Patents Issued in January 12, 2010
  • Patent number: 7647146
    Abstract: When determining that a failure has occurred, a vehicle (10) transmits alarm lamp illumination information, vehicle ID information and user identification information to a center (20). The center (20) transmits the received alarm lamp illumination information to an automobile dealer computer (30) at an automobile dealer. The center (20) then obtains abnormality countermeasure information transmitted from the automobile dealer, prepares an abnormality notification, and transmits the abnormality notification to the vehicle (10). The vehicle (10) notifies a user of the abnormality notification, and reserves servicing at the automobile dealer through an operation of a reservation button performed by the user. With the reservation, the center (20) transmits an abnormality transmission request to the vehicle (10). The vehicle (10) collects failure information in response to the failure information transmission request, and transmits the failure information to the center (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Taki
  • Patent number: 7647147
    Abstract: A data communication interface connectable between a vehicle function-specific electronic device and a control module of a vehicle. The data communication interface includes a first programmable hardware for receiving signals from the control module of the vehicle and recognizing an identity of the vehicle based on the received signals. The data communication interface also includes a second programmable hardware for establishing a bi-directional connection between the vehicle function-specific electronic device and the control module of the vehicle when the identity of the vehicle is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Fortin Auto Radio Inc.
    Inventors: Jacques Fortin, Jean-Pierre Aubertin, Philippe Meilleur, Martin Tessier, Patrick Nöel, Mihn Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7647148
    Abstract: A roll stability control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) includes an active anti-roll bar system (62) and a rollover sensor (40) that generates a roll attitude signal indicative of a pending rollover of the vehicle. A controller (26) controls the active anti-roll bar system (62) to prevent the vehicle from rolling over in response to the roll attitude signal. The controller (26) may also control a brake system (60). The brake system may be used in addition to the active anti-roll bar system to prevent rollover of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jianbo Lu
  • Patent number: 7647149
    Abstract: The operations of an electric power steering system and a wheel slip control system such as a traction control system or an anti-lock brake system are co-related so as not to undesirably affect one another, by the target assisting steering force for the electric power steering system being modified differently according to whether or not the wheel slip control system is in operation. In doing so, the target value of assisting steering force according to an increase of the steering torque of the steering wheel is increased by a degree increased along with increase of a time based differential of the steering torque of the steering wheel, or the degree of increasing the target value of assisting steering force according to an increase of the steering torque of the steering wheel is decreased along with increase of a time based differential of steering angle of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 7647150
    Abstract: A vehicle attitude control device derives a stability factor during turning of a vehicle based on the behavior of the vehicle to take the derivation result as an estimated stability factor (step 112), compares the estimated stability factor with a reference stability factor (steps 114 and 116), varies an attitude control necessary-or-not judgment sensitivity based on the comparison result (steps 118, 130 and 134), and executes the attitude control for the vehicle (step 126).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Katayama
  • Patent number: 7647151
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, an adjusting system and a method for moving at least one vehicle seat arranged in a vehicle cabin, particularly an aircraft seat, comprising seat components that are coupled or guided together, such as a seat part, a backrest and a leg rest, the location and/or inclination of which can be adjusted by means of at least one or more adjusting units. The adjusting system allows a separation of the basic functions from driving devices, with an electronic device for collision-free movement and for adjusting custom-designed functions and facilitating the adaptation of the custom-designed functions. The movement sequences and movements of the respective individual seat components and the seat components in relation to one another and the movements of the components or seats within an environment or group of seats are accomplished by means of a movement model in a coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Buhler Motor GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Abt, Arno Schieweck, Wolfgang Troelenberg
  • Patent number: 7647152
    Abstract: ECU executes a program including the steps of: detecting a mode input by a driver, detecting an accelerator opening degree TA to calculate an operation potential Pta based on the accelerator opening degree TA and an accelerator operation speed dTA, counting the number of times Pta exceeds a threshold value set according to a mode, as COUNT value, and learning a driver intention level in a sport direction when COUNT value is equal to or greater than the threshold value set according to a mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7647153
