Patents Issued in March 7, 2017
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Patent number: 9587902Abstract: A weight for an archery bowstring comprises a tubular shape defining an internal cavity. The weight can comprise a single piece of material. The weight desirably frictionally engages a bowstring and has the same shape before and after installation. The weight comprises a continuous structure surrounding the bowstring that will not become detached.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: MCP IP, LLCInventor: Mathew A. McPherson
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Patent number: 9587903Abstract: Improvements in a projectile launcher is disclosed. The launcher converts an airsoft gun to fire paintballs to handle feeding either airsoft projectiles or paintball projectiles depending upon the installed kit. The launcher includes a hydraulic damper allows the fire and reload to operate in a controlled motion that allows a projectile to be fires and the next projectile to the loaded in a rapid succession. An improved magazine allows multiple different types of projectiles to be installed in the magazine. An interchangeable trigger mechanism and interchangeable barrel to launch different diameters of projectiles. Different types of firing mechanisms can be removed and interchanged in the launcher. In addition to the barrel can also be changes as the projectile is changed.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventors: Brian E. Sullivan, Benjamin T. Tiberius
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Patent number: 9587904Abstract: A ramrod for a muzzleloader is provided. The ramrod includes a shaft having a knob releasably coupled to one end thereof, the knob having a rounded end and a tapered end that oppose one another. The knob may have a central bore therein, and the shaft may be inserted into the central bore. The tapered end of the knob is configured with respect to the shaft to allow any object that contacts the shaft and slides along the shaft to also slide along and eventually off of the tapered end of the knob without snagging or catching the knob. The rounded end of the knob is positioned at a distal end of the shaft and is configured with respect to the shaft to allow a user of the ramrod to place his/her palm against the rounded end while operating the ramrod to load a muzzleloader.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventor: James Perry Hunsaker
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Patent number: 9587905Abstract: A gun slide grip is provided for installed use on a gun slide. The gun slide grip includes a flexible sheet member having a bottom side with an adhesive surface for attachment to a gun slide and a top side with a grip surface for engagement by user. The sheet member includes a body portion for positioning on a top side of a gun slide, and first and second segmented portions integrally adjoined to the body portion. The first segmented portion includes a first plurality of fingers for interposed positioning with a first plurality of serrations provided on a first side of a gun slide. The second segmented portion includes a second plurality of fingers interposed positioning with a second plurality of serrations provided on a second side of a gun slide. The body portion may include one or more alignment features for use in installing the gun slide grip on a gun slide.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Arachnigrip LLCInventors: Robert Colton Biedenbach, Donald Hoekendorf
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Patent number: 9587906Abstract: The palm shelf insert consists of insert, palm shelf, and fastener components. The palm shelf component is adjustably attached to the insert component, allowing the user to customize fit. This allows users with different hand sizes to utilize the palm shelf insert comfortably. The modular structure of the palm shelf insert, allows the user to use the components of the device interchangeably. One benefit of the present invention is that it enables the attachment of a palm shelf to a permanently-attached pistol grip. The palm shelf insert adds stability to the rifle, giving the user a stable platform on which to rest the rifle. It aids the user in maintaining a comfortable hand position and stabilizes the weapon. The palm shelf insert is inserted into the hollow cavity of permanently-attached pistol grip and is custom-made to fit any of a multitude of weapons.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventor: Edward Florczak
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Patent number: 9587907Abstract: An apparatus for protecting weapons and weapon accessories. The apparatus has one or more fittings located on a lower portion of a mounting area on the apparatus. The one or more fittings are attached to corresponding mounting sites on an upper portion of a mounting area on a weapon. A frame is affixed to one or more fittings to provide protection for the weapon and weapon accessory in the event of a collision or trauma.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventors: Jacob Baker, John Baker
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Patent number: 9587908Abstract: Systems and methods for carrying a weapon are described herein. While such systems and methods can include any suitable component, in some cases, they include a shoulder strap that is configured to attach at a shoulder portion of an upper torso garment. In some cases, the shoulder strap includes an attachment mechanism that is configured to attach the shoulder strap to the shoulder portion of the upper torso garment. In some cases, a weapon attachment, such as a D-ring and/or a lanyard is attached to the shoulder strap so as to be disposed on an anterior portion of the shoulder strap when the shoulder strap is worn by a user. In some cases, the shoulder strap is configured to retain a weapon (such as an assault rifle) in a state of near readiness. Other implementations are described.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventors: Donald Carlos Bjelde, Daniel M. Pena, Justin E. Christensen
