Patents Issued in November 24, 2020
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Patent number: 10845184Abstract: A method of operating a dimensioning system to determine dimensional information for objects is disclosed. A number of images are acquired. Objects in at least one of the acquired images are computationally identified. One object represented in the at least one of the acquired images is computationally initially selected as a candidate for processing. An indication of the initially selected object is provided to a user. At least one user input indicative of an object selected for processing is received. Dimensional data for the object indicated by the received user input is computationally determined.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: INTERMEC IP CORPORATIONInventors: Virginie Benos, Vincent Bessettes, Franck Laffargue
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Patent number: 10845185Abstract: There is provided a method of measuring a film thickness of a transparent material on a substrate. A first object (transparent material) is applied onto a first substrate surface, and a second object (transparent material) is applied onto a second substrate surface. The method includes: measuring a first relative height of a front surface of the first object with respect to the first substrate surface at a position without the first object; measuring a second relative height of the front surface with respect to a back surface of the first object; and calculating a refractive index of the transparent material, based on the first relative height and the second relative height. The method includes measuring a film thickness of the second object, using a third relative height of a front surface of the second object with respect to a back surface of the second object and the calculated refractive index.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: NTN CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroaki Ohba
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Patent number: 10845186Abstract: [Object] To analyze a strain of a biological sample more accurately. [Solution] Provided is an information processing device including: a setting unit configured to set at least one region of interest from one captured image constituting a dynamic image for a biological sample; an analysis object specifying unit configured to specify an analysis object for the at least one region of interest; a detection unit configured to detect a motion of the analysis object in the dynamic image; and an analysis unit configured to analyze a strain of the biological sample related to the at least one region of interest on a basis of the detected motion of the analysis object.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Shinji Watanabe, Tomohiro Hayakawa
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Patent number: 10845187Abstract: Remote measurements using images are particularly useful in structural health monitoring cases in which the installation of contact sensors is difficult. Some limitations, though, associated with photogrammetry-type optical metrology involve the application of speckle patterns, which become even more important with variable working distance or when the required resolution and sensitivity are not a priori known. In this context, multispectral sensing combined with tailored speckle patterns can circumvent some of the challenges of acquiring data at different working distances. The present invention uses multispectral imaging combined controlled generation of speckle patterns to demonstrate an approach for remote sensing related to deformation measurements at the structural level. To demonstrate this approach, two speckle patterns were designed for measurements at specified working distances.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventors: Antonios Kontsos, Fnu Melvin Domin Mathew, Andrew James Ellenberg, Ivan Bartoli
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Patent number: 10845188Abstract: Methods and apparatus for capturing motion from a self-tracking device are disclosed. In embodiments, a device self-tracks motion of the device relative to a first reference frame while recording motion of a subject relative to a second reference frame, the second reference frame being a reference frame relative to the device. In the embodiments, the subject may be a real object or, alternately, the subject may be a virtual subject and a motion of the virtual object may be recorded relative to the second reference frame by associating a position offset relative to the device with the position of the virtual object in the recorded motion. The motion of the subject relative to the first reference frame may be determined from the tracked motion of the device relative to the first frame and the recorded motion of the subject relative to the second reference frame.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: John Weiss, Vivek Pradeep, Xiaoyan Hu
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Patent number: 10845189Abstract: A method of calibrating a laser measurement device includes positioning a calibration part, having known geometric specifications, at varying distances from the laser measurement device (within a measurement depth-of-field of the laser measurement device). The detected geometric specifications, measured at these different positions, are compared with the known specification(s) of the calibration part in order to improve the accuracy of the calibration. A calibration standoff fixture having a plurality of adjustable legs may be used in conjunction with the method to facilitate changing the position of the calibration part relative to the laser measurement device.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Raythoen Technologies CorporationInventor: Gordon A. Perrett
