Measurement System Patents (Class 702/127)
  • Patent number: 7873488
    Abstract: A chromatic point sensor (CPS) calibration object and characterizing data are provided. The calibration object comprises a flat base plane with steps extending from it. Step measurement points provided by the steps and base plane measurement points provided by portions of the base plane are intermingled along a measurement track. The characterizing data characterizes known heights of the measurement points. A calibration method acquires measurement data such that some base plane measurement points should be at nearly the same measurement distance and therefore have the same common mode errors relative to known base plane measurement point heights. If such base plane measurement points exhibit minimal error variations, then measurements for those and proximate measurement points may provide reliable calibration data. In contrast, error variations outside an expected range indicate unreliable measurements that should be screened or replaced by new calibration measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Nahum, David William Sesko, Kim W. Atherton
  • Patent number: 7873490
    Abstract: A Solar Access Measurement Device (“SAMD”) located at a predetermined position is disclosed. The SAMD may include a skyline detector enabled to detect a skyline of a horizon relative to the SAMD, an orientation determination unit enabled to determine the orientation of the skyline detector, and a processor in signal communication with the skyline detector and orientation determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Solmetric Corporation
    Inventor: Willard S. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 7869976
    Abstract: An electric power generator system is provided with improved power efficiency due to a reduced sensitivity to errors in the sensing of angular rotor position. The system includes a power generator with a rotor, and a position encoder connected to sense angular position of the rotor and to generate a position signal accordingly. A processor receives the position signal, calculates an angular position in response, calculates an estimated angular position based on earlier received position signals, and finally generates a processed angular position based on the calculated angular position and the estimated angular position. This processed angular position is a more reliable measure of the rotor position, reducing the influence of short-term errors in the position signal, allowing normal wind turbine operation during temporary position encoder failure, and allowing an orderly shutdown during complete position encoder failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Kim Brøndum Larsen, Mogens Lønberg Lau, Flemming Buus Bendixen
  • Publication number: 20110000310
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to make it possible to set security functions as necessary depending on usage environment, etc. and to improve the security functions; a function setting section 1116 sets security function information received from the outside via a communication line as security functions regarding the user of gas. According to the set security function, in the case that the operation conditions of the security function are satisfied, a monitoring section 112 detects a problem during the use of gas and outputs a security signal to a control section 114. Based on the security signal from the monitoring section 112, the control section 114 shuts off the supply of gas in the case that a phenomenon satisfying an operation condition of the set function having been set has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicants: Panasonic Corporation, The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan
    Inventors: Mitsuo Yokohata, Hirozumi Nakamura, Tadanori Shirasawa, Kazuo Kubo, Mitsuo Namba, Hisashi Saito
  • Patent number: 7865253
    Abstract: A system and method detects low grade physical motions of an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, and takes protective measures if the physical motions match a pre-specified physical motion pattern. The pre-specified physical motion pattern may have been selected as a pattern which, if left alone, could cause cumulative damage to the electronic device. Alternatively, the pre-specified motion pattern may have been selected as a pattern which tended to indicate that more aggressive and abrupt movements would be forthcoming. The system and method further detects sustained motion (such as in a laptop bag) such that the laptop may shut-off so that the laptop does not overheat or get damaged. The system and method may be configured such that a system administrator may be notified if laptop is being abused. In a similar manner, the history of the percussive impacts or movements may be kept or logged for future use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Nathan J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 7865326
