20th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 54 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110118834 | FLUIDIC INTRAOCULAR LENS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present invention relates to a fluidic intraocular lens inserted into a capsular bag of an eye to replace a crystalline lens. The fluidic intraocular lens may be shaped by elastic membranes bonded to a support ring. The space inside the device may be filled with optically transparent fluid or gel having an index of refraction greater than the index of vitreous humor. The device may be such designed so that the focusing power of the lens can be changed by the deformation of the capsular bag, which may be subsequently controlled by a ciliary muscle. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118835 | BRANCHED OCULAR IMPLANT - Disclosed is a glaucoma treatment device having a tubular, unbranched portion and a branched portion. The unbranched portion has an internal flow pathway extending between a distal region and a proximal region. The branched portion extends from the distal region of the tubular, unbranched portion. The proximal region of the unbranched portion includes at least one inflow port that is in fluid communication with the internal flow pathway. The branched portion includes a first and a second reversibly deformable branch. Each of the first and second branches has at least one outflow port and an internal lumen in fluid communication with the flow pathway of the unbranched portion. Each of the first and second branches is biased away from one another when in a relaxed state. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118836 | MARK FOR INTRAOCULAR LENSES - An intraocular lens for providing vision to an animal or human subject has anterior and posterior sides. The lens includes an optic body, one or more haptics, and one or more marks. Each mark has four or more features disposed along an imaginary line when viewed from the anterior side and/or the posterior side. The mark(s) may be used as an aid in angularly aligning the lens during use. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118837 | GRAFT PULLEY AND METHODS OF USE - A placement assembly used for positioning and holding a ligament graft within a selected bone tunnel. The assembly includes a graft pulley, a surgical suture, and a graft pulley placement instrument. The graft pulley includes a pulley portion and a bone anchoring portion. The pulley portion is adapted to receive the surgical suture and for surgical suture to be drawn through it, to act as a pulley. The bone anchoring portion comprises at least one flexible wing that is adapted to selectively fix the graft pulley within a bone tunnel. At least one wing is adapted to flex during insertion into a bone tunnel and then resist flex and thereby resist movement back out of the tunnel and hence wedge itself within the tunnel. The graft instrument may be selectively attached to the graft pulley and includes a handle and elongate body, adapted to insert the graft pulley into the selected bone tunnel. Once the graft pulley is in place, the placement instrument may then be detached and withdrawn leaving the graft pulley firmly fixed within the bone tunnel and can then be used to position a ligament graft. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118838 | GRAFT PULLEY AND METHODS OF USE - A placement assembly used for positioning and holding a ligament graft within a selected bone tunnel. The assembly includes a graft pulley, a surgical suture, and a graft pulley placement instrument. The graft pulley includes a pulley portion and a bone anchoring portion. The pulley portion is adapted to receive the surgical suture and for surgical suture to be drawn through it, to act as a pulley. The bone anchoring portion comprises a portion adapted to selectively fix the graft pulley within a bone tunnel. The graft instrument may be selectively attached to the graft pulley and includes a handle and elongate body, adapted to insert the graft pulley into the selected bone tunnel. Once the graft pulley is in place, the placement instrument may then be detached and withdrawn leaving the graft pulley firmly fixed within the bone tunnel and can then be used to position a ligament graft. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118839 | BONE PLUG - A device for insertion into an amputated bone and a method for inserting the device into an amputated bone are described. The device comprises a stem configured to be inserted into a cavity of the amputated bone. The device further comprises a head coupled to the stem. The head has a diameter greater than the diameter of the stem. The head further has a flat surface configured to interface with a severed surface of the amputated bone. The head and stem are fabricated from a moldable porous matrix material configured to promote bone growth within the matrix. A device for bridging a first amputated bone and a second amputated bone is also described. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118840 | SPINAL IMPLANT WITH STAPLES - A spinal implant having a spinal cage and a plurality of staples. The spinal cage is configured to be positioned in an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae. The plurality of staples are moveably disposed on the spinal cage and configured to be inserted into the adjacent vertebrae so as to secure the spinal cage in the intervertebral space when the spinal cage is positioned therein. A method of securing the spinal implant within the intervertebral space. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118841 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR ACHIEVING TRANS-ILIAC LUMBAR FUSION - Assemblies of one or more implant structures make possible the achievement of diverse interventions involving the fusion and/or stabilization of lumbar and sacral vertebra in a non-invasive manner, with minimal incision, and without the necessitating the removing the intervertebral disc. The representative lumbar spine interventions, which can be performed on adults or children, include, but are not limited to, lumbar interbody fusion; translaminar lumbar fusion; lumbar facet fusion; trans-iliac lumbar fusion; and the stabilization of a spondylolisthesis. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118842 | VERTEBRAL OSTEOSYNTHESIS MATERIAL - A graft or an intervertebral piece or cage designed to be inserted between two vertebrae, and an implant in the form of a staple, having two lateral branches designed to be inserted into the plates of the respective vertebrae to be immobilized and a central branch connecting these two lateral branches to each other. At least one lateral branch has at least one mobile portion, movable between an introduction position, in which this mobile portion is located in the extension of the rest of this lateral branch, and an anchoring position, in which this mobile portion protrudes laterally in relation to the rest of the lateral branch, and the implant has movement means allowing the mobile portion to move between the introduction and anchoring positions. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118843 | INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT - The intervertebral implant is in the form of a three-dimensional structure ( | 2011-05-19 |
20110118844 | METHODS OF REPAIRING HERNIATED SEGMENTS IN THE DISC - Systems for minimally invasive disc augmentation include an anulus augmentation component and a nucleus augmentation component. Both are suited for minimally invasive deployment. The nucleus augmentation component restores disc height and/or replaces missing nucleus pulposus. The anulus augmentation component shields weakened regions of the anulus fibrosis and/or resists escape of natural nucleus pulposus and/or the augmentation component. Methods and deployment devices are also disclosed. Method of supporting and augmenting a nucleus pulposus by inserting a flexible biocompatible material into the disc space using an anchoring means are also provided. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118845 | FLEXIBLE DAMPENING INTERVERTEBRAL SPACER DEVICE - A flexible dampening intervertebral spacer ( | 2011-05-19 |
