Patents Issued in December 19, 2017
  • Patent number: 9846208
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for acquiring a magnetic resonance image data set of a scan area of an examination subject, the image data are acquired with a magnetic resonance apparatus having a transmitter coil that emits a radio-frequency signal having at least two transmission channels so that different polarizations of the radio-frequency signal are produced, and a magnetic resonance sequence is used to acquire raw data for the magnetic resonance image data set, wherein raw data are acquired during at least two scanning operations with the magnetic resonance sequence, with different polarizations of the radio-frequency signals being used for at least two of the at least two scanning operations, following which the magnetic resonance image data set is determined by averaging the raw data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Hebrank, Wilhelm Horger, Michael Koehler
  • Patent number: 9846209
    Abstract: A homogenization device for homogenization of a magnetic field with an non-magnetic carrier and compensation elements formed of a magnetic material, the carrier having a carrier wall and the carrier wall surrounding a carrier interior, in the homogenization device located in the magnetic field the magnetic field penetrating into the carrier interior through a first carrier region of the carrier wall and emerging from the carrier interior through a second carrier region of the carrier wall and each of the compensation elements which are located on the carrier contributing to the homogenization of the magnetic field at least in the carrier interior. In the homogenization device, handling during homogenization is improved in that there are recesses in the carrier wall and in each of the recesses at least one of the compensation elements can be directly inserted and removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventors: Ariël de Graaf, Henry van der Linden, Jan Teunis Aart Pors, Jan-Willem Ramondt
  • Patent number: 9846210
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus corrects higher order B0 magnetic field inhomogeneities in the examination volume of an MR device. Currents through two or more coil sections (X1, X2) of at least one of a plurality of gradient coils (4) are independently controlled in such a manner that higher order field inhomogeneities of the main magnetic field B0 are compensated for by the magnetic field of the at least one gradient coil (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis Leonardus Gerardus Ham
  • Patent number: 9846211
    Abstract: In a structural analysis using NMR techniques, a method for gathering k-value data from frequency encoded spin echoes generated from internal volumes selectively excited by intersecting 90° and 180° slice selective and refocusing RF pulses and subjected to a read gradient for the purpose of quantifying the spatial frequency content of the selected internal volume without contamination by a FID signal, comprising: acquiring spin echo data such that the FID signal generated by imperfections in the 180° slice selective refocusing RF pulse is attenuated by the read gradient such that any remaining FID signal is spatially encoded with higher k-values than the frequency encoded k-values being recorded for subsequent structural analysis while simultaneously providing for t2 t2* and t1 contrast. Other aspects of the invention are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Osteotronix Medical PTE Limited
    Inventors: Timothy W. James, Lance W. Farr, James Rafferty, David Chase
  • Patent number: 9846212
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging, in order to improve saturation of magnetic resonance signals during an acquisition sequence, the acquisition sequence includes at least one acquisition cycle, that includes: a preparation pulse set with a number of preparation pulses, a saturation pulse set that is disjoint from the preparation pulse set, with a number of saturation pulses, and a readout block set with a number of readout blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dominik Paul, Benjamin Schmitt
  • Patent number: 9846213
    Abstract: In a method according to optimize the noise development of a 3D gradient echo sequence in a magnetic resonance system, an optimization of at least one parameter of the gradient echo sequence, from the group including: the excitation pulse (the duration of the excitation pulse); the order of k-space lines to be scanned in k-space; and the readout direction of the k-space lines to be scanned in k-space, is implemented such that the gradients to be switched have optimally minimal slew rates, amplitudes and/or polarity changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: David Grodzki, Vladimir Jellus
  • Patent number: 9846214
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems and methods to effect improved MR image reconstruction for undersampled data acquisitions are described. The improved MR image reconstruction is performed by iteratively using compressed sensing to reconstruct an MR image based upon at least one sensitivity map by minimizing a predetermined function which is based upon the MR image and coefficients of the at least one sensitivity map, and updating the at least one sensitivity map by minimizing the predetermined function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yihang Zhou, Aiming Lu, Mitsue Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 9846215
