Patents Issued in September 30, 2014
  • Patent number: 8849569
    Abstract: A method for determining overbounds comprises the steps of determining conservative overbounds (qi) of at least one error (?i) in a first phase space, multiplying the conservative overbounds (qi) of errors (?i) in the first phase space by a first parameter (?(?x)·2) and a second parameter (?(x)·2), and determining an upper bound for the integrity risk at the alert limit (pw,int(AL)) in a second phase space using overbounds (qi) of errors (?i) in the first phase space by the first parameter (?(?x)·2) and the second parameter (?(x)·2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: EADS Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Hans L. Trautenberg, Harald Frankenberger
  • Patent number: 8849570
    Abstract: Navigation information may be provided. First, a destination location may be received at a portable device. Next, a current location of the portable device maybe detected. Then, at least one way-point may be calculated based on the current location and the destination location. An orientation and a level of the portable device may be determined and the at least one way-point may then be projected from the portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: V. Kevin Russ, John A. Snavely, Edwin R. Burtner, Ian M. Sands
  • Patent number: 8849571
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining trajectories for a fleet of vehicles are provided. In one example, a method comprises receiving an initial location of one or more vehicles, and receiving a sequence of coverage requirements for a region and an associated period of time. The method also comprises determining, for each of one or more phases, single-phase landmarks that a vehicle could travel to over the duration of the phase, and determining for at least one of the one or more phases, phase-skipping landmarks that a vehicle could travel to over the duration of multiple phases. The method further comprises determining which landmarks of the single-phase landmarks and phase-skipping landmarks that a vehicle should travel to based on the initial locations of the one or more vehicles and the sequence of coverage requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Allen Bonawitz, Bradley James Rhodes
  • Patent number: 8849572
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the concentration of a conductive fluid present in a fluid filled bore hole is described. Such apparatus are known as water hold-up meters and are frequently used in oil, gas and water filled bore holes. In bore hole applications, data bandwidth between a down hole device and the surface can be limited, while determining water hold-up based on down hole measurements can be data intensive. A technique is proposed for calculating the water hold up that requires less data to be transmitted between the down hole device and the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: Guy Harvey Mason, James Andrew Gulliver, Derek George Hayes, Paul Franklin Steel, Kenneth Tomkins, Andrew John Stevens
  • Patent number: 8849573
    Abstract: A method of estimating formation porosity using a neural network for neutron porosity tools. In the training stage, the near-to-far ratio, environmental variables, such as mineralogy, borehole size, standoff etc., are fed to the inputs and the neural network is trained for obtaining the related true porosity (the output). The trained neural network is implanted into tool's firmware for the real time porosity measurement, accounting for the environmental effects considered during training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Qianmei Zhang, Constantyn Chalitsios
  • Patent number: 8849574
    Abstract: A horizon-picking solution for a geological volume of interest is determined. To determine the horizon-picking solution, a plurality of horizons through the geological volume of interest included in an initial horizon-picking solution are perturbed to more closely follow the local character of measured data related to the geological volume of interest. In particular, the horizons may be perturbed simultaneously by blending the initial solution with a secondary horizon-picking solution that automatically identifies a plurality of horizons through the geological volume of interest that follow the measured data related to the geological volume of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Mathias Lomask, Jason Michael Francis, William Stephen Kowalik, Younis Altobi
  • Patent number: 8849575
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods of rapidly and efficiently searching biologically-related data space. More specifically, the invention includes methods of identifying bio-molecules with desired properties, or which are most suitable for acquiring such properties, from complex bio-molecule libraries or sets of such libraries. The invention also provides methods of modeling sequence-activity relationships. As many of the methods are computer-implemented, the invention additionally provides digital systems and software for performing these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Codexis Mayflower Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Claes Gustafsson, Sridhar Govindarajan, Robin A. Emig, Richard John Fox, Ajoy K. Roy, Jeremy S. Minshull, S. Christopher Davis, Anthony R. Cox, Phillip A. Patten, Linda A. Castle, Daniel L. Siehl, Rebecca Lynne Gorton, Teddy Chen
  • Patent number: 8849576
