Time Duration Or Rate Patents (Class 702/176)
  • Patent number: 8639462
    Abstract: A method of estimating the time of flight of a burst signal includes: receiving the burst signal; determining the slope of the phase characteristic of the Fourier transform of the received burst signal; and estimating the time-of-flight of the burst signal from the slope of the phase characteristic of the Fourier transform of the received burst signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Osvaldo Buccafusca
  • Publication number: 20130346022
    Abstract: A physical quantity measuring apparatus includes: a signal input module receiving an input signal having consecutive pulses; a low resolution clock signal generator generating a low resolution clock signal; a high resolution clock signal generator generating a high resolution clock signal; a gate time generator outputting gate time signals at a predetermined interval; a low resolution clock signal synchronizer generating a low resolution clock synchronization signal; a low resolution counter counting the number of rising edges of the low resolution clock signal; a high resolution clock signal generation controller outputting the high resolution clock signal as a gated clock signal; a high resolution clock signal synchronizer generating a high resolution clock synchronization signal; and a high resolution counter counting the number of rising edges of the gated clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Shinichi SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20130338964
    Abstract: A process monitoring system may include: a storage unit configured to store time-sequence data, which is output from a field device located in a plant for measuring a state quantity, and log data, which includes handing procedures performed in past; a prediction unit configured to predict a time variation of the state quantity by using the time-sequence data output from the field device; and an extraction unit configured to extract the time-sequence data similar to the time variation of the state quantity, which has been predicted by the prediction unit, from the time-sequence data, which has been stored in the storage unit, the extraction unit being configured to extract the handling procedures, which has been performed at a time, when the time-sequence data that has been extracted is obtained, from the log data that has been stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Satoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8583404
    Abstract: A photoelectric sensor comprises a control unit which performs a measuring process for data on an amount of light input from a light-receiving unit. The control unit measures the length TPS of period (from point a to point d) from when measurement data starts to change in the direction of a threshold P0 to when the amount of received light returns to the level at which the measurement data started to change, and the length TON of period (from point b to point c) for which the detection signal is ON-level. The control unit then outputs information on a margin for TPS with respect to TON on a display unit provided for the photoelectric sensor or to an external device in order to display them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyoshi Nakamura, Atsushi Iwamoto, Koji Kosaka, Susumu Mizuhara
  • Publication number: 20130282330
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for comparing event data sets. A method, system and computer program for comparing event data sets comprising: calculating one or more derivatives for each event in a first and second set of events; classifying each event by the calculated derivatives; and evaluating a similarity of the first and second sets of events based on the classifications of the respective events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Piotr Przestrzelski, Eric Thiebaut-George
  • Patent number: 8564466
    Abstract: To increase the number of analog inputs at low cost, an analog input system includes: one or more analog slave units each connected to a bus to which a CPU unit is connected, and each including an A/D-conversion device converting an analog value outputted by an external device into a first digital value, a buffer memory buffering a second digital value to be transferred to the CPU unit, and a nonvolatile storage device containing specific information of its own unit; and an analog master unit connected to the bus and including an operation section performing operation processing based on the specific information stored in the storage device with the first digital value being used as an input, to calculate the second digital value, the master unit performing on each of the slave input units the operation processing and processing of transferring the calculated second digital value to the buffer memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Hoshikawa, Shigeaki Takase
  • Patent number: 8527235
    Abstract: ID likelihoods and position likelihoods of an object are detected by a first observation device, and position likelihoods of the object and tracking states of the object are detected by a second observation device; thus, the object detected by the second observation device and the object ID are associated with each other by an association unit, and based upon information from the second observation device and the association unit, the ID likelihoods of the object detected by the second observation device are determined by a second object ID likelihood determination unit so that the object position is estimated by an object position estimation unit based upon the ID likelihoods and position likelihoods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Tanigawa
  • Publication number: 20130226518