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a vehicle while operating under a cruise control so as to improve response to driver braking operation and shorten the free running distance by applying a preliminary braking force to a braking device when a preceding vehicle can no longer be recognized during preceding vehicle following control. Basically, the method includes: detecting a preceding vehicle and an inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle from a host vehicle equipped with the vehicle driving control device; executing a preceding vehicle following control to control the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle towards a target inter-vehicle distance when the preceding vehicle has been recognized; and generating a preliminary braking force upon determination that no preceding vehicle can be recognized during the preceding vehicle following control performed in which the preceding vehicle was previously detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Sugano
  • Patent number: 7647154
    Abstract: A method and article of manufacture are provided for operating an internal combustion engine adapted to transmit torque to a hybrid transmission. The method comprises determining engine input torque transmittable to the hybrid transmission for a plurality of engine states the engine states comprising an all-cylinder operation and a cylinder-deactivation operation. Costs are determined for operating the engine and hybrid transmission in the engine states to substantially meet an operator torque request. The engine state is controlled to one of the all-cylinder operation and the cylinder-deactivation operation based upon the costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony H. Heap
  • Patent number: 7647155
    Abstract: A device and method for calculating the work load of an engine more efficiently and accurately. The device for calculating the work load of an engine comprises a means for determining a desired frequency component to calculate the work load of the engine obtained through frequency decomposition of the volume variation rate of the engine. The device further comprises a first calculating means for calculating a first correlation coefficient between the volume variation rate and a reference signal composed of a frequency corresponding to the determined component, and a second calculating means for calculating a second correlation coefficient between the cylinder inner pressure of the engine and a reference signal composed of a frequency corresponding to the determined component. The work load of the engine is calculated using the first and second correlation coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Shinozaki, Katsura Okubo, Yuji Yasui, Masahiro Sato, Koichi Ikoma
  • Patent number: 7647156
    Abstract: A method and system for using exhaust temperature anomalies to detect fugitive fueling of a reciprocating internal combustion engine compares an exhaust temperature attribute with a predetermined threshold value for such attribute, which is a function of either the combustion of fugitive fuel within the engine, or an indicator of an operating condition leading to fugitive fueling. If the value of the attribute exceeds the threshold value, remedial action will be taken to avoid engine damage resulting from fugitive fueling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James R. Mischler, Luke M. Henry, Nikita Goel, Kyle C. Stott
  • Patent number: 7647157
    Abstract: There are provided a control device, a control method, a control unit, and an engine control unit, which are capable of controlling a controlled object with relatively large phase delay and dead time, while attaining elimination of lag in control timing between the input and output of the controlled object and improvement of control accuracy at the same time. A state predictor calculates a deviation (output deviation) between an output from an oxygen concentration sensor and a predetermined target value at a predetermined deviation calculation period. Then, a DSM controller calculates a target air-fuel ratio for converging the output from the oxygen concentration sensor to the predetermined target value, according to the calculated deviation, based on any one of a ? modulation algorithm, a ?? modulation algorithm, and a ?? modulation algorithm at a predetermined calculation period shorter than the predetermined deviation calculation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Yasui
  • Patent number: 7647158
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for diagnosing an airflow control system of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: determining if a valve is in a stable position; commanding the valve of the airflow control system to move from a first position to a second position; determining a period of time for the valve to move from the first position to the second position; providing a first signal if the period of time is greater than or less than a predetermined period of time, the predetermined period of time corresponding to an amount of time necessary to move the valve from the first position to the second position under predetermined conditions; and providing a second signal if the period of time is within a range defined by the predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Simpson, Peter H. Maehling
  • Patent number: 7647159
    Abstract: When the engine load is in a high-load zone, an absolute value control is executed, wherein the actual values of valve timings of an intake valve and an exhaust valve and a valve duration of the intake valve are controlled to coincide with respective target values set based on the operating state of an internal combustion engine. When the engine load is in a low-load zone, a relative value control is executed, wherein an actual value of a valve overlap amount of the intake valve and the exhaust valve is controlled to coincide with a target valve overlap amount obtained based on the target values. Therefore, a control method for the internal combustion engine that is appropriate for the operating state of the engine when the operating state of the engine is in transition is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naohide Fuwa
