Sensor Or Transducer Patents (Class 702/104)
  • Publication number: 20120173185
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for evaluating calibration data collected by a range sensor of a mobile machine on a site includes collecting a calibration data set using the range sensor. The calibration data set includes information indicating the locations of a plurality of points on a surface of the site relative to the range sensor. The method further includes determining an expected error score of the calibration data set. Finally, the method includes determining whether to use the calibration data set to calibrate the range sensor based on the expected error score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Allen TAYLOR, Sudhir Katta, Bradley Scott Kriel
  • Patent number: 8214168
    Abstract: A sensor probe provides a pair of unique signal paths through a test material, wherein one configuration of the probe provides identical external portions of the signal paths such that a selected parameter of a measuring signal passing along at least two of the unique signal paths is measured. From these measurements, a method is provided for calculating at least one parameter of the test material, wherein the parameter can include an intrinsic parameter as well as a condition of state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Transonic Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuri Shkarlet
  • Patent number: 8214167
    Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium storing an information processing program executed by a computer of an information processing apparatus that obtains, from an input device including an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration and an angular velocity sensor for detecting an angular velocity, acceleration data indicative of the acceleration and angular velocity data indicative of the angular velocity, is provided. The information processing program causes the computer to perform data obtaining and acceleration correction. The data obtaining repeatedly obtains the acceleration data and the angular velocity data. The acceleration correction corrects, based on the magnitude of the angular velocity indicated by the angular velocity data, the acceleration indicated by the acceleration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuhiro Dohta
  • Patent number: 8214166
    Abstract: A method, and a corresponding system, are provided for calibrating data of an object measured by different measuring tools, including measuring a Critical-Dimension (CD) and roughness of an object by using a CD-SEM tool, calculating a number of cross section measurement points required for calibration, by statistically processing the roughness of the object, measuring the cross section of the object by using a cross section measuring tool to obtain cross section data at the calculated number of cross section measurement points, calculating the average measurement of the cross section measurement height, and calculating a calibration correction value that is a function of a difference between the average CD measurement of the object and the average measurement of the cross section measurement height of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Maki Tanaka, Wataru Nagatomo
  • Publication number: 20120166126
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a handheld diabetes managing device based on data generated by a continuous glucose monitor. The method can include sampling a current of the continuous glucose monitor at a sampling interval over a time period to generate a plurality of current samples for the time period. The method can also include determining a mean, median and standard deviation of the plurality of current samples. The blood glucose level of the patient can be measured at a first time and a calibration equation that associates the plurality of current samples with the estimated glucose level of the patient based on the measured blood glucose level and the plurality of current samples can be determined when the standard deviation is less than a first threshold and an absolute value of a difference between the mean and median is less than a second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Peter Engelhardt, Nikolaus Schmitt, Phillip E. Pash, David Duke, Abhishek Soni
  • Publication number: 20120166128
    Abstract: A system for calibrating a pixelated detector includes a detector assembly comprising an array of pixels, an energy source positioned to direct energy toward the array of pixels, a collimating device positioned to pass energy from the energy source to illuminate one pixel, and a data acquisition system (DAS). The DAS is configured to measure a signal in the illuminated one pixel, and measure signals in pixels neighboring the pixel. The system includes a computer programmed to calculate an amount of crosstalk from the illuminated pixel of the pixels neighboring the illuminated pixel based on the measured signals in the DAS, and calculate a crosstalk correction vector for the illuminated pixel based on the measured signal in the illuminated pixel, the measured signals in the pixels neighboring the illuminated pixel, and the calculated amount of crosstalk from the illuminated pixel to each of the pixels neighboring the illuminated pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Abdelazíz Ikhlef, Jesse David Peplinski
  • Publication number: 20120166127
    Abstract: A soft-field tomography system includes a plurality of transducers configured for positioning at a surface of an object. An excitation driver is configured to generate a precomputed default excitation pattern for the plurality of transducers. A processor stores the precomputed default excitation pattern and a corresponding predicted response for the precomputed excitation pattern. The processor further stores one or more precomputed fault excitation patterns and corresponding predicted response for the fault excitation patterns corresponding to one or more fault conditions of the plurality of transducers. A response measurement device is configured to measure a response at one or more of the transducers to determine if a fault condition exists. If a fault condition exists, the processor at least one of instructs the excitation driver to generate a precomputed fault excitation pattern or uses a predicted response that corresponds to the fault condition for a soft field tomography process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Alexander Seth Ross
