Plural Processors Patents (Class 700/2)
  • Patent number: 9558465
    Abstract: A generic transaction generator framework for testing a network-based production service may work in conjunction with a product-specific transaction creator module that executes transactions on the service. The transaction creator module may include runtime-discoverable information to communicate product specific details to the framework. Runtime-discoverable information may identify initialization methods, terminate methods, transaction types, transaction methods, transaction dependencies as well as testing parameters, such as transaction rate, testing period and a desired distribution of transaction types. The framework may generate and execute various test transactions and collect performance metrics regarding how well the service performed the test transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos Alejandro Arguelles, Ramakrishnan Hariharan Chandrasekharapuram, Daniel Alexander Jeffery
  • Patent number: 9558220
    Abstract: A big data network or system for a process control system or plant includes a big data apparatus including a data storage area configured to store, using a common data schema, multiple types of process data and/or plant data (such as configuration and real-time data) that is used in, generated by or received by the process control system, and one or more data receiver computing devices to receive the data from multiple nodes or devices. The data may be cached and time-stamped at the nodes and streamed to the big data apparatus for storage. The process control system big data system provides services and/or data analyzes to automatically or manually discover prescriptive and/or predictive knowledge, and to determine, based on the discovered knowledge, changes and/or additions to the process control system and to the set of services and/or analyzes to optimize the process control system or plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark J. Nixon, Terrence Blevins, Daniel Dean Christensen, Paul Richard Muston, Ken Beoughter
  • Patent number: 9530309
    Abstract: In a projector or an optical receiver, a master device produces pieces of definition information that determines timings of detection processes in the device including its own device and transmits the pieces of definition information to the slave device. The master device simultaneously transmits commands to require operations of internal timers to be synchronized with each other to the other slave devices in response to elapse of a time corresponding to a period in which a circulating period of the detection processes of the sensors proceeds by a predetermined cycle. Each of the slave devices corrects the timer in response to the command, and determines a timing at which a detection process should be performed with reference to a time point for correction on the basis of the definition information matched with its own device to execute the detection process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori Osako, Keisaku Kikuchi, Toru Murata
  • Patent number: 9489337
    Abstract: A general purpose PicoEngine Multi-Processor (PEMP) includes a hierarchically organized pool of small specialized picoengine processors and associated memories. A stream of data input values is received onto the PEMP. Each input data value is characterized, and from the characterization a task is determined. Picoengines are selected in a sequence. When the next picoengine in the sequence is available, it is then given the input data value along with an associated task assignment. The picoengine then performs the task. An output picoengine selector selects picoengines in the same sequence. If the next picoengine indicates that it has completed its assigned task, then the output value from the selected picoengine is output from the PEMP. By changing the sequence used, more or less of the processing power and memory resources of the pool is brought to bear on the incoming data stream. The PEMP automatically disables unused picoengines and memories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Netronome Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gavin J. Stark
  • Patent number: 9483439
    Abstract: A general purpose PicoEngine Multi-Processor (PEMP) includes a hierarchically organized pool of small specialized picoengine processors and associated memories. A stream of data input values is received onto the PEMP. Each input data value is characterized, and from the characterization a task is determined. Picoengines are selected in a sequence. When the next picoengine in the sequence is available, it is then given the input data value along with an associated task assignment. The picoengine then performs the task. An output picoengine selector selects picoengines in the same sequence. If the next picoengine indicates that it has completed its assigned task, then the output value from the selected picoengine is output from the PEMP. By changing the sequence used, more or less of the processing power and memory resources of the pool is brought to bear on the incoming data stream. The PEMP automatically disables unused picoengines and memories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Netronome Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gavin J. Stark
  • Patent number: 9424303
    Abstract: A robotic system is provided. The robotic system includes a publishing node including at least one first synchronization database that includes a plurality of attributes, each of the attributes including a tag identifying the attribute and data, a flag associated with each of the attributes, and a subscriber list. The system also includes a subscriber node including at least one second synchronization database. The publishing node is configured to set the flag associated with the attributes when the attributes are written in the at least one first synchronization database or when the data included in the attributes are modified and publish the flagged attributes to the subscriber node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoffman, Joshua Radel
  • Patent number: 9417936
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to regulation of receipt, rate or volume, and processing of messages, such as order, mass quote or other trade related messages by available trading system resources to minimize congestion, maximize efficient use, minimize unfair monopolization and ensure fair access to/allocation thereof. The disclosed embodiments may act as a governor limiting the maximum rate of message submission to the rate at which the submitted messages can be processed. In particular, the number of concurrent, i.e. received/accepted but not yet completed/processed/responded to, messages may be limited. As long as the limit is not exceeded, i.e. the rate of completion/processing meets or exceeds the receipt rate, no interruption may be imposed. However, once the limit is reached, subsequently received messages may be buffered or otherwise dropped. In this way, the limit may define the extent to which incoming messages may consume the concurrent processing capacity, or allocated portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.
