By Rotary Encoding Means Patents (Class 702/163)
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Patent number: 11447163Abstract: A control system for a train includes a display unit providing a first display including a plurality of distance counters simultaneously, wherein the plurality of distance counters includes at least a count up counter and a countdown counter. The control system further includes a controller configured to continually increment or decrement at least one of the count up or countdown counters based at least in part on a track distance covered by the train.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Progress Rail Locomotive Inc.Inventor: Asim R. Khan
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Patent number: 11274944Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a rotating body includes a plurality of units to be detected provided on the rotating body; at least two sensing coils disposed to face the units to be detected; an oscillator including at least two capacitors respectively connected to the at least two sensing coils to form at least two oscillation circuits; and a rotation information calculator configured to count frequencies of at least two oscillation signals respectively output from the at least two oscillation circuits to generate a first count value and a second count value, and calculate a rotation direction of the rotating body based on a change in the first count value and a change in the second count value.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jong Woo Lee, Joo Yul Ko, Kyung O Kim, Ho Kwon Yoon
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Patent number: 10991459Abstract: Systems and methods for electronically conducting a fitness activity challenge are disclosed. The method may include first collecting electronic fitness data related to a first fitness activity, collecting second electronic fitness data related to a second fitness activity, generating comparison data by comparing the first electronic fitness data and the second electronic fitness data, and displaying the comparison data.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: adidas AGInventor: Michael Ellis
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Patent number: 10660486Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a sheet material dispenser. The dispenser can include support for supporting a supply of the sheet material, and a feed roller arranged along a feed path of the sheet material downstream from the supply of sheet material that is operable to pull the sheet material from the supply of sheet material for feeding thereof. Additionally, the dispenser can include a controller that is in communication with the feed roller and includes programming for monitoring rotation of the feed roller during a dispensing cycle for feeding a selected length of the sheet material from the supply of sheet material. A material supply monitoring system further can be in communication with the controller, and operative to detect a number of rotations or an angle of rotation of the supply sheet material during at least a series of dispensing cycles.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Valve Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Charles A. Osborne, Jr.
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Patent number: 9457256Abstract: Systems and methods for creating personalized exercise programs are disclosed. An image capture device and a computer device are used to capture images of a user while the user performs athletic movements. The images may then be evaluated to create a human movement screen score. The human movement screen score, goal and time commitment information may then be used to create a personalized exercise program tailored to the specific user.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tesa Aragones, Adriana Guerrero, Christina S. Self, Jay C. Blahnik, Paul T. Winsper
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Patent number: 9417054Abstract: An assembly includes a fish tape device or a duct rodding device having digital measurement unit attached thereto. A tape is housed in the fish tape device or a duct rodding device and is paid out of the device. The digital measurement unit includes an optical sensor which is positioned proximate to the tape. As the tape is passed by the optical sensor, the optical sensor uses digital image correlation to take successive images of the tape to determine a length measurement of tape that has passed by the optical sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Wilbur Keith Moffatt, Nathan Daniel Gove
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Patent number: 9358426Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to a system, method, apparatus, and computer readable media configured for monitoring a user performing an exercise and generating a avatar of the user and a virtual shadow, wherein the virtual shadow illustrates proper form of the exercise. The example embodiments may further be configured for determining an amount of overlap between the virtual avatar and the virtual shadow, and generating a feedback score based on the amount of overlap.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2011Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Teresa Aragones, Byron G. Merritt, Christina S. Self, Willoughby H. Walling, Xavier Jacob, Geoff Northcott, Robert Thomsen
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Patent number: 9322642Abstract: A distance measure between a beginning and an end of a material strip wound onto a body in a tangential direction can be determined by creating a height profile of a surface of the material strip, which covers the beginning and the end of the wound material strip in the tangential direction. If a position value of the beginning of the material strip is determined in the created height profile, the distance measure can be determined using this position value and the height profile covering the end of the material strip.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Guenther Kostka, Peter Schmitt, Oliver Scholz, Ulf Hassler
