52nd week of 2010 patent applcation highlights part 64 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20100332076 | REACTIVE REPLENISHABLE DEVICE MANAGEMENT - Reactive replenishable device management comprises receiving device measurement data from at least one device, updating one or more device usage profiles associated with the at least one device, and if an analysis of the one or more device usage profiles indicates usage of the at least one device is sub-optimal, performing one or more of: controlling at least one of an attribute or an operation of the at least one device, issuing one or more device management recommendations to a user of the at least one device, and issuing one or more user alerts to the user. The at least one device comprises at least one of one or more replenishable devices, one or more replenishers associated with the one or more replenishable devices, and one or more other devices associated with the one or more replenishable devices. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332077 | WIRELESS WINCH SWITCH - A wireless winch switch system has a removable switch module that is removably retained by a receptacle. The removable switch module has a rechargeable power source and wireless communications module that transmits a winch control signal based on the position of a switch. Control circuitry receives the winch control signal and controls a winch. The receptacle is mounted to a vehicle and obtains energy from a power source such as the vehicle's battery. The removable switch module can obtain the energy from the receptacle and thereby charge the rechargeable battery. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332078 | Method for operating a parking aid system - In a method for operating a parking aid system for a vehicle having a plurality of distance sensors each sensing the near range of the vehicle, and having at least one path sensor sensing a path traveled by the vehicle, the distance sensors are operable in a first mode for the parking space measurement, and the distance sensors are operable in at least one further mode in which they are used as parking aid in order to avoid collisions. The distance sensors are temporally activated using different transmit sequences in the two modes, a switchover between the different transmit sequences being implemented as a function of the movement of the vehicle. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332079 | CONSTANT FORCE CONTROL METHODOLOGY FOR SHOCK ABSORPTION - A Constant Force Control methodology and system utilizing integrated sensors and unique control algorithms to determine required applied force to mitigate shock events in an adaptive energy absorption system, typically comprising of a spring and an adjustable energy absorber or damper element. By utilizing an expected acceleration profile and event duration for an anticipated shock event an acceleration amplitude can be determined from a measure impact velocity. From this and a measured payload mass a system controller can determine the force necessary to be applied by the energy absorber in order to stop the payload over the full desired length of the available energy absorber stroke in order to minimize the forces experienced by the payload. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332080 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PARKING ASSISTANCE - A method of providing assistance to a driver for parking a vehicle includes detection of a space and a location of the vehicle for vehicle parking. The method determines a feasibility for parking the vehicle into the space based on the space; calculates a parking path based on the space and the location; generates a constant target position of a steering wheel based on the parking path; generates a first human machine interface (HMI) signal that instructs the driver to turn the steering wheel based on the target position, wherein the first HMI signal is generated when the vehicle is not moving; monitors a steering wheel angle of the vehicle including comparing the steering wheel angle with the constant target position, and detecting that the steering wheel angle reaches a proximity of the target position. The method also includes generating a second HMI signal that instructs the driver to hold the steering wheel, wherein the second HMI signal is generated when the steering wheel angle has reached the proximity of the target position; generating a vehicle motion command after the steering wheel angle is held steadily according to the second HMI signal; and generating a third HMI signal based on the vehicle motion command. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332081 | Method for activating a superimposed steering system - Disclosed is a method for actuating a superimposed steering system, a superimposed steering system, a controller, a computer program, and a computer program product. In the method, a steering ratio is produced as a function of the driving speed, with the magnitude of a time delay being adjusted as a function of the driving speed. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332082 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING STEERING FORCE - Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for controlling steering force, by which every driver can feel a steering sense that the driver wants. In the method, a torque signal is compensated for by using a compensation value input by a driver, and the steering force is controlled using the compensated torque signal, so as to provide every driver with a satisfactory steering sense and a convenience in handling the steering wheel. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332083 | STEERING SYSTEM FOR REAR WHEELS OF VEHICLE - A steering system for rear wheels of a vehicle without a dead zone in the vicinity of the steering wheel zero. The steering system includes a steering controller and control units that control the rear wheels to be steered in accordance with the steering angle of the steering wheel. The steering system performs a reduction control to provide a smaller steering control amount for the rear wheels in a range where a steering angle becomes smaller than a predetermined value, compared to a steering control amount for the rear wheels in the other ranges of the steering angle. When an angle speed of the steering angle becomes greater than a predetermined value, the steering system performs no reduction control or the reduction control with less reduced steering control amount for the rear wheels even in the range where the steering angle becomes smaller than the predetermined value. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332084 | AUXILIARY CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD TO A MOTOR VEHICLE'S BUILT-IN ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM - The auxiliary control system contains at least a first interaction device and a second interaction device that are capable of mutually detecting the presence of each other by a wireless means. The first interaction device is carried by a driver of a motor vehicle having a built-in anti-theft system, and the second interaction device is tapped into a Main Body ECU in parallel with the original control interface of the built-in anti-theft system. As such, when the driver carrying the first interaction device enters into or moves out of an effective sensing range from the motor vehicle, the second interaction device would detect the presence or absence of the first interaction device. The second interaction device then issues appropriate deactivating or activating signals to the Main Body ECU which in turn disarms or arms the various anti-theft means of the motor vehicle. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332085 | POWER RAMP FOR VEHICLE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A power ramp for a vehicle and a control method thereof are disclosed. A power ramp for a vehicle includes a main frame defining an exterior appearance thereof, a base plate provided in a bottom of the main frame to define a base of the main frame, a main ramp provided on the base plate, a ramp holder having an end hingedly coupled to the main ramp to support the main ramp, at least one sliding part provided in right and left end portions of the main frame to guide forward-and-rearward motion of the ramp holder, a pair of power generating device provided in the ramp holder to supply power required for the forward-and-rearward motion of the main ramp, a pair of sliding chains longitudinally provided along the right and left end portions of the main ramp, the pair of the sliding chains supporting the main ramp to be movable forward and rearward, and a manual operation changing part provided in the main frame, the manual operation changing part selectively controlling rotation of the sliding chains to enable the main ramp to be movable manually. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332086 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPENING VENTILATION GAPS IN WINDOWS AND CLOSING ALL WINDOWS OF A VEHICLE - The conventional power window system is augmented by two new automated routines: (a) setting each window to a slightly open position for ventilating the vehicle and (b) closing all windows. In one embodiment, two window control switches in the conventional power window system are designated as the first and second system control switches and, optionally, one button on a conventional remote vehicle door lock control is designated as the third system switch. A double-tap signal from the first system control switch triggers the first automated routine. A double-tap signal from the second or third system control switch triggers the first automated routine if all windows are closed and triggers the second automated routine if at least one window is not closed. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332087 | Remote Vehicle Controller - The present teachings provide a controller for controlling a remote vehicle manipulator arm, the controller comprising a master arm morphologically the same as or similar to the remote vehicle manipulator arm, the master arm comprising two or more links connected to each other by joints, each joint comprising a slip clutch and a sensor for measuring a joint angle. An operator manipulates the master arm to control the remote vehicle manipulator arm such that a position of each manipulator arm joint is controlled based on a position of each master arm joint. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332088 | Engine Control System for Construction Machine - To provide an engine control system for a construction machine, which can decrease a consumption of energy to be required for the reduction of an engine lag-down that occurs upon a sudden increase in load, such as upon quick manipulation of a control device, is provided with a load condition detecting unit, a charge amount detecting unit, a boost pressure sensor, and a determination processing unit. The load condition detecting unit includes a manipulation stroke detector for detecting that a control device has been fully manipulated, and also, a first computation unit of a controller. The charge amount detecting unit can detect an amount of charge in a capacitor. The determination processing unit includes a determination processing unit of the controller. The determination processing unit performs processing to feed electric power from the capacitor to an electric motor if, when it has been detected in concomitance with manipulation of the control device by the load condition detecting means that a torque to be absorbed by a pump would exceed an output torque of an engine, a boost pressure detected by the boost pressure sensor is determined to be lower than a predetermined pressure, and moreover, an amount of charge in the capacitor as detected by the charge amount detecting unit is determined to be an amount of charge that can drive the electric motor for a predetermined time. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332089 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING OPERATION OF A VEHICLE - A method of controlling a fluid level around a transmission gear of a vehicle includes the steps of providing a set of predetermined operating conditions, each predetermined operating condition having a corresponding predetermined fluid level requirement, operating the vehicle at an actual operating condition, determining a predetermined operating condition equivalent to the actual operating condition, and arranging the fluid level around the transmission gear to be equivalent to the predetermined fluid level requirement corresponding to the predetermined operating condition. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332090 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED CONTROL OF TRANSMISSION RATIO CHANGE - The present invention relates to a method and system for automated control of transmission ratio change which balances the requirements for power with energy efficiency. A plurality of sensors detect environmental conditions of a vehicle. An environmental conditions analysis unit analyzes the environmental conditions to determine whether the detected environmental conditions indicate a likelihood of a transmission ratio increase. When the detected environmental conditions indicate the likelihood of the transmission ratio increase, an automatic transmission changes in operation from a normal state to a prepared state. However, after a predetermined amount of time, the automatic transmission changes from the prepared state back to the normal state when there is no user indication that the transmission ratio should be increased. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332091 | HYDRAULIC CONTROL DEVICE AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL METHOD FOR VEHICLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - During a non-shift operation when a predetermined gear of an automatic transmission is kept, a hydraulic control unit increases an engagement hydraulic pressure to a friction engagement device associated with the gear formation by a predetermined hydraulic pressure with respect to a line hydraulic pressure. Therefore, in comparison with a case where a hydraulic pressure equivalent to the line hydraulic pressure is set as an engagement hydraulic pressure to the friction engagement device for obtaining a hydraulic pressure equivalent to the line hydraulic pressure, shift response (hydraulic pressure response) variations when shifting from a non-shift state (steady state) into a shift state are suppressed by the margin of the predetermined hydraulic pressure. In addition, in comparison with a case where the engagement hydraulic pressure to the friction engagement device is set to a maximum hydraulic pressure to reduce the response variations, power consumption of each linear solenoid valve is suppressed. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332092 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AUTOMATIC GEARBOX - It is an object of the present invention to provide control device and control method for an automatic transmission which are capable of selecting a gear shift stage which accords with an intention of a vehicle driver irrespective of an accelerator opening angle. When an accelerator pedal opening angle is large, a target vehicle speed is calculated using a read-ahead vehicle speed and, when the accelerator pedal opening angle is small, the target gear shift ratio is calculated using an actual vehicle speed. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332093 | VEHICLE CONTROL UNIT AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME - A vehicle control unit and a vehicle equipped with the vehicle control unit are provided, the vehicle control unit being capable of preventing a breakdown of a vehicle caused by an erroneous operation upon carrying out a departure operation. In a vehicle control unit for controlling a vehicle on the basis of a detection signal obtained from a shift range detecting unit configured to detect a shift range selected by a shift operating unit, a vehicle speed detecting unit configured to detect a vehicle speed, and an engine rpm detecting unit configured to directly or indirectly detect an engine rpm, when the vehicle speed detecting unit detects that a vehicle speed is less than a reference vehicle speed V | 2010-12-30 |
20100332094 | COOPERATIVE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM USING DUAL SLIP CONTROLLERS - A cooperative traction control system that integrates throttle control and torque distribution. The system also uses dual slip controllers and methods that involve controlling the distribution of torque between wheels in the front and rear axles of a vehicle and a relatively small or no adjustment of the engine throttle (or, more generally, engine torque output) to reduce wheel slip. The control is cooperative in the sense that two controllers—a front axle torque controller and a rear axle torque controller—work together (or are controlled together) to reduce wheel slip and thereby achieve improved straight-line movement of a vehicle from a standstill. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332095 | BRAKING SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE FOR AN AIRCRAFT FITTED WITH ELECTROMECHANICAL BRAKES - The invention relates to a braking system architecture for an aircraft fitted with electromechanical brakes including at least one electromechanical actuator. In accordance with the invention, the architecture comprises at least one proximity unit disposed in the proximity of the brakes at the bottom of the undercarriage and including input/output means for collecting and calibrating at least signals coming from sensors associated with the brakes, and for transmitting the signals as processed in this way to control members for controlling the actuators by means of a communications bus running along the undercarriage, the proximity unit further including control means for controlling the blocking members of the actuators. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332096 | Acceleration control apparatus for vehicle - An object of the invention is to provide an acceleration control apparatus, according to which accuracy for feed-forward torque may not be decreased even when a calculating accuracy for an estimated-slope torque would be decreased. Reliability of estimated slope is calculated and feedback torque is corrected, in such a manner that a gain for a feedback control portion is increased when the reliability of the estimated slope becomes lower. It is, therefore, possible to compensate a possible decrease of the accuracy of the feed-forward torque by correcting the feedback torque in accordance with the reliability of the estimated slope. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332097 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING PRESSURE IN A MOTOR VEHICLE - Method for estimating the negative pressure in a motor vehicle brake force booster, and a stop/start control device is disclosed. One embodiment of the invention relates to a method for estimating the negative pressure in a motor vehicle brake force booster with reference to the hydraulic pressure in a brake master cylinder. According to the embodiment, the negative pressure is estimated solely on the basis of hydraulic pressure in the brake master cylinder and of the actual engine speed. One embodiment of the invention also relates to a stop/start control device for a motor vehicles. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332098 | VEHICLE MOTION CONTROL DEVICE - The vehicle motion control device performs anti-lateral overturn control for increasing a brake force to be generated at a front inside wheel of a vehicle in order to cause skidding at the front inside wheel when a condition for increasing a brake force to be generated at an outside wheel is satisfied, wherein the condition is that the vehicle motion control device is in the anti-lateral overturn mode and the vehicle is turning. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332099 | VEHICLE MOTION CONTROL DEVICE - A vehicle motion control device obtains an actual slip ratio and a physical quantity representing a state of motion of the vehicle in a direction of lateral overturn. The device is in an anti-lateral overturn mode when the physical quantity is larger than or equal to a motion state threshold. The device obtains an increase gradient and determines whether or not the increase gradient is larger than or equal to a predetermined increase gradient threshold, wherein the increase gradient is a ratio of an increase amount of the physical quantity to a decrease amount of the actual slip ratio. The device decreases, when the device is in the anti-lateral overturn mode and the increase gradient is larger than or equal to the increase gradient threshold, a speed of depressurization of a wheel cylinder pressure. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332100 | LAND VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL - To control the torque of a rotary engine of a land vehicle, an upper speed limit and a lower speed limit for the vehicle is obtained based on at least one user input. A constant output torque is determined for the rotary engine. This may be based on the upper speed limit. The current speed of the vehicle is obtained. While the current vehicle speed lies between the upper speed limit and the lower speed limit, an engine control signal is generated in order to operate the rotary engine at the constant output torque. If the current vehicle speed increases above the upper speed limit, an engine control signal is generated to operate the rotary engine at a reduced output torque below the constant output torque. If the current vehicle speed decreases below the lower speed limit, an engine control signal is generated to operate said rotary engine at an increased output torque above the constant output torque. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332101 | ABSOLUTE ACCELERATION SENSOR FOR USE WITHIN MOVING VEHICLES - A communication system for a vehicle comprises a receiver to receive a signal corresponding to a traveling speed of a lead vehicle, a response device that generates an alert to warn of a change in the traveling speed of the lead vehicle, and a control device coupled to the receiver and the response device, wherein the receiver sends a signal to the control device corresponding to the traveling speed of the lead vehicle and the control device operates the response device in a manner dependent on the traveling speed of the lead vehicle. In some embodiments, the signal comprises one or more of infrared, radio frequency, wireless, WiFi, and Bluetooth®. In some embodiments, the communication system further comprises a speed control system coupled to the control device, wherein the control device operates the speed control system in a manner dependent on the traveling speed of the lead vehicle. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332102 | ENGINE CONTROL DEVICE AND ENGINE CONTROL METHOD - A first target engine speed N | 2010-12-30 |
20100332103 | NOX Compliant Peak for Gas Turbine - A gas turbine comprises a plurality of target exhaust temperature determination modules, the plurality of target exhaust temperature modules comprising a nitrogen oxide (NOx) compliance module configured to determine an exhaust temperature at which an exhaust of the gas turbine complies with a maximum permitted level of NOx; at least one bias module, the at least one bias module configured to apply a bias to an output of at least one of the plurality of target exhaust temperature determination modules; and a controller configured to operate the gas turbine to produce the exhaust temperature determined by the NOx compliance module. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332104 | BI-FUEL CONVERSION DEVICE FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - Disclosed is a system including a fuel conversion device for use with a conventional internal combustion engine having an engine control unit and electronic fuel injectors allowing a conventional vehicle to operate using more than one type of fuel. The system intercepts the ECU's command signals being transmitted to the injectors before they reach the injectors and modifies the signals for optimizing the combustion cycle depending upon the type of fuel used. The conversion device enables a conventional gasoline engine to run on an alternative fuel such as alcohol, gasoline, or any combination of the two. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332105 | Distributed Engine Control System - A method and apparatus for distributing control of multiple engines amongst the engines in a power generation system that has a central controller, comprises the steps of: receiving aboard each engine from the central controller a control signal representative of a desired fuel flow; metering fuel at a fuel metering point aboard each engine; sensing at least one parameter aboard each engine proximate the fuel metering point that is representative of fuel flow; adjusting the fuel metering aboard each engine to cause the sensed parameter to correlate to the desired fuel flow; and transmitting a monitoring signal from each engine to the central controller that is representative of the adjusted fuel metering. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332106 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING LIQUID FUEL DELIVERY DURING TRANSITION BETWEEN MODES IN A MULTIMODE ENGINE - A method of transitioning between operating modes in a multimode engine including a diesel-only mode and a diesel pilot, gas mode includes first terminating or initiating the supply of a gaseous fuel, depending on whether the system is transitioning to or from the pilot mode, and thereafter decreasing or increasing the diesel fuel supply quantity. Liquid fuel supply quantity is preferably altered in steps rather than discretely in order to avoid exceeding the lean limit of gas lambda. The number of steps and the percentage decrease or increase in each step preferably varies based at least in part on prevailing speed and load conditions. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332107 | ELECTRONIC DIESEL ENGINE CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC IDLE-DOWN - An electronic engine controller utilizes a controller network interface for direct communication between an electronic engine control unit associated with an engine and the controller to monitor and control the engine. The controller uses a microprocessor and custom programmable software to monitor and determine operational parameters as well as institute and send electronic commands to the electronic control unit in a pre-determined response operational framework. The controller monitors certain engine operational parameters when enabled. If the engine remains in an unloaded condition for an extended period of time, the controller automatically throttles the engine down to idle condition to save fuel. It does this by issuing commands to the electronic control unit which controls operational functions or parameters of the engine. The engine parameters and idle time are configurable, allowing the setup to be optimized for a particular method of operation, regardless of the specific application. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332108 | FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE MEASURING DEVICE - A fuel vapor pressure measuring device is provided, in a fuel supplying system, with a fuel tank for containing fuel, a fuel pump for supplying the fuel in the fuel tank to an injector, a fuel vapor generating section having a nozzle, a vaporizing chamber, and a venturi and vaporizing, in the vaporizing chamber, fuel by ejecting the fuel from the nozzle and causing the fuel to pass through the venturi, a first fuel path for interconnecting the fuel pump and the injector, a second fuel path having one end connected to the fuel pump and the other end connected to the fuel vapor generating section, a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the fuel vapor generating section, and an ECU for calculating the pressure of fuel vapor based on the result of detection by the pressure sensor. The fuel vapor generating section is mounted in the fuel tank. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332109 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A control device for an internal combustion engine of a spark-ignition type that injects fuel directly into a combustion chamber including a temperature detector that detects the temperature of the combustion chamber, a load detector that detects the load of the internal combustion engine, and a controller. The controller performs a first control when the temperature of the combustion chamber is lower than or equal to a predetermined temperature and the load of the internal combustion engine is higher than a predetermined load such that the timing of fuel injection is advanced compared with the timing when the load of the internal combustion engine is lower than or equal to the predetermined load. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332110 | VARIABLE VALVE TIMING CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING VARIABLE VALVE TIMING DEVICE - A control device projects a lock pin to lock a VCT phase in an intermediate lock phase when a lock request occurs. A learning unit learns one of a most retarded phase, a most advanced phase, and an intermediate lock phase, as a reference phase. A control unit sets a target phase according to the reference phase and controls the control device. A monitor unit determines that the VCT phase has passed through the intermediate lock phase when the lock request occurs before completion of learning of the reference phase, and when a change in the VCT phase becomes greater than a threshold. The threshold is set to be greater than a sum of i) a design value of a phase difference between the intermediate lock phase and one of the most retarded phase and the most advanced phase and ii) a range of a product variation of the phase difference. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332111 | DEVICE FOR GUIDING AN AIRCRAFT ALONG A FLIGHT TRAJECTORY - The guidance device ( | 2010-12-30 |
