Of Sensing Device Patents (Class 702/116)
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Publication number: 20090127469Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning disposable single-use radiation sensor patches that have adhesive means onto the skin of a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a treatment session. The sensor patches are configured to be minimally obtrusive and operate without the use of externally extending power chords or lead wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2009Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventors: Steven R. Widener, John Carroll
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Publication number: 20090127464Abstract: A flame detector is provided which comprises a housing (1), a test source of electromagnetic radiation (4) and a sensor (7). The source of electromagnetic radiation (4) and the sensor (7) are mounted within the housing (1). The source of electromagnetic radiation (4) is arranged to direct its output onto the sensor (7). The source of electromagnetic radiation (4) is arranged to emit radiation which simulates a flame. In this way, a means is provided within the housing (1) of the flame detector to test the flame detector without the need for an external test source, such as a test fire or a bulky and expensive test torch.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2006Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: Thorn Security LimitedInventors: Bernard E.H. Laluvein, Timothy A. James
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Publication number: 20090125252Abstract: A device for transmitting measured values having a sensor module including miniaturized components and an evaluation unit, in which the sensor module has connections for different sensors, one or more sensors are connected to the sensor module, and the sensor detect operating states of a centrifugal pump arrangement including a pump and a drive motor as measured values, and in which the sensor module is connected to a power supply and processes the measured values. The sensors (7, 8) which are connected to the sensor module are determined by identification means (13, 14, 15, 16). The sensor module is constructed as a signal transmitter (1) with a standardized output signal (10), with an integrated evaluation unit (2) which has a microcomputer (3), and with a display (4). The evaluation unit (2) processes the measured values from the sensors (7, 8) and displays measured values and/or calculated variables on the display (4).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: KSB AktiengesellschaftInventors: Marjan Silovic, Daniel Gontermann, Dirk Kollmar, Christoph Keller
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Patent number: 7524106Abstract: There are occasions when an intermittent abnormality occurs in a water temperature sensor that is of a type that does not cause a sudden change in a detection value of the water temperature sensor. The movement of the detection value of the water temperature sensor when this type of abnormality occurs may be, for example, a movement in which the detection value of the water temperature sensor becomes lower even through warm up has been proceeding after engine start up has begun. When this type of movement of the detection value occurs, if the detection value of the water temperature sensor reduces, after engine start up has begun, to a value lower than that when start up began, it is immediately determined based on this fact that an abnormality of the water temperature sensor is occurring.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norikazu Higashiyama, Koichi Satoya, Koichi Mizutani
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Patent number: 7523639Abstract: A flow meter monitoring system (100) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The flow meter monitoring system (100) includes a communication interface (101) configured to communicate with one or more flow meters and receive meter calibration values for a flow meter of the one or more flow meters. The flow meter monitoring system (100) further includes a processing system (102) in communication with the communication interface (101) and configured to receive the meter calibration values from the communication interface and correlate the meter calibration values to known meter calibration values (114) in order to determine the flow meter type.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventor: Paul J. Hays
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Patent number: 7505861Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a measurement device, in particular a flow measurement device, and to a measurement device itself. In order in this case to reliably preclude measurement errors resulting from incorrect installation, the invention proposes that a characteristic variable is calculated from a time series s(t) of the measurement signal of a measurement device and is compared with previously recorded reference values, with this being used as the basis to automatically generate a message as to whether the measurement device has been installed correctly or incorrectly.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: ABB Patent GmbHInventors: Frank Buhl, Jorg Herwig, Axel Papenbrock, Peter Riegler, Axel Rossberg, Jens Timmer
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Patent number: 7505874Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for establishing a sensor network having multiple sensor nodes, sensor nodes being able to connect to one another to transmit sensor data to a central receiving node, and information, in particular time information, being in stored in every sensor node from other neighboring sensor nodes lying in the reception area of a sensor node, on the basis of which a sensor node determines when to connect to another sensor node, initial information in the sensor node (S2) being formed by information from a mobile installation device (MGW), which is transmitted into a new sensor node (S2) during the installation thereof, the information particularly being provided in the form of a table.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: ista International GmbHInventors: Bert Bley, Manfred Gronauer, Bernd Kauffmann, Thorsten Rische