  • Patent number: 7647160
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine which is designed to determine an instantaneous engine speed in a cycle of, for example, 30° CA of the engine to learn an actual injection quantity that is the quantity of fuel actually sprayed from a fuel injector. The system filters the instantaneous engine speed using a band-pass filter to extract a cyclic component which varies in synchronism with an engine operating cycle to produce an engine speed change which has arisen from the spraying of fuel into the engine from which unwanted noise components are removed and uses it to determine the actual injection quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichi Sugiyama, Koji Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 7647161
    Abstract: A fuel injector performs a main injection and a pilot injection prior to the main injection. A fuel injection controller detects an ignition timing of a fuel injected at the main injection, detects a driving condition of the internal combustion engine, and varies a pilot injection quantity of the pilot injection when the driving condition is stable. Furthermore, the controller detects a variation in ignition timing due to a variation in the pilot injection quantity, and learns the pilot injection quantity based on the variation in ignition timing due to the variation in the pilot injection quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Haraguchi, Akikazu Kojima, Youhei Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7647162
    Abstract: A fuel control system for an internal combustion engine includes a first module that determines a corrected injected fuel mass based on an engine temperature and a measured burned fuel mass and a second module that determines a raw injected fuel mass based on the corrected injected fuel mass and the engine temperature. A third module regulates fueling to a cylinder of the engine based on the raw injected fuel mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Stephen Yurkovich, Kenneth P. Dudek, Stephen K. Fulcher, Robert X. Monchamp
  • Patent number: 7647163
    Abstract: An automated system collects information related to various factors that affect fuel costs, and determines an optimal amount of fuel to be loaded on an aircraft. Information related to an aircraft's fuel efficiency is collected from the aircraft; price information is collected for the stops made by the aircraft; and flight plan information is collected for each flight. The collected information is used to determine or estimate the fuel requirements of the aircraft and an optimal amount of fuel to load onto the aircraft at a location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: David L. Allen
  • Patent number: 7647164
    Abstract: A method and system for providing location data of a mobile device using a web service is provided. In one embodiment, a method for providing location data of a mobile device using a web service includes receiving location data associated with a mobile device, the mobile device operable to transmit a wireless signal including corresponding location data. A location request is received from a client using a web service. The location request comprising information identifying the mobile device and the client. A response to the location request is automatically communicated based on the location data associated with the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Computer Associates Think, Inc.
    Inventor: Simon Reeves
  • Patent number: 7647165
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving vehicle tracking and remote control. A wireless telecommunications system infrastructure receives a unique vehicle identifier via a shared-communications channel from a vehicle being tracked, as well as location information for that vehicle. The location information is derived from Global Positioning System signals or from the address of the local infrastructure currently in contact with the vehicle, or both. The same shared-communications channel is used to convey control messages to the vehicle, wherein the messages are mapped into control signals that can disable the vehicle's engine or control some other system that is part of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventors: Timothy Gordon Godfrey, James Gerard Zyren
  • Patent number: 7647166
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a navigation system for communicating narrative information to a traveler moving through a geographic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Lester Kerns
  • Patent number: 7647167
    Abstract: There are provided a navigation system, a route search method and a storage medium which are easily capable of setting a destination even if a telephone number, which is not contained in a storage device, is entered. A route search processing unit, in the case where, for example, positions corresponding to telephone numbers that match the number expressing the area of the entered telephone number are four or more, selects four telephone numbers that are approximate to the entered telephone number, and sets the point of intersection, which is formed when the positions corresponding to the selected telephone numbers are connected diagonally by straight lines, as a destination. The route search processing unit searches for a route from the position of a user's car, which is calculated by a vehicle position measuring unit, to a point that is set as a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Apline Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Iwao Yamakage
  • Patent number: 7647168
    Abstract: The map-display-area determining unit determines an area in which a map is to be displayed. The road-information obtaining unit obtains, from map data transmitted from a map-data distributing server, curved-point coordinate information and name information of a traffic route. A map-display-data generating unit determines a display position for each of a character or symbol included in a character/symbol string in the name information so that the character or symbol is positioned along the traffic route without interfering with another character or symbol, and generates map display data for displaying the character or symbol at the determined display position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Navitime Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Kikuchi, Keisuke Onishi