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Patent number: 10845190Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a filter changing a light amount of an irradiation light, a lens irradiating a surface of a material with the irradiation light, a stage changing a focus position of the irradiation light in a depth direction of the material, an interfering light extractor causing the irradiation light to interfere with reflected light from the material, a detector detecting an intensity of interfering light obtained by interference between the irradiation light and the reflected light, and a controller calculating a height of the surface of the material based on the detected intensity of interfering light while changing a relative focus position of the irradiation light with respect to the material at a given measurement point of the surface of the material. The controller controls the filter or light source based on the detected intensity of interfering light to change the light amount of the irradiation light.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATIONInventor: Kiminori Yoshino
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Patent number: 10845191Abstract: System and method for profiling of a surface with lateral scanning interferometer the optical axis of which is perpendicular to the surface. In-plane scanning of the surface is carried out with increments that correspond to integer number of pixels of an employed optical detector. Determination of height profile of a region-of-interest that is incomparably larger than a FOV of the interferometer objective is performed in time reduced by at least an order of magnitude as compared to time required for the same determination by a vertical scanning interferometer.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Eric Peter Goodwin
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Patent number: 10845192Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical test fixture used in a machine tool to inspect its positioning, squareness, parallelism, and circularity. The fixture body has two mountable heads that provide machine areas for inspection. The fixture body has one tooling hole that locates the assembly in a CNC machine and in a CMM. The tooling hole serves as one datum point or origin for setup. The flatness of the fixture body and the witnessed face provide repeatable setup results. The fixture body has two feet on its outer legs for fastening to any CNC machine and CMM table. The test fixture qualifies a machine tool by providing a machinable square head and a machinable round head fixed on a fixture body.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Inventor: Shawn Thomas Lause
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Patent number: 10845193Abstract: A level with a removable end cap is provided. The level includes a hollow level body. The end cap includes an outer member and locking member received within the outer member. The locking member is inserted into the outer member pushing a moveable portion of the outer member into a frictional engagement that holds the end cap assembly in place relative to the level body.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Matthew Doyle, Fraizier Reiland, Lauren Weigel
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Patent number: 10845194Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing an inertial force detection device with which it is possible to diagnose sensor output without hindrance even when a vehicle is traveling. In order to solve this problem, there is provided an inertial force detection device for measuring inertial force according to a displacement amount of an oscillating body, wherein a diagnosis voltage that is synchronous with an output command signal inputted from the outside is applied. Furthermore, the period over which the diagnosis voltage is applied is shorter, by a prescribed period, than a cycle of the output command signal. Furthermore, at least one of the period over which the diagnosis voltage is applied, the diagnosis voltage, a diagnosis threshold value, and a filter characteristic is varied according to the cycle of the output command signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVES SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Toshiaki Nakamura, Masahide Hayashi, Yasutaka Tsuru, Kazuo Ono
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Patent number: 10845195Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to systems, methods, and devices for high precision inertial measurement sensing of functional movement and range of motion analysis with close to zero drifts in sensor orientation readings. The system calibrates IMU raw data samples after warm up, and uses a fast convergent fusion algorithm to calculate high accuracy and almost drift free orientation information. In some examples, the systems, methods, and devices are used in computer-guided or robotic surgery, to aid in evaluation before, during, and after a surgical operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: SolitonReach, Inc.Inventors: Furrukh Khan, Xiaoxi Zhao
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Patent number: 10845197Abstract: A dead-reckoning guidance system determines a vehicle-speed of the host-vehicle based on wheel-signals from the one or more wheel-sensors; determines a distance-traveled by the host-vehicle during a time-interval since prior-coordinates of the host-vehicle were determined; determines a heading-traveled of the host-vehicle during the time-interval since the prior-coordinates of the host-vehicle were determined; determines present-coordinates of the host-vehicle based on the distance-traveled and the heading-traveled; determines when the vehicle-speed is greater than a speed-threshold; determines when the heading-traveled differs from a cardinal-direction by both greater than a noise-threshold and less than an angle-threshold; and in response to a determination that both the vehicle-speed is greater than the speed-threshold and that the heading-traveled differs from the cardinal-direction by both greater than the noise-threshold and less than the angle-threshold, determines a coordinate-correction to apply to tType: GrantFiled: November 28, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Aptiv Technologies LimitedInventors: Eric P. Knutson, David M. Spell, Linh N. Pham