    Abstract: A universal data-mining platform is provided capable of analyzing mass spectrometry (MS) serum proteomic profiles and/or gene array data to produce biologically meaningful classification; i.e., group together biologically related specimens into clades. This platform utilizes the principles of phylogenetics, such as parsimony, to reveal susceptibility to cancer development (or other physiological or pathophysiological conditions), diagnosis and typing of cancer, identifying stages of cancer, as well as post-treatment evaluation. By outgroup comparison, the parsing algorithm identifies under and/or overexpressed gene values or in the case of sera, (i) novel or (ii) vanished MS peaks, and peaks signifying (iii) up or (iv) down regulated proteins, and scores the variations as either derived (do not exist in the outgroup set) or ancestral (exist in the outgroup set); the derived is given a score of “1”, and the ancestral a score of “0”—these are called the polarized values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Hakima Amri, Mones Abu-asab, Mohamed Chaouchi
  • Patent number: 8849577
    Abstract: Methods for metabolomically determining the biological affects of compounds are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Metabolon, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Ryals, Daniel P. Stevens, Michael V. Milburn
  • Patent number: 8849578
    Abstract: A prediction method for predicting the effect of an amino acid modification on the rate of aggregation (solubility) of a reference polypeptide comprising: calculating the difference in hydrophobicity (?Hydr) between the reference polypeptide and a modified polypeptide, calculating the difference in ?-sheet propensity (??Gcoil-?+??G?-coil) between the reference polypeptide and modified polypeptide, calculating the difference in charge (? Charge) between the reference polypeptide and modified polypeptide, and calculating: [x* ?Hydr]+[y*(??Gcoil-?+??G?-coil)]?[z*? Charge], wherein x, y and z are scaling factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cambridge University Technical Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Dobson, Fabrizio Chiti, Jesus Zurdo
  • Patent number: 8849579
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method of detecting and monitoring cancer or precancer in a cell using three-dimensional analysis to assess centromere organization. In addition, the application relates to a method and system for characterizing the 3D organization of centromeres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: 3D Signatures Inc.
    Inventors: Sabine Mai, Yuval Garini, Rahul Sarkar, Bartholomeus J. Vermolen
  • Patent number: 8849580
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and uses of systems operating between fully quantum coherent and fully classical states. Such systems operate in what is termed the “Poised realm” and exhibit unique behaviors that can be applied to a number of useful applications. Non-limiting examples include drug discovery, computers, and artificial intelligence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: The University of Vermont, Tampere University of Technology
    Inventors: Stuart Kauffman, Samuli Niiranen, Gábor Vattay
  • Patent number: 8849581
    Abstract: The methods described herein enable the evaluation of compounds on subjects to assess their therapeutic efficacy or toxic effects. The target of analysis is the underlying biochemical process or processes (i.e., metabolic process) thought to be involved in disease pathogenesis. Molecular flux rates within the one or more biochemical processes serve as biomarkers and are quantitated and compared with the molecular flux rates (i.e., biomarker)from control subjects (i.e., subjects not exposed to the compounds). Any change in the biomarker in the subject relative to the biomarker in the control subject provides information to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of an administered drug or a toxic effect and to develop the compound further if desired. In one aspect of the invention, stable isotope-labeled substrate molecules are administered to a subject and the label is incorporated into targeted molecules in a manner that reveals molecular flux rates through metabolic pathways of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Marc K. Hellerstein
  • Patent number: 8849582
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for off-line concentration determination of components liquid hydrocarbon mixtures such as crude or heavy oil. A sampling unit continuously delivers a sample volume to a fluid flow path while a temperature control module maintains the sample at a predetermined setpoint temperature. A homogenization module helps prevent sample stratification while a flow control module maintain a constant sample flow rate. A spectrometer is communicably coupled to an optical transmission cell to transmit and receive radiation. The transmission cell includes collection optics to capture and aggregate non-collimated radiation emerging from the cell, for transmission to the spectrometer. The spectrometer measures sample spectra at a predetermined rate of flow of the sample volume through the transmission cell. A processor is configured to capture and use the spectra in combination with a model of spectra for the hydrocarbon mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Marcus Trygstad, Bruce Keen, Russell Jackson
  • Patent number: 8849583
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for analyzing side chains of a polymer. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for analyzing the number of side chains of a polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Yup Lee, Hye Sung Cho, Jin Sook Ryu
  • Patent number: 8849584
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining the size of particles within a fluidized bed reactor for use with thermally decomposable silicon-containing gas. The pressure of gas adjacent a gas inlet and adjacent a gas outlet of the reactor are measured with pressure sensors. An algorithm is applied to at least one of the pressure measurements to determine the size of particles within the reactor. The determined size of the particles can be used to control the operation of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: SunEdison, Inc.
