Patents Issued in April 11, 2017
  • Patent number: 9618582
    Abstract: A system for detecting faults in a motor includes a drive circuit, a detection circuit, and a controller. The drive circuit is configured to apply a drive signal to a motor. The detection circuit is configured to detect a response signal generated when the drive signal is applied to the motor. The controller is configured to determine a motor fault based on a comparison of the response signal to an expected signal for the drive signal applied to the motor. The drive signal is selected to generate a rotating magnetic field in the motor with a rotation-frequency greater than a maximum mechanical-response-frequency of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Walters
  • Patent number: 9618583
    Abstract: A method detects faults during a steady state of an operation of an induction motor. The method measures, in a time domain, a signal of a current powering the induction motor with a fundamental frequency and determines, in a frequency domain, a set of frequencies with non-zero amplitudes, such that a reconstructed signal formed by the set of frequencies with non-zero amplitudes approximates the signal measured in the time domain. The determining includes a compressive sensing via searching within a subband including the fundamental frequency of the signal subject to condition of a sparsity of the signal in the frequency domain. The method detects a fault in the induction motor if the set of frequencies includes a fault frequency different from the fundamental frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc
    Inventor: Dehong Liu
  • Patent number: 9618584
    Abstract: A battery control device calculates a chargeable/dischargeable electric power of a rechargeable battery at the timing after elapse of a predetermined period of time when a terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery changes by charging/discharging of the rechargeable battery during the predetermined period of time. The battery control device calculates a specific change amount of the terminal voltage caused by electric charge accumulation in the rechargeable battery after the elapse of the predetermined period of time when the charging/discharging of the rechargeable battery is performed. Further, the battery control device calculates an estimated target value of a current necessary for changing the terminal voltage to a predetermined target voltage or the terminal voltage after the elapse of the predetermined period of time by using the calculated specific change amount, and calculates chargeable/dischargeable electric power on the basis of the calculated estimated target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Kusano, Hisashi Umemoto, Naomi Awano, Manabu Yamada
  • Patent number: 9618585
    Abstract: An adjusting device of an output voltage of a switch power supply and an adjusting method are provided. The adjusting device includes a potential setting module generating a high level signal and an adjustor being connected to the potential setting module to receive the high level signal. The adjustor includes a signal emitting module and a comparison module. The signal emitting module emits a pulse drive signal to the switch power supply when receiving the high level signal. The switch power supply automatically adjusts the output voltage when receiving the pulse drive signal. The comparison module reads the output voltage, compares with a preset voltage, and adjusts the output voltage according to a comparison result. The switch power supply can stop the automatic adjustment when an output level of a switch port of the switch power supply is inverted. An integrated chip is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS POWER (DONG GUAN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiangrong Hu, Liuqun Xie, Weicheng Tan
  • Patent number: 9618586
    Abstract: A method to facilitate fault detection in the protected unit after connection to the at least a portion of the power system. A current is sensed in the protected unit during a plurality of different time periods. Compliance of at least one of the sensed currents with a respective first current criteria is determined based on a first current threshold value. On a condition that there is determined that at least one of the sensed currents comply with the respective first current criteria, a fault in the protected unit is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Reynaldo Nuqui, Jiuping Pan, Jianping Wang
  • Patent number: 9618587
    Abstract: An improved two-wire hall-effect speed sensor circuit includes two separate voltage regulation circuits. The voltage regulator circuits, hall plates, signal processing circuits, and output stage are implemented on an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In addition to a supply terminal and a return terminal, the ASIC includes an intermediate terminal. Both voltage regulation circuits may be aided by capacitors, one between the supply terminal and the return terminal, the other between the intermediate terminal and the return terminal. The speed sensor circuit is suitable for use with non-twisted wires, enabling use of a common supply wire for multiple sensors, thus reducing the number of terminals required on the controller and on connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William Russell Goodwin
  • Patent number: 9618588
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to coreless magnetic field current sensors, systems and methods, such as magnetoresistive sensors, systems and methods, to sense current flow in a conductor via a related magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 9618589
