By Another Sensor Patents (Class 702/93)
  • Patent number: 11962645
    Abstract: Systems and methods for guided personal identity based actions are provided. In example embodiments, a user-specified action from a first user device of a first user is received. The user-specified action pertains to the first user and uses data of the first user when performed. The user-specified action is linked to an identifier. An indication of the identifier is received from a second user device of a second user. In response to receiving the indication of the identifier, the user-specified action linked to the identifier is identified, the data of the first user is accessed, a user interface that includes an option to perform the user-specified action using the data of the first user is generated, and the generated user interface is presented on the second user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SNAP INC.
    Inventors: Landon Anderton, Garrett Gee, Ryan Hornberger, Kirk Ouimet, Kameron Sheffield, Benjamin Turley
  • Patent number: 11946995
    Abstract: A method of calibrating an inertial measurement unit, the method comprising: (a) collecting data from the inertial measurement unit while stationary as a first step; (b) collecting data from the inertial measurement unit while repositioning the inertial measurement unit around three orthogonal axes of the inertial measurement unit as a second step; (c) calibrating a plurality of gyroscopes using the data collected during the first step and the second step; (d) calibrating a plurality of magnetometers using the data collected during the first step and the second step; (e) calibrating a plurality of accelerometers using the data collected during the first step and the second step; (f) where calibrating the plurality of magnetometers includes extracting parameters for distortion detection and using the extracted parameters to determine if magnetic distortion is present within a local field of the inertial measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TECHMAH MEDICAL LLC
    Inventor: Mohamed R. Mahfouz
  • Patent number: 11280645
    Abstract: Various examples are directed to methods and system of managing a sensor. A measurement system may receive from the host device, a first register map describing a first configuration of the measurement system for the first sensor. The first configuration may indicate a first measurement frequency for the first sensor. The measurement system may configure a switch matrix to provide a first excitation signal to the first sensor. The measurement system may configure the switch matrix to connect an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of the measurement system to the first sensor. The measurement system may sample a first raw sensor signal from the first sensor with the ADC at a first measurement frequency described by the first configuration. The measurement system may generate first digital measurement data based at least in part on the first raw sensor signal and send the first digital measurement data to the host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Claire Croke, Aine McCarthy, Adrian Sherry, Giovanni C. Dotta, Dan O'Donovan, Sean Wilson, Mary McCarthy, Colin G. Lyden, Fiona Treacy, Michael Byrne
  • Patent number: 11022469
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for correcting sensor data in a multi-sensor environment. An exemplary method comprises obtaining sensor data from a first sensor; applying an anomaly detection technique to detect an anomaly in the sensor data from the first sensor based on additional sensor data from one or more of the first sensor and at least one additional sensor in proximity to the first sensor; and correcting the anomalous sensor data from the first sensor using additional sensor data from one or more of the first sensor and the at least one additional sensor. In some embodiments, additional sensor data from a plurality of neighboring sensors is used to predict the sensor data from the first sensor. The anomalous sensor data is optionally corrected substantially close in time to the detection of the anomaly in the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Anat Parush Tzur, Oshry Ben-Harush, Amihai Savir, Assaf Natanzon
  • Patent number: 10884505
    Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include tracking, using a low-order degree-of-freedom (DOF) mode, an orientation of a device based on input from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the device. The method may also include determining, using a magnetometer, that the device has entered a magnetic tracking volume defined by at least one magnet and in response to determining that the device has entered the magnetic tracking volume, transitioning from the low-order DOF mode to a high-order DOF mode that tracks a higher number of DOFs than the low-order DOF mode. The method may also include tracking, using the high-order DOF mode, the position and orientation of the device based on input from both the IMU and the magnetometer. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ke Huo, Chengyuan Yan
  • Patent number: 10754017
    Abstract: A target object information acquisition apparatus includes a driving support ECU configured to select, when two or more sensor target objects detected by one of radar sensors among the grouped sensor target objects are present, the sensor target object having a shortest distance with respect to an own vehicle among the two or more sensor target objects detected as a width calculation sensor target object. The driving support ECU is configured to calculate a width of the fusion target object using the lateral position with respect to the own vehicle of the selected width calculation sensor target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shunsuke Miyata
