Patents Issued in May 2, 2017
  • Patent number: 9639047
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device for forming a pattern image having unit images on a photosensitive member, a sensor for irradiating the pattern image with light and detecting reflected light, and a controller for controlling the image forming device to form a pattern image for printing used when printing and a pattern image for detection to be detected by the sensor on the photosensitive member. A first pattern image for printing includes a predetermined number of first unit images arranged to be spaced from each other, each of the first unit images being smaller than a predetermined size. A first pattern image for detection corresponding to the first pattern image for printing includes more than the predetermined number of the first unit images arranged to be spaced from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Furukawa
  • Patent number: 9639048
    Abstract: A media accumulator-ejector for use with an imaging apparatus. Rotatable upper and lower roll assemblies are located above and below a media accumulation zone comprised of an accumulation plate and positioned to receive media exiting an imaging device. The roll assemblies are moveable like jaws between an open position where media can accumulate on the accumulation plate without interference with the roll assemblies and a clamping position where the accumulated media is grasped by the upper and lower roll assemblies. The upper and lower roll assemblies are then rotated to eject the accumulated media from the accumulation plate. The upper and lower roll assemblies can also grasp and continuously eject individual sheets of media at a predetermined process speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Meneleo De Castro Cedeno, Aaron Jacob Boggs, Jose Jonna Tohay Chavez, Jie Chen, Gerald Concejos Famador, Gregory Michael Hensley, Kim MataciƱos Kekim, Donald Norman Spitz
  • Patent number: 9639049
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a toner container, a reader and writer, and a knock mechanism. To the toner container, an RFID tag is attached. The reader and writer opposes the RFID tag. The knock mechanism has a knock member and a rotor reciprocally moving in an attachment and detachment direction of the toner container. When the knock member has been pressed in conjunction with insertion of the toner container and the rotor in conjunction therewith has moved to the first tip position, the RFID tag is brought to approach the reader and writer to a range in which communication with the reader and writer is enabled, and when the rotor has separated from the first tip position and has moved to a locking position, the RFID tag is out of the range in which the communication with the reader and writer is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hayato Hirayama
  • Patent number: 9639050
    Abstract: A method is disclosed in the context of a system comprises an electrophotographic subsystem, a transfer subsystem, an imaging member, and an inking subsystem. The electrophotographic subsystem comprises a photoreceptor, a charging subsystem, an exposure subsystem, and a development subsystem. In operation, the photoreceptor is charged areawise. An exposure pattern is formed by the exposure subsystem on the surface of the charged photoreceptor to thereby write a latent charge image onto the photoreceptor surface. The image is developed with an image definition material, such as a dampening fluid. The image definition material forms a positive pattern of the image to be printed. The image pattern is then transferred to the reimageable surface. The transferred pattern is then developed by selectively applying an ink over regions of image definition material. The inked image may be transferred to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: Xerox Corporation, Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Janos Veres, David K. Biegelsen, Chu-Heng Liu
  • Patent number: 9639051
    Abstract: Provided is a powder recovery device including a recovery container that includes a powder collection chamber therein, recovers used powder transported from a powder processing section that performs a process using powder, and collects the recovered powder in the powder collection chamber, and a transport member that is provided within the recovery container along the longitudinal direction of the recovery container, and evenly transports powder collected in the powder collection chamber, wherein plural recovery ports are provided at positions located higher than a highest location in the recovery container at which powder is collected, and plural air vent ports are at least separately provided at regions with a center of the recovery container in the longitudinal direction of the recovery container interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Go Miura, Tsutomu Komiyama, Koyu Shigemori
  • Patent number: 9639052
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet in an electro-photographic method and detachably attached to a body of the image forming apparatus; a chassis configured to accommodate the image forming unit and including an opening portion, through which the image forming unit is detachably attached to the body; a handle arranged in the image forming unit to protrude at least partly through the opening portion when the image forming unit is attached to the body; and a cover movable between a closed position, in which the opening portion is closed, and an open position, in which the opening portion is exposed, the cover including a protrusion cover configured to cover a protrusive part of the handle protruded through the opening portion when the cover is in the closed position, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Miwa, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 9639053
