04th week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 54 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120022653 | COMPOSITE ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANT HAVING A LOW FRICTION MATERIAL SUBSTRATE WITH PRIMARY FRICTIONAL FEATURES AND SECONDARY FRICTIONAL FEATURES - An orthopedic implant comprising a substrate material adapted to provide the orthopedic implant. The implant has a primary friction area located on or integral with the substrate material. The primary friction area defining an engagement surface having a primary frictional feature. A secondary friction area is located on or integral with the engagement surface and defining a second frictional feature. The primary friction area and the secondary friction area defining a friction interface zone between the orthopedic implant and at least one bone. The secondary friction area increases a friction of the engagement surface and modulus of elasticity to enhance the frictional engagement between the engagement surface and the at least one bone. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022654 | VARIABLE HEIGHT INTERVERTEBRAL DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USE - Variable height intervertebral devices and method of employing the devices are disclosed. The devices and methods can maintain or re-establishing anatomic spacing along a spine and can ensure avoidance of long-term structural, neurological, vascular, and/or other systemic impairments. The intervertebral device includes a cylindrical body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first disk threaded to the first end of the cylindrical body and a second disk mounted to the second end of the cylindrical body; means for rotating the cylindrical body whereby the first disk translates along the cylindrical body to vary the height of the device; and a plurality of pins mounted to one disk, the plurality of pins slidably engageable with a plurality of sleeves mounted to the other disk, the pins and sleeves inhibiting the first disk from rotating when the cylindrical body is rotated. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022655 | ABSORBER DESIGN FOR IMPLANTABLE DEVICE - A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one embodiment, the system includes an implantable energy absorbing device having a first part with a piston and arbor arranged parallel to one another and a second part also having a piston and arbor. The piston of the first part is slidable within the arbor of the second part and the piston of the second part is slidable within the arbor of the first part. Further, two springs can be received over the arbors of the first and second part and configured to bias the first and second parts apart. The energy absorbing device is configured to span across a joint. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022656 | Cannulated Hemi-Implant and Methods of Use Thereof - The present invention provides a cannulated hemi-implant with a base and a threaded stem for fixing the stem of the implant within a medullary canal of a phalanx or other bone in the foot. The implant includes a tri-part head capable of both cutting bone and self-threading, with bone forming the medullary canal of a phalanx of a human foot. The present invention also provides a hand tool which engages and rotates the implant within the medullary canal of the phalanx. The present invention further provides a method of surgically implanting the implant in the medullary canal of the phalanx or other bone. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022657 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING FOR A SURGICAL PROCEDURE - A method of preparing for a surgical procedure includes creating a three-dimensional bone model of a subject bone of a patient. At least a portion of the bone model is compared to at least one three-dimensional reference anatomic model. At least one structural difference between the bone model and the at least one reference anatomic model is identified. At least one desired subject bone structural change is specified to produce a modified bone model responsive to the step of identifying at least one structural difference between the bone model and the at least one reference anatomic model. An apparatus for preparing for a surgical procedure is also provided. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022658 | ASYMMETRIC TIBIAL COMPONENTS FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS - An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with an asymmetric periphery which promotes proper positioning and orientation on a resected tibia, while also facilitating enhanced kinematics, soft-tissue interaction, and long-term fixation of the complete knee prosthesis. The asymmetric baseplate periphery is sized and shaped to substantially match portions of the periphery of a typical resected proximal tibial surface, such that proper location and orientation is evident by resting the baseplate on the tibia. The baseplate periphery provides strategically positioned relief and/or clearance between the baseplate periphery and bone periphery, such as in the posterior-medial portion to prevent deep-flexion component impingement, and in the anterior-lateral portion to avoid undue interaction between the anatomic iliotibial band and prosthesis components. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022659 | ASYMMETRIC TIBIAL COMPONENTS FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS - An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with an asymmetric periphery which promotes proper positioning and orientation on a resected tibia, while also facilitating enhanced kinematics, soft-tissue interaction, and long-term fixation of the complete knee prosthesis. The asymmetric baseplate periphery is sized and shaped to substantially match portions of the periphery of a typical resected proximal tibial surface, such that proper location and orientation is evident by resting the baseplate on the tibia. The baseplate periphery provides strategically positioned relief and/or clearance between the baseplate periphery and bone periphery, such as in the posterior-medial portion to prevent deep-flexion component impingement, and in the anterior-lateral portion to avoid undue interaction between the anatomic iliotibial band and prosthesis components. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022660 | ASYMMETRIC TIBIAL COMPONENTS FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS - An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with an asymmetric periphery which promotes proper positioning and orientation on a resected tibia, while also facilitating enhanced kinematics, soft-tissue interaction, and long-term fixation of the complete knee prosthesis. The asymmetric baseplate periphery is sized and shaped to substantially match portions of the periphery of a typical resected proximal tibial surface, such that proper location and orientation is evident by resting the baseplate on the tibia. The baseplate periphery provides strategically positioned relief and/or clearance between the baseplate periphery and bone periphery, such as in the posterior-medial portion to prevent deep-flexion component impingement, and in the anterior-lateral portion to avoid undue interaction between the anatomic iliotibial band and prosthesis components. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022661 | CONTAINMENT SYSTEM FOR CONSTRAINING A PROSTHETIC COMPONENT - Methods, systems and devices for preventing prosthetic articulating surfaces from separating from each other. A containment system according to one embodiment seeks to prevent an implant stem head from dislocating from a prosthetic component while providing an increased range of motion over conventional constrained components. In one embodiment, an implant structural member includes a cavity and an opening having a lip, including a web along a portion of the lip. An implant stem head has a cooperating surface that corresponds with the web, so that when the cooperating surface of the implant stem head is aligned with the web, the head may be inserted into the implant structural member. The implant stem head is then rotated and the femoral stem component attached, thereby preventing dislocation of the head. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022662 | IMPLANT COMPONENTS AND METHODS - Systems, devices, and methods are provided for orthopedic implants. The implants may include a base member, such as an acetabular shell or an augment, that is configured to couple with an augment, flange cup, mounting member, or any other suitable orthopedic attachment. Any of the implantable components may be include one or more porous surfaces. The porous surface may be textured by protrusions that connect to and extend from the surface. The sizes and concentration of the protrusions may be varied for specific applications to accommodate different implants and patient anatomies. A porous implant may also include one or more internal or external solid portions that strengthen the implant. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022663 | IMPLANT COMPONENTS AND METHODS - Systems, devices, and methods are provided for orthopedic implants. The implants may include a base member, such as an acetabular shell or an augment, that is configured to couple with an augment, flange cup, mounting member, or any other suitable orthopedic attachment. An implant may include a base member that has at least two projections with a gap between the projections. The gap between the projections allows the implant to be implanted around another implanted component, such as around a bone screw of an acetabular shell. The implant may include a fixation element, such as a screw or a cement trough, on one or more projections to couple the implant to an implanted acetabular shell. The implant may also include timing marks to facilitate alignment with corresponding marks on another implanted component. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022664 | PROSTHETIC IMPLANT AND ASSEMBLY METHOD - An orthopedic prosthetic implant comprises a metal alloy stem element ( | 2012-01-26 |
