12th week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 55 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130073043 | Spinal Implant With Elliptical Articulatory Interface - A spinal implant prosthesis includes a pair of end plates for affixation to adjacent vertebral bone structures and respectively defining inter-engaged convex and concave articulatory surfaces of elliptical profile. These elliptical articulatory surfaces are elongated in an anterior-posterior direction, and are comparatively shorter in a medial-lateral direction. With this configuration, in response to angular displacement and/or axial rotation, the elliptical surfaces displace in a manner increasing the distance between the adjacent vertebral bone structures, thereby tensioning the prosthesis and producing counteracting forces which urge the components back toward a substantially centered or neutral position. In addition, in the preferred form, the anterior-posterior length of the concave articulatory surface in incrementally greater than the anterior-posterior length of the convex articulatory surface to accommodate a limited range of anterior-posterior translation. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073044 | REMOVABLE, BONE-SECURING COVER PLATE FOR INTERVERTEBRAL FUSION CAGE - A secondary cover plate that contacts a stand-alone fusion cage without rigidly connecting to the cage, and instead only docks against the cage (or passes through a fixation cage) and is secured into the adjacent bone. The secondary cover plate is the last item that would be added to the fixation cage construct and would at least partially cover the head of one or more angled screws. The secondary cover plate could slidably engage the fixation cage without permanently snapping into any features of the cage itself. The secondary cover plate would then be final positioned by advancing into one or more adjacent vertebral bodies. The secondary cover plate advancing step could be achieved by tapping it into place (into bone) or rotating it into place (into bone) so that it is finally secured into the bone. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073045 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPINAL INTERBODY FUSION INCLUDING FIXATION OR LOCKING PLATE - A spinal fusion implant has a parallelepiped main body with a rotatably mounted retention plate secured to its distal end. The distal retention plate has a first position co-planar with the main body and a second, deployed position normal to the plane of the main body. The distal retention plate is in the first position when the main body is inserted between adjacent vertebral bodies and is in the second position after the main body is inserted between adjacent vertebral bodies. In further embodiments, a proximal retention plate is permanently deployed in normal relation to the main body or both the distal and proximal retention plates are rotatably mounted and both are deployed co-planar to the main body before insertion and normal to the main body after insertion. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073046 | Multi-piece Intervertebral Implants - Intervertebral implants for implanting into an intervertebral space are provided. The implants can comprise one or more layers that are operably attached to one another. An implant can comprise a first layer having a first mating surface that mates with a second mating surface of a second layer. The first mating surface and the second mating surface can have features that allow them to complement each other. The implants can include one or more bore holes for receiving a fixation member. The bore holes can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. In some cases, the bore holes will be blind bore holes. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073047 | Multi-piece Intervertebral Implants - Intervertebral implants for implanting into an intervertebral space are provided. The implants can comprise one or more layers that are operably attached to one another. An implant can comprise a first layer having a first mating surface that mates with a second mating surface of a second layer. The first mating surface and the second mating surface can have features that allow them to complement each other. The implants can include one or more bore holes for receiving a fixation member. The bore holes can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. In some cases, the bore holes will be blind bore holes. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073048 | POSITIONING INSERT FOR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DISORDER - A positioning insert for two adjacent vertebral bodies includes a plate like insert adapted to fix relative positions of the two adjacent vertebral bodies and provided with a sharp edge oppositely formed relative to the dull side and first holes defined through a side face of the plate like insert, wherein the sharp edge is formed to have an angle between 5 to 15 degrees; and an annular insert adapted to be inserted into a space between the two adjacent vertebral bodies and having second holes and a slot defined in a peripheral side face thereof to accommodate the plate like insert so as to have the plate like insert received in the slot. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073049 | MODULAR SPACER DEVICE FOR JOINTS OF THE HUMAN BODY - Disposable modular spacer device of the articulation of a knee including a tibial element, constrainable to an end of the tibial bone in proximity of the articulation of the knee and including a lower surface and an upper surface provided with a radius of curvature R | 2013-03-21 |
20130073050 | COATED IMPLANTS AND RELATED METHODS - Methods, apparatus, and systems for improving the performance of articulating prostheses. Some embodiments may comprise a first component comprising a first articulating surface and a second component comprising a second articulating surface configured for articulating with the first articulating surface. One or both of the first and second components may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material. One or both of the first and second articulating surfaces may comprise a coating that is configured to accomplish at least one of increasing the hardness of the first articulating interface surface, reducing the coefficient of friction between the first and second articulating surfaces, decreasing the effects of wearing between the first and second articulating surfaces, and decreasing the intensity of audible noises produced by the endoprosthesis resulting from articulation between the first and second articulating surfaces during use. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073051 | Multiple Bearing Acetabular Prosthesis - An acetabular prosthesis assembly can include an acetabular cup and a first liner. The acetabular cup can have an outer surface to contact a subject and an inner surface to engage the first liner. The first liner can have an outer cup engaging surface that couples with the acetabular cup in an assembled position. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073052 | STENT WITH IMPROVED END CELL STRUCTURAL MEMBER | 2013-03-21 |
20130073053 | PROSTHETIC JOINT ASSEMBLY AND PROSTHETIC JOINT MEMBER - A prosthetic joint member includes: a generally concave cup with an outer surface that is bone-implantable, the cup including a first indexing feature; a concave insert disposed inside the cup, the insert comprising a rigid material and including a concave interior defining a nominal surface, the interior including a cantilevered flange defined by an undercut in the insert, the flange defining a wear-resistant first contact surface which protrudes inward relative to the nominal surface, the insert including a second indexing feature. The first and second indexing features engage each other so as to retain the insert in a fixed angular orientation relative to the cup. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073054 | TISSUE SUPPORT STRUCTURE - An apparatus includes a component having a shape memory material. The shape memory material has a first shape including a substantially elongate segment. The shape memory material has a second shape including a helix having a first ring and a second ring configured to exert a compressive force on a membrane interleaved between the first ring and the second ring and lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of the helix, the shape selectable based on an external stimulus. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073055 | COMPOSITE SUPPORT CONTAINING SILK AND COLLAGEN, AND PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF - Embodiments of the present invention relate to a biodegradable scaffold for replacing tissue or inducing tissue regeneration and a preparation method thereof, wherein the scaffold comprises at least one woven silk tube layer and a collagen layer inside the tube layer. The scaffold is excellent in terms of tissue regeneration and mechanical properties and causes little or no immune response after implantation. Thus, the scaffold can be effectively used as a matrix for the regeneration of ligaments and tendons and the repair of injured muscles. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073056 | DORSI-PLANTAR PROSTHETIC ANKLE MODULE - An ankle module for a prosthetic foot can have an adapter portion pivotally coupled to a base portion. The base portion can be coupled to the prosthetic foot. The adapter portion can have a coupling member that removably couples the prosthetic foot to a prosthetic pylon or socket. The adapter portion can also have cylinders housing pistons slidably displaceable within the cylinders. An actuator is selectively actuatable to place the cylinders in fluid communication, allowing a fluid to flow between the cylinders as an angular position of the adapter portion is adjusted relative to the base portion, thereby adjusting the dorsi-plantar position between the adapter portion and the base portion of the ankle module. The actuator can be selectively actuatable to fluidly isolate the cylinders from each other so that the angular position of the adapter portion relative to the base portion remains substantially fixed. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073057 | Implantable Prosthetic Device For Distribution Of Weight On Amputated Limb And Method Of Use With An External Prosthetic Device - Embodiments of the invention include an implantable force distribution boot with hydraulic features that mimic the natural hydraulics of a joint. Further embodiments include an exterior prosthetic leg device having intermittent and/or variable electromagnetic features that can engage with magnetic blades on the implantable force distribution boot. In use, the exterior prosthetic leg can be maintained on a residual limb by magnetic force between the implanted blades and the exterior electromagnets. Also disclosed are surgical techniques for preparing a residual limb to better receive and adapt to a prosthetic device. The techniques include an improved surgical method for harvesting a vascularized glabrous skin free flap. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073058 | Smart Lighting Control System - This invention is a novel smart lighting control system, which has a central control unit and at least one lighting module. The lighting module has its own controller, ambient light sensor, current sensor, emergency button and is connected to the central control unit and other modules via a serial port. Each lighting module can follow commands from the central control unit to display a specific lighting effect or adjust its brightness according to the ambient light automatically or switch to another color or lighting effect to generate a warning signal. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073059 | USER INTERFACE FOR DETERMINING RESOURCE CONSUMPTION - A resource consumption user interface is disclosed comprising one or more user input features for selecting a start date and an end date for defining a selected time range over which to determine resource consumption associated with at least one resource consumption task from a plurality of resource consumption tasks that contribute to a total resource consumption in a given environment. The plurality of resource consumption tasks are associated with one or more appliances that operate in the given environment. The start date and the end date are selectable for any desired time range over a given time duration. The resource consumption user interface also comprises one or more user output features for presenting information associated with the at least one resource consumption task, wherein the presented information represents accumulated information beginning at a time on the selected start date and ending at a time on the selected end date. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073060 | POWER-CENTRIC SYSTEM MANAGEMENT - A plurality of controllers, each coupled to a plurality of outlets, compare values assigned to characteristic parameters or “process variables” against at least one control value on the process variable. The values for the process variables are derived from at least one signal provided to corresponding controllers. At least one of the outlets at each controller is configured to selectively provide an electrical voltage from an input voltage in accordance with the comparison of the process variable values and the control value. Remotely accessible controls may be stored at the controllers which may be retrieved through respective network interfaces at the controllers. A remote processor may use the retrieved controls to remotely specify, such as over a communication network, the control values. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073061 | METHOD OF MODEL IDENTIFICATION FOR A PROCESS WITH UNKNOWN INITIAL CONDITIONS IN AN INDUSTRIAL PLANT - A method of model identification for a process with unknown initial conditions in an industrial plant, the method comprising collecting a set of manipulated variables and corresponding set of process variables from the process; obtaining a plurality of manipulated variables from the collected set of manipulated variables; for each of the plurality of manipulated variables, obtaining optimal model parameters of a model transfer function and computing a model fitting index for optimized simulated process variables generated by the model transfer function using the optimal model parameters; identifying a best model fitting index among the model fitting indices computed; selecting a manipulated variable associated with the best model fitting index as an initial steady state condition for the model transfer function; and selecting the optimal model parameters corresponding with the best model fitting index as the best model parameters of the model transfer function to tune the controller. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073062 | GRAPHICAL LANGUAGE FOR OPTIMIZATION AND USE - The present invention provides novel techniques for graphically modeling, displaying, and interacting with parametric hybrid models used to optimize and control components of industrial plants and enterprises. In particular, a graphical modeling tool of a control/optimization system for controlling a plant or enterprise is configured to transmit a graphical user interface to a user, wherein the graphical user interface enables a plurality of command inputs relating to a plurality of parametric hybrid models based on a security access level of the user. The parametric hybrid models may be displayed by the graphical user interface as nodes of a network with connections connecting the nodes. The user may graphically manipulate the nodes and connections associated with the parametric hybrids models to either modify optimization constraints of the model network, or actually modify the manner in which the parametric hybrid models function (e.g., inputs, outputs, parameters, and so forth, of the parametric hybrid models), depending on the access level of the user. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073063 | EXCHANGE OF FILES AND META-INFORMATION BETWEEN SYSTEM DESIGN TOOLS AND BEHAVIOR MODELING TOOLS AND/OR SIMULATORS FOR THE CREATION OF ECU SOFTWARE - A computer project management system and method for the creation of an electronic control unit software is provided. The system has a software architecture tool configured to design a graphical model of an electronic control unit for a motor vehicle. A behavior model tool converts the graphical model into a computer readable production code. A software container has a file generated based on the electronic control unit. A container manager compares the software container with a prior software container during the importation or exportation of the software container to or from the software architecture tool or the behavior model tool, and a comparison list is generated indicating whether interface modifications for the electronic control unit were made. The comparison list is then displayed to a user on a display screen. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073064 | PHYSICAL INTERACTION DEVICE FOR PERSONAL ELECTRONICS AND METHOD FOR USE - The present disclosure describes, among other things, a device that may include an exterior shell including at least one of an open cell foam, a closed cell foam, a foamed resin, and an inflatable bladder. The device may include a personal electronic device receptacle configured to removably receive a personal electronic device. The device may be configured to substantially enclose and protect the personal electronic device within the personal electronic device receptacle during physical activity including at least one of rolling the device, throwing the device, kicking the device, and striking the device against another object, and enable interaction with the personal electronic device while the personal electronic device is substantially enclosed within the device. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073065 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING WHICH ONE OF SYMBOLS OF WATERMARK DATA IS EMBEDDED IN A RECEIVED SIGNAL - Watermark symbol detection requires a detection metric for deciding at decoder side which candidate symbol is embedded inside the audio or video signal content. The invention provides an improved detection metric processing that achieves a reliable detection of watermarks in the presence of additional noise and echoes, and that is adaptive to signal reception conditions and requires a decreased computational power. This is performed by taking into account the information contained in the echoes of the received audio signal in the decision metric and comparing it with the corresponding metric obtained from decoding a non-marked audio signal, based on recursive calculation of false positive detection rates of Correlations for all REFP Reference Pattern peaks in correlation result values. The watermark symbol corresponding to the reference sequence having the lowest false positive error is selected as the embedded one. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073066 | AUDIO CONTROLLER OF A DOCKING STATION - A method for managing audio of a device including scanning for an audio controller of a docking station coupled to the device, determining whether an audio device is coupled to an audio interface of the docking station if the device is coupled to the audio controller, and transferring audio between the device and the audio controller of the docking station if the audio device is coupled to the audio interface of the docking station. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073067 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PLANNING/GUIDING ALTERATIONS TO A BONE - A computer-assisted surgery system for guiding alterations to a bone, comprises a trackable member secured to the bone. The trackable member has a first inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A positioning block is secured to the bone, and is adjustable once the positioning block is secured to the bone to be used to guide tools in altering the bone. The positioning block has a second inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A processing system providing an orientation reference associating the bone to the trackable member comprises a signal interpreter for determining an orientation of the trackable member and of the positioning block. A parameter calculator calculates alteration parameters related to an actual orientation of the positioning block with respect to the bone. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073068 | SOLID FREEFORM FABRICATION USING A PLURALITY OF MODELING MATERIALS - A system and methods for solid freeform fabrication of an object is disclosed. The system comprises a solid freeform fabrication apparatus having a plurality of dispensing heads, a building material supply apparatus configured to supply a plurality of building materials to the fabrication apparatus, and a control unit configured for controlling the fabrication apparatus and the supply apparatus based on an operation mode selected from a plurality of predetermined operation modes. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073069 | SCHEDULING METHOD AND RECORDING MEDIUM HAVING SCHEDULING PROGRAM RECORDED THEREON FOR SUBSTRATE TREATING APPARATUS - A scheduling method suitable for a single-substrate type substrate treating apparatus is provided. In the scheduling method, a controller provided in the substrate treating apparatus prepares schedule defining performances of the substrate treating apparatus having a single-substrate type treating unit in a time sequential order. The method comprises the steps of: a step for preparing a plurality of tentative timetables for a plurality of respective substrates, each of the tentative timetables combining a plurality of blocks in a time sequential order, each of the blocks defining a treatment content for one of the substrates; and a scheduling step for preparing a total schedule by acquiring the blocks from the plurality of tentative timetables to dispose the acquired blocks in a time sequential order. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073070 | Method for Calibrating a Manufacturing Process Model - Calibration of models for manufacturing processes that are subject to circuit layout proximity effects is performed, including optical proximity correction (OPC) model calibration. A target structure is produced using a layout and a manufacturing process. The target structure is illuminated and an electromagnetic scattering property is detected. A manufacturing process model for simulation of the manufacturing process is produced, which comprises at least one manufacturing process parameter determining a model electromagnetic scattering property using the manufacturing process model and the layout. The model electromagnetic scattering property is compared to the detected electromagnetic scattering property and based on the result of the comparison, calibrated manufacturing process parameters are output for calibrating the manufacturing process model. The determining and the layout may include determining structural information corresponding to the target structure using the manufacturing process model and determining the model electromagnetic scattering property using the structural information. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073071 | LASER CUTTING - Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073072 | Quality monitoring of baby formula manufacture - Methods used to monitor quality control of a baby formula manufacturing process are disclosed herein. Consequently, the methods and systems provide a means to perform quality manufacturing on an integrated level whereby baby formula manufacturers can achieve data and product integrity and ultimately minimize cost. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073073 | AUTOMATED 3D BUILD PROCESSES - A conveyor or other transport mechanism is provided to support multiple, sequential builds from a three-dimensional fabrication machine. The conveyor may be heated/cooled, coated, or otherwise treated to assist in adhesion during a build, as well as removal of objects after a build. Each fabricated object may be automatically removed from the conveyor as the conveyor moves in order to restore a buildable surface for fabrication of additional objects. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073074 | Three-Dimensional Weave-Forming Method for Composites - The invention relates to a three-dimensional weave-forming method for composites, comprising the following steps: dividing the CAD model into layers according to the structure of a component, designing by layers and optimizing weaving paths; disposing weaving guiding poles on a controllable digital layout template according to preset rules and intervals; In the direction Z, passing guiding sleeves through the hollow guiding poles and evaginating the guiding sleeves, and then fixing the guiding sleeves onto the controllable digital layout template; selecting filaments to weave; after the weaving of one layer thickness is finished, descending the template in the thickness by one layer to drive the guiding sleeves to expose outside a preset distance to form a new layer of layout template; weaving layer by layer until the whole component is finished; dismounting the component and sewing; and dipping the component in resin and finishing the manufacture of the part. According to the method, the rapid prototyping technology and the weaving technology are organically combined, so that the three-dimensional weaving of components with complex function is realized. Simultaneously, the preparation of composite and the forming of components are integrated, so that the manufacture of functional components with complex structure is realized. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073075 | CNC MACHINE WITHOUT AN OPERATOR CONSOLE - A CNC machine, or CNC machining centre, for the automated and computer-controlled production or machining of components. The CNC machine does not have any operator module attached to it, or any operator module connected to it, that remains permanently connected to the CNC machine during the operation of the CNC machine. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073076 | STORAGE AND PICKING SYSTEM - In a method for order picking products (P) in an order picking facility ( | 2013-03-21 |
20130073077 | SORTING MINED MATERIAL ON THE BASIS OF TWO OR MORE PROPERTIES OF THE MATERIAL - A method and an apparatus for sorting mined material is based on using a range of options for sensing multiple properties of a mined material on a fragment by fragment basis and then analysing the multiple types of data and making decisions about the classification of each fragment and then sorting the fragment based on the analysis. The multiple sensing options include the response of the fragments to electromagnetic radiation. Other sensing options may include sensors that look at the response of fragments of a mined material to an acoustic wave or a magnetic field or optical sensors that evaluate texture or other surface characteristics of fragments. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073078 | MEDICAMENT DISPENSING SYSTEM - A system for dispensing medicament units is provided. The system for dispensing medicament units comprises a dispensing apparatus, a medicament container and control logic. The dispensing apparatus has a set of slots, and a slot of the set of slots is configured to receive a medicament container. The medicament container is configured to be inserted into the slot and comprises a housing, a chamber, an outlet, a memory, a motorless rotatable disk structure, and a drive mechanism. The control logic is coupled to the memory of the medicament container and the dispensing apparatus, and is configured to transmit the data to the dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus receives the data transmitted from the control logic and determines the slot of the set of slots and selects the medicament container to actuate the drive mechanism to dispense the set of medicament units. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073079 | ROBOT CONTROL APPARATUS, ROBOT SYSTEM, AND ROBOT CONTROL METHOD - A robot control apparatus includes a scenario acquiring unit acquiring a scenario in which a plurality of instructions, each occupying at least one entity that performs an operation, the at least one entity of a plurality of resources containing a plurality of entities that perform operations as different resources, are arranged in a serial execution order; an instruction queue generating unit generating an instruction queue for each resource, the instruction queue in which the instructions which have not been executed yet and occupy the resource are arranged in the execution order described in the scenario; and an instruction executing unit making a robot execute the plurality of instructions in parallel, the instructions each being first in the execution order in the instruction queues corresponding to all of the resources to be occupied. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073080 | ADAPTIVE CRITIC APPARATUS AND METHODS - A control apparatus and methods using context-dependent difference learning for controlling e.g., a plant. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an actor module and a critic module. The actor module provides a control signal for the plant. The actor module is subject to adaptation, which is performed to optimize control strategy of the actor. The adaptation is based upon the reinforcement signal provided by the critic module. The reinforcement signal is calculated based on the comparison of a present control performance signal observed for a certain context signal, with a control performance signal observed for the same context in the past. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073081 | DEVICE FOR POSITIONING SUBMARINE PIPELINE ROBOTS AND METHOD THEREOF - The present invention relates to a device for positioning submarine pipeline robots and method. The device comprises a pressure wave generator and a device for pressure wave acquiring and processing. The method comprises the following steps of (1) determining the generation mode; (2) acquiring pressure signals; (3) filtering pressure signals; (4) dividing the filtered pressure signals of into the same group; (5) identifying the data during this period in real time; (6) determining the moving state of the robot in the pipeline; (7) calculating the position of the robot in the pipeline; (8) ending the operations, otherwise repeating Step 4 to Step 7 continuously. The present invention has the advantages that the position of submarine pipeline robots can be located in real time. In addition, the severe environment around the pipelines can hardly affect the performance under this method. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073082 | Dual Scanning Stage - A system having a beam for providing movement of a first stage and a second stage in a Y axis. The first stage receives a first substrate. A first motor provides movement for the first stage in an X axis. The second stage receives a second substrate. A second motor provides movement for the second stage in the X axis. The first stage and the second stage move together in the Y axis and independently in the X axis. A robot loads substrates onto the first stage and the second stage. A controller directs the robot to load a second substrate onto the second stage while simultaneously directing the first stage and the guide beam to scan a first substrate. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073083 | ROBOTIC ARM CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A robotic arm control system is provided. In, the robotic arm control system, any three points A, B, and C of an object to be determined are picked, thereby creating an original coordinate system. A robotic arm is directed to rotate around the x-axis of the original coordinate system to reach the points B and C. During the rotation of the robotic arm, the three points A, B, and C are recorded by a visual process. A non-linear mapping relation of the original coordinate system and the operation coordinate system is calculated according to length ratios, an angular ratio, and a differential ratio of the difference of the length ratios to the angle between the line A-B and the line A-C, thereby controlling the movement of the robotic arm according to the non-linear mapping relation. The disclosure further provides a robotic arm control method. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073084 | ROBOT CONTROL APPARATUS - A robot control apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a joint angle difference calculator calculating a joint angle difference; a torque command value calculator calculating a torque command value for a joint, based on the joint angle difference; an external torque calculator calculating an external torque that is a difference between the estimated drive torque and the torque command value, and determining an external force receiving joint shaft on which an external force from the external torque acts; a compliance model storage unit storing a compliance model at the external force receiving joint shaft; a compliance correction amount calculator calculating a compliance correction amount for a task coordinate system position at the external force receiving joint shaft in accordance with the external force; and a joint angle difference correction amount calculator calculating a joint angle difference correction amount from the compliance correction amount and the partial Jacobian matrix. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073085 | ROBOT CONTROL APPARATUS, DISTURBANCE DETERMINATION METHOD, AND ACTUATOR CONTROL METHOD - A robot control apparatus includes an actuator; a generator unit; a first detection unit; a first computation unit to compute current positional data of the arm; a second computation unit to compute an input value; a third computation unit to compute an estimation value of a driving torque for driving the actuator; a fourth computation unit to compute a difference between the estimation value of the driving torque and a true value of the driving torque; and a second detection unit to detect a disturbance applied to the arm, wherein the second detection unit includes an update unit to estimate a parameter of a time-series model and updating the time-series model of the first sampling period by applying the parameter, and a determination unit to determine whether a disturbance occurs, by comparing the time-series model of the first sampling period with a time-series model of a second sampling period. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073086 | ROBOT AND ROBOT CONTROL METHOD - An arm drive mechanism which rotates an arm, an angle sensor which detects a rotation angle of the arm drive mechanism and outputs angle information, an angular velocity sensor which is attached to the arm, detects angular velocity acting on the arm and outputs angular velocity information, a control command generating unit which outputs a control command value prescribing a rotational operation of the arm, a gain adjusting unit which incrementally or decrementally changes and thus adjusts a gain of the angular velocity information, and an arm operation control unit which controls an operation of the arm based on the control command value, the angle information and the gain-adjusted angular velocity information, are provided. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073087 | SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ROBOTIC CHARACTERS TO ENHANCE PHOTOGRAPHIC RESULTS - A method for controlling a robotic apparatus to produce desirable photographic results. The method includes, with a motor controller, first operating a robotics assembly to animate the robotic apparatus and, then, detecting an upcoming image capture. The method further includes, with the motor controller in response to the detecting of the upcoming image capture, second operating the robotics assembly to pose the robotic apparatus for the upcoming image capture. In some embodiments, the detecting includes a sensor mounted on the robotic apparatus sensing a pre-flash of light from a red-eye effect reduction mechanism of a camera. In other cases, the detecting includes a sensor mounted on the robotics apparatus sensing a range finder signal from a range finder of a camera. The posing may include opening eyes, moving a mouth into a smile, or otherwise striking a pose that is held temporarily to facilitate image capture with a camera. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073088 | MOBILE ROBOT AND CONTROLLING METHOD OF THE SAME - In a mobile robot and a controlling method of the same, the mobile robot is able to recognize a precise position thereof by detecting a plurality of images through an image detection unit, extracting one or more feature points from the plurality of images, and comparing and matching information related to the feature points. The mobile robot is also able to easily detect a position of a charging station based on image information, and quickly move to the charging station upon the lack of residual battery capacity. The mobile robot is also able to detect a position of the charging station based on the image information and receive a guideline signal within a signal reception range, so as to easily dock with the charging station. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073089 | ROBOT SYSTEM AND IMAGING METHOD - A robot system includes: an imaging unit including an imaging device and a distance measuring part; and a robot to which the imaging unit is attached. The imaging device preliminarily images a workpiece. The robot preliminarily moves the imaging unit based on the result of the preliminary imaging. The distance measuring part measures the distance to the workpiece. The robot actually moves the imaging unit based on the result of the measurement. The imaging device actually images the workpiece. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073090 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system includes: a projecting unit for projecting a slit light on a specified placement region and moving the slit light in a specified direction; an imaging unit for imaging the slit light moving on a work on the placement region; an estimated projection region determining unit for determining an estimated projection region such that the length of the estimated projection region in a direction substantially parallel to the moving direction grows larger toward the center of the image in the intersection direction; a projection position detecting unit for detecting a projection position of the slit light within the estimated projection region. The robot system further includes a robot for gripping the workpiece. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073091 | ROBOT CONTROL APPARATUS AND ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot control apparatus, which controls motions of an industrial robot based on processing results of an image processing apparatus which images the robot or objects around the robot, includes: a first communication unit which communicates with a computer for development as an external computer; a second communication unit which is connected to the image processing apparatus via a network; and a command processing unit which opens a communication port of the second communication unit and causes the second communication unit to start communication with the image processing apparatus via a server on the network in response to an open command received by the first communication unit. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073092 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATION OF A ROBOT - A system for operation of a robot including a substantially transparent display configured such that an operator can see a portion of the robot and data and/or graphical information associated with the operation of a robot. Preferably, a controller in communication with the robot and the transparent display is configured to allow the operator to control the operation of the robot. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073093 | BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM CONTROL WITH MOTION SENSING - An arrangement configured to control an environmental parameter in a building space includes a building automation system. The building automation system includes a plurality of field devices configured to control the environmental parameter within the building space. The arrangement further includes a motion detector configured to determine a number of humans within the building space and a measure of movement for the number of humans. The building automation system is configured to control the field devices based at least in part on the determined number of humans and the measure of movement for the number of humans. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073094 | BUILDING OCCUPANCY DEPENDENT CONTROL SYSTEM - An HVAC control system is described comprising: a server ( | 2013-03-21 |
20130073095 | Protective Mechanism for an Electronic Device - An electronic device including a processor, a sensor in communication with the processor and a protective mechanism. The protective mechanism is in communication with the processor and is configured to selectively alter a center of mass of the electronic device. Additionally, the electronic device also includes an enclosure configured to at least partially enclose the processor and the sensor. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073096 | PROACTIVE COOLING CONTROL USING POWER CONSUMPTION TREND ANALYSIS - A fluid-cooled computer system includes a plurality of heat-generating components and a cooling system configured for supplying a cooling fluid at a controlled cooling fluid flow rate to cool the heat-generating components. A temperature-based cooling control circuit includes a temperature sensor configured for sensing a temperature of the heat-generating components and control logic for increasing a cooling fluid flow rate in response to the temperature exceeding a temperature threshold. A power-based cooling control circuit is configured for identifying and quantifying an increasing power consumption trend over a target time interval and, during a period that the temperature of the electronic device does not exceed the temperature threshold, increasing a cooling fluid flow rate to the electronic device in response to the magnitude of the increasing power consumption trend exceeding a power threshold. In one option, the fluid-cooled computer system is a server and the heat-generating components include a processor. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073097 | AREA SOIL MOISTURE AND FERTILIZATION SENSOR - The present invention relates to a method and a system for irrigation and fertilization control in a vast area, based on measuring the soil resistive electrical conductance values, during watering and fertilization cycles. A continuous electric field is created below the subsurface of the large soil area by a device that is spaced many feet apart in order to propagate an electric field through the soil. This alternating electric field averages soil conductance and therefore eliminates effects of non-uniformity in a monitored area. Furthermore, absolute conductance variations over long time periods offer the accurate point in time for soil fertilization. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073098 | SYSTEM ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONTROLLER, ENERGY EFFICIENCY GAIN DEVICE AND SMART ENERGY SERVICE SYSTEM USED FOR ENERGY UTILIZATION - A system energy efficiency controller connected ( | 2013-03-21 |
20130073099 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR STANDBY POWER GENERATION SUPPLEMENTING SOLAR ARRAYS - A system for timely standby power generation supplementing a solar array during periods of cloud coverage, including a power plant comprising solar arrays for normal power production during periods of maximum or reduced solar influx, and distributed generating sets (DGS) for standby power generation to supplement the solar arrays during periods of cloud coverage. A weather station has sensors for acquiring real-time meteorological data in the vicinity of the power plant and a processor for processing the acquired meteorological data so as to generate data related to a solar influx reduction event at the power plant including an event starting time. A controller receives the event data from the processor and operating the DGS in response to the received event data. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073100 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING DISTRIBUTED GENERATION SYSTEMS - A system for managing and synchronizing the operation of an electric power generation and delivery system that includes a number of generators configured to provide distributed electric power generation is disclosed. In the disclosed system, a number of intelligent electronic devices coupled with at distributed generators may be utilized to synchronize the operation of the generators with the system when the generators become isolated from the system. In some embodiments, the disclosed intelligent electronic devices may control the speed of isolated generators based on synchronization information received from at least one other intelligent electronic device and a common time signal. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073101 | Systems and Methods for Startup of a Power Plant - Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for startup of a power plant. According to one embodiment of the invention, a system can be provided. The system can include a computer processor. The system can also include a memory operable to store computer-executable instructions operable to determine a current state of the power plant; determine an anticipated future state of the power plant; and determine a startup profile between the current state of the power plant and the anticipated future state of the power plant based on at least one parameter and a desired result. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073102 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AND ANALYZING ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS - A computer-implemented method for monitoring and analyzing energy consumption of at least one industrial building is provided, the method comprising determining a building type specific theoretical energy consumption optimum value (TEO) based on a corresponding modeled building, identifying and grouping parameters contributing to an increased energy consumption of the building due to an actual use of the building (CEC), due to intrinsic characteristics of the building (BEO), due to optimised designated operating conditions in an actual state of the building (OEO), respectively, providing energy contribution rates of the respective parameters, partly by an automatic, and whenever required, periodic retrieval, and periodically graphing the energy consumption of the at least one building via a bar graph starting from the building type specific theoretical energy consumption optimum value and arriving at a current energy consumption of the at least one building by adding the provided single energy consumption rates of the respective parameters in groups thus forming an energy cascade which allows to monitor at least a part of the individual parameters and to compare the current energy consumption of the at least one building with an energy consumption of another building and/or with a previous energy consumption of the at least one building with respect to the individual parameters. Furthermore, an appropriate system is provided. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073103 | ELECTRICAL MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM - A system for monitoring and controlling the electrical infrastructure of a building includes at least one sensor for sensing an operating characteristic in the building, and a processor for receiving information from the at least one sensor and predicting a future operating characteristic. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073104 | MODULAR INTELLIGENT ENERGY MANAGEMENT, STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - An intelligent energy management system contains one or more autonomous modules. Modules may be portable or stationary. Each consists of an intelligent controller, power converters, distribution bus, and energy storage unit, and can function independently. The intelligent controller uses artificial intelligent algorithms to learn from past performance and improves itself during operation. The system can interface with a variety of energy sources. When connected together the modules form a micro-grid which manages, stores, and distributes power. Each module in the intelligent micro-grid may be different. Each module may connect to different types of energy generation or contain different energy storage units. The system might consist of modules with energy storage units that may be removable from each module. In another embodiment, energy generation may also be integrated into each module. In another, each module may be used alone or with external energy sources, but without other modules. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073105 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR RENEWABLE POWER NOTIFICATIONS - Systems and methods relating to renewable power notifications to alert consumers when renewable power becomes more available are provided. Specifically, renewable power generation may depend on changing conditions such as weather. As such, a system according to the present disclosure may involve a network interface and a processor, the network interface receiving a message relating to renewable power generation and sending a renewable power notification to a consumer. The processor may run a system that includes a component to detect renewable power availability based at least in part on the message, a component to determine whether to issue the renewable power notification to the consumer based at least in part on the availability of the renewable power generation, and a component to cause the network interface to issue the renewable power notification to the consumer. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073106 | MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A management system includes a plurality of power management sections, and which manage respective power information, by dividing the power information of an entire facility complex into a plurality of management ranges, and a system controller which is connected to each of the power management sections and by a communication element and executes power management of the entire facility complex. Data such as a saved energy amount, CO | 2013-03-21 |
20130073107 | NETWORK APPARATUS, ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM, AND ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY METHOD - A network apparatus includes: a selection unit that selects a power supply for supplying electric power to a load apparatus from among a first power supply stably supplying a certain amount of electric power and a second power supply that is a power accumulating unit for accumulating electric power generated by natural energy, in accordance with a transition state of the load apparatus and an amount of accumulated electric power in the power accumulating unit; and a supply unit that supplies electric power input from the first power supply or the second power supply selected by the selection unit to the load apparatus via a network cable. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073108 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME MONITORING OF POWER SYSTEM - A real-time distributed wide area monitoring system is presented. The real-time distributed wide area monitoring system includes a plurality of phasor measurement units that measure respective synchronized phasor data of voltages and currents. The real-time distributed wide area monitoring system further includes a plurality of processing subsystems distributed in a power system, wherein at least one of the plurality of processing subsystems is configured to receive a subset of the respective synchronized phasor data, process the received subset of the respective synchronized phasor data to determine respective system parameters, wherein the plurality of processing subsystems are time synchronized. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073109 | DROOP CONTROL SYSTEM FOR GRID-CONNECTED SYNCHRONIZATION - A droop control system for grid-connected synchronization connects to a plurality of distributed power generation modules and a utility grid system. The droop control system includes a detection processing module and a plurality of regulation control modules corresponding to the distributed power generation modules. The detection processing module is coupled with the distributed power generation modules and utility grid system in parallel to obtain a voltage difference, a phase angle difference and a frequency difference. The regulation control modules perform droop control of real power-frequency variety and reactive power-voltage variety and phase angle compensation. Through reactive power-voltage variety droop control approach, impact of impedance alterations in the power system can be eliminated and voltage fluctuations can also be minimized to achieve stable effect. Hence electric power of the utility grid system and distributed power generation modules can be regulated synchronously. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073110 | DIAGNOSTIC AND MANAGING DISTRIBUTED PROCESSOR SYSTEM - A network of microcontrollers for monitoring and diagnosing the environmental conditions of a computer is disclosed. The network of microcontrollers provides a management system by which computer users can accurately gauge the health of their computer. The network of microcontrollers provides users the ability to detect system fan speeds, internal temperatures and voltage levels. The invention is designed to not only be resilient to faults, but also allows for the system maintenance, modification, and growth—without downtime. Additionally, the present invention allows users to replace failed components, and add new functionality, such as new network interfaces, disk interface cards and storage, without impacting existing users. One of the primary roles of the present invention is to manage the environment without outside involvement. This self-management allows the system to continue to operate even though components have failed. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073111 | Control Device for an Electric Actuator - A control device of an electric actuator adapted to perform a forward-reverse movement includes a control unit adapted to be operated in a forward direction or a reverse direction in accordance with the forward-reverse movement of the electric actuator. It also includes a pilot circuit, which is connected to the control unit and which generates a forward pilot pressure or a reverse pilot pressure in accordance with the forward operation or the reverse operation of the control unit. The control device has a differential pressure acquiring unit that acquires a differential pressure between a pilot pressure corresponding to an operation direction of the control unit and a pilot pressure, in a direction opposite to the operation direction, and it has a control command generator that generates a control command for controlling the electric actuator based on the differential pressure acquired by the differential pressure acquiring unit. The control device includes a drive controller for controlling a drive of the electric actuator based on the generated control command. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073112 | Motor vehicle operating data collection and analysis - A method and apparatus for collecting and evaluating powered vehicle operation utilizing on-board diagnostic components and location determining components or systems. The invention creates one or more databases whereby identifiable behavior or evaluative characteristics can be analyzed or categorized. The evaluation can include predicting likely future events. The database can be correlated or evaluated with other databases for a wide variety of uses. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073113 | VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING A RANGE FOR THE VEHICLE - A method to control a vehicle includes assigning a predicted driving pattern to a predicted path for the vehicle, and providing a range for the vehicle using the predicted energy efficiency and an amount of energy available to the vehicle. The predicted driving pattern has an associated predicted energy efficiency. A vehicle includes a propulsion device coupled to wheels of the vehicle via a transmission, and a controller electronically coupled to the propulsion device. The controller is configured to: (i) assign a predicted driving pattern to a predicted path for the vehicle, the predicted driving pattern having a predicted energy efficiency, and (ii) provide a range for the vehicle using the predicted energy efficiency and an amount of energy available to the vehicle. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073114 | DRIVER IDENTIFICATION BASED ON FACE DATA - A system for identifying a driver comprises an image capturing device, a processor, and a memory. The image is captured during vehicle operation and of an expected driver location. The processor is configured to detect a face of a driver in the image, determine a set of face data from the image, and identify the driver based at least in part on the set of face data. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073115 | System And Method For Improving A Performance Estimation Of An Operator Of A Vehicle - System for improving a performance estimation of an operator of a vehicle, comprising a first module implementing a first method for estimating a performance state of vehicle operation, a second module implementing a second method for estimating at least one of a physiological and behavioural state of the operator, a device for sharing an estimated state between one of the first and the second module and the other one of the first and the second module, wherein the implemented estimation method of one of the first and the second module is adjusted based on the state of the other one of the first and the second module, thereby improving the estimation of at least one of the performance state of vehicle operation and the physiological and/or behavioural state of the operator. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073116 | Electronic Control Unit for Vehicle and Method of Executing Program - An electronic control unit for vehicle capable of receiving a program by communication expands the received program in a volatile memory and executes the expanded program. As an example of this program, there is a program for changing a communication environment for communicating with another unit. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073117 | METHOD FOR CLOCKING CUMULATIVE OPERATING TIME FOR A CARGO-HANDLING VEHICLE, AND THE CARGO-HANDLING VEHICLE BY USE OF THE METHOD - An accumulated use time for cargo handling vehicles is accurately displayed by a time measuring device even if the time measuring device fails and is replaced. Units such as a display unit and a control unit of the cargo handling vehicle each include a time measuring device and a storage device. The device may perform in a synchronization mode in which the difference between the accumulated use times of both devices is made the same and a synchronization inhibition mode in which the accumulated use times are not changed. The accumulated use times are communicated between the function units, and the accumulated use time of the cargo handling vehicle and the absolute value of the difference between the accumulated use times of both measuring devices are taken into consideration. The appropriate mode is selected and the time measurement is carried out in the selected mode. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073118 | YAW RATE DETECTION APPARATUS - A yaw rate detection apparatus includes: a vehicle yaw rate detection device detecting a yaw rate of a vehicle to output a detection value thereof; a right-wheel and left-wheel speed detection device detecting at least speeds of right and left wheels to output detection values thereof; a wheel speed yaw rate calculation device calculating a wheel speed yaw rate from the detection values of the speeds of the right and left wheels; a turning correction coefficient calculation device calculating a turning correction coefficient based on an amount of turning associated with a turning operation within a predetermined time in which the detection value of the vehicle yaw rate deviates due to a temperature change; and a vehicle yaw rate correction device correcting the detection value of the vehicle yaw rate based on the detection value of the vehicle yaw rate, the wheel speed yaw rate and the turning correction coefficient. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073119 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ASSISTING PARKING OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - A method and device for selecting a parking assistance function from a predefined group of parking assistance functions of a parking steering assistant by an input element of the parking steering assistant of a motor vehicle. The parking assistance functions are arranged in two groups, wherein the first group includes the functions which relate to parking of the vehicle and the second group includes functions which relate to exiting a parking space by the vehicle. A selection is made between the two function groups as a function of the ignition switch state and a distance traveled by the vehicle, as a result of which the method differentiates automatically between parking functions and parking space exiting functions. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073120 | Dynamic Adaptation of Trigger Thresholds to Manage When Data Messages Are Transmitted - Systems and methods for remotely setting a value for a trigger threshold variable used by a processor unit onboard an aircraft to determine if and when a data message should be transmitted from the aircraft. The method comprises the following steps performed by a computer: (a) obtaining data representing a flight plan or flight trajectory of the aircraft and flight information; (b) obtaining data representing business considerations; (c) computing a value of the trigger threshold variable as a function of at least the flight plan or flight trajectory data and the business considerations data; and (d) constructing a trigger threshold data message containing the computed value of the trigger threshold variable. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073121 | REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - Disclosed is a remote start system for a vehicle which activates a timer configured after a vehicle is remote started when a door of the vehicle is opened. After activating the timer, a fob (e.g., a keyless remote) is searched and certified once a driver's door is closed, a brake is operated, or a predetermined time has elapsed without any operation of the vehicle. Once the fob is certified, the vehicle is converted from a remote start mode to a normal mode. If, however, the fob is not certified the remote start is terminated. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073122 | DRIVING ASSIST SYSTEM, IN-VEHICLE APPARATUS, SERVER, AND DRIVING ASSIST METHOD - A driving assist system is disclosed. In the system, an in-vehicle apparatus measures a degree of inappropriate driving done by a driver of a own vehicle. When the degree of inappropriate driving reaches a predetermined level, the in-vehicle apparatus measures takes measures against the inappropriate driving and sends inappropriate driving information to a server. Based on the inappropriate driving information from multiple vehicles, the server identifies a risk area where the degree of inappropriate driving is prone to reach the predetermined level. The server sends a level decrease command to the multiple vehicles to request that the predetermine level be decreased in the risk area. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073123 | Energy Control Apparatus For Controlling Hybrid Energy Sources For An Aircraft - An energy control apparatus for controlling hybrid energy sources for an aircraft is designed for determining an operating characteristic of an energy source, a demand of at least one first consumer for a first resource and a demand of a second consumer for a second resource. The energy control apparatus activates the energy source in dependence on the demand for the first resource and the second resource and, if there is no demand for a first or second resource that is generatable by the energy source and is present in excess, supplies a third consumer with the excess resource. This makes it possible for an energy system to operate different consumers independently of the type of generated resources and their dependencies during the generation. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073124 | Method and Device for Protecting an Aircraft - A method and a device for protecting an aircraft in the flight phase, said aircraft exhibiting several configurations of slats and flaps, comprises the following steps: determining, for at least one configuration of slats and flaps, of a limit angle of incidence beyond which the aircraft runs a risk of stalling, determining a gain factor as a function of the normal acceleration of the aircraft, comparing the current angle of incidence of the aircraft—with the limit angle of incidence weighted by the gain factor, and, emission of an alert indicating that the aircraft runs a risk of stalling, if the current angle of incidence of the aircraft is greater than the limit angle of incidence weighted by the gain factor. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073125 | DRIVE DEVICE FOR RAILWAY VEHICLE - A control device for a railway vehicle controls an inverter device based on a direct-current link voltage Vfc between the opposite terminals of a filter capacitor. A direct-current voltage applied to the inverter device during regeneration is the sum of a voltage Vb of power storage equipment and an overhead wire voltage Vs, so that only detecting the direct-current link voltage Vfc is not enough to separate the voltage Vb of the power storage equipment and the overhead wire voltage Vs from each other. The power storage equipment can be connected in series with the inverter device, and a voltage sensor that detects the overhead wire voltage Vs is provided between a current collector device and a grounding point. The power storage equipment is controlled based on the detection result from the voltage sensor. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073126 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH AN ENGINE - Methods and systems are provided for an engine and associated auxiliary equipment. A condition of the auxiliary equipment may be diagnosed based on information provided by signals from a generator operationally connected to the auxiliary equipment and/or other signals associated with the engine. Different types of degradation may be distinguished based on discerning characteristics within the information. Thus, a degraded auxiliary equipment component may be identified in a manner that reduces service induced delay. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073127 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING AN ENGINE - Methods and systems are provided for an engine. A condition of the engine may be diagnosed based on a combustion torque profile of the engine estimated using signals from a generator operationally connected to the engine and/or other signals associated with the engine. Different types of degradation may be distinguished based on discerning characteristics within the estimated combustion torque profile data. Thus, a degraded engine component may be identified in a manner that reduces service induced delay. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073128 | COMPACT ELECTRIC RANGE EXTENDER FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An electric vehicle includes a transmission, motor, rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), auxiliary power unit (APU), and a controller. The APU has a pair of rings, at least one of which rotates with respect to the other. One ring is coaxial with and radially within the other. Ring rotation generates current in windings. A gear element is in driving connection with the rotatable ring. The APU includes an engine disposed radially within the inner ring, and a power takeoff mechanism coupled to the gear element. The controller energizes the APU to rotate a ring. A method includes positioning the APU in a vehicle body compartment, affixing an outer ring of windings to a compartment wall, and positioning a rotatable inner ring having permanent magnets radially within and coaxial with the outer ring. The engine is positioned radially within the inner ring. A power takeoff mechanism connects to the inner ring. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073129 | VEHICLE DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD - An information display system includes an information display that communicates relevant information relating to the operation of a vehicle. The information display conveys a score representing lifetime or long-term driving or operating efficiency of the vehicle. The score can be conveyed numerically or graphically using a number of indicators. Each indicator may correspond to a different achievement level attained for efficient driving or vehicle use behavior. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073130 | Fail-Safety Control Method for Hybrid Vehicle - Disclosed herein is a fail-safety control method for a hybrid vehicle. The method includes a hybrid control unit which, when commands for demand torque are received from a driver, giving instructions to a motor control unit to generate the demand torque, determining whether or not to a normal torque corresponding to the demand torque is being generated by the motor control unit according to the instructions from the hybrid control unit, and if it is determined that an abnormal torque is being generated by the motor control unit, giving commands to output an interrupt signal to interrupt operation of the motor control unit. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073131 | POWER TRANSMISSION CONTROL DEVICE FOR VEHICLE - In this power transmission control device, an EV travel mode for traveling by using only an electric-motor driving torque in a state in which a clutch torque is maintained to zero, and an EG travel mode for traveling by using the internal-combustion-engine driving torque in a state in which the clutch torque is adjusted to a value larger than zero are selectively realized depending on a travel state. In a state in which the EV travel mode is selected, when it is determined that a vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined speed Vth, “a gear position to be realized” is changed depending on the travel state of the vehicle, and when it is determined that the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the predetermined speed Vth, “the gear position to be realized” is maintained to a current gear position independently of the travel state of the vehicle. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073132 | DEVICE FOR PERFORMING ENERGY MANAGEMENT IN AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A device for performing energy management in an electric vehicle which can be driven at least partially by an electric machine which can be supplied with electrical energy by a rechargeable battery, wherein the state of charge (SOC) of the rechargeable battery varies during charging and discharging, includes a driver-type recognition device for determining the driver-type (I, II). The driver-type recognition device monitors the discharge process of the rechargeable battery during driving and recognizes the driver-type (I, II) therefrom. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073133 | VEHICLE CONTROLLER AND VEHICLE CONTROL METHOD - A brake ECU executes a program including: the step of executing a first brake hydraulic pressure control for preventing decrease of brake hydraulic pressure regardless of decrease in an amount of operation of a brake pedal, if position is at a P position and the amount of operation of the brake pedal is determined to be decreasing; and the step of executing a normal, second hydraulic pressure control if the position is not the P position and the amount of operation of the brake pedal is not determined to be decreasing. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073134 | VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE AND VEHICLE CONTROL METHOD - HV-ECU executes a program including a step of executing rattling noise avoidance control when an engine operating point falls within a rattling noise producing range and when a requested torque Treq | 2013-03-21 |
20130073135 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE WITH AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND A GENERATOR - It is known to charge the battery in a hybrid vehicle with a generator such that the efficiency (electric power per fuel quantity) is maximal. It is known that the consumption-optimized mode can be terminated in order to charge the battery faster. A mathematical calculation rule is applied to the optimal value of the efficiency in order to determine a value for an efficiency which then indicates a load point shift for the internal combustion engine. In particular, constant percentages can be used which are applied to the inverse efficiency. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073136 | HYBRID VEHICLE AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine ( | 2013-03-21 |
20130073137 | VEHICLE FOR DISPLACING FEED - The invention provides an autonomous vehicle for displacing feed laterally, comprising a frame having two separately drivable rear wheels and a front supporting point, and a feed displacer in the form of an annular element which is freely rotatable and has a radius r, said element forming the outer circumference of the vehicle. In order to enhance the control stability, the rear wheels are situated at a distance of less than a radius from the geometric centre of the vehicle. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073138 | SYSTEM VALIDATION - A method and apparatus for evaluating capabilities of a system (e.g. an autonomous vehicle) with respect to the performance of a task, the method including: providing a first model corresponding to the task; providing a further model corresponding to the system; providing a plurality of mappings from one model to another model; determining whether there exists a transformation trace either (i) from the first model to the further model, or (ii) from the further model to the first model, wherein each transformation trace includes one or more of the specified mappings; and evaluating the capabilities of the system with respect to the task dependent upon the existence of the transformation trace. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073139 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE OPERATION THROUGH DATA-SHARING AMONG VEHICLES - Various embodiments of methods and system are provided for enhancing engine operation through data-sharing among vehicles. In one embodiment, a method includes determining whether a first value of an operating parameter indicative of an ambient environmental condition produced by a first vehicle is corrupted or unavailable, receiving a second value of the operating parameter that is indicative of the ambient environmental condition produced by a second vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle, and in response to determining that the first value is corrupted or unavailable, controlling operation of an engine of the first vehicle based on the second value of the operating parameter. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073140 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REAL-TIME MEASUREMENT OF VEHICLE PERFORMANCE - A system for real-time measurement of vehicle performance. The system can include at least one sensor module mounted on a rotating member of the vehicle and a central module disposed in the vehicle. The sensor module can include a plurality of sensors communicatively coupled to a microcontroller, at least one wireless communications device communicatively coupled to the microcontroller, and a power source. The central module can include a central processor, memory, a central wireless communications device communicatively coupled to the central processor and to the at least one wireless communications device of the sensor module. The rotating member of the vehicle can be a wheel, a brake rotor, or a torsion disc disposed between an axle of the vehicle and a wheel of the vehicle. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073141 | METHOD FOR REAL-TIME MODEL BASED STRUCTURAL ANOMALY DETECTION - A system and methods for real-time model based vehicle structural anomaly detection are disclosed. A real-time measurement corresponding to a location on a vehicle structure during an operation of the vehicle is received, and the real-time measurement is compared to expected operation data for the location to provide a modeling error signal. A statistical significance of the modeling error signal to provide an error significance is calculated, and a persistence of the error significance is determined. A structural anomaly is indicated, if the persistence exceeds a persistence threshold value. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073142 | Systems and Methods for 3-Axis Accelerometer Calibration - Systems and methods for calibrating the alignment of 3-axis accelerometers in accordance embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a telematics system includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. an accelerometer, and a processor, wherein the GPS receiver is configured to determine velocity information, wherein the accelerometer is configured to determine accelerometer acceleration information along one or more accelerometer axes, and wherein the processor is configured to receive a velocity information sample using the GPS receiver, determine GPS acceleration information along one or more vehicle axes using the velocity information sample, receive accelerometer acceleration information samples using the accelerometer, and calibrate one of the vehicle axes to an accelerometer axis in the one or more accelerometer axes using the GPS acceleration information sample and the accelerometer acceleration information sample. | 2013-03-21 |