20100332112 | IDENTIFYING RESTRICTED MOVEMENT AREAS ON ELECTRONIC AIRPORT CHARTS - A method, apparatus, and computer program product for graphically identifying operational restrictions for an airport area. The aircraft type is identified to form an identified aircraft type. A number of restrictions are identified for the airport area using the identified aircraft type to form a number of associated restrictions. The number of associated restrictions is presented as a number of graphical indicators on a display of the airport area in locations for the number of associated restrictions. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332113 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ROUTE GUIDANCE TO A REQUESTING VEHICLE - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a recommended route, based, in part, on fuel consumption, to a requesting vehicle using data collected from other vehicles. The system includes, but is not limited, to a communication system that is configured to receive vehicle data from a plurality of vehicles. A data storage system is in communication with the communication system and is configured to store the vehicle data as compiled vehicle data. A processor is in communication with the data storage system and the communication system. The processor is configured to utilize the compiled vehicle data to calculate a recommended route that is based, in part, on fuel consumption. The communication system is further configured to transmit the recommended route to the requesting vehicle. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332114 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GUIDING SPEED LIMITING INFORMATION BY BLOCK - A navigation system and method for providing notification of speed limit information for each block is provided. The method includes: maintaining a database which stores a start point and an end point of a speed limited block, and a speed limit for each block; sensing whether a speed limited block exists in a front area while driving on a predetermined route; and providing a speeding alert notification within the determined speed limited block when the speed limited block is sensed. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332115 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERACTIVE ROUTING AND SCHEDULING SYSTEM - The system provides a method and apparatus for scheduling and routing. The system provides a database of locations, paths, and estimated time limits for a plurality of locations at a destination. A visitor provides input as to desired locations as well as a time limit for the overall visit. The system also includes information about weather, total expected visitors, visitors who have selected certain locations, start time of visit, and other factors that may affect traffic flow and accessibility of locations by visitors. Using this data, the system provides a schedule and a route for the visitor designed to satisfy the visitors desire to visit certain locations within a certain time frame. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332116 | OFF ROAD NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A method of operating a navigation system in a vehicle may entail invoking an off-road mode of the navigation system; displaying a first off-road terrain on a navigation system display; displaying a first present location of the vehicle on the display, inputting a first user-input off-road destination into the navigation system; inputting a first user-input off-road waypoint into the navigation system; displaying straight line trajectories between the start point, the first user-input off-road waypoint and the destination on a display of the navigation system and displaying a first real-time path of on-screen breadcrumbs as the vehicle travels off-road in current or real-time; shifting on the display, each user-entered off-road waypoint to a closest on-screen breadcrumb of the first real-time path; shifting on the display, the user-entered destination to the closest on-screen breadcrumb; and storing the first real-time path in a memory of a navigation control unit. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332117 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A navigation system and method which may be easily and quickly deployed in any environment. The system includes a check-in computer for recording destination information of a person upon entry into a building, the person having a destination somewhere in the building, and for storing the destination information in a wireless communicator associated with the person, The system further includes a plurality of navigation aids for receiving the destination information along a route of the person from the wireless communicator when the wireless communicator is presented to the navigation aid by the person and for determining directions to the destination, the navigation aids including a display for displaying the directions to the person. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332118 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD USING MAP DATA CORRECTION FILES - A method of operating a PND or navigation system is described, together with a PND or navigation system for performing such a method. The PND or navigation system includes memory storing map data consisting of base map data files and supplemental corrective data files. In at least one embodiment, the method includes correlating the current location with the map data, and in the event that the current location and derived map data are seemingly at odds with one another, performing at least one secondary action. In at least one embodiment, the secondary action may be the issuing of an approve/reject prompt to the user, or the automatic creation, modification or deletion of a new or pre-existing correction. In a further aspect, at least one embodiment of the invention also provides for a PND or navigation system storing an indication of a home location, and prompting a user to visit nearby locations for which corrections exist, followed by prompted or automatic confirmation or rejection thereof. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332119 | NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD - A method of operating a PND or navigation system is described, together with a PND or navigation system for performing such a method. The PND or navigation system includes memory storing map data consisting of base map data files, a display, GPS signal reception and processing device, such together forming a basis for navigation, route guidance, and map information display. In at least one embodiment, the method includes correlating the current location with the map data to derive map-specific parameters for that location and comparing the map-specific parameters with a motion-specific parameter, a vehicle-specific parameter, or the current location to determine whether the current location, motion or vehicle-related characteristic is permissible or appropriate therefore; and in the event that the current location, motion, or vehicle-related characteristic and derived map-specific parameter are seemingly at odds with one another, performing at least one secondary action. The secondary action may include but is not limited to the issuing of an approve/reject prompt to the user, or the automatic creation, modification or deletion of a new or pre-existing correction. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332120 | Car Navigation System, Program and Method for Updating Map Data - A car navigation system | 2010-12-30 |
20100332121 | Navigation Device, Route-Search Server, and Route-Search System - A server device | 2010-12-30 |
20100332122 | ADVANCE AUTOMATIC FLIGHT PLANNING USING RECEIVER AUTONOMOUS INTEGRITY MONITORING (RAIM) OUTAGE PREDICTION - A method for generating a flight plan for a user's aircraft using Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) outage information is disclosed. The method may include receiving a flight plan request from the user, obtaining RAIM outage information, comparing the requested flight plan against the obtained RAIM outage information, determining if any RAIM outages contained in the RAIM outage information affect the requested flight plan, wherein if it is determined that any RAIM outages affect the requested flight plan, generating one or more flight plan options based on the determined RAIM outages, prompting the user to select at least one of the one or more generated flight plan options, receiving the user's one or more selections, generating a modified flight plan based on the user's one or more selections, and outputting the modified flight plan to the user and storing the modified flight plan in a flight plan database. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332123 | METHOD OF ASSISTING PILOTING AT LOW ALTITUDE - A method of assisting the piloting of an aircraft ( | 2010-12-30 |
