Patents Issued in December 26, 2017
  • Patent number: 9851207
    Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: identifying a navigational context for representing a user; determining a participant identification based on the navigational context for representing a participant, the participant identification including a familiarity rating; and generating a communication channel with a control unit during a navigation session based on the navigational context for communicating a message between the user and the participant independent of the familiarity rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Telenav, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudong Wang, Richard Jingwen Yang, Hongwei Feng, HaiPing Jin, Xinan Cheng
  • Patent number: 9851208
    Abstract: An apparatus of providing guidance information provides guidance information about the result of recognizing a crosswalk around a vehicle as information for inducing safe driving. The guidance information about a crosswalk is differently provided in accordance with a surrounding situation concerned with forward traveling of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Thinkware Corporation
    Inventor: Han Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 9851209
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computing devices for building, operating and using map systems with signature-based map caches are disclosed. Based on the desired map properties included in a formatted map request, a map signature can be generated. The map signature can be used to access a signature based map cache to determine whether a map with identical map properties has been previously generated and stored in cache or otherwise available for retrieval. If the map signature exists in the map cache, the corresponding map can be delivered to a map client. If the map signature does not exist in the map cache, then a map can be generated or rendered based on the map properties in the map request. Once the map is generated, it can be saved to the map cache along with associated map signature for future retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventor: Peter Becker
  • Patent number: 9851210
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a technique capable of reducing the size of update data. A map information processing apparatus includes a data extractor that extracts a difference between a shape of a past road link and a shape of a current road link as update data for updating predetermined map information. The data extractor does not extract the difference as the update data in a case where one road link of the past road link and the current road link is included in a buffer region obtained by extending the shape of the other road link by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hironobu Kaneshiro, Seigo Kanazawa, Mitsuo Shimotani
  • Patent number: 9851211
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a travel purpose acquisition unit that acquires a travel purpose of a mobile object; a setting unit that sets multiple travel routes in different travel directions in a forward area with respect to the mobile object; a calculation unit that calculates, regarding each of the multiple travel routes, a predictive value of a travel state in which the mobile object travels along each of the multiple travel routes; a computing unit that computes, regarding each of the multiple travel routes, an evaluation value for the mobile object to realize traveling according to the travel purpose from weighting values that are predetermined according to the travel purpose and the predictive values; and a determining unit that determines, as a travel route to be followed next, a travel route with the highest evaluation represented by the evaluation value among the multiple travel routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Hatanaka, Daiki Inaba, Hiroshi Shimura
  • Patent number: 9851212
    Abstract: A method for routing a vehicle includes identifying one or more driving routes between a current location of a vehicle and a destination. The method includes determining a route cost for the one or more driving routes based on lane marking quality of a roadway within a corresponding driving route. The method includes selecting a route of the one or more routes with a lowest route cost. The method includes providing information about the route to a driver or control system for following the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brett Stephens, Jonathan Thomas Mullen, Shane Elwart
  • Patent number: 9851213
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a big data-based method or system for recommending electric vehicle (EV) charging stations with the shortest charge waiting time, which comprises a driving information receiving unit for receiving a charging station search request, and information about estimated discharge time and a current location from an electric vehicle; a charging station information receiving unit for receiving power consumption data from charging stations in real time; a charge waiting time calculation unit for receiving the power consumption data from the charging station information receiving unit, and, in response to a charging station search request, calculating charge waiting time of the charging stations on the basis of their power consumption; and an optimal charging station providing unit for receiving the information about the estimated discharge time and current location from the driving information receiving unit, and receiving the charge waiting time from the charge waiting time calculatio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: I-ON Communications Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Cheol Oh, Kyoung Seok Paik
  • Patent number: 9851214
    Abstract: A system for determining a road frustration index value includes a vehicle and a user computing device within the vehicle and a remote computing system, where a telematics system associated with the vehicle senses a speed of the vehicle. The computing device calculates, in near real-time and based on vehicle speed information and the road class of one or more route segments of a travel route, a first frustration level value associated with the driver of the vehicle and identify, based on whether the first frustration level value meets a criterion, an alternate route segment having second frustration level value predicted to be less than the first frustration level value. The remote computing system receives information associated with the first route segment and the alternate route segment and calculates insurance cost based on the road frustration index values associated with a route traveled in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventor: Sunil Chintakindi
  • Patent number: 9851215
    Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: receiving user input regarding a navigation route for controlling guidance communication along the navigation route for a system user; generating with a control circuit a user geographic-knowledge model based on the user input regarding the navigation route; calculating a system route based on the user geographic-knowledge model; and communicating the system route for guiding the system user in traversing the system route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Telenav, Inc.
