Patents Issued in April 18, 2017
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Patent number: 9625868Abstract: An image forming apparatus (1) includes an apparatus body (2) including an image forming part (5) implementing an image forming process on a recording material (S); and a discharge tray (7) disposed at an upper part of the apparatus body (2), the discharge tray including a stacking surface (22) receiving the recording material (S) discharged after the image forming process; an outer edge part (23) located above the stacking surface (22) and provided while surrounding a periphery of the stacking surface (22); and a connecting surface (24) provided between the stacking surface (22) and the outer edge part (23), wherein the stacking surface (22) being formed such that a width thereof in a direction orthogonal to a discharge direction downstream in the discharge direction is wider than the width thereof upstream in the discharge direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Hirofumi Kuroki
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Patent number: 9625869Abstract: An image forming apparatus having: an image supporting member; an electrostatic latent image forming section; and a developing device. In the developing device, a supply member receives toner, polish and antifriction at a supply part. The supply member supplies the toner, the polish and the antifriction to a developing roller while conveying the toner, the polish and the antifriction in a predetermined direction along a rotation axis of the image supporting member. A developing roller develops an electrostatic latent image by supplying the toner, the polish and the antifriction to the image supporting member. A toner patch is formed on the image supporting member, in a facing area capable of facing the developing roller, such that the amount of toner adhering to the image supporting member decreases with increasing distance in the predetermined direction from the supply part. A cleaner removes the toner patch from the image supporting member.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2016Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INCInventors: Hidetoshi Noguchi, Kazutoshi Kobayashi, Tomohisa Yoshida, Kazuya Kitamura, Ryohei Matsuo
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Patent number: 9625870Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member, first and second image forming portions, and a processor. In the first and second image forming portions, first and second blades are respectively in contact with first and second photosensitive members. A distance between the first image forming portion and the fixing member is shorter than a distance between the second image forming portion and the fixing member. The processor controls a first image forming portion to perform a toner supply operation in which a first supply member supplies toner amounting to a first quantity per a prescribed rotation amount of the first photosensitive member, and controls the second image forming portion to perform a toner supply operation in which the second supply member supplies toner amounting to a second quantity per the prescribed rotation amount of the second photosensitive member. The second quantity is smaller than the first quantity.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Junya Sumida
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Patent number: 9625871Abstract: A toner container includes a second lever. A toner supply portion includes a second actuating portion that, during a process in which the toner container is attached to the toner supply portion, switches the second lever from a third position to a fourth position. The waste toner collecting portion includes a third actuating portion and a stopper member. The third actuating portion, during the toner container attachment process, acts on the second lever disposed at the third position and prohibits an attachment of the toner container, and acts on the second lever disposed at the fourth position and permits an attachment of the toner container. The stopper member is prohibits an attachment of the toner container in a state of having been attached to a first attachment position, and permits the attachment in a state of having been attached to a second attachment position.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2016Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Masaki Sato
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Patent number: 9625872Abstract: A cabinet structure includes multiple cover members configured to spatially partition an inside from an outside of a cabinet, and a clearance communicating between the inside and the outside of the cabinet is left between two cover members, the two cover members being adjacent to each other, of the cover members, and a passage defined by the clearance and leading from the inside to the outside of the cabinet through the clearance has a shape with multiple bends.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Naoki Matsuda, Masahiro Ishida
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Patent number: 9625873Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a casing; photosensitive drums juxtaposed with each other in a juxtaposed direction; developing units each including a developing roller; an opening-closing member; and a first contacting-separating member. The opening-closing member is movable between an open position and a closed position. The first contacting-separating member is provided at the opening-closing member and movable relative to the casing in the juxtaposed direction for moving, in a state where the opening-closing member is at the closed position, the developing roller between an adjacent position adjacent to or in contact with the corresponding photosensitive drums and a separated position spaced apart from the corresponding photosensitive drums.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shougo Sato
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Patent number: 9625874Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body; a process unit configured to be attached to and removed from the main body, the process unit being configured to integrally hold a plurality of image carriers arranged in a first direction; a plurality of developing cartridges provided in corresponding association with the image carriers, the developing cartridges configured to be attached to and removed from the process unit, each of the developing cartridges including a corresponding developer carrier, each of the developing cartridges being configured to supply developer to a corresponding image carrier; and a pressing mechanism provided in the main body, the pressing mechanism configured to press the developing cartridges, when attached to the process unit, in a direction that the developer carriers contact the image carriers.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshito Takakuwa, Yoshiya Tomatsu, Atsushi Hayakawa