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Patent number: 9587909Abstract: A modular disruptor cannon includes three open-ended tubular structures. A first tubular housing defines a first interior region longitudinally aligned with a second interior region. The first tubular housing has external-surface threads at a first end thereof adjacent to the second interior region. A tubular insert is fitted in the second interior region. A second tubular housing defines a cap longitudinally aligned with a barrel. The barrel has an inside diameter equal to the inside diameter of the tubular insert. The cap has internal-surface threads for mating with the external-surface threads of the first tubular housing where the barrel is longitudinally aligned with the tubular insert.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Dennis Askin, Lee Foltz, David Rivera Marchand
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Patent number: 9587910Abstract: The embodiments of the disclosed invention relate to fiber optic weapon sights that use a reflector to direct ambient light to a fiber optic rod and thus provide weapon sights that are bright in any lighting condition. In one instance, the reflector can have a concave shape, such as a spherical or parabolic shape, that can focus ambient light on the fiber optic rod and thereby significantly increase the brightness of the weapon sight. The embodiments of the present invention can accordingly provide enhanced fiber optic front and/or rear sights for weapons including rifles, pistols, and shotguns.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventor: Jason Stewart Jackson
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Patent number: 9587911Abstract: A sight mechanism for firearms such as pistols, rifles and the like. The sight mechanism includes a sight member that has a rear sight that is vertically adjusted. The sight member can be mounted on a vertically moveable member that has a fixing member that sets the vertical position of the sight member. The vertically moveable member may, without limitation, be a pivoting member. The sight mechanism includes magnets that bias the vertical member against the fixing member so that the magnets maintain the sight at the vertical position defined by the fixing member.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: ZEV Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Alec Daniel Wolf
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Patent number: 9587912Abstract: A bow sight with at least one sight pin mounted to a frame assembly. At least one optical fiber is attached to the sight pin. The optical fiber is exposed to gather ambient light and to transmit light to a sight point located within the frame assembly. The eye alignment assembly includes an optical structure mounted to the frame assembly including a sight point of an optical fiber located near a proximal end of the optical structure and a lens with alignment indicia located at a distal end of the optical structure. An adjustment system permits the optical structure to be reoriented relative to the frame assembly. The eye alignment assembly provides an indication of orientation of the shooter relative to the bow in at least two degrees of freedom.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: FeraDyne Outdoors LLCInventors: Larry Pulkrabek, Jay Engstrom, Aaron Pellett, Matthew Haas
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Patent number: 9587913Abstract: Geometrically incised fabrics that control reflectance and transmission in the visible, thermal, nIR, SWIR, and microwave/millimeter bands of the electromagnetic spectrum are provided. The incised fabrics include incised flaps that move about a hinged attachment portion into open and closed configurations. The incised flaps may be oriented in patterns containing overlapping, inverted incised flaps, overlapping inverted and non-inverted incised flaps, or in block patterns of incised flaps. Selective transmission of electromagnetic waves can be modulated by the geometry of the incised flaps and the amount of tension applied to the incised fabric. The incised fabric includes a composite material including an asymmetric ePTFE laminate, a metalized layer, an ePTFE membrane layer, and a textile. A second ePTFE asymmetric laminate and a metal layer may be attached to the composite material to form a reversible composite. Incised fabrics may be used to form selective, multispectral reflective covers and garments.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Neil R. Williams, Gregory D. Culler
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Patent number: 9587914Abstract: A coupler for the attachment of an armor panel to a structure to be protected, the coupler having a first end unit configured for attachment to the armor panel and a second end unit configured for attachment to the structure, the units being axially spaced from one another by an elongated plate member having, in cross-section taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, an asymmetric shape allowing the plate to be differently susceptible to bending forces in at least two different directions.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: PLASAN SASA LTD.Inventors: Amir Ben Shoshan, Amir Laor, Eitan Yakobi
