Measurement System In A Specific Environment Patents (Class 702/1)
  • Patent number: 8027809
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing power usage are provided. The system includes a programmable microprocessor, at least one input mechanism, a memory having instructions and/or other information, a display, at least one power consuming power device and a remote server. The systems allows the user of a power consuming device to receive instructions or other information from the server. The method includes using stored program instructions to generate power device related information on a display, collecting power device data representative of the electrical current or power consumed, connecting to a remote computing facility having a server, and providing the data to a computer remotely located from the central server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Health Hero Network, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Brown
  • Patent number: 8024120
    Abstract: A method of estimating an instantaneous frequency of a component of interest in a complex primary signal via a complex Phase Locked Loop (PLL). A complex incident signal including a complex exponential evaluated at a synthesis frequency is calculated according to a complex Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) function. A complex mixed signal is calculated according to a function that includes multiplying the complex primary signal by a representation of the complex incident signal. A complex baseband signal is calculated according to a function that includes filtering the complex mixed signal such that the bandwidth of the complex baseband signal is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the complex mixed signal. A residual frequency of the complex baseband signal is calculated via a complex Phase Discriminator (PD). The synthesis frequency is modified according to a function that includes the synthesis frequency and the residual frequency, such that the residual frequency is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Larry A. Turner
  • Patent number: 8024149
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for preventing the failure of a system, which includes one or more pipes, or one or more cooling jackets, or one or more fluid cooled system components carrying a fluid, involves detecting one or more pressure levels of the fluid in the one or more pipes at one or more points, then comparing the detected pressure levels to a corresponding one or more predetermined limitation values. If the detected pressure levels exceed the corresponding limitation values, a shut-down signal is generated. The shut-down signal triggers the adjusting of one or more systems responsible for causing thermal variations of the fluid, preventing the system from failing while allowing the system to continue operation shortly thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Titanium Metals Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Rubin
  • Patent number: 8013864
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and module for visualizing multivariate statistical measurements. A processing system receives multivariate statistical output data, such as scores or contributions from a multivariate statistical model and renders the multivariate statistical output data as a function of time as a color map on a display. Each multivariate statistical output data can be obtained at each time sample and rendered as a corresponding color patch on the display. The color, height and width of the corresponding color patch can be adjusted to correspond to the magnitude of the output data, the length of time of the time sample and the number of the output data. Normalized scores/contributions at each time sample can be rendered as a corresponding color patch on the display in response to said Q statistic exceeding said predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Wendy K. Foslien
  • Patent number: 7998743
    Abstract: The invention provides biomarkers including ?-2-microglobulin, Cystatin C, hsCRP and glucose as well as methods for using the biomarkers for diagnosing and/or assessing the risk of peripheral artery disease in a subject. In some embodiments, the subject being tested may be suffering from or at risk of other circulatory diseases, including coronary artery disease. Hemoglobin A1c or other proxies for measuring glucose levels may be substituted for or measured in addition to glucose in the context of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignees: Vermillion, Inc., Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Eric T. Fung, John Cooke, Fujun Zhang, Andrew Wilson
  • Patent number: 7991556
    Abstract: A method for analyzing formation data includes decomposing the formation data into simple components that can be used to reconstruct the formation data, wherein the decomposing is performed at a first location and includes a process to minimize an overlap between the simple components; and transmitting parameters representing the simple components to a second location for reconstructing the formation data. A system for analyzing formation data that includes a processor and a memory that stores a program having instructions for decomposing the formation data into simple components that can be used to reconstruct the formation data, wherein the decomposing is performed at a first location and includes a process to minimize an overlap between the simple components; and transmitting parameters representing the simple components to a second location for reconstructing the formation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jaideva C. Goswami, Denis Heliot
  • Patent number: 7991573