  • Patent number: 8208758
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for region-of-interest (ROI) video processing based on low-complexity automatic ROI detection within video frames of video sequences. The low-complexity automatic ROI detection may be based on characteristics of video sensors within video communication devices. In other cases, the low-complexity automatic ROI detection may be based on motion information for a video frame and a different video frame of the video sequence. The disclosed techniques include a video processing technique capable of tuning and enhancing video sensor calibration, camera processing, ROI detection, and ROI video processing within a video communication device based on characteristics of a specific video sensor. The disclosed techniques also include a sensor-based ROI detection technique that uses video sensor statistics and camera processing side-information to improve ROI detection accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Haohong Wang, Shuxue Quan, Khaled Helmi El-Maleh, Chinchuan Andrew Chiu, Xiaoyun Jiang
  • Patent number: 8209151
    Abstract: In order to make error recognition, for example, in cabling, in the stored data or in the data allocation, in the allocation of a sensor unit to sensor-relevant data for calibration of an analysis unit that is connected with a sensor unit possible, a sensor identification (6) is located in or on the sensor unit that can be polled by the analysis unit (4) and to which sensor-specific data are allocated in a storage unit (5), and a data carrier (7) is located in or on the sensor unit in which a second set of sensor-specific data are stored that can be read by the analysis unit (4) and can be compared with the first set of sensor-specific data of storage unit (5). Upon agreement of the first and second set of sensor-specific data, the measuring signals are transformed into measurement data by considering the sensor-specific data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Jerome Gruaz, Klaus-Christoph Harms, Martin Rzehorska, Rüdiger Teichmann
  • Publication number: 20120158313
    Abstract: A method and device allow the determination of the concentrations of a plurality of gas species in a gas mixture based on the output signals from a plurality of gas sensors, each of which is sensitive to a plurality of gas species in the gas mixture. The method includes measuring the response of each sensor at a number of levels of each gas in the mixture, determining a mathematical representation of the response characteristics of each sensor, and using the mathematical representation to determine gas concentrations from sensor readings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: DA YU WANG, DAVID M. RACINE, DAVID D. CABUSH
  • Publication number: 20120158343
    Abstract: Provided is an operating method of a sensor node. The operating method of a sensor node includes receiving a sensing request, adjusting a sensing condition on the basis of the received sensing request, and sensing according to the adjusted sensing condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Seung-Mok YOO
  • Patent number: 8203329
    Abstract: A calibratable magnetic field sensor for sensing a first and a second spatial component of a magnetic field in a reference point, wherein the magnetic field includes a first and a second measurement field component and/or a first and a second calibration field component. The magnetic filed sensor includes a first sensor element arrangement including at least a first and a second sensor element for sensing the first magnetic field component, which includes a first measurement field component and/or a first calibration field component, with respect to a first spatial axis in the reference point. Furthermore, the magnetic field sensor includes a second sensor element arrangement for sensing the second magnetic field component, which includes a second measurement field component and/or a second calibration field component, with respect to a second spatial axis in the reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Hohe, Michael Hackner, Markus Stahl-Offergeld
  • Patent number: 8204971
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for controlling sensor networks. A sensor network has a plurality of sensor nodes, which have sensors for monitoring operational parameters of devices within an application-specific system. A wireless communication module is provided for each node to enable the node to wirelessly communicate with other nodes of the network. A user defines various scripts for controlling the behavior of one or more nodes, and the network distributes the scripts, as appropriate, to various nodes thereby implementing the behavior defined by the scripts. Accordingly, a user can easily and dynamically configure or re-configure the behavior of any node without having to physically access the node that is being configured or re-configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Synapse Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Ewing, Rick A. Martindale
  • Publication number: 20120150414
    Abstract: A method comprises steps for reconstructing in-cylinder pressure data from a vibration signal collected from a vibration sensor mounted on an engine component where it can generate a signal with a high signal-to-noise ratio, and correcting the vibration signal for errors introduced by vibration signal charge decay and sensor sensitivity. The correction factors are determined as a function of estimated motoring pressure and the measured vibration signal itself with each of these being associated with the same engine cycle. Accordingly, the method corrects for charge decay and changes in sensor sensitivity responsive to different engine conditions to allow greater accuracy in the reconstructed in-cylinder pressure data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Jian Huang
