Patents Issued in October 9, 2018
  • Patent number: 10094882
    Abstract: In an apparatus, a circuit model includes a DC resistance model, and a reaction impedance model having a nonlinear relationship between a first potential difference across a reaction resistance and a current flowing through the secondary battery. The nonlinearly relationship depends on a temperature of the secondary battery. The circuit model includes a diffusion impedance model. The apparatus predicts a future remaining voltage across the secondary battery at a future timing when a predetermined duration will have elapsed since a prediction time. The apparatus calculates a future polarization voltage across the secondary battery at the future timing. The apparatus predicts a target power parameter of the secondary battery at the future timing according to the future remaining voltage, the future polarization voltage, a first potential difference across the reaction resistance, and a second potential difference across the DC resistance model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kawai, Yuuji Koike, Keiichi Kato
  • Patent number: 10094883
    Abstract: A voltage detecting device detects a differential voltage between two input nodes having a non-zero common mode voltage. A differential voltage detecting circuit 5 detects the differential voltage by sampling each voltage of the input nodes and outputs a detection voltage indicating a detection result. A leak canceling circuit generates a compensating current, which flows in opposition to a leak current flowing out from the input nodes in correspondence to an operation of the differential voltage detecting circuit. An operation control part controls the leak canceling circuit to perform or stop a canceling operation. A failure diagnosing part performs a failure diagnosis about the leak canceling circuit based on a first detection value and a second detection value of the detection voltages, which are detected during periods when the leak canceling circuit performs and stops the canceling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunya Yamamoto, Kazutaka Honda, Yukihiro Tomonaga, Ryotaro Miura
  • Patent number: 10094884
    Abstract: This monitoring sensor is provided with polymer matrix layers 3 containing a magnetic filler and attached to an outer casing or an electrode group, and a magnetism detection unit 4 for detecting a change in magnetism. The magnetic filler is magnetized in the in-plane direction of the polymer matrix layers 3. An interface layer 5 is formed between the polymer matrix layers 3 that are arranged with edges thereof facing each other. The directions of magnetization of the magnetic filler on one side and the other side having the interface layer 5 interposed therebetween are opposite to each other and intersect with the interface layer 5 as viewed in the thickness direction of the polymer matrix layers 3. The magnetism detection unit 4 is disposed on a straight line L1 passing through the interface layer 5 and extending in the thickness direction of the polymer matrix layers 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Fukuda, Toshiaki Kawai
  • Patent number: 10094885
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and computer-readable media for operating an electronic locking device. The disclosed methods include a method of predicting a battery life of an electronic locking product based at least in part on a usage history of the electronic locking product. The predicted battery life may include an adjustment based on received weather information relating to a location of the electronic locking device. The disclosed methods include a method of sharing an unlocking code to an electronic locking product by a first user to a second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Scott Kalous, John Bartucci, Cris Smyczek, Nathan Conrad
  • Patent number: 10094886
    Abstract: A state of charge indicator including an indicator with a display threshold and an indicator circuit electrically coupled to the indicator such that when a main cell voltage of a main cell is greater than a display threshold, the indicator circuit applies a driver voltage to the indicator such that the indicator is inactive and when the main cell voltage is less than the display threshold, the indicator circuit applies the driver voltage to the indicator such that the indicator is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: DURACELL U.S. OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jordan Todorov Bourilkov, Steven Jeffrey Specht
  • Patent number: 10094887
    Abstract: Provided are an auxiliary power supply test method and an electronic apparatus to which the same is applied. The auxiliary power supply test method includes: applying a charging disable signal, which interrupts a charging operation by an auxiliary power supply unit for a predetermined period of time, to the auxiliary power supply unit; monitoring a charging voltage of the auxiliary power supply unit in a time interval in which the charging disable signal is applied to the auxiliary power supply unit; determining whether the auxiliary power supply unit is defective, based on whether the monitored charging voltage is less than a predetermined threshold voltage, wherein the auxiliary power supply unit supplies auxiliary power, obtained based on the charging voltage, to a system power supply line in a case of a sudden power-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-sung Lee, Hyoung-taek Lim, Chung-hyun Ryu, Jong-wook Jeong, Su-yong An