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Patent number: 9587915Abstract: An airborne laser weapon system is divided into a ground-based unit and an airborne unit. The relatively heavy components of the laser weapon system, such as the generator, cooling elements with cooling fluid, accumulators, pump diodes, beam couplers and the control station for an operator, are concentrated and/or arranged in the ground-based part. The relatively lightweight components and/or those that ultimately determine the quality of the laser beam, such as active laser element(s), in particular the output stage(s) thereof, the focusing drive, the telescope and the necessary sensors, may be provided on the airborne platform and may be connected by means of a relatively long, e.g. multiple kilometers, optical waveguide to the ground-based part.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: MBDA Deutschland GmbHInventors: Thomas Hagen, Franz Geidek
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Patent number: 9587916Abstract: A weaponry target mechanism has a base, an arm pivotally connected to the base to pivot about a lower arm axis, a platform pivotally connected to the arm to pivot about a target axis, an elongated target attached to the platform, a drive mechanism connected to the base at a first connection location and the platform at a second connection location, wherein the platform is movable with respect to the base such that the target assumes an upright position in which the target is in a first pivotal orientation and a dropped position in which the target is in a second pivotal orientation pivotally offset from the first pivotal orientation; and wherein the platform is rotationally moveable with respect to the base such that the platform is parallel to the base in the upright position and the platform is not parallel to the base in the dropped position.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: BIRCHWOOD LIMITEDInventor: Blair Medford Burtan
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Patent number: 9587917Abstract: The present invention features a dart board comprising a digital target display ring (DTDR) surrounding a target area. The DTDR is operatively connected to a controller with a microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor is configured to (a) receive an input signal from an input device when the input device is actuated, and (b) generate an output signal to the DTDR for the DTDR to display a unique graphic according to pre-programmed commands for the actuated input device.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventors: Robert Krzewicki, David Allen Hopkins
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Patent number: 9587918Abstract: The present invention provides ammunition having a metal injection molded projectile and a metal cartridge case comprising a metal ammunition cartridge comprising a unitary body that enclose a propellant chamber, a primer recess in a bottom portion of the unitary body, a primer flash hole that connects the primer recess and the propellant chamber, and a projectile aperture in communication with the propellant chamber; a primer inserted into the primer flash hole aperture; a propellant at least partially filling the propellant chamber; and a metal injection molded projectile frictionally fitted in the projectile aperture, wherein the metal injection molded projectile comprises a nose extending essentially symmetrically to a shoulder, and an essentially cylindrical bearing surface extending from the shoulder to a base.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: TRUE VELOCITY, INC.Inventor: Lonnie Burrow
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Patent number: 9587919Abstract: A cartridge with a composite cartridge case includes a projectile with an ogee-shaped tip and a bottom end ending in a base, a flangeless tubular case delimiting a chamber accommodating a propulsive powder, closed at a first longitudinal end by a base with a primer and at the second end opposite to the first, by the base of the projectile, a part of the flangeless tubular case fitting snugly around part of the projectile and having itself, at least in part, a frustoconical external shape, the cartridge being characterized in that: —the chamber accommodating the propulsive powder includes, at the projectile end, a reduction in its diameter over all or part of the periphery thereof down to the diameter of the base of the projectile, —the ratio between the length of the tip of the projectile and the maximum diameter thereof is greater than or equal to 2.9.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: ETAT FRANCAIS REPRESENT PAR LE DELEGUE GENERAL POUR L'ARMEMENTInventor: Emeric Daniau
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Patent number: 9587920Abstract: A non-pyrotechnic disseminator includes a body portion with a cover; a first compartment that holds disseminating materials; a spring-loaded piston; a cable connecting the piston to a base of the body portion: a second compartment adjacent to the first compartment; a control mechanism; and an initiator mechanism. The control mechanism sets a delay timing countdown for initiation of dissemination of the disseminating materials out of the body portion. The initiator mechanism begins the delay timing countdown. The second compartment includes a delay fuze module; and a cutting mechanism in contact with the cable. The delay fuze module processes the delay timing countdown, and upon expiration of the countdown, sends a signal to the cutting mechanism to cut the cable. When the cable cuts, the spring uncoils and pushes the piston, which forces the disseminating materials out of the body portion by rupturing the cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Elias W. Yoon, Daniel G. Wise, Daniel J. Weber
