By Distance And Time Measurement Patents (Class 702/149)
  • Patent number: 8170831
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method for measuring a dimension of a circular object. First to third sensors arranged in a straight line are disposed above a track to respectively measure time instants when the circular object moves past the first to third sensors. The dimension of the circular object is calculated according to distances between the first and second sensors and between the second and third sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Maw-Yuan Liou
  • Patent number: 8152693
    Abstract: A method for providing an exercise goal using an exercise data device, the method including: receiving input indicating a selected exercise goal; obtaining exercise goal data relating to the selected exercise goal; obtaining a current performance measurement related to exercise performance of a user of the exercise data device, the current performance measurement including a current distance and a current time measurement; calculating a current progress indicator using the current performance measurement and the exercise goal data; and providing the current progress indicator to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Marja-Leena Nurmela, Heini Tuorila, Dominick Reed
  • Patent number: 8140214
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a speed of a vehicle (1), whereby at least two images (A, B) of an area surrounding the vehicle are recorded in time succession using a camera on the vehicle (1), and between the images (A, B) changes (2) in a position and/or a size of at least one object (X) contained in the images (X) are determined, and from the changes, a speed of the vehicle (1) is determined relative to the object (X).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Krökel, Thomas Fechner, Helmut Riedel, Holger Grunleithner, Robert Thiel
  • Publication number: 20120053886
    Abstract: A system includes memory that stores pre-determined high voltage circuit breaker contact travel distance information and a processor that estimates a travel curve for at least one of a closed, an open or a combination of closed and open operations for the contacts based on both one or more travel distances of the stored travel distance information and one or more time values corresponding to state transitions of switches between closed and open states, wherein the switches are affixed to the contacts so as to transition between closed and open states as the contacts move between closed and open positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Anton F. Poeltl
  • Publication number: 20110307204
    Abstract: A velocity measuring device and a measured velocity correcting method are provided. The velocity measuring device includes: a GPS unit that receives a satellite signal from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite and generates GPS data including position coordinates and a traveling velocity; an acceleration sensor unit that includes an acceleration sensor and generates sensor data including a traveling velocity and a road slope; and a correction unit that compares the GPS data and the sensor data generated at a current time with the GPS data and the sensor data generated at a previous time and sets the traveling velocity included in the sensor data or the GPS data as a measured velocity depending on whether a variation in traveling velocity exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Sung-Yeob CHO
  • Publication number: 20110282621
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for monitoring, remotely, information relating to the motion of at least one moving object. The apparatus comprises: means for illuminating a retro-reflective data carrier mounted on each moving object, in particular when the moving object is located at a predetermined monitoring position; means for detecting, in optical signals returned by the retro-reflective data carrier, data representing a timing trigger and data representing an identifier for the at least one moving object; timer means responsive to a timing trigger detected at the predetermined monitoring position to trigger a timer associated with a detected identifier; and an output to provide timing information associated with the detected identifier, and hence relating to the at least one moving object at the predetermined monitoring position. The timing information may be used to derive relative ordering, relative timing or speeds of moving objects, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Alexander George Simpson, Vincent Andrei Handerek, Leslie Charles Laycock, Hywel John Mcardle, Andrew Graham McCarthy, Christophe Arthur Paul Boulet
  • Patent number: 8060338
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for locating a sensor node are disclosed. A representative apparatus, among others, includes a processing unit that receives sensor node data and object trajectory information data for an object. The sensor node data is related to the object's trajectory, and a data point in the object trajectory information data comprises a time stamp and the coordinates of a position. The position corresponds the location of the object at the given time. The processing unit is adapted to correlate at least a portion of the sensor node data with at least a portion of the object trajectory information data to determine an absolute position of the sensor node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Thyagaraju Damarla
  • Publication number: 20110251822
    Abstract: One disclosed method involves using at least one device supported by a user while the user is in locomotion on foot during an outing to automatically measure amounts of time taken by the user to complete respective distance intervals. During the outing, data representing the automatically measured amounts of time may be automatically stored in memory of the least one device. Another disclosed method involves using at least one device supported by a user while the user is in locomotion on foot during an outing to automatically identify occasions on which a user completes respective distance intervals. During the outing, the at least one device may display at least one of an average pace of the user since a most recently completed distance interval, an average speed of the user since the most recently completed distance interval, and a projected time to complete a current distance interval based on monitored performance since the most recently completed distance interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Jesse Darley, Thomas P. Blackadar
  • Patent number: 8027803