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Patent number: 7502704Abstract: A method for monitoring the pressure of motor vehicle tires is provided. In the method, a tire pressure value of the tire filling pressure and a tire temperature value are determined. While taking into account the tire temperature value, the determined tire pressure value is compared with a stored nominal value and the comparison result is used to determine whether the motor vehicle tire is at an incorrect tire pressure, in particular, a low tire pressure. If the tire pressure is incorrect when a characteristic change in the tire pressure occurs, the stored nominal value is replaced by a new nominal value, and the comparison result is used to determine the new nominal value of the determined tire pressure value.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2004Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Joerg Burghardt, Wolfgang Kiesewetter, Jan Kipping, Frank Schlosser
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Patent number: 7502705Abstract: A system for identifying a subset of sensors to sample to reduce the frequency of sensor access. The system determines rise times and records values for the sensors in the system. A time criticality of the sensors is determined based on the rise times. The system processes the sensors by first creating sensor subsets based on one or more constraints on the sensors. The system monitors the values of the sensors in a sensor subset and flags a sensor when it makes a determination that, prior to a next scheduled sampling of the sensor subset, the value of a sensor in the monitored sensor subset will exceed a threshold constraint. The system moves those flagged sensors to a second sensor subset which complies with the sensor's constraints.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Andreas Bieswanger, Michael S. Floyd, Andrew J. Geissler, Soraya Ghiasi, Hye-Young McCreary, Guillermo J. Silva, Malcolm S. Ware
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Patent number: 7497137Abstract: In a method for monitoring and/or determining the condition of a force-measuring device with at least one housing that has an interior space and with at least one force-measuring cell installed in the interior space of the at least one housing, at least one parameter of the atmospheric climate of the interior space is measured with at least one sensor that is arranged in the interior space of the housing or with at least one sensor that is arranged at the housing, wherein said parameter is of a kind that has an influence on the operating lifetime of the force-measuring cell; and a sensor signal corresponding to the measured parameter of the atmospheric climate of the interior space is transmitted to a computing unit and/or to a data output device.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AGInventors: Jean-Maurice Tellenbach, Daniel Aepli, Helmut Bäumel
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Patent number: 7499821Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses, articles, methods, and systems for measuring sensor drift characteristics are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a system having a sensor platform to receive a sensor and measure drift characteristic of the sensor is disclosed. The system may further include a data acquisition device coupled to the sensor platform to receive the measured drift characteristic and to compare them to acceptance criteria in order to determine an acceptability of the sensor. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: AirAdvice, Inc.Inventor: Meindert J. Kleefstra
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Patent number: 7487660Abstract: A method and a system for monitoring the functional capability of a particle detector connected downstream, in the flow direction, of a particle filter, in which particles occurring upon the regeneration of the particle filter, in particular ions, are detected by the particle detector and the resultant measurement finding are compared with an expected finding. The measurement and evaluation are effected in a control and evaluation unit. The invention enables monitoring of the functional capability of a particle detector that does not interrupt normal operation and thus increases the reliability of the entire system.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2003Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Bernd Schumann
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Patent number: 7487059Abstract: A method for diagnosing the health of a transducer may include transmitting a signal to a transducer to cause the transducer to transmit a stress wave into an object being monitored, wherein the signal has a predetermined frequency range or bandwidth. The method may also include receiving response data for the transducer and transforming the response data to data representative of an impedance curve of impedance versus frequency for the predetermined frequency range. The method may further include extracting selected parameters from the impedance curve to diagnose the health of the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Christopher L. Davis, Justin D. Kearns, V. John Mathews
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Patent number: 7484815Abstract: To enable a trouble diagnosis of braking-input-side pressure sensors even in a state where a braking input side and a braking output side are interrupted from each other. In a brake device of a vehicle in which a braking input side which generates a liquid pressure by manipulating a brake manipulation portion and a braking output side which supplies the liquid pressure to a brake caliper are made to be communicated with each other or being interrupted from each other by way of a first electromagnetic open/close valve, and the brake device includes a hydraulic modulator which adjusts the liquid pressure of the braking output side by operating an electrically-operated motor, the brake device includes a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor for detecting the liquid pressure of the braking input side, and a trouble diagnosis of the pressure sensors is performed in response to detection values of the pressure sensors.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sumitaka Ogawa, Hideo Takahashi
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Patent number: 7472041Abstract: Noise discrimination in signals from a plurality of sensors is conducted by enhancing the phase difference in the signals such that off-axis pick-up is suppressed while on-axis pick-up is enhanced. Alternatively, attenuation/expansion are applied to the signals in a phase difference dependent manner, consistent with suppression of off-axis pick-up and on-axis enhancement. Nulls between sensitivity lobes are widened, effectively narrowing the sensitivity lobes and improving directionality and noise discrimination.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Step Communications CorporationInventors: Jon C. Taenzer, Bruce G. Spicer