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, when a line connecting a midpoint of a line segment connecting a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion and a rotational center of a first photosensitive drum as viewed from a first axial direction of the first photosensitive drum is referred to as a first straight line, and a line connecting a midpoint of a line segment connecting a third supporting portion and a fourth supporting portion and a rotational center of a second photosensitive drum as viewed from a second axial direction of the second photosensitive drum is referred to as a second straight line, the first straight line as viewed from the first axial direction and the second straight line as viewed from the second axial direction are not parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinjiro Toba, Toshiki Fujino, Yuichi Fukui
  • Patent number: 9639054
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a main casing, a process cartridge, a sheet passage, and a first guide. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive body, and a transfer member, and is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main casing. The sheet passage extends in a first direction and is configured to allow a sheet to pass between the photosensitive body and the transfer member. The first guide is configured to guide the process cartridge such that the process cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the main casing. The first guide has a support portion extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and configured to support the process cartridge in a state where the process cartridge is attached to the main casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Mori, Atsushi Miwa
  • Patent number: 9639055
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a body casing, a plurality of process cartridges, and a moving member. Each process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having a rotation axis extending in a first direction. The plurality of process cartridges are configured to move between an engaging position and a release position in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The photosensitive drum and the positioning member engage with each other in the engaging position, and are disengaged from each other releasing the engagement in the release position. The moving member in a pressing position is configured to exert pressure so that the process cartridges are moved to the engaging position. The moving member in the non-pressing position is configured to release the pressure so that the process cartridges are moved to the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 9639056
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein in which multi-level square wave excitation signals are used instead of or in addition to fully-analog excitation signals to drive an array of transceiver elements to create a sound field. Use of multi-level square wave excitation signals produces acceptable transceiver output with reduced complexity, cost, and/or power consumption as compared with use of fully-analog excitation signals. In addition, use of such signals facilitates system implementation using application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and is not as restricted in voltage level and speed. At the same time, the benefits and applications of fully-analog excitation signals (e.g., acoustic holography, beam superposition, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvements, suppression of parasitic modes, increased material penetration, potential for coded pulsing algorithms and suppression of side lobes in ultrasonic field) can still be achieved with multi-level square wave excitation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephan Falter, James Norman Barshinger, Dirk Lange, Mark Howard Feydo, Werner Lammerich
  • Patent number: 9639057
    Abstract: A watch type mobile terminal includes: a body having a power supply unit, a printed circuit board, and a display unit formed to implement a touch input thereon; a band unit formed to be wearable on a user's wrist by being connected to the body, and formed such that at least part thereof is wound or unwound in the body; and a length control unit configured to implement winding or unwinding of the band unit such that a length of the band unit is controllable in accordance with a user's wrist size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Dawoon Jung
  • Patent number: 9639058
    Abstract: A timepiece may include a movable case that may rotate approximately 180 degrees with respect to a first link and a second link. The case may include a first pair of tracks and a second pair of tracks that may be provided on opposite sides of the case. A first link and a second link may each slidably engage both the first pair of tracks and the second pair of tracks, so that the case may rotate 360 degrees about the first link and the second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Fossil Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Manali Mohanty, Jonathan Roman, Kwan Ka Lee
  • Patent number: 9639059
    Abstract: An optical component includes a base material and a film containing silica particles and conductive transparent metal oxide particles. The conductive transparent metal oxide particles are preferably composed of SnO2. The number-based average particle diameter of the conductive transparent metal oxide particles is preferably 0.8 nm or more and 5.0 nm or less. When the content of the silica particles in the film is represented by Xs (vol %) and the content of the conductive transparent metal oxide particles in the film is represented by Xc (vol %), it is preferred to satisfy the following relationship: 0.003?Xc/Xs?0.12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Daiki Furusato, Katsumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9639060
