Patents Issued in October 21, 2008
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Patent number: 7440791Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus, a double echo sequence having a gradient echo and a spin echo is implemented with a flow compensation for the gradient echo in at least one direction. The flow compensation gives the double echo sequence an insensitivity to flow phenomena.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Michael Deimling
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Patent number: 7440792Abstract: MR method for generating MR images of an object to be examined located inside an examination volume by means of an MR device and for simultaneously locating an interventional instrument inserted into the examination object, which instrument is equipped with a locating device. For the reconstruction of an MR image (20) MR signals together with device-delivered location signals from the examination volume are then recorded, after which the locating of the instrument takes place by the assessment of the image characteristics conditioned by the location signals. For making it possible to determine the position of the interventional instrument in an extremely rapid way, the invention proposes that the recording of the MR signals be effected by recording successively a plurality of MR partial data records (16, 17, 18) with respective incomplete and preferably non-cartesian sampling of the local frequency spectrum assigned to the examination volume.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Holger Eggers
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Patent number: 7440793Abstract: A computer assisted, minimally invasive method and apparatus for surgically removing abnormal tissue from a patient, for example, from a breast, are disclosed. The method involves imaging of the breast to locate the abnormal tissue, and determining a volume encapsulating the abnormal tissue and including a margin of healthy tissue. Based on the volume, a sequence of movements of a surgical instrument for tissue removal device is planned, so as to predictably excise the desired volume of tissue.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Inventors: Sunita Chauhan, Ranjan Kumar Mishra, Siew Bock Wee, Mona P. Tan
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Patent number: 7440794Abstract: In an optical measurement system and imaging method adapted to measure in vivo information in a living body without harming the living body, light rays of a plurality of wavelengths which are modulated in intensity with a plurality of different frequencies are irradiated on a plurality of irradiation positions on the surface of a living body, and time-variable changes in living body transmitting light intensity levels corresponding to the respective wavelengths and the respective irradiation positions are measured at different positions on the surface of the living body. Light is utilized to image the results of the measurements, in which the measuring time is shortened by estimating fluctuation attributable to the living body, and the presence or absence of a change in measured signal can be decided easily by displaying an estimation signal and a measured signal at a time.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Maki, Hideaki Koizumi, Fumio Kawaguchi, Yuichi Yamashita, Yoshitoshi Ito
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Patent number: 7440795Abstract: An active medical device, in particular an implantable device such as a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, cardioverter, or multisite device, including a function for determining sleep disorders. This device can collect the heartbeat rhythm in at least one heart cavity, and analyze the collected rhythm so as to evaluate a value of heartbeat rate accordingly. The device can also discriminate within a collected heart rhythm the spontaneous events of sinusal origin, and to evaluate the heart rate according only to these spontaneous sinusal events, and to analyze the time variations of the aforementioned heart rate to determine the presence of a sleep respiratory disorder accordingly. This analysis can be realized through a search for episodes of bradycardia followed by episodes of tachycardia, or by determination of an index of sinusal variability that is a function of the detected variations, and comparison of this index with a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Ela Medical S.A.S.Inventor: Yann Poezevara
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Patent number: 7440796Abstract: System for visualizing conductivity and current density distributions including a plurality of current injecting devices for injecting currents into a measuring object, an MRI scanner for measuring one directional component of a magnetic flux density due to each of the currents injected into a measuring object, an operating part for controlling the current injecting devices so as to inject currents of different directions into the measuring object, and calculating a conductivity distribution and a current density distribution inside of the measuring object by using the one directional component of a magnetic flux density, and displaying means for visualizing the conductivity and current density distributions calculated by the operating part, thereby permitting to visualize the conductivity and the current density of the measuring object more accurately.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2003Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Kohwang Foundation, Kohwang Board of TrusteeInventors: Eung Je Woo, Jin Keun Seo, Ohin Kwon
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Patent number: 7440797Abstract: An abdominal impedance based body composition meter is provided for estimating a body composition indicator with high accuracy. In one embodiment, the body composition meter measures pressing forces while load detection sections 3a-3d are pressed against the abdomen and abdominal impedances are measured by electrodes 2a-2d. Body composition indicators are estimated based on the measured pressing forces and the abdominal impedances.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Tanita CorporationInventor: Yasuhiro Kasahara
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Patent number: 7440798Abstract: A system being suitable for being secured substantially adjacent to a surface of a subject so as to effect delivery of at least one substance through the surface and into the subject. The system includes at least one aperture for receiving at least one ultrasonic transmission. The at least one substance is releasably secured substantially adjacent to the at least one aperture. A sonic member is disposed with respect to the at least one aperture so as to communicate the at least one transmission to the at least one substance so as to effect the delivery of the at least one substance through the surface of the subject.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Inventor: Bruce K. Redding, Jr.
