38th week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 66 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130245793 | ANOMALY DETECTION SYSTEM, ANOMALY DETECTION METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR THE SAME - An anomaly detection system for detecting an anomaly within a network as a first embodiment in order to provide an anomaly detection system, anomaly detection method, and program for the same. An anomaly detection system which has a plurality of industrial control systems (hereinafter “ICS”s) which are connected to the network, an integrated analyzer which receives the operational status of each ICS as monitoring data in order to identify an ICS for which an anomaly is suspected so as to perform an anomaly assessment, a receiving unit provided for each ICS which receives data from other ICSs, a transmission unit which transmits data to other ICSs and transmits the monitoring data to the integrated analyzer, a security policy which includes recording of data and generation rules, and a wrapper which refers to the security policy in order to control the data so as to transmit the same to other ICSs. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245794 | SAFETY DEVICE AND COMPUTATION METHOD FOR SAFETY DEVICE - A safety device includes a first computation unit, a second computation unit, an output control unit, and a first central processing device. The first computation unit is configured to perform a first computation on a detected value detected from a subject to be controlled, thus obtaining a first result value. The second computation unit is configured to perform a second computation on the detected value, thus obtaining a second result value which is to be determined if equal to the first result value. The output control unit is configured to output the first result value in a case that the second computation unit determines that the first result value is equal to the second result value, and not to output the first result value in a case that the second computation unit determines that the first result value is not equal to the second result value. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245795 | VISUALIZATION EMPLOYING HEAT MAPS TO CONVEY QUALITY, PROGNOSTICS, OR DIAGNOSTICS INFORMATION - A visualization system for creating, displaying and animating overview and detail heat map displays for industrial automation. The visualization system connects the heat map displays to an interface component providing manual or automatic input data from an industrial process or an archive of historical industrial process input data. The animated heat map displays providing quality, prognostic or diagnostic information. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245796 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SOCIAL TELEVISION MANAGEMENT OF SMART HOMES - The disclosure relates to a content-based control system for controlling a smart home. The control system includes a client terminal connectable to a media content provider and a home automation interface operable to connect with a smart home controller. The system may allow settings and ambience to be controlled according to current media content being consumed and the media consumers social environment. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245797 | FANTASY GAME SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PLAYER SELECTION AND SCORING - A first list of available players is provided to each individual user who then selects a first fantasy lineup, where selections by another individual user does not preclude other individual users from also selecting the same player. First fantasy lineups are received from each individual user, the fantasy lineups comprising one or more players selected from the first list of available players. Each individual user may provide a replacement lineup prior to the end of a game. A subsequent list of available players is provided to each user and does not include players from the first fantasy lineup. Subsequent fantasy lineups from each individual user are received comprising only players selected from the subsequent list of available players. None of the players of the first fantasy lineup for an individual user is included in any subsequent fantasy lineup of the individual user. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245798 | Method and apparatus for signal processing based upon characteristics of music - Techniques pertaining to enhancing acoustic effects of music playing through digital signal processing are disclosed. Genre, or style, of music embedded in a music file is received and identified in a digital signal processor (DSP). Based on the music genre, an equalization processing unit in the DSP processes the audio data stream in the music file through an equalization profile selected from a collection of sound equalization profiles preloaded in a memory unit. Each equalization profile contains digital algorithms specifically designed to boost or attenuate audio signals at certain frequency ranges in the audio frequency spectrum according to the characteristics of the style of the music. The equalization-processed audio data stream is then played in an audio playback system with an acoustic enhancement that closely reflects the nature and characteristics of the style of the music. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245799 | SOUND SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS - On a sound signal processing apparatus for performing signal processing on a plurality of channels in accordance with parameter values stored in a parameter memory, in a case where a layer selection key “ui” has been operated, channels which satisfy criteria previously designated by a user for the i-th user layer are extracted (S | 2013-09-19 |
20130245800 | METHOD OF PRODUCING KITTING FOAM - A method of producing a kitting foam, a kitting foam produced by such a method and a system for performing such a method is provided. Once a 2.5-dimensional computer model has been created using a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) package in computer | 2013-09-19 |
20130245801 | Personalized Fit and Functional Designed Medical Prostheses and Surgical Instruments and Methods for Making - Methods, devices and systems for virtual, remote and real-time collaboration between surgeons and engineers using system learning and intelligent and timely disbursement of design and performance information to engineering teams embarking on the preliminary design event of a personalized orthopedic implant or personalize surgical instrument utilizing a case-based reasoning expert system. Additive manufacturing technology and statistically controlled advanced manufacturing processes quickly produce personalized medical devices worldwide. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245802 | APPARATUS FOR THE LIGHTENING OF PANELS OR THIN PLATES BY REMOVAL OF MATERIAL - An apparatus for lightening of thin, flexible and shaped workpieces by removal machining of material from surfaces thereof, on a machining unit has a worktable and counterthrust means, which rest against a part of the surface of the workpiece opposed to the one on which said tool must work. The worktable includes supporting means of the workpiece to be machined, and gripping means designed to support the workpiece during its machining independently from said supporting means. The counterthrust means include a board movable according to several axes and carrying a plurality of supporting elements. The supporting elements can be individually translated or in groups between a draw-in position and an extended position to define a supporting plane depending on the shape of the surface of the workpiece against which the counterthrust means must rest. A method is also included for mapping the workpiece surface by means of the supporting elements. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245803 | IMPLANT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURE - A knee implant includes a femoral component having first and second femoral component surfaces. The first femoral component surface is for securing to a surgically prepared compartment of a distal end of a femur. The second femoral component surface is configured to replicate the femoral condyle. The knee implant further includes a tibial component having first and second tibial component surfaces. The first tibial component surface is for contacting a proximal surface of the tibia that is substantially uncut subchondral bone. At least a portion of the first tibial component surface is a mirror image of the proximal tibial surface. The second tibial component surface articulates with the second femoral component surface. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245804 | NETWORK BASED CALCULATIONS FOR PLANNING AND DECISION SUPPORT TASKS - Systems and methods to provide network based calculations for planning and decision support tasks are provided. In example embodiments, a trigger to perform a calculation directed to a single process is received. The single process comprises an end-to-end process that combines a plurality of applications. A planning function that models the single process is provided to an engine within memory. Based on the planning function, data from within the memory that receives the planning function is retrieved. The retrieved data is used in the calculation. The planning function and retrieved data are provided to a coupled library of algorithms for performing the calculation. The calculation is then performed within the library in the memory using the planning function and the retrieved data. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245805 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PRODUCT FOR CONTROLLING A MANUFACTURING PROCESS - A method and a system control a manufacturing process. The method includes providing an MES system with a product definition model having at least one product-related entity. Define for one product-related entity a set of product-related entities referencing the one product-related entity and each other via a nested structure. Define for each product-related entity a set of product-related parameters to define the information that may be sent to the MES system. Within the product definition model, define an additional entity called parameter exchange definition for providing a tool for defining how data of product-related parameters of nested product-related entities and of the parent product related entity are to be exchanged among each other. At engineering time, build the given product definition of the given final material by inserting the entities. At run time, instantiating the entities into run-time production requests objects obtained by the given product definition. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245806 | AUTOMATED HYBRID METROLOGY FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE FABRICATION - Methods and systems are provided for fabricating and measuring features of a semiconductor device structure. An exemplary method of fabricating a semiconductor device structure involves fabricating a feature of the semiconductor device structure on a wafer of semiconductor material, determining a hybrid recipe for measuring the feature, configuring a plurality of metrology tools to implement the hybrid recipe; and obtaining a hybrid measurement of the feature in accordance with the hybrid recipe. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245807 | ITERATIVE PRODUCTION PROCESS CONTROL - An iterative method for controlling and optimizing a production process of at least one of a material and a product formed out of the compound material. Thereby a production control unit is provided and three different parameter groups, namely indicating parameters, nominal parameters and correcting parameters are defined, wherein the indicating and nominal parameters may be selected out of a group comprising process parameters, material recipe parameters and product property parameters. The correcting parameters may be selected out of the group comprising process parameters and recipe parameters. As reference values, nominal parameters are provided to the production control unit. During a first production cycle at least one indicating parameter is measured and the measured values are provided to the unit. If the values deviate to much from the nominal parameters, the unit afterwards sets at least one correcting parameter on basis of the indicating parameter and on basis of the nominal parameter, thereby concerning any interaction between different parameters due to changes of any parameter. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245808 | GERMICIDAL TIE RACK - A motorized tie rack that, while providing convenient storage for one's necktie collection, will sanitize the neckties with an ultraviolet light. The rack includes a “clean” button which, when pressed, will rotate the necktie to the rear of the device. There, a shielded ultraviolet light will be activated for several minutes, disinfecting both sides of the necktie. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245809 | DEVICE FOR HANDLING CURRENCY NOTES AND METHOD FOR DEALING WITH A CURRENCY NOTE JAM - The invention relates to a device ( | 2013-09-19 |
20130245810 | STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM CASE UNIT DETECTION - An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit is non-deterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245811 | PHARMACEUTICAL STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM AND METHODS OF STORING AND RETRIEVING PHARMACEUTICALS - A pharmaceutical storage and retrieval device and a method of accessing and loading the device. The device includes a housing, at least one port with controlled access to inventory stored within the device, a robotic transfer mechanism for moving inventory items to and from the controlled port, software for tracking the inventory and users of the device, and an interface with the pharmacy software system to track and monitor which inventory is authorized for access by each user and which inventory is needed to fill a prescription. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245812 | PHARMACEUTICAL STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM AND METHODS OF STORING AND RETRIEVING PHARMACEUTICALS - A pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system and a method of storing and retrieving pharmaceutical containers from the system. The system includes a pharmaceutical storage and retrieval and a controller operatively coupled to the device to control storage and retrieval functions of the device. The device includes a gantry assembly, a shelving assembly, a user access assembly, and a user authorization system that function in a coordinated manner to carry out the storage and retrieval functions of the device. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245813 | FAST-ACCESS SELF-REPAIRING TAPE LIBRARY USING MOBILE ROBOTS - A method according to one embodiment includes causing, using a controller, a mobile robot having a volume of less than about 1000 cubic inches to selectively retrieve one or more of a plurality of tape reels; and causing the mobile robot to transport the one or more retrieved tape reels to a tape drive that is configured for reading data from tape stored on at least one of the plurality of tape reels. A method according to another embodiment includes causing, using a controller, at least one mobile robot to selectively retrieve at least one of a plurality of tape reels positioned on a lower surface; and causing the mobile robot(s) to transport the retrieved tape reels to a tape drive. Preferably, the mobile robot(s) in either embodiment move unconstrained, e.g., along an upper surface that overlies the plurality of tape reels. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245814 | WORKING HANGING APPARATUS AND WORK HANGING METHOD FOR HANGING WORK ON HANGER THROUGH MOVEMENT OF WORK UNDER CORRECTION - A work hanging apparatus includes a hanger line continuously conveying hangers each having a hook, a robot that has a hand with which a work having a hole is held and transfers the held work to a hanging location set in the hanger line, a controller controlling a movement of the hand to catch the hook of one of the hangers with the hole of the held work at the hanging location, a hole deviation detector that detects a positional deviation of the hole of the work, an attitude deviation detector that detects an attitudinal deviation of the hanger, and a corrector that corrects the movement of the hand according to the positional and attitudinal deviations. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245815 | CRANE CONTROLLER WITH DIVISION OF A KINEMATICALLY CONSTRAINED QUANTITY OF THE HOISTING GEAR - The present disclosure relates to a crane controller for a crane which includes a hoisting gear for lifting a load hanging on a cable, with an active heave compensation which by actuating the hoisting gear at least partly compensates the movement of the cable suspension point and/or of a load deposition point due to the heave, and an operator control which actuates the hoisting gear with reference to specifications of the operator, wherein the division of at least one kinematically constrained quantity of the hoisting gear is adjustable between heave compensation and operator control. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245816 | CRANE CONTROLLER WITH CABLE FORCE MODE - The present disclosure shows a crane controller for a crane which includes a hoisting gear for lifting a load hanging on a cable, wherein the crane controller has a cable force mode in which the crane controller actuates the hoisting gear such that a setpoint of the cable force is obtained. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245817 | CRANE CONTROLLER WITH DRIVE CONSTRAINT - The present disclosure shows a crane controller for a crane which includes a hoisting gear for lifting a load hanging on a cable, with an active heave compensation which by actuating the hoisting gear at least partly compensates the movement of the cable suspension point and/or a load deposition point due to the heave, wherein the heave compensation takes account of at least one constraint of the hoisting gear when calculating the actuation of the hoisting gear. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245818 | LOGISTICS INSTALLATION FOR A RACK STORAGE SYSYEM - A logistics installation for a high-rack storage system has a plurality of conveyor vehicles that travel along a reference track section. A control device is enabled to block a given region of the reference section for travel by a second conveyor vehicle depending on a measured position of a first conveyor vehicle along the reference section. A device for determining a direction of movement of the conveyor vehicles transmits a corresponding signal to the control device. The region that is blocked for the second conveyor vehicle can be established by the control device with regard to the signal representing the direction of movement of the first conveyor vehicle. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245819 | DYNAMIC GRAPHICAL DISPLAY FOR A BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM - Systems and methods are provided for generating a dynamic graphical display for use in a product dispensing system, wherein the content of the display is dynamically generated based, at least in part, by the dispensing of a product. The product dispensing system can be a beverage dispensing system. When an operator activates a product dispenser to dispense a product, product imagery and/or related information may be dynamically generated and presented on a graphical display. A product dispensing and display system can include multiple product dispensers (for example, beverage taps) and an associated display for displaying dynamic digital content (such as visual and/or audible content) based on information received from the product dispensers and/or other input sources. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245820 | GENERATING A SINGLE AUDIT FILE FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES - A vending machine audit system includes a vending machine including a vending machine controller configured to generate device data representative of the operations of the vending machine. At least one peripheral device is operatively coupled to the vending machine and is configured to generate device data representative of the operations of the peripheral device. An audit module includes a data storage component and is operatively coupled to the vending machine controller and the at least one peripheral device. The audit module is configured to receive device data from each of the vending machine controller and the at least one peripheral device and to perform a merging operation to generate a single merged audit data record representative of the operations of the vending machine and the at least one peripheral device. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245821 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system, including one or more robots which are provided to a first area where an entry by a person is restricted, and configured to perform a first work which includes one or more steps in the first area, a controller configured to control an operation of the one or more robots, and a visitor detector configured to detect a visitor to the first area. The controller includes a first work control portion configured to control the one or more robots so that the one or more robots perform the first work in the first area, and a first suspension control portion configured to control a predetermined at least a first robot of the one or more of the robots when one or more of the robots are performing one of the steps in the first area based on control by the first work control portion and the visitor is detected by the visitor detector, so that the first robot performs a predetermined act of suspension after performing the first work up to any predetermined stage, including an intermediate stage of the one step, a successful completion stage of the one step, and a successful completion stage of another step after the one step. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245822 | ROBOT APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING ROBOT APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A robot apparatus includes: a grasping section configured to grasp an object; a recognition section configured to recognize a graspable part and a handing-over area part of the object; a grasp planning section configured to plan a path of the grasping section for handing over the object to a recipient by the handing-over area part; and a grasp control section configured to control grasp operation of the object by the grasping section in accordance with the planned path. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245823 | ROBOT SYSTEM, ROBOT HAND, AND ROBOT SYSTEM OPERATING METHOD - A robot system includes a robot arm, a robot hand provided to the robot arm, and a plurality of finger members for holding a target object, installed to the robot hand. The robot hand includes a hand main body portion which is connected to the robot arm and includes an actuator, and a finger holding mechanism which replaceably holds at least a pair of the finger members is connected to the hand main body portion and is driven by the actuator. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245824 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRAINING A ROBOT USING HUMAN-ASSISTED TASK DEMONSTRATION - A method for training a robot to execute a robotic task in a work environment includes moving the robot across its configuration space through multiple states of the task and recording motor schema describing a sequence of behavior of the robot. Sensory data describing performance and state values of the robot is recorded while moving the robot. The method includes detecting perceptual features of objects located in the environment, assigning virtual deictic markers to the detected perceptual features, and using the assigned markers and the recorded motor schema to subsequently control the robot in an automated execution of another robotic task. Markers may be combined to produce a generalized marker. A system includes the robot, a sensor array for detecting the performance and state values, a perceptual sensor for imaging objects in the environment, and an electronic control unit that executes the present method. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245825 | SAFETY DEVICE FOR THE SAFE USE OF INDUSTRIAL APPARATUSES AND ROBOTS, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR REALTIME VERIFICATION OF THE KINEMATIC STATE VALUES OF A ROBOTIZED APPARATUS - A safety device ( | 2013-09-19 |
20130245826 | METHOD FOR CALIBRATING A ROBOT MOUNTED ON ACTIVE MAGNETIC BEARINGS - Method for calibrating a robot mounted on active magnetic bearings and having a gripper vertically positionable along a z axis and which is displaceable in a first magnetic bearing along an x axis and in a second magnetic bearing along a y axis includes dividing the first and second magnetic bearings into four mounting points; defining the setpoint center coordinates for the X, Y, Z axes and also the setpoint values for the angular positions δ, ε and transformation of the setpoint values into setpoint values for the vertical setpoint positions of the mounting points; specifying the actuating forces for the electromagnets of the mounting points; determining the current vertical positions for the mounting points; measuring the current vertical position of the mounting points and conversion into actual center coordinates; comparing the actual center coordinates with the setpoint center coordinates, determining the deviation and repeating the preceding steps. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245827 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE MONITERING - A monitoring control method in an electronic device is provided. The method includes displaying an area map for monitoring, and determining a virtual boundary on the area map. The area map is a specific space of the indoor or outdoor and displays objects or articles that are within the specific space of the indoor or outdoor. The virtual boundary constitutes a movement area for a monitoring target therewithin. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245828 | MODEL GENERATION APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, MODEL GENERATION METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A three-dimensional shape model of a target object is input. A position and orientation of at least one image sensing device used to capture an image of the target object is set so as to virtually set a relative position and orientation between the target object and the image sensing device for the three-dimensional shape model of the target object. At least one position and orientation of the image sensing device is selected. Geometric features are grouped based on a relationship between an image to be obtained at the selected position and orientation of the image sensing device and the geometric features of the three-dimensional shape model. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245829 | ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, ROBOT CONTROL DEVICE, AND ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEM - A CPU of a robot control device calculates load torque based on the inertia force, centrifugal force or Coriolis force, gravity force, friction torque, and actuator inertia torque applied to a joint axis of each link, each time an orientation parameter indicative of the link position and orientation allowed by a redundant degree of freedom is sequentially changed, under a constraint of end-effector position and orientation as target values. The CPU obtains the link position and orientation at which the ratio of the load torque to the rated torque of a rotary actuator provided for each joint is minimized, while the orientation parameter is being changed, and provides a feed-forward value that gives rise to each load torque obtained when the ratio of the load torque to the rated torque of the rotary actuator is minimized, to a control command generated to the rotary actuator of each joint axis for achieving the end-effector position and orientation as target values. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245830 | INTEGRATED BIO-REACTOR MONITOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM - Systems and methods for automatically controlling conditions of a process are disclosed. In one example, a controller is programmed with a sequence of steps and parameters required to carry out a bioreactor process. A sensor system interacts with the bioreactor to receive information related to a condition of the bioreactor and/or receive a sample from the bioreactor, which it analyzes. The sensor system sends data signals related to the information and/or the sample to a controller, which determines a control signal based on the received information. The controller sends the control signal to the sensor system which, based on the control signal, performs an action that affects a condition of the bioreactor or affects the sensor system itself. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245831 | METHOD FOR SOOTBLOWING OPTIMIZATION - A controller determines and adjusts system parameters, including cleanliness levels or sootblower operating settings, that are useful for maintaining the cleanliness of a fossil fuel boiler at an efficient level. Some embodiments use a direct controller to determine cleanliness levels and/or sootblower operating settings. Some embodiments use an indirect controller, with a system model, to determine cleanliness levels and/or sootblower settings. The controller may use a model that is, for example, a neural network, or a mass energy balance, or a genetically programmed model. The controller uses input about the actual performance or state of the boiler for adaptation. The controller may operate in conjunction with a sootblower optimization system that controls the actual settings of the sootblowers. The controller may coordinate cleanliness settings for multiple sootblowers and/or across a plurality of heat zones in the boiler. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245832 | Pre-Call Scheduling Assistant - In accordance with exemplary embodiments there is determining geo-routines of a user, the geo-routines based on at least one of a location and an altitude and a trajectory of the user, recording the determined geo-routines of user of the system; and based on a current trajectory of a user indicating that the user is going to use a transportation system, optimizing a use of the system according to the recorded geo-routines of the user of the system. In addition, sending information including a location and/or an altitude of a user, and a trajectory of the user, the information associated with a current geo-routine of the user, and receiving information to optimize the use of a transportation system, the receiving based on a current trajectory indicating that the user is going to use the transportation system and on the current geo-routine and/or historical geo-routines of a user of the transportation system. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245833 | LOCK DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Disclosed are various embodiments of lock devices, systems, and methods. A lock of the application can include an internal mechanism to permit backdriven operation and lost motion operation. In one form the lock can be made from an assembly of parts that have locating features that require one way installation/assembly. The lock can include an internal power source capable of driving electronics used to determine handedness of a door. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245834 | CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD OF OPERATING SUCH A CONTROL DEVICE - A control device ( | 2013-09-19 |
20130245835 | INPUT OPERATION APPARATUS, INPUT OPERATION CONTROL METHOD, AND INPUT OPERATION CONTROL PROGRAM - An input operation apparatus includes: an operating unit capable of performing a tilt operation and a depression operation; a detecting unit that detects a tilt direction and depression of the operating unit; and a control unit that manages a plurality of modes, each mode including a plurality of select items, and controls input change or input confirmation according to an input operation made by the operating unit. The control unit processes an operation of the operation unit in a tilt direction equivalently with the depression operation in a predetermined mode. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245836 | DYNAMIC BUILDING AIR BALANCING USING BAROMETRIC PRESSURE - A controller for dynamically balancing air pressure in a building including at least a first room, includes a receiver, a processor, and a transmitter. The receiver is configured to receive an outdoor air pressure measured by an outdoor pressure sensor, and to receive a room air pressure measured by a room pressure sensor. The processor is configured to calculate a pressure set point based on the outdoor air pressure, to determine whether the room air pressure deviates from the pressure set point by a predefined threshold, and to generate instructions for a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit to adjust the room air pressure to the first pressure set point. The transmitter is configured to transmit the instructions to the HVAC unit. A system and a process for dynamically balancing air pressure in a building including at least a first room are also provided. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245837 | System for controlling HVAC and lighting functionality - A system for automatic setup and control of Lighting, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems comprising a set of occupancy detectors and at least one controller where the controller determines various aspects of the building control based on the input of the occupancy detectors. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245838 | HVAC CONTROLLER AND REMOTE CONTROL UNIT - A remote control unit for interacting with one or more thermostats controlling an HVAC system may be mounted on wall near a point of entry to a building. The remote control unit may wirelessly send one or more commends to a thermostat to operate in one or more modes at a predetermined temperature associated with that mode. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245839 | HOT-BEVERAGE PREPARATION APPARATUS HAVING A DATA TRANSMISSION DEVICE - A hot-beverage preparation apparatus, in particular a capsule machine, includes an actuator which generates sound emissions and/or vibrations and/or electromagnetic emissions and which can be operated in a normal operating mode for the purpose of preparing hot beverages. The hot-beverage preparation apparatus is designed to transmit data to a receiving device. The actuator can be operated at least in a data transmission mode, which generates sound emissions and/or vibrations and/or electromagnetic emissions, for the purpose of transmitting data to a receiving device. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245840 | Modulated Reset Relief Valve - A reset relief valve with a body having an inlet port, an outlet port, and piston defining an enclosed chamber, where the piston is disposed in the body and moveable between a first position at which the piston is disposed in fluid flow-blocking relationship between the inlet port and the outlet port of the body and a second position at which the piston is removed from that position, an electrically motivated worm drive operably connected to the piston. for controlled smooth movement of the piston responsive to pressure readings in the system. A preferred embodiment includes data acquisition software for monitoring data and storing pressure and other data to control the operation of the valve and a handheld controller. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245841 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING COMPONENT FOR NETWORK SYSTEM - Provided is a method of controlling a component for a network system. The method of controlling a component for a network system includes recognizing energy information or additional information except the energy information, determining a driving method of the component on the basis of former driving information of the component according to the recognized information, and driving the component through the determined driving method. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245842 | Power Control System and Method - A power control system/method implementing Internet based access to hybrid home automation networks is disclosed. The system utilizes a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) to selectively switch an AC power source to a load device under control of local or remote network commands that may be routed through a variety of network interfaces and protocols present within home or other structure-local communications network. SGPC configurations may be nested within a home automation network to permit separation of control for load devices within a common home automation environment. Present invention methods may include routing protocols between disparate home automation networks as well as remote access protocols that permit control of disparate home automation networks via the Internet using a wide variety of remote access interfaces including mobile devices, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245843 | REAL-TIME MONITORING, CONTROLLING, AND OPTIMIZING ELECTRICAL GENERATION ASSETS BASED ON EMISSION LEVEL MEASUREMENTS - A method is implemented in a computer infrastructure and includes receiving data defining a detected gas emission level of a power generation facility. The method also includes communicating the data defining the detected gas emission level to at least one subscriber device using one of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) based communication and Session Initial Protocol (SIP) based communication. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245844 | Methods For Simultaneous Process and Utility Systems Synthesis in Partially and Fully Decentralized Environments - Methods of providing a combined synthesis of cost-effective heat and power (CHP) utility systems and the key process systems are provided. An exemplary method includes process steps for identifying the best key subsystem design and operating conditions for both the process and the utility systems. The method can include the step of determining an optimal allocation of steam and power between both process and utility systems for one or more industrial process facilities in both partially and totally decentralized environments. This can include defining rigorously bounded decision variables as model input data, processing the model input data by a combined heat and power utility and process subsystem mathematical program model, and determining a plurality of at least substantially optimal process and utility subsystem conditions. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245845 | Systems and Computer Programs For Simultaneous Process and Utility Systems Synthesis in Partially and Fully Decentralized Environments - Systems and program code for providing a combined synthesis of cost-effective heat and power (CHP) utility systems and the key process systems are provided. An exemplary system includes a CHP utility and process subsystems analysis and design program computer and program code for identifying the best key design and operating conditions for both subsystems stored in the memory of the computer. The program code, when executed, can cause the computer to perform operations including determining an optimal allocation of steam and power between both process and utility systems for one or more industrial process facilities in both partially and totally decentralized environments. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245846 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANT - A control system for a photovoltaic (“PV”) power plant that includes a plant-level control system for implementing plant-level control functions at power generation sites of the plant, a supervisory system for supervisory control and data acquisition of the plant, and a communications network connecting the plant-level control system, the supervisory system, and plant devices is described. Methods of controlling a PV plant using the plant-level control system and the supervisory system and methods of regulating power characteristics in power generation sites are also described. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245847 | FACILITATING REVENUE GENERATION FROM WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY MARKETS USING AN ENINEERING-BASED ENERGY ASSET MODEL - The disclosure facilitates generation of energy-related revenue for an energy customer of an electricity supplier. The disclosure herein can be implemented to generate suggested operating schedules for energy assets that include a controllable energy asset, using an objective function. The objective function is determined based on a dynamic simulation model of the energy profile of the energy assets. The dynamic simulation model is adaptive to physical changes in the energy assets based at least in part on a physical model of the thermodynamic property of the at least one energy asset and at least in part on data representative of an operation characteristic of the controllable energy asset, a thermodynamic property of the energy assets, and/or a projected environmental condition. Energy-related revenue available to the energy customer is based at least in part on a wholesale electricity market or on a regulation market. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245848 | DEVICE FOR MONITORING OPERATION OF NUCLEAR PLANT - There is provided a device for monitoring an operation of a nuclear plant, including: a functional integration VDU having a regular-use-system VDU that monitors the operation of the plant under normal conditions, and a security-system VDU that leads to a safe state when the plant is in an abnormal state; and a security-system VDU that leads to a safe state when the plant is in an abnormal state. The functional integration VDU is mounted to a first operating console, the security-system VDU is mounted to a second operating console, and thereby an increase in the size of the operating consoles in the nuclear plant is suppressed, and increased ease of operation is enabled. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245849 | CUSTOMER-CENTRIC DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT FOR UTLITIES - A method and system for reducing demand on a power grid through demand side management includes receiving assigned priorities from a customer for smart appliances and for appliances plugged into sockets of one or more smart plugs of the customer, the assigned priorities indicative of a customer-preferred sequence for disconnection of, or adjustment of power to, the appliances from the power grid. The system determines whether to disconnect or adjust power to at least one of the appliances of the customer; and selects at least one of the appliances according to the assigned priorities to reduce demand on the power grid. The system sends one or more commands, the one or more commands indicative to the one or more smart plugs to disconnect or adjust power to the selected at least one of the appliances based on selecting at least one of the appliances. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245850 | ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY-AND-DEMAND CONTROL APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, an electric power supply-and-demand control apparatus includes a measuring module which measures an output power characteristic of dispersed power sources arranged in various places in an electric power system. The electric power supply-and-demand control apparatus includes a determination module which determines based on the output power characteristic measured by the measuring module whether to set each of the dispersed power sources in various places as a dispatching object for an electric power supply-and-demand plan at a specific time on a specific date. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245851 | NETWORK SYSTEM - A network system is provided. The network system includes: at least one component selected from an energy receiving unit receiving energy and an energy management unit managing the energy receiving unit. The energy receiving unit or the energy management unit receives energy rate related information; an energy usage amount or a usage rate of when the component is controlled on the basis of at least the energy rate related information is less than that of when the component is controlled without the basis of at least energy rate related information; if the energy rate related information is high cost information, a function of one component constituting the energy receiving unit is limited; and an operating time or an output of the energy receiving unit is adjusted in correspondence to the limited function of one component. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245852 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUS, AND METHODS OF A SOLAR ENERGY GRID INTEGRATED SYSTEM WITH ENERGY STORAGE APPLIANCE - A system, method, and apparatus for integrating distributed energy sources, energy storage, and balance of system components into a single device with systems and control for monitoring, measuring, and conserving power generated on the premise. A data processing gateway, hybrid inverter/converter and charge controller provide flexibility in the multi-voltages, output capacities, and photovoltaic array sizes coupled to the apparatus and system. The system and apparatus may be used in commercial and residential applications. A user may store energy provided by one or more alternate energy sources coupled to an energy storage module. The system provides a compact enclosure that fits within a utility workspace and enclosures that can be mechanically coupled together, placed in parallel or in a series. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245853 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING AN ENERGY CONSUMING LOAD - An apparatus for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads, including a transmitter to transmit a set of load state data generated from the load and a receiver to receive sets of load state data generated from the other loads. A processor generates the set of load state data from the load, compiles the set of load state data from the load with the sets of load state data from the other loads, and processes the compiled sets of load state data in order to make an enablement state decision for the load that reflects an enablement state of a load, being either a load enabled state where the load is capable of operating even when the load is not actually operating or a load disabled state where the load is not capable of operating. The enablement state decision is implemented by a controller. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245854 | CONFIGURATION METHOD FOR A POWER SUPPLY CONTROLLER AND A CONTROLLER EMPLOYING SAME - The present application is directed at pin programming od controllers for power converters and provides for the programming of a plurality of different controller parameters using a single programming resistor. The value of the programming resistor is used as a pointer to select a table storing a plurality of different settings for the controller. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245855 | PEER-TO-PEER VEHICLE COMMUNICATOR - A system and method for communicating information between vehicle operators. The method includes receiving a request from a send vehicle operator to communicate a vehicle information message from a send vehicle. The method also includes generating the vehicle information message at the send vehicle. The method further includes sending the vehicle information message from the send vehicle to a receive vehicle. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245856 | COLLISION DETERMINATION APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE - A collision determination apparatus to be mounted in a vehicle includes a wiring substrate, a first acceleration sensor, a second acceleration sensor, an analog-to-digital converter, and a central processing unit. The wiring substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite from each other. The first acceleration sensor is mounted on one of the first surface and the second surface. The second acceleration sensor is mounted on the other one of the first surface and the second surface in a state where the second acceleration sensor is rotated 90 degrees with respect to the first acceleration sensor. The analog-to-digital converter converts an analog signal from the first acceleration sensor or the second acceleration sensor to a digital signal. The central processing unit determines a collision by an arithmetic processing of the digital signal. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245857 | DISTRIBUTED HARDWARE ARCHITECTURE FOR UNMANNED VEHICLES - A distributed hardware system for unmanned vehicles is provided, comprising a plurality of electronic hardware modules in communication via a vehicle control network. Each module is enabled to: communicate with one another, issue requests for information from a central control module, and transmit data over the network in a common format to perform respective tasks; and at least one of: independently sense one or more of: a respective status of the distributed hardware system and at least one respective environmental parameter; and independently control the respective function of a vehicle. A portion of the modules can enabled to: be removed and inserted from the distributed hardware system as plug and play modules; and determine when at least one of the modules is removed/inserted from the distributed hardware system and transition to a corresponding state. The system also includes a power management system which includes capacity monitoring and hot-swap capabilities. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245858 | PORTABLE EQUIPMENT - Portable equipment for displaying a vehicle page, indicative of information relating to a vehicle corresponding to the portable equipment, on a screen of a display unit, includes: a reading request receiving device that receives a reading request manipulation for requesting to display the vehicle page; a position information acquisition device that acquires position information of the portable equipment and the vehicle; an item selection device that specifies an area, in which the position of the portable equipment and the vehicle is disposed, and selects an item of a top page of the display unit according to the area among multiple items; and a page display controller that controls the display unit to display the item of the top page on the screen. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245859 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION OF GPS HEADING DATA FOR USE BY ELECTRONIC FLIGHT DIRECTOR - An improved Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) module for use with an aircraft, wherein the HSI module is adapted for accepting Bank Angle Commands or waypoint data from the GPS flight module and for using the same to determine a heading error. The HSI module is further adapted for outputting the heading error to the Flight Director module where it can be used to create a Roll Command for output to the Auto-Pilot, whereby the Auto-Pilot can be commanded to follow a turn using the HSI and the Flight Director without requiring an additional module be added to the aircraft to create the heading error for use by the Flight Director. The waypoint data can be of the “flyover” type or the “flyby” type. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245860 | SITUATIONAL AWARENESS PILOT BRIEFING TOOL - Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for better conveying information to a pilot and/or other members of a flight crew present on the flight deck of an aircraft. Embodiments of the invention are of particular use in the briefings that precede various phases of the flight operations of an aircraft (such as start-up of the engines, take-off, ascent to cruise altitude, descent from cruise altitude and landing). The system and method provide a briefing output relevant to the particular phases of a flight in both of a visual form and an audio form, with the briefing output including data of most relevance to the particular flight phase. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245861 | Navigation Assistance Method for Monitoring Navigation Performance in Linear or Angular Mode - A method for assisting in the navigation of an aircraft comprises steps of calculating and displaying a linear deviation on a first linear section and an angular deviation on a second angular section. The method comprises a calculation step for converting an angular deviation into an equivalent linear deviation, and, conversely, converting a linear deviation into an equivalent angular deviation. The method comprises a step of graphic representation, called unified monitoring, intended for the crew, of a deviation of the aircraft, on a lateral deviation axis and a vertical deviation axis; each of the deviations, lateral and vertical, being able to be represented on a linear scale, an angular scale or a mixed scale. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245862 | Navigation Assistance Method Based on Anticipation of Linear or Angular Deviations - A method for assisting in the navigation of an aircraft comprises steps of calculating and displaying a linear deviation on a first linear section and an angular deviation on a second angular section. The method comprises a step of calculation of an anticipated deviation of the aircraft, expressed linearly or angularly, projected to a time DT, characteristic of a reaction time of the aircraft, and of a statistical error distribution associated with this anticipated deviation; and a step of calculation of a probability of exceeding a predetermined target deviation, by means of the anticipated deviation and of the statistical error distribution. The method also comprises a crew alert when the probability is above a predetermined threshold. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245863 | AUXILIARY POWER UNIT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE - A locomotive assembly including an auxiliary power unit and a method of providing auxiliary power to a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a locomotive having a power bus, a primary power source electrically coupled to the power bus, and a locomotive controller programmed to control the primary power source and transmit a first command signal to a power unit that is electrically coupled to the power bus. The power unit includes an auxiliary engine-generator set, a power interface electrically coupling the auxiliary engine-generate set to the power bus, and an auxiliary controller electrically coupled to the locomotive controller. The auxiliary controller is programmed to receive the command signal from the locomotive controller indicating a desired amount of power, control the auxiliary engine-generator set to produce at least the desired amount of power, and control the power interface to deliver the desired amount of power to the power bus. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245864 | FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE - A fuel assembly and a method of providing fuel is disclosed. The fuel assembly includes a frame, a first fuel storage tank sized to fit within the frame and configured to store one of a liquid and a gaseous fuel, and a fuel control assembly configured to regulate delivery of the gaseous fuel to an external power unit. The fuel control assembly includes a first fuel assembly memory module having stored thereon identifying information of the interchangeable fuel assembly. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245865 | METHOD FOR SECURING A PILOTING SYSTEM OF A RECONFIGURABLE MULTI-UNIT VEHICLE AND A SECURE PILOTING SYSTEM - A method for securing a control system and a secured control system of a multi-unit vehicle. The control system has a device for determining a composition of the multi-unit vehicle, that can autonomously determine the composition of the multi-unit vehicle and generate composition data. A calculator for at least one unit of the multi-unit vehicle. Each calculator is connectable to an inlet/outlet set of inlet/outlet modules for at least one unit and to the composition-determining device, in order to exchange operating data of the unit and/or the multi-unit vehicle with each inlet/outlet module, and to acquire data relating to the composition from the determination device. At least one module for dynamically securing the exclusive connection of each calculator to the inlet/outlet set determines, from the composition data, the validity of the inlet/outlet set, and controls, cyclically or sufficiently frequently, a coherence between each connection of each calculator to the inlet/outlet set. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245866 | VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE - Provided is a vehicle control device | 2013-09-19 |