    Abstract: A method of determining blade tip timing measurement uncertainty comprising measuring time of arrival of each of a set of blades at each of a reference set of stationary probes. A reference blade tip parameter is derived from the measurements and the position of each of the probes. A reference condition number is calculated from the position of each of the probes and each targeted engine order, and then a mean calculated. Combinations of fewer probes are determined. For each combination, a condition number is calculated and then a mean condition number is calculated. The combination means are ordered relative to the reference mean and a predetermined number of combinations are selected. A blade tip parameter is derived for the selected combinations. Finally uncertainty of the blade tip parameter for each selected combination is calculated as a percentage of the reference blade tip parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
  • Patent number: 8521472
    Abstract: A requesting critical wait time of a given resource may be determined. The requesting critical wait time is the time spent by the one or more resources waiting for the given resource, wherein at least one of the resources waiting for the given resource can proceed if access to the given resource is granted. A requested by critical wait time for a resource is determined, the requested by critical wait time being time spent by the resource for waiting solely for the given resource, wherein if the resource were granted access to the given resource, the resource can proceed without further waiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Evelyn Duesterwald, Peter K. Malkin, Peter F. Sweeney, Qiming Teng, Haichuan Wang, Xiao Zhong
  • Patent number: 8516467
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that utilizes techniques for formatting assembly and/or machine code, including using arrows, indentations and textual symbols, so that a programmer who reads the code has an enhanced understanding of the program flow. Different methods of assessing computing time complexity (e.g., the up branch method and the strongly connected subgraph method) have strengths and weaknesses but benefit from being used together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Guy, Chad Hinkle, Mark Jawad, Steve Rabin
  • Publication number: 20130211781
    Abstract: To provide a measurement apparatus and measurement method capable of shortening the measurement time, a measurement apparatus 10 includes: an acquisition section 21 that acquires the data of a plurality of slots; a setting unit 12 that sets measurement items for each slot; an additional time table 23 that stores additional time set in advance for each measurement item; a measurement period setting section 22 that sets a measurement period for measuring the data of a slot by adding additional time before and after time assigned to the slot; and a measurement section 30 that measures the characteristics of the data of the slot in a measurement period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: ANRITSU CORPORATION
    Inventor: ANRITSU CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8498818
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, an emissions calculation system calculates the emissions resulting from transporting a shipment that includes an individual or group of packages. In certain embodiments, the calculated emissions are based on estimated amounts of fuel used in the transportation process based on historical fuel usage and shipment data. In addition, various embodiments of the system generate and display (or otherwise make available) one or more reports of the calculated emissions information. For example, the reports may provide a total amount of carbon dioxide emitted for a particular shipment or group of shipments. In addition, the report may provide a breakdown of the amount of emissions resulting from various operational activities in the transportation process (e.g., resulting from pickup, delivery, and/or transportation between carrier facilities, and resulting from stationary operational activities, such as sorting or movement within each carrier facility).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Anthony Jones, Jr., Mark Matulevicus, David T. Ridley, David Guernsey
  • Patent number: 8494789
    Abstract: A method of monitoring status of an energy reserve accumulator, connected to a fluid system, includes the following successive operations once the fluid system has stabilized for pressure: measuring a first time taken by the fluid system to progress from a predetermined first pressure to a predetermined second pressure, lower than the predetermined first pressure; measuring a second time taken by the system to progress from a predetermined third pressure, lower than the predetermined second pressure, to a predetermined fourth pressure, lower than the predetermined third pressure; and comparing the first and second times to determine the status of the energy reserve accumulator. Such a method may find use for example in an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Patrick Boissonneau, Stephan Montillaud
  • Patent number: 8473247
    Abstract: Methods for monitoring processing equipment are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for monitoring processing equipment when in an idle state for a period of idle time may include selecting a test from a list of a plurality of tests to perform on the processing equipment when the processing equipment is in the idle state, wherein the test has a total run time; starting the selected test; comparing a remaining idle time of the period of idle time to a remaining run time of the total run time as the selected test is performed; and determining whether to end the selected test prior to completing the total run time in response to the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Cruse, Dermot Cantwell, Michael R. Rice, Thorsten Kril, Charles Hardy
  • Patent number: 8473248
    Abstract: A first transform unit transforms clock change point information which indicates the change timing of a clock signal into information with respect to the frequency domain thereof so as to generate first clock change point frequency information. A digital filter performs filtering of the first clock change point frequency information so as to generate second clock change point frequency information. A second transform unit inverse-transforms the second clock change point frequency information into information with respect to the time domain so as to generate second clock change point information. A judgment unit evaluates a DUT based upon difference data between the change timing represented by the data change point information and the change timing represented by the second clock change point information in increments of phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Okayasu