    Inventors: Satish Bhusarapu, Arif Nawaz, Puneet Gupta, Karthik Balakrishnan
  • Patent number: 8849585
    Abstract: A method for automatically characterizing plasma during substrate processing is provided. The method includes collecting a set of process data, which includes at least data about current and voltage. The method also includes identifying a relevancy range for the set of process data, wherein the relevancy range includes a subset of the set of process data. The method further includes determining a set of seed values. The method yet also includes employing the relevancy range and the set of seed values to perform curve-fitting, wherein the curve-fitting enables the plasma to be automatically characterized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Keil, Jean-Paul Booth, Christopher Thorgrimsson
  • Patent number: 8849586
    Abstract: Path classification and estimation method and system used in combination with a computer and memory for prognosticating the remaining useful life of an asset by classifying a current degradation path of a current asset as belonging to one or more of previously collected degradation paths of exemplary assets and using the resulting classifications to estimate the remaining useful life of the current asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Assets LLC
    Inventor: Dustin R. Garvey
  • Patent number: 8849587
    Abstract: A method for determining the health of a transformer through vibration measurement is disclosed. A vibratory signal, in the form of a physical mechanical vibration or auditory signal, is received at a sensor. The vibratory signal is converted into a frequency representation of the signal to derive its harmonics. Based on the power level for the harmonics in the vibratory signal, the harmonic current ratios in the transformer are calculated. The harmonic current ratios are summed together to quantify the health of the transformer. This value is called a K-factor, and is a quantification of the health of the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Neal Fredrick Lightle, John Francis Jansen
  • Patent number: 8849588
    Abstract: A hardness test method performed by a controller of a hardness tester includes a first measurement process measuring an indentation curve (indentation history curve) for a plurality of times under a same condition with respect to a test specimen for verification in a predetermined environment; a setting process setting an acceptable range of variation in a load loading curve based on load loading curves (load loading history curves) of the plurality of the indentation curves obtained by the first measurement process; a second measurement process measuring an indentation curve under a same condition as the first measurement process with respect to the test specimen in an actual usage environment; and a judging process judging whether a load loading curve of the indentation curve measured by the second measurement process is within the acceptable range of variation in a load loading curve set by the setting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Sawa, Eiji Furuta
  • Patent number: 8849589
    Abstract: A process fluid flow device includes a power supply module, a process communication module, a processor and measurement circuitry. The process communication circuitry is coupled to the power supply module and to the processor. The measurement circuitry is operably coupleable to plurality of process variable sensors to obtain an indication of differential pressure, static pressure and process fluid temperature. The processor is configured to compute process fluid mass flow, and to use the static pressure and process fluid temperature to obtain an energy per unit mass value relative to the process fluid and to provide an energy flow indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Wiklund, Lowell A. Kleven
  • Patent number: 8849590
    Abstract: If determination is erroneous in appliance determination according to the instantaneous flow rate output from a flow rate measurement unit, a flow rate measurement apparatus registers it as an unknown appliance, rechecks the flow rate of the unknown appliance, and makes it possible to enhance the accuracy of the appliance determination. The apparatus has a flow rate measurement unit 3, a flow rate information storage unit 8 for storing the flow rate value of the flow rate measurement unit 3, a computation unit 6 for finding a difference value between the flow rate values output from the flow rate measurement unit 3, an appliance registration storage unit 7, an appliance determination unit 9 for determining an appliance, and an unknown appliance registration unit 10 for registering information according to which the appliance cannot be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Miyata, Yasuhiro Umekage
  • Patent number: 8849591
    Abstract: A method for processing a signal from a flow meter for measuring a gas flow in an internal combustion engine includes processing the signal according to a first logic when the engine operates in a first intake mode and processing the signal according to a second logic when the engine operates in a second intake mode. The first intake mode includes the activation of a high-pressure EGR valve. The second intake mode includes the activation of a low-pressure EGR valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Alexandre Collet, Kevin Robert, Benjamin Gresiak
