Patents Issued in February 19, 2008
-
Patent number: 7333878Abstract: A method of combining mail streams in a printing finishing process including the acts of generating a master mailing list having a sequence, forming a first mail stream, forming a second mail stream, and combining the first mail stream and the second mail stream according to the sequence of the master mailing list.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Quad/Graphics, Inc.Inventors: William T. Graushar, John C. Geres
-
Patent number: 7333879Abstract: An offline programming device capable of automatically generating a measuring program by which the time and the workload for making an offline program may be greatly reduced.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Fanuc LtdInventors: Katsutoshi Takizawa, Yoshiharu Nagatsuka, Hirohiko Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 7333880Abstract: A method and system for controlling distributed energy resources is provided. Notification of an upcoming regional power distribution event is received and a distributed energy resource affected by the upcoming event is determined or identified. A first notification message is sent to an affected distributed energy resource asset owner or other administrator to notify the distributed energy resource asset of the event. An event data process is initiated to monitor and collect data associated with the event and an event control process is initiated to control one or more affected distributed energy resource asset during the event. The event control process and the event data process are terminated at the end of the event.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: EnerNOC, Inc.Inventors: David B. Brewster, Timothy G. Healy
-
Patent number: 7333881Abstract: In a device for displaying maintenance procedures for motor vehicles with a display that has surface sections separate from one another on which information on the type of procedure and information on the due date of the procedure is displayed for each maintenance procedure, the information on the procedure is formed as a time line diagram. The due date is represented as a marking on the particular time line at a distance from a reference point common to the maintenance procedures corresponding to the length of time to the due date.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Andreas Binderberger
-
Patent number: 7333882Abstract: In a suspension control system a sky-hook command signal (B) obtained from velocity data obtained by integrating a sprung mass acceleration (?u) from a sprung mass acceleration sensor (9u) and an unsprung mass vibration damping command signal (C) obtained on the basis of an unsprung mass acceleration (?d) detected by an unsprung mass acceleration sensor (9d) are added together to obtain a control signal (A) for a damping characteristic inverting type shock absorber (6). The control signal (A) reflects the unsprung mass acceleration (?d) that leads in phase by 90° the piston speed. Accordingly, it is possible to compensate for a response delay due to an actuator (11), etc.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Toru Uchino, Nobuyuki Ichimaru, Masaaki Uchiyama
-
Patent number: 7333883Abstract: A logic for detecting vehicle rollover includes a first main activation path activated by vehicle lateral acceleration and a second main activation path activated by vehicle vertical acceleration. The logic also includes a first additional activation path activated by vehicle roll angle, a second additional activation path activated by vehicle roll rate, and a third additional activation path activated by vehicle longitudinal acceleration. Activation of each path results from the sensor specific for that path when the output exceeds a threshold value. Logic activation occurs when at least one main activation path and at least one additional activation path are activated.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mariusz Geborek, Abtin Darvish, Jens Haun
-
Patent number: 7333884Abstract: A rollover detection system for a vehicle comprises at least one sensor for the detection of the angle of rotation of the vehicle and/or at least one angular rate sensor, an electronic control device connected to the sensors as well as at least one safety device which can be activated via the control device in the event of a rollover scenario detected with reference to the sensor data. At least one irreversible safety device and at least one reversible safety device are provided. The control device distinguishes between at least one stage of a lower degree of severity and at least one stage of a higher degree of severity of the rollover scenario in the detection of a respective rollover scenario with reference to the sensor data in order to activate at least one reversible safety device in the case of a lower degree of severity and to activate at least one irreversible safety device in the case of a higher degree of severity.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Abtin Darvish, Markus Falkner, Jens Haun
-
Patent number: 7333885Abstract: There is provided an engine control unit to ensure operational performance and safety performance of a vehicle by carrying out switchover of combustion according to an operating condition of a vehicle (automobile). A vehicle peripheral condition such as vehicular gap, etc., a traveling geographical state, a condition that ensures vehicle stability, etc. are acquired, and switchover of combustion, for example, switchover between compression ignition combustion and spark ignition combustion is effected correspondingly.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Hiromu Kakuya, Shiro Yamaoka, Atsushi Shimada, Shinya Satou, Kunihiko Suzuki
-
