Time Duration Or Rate Patents (Class 702/176)
  • Patent number: 7499831
    Abstract: An integrated circuit 1 comprises a timing closure monitoring circuit 2. The timing closure monitoring circuit 2 comprises a duplicate path 19, having the same characteristics as a logic path 3 being monitored. The duplicate path 19 receives a pulsed reference signal 23 from a reference generating unit (RGU) 24. The pulsed reference signal 23 is synchronized with the clock signal 13, and passed through the duplicate path 19 to a reference checking unit (RCU) 25. In a normal mode of operation in which timing closure is guaranteed, the clock signal 13 will sample the pulsed reference signal 23, such that no interrupt signal is generated on the interrupt line 33. However, in the situation where the reference check unit 25 is clocked by the clock signal 13 prior to the pulsed reference signal 23 being received via the duplicate path 19, an interrupt signal is generated on the interrupt line 33, indicating that timing closure cannot be guaranteed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Francesco Pessolano, Bob Bernardus Anthonius Theunissen
  • Publication number: 20090055125
    Abstract: A method for testing the accuracy of real time clocks is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: setting test parameters for testing the accuracy of real time clocks (RTCs), the test parameters comprising a test time length, a test time sampling interval, and an acceptable margin; synchronizing the time of an RTC IC and an RTC to be tested via a UUT; reading a current time of the RTC IC and the RTC via the UUT at each test time sampling interval; calculating a time difference between the current time of the RTC IC and the RTC via the UUT, and measuring whether the absolute value of the time difference is less than the acceptable margin; detecting whether the test time length is over; repeating the test process if the test time length is not over, or outputting test pass information if the test time length is over. A related system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: MING-SHIU OU YANG, WEI-YUAN CHEN
  • Publication number: 20090048804
    Abstract: An extremely low overhead method calculates CPU load in the presence of both CPU idling and frequency scaling. The method measures time the CPU is idled while waiting for a wakeup. This invention uses a feature in current DSPs with the capability of delaying ISR processing on wake from IDLE. Using this mechanism it is possible to determine the time before IDLE, the time immediately following CPU wakeup, and then run the wakeup ISR. The delta time can be accumulated and compared to total time to determine true CPU load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Scott Paul Gary
  • Patent number: 7487065
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems, and products are described for executing an overall quantity of data processing within an overall processing period that include executing repeatedly through a series of iterations a portion of the overall quantity of data processing that can be completed in a set processing period, wherein each iteration includes the set processing period and a variable delay period and calculating the variable delay period for an iteration in dependence upon the set processing period, a portion of the overall quantity of data processing performed during the set processing period of the iteration, the overall quantity of data processing, and the overall processing period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy David Armstrong, Naresh Nayar, Gary Ross Ricard
  • Patent number: 7483810
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a system operating in real-time includes monitoring the system for a triggering event or events, recording data about the system to a first memory in real time prior to and/or for a set time subsequent to when the triggering event occurs, and sending the stored data from the first memory to a second memory or an interface for retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Louis R. Jackson, Randy W. Hostettler
  • Patent number: 7478011
    Abstract: Data signals received in an integrated circuit are coupled to a receiver and to an on-chip data acquisition system which takes measurement samples of the data signal in response to a measurement request. The measurement request is synchronized with an asynchronous sample clock signal generating a capture signal and a counter reset signal. A counter measures the number of sample clock cycles between measurement requests. On receipt of a measurement request, the capture signal triggers the storage, as capture data, the preset number of cycles in the counter and the measurement samples in a register. The counter is synchronously reset and the capture data is sent to off-chip storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Fadi H. Gebara, Jeremy D. Schaub
  • Publication number: 20090006032
    Abstract: First and second devices (7, 8) are configured to transmit and receive signals wirelessly and have first and second clocks respectively for determining signal transmission and arrival times. The first device transmits first and second signals (9, 10) and the second device transmits a third signal (11). By introducing a delay into the first signal, a thief may be able to fool the devices into thinking that they are closer than they really are. To help identify if a delay has been introduced into the first signal, the first device calculates a ratio of clock rates for the first and second clocks and determines whether the calculated ratio falls within a predefined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Martin S. Wilcox, Frank Boeh
  • Patent number: 7467060