    Inventor: Herman Ho-Man So
  • Patent number: 9851216
    Abstract: A lane guidance system for a vehicle for guiding a vehicle to a recommended lane in which the vehicle is recommended to run out of traffic lanes included in a route from a first point to a second point through the use of an output unit mounted on the vehicle includes: a calculating unit that calculates a predicted value of an occurrence probability of sudden lane change as information indicating the occurrence probability of sudden lane change when the vehicle runs in sections corresponding to a plurality of links; a setting unit that sets the recommended lane on the basis of the predicted value; and a generating unit that generates guidance information for the recommended lane and that outputs the guidance information to the output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Okada, Ryo Neyama
  • Patent number: 9851217
    Abstract: Disclosed is a navigation device which extracts an entrance and exit section which exists ahead of a vehicle and in which a vehicle is permitted to make a lane change between an HOV lane and a normal lane on the basis of information about the position of the vehicle and map data in which the HOV lane and the normal lane are defined by a single link, extracts a branch point on the HOV lane existing ahead of the vehicle on the basis of the map data and the position information, determines a guidance time for the extracted entrance and exit section, and another guidance time for the branch point, and provides guidance notifying that the vehicle can exit the HOV lane or guidance notifying that the vehicle can enter the HOV lane at the guidance time, or provides guidance on the branch at the other guidance time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kumi Nishibashi, Takashi Irie
  • Patent number: 9851218
    Abstract: A method for planning a route in a system having a display and an input device, that comprises the steps of using a map database that stores data associated with an area that includes a required route; displaying the map or a portion thereof on the display, in this displaying step selecting the scale and position of the displayed map; adjusting and storing conditions or preferences as parameters associated with the required route; defining the requested route in which using said input device to draw the required route on the map displayed, storing the coordinate data of the required route; then determining a suggested route based on the required route, wherein an iteration algorithm is used to determine from successive points of the required route beginning with its starting point respective costs of vectors starting at said points and ending at points of possible routes that satisfy preset parameters and lie in the vicinity of said points of the required route, and selecting a suggested route from the plural
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GPS TUNER KFT.
    Inventors: Tamas Nagy, Gabor Tarnok
  • Patent number: 9851219
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for indicating the relationship of a displayed area on a map with respect to a route or flight plan. A method comprises displaying a navigational map on a display device and displaying a graphical adjustment element on the display device. The position of the graphical adjustment element on the display device corresponds to the along track distance between the displayed area of the navigational map and a first navigational reference point of a route comprising the first navigational reference point and a second navigational reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Blake Wilson, Roger W. Burgin
  • Patent number: 9851220
    Abstract: An assembly structure of a nonmagnetic member to which a position sensor arranged to to sense a rotation position of the rotation member, includes: a nonmagnetic member including a hollow portion; a cover which is fixed to an opening end portion of the hollow portion; and a retaining portion which is provided on an outer circumference portion of the hollow portion of the nonmagnetic member, and to which the position sensor is assembled from the opening end portion's side to be slid in a rotation axis direction, the cover restricting movements of the magnet holding portion and the position sensor in the rotation axis direction in a case where the cover is fixed to the nonmagnetic member in a state where the magnet holding portion and the position sensor are assembled to the nonmagnetic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Hikiji, Stefan Born
  • Patent number: 9851221
    Abstract: A Hall sensor includes a first Hall element pair configured to provide a first measurement signal, a second Hall element pair configured to provide a second measurement signal, and a third Hall element pair configured to provide a third measurement signal. Each element in the third Hall element pair is arranged between Hall elements of the first Hall element pair and Hall elements of the second Hall element pair. The Hall element pairs are configured to be actuated such that the first, second, and third measurement signals can be combined into one aggregate measurement signal which corrects an error in an angle of rotation determination caused by an external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Lang, Johannes Maess, Thomas Boehringer, Frank Sandmann, Thomas Klotzbuecher
  • Patent number: 9851222
    Abstract: A magnetic detection device has: a magnetic moving body which rotates about a rotating shaft and in which N-poles and S-poles are disposed alternately on an outer periphery thereof; magnetoresistive elements that are disposed at a spacing from the outer peripheral surface of the magnetic moving body; a signal processing unit that processes signals from the magnetoresistive elements; and a magnet that applies a bias magnetic field to the magnetoresistive elements. The magnetization direction of the magnet is parallel to the rotating shaft of the magnetic moving body. The magnetoresistive elements are disposed in a plane perpendicular to the magnetization direction of the magnet, and are disposed at a fixed spacing in the radial direction of the magnetic moving body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Shimauchi, Masahiro Yokotani, Akira Koshimizu
