Patents Issued in August 1, 2017
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Patent number: 9720079Abstract: Transponder transmissions may be monitored through a direct, shielded connection of an RF coupler to a transponder antenna cable. The RF coupler may be added on an antenna cable of an older-style transponder to pick up altitude and reply codes, decode the information and transmit it digitally for use by a separate external monitor. As such, the pilot may be afforded the ability to monitor the older-style transponder's altitude and reply code transmissions to air traffic control so as to determine if a failure of the transponder has occurred. By having the direct connection between RF coupler and the transponder antenna cable, no transmissions of other transponders would be received.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: NavWorx IncorporatedInventor: Bill Moffitt
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Patent number: 9720080Abstract: A combined radar and telemetry system is described. The combined radar and telemetry system includes a processing unit that executes instructions, where the instructions define a radar waveform and a telemetry waveform. The processor outputs a digital baseband signal based upon the instructions, where the digital baseband signal is based upon the radar waveform and the telemetry waveform. A radar and telemetry circuit transmits, simultaneously, a radar signal and telemetry signal based upon the digital baseband signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Christopher T. Rodenbeck, Derek Young, Tina Chou, Lung-Hwa Hsieh, Kurt Conover, Richard Heintzleman
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Patent number: 9720081Abstract: A networked radio frequency identification system includes a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tag readers, a computer in signal communication with the RFID tag readers over a network, and a software module for storage on and operable by the computer that localizes RFID tags based on information received from the RFID tag readers using a network model having endpoints and oriented links. In an additional example, at least one of the RFID tag readers includes an adjustable configuration setting selected from RF signal strength, antenna gain, antenna polarization, and antenna orientation. In a further aspect, the system localizes RFID tags based on hierarchical threshold limit calculations. In an additional aspect, the system controls a locking device associated with an access point based on localization of an authorized RFID tag at the access point and reception of additional authorizing information from an input device.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: LUCOMM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Lucian Cristache
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Patent number: 9720082Abstract: The hazard warning system that included processing system for detecting a high altitude ice crystal (HAIC) condition. The aircraft warning system can use at least two types of radar returns to detect the HAIC condition. Warnings of high altitude ice crystal conditions can allow an aircraft to avoid threats posed by HAIC conditions including damage to aircraft equipment and engines.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Roger A. Dana, James B. West, Kevin M. Kronfeld, Gregory J. Koenigs, Jeffery A. Finley, Daniel L. Woodell
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Patent number: 9720083Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media are described herein related to using self-generated sounds for determining a worn state of a wearable computing device. A wearable computing device can transmit an audio signal. One or more sensors coupled to the wearable computing device may then receive a modified version of the audio signal. A comparison may be made between the modified version of the audio signal and at least one reference signal, where the at least one reference signal is based on the audio signal that is transmitted. Based on an output of the comparison, a determination can be made of whether the wearable computing device is being worn.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2017Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Michael Patrick Johnson, Carroll Philip Gossett
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Patent number: 9720084Abstract: Various implementations directed to a depth display using sonar data are provided. In one implementation, a marine electronics device may include a sonar signal processor and a memory having a plurality of program instructions which, when executed by the sonar signal processor, cause the processor to receive sonar data from a transducer array disposed on a vessel, where the sonar data corresponds to a marine environment proximate to the vessel. The memory may also have program instructions which, when executed by the sonar signal processor, cause the processor to generate point cloud data based on the received sonar data. The memory may further have program instructions which, when executed by the sonar signal processor, cause the processor to generate a depth display based on the point cloud data, where the depth display includes a depth line representing an underwater floor of the marine environment.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Navico Holding ASInventors: Ronald Horner, Albert Griffin, Alan Proctor
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Patent number: 9720085Abstract: In a driver assistance method for a vehicle, to identify moving objects on the side and to avoid unnecessary collision warnings, the method includes: a) detecting an object with the aid of a first sensor; b) detecting the object with the aid of a second sensor; c) checking whether the object has left the detection area of the second sensor; and d1) discarding the distance data measured by the first sensor and the second sensor if the object has left the detection area of the second sensor; or d2) determining the position of the object from measured distance data if the object has not left the detection area of the second sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2010Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Marcus Schneider
