Patents Issued in June 18, 2019
  • Patent number: 10323906
    Abstract: An autonomous flight termination system for terminating vehicle flight after the vehicle is launched from an aircraft includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; a termination unit selected from a cut-off switch connected to terminate vehicle flight when actuated, and a switch connected to detonate an explosive on the vehicle; a system controller for receiving a first signal indicating separation of the vehicle from the aircraft and a second signal from the GPS receiver to calculate an actual vehicle trajectory, and for sending a third signal to actuate the termination unit to terminate the flight of the vehicle when the actual vehicle trajectory is determined to be outside the safety bounds of a mission-planned flight trajectory; and a failsafe controller connected to receive operational data of the system controller, and to actuate the termination unit when the operational data indicates that the system is in an error state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michelle V. DeJong
  • Patent number: 10323907
    Abstract: A method for guiding a ballistic missile to a target has a first mode guidance process that drives a magnitude of a velocity-to-go (Vgo) vector toward zero. On regular intervals, a proportional velocity deficit value is calculated as equal to a time constant (Tau) multiplied by a specific force magnitude (sf). When the magnitude of the Vgo vector has been driven to less than or equal to the proportional velocity deficit value by way of the first mode guidance process, a second mode guidance process is initiated. The second mode guidance process constrains the magnitude of the Vgo vector to be equal to the proportional velocity deficit value throughout the remaining portion of powered flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Cummings Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Wright
  • Patent number: 10323908
    Abstract: A flexible composite suitable for use in a knife, pick, bullet and fragment-resistant article comprising (i) a first zone comprising fabric but no resin, the first first zone comprising from 10 to 90 percent of the total thickness of the composite, (ii) a third zone comprising an elastomeric or thermoplastic resin but no fabric, the third zone comprising from 0 to 50 percent of the total thickness of the composite and (iii) a second zone, located between the first and third zones, comprising fabric and an elastomeric or thermoplastic resin, the second zone comprising from 10 to 90 percent of the total thickness of the composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Olivier Rozant, Yves Bader, Louis Boogh, Nicolas Pont
  • Patent number: 10323909
    Abstract: A blast-protection element for protecting a vehicle against a blast is disclosed. It includes a deformable impact section which has a blast facing surface, at least one apex part and at least two blast-guiding parts. The blast-guiding parts extend at opposed sides of the apex part, and the apex part further includes a protruding apex in the blast facing surface. The blast-guiding parts each include a concave portion of the blast-facing surface and the blast guiding parts in total span at least 75% of the width of the impact section and more than 90% of the blast-facing surface of each of the blast-guiding parts is concave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST-NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
    Inventors: Erik Peter Carton, Geert H. J. J. Roebroeks
  • Patent number: 10323910
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method and apparatus for eliminating a missile threat are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the method includes identifying a vulnerability associated with the missile threat. The method can further include identifying a technique for exploiting the vulnerability to generate a vulnerability-technique (VT) pair. The method can further include applying a stochastic mathematical model (SMM) to generate a negation value, the negation value being representative of a probability that the technique of the respective VT pair will eliminate the threat by exploiting the vulnerability. The method can further include providing a recommendation for implementation the technique to eliminate the missile threat responsive to receiving a user selection of the technique, the user selection being selected based on the generated negation value. Other example methods, systems, and apparatuses are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Paul C. Hershey, Joseph O. Chapa, Elizabeth Umberger
  • Patent number: 10323911
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a device for non-lethally stopping or slowing any water jet propelled craft, such as a common personal watercraft (PWC), by disrupting the water suction and thereby reducing the generated thrust. Most PWCs have an inboard engine that is coupled to a water jet pump which uses an impeller to generate thrust. This invention is ingested by the PWC intake to either clog the intake gate (or screen) or fill critical volume in any portion of the jet pump (such as the intake, impeller, stator, or pressure nozzle). In any case, water flow through the jet drive is significantly reduced which reduces the vessel's thrust. PWCs depend on adequate water flow through the jet pump to generate the thrust required for propulsion and steerage, and to provide engine cooling. Since this invention is designed to interrupt water flow, the result is reduced speed, steerage, and/or engine overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Andrew Krauss, Steve Brandis, Damien Bretall, Ryan Faber, Alma Jacobson, Chelsea Shores
  • Patent number: 10323912