  • Publication number: 20130158950
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for assessing application performance. hi some embodiments, the analysis considers external factors, such as business hours, time zone, etc., to identify or recognize distinctive intervals of application performance. These distinctive intervals correspond to different periods of activity by an enterprise or business and may occur in a cyclical manner or other type of pattern. The distinctive intervals defined by external factors are employed in the analysis to improve aggregating of statistics, setting of thresholds for performance monitoring and alarms, correlating business and performance, and the modeling of application performance. The metrics measured can include, among other things, measures of CPU and memory utilization, disk transfer rates, network performance, queue depths and application module throughput. Key performance indicators, such as transaction rates and round-trip response times may also be monitored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: OPNET Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain J. COHEN, Yiping DING, Stefan ZNAM
  • Publication number: 20130158420
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for defining and parameterizing signals or system responses containing pulses of varying width. The parameters may define the signal and therefore can be equated to a compressed version of the original signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Roy Franklin Quick, JR., Ronald Eldon Crochiere, John Hyunchul Hong
  • Patent number: 8467979
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for providing information to an athlete concerning the efficiency with which the athlete is using energy in moving relative to the ground or some other surface. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of pressure sensors that are associated with a shoe and generate pressure related data. The system further includes a processing system that processes the pressure data produced by the sensors to determine energy efficiency related information and make this information available to the wearer of the shoe so that the wearer can, if needed or desired, takes steps to improve their energy efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Alluvial Joules, Inc.
    Inventor: Zbigniew S. Sobolewski
  • Patent number: 8463573
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that monitor movement of a person, or of a vehicle ridden by the person, to determine speed, distance traveled and/or airtime of the person or vehicle. Accelerometer-based sensors, pressure sensors or Doppler sensors may be employed in these systems and methods. A liquid crystal display may attach to the person to display speed, distance traveled and/or airtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Flentov, Dennis M. Darcy, Curtis A. Vock
  • Patent number: 8464089
    Abstract: A tracing apparatus for tracing operational information that is output from a plurality of processing units in relation to data processing operations, the tracing apparatus comprising for each of the processing units: a counting unit configured to obtain and output a counter value for the corresponding processing unit, the counter value obtained by counting clock signals that are input to the processing unit at an operating frequency thereof; a counter value conversion unit configured to obtain and output a converted counter value for the corresponding processing unit, the converted counter value obtained by converting the counter value based on the assumption that the processing unit has a given reference operating frequency; and an adding unit configured to acquire an operational information set from the corresponding processing unit, and to add the converted counter value to the operational information set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Watanabe, Takashi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8463578
    Abstract: A hardware based utilization metering device, and a corresponding method are used in a computer system having one or more central processor units (CPUs) to provide a measure of CPU utilization. The device includes a state indicator coupled to a CPU. The state indicator receives an indication when the CPU is in a first state, which may be a busy state. A counter coupled to the state indicator and coupled to a system clock, receives a measure of system time from the system clock and receives data related to the indication when the CPU is in the first state, and generates a counter value indicative of time the CPU is in the first state. A data usage provider coupled to the counter maintains a non-volatile value of the counter value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Edgar Circenis
  • Patent number: 8452559
    Abstract: A “density trace” according to an embodiment of the present invention is formed by measuring the density of each column of a frequency domain bitmap above a user-specified “amplitude threshold.” The density of each column equals the sum of the densities of all of the pixels in the column that are above the amplitude threshold divided by the sum of the densities of all of the pixels in the column. A density trace provides a convenient way to define and represent the occupancy for a large number of columns, and also allows density data to be quickly transmitted from one instrument or computer to another. In some embodiments, a density trace is incorporated into a trigger detector of a test and measurement instrument and used to generate a trigger signal. The trigger detector compares the density trace to a user-specified “density threshold” and generates the trigger signal when the value of any point of the density trace violates the density threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathryn A. Engholm, Alfred K. Hillman, Jr., John F. Turpin, David H. Eby
