01st week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 44 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110004312 | Device and Method for Distraction of the Spinal Disc Space - An extractable device is used to insert a medicinal filling into a spinal disc. The device comprises a filling member and a flowable medicine. The filling member is made of a flexible and permeable wall and is provided with a holding portion and an injection port via which the flowable medicine is injected into the holding portion after the filling member is inserted into the spinal disc. The holding portion is provided with an opening which is releasably lashed by one end of one or more threads so as to make the opening leakproof. Upon completion of solidification of the flowable medicine in the holding portion of the filling member, other end of the thread is pulled to unlash the opening of the holding portion, thereby enabling the filling member to be extracted from the spinal disc so as to leave only the medicine in the spinal disc. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004313 | Customized Intervertebral Prosthetic Disc With Shock Absorption - A prosthesis system comprises plates that can be positioned against vertebrae and a selected resilient core that can be positioned between the plates to allow the plates to articulate. The selected resilient core can be chosen from a plurality of cores in response to patient characteristics, such as age and/or intervertebral mobility, such that the prosthesis implanted in the patient is tailored to the needs of the patient. The plurality of cores may comprise cores with different resiliencies, and one of the cores can be selected such that the upper and lower plates articulate with the desired shock absorbing resiliency and/or maximum angle of inclination when the one selected core is positioned between the plates. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004314 | Intervertebral Spacer - An intervertebral insert member and an instrument for positioning the insert in a space between vertebral bodies in vivo. The insert member is advanced by the instrument into a prepared site located between adjacent vertebral bodies. Upon reaching the appropriate insertion point the sleeve is retracted and a pivotal motion is imparted to the insert. The insert member is pivotally attached to the distal end of the delivery instrument such that it can be articulated about a pivot point that is located on the insert member until it is properly positioned. The positioning instrument is then released from the insert member and removed from the space between the vertebral bodies. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004315 | METHODS FOR MAKING OXIDATION RESISTANT POLYMERIC MATERIAL - The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004316 | Method of Implanting a Unicondylar Knee Prosthesis - A method of implanting a lateral unicondylar knee prosthesis in a lateral articulating portion of a femur having a lateral condyle for engagement with a tibia, the method including the steps of: bending a patients knee such that the knee is not in full extension; making an incision through the skin, muscle, and other soft tissue until the damaged bone surfaces are exposed; resecting an end portion of the lateral tibia; resecting an end portion of the lateral femoral condyle; attaching a tibial prosthetic component to the resected end portion of the tibia; attaching a lateral femoral condyle prosthetic component to the resected end portion of the lateral femoral condyle; determining the thickness of a mobile bearing member with the knee in full extension; and inserting the mobile bearing member between the tibial prosthetic component and the femoral prosthetic component. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004317 | ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANTS - A method for making an orthopaedic implant, the method comprising: characterizing at least a portion of a bone corresponding to the bone to be replaced, said corresponding bone being on the contralateral side of the patient; providing a model of the orthopaedic implant based on a mirror image of the contralateral bone; and forming the orthopaedic implant based on the model. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004318 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HIP FEMORAL RESURFACING TOOLING - Tools and methods for implanting hip resurfacing femoral prostheses along a path defined by the axis of a shaped femoral head surface are described. The prostheses are stemless partial ball components having an outer surface shaped to conform to an acetabular socket and may be a two part design having a mating sleeve component with an internal bore adapted to receive the shaped femoral head. The tools and methods are capable of accurately implanting both one and two piece ball components and sleeves without requiring the prosthesis to have a central stem or the preparation of a stem cavity in the femoral head and neck. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004319 | Femoral Hip Prosthesis and Method of Implantation - Implants and methods are presented for surgically repairing a hip joint with a proximal femoral prosthesis that comprises femoral head component and a femoral stem component. The femoral stem component comprises a neck portion, a flange portion, a transitional body region and an elongated stem. The femur is prepared for implantation of the femoral hip prosthesis by resecting the proximal femur and reaming a symmetric intramedullary cavity in the femur. The femoral hip prosthesis is then inserted the on the resected femur and in the intramedullary cavity. The femoral hip prosthesis elastically deforms when loaded during use to apply dynamic compressive loads and displacement to the calcar region of the resected proximal femur. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004320 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF OBESITY AND TYPE 2 DIABETES - The present invention provides systems and methods for treating and controlling obesity and/or type II diabetes. In one aspect of the invention, an internal bypass device includes gastric and duodenal anchors coupled to each other and positioned on either side of the pylorus and a hollow sleeve designed to extend from the pylorus through at least a proximal portion of a patient's small intestine. The gastric and duodenal anchors are movable between collapsed configurations for advancement through the esophagus and an expanded configuration for inhibiting movement of the anchors through the pyloric sphincter. Thus, the bypass device can be placed and removed endoscopically through the patient's esophagus in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and it is “self-anchoring” and does not require invasive tissue fixation within the patient's GI tract, thereby reducing collateral tissue damage and minimizing its impact on the digestive process. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004321 | Interface method between an operator and a multiarticular robotic and/or prosthetic device for moving the same - The present invention refers to an interface method between an operator and a multiarticular robotic and/or prosthetic device for moving the same that is characterised in that it comprises the steps that consist of receiving ( | 2011-01-06 |
20110004322 | WEARABLE ACTION-ASSIST DEVICE AND CONTROL PROGRAM - A wearable action-assist device includes a biosignal detection unit detecting a biosignal from a wearer, an action-assist wearing tool having a drive source supplying a torque acting on the wearer around each joint of the wearer as an axis of rotation, a control unit controlling the drive source to generate the torque according to the detected biosignal, a drive torque estimation unit estimating a drive torque generated by the drive source, a joint-angle detecting unit detecting an angular displacement of the joint, and a parameter identification unit identifying kinetics parameters concerned by substituting the estimated drive torque and the detected angular displacement into an equation of motion of an entire system including kinetics parameters intrinsic to the wearer. The control unit is configured to control the drive source according to a predetermined control method based on the equation of motion into which the identified parameters are substituted. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004323 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN ADAPTED LINER AND LINER - The invention relates to a method for producing an adapted liner for placement on a stump ( | 2011-01-06 |
