Patents Issued in December 6, 2016
  • Patent number: 9513112
    Abstract: A collimated laser beam is directed towards the wafer bottom such that the impinging light is partially forward deflected along the vias' bottom edges. Concentric laser interference fringes occur on the wafer top from constructive and destructive interference between the forward deflected and directly through propagating laser. A top down optical image from a number of vias' top openings and a top down fringe image from the same vias' concentric fringe sets are processed to three dimensionally characterize the vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: n&k Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Rush, John C. Lam
  • Patent number: 9513113
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optical topology detection and illumination. Embodiments provide an integrated system, and methods of operation thereof, where the integrated system includes an illumination system and an optical topology detection system, and where at least a portion of the spectral content of illumination light from the illumination system is within an optical detection bandwidth of the optical topology detection system, and where the operation of the optical topology detection system and the illumination system are interleaved to avoid crosstalk, such that the optical topology detection system detects the optical topology detection light when the illumination system is not emitting illumination light. The system may include, and control the operation of, an optical navigation system. The components of the system may be mounted to a rigid frame to maintain calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: 7D SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Victor Yang, Adrian Linus Dinesh Mariampillai, Beau Anthony Standish, Michael Ka Kit Leung
  • Patent number: 9513114
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a measuring device includes a projector, an image capturing unit, and a first calculator. The projector projects, onto a target, a first superimposed pattern which is obtained by superimposing a first pattern having a periodic change and a second pattern configured with a first design for specifying a period of the first pattern. The image capturing unit captures the target, onto which the first superimposed pattern is projected to obtain an image. The first calculator performs matching of the first design taken by the image capturing unit, which is included in the first superimposed pattern in the image, with the first design projected by the projecting unit, and calculates correspondence between a second superimposed pattern, which points to the first superimposed pattern captured in the image, and the first superimposed pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Masaki Yamazaki, Akihito Seki, Satoshi Ito, Yuta Itoh, Hideaki Uchiyama, Ryuzo Okada
  • Patent number: 9513115
    Abstract: In order to be able to test completely transparent surfaces (22) as well as mirror surfaces (22) with optical testing methods in which light (3) is radiated onto the surface (22) to be tested and the light reflected by the surface (22) is checked by an optical test unit (6a, b) a precipitation of moisture is generated on the surface before optical testing, wherein the precipitation is generated in the form of plural small liquid droplets (8) on the surface (22) which causes a diffuse reflection of the irradiated light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SmartRay GmbH
    Inventor: Torsten Gruhn
  • Patent number: 9513116
    Abstract: The invention provides a tread thickness measuring method for accurately measuring the tread thickness from a belt surface located in an outermost position in a tire to the tread surface by an ultrasonic measurement irrespective of the material of the belt. The method includes the steps of spraying the same liquid as the liquid pooled in a tank on the tread surface of the tire under inspection before immersing the tread surface in the liquid in the tank and measuring the depth of the belt located in the outermost position in the tire by emitting ultrasonic waves to the tread surface immersed in the liquid in the tank and receiving the reflected waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Fujishima, Ryuji Nawata
  • Patent number: 9513117
    Abstract: Turbine blade tip clearance is measured in a fully assembled turbine casing by mounting a contact or non-contact displacement probe on a turbine blade that generates data indicative of probe distance from the turbine casing that circumferentially surrounds the blade. Variations in probe distance data are recorded as the blade circumferentially sweeps the turbine casing when the turbine is operated in turning gear mode. Blade rotational position data are collected by a rotational position sensor. A data processing system correlates the distance and rotational position data with localized blade tip gap at angular positions about the turbine casing circumference. An optical camera inspection system may be coupled to a turbine blade to obtain visual inspection information within the turbine casing. This method and apparatus provide an accurate and cost effective solution for accessing turbine casing deformation impact on blade tip clearance and rotor/casing alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest R. Ruhge, Clifford Hatcher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9513118
    Abstract: A strain gage device and method for positioning and applying strain gages in vehicles includes an alignment jig for fixing a position relative to a cylinder bore in an engine block, a rotatable member selectively rotatable relative to the alignment jig to a desired angular position, and at least one arm pivotally mounted to the rotatable member for applying a strain gage to the engine block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin Danford
  • Patent number: 9513119