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Patent number: 7461535Abstract: A system and method for testing and calibrating integrated sensor devices that improves the manufacturing test throughput of the devices. The system includes a tester, a temperature controller, and at least one probe station including a thermal chuck. The chuck can be heated to specified temperatures to achieve variable heating of a wafer, PCB, or pallet disposed thereon. The temperature controller adjusts the temperature of the chuck to a first specified level. The tester performs at least one first measurement of the output offset of each integrated sensor embodied as a die on the wafer, or as a device on the PCB or pallet. Next, the temperature controller adjusts the temperature of the chuck to a second specified level, and the tester performs at least one second measurement of the output offset of each integrated sensor at the second temperature level.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2006Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: MEMSIC, Inc.Inventors: Feiming Huang, Haidong Liu
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Publication number: 20080300817Abstract: A system for identifying a subset of sensors to sample to reduce the frequency of sensor access. The system determines rise times and records values for the sensors in the system. A time criticality of the sensors is determined based on the rise times. The system processes the sensors by first creating sensor subsets based on one or more constraints on the sensors. The system monitors the values of the sensors in a sensor subset and flags a sensor when it makes a determination that, prior to a next scheduled sampling of the sensor subset, the value of a sensor in the monitored sensor subset will exceed a threshold constraint. The system moves those flagged sensors to a second sensor subset which complies with the sensor's constraints.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2007Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Andreas Bieswanger, Michael S. Floyd, Andrew J. Geissler, Soraya Ghiasi, Hye-Young McCreary, Guillermo J. Silva, Malcolm S. Ware
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Patent number: 7460009Abstract: A light source of testing a sensor, a test apparatus and a method are disclosed. The test apparatus includes a light source, a photo-mask and a sensor bearing area. The light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes with parallel connection for emitting a test light. The light source is disposed in a photo-mask. The photo-mask has a diffuser interface. The test light is then diffused to the outside of the photo-mask through the diffuser interface. The sensor bearing area is for bearing the sensor. The sensor bearing area is disposed at the outside of the photo-mask and locates at a position to enable the test light to reach. Therefore, the test light emitted by the light source is used to test the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2006Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Capella Microsystems Corp.Inventors: Koon Wing Tsang, Chih-Cheng Chien
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Patent number: 7458246Abstract: The invention relates to a method for functionally testing a filling level sensor which measures the filling level of a liquid in a tank, in which method a change in filling level that is measured by the filling level sensor is compared with a calculated change in filling level. According to the invention, the calculated change in filling level is determined from a measured change in temperature of the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Oliver Grunwald, Matthias Wiese
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Patent number: 7460983Abstract: A method and apparatus adapted to calibrate a signal path of a signal analysis system such that loading effects of the system are substantially removed from measurements of a device under test. A signal under test from the device under test is coupled to a test probe in the signal path and used with selectable impedance loads in the test probe to characterize transfer parameters of the device under test. An equalization filter in either the frequency or time domain is computed from the device under test transfer parameters for reducing in signal error attributable to the measurement loading of the device under test.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2006Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: John J. Pickerd, Kan Tan, William A. Hagerup, Rolf P. Anderson, Sharon M. Mc Masters
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Patent number: 7451002Abstract: A system and method for servicing a medical device, which provides for generation of a transfer function that correlates historical machine data with the health of the medical device. The transfer function may be validated and stored. The transfer function is automatically updated based on current machine data.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventor: Suresh Kumar Choubey
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Patent number: 7434450Abstract: An air-fuel ratio sensor that outputs a sensor signal used for the feedback control of an air-fuel ratio is provided. It is determined whether an element crack is present by applying a reverse voltage to the air-fuel ratio sensor. The value of the sensor signal output from the air-fuel ratio sensor is corrected during a time period “A”. The time period “A” consists of a reverse-voltage application time period in which the reverse voltage is applied, and a return time period “T” after application of the reverse voltage ends. The return time period “T” is set based on sensor impedance correlated with the internal resistance of the air-fuel ratio sensor. The return time period “T” decreases as the sensor impedance decreases.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenji Tashiro, Yasushi Iwazaki, Masanobu Kanamaru, Hiroshi Sawada, Masaya Kawaji, Takashi Matsui