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a sensor device including a layer stack 600, the layer stack 600 including at least ferromagnetic and non-magnetic layers formed on a common substrate 620. The sensor device 600 further includes at least a first magneto-resistive sensor element 711 provided by a first section 611 of the layer stack 600. The first magneto-resistive sensor element 711 herein is configured to generate a first signal. The sensor device 600 also includes a second magneto-resistive sensor element 712 provided by a second section 612 of the layer stack 610. The second magneto-resistive sensor element 712 herein is configured to generate a second signal for verifying the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Juergen Zimmer, Harald Witschnig
  • Patent number: 9618590
    Abstract: An MRI-compatible tip assembly for an MRI-compatible medical device includes a first tubular member, a second tubular member, a ring electrode, and a tip electrode. The tip electrode proximal end is secured to the first tubular member distal end. The second tubular member distal end is inserted through the ring electrode and is secured to the first tubular member proximal end. When assembled, the tip assembly is a substantially rigid structure. Each tubular member has a recessed portion for a tracking coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MRI Interventions, Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse Flores
  • Patent number: 9618591
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance system, comprising at least one SQUID, configured to receive a radio frequency electromagnetic signal, in a circuit configured to produce a pulsatile output having a minimum pulse frequency of at least 1 GHz which is analyzed in a processor with respect to a timebase, to generate a digital signal representing magnetic resonance information. The processor may comprise at least one rapid single flux quantum circuit. The magnetic resonance information may be image information. A plurality of SQUIDs may be provided, fed by a plurality of antennas in a spatial array, to provide parallel data acquisition. A broadband excitation may be provided to address a range of voxels per excitation cycle. The processor may digitally compensate for magnetic field inhomogeneities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hypres, Inc.
    Inventors: Masoud Radparvar, Alan M. Kadin, Elie K. Track, Richard E. Hitt
  • Patent number: 9618592
    Abstract: A device includes: a static magnetic field generating device including static magnetic field generating sources generating a homogeneous magnetic field in a space; gradient magnetic field generating sources superimposing a gradient magnetic field on the homogeneous magnetic field, and conductor rings arranged between the static magnetic field generating sources and the gradient magnetic field generating sources in a pair of arranging regions on both sides in a direction of the homogeneous magnetic field in a region where the homogeneous magnetic field is generated (imaging region), respectively, the conductor rings being separated from each other and making a pair. The conductor rings are mechanically connected to the gradient magnetic field generating device or the static magnetic field generating device. This provides an MRI device 1 capable of reduction in vibration with suppression of the image quality deterioration of the tomographic images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kawamura, Yukinobu Imamura, Mitsushi Abe, Takuro Honda, Hiroyuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9618593
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of performing magnetic resonance imaging with ultra-short echo time pulse sequences includes defining short T2 threshold limits for enhancement. A multi-echo ultra-short echo time response is acquired and a complex dataset is determined based on the multi-echo ultra-short echo time response. A plurality of phase components is identified from the complex dataset, wherein each phase component is associated with a T2 relaxation time within the short T2 threshold limits. A plurality of frequency components is also identified from the complex dataset, wherein each frequency component is associated with the T2 relaxation time within the short T2 threshold limits. Next, a magnitude dataset is derived from the complex dataset and a fitting algorithm is applied to the magnitude dataset to yield a plurality of magnitude components, wherein each magnitude component is associated with the T2 relaxation time within the short T2 threshold limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Ravi Teja Seethamraju
  • Patent number: 9618594
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of performing contrast enhanced first pass magnetic resonance angiography, the method comprising: acquiring (302) magnetic resonance datasets of a region of interest using a single- or multi-echo data acquisition technique, wherein the echo times of the one or multiple echoes are flexible, wherein at the time of the data acquisition the region of interest comprises fat, water and a contrast agent, processing (304) the datasets using a generalized Dixon water-fat separation technique to eliminate the signal originating from the fat from the background for reconstruction of an image data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Liesbeth Geerts-Ossevoort, Hendrik Kooijman, Eveline Alberts, Holger Eggers
  • Patent number: 9618595