    Abstract: A tiltmeter-integrated two element optical relative alignment monitor provides relative alignment and contact sensing and can provide precise information regarding the nature of physical contact experienced by objects being monitored. A computer monitor can display the information in real time, in an intuitive manner. This system can provide all the information with good resolution in a low-cost, easily installable package for a wide variety of research, high energy physics applications, and industrial uses. A projector unit is mounted on one component containing a diffuse light source, a coded mask, and a lens. The projector is aligned with a camera to receive the focused image. Shifts in the image of the mask indicate relative motion between the camera and the projector unit. A tiltmeter is affixed to either the camera or projector, to distinguish between image shifts due to translational movement and image shifts due to rotation or tilting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: David J. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 9513120
    Abstract: A navigational apparatus includes a visual display, first and second imaging devices, and one or more processors. The first imaging device has an optical axis extending in a first direction and is configured to obtain first image data. The second imaging device has an optical axis extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and is configured to obtain second image data. When the visual display is displaying first image data, the one or more processors are configured to superimpose a first navigational graphic on the visual display overlaid on a portion of the first image data associated with the point of interest. When the visual display is displaying second image data, the one or more processors are configured to superimpose a second navigational graphic on the visual display overlaid on a portion of the second image data associated with the point of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Graham Briggs, Christian Graesser, James M. Janky
  • Patent number: 9513121
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for capturing a laser beam, comprising a receiver unit having a housing with a front surface, along one side of which a measurement region capturing the laser beam that comprises a sensor associated therewith runs, and a mounting (24), which can be detachably connected to the housing and comprises a preferably polygonal column-shaped base body and clamping jaws (30, 32). To allow the receiver to be oriented with respect to both a horizontal laser beam and a laser beam that is inclined with respect to the horizontal, using the mounting that can be detachably connected to the housing, the base body has a trapezoidal geometry comprising an outer longitudinal lateral surface, along which outer surfaces of the clamping jaws (30, 32) run, which overall form a support surface of the mounting on a base when the housing is oriented at an incline with respect to the vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: STABILA MESSGERATE GUSTAV ULLRICH GMBH
    Inventor: Gabriel Kallabis
  • Patent number: 9513122
    Abstract: An integrated MEMS inertial sensing device can include a MEMS inertial sensor with a drive loop configuration overlying a CMOS IC substrate. The CMOS IC substrate can include an AGC loop circuit coupled to the MEMS inertial sensor. The AGC loop acts in a way such that generated desired signal amplitude out of the drive signal maintains MEMS resonator velocity at a desired frequency and amplitude. A benefit of the AGC loop is that the charge pump of the HV driver inherently includes a ‘time constant’ for charging up of its output voltage. This incorporates the Low pass functionality in to the AGC loop without requiring additional circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: mCube Inc.
    Inventors: Ali J. Rastegar, Sanjay Bhandari
  • Patent number: 9513123
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing location information of a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes obtaining one or more point sites associated with a movement characteristic of an electronic device, determining a current position of the electronic device, determining a route based on the current position and the one or more point sites, and presenting the route on a map via a display operably coupled to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Kyu Heo, Jong Sun Pyo, Jae Hee Jung, Suk In Jung, Byoung Hoon Kwak
  • Patent number: 9513124
    Abstract: A velocity calculation device includes: a vertical direction acceleration detection portion that is mounted on a vehicle and detects an acceleration in a vertical direction generated correspondingly to undulation of a road surface; a horizontal direction angular velocity detection portion that is mounted on the vehicle and detects an angular velocity about a horizontal axis orthogonal to a travel direction of the vehicle generated correspondingly to the undulation of the road surface; and a velocity calculation portion that calculates a velocity in the travel direction of the vehicle on the basis of the acceleration in the vertical direction and the angular velocity about the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 9513125
    Abstract: This description provides tools and techniques for computing a route or flight plans for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or any vehicle while routing around obstacles having spatial and temporal dimensions. Methods provided by these tools may receive data representing destinations to be visited by the UAVs, and may receive data representing obstacles having spatial and temporal dimensions. These methods may also calculate trajectories spatial and temporal dimensions, by which the UAV may travel from one destination to another, and may at least attempt to compute flight plans for the UAVs that incorporate these trajectories. The methods may also determine whether these trajectories intersect any obstacles, and at least attempt to reroute the trajectories around the obstacles. These tools may also provide systems and computer-readable media containing software for performing any of the foregoing methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Donald L. Ravenscroft
  • Patent number: 9513126
    Abstract: An auxiliary guiding device includes a processor, a storage unit, a data obtaining unit, and an indication unit. The auxiliary guiding device communicates with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having an identification number. The storage unit stores navigating information corresponding to the identification number. The data obtaining unit receives the identification number of the RFID tag. The indication unit is directed by the processor to output the navigating information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zong-Yuan Sun
