Patents Issued in June 27, 2017
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Patent number: 9689937Abstract: A non-resonant transmitter for a magnetic resonance (MR) system, such as a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system, is described herein. The transmitter includes a coil for applying NMR pulse sequences to a substance. The coil is coupled to a circuit that includes a capacitor, a number of switches, and a power source. The transmitter operates in two modes. In a charging mode, the switches decouple the coil from the capacitor and the capacitor is charged by the power source. In a discharging mode, a radio frequency pulse is generated and the switches couple and decouple the coil from the capacitor so that the capacitor provides power to the coil. The addition of the capacitor improves the power factor of the circuit and reduces power draw from the power source.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Yi-Qiao Song, Soumyajit Mandal
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Patent number: 9689938Abstract: In a gradient magnetic field coil device including: a plurality of main coils generating in an imaging region of a magnetic field resonance imaging device a magnetic field distribution in which an intensity linearly inclines; and a plurality of shield coils, arranged on an opposite side of the imaging region across the main coils, suppressing residual magnetic field generated by the main coils on the opposite side. The plurality of main coils and the plurality of shield coils are connected in series. The device further includes a plurality of current adjusting devices, connected to the shield coils in parallel, independently adjusting currents flowing through the shield coils, respectively, to enhance symmetry of the residual magnetic field. The gradient magnetic field coil device is provided which can suppress generation of eddy current magnetic field even if there is a relative position deviation between the main coils and shield coils.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yukinobu Imamura, Mitsushi Abe, Takeshi Yatsuo, Masanao Terada, Ryuya Ando, Takeshi Kawamura
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Patent number: 9689939Abstract: This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a device that includes a dual-tuned birdcage coil. The dual-tuned birdcage coil generally includes an inner multinuclear coil and a plurality of outer 1H coils separated from the inner coil. Also, the dual-tuned birdcage coil is generally configured so that the inner coil may be tuned independently of one or more of the outer coils. In some embodiments, the device may be configured to provide inductive coupling between the inner coil and the plurality of outer coils. In some embodiments, the multinuclear coil can include 31P, 13C, 23Na, 15N, 17O, or 19F, etc. In another aspect, this disclosure describes using the device to a generate magnetic resonance in a target. In some of cases, the method can further include creating an image of the target from the magnetic resonance generated by the device.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: William M. Potter, Qun Zhao
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Patent number: 9689940Abstract: A local coil system for a magnetic resonance system including at least one local coil for capturing magnetic resonance (MR) signals and at least one energy receiving antenna for inductively receiving energy for the local coil system from a temporally varying magnetic field is provided. The at least one energy receiving antenna is or may be tuned to an energy transfer frequency that is lower than a Larmor frequency of the MR signals to be captured and higher than approximately 20 kHz.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2012Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Stephan Biber, Jürgen Nistler, Markus Vester
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Patent number: 9689941Abstract: Coil elements (18) generate a B1 excitation field in an examination region (14), which B1 excitation field is distorted by patient loading (e.g., wavelength effects). Passive shimming elements (22, 24) are disposed between the coil elements and the subject in order to improve the B1 field uniformity. In one embodiment, passive shimming elements include one or more dielectric rods (55) disposed below the subject which generate no substantial MR proton signal and which have a permittivity of at least 100 and preferably greater than 500. In another embodiment, tubes (24) adjacent each coil element are supplied with a dielectric liquid, a thickness of the dielectric liquid between the coil element and the subject adjusting a phase of the B1 field generated by the coil element. Active B1 shimming may be combined with passive shimming elements (22, 24) to effect an improved RF field homogeneity result.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2011Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Zhiyong Zhai, Michael Andrew Morich, Paul Royston Harvey, Miha Fuderer
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Patent number: 9689942Abstract: NMR analyzers and associated methods, circuits and computer program products that allow NMR operation in fluctuating ambient temperature environments of at least +/?5 degrees F. in a relatively large operating temperature range, typically between about 60-85 degrees F.) with the ability to still generate accurate quantitative measurements using an electronically applied temperature sensitivity adjustment based on an a priori model of temperature sensitivity and a detected temperature proximate the NMR signal acquisition (e.g., scan). The clinical NMR analyzers can be remotely accessed to evaluate linearity and temperature compensation adjustments.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: LipoScience, Inc.Inventors: David R. Morgan, Elias J. Jeyarajah
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Patent number: 9689943Abstract: In a computerized method and apparatus to automatically determine an acquisition volume of an examination region for the acquisition of a magnetic resonance data set, at least one magnetic resonance image data set is acquired that at least partially images an examination region, and the magnetic resonance image data set is processed into at least one magnetic resonance image. The examination region is segmented and at least one envelope enclosing a segment is determined. At least one rectangle including the envelope is determined. The acquisition volume is calculated using the rectangle.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Radhouene Neji, Martin Requardt