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a magnetic resonance image including applying to a target first radio frequency (RF) pulses having phases and different frequencies to excite a plurality of sub-volumes constituting a volume of the target, and acquiring first magnetic resonance signals from the plurality of sub-volumes, and applying to the target second RF pulses having the same frequencies as the frequencies of the first RF pulses and phases at least one of which is different from the phases of the first RF pulses, and acquiring second magnetic resonance signals from the plurality of sub-volumes. Also, data may be generated based on the first and second magnetic resonance signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Korea University Research and Business Foundation
    Inventors: Young Beom Kim, Yeunchul Ryu, Jaemock Yi, Chang-Hyun Oh
  • Patent number: 9618596
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging methods and apparatus for simultaneous measurement of the physical properties R1 relaxation rate, R2 relaxation rate, proton density (PD), and apparent diffusion coefficient using a single magnetic resonance acquisition using a single gradient echo acquisition type. A method includes, from an MR scanner, obtaining at least three parallel, segmented gradient-echo acquisitions of a common acquisition type; in a computer, interleaving the at least three parallel, segmented gradient-echo acquisitions with a R1-sensitizing phase, a R2 sensitizing phase and a delay time; and in the computer, generating measures for R1 relaxation rate and R2 relaxation rate and PD from the at least three parallel, segmented gradient-echo acquisitions, thereby simultaneously estimating multiple physical parameters using the single gradient echo acquisition type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SyntheticMR AB
    Inventor: Marcel Warntjes
  • Patent number: 9618597
    Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for automating the analysis of MR raw data representing a spectrum, at least one post-processing procedure is applied to the raw data, so as to obtain a processed spectrum. The number of numerical values depicted by the processed spectrum is lowered to a feature vector. The feature vector is allocated to one of numerous groups of known feature vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christina Bauer, Martin Berger, Thomas Blum, Christian Schuster
  • Patent number: 9618598
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for the acquisition of measurement data of at least one tooth of an examination subject, a pulse sequence is employed that has an echo time TE of less than 0.5 milliseconds, and spatial coding of the acquired measurement data takes place in only two spatial directions. Projection image data are reconstructed from the acquired measurement data. A coil for a magnetic resonance tomography system, which coil is dedicated to dental imaging, has at least one coil element, and each coil element of the coil has an individual acquisition volume that encompasses at least one tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: David Grodzki, Lars Lauer
  • Patent number: 9618599
    Abstract: Responses of voltage and current probes are characterized or corrected. A voltage probe method includes measuring output of the voltage probe and a first output of a through, in response to an input signal applied to the through, with the voltage probe connected, measuring a second output of the through with the voltage probe disconnected, and characterizing the response of the voltage probe using the output of the voltage probe and the first and/or second outputs. A current probe method includes measuring output current of the current probe and first output current of a through, in response to an input signal applied to the through with the current probe connected in series, measuring second output current of the through with the current probe disconnected, and characterizing the response of the current probe using the output current of the current probe and the first and/or second output currents of the through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Keysight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David Dascher
  • Patent number: 9618600
    Abstract: Angle of arrival and/or range estimation within a wireless communication device. Appropriate processing of communications received by a wireless communication device is performed to determine the angle of arrival of the communication (e.g., with respect to some coordinate basis of the wireless communication device). Also, appropriate processing of the communications may be performed in accordance with range estimation as performed by the wireless communication device to determine the distance between the transmitting and receiving wireless communication devices. There are two separate modes of packet processing operations that may be performed: (1) when contents of the received packet are known, and (2) when contents of the received packet are unknown. The wireless communication device includes a number of antenna, and a switching mechanism switches from among the various antennae capitalizing on the spatial diversity of the antennae to generate a multi-antenna signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd
    Inventors: Prasanna Desai, Brima B. Ibrahim, Siukai Mak
  • Patent number: 9618601
