Patents Issued in April 29, 2008
  • Patent number: 7366583
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a component using a tool includes determining an actual property of a region of the component, comparing the actual property of the region of the component with an expected property of the region to determine a difference between the actual property and the expected property, and updating a path of the tool that is electronically stored in a memory and executable by a processor for fabricating the component based on the difference between the actual property and the expected property of the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Michael Burgess, Larisa Alexandra Elman, John Scott Graham, Michael Thomas Keating, Stephen Michael Carter, Michael Joseph Martini
  • Patent number: 7366584
    Abstract: A power tool system includes a portable power tool (10), a stationary control unit (11), and a cable assembly (12), which includes a multi-core cable 15 and connection pieces (13, 14), for communicating power and/or signals between the power tool (10) and the control unit (11). The cable assembly (12) is provided with an electronic memory module in the form a data chip (16) for storing data relating to the identity and operation characteristics of the cable assembly (12) as well as data concerning the compatibility of the power tool (10), the control unit (11) and the cable assembly (12). The data chip is arranged to register and accumulate the number power tool operations performed via the cable assembly (12) and to indicate when a predetermined limit for power tool operations as regards mechanical wear of the cable assembly (12) is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventors: Hans Karl Johan Brodin, Gunnar Christer Hansson, Carl Johan Erik Wallgren
  • Patent number: 7366585
    Abstract: A method for moving a multi-axis or multi-axle handling system, particularly for orienting a hand of an industrial robot, with a gripping tool connected to a hand is characterized in that the movement is performed in such a way that movement-dependent moments on an article held by the gripping tool are largely eliminated and that essentially only normal forces act between the article and the gripping tool. An apparatus according to the invention is used for performing the method. This permits a safe and speed-optimized movement of handling articles, particularly during palletizing and commissioning, which leads to corresponding economic cost advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Schnoor, Rainer Bischoff
  • Patent number: 7366586
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating vending information for a vendible media product having entertainment content therein is provided. The system comprises a transaction network, and a database in communication with the transaction network, wherein the database stores a plurality of digital video disc titles and a plurality of locations corresponding to the digital video disc titles. A first vending controller at a first location receives a user request signal for a digital video disc, and determines whether the digital video disc is in a vending inventory at the first vending location. A central controller receives a first signal from the first vending controller, wherein the first signal comprises a request for a location of the digital video disc. The central controller transmits a second signal to the first vending controller, wherein the second signal comprises the location of the digital video disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail LLC.
    Inventors: Gregg Kaplan, Greg Waring
  • Patent number: 7366587
    Abstract: The characteristics of actuators themselves and the characteristics of controllers for the actuators are dynamically or statically controlled to achieve stable and highly efficient movements. In a stage in which a leg in the flight state is uplifted such that the reactive force from the floor received by the foot sole of the leg is zero, the characteristics of the respective actuators for the knee joint pitch axis and the ankle pitch and roll axes of the leg in the flight state are set for decreasing the low range gain, increasing the quantity of phase lead and for decreasing the viscous resistance of the actuators, in order to impart mechanical passiveness and fast response characteristics. The followup control for the high frequency range may be achieved as the force of impact at the instant of touchdown is buffered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masatsugu Iribe, Jinichi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7366588
    Abstract: A method and system for efficiently managing indoor air through cooperation between a mobile device and a stationary air conditioner. The system may include at least one stationary air conditioner and at least one mobile assistant device that move with a predetermined management area and cooperates with the air conditioner. The air conditioner may include an air quality improving unit improving a value of a predetermined air quality index into an appropriate range, a first forced flow unit generating a main flow to transport improved air toward the abnormal region, and a control unit controlling the air quality improving unit and the first forced flow unit to perform a main operation on the abnormal region and transmitting a command instructing the assistant device to perform an assistant operation on the abnormal region to the assistant device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jay-woo Kim, Dong-kwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7366589