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a traveling direction measuring apparatus usable as a pedestrian navigation system in locations where it is difficult to obtain high positioning accuracy such as inside buildings or around multistory buildings where a GPS cannot be used. An acceleration detecting section (1) detects 3-axes acceleration of the traveling direction measuring apparatus, which varies with the walking of the pedestrian. An acceleration data acquiring section (2) obtains 3-axes acceleration data repeatedly by the number of prescribed times or more, said 3-axes acceleration data varies with the walking of the pedestrian. A first gravity acceleration calculating section (3) calculates, when the pedestrian is walking with holding the traveling direction measuring apparatus in a generally fixed attitude, gravity acceleration by averaging acceleration data sets during several steps obtained by the acceleration data acquiring section (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei EMD Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Kitamura, Masaya Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20110172952
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a method in which a measuring apparatus is used to collect a first set of wave form data which depends on micro-structure of a moving surface. A correspondence is identified between the first set of wave form data and actual position data. Calibrated wave form data is stored which indicates said correspondence between the first set of wave form data and actual position data. In addition, the measuring apparatus may be used to collect a second set of wave form data which depends on micro-structure of the moving surface, a cross-correlation may be computed between the second set of wave form data and the calibrated wave form data. Another embodiment relates to an apparatus for measuring position and/or motion using surface micro-structure of a moving surface. Another embodiment relates to method for measuring motion using surface micro-structure. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Upendra UMMETHALA, Noah BAREKET, Christopher BEVIS
  • Patent number: 7978192
    Abstract: A method of sight distance analysis comprising: acquiring a scene-graph representation comprising three dimensional entities; acquiring at least one three dimensional object representation within the scene graph environment; acquiring a target object representation; selecting at least one camera position; positioning the acquired target object representation in the scene graph representation at a distance from the selected at least one camera position; and determining a visibility factor for the positioned target object representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: RDV Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Nathan Elsberg, Alex Hazanov
  • Patent number: 7973678
    Abstract: A control for a system in a building. The control includes a tracking device, a controller, and a programmer. The tracking device is configured to travel with a vehicle and to determine where the tracking device is located. The controller is configured to be located in the building, to communicate with the tracking device, to communicate with the system in the building, to determine an event that should be executed based on information received from the tracking device and a programmed event trigger. The programmed event trigger includes a programmed location for the tracking device. The controller generates a command for the system in the building to execute the determined event. The programmer is configured to communicate with a user interface. The user interface includes an interactive map and one or more geographical boundary tools for creating one or more event triggers on the map. A user uses the user interface to program the event triggers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis M. Petricoin, Jr., Melvin Chapman, Steven Markham
  • Patent number: 7956601
    Abstract: A process and device for detecting electrically conductive particles in a liquid flowing in a pipe section, the liquid being exposed to periodic alternating electromagnetic fields by a transmitter coil which induces eddy currents in the particles, a probe made as a coil arrangement and which has an effective width producing a periodic electrical signal based on the eddy currents. The signal ha a carrier oscillation with an amplitude and/or phase which is modulated by particles passing across the effective width of the coil arrangement, the probe signal being filtered by a frequency-selective first filter unit, the filtered signal being sampled by a triggerable A/D converter stage to obtain a demodulated digital measurement signal, the digital measurement signal being filtered by a digital, frequency-selective adjustable second filter unit to obtain a useful signal, and the useful signal being evaluated to detect passage of electrically conductive particles in the pipe section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Prueftechnik Dieter Busch AG
    Inventors: Edwin Becker, Thomas Knoell, Roland Hoelzl
  • Patent number: 7941291
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating distance in an assembly operation. The method includes the steps of providing an assembly comprising a first part, a second part and a driver coupled to the first part. The driver arranged to selectively move the first part relative to the second part. The method also includes actuating the driver to selectively move the first part between a first known position and a second position and registering speed and/or acceleration data of the driver between the first known position and the second position. The time interval for the first part to move between the first known position and the second position is measured. The distance moved by the first part between the first known position and the second position using the measured time interval and the data registered from the driver can then be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Europlacer Industries SA
    Inventor: Gabriel Chataigner
  • Patent number: 7877241
    Abstract: Psychopharmacological properties of new therapeutic drugs and highly heritable behavior patterns of test subjects are identified based on analysis of monitored exploratory movement to identify behavioral signatures. A test subject in a pen is allowed to explore for a period of time, after injecting it with a candidate drug or control vehicle. The test subject's movement is monitored and its locations stored. The locations are analyzed to separate them into behavioral patterns that are defined based on combinations of behavioral feature. Relative frequencies of performing each behavioral pattern are determined. In each pattern, differences between the relative frequencies in the candidate drug and control groups are tested, and only patterns in which this difference is highly significant are retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: University of Maryland, Baltimore
    Inventors: Gregory Elmer, Neri Kafkafi
  • Patent number: 7856338
