Patents Issued in December 19, 2017
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Patent number: 9846007Abstract: A monitoring apparatus and system for recording, differentiating, and reporting the discharge of firearms. The monitoring apparatus can be mounted to a firearm and may be automatically activated when the firearm is drawn from a holster thus enabling the monitoring apparatus to record information such as sound, video, location, time, and the like. The apparatus may use this information to differentiate between shots fired by the firearm and shots fired by other firearms. The device may report this distinction to a remote computer configured to receive updates from the weapon mounted apparatus in real time. The remote computer may display the information on a user interface such as a map display, and/or distribute the information according to rules defining how the information should be processed.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Young, Jack & Wright, Inc.Inventors: Donald J. Young, Jamon Jack, Thomas L. Wright
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Patent number: 9846008Abstract: A holster for carrying a concealed weapon in an area of a body between a knee and an ankle. The holster includes a sleeve that has a non-uniform circumference defining a shape contoured to substantially encompass the lower leg of an individual, a closure mechanism that is fixed to the sleeve and configured to allow for expansion and compression of at least part of the sleeve and a pocket that is fixed to the exterior of the sleeve and that is shaped to carry a weapon therein.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Inventor: Michael C. DiLeo
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Patent number: 9846009Abstract: An interchangeable scope lens covers system comprises a pair of lens covers each comprising a lens cover sleeve that is generally shaped like a hollow cylinder having a generally decreasing diameter from a proximal end to a distal end. Near the distal end, a generally annular lens is removably secured by a lens cap. The lenses are therefore easily removed and interchanged as desired by the user to configure the system to respond to changing shooting conditions. Between the pair of lens covers is attached a plurality of elastic cords or similar materials that hold the lens covers tightly against both ends of a scope tube in order to provide a press fit that keeps moisture, debris, etc. from entering the space between the lens covers and the scope lenses. The press fit forms a seal or barrier between the lens covers and the scope.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2011Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Engineered Outdoor Products, LLCInventor: Denny McDaniels
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Patent number: 9846010Abstract: A tool for temporarily fitting a sighting scope to a firearm with a mounting rail. The tool includes a vertically moving slide that is adjusted so that the scope is at the correct height. The height of corresponding scope rings required can then be read from the tool.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Inventor: Steven Pasfield
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Patent number: 9846011Abstract: A motion analysis system includes an acceleration measuring device, an acceleration processor, a velocity processor, a distance processor, a peak velocity processor, a profile correlation processor, and a vehicle action processor. The system determines a time for an initiation of an action for a vehicle by determining that a distance traveled by the vehicle is greater than a safe separation distance and that a peak velocity is greater than a minimum velocity. The system initiates the action for the vehicle based on the verified position of the vehicle and the confirmed profile data as determined by the profile correlation processor, and based on the determination that the distance traveled by the vehicle is greater than the safe separation distance and that the peak velocity is greater than the minimum velocity as determined by the vehicle action processor.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Alan Clark, Aaron C. Lattimore
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Patent number: 9846012Abstract: A ballistic armored component attaches to the existing retention straps of common combat helmets and provides protection to the otherwise exposed lower skull and upper neck region. A fabric covering contains a soft armor or hard armor insert, and is mounted by straps or other fasteners to existing straps found in conventional helmets. The armor component may be fabric of aramid fibers, or fabric of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, or may be fabricated of a rigid plate of ceramic, polymer, or metal. The armored component adds additional protection from ground-level or subterranean munitions, by placing a ballistic shape on the lower skull region (occipital region), providing significant additional ballistic coverage with minimal weight and bulk. The fabric shell may also be connected directly to the helmet shell, to allow the component to withdraw within the helmet when the wearer's neck is flexed rearwardly.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: LineWeight LLCInventors: Caleb Clark Crye, Eric Owen Fehlberg, Gregg M. Thompson
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Patent number: 9846013Abstract: Vehicle armor may include an assembly of components including an outer armor pack, an air gap, an inner armor pack, and a high energy absorbing layer. At least one version of the outer armor pack may include an outermost outer fiber reinforced composite protective layer of ?1 mm thickness, an outer ceramic armor layer, and an inner fiber reinforced composite support layer to absorb residual energy from small arms. The air gap may be between 1-10 mm to allow for deflection of the outer armor pack. The inner armor pack may include an outer fiber reinforced composite protective layer of ?0.5 mm thickness, an inner segmented ceramic armor layer, and an innermost inner fiber reinforced composite layer of ?10 mm thickness. The high energy absorbing layer may have ?25 mm thickness and be configured to mitigate the effect of residual fragments defeating the outer and inner armor packs.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Inventors: Christopher Davies, Roger Medwell
