Patents Issued in February 1, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180031373
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a vibrating-mass gyroscope system. The system includes a sensor system comprising a vibrating-mass and a plurality of electrodes coupled to the vibrating-mass that are configured to facilitate in-plane motion of the vibrating-mass. The system also includes a gyroscope controller configured to generate a drive signal that is provided to a first set of the plurality of electrodes to provide an in-plane periodic oscillatory motion of the vibrating-mass along a drive axis, to generate a force-rebalance signal that is provided to a second set of the plurality of electrodes to calculate a rotation of the vibrating-mass gyroscope system about an input axis, and to generate a quadrature signal that is provided to a third set of the plurality of electrodes to substantially mitigate quadrature effects associated with the vibrating-mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: ALEXANDER TRUSOV, DAVID M. ROZELLE
  • Publication number: 20180031374
    Abstract: Raw dead reckoning data is obtained from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) worn by a user. Drift in the raw data is compensated for by detecting a gait of the user and phase of that gait, and constraining the position of the IMU to lie within corresponding bounds as the IMU moves. The bounds depend on the bodily geometry of the user and the detected gait phase. The raw orientation data of the IMU may be also corrected for drift in a similar way. Gait and gait phase may be detected by sensors in an energy harvester worn around the knee, for example. Drift in the IMU measurements can be compensated for without depending on a GPS signal or on the earth's magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel Loren Hepler, Clive Edward Mullins
  • Publication number: 20180031375
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and mobile terminals for positioning and searching for a vehicle are disclosed. The method of positioning a location of a vehicle in a predetermined place may include: collecting surrounding environmental information of the vehicle; and determining the location of the vehicle in the predetermined place by comparing the surrounding environmental information with a previously acquired map of the predetermined place. Thereby, the position of the vehicle on the map can be determined in absence of GPS positioning, enabling pinpoint positioning and navigation of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: ZHUOMING DENG
  • Publication number: 20180031376
    Abstract: System and methods for computing true wind and true current are described. True wind estimation occurs through automatic calibration of data obtained from data acquisition devices (102, 114, 116, 118, 120). Real-time boat performance information is generated through automatic target speed computation. Maneuvers are found in data obtained from the data acquisition devices (102, 114, 116, 118, 120) and, if properly calibrated, wind just prior to a maneuver should be the same as measured wind just after the maneuver. If the measured wind values are not equal, the sum of the wind difference over all maneuvers is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Julien Vincent Pilet, Jonas Olof Martin Östlund
  • Publication number: 20180031377
    Abstract: A mobile X-ray examination apparatus has an instruction receiving device that receives an entered instruction for the mobile X-ray examination apparatus to reach a designated position. A navigation device creates an environment map of an environment of the mobile X-ray examination apparatus, determines a current position of the mobile X-ray examination apparatus according to detected environment profile information, calculates a movement trajectory of the mobile X-ray examination apparatus according to the environment map, the current position and the designated position received by the instruction receiving device, and sends corresponding information to a central control device. The central control device causes the mobile X-ray examination apparatus to reach the designated position along the movement trajectory according to the corresponding information sent by the navigation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GmbH
    Inventors: Qiang GUO, Yi Hua JIANG, Ao Lin TANG
  • Publication number: 20180031378
    Abstract: A recording medium having stored therein a setting control program for causing a computer to execute a setting control process, the setting control process includes setting, when receiving a change instruction to change an attribute of a first itinerary including at least one piece of spot information to a visited state, the attribute of the first itinerary to a visited state and executing an update process of updating setting so that an attribute of each piece of spot information included in the first itinerary becomes a visited state, and refraining from setting an attribute of a second itinerary to a visited state even when attributes of all pieces of spot information included in the second itinerary have become a visited state in response to the update process for the second itinerary whose attribute is a not-visited state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Akihiro Miyamoto, Fumito Ito
  • Publication number: 20180031379