  • Patent number: 8849592
    Abstract: A fuel-injection condition detector includes a first approximate portion which approximates a plurality of fuel pressure values representing the descent pressure waveform or the ascent pressure waveform into a least-squares approximate line by least-squares method; and a weighting portion which applies a weight to the fuel pressure value. The weight is set greater as a difference between the fuel pressure and the least-squares approximate line is larger. Then, the weighted values are approximated into a weighted approximate line by the least-squares method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu Takashima
  • Patent number: 8849593
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water heater, including a combustor, a gas pipe, a combustion controller, a pressure gauge, and a controller. The gas pipe supplies the combustor gas. The combustion controller controls combustion of the combustor. The pressure gauge detects a gas pressure in the gas pipe and generates an electrical signal in association with the gas pressure. The controller is electrically connected to the gas gauge and the combustion controller to receive the electrical signal from the gas gauge and controls the combustion controller according to the electrical signal to adjust the combustion of the combustor. In addition, the present invention further provides a method of controlling the water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Grand Mate Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Chin Huang, Chin-Ying Huang, Hsin-Ming Huang, Hsing-Hsiung Huang, Kuan-Chou Lin, Yen-Jen Yen
  • Patent number: 8849594
    Abstract: Methods for measuring the leakage rate of a downhole pump using either measured axial load information from the drive rod string or using measured production data. The invention is for methods of applying the leakage rate to a downhole dynamometer card, for a reciprocating rod pump, for determining well production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Lufkin Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Mills
  • Patent number: 8849595
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for providing certifiable shielded cabinets and rooms, or pods, to protect devices, equipment and people from electromagnetic interference such as electromagnetic pulse, and directed energy attack. The method simulates the separate electric and magnetic shield requirements and capabilities of each type of materials, simulating them separately and together to form a combined set of materials layered for an enhanced electromagnetic shield that is lighter weight and less expensive. Further disclosed is a system and method for SCADA, RFID, and OID monitoring and controls to enable initial and ongoing testing and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Charles L. Manto, Joseph R. Child
  • Patent number: 8849596
    Abstract: An identification system for power consumption of electric appliance has multiple electric appliances, each electric appliance having a dedicated identification transmission circuit connected to a power-connecting loop; multiple power sockets mounted within a power supply region, each power socket having at least one identification receiver for receiving identification transmission signals from the corresponding electric appliance and obtaining a corresponding identification code; multiple energy management units respectively mounted in the power sockets to connect with the corresponding identification receivers, recognize the respective electric appliances by determining the identification codes, and record power consumption information of the corresponding electric appliances; and an energy management server connected to the energy management units and the identification receivers to communicate therewith in a wired or wireless manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Max Li, Roy Ting
    Inventors: Roy Ting, Max Li
  • Patent number: 8849597
    Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product for estimating a consumed battery life of a battery used in a wind energy application. An energy storage system for use with a wind farm includes a rechargeable battery configured to be selectively charged by wind turbines or the power grid and configured to be selectively discharged to a power grid. One or more remaining battery life algorithms are used to compute a consumed battery life for the battery. A battery life curve characteristic of the battery and a state of charge profile are used as inputs to each remaining battery life algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Daniel Viassolo, Jason Hoffman, Jianhui Zhang
  • Patent number: 8849598
    Abstract: A method of estimating the internal state of a first electrochemical system for power storage is disclosed. The SoC and the electrochemical impedance are determined for different internal states of a second electrochemical system of a same type as the first electrochemical system being studied. An electrochemical impedance model is then defined as a function of the SoC and of parameters. The electrochemical impedance Z of the system studied is determined and its SoC is estimated using the model applied to electrochemical impedance Z.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Remy Mingant, Julien Bernard, Valérie Sauvant-Moynot
  • Patent number: 8849599