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Patent number: 10845198Abstract: A navigation system useful for providing speed and heading and other navigational data to a drive system of a moving body, e.g., a vehicle body or a mobile robot, to navigate through a space. The navigation system integrates an inertial navigation system, e.g., a unit or system based on an inertial measurement unit (IMU). with a vision-based navigation system unit or system such that the inertial navigation system can provide real time navigation data and the vision-based navigation can provide periodic, but more accurate, navigation data that is used to correct the inertial navigation system's output. The navigation system was designed with the goal in mind of providing low effort integration of inertial and video data. The methods and devices used in the new navigation system address problems associated with high accuracy dead reckoning systems (such as a typical vision-based navigation system) and enhance performance with low cost IMUs.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Trimble Inc.Inventors: Gregory C. Best, Peter Van Wyck Loomis
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Patent number: 10845199Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a navigation application that generates navigation instructions for a route, including navigation instruction for navigating within a venue. One example of such a venue is transit station. The navigation application identifies a portion of the route that includes two locations within a station, such as an access point (e.g., an entrance or exit) of the transit station and a platform within the station at which a transit vehicle arrives. The application identifies a path between the two locations (e.g., between an access point and a platform, between two platforms within the station, between a platform and another location within the station, or between any arbitrary two locations within the station). The application provides several turn-by-turn navigation instructions for navigating the path based on actual instructions signs that are displayed within the station to provide guidance for traveling between different locations in the station.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brandon J. Pung, Michael H. Schrag, Ellis M. Verosub, Usama M. Hajj, Mikey M. Fujihara, Jan F. Sanchez Dudus, Ian D. Leighton
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Patent number: 10845200Abstract: The present invention relates to the efficient use of both local and remote computational resources and communication bandwidth to provide distributed environment mapping using a plurality of mobile sensor-equipped devices. According to a first aspect, there is provided a method of determining a global position of one or more landmarks on a global map, the method comprising the steps of determining one or more differences between sequential sensor data captured by one or more moving devices; determining one or more relative localisation landmark positions with respect to the one or more moving devices; determining relative device poses based one or more differences between sequential sensor data relative to the one or more relative localisation landmark positions; and determining a correlation between each device pose and the one or more relative localisation landmarks positions.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: BLUE VISION LABS UK LIMITEDInventors: Peter Ondruska, Lukas Platinsky
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Patent number: 10845201Abstract: When a vehicle that can travel autonomously is dropped off, a vehicle control apparatus causes the vehicle to move to a standby place by traveling autonomously. Specifically, when the vehicle is dropped off, the vehicle control apparatus determines a moving destination among standby places, based on the current location of the vehicle, and the locations of the standby places, and vehicle-demand prediction information, and instructs the vehicle to move to the determined moving destination.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICAInventors: Kotaro Sakata, Kimio Minami, Tetsuji Fuchikami
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Patent number: 10845202Abstract: An autonomous vehicle may access portions of a map to maneuver a roadway. The map may be split into one or more levels that represent different regions in space. For example, an overpass may be represented by one level while the road below the overpass may be on a separate level. A vehicle traveling on a particular level may use map data that is associated with that level. Furthermore, if the vehicle travels through a warp zone, it may transition from the current level to a destination level and thus begin to use map data associated with the destination level.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Christopher Paul Urmson, Michael Steven Montemerlo, Andrew Hughes Chatham, Daniel Trawick Egnor