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Patent number: 9587921Abstract: A warhead casing includes a nose region, a tail region, a tubular body region, and a central cavity extending along a lengthwise axis and having a first axial end and a second axial end. An aft wall is formed integrally with the tail region and extends radially toward the lengthwise axis to define the second end of the central cavity, and includes an aperture configured to receive a fuse device. A method of manufacturing a warhead casing includes forming a nose portion, a body portion, and a tail portion. The tail portion includes a circumferential outer wall defining an inner cavity, and an aft wall integrally formed with the circumferential outer wall and extending radially inward to define an axial end of the inner cavity. At least one of the nose portion or the tail portion is joined to the body portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventor: Robert T. Faxon
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Patent number: 9587922Abstract: A ballistic sabot for adapting a payload to a launch device is disclosed. The ballistic sabot can include a support structure configured to be releasably coupled to a payload and to operably interface with a launch device. The launch device can be operable to launch the payload and the support structure on a ballistic trajectory. The support structure can be configured to retain and travel with the payload along the ballistic trajectory substantially beyond the launch device prior to release and separation from the payload.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Michael G. Kalifa, Zachary Williamson
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Patent number: 9587923Abstract: A guiding assembly is adapted to be connected to a projectile and comprising a rear main unit adapted to be connected to the front end of the projectile, and a front main unit rotatably connected at its rear end to the front end of the rear main unit. The front main unit is adapted to rotate about a central longitudinal axis. A relative speed control unit is operable between the rear main unit and the front main unit and capable of providing spin braking force to slow the relative speed of rotation of the front main unit. An at least one guiding fin radially extends from the front main unit. The pitch angle of the fin is controllable by a return spring connected to the fin so that the pitch angle of the fin is growing as the aerodynamic pressure on the fin lowers and it is growing smaller as the aerodynamic pressure on the fin gets bigger.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS ROKAR INTERNATIONAL LTD.Inventors: Gil Wurzel, Assaf Malul
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Patent number: 9587924Abstract: A shock detection circuit including: an electrical energy generating device configured to generate a voltage over a duration responsive to an acceleration of the munition; an input configured for receiving an input voltage over a duration responsive to the acceleration; an electrical storage device configured to receive a portion of the input voltage over the duration and to thereby accumulate a charge, an output coupled to the electrical storage device; a first diode having a first anode coupled to the input and a first cathode coupled to the electrical storage device; and a comparator configured to compare a voltage at the output and a reference voltage and to produce a result based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: OMNITEK PARTNERS LLCInventors: Jahangir S Rastegar, Dake Feng
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Patent number: 9587925Abstract: A rock blasting method and a system of rock blasting sensors and charges which form a network for use in the mining industry. The method and the system being able to self-adjust in order to maximize the extraction of raw material from a rock mass while minimizing the costs of operation and diminishing the environmental impact of the mining process.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventors: Luis Guilherme Uzeda Garcia, Rodrigo Duque Araki
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Patent number: 9587926Abstract: A device and method for measuring the spacing between adjacent airfoils. A notched member engages a trailing edge of one of the adjacent airfoils with the notched member being rotatable about the one airfoil trailing edge. A wheel is rollable across the surface of the other airfoils while moving in a first direction toward and away from the notched member, and biased away from the notched member. A gauge secured to the notched member measures the distance of the guide from the notched member in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Turbine Services Ltd.Inventor: Justin D. Hyslop
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Patent number: 9587927Abstract: A high speed high resolution heterodyne interferometric method and system are provided. The invention uses two spatially separated beams with slightly different frequencies and has two measurement signals with opposite Doppler shift. The switching circuit selects one of the two measurement signals for displacement measurement according to the direction and speed of the target movement. In this invention, the measurement is insensitive to the thermal variation; the periodic nonlinearity is essentially eliminated by using two spatially separated beams; the measurable target speed of the interferometer is no longer limited by the beat frequency of the laser source.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2012Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: HARBIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Jiubin Tan, Pengcheng Hu, Xiaofei Diao
