integrated function testing includes a position-recording unit, a processing unit, and a control-word generator. In a positional-data request, a positional-data word is first generated in the position-recording unit and output to the processing unit. There, the position data word is processed into a position value. Subsequently, a control-data word is generated in the position-recording unit according to the specification of the control-word generator and output to the processing unit. The processing unit processes the control-data word into a control value which has a defined mathematical relationship to the position value.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2005Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventors: Erich Strasser, Elmar Mayer
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Patent number: 7787995Abstract: A system (400) and method for controlling an operation of an electrical power network (420) is described. The method includes configuring an allowable performance of an electrical power network over a predetermined time period as a probability expression comprising a historical term and a future term having an electrical power network operating condition variable. The method also includes calculating a network performance target value (300) according to the probability expression by using a historical electrical power network operating condition value for the electrical power network operating condition variable. The method further includes using the performance target value for controlling the electrical power network effective to achieve the allowable performance. The system includes a database (406), a processor (404) coupled to the database, and a monitoring and control module (410) coupled to the processor.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventor: Dingguo Chen
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Patent number: 7783457Abstract: A system including multiple devices that each have a sensor and are each configured to communicate with other devices. The system further includes a controller configured to provide command information that specifies a mode of operation of the devices. In a first mode of operation, the devices transmit communication signals and a given device modifies a strength of its communication signal from an initial strength to a final strength based on communication signals it receives from one or more other devices. And in a second mode of operation, the devices transmit communication signals and the given device dynamically adjusts a strength of its communication signal based communication signals it receives from one or more other devices and on measurements performed by the sensor in the given device.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.Inventor: Helen A. Cunningham
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Patent number: 7769493Abstract: The system for controlling flow characteristics allows a user to selectively modify the inherent fluid flow characteristics of a fluid transmission system including a flow process controller and a control valve positioner. The system includes a programmable flow controller having an input adapted for receiving an input signal from the flow process controller. The programmable flow controller selectively modifies the input signals generated by the flow process controller depending upon user-selectable flow parameters. An output is in communication with the programmable flow controller, with the output being adapted for transmitting output signals to the control valve positioner (and the valve connected thereto). A user interface is provided for inputting the user-selectable flow parameters to the programmable flow controller for modification of the input signal to the user-selectable flow parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2008Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Moustafa Elshafei, Ashraf Yousef Dasa
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Patent number: 7769474Abstract: A method to supervise a local dynamical system having multiple preset control objectives and operating in conjunction with other dynamical systems. The method includes receiving state input from dynamical systems in an environment at a distributed soft computing level, generating weights and applying the weights to the preset control objectives using soft computing methods to form weighted control objectives. The weights are computed based on the received state input. The method also includes generating a command signal for the local dynamical system based on the weighted control objectives and transmitting the command signal to a controller in the local dynamical system.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Kingsley O. C. Fregene, Ranjana Ghosh, Nitin Lamba
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Patent number: 7769480Abstract: In an inspection procedure of a completed product of an automatic transmission main body at a unit factory, a control system transmits a control signal to an actuator to receive characteristic data (hardware performance information) output in response to operation of the automatic transmission main body according to the control signal. The hardware performance information of the automatic transmission main body is brought into correspondence with hardware identification information, and set in a database as learning value data. The learning value data of the automatic transmission main body is transferred to a vehicle factory to be aggregated in a database management system at the vehicle factory.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoyuki Kano, Masato Matsubara
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Patent number: 7765021Abstract: A method, and computer program product and system for performing the method, is provided for designing a mask used in the manufacture of semiconductor integrated circuits, in which a model of the lithographic process is used during the mask design process. More particularly, the on-wafer process model is a function of optical image parameters that are calibrated using measurements from a test pattern. An uncertainty metric for the predicted response simulated by the on-wafer process model is computed for a given evaluation point of interest as a function of a distance metric between the collective optical image parameters simulated at the given evaluation point and the collective optical image parameters at the calibration data points. The uncertainty metric preferably is also a function of the sensitivity of the on-wafer process model response to changes in the optical image parameters.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Scott M. Mansfield, Lars W. Liebmann, Mohamed Talbi
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Patent number: 7761190Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a wind turbine system. The wind turbine system includes a wind turbine generator operable to supply wind turbine power to a utility system. A converter is coupled to the wind turbine generator and the utility system. The wind turbine system also includes a controller comprising an internal reference frame of the wind turbine generator, coupled to the converter, and configured for modulating flow of power through the converter in response to frequency disturbances or power swings of the utility system relative to the internal reference frame.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2008Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert William Delmerico, Nicholas Wright Miller
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Patent number: 7761271Abstract: Device, method and system for displaying data of a machine control system. Status data for at least one element of the system, which represent at least one physical state variable, are received. The status data, which are received for the element, are represented in a circuit diagram which displays, at least for the element, the electrical/physical connection of the element in the system.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2003Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Krones AGInventors: Robert Giehrl, Stefan Ramsauer
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Patent number: 7761269Abstract: A system for subjective evaluation of a vehicle design within a virtual environment includes a scaleable physical property representative of the vehicle design and a computer system for digitally creating a virtual environment having a virtual human immersed within. The system also includes a motion capture system for sensing a motion of an evaluator and communicating the sensed motion of the evaluator to the computer system and a virtual reality display mechanism for providing the evaluator a view of the virtual environment while evaluating the vehicle design.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2000Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Juliet C. Kraal, Daniel Arbitter
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Patent number: 7756590Abstract: An appliance control system is described for controlling a plurality of appliances. The system includes a control station located remotely from the appliances and having a control unit for controlling the plurality of appliances, at least one client station being associated with at least one of the plurality of appliances and being adapted for allowing a user to make requests to the control station for using the at least one of the plurality of appliances, actuators connected to the control station and the at least one of the plurality of appliances for receiving control signals from the control station and controlling the at least one of the plurality of appliances, and sensors connected to the water appliance and the control station for recording information about the at least one of the plurality of appliances and providing the information to the control station.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2009Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: DyMOCOM, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Debourke, Matthew Troke