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Patent number: 9197074Abstract: A charging apparatus for an electric vehicle is provided with: a charging cable including a proximal end connected to a main body, a connector provided on a distal end, and an extra length absorbing section provided between the distal end and the proximal end; a measuring section configured to detect an elongation of the charging cable from an initial length thereof; and an electric current control section configured to start applying an electric current to the charging cable under a condition that an elongation of the charging cable exceeding a threshold value is detected by the measuring section.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: ALPHA CORPORATIONInventors: Makoto Nakamura, Shuuji Nakamura
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Patent number: 9145219Abstract: A method for laying multiple conductors in a container may be provided. The method may comprise receiving the multiple conductors at a monitoring station; receiving the multiple conductors at a drive; and receiving the multiple conductors at the container.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2013Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Southwire Company LLCInventors: Richard Temblador, Allan W. Daniel, John D. Moore, Daniel Irvin, Franklin Calhoun, Juan Alberto Galindo Gonzalez
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Patent number: 9114949Abstract: A method to monitor a media roll mounted in a printing apparatus comprises scanning with a sensor an end side of a media roll by displacing the sensor in the radial direction of the roll, detecting the position of a media roll outer edge during said scanning, and determining a dimension of the media roll on the basis of the detected outer edge position.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2013Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Antonio Gracia Verdugo, Marta Coma Vives, Mauricio Seras Franzoso
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Patent number: 8990044Abstract: A revolution counter including sensors, which generate position values that define an angular position of a shaft, and a determination unit that receives the position values and generates decision signals therefrom, wherein the decision signals determine counting sectors. The revolution counter includes a counting control unit that receives the counting sectors, and operates the revolution counter in a first mode or a second mode of operation. The counting control unit switches over to the second mode, if after a length of time no change in one of the counting sectors takes place, and switches over to the first mode if a change in one of the counting sectors does take place. The determination unit determines an uncertainty range between each pairing of the counting sectors. The counting control unit does not take the uncertainty ranges into account for the switchover from the second mode to the first mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2009Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventor: Johann Oberhauser
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Patent number: 8983792Abstract: An indoor testing device for multiple rotor-containing flying objects including a main support having a plurality of linking members, a plurality of mechanical arms, a plurality of trays, and control units of the mechanical arms. The main support is disposed vertically. The mechanical arms are separately disposed on the linking members of the main support with different height. The trays are separately disposed on one end of the mechanical arms for receiving rotor-containing flying objects, and the control units are disposed on the mechanical arms and rotate therewith. The device can be used for the cooperation and coordination test of multiple rotor-containing flying objects and autonomous control experiments of a single rotor-containing flying object. The tests have high stimulation and improve the usability of the experimental results in the actual system.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Shenyang Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of SciencesInventors: Jianda Han, Yuqing He, Feng Gu, Zheng Wang
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Patent number: 8895911Abstract: An optical encoder includes a scale having diffraction gratings formed at predetermined pitches in a measurement axis direction, a detection head relatively movable with respect to the scale, the detection head including a light source portion configured to irradiate the scale with light, and a plurality of receiver portions configured to receive light reflected by or transmitted through the diffraction gratings of the scale, at different phases, and a signal processing device configured to perform signal processing to light reception signals output from the receiver portions of the detection head, to produce quadrature differential signals. The signal processing device is configured to calculate alignment adjustment monitor signals corresponding to a Lissajous radius of the quadrature differential signals in order to detect misalignment of the detection head with respect to the scale.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2012Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventor: Tomotaka Takahashi
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Patent number: 8825440Abstract: A resolver signal converter and a resolver signal conversion method amplify and perform analogue-digital conversion on a sine wave output from a resolver; thereafter, among frequency components of the sine wave output, pass and thereby extract a predetermined bandwidth of which the center frequency is the frequency of an excitation signal, by means of a band-pass filter; sample the sine wave output while synchronizing the sine wave output with a reference signal which is based on the excitation signal; and generate a detection angle signal sine value from the sampled signal. Similarly, a detection angle signal cosine value is generated from a cosine wave output from the resolver. A detection angle is calculated based on the detection angle signal sine value and the detection angle signal cosine value.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masahiro Yamada
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Patent number: 8786275Abstract: A gear position sensor employs a sliding electrical connection between arcuate conductors and flexible wiper arms held on opposite surfaces that rotate relative to each other with the movement of a gear selector shaft. The traces may have multiple segments joined by resistors to provide flexible change in resistance value and resistance range for different applications.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Mario M Orrico