    Abstract: A method and system for estimating a direction of arrival of a target signal relative to a measuring antenna array of an earth-orbiting satellite. The direction of arrival of the target signal being estimated on the basis of measurement signals corresponding to the target signal received respectively by at least a first measuring antenna and a second measuring antenna of the measuring antenna array. Each of the measurement signals are combined with a reference signal corresponding to the target signal received by a receiving antenna of the satellite. The receiving antenna has a maximum gain greater than the respective maximum gains of the first measuring antenna and of the second measuring antenna. The direction of arrival of the target signal is estimated from the signals obtained by combining the measurement signals with the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Aymes, Raphael Sanchez, Frederic Voulouzan
  • Patent number: 9618602
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling a laser tracker remotely from the laser tracker through gestures performed by a user. The method includes providing a rule of correspondence between each of a plurality of commands and each of a plurality of user gestures. A gesture is performed by the user with the user's body that corresponds to one of the plurality of user gestures. The gesture performed by the user is detected. The gesture recognition engine determines a first command from one of the plurality of commands that correspond with the detected gesture. Then the first command is executed with the laser tracker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker, Kelley Fletcher
  • Patent number: 9618603
    Abstract: Embodiments of a communication station and method for time-of-flight (ToF) location determination in a wireless network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a responding communication station receives a ToF measurement request. The responding communication station transmits an acknowledgment of the ToF measurement request. The responding communication station also transmits a response to the ToF measurement request that includes an indication of a time period for an initiating communication station to poll the responding communication station for a ToF result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shani Ben-Haim, Yuval Amizur, Jonathan Segev
  • Patent number: 9618604
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing audio localization are provided. In some aspects, a method includes receiving phase offsets of a plurality of fixed transmitters from a source other than the plurality of fixed transmitters, detecting an audio localization signal from each of the plurality of fixed transmitters, determining a received phase of the audio localization signal from each of the plurality of fixed transmitters, determining time differences of flight from the mobile receiver to the plurality of fixed transmitters using the received phases, determining distance differences from the mobile receiver to the plurality of fixed transmitters using the time differences of flight, and determining the location of the mobile receiver by performing multilateration using the distance differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Holt, Richard Francis Lyon
  • Patent number: 9618605
    Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing a radar system. In one example, such a radar system includes a radar unit adapted to broadcast radar signals and receive return signals in response thereto. The radar unit includes a waveform generator adapted to provide pulse waveforms of different pulse widths and Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) waveforms, wherein the waveforms are interleaved with each other to provide a transmission sequence for the radar signals for detection of long range and short range targets, a power amplifier adapted to amplify the radar signals for broadcast, and an antenna adapted to broadcast the radar signals and receive the return signals. Other examples of radar systems and related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Johnson, Richard Jales, Stuart Mudge, Larry Yeomans, Chris Freeman, Stewart Lawton, Steve Tostevin
  • Patent number: 9618606
    Abstract: An antenna system (100) comprising a single antenna element having first (111) and second (112) antenna ports arranged to pass a respective first and second antenna signal. The first and second antenna signals being derived from a first common antenna signal (J1) and arranged to be essentially equal in envelope. An antenna pattern of the system being arranged to be selectable between a first antenna pattern having a first polarization and a second antenna pattern having a second polarization substantially orthogonal to the first polarization. The first antenna pattern being selected by setting the first and second antenna signal to have the same polarity on first (111) and second (112) antenna ports, the second antenna pattern being selected by setting the first and second antenna signal to have substantially opposite polarities on first (111) and second (112) antenna ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SAAB AB
    Inventor: Hans Hellsten
  • Patent number: 9618607
    Abstract: There is provided a radar apparatus capable of extracting a peak signal obtained from a difference frequency between a transmitting signal and a receiving signal during first and second periods and deriving target information based on the extracted peak signals. A pairing unit pairs the peak signals extracted in the first and second periods. A judging unit judges whether or not the derived target is an overhead object based on the number of paired data of a stationary object existing within a predetermined range from the radar apparatus, among the paired data obtained by pairing the peak signals in the pairing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventor: Hisateru Asanuma