    Abstract: To avoid discontinuities between echoes from becoming large level differences in a k-space and to reduce artifacts generated in a reconstructed image due to the discontinuities in the k-space, an MRI apparatus of the present invention uses phase characteristics of multiple echoes to be collected after a single RF excitation to control an arrangement order in the k-space where the multiple echoes are arranged when a pulse sequence of the fast spin echo method that collects the multiple echoes using a spin flip after a single RF excitation is executed. The arrangement is controlled so that echoes with small phase errors between the echoes at least near the center of the k-space are adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Munesato Hamada, Shouichi Miyawaki
  • Patent number: 9846216
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes a data acquiring unit and processing circuitry. The data acquiring unit acquires MR signals for imaging according to data acquiring conditions for acquiring MR signals multiple times following one excitation. The data acquiring unit also acquires reference MR signals for phase correction of real space data for imaging. The real space data are generated based on the MR signals for imaging. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a phase error, in a real space region, of reference real space data and generate MR image data based on the MR signals for imaging with the phase correction of the real space data for imaging based on the calculated phase error. The reference real space data are generated based on the reference MR signals. The real space region is determined based on conditions of acquiring the reference MR signals or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshinari Morita, Hiroshi Takai, Yoshiteru Watanabe, Takashi Shigeta
  • Patent number: 9846217
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance scanner (10) includes a main magnet (12), gradient coils (14) and a gradient coil controller (28), one or more RF coils (16,50), an RF transmitter (30), an RF receiver (34), and one or more processors (38). The main magnet (12) generates a B0 field. The gradient coils (14) and a gradient coil controller (28) generate gradients across the Bo field. The one or more RF coils (16,50) transmit B1 pulses and receive magnetic resonance signals. The RF transmitter (30) transmits B1 pulses to the RF coils to excite and manipulate resonance. The RF receiver (34) demodulates received resonance signals into data lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 9846218
    Abstract: A position and orientation system and method is provided. A magnetoresistance sensor is provided having a sensor array configured to measure magnetic fields and a metallic coil positioned within the magnetoresistance sensor. In certain embodiments, the magnetic coil may be used to generate a known magnetic field that, when measured by the sensor array, may be used to determine or update a calibration constant for the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Hullinger Huber, Bahman E. Kashef, Kaustubh Ravindra Nagarkar
  • Patent number: 9846219
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method for tracking a solar generator having a plurality of solar modules to the sun, wherein at least one electric output quantity of part of the solar module of the solar generator is detected and a tracker, on which the solar generator is mounted, is controlled such that the detected electric output quantity has a predetermined value. Further, a control for a solar plant and a solar plant having such a control are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEW ANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Bruno Burger, Olivier Stalter
  • Patent number: 9846220
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining locations of wireless sensor nodes in a network architecture having mesh-based features are disclosed herein. In one example, a computer-implemented method for localization of nodes in a wireless network includes causing, with processing logic of a hub, the wireless network having nodes to be configured as a first network architecture for a first time period for localization. The method further includes determining, with the processing logic of the hub, localization of at least two nodes using at least one of frequency channel overlapping communications, frequency channel stepping communications, multi-channel wide band communications, and ultra-wide band communications for at least one of time of flight and signal strength techniques. The method further includes causing the wireless network to be configured in a second network architecture having narrow-band communications upon completion of localization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Locix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lingkai Kong, Teymur Bakhishev, Tommi Ylamurto, Vivek Subramanian, Manu Seth
  • Patent number: 9846221
    Abstract: A method of passive location of radar transmitters implemented by at least two ESM stations, the radars having a quasi-constant scanning speed in the course of the transit over the set comprising at least two ESM stations, each of the ESM stations being able to intercept the transmission lobes of radar transmitters and to estimate their lobe transit times (LTT) and at least one station being able to estimate the angle of arrival ? of the transmission lobes, the location of the radar transmitters being performed by testing the intersection between an iso-LTTD curve passing through at least the two ESM stations and a sighting straight line passing through the ESM station having measured the angle of arrival and of azimuth equal to the measured angle of arrival ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Jean-François Grandin, Laurent Ratton, Raphaël Sperling
  • Patent number: 9846222
    Abstract: An example of a lighting device including a light source, a modulator and a processor. The processor is configured to control the light source to emit light for general illumination and control the modulator to modulate the intensity of the emitted light to superimpose at least two sinusoids. Frequencies of the at least two sinusoids enable a mobile device to infer the physical location of the lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Ryan, Kelby Edward Green, Emanuel Paul Malandrakis, Konstantin Klitenik