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Patent number: 9587928Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a coordinate measuring method for detecting an object surface by means of a coordinate measuring machine, comprising a measuring head for accommodating a sensor, a guiding unit for producing a relative movement of the measuring head in relation to the object surface in at least one direction, an optical sensor for detecting the object surface, and a control unit, the object surface being optically detected by the optical sensor during the coordinate measuring method, and a data set representing a surface profile in an object profile domain being generated. The data set is filtered by simulating contact of the surface profile represented by the data set with a virtual tactile sensor, and a tactile data set is derived from the simulated contact such that the tactile data set represents a virtual tactile surface profile in a virtual sensor domain.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignees: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH, HEXAGON METROLOGY GMBHInventors: Frank Przygodda, Thomas Jensen, Jürgen Schneider
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Patent number: 9587929Abstract: The present disclosure provides a focus metrology method and photolithography method and system. The focus metrology method includes recognizing at least one relevant region and at least one irrelevant region on a workpiece surface, measuring a height of the relevant region and determining a focal length for an exposure process based on the measured height of the relevant region.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Hung-Ming Kuo, Jui-Chun Peng, Heng-Hsin Liu, Yung-Yao Lee
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Patent number: 9587930Abstract: A method for determining the thickness of a layer in a sample stack of at least two layers with an assembly comprising a light source for illuminating a stack of layers and a detector for detecting light reflected by the stack of layers in a defined first wavelength range, the method comprises a first step of obtaining a calibration curve by the calibrating steps of providing two or more reference stacks of layers, where each layer of the reference stacks has a known thickness, the same material as the sample stack and the layers occur in the same order as in the sample stack; illuminating the reference stacks with light from the light source; and detecting the intensity of light reflected by the reference stacks with the detector in the first wavelength range.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: HSEB Dresden GmbHInventor: Bernd Srocka
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Patent number: 9587931Abstract: The present invention relates to a position compensation device using visible light communication and a method thereof. To this end, the present invention receives a visible light signal which includes lighting position information from a lighting device to extract the lighting position information from the received visible light signal, and calculates a compensated position of a position compensation device by using the extracted lighting position information if a request for position compensation exists, thereby providing an exact position of a user indoors.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2012Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jae-Seung Son, Tae-Han Bae, Sun-Gi Gu, Seung-Hoon Park, Eun-Tae Won
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Patent number: 9587932Abstract: A system (10) for directly measuring the depth of a high aspect ratio etched feature on a wafer (80) that includes an etched surface (82) and a non-etched surface (84). The system (10) utilizes an infrared reflectometer (12) that in a preferred embodiment includes a swept laser (14), a fiber circulator (16), a photodetector (22) and a combination collimator (18) and an objective lens (20). From the objective lens (20) a focused incident light (23) is produced that is applied to the non-etched surface (84) of the wafer (80). From the wafer (80) is produced a reflected light (25) that is processed through the reflectometer (12) and applied to an ADC (24) where a corresponding digital data signal (29) is produced. The digital data signal (29) is applied to a computer (30) that, in combination with software (32), measures the depth of the etched feature that is then viewed on a display (34).Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David S. Marx, David L. Grant
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Patent number: 9587933Abstract: A method involves receiving a test image of at least a portion of a test object which includes a test moiré pattern generated by superposing one or more reference gratings on one or more subject gratings. The method further involves analyzing one or more test beat lines in the test moiré pattern and calculating one or more test values based on the analysis of the one or more test beat lines. The one or more test values are a function of one or more rotational angles corresponding to the one or more subject gratings and a shape of at least the portion of the test object. The method also involves calculating one or more angular errors of the one or more subject gratings based on the one or more test values and one or more template values and sending a notification based on the one or more angular errors.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin George Harding, Joseph Benjamin Ross, Esmaeil Heidari
