Patents Issued in August 18, 2020
  • Patent number: 10746546
    Abstract: A civil engineering machine has a machine control unit configured to determine data which defines the position and/or orientation of a reference point on the civil engineering machine in relation to a reference system independent of the position and orientation of the civil engineering machine. A geometrical shape to be produced on the ground is preset in either a machine control unit or a field rover control unit. The field rover is used to determine a position of at least one identifiable point of the preset geometrical shape in the independent reference system. Curve data defining a desired curve in the independent reference system, corresponding to the preset shape, is determined at least partially on the basis of the position of the at least one identifiable point of the preset geometrical shape in the independent reference system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Fritz, Cyrus Barimani, Christian Berning
  • Patent number: 10746547
    Abstract: A compass for attachment to a hat, particularly a brim of a hat. The compass includes a housing, an attachment-clip, at least one direction-sensor, a controller, a display-screen and a power-supply. In a preferred embodiment, the power-supply is a solar panel and a rechargeable battery. The compass is useful for attaching to the hat to allow hands-free use of the compass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Ryan George Chapman
  • Patent number: 10746548
    Abstract: Novel structural features applicable to a variety of inertial sensors. A composite ring composed of concentric subrings is supported by a compliant support structure suspending the composite ring relative to a substrate. The compliant support structure may either be interior or exterior to the composite ring. The compliant support may be composed of multiple substantially concentric rings coupled to neighboring rings by transverse members regularly spaced at intervals that vary with radius relative to a central axis of symmetry. Subrings making up the composite ring may vary in width so as to provide larger displacement amplitudes at intermediate radii, for example. In other embodiments, electrodes are arranged to reduce sensitivity to vibration and temperature, and shock stops are provided to preclude shorting in response to shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Gregory, Igor P. Prikhodko
  • Patent number: 10746549
    Abstract: A physical quantity detection apparatus includes a vibrator which outputs a detection signal in accordance with a physical quantity and a drive circuit which drives the vibrator to oscillate, wherein the drive circuit includes: an oscillation detecting unit which detects an oscillating state or a non-oscillating state of the vibrator based on a drive signal of the vibrator; a start-up oscillation unit which assists an oscillating operation of the vibrator when a detection result of the oscillation detecting unit represents the non-oscillating state; and a switching count monitoring unit which detects that the number of times switching is performed between the oscillating state and the non-oscillating state in the oscillation detecting unit has exceeded a set upper limit number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiminori Nakajima, Naoki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10746550
    Abstract: A resonance fiber-optic gyro (RFOG) with quadrature error reducer is provided. The RFOG with quadrature error reducer includes a laser assembly, a fiber resonator assembly, a resonance tracking loop and a quadrature error reducer circuit. The resonance tracking loop, coupled to an output of the finder resonator assembly, is used to generate a resonance frequency signal that is coupled to an OPLL mixer in one of a CCW OPLL or the CW OPLL of the laser assembly. The quadrature error reducer circuit includes an amplitude control loop and a second harmonic phase control loop. The amplitude control loop is used to generate a common modulation signal. An output of the amplitude control loop is coupled to a common phase modulator in the laser assembly. The second harmonic phase control loop is used to selectively adjust a phase of a second harmonic modulation signal in the amplitude control loop at startup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Glen A. Sanders, Marc Smiciklas
  • Patent number: 10746551
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus according to the present invention includes: a triaxial acceleration sensor zero point calculating unit which determines whether or not the moving body is performing horizontal plane uniform linear traveling, and calculates a zero point of the triaxial accelerations when a determination is made that the moving body is performing the horizontal plane uniform linear traveling, based on at least triaxial speeds, a longitudinal acceleration, and triaxial accelerations while the moving body is traveling; an apparatus housing attachment angle calculating unit which calculates a pitch direction attachment angle and a roll direction attachment angle based on the zero point of the triaxial accelerations; a triaxial angular velocity coordinate transforming unit which coordinate-transforms the triaxial angular velocities; and a position estimating unit which estimates a current position of the moving body based on at least a yaw rate obtained from the triaxial angular velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadatomi Ishigami, Takashi Irie, Masatoshi Fujii, Kohei Fujimoto, Norihiro Nishiuma, Atsushi Mori