  • Patent number: 9846223
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods efficiently calculate optimal flight paths for protected entities given terrain data, aircraft position, flight characteristics, and positions of known threat emitters. The systems and methods execute within the mission planning timeline, and the developed processes allow users to retrieve data from the calculations to effectively place an electronic attack platform at the right place and at the right time to be effective. The calculated optimal flight paths are displayed or otherwise visualized in the mission space. Electronic attack jamming capabilities are combined with projected threat emitter performance information in order to obtain optimal geometrical positioning of the electronic attack relative to the threat emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: CHESAPEAKE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dustan Christopher Hellwig, Matthew Gene Goldsbury, Thomas Marshall Tucker
  • Patent number: 9846224
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound imaging method for imaging a part (1), characterized by the implementation of the following steps: selecting a first sub-region ({tilde over (Z)}) of the part from a first image (IA(Z)) of a region (Z) of the part (1), determining, for each point of the first selected sub-region ({tilde over (Z)}), the times of flight (TijA({tilde over (Z)})) corresponding to the paths according to a first reconstruction mode (A) going through the point from a transmitter i to a receiver j for a set of M*N transmitter-receiver couples of an ultrasound signal; determining a second sub-region of the part, a point (P) of the region belonging to the second sub-region when a time of flight (TijB(P)) of the path according to a second reconstruction mode (B) going through the point (P) from a transmitter i to a receiver j of said set of M*N transmitter-receiver couples coincides with a time of flight (TA({tilde over (Z)})) of a path according to the first reconstruction mode from a transmitt
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventors: Philippe Bredif, Ekaterina Iakovleva, Sylvain Chatillon
  • Patent number: 9846225
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising an ultrasonic sensor (2), which has a membrane (5) for emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic waves, and comprising a stiffening unit (15) for attachment to a trim element (27) of the motor vehicle and for stiffening the trim element (27), wherein the stiffening unit (15) has a through-opening (17) for the membrane (5) of the ultrasonic sensor (2), wherein the stiffening unit (15) is formed from at least two separate stiffening elements (18 to 21) for attachment to a trim element (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignees: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH, Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans- Wilhelm Wehling, Joerg Weyland, Natalie Weber
  • Patent number: 9846226
    Abstract: A motion detection device is provided. The motion detection device includes a first antenna, a voltage-controlled oscillator, a phase detector and a signal processing unit. The first antenna receives a first signal generated by a second signal reflected by a target object, so as to output the first signal to the phase detector or the voltage-controlled oscillator. The voltage-controlled oscillator receives first signal or the second signal and receives a frequency adjustment signal, so as to generate an oscillating signal according to the frequency adjustment signal and the one of the first signal and the second signal. The phase detector receives the oscillating signal and another one of the first signal and the second signal, and generates a first phase output signal and a second phase output signal. The signal processing unit estimates motion parameters of the target object according to the first and the second phase output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: National Sun Yat-sen University
    Inventors: Tzyy-Sheng Horng, Fu-Kang Wang, Yen-Chen Chiu
  • Patent number: 9846227
    Abstract: Embodiments of surveillance systems for detecting the presence of unallowed objects in a predetermined restricted space are disclosed. In some embodiments, a surveillance system detects the presence of unallowed objects in a restricted space including a radar having a data output and further having an electromagnetic wave transmitter having at least two output antennas commutated to the transmitter output by means of transmitter switch, an electromagnetic wave receiver having an output and at least two input antennas commutated to the receiver input by means of receiver switch, a control unit operating said transmitter and receiver switches to select a pair of one input antenna and one output antenna at any given time, a video camera adapted to take successive image frames of the restricted space, a signal processor having a radar data input, a camera data input and output, and a storing device connected to the signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventor: Kirill Mostov
  • Patent number: 9846228
    Abstract: A radar system processes signals in a flexible, adaptive manner to determine range, Doppler (velocity) and angle of objects in an environment. The radar system processes the received signal to achieve different objectives depending on the environment, the current information stored in the radar system, and/or external information provided to the radar system. The system allows improved resolution of range, Doppler and/or angle depending on the desired objective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: UHNDER, INC.