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Patent number: 9689945Abstract: A virtual coil emulation method is used in a magnetic resonance imaging scan for acquiring a magnetic resonance image of an object (10). The scan is performed by an MR system (1) using a physical coil arrangement (9; 11; 12; 13) including a set of individual transmit coils. The coils are adapted for transmission of a desired RF transmit field to the object (10) for magnetic resonance spin excitation of the object (10). Each coil is associated with a physical transmit channel. The RF transmit field corresponds to a virtual arrangement of two or more of the coils. Virtual transmit channel properties include virtual transmit channel weights are assigned to the RF transmit field which describe the virtual complex RF field amplitudes with respect to each individual coil of the virtual coil arrangement to be applied to the physical coils (9; 11; 12; 13) for generating the RF transmit field.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2011Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Kay Nehrke, Peter Boernert
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Patent number: 9689946Abstract: A method for magnetic resonance (MR) for imaging an imaging area of an object has a reconstruction image quality which depends on a spatial distribution of background phase. A background phase distribution is initially determined using an optimization algorithm having a reconstruction quality as an optimization criterion, wherein limitation of a spatial variation of a background phase offset distribution is integrated as a boundary condition in the optimization algorithm. At least one spatially selective radio frequency pulse is applied which contributes to generation of an MR signal distribution having a previously determined background phase distribution, wherein the at least one spatially selective radio frequency pulse generates the background phase offset distribution as a part of the background phase distribution. In this fashion, the reconstruction quality is improved in a manner which can be realized using available equipment.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Bruker BioSpin MRI GmbHInventors: Johannes Schneider, Peter Ullmann
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Patent number: 9689947Abstract: A computer-implemented method of selecting a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sampling strategy includes selecting a base variable-density sampling pattern and determining a scan time associated with the base variable-density sampling pattern. A modified variable-density sampling pattern is created by modifying one or more parameters of the base variable-density sampling pattern to maximize a sampled k-space area without increasing the scan time. Next, a scan is performed on an object of interest using the modified variable-density sampling pattern to obtain a sparse MRI dataset. Then a sparse reconstruction process is applied to the sparse MRI dataset to yield an image of the object of interest.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Qiu Wang, Michael Zenge, Edgar Mueller, Mariappan S. Nadar
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Patent number: 9689948Abstract: A system and method for producing images depicting a plurality of slice locations in a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”} system is provided. In particular, the system and method utilize time-shifted multiband radio frequency (“RF”} pulses to lower peak voltage and peak power requirements when using conventional multiband RF pulses. A time-shifted multiband RF pulse includes at least two component RF pulses, which may be single-band or multiband pulses. The component RF pulses are designed such that they do not have temporal footprints that completely overlap; although, they may have temporal foot-prints that partially overlap or do not overlap at all. The MRI system is used to acquire magnetic resonance signals formed in response to a time-shifted multiband RF pulse and, from these acquired signals, images depicting each of the plurality of slice locations in the subject are reconstructed.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2012Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Kamil Ugurbil, Edward Auerbach
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Patent number: 9689949Abstract: Phase unwrapping is provided for phase contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The velocity values are unaliased. For a given location over time, a path over time through a directed graph of possible velocities at each time is determined by minimization of derivatives over time. The possible velocities are based on the input velocity, the input velocity wrapped in a positive direction, and the input velocity wrapped in a negative direction, so the selection to create the minimum cost path represents unaliasing of any aliased velocities.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2012Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Mehmet Akif Gulsun, Marie-Pierre Jolly, Christoph Guetter
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Patent number: 9689950Abstract: A system and method of self-calibrated correction for residual phase in phase-contrast magnetic resonance (PCMR) imaging data. The method includes receiving PCMR image data from an MR scanner system, segmenting static tissue from non-static cardiovascular elements of the image data, calculating a non-linear fitted-phase basis function, the non-linear fitted-phase basis function based on system artifacts of the PCMR system, adding the non-linear fitted-phase basis function to linear fit terms, and subtracting the result of the adding step from the PCMR imaging data. The system includes a PCMR scanning apparatus configured to provide PCMR image data, a scanner control circuit configured to control the scanning apparatus during image acquisition, the scanner control circuitry in communication with a control processor, the control processor configured to execute computer-readable instructions that cause the control processor to perform the method. A non-transitory computer-readable medium is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christopher Judson Hardy, Anja Christina Sophie Brau, Ek Tsoon Tan