    Abstract: One embodiment provides an integrated circuit including a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit. The first circuit is configured to provide a calibrated signal. The second circuit is configured to low pass filter the calibrated signal and provide a filtered calibrated signal. The third circuit is configured to provide a control signal and store the control signal based on the filtered calibrated signal. The third circuit averages stored controlled signals to provide a calibration result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Qimonda AG
    Inventors: Russell Homer, Luca Ravezzi, Hamid Partovi
  • Patent number: 7987053
    Abstract: A method for determining a monitor unit that is associated with a process using ions, includes obtaining a depth dose curve, determining a characteristic parameter based on the depth dose curve, and using the characteristic parameter to determine a first monitor unit factor. A system for determining a monitor unit that is associated with a process using protons, includes a processor that is configured for obtaining a depth dose curve, determining a characteristic parameter based on the depth dose curve, and using the characteristic parameter to determine a first monitor unit factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventor: Barbara Ursula Schaffner
  • Patent number: 7983844
    Abstract: A method for determining wind conditions within a geographic area based on a plurality of input wind resource grids. The input wind resource grids include input points associated with a geographic position and a wind condition. An output wind resource grid having a plurality of output points is defined. Each output point is associated with a geographic position within the geographic area. For each output point in the output wind resource grid, a wind condition is calculated based at least in part on wind conditions associated with at least some of the input points. A wind condition associated with an input point may be weighted based on the proximity of the output point to a meteorological instrument associated with the input point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kelsey Elizabeth Beach, Karsten Hilt, Vinicius Ubarana
  • Patent number: 7979240
    Abstract: The present application relates to a system and method for real-time monitoring and failure prediction of electrical submersible pumps. The design includes generating a failure prediction value with a management system by calculating a percentage change of the respective first measurement values and the corresponding user-supplied stable operating values, the failure prediction value representing likelihood of failure of the electrical submersible pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Lance I. Fielder
  • Patent number: 7979209
    Abstract: A compositing process for selecting spatial data collected over a period of time, creating temporal data cubes from the spatial data, and processing and/or analyzing the data using temporal mapping algebra functions. In some embodiments, the temporal data cube is creating a masked cube using the data cubes, and computing a composite from the masked cube by using temporal mapping algebra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Mississippi State University Research and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Charles G. O'Hara, Bijay Shrestha, Veeraraghavan Vijayaraj, Preeti Mali
  • Patent number: 7972863
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining concentration of components in a liquid hydrocarbon mixture including hydrocarbons and water flowing through an alkylation process. A fluid flow path conveys the liquid continuously from the alkylation process through a first instrument configured for measuring a property of the liquid mixture, and having responsivities to concentration of the components, which are independent of the concentration of the water. A temperature detector generates temperature data for the liquid, and a second instrument measures another property of the liquid mixture. The instruments have mutually distinct responsivities to concentrations of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Marcus Trygstad, Russell Jackson, Bruce A. Keen
  • Publication number: 20110160892
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for matching the color of a dry color shade standard, said method comprising the steps of A) Measuring the dry color shade standard, B) Calculating a recipe for the dry color shade standard, C) Generating a virtual wet color shade standard based on the recipe for the dry color shade standard calculated in step B), wherein the virtual wet color shade standard is generated with wet characterisation data and D) Matching the virtual wet color shade standard. The method can be used for elaboration of color shades and batch adjustment in production of paints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventor: Wilhelm Kettler
  • Patent number: 7970543
    Abstract: A method of predicting the destructive capacity of a tropical cyclone based on a new Wind Destructive Potential (WDP) and Storm Surge Destructive Potential (SDP) scales which provide a manner to rate the severity of hurricanes and typhoons, based on information provided in operational forecast and warning products, experimental wind field products, or gridded numerical weather prediction model outputs. These new scales are formulated to be consistent with the physical mechanism through which tropical cyclones impact coastal communities through wind, storm surges and wave damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America, represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventors: Mark D. Powell, Timothy A. Reinhold
  • Publication number: 20110153246
