Patents Issued in November 15, 2016
  • Patent number: 9494917
    Abstract: Provided is an end member which allows appropriate transmission of rotary power, and smooth attachment and detachment with respect to an apparatus body. The end member includes a tubular bearing member and a shaft member that is held by the bearing member. The shaft member includes a turning shaft which moves in an axial line direction in accordance with turning about an axial line, a rotary power reception member which is arranged at one end of the turning shaft and includes an engagement member engaging with a drive shaft of an image forming apparatus body, and a regulation member which is pressed to engage with or be detached from the turning shaft or the rotary power reception member, whereby the engagement member switches between an engagement posture and a non-engagement posture with respect to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuichi Ikeda, Yohei Matsuoka, Shinichi Iijima, Teruyuki Mitsumori, Daishi Kato, Hiroshi Takata
  • Patent number: 9494918
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a restricting member configured to prevent a cartridge, which is inserted through an opening portion of an apparatus main body, from being inserted to an image forming position, the opening portion being formed by opening of a door, a pressing member configured to press the cartridge in a direction in which the cartridge is mounted at the image forming position, and a driving unit configured to move the restricting member. The cartridge is fixed at a transportation position by the restricting member and the pressing member when the image forming apparatus is transported, and the restricting member is moved to a retracted position by the driving unit and the cartridge is movable to the image forming position when the image forming apparatus is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Kubo
  • Patent number: 9494919
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for generating an image in a holographic imaging device by causing multiple reflections of a hologram reconstruction light on one side of a display panel in the holographic imaging device. An example device may include a display panel, a semi-transparent mirror layer on the display panel, a mirror layer at a side of the semi-transparent mirror layer opposite to the display panel, and a light irradiation unit opposite to the semi-transparent mirror layer. The light irradiation unit may irradiate a hologram reconstruction light on the semi-transparent mirror layer at a predetermined incident angle. The semi-transparent mirror layer may reflect a portion of the hologram reconstruction light such that the reflected portion of the hologram reconstruction light may be incident on the mirror layer. The semi-transparent mirror layer may transmit the other portion of the hologram reconstruction light to cause interference in the hologram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Eiji Yamaichi
  • Patent number: 9494920
    Abstract: An indicator including a housing, a movement lodged in the housing, a watch glass above the housing, a fluid pump driven by the movement for pumping a fluid, and a channel. The channel is arranged so that the fluid circulated by the pump reaches the channel in order to fill the channel for displaying indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Preciflex SA
    Inventors: Philippe-Emmanuel Grize, Yves Berthier, Maurizio Minello
  • Patent number: 9494921
    Abstract: Device for protecting a timepiece balance spring (1) against interfering magnetic fields comprising a balance (2) made of amorphous ferromagnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Dionne
  • Patent number: 9494922
    Abstract: A parking meter with an antenna for radio frequency (RF) communication is provided. An antenna for the parking meter may be located in order to transmit the RF signals through a transmission path comprising at least a portion of the parking meter that provides a low attenuation of RF signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: J.J. MACKAY CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: George Allan MacKay, Gregory Emile Chauvin, Neil Stuart Erskine, Darren Scott Cameron, Donald Wesley Church, Ben Garvey, Josh Michael Bablitah, Matt Gonia, Glenn Eric Pederson, Robert Thomas Buczkiewicz
  • Patent number: 9494923
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention extends to an interface for converting rotational motion to electrical signals comprising a mechanical actuator which is rotationally moveable in a first direction and in a second direction, and a first and a second electrical component connected to the actuator and arranged so that rotation of the actuator in the first direction causes changes in electrical properties of the first electrical component and rotation of the actuator in the second direction causes changes in electrical properties of the second electrical component. The first and the second electrical components are connected to one or more electrical circuits so that rotation of the actuator in the first and the second directions causes changes in the one or more electrical circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Khalil Abu Al-Rubb
  • Patent number: 9494924