20120022665 | POLYMER SLIDING MATERIAL, ARTIFICIAL JOINT MEMBER, MEDICAL APPLIANCE, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR - Disclosed is a sliding member with excellent durability and capable of maintaining wear resistance over a long period of time. Further disclosed is an artificial joint member for which the film thickness of the polymer base material is reduced. Further disclosed is an artificial joint which is capable of demonstrating high lubricity, biocompatibility, and resistance to dislocation after introduction into the body. Further disclosed are a medical appliance material and a medical appliance which demonstrate excellent biocompatibility. The sliding material or the medical appliance material is formed by a polymer layer or a biocompatible material layer (B) being provided by coating at least a portion of the surface of a polymer base material (A), the surface of which has a ketone group, and the polymer layer or biocompatible layer (B) is characterized by being formed by surface graft polymerization, wherein the polymer base material (A) is immersed in a reaction system which contains a monomer (C), the polymer base material (A) is exposed to light, and polymerization of the monomer is initiated from the surface of the polymer base material (A). Using the sliding material or medical appliance material, an artificial joint member, an artificial joint, a medical appliance material, and a medical appliance are manufactured. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022666 | Actuator for Prosthetic Finger and Method - A prosthetic glove worn over damaged fingers or over a prosthetic hand having flexible fingers. The glove articulates the fingers with multiple shape memory alloy wires and includes a cooling system for each shape memory alloy wire. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022667 | INTELLIGENT PROSTHETIC SOCKET SYSTEM WITH ACTIVE USER FEEDBACK INTERFACE AND REAL TIME PROSTHESIS DIAGNOSTICS - An apparatus is provided for use with a prosthetic system. The apparatus includes a controller and a wireless smart device. The controller operates to gather data and derive prosthetic information from a plurality of sensors, and transmits the prosthetic information over a wireless radio link, where the controller and the plurality of sensors are disposed within the interior of a prosthetic socket. The wireless smart device is coupled to the controller via the wireless radio link, and receives the prosthetic information, and provides visual and audio representations of the prosthetic information to a user. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022668 | PROSTHETIC AND ORTHOTIC SYSTEMS USABLE FOR REHABILITATION - Disclosed are adjustable powered rehabilitation devices and methods for using the same to rehabilitate and/or train a user. The rehabilitation devices preferably have a plurality of selectable power settings that correspond to one or more rehabilitation-oriented actions or functions of the rehabilitation devices. For example, the power of the rehabilitation device may be selected based on a need, ability, muscle-power and/or physiological characteristics of the user. For instance, a rehabilitation device may be operated at a relatively low power setting to allow a patient to use his or her own muscle power when moving with the rehabilitation device. The rehabilitation device may also include an adjustable sensitivity level that corresponds to a user difficulty in triggering a particular rehabilitation-oriented action. The powered rehabilitation device may also temporarily be used to train a user in interacting with a passive or more conventional prosthetic device. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022669 | AUTOMATION SYSTEM HAVING FRAMEWORK BASED CONTROLLER - The invention relates to an automation system having a number of objects to to be controlled, wherein the automation system comprises a framework based controller ( | 2012-01-26 |
20120022670 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UTILIZING A HYBRID MODEL - A system and method for predicting operation of a plant or process receive an input value from the plant or process. An integrity of a non-linear model corresponding to a local input space of the input value may be determined. The non-linear model may include an empirical representation of the plant or process. If the integrity is above a first threshold, non-linear model may be used to provide a first output value. However, if the integrity is below the first threshold, a linearized first principles model may be used to provide a second output value. The linearized first principles model may include an analytic representation of the plant or process. Additionally, the analytic representation of the plant or process may be independent of the empirical representation of the plant or process. The first output value and/or the second output value may be usable to manage the plant or process. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022671 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A SAFETY STEP AND SAFETY MANAGER - For determining a safety step in an automation network with subscribers the data and process-specific links between the subscribers in the automation network are automatically determined by means of a configuration-detecting module. Further the subscriber-specific safety parameters are determined The safety step in the automation network is calculated by means of an algorithm which connects the determined data and process-specific links of the subscribers in the automation network and the determined subscriber-specific safety parameters. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022672 | APPARATUS FOR REDUCING OR MINIMIZING DISTURBANCE SIGNALS IN THE CASE OF A FIELD DEVICE OF PROCESS AUTOMATION - An apparatus for reducing or minimizing disturbance signals in the case of a field device of process automation, wherein the field device has a control/evaluation unit and a sensor, with, respectively, at least one main electronics and at least one sensor electronics. At least one data line is provided, via which the main electronics and the sensor electronics communicate. At least one galvanic isolating component is provided, which is integrated into the at least one data line, and which prevents transmission of disturbance signals via the one or more data lines. Power supply lines are provided, via which a power supply voltage sufficient for operation of the sensor is made available to the sensor; and wherein, in the power supply lines , filter means are provided, which are designed in such a manner that predetermined requirements for disturbance resistance of the power supply lines are fulfilled. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022673 | Dynamic Views in a Modeling of an Automation System - The present disclosure provides a dynamic view in a modeling of an automation system. A first portion of the model may be described in a first sequence description and a second portion of the model may be described in a second sequence description. The sequence descriptions are linked together. In one embodiment, the links are visually provided. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022674 | APPLICATION SPECIFIC VIRTUAL REAL-TIME OPERATING SYSTEM COMPILER - A mechanism to automate the design and programming of programmable control systems. Using graphical software representations, there is provided a set of sub-circuits that can be selected and attached to a graphical representation of a programmable controller. Technical information for the construction and testing of the programmable controller system are generated automatically by the mechanism. Another mechanism then automates the construction of structure and timing of the control software to fit all task requirements of the control system. The stand alone control software then operates in real time on the programmable controller system. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022675 | PREDICTIVE PRE-RECORDING OF AUDIO FOR VOICE INPUT - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing predictive pre-recording of audio for voice input. In one aspect, a method includes establishing, as input data, state data that references a state of a mobile device and sensor data that is sensed by one or more sensors of the mobile device, applying a rule or a probabilistic model to the input data, inferring, based on applying the rule or the probabilistic model to the input data, that a user of the mobile device is likely to initiate voice input, and invoking one or more functionalities of the mobile device in response to inferring that the user is likely to initiate voice input. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022676 | AUDIO SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, AUDIO CODING APPARATUS, AND AUDIO DECODING APPARATUS - To provide an audio signal processing apparatus which can perform, with low operation amount, audio signal processing that is either time stretch and/or compression processing or frequency modulation processing. The audio signal processing apparatus is intended to transform an input audio signal sequence using a predetermined adjustment factor. The audio signal processing apparatus includes a filter bank ( | 2012-01-26 |