  • Patent number: 10429538
    Abstract: According to exemplary inventive practice, an ADCP system (including one or more acoustic Doppler current profilers) and a magnetometer system (including one or more magnetometers) are placed underwater. The ADCP system is used to obtain ADCP time series data. The magnetometer system is used to obtain magnetometer time series data. A computer performs computations with respect to input from the ADCP system and input from the magnetometer system. The computations include formulation of a least squares matrix to minimize a least squared error between the ADCP time series data and the magnetometer time series data. The present invention may be practiced, for instance, whereby a magnetometer is centrally located in relation to a triangular arrangement of three ADCPs, or whereby the ADCP system and the magnetometer system are co-located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William A. Venezia, John J. Holmes, Eric S. Dykes
  • Patent number: 10222214
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital sight for a hand-carried projectile-firing device and a method of controlling the digital sight. A digital sight for a hand-carried projectile-firing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a digital sight for a hand-carried projectile-firing device, the digital sight including an inertial sensor package and a manual rotation device, wherein the inertial sensor package includes a gyroscope and an accelerometer module. In accordance with the present invention, equipment for measuring the firing direction of a hand-carried projectile-firing device such as a mortar is replaced with a digital sight for a hand-carried projectile-firing device, which reduces an estimation error while using a single medium-low level gyroscope, thus enabling the projectile-firing device to precisely and promptly fire a projectile and improving the operability thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Tae-Gyoo Lee, Suk-Won Jang, Jin-Seung Lee, Jae-Gun Choi, Hong-Key Moon
  • Patent number: 10100497
    Abstract: A shovel includes a lower-part traveling body 1, an upper-part swiveling body 3 installed in the lower-part traveling body so as to be rotatable relative to the lower-part traveling body, an attachment attached to the upper-part swiveling body, and a machine guidance device 50 of reporting a visual report or an audible report of a value of a difference between a present position of an end attachment and a target position of the end attachment, wherein the shovel includes a controller 30 that reports possible discontinuity of an accurate guidance in a case where it is determined that a predetermined event occurs. The controller determines that the predetermined event occurs in a case where it is determined that a change occurs in a position of the lower-part traveling body or a posture of the lower-part traveling body, and reports the possible discontinuity of the accurate guidance to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO (S.H.I.) CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeya Izumikawa
  • Patent number: 9043178
    Abstract: Provided is an operating method of a sensor node. The operating method of a sensor node includes receiving a sensing request, adjusting a sensing condition on the basis of the received sensing request, and sensing according to the adjusted sensing condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Seung-Mok Yoo
  • Patent number: 9020776
    Abstract: An inclination angle compensation system for determining an inclination angle of a machine is disclosed. The inclination angle compensation system may have a non-gravitational acceleration estimator configured to estimate a non-gravitational acceleration of a machine based on an estimated inclination angle and an acceleration output from a forward acceleration sensor. The inclination angle compensation system may also have an inclination angle sensor corrector configured to receive an inclination angle output from an inclination angle sensor, determine an inclination angle sensor acceleration based on the inclination angle output, and calculate a corrected inclination angle of the machine based on the non-gravitational acceleration and the inclination angle sensor acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Russell Friend
  • Publication number: 20150012234
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for a field compensation of an electronic compass for influences to a geomagnetic field by magnetic objects in the vicinity of the compass, that is done with acquiring a magnetic field value by a magnetic field sensor and acquiring an inclination with respect to level plane by an accelerometer, in a discrete set of multiple orientations of the compass. Therein, a user guidance for subsequently orienting the compass into a predetermined desired range of orientation is provided to the user. In the following, compensation data are calculated from those magnetic sensor acquisitions to compensate for the influences in such a way, that a magnetic north heading is determinable based on the compensated magnetic field values. Therein, the user guidance for the compensation is done with a gathering of directional information based on rotary rate readings from a gyroscope for an azimuthal component of the orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Ivo ANNEN, Silvio GNEPF
