Patents Issued in March 8, 2016
  • Patent number: 9279637
    Abstract: A ramrod for a muzzleloader is provided. The ramrod includes a shaft having a knob releasably coupled to one end thereof, the knob having a rounded end and a tapered end that oppose one another. The knob may have a central bore therein, and the shaft may be inserted into the central bore. The tapered end of the knob is configured with respect to the shaft to allow any object that contacts the shaft and slides along the shaft to also slide along and eventually off of the tapered end of the knob without snagging or catching the knob. The rounded end of the knob is positioned at a distal end of the shaft and is configured with respect to the shaft to allow a user of the ramrod to place his/her palm against the rounded end while operating the ramrod to load a muzzleloader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: James Perry Hunsaker
  • Patent number: 9279638
    Abstract: An embodiment presents a rifle including an upper receiver, a barrel assembly connected to the upper receiver and a forend with an integrated barrel nut. The integrated barrel nut is connected to the barrel assembly such that the forend is directly connected to and aligned with the upper receiver. Another embodiment provides a method for assembling a firearm. The method includes inserting a barrel assembly into an upper receiver. The method also includes threading a forend with an integrated barrel nut over the outer surface of the barrel assembly. The method also includes checking an alignment between the upper receiver and the forend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: KNIGHT'S ARMAMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathan M. Adair, Matthew J. Domoradzki
  • Patent number: 9279639
    Abstract: A firearm can have a handguard having an inner section and an outer section with the outer section having circuitry and control devices for controlling electronic devices. The electronic devices can be part of the outer section. The inner section attaches to the firearm similarly to a current art handguard. The outer section attaches to the inner section. Different functionality can be obtained through the attachment of different outer sections to the inner section. The outer section can obtain electrical power from a power supply attached to or integrated with the firearm. The outer section can alternatively receive electrical power from a power supply carried by a person in a back pack or vest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Stephen Charles Hines
  • Patent number: 9279640
    Abstract: Apparatuses are provided that include a rifle stock. For example, in one embodiment the stock includes an upper portion. The upper portion includes a proximal end and a distal end. A front portion and a rear portion are connected to the proximal end and the distal end of the upper portion, respectively. A bottom portion is connected to the front portion and rear portion. A first sidewall and a second sidewall are connected to the upper portion, the front portion, the rear portion, and the bottom portion. A channel is provided between the first and second sidewall. The upper portion, the front portion, the rear portion, and the bottom portion further define the channel. The first and second sidewalls include openings for accessing a computer device residing in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Mathew James Hurley, Lester Martin Ringler
  • Patent number: 9279641
    Abstract: Designs and methods are provided for a lightweight ballistic panel. In one exemplary embodiment the ballistic panel comprises a lightweight structural portion comprising a structural core that is substantially rigid in a thickness direction of the ballistic panel, and a first core skin on an exterior facing surface of the structural core. The lightweight ballistic panel may further comprise a ballistic portion adjacent the opposite surface of the lightweight structural portion, the ballistic portion comprising a ballistic composite made of multiple stacked arrays of evenly spaced unidirectional ballistic fiber bundles bonded together in the absence of resin within the fiber bundles. The ballistic portion may further comprise a first ballistic skin on an exterior facing surface of the ballistic portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Adams Rite Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Springsteen, Rockne H. Carter
  • Patent number: 9279642
    Abstract: The portable multi-use self-defense device can include a trigger; a housing; two or more canisters, said canisters containing at least one of gas and liquids; and an engagement mechanism coupled to said trigger and to said canisters, said engagement mechanism being capable of actuating the discharge of the at least one of gas and liquids from the two or more canisters substantially simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Larry D. Rowlett
  • Patent number: 9279643