  • Patent number: 9851223
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tactile sensor including a first substrate on which a first electrode is formed; a second substrate on which a second electrode and a coupling hole is formed so that the first electrode may be inserted into the coupling hole; and a dielectric covering the first electrode and the second electrode, and thus not only having flexibility and elasticity, but also requiring a reduced number of wires to be used when sending and receiving signals, making it is easier to manufacture and saving costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Hyouk Ryeol Choi, Tien Dat Nguyen, Junwoo Park, Hyoseung Han
  • Patent number: 9851224
    Abstract: A phase detector includes a sampling signal generator configured to generate a sampling signal at an edge of a scale signal, a counter configured to count up a count value according to a clock pulse every certain time and to output the count value at a timing instructed by the sampling signal, an edge polarity determinator configured to determine whether an edge polarity of the scale signal is a rising edge or a falling edge and to generate an adjustment signal when the polarity of the edge where the sampling signal is generated is a falling edge and an adjuster configured to add a predetermined adjustment amount to the count value output from the counter when receiving the adjustment signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Adachi, Youhei Toku, Toshihiro Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9851225
    Abstract: A non-volatile, absolute rotation sensor employs a radial guide and spiral guide rotating with respect to each other to move a marker element continuously along the radial guide so that a distance of the marker element along the radial guide provides an indication of shaft movement over multiple turns. A sensor system senses the distance of the marker element along the radial guide to provide an electric output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Gregory, Weiya Zhang
  • Patent number: 9851227
    Abstract: In order to mitigate a need for reprogramming tire pressure sensors after tire rotation, tire change, etc., all sensors on a vehicle are preprogrammed with a lookup table that correlates modulation frequency to axle and wheel end positions on the vehicle. Dual antenna initiator coils are mounted to a vehicle such that each wheel end has one directional antenna directed toward it. Each initiator coil is programmed to modulate its transmission frequency by a predetermined modulation frequency such that each antenna transmits using a different modulation frequency. Each sensor receives a modulated signal, identifies the modulation frequency, and performs a table lookup to determine its axle and wheel end location. The sensor transmits its identified wheel end and axle location to a controller unit along with tire pressure status information for its wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Shawn D. Lammers
  • Patent number: 9851228
    Abstract: A fluid gauging system for gauging a fluid includes a flow measuring device, an air sealing arrangement, and an electronic circuit. The flow measuring device includes a flow sensor that measures a flow rate of the fluid. The air sealing arrangement seals an inlet of the flow measuring device against an entry of atmospheric air. The electronic circuit includes a processor, a GPS module, and a communication module. The processor generates a data signal based on the flow rate. The GPS module provides a real time location of the flow measuring device. The communication module transmits the data signal and real time location to a remote server. A user device includes a software application that receives the data signal from the remote server and generates reports and statistics. Further, the processor notifies the user device if the flow measuring device is disconnected from the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Sahil Chawala
  • Patent number: 9851229
    Abstract: A distribution valve with an integrated flowmeter unit, which exhibits a main flow channel, through which a medium can flow in a main flow direction, and a secondary flow channel branching from the latter. The distribution valve includes a distribution valve housing containing a main pipe, a first conduit pipe connection, a second conduit pipe connection and at least one branch lying in between. The main flow channel in the main pipe runs from the first conduit pipe connection to the second conduit pipe connection. The branch empties into a first housing part, which includes an outlet. The outlet of the first housing part empties into a second housing part, which accommodates a flowmeter body and includes an outlet that forms a third conduit pipe connection. The secondary flow channel runs from the at least one branch of the main pipe to the outlet of the second housing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Viega Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marcel Gille, Nadine Steinhanses, Detlev Schmitt, Reinhard Pilmeier, Matthias Oischinger, Jörg Rosenthal, Peter Buchner, Andreas Schneider
  • Patent number: 9851230