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Patent number: 9720086Abstract: A passive-tracking system is described herein. In one example, the passive-tracking system includes a thermal sensor configured to generate a series of thermal frames based on an object in a monitoring area. In this example, the system also includes a processor and a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor configured to generate a series of modulated-light frames based on the object. The processor may be configured to receive the thermal and modulated-light frames and based at least in part on the data of the frames, generate a novelty representation of the object. Based on this data, the processor may also be configured to determine whether the object is human and if so, generate a three-dimensional (3D) position of the human object. The processor may also be configured to passively track the human object over time by, based on the novelty representation, selectively updating the 3D position of the human object.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2016Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: 4Sense, Inc.Inventors: Stanislaw K Skowronek, Christopher M. Wade, Antonio A Ricco
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Patent number: 9720087Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a spatial orientation of an auxiliary measurement object for a laser tracker, said measurement object having reference features which provide points of light. The tracker has a base, a support which can be pivoted in a motorized manner, a pivoting unit which can be rotated about a tilting axis in a motorized manner and which comprises an image capturing unit for capturing an image of the points of light, and a beam source for emitting a laser beam. According to the method, an image is captured in the direction of the auxiliary measurement object with respective capturable points of light, and the spatial orientation of the auxiliary measurement object is derived from image positions in the image for the points of light captured in the image using an image analysis.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AGInventors: Andreas Christen, Konrad Wildi, Albert Markendorf
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Patent number: 9720088Abstract: A measurement device (120) includes a light director and a spatial light modulator (130). The light director is disposed to direct light to the spatial light modulator (130) and the spatial light modulator (130) is disposed to receive light from the light director and to modulate it to form an intensity pattern. An optical element is disposed to receive light which formed the intensity pattern and is arranged to magnify the intensity pattern into a measurement space. A detector (142) is disposed to detect light reflected from the measurement space.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS, INNOVATION & SKILLSInventors: Edward Benjamin Hughes, Matthew Stuard Warden
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Patent number: 9720089Abstract: A 3D imager comprising two cameras having fixed wide-angle and narrow angle FOVs respectively that overlap to provide an active space for the imager and a controller that determines distances to features in the active space responsive to distances provided by the cameras and a division of the active space into near, intermediate, and far zones.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Sagi Katz, Avishai Adler, Giora Yahav, David Cohen, Eli Larry, Shlomo Felzenshtein
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Patent number: 9720090Abstract: A driver assistance system (12) comprises an optical detector (14) with active scene illumination. The optical detector includes at least one of a stereoscopic imager, a time-of-flight imager, a structured-light imager and a night vision system. The optical detector includes a light source (16) for converting electrical energy into light, projection optics (18) for illuminating a scene with light generated by the light source and one or more optical sensors (20) for detecting light returned from the scene in response to the scene being illuminated. The light source is thermally connected to a heat sink (30) for evacuating heat produced by the light source and the projection optics are optically connected to the light source with one or more optical fibers (22) for transport of light generated by the light source to the projection optics.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.Inventor: Norbert Herschbach
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Patent number: 9720091Abstract: A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver includes a processor to determine whether a first satellite is in view of GNSS receiver; whether a second satellite is in view of GNSS receiver when first satellite is in view of GNSS receiver; and whether a third satellite is in view of GNSS receiver when first satellite is not in view of GNSS receiver. Second satellite was previously determined more likely to be in view when first satellite is in view based on a first average distance between first satellite and second satellite based on a first orbit of first satellite and a second orbit of second satellite. Third satellite was previously determined more likely to be in view when first satellite is not in view based on a second average distance between first satellite and third satellite based on first orbit of first satellite and a third orbit of third satellite.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Jakub Skalicky, Jussi Raasakka, Martin Orejas
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Patent number: 9720092Abstract: An apparatus for converting between a geohash code and latitude/longitude coordinates includes a conversion module operative in one of at least first and second modes. In the first mode, the conversion module receives a geohash code, a number of geohash code bits remaining to be processed and an initial input interval, and generates first and second output intervals that are updated after each geohash code bit processed. The latitude and longitude coordinates are generated based on the first and second output intervals, respectively. In the second mode, the conversion module receives a latitude or longitude value, the number of geohash code bits remaining to be processed and the initial input interval, and generates a given one of the first and second output intervals. The conversion module is configured to process data at a rate of one geohash code bit per hardware cycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Roger Moussalli, Sameh W. Asaad, Mudhakar Srivatsa
