Response To Both Velocity And Acceleration Patents (Class 73/511)
  • Patent number: 11371848
    Abstract: A method of characterizing an inertial measurement unit includes a block carrying one accelerometer positioned on an axis of a measurement reference frame and having one gyro arranged to determine the orientation of the frame relative to an inertial reference frame. The method includes keeping the inertial measurement unit centered on a point that is stationary relative to the ground and that is in a predetermined environment, to obtain accelerometer signals that are images of at least one component of the specific force vector in the measurement reference frame and also gyro signals that are images of at least one component of the instantaneous rotation of the measurement reference frame; processing the signals to obtain data representative of projecting of the specific force vector into the inertial reference frame, after compensating for rotation of the Earth; and calculating Allan variance on the data and comparing it with reference data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE
    Inventors: Philippe Elie, Frédéric Davi, Christian Lignon
  • Patent number: 11131987
    Abstract: An object-based integrity verification method for detecting hazardously misleading information contained in an output image of a graphics processing unit comprises steps of: identifying a plurality of safety-critical graphic objects in the output image; assigning each safety-critical graphic object an object ID code; creating an object verification database; rendering a monochrome reference ID code image using object ID code as its color component; verifying the location, shape and color information for each safety-critical graphic object, and tracking the visibility and overlaying property between safety-critical graphic objects using the monochrome reference ID code image; detecting and evaluating failure condition; and annunciating the failure condition with proper warning level and appropriate corrective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Xinxin Wang
  • Patent number: 11035915
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating a magnetic fingerprint map. Information representing orientation and position of each portable device is obtained along with magnetic field measurements that are correlated with positions determined from the information. Uncertainties associated with the magnetic field measurements are estimated and the magnetic field measurements and associated uncertainties are converted from a device frame to a unified fingerprint frame using the orientations determined from the information. Parameters of a probability distribution function for magnetic field measurements and contaminating measurements are mitigated at each determined position based at least in part on the converted magnetic field measurements and associated uncertainties. Correspondingly, the magnetic fingerprint map is generated from the determined parameters of the probability distribution functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Gennadii Berkovich, Dmitry Churikov
  • Patent number: 10948299
    Abstract: Methods and systems for relative inertial measurement may include a user device comprising an inertial measurement device and/or a camera. A second inertial measurement device may be configured to move with a reference frame. One or more processors may receive inertial measurements from the first and second inertial measurement devices and determine movement of the user device relative to the reference frame by comparing the received inertial measurements. Additionally reference objects in a view of a camera may be used to calibrate the determined motion of the user device within the reference frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Y. Zhang, Sonca Teng
  • Patent number: 9626802
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for methods and systems of distinguishing movements of features in a physical environment. For example, on a head-mounted display device, one embodiment of a method includes obtaining a representation of real-world features in two or more coordinate frames and obtaining motion data from one or more sensors external to the head-mounted display device. The method further includes distinguishing features in one coordinate frame from features in another coordinate frame based upon the motion data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Adam G. Poulos, Arthur Tomlin, Tony Ambrus, Jeffrey Cole, Ian Douglas McIntyre, Drew Steedly, Frederik Schaffalitzky, Georg Klein, Kathleen P. Mulcahy
  • Patent number: 9114772
    Abstract: A CPS dampen, dissipation, deflection and isolation control system includes a first structure comprising at least one chamber 121; a second structure comprising at least one chamber 122, wherein the chamber of the first structure 121 and the chamber of the second structure 122 are interposed by an elastic element 130, wherein the first structure 121 is moveably attached by signal to the second structure 122, wherein an intruding vector is identified for a qualified gait, wherein the first structure is configured in isolation of a vector intrusion of the second structure, whereby inertia dissipation of the first structure and substantial isolation of the intruding vector of the second structure is performed in a degree of freedom of the embodiment datum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventor: Bruce L Kepley
  • Patent number: 8997564
    Abstract: A module operable to be mounted onto a surface of a board. The module includes a linear accelerometer to provide a first measurement output corresponding to a measurement of linear acceleration in at least one axis, and a first rotation sensor operable to provide a second measurement output corresponding to a measurement of rotation about at least one axis. The accelerometer and the first rotation sensor are formed on a first substrate. The module further includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to receive both the first measurement output from the linear accelerometer and the second measurement output from the first rotation sensor. The ASIC includes an analog-to-digital converter and is implemented on a second substrate. The first substrate is vertically bonded to the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Invensense, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven S. Nasiri, David Sachs, Babak Taheri