    Abstract: An area denial system may be operationally placed with communication latency compensation. The area denial system may include a plurality of munitions, one or more sensor devices, and a command and control unit, networked together and having a command and control latency for communication between the command and control unit and the remainder of the area denial system. Latency compensation may include determining a first target position, determining a first predicted position area for the target using the command and control latency and the first target position, receiving an authorization to arm one or more of the munitions, determining a second target position, and determining that the second target position is outside a threshold distance from a first authorized munition of the one or more authorized munitions, and in response, de-authorizing the first authorized munition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Balk, Larry G. Linde
  • Patent number: 10323913
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in facilitating force-on-force (FOF) training. Specifically, an impact marking vest (IMV) for use in registering a ballistic impact event upon a three-dimensional target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Apex Tactical Specialties, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall M. Lee, Jerry L. Jones
  • Patent number: 10323914
    Abstract: A method for operating a throwing system for clay pigeons including at least one throwing machine arrangement respectively including at least one throwing machine and at least one throwing machine control unit, a central control unit for controlling the throwing machine arrangement and a microphone arrangement that is connected to the control unit for acoustically inputting a throwing command, wherein the central control unit performs a wireless and bidirectional data exchange with a stationary communication terminal and/or a mobile communication terminal, and the stationary communication terminal and/or the mobile communication terminal and the central control unit perform a data exchange relating to an operation of the throwing system with an external administration server for the throwing system through a communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: OKM GMBH
    Inventors: Ingolf Müller, Christian Becker
  • Patent number: 10323915
    Abstract: The invention relates to a firework battery (10), comprising at least one receiving part (11) for at least one pyrotechnic charge (20) and a border (13), which is connected via at least one hinge part (14) to a further receiving part (11) and/or an extension element (15) that continues the border and that is arranged on a receiving part (11), the axis of rotation of the hinge part being arranged vertically in relation to a ground. According to the invention, it is provided that the geometric arrangements of the receiving part (11) and/or of the extension element (15) are movable relative to one another, whereby a bordered support base (30) of the firework battery (10) is enlarged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Inventor: Ringo Thieme
  • Patent number: 10323916
    Abstract: A mechanical broadhead, which has blades movable from a retracted mode to a deployed mode, is provided with ball and socket members that hold the blades in the retracted mode, and selectively release the blades to the deployed mode. The ball and socket members, which can be on the blades and/or on a retainer element, can be snapped together to provide an audible snap confirming locking of the blades in the retracted mode. The mechanical broadhead can include first and second ferrule portions removably joined with one another. The second ferrule portion can acquire a blocking mode to block a removal opening of a ferrule slot defined in the first ferrule portion so that blade cannot be removed from respective ferrule slots. The second ferrule portion can achieve a removal mode so that the blades can be removed from the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Grace Engineering Corp.
    Inventor: Nathaniel E. Grace
  • Patent number: 10323917
    Abstract: A fin deployment mechanism for a projectile. The mechanism includes at least one fin and at least one actuator. The fin is arranged in a deployable and retractable manner on the projectile. The fin and at least one balance weight are arranged so that, when the fin is deployed, the weight is displaced towards a center of the projectile and, when the fin is retracted, the weight is displaced from the center of the projectile. A method for deploying and retracting fins on a projectile. At least one fin is arranged in a deployable and retractable manner on the projectile. The fin is fitted to at least one balance weight such that when the fin is displaced from the center of the projectile the weight is displaced towards the center, and when the fin is displaced towards the center of the projectile the weight is displaced from the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS BOFORS AB
    Inventors: Lars-Åke Carlqvist, Pär Eriksson
  • Patent number: 10323918
    Abstract: Described are spherical projectiles such as used in birdshot, buckshot, or single ball spherical projectiles, including slugs, muzzle loading projectiles, or any close-to-bore diameter projectile, that is auto-segmenting or self-segmenting upon impact with a target. The projectile or shot disclosed herein retains its shape and structure during flight until impact with soft tissue, whereupon its individual sections separate or segment in a controllable manner, each portion of the projectile imparting or depositing a high amount energy to the tissue and target. The auto-segmenting spherical projectiles can be frangible or non-frangible. This disclosure also provides cartridges such as shotshells that are loaded with the projectiles described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Polywad, Inc.