    Abstract: A fluid flow meter can include a sensor capable of transmitting a transmit signal to propagate, at least partially, through a fluid in a pipe and receiving a respective receive signal. The fluid flow meter can include a memory storing computer code instructions and a plurality of pipe type signatures associated with a plurality of pipe types. Each pipe type signature of a respective pipe type of the plurality of pipe types can include one or more characteristics of receive signals associated with that pipe type. The fluid flow meter can also include a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor and to the memory. When executing the computer code instructions, the processor can determine one or more signal features of the receive signal, and identify a pipe type of the pipe based on the one or more signal features of the receive signal and the plurality of pipe type signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Reliance Worldwide Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gestner, Thea Knudsen, Francis M. Mess, Jeffrey L. Leaders
  • Patent number: 9851231
    Abstract: A flow meter records a flow rate and/or an amount of heat of a flowing fluid. A control and evaluation unit ascertains flow rate data and the fitting-dependent direction of through flow is automatically ascertained. A temperature measuring device has first and second temperature sensors for ascertaining a temperature difference between a feed temperature in the feed and a return temperature in the return. The fitting location of the first and second temperature sensors in the feed or the return is automatically ascertained by the control and evaluation unit on the basis of the temperature difference. The control and evaluation unit is automatically configured during first-time or re-installation of the flow meter such that the direction of flow through the meter is adapted to the fitted direction of through flow and/or the temperature sensors are assigned to the feed and the return, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Diehl Meterings GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Buckl, Marc-Andrè Meier, Johannes Mueller, Reiner Schuster, Edgar Vom Schloss, Frank Stefke
  • Patent number: 9851232
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic flow meter comprising a flow tube for the fluid whose flow rate is to be determined. The flow meter comprises a transmitting element for emitting ultrasonic waves, which is provided on the outer jacket of the flow tube. A receiving element, which is provided on the outer jacket of the flow tube, is axially spaced from the transmitting element. An influencing element is provided between the transmitting element and the receiving element for influencing the velocity and/or the direction of a portion of the ultrasonic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Joost Conrad Lötters, Gert Jan Snijders, Arno Willem Frederik Volker
  • Patent number: 9851233
    Abstract: A thermal type sensor molded from a mold resin having an opening has a problem in that the residual stress of the mold resin in the opening causes peeling at the interface having poor adhesion. A physical quantity sensor has a construction having a semiconductor chip having a detector unit 3, a frame 8a on which the semiconductor chip is mounted, a mold resin portion 10 which encapsulates the semiconductor chip and the frame and has an opening through which the detector unit is exposed to the outside, and a stress absorbing layer 6 which is formed between an end of the opening in the mold resin portion and a wiring layer formed in the detector unit, and which is formed from a metal material that absorbs a stress from the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Sakuma
  • Patent number: 9851234
    Abstract: A physical quantity measuring device includes a chip package and a casing. The casing fixedly stores the chip package. The casing includes a first bypass passage allowing a gas to be measured taken from a main passage, to flow in a first measuring unit, and a second bypass passage allowing the gas to be measured taken from the main passage, to flow in a second measuring unit. The chip package is configured to dispose a signal processing unit between the first and second measuring units. The casing has a cooling unit that allows the gas to be measured from the main passage to flow between the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit, and cooling the signal processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Isoya, Hiroaki Hoshika, Takayuki Yogo, Takahiro Miki
  • Patent number: 9851235
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container or pipeline, including a resonator, which is in contact with an interior of the container or the pipeline, an active element for producing a high-frequency signal in the resonator and an electronics unit, which is embodied to receive from a unit formed of the resonator and the active element an electrical output signal. The electrical output signal is evaluated with reference to frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Blodt
  • Patent number: 9851236
    Abstract: A device for determining the fill level of a medium in a container having at least one electronic device and at least one signal conductor arrangement. The electronic device supplies the signal conductor arrangement 5 with electromagnetic signals. To provide a device for determining the fill level, the signal conductor arrangement has several emitting devices and the electronic device provides at least one measure for an emitting behavior of at least one emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Baer, Thomas Musch, Michael Deilmann, Attila Bilgic, Stephan Neuburger
  • Patent number: 9851237
    Abstract: Proposed is a contact material constituting a slider for a fuel sender, the slider moving on a conductor in conjunction with a float moving in accordance with a liquid level, wherein the contact material includes 10 to 25 mass % of nickel and a balance of palladium. The present contact material is useful in the light of material cost in addition to corrosion resistance and durability. The fuel sender is useful for vehicles, such as FFV, using composite fuel of alcohol and the like. The present invention allows for producing a slider for a fuel sender having excellent corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TANAKA KIKINZOKU KOGYO K.K.