20110004324 | AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION OF MULTIPLE POWER GRIDS USING DATA SYNCHRONIZATION - A method of automatically identifying whether intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) in a power monitoring system are in multiple electrical grids. A controller sends an instruction to each IED in a predetermined time sequence such that each IED receives the instruction at a different time, commanding each IED to begin logging variation data indicative of frequency variations in a current/voltage signal monitored by the IED and to send the variation data to the controller and an associated cycle count of a point in the current/voltage signal. The controller receives the variation data and associated cycle count and determines a peak correlation using a data alignment algorithm on IED pair combinations. If the IEDs are on the same electrical grid, the peak correlations should occur at cycle count offsets that match the order that the IEDs received the instruction. Any discrepancies in the expected order of peak correlations are flagged, and the corresponding IEDs are determined to be on different grids. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004325 | System and Method for Consumer Electronic Device Packaging and Presentation - Disclosed herein are novel systems and methods for demonstrating functionality of a consumer electronic device contained in a point-of-sale package. A consumer electronic device includes an external switch, such as a pushbutton switch, detachably connected via a cable to the device's communication interface, such as its USB port. The switch may be partially exposed through the point-of-sale package, so that a consumer can activate the electronic device in a “demo mode”. In this mode, the device may be configured to play a multimedia demo clip or other presentation. When the electronic device is purchased and removed from the package by the consumer, the cable and the switch may be disconnected from the device and discarded. The consumer may then activate the device in a “normal mode” using the device's power-on switch. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004326 | Method of actuating a system, apparatus for modifying a control signal for actuation of a system and method of tuning such an apparatus - A method of actuating a system comprising a movable component and an actuator configured to move the movable component comprises providing a control signal representative of a desired motion of the movable component. The control signal is supplied to one or more resonators. Each of the one or more resonators has a mode of oscillation representative of at least one elastic mode of oscillation of the system. The control signal is modified by subtracting from the control signal a signal representative of a response of the one or more resonators to the control signal. The actuator is operated in accordance with the modified control signal. Thus, undesirable elastic oscillations of the system which might occur if the system were operated with the original control system can be reduced. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004327 | Method and System for Controlling a User Interface of a Device Using Human Breath - Certain aspects of a method and system for controlling a user interface of a device using human breath may include a device comprising an embedded micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensing and processing module. The MEMS sensing and processing module may detect movement caused by expulsion of human breath by a user. In response to the detection of movement caused by expulsion of human breath, one or more control signals may be generated. The generated control signals may control the user interface of the device and may enable navigation and/or selection of components in the user interface. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004328 | CONTROLLER INTERFACE FOR MUSICAL APPLICATIONS ON HANDHELD COMPUTING DEVICES - A controller for a handheld computing device having a music-oriented program operating thereon is disclosed. The controller includes a control surface configured and arranged to be manipulated by an operator to generate a control input. Further included is a circuit configured and arranged to detect the control input generated from the control surface and transmit the control input received from the control surface to the music-oriented program operating on the handheld computing device. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004329 | CONTROLLING ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS IN A COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - The present invention is directed toward a system and process that controls a group of networked electronic components using a multimodal integration scheme in which inputs from a speech recognition subsystem, gesture recognition subsystem employing a wireless pointing device and pointing analysis subsystem also employing the pointing device, are combined to determine what component a user wants to control and what control action is desired. In this multimodal integration scheme, the desired action concerning an electronic component is decomposed into a command and a referent pair. The referent can be identified using the pointing device to identify the component by pointing at the component or an object associated with it, by using speech recognition, or both. The command may be specified by pressing a button on the pointing device, by a gesture performed with the pointing device, by a speech recognition event, or by any combination of these inputs. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004330 | Media Playback Queuing for Playback Management - Management or coordination of playback of digital media assets by an electronic device (e.g., a computing device), that supports media playback is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the electronic device can be controlled such that a user is able to schedule playback of distinct digital media assets. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004331 | METHODS OF PREPARING A VIRTUAL DENTITION MODEL AND FABRICATING A DENTAL RETAINER THEREFROM - A virtual model of a dental patient's dentition is provided by obtaining a digital data file of the patient's teeth and orthodontic appliances connected to the teeth, and then combining data from the data file with other data that represents surfaces of the teeth underlying the appliances. The virtual model is useful in preparing a physical model of the patient's current dentition that can be used, for example, to make a dental retainer. Advantageously, the retainer can be fabricated before the orthodontic appliances are disconnected from the patient's teeth and ready for use as soon as the patient's teeth have reached their desired positions in the oral cavity | 2011-01-06 |
20110004332 | METHOD OF DESIGNING A CONCRETE COMPOSITIONS HAVING DESIRED SLUMP WITH MINIMAL WATER AND PLASTICIZER - Methods of preparing design-optimized concrete compositions having target compressive strengths and slumps with a minimal amount of water are disclosed. In particular, the optimized concrete compositions are produced by analyzing pre-existing mix designs from a manufacture and determining the optimum amount of water required in the mix (i.e., optimized water to cement ratio) to obtain a target slump, yet allowing for the end-produced concrete composition to have a target compressive strength. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004333 | SUPERIOR CONCRETE MIX DESIGN WITH WORKABILITY OPTIMIZED GRADATION AND FIXED PASTE VOLUME - Methods for design-optimization of concrete compositions having workability optimized gradation and fixed cement paste volume are disclosed. In particular, the methods allow for designing and manufacturing of concrete compositions having target compressive strengths and slumps and having a fixed volume of cement paste based on target compressive strengths and/or target slump amounts using improved methods that more efficiently utilize all the components from a performance standpoint. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004334 | Substrate Processing System and Substrate Processing Device - The present invention provides a substrate processing system capable of extending and changing a substrate processing module easily according to changes of processing contents for a substrate. An embodiment of the present invention is the substrate processing system including a main device ( | 2011-01-06 |
20110004335 | REPLACEABLE FAIRING FOR PROSTHETIC LIMB OR BRACE - A fairing can be attached to a prosthetic limb or over a brace to alter the appearance of the prosthetic limb or brace. The outer surface of the prosthetic limb can be a mirror image of an intact limb and the outer surface of the brace can have an outer surface that corresponds to an injured limb. Because the fairing fits closely around the prosthetic limb or brace, the interior surface of the fairing has a surface that corresponds to a mirror image of an intact limb or an outer surface of an injured limb. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004336 | BILL RECOGNIZING AND COUNTING APPARATUS - A bill recognizing and counting apparatus includes a feeding and transporting mechanism; a line sensor to scan an image of the bills; a denomination determination table in which denomination recognition data is registered for at least one currency; a denomination recognizing unit that recognizes a denomination of the currency by referring to the table; a processing-mode switching unit that switches between a denomination mode and a different currency recognition mode; a different-currency recognizing unit that compares a difference in size between a first bill and each bill of a second bill and thereafter with an allowable range, and recognizes whether the each bill of the second bill and thereafter is of the same denomination as the first bill; and a control unit that guides the bill being determined as a different denomination to a rejecting unit or stops the feeding and transporting mechanism. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004337 | PAPER SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS - A paper sheet handling apparatus | 2011-01-06 |