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Patent number: 9689951Abstract: MR signals are acquired with a method for phase contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with speed encoding, in order to acquire raw data for multiple MR images. The multiple MR images are reconstructed. For this purpose, matrix elements are determined for numerous matrices, wherein the sum of the numerous matrices results in a pixel matrix. The pixel matrix has matrix elements that represent the pixel values for a reference MR image with flow compensation. The pixel matrix has further matrix elements that represent the pixel values for the at least one MR image with speed encoding. The matrix elements of the numerous matrices are determined such that a first matrix of the numerous matrices fulfills a first condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Greiser, Jana Hutter, Peter Schmitt
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Patent number: 9689952Abstract: In order to detect a magnetic resonance (MR) signal in an examination region of an examination subject in a measurement field of an MR system with an MR imaging sequence, a magnetization in the examination subject is generated with a polarization field B0. The MR system has a magnet to generate the polarization field B0 with a first field inhomogeneity across the measurement field. At least one RF pulse is radiated into the examination region. At least one first magnetic field gradient is activated for spatial coding of the MR signal. At least one pulsed compensation magnetic field gradient is activated that is generated by a temporally variable current that varies over the duration of the MR imaging sequence and that is activated over a compensation time period that is shorter than the total duration of the imaging sequence so that, during the compensation time period, the first field inhomogeneity is reduced to a second, lower field inhomogeneity across the measurement field.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Stefan Popescu
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Patent number: 9689953Abstract: A method of diagnosing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes forming a gradient magnetic field in a scanning space where a target object is positioned by generating a plurality of modified gradient pulses based on a reference gradient pulse and applying one of the plurality of modified gradient pulses to one of an x-axis coil, a y-axis coil, and a z-axis coil included in a gradient coil, applying a radio frequency (RF) pulse from an RF coil to the target object in the scanning space where the gradient magnetic field corresponding to each of the plurality of modified gradient pulses is formed, receiving a plurality of RF signals that are generated from the target object and correspond to the plurality of modified gradient pulses, and compensating an output of the gradient coil based on the plurality of received RF signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Man-woo Lee, Joon-soo Kim
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Patent number: 9689954Abstract: An integrated electron spin resonance (ESR) circuit chip includes a chip substrate, a transmitter circuit, and a receiver circuit. The transmitter circuit and receiver circuit are disposed on the chip substrate. The transmitter circuit includes an oscillator circuit configured to generate an oscillating output signal and a power amplifier (PA) circuit configured to generate an amplified oscillating output signal based on the oscillating output signal. The receiver circuit receives an ESR signal from an ESR probe. The receiver circuit includes a receiver amplifier circuit configured to generate an amplified ESR signal based on the received ESR signal, a mixer circuit configured to receive the amplified ESR signal and to down-convert the amplified ESR signal to a baseband signal, and a baseband amplifier circuit configured to generate an amplified baseband signal based on the baseband signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITYInventors: Xuebei Yang, Charles Chen, Payam Seifi, Aydin Babakhani
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Patent number: 9689955Abstract: A ranging system includes at least one beacon and a control module. The at least one beacon is configured to scan each segment in a plurality of segments of an arc with a narrow radio frequency (RF) beam and receive a response signal from an end user node in at least one segment. Each segment of the arc is scanned at a specified time interval. The control module is configured to communicate with the at least one beacon. The control module is further configured to calculate at least one of an angle-of-arrival (AOA) and a time-of-flight (TOF) of a response signal from the end user node to the beacon and generate an end user node location relative to a beacon location.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Corvus Technologies CorpInventor: Glen Var Rosenbaum
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Patent number: 9689956Abstract: A light detection system may include a light detecting assembly including a plurality of light detectors. Each light detector may include a substrate, a mirror coupled to the substrate, and a light-receiving tube coupled to the substrate. The light-receiving tube may include a sensor positioned at a first end, a light-transmissive opening at a second end that is opposite from the first end, and a plurality of partitions that are configured to block transmission of light energy. A central light path extends through the light-receiving tube. The system may also include a control unit in communication with the light detecting assembly. The control unit is configured to determine one or more of a direction of light emitted from a light source, a position of the light source, or an intensity of light emitted from the light source based on one or more light detection signals received from the light detecting assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Mark Joseph Clemen, Jr.