    Abstract: Traffic management methods for promoting environmentally friendly transportation include the following acts: transmitting, by a routing unit to a requesting road user, computed traffic route proposals that include different transport mechanisms; selecting a traffic route from the transmitted traffic route proposals, by the requesting road user, and transmitting the selected traffic route to the routing unit, which provides the road user with traffic route data for the selected traffic route; transmitting position data, from the road user, along the traffic route taken by the road user in order to validate the transportation mechanism used by the road user in the process; and rating a behavior of the road user based on the transportation used by the road user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Astrid Kellermann, Christian Schwingenschlögl
  • Publication number: 20180031380
    Abstract: A method for calculating a distance to empty (DTE) when setting a path of navigation is provided. The method includes receiving path search cases from a navigation and determining whether the transmitted path search case is a path cancellation, a vehicle arriving at a destination, or the navigation searching for the path. The method determines whether the transmitted path search case is an initially set path or a reset path. When the transmitted path search case is none of the above the method determines whether there is a currently guided. When the path is initially set, the path is reset after, or the path is currently being guided, among the path search cases, a path reflected DTE is displayed through the navigation; and the path reflected DTE is calculated in real time and path reflected prediction fuel efficiency is calculated, after displaying the path reflected DTE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jin Hyung Lee, Sang Woo Lee, Yong Seok Park
  • Publication number: 20180031381
    Abstract: A system to manage filling an energy source in a shared vehicle by a plurality of users is disclosed. The system comprises a user identification device to identify a user when the vehicle is started; an energy source filling management device configured to determine energy consumption relative to an allowance allocated for an identified user; and an in-vehicle device to display information on the energy consumption relative to the allowance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Aurelien Pierre Christian Delaruelle
  • Publication number: 20180031382
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for defining travel paths in a map region. The method identifies location data collected over a period of time from multiple mobile devices. The method aggregates the location data for each of multiple map areas. The aggregated data for each map area identifies an amount of mobile device traffic passing through the map area over the period of time. The method normalizes the aggregated data for a subset of the multiple map areas based on analysis of the relative amounts of mobile device traffic. The method uses the normalized data to identify paths in the map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: David B. Luper, Francois M. Jouaux
  • Publication number: 20180031383
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus can be configured to be installed in a vehicle, including a display; a wireless communication unit; and a controller operatively connected to the display and configured to receive a first destination from a mobile terminal for controlling the navigation apparatus, display route information from an origination position to the first destination received from the mobile terminal, display, on the display of the navigation apparatus, when a current position of the navigation apparatus is within a preset range of the destination, a message inquiring whether or not the first destination is a final destination, receive a new destination after an input indicating that the first destination point is not the final destination, and display, on the display of the navigation apparatus, road guidance information from the current position to the new destination point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Suk-Jin CHANG, Eun-Hee JEONG, Chae-Guk CHO, Su-Jin KIM, Kyoung-Hwa KIM
  • Publication number: 20180031384
    Abstract: An augmented road line display system that includes one or more sensors installed on a vehicle, one or more external databases, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive inputs from the one or more databases, sensors of the vehicle, and a sub-system of the vehicle, build and validate a road line model to detect or predict a road line based on the inputs received, determine environmental conditions based on the inputs from one or more of the databases, and a sub-system of the vehicle, assign weights to the inputs received based on the environmental conditions to generate weighted inputs, and execute the road line model to determine the road line based on the weighted inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jae Seung LEE, Paul Donald SCHMALENBERG, Nikola Stevan SUBOTIC
  • Publication number: 20180031385
    Abstract: At an application executing in a device in a vehicle, a phrase is detected in a conversation occurring between two users. A determination is made that the phrase is usable in providing a navigation directive. Using NLP, a deep parsing the conversation is performed to extract a context applicable to the phrase. the context is evaluated to determine whether the context is related to a navigation of the vehicle. At the device, from the conversation, a future location is computed of the vehicle during the navigation. Using data from a data source, a suboptimal driving condition is identified on a route between a present location of the vehicle and the future location. A user in the vehicle is alerted about the suboptimal driving condition on the route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Bostick, John M. Ganci, JR., Martin G. Keen, Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Publication number: 20180031386