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Patent number: 9846014Abstract: A ballistic material utilizes a three-dimensional, square-based pyramid unit cell (SBPUC) sphere structure that includes four base spheres and a primary sphere, which are tightly packed and in contact with each other. The base spheres and the primary sphere are arranged whereby the centers of each of the base spheres form corners of a square base, while the center of the primary sphere forms an apex, which when connected to the corners, forms an imaginary pyramid. The ballistic material is formed from one or more layers of SBPUCs that are provided between a pair of spaced substrate layers, so as to achieve the desired level of ballistic protection performance.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRONInventors: Xiaosheng Gao, Yibin Fu
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Patent number: 9846015Abstract: A fluid lubricated projectile trap includes a substantially cylindrical chamber defined by a forward concave wall and a rearward concave wall. A bullet funnel extending forwardly therefrom. The funnel having a lower panel connecting to the forward concave wall in conjunction with an end plate defines a pressurized fluid containment with discharge outlets directed to the rearward concave wall. All plumbing may be secured below the ramp and forward of the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Savage Range Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Nester, Ronald Coburn
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Patent number: 9846016Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems may protect a target from undesirable electromagnetic radiation by detecting electromagnetic radiation (including coherent radiation such as laser beams) aimed at a target from a source; calculating a first release position to disrupt the electromagnetic radiation thereby protecting the target; launching a projectile that may include a disruptive medium or a disruptive-medium precursor; directing the projectile to the first release position; and releasing the disruptive medium from the projectile at the first release position, such that the releasing of the disruptive medium forms a cloud of the disruptive medium.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Donald V. Drouin, Jr., Mark J. Clemen, Jr.
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Patent number: 9846017Abstract: A high pressure obturator for a breech loaded, tube-launched projectile includes a generally annular ring having a central longitudinal axis and a radially inward portion. A flange portion is disposed radially outward of and partially contiguous with the radially inward portion. The flange portion extends axially forward and aft beyond the radially inward portion. The outer diameter of the flange portion decreases linearly from an aft most outer diameter to a forward most outer diameter. The obturator may be formed of a plastic material and include circumferential wraps of a high-strength fiber completely embedded in grooves in the obturator.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Ryan Hooke, Tyler Myers
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Patent number: 9846018Abstract: A ram with a multi-axis, multi-directional “self-centering shell holder” having predetermined spacing with respect to its engagement with the shell holder so that the shell holder supporting the cartridge case has the ability to deviate from the ram centerline in any direction to re-align with a centerline of the die bore is provided. The present invention also provides a retaining clip with push down tab allowing for quick insertion and removal of the self-aligning shell holder from the ram top.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Mayville Engineering Company Inc.Inventor: Ted P. Schloer
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Patent number: 9846019Abstract: A rocker arm detonator is provided that includes a detonator head, which includes a pivotably arranged firing pin which is acted upon by a firing pin spring, and has a safety clip, which is pivotably disposed in the same direction of rotation as the firing pin from a starting position, in which it is pressed in the direction of the detonator head to a firing pin release position. To reliably avoid an unintentional detonation of the rocker arm detonator prior to its proper use, when the rocker arm detonator is not in use, the firing pin spring is in its untensioned state and may be tensioned by a separate tensioning lever as soon as the rocker arm detonator is to be properly deployed.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition ARGES GmbHInventor: Helge Graf
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Patent number: 9846020Abstract: An arrangement for providing explosive charging and a plug into a bore hole, wherein a hose comprising at least one first conduit is introduced into said bore hole. Also explosive material is introduced to an outlet of said first conduit and thereby into said bore hole. In addition a plug is introduced into said bore hole by the help of said hose. The plug has a diameter, the size of which is configured to be manipulated after or during introducing into said bore hole at a certain depth so that after said introducing the diameter of the plug is larger than before said introducing and so that the surface of the plug after manipulating the size of diameter essentially make a physical contact with the bore hole surface. The plug is introduced by said hose in a releasable manner so that after or during the manipulation of the plug diameter size the plug is configured to be released from the hose and to stay in said bore hole essentially at said certain depth.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Normet OyInventor: Anssi Mykkänen
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Patent number: 9846021Abstract: The present invention relates measuring tapes and methods for making thereof. In particular, the measuring tape of the present invention contains a wipe mechanism for cleaning the tape as it retracts into its housing. The wipe mechanism contains a top wipe and a bottom wipe for removing debris from the top and bottom surfaces of the tape, respectively, when it is retracted after use.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Mucktape, LLCInventor: Joseph P. Zelenack, Jr.