    Abstract: An apparatus has an input section arranged to receive values representative of the total instantaneous supply of electrical current as a function of time from an alternating voltage supply. Current waveforms comprising sets of values representative of the cyclic waveform of the electric current supply are obtained. A delta waveform generator calculates the difference between a current waveform and an earlier current waveform. An edge detector is arranged to detect an edge or edges in the delta waveform. An analysis section is arranged to identify at least one appliance load based at least on information on the edge or edges detected by the edge detector, and to determine the electrical energy consumed by said appliance load. Another apparatus has an input section arranged to receive values representative of the current supplied to an installation, such as a house. A store contains appliance data characteristic of the use of electricity by each of a plurality of appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: ISIS INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: James Donaldson, Malcolm McCulloch
  • Publication number: 20110148421
    Abstract: According to one example embodiment is a time domain electromagnetic (TDEM) geophysical survey system for producing a B-field measurement, comprising: a transmitter coil; a bucking coil positioned in a substantially concentric and coplanar orientation relative to the transmitter coil; a receiver coil positioned in a substantially concentric and coplanar orientation relative to the bucking coil; an electrical current source connected to the transmitter coil and bucking coil for applying a periodic current thereto; and a data collection system configured to receive a magnetic field time-derivative signal dB/dt from the receiver coil and integrate the magnetic field time-derivative signal dB/dt to generate, a magnetic B-field measurement, the transmitter coil, bucking coil and receiver coil being positioned relative to each other such that, at the location of the receiver coil, a magnetic field generated by the bucking coil has a cancelling effect on a primary magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Geotech Airborne Limited
    Inventors: Petr Valentinovich Kuzmin, Edward Beverly Morrison
  • Publication number: 20110125660
    Abstract: A method includes, but is not limited to: obtaining status information about one or more physical attributes associated with one or more physical entities, the one or more physical attributes each being perceived by one or more humans as being capable of having one or more effects upon one or more physical environments, obtaining input information from at least one of the one or more humans through at least in part one or more social networking services, the input information associated with at least one of the one or more physical attributes, and determining assessment information for at least one of the one or more physical entities based at least in part upon the status information and based at least in part upon the input information. In addition to the foregoing, other related system/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Rob Bernard, Angel S. Calvo, Larry Cochrane, Jason Garms, Roderick A. Hyde, Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Jennifer Mame Pollard, John D. Rinaldo, JR., Clarence T. Tegreene, Rene A. Vega, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Feng Zhao
  • Publication number: 20110112769
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical waveguide, in which a waveguide structure including a waveguide layer of ZnS—SiO2 is deposited on a first layer, wherein a first refractive index of the first layer is lower than the refractive index of the waveguide layer. A sensor arrangement includes a planar optical waveguide, a light source, a sensor, an application unit for applying an analyte on top of the planar waveguide and a processor connected to the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: SONY DADC AUSTRIA AG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Niederberger, Josef Schuller, Gottfried Reiter
  • Publication number: 20110099209
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a multimedia play list based on user experiences in a portable multimedia player are provided. The apparatus includes an analyzer for analyzing user experience information input to the multimedia player, a recorder for recording the user experience information in a multimedia tag, a play list generator for generating a play list by analyzing the user experience information and the multimedia tag information recorded by the recorder, and a reproduction unit for reproducing multimedia according to the generated play list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Yoo-Mi NOH
  • Patent number: 7933733
    Abstract: Methods for determining an attribute of a substance in a container in response to an access event. The methods include a method for determining an attribute of a substance including activating the sensor in response to an access event and transmitting, in response to the activating, an output of the sensor providing an indication of an attribute of the contents. The methods also include a method having the steps of associating a sensor having an identifier with the container; and receiving the identifier and an output of the sensor providing an indication of the amount of the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Ali R. Buendia-Garcia, Richard A. McCoy, Yingqin Yuan
  • Patent number: 7917291
    Abstract: The present system and method detects and predicts potential tornadic activity. In one aspect, the invention predicts potential tornadic activity based on radar data. In another aspect, the invention predicts potential tornadic activity based on an integrated and composite product based on model forecast data and radar data by generating a composite tornado potential index using weighted values of the model forecast data and the radar data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Baron Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Alan Havin, Robert J. Dreisewerd, Jr., Robert O. Baron, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7912255