  • Patent number: 10746552
    Abstract: A navigation assist system having a plurality of navigation assist apparatuses installed on small boats like motorboats each fitted with an outboard motor to be able to navigate in a predetermined water area, and a server placed on land to communicate with the navigation assist apparatuses. Each of the navigation assist apparatuses detects a sharp turn position of the boat, adds the position to a danger level data downloaded from the server unit, and alerts an operator concerned when the boat approaches a region whose danger level is great.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Hashizume, Keiichiro Bungo, Ryuichi Kimata
  • Patent number: 10746553
    Abstract: Techniques for providing instructions to an operator of a sea vessel via a computing device are described. The computing device can request, from another computing device, instructions regarding one or more of an intended course and action plan for the sea vessel, which can include at least one navigational instruction and/or deployment instruction. The computing device can send data to a display device to cause a prompt to be displayed. The prompt can include options regarding the at least one instruction. The computing device can send state information of the sea vessel to the other computing device. The state information can include the received input and location information of the sea vessel. Additionally, data can be received by the computing device from a shore based operator and data can be sent to one or more clients on shore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FUGRO CHANCE, INC.
    Inventors: John Darius Robideaux, Dickie Andrew Martin, Stephen John Wesley Underwood, Jacob Nicholas Stanley
  • Patent number: 10746554
    Abstract: In some examples, a device receives a dynamically selectable threshold, and responsive to the threshold being set to a first threshold value, causes transmission, to a computer over a communication interface, location data relating to a geographic location of the device at a first frequency of transmission, regardless of whether the device is stationary or in motion. Responsive to the threshold being set to a second threshold value different from the first threshold value, the device causes transmission, to the computer over the communication interface, the location data relating to the geographic location of the device in response to determining that the device has moved by a distance that exceeds the second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Isaac Lagnado
  • Patent number: 10746555
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting when users deviate from a provided transportation route and for correcting the transportation route in response to such user deviations is presented. In one embodiment, a method is provided including detecting a changed condition for a transportation route between a first location and a second location. The transportation route may include multiple transportation segments. A first transportation segment designating a first modality may be identified, wherein the changed condition decreases a likelihood that vehicles associated with the first modality will be available to service the first transportation segment. In response, a second transportation segment designating a second modality different from the first modality is generated. The first transportation segment is then replaced with the second transportation segment in the transportation route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Parker Spielman, Mayank Gulati, Karina Goot
  • Patent number: 10746556
    Abstract: A computer learning, assessment and recommendation system to generate new information about the quality and degrees of walkability of sidewalks and walking routes through the collection, assessment and manipulation of large amounts of visual and geographic data, a scoring system, a rule-based computational methods and selected data representation are provided. Micro and macro data, methods and systems for sidewalk assessment generate various characteristics and qualities of routes creating general, locational and navigational functions using attributes and categories identified as important to walkability or to the experience of walking. Computed scores and recommendations displayed in maps and other visual tools and apps can be used by multiple client and sector groups including navigation, real estate, fitness, tourism and urban and rural development planning. This abstract complies with rules requiring abstract submission but does not limit the scope, interpretation or full meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Walkspan, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernardita Calinao, Marie Rusin, Andrei Radulescu
  • Patent number: 10746557
    Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include determining a route with at least one waypoint for a personal mobility vehicle, determining at least one navigational boundary, and providing the at least one navigational boundary and the at least one waypoint to a computing device associated with the personal mobility vehicle, wherein the computing device is configured to provide a direction of travel to a user for navigating the personal mobility vehicle along the route via the waypoint. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Lambert, Roy Evans Williams, III
  • Patent number: 10746558