    Inventors: Takaomi Kishimoto, Yoshinori Horiuchi, Osamu Sakaguchi, Kouzou Kashiwagi
  • Patent number: 9851238
    Abstract: A container filling device including a body having a top end, a bottom end, a first opening at the top end, a second opening at the bottom end, and a channel formed there between is provided in an embodiment herein. A diameter of the body at the top end is greater than a diameter of the body at the bottom end, and a rod component is disposed within the channel and is slidable within the channel, the rod component having a first end and a second end, an indicator element is disposed toward the first end of the rod component and a contact element is disposed toward the second end, wherein upon filling the container with a fluid, the contact element remains at the surface of the fluid, and the indicator element visually indicates the level of the fluid in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Kienle
  • Patent number: 9851239
    Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for a vibrating meter (5) is provided. The vibrating meter (5) includes a sensor assembly located within a pipeline (301). The sensor assembly (10) is in fluid communication with one or more fluid switches (309). The meter electronics (20) is configured to measure one or more flow characteristics of a fluid flowing through the sensor assembly (10). The meter electronics (20) is further configured to receive a first fluid switch signal (214) indicating a fluid condition within the pipeline (301) from a first fluid switch (309) of the one or more fluid switches. The meter electronics (20) is further configured to correct the one or more flow characteristics if the fluid condition is outside a threshold value or band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Weinstein, Aart R Pruysen, Steven M Jones, John Ansdell Houghton
  • Patent number: 9851240
    Abstract: A precision measurement dispenser provides for storage of a granular bulk material in a storage container that is preferably airtight. The granular material is held in a storage container which feeds a dispensing section that is preferably positioned within the storage container. The dispensing section selectively dispenses the ingredient by gravity to a weighting tray of a scale. The ingredient is dispensed by weight. The storage dispensing unit may also include a display and keypad for entry of a desired quantity of ingredient to be dispensed, and optionally which of plural ingredients to be dispensed. A controller can convert a requested volumetric measure to an equivalent weight measure, and dispense by weight in place of volume. The storage dispensing unit further optionally includes pressure control, temperature control, and/or humidity control on the storage container. The dispensing section uses screw, roll, vibration, or shuttle mechanisms for precise dispensing of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventors: Nicole Sollazzo Lee, William Patrick Conley
  • Patent number: 9851241
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a WIM (Weigh in Motion) sensor built into a road during travel of a calibrating vehicle measures the dynamic wheel force on the road and on the WIM sensor directly at the measuring wheel, depending on time or location. These wheel force data are transmitted to an evaluating unit. As the calibrating vehicle passes over, WIM signal data are simultaneously measured at the WIM sensor and transmitted to the evaluating unit. The wheel force data are synchronized with the WIM signal data in the evaluating unit. A calibration function is determined by comparing the dynamic wheel force data with the WIM signal data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KISTLER HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Adrian Hofmann, David Cornu, Reto Calderara
  • Patent number: 9851242
    Abstract: A combined driver and pick-off sensor component (200, 300) for a vibrating meter is provided. The combined driver and pick-off sensor component (200, 300) includes a magnet portion (104B) with at least a first magnet (211). The combined driver and pick-off sensor component (200, 300) further includes a coil portion (204A, 304A) receiving at least a portion of the first magnet (211). The coil portion (204A, 304A) includes a coil bobbin (220), a driver wire (221) wound around the coil bobbin (220), and a pick-off wire (222) wound around the coil bobbin (220).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher George Larsen, Matthew Joseph Rensing, Amy Mai Nilsen, Roger Scott Loving
  • Patent number: 9851243
    Abstract: A device for the optical non-contact vibration measurement of an vibrating object, including a laser Doppler vibrometer that has a laser as the light source for a laser beam, a first beam splitter assembly for splitting the laser beam into a measuring beam and a reference beam, a means for shifting the frequency of the reference beam or of the measuring beam in a defined manner, a second beam splitter assembly by which the measuring beam back-scattered by the oscillating object is merged with the reference beam and superimposed on the same, and a detector for receiving the superimposed measuring and reference beam and for generating a measurement signal. The laser is provided with a polarization filter arranged inside the optical resonator of the laser and the laser is frequency stabilized by regulating to a beat signal of the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: POLYTEC GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Rembe, Alexander Drabenstedt, Matthias Schussler, Christian Ehrmann, Volkmar Roth
  • Patent number: 9851244