20110118846 | SHOULDER PROSTHETIC - A shoulder implant assembly including a humeral stem, a head, a cup, and a taper adaptor. The humeral stem is configured to be inserted into a humerus bone. The head includes a metal substrate having a coupling taper and a polymeric cover mounted to the metal substrate having a convex outer surface and a generally planar base. The cup has a concave surface configured to articulate with the polymeric cover of the head. The taper adaptor is configured to mate with the coupling taper of the head. The taper adaptor is configured to connect the head to the stem when the cup is connected to a glenoid. The taper adaptor is configured to connect the head to the glenoid when the cup is connected to the humeral stem. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118847 | POSTERIOR STABILIZED KNEE PROSTHESIS - A knee joint prosthesis includes a femoral component having an anterior side, a posterior side, a pair of laterally spaced condylar portions, and an intercondylar portion joining the condylar portions and including a recess. A cam surface is located adjacent the intercondylar recess on the anterior side of the femoral component and has a saddle shape that is defined by an at least substantially concave first radius of curvature and a convex third radius of curvature that is perpendicular to the concave first radius of curvature. The prosthesis also includes a tibial component including a platform having an upper surface that includes first and second laterally spaced concavities. Each concavity is adapted for receiving one condylar portion of the femoral component. The tibial component has a tibial post for reception in the intercondylar recess of the femoral component. The tibial post has a saddle shaped anterior earn surface that is complementary to the saddle shaped anterior cam surface of the femoral component and is defined by an at least substantially convex second radius of curvature and a concave fourth radius of curvature that is perpendicular to the convex second radius of curvature. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118848 | MODULAR SPACER DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF PROSTHESIS INFECTIONS - A spacer device ( | 2011-05-19 |
20110118849 | Modular Hip Joint Prosthesis and Assembling Method Thereof - The invention relates to modular hip joint prosthesis and an assembling method thereof. The modular hip joint prosthesis includes a stem component, a proximal body module and lock component. The proximal body module assembles with the stem component and includes a first curved surface component and a second curved surface, wherein the radius of curvature of the first curved surface component is different from the radius of curvature of the second curved surface component. The lock component is used to encase the first curved surface component and the second curved surface for locking up both components. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118850 | Bioactive Grafts and Composites - Disclosed are various bioactive grafts and/or biocompatible materials and methods of making the same. In one embodiment, bone material is harvested from a donor. The harvested bone material is exposed to a lysing agent, the lysing agent configured to release growth factors and bioactive materials from cellular material of the harvested bone material. The harvested bone material is then rinsed with a rinsing agent. The pH of the harvested bone material is substantially neutralized. In another embodiment, an orthopaedic implant includes an antibacterial polysaccharide. The implant may also include an osteostimulative agent. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118851 | PROSTHETIC REPAIR FABRIC WITH EROSION RESISTANT EDGE - An implantable prosthesis is provided for repairing or augmenting anatomical weaknesses or defects, and is particularly suitable for the repair of soft tissue and muscle wall openings. The prosthesis may include a repair fabric that is constructed and arranged to allow tissue ingrowth and is susceptible to erosion into and the formation of adhesions with tissue and organs. One or more regions of the prosthesis may be configured to inhibit erosion into and/or the formation of adhesions with tissue and organs. The prosthesis may include an erosion resistant edge to buffer an edge of the fabric from the adjacent tissue or organs. The erosion resistant edge may be provided along an opening that is adapted to receive a tube-like structure, such as the esophagus. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118852 | PIEZOELECTRIC IMPLANT - A piezoelectric implant configured to stimulate bone growth in surrounding bone, tissues, and/or bodily fluids. Anatomical loading of the piezoelectric implant causes the piezoelectric implant or components thereof to emit a signal, such as an electric current and/or electromagnetic field that promotes and/or enhances osteoblastic activity in the surrounding bone, tissues, and/or bodily fluids, thereby enhancing bone remodeling and/or fusion. The piezoelectric implant can be configured with a variety of piezoelectric components, such as individual piezoelectric elements or piezoelectric frames, and/or conductors configured to conduct the signal between the piezoelectric components and the surrounding bone, tissues, and/or bodily fluids. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118853 | Prosthetic Socket Stabilization Apparatus and Technique - A portable device, with method, advantageously applies dynamic stimulation of enclosed muscle tissue to stabilize a prosthetic socket on a residual limb. Dynamic stimulation is in response to physical conditions such as prosthesis motion, position and/or internal pressures. Tissue volume contained within the socket may be stabilized by varying average stimulation levels in response to internal socket pressure. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118854 | SUSPENSION LINER HAVING MULTIPLE COMPONENT SYSTEM - A residual limb suspension liner for a prosthesis has a first layer defined by a first elastomeric material and forms a continuous circumferential internal surface of the liner. The liner also includes a second layer defined by a second elastomeric material different from the first elastomeric material. The second layer has a first surface adjacent to and integrally joined to the first layer. The second layer has a variable radial thickness over an anterior aspect of the liner. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118855 | SCALABLE MOTION CONTROL SYSTEM - A control system includes a clustered architecture having a master controller, a central control section including one or more first remote controllers under direct control of the master controller, and a distributed control section including a cluster controller controlled by the master controller. The cluster controller controls the activities of one or more second remote controllers. Each of the first and second remote controllers are utilized to drive one or more axes. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118856 | HEATER AND MOTOR CONTROL - The control method uses the following scheme: Control Value (CV)=Proportional Value (PV)+Derivative Value (DV)+Derivative Correction (DC), where PV goes from 0 to MAX and operates over a very narrow band—in a temperature control example plus or minus 1 degree C. from the setpoint and is used to stabilize CV and enforce the setpoint. DV goes from −MAX to MAX and is exponentially decayed over a time constant to weigh the most recent values heavier than older values. This allows the control to see the real derivative despite a large step size which might otherwise mask it and within a small time window. DC goes from −MAX to MAX and makes this scheme work for any situation. The desired derivative is defined based on the graph. This then adjusts to compensate when the slope is not following the ideal definition. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118857 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATION OF A PROGRAMMABLE DEVICE - A method and apparatus for a computer-implemented adaptive automation module comprising an event recorder to store one or more events for a predetermined period, and a timeline pattern generator logic to create a timeline for the predetermined period. The module further comprising marker creator logic to generate a marker to abstract the timeline data from the event data for controlling a device. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118858 | LOCAL STORAGE OF A PORTION OF STREAMED MEDIA ITEMS - This invention is directed to playing back streamed media items using an electronic device. In particular, this is directed to locally storing one or more clips corresponding to a media item such that the clips can be immediately played back in response to a user request to play back the media item. While the clips are played back, the electronic device can retrieve the remaining segments of the media item from the user's media library as a media stream over a communications network. Once the playback of the clip is complete, the electronic device can seamlessly switch playback to the media stream received from the user's library. The electronic device can authenticate with the remote library using any suitable approach, including for example one or more passwords and tokens. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118859 | FREQUENCY-SPECIFIC DETERMINATION OF AUDIO DOSE - The present disclosure relates to media players, such as portable electronic devices, vehicle audio systems, home stereo systems, etc. In particular, it relates to the management of the sound pressure level generated by portable electronic devices. A method and system for controlling the consumed audio dose of a user of a media player is described. The method comprises the steps of selecting a first frequency range from the total frequency range relevant for the human ear; of determining the audio dose already consumed by the user within the first frequency range; of evaluating the audio dose of a media track within the first frequency range and the already consumed audio dose of the user within the first frequency range; and of controlling the audio dose generated by the media player based on the evaluating step. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118860 | Sound Pressure Level-Aware Music Playlists - The present document relates to media players, such as portable electronic devices, vehicle audio systems, home stereo systems, etc. In particular, it relates to the management of the sound pressure level generated by portable electronic devices. A method and system for controlling the cumulated audio dose of a user of a media player is described. The method comprises the steps of determining the audio dose already consumed by the user and of selecting one or more media tracks for play back on the media player based on the audio dose of the media track and the already consumed audio dose of the user. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118861 | SOUND PROCESSING APPARATUS - A sound processing apparatus that communicates with a terminal apparatus through a communication network, includes: a main storage device; an auxiliary storage device that stores a management program and a sound processing program; a management element being implemented by making the management program resident in the main storage device, the management element that receives audio data transmitted from the terminal apparatus by a streaming method and that stores the received audio data in the main storage device, the management element that acquires, from the main storage device, processed data generated by performing sound processing on the audio data and that transmits the processed data to the terminal apparatus by a streaming method; and a sound processing element being implemented by making the sound processing program resident in the main storage device, the sound processing element that performs the sound processing on the audio data to generate the processed data when the management element stores the audio data in the main storage device and that stores the generated processed data in the main storage device. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118862 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WORKLOAD BALANCING TO ASSIST IN POWER GRID LOAD MANAGEMENT - A method and system for workload balancing to assist in power grid load management. The method includes receiving a request to perform a task at a site powered by connection to an AC power grid, the task comprising either data processing or manufacturing an article; measuring an AC frequency of the AC power grid to obtain a current AC frequency; and performing or not performing the task at the site based on the current AC frequency. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118863 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A PLASMA PROCESSING SYSTEM - A method and apparatus for compensating a bias voltage at the wafer by measuring RF voltage signals in RF driven plasma including at least an electrostatic, chuck (ESC), a capacitive divider, a signal processing and signal conditioning network is disclosed. The bias compensation device includes a capacitive divider to detect the RF voltage at the ESC, a signal conditioning network for the purpose of filtering specific RF signals of interests, and a signal processing unit for computing the DC wafer potential from the filtered RF signals. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118864 | RAPID PROTOTYPING APPARATUS - Apparatus for producing an object by sequentially forming thin layers of a construction material one on top of the other responsive to data defining the object, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of printing heads each having a surface formed with a plurality of output orifices and controllable to dispense the construction material through each orifice independently of the other orifices; a shuttle to which the printing heads are mounted; a support surface; and a controller adapted to control the shuttle to move back and forth over the support surface and as the shuttle moves to control the printing heads to dispense the construction material through each of their respective orifices responsive to the data to form a first layer on the support surface and thereafter, sequentially the other layers; wherein each printing head is dismountable from the shuttle and replaceable independently of the other printing heads. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118865 | METHOD OF DETERMINING THE CONDITIONS OF A PHASE FOR MACHINING A WORKPIECE WITH MODULATED CUTTING RATE - A method of determining conditions for machining a part so as to avoid vibration appearing during the machining. A machining stage is simulated by provisionally setting parameters of a function for modulating cutting speed, by deducing a corresponding surface state, by modifying parameters iteratively with the machining stage being simulated each time until the surface state reaches an acceptable value, and by performing the machining stage by causing the cutting speed to vary in application of the corresponding modulation function. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118866 | Method and Device for Composite Machining - Computer-enabled methods and devices allow for the ready set-up for machine instruction generation by addressing various combinations of machining patterns and tool axis orientations via the selection or designation of a machining pattern and the selection or designation of a tool axis orientation via exemplary separate menus of a user interface. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118867 | Device and Method for Turning in Virtual Planes - A turning method and apparatus includes a tool holding mechanism, such as a turret, and a workpiece holder, typically a chuck disposed on a main machine spindle. The tool holding mechanism may be translated in three directions relative to the workpiece holder, including a Z-direction that is along the axis of the rotation of the workpiece holder and X- and Y-directions orthogonal thereto. Under the control of the computer control system, the tool holding mechanism is moved in a direction having both an X- and Y-component relative to the workpiece holder. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118868 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A SYSTEM - The invention relates to a method for controlling a system ( | 2011-05-19 |
20110118869 | Methods and Systems for Transporting Parts from a Primary Process to a Secondary Process in a First In, First Out Fashion - A method for management of first in, first out stores is provided. The method includes producing parts at a primary process. The parts are processed at a secondary process. A storage region is provided that includes at least one store lane pair including a first store lane and a second store lane. The first store lane includes a pick side, a drop side and a plurality of receiving volumes extending from the pick side to the drop side. The second store lane includes a pick side, a drop side and a plurality of receiving volumes extending from the pick side to the drop side. The receiving volumes of the first store lane are filled with the parts in the order they are produced at the primary process in a first in, first out fashion from the pick side of the first store lane to the drop side of the first store lane using an automated guided vehicle sized and configured to pass through each of the plurality of receiving volumes. After a last receiving volume nearest the drop side of the first store lane is filled, the receiving volumes of the second store lane are filled using the automated guided vehicle. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118870 | ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEM, ROBOT, PROGRAM, AND INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM - A robot control system includes a user information acquisition section ( | 2011-05-19 |
20110118871 | THEREMIN-PLAYER ROBOT - A thereminist robot has a characteristic model of theremin and is capable of performing in response to an environment of theremin performance by calibrating the characteristic model before the performance. A robot | 2011-05-19 |
20110118872 | Medical Robot And Method For Meeting The Performance Requirements Of A Medical Robot - The invention relates to a medical robot (R) and a method for meeting the performance requirements of a medical robot (R). The robot (R) comprises several axes ( | 2011-05-19 |
20110118873 | ROBOT AND INSTRUCTION METHOD THEREOF - A robot arm having a distal end to which a wrist axis is rotatably provided; arm drive unit, each configured to move the robot arm; a wrist axis drive unit configured to rotate the wrist axis; and a robot control unit configured to control the arm drive unit and wrist axis drive unit. The robot control unit is configured to control the arm drive unit to move the distal end of the robot arm to bring a contact member attached to the wrist axis into contact with an instruction target, thereby detecting a posture of the robot arm and an angular position of the wrist axis when the wrist axis begins to be angularly displaced due to the contact between the contact member and the instruction target, thus determining a position of an instruction point. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118874 | ROBOT CONTROLLER SIMULTANEOUSLY CONTROLLING N NUMBER OF ROBOTS - A robot controller which simultaneously controls N (N≧2) number of robots (R | 2011-05-19 |