20110004338 | Vending system and method for small articles - A vending system and a method for counting for small articles, such as jewelry items, involves an array of bins for the items. The unique identification is placed on each bin. The identification is scanned with a scanner when a selected article is removed from the bin. The selected article may then be correlated with a price for the selected article. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004339 | AUTONOMOUS COVERAGE ROBOT NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A navigation beacon controls movement of a mobile robot in first and second areas. The navigation beacon includes a portable housing, a power source, and an emitter. The emitter is operable to emit a gateway marking emission when the robot is within a field of detection that extends between the areas. The gateway marking emission is detectable by the robot and prevents the robot from moving from one of the areas, through the field of detection, to the other of the areas. A switch is operable to switch the navigation beacon to be in an OFF mode in which the gateway beacon emitter is in an OFF state, a confinement mode in which the gateway beacon emitter is in an ON state, and a navigation mode in which the gateway beacon emitter is in the ON state and automatically switches to the OFF state in response to a predetermined condition. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004340 | WORKING SYSTEM AND WORK-AUTOMATING METHOD - Provided is a work assembling system ( | 2011-01-06 |
20110004341 | Panoramic Attention For Humanoid Robots - A robot using less storage and computational resources to embody panoramic attention. The robot includes a panoramic attention module with multiple levels that are hierarchically structured to process different levels of information. The top-level of the panoramic attention module receives information about entities detected from the environment of the robot and maps the entities to a panoramic map maintained by the robot. By mapping and storing high-level entity information instead of low-level sensory information in the panoramic map, the amount of storage and computation resources for panoramic attention can be reduced significantly. Further, the mapping and storing of high-level entity information in the panoramic map also facilitates consistent and logical processing of different conceptual levels of information. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004342 | Trainable Multi-Mode Floor Cleaning Device - A floor cleaning device that is manually trainable for subsequent automatic operation. Prior to automatic operation, a user trains the cleaning device by manually manipulating the device through one or more desired cleaning paths. After training of the device, the device is configured to automatically initiate subsequent cleaning operations in accordance with the trained routine(s). Preferably, the training routine includes user specification of one of a number of cleaning modalities that are supported by the flooring cleaning device. In addition to automatic navigation, the floor cleaning device is configured to initiate a desired cleaning modality as a function of the device's position with respect to one or more of the trained routine(s). | 2011-01-06 |
20110004343 | POSITION CONTROL METHOD AND ROBOT - A position control method for controlling a position of a movable portion, includes: performing control of allowing the movable portion to approach a predetermined position by moving the movable portion; and performing control of moving the movable portion to the predetermined position by moving the movable portion and detecting a relative position of the movable portion with respect to the predetermined position by using an imaging unit. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004344 | MIXER, AND DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MONITORING OR CONTROLLING SAID MIXER - The invention relates to a mixer that includes:—at least one instrumented particle ( | 2011-01-06 |
20110004345 | MICROCHANNEL COMPRESSION REACTOR - A process unit comprising: (a) a first microchannel module comprising: (i) a first unit operation including microchannels, in which at least a portion of a unit operation takes place, adapted to be in fluid communication with a first inlet stream and a first outlet stream, and (ii) a second unit operation including microchannels adapted to be in thermal communication with the first unit operation, the second unit operation adapted to be in fluid communication with a second inlet stream and a second outlet stream; and (b) a pressurized vessel at least partially containing the first microchannel module adapted to be concurrently occupied by a compressive medium in thermal communication with the first microchannel module. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004346 | Feedback Control for Shape Memory Alloy Actuators - Control feedback for regulating strain output of a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator using a stress sensor for outputting an indication of a mechanical resistance applied against the SMA actuator, and a state sensor for outputting an indication of a state of actuation of the SMA actuator has been found to be surprisingly accurate. Advantageously feedback detection can be provided with sensors that have low power requirements and can be controlled with simple electronics. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004347 | MEDICAL RADIOLOGICAL DEVICE AND RADIOLOGICAL SYSTEM - A medical radiological system has a radiological device with at least one element that can be electrically adjusted in order to allow an adaptation of the radiological device to body dimensions of a patient to be examined. The radiological device has a controller with an interface that receives a patient parameter set from a computer, with which patient data are processed and stored. The controller calculates a desired position of the element from the received patient data set, and automatically controls positioning of the element by electrically adjusting the element to the desired position. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004348 | ARRANGEMENT FOR TRANSMITTING DATA AND/OR SIGNALS IN A TRANSMISSION - An arrangement for transmitting data and/or signals between a transmission control device ( | 2011-01-06 |
20110004349 | Exergy Based Evaluation Of An Infrastructure - In a method of evaluating an infrastructure having a plurality of components based upon exergy loss values, exergy loss values of the components are aggregated. In addition, at least one of the components in the infrastructure is controlled based upon the aggregated exergy loss values. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004350 | RENEWABLE THERMAL ENERGY METERING AND CONTROLS SYSTEM - A system and method for metering and controlling a renewable energy HVAC system. The system and method includes the steps of: receiving a measured value of a parameter of a renewable energy HVAC system at a central computer; determining an energy usage of the renewable energy HVAC system with the central computer based on the measured value; and estimating an energy usage of a simulated conventional HVAC system with the central computer based on the measured value. The system and method includes determining an energy savings of the renewable energy HVAC system with the central computer by comparing the determined energy usage to the estimated energy usage of the simulated conventional HVAC system. The system and method further includes transmitting the energy savings to a receiving device. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004351 | DIALYSIS SYSTEM INCLUDING DOWNLOADED PRESCRIPTION ENTRY - A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid cassette-based membrane blood pump; a dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood pump; first and second dialysis fluid cassette-based balance chambers each having (i) a fresh dialysis fluid compartment in fluid communication with the dialyzer and (ii) a spent dialysis fluid compartment; a dialysis fluid cassette-based fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the fresh dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; a dialysis fluid cassette-based spent dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer and the spent dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; and which is configured to receive a data transfer including a prescription entry for the system. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004352 | CONTROL LOGIC METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION - In a system for optimizing natural gas production in response to real-time variations in wellbore parameters, a PLC or other wellsite intelligence technology is used to monitor liquid and gas production from the wellbore under friction-loaded conditions. Using baseline production data obtained during production tests, the PLC determines and initiates the appropriate operating mode for the wellbore to optimize a selected production criterion to suit measured wellbore parameters. The operating mode either a continuous clean-out mode, in which gas is continuously injected into the wellbore to control liquid loading, or an intermittent clean-out, in which liquid loading is regulated by intermittent gas injection. In preferred embodiments, the system uses bladder-type control valves having upstream and downstream solenoids, to control production tubing flow rate within a range between upper and lower set points. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004353 | GAS METER AND GAS SAFETY SYSTEM - Setting safety function, as appropriate, according to a user environment is enabled, thereby enhancing safety function. According to selection information from a safety function selection unit | 2011-01-06 |