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Patent number: 8779764Abstract: To provide a method which can define the direction and orientation of magnetization of a pinned layer while reducing the number of steps of forming a GMR film. The magnetization direction of the pinned layer is defined in a plurality of directions by forming a plurality of patterns having directivities. Further, when the magneto-resistive effect film is formed, a magnetic field is applied in a direction at an angle set between the angles of the plurality of patterns.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2010Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Meguro, Hiroyuki Hoshiya, Keizou Katou, Yasunori Abe
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Patent number: 8779761Abstract: A rotation angle detecting unit includes an IC package having a magnetism detecting element, a sealing body, and leads; and a covering member having a fixing part and a supporting part, which are integrally formed from resin. The element outputs a signal according to change of a magnetic field generated upon rotation of a magnetism generating device attached to a detection object. The sealing body covers the element. The leads are connected to the element, and project from the sealing body. The fixing part is fixed to a supporting body so that the covering member is attached to the supporting body. The supporting part supports the package such that the element can output the signal. The package is press-fitted into the supporting part after its formation, so that the package is supported by the supporting part with a predetermined pressure applied to part of an outer wall of the sealing body.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Satoru Hiramoto, Yoshiyuki Kono, Akitoshi Mizutani, Koichiro Matsumoto
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Patent number: 8717010Abstract: Magnetic position sensors, systems and methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a position sensing system includes a magnetic field source with a dipole moment in a direction along a z-axis; and a sensor module spaced apart from a center of the dipole moment a distance y0 along a y-axis and spaced apart a distance z0 from a center of the dipole moment along a z-axis, at least one of the magnetic field source or the sensor module configured to move relative to the other along a path in the y=y0 plane, the sensor module configured to determine a relative position of the magnetic field source to the sensor module with respect to the path from a ratio of a gradient dBz/dx to a gradient dBz/dy, where Bz is a magnetic field component associated with the permanent magnet, and where an x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are at right angles.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Udo Ausserlechner, Armin Satz, Ferdinand Gastinger
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Patent number: 8718974Abstract: Measuring devices each include a rotating body arranged between a wheel and a wheel hub with rotation centers aligned with each other, and an optical detector fixed to a body frame. The rotating body is formed of a disk portion attached between the wheel and a mounting surface of the wheel hub, and a cylindrical portion extending from the disk portion to the body frame and encompassing an outer circumferential surface of the wheel hub. In a circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, there are provided elongate holes as light-transmitting portions that transmit light therethrough. The optical detector includes a light-emitting element serving as a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving element serving as a light-receiving portion, which are fixed to the body frame by a mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Geo Technical Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiyonari Kishikawa, Kouhei Tou
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Patent number: 8664943Abstract: The present invention provides a single component implementing highly precise pulse detection for rotational or liner position detecting apparatuses for jog dials and mechanical products. Focusing on the fact that the phase difference between the magnetic fields in circumferential and radial directions generated by a magnetized ring is precisely 90 degrees, a position detecting apparatus of the present invention includes two Hall elements placed at a distance; a protective film provided on magnetic sensitive portions of the two Hall elements to cover the magnetic sensitive portions; a thin-film magnetic plate placed on the protective film to cover the magnetic sensitive portions of the two Hall elements; and further a processing circuit calculating the sum and difference of the signals from the two Hall elements to generate signals having an accurate phase difference of 90 degrees. The position detecting apparatus can therefore detect the rotation direction and precise rotation angle.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microdevices CorporationInventor: Ichiro Okada
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Patent number: 8618792Abstract: A rotation angle detection device includes: a detection portion that detects detection angle that univocally corresponds to rotation angle of a rotating body which is within a predetermined range, wherein the detection angle linearly increases from a minimum value to a maximum value as the rotation angle increases within a unit range, and the detection angle changes from the maximum value to the minimum value or from the minimum value to the maximum value at a boundary between unit ranges that are adjacent to each other; and a correction portion that corrects the detection angle so that the detection angle detected in the predetermined range has linear characteristics, if the boundary between the unit ranges is contained in the predetermined range.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyoshi Kojima, Masashi Mure, Hisashi Nishikawa