20120022677 | SIMULATION METHOD, SIMULATION APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - A simulation apparatus includes a storing unit that stores therein information about a shape of a blank piece to be cut out from raw wood, information about a final shape of a wooden piece obtained by compressing the blank piece, and image data of a surface of the blank piece. The apparatus also includes detecting unit that detects a knot appearing on the surface of the blank piece by image recognition using the image data; a shape estimating unit that estimates a shape of the detected knot using shape information on the blank piece; and a determining unit that determines, in accordance with the shape of the estimated knot, a cutting location and a cutting shape of the blank piece in such a manner that the cutting location and shape include a part and a thickness of the knot is substantially the same as that of the compressed blank piece. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022678 | LINEAR FRICTION WELDING OF AN AEROFOIL BLISK - A method of making an aerofoil blink comprising a plurality of aerofoil blades joined to a disc to extend radially outwardly therefrom is provided, The method includes the step of: (a) modelling a linear friction welding process in which a blade member is joined to the disc, the blade member having a stub for joining to the disc, wherein the modelling provides results which are indicative of the welding power at positions along the stub during the welding process; (b) identifying adaptations to the stub using the modelling results to compensate for differences in welding power along the stub during the welding process; (c) providing a blade member having a stub with the identified adaptations; and (d) joining the provided blade member to the disc by the linear friction welding process. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022679 | ADVANCED PROCESS CONTROL OPTIMIZATION - A method for automatic process control (APC) performance monitoring may include, but is not limited to: computing one or more APC performance indicators for one or more production lots of semiconductor devices; and displaying a mapping of the one or more APC performance indicators to the one or more production lots of semiconductor devices. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022680 | TWO-DIMENSIONAL CODE READING DEVICE, TWO-DIMENSIONAL CODE READING METHOD, METHOD OF CONTROLLING MANUFACTURING HISTORY INFORMATION OF MEMBER HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY CIRCULAR SECTION ORTHOGONAL TO THE CENTRAL AXIS THEREOF, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE MEMBER USING THE CONTROL METHOD - [Problem to be Solved] | 2012-01-26 |
20120022681 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GRINDING A CONTINUOUSLY CASTING PRODUCT - The invention relates to a method for grinding a continuous casting product ( | 2012-01-26 |
20120022682 | NUMERICAL CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE NUMERICAL CONTROL DEVICE - A numerical control device according to the invention is a numerical control device for a multi-spindle machine tool including a rotation axis and controlling a tool attitude relative to a machining workpiece, including a first storage device capable of recording a machining program; a second storage device capable of storing coordinate systems; and a central processing unit capable of executing the machining program, selecting a coordinate system suitable for machining from among the coordinate systems stored in the second storage device based on the tool attitude set by the machining program or an external input, and outputting data for machining the workpiece on the selected coordinate system. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022683 | LATERAL POSITION DETECTION AND CONTROL FOR FRICTION STIR SYSTEMS - An apparatus and computer program are disclosed for processing at least one workpiece using a rotary tool with rotating member for contacting and processing the workpiece. The methods include oscillating the rotary tool laterally with respect to a selected propagation path for the rotating member with respect to the workpiece to define an oscillation path for the rotating member. The methods further include obtaining force signals or parameters related to the force experienced by the rotary tool at least while the rotating member is disposed at the extremes of the oscillation. The force signals or parameters associated with the extremes can then be analyzed to determine a lateral position of the selected path with respect to a target path and a lateral offset value can be determined based on the lateral position. The lateral distance between the selected path and the target path can be decreased based on the lateral offset value. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022684 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY DEPOSITING OBJECTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF THEIR TRANSPORTATION - A method for automatically depositing objects for transport, including a phase of user storing transport data in a storage element, the data relating to: the user associated with the object; the total number of objects declared by the user; the destination, the route and the time of the transport; a depositing phase, including: a user applying a first electromagnetic identification tag onto an object to be transported; placing, by the user, the object to be transported on a conveyance device; reading an identification data, by first reading device, from the first electromagnetic identification tag, storing identification data read in the storage element in association with previously stored transport data; a phase of conveying the object for transport; the depositing phase including a measurement of the weight and/or dimensions of the object and/or storing, in the storage element, of the weight and/or the dimensions in association with the transport data. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022685 | Method for operating an electric charging station - A method for operating an electric charging station within a parking area proposes operating an electric charging station within a parking area, wherein an identification device is used by a user when entering into the parking area, wherein the identification device provides a unique identification, wherein a current supply device of the charging station is activated by the user by using the identification device whereupon the current supply device is available for a charging process. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022686 | RICH CONTENT MANAGEMENT AND DISPLAY FOR USE IN REMOTE FIELD ASSETS - A field asset such as a vending machine includes a coin acceptor, a bill validator, and a card reader all operatively connected to a shared bus. A rich content display device displays color graphics and an extended function adapter (EFA) coupled to the shared bus includes a rich content agent (RCA) to manage rich content displayed on the display. The RCA may include a content management agent (CMA) coupled to a rich content player that executes rich content file for display on the display device. The EFA may include a cashless agent to generate procedural state information. The CMA detects the procedural state information and controls the presentation of rich content on the display device based at least in part on the detected procedural state information. The EFA may include an analytic agent to determine a substantive state of the vending machine including an inventory state and an environmental state. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022687 | METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING CHIP AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING CHIP - A method for transferring chips is provided for fixing one of the chips on a blue tape without sorting. A blue tape, a plurality of chips disposed thereon and a mapping data are provided, wherein the chips are disposed on the same blue tape, belong to the same wafer, and belong to a plurality of specifications. The specifications include a first specification and a second specification. The mapping data include the specifications the chips belonging to and the positions of the chips relative to the blue tape. According the mapping data, the chips belonging to the first specification are moved from the blue tape and fixed to a package carrier corresponding to the first specification. According the mapping data, the chips belonging to the second specification are moved from the blue tape and fixed to a package carrier corresponding to the second specification. A chip transferring apparatus is also provided. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022688 | AUTONOMOUS ROBOTIC LIFE FORM - A robotic life form simulates a live creature responsive to a changing environment sensed by the robot, and has a robotic body that is articulated for motion around an upright axis and supported by at least two legs, each having at least two joints. The neck of the body terminates in a head provided with eyes and a mouth, and, in the illustrated creature, has a tail. Internal and external input sensors are located on the robotic body and responsive to touch, sound and lighting conditions, motion, food, temperature, voice commands, time of day, and obstacles and hazards, and include a head touch sensor, a plurality of touch sensors extending along a torso of the body, and a plurality of touch sensors on the feet. Actuators responsive to the input sensors control the eyes of the robot, opening and closing of its mouth, movement of the head, movement of the neck relative to the torso, and relative movements of the front and rear sections of the torso to cause the torso to pivot and twist and thereby provide lifelike responses to the sensed conditions. Drive index levels in accordance with priority criteria selected from a plurality of animation groups determine the drive index levels, and servo actuators associated with the body are responsive to dominant drive indexes causing the robot to execute animations resulting therefrom. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022689 | System and Method for Robot Safety and Collision Avoidance - A system and method for developing an intrusion detection zone substantially surrounding mobile components of a robot, training a model of the robot to accept selected intrusions into the intrusion detection zone, and, during application operations, triggering an application interrupt upon detecting an unexpected intrusion. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022690 | ROBOT CONTROL APPARATUS - In an embodiment of the present invention, with the purpose of more accurately calculating a disturbance torque generated by an external force acting on a robot, friction parameters contained in algorithms, such as a friction coefficient and a dead-zone threshold value, are dynamically changed based on the mode of operation, the operation speed, and the like. In this manner, a drive torque is estimated with high accuracy. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022691 | AUTOMATED POSITIONING OF AN ORGANIC POLARIZED OBJECT - A method, system and apparatus to position an organic polarized object to a predetermined orientation and a predetermined location are provided. In an embodiment, an image of the organic polarized object is captured through an image capture device. The image of the organic polarized object is converted to an image data set. This image data set if further converted to a dimension data set. A first location and a first orientation of the organic polarized object are determined through a processor. A pressure is applied to secure organic polarized object. The organic polarized object is secured through a robotic end effector and may be moved to a predetermined location and a predetermined orientation. The organic polarized object is adjusted to the predetermined orientation. The organic polarized object is positioned at a predetermined location. The predetermined location and predetermined orientation may be selected by a user. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022692 | PREDICTION AND CONTROL SOLUTION FOR POLYMERIZATION REACTOR OPERATION - Techniques and systems for the prevention of reactor fouls in polymerization reactors are described. Described embodiments include techniques and systems for performing analyses on reactor data collected over time for the detection of incipient reactor fouling. Techniques are provided for monitoring the state of the reactor as well as for monitoring individual system parameters, including rates of change, for predicting the onset of a reactor foul. In particular, the techniques may be implemented such that predictive proactive control systems may be integrated into polymerization reactor systems to prevent reactor fouling. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022693 | MULTI-CHANNEL CHEMICAL TRANSPORT BUS PROVIDING SHORT-DURATION BURST TRANSPORT FOR MICROFLUIDIC AND OTHER APPLICATIONS - A controllable multiple-channel chemical transport bus providing routing and transport of fluids, gasses, aerosols, slurries and the like within a larger system. The system and methods are applicable for use in Lab-on-a-Chip (LoC) technology, and can be useful in the implementation of reconfigurable LoC devices. Routes through the bus are determined by control signals and/or sequences of control signals issued under algorithmic control. Several independent flows may occur simultaneously. Adaptations of Clos, Banyan, and other related multi-stage switching architectures in the flow topology can be supported. The controllable multiple-channel chemical transport bus can be configured to support chemical flow durations short enough that the chemical flow at a first chemical flow port ends at a time before the chemical flow is first received at a second chemical flow port. Sensors may be placed at various locations along bus line segments and may be used in timing of the flows. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022694 | CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL DEGRADATION SENSING IN OIL - A sensing scheme comprising determining the chemical degradation and physical degradation in oil using variation in transmission behavior of oil for multi-wavelength electromagnetic radiation, and separating the contributory effect of physical degradation from the chemical degradation is disclosed. Further sensor designs employing the said scheme are disclosed. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022695 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROL OF MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES - The present invention provides control methods, control systems, and control software for microfluidic devices that operate by moving discrete micro-droplets through a sequence of determined configurations. Such microfluidic devices are preferably constructed in a hierarchical and modular fashion which is reflected in the preferred structure of the provided methods and systems. In particular, the methods are structured into low-level device component control functions, middle-level actuator control functions, and high-level micro-droplet control functions. Advantageously, a microfluidic device may thereby be instructed to perform an intended reaction or analysis by invoking micro-droplet control function that perform intuitive tasks like measuring, mixing, heating, and so forth. The systems are preferably programmable and capable of accommodating microfluidic devices controlled by low voltages and constructed in standardized configurations. Advantageously, a single control system can thereby control numerous different reactions in numerous different microfluidic devices simply by loading different easily understood micro-droplet programs. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022696 | DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - A control device includes an arm ( | 2012-01-26 |
20120022697 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR SIMULATED INSTABILITY IN EXERCISE EQUIPMENT - A system, method, and, as an option, computer program product are provided for simulating spontaneous movement on a stability ball, half-stability ball, other exercise device, or with no accompanying exercise device. In operation, the user has the option of entering information into the device. Additionally, the device may adjust to a setting based upon the information entered, when available; otherwise, a default setting may be selected. Furthermore, the device may randomize direction of spinning motion and force of spinning motion applied to an exercise ball by translatory motion by the mobile apparatus of the invention. The purpose of this device is to allow a single individual to achieve and surpass the effectiveness of various exercises which would otherwise require two individuals in traditional fitness training; however, the device may also be applicable to non-fitness-related fields of study and practice. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022698 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REPORTING A CAUSE OF AN EVENT OR EQUIPMENT STATE USING CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP MODELS IN A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A computerized method for evaluating and reporting a fault in a building management system includes receiving, at a processing circuit, multiple fault indications for different building equipment of the building management system. The method further includes displaying a single fault related to the multiple fault indications rather than reporting the multiple fault indications. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022699 | Control System for a Partition System - A control system for a partition wall system, which has individually displaceable partition wall elements, which each have a subordinate control unit. The wall elements can be disposed to form a closed partition wall by being displaceable in a guiding rail by a drive motor for displacing the partition wall element. The subordinate control units are equipped with a position data detection unit, which detects the position of the partition wall elements independently from an operating state during interruption of energy supply to the control system. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022700 | AUTOMATED FAULT DETECTION AND DIAGNOSTICS IN A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Systems and methods for building automation system management are shown and described. The systems and methods relate to fault detection via abnormal energy monitoring and detection. The systems and methods also relate to control and fault detection methods for chillers. The systems and methods further relate to graphical user interfaces for use with fault detection features of a building automation system. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022701 | CONTROLLER INTERFACE WITH SEPARATE SCHEDULE REVIEW MODE - A controller equipped with a user interface having a separate schedule review mode, including methods of accessing and/or programming such devices, are disclosed. The controller may include a user interface that can be utilized to initiate a scheduling routine having a separate schedule review mode for displaying one or more schedule parameters of the controller without initiating the editing mode. An illustrative method of accessing a schedule on a controller coupled to a user interface may include the steps of initializing a scheduling routine within the controller, initiating a schedule review mode within the controller, displaying one or more schedule parameters for at least one period on the user interface, and exiting the scheduling routine. One or more of the schedule parameters can be modified, if desired, by initiating a separate editing mode within the controller. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022702 | AIR CONDITIONER AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An air conditioner and a method of controlling the same are disclosed herein. The method of controlling the air conditioner includes receiving an electric power rate information, and distributing an internal air from a first indoor room to a second indoor room to reduce a temperature difference between a plurality of indoor rooms. During periods of peak power rates, costs associated with operating the air conditioner may be reduced by limiting operation of the indoor and outdoor units, while adjusting the temperatures of the indoor rooms by distributing air among the plurality of the indoor rooms. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022703 | AIR CONDITIONER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An air conditioner and an associated control method are provided in which performance of one or more indoor units may be adapted so as to minimize power consumption while maintaining cooling/heating effectiveness. The method may include receiving electric power related information, determining whether a current power rate included in the received information is higher than a preset reference value, determining a temperature distribution of at least one space to be air conditioned if the current power rate is higher than the preset reference value, and individually controlling a plurality of indoor units provided to the at least one spaced based on the determined temperature distribution. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022704 | Electrohydraulic pressure control arrangement and method for pressure control - The invention relates to an electrohydraulic pressure control arrangement ( | 2012-01-26 |
20120022705 | MULTI-CHANNEL CHEMICAL TRANSPORT BUS WITH BUS-ASSOCIATED SENSORS FOR MICROFLUIDIC AND OTHER APPLICATIONS - A controllable multiple-channel chemical transport bus routes and transports fluids, gasses, aerosols, slurries and the like within a larger system. The system and methods are applicable for use in Lab-on-a-Chip (LoC) technology, and can be useful in the implementation of reconfigurable LoC devices. Routes through the bus are determined by control signals and/or sequences of control signals issued under algorithmic control. Several independent flows may occur simultaneously. Adaptations of Clos, Banyan, and other related multi-stage switching architectures in the flow topology can be supported. Sensors are placed at various locations along bus path segments. Information gathered by the sensors can be used for one or more of controlling measured flows, clearing operations, cleaning operations, and control of the timing flow transport. The sensors can be of one or more types such as presence sensors, flow sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, conductivity sensors, optical sensors, ion sensors, and affinity sensors. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022706 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A REFRIGERATION SYSTEM - A method and system for operating a CO2 refrigeration system is provided. Two pressures are controlled by two controllers through two valves in this system. A first valve is actuated by a first controller using a first transfer function in response to the first measured pressure. A second valve is actuated by a second controller using a second transfer function in response to the second measured pressure. When it is determining the second valve failed to operate correctly, the first valve is actuated by a third controller using a third transfer function. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022707 | WIDE-AREA, REAL-TIME MONITORING AND VISUALIZATION SYSTEM - A real-time performance monitoring system for monitoring an electric power grid. The electric power grid has a plurality of grid portions, each grid portion corresponding to one of a plurality of control areas. The real-time performance monitoring system includes a monitor computer for monitoring at least one of reliability metrics, generation metrics, transmission metrics, suppliers metrics, grid infrastructure security metrics, and markets metrics for the electric power grid. The data for metrics being monitored by the monitor computer are stored in a data base, and a visualization of the metrics is displayed on at least one display computer having a monitor. The at least one display computer in one said control area enables an operator to monitor the grid portion corresponding to a different said control area. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022708 | POWER SUPPLY CONTROLLER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A power supply controller is connected between a power source and a power-supply path, and includes a switch circuit, a power-supply path protection circuit, and a sleep mode setting circuit. The switch circuit is configured to permit and inhibit power supply from the power source to the load. The protection circuit controls switching operation of the switch circuit according to a power-supply command signal commanding start or stop of the power supply to the load, calculates a temperature of the power-supply path regardless of whether power is supplied to the load, do not calculate the temperature of the power-supply path in a sleep mode, and inhibits power supply to the switch circuit according to the calculated temperature reaching an upper limit. The sleep mode setting circuit sets the power supply controller to the sleep mode according to the of the power-supply path satisfying a temperature condition. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022709 | ENERGY DELIVERY CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An electrical load control management system ( | 2012-01-26 |
20120022710 | ENERGY CONSUMPTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION MANAGEMENT APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, an energy consumption management system includes: a movement information creating device; a power consumption amount measuring device; an accumulating device; and a display device. The movement information creating device creates movement information regarding a person in a management target area. The power consumption amount measuring device measures a power consumption amount of an instrument in the management target area. The accumulating device creates management information in which the movement information and a power consumption amount measurement value measured are associated with each other. The display device displays the management information. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022711 | POWER INFORMATION COLLECTING APPARATUS, POWER MEASURING APPARATUS, POWER INFORMATION COLLECTING SYSTEM, AND POWER INFORMATION COLLECTING METHOD - A power information collecting apparatus efficiently collects power information including a power consumption level of each of a plurality of devices. A power information collecting apparatus ( | 2012-01-26 |