    Abstract: Vibration sensor comprising a membrane, which can be excited to vibrate by means of a drive, wherein the drive has at least one piezo actuator, which is designed so as to be bonded with the membrane, wherein the membrane has at least one centering device that is designed to be suitable for orienting and keeping the drive centered relative to the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventor: Holger Gruhler
  • Patent number: 9851245
    Abstract: Embodiments related to accumulating charge during multiple exposure periods in a time-of-flight depth camera are disclosed. For example, one embodiment provides a method including accumulating a first charge on a photodetector during a first exposure period for a first light pulse, transferring the first charge to a charge storage mechanism, accumulating a second charge during a second exposure period for the first light pulse, and transferring the second charge to the charge storage mechanism. The method further includes accumulating an additional first charge during a first exposure period for a second light pulse, adding the additional first charge to the first charge to form an updated first charge, accumulating an additional second charge on the photodetector for a second exposure period for the second light pulse, and adding the additional second charge to the second charge to form an updated second charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: David Cohen, Shlomo Felzeshtein, Eli Larry
  • Patent number: 9851246
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical metrology is disclosed. There is disclosed, for example, a method involving a radiation intensity distribution for a target measured using an optical component at a gap from the target, the method including calculating a correction factor for the variation of radiation intensity of the radiation intensity distribution as a function of variation of the distance of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventor: Sietse Thijmen Van Der Post
  • Patent number: 9851247
    Abstract: A spectroscopic module 1 is provided with a spectroscopic unit 8 and a photodetector 9 in addition to a spectroscopic unit 7 and a photodetector 4 and thus can enhance its detection sensitivity for light in a wide wavelength range or different wavelength regions of light. A light-transmitting hole 4b is disposed between light detecting portions 4a, 9a, while a reflection unit 6 is provided so as to oppose a region R in a light-absorbing substrate 2, whereby the size can be kept from becoming larger. Ambient light La is absorbed by the region R in the substrate 2. Any part of the light La transmitted through the region R in the substrate 2 is reflected to the region R by the unit 6 formed so as to oppose the region R, whereby stray light can be inhibited from being caused by the incidence of the light La.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Katsumi Shibayama, Takafumi Yokino
  • Patent number: 9851248
    Abstract: An intracavity laser absorption infrared spectroscopy system for detecting trace analytes in vapor samples. The system uses a spectrometer in communications with control electronics, wherein the control electronics contain an analyte database that contains absorption profiles for each analyte the system is used to detect. The system can not only detect the presence of specific analytes, but identify them as well. The spectrometer uses a hollow cavity waveguide that creates a continuous loop inside of the device, thus creating a large path length and eliminating the need to mechanically adjust the path length to achieve a high Q-factor. In a preferred embodiment, the laser source may serve as the detector, thus eliminating the need for a separate detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: EMX International, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Graybeal, Alan Carey Rogers, Andrey Muraview, Charles Mark Carnifax, Robert E. Peale
  • Patent number: 9851249
    Abstract: A sensor system is disclosed, wherein the sensor system provides output data only when the error between a plurality of measured absorption wavelengths of a gas cell and a plurality of known absorption lines for the gas cell is less than or equal to a user-defined error margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Christian Haber
  • Patent number: 9851250
    Abstract: A gas concentration sensor is includes an integrated die-form electromagnetic radiation source and an integrated die-form infrared detector. In one or more implementations, the gas concentration sensor includes a package substrate defining at least one aperture, a gas permeable mesh coupled to the package substrate and covering at least a portion of the at least one aperture, a die-form electromagnetic radiation source positioned in an interior region of the package substrate, a die-form detector positioned in the interior region of the package substrate, and control circuitry operably coupled to the die-form detector and configured to detect and calibrate one or more signal outputs from the die-form detector to determine a gas concentration within the interior region of the package substrate. The gas concentration sensor can be configured for specific detection of various gases through control of the spectral wavelengths emitted by the electromagnetic radiation source(s) and/or detected by the detector(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Arvin Emadi, Arkadii V. Samoilov, Nicole D. Kerness
  • Patent number: 9851251
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spectrometer comprising a combination of at least one grid (1) and at least one prism (2), characterized in that total reflexion is used to produce a compact spectrometer in at least one prism (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: MICRO-EPSILON Optronic GmbH