  • Publication number: 20150006099
    Abstract: Motion sensors of a mobile device mounted to a vehicle are used to detect a mount angle of the mobile device. The motion sensors are used to determine whether the vehicle is accelerating or de-accelerating, whether the vehicle is turning and whether the mount angle of the mobile device is rotating. The mount angle of the mobile device is obtained from data output from the motion sensors and can be used to correct a compass heading. Data from the motion sensors that are obtained while the vehicle is turning or the mobile device is rotating are not used to obtain the mount angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Hung A. Pham, Martin M. Menzel, Sunny Kai Pang Chow, Xiaoyuan Tu
  • Publication number: 20140297213
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the azimuth correction method includes acquiring at the electronic device, an azimuth, determining reliability of a change value of the azimuth, sensing motion of the electronic device based on the reliability, and correcting the azimuth according to the motion. Various embodiments of the invention may include other embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung-Hee LEE
  • Patent number: 8843338
    Abstract: A method including switching hardware into a pre-calibration mode; and using the hardware to selectively pre-store measured data for calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Mika H. Laaksonen, Vesa Koivuaho
  • Patent number: 8788231
    Abstract: A method for detecting a rotation and a direction of a rotation of a rotor, on which at least one damping element is positioned, wherein two sensors are arranged. The sensors are damped depending on a position of the damping element. After a standardization has been performed, the measurements are taken by observing consecutive rotational angle positions and then standardization rules are applied to the measured decay times of the sensors. Then a vector, which is entered into a coordinate system, is formed from the values. The present vector angle is determined and compared to the value of a suitable prior vector angle. From the result of the comparison, it is determined whether the rotor has performed a rotation and whether the rotation was forward or backward. By repeating the measurements in the rhythm of the scanning frequency, the rotational motions of the rotor can be detected with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sensus Spectrum LLC
    Inventor: Joachim Baumann
  • Publication number: 20140129170
    Abstract: An accelerometer in a mobile device is calibrated by taking multiple measurements of acceleration vectors when the mobile device is held stationary at different orientations with respect to a plane normal. A circle is calculated that fits respective tips of measured acceleration vectors in the accelerometer coordinate system. The radius of the circle and the lengths of the measured acceleration vectors are used to calculate a rotation angle for aligning the accelerometer coordinate system with the mobile device surface. A gyroscope in the mobile device is calibrated by taking multiple measurements of a rotation axis when the mobile device is rotated at different rates with respect to the rotation axis. A line is calculated that fits the measurements. The angle between the line and an axis of the gyroscope coordinate system is used to align the gyroscope coordinate system with the mobile device surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Mahesh Ramachandran, Arvind Ramanandan, Christopher Brunner, Murali Ramaswamy Chari
  • Patent number: 8712069
    Abstract: An audio processing system processes an audio signal that may come from one or more microphones. The audio processing system may use information from one or more non-acoustic sensors to improve a variety of system characteristics, including responsiveness and quality. Especially those audio processing systems that use spatial information, for example to separate multiple audio sources, are undesirably susceptible to changes in the relative position of any audio sources, the audio processing system itself, or any combination thereof. Using the non-acoustic sensor information may decrease this susceptibility advantageously in an audio processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Audience, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlo Murgia, Michael M. Goodwin, Peter Santos, Dana Massie
  • Patent number: 8688403
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a method of determining an attitude matrix on a portable electronic device. The method includes determining a first attitude matrix gradient using data from at least one of an accelerometer and a magnetometer, determining a second attitude matrix gradient using data from a gyroscope, fusing the first attitude matrix gradient and the second attitude matrix gradient based on a mixing coefficient to generate a fused gradient, and based on the fused gradient, updating a fine attitude matrix for the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Anand Ravindra Oka, Nazih Almalki, Christopher Harris Snow
  • Patent number: 8682610