    Inventors: Curtis Davis, Monier Maher, Jean P. Bordes, Manju Hegde, Otto A. Schmid, Raghunath K. Rao, Marius Goldenberg, Aria Eshraghi, Vito Giannini, David S. Trager, Nikhilesh Bhagat, Srikanth Gollapudi, Sundar Govindarajan, Steve Borho, Jonathan Preussner, Paul W. Dent, Paul Bassett, Stephen W. Alland, Fred Harris, Wayne E. Stark, Murtaza Ali
  • Patent number: 9846229
    Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to utilizing direction of arrival (DOA) data to determine various flight parameters for an aircraft A plurality of radar images (e.g., SAR images) can be analyzed to identify a plurality of pixels in the radar images relating to one or more ground targets. In an embodiment, the plurality of pixels can be selected based upon the pixels exceeding a SNR threshold. The DOA data in conjunction with a measurable Doppler frequency for each pixel can be obtained. Multi-aperture technology enables derivation of an independent measure of DOA to each pixel based on interferometric analysis. This independent measure of DOA enables decoupling of the aircraft velocity from the DOA in a range-Doppler map, thereby enabling determination of a radar velocity. The determined aircraft velocity can be utilized to update an onboard INS, and to keep it aligned, without the need for additional velocity-measuring instrumentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: National Technologies & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Armin W. Doerry, Douglas L. Bickel, Richard M. Naething, Volker Horndt
  • Patent number: 9846230
    Abstract: A hazard warning or weather radar system or method can be utilized to determine a location of ice. The system and method can be used in an aircraft. The aircraft weather radar system can include a radar antenna and an electronic processor. The radar antenna receives radar returns. The processor determines levels of icing conditions and causes the levels to be displayed on an electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Finley, Kevin M. Kronfeld, Gregory J. Koenigs, Roy E. Robertson
  • Patent number: 9846231
    Abstract: A device for detecting obstacles that is wearable by a subject, for example integrated in an item of footwear. The device includes an ultrasound source for emitting an ultrasound transmission signal and an ultrasound receiver for receiving a corresponding ultrasound signal reflected by an obstacle, a control module for measuring a time of flight between emission of the ultrasound transmission signal and reception of the corresponding ultrasound signal reflected by the obstacle and calculating, on the basis of the aforesaid time of flight, the distance at which the obstacle is located. The device comprises an inertial sensor, in particular an acceleration sensor, designed to measure acceleration of the foot along three axes, and a control module configured for enabling operation of the ultrasound source if the aforesaid acceleration values measured by the inertial sensor respect a given condition for enabling measurement of the time of flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Francesco D'Angelo, Stefano Corona
  • Patent number: 9846232
    Abstract: Use of sonar systems to collect dimensional and relational data for use in metrology, mapping, object and structure detection, survey and evaluation applications is disclosed. Systems and methods for collecting underwater data sets, using registration targets, for data registration of underwater acoustic data sets, as well as for data registration of underwater acoustic data sets with above-the-waterline data sets (e.g., laser-based data sets) are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Teledyne Reson A/S
    Inventors: Roger Lee Thompson, Jason Leonard Seawall, Scott Thomas Bachelor, Nicholas Lesnikowski
  • Patent number: 9846233
    Abstract: A home robot and control method thereof; the home robot comprises: a casing (100); a plurality of ultrasonic transmitters (200) and a plurality of ultrasonic receivers (300) provided on the casing (100) arranged at intervals; and a controller (400) connected to the plurality of ultrasonic transmitters (200) and the plurality of ultrasonic receivers (300) respectively, the controller (400) being used to control the plurality of ultrasonic transmitters (200) to transmit first ultrasonic wave signals according to a preset period and to detect a front obstacle according to signals received by the plurality of ultrasonic receivers (300). The home robot can detect the direction of an obstacle, and is not affected by a material of the obstacle, thus enabling the home robot to perform an avoidance method according to the detected direction of the obstacle, avoiding a collision between the home robot and the obstacle, increasing a cleaning coverage rate and improving a user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: JIANGSU MIDEA CLEANING APPLIANCES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qinghao Yu, Yuan Chen, Qiang Shen