    Inventors: Jochen Mielke de Lima, Ari Studnitzer, Frank Kmiec
  • Patent number: 9405554
    Abstract: A method for initializing expended modules in PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) system is provided in which an initialization request signal is generated and transmitted to a plurality of expended modules, when one basic unit initializes a plurality of expended modules, and an initialization completion signal is sequentially transmitted by the plurality of expended modules, when the initialization is completed, whereby the initialization time can be optimized, the method including performing an initialization operation after generating, by a basic unit, an initialization request signal and transmitting the initialization request signal to a plurality of expended modules, and determining that the initialization operation is completed, when an initialization completion signal is received from the expended modules connected to the basic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hwa Soo Ryu
  • Patent number: 9400762
    Abstract: An integrated device able to simplify interconnects up to memories, able to prevent a reduction of performance due to an increase of area and longer interconnects, and able to speed up memory access. An input/output port of a processing module, memory interfaces, and memory banks are connected by connection interconnects arranged in a matrix in a first direction and a second direction above an arrangement region of a plurality of memory macros. As connection interconnects, command information interconnects and data interconnects are included. The command information interconnects are formed by private interconnects, while the data interconnects are formed by private interconnects for at least the second direction interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Motofumi Kashiwaya
  • Patent number: 9377998
    Abstract: A method, performed by a computer device, includes obtaining an in-memory representation of computer code from a block step method of an executable model in a modeling application, wherein the computer code in-memory representation includes one or more variables. The method also includes identifying, from the one or more variables, a subset of persistent variables and determining if any of the one or more variables in the subset of persistent variables are state variables. When none of the subset of persistent variables are state variables, a block output method is generated based on the computer code in-memory representation and the one or more variables. When the subset of persistent variables includes a state variable, both the block output method and a block update method are generated based on the computer code in-memory representation and the one or more variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhi Han, Fu Zhang, Murali K. Yeddanapudi, Pieter J. Mosterman
  • Patent number: 9311603
    Abstract: A system and method assesses and manages risk of an operation of a user. A rules engine of computer executable instructions stored in the storage device determines at least one of a safety risk measurement based on key performance indicators, an operational safety risk measurement for the operation as a function of the operational safety risk measurement information stored in a storage device and/or a conditional safety risk measurement for the operation as a function of the conditional safety risk measurement information stored in the storage device. A processor connected to the storage device executes the rules engine. An output interface connected to the processor indicates the determined safety risk for the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Martin, Steve Elliott, Ajay Mishra
  • Patent number: 9304571
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for power managed interrupt handling is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes one or more agents that may invoke an interrupt request. An interrupt controller is configured to receive and process the interrupt requests. When idle, the interrupt controller may be placed in a low power state. The system also includes an interrupt power control circuit coupled to receive interrupt request indications from each of the one or more agents that may invoke interrupts. The interrupt power control circuit is configured to assert a wakeup signal responsive to receiving an indication of an interrupt request from one of the agents. If the interrupt controller is in a low power state, it may exit the state and resume operation in an active state responsive to assertion of the wakeup signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Gilbert H Herbeck
  • Patent number: 9298533
    Abstract: In a method in a portable data carrier for securing the data carrier against external attacks on the data carrier, there is employed at least one counter in the data carrier. A specified command is secured here such that it is executed by the data carrier only when the at least one counter lies in a specified, permissible values range, in particular does not undershoot a specified minimum value. The at least one counter is actuated, normally decremented, according to the invention when it is recognized on the basis of a rollback buffer of the data carrier that a preceding execution of a command has been disturbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: GIESECKE & DEVRIENT GMBH
    Inventor: Oliver Gibis
  • Patent number: 9235564
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes determining that a database query warrants a first projection operation to project a plurality of input rows to a plurality of projected rows, where each of the plurality of input rows has one or more variable-length columns. A first projection control block is constructed, by a computer processor, to describe the first projection operation. The first projection operation is offloaded to a hardware accelerator. The first projection control block is provided to the hardware accelerator, and the first projection control block enables the hardware accelerator to perform the first projection operation at streaming rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sameh W. Asaad, Parijat Dube, Hong Min, Bharat Sukhwani, Mathew S. Thoennes