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes control apparatus and server. Control apparatus includes collector, transmitter, receiver and main controller. Collector collects sensing data concerning control targets in social infrastructure. Transmitter transmits collected sensing data to server. Receiver receives control instruction from server. Main controller controls control targets based on control instruction. Server includes acquisition unit, database, generator and instructor. Acquisition unit acquires sensing data from control apparatus. Database stores sensing data. Generator generates control instruction by processing sensing data. Instructor transmits generated control instruction to control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Matsuda, Yoshitaka Kobayashi, Makoto Ochiai
  • Patent number: 9494925
    Abstract: A hybrid control system and a method for predicting a behavior of a physical system using the hybrid control system is disclosed. The hybrid control system may include a model inverting control system capable of implementing a model inverting control law and determining an active set of goals and limits and a model predictive control system capable of implementing a model predictive control law and utilizing the active set of goals and limits to determine current effector requests, the current effector requests being used to control behavior of the physical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: James W. Fuller
  • Patent number: 9494926
    Abstract: A dynamic environment (e.g., an automated industrial process) has multiple conditions in response to which corresponding actions are required, and comprises various equipment, control device(s) to control the equipment, and one or more sensors to generate input signal(s) representing a monitored condition of the environment. A control system for the environment comprises a master processor and one or more co-processors, wherein the master processor configures a given co-processor to evaluate only a first subset of conditions expected to occur in the environment within a specified time period (e.g., less than a response time of the master processor), and to provide first control information representing an action to be taken if a particular condition of the first subset is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Opteon Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. Frazer, T. Eric Hopkins, Timothy N. Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 9494927
    Abstract: A motor control device has a communication unit that receives a control command comprising a motor type identification signal and a rotation signal, wherein the motor type identification signal indicates whether a control object motor is a stepping motor or a DC motor, and wherein the rotation signal designates a target rotation amount and a target rotation speed of the motor, a sensor interface that receives a detection signal from a rotation angle sensor when the control object motor is the DC motor, wherein the rotation angle sensor outputs the detection signal every time the motor rotates by a first rotation angle, a DC motor drive signal generator that generates and outputs a first drive signal rotating the DC motor at the target rotation speed, and a stepping motor drive signal generator that generates and outputs a second drive signal rotating the stepping motor at the target rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Katsumi Matsushita, Yasuyuki Oba, Hiroyuki Ibuki
  • Patent number: 9494928
    Abstract: A numerical control apparatus includes a program analyzing unit configured to pre-fetch a tool replacement command and a post-replacement positioning command from a machining program and output these commands, a tool-replacement-command output unit configured to cause, based on the tool replacement command, a machine tool to execute a tool replacing operation, and a movement-command determining unit and an interpolating unit configured to start, when the post-replacement positioning command is an axis component command for positioning an axis related to the tool replacing operation, control of the axis based on the axis component command, after waiting for completion of the tool replacing operation, and start, when the post-replacement positioning command is an axis component command for positioning an axis unrelated to the tool replacing operation, control of the axis based on the axis component command, without waiting for the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Iuchi, Daisuke Fujino, Shunro Ono
  • Patent number: 9494929
    Abstract: The numerical controller has a program restart function and acquires program restart block data for resuming and ending suspended machining of a workpiece. The numerical controller analyzes a block of a machining program, and upon determining that a moving path of a tool, which is determined by the block, passes a boundary of a predetermined machining area of each controlled axis of a machine tool, the numerical controller acquires the program restart block data of that block and performs partial machining of the workpiece based on the acquired program restart block data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Haga, Makoto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9494930
    Abstract: To obtain an automatic programming apparatus, capable of generating a tool path for the chamfering process with a simple operation and capable of shortening the operation period and improving machining efficiency, the automatic programming apparatus includes a chamfering tool path generating unit and machining condition data. The chamfering tool path generating unit includes: a chamfered plane defining unit that generates shape data defining a chamfered plane obtained after the chamfering process is performed with respect to a shape of the chamfering target part; a reference point sequence generating unit that generates a reference point sequence used as a reference for generating the tool path data used for performing the chamfering process; and a tool reference position generating unit that, generates a reference position of a machining tool used when the machining tool passes while performing the chamfering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuka Mitani, Kenji Iriguchi, Akira Miyata, Tomonori Sato