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Patent number: 10845203Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for indoor/outdoor detection using a mobile device, such as wearable computer (e.g., smartwatch). In an embodiment, a method comprises: receiving, by one or more processors of a wearable computer, wireless access point (AP) scan data, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data and inertial sensor data; determining, by the one or more processors, a first state of the wearable computer based on the wireless AP scan data; determining, by the one or more processors, a second state of the wearable computer based on a comparison of the GNSS data and the inertial sensor data; and outputting, by the one or more processors, an indoor/outdoor signal indicating that the wearable computer is indoors or outdoors based on the first and second states.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Vinay R. Majjigi, Suresh B. Malakar, Bharath Narasimha Rao, Karthik Jayaraman Raghuram, Hung A. Pham
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Patent number: 10845204Abstract: If it is determined that, at a target exit of a roundabout that exists in a target route, a travel restricting event that restricts passing of a vehicle through the target exit has occurred on the basis of a peripheral travel environment detected by a peripheral environment detection unit, a route calculation device of the vehicle adds one circulation or a part of the circulation in the roundabout to the target route.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideki Matsunaga, Masaaki Nagashima, Takeru Goto, Hirokiyo Kasahara, Yoshimitsu Murahashi, Takumi Machida, Toshiaki Takano
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Patent number: 10845205Abstract: A guide route matching with the characteristic of vehicle control is searched to reduce the frequency at which re-search of a guide route is executed. A navigation device includes an information input unit for acquiring a control condition for controlling the traveling of the vehicle as control characteristic information from an autonomous driving control device, and a route searching unit for searching a guide route for the vehicle satisfying the control condition based on the control characteristic information acquired by the information input unit. Accordingly, the guide route matching with the control characteristic of the vehicle can be searched.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: CLARION CO., LTD.Inventors: Ryosuke Takeuchi, Akio Sumizawa
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Patent number: 10845206Abstract: A network system coordinates transport service between service providers and service requestors operating client devices in a system environment. Service requestors request transport service from a requestor location to a destination location. Service providers provide transport service to service requestors using a transportation vehicle. Network system can suggest a pickup location nearby the requestor location. The suggested pickup location can be on a road segment that is nearby the requestor location, on a navigable road segment, address matched to the requestor location, and on an accessible road segment. Nearby road segments are less than a threshold distance from the requestor location. Navigable road segments have a navigable road type. Address matched road segments are have an alphanumeric location name similar to that of the requestor location. A network system provides the suggested pickup location to a service requestor to facilitate transport service.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Anand Karthik Tumuluru, Gaurang Ramakant Khetan, Sundar Annamalai, Jun Ma, Atrem Kizil
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Patent number: 10845207Abstract: A user device can receive boundary information that identifies a restricted region; identify one or more map boundaries of the restricted region based on the boundary information; identify traversing roads of the restricted region based on geographic information survey (GIS) information; flag the traversing roads for exclusion from route determination; receive a navigation request identifying at least one of an origin or a destination; determine a route that does not include a flagged traversing road; and provide navigation information identifying the route.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Elizabeth A. Burgess, Peter J. Lear, Victor J. Rehorst
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Patent number: 10845208Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a dump location of material dumped by a transport vehicle are disclosed. A system may receive information that identifies a location of a paving machine, and may receive multiple data points associated with the transport vehicle. Each data point may indicate a respective location of the transport vehicle and a corresponding time at which the transport vehicle was at the respective location. The system may identify a subset of the multiple data points that indicate respective locations of the transport vehicle within a threshold proximity of the location of the paving machine. The system may estimate the dump location of the material dumped by the transport vehicle based on at least one of a set of locations indicated by the subset of data points or a set of times indicated by the subset of data points, and may output information that identifies the dump location.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Jacob McAlpine, John Marsolek, Gautham Subramanian
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Patent number: 10845209Abstract: An on-board computing system for a vehicle is configured to generate and selectively present a set of autonomous-switching directions within a navigation user interface for the operator of the vehicle. The autonomous-switching directions can inform the operator regarding changes to the vehicle's mode of autonomous operation. The on-board computing system can generate the set of autonomy-switching directions based on the vehicle's route and other information associated with the route, such as autonomous operation permissions (AOPs) for route segments that comprise the route. The on-board computing device can selectively present the autonomy-switching directions based on locations associated with anticipated changes in autonomous operations determined for the route of the vehicle, the vehicle's location, and the vehicle's speed. In addition, the on-board computing device is further configured to present audio alerts associated with the autonomy-switching directions to the operator of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Logan Rockmore, Molly Nix