  • Patent number: 10094888
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for calibrating the offset of a magnetometer assembly with reduced power are provided. In one embodiment, a method for operating an assembly may include determining a difference between a current signal measurement output component of a first magnetometer sensor and a previous signal measurement output component of the first magnetometer sensor, comparing the determined difference with a current threshold value, and generating an assembly output based on the comparing, where, when the determined difference is greater than the current threshold value, the generating may include providing a first assembly output using a current offset output component of a second magnetometer sensor, and, when the determined difference is less than the current threshold value, the generating may include providing a second assembly output using a previous offset output component of the second magnetometer sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Henry H. Yang, Jian Guo
  • Patent number: 10094889
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to vertical Hall effect devices comprising Hall effect structures with three contacts in each Hall effect region. In one embodiment, the contacts are interconnected with terminals such that the Hall effect device has symmetry and nominally identical internal resistances in the absence of externally applied magnetic fields. Embodiments are capable of operating in multiple operating phases, such that spinning can be used to measure field redundantly and improve magnetic field measurement accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 10094890
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a board, a magnetoresistance element group including first and second magnetoresistance elements disposed on the board, and a magnet group including a first magnet corresponding to the first magnetoresistance element and a second magnet corresponding to the second magnetoresistance element. This magnetic sensor can have a small size and high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Yamada, Kazuhiro Onaka, Noritaka Ichinomiya
  • Patent number: 10094891
    Abstract: An integrated AMR magnetoresistive sensor has a magnetoresistor, a set/reset coil and a shielding region arranged on top of each other. The set/reset coil is positioned between the magnetoresistor and the shielding region. The magnetoresistor is formed by a magnetoresistive strip of an elongated shape having a length in a first direction parallel to the preferential magnetization direction and a width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The set/reset coil has at least one stretch extending transversely to the magnetoresistive strip. The shielding region is a ferromagnetic material and has a width in the second direction greater than the width of the magnetoresistive strip so as to attenuate the external magnetic field traversing the magnetoresistive strip and increase the sensitivity scale of the magnetoresistive sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Marco Marchesi, Marco Morelli
  • Patent number: 10094892
    Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus, referred to as “temperature-lock,” which can control and stabilize the sample temperature in an NMR spectrometer, in some instances with a precision and an accuracy of below about 0.1 K. In conventional setups, sample heating caused by experiments with high-power radio frequency pulses is not readily detected and is corrected by a cumbersome manual procedure. In contrast, the temperature-lock disclosed herein automatically maintains the sample at the same reference temperature over the course of different NMR experiments. The temperature-lock can work by continuous or non-continuous measurement of the resonance frequency of a suitable temperature-lock nucleus and simultaneous adaptation of a temperature control signal to stabilize the sample at a reference temperature value. Inter-scan periods with variable length can be used to maintain the sample at thermal equilibrium over the full length of an experiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Sebastian Hiller, Gerhard Wagner
  • Patent number: 10094893
    Abstract: Described herein are a magnetic resonance probe and a NMR, MRI, or EPR apparatus including the same. The magnetic resonance probe includes a conductor electrically coupled to the resonator and configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from a sample, wherein the conductor includes one or more cascaded narrowed regions along its longitudinal dimension and a slot within one of the one or more cascaded narrowed regions; and an electrical circuit coupled to the conductor and the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Jianping Hu, Louis Bouchard
  • Patent number: 10094894