  • Patent number: 9618608
    Abstract: A target detection apparatus counts the number of reflection points, taking a reflection point of interest as being a target reflection point, for each detected reflection point, the reflection points being present in a target area that is set with reference to the target reflection point and each having a difference in speed from the target reflection point, the difference being not more than a preset identical speed determination threshold, and extracts a parallel-running pair that is a pair of the reflection points that meet preset parallel-running conditions. The target detection apparatus determines that the two reflection points configuring the parallel-running pair originate from an identical target, when a count value is not less than a preset size determination threshold, the count value being of at least either of the two reflection points configuring the extracted parallel-running pair and generates target information reflecting the determination results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Mizutani, Keiji Matsuoka, Koji Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9618609
    Abstract: An object is sensed without a malfunction due to disturbance light. An optical sensor (101) of an aspect of the invention includes: a light-emitting element (LED) which turns off and turns on alternately for each one period; a light-receiving element (PD1) which receives reflection light and generates a photocurrent; and an integrating circuit (11) which integrates the photocurrent in a positive direction in a period during which the light-emitting element turns on and integrates the photocurrent in a negative direction in a period during which the light-emitting element turns off. A sum of lengths of integration periods in a first period and a last period is same as a length of another integration period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Shirasaka, Takayuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9618610
    Abstract: A light source is used for emitting an invisible light toward an object. The object reflects the invisible light and reflected light is formed, and a sensor is used for receiving the reflected light. A processor is coupled to the sensor for recording a time interval of the invisible light traveling from the light source to the object and reflected from the object to the sensor. Then, the processor estimates a measurement distance of the object according to the time interval, and adjusts an emission period of the light source, an exposure period of the sensor, intensity of the invisible light, and/or main sensing range of the sensor according to the measurement distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Tsan Kao, En-Feng Hsu, Chuan-Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 9618611
    Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a radar device for detecting objects that intersect an area, the device including a mount attachment; a radar sensor; an output interface; a memory storing one or more environment parameters; a processor in communication with the radar sensor, the output interface, and the memory, the processor being configured to: receive, from the radar sensor, signal information; retrieve, from the memory, environment parameters; calculate, based on the signal information, the distance relative to the sensor of one or more objects; calculate an area based on at least one of the environment parameters; and determine that at least one of the one or more objects intersect the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Sainath Karlapalem
  • Patent number: 9618612
    Abstract: An obstruction marking method includes generating a first echo curve using an electronic level gauge (ELG) coupled to a tank from a first reflected signal (echo signal) received when a material in the tank is at a first level. The ELG includes a radar-based obstruction detection algorithm stored in a memory coupled thereto. A processor implementing the obstruction detection algorithm identifies at least a first feature in the first echo curve to provide at least one suspected obstruction along with its position (first feature position). A second echo curve is generated from a second reflected signal when the material is at a second level. A third echo curve is generated from a third reflected signal when the material is at a third level. The suspected obstruction at the first feature position is stored in the memory as a verified obstruction with its first feature position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Mark L. Muldowney
  • Patent number: 9618613
    Abstract: A radio communication apparatus includes a radio transmitting/receiving unit having a directional antenna and a storage unit storing reference image data and captured image data obtained by an imaging unit. The imaging unit has an optical axis oriented in the same direction as the radio wave direction of the directional antenna and captures an image related to a line of sight of the other opposed radio communication apparatus. The radio communication apparatus further includes an image processing unit comparing the reference image data with the captured image data and a control unit detecting, from the comparison result, and informing that an obstacle is traveling toward the aforementioned radio wave direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Murakami, Satoru Ujiie, Kanemi Sasaki, Shinya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9618614