    Abstract: A diving watch assembly includes an internal airtight and waterproof space formed by a housing, an upper cover, a transparent plate and a lower cover, and an air pressure watch core, a water pressure watch core and a dial disc installed in the internal airtight and waterproof space. The air pressure watch core is adapted to drive a first pointer, and the water pressure watch core is adapted to drive the second pointer. The air pressure (air amount) scale and the water pressure (water amount) scale are respectively indicated by the first pointer and the second pointer on the same dial disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventors: Hung-Yeh Jan, Chien-Lung Chan
  • Patent number: 9639061
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes a solar cell panel configured to have multiple pieces and a substrate that connects the multiple pieces to each other. The multiple pieces include a first piece and a second piece adjacent to the first piece. Opposing sides of the first piece and the second piece respectively have a mutually fittable shape. A length of the mutually fittable shape is longer than a distance of a straight line which connects both ends of the mutually fittable shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Nagano
  • Patent number: 9639062
    Abstract: Vapor cells and methods for making the same are presented, in which a cell cavity is completely filled with aqueous alkali metal azide solution and the solution is dried at a controlled evaporation rate to substantially maintain edge contact pinning at an interface with the cavity sidewall to promote preferential evaporation in the center and outward capillary flow from an unpinned air-fluid interface toward the sidewall to form crystallized alkali metal material at the sidewall while inhibiting drying of dispersed aqueous solution on a transparent cavity bottom to provide substantially unrestricted passage of light through the cavity for atomic clock and other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Terrence Edward Dyer, Nathan Luke Brockie
  • Patent number: 9639063
    Abstract: A time to digital converter includes a sample module operable to sample an input signal at multiple different instances of time. A transition detection module, formed of comparison elements, processes the sampled input signal at successive time instances so as to detect transitions in the input signal in terms of time. An output module generates detected transitions in the input signal on multiple parallel outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Neale Dutton, Robert K. Henderson, Salvatore Gnecchi
  • Patent number: 9639064
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device having an analog display and a digital display. The device may include a receiver for receiving, from a remote source, current time information data representative of a current time; a controller, operatively coupled to the receiver, wherein the controller processes the current time information data received from the remote source and provides for the current time information data to be displayed by the at least one digital indicator on the digital display as the current time; and a an analog time indicator rotating arrangement for causing the rotation of the at least one analog time indicator until the at least one analog time indicator is aligned with the at least one digital indicator; whereby the alignment of the at least one analog time indicator with the at least one digital indicator indicates that the at least one analog time indicator is synchronized with the correct time information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Timex Group USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephanie Schneider
  • Patent number: 9639065
    Abstract: An information processing method and an electronic device are provided. The method includes displaying a first identifier indicating time information on a display unit of an electronic device; acquiring first operating state information indicating a first operating state of a first functional unit of the electronic device; determining a first display state of the first identifier based on the first operating state information; and controlling the first identifier to be displayed at the first display state to indicate that the first functional unit is in the first operating state. With the method and electronic device of the disclosure, the display area of the display unit can be efficiently used without occupying a specified display area on the display unit to indicate operating state information of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Yigan Zhang
  • Patent number: 9639066
    Abstract: A display device and an electronic apparatus using the display device include a display component configured to output initial light corresponding to a first image; and a light path converting component configured to receive the initial light corresponding to the first image from the display component and to perform light path conversion on the initial light corresponding to the first image to form a virtual image corresponding to the first image, wherein the virtual image corresponding to the first image is perceived at a particular position and a size of the virtual image perceived being greater than a display size of the display component, wherein the light path converting component comprises a visible area, the particular position and the display component are located separately at two sides of a plane on which the visible area is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: LENOVO (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chenggang Zou, Xiaopan Zheng, Feijun Weng, Fei Wu
  • Patent number: 9639067