  • Patent number: 9494931
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing knowledge access in a process control system and methods and systems for providing dynamic hyperlinks in a process control system are disclosed. A dynamic hyperlink may define an association between a process control object corresponding to a process control element and a knowledge object corresponding to a knowledge reference stored internally or externally to the process control system. At a run-time of a display view that includes the process control object, the defined dynamic hyperlink may be established without a configuration or a download. Upon selection of the defined dynamic hyperlink, the corresponding knowledge reference may be displayed. Defined dynamic hyperlinks may be stored in a process control system database independent of process control objects or knowledge objects. Embodiments of user interfaces for administrating dynamic hyperlinks are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: John M. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 9494932
    Abstract: A monitoring device includes: a physical quantity acquisition section for acquiring physical quantities indicative of a state of a device; an abnormality determination section for determining, in accordance with whether or not the acquired physical quantities fall within a predetermined range, whether or not there is an abnormality; an abnormal waveform data generation section for, in a case where the abnormality determination section determines that there is an abnormality, generating abnormal waveform data indicative of a change over time in the physical quantities acquired during an abnormal waveform period containing at least a period from a point in time at which the abnormality determination section determines that there is an abnormality to a point in time at which a predetermined accumulation time elapsed; and a reporting section for causing a display section to display an abnormal waveform indicated by the abnormal waveform data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Wakahiro Kawai
  • Patent number: 9494933
    Abstract: A method, data processing system, and computer program product for processing packets in an aircraft network data processing system. A number of first packets of data are received from each redundant network in a plurality of redundant networks in the aircraft network data processing system. A number of second packets of data generated by a redundancy manager are received in communication with the plurality of redundant networks. Then, a configuration of the plurality of redundant networks is identified using the number of first packets and the number of second packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy E. Jackson
  • Patent number: 9494934
    Abstract: A system for managing inventory items includes a portable inventory holder and an unmanned drive unit configured to move the inventory holder between locations in an inventory facility. The inventory facility includes a plurality of light emitting elements. The drive unit captures an image of a subset of the light emitting elements. The captured image is processed to determine the location of the drive unit within the facility. A path is determined along which the drive unit moves to an inventory holder and moves the inventory holder to another location. The light emitting elements can be provided by optical fibers embedded in the floor of the inventory facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah David Brazeau, Andriy Palamarchuk
  • Patent number: 9494935
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are computer devices, systems, and methods for remotely operating an autonomous passenger vehicle. When an autonomous vehicle encounters an unexpected driving environment unsuitable for autonomous operation, such as road construction or an obstruction, vehicle sensors can capture data about the vehicle and the unexpected driving environment, including images, radar and lidar data, etc. The captured data can be sent to a remote operator. The remote operator can manually operate the vehicle remotely or issue commands to the autonomous vehicle to be executed by on various vehicle systems. The captured data sent to the remote operator can be optimized to conserve bandwidth, such as by sending a limited subset of the captured data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Bunyo Okumura, Danil V. Prokhorov
  • Patent number: 9494936
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on storage devices, for monitoring, security, and surveillance of a property. In one aspect, a system includes multiple robotic devices, multiple sensors, wherein the multiple sensors includes a first sensor, multiple charging stations, and a monitor control unit. The monitor control unit may include a network interface, one or more processors, and one or more storage devices that include instructions to cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations may include receiving data from the first sensor that is indicative of an alarm event, accessing information describing the capabilities of the each of the robotic devices, selecting a subset of robotic devices from the multiple robotic devices, and transmitting a command to each robotic device in the subset of robotic devices that instructs each respective robotic device to deploy to the location of the first sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventor: Daniel Kerzner