    Inventor: James Y. Menefee, III
  • Patent number: 10323919
    Abstract: In making frangible objects, including lead-free bullets and other projectiles, powdered metal primary and powdered ceramic secondary phases are mixed and densified at an elevated temperature such that the ceramic phase forms a brittle network. Different combinations of metal and ceramic phases may be used to achieve desired chemical and physical properties. Any appropriate mixing, forming, and/or thermal processing methods and equipment may be used. Degrees of frangibility, strength, and toughness can be adjusted to suit a given application by precursor selection, degree of mixing, relative amounts of metal and ceramic phases, forming method, and thermal and mechanical processing parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Ervin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Hash, Trent Pearson
  • Patent number: 10323920
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine has a base for supporting an object, a movable assembly having a probe for measuring the object, and a rail movably guiding the movable assembly along its length. The rail includes carbon fiber and has a rail CTE. The coordinate measuring machine also has an air bearing member circumscribing the rail and fixedly coupled with the movable assembly. The air bearing member has a member CTE, which is about equal to the rail engineered CTE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Hexagon Metrology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurpreet Singh, John Langlais, Jie Zheng, Joseph G. Spanedda
  • Patent number: 10323921
    Abstract: A roundness measuring device including: an angle detector detecting a current rotation angle of a table relative to an X axis direction; a joystick (external operator) issuing an instruction for an operation amount of a rotation axis line of the table; a centering controller calculating a CX axis displacement amount and a CY axis displacement amount from the operation amount and the rotation angle, and displacing a CX axis displacement mechanism and CY axis displacement mechanism based on the calculated CX axis displacement amount and CY axis displacement amount; and a centering controller calculating an LX axis tilt amount and an LY axis tilt amount from the operation amount and the rotation angle, and displacing an LX axis tilt mechanism and LY axis tilt mechanism based on the calculated LX axis tilt amount and LY axis tilt amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuki Nakayama, Kazushige Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 10323922
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to localization and tracking of an object. As one example, measurement data can be stored in memory to represent measured electrical signals at each of a plurality of known measurement locations in a given coordinate system in response to an applied signal at an unknown location in the given coordinate system. A dipole model cost function has parameters representing a dipole location and moment corresponding to the applied signal. A boundary condition can be imposed on the dipole model cost function. The unknown location in the given coordinate system, corresponding to the dipole location, can then be determined based on the stored measurement data and the dipole model cost function with the boundary condition imposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: CARDIOINSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Qingguo Zeng, Ping Jia, Charulatha Ramanathan, Lijun Yu, Jeff Burrell, Brian George, Qing Lou, Ryan Bokan, Soniya Bhojwani
  • Patent number: 10323923
    Abstract: A telemetry system with a matrixed telemetry switch unit array and a method for determining the switch position of a telemetry switch unit. The switch units include steering diodes and parallel signal paths each with unique resistance values. The signal paths correspond to switch positions and are closed when the switch unit is in the corresponding switch position. A signal source is electrically connected to an input current path and output current path of the array with a corresponding telemetry switch unit coupled into the signal path. A plurality of sensing signals are applied through the array and the resultant signals are measured. The switch position is determined from the resultant signals indicating the resistance value of the switch signal path currently coupled into the array signal path while accounting for the voltage drop of the steering diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: COM DEV LTD.