20130245867 | INLET AIR TEMPERATURE SENSOR DIAGNOSTICS - Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an intake air temperature sensor in a hybrid electric vehicle. An engine temperature is compared to each of an intake air temperature sensed before an engine start but after sufficient engine soak, as well as an intake air temperature sensed after selected vehicle operating conditions have elapsed since the engine start. Based on discrepancies between the air temperature and the engine temperature, degradation of the sensor is determined. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245868 | CONTROL DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD, AND ELECTRIC MOTOR CAR - A control device for an electric motor car comprising: a switch which is installed between a power supply source and a power line drawn through the electric motor car; a battery which supplies power to a main motor of the electric motor car; a step-up unit, which is installed between the power line and the battery, configured to increase a voltage; and a control unit which breaks a connection between the power supply source and the power line using the switch when braking the electric motor car, increases the power supplied from the battery using the step-up unit, and performs regenerative braking in the main motor to which the increased power is supplied. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245869 | LEAKAGE RESISTANCE DETECTION DEVICE FOR AN ON-BOARD HIGH VOLTAGE DEVICE AND LEAKAGE RESISTANCE DETECTION METHOD THEREFOR - The leakage resistance detection device includes a coupling capacitor having one terminal connected to an on-board high voltage device and another terminal connected to a repetitive signal output circuit, and measures a leakage resistance as a function of a transition time during which a monitoring voltage, which is a potential at the another terminal of the coupling capacitor to be charged/discharged in response to an operation of a charge/discharge switching element that operates in response to a repetitive pulse signal, changes from one predetermined voltage to reach another predetermined voltage. When the measured leakage resistance has become equal to or smaller than a predetermined limit leakage resistance, the leakage resistance detection device generates a resistance abnormality determination output. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245870 | Minimum Energy Route For A Motor Vehicle - Minimum energy routes for a motor vehicle are determined. The minimum energy routes can be calculated using an energy map. Energy management information is determined and provided along the minimum energy route. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245871 | OUTWARD POWER SUPPLY CONTROL APPARATUS FOR FUEL CELL VEHICLE - An ECU of a control apparatus further alleviates a fluctuation in a power generation amount of a fuel cell stack with respect to the power required by an inverter apparatus, when a power supply circuit configured by each of contactors and a power supply inlet | 2013-09-19 |
20130245872 | HYBRID POWERTRAIN AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A HYBRID POWERTRAIN - A hybrid powertrain includes a combustion engine, an electric machine arrangement, a gearbox operable to receive motive power from at least one of the combustion engine and the electric machine arrangement for providing motive power to a load of the powertrain. The powertrain is configurable in operation so that its combustion engine is switchable between an inactive state and an active state. The combustion engine is cranked to switch it from its inactive state to its active state. Application of cranking torque to the combustion engine is controlled in operation to substantially temporally coincide with a gear change in the gearbox. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245873 | MONITORING OF POWER CHARGING IN VEHICLE - A energy meter unit for an electric vehicle contains energy measuring circuitry, a GPS unit, a CPU, and memory. The energy meter unit is capable of detecting the amount of energy charged at a specific location and storing that information for later uses, such as with a governmental incentive program. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245874 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A HYBRID AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE AND HYBRID VEHICLE ADAPTED TO SUCH A METHOD - A method is provided for controlling a hybrid automotive vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, and an electric machine connected to an energy storage system. Each of the internal combustion engine and the electric machine are adapted to deliver torque to a driveline of the vehicle. This method includes a) during a mission of the vehicle, estimation of the temperature of the energy storage system at the beginning of a next mission of the vehicle, and b) if the temperature estimated at step a) is below a threshold value, recharging, before the end of the current mission of the vehicle, the energy storage system on the basis of the temperature estimated at step a). In a step c), if the energy storage system has been recharged at step b), then, at the beginning of the next operating period of the vehicle, the energy storage system is heavily discharged. With this method, the battery rapidly reaches the desired temperature when driving | 2013-09-19 |
20130245875 | CONTROL DEVICE OF VEHICLE DRIVE DEVICE - A control device of a vehicle drive device includes: a hydraulic power transmission device including an input-side rotating element to which power from an engine is input and an output-side rotating element outputting power to drive wheels; a first electric motor directly or indirectly coupled to the input-side rotating element; and a second electric motor directly or indirectly coupled to the drive wheels. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245876 | SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONNECTING AND A DISCONNECTING CATENARY VEHICLE TO AND FROM THE OVERHEAD LINE DURING TRAVEL - A method and device for automatically connecting and disconnecting a current collector of a vehicle which is designed for operating with an overhead line. The invention specifies a device and a method for automatically connecting and disconnecting at least one current collector ( | 2013-09-19 |
20130245877 | Actively Modifying a Field of View of an Autonomous Vehicle in View of Constraints - Methods and devices for actively modifying a field of view of an autonomous vehicle in view of constraints are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example method is disclosed that includes causing a sensor in an autonomous vehicle to sense information about an environment in a first field of view, where a portion of the environment is obscured in the first field of view. The example method further includes determining a desired field of view in which the portion of the environment is not obscured and, based on the desired field of view and a set of constraints for the vehicle, determining a second field of view in which the portion of the environment is less obscured than in the first field of view. The example method further includes modifying a position of the vehicle, thereby causing the sensor to sense information in the second field of view. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245878 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTING MATERIAL - A method and a system of transporting material are provided, wherein at least one mobile transport unit is detected by a detection device with a radar or laser detecting device. Position coordinates, position angles and speed of the transport unit are determined using a reference coordinate system and are transmitted to a stationary data processing device. A central material tracking with verification of storage locations is generated by the data processing device, wherein, particularly with use of the positing angle, a storage type for the material is automatically determined. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245879 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING A STRUCTURE - A method and system of monitoring a structure, the method including: a) synchronously acquiring data comprising a plurality of operational parameters and at least one strain data, b) building a significant points dataset from the data acquired in step a), and c) modelling a relationship between the operational parameters and the strain data using the built significant points dataset to train a non-adaptive prediction functional supervised approximation method, wherein the step of building a significant points dataset comprises deletion of redundant information from the acquired data. The resultant models may be used to process structure real operation data in order to estimate the eventual crack initiation and crack growth on a set of predefined locations of the structure. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245880 | EVENT BASED GPS TRACKING - System and method for enabling predefined events to be used to trigger the collection of vehicle position data. A combination GSM device and GPS device is used to collect vehicle position data and to convey that position data to a remote computing device for review and/or analysis. There is a tradeoff between collecting too much data (cell phone bill is too high) and collecting too little data (value added analytics cannot be achieved without sufficient data). The concepts disclosed herein relate to method and apparatus to enable the data collection/transmission paradigm of such a GSM/GPS to be varied (or triggered) based on the detection of one or more predefined events. This enables data which can contribute to value added analytics to be acquired, without wasting airtime on unimportant data. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245881 | System and Method for Monitoring the Environment In and Around an Automobile - A system and method for monitoring the environment in and around an automobile includes a memory, a processor in data communication with the memory and with a vehicle computer module, at least one outside camera in data communication with the processor that is configured to mount inside an automobile interior area and positioned to receive video data from outside the automobile, and a motion sensor configured to detect movement outside of the automobile. The system includes programming that causes the processor to determine if the automobile is at rest and, if so, to actuate the motion sensor. Programming causes the processor to actuate the outside camera when the processor has determined that the automobile is at rest and the motion sensor has detected movement outside the automobile. A global positioning system is configured to record geographic position data and time data if the automobile crashes. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245882 | REMOVABLE, CONFIGURABLE VEHICLE CONSOLE - Methods and systems for a removable, configurable vehicle console are provided. Specifically, a configurable console may comprise one or more displays that are capable of receiving input from a user. At least one of these displays may be removed from the console of a vehicle and operated as a stand-alone computing platform. Moreover, it is anticipated that each one or more of the displays of the console may be configured to present a plurality of custom applications that, when manipulated by at least one user, are adapted to control functions associated with a vehicle and/or associated peripheral devices. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245883 | Systems and Methods For Analyzing Machine Performance - A system for analyzing machine performance is disclosed. The system may have one or more processors and a memory. The memory may store instructions that, when executed, enable the one or more processors to identify an event for a machine that includes a desired output parameter value and send a command to a component of the machine. A command value associated with the command may be determined based on the desired output parameter value, one or more machine state parameter values, and a feedback control loop. The instructions may further enable the one or more processors to determine whether the machine requires maintenance by comparing the command value to one or more historical command values each determined based on a historical desired output parameter value and one or more historical machine state parameter values. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245884 | USER EXPERIENCE OF THE CONNECTED AUTOMOBILE - A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for initiating at least one process in a vehicle are provided. The apparatus determines an approximate position of the vehicle. In addition, the apparatus determines a shortest time period based on the determined approximate position in which one or more registered drivers of the vehicle is in proximity to the vehicle. Furthermore, the apparatus determines whether to initiate the at least one process within the vehicle based on the determined time period. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245885 | REAR ZONE MODULE AND REAR ZONE CONTROLLER - Described herein is a rear zone module and rear zone controller that minimizes wire gauge and current draw. The rear zone module shares outputs amongst several functions including rear windshield wiper, heated back window, power liftgate controller and the like. These outputs can be shared because not all functions are required to be active at the same time. For example, a vehicle includes a rear zone module (RZM) that includes at least a power liftgate (PLG) module, heated back window module, and a rear window wiper module. The vehicle also includes a controller configured to selectively control current with respect to at least the PLG module, heated back window module, and a rear window wiper module. The interconnections between the RZM and controller are minimized by sharing the interconnections as the PLG module operates mutually exclusively from the heated back window and rear window wiper module. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245886 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RESPONDING TO DRIVER BEHAVIOR - Methods of assessing driver behavior include monitoring vehicle systems and driver monitoring systems to accommodate for a driver's slow reaction time, attention lapse and/or alertness. When it is determined that a driver is drowsy, for example, the response system may modify the operation of one or more vehicle systems. The systems that may be modified include: visual devices, audio devices, tactile devices, antilock brake systems, automatic brake prefill systems, brake assist systems, auto cruise control systems, electronic stability control systems, collision warning systems, lane keep assist systems, blind spot indicator systems, electronic pretensioning systems and climate control systems. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245887 | Multi-Display Vehicle Information System and Method - Embodiments of the present invention include a vehicle human machine interface (HMI) for control by a vehicle occupant. The HMI may include a first graphical display, a second graphical display, a plurality of input controls, and a vehicle computer communicating with the first and second graphical displays. The vehicle computer may be configured to receive user input defining user instructions for controlling one or more functions of the vehicle. In response to the input, the computer may be configured to present on the first and second graphical displays a vehicle function identifier color associated with the vehicle function. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245888 | VEHICLE CONTROLLING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A vehicle controlling apparatus includes: a vertical acceleration sensor configured to detect a vertical acceleration of a sprung mass; a power-source attitude controller configured to compute a power-source attitude control amount for a driving force outputted from a power source, the control amount making the acceleration detected by the vertical acceleration sensor an appropriate acceleration for attaining a target sprung-mass state, and to control the power source based on the power-source attitude control amount; a stroke sensor configured to detect a stroke speed of a shock absorber; and a friction-brake attitude controller configured to compute a brake attitude control amount for a braking force outputted from a friction brake, the control amount making the stroke speed detected by the stroke sensor an appropriate stroke speed for attaining a target sprung-mass state, and to control the friction brake based on the brake attitude control amount. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245889 | CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE - A control apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention is configured to control a friction brake by calculating a brake attitude control amount outputted from the friction brake such that the acceleration detected by the vertical acceleration sensor becomes an acceleration corresponding to a target sprung state, and to control a damping force variable shock absorber by calculating a damping force control amount of the damping force variable shock absorber such that the stroke speed detected by the stroke sensor becomes a stroke speed corresponding to the target sprung state and/or a target unsprung state. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245890 | VEHICLE, AND METHOD FOR STEERING CONTROL OF SAME - Maneuverability and stability of a suspension unit for a vehicle are improved. A vehicle includes: a steer-by-wire system detecting a displacement of a steering wheel and displacing a steering rack steering steerable wheels on a basis of a detection result of the displacement and a suspension unit suspending the steerable wheels, the suspension unit including: wheel hub mechanisms, each wheel hub mechanism supporting a tire wheel on which a tire is attached, and a plurality of link members supporting the wheel hub mechanisms on the vehicle body; and a kingpin axis passing through an upper pivot point of the link members and lower pivot point of the link members being set to pass through a road surface contact area of the tire at a neutral position of the steering wheel. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245891 | VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL SYSTEM - The absolute value of a steering torque detected by a steering torque sensor is compared with a predetermined threshold. When the absolute value of the detected steering torque is smaller than the threshold, a steering reaction force is controlled on the basis of the steering torque; whereas, when the absolute value of the detected steering torque is larger than or equal to the threshold, the steering reaction force is controlled using a detected reaction motor current value as a reference value. | 2013-09-19 |
20130245892 | Synchronous Steering Control - An exemplary method correlates a steering device position to a steered element position by determining a target steering angle based on a detected position of the steering device; determining a vehicle steering angle based on a detected position of the steered element; determining a steering correction based on comparing the target steering angle to the vehicle steering angle; and applying a steering control multiplier to affect the steering correction in response to a difference between the target steering angle and the vehicle steering angle being larger than a threshold difference, and in response to a detected vehicle parameter. | 2013-09-19 |