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an input measurement module may be configured to insert into a slot of a carrier using alignment guide slots and corresponding guide projections. Clips on the input measurement module or the carrier may engage corresponding depressions to secure the input measurement module to the carrier. The clips may be spring-loaded. The input measurement module may include a first outer casing and a second outer casing coupled together around a circuit board that interfaces with a backplane of the carrier through a backplane connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Chris S. Johnson, Christopher D. White, Glen E. Clifton, James J. Truchard, Garritt W. Foote
  • Patent number: 7860680
    Abstract: A mobile system powers, charges, and communicates with separate devices, such as sensors and actuators. The mobile system includes an unmanned vehicle for approaching and wirelessly electromagnetically powering the separate device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Willard Arms, Christopher Pruyn Townsend, Michael John Hamel
  • Patent number: 7847792
    Abstract: A simple, integrated control for pan and zoom of a display of data represented by a very long data record is in the form of a control knob having an outer ring for controlling pan and an inner knob for controlling a zoom factor. A zoom function is turned ON either by turning the inner knob (setting the zoom factor to a default value) or by (i) pressing an adjacent zoom or pan button or (ii) turning the outer ring (setting the zoom factor to a prior value when the zoom function was turned OFF). The zoom function may be turned OFF by turning the inner knob to set the zoom factor to 1× or by pressing the zoom button. The outer ring has individual positions divided into two groups: one group for controlling pan rate within a zoom window displaying a portion of the very long data record defined by a zoom box within a main window displaying the very long data record; and the other group for controlling pan rate of the zoom box within the main window for rapid movement from one end of the record to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Ketterer, Lance H. Forsberg, Lynne A. Fitzsimmons, Evan A. Dickinson, Steven C. Herring, Kenneth P. Dobyns, Keith D. Rule
  • Patent number: 7844414
    Abstract: A method of calibrating an individual sensor of a particular sensor type whose output varies non-linearly with at least one measured quantity and at least one operating condition. The first step includes producing a set of calibration curves for each sample sensor of the particular sensor type. The resulting sets of calibration curves are then averaged and the results used to produce a generic calibration surface for the particular sensor type showing its variation. Individual calibration measurements are then taken for a number of different values of the measured quantity at a small number of discrete values. The individual calibration readings are then used to map the generic calibration surface to the individual calibration measurements of the individual sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Transense Technologies PLC
    Inventor: Victor Alexandrovich Kalinin
  • Patent number: 7844399
    Abstract: A modeling method for a fibrous material to be made into a product, which may be but one example of a family of such modeling methods, includes analyzing processes and conditions under which the fibrous material is made into the product, determining that moisture, temperature and rate conditions should be tested according to the analysis of the processes and conditions, and testing the fibrous material under at least one of moisture, thermal or rate conditions similar to those under which the fibrous material is made into the product to obtain test results. The modeling method further includes defining a constitutive model for the fibrous material according to the test results. A computing device may be programmed to perform simulations using the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Fredrick William Gibson, Richard William Hamm, Steven Ray Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20100298968
    Abstract: A safety device and a processor are disclosed for a quay crane, both are configured to avert the hatch cover being lifted from a ship as a container on the hatch is lifted. A computer readable memory and server are disclosed that may provide the processor with a program system and/or installation package. Motion sensors are disclosed for use with the safety device that may contribute to estimating the movement of the hatch cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Henry King, Toru Takehara
  • Publication number: 20100299097
    Abstract: This invention is a method and system for recording, monitoring, and tracking the contents of refuse bales. All refuse bale information is locally and remotely accessible. This method prevents the circulation of hazardous waste and undesirable materials without effecting baling efficiency. Bale attributes are updateable allowing for long distance and highly informative tracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: William T. Threlkeld, Douglas Kinchley
  • Patent number: 7835630