20110118875 | MANIPULATOR AUO-TEACH AND POSITION CORRECTION SYSTEM - A substrate processing system including a housing for housing at least part of a processing device, at least one target affixed to the processing device, the processing device having a first processing device reference point in a known relationship with the at least one target, at least one transmitter located within the housing and configured to transmit an identification signal identifying the at least one transmitter to the at least one target and a controller operably connected to the at least one target and the at least one transmitter, the controller being configured to receive data signals, based on the identification signal, from one of the at least one target and the at least one transmitter and control an operational characteristic of the processing device, based on the data signals. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118876 | TEACHING LINE CORRECTING APPARATUS, TEACHING LINE CORRECTING METHOD, AND PROGRAM THEREOF - A teaching line correcting apparatus defines a first plane, which is determined by a first reference position of a preset first reference region, a second reference position of a preset second reference region, and a third reference position of a preset third reference region, defines a second plane, which is determined by a detected position of the first reference region, a detected position of the second reference region, and a detected position of the third reference region, calculates a corrective value for equalizing the first reference region to an origin, equalizing the first reference position of the first reference region as the origin to the detected position of the first reference region as the origin, and equalizing the first plane to the second plane, and correcting reference coordinates where operating points are taught based on the calculated corrective value. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118877 | ROBOT SYSTEM AND METHOD AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM CONTROLLING THE SAME - A robot system rapidly performs a motion based on a gesture recognized from a user and achieves a smooth interface with the user. The system receives a gesture input by a user, and sets a position of a first gesture as a reference position, if the gesture input by the user is recognized as the first gesture. The system also judges a moving direction of a second gesture from the reference position if the gesture input by the user is recognized as the second gesture. The system recognizes a command instructing a robot to perform a motion corresponding to the judged moving direction. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118878 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR JOINT MOTION SIMULATION - A simulator for driving a prosthetic element includes a prosthetic drive mechanism that drive the prosthetic element during an accelerated wear test of the prosthetic element. A simulation input represents the action of the simulator and a sensor mechanism is used to measure the force and torque applied to the prosthetic element. Position and orientation control sensors are further used to measure displacement of the prosthetic element. A closed loop feedback control system, responsive to the sensors, is used to determine a drive signal for the drive mechanism. The control system advantageously adds a computational model that incorporates mechanical representations of ligament fibers. The computational model is a non-human approximation to situations that would be encountered by the prosthesis within the human body and includes dimensional geometry of insertion sites and mechanical properties of ligament fibers. The computational model is responsive to the position and angular displacement sensors to determine constraint forces and torques of ligaments that mitigate action of the control system. The action of the control system may further be mitigated by the measured force and torque | 2011-05-19 |
20110118879 | Transmitting Instructions in a Medical Supply Unit - A medical supply unit includes a bus system for transmitting instructions of control elements to actuators. The bus system is provided with transmitters and receivers being connected to each other by a transmission system. Via the transmission system, commands of the transmitters are transmitted, which are controlled by the control elements, and the responsive receiver transfers the command to a switching instruction at an output of the responsive receiver so as to control an actuator. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118880 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POLICY BASED AUTOMATED CONTROL OF BUILDING EQUIPMENT USING SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT - A system and method for automated control of building equipment. Systems management information including, for example, key stroke information, mouse movement information, host name information and/or IP address information may be utilized to determine a location of a managed resource in a building from which the systems management information is received. Based on, the systems management information, the determined location and/or one or more policies, one or more requests to control appropriate building equipment may be triggered. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118881 | Portable one-to-many control device for a sprinkler pipeline - A portable one-to-many control device for a sprinkler pipeline including a plurality of control valves at the sprinkler pipeline. The control valve has a main body; a memory and drive unit positioned within the mounting body; and a portable control instrument movably and electrically connected to the memory and drive unit of the different control valve. According to the data saved in the microprocessor and the different requirements of the control valves, the preset instructions can be saved in the memory and drive unit for controlling the activation time of the electromagnetic solenoids, respectively. In this way, many control valves can be set and controlled by only one portable control instrument. Accordingly, the cost can be saved and it is not necessary to be placed outside for the protection from damage. Meanwhile, it is easy to connect to the personal computer for a mutual data transmission, thereby achieving a more convenient and accurate control of the sprinkling process. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118882 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WELL CONTROL - Systems and methods are provided for supervising the control of wells in a grouping of wells, or “well pads,” in a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir so as to coordinate operation of the well pad. By coordinating operation of the well pad, hydrocarbon production for the well pad can be optimized. An exemplary method includes the steps of generating a plurality of requests to control individual wells of the well grouping, queuing the requests, and authorizing the requests based on one or more criteria associated with the well grouping so as to coordinate operation of the well grouping. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118883 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING POWER DEVICES - Systems and methods for monitoring power devices that are connecting in a loop to a main power line are provided. A plurality of power devices that are connected in a loop to a power grid line may be provided. The loop may include a plurality of power lines. A disturbance within the plurality of power devices may be identified, and an impact of the identified disturbance on the plurality of power lines may be determined. A power output of one or more of the plurality of power devices may be adjusted based at least in part on the determined impact. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118884 | CONTROL OF ACTIVE POWER RESERVE IN A WIND-FARM - A method and system of active power reserve regulation in a wind farm with a communication network having a plurality of wind turbines that provide an active power reserve in order to support eventual power grid contingencies and to deliver an increase of power in case it is needed. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118885 | SYSTEM STABILIZING DEVICE - A self-contained control unit of a system stabilizing device installed on a microgrid is provided with a fluctuation detecting block | 2011-05-19 |
20110118886 | SYSTEM STABILIZING DEVICE - A control unit of a system stabilizing device uses a fluctuation detecting block | 2011-05-19 |
20110118887 | SYSTEM STABILIZING DEVICE - A control unit of a system stabilizing device uses a fluctuation detecting block ( | 2011-05-19 |