    Abstract: A soil detection and planting apparatus. The apparatus includes a vehicle and a controller coupled to the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a planting device coupled to the vehicle, the planting device configured to plant seeds or plants into a soil material. The apparatus includes a ground penetrating radar sensor coupled to the vehicle. The ground penetrating radar soil sensor is configured to scan the soil material up to a designated depth beneath a surface of the soil material, wherein the ground penetrating radar soil sensor is further configured to provide a sensor feedback signal to the controller with respect to an intrinsic characteristic of the soil material. The controller is configured to instruct placement of a seed or a plant into the soil material based on the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9618615
    Abstract: A vehicle obstacle detection device comprises: a radar unit provided between a back surface of a bumper and a wheel and configured to detect an obstacle by transmitting a radio wave through the bumper; and a misdetection prevention member for preventing misdetection in the radar unit by suppressing the occurrence of an own-vehicle's wheel reaching wave which is a part of a transmission wave and which passes between a transmitter section of the radar unit and the back surface of the bumper and reaches the wheel of the own vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Inada, Yasushi Hamada, Marie Tsurunaga, Youichiro Nakahata, Yoshitsugu Hanada, Fumihiko Nishida, Yasuyuki Endo
  • Patent number: 9618616
    Abstract: Each of antenna system processors of a radar receiver generates, through correlation calculation of a reflection signal and a radar transmission signal, an array correlation signal for each delay in arrival of the reflection signal at each Doppler frequency. A static target candidate extractor extracts, on the basis of outputs of the antenna system processors and a Doppler frequency of a reflection signal from a static target located at a side of a moving body, array correlation signals corresponding to a candidate for the static target. A reference signal detector outputs a reference signal regarding the side of the moving body using, among the outputs of the static target candidate extractor, array correlation signals whose consistency is high. A correction value calculator calculates, using outputs of the reference signal detector, a correction value for correcting deviations between reception antennas included in an array antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Kishigami, Hirofumi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9618617
    Abstract: A method of measuring a level of a material in a tank. A first secondary reference (FSR) signal is generated when a reference pulse is transmitted into the tank and a second secondary reference signal (SSR) signal is generated when an echo signal responsive to the reference pulse is received. A plurality of FSR signals and a plurality of SSR signals are stored. The plurality of FSR signals and plurality of SSR signals are transferred to a correlator block which calculates a plurality of correlation function values (CFVs) that have magnitudes reflecting a degree of matching between pairs of the SSR signals with their associated FSR signals. Using a maximum CFV result a time interval (Tm) is calculated between the FSR signal and SSR signal associated with the maximum CFV result, and the level of material in the tank is determined from Tm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Andrzej Wlodzimierz Nawrocki
  • Patent number: 9618618
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods associated with determining position and/or movement information using ultrasound. A system may include one or more ultrasonic transmitters and/or receivers. An ultrasonic transmitter may be configured to transmit ultrasound into a region bounded by one or more surfaces. The ultrasonic receiver may receive direct ultrasonic reflections and/or rebounded ultrasonic reflections from one or more objects within the region. A mapping or positioning system may generate positional data associated with one or more of the object(s) based on the direct ultrasonic reflection(s) and/or the rebounded ultrasonic reflection(s). The mapping or positioning system may generate enhanced positional data by combining the direct positional data and the rebounded positional data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Eric D. Rudder, Desney S. Tan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Andrew Wilson, Jeannette M. Wing, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9618619
    Abstract: Laser radar systems include a pentaprism configured to scan a measurement beam with respect to a target surface. A focusing optical assembly includes a corner cube that is used to adjust measurement beam focus. Target distance is estimated based on heterodyne frequencies between a return beam and a local oscillator beam. The local oscillator beam is configured to propagate to and from the focusing optical assembly before mixing with the return beam. In some examples, heterodyne frequencies are calibrated with respect to target distance using a Fabry-Perot interferometer having mirrors fixed to a lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: Nikon Corporation, Nikon Metrology NV
    Inventors: Mina A. Rezk, Anthony R. Slotwinski, Daniel G. Smith, Eric Peter Goodwin, Alexander Cooper, Thomas M. Hedges