Patent number: 7333886Abstract: In a method for estimating an injected quantity of fuel of an isolated injection, the segment time of the cylinder in which the isolated injection takes place is evaluated numerically by forming the second temporal derivation. With the aid of the second temporal derivation of the segment time the injection parameters are updated using test quantity-test torque characteristic map.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ralf Böhnig, Michael Hardt, Peter Ruβe
-
Patent number: 7333887Abstract: A computer implemented method for an aviation system to manage the temporal assignment of airport gates for use by a plurality of aircratf includes the steps of: (a) collecting and storing data, (b) processing the data to predict the trajectories of the aircraft, (c) processing the data to predict the loads imposed on the ground resources and gates (d) processing the data, trajectories and loads to identify the various possible ways to distribute the ground system resources and assign the gates so as to meet the time constraints of the predicted trajectories and loads, and (e) assigning to each of the plurality of aircraft a gate for use for a prescribed period.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Inventors: R. Michael Baiada, Lonnie H. Bowlin
-
Patent number: 7333888Abstract: A vehicle navigation system transmits navigation information to a vehicle display in form of video data in a standard video format. The video data may be displayed as a still or a moving image. The vehicle navigation system includes a decoder for decoding and displaying video data and a display that may be interfaced to a vehicle entertainment system. The video data may include map data, user information, directional instructions, video information (still or moving images) or information relating to a destination or point of interest.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbHInventor: Harald Schoepp
-
Patent number: 7333889Abstract: A car navigation system changes from a normal guidance mode to a simplifying guidance mode when determining that part or all of sections in a guidance route is familiar or specific to an occupant. The simplifying guidance mode provides no audio guidance or simplified audio guidance with respect to route-related information compared to the normal guidance mode, while traffic-related information is provided using the same audio guidance as in the normal guidance mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Masayuki Hashizume
-
Patent number: 7333890Abstract: The present invention provides a Chinese lunar calendar-based tidal prediction system and method that generate tidal predictions using empirical prediction models, wherein the empirical prediction models are generated using Genetic Algorithms-based regression analysis for a given set of observed tidal data collected at a water level station during a period of one year which is referred as reference year. In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tidal prediction system comprising an electronic device having a memory capacity as a storage medium for storing input, intermediate, and output information, and a processing capacity for executing embedded programs; a regression model creator program; and a tidal height predictor program; wherein both of programs are implemented in the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Nanyang PolytechnicInventor: Chunbao Zhu
-
Patent number: 7333891Abstract: Measurements are made with a multicomponent logging tool in an earth formation. The measurements are inverted without using a selected cross-component measurement. The model is then used to predict the value of the selected cross-component. A misalignment angle of the tool is estimated from the predicted and actual values of the selected cross-component.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Michael B. Rabinovich, Leonty A. Tabarovsky, Bill H. Corley, Luis M. Pelegri
-
Patent number: 7333892Abstract: A method with application for evaluation or production of a reservoir for determining multiphase flow parameters of a porous medium such as a rock, from the interpretation of displacement experiments. From an injection experiment on a rock sample, the saturation profiles are measured in different sections of the sample. The experimental data are then subjected to a preliminary interpretation by means of a numerical simulation code allowing production of simulated pressure profiles. These profiles are then combined with the measured saturation profiles so as to evaluate the local properties of the sample in terms of capillary pressure. These properties are then re-injected into the simulator as input data so as to finely interpret the flow parameters while respecting the evolutions of the differential pressure, of the displaced fluid production and of the saturation profiles.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Patrick Egermann, Roland Lenormand
-
Patent number: 7333893Abstract: Method for removing effects of shallow resistivity structures in electromagnetic survey data to produce a low frequency resistivity anomaly map, or alternatively imaging resistivity structures at their correct depth levels. The method involves solving Maxwell's electromagnetic field equations by either forward modeling or inversion, and requires at least two survey data sets, one taken at the source frequency selected to penetrate to a target depth, the other a higher frequency able to penetrate only shallow depths.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Olivier M. Burtz, James J. Carazzone, Dmitriy A. Pavlov
-
Patent number: 7333894Abstract: The disclosed invention pertains to methods for diagnosing clinical conditions that are common in hemodialysis patients and that may be related to abnormal carnitine metabolism resulting from hemodialysis. Further, the present invention pertains to methods for monitoring and improving the administration of therapeutic intravenous levocarnitine to such patients. Clinical algorithms have been developed for the clinical symptoms seen in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients that may be related to carnitine deficiency. Monitoring tools to assist healthcare professionals in implementing the clinical algorithms are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Brian Schreiber, Vyonne T. Lewis