    Inventor: Antonio Romano
  • Patent number: 10323924
    Abstract: In interferometer imaging signal acquisition using a movable optical beam to sample a target with specular or non specular reflecting surfaces or internal features, beam moving during interferometer signal acquisition can generate unwanted phase error due to shifting speckle field. Examples include coherent LIDAR, Interferometry Doppler sensing and optical coherence tomography. During an interferometer signal acquisition period, an interferometer sensing beam can be substantially stationary, and active step-scanning can be synchronized with interferometer signal acquisition cycles. For interferometers using repetitive chirping lasers, passive dispersive counter-scan mechanisms can be used to assist step-scanning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Inventor: Xiaoke Wan
  • Patent number: 10323925
    Abstract: A compact and portable apparatus for measuring properties of objects utilizing a fiber optic Sagnac interferometer is enabled. The fiber optic Sagnac interferometer may be a double differential Sagnac interferometer. The interferometer core may be implemented with fiber optic components including polarization maintaining optical fiber, and by utilizing an auto-balanced avalanche photodetector. An optical switch may be incorporated to maintain relatively low average probe signal power while allowing optimal peak probe signal power. The compact and portable apparatus may be configured to measure ultrasonic vibrations, a displacement of an object surface in response to ultrasonic vibrations, and/or a vibration speed of the object surface. A wideband light source may be amplified and stabilized. A sensor head of the interferometer may incorporate a collimator adjustable to block a central portion of the projected probe beam thereby at least in part enabling in-plane and out-of-plane measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
    Inventors: Ivan Pelivanov, Matthew O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 10323926
    Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods and storage mediums for performing optical coherence tomography (OCT) while reducing and/or eliminating crosstalk noise are provided. Examples of such applications include imaging, evaluating and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for Gastro-intestinal, cardio and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments, such as, but not limited to, optical probes, catheters, capsules and needles (e.g., a biopsy needle). Preferably, the OCT devices, systems methods and storage mediums include or involve a method, such as, but not limited to, a complex conjugate method or a shift method, for handling the crosstalk noise in a way to mitigate or eliminate the noise from an image field of view. For example, a reference reflection or reference arm may be positioned or re-positioned in the image field of view at different locations depending on the crosstalk noise mitigation method being employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Canon U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Badr Elmaanaoui
  • Patent number: 10323927
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a triangulation sensor including a light emitting unit for emitting measuring light and a light receiving unit. The light emitting unit is arranged with known position and orientation relative to the light receiving unit and the triangulation sensor which is adapted to provide triangulation-based position measurements. A calibration setup which comprises the triangulation sensor and a calibration target providing a defined calibration pattern, and a calibration measurement is performed with reference to the calibration target by means of the triangulation sensor. An image of the calibration target is captured by means of the light receiving unit, and the captured image is processed with deriving a pattern image position with reference to the inner sensor image coordinate system and deriving a light image position with reference to the inner sensor image coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Johan Stigwall, Beat Aebischer, Peter Champ
  • Patent number: 10323928
    Abstract: A scanning probe responsive in three axes is provided for use in a coordinate measuring machine. The scanning probe includes a frame, a stylus suspension portion and a stylus position detection portion. The stylus position detection portion includes a light source that is operated to radiate source light toward a position indicating element that is fixed relative to the stylus coupling portion. The position indicating element includes a position indicating emitter having an emitter material (e.g., phosphor) that inputs and absorbs the light from the light source and responds by outputting excitation light. In various implementations, the excitation light is directed as at least one of axial measurement light along an axial measurement spot path to form an axial measurement spot on an axial position sensitive detector and/or rotary measurement light along a rotary measurement spot path to form a rotary measurement spot on a rotary position sensitive detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: David William Sesko
  • Patent number: 10323929
    Abstract: A printer comprises a processor; a media hanger comprising a sensor array receiving space extending along a length of the media hanger; and a sensor array positioned in the sensor array receiving space and communicatively connected to the processor, the sensory array comprising a plurality of sensor pairs, each sensor pair having an emitter and a receiver, the sensor array being configured to: emit light from the emitter outward from the media hanger, detect the emitted light after the emitted light is reflected off a surface of media loaded on the media hanger, transmit signal intensity of the reflected light detected by each of the sensor pairs to the processor; wherein the processor is configured to determine a width of the media loaded on the media hanger based on the signal intensity detected by each of the sensor pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: DATAMAX-O'NEIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chin Young Wong, Sébastien Michel Marie Joseph d'Armancourt