    Abstract: A non-scaled, linearly compressed pictographic mapping system is provided for the visual display of information in a navigational aid. Unlike today's road maps which use a point-arc-polygon paradigm, the new mapping uses a non-scaled, linearly-compressed pictographic design that shows roads as linear pictograms. The display has a columnar layout, whereby the descriptive elements are grouped together by type, and displayed one above the other in columns. The maps may also contain icons representing points of interest. In this manner, the mapping paradigm also serves to increase traveler safety, provide navigation assistance during address-less trips, create valuable advertising space and new promotional opportunities, and dramatically increases the travelers' communications and entertainment options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Adrian Gluck
  • Publication number: 20180031387
    Abstract: A state estimation system that utilizes long-range stereo visual odometry that can degrade to a monocular system at high-altitude, and integrates GPS, Barometer and IMU measurements. The system has two main parts: An EKF that is loosely fused and a long-range visual odometry part. For visual odometry, the system takes the EKF information for robust camera pose tracking, and the visual odometry outputs will be the measurement for EKF state update.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Sebastian Scherer, Song Yu, Stephen Nuske
  • Publication number: 20180031388
    Abstract: Techniques of altitude determination by user equipment (UE) in a mobile communications network are discussed. A request for calibration data is transmitted to a node of the network. Barometric calibration data is received at the UE. A barometric pressure sensor in the UE measures a barometric pressure value based on the barometric calibration data. Measuring the barometric pressure value using the barometric pressure sensor in an embodiment comprises adjusting a measured barometric pressure value that is measured using the barometric pressure sensor. The barometric pressure value is transmitted to the node. The UE receives a second part of the barometric calibration data, and in dependence of the second part of the barometric calibration data and/or in dependence of the measured barometric pressure value, determines an altitude of the user equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Fredrik GUNNARSSON, Henrik Revsbech DAM, Javier MUÑOZ MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20180031389
    Abstract: A method and a system for calibrating an inertial measurement unit (IMU) via images of a calibration target are provided herein. The method may include: measuring parameters via an IMU; capturing a plurality of calibration images of a scene that contains at least one calibration target, wherein the calibration images are taken from different locations and/or orientations, wherein each of the calibration images shares a common calibration target with at least one other calibration image; calculating, based on the at least one common calibration target, a position and orientation of the sensing device relative to the calibration target, for each location of the capturing of the calibration images; and calibrating the IMU by comparing relative motion between two of the calibration images based on the calculated relative position and orientation, to measurements of the parameters taken by the IMU in time ranges corresponding to the at least two calibration images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Matan PROTTER, Motti Kushnir
  • Publication number: 20180031390
    Abstract: Mobile units moving in a local network environment and at times in the vicinity of meters of the network, at least temporarily bypass relay functions of a concentrator operated in a stationary manner, if the relay function is not yet available, for instance during construction, for radio communication of data packets of the meter linked into the smart-metering network to a center. The mobile units are persons and/or vehicles with communication devices such as smartphones for long-distance links over the Internet or in the mobile radio standard. The communication devices, as modified mobile radio telephones, receive data packets from meters by using hardware or a software app over a short-distance link to the mobile unit being accidentally temporarily located in the vicinity of the meter. Long-distance communication of packets from mobile unit to center then takes place over the Internet or the mobile radio standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: HRISTO PETKOV, THOMAS LAUTENBACHER, THOMAS KAUPPERT, KLAUS GOTTSCHALK
  • Publication number: 20180031391