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a superconducting split ring resonator, a cryostat, and a copper coil. The resonator is arranged in the cryostat and includes at least one ring-shaped conductor made of a superconducting material and including an opening and a taper. The copper coil may be used to transmit a MRI excitation signal. This signal causes a current to be induced in the conductor that leads to the breakdown of the superconductivity. The conductor is detuned and therefore no longer develops an interfering effect. It is possible for the effect of the breakdown of superconductivity to be used for detuning in a targeted manner. After the transmission is complete, the conductor returns into the superconducting state and acts as a superconducting reception antenna for the MRI measurement signal. The copper coil is inductively coupled to the conductor and configured to read out the signal induced in the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Fackelmeier, Sebastian Martius, Robert Rehner, Christopher Stumpf, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 10094895
    Abstract: A transmit/receive switching circuitry (40; 48) for a magnetic resonance radio frequency antenna (M) for use in an magnetic resonance imaging system (10), the transmit/receive switching circuitry comprising: -a radio frequency input transmission line (TX) provided for transmitting radio frequency power to the magnetic resonance radio frequency antenna (M) and a radio frequency output transmission line (RX) provided for transferring away magnetic resonance signals received by the magnetic resonance radio frequency antenna (M) at a magnetic resonance frequency from the magnetic resonance radio frequency antenna (M);—a parallel resonant circuit (42) with a resonance frequency that is substantially equal to the magnetic resonance frequency, and that is connected in parallel to the magnetic resonance radio frequency antenna (M) with regard to the radio frequency input transmission line (TX),—a series resonant circuit (44) with a resonance frequency that is substantially equal to the magnetic resonance frequency,an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Oliver Lips
  • Patent number: 10094896
    Abstract: Methods of fastening a cage with a fastening system in an MRD. One method includes: assembling: a plurality of pole pieces; a plurality of side magnets, the side magnets substantially enclosing the pole pieces and thereby defining a magnetic envelope and enclosed volume therein; a plurality of side walls, the side walls substantially enclosing the side magnets; a plurality of face walls and a plurality of fastening rods; and passing a plurality of fastening rods through at least one of the side magnets and at least one of the pole pieces and fastening them in an effective measure, such that the rods physically interconnects at least one pair of side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Aspect Imaging Ltd.
    Inventor: Uri Rapoport
  • Patent number: 10094897
    Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) apparatus includes at least one solenoid configured to induce a radio frequency magnetic field in a sample. The sample is located inside the solenoid. At least one cylindrical magnet is arranged to induce a static magnetic field in the sample, wherein the magnet is located inside the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Inventor: Gersh Z. Taicher
  • Patent number: 10094898
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of an object positioned in an examination volume of a MR device (1), the method comprises the steps of:—subjecting the object (10) to an imaging sequence of RF pulses (20) and switched magnetic field gradients(G), which imaging sequence is a zero echo time sequence comprising: i) setting a readout magnetic field gradient (G) having a readout direction and a readout strength; ii) radiating a RF pulse (20) in the presence of the readout magnetic field gradient (G); iii) acquiring a FID signal in the presence of the readout magnetic field gradient (G), wherein the FID signal represents a radial k-space sample; iv) gradually varying the readout direction; v) sampling a spherical volume in k-space by repeating steps i) through iv) a number of times, with the readout strength being varied between repetitions;—reconstructing a MR image from the acquired FID signals, wherein signal contributions of two or more chemical species to the acquired FID signals are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Miha Fuderer
  • Patent number: 10094899
    Abstract: Methods and systems to obtain and apply T2 preparatory radiofrequency (RF) pulse sequences for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are provided. The iterative methods may employ propagation of the magnetization state of the object being imaged and a comparison with a target magnetization state. The methods disclosed may be used to obtain MRI pulse sequences that may optimize T2 relaxation contrast. The produced RF pulse sequences may be robust to effects from inhomogeneity of the magnetic fields or other environmental or physiological perturbations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Florian Wiesinger, Martin Andreas Janich, Ana Beatriz Solana Sanchez, Nicolas Hehn
  • Patent number: 10094900
    Abstract: In a method and device for generating 4D flow images by operation of a magnetic resonance system, a volume flow data record is recorded, wherein the flow is encoded in a single direction. This is subsequently repeated with all the flow encoding directions. From the raw data associated with the individual flow encoding directions, phase images and magnitude images are calculated. Deformation fields are calculated on the basis of the magnitude images. The deformation fields are applied to the calculated phase images. Finally, a 4D flow velocity field is calculated, on the basis of a phase difference reconstruction of the corrected phase images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andreas Greiser