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to techniques for preemptively managing countermeasures of a vehicle. Prior to identifying an actual threat, at least one countermeasure device may be preemptively oriented to point in a direction most likely to produce a threat. The preemptive orientation may be determined my environmental information and/or vehicular information. Once an actual threat is identified, the countermeasure device may re-orient to point to the identified threat. The preemptive orientation may save time in the re-orientation process thereby providing extra time for countermeasures to be actively deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Carl R. Herman
  • Patent number: 9279644
    Abstract: A vehicle (2) comprising a vehicle body (6) is disclosed. First struts (16) are mounted to the vehicle body for supporting transport wheels (12) for supporting the vehicle body in a first mode of operation of the vehicle, and second struts (26) are mounted to the vehicle body for supporting roller assemblies (14) for supporting the vehicle body and applying pressure to the ground to detonate explosive devices in a second mode of operation of the vehicle. The transport wheels engage the ground and the rollers are out of engagement with the ground in the first mode, and the rollers engage the ground and the transport wheels are out of engagement with the ground in the second mode. Rollers of one roller assembly partly protrude into gaps between rollers of the other roller assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Pearson Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Richard Leonard Cronk
  • Patent number: 9279645
    Abstract: An electronic detonator (10) which includes a housing (12) which contains an explosive charge (18), an initiating element (20), a control circuit (24), at least one coil (32) having a plurality of windings (30) in a tubular configuration, and a magnet (40) wherein passage of the magnet (40) through the coil (32) creates voltage to which the control circuit (24) is responsive, and a connector (46) for connecting a shock tube (48) to the housing (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: DETNET SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD
    Inventors: Craig Charles Schlenter, Herman Van Der Walt
  • Patent number: 9279646
    Abstract: A noise making arrow is provided. The noise making arrow includes an arrow body having a head and a tail. A whistle is attached to the arrow body. The whistle may include a slot that is positioned in the same direction as the head of the arrow body. When the arrow is launched, air may rush through the slot and exit the slot, creating a whistle noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventors: Suzanne Crispell, XiaoMing Fu
  • Patent number: 9279647
    Abstract: A lighted nock assembly is disclosed for use with an archery projectile. A cap fits within the tail end of the projectile shaft. The cap comprises a shoulder to bear against the projectile shaft, a recess terminating in a floor portion, and a face to bear against the shoulder of a nock. An LED/battery assembly fits within the recess of the cap abutting the floor portion. A nock fits over the LED/battery assembly and into the recess of the cap. Ready-to-fire, the LED/battery assembly comprises an activation gap between the LED lamp and the body of the battery assembly. A gap, greater than or equal to the activation gap, is left between the shoulder of the nock and the face of the cap. When fired, the bow string drives an internal surface of the nock into the front end of the LED/battery assembly and illuminates the LED lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: John F. Marshall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9279648
    Abstract: A lighted nock assembly is disclosed for use with an archery projectile. A portion of an insert fits within, and is shouldered against, the tail end of the projectile shaft. The insert includes a recess terminating in a floor portion, and a face to bear against the nock shoulder. An LED/battery assembly fits within the recess of the insert abutting the floor portion. A nock fits over the LED/battery assembly and into the recess of the insert. Ready-to-fire, the LED/battery assembly comprises an activation gap between the LED lamp and the body of the battery assembly. A gap, greater than or equal to the activation gap, is left between the shoulder of the nock and the face of the insert. When fired, the bow string drives an internal surface of the nock into the front end of the LED/battery assembly and illuminates the LED lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: John F. Marshall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9279649
    Abstract: A lighted nock system includes a lighted nock assembly and a plurality of adaptors. The lighted nock assembly includes a shaft insertion portion having a shaft outer shape and shaft outer dimension. The first adaptor includes an internal opening having an internal size and internal shape configured to mate with the shaft insertion portion of the lighted nock assembly. The second adaptor includes the same internal opening size and shape as the first adaptor. The outer diameter of the second adaptor is different than the outer diameter of the first adaptor. A plurality of adaptors having different sized outer diameters, but the same internal configurations, can be provided in a single package with the lighted nock assembly. The lighted nock assembly can include a rotatable lockout collar to prevent unintended activation of the lighted nock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Clean-Shot Archery, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry R. Bay