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Patent number: 7440799Abstract: Miniature heart-monitoring devices, such as defibrillators and cardioverters, are implanted in humans to detect and correct abnormal heart rhythms Microprocessors and stored instructions, or algorithms within these devices govern how they interpret and react to abnormal heart rhythms. Algorithms that are too simple lead to unnecessary shocking of the heart, while those that are too complex consume considerable battery power. Accordingly, the inventor devised a relatively simple yet accurate algorithm for determining appropriate therapy options. One version of the algorithm computes three statistics—a range statistic, a minimum interval statistic, and a dispersion index—from a set of depolarization intervals. A scalar interval dispersion assessment, based on the three statistics, is then compared to a threshold to identify a rhythm as a flutter or fibrillation.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventor: Milton M. Morris
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Patent number: 7440800Abstract: A system and method for managing and inhibiting cardiac remodeling in MI patients. Bi-ventricular stimulation is constantly provided with and without sensing to encourage normal pumping of the heart on a consistent basis. Pulses are administered using an anodal pulse followed by a cathodal pulse to stimulate cardiac muscle contraction. Stem cells are administered to MI areas to encourage regeneration of cardiac tissue in the damaged area. Stimulation may be provided to both healthy and compromised cardiac tissue.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: MR3 Medical, LLCInventor: Morton M. Mower
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Patent number: 7440801Abstract: An implantable cardiac pacemaker with automatic control of the connection of a probe and the implantation of the case. The device includes a generator and its energy source. The generator includes: circuits for scanning battery consumption, able to measure current output by the battery and to deliver a measured value of the output current; comparator circuits, able to compare the current value measured with a pre-programmed value of threshold of current. It includes moreover circuits suited to: detect and count the spontaneous depolarizations collected between the aforementioned terminals of the head of connector; to compare the number of depolarizations thus counted with a pre-programmed threshold of counting; and to deliver a signal of suspicion of implantation in the event of crossing of this threshold of counting.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Ela Medical S.A.S.Inventors: Thierry Legay, Dominique Decoene
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Patent number: 7440802Abstract: A method and system for managing refractory periods in a cardiac rhythm management device configured for biventricular or biatrial sensing. Refractory periods for each channel of the pacemaker are provided by interval timers that are triggered by sensed or paced events in order to prevent misinterpretation of sensing signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Andrew P. Kramer, James O. Gilkerson, Lorenzo DiCarlo, Rene H. Wentkowski
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Patent number: 7440803Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods measure an impedance and, in response, adjust an atrioventricular (AV) delay or other cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) parameter that synchronizes left and right ventricular contractions. A first example uses parameterizes a first ventricular volume against a second ventricular volume during a cardiac cycle, using a loop area to create a synchronization fraction (SF). The CRT parameter is adjusted in closed-loop fashion to increase the SF. A second example measures a septal-freewall phase difference (PD), and adjusts a CRT parameter to decrease the PD. A third example measures a peak-to-peak volume or maximum rate of change in ventricular volume, and adjusts a CRT parameter to increase the peak-to-peak volume or maximum rate of change in the ventricular volume.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Quan Ni, Jiang Ding, Yinghong Yu, Douglas R. Daum, Julio C. Spinelli, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
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Patent number: 7440804Abstract: Techniques are provided for measuring ventricular evoked response within the heart of a patient during atrial fibrillation. An intrinsic ventricular depolarization (i.e. a QRS complex) is sensed within the right ventricle and then a pacing pulse is applied to the left ventricle prior to intrinsic depolarization thereof. In this manner, the left ventricle contracts solely in response to the pacing pulse and possible fusion between the pacing pulse and a conducted P-wave/A-pulse from the atria is avoided. The evoked response generated in the left ventricle is then measured by the pacemaker. The technique permits reliable detection of left ventricular evoked response, even during atrial fibrillation when atrial contractions are frequent and erratic, but the technique may also be employed during normal sinus rhythm. Features of the evoked response are analyzed to detect heart failure, evaluate its severity and track its progression. Appropriate therapy is then automatically delivered to the patient.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.Inventors: Xiaoyi Min, Steve Koh
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Patent number: 7440805Abstract: An implantable pulse generator communicates with external devices such as device programmers and network repeaters to exchange data. The communication utilizes a communication protocol such that data is transferred in packets and transport control information is included for each of the packets. Network routing information may also be provided for each of the packets to establish additional capabilities including network addressing, priority control, or recipient validation. Information exchange instructions are executed by the implantable pulse generator to take data from one or more application programs being executed by the implantable pulse generator, divide the data into packets, and add the transport control information, and network routing information if desired, for outgoing packets.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2003Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Holmquist, Al Koshiol, Joe Bange