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for extracting of solar cell parameters. After illuminating the solar cell by different simulated solar luminosity with different illumination intensity, measured current and measured voltages of the solar cell are acquired and the series resistance of the solar cell is extracted based on the measured current and measured voltages. The root mean square error (RMSE) is used to determine the series resistance of the solar cell. Therefore, the parameters of the solar cell are extracted without presuming current-voltage functional form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Sheng-Fu Horng, Ming-Kun Lee, Jen-Chung Wang, Hsin-Fei Meng
  • Patent number: 8849600
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring net charge density of membrane and apparatus thereof. The method measures the net charge density of a membrane by utilizing the relation between the mechanical pressure difference applied across the membrane and the generated streaming potential or the relation between the applied electric field and the generated electroosmotic flow. The present invention also provides a method and an apparatus for measuring the resistance of a membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventor: Ching-Jung Chuang
  • Patent number: 8849601
    Abstract: A method for self-calibrating, while a vehicle is moving, an accelerometer mounted on a wheel of the vehicle so that its plane of maximum sensitivity is secant with the axis of rotation of the wheel. The average value and on the other hand the amplitude of the signal representative of the acceleration Acc-read delivered by the accelerometer are calculated first, for an established speed of the vehicle, based on measurements performed by the accelerometer during a time window corresponding to the time needed for the wheel to complete n rotations, with n>1, then the values of the gain C1 and of the offset C2 of the accelerometer are determined by resolving the system of two equations with two unknown values: ?2R=C1×(average value of Acc-read)+C2 2 g=C1×(amplitude of Acc-read) with: ? the speed of rotation of the wheel, R the radius of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive France
    Inventor: Youri Vassilieff
  • Patent number: 8849602
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a reconstructed signal from a plurality of sub-signals is provided. The method includes injecting a calibration signal having multiple tones into a received input signal; dividing the input signal into a first and second sub-signal, including an overlapping frequency band; performing a first frequency translation by converting frequency components of the second sub-signal; digitizing the first sub-signal and the frequency converted second sub-signal; performing a second frequency translation to reverse the first frequency translation to obtain a reconstructed second sub-signal; and quantifying impairments to the digital first sub-signal and reconstructed second sub-signal caused by differences in magnitude and phase of frequency components within the overlapping frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken A. Nishimura, Kenneth Rush
  • Patent number: 8849603
    Abstract: A method of testing a component of a mobile platform without using an aircraft control system of the mobile platform, where the component forms a part of the aircraft control system. The method may involve using a test controller independent of the aircraft control system to initiate a test operation. The test operation is used to generate a test signal. The test signal is applied to a test subsystem carried on the mobile platform but operable independent of the aircraft control system. The test subsystem is used to act on the component of the aircraft control system. A response of the component may then be evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Clete M. Boldrin, Ali R. Mansouri, John L. Vian
  • Patent number: 8849604
    Abstract: A method for calculating the probability of moisture build-up in a compressor includes the steps of sensing a temperature of the ambient air, sensing a discharge pressure of the compressor, sensing a temperature of the compressor, processing the ambient air temperature and operating pressure sensed to obtain a required temperature at which condensation will form, and comparing the temperature of the compressor to the required temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventor: David F. Rowe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8849605
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for sensor based detection of pedestrian motion. Based on a 3-axis accelerometer, the apparatus may differentiate between walking, running, standing still, or any random movement that the user may perform. The method may comprise the steps of performing a time domain analysis and a frequency domain analysis. The time domain analysis may be based on a Teager-Kaiser Energy Operator. The frequency domain analysis may be based on a fast Fourier transform. A apparatus for detecting pedestrian motion may comprises an accelerometer, an operator, a Teager-Kaiser Energy Operator, a first peak detection, a second peak detection, a buffer, a fast Fourier transform, a memory and a look-up table. The apparatus may be a hand held device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Abdelmonaem Lakhzouri, Joonas V. T. Viskari