  • Patent number: 9846234
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of configuring a laser scanner, as well as to a configuration object for the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Matthias Mezger, Thomas Schopp, Stefan Ruck, Christian Hulm
  • Patent number: 9846235
    Abstract: There are provided methods and systems for producing a wave-beam having substantially constant lateral extent over a desired range of distances, and interrogation and response system and methods utilizing the same. The method for producing a wave-beam having substantially constant lateral extent includes generating a plurality of at least partially incoherent constituent wave-beams having different divergences and directing the plurality constituent wave-beams to propagate along substantially parallel propagation axes such that the constituent wave-beams at least partially overlap and superpose to form a combined wave-beam. The divergences and intensities of the constituent wave-beams are selected such that the combined wave-beam has a desired substantially constant extent over a desired range of distances along said propagation axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Abraham Aharoni, David Lou Alon, Aharon Yifrach
  • Patent number: 9846236
    Abstract: An optical scanner is provided including a light source configured to emit light, a light source driving device configured to drive the light source, a light deflector having at least one rotating reflection plane and configured to deflect the light emitted from the light source to a scanning area, and a light detector configured to output a signal to control a timing at which scanning of the scanning area by the light deflected by the light deflector starts, where the light detector and the scanning area are sequentially scanned in a single scanning by one reflection plane of the light deflector, and the light source driving device drives the light source using a first driving method when the light scans the light detector, and drives the light source using a second driving method that is different from the first driving method when the light scans the scanning area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeaki Imai, Masataka Uehira, Kohji Sakai, Tadashi Nakamura, Yukio Itami
  • Patent number: 9846237
    Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of time preservation. For example, an apparatus may include a time controller to preserve a time of a clock of a mobile device based on signals received by the mobile device from less than four location origin transmitters, the time controller is to determine the time based on a position of a location origin transmitter of the less than four location origin transmitters and one or more parameters relating to a transmission path between the location origin transmitter and the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yaron Alpert, Gil Zukerman
  • Patent number: 9846238
    Abstract: Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems and machine readable mediums to efficiently stream data across restricted networks. In some examples, this streamed data may be sent more efficiently using lower overhead protocols such as UDP. In order to bypass the aforementioned limitations on these lower overhead protocols, the client may send a periodic update message to the server. This update message maintains the openings in the network firewalls and updates the server on the client's status. This update message may be sent much less frequently than a typical TCP acknowledgement, and the lower overhead protocol may be a protocol that does not retransmit lost or corrupted packets—thereby eliminating unnecessary overhead. In some examples this streamed data may be GNSS correction data. In some examples, the client may be behind one or more network firewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Roger Tibout, Clinton Howard Mundt
  • Patent number: 9846239
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for calculating a pseudo-range and position in a global navigation satellite system receiver. A first pseudo-range of a satellite is calculated for position determination of the global navigation satellite system receiver. A second pseudo-range of the satellite is calculated for position correction of the global navigation satellite system receiver. A differential operation is performed using the first pseudo-range and the second pseudo-range to eliminate an error. A more precise pseudo-range of the satellite is calculated using the differential pseudo-range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: JaeBum Cho
  • Patent number: 9846240