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a motion parameter corresponding to a subject element employs one or more accelerometers operable to measure accelerations and a processing system operable to generate a motion parameter metric utilizing the acceleration measurements and estimate the motion parameter using the motion parameter metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kulach, James K. Rooney, Paul R. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 7460012
    Abstract: RF sensors acquire and store RF data in memory. One RF sensor generates a trigger signal when the RF sensor detects a feature of interest in its acquired RF data. The detecting RF sensor wirelessly transmits the trigger signal to the non-detecting RF sensor. The non-detecting RF sensor reads the appropriate RF data from its memory in response to receipt of the trigger signal. The non-detecting RF sensor accesses the appropriate RF data using a time of day when the trigger signal is received and a predetermined time offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mutsuya Ii
  • Patent number: 7454310
    Abstract: Provided is a system and method for calculating a time duration for a process or portion of a process. A timing interval based upon a single business process view can function regardless of multiple execution process paths. The claimed subject matter separates the business process definition from the execution process definition such that tracking points, which do not depend upon any particular execution process definition, may be inserted into the business process. Also provided is a timing interval calculation based upon two or more tracking points corresponding to a start point of the timing interval and/or two or more tracking points corresponding to an ending point of the timing interval. A user can arbitrarily select timing point within a process and employ those timing points to collect data and populate reports in a manner that is zero-code, i.e. does not require the user to write computer code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Lombardi Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Moffat, Damion Heredia, Phil Gilbert, Petko Chobantonov, Daniela Chobantonova, Morten Moeller, Chris Miles, Scott Bonneau
  • Publication number: 20080275670
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems and methods for detecting, calculating, and displaying the time-of-flight or hang-time of a moving and jumping object such as a skier or snowboarder by using at least one accelerometer secured within a small wearable device. In one embodiment, the device comprises: a static acceleration detection means for detecting the static acceleration of the object over at least first, second, and-third periods of time as the object respectively moves, jumps in at least first, second, and third trajectories, and lands at least first, second, and third times along the surface thereby defining at least respective first, second, and third time-of-flight events; a calculating means for determining the approximate time-of-flight of the object during the first, second, and third time-of-flight events; and a display means for displaying in a readable format the approximate time-of-flights associated with the first, second, and third time-of-flight events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Drop Zone Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Michael Alexander
  • Publication number: 20080275671
    Abstract: Arrangements and methods for performing structural clustering between different time series. Time series data relating to a plurality of time series is accepted, structural features relating to the time series data are ascertained, and at least one distance between different time series via employing the structural features is determined. The different time series may be partitioned into clusters based on the at least one distance, and/or the k closest matches to a given time series query based on the at least one distance may be returned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vittorio Castelli, Michail Vlachos, Philip S. Yu
  • Publication number: 20080262791
    Abstract: A life estimating method for a heater wire, which can estimate the life of the heater wire more appropriately than conventional one, by utilizing data obtained during a period (e.g., a temperature rising period), in which a sign of disconnection of the heater wire is likely to be seen, upon estimating the life in advance before the heater wire used in a heating apparatus is disconnected. This method comprises the steps of: detecting a maximum value of magnitude of electric power supplied to the heater wire during the temperature rising period provided for elevating the temperature up to a heating temperature, by supplying the electric power to the heater wire prior to providing a heating process to a wafer or wafers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Nobutoshi Terasawa, Minoru Obata, Noriaki Koyama
  • Patent number: 7437265
    Abstract: A method for designing a measurement/control system that enables a system designer to explicitly specify the portions of a measurement/control system that are subject to a set of time constraints and the portions of the measurement/control system that are not directly subject to the set of time constraints. A method according to the present teachings includes determining an HRT/SRT boundary between a hard real-time (HRT) portion of a measurement/control system and a soft real-time (SRT) portion of the measurement/control system and determining a buffer for the HTR/SRT boundary in response to a set of time constraints associated with the HRT portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Eidson
  • Patent number: 7437266