  • Patent number: 9195799
    Abstract: A patient monitoring system for monitoring vital signs, comprises: one or more sensors, wherein the sensors measure vital signs; a monitor station; and one or more portable monitoring devices, wherein monitored data based on the measured vital signs is wirelessly transmitted from the sensors to the monitor station, wherein the monitor station issues one or more alarms to certain ones of the portable monitoring devices as a function of the monitored data, and wherein a portion of the monitored data that pertains to the alarms is wirelessly transmitted to the certain ones of the portable monitoring devices and displayed by the certain ones of the portable monitoring devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: AULISA MEDTECH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Cheng-Feng Sze, Augustine Lien
  • Patent number: 9198030
    Abstract: A first personal electronic (PE) device may enable generation, updating, and/or storage of user configuration information. The user configuration information may comprise information pertaining to device configuration and/or operational preferences specific to the device user and/or various use settings, connectivity, and/or use of available resources. The generation, updating, and/or storage of the user configuration information may be performed manually and/or automatically, and may be performed directly within the first PE device and/or via networked devices, which may communicatively coupled to the first PE device. A second PE device may be enabled to be communicatively coupled to the first PE device and/or the networked devices. The second PE device may then be enabled to download existing user configuration information from the first PE device and/or the networked device, and the downloaded user configuration may be utilized to configure the second PE device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, Arya Behzad, Mark Buer, Alexander G. MacInnis, Thomas Quigley, John Walley
  • Patent number: 9070078
    Abstract: A controller transfers first data to a first control circuit in correspondence with a single data line at a rising edge of a clock pulse on a single clock line, and transfers second data to a second control circuit in correspondence with the single data line at a falling edge of the clock pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Ozawa
  • Patent number: 9054142
    Abstract: A control device of a transfer module and a process module in a vacuum processing apparatus collects state data from the modules. The control device has a state data set including data on the entire module, updates its own state data in the set of its own state data acquired at acquisition timing and transmits it to a data collection device at transmission timing. A plurality of control devices is connected in a loop or in a chain to the data collection device; a data transmission interval is shorter than a data collection interval, and entire transmission synchronization is set to be less than twice an interval of acquisition timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Anelva Corporation
    Inventors: Yugui Zhen, Kiyohisa Katsumata, Toshiaki Sumitani, Yoshinori Azuma
  • Patent number: 9037290
    Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory processor readable media of the various embodiments enable control of a conveyor having a plurality of zones each having a control module configured to control a selectable speed of the zone. The various embodiments are disclosed in connection with, but not necessarily limited to, accumulation conveyors with control systems which selectively set the speeds of zones based on conditions of upstream and downstream zones. The various embodiments are directed to improving efficiency of accumulation systems by controlling zones based upon consideration of conditions of neighboring zones. The various embodiment also enable the generation and use of translation tables correlating zones with network addresses of their respective control modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS LLC
    Inventors: Raymond R. Neiser, Jason A. Johnson, Brian J. Resnick, Christopher Scott Anderson, Kevin L. Klueber, Matthew Ross Wicks, Richard L. Kerns
  • Patent number: 9020619
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to a controller of a local control loop having a field device and a sensor configured in a closed-loop control system are disclosed. The controller is wirelessly coupled to a control system wherein the controller and the control system execute complementary control over the field device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell Stephen Panther, Kurtis Kevin Jensen
  • Patent number: 8989876
    Abstract: A method for improving situational awareness for teleoperation of a remote vehicle by creating a 3D map display of an area around the remote vehicle comprises: receiving an original image from a stereo vision camera and utilizing the original image to perform visual odometry to determine the x, y, z, roll, pitch, and yaw for the original image; applying a fill-in algorithm to the original image to fill in an estimated depth for areas of the original image for which no depth data is available, which creates an enhanced depth image; combining the enhanced depth image with the x, y, z, roll, pitch, and yaw for the original image to create the 3D map display of the area around the remote vehicle; and displaying the 3D map display on an operator control unit used to control the remote vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Lenser, Mark Bourne Moseley
  • Publication number: 20150051714
    Abstract: A system includes an industrial controller comprising a first processor. The first processor is configured to execute a substantially deterministic control process. The first processor is further configured to communicate with a second processor included in a communications interface system and communicatively coupled to the first processor, wherein the first processor is configured to communicate an asynchronous data to the second processor via an industrial communications protocol during the execution of the control process, and the second processor is configured to retrieve external data from an external system based on the asynchronous signal, and to communicate the external data to the control system via an Ethernet-based communications protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christina Ann Romanik, Tomas Christopher Gardiner, Patrick Joseph Conroy