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor GPS/GNSS atomic clocks are disclosed. An example method includes establishing a measured difference between an atomic frequency standard (AFS) and a monitoring device. The method also includes modeling an estimated difference model between the AFS and the monitoring device, and computing a residual signal based on the measured difference and the estimated difference model. In addition, the method includes analyzing, by a first detector, the residual signal at multiple thresholds, each of the thresholds having a corresponding persistency defining the number of times a threshold is exceeded before one or more of a phase jump, a rate jump, or an acceleration error is indicated. Furthermore, the method includes analyzing, by a second detector, a parameter of the estimated difference model at multiple thresholds, each of the thresholds having a corresponding persistency defining the number of times a drift threshold is exceeded before a drift is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Rongsheng Li, Kamran Ghassemi
  • Patent number: 9846241
    Abstract: In a system for navigating a moving object according to signals received from satellites, a moving object receives mobile base data from a mobile base station, the received mobile base data including satellite measurement data of the mobile base station, the satellite measurement data of the mobile base station including code measurements and carrier phase measurements for the plurality of satellites, and position-related information of the mobile base station. In accordance with the satellite navigation data for the moving object and the received mobile base data, the moving object performing a real-time kinematic (RTK) computation process to resolve carrier phase ambiguities and determine a relative position of the moving object relative to the mobile base station. A signal reporting information corresponding to the relative position is sent via a transmitter of the moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Liwen L. Dai, Yunfeng Shao
  • Patent number: 9846242
    Abstract: A surveying system for a construction site has a restricted antenna system with a plurality of fixed location antennas each defined by a set of location data associated with a specific deployment position. The surveying system also has a computing device with a data processor and a display screen. A communications module establishes a data transfer link with the restricted antenna system over which spatial data for distances between current positions of the computing device and one or more of the plurality of fixed location antennas are received. The computing device is loadable with project drawings corresponding to the construction site and displayable on the display screen. A position marker is overlaid on the display of the project drawing at a position thereon corresponding to a computing device location value derived from the spatial data and the location data of one or more of the fixed location antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventors: Jesse Gil, Ronald D. Shaw, Jeff Counterman
  • Patent number: 9846243
    Abstract: A method for calibrating spatial errors induced by phase biases having a detrimental effect on the measurements of phase differences of radio signals received by three unaligned receiving antennas of a vehicle. An inter-satellite angular deviation of a pair of satellites is estimated in two different ways: on the basis of the respective positions of the vehicle and of the satellites to obtain a theoretical inter-satellite angular deviation; and on the basis of the respective directions of incidence of the satellites relative to the vehicle, which are determined from phase measurements, to obtain an estimated inter-satellite angular deviation. The space errors are estimated on the basis of said theoretical and estimated inter-satellite angular deviations. Also, a method and system for estimating the attitude of a vehicle, in particular a spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignees: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS, CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES CNES
    Inventors: Renaud Broquet, Bernard Polle, Johan Montel
  • Patent number: 9846244
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are described for addressing (e.g., during calibration) pixel-by-pixel variations in an image modality that utilizes photon counting techniques, such as by adjusting a number of photons detected by certain pixels (e.g., redistributing or reallocating detected photons among pixels). Such variations may cause an effective area of one or more pixels of a detector array to be larger than the effective area of other pixels, resulting in more photons being counted by some pixels than others, which can degrade resulting images. Accordingly, photons are redistributed as provided herein so that, when exposed to substantially uniform radiation, photon counts of neighboring pixels are substantially equal, statistical noise among neighboring pixels is substantially equal, and a signal-to-noise ratio among neighboring pixels is substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: ANALOGIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Doug Abraham, Basak Ulker Karbeyaz, Olivier Tousignant