  • Patent number: 9513127
    Abstract: An indoor navigational system determines a location of a moveable object in an indoor area and displays this location to a user. The system includes one or more dead-reckoning sensors, one or more absolute position sensors, and a processor. The processor determines the location of the moveable object based on signals received from the sensors. The system also includes a display device to display the location of the moveable object in a graphical representation of the indoor area based on messages from the processor indicating the location of the moveable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: APPLABZ, LLC
    Inventors: David Allan Goldman, Nirav Balkrishna Patel
  • Patent number: 9513128
    Abstract: A method for determining a yaw angle estimate or vehicle heading direction is presented. A potential range of yaw angles is generated based on a plurality of primary telematics data. One or more yaw angle estimates are generated from the potential range of yaw angles. A driving pattern is determined based on at least one of the yaw angle estimates. The primary telematics data is a plurality of telematics data originated from a client computing device. The effects of gravity have been removed from the plurality of telematics data in a first primary movement window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Sunish Shreenarayan Menon, David J. Dosher, Scott Thomas Christensen
  • Patent number: 9513129
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating navigation solutions. A global positioning system based navigation solution unit; an inertial navigation solution unit; a correction unit, a limiter, and an adding unit. The global positioning system based navigation solution unit is capable of generating a first navigation solution. The inertial navigation solution unit is capable of generating a second navigation solution. The correction unit is capable of generating a raw correction. The limiter is capable of selectively modifying the raw correction to fall within a selected range of corrections to form a correction. The adding unit is capable of adding the correction to the second navigation solution to form a navigation solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Hanching Grant Wang
  • Patent number: 9513130
    Abstract: A registration solution between two or more sets of point cloud data is provided to register a first target set of point cloud data with a second source set of point cloud data. Through error propagation, degrees of freedom masking and transformation filtering, a system may provide an intelligent method of enabling and disabling degrees of freedom in a real-time registration application. A system may adapt to varying environments (feature-rich and featureless) ensuring a high-integrity registration estimate through providing estimates of the observable parameters. By optionally and iteratively masking zero or more degrees of freedom from the registration estimate, a system may locate desirable data to use in a registration estimate. Then, the system may blend updates from the registration estimates to achieve the best available registration solution applied to the original second source set as well as additional sets of point cloud data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Boggs, William T. Kirchner, Keith M. Allen, Gregory J. Kelsey, Yingyue Xu
  • Patent number: 9513131
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for calculating a route for at least one object inside a predefined area or building. A suitable sensor system is used to determine the current position data relating to the object. The respective current position data is used to simulate a flow of objects. Respective updated route guidance information is provided for output devices in the predefined area or building based on the results of the object flow simulation. The current position data relating to the object are determined via the effects of near field communication (NFC), for example, via RFID technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfram Klein, Hermann Georg Mayer, Oliver Zechlin
  • Patent number: 9513132
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for measuring quality in optimal navigation routes. A plurality of nodes having latitude and longitude coordinates is received for analysis. The nodes may be map matched with a road network and a traveled route of the navigation device may be determined. Alternative routes may be calculated between the origin and destination of the traveled route at a time after the traveled route is completed. Comparisons may be made between the traveled route and the alternative routes. The comparison data may be used to develop an improved traffic database or the data may be reported to a navigation device or navigation service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventor: James Adeyemi Fowe
  • Patent number: 9513133
    Abstract: A system for selective opening of a vehicle includes: a first communications module establishing, via a communications network, a communication link to a service provider of authorization data; a first identification routine for unambiguous identification of the service provider; a second communications module establishing a wireless communication network link to a control device for access arrangement of a vehicle; a second identification routine unambiguously identifying the system by the access arrangement; and a third communications module receiving update request information from the driver and an authorization data update routine. By the second communications module, the control device receives a profiled control signal that causes a selective opening of the vehicle via the control device if valid authorization data is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Akos Semsey
  • Patent number: 9513134
    Abstract: Evacuation of mobile objects is managed by a system including a processor; and one or more computer readable mediums collectively including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive information of occurrence of a disaster, obtain information of a plurality of evacuation areas, obtain a plurality of locations, each location corresponding to a mobile object among a plurality of mobile objects in a geographic space, distribute the plurality of mobile objects into the plurality of evacuation areas according to a distribution based on the information of the plurality of evacuation areas and the plurality of locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromi Ishikawa, Atsushi Tsuchiya, Gaku Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9513135