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Patent number: 7440806Abstract: Systems and methods for introducing one or more stimulating drugs and/or applying electrical stimulation to the brain to at least treat or prevent diabetes uses at least one system control unit (SCU) producing electrical pulses delivered via electrodes implanted in the brain and/or producing drug infusion pulses, wherein the stimulating drug(s) are delivered to targeted areas in the brain.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corp.Inventors: Todd K Whitehurst, James C Makous, Rafael Carbunaru, Kristen N Jaax
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Patent number: 7440807Abstract: A system configuration can evaluate the stability of an output from a user's control system including all effects of unknown dynamic characteristics and disturbances and can guarantee the stability of the output from the user's control system irrespective of the unknown dynamic characteristics and the disturbances. The control system is provided with a virtual power monitor and is thereby provided with a function of evaluation and analyzing the stability of an object to be controlled, and is such that in a user's control system the user's controlled object is controlled by the user's control strategy. Included is a conservative control strategy which receives a feedback signal from the user's controlled object and can input a control input to the user's controlled object; and a virtual power monitor which monitors power virtually transmitted from the conservative control strategy to the user's controlled object, and can evaluate the stability of an output from the user's control system.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: The Ritsumeikan TrustInventors: Katsuya Kanaoka, Tsuneo Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 7440808Abstract: An electronic apparatus holds identification information for identifying the electronic apparatus. A replacement unit is detachably connected to the electronic apparatus. The replacement unit holds an operation program to controls the electronic apparatus and determination information. When the replacement unit is connected to the electronic apparatus, it is determined based on the identification information and the determination information whether the operation program can control the electronic apparatus. Upon determining that the operation program can control the electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus is controlled with the operation program.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Koichi
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Patent number: 7440809Abstract: A method and system is provided for gathering, processing, displaying, and manipulating data from building equipment using a dedicated HTML-driven, non-PLC controller having an integral web server. Authorized users who use microprocessor controlled devices to access the website are provided with displayed equipment data that can be selected, monitored, and adjusted based on a user profile controlled by software of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: York International CorporationInventors: Delmar Eugene Lehman, Dennis R. Thrush
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Patent number: 7440810Abstract: An information handling system includes a signal processor such as an audio accelerator based sub-system with the capabilities to define output connectors such that the same set of connectors which provide, for example, home theatre AC3 (Dolby Digital) decoded signals (front, rear, cent/LFE) can provide, for example, 3 discrete stereo channels meant to be routed to different zones in, for example, a living or business space. The information handling system can provide a home theatre experience with one application, taking advantage of audio accelerator capabilities for AC3 signal decode, and provide multi-zone audio distribution, taking advantage of audio accelerator capabilities for decoding multiple streams of compressed digital audio. Home computing architectures that utilize a consumer personal computer (PC) are, thus, now suitable as the audio storage and manipulation center.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventor: David Konetski
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Patent number: 7440811Abstract: A method of analyzing a manufacturing system. The manufacturing system includes a plurality of manufacturing resources. A set of orders is currently appointed for processing by the manufacturing system. Each order of the set of orders requires performance of at least one task. Each task is to be performed by at least a respective one of the manufacturing resources. The method includes determining stochastic parameters for each task of the plurality of tasks. The method also includes calculating a stochastic waiting time for at least one selected task of the plurality of tasks. The calculation is based at least in part on the stochastic parameters of the tasks.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Mark Mathieu Theodorus Giebels, Daniel Conrad Benson
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Patent number: 7440812Abstract: A method for monitoring a mounting tact of a component mounting apparatus including a component supplier for supplying a component and a component holder for holding the component from the component supplying device and mounting the component onto a circuit board. The method includes collecting and monitoring a mounting tact result value of the component mounting apparatus during a mounting operation via a communication system. The method further includes calculating a tact loss corresponding to an amount by which the mounting tact result value is greater than a standard mounting tact and monitoring the calculated tact loss.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshio Yano, Hiroshi Okamura, Yoshihiko Misawa