    Abstract: A time-series data analyzing apparatus which extracts a composite factor time-series pattern from time-series data. The apparatus includes a dividing device which divides the time-series data into pattern generation time-series data and pattern inspection time-series data which do not include pattern generation time-series data. A first generating device generates a transitional pattern including a support time data indicating a transition of support time and having a transition occurrence probability higher than a minimum occurrence probability in the pattern generation time-series data. A second generating device generates frequently appearing integrated transitional patterns. A second computing device computes cause-and-effect strength of each of the frequently appearing integrated transitional patterns using the pattern inspection time-series data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ken Ueno, Ryohei Orihara, Youichi Kitahara
  • Patent number: 7430492
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device and method for checking the state of an accumulator with energy reserve that is connected to a fluid system. According to the invention, the fluid system is first of all pressurized and this fluid is maintained at an operating pressure PF for at least a time ? so as to ensure the stabilization of this fluid system. Then the pressurisation of the fluid system is stopped and the time ?t taken by the system to pass from a predetermined pressure P1 to a predetermined pressure P2, with P2<P1<PF, is determined. This period ?t is compared with a predetermined reference time Tref.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventors: Yann Nicolas, Jean-Michel Pascual, Cedric Tallot, Nicolas Dubois
  • Patent number: 7430493
    Abstract: To provide a method of correcting time of event trace data which is capable of correcting a deviation in starting time for collection of trace data. A difference in clock running rate between machines is obtained as a clock skew value by carrying out communications among a plurality of machines to be corrected a plurality of times and by storing operations of each operation as trace data and a required period of time for communications using trace data of a plurality of machines based on data on time when communications are performed and on a required period of time for communications. A time stamp value is corrected by using the obtained clock skew value so that operations of the time stamp coincide with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Horikawa
  • Patent number: 7428471
    Abstract: A user in locomotion on foot during an outing may identify a grade of a surface with at least one device supported by the user. A performance parameter of the user may be determined with the device based upon the grade of the surface, which may be based upon a measured physiological parameter of the user. An average foot contact time and an average pace of a user during a first outing may be identified and a relationship between them may be determined. No other average foot contact times or average paces identified during a different outing may be used to define the relationship. A single user-specific calibration contestant may define a relationship between foot contact times of a user and corresponding paces of the user, wherein no other user-specific calibration constants are used to define the relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Darley, Thomas P. Blackadar
  • Patent number: 7428472
    Abstract: A device supported by a user while the user is in locomotion on foot during an outing may monitor a performance parameter of the user. The performance parameter may comprise a pace and/or a speed of the user. Prior to the outing, the device may be configured to specify a first interval and second interval, corresponding to a first and second performance zone, respectively, for the outing. Each performance zone may be different from one another and each zone may comprise one of a zone of paces and a zone of speeds. During the first interval, an action may be taken with the device in response to determining that the monitored performance parameter has fallen outside of the first performance zone. During the second interval, an action may be taken with the device in response to determining that the monitored performance parameter has fallen outside the second performance zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Darley, Thomas P. Blackadar
  • Publication number: 20080221830
    Abstract: A system including an inference engine and a query interface. The inference engine predicts a duration for at least one event of a perioperative workflow using one or more models. Each model includes at least one model instance. The query interface queries the at least one model instance, and the inference engine generates the predicted duration responsive to the query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: ENTELECHY HEALTH SYSTEMS L.L.C. C/O PERIOPTIMUM
    Inventor: Hakan Mehmet Ilkin
  • Patent number: 7424374
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing flow of a substance in a sewer system determines a first flow velocity at a first location and a second flow velocity at a second location. Using a processor, the travel time between the two locations is determined using only the flow velocities and a constant. The travel time may then be used to provide a substantially accurate determination of net flow between the two locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: ADS, LLC
    Inventors: James S. Schutzbach, Patrick L. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7424390