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Patent number: 9689957Abstract: A solar tracking system and method that use a tube that admits solar radiation and one or more photodetectors for generating a signal related to an intensity of solar radiation at a distal end of the tube. The system has a scan unit for periodically executing a certain scan pattern in an elevation angle El and in an azimuth angle Az of the shielding tube. A processing unit in communication with the photodetector determines an on-sun orientation of the shielding tube based on a convolution of the signal obtained while executing the scan pattern with a trained convolution kernel. The on-sun orientation thus found can be used to update the orientation of one or more solar surfaces, e.g., reflective or photovoltaic surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: SolarCity CorporationInventors: Jos C. Goble, Salomon J. Trujillo, Benjamin D. Sumers, Christopher O. Perkins
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Patent number: 9689958Abstract: The present technology may be directed a system for determining an angle and distance between a positioning node and secondary device using a plurality of acoustic transmitters to transmit acoustic ranging signals that are modulated using ranging sequences, respectively. The system includes an acoustic receiver to detect the acoustic ranging signals, and a signal processor to calculate times of arrival and a plurality of aliased angles of arrival of the acoustic ranging signals. An anti-aliasing module may select an angle of arrival from the calculated plurality of aliased angles using the times of arrival of the acoustic ranging signals. A time of flight may be calculated from a comparison of times of arrival for radio signals and the acoustic signals. The time of flight may be used to calculate the distance between the positioning node and secondary device.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Inventors: Ben Wild, Robert A Barton
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Patent number: 9689959Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus and computer program product for determining the location of a plurality of speech sources in an area of interest, comprising performing an algorithm on a signal issued by either one of said plurality of speech sources in the area to for iteratively recover data characteristic to said signal, wherein the algorithm is an iterative model-based sparse recovery algorithm, and wherein for each of a plurality of points in said area, the iteratively recovered data is indicative of a presence of a plurality of speech sources contributing to the signal received at each of a plurality of points in the area.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Foundation de l'Institut de Recherche IdiapInventors: Afsaneh Asaei, Herve Bourlard, Volkan Cevher
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Patent number: 9689960Abstract: The systems, devices, and processes described herein may identify a beam of a voice-controlled device that is directed toward a reflective surface, such as a wall. The beams may be created by a beamformer. An acoustic echo canceller (AEC) may create filter coefficients for a reference sound. The filter coefficients may be analyzed to identify beams that include multiple peaks. The multiple peaks may indicate presence of one or more reflective surfaces. Using the amplitude and the time delay between the peaks, the device may determine that it is close to a reflective surface in a direction of the beam.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William Folwell Barton, Kenneth Edgar Hild, II, Ramya Gopalan, Kavitha Velusamy, Amit Singh Chhetri
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Patent number: 9689961Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of communication between wireless networks having different coordinate domains. For example, a first wireless communication device may include a radio to communicate over a first wireless network having a first coordinate domain, the radio to receive a message from a second wireless device of a second wireless network having a second coordinate domain, the message including coordinate information of the second coordinate domain; and a controller to determine, based on the coordinate information, a usage of the second coordinate domain by the first wireless communication device, and to publish the usage to the second wireless communication device.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: INTEL IP CORPORATIONInventor: Itai Steiner
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Patent number: 9689962Abstract: A self-positioning portable electronic device comprises a signal receiving unit for receiving a signal from one or more remote transmitters, and a local positioning unit for determining a local position of the device. The device operates to obtain a plurality of data samples from the signal at different time points during a measurement period with movement of the portable electronic device along an arbitrary trajectory, associate each data sample with a local position obtained from the local positioning unit so as to form a synthetic antenna array, obtain an array response of the synthetic antenna array, and identify the geographic location of the portable electronic device, by processing the synthetic antenna array as a function of the array response and using knowledge about the geographic location of the transmitter(s).Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications Inc.Inventors: Fredrik Tufvesson, Anders J. Johansson, Johan Karedal