    Abstract: Physical sensor devices, methods, and computer useable mediums for estimating an orientation of a physical sensor device are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for estimating an orientation of a physical sensor device includes determining a sensed vector associated with a physical sensor and comparing the at least one sensed vector to at least a portion of a plurality of check vectors. Each check vector corresponds to an orientation of the physical sensor device. A reference vector is associated with each check vector, thereby defining a plurality of reference vectors. The method further includes selecting at least one check vector that is closest to the at least one sensed vector, selecting a selected at least one reference vector associated with the selected at least one check vector, and estimating the orientation of the physical sensor device based at least in part on the selected at least one reference vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: YEI Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen P. Landers, Paul W. Yost
  • Patent number: 8645093
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional sensor, a magnetometer or accelerometer, is calibrated based on the raw data provided by the sensor. Raw data is collected and may be used to generate ellipse or ellipsoid parameters, for a two-dimensional or three-dimensional sensor, respectively. An offset calibration factor is calculated based on the raw data, e.g., the determined ellipse or ellipsoid parameters. A sensitivity calibration factor is then calculated based on the offset calibration factor and the raw data. A non-orthogonality calibration factor can then be calculated based on the calculated offset and sensitivity calibration factors. Using the offset, sensitivity and non-orthogonality calibration factors, the raw data can be corrected to produce calibrated data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Christopher Brunner
  • Patent number: 8626465
    Abstract: Sensor measurements are used to detect when a device incorporating the sensor is stationary. While the device is stationary, sensor measurements at a current device temperature are used to estimate model parameters. The model parameters can be used in a state estimator to provide an estimated attitude that can be provided to other applications. In some implementations, the estimated attitude can be used to mitigate interference in other sensor measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Moore, Brian Michael King, William Matthew Vieta, Xiaoyuan Tu, Patrick Piemonte
  • Publication number: 20130332098
    Abstract: Methods for calibrating a body-worn magnetic sensor by spinning the magnetic sensor 360 degrees to capture magnetic data; if the spin failed to produce a circle contained in an x-y plane fit a sphere to the captured data; determining offsets based on the center of the sphere; and removing the offsets that are in the z-direction. Computing a magnetic heading reliability of a magnetic sensor by determining an orientation of the sensor at one location; transforming the orientation between two reference frames; measuring a first vector associated with the magnetic field of Earth at the location; processing the first vector to generate a virtual vector when a second location is detected; measuring a second vector associated with the magnetic field of Earth at the second location; and calculating the magnetic heading reliability at the second location based on a comparison of the virtual vector and the second vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Funk, Dan Hakim, John Karvounis, Travis Young, Carole Teolis
  • Patent number: 8594964
    Abstract: In a method for determining an offset of measured values of a multiaxial directional sensor using a superposed signal, a large number of multiaxial measured values are recorded first. Measured values, which are recorded in different orientations of the directional sensor, form a geometric figure in a coordinate system resulting from the measuring axes of the sensor, the ideal form of the geometric figure being known and the ideal center point of which being located at the origin of the measuring axes. In the case of a biaxial sensor, the geometric figure is a circle; in the case of a triaxial sensor, it is a sphere around the origin. The superposition caused by the interference is reflected in that the center point of the geometric figure is shifted in relation to the origin of the measuring axes. The offset is measured by determining this shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Julian Bartholomeyczik, Sergej Scheiermann
  • Patent number: 8583392
    Abstract: An electronic device can include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) operative to monitor the movement of the electronic device. The IMU used in the device can be inaccurate due to the manufacturing process used to construct the IMU and to incorporate the IMU in the electronic device. To correct the IMU output, the electronic device in which the IMU is incorporated can be placed in a testing apparatus that moves the device to known orientations. The IMU output at the known orientations can be compared to an expected true IMU output, and correction factors (e.g., sensitivity and offset matrices) can be calculated. The correction factors can be stored in the device, and applied to the IMU output to provide a true output. The testing apparatus can include a fixture placed in a gimbal movable around three axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Panagas
  • Publication number: 20130289915