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Publication number: 20080219520Abstract: State data in a sensor device is generated based on data that defines sensor operating states. The state data is monitored to determine if the sensor device is operating in a predetermined operating state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: ATMEL CORPORATIONInventor: Jean-Francois Mainguet
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Patent number: 7421343Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing vibration-induced bias errors in inertial sensors are disclosed. A system for reducing bias errors in an inertial sensor operating within an environment may include a vibration detector for sensing vibration changes within the environment proximate to the inertial sensor, and a Kalman filter for computing an estimate of the navigational error produced by the inertial sensor due to a vibration-induced bias shift detected by the vibration detector. The vibration detector can be configured to measure an accelerometer output of the inertial sensor over a Kalman filter cycle, and then use the standard deviation of such output to obtain a statistical measure of the vibration within the environment. In some embodiments, the inertial sensor may include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) connected to an error compensation unit and strapdown navigator, each of which can be fed navigation corrections determined by the Kalman filter.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Wesley J. Hawkinson
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Publication number: 20080202213Abstract: A system to first verify an adequate degree of hermeticity of a hermetic container in providing safe storage of a commodity by retaining sufficient hermeticity in a closed container and if satisfactory, loading a commodity in the container to self-verify the continued safe storage of the commodity by retaining sufficient hermeticity to protect the commodity from the effects of at least one of oxygen, humidity, insects and microflora in a hermetic container on the commodity therein. The hermetic container has at least one self-verifying component for measuring a parameter internal to the container, during and after manufacture, before and after placement of a commodity therein, and for providing the measurement externally to the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Philippe Villers, Tom De Bruin, Shlomo Navarro
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Patent number: 7386352Abstract: A distributed wireless sensor network node is disclosed. The wireless sensor network node includes a plurality of sensor modules coupled to a system bus and configured to sense a parameter. The parameter may be an object, an event or any other parameter. The node collects data representative of the parameter. The node also includes a communication module coupled to the system bus and configured to allow the node to communicate with other nodes. The node also includes a processing module coupled to the system bus and adapted to receive the data from the sensor module and operable to analyze the data. The node also includes a power module connected to the system bus and operable to generate a regulated voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2004Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Jesse Harper Zehring Davis, Douglas Paul Stark, Jr., Christopher Patrick Kershaw, Ronald Dean Kyker
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Patent number: 7383102Abstract: A protection system is provided that mitigates damage caused by slug flow in oil and gas production systems. The protection system opens or closes a choke valve based upon flow parameters such as the separator pressure and level, and the riser pressure. The choke valve position is calculated based upon a number of factors of the production system in order to maintain efficiency while providing safety.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Brian A. Coward
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Patent number: 7376499Abstract: A system and related method for monitoring the state of health of sensors in an integrated vehicle stability control system. In one embodiment, the system determines whether a yaw rate sensor, a lateral acceleration sensor or a hand-wheel angle sensor has failed. The system uses a plurality of models to generate estimates of the outputs of the sensors based on the actual sensor measurements. Residuals are generated as the difference between the measured value and each of the estimates for the particular sensor. The residuals are compared to a threshold to determine whether a fault flag will be set for each residual. The threshold for the hand-wheel angle sensor is an adaptive threshold because it does not have physical redundancy. If the fault flags for the residuals for each sensor have a particular pattern, then a fault is output for that sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Mutasim A. Salman, Mark N. Howell
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Publication number: 20080114557Abstract: Embodiments of a method and apparatus for variable sensing using the frequency domain are taught herein. An exposure of a system to a physical variable is determined by periodically sensing the physical variable to produce a plurality of digital samples. The plurality of digital samples is converted to respective frequency domain representations. The exposure is calculated using the frequency domain representations.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2007Publication date: May 15, 2008Applicant: 2 BIT, INC.Inventor: Rodney J. Lambert
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Patent number: 7373267Abstract: An industrial controller performance monitoring system includes a detector connected to a controller. The detector is optically coupled to an output, such as a display, of equipment under test and the controller is configured to receive a signal from the equipment under test that is indicative of an instruction to generate the signal monitored by the detector. A comparison of the detection of the signal with the instruction to generate the signal provides an indication of operation of the equipment under test without interfering with operation of the equipment under test.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John R. Carroll, Andre V. Augis, John Erinc, James J. Jacko, Lisette E. Roy, Thomas A. Schey, Lisa M. Thomas, Wiley A. Wolfe