  • Patent number: 9494937
    Abstract: A system comprise a server configured to communicate vehicle information with a vehicle transceiver of a vehicle moving along a vehicle route and communicate drone information with a drone transceiver of a drone moving along a drone route. A computing device with a memory and a processor may be configured to communicatively connect with the server, process the vehicle information and the drone information, identify a plurality of pickup locations based in part on the vehicle information and drone information, select at least one of the plurality of pickup locations based in part on a priority score associated with a travel time to or wait time for each of the plurality of pickup locations, and update the drone route based in part on the selected pickup location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Verizon Telematics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Siegel, Stephen Christopher Welch, James Ronald Barfield, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9494938
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to protecting the privacy of a user of a dispatching service for driverless vehicles. For example, a request for a vehicle identifying user information is received. A client computing device may be identified based on the user information. In response to the request, a driverless vehicle may be dispatched to the location of the client device. Signaling information may be generated based on a set of rules including a first rule that the signaling information does not identify, indirectly or directly, the user as well as a second rule that the signaling information does not identify, indirectly or directly, the user information. The location of the client computing device and the signaling information may be sent to the driverless vehicle for display. In addition, the signaling information may also be sent to the client computing device for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kemler, Dan Fredinburg
  • Patent number: 9494939
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle within an environment are provided. In one aspect, a system comprises one or more sensors carried on the unmanned aerial vehicle and configured to receive sensor data of the environment and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be individually or collectively configured to: determine, based on the sensor data, an environmental complexity factor representative of an obstacle density for the environment; determine, based on the environmental complexity factor, one or more operating rules for the unmanned aerial vehicle; receive a signal indicating a desired movement of the unmanned aerial vehicle; and cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to move in accordance with the signal while complying with the one or more operating rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Xiao Hu, Ang Liu, Guyue Zhou, Xuyang Pan
  • Patent number: 9494940
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods to implement sectional design (e.g., in quadrants) of an autonomous vehicle may include modular construction techniques to assemble an autonomous vehicle from multiple structural sections. The multiple structural sections may be configured to implement radial and bilateral symmetry. A structural section based configuration may include a power supply configuration (e.g., using rechargeable batteries) including a double-backed power supply system. The power supply system may include a kill switch disposed on a power supply (e.g., at an end of a rechargeable battery). The kill switch may be configured to disable the power supply system in the event of an emergency or after a collision, for example. The radial and bilateral symmetry may provide for bi-directional driving operations of the autonomous vehicle as the vehicle may not have a designated front end or a back end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy David Kentley
  • Patent number: 9494941
    Abstract: A method of guiding aerial vehicles to a target site in adverse weather conditions wherein the method regulates the range indirectly by regulating heading error to an offset target that revolves around the true target site. The improved guidance architecture is effective in adverse weather conditions, such as high winds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Luminati Aerospace LLC
    Inventor: Anthony J. Calise
  • Patent number: 9494942
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may optimize basic models of an intersection in a roadway with high intensity image data of the intersection of the roadway. More specifically, parameters that define the basic model of the intersection in the roadway may be adjusted to more accurately define the intersection. For example, by comparing a shape of the intersection predicted by the basic model with extracted curbs and lane boundaries from elevation and intensity maps, the intersection parameters can be optimized to match real intersection-features in the environment. Once the optimal intersection parameters have been found, roadgraph features describing the intersection may be extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steven Montemerlo, John Tisdale, Vadim Furman
  • Patent number: 9494943