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a reversion of direction of a relative movement between a periodic scale for defining a periodic field and a field sensor. The field sensor outputs first and second sensor signals. The first sensor signal is advanced from the second sensor signal if the periodic field moves in a first direction. The second sensor signal is advanced from the first sensor signal if the periodic field moves in a second direction. A determiner determines the difference between the first sensor signal and a signal corresponding to a temporal change of the second sensor signal or between the second sensor signal and a signal corresponding to a temporal change of the first sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Francesco Alex Maone, Tobias Werth
  • Patent number: 7831407
    Abstract: An adaptive vehicle control system that classifies a driver's driving style based on vehicle U-turn maneuvers. A process determines if the vehicle has started a turn if the yaw rate is greater than a first yaw rate threshold, and determines a vehicle heading angle based on the yaw rate and a sampling time if the vehicle has started a turn. The process then determines whether the vehicle maneuver has been completed by determining if the yaw rate is less than a second yaw rate threshold. The process then determines that the completed maneuver was a U-turn maneuver if the yaw rate is less than a third yaw rate threshold during the maneuver, the final vehicle heading angle is within a heading angle range and the duration of the maneuver is less than a predetermined time threshold. In one non-limiting embodiment, the heading angle range is between 165° and 195°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jihua Huang, William C. Lin, Yuen-Kwok Chin
  • Patent number: 7805275
    Abstract: A traveling direction measuring apparatus including 3-axes acceleration detecting means for detecting acceleration, and acceleration data acquiring means for repeatedly obtaining 3-axes acceleration data, said 3-axes acceleration varying with walking of a pedestrian, the traveling direction measuring apparatus including means for calculating, when the pedestrian is walking with holding said traveling direction measuring apparatus in a generally fixed attitude, gravity acceleration by averaging acceleration data sets during several steps obtained by said acceleration data acquiring means, means for calculating frequency components corresponding to duration of one step of the acceleration data sets projected on a plane perpendicular to the calculated gravity acceleration, and means for estimating a moving direction of the pedestrian seen from a terminal coordinate system associated with said traveling direction measuring apparatus according to frequency components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei EMD Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Kitamura, Masaya Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7805276
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus and method capable of determining the time and location of a projectile's impact is disclosed. In another embodiment, an apparatus and method capable of determining the time and location of a projectile's impact as well as the direction from whence the projectile came is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Terry Byers, Frank L. Gibbons, Eric L. Christiansen
  • Publication number: 20100228517
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a device for detecting the range or the velocity or other state data for a target. According to various embodiments, the device includes a transmitter, a reflective surface, and a receiver. In various embodiments, the transmitter is configured to transmit laser pulses from the device towards a target thereby producing return laser pulses from the target. In particular embodiments, the reflective surface of the device is positioned to receive return laser pulses and is configured to reflect the return laser pulses from the target to a focal point. In various embodiments, the receiver is located at the focal point and is configured to detect the reflected laser pulses to generate a signal used to determine the target's range or velocity. The reflective surface can be used to replace a relatively heavy lens assembly normally mounted in the front of previous devices, thereby improving the balance of the device or reducing its weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Charles K. Wike, JR., Richard M. McEntyre, Donald R. Wyman, Robert P. Burke
  • Publication number: 20100217559
    Abstract: A watch that advantageously allows an athlete, such as a runner, to conveniently and instantly calculate a pace at which a distance was traveled. The watch includes a chronographic process and a pace calculation process. In order to determine a pace, the athlete enters the travel distance into the pace calculation process. The athlete then initiates a count by the chronographic process when he or she starts traveling the designated distance. When the athlete finishes traveling the designated distance, he or she stops the count, so that the chronographic process measures the total elapsed time required to travel the designated distance. The pace calculation process then obtains the total elapsed time from the chronographic process, and divides the designated travel distance by the total elapsed time to calculate the pace at which the distance was traveled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Allan M. Schrock, Edward L. Boyd
  • Publication number: 20100191499
    Abstract: A system for determining airtime, speed and/or drop distance of a moving sportsman includes at least one accelerometer for detecting vibration or acceleration of the sportsman and/or a GPS unit. A processor in communication with the at least one accelerometer may process signals from the accelerometer to determine free-fall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Curtis A. Vock, Dennis Darcy, Peter Flentov
  • Publication number: 20100045968
    Abstract: A method for non-contact measurement of the velocity and/or the length of an extrudate moved forward in the longitudinal direction, in particular of a cable during the production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: SIKORA AG
    Inventor: Harald Sikora
  • Patent number: 7650256
    Abstract: An object locating system detects the presence of an object as it passes through a planar fields of view. A pair of optical sensor arrays with multiple, directed, pixel detectors observe the object from two angles as the object passes through the field of view. The location of penetration of the field of view is calculated by triangulation. Using this data, the known location of the take-off point and/or the delay between the departure of an object from the known take-off point and the penetration of the field of view, the trajectory of the object in time and space is calculated. In an alternate embodiment, the take-off point is not known and a plurality of pairs of optical sensor arrays may measure the trajectory of an object as it travels between a launch location and a target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Dimitri Petrov Consultants Inc.