  • Publication number: 20150033857
    Abstract: A multichannel sensor unit includes: a multichannel sensor detecting at least one physical variable and outputting sensor data representing the detected physical variable; a main memory storing the sensor data of at least two sensor channels; and at least one additional memory. Instantaneous sensor data are stored in response to a trigger signal in the main memory. The sensor unit outputs first sensor data of a first sensor channel, which are stored in the main memory, in response to a first read command, and stores the additional sensor data in the at least one additional memory in response to the first read command. The sensor unit outputs the sensor data stored in the at least one additional memory in response to a second read command, such that the sensor unit outputs the sensor data from the main memory and the additional memory asynchronously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Sascha Kopplin, Hoang Trinh
  • Publication number: 20150013455
    Abstract: A device for detecting an acceleration in one direction and a speed of rotation along one direction, including a support and two structures mechanically coupled to each other in opposite phase and suspended relative to the support, each of the structures including: an excitation mass; an excitation mechanism configured to move the excitation mass in a given direction; an inertial mass suspended to the excitation mass; a detector connected to the inertial mass to be displaced by same, and the detector connected to the support; a mechanism for detecting displacement of the inertial mass; and a controller controlling the excitation mechanism and processing signals delivered by the detecting mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENE ALT
    Inventor: Yannick Deimerly
  • Patent number: 8738223
    Abstract: An electronic control device is mounted in a vehicle and controls a control target provided in the vehicle. An acceleration sensor detects an acceleration of the vehicle. An angular velocity sensor detects an angular velocity of the vehicle. The acceleration sensor and the angular velocity sensor are mounted on an electronic substrate. A housing accommodates the electronic substrate and is fixed to a body of the vehicle. The electronic substrate is fixed to the housing at least four fixing points, and the acceleration sensor and the angular velocity sensor are arranged in the smallest target area from among a plurality of areas having multiple points selected from the at least four fixing points as vertexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Nobumasa Tokui, Yoshiyuki Haji
  • Patent number: 8710777
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating an inertia and a friction coefficient for a controlled mechanical system are provided. In one or more embodiments, an inertia estimator can generate a torque command signal that varies continuously over time during a testing sequence. The velocity of a motion system in response to the time-varying torque command signal is measured and recorded during the testing sequence. The inertia estimator then estimates the inertia and/or the friction coefficient of the motion system based on the torque command data sent to the motion system and the measured velocity data. In some embodiments, the inertia estimator estimates the inertia and the friction coefficient based on integrals of the torque command data and the velocity data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Linestream Technologies
    Inventor: Gang Tian
  • Patent number: 8578776
    Abstract: An acceleration and angular velocity detection device includes a first oscillation element and a second oscillation element that are movable in a direction along a first axis and a direction along a second axis, an oscillating portion oscillating the first and second oscillation elements in opposite directions along the first axis, a first detection capacitance element and a second detection capacitance element whose capacitances change in a complementary way in accordance with a displacement of the first oscillation element, a third detection capacitance element and a fourth detection capacitance element whose capacitances change in a complementary way in accordance with a displacement of the second oscillation element, a charge amplifier having a fully differential structure, and a detecting portion detecting an acceleration and an angular velocity of a rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenji Hirano
  • Patent number: 8509964
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remote control system for controlling a railway vehicle. The remote control system including a remote control device for transmitting signals to a first controller module. The first controller is mounted to the railway vehicle and controls and monitors the functions of the railway vehicle. The first controller module also relays information to the remote control device. The remote control system can also include a portable safety switch allowing any individual in proximity to the railway vehicle to send a stop signal to the first controller module to stop the railway vehicle if any unsafe conditions exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hetronic International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ecton, Torsten Rempe, Max Heckl
  • Patent number: 8483887