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Patent number: 9846022Abstract: An alignment device for a wafer in an industrial process assembly includes an inner surface shaped to conform to an outer surface of a wafer, an outer surface comprising at least two cams; and two ends connecting the inner surface to the outer surface. The two ends are positioned such that when the alignment device is positioned on the outer surface of the wafer, the alignment device extends more than one hundred eighty degrees around the wafer.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Dieterich Standard, Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel Kirk Kenyon, Bryce Arthur Bingham, John Henry Stehle
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Patent number: 9846023Abstract: A method for monitoring position of and controlling a second nanosatellite (NS) relative to a position of a first NS. Each of the first and second NSs has a rectangular or cubical configuration of independently activatable, current-carrying solenoids, each solenoid having an independent magnetic dipole moment vector, ?1 and ?2. A vector force F and a vector torque are expressed as linear or bilinear combinations of the first set and second set of magnetic moments, and a distance vector extending between the first and second NSs is estimated. Control equations are applied to estimate vectors, ?1 and ?2, required to move the NSs toward a desired NS configuration. This extends to control of N nanosatellites.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASAInventor: Donald I. Soloway
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Patent number: 9846024Abstract: An electric-field sensor is provided that includes a voltage-controlled capacitor and generator circuitry. The voltage-controlled capacitor is influenceable by an electric field created by a target located a distance from the solid-state electric-field sensor. The generator circuitry is configured to generate a modulated voltage for driving the voltage-controlled capacitor to produce a modulated capacitance as the voltage-controlled capacitor is influenced by the electric field to enable measurement of the electric field. In this regard, the voltage-controlled capacitor and generator circuitry are configured such that, in operation, an electric field of the target causes a change in the modulated capacitance and a current flow through the voltage-controlled capacitor. An electric potential of the target, then, is measurable as a function of the change in magnitude of the current flow through the voltage-controlled capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: The University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventor: Maciej Artur Noras
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Patent number: 9846025Abstract: A track data determination system including: a video camera device positioned on a vehicle to capture video data in at least one field-of-view; a geographic positioning unit associated with the vehicle to generate position data and time data; a recording device to store at least one of the following: at least a portion of the video data, at least a portion of the position data, at least a portion of the time data, or any combination thereof; and a controller to: (i) receive the video data, the position data, and/or the time data; and (ii) determine track data based at least in part upon the video data, the position data, and/or the time data. A computer-implemented track data determination method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.Inventors: Michael Charles Kirchner, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Chad E. Diefenderfer, Matthew T. Wall
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Patent number: 9846026Abstract: A light-emitting table suitable for use in metrology includes a plurality of light sources and a field to be illuminated. Light-emitting centers of the light sources represent starting points of light source axes which perpendicularly intersect the field to be illuminated. The light-emitting centers of the light sources on one side and the field to be illuminated on the other side delimit an intermediate space in the interior of the light-emitting table. Located between the light source axes within the intermediate space are curved and mirrored surfaces, the focal points or caustics (K) of which are located within the intermediate space between the curved and mirrored surfaces and the field to be illuminated. A coordinate measuring machine for capturing the coordinates of a workpiece includes at least one optical sensor and a light-emitting table for illuminating the workpiece during measurement of the coordinates of the workpiece using the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbHInventor: Nils Haverkamp
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Patent number: 9846027Abstract: A measuring apparatus, method and program with which a distance between two points that are not within one photographing range can be easily measured is provided. According to an embodiment, a representative point is set in an image in which a start point is set, and the coordinates, of the points and characteristic quantity of a neighborhood image is stored. Hereafter in each image until an end point is set, a representative point of the most recent image is searched, the coordinates thereof are stored, a new representative point is set, the coordinates thereof and the characteristic quantity of the neighborhood image are stored, and the coordinates of the end point are stored. A vector between the respective two points connecting the start point, representative points and the end point in the sequence of setting is calculated, and the distance between the start point and the end point is calculated.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Isao Kimura, Atsushi Takeuchi
