46th week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 60 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130304212 | NUCLEUS PULPOSUS SPINAL IMPLANT AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - An implant configured to completely replace degenerated or damaged nucleus pulposus in an intervertebral disc. The implant comprises a silicone elastomer shell that is implanted into a void within the annulus fibrosus created by at least partial removal of the nucleus pulposus therefrom. A colloidal suspension of platinum cured silicone-based polymer and carbon nanotubes is injected into the elastomer shell. The colloidal suspension is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, particularly infrared or near infrared light, to the point that it hardens. The hardened implant becomes a mechanical replacement for the original nucleus pulposus in the intervertebral disc. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304213 | LATERALLY EXPANDABLE INTERBODY FUSION CAGE - An fusion cage having a longitudinal element and two planar bendable expansion arms slideably captured in a track on opposing sides, the expansion arms expandable from a pre-implantation position adjacent to the longitudinal element to a deployed position bounding an area around the longitudinal element in which bone graft material may be packed and retained after implantation into the intervertebral space. The longitudinal element is eliminated in favor of front and back lateral tracks in which the opposing ends of the expansion arms are slideably received so as to allow expansion of the bounded areas in both a lateral and anterior-posterior direction by sliding within the channels. Expansion of the area within the bendable members may be accomplished by rotation of leaves to which the bendable members are rigidly and slideably affixed. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304214 | Laterally Deflectable Implant - A laterally deflectable asymmetric implant for implanting into a body may comprise a deflectable piece having distal and proximal ends and assuming a straightened insertion state. The backbone may abut or interconnect with said deflectable piece at the distal end of the deflectable piece. In a fully deflected state the implant may define an asymmetric shape, e.g. a D-shaped loop, defining an at least partially enclosed volume. The deflectable piece may comprise a sequence of segments interconnected at effective hinges. Longitudinal pressure applied to the proximal end of the deflectable piece (or applied to the backbone in an opposite direction) may cause relative longitudinal movement between the backbone and the proximal end of the deflectable piece and may generate outward horizontal movement of the deflectable piece away from the backbone. In one embodiment, the implant is implanted using lateral access into an anterior zone of a vertebra and deployed posteriorly. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304215 | SURGICAL POSITIONING ASSEMBLY AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for placing spinal implants within an intervertebral region. In some embodiments, a surgical positioning tool may be provided that allows for access to an implantation site to be gained along a first axis, and then allows a spinal implant to be repositioned from the first axis to a second axis at an angle with respect to the first axis. The spinal implant may, in some embodiments, comprise a recess comprising two adjacent bars configured to engage elements of the surgical positioning tool to allow for the aforementioned repositioning. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304216 | Burr Hole Covers and Methods for Using Same - A burr hole cover includes a cap or cap assembly and a retainer and is configured to be partially positioned within a burr hole formed in a patient. The retainer has a cap-receiving aperture; a plurality of grooves provided in the retainer and a plurality of cut-outs wherein each cut-out is provided at an end of each groove towards the outer perimeter of the retainer. A channel may be provided at an opposite end of each groove vertically-extending from the top to the bottom of the retainer to encourage a medical device segment to remain in a groove during installation of the burr hole cover. The burr hole cover may be used to secure segments of medical devices relative to a burr hole and to allow a range of lateral motion for the portion(s) of the medical device(s) extending proximally out of the corresponding groove. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304217 | Cutting/Bending Tool For Polymer Implant - A first tool is configured to cut a polymer implant, and includes a handle, a cutting portion, and a bending portion. A second tool is configured to cut a polymer implant, and includes a handle, a first cutting portion, and a second cutting portion. The cutting portions contain a cutter that is preferably a blade. In the second tool, the blades are preferably angled with respect to each other between about 45°. The tools can be used to reshape an implant that is to be used to replace a portion of a skull. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304218 | PROCESS OF FABRICATING IMPLANTS HAVING INTERNAL FEATURES FOR GRAFT RETENTION AND LOAD TRANSFER BETWEEN IMPLANT AND VERTEBRAE - Processes of fabricating at least one graft contact surface and other surface topographies on an interbody spinal implant, such as a solid-body or composite implant. The graft contact surface as one or more of the internal surfaces of the implant includes at least one ridge or groove, for example, which is designed to contact and promote retention and stabilization of bone growth-inducing materials placed within the internal openings of the implant body. In addition, the ridges or grooves may influence the biological processes to promote bone healing and fusion. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304219 | SURFACE TREATMENT OF CO-CR BASED ALLOYS USING PLASMA CARBURIZATION - The present invention relates to a method of modifying a surface characteristic (e.g., wear resistance and/or corrosion resistance) of a cobalt-chromium based alloy article. The method comprises plasma treating the article at a temperature in the range of from 300° C. to 700° C. and at a pressure of from 100 Pa to 1500 Pa for 1 hour to 50 hours in an atmosphere comprising at least one carbon-containing gas, whereby to introduce carbon into a surface region of said article. The present invention also resides in a surface-hardened cobalt-chromium based article producible by the method of the invention. The article is characterised by having a surface region comprising a supersaturated solid solution of carbon in cobalt or a surface region comprising a supersaturated solid solution of carbon in cobalt and chromium carbides. Surface hardened articles producible by the method of the invention include medical implants and engineering components. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304220 | PROSTHESIS KIT WITH FINNED SLEEVE - A modular prosthesis kit includes a sleeve. The sleeve has a central portion and a fin. At least part of the central portion includes a plurality of adjacent terraces. The fin includes a pair of tapered outer surfaces that are continuous, non-terraced and define a wedge-shape to stabilize the position of the sleeve when implanted. The sleeve may include a single terraced spout or wing with such a fin or may not have any spouts or wings extending out from the central portion. The kit may also include sleeves with two spouts or wings extending out from the central portion. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304221 | TIBIAL AUGMENTS FOR USE WITH KNEE JOINT PROSTHESES, METHOD OF IMPLANTING THE TIBIAL AUGMENT, AND ASSOCIATED TOOLS - A tibial augment for use with a knee joint prosthesis, composed of annular members of different stock sizes, each size being configured to fit within a cavity formed in a human tibia. The augment may include a stepped distal surface. A provisional (temporary) tibial augment used to ensure a proper fit for the permanent augment is also provided. The provisional may include grooves configured to cooperate with a set of ribs on a tong-like holder used for removing the provisional from the cavity. A pusher for use implanting the tibial augment is also provided. In addition, a system for creating a cavity in a human tibia is also described. The system preferably includes a guide with a slot therein and a set of osteotomes that are inserted within different portions of the slot. Methods for using the tools and/or implanting the prosthetic devices discussed above are also described. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304222 | Structure Improvement Of Orthopaedic Implant - A structure improvement of orthopaedic implant for connecting a distal femur and a proximal tibia, and a stem was implanted into the proximal tibia, inwhich formed to allow inter-engagement between the stem of the tibia and the structure improvement of orthopaedic implant. The structure improvement of orthopaedic implant includes a tibial baseplate, a tibial insert, and a reinforcement. The tibial baseplate forms a recess having a bottom that has a central portion defining a through hole extending through the tibial baseplate. The tibial insert includes a support, a through region, and a projection, wherein an end of the tibial insert forming the projection corresponding to the recess of the tibial baseplate for press-fitting to the tibial baseplate. The reinforcement is inset in the tibial insert and includes a sleeve and a bolt. As such, the advantages of stable coupling includes force resistance, avoids insert loosening then extends prosthetic longevity. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304223 | INTERPOSITION IMPLANTS FOR THE HAND - An implant couples a first bone of a hand to a second bone of the hand. The implant includes a body that defines a median plane. The body also defines a first joint surface having a first central region that articulates with the first bone. The body further defines a second joint surface having a second central region that articulates with the second bone, and the second central region is disposed on an opposite side of the median plane of the body relative to the first central region. The first and second central regions correspond to profiles of first and second axial segments, respectively, the first and second axial segments are each one of a cylinder, a cone and a torus and are centered on first and second axes, respectively, and the first and second axes, as projected on the median plane, are substantially perpendicular to each other. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304224 | IMPLANT FOR FIXATION OF FIRST AND SECOND BONES AND METHOD OF FIXING FIRST AND SECOND BONES USING THE IMPLANT - An implant for fixation of first and second bones having a body with first and second axially spaced ends and an outer surface at least nominally matched to a tapered surface around a receptacle formed by rotating a cutting element around an axis. As the body is advanced along the central axis into an operative position within the receptacle, the body outer surface and tapered surface cooperate to cause the central and second axes to consistently substantially align. A plurality of openings in the body each accepts a fastener. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304225 | OPTIMAL CONTACT MECHANICS FOR A THA - A prosthetic femoral component comprising: (a) a femoral shaft; (b) a femoral neck operatively coupled to the femoral shaft; and, (c) a femoral ball operatively coupled to the femoral shaft, where a neck axis extending longitudinally through the femoral neck is angled at no greater than thirty-five degrees with respect to a femoral shaft axis extending longitudinally through the femoral shaft. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304226 | PYROCARBON COATED BONE IMPLANTS - Methods for forming bone implants for the repair of the ends of bones at orthopedic joints, which implants have a Young's modulus close to that of human cortical bone. Substrates of dense isotropic graphite are coated overall with hard, microporous, isotropic pyrocarbon of specific character such that it can be polished to serve as an articular surface and can also securely receive an anchoring first metal layer through PVD. The first layer has a character such that, by thermal spraying a second biocompatible metal layer thereupon, fusion occurs and thereby anchors an outermost layer that is formed with a network of randomly interconnected pores and a surface character of peaks and valleys designed to promote enhanced appositional growth of cortical bone at the interface therewith. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304227 | METHOD OF FORMING LOCAL BONDS TO FASTEN A POROUS METAL MATERIAL TO A SUBSTRATE - An orthopaedic prosthesis is provided having a porous layer and a substrate. A method is also provided for fastening the porous layer to the substrate. The porous layer defines a plurality of through-holes therein to accommodate localized bonding of the porous layer to the substrate through each of the plurality of through-holes. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304228 | BONE JOINT PROSTHESIS AND METHOD - A bone joint prosthesis can augment or replace a natural bone joint. The prosthesis can include a joint head portion and an elongated stem. The stem can include a proximal end coupled to the joint head portion and a distal end having a sharp edge. A stem body, including a bore, can extend between the proximal end of the elongated stem and the sharp edge at the distal end of the elongated stem. The sharp edge of the elongated stem can be capable of being pressed into a long bone so as to core intact marrow into the bore of the stem body. A method can include preparing a bone for a bone joint prosthesis. A sharp distal end of an elongated stem of the bone joint prosthesis can be pressed into the bone. Intact bone marrow can be cored into a bore of the elongated stem. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304229 | BONE REGENERATION USING BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERIC NANOCOMPOSITE MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS OF THE SAME - A structure of, and a method of producing, a biocompatible structure for bone and tissue regeneration are disclosed. The method includes dissolving a polyurethane polymer in methanol, adding hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticles to form a uniformly distributed mixture, applying the mixture to a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surface to form a polymer film, cutting the polymer film into strips, stacking the strips with layers of bone particles disposed therebetween, coating the stacked strips and layers by the mixture and allowing it to dry, adding bone particles to the coating, and plasma treating the structure to form the biocompatible structure. A weight percentage of the HAP nanoparticles to the polymer is about 5-50% such that a resorption rate of the biocompatible structure substantially matches a rate of tissue generation in the biocompatible structure. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304230 | BLADDER RECONSTRUCTION - The invention is directed to methods and devices for the reconstruction, repair, augmentation or replacement of laminarily organized luminal organs or tissue structures in a patient in need of such treatment. The device comprises a biocompatible synthetic or natural polymeric matrix shaped to conform to at least a part of the luminal organ or tissue structure with a first cell population on or in a first area and a second cell population such as a smooth muscle cell population in a second area of the polymeric matrix. The method involves grafting the device to an area in a patient in need of treatment. The polymeric matrix comprises a biocompatible and biodegradable material. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304231 | ANTI-REFLUX DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATING GASTRO-ESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD) - Devices, systems, and methods for treating gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) include anti-reflux valves and retainers for securing them within the lumen of the esophagus, stomach, or a hiatal hernia. The retainers contain inflatable balloons, some of which may be enveloped by a flexible shell that is used to secure the balloon to tissue. Methods are described for treating GERD patients who (1) have no hiatal hernia, (2) have a hiatal hernia that is fixed in place, or (3) have a hiatal hernia that slides above and below the diaphragm. Methods are also described for delivering GERD-treatment devices to their target locations within the patient's gastrointestinal tract. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304232 | TUBULAR STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A tubular structure and method for making a tubular structure are provided, where the tubular structure includes at least one layer of braided strands. In general, at least one portion of the braided strands exhibits a braid pattern of crests and troughs (e.g., a wave pattern, which may include sinusoidal, square, and/or sawtooth waves) along a length of the tubular structure. The wave pattern can be created by rotating the mandrel onto which the tubular structure is braided during the braiding process, such as by angularly oscillating the mandrel about its longitudinal axis or about its transverse axis. As a result, the tubular structures may have increased radial strength, collapse resistance, torque transmission, column strength, and kink resistance. The tubular structures may be used in medical devices, such as stent-grafts, as well as in other medical and non-medical devices, such as in hoses, tubing, filters, and other devices. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304233 | CONTINUOUS DIGITAL LIGHT PROCESSING ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING OF IMPLANTS - A process for additive manufacturing of a resorbable implant to be implanted into a patient includes providing a biocompatible resin including a liquid light-polymerizable material that is resorbable after polymerization and an initiator. The process further includes actuating an additive manufacturing apparatus to expose an amount of the biocompatible resin to light to at least partially cure the exposed amount of biocompatible resin to form a layer of the resorbable implant and actuating the additive manufacturing apparatus to expose at least some additional amount of biocompatible resin to light to at least partially cure the exposed additional amount of biocompatible resin to form an additional layer of the resorbable implant and to at least partially overcure previously cured layers to cause at least some interlayer binding between the previously cured layers and the additional layer. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304234 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO CONFIGURE A PROCESS CONTROL DEVICE - Example methods and apparatus are provided for configuring a process control device. An example method includes implementing a first configuration at the process control device based on a first configuration request. The example method includes setting a configuration flag. The configuration flag indicates the first configuration is being implemented. The example method includes denying a second configuration request while the configuration flag is set. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304235 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FAULT PROGNOSTICS ENHANCED MPC FRAMEWORK - A model predictive control (MPC) framework is enhanced to provide prognostic information and fault tolerant control strategies. A system fault is calculated based on predicted values and is used to generate an internal reference trajectory to which the system is controlled using MPC. If the system fault exceeds a threshold maximum, then the MPC control model is either tuned or reconfigured depending on whether the fault is external or internal. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304236 | Model-Based Learning Control - A method controls an operation of a system. The system is operated by a controller. The controller is model-based controller determined according to a model of the system. The method updates the model, during the operation, based on an extremum seeking, and updates the controller based on the updated model. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304237 | REMOTE MANAGEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES - Systems and other embodiments for causing a service request to be produced are described. A system can comprise an analysis component that evaluates an information set to produce an evaluation result. The information set can include a first piece of information from a first information source and a second piece of information from a second information source. The system can also comprise a determination component that proactively makes a determination on if a service request should be produced, where the determination based, at least in part, on the evaluation result. The system can further comprise a production component that causes the service request to be produced in response to the determination being positive. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304238 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING A BLACKOUT PERIOD FOR SCHEDULED DIAGNOSTIC CHECKS OF A FIELD DEVICE IN A PROCESS PLANT - A diagnostic system and method for a field device in a process plant is provided. The diagnostic apparatus includes a processor operatively connected to the field device and a calendar having a proscribed period stored in memory. A diagnostic check is executed on the field device if an occurrence of a diagnostic event is detected and execution of the diagnostic check does not coincide with the proscribed period. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304239 | METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR AN AUTOMATIC RECOVERY FROM A FAULT SITUATION IN A PRODUCTION PLANT - A method automatically recovers from a fault situation in a production plant and provides production resources and a manufacturing execution system having a production modeler for modeling the production resources into a plant model and a production scheduler to schedule operations of the modeled production resources. A production controller executes the production process and a fault manager detects fault situations and automatically decides a corrective action. A production resource runs an application for the operation of the production resource and a fault analysis agent provides categorized error situations and checks operational data representing the operation of the production resource against the categorized error situations and when, an error situation occurs, forwards an error event to the fault manager. The error events are collected and then analyzed by a neural network system to assign the error event to an error category. A corrective action is executed on the production resource. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304240 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DISPLAY INFORMATION VIA A PROCESS CONTROL DEVICE - Methods and apparatus to display information via a process control device are disclosed herein. An example method includes acquiring first information via a first sensor of a first output device. The first information is related to an industrial process. The example method also includes communicating the first information from the first output device to a controller and receiving second information in the first output device from the controller. The second information is based on the first information. The example method also includes displaying the second information via a display of the first output device. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304241 | APPLIANCE CONTROL - An appliance control system includes a user and appliance electronic computing devices in communication through first and second transceivers. An appliance is operatively coupled with the appliance electronic computing device to perform actions commanded by a user through interaction with the user appliance electronic computing device and a coupled display using a remote control. A user interface component is operatively coupled with the user electronic computing device and configured to prepare user command packages from user input. An appliance controller is operatively coupled with the appliance electronic computing device and configured to manage translation of commands to the appliance and issuance of responses from the appliance. The appliance control system may be practiced according to a method for controlling an appliance with the appliance control system and is implemented, in part using a computer program product comprising a series of instructions executable by an electronic computing device. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304242 | MOTION SFC PROGRAM COMPONENT CREATION DEVICE - A motion SFC program component creation device includes a componentization unit that componentizes, in a program unit, a motion SFC program including a series of a plurality of steps, and an incorporation unit that incorporates the componentized motion SFC programs into a motion SFC program used for a motion control executed by a driving command device that supplies a driving command to a drive device. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304243 | METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING DISPARATE CONTENT FILES - The system allows the rapid normalization and synchronization of a plurality of content files using an audio synchronization scheme that reduces computational overhead and provides reliable results. In one embodiment, the system accepts a plurality of content files, performs spectral peak extraction and performs correlation in the log-frequency domain using subtraction. This is used to calculate a reliable confidence score for the calculated correlation. The system uses short duration samples from the beginning and end of a content file and limits the frequencies being matched to time-delay estimation in a very processing-efficient manner. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304244 | AUDIO ALIGNMENT APPARATUS - Apparatus comprising: a pairwise selector configured to organise at least one pairwise selection of each of at least two audio signals; a comparator configured to determine for each of the at least one pairwise selection audio signals a time offset value associated with each audio signal; and a delay determiner configured to determine a leading audio signal dependent on the each of the pairwise selection audio signal time offset value, wherein the leading audio signal leads the other audio signals. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304245 | PRODUCTION LINE QUALITY PROCESSES - Methods, systems, and software for improving the product quality of a production line having multiple production steps, at least some of which employ multiple individual tools, including producing product lots using different combinations of tools, setting a quality benchmark for the resulting product lots, identifying product lots that meet the quality benchmark, identifying the tools used to produce the identified quality product lots, and producing additional product lots using at least substantially the identified quality tools. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304246 | METHOD FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION ON THE OPERATION OF A LINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ABSORBENT SANITARY ARTICLES, SUCH AS NAPPIES FOR BABIES OR INCONTINENCE PADS FOR ADULTS, SANITARY TOWELS OR THE LIKE - A method for corrective action on the operation of a line for the production of absorbent sanitary articles, comprises capturing at least one image of each article being fed out of the line; using the image to define first parameters indicating the positioning and/or assembly and/or shape of at least one respective component; detecting a production defect if at least one of the first parameters is outside a respective acceptability range; identifying second, line operating parameters which are used to indicate if the first parameter is outside the respective acceptability range; comparing the line operating parameters with respective third, reference parameters indicating optimum line operation; using the comparison to derive a map of abnormal operating parameters; checking if each combination of abnormal operating parameters indicates a respective cause of malfunction of the line; defining a respective corrective action. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304247 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TESTING A MACHINE TOOL - A method of testing a machine tool comprising processing circuitry arranged to control a material remover, in which the method comprises:
| 2013-11-14 |
20130304248 | Method and Apparatus for Automated Configuration of a Monitoring Function of a Machine Tool - System and method for automated provision of a monitoring function for a machining process which is to be executed by a machine tool. A computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) program of the machining process is automatically analyzed by means of a postprocessor in order to determine processing steps to be monitored. At least one monitoring instruction may be automatically inserted into a control program of the machine tool by the postprocessor, wherein the control program is executed during the machining process. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304249 | WORKING APPARATUS FOR COMPONENT OR BOARD AND COMPONENT MOUNTING APPARATUS - This working apparatus for a component or a board includes a head unit and a control portion. The control portion performs control of calculating a rotation angle in a horizontal plane of the head unit from displacement of the center of a first imaging portion and displacement of the center of a second imaging portion and correcting the center position of a working mechanism portion on the basis of the amount of rotation-induced displacement of the center of the working mechanism portion due to the rotation angle, a first amount of displacement in a first direction in the horizontal plane being not induced by rotation of the center of the working mechanism portion, and a second amount of displacement in a second direction in the horizontal plane being not induced by the rotation of the center of the working mechanism portion when moving the head unit. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304250 | ANALOGUE MEASUREMENT PROBE FOR A MACHINE TOOL APPARATUS - An analogue probe for a machine tool apparatus, including a probe body and a stylus member movably secured to the probe body in a suspended rest position via a suspension mechanism. A sensor is provided for measuring the extent of displacement of the stylus member relative to the probe body from a rest position. The analogue probe further includes a first compliant sealing member extending between the probe body and stylus member such that the sensor is contained within a chamber sealed from external contaminants. The analogue probe also has for a suppressor for suppressing movement of the stylus member away from its suspended rest position induced by changes in the chamber's internal pressure and/or changes in the analogue probe's operating environment. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304251 | Automated Inspection of Spar Web in Hollow Monolithic Structure - A computer-controlled robotic platform with a collapsible lifting arm that positions a non-destructive inspection (NDI) sensor for scanning inside tunnel regions of a composite structure such as an integrally stiffened wing box. The lifting arm of a modified scissor lift mechanism can be collapsed to a very low height to pass through narrow sections of the integrally stiffened wing box, and also extended by more than a factor of three to reach the maximum height of the wing box tunnels. The system performs a vertical position sensing and control process that uses inverse kinematics to enable position control using data from a standard rotational encoder on the motor to determine vertical position. The system produces simulated encoder pulses that represent unit vertical displacements of a distal portion of a modified scissor lift mechanism using a forward kinematics equation in which the rotation angle of a lead screw is an input variable. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304252 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING ITEMS SUCH AS PIECES OF MEAT - A method of processing items such as pieces of meat, by providing a stream of items by means of a primary conveyor means, allocating at least partly by means of a computer system one or more of said items to one of at least two workstations where said items are processed, e.g. cut and/or trimmed, resulting in one or more processed items, registering in said computer system information about a return of at least one of said one or more processed items to said primary conveyor means, and returning said at least one of said one or more processed items to said primary conveyor means in accordance with said information about a return, wherein the method further comprises keeping track of said items including when they are taken out and put back on the primary conveyor. The invention further relates to a processing system for carrying out the method. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304253 | Generating a Path for a Mobile Drive Unit - A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder and a mobile drive unit. The inventory holder has a frame with device openings. The mobile drive unit is operable to dock with an inventory holder and undock with an inventory holder. When undocked from an inventory holder, the mobile drive unit is further operable to traverse a path from a first location to a second location. The path passes through at least a first device opening of the inventory holder such that the mobile drive unit passes beneath the inventory holder while moving along the path. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304254 | Scrap Metal Sorting System - An apparatus and a method for sorting scrap metal containing at least two categories of metals are provided. An x-ray beam is directed towards at least a portion of a particle of scrap metal. Backscattered x-rays, forward scattered x-rays, and transmitted x-rays from the particle are measured and input into a classifier, such as a database with a cutoff plane. The scrap metal is sorted into a first category and a second category on the scrap metal by a controller. An x-ray source for a scanning system is provided with an electron beam generator, an electromagnetic beam focusing coil, a pair of saddle shaped beam steering coils, and a target foil to create a scanning x-ray beam along a plane. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304255 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING DRUG INTERACTIONS ON DRUG STORAGE CONTAINERS - The present disclosure relates to a system and apparatus for displaying drug interaction and side effects on a drug storage container. The system includes a server and a plurality of medicine dispensing devices communicatively connectable to the server. Each of the dispensing devices includes a medicine storage portion having a discharge port, a dispensing assembly configured to selectively receive the pills from the discharge port, an electronic display screen, and a control system. The control system is configured to associate a medicine stored in the medicine storage portion of the medicine dispensing device, generate a list of potential drug interactions associated with the medicine and a second medicine associated with a user, receive, from the server, the list of potential drug interactions associated with the medicine, and display the list of potential drug interactions on the electronic display screen of the first medicine dispensing device. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304256 | COOPERATIVE MINIMALLY INVASIVE TELESURGICAL SYSTEM - Improved robotic surgical systems, devices, and methods include selectably associatable master/slave pairs, often having more manipulator arms than will be moved simultaneously by the two hands of a surgeon. Four manipulator arms can support an image capture device, a left hand tissue manipulation tool, a right hand tissue manipulation tool, and a fourth surgical instrument, particularly for stabilizing, retracting, tool change, or other functions benefiting from intermittent movement. The four or more arms may sequentially be controlled by left and right master input control devices. The fourth arm may be used to support another image capture device, and control of some or all of the arms may be transferred back-and-forth between the operator and an assistant. Two or more robotic systems each having master controls and slave manipulators may be coupled to enable cooperative surgery between two or more operators. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304257 | MEDICAL TELE-ROBOTIC SYSTEM WITH A MASTER REMOTE STATION WITH AN ARBITRATOR - A robotic system that includes a mobile robot linked to a plurality of remote stations. One of the remote stations includes an arbitrator that controls access to the robot. Each remote station may be assigned a priority that is used by the arbitrator to determine which station has access to the robot. The arbitrator may include notification and call back mechanisms for sending messages relating to an access request and a granting of access for a remote station. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304258 | MICRO-FORCE GUIDED COOPERATIVE CONTROL FOR SURGICAL MANIPULATION OF DELICATE TISSUE - A method and system for micro-force guided cooperative control that assists the operator in manipulating tissue in the direction of least resistance. A tool holder receives a surgical tool adapted to be held by a robot and a surgeon. A first sensor measures interaction forces between a tip of the surgical tool and tissue of a region of interest. A second sensor measures interaction forces between the surgeon and a handle to the surgical tool. A data processor is configured to perform an algorithm to actively guide the surgical tool by creating a bias towards a path of least resistance and limit directional tool forces of the surgical tool as a function of handle input forces and tip forces. This function offers assistance to challenging retinal membrane peeling procedures that require a surgeon to delicately delaminate fragile tissue that is susceptible to hemorrhage and tearing due to undesirable forces. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304259 | AIRFLOW AND WATER BALANCING - Devices and methods for airflow and water balancing are described herein. For example, one or more embodiments include receiving, with a balancing handler, a signal that includes a variable air volume (VAV) balancing command for multiple VAV controllers; determining VAV balancing profiles associated with each of the multiple VAV controllers; and sending the VAV balancing command to the multiple VAV controllers in accordance with the VAV balancing profiles. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304260 | Controllers and Methods for Accepting Multiple Different Types of Input Signals - According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of controllers and methods for accepting multiple different types of input signals. One example controller includes an input circuit including first and second input terminals for receiving an input signal and at least one programmable resistor coupled to the first terminal. A processing device is coupled to the input circuit. The processing device is configured to control a resistance of the at least one programmable resistor based on a terminal setting. The terminal setting indicates whether the input signal is a voltage signal, a current signal, or a resistance signal. The processing device is configured to interpret the input signal applied to the processing device via the input circuit. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304261 | SIGNAL PROPERTY DETECTOR - A property of a signal may be detected by sampling a signal and determining a scalar indicator of the samples. The samples can be transformed to create a transformed signal. A scalar indicator of the transformed signal may be determined and compared to the scalar indicator of the sample. If the comparison yields a number greater than a selected threshold value then the signal that was sampled may be deemed to include the property. A property indicator signal may be driven low or high to indicate that the signal has the property. The time and duration of time that the signal is deemed to include the property may be recorded. The recorded data may be reviewed and appropriate action may be taken. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304262 | System and Method for Controlling Semi-Active Actuators - A set of semi-active actuators is arranged in an elevator system to compensate a vibration of an elevator car. The actuators are controlled in accordance with the control policy based on a measured signal including values of the parameter measured during the operation of the elevator system. The control policy is determined, based on a model of the elevator system, wherein the control policy includes a state function representing an operation of the elevator system and a function of displacement representing an operation of the set of semi-active actuators. The state function is approximated, using the model of the elevator system, as a first function of a parameter representing the vibration. The function of displacement is approximated, using the model of the elevator system, as a second function of the parameter. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304263 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A FURNACE PRESSURE OF A CONTINUOUS ANNEALING FURNACE - A method for controlling furnace pressure of a continuous annealing furnace is disclosed. The method comprises detecting a coal gas flow volume and an air flow volume in each section by use of a coal gas flow volume detector and an air flow volume detector disposed in each section of a continuous annealing furnace, respectively, adding up the coal gas flow volume detected in each section to obtain a total input coal gas flow volume; adding up the air flow volume detected in each section to obtain a total input air flow volume, and calculating a pre-combustion gas pressure in the furnace based on the total input coal gas flow volume and the total input air flow volume; detecting compositions of the coal gas and a ratio of the coal gas to the air by use of a composition detector; detecting a pre-combustion gas temperature in the furnace by use of a thermocouple; predicting post-combustion gas compositions and a total gas volume based on chemical combustion reaction equations and based on the total input coal gas flow volume, the total input air flow volume, the coal gas compositions and the ratio of the coal gas to the air; igniting the coal gas and the air in the furnace; and detecting a post-combustion gas temperature in the furnace by use of a thermocouple; calculating a post-combustion gas pressure in the furnace based on the pre-combustion gas pressure in the furnace, pre-combustion gas temperature in the furnace and the post-combustion gas temperature in the furnace; and calculating an opening degree for an exhaust gas fan based on the pre-combustion gas pressure in the furnace and the post-combustion gas pressure in the furnace and by use of a gas increment pass algorithm, and using the opening degree to control the exhaust gas fan. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304264 | INTERNET OF THINGS INTELLIGENT GAS METER AND CONTROL SYSTEM - This invention discloses an Internet of things (IoT) intelligent gas meter and its control system. It is a kind of intelligent gas meter consisting of a base meter, a CPU control module and a data transmission module. A gas source outlet and a gas source inlet are installed on the base meter, and an electromechanical valve is installed near the gas source inlet. The CPU control module is connected to the base meter and sends control signals to the base meter. The gas consumption criterion of the base meter can be adjusted via the CPU control module; The said CPU control module includes an EEPROM data storage device; the data transmission module is indirectly connected to the IoT and connected to a remote computer management system via the IoT; the data transmission module receives the control signal from the remote computer management system and feeds back gas consumption information of the gas meter sent by the CPU control module to the computer management system. This invention provides an IoT intelligent gas meter and relevant control system that could be applied to all the gas supply networks with wide scope of application and convenience for promotion. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304265 | Beverage Dispensing Device - Systems and methods for dispensing compositions, such as beverages, are provided. Beverage dispensers may be configured to receive one or more physiological parameters regarding a user, and in response, formulate at least one beverage recipe for dispensing. A beverage dispenser may wirelessly receive data from a biosensor. Environmental or biological data from the biosensor may be used to alter the recipe to another existing beverage or a custom beverage. Non-physiological data may also be considered. Exertion data may be calculated. The calculation of exertion data may receive inputs regarding at least one physiological parameter and/or non-physiological parameters to derive a second physiological parameter not being measured. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304266 | STATE ESTIMATION OF ELECTRICAL POWER NETWORKS USING SEMIDEFINITE RELAXATION - A semidefinite (SDR) programming formulation for state estimation (SE) of nonlinear AC power systems is described. The techniques make use of convex semidefinite relaxation of the original problem to render the process efficiently solvable. In addition, robust techniques are described that are resilient to outlying measurements and/or adversarial cyber-attacks. Further, techniques for SDR-based SE are described in which local control areas solve the centralized SDP-based SE problem in a distributed fashion. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304267 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AIR CONDITIONER - A system and a method for controlling an air conditioner are provided. In a system where respective points in which facility devices including an air conditioner are installed are connected to each other, power used information is collected by points and corresponding fee information is computed so that respective points can be managed, statistic data with respect to power amount information and fee information are transmitted to respective point so that a user read the information, thereby managing the information in the center or by points easily, and improving convenience. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304268 | Electrical Energy Usage Monitoring System - Disclosed is a system and method having one or more networked modular sensors Nodes and a data processing/display for use to monitor and control electrical appliance loads at a premises. The modular sensor Nodes and the processing/display system detect, process, and manage real-time and historic electrical energy usage data for the premises, allowing the management of energy usage by a user of the system through manual and automated usage controls. The sensor Nodes are integrated into the standard form-factors (i.e., the standard physical configuration) of components typical of household and commercial electrical interfaces, such as circuit breakers, wall outlets, light switches, plug ends, power strips. The Nodes are configured in the standard form-factor of typical electrical interfaces to allow them to be substituted for the existing electrical interfaces and used with appliances or other load devices already existing or to be added at the premises. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304269 | Continuous Optimization Energy Reduction Process in Commercial Buildings - The invention provides a method for optimizing energy usage in commercial buildings. Energy consumption data is used, along with occupant data, to determine appropriate adjustments in energy, and for ongoing monitoring and reporting of energy savings. According to the inventive method, the building of interest is characterized, including calculation of lag parameters—temperature lag, solar gain lag, solar strength lag, and, in some instances, humidity lag, which inform a thermal energy equation particular to the building of interest. Mechanical heating lag and mechanical cooling lag are used for on-going energy use optimization. An outside temperature index may also be used. The resulting accuracy of the thermal energy equation is over 90% for both heat and chilling input, once the building has been optimized according to the inventive method. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304270 | NETWORKED DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTION METHOD FOR A DISTRIBUTION NETWORK BASED ON OVERHAULING OF TERMINAL EQUIPMENT - The present invention relates to a networked differential protection method for a distribution network based on overhauling of terminal equipment. The present invention comprises the steps of detecting in real time an operation state of a terminal equipment, and reconstructing a differential logic when there is a terminal equipment under an overhaul state so as to bring it into a state in which an overhaul mode and an operation mode are in parallel; for the operation mode in the state in which an overhaul mode and an operation mode are in parallel, only calculating data of all nodes in normal operation in an electrical element by a differential protection for the electrical element, while excluding data under the overhaul state in the electrical element from taking part in calculation. With the method of the present invention, the operation switch may be reliably switched off and failures may be isolated when they appear during an experiment of a scheduled test. The experiment of the scheduled test may be completed, and the correctness of the electrical topological configuration and the terminal equipment network configuration of the networked differential protection device may be automatically verified. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304271 | NETWORK SYSTEM - A network system includes at least one unit selected from between an energy consumption unit receiving energy and an energy management unit managing the energy consumption unit, wherein an energy usage amount or an energy usage cost of the energy consumption unit are controllable, and the energy usage amount or the energy usage cost when the unit is controlled based on information associated with at least an energy cost is smaller than an energy usage amount or an energy usage cost when the unit is controlled without using the information related to at least the energy cost, and a display device detachably coupled to the energy consumption unit, wherein availability of the display device is determined according to a communication signal transmitted to the energy receiving unit. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304272 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A LOCAL ENERGY NETWORK - A method and a system are presented for operating a local energy network that has a limited network utilization and in which a plurality of loads can be connected via a power network. An energy requirement of each load is detected, and an allocation of the available energy to the loads takes place as a function of a maximum utilization of the energy network. At the same time, communication is enabled. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304273 | CONFIGURABLE DEMAND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - An apparatus including a network operations center and a first control node. The network operations center provides configuration data to the system of energy consuming devices. The first control node coupled to the network operations center and a second control node via a network. The first control node has a node processor and a global schedule module. The node processor operates a first energy consuming device to maintain a first local environment. The global schedule module is coupled to the first node processor, and coordinates run times for the first energy consuming device and a second energy consuming device based on a replica copy of a global run time schedule disposed within the first and second control nodes, an adjusted first descriptor set characterizing the first local environment, an adjusted second descriptor set characterizing a second local environment, and the configuration data provided by the network operations center. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304274 | ENERGY SUPPLY SYSTEM - An energy supply system includes: an energy supply device configured to supply electric power and/or heat; and a controller configured to set a first maximum operation time of a first specified period including a plurality of second specified periods, the first maximum operation time being an upper limit of an operation time of the energy supply device in the first specified period; calculate and set a second target maximum operation time of each of the second specified periods of the first specified period such that the operation time of the energy supply device in the first specified period does not exceed the first maximum operation time, the second target maximum operation time being a target value of an upper limit of the operation time of the energy supply device in the second specified period; and reconfigure the second target maximum operation time of a future second specified period of a certain first specified period based on a time in which the energy supply device has been actually operated in a past second specified period of the certain first specified period. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304275 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - An energy management system may include an electric power system to collect electricity information, an energy service interface to collect at least one piece of energy information of an electricity consumer, at least one virtual power plant (VPP) management group to provide the at least one piece of energy information, and a VPP operating system connected with the electric power system and the energy service interface to collect and manage the electricity information and the at least one piece of energy information. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304276 | OFF-BOARD HOURS-OF-SERVICE ("HOS") PROCESSING - Systems, methods, and devices for providing hour-of-service (“HOS”) calculations via a web based host server instead of on an onboard mobile device. In the various embodiments, an onboard vehicle recording device and driver-carried mobile devices may operate independently. The onboard vehicle recording device and driver-carried mobile device(s) may exchange information independently with a host server rather than exchanging information together onboard the vehicle. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304277 | VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM - The control property of an onboard device is changeable by using an external control unit, and the data from the external control unit is authenticated. An onboard gateway unit is provided with a verification code generator for generating a security key, and an external control unit is provided with an application control unit for generating a security key. When the external control unit is connected, a main control logic unit of the gateway unit compares the two keys, and when the keys are verified, the control by the external control unit using an application program is enabled. The onboard device control unit can be easily connected to the external control unit. As the control of the device control unit by an external control signal is enabled only when verified, an unauthorized access can be prohibited, and the onboard deice can be controlled only by an authorized control signal. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304278 | Smart Phone App-Based Remote Vehicle Diagnostic System and Method - Provided is a remote vehicle diagnostic system which utilizes a smart phone as a centralized communication hub between a vehicle and several remote resources. The system includes a program downloadable onto the smart phone to program the phone to perform desired functionality. The smart phone app may allow the smart phone to operate in a diagnostic mode and an emergency mode. In the diagnostic mode, the smart phone may relay vehicle data from the vehicle to a remote diagnostic center. The smart phone may also query the user to obtain symptomatic diagnostic information, which may be uploaded to the remote diagnostic center. In the emergency mode, the smart phone may be configured to upload critical information to a remote diagnostic center, or an emergency response center. The emergency mode may be triggered automatically in response to the vehicle being in an accident, or by user actuation. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304279 | EFFICIENT INTERSECTION AUTONOMOUS DRIVING PROTOCOL - A system and method for efficiently and continuously allowing vehicles to travel through an intersection. The method includes broadcasting a synchronization signal to all vehicles that will be entering the intersection and broadcasting an intersection flow time to all of the vehicles that will be entering the intersection that identifies which travel lanes travel in what direction. The method also includes identifying an arrival synchronization pattern for all of the vehicles that will be entering the intersection and controlling a speed of the vehicles traveling through the intersection and a time for the vehicles entering the intersection so that vehicles traveling in perpendicular or cross directions to the intersection will simultaneously travel through the intersection without colliding with each other. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304280 | VEHICLE CONTROL AND DISPLAY SYSTEM - A vehicle control and display system to control the vehicle systems and display vehicle information. A control processing unit communicates with remote units and the vehicle systems wherein when the control processing unit receives commands from the remote units, the control processing unit transfers these commands to the vehicle systems. The vehicle information is displayed on the control processing unit or on the remote units. The control processing unit receives vehicle information from the vehicle systems and transfers that information to remote units to be displayed. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304281 | Alternative Authorization for Telematics - A system for alternative authorization for telematics in a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a telematics unit residing in the vehicle, a radio transceiver, and a digital rights management application executing on the telematics unit. The radio transceiver couples the telematics unit with a wireless service provider. The digital rights management application receives a remote operation request, maps the remote operation request to vehicle specific instructions contained in the digital rights management application, and executes the vehicle specific instructions on the telematics unit. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304282 | APPARATUS FOR UNMANNED VEHICLE - An apparatus and a method are disclosed, such as an apparatus wholly or partially mounted on an unmanned vehicle and arranged to act upon a payload, the payload being mounted on the unmanned vehicle and, under an action of the apparatus, being changeable from being in a first state to being in a second state. The method can include: receiving an instruction that the unmanned vehicle, with the payload mounted thereon, is to travel to a location; determining that the payload is in the first state; and responsive to determining that the payload is in the first state: opposing the payload being changed to being in the second state; and providing, for an entity remote from the unmanned vehicle, an indication that the payload is in the first state. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304283 | Method for controlling the piloting of an aircraft - A method for controlling the piloting of an aircraft comprising the steps of receiving at least one first instruction for modification of a current velocity vector of the aircraft, determining a target velocity vector of the aircraft, on the basis of said at least one first instruction received, and determining, on the basis at least of said target velocity vector, at least one actuation command intended for at least one actuator of the aircraft in order to modify the movement of the aircraft according to said at least one first instruction received. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304284 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REPRESENTING MISSED APPROACH INFORMATION IN PERSPECTIVE VIEW ON A COCKPIT DISPLAY - A method is provided for displaying information on a display device of an aircraft. The method comprises determining graphics data for visual aids that represent missed approach data; incorporating the graphics data into a user interface that is in perspective view; and generating the user interface for display on the display device of the aircraft. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304285 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AIDING THE FLIGHT MANAGEMENT OF AN AIRCRAFT DURING A LANDING PHASE - A device aiding the flight management of an aircraft during a phase of landing on an airport includes means for automatically determining an adaptive aiming point that is shifted along the runway in the downstream direction and which can be used by different usual landing aid means of the aircraft. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304286 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SAFETY PROTOCOL VERIFICATION, CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT - The present invention is an apparatus and a method for a safety verification system, or a safety verification management system. At railroads or construction sites, equipment, such as a piece of heavy machinery, or a locomotive engine, must be subjected to a safety protocol before authorized personnel are allowed to approach the equipment. It is essential to have independent, automatic confirmation that the safety protocol has been successfully completed. In railroad systems, a Three Step Protection Mode is often used to place a locomotive engine in safe mode. One embodiment of the present invention provides an independent, automatic verification that this safety protocol has been successfully completed and sends an audible, visual, audiovisual, or vibratory signal to remote personnel. Another embodiment tracks the relative positions of personnel and locomotives, and generates a warning when personnel are proximate to an equipment that is not in safe mode. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304287 | Vehicle Component Recognition And Adjustment For Energy Efficiency - An apparatus including a plurality of electric vehicle movement components, where a first one of the components is configurable to operate in one of a plurality of power operational modes; and a connection connecting the plurality of electric vehicle components to each other. The first component is configured to select one of the operational modes based, at least partially, upon information through the connection regarding an identification of a second different one of the components and/or an operational capability of the second component. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304288 | CONTROL DEVICE, HYBRID VEHICLE, CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An electric motor can assist an engine at high conversion efficiency. A lower limit is set for the torque shared with an engine by the electric motor when the engine and the electric motor are operated together for traveling, and a hybrid ECU has an assistance control unit that implements control to a traveling mode in which the engine and the electric motor operate together, only when it is estimated that the torque shared with the engine by the electric motor is equal to or greater than the torque lower limit when the electric motor and the engine are operated together for traveling. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304289 | IN-VEHICLE APPARATUS FOR DETECTING COLLISION OF VEHICLE - An in-vehicle apparatus for a vehicle driven by a first driving power source in a first driving mode and driven by a second diving power source in a second driving mode, includes: a collision detection device; a stopping device stopping the first and second driving modes when the collision detection device detects collision; a severity determination device determining a severity of collision indicative of a collision intensity; and a controller. Under a condition that the stopping device stops both of the first driving mode and the second driving mode, the controller executes one of recovery of both of the first driving mode and the second driving mode, recovery of one of the first driving mode and the second driving mode, and system shut-down according to the severity of collision. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304290 | INVERTED PENDULUM TYPE VEHICLE - An inverted pendulum type vehicle includes a control device which sets a target turning angular velocity ωz_cmd to a nonzero value not only when a predetermined steering operation is performed but also at least in an external force application state in which an external force for turning the vehicle about a yaw axis is applied to the vehicle. The control device controls a first actuator device and a second actuator device such that a second moving operation unit has a different velocity from a first moving operation unit in a left-right direction. Such an inverted pendulum type vehicle makes it possible to turn the vehicle easily even in a state in which no steering operation is performed. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304291 | VEHICLE, METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING VEHICLE - A vehicle provided with a motor generator as a driving source includes an engine and a catalyst for purifying gas exhausted from the engine. The engine is controlled in one control mode of a CS mode and a CD mode in which opportunity for operation of the engine is limited compared to in the CS mode. In the CS mode, the temperature of the catalyst is increased to be equal to or higher than a prescribed activating temperature. The temperature of the catalyst is increased to be higher than the activating temperature before the control mode is changed from the CS mode to the CD mode. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304292 | CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE CONTROL APPARATUS AND CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE - A construction vehicle control apparatus is provided including: a motor generator control unit ( | 2013-11-14 |
20130304293 | CONTROL DEVICE OF HYBRID VEHICLE - It is provided a control device of a hybrid vehicle including an engine and an electric motor as a drive power source for running, a clutch connecting/disconnecting a power transmission path between the engine and the electric motor, and an automatic transmission coupled to the electric motor in a power transmittable manner to transmit power from the drive power source for running toward drive wheels, the hybrid vehicle being configured to perform engine running using at least the engine as the drive power source for running with the clutch engaged and motor running using only the electric motor as the drive power source for running with the clutch released. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304294 | DRIVE CONTROL APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR HYBRID VEHICLES AND HYBRID VEHICLE - A drive control apparatus for hybrid vehicles adapted to facilitate controlling a rotation speed of an internal combustion engine, preventing excess speeds of a motor generator. The drive control apparatus for hybrid vehicles is adapted for a drive control of a vehicle using outputs from an engine and motor generators, and includes a target engine operating point setter for setting up a target engine operating point to determine target engine torque and a target engine rotation speed of the engine from target engine power and an efficiency of system. A motor torque command value calculator sets up respective torque command values of the motor generators, and an engine torque corrector corrects the target engine torque by a target engine torque correction value set up based on the torque command values of the motor generators and permissible output torque of the motor generators. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304295 | DRIVE CONTROL APPARATUS AND DRIVE CONTROL METHOD FOR HYBRID VEHICLES AND HYBRID VEHICLE - A hybrid vehicle, a drive control apparatus, and a drive control method to prevent overcharging a battery, and providing an output drive force depending on a driver's request. The drive control apparatus for hybrid vehicles outputs generated power at an internal combustion engine and a motor generator through a power transmission mechanism to drive axles, and includes an output shaft fixing mechanism which fixes an internal combustion engine output shaft to disable rotation. A request drive force setter sets a request drive force depending on a driver's request. A controller executes a control based on a detected battery stored energy level to operate irrespective of a magnitude of the request drive force to stop the internal combustion engine, uses the shaft fixing mechanism to fix the output shaft, and provides travel using generated power from the motor generator. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304296 | CONTROL DEVICE OF HYBRID DRIVE DEVICE - A hybrid drive device includes a speed change mechanism, a motor drivingly coupled to an input shaft, and a clutch interposed between an engine and an input shaft. Upon engine start during engine traveling, the clutch is engaged, and rotation of the engine is increased. A control device of the hybrid drive device includes start upshift control means that, according to the engagement control of the clutch upon engine start, upshifts the speed change mechanism to output inertia torque. Thus, when the engine is started, output torque as the sum of driving torque of the motor and the inertia torque is output to the driving wheel, which reduces hesitation upon engine start. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304297 | DRIVE CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A DRIVE CONTROL TO A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE, AND HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An apparatus that both prevents excessive engine speed and satisfies a driver's requested drive torque. A control apparatus provides torque control to a hybrid electric vehicle and uses a calculated engine speed final target, and engine speed temporary target, which may not exceed an upper limit. In addition the control recalculates an engine operating point target based on the calculated engine speed final target and calculates an engine power final target based on the recalculated engine operating point target. An electrical power target is calculated based on the calculated engine power final target. Engine torque is controlled based on the calculated engine operating point target (especially the engine torque final target). In addition, motor generators are controlled to operate in power running mode or regenerating mode, based on the calculated engine operating point target and electrical power target. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304298 | Motor Vehicle Device Having a Charging and/or Discharging Unit - An electric and/or hybrid motor vehicle device includes a charge and/or discharge unit, which has a vehicle-side energy transfer unit for touch-free coupling with at least one corresponding external energy transfer unit for charging and/or discharging at least one battery device. The motor vehicle also includes a motor vehicle level-adjustment unit that is provided to adjust at least two different motor vehicle heights. The adjustment unit is provided to adjust a gap between the at least two energy transfer units to a charge level during a charging and/or discharging process. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304299 | METHOD OF ADJUSTING THE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY VOLTAGE FOR THE OPERATION OF AT LEAST ONE ELECTRICALLY POWERED VEHICLE - A vehicle is supplied by a first electrical energy storage unit on board the vehicle, and a ground electrical network providing an energy supply by application of a supply voltage through electrical distribution. The first energy storage unit is controllable under a generator regime or a receiver regime. The supply voltage is adjusted, in the generator regime, by applying an algebraically additive supply voltage originating from the first electrical storage unit to the distribution, to maintain a supply voltage above a minimum threshold. In the receiver regime, if a surplus of supply voltage originating at least partially from a second storage unit in the generator regime is detected above the minimum threshold, this surplus is channeled energetically to the first energy storage unit of the vehicle if it is required for operating the vehicle and enables maintaining the supply voltage below a maximum threshold and above the minimum threshold. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304300 | Path planning autopilot - A path planning autopilot guides vehicles efficiently even when they are far from a desired path. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304301 | AUTOMATED CLEANING IN A SENSOR NETWORK - A system, method and computer program product for attending to an environmental condition by an electronic cleaning device. A computer receives one or more data signals from one or more sensors through a network, with each of the one or more sensors associated with a physical location. The computer determines that due to an environmental condition a signal strength of the one or more data signals received from the one or more sensors is out of a threshold value range. The computer determines an optimal route from a current location of the electronic cleaning device to the one or more physical locations of the one or more sensors associated with the one or more data signals experiencing signal strength out of the threshold value range. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304302 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING BATTERY REPLACEMENT BASED ON DISTANCE DATA AND SYSTEM THEREOF - A method for controlling battery replacement based on distance data and a system thereof are provided. The method includes: reading current distance data of an electric vehicle, wherein the current distance data indicates the total distance that the electric vehicle has traveled; receiving related recharge information for the electric vehicle submitted by a user, wherein the related recharge information includes a distance account, and the distance account indicates that the user currently adopts a billing policy in which the user is credited with a fixed amount of distance in a fixed period of time; and determining whether to perform an operation of replacing a battery of the electric vehicle according to the distance data and the billing policy. By using the present invention, distance data of an electric vehicle and distance account information can be obtained, and by using the distance data and the distance account information battery replacement can be controlled conveniently, which ensures continuous electricity provided for the green operation of the electric vehicle. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304303 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REQUIREMENT CAPTURE FOR A SYSTEM FOR CENTRALIZED MAINTENANCE FOR AIRCRAFT - A requirement capture device for a centralized maintenance system for aircraft is composed of a means for capturing and parametrizing the various characteristics of the centralized maintenance system. It allows the various parties to the fine tuning of the CMS system to define the data set specific to their domain in a common framework. User profiles are defined for each of the users affording them configuration possibilities specific to their domain. After validation of the parameters input, a configuration file is generated. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304304 | COMBINATION OF AN ON-BOARD POWER SUPPLY CONTROL DEVICE AND AT LEAST ONE LIGHT CONTROL DEVICE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - A combination ( | 2013-11-14 |
20130304305 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING TIRE POSITIONS - A system and method for tracking tire positions on a vehicle. Tires are tracked by checking the position of tires synchronized at a predetermined angle when a vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a preset reference speed, on the basis of wheel phase information of a wheel sensor, which is provided at the predetermined angle at every first predetermined time interval through RF communication, and wheel speed information of a wheel speed sensor including tire phase information which is inputted at a second predetermined time interval through a CAN communication line. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304306 | Automotive Diagnostic Server - A system and method for an automotive diagnostic server can provide a portable vehicle diagnostic tool to identify a failed vehicle component. It may also provide a remote information device to serve as a connecting intermediary between devices, and to allow remote control of the devices and to provide information to a user. A remote diagnostic device to analyze data and interpret information to aid the user in making, using, maintaining, and fixing a piece of equipment or product may also be included. Web server functionality may be incorporated into the portable vehicle diagnostic tool to allow dissemination of the diagnostic information resulting from the diagnostic testing, and the web server may be accessed by a web browser of the remote information device. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304307 | PLATFORM HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM - A platform health monitoring system including an associative memory. The associative memory stores a plurality of known health profiles for a platform. The platform health monitoring system also includes an input device in communication with the associative memory. The input device is configured to receive a current health profile of the platform. The platform health monitoring system also may include a comparator configured to compare, in conjunction with the associative memory, the current health profile with the plurality of known health profile to generate a comparison. The comparator is further configured to generate, based on the comparison and in conjunction with the associative memory, a report on a current health of the platform. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304308 | VEHICLE INFORMATION ACQUISITION DEVICE AND VEHICLE INFORMATION ACQUISITION METHOD - Provided are a vehicle information acquisition device and a vehicle information acquisition method which are capable of accelerating the update time of vehicle information that needs to be updated in a short time and enhancing convenience. A vehicle information acquisition device ( | 2013-11-14 |
20130304309 | DRIVING FORCE DISTRIBUTION CONTROL DEVICE - A driving force distribution control device controls an inductive load circuit to adjust a ratio of driving forces transmitted from a driving source to a plurality of wheels via a driving force transmitting system. The driving force distribution control device counts a number of tests performed by applying a test current to the inductive load circuit; determines that a disconnecting abnormality occurs in an electric load including the inductive load circuit if a difference between a value of the test current and a value of current flowing in the inductive load circuit is greater than a current difference threshold value; and determines that the disconnecting abnormality is definitive if the number of tests is equal to a threshold value or more, and also if the number of determinations of the disconnecting abnormality is equal to a predetermined threshold value or more. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304310 | FAIL-SAFE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A data communication system has a pair of signal lines which connects a plurality of controllers on a vehicle. At least one controller has a failure detector which detects data communication failure. At least one controller has a fall-back detector which detects fall-back state in which data communication is performed by using only one signal line. At least one controller has a high-level fail-safe module which restricts driving of the vehicle in response to a detection of the failure. The controller also has a low-level fail-safe module which performs precautious fail-safe control, which is less restrictive than that performed by the high-level fail-safe module, in response to a detection of the fall-back state. | 2013-11-14 |
20130304311 | Method for Detecting Faults in an Electronically Controlled Drive System of a Motor Vehicle - A method is provided for detecting faults in an electronically controlled drive system of a motor vehicle by way of an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit detects at least the accelerator pedal position and the longitudinal acceleration of the motor vehicle as input signals. The control unit is configured to carry out a first fault detection program independently of its actual functional scope, by which program, a fault is detected if a defined acceleration gradient, which is dependent on a change in the accelerator pedal position, is exceeded for longer than for a predefined time period. | 2013-11-14 |