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Patent number: 10845210Abstract: A sensor interface operates to communicate a sensed quantity along one or more processing pathways and in different data representations. The signal representations can be swapped along one or more locations of the signal processing branches. These branches are independent from one another and combined at an interface component for transmission along a single path or node for a control unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christian Reidl, Wolfgang Granig, Harald Witschnig, Dirk Hammerschmidt
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Patent number: 10845211Abstract: Temperature sensors, pressure sensors, methods of making the same, and methods of detecting pressures and temperatures using the same are provided. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor includes a ceramic coil inductor having a first end plate and a second end plate, wherein the ceramic coil inductor is formed of a ceramic composite that comprises carbon nanotubes or, carbon nanofibers, or a combination of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers thereof dispersed in a ceramic matrix; and a thin film polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) nanocomposite disposed between the first and the second end plates, wherein the thin film PDC nanocomposite has a dielectric constant that increases monotonically with temperature.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Chengying Xu, Amanda Schrand, Reamonn Soto
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Patent number: 10845212Abstract: A strain gauge system includes a layered structure and a resistance sensor. The layered structure has an unstretched position and a range of stretched positions. The layered structure includes a multilayer thin film having alternating layers of ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic materials. The layered structure also includes a flexible magnet that produces a magnetic field. The resistance sensor measures a resistance of the multilayer thin film. The resistance of the multilayer thin film is lower when the layered structure is in the unstretched position than when it is in a stretched position in the range of stretched positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLCInventors: Serol Turkyilmaz, Sean Jason Keller, Tristan Thomas Trutna
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Patent number: 10845213Abstract: A flexible and non-functionalized low cost paper-based electronic system platform fabricated from common paper, such as paper based sensors, and methods of producing paper based sensors, and methods of sensing using the paper based sensors are provided. A method of producing a paper based sensor can include the steps of: a) providing a conventional paper product to serve as a substrate for the sensor or as an active material for the sensor or both, the paper product not further treated or functionalized; and b) applying a sensing element to the paper substrate, the sensing element selected from the group consisting of a conductive material, the conductive material providing contacts and interconnects, sensitive material film that exhibits sensitivity to pH levels, a compressible and/or porous material disposed between a pair of opposed conductive elements, or a combination of two of more said sensing elements.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Joanna Mohammad Nassar, Galo Andrea Torres Sevilla, Muhammad Mustafa Hussain
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Patent number: 10845214Abstract: A magnetic field sensor including at least one magnetoresistance element configured to generate a magnetic field signal indicative of a magnetic field associated with a target having features and spaced from the at least one magnetoresistance element by an airgap. The sensor includes a detector responsive to the magnetic field signal and to a threshold level to generate a sensor output signal containing transitions, each transition associated with a feature of the target and occurring in response to the magnetic field signal crossing the threshold level. The sensor includes a threshold generator configured to generate the threshold level having a rising threshold level limit and a falling threshold level limit.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Allego MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Florian Kulla, Cédric Gillet
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Patent number: 10845215Abstract: The present invention relates to an inductive position sensor configured to determine a position of a target device, comprising at least one receiving coil arranged to receive a magnetic field and an inner transmitting coil winding and an outer transmitting coil winding arranged to generate said magnetic field, whereby said at least one receiving coil is positioned between said inner transmitting coil winding and said outer transmitting coil winding and whereby said inner transmitting coil winding and said outer transmitting coil winding are so arranged that current flows in the same sense.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SAInventors: Wolfram Kluge, Lorenzo Lugani