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Patent number: 9689963Abstract: A navigation system and associate methods are described that include a plurality of fixed terrestrial based reference devices that calibrate the system by tracking positional error between the fixed terrestrial based reference devices. A navigation system and associated methods are also described that include a laser positioning system. A navigation system and associated methods are described that include an RF positioning system. In one example, the laser positioning system, and the RF positioning system cross check one another to ensure reliability and accuracy of a position measurement.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Autonomous Tractor CorporationInventors: Terry Anderson, Robert S. Cornelius, Frank Artner
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Patent number: 9689964Abstract: A super regenerative receiver detection system and method that includes a computing system that stores and executes a cross modulation correlation component to modulate a radio-frequency (RF) stimulation signal that is transmitted in an area using a modulating signal having a first modulating mode, and receive a response UEE signal from the area in which the response UEE signal includes a cross modulated signal emitted from a super regenerative receiver (SRR). The cross modulated signal having a second modulation mode that is different from the first modulation mode. Using this information, the cross modulation correlation component processes the received UEE signal to determine a cross modulation correlation level of a cross modulation signal relative to the modulating signal, and generates an alert signal when the determined cross modulation correlation level exceeds a specified threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Jagannathan Sarangapani, Maciej Jan Zawodniok, Vivek Thotla, Mohammad Tayeb Ghasr, Jake Hertenstein
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Patent number: 9689965Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for detecting a direction of an incoming projectile and determining a source location of the projectile. One or more resonant sensors (comprising a plate, piezo electric sensor, etc.) can be arranged, where shockwaves from the projectile (e.g., shockwaves from a bullet travelling at supersonic speeds) are incident upon the plate and cause the plate to resonate. The resonance causes an electrical signal to be generated by the piezo electric sensor (e.g., a piezo electric film sensor), the greater the degree of resonance in the plate, the higher the magnitude of signal generated by the piezo electric sensor. By comparing the magnitude of the piezo electric signals across the array of resonant sensors it is possible to determine a trajectory of the projectile and hence a location of the source of the projectile. Acoustic waves can also be generated by muzzle waves.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: BITWAVE PTE LTD.Inventor: Siew Kok Hui
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Patent number: 9689966Abstract: A system and method for identifying the location of gunfire from a moving object in which at least two spaced apart microphones are positioned on the moving object. The output from the microphones is decomposed into intrinsic mode functions by using empirical mode decomposition. A transient pulse is then identified in the intrinsic mode function representative of the gunfire. The location of the origin of the gunfire is then determined from the transient pulses through multilateration using time difference of arrival of the transient pulses by the microphones.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Thyagaraju Damarla
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Patent number: 9689967Abstract: A radar system has different modes of operation. In one mode the radar operates as a single-input, multiple-output (SIMO) radar system utilizing one transmitted signal from one antenna at a time. Codes with known excellent autocorrelation properties are utilized in this mode. At each receiver the response after correlating with various possible transmitted signals is measured in order to estimate the interference that each transmitter will represent at each receiver. The estimated effect of the interference from one transmitter on a receiver that correlates with a different code is used to mitigate the interference. In another mode, the radar operates as a MIMO radar system utilizing all the antennas at a time. Interference cancellation of the non-ideal cross correlation sidelobes when transmitting in the MIMO mode are employed to remove ghost targets due to unwanted sidelobes.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: UHNDER, INC.Inventors: Wayne E. Stark, Jean P. Bordes, Curtis Davis, Raghunath K. Rao, Monier Maher, Manju Hegde, Otto A. Schmid
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Patent number: 9689968Abstract: A wholly optically controlled phased array transmitter with integrated tunable optoelectronic oscillators, which are based on multi-wavelength optical sources and optical true time delay units, and optical time delay networks, having a multi-wavelength optical source, a first wavelength division multiplexer, a first optical splitter, a first electro-optic modulator, a second optical splitter, a first optical amplifier, a first optical time delay network, a photodetector, an electric amplifier, a DC-block, a second electro-optic modulator, a second optical amplifier, a second optical time delay network, an optical combiner, a second wavelength division multiplexer, an optical fibers, a photodetector array, a T/R component array, a microwave antenna array, a 1×2 optical switch, a 2×2 optical switch, a circulator, a third wavelength division multiplexer, a bundle of optical fibers with precise lengths, and a Faraday rotation mirror.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityInventors: Weiwen Zou, Chenjun Liu, Anliang Yu, Jianping Chen