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Patent number: 8478562Abstract: A measuring instrument includes a main body, a stylus configured to be movable in relation to the main body, an encoder for detecting the amount of displacement of the stylus relative to the main body, a calculating section for calculating a measurement value from the amount of displacement detected by the encoder, a display section for displaying the measurement value calculated by the calculating section, an operation section for issuing a command to the calculating section, and a storage section that stores an effective measurement range larger than a lower limit and smaller than an upper limit of the movement stroke of the stylus. The calculating section makes a determination as to whether or not the amount of displacement detected by the encoder falls within the effective measurement range stored in the storage section and displays the result of such a determination on the display section.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2009Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventor: Koji Sasaki
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Patent number: 8466644Abstract: First and second A/D converters perform analog/digital conversion of first and second signals of a Hall signal so as to generate third and fourth signals as digital signals. A differential conversion circuit generates a fifth signal as a single-ended signal that corresponds to the difference between the third and fourth signals. An offset correction circuit corrects offset of the fifth signal so as to generate a sixth signal. An amplitude control circuit stabilizes the amplitude of the sixth signal to a predetermined target value, and generates its absolute value, thus generating a seventh signal. A control signal generating unit generates a control signal based upon the seventh signal. A driver circuit drives a motor according to the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2011Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuro Shimizu, Hiroyuki Ishii, Nobuo Komura, Toshiya Suzuki
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Patent number: 8428906Abstract: A method for determining a mixup in the terminals of a position encoder having a position encoder motor, which is bidirectionally drivable via a plurality of terminals, so that a mixup of at least two of the terminals of the position encoder motor leads to a reversal in the actuation direction of the position encoder, having the following steps of setting an actuating element of the position encoder to a zero setting, from which a motion of the actuating element is possible in one or two directions; driving the position encoder motor according to a diagnostic variable, which is selected so that, based on the actuation using the diagnostic variable, in the case of a non-mixup of the terminals and in the case of a mixup of the terminals, different absolute values of the changes are to be expected in the changes of the actuation position of the actuating element; recording a current change in the actuation position of the actuating element that comes about by the driving of the position encoder motor; establishiType: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Zeynep Tosun, Torsten Baumann, Ralf Buehrle, Gebhard Schumacher, Carsten Wetzel
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Patent number: 8356132Abstract: A position sensing system controls selection of channels in a KVM switch having a plurality of channels. The system has a sensor interface for receiving a sensor reading indicating a current position of a position movable component. Each position of the movable component is associated with one of the plurality of channels. The position sensing system also includes a position component for selecting channels of the KVM switch according to the sensor reading. The position component comprises a position definition component and a translation component. The definition component identifies one of the channels corresponding to the sensor reading based on one of a position definition. Each position definition provides sensor readings corresponding to the positions associated with one of the channels. The translation component generates a signal for selecting the determined channel at the KVM switch. This signal is provided to the KVM switch to switch the KVM channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Derek Kwan
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Patent number: 8320814Abstract: A length measurement apparatus including: a measurement portion that measures a sheet length based on a rotational amount of a length measurement roll for a first detection period in which first and third sensors detect the sheet, and a sheet length based on a rotational amount of the length measurement roll for a second detection period in which the second sensor and any one of the first and third sensors detect the sheet, the any one of the first and third sensors being disposed at a position opposite to the second sensor via the length measurement roll; and a whole length calculation portion that selects the sheet length nearer to integral multiples of the circumference length of the length measurement roll from the sheet lengths measured for the first and second detection periods, and calculates the whole length of the sheet by using the selected sheet length.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuyuki Tsukamoto, Takao Furuya, Minoru Oshima, Yoshinari Iwaki
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Patent number: 8238579Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a volume operation module, a first volume controller and a second volume controller. The volume operation module includes a rotary encoder module of detecting a degree of movement of a control member thereof and a potentiometer module of detecting an absolute position of the control member. The first volume controller controls the volume of the audio signal based on the detected degree of movement of the control member. The second volume controller controls the volume of the audio signal based on the detected absolute position of the control member. The volume control by the first volume controller is rendered effective when the information processing apparatus is in a power-on state. The volume control by the second volume controller is rendered effective when the information processing apparatus is in a power-off state.