    Abstract: A method for testing the time delay error ratio ER of a device against a maximal allowable time delay error ratio ERlimit with an early pass and/or early fail criterion, whereby the early pass and/or early fail criterion is allowed to be wrong only by a small probability D. ns time delays TD of the device are measured, thereby ne bad time delays of these ns time delays TD are detected. PDhigh and/or PDlow are obtained, whereby PDhigh is the worst possible likelihood distribution and PDlow is the best possible likelihood distribution containing the measured ne bad time delays with the probability D. The average numbers of erroneous bits NEhigh and NElow for PDhigh and PDlow are obtained. NEhigh and NElow are compared with NElimit=ERlimit ns. If NElimit is higher than NEhigh or NElimit is lower than NElow the test is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Maucksch
  • Patent number: 7423937
    Abstract: A digital time converter with an embodiment including a coarse measuring circuit and a fine measuring circuit. The fine measuring circuit allows an accurate determination of the temporal position of an event inside a period of the time base, by interpolation or averaging of sinusoids in quadrature, sampled coincidentally with a burst of impulses generated by the converter's triggering circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Bolli, Jean-Francois Goumaz
  • Publication number: 20080208526
    Abstract: A strategy is described for identifying anomalies in time-series data. The strategy involves dividing the time-series data into a plurality of collected data segments and then using a modeling technique to fit local models to the collected data segments, Large deviations of the time-series data from the local models are indicative of anomalies In one approach, the modeling technique can use an absolute value (L1) measure of error value for all of the collected data segments. In another approach, the modeling technique can use the L1 measure for only those portions of the time-series data that are projected to be anomalous. The modeling technique can use a squared-term (L2) measure of error value for normal portions of the time-series data. In another approach, the modeling technique can use an iterative expectation-maximization strategy in applying the L1 and L2 measures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Romain J. Thibaux, Emre M. Kiciman, David A. Maltz, John C. Platt
  • Publication number: 20080197843
    Abstract: MR based molecular imaging is strongly supported by the accurate quantification of contrast agents. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a determination unit of an examination apparatus is adapted for determining an error propagation function, wherein the error propagation function is then used as a weighting function for an accurate determination Of AR2*. This leads to an improved examination result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V.
    Inventors: Hannes Dahnke, Tobias Schäffter
  • Publication number: 20080197835
    Abstract: “The application relates to a method and device for measuring the propagation time of capacitive or inductive fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Gerd Reime
  • Patent number: 7411867
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing a composite clock signal with optimized stability characteristics from individual clocks which have different stabilities or variances. The composite clock signal includes weighted individual clock signals. In a first (PPN) case, an optimum composite clock is a scale-factor-weighted linear combination of clock signals. In another (non-PPN) case, the optimum stable composite clock is the output of a linear filter of the input clocks signals. Both the phases and frequencies of the individual clocks over time are estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen R. McReynolds
  • Publication number: 20080189055
    Abstract: A system and method of calculating chemical usage during a refilling of a supply tank, which includes the steps of providing a chemical system having a first supply tank of known capacity, wherein the tank is mounted upon an electronic scale. The scale is capable of generating a series of signals related to the weight of the tank when empty and at various levels of fill. A system controller receives a series of signals from the scale relating to the weight of the tank when empty and at various levels of fill. The first supply tank is filled from a source of chemical feed and the fill time for the filling of the first supply tank is obtained. The system controller inputs the series of signals from the scale relating to the weight of the tank when empty and at various levels of fill and calculates a usage during refilling based on a feed rate times the fill time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Force Flow
    Inventors: Mark B. Nelson, Dannie Ray Barger
  • Patent number: 7398180
    Abstract: A vehicle technician time clock tool comprises a computer-implemented interface to a database, wherein the database contains vehicle service task-related information and time-related information, the vehicle service task-related information and time-related information pertaining to at least one vehicle technician, and a computer-implemented graphical user display (GUI), wherein the GUI displays in real time at least some of the vehicle service task-related information, at least some of the time-related information, and at least one calculation based on at least some of the time-related information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler Trucks North America LLC
    Inventors: Tom D. DeBoard, Paul Adams, Frank Fox
  • Patent number: 7395175