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Patent number: 9720093Abstract: Systems and methods for surveying using a GNSS device are provided. In one example method, a GNSS device may be used to determine the location of points along a path and to add those points to a set of points representing the path. When adding each point, the device may determine if the point represents a new point or a previously measured point. If the point is a new point, the device may add the point to the set of points. If the point is a previously measured point, the device may display one or more previously measured points to allow the user to select which previously measured point corresponds to the point currently being measured. The user may select a previously measured point and a point may be added to the set of points using the location of the selected previously measured point.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: JAVAD GNSS, INC.Inventor: Javad Ashjaee
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Patent number: 9720094Abstract: A radio signal processing system includes a first antenna; a second antenna; a first receiver communicatively coupled to the first antenna; a second receiver communicatively coupled to the second antenna; a first processing unit communicatively coupled to the first receiver and configured to receive a first signal from at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna when the system is operating in a first mode; a second processing unit communicatively coupled to the second receiver and configured to receive a second signal from the second antenna when the system is operating in a first mode; and wherein the first processing unit is further configured to receive a third signal from both the first antenna and the second antenna when the system is operating in a second mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2016Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Alfonso Malaga
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Patent number: 9720095Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for verifying the quality of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements. The system includes a GNSS receiver, a wireless communications device, and a fault detection processor. The GNSS receiver includes a GNSS antenna for receiving signals from a plurality of global navigation satellites and a processor for calculating a ranging measurement for each of the global navigation satellites from the GNSS receiver to the global navigation satellite. The wireless communications device receives ranging measurements from at least one other GNSS receiver. The fault detection processor performs a fault detection algorithm to determine if there is an anomaly affecting the ranging measurements of the GNSS receiver and the at least one other GNSS receiver.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Tufts UniversityInventor: Jason Rife
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Patent number: 9720096Abstract: A method for improving tracking of a data transmission signal emitted to a receiver of a satellite navigation system in addition to navigation signals emitted by satellites to a satellite positioning receiver, comprises: transmission to the receiver, during a improvement period, by an improvement signal emitted in coherence with the data transmission signal, of data Ni or other data Nai to predict the data, the data transmitted to the receiver by the data transmission signal during a transmission period starting after the improvement period, reception, by the receiver, of the data Ni or other data Nai which are transmitted by the improvement signal, generating symbols to modulate the data transmission signal during the transmission period by the data Ni received or other data Nai received, tracking the data transmission signal while removing the effect of modulation of the data transmission signal by the symbols generated.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: ThalesInventors: Jean-Louis Damidaux, Régine Damidaux
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Patent number: 9720097Abstract: The invention relates to a device for receiving satellite radio-navigation signals comprising a plurality of receiving antennas forming an antenna array. The invention consists in using a plurality of antennas disposed around the circumference of a carrier and in demodulating the signals received by each antenna separately. The diversity of the demodulation chains is utilized to compensate the signal loss on one of the chains when the corresponding antenna experiences a signal loss due to the masking of the satellite by the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: ThalesInventors: Nicolas Martin, Vincent Chopard, David Depraz
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Patent number: 9720098Abstract: The positioning device includes: a GPS processing unit configured to receive a signal from a GPS satellite and measure a position where the positioning device is located; a data storage unit configured to register a planned positioning point where a position is measured; and a GPS control unit configured to control timing to start up the GPS processing unit such that the GPS processing unit be ready in time for measurement at the registered planned positioning point.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Inventor: Naoto Toda
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Patent number: 9720099Abstract: A method, executed by a computer, includes receiving a notification to a user of a mobile device, extracting travel information for the user from the notification, determining an expected travel interval from the travel information, and activating global positioning system tracking of the user during the expected travel interval to provide a user trajectory for the travel interval. A computer system and a computer program product corresponding to the method area also disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2016Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Vijay Ekambaram, Sarbajit K. Rakshit