  • Patent number: 10323930
    Abstract: A system for a movable structured light projector may include (1) a light projector assembly that receives a light control signal and projects structured light into a local area based on the light control signal, (2) an imaging device that receives a capture control signal and captures a reflection of the structured light from the local area based on the capture control signal, and (3) an actuator, coupled to the light projector assembly, that receives an actuator control signal and moves the light projector assembly relative to the imaging device based on the actuator control signal. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoj Bikumandla, Andrew Matthew Bardagjy, Cina Hazegh, Fei Liu, Bradley James Tallon
  • Patent number: 10323931
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a method for aligning a radiation head of a terahertz sensor system with a target surface. The method includes: scanning a selected area of the target surface with a terahertz radiation beam emitted by the radiation head; sensing a peak amplitude for each reflected radiation signal from a plurality of reflected radiation signals received by the radiation head during the scanning of the selected area; and identifying a normal position of the radiation head with respect to the target surface based on a maximum peak amplitude from among the peak amplitudes of the reflected radiation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Scott Adams, Marina Baker, Mark Nichols, Tony Misovski
  • Patent number: 10323932
    Abstract: An inspection station includes a conveyor, a first scanner, a second scanner, a controller, and an interface. The conveyor is configured to continuously transport a vehicle body through the station. The first scanner is configured to detect features of the vehicle body and associated feature coordinates relative to a global coordinate system. The second scanner is configured to detect paint thicknesses on surfaces of the vehicle body and associated paint thickness coordinates relative to the global coordinate system. The controller is programmed to map corresponding pairs of the feature coordinates and paint thickness coordinates into a single set of local coordinates having a datum defined by the vehicle body such that each of the local coordinates defines a location of one of the features relative to the datum and one of the paint thicknesses at the location. The interface is configured to display the features and corresponding paint thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Scott Adams, Marina Menendez Baker, Mark Edward Nichols, Tony Misovski
  • Patent number: 10323933
    Abstract: Provided is a measuring device having improved operability. A head unit is fixedly coupled to an installation part with a stand. A measuring object is placed on a stage held by the installation part. The measuring object is irradiated obliquely downward with the measurement light having the pattern from the light projecting unit. The measurement light reflected obliquely upward by the measuring object is received by a selected one of first and second light receiving units, and a light reception signal representing a light reception amount is output. A second imaging visual field of the second light receiving unit is smaller than a first imaging visual field of the first light receiving unit, and included in the first imaging visual field. A second optical axis of the second light receiving unit is located below a first optical axis of the first light receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Fujiwara, Shigeto Murakami, Takashi Nakatsukasa
  • Patent number: 10323934
    Abstract: An optical protractor that employs a spiral phase plate resonator (SPPR) device for measuring a roll angle between two points on a static surface or a rotating surface. The protractor includes a tunable laser source that generates a laser beam. The SPPR device is responsive to the laser beam, and includes opposing reflective surfaces that reflect the beam back and forth in the device, where one of the reflective surfaces includes a spiral step index that causes multiple reflected beams having different phases to be combined as an output beam from the device having an optical vortex intensity pattern defined by the phases of the multiple beams, and where the intensity pattern includes radial light intensity lines. The protractor includes a lens that projects the output beam onto the element and the intensity pattern is detected to measure the roll angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Yisa S. Rumala
  • Patent number: 10323935
    Abstract: An alignment reference module (ARM) for detecting an alignment of a hologram with respect to a spindle axis of a spindle that supports an optic device under test (DUT). The hologram is employed for testing an optical surface of the DUT. The ARM includes a flat portion having a reflective surface for reflecting light back toward the hologram member to detect tilting of the hologram relative to the spindle axis. The ARM also includes a spherical portion having a reflective surface adjacent the flat portion for transmitting light back toward the hologram member to detect a radial position of the hologram relative to the spindle axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: EAGLE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Cormic K Merle, Eugene G. Olczak, Malcolm Nash O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10323936
