18th week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 68 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120109324 | LOW STRESS ALL POLY TIBIAL COMPONENT - A tibial component for use in conjunction with a knee replacement surgery. An inferior surface of the tibial component may be concave to thereby improve bonding between the tibial component and a tibia. The tibial component may produce low stress in the cement mantle during in-vivo loading. A stem extending from the inferior surface of the tibial component may include an anterior curvature to facilitate the use of minimally evasive surgical techniques. The stem may further include medial-lateral wing portions with a posterior curvature to provide improved support. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109325 | TIBIAL COMPONENT OF A KNEE PROSTHESIS HAVING AN ANGLED CEMENT POCKET - An implantable orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a component that is configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared bone. A fixation side of the component includes a fixation surface that has an angled cement pocket formed therein. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109326 | Prosthetic Device with Multi-Axis Dual Bearing Assembly and Methods for Resection - An orthopedic prosthesis, system and method has a dual bearing component that, along with first and second bone anchoring components, provides multi-axial movement separately with respect to both the first and second bone anchoring components. An ankle prosthesis, system and method may thus be fashioned utilizing these principles that includes a dual bearing component, a tibial component adapted for attachment to the tibia bone, and a talar component adapted for attachment to the talus or calceneus bone of the foot. The dual bearing component includes a superior bearing providing gliding articulation/translation between it and the tibial component, and an inferior bearing providing gliding articulation/translation between it and the talar component. A bearing component plate provides a base or foundation for the superior and inferior bearings. The superior bearing is bonded to the bearing component plate while the inferior bearing moves with respect to the bearing component plate. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109327 | HIP JOINT DEVICE - A medical device for implantation in a hip joint of a patient is provided. The hip joint has a caput femur integrated with a collum femur having a collum and caput center axis, extending longitudinal along the collum and caput femur,in the center thereof. The medical device comprises an elongated portion adapted to at least partially replace the collum femur. The elongated portion is adapted to be connected to a prosthetic spherical portion adapted to replace the caput femur. The prosthetic spherical portion in turn is adapted to be movably placed in a prosthetic replacement for the acetabulum comprising at least one extending portion adapted to clasp said prosthetic spherical portion. The elongated portion comprises a restricting portion adapted to restrict the motion range of the spherical portion in relation to said prosthetic replacement for the acetabulum. The restricting portion of the elongated portion is adapted to enable an advantageous motion range in relation to said prosthetic replacement for the acetabulum. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109328 | Acetabular Labrum Implant - A labrum implant can include a body portion and an attachment member. The body portion can be formed of a biocompatible flexible polymer and can include a base, an opposed upper end opposite the base, an interior femoral head engaging side, and an opposed exterior side. The interior side can include an arcuate shape in cross-section adapted to conform to an articular surface of a femoral head. The body portion can include an arcuate shape in plan view adapted to conform to at least a portion of a rim of an acetabulum and a plurality of bores extending therethrough from the upper surface or the exterior side to the base. The attachment member can include at least a portion coupled to at least one of the bores and can be adapted to secure the implant to the acetabular rim such that the base engages the acetabular rim. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109329 | HIP JOINT DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD - A medical device, system, and method for treating hip joint osteoarthritis by providing a hip joint surface is provided. The hip joint comprising an acetabulum, being a part of the pelvic bone, comprising an acetabulum surface, and a caput femur, being a part of the femoral bone, comprising a caput femur surface. The medical device comprises a first sealing member adapted to be placed in the hip joint for creating a hollow space together with; the acetabulum, or an artificial replacement therefor, and the caput femur, or an artificial replacement therefor. The first sealing member is further adapted to have a shape adapted to seal the hollow space for receiving, within the hollow space, a material for resurfacing at least one of the acetabulum surface and the caput femur surface. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109330 | HIP JOINT DEVICE AND METHOD - A medical device for implantation in a hip joint of a patient is provided. The medical device comprises a first and second piece and a releasing member adapted to, in a first state hold the first piece attached to the second piece, and in a second state release the first piece from the second piece. The releasing member is adapted to change from the first state to the second state when a pre-determined strain is placed on the releasing member. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109331 | Acetabular Cartilage Implant - Disclosed is a system for replacing a portion of cartilage in an acetabulum. A prosthesis can be positioned within an acetabulum to form a portion of the articulation surface within the acetabulum and to articulate with a femoral bone. For example, an acetabular prosthesis can be implanted to articulate with the natural femoral head. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109332 | MEDICAL DEVICE FOR RELEASING IN A HOLLOW ORGAN AND INSERTION SYSTEM FOR MEDICAL DEVICES - A medical device for releasing in a hollow organ having a hollow cylindrical body that can be transferred in a compressed state having a reduced diameter and in an expanded state having an enlarged diameter. The body having a stop means at the proximal and/or distal axial end thereof having at least one retaining element connected to the body by a connecting segment. The retaining element and the body are decoupled by the connecting segment such that the retaining element has a smaller curvature in the compressed state than the body. The connecting segment elastically connects the retaining element and the body, wherein the contour of the retaining element in the compressed state of the body protrudes past the outer circumference of the body such that the retaining element is displaceable radially inward relative to the body into a stop position through the inner wall of an insertion system. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109333 | MEDICAL DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR TREATING A HIP JOINT - A medical device for treating hip joint osteoarthritis by providing at least one hip joint surface for a human patient is provided, wherein said medical device has a largest diameter or a largest cross-sectional distance, and an opening, and wherein said largest diameter or cross sectional distance is adapted to be changed during an operation. Furthermore, a method of treating a hip joint of a human patient by providing said the medical device is provided. The hip joint comprising a caput femur and an acetabulum, the method comprises the steps of: cutting the skin of the patient, dissecting an area of the pelvic bone on the opposite side from the acetabulum, creating a hole in said dissected area, said hole passing through said pelvic bone and into the hip joint of the patient, and providing said medical device to the hip joint, through said hole in the pelvic bone of the patient. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109334 | HIP JOINT DEVICE - A locking member for implantation in a hip joint of a patient is provided. The hip joint has a caput femur integrated with a collum femur having a center axis extending longitudinal along the collum and caput femur in the center thereof. The locking member is adapted to assist in the fixation of a medical device, having an artificial hollow caput femur surface, to the collum and/or caput femur, wherein said artificial caput femur surface comprises at least one extending portion adapted to clasp a portion of the caput and/or collum femur, and wherein said locking member comprises an element adapted to lock said artificial caput femur surface such that the caput femur remains clasped and restrained in said artificial caput femur surface. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109335 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RESTORING ARTICULAR CARTILAGE - The present invention comprises the provision and use of new and improved arthroscopic instrumentation for (i) harvesting a tissue biopsy from a non-critical section of a joint, and (ii) sizing and seating an autologous graft at an implant site. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109336 | PROSTHETIC LINER WITH PROXIMAL SEAL - A prosthesis suspension assembly comprising: a prosthetic socket having an open proximal end and a closed distal end and an interior surface complementally configured to a residual limb of an amputee, an interface or liner for receiving the residual limb and fittingly received in the socket, a distal outer surface of the liner comprises a porous or continuously cavitated, compressible material such as fabric and a proximal outer surface comprising an elastomeric material, a suspension sleeve which seals against the proximal outer surface of the liner and a proximal outer surface of the socket, and a locking pin connected to a distal end of the liner and lockingly retained in a hole in the distal end of the socket and including an air passage therethrough with a one-way valve therein for permitting the exit of air from an interstitial volume occupied buy said compressible material to atmosphere upon ambulation. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109337 | FINGER ELEMENT - The invention relates to a finger element, comprising a carrier component ( | 2012-05-03 |