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Patent number: 9720100Abstract: A method for processing signals collected by pixels of a detector, each pixel being able to collect a signal under the effect of radiation to which the detector is subjected comprises: identifying a pixel, termed the affected pixel, generating a signal greater than a threshold, defining at least one adjacent pixel of the affected pixel, and, for each adjacent pixel: selecting a first comparison group associated with the affected pixel and a second comparison group associated with the adjacent pixel, the first and second comparison groups not comprising any pixel in common, comparing signals collected by each comparison group so as to determine the comparison group that has accumulated the most significant amount of signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, TRIXELLInventors: Amr Habib, Marc Arques
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Patent number: 9720101Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for determining whether a material meets an alpha particle emissivity specification that includes measuring a background alpha particle emissivity for the counter and measuring a combined alpha particle emissivity from the counter containing a sample of the material. The combined alpha particle emissivity includes the background alpha particle emissivity in combination with a sample alpha particle emissivity. The decision statistic is computed based on the observed data and compared to a threshold value. When the decision statistic is less than the threshold value, the material meets the alpha particle emissivity specification. The testing times are computed based on pre-specified criteria so as to meet the needs of both Producer and Consumer.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.Inventors: Michael S. Gordon, Kenneth P. Rodbell, Emmanuel Yashchin
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Patent number: 9720102Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to a tiled filter array that can be used in connection with performance of spatial sampling of optical signals. The filter array comprises filter tiles, wherein a first plurality of filter tiles are formed from a first material, the first material being configured such that only photons having wavelengths in a first wavelength band pass therethrough. A second plurality of filter tiles is formed from a second material, the second material being configured such that only photons having wavelengths in a second wavelength band pass therethrough. The first plurality of filter tiles and the second plurality of filter tiles can be interspersed to form the filter array comprising an alternating arrangement of first filter tiles and second filter tiles.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Ralph H. Page, F. Patrick Doty
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Patent number: 9720103Abstract: A planar radiographic imaging device has electromagnetic radiation sensitive elements disposed in a two-dimensional array. A housing encloses the two-dimensional array of radiation sensitive elements and includes a layer of aligned carbon nanotubes on a surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventor: Scott T. MacLaughlin
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Patent number: 9720104Abstract: In a scintillator panel, a phosphor includes plural columnar crystals located on a columnar crystal growth starting surface of a scintillator layer, roots of the plural columnar crystals exist independently from each other, and a thickness region from the columnar crystal growth starting surface up to a height of 5 ?m has a radiation absorptivity x of from 5.4 to 8.6%. The scintillator panel can provide radiation images having higher sharpness.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Yasushi Nagata, Atsushi Hasegawa
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Patent number: 9720105Abstract: Strontium halide scintillators, calcium halide scintillators, cerium halide scintillators, cesium barium halide scintillators, and related devices and methods are provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.Inventors: Vivek V. Nagarkar, Harish B. Bhandari
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Patent number: 9720106Abstract: According to an embodiment, a radiation detector comprises a photoelectric conversion substrate and a scintillator layer. The photoelectric conversion substrate converts light into an electrical signal. The scintillator layer contacts the photoelectric conversion substrate and converts radiation incident from the outside into light. The scintillator layer is a fluorescer of CsI containing Tl as an activator. The CsI is a halide. The concentration of the activator inside the fluorescer is 1.6 mass %±0.4 mass %. The concentration of the activator inside the fluorescer in an in-plane direction of the scintillator layer has the relationship of central portion>peripheral portion. The central portion is a central region of a formation region of the scintillator layer. The peripheral portion is an outer circumferential region of the formation region of the scintillator layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Toshiba Electron Tubes & Devices Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Horiuchi, Hiroshi Aida, Atsuya Yoshida
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Patent number: 9720107Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and methods for manufacturing apparatuses that differentially detect beta and/or gamma rays are described. One radiation sensor described herein has operational amplifier(s), two blocking layers capable of blocking beta rays, and two photodiodes. The first photodiode is disposed between the blocking layers and thus isolated from incident beta rays. Accordingly, the first photodiode is capable of detecting gamma rays and providing a current corresponding to detected gamma rays to an operational amplifier. The second photodiode is disposed on one of the blocking layers and is capable of detecting beta rays and gamma rays and providing current corresponding to detected beta and/or gamma rays to an operational amplifier. The operational amplifiers convert the currents into voltage pulses which are used to, for example, determine if beta and/or gamma rays are detected and the amount/level of detected rays.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LtdInventors: Shin-hee Cho, In-geol Baek, Jae-geol Cho
