04th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 54 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110022143 | Spinal cord stimulation lead anchor - Disclosed is an implantable anchor for anchoring a catheter, including (by way of non-limiting example) an implantable lead, such as may be used for spinal cord stimulation, to the body of a patient, along with a method for its use. The anchor comprises an elongate body have a central lumen extending through the body from its proximal end to its distal end, which central lumen is configured to snugly receive the catheter body. In addition to the central lumen, a second lumen is provided in the proximal end of the anchor and is configured to receive an injector so that adhesive may be injected into the anchor surrounding at least a portion of the catheter body. In doing so, the anchor may be fixed to the catheter body, such that when the anchor is sutured in place within the patient's body, migration of the catheter may be avoided. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022144 | MEDICAL IMPLANTABLE LEAD AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING OF SUCH A LEAD - A medical implantable lead to be inserted into a human or animal body and attached to an organ inside the body for monitoring and/or controlling the function of the organ has a header in a distal end, a fixation arrangement and an electrode arranged in the header. The fixation arrangement attaches the distal end of the lead to the organ and the electrode is arranged to transmit or receive electrical signals to or from the organ. The lead also has a connector in a proximal end that includes a connector pin and is adapted to be connected to a monitoring and/or controlling device, and an inner coil, which extends inside an outer casing of the lead and is adapted to transmit electrical signals between the monitoring and/or controlling device and the electrode. The inner coil is attached to the connector pin. The inner coil extends through a bore inside the connector pin and is attached to the connector pin in its proximal end. A method for manufacturing of such a lead is also provided. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022145 | INTEGRATED WIRE CARRIER FOR ELECTRODE ARRAY - A method for forming a cochlear electrode array with a plurality of electrodes which are spaced so as to stimulate sites within a cochlea includes shaping a sheet of electrically conductive material to form a support structure and a plurality of electrodes, in which the electrodes are tethered to the support structure at the spacing of the cochlear electrode array. A cochlear lead includes a flexible body that has frictional characteristics that vary about its circumference. A cochlear lead includes a flexible body with a first region and a second region with different surface textures. This generates differential sliding forces during insertion of the cochlear lead which influence a motion of the cochlear lead during insertion. The cochlear lead having an electrode array with varying stiffness along its length is also provided. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022146 | MANUFACTURING AN ELECTRODE ARRAY FOR A TUMULATINGL MEDICAL DEVICE - A method of forming an electrode array is disclosed, the method comprising: forming an elongate comb structure comprising a plurality of longitudinally-spaced electrode contacts extending from and supported by a spine; electrically connecting each of a plurality of electrically conductive pathways to a respective one of the plurality of electrode contacts; placing the conductive pathways adjacent the contacts; placing silicone over the conductive pathways and contacts; curing the silicone so as to substantially retain the longitudinal spacing between neighboring contacts; and severing the spine from the plurality of electrode contacts. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022147 | METHOD OF INSERTING AN ENDOSTEAL ELECTRODE - An implantable tissue-stimulating device comprising an elongate electrode carrier member ( | 2011-01-27 |
20110022148 | THERMO-MECHANICALLY CONTROLLED IMPLANTS AND METHODS OF USE - An implant comprises a structure that may be implanted into tissue and that has a first material property at normal body temperature. The first material property is variable at elevated temperatures above normal body temperature. The implant also has a plurality of particles dispersed in the structure that are adapted to convert incident radiation into heat energy when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation. The particles are in thermal contact with the structure such that exposure of the particles to incident radiation raises the temperature of the structure thereby changing the first material property relative to the first material property at normal body temperature. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022149 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TREATMENT OF VASCULAR DEFECTS - Devices and methods for treatment of a patient's vasculature with some embodiments configured for delivery with a microcatheter for treatment of the cerebral vasculature of a patient. Some embodiments include thin permeable membranes configured to occlude blood flow therethrough. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022150 | NON-COMPLIANT MULTILAYERED BALLOON FOR A CATHETER - A balloon catheter having a multi-layered balloon which has a first layer and at least a second layer, and which has noncompliant limited radial expansion beyond the nominal diameter of the balloon. By selecting the polymeric materials forming the balloon layers, and arranging and radially expanding the multiple layers of the balloon in accordance with the invention, a balloon is provided having an improved low compliance, preferably in combination with high flexibility and softness. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022151 | STENT - If smooth transportation of bile toward the duodenum is difficult due to cancerous cells growing in the bile duct or due to stricture of the bile duct, a cylindrical stent may be implanted into the stenosed site of the bile duct to enable smooth supply of bile. Conventional stents have no risk of slippage at an implanted position thereof, but suffer from invasively growing cancerous cells. Although a covered stent having a coating has been proposed to solve invasion of the growing cancerous cells, the covered stent may have a risk of slippage at an implanted position thereof and also, may cause pancreatitis and cholelithiasis. To solve the above described problems, disclosed herein is a stent to prevent backflow of food from the duodenum to the bile duct while assuring smooth transportation of bile without a risk of unwanted displacement caused by the transported bile. The stent includes a cylindrical outer stent, and a downwardly tapered inner stent covered with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or silicone coating having biocompatibility. The inner and outer stents are coupled to each other to define a double structure. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022152 | DOUBLE LAYERED BALLOONS IN MEDICAL DEVICES - The present invention refers to medical devices. Particularly it relates to stent devices and balloon catheter devices. In the most particular aspect of the invention it relates to balloon catheter devices carrying stents ( | 2011-01-27 |
20110022153 | STENT GRAFT - Some embodiments are directed to a stent graft comprising a first stent graft having a first stent, a first inner graft supported by the first stent, a second inner graft supported by the first stent, and an outer graft. The second inner graft can be spaced apart from the first inner graft along the length of the first stent so that a portion of the first stent is not covered by either the first inner graft or the second inner graft. A first portion and a second portion of the outer graft can be attached to the first stent, the outer graft being unsupported by the stent between the first and second portions so as to form a fillable space between the outer graft, the first inner graft, and the second inner graft. Some embodiments further comprise a second stent graft deployable within the inside of the first stent graft to sealingly cover the uncovered portion of the first stent. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022154 | ENDOLUMINAL PROSTHETIC CONDUIT SYSTEMS AND METHOD OF COUPLING - A modular prosthetic conduit system such as a stent or stent graft system tailored for the repair of aneurysms or other compromised vessel walls. The stent or stent graft system incorporates various means to interlock the multiple modular components used in the repair procedure. The present invention further provides a modular stent graft system tailored for the repair of aneurysms or other compromised vessel walls that cross or are adjacent to a branch or bifurcation in a vessel. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022155 | Biodegradable Stent With Adjustable Degradation Rate - A biodegradable polymeric stent made from poly(L-lactide) and a low concentration of L-lactide monomer is disclosed. The concentration of L-lactide is adjusted to provide a degradation behavior that is suitable for different treatment applications including coronary, peripheral, and nasal. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022156 | LONGITUDINALLY FLEXIBLE STENT - An intravascular stent especially suited for implanting in curved arterial portions. The stent retains longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The stent is formed of intertwined meander patterns forming triangular cells. The triangular cells are adapted to provide radial support, and also to provide longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The triangular cells provide increased coverage of a vessel wall. The stent can have different portions adapted to optimize radial support or to optimize longitudinal flexibility. Loops in the stent are disposed and adapted to cooperate so that after expansion of said stent within a curved lumen, the stent is curved and cells on the outside of the curve open in length, but narrow in width whereas cells on the inside of the curve shorten in length but thicken in width to maintain a density of stent element area which much more constant than otherwise between the inside and the outside of the curve. As a result, when the stent is coated with a medicine the more constant density of stent elements results in an even dose being applied to the inside wall of the lumen, avoiding the possibility that a toxic dose be supplied at one area while a less than effective dose is applied to another area. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022157 | Stents, Valved-Stents, and Methods and Systems for Delivery Thereof - Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to stents, valved-stents, (e.g., single-stent-valves and double stent/valved-stent systems) and associated methods and systems for their delivery via minimally-invasive surgery. The stent component comprises a first stent section ( | 2011-01-27 |
