Error Due To Component Compatibility Patents (Class 702/90)
  • Patent number: 7706995
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus, including software implementation, are disclosed providing drift prediction of output values for manometers. A signal or other indication may be provided for or in relation to a capacitance manometer when a servicing, replacing, and/or zeroing event is predicted or determined to be required, based on a history (e.g., timestamps) associated with previous zeroing events. Previously recorded timestamps can be curve fit with suitable functions to calculate or predict future maintenance, calibration, and/or replacement events for a manometer. Such signals or indications can be generated as an on-screen indication, and could also be available upon interrogation of the manometer via a digital communications link or system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: Philip Sullivan, David Alcaide
  • Patent number: 7657338
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automation system with a control unit, to which at least one sensor or actuator is connected. To connect it to the control unit, the sensor or actuator is connected to the connector which features an RFID chip with relevant data of the sensor or actuator. The data for use in the control unit can be read out by means of a reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thilo Opaterny
  • Patent number: 7640127
    Abstract: There is provided a detection apparatus including a transition point detecting unit operable to receive the output signal to detect the point of transition, a timing comparing unit operable to detect the signal level of the output signal in front of or behind the point of transition in the output signal, and a correction unit operable to compensate the timing of the point of transition detected from the transition point detecting unit based on the signal level of the output signal detected from the timing comparing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Doi
  • Publication number: 20090312984
    Abstract: A measurement system uses a plurality of transducers that may differ from each other in at least one respect, such as having different operating principles or being made by different manufacturers. Respective measurement values obtained from the transducers are applied to a processor which provides a measured value based on the measurement values from a plurality of the transducers. The processor also provides information about the calibration drift of each of the transducers based upon a comparison between the measurement value obtained from the transducer to a value obtained from a combination of respective measurement values obtained from a plurality of the transducers. The calibration drift information provides an objective evaluation about the calibration condition of each of the transducers. When a transducer is determined to be outside of its calibration tolerance, a calibration needed alert occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: FLUKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pierre Delajoud, Martin Girard
  • Patent number: 7616007
    Abstract: There is provided an error factor measurement device for measuring an error factor in a switch branch signal source including a signal source and a switch, and the error factor measurement device includes a reference error factor component recording unit which records respective components E12a, E21a of a frequency tracking error factor when a predetermined output terminal is connected to a signal source, a derived error factor product recording unit which records an error factor product E12b×E21b which is a product of respective components of a frequency tracking error factor when respective multiple output terminals other than predetermined output terminal are connected to the signal source, an error factor ratio deriving unit which derives an error factor ratio E21a/E12a, and a frequency tracking error factor deriving unit which derives E12b, E21b based on the error factor product and the error factor ratio, where E21a/E12a=E21b/E12b holds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7516033
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying echo sources in a communication path. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an echo measurement device (EMD) having a transmit module to transmit an echo canceller deactivation signal in a communication path of the communication system, wherein the echo canceller deactivation signal deactivates one or more echo cancellers in said communication path. The transmit module can also transmit a test signal in the communication path which is looped back at an end point identified as having an echo problem, wherein the test signal is transmitted at a remote location from the end point. The EMD can further include a detection module to detect one or more echo signals associated with the test signal. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Wallace F. Smith, James H. James, David B. Ramsden
  • Patent number: 7505861
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a measurement device, in particular a flow measurement device, and to a measurement device itself. In order in this case to reliably preclude measurement errors resulting from incorrect installation, the invention proposes that a characteristic variable is calculated from a time series s(t) of the measurement signal of a measurement device and is compared with previously recorded reference values, with this being used as the basis to automatically generate a message as to whether the measurement device has been installed correctly or incorrectly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Buhl, Jorg Herwig, Axel Papenbrock, Peter Riegler, Axel Rossberg, Jens Timmer
  • Patent number: 7496462
    Abstract: An encoder signal processing device comprising an A/D converter converting a periodic analog signal, a memory storing position detection error information and a computing unit including a position data calculator which calculates position data from the digital data and an error correcting section which corrects the position data based on the position detection error information. The memory includes a first memory encoding position error data which is included in the position data by the use of the computing unit and storing a correction coefficient. A second memory decoding the position error data on the basis of the correction coefficient by the use of the computing unit and storing correction data for correcting the position data and error-containing position data generated on the basis of the encoded position error data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Ikuma Murokita, Takefumi Kabashima, Yuji Arinaga, Yasushi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7489963