-
Patent number: 7333895Abstract: The invention relates to a method of quality assurance/quality control for high-throughput bioassay processes. The method permits monitoring of an entire system for obtaining spectral data from biological samples. Generally, the method includes generating a bioassay process model, comparing a test sample against the bioassay process model. The bioassay process model may be based on the position of a centroid in n-dimensional space. The comparing may include comparing the location of a centroid associated with the test model against the centroid associated with the control model to determine the distance between the two centroids. By generating a trend plot of the distance between the centroid associated with the test sample and the centroid associated with the control model, overall system performance may be monitored over time.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Correlogic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ben A. Hitt, Peter J. Levine, Timothy A. Coleman
-
Patent number: 7333896Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of quality assurance/quality control for high-throughput bioassay processes. The method includes generating a bioassay process model, and then comparing spectral data based on a combination of a biochip and a test serum to the bioassay process model to determine if the test sample and the bioassay process are producing acceptable data. Alternatively, the method may include comparing spectral data based on a combination of serum and diluents used in an electrospray process to the bioassay process model. If the bioassay process and test sample fall within the model, then the spectrum produced may be further analyzed.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignees: Correlogic Systems, Inc., The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Ben A. Hitt, Peter J. Levine, Emanuel F. Petricoin, III
-
Patent number: 7333897Abstract: A system and method for determining a most likely material composition of an object. At least one respective stored radiation polarization transformation is stored for at least one material composition at a plurality of wavelengths. A transmitted electromagnetic signal with at least one wavelength within the plurality of wavelengths and that has a predetermined transmitted polarization profile is transmitted. The transmitted signal encounters an object and is received as at least one received signal. Processing determines a respective received polarization for each of the at least one wavelength of the received signal, determines a respective calculated polarization transformation between the transmitted polarization profile and the received polarization of the respective wavelength, for each of the at least one wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Glafkos Stratis, Eric T. Eaton, Salvador Sibecas
-
Patent number: 7333898Abstract: A system and method for assessing and monitoring a structure are provided. The system includes at least one non-destructive inspection sensor carried by the structure and configured for acquiring data in response to ambient events associated with the structure. The system also includes a data acquisition system configured to communicate with the non-destructive inspection sensor and provide information indicative of a defect in the structure based on the data acquired by the non-destructive inspection sensor in response to the ambient events.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Kenneth H. Griess, Gary E. Georgeson
-
Patent number: 7333899Abstract: A thermo-anemometer-type fluid flow rate sensor design and a method for its operation that overcome the response time limitations of prior known fluid flow rate sensors is disclosed. The fluid flow rate sensor includes a probe having a detection module adapted to change condition in response to the presence of the flow of the fluid, a control module that is electrically connected to the probe that monitors the condition of the detection module over time (e.g., a temperature), determines a rate of change of that condition over time, and generates an output that is indicative of the rate of flow of the fluid, and a I/O module connected to the control module to provide a means for communicating the output of the control module to another device or a user.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, IncorporatedInventors: Bernd D. Zimmermann, Tung-Sheng Yang, Lance A. Bostic
-
Patent number: 7333900Abstract: Described is a method for automatically initiating an update of a parasitic echo storage device in a fill level meter operating according to a runtime method. In this method individual echoes of echo curves of different ages are allocated, according to their typical echo characteristics, to global echo groups so that subsequently, after examining the behaviour over time of the echoes of the respective global echo curves, it can be judged whether the echoes of the respective global echo curves are useful echoes or parasitic echoes. Starting from this classification, the parasitic echo storage device is then updated with the oldest echoes of the corresponding global echo groups. Apart from the method for updating a parasitic echo storage device described is also an evaluation device for implementing the method as well as to a computer program and a computer program product for carrying out the method.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KGInventors: Roland Welle, Karl Griessbaum, Josef Fehrenbach, Thomas Deck, Martin Gaiser
-