  • Patent number: 8948886
    Abstract: A LED lighting system and a controlling method using the same is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a central controller extracts an ID information assigned to each of one or more LED lighting devices using a power line communication and classifies the extracted ID information into ID groups according to a user command by assigning a management information thereto to enable controlling of the one or more LED lighting devices based on the management information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: TVLogic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyungkook Lee
  • Patent number: 8948960
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for arbitrating sensor and actuator signals in various devices. One system includes input/output (I/O) circuitry, redundant computation circuits coupled to the I/O circuitry, and an arbitration circuit coupled between the I/O circuitry and the redundant computation circuits. The I/O circuitry is configured to be coupled to multiple non-redundant systems, and the redundant computation circuits are configured to be coupled to one of multiple system buses. One such device is an aircraft including multiple non-redundant systems and a plurality of system buses that are configured to transmit redundant messages to the non-redundant systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Scot E. Griffith
  • Publication number: 20150032229
    Abstract: A process control apparatus includes a hypervisor, a controller configured to run on the hypervisor and to communicate with a field apparatus to control an industrial process, an operation model definer configured to define an operation model, which is information establishing operation specifications derived from specifications of the controller, a trace information collector configured to collect traces of interactive motions between hardware and the controller, and a normality determiner configured to compare the operation model defined by the operation model definer with the information collected by the trace information collector and to determine the normality of the operation of the process control apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Ohno, Masanobu Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8926509
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for wireless physiological sensor patches and systems which incorporate these patches. The systems and methods utilize a structure where the processing is distributed asymmetrically on the two or more types of ASIC chips that are designed to work together. The invention also relates to systems comprising two or more ASIC chips designed for use in physiological sensing wherein the ASIC chips are designed to work together to achieve high wireless link reliability/security, low power dissipation, compactness, low cost and support a variety of sensors for sensing various physiological parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Hmicro, Inc.
    Inventors: Surendar Magar, Venkateswara Rao Sattiraju, Ali Niknejad, Louis Yun, James C. Beck
  • Publication number: 20140364963
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for RFID communications in a process control system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a radio-frequency identification tag operatively coupled to a field device of a process control system. The radio-frequency identification tag has a processor, an onboard memory, and an antenna. The onboard memory stores data received from the field device to be communicated to a radio frequency identification reader. Power for the processor and the onboard memory is to be drawn from control system power provided to the field device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Michel Ken Lovell, Kenneth W. Junk
  • Patent number: 8909418
    Abstract: Control devices in a motor vehicle, having first sequence-controlled control devices being connected to a first data bus and second sequence-controlled control devices being connected to a second data bus, are networked. A first control device sends a first message via the gateway device into the first and second data buses. At least a second control device receives the first message and checks whether the receiving of the first message is required for the corresponding control device. The second control device sends out a response message, which indicates whether the second control device has a corresponding need to receive the first message. In the event of such a need, a routing default is established and/or an existing routing default is changed in a gateway device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Otmar Siefermann, Frank Wende
  • Patent number: 8904215
    Abstract: An embodiment is directed to an electronic device, including a power management device, the power management device generating a plurality of powers according to power management information, and a processor, the processor including a plurality of power blocks supplied with the plurality of powers through a plurality of power lines, and including a power consumption measurement block that measures power consumption of respective power blocks of the plurality of power blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jaekwan Ryoo
  • Patent number: 8903468
    Abstract: An integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus, and associated systems and methods that allow an ophthalmologist to perform laser retinal surgical procedures with an integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus disposed at a first (i.e. local) location from a control system disposed at a second (i.e. remote) location, e.g., a physician's office. In some embodiments, communication between the integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus and control system is achieved via the Internet®.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Gholam Peyman
  • Patent number: 8817280