  • Patent number: 7647170
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus for a vehicle displays, based on map information, a map image for vicinity of a present position of the vehicle and a guidance route in superimposition in a display device. An end point relative to a moving arrow is defined as being a predetermined first distance ahead of the present position along the route; a start point is defined as being a predetermined second distance smaller than the first distance ahead of the present position along the route. The navigation apparatus is further configured to superimpose, on the displayed route, the moving arrow which includes an arrowhead and a line between the arrowhead and the present position, such that the arrowhead moves from the start point to the end point along the route when a distance to a nearest guidance point is smaller than a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaru Sawaki, Yoshinori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7647171
    Abstract: A location-centric signal shadow mapping and storing architecture that creates maps where signals, such as GPS, cannot be seen with ease because of natural or synthetic features such as groups of tall buildings. Such maps are used with other information, such as the dynamics of the sensed velocity that had been seen before the loss of the signals, to reason about the location and likely activities being carried out by one or more people. Inferences can be made based on information about organizations and services associated with structures and locations proximal to the locations where signals were lost. Also, such reasoning can be used to turn off or to reduce the power consumed by the receivers of the location information, potentially with the joint use of accelerometers to identify when significant accelerations occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric I. Horvitz, John C. Krumm
  • Patent number: 7647172
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for obtaining information related to a customer service location and directions for routing a service technician from one customer service location to another. One embodiment includes requesting at least one set of coordinates associated with the customer service location; accessing a technician server to direct a global satellite positioning system to obtain the set of coordinates for the customer service location; obtaining the coordinates and updating one or more databases with said coordinates. The coordinates may include at least one of a latitude and a longitude associated with the customer service location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven G. Smith, Robert H. Willis, Jr., Mitchell E. Davis, Marvin R. Hamrick, Roland T. Morton, Jr., Jeffery A. Sylvester
  • Patent number: 7647173
    Abstract: The invention relates to a data server (40) used in a system (10) for supplying complementary data, so-called augmentation data, for satellite navigation signals. The inventive server (40) is especially adapted to be used with elements that are compatible with those used in EGNOS technology (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service). Said system (10) for supplying augmentation data for the satellite navigation signals comprises at least one calculator (20) for the determination of said augmentation data, said augmentation data being determined from data transmitted by at least one receiving station (S01. . . SON) receiving navigation information sent by means of at least one satellite. Said server (40) comprises a first inlet (401) for receiving the augmentation data transmitted by the calculator (20), a first outlet (402) for transmitting the augmentation data towards at least one user (U01. . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Bernard Charlot, Etienne Dunas
  • Patent number: 7647174
    Abstract: A navigation system with a function of one-touch map matching correction, and a method thereof. The navigation system includes a GPS module for receiving each position signal, and measuring self position and driving direction; a map database for storing map data; a storage unit for storing a candidate designation index, road information, a guidance stop flag, a flag activating a map-matching correction button, and voice data for road sequence guidance; a display unit for displaying the map data, activating or deactivating the map-matching correction button, and generating a coordinate value of a position; and a controller for indexing the parallel roads, generating a candidate road array, activating the map-matching correction button, and sequentially selecting candidate roads while performing the map matching correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Autonet Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pil Su Kwon
  • Patent number: 7647175
    Abstract: A system and method for calculating velocity vectors from accelerations by establishing a predetermined acceleration threshold, and attributing a predetermined velocity vector to accelerations that cross the predetermined threshold. Preferably, the system and method are used in conjunction with hand-held displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Rembrandt Technologies, LP
    Inventor: Sina Fateh
  • Patent number: 7647176