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Patent number: 9846028Abstract: A film thickness measurement device 1A includes a light emission unit 10 for emitting light onto a measurement object 100, a light detection unit 20A for detecting the wavelength-dependent intensity of reflected light, and a film thickness calculation unit 30A for determining the film thickness of a first film 102 by comparing measured spectral reflectance obtained based on the detection result in the light detection unit 20A with theoretical spectral reflectance that takes into account front surface reflectance, front surface transmissivity, and back surface reflectance. The film thickness calculation unit 30A compares the measured spectral reflectance with a plurality of values of the theoretical spectral reflectance obtained by changing the front surface reflectance value, the front surface transmissivity value, and the back surface reflectance value, and determines the film thickness of the first film 102 based on the theoretical spectral reflectance closest to the measured spectral reflectance.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.Inventors: Kenichi Ohtsuka, Tetsuhisa Nakano
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Patent number: 9846029Abstract: The invention relates to a laser system (100) comprising a laser receiver (10) and a laser emitter (20) and to a method using this system (100). The laser receiver is designed for locating a laser beam (22) relative to the laser receiver (10) by its laser light photo sensor (1). The laser receiver (10) has an acceleration sensor (4) providing a signal indicating a movement of the laser receiver together with a movement direction and an acceleration of this movement and a circuitry (3) connected to said photo sensor (1) and to the acceleration sensor (4) designed to compute and correlate the signals of photo sensor (1) and acceleration sensor (4) and to weight the information derived from the acceleration sensor (4). Laser receiver and laser emitter of the laser system are both provided with communication means, so that by communicating the weighted information the laser plane can be adjusted and/or re-adjusted in response to a movement of the leaser receiver.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AGInventors: Charles Leopold Elisabeth Dumoulin, Anton Kehl
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Patent number: 9846030Abstract: An optical method of measurement and an optical apparatus for determining the spatial position of at least one luminous object on a sample. A sequence of at least two compact luminous distributions of different topological families is projected onto the sample, and light re-emitted by the luminous object is detected. At least one optical image is generated for each luminous distribution on the basis of the light detected. The optical images are analyzed to obtain spatiotemporal information regarding the light re-emitted by the luminous object, or location of the luminous object.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Bioaxial SASInventor: Gabriel Y. Sirat
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Patent number: 9846031Abstract: A method for testing a vehicle underbody of a motor vehicle includes: recording at least one image of at least one region of the vehicle underbody of the motor vehicle using a camera device; producing a three-dimensional depth image with the aid of the at least one recorded image of the at least one region of the vehicle underbody of the motor vehicle; and testing the at least one region of the vehicle underbody of the motor vehicle with the aid of the produced three-dimensional depth image of the vehicle underbody using optical image recognition.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Guenter Nobis, Volker Uffenkamp, Masato Takami
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Patent number: 9846032Abstract: Systems, methods, for three-dimensional (“3D”) and computer-readable media fluid scanning are provided. According to some embodiments, there is provided a method that may include adding a first predetermined amount of fluid into a container, measuring a first fluid height in the container after the adding the first predetermined amount of fluid, adding a second predetermined amount of fluid into the container when the first predetermined amount of fluid is in the container, measuring a second fluid height in the container after the adding the second predetermined amount of fluid, emptying the fluid from the container.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2012Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Inventor: John William Ladd
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Patent number: 9846033Abstract: A laser level including a laser level body for projecting a laser beam, the laser level body including an adjustable stand having a left frame and a right frame independently manually displaceable between a fully closed frame position for storage purposes and a fully opened frame position for raising the laser level body to a maximum height above a horizontal reference surface. The adjustable stand enables the laser level body to be selectively inclined with respect to the horizontal reference surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: KAPRO INDUSTRIES LTD.Inventors: Yossi Palatshe, Rafi Ben Josef
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Patent number: 9846034Abstract: A device and method for projecting visible level laser lines onto a work surface and measuring distances along the level laser lines. The device includes a self-leveling laser housing that allows the lasers to level when activated. The device also includes separate distance measuring lasers and a handheld display used to measure distances from the center of the device.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Sure Hang, LLCInventor: Jayson Hill
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Patent number: 9846035Abstract: A geodatic surveying device which is equipped with an automatic target point sighting functionality for determining the position of a target point. A reticle pattern that corresponds to the outer shape of the known reticle is stored, wherein a main point of the reticle pattern is predefined as indicating the target point. In order to carry out an automatic target point sighting functionality, the evaluation means are designed such that, after the function start, a camera image of the reticle is automatically recorded, the reticle pattern is aligned with the reticle in the camera image by means of image processing and, depending on a position of the main point in the camera image in the matched state of the reticle pattern, the orientation of the sighting apparatus is changed in a motorized manner such that the optical target axis OA is oriented with high precision at the target point.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2011Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventors: Norbert Kotzur, Bernhard Metzler