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Patent number: 10845216Abstract: A rotational angle sensor includes a stator element and rotor element. The stator element has a stator transmitting coil, circuit board, and at least two identically configured stator receiving coils angularly offset from each other on the circuit board. The rotor element is mounted rotatably about a rotation axis relative to the stator element, and has a rotor receiving coil and rotor transmitting coil electrically connected to each other. The rotor receiving coil is inductively coupled to the stator transmitting coil such that an electromagnetic field produced by the stator transmitting coil induces a current in the rotor receiving coil that flows through the rotor transmitting coil and causes the rotor transmitting coil produces a further electromagnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Fabian Utermoehlen, Andreas Merz
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Patent number: 10845217Abstract: Sensor for determining a rotation angle (?) about a rotation axis. The sensor includes a rotary element mounted in a base element so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis. The rotary element is made from a first material having a first refractive index n1 and is constructed from several layers. At least one light generating device is fixedly arranged relative to the base element. At least one light detection device is fixedly arranged relative to the base element and configured to detect a light signal. At least one refractive structure is arranged in each layer and has a second refractive index n2, wherein n2?n1. The at least one beam path extends at least in a first rotation angle range through the at least one refractive structure in order to be able to assign a specific rotation angle (?) to the light signal detected by the at least one light detection device at least in the first rotation angle range.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIENInventors: Alexander Dabsch, Franz Keplinger, Andreas Kainz
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Patent number: 10845218Abstract: An encoder includes a base portion, a rotation portion that is provided to be rotatable about a rotation axis with respect to the base portion, a mark that is disposed around the rotation axis on the rotation portion, an imaging element that is disposed in the base portion and images the marks, a storage portion that stores a reference image, and a determination portion that performs template matching on the mark imaged by the imaging element by using the reference image, so as to determine a rotation state of the rotation portion with respect to the base portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Inventor: Takayuki Kondo
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Patent number: 10845219Abstract: A linear encoder has a stationary part and a moving part, and measures and encodes a relative displacement between the stationary part and the moving part along a linear extent of displacement. The encoder comprises multiple machine sensible elements arranged on one of the parts in a predetermined, pattern; and multiple evenly placed sensors arranged along the other part along the entire linear extent, thereby to measure and encode the displacement. The encoder may be an absolute encoder and may be based on magnetic or optical or any other kind of sensing.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Servosense (SMC) Ltd.Inventors: Markus Erlich, Yves Villaret
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Patent number: 10845220Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of sensing rotation of a rotation member and an electronic device performing the method, wherein the electronic device may include: a housing including one side having a substantially circular opening; a substantially circular structure configured to be rotatably positioned in or around the opening of the housing; a first sensor configured to detect a first rotation of the structure to generate a first signal; a second sensor configured to detect a second rotation of the structure, to generate a second signal; a processor coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor; and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory includes instructions to enable the processor, on execution, to detect the rotation of the structure based on at least a part of the first signal or a part of the second signal, to correct the first signal to reflect actual rotation of the structure, and to perform a predetermined action based on at least part of the corrected first signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Younghoon Song, Min-Su Han, Geon-Soo Kim, Doo-Suk Kang
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Patent number: 10845221Abstract: A device for calibrating distributing sensing technologies is presented. The device includes an optical fiber, a first input arranged for receiving at least one optical pulse and injecting this at least one optical pulse towards the optical fiber, an output arranged for receiving a backscattered signal generated in the optical fiber. The optical fiber includes at least one event, each event being a part of the optical fiber and having at least one modified physical state or property that is different from the physical state or property of the rest of the optical fiber. The device includes structure creating different optical paths for the at least one optical pulse, the different optical paths having different lengths, each optical path passing through the at least one event. The invention also relates to a process implemented in the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: OMNISENS SAInventors: Jacques Morel, Etienne Rochat