    Abstract: A system and method for wireless power transfer to an electronic device in motion, such as an inertial sensor assembly, is disclosed. In the method, a power level of a battery in the electronic device is monitored to determine whether the power level is at or below a prescribed threshold. One or more internal power ports of the electronic device are aligned with one or more external power ports when the power level is at or below the prescribed threshold. A wireless power signal is transmitted from the one or more external power ports to the one or more internal power ports. The power signal received by the one or more internal power ports is processed to charge the battery in the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Hayek, Mark D. DuBois, Robert E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7647177
    Abstract: A time estimator determines a first aggregate elapsed time between the transmission of the first transmission signal to a first beacon and receipt of a return signal, a second aggregate elapsed time between the transmission of the first transmission signal to a second beacon and receipt of a return signal, and a third aggregate elapsed time between the transmission of the first transmission signal to a third beacon and receipt of a return signal. A bias compensator compensates for bias delay associated with at least one of the first transmitter, the first beacon, the second beacon and the third beacon. A converter converts the first aggregate elapsed time, the second aggregate elapsed time, and the third aggregate elapsed time into position curves. A data processor estimates a position of the vehicle at a confluence or intersection of the position curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark Alvin Schmidt, Kenneth Edward Hunt, David Roy Holm, Scott Adam Stephens
  • Patent number: 7647178
    Abstract: A method and system for autonomous collision avoidance in multiple obstacle scenarios. A forward collision avoidance system detects obstacles in front of a vehicle hosting the system and estimates a position, a velocity and an acceleration of each of the obstacles. The maneuvers which the vehicle is capable of performing that will lead to a collision with each respective obstacle are evaluated separately. The union of maneuvers which will lead to collision with any one of the obstacles is formed. The set of maneuvers which the vehicle is capable of performing through which collision with any of the obstacles may be avoided is established, and the set used for deciding how to avoid or mitigate collision with any one of the obstacles. Finally, a collision avoidance maneuver based on the decision is executed autonomously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonas Ekmark, Jonas Jansson
  • Patent number: 7647179
    Abstract: A bounded diagram having latitude and longitude points is identified. Two lines of latitude and two lines of longitude contained within the bounded diagram are identified. The points of where the lines of latitude and the lines of longitude intersect with the boundary of the bounded diagram are determined. Two latitude connecting lines and two longitude connecting lines are determined from the intersection. A latitude coordinate and a longitude coordinate of a latitude/longitude point is obtained. Latitude and longitude points corresponding to the latitude and longitude coordinates are determined along each of the connecting lines. Latitude and longitude position lines are determined by the points along the connecting lines. An intersection point of the latitude position line and the longitude potion line is determined and an object representing the latitude/longitude point is placed at the intersection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: Hilton Goldstein
  • Patent number: 7647180
    Abstract: System for preventing vehicle accidents at intersections includes a positioning system arranged in a vehicle for determining the absolute position thereof, a memory unit within the vehicle for storing data relating to edges of at least one lane of the roadway on which the vehicle may travel and the edges of at least one intersecting lane at an intersection, a receiver arranged in the vehicle for receiving position information about another vehicle in an intersecting lane, a processor coupled to the positioning system, the receiver and the memory unit for predicting a collision between the vehicles based on the position and optionally speed thereof and optionally map data, and a reactive component or system arranged in one or both vehicles and coupled to the processor. The component or system is arranged to initiate an action or change its operation if a collision is predicted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Patent number: 7647181
    Abstract: A method and system for generating land cover classifications is provided. Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a method in a computing environment for determining land cover classification that includes identifying a geographic unit and determining a human presence datum corresponding to the geographic unit. The method can further include determining an environmental datum corresponding to the geographic unit and/or a cultural datum corresponding to the geographic unit. The method can still further include assigning a land cover classification to the geographic unit based on at least the human presence datum and (a) the environmental datum, (b) the cultural datum, or (c) both (a) and (b). In certain embodiments, the method can still further include determining a geographic region corresponding to the geographic unit and assigning a land cover classification to the geographic unit based on at least the geographic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene J. Vaatveit
  • Patent number: 7647182