  • Publication number: 20120150471
    Abstract: There is provided a color processing apparatus comprising: a first input unit configured to input a reference spectral reflectance obtained by measuring a patch image with a spectrophotometer serving as a reference unit; a second input unit configured to input a correction target spectral reflectance obtained by measuring the patch image with a spectrophotometer serving as a correction target unit; a correction coefficient generation unit configured to generate a correction coefficient between the correction target spectral reflectance and the reference spectral reflectance, for each wavelength; and a correction unit configured to correct, for each wavelength, the spectral reflectance measured by the correction target unit, using the correction coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Muto
  • Patent number: 8200452
    Abstract: To provide an attitude-angle detecting apparatus, which detects an attitude angle of a mobile object during movement with good accuracy by correcting an output value from an acceleration sensor, and to provide a method for the same. It is characterized in that it comprises an acceleration sensor for measuring an acceleration being applied to a mobile object, a yaw-rate sensor for measuring a yaw rate of the mobile object, a speed sensor for measuring a speed of the mobile object, a mobile-component acceleration calculating means for calculating an actual acceleration from the speed, calculating a centrifugal force from the yaw rate and the speed and calculating a mobile-component acceleration, a resultant force of the actual speed and the centrifugal force, and an attitude-angle calculating means for calculating an attitude angle from a gravitational acceleration, which is obtainable by correcting the acceleration with the mobile-component acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Ueda, Iwao Maeda, Kiyomi Nagamiya, Naoto Shibata
  • Patent number: 8196469
    Abstract: A rail scanning system and certified method of use thereof are described. The rail scanning system comprises a control unit, a probe carriage, and an encoder. The probe carriage comprises two or more phased array probes. The control unit is communicatively coupled with the encoder and phased array probes of the probe carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: National Railroad Passenger Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Pielli, Kenneth Gaglione
  • Patent number: 8200450
    Abstract: A measuring system precisely for measuring the density of a medium flowing in a pipe line. The measuring system comprises a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor. Both sensors communicate with measuring electronics of the system. The measuring electronics are operable to provide, based on temperature measurement, pressure measurement, and a numerical compensation factor a density measured-value, representing, a density of the flowing medium at a virtual density measuring point. The compensation factor corresponds with a locational variability of at least one thermodynamic variable of the medium, occurring along the flow axis of the measuring system and/or a locational variability of the Reynolds number of the flowing medium along the flow axis of the measuring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Rainer Höcker
  • Publication number: 20120143552
    Abstract: A calibration method/system and verification method for digital torque tools are disclosed, in which the calibration method comprises the steps of: transmitting a data containing usage records of a digital torque tool at a client end to a remote calibration platform; comparing the data of usage records with statistic data stored in the calibration platform so as to obtain a data relating to average degree of fatigue; performing a calculation based upon the data of usage record and the data of average degree of fatigue so as to obtain a calibration data; transmitting the calibration data to the client end while allowing the calibration data to overwrite the corresponding original torque data of the digital torque tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: CHIH-HUA CHO, Hsin-Chuan Su
  • Publication number: 20120143551
    Abstract: A fixed-source array test station provides a cost-effective high-throughput test bed for testing optical sensors that require stimulus at fixed angular positions. A SAL seeker requires stimulus at fixed angular position across its FOV to calibrate its spatial transfer function (STF). An array of fixed collimated sources at different angular positions is aligned so that their beams overlap the entrance pupil of the sensor under test. Each source may comprise an inexpensive light emitting diode (LED) or vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and collimator. To simplify alignment the sources may be positioned on and perpendicular to the surface of a sphere with the seeker's entrance pupil located at the center of the sphere. The sources are activated in accordance with an activation profile in order to calibrate or otherwise test the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Michael K. Burkland, Casey T. Streuber, Kristofer E. Tvedt
  • Patent number: 8195406
    Abstract: One or more alcohol inputs are received at the interactive system. Each of the alcohol inputs corresponds to an alcoholic beverage to be consumed by a consumer. The system calculates an estimated blood-alcohol level of the consumer based on the alcohol inputs. The estimated blood-alcohol level is compared with one or more alcohol impairment limits retrieved from an electronic data store. If the comparison reveals that the consumer might be impaired, an alert is automatically signaled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lydia Mai Do, Pamela Ann Nesbitt, Lisa Anne Seacat