  • Patent number: 9279650
    Abstract: An arrow having a forward portion and an aft portion. The aft portion includes a necked down region having a diameter less than the diameter of the frontal portion. A cutter device includes one or more blades and is mountable along the necked down region of the aft portion. A tube having a plurality of vanes is disposed over the blades during arrow flight and is slidable rearward to allow the blades to deploy outward upon engagement of the vanes with a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventors: James F. Mackey, Jr., Joseph M. Camara
  • Patent number: 9279651
    Abstract: A laser-guided projectile system is a system for correcting the external and internal ballistic factors that affect the flight trajectory of a projectile that is traveling to a target. A laser tunnel generator assembly and a housing sleeve are mounted to a barrel of a firearm. A laser tunnel is projected forward from the firearm and the projectile is able to travel within the laser tunnel. When the projectile comes into contact with the laser tunnel due to ballistic factors, a plurality of explosive outputs is generated and the projectile is directed back toward the center of the laser tunnel. The plurality of explosive outputs is evenly distributed about an aerodynamic portion of the projectile to allow the plurality of explosive outputs to correct the flight trajectory, regardless of the portion of the projectile that comes into contact with the laser tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Marshall Phillip Goldberg
  • Patent number: 9279652
    Abstract: A Safe-and-Arm system for the prevention of unintentional operation of an explosive device by interrupting a detonation train, the system employing an interruptive transfer assembly made of silicon and suitable for implementing in a MEMS device, the assembly including a silicon based transfer charge carrier on a porous explosive passageway made by etching, the passageway extending between at least two ports on the circumference of the transfer assembly, and a drive means that can mechanically bring about at least one armed state of a detonation train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Shai Rahimi, Evgenia Golda Fradkin
  • Patent number: 9279653
    Abstract: A thread gauge inspection apparatus includes a receiving member to hold a reference thread gauge and a motor to bi-directionally rotate the reference thread gauge. A counter counts a number of turns the reference thread gauge is rotated by the motor, and a torque monitoring device monitors the torque produced by the motor as the reference thread gauge is rotated. A controller, when the monitored torque exceeds a predetermined value, causes the motor to stop rotating the reference thread gauge and causes the counter to stop counting the number of turns the reference thread gauge is rotated. The controller compares the count produced by the counter with an inputted specific turn count and indicates the thread quality of threaded hole or a threaded stud passed inspection when the count produced by the counter is equal to the inputted specific turn count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Jonathan DeYaeger
  • Patent number: 9279654
    Abstract: A system for determining a vehicle door axis adjustment amount may include a plurality of first setting jigs fixed to a sealing flange of a vehicle body and configured to adjust a position of a door with respect to the vehicle body in a vehicle width direction, a second setting jig configured to support the door and adjust a position of the door with respect to the vehicle body in an up and down direction, and an eccentricity measurement bolt configured to temporarily assemble a door hinge bracket of a door hinge mounted on the vehicle body with the door and measure eccentricity with respect to a hinge bracket bolt hole formed in the door using a gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jinsu Han
  • Patent number: 9279655
    Abstract: A measuring kit for contactless measuring of the air gap distance between a frame mounted pole and core of a rotor includes a capacitance sensor which generates a signal proportional to the measured air gap, a panel meter in communication with the capacitance sensor which interprets the signal and displays the minimum air gap distance, an A/D converter also in communication with the capacitance sensor which converts the signal to a digitized signal, and a control panel which takes the digitized signal from the A/D converter, processes the digitized signal, and then displays the minimum air gap measurement. The control panel shows a graphic of the core and its surrounding poles to track the progress of the testing, and when the testing between the core and one of the surrounding poles is complete, the graphic of the pole tested visually darkens to indicate that portion of the test is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