20120022712 | GRID FREQUENCY RATE LIMITING SYSTEM - A grid frequency rate limiting system for a droop governor is disclosed, the grid frequency rate limiting system including: a rate limit calculator for: obtaining data including at least one of: a transient power response requirement indicator, a turbo-generator power level indicator, a grid stability indicator, a fuel transfer indicator, a combustion mode timing indicator, or a temperature matching indicator; and defining rate limits according to the obtained data; a rate limiter operably connected to the rate limit calculator, the rate limiter for: obtaining a grid frequency reading associated with a grid frequency of an electrical grid; obtaining the defined rate limits; and filtering the grid frequency using the defined rate limits to provide a filtered frequency; and a droop governor operably connected to the grid frequency rate limiting system, the droop governor for: obtaining the filtered frequency; and providing a power response to the electrical grid based upon the filtered frequency. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022713 | Power Flow Simulation System, Method and Device - Embodiments of the present invention provide power flow analysis and may process electrical power distribution system data in real time to calculate load, current, voltage, losses, fault current and other data. The power flow analysis system may include a detailed data model of the electrical power distribution system, and may accept a variety of real time measurement inputs to support its modeling calculations. The power flow analysis system may calculate data of each of the three distribution system power phases independently and include a distribution state estimation module which allows it to incorporate a variety of real time measurements with varying degrees of accuracy, reliability and latency. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022714 | WIND TURBINE WITH A CONTROLLER CONFIGURED TO MANAGE RESONANT EFFECTS - A method and apparatus of operating a controller usable for operating a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a voltage converter being connectable to a power grid via a filter arrangement. The method includes determining a line voltage and adding the determined line voltage to the output of the voltage converter with a time delay. The time delay is adjusted such that resonant effects occurring at the filter arrangement are decreased. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022715 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COOLING A HEAT-GENERATING DEVICE - A method for cooling a heat-generating device, comprising setting a reference surface temperature of the heat-generating device, measuring a temperature of a surface of the heat-generating device, measuring a temperature gradient based on temperature measurements of two or more different locations on the heat-generating device, implementing a closed-loop control based on the reference surface temperature, the measured surface temperature, and the measured temperature gradient of the heat-generating device to compute a rate of application of a cooling material to the surface of the heat-generating device, and providing a command to apply the cooling material to the surface of the heat-generating device at the calculated rate to cool the heat-generating device. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022716 | MOVEMENT TRAJECTORY GENERATOR - A movement trajectory generator | 2012-01-26 |
20120022717 | TAXI USER EXTRACTION DEVICE, TAXI USER EXTRACTION METHOD, TRANSPORTATION USER EXTRACTION DEVICE, AND TRANSPORTATION USER EXTRACTION METHOD - In a taxi user extraction device, an automobile movement extraction unit creates line data of each user, using point data transmitted from mobile terminals, which is stored in a user location information storage unit, and probe data acquired by a probe information acquisition unit, and extracts first line data indicative of movement by automobile from the data. A taxi movement extraction unit extracts second line data, based on the probe data. A taxi use extraction unit extracts data agreeing with the second line data out of the first line data and stores the extracted data as third line data. A taxi using user extraction unit extracts an identifier of mobile terminal having formed the third line data. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022718 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING START/STOP OF A VEHICLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT - A method of controlling a vehicle stopped at a stop cycle of a traffic light includes broadcasting a signal indicating the time remaining in the stop cycle, and engaging a vehicle drive component, such as and engine of the vehicle and/or an auxiliary pump of the vehicle, prior to the end of the stop cycle when the time remaining in the stop cycle is less than a pre-determined time period. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022719 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING AND MANAGING THE UNAUTHORIZED USE OF AN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT - A method for policing and managing the operation of a flying, unmanned aircraft in the event of usurpation of control of, malfunction of, or ill-intentioned use of, this aircraft includes the steps of (a) detecting inappropriate operation of the aircraft; (b) transmitting a takeover command to the aircraft to interrupt control of the operation of this aircraft by a first pilot and relinquish control of the aircraft to a second pilot; and (c) transmitting control commands to the aircraft to control its operation by the second pilot, until the need for alternate pilot control of the aircraft has ended or until the aircraft has landed safely. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022720 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROTECTING SOFTWARE COMMANDS IN AN AIRCRAFT COCKPIT - The invention in particular has as an object the control of execution of software commands of a data-processing system in an aircraft cockpit comprising means for allowing a user to call up these commands. For these purposes, the means making it possible to call up these commands initially are locked ( | 2012-01-26 |
20120022721 | FLYING OBJECT - By using the interaction between the wind flow and the stabilizer arranged in the wind flow and along the direction of the wind flow, this invention provides the flying object that secures the stability of device or aircraft or stabilizer itself unified with the stabilizer by above effect. The interaction mentioned above is that when the wind flow hits the stabilizer at a certain angle, the wind flow changes the direction, and the power corresponding its reaction is given to the stabilizer by its reaction. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022722 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR OTOACOUSTIC PROTECTION OF AUTONOMIC SYSTEMS - Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments an autonomic unit transmits an otoacoustic signal to counteract a potentially harmful incoming signal. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022723 | Method And Device For Determining And Updating A Target Altitude For An Emergency Descent Of An Aircraft - Method and device for determining and updating a target altitude for an emergency descent of an aircraft | 2012-01-26 |
20120022724 | Automatic Management Method And Device Of A Lateral Trajectory For An Emergency Descent Of An Aircraft - Automatic management method and device of a lateral trajectory for an emergency descent of an aircraft. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022725 | Method And Device For Updating A Target Altitude For An Emergency Descent Of An Aircraft - Method and device for updating a target altitude for an emergency descent of an aircraft. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022726 | Method for Maintaining Pose of Spacecraft - Embodiments of invention disclose a system and a method for formation-keeping of a spacecraft in response to a displacement of the spacecraft to a displaced pose with respect to at least one direction of the displacement, wherein the spacecraft is configured to issue a compensative force by generating a command to issue a compensative force. The compensative force is determined as a function of a sum of the base force configured for maintaining the spacecraft in the displaced pose with respect to the direction of the displacement and an excess force configured for optimizing the formation-keeping with respect to the direction of the displacement of the spacecraft at the displaced pose. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022727 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ASSISTED AERIAL NAVIGATION - A system and method of providing aerial navigation for an aircraft comprises presenting an enlarged virtual runway for an identified runway on a display, where the virtual area of the virtual runway remains substantially constant as the aircraft approaches the runway. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022728 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE EMISSION CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for improving a balance between engine fuel economy and exhaust emissions in an off-highway vehicle. One example method includes adjusting an engine injection timing based on an ambient NOx level estimated by a NOx sensor in the engine intake. Another example method includes adjusting a trip plan with a time in notch duty cycle based on a deviation from the time in notch duty cycle from a reference duty cycle. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022729 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORECASTING THE COMPOSITION OF AN OUTBOUND TRAIN IN A SWITCHYARD - A system for forecasting the outbound workload in a switchyard. The system has a processing entity for which receives information on railcar traffic for handling by the switchyard, wherein the railcar traffic includes railcars that are yet to be switched into classification tracks of the switchyard. For every departure train of two or more departure trains, the processing entity applies logic rules to the information to compute a forecast of railcar traffic that will be available to the departure train for transport out of the switchyard. An output releases data derived from the forecast of railcar traffic, describing the traffic available for each train of the two or more departure trains. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022730 | METHOD FOR DRIVING A HYBRID VEHICLE IN A LOAD REVERSAL - A method for driving a hybrid vehicle during a load reversal includes: the application of a first torque on a first hybrid vehicle axle during an acceleration reversal; and the application of a second torque on a second hybrid vehicle axle during the acceleration reversal, a direction of action of the second torque being opposite to a direction of action of the first torque. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022731 | Series-Drive Operation During Launch and Creep of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle - A method for launching a vehicle includes determining that vehicle speed is less than a reference, demanded wheel power is less than a reference wheel power, and demanded engine power is less than a reference engine power; charging a battery using a generator driven by an engine; using an electric machine powered by the battery to drive vehicle wheels; and opening a clutch located in a drive path between a transmission and the generator. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022732 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A MICRO-HYBRID SYSTEM WITH BRAKE ENERGY RECOVERY CAPABLE OF BEING MOUNTED IN AN AUTOMOBILE - A method for controlling regenerative braking of an automobile micro-hybrid system is disclosed. The system includes at least a rotary electrical machine and an electrochemical battery. The method includes a step, when the electrochemical battery has a first predetermined energy state, which corresponds to an initial optimum charging state, of commanding a reduction of the first energy state, to a second energy state corresponding to an intermediate charging state, so as to make a charging capacity available in the electrochemical battery during a subsequent opportunity for recovery of electrical energy during, for example, a braking phase of the vehicle. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022733 | Method and device for operating a hybrid drive system - In a method for operating a hybrid drive system having multiple drive units each having a drive motor and a motor control unit, the motor control units are activatable in order to request partial drive torques from the drive units according to a drive strategy. At least one of the motor control units is configured to execute an adaptation function when an adaptation function condition is present. The drive strategy is selected as a function of a frequency of an execution of the adaptation function in the motor control unit. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022734 | HYBRID ELECTRIC WORKING VEHICLE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - The present disclosure relates to a hybrid working vehicle which determines the change of load by using a displacement of a flyweight or flyball in a governor, and controls a motor-generator according to the change of load, and a control method thereof. The hybrid working vehicle detects the change of load based on the displacement of the flyweight or flyball measured by a displacement measuring device, operates a motor-generator as a motor to supplement the power in a case where the load increases, and operates the motor-generator as an electric generator to collect energy in a case where the load decreases. In this way, revolution per minute (RPM) of a diesel engine may be detected rapidly and accurately based on the displacement of the flyweight or flyball without installing any complicated apparatus such as a torque measuring device which measures torque of a load, and accordingly controls the motor-generator so as to enhance the energy efficiency of the hybrid working vehicle and to improve the comfortable feeling of a driver. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022735 | DRIVE CONTROL DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE, AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A drive control device for an electric vehicle that is driven by a motor-generator, includes: a detection unit that detects a fact that an accelerator pedal depression amount and a brake pedal depression amount of the electric vehicle are both zero; and a control unit that sets a regenerative braking torque command value for the motor-generator to zero, while the detection unit is detecting the fact. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022736 | Extended range motor vehicle having ambient pollutant processing - A hybrid motor vehicle utilizing electric motor propulsion prior to cruise mode operation and internal combustion engine propulsion during cruise mode. A method of operation comprising rapidly capturing power from a continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine to charge a fast charge-discharge battery utilizing a generator and and battery charger coupled between the continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine and the fast charge-discharge battery. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022737 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR VEHICLE POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE - It is provided a control device for a vehicle power transmission device including a shifting portion and an electric motor that provides regeneration via the shifting portion, the control device executing a downshift of the shifting portion if a traveling loss in the vehicle power transmission device after the shift is smaller than a traveling loss in the vehicle power transmission device at a current gear ratio during regenerative traveling, and the traveling loss in the vehicle power transmission device including at least one of a loss in the shifting portion and a loss in the electric motor, the loss in the shifting portion being calculated based on the operating oil temperature of the shifting portion and the loss in the electric motor being calculated based on the temperature of the electric motor. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022738 | ELECTRIC POWERED VEHICLE AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - An electric powered vehicle includes a motor, an inverter, a main power storage device, and a plurality of sub power storage devices. A converter is connected to a selected one of the plurality of sub power storage devices to perform voltage conversion bidirectionally between the selected sub power storage device and an electric power feeding line. A control device executes a disconnection process to disconnect a selected sub power storage device from the converter based on a state of charge of the selected sub power storage device when there is no new sub power storage device that can replace the selected sub power storage device. Further, the control device executes a braking process for the inverter for regenerative braking by the motor. The control device prohibits, during execution of one process of a disconnection process and braking process, the other process. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022739 | ROBUST VEHICULAR LATERAL CONTROL WITH FRONT AND REAR CAMERAS - A method and system for closed-loop vehicle lateral control, using image data from front and rear cameras and information about a leading vehicle's position as input. A host vehicle includes cameras at the front and rear, which can be used to detect lane boundaries such as curbs and lane stripes, among other purposes. The host vehicle also includes a digital map system and a system for sensing the location of a vehicle travelling ahead of the host vehicle. A control strategy is developed which steers the host vehicle to minimize the deviation of the host vehicle's path from a lane reference path, where the lane reference path is computed from the lane boundaries extracted from the front and rear camera images and from the other inputs. The control strategy employs feed-forward and feedback elements, and uses a Kalman filter to estimate the host vehicle's state variables. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022740 | EMISSION DETERIORATION NOTIFYING DEVICE - An emission deterioration notifying device includes a low fuel pressure determining unit, an emission deterioration notifying unit, and an electric control unit. The determining unit determines whether supply pressure of fuel supplied to an injector is in a low fuel pressure state, in which the supply pressure is lower than a predetermined threshold value. The notifying unit notifies that exhaust emission is deteriorating beyond its allowable range when it is determined that the supply pressure is in the low fuel pressure state. The control unit allows notification by the notifying unit at a time of injection control at which injection of fuel from the injector is allowed, and the control unit prohibits notification by the notifying unit or reduces the threshold value at a time of injection stop control at which injection of fuel from the injector is stopped. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022741 | System For and Method For Providing A Communication System - A system for and method of establishing a communication link between mobile vehicles is presented. The method may include acquiring first information associated with a first mobile vehicle. The method may also include determining whether to update the first information associated with the first mobile vehicle. The method may further include transmitting, via a transceiver module, the first information associated with the first mobile vehicle based at least in part on the determination of not to update the first information associated with the first mobile vehicle. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022742 | SHUTTER UNIT FOR VEHICLE - A shutter unit for a vehicle, capable of properly determining failure of a shutter without using a sensor which directly detects a position of the shutter. The shutter unit includes a return spring for returning the shutter to a predetermined initial position by urging the shutter, and a rotating machine configured to be capable of converting input motive power to electrical power and input electrical power to motive power by electromagnetic induction action. The rotating machine drives the shutter by the motive power obtained by conversion. The shutter unit executes return control that stops supply of electric power to the rotating machine to return the shutter to the initial position by urging of the shutter by the return spring, and determines failure of the shutter based on a rotating machine induced voltage of the rotating machine, detected during execution of the return control. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022743 | Vehicle headlamp control method - A method for controlling at least one component of a motor vehicle provided with energy storage means. The method comprises the steps of determination of an energy reserve value of the vehicle; evaluation of at least one critical energy autonomy threshold; and comparison of the energy reserve value with at least one critical autonomy threshold so as to deduce therefrom a setpoint signal for controlling the component. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022744 | VEHICLE POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A power supply system comprises a chargeable power storage device; a charging device configured to perform external charging for charging the power storage device using alternating-current power supplied from an external power supply; an air conditioner receiving electric power from the charging device and the power storage device and air-conditioning a compartment in a vehicle; an auxiliary machinery load; and an ECU. The ECU controls at least one of the charging device and the auxiliary machinery load so as to increase the electric power output from the power storage device in a case where overcharging of the power storage device is expected when the air conditioner is intermittently operated during external charging. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022745 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A STEERING SYSTEM - A method for operating a steering system, a steering system of this type and a steering device of a vehicle are disclosed herein. The vehicle has a front axle and a rear axle, a slip angle of the front axle being influenced by steering of the rear axle in such a way that the slip angle remains constant over a steering wheel angular range. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022746 | SADDLE RIDING TYPE VEHICLE AND STEERING DAMPER DEVICE FOR USE IN SADDLE RIDING TYPE VEHICLE - A saddle riding type vehicle that reduces steering pull of a handle caused by a disturbance and also prevents degradation in a steering feeling includes a detector that detects a steering angle of a steering shaft, a steering damper, and a control device. The steering damper is arranged around the steering shaft and includes an electromagnet, a magnetic member, and a magnetic fluid stored in a gap between the electromagnet and the magnetic member. The control device includes a steering angular velocity determiner adapted to determine a steering angular velocity based on a steering angle detected by the detector, an instructor adapted to instruct a supply of current to the electromagnet for a first reference time when the determined steering angular velocity exceeds a first reference velocity and to instruct a stopping or reduction of the current supply after the first reference time elapses, and a driver that supplies the electromagnet with current in response to an instruction from the instructor. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022747 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING TIRE/ROAD COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION - A vehicle control method includes iteratively modifying a level of braking of the vehicle until it is determined that the vehicle has substantially lost traction with respect to the road surface, then determining the coefficient of friction between the road surface and the tire based on the level of braking at the time the vehicle substantially lost fraction. In one embodiment, previous ABS or other vehicle control events are used as a basis for estimating an initial level of braking to be applied during the friction measurement procedure. Such a deterministic maneuver can also function as a collision warning to the driver of the vehicle. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022748 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESS CONTROL OF SIGNS - A system includes a master controller disposed on a transit vehicle, a peripheral device disposed on the transit vehicle, a first wireless subsystem communicably coupled to the master controller, and a second wireless subsystem communicably coupled to the peripheral device. The master controller is operable to send a signal to the peripheral device via the first wireless subsystem, the signal comprising a command related to operation of the peripheral device. The peripheral device is operable to receive the signal via the second wireless subsystem and execute the command. The system utilizes a wireless protocol that specifies a unique identification for the system. The master controller and the peripheral device are each configured via the wireless protocol. The configuration includes storage of the unique identification and operability to restrict wireless communication to wireless communication with other devices so configured. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022749 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ELIMINATING OR REDUCING BLIND SPOTS IN VEHICLE MIRROR AND CAMERA SYSTEMS - Provided herein are new apparatus and methods relating to mirror systems, including mirror systems for vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, all-terrain vehicles, motorized carts, among others. The apparatus and methods eliminate or reduce blind spots by facilitating a temporary desired adjustment of the mirror and/or camera, optionally followed by a return to the original position of the mirror and/or camera. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022750 | Deceleration Control System in a Vehicle, Vehicle Including a Deceleration Control System, and Deceleration Control Method - A deceleration control system in a vehicle comprises; a deceleration start detector; a memory for storing a normal state rule and a deceleration state rule to control a driving power, and a controller for controlling the driving power; wherein in the deceleration state rule, the driving power is changed based on the detection by a driving state detector, and a driving power decided in accordance with the deceleration state rule is greater than a driving power decided in accordance with the normal state rule according to the same driving state: and wherein the controller switches the normal state rule to the deceleration state rule and controls the driving power in accordance with the deceleration state rule, based on the detection by the driving state detector, when the deceleration start detector detects that the deceleration has started. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022751 | Control System in a Vehicle - A control system in a vehicle in which at least one pair of driving power transmission members are engaged with each other with a slack on a driving power transmission path, comprises an input shaft rotational speed detector for detecting a rotational speed of an input shaft located upstream of engaged portions of the driving power transmission members in a direction in which the driving power is transmitted, a determiner for determining whether or not the driving power transmission members are in a non-contact state at the engaged portions for a period of time based on a change rate of the detected input shaft rotational speed, and a controller for controlling the vehicle to reduce a rotational speed difference between the input shaft and an output shaft located downstream of the engaged portions, when the determiner determines that the driving power transmission members are in the non-contact state. | 2012-01-26 |
20120022752 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE DRIVE TRAIN - A method of operating a vehicle drive-train with an engine and a transmission during a gearshift in which an interlocking shift element is disengaged and a frictional shift element is engaged. Upon a shift command, the shifting time and a transmission input speed are monitored. If the input speed deviates from a synchronous speed equivalent to the gear ratio being disengaged, recognizing disengagement of the interlocking shifting element. If an engaged operating condition of the interlocking shifting element to be disengaged is detected, after the lapse of a time interval beginning with the shift command, a current drive torque of the drive machine is brought by motor actuation to a level that corresponds to a difference between the current transmission input torque and a torque that can be transmitted by the frictional shifting element to be engaged, operating with slip, plus a torque offset value. | 2012-01-26 |