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for controlling a DC motor is disclosed. The integrated circuit includes at least one digital position and speed circuit (DPS) for providing measurements of speed, position, and direction of the motor, the DPS being in signal communication with the motor for receiving a pair of signals having a quadrature relationship; and at least one programmable gain amplifier (PGA) electrically coupled to the motor, the PGA being configured to receive a feedback signal indicative of current flowing through the motor and to apply a second signal to the motor for adjusting the speed of the motor; and at least two analog-to-digital converters (A/D), one A/D being used to quantize the output of the PGA for an off-chip processor; and another A/D to provide motor reference position from an analog sensor, such as a potentiometer; and at least two digital-to-analog converters (D/A), one D/A used to set the motor voltage; and another D/A used to set the motor current limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Peter Kazanzides, Ndubuisi John Ekekwe, Ralph Etienne-Cummings
  • Patent number: 7829024
    Abstract: A urea concentration identification device comprising a concentration identification sensor unit (2) and a support unit (4) attached at the bottom end thereof with this sensor unit and provided at the top end thereof with a mounting unit (4a) to a urea solution tank opening. The concentration identification sensor unit (2) has an indirectly-heated concentration detector and liquid temperature detector provided with metal fins (21c),(22c), respectively, for heat-exchanging with urea solution. The concentration identification sensor unit (2) is provided with a cover member (2d) that forms an opposite-ends-opened urea solution induction passage so as to surround the metal fins (21c),(22c), and an enclosure (2e) that forms communication holes (26),(27) in the top and bottom end plate thereof (2e1),(2e2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenjiro Izutani, Takayuki Takahata
  • Patent number: 7831402
    Abstract: A method for estimating values assumed at a certain instant of each period by currents flowing respectively in two distinct windings of a poly-phase load controlled in a space vector modulation (SVM) mode, using a same measuring device, may include coupling the measuring device to the first winding and measuring a current flowing therethrough with an anticipation from the certain instant smaller than or equal to an SVM half-period. The method may also include coupling the measuring device to the second winding, measuring a current flowing therethrough at the certain instant, coupling the measuring device to the first winding, and measuring a current flowing therethrough with a delay equal to the anticipation. The method may also include estimating a value assumed at the certain instant by the current flowing through the first winding based upon the two measured values with the anticipation and with the delay respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe D'Angelo, Giovanni Moselli
  • Patent number: 7826997
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for acquiring and managing morphological data of persons on a computer network, wherein said data is used for producing and/or delivering ready-made individually dimensioned clothes by at least one of the plurality of manufacturers. The inventive method consists, at a preliminary stage, in forming a first data base (3) on human body profiles by storing standard data sizes in a first computer system, in acquiring (6, 10), at a subsequent stage, representative current data of the morphology of said persons by means of a computerized acquisition system and in selecting (5, 8) personal data nearest to current data (6, 9) of each person from standard data. Said method is characterized in that personal data (12) is selected on a second computer system from a second database (4, 7), wherein standard data is organized by size ranges according to each manufacturer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth Kuk-Kei Wang
  • Patent number: 7826993
    Abstract: Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for analyzing a substance, where the method includes subjecting the substance to a dynamic excitation to produce an observable response, and determining a characteristic quantity of the substance based on a correlation between the excitation and the response. The correlation between the excitation and the response is expressed by a parametric model for which a specific model structure with a finite number of unspecified parameters is preset. The determining a characteristic quantity of the substance includes calculating the parameters of the model from values of the excitation and the response in a time domain, determining from the calculated parameters a transfer function in a frequency range, and calculating the characteristic quantity directly from the transfer function. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Thomas Hutter, Christoph Heitz, Jurgen Schawe
  • Publication number: 20100274521