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Publication number: 20080091371Abstract: There is provided a calibration apparatus that calibrates a jitter measuring circuit for outputting a jitter measuring signal with a level according to an amount of jitter in an input signal based on the input signal and a delay signal obtained by delaying the input signal by means of a variable delay circuit. The calibration apparatus includes a delay control section that sequentially sets a first delay amount and a second delay amount in the variable delay circuit and a gain computing section that computes gain in the jitter measuring circuit based on the jitter measuring signal respectively output from the jitter measuring circuit for the first delay amount and the second delay amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2006Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: Advantest CorporationInventors: Masahiro Ishida, Toshiyuki Okayasu
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Publication number: 20080088467Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a sensor configured to store in memory indications of sensor use information and formulas or indications of formula for determining the useful life of a sensor from the indications of sensor use information. A monitor connected to the sensor monitors sensor use and stores indications of the use on sensor memory. The monitor and/or sensor use the compute the useful life of the sensor from the indications of use and the formulas. When the useful life of the sensor is reached, an indication is given to replace the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2006Publication date: April 17, 2008Inventor: Ammar Al-Ali
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Publication number: 20080082283Abstract: A method of determining preventive maintenance for an optical inspection system for inspecting photolithography processed substrates. The method includes measuring at least one operational characteristic of the optical inspection system and comparing a measurement result for said at least one operational characteristic with predetermined preventive maintenance criteria for the operational characteristic. Also included is determining a preventive maintenance requirement based on a comparison result of said comparing, and initiating a preventive maintenance action on said optical inspection system, said preventive maintenance action corresponding to said preventive maintenance requirement. A method of automatically performing preventive maintenance on an optical inspection system, and for retrofitting an optical inspection system to facilitate preventive maintenance of the optical inspection system are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: David Dixon, Michael Kincaid
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Publication number: 20080052028Abstract: A method and apparatus adapted to calibrate a signal path of a signal analysis system such that loading effects of the system are substantially removed from measurements of a device under test. A signal under test from the device under test is coupled to a test probe in the signal path and used with selectable impedance loads in the test probe to characterize transfer parameters of the device under test. An equalization filter in either the frequency or time domain is computed from the device under test transfer parameters for reducing in signal error attributable to the measurement loading of the device under test.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2006Publication date: February 28, 2008Inventors: John J. Pickerd, Kan Tan, William A. Hagerup, Rolf P. Anderson, Sharon M. Mc Masters
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Publication number: 20080046213Abstract: A method and system for detection and remediation of sensor degradation in a monitoring device is disclosed. The method comprises defining or selecting a monitor signal, and setting at least one monitor signal range bounded by one or more upper thresholds and one or more lower thresholds for detecting degradation and/or shut-off. At least one measured sensor output signal is selected from the monitoring device that is within the monitor signal range. A predicted proxy sensor signal is generated concurrently with the measured sensor output signal in real-time. The predicted proxy sensor signal is blended with the measured sensor output signal when shut-down is impending or close to being recovered from. The predicted proxy sensor signal is used in place of the measured sensor output signal when the monitor signal crosses an upper or lower shut-off threshold during a shut-off period. The measured sensor output signal can be used once again when the shut-off period ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2006Publication date: February 21, 2008Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Kingsley O.C. Fregene, Kartik B. Ariyur
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Publication number: 20080040055Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to perform calibration of imprecise sensors for power monitoring in a data-processing system are described. The system includes a load coupled to one or more sensors. An electronic load changes a first input signal through one or more sensors by a predetermined amount. A difference in an output signal from the one or more sensors in response to the changing is obtained. The output signal is measured and sampled. A distribution of samples of the output signal is determined. The estimated parameters of the distribution that most likely to explain actual data are determined. Next, a transfer function of the one or more sensors is determined based on the estimated parameters. The input signal through the load is accurately predicted using the transfer function of the one or more sensors to monitor the power usage by the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: John Gregory Dorsey, Charles Randolph Overbeck, William C. Athas
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Patent number: 7324910Abstract: A probe system is provided that includes a linear and/or two-dimensional sensor array for obtaining information regarding a test piece. The sensor elements of the sensor array may include ultrasonic, eddy current, magnetic, and/or piezoelectric elements. The sensor array may be utilized to detect movement of the probe with respect to the test piece, and may be further utilized to obtain data regarding the test piece, such as image data, for example with respect to a characteristic of the test piece in detecting and locating flaws. A CAD type file or other graphical or image file of the test piece may be displayed concurrently with image data of the test piece obtained by the probe for example to assist an operator in navigating the probe with respect to the test piece, and/or to determine a coordinate location of characteristics of the test piece with respect to the CAD type file.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ralf Struempler, Wolf-Dietrich Kleinert