  • Patent number: 8849606
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that monitor movement of a person, or of a vehicle ridden by the person, to determine speed, distance traveled and/or airtime of the person or vehicle. Accelerometer-based sensors, pressure sensors or Doppler sensors may be employed in these systems and methods. A liquid crystal display may attach to the person to display speed, distance traveled and/or airtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Flentov, Dennis M. Darcy, Curtis A. Vock
  • Patent number: 8849607
    Abstract: A system for measurement of spatial coordinates and/or orientation of a probe, comprising a first spatial direction sensor associated with a pattern of targets with known positions relative to each other and to the first spatial direction sensor, a second spatial direction sensor, and processing means for the computation of the orientation and/or spatial coordinates of the pattern of targets relative to the second spatial direction sensor based on the known positions of the targets relative to each other and a determination of the spatial directions of the targets with respect to the second spatial direction sensor, wherein at least three of the targets are in the field of view (FOV2) of the second spatial direction sensor irrespective of the orientation of the pattern of targets and wherein the first spatial direction sensor determines the spatial coordinates and/or orientation of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Metronor AS
    Inventors: Øyvind Røtvold, Knut Åmdal, Harald Suphellen
  • Patent number: 8849608
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for surveillance. A signal is sent to sensors on a ground in an area. The sensors are configured to generate electromagnetic radiation in response to the signal to activate the sensors. The current positions of the sensors are detected from the electromagnetic radiation generated by the sensors in response to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dallas Steven Scholes, Eric Paul Oman
  • Patent number: 8849609
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a number-of-step detection system, a number-of-step detecting method, and a pedometer capable of accurately detecting the number of steps in correspondence with the walking characteristics of an individual. Vibration data acquired with a vibration data acquiring unit of a pedometer is transmitted from the pedometer to a server with a communication unit, and number-of-step decision criterion data suited for measuring the number of steps is calculated with the calculation unit of the server based on the vibration data. The number-of-step decision criterion data calculated in the server is transmitted from the server to the pedometer, and the number-of-step decision criterion data stored in the pedometer is updated to the number-of-step decision criterion data calculated by the server to accurately count the number of steps in correspondence with the walking characteristics of the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yusuke Kawabe
  • Patent number: 8849610
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and computer programs are presented for creating a unified data stream from multiple data streams acquired from multiple devices. One method includes an operation for receiving activity data streams from the devices, each activity data stream being associated with physical activity data of a user. Further, the method includes an operation for assembling the unified activity data stream for a period of time. The unified activity data stream includes data segments from the data streams of at least two devices, and the data segments are organized time-wise over the period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Andrew Molettiere, Shelten Gee Jao Yuen, Jung Ook Hong, Andrew Cole Axley, James Park
  • Patent number: 8849611
    Abstract: We have invented a method of sensing a surface by driving a resonator with two or more frequencies and exploiting the nonlinear phenomenon of intermodulation. When a resonator (for example an oscillating cantilever) with a sharp tip is brought close to a surface, the non-linear tip-surface interaction generates intermodulation response of the resonator. The measured frequency spectrum of intermodulation response contains much information about the material composition of the surface. When the resonator is scanned over the surface, the intermodulation spectrum can be used to make an image of the surface with enhanced contrast for different materials on the surface, or it can be used to extract the tip-surface interaction at every point on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Intermodulation Products AB
    Inventors: David B. Haviland, Erik Tholen, Daniel Platz, Carsten Hutter, Hans Hansson
  • Patent number: 8849612
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of building a default set of parameters into a software application by defining a widget template having associated parameter schema and then instantiating a widget by substituting a new set of application parameters for the built-in defaults such that the new parameters meet the same constraints defined for the default parameters. Aspects of the invention also include testing the original application containing the default parameters, along with the parameter substitution process itself, using a Statistical Software Testing Methodology (SSTM) to ensure the application meets a pre-determined level of quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fourthwall Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis P. Slothouber, Aaron Ye, Jeffrey W. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8849613