  • Patent number: 8447705
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus that generates automatically a characteristic pattern in time series data by clustering a plurality of time series subsequences generated from the time series data. The apparatus includes a time series subsequence generation unit that generates a plurality of time series subsequences from the time series data, a phase alignment unit that aligns a phase of the generated time series subsequence, a clustering unit that performs clustering of a plurality of the time series subsequences, each having a phase aligned, a storage apparatus that stores the pattern obtained by the clustering, and an output apparatus that outputs the stored pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Ryohei Fujimaki, Syunsuke Hirose, Takayuki Nakata
  • Publication number: 20130124143
    Abstract: A method for determining a value of a measured variable, which is a function of a first auxiliary measured variable and at least a second auxiliary measured variable, comprising: registering and providing a sequence of measured values of the first auxiliary measured variable over at least a first time range; providing a value of the second auxiliary measured variable, wherein the point in time of registering the provided value lies in the first time range; selecting a value of the first auxiliary measured variable from the sequence of measured values of the first auxiliary measured variable as a function of information concerning point in time of registering the provided value of the second auxiliary measured variable; and ascertaining a value of the measured variable as a function of the selected value of the first auxiliary measured variable and the value of the second auxiliary measured variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Endress + HAuser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Romuald Girardey, Roland Dieterle, Marc Schlachter
  • Patent number: 8438127
    Abstract: Provided is a mobile terminal including a movement sensor that detects a movement of a user and outputs movement information, acquires information on a building existing at a current location or information on buildings existing in a vicinity of the current location, analyses the movement information output from the movement sensor, and detects a first behavior pattern corresponding to the movement information from multiple first behavior patterns obtained by classifying behaviors performed by the user over a relatively short period of time, and analyses the information on a building or buildings and the first behavior pattern, and detects a second behavior pattern corresponding to the information on a building or buildings and the first behavior pattern from multiple second behavior patterns obtained by classifying behaviors performed by the user over a relatively long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masatomo Kurata, Makoto Murata, Takashi Ogata, Yasutaka Fukumoto, Masanori Katsu
  • Patent number: 8437983
    Abstract: A clock determination method executed by a first one of apparatuses included in a system includes receiving a list including first definite clock values of respective apparatuses, the list being circulated among the apparatuses; determining the first clock value of the first apparatus at a point in time based on a smallest of logical clock values regarding corresponding commands on which processing is not completed, the commands being included in commands received by the first apparatus and the logical clock values being obtained at a time of receiving the corresponding commands and being stored, and updating the first clock value, the updated first clock value being included in the list, by using the determined first clock value; specifying, as a second clock value for the system, a smallest of the first clock values included in the updated list; and transmitting the updated list to a second one of the apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiromichi Kobashi, Yuichi Tsuchimoto, Miho Murata, Nobutaka Imamura, Toshiaki Saeki, Yasuo Yamane, Hiroki Moue
  • Patent number: 8433539
    Abstract: Status monitoring of a wind turbine is automatically performed, and evaluation of that status is quantitatively performed according to an appropriate criterion. Provided is a wind turbine monitoring device including a first storage unit in which a diagnostic data file is stored; a second storage unit in which a normal data file is stored; a diagnostics setting unit that that extracts and sets a plurality of datasets to be used in diagnosis from the first storage unit and that extracts and sets a plurality of datasets to be used in diagnosis from the second storage unit; an index-value calculating unit that calculates status index values representing the status of the wind turbine using a statistical calculation method, on the basis of the set datasets in the diagnostic data file and the datasets in the reference data file; a fault determining unit that evaluates the status of the wind turbine on the basis of the status index values; and a notification unit that notifies the result of this evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Ishioka, Yasuyuki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20130096847
    Abstract: Data for a plurality of samples collected by an LC/MS, GC/MS or other systems are converted into a two-dimensional table format without losing information and with a light load, thereby allowing a multivariate analysis processing to be efficiently performed. After LC/MS data on a plurality of samples are obtained and the respective extracted ion chromatograms (XICs) are created (S1 and S2), the correction of the retention-time difference, the waveform processing and the like are performed (S3 and S4), followed by the creation of a one-dimensional table in which the signal-strength values are arranged for each XIC. Then, one-dimensional tables of a plurality of XICs for one sample are joined together in order of m/z value to create an elongate one-dimensional table (S5). The elongate one-dimensional tables of a plurality of samples are arranged in another dimensional direction to obtain a two-dimensional table (S6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinichi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8423322