    Abstract: A timepiece can acquire time information in a short time, reduce power consumption, and display the correct time. A timepiece comprises a receiver to receive a satellite signal, and a time information generator to generate internal time information. The receiver runs a first reception process that acquires first information including week information from the satellite signal, a second reception process that acquires second information including leap second information from the satellite signal, or a third reception process that acquires third information including hour, minute and second information from the satellite signal. In the first reception timing, after the internal time information is initialized, the receiver runs the first reception process and runs the second reception process after running the first. In a next reception timing, after the first reception timing, the receiver runs the third reception process if the first and second information are acquired in the first reception timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba
  • Patent number: 9639068
    Abstract: A control system including an input component configured to receive an input and generate control information in response to the input; a communication link coupled to the input component; and a plurality of control components, each of the control components coupled to the input component through the communication link and configured to receive the control information and to actuate an associated actuator in response to the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, David E. Burgess, Scott Alexander Anderson, Kevin Parsons
  • Patent number: 9639069
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing the supply of energy, over a time interval I of duration D, to an installation equipped with N energy distribution devices operating in all-or-nothing mode and by duration modulation, an operation duration Ai being allocated to each of the N energy distribution devices over the time interval I by a command/control system of the installation. According to the method: a schedule is defined over the time interval I by means of the time division of the set of operating sequences of the N energy distribution devices (B1, B2 . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FIVES STEIN
    Inventors: Oussama Cherif Idrissi El Ganouni, Guy Vallet
  • Patent number: 9639070
    Abstract: A method for controlling a turbine is proposed, which is characterized at any point in the control by a hidden state. The dynamic behavior of the turbine is modeled with a recurrent neural network comprising a recurrent hidden layer. In this case, the recurrent hidden layer is formed from vectors of neurons, which describe the hidden state of the turbine at the time points of the regulation, wherein two vectors are chronologically linked for each time point with a first connection bridging a time and second connection bridging at least two points in time. Short-term effects can be controlled by means of the first connections and long-term effects can be adjusted by means of the second connections. Secondly, emissions and also occurring dynamics in the turbine can be minimized. Furthermore, a regulating device and a turbine with such a regulating device are proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Siegmund Düll, Steffen Udluft, Lina Weichbrodt
  • Patent number: 9639071
    Abstract: A method and system for transferring between combustion modes in a gas turbine engine is provided. A processor generates data representative of an initial set of splits for providing at least one of fuel and air to at least one combustor in the gas turbine engine. A gas turbine engine model module generates data representative of at least one engine operating condition. A first split calculation module generates data representative of at least one set of active control splits to control the engine in a first combustion mode, using as an input the initial split data. A second split calculation module generates data representative of at least one set of passive control splits to control the engine in at least a second combustion mode. Transfer between combustion modes may be accomplished via use of at least one of the active control splits and the passive control splits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Prabhanjana Kalya, Steven William Backman, Laura Lea Boes, David Spencer Ewens, Trevor Valder Jones
  • Patent number: 9639072
    Abstract: A system is provided for reducing temperature gradients within a building. For example, temperature gradients between the air temperature measured at a thermostat controlling an HVAC system and the air temperature in one or more rooms of the building can be reduced. A model of the building is created by measuring the temperature gradient between the thermostat and one or more rooms of the building. This model is used to determine the operation of the HVAC system so as to reduce one or more of such temperature gradients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William Jerome Burke
  • Patent number: 9639073
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus, article of manufacture and method for discriminating between combined results of a plurality of elements. The apparatus includes: an assigning unit that assigns an element identification value to each of a plurality of basic elements, a generating unit that combines two or more basic elements, among the plurality of basic elements, so as to generate a combined element representing the two or more combined basic elements, and a calculating unit that merges, through an operation corresponding to an element combination method, a plurality of element identification values individually assigned to the plurality of basic elements contained in the combined element so as to calculate one element identification value for the combined element, where two elements are combined by an order-considered or ordered-ignored combination method, the calculating unit merges two corresponding element identification values through an operation where the commutative law holds or does not hold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Yoshizumi
  • Patent number: 9639074