    Inventor: Trent J. Krummel
  • Patent number: 9279656
    Abstract: An interferometer for controlling the coalescence of a pair of photons, including: an optical source, which generates a first and a second pump pulse coherent with each other and shifted in time by a delay; and a first interferometric stage, which receives the first pump pulse and generates an antisymmetric state with two coalescent photons (1/?{square root over (2)}(|21,02?|01,22)). The interferometer also includes a second interferometric stage, which receives the second pump pulse and generates a symmetric state with two coalescent photons (1/?{square root over (2)}·(|21,02+|01,22)), the first and the second interferometric stages being connected in a manner such that the interferometer outputs a final state equal to a weighted sum of the antisymmetric state and of the symmetric state (1/?{square root over (2)}·(|21,02+|01,22)+ei?·1/?{square root over (2)}·(|21,02?|01,22)), the weights of the sum being a function of the delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SELEX SISTEMI INTEGRATI S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabio Antonio Bovino
  • Patent number: 9279657
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of measuring a position of at least one substantially reflective layer surface on a substrate in a lithographic apparatus, and associated level sensor and lithographic apparatuses. The method comprises performing at least two interferometrical measurements using a broadband light source. Between each measurement, the component wavelengths and/or intensity levels over the component wavelengths of the broadband source beam is varied such that, where it is only the intensity levels that are varied, the intensity variation is different for at least some of the beam's component wavelengths. Alternatively, a single measurement and subsequent processing of the measurement to obtain measurement data whereby the component wavelengths and/or intensity levels over the component wavelengths are different can be applied as well to obtain the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Simon Gijsbert Josephus Mathijssen, Arie Jeffrey Den Boef
  • Patent number: 9279658
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing an optical test piece comprising an interferometer for emitting an incident light beam. The apparatus includes a first reflective optic that receives the incident beam and produces a first reflected beam by focusing and expanding the received incident beam. The apparatus also includes a second reflective optic that receives and collimates the first reflected beam and outputs the collimated beam toward the optical test piece. Both the first and the second reflective optics are fixed to their respective positions relative to a thermally insensitive platform and the optical test piece is docked to the thermally insensitive platform and can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Exelis, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Paul Maffett, Andrew VanAuken, Cormic Merle
  • Patent number: 9279659
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for optical coherence tomography (OCT). For example, imaging can use optical phase modulators based on optical delay lines that, in conjunction with a swept-source laser, can be used to achieve heterodyne swept source optical coherence tomography (SSOCT). These techniques resolve the complex conjugate ambiguity in SSOCT, thereby doubling the usable imaging range. This increased imaging range has numerous important clinical applications in ophthalmology, cardiology and radiology, as well as applications in small animal and non-biological imaging. These methods are superior to prior disclosed methods requiring acousto-optic or electro-optic modulators with respect to complexity, efficiency, imaging speed and image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Joseph A. Izatt, Al-Hafeez Dhalla
  • Patent number: 9279660
    Abstract: A method for processing polarization data includes steps of acquiring a plurality of sets of polarization data items, converting the set of polarization data items into a representation including parameters of amplitude and phase, and averaging the converted set of polarization data items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Sato, Mitsuro Sugita, Stefan Zotter, Michael Pircher, Christoph Hitzenberger
  • Patent number: 9279661