    Abstract: A printing device includes a plurality of data transfer control units which store image data transferred from an upper level device in a storage unit; a plurality of output control units which are provided correspondingly to the data transfer control units and each of which controls printing of the image data stored by a specified one of the data transfer control units; and a print control unit that, when abnormality has occurred in any of the data transfer control units, transmits a transfer instruction on the image data that is to be transferred originally by the data transfer control unit being at fault, to an alternate data transfer control unit among the data transfer control units in which no abnormality has occurred, and instructs an output control unit corresponding to the data transfer control unit being at fault to print image data stored by the alternate data transfer control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Shigeru Toyazaki
  • Patent number: 8781641
    Abstract: A system and method for throttling a slave component of a computer system to reduce an overall temperature of the computing system upon receiving a first signal is disclosed. The first signal may be from a master component indicating that a temperature for the master component has exceeded its threshold temperature. The slave component may send a second signal to indicate that a temperature for the slave component has exceeded its temperature. The master component would then initiate throttling of the master component to reduce the overall temperature of the computing system. The master component may be throttled to a degree less than the slave component. A first component may be designated the master component and the second component may be designated the slave component based on a selection policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Samson, John William Horigan, Robert T. Jackson, Ticky Thakkar
  • Patent number: 8761906
    Abstract: A system and method of managing therapy provided to patients in an institution. The system monitors all aspects of the medication delivery to a patient, as well as other information related to the patient, such as values of vital signs, laboratory results and patient factors such as history, diagnosis, allergies and the like. The system includes one or more databases of information, including institutionally developed rules, guidelines and protocol representing the best medical practices of the institution. The system provides alerts and/or recommendations based on the application of the rules to the information being monitored, and alerts care givers accordingly, providing for dynamic adjustment of the patient's therapy. The system also monitors the status of the alerts, and if no action is taken in a selected period of time, may escalate the priority of the alert and/or halt the delivery of medication to the patient until the alert is resolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Condurso, Cynthia Yamaga, Robert Butterfield, Simon Morling, Clifton Pait, Patricia West, Timothy W. Vanderveen, Richard Crass
  • Patent number: 8747317
    Abstract: A modular, flexible architecture for offering full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) functionality and general-purpose ultrasound functionality in a single system is described. A conventional, general-purpose ultrasound system is modified with an FFBU toolkit to create a dual-capability ultrasound system, the dual-capability ultrasound system being able to accommodate both general-purpose ultrasound functionality and FFBU functionality, using a single ultrasound engine. Among other advantages, real-world clinical environments may enjoy cost savings for initial system procurement, space savings on clinic floors, easier and less expensive system upgrades, and the ability to use a single system and user interface for both FFBU screening and for follow-up diagnosis, biopsy, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zengpin Yu, Danhua Zhao, Thomas P. Neff, Wei Zhang, Shih-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 8744634
    Abstract: A retrofit kit for a turbine system is provided that includes a safety instrumented system (SIS) controller having a first plurality of functions and the SIS controller is configured to be coupled to a turbine-generator controller, wherein the SIS controller permits a startup function of the turbine-generator controller based on a plurality of inputs from a turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hardik Ashok Purani, Randall John Kleen, Tabrez Shakeel, Shahriar Tymus
  • Patent number: 8725273
    Abstract: A method for improving situational awareness for teleoperation of a remote vehicle by creating a 3D map display of an area around the remote vehicle comprises: receiving an original image from a stereo vision camera and utilizing the original image to perform visual odometry to determine the x, y, z, roll, pitch, and yaw for the original image; applying a fill-in algorithm to the original image to fill in an estimated depth for areas of the original image for which no depth data is available, which creates an enhanced depth image; combining the enhanced depth image with the x, y, z, roll, pitch, and yaw for the original image to create the 3D map display of the area around the remote vehicle; and displaying the 3D map display on an operator control unit used to control the remote vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Lenser, Mark Bourne Moseley
  • Patent number: 8714494
    Abstract: A railway vital or critical application system substitutes commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and/or software for railway-domain specific product components, yet is validated to conform with railway vital system failure-free standards. The vital system uses a pair of COTS personal computers and operating systems with asymmetric communications capability. Each computer and operating system may differ for additional redundancy. Both computers receive and verify vital systems input message data and security code integrity and separately generate output data responsive to the input message. The first computer has sole capability to send vital system output messages including the output data and an output security code, but only the second computer has the capability of generating the output security code. A failure of either computer's hardware, software or processing capability results failure to transmit a vital system output message or an output message that cannot be verified by other vital systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Claus Weber