    Abstract: A demand measurement unit measures load demand power and a power generation measurement unit measures solar cell output power. A threshold storage unit stores a discharge control threshold for determining whether to discharge remaining storage cell power. When demand power exceeds generated power, a command unit controls storage cell discharge by comparing remaining storage cell power with the discharge control threshold and transmits a control command to a power conditioner. If the remaining storage cell power exceeds the discharge control threshold, then the command unit commands storage cell discharge. A threshold setting unit sets the discharge control threshold, and updates the discharge control threshold when that value changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinpei Hibiya, Kiyotaka Takehara, Akira Baba, Kenji Nakakita
  • Patent number: 9639075
    Abstract: A status controller, a computer system, and a status detecting method thereof are disclosed. The status controller is used in the computer system. A main controller is used for indicating a shutdown status or an active status by a first level of an active-shutdown indicating interface pin. The status controller includes a hardware basic input output controller and an embedded controller. The hardware basic input output controller is used for indicating whether the computer system is in a sleep status by a second level of a system controlling interface pin, wherein when the computer system is in the sleep status, the hardware basic input output controller changes the second level. The embedded controller determines whether the computer system is in the shutdown or the active status by the first level and in the sleep status by the second level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Chao-Hsiang Chung, Yuan-Chan Lee
  • Patent number: 9639076
    Abstract: A switch apparatus for connecting an arithmetic processing apparatus and a control apparatus that controls the processing apparatus to an I/O apparatus is disclosed, the switch apparatus includes: a switch unit that connects either the processing apparatus or the control apparatus to the I/O; a first input/output control unit that outputs a first command that is received from the processing apparatus to the I/O through the switch unit, receives a response from the I/O that is operated based on the first command, through the switch unit, and outputs the received response to the processing apparatus; and a second input/output control unit that outputs a second command that is received from the control apparatus, to the I/O through the switch unit, receives a test result of the I/O that is tested based on the second command, through the switch unit, and outputs the received test result to the control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Takashi Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 9639077
    Abstract: A control device efficiently performs priority-dependent data transmission through a communication line and a control method aimed at the priority-dependent data transmission. The control device includes a transmitter that transmits data as a frame to another unit through the communication line and a generator that generates the data to be transmitted to another unit. When the higher-priority data to be transmitted is generated in a receiver or a controller while the transmitter transmits a first frame, the transmitter transmits a second frame including the higher-priority data to be transmitted after transmitting a first frame up to a predetermined block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9639078
    Abstract: A position control device for driving one control target, using two drive shafts, has position control units provided to the respective drive shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: OKUMA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9639079
    Abstract: A numerical control device includes: a memory storing in advance angular difference information between each of first cutting shafts formed for an upper tool post and a second cutting shaft of a lower tool post and a machining program including a movement command for the upper tool post to move an imaginary shaft, which moves along the same line as the second cutting shaft and performs cutting from a direction opposite to the second cutting shaft with respect to the main shaft; a shaft-command distribution processing unit distributing the movement command to move the imaginary shaft to the first cutting shaft components based on the angular difference information; and a shaft-synchronization processing unit driving the first cutting shafts based on the movement command distributed to the first cutting shaft components and driving the second cutting shaft by the movement amount same as that in the direction of the imaginary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yu Sakai
  • Patent number: 9639080
    Abstract: A controller for controlling a machine tool and a robot includes a storage unit, configured to store an input machining program including a statement for machine tool and a statement for robot, and a machining program distribution unit configured to transfer the statement for machine tool, out of the statements for machine tool and statements for robot that are included in the stored machining program, to the machine tool control unit and to transfer the statement for robot to the robot control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Hosaka
  • Patent number: 9639081
    Abstract: A loom monitoring system includes loom computers and a host computer connected to the loom computers through a network. Each loom computer acquires a temporary IP address from a DHCP server when a fixed IP address is not set for the loom computer and requests the host computer to transmit a fixed IP address using the temporary IP address. The host computer assigns a fixed IP address to the loom computer that transmitted the assignment request signal and correlates the fixed IP address with a loom layout map. The loom computers each transmit an acquisition completion signal to the host computer using the fixed IP address in a designated order based on the loom layout map. The host computer correlates the fixed IP address of each loom computer with the loom layout map in accordance with the designated order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Daisuke Ito, Taijirou Okuda