    Abstract: An automatic compass system for a vehicle includes compass circuitry having a multi-axis compass sensor and associated circuitry. The multi-axis compass sensor includes first and second magnetoresponsive sensing elements. The magnetoresponsive sensing elements and at least a portion of the associated circuitry are established on a common silicon substrate using CMOS technology. The associated circuitry includes at least one of (i) an A/D converter, (ii) a D/A converter, (iii) signal processing circuitry, (iv) memory, (v) signal filtering circuitry, (vi) a display driver. The compass circuitry (i) determines a directional heading of the equipped vehicle responsive to a sensing of a magnetic field by the magnetoresponsive sensing elements and (ii) automatically compensates for a deviating magnetic field. Responsive to the compass circuitry, an information display of the equipped vehicle may display the directional heading of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Rodney K. Blank, Kenneth L. Schierbeek, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8552739
    Abstract: In an electronic device and a method of correcting time-domain reflectometers, two channels of a time-domain reflectometer are connected to a corrector using cables, and the two channels are enabled to transmit pulses. Parameters Step Deskew and Channel Deskew of the two channels are zeroed. Resistance values of the two channels are measured simultaneously, and the value of the parameter Step Deskew of one of the two channels is adjusted according to the Resistance values of the two channels. Times of achieving the same resistance value of the two channels are measured after the cables and the connector have been disconnected, and the value of the parameter Channel Deskew of one of the two channels is adjusted according to the times of achieving the same resistance value. The adjusted values of the parameters Step Deskew and Channel Deskew are displayed through a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien-Chuan Liang, Shen-Chun Li, Shou-Kuo Hsu
  • Patent number: 8548766
    Abstract: A method that compensates gyroscopes comprises rotating a sensor platform with three gyroscopes, three accelerometers and three magnetometers thereon; determining a first rotation vector Og based upon the rotation sensed by at least one of the three gyroscopes; determining a second rotation vector Om vector based upon the rotation sensed by the three accelerometers and the three magnetometers; and determining a compensation gain and a compensation bias for the at least one gyroscope based upon the first rotation vector and the second rotation vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Judd
  • Publication number: 20130245982
    Abstract: Methods and electronic devices for determining orientation are described. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a processor-implemented method of determining a corrected orientation of a gyroscope on an electronic device. The method includes: obtaining a gyroscope reading; determining a first orientation estimate based on the gyroscope reading and a past corrected orientation; determining whether the gyroscope was saturated when the gyroscope reading was obtained; adjusting a saturation correction learning rate for the gyroscope based on the result of the determination of whether the gyroscope was saturated; and determining a corrected orientation based on the first orientation estimate, a second orientation estimate and the saturation correction learning rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Nathan Daniel Pozniak BUCHANAN, Nazih ALMALKI
  • Patent number: 8532864
    Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling an autonomous operating vehicle, a traveling direction and traveled distance are calculated based on outputs of wheel speed sensor and angular velocity sensor, and the vehicle is controlled to, as traveling straight, perform the operation using an operating machine in accordance with a predetermined travel pattern in a travel-scheduled area based on the calculated traveling direction and traveled distance. It is determined whether a difference between a scheduled-travel distance scheduled in the predetermined travel pattern and an actual traveled distance exceeds a permissible value when the vehicle is traveled straight and a center value of the outputs of the angular velocity sensor is corrected when the difference is determined to exceed the permissible value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Sato, Makoto Yamamura, Yoshinori Masubuchi
  • Patent number: 8527228
    Abstract: An electronic device can include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) operative to monitor the movement of the electronic device. The IMU used in the device can be inaccurate due to the manufacturing process used to construct the IMU and to incorporate the IMU in the electronic device. To correct the IMU output, the electronic device in which the IMU is incorporated can be placed in a testing apparatus that moves the device to known orientations. The IMU output at the known orientations can be compared to an expected true IMU output, and correction factors (e.g., sensitivity and offset matrices) can be calculated. The correction factors can be stored in the device, and applied to the IMU output to provide a true output. The testing apparatus can include a fixture placed in a gimbal movable around three axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Panagas
  • Patent number: 8489355