    Abstract: The process of modeling a complex two-dimensional periodic structure is improved by selectively truncating the Fourier expansion used in the calculation of resulting scatter signature from the model. The Fourier expansion is selectively truncated by determining the contribution for each harmonic order in the Fourier transform of the permittivity function and retaining the harmonic orders with a contribution that is above a threshold. The Fourier space may be compressed so that only the selected harmonic orders are used, thereby reducing the required memory and calculation times. The compressed Fourier space may be used in a real-time analysis of a sample or to generate a library that is used in the analysis of a sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Nanometrics Incorporated
    Inventors: Silvio J. Rabello, William A. McGahan, Jie Li
  • Patent number: 7813888
    Abstract: Systems and methods for development testing of vehicles and components are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a position reference system and a command and control architecture. The position reference system is configured to repetitively measure one or more position and motion characteristics of one or more vehicles operating within a control volume. The command and control architecture is configured to receive the repetitively measured characteristics from the position reference system, and to determine corresponding control signals based thereon. The control signals are then transmitted to the one or more vehicles to control at least one of position, movement, and stabilization of the one or more vehicles in a closed-loop feedback manner. The system may further include a health monitoring component configured to monitor health conditions of the one or more vehicles, the control signals being determined at least in part on the health conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John L. Vian, Ronald C. Provine, Stefan R. Bieniawski, Emad W. Saad, Paul E. R. Pigg, Gregory J. Clark, Ali R. Mansouri, Khaled Abdel-Motagaly, Charles A. Erignac, James J. Troy, Paul Murray, Jonathan P. How, Mario J. Valenti, Brett M. Bethke
  • Patent number: 7813819
    Abstract: A control system includes a basic control command operating unit, a fuel data storage unit, a running results database for storing past running results values of a control subject, a data creating unit configured to calculate a distance between data of the past running results values and the data sets and determining data set in which a distance between data becomes minimum, a modeling unit configured to model a relationship between operation parameters of a combustion apparatus and components in combustion gas of the combustion apparatus by using the data set determined by the data creating unit and a correcting unit for calculating combustion apparatus operation parameters with which components having a better condition than that of the components in a current gas are provided by using a model of the modeling unit and correcting operation command values of the basic control command operating unit by calculated operation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Yamada, Masaki Kanada, Takaaki Sekiai, Yoshiharu Hayashi, Naohiro Kusumi, Masayuki Fukai, Satoru Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7813891
    Abstract: This application generally relates to methods and systems for detecting spectrophotometer misalignment. In particular, the application may characterize the noise of a spectral measurement relative to a reference substrate known to exhibit a generally linear (flat) spectral output over a known spectrum. From the spectral measurement, a linear regression may be performed on a portion of the spectral output to determine a best fit line and a correlation of determination (“R-squared value”) may be determined correlated the measured data to the best fit line. Finally, the R squared value may be compared to a predetermined threshold R squared value to determine if the sensor is misaligned beyond an acceptable amount. If so, an alert may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Bonino, Timothy J. Sulenski
  • Patent number: 7805205
    Abstract: A control system for a wind turbine comprises: a sensor arrangement for capturing measures related to the turbine operation and fatigue accumulation; an upper level controller, which, on the basis of a statistical treatment of said measures, calculates optimized control settings at discrete points of time; a measurement module which processes said measures into instantaneous values; and a lower level controller that receives said control settings and said instantaneous values and calculates instantaneous optimal commands to control turbine actuators. The lower level controller comprises a continuous-time damage model which calculates the rate at which damage is accumulated at any time, and an optimal controller which controls operational states of the turbine, either by directly giving feedback of the instantaneous values to the actuators, or by generating a turbine performance objective function which is continuously optimized by repeatedly solving a receding horizon optimization problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ecotecnia, s. coop.c.l.