  • Patent number: 8195418
    Abstract: A measurement instrument having a processor, a first sensor and a second sensor. The processor is adapted to output a measurement signal embodying a measurement of a physical quantity. The first sensor and second sensor are connected to the processor and are operable to generate respectively first and second measurements of the physical quantity. The processor defines a first measurement range within which the measurement signal is dependent on the first measurement and not the second measurement. The processor defines a second measurement range within which the measurement signal is dependent on the second measurement and not the first measurement. The first and second ranges meet at a predetermined transition. The first and second measurements are different at the transition and the measurement embodied in the measurement signal crosses the transition without an abrupt change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Borenstein
  • Publication number: 20120136606
    Abstract: A self-calibrating magnetic field monitor is disclosed. In one embodiment, a magnetic field sensor repeatedly generates an electronic signal related to the magnetic field. In addition, a calibration module generates a relative baseline signal based on an average value of the electronic signals for a given time period. A comparator compares the electronic signal with the relative baseline signal and generating an output signal if a difference in the comparing is greater than or equal to a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Cory James STEPHANSON, Paul Roybal
  • Patent number: 8190297
    Abstract: A control method is provided for a fluid control device, particularly for an internal combustion engine, equipped with a position sensor having a nominal characteristic curve representative of a predetermined relationship between an admissible range of position values and a corresponding range of return electric signal values. The method includes, but is not limited to determining an offset (offsetopen; offsetclose) between a returned signal related to at least one defined position of the device and an expected signal related to the defined position of the device according to the nominal characteristic curve, estimating an updated characteristic curve of the sensor by applying the offset (offsetopen; offsetclose) to the nominal characteristic curve, and applying a predetermined control strategy of the fluid control device according to the updated characteristic curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Gunnarsson, Simone Barbero, Ronnie Magnusson, Nando Vennettilli
  • Publication number: 20120123722
    Abstract: A fluorescent spectrum correcting method includes comparing fluorescent spectrum obtained from micro-particles labeled with a plurality of fluorescent pigments with reference spectrum to separating the fluorescent spectrum into fluorescent spectrum for each pigment, and previously measured spectrum data is used as the reference spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaya Kakuta, Koji Futamura, Yoshitsugu Sakai, Yasunobu Kato
  • Patent number: 8176803
    Abstract: The present invention is a sensor interface or network of interfaces that utilizes high-temperature electronics to operate at elevated temperatures for applications that include but are not limited to aircraft and automobile engines, vehicle frames, refineries, nuclear and chemical production plants, and in downhole drilling for petroleum and natural gas. The interface or network provide connectors for a variety of sensors with analog and digital outputs, and can in turn provide data to an automated electronic control system or a monitor. Because the sensor interface may be placed in so-called “hot zones” nearer to the sensors being monitored than other systems that use conventional electronics, the sensor interface can increase noise immunity, increase reliability, decrease cost, reduce weight, and increase space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Orbital Research Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Willett, Greg S. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8180466
    Abstract: A process device is configured to meet a desired Safety Integrity Level (SIL). A device interface is configured to couple to the process device and provide an output related to operation of a component of the process device. A component monitor monitors operation of the component and identifies a safety event of the component. A safety response module responds to a safety event of the component in accordance with a safety response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Longsdorf, Dale Davis, Robert Hedtke, Scott Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120116707
    Abstract: An accelerometer open loop control system comprising a variable capacitance accelerometer having a proof mass movable between fixed capacitor plates, drive signals applied to the capacitor plates, a charge amplifier amplifying an accelerometer output signal representing applied acceleration, and an autoranging facility for monitoring the output signal, and for adjusting the drive signals in dependence on the output signal in order to restrict the amplitude of the accelerometer output signal, thus maintaining sensitivity of the accelerometer while permitting response to a wide range of g values. Corrections are applied by means of look up tables to compensate for inaccuracies arising from movement of the proof mass and temperature variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Atlantic Inertial Systems Limited
    Inventor: Alan Malvern
  • Publication number: 20120101766