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remote control system for controlling a railway vehicle. The remote control system including a remote control device for transmitting signals to a first controller module. The first controller is mounted to the railway vehicle and controls and monitors the functions of the railway vehicle. The first controller module also relays information to the remote control device. The remote control system can also include a portable safety switch allowing any individual in proximity to the railway vehicle to send a stop signal to the first controller module to stop the railway vehicle if any unsafe conditions exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hetronic International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ecton, Torsten Rempe, Max Heckl
  • Patent number: 8397568
    Abstract: A system and method for separating bias instability of MEMS inertial instruments such as gyroscopes or accelerometers from the instrument signal, in which the inertial measurement instrument has an input axis and an output signal, and the bias instability has a frequency. The instrument is rotated about a rotation axis that is orthogonal to the input axis, at a frequency that is greater than the bias instability frequency. The instrument output signal is detected, and demodulated with a phase-sensitive detection method referenced to the instrument rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Milli Sensor Systems+Actuators
    Inventor: Donato Cardarelli
  • Patent number: 8380363
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remote control system for controlling a railway vehicle. The remote control system including a remote control device for transmitting signals to a first controller module. The first controller is mounted to the railway vehicle and controls and monitors the functions of the railway vehicle. The first controller module also relays information to the remote control device. The remote control system can also include a portable safety switch allowing any individual in proximity to the railway vehicle to send a stop signal to the first controller module to stop the railway vehicle if any unsafe conditions exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hetronic International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ecton, Torsten Rempe, Max Heckl
  • Patent number: 8326494
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a desired yaw rate for a vehicle. The vehicle has a plurality of handling states and comprises a yaw rate sensor for determining an actual yaw rate. The method comprises selecting one of the plurality of handling states, determining the desired yaw rate for the vehicle based on the road wheel angle, the velocity, and the selected one of the plurality of handling states, and activating one or more vehicle stability control measures if the difference between the desired yaw rate and the actual yaw rate for the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kevin A. O'Dea, Christopher A. Kinser, Mohammad A. Fayyad
  • Patent number: 8276448
    Abstract: An sensor device with high detection accuracy. The sensor device includes an angular velocity sensor for outputting an angular velocity sensing signal, an acceleration sensor for outputting an acceleration sensing signal, and an output circuit for outputting the angular velocity sensing signal and the acceleration sensing signal. The output circuit outputs signals in a digital format according to the time-division system, so as to link timewise the angular velocity sensing signal and the acceleration sensing signal detected at the same timing as one signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Uemura
  • Patent number: 8260477
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for tracking a center of gravity (COG) of an air vehicle provides a precise calculation and updating of the COG by disposing a plurality of acceleration measuring devices on a circumference of one or more rings in a manner that establishes redundancy in acceleration measurement. A multivariable time-space adaptive technique is provided within a high speed digital signal processor (DSP) to calculate and update the position of the COG. The system provides the capability of executing a procedure that reduces dispersion in estimating angular velocities and lateral accelerations of a moving vehicle and corrects the vehicle's estimated angular velocities and lateral accelerations. In addition, a consistency check of the measured values from the acceleration measuring devices is performed to assist in fault detection and isolation of a faulty accelerometer in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Mohammad F. Almalki, Moustafa Elshafei
  • Patent number: 8250921
    Abstract: A module operable to be mounted onto a surface of a board. The module includes a linear accelerometer to provide a first measurement output corresponding to a measurement of linear acceleration in at least one axis, and a first rotation sensor operable to provide a second measurement output corresponding to a measurement of rotation about at least one axis. The accelerometer and the first rotation sensor are formed on a first substrate. The module further includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to receive both the first measurement output from the linear accelerometer and the second measurement output from the first rotation sensor. The ASIC includes an analog-to-digital converter and is implemented on a second substrate. The first substrate is vertically bonded to the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Invensense, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven S. Nasiri, David Sachs, Babak Taheri
  • Patent number: 8246304
    Abstract: A method of determining at least one rotation parameter of a wind turbine rotor rotating with a rotation speed and a phase is provided. The method includes: measuring an effective centrifugal force acting in a first pre-determined direction, which is defined in a co-ordinate system rotating synchronously with the rotor, on at least one reference object located in or at the rotor, establishing a first angular frequency representing the rotation speed of the rotor on the basis of variations in the measured effective centrifugal force due to gravitational force, establishing a second angular frequency representing the rotation speed of the rotor by use of at least one yaw rate gyro, and establishing the value of the rotation speed as the rotational parameter by correcting the second angular frequency by comparing it to the first angular frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Per Egedal