Patent number: 7333901Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a small, low-cost, convenient transmitter system. The transmitter system detects physical quantities, converts the physical quantities into electrical signals, and allows the electrical signals to be transmitted to a load through a transmission line, comprising a main output circuit to be connected to a main instrumentation power supply and at least one subordinate output circuit to be connected to a subordinate instrumentation power supply.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Yokogawa Electric CorporationInventor: Masaaki Nikkuni
-
Patent number: 7333902Abstract: A system for determining an operating limit of at least one battery according to some embodiments of the present invention comprises a voltage module that measures a voltage V across at least one battery during first and second periods. A current sensor that measures current I supplied by the at least one battery during the first and second periods. A limit module estimates an ohmic resistance R0 based on at least one of a temperature of the at least one battery and a time difference between the first and second periods, and that estimates a sum of a polarization voltage VP and an open circuit voltage V0 of the at least one battery at the second period based on the voltage V and current I of the at least one battery at the first period and an ohmic resistance R0 of the at least one battery.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Cobasys, LLCInventor: Robert J. Melichar
-
Patent number: 7333903Abstract: A network operation center for a light management system having networked intelligent luminaire managers. A plurality of networked luminaire managers, each collocated with a respective luminaire, monitor the status of their respective luminaires. The luminaire managers include transmitters for transmitting status information about their respective luminaires and third-party devices to a network server. The network server forwards the received status information from the networked luminaire managers to a computer of an owner/operator of the plurality of luminaires and/or a third-party user. The luminaire managers communicate with each other, whereby they form a network.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeff D. Walters, Charles J. Darnell, Zachary S. Gibler, David A. Henderson, Michael M. Minarczyk, William Eric Holland
-
Patent number: 7333904Abstract: A processor is responsive to a thermistor temperature (Tth) adjacent a FET and to a drain-to-source voltage (VDS) of the FET. The processor stores the characteristics of the PET and a thermal model of the system hardware and uses a first set of equations to determine the temperature (TJ) at the junction of the PET in a stable region of operation where TJ?Tth is nearly constant. The processor is further responsive to a step change in successive measurements of VDS indicative of a lag of Tth relative to TJ. In this step-change region, the processor then resolves TJ based upon a second set of equations.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Steven R. Turner, Mohammad Zakaria
-
Patent number: 7333905Abstract: The disclosed methodology and apparatus measures the duty cycle of a clock signal. A variable duty cycle circuit receives a clock signal from a clock signal generator. The variable duty cycle circuit adjusts the duty cycle of the clock signal by an amount dependent on a duty cycle index value that it receives. The variable duty cycle circuit supplies a duty-cycle adjusted clock signal to a divider circuit. The apparatus sweeps the frequency of the clock signal from a starting value up to a maximum frequency above which the divider circuit fails. The apparatus then determines the duty cycle of the duty-cycle adjusted clock signal from the maximum frequency.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: David William Boerstler, Eskinder Hailu, Jieming Qi
-
Patent number: 7333906Abstract: A device and technique for monitoring the quality of a manufacturing process, a resulting part or both includes determining a cumulative deviation of an actual process signature from an expected signature. A disclosed example includes determining a quantitative value of a difference between the signatures at each of a plurality of corresponding segments of the signatures. A cumulative deviation based upon deviations of the corresponding segments provides an indication of quality. A disclosed example includes determining a negative cumulative deviation, a positive cumulative deviation and a total cumulative deviation, each of which may be used independently for analysis purposes.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: OES, Inc.Inventors: Michael Reeve, Jean-Paule Mongeau Grice
-
Patent number: 7333907Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media for characterizing a chemical array. At least one metric indicative of accuracy of location of features on the chemical array by a feature extraction process used to extract signals from features of the chemical array may be generated, as well as additional metrics adapted to identify errors caused by a particular process used in generating the signals on the array. A quality control report may be generated to contain at least one metric indicative of accuracy of location and said at least one additional metric. Customized quality control reports may be generated by providing for user selection of at least one metric adapted to identify errors caused by a particular process used in generating signals on a chemical array, from plurality of metrics, and including such selections in the quality control report generated.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Glenda C. Delenstarr, Jayati Ghosh, John F. Corson
-
Patent number: 7333908Abstract: A system and methods for calibrating a memory device are provided. More specifically, a technique for internally generating a test pattern within a memory device and driving the test pattern to a memory controller for synchronization and calibration is provided. An internal test pattern may be generated along the write bus within a memory device, employing elements already present for high speed memory devices. The test data may be looped back from the write bus to the read bus and transmitted to the memory controller for calibration. The loop back function may be implemented without accessing the memory array.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: James Brian Johnson