    Inventor: Dimitri Petrov
  • Patent number: 7647196
    Abstract: A method of monitoring human activity includes monitoring accelerations using an inertial sensor disposed at one of a plurality of locations on a human body, wherein at least one of the plurality of locations is not a foot location. A plurality of steps are counted based on the accelerations. A gait characteristic of the plurality of steps is determined. The characteristic is used to determine a stride length. At least one of a distance traveled and a speed of travel are determined based on the stride length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: DP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Kahn, Arthur Kinsolving, Mark Andrew Christensen, Brian Y. Lee, David Vogel, Paul Andrew Mietz Egli
  • Patent number: 7555402
    Abstract: The method consists in: determining in which actually sector the booster motor is located, a sector of the booster motor being defied by two successive poles; determining a relative angle position of the steering wheel in relation to the booster motor; identifying a sector, known as neutral, in which the booster motor is located when the rotation speeds of the rear wheels, i.e. right and left of the vehicle, are equal; determining an angle offset of the steering wheel corresponding to a neutral angle position of the steering wheel; determining an absolute angle position of the steering wheel which is equal to the difference between the relative angle position of the steering wheel and the offset angle thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: JTEKT Europe
    Inventors: Julien Barthomeuf, Stephane Cassar, Andre Michelis
  • Patent number: 7526369
    Abstract: A pedestrian detection device, a related method, an air bag system and a vehicle are disclosed. The pedestrian detection device 20 includes an infrared ray sensor 30A, which detects a temperature of a detection object approaching to or in contact with the vehicle 10 to provide a temperature signal, an impact sensor 27a to 27c, which generate impact signals when the vehicle encounters a collision, and an impact collision generation unit 21 operative to generate a pedestrian collision signal upon discrimination that the detection object is a pedestrian, discrimination that the impact signal is being outputted, and discrimination that a direction in which the pedestrian is present and a direction in which the impact is applied to the vehicle falls in a substantially same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Inao Toyoda
  • Patent number: 7505865
    Abstract: As an embodiment of the present invention, in a navigation system using an acceleration sensor, when position information cannot be obtained from a GPS processing section, a velocity detecting unit performs an operation using detected acceleration ?G, a measurement time mt, a velocity V0 at a time t0, gravity acceleration g and an amount of height change Dh, according to Expression (11). By using the relationship among a gravity acceleration component gf, the gravity acceleration g, the amount of height change Dh and distance Dm shown in Expression (4), the gravity acceleration component gf can be offset by the amount of height change Dh. Therefore, velocity V can be calculated with high accuracy without receiving the effect of the gravity acceleration component gf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Ohkubo, Tomohisa Takaoka
  • Publication number: 20090043531
    Abstract: A method of monitoring human activity includes monitoring accelerations using an inertial sensor disposed at one of a plurality of locations on a human body, wherein at least one of the plurality of locations is not a foot location. A plurality of steps are counted based on the accelerations. A gait characteristic of the plurality of steps is determined. The characteristic is used to determine a stride length. At least one of a distance traveled and a speed of travel are determined based on the stride length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Philippe Kahn, Arthur Kinsolving, Mark Andrew Christensen, Brian Y. Lee, David Vogel, Paul Andrew Mietz Egli
  • Patent number: 7471294
    Abstract: A method for visualizing web service interactions includes invoking a remote operation that causes a plurality of messages to be sent between two components in a connected system. The method further includes visually identifying a swim lane for each of the two components in a graphical display. For each message, a vector is plotted in the graphical display, where the vector extends from the swim lane of the message sender to the swim lane of the message recipient. The relative position of each vector depends on the time when the message was sent. A machine readable medium and an integrated development environment for representing asynchronous web service execution are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Roderico Cruz, Christopher B. Webster, Todd Fast, Matthew J. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20080255797
    Abstract: The invention concerns a detecting system for measuring the speed (V) of a pedal comprising a pedal (1), a first sensor (11) for sensing the position of the pedal delivering a first signal (c1) indicating the passage of a first position by the pedal, a second position sensor (12) delivering a second signal (c2) indicating the passage of a second position by the pedal (1), a calculator receiving the signals c1 and c2, the calculator (2) comprising means for measuring the intermediate time (&Dgr;t) of the pedal between the first (a1) and the second (a2) position to determine the travelling speed (V) of the pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Lionel Cordesses, Mehdi Gati, Ophelie Thomassin