  • Patent number: 9639082
    Abstract: A module for monitoring industrial processes for use in a system for monitoring industrial processes that comprises sensor means (7; 17) for detecting process quantities in a process station (20), acquisition means (8, 32; 32?; 32?) for acquiring measurement signals (R) issued by said sensor means (7; 17), processing means (9; 19) operating on signals (T; T1) generated by said acquisition means (8, 32; 32?; 32?) to obtain information on the quality of the process, and means for managing the production flow (9; 19), which operate on the basis of said information on the quality of the process and are located in a workstation (50) that is remote with respect to said process station, said monitoring module (30) being configured for being set locally at said at least one process station (20) for receiving measurement signals (R) issued by said sensor means (7; 17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: C.R.F. SocietĆ  Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Giuseppe D'Angelo, Giorgio Pasquettaz, Andrea Terreno
  • Patent number: 9639083
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for programming workpiece feature inspection operations for a coordinate measuring machine. An editing environment is operated to display a 3-dimensional workpiece representation comprising a first surface feature of a workpiece. A first feature surface sampling pattern is created having at least one pattern parameter adjusted to correspond to a first surface feature of the workpiece. A corresponding representation of the sampling pattern includes operative sampling pattern locations located proximate to the first surface feature. User operations in the GUI further adjust pattern parameters of the sampling pattern. The further adjustment of the pattern parameters simultaneously affects a plurality of the sampling pattern locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Yeh-Wei Tseo, Dahai Yu
  • Patent number: 9639084
    Abstract: An autonomous action robot includes: a sound acquisition unit that acquires an acoustic signal; a sound source localization unit that estimates a direction of a sound source with respect to the acoustic signal; a distance measurement unit that performs measurements related to distance for a predetermined range; a map information generation unit that generates two-dimensional map information and that estimates a self-location of the autonomous action robot, using information of the distance; a sound source direction determination unit that re-estimates the direction of the sound source based on the two-dimensional map information, the estimated self-location information, and the estimated sound source direction; an action generation unit that generates an action plan based on the two-dimensional map information and the sound source direction estimated by the sound source direction determination unit; and a control unit that controls the autonomous action robot according to the action plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Nakamura, Kazuhiro Nakadai
  • Patent number: 9639085
    Abstract: A new apparatus and method for determining trajectories for hypersonic glide vehicles significantly reduces integrated, or total, heat load, with little reduction in time to distance and maximum range. The new approach identifies a trajectory having large phugoid oscillations and plotting a glide trajectory along the peaks of the phugoid oscillations. The glide trajectory is determined by calculating a first altitude that results in a maximum lift to drag ratio trajectory having damped or small phugoid oscillations, then calculating a different altitude that results in larger phugoid oscillations, and higher phugoid peaks, and finally plotting a trajectory from the first altitude that follows the peaks of the higher phugoid oscillation trajectory. The thus calculated trajectory can be input into a glide vehicle guidance system for controlling the trajectory of the glide vehicle from a point where it reaches the first altitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Barry M. Hellman
  • Patent number: 9639087
    Abstract: An emergency landing procedure that includes a sequence of control settings is continuously generated. An aircraft is landed, including by using the sequence of control settings and a set of one or more inertial sensors to control an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Johnson Cutler
  • Patent number: 9639088
    Abstract: A method of autonomous landing of an aircraft in a landing area includes receiving, with the processor, sensor signals related to the landing area via a sensor device; obtaining, with the processor, a template of the landing area in response to the receiving of the sensor signals; matching, with the processor, one or more features of the template with the features of the acquired images of the landing area; and controlling, with the processor, each of the sensor device and aircraft control system independently based on said matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hongcheng Wang, Ziyou Xiong, Alan Matthew Finn, Christopher Stathis, Igor Cherepinsky
  • Patent number: 9639089