    Abstract: A system and method for remote reflashing of software for electronic control units (ECUs). A method includes identifying vehicle groups for software updating 200, determining vehicles within the vehicle groups, each of the vehicles having a telematics device and a plurality of ECUs 202, preparing a software update package for each of the vehicles 204, transmitting the software update package over a wireless carrier system to the telematics device of each of the vehicles 206, and installing the software update package in at least one target ECU for each of the vehicles 208.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen C. Habermas
  • Patent number: 7366590
    Abstract: A method of determining variations in operating characteristics of a mechanical system having a rotatory mode of operation. There are provided the steps of first monitoring operating impulses generated by the mechanical system during a first interval of operation; first analyzing the operating impulses obtained during the first interval to determine the intensity and frequency of the operating impulses; first correlating the operating impulses obtained during the first interval to corresponding angular positions of the rotatory mode of operation; and first producing a first record of the intensity and frequency of the operating impulses obtained during the first interval correlated to the corresponding angular positions of the mechanical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Mitchell Gabriel Mircea Balasu
  • Patent number: 7366591
    Abstract: A method for performing performance prediction with respect to a vertical flight plan. A system performs performance prediction with respect to a vertical flight plan of an aircraft that includes determining which vertical flight plan rules of a plurality of vertical flight rules that have been loaded in a predictions processor are active by monitoring for criteria that are used to initiate or terminate one or more of the vertical flight plan rules. Aircraft state is predicted at waypoints along a lateral flight path in view of active vertical flight plan rules, and the predicted aircraft state is updated within an integrated flight plan database that stores prediction performance data associated with the aircraft's flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Hartmann, Michael R. Jackson, Brian E. O'Laughlin, Richard J. Snyder, Rosa N. Weber
  • Patent number: 7366592
    Abstract: A control system for an aircraft includes an actuation section that moves lift-enhancing devices as a function of received control orders, a control member operable by a pilot of the aircraft, and a control unit that includes a control section that produces control orders, as a function of actuation of the control member, so as to control the actuation section to bring the lift-enhancing devices into a predetermined position. The control unit further includes a device that produces automatically auxiliary control orders which are transmitted to the actuation section to automatically retract the lift-enhancing devices when the aircraft is in a first flight condition and another device that automatically disables control orders produced by the control section following actuation of the control member to deploy the lift-enhancing devices when the aircraft is in a second flight condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventors: Franck Delaplace, Dominique Buisson
  • Patent number: 7366593
    Abstract: A movable object maneuver method wherein a destination point is set; wherein a thrust value is calculated in real time which minimizes or maximizes a performance index associated with one or more state variables and thrust required for a movable object to reach the destination point and which takes into account non-linear conditions inherent to the movable object; and wherein the movable object is moved based on the calculated thrust value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Kawasaki Zosen
    Inventors: Hiroaki Fujimoto, Yukinobu Kohno, Masaaki Higashi, Masanori Hamamatsu, Kenichi Nakashima, Yasuo Saito, Hiroshi Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 7366595
    Abstract: A vehicle drive assist system comprises a camera for picking up an image of an area existing in an advancing direction of a vehicle; display means for displaying the image picked up by the camera; steering angle detecting means for detecting a steering angle for steering the vehicle; traveling path predicting means for predicting a traveling path of the vehicle on the basis of the steering angle detected by the steering angle detecting means; and drive assist means for overlaying on the display means drive assist information containing the vehicle predictive traveling path predicted by the traveling path predicting means and guide lines prolonged from the lines defining the width of the vehicle body on the image of the area existing in the vehicle advancing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Shimizu, Kazuhiro Sakiyama, Kazuya Sako
  • Patent number: 7366596
    Abstract: A trouble diagnosing device connectable to an ECU mounted on a vehicle and equipped with a memory to store current trouble information and past trouble information, and the trouble diagnosing device includes a display screen to display a diagnosed trouble state, and a simultaneous display unit to call trouble information stored in the memory and make both of the current trouble information and past trouble information displayed at a same time on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawauchi, Akihisa Kitajima
  • Patent number: 7366597
    Abstract: A vehicle having a system for validating a variable signal for input to a processor-performed function. An input module receives the signal. A processor tests first and second storage locations of a memory. After testing, the processor stores the signal in the first and second storage locations to obtain first and second stored values. The processor compares the first and second stored values and tests the first stored value for any corruption associated with receipt of the signal by said input module. The processor inputs the first and second stored values to first and second paths for performing the function to obtain two function results, and compares the results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hartrey, Mark H. Costin