-
Patent number: 7333909Abstract: A method of verifying a circuit implementing a data transfer protocol is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises steps of providing a block under test that implements a variable latency data transfer protocol; coupling a verification circuit to the block under test; enabling variable latency data transfers to the block under test; and verifying that the block under test is implementing the variable latency data transfer protocol. The method could be implemented to verify the operation of a memory controller of an FPGA, for example. According to another embodiment, a method enabling a multi-stage verification is disclosed. Finally, specific implementations of a verification circuit coupled to an on-chip memory controller of an FPGA are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.Inventors: Mehul R. Vashi, Alex Scott Warshofsky
-
Patent number: 7333910Abstract: The present invention provides a fire sensing system comprising a step of recording positional data of a wireless chip in a memory included in the wireless chip, a step of obtaining temperature data from a temperature sensor included in the wireless chip to be recorded in the memory, a step of taking out the positional data and the temperature data from the memory, and a step of judging whether a fire occurs or not based on an individual identification number, the positional data, and the temperature data of the wireless chip.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masato Ishii
-
Patent number: 7333911Abstract: In a method for operating a positional measurement device and a corresponding positional measurement device, the device includes a signal generation unit configured to generate positional data and is connected to sequential or follower electronics by a communication unit. Data is transmitted between the signal generation unit and the communication unit via an internal interface unit, whereas measurement-data request instructions, which are transmitted by the sequential or follower electronics to the positional measurement device, are transmitted to the signal generation unit by bypassing the internal interface unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventors: Hermann Hofbauer, Erich Strasser
-
Patent number: 7333912Abstract: An extension unit provided adjacent to an amp unit comprises a measurement data accumulation memory, a measurement data acquiring part for acquiring measurement data coming through a transmission line and accumulating it in the above memory, a data analyzing part for analyzing an accumulated series of measurement data according to predetermined algorithm, a determining part for determining a data analyzed result, and an output part for outputting a control signal corresponding to a determined result to the outside. A plurality of process programs in which measurement algorithm is segmentalized are incorporated in the extension unit and a process program is selected according to a command from a personal computer and the selected process program is performed in a predetermined order.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Omron CorporationInventors: Yusuke Iida, Yuichi Inoue, Nobuharu Ishikawa, Toru Hosoda
-
Patent number: 7333913Abstract: A clearance measurement system is provided. The clearance measurement system includes a reference geometry disposed on a first object having an otherwise continuous surface geometry and a sensor disposed on a second object, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a first signal representative of a first sensed parameter from the first object and a second signal representative of a second sensed parameter from the reference geometry. The clearance measurement system also includes a processing unit configured to process the first and second signals to estimate a clearance between the first and second objects based upon a measurement difference between the first and second sensed parameters.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Emad Andarawis Andarawis, Mahadevan Balasubramaniam, Todd Alan Anderson, Samhita Dasgupta, David Mulford Shaddock, Shobhana Mani, Jie Jiang
-
Patent number: 7333914Abstract: A two-way motion sensor meter for measuring arm exercise. The meter is mounted on a wrist band adapted to be affixed to a user's wrist. The meter includes numeric display means driven by an electronic or mechanical system. The electronic or mechanical system includes first and second pendulums. The first pendulum is adapted to swing about an axis in a plane substantially parallel to a user's body. The second pendulum is adapted to swing about an axis in a plane substantially perpendicular to a user's body. Each pendulum is adapted to send a signal to the numeric display means each time it is caused to swing by movement of the user's arm upwardly and/or downwardly during exercise. The numeric display means is adapted to add each signal to provide a display of the total number of signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Inventor: Janette L. Iachini
-
Patent number: 7333915Abstract: A signal conditioning arrangement includes a sensor arrangement for sensing a measured quantity and for outputting an output signal having a first or a second logical signal state based on the measured quantity, and means for generating an evaluating impulse if the logical signal state of the output signal does not change for a maximum predetermined time duration, and which are further formed to allocate a first or a second pulse signal state, which differs from the signal state of the output signal which the output signal has during the predefined time duration, to the evaluating impulse. Furthermore, the signal conditioning arrangement includes means for combining the output signal and the evaluating impulse, with means for providing being formed to provide a conditioned output signal, the conditioned output signal having, when an evaluating impulse is present, the impulse signal state thereof and otherwise having the logical signal state of the output signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Mario Motz