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Makoto Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20120016629Abstract: Measuring devices each include a rotating body arranged between a wheel and a wheel hub with rotation centers aligned with each other, and an optical detector fixed to a body frame. The rotating body is formed of a disk portion attached between the wheel and a mounting surface of the wheel hub, and a cylindrical portion extending from the disk portion to the body frame and encompassing an outer circumferential surface of the wheel hub. In a circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, there are provided elongate holes as light-transmitting portions that transmit light therethrough. The optical detector includes a light-emitting element serving as a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving element serving as a light-receiving portion, which are fixed to the body frame by a mounting bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2010Publication date: January 19, 2012Inventors: Kiyonari Kishikawa, Kouhei Tou
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Patent number: 8099256Abstract: A method of determining the dimensions of a mailpiece by means of a portable measuring device having a housing provided with an opening having a side reference surface along which the mailpiece is guided under a position sensor in a first pass along a first dimension of the mailpiece, after which pass a value for the first dimension of the mailpiece is determined by a processing unit and is communicated to a franking system to which the portable measuring device is connected, and in a second pass along a second dimension of the mailpiece, after which pass a value for the second dimension of the mailpiece is determined by the processing unit and is communicated to the franking system.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Neopost TechnologiesInventor: Marek Krasuski
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Patent number: 7856726Abstract: A rotary encoder for a rotor machine with at least one track with a pulse series for the generation of signal pulses, where a selectable reduction of the signal pulses is possible for the output, and can include a rotor machine with a machine partition and a rotary encoder above. There is also a method by which, using a rotary encoder for a rotor machine, a reduction of the signal pulses to be output is selected, as well as to a method by which the signals of a rotary encoder of a rotor machine are output in accordance with a selected reduction.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2005Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Krones AGInventor: Hartmut Davidson
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Patent number: 7825367Abstract: [Problems to be Solved] To provide a rotary encoder capable of carrying out self-calibration for a horizontal encoder as well as a vertical encoder without requiring special equipment and simply and inexpensively with a high degree of accuracy while reducing the burden on a worker.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Sokkia Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yutaka Nakamura, Satoshi Yanobe
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Patent number: 7818091Abstract: A process and a device are provided for determining the pose as the entirety of the position and the orientation of an image reception device. The process is characterized in that the pose of the image reception device is determined with the use of at least one measuring device that is part of a robot. The device is characterized by a robot with an integrated measuring device that is part of the robot for determining the pose of the image reception device.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbHInventors: Arif Kazi, Rainer Bischoff
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Publication number: 20100247115Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a length of a recording material, includes: a rotating member that rotates while contacting a conveyed recording material; a detecting section that detects a rotation amount of the rotating member; an information obtaining section that obtains at least one of information of an image formed on the recording material and information of the recording material; and a calculating section that calculates a length of the recording material in a direction of the conveyance, based on an output from the detecting section and the information obtained by the information obtaining section.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Minoru OHSHIMA, Yoshinari IWAKI, Kazuyuki TSUKAMOTO, Takao FURUYA, Kozo TAGAWA, Takeshi KATO, Koji MOROFUJI, Toshiyuki KAZAMA
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Patent number: 7797127Abstract: A method for determining two pseudo-sinusoidal signals in quadrature from a pseudo-sinusoidal signal transmitted by an encoder is provided. The method using a sensor arranged within reading distance of the encoder, which sensor includes at least four sensing elements which are linearly equally distributed. The sensing elements are each capable of delivering a signal Si representative of the signal transmitted by the encoder. The method measuring the signals Si and combining the signals Si in order to form the signals U=(S1?S2)?(S3?S4) and V=(S2?S3), which signals U and V are in quadrature. A system for determining by implementing such a method, as well as a bearing including such a determination system, are provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: SNR RoulementsInventors: Pascal Desbiolles, Christophe Duret
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Publication number: 20100064869Abstract: A device for measuring distance includes in one embodiment an electronic rotary encoder having an input shaft, a distance-measuring wheel connected to the input shaft, a base structure connected to the distance-measuring wheel, a frame structure connected to the base structure, a processor in communication with the rotary encoder, and a housing having an electronic digital display for displaying the longitudinal distance traveled by the work piece with an alpha-numeric and graphical representation of the longitudinal distance traveled by the work piece. The distance-measuring wheel reciprocates along a plane that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the work piece. Advantageously, the display provides the longitudinal distance traveled by the work piece with an alpha-numeric and graphical representation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Inventor: Gregory Scott Poole