    Abstract: A method of controlling autonomous or driverless vehicles in a specific control zone or in a convoy is disclosed. The vehicles enter the zone or form a convoy and come under the control of a zone authority or escort vehicle that coordinates the movements of the vehicles until they leave the zone or convoy. Escort vehicle communicate with central control facilities, each other or escorted vehicles. The behavior of the escorted or controlled vehicles is modified to insure that it matches a set of rules established by the zone authority. Possible zones include parking areas, indoor passages and areas with security concerns. The zone authority or escort vehicle may simultaneously control multiple autonomous vehicles and possible additional driver operated vehicles. Messages establishing control or providing continuing administration of rules or movements of escorted or controlled vehicles may be delivered by any type of communications link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Danaher Harvey
  • Patent number: 9494944
    Abstract: A method in a vehicle platoon including at least one leader vehicle and at least one additional vehicle, where the leader vehicle is intended to detect ambient conditions. The method includes the steps of: appointing (s410) the leader vehicle which is responsible for communicating information to the at least one additional vehicle; and under certain conditions, appointing (s450) a new leader vehicle which assumes the responsibility. A computer program product has program code (P) for a computer (200; 210) to implement a method according to the invention. The invention also pertains to a device in vehicle platoons and a motor vehicle equipped with such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Assad Alam, Marek Sokalla
  • Patent number: 9494945
    Abstract: A device and method for flight management of an aircraft along a flight plan comprises a plurality of waypoints comprising a computation of the temporal predictions determining the temporal situation of the aircraft for each waypoint of the flight plan, a temporal situation of the aircraft being defined by at least one set of information from among the group comprising the target time of transit at each waypoint the estimated minimum and maximum times of arrival at each waypoint, the estimated time of transit at the waypoint, and a formatting and display simultaneously presenting the temporal situations of the said plurality of waypoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Francois Coulmeau, Guy Deker, Xavier Blanchon, Patrick Mazoyer
  • Patent number: 9494946
    Abstract: The flow rate control device comprises a basal plate block wherein a single input port into which a fluid flows, a single output port from which the fluid flows out, two inflow channels whose proximal ends are connected to the input port and two outflow channels whose terminal ends are connected to the output port are formed, and two flow rate control units arranged on the basal plate block, and one of the flow rate control units is arranged between one of the inflow channels and one of the outflow channels, the other flow rate control unit is arranged between the other inflow channel and the other outflow channel, and each of the flow rate control units is configured to be capable of operating independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadahiro Yasuda
  • Patent number: 9494947
    Abstract: A pressure type flow control system with flow monitoring includes an inlet side passage, a control valve comprising a pressure-type flow control unit connected downstream of the inlet side passage, a thermal-type flow sensor connected downstream of the control valve, an orifice installed on a fluid passage connected downstream of the thermal-type flow sensor, a temperature sensor provided near the fluid passage between the control valve and orifice, a pressure sensor provided for the fluid passage between the control valve and orifice, an outlet side passage connected to the orifice, and a control unit comprising a pressure-type flow rate arithmetic and control unit to which a pressure signal from the pressure sensor and a temperature signal from the temperature sensor are input, and which computes a flow rate value of fluid flowing through the orifice, and outputs a control signal to a valve drive unit of the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kaoru Hirata, Ryousuke Dohi, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda, Katsuyuki Sugita
  • Patent number: 9494948
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for in-line processes of blending butane into gasoline streams, and for blending butane into a gasoline stream at any point along a petroleum pipeline. The invention additionally provides a method for measuring the vapor pressure and vapor to liquid ratio of the gasoline, both upstream and downstream of the blending operation, as well as the sulfur content of the butane entering the blending operation. The blending operation can be controlled to ensure that the blended gasoline meets EPA requirements for vapor pressure and sulfur content of gasoline. The invention further provides a method for accessing and monitoring the operation off-site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SUNOCO PARTNERS MARKETING & TERMINALS L.P.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mattingly, Steven M. Vanderbur
  • Patent number: 9494949