  • Patent number: 10094901
    Abstract: A processor may receive an indication form a radio frequency identification (RFID) device that a mobile device is in a predetermined area. The processor may send a private key on a first frequency at a first time to the mobile device. The processor may receive a communication request from the mobile device that may contain a public decryption key. The processor may send encrypted configuration information and encrypted state information to the mobile device. In some embodiments, an RFID device, may identify that a mobile device is within a predetermined area. The RFID device may send a tag to the mobile device. The RFID may send a notification to a communicator that the tag has been sent. The RFID may acquire the encrypted configuration information and encrypted state information form the communicator. The RFID device may push the encrypted configuration information and the encrypted state information to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gautam K. Bhat, Stacey C. Ramos, Gregory J. Boss, Kevin C. McConnell, Minh Q. Pham
  • Patent number: 10094902
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided to estimate angle of arrival of wireless signals. An electronic device may include two or more antennas that receive a wireless transmission. The wireless transmission includes a first frequency signal at a first frequency and a second frequency signal at a second frequency. The electronic device includes angle of arrival logic that may determine one or more angles of arrival of the wireless transmission to the electronic device using phase difference on arrival based on each of the first and second frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alejandro J. Marquez, Mohit Narang, Ruben Caballero, Indranil S. Sen, Shang-Te Yang
  • Patent number: 10094903
    Abstract: Methods and systems for real-time object tracking and data aggregation in panoramic video are disclosed. An example system provides a panoramic video camera that produces panoramic video data of an area; a plurality of radio frequency tags producing tracking data; and at least one of the radio frequency tags being co-located with the panoramic video camera, producing tracking data for the panoramic video camera; at least another of the radio frequency tags being co-located with at least one object within the area, producing tracking data for the at least one object; a computing device, wherein the computing device receives the panoramic video data and further receives the tracking data from the plurality of radio frequency tags; the computing device generating a video stream by augmenting the panoramic video data with the tracking data; the computing device sending the video stream to at least one remote system. Other methods and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: C360 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Lowry, Evan A. Wimer, Joseph B. Tomko
  • Patent number: 10094904
    Abstract: The present invention concerns, inter alia, a method for generating location data for locating a mobile communication terminal (20) in a cellular communication network, said communication network being comprised of a number of radio cells (40, 50, 60). The basics are that the communication terminal (20) successively establishes a connection to a number of two or more radio cells (40, 50, 60) having the same and/or different field strengths, in that the communication terminal (20) maintains the connection to the respective radio cell (40, 50, 60) for a defined time period, and in that after the defined time period has elapsed, the communication terminal (20) terminates the connection to the radio cell (40, 50, 60) and establishes a connection to the next radio cell (40, 50, 60). The information items arising from this process are used on the network side to generate location data by means of which the communication terminal (20) can be located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Vodafone GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Josefiak
  • Patent number: 10094905
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods and techniques for calibrating an altimeter of a mobile device. For example, a characterized motion of a mobile device may be used to infer an altitude of the mobile device. If it is further inferred that the mobile device is in an outdoor environment, an altitude of the mobile device may be based on application of an estimated location of the mobile device to an altitude terrain map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Arnold Jason Gum, Mark Leo Moeglein
  • Patent number: 10094906
    Abstract: A method includes identifying a reference target with both a vehicle sensor and an infrastructure position signal. A position of a host vehicle with respect to the reference target is then determined. A localized position error between the host vehicle position and the determined position with respect to the object is then calculated with a vehicle controller. Finally, a vehicle positioning system is compensated to account for the localized position error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Vivek Vijaya Kumar, Hariharan Krishnan
  • Patent number: 10094907