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Patent number: 9720108Abstract: A method is described for correcting a captured macropixel signal of an X-ray detector including a plurality of pixels, combined to form at least one macropixel, to capture discrete signals. A weighted macropixel signal exhibiting improved signal stability but reduced dose efficiency is determined. A variable specifying the relative signal drift of the unweighted macropixel signal compared to the weighted macropixel signal is determined on the basis of the captured macropixel signal and the weighted macropixel signal. In addition, a relative signal drift filtered with respect to time is determined on the basis of the relative signal drift. Finally, a macropixel signal corrected by the time-filtered relative signal drift is determined. A signal capture device is disclosed. Furthermore, an X-ray detector is described which includes the signal capture device according to an embodiment of the invention. A computed tomography system is also described which includes the X-ray detector.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Siemens AktiengessellschaftInventor: Steffen Kappler
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Patent number: 9720109Abstract: A silicon photomultiplier array including a plurality of microcells arranged in subgroupings, each microcell of a respective subgrouping providing a pulse output in response to an incident radiation. Each microcell output interconnected by respective traces of equal length to either a summing node or an integrated buffer amplifier. Each respective summing node configured to sum the pulse outputs of a first subgroup of the microcell subgroupings, and each respective integrated buffer amplifier configured to sum the pulse outputs of each microcell of a second subgrouping, the respective integrated buffer amplifier located on the silicon photomultiplier array within the second subgroup of microcells. The plurality of microcells arranged in one of columns and rows, and a first group of the arranged plurality of microcells being a mirror image of a second group of the arranged plurality of microcells about a midpoint between one of the columns and rows.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jianjun Guo, Sergei Ivanovich Dolinsky
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Patent number: 9720110Abstract: A neutron detector for detecting neutrons includes an exterior shell bounding and sealing an interior volume. The exterior shell serves as a cathode. A central structure extends longitudinally within the exterior shell. The central structure serves as an anode and is maintained at a first voltage. The neutron detector includes an insulating portion extending between the central structure and the exterior shell and longitudinally past a shell end of the exterior shell towards a structure end of the central structure. A guard structure extends circumferentially around an outer insulating surface. The guard structure is positioned on the insulating portion between the shell end and the structure end. The guard structure is maintained at a second voltage such that a leakage current on the outer insulating surface is absorbed by the guard structure. A method of detecting neutrons with the neutron detector is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Raymond Larrick, Mark Edwin Burns
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Patent number: 9720111Abstract: An apparatus comprises a neutron detector. The neutron detector comprises a conversion layer comprising a mixture of a neutron absorbing material and a scintillation material; and a photodetector optically coupled to the conversion layer and arranged to detect photons generated as a result of neutron absorption events in the conversion layer; wherein the apparatus is adapted to be carried by a user and the conversion layer is positioned within the neutron detector such that when the apparatus is being carried by a user in normal use neutrons are absorbed in the conversion layer after passing through the user such that the user's body provides a neutron moderating effect. In some cases the apparatus may be carried in association with a backpack or clothing worn by a user, for example, the neutron detector may be sized to fit in a pocket. In other cases the apparatus may be a hand-held device with the conversion layer arranged within a handle of the device to be gripped by a user when being carried.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Symetrica LimitedInventors: David Ramsden, Mark Abbott Foster
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Patent number: 9720112Abstract: A device having: a scintillator material, an optically transparent element containing a glass or polymer and gadolinium oxide, and one or more photomultiplier tubes adjacent to the scintillator material. The optically transparent element is surrounded by the scintillator material.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: The Government of the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Alan L. Huston, Brian L. Justus, Alan L. Justus
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Patent number: 9720113Abstract: A muon tracker includes a drift tube detector having a plurality of drift tube arrays, a detection time-difference calculation circuit configured to calculate a detected time-difference between a plurality of time data detected at least two of the drift tubes, a time-difference information database that stores a relationship between a plurality of predetermined tracks of the muon passing the drift tube detector and a predetermined time-difference of possible detected time data to be detected at least two of the drift tubes where each of the plurality of predetermined tracks passes, a time-difference referring circuit configured to refer the detected time-difference calculated at the detection time-difference calculation circuit with the predetermined time-difference stored in the time-difference information database, and a muon track determining circuit configured to determine a muon track as the predetermined track of the muon corresponding to the predetermined time-difference that matches the best with theType: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Kohichi Nakayama, Haruo Miyadera, Kenichi Yoshioka, Tsukasa Sugita, Naoto Kume, Yuichiro Ban