  • Patent number: 9618620
    Abstract: A method for measuring and registering 3D coordinates has a 3D scanner measure a first collection of 3D coordinates of points from a first registration position and a second collection of 3D coordinates of points from a second registration position. In between these positions, the 3D measuring device collects depth-camera images. A processor determines first and second translation values and a first rotation value based on the depth-camera images. The processor identifies a correspondence among registration targets in the first and second collection of 3D coordinates based at least in part on the first and second translation values and the first rotation value. The processor uses this correspondence and the first and second collection of 3D coordinates to determine 3D coordinates of a registered 3D collection of points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Oliver Zweigle, Bernd-Dietmar Becker, Reinhard Becker
  • Patent number: 9618621
    Abstract: An optical tracker is provided herein. The tracker may include at least two optical tracker sensors, facing at least partially each other. Each optical tracker sensor may include: a pixel array sensor configured to generate a pixel-by-pixel stream of values representing a scene; at least one visual indicator physically coupled to said pixel array sensor; and an integrated circuit (IC) physically coupled to said at least one pixel array sensor, and configured to: receive said pixel-by-pixel stream of values; and apply a binary large object (BLOB) analysis to said stream, to yield BLOB parameters indicative of the at least one visual indicator present in the scene in a single pass of the pixels representing the scene; and a computer processor configured to receive said BLOB parameters and calculate a relative position and/or orientation, or a partial data thereof, of the at least two optical tracker sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Elbit Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Lior Barak, Ron Kornblit, Rani Ben-Yishai
  • Patent number: 9618622
    Abstract: An optical object sensing device for a motor vehicle, having an emitter unit for emitting an emission light beam and having a receiver unit for receiving a reception light beam, and having an electronic evaluation device for detecting an object external to the vehicle in a vicinity of the motor vehicle as a function of the reception light beam. The emitter unit includes an emitter for generating the emission light beam, a controllable micromirror by which the emission light beam can be panned at least in a first panning direction, and an emission lens arranged behind the micromirror in the emission beam path, where at least along the first panning direction, the emission lens is configured as a concave-convex lens with a concavely curved surface, which faces towards the micromirror, and with a convexly curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Geiger, Manja Greimeier, Michael Kiehn, Michael Koehler
  • Patent number: 9618623
    Abstract: A satellite receiver module (101) for telecommunication equipment includes circuitries (102, 103) configured to: receive timing information from one or more satellites, run at least a part of master-end functions of a synchronization protocol suitable for synchronizing master and slave clock-times over a data transfer network, and convert the timing information into timing messages that are accordant with the synchronization protocol. The satellite receiver module further includes a data interface (104) including a connector (105) for detachably attaching to a body device of the telecommunication equipment and for transferring a bit stream carrying the timing messages to the body device. Because the timing information received from the one or more satellites is converted into the timing messages that are accordant with the synchronization protocol, the timing information can be transferred among other possible digital data, e.g. location information, from the satellite receiver module to the body device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CORIANT OY
    Inventor: Kenneth Hann
  • Patent number: 9618624
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sports- and general pole element. The pole element includes components for an arrangement for operating a handheld geophysical locating device with at least one sensor, a power supply, an operating unit, and an interface for wireless data transmissions, wherein the components are arranged concealed in a body of the sports- or general pole element and wireless transmission of locating data is provided through the interface to a mobile evaluation- and display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: OKM GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Krauss
  • Patent number: 9618625
    Abstract: A system and method of continuous carrier wave reconstruction includes a radio navigation receiver that includes one or more processors, memory coupled to the one or more processors, and an input for receiving a signal from a transmitter. The signal has a phase. The one or more processors are configured to obtain phase lock on the received signal, extract first phase information from the received signal, detect a loss in phase lock on the received signal, and extrapolate second phase information while phase lock is lost using a model of the phase. In some embodiments, the one or more processors are further configured to reconstruct the carrier signal based on the first and second phase information. In some embodiments, the one or more processors are further configured to scale the first and second phase information from a first nominal frequency of the received signal to a different second nominal frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac T. Miller, William J. Bencze, Robert W. Brumley, Brent M. Ledvina, Mark L. Psiaki, Thomas J. Holmes, Clark E. Cohen