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus which estimates a three-dimensional position-and-orientation of a measuring object using an imaging apparatus capable of capturing a two-dimensional image and a range image, includes a data storing unit configured to store verification data for estimating a position-and-orientation of a measuring object, a two-dimensional image input unit configured to input a two-dimensional image captured by the imaging apparatus in a first position-and-orientation, a range image input unit configured to input a range image captured by the imaging apparatus in a second position-and-orientation, a position-and-orientation information input unit configured to acquire position-and-orientation difference information which is relative position-and-orientation information in the first position-and-orientation and the second position-and-orientation, and a calculation unit configured to calculate, based on the position-and-orientation difference information, a position-and-orientation of the mea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Tateno, Shinji Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 9279662
    Abstract: A method of dynamically adjusting an angular speed of a light beam emitted by a scanner in measuring three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of a surface or of dynamically adjusting an acquisition rate of 3D coordinates of a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Steffey, Reinhard Becker, Bernd-Dietmar Becker, Jurgen Gittinger
  • Patent number: 9279663
    Abstract: A semiconductor measuring tool has a folding mirror configuration that directs a light beam to pass the same space multiple times to reduce the size and footprint. Furthermore, the folding mirrors may reflect the light beam at less than forty-five degrees; thereby allowing for smaller folding mirrors as compared to the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Chunhai Wang, Chunsheng Huang, Andrew An Zeng, Frederick Arnold Goodman, Shouhong Tang, Yi Zhang
  • Patent number: 9279664
    Abstract: A device for measuring the thickness of slag on the surface of liquid metal contained in an ingot mould comprises a wire made of electrically conductive material and capable of being eliminated under the effect of the heat at the temperature of the slag, the wire having a free end able to be dipped into the slag, a wire feeder capable of displacing the wire so that its free end dips vertically into the slag according to a predetermined trajectory, a wire displacement measurer capable of measuring a distance travelled by the free end of the wire during a time interval between two predetermined events when the latter is displaced under the action of the feeding means, and a wire feeder controller having a molten metal contact detector capable of detecting contact between the free end and the surface of the liquid metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: AVEMIS S.A.S.
    Inventors: Michel Dussud, Fabien Dejean
  • Patent number: 9279665
    Abstract: A method for measuring film thickness distribution, including calculating profile P1 indicating wavelength dependence of a reflectance of a first wafer being an object measured with respect to a light at wavelengths not less than a wavelength region of visible light; calculating profile P21 indicating wavelength dependence of a reflectance of a second wafer to light at wavelengths not less than wavelength region of visible light; obtaining a wavelength ?1 observed when profile P31 of a difference between calculated profiles P1 and P21 becomes zero; and selecting waveband including the obtained wavelength ?1 as a waveband of light for use in film thickness distribution measurement by reflection spectroscopy. The film thickness distribution of the first thin film is measured by reflection spectroscopy in a manner that a surface of the first wafer is irradiated with a light to selectively measure only reflected light at a selected waveband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU HANDOTAI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Susumu Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 9279666
    Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring strain in a substrate using a strain sensor element within a fiber optic sensing cable. Accurate and rapid measurement of strain of remote substrates presents major technical challenges and is the focus of much of the description presented. However, systems, methods and devices provided by the present invention are not only capable of reliably measuring strain in real time, but are also capable of measuring other characteristics of a substrate such as its temperature, pressure and its acoustic characteristics. The system is configured such that a strain sensor element within a strain sensing zone detects substantially the true strain characteristics of the substrate. And while other sensing elements within the same fiber optic sensing cable may not be configured to detect substrate strain at all, these sensing elements may reliably measure the temperature and pressure at the surface of the substrate adjacent to the strain sensing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mahadevan Balasubramaniam, Slawomir Rubinsztajn, Glen Peter Koste, Kaustubh Ravindra Nagarkar, Vincent Frank Rubino, Jeffrey Roy Rudd, Paul Jeffrey Gillespie
  • Patent number: 9279667