  • Patent number: 8698616
    Abstract: A monitor control system includes a focused information database and a report determination part. The focused information database is configured to store focused information that is information associating a focused item focused by each operator with the operator with respect to actual plant information. The report determination part outputs report determination information independently for each operator based on the actual plant information and the focused information. The determination information indicates a measured value, an alert, and a set value that are coincident with the focused items focused by a certain operator and additionally that is determined to need to be reported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yohei Ueno, Tadashi Oi, Kazuyuki Mori, Akira Kobashi
  • Patent number: 8692828
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) image processor and processing method are described. The 3D image processor includes a space division unit to divide a virtual object space where a virtual 3D object is located into a plurality of sub-spaces, and a plurality of processors to correspond to each of the divided sub-spaces and to compute a trajectory of a ray within each of the corresponding sub-spaces, the ray being transmitted into each of the corresponding sub-spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: In Woo Ha
  • Patent number: 8688280
    Abstract: A spa node comprising a spa controller, a power sense adapter configured to compute power being drawn by selected spa components; a spa network adapter, and a home network adapter, each of the three adapters including a wireless transceiver wherein the spa network adapter is configured to receive power data transmitted over a wireless link by the power sense adapter and to further receive status/performance data from the spa controller. The home network adapter is configured to receive power and status data transmitted by the spa network adapter over a wireless link and to convert that data to a form suitable for transmission to an Internet access point. The home network adapter is further linkable over the Internet to a central server, a dealer computer and a spa owner or user computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen S. Macey
  • Patent number: 8666519
    Abstract: Individuals can operate processor enabled devices at a high level of performance, even if they have little or no familiarity with those devices, by indirectly operating them through a first processor enabled device. The direct interactions of individuals with a familiar device can be communicated to one or more processors that perform signal processing functions in order to generate control signals that direct the operation of a second, unfamiliar processor-enabled device. In this closed-loop system, individuals can receive real-time feedback on the performance of the second device in a form associated with the operation of the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Archetype Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan Bergeron
  • Patent number: 8666544
    Abstract: Improved robotic surgical systems, devices, and methods include selectably associatable master/slave pairs, often having more manipulator arms than will be moved simultaneously by the two hands of a surgeon. Four manipulator arms can support an image capture device, a left hand tissue manipulation tool, a right hand tissue manipulation tool, and a fourth surgical instrument, particularly for stabilizing, retracting, tool change, or other functions benefiting from intermittent movement. The four or more arms may sequentially be controlled by left and right master input control devices. The fourth arm may be used to support another image capture device, and control of some or all of the arms may be transferred back-and-forth between the operator and an assistant. Two or more robotic systems each having master controls and slave manipulators may be coupled to enable cooperative surgery between two or more operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic H. Moll, David J. Rosa, Andris D. Ramans, Steven J. Blumenkranz, Gary S. Guthart, Gunter D. Niemeyer, William C. Nowlin, J. Kenneth Salisbury, Jr., Michael J. Tierney
  • Publication number: 20140046457
    Abstract: A system and related method to facilitate the programming of a PLC without requiring a physical connection of the PLC to the device used to program it. The system includes a database and a group of functions embodied in one or more computer programs. The functions enable a user to convert industrial process information of a process worksheet into PLC programming language. The system also enables a user to generate test documents associated with the controlled industrial process. This methodology enables a robust and structured workflow for software change control with new parameters established and any changes in the process control are captured by the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Wesson Taber, Christopher Sandusky, James Banks
  • Publication number: 20140025184
    Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods to communicate data over at least one wire line between units each associated with a control system. In an exemplary embodiment, a conditioned input AC signal serves as a reference signal for data to be transmitted. In phase or out of phase state of the conditioned reference signals is determined by dividing the reference signal into predetermined number of segments, generating a template signal frame and a data signal frame at predetermined segments, generating an interrupt signal in each control system on a predetermined location on the reference signal, logically ORing the template and data signal frames, transmitting the ORed signal, and analyzing the ORed signal to determine phase of the reference signal provided to each control system. If the reference signal is out of phase, the interrupting signal is shifted to correct the out of phase state of the reference signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Rajan Joshi