20110004354 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR TESTING A SLEEP SUPPORT MEMBER - Systems and methods for testing a sleep support member. A system including at least one pressing structure, wherein the at least one pressing structure includes at least one of a heater and a moisture device; and a controller configured to control pressing of the pressing structure onto the sleep support member, wherein the controller is configured to control at least one of heat provided by the heater and moisture provided by the moisture device. A method including controlling pressing of at least one pressing structure onto a sleep support member, wherein the at least one pressing structure includes at least one of a heater and a moisture device; and controlling at least one of heat provided by the heater and moisture provided by the moisture device. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004355 | Hybrid Distribution Network Power Restoration Control - A power outage restoration system manages a power network including a plurality of switching devices. The power outage restoration system includes an outage management system having a network model of said power network. A plurality of local restoration controllers are in communication with the outage management system and each said local restoration controller includes a trimmed network model correlating to a respective area of responsibility. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004356 | EVENT-BASED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR WIND TURBINE GENERATORS - The present invention relates to a control system comprising a control interface between one or more wind turbine generators and a power grid, where the wind turbine generators are coupled to the power grid and contribute to the power production of the grid. The control interface is arranged to receive a set of event data. In embodiments, the set of event data may be any data available to a SCADA system. The set of event data is analysed in terms of predetermined event rules comprising at least one predefined event condition and a set of adaptive event conditions. Based on the analysis an event output is provided in order to control a parameter of the one or more wind turbine generators. In embodiments, the control system may be implemented in, or in connection with a SCADA system, moreover, the event output may be based on fuzzy logic, a neural network or statistical analysis. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004357 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SINGLE PLUG-IN INSTALLATION OF A HIGH VOLTAGE INTELLIGENT RENEWABLE ENERGY GRID-TIED CONTROLLER WITH WIRELESS SMART LOAD MANAGEMENT - This is a system and method for single plug-in installation of a high voltage intelligent renewable energy grid-tied controller with wireless smart load management. The present invention relates to the improvement of integration and management of renewable electric energy in homes and small businesses. The invention offers a lower cost method for safely installing and managing the use of the electric energy either generated or stored onsite by solar collecting panels, wind turbine generators, backup hydrocarbon fueled generators or any other supplemental power sources such as fuel cells and future electric automobiles with smart energy management. Furthermore, the invention utilizes wireless controllers connected to key appliances, motors and systems permitting continuous real time load and energy management of these devices. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004358 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE POWER FLOW MANAGEMENT - A system and methods that enables power flow management at the local level. A power flow manager can coordinate the charging activities of electrical devices, such as electric vehicles. Power flow decisions may based on the site-level information. In addition, power flow management strategies may be optimized. An optimizer can choose a power flow management strategy and electrical devices for implementing a strategy. In the event of a system failure, power spikes may be avoided by using safe failure modes to provide that the charging activities be coordinated in a predictable and non-disruptive manner. The cost of providing power may be reduced using generation stacks of power production. As such, the total daily cost of providing energy generation may be minimized. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004359 | Method and apparatus for determining a signal offset of a pitch rate sensor - In order to determine a signal offset (OFF_SIG) of a pitch rate sensor of a vehicle ( | 2011-01-06 |
20110004360 | METHOD AND CONTROLLER FOR IMPACT DETECTION FOR A VEHICLE - A control device and a method for impact detection for a vehicle are proposed, the impact being detected as a function of a signal of a structure-borne noise sensor system. However, an impact location on the vehicle is determined as a function of an evaluation of a multipath propagation of the structure-borne noise signal in the vehicle. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004361 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ESTIMATING THE FORCES EXERTED ON A CONTROL SURFACE OF AN AIRCRAFT - The device ( | 2011-01-06 |
20110004362 | TILT AND TRIM SENSOR APPARATUS - The present invention relates a tilt and trim sensor apparatus having a housing and a shaft rotatably mounted to the housing. The apparatus includes a magnet connected to one of the housing and the shaft. The apparatus includes a transducer connected to another of the housing and shaft. The transducer is disposed adjacent to the magnet for sensing the position of the magnet and is operable to generate an output representative of an angular position of the magnet. The apparatus has a microprocessor for sensing gauge display input requirements. The apparatus has output circuitry for outputting a signal based on the output of the transducer that is in accordance with the gauge display input requirements. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004363 | Hybrid vehicles - A hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a traction motor, a starter motor, and a battery bank, all controlled by a microprocessor in accordance with the vehicle's instantaneous torque demands so that the engine is run only under conditions of high efficiency, typically only when the load is at least equal to 30% of the engine's maximum torque output. In some embodiments, a turbocharger may be provided, activated only when the load exceeds the engine's maximum torque output for an extended period; a two-speed transmission may further be provided, to further broaden the vehicle's load range. A hybrid brake system provides regenerative braking, with mechanical braking available in the event the battery bank is fully charged, in emergencies, or at rest; a control mechanism is provided to control the brake system to provide linear brake feel under varying circumstances. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004364 | HYBRID VEHICLE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - In a hybrid vehicle, a target rotational speed and a target torque or a target operation point of an engine are set to a predetermined optimal efficiency rotational speed and a predetermined optimal efficiency torque that enable the engine to be operated efficiently when the engine is operated while a state of charge of the battery is equal to or more than a control-center state of charge after a start of a driving of the vehicle. Then, the engine and motors are controlled so that the engine is operated at the target operation point and a torque equivalent to a torque demand is output to a ring gear shaft or an axle. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004365 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A HYBRID VEHICLE AND HYBRID VEHICLE - A hybrid vehicle and a method for operating a hybrid vehicle are provided, the vehicle including at least a first drive unit and a second drive unit coupled to the first drive unit, wherein the second driving unit recovers kinetic energy during braking the hybrid vehicle, a transmission unit which can be coupled to the first and/or second drive unit and a drive axle. It is proposed to change the transmission ratio of the transmission unit depending on a desired amount of energy recovered by the second drive unit during regenerative braking or a predetermined time period before the anticipated start of regenerative braking. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004366 | 3-DIMENSIONAL PERCEPTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOBILE PLATFORM - In one embodiment, an autonomously navigated mobile platform includes a support frame, a projector supported by the frame, a sensor supported by the frame, a memory including a plurality of program instructions stored therein for generating an encoded signal using a phase shifting algorithm, emitting the encoded signal with the projector, detecting the emitted signal with the sensor after the emitted signal is reflected by a detected body, associating the detected signal with the emitted signal, identifying an x-axis dimension, a y-axis dimension, and a z-axis dimension of the detected body, and one or more of a range and a bearing to the detected body, based upon the associated signal, identifying a present location of the mobile platform, navigating the mobile platform based upon the identified location, and a processor operably connected to the memory, to the sensor, and to the projector for executing the program instructions. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004367 | Autonomous water-borne vehicle - The technical disclosure herein describes an autonomous water-borne vehicle having a segmented non-planing hull with free flood fore and aft sections and a sealed center section. The disclosure also described such a vehicle having a fixed longitudinal thruster and a fixed lateral thruster for changing the heading of the vehicle. The disclosure also described such a vehicle having an autonomous mission system, an autonomous navigation system, and a web-based command and control system. The disclosure also describes such a vehicle having a submersible winch. The disclosure also describes such a vehicle wherein the sealed center section is of substantially rectangular cross section. The disclosure also describes such a vehicle having a wheeled battery tray. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004368 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HURRICANE SURVEILLANCE FROM THE EYE - Methods and apparatus to provide an aerial vehicle having an eyewall sensor to enable the aerial vehicle to stay within the eye of a hurricane and transmit weather information to a remote location. In one embodiment, the aerial vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launched into the eye of the hurricane. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004369 | Method and System for Generating Electronic Documentation for Maintenance - A method for generating electronic documentation (DOC) for the maintenance of a set of equipment (EQPT), in particular of an aircraft, is provided. The method is beneficial in allowing the automatic generation of electronic documentation (DOC) updated dynamically in tandem with the progress in a maintenance operation on the set of equipment (EQPT). Utilization of particular schemes for constructing dynamic models (ABS) associated with sets of equipment (EQPT) is advantageously accomplished. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004370 | STOP HISTORY DATA ACCUMULATION SYSTEM, ACCUMULATION METHOD, AND ACCUMULATION PROGRAM - State information indicating an state of a vehicle is obtained. Based on the state information, group information is obtained that is formed from first stop information including a first stop position at which the vehicle stopped and formed from second stop information including a second stop position at which the vehicle stopped subsequent to the first stop position. Based on the group information, identification information for identifying a road zone including the second stop position is associated with the first stop position and accumulated. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004371 | Adjustable Foundation for a Seating Unit - A seating unit that includes an adjustable foundation, a torque-inducing mechanism, and a base structure for interconnecting a backrest and a seat is provided. The adjustable foundation provides adjustable support for, and is controlled by, an occupant of the seating unit. The adjustable foundation includes extensible supports that each have a first and second end, and a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a stationary member that is fixedly attached to the first ends and a drive bar that is configured to secure the second ends of the extensible supports such that longitudinal tension is generated upon rotating the drive bar with respect to the stationary member. The torque-inducing mechanism adjusts an angular position of the drive bar. In this capacity, the drive bar is configured to convert torque applied by the torque-inducing mechanism into a directional force that controls the longitudinal tension of the extensible supports. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004372 | Hitch System - The invention relates to a hitch system for an agricultural vehicle for lifting and lowering a load or an attachment. The hitch system further includes a hydraulic system with a double-action hydraulic cylinder, and an electronic control unit connected to the hydraulic system for controlling the hydraulic system and the pressurization of the hydraulic cylinder. The control unit controls a contact pressure for a working device as a function of a sensed load on the axle. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004373 | METHOD FOR REDUCING VARIATIONS IN DRIVE BELT TENSION - A method for reducing variations in tension in a drive belt | 2011-01-06 |
20110004374 | WHEEL SUSPENSION FOR A VEHICLE - Wheel suspension for vehicle, with support, steering knuckle connected in articulated manner with the support via interconnected joints, a vehicle wheel rotatably supported on the steering knuckle, a connecting element extending between a first joint and a second joint which is connected in an articulated manner via the first joint to the steering knuckle and via the second joint to the support, an angle detection device, for measuring the rotation angle of one of the joints and for generating an angle signal characterizing the rotation angle, an evaluation device, for evaluating the angle signal, and which is coupled with the angle detection device. The connecting element is a chassis actuator with an adjusting means, with which the length of the chassis actuator and thereby the position of the vehicle wheel is varied. The length of the chassis actuator is determined with the evaluation device by evaluating the at least one angle signal. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004375 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ASSISTED PARKING OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - In a method and a device for assisted parking of a motor vehicle into a parking space or assisted pulling out of a motor vehicle from a parking space, a predetermined maximum speed is given for each parking phase of the single step or multiple step parking or pulling out action consisting of several parking phases, wherein when exceeding the predetermined speed during a parking phase a limitation of the speed of the motor vehicle to the maximum speed allowed for the parking phase is carried out. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004376 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE LATERAL CONTROL OF A TAXIING AIRCRAFT - The invention relates to a device ( | 2011-01-06 |
20110004377 | ACTIVATION APPARATUS FOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEM - An activation apparatus for an occupant protection system includes acceleration sensors which are disposed on the respective right and left sides of a vehicle with respect to the center of the vehicle on the vehicle and each of which is provided for detecting the acceleration from the side opposite to the side where the sensor is disposed, and includes a determiner that determines whether or not an occupant protection system is to be activated by comparing the physical quantity computed based on the value detected and outputted by the acceleration sensor with a threshold for activating the occupant protection system. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004378 | WORKING VEHICLE, CONTROL DEVICE FOR WORKING VEHICLE, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR WORKING VEHICLE - A working vehicle in which an output from an engine is distributed to a traveling system and a hydraulic device system includes a loading operation detection unit that detects whether a loading operation using a work equipment is being performed, a clutch contained in the traveling system and connected to a distributor, a maximum output characteristic control unit that selects a second engine maximum output characteristic from among first and second maximum output characteristics when it is detected that the loading operation is being performed, and a hydraulic oil amount control unit that decreases a clutch pressure of the clutch when it is detected that the loading operation is being performed. In the first engine maximum output characteristic, a maximum output torque in a predetermined engine revolution speed range is lower than that in the second engine maximum output characteristic. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004379 | INTERFERENCE PREVENTION CONTROL DEVICE OF WORK MACHINE - The present invention provides an interference prevention control device of a work machine, wherein the interference prevention control device is capable of preventing interference between the cab and a tool of the work equipment regardless of whether either one of the cab or the work equipment is moved while the other is being operated, and thereby improving operation efficiency of the work machine. With regard to a work machine provided with a movable cab, a cab position sensor for detecting a cab position, as well as a boom angle sensor and an arm angle sensor for detecting a position of a tool at the distal end of the work equipment, are connected to a controller. Solenoid-operated directional control valves for limiting the movement of a boom cylinder and an arm cylinder for operating the work equipment are disposed in pressure passages of a pilot-operated control valve, and the solenoids of the solenoid-operated directional control valves are connected to the controller. The controller computes moving vectors based on the position of the cab detected by the cab position sensor and the moving speed of the cab determined by differentiation, predicts the cab position where the cab should be after a prescribed time, and controls the boom cylinder and the arm cylinder by means of the solenoid-operated directional control valves so as to prevent interference between the predicted cab position and the tool position. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004380 | CLUTCH CONTROL DEVICE AND CORRECTION COEFFICIENT CALCULATING METHOD - Actual-rotational-difference absorption-torque calculation means | 2011-01-06 |
20110004381 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - [Task] It is an object of the present invention to provide control device and control method for an automatic transmission which are capable of quickly converging an estimated vehicle speed | 2011-01-06 |
20110004382 | SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING A VEHICLE MASS - A vehicle mass estimation system for use in a vehicle, such as a truck, including a transmission is provided. A processor may be operable to receive a signal relating to a mass of at least a portion of the vehicle. The processor may be further operable to estimate a vehicle mass based, at least in part, on the signal. The processor may be further operable to select a desired gear ratio for engagement in a transmission based, at least in part, on the estimated vehicle mass. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004383 | METHOD FOR MONITORING A DRIVE TRAIN - A method for monitoring an automated drive train of a motor vehicle, in particular of a passenger car. The drive train comprises a drive engine, a friction clutch arrangement and a multi-speed transmission. The friction clutch arrangement connects or disconnects the drive engine to/from the multi-speed transmission. The method comprises the step of determining at least one rotational speed parameter of the drive train; checking whether the rotational speed parameter is greater than a first threshold value for a first predetermined time interval, and initiating a measure in the drive train in order to lower the rotational speed parameter if the rotational speed parameter is greater than the first threshold value for the first predetermined time interval. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004384 | SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING VEHICLE PARAMETERS - A system is provided which is capable of controlling one or more parameters of a vehicle, such as vehicle speed or engine RPM. The system involves communication between a transmitter and a controller. The transmitter has memory containing information that corresponds to a vehicle parameter setting. The information is operatively transmitted from the transmitter to the controller. Once the controller receives the information, the vehicle parameter setting is identified by the controller. When the setting is identified, the controller may adjust at least one mechanism on the vehicle so as modify the vehicle parameter accordingly. One scenario in which the parameter modification is generally provided is if the controller determines that the vehicle parameter is exceeding the identified setting, which corresponds to the vehicle being operated at a level higher than that intended for the vehicle operator. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004385 | BRAKING FORCE CONTROL DEVICE FOR VEHICLES - A controller of a braking force control device for vehicles is characterized by comprising an automatic-brake selective-actuation section configured to compare a braking force created by a manual brake device with a required braking force for an automatic brake device and to selectively actuate the automatic brake device when the required braking force exceeds in braking-force magnitude, a braking-force-difference time-rate-of-change calculation section configured to calculate a braking-force-difference time rate of change corresponding to a rate of change per unit time in a difference, which difference is obtained by subtracting the required braking force for the automatic brake device from the braking force created by the manual brake device, and a required braking force control section configured to correct the required braking force for the automatic brake device in a manner so as to reduce the required braking force when selectively actuating the automatic brake device. Also, a reducing amount of the required braking force is corrected to decrease, as the calculated braking-force-difference time rate of change increases. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004386 | Controlling an Electrically Actuable Parking Brake in the Event of Failure of a Speed Signal - A technique for controlling an electrically actuable parking brake of a motor vehicle in the event of failure of a first signal indicating a speed of the motor vehicle comprises the steps of continuously closing the parking brake as long as a second signal indicating a driver request to close the parking brake is detected, and opening the parking brake, provided that the parking brake is in a partially open state, as long as an absence of the second signal is detected. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004387 | VEHICLE HEADWAY MAINTENANCE ASSIST SYSTEM AND METHOD - A vehicle headway maintenance assist system is provided that provides a haptic notification to an accelerator to alert the driver under prescribed conditions. The vehicle headway maintenance assist system includes a preceding vehicle detection section, a reaction force generating section, and a control section. The preceding vehicle detection section is configured to detect a headway distance between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle. The reaction force generating section is configured to generate a reaction force based on the headway distance detected by the preceding vehicle detection section. The control section is configured to control a relationship between a driving force and an accelerator actuation amount by a driver to increase the accelerator actuation amount at a time before the reaction force generating section generates the reaction force. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004388 | TURBOFAN TEMPERATURE CONTROL WITH VARIABLE AREA NOZZLE - A control system for a turbofan comprises a variable area nozzle for regulating core flow through the turbofan, an actuator, a temperature sensor, a flight controller and a nozzle control. The actuator is coupled to the variable area nozzle to regulate the core flow by positioning the variable area nozzle. The temperature sensor is positioned in the turbofan to sense a gas path temperature of the core flow. The flight controller is connected to the turbofan to make a thrust demand based on a flight condition of the turbofan. The nozzle control is connected to the flight controller and the actuator for directing the actuator based on the gas path temperature and the flight condition, such that the gas path temperature is controlled by adjusting the variable area nozzle to regulate the core flow while the turbofan meets the thrust demand. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004389 | APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING INTAKE AIR HEATING OF GAS TURBINE - In a heating apparatus for heating the air sucked into a gas turbine by a heat exchanger, the temperature fluctuation of the heated air is suppressed even in the period, for which a steam source to be fed to the heat exchanger is changed. For that suppression, a heat exchanger ( | 2011-01-06 |