  • Patent number: 7366598
    Abstract: An SAT estimating section estimates self-aligning torque (SAT) on the basis of a steering torque, which is detected by a steering torque detecting section, and an assist torque, which is detected by an assist torque detecting section. An SAT model value computing section computes an SAT model value by using an integrated slip angle ?I. An SAT ratio/drift amount computing section computes, by on-line identification, a ratio (SAT ratio) of the SAT to the SAT model value, and a drift amount of a lateral acceleration sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiichi Ono, Ken Koibuchi, Kenji Asano
  • Patent number: 7366599
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus that performs steering assist by transmitting a driving force produced by an electric motor to a steering mechanism. The apparatus is provided with a current detection circuit for detecting a current flowing through the electric motor to output a motor current detection signal, and a microcomputer for controlling the electric motor on the basis of the motor current detection signal. The current detection circuit has a variable gain amplification circuit, to output the motor current detection signal amplified by the variable gain amplification circuit. The microcomputer has an analog-to-digital conversion port to which the motor current detection signal outputted by the current detection circuit is inputted, to receive the motor current detection signal through the analog-to-digital conversion port. The apparatus is further provided with a gain change section for changing the gain of the variable gain amplification circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuji Norito
  • Patent number: 7366600
    Abstract: A distributed control system including a plurality of controllers mounted on a forklift, and a network providing connections between or among the plurality of controllers within the forklift. A first controller out of the plurality of controllers is configured to control a function in response to an interfacing signal received from a second controller out of the plurality of controllers. When not receiving the interfacing signal during a predetermined period, the first controller controls the function using data stored in the first controller in place of the interfacing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuniharu Osaki, Toru Saito
  • Patent number: 7366601
    Abstract: When a downshift instruction has been detected, the oil pressure of a lookup clutch is controlled, and the state of operation of the automatic transmission is detected. If a starting condition has been met, a slip rotation speed of the lockup clutch is calculated, and if the calculated slip rotation speed is greater than or equal to a reference rotation speed, the calculated slip rotation speed is set as a target slip rotation speed. If a condition for converging the target slip rotation speed has been met, the target slip rotation speed is then converged to a steady target rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ayabe, Toshio Sugimura, Tatsuya Kawamura
  • Patent number: 7366602
    Abstract: A roll stability control system for an automotive vehicle includes an external environment sensing system, such as a camera-based vision system, or a radar, lidar or sonar-based sensing system that generates image, radar, lidar, and/or sonar-based signals. A controller is coupled to the sensing system and generates dynamic vehicle characteristic signals in response to the image, radar, lidar, or sonar-based signals. The controller controls the rollover control system in response to the dynamic vehicle control signal. The dynamic vehicle characteristics may include roll related angles, angular rates, and various vehicle velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Liwen Xu, Samir M. Beydoun, Gerald H. Engelman, Aaron L. Mills, Jianbo Lu, Keith Glenn Mattson
  • Patent number: 7366603
    Abstract: The CAM signal of a four-stroke internal combustion engine that also includes a CRANK signal having a sync feature is decoded by defining an observation window of predefined duration with respect a pulse transition of the CAM signal. The CAM signal is uniquely decoded during the observation window by monitoring for a pulse transition of the CAM signal and the sync feature of the CRANK signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Irving McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7366604
    Abstract: A fuel vapor purge system is configured to execute a highly accurate leak diagnosis with respect to a fuel vapor leak. After the engine is stopped, the temperature of the fuel vapor rises temporarily and then decreases until it reaches the outside ambient temperature. During this period, the purge line is closed off and a minimum value reached by the purge line pressure is detected. The difference between the minimum value of the purge line pressure and the atmospheric pressure is compared to a threshold value. The purge system is diagnosed as “normal” if the difference is equal to or larger than the threshold value and a “leaking” if the difference is less than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroya Ishii, Takeshi Tsuyuki, Takane Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7366605
    Abstract: A device and a method for controlling and/or regulating an internal combustion engine, in particular an internal combustion engine having direct injection. A regulation adjusts a combustion state variable, that characterizes the combustion state, to a setpoint value. A control and/or a regulation influences a torque variable that characterizes the torque of the internal combustion engine and/or the noise variable that characterizes the noise of the internal combustion engine, using a control variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Schueler, Michael Kessler, Mohamed Youssef, Arnold Engber, Axel Loeffler