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of correcting a data signal sampled at a first rate to a data signal displayed on a video monitor at a second rate is claimed. A data signal is received at a first rate. The data signal is separated into data windows. The minimum and maximum values and positions of data points in data windows are identified relative to a reference, and displayed on a video monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Radeztsky
  • Patent number: 7486085
    Abstract: A calibration circuit including a plurality of first resistance components, a plurality of second resistance components, and a first feedback system is provided. The first feedback system selects M1 first resistance components and N1 second resistance components so that a first combination of the M1 first resistance components and the N1 second resistance components substantially matches the impedance of a first resistor. The first feedback system selects M2 first resistance components and N2 second resistance components so that a second combination of the M2 first resistance components and the N2 second resistance components substantially matches the impedance of the first resistor. Based on the values of M1, N1, M2, N2, and a target impedance, the first feedback system generates a first set of calibration signals for a plurality of third resistance components and generates a second set of calibration signals for a plurality of fourth resistance components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventor: Che Yuan Jao
  • Publication number: 20080300811
    Abstract: A method for compensating for a contaminated calibration target used in calibrating a scanner having a plurality of sensor pixels includes (a) scanning a calibration target to generate a respective plurality of calibration data samples for each sensor pixel of the plurality of sensor pixels; (b) for calibration data samples associated with a current sensor pixel of the plurality of sensor pixels, removing any calibration data sample that corresponds to a region of calibration target contamination, leaving filtered calibration data samples; (c) determining a gain value for the current sensor pixel based on the filtered calibration data samples; (d) repeating acts (b) and (c) for a next sensor pixel until a respective gain value is determined for each of the plurality of sensor pixels; and (e) applying the determined gain values to the plurality of sensor pixels for use in subsequent image scanning by the scanner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Alison Beth Ternent, Aditya Jayant Angal
  • Patent number: 7460983
    Abstract: A method and apparatus adapted to calibrate a signal path of a signal analysis system such that loading effects of the system are substantially removed from measurements of a device under test. A signal under test from the device under test is coupled to a test probe in the signal path and used with selectable impedance loads in the test probe to characterize transfer parameters of the device under test. An equalization filter in either the frequency or time domain is computed from the device under test transfer parameters for reducing in signal error attributable to the measurement loading of the device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Pickerd, Kan Tan, William A. Hagerup, Rolf P. Anderson, Sharon M. Mc Masters
  • Patent number: 7454303
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for compensating for process, voltage, and temperature variation without complex online/offline swapping of data paths requiring a dedicated FIFO(First-in First-out) buffer design. Delay cells are trained for each clock path (namely a Functional delay) and a spare delay cell is trained. A ratio is calculated for each Functional delay cell by dividing the Functional delay cells' setting into the spare delay cells' one-fourth cycle setting. These ratios reflect any process variation. Functional mode is then entered and a Master-Slave approach switched to, during which the spare delay cell repeats the training sequence continuously while the Functional delay cells delay the clocks from the RAM(Random Access Memory). Each Functional delay cell is updated at the end of each training sequence of the spare delay cell, compensating for voltage and temperature change, by dividing the ratio into the new spare delay cell one-fourth cycle setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Terence Magee, Thomas Hughes, Cheng-Gang Kong
  • Patent number: 7447813
    Abstract: Control device identification information or an identifier identifying the type of the corresponding control device is stored in a first and in a second control device. Version information identifying the sequence control of the corresponding control device, such as a version number, is stored in the first and in the second control device. The first control device transmits its first control device identification information and/or its first version information to the second control device. The second control device accesses a compatibility reference table. The compatibility reference table indicates which combinations of control device identification information and version information, and thus which control devices and their corresponding sequence controls will communicate with the second control device in a compatible manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Matthias Behr
  • Patent number: 7406389
    Abstract: A state detecting system which can detect state of power storage at high precision even with lesser characteristic data to be used for calculation, and a device employing the same. The state detecting system has a memory for storing a characteristic data, calculation information, and set information, an arithmetic unit for calculating state information indicative of state of said power storage and calculating correction information for performing correction, a first correcting unit for correcting input of said arithmetic means, and a second correcting unit for correcting information stored or set in the storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Emori, Akihiko Kudou, Shigeyuki Yoshihara, Hideki Miyazaki, Toshisada Mitsui, Mitsuyuki Hombu, Kazuyoshi Sasazawa
  • Patent number: 7389191
    Abstract: According to the present invention an S-parameter file input section inputs S-parameters for each device constituting a system subject to a transmission analysis, a port position correspondence conversion section converts the input S-parameters so as to correspond to preset port positions to be connected, an S-parameter/T-parameter conversion section converts S-parameters to T-parameters, a connection calculation section carries out a connection calculation of T-parameters to obtain T-parameters of the entire system, a T-parameter/S-parameter conversion section converts T-parameters of the entire system to S-parameters of the entire system and an S-parameter file output section outputs S-parameters of the entire system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Sachiko Furuya, Tetsuyuki Kubota