-
Patent number: 7333916Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for monitoring the performance of a solar powered electrical supply where the supply comprises an array of photovoltaic cells that are mounted on a building. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises: a device for producing a signal representative of solar irradiance; circuitry for computing a running performance signal by using at least the irradiance signal and a measure of the electrical power supplied to the load from the array; a radio for broadcasting the performance signal; and a portable unit for receiving the performance signal from the radio and for visually displaying the performance signal, power production, and electrical utility usage.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Donald B. Warfield, Paul Garvison
-
Patent number: 7333917Abstract: Sensors are configured to repeatedly monitor variables of a physical system during its operation. A novelty detection system is responsive to the sensors and is configured to repeatedly observe into an associative memory, states of associations among the variables that are repeatedly monitored, during a learning phase. The novelty detection system is further configured to thereafter observe at least one state of associations among the variables that are sensed relative to the states of associations that are in the associative memory, to identify a novel state of associations among the variables. The novelty detection system may determine whether the novel state is indicative of normal operation or of a potential abnormal operation. Multiple layers of learning for real-time diagnostics/prognostics also may be provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Saffron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Noel P. Greis, Jack G. Olin, Manuel Aparicio, IV
-
Patent number: 7333918Abstract: A system and method for utilizing reliability data from a plant to dynamically calculate an expended life for a selected part. A system is provided that includes a central database for storing service data for different parts of a unit within the plant, wherein the service data includes installation data and a service history of the different parts; a data collection engine for dynamically collecting operational data from the plant in a near real-time manner, wherein the operational data is collected, processed and stored independently from the central database; and a lifetime calculation engine for implementing a lifetime calculation equation for the selected part, wherein the lifetime calculation equation utilizes the service data and the operational data to determine the expended life of the selected part.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Strategic Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Garth Burrill, Thomas Christiansen, Salvatore A. DellaVilla, Jr., Kevin Dunn, Robert Steele, Jr., David Turpin
-
Patent number: 7333919Abstract: A method for detecting perturbation of a physical system from a reference state associated with a reference parameter (?0) to a perturbed state associated with a perturbed parameter (?) includes firstly deriving the reference parameter (?0). A reference vector (F) is then derived which describes the system's state at the reference parameter (?0). A measurement-related vector (Z) associated with a perturbed state of the system is then subtracted from the reference vector (F) to provide an error vector (E). The error vector members are summed and normalised by division of a summation of elements of a vector (F?) representing a derivative (f(?0??)e) of a reference itself represented by the reference vector (F), the derivative (f(?0??)e) being evaluated at the reference parameter (?0). This provides a result equal to the difference (??(?0) between the perturbed parameter (?) and the reference parameter (?0).Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Qinetiq LimitedInventors: Stephen David Hayward, Timothy Ingram Cox, Marie Harper Anderson
-
Patent number: 7333920Abstract: There is here disclosed a method and apparatus for detecting the occurrence of arcing of a conductor by monitoring the current on an AC power line. The signal detected is split and directed along four separate paths to generate four signals having separate characteristics which represent the current in the line. A first path is for a signal representative of the current flowing in the line. A second path is for a signal having a pulse for each occurrence of a positive step change in current that is significant and has a di/dt value above a predetermined value. A third path is for a signal having a pulse for each occurrence of a negative step change in current that is significant and has a di/dt value above a predetermined value. A fourth path is for a signal having a voltage level representative of the broadband noise signal on the line. Using at least one of five different methods in combination with one of three input signals, a reference signal designated as “SINE” is generated.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: David Kolker, Roger M. Bradley, Ross Mernyk
-