    Abstract: A measuring system for determining the position of a transducer along a z-direction, having a semiconductor body having a surface, a back surface, at least one connection contact and at least one magnetic field sensor which is sensitive in the z-direction, a carrier having a front side, rear side and electrically conductive regions, a magnet for producing a magnetic field, having a first magnetic pole formed along a first surface and an axis of symmetry extending perpendicular to the first surface, wherein between at least one connection contact of the semiconductor body and at least one conductor track of the carrier, there is an electrical operative connection, the first surface of the magnet being arranged parallel to the z-direction and the axis of symmetry of the magnet being arranged perpendicular to the z-direction, the transducer having an end face facing the magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: TDK - Micronas GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg FRANKE, Timo KAUFMANN
  • Publication number: 20180031392
    Abstract: To provide a rotation detection device that has a miniaturized sensor IC in comparison with a prior art. A rotation detection device includes: a magnet that forms a magnetic field toward a tooth surface of a gear; and a sensor disposed between the magnet and the gear, the sensor including: at least a pair of magnetic detection elements x1 and x2 that outputs signals according to a magnetic flux density in a radial direction of the gear; and a magnetic concentrator that induces, in the radial direction of the gear, a component in a circumferential direction of the gear in the magnetic flux density on detection surfaces of the magnetic detection elements x1 and x2, the sensor detecting a variation in a magnetic flux density accompanying the rotation of the gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicants: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES NV, K. K. MELEXIS JAPAN TECHNICAL RESEARCH CENTER
    Inventor: Takumi YOSHIYA
  • Publication number: 20180031393
    Abstract: An optical connection device includes a light source section configured to emit light, a light guide section configured to guide the light emitted from the light source section and including an emitting section configured to emit the guided light to the outside, and a light receiving section configured to receive the light emitted from the emitting section. At least one of the light source section and the light receiving section turns around a turning axis. Therefore, a transmission distance of the light from the light source section to the light receiving section changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Junichi OKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180031394
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus includes a power transmitting section that includes an input shaft section and an output shaft section and transmits drive force from the input shaft section to the output shaft section, a first detection section including a polarizing section that rotates when one of the input shaft section and the output shaft section rotates and has a polarization characteristic, a light source section that irradiates the polarizing section with light, and a light detection section that outputs a signal according to the intensity of the light from the polarizing section, a second detection section that outputs a signal according to the rotational state of the other one of the input shaft section and the output shaft section, and a determination section that determines the rotational state of the polarizing section based on the signal from the light detection section and the signal from the second detection section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Daiki TOKUSHIMA
  • Publication number: 20180031395
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical encoder for an electronic device. The optical encoder comprises an elongated shaft and a plurality of markings axially disposed around a circumference of the elongated shaft. The optical encoder also includes an optical sensor. In embodiments, the optical sensor includes an emitter and an array of photodiodes. The emitter and the array of photodiodes may be radially aligned with respect to the elongated shaft or axially aligned with respect to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Richard Ruh, Prashanth S. Holenarsipur, Serhan O. Isikman, Anant Rai
  • Publication number: 20180031396
    Abstract: Disclosed is an inspection system for a cable, pipe or wire transit having a plurality of transit elements in a sealed installation of cables, pipes or wires at a site. A portable inspection device has a controller and an RFID interface. The transit has an RFID chip with a first memory area which stores an identity of the transit, and a second memory area. The controller reads the identity of the transit via the RFID interface, records detailed operational integrity status data of the transit elements, obtains a status indication representing an assessed overall operational integrity status of the transit based on the recorded detailed operational integrity status data, transmits the obtained status indication via the RFID interface to the transit for storage in the second memory area of the RFID chip, and makes the recorded detailed operational integrity status data or the obtained status indication available to a maintenance server together with the read transit identity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jens BOHLIN, Jörgen LANDQVIST, Ulf HILDINGSSON
  • Publication number: 20180031397
    Abstract: An example implementation of the subject matter described within this disclosure is a thermowell with the following features. A body has a closed end, an open end, an outer surface, and defining an interior cavity starting prior to the closed end and terminating at the open end. The outer surface defines dimples that reduce vibration in response to vortex shedding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Lahdan Fahad Al Faihan