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Patent number: 10845222Abstract: A sensor assembly has a deformation body having two oppositely lying surfaces and an outer edge segment as well as a sensor blade extending from the surface to a distal end and having a left side, first lateral surface and a right side, second lateral surface. An overload protection apparatus protects the deformation body against plastic deformation and has a support stirrup led with lateral separation around the sensor blade and a first stop and a second stop located on opposite sides of the sensor blade. The stops are so arranged that an intermediate space formed therebetween receives only a portion of the sensor blade. The deformation body and the sensor blade are excitable to oscillate about a shared static resting position and to be moved in such a manner that the sensor blade executes pendulum-like movements elastically deforming the deformation body.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AGInventors: Christian Lais, Andreas Strub, Dominique Wiederkehr
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Patent number: 10845223Abstract: A utility flow meter and a method for measuring a flow of a liquid through a flow conduit having a liquid sensing arrangement, a display device, and a display mode controller for controlling the display mode. The display mode controller is configured to control the display mode based on a first display mode when the liquid presence criterion is fulfilled and a second display mode when the liquid presence criterion is not fulfilled. The first display mode consists of at least one flow representation, and the second display mode consists of at least one further representation.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Apator Miitors ApSInventor: Jens Drachmann
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Patent number: 10845224Abstract: Ultrasonic measurements are made of a multiphase fluid (oil, water and gas) in pipe or conduits with high values of gas content in the multiphase fluid. Ultrasonic transceivers are positioned around the pipe wall in acoustic contact with the fluid system. The fluid flow is caused to move in a vortex or swirling flow with vortex inducing elements located in the pipe upstream of the transceivers, forcing the gas phase to a cylindrical area at the center of multiphase flow in the pipe, with water and oil multiphase fluid components forming an outer annular flow. Measures of cross sectional composition of the gas portion of multiphase fluid are provided based on the reflected waves from the interface. Tomographic images of the relative presence and position of the three fluid phases are also formed.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventor: Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Patent number: 10845225Abstract: To improve installation work on piping for a clamp-on type ultrasonic flowmeter including a damping member. A damping member is provided in a state of being in contact with piping, and the damping member is a sheet-shaped molded article which has moderate flexibility and a predetermined thickness. In addition, the damping member has viscoelasticity and has adhesion and peelability to the metal piping. The damping member is fixed to the piping by a damping fixture surrounding an outer periphery of the damping member, and the damping member is pressed against the piping by the damping fixture. A flow sensor body is fixed on the damping member.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: KEYENCE CORPORATIONInventor: Yasunori Kawaguchi
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Patent number: 10845226Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-intrusively measuring fluid flow in a conduit, such as a pipe or tubing. The apparatus includes an insulator having self-adhesive inner surface attachable to the conduit, a temperature sensor on the inner surface of the insulator that senses the conduit surface temperature, a heat source on the inner surface of the insulator that imparts heat into the conduit, and a microcontroller connected to the heat source activator and the sensor assembly. In one embodiment, a baseline conduit temperature is measured, and the heat source raises the temperature of the conduit by a predetermined amount. When the conduit reaches target temperature, the heat source is deactivated and the cooling time for the conduit to return to its baseline temperature is measured. Fluid flow rate is determined from the cooling time, the temperature rise within a predetermined time, a temperature drop within a predetermined time, and/or a temperature gradient over time.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventor: Dong Hyouck Han
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Patent number: 10845227Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow measuring device and/or density measuring device, comprising: at least two measuring tubes which extend mirror symmetrically to a first mirror plane; at least one exciter mechanism and at least one sensor arrangement for exciting and registering measuring tube oscillations; two terminally located collectors for joining the measuring tubes; a support body for connecting the collectors; and a number of plate-shaped couplers for pairwise connecting of the measuring tubes for forming an oscillator. The measuring tube centerlines of the measuring tubes have two oppositely bent sections and an intermediately lying straight section. The second bent section is arranged on the side of the straight section away from the second mirror plane.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AGInventors: Hao Zhu, Alfred Rieder, Gerhard Eckert, Ennio Bitto