    Abstract: A fingerprint processing system may include a fingerprint database for storing fingerprint data having at least one void therein. At least one processor may cooperate with the fingerprint database for inpainting data into the at least one void in the fingerprint data based upon propagating fingerprint contour data from outside the at least one void into the at least one void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Rahmes, Josef Allen, Patrick Kelley
  • Patent number: 7908084
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for co-ordinated soil cultivation, said system comprising a plurality of soil compacting devices (W1, W2) used to determine location-related relative compacting values (V(W1; TB1, xi, yi;I?1 . . . n)), and a calibrating device (EV) used to determine location-related absolute compacting values. A calculating unit (R), which is connected to the compacting devices (W1, W2) and the calibrating device (EV) in such a way as to transmit messages, is used to correlate the obtained relative and absolute location-related compacting values. A system control (CPU1, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ammann Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Roland Anderegg, Kuno Kaufmann, Nicole Marti
  • Patent number: 7908121
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program is used to determine a linear track having a good fit to a most likely or expected path of charged particle passing through a charged particle detector having a plurality of drift cells. Hit signals from the charged particle detector are associated with a particular charged particle track. An initial estimate of time zero is made from these hit signals and linear tracks are then fit to drift radii for each particular time-zero estimate. The linear track having the best fit is then searched and selected and errors in fit and tracking parameters computed. The use of large and expensive fast detectors needed to time zero in the charged particle detectors can be avoided by adopting this method and system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Jesse Andrew Green
  • Patent number: 7897405
    Abstract: A method for determining a time of elution of a peptide of interest from a liquid chromatography column includes a step of obtaining chromatographic data for each of a plurality of candidate fragment ions of the peptide of interest. A time along a common chromatographic time is scale determined corresponding to maximum overlay of the ion signals measured for each of the plurality of candidate fragment ions. Finally, the determined time is assigned as the time of elution of the peptide of interest from the liquid chromatography column. In particular, the chromatographic data is acquired during selective reaction monitoring of an eluate from the liquid chromatography column containing the peptide of interest. The chromatographic data includes ion signals measured along the common chromatographic time scale for each of the plurality of candidate fragment ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLC
    Inventor: Amol Prakash
  • Patent number: 7886739
    Abstract: A circuit compliance compensated volume control system in a patient respiratory ventilation system and method, including: a circuit compliance estimator, to provide a relationship between a circuit volume and a differential pressure between a circuit pressure and a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of the respiratory circuit, a circuit volume estimator, operative to provide an estimated circuit volume based on the relationship between the circuit volume and the differential pressure, a patient volume observer, operative to provide an estimated patient volume by subtracting the estimated circuit volume from a measured machine delivered net volume, and a volume delivery controller, operative to update the machine delivered net volume based on the estimated patient volume and a set tidal volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Carefusion 207, Inc.
    Inventors: Ihab S. Soliman, Steven Duquette
  • Patent number: 7880664
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method, an apparatus and a computer program product for correcting the weather data of radial speed, spectral width and/or differential reflectivity which have been acquired from radar echo data recorded by a ground-based, radar-based remote-sensing appliance (1) for measuring atmospheric conditions and including evaluable weather echoes and interfering ground echoes, corrected weather data being obtained by calculating out the interfering ground echoes from the acquired weather data by using a previously stored clutter map with an intensity distribution of radar echo data which include the ground echoes substantially without weather echoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Selex Systems Integration GmbH
    Inventors: Ronald Hannesen, Axel Kammer, André Weipert
  • Patent number: 7872603
    Abstract: A method for determining a refractivity profile of an atmosphere of the Earth. The method may involve: generating radar signals from a radar device located above the Earth's surface toward the Earth's surface; measuring a time of flight and a reflected intensity of reflected radar signals received back at the radar device; using the measured time of flight and the reflected intensity of the reflected radar signals received by the radar device to determine a distance to a radar horizon where the radar signals are tangent to the Earth's surface; and using the distance to the radar horizon to determine a refractivity profile of the atmosphere through which the radar signals and the reflected radar signals have travelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Brian J. Tillotson