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Publication number: 20080015807Abstract: An apparatus and a method of receiving/transmitting data in an electronic device are provided. A remaining capacity of a battery mounted to the electronic device is checked. When the remaining capacity of the battery is smaller than a predetermined reference value, a communication module takes over a control with regard to data reception/transmission. Also, power supply to the communication module and a memory unit is maintained, while power supply to the rest of components of the electronic device including a central processing unit is cut off. Accordingly, data can be received/transmitted as much as possible, and reception/transmission of data which has not been completely received/transmitted can be automatically performed when power is recovered.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2007Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: Wan Ki HONG
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Patent number: 7308519Abstract: A communications bus management circuit for a current probe system detects the connection of the current probe system to an instrument and the connection of a current probe to a current probe amplifier of the system. A controller generates a probe enable signal in the presence of the detected connection to the instrument that is coupled to a switching circuit. Switch elements couple the communications bus of the instrument to the communications bus of the current probe amplifier in the presence of the probe enable signal. The controller further generates a current probe present signal in the presence of the detected current probe that is also coupled to the switching element. A further switch element couples the data line of the instrument to ground via a resistive element in the presence of the current probe present signal and floats the data line when the current probe present signal is absent.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan S. Dandy, Michael J. Mende, Kevin A. Robertson
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Publication number: 20070282558Abstract: A purpose of the invention is to determine abnormal condition of a steering angle sensor at an early stage even in a vehicle, in which a yaw-rate sensor is not provided. An abnormal condition determining system of the invention has a first means for detecting whether the vehicle has passed through a curved road, based on geographical data and position data from a navigation system. The system further has a second means for determining an abnormal condition of the steering angle sensor, when an output change of the steering angle sensor does not reach a predetermined amount in spite that the first means detects that the vehicle has passed through the curved road.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2007Publication date: December 6, 2007Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Yasuo Sagisaka
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Patent number: 7305317Abstract: A joint approach of out-of-range detection and fault detection for power plant monitoring. The method initially determines whether a sensor is an independent sensor or a dependent sensor. If the sensor is an independent sensor, then an operating range is established for each independent sensor. A reading from each independent sensor is then compared with the operating range that has been established. If the reading is out-of-range, an alarm may be activated. If the reading is not out-of-range, then this reading is used to determine an expected operating range for each dependent sensor. A reading from each dependent sensor is then compared with the predicted operating range. Again, if the reading from the dependent sensor is out of the expected range, an alarm may be sounded.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2004Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Siemens Corporate Research, Inc.Inventors: Chao Yuan, Zehra Cataltepe, Claus Neubauer, Ming Fang
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Publication number: 20070273540Abstract: A gas sensor system includes a gas sensor capable of producing an output signal responsive to the concentration of a specific gas component in measurement gas, a gas concentration determination device that makes electrical connections to the gas sensor and determines the concentration of the specific gas component according to the output signal of the gas sensor, a failure detection device that detects a potential failure in any one of the electrical connections, a sensor temperature determination device that judges whether the gas sensor has been cooled to a predetermined temperature or lower with reference to a sensor temperature parameter and a failure identification device that, when the gas sensor has been cooled to the predetermined temperature or lower, outputs a diagnosis signal to the gas sensor, measures potentials of the electrical connections under the diagnosis signal and identifies in which of the electrical connections the potential failure is occurring based on the measured potentials.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2007Publication date: November 29, 2007Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshinori Inoue, Hiroshi Inagaki, Tomonori Uemura
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Patent number: 7298281Abstract: A system and method of verifying the installation and data path used by a tank level monitor is provided. Once an installer completes the installation of the tank level monitor, the monitor is activated. The monitor performs a self test and transmits information to a data center. Preferably, the transmission is via a cellular communication network. Once the data center receives the information from the newly installed tank level monitor, the data center generates a text based message that is sent to the installer to verify that the installation was successful. The message from the data center is preferably an email message that can be delivered to a wireless messaging device held by the installer. The generation and transmission of the verification message should be approximately immediate, and certainly within five minutes to provide rapid feed back to the installer.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Kenneth Alan Cupples, Richard L. Carl