20100332124 | Analyzing and Consolidating Track File Data - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, are disclosed for track simplification and correction. In one aspect, a track data set having track points defining a course can be accessed and inaccurate track points and incorrect track points can be identified, wherein identifying inaccurate track points includes comparing, for one or more of the track points, a dilution of precision (DOP) value associated with the track point to a DOP threshold, and identifying incorrect track points includes performing an error correction process. Also, a corrected track can be generated by removing identified inaccurate track points and incorrect track points from the track data set. Further, identifying an inaccurate track point can include determining that the DOP value associated with the track point exceeds the DOP threshold. Additionally, the DOP threshold can be specified by user input. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332125 | AUTOMATIC CORRECTION OF PAST POSITION ERRORS FOR LOCATION AND INVENTORY TRACKING - A method is provided for calibrating past position estimates from a positioning system that provides real-time position estimates of a mobile object. The method first stores the real-time position estimates, which as time goes by become past position estimates and naturally form a first past trajectory depicting the past movement of the mobile object. Subsequently, a calibrated past trajectory is determined, which includes calibrated past position estimates that correspond to the same time instances as the past positions in the first past trajectory. When real-time positions have low qualities, this method calibrates them at a later time by using (higher-quality) real-time positions both before and after them. Errors in the past positions are then corrected based on the calibrated past trajectory. When used with event detectors that indicate inventory transactions, this method can correct position errors associated with inventory events so as to improve the performance of inventory tracking. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332126 | INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH ERROR CORRECTION BASED ON NAVIGATION MAP - An inertial navigation system with error correction based on a navigation map is disclosed herein. The inertial navigation system can include a trajectory calculator for calculating a position and an orientation of a moving object based on moving information of the moving object, an error correcting unit coupled to the trajectory calculator for correcting the position and the orientation of the moving object based on reference road information, and a storage unit coupled to the error correcting unit for storing geographical information of a road network and providing the reference road information according to the geographical information of the road network. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332127 | Lane Judgement Equipment and Navigation System - There is provided lane judgement equipment that is capable of quickly and accurately judging the lane that a vehicle is traveling in on a road with plural lanes in each direction. Lane judgement equipment | 2010-12-30 |
20100332128 | NAVIGATION APPARATUS - A map information processing apparatus includes a map information storage unit ( | 2010-12-30 |
20100332129 | GPS DEVICE - A portable golf GPS device comprising a microprocessor operably coupled to a GPS unit, an input device such as a keypad (or touch screen) operably coupled to the microprocessor, a voice recognition unit operably coupled to the microprocessor, and a display such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) operably coupled to the microprocessor. A program memory system which contains at least some of the software and data to operate the device is also operably coupled to the microprocessor. The portable golf GPS device is preferably contained in a housing such that the entire device has a very compact and lightweight form factor, and is preferably handheld and/or pocket size. The golf GPS device is configured to display distances to course features, and to receive and process voice input in order to select functions or input data into the golf GPS device. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332130 | VEHICLE NAVIGATION APPARATUS - A vehicle navigation apparatus determines whether or not the currently traveled route having a current vehicle position matches with estimated routes after determining, on the basis of the traveled route history, the estimated routes which correspond to destination candidates. Then, the navigation apparatus further determines whether or not the subsequent portion of the estimated route overlaps with other estimated route, for selecting one of the destination candidates. The vehicle navigation apparatus thus selects the destination candidate, in a highly accurate manner in terms of user preference, based on the traveled route history. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332131 | ROUTING, ALERTING, AND TRANSPORTATION GUIDANCE BASED ON PREFERENCES AND LEARNED OR INFERRED RISKS AND DESIRABILITIES - Techniques and systems are disclosed that provide a risk-based assessment for a user based on user location information. Incident data is acquired for incidents that involve potential risks (e.g., to people and/or property) from a plurality of locations and contexts, considering such factors as date, time, weather, traffic, and velocity. The incident data is matched to the user's location and context directly or indirectly to provide one or more potential outcomes of interest (e.g., accidents, injuries, fatalities), and inferences regarding the likelihood of events are made available. These measures are compared to desired risk thresholds for the user. In one embodiment, routes, times, and conditions of travel may be preferred over others routes, times, and conditions. In another embodiment, users may be notified of a condition or a vehicle's maximum velocity may be reduced when the matched incident data meets/exceeds a user's risk threshold. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332132 | Route Guidance Server, Navigation Apparatus, Route Guidance System, and Route Guidance Method - A position coordinate based route transmitted from a server is reconstructed as a route of link numbers or node numbers in map data of navigation apparatus without error. A route guidance server searches a route from a start point to end point designated by a navigation apparatus; selects all or a part of nodes included in the searched route as route nodes; sets complementary points to the respective selected route nodes on the route and at a distance longer than a predetermined distance from the respective route nodes; and transmits information including coordinate information on the route nodes and complementary points as route information to the navigation apparatus. Then, based on the coordinate information on the route nodes and complementary points transmitted from the server, the navigation apparatus identifies the route nodes and road links connecting the route nodes by identification numbers in map data the navigation apparatus it self has. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332133 | Apparatus and Method for Automated Vehicle Roadside Assistance - A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive from a mobile device a request regarding a stranded vehicle. The request is processed to determine the location of the stranded vehicle. Additional information regarding the stranded vehicle may be retrieved. The location of the stranded vehicle and the additional information may be communicated as a dispatch request. The location of the stranded vehicle relative to a dispatched vehicle is delivered to the mobile device. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332134 | Presenting A Travel Route In A Ground-Based Vehicle - Techniques are provided for displaying a map for a route in a ground-based vehicle. The map includes a variable road network map showing finer detail for geographic features near the route and less detail for geographic features farther from the route. The map is displayed based on the travel direction of the ground-based vehicle. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332135 | SATELLITE NAVIGATION/DEAD-RECKONING NAVIGATION INTEGRATED POSITIONING DEVICE - Even when inertial navigation is performed, whether or not the correction of a value detected by an external sensor is appropriate can be judged, so that a dramatically degraded positioning result is prevented from being outputted. A navigation device ( | 2010-12-30 |
20100332136 | AUTONOMOUS COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FOR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES - Autonomous collision avoidance systems for unmanned aerial vehicles are disclosed. Systems illustratively include a detect and track module, an inertial navigation system, and an auto avoidance module. The detect and track module senses a potential object of collision and generates a moving object track for the potential object of collision. The inertial navigation system provides information indicative of a position and a velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The auto avoidance module receives the moving object track for the potential object of collision and the information indicative of the position and the velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The auto avoidance module utilizes the information to generate a guidance maneuver that facilitates the unmanned aerial vehicle avoiding the potential object of collision. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332137 | CASING DETECTION - A system and method for detecting casing is provided. In one example, a method for detecting drill casing in a downhole environment includes the steps of generating a plurality of plots of a magnetic field vector (MIN) at a series of depths; and monitoring the plots to detect proximity to the well casing. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332138 | PULSED NEUTRON BASED MONITORING OF CO2 IN ENHANCED RECOVERY AND SEQUESTRATION PROJECTS - A method for estimating a concentration of carbon dioxide (CO | 2010-12-30 |