    Abstract: A method for determining long-term offset drifts of acceleration sensors in a motor vehicle is provided. In one step, the longitudinal vehicle speed is determined in the vehicle's center of gravity. In another step, the share of the driving dynamics in the longitudinal reference acceleration formula and in the transversal reference acceleration formula is calculated from the longitudinal vehicle speed and the yaw rate. In yet another step, the share of the driving dynamics in the reference acceleration on the vehicle level formula is calculated by converting the driving dynamic reference accelerations formula calculated for the center of gravity to the position formula and the orientation of the sensor formula. In a further step, the long-term offset drift of the sensor is determined from the measured values of the sensor and the share of the measured value in the driving dynamics by means of a situation-dependent averaging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Kretschmann, Jens Daniel Schlachter, Martin Stratesteffen
  • Patent number: 8485014
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods for compensation of mechanical imbalance in a measurement apparatus, that provides options for increased accuracy and/or less expensive manufacture of a torsion balance. Orientation measurements are taken and an imbalance torque about the torsion spring's axis of rotation is determined, and used to calculate a compensation. The measurement apparatus of one embodiment includes a test body and a set of magnets for generating a first disturbing force on the test body in response to a paramagnetic gas. A conductor element in the magnetic field receives an electrical current that generates a second opposing force to the test body, under feedback control that varies the current until the test body achieves a balanced null position. The control signal required to achieve the fixed null position is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Servomex Group Limited
    Inventors: Colin Stocks, James Hobby, Martin Lopez, Chris Edwards
  • Patent number: 8437970
    Abstract: Responsive to a recalibration trigger event, magnetometer data output by a magnetometer can be compared to historical magnetometer data previously output by the magnetometer. If a match is determined, a confidence of the match can be determined using theoretically constant data related to Earth's magnetic field. The constant data can be calculated from the historical magnetometer data. If the confidence of the match exceeds a confidence threshold level, historical calibration data can be used to calibrate the magnetometer. If the confidence of the match does not exceed the confidence threshold level, a calibration procedure can be performed to generate new calibration data, and the new calibration data can be used to calibrate the magnetometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Mayor, Ronald Keryuan Huang, Patrick Piemonte
  • Publication number: 20130041610
    Abstract: Visual codes are scanned to assist navigation. The visual code may be a Quick Response (QR) code that contains information useful to calibrating a variety of navigation-based sensors such as gyroscopes, e-compasses, and barometric pressure sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Deric Wayne WATERS, Tarkesh Pande
  • Patent number: 8374817
    Abstract: An electronic device has an orientation sensing system for determining an orientation of the device. The system includes a magnetometer and an accelerometer. The system further has a calibration device configured to calibrate the sensing system for operational use. The accelerometer supplies measurements used to constrain a range of possible directions of the external magnetic field to be determined. The calibration device numerically solves a set of equations and is equally usable for a 2D or 3D magnetometer in combination with a 2D or 3D accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Hans Marc Bert Boeve, Teunis Jan Ikkink, Haris Duric
  • Patent number: 8326561
    Abstract: In one embodiment a method and corresponding apparatus are arranged to determine an accurate device heading by continuously combining an average magnetic heading with the compensated inertial heading. The example embodiment obtains the compensated inertial heading by compensating for a time delay of an inertial heading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Airmar Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Alfonso R. Navarro, Jr., Frederic S. Boericke, II, Kenneth D. Rolt, Stephen G. Boucher, Roger H. Tancrell
  • Patent number: 8326533
    Abstract: Techniques for estimating compass and gyroscope biases for handheld devices are disclosed. The compass bias can be determined by causing a small movement of the handheld device and comparing the data obtained from the compass with the data obtained from the gyroscope. The gyroscope bias can be determined by obtaining a quaternion based angular velocity term of the handheld device when the accelerometer and compass data are reliable, and then comparing the angular velocity term with the gyro data to estimate the gyro bias. When the compass and/or the accelerometer data are unreliable, a previously determined quaternion angular velocity term is used. The gyroscope bias can also be determined by measuring gyroscope biases at various temperatures in a non-factory setting, storing the data in a memory, and using the data to estimate gyro biases when the accelerometer and/or the compass data are unreliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Invensense, Inc.