  • Patent number: 7379831
    Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) exhibiting an uncorrected non-linear transfer function receives measured analog voltage amplitudes and outputs uncorrected digital values. A calibration circuit receives each uncorrected digital value and outputs a corrected digital value. The measured analog voltage amplitudes received by the ADC and the corresponding corrected digital values output by the calibration circuit define points approximating an ideal linear transfer function of the ADC. The calibration circuit performs piecewise-linear approximation of the uncorrected transfer function and associates each uncorrected digital value with one of N linear segments that join at inflection points on the uncorrected transfer function. The inflection points are determined using the second derivative of the uncorrected transfer function. The calibration circuit calculates each corrected digital value using no more than 2N+2 stored calibration coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: ZiLOG, Inc.
    Inventor: Anatoliy V. Tsyrganovich
  • Publication number: 20080077346
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for internally calibrating a direct conversion receiver (DCR) through feeding a calibration signal via ESD protection circuitry is disclosed. The apparatus includes an internal signal generator for generating a calibration signal, a front-end input stage for receiving an RF signal at an input node, an ESD protection unit for protecting against electrostatic discharge, and a switch unit coupled to the ESD protection unit, for selectively passing a calibration signal to the front-end input stage, whereby the connection of the switch unit and the ESD protection unit means that when the DCR is operating in normal mode, the switch unit will not affect the noise performance and matching of the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Bing-Jye Kuo, Shou-Tsung Wang
  • Patent number: 7340361
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for analyzing performance of a computer or data processing system, during the time that a specified task is running on the system. The analysis is used to furnish a system user with a list of proposed hardware component upgrades that would improve system performance in various respects, each being accompanied by a parameter value indicating the improvement a particular upgrade would provide. Usefully, listed upgrades are made available over the Internet, for purchase by system users. In an embodiment directed to a method, for use with a computer system comprising a configuration of hardware components, selected hardware components are monitored as the system performs a specified task. This is done to acquire statistics representing the operation of respective selected components. The statistics are processed, to identify at least one selected component that impedes the system in performing the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Maximino Aguilar, Jr., David J. Erb, Michael Stan Gowen, Sidney J. Manning, James Michael Stafford
  • Publication number: 20080052028
    Abstract: A method and apparatus adapted to calibrate a signal path of a signal analysis system such that loading effects of the system are substantially removed from measurements of a device under test. A signal under test from the device under test is coupled to a test probe in the signal path and used with selectable impedance loads in the test probe to characterize transfer parameters of the device under test. An equalization filter in either the frequency or time domain is computed from the device under test transfer parameters for reducing in signal error attributable to the measurement loading of the device under test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: John J. Pickerd, Kan Tan, William A. Hagerup, Rolf P. Anderson, Sharon M. Mc Masters
  • Publication number: 20080027667
    Abstract: Calibration of a sensor circuit that includes a sensor, a temperature measurement circuit and a signal processing path. The sensor senses a physical parameter to be measured and generates an electrical sensor output signal representing the physical parameter. The temperature measurement circuit outputs a measured temperature. The signal processing path is coupled to the sensor so as to receive the electrical sensor output signal and use the measured temperature to compensate for temperature variations in the electrical sensor output signal. During calibration, the output voltage of the signal processing path is measured at multiple temperatures, and at multiple values of the physical parameter being measured at each temperature while the signal processing path is disconnected from using the measured temperature of the temperature measurement circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: AMI Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Petersen, Jose Taveira
  • Publication number: 20070299622
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying echo sources in a communication path. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an echo measurement device (EMD) having a transmit module to transmit an echo canceller deactivation signal in a communication path of the communication system, wherein the echo canceller deactivation signal deactivates one or more echo cancellers in said communication path. The transmit module can also transmit a test signal in the communication path which is looped back at an end point identified as having an echo problem, wherein the test signal is transmitted at a remote location from the end point. The EMD can further include a detection module to detect one or more echo signals associated with the test signal. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: SBC KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
    Inventors: WALLACE SMITH, JAMES H. JAMES, DAVID RAMSDEN
  • Patent number: 7251574