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Patent number: 9846036Abstract: There is provided an angular velocity sensor including first and second mass bodies provided within a first frame, a first flexible connector system connecting the first and second mass bodies and the first frame and that includes at least one sensor to detect displacements of the first and second mass bodies, a second flexible connector system connecting the first frame to a second frame provided separate from the first frame and that includes a driver to drive movement of the first frame relative to the second frame, so angular velocities can be measured based on the first and second mass bodies being enabled to rotate in a first axis direction and translated in a second axis direction, and based on the first frame being flexibly connected to the second frame so that a rotation displacement of the first frame is made in a third axis direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jong Woon Kim, Won Han, Jong Hyeong Song
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Patent number: 9846037Abstract: A closed-loop microelectromechanical gyroscope with a self-test function. At least one test input signal is generated from a signal of the vibrational primary motion and input during operation of the microelectromechanical gyroscope to the sense circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Lasse Aaltonen
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Patent number: 9846038Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for an apparatus and method for providing navigation data. In one implementation, a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of computer-executable instructions. When the plurality of computer-executable instructions are executed by a computer, the plurality of executable instructions causes the computer to receive a user selection of a plurality of points of navigation data and receive a user selection of a geographical region. The computer can select at least a portion of the plurality of the points of the navigation data that are in the geographical region.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: NAVICO HOLDING ASInventors: Stephen Thomas, Tracy Brown, Jr.
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Patent number: 9846039Abstract: A method of computing an aircraft trajectory, between a departure point and an arrival point, comprises: loading the departure point and a departure angle; determining two waypoints; loading the arrival point and an arrival angle; determining two departure circles of respectively left and right type, which are tangent to the oriented departure straight line respectively on the left and on the right, and passing respectively through the waypoint of left type and through waypoint of right type; determining two arrival circles of respectively left and right type which are tangent to the oriented arrival straight line respectively on its left and on its right and passing through the arrival point; determining a plurality of continuous geometric lateral trajectories comprising an initial portion comprising a portion of a departure circle, a final portion equal to a portion of an arrival circle, and an intermediate portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: ThalesInventors: Vincent Savarit, Emmanuel Dewas, Yohann Combes
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Patent number: 9846040Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the orientation of an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The method calculates a gyroscopic quaternion, and when the IMU accelerometer reading is about equal to gravity (1 G), a field quaternion is calculated using IMU accelerometer readings. Estimates are made of angular orientation errors due to IMU angular velocity and linear acceleration, and these angular orientation errors are used to selectively mix the gyroscopic quaternion and field quaternion to supply a current sample quaternion. Alternatively, if the accelerometer reading is not about equal to 1 G, the gyroscopic quaternion is used as the current sample quaternion. In one aspect, IMU gyroscope readings and IMU accelerometer readings are calibrated in response to determining a lack of IMU movement. Near-zero gyroscope reading jitter is removed by setting the IMU gyroscopic reading to zero, when the gyroscopic reading is near zero.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.Inventor: Bryan Hallberg
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Patent number: 9846041Abstract: A mobile device providing time regulated navigational guidance for travel to a flight gate in an airport terminal, based on the time for boarding the flight, the preferences of the traveler, estimated transit times on various segments of a route to the gate from a starting point of the travel (or the current location of the mobile device) involving different transportation modalities, and wait times at various queues in the airport. Notifications and/or reminders are provided according to the time estimates to guide the travel for timely travel to the gate and optionally recommend points of interest on the way to the gate within the time constraint.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: OneMarket Network LLCInventor: Dana Lu Silverstein
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Patent number: 9846042Abstract: An indoor localization system uses Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (VSLAM) aided by gyroscope sensor information. Indoor environments pose several challenges which could cause a vision only system to fail due to tracking errors. Investigation revealed significant feature loss in a vision only system when traversing plain walls, windows and staircases. However, the addition of a gyroscope helps in handling such difficult conditions by providing additional rotational information. A portable system consisting of an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and a stereo camera has been developed for indoor mapping. The images and gyroscope rates acquired by the system are stored and post-processed using Gyroscope Assisted Scalable Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping Algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic InstituteInventors: Benzun Wisely Babu, David Cyganski, R. James Duckworth