    Abstract: A system and method for routing based on a predicted connectivity quality is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a controller, map information corresponding to a geographical area. The method also includes receiving, by the controller, wireless connectivity information corresponding to the geographical area. The method also includes generating output data of at least one route between a starting location and a destination location within the geographical area. The generating is based on the wireless connectivity information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Muldoon, Yiran Hu, Junfeng Zhao, Vivek Vijaya Kumar
  • Patent number: 10746559
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, background data of a first user in a group of one or more users is received. Physiometric data of the first user while the group of one or more users is traversing a first route is received from a first group of one or more sensors. Environmental data associated with the first route is received from a second group of one or more sensors. Environmental data associated with a second route is received from the second group of one or more sensors. It is determined whether to modify the first route into the second route based on the background data, the physiometric data, and the environmental data associated with the first route and the environmental data associated with the second route, and the determination occurs while the group of one or more users is traversing the first route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron K. Baughman, Christian Eggenberger-Wang, Lars M. Jenzer, Craig M. Trim
  • Patent number: 10746560
    Abstract: Embodiments are described of an apparatus including a computer to which are coupled a user identification device to identify an authorized user, a transceiver to receive and transmit user data between the computer and one or more user data sources associated with the authorized user, a navigation system, and one or more displays coupled to the computer. The computer constructs a timeline for the authorized user based on the user data over a specified time interval, wherein the timeline displays every user event that falls within the specified time interval, and simultaneously display the timeline and a map on one of the one or more displays, wherein the user's current position and the position of at least one user event from the timeline are identified on the map. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Byton Limited
    Inventors: Wolfram Luchner, Ari Romano Pfefferkorn, Gerhard Kremer
  • Patent number: 10746561
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate inferring probability distributions over the destinations and/or routes of a user, from observations about context and partial trajectories of a trip. Destinations of a trip are based on at least one of a prior and a likelihood based at least in part on the received input data. The destination estimator component can use one or more of a personal destinations prior, time of day and day of week, a ground cover prior, driving efficiency associated with candidate locations, and a trip time likelihood to probabilistically predict the destination. In addition, data gathered from a population about the likelihood of visiting previously unvisited locations and the spatial configuration of such locations may be used to enhance the predictions of destinations and routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Krumm, Eric J. Horvitz
  • Patent number: 10746562
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, computerized apparatus and computer program product for efficient solution of nearest object problems. A set of objects having non-point shapes representable by one or more geometric elements are obtained. For each object in the set the one or more geometric elements are sampled to obtain a set of points representing the set of objects. A Voronoi diagram is constructed for the set of points, whereby a subdivision of a space accommodating the set of objects into a plurality of cells, each cell containing a single point of the set of points and defining a region of closest neighbors of the point, is obtained. Cells containing points representing the same object are aggregated into a unified cell defining an estimated region of closest neighbors of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Bak, Jonathan Bnayahu, Yuval Nardi, Eli Packer
  • Patent number: 10746563
    Abstract: A system and method for an aircraft includes an air data system and an acoustic sensing system. The air data system includes a pitot tube positioned to sense a pitot pressure of an airflow about an exterior of the aircraft, and an angle of attack vane positioned to sense an angle of attack of the aircraft. The pitot pressure and the angle of attack are used to determine first air data parameters. The acoustic sensing system is configured to emit acoustic signals about the exterior of the aircraft and sense the acoustic signals as sensed data. The sensed data is used to determine second air data parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime Sly, Brian Brent Naslund
  • Patent number: 10746564
    Abstract: A method of determining whether parametric performance of an inertial sensor has been degraded comprises: recording first data output from an inertial sensor; then recording second data output from the inertial sensor; comparing the first data output with the second data output; and determining whether the parametric performance of the inertial sensor has been degraded based on the comparison between the first and second data output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: ATLANTIC INERTIAL SYSTEMS, LIMITED