  • Patent number: 9846245
    Abstract: A radiographic image capturing apparatus includes: a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels outputting an electrical signal corresponding to radiation are arranged; a readout circuit section; and a member for preventing radiation from entering the readout circuit section. The pixel array includes a first region in which some pixels used for generating image signals are arranged, and a second region in which other pixels not used for generating the image signals are arranged in at least part of a region around the first region. From an outer side toward an inner side of the pixel array, an end on the inner side of the readout circuit section disposed in the second region, an end on the inner side of an orthogonal projection of the member to the pixel array, and an end on the inner side of the second region are arranged in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Atsushi Iwashita, Eriko Sato, Hideyuki Okada, Takuya Ryu, Kosuke Terui, Takashi Takasaki
  • Patent number: 9846246
    Abstract: An M×N array of sensor tiles are attached to a substrate using a compliant layer that includes an adhesive. A thickness of the compliant layer varies depending on a thickness of the sensor tiles so that outward facing sides of the sensor tiles are substantially aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventors: Bradley S. Jadrich, Mark E. Shafer, Edward A. Tickner, Steven F. Entz, Timothy J. Wojcik
  • Patent number: 9846247
    Abstract: Computational systems and methods for interpolating a pressure wavefield based on pressure wavefield and particle motion wavefield data are disclosed. The pressure and particle motion wavefields are sampled at a sample rate that is less than a lower bound for sample rates typically used to interpolate the pressure wavefield from the pressure wavefield samples alone. The particle motion wavefield can an acceleration wavefield or a time derivative of a velocity wavefield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: PGS GEOPHYSICAL AS
    Inventors: Roald Gunnar van Borselen, Robertus F. Hegge
  • Patent number: 9846248
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for seismic acquisition the spacing between each adjacent pairs of receiver and sources lines is not all the same. Some receiver and/or source lines and/or receiver and/or source spacings are larger and some are smaller to provide a higher quality wavefield reconstruction when covering a larger total area or for a similar total area of seismic data acquisition while providing a wavefield that is optimally sampled by the receivers and sources so that the wavefield reconstruction is suitable for subsurface imaging needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Peter M. Eick, Joel D. Brewer
  • Patent number: 9846249
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for using tension feedback from steerable deflectors. In one example, a method may comprise: towing sensors streamers in a body of water from a survey vessel, wherein each of the sensor streamers comprises geophysical sensors at spaced apart locations; towing steerable deflectors in the body of water from the survey vessel, wherein the steerable deflectors are used to provide a lateral component of force to the sensors streamers as the steerable deflectors are towed through the body of water; turning the survey vessel; measuring tension at the steerable deflectors during the step of turning the survey vessel; and in response to the step of measuring tension, determining at least one of a reduced vessel operating speed, an increased vessel operating speed, a reduced angle of attack for at least one of the steerable deflectors, an increased angle of attack for at least one of the steerable, an increased vessel turn radius, or a decreased vessel turn radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Jan Erik Stokkeland, Mattias Dan Christian Oscarsson, Rune Tønnessen
  • Patent number: 9846250
    Abstract: Embodiments, including apparatuses, systems and methods, for automatically attaching and detaching seismic devices to a deployment cable, including a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes. A node installation system may include a moveable node carrier coupled to a cable detection device and a node attachment device that is configured to move a direct attachment mechanism on a node into a locking or closed position about the deployment cable. In an embodiment for retrieval and/or detachment operations, the system may also be configured to automatically detect the position of a node and remove the node from the deployment line by actuating the direct attachment mechanism into an open or unlocked position. Other devices besides a node may be attached and detached from the deployment line if they are coupled to one or more direct attachment mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Seabed Geosolutions B.V.