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Patent number: 9846043Abstract: A map creation apparatus includes an image receiver configured to receive images in time series while moving; a first calculator configured to extract an image area indicating an object from the images and calculate a coordinate of the object in a world coordinate system; a second calculator configured to track the object in the extracted image area with the images and calculate an optical flow of the object; an eliminator configured to calculate a difference in coordinate between vanishing points generated by the movement of the image receiver and the object based on the optical flow, and eliminate the image area of the object from the images when determining the object as a moving object based on the calculated difference; and a storage controller configured to store map information including the coordinate of the object, not eliminated by the moving object eliminator, in the world coordinate system.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Satoshi Aoki, Tamon Sadasue, Yasuhiro Kajiwara, Kazuhiro Takazawa, Kazufumi Matsushita, Yasuko Hashimoto, Yasuko Shirataka
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Patent number: 9846044Abstract: A travel information recording system for associating travel information on a vehicle obtained immediately after travel through a branch location with an appropriate road segment includes: travel segment specifying unit for specifying a travel segment that is a road segment in which a vehicle is traveling; and travel information recorder for recording travel information on the vehicle obtained during travel in the travel segment in association with the travel segment in a storage medium. In the case where there occurs a segment variation in which the travel segment is varied from one of several road segments branched off from a branch location, the travel information recorder acquires the travel information to be recorded in association with a post-variation segment, which is the travel segment after the segment variation, on the basis of the travel information obtained before the segment variation.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignees: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenta Sanami, Satoshi Hirano, Takayuki Miyajima, Tomoki Kodan, Kuniaki Tanaka
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Patent number: 9846045Abstract: A method, system, and device for naming a location at which a user is present with a mobile communication device, including retrieving general information relating to the location, the general information managed by or for an entity other than the user; comparing the retrieved general information relating the location to user-specific information managed by or for the user; identifying at least one atemporal correlation between the retrieved general information and the user-specific information; generating a plurality of names for the location based on the atemporal correlation between the retrieved general information and the user-specific information providing the plurality of names for the location for selection; and storing the name selected for the location from the plurality of names.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: SCENERA MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Munindar P. Singh, Mona Singh
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Patent number: 9846046Abstract: A vehicle based computing system processor is operable to receive the coordinates from a GPS and transmit the coordinates to a remote network. The processor is operable to receive map data pertaining to a route to be traveled by the vehicle, including a recommended starting road. The processor is able to audibly announce the recommended starting road name on which the vehicle is not presently traveling and to determine if the vehicle has reached that road. The processor is operable to output at least initial instructions for the route to be traveled.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Schunder, Joseph J. Berry, Mark Scalf
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Patent number: 9846047Abstract: A method, apparatus and non-transitory computer readable storage medium, in one embodiment, associating at least one wireless device and at least one user, requesting audio information from at least one remote source by the at least one wireless device, receiving the audio information from the remote source, broadcasting an audio identifier to the at least one wireless device, using the audio information, authenticating the association between the at least one wireless device and at least one transport, based on the audio information, determining at least one characteristic of the at least one user based on at least one of at least one user search history and at least one user preference selection and determining at least one probable route of the at least one transport based on the at least one characteristic and at least one of at least one route history and at least one input destination.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Open Invention Network LLCInventor: David Gerard Ledet
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Patent number: 9846048Abstract: There is provided a route guidance apparatus including a route search unit which searches for at least one route, to a predetermined destination, which is to be traveled by an electric vehicle propelled by electric power stored in a secondary battery provided within the vehicle, and a power consumption calculation unit which calculates power consumption of the electric vehicle when a route to a destination, which was searched for by the route search unit, is traveled by the electric vehicle, based on information on electric power to be consumed when the electric vehicle travels and geographical information relating to the route.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Yoshihito Ishibashi
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Patent number: 9846049Abstract: Driving history of a user with regard to a particular road intersection can be collected and retained in storage. A Markov model can be used to predict likelihood of the user making a particular decision regarding the intersection. A highest likelihood decision can be identified and used to create a travel route. In addition, contextual information can be taken into account when creating the route, such as time of day, road conditions, user situation, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2008Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventor: John Charles Krumm