    Abstract: The invention comprises systems and methods for evaluating changes in the operational efficiency of an HVAC system over time. The climate control system obtains temperature measurements from at least a first location conditioned by the climate system, and status of said HVAC system. One or more processors receives measurements of outside temperatures from at least one source other than said HVAC system and compares said temperature measurements from said first location with expected temperature measurements. The expected temperature measurements are based at least in part upon past temperature measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: EcoFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: John Douglas Steinberg, Scott Douglas Hublou
  • Patent number: 8412488
    Abstract: The invention comprises systems and methods for estimating the rate of change in temperature inside a structure. At least one thermostat located is inside the structure and is used to control an climate control system in the structure. At least one remote processor is in communication with said thermostat and at least one database stores data reported by the thermostat. At least one processor compares the outside temperature at least one location and at least one point in time to information reported to the remote processor from the thermostat. The processor uses the relationship between the inside temperature and the outside temperature to determine whether the climate control system is “on” or “off”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: EcoFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: John Douglas Steinberg, Scott Douglas Hublou
  • Publication number: 20130080114
    Abstract: In particular embodiments, a method includes accessing a first binary decision diagram (BDD) representing data streams from sensors, selecting portions from the first BDD based on ease-of-analysis, and constructing a plurality of sub-BDDs by partitioning the first BDD, wherein the sub-BDDs comprises a first sub-BDD representing the selected portions, and second sub-BDDs representing the non-selected portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Stergios Stergiou, Jawahar Jain
  • Patent number: 8407221
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention related to a method and system for finding a distance between a plurality of time series, wherein each individual time series in the plurality of time series including a data, wherein the data is uncertain, and using such distance computed in business applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karin Murthy, Smruti Ranjan Sarangi
  • Patent number: 8400309
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring compliance with a hygiene protocol is disclosed. The movement of person within or otherwise associated with a facility may be tracked and hygiene requirements may be imposed based on the movement. In monitoring hygiene compliance, a number of hygiene levels may be defined that are associated with difference hygiene requirements. A hygiene level may be associated with an individual and that level may be raised or lowered based on hygiene related activity associated with the individual. An individual's hygiene level and/or his compliance with multi-level hygiene requirements may be tracked through the use of monitored hygiene stations and/or location tracking stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Resurgent Health & Medical, LLC
    Inventors: James Glenn, Paul R. Barnhill, Timothy Prodanovich, Thomas M. Johannsen, Stephan Jerome Heim, Douglas W. Swartz
  • Patent number: 8387460
    Abstract: A vibration dosimeter (2) for determining the vibrational loading of people includes a determination device (6) for determining the operating period duration, a calculation device (6) for calculating the permitted work time as a function of a tool-specific characteristic vibration value, a comparison device (6) for comparing the effective operating period duration with the permitted work time, and an interface (3) for reading in the characteristic vibration value from the tool (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Roth, Andreas Strasser
  • Patent number: 8392138
    Abstract: The frequency-sampling method is widely used to accommodate nonlinear electromagnetic source tuning in swept-wavelength interferometric techniques, such as optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) and swept-wavelength optical coherence tomography (OCT). Two sources of sampling errors are associated with the frequency-sampling method. One source of error is the limit of an underlying approximation for long interferometer path mismatches and fast electromagnetic source tuning rates. A second source of error is transmission delays in data acquisition hardware. Aspects of the invention relate to a method and system for correcting sampling errors in swept-wavelength interferometry systems such that the two error sources correct sampling errors associated with the first radiation path and the second radiation path cancel to second order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Eric D. Moore, Robert R. McLeod
  • Patent number: 8386120
    Abstract: A method for automatically determining an engine oil change frequency at an engine control unit includes the steps of determining an amount of fuel used per oil change, and calculating an amount of fuel remaining from the fuel used per oil change. The method also includes the steps of comparing the amount of fuel remaining to a predetermined amount of fuel remaining, and actuating an oil change indicator if the fuel remaining is less than the predetermined amount of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC.