    Inventor: Christopher Gregory
  • Patent number: 10746565
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a signal from a sensor. The signal includes a first in-phase component and a first quadrature component. The first in-phase and quadrature components are identified. A rate signal is applied to the sensor and the sensor generates a sensed rate signal. A second in-phase and quadrature components associated with the sensed rate signal are determined. A phase error based on the first and the second in-phase components, and the first and the second quadrature components is determined. The method may further include reducing error in measurements associated with the sensor by dynamically compensating for the determined phase error, e.g., by modifying a clock signal, by changing a demodulation phase of a demodulator used to identify the in-phase and the quadrature components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Doruk Senkal, Joseph Seeger
  • Patent number: 10746566
    Abstract: A method for communication between a meter device and a communication network in accordance with a radio protocol, the meter device including a meter device identification and the radio protocol including a reduced part of the meter device identification and a data field, wherein the method of communication involves transmitting a data telegram according to the protocol from the meter device, receiving the data telegram by the communication network, and identifying the meter device from a set of identification elements, including the reduced part of the meter device identification and at least one information element obtained from a data source external to the meter device. The invention furthermore relates to an identification computer device and a meter device adapted for operating according to the above mentioned radio protocol, and a radio protocol for communication between a meter device and a communication network in accordance with the above mentioned radio protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Apator Militors ApS
    Inventor: Jens Drachmann
  • Patent number: 10746567
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for privacy preserving metering is described herein. A resource threshold value associated with anonymizing meter data for resources metered at a first destination is received. Based on a noise scale value and the resource threshold value, an individual inference value of the first destination is computed. The individual inference value defines a probability of distinguishing the first destination as a contributor to a query result based on anonymized meter data of the first destination and other destinations according to the noise scale value. The noise scale value is defined for a processing application. Based on evaluating the individual inference value, it is determined to provide anonymized meter data for metered resources at the first destination. An activation of a communication channel for providing the anonymized meter data for metered resources is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Daniel Bernau, Philip-William Grassal, Florian Kerschbaum
  • Patent number: 10746568
    Abstract: Data output from each of the “n” delay elements and a remainder value output from a divider in the previous calculation are input to an adder, and an addition process for obtaining a total sum thereof is executed. In addition, a division process is performed by dividing the total sum output from the adder by “n,” and a quotient and a remainder are output from the divider. The remainder is delayed by a remainder delay element by one clock, is output to the adder, and is added in the next calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 10746569
    Abstract: A magnetic angle sensing system is suggested comprising first, second, and third magnetic sensing devices, a substrate comprising the first, second and third magnetic sensing devices, wherein the first, seconds and third magnetic sensing devices are each arranged such to be responsive to a magnetic field component that is perpendicular to a main surface of the substrate, wherein each or the first, second and third magnetic sensing devices comprises the same number of magnetic sensing elements, wherein the second magnetic sensing device is arranged on the semiconductor surface rotated by 120° in view of the first magnetic sensing device clockwise around a reference point, wherein the third magnetic sensing device is arranged on the semiconductor surface rotated by 120° in view of the first magnetic sensing device counter-clockwise around the reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 10746570
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a single-sided or double-sided moving magnet haptic engine comprises: a frame; one or more magnetic field sources mounted to the frame and operable to generate a magnetic field and a back electromotive force (EMF) voltage; a magnetic mass positioned within the frame and operable to move within the frame along a movement axis; a comparator mounted to the frame, the comparator operable to detect the magnetic field and to generate a signal indicating a crossing of one or more magnetic references by the magnetic field; and a processor coupled to the one or more sensors and operable to estimate a displacement of the magnetic mass on the movement axis based on the back EMF voltage and the signal. Other embodiments are directed to a single-sided or double-sided moving coil haptic engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Denis G. Chen, Hari Vasudevan