  • Patent number: 8630722
    Abstract: A system and method of managing therapy provided to patients in an institution. The system monitors all aspects of the medication delivery to a patient, as well as other information related to the patient, such as values of vital signs, laboratory results and patient factors such as history, diagnosis, allergies and the like. The system includes one or more databases of information, including institutionally developed rules, guidelines and protocol representing the best medical practices of the institution. The system provides alerts and/or recommendations based on the application of the rules to the information being monitored, and alerts care givers accordingly, providing for dynamic adjustment of the patient's therapy. The system also monitors the status of the alerts, and if no action is taken in a selected period of time, may escalate the priority of the alert and/or halt the delivery of medication to the patient until the alert is resolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Condurso, Cynthia Yamaga, Robert Butterfield, Simon Morling, Clifton Pait, Patricia West, Timothy W. Vanderveen, Richard Crass
  • Publication number: 20140012398
    Abstract: A process control device according to one aspect of the present invention is configured to control an industrial process implemented in a plant. The process control device includes: a virtualizer configured to run over a hardware in lieu of the hardware; and first and second controllers configured to run over the virtualizer and control operations of a plurality of field apparatuses configured to perform at least one of measurement and operation which are required to control the industrial process; an input distributor included in the virtualizer, the input distributor being configured to distribute a signal output from the filed apparatus to the first and second controllers; and an output acquirer included in the virtualizer, and the output acquirer being configured to acquire outputs of the first and second controllers, and output any one of the outputs to at least one of the field apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Takahiro Kanbe, Mitsuhiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8624704
    Abstract: A safety apparatus has a configurable safety controller (10) and a configuration means, wherein the safety controller (10) has at least one input (18) for the connection of a sensor (20a-c), at least one output (22) for the connection of an actuator (24a-b), and a control unit (14) configured to carry out a control program which generates a control signal at the outputs (22) in a dependence on input signals at the inputs (18) by means of logic rules. The logic rules are settable by means of the configuration means. A number code representing the logic rules can be generated in the configuration means, and the safety controller (10) includes an interface (30) for the input of the number code. The control unit (14) is configured to carry out a control program with the logic rules represented by the number code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventor: Patrick Bornstein
  • Patent number: 8618497
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drawing apparatus including a plurality of drawing units each of which is configured to perform drawing on a substrate with a charged particle beam, a plurality of first processors configured to be selectively connectable to each of the plurality of drawing units, an information processor configured to determine, from the plurality of first processors, a first processor to be connected to a first drawing unit among the plurality of drawing units, based on drawing data, and a connection unit configured to connect the determined first processor to the first drawing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Ohishi, Tomoyuki Morita
  • Patent number: 8615413
    Abstract: A patient care coordination system that includes a plurality of hand-held computers in communication with a cloud computing network or a remote server that has an accessible database of all patients and the health care information of each. The cloud computing network or remote server synchronizes, in real time, patient health care information input in any one of the plurality of hand-held computers with all the others of the plurality of hand-held computers. The hand-held computers are able to download and view the patient health care information in the database in a user friendly graphic user interface equipped with a touch screen for ease of user data navigation. The cloud computing network or remote server also receives, as input, data from patient care devices that are used to monitor patient condition periodically or continuously and store these in the database for the appropriate patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventors: John Henry McKee, Frank Leon Yetter, JoAnne Belcher Klaus, Naeem Ahmed Malik
  • Patent number: 8611250
    Abstract: A method and system of communicating between a wireless network and a process control system communicatively coupled to a server, such as OPC. The server receives data from the wireless network, where the data is generated from an input/output data point within the wireless network. The server maps the data between the input/output data point and a data point placeholder within the process control system. The server writes the mapped data to the corresponding data point placeholder of the process control system via a process control interface, and the mapped data is provided to the process control system as process control data native to the process control system. Process control data may also be provided to the server, mapped between a data point placeholder of the process control system and an input/output data point of the wireless network, and written to the corresponding input/output data point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Deji Chen, Shenling Yang, Mark J. Nixon, Tom Aneweer, John R. Shepard, Aloysius K. Mok