20100332139 | FORMING A GEOLOGICAL MODEL - A method of forming a geological model of a region of the earth includes obtaining seismic data relating to the region, the seismic data including seismic traveltime uncertainty. A seismic velocity model of the region may also be provided and includes velocity uncertainty. Ray tracing may be performed on the seismic data using the velocity model to determine the three dimensional positions of a plurality of points of the region. The three dimensional positional uncertainties (7-12) of at least some of the points can be calculated from the traveltime uncertainty, the velocity uncertainty, and uncertainty in the ray propagation direction. This can be combined with the positions determined by the ray tracing to form a geological model. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332140 | METHOD OF ASSESSING THE EATING EXPERIENCE OF A COMPANION ANIMAL - A method of assessing the eating experience of a companion animal. Further, a feeding device utilized in assessing the eating experience of a companion animal. Further, a method of modifying at least one attribute of a food product as a result of assessing the eating experience of a companion animal. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332141 | ANALYZER APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR LUNG DISEASE - An apparatus arranged to give an output indicative of lung disease state, in particular Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The apparatus comprises a biomarker detection unit; a patient information input unit; a memory unit; a processing unit; and an output unit. The biomarker detection unit generates biomarker information by analyzing a patient saliva sample. The biomarker information is processed with patient information relating to patient symptoms, and an appropriate output generated based on the combination of the biomarker information and the patient information. The output suitably indicates whether there is a change in the disease state, and may further include a recommendation regarding treatment for the disease according to such a change. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332142 | ANALYTE TESTING METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CALCULATING BASAL INSULIN THERAPY - Described herein are various methods to ensure safety and the compliance of therapeutic diabetes protocols. The method can be achieved by performing safeguards against hypoglycemia of the user prior to any change in basal insulin dosage based on the plurality of data. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332143 | Method, Computer Program Product and System for Enabling Clinical Decision Support - A method enables clinical decision support based on test results for a plurality of tested biomarkers. The method is executed by a data reduction module ( | 2010-12-30 |
20100332144 | ANALYSIS APPARATUS AND MEASUREMENT UNIT - This analysis apparatus includes a plurality of a plurality of measurement units of mutually identical types generating measurement data by measuring the specimens, a transporter transporting the specimens to the respective ones of the plurality of measurement units, a display, common to the plurality of measurement units, displaying the analytical results generated by analyzing the measurement data and a transmitter transmitting the analytical results to a host computer. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332145 | Detecting Fission From Special Nuclear Material Sources - A neutron detector system for discriminating fissile material from non-fissile material wherein a digital data acquisition unit collects data at high rate, and in real-time processes large volumes of data directly into information that a first responder can use to discriminate materials. The system comprises counting neutrons from the unknown source and detecting excess grouped neutrons to identify fission in the unknown source. The system includes a graphing component that displays the plot of the neutron distribution from the unknown source over a Poisson distribution and a plot of neutrons due to background or environmental sources. The system further includes a known neutron source placed in proximity to the unknown source to actively interrogate the unknown source in order to accentuate differences in neutron emission from the unknown source from Poisson distributions and/or environmental sources. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332146 | Method for characterizing reversible association of macromolecules at high concentration - A new method is presented for characterizing the associative properties of a solution of macromolecules at high concentration. Sample aliquots spanning a range of concentrations are injected sequentially into a light scattering photometer. Equilibrium association constants and association stoichiometry are derived from an analysis of the angular and concentration dependence of the scattering signals. Thermodynamic nonideality, which becomes important at high concentrations, is dealt with in the analysis in a simplified manner which is applicable to multiple associated species. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332147 | System For Estimating A Gas Concentration In A Mixed Atmosphere - A system for estimating gas concentrations in a mixed atmosphere includes (a) a plurality of sensors for providing a set of measurements, at least one of the sensors sensitive to an internal concentration of hydrogen; and (b) a processor for receiving the set of measurements and for executing a sequential estimation filter that includes a plurality of states having a corresponding set of values. The processor responsively adjusts at least a portion of the set of values in response to the set of measurements. The plurality of sensors can include a resistive sensor and a capacitive gas sensor, both of which are sensitive to hydrogen concentration. The plurality of states can include states representative of hydrogen pressure in the mixed atmosphere, hydrogen concentration in a bulk material of at least one of the sensors, and hydrogen concentration in an interface layer of at least one of the sensors. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332148 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING FINE PARTICLE CONCENTRATION - Disclosed is a device for measuring the concentration of the particles contained in a fluid. The device comprises a control volume body having a predetermined effective volume. An inlet path is formed at an end of the control volume body to feed the fluid into the control volume body therethrough. An outlet path is formed at another end of the control volume body to discharge the fluid from the control volume body therethrough. Measuring instruments are provided at the inlet path and the outlet path to emit electrical signals when the fine particles pass through the inlet path and the outlet path. A computing machine receives the electrical signals transmitted from the measuring instruments, and then computes the number and the concentration of fine particles contained in the control volume body. The device is easily integrated with Micro-TAS (Total analysis System). | 2010-12-30 |
20100332149 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REMOTE MONITORING OF FLUID QUALITY AND TREATMENT - The present invention provides a remote monitoring system for monitoring the operation of a fluid treatment system and/or the qualities, characteristics, properties, etc., of the fluid being processed or treated by the fluid treatment system. The system for measuring fluid quality and/or equipment operation in a fluid treatment system includes a remote computer that may be associated with a database that accesses data transmitted from the fluid treatment system with the data collected, acquired, etc., from one or more sensors placed in the fluid treatment system. The data may be analyzed or manipulated by a local computer and/or the remote computer, which may be used to generate an analysis result or analysis report. Such results or reports, along with any other information or data including historical or expected information, may be sent or communicated to a remote viewing device for viewing by a user. Methods are further provided for the operation of the remote monitoring system of the present invention. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332150 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING A FLUORESCENT SAMPLE DISPOSED ON A SUBSTRATE - An apparatus for analysing a fluorescent sample disposed on a substrate comprises a first processor for producing first and second electrical signals derived from respective first and second light signal components received from a sample and from a substrate. The apparatus produces the first and second electrical signals such that there is a phase difference between phases of the first and second electrical signals. The apparatus comprises a control circuit for producing an attenuation signal for attenuating the second electrical signal. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332151 | METHOD FOR OVERLOAD PROTECTION OF SMA DEVICE - A method for detecting a mechanical overload condition of an energized linear actuator to prevent commanding an activation signal to the linear actuator that may mechanically overload the linear actuator includes monitoring feedback variation of a movable element associated with the linear actuator including monitoring a present feedback signal of the movable element, monitoring a previous feedback signal of the movable element, comparing the present feedback signal and the previous feedback signal and determining the feedback variation based on the comparing. The feedback variation is compared to a feedback variation threshold. An input signal associated with the activation signal for controlling the linear actuator is monitored and the input signal compared to an input signal threshold. The electrical overload condition is detected when the feedback variation is less than the feedback variation threshold and the input signal is greater than the input signal threshold. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332152 | INTEGRATED POSITION AND PARAMETER SENSING FOR THE MUSCULARSKELETAL SYSTEM - A measurement system for capturing a transit time, phase, or frequency of energy waves propagating through a propagation medium is disclosed. The measurement system comprises a sensing module ( | 2010-12-30 |