  • Patent number: 7428262
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for channel estimation in a rake receiver of a CDMA communication system operates with a finite-impulse-response channel estimation filter with L taps and having a fixed delay. A pilot sequence of a received sequence of data from a channel of the communication system on the rake receiver is input. A quality of the channel of the communication system is determined using noise or Doppler measurements. These measurements are used in adjusting a bandwidth of the filter to accommodate the channel quality while keeping the fixed delay, which minimizes the delay buffer size. The filter is then used to operate on the received sequence of data to provide coherent modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan W. Zancho, Christopher P. Larosa, Alexandre Mallette, John P. Oliver
  • Publication number: 20080201100
    Abstract: An object locating system detects the presence of an object as it passes through a planar fields of view. A pair of optical sensor arrays with multiple, directed, pixel detectors observe the object from two angles as the object passes through the field of view. The location of penetration of the field of view is calculated by triangulation. Using this data, the known location of the take-off point and/or the delay between the departure of an object from the known take-off point and the penetration of the field of view, the trajectory of the object in time and space is calculated. In an alternate embodiment, the take-off point is not known and a plurality of pairs of optical sensor arrays may measure the trajectory of an object as it travels between a launch location and a target location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Dimitri Petrov
  • Publication number: 20080195351
    Abstract: A method for operating a locomotive is provided. The method includes coupling a processor within the locomotive to monitor at least one of an operating parameter and an equipment operation. The method also includes determining a status of a locomotive departure test using the processor and operating an interlock based on the status of the departure test, wherein the interlock is configured to regulate an operating speed of the locomotive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Tom Otsubo, Jeffrey Keith Baker, Jerome Stephen Beshoner, Craig Alan Stull, William Edward Hagen, Shawn Thomas Clark, Stephen Harold Humphrey, Brenton Ilo Frakes
  • Publication number: 20080150518
    Abstract: A device for detecting electrically conductive particles in a liquid flowing in a pipe section, with a transmitter coil surrounding the pipe section for inducing eddy currents in the particles, at least one first inductive receiver coil surrounding the pipe section and a second inductive receiver coil which is spaced axially to the first receiver coil and which surrounds the pipe section, the first and the second receiver coils being located in the region of the transmitter coil and being subtractively connected, in order to output a difference signal according to the eddy currents induced by the transmitter coil, and the transmitter coil forming the primary side and the receiver coils forming the secondary side of a transformer arrangement. An evaluation unit evaluates the difference signal in order to detect passage of electrically conductive particles in the pipe section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: PRUEFTECHNIK DIETER BUSCH AG
    Inventors: Edwin BECKER, Thomas KNOELL, Roland HOELZL
  • Patent number: 7353137
    Abstract: A shoe-based weight measuring system, comprising: a shoe; one or more weight sensitive detectors constructed and arranged with the shoe to sense weight of a person wearing the shoe and walking or standing; a processor for processing signals from the detectors to determine a weight of the person; a remote receiver; and a communications port for wirelessly communicating the weight to the remote receiver. An on demand weight system, comprising a weight detector coupled with a shoe for sensing weight of a person on the detector, a processor processing information from the detector for determining applied weight, a personal data display, and a communications port for wirelessly relaying the applied weight to the data display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: PhatRat Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis A. Vock, Burl W. Amsbury, Eric R. Edstrom, Robert Muir Holme, Paul Jonjak, Adrian F. Larkin, Perry Youngs
  • Patent number: 7283587
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for measuring a distance between two points that includes measuring a distance intermediate a first data point and a second data point in each of two dimensions and adding the absolute values of those measured distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Awadh B. Pandey, Tej P. Rai
  • Patent number: 7222035