    Abstract: The gravity control apparatus (1) comprises: a first rotating body (10) that rotates along a first shaft (11a) as a result of being driven by a first driving device; a second rotating body (20) that rotates along a second shaft that is orthogonal to the first shaft (11a) within the region of rotation of the first rotating body (10) as a result of being driven by a second driving device; an accelerometer (40) that is set at any position on the second rotating body (20) and detects acceleration; and a control device (50) that controls driving by the first driving device and the second driving device. The control device (50) controls driving by the first driving device and the second driving device on the basis of acceleration data detected by the accelerometer (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignees: SPACE BIO-LABORATORIES CO., LTD., IXS RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rui Yuge, Yumi Kawahara, Fuminori Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 9494950
    Abstract: A device (1; 101) for controlling the flow of a fluid through a conduit (2; 102; 402; 602; 702) from an upstream side (3; 103; 703) to a downstream side (5; 105; 405; 605; 705), the device (1; 101) comprising: a valve having a valve member (14; 114; 414; 514; 614) arranged to move reciprocally selectively to open and close one or more valve apertures (10; 110; 412; 512; 611, 612), thereby controlling flow of the fluid from the upstream side (3; 103; 703) to the downstream side (5; 105; 405; 605; 705); and means for introducing a reference pressure (24; 124; 324; 424; 524; 624); wherein said valve member (14; 114; 414; 514; 614) is acted on by the pressure of the downstream side (5; 105; 405; 605; 705) and the reference pressure so as to be moved by the difference between said pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Oxford University Innovation Limited
    Inventor: Thomas Povey
  • Patent number: 9494951
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting chemical reactions may be provided. The apparatus may comprise a chemical detection device. The chemical detection device may include a chemical sensor, which may be mounted on the chemical detection device. The apparatus may further comprise a valve block. The valve block may fluidly couple a plurality of reagent containers to the chemical detection device. The apparatus may further comprise a heat exchanger and a controller. The controller may control a fluid connection between the valve block and the chemical detection device. The controller may be also configured to adjust a temperature of a selected reagent from the plurality of reagent containers via the heat exchanger. The temperature of the selected reagent may be adjusted prior to the reagent entering the chemical detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Rearick, Jeremy Jordan, John Nobile, William Julian Mileski, Chun Heen Ho
  • Patent number: 9494952
    Abstract: An HVAC control system has a first system controller associated with a first HVAC system and configured to control the first HVAC system and a second system controller associated with a HVAC system and configured to control the second HVAC system wherein the first system controller is selectively operable to control the second HVAC system. A method of controlling multiple HVAC systems includes providing a first HVAC system which may include a required first system controller, providing a second HVAC system which may include a required second system controller, and enabling wireless communication between the first system controller and the second system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, John Tanner Taylor
  • Patent number: 9494953
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for activating and deactivating heating or cooling stages of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, which includes activating a heating or cooling stage of the HVAC unit based on a determined need for heating or cooling. A monitored temperature is compared with a first temperature setpoint and a monitored on-time of the heating or cooling stage is compared with a first time period setpoint. The heating or cooling stage is deactivated based on the comparison of the monitored temperature with the first temperature setpoint, when the monitored on-time is greater than the first time period setpoint. The monitored temperature is then compared with a second temperature setpoint. The heating or cooling stage is reactivated based on a comparison of the monitored temperature with the second temperature setpoint, when a monitored off-time is greater than the second time period setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Morrow, Timothy D. Campbell, Samuel Smith, John Wallace
  • Patent number: 9494954
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for information handling system thermal control that employ configuration-based temperature feedback, e.g., by using configuration-based fan speed control based on real time individual measured component temperatures. In one example, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to allow inputs from one or more hardware temperature sensors to set cooling fan speeds and/or power capping levels in a closed loop fashion, rather than relying solely (or at all) on system inlet ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products LP
    Inventors: Paul Artman, Hasnain Shabbir
  • Patent number: 9494955