20120109338 | METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING AN ELECTRONICALLY TUNABLE STRUCTURE, AND ELECTRONICALLY TUNABLE STRUCTURE - A method for implementing an electronically tunable structure including: a plurality of elementary cells interacting with the same electromagnetic field; a control unit and a plurality of electronic control devices, each of which is connected to the control unit and to a respective elementary cell. The control unit provide each electronic control device with a corresponding control signal. Each electronic control device is controllable to vary a state of the corresponding elementary cell. The control unit provides control signals such to define a group of identical patterned cells formed by a respective number of adjacent elementary cells. The states of the cells define a predetermined state configuration, so that the states of the group define a periodical sequence of states. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109339 | LIFE MANAGEMENT CIRCUIT, AN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM AND A MACHINE-IMPLEMENTED METHOD FOR MANAGING USAGE RATES OF MULTIPLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS - A life management circuit for managing usage rates of a plurality of electronic components includes a storage unit for storing usage information corresponding to each electronic component, a receiving unit, a determining unit and a control unit. Upon receipt of an activation command passed on thereto via the receiving unit, the control unit selects for activation, with reference to the usage information of the electronic components stored in the storage unit, at least one electronic component, the usage information corresponding to which reveals a usage rate that is comparatively lower among the electronic components, controls the determining unit to keep track of the duration of time that the selected at least one electronic component remains activated in response to the activation command, and updates the usage information corresponding to each of the selected at least one electronic component with reference to the duration of time tracked therefor. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109340 | System and Method for Providing Power Management in a Sensor Network - Providing power management to sensing nodes in a sensor network may include a plurality of sensing nodes, each sensing node connected through a power management device to an external power source, such as a powered node of another network, for managing power from the external power source to the sensing node. Multiple power management devices allow for a sensor network of fixed or mobile wireless sensing nodes or sensor gateways to make use of power from an external source such as an another network. An intelligent power management device connected to at least one of the sensing nodes may provide for power policy management. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109341 | METHOD FOR ASCERTAINING PROCESS VALUES FOR A PROCESS CONTROL - A method for ascertaining process values for a process control is provided. The method includes detecting a measured value, providing a model that simulates the process, and, on the basis of the model, calculating a calculated real value and a calculated measured value. The method also includes comparing the calculated real value with the calculated measured value to obtain a delay compensation value, and adding the delay compensation value to the measured value to obtain an accelerated value indicative of the process value to be ascertained. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109342 | Wireless Industrial Control User Interface With Configurable Software Capabilities - A user interface operable to connect to a device within an industrial control system includes a memory and a processing unit. The memory is operable to store a plurality of software applications for interfacing with the device and a configuration mask including access rights for at least a subset of the software applications. The processing unit is operable to establish a first connection with the device and disable selected software applications based on the configuration mask. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109343 | DISPLAY MODULE FOR TOOLLESS COUPLING WITH PROGRAMMABLE CONTROLLER - An automation controller that includes a central processing unit configured to communicate via an input/output module with automation devices of a process controlled by the automation controller. The automation controller also includes a retention feature configured to toollessly couple with a detachable display and memory module. Further, the automation controller includes a controller connector configured to communicatively couple with a display connector of the detachable display and memory module such that the automation controller and the detachable display and memory module are communicatively coupled, wherein the central processing unit is configured to transmit data for presentation on a display of the detachable display and memory module and configured to receive data from a memory and/or a data entry feature of the detachable display and memory module when the detachable display and memory module is communicatively coupled to the automation controller. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109344 | SYSTEM GAMING - A system provides a player tracking system and system gaming apparatus for playing non-base games by funding the credit side of a gaming cycle. The system further includes at least one gaming device having a base game. The player tracking system and system gaming apparatus includes a player tracking user interface. The player tracking user interface provides a player with an opportunity to select and play a non-base game that may be promotional-funded or player-funded. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109345 | Music Atlas Systems and Methods - The Music Atlas System includes at least one web-enabled and GPS-enabled mobile device configured to communicate with various websites on the World Wide Web (WWW). The Music Atlas application of the present invention is configured to create playlists for a user based on the user's preferences, such as, current location or a selected route and destination, birthplace of an artist or of the song, associated lyrics, landmarks, concert schedules and other information. The playlist may be a function of the current location, city, state, region or country. A geographically relevant playlist would include songs associated with a geographic location (city, town, current location, etc.). The Music Atlas application may be configured to deliver information specific to the song or artist to the mobile device. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109346 | AUDIO DEVICE AND METHOD FOR APPENDING IDENTIFICATION DATA INTO AUDIO SIGNALS - An audio device includes a processor, a storage unit, an audio processing module, a silence detection circuit, a condition determining circuit, a direct current (DC) level bias circuit and an appending circuit. The audio device generates identification data, control signals, and original audio signals. The silence detection circuit detects silence segments of the original audio signals, and generates driving signals if the silence segments are detected. Then the condition determining circuit determines if the identification data needs to be appended into the silence segments according to the driving signals and the control signals, and outputs the identification data in DC signal form if the identification data needs to be appended into the silence segments. After DC voltage level of the identification data in DC signal form is biased, the appending circuit appends the biased identification data into the silence segments of the original audio signals. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109347 | Content Replay System, Control Device and Replay Device - A radio communication terminal generates a first play list in which plural content to be played is listed in a play order, conforming to a rule indicated by sort information shared by a content play device, based on attribute information indicative of a content attribute. The terminal accepts the operation of designating head play content and the operation of changing the play order with the use of a first play list, designates the content, and transmits a play instruction. The content play device generates a second play list in which the content is listed in the play order, conforming to the rule indicated by the sort information, based on play instruction and the attribute information, and sequentially plays the content conforming to the second play list with the start of the head play content. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109348 | CROSS FADER UNIT, MIXER AND PROGRAM - A cross fader unit, a mixer and a program which can achieve various music expressions with a simple manipulation are provided. A cross fader unit CF has an adjustment device by band | 2012-05-03 |