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Patent number: 9720114Abstract: The invention provides a test device for assessing the detection capability of an X-ray system with a medium and/or large tunnel size. The device comprises a support and at least one test module mounted on the support. The device may optionally also comprise a stand which holds the support at a predetermined angle to the horizontal. The test module, or at least one of the test modules, is capable of being used in a test for an aspect of the detection capability.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology OrganizationInventors: Ned Blagojevic, Dudley Creagh
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Patent number: 9720115Abstract: A method of multi-triggering includes calculating a specific distance according to a plurality of parameters, deploying a plurality of earthquake detectors used for detecting a vertical acceleration of a surface vibration of the earth, and determining whether an earthquake happens or not according to the plurality of earthquake detectors.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: National Applied Research LaboratoriesInventors: Hung-Wei Chiang, Pei-Yang Lin, Kung-Chun Lu, Shieh-Kung Huang, Ting-Yu Hsu
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Patent number: 9720116Abstract: In one aspect, a seismic data acquisition unit is disclosed including a closed housing containing: a seismic sensor; a processor operatively coupled to the seismic sensor; a memory operatively coupled to the processor to record seismic data from the sensor; and a power source configured to power the sensor, processor and memory. The sensor, processor, memory and power source are configured to be assemble as an operable unit in the absence of the closed housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: FAIRFIELD INDUSTRIES INCORPORATEDInventors: William Guyton, John C. Downey, Geoff Rice, Christopher T. Nikirk
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Patent number: 9720117Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for processing database system processes seismic wave data using database queries. The seismic wave data is obtained from sensors of a reflection seismology survey. The seismic wave data is distributed among nodes of the parallel processing database system. Computations of processing the seismic wave data are performed using relational database queries that execute on the nodes in parallel. These computations performed by the queries include generating a starting Earth model of an area surveyed, and performing iterations of solving a forward problem of generating seismic wave patterns from the starting Earth model, performing local optimization that modifies the starting Earth model, and providing the modified Earth model as input to the forward problem in a next iteration.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Pivotal Software, Inc.Inventors: Kaushik Kunal Das, Rashmi Raghu, Christopher Jeffrey Rawles
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Patent number: 9720118Abstract: The combination of one or more 3-component microseismic sensors deployed into a wellbore adjacent a microseismic event and a linear array of distributed fiber optic acoustic sensors deployed uphole thereof provides two sets of data for establishing noise-free signals for locating the microseismic event in the formation about the wellbore. The distributed fiber optic signals monitor noise transmitted along coiled tubing used to pump a completion operation or as a result of the fluid flowing through the casing or coiled tubing, or along wireline used to deploy the microseismic sensors. The noise is mapped and extrapolated for estimating noise at the 3-component sensors. The estimated noise is removed from the 3-component sensor data for producing clean signals representing the location of the microseismic events.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: KOBOLD CORPORATIONInventors: Allan Petrella, Mark Andreychuk, Per Angman
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Patent number: 9720119Abstract: Seismic image filtering machines, systems, program products, and computer implemented methods are provided to generate a filtered seismic image responsive to filtered seismic image data generated by attenuating coherent seismic noise from surface waves of an unfiltered wavefield constructed from unfiltered seismic image data through a single downward extrapolation of the unfiltered wavefield using a plurality of nonstationary convolution operators to perform localized filtering at each of a plurality of spatial locations of the unfiltered wavefield. Various embodiments, for example, can beneficially handle strong lateral velocity variations thus making various embodiments effective tools to remove complicated coherent seismic noise which is typically in the form of exponentially decaying evanescent waves.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventor: Saleh M. Al-Saleh
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Patent number: 9720120Abstract: The present invention generally relates to marine seismic prospecting, and in particular to seismic prospecting using multiple vessels. During acquisition of seismic data, a distance between a first seismic vessel and a second seismic vessel may be adjusted according to a predefined function such that data is collected at a variety of offsets.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: ION Geophysical CorporationInventors: Jacques Pierre Leveille, Paul Brettwood, Jeffrey Alan Meredith
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Patent number: 9720121Abstract: A method of performing acoustic imaging includes: selecting a target location, and selecting a group of transducers from a plurality of transducers to transmit an acoustic beam to be electronically directed to the target location; selecting a transmitter having an orientation toward a location proximate to the target location, and transmitting an acoustic signal only by the transmitter; detecting an acoustic return signal by the transmitter and by a plurality of other transducers in the group; estimating a travel time for each of the group of transducers, the estimating including measuring a travel time for each of the other transducers, and estimating a travel time for the transmitter based on the travel time for each of the other transducers; and calculating beamforming delays based on the travel time, the beamforming delay configured to cause the group of transducers to direct an acoustic beam to the target location.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Quming Zhou, James V. Leggett, III