    Inventors: Arne Henning Rokkan, Richard Edward Henman, Leif Johan Larsen, Johan Fredrik Næs, Mariann Ervik, Ole-Fredrik Semb
  • Patent number: 9846251
    Abstract: Methodology for detecting and monitoring the propagation of a volume of liquefied material underground without measuring the resistivity of the ground. Liquefied material is charged by injecting current through electrically-conducting member in contact with the material to form a spatial distribution of electric potential underground. Measuring time-dependent change of such spatial distribution caused by movement of liquefied material and associated with propagation of a Gaussian surface of electrical charge associated with the outer surface and/or the front of the volume is detected with a system of electrodes to determine a time of arrival of liquefied material to target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventor: James Brewster Fink
  • Patent number: 9846252
    Abstract: A proximity sensor and a mobile communication device thereof are provided. The mobile communication device includes an antenna structure, a matching circuit, a capacitance sensing circuit and a processing circuit. The matching circuit couples to the antenna structure. The capacitance sensing circuit couples to the matching circuit. The capacitance sensing circuit senses a capacitance variation on the antenna structure via the matching circuit and accordingly generates a proximity sensing signal. The processing circuit is coupled to the capacitance sensing circuit to receive the proximity sensing signal. When a signal level of the proximity sensing signal exceeds a first threshold value, an object is determined approaching, and when the signal level of the proximity sensing signal exceeds a second threshold value, a human body is determines approaching. The first and the second threshold value are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Chen-Min Yang, Chun-Chieh Lin, Tsung-Hsun Hsieh, Wen-Hsin Lin
  • Patent number: 9846253
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to operate with respect to environmental measurements. Apparatus and methods include a processing unit to generate a ratio from signals measured relating to an underground environment and to determine parameters of the underground environment based on the generated ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Burkay Donderici
  • Patent number: 9846254
    Abstract: A proposed marine electric survey apparatus complex includes a generator line exciting electric field, bottom stations on a sea bottom profile, receiving lines interconnecting the stations. Each receiving line has two measuring electrodes defining a symmetric main space separation equal to the receiving line's length. Two adjacent bottom stations define a pair of electrodes, each electrode is located opposite to the other electrode, providing for measuring the electric field in one point ensuring measurements continuity and uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventors: Vladimir Kiasper, Evgeny Lisitsyn, Alexander Petrov, Andrey Tulupov
  • Patent number: 9846255
    Abstract: Method for semi-airborne electromagnetic prospecting for hydrocarbons or other fluids or minerals. In the method, electromagnetic receivers are deployed on the Earth's surface over a subsurface region (71). An airborne electromagnetic transmitter is flown over the receivers (72) and the receivers record at least one component of electromagnetic field data excited by the transmitter (73). The recorded electromagnetic data are analyzed for subsurface resistivity (74), and the resistivity is interpreted for evidence of hydrocarbons or other fluids or minerals (75). Compared to traditional fully airborne surveys, the advantages of the method include better signal-to-noise, and data for multiple source-receiver offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Brent D. Wheelock
  • Patent number: 9846256
    Abstract: An interactive display of results obtained from the inversion of logging data is produced by obtaining and inverting the logging data using a Monte-Carlo inversion. An interactive plot having a percentile scale plotted against a location parameter is produced and a particular percentile is selected using the interactive plot. A cross-section plot for the particular percentile using the results of the Monte-Carlo inversion is produced. The particular percentile can be a curve representing a best-fit solution or a polyline representing selected solutions. Background color/shading can be displayed on the interactive plot to indicate user-defined constraints have been applied. Uncertain features can be plotted on a corresponding cross-section display using fading. Clusters of solutions that are substantially equally likely, given the measurements at a particular drill location, can be identified and plotted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Denis Heliot, Nicholas N. Bennett, Georgi Kutiev, Emmanuel Legandre, Roger Griffiths, Jean-Michel Denichou, Jean Seydoux, Qiming Li, Koji Ito
  • Patent number: 9846257
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mobile back scattering imaging security inspection apparatus, comprising: a back scattering scanner (2), a detector (3), a controller (4), and a movable stage (1) configured to carry the back scattering scanner, the detector and the controller and being movable with respect to the object to be inspected; wherein the back scattering scanner is a distributed X-ray source comprising a plurality of target points (201), each of which is able to emit the ray beam individually, and wherein the back scattering scanner, the detector and the controller perform an imaging security inspection operation on the object to be inspected during moving along with the movable stage with respect to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignees: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Chen, Ziran Zhao, Wanlong Wu, Yingkang Jin, Le Tang, Ming Ruan, Xiao Tang, Guangwei Ding