20110004390 | GAS TURBINE CONTROL METHOD AND DEVICE - Provided is a gas turbine control method and control device whereby a design performance and an operating state based on ideal fuel flow rate and air flow rate simulated at the time of designing can be maintained by preventing an operation deviated from an operating condition that is based on ideal fuel flow rate and air flow rate simulated by initial design values, in a gas turbine control method designed to search optimal operating conditions automatically using control inputs such as a pilot ratio. The gas turbine controller comprises a second database that stores load sensitivity, i.e. the correlation between the load amount of a gas turbine and control inputs such as a fuel flow rate, air flow rate, pilot fuel ratio, and top hat fuel ratio in the gas turbine, wherein the amount of load variation for at least one of control inputs, a fuel flow rate or an air flow rate supplied to a combustor is predicted according to operational conditions obtained by searching using the load sensitivity, regulation is made according to the prediction results, and the regulation results are stored in the second database. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004391 | ELECTRICALLY HEATED PARTICULATE FILTER - A control system comprises a particulate matter (PM) filter, an electric heater, a first heating module, and a second heating module. The PM filter includes M zones that filter PM from exhaust gas. The electric heater includes M segments corresponding to the M zones that heat exhaust gas input to selected ones of the M zones when activated. The first heating module activates N of the M segments to heat exhaust gas input to N of the M zones to regenerate the N zones. The second heating module operates in one of a first mode and a second mode to regenerate other ones of the M zones after the N zones are regenerated. The first mode includes adjusting an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas. The second mode includes activating other ones of the M segments to heat exhaust gas input to other ones of the M zones. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004392 | APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE AMOUNT OF WASTE HEAT OF AN ENGINE - An apparatus is provided for application to a waste heat reuse system that recovers and reuses engine waste heat, and for controlling the amount of waste heat based on a requested heat amount of a heat utilization request. In the apparatus, an overlap angle between a valve-opening period of an intake valve and that of an exhaust valve of the engine is controlled based on an engine driving condition. Ignition timing of the engine is controlled to fall on maximum-efficient timing that minimizes fuel consumption in a current engine driving condition. When a requested heat amount cannot be satisfied, overlap-increase control is performed to increase an overlap angle, and ignition advance control is performed to advance ignition timing with reference to a maximum-efficient timing that corresponds to the increased overlap angle. Waste heat amount of the engine is controlled with the overlap-increase control and the ignition advance control. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004393 | METHOD FOR OPERATING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A method for operating an internal combustion engine in which combustion air is supplied to a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, which air is compressed with the aid of a pulse supercharger, the pulse supercharger being controlled in such a way that optionally, in a first operating mode, the combustion air is compressed in order to support a compressor of a turbocharger, or in a second operating mode, the combustion air compressed with the aid of the compressor is cooled. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004394 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPERATING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A first camshaft misalignment value is determined from a measurement variable allocated to an engine air flow path. A second misalignment value is determined from a first operating variable outside of the air flow path. A trouble-free operation is identified when both values are smaller than a predefined first threshold. Misalignment is confirmed when one of both values is greater than the first and a difference between both values is smaller than a predefined second threshold. An air flow path fault is identified when the first value is greater and the second value is smaller than the first threshold and when the difference between both values is greater than the second threshold. A fault outside of the air flow path is identified, when the second value is greater and the first value is smaller than the first threshold and when the difference is greater than the second threshold. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004395 | Method for Operating an Internal Combustion Engine - In a method for operating an internal combustion engine for adjusting a desired fuel/air mixture, wherein the rotary speed is determined by an operating curve based on a fuel/air mixture composition, wherein the operating curve has ascending and descending branches and a maximum, wherein a lambda value is smaller than 1 on the descending branch, it is first determined by statistic evaluation whether the operating point is on the ascending or descending branch. In a second method step, when the operating point is not on a desired branch of the operating curve desired as a starting point for a third method step, at least one operating parameter is changed until the operating point is positioned on the desired branch. In a third method step, the maximum of the operating curve is determined. Based on the determined maximum, the desired operating point of the internal combustion engine is then adjusted. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004396 | ECO-RUN CONTROL DEVICE AND ECO-RUN CONTROL METHOD - An eco-run control device is provided. A control unit is configured to perform an eco-run control of stopping an engine on the basis of stop conditions and of restarting the engine on the basis of restart conditions. A starter driving unit is configured to drive a starter for restarting the engine. A test unit is configured to perform a failure test of the starter driving unit to determine whether the starter driving unit is out of order before the control unit stops the engine by the eco-run control. A nullifying unit is configured to nullify the failure test by the test unit when it is detected that a power supply voltage supplied to the starter driving unit drops below a predetermined value. A prohibiting unit is configured to prohibit the control unit from performing the eco-run control when the test unit determines that the starter driving unit is out of order. The prohibiting unit prohibits the control unit from performing the eco-run control in a case where the nullifying unit nullifies the failure test by the test unit during a test period in which the test unit performs the failure test. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004397 | TRAVELING INFORMATION CREATING DEVICE, TRAVELING INFORMATION CREATING METHOD AND PROGRAM - A CPU of a navigation device transmits probe information including link traveling information and average vehicle speed information at every predetermined time to an information distribution center. On the other hand, when receiving the probe information, a CPU of the information distribution center reads the road type corresponding to each link ID and user's average vehicle speed during uncongested road traveling from the probe information, and determines the vehicle speed region corresponding to this link ID from a vehicle speed region determination table. Thereafter, the CPU of the information distribution center creates traffic information from this vehicle speed region and the probe information, stores it in a center side traffic information DB and statistically processes traffic information of a certain period to generate a link cost corresponding to a link ID and a time zone of a relevant vehicle speed region of statistical traffic information. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004398 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING OPTIMAL SEQUENCING AND SPACING IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF POTENTIAL WAKE VORTICES - A system is delineated comprising a processor, a transceiver coupled to the processor, and memory including instructions for execution by the processor to send with the transceiver meteorological data, 4-D position data, velocity data, and time and configuration data to a provided ATC ground station. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004399 | Geocoding Locations Near A Specified City - Specified streets or intersections that are within a specified distance of a specified city can be found by a search, even when they are not actually in that city. For computational efficiency, some addresses are included in search results even when they exceed the specified distance from the specified city by a small amount (“false positives”). The search method guarantees that no instance of the street name within the specified distance of the specified city is erroneously missed (“false negatives”). | 2011-01-06 |