  • Patent number: 10746571
    Abstract: An angle sensor includes a detection signal generation unit for generating a plurality of detection signals, an angle detection unit for generating a detected angle value by performing an operation using the plural of detection signals, and a condition determination apparatus. The condition determination apparatus includes a determination value generation unit and a determination unit. The determination value generation unit performs an operation using the plurality of detection signals to generate a determination value corresponding to the condition of the angle sensor. The determination value varies depending on an angle to be detected. The determination unit determines whether the angle sensor is in a predetermined condition by determining whether the determination value falls within a determination range. The determination unit varies at least one threshold value that represents at least one end of the determination range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Watanabe, Hiraku Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 10746572
    Abstract: A rotation detection device includes a detection unit and a determination circuit unit. A first magnetoresistive element pair, a second magnetoresistive element pair and a third magnetoresistive element pair are located to be farther from the end part than a fourth magnetoresistive element pair and a fifth magnetoresistive element pair are. The second magnetoresistive element pair is located in a region surrounded by the first magnetoresistive element pair, the third magnetoresistive element pair, the fourth magnetoresistive element pair and the fifth magnetoresistive element pair. The detection unit is to generate a main signal based on outputs of the first magnetoresistive element pair, the second magnetoresistive element pair and the third magnetoresistive element pair and to generate a sub signal based on outputs of the fourth magnetoresistive element pair and the fifth magnetoresistive element pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Kobayashi, Michihiro Makita
  • Patent number: 10746573
    Abstract: An optical encoder includes a light source, a plurality of diffraction gratings including grating faces on which a plurality of grooves are disposed in parallel, and a light-receiving unit configured to receive the light diffracted at the plurality of diffraction gratings. The diffraction gratings include a first diffraction grating that is a first-stage diffraction grating adjacent to the light source, a third diffraction grating that is a last-stage diffraction grating adjacent to the light-receiving unit, and a second diffraction grating that is an output-stage diffraction grating of the first-stage diffraction grating and an input-stage diffraction grating of the last-stage diffraction grating. The diffraction gratings are disposed such that the ratio of the first gap to the third gap equals the ratio of the second gap to the fourth gap, and a length of the first gap differs from a length of the second gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihide Kimura
  • Patent number: 10746574
    Abstract: There is provided a mounting tool, for a linear displacement measuring apparatus, which is capable of reducing thermal stress of a scale housing case and is detachable while having a simple structure. The mounting tool includes a cylindrical bush inserted into a through hole drilled in the scale housing case, an O-ring interposed between an inside wall of the through hole and the bush, a mounting screw inserted into a cylindrical hole of the bush and screwed into a mounting face, and a plate spring arranged between a head part of the mounting screw and an outside face of the scale housing case, and biasing the scale housing case toward the mounting face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazushi Kikuchi, Takashi Gohma
  • Patent number: 10746575
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior mirror assembly includes a turn signal unit disposed at a mirror casing of the exterior mirror assembly. The turn signal unit includes a housing portion, at least one light source and a lens. With the exterior mirror assembly disposed at a side of an equipped vehicle, light emitted by the at least one light source, when the at least one light source is electrically powered, passes through the lens in the direction of forward travel of the equipped vehicle. With the exterior mirror assembly disposed at the side of the equipped vehicle, the turn signal unit (i) responsive to a charge level signal indicative of a vehicle charge level of a power source of the equipped vehicle, emits light to indicate the vehicle charge level, and (ii) responsive to actuation of a turn signal indicator of the equipped vehicle, emits light to provide a turn signal indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS HOLDING GMBH
    Inventor: Mark Kennedy
  • Patent number: 10746576
    Abstract: A portable air flow meter fabricated using a 3D printer. A nozzle cover, a fixing cover, and a handle are formed integrally with a cylindrical housing in which a multi-nozzle for measuring an air flow is installed. The cylindrical housing is fabricated using a 3D printer. Fabrication costs are reduced, and a fabrication period is reduced. The portable air flow meter has superior portability due to light weight, and is effective in terms of usability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Seoul Industry Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Taek Oh