    Inventors: David Sachs, Shang-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 8311757
    Abstract: An innovative configuration of Miniaturized Smart Self-calibration EPD for mortar applications, as the azimuth/heading and elevation measurement device. This innovative EPD configuration uses only two FOGs or DTG and accelerometers and it is self-contained. This leads to a new EPD implementation that produces a small and light device with lower cost and adequate accuracy for the small dismounted mortar applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: American GNC Corporation
    Inventor: Ching-Fang Lin
  • Publication number: 20120283977
    Abstract: The magnitude of a sensed, raw magnetic field in a portable device is monitored over a given time interval. The monitored magnitude is compared with predetermined criteria. Based on the comparison, recalibration of a compass function is signed. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick S. Piemonte, Madhu Shrivastav, Puneet Mishra, Robert Mayor, Ronald K. Huang, Parin Patel
  • Patent number: 8306768
    Abstract: Operation data including at least acceleration data and angular speed data is obtained from an input device including at least an acceleration sensor and a gyroscopic sensor. Next, at least one of an attitude and a position of a predetermined object in a virtual space is controlled based on the angular speed data. When at least one of the attitude and the position of the predetermined object is controlled based on the angular speed data, it is determined whether or not the acceleration data satisfies predetermined conditions. As a result, if the acceleration data satisfies the predetermined conditions, the predetermined object is caused to start a predetermined motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Yamada, Hidemaro Fujibayashi, Eiji Aonuma
  • Patent number: 8290748
    Abstract: The invention creates a control and evaluation apparatus for different sensor units, having: a stabilized supply unit for supplying the sensor unit with electrical energy; an amplifier device for amplifying a sensor signal generated by the sensor unit, which signal is delivered to the amplifier device as an input signal, and for outputting a measured signal dependent on the sensor signal; and an output unit for outputting the amplified sensor signal as an output signal. The amplifier device contains an integrated measuring resistor for measuring a voltage drop produced by the sensor signal, the voltage drop being delivered to the amplifier device as the input signal. In addition, in a comparator unit downstream from the amplifier device, the measured signal is compared with a definable threshold value, the threshold value being adjustable as a function of the sensor unit being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Schumacher, Ruediger Karner
  • Publication number: 20120136604
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for estimating 3D attitude are disclosed. The method comprises following steps. A set of current angular velocity, a set of current magnetic flux and a set of acceleration of a carrier are sensed. A set of estimated attitude angles are estimated according to the set of current angular velocities, a set of history attitude angles and a motion model. A disturbance parameter is calculated according the set of current magnetic flux and a set of history magnetic flux. It is determined whether the disturbance parameter is more than a disturbance threshold or not. If yes, the set of estimated attitude angles are updated according to the set of current accelerations not the set of current magnetic flux. If not, the set of estimated attitude angles are updated according to the set of current accelerations and the set of current magnetic flux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Hsiang-Wen Hsieh, Yu-Kuen Tsai, Chia-Lin Kuo, Hung-Hsiu Yu
  • Patent number: 8155909
    Abstract: A method, a device and a computer program product, by means of which sensor values of redundant sensors in vehicles can be compared with each other to carry out a plausibility check, the measured values of said sensors not being synchronized with each other, are described. On the basis of a first measured value in time, and using the physical properties of the vehicle, a plausibility window, in which a second, subsequent measured value of a different sensor must be to count as plausible, is formed. The determined plausibility of the measured values is indicated by means of a plausibility signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8145418