  • Patent number: 7366606
    Abstract: Traffic information, including traffic flow information and traffic incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be presented to a user on a user display in the vehicle. In one embodiment, traffic information provided to a vehicle navigation device is refined by comparing the average speed of the vehicle against the average speed of other vehicles traveling along the same road. In another embodiment, the operation of a traffic signal is controlled based, in part, on the current traffic flow and distance from the traffic signal to alleviate traffic congestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Uyeki
  • Patent number: 7366607
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes a guidance-information creating unit that creates guidance information by acquiring a guiding direction, in which a vehicle should be guided, from preset route information and current position information; an acoustic-image creating unit that creates an acoustic image for notifying a driver of the guidance information; and an acoustic-image control unit that changes at least one of a movement start position of the acoustic image, a direction change position of the acoustic image, a moving amount of the acoustic image, a moving speed of the acoustic image, and a moving locus of the acoustic image according to the current position information and a guiding position in the preset route information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakaishi, Hideki Matsui, Akira Motojima, Yuji Tomita, Masanobu Maeda, Minoru Maehata
  • Patent number: 7366608
    Abstract: A management system using Global Positioning System receivers for tracking remote units from a central office and quickly and conveniently determining if those remote units have varied from a set of predetermined parameters of operation. The system also includes provisions that allows information to be sent from the remote units to the central office and vice versa. The system also has safety features that promote the rapid dispatch of law enforcement personnel when requests for emergency assistance have been made from the remote units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin R. Hamrick, R. T. Mitchell Ingman
  • Patent number: 7366609
    Abstract: A portable navigation device is provided that includes a receiver configured to receive signals from GPS satellites. The device includes memory that stores a non-navigation application and non-navigation information related to the non-navigation application. A user interface is configured to enable an operator to enter non-navigation instructions related to the non-navigation application. The a processor module is provided that calculates a position of the device based on the signals from the GPS satellites. The processor module implements the non-navigation application and performs non-navigation operations defined by the non-navigation application based on the non-navigation instructions entered by the user. The processor module disables the non-navigation application after a predetermined trial period of time following a start time unless and until an application access code is entered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventor: Choy Wai Lee
  • Patent number: 7366610
    Abstract: A wireless terminal displays its location and navigation information (map segment) on its display. The wireless terminal accesses a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver of the wireless terminal to determine its location coordinates. The wireless terminal determines a maximum data size for navigation information to be downloaded. The wireless terminal sends a navigation information download request to a map server via a supporting wireless network infrastructure that includes the location coordinates and the maximum data size. The wireless terminal receives navigation information that has a data size no greater than the maximum data size and displays the navigation information on the display. The wireless terminal may display a map segment and an icon representing the wireless terminal at a location corresponding to the location coordinates of the wireless terminal with respect to the map segment. The wireless terminal may download a premises map from a premises map server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, James D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 7366611
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting local interference in GPS signals. A GPS receiver is capable of determining its GPS coordinates. A memory is capable of storing an initial location of the GPS receiver and a user-defined range of error. A processor is programmed to determine whether GPS coordinates from the GPS receiver differ from the initial location by more than a range of error, and for issuing a warning in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: GENERAL Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee A. Sweetapple
  • Patent number: 7366612
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for compensating an attitude of an inertial navigation system and a method and apparatus for calculating a position of the inertial navigation system using the same. The method of compensating an attitude of the inertial navigation system includes sensing movement of the system and outputting information for stoppage time periods and a movement time period of the system; receiving angular velocity information of the system during every time period and calculating a first attitude of the system using the angular velocity information; receiving gravity direction information of the system during the stoppage time periods, calculating a second attitude of the system using the gravity direction information, and calculating an attitude error of the system during every time period using the first attitude and the second attitude; and compensating the attitude error for the first attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jing Yang, Dong-yoon Kim, Won-chul Bang, Wook Chang, Kyoung-ho Kang, Eun-seok Choi, Sung-jung Cho