    Abstract: A sensor calibration tool, in particular for calibrating sensors on a vehicle, includes a vertical rail that defines a first rail axis, a vertically movable carriage assembly, and a horizontally movable carriage assembly. The vertically movable carriage assembly is supported by the vertical rail and movable along the first rail axis, and has a horizontal rail that defines a second rail axis transverse to the first rail axis. The horizontally movable carriage assembly is supported by the horizontal rail and is movable along the second rail axis. The horizontally movable carriage assembly has a transverse mounting bar with a plurality of target mounts. Each target mount is configured to releasably support a respective calibration target. Different combinations and positions of calibration targets enables calibration of sensors on different vehicles based on predetermined specifications corresponding to the different vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Reiner Leikert
  • Patent number: 10323937
    Abstract: Various embodiments include approaches for determining a top-dead-center (TDC) of a reciprocating compressor. In some cases, an apparatus includes: a pressure transducer configured to measure pressure fluctuations inside a compressor cylinder and convert the pressure fluctuations into an asynchronous waveform; and at least one computing device operably connected with the pressure transducer, the at least one computing device configured to: extract a data set representing piston angles over a single revolution of a piston within the compressor cylinder from the asynchronous waveform; remove data representing invalid piston angles from the data set to form a refined data set; determine an average piston angle for the single revolution from the refined data set; and adjust the refined data set to identify a top-dead-center (TDC) position of the piston within the compressor cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Brian Francis Howard
  • Patent number: 10323938
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating a measuring device, comprising the following steps: moving, with finite accuracy and thus with positioning error, to various points that lie in a testing volume of the measuring device and that can be characterized by spatial and/or angular coordinates, generating measurement signals at the respective points, and determining parameters of a computing model of the measuring device from the measurement signals and the spatial and/or angular coordinates. The method is characterized in that a coordinate system to which the coordinates of the points of the testing volume relate is defined from points moved to with error, by associating predetermined coordinate values with exactly six coordinates of three points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Mahr Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Goran Baer, Christof Pruss, Wolfgang Osten
  • Patent number: 10323939
    Abstract: A navigation system operable without a visible horizon is provided. The system can include a collapsible sextant apparatus having a first holder to accommodate a visual spotting scope and a second holder connected to the first holder to accommodate an electronic navigation device. The electronic navigation device can include elevation and timing factors for navigation. The first holder can include a rotatable base extending in a first direction, and a retention element disposed on the rotatable base to retain the visual spotting scope. The second holder can include a longitudinal member to retain the electronic navigation device extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction such that the first holder is disposed substantially perpendicular to the second holder and the visual spotting scope and the electronic navigation device can be aligned at a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Eric T. Vinande
  • Patent number: 10323940
    Abstract: The invention provides a tilt angle measuring device, which comprises a discoid container for including a liquid forming a free liquid surface, a light emitting source for allowing a detection light to enter the free liquid surface, a photodetector for receiving the detection light reflected on the free liquid surface and a signal processing unit for detecting a tilt of the free liquid surface based on a detection signal from the photodetector, wherein the signal processing unit sets a detection light storage time of the photodetector so that an error incidence rate of the detection signal is a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: TOPCON Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Kamiki, Goro Iwasaki, Shinji Yamaguchi, Satoshi Yanobe, Eiji Takeuchi, Yosuke Okudaira
  • Patent number: 10323941
    Abstract: A system for measuring the attitude of an object in a fixed frame of reference from a moving frame of reference, comprising a first imaging device for producing image data for the object from a first direction, a second imaging device for producing image data for the object from a second direction having a component perpendicular to the first direction and an attitude sensing arrangement for determining an attitude of the first and second imaging devices with respect to the fixed frame of reference at the time the respective images are taken and for generating attitude data. An image processing system analyses and combines the respective image data and attitude data to determine the attitude of the object. The system is particularly useful for determining attitude of offshore piles during piling operations or for monitoring the departure angles of pipes and cables during laying thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Fugro N.V.