  • Patent number: 7873490
    Abstract: A Solar Access Measurement Device (“SAMD”) located at a predetermined position is disclosed. The SAMD may include a skyline detector enabled to detect a skyline of a horizon relative to the SAMD, an orientation determination unit enabled to determine the orientation of the skyline detector, and a processor in signal communication with the skyline detector and orientation determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Solmetric Corporation
    Inventor: Willard S. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 7868811
    Abstract: A weather radar system includes an input for receiving lightning detection data and processing electronics for determining a presence of a convective cell or associated hazard. The processing electronics receive weather radar data and the lightning detection data. The weather radar data is related to radar returns. The processing electronics provide temporal or spatial filtering of the lightning detection data to provide filtered data and determine a position of the convective cell or associated hazard in response to the weather radar data and the filtered data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Kevin M. Kronfield, Karen L. Walling
  • Patent number: 7862231
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing temperature includes a plurality of thermocouples, a plurality of relays, a ground circuit, a compensation circuit, a power supply circuit, a switch circuit, and an MPU. The thermo-couples samples temperatures at different locations in a CNC machine, each thermo-couple is connected to a corresponding relay and selectively connected to the switch circuit by turning on or off the corresponding relay, the compensation circuit includes a cold junction compensator and a first relay, the ground circuit includes a ground terminal and a second relay, the power circuit includes a power supply and a third relay. The first, second, and third relays selectively turn on or off to connect the cold junction compensator, the ground terminal, or the power supply to the switch circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Foxnum Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsing-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 7855784
    Abstract: A wafer measurement/inspection instrument receives information on at least one of a processing result and an operating state of at least one of a coater/developer that performs film forming/resist processing to a wafer and an exposure apparatus that performs liquid immersion exposure to the wafer, and optimizes inspection conditions of the wafer based on the received information (steps 501 and 517). With this operation, quality inspection of the wafer can be efficiently performed, and as a consequence, it becomes possible to efficiently perform processing to the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Okita
  • Patent number: 7853533
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting and preventing Internet fraud in online transactions by utilizing and analyzing a number of parameters to uniquely identify a computer user and potential fraudulent transaction through predictive modeling. The method and system uses a delta of time between the clock of the computer used by the actual fraudulent use and the potentially fraudulent user and the clock of the server computer in conjunction with personal information and/or non-personal information, preferably the Browser ID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: The 41st Parameter, Inc.
    Inventor: Ori Eisen
  • Publication number: 20100302547
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring ion implant dose in a material provide for: measuring a reflection spectrum through an implantation surface of the material, the implantation surface having been subjected to an ion implantation process to create a material layer from the implantation surface to a depth within the material and a layer of weakness below the material layer; storing magnitudes of the reflection spectrum as a function of respective wavelengths of incident light on the implantation surface; and computing an ion implant dose used during the ion implantation process based on comparisons of at least two magnitudes of the reflection spectrum at least two corresponding wavelengths of the incident light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Johannes Moll
  • Patent number: 7844399
    Abstract: A modeling method for a fibrous material to be made into a product, which may be but one example of a family of such modeling methods, includes analyzing processes and conditions under which the fibrous material is made into the product, determining that moisture, temperature and rate conditions should be tested according to the analysis of the processes and conditions, and testing the fibrous material under at least one of moisture, thermal or rate conditions similar to those under which the fibrous material is made into the product to obtain test results. The modeling method further includes defining a constitutive model for the fibrous material according to the test results. A computing device may be programmed to perform simulations using the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Fredrick William Gibson, Richard William Hamm, Steven Ray Gilbert
  • Patent number: 7838297
    Abstract: A method of optimizing operation of a fossil fuel fired boiler includes, in an exemplary embodiment, providing a plurality of sensors positioned in different spatial positions within the fossil fuel fired boiler. The method also includes recording sensor outputs, identifying spatial combustion anomalies indicated by sensor outputs, identifying burners responsible for the spatial combustion anomalies, and adjusting air flow of responsible burners to alleviate the spatial combustion anomalies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Neil Colin Widmer, Roy Payne, William Randall Seeker, Philippe Jean Gauthier