  • Patent number: 7366613
    Abstract: A wireless communication interface for inertial measurement unit is disclosed. One or more instrumentation sensors, a processor, a wireless radio frequency transceiver with an antenna, and a power source are sealed within an inertial sensor assembly. The processor is adapted to receive output signals from the instrumentation sensors and to convert the output signals into a stream of digital data packets. A radio frequency transceiver is coupled to the processor and adapted to wirelessly communicate the stream of digital data packets through the antenna. In one embodiment, the radio frequency transceiver is further adapted to wirelessly receive a stream of digital data packets through the antenna and communicate the received digital data packets to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. DuBois, Karl H. Becker, Charles F. Hayek, Antony J. Kurth, Charles D. Chappell, Robert H. Fall
  • Patent number: 7366614
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for emergency rig monitoring are disclosed herein. The invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring an offshore rig. The rig monitoring systems and methods of use can relay information regarding the rig such as location, attitude (e.g. tilt, oscillation), and local water and weather conditions. The rig monitoring systems and methods can also facilitate emergency communication for rig personnel. Access to the information can be remotely initiated and the systems can be configured to automatically respond to such initiation. The rig monitoring systems are equipped with a self-sustainable power supply for operation under conditions where external power sources are unavailable. Such rig monitoring systems and methods are particularly useful on rigs that are located in waters subject to rapid and severe changes in local weather such as storms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Russell L. Roy
  • Patent number: 7366615
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the content of a first element in a formation which cannot otherwise be determined via a capture spectrum measurement. The methods and apparatus utilize the inelastic spectrum measurement of the first element and the inelastic and capture spectrum measurements of at least a second element. The methods and apparatus have particular application to determining the carbon content of a formation although they are not limited thereto. The inelastic and capture spectrum measurements of silicon are useful in making such determinations, although other chemical elements may be used as the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumber Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Susan Herron, James Grau, Bradley Roscoe, Michael Herron, Kenneth Stephenson
  • Patent number: 7366616
    Abstract: A computer-based method is provided for modeling and visualizing a property of a subterranean earth formation while drilling a borehole therethrough. The computer-based method gathers electromagnetic signals corresponding to a current measurement station location of a measurement-while-drilling tool, and generates a multilayer model corresponding to such electromagnetic signals. A histogram characterizing uncertainty of the multilayer model is used to generate a set of color hue values which represent predictions of the formation property for depth values above/below the tool, and a corresponding set of saturation values (which represent uncertainties for these predictions). A curtain plot is generated and displayed. The curtain plot employs colors to visualize formation property predictions for depth values above/below the tool over successive measurement station locations. A new column of the curtain plot is generated for the current measurement station location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Bennett, Richard T. Coates, Alberto Malinverno, Dzevat Omeragic
  • Patent number: 7366617
    Abstract: A method for determining the masses of ions of a sample that contains a known class of biopolymers and is measured with a mass spectrometer having a statistical or pseudo-statistical error distribution includes acquiring a mass spectrum of ions of biopolymers of the known class in the sample in which mass spectrum the mass values of ions of biopolymers from the known class are concentrated in known distributions around a set of most probable mass values. At least one measured mass value of the mass spectrum is replaced by that one of a set of most probable mass values that is nearest to the measured mass value, or by a weighted average of the measured mass value averaged with that one of the set of most probable mass values that is nearest to the measured mass value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Bruker Daltonik GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Decker, Michael Kuhn, Marcus Macht
  • Patent number: 7366618
    Abstract: A database system and method are provided to allow a user to characterize observations related to an otherwise unidentified process. A database is established that stores data for substances, processes and equipment according to a data model that relates attributes of substances, processes and equipment. Information related to observations, called observed data or observables, is entered by a user into the system as the search criteria. The observed data may range in complexity from the names of one or more substances and/or processing equipment to a text description of the odor, color and state of observed substances and/or equipment. The system searches the database using the search criteria to return a list of one or more processes that possibly create the observed data, and thus more completely characterize the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Devin McPherson, Deborah Lynn Althoff, Scott Lilienthal