    Inventors: Olaf Booij, Fatemeh Karimi Nejadasl, Evert Schippers, Hendrik Wouters
  • Patent number: 10323942
    Abstract: Techniques provided herein are directed toward enabling on-device learning to create user-specific movement models that can be used for dead reckoning. Because these moving models are user-specific, they can be later used to identify user-specific motions in a manner that provides for a dead reckoning location estimation. In some embodiments, these models can be focused on pedestrian movement, based on the repetitive motion that occurs when a user takes a stride (walking, jogging, running, etc.) or other repetitive motion (swimming, riding a horse, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Benjamin Werner, William Morrison, Ning Luo, Ming Sun, Joseph Czompo
  • Patent number: 10323943
    Abstract: A wireless receiver includes an antenna panel providing input to an H-combined/V-combined generation block, a hybrid tracking system receiving input from the H-combined/V-combined generation block, the hybrid tracking system comprising location, heading and motion (LOHMO) sensors for providing a general position input to a digital core, the hybrid tracking system further comprising first and second power detectors for measuring power received from the antenna panel and for providing a precise position input to the digital core, the hybrid tracking system providing phase feedback signals to the H-combined/V-combined generation block. At least one of the phase feedback signals is provided to at least one phase shifter in the H-combined/V-combined generation block to cause a phase shift in at least one linearly polarized signal received from at least one antenna in the antenna panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Movandi Corporation
    Inventors: Sam Gharavi, Farid Shirinfar, Seunghwan Yoon, Alfred Grau Besoli, Maryam Rofougaran, Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 10323944
    Abstract: Systems and methods including mobile devices determining their locations using location determination units, such as GPS receivers. A computing device generates a statistical measurement of location pattern changes in relation to a predetermined region for a predetermined period of time. The measurement is generated from a difference between responses of exposed mobile devices and responses of non-exposed mobile devices, which devices are selected based on a cluster analysis to match the distributions of the exposed mobile devices and the non-exposed mobile devices in an attribute space. Each response of a mobile device can be computed based on applying, at a time instance, an anti-symmetric weight function having an exponential distribution to a time series of visitation measurements to generate a response corresponding to the time instance, and summing the responses corresponding to time instances falling within the predetermined period of time as the response of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: NINTHDECIMAL, INC.
    Inventors: Paolo D'Alberto, Veronica Milenkiy, Ahmad Fairiz Azizi
  • Patent number: 10323945
    Abstract: Disclosed is a feature for a vehicle that enables taking precautionary actions in response to conditions on the road network around or ahead of the vehicle. A database that represents the road network is used to determine locations where a potentially hazardous condition exists. Then, precautionary action data is added to the database to indicate a location at which a precautionary action is to be taken relating to the hazardous condition. A precautionary action system installed in a vehicle uses this database, or a database derived therefrom, in combination with a positioning system to determine when the vehicle is at a location that corresponds to the location of a precautionary action. When the vehicle is at such a location, a precautionary action is taken by a vehicle system as the vehicle is approaching the location where the potentially hazardous condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventor: Robert Denaro
  • Patent number: 10323946
    Abstract: A device can receive an indication to cause a vehicle to provide data at a updated rate. The device can determine the updated rate at which the vehicle is to provide the data. The updated rate can include at least one of a frequency at which the data is to be provided, or an amount of time for which the data is to be provided. The device can determine a set of instructions to be provided to the vehicle based on the indication. The device can provide the set of instructions to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to provide the data at the updated rate. The device can receive the data from the vehicle to permit or cause an action to be performed with respect to the data or the vehicle. The device can cause the action to be performed with respect to the data or the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Erlenbach, Jennifer Strouth
  • Patent number: 10323947
    Abstract: A travel control method includes estimating the position of a subject vehicle on the basis of a detection result of a first detector, detecting a lane in which the subject vehicle travels, on the basis of a detection result of a second detector, determining that whether the position of the subject vehicle based on the positional information is included in the lane and outputting the determination as a first determination result, and determining that whether the position of the subject vehicle estimated on the basis of the detection result of the first detector is included in the lane and outputting the determination as a second determination result, and a step of performing a position estimation process of estimating the position of the subject vehicle on the basis of the detection result of the first detector when the first determination result and the second determination result are not identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Mishina, Abdelaziz Khiat
  • Patent number: 10323948
    Abstract: Repairing GPS data is disclosed. Repairing GPS data includes repairing an effort, comprising determining that the effort includes inaccurate GPS data; and adjusting the effort using a repaired base map. Repairing GPs data includes repairing a segment, comprising determining an inaccurate shape data in the segment; and adjusting shape data for the segment based on a repaired base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Strava, Inc.