  • Publication number: 20180031398
    Abstract: A measuring instrument is configured to detect a displacement of a contact point provided to be movable and to digitally display a measured value on a display unit provided on an outer surface of a case. The measuring instrument includes an input unit. The input unit is provided on the outer surface of the case and is configured to allow a user to input to the input unit through a manual operation. The input unit includes a sensor which is configured to detect an amount of operation and a speed of operation. The amount of operation is converted into a conversion value in view of the speed of operation and then is displayed on the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsuya NIWANO
  • Publication number: 20180031399
    Abstract: A cassette module (32, 46) for a differential flowmeter (305, 415) is disclosed, wherein the cassette module (32, 46) forms a first channel (30, 45) and a second channel (31, 44), which channels carry fluid during operation of the differential flowmeter and are permeated by a magnetic field (33, 43) during operation of the differential flowmeter (305, 415), each having an electrode pair (301, 302, 403, 405) arranged on the first channel (30, 45) and on the second channel (31, 44). A flow difference between the first fluid-carrying channel (30, 44) and the second fluid-carrying channel (31, 45) can be determined by comparing the signals on the first electrode pair (301, 403) and on the second electrode pair (302, 405). The first channel (30, 45) forms an additional section (34, 41) that is permeated by the magnetic field during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander HEIDE, Dejan NIKOLIC
  • Publication number: 20180031400
    Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter has a flowtube configured to carry a conductive fluid. The flowtube has wall made of a conductive material. The wall has an inner surface surrounding a fluid flow path for the fluid. A non-conductive liner is positioned to electrically insulate the flowtube wall from the fluid. The flowtube and non-conductive liner define an electrode mounting hole. An electrode extends through the electrode mounting hole. The electrode and the non-conductive liner form a fluidic seal between the electrode mounting hole and the fluid flow path. At least a portion of the electrode is arranged in fluid communication with the flowtube within the electrode mounting hole. A short circuit detector can detect failure of the seal when conductive fluid that has leaked past the seal creates a short circuit as a result of the fluid communication between the flowtube and the electrode mounting hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Tower, III, John Yuxiang Xie, James L. Pizzuti, Antoine DeProost
  • Publication number: 20180031401
    Abstract: A method of measuring temperature and velocity of a fluid flow passing through a device of a plant includes the step of positioning at least two sensors in the device. For each sensor, a traveling path for an acoustic signal received from another sensor is determined. Each sensor emits an acoustic signal at a frequency that differs from a frequency of an acoustic signal to be emitted by the other sensor(s) in the fluid flow. A velocity profile and temperature profile for the fluid flow based on the acoustic signals received by the sensors is determined. A measurement system can include sensors and a computer device that can determine a velocity profile and temperature profile for a fluid flow passing through a device based on the acoustic signals received by the sensors. A plant can be configured to implement the method or include an embodiment of the measurement system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Ken Yves HAFFNER, Dominique HEINIS, Pascal DECOUSSEMAEKER
  • Publication number: 20180031402
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an element sensitive to at least one physical parameter of a flow of fluid, comprising a step consisting in a single cycle of immersing, in molten glass, a core of a preassembled sensitive element, said core comprising at least two longitudinal channels along which there pass longitudinally at least two conducting connecting wires which are connected to an at least two-wire winding, said winding being suited to forming a resistive or inductive circuit for detecting said physical parameter, said immersion allowing the connecting wires to be sealed into the channels, allowing said channels to be filled and allowing the outside of the core to be coated in a single immersion, the core, at the end of said single immersion cycle, being sealed and coated in such a way as to obtain an assembled sensitive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Christian GRAS, Catherine DONAT
  • Publication number: 20180031403
    Abstract: A thermal, flow measuring device for determining and/or monitoring the mass flow (?M) and/or the flow velocity (vF) of a flowable medium through a pipeline, comprising at least three sensor elements and an electronics unit, as well as method for operating a thermal, flow measuring device. Each sensor element is at least partially and/or at times in thermal contact with the medium, and includes a heatable temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Martin Arnold, Axel Pfau
  • Publication number: 20180031404