    Abstract: A method of controlling a heat-generating element that generates heat when electric current is passed therethrough to control an ambient temperature within a space in which a sensor for sensing temperatures is at least partially located. The method includes sensing an initial temperature, and permitting passage of the electric current through the heat-generating element at 100 percent output for a preselected initial time period. After the electric current has passed through the heat-generating element for the preselected initial time period, a second temperature is sensed. A first temperature difference between the initial temperature and the second temperature is determined. A maximum error between a sensed temperature sensed at a selected time after the initial time period, and the ambient temperature at the selected time, is determined in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the first temperature difference and the maximum error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Dimplex North America Limited
    Inventors: Kristoffer Hess, Kelly Stinson
  • Patent number: 9494956
    Abstract: A voltage control unit is configured to: control, in accordance with an output voltage signal and an output current signal, output power of a rectifying unit to a voltage lower than a voltage by which an amount of generated power of a magneto AC generator becomes maximum; control a transformation ratio in accordance with the output voltage signal and the output current signal so as to improve power generation efficiency of the magneto AC generator one of when an rpm variation signal indicates an decelerating state and when the rpm variation signal indicates that a variation in rpm indicates a value smaller than a predetermined constant; and control the transformation ratio so as to decrease the output power of the rectifying unit when the rpm variation signal indicates an accelerating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Sawada, Naoki Itoi
  • Patent number: 9494957
    Abstract: Distributed voltage network circuits employing voltage averaging, and related systems and methods are disclosed. In one aspect, because voltage in one area of a distributed load circuit may vary from voltage in a second area, a distributed voltage network circuit is configured to tap voltages from multiple areas to calculate average voltage in the distributed load circuit. The distributed voltage network circuit includes a voltage distribution source component having source nodes. Voltage is distributed from each source node to a corresponding voltage load node via resistive interconnects. Voltage tap nodes access voltage from each corresponding voltage load node. Each voltage tap node is coupled to an input node of a corresponding resistive element in voltage averaging circuit. An output node of each resistive element is coupled to a voltage output node of the voltage averaging circuit, generating the average voltage of the distributed load circuit on the voltage output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Burt Lee Price, Yeshwant Nagaraj Kolla, Dhaval Rajeshbhai Shah
  • Patent number: 9494958
    Abstract: A voltage generation circuit of a semiconductor apparatus includes a first detection block configured to detect an output voltage and output a first detection signal; a second detection block configured to detect the output voltage and output a second detection signal; a signal generation block configured to generate a control signal in response to the first detection signal and the second detection signal; and a voltage generation block configured to generate the output voltage in response to the control signal, wherein responding speeds of the first detection block and the second detection block with respect to a variation in the output voltage are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Sam Kim
  • Patent number: 9494959
    Abstract: A current source for quickly adjusting an output current includes a constant current generation module, coupled to a control node, for generating a predefined current flowing through the control node in order to determine a voltage of the control node; a capacitor, coupled to an output terminal of the current source; a current variation detection module, coupled between the control node and the capacitor, for generating a variation on the voltage of the control node via the capacitor when the output terminal of the current source receives an instant current variation; and a trans-conductance amplifier, coupled between the control node and the output terminal, for changing a magnitude of the output current of the output terminal when the variation on the voltage of the control node is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NOVATEK Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Min-Hung Hu, Chiu-Huang Huang, Chen-Tsung Wu, Chun-Wei Huang, Pin-Han Su
  • Patent number: 9494960
    Abstract: A programmable linear voltage regulator and system for programming the regulator that improves the speed, power usage, and stability over conventional linear voltage regulators is disclosed. A controller that has knowledge of the current or expected activation of various loads sends bias control signals to a programmable biasing circuit of an error amplifier in the voltage regulator to adjust the bias current in accordance with the load current the regulator produces or is expected to produce. A look up table associated with the controller can be used to correlate the bias control signals with current or expected load conditions. Programming of the programmable biasing circuit may precede the enablement of a new load condition to ready the voltage regulator to handle the upcoming change in load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Pujitha Weerakoon, Goran N. Marnfeldt
  • Patent number: 9494961