20110022158 | Bioerodible Medical Implants - A medical implant includes a bioerodible portion adapted to degrade under physiological conditions. The bioerodible portion includes a bioerodible metal matrix and a salt or clay within the bioerodible metal matrix. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022159 | POROUS MEMBRANES FOR MEDICAL IMPLANTS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE - The present invention involves porous polymer membranes, suitable for use in medical implants, having controlled pore sizes, pore densities and mechanical properties. Methods of manufacturing such porous membranes are described in which a continuous fiber of polymer is extruded through a reciprocating extrusion head and deposited onto a substrate in a predetermined pattern. When cured, the polymeric material forms a stable, porous membrane suitable for a variety of applications, including reducing emboli release during and after stent delivery, and providing a source for release of bioactive substances to a vessel or organ and surrounding tissue. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022160 | Medical Devices Having an Inorganic Coating Layer Formed by Atomic Layer Deposition - Medical devices having a coating that comprises one or more inorganic coating layers. The inorganic coating layer may be formed by a self-limiting deposition process, such as atomic layer deposition. The inorganic coating layer may have a thickness of less than 30 nm. The inorganic coating layer may also be used in combination with a therapeutic agent as a control release barrier. The inorganic coating layer may have various desirable properties, including, for example, resistance to cracking or delamination, high degree of uniformity, high degree of conformality, and/or compatibility with low deposition temperatures. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022161 | IODINATED POLYMERS - The invention provides medical devices that comprise an iodinated polymer and that can be viewed using X-Ray imaging techniques. The invention also provides novel iodinated polymers that can be incorporated into or coated on medical devices. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022162 | ENDOPROSTHESES - An endoprosthesis includes an endoprosthesis wall that includes a ceramic coating and a polymer coating containing a therapeutic agent. A ceramic coating can be formed on the wall by electrochemical deposition. Cyclic voltammetry can be conducted to modify the density of the hydroxyl groups on the surface of the ceramic coating. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022163 | Implantable Medical Device Comprising Copolymer Of L-Lactide With Improved Fracture Toughness - The present invention relates to implantable medical devices comprising a L-lactide-constitutional unit-containing copolymer having a wt % percent crystallinity of 40% or less. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022164 | MEDICAL DEVICE FOR USE IN TREATMENT OF A VALVE - A medical device | 2011-01-27 |
20110022165 | INTRODUCER FOR PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE - The present disclosure concerns embodiments of an introducer that is adapted to facilitate insertion of a prosthetic device, such as a prosthetic heart valve, into a patient's vasculature. In one embodiment, the introducer comprises an elongated body defining a central lumen extending between distal and proximal ends of the body. The introducer body can also have a longitudinally extending gap extending along the length of the body between the distal end proximal ends. The gap in the introducer allows a user to place the introducer around implant sutures by passing the sutures through the gap and into the central lumen. Similarly, the gap allows the introducer to be easily removed from the sutures and/or a delivery device by passing them outwardly through the gap. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022166 | MEDICAL DEVICE FOR CONSTRICTING TISSUE OR A BODILY ORIFICE, FOR EXAMPLE A MITRAL VALVE - A medical apparatus positionable in a cavity of a bodily organ (e.g., a heart) may constrict a bodily orifice (e.g., a mitral valve). The medical apparatus may include tissue anchors that are implanted in the annulus of the orifice. The tissue anchors may be guided into position by an intravascularly or percutaneously deployed anchor guiding frame. Constriction of the orifice may be accomplished by cinching a flexible cable attached to implanted tissue anchors. The medical device may be used to approximate the septal and lateral (clinically referred to as anterior and posterior) annulus of the mitral valve in order to move the posterior leaflet anteriorly and the anterior leaflet posteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and eliminate mitral regurgitation. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022167 | INTRAPARIETAL AORTIC VALVE REINFORCEMENT DEVICE AND A REINFORCED BIOLOGICAL AORTIC VALVE - A reinforcement device for a biological valve includes an arrangement of supports configured to establish a double-trigone geometry in the valve and coupled to a base upon which the valve may be mounted. A plurality of commissural supports establish the geometry of a commissural trigone, and a plurality of intercommissural supports establish the geometry of an intercommissural trigone. A method for reinforcing a biological valve includes using commissural supports in conjunction with intercommissural supports, both sets of supports coupled to a base upon which the valve is mounted. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022168 | POST-OPERATIVE ADJUSTMENT TOOL, MINIMALLY INVASIVE ATTACHMENT APPARATUS, AND ADJUSTABLE TRICUSPID RING - An implantable device system for controlling the dimensions of internal anatomic passages corrects physiologic dysfunctions resulting from a structural lumen which is either too large or too small. Implantable devices are disclosed which employ various mechanisms for adjusting and maintaining the size of an orifice to which they are attached. Systems permit the implants to be implanted using minimally invasive procedures and permit final adjustments to the dimensions of the implants after the resumption of normal flow of anatomic fluids in situ. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022169 | Annuloplasty Device for Tricuspid Valve Repair - Annuloplasty device for implantation adjacent an annulus of a tricuspid valve, the annulus comprising anterior, posterior and septal aspects adjacent anterior, posterior and septal leaflets, respectively, of the tricuspid valve, the device comprising: a ring body comprising: an anterior portion, a posterior portion and a septal portion shaped to conform to, and for implantation adjacent, the anterior, posterior and septal aspects of the annulus, respectively; and first and second end portions that are more flexible than a remainder of the ring body to provide a gradual transition from the remainder of the ring body to tissue of the tricuspid valve annulus; wherein the ring body is curvilinear, with substantially no flat portions, and forming a shape. Related devices, kits and sizer devices. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022170 | Truncated diffractive intraocular lenses - In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of designing a diffractive ophthalmic lens (e.g., an intraocular lens (IOL)) that includes providing an optic having an anterior refractive surface and a posterior refractive surface, wherein the optic provides a far-focus power (e.g., in a range of about 18 to about 26 Diopters (D)). A truncated diffractive structure can be disposed on at least one of the surfaces for generating a near-focus add power (e.g., in a range of about 3 D to about 4 D). And the diffractive structure can be adjusted so as to obtain a desired distribution of optical energy between the near and far foci for a range of pupil sizes. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022171 | Graft Materials for Surgical Breast Procedures - Graft materials and devices for surgical breast procedures, as well as methods of making graft devices are described. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022172 | Disposable Medical Device for Engaging with Reusable Medical Instrument and Methods of Use - A disposable medical device for engaging with a reusable medical instrument and methods of using same. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022173 | IMPLANT WITH AN INTERFERENCE FIT FASTENER - An implant with an interference fit fastener for attaching the implant to a bone. The interference fit prevents backout of the fastener after the attachment. The implant may include a passage with a first end and second end. The passage may include a first interference section between the first and second ends. A fastener with an elongated shape may be sized to extend through the passage to attach the implant to the bone. The fastener may include a second interference section. During insertion of the fastener through the passage and into the bone, the second interference section of the fastener may contact against and modify or be modified by the first interference section of the passage. This modification may create the interference fit between the implant and the fastener that prevents backout. The interference sections may remain in contact or may move apart once the fastener is fully attached to the bone. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022174 | MODELING MICRO-SCAFFOLD-BASED IMPLANTS FOR BONE TISSUE ENGINEERING - A new conceptual biomedical method is presented for designing scaffold-based bone implants and using these implants in treating deteriorated bones. These implants have micro-architectural bone structures that are capable of mimicking the stochastic micro-structure as in natural bone bio-mineral structures. Moreover, they can be adapted as specific tailor-made compatible bone-repair mediator implants to be used as effective substitutes for natural damaged bone fracture structures. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022175 | INSERTION GUIDE FOR A SPINAL IMPLANT - A spinal implant insertion guide is disclosed. The insertion guide includes at least one channel suitable for receiving and facilitating movement of a spinal implant into an intervertebral space between two vertebrae and a portion suitable for insertion into the intervertebral space. In embodiments for use with spinal implant having multiple pieces, the pieces of the spinal implant remain in cooperation throughout movement. The guide may further include a plunger for facilitating the movement of the spinal implant. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022176 | Intervertebral body fusion cage with keels and implantation methods - An intervertebral implant has a fusion body with at least one keel that anchors the implant into cancellous bone of at least one vertebral body. A method for implantation includes lateral implantation of the implant. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022177 | INTERVERTEBRAL FILLING FOR CERVICAL VERTEBRAE - An intervertebral filling for cervical vertebrae end-plates includes a supporting body, and a buffer layer surrounding the supporting body. The supporting body has a Shore A hardness of 50-80 and the buffer layer has a Shore A hardness of 20-45. The supporting body has a height greater than that of the buffer layer, so that the supporting body protrudes about 1 mm to 3 mm from the buffer layer at two opposite ends thereof. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022178 | MEDICAL DEVICES - A medical device having body contacting surfaces provided with a film of amorphous calcium phosphate having a thickness of 1 nm to 10000 nm and an average dissolution rate calculated as the time taken to remove 95% of the film of at least 1 nm h | 2011-01-27 |
20110022179 | Knee replacement system and method for enabling natural knee movement - A knee replacement system, and a method for supplying and implanting a knee replacement system, for enabling natural knee movement in a leg in a patient, including: a medial femoral component having a medial femoral articulating surface with a sagittal plane profile including four medial femoral arcuate portions scaled by a first femoral scaling factor; a lateral femoral component having a lateral femoral articulating surface with a sagittal plane profile including four lateral femoral arcuate portions scaled by a second femoral scaling factor; a medial tibial component having a medial tibial articulating surface that articulates with the medial femoral articulating surface and includes a first raised medial edge that increases in width in an anterior direction; and a lateral tibial component having a lateral tibial articulating surface that articulates with the lateral femoral articulating surface and includes a second raised medial edge that increases in width in the anterior direction. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022180 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - Implantable medical devices are provided. In one embodiment, a device includes a body having an external surface defining an outer profile of the device. The body includes a porous matrix including a series of interconnected macropores defined by a plurality of interconnected struts each including a hollow interior. A filler material substantially fills at least a portion of the series of interconnected macropores. The external surface of the body includes a plurality of openings communicating with the hollow interior of at least a portion of the plurality of interconnected struts. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the external surface includes exposed areas of the filler material and porous matrix in addition to the exposed openings. In another aspect, the porous matrix is formed from a bioresorbable ceramic and the filler material is a biologically stable polymeric material. Still, other aspects related to this and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022181 | ARTICLE WITH FOAMED SURFACE, IMPLANT AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME - The objection of this invention is to provide an article with a foamed surface having a porous structure in the surface of a plastic base, an implant and a method of producing them. The article has a body and a superficial layer formed in a surface of the body, the layer including small-diameter and large-diameter pores, wherein part of the small-diameter and large-diameter pores are open pores which are open at the surface of the layer; the open pores have small open pores with an average diameter of 5 μm or less and large open pores with an average diameter from 10 to 200 μm; and the large open pores have an inner wall with passages connected with the small-diameter large-diameter pores. The implant is the article itself or the article with a bioactive substance in the layer thereof. The method provides an example of producing the article and implant. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022182 | VALVE SYSTEM FOR PROSTHETICS - A valve system may attach to the distal area of a prosthetic hard socket without leaks, in spite of the high amount of curvature of the distal area. The valve stem/member of the valve system slides to, or rests in, a closed position that seals against a valve housing surface. The valve is adapted for a low “crack” or “pop” pressure, for example, when the pressure inside the distal region of the socket well is 1-3 psi above the air pressure outside the hard socket. An elastomeric valve member is preferably used that exhibits a very accurate and reproducible response at the low crack pressure, and, in addition, sound dampening and/or filtration pads may be used to further reduce sound and fouling of the preferred elastomeric valve member. The preferred valve gives repeated, consistent, and quiet performance, which helps prevent uncomfortable and/or high-noise-producing swings in the pressure inside the socket well. Preferably no portion of the valve system extends so far through the wall of the socket that it resides inside the socket well, and no part of the valve needs to be installed from inside the socket. The valve may be installed even on thin-walled sockets, as the broad base of the valve is adhesively attached to the outside of the socket, and optionally a rearward protrusion extends into the hole in the socket without protruding into the socket well. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022183 | ELEVATED VACUUM LOCKING SYSTEM - Elevated vacuum locking systems for prosthetic limbs are disclosed. Some example embodiments may include a manifold mounted to the exterior of the distal end of a socket and may include a cavity adapted to receive a distal end of a plunger pin when the patient's residual limb and a liner are installed into the socket. Some example manifolds may include a through passage fluidicly connecting an interior of the cavity to a fitting mounted on an exterior of the manifold and/or a spool valve arranged to selectively vent the cavity to atmosphere via the through passage and a vent hole. The spool valve may be axially slidable between an open position and a shut position within a channel integrally formed with the manifold. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022184 | SEALING LINER AND LOCK FOR PROSTHETIC LIMB - Locking systems for prosthetic sockets utilizing integrated vacuum and mechanical coupling are disclosed. Some example embodiments may include a flexible liner shaped to accept a portion of a patient's residual limb, the flexible liner including a liner distal end including at least one surface feature; a plunger pin extending distally from the liner distal end; and a locking mechanism for mounting within a prosthetic limb socket approximate a socket distal end, the locking mechanism including a central opening sized to receive the plunger pin, the locking mechanism releasably engaging the plunger pin when the residual limb and the liner are inserted into the socket, wherein a proximal end of the locking mechanism includes at least one surface feature for releasably and sealingly engaging the at least one surface feature of the distal end of the flexible liner. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022185 | CUSHION STRUCTURE OF ARTIFICIAL KNEE JOINT - An artificial knee joint includes a joint support having upper and lower ends jointed to outside links and an upper link respectively; a brake block having upper and lower jointing holes respectively jointing a lower end of the upper link and a connector, and having an upper portion forming a positioning slot; a hydraulic cylinder arranged inside the brake block and having an upper end coupled to the joint support; a connector having a lower portion connected to a shank and an upper end portion through which a positioning axle extends; and outside links having an upper end jointed to an upper jointing hole of the joint support and a lower end jointed to a jointing hole of the connector. A cylinder barrel, a piston, a resilient element, and an adjusting bolt are arranged inside the connector and the piston is et against a lower end of the brake block. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022186 | DISTRIBUTED INPUT/OUTPUT CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Apparatus and methods for controlling a system that operates responsive to a plurality of input control signals are disclosed. During operation the system generates a plurality of output status/control signals. A master controller has at least first and second controllers. The first controller outputs and inputs signals over a first communication path, and the second controller outputs and inputs signals over a second communication path. The first and second controllers output signals based on input signals received over the first and second communication paths, respectively, and also based on stored control data. A plurality of input/output modules are provided. Each of the input/output modules has first and second slave controllers. The first slave controller of each of the input/output modules inputs and outputs signals over the first communication path to the first controller, and the second slave controller outputs and inputs signals over the second communication path. Each of the first slave controllers outputs and inputs signals to and from a first input/output circuit, and each of the second slave controllers outputs and inputs signals to and from a second input/output circuit. Each of the input/output modules also includes a combiner circuit. At least some of the input control signals for controlling the system are generated by the combiner circuit of each input/output module based on signals output from both the first and second input/output circuits. The output control signals for controlling the system are generated based on output status/control signals from the system that are coupled to each of the first and second input/output circuits of the input/output modules. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022187 | PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED EXTERNAL DATA SOURCES - Methods and systems for integrating external and/or enterprise data into a process control system are disclosed. A user interface may be provided to enable browsing and selection of a data item from an external and/or enterprise data source. The selected data item may be associated with a process control entity. At run time, independent of a configuration of the process control entity, an external data integration server or instance of an external data integration service at a process control computing device may periodically communicate with the data source to obtain an updated current value and updated current status for the selected data item for use by the process control entity. The external data integration server and/or external data integration service may consolidate access of external/enterprise data across process control entities, optimize communications with various data sources, and maintain a status of communication with each various data source. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022188 | DEVICE, PARTICULARLY PROTECTIVE SENSOR SYSTEM, FOR A MACHINE TOOL - The invention relates to a device, particularly a machine tool device, having at least one computer ( | 2011-01-27 |
20110022189 | INTELLIGENT DEVICE CONTROL SYSTEM - A device for controlling devices in a monitored space. A sensor senses an event in an initial state indicating an occupant may be present in the monitored space. A switch activates the controlled device in response to the sensed event. A processor enables the device to change from the initial state to a first state in response to the sensed event, with the first state indicating that the occupant may be in the monitored space. The device also changes from the first state to a second state while determining whether the occupant continues to be in the monitored space in response to a query challenge. The device next changes from the second state to the initial state in response to the determining indicating that the occupant is not in the monitored space. The switch deactivates the controlled device in the initial state in the monitored space. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022190 | SYSTEM FOR SCHEDULING USING AN EXTERNAL CALENDARING SERVICE - A building control system incorporating an external calendar service, having a schedule subsystem, a schedule synchronization subsystem connected to the schedule subsystem, and an external calendar configuration subsystem connected to the schedule synchronization subsystem. The schedule subsystem may have a schedule object, a building schedule mechanism for activating different subsystems in a building based on a configuration of a building schedule, and a schedule change mechanism for creating, configuring and/or changing the building schedule. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022191 | PREVENTING DISRUPTIVE COMPUTER EVENTS DURING MEDICAL PROCEDURES - A computer-implemented system for process control has two operating modes: normal mode and active procedure mode, with automatic transition between them. In normal mode, the operating system, firewall and anti-virus are fully operational. When entering a time-critical phase of a process, a process control application signals the operating system and utilities, whereupon transition to active procedure mode automatically occurs, in which access by the system services and by other applications to the resources of the computer is selectively limited in favor of the process control application. Upon completion of the procedure, the system automatically returns to normal mode. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022192 | MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT - System(s), apparatus(es) and method(s) are provided for to managing and developing an industrial system included in the industrial environment. Intelligence related to a configuration of the industrial system is collected and processed to generate information related to operational condition(s) of the industrial system. Intelligence can be collected actively or passively: In active collection, a platform that collects the intelligence retrieves configuration record(s) from the industrial system, whereas in passive collection, the platform received one or more configuration records from the industrial automation system. Collected intelligence is cast into a set of configuration units that defines industrial system and functionality thereof. In addition, a set of services configured to convey specific functionality associated with at least one configuration unit is composed. At least a portion of the generated information can be supplied to the industrial system or one or more components thereof in accordance with a policy configured by the industrial automation system. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022193 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF A SELF-CONFIGURED, MODEL-BASED ADAPTIVE, PREDICTIVE CONTROLLER FOR MULTI-ZONE REGULATION SYSTEMS - A control system simultaneously controls a multi-zone process with a self-adaptive model predictive controller (MPC), such as temperature control within a plastic injection molding system. The controller is initialized with basic system information. A pre-identification procedure determines a suggested system sampling rate, delays or “dead times” for each zone and initial system model matrix coefficients necessary for operation of the control predictions. The recursive least squares based system model update, control variable predictions and calculations of the control horizon values are preferably executed in real time by using matrix calculation basic functions implemented and optimized for being used in a S7 environment by a Siemens PLC. The number of predictions and the horizon of the control steps required to achieve the setpoint are significantly high to achieve smooth and robust control. Several matrix calculations, including an inverse matrix procedure performed at each sample pulse and for each individual zone determine the MPC gain matrices needed to bring the system with minimum control effort and variations to the final setpoint. Corrective signals, based on the predictive model and the minimization criteria explained above, are issued to adjust system heating/cooling outputs at the next sample time occurrence, so as to bring the system to the desired set point. The process is repeated continuously at each sample pulse. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022194 | TRANSDUCER ACCESS POINT - The invention relates to a method and apparatus for exposing (i.e. bridging) data and services offered by low power, low duty cycle transducers (e.g. sensors and actuators) in a standardized format over existing and established home networking technologies. A transducer access point is a functional component that serves as a proxy for health devices and sensors that are off/asleep the majority of the time to conserver power (e.g. battery life). The transducer access point may be implemented as a stand alone device or embedded within a computing device such as a home PC. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022195 | MULTIPLE MACHINE INTERFACE - Aspects describe multiple machine interfaces that provide automated implementations of a host that executes at least one service. The service comprises internal aspects, which include a reusable definition and a specification, which are hidden from a user or selectively exposed but not modifiable by the user. Functional connections and controls are provided for the automated implementations of the host. Platform configurations, which include the at least one service, interact with the automated implementation of the host. One or more functionalities of the functional connections can be selectively exposed based on a user credential. The automated implementation of the host comprises execution of the at least one service. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022196 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTED USER INTERFACES USING WEARABLE DEVICES TO CONTROL MOBILE AND CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICES - A method for controlling a controlled device with a device wearable on a portion of a body is disclosed. The method includes detecting relative movement between the wearable device and the portion of the body; and generating an indication of the relative movement for use in controlling the controlled device. A method for controlling a controlled device with a device wearable on a portion of a body is also disclosed. The method includes receiving a message indicating a relative movement between the wearable device and the portion of the body; and generating an action to control the controlled device based on a command associated with the relative movement. Apparatuses for performing the methods are disclosed herein as well. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022197 | PROCESS CONTROL APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT AND FEATURES - A process control application development environment provides an abstraction layer for vendor-independent process control application development. Various features such as validation of high-level representations of process control applications, exception handler agents, structured interactive operation of multiple machines, and multiple device states can be implemented for process control applications. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022198 | LAYERED INTERFACE IN AN INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT - System(s) and method(s) are provided for implementing a set of interface components across a set of layers of an industrial environment, and for managing at least one interface component or at least one layer of the industrial environment. To implement an interface component in at least one layer in the set of layers, a specification that defines the interface component is acquired and, based at least on the specification, a service is generated. Execution of the service implements the interface component. The managing includes deploying or discovering the at least one interface component or the at least one layer of the industrial environment. The managing also includes indexing specific functional feature(s) of the at least one interface component and searching across the set of layers for one or more interface components that satisfy specific functional criteria. Moreover, the managing can include supplying metadata related to interface component(s) or layer(s). | 2011-01-27 |
20110022199 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR DETECTING HEART RATE - A method includes retrieving a signal that measures an activity of a cardiac system. A heart beat model is created based on the retrieved signal, and heart beats are detected using the heart beat model. The model can be trained using a machine learning technique and also respiratory cycle phase information can be used in training the model. A related algorithm, apparatus and computer program are also included. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022200 | CONTROLLER AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF - A device, a remote control unit and method for controlling a plurality of devices, the method including receiving one of a plurality of user commands as an input; and transmitting one of a first and a second of the plurality of control commands in response to the one of the plurality of user commands. The first of the plurality of control commands includes information for simultaneously controlling a first device of a manufacturer and a second device of the manufacturer. The second of the plurality of control commands includes information for controlling the first device without controlling the second device. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022201 | METHOD OF GUIDING A USER FROM AN INITIAL POSITION TO A DESTINATION IN A PUBLIC AREA - The invention describes a method of guiding a user ( | 2011-01-27 |
20110022202 | AUTOMATED ENHANCEMENTS FOR BILLIARDS AND THE LIKE - Position data is generated. The position data describes a respective current position of each of one or more billiard game objects in relation to a billiard table having a playing surface. A state of a billiards game being played is determined based on the position data. One or more perceptible effects associated with the determined state of the billiards game are selected. The one or more perceptible effects are produced in connection with the billiards game. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022203 | METHOD FOR EXECUTING MENU IN MOBILE TERMINAL AND MOBILE TERMINAL THEREOF - A method for executing a menu in a mobile terminal and a mobile terminal thereof are disclosed, wherein the method includes displaying a first screen on a display unit of the mobile terminal, detecting whether an audio output device connection signal is generated by an external audio output device being connected to the mobile terminal while the first screen is displayed, and displaying a second screen including an audio output-related menu if the audio output device connection signal is generated. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022204 | AUDIO CIRCUIT - An integrated circuit | 2011-01-27 |
20110022205 | Audio Signal Processing System - Region having a same size in a audio signal region of a transmission frame is allocated to each of an active engine and passive engine. The active engine reads out input signals written into regions of the frame, performs signal processing on the read-out signals, and writes resultant signals into the region allocated to the active engine. The passive engine reads out the input signals written into the regions, performs the same signal processing as the active engine on the read-out signals, and writes resultant output signals into the region allocated to the passive engine. When a flag of the active engine is indicative of a normal state, an output device reads out the output signals from the region allocated to the active engine, but, when the flag is indicative of an abnormal state, the output device reads out the output signals from the region allocated to the passive engine. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022206 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING MULTICHANNEL EXTENSION DATA WITH AN AUDIO SIGNAL AND FOR PROCESSING THE AUDIO SIGNAL - For synchronizing multichannel extension data with an audio signal, wherein the audio signal includes block division information and the multichannel extension data include reference audio signal fingerprint information, the block division information in the audio signal is detected by means of a block detector. Thereupon, block division of the audio signal is performed by a fingerprint calculator according to the block division information in order to obtain a sequence of test audio signal fingerprints. In addition to that, a sequence of reference audio signal fingerprints is extracted from the reference audio signal fingerprint information of the multichannel extension data. Both sequences of fingerprints are correlated in order to obtain a correlation result, by which a compensator is controlled in order to reduce or eliminate a time offset between the multichannel extension data and the audio signal. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022207 | Methods of and Apparatus for Electrochemically Fabricating Structures Via Interlaced Layers or Via Selective Etching and Filling of Voids - Multi-layer structures are electrochemically fabricated by depositing a first material, selectively etching the first material (e.g. via a mask), depositing a second material to fill in the voids created by the etching, and then planarizing the depositions so as to bound the layer being created and thereafter adding additional layers to previously formed layers. The first and second depositions may be of the blanket or selective type. The repetition of the formation process for forming successive layers may be repeated with or without variations (e.g. variations in: patterns; numbers or existence of or parameters associated with depositions, etchings, and or planarization operations; the order of operations, or the materials deposited). Other embodiments form multi-layer structures using operations that interlace material deposited in association with some layers with material deposited in association with other layers. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022208 | VISUALIZATION OF PRODUCT BUILD USING PRECEDENCE TRANSVERSAL METHOD - A method for visualization of product build which includes compilation of a virtual temporal configuration of an in-process assembly and visualization of the results using three-dimensional representations of the affected products and associated resources. An illustrative embodiment of the method includes formulating a plurality of installation plans each adapted to direct production of a portion of a product within a build sequence of the product and enabling three-dimensional virtual visualization of a temporal build state of the portion of a product for each of the installation plans. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022209 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY IDENTIFYING AN EXISTING WORKFLOW TO MANUFACTURE A GIVEN PRODUCT TYPE - A method and system for automatically identifying an existing workflow to manufacture a given product type. A workflow description of a workflow can be transformed into a product type description utilizing particular facts associated with the workflow. An inferred product type description can then be at least one product type among a group of product type descriptions representing known product types. A mapping can then be derived of the workflow with respect to product types, in response to comparing the inferred product type description to the product type description(s) among product type descriptions representing known product types. The workflow description can be converted into the product type description utilizing a rule-based expert system. The particular facts can be one or more of the following: processing steps, sequences of processing steps, types of operations to be performed, and outputs produced. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022210 | PROCESS FOR SELECTING SURROGATE PART - A process for selecting a surrogate part for metallic plating, the metallic plating of the surrogate part predicting results for the metallic plating of a new or predetermined part is disclosed. The process can include providing a reinforcement learning system having a memory circuitry and a processing circuitry. The memory circuitry can have a database with data associated with a plurality of surrogate parts and data associated with the predetermined part can be entered into the data input module. The processing circuitry can compare the data associated with each of the plurality of surrogate parts and the data associated with the predetermined part and select a surrogate part that affords predicting a plating result of the predetermined part. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022211 | COOKING METHODS AND A COOKING APPARATUS FOR USE WITH SAME - The present invention relates to a cooking control method performed by a cooking apparatus for a food item. The method comprises obtaining a unique identifier and cooking data for the food item, and checking for a record of the unique identifier in a memory of the cooking apparatus. If a record of the unique identifier is located in the memory, then the cooking apparatus will not cook the food item. Otherwise a cooking process based on the cooking data to cook the food item is performed. Accordingly, cooking data for a given instance of a food item can only be used once in order to activate a cooking process performed by the cooking apparatus. The present invention also features product recall as well as the ability to track food item sales via a cooking data communications system. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022212 | BOTTLENECK DEVICE EXTRACTING METHOD AND BOTTLENECK DEVICE EXTRACTING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - A method and system of specifying a device of root cause of impeding the productivity in consideration of even mutual influence among processes of production fluctuation with respect to the subject of specifying a device in which productive capacity is reduced due to a problem that the productive capacity of device is changed due to Production that one machine works for multiple process and a problem that the productive capacity of device is changed due to High product mix and low product volume production. A measure for changing productive capacity of devices intentionally and simulating influence to the whole production system, a measure for measuring mutual influence among processes of production fluctuation produced by the simulation and a measure for specifying a device of root cause of impeding the productivity on the basis of the measured result are provided. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022213 | DETECTING DEVICE AND DETECTING METHOD - A detecting device for preventing a substrate from being scratched by an apparatus and a detecting method using the same is provided. The device comprises a detecting substrate, a controlling module, a transmitting module and a monitoring module. The controlling module detects a position information of a contact point between the apparatus and the detecting substrate and transmits the position information to the transmitting module. The transmitting module transmits the position information received from the controlling module to the monitoring module. The monitoring module determines the coordinates of the contact point between the apparatus and the detecting substrate according to the position information. The detecting substrate can be employed to simulate the substrate used in the real manufacture process of the TFT-LCD so that the apparatus in each step can be detected before the real manufacture process is performed. Thus, the apparatus can be adjusted before the real manufacture process is performed, and therefore the substrate can be effectively prevented from being scratched by the apparatuses in the real manufacture process. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022214 | Method for Monitoring Operation Behaviour of a Component of an Industrial Plant - A method for monitoring operation behaviour of a component of an industrial plant is provided. Parameter identifiers of operation parameters of the industrial plant are read from an element of a control system of the plant. Some of these parameter identifiers are selected and the selected parameter identifiers are forwarded to an element of the control system. Further, a time of a specified operation of the component is defined and behaviour of the selected parameters of the component in the defined time is used as guide model for monitoring selected parameters of the component during component operation. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022215 | APPARATUS TO DETECT FAULT CONDITIONS OF A PLASMA PROCESSING REACTOR - A method of fault detection for use in a plasma processing chamber is provided. The method comprises monitoring plasma parameters within a plasma chamber and analyzing the resulting information. Such analysis enables detection of failures and the diagnosis of failure modes in a plasma processing reactor during the course of wafer processing. The method comprises measuring the plasma parameters as a function of time and analyzing the resulting data. The data can be observed, characterized, compared with reference data, digitized, processed, or analyzed in any way to reveal a specific fault. Monitoring can be done with a detector such as a probe, which is preferably maintained within the plasma chamber substantively coplanar with a surface within the chamber, and directly measures net ion flux and other plasma parameters. The detector is preferably positioned at a grounded surface within the reactor such as a grounded showerhead electrode, and can be of a planar ion flux probe (PIF) type or a non-capacitive type. Chamber faults that can be detected include a build-up of process by-products in the process chamber, a helium leak, a match re-tuning event, a poor stabilization rate, and a loss of plasma confinement. If the detector is a probe, the probe can be embedded in a part of a plasma processing chamber and can comprises one or more gas feed-through holes. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022216 | METHOD AND AN APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATION OF AN INDUSTRIAL ROBOT SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for calibration of an industrial robot system including at least one robot ( | 2011-01-27 |
20110022217 | WORK MOUNTING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MOUNTING - This object aims to provide a work mounting system which has an improved usability and can be miniaturized. A work mounting system ( | 2011-01-27 |
20110022218 | WORK MEASURING METHOD, METHOD FOR ATTACHING SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY AND APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY - Provided is a work measuring method by which a deviation quantity of a work measuring point from a reference position can be measured in a short time. A work surface is set as a reference point when the measuring point is positioned at the reference position, and a distance from a photographing device to a reference surface is set as a reference distance. A deviation quantity of the measurement point in a direction intersecting a photographing direction on the reference surface is measured by the photographing device, and a deviation quantity of the measuring point in the photographing direction is measured by a laser distance sensor. Then, based on the deviation quantity measured by the photographing device, the deviation quantity measured by the laser distance sensor, and the reference distance, a deviation quantity of the measuring point in a direction intersecting the photographing direction is calculated. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022219 | SIMULATION OF THE IMAGE PROJECTED BY A MASK - The disclosure concerns a method of simulating the image projected by a mask during photolithography including determining by a processor ( | 2011-01-27 |
20110022220 | DYNAMIC METROLOGY METHODS AND SYSTEMS - The present invention provides dynamic metrology methods and systems for: periodically determining an actual position of one or more of a machine and a tool with respect to a workpiece using one or more laser interferometers; tracking a tracked position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece using one or more accelerometers; and altering a controlled position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece when either the actual position or the tracked position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece diverges from a desired position of one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022221 | ROLLER-BELT SORTER WITH CONTROL GRID - Apparatus and method for sorting a mass flow of articles without collisions between articles. The apparatus includes a sorting conveyor having a plurality of article-supporting belt rollers selectively rotatable in a direction transverse to the direction of belt travel. The belt rollers are selectively rotated in individual grid cells formed along the conveyor's carryway. A control system creates an image of the incoming mass flow, computes trajectories along the sorting conveyor for each package, and actuates or deactuates the belt rollers passing through each grid cell according to the trajectories to orderly and rapidly divert articles off the side of the sorting conveyor. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022222 | CHARGING SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC POWERED VEHICLE - A charge instructing device installed in a space such as an indoor space in which the security is ensured reads key information (ID) stored in a vehicle key held in a key holding unit and transmits the read ID to an electric powered vehicle. Electric powered vehicle performs authentication by checking the ID transmitted from charge instructing device against registration information stored in advance. The result of the authentication is then transmitted from electric powered vehicle to charge instructing device. Charge instructing device permits a charger to charge electric powered vehicle according to the result of the authentication transmitted from electric powered vehicle. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022223 | RETROFIT DATA COMMUNICATION AT FILLING STATIONS - A retrofit filling station communication system including a fuel dispensing island locatable communications adaptor assembly and a remote communications adaptor and legacy controller assembly including at least POS functionality, arranged to be coupled to existing underground wiring and to facilitate legacy and non-legacy communication at least associated with the POS functionality over the existing underground wiring with the fuel dispensing island locatable communications adaptor assembly and to facilitate legacy communication with pump control electronics via a legacy communications protocol employed by the pump control electronics prior to retrofit. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022224 | AUTOMATIC DRUG DISPENSING AND DOSING TIME REMINDER DEVICE - The present invention relates to an automatic drug dispensing and dosing time reminder device, and more particularly, to an automatic drug dispensing and dosing time reminder device which automatically dispenses one dose of medication at every scheduled dosage time set by a user and simultaneously reminds a patient of the dosage time through a voice and a lamp to allow the patient to take prescribed medication at an accurate time, thus reminding the patient not to forget the dosage time in cases where the patient is a senior or weak person or busy and maximizing effects of treatment. The main body of the device of the present invention has a front surface on which an outlet is formed for dispensing one dose of medication. A circular mounting plate is integrally protruded from a top surface of the main body, and a fan-shaped first dispensing groove with a position sensor is formed at one end of the top surface of the main body within the mounting plate. The mounting plate has a center where a rotary shaft is exposed through a stepped portion, and a top surface where a container with a bottom center with a through hole for insertion of the rotary shaft is formed. The bottom surface of the container has a second dispensing groove same as the first dispensing groove. The container has an interior where a rotating body is installed. The rotating body has a center bottom connected to the rotary shaft. The container has a space formed by installing partition walls at a regular angle from the center thereof. The rotary body has reflection portions attached beneath ends of the partition walls. A motor is connected to the rotary shaft and installed in the main body of the device to rotate the rotating body. A dispensing passage is formed between the first dispensing groove and the outlet such that the first dispensing groove and the outlet can be communicated with each other. An input unit and an output unit are formed on the front surface of the main body, wherein the input unit includes a dosage time set part, a time set part, a power button, a reset button and a midday set part to set the current time and dosage time information. The output unit includes a time indicating part, a speaker and an indicating lamp to output results in accordance with the information set in the input unit. A controller is arranged within the main body of the device to control the motor by the basic information set by the input unit and the position sensor and display information through the output unit. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022225 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING A PERSONALIZED CONSUMER PRODUCT - A system and method for creating a personalized consumer product are provided. The system and method of the present disclosure enables a user, e.g., a consumer, to customize products containing solids and/or fluids by allowing a server communicating over the global computer network, e.g., the Internet, to provide product preferences of a user to a product or a mixing device, e.g., a product or beverage dispenser. The method for creating a product according to a user's preferences over a network includes the steps identifying a product to a server over the network; identifying a user to the server over the network; retrieving the user's product preferences from a database at the server based on the product's identity and user's identity; transmitting the user's product preferences to the product over the network; and mixing at least one element contained within the product based on the user's product preferences. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022226 | OPEN AIR VEHICLE COOLING DEVICE AND METHOD - A vehicle misting device and method that is operable is dry and humid environments are provided. The device may also include a payment system and fan. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022227 | Dual Scanning Stage - A profilometer having a guide beam for providing translational movement of substrates in a Y axis relative to a stylus. A first stage receives a first substrate, where the first stage is slidably mounted to the guide beam. The first stage is associated with a first motor for providing independent translational movement for the first stage in an X axis relative to the stylus. A second stage receives a second substrate, where the second stage is slidably mounted to the guide beam. The second stage is associated with a second motor for providing independent translational movement for the second stage in the X axis relative to the stylus, where the first stage and the second stage move together in the Y axis as the guide beam moves in the Y axis, and move independently of one another in the X axis. A robot loads the substrates onto and unloads the substrates off of the first stage and the second stage. A controller directs the robot to load the second substrate onto the second stage, while simultaneously directing the first stage and the guide beam to scan the first substrate on the first stage in the X and Y axes under the stylus, thereby generating profile readings of the first substrate on the first stage. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022228 | DOOR REMOVING SYSTEM AND DOOR REMOVING METHOD - A door removing system which occupies less space, reduces costs, and reduces cycle time. A door removing system ( | 2011-01-27 |
20110022229 | MASTER INTERFACE AND DRIVING METHOD OF SURGICAL ROBOT - A master interface and a driving method for a surgical robot are disclosed. The master interface is mounted on a master robot, to manipulate a slave robot connected with the master robot, and includes: a main handle coupled to the master robot; a sub-handle coupled to the main handle; a first processor configured to generate a first signal in correspondence with user manipulation on the main handle; and a second processor configured to generate a second signal in correspondence with user manipulation on the sub-handle, where the first signal and the second signal are transmitted to the slave robot independently. As the interface for the surgical master robot includes not only the handle (main handle) for manipulating the robot arm, but also an additional controller (sub-handle) for a laparoscope, etc., the operator is able to simultaneously manipulate the laparoscope, etc., while manipulating the handle, without having to stop manipulating the handle or perform an additional action separately. The sub-handle may be detachably coupled to the main handle, so that the laparoscope, etc., may be manipulated separately by an assistant when necessary. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022230 | HYBRID CONTROL DEVICE - A brain-based device (BBD) for moving in a real-world environment has sensors that provide data about the environment, actuators to move the BBD, and a hybrid controller which includes a neural controller having a simulated nervous system being a model of selected areas of the human brain and a non-neural controller based on a computational algorithmic network. The neural controller and non-neural controller interact with one another to control movement of the BBD. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022231 | Apparatuses, Systems and Methods for Automated Crop Picking - Automated apparatuses and related methods for scanning, spraying, pruning, and harvesting crops from plant canopies. The apparatuses include a support structure comprising a frame, a central vertical shaft, and at least one module support member capable of rotating around a plant canopy. The support member supports a plurality of movable arms, each arm having at least one detector for probing the plant canopy. Embodiments further comprise applicators and/or manipulators for spraying, pruning, and harvesting crops from within the plant canopy. The methods of the present invention include causing the moveable arms attached to the support structure to be extended into the plant canopy, searching for crops, and transmitting and/or storing the search data. Embodiments further comprise detaching crops from the plant canopy and transporting them to a receptacle, applying a controlled amount of material within the plant canopy, or pruning inside of the plant canopy. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022232 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR MOBILE BODY - A control device for a mobile body makes it possible to smoothly correct the deviation of an actual posture of a base body of a mobile body, which travels with the base body thereof moving up and down, from a desired posture of the base body while restraining an overshoot or an undershoot from occurring. To determine a required manipulated variable according to a feedback control law in order to converge a state amount deviation related to the posture of the base body of the mobile body to zero, the feedback gain of the feedback control law is determined by using the time series in a period from current time to predetermined time in the future in the time series of a desired inertial force of the mobile body or the base body. The required manipulated variable is determined by the calculation of the feedback control law on the basis of the determined feedback gain and an observed value of the state amount deviation. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022233 | APPARATUS FOR ROTATING SHUTTER ' S AXIS - An apparatus for electrically rotating a shutter's axis in order to fold and unfold the shutter includes an electrical motor; a gear that is driven by the motor; and a rotatable adapting unit or a flange to which the shutter's axis is connected. The rotatable adapting unit is connected to the gear. The apparatus may also include two switches, each switch stopping the motor when depressed, located at both ends of a rail, and wherein an element is installed in the rail capable to move along the rail and the element depresses one of the switches when arriving to any end of the rail. A circular plate with a spiral tunnel grooved on its surface is joined to the rotatable adapting unit or flange; and a pin is installed on the element and is settled in the grooved tunnel, moving the element along the rail according to the rotation of the plate. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022234 | Integrated Gearbox/Encoder and Control System - An integrated gearbox/encoder and control system that includes: a gearbox with an output shaft connected to a mechanical load; a first sensor detecting the rotary position of the output shaft; a motor; a second sensor detecting the rotary position of the motor; and a system controller controlling motive drive to the motor. The two rotary position sensors permit direct determination of gearbox backlash which can be used in motor control. A drive current sensor similarly permits determination of a vibration signature for comparison with a standard. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022235 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTIMAL COORDINATION CONTROL AND SOFT REPAIR OF MULTIPLE ROOFTOP HEATING AND COOLING UNITS - Techniques are described that may be implemented in an adaptive control device to regulate multiple zone environmental units based upon multiple temperature values and multiple airflow values, where each temperature value and each airflow value is related to the temperature and the airflow in a specific zone. In an implementation, the input interface of the adaptive control device is configured to receive multiple temperature values and multiple air flow values from multiple zone sensors. The adaptive control device may calculate multiple operational values based on the multiple temperature values and the multiple air flow values. An operational value indicates a power state (e.g. power on/power off) for a zone environmental unit's fan, compressor, heater, exhaust fan, and damper. The adaptive control device's output interface is operable to transmit multiple sequencing commands to the plurality of zone environmental units. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022236 | DEMAND FLOW PUMPING - Demand Flow operates chilled water plants at substantially improved efficiency, regardless of plant load conditions. In general, Demand Flow utilizes an operating strategy which controls chilled and condenser water pumping according to a constant Delta T line, which is typically near or at design Delta T. This reduces or eliminates Low Delta T Syndrome and reduces energy usage by chilled and condenser water pumps for given load conditions. Operation of chilled water pumps in this manner creates a synergy which generally balances flow rates throughout the plant, reducing undesirable bypass mixing and energy usage at air handler fans and other components of the chilled water plant. At plant chillers, application of Demand Flow increases the refrigeration effect through refrigerant sub-cooling and superheating, while preventing stacking. Demand Flow includes a critical zone reset feature which allows the constant Delta T line to be reset to adjust to changing load conditions. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022237 | DISPENSING DRY LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR A CONVEYER - A dry lubrication system for a conveyer is provided. The dry lubrication system includes a pump and at least one dispensing head. The pump is used to pump dry lube. The at least one dispensing head is coupled to receive dry lube from the pump. The at least one dispensing head is configured to deliver a flow of dry lube on a conveyer at a rate that is greater than 3 milliliters per second (mls) without the dispensing head touching the conveyer. In some embodiments the dispensing head is one of at least one duckbill valve and at least one of a micro tube. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022238 | GNSS CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IRRIGATION AND RELATED APPLICATIONS - A global navigation satellite sensor system (GNSS) control system and method for irrigation and related applications is provided for a boom assembly with main and extension boom sections, which are hingedly connected and adapted for folding. The control system includes an antenna and a receiver connected to the antenna. A rover antenna is mounted on the boom extension section and is connected to the receiver. A processor receives GNSS positioning signals from the receiver and computes locations for the antennas, for which a vector indicating an attitude of the extension boom section can be computed. Various boom arrangements and field configurations are accommodated by alternative aspects of the control system. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022239 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING CONTROLLED RESTART OF ELECTRICAL SERVCIE WITH A UTILITY SERVICE AREA - An active load management system (ALMS) controllably restarts electrical service to service points in a utility service area after a power outage. The ALMS includes client devices installed at the service points and a central controller. In one embodiment, the controller associates numbers with the service points and stores the associations. Each service point may be associated with a unique number or a group of service points may share a number. After receiving notification that power is available, the controller determines a number and communicates the number to one or more of the client devices. Where the number was determined randomly, the client devices associated with the number may restart electrical service upon receipt of the number. Where the number was determined sequentially, a client device may determine its own random number and compare it to the received number. If a match occurs, electrical service can be restarted. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022240 | Rotor Angle Stability Prediction Using Post Disturbance Voltage Trajectories - A new method for predicting the rotor angle stability status of a power system immediately after a large disturbance is presented. The proposed two stage method involves estimation of the similarity of post-fault voltage trajectories of the generator buses after the disturbance to some pre-identified templates and then prediction of the stability status using a classifier which takes the similarity values calculated at the different generator buses as inputs. The typical bus voltage variation patterns after a disturbance for both stable and unstable situations are identified from a database of simulations using fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm. The same database is used to train a support vector machine classifier which takes proximity of the actual voltage variations to the identified templates as features. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022241 | QUALIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHILLED WATER PLANT OPERATIONS - A qualification system for determining the effects of one or more upgrades or modifications to a chilled water plant is disclosed herein. The qualification system my collect various data from operating logs of a chilled water plant. The data may be collected in stages, where at least one first stage may be used to collect data used to identify representative log data. The representative log data may then be used to perform an accurate analysis to determine the effects of one or more upgrades or modifications. In this manner, the qualification system provides accurate analysis while reducing data entry. In addition, the qualification system may accept varying amounts of data such as to reduce percentage error or the like in its analysis. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022242 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING ENERGY USAGE IN BUILDINGS - A method and system for managing energy usage in a building is provided. The method includes collecting data on energy consumption in the building on a generally continuous basis for at least a given time period. Information relating to the energy consumption is displayed to a user on one or more devices. The information includes (a) the data collected on energy consumption to be displayed in real-time on the one or more devices, (b) a comparison of the data collected on energy consumption in the building to energy consumption data of a cohort or group of cohorts, (c) recommendations for reducing energy consumption in the building based on the data collected on energy consumption, and (d) progress report data comparing the data collected on energy consumption to a desired consumption level. | 2011-01-27 |