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for logging an earth formation and acquiring subsurface information wherein a logging tool is conveyed in borehole to obtain parameters of interest. The parameters of interest obtained may be density, acoustic, magnetic or electrical values as known in the art. The parameters of interest may be transmitted to the surface at a plurality of resolutions using a multi-resolution image compression method. Parameters of interest are formed into a plurality of Cost Functions from which Regions of Interest are determined to resolve characteristics of the Features of interest within the Regions. Feature characteristics may be determined to obtain time or depth positions of bed boundaries and borehole Dip Angle relative to subsurface structures, as well borehole and subsurface structure orientation. Characteristics of the Features include time, depth, and geometries of the subsurface such as structural dip, thickness, and lithologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gamal A. Hassan, Philip L. Kurkoski
  • Patent number: 7647183
    Abstract: A microseismic method of monitoring fracturing operation or other microseismic events in hydrocarbon wells is described using the steps of obtaining multi-component signal recordings from a single monitoring well in the vicinity of a facture or event; and rotating observed signals such that they become independent of at least one component of the moment tensor representing the source mechanism and performing an inversion of the rotated signals to determine the remaining components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Zuzana Jechumtalova, Leo Eisner
  • Patent number: 7647184
    Abstract: Processes and systems for the high throughput directed evolution of peptides and proteins, particularly those that act in complex biological settings, are provided. The proteins and peptides include, but are not limited to, intracellular proteins, messenger/signaling/hormone proteins and viral proteins. Also provided is a rational method for generating protein variants and also a method for titering viruses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hanall Pharmaceuticals, Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Manuel Vega, Lila Drittanti
  • Patent number: 7647185
    Abstract: A method for combining measurements from two or more independent measurement channels, particularly physiological measurements such as heart rate. Independent measurements of heart rate, for instance by ECG and pulse oximetry, can be combined to derive an improved measurement eliminating artefacts on one channel. A model of the process generating the physiological parameter, e.g., the heart rate, is constructed and is run independently for each channel to generate predictions of the parameter. The measured values are compared with the predicted values and the differences are used as an indication of the confidence in the measurement. The measurements from the two channels are ombined using weights calculated from the respective differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Oxford Biosignals Limited
    Inventors: Lionel Tarassenko, Neil William Townsend, James David Price
  • Patent number: 7647186
    Abstract: A system is described for ordering oligonucleotides through a network, such as the Internet. The system provides a mechanism for validating the data provided by a customer, and then displaying graphical images to represent any data that has errors. The system can also pool multiple oligonucleotide samples together by providing graphical images representing oligonucleotide containers, and allowing the customer to select the proper containers to pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Illumina, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Fowler, Vinod C. Mehta, Thomas L. Rosso
  • Patent number: 7647187
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for processing a data set having noise to determine whether the data set exhibits statistically linear behavior. A true data signal is calculated based on local properties of the data, and an estimate of the noise in the data is calculated from the true data signal. A measure of the estimated noise is then compared to properties of a linear fit to the data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Lerner
  • Patent number: 7647188
    Abstract: Computer systems, computer program products and methods for processing an input nucleic acid chromatogram having a plurality of substantially simultaneous traces. Each trace in the plurality of traces has a plurality of datapoints. Each respective datapoint in each of the plurality of datapoints represents a signal amplitude at a position in the trace corresponding to the respective datapoint. A first peak is identified in a first trace that is substantially overlapping a second peak in a second trace in the plurality of traces. The first peak is outputted to a first output homozygous representation and the second peak is outputted to a second output homozygous representation. The first output homozygous representation is a first homozygous sequence representation or a first homozygous nucleic acid chromatogram corresponding to the input nucleic acid chromatogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG
    Inventors: Guochun Liao, Jonathan A. Usuka, Gary Allen Peltz
  • Patent number: 7647189
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for inspection of liquid articles to determine the presence of drugs concealed in the liquid articles without opening the outer packages. The method includes emitting radiation beams having a single energy to transmit through the liquid article; receiving the radiation beams transmitted through the liquid article to get multi-angle projection data; inversely operating the multi-angle projection data based on the uniformity of the liquid article to obtain an attribute value of the inspected liquid article; retrieving a reference attribute value in a pre-created database by using the identification information of the liquid article as an index, and calculating a difference between the calculated attribute value and the reference attribute value; and determining whether the difference is larger than a predefined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Kejun Kang, Zhiqiang Chen, Haifeng Hu, Yuanjing Li, Li Zhang, Yinong Liu, Xuewu Wang, Lijun Qiu, Hong Zhang
  • Patent number: 7647190