    Abstract: A digital data recording apparatus, which can record the exact acquisition time of data, a sampling data identification method thereof, and a program for identifying sampling data, are provided. A CPU 11 reads out the program of a first conversion formula. The CPU 11 uses the first conversion formula to convert a time series of detection temperature data into a time series of actual oscillation frequencies f? of a reference clock signal. At a subsequent step, the CPU 11 calculates the respective normal sampling timings employing the current time as a reference time by dividing a time series of count values by each of the actual oscillation frequencies f? corresponding to the respective count values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignees: National University Corporation Nagoya University, Macome Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuneo Yamauchi, Iwao Fujii, Akane Mandokoro, Masayoshi Kuroyanagi
  • Patent number: 7395181
    Abstract: Tracking a motion of a body by obtaining two types of measurements associated with the motion of the body, one of the types including acoustic measurement. An estimate of either an orientation or a position of the body is updated based on one of the two types of measurement, for example based on inertial measurement. The estimate is then updated based on the other of the two types of measurements, for example based on acoustic ranging. The invention also features determining range measurement to selected reference devices that are fixed in the environment of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Eric M. Foxlin
  • Publication number: 20080154525
    Abstract: A computer program for performing a method of providing a parameter estimate from noisy data with aperiodic data arrival. The parameter of the measurement is estimated as a numerator divided by the denominator. The method involves setting a fixed time interval and then waiting for the time interval to expire or for a measurement to occur. If a measurement occurs before the time interval expires the numerator is estimated as a previous numerator plus the new measurement, and the denominator is estimated as a previous denominator plus one. Regardless of whether the measurement occurs or the time interval expires the numerator is estimated as a previous numerator times a step size and the denominator is estimated as a previous denominator times a step size. The method can be applied to numerous applications including assessing data temperature and predicting I/O response times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Frazier
  • Publication number: 20080140344
    Abstract: A system LSI including a semiconductor chip which receives power from a power supply, and an electronic timer which measures a time from an interruption of power supplying to the semiconductor chip to a resumption of power supplying to the semiconductor chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroshi Watanabe, Atsuhiro Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7379842
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to systems and methods for detecting, calculating, and displaying the time-of-flight or hang-time of a moving and jumping object such as a skier or snowboarder by using at least one accelerometer secured within a small wearable device. In one embodiment, the inventive device comprises: a static acceleration detection means for detecting the static acceleration of the object over at least first, second, and-third periods of time as the object respectively moves, jumps in at least first, second, and third trajectories, and lands at least first, second, and third times along the surface thereby defining at least respective first, second, and third time-of-flight events; a calculating means for determining the approximate time-of-flight of the object during the first, second, and third time-of-flight events; and a display means for displaying in a readable format the approximate time-of-flights associated with the first, second, and third time-of-flight events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Drop Zone Corp.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Michael Alexander
  • Patent number: 7379395
    Abstract: A time measurement system that uses two signals generated by direct digital synthesis. The generated signals have the same frequency but different phase. One signal is used to identify the start of the measurement interval and the other signal is used to identify a measurement window in which a signal indicating the end of the measured interval might be detected. The time measurement system is used as part of a time domain reflectometry (TDR) system. An incident pulse is synchronized to the first signal and launched down on a line. In the measurement window, the signal on the line is compared to a threshold value to determine whether the pulse has been reflected and traveled back to the source. By iteratively repeating the measurement with a different measurement window, the time of arrival of the reflected pulse can be determined. This time domain reflectometry approach is incorporated into automatic test equipment for testing semiconductor devices and is used to calibrate the test equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Gage, Jacob Alvin Salmi
  • Patent number: 7369961
    Abstract: Arrangements and methods for performing structural clustering between different time series. Time series data relating to a plurality of time series is accepted, structural features relating to the time series data are ascertained, and at least one distance between different time series via employing the structural features is determined. The different time series may be partitioned into clusters based on the at least one distance, and/or the k closest matches to a given time series query based on the at least one distance may be returned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vittorio Castelli, Michail Vlachos, Philip S. Yu