    Abstract: Beacon devices transmit beacon messages to alert an application on a mobile user device of the Beacon device's proximity. A Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) field may indicate the power level at which the beacon message was received at the mobile device. Where the transmission power of the beacon device is standardized, the application can infer the distance between the mobile user device the beacon device based upon the RSSI field. By considering successive RSSI values over time while the mobile device is in motion, in conjunction with GPS information for the mobile device, the location of the beacon device relative to the mobile device may be inferred. Multiple mobile devices may be used together to infer the beacon device's position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Mateusz Marek Niewczas, Manish Modi
  • Patent number: 10094908
    Abstract: A geolocation system includes an originator device configured to transmit a first wireless signal to a transponder device. The transponder device is configured to transmit a second wireless signal to the originator device. The system includes at least one observer device configured to receive the first wireless signal from the originator device and receive the second wireless signal from the transponder device. The system also includes a first processor configured to calculate a transactional difference range at the at least one observer device based on the first wireless signal received at the observer device and the second wireless signal received at the observer device. A corrected transactional difference range value may be calculated by subtracting a time-of-flight of the first wireless signal from the originator device to the transponder device from the transactional difference range. A method of performing geolocation using a transactional difference range is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: ENSCO, INC.
    Inventors: David W. A. Taylor, Jr., Bradley David Farnsworth, William Todd Faulkner
  • Patent number: 10094909
    Abstract: A device comprising: a substrate; a semiconductor die mounted on the substrate; a transmit antenna fabricated on the substrate and configured to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals at least at a first center frequency; a receive antenna fabricated on the substrate and configured to receive RF signals at least at a second center frequency different than the first center frequency; and circuitry integrated with the semiconductor die and configured to provide RF signals to the transmit antenna and to receive RF signals from the receive antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Humantics Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Charvat, David A. Mindell
  • Patent number: 10094910
    Abstract: A location estimation system includes a plurality of Kalman filters, a UWB position system, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and a MEMs chip that provides gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer information. The data is Kalman filtered to determine precise location information that is more precise any sensor that is processed to determine the probably location of a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Hamilton
  • Patent number: 10094911
    Abstract: A method of processing an acoustic image includes the steps of acquiring acoustic signals generated by acoustic sources in a predetermined region of space, generating a multispectral 3D acoustic image that includes a collection of 2D acoustic images, performing a frequency integration of the multispectral acoustic image for generating a 2D acoustic map, locating at least one target acoustic source of interest and modeling the signal spectrum associated with the target acoustic source, generating a classification map obtained by comparing the signal spectrum of each signal associated with each pixel of the multispectral acoustic image and the model of the signal spectrum associated with the target acoustic source to distinguish the spectrum of the signal associated with the target acoustic source from the signal spectra associated with the remaining acoustic sources, and merging the classification map and the acoustic map to obtain a merged map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Inventors: Marco Crocco, Vittorio Murino, Andrea Trucco, Samuele Martelli
  • Patent number: 10094912
    Abstract: An operator terminal of a mission system including at least one screen for displaying environmental data of a mobile carrier of a situation analysis system including at least one image sensor and a real-time spatial position of at least one object of interest. This operator terminal includes a module for obtaining at least one piece of position information representative of the position of the carrier and at least one object of interest. A computing module providing at least two different picture taking quality zones, in a predetermined spatial perimeter centered on the position of the carrier. This operator terminal also includes a module for displaying a map of said picture taking quality zones relative to the position of the carrier. The obtaining, computing and display modules are implemented to obtain a quasi-real-time refresh of said displayed map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Pierre Laborde, Eric Le Pors
  • Patent number: 10094913