  • Patent number: 8156806
    Abstract: An inertial measurement unit (IMU) for a spinning aerial vehicle that spins about a spin axis having a substrate defining a plane, the substrate fixed to the vehicle with the plane essentially orthogonal to the spin axis so that the substrate spins about the spin axis as the vehicle does, at least one generally planar gyroscope coupled to the substrate, the gyroscope defining a gyro input axis that is essentially parallel to the plane and generating a gyro output signal, at least one generally planar accelerometer coupled to the substrate, the accelerometer defining an accelerometer input axis that is essentially parallel to the plane and generating an accelerometer output signal, and a system for demodulating the gyro output signal with a phase-sensitive demodulation referenced to the accelerometer output signal. Also featured is a method of providing guidance information for a spinning aerial vehicle that spins about a spin axis using the described system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Milli Sensor Systems & Actuators
    Inventor: Donato Cardarelli
  • Patent number: 8151642
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a semiconductor substrate and an MEMS sensor provided on the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Goro Nakatani
  • Patent number: 8042391
    Abstract: An inertia sensing module is connected to a portable electronic device. The inertia sensing module includes an accelerometer unit for generating at least one of acceleration sensing signals ax, ay, az corresponding to the directions of X, Y, Z respectively; a gyroscope unit for generating at least one of angular rate sensing signals ?x, ?y, ?z corresponding to the axes of X, Y, Z respectively; and a connector module having a plug that is inserted into a docking connector of the portable electronic device. With the inertia sensing module being connected to or disconnected from the portable electronic device, a user can control a specific cursor or graphic user interface on a picture of an electronic game player via his/her own motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: CyWee Group Limited
    Inventor: Zhou Ye
  • Patent number: 8028578
    Abstract: A composite sensor includes an angular velocity sensor element, an acceleration sensor element, a signal processing IC for processing signals from the angular velocity sensor element and the acceleration sensor element, an inner package for accommodating the angular velocity sensor element, the acceleration sensor element, and the signal processing IC; a coupler connected to this inner package, and a fixing member connected to this coupler for holding the inner package via this coupler. The coupler is elastically deformable. One of the acceleration sensor element and the signal processing IC is located at the right with respect to the center of the inner package, and the other of the acceleration sensor element and the signal processing IC is located at the left with respect to the center of the inner package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Ohkoshi
  • Patent number: 7938004
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods of angular rate and position measurement that combine a small footprint with hardening and isolation technologies that allow it to function in acceleration, angular rate, noise and vibration environments that cause other gyroscopes to either fail or to produce erroneous outputs. An example embodiment contains a triad of accelerometers, a triad of gyroscopes, analog and digital ancillary electronics and a processor housed within a housing which is also filled with vibration reducing encapsulating compound. The disclosed systems and methods of angular rate and position measurement are capable of measuring and correcting internal errors and perturbations caused by the longitudinal and angular accelerations and temperature excursions of aerospace vehicles, isolating the gyroscope elements from the effects of acoustic noise and vibration, and accurately measuring the relatively small pitch and yaw oscillations of the vehicle in its flight path trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventors: James P. Brunsch, Jr., David A. Bittle, Julian L. Cothran, Gary T. Jimmerson, Russell S. Garner
  • Publication number: 20110074563
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a swinging device having a swinging mechanism disposed on an energy provider, wherein volume and shape of the swinging mechanism and a distance between the swinging mechanism and the energy provider are adjusted so as to control the ratio of the distance and a characteristic value corresponding to the swinging mechanism in a specific range such that the swinging mechanism is capable of resonating with respect to the rotation of the energy provider. The swinging mechanism is capable of detecting the rotating frequency of the energy provider as well as combining with a display unit which is capable of displaying information with respect to the rotating status or displaying image patterns controlled according to the rotating status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Pin Chang, Yu-Jen Wang, Chien Li, Chung-De Chen, Pei-Fen Wu
  • Patent number: 7882740