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the changing frequency of a signal received by a satellite receiver from, illustratively, positioning system satellites is disclosed that enables a more accurate measurement of the change in frequency of that signal due to movement of the satellite receiver relative to those satellites. The system includes a PLL having a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) and a filter of frequency estimates (FFE). In operation, an analog signal is received at the satellite receiver and the PLL tracks the changing signal frequency and outputs non-smoothed frequency estimates into the FFE. The FFE then smoothes noise in the signal to produce a more accurate smoothed frequency estimate of the input signal. Comparing multiple estimates over time allows Doppler shift of the signal frequency received by the satellite receiver to be calculated more precisely, thus resulting in more accurate satellite receiver velocity vector determinations and, hence, position measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Topcon GPS, LLC
    Inventors: Mark I. Zhodzishsky, Sergey Yudanov, Victor A. Prasolov, Victor A. Veitsel
  • Patent number: 7200513
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for clocking the speed of a moving object using a wireless terminal in a preview mode of a camera, wherein the method includes the steps of entering a preview mode for speed measurement when a speed measurement function is selected in a camera preview mode of the wireless terminal, measuring a moving distance of an object in the preview mode for speed measurement, measuring a moving time period of the object in the preview mode for speed measurement, and measuring and displaying a moving speed of the object by using the moving distance and moving time period of the object which have been measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ju-Seok Noh
  • Patent number: 7117101
    Abstract: A remote particle counter comprising a pulsed laser generator, laser light emitting optics, scattered light collecting optics, a high-sensitivity two-dimensional photo detector as a scattered light detecting portion having a fast gating capability such as a CCD camera, and a control and measure system, wherein suspended fine particles forming aerosols in the atmosphere which are far away from the site of laser emission are illuminated with laser light, the resulting backward scattered light from the individual fine particles is detected as image, and the number and size distribution of the suspended fine particles are measured at a remote site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute
    Inventors: Akira Ohzu, Masaaki Kato, Katsuaki Akaoka, Yoichiro Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7054784
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining speed, power and/or impact (sporting characteristics) of persons involved in activity. Wireless signals may be generated indicative of the sporting characteristics for receipt and display on a watch worn by the user or on a remote display. Sensors may attach to the person or to a vehicle ridden by the person, to gauge activities such as jogging, hockey, biking, football and aerobics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: PhatRat Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Flentov, Dennis M. Darcy, Curtis A. Vock
  • Patent number: 6985827
    Abstract: A speed measurement system for measuring speeds of vehicles, capturing images of vehicles, and detecting violation of stop sign and traffic signal laws. The system includes a laser speed detector for determining a speed of a vehicle adjacent a stop sign. When a speed is determined, the detector generates a speed signal. The system includes a camera generally aligned with the speed detector operable to capture and store digital still images of vehicles in memory. The camera is programmed to respond to an image capture signal to generate and transmit a digital image file including a still image of the vehicle targeted by the detector. A portable processor is linked to the speed detector and the camera to first receive the speed signal, to compare the detected speed with a threshold speed, to transmit an image capture signal to the camera, and to receive the image file from the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignees: Laser Technology, Inc., Kama-Tech (HK) Limited
    Inventors: David W. Williams, Michael Phippen
  • Patent number: 6965841
    Abstract: To let the user easily recognize the results of comparison of paces. A chronograph control unit calculates a pace of running that is just completed by dividing the moving time measured by a chronograph measuring unit, by a preset distance stored in advance in a storage unit. A pace comparator/calculation unit reads the pace data recorded in the running of the previous time from the storage unit, compares it with the pace recorded this time to calculate a difference therebetween, displays the difference on a display unit, and notifies a relationship between the pace recorded this time and the pace recorded in the previous time by using a sounding unit or a light-emitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Norio Tanifuji
  • Patent number: 6885968
    Abstract: A vehicle including a ground speed sensor arranged to detect the speed of travel of the vehicle on the ground and including a wave transmitter arranged to transmit waves toward the ground, a wave receiver arranged to received waves reflected from the ground and a processor coupled to the transmitter and receiver to determine the speed of travel based on the transmitted waves and received waves. The waves are transmitted in pulses or modulated such that the processor is able to determine the distance between a wave-transmission and reception point and the ground (by time of flight for ultrasonic and electromagnetic waves or phase difference-for electromagnetic waves) and the velocity of the vehicle (using Doppler analysis).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Breed, Wilbur E. DuVall, Wendell C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6867700