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Patent number: 9689969Abstract: A system is provided that includes a Doppler radar unit that transmits a first electromagnetic wave having a first frequency, which a test system converts to a first electrical signal having the first frequency. The test system generates a second electrical signal having a second frequency, and mixes the first and second electrical signals to produce a third electrical signal having a third, sum or difference frequency. The third frequency represents a Doppler-shifted frequency caused by reflection of the first electromagnetic wave by a target at a distance from the Doppler radar unit. The test system converts the third electrical signal to a second electromagnetic wave having the third frequency, and transmits the second electromagnetic wave back to the Doppler radar unit for calculation of a speed representing that of the target as a function of the first and third frequencies, from which the Doppler radar unit may be calculated/certified.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Dennis M. Lewis, Wayne L. Cooper
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Patent number: 9689970Abstract: Distance measurement methods and apparatus use laser pulse sets having signatures which enable returned pulses to be correlated with emitted pulses. Each pulse set comprises at least one pulse and a signature selected from a set of possible signatures. Pulse sets reflected from at least one surface are detected and, for each set, the signature is recognized and a time of flight is determined. Signatures are defined by one or more of: spacing in time between pulses of a set, wavelength of the at least one pulse of the set, spacing in time between a first subset of a set and a second subset of a set, difference of wavelength between pulses of a set, and difference of wavelength between a first subset of a set and a second subset of a set. Each set can have multiple groups of pulses and pulses within a group can have different amplitudes.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Trimble ABInventor: Auguste d'Aligny
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Patent number: 9689971Abstract: The disclosure relates to a laser ranging calibration method and a laser range finder including a line laser generation module, an image capturing module and a processing module. The line laser generation module projects a line laser beam to a first direction from a first position. The image capturing module at a second position captures a ranging image in the first direction. When the ranging image includes a calibration target image of a calibration target having a first width, the processing module calculates a measured width of the calibration target according to a position of a line spot image of a laser spot on the calibration target image, obtains a calibration parameter according to the first width and the measured width, performs range finding according to the laser spot shown in the ranging image, and performs a calibration task using a calibration parameter.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: MSI COMPUTER (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.Inventors: Hoa-Yu Chan, Shih-Che Hung
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Patent number: 9689972Abstract: A laser scanner collects gray-scale values and associated 3D coordinates of a scanned object in a spherical coordinate system, and displays reformatted gray-scale values that are reformatted from the spherical coordinate system into a planar view rectangular region. The reformatted gray-scale values have at least one straight line of the object appearing as a curved line on a display.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Reinhard Becker, Bernd-Dietmar Becker, Martin Ossig
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Patent number: 9689973Abstract: An acoustic probe includes a plurality of acoustic array components separated and spaced apart from each other. Each of the acoustic array components includes: an array of acoustic element circuits disposed contiguous to each other at a first pitch; a plurality of pads each corresponding to one of the acoustic element circuits and formed within a circuitry area of the corresponding acoustic element circuit, the pads being disposed at a second pitch; a plurality of interconnection bumps each corresponding to one of the pads and being disposed in electrical connection with the corresponding pad, wherein the interconnection bumps are disposed at a third pitch; and a plurality of acoustic transducer elements on the interconnection bumps. The acoustic transducer elements are disposed at a fourth pitch. At least two of the first, second, third, and fourth pitches are different than each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Bernard Joseph Savord, William Ossmann, Wojtek Sudol, Michael Scarsella, George Anthony Brock-Fisher
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Patent number: 9689974Abstract: An ultrasound image forming method comprises a first step of receiving a first signal reflected from the object, a second step of obtaining an aberration correction value based on the first signal thus received, a third step of receiving a second signal reflected from the object when a second ultrasound corrected based on the aberration correction value is transmitted to the object, and a fourth step of forming an image from the aberration correction value and the second signal. The center frequency of the second ultrasound is between 0.5 MHz and 20 MHz, the center frequency of the first ultrasound is between 3/16 and 9/20 of the center frequency of the second ultrasound. By this method, an accurate aberration correction value can be obtained and an ultrasound imaging with high resolution can be achieved even if aberrations are large and difficult to correct.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasuhiro Someda, Kenichi Nagae, Katsuya Oikawa, Keishi Saito, Yasuyoshi Takai, Hirofumi Taki, Toru Sato