    Abstract: A method for temperature compensation of a signal in a vibratory meter is provided. The method includes obtaining one or more signals from a meter assembly in the vibratory meter, providing the one or more signals to a meter electronics of the vibratory meter, and compensating the one or more signals with a signal parameter offset, wherein the signal parameter offset is based on a temperature of the meter electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Kai Shen, Lingjun Wang, Xin Li, Huan Liu, Richard L. Maginnis
  • Publication number: 20180031405
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments of the present invention, one or more processors receive a fuel sensor reading from a fuel sensor on a vehicle. The processor(s) receive an environmental state of a route being taken by the vehicle to a destination and a biometric sensor reading that describes a biometric state of a driver of the vehicle. The processor(s) determine whether the remaining fuel will be sufficient for the vehicle to reach the destination subject to the constraints of the environmental state of the route being taken by the vehicle and the biometric state of the driver of the vehicle, and then modify an appearance of a fuel gauge on the vehicle based on whether the remaining fuel will be sufficient for the vehicle to reach the destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: LAMBERT S. BERENTSEN, GREGORY J. BOSS, JAMES R. KOZLOSKI, KEVIN C. MCCONNELL
  • Publication number: 20180031406
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves (EM waves) for ascertaining and monitoring a fill level of a medium in a container, comprising a first hollow conductor with a first coupling element for the out- and in-coupling of EM waves, a second hollow conductor with a second coupling element for the out- and in-coupling of EM waves, a horn radiator for radiating and focusing of EM waves, wherein the first and second hollow conductors are dimensioned such that EM waves out-coupled from the first and second coupling elements radiate from the horn radiator scattered and with weak intensity, or scattered and weak intensity EM waves, which are received from the horn radiator, couple to the first and second coupling elements, and EM waves out-coupled only from the first coupling element radiate from the horn radiator focused and with strong intensity, or focused and strong intensity EM waves, which are received from the horn radiator couple only to the first coupling e
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Blödt
  • Publication number: 20180031407
    Abstract: A method of operating an electro-optic sensor includes disposing at least a portion of the electro-optic sensor in a liquid chamber, providing light from a light source of the electro-optic sensor at a first intensity, driving a light detector of the electro-optic sensor at a first sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a first amount of light from the light source; determining whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the first amount of light, providing light from the light source at a second intensity, driving the light detector at a second sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a second amount of light from the light source, and/or confirming whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the second amount of light. The first sensitivity level may be different from the second sensitivity level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Gregory Kopansky, Thomas C. Gross, Stephen Showalter, George P. Birch
  • Publication number: 20180031408
    Abstract: A fuel pump assembly includes an attachment section and a pump housing. The attachment section includes an upper telescoping section having an outer portion and a support rod that extends into the outer portion for telescoping movement with respect thereto. The support rod further extends downward from the outer portion. The pump housing is supported to a lower end of the support rod of the attachment section. The upper telescoping section of the support rod is configured such that the pump housing is movable between a first position and a second position, such that in the first position the pump housing is retained by the upper telescoping structure a first distance away from the attachment section and in the second position the pump housing is located a second distance away from the attachment section. The first distance is greater than the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel FLYNN, Jason EASTER
  • Publication number: 20180031409
    Abstract: A fuel sender assembly having a housing, a first positioning mechanism, a second positioning mechanism and a sender unit. The first positioning mechanism contacts an outer surface of the housing and is movable in a first direction relative to the housing. The first positioning mechanism is further configured to retain the sender unit in any one of a plurality of positions relative to the outer surface of the housing. The second positioning mechanism includes a first part and a second part. The first part is attached to the first positioning mechanism. The second part is coupled to the first part such that the second part is movably positionable relative to the first part in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The sender unit is connected to the second part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel FLYNN, Jason EASTER
  • Publication number: 20180031410