    Inventor: Randall L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8378698
    Abstract: A testing apparatus includes a test controller configured to output a plurality of chip selection signals for selecting chips to be tested from among a plurality of chips, a plurality of first control signals for controlling supply of a power supply voltage to the chips selected by the chip selection signals, and a plurality of second control signals for controlling receiving of test voltages output from the chips supplied with the power supply voltage, and a probe card including one or more test blocks each having a plurality of signal transmitters configured to respectively transfer the power supply voltage to the corresponding chips in response to the different first control signals and respectively apply the test voltages output from the corresponding chips to the test controller in response to the different second control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Young Choi, Chang-Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 8370100
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention have the technical effect of determining when to test an overspeed protection system of a powerplant machine. As described herein, embodiments of the present invention may be applied to a wide variety of powerplant machines, each comprising a shaft. After determining that test of the overspeed protection system should be performed, embodiments of the present invention may allow for a variety of methods to test the overspeed protection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frederick William Block, Richard Lee Nichols, Joseph Robert Law, Bret Stephen Dalton, George Allen Ellis
  • Patent number: 8369966
    Abstract: A network having a plurality of subscribers has at least one message transmitter and at least one message receiver. The at least one message transmitter sends messages at predefined time intervals. The message receiver receives the messages at the predefined time intervals. A delay time of the messages is monitored on the basis of time outs. In addition, at least one of the subscribers repeatedly estimates a current delay time using a time measurement between sending out a request message and receiving a response message. The estimated delay time is compared with a predefined threshold value. If the estimated delay time exceeds the defined threshold value, an error signal is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Holzaepfel, Reinhard Sperrer, Stefan Woehrle, Klaus Wohnhaas
  • Patent number: 8370092
    Abstract: A method of associating chronological time with energy consumption includes a step of storing in a utility meter a plurality of energy consumption values, each energy consumption value corresponding to a time interval of a first type. The method also includes obtaining from a source external to the utility meter chronological time information regarding at least one of the plurality of energy consumption values. The method further includes associating each of the energy consumption values with a time interval of the second type, each time interval of the second type associated with at least one chronological time value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr, Inc.
    Inventor: Warren T. Martin
  • Publication number: 20130004268
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention discloses cleaned storage processes and systems for high level cleanliness articles, such as extreme ultraviolet (EUV) reticle carriers. A decontamination chamber can be used to clean the stored workpieces. A purge gas system can be used to prevent contamination of the articles stored within the workpieces. A robot can be used to detect the condition of the storage compartment before delivering the workpiece. A monitor device can be used to monitor the conditions of the stocker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Dynamic Micro Systems, Semiconductor Equipment GmbH
    Inventor: Lutz Rebstock
  • Patent number: 8347123
    Abstract: Exemplary techniques for turning off the clock signal to flip flops are described, which may reduce power consumption by electronic devices. In an implementation, a clock-gating logic turns off the clock signal to a flip flop when a data input of the flip flop remains untoggled. The reduction in power consumption is envisioned to also reduce heat generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Thomas Schultz
  • Patent number: 8346505
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining which one or more time series parameters of a plurality of time series parameters relating to operation of a system are correlated with a first operation state of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: European Space Agency
    Inventors: José Antonio Martinez-Heras, Alessandro Donati, Kar Lam Yeung
  • Patent number: 8340924