  • Patent number: 7839280
    Abstract: A remote wireless network includes a plurality of sensors/transmitters wherein each sensor is uniquely identifiable and lends its unique identity to the transmitter to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: R3 Sensors, LLC
    Inventors: Mark E. Peters, Robert B. Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 7827189
    Abstract: There has been conventionally a problem that when the searcher uses, for example, “dry wine” selected according to the searcher's preference as a search key, the searcher cannot be satisfied with the search result because wine entries stored in a database as “dry wines” depend on objective evaluation by another person. A sense database is created by using, as a subjective search index, sense parameter information such as potential variation caused by pungency obtained by a pseudo sensor irrespective of one's ability. Specifically the database comprises a sense information obtaining section for obtaining sense information by associating the sense parameter information acquired by the sensor with representative information, a sense information storage section, a search key obtaining section, and a searching section for searching the sense information storage section using a search key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ajikaori Senryaku Kenkyusyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahide Hayama
  • Patent number: 7822552
    Abstract: A control device or “bird” for controlling the position of a marine seismic streamer is provided with an elongate, partly flexible body which is designed to be electrically and mechanically connected in series with a streamer. In its preferred form, the bird has two opposed wings which are independently controllable in order to control the streamer's lateral position as well as its depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Simon H. Bittleston
  • Patent number: 7814048
    Abstract: Concepts presented herein relate to extracting knowledge for a chatbot knowledge base from online discussion forms. Within a thread of an online discussion form, replies are selected based on structural features and content features therein. The replies can be ranked and used in a chatbot knowledge base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ming Zhou, Jizhou Huang
  • Patent number: 7813888
    Abstract: Systems and methods for development testing of vehicles and components are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a position reference system and a command and control architecture. The position reference system is configured to repetitively measure one or more position and motion characteristics of one or more vehicles operating within a control volume. The command and control architecture is configured to receive the repetitively measured characteristics from the position reference system, and to determine corresponding control signals based thereon. The control signals are then transmitted to the one or more vehicles to control at least one of position, movement, and stabilization of the one or more vehicles in a closed-loop feedback manner. The system may further include a health monitoring component configured to monitor health conditions of the one or more vehicles, the control signals being determined at least in part on the health conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John L. Vian, Ronald C. Provine, Stefan R. Bieniawski, Emad W. Saad, Paul E. R. Pigg, Gregory J. Clark, Ali R. Mansouri, Khaled Abdel-Motagaly, Charles A. Erignac, James J. Troy, Paul Murray, Jonathan P. How, Mario J. Valenti, Brett M. Bethke
  • Publication number: 20100241253
    Abstract: A first memory (1203) has environmental-impact information stored therein regarding at least the provision of specific packaging materials, use of specific packaging materials, and post-use processing of specific packaging materials. A second memory (1204) has packaging information stored therein. A computer (1201) having access to these memories processes (104) the packaging information as a function, at least in part, of the environmental-impact information to calculate a single corresponding value to represent a score as pertains to the overall environmental impact of the packaging. This single corresponding value is then presented (105) to a user. A user interface (1206) will permit a user to enter the aforementioned packaging information and/or to receive the aforementioned single corresponding value. An optional third memory (1205) can store at least one weighting factor as pertains to environmental impact that can be used when calculating the value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Jay Anthony Edwards
  • Patent number: 7792766
    Abstract: Method for determining an expected value for a proposed reconnaissance electromagnetic (or any other type of geophysical) survey using a user-controlled source. The method requires only available geologic and economic information about the survey region. A series of calibration surveys are simulated with an assortment of resistive targets consistent with the known information. The calibration surveys are used to train pattern recognition software to assess the economic potential from anomalous resistivity maps. The calibrated classifier is then used on further simulated surveys of the area to generate probabilities that can be used in Value of Information theory to predict an expected value of a survey of the same design as the simulated surveys. The calibrated classifier technique can also be used to interpret actual CSEM survey results for economic potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co.