    Abstract: A bit error rate test on a transceiver is accelerated by adding a phase offset to data phase encoding and decoding in the transceiver and by mapping bit error rate test results from an elevated error rate condition to a normal error rate condition for the transceiver. The elevated error rate is accomplished by adjusting the phase of the phase encoder and decoder with the value of the phase offset so that the encoded data transmission signal is not as robust against noise as it normally would be. Noise in the form of an interference signal is introduced during the transmission, and the bit error rate is measured after the receiver has decoded the signal. The bit error rate (BER) data with an elevated propensity for error is mapped against bit error rate data for normal operations. A mapping function is built to map BERE (bit error rate elevated) data—data from the elevated error rate condition for data encoding, to BERN (normal bit error rate) data—data from the normal error rate condition for data encoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Georgia Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Soumendu Bhattacharya, Rajarajan Senguttuvan, Abhijit Chatterjee
  • Patent number: 7197416
    Abstract: A method for integrating test modules in a modular test system includes creating component categories for integrating vendor-supplied test modules and creating a calibration and diagnostics (C&D) framework for establishing a standard interface between the vendor-supplied test modules and the modular test system, where the C&D framework comprises interface classes communicating vendor-supplied module integration information. The method further includes receiving a vendor-supplied test module, retrieving module integration information from the vendor-supplied test module in accordance with the component categories, and integrating the vendor-supplied test module into the modular test system based on the module integration information using the C&D framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Advantest America R&D Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Adachi, Ankan Pramanick, Mark Elston
  • Patent number: 7117110
    Abstract: In a measuring apparatus, a plurality of design values in design values substituted in the correction computation equations for correcting a geometrical measurement error inherent in the measuring apparatus are set as variables, the variables are optimized by a numerical solution to obtain optimized correction computation equations. A measured value is computed by using the optimized correction computation equations obtained. For optimization of the variables, a master work is measured and the variables are adjusted so that a measurement error is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignees: Tokyo Semitsu Co., Ltd., Tosei Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Nozomi Takai, Masaaki Oguri
  • Patent number: 7062397
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for calibrating a device for which it is not possible to provide another device having a higher degree of precision to be used as a standard against which the device to be calibrated can be compared to perform the calibration. Metrology for interpreting the input and output fields and monitoring and supervising tasks of the device, and having sufficient accuracy, may be used to facilitate calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Minor
  • Patent number: 7058489
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for producing an error signal and carrying out measures based thereon in a motor vehicle equipped with a wheel-slip control system and/or a wheel deceleration control system. At least one function variable representing the functionality of the wheel-slip control system and/or wheel-deceleration control system may be monitored for an error and if at least one error is detected, the value of at least one error counter may be incremented. When there is at least one detected error, at least one error signal may be output when the value of at least one error counter exceeds a predeterminable limiting value. For at least one error counter, at least two different, predeterminable limiting values coexist simultaneously, and when each of these is exceeded by the counter reading of the at least one error counter, different error signals may be output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Bieringer, Klaus Landesfeind, Dirk Ortlinghaus
  • Patent number: 7047442
    Abstract: An electronic test system that distinguishes erroneous and marginal results. The test system includes a memory and an electronic processor for controlling the execution of the test, obtaining test results and generating test results. The test results include a determination of whether the condition of the test datapoints is pass, fail, error or marginal, where pass indicates that the DUT has met a specification, fail indicates that the DUT has not met the specification, error indicates that the test system or interface to the DUT has failed, and marginal indicates that the system is marginally within specification. The test results are displayed on a graphical user interface. The test system provides the ability to control the progress of the test system based on the results. For example, the system can be programmed to stop on erroneous results, marginal results, failed results, combinations of the forgoing, or stop after each measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher K Sutton
  • Patent number: 6931339
    Abstract: A system and method indicate azimuth of a diver to a remote console. A compass sensor module on a headgear worn by the diver has a two-axis gimbal mechanism provided with a protective housing around ring and two orthogonal axis structures. A magnetic field sensor unit mounted on one axis structure provides magnetic field data signals representative of the azimuth faced by the diver. A processor section of the compass module connected to the sensor unit provides azimuth data signals from the magnetic field data signals. A data transmission module has a conductor extending from the compass module to an amplifier and cable for amplifying azimuth data signals and remotely transmitting them. An acoustic transducer in the data module can also transmit azimuth data signals as acoustic signals through water. The console connected to the cable and water receives and displays the remotely transmitted azimuth data signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William D. Olstad, Dennis G. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 6907370
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a measurement system are provided. The method and apparatus compensate not only for lamp variations, but also for camera and optics variations. The system can be readily implemented and can be ported from one measurement system to another. One embodiment of the improved calibration system addresses the issue of variations between light sources by employing an automated lamp calibration system. One method calibrates existing or new lamps to match an established standard. In a preferred embodiment, the method will generate a reference table, for a measurement system defined as the standard, to act as the reference for all measurement systems. The reference table may be in the form of a data file that may be subsequently copied to other measurement systems. The reference table can then act as a global standard for other measurement systems, including future systems not yet made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: JMAR Precision Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryl James Dzioba