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining magnetic heading information for a vehicle. In one example, the system identifies at least one polar exclusion area based on predefined rate-of-change of magnetic variation (magvar). Locally stored magvar information is retrieved based on received vehicle position information that is outside the polar exclusion areas. Magnetic heading is determined based on the retrieved magvar information, the received position information, and the received true heading information. In another example, the magnetic heading is determined based on the retrieved magvar and magvar rate-of-change information, on the received vehicle position and true heading information, and on the received date information. In another example, the magnetic heading is determined based on the received vehicle position, true heading, and date information, and on the magvar retrieved from a world magnetic model utilizing stored model coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Meier, Jeffrey E. Love
  • Patent number: 8108171
    Abstract: Calibration systems and methods simultaneously calibrate a magnetic compass and gyroscopes. An exemplary embodiment rotates the field calibration system. Based upon the rotation sensed by the magnetic compass and the gyroscopes, the field calibration system determines compensation for both the magnetic compass and the gyroscopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Judd
  • Patent number: 8103472
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for compensating for position slip in interface devices that may occur between a manipulandum and a sensor of the device due to a mechanical transmission. A device position delta is determined from a sensed position of a manipulandum of an interface device. It is determined if position slip has occurred caused by a change in position of the manipulandum that was not sensed by a sensor of the interface device, typically caused by a mechanical transmission between sensor and manipulandum. If position slip has occurred, an error in the sensed position caused by the position slip is corrected by adjusting the sensed position to take into account the position slip. The adjusted position delta is used as the position of the manipulandum and the display of objects controlled by the interface device are accordingly compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Adam C Braun, Kollin M Tierling, Kenneth M Martin, Bruce M Schena
  • Patent number: 8079277
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for refining subject activity classification for the recognition of daily activities of a subject, and a system for recognizing daily activities using the same. The refining apparatus improves the correctness of subject activity classification using daily activities of a subject, activation time information of sensors mounted on objects associated with the daily activities of the subject, and the suitability of a continuous activity pattern in relation to the daily activities. This improves the correctness of subject activity classification that becomes basic information in daily activity analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Sun Lee Bang, Min Ho Kim, Soo Jun Park, Seon Hee Park
  • Patent number: 8060328
    Abstract: An apparatus for quantitation of surface-binding optical resonance profiles includes a calibration module including a calibration scan result fetcher, a calibration profile creation module, and a fitting module. The fitting module includes an experimental scan result fetcher, a calibration profile fetcher, and a resonance shift determination module. A method for qualifying a surface plasmon resonance chip is also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB
    Inventor: David H. Tracy
  • Patent number: 8005635
    Abstract: A method and system for Self-calibrated Azimuth and Attitude Accuracy Enhancing are disclosed, wherein SAAAEMS approach is based on fully auto-calibration self-contained INS principles, not depending on magnetometers for azimuth/heading determination, and thus the system outputs and performance are not affected by the environmental magnetic fields. In order to reduce the system size and cost, this new innovative methods and algorithms are used for SAAAEMS system configuration and integration. Compared to a conventional INS for gyrocompassing, AGNC's approach uses a smaller number of high accuracy sensors: SAAAEMS uses only one 2-axis high accuracy gyro (for example, one DTG) instead of 3-axis; the third axis gyro is a MEMS gyro. It uses only 2 high accuracy accelerometers instead of 3, since the two accelerometers are used only for gyrocompassing not for navigation. These two changes to the conventional INS system configuration remarkably reduce the whole system size and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Ching-Fang Lin