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for calibrating a magnetometer. The method comprises applying at least one first test to a new set of calibration parameters; accepting the new set of calibration parameters as an active set of calibration parameters when the new calibration parameters pass the at least one first test; applying the active set of calibration parameters to a plurality of magnetometer readings to obtain a plurality of values; applying at least one second test to the plurality of values; and calculating a quality measure for the active set of calibration parameters based on an outcome of the at least one second test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Harris Snow, Nazih Almalki
  • Publication number: 20120101765
    Abstract: An improved method of determining that a current transformer is situated about a conductor includes applying a predefined load to a particular conductor from among a plurality of conductors and making a determination from a signal detected from a particular current transformer responsive to the predefined load that the particular current transformer is situated about the particular conductor. An improved metering device having an algorithm for identifying the predefined load is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Donald Thompson McComas, Praveen Sutrave
  • Patent number: 8165840
    Abstract: A system and method automatically calibrate a posture sensor, such as by detecting a walking state or a posture change. For example, a three-axis accelerometer can be used to detect a patient's activity or posture. This information can be used to automatically calibrate subsequent posture or acceleration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hatlestad, Aaron Lewicke, Keith R. Maile
  • Patent number: 8165744
    Abstract: A method for controlling for improper installation of sensors of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises the steps of determining a first indication of direction based at least in part on a yaw value, determining a second indication of direction based at least in part on a steering angle value, and changing the second indication of direction, if the first indication of direction and the second indication of direction are inconsistent with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas H. Tu, Steven R. Abram, Paul S. Shaub
  • Patent number: 8165849
    Abstract: A system and method to facilitate device monitoring and servicing is provided. In one embodiment, a system may include a medical device having at least one component, and monitoring circuitry configured to measure operational data of the component. The system can also include a data processing system configured to analyze the operational data and to output a report based on such analysis. The analysis, in turn, may include applying a transform to the operational data and comparing one or more actual coefficient and threshold coefficient characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kamal Mannar, Douglas E. Starasinich
  • Publication number: 20120095714
    Abstract: An information processing device acquires an output value in accordance with a state in which an operating device is held, acquires the output value in accordance with a predetermined first holding state of the operating device as a first reference value, acquires the output value in accordance with a predetermined second holding state of the operating device, different from the first holding state, as a second reference value, and calculates a state value indicative of the state in which the operating device is held, which is in accordance with the acquired output value, based on the first reference value and the second reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Noriyuki FUKUSHIMA, Shinichi HIRATA, Koji KAGEYAMA
  • Publication number: 20120095713
    Abstract: In a multi-channel oscilloscope a method of calibrating interleaved digitizer channels initially calibrates each digitizer channel to produce a bandwidth enhanced filter for each digitizer channel to match the respective channel frequency and phase characteristics. The oscilloscope is then configured for interleaved operation whereby an input signal is applied to at least two digitizers via a switch through a common preamplifier to produce a reference digitizer channel and an interleaved digitizer channel where the bandwidth enhanced filter for the interleaved digitizer channel is now not correct. Fast Fourier transforms are performed on the data from the reference digitizer channel and the interleaved digitizer channel, from which are derived a match filter for the interleaved digitizer channel so the interleaved digitizer channel and reference digitizer channel are matched in phase and magnitude at all frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventor: John J. PICKERD
  • Patent number: 8158063
    Abstract: A biosensor package structure with a micro-fluidic channel is provided. The biosensor package structure includes a substrate, a biochip, and a cover. The substrate has a first surface, a second surface, and an opening. The biochip is attached on the first surface. A bio-sensing area of the biochip is exposed to the opening of the substrate. The cover is attached on the second surface to cover the opening so as to form a micro-fluidic channel. By implementing the invention, the manufacturing process of the biosensor is simplified and the productivity is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: National Chip Implementation Center National Applied Research Laboratories
    Inventors: Chin-Fong Chiu, Ying-Zong Juang, Hann-Huei Tsai, Chen-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 8160834
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides methods and materials for observing the state of a sensor, for example those used by diabetic patients to monitor blood glucose levels. Typically a voltage such as a voltage pulse is applied to the sensor in order to solicit a current response from which for example, factors such as impedance values can be derived. Such values can then be used as indicators of a sensor's state, for example the state of sensor hydration, sensor noise, sensor offset, sensor drift or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Chi Liang, Larry E. Tyler, Mohsen Askarinya, Charles R. Gordon, Randal C. Schulhauser, Kenneth W. Cooper, Kris R. Holtzclaw, Brian T. Kannard, Rajiv Shah