  • Patent number: 10746577
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter includes flowmeter electronics and a flowtube configured to receive process fluid flow. The flowtube has a plurality of electrodes disposed proximate an inner diameter to contact process fluid. At least one ultrasonic transducer is disposed within the flowtube and is configured to couple ultrasonic energy to the process fluid proximate at least one electrode. Flowmeter electronics are coupled to the plurality of electrodes and the at least one ultrasonic transducer and are configured to detect at least partial electrode coating or buildup and responsively generate a cleaning cycle within the flowtube using the at least one ultrasonic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Xiaochun Shi
  • Patent number: 10746578
    Abstract: A measuring device for determining a fluid variable relating to a fluid or fluid flow includes a control device, a measuring tube receiving the fluid or fluid flow, and oscillation transducers spaced apart on the measuring tube. At least one oscillation transducer is drivable by the control device to excite a wave conducted through at least one side wall of the measuring tube, the conducted wave exciting compression oscillations of the fluid conducted through the fluid to the other oscillation transducer and recorded there by the control device to determine measurement data. The fluid variable can be determined by the control device as a function of the measurement data. At least one further side wall of the measuring tube has at least one recess extending in a flow direction and increasing a flow cross section of the measuring tube. A method for determining a fluid variable is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Deihl Metering GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Ploss, Michael Mayle, Andreas Benkert
  • Patent number: 10746579
    Abstract: A fluid meter is operated, in particular, for flow quantity determination of a flowing medium. A flow quantity determination is carried out with the aid of a measuring arrangement. A sensor arrangement determines a position and/or inclination. An axial and/or angular position of the fluid meter in relation to at least one establishable axis and/or direction is determined by way of the sensor arrangement, and the axial and/or angular position is used for the correction of the measurement values of the measuring arrangement. In addition, a convection flow of the medium is determined in the fluid meter, and a corrective for the measurement values of the measuring arrangement is derived from the convection flow which has been determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Diehl Metering GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Gaugler, Frederik Neder
  • Patent number: 10746580
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flow meter with at least two measuring sensors, preferably ultrasonic sensors, spaced apart from each other, wherein the coupling of the measuring signals into and out of a fluid is performed via a coupling element According to the disclosure, the measuring channel is formed with an approximately oval or trapezoid cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: GWF MessSysteme AG
    Inventors: Holger Kuhlemann, Mark Frister, Jürgen Skripalle, Markus Helfenstein
  • Patent number: 10746581
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring at least one physical or chemical process variable, comprising at least one measurement branch and a compensation branch connected in parallel therewith for compensating the influence of at least one environmental parameter on the process variable and/or on the measuring of the process variable. The measurement branch includes at least one primary sensor unit and a primary electronics unit for signal registration, evaluation, and/or feeding. The compensation branch includes at least a secondary sensor unit and a secondary electronics unit. The secondary sensor unit is so embodied that it registers a physical or chemical variable characteristic for the at least one environmental parameter, wherein the secondary electronics unit is so embodied that it draws the required energy from the measurement branch, and that it produces from the characteristic physical or chemical variable a compensation signal, which it transmits to the primary electronics unit of the measuring branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Achim Wiest, Oliver Brumberg
  • Patent number: 10746582
    Abstract: Provided is a tool-body that arranges ultrasonic and electrical capacitance sensors at close distances to the casing wall of the wellbore such that properties of thickness, flow velocity, acoustic impedance and the dielectric constant of the liquid layer are measured at a number of circumferential locations inside the casing of the wellbore. These measured values may then be combined to derive the average flow rate of the layer and also used to identify whether the liquid is water or condensate/oil, or a mixture of the two with a certain water-in-liquid ratio. Combined with a gas flow rate and a liquid droplets concentration measurement, the total liquid flow rate and liquid type can be derived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Songming Huang, Colin Atkinson
  • Patent number: 10746583