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Publication number: 20090326860Abstract: A sensing system and method. A coded wheel is configured to generate a signal that varies with rotation of the coded wheel. A sensor is configured to sense the varying signal and output a corresponding signal. A correction module is configured to receive the signal output by the sensor and compare the received signal to a stored signal and detect a defect in the coded wheel in response to the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Simon Hainz, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Ernst Katzmaier
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Publication number: 20090292502Abstract: A drain cleaning machine with an electronic cable monitoring system is disclosed which comprises a frame supporting a rotatable drum which is driven by a motor through an endless belt. The drum contains a flexible drain cleaning cable which is rotatable with the drum and axially displaceable into and out from the drum, and the frame supports a cable feeding device through which the cable extends and by which the cable is displaced into and out of the drum. An electronic cable monitoring system is configured to assess an amount of cable payed out from and retracted into the drum. A process determines an amount and direction of relative movement between a rotatable drum and a cable follower member and generates a signal representative of an amount of cable payed out or retracted into the drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.Inventors: Paul W. Gress, Michael J. Rutkowski, Philip Eisermann, Mark S. Olsson, Ray Merewether, Jeffrey A. Prsha
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Patent number: 7590505Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods of position sensing that use a sensing target with a pattern of features thereupon, and to positioning modules and systems that position functional elements using such position sensing systems. A position sensing system includes an encoding module and a processing module. The encoding module has an active encoding region through which the sensing target is configured to move. Further, the encoding module is configured to generate a signal based on a portion of the sensing target within the active encoding region. The active encoding region has a dimension greater than the average critical dimension of the pattern of features. The processing module is configured to convert the signal generated into a position data based on an input range condition and an initial position condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLCInventors: Wolfram Grziwa, Lothar Westerweck, Klaus Raschke
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Patent number: 7590467Abstract: A system, apparatus and method collects data on rolled product usage at a dispensing location by monitoring the amount of product pulled or removed from a roll. A spindle assembly may be configured to support a product roll. The spindle assembly includes a rotating member disposed about a sensor. The sensor is capable of detecting one or more parameters of product usage from the roll. Furthermore, the sensor may be configured to measure at least the degree of movement of the rotating member during removal of product from the roll. A recording device also may be provided for receiving data from the sensor, the recording device being adapted for receiving and recording data. Data that may be generated, and may be recorded, includes roll product usage data. An electronically controlled system of monitoring product inventory, and/or ordering more product when inventory falls below a predetermined threshold amount is also included.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Mary Rece Holt, Pau-Lin Pawar, Oliver P. Renier, Peter D. Honer, Frank F. Kromenacker, John Oyler, James Winder, Christopher Barham
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Publication number: 20090150117Abstract: A method of determining the dimensions of a mailpiece by means of a portable measuring device having a housing provided with an opening having a side reference surface along which the mailpiece is guided under a position sensor in a first pass along a first dimension of the mailpiece, after which pass a value for the first dimension of the mailpiece is determined by a processing unit and is communicated to a franking system to which the portable measuring device is connected, and in a second pass along a second dimension of the mailpiece, after which pass a value for the second dimension of the mailpiece is determined by the processing unit and is communicated to the franking system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2008Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: NEOPOST TECHNOLOGIESInventor: Marek KRASUSKI
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Patent number: 7502703Abstract: A method of calibrating once-around and harmonic errors of encoded nips is provided. An encoder with an index pulse is used to measure the velocity and rotation of the driven wheel or idler. The geometry of the drive train and wheel and idler is chosen so that their once around and harmonic frequencies are unique such that no other drive errors will generate these frequencies. The method includes running the idler or wheel at substantially constant velocity for N revolutions. Each index triggers the collection of velocity data, which is averaged for N revolutions. This process detects drive train motion errors that are periodic with respect to the timing of the index pulse (i.e., once per revolution of the wheel or idler). Once the velocity errors have been measured, corrections are made. This method may be incorporated in xerographic machines as part of a setup or calibration procedure.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2007Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Joannes N. M. DeJong, Lloyd A. Williams