    Abstract: A system may identify an expected time-of-arrival distribution to a waypoint along a vehicle route, determine energy usage along the route according to a plurality of arrival timing states of a traffic control located at the waypoint given the expected time-of-arrival distribution, and display a map including the vehicle route and range contours indicative of alternative results of arriving at the waypoint at the plurality of arrival states. The system may also determine energy usage along the vehicle route and update an expected available range of the vehicle along the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Perry Robinson MacNeille, Yimin Liu, Michael Edward Loftus
  • Patent number: 9513136
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for creating, modifying, and viewing geographic areas and their corresponding routes and items of work. For example, an interface can be provided with a map display area and a route display area. The map display area and the route display area can be synchronized to create new routes, modify existing routes, and/or view information about various routes and/or items of work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Santilli, Steve Snyder, Elisabeth Defronzo, Svetlana Inskeep, Joel Tantzer, Karen Levin
  • Patent number: 9513137
    Abstract: An area map provision system includes a terminal device and a server device communicating with each other. The server device includes an information collection unit collecting travel information related to travel of each vehicle, and a concentration degree determination unit determining a concentration degree of people at each point on a map based on the travel information. The terminal device or the server device includes a hotspot determination unit determining hotspots, each of which has the concentration degree equal to or higher than a threshold value, a recommendation facility search unit searching for recommendation facilities determined based on preferences of a target user, and an area map generation unit, when at least one of search regions defined with respective hotspots as reference points includes at least two recommendation facilities, generating an area map by including text or image to distinguishably represent the at least two recommendation facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuya Hisano
  • Patent number: 9513138
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for providing map information by a terminal supporting a navigation function, and more particularly, variably displaying map information as a streaming image map or an embedded vector map according to a travel state in a route guide service. Accordingly, since the present invention variably supports two-type map information including the embedded vector map and the streaming image map in the navigation function, it is possible to use map information through the streaming image map when a detailed, clear image is needed, and it is possible to use a route guide service through the embedded vector map providing more accurate and general map information while moving. Also, it is possible to efficiently receive map information applied to a navigation function from a service device connected through a communication network and accordingly, it is possible to efficiently perform the navigation function provided from a terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignees: SK TELECOM CO., LTD., SK PLANET CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jihye Heo
  • Patent number: 9513139
    Abstract: Verifying surveying instrument's external orientation during a measurement process, comprising directing the imaging means onto a reference object and detecting a first photographing direction of the imaging means, taking a first image of the reference object in the first photographing direction, memorizing the first image and the first photographing direction as being indicative of the surveying instrument's external orientation, re-directing the imaging means onto the reference object and detecting a second photographing direction of the imaging means, taking a second image of the reference object in the second photographing direction, and comparing a first with a second imaged position of the reference object in the first respectively the second image by image processing as well as the first with the second photographing direction and verifying the surveying instrument's external orientation based on disparities between the first and the second imaged position and/or between the first and the second photog
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Metzler
  • Patent number: 9513140
    Abstract: A handheld measuring device includes at least one locating sensor provided for locating at least one object in a measured object, and has a protective circuit that comprises at least one object sensor provided for registering at least one object parameter which at least depends on an alignment of the locating sensor to the measured object. The protective circuit has at least one operator sensor provided for registering at least one operator parameter dependent on an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Krapf, Heiko Sgarz, Michael Mahler, Christoph Wuersch, Wilfried Kaneider
  • Patent number: 9513141
    Abstract: An electric device has an electric power measurement unit with an electric power detection element measuring consumed electric power and an information communication element transmitting the measured power. An electric power meter has an information communication element measuring and transmitting total electric power consumed indoors. An information processing unit stores the measured values in every predetermined sampling period. If a difference ? of two measurement values of the electric power detection element is a finite value, the information processing unit calculates and stores both a difference ? of two measurement values of the electric power meter corresponding to the two measurement values and ?/?, and calibrates the amount of electric power consumed by the electric device and that is measured by the electric power detection element using a median of values of ?/? obtained in a predetermined measurement period or a median of a predetermined number of values of ?/?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Kudo, Yukiko Morioka, Hiroo Hongo, Hisato Sakuma