    Abstract: A water content measuring device measures water content of an object to be measured. The water content measuring device includes two plate members that are disposed facing each other, a current generating unit, a measuring unit, and an arithmetic processing unit. The current generating unit generates current supplied between the two plate members. The measuring unit measures electrostatic capacitance generated by the current supplied between the two plate members. The arithmetic processing unit is configured to convert the electrostatic capacitance measured by the measuring unit to water content. Two plate members each have a shape or are disposed such that at least two points on a leading edge of the object enter between the two plate members at different timings in a direction perpendicular to a passing direction in which the object passes through the two plate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yohei Kushida, Keita Maejima, Hiroshi Okamura, Natsuko Ishizuka, Hayato Fujita, Masaki Tsugawa, Yuji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10746584
    Abstract: A sensor assembly is described herein that can automatically calibrate itself upon installation into an empty bin, eliminating the need to actually fill the bin to calibrate the level reading. The sensor will provide consistent measurement regardless of material properties (permittivity, density, temperature or moisture content). The capacitive nature of the sensor means that in some circumstances, it will sense the material through plastic/glass/fiber glass thereby allowing the sensor assembly to be mountable on the outside of a bin or container. The electrodes of the sensor system are designed to provide a continuous level reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: DICKEY-JOHN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Barry C. Mears
  • Patent number: 10746585
    Abstract: A radar level gauge for determining a process variable of product in a tank, having processing circuitry configured to process a tank signal and, when no surface echo can be identified, enter a wait state. The wait state includes a) storing the tank signal in memory, b) obtaining a wait state tank signal, c) comparing the wait state tank signal with the stored tank signal to determine a tank signal difference measure, d) repeating steps b) and c) until the tank signal difference measure is greater than a predefined threshold, e) processing the wait state tank signal to identify a surface echo, and f) when no surface echo can be identified in the wait state tank signal, setting an alarm. By storing the tank signal when the wait state is entered, it is therefore possible to defer an alarm until the tank signal deviates from this stored tank signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT TANK RADAR AB
    Inventors: Håkan Delin, Urban Blomberg, Lars Ove Larsson
  • Patent number: 10746586
    Abstract: A tank-in-tank fill level indicator, making use of noninvasive tank-in-tank measuring techniques. A vibration device, such as an exciter or resonator, vibrates the outer tank at its natural frequency of vibration, thereby inducing the vibration of the inner tank and a beating effect as a result of the interaction of the vibrations of the two tanks. A vibration detection device, such as an accelerometer, detects the resultant beating effect of the two tanks' induced vibrations. A data processing device, such as a microcontroller, processes the detection data to obtain the liquid volume. A display, wired or wireless data transmission device, or combination thereof, is then used to provide tank or container fill-level information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Sonicu, LLC
    Inventor: Kent Eldon Crouse
  • Patent number: 10746587
    Abstract: A reel weight measurement system is shown and described herein. In some embodiments, the reel weight measurement system comprises strategically placed position and load sensors for measuring an orientation of a reel-carrying unit and measuring loads in the reel-carrying unit. The loads may be indicative of forces due to the weight of the reel when the reel is supported by a carriage of the reel-carrying unit. The weight of the reel may be determined by summing the forces and moments in the system while the carriage is in motion or static. Further, the weight of the reel may be determined by comparing the force measurements and orientation of the carriage to stored calibration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Nichols
  • Patent number: 10746588
    Abstract: A pressure-sensitive device and a computing device are configured to register various steps of a meal lifecycle, including one or more of food purchasing, meal preparation, the serving and consumption of a meal, use of leftovers, management of food inventory, the transferring of a food item from one container to another, the transferring of a food item into a container, the transferring of a portion of a food item into a container. A food item may be automatically identified based on a weight and footprint of the food item. In some instances, a database associates a food item with multiple footprints such that a food item may be identified regardless of its orientation on the pressure-sensitive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Bradley Charles Ashmore
  • Patent number: 10746589
    Abstract: Shelves or other fixtures may be used to support items at a facility. Weighing modules including load cells may be used at the fixtures to acquire weight data indicative of changes to the fixture as items are added or removed from the fixture. Weighing modules may be modular and repositionable with respect to a modular crossbar that provides electrical power and data connectivity. This allows for the fixtures to be easily reconfigured to accommodate items of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Nathan Danenberg, Jeffrey Kevin Feiereisen, Jacob Siegel, Brett Allen Skaloud, Thomas Duester, James Merton Tidman, Dawn Marie Pfund, Jeremy Samuel De Bonet, Nicholas McMahon