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Patent number: 9689975Abstract: A radar apparatus is configured to set a first target to be a non-output object with respect to a control apparatus of a host vehicle in a case where the first target (1) has a fore-and-aft distance from the host vehicle that is larger than a fore-and-aft distance from the host vehicle of a second target and (2) has a predetermined dependency to be an accessory portion which belongs to a same vehicle as the second target. The radar apparatus includes a signal processor configured to: determine whether or not the second target is present in an own lane of the host vehicle; determine whether or not the second target is changing a lane; and set the first target to be an output object with respect to the control apparatus of the host vehicle in a case where the second target is changing the lane from the own lane.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: FUJITSU TEN LIMITEDInventors: Jun Itoh, Hiroyuki Ishimori
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Patent number: 9689976Abstract: A system for providing integrated detection and countermeasures against unmanned aerial vehicles include a detecting element, an location determining element and an interdiction element. The detecting element detects an unmanned aerial vehicle in flight in the region of, or approaching, a property, place, event or very important person. The location determining element determines the exact location of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The interdiction element can either direct the unmanned aerial vehicle away from the property, place, event or very important person in a non-destructive manner, or can cause disable the unmanned aerial vehicle in a destructive manner.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: XiDrone Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dwaine A. Parker, Damon E. Stern, Lawrence S. Pierce
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Patent number: 9689977Abstract: The invention encompasses a system and method for monitoring a power line. In certain embodiments, a system emits a series of signals that allow for analytic analysis of a power line. For example, by taking multiple signal readings, it is possible to detect an average height reading of a power line and observe long-term trends in the time delay from signal emission to reception of an echo-signal. This allows for accurate measurement of various physical parameters of a power line, for example, the height of the power line above the ground.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: MASTINCInventors: Steve Van Fleet, Brian Von Herzen
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Patent number: 9689978Abstract: An in-vehicle radar apparatus includes a transmission and reception means which transmits a radar wave ahead of an own vehicle and receives a reflected wave corresponding to the radar wave from a target; a reception strength detection means which repeatedly detects reception strength of the reflected wave; a distance detection means which repeatedly detects a distance from the own vehicle to the target; an approximate expression calculation means which calculates an approximation expression expressing the reception strength using the distance as a variable from the reception strength repeatedly detected by the reception strength detection means and the distance repeatedly detected by the distance detection means; and a determination means which determines a height of the target from a road surface based on values of coefficients of the approximation expression.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Kouichi Satou
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Patent number: 9689979Abstract: A radar apparatus using a pulse pair method to quickly measure a relative speed of an object. The radar apparatus includes: A data acquirer that acquires data relating to a pulse width, a repetition frequency, and a highest staggered ratio; A staggered pattern output unit that outputs a specific staggered pattern in which a total of phase changes within a sweep range of the target of the pulse pairing can be approximated to zero, wherein each phase change is caused by the pulse pairing on a target object at a constant speed due to a difference between an average transmission interval and a transmission interval between transmissions within the sweep range; And a setter that sets the transmission interval of a pulse signal by using the pulse width, the repetition frequency, the highest staggered ratio, and the specific staggered pattern.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Dai, Akira Okunishi
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Patent number: 9689980Abstract: The invention refers to a secondary surveillance radar, referred to hereinafter as SSR, system (1) for air traffic control. The SSR-system (1) comprises a plurality of secondary radar stations (2) and is adapted for determining a location of an air traffic vehicle within the range of coverage of at least some of the secondary radar stations (2) by means of propagation time measurement of data signals (8) transmitted between the secondary radar stations (2) and a transponder (9) of the air traffic vehicle. Each of the secondary radar stations (2) works on a synchronized local time base. In order to provide for a high-precision synchronisation of the radar stations (2) of the SSR system (1) free of clusters, it is suggested that an SSR system's (1) secondary radar station (2) is synchronized depending on the content of synchronisation signals (10) received by the secondary radar station (2) to be synchronized and broadcast by one of the other secondary radar stations (2) of the SSR system (1).Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2010Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Thales Deutschland GMBHInventor: Alexander Pawlitzki
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Patent number: 9689981Abstract: The system comprises an orientable block, in which are mounted at least transmission and reception antennas of means for detecting improvised explosive devices, which are directed in such a way as to illuminate at least one and the same zone of space, and a detection confirmation camera which is directed towards the zone illuminated by these transmission and reception antennas in such a way as to be able to form an image of this zone, as well as means for controlling the orientation of said orientable block, which bring about a displacement of said block in such a way as to generate a scan of a part of space by said detection means.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: MBDA FRANCEInventor: Dominique Hembise