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Patent number: 7418361Abstract: A method of correcting the speed of an encoder and an apparatus therefor are provided. The method includes the steps of detecting an electrical signal corresponding to a driving speed of a motor, calculating driving speed values of the motor in sections of the electrical signal, respectively, storing the calculated speed values in the order of calculation, selecting an intermediate speed value among the speed values calculated from the three or more continuous sections, and correcting the driving speed of the motor in accordance with the selected intermediate speed value.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2006Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Young-jung Yun
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Patent number: 7389200Abstract: An incremental encoding and decoding apparatus and method are provided. The incremental encoding and decoding apparatus comprises current converters, which respectively receive the pair of analog signals and convert the received analog signals into current signals each having a predetermined magnitude and phase; and frequency multipliers, which respectively convert the current signals into voltage signals each having an increased frequency compared to the frequencies of the current signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2005Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Young-Sun Chun
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Patent number: 7289932Abstract: A spatial detection apparatus comprising a rotating member having a predetermined number of teeth angularly spaced about its circumference at predetermined distances to form a bit pattern; at least one sensor capable of detecting a rising edge and a falling edge of the teeth; and a processor configured to detect at least a portion of the bit pattern based on inputs from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Bosch Rexroth CorporationInventor: Daniel Woody
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Patent number: 7219036Abstract: A method for statistically analyzing the operation of a machine for balancing articles for rotation so as to reduce measurement errors and thereby enhance productivity and quality including the steps of collecting raw data during production balancing of articles for rotation, and statistically analyzing the data to determine appropriate process control limits for prompting investigative or corrective action if a process control limit is exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies LLCInventors: Mark E. Abbotoy, Vincent J. Morgillo
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Patent number: 7143518Abstract: An angle detector with self-calibration capability has a number of first scale read heads and one second scale read head around the periphery of a single scale disk and includes means for performing self-calibration by determining measurement differences between the second scale read head and the individual first scale read heads and calculating the average thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and TechnologyInventors: Tsukasa Watanabe, Tadashi Masuda
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Patent number: 7106054Abstract: A device for sensing the rotation of a member rotating about an axis XX? comprises m proximity sensors situated in a plane perpendicular to the axis XX? and in m radial directions, m being an integer greater than or equal to 2. A mark fastened to the rotary member and eccentric to the axis XX? modifies the amplitude response of the proximity sensors when the rotary member rotates. An excitation circuit excites the proximity sensors, each sensor supplying an excitation response when it is excited. The amplitude of the excitation response of each of the sensors is compared with a comparison threshold value during a time period referred to as an observation window to supply a logic level 1 or 0 according to whether the response amplitude is greater than or less than the comparison threshold value. The movement of the mark past one of the sensors is identified as a function of the value 0 or 1 of said logic level.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Actans SASInventors: Hervé Dury, Serge Bulteau, Eric Michaud
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Patent number: 7047153Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the probable existence, location, and type of defects in a workpiece is described. The apparatus includes a sensor subsystem, an optimizer, a control subsystem, and a computer system having a processor and computer readable memory. Sensor subsystem senses a first section of the workpiece and produces signals corresponding to a physical characteristic of the workpiece. The computer system is configured to generate a workpiece model based on the signals produced by the sensor subsystem. In an alternate embodiment, a defect assembler can be provided to merge signals from a plurality of sensor subsystems. The defect assembler can also be configured to generate the workpiece data model. The optimizer is configured to generate workpiece segmentation recommendations based on the workpiece data model.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Coe Newnes/McGehee Inc.Inventors: Steve C. Woods, Michael McGuire, Harry Ogloff, Zvonimr Skocic, Emeric Johnson
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Patent number: 7009360Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling an SRM (Switched Reluctance Motor) switching angle by an analog encoder system that can perform a precise control of the switching angle of the SRM by comparing an analog sensor signal detected by the analog encoder system with a switching-on/off command signal. During a rotation of an encoder rotor having rotary slits formed at the same intervals on the encoder rotor and continuous contrast patterns formed between the respective rotary slits, analog sensor signals ?a to ?d detected in proportion to the contrast patterns are compared with a switching-on/off command signal controlled by a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter. A switching-on angle ?on is set to a crossing point of the switching-on command signal Von and a slope between the sensor signals ?a and ?o, and a switching-off angle ?off is set to a crossing point of the switching-off command signal Voff and a slope between the sensor signals ?o and ?d.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Inventors: Ahn Jin-woo, Park Seong-joon