    Inventor: Tobias Otto
  • Patent number: 9851252
    Abstract: A compressive sensing-based multispectral video imager comprises a beamsplitter, a first light channel, a second light channel, and an image reconstruction processor; the beamsplitter is configured to divide the beam of an underlying image into a first light beam and a second light beam; the first light beam enters the first light channel, processed and sampled in the first light channel, to obtain a first mixing spectral image which is transferred to the image reconstruction processor; the second light beam enters the second light channel, processed and sampled in the second light channel, to obtain a second mixing spectral image which is transferred to the image reconstruction processor; the image reconstruction processor is configured to reconstruct the underlying spectral image based on the first mixing spectral image and the second mixing spectral image by using non-linear optimization method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Xidian University
    Inventors: Guangming Shi, Lizhi Wang, Danhua Liu, Dahua Gao, Guo Li, Yang Liu
  • Patent number: 9851253
    Abstract: An infrared thermal sensor for detecting infrared radiation, comprising a substrate and a cap structure together forming a sealed cavity, the cavity comprising a gas at a predefined pressure; a membrane arranged in said cavity for receiving infrared radiation; a plurality of beams for suspending the membrane; a plurality of thermocouples for measuring a temperature difference between the membrane and the substrate; wherein the ratio of the thermal resistance between the membrane and the substrate through the thermocouples, and the thermal resistance between the membrane and the substrate through the beams and through the gas is a value in the range of 0.8 to 1.2. A method of designing such a sensor, and a method of producing such a sensor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES NV
    Inventors: Ben Maes, Carl Van Buggenhout, Appolonius Jacobus Van Der Wiel
  • Patent number: 9851254
    Abstract: A device for detecting electromagnetic radiation, including a substrate; at least one thermal detector, placed on the substrate, including an absorbing membrane suspended above the substrate; and an encapsulating structure encapsulating the thermal detector, including an encapsulating layer extending around and above the thermal detector so as to define with the substrate a cavity in which the thermal detector is located; wherein the encapsulating layer includes at least one through-orifice that is what is referred to as an exhaust vent, each exhaust vent being placed so that at least one thermal detector has a single exhaust vent located facing the corresponding absorbing membrane, preferably plumb with the center of said absorbing membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Geoffroy Dumont, Laurent Carle, Pierre Imperinetti, Stephane Pocas, Jean-Jacques Yon
  • Patent number: 9851255
    Abstract: A windowless microbolometer for use in terrestrial applications and non-terrestrial applications is provided. The windowless microbolometer array may interact with a flow of gas such that a pixel-based image of the gas is generated when the flow of gas impinges upon the windowless microbolometer array. The windowless microbolometer array may also interact with a molecular beam to provide information related to density, shape, and propagation of the molecular beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: James Hart Clemmons, Brian Blaise Brady, Jeffrey Louis Hall, Thomas Jay Curtiss
  • Patent number: 9851256
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing electromagnetic radiation sensing. The apparatus includes a radiation detection sensor including a plurality of micromechanical radiation sensing pixels having a reflecting top surface and configured to deflect light incident on the reflective surface as a function of an intensity of sensed radiation. In some implementations, the apparatus has equal sensitivities for at least some of the sensing pixels. In some implementations, the apparatus can provide adjustable sensitivity and measurement range. The apparatus can be utilized for human detection, fire detection, gas detection, temperature measurements, environmental monitoring, energy saving, behavior analysis, surveillance, information gathering and for human-machine interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: MP HIGH TECH SOLUTIONS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Marek Steffanson, Donald James Bone
  • Patent number: 9851257
    Abstract: The present disclosure is a infrared sensor capable of being integrated into a IR focal plane array. It includes of a CMOS based readout circuit with preamplification, noise filtering, and row/column address control. Using either a microbolometer device structure with either a thermal sensing element of vanadium oxide or amorphous silicon, a nanocomposite is fabricated on top of either of these materials comprising aligned or unaligned carbon nanotube films with IR trans missive layer of silicon nitride followed by one to five monolayers of graphene. These layers are connected in series minimizing the noise sources and enhancing the NEDT of each film. The resulting IR sensor is capable of NEDT of less than 1 mK. The wavelength response is from 2 to 12 microns. The approach is low cost using a process that takes advantage of the economies of scale of wafer level CMOS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Magnolia Optical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok K. Sood, Elwood J. Egerton