  • Patent number: 10746590
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein describes a method and system to monitor and identify vibrations in a rotational mechanical system. Various fault conditions in a rotating machine operating at variable speeds may be identified, at least in part, by identifying the multiple of the fundamental frequency, or order, at which the vibration occurs. The orders of vibration present in a measured vibration signal may be determined by finding an order spectrum of a measured vibration signal in the position domain. A fault vector is generated from the order spectrum that identifies the magnitude of each order of vibration present in the measured vibration signal. The fault vector may be plotted on a radar chart to provide a visual indication of the type of fault present in the mechanical system. Evaluation models for each fault determines a probability and magnitude for each fault condition being present in the sampled vibration signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Linglai Li, Zhenhuan Yuan, Kun Wei, Robert H. Schmidt, Michael J. Melfi, Brian Fast, Sunil R. Gaddam, Chris E. Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 10746591
    Abstract: The magnetic field communication system for measuring the flutter of the turbine blade includes a sensor module placed on an outer surface of the turbine blade to sense a signal on the flutter of the turbine blade; an interface converting the signal on the flutter sensed by the sensor module into a magnet field signal to transmit it to the outside of a casing surrounding the turbine blade; and an adaptor receiving the magnetic field signal to generate a power source of the system, and analyzing the magnetic field signal to determine the degree of the flutter of the turbine blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., LTD
    Inventors: Jong Min Choi, Hyun Woo Son
  • Patent number: 10746592
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for manufacturing a rear surface incident type light receiving device including a substrate, a light receiving unit formed on a surface of the substrate and an electrode formed on the light receiving unit and electrically connected to the light receiving unit includes a first step of performing, after formation of a part of the electrode, a characteristic inspection of the rear surface incident type light receiving device by applying a probe to a part of the electrode and a second step of reducing an area of the electrode in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10746593
    Abstract: A wavelength monitor includes: a wavelength tunable laser (1) having a plurality of emitting ports (10, 11), from which laser beams of the same wavelength are emitted; collimating lenses (20, 21) , which are configured to collimate the laser beams emitted from the emitting ports (10, 11) to emit the collimated laser beams; an optical filter (4) having a periodic transmittance with respect to a frequency, on which the laser beams emitted from the collimating lenses (20, 21) are incident; and an optical detector (5) configured to receive the laser beams that have passed through the optical filter (4) to detect light intensities of the laser beams. In the wavelength monitor, the collimating lenses (20, 21) and the optical filter (4) are disposed so that the laser beams are incident on the optical filter (4) while a condition expressed as Equation (1) is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keita Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 10746594
    Abstract: An apparatus include one or more DACs and a resistor divider are configured to generate a variable bias voltage VBIAS with respect to a CM voltage VCM. The CM voltage VCM is applied to a cathode of one or more thermopiles or a negative input of one or more amplifiers to prevent saturation and over range of one or more low voltage readout amplifiers and one or more ADCs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Gerard Quilligan, Shahid Aslam, Nicolas Gorius, Daniel Glavin, John Kolasinski, Dat Tran
  • Patent number: 10746595
    Abstract: An ambient-light-sensing hole structure package and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The ambient-light-sensing hole structure package includes a transparent cover, a decorative layer, a porous structure layer, and an optical adhesive. The transparent cover has a surface. The decorative layer is disposed on the surface and the decorative layer has an opening that exposes a portion of the surface. The porous structure layer is disposed on one side of the decorative layer and the porous structure layer covers the portion of the surface. The porous structure layer includes a plurality of through holes, and the through holes overlap with the opening. The optical adhesive is interposed between the decorative layer and the porous structure layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignees: INTERFACE TECHNOLOGY (CHENGDU) CO., LTD., INTERFACE OPTOELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD., GENERAL INTERFACE SOLUTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Chun-Hung Chen, Jing-Bing Yu, Tai-Wu Lin, Yen-Chang Yao, Ya-Ting Chang, Pang-Chiang Chia, Yen-Heng Huang