    Abstract: Static and dynamic acceleration as well as static and dynamic angular velocity are detected with a simple structure. An acceleration detecting section includes a weight body, a pedestal around the weight body, flexible plate-like bridge portions, and piezoresistive elements embedded in the upper surface of the bridge portions. An angular velocity detecting section includes a weight body, a pedestal around the weight body, flexible plate-like bridge portions, and piezoelectric elements fixed to the upper surface of the bridge portions. The pedestals are fixed to a device chassis. When the weight body is displaced by acceleration, the plate-like bridge portions are deflected, so that the acceleration is detected based on the change in the electrical resistances of the piezoresistive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Wacoh Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Okada
  • Patent number: 7871136
    Abstract: A trouble diagnosis device of a vehicle body acceleration sensor by determining that the output fixing trouble of the vehicle body acceleration sensor or the like is not generated at a point of time that the fluctuation width of the output value of a vehicle body acceleration sensor becomes a predetermined value or above during the traveling of the vehicle with the vehicle speed equal to or more than the predetermined speed, and by stopping the trouble diagnosis of the output fixing trouble of the vehicle body acceleration sensor or the like until the vehicle speed is lowered to a value less than the predetermined speed thereafter, it is possible to avoid the trouble diagnosis of the output fixing trouble of the vehicle body acceleration sensor or the like when that the trouble diagnosis of the output fixing trouble of the vehicle body acceleration sensor or the like is unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Okai
  • Patent number: 7845226
    Abstract: A composite sensor includes an external holding portion, an internal holding portion supported within the external holding portion via coupling portion, and a vibration-type angular velocity sensor element and an acceleration sensor element disposed within the internal holding portion, and is configured so that the internal holding portion is held in such a manner so as to substantially suppress a movement of the acceleration sensor element along a detection direction while to allow a movement of the vibration-type angular velocity sensor element in a direction in which it receives Coriolis force at least by an angular velocity. A reduction of the composite sensor in size can be achieved by this structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Ohkoshi
  • Publication number: 20100206075
    Abstract: A composite sensor includes: a package including a container and a lid; a plurality of spaces that is partitioned by at least the container and the lid, and has different pressures, the plurality of the spaces including a first space sealed at around an atmospheric pressure and a second space sealed at a depressurized state; an acceleration sensor element disposed in the first space; and a vibration type angular velocity sensor element disposed in the second space. In the sensor, the first space has a volume smaller than a volume of the second space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro OSHIO
  • Publication number: 20100043550
    Abstract: A circuit board is mounted on a package via an adhesive agent as an elastic member. A sensor element is stacked in fixed relation onto the circuit board. The sensor element, the circuit board, and the package are wired with bonding wires. A magnetic member made of a ferromagnetic material is disposed between the adhesive agent and the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tameharu Ohta
  • Publication number: 20090322763
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method of effectively creating real-time movements of a three dimensional virtual character by use of a small number of sensors. More specifically, the motion capture method, which maps movements of a human body into a skeleton model to generate movements of a three-dimensional (3D) virtual character, includes measuring a distance between a portion of a human body to which a measurement sensor is positioned and a reference position and rotation angles of the portion, and estimating relative rotation angles and position coordinates of each portion of the human body by use of the measured distance and rotation angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won-Chul Bang, Hyong-euk Lee
  • Patent number: 7505865
    Abstract: As an embodiment of the present invention, in a navigation system using an acceleration sensor, when position information cannot be obtained from a GPS processing section, a velocity detecting unit performs an operation using detected acceleration ?G, a measurement time mt, a velocity V0 at a time t0, gravity acceleration g and an amount of height change Dh, according to Expression (11). By using the relationship among a gravity acceleration component gf, the gravity acceleration g, the amount of height change Dh and distance Dm shown in Expression (4), the gravity acceleration component gf can be offset by the amount of height change Dh. Therefore, velocity V can be calculated with high accuracy without receiving the effect of the gravity acceleration component gf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Ohkubo, Tomohisa Takaoka
  • Patent number: 7437931
    Abstract: A sensor unit to detect a stillness event, the sensor unit including a gyroscope attached to a monitored person, a micro-controller communicatively coupled to the gyroscope, and a memory communicatively coupled to receive and to store the angular velocity data with a correlated time. The gyroscope senses an angular velocity of the monitored person and outputs angular velocity data based on the sensed angular velocity. The micro-controller receives the angular velocity data and recognizes a quiescence-pattern data in the angular velocity data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Dwyer, John W. Thornberry, David N. Girard
  • Patent number: 7331212