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Patent number: 9625875Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a housing having first and second sidewalls through which respective end portions of a developing roller shaft are rotatably inserted; a developing gear, which is arranged outside of the first sidewall, and which is fixed to the end portion of the developing roller shaft; a transmission gear, which is arranged outside of the first sidewall, and which transmits driving force to the developing gear; a first cover member, which is attached to the first sidewall, and which covers the transmission gear; and a second cover member, which is attached to the first sidewall, and which covers the developing gear from an outer side in the axis line direction. The second cover member is formed separately from the first cover member and is arranged side by side with the first cover member outside of the first sidewall.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Handa, Hiroki Mori
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Patent number: 9625876Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a cartridge, a storage medium, a cartridge-side holding device, a body-side holding device, and a reading device. The cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body. Information relating to the cartridge is stored in the storage medium. The cartridge-side holding device is provided in the cartridge and, when the cartridge is in a non-inserted state in which the cartridge is not inserted into the apparatus body, holds the storage medium. The body-side holding device is provided in the apparatus body and, when the cartridge is in an attached state in which the cartridge is disposed at an operation position in the apparatus body, holds the storage medium transferred from the cartridge-side holding device. The reading device reads the information from the storage medium held by the body-side holding device.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventor: Kaoru Watanabe
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Patent number: 9625877Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer portion, a fixing portion, a container mounting portion, an air blower, and an air duct portion. The transfer portion has a transfer belt extending in a first direction. The fixing portion is provided on one side in the first direction with respect to the transfer portion. The container mounting portion is provided so as to be spaced via a first air passage having a predetermined interval in a second direction perpendicular to the transfer belt and perpendicular to the first direction. In the container mounting portion, one or a plurality of toner containers containing a developer are mounted. The air blower is provided on another side in the first direction with respect to the container mounting portion, and configured to send air to the first air passage. The air duct portion guides air sent from the air blower, to the first air passage.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2016Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventors: Kazuya Yamashita, Masahiko Fukano
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Patent number: 9625878Abstract: Described herein is a new holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) medium with broadband reflective properties, and a new technique for fabrication of broadband HPDLC mediums. The new technique involves dynamic variation of the holography setup during HPDLC formation, enabling the broadening of the HPDLC medium's wavelength response. Dynamic variation of the holography setup may include the rotation and/or translation of one or more motorized stages, allowing for time and spatial, or angular, multiplexing through variation of the incident angles of one or more laser beams on a pre-polymer mixture during manufacture. An HPDLC medium manufactured using these techniques exhibits improved optical response by reflecting a broadband spectrum of wavelengths. A new broadband holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal thin film polymeric mirror stack with electrically-switchable beam steering capability is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventors: Adam K. Fontecchio, Kashma Rai
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Patent number: 9625879Abstract: A method of fabricating a component for use in a watch includes a step of depositing a first thin film on a wafer wherein the first thin film is adapted to allow light reflected away from the wafer to be indicative of a first color characteristic. The step of depositing the first thin film is performed by using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition process or a low pressure chemical vapor deposition process. The method may further include a step of fabricating a second color characteristic, including defining a pattern on the first thin film using photolithography, and, processing a region within a boundary of the pattern so that the region is adapted to allow light reflected away from the wafer to be indicative of the second color characteristic. The step of processing the region within the boundary of the pattern includes depositing a metal or a ceramic material within the boundary of the pattern which is indicative of the second color characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Master Dynamic LimitedInventors: Ying Nan Wang, Ching Tom Kong
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Patent number: 9625880Abstract: A shock-absorber bearing for a staff of a moving part of a timepiece, the bearing including: a support including a housing configured to receive a pivot module configured to cooperate with the staff; an elastic mechanism configured to exert at least one axial force on the pivot module to retain the pivot module in its housing, the pivot module and the housing having a geometry of revolution defined to have freedom of angular orientation, one relative to the other; and a fixing mechanism for fixing the elastic mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Yves Girardin, Ivan Villar