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Patent number: 7440813Abstract: A method of manufacturing electronic circuits including generating CAD data, a bill of materials and an approved component vendor list for an electronic circuit and employing the CAD data, the bill of materials and the approved component vendor list for automatically generating a pick & place machine-specific component loading specification, a pick & place machine-specific component placement sequence and pick & place machine-specific component data for governing the operation of at least one specific pick & place machine in a manufacturing line.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Valor Computerized Systems Ltd.Inventors: Bini Elhanan, Tovi Yadin, Michael Parker, Henry Jurgens, Nadav Pilnick, Mikko Puranen, Tero Laakso
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Patent number: 7440814Abstract: A method for auto-calibration of at least one tool (36) in a single point turning machine (10) used for manufacturing in particular ophthalmic lenses (L) is proposed, in which a test piece of special, predetermined geometry is cut with the tool and then probed to obtain probe data. The method subsequently uses the probe data to mathematically and deterministically identify the necessary tool/machine calibration corrections in two directions (X, Y) and three directions (X, Y, Z), respectively, of the machine. Finally these corrections can be applied numerically to all controllable and/or adjustable axes (B, F1, X, Y) of the machine in order to achieve a (global) tool/machine calibration applicable to all work pieces within the machines operating range. As a result two-dimensional (2D) tool/machine calibration and three-dimensional (3D) tool/machine calibration, respectively, can be performed in a reliable and economic manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Satisloh GmbHInventors: Edward McPherson, Marc Savoie
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Patent number: 7440815Abstract: A family of tire sizes are classified into plural groups every tact time and only sizes belonging to the same group are selected from the family of tire sizes and allocated in a plurality of vulcanization stations vulcanizing tires, whereby tires of plural sizes can be vulcanized at a mixed state for a given tact time without requiring middle stock for green tires.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Kazuya Hatakeyama
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Patent number: 7440816Abstract: Protective shoe covers have been widely used in health care settings and some manufacturing environments such as semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries. An automatic system that dispenses shoe covers to user's feet is disclosed. The system includes the micro control unit, the embedded software and the control algorithm, the electro-mechanical operational apparatus and physical and biophysical sensors. The methods that perform shoe cover fetching, stretching, extension and deployment are also presented in this application.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Inventors: Liam Minhai He, Qiuhong Wang
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Patent number: 7440817Abstract: A method and control unit for medication administering devices. The first aspect of the present invention is automatic programming of the scheduled events. The second aspect is simple user-request expression. The third aspect is guided user operation. The forth aspect is automatic medication-storage mapping. The fifth aspect is no clock setting. Prior art systems typically require the user to figure out a loading-scheduling plan, follow the plan to load the medications, program the scheduled events and tell the system how the medications are stored (manual medication-storage mapping). The system of the present invention does the opposite: it figures out the loading-scheduling plan, guides the user to load the medications, program the scheduled events, and establishes medication-storage mapping, all automatically. The system of the present invention is extremely easy to use, and vision-impaired users can easily use it.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Inventor: Liang Fu
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Patent number: 7440818Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more cassettes or trays, which hold one or more types of medicaments, the cassettes or trays being configured for intelligent dispensing of the medicaments. In one embodiment, a smart tray for dispensing medicaments includes.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Animatronics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Handfield, Helene Laliberte
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Patent number: 7440819Abstract: The object of the invention is to make the movable parts of a robot reproduce the movement of the movable parts of an animated object, via the transmission of movement parameters to the robot in a primary signal PS. The primary signal PS comprises sets of parameters associated with the movable parts of the animated object, the sets of parameters being inserted in said primary signal according to a hierarchical graph structure reflecting the structure of the movable parts of said animated object. The movable parts of the robot reproduce the movement characterized by the movement parameters comprised in the sets of parameters which are associated with them. Use: An animation system for a robot.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Cyrille C. Morel, Thierry Planterose