  • Patent number: 8156805
    Abstract: An inertial sensor has a transducer with a sense resonator. The sense resonator is oscillated. A signal responsive to the oscillation is provided. A first baseband signal and a second baseband signal are provided responsive to the signal responsive to the oscillation of the sense resonator. A signal for controlling a resonance frequency of the sense resonator is provided responsive to performing a Goertzel algorithm on the first baseband signal and the second baseband signal. One use of controlling the resonance frequency is to control an offset between the resonance frequency of the sense resonator and the frequency of the oscillation of drive masses in the sense resonator. Using the Goertzel algorithm is particularly efficient in controlling the resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Hayner, Keith L. Kraver, Dejan Mijuskovic
  • Publication number: 20120089358
    Abstract: An apparatus, consisting of a rolling element, which is resting on a surface, and a force-sensing device, which is coupled to the surface. The force-sensing device is configured to make a first measurement indicative of a force exerted in a direction perpendicular to the surface. The force is exerted by a force-sensing probe pressing against the rolling element so as to hold the rolling element stationary. The apparatus further includes a calibration processor, which is configured to collect the first measurement from the sensing device, to collect a second measurement indicative of the force from the force-sensing probe, and to calibrate the force-sensing probe based on the first and second measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Doron Ludwin, Yevgeny Bonyak, Dror Shlomo Levy
  • Publication number: 20120086438
    Abstract: A real-time calibration system and method for a mobile device having an onboard magnetometer uses an estimator to estimate magnetometer calibration parameters and a magnetic field external to the mobile device (e.g., the earth magnetic field). The calibration parameters can be used to calibrate uncalibrated magnetometer readings output from the onboard magnetometer. The external magnetic field can be modeled as a weighted combination of a past estimate of the external magnetic field and the asymptotic mean of that magnetic field, perturbed by a random noise (e.g., Gaussian random noise). The weight can be adjusted based on a measure of the statistical uncertainty of the estimated calibration parameters and the estimated external magnetic field. The asymptotic mean of the external magnetic field can be modeled as a time average of the estimated external magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Xiaoyuan Tu
  • Patent number: 8155912
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for determining a calibration value indicating the extent of loss of calibration of a group of three or more sensors in a sensor network, the method involving receiving a plurality of data values captured over a period of time by each of the sensors, determining by a processing unit (404) at least one correlation value associated with each sensor, each correlation value corresponding to the correlation between the data values captured by the associated sensor and the data values captured by at least one other sensor; extracting by a high pass filter (410) a noise component of the correlation values and outputting the calibration value determined based on the difference between the noise component and a reference noise value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited
    Inventor: Younes Souilmi
  • Publication number: 20120084039
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a first event and executing a first procedure to identify a sensor offset in response to detecting the first event. The method further includes determining, via a computing device, whether the sensor offset was measured during the execution of the first procedure, scheduling a second procedure to execute in response to detecting a second event if the sensor offset was not measured during the first procedure, and scheduling the first procedure to execute in response to detecting a subsequent occurrence of the first event if the sensor offset was measured during the first procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Wei D. Wang, Steven E. Schulz, Jeffrey David, Jackie L. Cui, Andrew M. Zettel, Hanne Buur
  • Patent number: 8150633
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a physical characteristic of a seafood product are provided. In one system, the estimate is based on a slope defined by a ratio of changes in peak resonant amplitude and frequency of an electromagnetic resonant circuit in loaded and unloaded states. In another system, a first probe of a plurality of probes is driven with a test signal when the plurality of probes is loaded by a seafood product and the estimate is based on received test signals at one or more of the other probes. In another system, the estimate is based on the loading effect of a seafood product on an electromagnetic resonant circuit, which is also used to read an ID from an RFID associated with the seafood product. The systems and methods may be used for individual specimens, or to determine an average estimate for multiple specimens at one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy A. Burke, Peter H. Gregson, Gleb J. Sekretta, Stephen J. F. Hankinson
  • Publication number: 20120074943