    Inventor: Richard Arsenio Santos
  • Patent number: 7805277
    Abstract: To provide a step number measuring apparatus in which a reduction in electric power is intended by a simple constitution, and which can correspond to plural movements. A CPU calculates a moving motion pitch on the basis of a detection signal from sensors that a switching circuit has selected, calculates the moving motion pitch by performing a processing having been selected from among plural kinds of processings, which have been stored in a memory, on the basis of the detection signal from the sensors that the switching circuit has selected, calculates the moving motion pitch by selecting the other processing among the plural kinds of processings when both the moving motion pitches differ, and performs a step number measurement by the selected processing when both the moving motion pitches become the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Keisuke Tsubata
  • Publication number: 20100241390
    Abstract: A computer system for safety critical sensor variables includes first and second sensors which respectively output first and second sensor variables, a computer, and an independent comparator. The computer calculates an output variable from the first sensor variable by a first function. The computer calculates a comparison variable from the output variable by a second function. The comparison variable and the second sensor variable are applied to the input of the comparator. The second sensor variable is not an input variable of the computer and differs from the first sensor variable in terms of its qualitative value. By calculations of the computer and, if appropriate, of the comparator, an expected comparison variable for the second sensor variable is determined from the calculated output variable, and the correspondence of the two variables is checked by the comparator. Specific internal errors of the computer can thereby be discovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: LEOPOLD KOSTAL GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Jan Edel
  • Patent number: 7801700
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that generates a simulated vibration pattern in a computer subsystem. During operation, a vibration pattern is monitored at a location in the computer subsystem, wherein the vibration pattern is monitored while the computer subsystem is incorporated into the computer system and the computer system is operating. Then, the vibrations of the computer subsystem are mimicked by generating the simulated vibration pattern at the same location in the computer subsystem based on the monitored vibration pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Anton A. Bougaev, Aleksey M. Urmanov
  • Patent number: 7801652
    Abstract: A method for storing data concerning an operating fault of a device, wherein the recorded data include in particular a minimum value and a maximum value of a characteristic parameter of the operating mode of the device. The method includes an updating phase, performed when the fault occurs, which includes an operation that updates the minimum value and/or the maximum value based on the current value of the parameter. The updating phase may also include updating an occurrence number. The method may also include an initializing phase, during which a reference image of the parameters of the device is stored. The method is applicable in particular to the diagnosis of a vehicle engine-transmission unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S
    Inventors: Joseph Regnard de Lagny, Abdelmalik Belaid
  • Publication number: 20100225562
    Abstract: Broadband metamaterial apparatus, methods, systems, and computer readable media are disclosed, as well as exemplary embodiments that provide cloaking, beam steering, and beam focusing. In one exemplary implementation, a broadband interface structure has a front surface region and a back surface region. The broadband interface structure is arranged to provide electromagnetic energy characteristic of an apparent profile of the back surface region substantially different than an actual profile of the back surface region for electromagnetic energy received at the front surface region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventor: David R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7792659
    Abstract: A device, such as a heat meter for measurements of hot tap water energy usage, separated from building heating energy usage, in a district heating substation. The device is connected only to sensors attached to the supply pipe and return pipe of the district heating substation. A device, such as a heat meter, has a detector to detect a deviation in the total power (P) usage in the district heating substation which deviation depends on the use of warm tap water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Kyab Lulea AB
    Inventor: Kimmo Yliniemi
  • Patent number: 7792598
    Abstract: A method and system of a sparse sampling planner uses a finite number of measurements to determine a track's expected intermediate kinematic and classification state for a specific sensor action. It uses the expected track state to compute a reward function. The expected states are further propagated for actions at the next time step to determine the next states and so on. The sampling becomes sparse and the reward function is discounted as one propagates further in time. This produces a state-action tree that is more top-heavy while providing greater accuracy at times closer to the decision point. By doing so, the planner creates a plan comprising a sequence of actions that result in the highest reward. By employing various heuristics to further prune the tree gives highly accurate results with significant savings in computational processor time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Deepak Khosla, James Guillochon
  • Patent number: 7792600
    Abstract: A system for assembling a rotor stack having a plurality of rotor disks may include a measurement system for measuring characteristics of the rotor disks, a computer electronically connected to the measurement system for capturing data from the measurement system, and solid modeling software for creating a virtual stack of the rotor disks optimized for concentricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Karl Lee Borneman, Craig Ronald Ziegler, Jeffrey John Eschenbach, Gregory Patrick Foley
  • Publication number: 20100208245
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light direction sensor for determining the direction of a light source. The system includes an image sensor; a spacer attached to the image sensor, and a pattern mask attached to said spacer. The pattern mask has a slit pattern that as light passes through the slit pattern it casts a diffraction pattern onto the image sensor. The method operates by receiving a beam of light onto a patterned mask, wherein the patterned mask as a plurality of a slit segments. Then, diffusing the beam of light onto an image sensor and determining the direction of the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: USA as represented by the Admin. of the National Aeronautics and Space Admi.