    Abstract: A radar circuit for controlling a radar antenna in a vehicle comprises an antenna connection for connection of a radar antenna, a radar circuit for transmission and reception of a radar signal, wherein the radar circuit is connected to the antenna connection. A test circuit to test the connection of the radar antenna is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technology AG
    Inventors: Herbert Jaeger, Christoph Wagner
  • Patent number: 10094914
    Abstract: A method and system use the mutual coupling property of multiple antenna elements for measuring differences in propagation time among various signal paths involving antenna elements in a radio frequency transmit/receive system. The method and system alleviate the need for external test equipment by using the same hardware used in standard operation of the transmit/receive system for performing propagation time measurement through the generation, mutual coupling, and acquisition of a specially selected reference signal. In an embodiment involving calibration of various signal paths to realize matched propagation times, the signal energy returned through these various paths during standard system operation arrives for acquisition more closely coincident in time, increasing the instantaneous bandwidth of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric N. Boe, William L. Lewis, John Fraschilla
  • Patent number: 10094915
    Abstract: A method is for estimating a distance to an object. The method may include determining, by a ranging device, a first range value based upon a time of flight of first optical pulses having a period of a first duration, and determining, by the ranging device, a second range value based upon a time of flight of second optical pulses having a period of a second duration different from the first duration. The method may include estimating the distance based upon the first and second range values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE 2) SAS
    Inventors: Marc Drader, Pascal Mellot
  • Patent number: 10094916
    Abstract: One example method involves obtaining a plurality of images using a camera located at a given position relative to a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device. A first image of the plurality may be obtained while a first aperture is interposed between the camera and the LIDAR device. A second image of the plurality may be obtained while a second aperture is interposed between the camera and the LIDAR device. The method also involves determining one or more alignment offsets between a transmitter of the LIDAR device and a receiver of the LIDAR device based on the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Luke Wachter, Alexander McCauley
  • Patent number: 10094917
    Abstract: Circuitry for ultrasound devices is described. A multilevel pulser is described, which can provide bipolar pulses of multiple levels. The multilevel pulser includes a pulsing circuit and pulser and feedback circuit. Symmetric switches are also described. The symmetric switches can be positioned as inputs to ultrasound receiving circuitry to block signals from the receiving circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Butterfly Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Kailiang Chen, Tyler S. Ralston, Keith G. Fife
  • Patent number: 10094918
    Abstract: Various implementations directed to alert zones for a marine environment. In one implementation, a marine electronics device may include a memory having a plurality of program instructions which, when executed by the sonar signal processor, cause the processor to determine one or more alert zones for a marine environment proximate to a vessel, and to receive sonar data from a transducer array disposed on the vessel, where the sonar data corresponds to the marine environment. The memory may further have program instructions which, when executed by the sonar signal processor, cause the processor to analyze the received sonar data to determine a depth line, where the depth line is a representation of one or more depths of an underwater floor of the marine environment, and to provide one or more alerts if at least a portion of the depth line is positioned within the one or more alert zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: NAVICO HOLDING AS
    Inventors: Frank S. Nickel, Alan Proctor, Tracy Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10094919
    Abstract: A method of determining velocity of a target and a fusion system on a moving platform to determine the velocity of the target are described. The method includes obtaining, using a radar system, position and radial velocity of the target relative to the moving platform, obtaining, using a vision system, optical flow vectors based on motion of the target relative to the moving platform, and estimating a dominant motion vector of the target based on the optical flow vectors. The method also includes processing the position, the radial velocity, and the dominant motion vector and determining the velocity of the target in two dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dan Levi, Shuqing Zeng, Igal Bilik
  • Patent number: 10094920