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for compensating for the effect of a moving door on a nearby ferromagnetic object detector. The ferromagnetic object detector is of a type to produce a main sensor signal indicative of the presence of a ferromagnetic object in the vicinity of the ferromagnetic object detector. Furthermore, the door is arranged relative to the ferromagnetic object detector such that movement of the door is liable to introduce an undesirable interference signal into the main sensor signal. The apparatus comprises an input (3) for receiving the main sensor signal and a door sensor signal that is responsive to an opening angle of the door. The apparatus also comprises an interference signal estimator (4) for estimating a door-related interference signal in dependence upon the door sensor signal and a model of interference for the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicants: ADVANTAGE WEST MIDLANDS, QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventors: Malcolm David MacLeod, Paul Daniel Baxter, Thomas John Horton, Mark Nicholas Keene
  • Publication number: 20120078563
    Abstract: An economizer controller with sensor calibration. A controller sensor may be used to measure a parameter. At the same time at the same location of the measurement with the controller sensor, a measurement of the same parameter may be made with a precision sensor. The difference between the two measurements may be saved to a controller memory as an offset. The offset may be used to compensate future measurements of the same parameter by the controller sensor. Additional offsets at various magnitudes may be obtained between the precision and the controller sensors for compensating subsequent measurements by the controller sensor. Measurements with the compensated sensor may be used for calibrating sensors in other economizer controllers, for example, at remote locations in the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Cory Grabinger, Adrienne Thomle, Miroslav Mikulica
  • Patent number: 8136383
    Abstract: To calibrate an accelerometer, a seismic cable that carries the accelerometer is rotated. Data measured by the accelerometer as the seismic cable is rotated is received, and at least one calibration parameter according to the received data is computed. The at least one calibration parameter is for use in calibrating the accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nicolas Goujon, Ahmet Kemal Ozdemir, Bent Andreas Kjellesvig
  • Patent number: 8140500
    Abstract: A system is provided wherein spectrometer measurements, and/or measurements from other analytical instruments, are transmitted to a processing station which determines the component substances of the sample(s) subjected to the measurements. The names of the component substances are then inserted into database search queries related to matters such as handling precautions, causes/sources of the substances, remedies and neutralizing agents for the substances, regulations related to the substances, etc. The results of the search queries are then provided to the personnel who made the measurements, preferably wirelessly and almost immediately after the measurements were made. The system therefore provides nearly immediate guidance as to what substances are present and how to handle them, which can be useful for inexperienced personnel in hazardous response, contraband detection, industrial process control, and other situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLC
    Inventors: Jerome J. Workman, Stephen R. Lowry, Nicholas Simon Nunn, Kathleen J. Schulting
  • Publication number: 20120065917
    Abstract: An information processing system, including: a portable communication device including a sensor that measures predetermined information and outputs a measurement result, the sensor having output characteristics varying depending on a place of use; and a information processing device for indoor use, which is communicatively connectable to the portable communication device, the information processing device being configured to: acquire the measurement result of the sensor from the communicatively-connected portable communication device; execute calibration of the sensor by using the acquired measurement result; execute an application program that uses the measurement result of the sensor; and performs determination as to whether or not the calibration has been executed for the communicatively-connected portable communication device when the application program is executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Masaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8135554
    Abstract: Transmission of probe configuration data is initiated upon recognition by the probe of a prescribed condition. Probe configuration data protocol includes a data frame, subdivided into a desired number of time slots. Unlike measurement data protocol, where inter-pulse pair timing within a slot varies based on a magnet position or temperature sensor resistance, configuration data protocol in accordance with the invention uses fixed inter-pulse timing to represent the various states of digital data. In such manner, at least a portion of the time slots making up the particular data frame can be used for containing data sent from the probe, and which can then be interpreted by the receiving processing device as at least one bit of binary code allocated to each individual slot of the portion of time slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Jonathan A. Levy
  • Patent number: 8131495
    Abstract: A system includes a filter, a sensor, a processor, and a memory. The filter can be coupled to an engine exhaust and can operate in an accumulating mode during which particulate matter (PM) from the engine is trapped and also operate in a regenerating mode during which PM in the filter is emitted. The sensor is coupled to a discharge port of the filter and has an output to provide a sensor signal based on a concentration of PM in the filtered exhaust. The processor is coupled to receive the sensor signal and operable to determine at least one of a base level for the sensor signal during the accumulating mode and a regenerate level for the sensor signal during the regenerating mode, and operable to determine a calibration value for the sensor using at least one of the base level and the regenerate level. The memory stores the calibration value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Krafthefer, Gregory J. Hampson