  • Patent number: 9618626
    Abstract: A navigation receiver operably coupled to an antenna can determine location by receiving and processing radiofrequency navigation signals from global navigation satellites. The navigation receiver includes a quartz crystal oscillator that serves as a reference frequency source for a local oscillator signal that is mixed with the radiofrequency navigation signals to generate intermediate signals at intermediate frequencies lower than the radiofrequencies. In particular applications, the quartz crystal oscillator and the antenna are subjected to vibration and shock. A shift in the frequency or phase of the intermediate signals can result, and performance of phase-lock loops can degrade. Performance is improved with a phase-lock loop that processes a combination of individual channel control signals and common control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrey Vladimirovich Veitsel, Mark Isaakovich Zhodzishsky, Vladimir Victorovich Beloglazov, Dmitry Pavlovich Nikitin
  • Patent number: 9618627
    Abstract: A method for determining a side slip angle in a vehicle, includes determining with a first sensor an orientation of an effective vehicle speed vector of the Vehicle in relation to a geographic coordinate system of the earth; determining with a second sensor an orientation of the vehicle in relation to a magnetic coordinate system of the earth magnetic field; determining a differential angle of the magnetic north direction of the earth relative to the geographic north direction of the earth by using a vehicle speed; and determining the side slip angle as a function of the orientation of the effective vehicle speed vector and the differential angle according to the relationship ?=?course+?mag,???mag, wherein ? designates the side slip angle, ?mag,? the differential angle, ?mag the orientation of the vehicle in relation to the magnetic north direction and ?course the orientation of the vehicle speed vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Andreas Unger
  • Patent number: 9618628
    Abstract: A radiology device includes at least one gamma radiation sensor, an acquisition device arranged to acquire data from each gamma radiation sensor, a transmission device arranged to transmit the acquired data outside the device, at least one battery arranged to store electrical energy and to electrically supply each sensor, the acquisition device and the transmission device. The radiology device is arranged to be carried entirely by the user. An application of the present radiology device is the treatment of cancers by administration of radionuclides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: AG MEDICAL
    Inventor: David Gray
  • Patent number: 9618629
    Abstract: An apparatus is for a detector assembly configured to receive a signal from a scintillation detector. The apparatus includes a controller assembly including a controller analysis section. The controller analysis section includes a microprocessor assembly, and a memory assembly operatively coupled to the microprocessor assembly, the memory assembly tangibly storing microprocessor-executable code. The microprocessor-executable code to be read by the microprocessor assembly. The microprocessor-executable code is configured to urge the microprocessor assembly to execute an operation for: (A) establishing an energy calibration using features in a spectrum associated with known gamma radiation from radioactive decay or other nuclear processes; and (B) adjusting a gain to be applied by the detector assembly based on the known energy features and thus maintain the energy calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Jens Hovgaard
  • Patent number: 9618630
    Abstract: A radiation detection system comprising a detection grid of wavelength shifting fibers with a volume of scintillating material at the intersecting points of the fibers. Light detectors, preferably Silicon Photomultipliers, are positioned at the ends of the fibers. The position of radiation is determined from data obtained from the detection grid. The system is easily scalable, customizable, and also suitable for use in soil and underground applications. An alternate embodiment employs a fiber grid sheet or layer which is comprised of multiple fibers secured to one another within the same plane. This embodiment further includes shielding in order to prevent radiation cross-talk within the grid layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: JEFFERSON SCIENCE ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Kross, Andrew Weisenberger, Carl Zorn, Wenze Xi
  • Patent number: 9618631
    Abstract: A novel method of making a crystal block array (configured for coupling with photodetectors as part of an integrated detector module useful in advanced PET scanner systems) is disclosed herein. The novel method comprises a series of cutting, polishing, and assembling steps that utilize reflective sheet material. The crystal block arrays disclosed herein may be of various dimensions and geometries and are amenable to mass production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ZECOTEK IMAGING SYSTEMS SINGAPORE PTE LTD.
    Inventors: Abdelmounaime Faouzi Zerrouk, Azman Mohd Ariffin, Mohammad Naim bin Mohammad Hakim