  • Publication number: 20080103715
    Abstract: An operating condition monitoring apparatus includes a load-time information acquisition unit 203 obtaining load-time information, of one or more production apparatuses 11, concerning load time allocated to production within a predetermined period, an operating-time information acquisition unit 204 obtaining operating-time information, of one or more production apparatuses 11, concerning operating time that is operable time for the production apparatuses within the predetermined period, an individual operating-rate calculation unit 205 calculating an individual operating rate of one or more production apparatuses 11 by dividing the operating time indicated in the operating-time information by the load time indicated in the load-time information, and an output unit 213 outputting the individual operating rate, in order to identify the production apparatus causing the stoppage of a production line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Manabu Tsuda, Toru Fujii
  • Publication number: 20080082293
    Abstract: A method comprises a receiving system computing a time difference between a current time and a time that a last sync message was received from a sending system. If such a time difference meets or exceeds a first threshold, the method further comprises generating an alert (e.g., visual alert, audible alert, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventor: Roland M. Hochmuth
  • Patent number: 7345781
    Abstract: A preflight time estimator for a printing workflow is provided. An estimated preflight time is determined by analyzing a plurality of previously measured preflight times. The analysis may include tracking and analyzing at least one preflight attribute of a plurality of print jobs. The preflight time estimator may comprise a computer readable media including computer executable instructions for calculating the estimated preflight time. A printer configured to execute the instructions of the computer readable media is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Orhan E. Beckman, Jennifer L. Farrell, Robert D. Walton
  • Patent number: 7343263
    Abstract: An electronic timer having a parallel unit, a current detecting unit, and a time measuring unit. The parallel unit is formed of a plurality of aging devices connected in parallel and configured to be turned on or off for a predetermined time after storing electric charges. Each aging device is a transistor which includes a floating gate. The current detecting unit detects a sum current flowing in the parallel unit when a voltage is applied between input and output terminals of the parallel unit. The time measuring unit measures a time required to resume the supplying of power after the interruption of power supplying, from the sum current detected by the current detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroshi Watanabe, Atsuhiro Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7340367
    Abstract: A fan control apparatus and method to reduce the temperature in an equipment body by a time control when setting a stop period constant at the start by adding a time axis fan control by means of a temperature sensor. The fan control apparatus includes a temperature sensor that detects the temperature in the equipment body; a CPU and a sub-microcomputer perform the control of the cooling fans according to the detected temperature value. The CPU performs communication with a server connected to the equipment body via a network, and the CPU and sub-microcomputer perform the control of the cooling fans according to the time value based on a previous communication start and the present communication start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Inoue, Toshiaki Notsuyu
  • Patent number: 7337082
    Abstract: A measurement instrument includes a measurement value acquiring portion for acquiring a measurement value in a predetermined period, and a measurement timing acquiring portion for acquiring measurement timing information. The measurement timing information is a measurement start timing, and the measurement timing information is added to the measurement value acquired in a predetermined period, corresponding to elapsed timing information which is calculated from the measurement period, based on the measurement start timing. In addition, a plurality of the measurement values added by the measurement timing information are digitally outputted collectively. In addition, an identification number of an applicable measurement instrument which number is owned by the measurement instrument is further added to the measurement value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Shimada, Masahiro Kawachi
  • Publication number: 20080046206
    Abstract: A Apparatus for Digital measurement of Quick break voltage and Magnetic pulse duration with microcontroller performs detection and measurement of both shot time (pulse duration) and quick break voltage, absolute value circuit makes detection polarity insensitive, allowing the magnetic pick up probe to be oriented either way in the customer's magnetizing unit coil, precision analog to digital convertor allows software peak detection of quick break voltage under software control of microcontroller, precision timebase of microcontroller allows accurate shot time (pulse duration) measurement, magnetic pick up probe serves as the input transducer for the for the noise free measurement of both shot time and quick break voltage, and microcontroller provides input blanking to ensure capturing the correct voltage spike for quick break voltage detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Gregory James Falk
  • Patent number: 7333918