    Abstract: An analyzing system, comprising: a sample processor for processing a sample based on a designated dilution parameter; a measurement section for measuring the sample processed by the sample processor; a dilution parameter memory for storing a first dilution parameter and a second dilution parameter which is different from the first dilution parameter and can be supplied by a user of the analyzing system; and a measurement controller for controlling the sample processor and the measurement section so as to process the sample based on the first dilution parameter and obtain a measurement value by measuring the processed sample; wherein, when a comparison of the measurement value and a predetermined threshold indicates a retest, the second dilution parameter is used for the retest, is disclosed. A diagnostic processing device and computer program product thereof are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Uemura, Kenichi Takahashi, Yasutaka Arino, Akinobu Seko, Yuji Takano
  • Patent number: 7647191
    Abstract: A detector for detecting a state of an electrical storage device includes capacitor blocks formed of a capacitor-voltage equalizing circuit and a capacitor-voltage detecting circuit both coupled to respective capacitors, and a capacitor-block state outputting circuit outputting states of the capacitors by using the signals supplied from the capacitor-voltage detecting circuits. The signals from the capacitor-voltage detecting circuits are transmitted via an optical switch, which works as an electrical indirect coupler, to the capacitor-block state outputting circuit. This structure allows isolating high-voltage oriented wirings completely from signal oriented wirings, so that high reliability can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kimiyasu Kakiuchi, Yoksuke Mitani
  • Patent number: 7647192
    Abstract: When a sample stream is decimated, frequency components from outside of a desired frequency band are aliased into the desired band, causing interference and loss of information. Different decimating ratios result in different frequencies aliasing into the desired frequency band. A current-mode sampling mixer 800 with capacitor banks 811 and 812 that are controlled by a digital control unit 820 with a capability to integrate and decimate an RF current at different decimating ratios is able to measure the frequency spectrum with different decimating ratios. The measured frequency spectrum is then analyzed to detect the presence of interferers aliased into the desired frequency band. The interferers can then be eliminated or avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Khurram Muhammad, Robert B. Staszewski, Gennady Feygin
  • Patent number: 7647193
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for authenticating a pharmaceutical product is provided. The method includes receiving an identifier and a quantity for the pharmaceutical product and receiving a photonic signal from the pharmaceutical product, wherein the photonic signal includes a frequency and amplitude. The method can further include searching for the identifier and quantity that was received in a predefined list comprising identifier-quantity pairs, wherein a frequency and amplitude corresponds to each identifier-quantity pair. The method can further include matching the identifier and quantity that was received to a first identifier-quantity pair in the list. The method can further include storing a record indicating that the pharmaceutical product is counterfeit if the frequency and amplitude of the photonic signal does not match the frequency and amplitude corresponding to the first identifier-quantity pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur R. Francis, Ruthie D. Lyle, Veronique L. Moses, Denny Pichardo
  • Patent number: 7647194
    Abstract: Methods for accurately and conveniently calculating the temperature of gaseous hydrogen during vehicle fueling are disclosed. The metered amount of hydrogen added to the on-board storage tank, the ambient conditions, The pressure measured at the dispenser, and a correlation to account for heat transfer are the inputs to the methods of the present invention. These inputs eliminate the need for obtaining temperature and pressure information from the vehicle which is out of the control of the dispenser and/or energy provider. In addition, the use of the equation of the present invention does not require the fill rate to be limited and the corresponding fill time to be extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel Glenn Casey, Jerry Max Rovner, Randy M. Roberts, Curtis Lee Krause
  • Patent number: 7647195
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a virtual accelerometer is described. The virtual accelerometer includes an active process identifier engine to identify any active application that may use accelerometer data. The virtual accelerometer also includes an intelligent signal interpretation and separation (ISIS) engine to separate raw accelerometer data for each of the active applications that use the accelerometer data. Additionally, the virtual accelerometer includes a universal application program interface (API) to provide separated accelerometer data to an application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: DP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Kahn, Arthur Kinsolving
  • Patent number: 7647196
    Abstract: A method of monitoring human activity includes monitoring accelerations using an inertial sensor disposed at one of a plurality of locations on a human body, wherein at least one of the plurality of locations is not a foot location. A plurality of steps are counted based on the accelerations. A gait characteristic of the plurality of steps is determined. The characteristic is used to determine a stride length. At least one of a distance traveled and a speed of travel are determined based on the stride length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: DP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Kahn, Arthur Kinsolving, Mark Andrew Christensen, Brian Y. Lee, David Vogel, Paul Andrew Mietz Egli