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Patent number: 9625881Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes: a timer unit configured to count date and time; a current position acquiring unit configured to acquire a current position; an associated position selecting unit configured to select an associated position preset according to a current position when the current position is acquired; a local time calculating unit configured to calculate local time at the current position and local time at the associated position based on the date and time counted by the timer unit, time difference information of the current position and time difference information of the associated position on differences in time from a predetermined reference position; and a display part configured to display the calculated local times simultaneously or by selectively switching therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Inventor: Hiroshi Morohoshi
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Patent number: 9625883Abstract: A system includes an industrial controller comprising a first processor. The first processor is configured to execute a substantially deterministic control process. The first processor is further configured to communicate with a second processor included in a communications interface system and communicatively coupled to the first processor, wherein the first processor is configured to communicate an asynchronous data to the second processor via an industrial communications protocol during the execution of the control process, and the second processor is configured to retrieve external data from an external system based on the asynchronous signal, and to communicate the external data to the control system via an Ethernet-based communications protocol.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christina Ann Romanik, Tomas Christopher Gardiner, Patrick Joseph Conroy
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Patent number: 9625884Abstract: An adjustably adapted control apparatus for facilitating control of controlled apparatus 109 by users who have limited means of physical input for activating currently available control means. Transducing apparatus 102-106 transduces a physical contact input 101 of a user with input limitations, decision making apparatus 107 determines the intended commands of the user based on adjustable adaptation parameters, and directs control signals 109 from signal generator 108 through transmittance apparatus 108, causing the controlled apparatus to effect the intended commands of the user.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Inventors: Timothy Harris Ousley, Daniel Hawley Ousley
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Patent number: 9625885Abstract: A system, process, and method for modeling a building automation system is provided that permits a control program to easily and efficiently add field devices, gather data from, and provide data to field devices, iterate though all field devices in a hierarchical structure, poll the field devices, evaluate the results, and react accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Siemens Schweiz AGInventors: Gerhard Brun, Herbert Meier, David E. Bornside, Diego Madone
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Patent number: 9625886Abstract: A conditionally active limit regulator may be used to regulate the performance of engines or other limit regulated systems. A computing system may determine whether a variable to be limited is within a predetermined range of a limit value as a first condition. The computing system may also determine whether a current rate of increase or decrease of the variable to be limited is great enough that the variable will reach the limit within a predetermined period of time with no other changes as a second condition. When both conditions are true, the computing system may activate a simulated or physical limit regulator.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Sanjay Garg, Ryan D. May
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Contingency screening in multi-control area electrical power systems using coordinated DC power flow
Patent number: 9625887Abstract: A new approach in contingency analysis is presented based on a modular method for power flow calculation. The proposed method exploits reuse of power flow data for modules not affected by an outage. The method minimizes the number of necessary computations and matrix inversions in contingency analysis; this is achieved by recalculating only the modules affected by the change and reusing data from the original system for all other modules.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Carnegie Mellon UniversityInventors: Marija Ilic, Sanja Cvijic -
Patent number: 9625888Abstract: A method of thermal control in a chassis is presented. An example method of thermal control can include each of one or more blades reporting a requested fan blade speed to a CMC controller where the CMC controller performs an auction of the requested fan blade speed, determines a high value and assigning a corresponding active blade, and reporting the high value to the blades. The active blade then provides fan speed alerts while the passive blades provide fan speed alerts only when the new fan speed request exceeds the high value.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.Inventors: Ramsundar Govindarajan, Venkatesh Ramamoorthy, Dinesh Kunnathur Ragupathi
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Patent number: 9625889Abstract: Aspects in accordance with embodiments of the invention may include a method for remotely setting, controlling, or modifying settings on a programmable communicating thermostat (PCT) in order to customize settings to a specific house and user, including steps of: receiving at a remote processor information entered into the PCT by the user; receiving at the remote processor: non-electrical information associated with the specific house or user; and energy usage data of the specific house; performing by the remote processor energy disaggregation on the energy usage data; determining by the remote processor a custom schedule for the PCT based upon the information entered by the user, the non-electrical information associated with the specific house or user, and disaggregated energy usage data; revising by the remote processor, the custom schedule for the PCT based upon additional user input or seasonal changes; providing the custom schedule for the PCT to the PCT.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Bidgely Inc.Inventors: Abhay Gupta, Ye He, Vivek Garud, Hsien-Ting Cheng, Rahul Mohan