    Abstract: A feedback device for a constant current driver controls a power supply module in the constant current driver to generate an output voltage. The constant current driver drives an electrical load with an output current. The feedback device includes a feedback control module and a feedback output unit. The feedback control module is utilized for receiving a load driven voltage related to the electrical load and generating a control voltage accordingly. The feedback output unit is utilized for generating a feedback current via an equivalent resistor of the feedback output unit according to a voltage difference between the control voltage and a feedback voltage of the power supply module. The power supply module controls the magnitude of the output voltage according to the feedback current, allowing the constant current driver to drive the electrical load with the output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NOVATEK Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Min-Chieh Hsu, Wen-Hsin Cheng
  • Patent number: 9494962
    Abstract: Embodiments of circuitry, which includes power supply switching circuitry and a first inductive element, are disclosed. The power supply switching circuitry has a first switching output and a second switching output. The first inductive element is coupled between the first switching output and a power supply output. The power supply switching circuitry operates in one of a first operating mode and a second operating mode. During the first operating mode, the first switching output is voltage compatible with the second switching output. During the second operating mode, the first switching output is allowed to be voltage incompatible with the second switching output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
  • Patent number: 9494963
    Abstract: A multi-stage voltage division circuit is provided and includes a main-stage voltage division element and a sub-stage voltage division element. The main-stage voltage division element is connected between a high-voltage end and a low-voltage end to average a high voltage and a low voltage and accordingly generates a main output voltage. The sub-stage voltage division element is connected between the high-voltage end and the low-voltage end and connected in parallel with the main-stage voltage division element. The sub-stage voltage division element averages the main output voltage and the low voltage to generate a lower output voltage. The sub-stage voltage division element averages the high voltage and the main output voltage to generate an upper output voltage. Therefore, in the situation of generating the same amount of divided voltages, the multi-stage voltage division circuit has higher driving efficiency and generates stable divided voltages to loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Jie Li
  • Patent number: 9494964
    Abstract: A gate drive circuit includes: a modulation circuit that generates a first modulated signal and a second modulated signal; an isolator including a first electromagnetic resonance coupler that isolatedly transmits the first modulated signal, and a second electromagnetic resonance coupler that isolatedly transmits the second modulated signal; a first rectifier circuit that generates a first signal by rectifying the first modulated signal; a second rectifier circuit that generates a second signal by rectifying at least a part of the second modulated signal; a third rectifier circuit that generates charging voltage by rectifying a second radio-frequency wave; a capacitor that charges a charge in accordance with the charging voltage; and an output circuit which selects whether or not to supply the charge charged in the capacitor to a gate terminal of the semiconductor switch, in accordance with at least one of the first signal and the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Kawai, Shuichi Nagai
  • Patent number: 9494965
    Abstract: An organ type accelerator pedal apparatus may include a pedal housing having a lower mount fixed to a panel of a vehicle body located below a driver seat and an upper mount to which a pedal arm pivotally mounted, a pad pivotally mounted with respect to the pedal housing such that the pad is connected to the pedal arm via a carrier, and an articulated hinge fixedly coupled, at both ends thereof, between the pedal housing and the pad such that the articulated hinge is covered by the pedal housing and the pad so that the articulated hinge is not exposed to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventor: Jeong Seon Min
  • Patent number: 9494966
    Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a mount, an operation lever, first and second interlocking members, and first and second detectors. The mount includes a support face of generally spherical convex shape. The operation lever is slidably supported on the support face. The first interlocking member receives the operation lever therethrough and is movable in a first direction in an arc-like manner in accordance with movement in the first direction of the operation lever. The second interlocking member crosses the first interlocking member, receives the operation lever therethrough, and is movable in a second direction in an arc-like manner in accordance with movement in the second direction of the operation lever, the second direction crossing the first direction. The first detector can detect a direction and an amount of movement of the first interlocking member. The second detector can detect a direction and an amount of movement of the second interlocking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: HOSIDEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Asano