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Patent number: 7440820Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for a bathing unit that comprises a heating module, a thermal element and a heating module controller. The heating module includes a body that defines a passage through which water can flow, that has an inner surface and an outer surface. The heating module further includes a heating device that is operative for heating the water that flows through the body. The thermal element is mounted to the outer surface of the body such that the thermal element is in thermally conductive communication with water flowing through the body. The heating module controller is operative for obtaining temperature information associated with the thermal element for detecting at least in part on the basis of the temperature information the sufficiency of water flow through the body.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.Inventors: Florent Gougerot, Daniel Gaudreau, Benoit Laflamme, Christian Brochu
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Patent number: 7440821Abstract: A method of yielding the average current in a PWM driven coil for an electrohydraulic valve. The method includes transmitting a feedback signal into a Finite Impulse Response filter to take multiple signal samples in order to calculate and average value of current within one cycle. This average value is transmitted to an algorithm that generates a pulse width signal that drives the coil of the electrohydraulic valve in the next system cycle.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.Inventors: Joseph J. Schottler, John C. Stafney
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Patent number: 7440822Abstract: A mail address of an automobile is obtained. The automobile is anthropomorphized as a friend of a driver by an AI function. The anthropomorphized automobile transmits a mail to the driver. Various types of information are automatically collected during driving of the automobile. With the collected information, a drive diary is generated. The drive diary is processed on a Web. An original homepage is generated with the processed drive diary. There is provided an service in which the automobile and a home, office or the like of the driver is connected through the homepage for user's enjoyment.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Jun Yoshida, Yoichiro Koike, Ken Sasagawa, Yoshinaga Takikawa
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Patent number: 7440823Abstract: An intention estimation system and method with confidence indication for providing operation assistance based on an operator's intention. A current operation performed by the operator is detected, and data related to an estimated intention of the operator is generated based on the detected operation. A confidence index of the estimated intention of the operator is then determined. The confidence index indicates, for example, the reliability or strength of the estimated intention. An operation assistance may be provided based on the estimated intention and the confidence index.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomohiro Yamamura, Nobuyuki Kuge
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Patent number: 7440824Abstract: A system and method for estimating vehicle side-slip velocity that includes measuring the lateral acceleration of the vehicle, measuring the yaw rate of the vehicle, measuring the longitudinal speed of the vehicle and measuring the steering angle of the vehicle. The measured longitudinal speed is corrected to provide a true longitudinal speed using a filter factor based on the vehicle-dependent parameters and a steering angle. A constant is defined based on the measured longitudinal speed and a function is defined based on the combination of the vehicle-dependent parameters and the lateral acceleration. Side-slip acceleration is calculated using the measured lateral acceleration, the true longitudinal speed, the yaw rate, the constant and the function.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Shih-Ken Chen, Jihan Ryu, Nikolai K. Moshchuk
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Patent number: 7440825Abstract: This invention relates to the concept of managing the rate of change of energy in a helicopter or other aeronautical vehicle. The invention uses energy management calculations to determine the maximum longitudinal and lateral inputs that can be made while still enabling the vehicle to maintain a desired vertical state. The results of the calculations can be cued to the pilot either tactilely, aurally, or visually, or used for internal software limiting.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Pieter G. Einthoven, Channing S. Morse
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Patent number: 7440826Abstract: A steering aid system for altitude and horizontal speed of an aircraft (4) includes: a measuring device (22) for delivering a measured signal based on the aircraft altitude and horizontal speed, a common predetermined reference value (26) for the aircraft altitude and horizontal speed, and elements (20) for slaving the signal to the reference value by pitch loop, the elements being adapted to vary automatically the pitch and/or propulsive performance of the lifting members to lock the measured signal to the reference value.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifque (C.N.R.S.)Inventors: Nicolas Franceschini, Franck Ruffier, Stéphane Viollet, Marc Boyron
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Patent number: 7440827Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling a power-train of a hybrid electric vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a first electric machine directly driven by the internal combustion engine for generating electricity, and a second electric machine driven at least partly with the electricity for driving the vehicle wheel. The method comprises adjusting the speed and adjusting the torque of the internal combustion engine, while substantially maintaining the intake manifold pressure, in response to a change of the desired electricity from the first electric machine. According to the method, the higher engine efficiency can be maintained, because the engine intake manifold pressure is maintained during adjusting the engine speed and torque. The engine speed may be adjusted corresponding to a speed of the first electric machine with higher efficiency and the desired output electricity. Therefore, both the engine and the first electric machine may achieve the respective higher efficiencies.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Takuji Kawada, Nobuhide Seo