    Inventor: Douglas B. Leviton
  • Patent number: 7779015
    Abstract: A facility for logging context attributes is described. For each of a set of selected context attributes, the facility determines a target frequency with which values of the selected context attribute are to be logged. For each of the set of selected context attributes, the facility obtains values of the selected context attribute at a frequency approximating the target frequency determined for the selected context attribute. Then, for each obtained context attribute value, the facility writes the obtained value to a storage device in a manner that identifies its context attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Abbott, Josh Freedman, Dan Newell, Jim Robarts
  • Patent number: 7779114
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for administering devices that include creating a user metric vector including a plurality of disparate user metrics, creating a plurality of user metric spaces, each user metric space including a plurality of metric ranges, and selecting, from the plurality of user metric spaces, a user metric space. Administering devices also includes determining whether the user metric vector is outside the selected user metric space, identifying an action in dependence upon the user metric vector, if the user metric vector is outside the selected user metric space, and executing the action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Kress Bodin, Michael John Burkhart, Daniel Gene Eisenhauer, Daniel Mark Schumacher, Thomas James Watson
  • Patent number: 7777755
    Abstract: A display device calibration system is provided. The overall color response of a display family is characterized, and the idiosyncratic color response characteristics of the display family are determined. The idiosyncratic color response characteristics of the display family are related to respective idiosyncratic color response points. Individual idiosyncratic color response point values for an individual member of the display family are determined. The color response of the individual member of the display family is specified from the individual idiosyncratic color response point values of the individual member of the display family and the overall color response of the display family.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel G. Marcu, Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 7774155
    Abstract: Acceleration data which is output from an acceleration sensor is obtained. A rotation motion of an input device around a predetermined direction as a rotation axis is determined by comparing a start point in a two-dimensional coordinate system which is represented by the first acceleration data obtained in a predetermined period, and an end point in the two-dimensional coordinate system which is represented by the last acceleration data obtained in the predetermined period. Coordinate axes of the two-dimensional coordinate system are defined based on components of the two axial directions of the acceleration data, and an origin of the two-dimensional coordinate system represents a value of the acceleration data in the state where no acceleration including the acceleration of gravity acts upon the acceleration sensor. Motion data including at least the determined rotation motion is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenta Sato, Akio Ikeda, Kuniaki Ito, Ryoji Kuroda, Masahiro Urata
  • Patent number: 7768412
    Abstract: A method of monitoring moisture in a building is carried out using moisture detectors, which provide an output resistance value ranging from a dry value in the absence of moisture and different wet values in the presence of moisture depending on the quantity of moisture. Rather than emit an alarm based solely on a moisture threshold, a risk assessment of potential damage is calculated for at least a part of the building using the wet values from the moisture detectors for the sensor zones using as input data the wet values and as a first additional factor a value which is indicative of a total area of the moisture as provided by the number of sensor zones that are responding with a wet value and as a second additional value the number of consecutive time periods that the sensor zone has reported wet value. The calculation can use computer modeling to calculate a risk factor for growth of mold or a risk factor for growth of timber decay fungi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Detec Systems LLC
    Inventor: David E. Vokey
  • Publication number: 20100187832
    Abstract: A device for use in a building automation system includes a first circuit configured to receive non-electrical energy from an environment in which the device is placed and convert the non-electrical energy to electrical energy. The electrical energy is used to power the first circuit. The first circuit configured to sense a parameter based on the non-electrical energy. A communications interface configured to be powered by the electrical energy and configured to communicate the sensed parameter to the building automation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Scott T. Holland, Thomas J. Menden, Matthew J. Asmus, Kirk H. Drees, John I. Ruiz, Timothy J. Gamroth, Thomas M. Seneczko, Philip L Bushong, Paul D. Brunette
  • Patent number: 7765069