    Abstract: A sensor module is provided having a compact housing containing a sensor. A low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate is located on the housing. The sensor and signal processing circuitry are located on the low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate. The sensor module further includes a metal shield substantially encapsulating the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Manlove, Stephen P. Long, Hamid R. Borzabadi, Timothy A. Vas, Kevin J. Hawes
  • Patent number: 7325454
    Abstract: A longitudinal G sensor 51 and a roll rate sensor 54 are mounted onto a back surface 61b of a substrate 61 in parallel with an X-axis and a lateral G sensor 52 and a pitch rate sensor 55 are mounted thereon in parallel with a Y-axis, the longitudinal G sensor 51 and the lateral G sensor 52 are positioned thereon in close vicinity to each other, and the roll rate sensor 54 and the pitch rate sensor 55 are positioned thereon in close vicinity to each other, while a vertical G sensor 53 and a yaw rate sensor 56 are mounted onto a surface 61a of the substrate 61 in orthogonal to a Z-axis and also the vertical G sensor 53 and the yaw rate sensor 56 are mounted thereon in close vicinity to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Saito, Akira Nakamuta
  • Patent number: 7289898
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the speed of a moving object is provided. A first acceleration along the moving direction of the moving object and a second acceleration along the lateral direction of the moving object are measured. A first angular speed along the lateral direction of the moving object and a second angular speed along the lower direction of the moving object are measured. The roll angle of the moving object using the second acceleration, the second angular speed, and a previous speed of the moving object in the moving direction of the moving object, and a previous road inclination angle with respect to the moving direction of the moving object are calculated. A road inclination angle is calculated using the calculated roll angle, the first angular speed, and the second angular speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Su Hong, Jae-Myeon Lee
  • Patent number: 7269494
    Abstract: A method of estimating the slope of a road surface on which is positioned a motor vehicle. The slope is determined by measuring the velocity and longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle by means of a mathematical model based on the relation Ax={dot over (?)}+g sin ?, where Ax is longitudinal acceleration, {dot over (?)} indicates the component of longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle along the road surface, g is the gravitational acceleration, and ? represents the angle of inclination of the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Emanuel Corigliano, Pandeli Borodani
  • Patent number: 7243561
    Abstract: A sensor unit includes a pressure sensor, an acceleration sensor and a signal-processing circuit, which are disposed on the bottom surface of a lead to form a line in the longitudinal direction of the sensor unit. The pressure sensor and the acceleration sensor are disposed at respective symmetrical positions with respect to the center of the signal-processing circuit in the longitudinal direction of the sensor unit. Each of the pressure sensor and the acceleration sensor has substantially the same height dimension. The sensors, the signal-processing circuit and the lead are sealed with a molded body, in such a manner as to allow lead terminals of the lead to protrude outside the molded body. The signal-processing circuit is operable, based on a signal from the acceleration sensor, to control the ON/OFF action of the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ishigami, Kouji Sakai, Ryosuke Meshii
  • Patent number: 7237446
    Abstract: A system for measuring gait kinematics information during exercise of a subject comprising a fixing member adapted for fixing onto the trunk of the body of the subject; an acceleration sensor attached to the fixing member for sensing the vertical acceleration of the trunk of the body of the subject; and a microprocessor coupled to the acceleration sensor adapted to receive the vertical acceleration data from the acceleration sensor, and to compute and derive the speed and distance traversed by the subject, and to communicate the speed and distance information. In the preferred embodiment, a heart-rate monitoring device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventors: Raymond Chan, Mun Hoong Leong
  • Patent number: 7234351
    Abstract: An application of rate gyros and accelerometers allows electronic measurement of the motion of a rigid or semi-rigid body, such as a body associated with sporting equipment including a fly rod during casting, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet or a golf club during swinging. For instance, data can be collected by one gyro according to the present invention is extremely useful in analyzing the motion of a fly rod during fly casting instruction, and can also be used during the research, development and design phases of fly casting equipment including fly rods and fly lines. Similarly, data collected by three gyros and three accelerometers is extremely useful in analyzing the three dimensional motion of other sporting equipment such as baseball bats, tennis racquets and golf clubs. This data can be used to support instruction as well as design of the sporting equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventor: Noel C. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7155975
    Abstract: A high-reliability complex sensor is protected against vibration and electromagnetic wave noise from outside. A shield case is provided with a power conjunction terminal, GND conjunction terminal, angular velocity conjunction terminal, X axis acceleration conjunction terminal and Y axis acceleration conjunction terminal. Both a power supply terminal of an angular velocity detection device and a power supply terminal of an acceleration detection device are electrically connected with a power connector terminal of a protection case, via the power conjunction terminal of the shield case. Both a GND terminal of the angular velocity detection device and a GND terminal of the acceleration detection device are electrically connected with a GND connector terminal of the protection case, via the GND conjunction terminal of the shield case. A circuit board is contained completely within the shield case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Mitani, Shoichi Takeno, Katsuhiko Omoto