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Patent number: 9625890Abstract: In one example a controller comprises logic, at least partially including hardware logic, configured to define a control relationship between a first control loop associated with a first heat source and a second control loop associated with a second heat source and enforce the control relationship during throttling operations of the first heat source and the second heat source. Other examples may be described.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Mark Carbone, Catharina R. Biber
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Patent number: 9625891Abstract: An apparatus and method to measure and control the slump of concrete by monitoring sensor within the interior surface of a concrete mixer and a liquid flow meter. Data is analyzed by a computer processing unit to determine the slump of the concrete, liquid needed the quantity of concrete within the mixer, the amount of concrete poured, and the starting and ending time of the pour.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: GCP Applied Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Berthold Berman
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Patent number: 9625892Abstract: A system and method for monitoring device calibration. The system includes an asset management computer communicatively coupled to field devices. The asset management computer includes a processor connected to a memory device storing a field device drift identifying (FDDI) program. The FDDI program causes the asset management computer to statistically determine at least one process control limit from historical parameter data received from each of the field devices. The system continuously samples current parameter data received from each of the field devices and compares the current parameter data to respective ones of the process control limits for each of the field devices to determine whenever any of the current parameter data is outside the process control limit for identifying a first device drift for a first field device. Responsive to identifying the first device drift, an alert is generated that the first field device needs calibration.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Ravi Jammikunta
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Patent number: 9625893Abstract: A method of using an installation guide system to configure an air conditioner or HVAC arrangement is provided. The installation guide system may include an input configured to receive inputs from a user; a memory configured to store information; a display; and a controller configured to control the input, the memory, and the display. The method may include receiving input, into the installation guide system, of installation information to be used to configure the air conditioner or HVAC arrangement; displaying on a drawing display of the display at least one image of an installation space for the air conditioner or HVAC; configuring the installation information with respect to the at least one image of the installation space; arranging apparatuses constituting an air conditioner or HVAC on the drawing display to create a design drawing for an air conditioner or HVAC arrangement based on the installation information; and inspecting the air conditioner or HVAC arrangement for errors.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Sangeun Cho, Shinae Kang, Jungyul Park, Haerim Lee, Mingyu Park
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Patent number: 9625894Abstract: A multi-channel control system includes a first primary control microprocessor and a second primary control microprocessor operable to control a device, and a first secondary control microprocessor and a second secondary control microprocessor operable to control the device. Each of the first and second primary control microprocessors and the first and second secondary control microprocessors are arranged as an independent control channel.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Jeffry K. Kamenetz, Mark A. Johnston, Edward John Marotta, Cathleen R. Bleier, John M. O'Neil
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Patent number: 9625895Abstract: A method is provided for managing power for a wireless communication device. The method includes receiving a loop current at an insertion voltage at an initial input, the loop current being generated by a power supply. The method further includes comparing a reference voltage to the insertion voltage and generating a feedback signal based at least upon the comparison of the reference voltage to the insertion voltage. The method still further includes regulating the insertion voltage based at least upon the feedback signal, delivering charging power to an electrical storage element, wherein the charging power is a function of the insertion voltage and the loop current, and storing the charging power in the electrical storage element.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: PEPPERL+FUCHS GMBHInventor: Mark Sinreich
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Patent number: 9625896Abstract: A method for carrying out a stud joining process by a tool performing a working step on a workpiece and the working step is carried out while taking into account at least one parameter value which is selected from a set of values, and the working step is to be carried out at a certain position on the workpiece, and the position determines the parameter value. The method comprises the steps of: storing the parameter value for the position in an RFID transponder; locating the RFID transponder on the workpiece in the region of the position before the working step is carried out, reading the parameter value out from the RFID transponder with an RFID communication device associated with the tool.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: NEWFREY LLCInventors: Jochen Hain, Frank Schmidt
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Patent number: 9625897Abstract: A method to control a material remover can include generating a test path to be processed by the processing circuitry to cause the material remover of the machine tool to move along a predetermined path; causing the processing circuitry to execute the test path and move the material remover along the test path; timing at least one of the performance of the processing circuitry and the movement of the material remover along the test path to generate machine tool timings; and using the machine tool timings to set limits which are arranged to subsequently be used when cutting paths are generated for the machine tool for which the test path has been generated.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Delcam LimitedInventors: Stephen William Mackman, William del Strother, Steven Michael Hobbs