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a radar apparatus for estimating a range of an obstacle. The radar apparatus includes a local oscillator that generates a first ramp segment and a second ramp segment. The first ramp segment and the second ramp segment each includes a start frequency, a first frequency and a second frequency. The first frequency of the second ramp segment is equal to or greater than the second frequency of the first ramp segment when a slope of the first ramp segment and a slope of the second ramp segment are equal and positive. The first frequency of the second ramp segment is equal to or less than the second frequency of the first ramp segment when the slope of the first ramp segment and the slope of the second ramp segment are equal and negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sandeep Rao, Karthik Subburaj, Brian Ginsburg, Karthik Ramasubramanian, Jawaharlal Tangudu, Sachin Bharadwaj
  • Patent number: 10094921
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods associated with an antenna system comprising a tension member configured to be towed by an aerial platform and/or secured to an orbiting satellite. In some embodiments, a first end of the tension member may be secured to the aerial platform and the second end may extend unsecured from the aerial platform at a different elevation than the first end. A plurality of antenna assemblies, each comprising at least one antenna, may be secured to and spaced along the length of the tension member. Each of the plurality of antennas may be adapted for use with a particular frequency or frequency bandwidth. For example, each of the plurality of antennas may be adapted or tuned for one or more frequencies useful for synthetic aperture radar (SAR). In some embodiments, a receiving system, a communication link, and/or an antenna location system may be utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: William David Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10094922
    Abstract: A position location system and method, the system including: an infrared (IR) transmitter, a first and a second ultrasound (US) transmitter, the first and a second US transmitters arranged at respective predetermined distances from a reference plane, an IR receiver configured to receive an IR signal from the IR transmitter, a US receiver configured to receive a first US signal from the first US transmitter and a second US signal from the second US transmitter; and a processor coupled to a memory and further coupled to the IR receiver and the US receiver, the processor configured to detect: a time of flight (ToF) of the first US signal from the first US transmitter to the US receiver; and a ToF of the second US signal from the second US transmitter to the US receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: CENTRAK, INC.
    Inventor: Israel Amir
  • Patent number: 10094923
    Abstract: In a method for checking a first ultrasonic sensor of a motor vehicle for an occlusion, a measuring signal of the first ultrasonic sensor is acquired by an evaluation unit, and from the measuring signal, a decay time of a natural oscillation of the diaphragm of the first ultrasonic sensor, brought about by an excitation pulse, is ascertained. From the measuring signal of either the first ultrasonic sensor or a second ultrasonic sensor, an echo produced by an object located in a sensing range of the first ultrasonic sensor is ascertained, and a distance value of the object is determined on the basis of the echo. An occlusion is signaled if the decay time is less than a predetermined threshold value which would be exceeded if ice and/or dirt were to adhere directly to the diaphragm, and if the distance value is less than a predetermined maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventors: Daniel Mossau, Peter Baumann, Heinecke Carsten, Manuel Tanner, Knut Sanny
  • Patent number: 10094924
    Abstract: A survey system including a multibeam echo sounder having a single projector array and a single hydrophone array constructs a multi-component message for ensonifying multiple fans and deconstructs a corresponding message echo for use in analyzing the returns from each fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: R2SONIC, LLC
    Inventors: Jens Steenstrup, Christopher Tiemann, Mark Chun, Kirk Hobart
  • Patent number: 10094925
    Abstract: A multispectral lidar system includes a laser configured to emit a pulse of light including a first wavelength, scanner configured to direct the emitted pulse of light in accordance with a scan pattern, a receiver including a first detector and a second detector, and a controller. The first detector is configured to detect the emitted pulse of light scattered by a remote target, and the second detector is configured to detect light scattered or emitted by the remote target and including a second wavelength. The scanner provides, at any point in time, a fixed spatial relationship between the fields of view over which the light with the first wavelength and the second wavelength is received. A controller can determine a distance to the remote target and use this distance to modify a measurement of the property of the remote target based on the light detected by the second detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: LUMINAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph G. LaChapelle
  • Patent number: 10094926
    Abstract: A device for extracting depth information, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a light output unit for outputting infrared (IR) light; a light adjustment unit for adjusting an angle of the light outputted from the light output unit such that the light scans a first region including an object, and then adjusting the angle of the light such that the light scans a second region, which is a portion of the first region; a light input unit in which the light outputted from the light output unit and reflected from the object is inputted; and a control unit for extracting depth information of the second region by using the flight time taken up until the light outputted from the light output unit is inputted into the light input unit after being scanned to and reflected from the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Ki Jung, Gi Seok Lee, Kyung Ha Han