20110118888 | System, Device and Method for Managing a Power Distribution Network - A method, computer program product, and system for managing a power distribution network is provided. In one embodiment, the computer program product comprises a VARs management module configured to generate a command configured to cause a capacitor bank to connect to the power distribution network; a voltage management module configured to receive voltage data derived from a measurement of a power line of the power distribution network and to output an alert if the voltage data is beyond a threshold; a measurement module configured to generate a request for measurement data that comprises data of a measurement of one or more electrical parameters of the power distribution network; and a power outage management module configured to output data of a location of a power outage of the power distribution system. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118889 | INCREASING MEAN TIME BETWEEN FAILURES FOR POWER SUPPLIES - A redundant power supply may obtain a rule for increasing mean time between failures (MTBF) for a first internal power supply and a second internal power supply connected to an electronic device, apply the rule to the first and second power supplies, activate the second internal power supply based on the rule to permit the second internal power supply to provide power to the electronic device, and deactivate the first internal power supply based on the rule. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118890 | INTELLIGENT METERING DEMAND RESPONSE - A system and method for real-time power management are provided. The system can include one or more lights, one or more light controllers, one or more meters to detect power demand of a building, and a central controller to modify the light output of the lights responsive to the detected power demand. The system can interface with other utility controls to manage the total power demand of the building on a real-time basis. The light controllers can provide individual metering of the lights for use by the central controller. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118891 | Grid responsive control device - A control device for controlling an energy consumption of a load on an electricity grid includes a sensor for sensing over a period of time values of a physical variable of the grid, where the physical variable varies in dependence on a relationship between electricity generation and load on the grid. The control device also includes apparatus for varying the energy consumption of said load. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118892 | CONTROL OF ACTIVE POWER RESERVE IN A WIND-FARM - A method and system of active power reserve regulation in a wind farm with a communication network having a plurality of wind turbines that provide an active power reserve in order to support eventual power grid contingencies and to deliver an increase of power in case it is needed. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118893 | CONTROLS INTERFACE SOLUTION FOR ENERGY SAVINGS - Methods and apparatus for enhanced control over electronic device manufacturing systems are provided herein. In some embodiments, the integrated sub-fab system may employ Ethernet and/or RS232 Serial communications through an open platform of apparatus to achieve a reduced carbon footprint during electronic device manufacturing. For this example, the system could include a process tool set and controller linked by sensors or software interconnect with one or more sub-fab or local factory auxiliary systems that can be operated in one or more states of energy consumption. These one or more auxiliary systems can be switched between different levels of energy consumption, as required by the process, via the controller. For many auxiliary components or systems the integrated sub-fab system utilizes existing signal outputs, for others they may employ secondary sensors or monitors. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118894 | HIGH SPEED FEEDBACK ADJUSTMENT OF POWER CHARGE/DISCHARGE FROM ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM - The invention provides systems and methods for control of power charge/discharge from energy storage system. The invention also provides for power monitoring and management. A smart charge system may include a system sensor, one or more energy storage units, and a controller, which may receive information about the power demand, power provided by an electricity provider, and charge/discharge information from an energy storage unit. The information received may all be time synchronized in relation to a time based reference. The controller may provide instructions to an energy storage unit at a rapid rate. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118895 | Household Appliance - The present invention relates to a household appliance ( | 2011-05-19 |
20110118896 | Smart Environmental Control System For An Enclosure With Diagnostics - Environmental conditions within an enclosure containing critical equipment and devices are monitored and when outside of acceptable parameters corrective action is taken to modify these environmental conditions so as to bring them within acceptable limits. Unless an environmental condition is outside of an acceptable limit, no energy expenditure is made by the environmental conditioning equipment since it does not need to be in use. When the environmental conditioning equipment is called into operation, its environmental modification influence is monitored to determine if the expected environmental modification is occurring within an expected time period(s). If the expected environmental modification does not occur within the expected time period, and/or does not occur at an expected time rate of change, then an alarm is generated to indicate that maintenance may be required for the environmental conditioning equipment. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118897 | Protecting a Vehicle from Environmental Events - Methods and systems for locating a vehicle are disclosed, including detecting one or more environmental conditions, the one or more environmental conditions being indicative of an occurrence of an environmental event, determining a probability of the occurrence of the environmental event in response to detecting the one or more environmental conditions, and effecting a preventive action in response to the probability being above a threshold probability, the preventive action being configured to protect the vehicle from the environmental event. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118898 | Rehabilitation Device - A rehabilitation device includes a moving body, a motor, a control system and a sensor module. The moving body has a housing and a moving mechanism. The motor, disposed in the housing, connects to the moving mechanism and drives the moving mechanism. The control system is disposed in the housing and coupled to the motor. The sensor module is disposed on the moving body and coupled to the control module. The control system controls the operation of the motor to move the moving body according to information detected by the sensor module. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118899 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INDEPENDENT CONTROL OF VEHICLE - Methods and systems are provided for controlling movement of a train including a plurality of locomotives along a route. In one example, the method comprises, generating a first plan profile, the first plan profile including synchronous settings for the locomotives over a route, and generating a second plan profile based on the first plan profile, the second plan profile including independent settings for the locomotives over at least one region within the route. The method may further comprise, operating the locomotives based in the first and/or second plan profiles. In another example, the method comprises, generating a plan profile with fully independent settings for the locomotives over the entire route, the fully independent settings based on cost function coefficients of each locomotive. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118900 | Autonomic Traveling Apparatus for a Vehicle - In an autonomic traveling apparatus for a vehicle, vehicles usually travel an independent travel lane and when there are two approaching vehicles on the independent travel lane, they switch to pass-by lanes to pass by each other. To do this switching operation effectively, respective vehicles check and obtain road conditions around them while they are traveling and the obtained road conditions are transmitted to and collected by a travel administration center so that the road conditions at various points along the lanes can be obtained from the travel administration center. Accordingly, when the autonomic traveling trucks approaching each other and supposed to pass by each other, switch to the associated pass-by lanes, they change travel lanes avoiding the point of bad road condition on the basis of the road conditions sent from the travel administration center. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118901 | Device for Securing a Flight Sequence of an Unmanned Aircraft - A device for assisting in the decking of an aircraft, the aircraft being remotely controlled from a mobile station, called a ship, includes means of receiving data originating from the aircraft, notably attitudes of the aircraft and its altitude, the aircraft being in stationary flight ready to deck, a first coordinate system being defined relative to the aircraft, a second coordinate system being defined relative to the ship. The device for assisting in the decking of an aircraft includes a display for generating the position of the aircraft in a coordinate system linked to the ship in a first vertical representation and in a second horizontal representation. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118902 | METHOD AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR SAFE ROUTE CONTROL - In a communication system and an associated method for the secured control of a route followed by a vehicle running in an approach area of a moving area, the moving area is preceded by a closing signaling provided on the ground and adapted for informing the vehicle to stop. A safety timing is determined by a ground control unit for ensuring that the vehicle stops before entering the moving area. In parallel with the closing signaling, an information request from the ground control unit is transmitted to a control safety unit. The onboard control safety unit or an associated evaluation module evaluates the braking capacity of the vehicle and encodes the same into information requested by the ground control unit and then fed back to the ground control unit. Depending on the information state, the ground control unit minimizes the safety timing or even cancels the same completely. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118903 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF REMOTELY CONTROLLING A MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLE - A supplemental control system for a materials handling vehicle comprises a wearable control device, and a corresponding receiver on the materials handling vehicle. The wearable control device is donned by an operator interacting with the materials handling vehicle, and comprises a wireless transmitter to be worn on the wrist of the operator and a travel control communicably coupled to the wireless transmitter. Actuation of the travel control causes the wireless transmitter to transmit a first type signal designating a request to the vehicle. The receiver is supported by the vehicle for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118904 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO REDUCE IMPACT OF NON-ATC DATALINK MESSAGES ON ATC DATALINK MESSAGES ON A SHARED AIR-GROUND COMMUNICATION LINK - A system to send air traffic control (ATC) data-link messages from an aircraft is provided. The system includes ATC applications in a first portion of an application layer, non-ATC applications in a second portion of the application layer; and a communication manager in the aircraft having two addresses for the aircraft. The communication manager includes a first copy of software in a first data link layer and a second copy of the software in a second data link layer. ATC data-link messages are sent from the aircraft independent of non-ATC data-link messages sent from the aircraft. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118905 | METHODS SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING COMPLEX SYSTEMS VIA PROGNOSTIC REASONING - Methods and apparatus are provided for analyzing a complex system that includes a number of subsystems. Each subsystem comprises at least one sensor designed to generate sensor data. Sensor data from at least one of the sensors is processed to generate binary evidence of a sensed event, and complex evidence of a sensed event. The complex evidence has more sophisticated mathematical properties than the binary evidence. The complex evidence comprises one or more of: a condition indicator (CI), a health indicator (HI), and a prognostic indicator (PI). A system fault model (SFM) is provided that defines statistical relationships between binary evidence, complex evidence, and an underlying failure mode (FM) that is occurring in the complex system. The binary evidence and the complex evidence are processed to identify failure modes taking place within one or more of the subsystems. Based on the binary evidence and the complex evidence and the SFM, diagnostic conclusions can be generated regarding adverse events that are taking place within the complex system, and prognostic conclusions can be generated regarding adverse events that are predicted to take place within the complex system. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118906 | DISTRIBUTED FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM - A flight control system for an aircraft, controlling a plurality of actuators adapted to actuate control surfaces of the aircraft, including: at least one communications bus; at least one computer situated in the avionics bay of the aircraft, and adapted to calculate flight commands and to transmit them over the bus in the form of command messages; and at least a first remote terminal connected to the bus, adapted to control a control surface actuator, and to acquire the state of the actuator from information provided by at least a first sensor, the first terminal receiving command messages from the computer and transmitting electrical orders to the actuator as a function of the command messages received in this way, and also transmitting messages to the computer, at its request, relating to the state of the actuator as a function of the information provided by the first sensor. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118907 | MULTIPURPOSE MODULAR AIRSHIP SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Embodiments according to the methods and systems provide for the selection, assembly, deployment, exploitation of data collected, redeployment, retrieval and stowage of a remotely operated lighter than air (LTA) network of vehicles. From modular components stowed with a mobile platform, one or more LTA vehicles can be assembled, deployed and retrieved. Determining the desirable number of LTA vehicles and the modular components to be assembled for each vehicle can be performed through a computer recommending modular components based on mission parameters. A remote controller device can be used for pre-deployment setup, in-flight mission management and analysis of data gathered by a plurality of possible sensing devise operably attached to the one or more LTA vehicles. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118908 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANAGEMENT OF AIRPLANE SPEED PROFILE - Methods and systems for airplane speed profile management are disclosed. A method and system in accordance to one embodiment of the disclosure includes a graphical display of speed segments and constraints as well as controls for managing the speeds and associated constraints. Speed Profile Management System (SPMS) provides an integrated and interactive speed profile management tool where pilots can view, update, or change the speed profile of their airplane's current or subsequent phases of flight. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118909 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF DETECTING LOW TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE DUE TO INCORRECT WEIGHT INFORMATION - Systems and methods for performing V speeds verification. An example system determines if during a takeoff roll there is enough runway left for the aircraft to stop with a predetermined braking force. If an incorrect “too small” weight had been used to previously compute Vspeeds (e.g., V | 2011-05-19 |
20110118910 | Decision Aid Device for Assisting the Landing of an Aircraft on the Deck of a Ship - A device for aiding the deck-landing of an aircraft, the aircraft being controlled remotely from a mobile station, such as a ship, includes means for receiving data from the aircraft, notably attitudes of the aircraft, the aircraft hovering ready to land on deck, the deck-landing decision having to be taken under certain conditions that must all be met, the device including a computer making it possible to deliver temporal indicators indicating that all the conditions are met. The device includes a temporal gauge including a temporal graduation indicating mobile graphical zones representing the periods during which all the conditions are met for authorizing a deck-landing. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118911 | STABILIZED APPROACH MONITOR - Systems and methods for suppressing an unstable alert when the aircraft is in the process of landing on a temporarily displaced threshold. In an example process, a processor on the aircraft determines the aircraft is on an approach to landing on a runway based on information received from one or more data sources on the aircraft, then retrieves predefined glideslope information for the runway from a memory device that is in signal communication with the processor. Next, the processor determines whether position of the aircraft is above the predefined glideslope by a first threshold amount. If the aircraft is determined to be above the predefined glideslope by the first threshold amount, the processor issues an unstable alert only if a flight path angle of the aircraft is greater than an angle of the predefined glideslope by a second threshold amount. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118912 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AVIATION NAVIGATION - A system operates to guide an aircraft to or along a route designed to maintain the aircraft within a safe glide distance of an acceptable emergency landing area. The system uses a database of emergency landing areas with glide characteristics of an aircraft to determine a route that minimizes travel time or other specified parameter, while keeping the aircraft within a safe glide distance of a landing area in the database meeting the landing requirements for the aircraft. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118913 | RAILROAD SIGNALING AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING A FAIL-SAFE VOLTAGE SENSOR TO VERIFY TRACKSIDE CONDITIONS IN SAFETY-CRITICAL RAILROAD APPLICATIONS - The present invention discloses an improved method and system for verifying trackside conditions in safety critical railroad applications by reporting the status of trackside signals and switches to a remote train control system to confirm visual signals and control train movement. The system for verifying whether a trackside signaling electrical component is energized comprises a sensor for providing trackside conditions to a remote train control system electrically connected to a circuit for providing trackside conditions to a railroad interlocking adjacent to a trackside signaling electrical component, said sensor powered by voltage applied to said circuit such that said sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged. The fail safe method for sensing the status of an electrical component by powering the sensing means with voltage applied to a circuit when the electrical component is energized comprises electrically connecting a sensor to an electrical circuit associated with an electrical component, said circuit energized when said electrical component is engaged, said sensor adjacent to said electrical component; powering said sensor by voltage applied to said circuit such that said sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged; and indicating that said electrical component is engaged when sensor is energized by transmitting sensor status to a microprocessor. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118914 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INDEPENDENT CONTROL OF VEHICLE - Methods and systems are provided for controlling movement of a train including a plurality of locomotives along a route. In one example, the method comprises, generating a first plan profile, the first plan profile including synchronous settings for the locomotives over a route, and generating a second plan profile based on the first plan profile, the second plan profile including independent settings for the locomotives over at least one region within the route. The method may further comprise, operating the locomotives based in the first and/or second plan profiles. In another example, the method comprises, generating a plan profile with fully independent settings for the locomotives over the entire route, the fully independent settings based on cost function coefficients of each locomotive. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118915 | Vehicle And Method For Controlling Engine Start In A Vehicle - A vehicle includes a motor/generator, a starter motor, a disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator, and at least one clutch disposed between the motor/generator and the vehicle drive wheels. When an engine start is requested, various parameters are controlled to ensure a smooth engine start wherein driveline torque disturbances are minimized. The starter motor is used to crank the engine upon an engine start request, thereby eliminating the need to transfer torque from the motor/generator to the engine. This helps to further reduce torque disturbances in the driveline when the engine is started. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118916 | Discrete Voltage Level Controller - In an electrically powered vehicle, a computer-controlled switching system activates relays to switch additional discrete batteries into a circuit in response to throttle level, where a processor is configured to decide what specific batteries should be present in the circuit at any given time, in response to both throttle level and a battery load balancing optimization scheme. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118917 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING COOLING OF POWER CONVERTER FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A method for controlling a cooling system for controlling a power converter of a hybrid electric vehicle includes: estimating the temperature of a power converter at the time of a CAN communication error as a current temperature of the power converter and controlling a cooling system at a cooling rate based on the estimated temperature; and controlling the cooling rate of the cooling system depending on whether an output of the power converter is greater than a reference value. According to the method, the cooling system can be more effectively controlled. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118918 | ADAPTATION OF A STEADY-STATE MAXIMUM TORQUE OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - In a method for operating an internal combustion engine, a steady-state maximum output torque and a dynamic maximum torque are ascertained. The ascertained steady-state maximum output torque is changed to a resulting steady-state maximum torque by adapting the maximum output torque in such a way that it is equal to or greater than the ascertained dynamic maximum torque. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118919 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AIR CONDITIONING VEHICLE INTERIOR USING BATTERY CHARGE CONTROL OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE - The present invention provides an apparatus and method for air conditioning a vehicle interior using a battery charge control of an electric vehicle, which can improve the cooling/heating performance by setting a start-up time of the electric vehicle and supplying heat generated from a battery during charge and its latent heat to the vehicle interior during initial start-up of the vehicle. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118920 | REGENERATIVE BRAKING TORQUE COMPENSATION DEVICE, METHODS FOR REGENERATIVE BRAKING TORQUE COMPENSATION AND A HYBRID VEHICLE EMBODYING SUCH DEVICES AND METHODS - The present invention compensates a regenerative braking amount by applying a target shift step and a shift phase in a case that the vehicle is in deceleration according to a brake demand and regenerative braking is performed. A regenerative braking torque compensation method of a hybrid vehicle may include a step of determining a regenerative braking operation amount to control regenerative braking torque while regenerative braking is needed, a step of applying a real shift ratio to determine a regenerative braking operation amount if shifting is detected during the regenerative braking, a step of applying a target shift step and a shift phase according to the shifting to decide a regenerative braking compensation amount, and a step of applying the regenerative braking operation amount to the regenerative braking compensation amount to control final regenerative braking torque. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118921 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ECONOMICAL DRIVING OF HYBRID VEHICLE AND A HYBRID VEHICLE EMBODYING SAME - Featured are apparatuses and methods for economical driving of a hybrid vehicle. Such methods include determining a present fuel consumption efficiency control value by considering present fuel consumption as a real consumption amount of a fuel and a battery, determining a driving pattern fuel consumption efficiency control value by considering fuel consumption determined by a vehicle speed and a driving condition, and guiding economical driving to a driver by applying a weight value factor to the present fuel consumption efficiency control value and a driving pattern fuel consumption efficiency control value. Also featured is a hybrid vehicle embodying such apparatuses and methods. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118922 | DRIVE CONTROLLER FOR CARGO HANDLING VEHICLE - A drive controller for a cargo handling vehicle including an engine, a generator motor, a cargo handling pump, a cargo handling actuator, a travel motor, and a battery. The drive controller includes an engine control unit, a rotation speed detection unit, a deviation calculation unit, and a power generation control unit. The engine control unit controls the engine in accordance with a command rotation speed. The rotation speed detection unit detects an actual rotation speed of the engine. The deviation calculation unit calculates a rotation speed deviation of the command rotation speed for the engine and the actual rotation speed of the engine. The power generation control unit controls the generator motor in accordance with the rotation speed deviation so as to limit power generated by the generator motor to drive the travel motor. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118923 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A HYBRID DRIVE - A method for operating a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle in particular. An internal combustion engine is connected to a generator via a force-conducting connection. In a learning mode, the generator is operated as a motor and drives the internal combustion engine. In this learning mode, a so-called zero quantity calibration is performed. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118924 | Control System for Electric Vehicle, and Electric Vehicle Equipped Therewith - A control system for an electric vehicle includes: an electricity storage device that performs charging and discharging of electrical power; a plurality of load devices that receive supply of electrical power from the electricity storage device and perform operations; and a control device that controls the electricity storage device and the plurality of load devices. And when electrical power is supplied from the electricity storage device to the plurality of load devices, the control device calculates a charge/discharge efficiency of the electricity storage device and a working efficiency of each of the load devices, and regulates an amount of electrical power supplied from the electricity storage device to each of the load devices, so as to enhance an overall efficiency of the electricity storage device and the plurality of load devices. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118925 | POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM FOR HYBRID VEHICLE - A power switcher mechanism includes an internal combustion engine, a generator motor, a controller and a power interrupter. The internal combustion engine outputs a power. The generator motor carries out electric power generation as well as outputs a power when a power is input. The controller selects and then controls the internal combustion engine and the generator motor as a driving source for running. The power interrupter connects the generator motor with a power transmission route for transmitting the power and then disconnects the generator motor from the power transmission route, or vice versa, intermittently. The controller activates the power interrupter and then deactivates it, or vice versa, intermittently, with reference to information on road conditions, information on traffic conditions or information on vehicular conditions. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118926 | Method and system for augmenting a guidance system with a path sensor - In an automatic vehicle position control system, such as a satellite-based agricultural implement steering system, the satellite-based steering information is adjusted with information obtained from one or more path sensors to facilitate the automatic nudging of the vehicle to take account of inaccurate tracking of the agricultural implement relative to its tractor, terrain variations, and inaccuracies in the satellite-based steering system. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118927 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING POSITIONS AND ORIENTATIONS OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES - A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes: Receiving data relating to a plurality of proposed vehicle locations; generating a simulated vehicle path based on the received data; determining a simulated vehicle orientation for at least one point on the simulated vehicle path; presenting at least the simulated vehicle orientation in a user-discernable form; receiving a user verification of the simulated vehicle orientation for at least one point on the simulated vehicle path; and producing approved vehicle control commands from the simulated vehicle path and simulated vehicle orientation, the approved vehicle control commands controlling the autonomous vehicle to follow the simulated vehicle path and the simulated vehicle orientation. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118928 | Control method of performing rotational traveling of robot cleaner - Disclosed herein is a control method of a robot cleaner in which a robot cleaner is moved at an arbitrary starting angle along a rotation trajectory having an arbitrary rotational center and rotation radius during obstacle-following traveling, whereby an obstacle-following traveling time is reduced and consequently, a movement time of the robot cleaner is reduced. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118929 | VEHICLE DRIVING ASSIST APPARATUS AND METHOD - A vehicle driving assist apparatus includes an input section to sense a vehicle traveling condition of a vehicle, an output section to present assist information to a driver of the vehicle, and a control section to prepare the assist information in accordance with the vehicle traveling condition sensed by the sensing section. The control section is configured to determine an estimation quantity (such as a driver's receptivity or a driver's responsiveness to the assist information, or a driver's driving behavior), and to adjust the assist information in accordance with the estimation quantity. The control section may be further configured to determine a presentation mode in accordance with the estimation quantity, and to present the assist information through the output section to the driver in the presentation mode. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118930 | Method and Device for Operating a Motor Vehicle - A predefined operating strategy permits a predefined operating mode of the motor vehicle. A first operating variable value of the operating mode and/or one additional variable value, which is independent of the operating mode are sensed and one estimated value is determined depending thereon, which is representative of one expected value of the one first operating variable of a second operating variable of the operating mode. One predicted value is determined depending on the sensed values of the one first operating variable, the one additional variable, and/or the one determined estimated value. The predicted value represents an expected operating state and is compared with one predefined comparison value, which is representative of one predefined operation state. The operating strategy is set as a function of the comparison and of the at least one estimated variable in such a way that the predefined operating state is as far as possible avoided. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118931 | GRILLE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR VEHICLE - A grille control mechanism for a vehicle includes a movable member being switchable between opened and closed positions, an electric motor actuating the movable member, and a control device controlling a supply of electric current until detecting a lock current value to execute an opening operation or a closing operation, wherein the control device executes a checking operation for returning the movable member to an initial position and executing once again the opening or closing operation in a case where a detecting time of the lock current value since the opening or closing operation is started exceeds a predetermined time, and the control device determines that the movable member is in an abnormal state in a case where a detecting time of the lock current value after the operation is started from the initial position in the checking operation exceeds the predetermined time for a predetermined number of times. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118932 | FAULT DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS USING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE MARKOV CHAINS - A system and method for fault diagnosis includes receiving information defining a relationship between failure modes and diagnostic trouble codes and extracting diagnostic trouble code data, including set times, frequency data and diagnostic trouble code sequence information for a plurality of diagnostic trouble codes relating to a plurality of failure modes. The system and method further include constructing a Markov chain using the diagnostic trouble code data for each of the plurality of failure modes, training the Markov chain to learn a set of state parameters using the diagnostic trouble code data, and computing a likelihood of a diagnostic trouble code sequence for each of the plurality of failure modes using the trained Markov chains. | 2011-05-19 |
20110118933 | VEHICLE DIAGNOSING APPARATUS - After a request for first data is received from a first diagnostic unit, when a request for second data is received from a second diagnostic unit, if the first data and the second data of the same type, then a communication unit requests the electronic control unit to send the same type of data, and sends the same type of data received from the electronic control unit to the first diagnostic unit and the second diagnostic unit. If the first data and the second data are of different types, then the communication unit requests the electronic control unit to send the first data and the second data, receives the first data and the second data all together from the electronic control unit, sends the received first data to the first diagnostic unit, and sends the received second data to the second diagnostic unit. | 2011-05-19 |