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Patent number: 9846050Abstract: A method for providing path attributes to controllers in a vehicle includes determining a location of a vehicle and a future driving path for the vehicle. The method includes determining, based on a drive history for the vehicle or a driver of the vehicle, drive history path attributes for the future driving path. The method also includes providing the drive history path attributes to a plurality of controllers via a controller bus, wherein the drive history path attributes are provided to the plurality of controllers using a common protocol.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Scott Vincent Myers, Shane Elwart, David A Herman
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Patent number: 9846051Abstract: A navigation system for a motor vehicle includes: an off-board navigation system spatially separated from the motor vehicle, for calculating a suggested route for the motor vehicle; a wireless communication connection between the off-board navigation system and the motor vehicle, for transmitting the suggested route to the motor vehicle; and a man-machine interface arranged in the motor vehicle, for outputting the suggested route to an operator of the motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2013Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AGInventors: Arne Stoschek, Brian Ng, Philippe Alessandrini, Daniel Rosario
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Patent number: 9846052Abstract: A method of creating an electronic travel route includes providing a user interface that includes electronic geographic maps. Routes created by users using the user interface are stored. The routes include mapped electronic routes along which the users have traveled. The method includes receiving geographic information and a request from a requester to create a new route. A set of the routes created are provided to the requester based on the geographic information. Selections of portions of the set of the routes are accepted to create the new route. Based on the new route, a processor of a computer is used to create a set of geographic markers and instructions for traversing the new route. The new route and instructions for traversing the new route are provided based on a search.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: BLACKRIVER SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: Eric Lynn
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Patent number: 9846053Abstract: A method of creating map data for enhancing a digital map having a plurality of navigable segments representing a network of navigable segments by applying point locations to the map which correspond to individual events on the network; generating a heat map representing the concentrations of events according to a selected distribution function; applying a threshold calculation to the heat map to identify one or more zones, on the network having a high concentration of events; and associating the or each zone with at least one segment in the digital map.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: TOMTOM TRAFFIC B.V.Inventors: Gunnar Schmidt, Antoine Carl van der Laan
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Patent number: 9846054Abstract: A system comprises a plurality of sensors, a sensor processor, and a sampling rate engine. The sensor processor is coupled to an output of each sensor of the plurality of sensors. The sensor processor estimates user dynamics in response to a first output signal of a first sensor of the plurality of sensors. The sampling rate engine is coupled to an output of the sensor processor./ The sampling rate engine determines a sampling rate value of a second sensor of the plurality of sensors in response to a user dynamics value from the sensor processor. The second sensor comprises a selectable sampling rate. The selectable sampling rate is configured in response to the sampling rate value determined by the sampling rate engine.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Deric Wayne Waters, Jayawardan Janardhanan, Saket Thukral
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Patent number: 9846055Abstract: A vibratory gyroscope system is described which utilizes a mechanical resonator having a first mode of vibration and an associated first natural frequency, and a second mode of vibration having an associated second natural frequency. The angular rate of motion input couples energy between the first and second modes of vibration. The gyroscope has driver circuits, sensors and actuators for the first and second modes. The invention utilizes a bias error shifting method which provides for shifting the bias error away from DC to a higher frequency, where it can be removed by low pass filtering. As a result of the inventive method, gyroscope systems can be produced with significantly lower bias error.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Bernhard E. Boser, Mitchell H. Kline, Igor Izyumin, Yu-Ching Yeh, Burak Eminoglu
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Patent number: 9846056Abstract: A metering system for metering consumption of a commodity. The metering system includes a meter socket, a meter, and a controller. The meter socket has a tag with identification information. The meter includes a sensor configured to read the identification information from the tag of the meter socket and provide a signal indicative of the identification information from the tag. The controller includes a memory and a processor and is configured to record energy consumption data from the meter. The processor is configured to receive the signal indicative of the identification information of the tag and associate the energy consumption data with the identification information of the tag. The processor is further configured to store the energy consumption data associated with the identification information of the tag in the memory.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Vlad Pambucol, John Richard Holt, Konstantin Labastov, David Cooper, Scott Holdsclaw