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Patent number: 7440828Abstract: An operation checking method for an adaptive front lighting system (AFS), which is applicable to on-line automobile inspections involves an operation checking program prepared to activate the AFS in a manner to perform its prescribed headlamp illumination redirecting function and stored in advance in an in-vehicle ECU. While a finished vehicle remains stationary at an inspection zone of an automobile production and assembly line, the operation checking program is executed. During a run-time of the program, an inspection is performed to determine whether the headlamp illumination has been redirected by the AFS in leftward, rightward, downward and upward directions in a predetermined sequence as specified by the operation checking program.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tadashi Tooyama
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Patent number: 7440829Abstract: The present invention provides a steering angle estimating apparatus for vehicle that can accurately determine a steady state at all the steering angles, and can estimate the steering angle as much as possible even in a non-steady state. In the steering angle estimating apparatus for vehicle that has wheel rotational velocity sensors for four wheels, respectively, and estimates the steering angle of the vehicle based on wheel rotational velocities from the wheel rotational velocity sensors, relationships in the wheel rotational velocities between respective combinations of two wheels of the front and rear wheels on right and left sides are compared so that slip of the four wheels is detected.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignees: NSK Ltd., NSK Steering Systems Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takeshi Hara
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Patent number: 7440830Abstract: In a driving support system, a necessary information amount determining section determines the amount of visual information necessary for safe driving. An information acquisition capacity setting section sets an information acquisition capacity of a driver. A comparing section compares the necessary information amount with the information acquisition capacity and determines a difference between the two. If a possibility of collision between an object and a vehicle is determined by a collision possibility determining section, a driving support level setting section sets a level of driving support based on the difference.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Kazuyoshi Isaji, Naohiko Tsuru
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Patent number: 7440831Abstract: An assembly for performing an agricultural operation, in particular crop processing. The assembly is provided with an autonomous agricultural machine that is movable over a parcel for performing the agricultural operation, the agricultural machine includes a machine container detachably disposed on the agricultural machine for containing an amount of the product required for performing the agricultural operation. A container for containing a stock of a product required for performing the agricultural operation is also provided and a control-unit automatically moves the agricultural machine to the container where a conveying device automatically exchanges the container with the machine container. Due to the fact that the machine container can be exchanged automatically and quickly with an exchange container, the assembly is relatively efficient in use.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2003Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Lely Enterprises AGInventors: Theo Jan Miedema, Karel Van Den Berg, Alexander Van Der Lely
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Patent number: 7440832Abstract: Method and arrangement for controlling actual torque in a driveline of a land-based motor vehicle. Taking a direct, non-predictive measure of actual torque induced in the driveline of the motor vehicle and ascertaining a magnitude thereof. Ascertaining a magnitude of a torque demand being requested to be instituted in the driveline. Comparing the ascertained magnitude of the direct, non-predictive measure of actual torque taken is compared with a driveline-configuration dependent maximum torque threshold; in this way, an over-threshold torque condition is ascertained in the driveline based thereupon if such a condition exists. In multi-geared transmissions, the variability can be accounted for through the engagement of different ratio gears. In the event that such an over-threshold torque condition is detected, at least one of several possible over-threshold torque compensating effects will be applied to reduce or diminish the excessive portion of the torque.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar ABInventors: Marcus Steen, Anders Eriksson
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Patent number: 7440833Abstract: A transmission control system for a transmission including a first gear engagement element that receives a fluid and engages a first gear. The system includes an electromagnetic actuator that receives a control signal and that selectively interrupts flow of the fluid to the first gear engagement element based on a value of the control signal. The system also includes a control module that generates the control signal and that adjusts the value of the control signal so that the first gear engagement element produces a first torque sufficient to hold the first gear. The control module detects a target volume of the fluid when the first gear engagement element produces the first torque. Also, the control module extrapolates a current fill volume (i.e., the volume at which the first gear engagement element begins to produce torque during a shift) of the first gear engagement element from the target volume.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Chrysler LLCInventor: Gang Chen