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and to an arrangement for evaluating in a defined space or area a delimited area (7) in which there is a degree of urgency greater than the degree of urgency in respect of the remainder of said space (1), wherein there is disposed within said space or area (1) a plurality of sensors which can evaluate the momentary degree of urgency on the basis of one or more criteria. Selected sensors (2, 3, 4) shall be connected to computer equipment (50) which includes storage elements (52, 53, 54) adapted for storing momentary criteria-related values in a chosen time order, and wherein a calculating circuit (51) included in or connected to said computer equipment (50) is adapted for evaluation of a calculated degree of urgency on the basis of time-dependent changes in the evaluated momentary values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Firefly AB
    Inventor: Lennart Karl Erik Jansson
  • Patent number: 6856934
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining speed, power and/or impact (sporting characteristics) of persons involved in activity. Wireless signals may be generated indicative of the sporting characteristics for receipt and display on a watch worn by the user or on a remote display. Sensors may attach to the person or to a vehicle ridden by the person, to gauge activities such as jogging, hockey, biking, football and aerobics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: PhatRat Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis A. Vock, Peter Flentov, Dennis M. Darcy
  • Patent number: 6856933
    Abstract: A mileage tracking system including an input device mounted in the vehicle for receiving one of a first and second door unlock signals, and a tripmeter. The tripmeter is coupled to the input device and to a vehicle odometer sensor for accumulating a first accumulated travel distance during vehicle travel following receipt by the input device of the first door unlock signal, and for accumulating a second accumulated travel distance during vehicle travel following receipt by the input device of the second door unlock signal. The tripmeter does not accumulate the first accumulated travel distance during vehicle travel following receipt by the input device of the second door unlock signal. The mileage tracking system also preferably includes a display coupled to the tripmeter for selectively displaying the first and second accumulated travel distance. The input device is preferably a receiver for receiving a signal from a remote transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Terry S. Callaghan
  • Patent number: 6836711
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided which enables a performer to enhance performance evaluation of performing with a human-powered vehicle having one or more wheel(s) wherein measurements of (1) position, velocity and acceleration of said vehicle out of a starting gate and, optionally, one or more corner(s) of a performance track and, optionally, (2) position, velocity and acceleration and/or conservation of momentum of said vehicle over one or more various obstacles within the performance track are made with a resolution of sufficient sensitivity to make such improvements. The invention has particular application in cycling activities, such as BMX cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Leonard Gentilcore
  • Publication number: 20040193451
    Abstract: A method and system suitable for automated adjustment of information represented in the transaction order records from clinical information systems of hospitals, clinics, and emergency rooms, in such a manner as to accurately reflect differences in access to care. Techniques from statistical processing are combined in a method that allows for optimization of the parameters such that statistical hypothesis testing using conventional parametric tests are valid and feasible, on account of close approximation to Gaussian normal distribution. The method and system is designed so as to be robust against wide variations in population density and transportation infrastructure, as reflects remote, rural, suburban, and metropolitan environments. Once optimized, the method and system can achieve reliable performance with regard to longitudinal measurement of health access indicators, which are used in planning and managing health services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas S. McNair
  • Publication number: 20040181359
    Abstract: Pulse transit time-based method for distance measurement employs a complex multi-parametric modulation of emitted pulses with adaptive control of the parameters of modulation. An evaluation of the pulse transit time-variable's observability in a measuring cycle is used as an input of the adaptive control loop. The achieved special pattern of received pulses provides for obtaining a vector of characteristic elements on the pattern with low sensibility to active and passive disturbances present during measurement. These characteristic elements are used by the method for the accurate measurement of the pulse transit time, and consequently, for the calculation of the distance between the emitter of pulses and the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicants: INESA East, Ltd., InESA, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Freger, Alexander M. Raykhman