  • Patent number: 7366619
    Abstract: A signal processing unit includes an integrating unit. The integrating unit is composed of a plurality of digital elements and is operative to integrate a detection signal over every quarter of one cycle of the detection signal to generate an integration value. The integration values to be generated are represented as S1, S2, S3, and S4. A calculating unit includes a plurality of digital elements and performs addition and subtraction on the generated integration values in accordance with the following equations used to calculate an in-phase component and a quadrature-phase component of (Ip=S4p?3+S4p?2?S4p?1?S4p) and (Qp=S4.4?S4p??S4p?1+S4p). Where Ip represents the in-phase component and Qp represents the quadrature-phase component. An amplitude obtaining unit obtains an amplitude of the detection signal based on the in-phase component and the quadrature-phase component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Jeco Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamoto Watanabe, Sumio Masuda
  • Patent number: 7366620
    Abstract: Equipment extracts components of spatial frequency that need to be evaluated in manufacturing a device or in analyzing a material or process out of edge roughness on fine line patterns and displays them as indexes. The equipment acquires data of edge roughness over a sufficiently long area, integrates a components corresponding to a spatial frequency region being set on a power spectrum by the operator, and displays them on a length measuring SEM. Alternatively, the equipment divides the edge roughness data of the sufficiently long area, computes long-period roughness and short-period roughness that correspond to an arbitrary inspection area by performing statistical processing and fitting based on theoretical calculation, and displays them on the length measuring SEM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuko Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Fukuda, Hiroki Kawada, Tatsuya Maeda
  • Patent number: 7366621
    Abstract: Program product to measure fluid flow characteristics in a pipeline is provided. A vortex-shedding body is positioned within the pipeline to form vortices. A vortex meter can include a vortex frequency sensor to measure the frequency of the vortices to determine the volumetric flow rate. A differential pressure meter positioned adjacent the vortex-shedding body can produce a differential pressure meter flow rate signal indicative of the density of fluid when flowing through the pipeline. A thermal flow meter positioned adjacent the vortex-shedding body can produce a mass flow rate signal indicative of the mass flow rate of fluid when flowing through the pipeline. The program product can include instructions for a fluid characteristic determiner to perform the operations of processing measured and sensed signals to produce an output of a volumetric flow rate, a flowing fluid density, and a mass flow rate to be displayed on a fluid characteristic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: James L. Sprague
  • Patent number: 7366622
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the identification of arcing phenomena in a faulted electrical network. By continually updating a model for the load on an electrical branch, an estimate of the behavior of that load may be calculated. Since electrical arcing faults result in a chaotic behavior that is difficult to describe, when arcing occurs, the model will be unable to adequately describe the arcing behavior and this inability indicates a fault condition, in response to which, power may be removed in full or in part from the faulted electrical network. In some embodiments, a current shunt is used to distinguish between source side and load side arcing. Some embodiments utilize a solid state switch as both current shunt and interruption means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: X-L Synergy
    Inventors: David C. Nemir, Jan B. Beck
  • Patent number: 7366623
    Abstract: A method for characterizing a load on a data line includes the steps of: (A) Applying at least three successive voltages to the data line. Each respective odd-numbered successive voltage of the at least three successive voltages has substantially a first voltage value displaced a first voltage interval from a reference voltage value. Each respective even-numbered successive voltage of the at least three successive voltages has substantially a second voltage value displaced a second voltage interval from the reference voltage value. (B) Measuring a respective current value on the data line while each of the at least three successive voltages is applied to the data line. (C) Comparing the respective current values for selected successive voltages of the at least three successive voltages to determine whether a hysteric impedance change occurs when voltage on the data line is varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Ian Llyod Bower, Dale Dietrick Wellborn, Barry Jon Male
  • Patent number: 7366624
    Abstract: An electronic gas sensor signal conditioner which can automatically adapt to a wide variety of commercial off-the-shelf sensors and provide a digital output in a standard, easily used format. The signal conditioner has analog and digital sections. The analog section includes a sensor excitation sub-section and a signal amplification sub-section. The digital section comprises a microcontroller and controls the analog section. The digital section also converts the signal from the analog section into digital form, reads the sensor TEDS (Transducer Electronic Data Sheet), applies calibration constants and converts the signal into a standard, easily readable digital format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Esensors Inc.