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Patent number: 7286946Abstract: A transfer characteristics measuring device automatically measures the transfer characteristics of each channel of a multi-channel acoustic reproduction system in a multi-channel acoustic reproduction environment, while allowing normal multi-channel reproduction to proceed. The transfer characteristics measuring device (5) comprises an object of measurement selecting section (51) that selects one of the objects of measurement according to the levels of the input signals for five channels being supplied to the objects of measurement and a transfer characteristics computing and determining section (52) that computes and determines the transfer characteristics of the object of measurement selected by the object of measurement selecting section (51).Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Michiaki Yoneda
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Patent number: 7281522Abstract: An acceleration sensor state detecting apparatus for detecting a state of an acceleration sensor provided at a vibrating body includes a calculating method for calculating a difference between measured results of the acceleration sensor obtained per first predetermined time that is shorter than a vibration period of the vibrating body, and a determining method for determining that the acceleration sensor is in an error state in a case that a state in which the difference calculated falls into a range between a predetermined upper limit value and a predetermined lower limit value continues for a second predetermined time or more.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignees: Aisin Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Sato, Kentaro Hirose, Hiroyuki Ichikawa
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Publication number: 20070213951Abstract: A radio frequency identification system comprises a reader associated, in use, with a transmitted beam of radio frequency energy and a plurality of transponders to be energized by the energy and each of which intermittently retransmits a response signal to be read by the reader. A method of monitoring the read quality of the reader comprises the steps of causing the transponders and beam to move relative to one another and defining a sequence of groups of transponders in the beam. For each transponder in a group, receiving the response signals transmitted and recording (68) a read count which is equal to the number of times the response signals was received and read by the reader while the transponder is in the beam. Thereafter computing (70) a statistical distribution of number of transponders against read count in the group. Data associated with the distribution is processed and compared (72) to stored historical data relating to a previously computed distribution for a previous group in the sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2007Publication date: September 13, 2007Applicant: IPICO INNOVATION INC.Inventor: Hendrick L. Van Eeden
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Publication number: 20070208525Abstract: A light source of testing a sensor, a test apparatus and a method are disclosed. The test apparatus includes a light source, a photo-mask and a sensor bearing area. The light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes with parallel connection for emitting a test light. The light source is disposed in a photo-mask. The photo-mask has a diffuser interface. The test light is then diffused to the outside of the photo-mask through the diffuser interface. The sensor bearing area is for bearing the sensor. The sensor bearing area is disposed at the outside of the photo-mask and locates at a position to enable the test light to reach. Therefore, the test light emitted by the light source is used to test the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2006Publication date: September 6, 2007Inventors: Koon-Wing Tsang, Chih-Cheng Chien
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Patent number: 7263454Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a vibrating gyroscope which represents a resonator and forms part of at least one control loop that excites the vibrating gyroscope with its natural frequency by supplying an excitation signal. An output signal can be extracted from the vibrating gyroscope, the excitation signal being derived from said output signal by means of filtering and amplifying. According to the invention, the quality of the resonator is measured. If the measured quality is below a threshold value, an error message is generated.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Heinz-Werner Morell, Dietmar Schmid
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Patent number: 7254508Abstract: A method for use with a test system having sites that hold devices under test (DUTs) includes executing a first site loop to iterate through the sites, where the first site loop includes an instruction to program hardware associated with at least one of the sites, and executing a second site loop to process data received from the DUTs, where the second site loop and the first site loop have a same syntax.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.Inventor: Stephen J. Hlotyak
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Patent number: 7254518Abstract: In one embodiment, a pressure transmitter is provided which diagnoses the condition of a primary element and/or an impulse line which connects to a pressure sensor. A difference circuit coupled to the pressure sensor has a difference output which represents the sensed pressure minus a moving average. A calculate circuit receives the difference output and calculates a trained output of historical data obtained during an initial training time. The calculate circuit also calculates a monitor output of current data obtained during monitoring or normal operation of the transmitter. A diagnostic circuit receives the trained output and the monitor output and generates a diagnostic output indicating a current condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Rosemount Inc.Inventors: Evren Eryurek, Kadir Kavaklioglu