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Patent number: 9720122Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for determining a parameter of interest of downhole fluid using an acoustic assembly comprising a single solid acoustic transmission medium having a face immersed in the downhole fluid. Methods include using characteristics of a plurality of acoustic pulse reflections from a solid-liquid interface at the face of the solid acoustic transmission medium to estimate the parameter of interest in near real-time. The characteristics may comprise a corresponding reflection amplitude and the corresponding unique angle of reflection for each acoustic pulse reflection. Methods may include generating a two dimensional data set from measured characteristics, generating a curve by performing data fitting on the two dimensional data set, and using the reciprocal slope of the curve to estimate the parameter of interest.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventor: Rocco DiFoggio
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Patent number: 9720123Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems that include a multiple-tube electrode assembly. An embodiment discloses an electrode assembly, comprising: a carrier body comprising an elongated support; and electrically conducting surfaces longitudinally spaced along the carrier body, wherein the electrically conducting surfaces are electrically coupled in parallel.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2012Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: PGS Geophysical ASInventors: James Ewan Mackay, Oliver Colin Peppe, Prawin K. Bhadani, Ulf Peter Lindqvist, Richard Samuel Bailie
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Patent number: 9720124Abstract: Apparatus and methods for characterizing hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation include obtaining a sample of the subterranean formation; measuring, uphole, the porosity of the sample; using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool downhole in the borehole, sending NMR pulse sequences configured for formation pore size and measuring NMR signals that characterize the formation at a location in the formation; analyzing the signals to find a gas porosity of the formation at the location; and determining a hydrogen index (HIg) of the subterranean formation from the gas porosity and from the porosity of the sample. The obtained HIg may then be used in conjunction with downhole NMR measurements to find corrected gas porosities at locations of the formation.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ravinath Kausik Kadayam Viswanathan, Chanh Cao Minh, Ridvan Akkurt, Baarinadh Vissapragada, Yi-Qiao Song, Lukasz Zielinski
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Patent number: 9720125Abstract: A downhole tool is conveyed within a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, and then utilized to obtain measurements at multiple different depths of investigation within the subterranean formation relative to the wellbore. The obtained measurements are then compared to assess mobility of oil within the subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Stephen Thomas Grayson, James Lee Hemingway
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Patent number: 9720126Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to acquire a first signal from a first magnetometer at least partially disposed within a Helmholtz coil, to acquire a second signal from a second magnetometer having a sensitivity at least one thousand times less than the first magnetometer, to process the second signal to determine a drive signal, to drive the Helmholtz coil using the drive signal so as to null an ambient Earth magnetic field surrounding the first magnetometer, and to process the first signal as one of a down hole location signal or a down hole telemetry signal, the location signal to determine a range to a sub-surface object, and the telemetry signal to provide data from down hole drilling operations. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Paul F. Rodney
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Patent number: 9720127Abstract: A tool for evaluating the internal surfaces of tubular is provided, wherein one or more arms extend outwardly from the tool into contact with an inner wall of the tubular, and changes in the dimensions or condition of the inner wall result in changes in the position of the ends of the arms relative to the tool. This motion is converted, through an electromagnetic transducer, into an electrical signal, the accuracy of which deteriorates as the temperature of the tool changes. Calibration transducers are provided on the tool to provide correction factors to convert the electromagnetic transducer output into an accurate reading of the distance of the end of the arms from the tool thereby increasing the accuracy of the assessment of the inner wall of the tubular.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Probe Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Herve Ohmer, Marvin Beckman, David Collart, Jason Penley, Juan Garibay
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Patent number: 9720128Abstract: An NMR method and apparatus for analyzing a sample of interest applies a static magnetic field together with RF pulses of oscillating magnetic field across a sample volume that encompasses the sample of interest. The RF pulses are defined by a pulse sequence that includes a plurality of measurement segments configured to characterize a plurality of relaxation parameters related to relaxation of nuclear magnetization of the sample of interest. Signals induced by the RF pulses are detected in order to derive the relaxation parameters. The measurement segments of the pulse sequence include at least one first-type measurement segment configured to characterize relaxation of spin-lattice interaction between nuclei of the sample of interest in a rotating frame (T1?) at a predefined frequency. The T1? parameter can be measured in conjunction with the measurement of other relaxation and/or diffusion parameters as part of multidimensional NMR experiments.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ravinath Kausik Kadayam Viswanathan, Lukasz Zielinski, Martin D. Hürlimann