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting the accidental use of short and long samples in the clinical analysis of a sample, specimen, or assay. The systems can include a clinical analyzer for determining one or more values for one or more measurable characteristics of a sample. These values are used in combination with reference data stored in a data module to generate a probability that the sample tested is a short sample, a long sample, or an acceptable sample. This probability and/or the status of the sample as a short sample, a long sample, or an acceptable sample are output to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir E. Ostoich, Kenneth Aron, Dennis M. Bleile
  • Patent number: 7765082
    Abstract: A system for substantially aligning a shaft of a turbine engine with components of the turbine engine. The system includes a horizontal bed adapted to support a shaft in a horizontal orientation, at least one stand for rotatably supporting the shaft in the horizontal orientation, at least one sensor for measuring characteristics associated with the shaft, and a determination module receiving the measured characteristics and outputting alignment information of the shaft with components of the turbine engine based on the measured characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Axiam, Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert M. Lee
  • Patent number: 7761255
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method including hardware and software, which allows collecting and analyzing data to obtain information about mechanical properties of soft materials in a much faster way. The apparatus can be used as a stand-alone device or an add-on to the existing AFM device. The apparatus allows collecting dynamical measurements using a set of multiple frequencies of interest at once, in one measurement instead of sequential, one frequency in a time, measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Clarkson University
    Inventor: Igor Sokolov
  • Patent number: 7756665
    Abstract: An electronic measuring device that includes a transceiver device, a microprocessor operatively connected to the transceiver device, as well as a memory, an electronic output device, and a plurality of input mechanisms, all of which are operatively connected to the microprocessor. In some embodiments, the microprocessor may be programmed with logic that allows a user of the device to take and manipulate measurements using a menu-driven procedure by using the input mechanisms to select and activate desired operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Spanski, John C. Smith, Derek J. Nash, Daily Gist, Michael Williams, Raymond Wai-Man Chan, Desmond Wai Nang Tse, Hughes Sanoner
  • Patent number: 7752007
    Abstract: A setting information management method executed by a backup program stored in a portable storage medium by a processing computer of an analyzer, comprising: determining a type of the analyzer in which the backup program is executed from a plurality of types of analyzers; acquiring setting information of a program introduced to the processing computer based on the determination result; and storing the acquired setting information in the portable storage medium. A setting information management system, a setting information management device, and a computer program product is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Yamasaki, Takashi Matsuzawa
  • Patent number: 7751910
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system that estimates the value of a virtual sensor. The system first samples values for performance metrics using external sensors that are coupled to a system and internal sensors that are built into the system. Next, the system generates an inferential sensing model for the system from the sampled values. Then, during operation, the system samples values of performance metrics using the internal sensors and uses the inferential sensing model and the sampled values from the internal sensors to estimate the values of performance metrics for removed external sensors (i.e., virtual sensors).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, John J. Cooley, Aleksey M. Urmanov
  • Publication number: 20100157427
    Abstract: Brightness factors associated with shade fabric may be utilized when shading a building. A brightness factor may incorporate an openness factor, a visible light reflectance, a diffusion factor, a color, or other characteristics of the shade fabric. The brightness factor may be utilized when selecting a particular shade fabric for a room, building or other location. Additionally, the brightness factor may be utilized by an automated shade control system. The shade fabric selection may affect the building envelope by facilitating the optimization of daylighting, reduction of artificial electric lighting needs, minimization of glare conditions, and reduction of thermal load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: MECHOSHADE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Berman, Jan Berman, Muthukumar Ramalingam
  • Patent number: 7743362