    Abstract: A calibration unit is for a capacitive measuring system in a metering installation, or a metering installation for in particular solid pharmaceutical dosage units, and to an associated method for metering. The calibration unit includes a test body, a drive for the test body, and a guide for the test body. The guide has a first terminal position, a second terminal position, and a guided section that runs between the two terminal positions. The drive is configured for moving the test body along the guided section in a reciprocating manner between the two terminal positions. The capacitive measuring system is calibrated via the calibration unit. The dosage units are then metered via the metering installation and checked for a properly metered mass via the calibrated capacitive measuring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Andreas Lux, Jonas Hoepfer, Benedict Kleine-Koenig
  • Publication number: 20180031411
    Abstract: A thin scale apparatus for measuring body weight includes 5 or more force sensors within a total thickness of between 0.4 inches and 0.004 inches measured between a bottom surface and a top surface of the thin scale apparatus. The thin scale is designed to be thin enough to be non-intrusive or not recognized by a user. A weight of a toilet user may be determined as a combination of additive force of force sensors in a thin scale and force sensor associated with a toilet seat of a toilet. The force sensors may be positioned in one or more cavities on a bottom side of a substrate material of the thin scale or be embedded within a substrate material. Embodiments of a standalone thin scale and a thin scale with a toilet are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Jared Wagner, Dan Allen, Nathan Hopkins, Justin Robinson, Kevin Cheatham
  • Publication number: 20180031412
    Abstract: A weighing scale and a load cell assembly therefor, the weighing scale including: (a) a weighing platform; (b) a base; and (c) a load cell arrangement including: (i) a load cell body, disposed below the platform and above the base, the body secured to the platform at a first position along a length of the body, and secured to the base at a second position along the length, the load cell body having a first cutout window transversely disposed through the body, the window adapted such that a downward force exerted on a top face of the weighing platform distorts the window to form a distorted window; and (ii) at least one strain-sensing gage, mounted on at least a first surface of the load cell body, the strain-sensing gage adapted to measure a strain in the first surface; and (d) an at least a one-dimensional flexure arrangement having at least a second cutout window transversely disposed through the body, the second cutout window shaped and positioned to at least partially absorb an impact delivered to a top s
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Michael TRAKHIMOVICH
  • Publication number: 20180031413
    Abstract: An example omnidirectional sensing system may include a fiber optic cable wrapped around a sphere or spheroid in no preferred direction. The wrapped fiber optic cable may make the system more receptive to acoustic disturbances and increase the fidelity of the sensor in the area of the sphere or spheroid. The system may be used, for instance, for vertical seismic profiling via a wireline technique, placement at the surface of the earth for surface seismic, and in marine applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Lee Stokely, Jesse Choe, David Andrew Barfoot
  • Publication number: 20180031414
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fast quantitative measurement of perturbation of optical fields transmitted, reflected and/or scattered along a length of an optical fibre can be used for point sensors as well as distributed sensors or the combination of both. In particular, this technique can be applied to distributed sensors while extending dramatically the speed and sensitivity to allow the detection of acoustic perturbations anywhere along a length of an optical fibre while achieving fine spatial resolution. Advantages of this technique include a broad range of acoustic sensing and imaging applications. Typical uses are for monitoring oil and gas wells such as for distributed flow metering and/or imaging, seismic imaging, monitoring long cables and pipelines, imaging within large vessel as well as for security applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Tom Richard Parker, Sergey Shatalin
  • Publication number: 20180031415
    Abstract: An interferometer system to generate an interference signal of a surface of a sample includes a broadband illuminator to provide a broadband illumination beam, a beam splitter to split the broadband illumination beam in a reference beam for reflection on a reference reflector and a measurement beam for reflection on the surface of the sample, and a detector to receive an interference radiation intensity created between the reference beam reflected from the reference reflector and the reflected measurement beam from the surface of the sample to generate an interference signal. The interferometer system having a continuous variable broadband reflector in the beam splitter and/or the reference reflector to adjust the broadband radiation intensity balance between the measurement beam and the reference beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Han HAITJEMA, Johannes Anna QUAEDACKERS, Adriaan Tiemen ZUIDERWEG
  • Publication number: 20180031416