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Patent number: 9587934Abstract: A hybrid wheel alignment system and methodology use passive targets for a first pair of wheels (e.g. front wheels) and active sensing heads for another pair of wheels (e.g. rear wheels). The active sensing heads combine image sensors for capturing images of the targets with at least one spatial relationship sensor for sensing a relationship between the active sensing heads. One or both of the active sensing heads may include inclinometers or the like, for sensing one or more tilt angles of the respective sensing head. Data from the active sensing heads may be sent to a host computer for processing to derive one or more vehicle measurements, for example, for measurement of parameters useful in wheel alignment applications.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATEDInventor: Steven W. Rogers
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Patent number: 9587935Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for detecting and analyzing deposits in liquid-bearing systems. More particularly, the device relates to being able to detect and analyze deposits in a liquid-bearing systems such as industrial plants that use and store fluids. The method relates to being able to determine a distribution of the run time of a detected ultrasonic reflection signal and analyzing the distribution to determine if deposits are deposited onto a reflecting area.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Solenis Technologies, LPInventors: Frank Seida, Christian Flocken, Patric Bierganns, Michael Schultz
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Patent number: 9587936Abstract: A wafer is moved under an inspection spot by a rotary inspection system. The system rotates the wafer about an axis of rotation and translates the wafer along a linear trajectory. When the inspection spot is not aligned with the trajectory of the axis of rotation, an angular error is introduced in the representation of the position of the inspection spot with respect to the wafer by the rotary encoder. The angular error is corrected based on an angular error correction value. The angular error correction value is determined based on the distance between the inspection spot and the trajectory of the axis of rotation, the radial distance between the axis of rotation and the inspection spot at a first instance of a particular angular position, and a second radial distance between the axis of rotation and the inspection location at a second instance of the angular position.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: KLA-Tencor CorporationInventors: Yury Yuditsky, Alexander Slobodov, Anatoly Romanovsky
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Patent number: 9587937Abstract: A construction machine includes a sensor unit having a measurement range. The sensor unit is variable in its orientation relative to the construction machine, whereby position or orientation of the measurement range relative to the construction machine is also variable. The sensor unit is configured for detecting position of an external reference. The construction machine further includes a setup assistance system including a display configured to indicate to an operator while the sensor unit is oriented relative to the reference in which direction the sensor unit has to be moved in order for the reference to be located in the measurement range. The sensor unit is configured to detect a position of the reference relative to the sensor unit in at least two dimensions, and the display is configured to display the position of the reference relative to the measurement range for the at least two detected dimensions simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: JOSEPH VOEGELE AGInventors: Martin Buschmann, Achim Eul, Jens Herrmann
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Patent number: 9587938Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus is provided for interacting with a cylindrically-shaped construction material sample that defines a longitudinal axis extending from a central point of an end of the construction material sample. The apparatus includes a translation mechanism configured for rotating the construction material sample about the longitudinal axis and at least one material-interacting device spaced-apart from the translation mechanism and configured for interacting with the construction material sample.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Robert Ernest Troxler
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Patent number: 9587939Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and a system that includes a confidence level module arranged to calculate, in response to detection signals, estimated upper surface points and to associate a non-binary confidence level with each estimated upper surface point; wherein the detection signals are generated by a receiver in response to an irradiation of at least a portion of the upper surface of the content with radiation pulses transmitted by a transmitter; and an estimator that is arranged to calculate an estimate of the upper surface based upon the estimated upper surface points and the non-binary confidence level associated with each estimated upper surface point.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: APM Automation solutions Ltd.Inventors: Avishai Bartov, Yossi Zlotnick
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Patent number: 9587940Abstract: A hydrostatic level-measuring system and related apparatus and method for measuring with precision, a level normal to gravitation of a physical surface, comprising: a plurality of N water-holding cups containing water and fluidically interconnected with one another and resting upon the physical surface, where N is greater than or equal to 2; each of the water-holding cups of comprising a cup height hn thereof from a bottom to a top of the cup which cup height hn is known a priori within acceptable measurement errors; and a micrometer system for measuring on an absolute or relative scale, a distance dn between the top of each the cup and the top surface of the water wherein a meniscus visible to a user is formed when the contact occurs and the meniscus is used to guide the measurement precision.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventor: Frank Olshefsky