    Inventors: Richard T. Houck, Dmitriy Pavlov
  • Patent number: 7773457
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for acquiring seismic data using a wireless network and a number of individual data acquisition modules that are configured to collect seismic data and forward data to a central recording and control system. In one implementation, a number of remote modules (301) are arranged in lines. Base station modules (302) receive information from the lines and relay the information to a central control and recording system (303). Radio links operating on multiple frequencies (F1-F12) are used by the modules (301). For improved data transfer rate, radio links from a remote module (301) leap past the nearest remote module to the next module closer to the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Wireless Seismic
    Inventors: Douglas Crice, Mihai Beffa
  • Patent number: 7774624
    Abstract: A system for detecting tampering in a signal conditioner of electronics that determines a parameter from signals received from one or more sensors is provided. The system includes a host system that receives the parameter signals from the signal conditioner indicating properties of a material and supplies power to the signal conditioner. The signal conditioner is remote from and coupled to said host system. The signal conditioner generates the parameter signals. The host system is configured to periodically transmit a request for said authentication information to said signal conditioner, receive said authentication information from said signal conditioner in response to said request, compare said authentication information with initial authentication information, and detect said tampering condition in said signal conditioner if said authentication information is not equal to said initial authentication information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan L Samson, Michael Keilty
  • Publication number: 20100198515
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calculation of the local magnification and/or the local distortion of a spectacle lens in at least one predetermined or predeterminable viewing direction, with the spectacle lens being designed to correct a refraction deficit of an eye, and having at least one object-side surface and one second eye-side surface, comprising the following steps: Calculation for the predetermined or predeterminable viewing direction of the profile of a main beam which originates from a predetermined or predeterminable infinitesimally small object and, after refraction by the spectacle lens, passes through the rotation point of the eye, through the entrance pupil of the eye or through the principal plane of the eye; determination of the main curvatures and directions of a local wavefront associated with the main beam on refraction by the spectacle lens; calculation of the local magnification and/or the local distortion of the spectacle lens from the determined main curvatures and directions o
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Wolfgang Becken, Gregor Esser, Helmut Altheimer, Dietmar Uttenweiler
  • Patent number: 7768530
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying operation of process variable transmitters in process control or monitoring systems is provided. A process variable is measured with a process variable transmitter to verify operation of the process variable transmitter by comparing the process variable with a reference. A data entry is placed in a database which indicates operation of the process variable transmitter has been verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter H. Sigtermans, Patrick M. Dobrowski
  • Patent number: 7765067
    Abstract: A multicomponent induction logging tool is used on a MWD bottomhole assembly. Multifrequency focusing that accounts for the finite, nonzero, conductivity of the mandrel is applied. Using separation of modes, the principal components and relative dip angles in an earth formation are determined. The results are used for reservoir navigation in an earth formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Leonty A. Tabarovsky, Michael B. Rabinovich
  • Patent number: 7761237
    Abstract: This patent delineates methods for quantifying and mitigating dip-induced azimuthal AVO effects in seismic fracture detection using Azimuthal AVO analysis by accurately accounting for the divergence correction and azimuthal dependence of the reflection angle. Solutions are provided for three cases: (1) dipping isotropic reservoirs; (2) anisotropic reservoirs with fractures aligned in arbitrary direction; and (3) anisotropic reservoirs where vertical fractures are aligned perpendicular to the dip direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co.
    Inventors: Wenjie Dong, Chih-Ping Lu
  • Patent number: 7751977
    Abstract: COTS devices are integrated into a system employing custom software and custom hardware and software interfaces to collect and communicate data concerning current flows around fixed structure (e.g., inland locks, bridges, harbor structures, etc.) in various bodies of water (e.g., inland waterways, harbors, canals, etc.). Embodiments comprise: sensors and communications equipment, for example wireless systems that transmit sensor data to a lock house; lock house communications equipment that receive sensor data; a processor, e.g., a personal computer, with installed custom software and interface for processing data; an Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder interfaced to the processor; an AIS installed in vessels to include an electronic vector chart display, such as may be installed in a towboat pilothouse; and an optional web-based database application for lock operators to record dam operation scenarios that may be used in research, investigations, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Michael F. Winkler, W. Scott Noble