    Inventors: Davis Kitchel, Brian Riordan
  • Patent number: 10323949
    Abstract: A method involves utilizing a geo-locator service and zone servers to reduce server resource requirements for determining high quality solutions to routing problems. The use of a geo-locator service and zone servers enables the use of servers having less memory which can handle determination of high quality solutions to routing problems involving locations spanning a smaller geographic area even if they are incapable of handling determination of high quality solutions to routing problems involving locations spanning a larger geographic area, and enables efficient assignment of requests to an appropriate server without unduly burdening high value servers having sufficient memory to handle determination of high quality solutions to routing problems involving locations spanning a very large geographic area with determination of high quality solutions to routing problems involving locations spanning a smaller geographic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: MAPANYTHING, INC.
    Inventors: John Brian Stewart, Dinesh Premalal Weerapurage, Timothy Alan Carnes, Christopher Sebastian Groer, Lahiru Sandakith Pileththuwasan Gallege, Chenlu Lou
  • Patent number: 10323950
    Abstract: A method involves utilizing a geo-locator service and zone servers to reduce server resource requirements for determining high quality solutions to routing problems. The use of a geo-locator service and zone servers enables the use of servers having less memory which can handle determination of high quality solutions to routing problems involving locations spanning a smaller geographic area even if they are incapable of handling determination of high quality solutions to routing problems involving locations spanning a larger geographic area, and enables efficient assignment of requests to an appropriate server without unduly burdening high value servers having sufficient memory to handle determination of high quality solutions to routing problems involving locations spanning a very large geographic area with determination of high quality solutions to routing problems involving locations spanning a smaller geographic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: MAPANYTHING, INC.
    Inventors: John Brian Stewart, Dinesh Premalal Weerapurage, Timothy Alan Carnes, Christopher Sebastian Groer, Lahiru Sandakith Pileththuwasan Gallege, Chenlu Lou
  • Patent number: 10323951
    Abstract: A method of generating a navigation-based route for a vehicle. The method includes: determining route information from a starting point to a destination using a navigation unit associated with the vehicle, wherein the route information includes one or more route segments; determining that one or more of the route segments wholly or partially overlap a toll zone; obtaining traffic information for at least some of the route segments ahead of the vehicle; and when the traffic information indicates that there is a route that avoids the toll zone without a traffic delay, then generating the route to avoid the toll zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventor: Anurag Goyal
  • Patent number: 10323952
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a first image of a physical object external to an autonomous vehicle is received, where the first image is captured by an image sensor attached to the autonomous vehicle. An image recognition is performed on the first image to derive one or more keywords related to the physical object. A list of one or more content items are identified based on the one or more keywords. A first content item selected from the list of content items is augmented onto the first image to generate a second image. The second image is displayed on a display device within the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Liyun Li, Shaoshan Liu, Shuang Wu, James Peng
  • Patent number: 10323953
    Abstract: For the input of navigational target data into a navigation system by way of a facility for a mobile radio voice link, voice signals or signals derived therefrom, transmitted via the mobile radio voice link, are processed by a voice recognition device for recognizing spoken words. By way of at least one word recognized during this process, a comparison of targets with navigational target entries in a navigation database takes place. In the case of a positive result of the comparison, the corresponding navigational target entry is provided for input as navigation target in the navigation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerisch Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Luca Trentinaglia, Christian Kuehnel
  • Patent number: 10323954
    Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: identifying a non-default selection for a selected route; determining a contextual parameter corresponding to the non-default selection; and generating with a control circuit a user preference profile based on the contextual parameter of the non-default selection for representing a preference of a system user for navigation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Telenav, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Wan, Hengbin Luo, Yogesh Agrawal, Shannph Wong
  • Patent number: 10323955
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for creating, modifying, and viewing geographic areas and their corresponding routes and items of work. For example, an interface can be provided with a map display area and a route display area. The map display area and the route display area can be synchronized to create new routes, modify existing routes, and/or view information about various routes and/or items of work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Santilli, Steve Snyder, Elisabeth Defronzo, Svetlana Inskeep, Joel Tantzer, Karen Levin