  • Patent number: 6885973
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for analyzing hardware alarms in a telecommunications digital cross-connect system. The present invention also relates to a system and method for automating the process of analyzing hardware failures that cause path and parity alarms in a telecommunications digital cross-connect system used in a long distance network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Heather M. Mayhan
  • Patent number: 6877354
    Abstract: To balance ozone sensors for the onboard diagnosis of a catalytic element which is arranged in a vehicle and is exposed to an ambient airstream, for breaking down ozone, predetermined enable conditions allowing the sensor balancing to be carried out are checked, and if the enable conditions are fulfilled the values of the output signals from the ozone sensors are recorded and compared with one another. This comparison gives a deviation value which is characteristic of the deviation between the two values, and the deviation value is used to decide whether sensor balancing is required and indeed possible. If sensor balancing is required and possible, the values of the output signals from the ozone sensors are compared with a threshold value and depending on the result of this comparison either an additive or a multiplicative correction of the values of the output signals is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Bayerle, Frank Hacker, Hong Zhang
  • Patent number: 6842709
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the quality and performance of a product that utilizes end user serviceable components and consumables. In illustrative embodiments, a calibration procedure is employed to determine when and if sub-standard third party replacement components are employed. If such a component is detected, a notification is made to the end user or a service provider. Under certain conditions, the product can be disabled. In another embodiment, electronic labels are employed within the replaceable components. The electronic labels are used to determine the source and quality of the replaceable components, and to interface to sensors which can monitor the consumption of consumables, or for other purposes. Warranty and service costs can be established based on the utilization of the present teachings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael Jonas Borg
  • Patent number: 6832167
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a method of identification of weak and/or strong branches of an electric power transmission system. In the inventive method electrical parameters characterizing the nodes and branches of an electric power transmission system are subjected to computational treatment in order to obtain equations of power flow in all nodes of the system at assumed 100 percent system load value. Then an electric model of a branch is assumed and a curve P-Q is constructed which shows the functional relation between active and reactive load in the system. For the assumed branch model a branch voltage stability coefficient is determined. Then the analysed system is overloaded by increasing the total system load up to 120% base load and the branch voltage stability coefficient is determined again. The numerical values of the appropriately determined coefficients are compared with threshold values considered to be a safe margin for the maintenance of voltage stability for the given branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Technology AB
    Inventors: Marek Fulczyk, Marian Sobierajski, Joachim Bertsch
  • Patent number: 6789034
    Abstract: Information transfer is effected using a network of electrical signal conductors and sensors forming crosspoint connections. The sensors are capable of representing a measurement parameter as an electrical impedance. One embodiment of the present invention includes output electrical conductors, input electrical conductors, and sensors. Each of the sensors is connected with one of the output electrical conductors and one of the input electrical conductors so as to form an array of crosspoint connections. Application of electrical signals to the sensors and measurement of electrical signals from the sensors provide sufficient information to derive relative information corrected for parasitic current sources for each sensor using algorithms based on equations for combining impedance. The embodiment may further include one or more reference elements connected with the output electrical conductors and with the input electrical conductors so as to form crosspoint connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: OnWafer Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mason L. Freed
  • Patent number: 6738722
    Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus for collecting measured parameter data for applications such as deriving response models and information required for developing and maintaining processes and process tools. The methods and apparatus are capable of deriving correction factors for the measured data and applying the corrections factors to the measured data so as to provide corrected parameter data having increased accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: OnWafer Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kameshwar Polla, Costas J. Spanos
  • Patent number: 6701003
    Abstract: A method and system for component identification system for electronic board tester to identify the actual defective components in a failed board is disclosed. It uses image captures of the front side and backside of the tested board to extract an outline diagram that is compared to a database of outline diagrams of known boards until a match is found. Each outline diagram in the database is associated with a connection list between the standard connector of the board and the individual components. Test results with errors relating to connections of the standard connector are linked via the associated connection list of the match's outline diagram to the individual components. The outline diagram is displayed and printed with the defective components highlighted. Use of the identification system to select the best test algorithm and test parameter setup is disclosed. Connection to and operation with automatic handler systems is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Innoventions, Inc.