    Abstract: A sensor support for use with a lighting refractor includes a housing defining an interior cavity configured to receive and support a sensor for sensing at least one of motion or light. The sensor support further includes a locking structure operatively associated with the housing and configured to selectively attach the housing to a peripheral portion of a lighting refractor, and an aperture in the housing and arranged to expose the sensor to an environment around the lighting refractor. Sensor and lighting unit assemblies are also disclosed. A sensor assembly includes the sensor support and a sensor configured to sense at least one of motion or light. A lighting unit assembly includes the sensor support and a lighting unit having a refractor with a peripheral portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Travis Wright, John D. Boyer, Travis Schubert
  • Publication number: 20180031417
    Abstract: An optical attenuator has a sampling prism, a biconcave lens and an absorption member. A branch member splits a laser beam. An expansion member expands the shape of the split laser beam. The absorption member absorbs the energy of the expanded laser beam. A light receiving part of the absorption member receives the expanded laser beam. A first distribution part of the absorption member adjacent to the light receiving part, introduces or leads out a medium (cooling water) from a first opening and distributes the medium, which absorbs heat generated in the light receiving part by the laser beam. A second distribution part of the absorption member leads out or introduces cooling water from a second opening, and distributes the cooling water, which moves through a communicating part that communicates with the first distribution part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Naoyuki MORIMIYA, Naoyuki TORII, Naoki OKAMOTO, Naoya YOSHIDA, Tsuneo SAITO
  • Publication number: 20180031418
    Abstract: A solar monitoring system for measuring solar radiation intensity comprising a tracking unit having two-axis movement comprising, an image capturing head mounted with first and second irradiation measuring units, and a controller. The first irradiation measuring unit comprises a direct normal irradiance (DNI) sensor and the second irradiation measuring unit includes a diffuse horizontal irradiance (DHI) sensor and a global horizontal irradiance (GHI) sensor. The controller receives inputs from the sensors or a software program configured to control orientation of the image capturing head so that the DNI sensor is always exposed to the sun, and the shading disc is always directly between the DHI sensor and the sun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: AMRITA VISHWA VIDYAPEETHAM
    Inventors: Joshua David FREEMAN, Rahul KUMAR, Krishnashree ACHUTAN
  • Publication number: 20180031419
    Abstract: Disclosed is a data acquisition device for optical compensation including a platform for carrying a display panel; and a linear image acquisition module located above the platform. The linear image acquisition module is movable relative to the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Dongxu HAN, Tieshi WANG, Chi ZHANG, Wenchao BAO, Min HE, Pan Xu, Yongqian LI, Kun CAO, Yue WU
  • Publication number: 20180031420
    Abstract: A method for improving dynamic range of a device for detecting light includes providing at least two detection regions. The detection regions are each formed by an array of a plurality of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) and the detection regions each comprise at least one signal output. A characteristic curve is determined for each of the detection regions. The characteristic curves are combined with one another and/or offset against one another in order to obtain a correction curve and/or a correction factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH
    Inventor: Marcus Dyba
  • Publication number: 20180031421
    Abstract: A device may obtain a master calibration set, associated with a master calibration model of a master instrument, that includes spectra, associated with a set of samples, generated by the master instrument. The device may identify a selected set of master calibrants based on the master calibration set. The device may obtain a selected set of target calibrants that includes spectra, associated with the subset of the set of samples, generated by the target instrument. The device may create a transfer set based on the selected set of master calibrants and the selected set of target calibrants. The device may create a target calibration set, corresponding to the master calibration set, based on the transfer set. The device may generate, using an optimization technique associated with the transfer set and a support vector regression modeling technique, a transferred calibration model, for the target instrument, based on the target calibration set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Changmeng HSIUNG, Lan SUN, Christopher G. PEDERSON
  • Publication number: 20180031422
    Abstract: A compact hyperspectral imager adapted to operate in harsh environments and to conduct post acquisition signal processing to provide automated and improved hyperspectral processing results is disclosed. The processing includes luminance and brightness processing of captured hyperspectral images, hyperspectral image classification and inverse rendering to produce luminance invariance image processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Richard J. Murphy, Arman Melkumyan, Anna Chlingaryan, Dai Bang Nguyen, Stuart Wishart, Alex Lowe, Steven Scheding