20120109349 | Media Management And Routing Within An Electronic Device - A method and apparatus for intelligently routing and managing audio signals within an electronic device is disclosed. The routing is responsive to a set of logical and physical policies which are stored in data tables which can be updated as needed. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109350 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CREATION OF A DYNAMICALLY CONFIGURABLE PRODUCT DESIGN - The present disclosure features methods and systems for creation of a dynamically configurable product design, sometimes referred to as business driven assemblies. Such product designs may be referred to as driven by a bill-of-materials (BOM) or selection of options by a customer, sales representative, or vendor, and may be performed responsive to a product lifecycle management (PLM) plan. The system allows a customer to define specifications of a product, and then dynamically generates a CAD model responsive to the defined specifications or selected options. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109351 | LOT PROCESS ORDER MODIFICATION TO IMPROVE DETECTION OF MANUFACTURING EFFECTS - A system for lot based, multi-step wafer manufacturing processes is provided and includes a transfer apparatus, disposed among tools for performing respective process steps on each wafer of each lot of wafers transferred thereto, the transfer apparatus being configured to transfer each lot from a current tool to a next tool in accordance with a process step sequence, a dispatcher operably coupled to the transfer apparatus to modify the lot order in response to a modification condition detection, a measurement unit configured to receive each wafer of each fully processed lot and to collect measurements therefrom and a processor disposed in signal communication with the dispatcher and the measurement unit to analyze the measurements relative to the lot order for evidence that a process step of a corresponding tool is responsible for performance effects. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109352 | NESTING DATA GENERATION DEVICE AND NESTING DATA GENERATION METHOD - A nesting data generation device generates nesting data for cutting off a part from a work supported by plural support projections. The nesting data generation device includes a nesting data generating unit that generates the nesting data by arranging a geometry of the part on the work. The nesting data generating unit performs, upon arranging the geometry of the part on the work, an avoidance process for avoiding an impediment due to the support projections. According to the nesting data generation device, the part can be prevented from welding on the support projections and the support projections can be prevented from welding upon arranging the geometry on the work by considering positions of the support projections, so that a drop-off and an inclination of the cut part can be prevented. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109353 | METHOD FOR MODELING A DEFECT MANAGEMENT ROUTINE IN A MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND FOR HANDLING THE DEFECT DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS BASED ON THE DEFECT MANAGEMENT ROUTINE - A method models a defect management routine. Both the modeling and a handling are executed within a manufacturing execution system. During an engineering phase: modeling the production process and creating a library of possible defect types which may occur; assigning the defect types to at least one defect group; creating a library of defect specifications; creating a library of defect type specification details; creating at least one runtime defect criteria that is used to link the defect type to a certain production volume; and creating a runtime defect measurement routine that monitors a corrective measure. During a runtime production phase evaluating the product produced; identifying the respective defect type out of the library of defect types; and using the identified defect type to determine a corrective measure, a runtime defect criteria identifying the resource causing the defect type, a production volume, and to run the respective runtime defect management routine. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109354 | TILTING-TYPE AUTOMATIC MOLTEN METAL POURING METHOD, TILTING CONTROL SYSTEM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING TILTING CONTROL PROGRAM STORED THEREIN - A method of automatically pouring molten metal from a ladle into a mold by tilting the ladle. In the method, the height of molten metal located above a molten metal outlet and the weight of molten metal flowing out of the ladle are estimated using an expanded Kalman filter on the basis of: the weight of the molten metal flowing out of the ladle, said weight being measured using a load cell; the voltage inputted to a servo motor; the angle of tilt of the ladle measured by a rotary encoder; and the position of the ladle in the lifting and lowering direction thereof. The sum of the weight of the molten metal flowing out of the ladle when the ladle is tilted rearward, said weight being estimated from the angle of tilt of the ladle and the height of the molten metal located above the molten metal outlet estimated by the expanded Kalman filter, and the weight of the molten metal flowing out of the ladle estimated by the expanded Kalman filter are estimated as the final weight of outflowing molten metal. The estimated final weight of outflowing molten metal is determined whether or not to be greater than or equal to a specific weight of outflow, and the operation of rearward tilting of the ladle is started on the basis of the result of the determination. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109355 | SUBSTRATE PROCESSING SYSTEM - Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates in a processing system that has an increased system throughput, improved system uptime, and improved device yield performance, while maintaining a repeatable and accurate substrate processing. The system may include multiple processing nests laterally positionable by use of a planar motor via multiple planar movers controlled by a system controller. A substrate supported by each processing nest may be angularly positionable by a rotary actuator. The system may be used in screen printing, ink jet printing, thermal processing, device testing, and material removal processes, among others. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109356 | Method and Digital Circuit for Recovering a Clock and Data from an Input Signal Using a Digital Frequency Detection - In a particular embodiment, a digital circuit includes a frequency detection circuit operative to compare information related to transitions between sequential samples of a received signal. The frequency detection circuit is further operative to generate a control signal to reduce a sampling rate of the received signal in response to a predetermined number of the sequential samples having a same value. The digital circuit also includes a digital phase detector operative to provide the information related to the transitions between sequential samples to the frequency detection circuit. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109357 | SEWING MACHINE AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A sewing machine includes a plurality of needle bars to a lower end of each of which a needle can be attached, a display portion that is configured to display various information, a first display control portion that causes the display portion to display replacement information, the replacement information being information pertaining to a replacement needle bar that corresponds to a thread spool for which replacement is necessary and that is at least one of the plurality of the needle bars, a specifying portion that specifies a replacement-completed needle bar during a period in which the replacement information is being displayed on the display portion, the replacement-completed needle bar being a needle bar that corresponds to a thread spool that has been placed after replacement, and a second display control portion that causes the display portion to display a result that has been specified by the specifying portion. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109358 | PRINTER DRIVER SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF EMBROIDERY DESIGNS - Printer driver systems and methods for automatic generation of embroidery designs are disclosed. An example method includes identifying intersections of line segments from different ones of first polygonal objects, determining relationships between the line segments based on the intersections, removing a redundancy between at least two of the line segments, generating, using a computer, second polygonal objects based on the intersections and the line segments, and outputting, from the computer, embroidery data representative of the second polygonal objects. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109359 | MACHINING TIME PREDICTING APPARATUS OF NUMERICALLY CONTROLLED MACHINE TOOL - A machining time predicting apparatus of a numerically controlled machine tool divides a tool path into a plurality of segments, obtains a speed in a tangential direction of each of the divided segments, calculates a time taken for the tool to move on each segment, and obtains the total of the calculated times taken for the tool to move on each segment as a tool moving time, in order to calculate a time (tool moving time) taken for the tool to move on the designated tool path according to an NC command. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109360 | MACHINE TOOL - In a machine tool which includes a rotary shaft configured to allow a tool or a workpiece to be attached thereto, a driving unit for causing the rotary shaft to rotate is regulated to change a rotation speed of the rotary shaft in such a manner that the rotation speed oscillates with a given amplitude and a given period with respect to a given mean rotation speed, so that chatter vibrations can be suppressed. A parameter display control unit configured to cause a display device to display parameter information related to predetermined parameters for changing at least one of the mean rotation speed, the amplitude and the period is provided so that the parameters can be changed based upon the parameter information displayed in the display device. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109361 | PROGRAM CONVERTING MODULE FOR MULTI-AXIS COORDINATED MACHINES AND PROGRAM-CONVERTING METHOD - A program-converting module for a multi-axis cooperated machine and a program-converting method. Machining programs and mechanism data of a plurality of first machines are input to a first input module. Mechanism data of a plurality of second machines are input to a second input unit. A setting unit sets at least one of the first machines to be a source machine, and sets one of the second machines to be a target machine. A conversion unit uses a kinematical method to convert the machining program of the source machine into a machining program applicable to the target machine based on the mechanism data of the source and target machines, without requiring CAD/CAM software. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109362 | Programmable Product Picking Apparatus - Techniques for construction and operation of a programmable product picking apparatus are described herein. Such an apparatus picks up product according to a first spacing (e.g., from a conveyor) and releases the product according to a second spacing (e.g., into a carton). In one possible configuration, a fixed matrix plate defines at least first and second rows of slots. Two movable matrix plates, one that moves right-then-left and one that moves left-then-right, move in opposite directions parallel to the fixed matrix plate according to strokes of pneumatic cylinders. Each of a plurality of product pickers is driven by one of the two movable matrix plates. As that plate moves, the product picker is also moved according to a slot defined in the movable matrix plate. Each product picker comes to a stop when it reaches an end of a slot defined in the fixed matrix plate. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109363 | METHOD & SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING A PACKAGE PRE-LOAD OPERATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH A DISPATCH PLAN - The present invention provides systems and methods for electronically-capturing a destination address of a package and for using the destination address to automate a package pre-load operation. An embodiment of the invention includes a compression system for compressing the destination address as a compressed MaxiCode symbol, a smart shipping label system for generating a shipping label with a compressed MaxiCode and a pre-load assist system for generating package handling instructions from the electronically-captured destination address. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109364 | Mask Conveying System And Mask Conveying Adapter - According to one embodiment, a mask conveying system includes a stocker, a conveyance path, a storage container, a conveying apparatus, and a control device. The storage container for wafer conveyance has the same structure as the storage container for mask conveyance. The control device determines whether or not the storage container is for mask conveyance when the storage container is introduced into the stocker in an exposure area or the stocker in a mask inspection area, and controls the conveying apparatus such that the storage container is conveyed to the stocker that does not have the storage container introduced when the storage container is for mask conveyance. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109365 | METHODS AND A SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING - In one example, the invention includes steps of: activating feeding and exiting motors of a dispensing device that cause corresponding rollers to rotate in forward direction, wherein the feeding motor is operatively connected to a displacement optical sensor, wherein the feeding and exiting rollers move a dispensing object; wherein an exit sensor generates a first signal, indicating that a leading edge of the dispensing object has activated the exit sensor, generating, by the stationary displacement optical sensor, a second signal, when, by passing at least one light beam over a surface of the portion of the dispensing object, the stationary displacement optical sensor determines that the portion of the dispensing object has traveled a pre-determined distance along the dispensing passage. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109366 | INSERT FOR USE WITH A ROLL OF WEB MATERIAL, AND PROVIDING A UNIQUE IDENTIFIER FOR THE ROLL OF WEB MATERIAL - An automatic product dispenser determines if the roll loaded into the dispenser is approved for use with the dispenser. The core of a roll receives a plug that engages a hub within the dispenser. The plug has a feature that alters an electromagnetic field created proximate the hub. The alteration of the electromagnetic field may then be used to determine if the plug, and thus the roll, is usable with the dispenser. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109367 | DIGITAL MEDIA TRANSACTION KIOSK AND METHOD - A digital media transaction kiosk and method which provide security for digital media. An example kiosk includes a digital media identifier for reading an identifier of a digital media item on a representative of the digital media item provided by the customer, and a digital media dispenser for dispensing the digital media item to the customer using the identifier. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109368 | REAL-TIME TARGETED DYNAMIC CONTENT DELIVERY TO A CONSUMER VIA SERVER-DRIVEN MESSAGING - Content for display to a consumer at a vending machine is dynamically generated at a remote content server based on one or more variables maintained at the content server, and delivered in real time to the vending machine for display to the customer during a vend process. In the case of a customer loyalty program, the content may include metadata comprising an authorization code for a free vend and an associated message if the customer has accumulated sufficient reward points, or a message indicating a number of accumulated rewards points. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109369 | TANGIBLE STORAGE MEDIA ACCESS MANAGEMENT - Apparatus, systems, and methods operate to receive a request to access a selected one of a plurality of tangible storage media held in substantially rectangular tangible storage media storage racks. Each rack has first and second opposing sides substantially parallel to a media insertion axis of the rack in a horizontal plane. Operations may include rotating a vertical spindle about its longitudinal axis, the spindle coupled to the plurality of racks with a corresponding plurality of arms having substantially equal length. Rotation provides access to grippers located to extract the selected media along the media insertion axis. A side axis coinciding with the first opposing side of a first one of the racks intersects the second opposing side of a second one of the racks, the first one of the racks being adjacent the second one of the racks. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109370 | System and Method for Generating a Drive Signal - A method and computer program product for defining a PWM drive signal having a defined voltage potential. The PWM drive signal has a plurality of “on” portions and a plurality of “off” portions that define a first duty cycle for regulating, at least in part, a flow rate of a pump assembly. At least a portion of the “on” portions of the PWM drive signal are pulse width modulated to define a second duty cycle for the at least a portion of the “on” portions of the PWM drive signal. The second duty cycle regulates, at least in part, the percentage of the defined voltage potential applied to the pump assembly. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109371 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATIC GLUE LEVEL CONTROL - The present disclosure provides systems and methods for automatically controlling hot glue level in a book-binding apparatus. The embodiments include monitoring glue level in a reservoir and measuring glue temperature in the reservoir. If the glue level is below a level threshold value and the glue temperature value is above a temperature threshold, the system dispenses a predetermined amount of meltable glue pellets into the reservoir. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109372 | DISTRIBUTED ITEM DISPENSER MANAGEMENT - Systems and techniques for distributed dispenser management are provided. A list of item selections is received, the list including at least one item with an item type. A collection of one or more dispenser groups may be identified, where each dispenser group in the collection includes a unique combination of one or more item dispensers with a combined unreserved inventory sufficient to dispense each item in the list. An item dispenser group may then be selected from the collection based on even depletion. The items in the list may be reserved from the selected dispenser group. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109373 | MEDIUM PROCESSING DEVICE AND MEDIUM PROCESSING METHOD - A media processing device, controls such that when a medium is transported in the inserting direction by means of transporting means, the media information recorded on the medium is read by a media information read means and stored by recording to memory. Whether or not the medium is ejectable is determined by transporting the medium in the ejecting direction by means of the transporting means. The media information stored in memory is controlled so as to be deleted when it is determined that the medium is not ejectable. In this way, as long as it is not confirmed that the medium is ejectable, the media information recorded in the medium is not output to the host device. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109374 | Motor velocity control apparatus and method - A motor velocity control apparatus and method in which the velocity of a motor to drive a joint of a robot is controlled. The motor velocity control apparatus and method compensates for a velocity profile used to drive a motor in real time using acceleration, thus increasing a driving velocity of the motor to the maximum velocity while stably maintaining performance of the motor. Thereby, efficiency of the motor is increased, the velocity of the motor is based on the acceleration made by data obtained through experimentation and is thus more precisely and simply calculated than the conventional compensation algorithm using dynamics, and reliability in driving of the motor is assured. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109375 | SOUND LOCALIZING ROBOT - There is provided a biomimetic robot modelling the highly directional lizard ear. Since the directionality is very robust, the neural processing is very simple. This mobile sound localizing robot can therefore easily be miniaturized. The invention is based on a simple electric circuit emulating the lizard ear acoustics with sound input from two small microphones. The circuit generates a robust directionality around 2-4 kHz. The output of the circuit is fed to a model nervous system. The nervous system model is bilateral and contains a set of band-pass filters followed by simulated EI-neurons that compare inputs from the two ears. This model is implemented in software on a digital signal processor and controls the left and right-steering motors of the robot. Additionally, the nervous system model contains a neural network that can self-adapt so as to auto-calibrate the device. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109376 | CLEANER AND CONTROLLING METHOD OF THE SAME - Disclosed are a robot cleaner and a method for controlling the same. The robot cleaner may prevent repeated executions of a cleaning operation by recognizing its position through an absolute position recognition unit, in a case that the cleaning operation is performed again after being forcibly stopped due to arbitrary causes. And, the robot cleaner may solve a position recognition error by a relative position recognition unit with using an image detection unit, and may effectively perform a cleaning operation based on a similarity between an image detected by the image detection unit and an image with respect to a cleaning region. This may improve the system efficiency and stability, and enhance a user's convenience. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109377 | AUTOFOCUS AND/OR AUTOSCALING IN TELESURGERY - Robotic, telerobotic, and/or telesurgical devices, systems, and methods take advantage of robotic structures and data to calculate changes in the focus of an image capture device in response to movement of the image capture device, a robotic end effector, or the like. As the size of an image of an object shown in the display device varies with changes in a separation distance between that object and the image capture device used to capture the image, a scale factor between a movement command input may be changed in response to moving an input device or a corresponding master/slave robotic movement command of the system. This may enhance the perceived correlation between the input commands and the robotic movements as they appear in the image presented to the system operator. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109378 | ROBOT REFRIGERATOR AND SYSTEM HAVING THE SAME - Disclosed are a robot refrigerator and a robot refrigerator system. The robot refrigerator can be remotely controlled. The robot refrigerator generates image information from a surrounding image and transmits the generated image information to a wireless communication device. Then, the wireless communication device remotely controls the robot refrigerator, or monitors or remotely controls the robot refrigerator in real time, so that the robot refrigerator can easily avoid an obstacle to thus minimize a movement time of the robot refrigerator. Thus, user convenience and system reliability can be improved. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109379 | ROBUST OPERATION OF TENDON-DRIVEN ROBOT FINGERS USING FORCE AND POSITION-BASED CONTROL LAWS - A robotic system includes a tendon-driven finger and a control system. The system controls the finger via a force-based control law when a tension sensor is available, and via a position-based control law when a sensor is not available. Multiple tendons may each have a corresponding sensor. The system selectively injects a compliance value into the position-based control law when only some sensors are available. A control system includes a host machine and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a control process, which is executed by the host machine to control the finger via the force- or position-based control law. A method for controlling the finger includes determining the availability of a tension sensor(s), and selectively controlling the finger, using the control system, via the force or position-based control law. The position control law allows the control system to resist disturbances while nominally maintaining the initial state of internal tendon tensions. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109380 | ROBOT CONTROL APPARATUS, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, AND ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot control apparatus is configured such that a vector calculator calculates a first vector representing a moving direction of a reference portion at a reference portion position and a second vector representing relative positions of a signal output position and the reference portion position. The robot control apparatus is configured such that a signal output determiner determines whether or not the notification signal is output on the basis of the first vector and the second vector that are calculated by the vector calculator. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109381 | WEB CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SOLAR TRACKING - A web control system for solar tracking includes one or more trackers, a communication port management unit, a status processing unit, a tracker control unit, a back tracking unit, a web server unit, and the memory unit. The trackers operate in compliance with driving commands and change the position of a solar cell panel in response to the tracking of the location of a sun. The communication port management unit is responsible for data transmission and reception. The status processing unit scans the status of the trackers. The tracker control unit directly controls the trackers. The back tracking unit analyzes the status information, and controls the tracker control unit. The local GUI interface unit displays a local or remote user screen. The web server unit provides the GUI data to a user. The memory unit stores the information. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109382 | DRILLING CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system includes a control unit including a model of the system that includes model parameters and operational conditions. The system also includes an assembly that includes one or more sensor modules and a second processor, the second processor including definitions of the model parameters and configured to determine the model parameters based on information received from the one or more sensors. The system also includes a communication medium communicatively coupling the control unit and the assembly. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109383 | DYNAMICALLY EXTENSIBLE AND AUTOMATICALLY CONFIGURABLE BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM AND ARCHITECTURE - A building automation system (BAS) architecture is disclosed. The BAS comprises, in one embodiment, an architecture comprising a communication network and having a dynamic extensibility capability and an automatic configuration capability; an engine communicatively coupled to the communication network; and at least one control device communicatively coupled to the communication network, the control device being known or unknown to the engine. The engine can be adapted to selectively implement the dynamic extensibility capability to establish communications with and to control both known and unknown control devices. The engine can be further adapted to selectively implement the automatic configuration capability to determine at least one characteristic of both known and unknown control devices. A method of adding a control device to a building automation system (BAS) by dynamically extending and automatically configuring an architecture of the BAS is also disclosed. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109384 | CONSUMER ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION, CONTROL AND SUPPORT CONCIERGE DEVICE AND METHOD - We disclose a concierge device that can be configured to register, control and support a consumer device. It can alternatively or redundantly connect to a home management bridge and/or cloud-based management servers. It can accept menus that allow a single concierge device to provide a wide range of functions for various consumer devices. The concierge device allows the user in a single action to initiate a support session, automatically identifying the consumer device. The concierge device can be configured for voice or video support calls. The concierge device in conjunction with a home management bridge or gateway can manage on boarding of components of an automated home, such as switches and lamps. Implementations of the concierge device that include a display can show supplemental information, such as advertising, optionally in coordination with media being played on a consumer device coupled in communication with the concierge device. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109385 | HYDRAULIC PRESSURE CONTROL APPARATUS - A hydraulic pressure control apparatus includes: a solenoid valve; a hysteresis hydraulic pressure correction amount calculation section configured to calculate a hysteresis hydraulic pressure correction amount; and a command current control section configured to control the command current in accordance with the hysteresis hydraulic pressure correction amount, the hysteresis hydraulic pressure correction amount calculation section having, as a reference map, a full hysteresis characteristic, and being configured to make a plurality of reduction maps each of which is obtained by reducing the reference map in accordance with a turn-round position at one of minor loops from a past to a present time when the minor loop continues, and to calculate the hysteresis hydraulic pressure correction amount by summation of the hysteresis hydraulic pressure correction amounts obtained by the plurality of the reduction maps in the same command current position. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109386 | APPLIANCE HAVING A USER INTERFACE PANEL AND A BEVERAGE DISPENSER - An appliance including a housing, a dispenser, and a water supply mechanism. The appliance includes a drink supply mechanism configured to removably hold a plurality of drink supply containers, a user interface panel, and a computer. The computer is configured to: cause the user interface panel to display a plurality of different images, each image associated with a different one of a plurality of different beverages which correspond to a drink supply in at least one of the plurality of drink supply containers held by the drink supply mechanism, enable the user interface panel to receive an input from a user of a selected one of the plurality of different displayed images, and after receiving the input from the user of the selected one of the plurality of different displayed images, cause the dispenser to dispense the beverage corresponding to the selected image. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109387 | REMOTE ANALYSIS AND CORRECTION OF CROP CONDITION - A method, system and apparatus for early diagnosis and real time remote intervention of crop condition by correlating collected crop characteristics with known plant parameters, economic variables and algorithms to computer generate an irrigation decision, remotely execute the same and notify the end user. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109388 | Load Shedding by an Electric Utility - Load shedding by an electric utility, including querying power distribution systems that include a DRG system for present power consumption of the local load of the power distribution system; selecting, in dependence upon the present power consumption of the local load of the power distribution systems and predefined power consumption criteria for each substation, a substation to receive a reduction in power; and reducing power provided to the selected substation. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109389 | DISTRIBUTED POWER POINT CONTROL - A system to control power generated by a photovoltaic array is provided that may include multiple distributed power point control (DPPC) units and a distributed power point control (DPPC) controller. The DPPC units may receive power from a photovoltaic array and supply a portion of that power to a corresponding one of multiple loads. The DPPC controller may generate a control signal for each respective one of the DPPC units such that the photovoltaic array generates a target power when the DPPC units power the loads. In addition, the DPPC controller may adjust the loads and the control signal so that the photovoltaic array generates the target power. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109390 | METHOD FOR INTEGRATING CONTROLS FOR CAPTIVE POWER GENERATION FACILITIES WITH CONTROLS FOR METALLURGICAL FACILITIES - A control system for a combined power generation and metallurgical plant facility integrates generator-side and load-side control to provide coordinated operation of the two processes. The power generation facility includes one or more generator units and the metallurgical plant facility includes one or more controllable loads. Operating characteristics of the one or more loads are fed back to the one or generator units through a master controller to determine input control parameters for the one or more generator units. Similarly control signals and operating characteristics of the one or more generators are fed forward to the one or more loads through the master controller to determine input control parameters for the one or more loads. Using feed-forward as well as feed-back loops to exchange generator output and load set-point information, power balance between the generator units and controlled loads is maintained within an operating envelope. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109391 | MANAGING ENERGY DEMAND IN AN INFRASTRUCTURE - In a method for managing energy demand in an infrastructure, a coefficient of performance (COP) of the infrastructure as a function of time is determined. The COP is a measure of efficiency of the infrastructure. In addition, an energy demand on the infrastructure as a function of time is determined and an energy demand schedule for the infrastructure that temporally reallocates the energy demand based upon the determined COP of the infrastructure is determined. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109392 | SCHEDULING TO MAXIMIZE UTILIZATION PREFERRED POWER SOURCES (SMUPPS) - A power utilization scheduling system and methods are disclosed. A prioritized energy consumption schedule is determined based on a prioritized energy consumption. A per-process energy consumption model is determined based on an energy consumption model, and an operation is scheduled based on the prioritized energy consumption schedule and the per-process energy consumption model. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109393 | ELECTRIC POWER DEMAND/SUPPLY PLANNING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE SAME - An electric power planning apparatus is provided. The apparatus has an initial plan creating section, a generation amount probability density distribution creating section, an economic load dispatch calculating section, and a display section. The initial plan creating section creates an initial plan based on a demand predicted value, a predicted value of a natural energy electric power source power generation output amount, and electric power source equipment data. The generation amount probability density distribution creating section creates a probability density distribution using fluctuation bands of the demand and of the natural energy electric power source power generation output amount. The economic load dispatch calculating section calculates an output allocation based on the initial plan and the probability density distribution to create a prediction distribution of a power generation output of the controllable electric power source. The display section displays the prediction distribution. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109394 | Household Energy Management System - A household energy management system includes: a schedule condition storage unit for storing schedule conditions that include operation-permitting time zones indicating time zones during which household electric appliances are permitted to operate, necessary operation times indicating operation times taken for the household electric appliances to finish operation, and operation time power consumption amounts indicating electric power consumed during the operation of the household electric appliances; a schedule calculation unit for receiving a CO2 emission intensity from a grid energy management system and for preparing operation schedules indicating operation times of the household electric appliances based on the CO | 2012-05-03 |
20120109395 | CONTROLLING MULTIPLE SMART APPLIANCES WITH A SINGLE COMMUNICATION INTERFACE - A single communication interface for controlling multiple smart appliances. The communication interface can be integral with an appliance and have a port for communicating with at least one other appliance or energy consuming devices. The communication interface can be a separate module connectable to a plurality of appliance or energy consuming devices. A wireless or wired connection can be established between the communication module and an energy management device for controlling the smart appliances or energy consuming devices connected to the communication module. One or more of the appliances or energy consuming devices can be wirelessly connected to the communication interface. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109396 | Industrial process communication system - An industrial or manufacturing communication system and devices typically used in an industrial environment including several industrial devices such as work stations wherein a work station power distribution line runs along side the work flow or conveyor line, with individual data units connected between the individual work stations and the power distribution line, and further includes a similar connection by a data unit between a process controller and the power distribution line, wherein a selective flow of data is provided between and/or among the individual work stations and/or a workstation and the process controller. Further embodiments include the powering of the data units from power derived from the power distribution line(s), and integration and/or embedding some or all of the communications elements of the present invention into the structure, e.g. circuit boards, of the workstations and other devices connected to primary and/or secondary power lines. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109397 | LOCATION-BASED SMART ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USING RFID AND METHOD THEREOF - In a smart energy management system linked with home network devices respectively installed in a plurality of households to manage the use of energy for each household, a location detecting unit detects location information or entry/exit information of a household member through recognition of an RFID tag carried by the household member connected with an RFID receiving device. An energy recording unit receives energy use details of the household, inputted from the home network device, and records the received energy use details together with the location information or entry/exit information of the household member. A pattern analysis unit analyzes an energy use pattern for the energy use details. An energy management unit provides the energy use details through the home network device as a result obtained by comparing the energy use detailed for each household or so that the household member recognizes the energy use pattern. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109398 | Power Monitoring and Control System and Method - A system includes a first controller carried by a first electrical outlet, and a management system in communication with the first controller through a first communication link. A second controller is carried by a second electrical outlet, and an electrical load operates in response to receiving power from the second electrical outlet. The management system determines a performance parameter of the electrical load in response to receiving information corresponding to the operation of the electrical load from the first controller. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109399 | ENERGY RESOURCE CONSERVATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An energy saving system includes a utility controller to transmit a signal for a demand response period or a peak energy price for a peak pricing period from a utility facility; and a display receiving the signal from the utility controller, the display having a first brightness mode operative during the demand response period or the peak pricing period, and a second brightness mode for other period. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109400 | LOAD SCHEDULING OPTIMIZATION IN DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM - A power distribution management system is disclosed for optimal power distribution for a predetermined class of loads and other loads. The power distribution management system include a substation for distributing power supply to a load network, where the load network includes the predetermined class of loads and other loads and the substation includes a plurality of feeders. The power distribution management system includes an optimizer for generating an optimal load schedule for a control period for the predetermined class of loads. The power distribution management system also includes a communication interface for communicating between the plurality of individual loads and/or the optimizer. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109401 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING RENEWABLE ENERGY SERVICES - Methods and apparatus for managing at least one renewable energy source for supply of power via an electric grid are disclosed. A method supplies power to mobile devices from the renewable energy source and balances power realized by the mobile devices with the supply of power from the renewable energy source by controlling the supply of power realized by the mobile devices. An apparatus includes a processor for monitoring power from the renewable energy source and sending signals to mobile devices connected to the electric grid to balance monitored power from the renewable energy source with power realized by the mobile devices. Another method identifies a fixed account associated with a grid connection point used by a plug-in electric vehicle for realizing power during a connection event; determines a quantity of energy realized during the event; and adjusts the account based on energy realized by the vehicle during the event. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109402 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING A GRID CONNECTION POINT USING A TAG - An electrical outlet, an electrical outlet cover for use with an electrical outlet and methods of identifying a grid connection point for bill processing of a charging event and managing energy services are disclosed. The electrical outlet cover includes a cover unit having a receptacle opening configured to align with a receptacle of the electric outlet and an identification unit configured to present a unique identification that is associated with the electrical outlet. In an embodiment, a method includes establishing an identity tag at a grid connection point (GCP) that unique identifies the GCP, receiving identity tag information to uniquely identify the GCP and monitoring charge event information indicating attributes of the charging event. The method further includes associating the charge event information with the identity tag information, as associated information; and sending the associated information for reconciliation of billing accounts associated with the GCP and the mobile charging device. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109403 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING ENERGY SERVICES FROM A PLURALITY OF DEVICES - Methods and apparatus for managing energy services are disclosed. One method includes: reporting, by a respective asset of the first type, an identifier associated with a grid connection point that establishes a location of the respective asset of the first type at the grid connection point on the electric grid; receiving, by the respective asset of the first type, operating conditions for realizing the energy service, the received conditions being based on the established location of the respective asset of the first type on the grid; and operating the respective asset of the first type in accordance with the received operating conditions to realize the energy service. An energy service controller includes a communication unit for receiving, from a mobile asset, an identifier associated with a grid connection point connected to the asset and a processor for determining a location of the asset on the grid based on the identifier. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109404 | Apparatus and method for controlling environmental conditions in a data center using wireless mesh netwworks - Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for controlling environmental conditions in a data center using wireless mesh networks. An example embodiment includes receiving an alert message from a reporting wireless network sensor of a plurality of wireless network sensors via a wireless sensor network, the alert message including information indicative of a modification needed to an environmental condition; and using the information indicative of a modification needed to an environmental condition at a networked controller to command a device capable of modifying the environmental condition to modify the environmental condition in a manner corresponding to the information in the alert message. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109405 | CONTAINER DATA CENTER AND HEAT DISSIPATION SYSTEM THEREOF - A data center includes a container with a raised floor defining a number of openings, and a server system received in the container. The server system includes a rack and a number of servers received in the rack at different heights. Cooling air is released by a cooling device. A number of pressurizing fans are arranged under the raised floor aligned with the openings to drive the cooling air to flow upwards through the openings. A number of temperature sensors are mounted to the rack to sense temperatures of air flowing out of the servers. The temperatures sensed by the temperature sensors are transmitted to a computing unit. According to the temperatures, the computing unit adjusts the speeds of the pressurizing fans to make the cooling air within the container be better distributed for evenly cooling the servers. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109406 | UNIFIED VEHICLE NETWORK FRAME PROTOCOL - A vehicle communication network includes a network fabric, a plurality of vehicle control modules, memory, one or more multimedia processing modules, and a network manager. The network manager is operable to coordinate communication of packets, via the network fabric, among the vehicle control modules, the memory, and the multimedia processing modules based on individual content of the packets and in accordance with a global vehicle network communication protocol. The network manager is further operable to facilitate network resource management to support the communication of packets via the network fabric in accordance with the global vehicle network communication protocol. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109407 | POWER MANAGEMENT WITHIN A VEHICULAR COMMUNICATION NETWORK - Power management within a vehicle is achieved by maintaining individual and/or power island power saving options for each of a plurality of devices coupled to a vehicular communication network of the vehicle. Upon determining that power savings should be enabled for a device, at least one of the power saving options for the device is selected and applied. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109408 | ELECTRICAL VEHICLE RANGE PREDICTION - A method for predicting the remaining travel distance of an electric vehicle. The method includes determining a useable battery energy value based on battery state-of-charge and battery capacity and a power value needed to heat or cool a vehicle cabin. The method determines an available battery energy value based on the useable battery energy value and an estimated energy value to provide the vehicle cabin heating or cooling, where the estimated energy value is determined using the power value. The method determines a recent energy used value based on an actual recent HVAC energy used value, a recent energy used value with no HVAC system loads and a recent energy used value with maximum HVAC system loads. The method determines a recent distance traveled value and determines the range by dividing the recent distance traveled value by the recent energy used value and multiplying by the available battery energy value. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109409 | INFORMATION PROVIDING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROVIDING SERVER, VEHICLE ASSISTANCE SYSTEM, NAVIGATION DEVICE, AND CHARGING CABLE - It is an object to provide a system for assisting a vehicle on the edge of battery exhaustion. An information providing device includes: an information acquiring part for acquiring the current location of a vehicle and the amount of power stored in a power storage unit of the vehicle from a plurality of vehicles; a vehicle selecting part for selecting one or more vehicles as available vehicles for power supply from the plurality of vehicles based on the respective current locations and the amounts of stored power of the plurality of vehicles, the one or more vehicles to be selected being capable of supplying charging power to a target vehicle requiring charge of its power storage unit; and a notifying part for notifying of an available vehicle for power supply selected by the vehicle selecting part. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109410 | VEHICLE MOTION CONTROL APPARATUS - A vehicle motion control apparatus configured to control a plurality of control objects in a same direction of vehicle motion control to achieve a requested control amount is provided. The vehicle motion control apparatus includes a control object selection unit which is configured to determine priority of the control objects used for the vehicle motion control based on a priority determination condition, to select a control object from among the plurality of control objects. The control object selection unit includes a control object selection timing determination section configured to detect a change in the priority determination condition, and cause the control object selection unit to reselect a control object at a timing of the change detection as a selection timing. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109411 | VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL APPARATUS AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEM USING THE SAME - A vehicle dynamic control apparatus is designed to control a plurality of controlled objects based on a first parameter associated with a motion of a vehicle in a same direction to fulfill a request value of a second parameter associated with the motion of the vehicle in the same direction and outputted from a control requester. The vehicle dynamic control apparatus includes an availability obtainer configured to obtain an availability of the first parameter of each of the controlled objects, and to output the availability of the first parameter of each of the controlled objects to the control requester. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109412 | VEHICLE MOVEMENT CONTROL APPARATUS AND VEHICLE MOVEMENT CONTROL METHOD - A vehicle movement control apparatus for setting control requirement values for a plurality of control objects controlling movement of a vehicle, if control target values for movement of the vehicle are input, the apparatus includes: a first requirement value setting unit setting a first control requirement value for a first control object; a first estimating unit acquiring a first movement estimated value if the first control object is activated based on the first control requirement value; a calculating unit calculating an estimated delay amount which is a shortage amount generated based on response delay of the first control object; a second requirement value setting unit setting a second control requirement value for a second control object, based on the result of the calculation; and a second estimating unit acquiring a second movement estimated value if the second control object is activated based on the second control requirement value. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109413 | ELECTRIC DRIVING RANGE CALCULATOR - A method of and device for determining driving range for a vehicle operating with a rechargeable energy storage supply. The method includes performing a calculation based on a limited number of input parameters, including a driving distance, average speed, location and time of day. Other determinations, such as the possibility of using a battery power-depleting climate control system, as well as battery capacity and climate data for various seasonal and location factors may also be used in the calculations. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109414 | VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL PLATFORM BETWEEN APPLICATION AND CONTROLLED OBJECT - In a vehicle dynamic control platform arranged between a controlled object and an application, an availability obtainer obtains an availability corresponding to a controllable range of a second parameter of the controlled object, and outputs the availability of the second parameter of the controlled object to the application. The application is programmed to output the target value of the first parameter based on the availability of the second parameter of the controlled object. A comparator compares the target value of the first parameter with the availability of the second parameter when the target value of the first parameter is outputted from the application, and determines, based on a result of the comparison, whether to perform dynamic control of the vehicle by controlling the controlled object. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109415 | LATERAL MOTION CONTROL APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE - A lateral motion control apparatus for a vehicle includes a control stop determination unit that determines whether or not to stop the control for the control target by the control target control unit based on a steering operation amount inputted by a driver of the vehicle, and a degeneration control amount determination unit that determines a degeneration control amount for the control target such that the control amount for the control target degenerates after the time when the control stop determination unit has determined that the control for the control target is to be stopped. When the control stop determination unit has determined that the control for the control target is to be stopped, the control target control unit controls the control target based on the degeneration control amount determined by the degeneration control amount determination unit. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109416 | LATERAL MOTION CONTROL APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE - The lateral motion control apparatus calculates lateral motion control amounts for a plurality of control targets that operate cooperatively in order to change the lateral motion amount of the vehicle based on a target value for the lateral motion amount of the vehicle, and control the plurality of control targets based on the calculated lateral motion control amounts. Meanwhile, it is determined whether or not the control of the plurality of control targets is to be stopped. When it has been determined that the control of the plurality of control targets is to be stopped, lateral motion degeneration control amounts are determined for each of the plurality of control targets so that the lateral motion control amounts of the plurality of control targets degenerate starting at that time, and the plurality of control targets are controlled based on the determined lateral motion degeneration control amounts. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109417 | Methods, systems, and apparatuses for using a vehicle identification profile to determine whether a vehicle has been stolen - Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for determining driver behavior based on vehicle operating parameters, adjusting insurance premiums accordingly, and preventing fraudulent manipulation of the methods, systems, and apparatuses. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109418 | DRIVER PROFILING - The present invention discloses a driver profiling system comprising: at least one sensor adapted to measure vehicle parameters; computing means in communication with said sensors, provided with storage means adapted to store said vehicle parameters, and provided with means for issuing warnings based on said vehicle parameters; a remote server adapted to receive, store, analyze, and display said vehicle parameters; and, communication means adapted to transfer said vehicle parameters and associated data to said remote server; whereby historical vehicle parameter data may be analyzed to identify driver characteristics. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109419 | LOCKABLE COMPARTMENT ACCESS MANAGEMENT - Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive reservation requests for travel reservations associated with a common carrier. Responsive to receiving a request, an access control code to control access to a lockable compartment within a vehicle designated to provide transportation associated with the travel reservation may be generated. The compartment may be a luggage compartment, such as an overhead bin on an airplane. The code may be transmitted to a mobile device carried by the passenger associated with the reservation, and used to provide lockable access to the compartment. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109420 | APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH MOBILE RELOCATION - An apparatus and method relocating a robot. The apparatus may include a particle generating unit, a first distance obtaining unit, a second distance obtaining unit, and a position estimating unit. A plurality of particles may be generated on a map, a first distance may be obtained according to respective distances between each particle of the plurality of particles and a wireless communication apparatus, based on a position of the wireless communication apparatus and respective positions of each particle on the map, a second distance may be obtained according to respective determined distances between the wireless communication apparatus and the robot, based on a strength measure of the electromagnetic signal received by the robot from the wireless communication apparatus or based on an arrival time or time of flight of the electromagnetic signal, and a position of the robot may be estimated by comparing the first distance and the second distance. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109421 | Traffic congestion reduction system - A wireless/automated method and system of synchronizing the speed and acceleration/deceleration of an unlimited number of preceding/trailing vehicles, to achieve ‘mechanical like’ coupling, comparable to railroad cars. This includes wireless transmitting of the speed and notification of acceleration/deceleration of a preceding vehicle to a trailing vehicle, automated response to the speed and acceleration/deceleration of a preceding vehicle by a trailing vehicle so that the trailing vehicle accelerates/decelerates in near simultaneous synchronization with the preceding vehicle, and alerting the driver to automated vehicle acceleration. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109422 | Keyless entry system for vehicle - In a keyless entry system, when at least one proper portable unit is detected outside of a passenger compartment and the one is not detected inside of the passenger compartment, a door lock control is performed. Then, when it is determined that another proper portable unit is inside of the passenger compartment, the another proper portable unit is assigned to an unavailable proper portable unit. Further, it is determined whether at least one proper portable unit is inside of the passenger compartment while excluding the unavailable proper portable unit in response to an operation starting instruction to start an operation of a power source for driving the vehicle. When it is determined that no proper potable unit is inside of the passenger compartment, it is prohibited to start the operation of the power source. | 2012-05-03 |
20120109423 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BEHAVIOR BASED CONTROL OF AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE - System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified. | 2012-05-03 |