    Inventor: Darold Wobschall
  • Patent number: 7366625
    Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the accuracy of meter factors of a flow instrument in conjunction with a prover having upstream and downstream prover detection switches and a flow computer including a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for correcting errors in a meter factor of the flow instrument measured in a proving run and correcting effects of flow rate changes during proving. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium whose contents causes a processor to increase the accuracy of meter factors of a flow instrument in conjunction with a prover having upstream and downstream prover detection switches and a flow computer. A method for increasing the accuracy of the meter factors of a flow instrument in conjunction with a prover having upstream and downstream prover detection switches and a flow computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Augenstein, Herbert Estrada, Matthew Mihalcin
  • Patent number: 7366626
    Abstract: A calibration method in which secular change in sensor output values obtained at calibration times is estimated and the next calibration date can be determined at an appropriate interval and a zirconia-type oxygen analyzer using the above calibration method is achieved. The present invention is characterized by the fact that, in a calibration method in which a standard sample having a known value is measured and the output value of a measuring instrument corresponding to a sensor output value at the time of measurement is calibrated, the sensor output value obtained in implemented calibrating operations is stored in succession as the data for calibration history and the state of secular change in said sensor output value is estimated based on the stored past data for calibration history to determine the next calibration date.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Hazama, Makoto Ishii, Yukihiro Seki
  • Patent number: 7366627
    Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein a plurality of sensors mounted on a structure, a baseline data set for each of the plurality of sensors and a calibration procedure verify the integrity of a structural health management system. Initially a baseline data set is established. Before performing the structural health assessment a calibration-in data set for each of the plurality of sensors is collected. The calibration-in data set is compared to the baseline data set for each sensor of the plurality of sensors. If the calibration-in data set and the baseline data set match then a structure characterization is performed. If the calibration-in data set and the baseline data set do not match, a calibration-out procedure is performed to generate a calibration-out data set. If the calibration-out data set and the calibration-in data sets match, then a determination is made that the structural health management system was working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant A. Gordon, Nicholas J. Wilt, Joseph J. Nutaro
  • Patent number: 7366628
    Abstract: A test and measurement Instrument samples an input digital logic signal to produce logic samples, compresses the logic samples into compression codes, and stores the compression codes into acquisition memory. Compression includes parsing the logic samples into groups and assigning compression codes to those groups, and is performed so as not to lose information about the input digital logic signal's activity. The instrument converts the stored compression codes into a waveform image in display memory and displays the stored waveform image on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Sullivan, Kenneth P. Dobyns
  • Patent number: 7366629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high frequency module board device having a high frequency transmitting and receiving circuit for modulating and demodulating a high frequency signal. The high frequency module board device comprises a base board (2) whose main surface is formed as a build-up surface (2a) and a high frequency circuit part (3) formed on the build-up surface of the base board (2) and having passive elements formed. The base board (2) has an area (29) in which wiring is not formed in a lower layer from a fourth wiring layer (8b). The high frequency circuit part (3) has an upper electrode part (36) and a lower electrode part (35) in positions corresponding to the area (29) in which the wiring is not formed. Thus, since a capacitance (18) is provided just above the area (29) in which the wiring is not formed, a parasitic capacity that the capacitance (18) receives from ground patterns (14) is reduced. Accordingly, the characteristics of the capacitance (18) can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ogino, Akihiko Okubora, Takayuki Hirabayashi, Takahiko Kosemura, Kuniyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7366630
    Abstract: The installation of an electrical cable in a building and its subsequent testing are managed by first creating a computer database indicating the type of cable, the location where the cable is to be installed, the performance standard it should meet when installed in that location, and a test regimen to verify compliance with the performance standard. The database is then transferred into a hand held portable test instrument which is placed at the building site and connected to the cable to be tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Vogel, Lee A. Watkins
  • Patent number: 7366631
    Abstract: System and method for measurement, DAQ, and control operations which uses small form-factor measurement modules or cartridges with a re-configurable carrier unit, sensors, and a computer system to provide modular, efficient, cost-effective measurement solutions. The measurement module includes measurement circuitry, e.g., signal conditioner and/or signal conversion circuitry, and interface circuitry for communicating with the carrier unit. The module communicates interface information to the carrier unit, which informs the computer system how to program or configure a functional unit on the carrier unit to implement the communicated interface, or sends the information directly to the computer system. The computer system programs the carrier unit with the interface, and the programmed carrier unit and measurement module together function as a DAQ, measurement, and/or control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Perry C. Steger, Garritt W. Foote, David L. Potter, James J. Truchard, Brian Keith Odom
  • Patent number: 7366632
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the physical quantities of a data center during operation and method for servicing large-scale computing systems is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cart that supports a plurality of sensors. The cart is moveable within the data center. The sensors capture temperature or other physical parameters within the room. The sensor readings, along with position and orientation information pertaining to the cart are transmitted to a computer system where the data is analyzed to select the optimum temperature or other system environmental parameters for the data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Martin P. O'Boyle, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7366633
    Abstract: A process for extracting at least one variable associated with a periodic signal (S, S?) including a possible continuous component, a sinusoidal fundamental component and possible harmonics. Numerical samples of the periodic signal (S, S?) are formed and special filtering is applied to monitoring of the periodic signal. Each sample is interpreted as the sum of the fundamental component and the possible continuous component of this periodic signal. This process can be applied to evaluation of the torsion of a sidewall (11) of a tire (1) fitted on a wheel under the action of torque exerted between the rim (4) of this wheel and the tread (12) of the tire (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Frédéric Biesse