    Inventor: David Y. Feinstein
  • Patent number: 6701194
    Abstract: An electronic control board for supplying control signals including an activation signal to a controlled device in response to a detection signal created by a sensor comprises an on delay timer, a run timer, and an off delay timer. The on delay timer must time out before an activation signal is sent to the controlled device. The run timer permits activation of the controlled device during a run time interval. The off delay timer must time out before a subsequent detection signal will be permitted to generate an activation signal. A lockout timer prohibits generation of an activation signal if the number of activations exceeds a cycle limit. The control board further provides for shutting off the controlled device if the second detection signal occurs during the run time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: Jerome M. Gauthier, Nhon T. Voung, Mark J. Sippel
  • Patent number: 6701264
    Abstract: An apparatus (100), and method, for calibrating gain in satellite uplink receiver electronics includes an uplink receiver, a measurement processor, and an attenuator (106). The measurement processor receives the uplink signal from the uplink receiver and includes circuitry to sample (118) the uplink signals during a blanking interval and outputs a gain calibration signal. The sampling circuitry (118) may sample uplink signals periodically or responsive to extreme changes in conditions, and may sample the uplink signal multiple times during a blanking interval to output a multiple measurement sample. The measurement processor may include averaging circuitry (124) to produce a sample average. The method and apparatus (200) may both be used with TDMA systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Northrop
    Inventors: Gregory S. Caso, Dominic P. Carrozza
  • Patent number: 6691068
    Abstract: Data are collected for deriving response models and information required for developing and maintaining processes and process tools. Methods and apparatus for collecting the data include a sensor apparatus capable of collecting data with less perturbation and fewer disruptions than is usually possible using standard methods. The sensor apparatus is capable of being loaded into a process tool. From within the process tool, the sensor apparatus is capable of measuring data, processing data, storing data, and transmitting data. The sensor apparatus has capabilities for near real time data collection and communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: OnWafer Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mason L. Freed, Randall S. Mundt, Costas J. Spanos
  • Patent number: 6687634
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the quality and performance of a product that utilizes end user serviceable components and consumables. In illustrative embodiments, a calibration procedure is employed to determine when and if sub-standard third party replacement components are employed. If such a component is detected, a notification is made to the end user or a service provider. Under certain conditions, the product can be disabled. In another embodiment, electronic labels are employed within the replaceable components. The electronic labels are used to determine the source and quality of the replaceable components, and to interface to sensors which can monitor the consumption of consumables, or for other purposes. Warranty and service costs can be established based on the utilization of the present teachings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael Jonas Borg
  • Patent number: 6629046
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and arrangement for use in an electrical utility meter, the electrical utility meter operable to be connected to a plurality of electrical service types. The arrangement is operable to identify a present service type, the present service type being one of the plurality of electrical service types to which the electrical utility meter is connected. The arrangement comprises: conversion circuit for obtaining measured voltage magnitude and phase angle data for a plurality of phases in a polyphase electrical system; a memory; and a processor connected to said memory and said conversion circuit. The processor is operable to execute programming steps stored in the memory to receive the measured voltage magnitude and phase angle data from the conversion circuit and identify the present electrical service type based on the measured voltage magnitude and phase angle data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal K. Bond, Christopher L. Anderson, Robert E. Slaven
  • Patent number: 6615151
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of building instrument variation tolerance into calibration algorithms for spectroscopic devices for chemical composition analysis with spectroscopic methods. The method of the present invention is particularly suitable for blood glucose, cholesterol and other chemical components prediction based on near-infrared spectrophotometry measurements. A method includes developing a calibration algorithm on a first instrument; applying the calibration algorithm to a second instrument; calibrating the second instrument and adjusting the calibration algorithm to account for differences between the first instrument and the second instrument; and repeating the step of applying (above) in respect of (n) further instruments to provide a calibration algorithm which may then be used on other instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: CME Telemetrix Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Scecina, Theodore E. Cadell, Romuald Pawluczyk