    Abstract: The method includes: calculating positional and angular magnification distributions of rays reflected by a reference aspheric surface on a light-receiving sensor and on a sensor conjugate surface; measuring a first wavefront of a reference light on the sensor; and calculating a second wavefront of the reference light on the sensor based on a parameter of an optical system. The method includes: moving at least two movable elements for calibration such that a difference between rotationally symmetric components of the first and second wavefronts becomes small; measuring, after the calibration, a third wavefront of the reference light on the sensor; measuring, after the calibration, a fourth wavefront of the measurement light on the sensor; and calculating the profile of the measurement object aspheric surface by using the third and fourth wavefronts, the positional and angular magnification distributions, and the profile of the reference aspheric surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasunori Furukawa, Yumiko Osaki, Yoshiki Maeda
  • Patent number: 9279668
    Abstract: A device for three-dimensional measurement of an object, with a stereomicroscope of the telescope type, which has a common objective and a first and a second tube lens, a first image sensor, which is assigned to the first tube lens, a second image sensor (8), which is assigned to the second tube lens, and a control unit, which determines the three-dimensional shape of the object from the images obtained with the two image sensors and carries out a predetermined three-dimensional measurement, wherein the stereomicroscope is designed such that the images are obtained with object-side telecentric conditions of the stereomicroscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Wartmann
  • Patent number: 9279669
    Abstract: An optical measuring device for measuring a surface contour of an object, includes a tripod on which a camera platform is mounted, wherein on the camera platform at least two photo cameras are arranged for imaging the object comprising marking elements, and the at least two photo cameras are arranged on the camera platform in such a manner that imaging the object can be carried out from two different perspectives, wherein between the camera platform and the tripod a displacement device for the linear displacement of the camera platform in three directions that are independent of each other is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Andrej Klaas
  • Patent number: 9279670
    Abstract: A method for adjusting and/or calibrating a surroundings sensor in a vehicle using a measuring unit and a calibration panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Schommer, Christian Wagmann, Axel Wendt
  • Patent number: 9279671
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is disclosed which provides an appropriate inclination guide display in accordance with an aspect ratio of a picked-up image and the like. The image pickup apparatus includes an inclination detector which detects an inclination of the image pickup apparatus, a display device capable of superimposedly showing an inclination guide display corresponding to a detection output from the inclination detector, on a picked-up image, and an aspect ratio setter which sets the aspect ratio of a picked-up image. The apparatus includes a display controller which controls whether or not to show the inclination guide display on the display device on the basis of the aspect ratio set by the aspect ratio setter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Yamazaki, Masahiro Shibata, Yoshikazu Ishikawa, Kazunori Ishii, Hideo Kawahara, Hitoshi Yasuda, Daisuke Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9279672
    Abstract: A flange bolt alignment system has an emitting unit including a beam emitting assembly adapted to emit an incident light beam and a beam reflecting assembly having a pivoting beam reflecting element continually oriented along a vertical axis by gravity; and a light reflecting surface on the beam reflecting element, the light reflecting surface positioned to receive the incident light beam and reflect a reflected light beam along a horizontal axis; and a receiving unit adapted for positioning in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship to the emitting unit. A flange bolt alignment method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Jose Jesus Garcia-Lopez
  • Patent number: 9279673
    Abstract: A warpage test system uses a calibration block to calibrate the warpage test system over a temperature profile. The calibration block includes a first metal block bonded to a second metal block. The first metal block includes a first metal and a second different metal. The first metal block includes a CTE different than a CTE of the second metal block. The calibration block is disposed in the warpage test system. A warpage of the calibration block is measured over a temperature profile ranging from 28° C. to 260° C. A deviation between the measured warpage of the calibration block and a known thermal expansion of the calibration block over the temperature profile is recorded. The warpage measurement in a semiconductor package is compensated by the deviation between the measured warpage of the calibration block and the known thermal expansion or warpage of the calibration block over the temperature profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC, Ltd.