    Abstract: System and method for generating an application domain specific graphical program. A graphical user interface (GUI) for specifying functionality of a graphical program in an application domain is displayed, where the GUI corresponds specifically to the application domain. User input to the GUI specifying the functionality of the graphical program is received, and the graphical program generated in response, where the graphical program is executable to perform the specified functionality, and comprises multiple interconnected graphical program nodes that visually represent the graphical program functionality. The GUI includes graphical interface elements operable to indicate and/or specify, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph E. Peck, Matthew E. Novacek
  • Patent number: 7742896
    Abstract: A plurality of first measured values (xi) are obtained by respectively measuring a plurality of measuring objects in a plurality of first measuring systems and a plurality of second measured values (yi) are obtained by respectively measuring the plurality of measuring objects in a plurality of second measuring systems, and a combination of a first measured value and a second measured value corresponding to each other is obtained as a sample point (Pi). A transformation function representing a relationship between a first reconstituted system derived from the plurality of first measuring systems and a second reconstituted system derived from the plurality of second measuring system is obtained statistically processing a plurality of sample points of the plurality of measuring objects. Subsequently, a transformed value (?i) is obtained by transforming a second measured value (yi) with the transformation function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Takanori Ikegami
  • Patent number: 7739072
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in assembling a plurality of rotatable elements in the assembly of a turbine engine. The system includes an initialization unit, a measurement unit, and a processing unit. The initialization unit is for entering initialization data into a database. The initialization data includes a first set of initialization data that is representative of characteristics of a first rotatable element, and a second set of initialization data that is representative of characteristics of a second rotatable element. The measurement unit is for permitting a user to enter measured data including a first set of measured data characteristic of measured features of the first rotatable element, and a second set of measured data characteristic of measured features of the second rotatable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Axiam, Incorporated
    Inventors: J. Holly DeBlois, Robert M. Lee
  • Publication number: 20100134787
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measurement method of the chromatic dispersion of an optical waveguide using an optical interferometer with a broadband multi-wavelength light source and an optical spectrum analyzing apparatus, wherein one arm, called “reference arm” of the interferometer's two arms has an adjustable air spacing and the other arm, called “sample arm” can contain said optical waveguide to be measured, and including the following measurement and analysis steps: measuring interference spectra of the optical beam output exiting from the said interferometer with an optical spectrum analyzing apparatus when said optical waveguide is connected to said sample arm, and when said optical waveguide is not connected to said sample arm respectively; by adjusting the reference arm length for appearance of clear interference patterns; converting the wavelength-domain interference spectra into frequency-domain interference spectra and calculating phase difference values of the interference peaks of one of
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: INHA-INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kyoungheon Kim, Seunghwan Kim, Seounghun Lee, Elhang Lee
  • Patent number: 7729878
    Abstract: A probe card assembly, according to some embodiments of the invention, can comprise a tester interface configured to make electrical connections with a test controller, a plurality of electrically conductive probes disposed to contact terminals of an electronic device to be tested, and a plurality of electrically conductive data paths connecting the tester interface and the probes. At least one of the data paths can comprise an air bridge structure trace comprising an electrically conductive trace spaced away from an electrically conductive plate by a plurality of pylons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventor: Gaetan L. Mathieu
  • Patent number: 7728711
    Abstract: A remotely or locally actuable refrigerator door lock has a body portion that is attached to the cabinet and a door portion that is attached to an edge of the door. A latch in the body portion engages a strike plate in the door portion and can be lifted out of engagement to open the refrigerator. The door lock assembly may be connected to a touch-screen device or via a USB or ethernet connection to a remote host computer. The host computer keeps an audit trail of the times and personnel accessing each refrigerator, and a temperature audit trail. The system may be used in hospital for controlling access to pharmaceuticals or may be used in a weight loss program. Temperature and humidity sensors are positioned within the refrigerator cabinet. The door lock may have battery power for portable or mobile applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: S&S X-Ray Products, Inc
    Inventor: Norman A. Shoenfeld