    Abstract: A method is provided for precisely predicting the temporal variation of a membranous filtration resistance, a transmembrane pressure, a membranous filtration flowrate, or a membranous filtration flowrate as occurs in filtrating a liquid with a membrane, in a membranous filtration method wherein the liquid is filtrated by the separation membrane with the transmembrane pressure as a driving force. The method includes calculating: a constituent component quantity value of the liquid that attaches on a surface of the separation membrane at a time t+?t; a constituent component quantity value of the liquid that exists in pores of the separation membrane; a consolidation degree of a constituent component of the liquid that attaches on the separation membrane surface; a membranous filtration resistance value; a transmembrane pressure value; and a membranous filtration flowrate value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigehisa Hanada, Hiroo Takabatake
  • Publication number: 20120323527
    Abstract: A method for determining a parameter representative of the state of vigilance of a vehicle driver, on the basis of information, termed TLC values, representative of the residual time before the vehicle crosses a traffic line, includes, at each instant t0 of measurement of a TLC value, calculating an indicator parameter representing the state of vigilance PerTLC(t0) such that: PerTLC ? ( t ? ? 0 ) = ? ? M ? ? I ? ? N ? M ? ? AX ? PerTLC ? ( W ? ( ? ) , ? ) ? ? ? with: PerTLC(W(?),?)=percentage of time during which the TLC value is below a threshold ? in a time window W(?), [?min-?max] determined range of values ? expressed in units of time and W(?) monotonic function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE
    Inventor: Bertrand Godreau
  • Publication number: 20120323496
    Abstract: Example embodiments may relate systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media configured to process input specifying a user attribute, adjust a performance zone based on the user attribute, receive data generated by at least one of an accelerometer and a force sensor, determine whether the data is within the performance zone, and output the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon S. Burroughs, Richard J. Engelberg, Jordan M. Rice, Bob Sweet, Aaron B. West, Wade Convay
  • Publication number: 20120310427
    Abstract: Automatically determining issues associated with a photovoltaic (PV) system. Information regarding the PV system may be stored. The information may include logical information regarding a logical configuration of the PV system and physical information regarding a physical layout of the PV system. Measurement data regarding the PV system may be received. The measurement data regarding the PV system may be automatically analyzed using the logical information and the physical information. An indication of any issues determined by said analyzing may be automatically provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: B. Jeffery Williams, Raymond A. Burgess, Wilbur L. Dublin, III, John W. Merritt
  • Publication number: 20120310545
    Abstract: A measuring device electronics comprises a processor and two clock signal generators. One clock signal generator serves for producing a working clock signal, and also for producing a reference clock signal which is dependant on the working clock signal. The other clock signal generator, serves for producing a second reference clock signal, which is independent of the working clock signal. Based on the two independent reference clock signals, a frequency difference, can, to the extent that such is present, be ascertained during operation of the measuring device electronics or of the measuring device formed therewith. The frequency difference, represents a difference between the instantaneous clocking frequency of the first reference clock signal and the instantaneous clocking frequency of the second reference clock signal, and, in this respect, represents a measure for a deviation of an instantaneous clocking frequency, from the nominally predetermined clocking frequency, of the working clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drahm, Gernot Engstler, Hans Pohl, Christian Matt, Robert Lalla, Matthias Brudermann
  • Patent number: 8311680
    Abstract: A method of setting a demand threshold is provided. A control unit arranges a plurality of demand data in a descending or an ascending order as a curve. The control unit connects a maximum demand datum and a minimum demand datum with a line. The control unit sets a demand datum with a longest perpendicular distance to the line as a demand threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wen-Hsiang Tseng, Cheng-Ting Lin
  • Patent number: 8301412
    Abstract: A method includes defining a hierarchy associated with a test system including a plurality of test units for testing integrated circuit devices. At least some of the test units have a plurality of sockets. The hierarchy includes a first level including a first plurality of entities each associated with one of the sockets and at least a second level including a second plurality of entities each associated with a grouping of the sockets. State data associated with operational states of the sockets is received. A set of state metrics is generated for each entity at each level of the hierarchy based on the state data. Each set of state metrics identifies time spent in the operational states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Eric O. Green, Morgan R. Bickle, Yeo-Ming Sk Koh