  • Patent number: 9513142
    Abstract: There is provided a method for calculating with high accuracy a multi-turn absolute rotation angle of a motor rotating shaft coupled to a motor output shaft. In a rotation angle detection device according to this invention, a rotation angle ?n of an n-th rotating shaft satisfies the relationship with a rotation angle ?1 of the motor rotating shaft: ?n=(?(m±1)/m)n?1×?1. The rotation angle detection device as an embodiment of a mechanism satisfying the relationship includes a gear mechanism in which a gear having (m±1) teeth meshes with a gear having m teeth between each adjacent two of first to n-th rotating shafts. A multi-turn rotation angle of the first rotating shaft is expanded to a detected value p1 of the first rotating shaft which is a rotation angle of the first rotating shaft and R0×m0+R1×m1+ . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ORIENTAL MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akihiko Houda
  • Patent number: 9513143
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes an annular target body disposed about a rotatable member outer surface and an annular angular position indicator with at least one angular position index corresponding to an angular position of the member. Radial displacement sensors are spaced circumferentially about the axis and radially outwardly from the target body outer surface. A reference sensor is disposed circumferentially between two of the radial displacement sensors, has an inner end spaced outwardly from the target body surface by a first spacing distance, and is configured to detect the target body. An angular displacement sensor is spaced axially from the reference sensor and has an inner end spaced outwardly from the position indicator surface by a second spacing distance. The angular sensor is located such that the second spacing distance is generally equal to the first spacing distance and such that the position index passes the sensor inner end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SKF CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: Udell So, Bertrand Barbey, Matthew A. Nesbitt, Luc Baudelocque, Ulrich Schroder
  • Patent number: 9513144
    Abstract: A non-contact sensing module includes a coil printed circuit board in which a reference pattern coil may be formed at an upper surface and in which a sensing pattern coil may be formed at a lower surface and that has a mounting hole at the center, and a main printed circuit board that may be coupled to the mounting hole and that may be vertically disposed at an upper surface of the coil printed circuit board and that may be electrically connected to the reference pattern coil and the sensing pattern coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, DH Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung-Sub Kum, Jong-Sang Noh, Jung-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 9513145
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for estimating a parameter of interest in a borehole. The method may include generating information from an optical displacement device relating to relative motion between two or more reflective surfaces thereof that is indicative of the parameter of interest; and preventing changes in the information resulting from changes at the optical displacement device in at least one of i) temperature, or ii) pressure, by compensating for the changes. Compensating may include adjusting at least one light source generating an electromagnetic beam at least partly received by the optical displacement device responsive to information relating to a control optical displacement device at the optical displacement device. Compensating may include using an optical displacement device and configuring the optical displacement device such that a difference between a first variable gap and a second variable gap is substantially zero while the apparatus is subject to nominal conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Carl M. Edwards
  • Patent number: 9513146
    Abstract: Described herein is an insertion mount, including a threaded cylindrical mount with a hollow inner diameter and a lengthwise slot cutout for receiving a probe; and a drive assembly further comprising a drive nut, wherein the drive nut has threads that engage the threaded outer diameter of the threaded cylindrical mount which allows the drive nut to be moved the length of the cylindrical mount by screwing the drive nut of the drive assembly onto the threads of the threaded cylindrical mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Ralf Leidner
  • Patent number: 9513147
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flowmeter comprising a piezoelectric sensor. The flowmeter is configured so that fluid flow through a channel, typically either a fluid conduit or a housing in which the sensor is oriented, produces oscillating stresses in a piezoelectric material. The oscillating stresses produce an electric signal. Characteristics of the electric signal, such as the magnitude of the signal at particular frequencies, can be measured and used to determine the rate of fluid flow through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventors: Jonathan Mack Frey, Charles Lee Frey
  • Patent number: 9513148
    Abstract: A nuclear magnetic flow meter for measuring the flow rate of a multiphase medium which is flowing through a measuring tube with a nuclear magnetic measurement device, the nuclear magnetic measurement device being located around the measuring tube. The accuracy of the measurement of the flow rate for the gaseous phase is achieved in that, in addition to the nuclear magnetic measurement device, there is a further measurement device which implements another measurement principle, e.g. a differential pressure flow rate measurement device for measuring the differential pressure of the medium in the measuring tube. At least one pressure gauge at each of two measurement sites which are different in the longitudinal direction of the measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventor: Cornelius Johannes Hogendoorn
  • Patent number: 9513149
    Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter has a driver that oscillates a conduit, a first sensor configured to generate a first sensor signal indicative of movement of the conduit at a first location, and a second sensor configured to generate a second sensor signal indicative of movement of the conduit at a second location. The first and second locations are arranged so a phase difference between the first and second signals when the conduit is oscillated by the driver is related to a mass flow rate of the fluid through the flowmeter. A digital signal processor includes a plurality of detectors tuned to a set of different frequencies. The detectors are configured to analyze the first sensor signal in parallel and generate an output indicative of how closely an actual frequency of the first sensor signal matches the frequency to which the respective detector is tuned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Manus P. Henry
  • Patent number: 9513150
    Abstract: A method for operating a Coriolis mass flowmeter that has at least one measuring tube, at least one oscillation generator, at least two oscillation sensors and at least one evaluation unit, wherein the oscillation sensors and/or oscillation generator has at least one coil, wherein the oscillation generator excites the measuring tube to oscillation, wherein the oscillation sensors detect the oscillations of the measuring tube, wherein the temperature of the measuring tube is determined and wherein the evaluation unit processes the detected oscillation signals and determines state variables of the Coriolis mass flowmeter. The electric impedance of the coil of the oscillation generator and/or the electric impedance of at least one coil of the oscillation sensors is determined and the evaluation unit calculates at least one temperature-dependent state variable which is based on the temperature of the measuring tube and which is corrected based upon the determined impedance of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventor: Tao Wang
  • Patent number: 9513151
    Abstract: A novel fuel waste variable identification and analysis system is capable of analyzing real-time on-board diagnostics (OBD) information of a vehicle from a remote monitoring station unit. This novel system analyzes, quantifies, and/or predicts various fuel waste variables for a particular vehicle and its driver. Preferably, various fuel waste variables are normalized with a novel metric called “RPG,” or “engine rotation per minute per gallon of fuel.” Utilizing the RPG as a normalizing factor for fuel waste variable measurements uniquely enables a realistic representation of a driver's fuel wasting behaviors in context of the particular vehicle's inherent, native, and average fuel consumption characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TrueLite Trace, Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Bok Kwak, Youri Bae
  • Patent number: 9513152
    Abstract: A liquid level monitoring and transmission system includes a mechanical assembly in communication with the liquid in a container and a dual electronic encoder assembly in communication with the mechanical assembly for determining liquid level. The dual electronic encoder assembly includes a first encoder for encoding data indicative of fine level measurements and a second encoder for encoding data indicative of coarse level measurements. The system further includes at least one processor for controlling operation of the first and second encoders and for processing encoded data therefrom and a power control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Varec, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel Dirk Holcomb
  • Patent number: 9513153
    Abstract: A method for measurement of a distance to a surface of a product kept in a tank method comprises transmitting a pulse train of distinct carrier wave pulses having a duration greater than 1 microsecond and shorter than 100 milliseconds, the pulse train has an average duty cycle of less than 50 percent, each pulse has a defined center frequency, selected according to a frequency scheme within a predetermined frequency range, greater than 5% of an average center frequency. The method further comprises correlating actual phase properties of received pulses with expected phase properties to provide an updated estimation of the distance. The present invention is based on transmitting a set of carrier wave pulses, each having a distinct frequency selected within a frequency range. The method is therefore referred to as a Frequency Modulated Pulsed Wave (FMPW).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Rosemount Tank Radar AB
    Inventors: Anders Jirskog, Olov Edvardsson, Jan Westerling
  • Patent number: 9513154
    Abstract: A connector is used to bring a harness from a level sensor that is arranged in the oil pan and detects a level of oil in the oil pan, out of the oil pan. The connector includes a contact that is electrically connected to the level sensor, and a housing that retains the contact. The housing includes a housing portion that is housed in the connector mounting hole, and a clip attaching groove and a flange portion that are arranged sandwiching the housing portion. A clip and the flange portion sandwich the oil pan, such that the connector is attached to the oil pan, by the housing portion being housed in the connector mounting hole, and the clip being attached to the clip attaching groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomonori Futamura, Masayoshi Nakai
  • Patent number: 9513155
    Abstract: An apparatus and method estimate fluid mass in a cryogenic tank that holds a multiphase fluid comprising a liquid and a vapor. The apparatus comprises a level sensor, a pressure sensor and a computer. The level sensor provides a parameter representative of a level of the liquid. The pressure sensor provides a pressure signal representative of vapor pressure inside the cryogenic tank. The computer is operatively connected with the level sensor and the pressure sensor to receive the parameter and the pressure signal, and is programmed to determine the level from inputs comprising the parameter, to calculate a first volume of the liquid from inputs comprising the level, and to calculate a first mass of the liquid from inputs comprising the first volume and the pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: WESTPORT POWER INC.