20110004400 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ROAD DATA IN MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - An apparatus and a method for providing road data in mobile communication system are provided. The apparatus includes a controller for receiving location information from a terminal having no map data, for mapping a location of the terminal to a map, for generating guide information for the location of the terminal, and for transmitting the guide information to the terminal. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004401 | DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY ENTERING, STORING AND SHARING ADDRESSES FOR A POSITIONAL INFORMATION DEVICE - Devices, systems and methods for remotely entering, storing and sharing location addresses for a positional information device, e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) device, are provided. The present disclosure allows a user to easily and safely enter an address into a GPS device by giving that address to a remote communications link and to have that link automatically program the user's GPS device for usage. The device, system and method of the present disclosure further allows the user to use this stored address(es) on multiple GPS devices without having to manually enter the address(es). | 2011-01-06 |
20110004402 | PROCESS FOR EVALUATING AN ERROR IN THE POSITIONING OF AN AIRCRAFT GENERATED FOR AN ON-BOARD POSITIONING SYSTEM - A process for evaluating an error in the aircraft positioning as generated by an on-board positioning system is disclosed. The aircraft positioning as generated by the positioning system is recorded through radar means, the presence of at least one group of targets arranged on the ground is detected through said radar means, the position of such a group of targets is measured through said radar means with respect to the aircraft positioning, and the error in the aircraft positioning is evaluated, comparing with at least one threshold value the value of at least one reference magnitude being characteristic of the difference existing between the measured position and a known position of the group of targets with respect to the aircraft positioning. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004403 | VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A vehicle navigation system and method. The system includes a unit located in a vehicle and coupled to a first network, a traffic information center coupled to a second network, and a server coupled to the first and second networks. A trip plan is generated according to navigation information, vehicle coordinates and trip request information received from the unit, and road information received from the traffic information center. The trip plan is sent to the unit for presentation. The trip plan includes trip overview information and voice prompts associated with one or more landmarks. A trip plan may be a tourist trip plan. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004404 | ENHANCED INERTIAL SYSTEM PERFORMANCE - An inertial system is provided. The system includes at least one inertial sensor, a processing unit and a plurality of Kalman filters implemented in the processing unit. The Kalman filters receive information from the at least one inertial sensor. At most one of the plurality of Kalman filters has processed zero velocity updates on the last cycle. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004405 | EARTH HORIZON SENSOR - An Earth horizon sensor that images the vicinity of the Earth horizon or limb to locate the non-thermal airglow emissions and calculates the orientation of the horizon plane or alternately the vector pointing towards the center of the Earth based on the location of the said airglow emissions. The orientation of the horizon plane in turn can be used to calculate the pitch and roll of the platform upon which the Earth horizon sensor is mounted. Yaw angle can be calculated with an additional celestial reference located in the same image or made available from another source. The orientation of the horizon plane can also be used to calculate the latitude and longitude of Earth coordinates, provided that three axis inertial attitude and time are also available. The Earth horizon sensor can be adapted to operate in space upon spacecraft in Earth orbit or in the atmosphere upon aircraft flying at altitudes of 10K ft or more. For operation in the atmosphere during daytime, the location of the solar scatter peak can be used instead of airglow emission intensity profiles. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004406 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOCATION DETERMINATION OF DEVICES USING NETWORK FINGERPRINTS FOR POWER MANAGEMENT - A system and methods that enables the determination of the location of a device using a network fingerprint of a known location on the electrical grid. A collection of communication based information is utilized to construct a network fingerprint that is subsequently used to determine whether a device is at a previously known or unknown location. By detecting differences in some or all of this set of information, a system determines whether an electric car has moved from one known location to another or otherwise left a known location. Determining a change in the location of a device, the device or a server take further actions, such as: notifying a user, notifying another server, initiating a configuration process, or operating in different modes. Knowledge about network location assist with assessing the overall load characteristics of a given area of a power grid, and with determining billing related matters. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004407 | REFRACTIVITY RETRIEVAL VIA DIRECT MEASUREMENT OF GNSS BENDING ANGLE - A method and system for taking direct measurements of GNSS signal's arrival angle to remotely measure the atmospheric variables used for weather prediction. More specifically, an improved method and system for obtaining and processing accurate information regarding the weather and other atmospheric changes by measuring the total refractive bending angle of the GNSS signal. For mobile platforms on which receivers are mounted, phased array receivers are used to allow precise measurements of GNSS arrival angles. By measuring the refractive bending angle, more accurate and cost-efficient measurements of atmospheric changes are obtained, thereby resulting in more accurate predictions of the weather. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004408 | ESTIMATING SIGMA LOG BEYOND THE MEASUREMENTS POINTS - The present disclosure relates to a method to determine the capture cross-section of a subsurface formation at a desired depth in the formation. A database of Sigma values for known lithologies, porosities, and salinities is provided, and multiple Sigma measurements are obtained from a downhole logging tool. Within the database, Sigma values are interpolated to determine the respective depths of investigation of the multiple Sigma measurements. A monotonic function is fitted to the multiple Sigma measurements at the determined depths of investigation, and the capture cross-section of the subsurface formation at any desired depth in the formation is determined using the fitted function. Similarly, a system to determine the capture cross-section of a subsurface formation at a desired depth in the formation and/or a depth of invasion of drilling fluids is also disclosed. | 2011-01-06 |
20110004409 | METHOD FOR PERFORMING CONSTRAINED POLARIZATION FILTERING - An exemplary method for filtering multi-component seismic data is provided. The exemplary method comprises identifying a plurality of characteristics of the seismic data, the plurality of characteristics corresponding to a relative manifestation of surface wave noise on the different components and identifying a time-frequency boundary in the seismic data, the time-frequency boundary delineating portions of the seismic data estimated to contain surface wave noise ( | 2011-01-06 |
20110004410 | DEVICE FOR THE COLLECTION AND PROCESSING OF INFORMATION RELATING TO THE EXPOSURE OF ONE OR MORE PERSONS TO ONE OR MORE PRODUCTS OF CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL ORIGIN AND METHOD FOR THE USE OF SUCH A DEVICE - A device for the collection and processing of information relating to the exposure of one or more persons ( | 2011-01-06 |
20110004411 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING RESULTS OF A POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR) INSTRUMENT - Methods of managing results of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instrument and software associated with such methods are described herein. One disclosed method, among others, comprises calculating, from results of the real-time PCR instrument, a fluorescence signal of a sample during a cycle of a baseline period of the real-time PCR instrument. The method further comprises determining whether or not the fluorescence signal during the baseline period increases by at least a certain percentage compared to cycles outside the baseline period. The sample is flagged as a potentially high-titer sample when the fluorescence signal increases by at least the certain percentage. | 2011-01-06 |