  • Patent number: 7028546
    Abstract: A compact data recorder includes angular rate sensors for monitoring rotational movement about three axes. Three linear accelerometers, or one triaxial linear accelerometer, track linear movement along the same three axes. A processor and memory record outputs from the angular rate sensors and the linear accelerometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Instrumented Sensor Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory D. Hoshal
  • Patent number: 7021140
    Abstract: An application of rate gyros and accelerometers allows electronic measurement of the motion of a rigid or semi-rigid body, such as a body associated with sporting equipment including a fly rod during casting, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet or a golf club during swinging. For instance, data can be collected by one gyro according to the present invention is extremely useful in analyzing the motion of a fly rod during fly casting instruction, and can also be used during the research, development and design phases of fly casting equipment including fly rods and fly lines. Similarly, data collected by three gyros and three accelerometers is extremely useful in analyzing the three dimensional motion of other sporting equipment such as baseball bats, tennis racquets and golf clubs. This data can be used to support instruction as well as design of the sporting equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Noel C. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7004025
    Abstract: A plane vibrator of an angular velocity sensor and a movable member of an acceleration sensor are provided in a spaced floating state on the same substrate. A lid is formed so as to cover and be spaced from the upper side of the plane vibrator and the movable member. A space defined by the substrate and the lid is sectioned into a angular velocity sensor space and an acceleration sensor space by use of a sectioning wall. The angular velocity sensor space is hermetically sealed to be in the vacuum state. The acceleration sensor space is hermetically sealed to be under atmospheric pressure. The plane vibrator is vibrated at a high frequency and a large amplitude so that the angular velocity detection sensitivity is enhanced. The movable member, even if vibration of the plane vibrator is transmitted thereto, is prevented from vibrating at a high frequency and a large amplitude, due to the damping effect of air. Thus, the acceleration detection sensitivity is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaya Tamura
  • Publication number: 20040211258
    Abstract: A six degree-of-freedom micro-machined multi-sensor that provides 3-axes of acceleration sensing, and 3-axes of angular rate sensing, in a single multi-sensor device. The six degree-of-freedom multi-sensor device includes a first multi-sensor substructure providing 2-axes of acceleration sensing and 1-axis of angular rate sensing, and a second multi-sensor substructure providing a third axis of acceleration sensing, and second and third axes of angular rate sensing. The first and second multi-sensor substructures are implemented on respective substrates within the six degree-of-freedom multi-sensor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Geen
  • Patent number: 6792803
    Abstract: A method for estimating the longitudinal velocity of a vehicle generally comprises the steps of determining whether the vehicle has a lateral acceleration greater than a predetermined value, and then setting the estimate of longitudinal velocity based on the velocity of the wheel having the highest normal force when the vehicle does have a lateral acceleration greater than the predetermined value. The predetermined value is preferably set to reflect the vehicle being in a curve driving situation. The method may further comprise the step of determining whether the vehicle has had a lateral acceleration greater than the predetermined value within a predetermined amount of time. Preferably, when the vehicle is not currently but has had a lateral acceleration greater than the predetermined value within the predetermined amount of time, the estimate of longitudinal velocity is set based on an integration of the vehicle's longitudinal acceleration over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Teves, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoff B. Bauer, Neal W. Jesse
  • Patent number: 6792819
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing the transfer of motion to a subject on a sleeping surface. A mattress is positioned on a frame, and a subject is positioned on the mattress. A sensor is placed in communication with the subject. The surface adjacent the subject is moved by means of a moving mass, and the sensor detects the motion of the subject. Motion transferred to the subject as a result of the mattress moving is measured and recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rick F. Gladney, James Martin Arrowood
  • Publication number: 20040149036
    Abstract: A system for tracking the motion of an object relative to a moving reference frame includes a first inertial sensor mounted on the tracked object; a second inertial sensor mounted on the moving reference frame; a third inertial sensor mounted on the moving reference frame and spaced apart from the second inertial sensor; and an element coupled to said first and second and third inertial sensors and configured to determine a position of the object relative to the moving reference frame based on the signals from the first and second and third inertial sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Eric Foxlin, Yury Altshuler