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Patent number: 9625898Abstract: A feedback control system includes at least one servo unit controlling operation of a motor, wherein the at least one servo unit is configured to acquire operational data with respect to controlling the operation of the motor. The feedback control system also includes a programmable logic controller communicatively coupled to the at least one servo unit, wherein the programmable logic controller is configured to receive the operational data from the at least one servo unit and output real-time data corresponding to the operational data.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hugo Beltran, James Foley
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Patent number: 9625899Abstract: A teaching system according to an embodiment includes an image generating unit, a start point specifying unit, a via point specifying unit, and a teaching data generating unit. The image generating unit generates a virtual image including a closed processing line set on a workpiece to be processed by a robot. The start point specifying unit specifies a start point at a position outside the processing line on the virtual image. The via point specifying unit specifies a via point on the processing line. The teaching data generating unit generates teaching data relative to the robot for a path that leaves the start point to follow the processing line by way of the via point and returns to the via point.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKIInventor: Koichi Kuwahara
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Patent number: 9625900Abstract: A computer-implemented method for monitoring characteristic data includes selecting a first operable system device and receiving a first plurality of data from the first operable system device. The first plurality of data represents at least one characteristic of the first operable system device at a first plurality of points in time. The method also includes determining whether the first plurality of data is useful. If the data is useful, the method also includes receiving a second plurality of data from the first operable system device, the second plurality of data represents at least one characteristic of the first operable system device at a second plurality of points in time, wherein the second plurality of points in time is substantially larger than the first plurality of points in time. If the data is not useful, the method further includes selecting a second operable system device.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brett Alexander Matthews, Frederick Wilson Wheeler, Robert Claude Prescott, Justin Shriver
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Patent number: 9625901Abstract: A method of monitoring a plurality of turbomachines is disclosed herein. In embodiments, the method includes a fleet data system receiving first event data from a first monitoring connection system and second event data from a second monitoring connection system. The method also includes the fleet data system determining from the first event data and the second event data whether an event has occurred. The method further includes the fleet data system issuing an alert when the fleet data system has determined that the event has occurred, the alert including an event name, an event status, and a timestamp related to when the event occurred.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Solar Turbines IncorporatedInventors: Garrett Linn Schiff, Thompson Hoang An Pham, Fabrice Mario Murgia, Neal Watkins, Vijaya Shankar Sadasivan, Ramanath Vasamsetty, Pankaj Yogendra Tiwari, Frances Julia Kemp, Anbarasu Sanjeevi, Andrea Monti, Alessio De Stefano, James Anthony Gilbert, Marco Ezra Leon, Venkatesh Canchi, Paul F Cameron, Joseph Stinson McElhinney, IV, Miguel J Estupinan
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Patent number: 9625902Abstract: In a control loop, a command signal is applied to physical components to cause movement of the physical components. The position of the physical components is detected and used to generate subsequent command signals. In an implementation, an integrity detection system causes an excitation signal to be injected onto the command signal to cause movement of the physical components at an excitation frequency. This movement is detected in the physical system control loop and isolated by the integrity detection system. If the integrity detection system fails to detect energy in the excitation frequency band, a failure of at least one component of the control system is inferred.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Bose CorporationInventor: Lawrence D. Knox
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Patent number: 9625903Abstract: Electronic components that are operable within remote control vehicles include Electronic Speed Controllers, radio control receivers, and telemetry transmitters. Hardware and software are described that support communication between a user computer and electronic components. A data link device has analog input and output interfaces that communicate to a mobile computing device such as smartphone. The data link device communicates with an electronic component to send and receive data such as parameters or operational data over a wired bidirectional bus interface. Software for performing data link operations run for example on an electronic component, a mobile computing device, a smartphone, a data link device, or a telemetry receive radio, or a combination of the above.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: CASTLE CREATIONS, INC.Inventors: Jonathan R. Feldkamp, Richard A. Hofer, Louis E. Estingoy, III