    Abstract: Vibration protection in a compressor system with a variable speed compressor may include operating a variable speed compressor of a compressor system at a first frequency, measuring a vibration of the compressor system at the first frequency, determining whether the vibration exceeds a maximum vibration value, and operating the variable speed compressor at an average frequency equivalent to the first frequency, when the vibration exceeds the maximum vibration value, by identifying an allowed upper frequency and an allowed lower frequency, calculating an upper operating time and a lower operating time, and operating the variable speed compressor at the allowed upper frequency for the upper operating time and the allowed lower frequency for the lower operating time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Luc M. Caillat
  • Patent number: 8849614
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and managing three-phase power flows in electrical transmission and distribution networks through the use of a deterministic, non-iterative method using an holomorphic embedding and algebraic approximants for determining the power flows in the three phases of a power generating system having an electrical grid. Such method is capable of determining whether or not a physical solution to the load flow problem exists, or if the system is in a state of voltage collapse. It may be employed in either real-time or off-line analytic applications for balanced or unbalanced electric power systems, in particular for monitoring and analyzing unbalanced conditions in three-phase electrical networks and for the accurate calculation of short-circuit conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Gridquant, Inc.
    Inventor: Antonio Trias
  • Patent number: 8849615
    Abstract: During fault detection of a production process, the influence of the data communication process for communicating measurement readings to the fault detection system may be taken into consideration. In one illustrative embodiment, a data rate related parameter may be used as an input variable for a data reduction procedure, thereby enabling an efficient assessment of the quality of the remaining “real” process and tool parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Kost
  • Patent number: 8849616
    Abstract: An analytical tool useable with complex systems receives as input various system parameters to predict whether sufficiently accurate quality depth data will be provided by the TOF system. Depth data quality estimates involve dividing system operation into smaller operations whose individual depth data quality contributions can be more readily computed. The effect of the individual operations is combined and the tool outputs a depth data quality estimate accounting for the net result of the various unique operations performed by the system. When used with a TOF system, input parameters may include magnitude and angular distribution of TOF emitted optical energy, desired signal/noise, sensor characteristics, TOF imaging optics, target object distances and locations, and magnitude of ambient light. Analytical tool output data can ensure adequate calculation accuracy to optimize the TOF system pre-mass production, even for TOF systems whose sequence of operations and sensor operations are flexibly programmable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Swati Mehta, Cyrus Bamji
  • Patent number: 8849617
    Abstract: A system and method for geometric singularity is presented. In one aspect, the system and method are employed for detecting and quantifying envelope singularities of one or more solid shapes in relative movement. In an implementation, a solid shape having a motion is defined. A set of points in a space in which the motion of the solid shape occurs are sampled. For each point in the set of points, the following values are determined: an inverted motion of the motion; one or more inverted trajectories that correspond to points of the space associated with the inverted motion; one or more intersections between the inverted trajectories and a boundary defined by the motion of the solid shape; and one or more tangencies between the inverted trajectories and the boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: University of Connecticut
    Inventor: Horea T. Ilias
  • Patent number: 8849618
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining placement of one or more devices using a building layout is disclosed. The method may include generating a map layer based on the building layout. A zone definition that includes identification of available zones and access characteristics of each of the available zones is received. A density definition that includes identification of available density levels and usage characteristics of each of the density levels is received. The placement of the one or more devices in the available zones is enabled based on associating the zone definition and the density definition with the map layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew O. Scrafford, Jason C. Tsongas, Ray U. Merriam