20100332153 | Method of Determining Fatigue Life and Remaining Life - The present invention concerns a method of calculating the expected life of a hardened metal object in relation to a number of fatigue load cycles exerted on the hardened metal object. The method comprises determining the development of microstructural deterioration as a function of fatigue exposure time, deriving therefrom an equation for the development of a Fatigue Damage Index as a function of fatigue exposure time and relating this equation to a known critical value of the Fatigue Damage Index that leads to material failure. The present invention also provides a method of calculating the remaining life of a hardened metal object subjected to fatigue loading. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332154 | Velocity Based Method for Determining Air-Fuel Ratio of a Fluid Flow - A method for determining one or more fluid flow parameters for a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The fluid is a mixture of solid particles and gas. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a meter operable to determine the velocity of the fluid flow through the pipe, which meter is substantially insensitive to the particulate/gas mass ratio of the fluid flow; b) determining the velocity of the fluid flow within the pipe using the meter; and c) determining a particulate/gas mass ratio using a density value for the gas within the flow and the determined fluid flow velocity. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332155 | MICROELECTROMECHANICAL VISCOSITY MEASUREMENT DEVICES AND METHODS THEREOF - A viscosity measurement device includes a flexible membrane, an actuation heating element, and a displacement sensor apparatus. The actuation heating element is on and spaced in from an outer periphery of the flexible membrane. The displacement sensor apparatus is coupled to the flexible membrane and measures and outputs a displacement signal representative of a viscosity of a fluid in contact with the flexible membrane | 2010-12-30 |
20100332156 | MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENT - One A/D converter and the other A/D converter have a common power supply voltage and sample an A/D conversion value at short time intervals and at a long time intervals, respectively. Both the A/D converter and the A/D converter are set in a constant active state (continuous conversion mode). This allows the total consumption current combining the consumption current of the A/D converter and the consumption current of the A/D converter to be constant, so that the power supply voltage is stabilized and a stable A/D conversion value can be obtained from each of the A/D converters. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332157 | Method for Querying a Piezoelectric Resonator and Querying Device Implementing Said Querying Method - A method for interrogating a passive sensor comprising at least one piezoelectric resonator includes the following steps:
| 2010-12-30 |
20100332158 | METHOD FOR MEASURING DISPENSED VOLUME OF A LIQUID IN A CONTAINER BY MEASURING CAPACITANCE - A method for measuring the volume of a liquid dispensed inside a container with the aid of a suction/discharge device included in an analysis automaton,
| 2010-12-30 |
20100332159 | PLACEMENT DEVICE FOR ASSEMBLING COMPONENTS IN ELECTRONIC DEVICES - A placement device ( | 2010-12-30 |
20100332160 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A RADIATION MEASUREMENT FOR THERMAL RADIATION, ARC FURNACE, A SIGNAL PROCESSING DEVICE PROGRAMME CODE AND STORAGE MEDIUM FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD - In a method, a variable characterising an operational state of an electrode of an arc furnace can be determined. An electrode flow guided to the electrode is detected in the method and the structure-borne noise oscillations are detected. From the detected electrode flow, a flow evaluation signal associated with the frequency range of the detected electrode flow is determined. From the detected structure-borne noise oscillations, an oscillation evaluation signal that is associated with a frequency range of the detected structure-borne noise oscillations is detected and a quotient from the oscillation evaluation signal and the flow evaluation signal is formed as a radiation measurement for at least one frequency common to the detected electrode flow and the detected structure-borne noise oscillation. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332161 | MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRING SYSTEMS - A system for monitoring one or more components of an aircraft wiring system component is provided. The system comprises at least one sensor configured to detect one or more partial discharges produced by a respective one of the components of the aircraft wiring system and to generate at least one monitoring signal, at least one electrical-to-optical converter configured to convert the monitoring signal to an optical signal, at least one optical connector configured to transmit the optical signal, and at least one optical-to-electrical converter configured to convert the optical signal to an electrical signal. The system further comprises a data acquisition system configured to process the electrical signal. Further, a method for monitoring one or more components of an aircraft wiring system component is also presented. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332162 | SYSTEM FOR TESTING MATRIX TYPE CONNECTOR - A system for testing a matrix type connector includes a data collecting circuit, a control circuit, a storage unit, and a display unit. The data collecting circuit collects the connector pins' information, and transmits the collected pins' information to the control circuit. The storage unit is electrically coupled to the control circuit and stores a plurality of normal pins' information. The control circuit compares the collected pins' information with the plurality of stored normal pins' information, and outputs the comparison result to the display unit. The display unit receives the comparison result to indicate whether pins of the matrix type connector are normal. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332163 | METHODS, DEVICE AND INSTALLATION FOR LOCATING A DEFECT IN AN ELECTRIC LINK - A method for detecting a defect in an electric link, which transmits, at a first moment, an electric signal having a predetermined propagation speed from an end of the electric link, and detects, at a second moment, reception of an echo of the electric signal. The method further establishes a model of the variation of the electric signal propagation speed in the electric link on the basis of the length of the link through which the signal flows, and estimates a first location of the defect based on the difference between the first and second moments, on the predetermined propagation speed at the start, and on the speed variation model in the link. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332164 | COMMUNICATION DEVICE FOR HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC APPLIANCES AND MONITORING SYSTEM USING SAID DEVICE - A communication device, for connecting one or more electrical appliances to a remote service centre, comprises a control unit (AMC), means (PLG) for connecting the device (HG) to an alternating voltage electric mains network (Vac) and means (SK) for supplying the alternating mains voltage (Vac) to a power supply line of an electric appliance. The device (HG) further comprises first communication means (CSA), prearranged for receiving information possibly generated by the electric appliance and transmitted through the power supply line thereof, second communication means (ZB), prearranged for establishing a connection with a local area network (HN | 2010-12-30 |
20100332165 | Method of Estimating Pulse Response Using an Impedance Spectrum - Electrochemical Impedance Spectrum (EIS) data are used directly to predict the pulse performance of an energy storage device. The impedance spectrum of the EIS is obtained in-situ using pre-existing techniques. A simulation waveform is configured such that the period of the pulse is greater than or equal to the lowest frequency of the impedance measurement. If the pulse is assumed to be periodic for analysis purposes, the complex Fourier series coefficients can be obtained. The number of harmonic constituents are selected so as to appropriately resolve the response, but the maximum frequency should be less than or equal to the highest frequency of the impedance measurement. In some cases, the measured frequencies of the impedance spectrum do not match the corresponding harmonic components of the simulated pulse wave. This is resolved by estimating the impedance measurements at the desired frequencies using linear interpolation, cubic spline fits, or other comparable methods. Using a current pulse as an example, the Fourier coefficients of the pulse are multiplied by the impedance spectrum at the corresponding frequency to obtain the Fourier coefficients of the voltage response to the desired pulse. The Fourier coefficients of the response are then summed reassemble to obtain the overall time domain estimate of the voltage using the Fourier series analysis. Thus, the response of an energy storage device to an anticipated or desired pulse can be estimated using low-level, charge neutral impedance measurements combined with Fourier series analysis. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332166 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND BATTERY DEGRADATION DETECTION METHOD - According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus is configured to be powered by a battery. The apparatus includes a charging circuit, a charging current measuring module, a charging time measuring module, and a calculation module. The charging circuit charges the battery by using power from an external power supply. The charging current measuring module measures a charging current supplied to the battery from the charging circuit. The charging time measuring module measures a time during which the battery is charged by the charging current. The calculation module calculates a charging capacity from the measured charging current and the measured charging time, and compares an accumulated charging capacity, which is obtained by cumulatively adding the calculated charging capacity to a previously calculated charging capacity, with a reference value, in order to detect degradation of the battery. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332167 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE OPERATING CONDITION OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL - Due to their exposure to extreme environments, it is expected that parts or all of a solar power system will experience degradation in performance. The degradation may be due to temporary environmental factors, such as cloud cover; damage or localized soiling; a general dirty condition; or ageing of the components. A method is disclosed wherein a remote system may detect degraded performance and determine the cause, thereby enabling a decision as to the appropriate corrective action to be taken, if any. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332168 | DETERMINING PLASMA PROCESSING SYSTEM READINESS WITHOUT GENERATING PLASMA - A test system for facilitating determining whether a plasma processing system (which includes a plasma processing chamber) is ready for processing wafers. The test system may include a computer-readable medium storing at least a test program. The test program may include code for receiving electric parameter values derived from signals detected by at least one sensor when no plasma is present in the plasma processing chamber. The test program may also include code for generating electric model parameter values using the electric parameter values and a mathematical model. The test program may also include code for comparing the electric model parameter values with baseline model parameter value information. The test program may also include code for determining readiness of the plasma processing system based on the comparison. The test system may also include circuit hardware for performing one or more tasks associated with the test program. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332169 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING A CHARACTERISTIC IMPEDANCE OF A SIGNAL PATH ROUTING OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD - A method for testing a characteristic impedance of a signal path routing of a printed circuit board (PCB) controls the test device to test a characteristic impedance of the signal path routing of the PCB to get test data of the signal path routing of the PCB. The method further analyzes the test data of the signal path routing of the PCB get analysis results, generate a test report for storing the test data of each signal path routing of the PCB and the analysis results if all signal path routings of the PCB have been tested. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332170 | Multiple Excitation Capacitance Polling for Enhanced Electronic Capacitance Tomography - Disclosed herein is a novel sensing technique, termed Multiple Excitation Capacitance Polling (MECaP), that improves the efficiency of Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT). Unlike traditional alternating current techniques, where excitation signal is applied to an electrode one at a time, MECaP involves simultaneously applying multiple excitation signals, in a progressively increasing fashion, to multiple electrodes on an ECT sensor. The received signals are filtered or otherwise decomposed (e.g., Fourier transformed) into different components, and the individual components are used to generate an image of the article or substance disposed between the electrodes. Because multiple capacitances can be simultaneously measured as a consequence, scanning with MECaP can significantly increase the image scanning speed. For example, scanning with MECaP may enable frames rates of tens of kHz for imaging dynamic processes such as engine combustion. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332171 | COUNTING DEVICE, PHYSICAL QUANTITY SENSOR, COUNTING METHOD, AND PHYSICAL QUANTITY MEASURING METHOD - A tension/speed measuring device comprises a laser driver for driving the oscillation of a semiconductor laser, and a counter for counting interference waveforms included in the output of a photodiode for converting the output of the semiconductor laser into an electrical signal. The counter measures the periods of interference waveforms during a measuring interval, where a frequency distribution for the periods of the interference waveforms during the measuring interval is generated from the measuring results, where a class value wherein the product of the class value and the frequency is a maximum is used as a representative value D | 2010-12-30 |
20100332172 | Secure test-for-yield chip diagnostics management system and method - A chip diagnostics management system includes secure design information that define production features of integrated circuit devices and are accessible according to selected levels of access privilege. A database of device defect information includes information of defects of devices produced according to the production features of the design information and associated wafers, production lots, and dies in or with which the devices were produced. A diagnostic manager correlates device defect information from plural wafers with the design information to identify a device location with a probability of being associated with the device defect information. A diagnostic manager viewer indicates the device location together with an amount of design information correlated the level of access privilege assigned to a selected user. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332173 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ASSESSING MEASUREMENTS IN PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING DEVICES - Methods and systems are provided for deriving and analyzing shape metrics, including skewness metrics, from physiological signals and their derivatives to determine measurement quality, patient status and operating conditions of a physiological measurement device. Such determinations may be used for any number of functions, including indicating to a patient or care provider that the measurement quality is low or unacceptable, alerting a patient or care provider to a change in patient status, triggering or delaying a recalibration of a monitoring device, and adjusting the operating parameters of a monitoring system. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332174 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUANTITATING SURFACE-BINDING OPTICAL RESONANCE PROFILES - Empirical Profile Fits are used to quantitate Surface-binding Optical Resonance profiles. The EPF process has two stages, Calibration and Fit. In the Calibration stage, a calibration surface-binding optical resonance scan is obtained with relatively fine angle or wavelength spacing over a range sufficient to include full resonance profiles for all regions. Smoothed, subsampled empirical profiles for each Region of Interest are generated by the main calibration module, together with first derivative curves and diagnostic information. Properties returned may include approximate resonance position, depth, and width. In the Fit stage, individual ROI scans are used for measurement of resonance shifts relative to the empirical profile. The fitting module identifies the region of the experimental scan encompassing the resonance and fits that region using the previously stored empirical profiles, quantifying and returning the desired values, including the shift in the resonance as compared to its location at calibration, estimated absolute angles or wavelengths, time of resonance minimum, and additional diagnostic and quality information. Optionally, data obtained from either Calibration or Fit stages may be exported for analysis on other systems. In a preferred embodiment, Instrument Control and Data Acquisition Software sets internal parameters in the EPF Calibration module and sends raw data from a calibration scan to the EPF Calibration module, which funnels the data through a Subsampler and a Savitsky-Golay smoothing routine before taking derivatives and characterizing the data to create an empirical profile for the chip. The empirical profiles are then optionally stored. Next, Instrument Control and Data Acquisition Software sets internal parameters in the EPF Fitting module and sends raw data from a run-time scan performed utilizing the chip to the EPF Fitting module, which qualifies it, queries the EPF Calibration module for the empirical profile for the chip, and fits the curve, iterating when necessary. Results from the fitting process are then returned and thereby provided to the user. | 2010-12-30 |
20100332175 | REMOTE PROCESSING OF WELL TOOL SENSOR DATA AND CORRECTION OF SENSOR DATA ON DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS - For some embodiments, a software application for correcting sensor data in a remote database ( | 2010-12-30 |