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Patent number: 9625904Abstract: An unmanned vehicle system, having at least one autonomous ground vehicle (A-GV) and at least one remote controlled aerial vehicle (RC-AV). The A-GV autonomously navigates across the ground, and on-board perception sensors, whose field of view that contains at least a portion of the ground ahead of the direction of travel of the ground vehicle as well as the RC-GV. The RC-AV flies in response to commands received from the control system of the A-GV. The RC-AV has on-board in-sky perception sensors having a field of view that contains at least a portion of the ground path to be followed by the ground vehicle. The control system of the A-GV locate the aerial vehicle, receives perception data from the on-ground perception sensors and the in-sky perception sensors, and uses combined perception data to determine a ground path for itself and for the RC-AV.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Ryan D. Lamm, Christopher I. Mentzer, Kristopher C. Kozak, Marc C. Alban, Jason C. Gassaway, Richard D. Garcia
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Patent number: 9625905Abstract: A haptic feedback remote control device provides control signals to a toy device, such as a car, boat, plane, etc., to control the toy's operation. The remote control device includes a housing and at least one control for manual manipulation by the user, where control signals representing the manipulation are sent to the toy, preferably transmitted wirelessly. An actuator outputs forces on the housing and/or on a control in response to actuator signals. A controller provides the actuator signals based on the manual manipulation of the control by the user, or based on status signals from the toy indicating the toy's actions or interactions, or based on both. In one embodiment, the actuator moves an inertial mass to provide inertial sensations on the housing. The information received from the toy device can include information from a contact sensor or inertial sensor on the toy device.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventor: Louis B. Rosenberg
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Patent number: 9625906Abstract: A method and apparatus for passenger docking location selection are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Nicolas Meuleau, Siddharth Kumar Thakur, Naoki Kojo, Daisuke Saito, Nikhil Lele
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Patent number: 9625907Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle within an environment are provided. In one aspect, a system comprises one or more sensors carried on the unmanned aerial vehicle and configured to receive sensor data of the environment and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be individually or collectively configured to: determine, based on the sensor data, an environmental complexity factor representative of an obstacle density for the environment; determine, based on the environmental complexity factor, one or more operating rules for the unmanned aerial vehicle; receive a signal indicating a desired movement of the unmanned aerial vehicle; and cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to move in accordance with the signal while complying with the one or more operating rules.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: SZ DJ Technology Co., LtdInventors: Xiao Hu, Ang Liu, Guyue Zhou, Xuyang Pan
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Patent number: 9625908Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to methods and systems for autonomous navigation using visual landmark recognition.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.Inventors: Miao Liao, Xinyu Xu, Petrus J. L. van Beek
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Patent number: 9625909Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle within an environment are provided. In one aspect, a system comprises one or more sensors carried on the unmanned aerial vehicle and configured to receive sensor data of the environment and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be individually or collectively configured to: determine, based on the sensor data, an environmental complexity factor representative of an obstacle density for the environment; determine, based on the environmental complexity factor, one or more operating rules for the unmanned aerial vehicle; receive a signal indicating a desired movement of the unmanned aerial vehicle; and cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to move in accordance with the signal while complying with the one or more operating rules.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: SZ DJI Technology Co., LtdInventors: Xiao Hu, Ang Liu, Guyue Zhou, Xuyang Pan
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Patent number: 9625910Abstract: A lane changing apparatus of an autonomous vehicle includes a lane recognizer, a vehicle information collector, a control information calculator, a controller and a steering apparatus. The lane recognizer is configured to recognize a lane of a road on which the vehicle is driving and extract road information from the recognized lane. The vehicle information collector is configured to collect vehicle information by a variety of sensors installed in the vehicle. The control information calculator is configured to calculate control information for changing the lane by using the vehicle information and the road information. The controller is configured to control a yaw rate of the vehicle based on the control information upon changing the lane. The steering apparatus is configured to change a moving direction of the vehicle according to a control of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Tae Sung Choi, Byung Yong You, Sung Won Yoon, Chang Young Jung
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Patent number: 9625911Abstract: A system and method of avoiding an obstacle for an autonomous vehicle is provided. The system includes an valid trajectory generation unit configured to generate a circle in which the vehicle is located in a center position of a circle, calculate a rotatable range of the vehicle, and generate an valid trajectory estimated that the vehicle passes based on the generated circle and rotatable range; an obstacle detection unit configured to detect the obstacle located in front of the vehicle; and a driving path control unit configured to control a driving path of the vehicle when a position of the detected obstacle is included within the generated valid trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Jeong Hee Lee