Patent number: 7333921Abstract: A sensor system and method for collecting and analyzing sensor data transmitted by various distributed sensors in a secure, scalable, and efficient manner. Sensors having sensor data to transmit establish concurrent connections with a central server that is configured to collect the sensor data. For each connection, the server generates a single writer thread dedicated to the connection. Each single writer thread accesses the server's underlying file system and writes the sensor data into a sensor file dedicated to the sensor. Each sensor file is written by a single writer thread, but may be concurrently read by multiple reader threads. Analysis threads may also concurrently access the sensor files to perform complex analyses of the stored sensor data. The analysis results are written to dedicated analysis files. The analysis threads act as single writer threads in writing to the analysis files.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Inventors: Stephen Taylor, Peter Haaland
-
Patent number: 7333922Abstract: A method of monitoring machine operation includes sensing an operating characteristic of a plurality of machines and calculating a performance metric. The performance metric is indicative of the operating characteristic of at least a portion of the plurality of machines. The method also includes storing the performance metric and comparing the performance metric to at least one other stored performance metric.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Robert Kimball Cannon
-
Patent number: 7333923Abstract: Degree of outlier of one input data is calculated by an amount of change in a learned probability density from that before learning as a result of taking in of the input data. This is because data largely differing in a tendency from a so far learned probability density function can be considered to have a high degree of outlier. More specifically, a function of a distance between probability densities before and after data input is calculated as a degree of outlier. Accordingly, a probability density estimation device appropriately estimates a probability distribution of generation of unfair data while sequentially reading a large volume of data and a score calculation device calculates and outputs a degree of outlier of each data based on the estimated probability distribution.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: NEC CorporationInventors: Kenji Yamanishi, Jun-ichi Takeuchi
-
Patent number: 7333924Abstract: A method for device level simulation of a circuit modeled by a set of CCR graphs, a computer system programmed to perform such a method, and a computer readable medium which stores code for implementing such a method. Typically, the circuit includes MOS transistors having unknown gate potentials, each CCR graph includes a top rail, and a bottom rail, and variable nodes, each of the transistors having unknown gate potential is modeled in the CCR graphs as a selectable resistor having a selected one of a first resistance and a much larger second resistance, and the method includes the steps of determining potentials at variable nodes of one of the CCR graphs with each selectable resistor of the graph having its first resistance (and also with each selectable resistor of the graph having its second resistance) without determining effective resistances between the variable nodes of the graph and the top rail or bottom rail.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Tathagato Rai Dastidar, Partha Ray
-
Patent number: 7333925Abstract: A complex Fourier transform is performed on measured values of wall thickness at points in a cross section of a pipe in an axial direction, types of thickness deviation are classified, thickness deviation amount is calculated from the absolute value of the complex Fourier component, the position of a thick or thin portion of thickness deviation is calculated from the phase of the complex Fourier component, and manufacturing conditions of the pipe are adjusted based on these variables. The relationship r·exp(j?) between the thickness deviation amount r and phase ? of a first-order thickness deviation obtained for cross sections in the axial direction is subjected to a complex Fourier transform as a function of pipe longitudinal direction, the thickness deviation is further classified by the frequency of twist of the thickness deviation, and an action is taken to prevent the thickness deviation according to the classified thickness deviation.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Akihito Yamane
-
Patent number: 7333926Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for facilitating combinatorial logic modeling at an asynchronous clock domain crossing. The modeling technique employs a simulation value of X in combinatorial logic at the asynchronous clock domain crossing of a circuit being modeled to facilitate modeling of a potential combinatorial logic glitch at the crossing during metastability periods thereof. Employing the simulation value of X includes: generating one or more equivalent functional equations for one or more combinatorial paths through the combinatorial logic at the crossing; propagating the simulation value of X through the combinatorial logic using the at least one equivalent functional equation; and then converting the simulation value of X at an output of the combinatorial logic of the asynchronous clock domain crossing to a random logic value for further propagation within the circuit being modeled.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Raymond W. M. Schuppe
-
Patent number: 7333927Abstract: The method for retrieving a similar sentence to a source sentence inputted by a user through a translation memory in a translation aid system is provided. An inverted file of an index word and a translation memory from a parallel corpus are constituted. Candidate sentences having a high similarity are filtered by comparing the source sentence provided by the user with sentences of the constituted translation memory. A source sentence and a corresponding target sentence are outputted in the order of similarity by calculating similarity between the filtered candidate sentences and the source sentence.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Ki-Young Lee, Yoon-Hyung Roh, Chang Hyun Kim, Sung Kwon Choi, Young Kil Kim, Young-Ae Seo, Seung Il Yang, Cheol Ryu, Mun-Pyo Hong