    Inventors: Gregory C. Harper, Gregory A. Batenburg, Paul S. Schranz
  • Patent number: 9513156
    Abstract: A system (100) for determining a property of an object (106) comprises an inducing arrangement (102), a detector (104) and a processor. The inducing arrangement (102) is configured to generate an impulse of fluid and for directing the impulse of fluid towards the object to induce a physical vibration of the object (106). The inducing arrangement (102) does not contact the object 106 when inducing the physical vibration of the object (106). The detector (104) is configured to detect the physical vibration of the object (106). The detector (104) does not contact the object 106 when detecting the physical vibration of the object (106). The processor is coupled to the detector (104) for determining the property of the object (106) based on at least the detected physical vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: THE NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE FOR PLANT AND FOOD RESEA
    Inventors: Peter Niven Schaare, Roderick Munro McDonald, Vincent Andrew McGlone
  • Patent number: 9513157
    Abstract: Certain aspects relate to providing an at least one audio source to at least one user. Certain aspects relate to selectively modifying an at least one first sound source to be provided to the at least one user, wherein the at least one first sound source is combined with an at least one second sound source, and wherein the selectively modifying is performed relative to the at least one audio source based at least in part on at least some specific information of the at least one first sound source. Other aspects relate to selectively modifying the at least one first sound source to be provided to the at least one user relative to the at least one second sound source based at least in part on at least some specific information of the at least one first sound source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander J. Cohen, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, William Henry Mangione-Smith, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9513158
    Abstract: The present invention is solar collection data device having a main housing with means to measure and record the sun's radiance over a period of time encased in the housing. The main housing is mounted to a platform. The platform has means to attach to a variety of surfaces, including a roof. A photovoltaic cell and a photo sensor are integrally formed in the cover of the main housing. The output of the photovoltaic cell and the photo sensor will be logged and used in determining the amount of sunlight reaching the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Harry Michael Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9513159
    Abstract: The provided solar simulator light-intensity evaluation apparatus and method can evaluate the characteristics of a solar cell in an arbitrary place at an arbitrary time and date, using an existing solar simulator, as follows: an estimated spectral irradiance of the natural sunlight is calculated under a measurement condition including a place and/or a time and date where and when the solar cell is measured; and an target value of adjustment and estimated light amount value of the solar simulator are calculated under the measurement condition, on the basis of the estimated spectral irradiance having been calculated, the spectral irradiance of the solar simulator, and solar cell information including a spectral sensitivity of the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 9513161
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a ramp voltage generation block suitable for generating a ramp voltage adjusted by a predetermined voltage in each predetermined cycle, based on a bias signal and a plurality of first ramp control signals; and a ramp voltage correction block suitable for correcting the ramp voltage in each predetermined cycle based on the bias signal and at least one second ramp control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Jung-Eun Song, Si-Wook Yoo
  • Patent number: 9513162
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for remote, passive detection of underwater objects using combined spectral and polarimetric imaging. In one example, a tunable multi-band spectro-polarimeter includes an imaging detector array that receives electromagnetic radiation from a viewed scene, a plurality of tunable spectral filters configured to filter the electromagnetic radiation into at least first and second spectral bands, and a plurality of polarization filters configured to filter each of the first and second spectral bands into at least two different polarization states, a first region of the detector array receiving the first spectral band and producing first polarimetric image data, and a second region of the detector array simultaneously receiving the second spectral band and producing second polarimetric image data, and a controller that receives and processes the first and second polarimetric image data to detect a target object in the viewed scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Herrick, John F. Silny, David M. Zimmerman, Joseph G. Shanks, Joseph P. Filice