    Abstract: A gust compensation system is configured to adaptively reduce gust loads exerted into an aircraft. The gust compensation system may include a first sensor proximate to a front of the aircraft. The first sensor is configured to output a first signal. A second sensor may be distally located from the front of the aircraft. The second sensor is configured to output a second signal. A gust signal sub-system is configured to receive the first and second signals and generate a gust signal based on analysis of the first and second signals. The gust signal sub-system outputs the gust signal and may modify a load parameter signal in response to the gust signal exceeding a load alleviation threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Khaled Abdel-Motagaly, Rafael E. Caicedo, Christopher D. Dallara, Alexander C. Ho, Kioumars Najmabadi, Tze L. Siu, Paul C. Strefling, Hisako Yamashiro
  • Patent number: 9639090
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for determining an unsafe region and a safe target in a central receiver solar power plant by projecting the geometry of the central receiver onto a plane image using a perspective transform as seen from the perspective of a heliostat, dilating the geometry of the central receiver in the plane image by a safety margin, and selecting a set of safe target points for the heliostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventors: Adam Azarchs, Alexander Sonn
  • Patent number: 9639091
    Abstract: A system for collecting a fluid sample from a machine having a fluid module is provided. The system includes a docking station disposed on the machine. The system also includes a pump selectively disposed in fluid communication with the fluid module of the machine. The pump is configured to draw a fluid from the fluid module. The system further includes an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The UAV is configured to detachably dock onto the docking station. The UAV is also configured to collect the fluid sample from the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9639093
    Abstract: A valve poppet (54) is provided for use in a regulator valve assembly (200) for regulating the pressure of a flowing gas through a gas flow pressure regulator (300). The valve poppet is includes a valve disc (54) having a flexible portion (60a) so as to permit upward and downward movement of a valve stem (52) in an axial direction. The valve disc may have an edge portion (60b) that provides a preloading force to self-align the valve disc within a valve seat (70), and axially constrain the motion of valve stem. The valve stem (52) may extend perpendicularly relative to the valve disc from a sealing portion (58). The movement of the valve stem is axially constrained and results in upward and downward movement of the flexible portion when the valve is opened and closed. The flexible and end portions of the valve disc may be formed of a plurality of spiral arms for self-aligning and axially constraining the valve disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel P. Morgan
  • Patent number: 9639094
    Abstract: An electronic device for controlling pressure regulators, enabling remote adjustments and corrections for pressure drops and supply line expansion is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Michael D. Palmer
  • Patent number: 9639095
    Abstract: In the case of a sanitary fixture (1), it is provided that at least one covering surface (7), by way of which at least one flow opening (4) of a flow element (3) is openable and at least partially closable in a temperature-dependent manner, is formed on a covering element (6) made of a temperature-sensitive material (cf. FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventors: Holger Schurle, Marc Tempel
  • Patent number: 9639096
    Abstract: A showcase control system 100 comprises a showcase operating rate detection unit 11 that detects a showcase operating rate of a showcase control unit 30 which controls freezing or refrigerating inside a showcase, an over-operating detection unit 12 that outputs an over-operating signal when the showcase operating rate input from the showcase operating rate detection unit 11 exceeds a predetermined value, and an air-conditioning control system 20 that curtails the energy-saving control of an air conditioner 50 when receiving an over-operating signal from the over-operating detection unit 12. Thereby, it is possible to comprehensively perform energy-saving control of a showcase and an air conditioner at a sales space where the showcase is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TECHNOMIRAI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuo Miwa
  • Patent number: 9639097
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling temperatures in plasma processing chamber for a wide range of setpoint temperatures and reduced energy consumption. Temperature control is coordinated between a coolant liquid loop and a heat source by a control algorithm implemented by the plasma processing module controller. The control algorithm may completely stop the flow of coolant liquid to a temperature-controlled component in response to a feedback signal indicating an actual temperature is below the setpoint temperature. The control algorithm may further be based at least in part on a feedforward control signal derived from a plasma power or change in plasma power input into the processing chamber during process recipe execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chetan Mahadeswaraswamy, Kartik Ramaswamy, Bryan Liao, Sergio Shoji, Duy D. Nguyen, Hamid Noorbakhsh, David Palagashvili
  • Patent number: 9639098
    Abstract: Thermostat and messaging devices (TMDs) and associated platforms for providing monitor and control functionality are disclosed. A TMD can be in communication with one or more sensors to facilitate intelligent heating and cooling as well has home automation. The TMD can facilitate communication with a plurality of different networking protocols such that it can receive communication signals from a plurality of different sensors and devices that operate using varying communication techniques. The TMD can also be configured to assist with geolocating a person who is calling for emergency services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNUM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Michael E. Giorgi