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Patent number: 9587941Abstract: A sensor unit (2) comprising a pressure sensor (9) is worn by a person. A fall of the person causes a height change as well an orientation change of the pressure sensor. To enlarge the detectability of the fall the air pressure is positioned such that in a pre-fall condition the contribution of an error to the sensor's measurement is maximal. This error is caused by gravity acting on the membrane of the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventor: Warner Rudolph Theophile Ten Kate
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Patent number: 9587942Abstract: A compass system for a vehicle includes a compass sensor and compass circuitry. The compass sensor is disposed at or near an interior heated surface of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with the compass system. The compass circuitry, responsive to an output of the compass sensor indicative of sensed magnetic signals or fields, is operable to determine a directional heading of the vehicle. The compass circuitry is operable to determine a magnetic signature generated by a heating element that heats the interior heated surface of the windshield when the heating element is powered. The compass circuitry, responsive to a determination that the heating element is powered, is operable to compensate the sensed magnetic signals to determine the vehicle directional heading. The compensation is derived from the determined magnetic signature. The compass circuitry may compensate the sensed magnetic signals by applying an offset derived from the determined magnetic signature.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Kenneth L. Schierbeek
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Patent number: 9587943Abstract: One embodiment is directed towards an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for measuring an input rate of rotation about an input axis. The IMU includes a first three dimensional gyroscope disposed such that a first axis of its three axes is oriented at a skew angle in degrees away from a reference plane, wherein the reference plane is normal to the input axis. The IMU also includes one or more processing devices coupled to the first gyroscope. The IMU also includes one or more data storage devices coupled to the one or more processing devices, the one or more data storage devices including instructions which, when executed by the one or more processing devices, cause the one or more processing devices to calculate the input rate of rotation based on dividing a sensed rate of rotation about the first axis by the sine of the skew angle.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Hanson, Terrance Troske, David S. Willits
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Patent number: 9587944Abstract: An angular velocity sensor includes fixing units, a base portion, beam portions that support the base portion with respect to the fixing units, driving vibrating arms connected to the base portion, and detection vibrating arms connected to the base portion. When a width of a detection frequency band is set to f1 [Hz], a resonance frequency in a rotational vibration mode in which the base portion rotates and vibrates around a detection axis with respect to the fixing units in association with the deformation of the beam portions is set to f2 [Hz], and a detuning frequency is set to f3 [Hz], the relation of f1<f2<f3 is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Ryuta Nishizawa, Keiji Nakagawa, Norifumi Shimizu
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Patent number: 9587945Abstract: A resonator fiber optic gyroscope comprises a master laser that emits a reference optical signal, a first slave laser that emits a clockwise optical signal, and a second slave laser that emits a counter-clockwise optical signal. A resonator ring cavity in optical communication with the first slave laser and second slave laser is configured to receive the optical signals from the slave lasers without receiving the reference optical signal. A reflected optical signal from the cavity is directed to a feedback laser stabilization loop for the master laser that includes a common modulation frequency scheme. A frequency of the optical signal from the master laser is indirectly locked onto a resonance frequency of the cavity with a fixed frequency offset, which is determined by a relative frequency between the optical signal of the first slave laser or the second slave laser, and the optical signal of the master laser.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Glen A. Sanders, Tiequn Qiu
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Patent number: 9587946Abstract: A navigation device presenting guide information based on a photographed image of a boarding guide display item, such as a station name signboard, a roll sign, or a route map, that can be photographed in a station yard. The device acquires a photographed image of a boarding guide display item by controlling the photographing unit, identifies display content from the photographed image of the boarding guide display item of a transportation device acquired and specifying a route, station name, and traveling direction of a current position based on the identified display content and traffic network data stored in the storage unit, extracts station names present in the traveling direction from the traffic network data based on the route, station name, and traveling direction of the current position, and generates guide information including at least part of the extracted station names, and outputs at least part of the generated guide information.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: NAVITIME JAPAN CO., LTD.Inventor: Kosuke Uetake