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Patent number: 9689982Abstract: An object detection device for a vehicle monitors the surroundings at the rear of the vehicle. The object detection device has a radar sensor for generating a radar signal containing information about a distance between the vehicle and a vehicle user or another object in the surroundings. The radar sensor mounts on a vehicle component pointing toward the surroundings to the rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, the object detection device contains a control and evaluation unit for determining a movement pattern of the vehicle user on the basis of the radar signal, and to compare the movement pattern with a predefined reference pattern and to actuate a servomotor which has the purpose of actuating the tailgate between an open position and a closed position when the movement pattern corresponds to the reference pattern. Furthermore, a vehicle ideally has such an object detection device.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Bernd Herthan
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Patent number: 9689983Abstract: A radar receiver of a radar apparatus includes a Doppler frequency acquirer which, in operation, acquires a Doppler frequency for each of range bins from an echo signal, received via at least one antenna, which is a radar signal reflected by an object, a direction correlation power value calculator which, in operation, calculates, for each of combinations of the range bins and the Doppler frequencies, a direction correlation power value indicating strength of the echo signal for each of directions, a normalized direction correlation value calculator which, in operation, calculates, for each of the combinations of the range bins and the Doppler frequencies, a normalized direction correlation value indicating likelihood of a direction of arrival of the echo signal for each of the directions, and a running vehicle detector which, in operation, determines, on a basis of the direction correlation power value and the normalized direction correlation value, whether the object is a running vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Yunyun Cao, Hirofumi Nishimura, Takaaki Kishigami
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Patent number: 9689984Abstract: A method of displaying a weather condition indicator with respect to an aircraft includes receiving weather data from a weather radar system. The weather data includes data indicative of a first location of the weather condition. The method also includes determining a second location of the weather condition based on data indicative of a movement of the weather condition, and displaying the weather condition indicator with reference to the second location.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Arlen E. Breiholz, Kevin M. Kronfeld, Karen L. Walling
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Patent number: 9689985Abstract: A laser radar device includes: a projection part repeatedly performing processing of projecting measurement light that is of a pulsed laser beam to a predetermined monitoring area in a measurement period having a predetermined first length, the processing being repeated in c cycles (c?2) in a detection period having a predetermined second length; a light receiver including n1 (n1?2) light receiving elements and receiving reflected light of the measurement light in directions different from one another; a selector selecting light receiving signals of the n1 light receiving elements in each measurement period and output n2 (n2?2) light receiving signals; a sampling part sampling the light receiving signals output from the selector s (s?2) times every time the measurement light is projected; and a detector performing processing of detecting an object in a detection-period-based period based on sampling values.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Tadao Nishiguchi, Daisuke Itao, Satoshi Hirota
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Patent number: 9689986Abstract: A method is given for finding a reference correction value of an index mark of an angular encoder. The angular encoder includes a first read head, a second read head, and a patterned element having incremental marks and an index mark. In a first instance and in a second instance, the patterned element is rotated relative to the read heads to obtain incremental readings from the first read head and the second read head and an index mark from the first read head. Based on these readings, a processor determines, in the first instance, a first reference position and, in the second instance, a second reference position. The processor determines the reference correction value based at least in part on the first reference position and the second reference position.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Alexander Kramer, Martin Ossig, Reinhard Becker
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Patent number: 9689987Abstract: A laser is used to emit a diverging laser flash configured to illuminate a detection zone. A pseudoimaging optical receiver system is used to detect reflections from objects in the detection zone. The receiver system includes a time-gated photodetector array that is used to record signatures in a voxel array. A voxel processing module receives the voxel array and detects a reference clutter signal within the array. Potential targets are then detected according to target signals in relation to the reference clutter signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Physical Optics CorporationInventors: Tomasz Jannson, Ranjit Pradhan, Andrew Kostrzewski