    Inventors: WonJun Ko, SeungYong Chai, OhHan Kim, GwangTae Kim, Kenny Lee
  • Patent number: 9279674
    Abstract: A method of testing a blocking ability of a photoresist blocking layer for ion implantation, comprising: forming a photoresist blocking layer (S1) on a substrate; measuring a first thickness (S2) of the photoresist blocking layer at an arbitrary position on the substrate, the first thickness being a thickness of the photoresist blocking layer; implanting a predetermined amount of ions (S3) into the photoresist blocking layer; measuring a second thickness (S4) of the photoresist blocking layer at the arbitrary position, the second thickness being a thickness of a hardened portion in the photoresist blocking layer; and determining a blocking ability (S5) of the photoresist blocking layer with the first thickness for ion implantation according to the second thickness. This method does not need to use a testing silicon slice during the process of testing the blocking ability of a photoresist blocking layer for ion implantation, and thus can reduce required costs during the testing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD
    Inventor: Hui Tian
  • Patent number: 9279675
    Abstract: A device for determining an extension length of an extendable machine part includes a first ultrasound sensor and a controller, the controller determining the extension length on the basis of an ultrasound signal received by the first ultrasound sensor. The first ultrasound sensor includes a first ultrasound converter and a second ultrasound converter which are arranged such that they are offset along the measuring direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: MOBA MOBILE AUTOMATION AG
    Inventor: Boris Zils
  • Patent number: 9279676
    Abstract: A distance measuring device includes a first camera and a second camera arranged side by side. The first camera includes a shell, a shaft, a camera module rotatably held in the shell via the shaft, a driver configured for driving the camera module to rotate, and a measuring device configured for measuring an angle that the camera module rotates. The camera module includes an optical axis substantially perpendicular to and intersecting with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang
  • Patent number: 9279677
    Abstract: A corresponding point search device includes an acquiring unit, a search unit and a determination unit. The acquiring unit acquires a first image obtained by imaging a subject with a first imaging apparatus in a focused state in which the first imaging apparatus is focused on the subject by moving of a movable portion, a second image obtained by imaging the subject with a second imaging apparatus and position information of the movable portion when the first imaging apparatus is in the focused state. The search unit searches for a corresponding point corresponding to a baseline point in one image in the other image for the one image and the other image of the first and second images. The determination unit determines the search range in which the corresponding point is searched by the search unit in the other image based on the position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Koji Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9279678
    Abstract: Even when a pasting target body to which prepregs are pasted has a shape changed portion such as a curved portion, prepreg pasting states are accurately inspected. A prepreg pasting state inspection apparatus for inspecting a gap between adjacent prepregs on a pasting target body has a laser for emitting slit light along an inclined plane so that a projected pattern of the slit light is formed across the adjacent prepregs, a camera for imaging an irradiation region of the laser, and a control unit for determining whether the gap between the adjacent prepregs is within an allowance based on a signal from the camera. The apparatus also has a range sensor for measuring a distance between a reference position and the irradiation region, and focus adjusting units for adjusting focus positions of the camera and the laser based on the signal from the range sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SANYO MACHINE WORKS, LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji Abe, Katsuo Tokida
  • Patent number: 9279679
    Abstract: A construction machine control system comprises a laser surveying instrument for projecting a laser beam in rotary irradiation at constant speed and a construction machine for operating in a photodetection range of the laser beam, and in the construction machine control system, the construction machine comprises a working mechanical unit for carrying out construction operation, a machine control device for controlling the working mechanical unit, and at least three beam detectors which are disposed at known positions with respect to a device reference position of the construction machine and have a photodetector for receiving the laser beam and a direction of the construction machine is calculated based on photodetection timing of each of the beam detectors and the machine control device controls the working mechanical unit so that direction of the construction machine is set to a condition as required based on a result of calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Kaoru Kumagai, Jun-ichi Kodaira, Raymond M. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 9279680