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Patent number: 7440834Abstract: A drive force distribution system for a four wheel independent drive vehicle is configured to suppress changes in longitudinal and lateral accelerations and change in yaw moment about the center of gravity of the vehicle that occur when the brake/drive force of one wheel changes or is changed deliberately. The drive force distribution system is configured such that when the brake forces and the drive forces determined by the brake/drive force determining section based on the motion requirements of the vehicle are to be changed, the drive force revising section revises the brake/drive forces of the left front wheel, the right front wheel, the left rear wheel, and the right rear wheel by amounts, respectively, based on the sensitivities of the tire lateral forces of each of the wheels estimated by the tire lateral force sensitivity estimating section so as to satisfy the motion requirements of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ichiro Yamaguchi, Yoshitaka Deguchi, Hideaki Inoue
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Patent number: 7440835Abstract: A vehicle cruise control system is provided that comprises a vehicle speed detecting section, a cruise control section, and a cruising speed setting section. The vehicle speed detecting section is configured and arranged to detect a speed of a host vehicle. The cruise control section is configured to execute a first prescribed cruise control such that the host vehicle travels in a constant-speed state at a cruising speed setting when the host vehicle is traveling in a first prescribed speed region. The cruising speed setting section is configured to set the cruising speed setting when the host vehicle is traveling in a vehicle speed region other than the first prescribed speed region.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Shima
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Patent number: 7440836Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of properly performing air-fuel ratio control and ignition timing control according to an actual amount of intake air, even when reliability of the results of detection of the operating condition of a variable intake mechanism is low. The control system for controlling air-fuel ratio and ignition timing includes an ECU. The ECU calculates a target air-fuel ratio, calculates an air-fuel ratio correction coefficient, calculates a statistically processed value of an air-fuel ratio index value, calculates a corrected valve lift and a corrected cam phase, and determines a fuel injection amount according to the corrected valve lift, the corrected cam phase, and the air-fuel ratio correction coefficient.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Masahiro Sato, Mitsunobu Saito, Hiroshi Tagami, Kosuke Higashitani
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Patent number: 7440837Abstract: Electronic engine controllers contain a multitude of individual components that, in part, trigger one another. Until now, a change made to these trigger connections required a change, for example, in the source code of the engine controller. According to the invention, all trigger connections are realized by interconnecting wrappers, which receive the trigger signal from a component and—optionally after translating the trigger signal into a trigger signal of a differing type route this trigger signal to the second component to be triggered. In order to produce or change a trigger connection, it is only required to change the configuration of the wrappers.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Josef Kulzer, Harald Tschochner, Freddy Veit
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Patent number: 7440838Abstract: A method of regulating operation of an internal combustion engine includes monitoring a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) of the engine, determining an engine torque based on the MAP, estimating an air per cylinder (APC) based on the torque, determining a volumetric efficiency of the engine based on the APC and regulating operation of the engine based on the volumetric efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Layne K. Wiggins, John A. Jacobs, Richard B. Jess, James L. Worthing
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Patent number: 7440839Abstract: A method of sensing the air/fuel ratio in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine that may be easily implemented by a respective low-cost device includes a pressure sensor and a learning machine that generates a sensing signal representing the air/fuel ratio by processing the waveform of the pressure in at least one cylinder of the engine. In practice, the learning machine extracts characteristic parameters of the waveform of the pressure and as a function of a certain number of them generates the sensing signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.Inventors: Nicola Cesario, Paolo Amato, Maurizio Di Meglio, Francesco Pirozzi, Giovanni Moselli, Ferdinando Taglialatela-Scafati, Francesco Carpentieri
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Patent number: 7440840Abstract: There is a need for making a user fully conscious about environmentally friendly driving. In an ecological driving system, a CPU allows a display apparatus to distinctively display fuel consumption according to the following idling states. One idling state results from engine warm-up. Another is useless idling state. Still another idling state results when a vehicle waits for turning to the left at an intersection or stops at a roadside. Yet another idling state results when the vehicle waits for turning to the right at an intersection. Still yet another idling state results when the vehicle waits forward at an intersection or stops due to traffic congestion.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Akira Tsukamoto, Nobutaka Tauchi