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Patent number: 9587947Abstract: A computing system is described that obtains, based at least in part on information included in at least one previous communication associated with a user of a computing device, an indication of a future location and a future time and event information associated with the future location and the future time. The computing system obtains a duration of time for the user to travel from a current location of the computing device to the future location, and, based at least in part on the duration of time, obtains a departure time at which the user is predicted to need to depart from the current location in order to arrive at the future location by an arrival time based on the event. The computing system outputs, for transmission to the computing device, an indication associated with the event and including information indicative of the departure time.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Tom Carl Stamm, Dale Kris Hawkins, James A. Guggemos, Tushar Udeshi, Pablo Bellver, Emil Praun, Guang Yang, Andrew Kirmse, Gokay Baris Gultekin, Bill Connor, Keir Banks Mierle
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Patent number: 9587948Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for determining the absolute position of a mobile unit, which has at least one optical surroundings sensor that captures a detection area of the environs of the mobile unit, in a predefined navigation environment, wherein optical, distinguishable markers which can be detected by the surroundings sensor are used in the navigation environment, wherein, for position determination, at least one marker is detected and identified, by means of an image processing algorithm, in sensor data recorded by at least one of the at least one surroundings sensors, and a relative position between the mobile unit and the marker is determined taking account of the position of the marker in the sensor data, and an absolute position of the mobile unit is determined as a function of the relative position and the absolute position of the marker.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Florian Schuller, Harald Altinger
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Patent number: 9587949Abstract: A method performed by a user device may include determining a geographical position of the device, receiving a description of the geographical position, receiving a selection of one or more individuals to share the geographical position and the description, and saving the geographical position and the description, on another device, to permit access to the geographical position and the description, on the other device, according to the selection of the one or more individuals. Another method performed by a user device may include determining a geographical position of the user device, receiving reminder information that is tied with the geographical position, receiving a selection of a user in which the reminder information and the geographical position pertains, and notifying the user of the reminder information a next time that the user device is at or within a specified distance from the geographical position.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.Inventors: Donald H. Relyea, Michelle Felt, Alex Zavatone, Summer Westbrook, Jeff Wayne Kurtti
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Patent number: 9587950Abstract: In a carrier in which its position is obtained by detecting reflected light using a distance measuring sensor, the position of the carrier is able to be accurately identified in all circumstances. A distance measuring sensor of the carrier is provided in a carrier main body, and measures an intensity of reflected light a plurality of times to obtain a plurality of pieces of measured data. A map database stores map data in which columns provided on a pathway are recorded. A position calculator calculates center points based on a set of measured data having a light intensity greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold among the plurality of pieces of measured data, and then calculates a position of the carrier main body by matching a straight line connecting a plurality of the sets to a straight line of the map data using the center points.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.Inventor: Norihiko Suyama
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Patent number: 9587951Abstract: Disclosed are map matching methods and system for tracking and determining an improved position of a reference asset. The method comprising: receiving at least one global navigation satellite system (GNSS) current position probe from the reference asset; requesting and receiving information from a geographical information system (GIS) unit on a plurality of probable road network segments on which the at least one GNSS current position probe is capable of being snapped; computing a weighted cost function for each of the probable road network segments; and snapping and information fusing the current position of the reference asset with a selected road network segment having the minimum weighted cost function out of the probable road network segments.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: QATAR UNIVERSITY QSTP-BInventors: Elyes Ben Hamida, Fethi Filali