    Abstract: Methods and electronic devices for determining orientation are described. In one aspect, a processor-implemented method of determining a corrected orientation of a gyroscope on an electronic device includes: generating a gyroscope reading using the gyroscope; determining, by the processor, a first orientation estimate based on the gyroscope reading and a past corrected orientation; determining, by the processor, whether the gyroscope was saturated when the gyroscope reading was generated; adjusting, by the processor, a saturation correction learning rate for the gyroscope based on the result of the determination of whether the gyroscope was saturated; and calculating, by the processor, the corrected orientation based on the first orientation estimate, a second orientation estimate and the saturation correction learning rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Nathan Daniel Pozniak Buchanan, Nazih Almalki
  • Patent number: 9279681
    Abstract: A micromechanical Coriolis rate of rotation sensor for detecting a rate of rotation, comprising a substrate, a measurement axis (X-axis), a detection axis (Y-axis), and a drive axis (Z-axis), each disposed orthogonally to each other and a first and a second driving mass (2) disposed in an X-Y plane parallel to the substrate. Each driving mass (2) being rotatably connected to the substrate by means of a central suspension. The two central suspensions being disposed along the Y-axis. Drive means are used for generating a rotational oscillation of the driving masses (2) about the drive axis (Z) at each central suspension. At least one elastic connecting element (5) is disposed on each of the driving masses (2) on both sides of the Y-axis and spaced apart from the same for connecting and oscillating the two driving masses (2) in a mutually tuned manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Rocchi, Eleonora Marchetti, Lorenzo Bertini
  • Patent number: 9279682
    Abstract: An inertial unit comprising an inertial core (3) that is connected to a control unit (50) and that includes three gyros (9, 10, 11) that are mounted relative to one another so as to have sensing axes (X, Y, Z) that are substantially perpendicular to one another, the gyros being vibrating axisymmetric gyros with hemispherical resonators, the unit being characterized in that the core is mounted on a carousel (2) arranged to drive the inertial core in rotation about an axis of rotation (4) at at least one frequency that corresponds to a minimum for spectral error density of the gyros. An angle-measurement method making use of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SAGEM DEFENSE SECURITE
    Inventors: Alain Renault, Christian Lignon, Etienne Brunstein
  • Patent number: 9279683
    Abstract: A low power method for determining whether a cargo destined for air transport is in a flying state having the steps of: providing a housing for attachment to a cargo the housing having: an accelerometer for detecting a linear acceleration, a gyroscope for detecting an angular rate, a controller measuring a linear acceleration with the accelerometer, measuring an angular rate with the gyroscope, providing the measured linear acceleration and angular rate to the controller, and generating a flight status output signal indicating whether the housing is in a flying state as a function of the linear acceleration signal and angular rate signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventors: Martin A. Turon, Darren S. Liccardo
  • Patent number: 9279684
    Abstract: A method of repairing an air data probe sense port includes inserting a plug into a sense port in an air data probe, mounting the plug to the air data probe, dressing the welded plug to be substantially flush with adjacent air data probe surface, and forming a new sense port in the air data probe. The method can include enlarging the sense port prior to inserting the plug therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Marty, David J. Koch
  • Patent number: 9279685
    Abstract: Provided are system and methods for identifying first and second geographic locations, and providing for display of a geographic map including: a first geographic map of a first geographic area including the first geographic location, and a first indicator including a second geographic map of a second geographic area including the second geographic location, wherein the second geographic map is displayed as an overlay on the first geographic map in a position that indicates a direction to the second geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Keekim J. Heng, Scott M. Lederer, Ethan Russell
  • Patent number: 9279686
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an indoor navigation control system containing at least two LED lighting devices and a location server. Each LED lighting device includes a Wi-Fi module and a driving power supply, and is used as a wireless access node to transmit Wi-Fi signals to an adjacent node. Nodes within a Wi-Fi signal coverage area have Internet or LAN access. The location server stores location information of the Wi-Fi module of each LED lighting device. The LED lighting devices and the location server communicate with a smart terminal to calculate a position, a moving direction, and a moving speed of an object according to the location information of each LED lighting device and a moving time length of the object. The Wi-Fi module of each LED lighting device further controls the driving power supply to adjust the status of the LED lighting device according to a control command from the smart terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG SHENGHUI LIGHTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiabin Tuo, Jinxiang Shen