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing reliability data from a plant to dynamically calculate an expended life for a selected part. A system is provided that includes a central database for storing service data for different parts of a unit within the plant, wherein the service data includes installation data and a service history of the different parts; a data collection engine for dynamically collecting operational data from the plant in a near real-time manner, wherein the operational data is collected, processed and stored independently from the central database; and a lifetime calculation engine for implementing a lifetime calculation equation for the selected part, wherein the lifetime calculation equation utilizes the service data and the operational data to determine the expended life of the selected part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Strategic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Garth Burrill, Thomas Christiansen, Salvatore A. DellaVilla, Jr., Kevin Dunn, Robert Steele, Jr., David Turpin
  • Patent number: 7333915
    Abstract: A signal conditioning arrangement includes a sensor arrangement for sensing a measured quantity and for outputting an output signal having a first or a second logical signal state based on the measured quantity, and means for generating an evaluating impulse if the logical signal state of the output signal does not change for a maximum predetermined time duration, and which are further formed to allocate a first or a second pulse signal state, which differs from the signal state of the output signal which the output signal has during the predefined time duration, to the evaluating impulse. Furthermore, the signal conditioning arrangement includes means for combining the output signal and the evaluating impulse, with means for providing being formed to provide a conditioned output signal, the conditioned output signal having, when an evaluating impulse is present, the impulse signal state thereof and otherwise having the logical signal state of the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Mario Motz
  • Patent number: 7330803
    Abstract: A time interval measurement apparatus and method counts the total number of full clock time periods between two measurement signals. Clock fractional time periods are generated between each of the two measurement signals and the next leading edge of a full clock time period. The total number of full clock time periods and the clock fractional time periods are converted to a time equivalent measurement and combined to generate the total time interval between the two measurement signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ametek, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Pattee, Mikhail S. Zhukov
  • Patent number: 7321837
    Abstract: Apparatus and method support the synchronization and calibration of a plurality of clocks in a medical device system that may provide treatment to a patient with a nervous system disorder. The plurality of clocks, which may be located at different components of the medical device system, comprises a first clock and a second clock. The second clock may be synchronized to a first clock by disabling a run mode operation and setting the second clock to a selected time. When a reference time of the first clock approximately equals the selected time, the second clock enables the run mode operation. Additionally, a drift time that is indicative of a time difference between the first clock and the second clock is determined. If the drift time is greater than a predetermined amount, an indication to resynchronize the first and second clocks is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan Osorio, Naresh C. Bhavaraju, Thomas E. Peters, Mark G. Frei, Jonathan C. Werder
  • Publication number: 20070271068
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosed methodology and apparatus measure relative duty cycle information of a clock signal with respect to an input node as the clock signal travels to selected nodes of a clock distribution network on an electronic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: IBM Corporation
    Inventors: David William Boerstler, Eskinder Hailu, Jieming Qi, Bin Wan
  • Patent number: 7289935
    Abstract: A method for evaluating an alarm system for continuous or semi-continuous processes that gives an indication of the actual loading on the operator. A transformations is applied to a data set consisting of alarms and associated times, resulting in the data being much more amenable to common techniques of statistical quality control. The technique requires only a history of alarm events, and the transformation has a strong intuitive appeal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventor: Alan J. Hugo
  • Patent number: 7289934
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an output driver circuit for generating noise on wiring for a power supply using a trigger signal input from measuring equipment and a noise measuring circuit. The noise measuring circuit includes a comparator circuit for comparing a voltage on wiring for the power supply with a reference voltage supplied from the measuring equipment and outputting a result of comparison, and two latch circuits for respectively holding the change of the result of comparison to one state and the change of the result of comparison to the other state, for output to the measuring equipment. The measuring equipment changes the reference potential, monitors times from a change of the trigger signal which becomes a trigger for noise generation, to changes of output signals of the two latch circuits, and plots the reference voltage and timings of the output changes, thereby estimating the waveform of the noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yasufumi Suzuki