  • Patent number: 10094927
    Abstract: A detector (110) and a method for optically determining a position of at least one object (112). The detector (110) comprises at least one optical sensor (114) for determining a position of at least one light beam (134) and at least one evaluation device (164) for generating at least one item of information on a transversal position of the object (112) and at least one item of information on a longitudinal position of the object (112). The sensor (114) has at least a first electrode (126) and a second electrode (128). At least one photovoltaic material (130) is embedded in between the first electrode (126) and the second electrode (128). The first electrode (126) or the second electrode (128) is a split electrode (136) having at least three partial electrodes (140, 142, 144, 146). The detector and the method can determine three-dimensional coordinates of an object in a fast and efficient way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Robert Send, Ingmar Bruder, Stephan Irle, Erwin Thiel
  • Patent number: 10094928
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to characterizing underwater turbulence. Initially, multispectral laser light (MLL) is generated and then converted to output laser light (OLL). The OLL is received at a polarization rotator that causes the OLL to be emitted in one of multiple modes of polarization. Next, the OLL is directed toward a target medium, where the OLL causes backscattered light to be emitted from the target medium. While using the polarization rotator to switch between the multiple modes of polarization, Stokes parameters of the backscattered light are detected and then used to characterize the underwater turbulence of the target medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: The Govemment of the United States ofAmerica, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Damien Josset, Weilin Hou
  • Patent number: 10094929
    Abstract: A method for determining an indicator of an amount of noise comprised within a received signal within a satellite communication network or a GNSS involves extracting a received modulating signal from the received signal. An estimate of the transmission delay is determined based on the in-phase component of the modulating signal. A prompt replica of the modulating signal is generated using the estimate of the transmission delay. A prompt quadrature correlation of the quadrature component of the received modulating signal and of the quadrature component of the prompt replica is determined, and the indicator of the amount of noise comprised within the received signal is determined based on the prompt quadrature correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: ASTRIUM GMBH
    Inventors: Jan Wendel, Frank Schubert, Jean-Jacques Floch, Francis Soualle
  • Patent number: 10094930
    Abstract: A system to detect spoofing attacks is provided. The system includes a satellite-motion-and-receiver-clock-correction module, a compute-predicted-range-and-delta-range module, a subtractor, and delta-range-difference-detection logic. The satellite-motion-and-receiver-clock-correction module periodically inputs, from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, a carrier phase range for a plurality of satellites. The satellite-motion-and-receiver-clock-correction module outputs a corrected-delta-carrier-phase range for a current epoch to a first input of a subtractor. The compute-predicted-range-and-delta-range module outputs a predicted delta range to a second input of the subtractor. The predicted delta range is based on inertial measurements observed for the current epoch. The subtractor outputs a difference between the corrected-delta-carrier-phase range and the predicted delta range for the current epoch to delta-range-difference-detection logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Schipper, Kevin Sweeney, Wesley J. Hawkinson
  • Patent number: 10094931
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for mitigating the effects of null zones on the measurements of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers are described. In one aspect, a GNSS receiver calculates both a filtered value of an integrated and summed value for a punctual correlator of a satellite signal (“the calculated filtered punctual correlator value”) and an average of integrated and summed correlator values for a plurality of noise/offset correlators of the satellite signal (“the calculated average noise/offset correlator value”). The GNSS receiver then calculates a signal energy loss parameter ESL of the satellite signal using the calculated filtered punctual correlator value and the calculated average noise/offset correlator value and processes the satellite signal measurement based at least on the signal energy loss parameter ESL and a predetermined threshold ThSL presently corresponding to the punctual and noise/offset correlators of the satellite signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Gary Lennen