  • Patent number: 6606567
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for taking the data generated from an array of responses from a multichannel instrument, and determining the characteristics of a chemical in the sample without the necessity of calibrating or training the instrument with known samples containing the same chemical. The characteristics determined by the method are then used to classify and identify the chemical in the sample. The method can also be used to quantify the concentration of the chemical in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignees: Battelle Memorial Institute, Eigenvector Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay W. Grate, Barry M. Wise
  • Patent number: 6549816
    Abstract: A plumbing control system includes a plurality of plumbing fixtures operated by an electronic control board having a microprocessor. The control board can form a node on a network that monitors and controls the functions of multiple boards throughout a facility from a central computer. Network software running on the central computer communicates with the control boards. The software includes a binding feature that requires reporting of a network operating variable at a first control board to the central computer or a second control board. The network software also has site and device setup forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: Jerome M. Gauthier, Nhon T. Vuong, Mark J. Sippel
  • Publication number: 20030028339
    Abstract: An apparatus (100), and method, for calibrating gain in satellite uplink receiver electronics includes an uplink receiver, a measurement processor, and an attenuator (106). The measurement processor receives the uplink signal from the uplink receiver and includes circuitry to sample (118) the uplink signals during a blanking interval and outputs a gain calibration signal. The sampling circuitry (118) may sample uplink signals periodically or responsive to extreme changes in conditions, and may sample the uplink signal multiple times during a blanking interval to output a multiple measurement sample. The measurement processor may include averaging circuitry (124) to produce a sample average. The method and apparatus (200) may both be used with TDMA systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Gregory S. Caso, Dominic P. Carrozza
  • Publication number: 20030010089
    Abstract: A reduced error measurement system for use in, for example, an appliance control system includes a multiplexor, a plurality of sensors coupled to the multiplexor, and a single amplifier circuit having an impedance path. The multiplexor is configured to selectively place one of the sensors into the impedance path of the amplifier. A transfer function of an amplifier circuit is dependent upon a selected sensor response when placed into the circuit, thereby allowing a controller to make control decisions based upon a voltage output of the single amplifier, thereby reducing errors attributable to a plurality of amplifier channels. An adjacent channel calibration technique is used to calibrate a hard mounted sensor to an integrated circuit that applies a calibrated offset value determined with a removable sensor coupled to the integrated circuit to the hard mounted sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: John S. Holmes
  • Patent number: 6456954
    Abstract: A sensing element detects a predetermined physical quantity and generates a sensor signal. A signal processing circuit processes the sensor signal and generates an output signal. A first memory circuit stores characteristics control data used for adjusting sensor output characteristics. An adjusting circuit performs an adjustment to equalize the sensor output to a target value based on the characteristics control data stored in the first memory circuit. A second memory circuit stores fine control data used in a fine adjustment performed to correct a deviation resulting after the adjustment based on the characteristics control data stored in said first memory circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Ikuta
  • Publication number: 20020072869
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a sensor system which is used to detect and analyze objects in the path of a vehicle is described. In this method, characteristic data of the objects is detected with the sensor system, and data interpreted as stationary or quasi-stationary objects, taking into account the vehicle's own motion, is sent to a calibration unit. In the calibration unit, the deviation of the instantaneously measured data from data of a model of the objects is determined as the error vector and used for correcting the data of the model for the purpose of minimizing the deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Christoph Stiller
  • Patent number: 6327555
    Abstract: Impurity profiles Pi1 and Ps1 are determined for the same conditions by a reference acquiring means and a simulation capable of producing a result faster than the reference acquiring means, respectively. Errors between the impurity profile Pi1 determined by the reference acquiring means and the impurity profile Ps1 determined by the simulation are determined. An impurity profile Psx is calculated for another kind of conditions by the simulation, and a new impurity profile Psx′ is calculated by correcting the impurity profile Psx so as to reflect the errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shunkichi Shimizu, Mikio Mukai, Yasutoshi Komatsu