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Patent number: 10845228Abstract: A flow meter has a meter wheel housing connectable in-line in a liquid conduit such that liquid flows through the meter wheel housing from an input port to an output port. Liquid flowing from the input port to the output port rotates a meter wheel mounted in the housing, and a wheel sensor measures rotational speed of the meter wheel. A first jet member defining a first orifice with a first cross-sectional area is movable into a jet operating position between the upstream end of the liquid conduit and the input port such that liquid passes through the input port into the meter wheel housing only through the first orifice. A second jet member defining a second orifice with a second cross-sectional area is movable into the jet operating position. The second cross-sectional area is less than the first cross-sectional area.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Wilger Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Wilfred H. Wilger, Sean Georget
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Patent number: 10845229Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an abatement apparatus monitoring system. The abatement apparatus monitoring system includes a processor; and at least one load cell for outputting a load cell signal to the processor. The at least one load cell is configured to support a waste tank of an abatement apparatus. The processor is configured to monitor a level of a liquid in the waste tank in dependence on the load cell signal. The present disclosure also relates to an abatement system comprising an abatement apparatus monitoring system; and a method of monitoring operation of an abatement system.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Edwards Vacuum LLCInventors: Calvin Michael Cox, David Wren Dupre, Mark Kollin Romeo
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Patent number: 10845230Abstract: An active three-wire fluid level sensor employed in an application designed for a two-wire switch is disclosed. A fluid level sensor assembly includes a fluid level sensor including first, second, and third wires. The third wire carries an output signal configured to fluctuate between a low output signal level and a high output signal level. The fluid level sensor assembly also includes a supply modulation driver electrically connected to the third wire. The fluid level sensor, via the first, second, and third wires, is configured to serve as an input to a two-wire input electronic control unit (ECU). A method of operating a two-wire circuit function by supply modulation is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Assed Mir, Antony Brough
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Patent number: 10845231Abstract: Systems and methods that use a differential spectral liquid level sensor to measure the level of liquid in a reservoir (e.g., a fuel tank or other storage container). The use of a differential spectral liquid level sensor solves the problem of common-mode intensity variations (i.e., intensity variations not due to the level of the liquid) by having two different wavelengths propagate through the same optical path but have different spectral attenuations in the liquid. By determining the ratio of the received optical powers, common-mode intensity variations can be neutralized, thereby enhancing the accuracy of the received power reading and the resulting liquid level indication.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Tuong K. Truong, Eric Y. Chan, Dennis G. Koshinz, Kim Quan Anh Nguyen, Eric J. Harvey
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Patent number: 10845232Abstract: Disclosed are mass flow controllers, apparatuses for manufacturing semiconductor devices, and methods of maintenance thereof. The mass flow controller may control an amount of a gas provided into a chamber. The mass flow controller may be configured to obtain an absolute volume of the gas provided into the chamber at a standard flow rate when the mass flow controller is initially used. The mass flow controller may be configured to obtain a detected flow rate of the gas provided at a measured flow rate after the mass flow controller has been used for a predetermined time. The mass flow controller may be configured to compare the detected flow rate and the standard flow rate to verify a full-scale error in the measured flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Inventors: Sangkil Lee, Yusin Yang, Sung Yoon Ryu, Q-Han Park, Hyun Lee
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Patent number: 10845233Abstract: Provided is a weighing apparatus with a flowmeter function includes a load sensor unit configured to detect a load of a flow rate calculation target, an A/D conversion unit configured to sequentially convert load signals from the load sensor unit into digital load data at predetermined intervals, an arithmetic processing unit configured to sequentially convert the load data into weighed values to calculate flow rate values, and a storage unit for storing the weighed values. The arithmetic processing unit calculates change amounts in weighed values and calculates a flow rate value based on a flow rate calculation cycle set based on a minimum time by which the change amounts become equal to or more than a change amount in weighed value, the change amount being calculated based on a minimum indication of weighed value and the required resolution of weighed value and satisfying a required resolution.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: A&D COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Yuji Fukami, Haruna Kawaguchi
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Patent number: 10845234Abstract: In one aspect, a method of measuring the weight of material used during a textile manufacturing process comprises positioning material used during the textile manufacturing process on a receiving surface associated with a load cell. A first weight of the material may be measured using the load cell. A textile manufacturing machine may be operated such that at least a portion of the material is used in the process, wherein the material remains disposed on the receiving surface during the process. A second weight of the material may be measured using the load cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Brett Kron, Karen Lawson