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Patent number: 9625912Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to methods and systems for autonomous navigation using visual-landmark recognition. One method may include scanning a captured image to detect a machine-readable marker and extracting encoded data therefrom. The data may include an identifying key usable to access a database to retrieve physical attributes associated with the marker. The method may include using the physical attributes to compute a position and an orientation of a mobile agent relative to a landmark object associated with the marker. The method may further include determining a path toward a next route location based on the position of the next route location and the computed position and orientation of the mobile agent and controlling the mobile agent to drive along the path toward the next route location.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2016Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.Inventors: Miao Liao, Xinyu Xu, Petrus J. L. van Beek
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Patent number: 9625913Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided with a plurality of synthetic jet actuators and a nonlinear robust controller. The controller compensates for uncertainty in a mathematic model that describes the function of the synthetic jet actuators. Compensation is provided by the use of constant feedforward best guess estimates that eliminate the need for more highly computationally burdensome approaches such as the use of time-varying adaptive parameter estimation algorithms.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Inc.Inventors: Vladimir V. Golubev, William MacKunis
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Patent number: 9625914Abstract: A method of configuring a vortex flow control device 2 comprising a vortex chamber 4, an inlet 6 and an outlet 8 arranged at one end of the vortex chamber 4, wherein the method comprises the steps of: setting a target maximum flow rate FT-MAX through the outlet 8 for a predetermined pressure PT-MAX at the inlet; setting a target vortex initiation flow rate FT-VI through the outlet 8 at which vortex flow within the vortex chamber 4 initiates; determining the actual maximum flow rate FA-MAX through the outlet 8 for the predetermined pressure PT-MAX at the inlet 6; determining the actual vortex initiation flow rate FA-VI through the outlet 8; determining an error parameter E based on at least one of the actual maximum flow rate FA-MAX and the actual vortex initiation flow rate FA-VI and at least one of the target maximum flow rate FT-MAX and the target vortex initiation flow rate FT-VI; comparing the error parameter E against a target condition CT; and, if the error parameter E fails to satisfy the target conditType: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Hydro International plcInventors: Daniel Stuart Jarman, Robert Yaw Gyamfi Andoh, Jeremy Paul Lecornu, Kwabena Osei
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Patent number: 9625915Abstract: A control system comprises a central controller adapted to receive user input and commands, and in communication with a plurality of remote sensors adapted to detect various vehicular parameters: water pressure, water level, water flow rate, engine speed, pump speed, etc., and firefighter parameters: air tank level, air flow rate, body temperature, respiration rate, O2 saturation level, ambient temperature, and presence of hazardous chemicals and radiation. The system further comprises a plurality of remote actuators adapted to receive commands from the central controller and automatically carry out an operation in response to the received command. A wireless communication subsystem is adapted to receive and transmit sensed parameters from the plurality of remote sensors to the central controller, and transmit user input and commands from the central controller to the plurality of remote actuators. A central display screen is adapted to present sensed parameters and warnings.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: ROM Acquisition CorporationInventors: John E. McLoughlin, Neocles G. Athanasiades, Kiam Meng Toh
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Patent number: 9625916Abstract: Described embodiments provide devices, systems and methods for sequencing liquid flow in response to a driving force by entrapping and releasing gas between volumes of liquid in a controlled manner. In one particular form, a centrifugal “lab on a disk” device is provided to drive liquid flow and sequencing by virtue of the centrifugal force and in one particular form a radially inward bend conduit is used in connection with controllably trapping and releasing gas between liquid volumes.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Biosurfit, S.A.Inventors: João Garcia Da Fonseca, Nuno Reis, Tânia Tenreiro, Sandro Miguel Pinto Bordeira
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Patent number: 9625917Abstract: A gas pressure regulator for use with gas delivery systems is provided. The gas pressure regulator includes, in one form, a body defining a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a central portion having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. An inlet is disposed proximate the distal end portion of the body, the inlet defining an inlet axis extending therethrough, and the inlet axis being offset from the longitudinal axis. A cavity is disposed within the central portion of the body, and defines an upper portion and a lower portion, the cavity centrally aligned with the longitudinal axis. The gas pressure regulator further includes a channel extending between the inlet and the cavity, and a guide disposed within the lower portion of the cavity in abutment with a bottom surface of the cavity substantially perpendicular to the lateral axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Victor Equipment CompanyInventor: Robert A. Boyer
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Patent number: 9625918Abstract: A fluid-pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of a fluid. The regulator includes a variable-resistance fluid element and a variable-volume fluid element located downstream of the variable-resistance element. Pressure in the fluid at the outlet of the regulator is controlled by substantially simultaneously changing the resistance of the variable-resistance element and the volume of the variable-volume element. In one example, a decrease in pressure is effected at the outlet by simultaneously increasing the resistance of the variable-resistance element and increasing the volume of the variable-volume element. Some embodiments of the regulator are particularly useful to effect long-term and high-speed pressure changes in high-resistance fluidic channel networks.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Carnegie Mellon UniversityInventors: Yong-Tae Kim, Matthew Brandon Kuczenski, Philip LeDuc, William Messner