42nd week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 59 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130274882 | INTERVERTEBRAL SUPPORT - An intervertebral support device to impose an anatomic distance between two adjacent vertebral bodies having a pair of vertebral support elements for introduction between the edge portions of the rear half of the vertebrae, at respective substantially symmetrical positions of the instantaneous rotation axis of the natural relative flexion-extension movement of the two adjacent vertebrae. The device assists stabilizing and/or restoring the correct position of the rotation axis, which characterizes the first stage of the degenerative breakdown, without significantly limiting the relative movement of the two vertebrae. The support elements have preferably a constraint means that constrains them to the edge portions of the vertebral bodies, in particular to resist the reaction force on the intervertebral disc. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274883 | BONE FUSION DEVICE - A bone fusion device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together, such as, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises at least one extendable tab and one or more tab extension assemblies. Each tab extension assembly is able to be adjusted in order to individually control the extension or contraction of a side of the tab thereby enabling adjustment of the height and/or angle of the tab with respect to the body of the bone fusion device. Each tab extension assembly is able to be individually adjusted such that the side controlled by each assembly is raised or lowered until the desired tab angle is achieved. The tab is advantageously positioned and angled to correspond to the vertebrae to help brace the device until the bone has fused. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274884 | VERTEBRAL BODY SPACER - A vertebral body spacer of the present invention is used by being inserted between a vertebral body and a vertebral body (intervertebral space). The vertebral body spacer has a block body constituted of titanium or a titanium alloy as a main component thereof, and provided with a pair of contact surfaces to be made contact with the vertebral body and the vertebral body. The block body includes needle parts formed into a needle shape having both end portions and a porous part having through holes passing through the porous part in a thickness direction thereof, and a porosity of at least a surface of the porous part is larger than a porosity of each of the needle parts. The needle parts are inserted into the through holes so that the both end portions are projected from the contact surfaces. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274885 | VERTEBRAL BODY SPACER - A vertebral body spacer of the present invention is used by being inserted between a vertebral body and a vertebral body (intervertebral space). The vertebral body spacer has a block body constituted of titanium or a titanium alloy as a main component thereof, and provided with a pair of contact surfaces to be made contact with the vertebral body and the vertebral body. The block body includes a frame-shaped dense part and a porous part provided inside the dense part, and a porosity of at least a surface of the porous part is larger than a porosity of the dense part. According to the present invention, it is possible to maintain an appropriate size between the vertebral bodies (intervertebral space). | 2013-10-17 |
20130274886 | VERTEBRAL BODY SPACER - A vertebral body spacer of the present invention is used by being inserted between a vertebral body and a vertebral body (intervertebral space). The vertebral body spacer has a block body constituted of titanium or a titanium alloy as a main component thereof, and provided with a pair of contact surfaces to be made contact with the vertebral body and the vertebral body. The block body includes dense sheets having a dense part on at least a surface thereof and porous sheets having a porous part on at least a surface thereof. The porous part has a larger porosity than a porosity of the dense part. Each of the porous sheets is sandwiched between the pair of dense sheets. According to the present invention, it is possible to maintain an appropriate size between the vertebral bodies (intervertebral space). | 2013-10-17 |
20130274887 | Stackable Spinal Support System - A system for distracting two tissue surfaces away from one another within a spine, involving a plurality of biocompatible and generally rectangular spinal inserts configured to be successively stacked within a spine to distract the two tissues surfaces away from one another. Each spinal insert has a generally planar top surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a generally planar bottom surface disposed generally parallel to the top surface and including a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a beveled surface extending from at least one of the leading edge of the planar top surface and the leading edge of the planar bottom surface. The beveled surface is configured to allow a currently inserted spinal insert to be positioned at least one of above and below a previously introduced spinal insert to distract the two tissue surfaces. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274888 | UNICONDYLAR MENISCAL BEARING KNEE REPLACEMENT - A kit of parts for use in unicondylar meniscal bearing knee replacement comprises a plurality of meniscal bearings, each meniscal bearing comprising a body defining a dished first bearing surface on one side thereof and a second surface on an opposing side of the body. Each meniscal bearing has an entrapment between 3.2 mm and 3.8 mm. Meniscal bearings and methods of performing unicondylar meniscal bearing replacements are also described. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274889 | Modular Lateral Hip Auguments - An implant for a hip can include a lateral augment adapted to be coupled to a lateral side of a femoral body implant. The lateral augment can include a body portion having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a protrusion extending from the second surface. The protrusion can have a shape adapted to mate with a complementary shaped recess formed in the lateral side of the femoral body implant. An aperture can be positioned in the body portion and extend through the protrusion. A fastener can be received through the aperture and adapted to be threadably secured to the lateral bore. The fastener can be configured to have a length sufficient to pass through a portion of a greater trochanter for securing the portion of the greater trochanter and the lateral augment to the femoral body implant. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274890 | INTERBODY BONE IMPLANT DEVICE - A composite interbody bone implant device is provided including a body having a non-bone composition, such as a polymer, formed into a shape and including one or more cavities. An osteoinductive material, such as bone allograft tissue, may be retained in the one or more cavities of the body. The body is formable via injection molding and/or machining into a shape and size adapted for implantation at a surgical site. The dimensions of the body include a length, a width and a thickness, and the thickness of the body may be less than at least one of the length and width. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274891 | BIOMATERIAL AND METHOD FOR ITS REALISATION - Porous biocompatible composite biomaterial, useable as a drug delivery system or as spacer or as bone substitute, such as for example for filling bone lacunae or for substituting damaged parts of bone tissue, or for fixing prosthesis of various types, or for thickening bones weakened by illness such as osteoporosis or the like, including a component adapted to form a porous structural matrix and a soluble component, wherein the soluble component is in form of powder and granules or other similar agglomerates so as to have mechanical support characteristics and osteoinductive and osteoconductive characteristics in the entire volume occupied by the biomaterial, and a method for obtaining the biomaterial. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274892 | Electrospun Mineralized Chitosan Nanofibers Crosslinked with Genipin for Bone Tissue Engineering - The present invention relates to an electrospun chitosan scaffold. The scaffold mimics natural bone mechanical properties and structure through mineralization without hindering the biocompatibility for osteoblasts. The electrospun mineralized scaffold is useful in bone regeneration therapies. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274893 | METHOD FOR ENHANCING ULTRASOUND VISIBILITY OF HYPERECHOIC MATERIALS - A hydrogel plug is placed under stress during its curing stage, in one embodiment, by application of an externally applied force. The stress may also be induced during or after the dehydration process. The direction of the externally applied force increases the length, width, depth, or radial extent of the plug. The elastic limit of the plug is exceeded when the external force is applied so that the plug substantially retains its stressed size and shape when the externally applied force is removed. When the stretched or otherwise deformed dehydrated plug is hydrated, it substantially returns to the configuration it had prior to its dehydration and prior to the application of the externally applied force. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274894 | COORDINATING OPERATION OF MULTIPLE LOWER LIMB DEVICES - Systems and methods for operating autonomous lower limb devices, including at least one adjustable joint and configured for at least supporting a body are provided. A method includes collecting real-time sensor information associated with the autonomous lower limb device. The method also includes receiving, over a communications link, remote data for at least one other lower limb device configured for supporting the body. The method further includes generating control data for transitioning the autonomous lower limb device from a current state in a current finite state model for operating the autonomous lower limb device to a different state in the current finite state model, where the different state is selected based on the real-time sensor information and the remote data. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274895 | ADJUSTABLE PROSTHESIS - A prosthesis system includes a reconfigurable socket. The socket changes configurations to adjust the socket fit. The socket includes a socket main body with a window and a panel positioned in the window. The panel and the socket main body cooperate to define a cavity for receiving a residual limb. A lacing system is coupled to both the socket main body and the panel and moves the panel with respect to the socket main body to adjust a volume of the cavity. A tensioning mechanism holds the lacing system to position the adjustment panel. The prosthesis system also allows for the escape of moisture from within the cavity. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274896 | PROSTHETIC SOCKET APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS - A prosthetic sock for a patient to wear over a residual limb is provided. The prosthetic sock includes an inner layer configured to fit over at least a portion of the residual limb of the patient. A foam layer is disposed on an outer surface of the inner layer. The foam layer compensates for changes in shape or volume of the residual limb within the prosthetic sock by changing shape in a manner effective to maintain a secure fit between the residual limb and a prosthetic socket of a prosthetic limb. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274897 | METHOD FOR OPERATING AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND BUS SYSTEM OPERATING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE METHOD - A method operates an onboard power supply system in a motor vehicle. The onboard power supply system has a master controller and a slave controller, in which the master controller communicates with the slave controller via a subsidiary bus system and a further onboard power supply system component via a main bus system. Present requests are received in the slave controller and in response to the present requests, performing one of: putting the slave controller into an operating mode and switching the master controller to a transmission mode, in which the master controller coordinates communication between the slave controller and the onboard power supply system component; or putting the slave controller into a sleep mode and switching the master controller to an undertaking mode, in which the master controller responds to queries from the onboard power supply system component to the slave controller. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274898 | TURBINE FAULT PREDICTION - A system is provided. The system includes an industrial controller configured to control and obtain current parameter data from one or more components of an industrial system. Further, a storage is included and is configured to store historical data comprising parameter data from the one or more components. The system also includes a prediction controller configured to receive the current parameter data from the industrial controller, receive the historical data from the storage, and to generate an overall predictive score based at least in part upon the current parameter data and the historical data. The overall predictive score represents a likelihood of a fault within the industrial process control system. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274899 | METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM, AND COMPUTER FOR DETERMINING SYSTEM SITUATION - A method applied to a computer that determines a situation of a system includes the steps of: receiving measurement data from each of a plurality of measurement targets in the system; computing a plurality of sets of anomaly values based on the measurement data and a predetermined computation algorithm according to a plurality of classifications corresponding to a plurality of properties of each measurement target; and determining the situation of the system based on the sets of anomaly values and a predetermined determination algorithm. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274900 | ALTERNATIVE SYNCHRONIZATION CONNECTIONS BETWEEN REDUNDANT CONTROL DEVICES - The invention relates to a redundant control system comprising an automation network with a first control device and a second control device. For data exchange, the first and the second control devices are in each case connected to the automation network via a network interface. For direct communication between each other, the first and the second control devices are connected to each other via a point-to-point connecting device. Furthermore, the first and the second control devices are designed to establish an alternative communication between each other via the automation network if the direct communication via the point-to-point connecting device is not available. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a redundant control system. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274901 | INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION CONTROL SYSTEM - One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media having program instructions stored thereon for enhancing an automation environment is provided. When executed by a processor, the program instructions direct the processor to at least identify at least a primary data verification value generated by a primary control process that provides control in an industrial automation environment, and to identify at least a secondary data verification value generated by a secondary control process associated with the primary control process. The program instructions also direct the processor to compare the primary data verification value with at least the secondary data verification value to determine if an error has occurred with respect to the primary control process. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274902 | ELECTRICAL DEVICE ARRANGEMENT, IN PARTICULAR FOR AN ITEM OF FURNITURE, WITH A BUS DEVICE AND BUS SUBSCRIBERS, AND A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SUCH ELECTRICAL DEVICE ARRANGEMENT - An electrical device arrangement, in particular for an item of furniture, includes a bus device having wirelessly configured control paths, and bus subscribers connected to the bus device, wherein at least one of the bus subscribers is an operating unit comprising a memory for storing control parameters and a control program and at least one of the bus subscriber is a controller of a furniture drive. A method for controlling such an electrical device arrangement, in particular for an item of furniture, having a bus device and bus subscribers is also disclosed. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274903 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORIENTATION CONTROL - A system for control of a device includes at least one sensor module detecting orientation of a user's body part. The at least one sensor module is in communication with a device module configured to command an associated device. The at least one sensor module detects orientation of the body part. The at least one sensor module sends output signals related to orientation of the user's body part to the device module and the device module controls the associated device based on the signals from the at least one sensor module. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274904 | Wearable Athletic Activity Monitoring Methods And Systems - A method for monitoring an individual engaged in an athletic activity includes detecting movement of the individual at a first time, using a sensor module coupled to the individual, determining that the movement of the individual corresponds to a predetermined activation movement, entering an active state of the sensor module in response to the determination that the movement of the individual corresponds to the predetermined activation movement, and detecting movement of the individual at a second time, using the sensor module in the active state. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274905 | GOLF SCORING AND TRACKING SYSTEM - A system is described that allows a golfer, while playing a round of golf, which may be during an event such as a tournament, to record scores in real-time and online as play progresses using a handheld unit or terminal, such as a smart telephone. The hole-by-hole scores, individual and team, can be recorded using one hand, such as by using a thumb, to activate buttons, menus, etc. The unit can display the individual, team and all players scores via screens, such as a leader board page, as play in the tournament progresses. The unit (smart phone) wirelessly interacts with a web server during play over a communication network that provides pages (web forms) displayed to the player on the unit. The web server also interacts with a database server to store the golf game or round data for display on the handheld unit. The database server maintains the hole score, calculates cumulative scores and other scores, and maintains other information, such as the information for other competitions occurring in the tournament, such as birdies, player's handicap, player contact information, tournament leader board, rules of play, etc. A desk top computer can access the web server for player registration, tournament sign in, tee time setting as well as to allow a person not playing in the tournament to watch the progress of the tournament. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274906 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REMOTELY DIRECTING A FISHING TOURNAMENT - A method for remotely directing a fishing tournament makes use of a data network over which participants transmit submissions indicating sizes of fish caught. The submissions may include digital images of fish, and size may be determined from a scale established using a reference object depicted in the image. The data network may also be used to register participants and provide them with tournament results. Participants may register for a fishing period, or multiple fishing periods of the tournament, and may be issued a code to be displayed in images of fish. Validation of entries may include an examination of metadata in submitted digital images. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274907 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUSTOMIZATION - A method of creating a triangulated surfaces for generating machine readable instructions for customization is provided. The method comprises selecting text or symbols. The text or symbols are spaced. The text or symbols are mapped between first and second curves. Triangulated surfaces are generated from the mapped text or symbols. The triangulated surfaces are converted to machine readable instructions. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274908 | PROCESSING CHAMBER ALLOCATION SETTING DEVICE AND PROCESSING CHAMBER ALLOCATION SETTING PROGRAM - Provided is a method that may quickly and simply select the allocation of the type of wafers to the processing chamber having a higher productivity in a semiconductor processing device in which a plurality of conveyance robots is disposed in a conveyance mechanism to which a processing chamber is connected and an object to be processed is delivered between the plurality of conveyance robots, when processings are performed on a plurality of types of wafers in parallel. From the information on the arrangement of the processing chambers of the semiconductor processing device and input type of wafers to be processed, the processing chamber allocation candidate is comprehensively generated and a simulation that manufactures all processing targets for each of the processing chamber allocation candidates is performed to calculate a productivity and the candidates are displayed in the order from a higher productivity to support the adoption of a user. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274909 | METHOD FOR SERIAL PERSONALIZATION OF SMART CARDS - A method for the serial personalization of smart cards in a production chain includes a phase of detecting a smart card already personalized and physically defective, and a phase of retrieving a serial number of the physically defective smart card, to be assigned to a smart card not yet personalized in the production chain. The physically defective smart card and the smart card not yet personalized are loaded together in the production chain wherein the physically defective smart card is rendered unusable, and the not yet personalized smart card receives the serial number retrieved from the physically defective smart card. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274910 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A PRODUCTION FACILITY BY HIGH-RESOLUTION LOCATION TRACKING OF WORKPIECES - A method for controlling a production facility using high-resolution location tracking of workpieces includes determining the current position of the start of the workpiece and the end of the workpiece being currently transported through the facility using position sensors and interposed displacement sensors arranged at different positions of the production facility, and measuring a length of the workpiece from a combination of at least two position sensors and at least one interposed displacement sensor or of at least two displacement sensors and at least one interposed position sensor. The physically determined positions at the various position sensors are compared with a nominal position of the workpiece calculated from the obtained measurement data, and a message is displayed and/or a test is terminated and/or the production facility is stopped when the physically determined positions exceed deviation limit values. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274911 | Image Forming System - An image forming system includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected in series along a paper conveying direction. An image forming apparatus provided upstream in the conveying direction among the apparatuses prints one side of a sheet of paper and an image forming apparatus provided downstream prints the other side of the paper. Each of the upstream and downstream image forming apparatuses includes: an image forming unit; a storage unit; and a control unit to send a first information on a paper feed tray of the own image forming apparatus to the other image forming apparatus, receive a second information on a paper feed tray of the other image forming apparatus from the other image forming apparatus, make the storage unit store the first and second information, and make the image forming unit perform image formation based on the first and second information stored in the storage unit. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274912 | MULTIMEDIA DRIVE - A multimedia drive receives different types of media in a single drive. The multimedia drive includes a drive to receive a media cartridge, such as a tape media cartridge or a non-tape media cartridge. The multimedia drive includes a tape media interface to connect to a tape cartridge, and includes a non-tape media interface to connect to a non-tape media cartridge. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274913 | System and Method for Establishing And/Or Maintaining Proper Alignment of a Robotic Transfer Mechanism - The present invention is directed to a system and method for establishing and/or maintaining proper alignment of a transfer mechanism. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an alignment system and method having one or more of: (a) a laser alignment device operable to providing precise locational coordinates for alignment of a robotic transfer mechanism relative to a holding structure; (b) an alignment tool for aligning a laser alignment device relative to robotic transfer mechanism; (c) lead in ramps to properly guide an individual specimen container into a holding well; and/or (d) a belt tensioning device for maintaining proper tension on one or more timing belts. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274914 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SORTING PLASTIC, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING RECYCLABLE PLASTIC - A sorting method for plastics, including: sorting a predetermined plastic piece from a mixed plastic piece group including plastic pieces of a plurality of types; identifying the plurality of types of the plastic pieces; and calculating mixing rates of the plurality of types in the mixed plastic piece group based on a result obtained in the identifying, the identifying is performed on the mixed plastic piece group prior to the sorting, a sorting condition of the sorting is set based on an identification result obtained in the identifying, the identifying includes identifying the plurality of types of the plastic pieces with a beam. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274915 | Transport Method and Transport Apparatus - Provided is a transport method comprising judging whether there is a possibility that misalignment greater than or equal to a threshold value occurs between substrates to be layered that are held by a pair of substrate holders aligned and stacked by an aligning section, the misalignment occurring when the pair of substrate holders is transported from the aligning section to a pressure applying section; and if the judgment indicates that there is the possibility of misalignment, transporting the pair of substrate holders to a region other than the pressure applying section. Whether there is the possibility of misalignment may be judged based on acceleration of the substrate holders. Whether there is the possibility of misalignment may be judged based on acceleration of a transporting section that transports the substrate holders. Whether there is the possibility of misalignment may be judged based on relative positions of the substrate holders. Whether there is the possibility of misalignment may be judged based on relative positions of (i) a transporting section that transports the pair of substrate holders and (ii) one of the pair of substrate holders. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274916 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SEALING PRODUCTS IN A PNEUMATIC TUBE CARRIER - A pneumatic tube system, including at least one system control module for controlling delivery of a pneumatic carrier through pneumatic tubing. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station having a sealer, the sealer includes a heating pad and a sealing strip, where the sealer automatically grips the open end within the heating pad and the sealing strip upon insertion of the bag into the system. In one example, the sealer creates a vacuum to extract air from an interior space of the bag. The sealer applies heat to the open end to seal the bag. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station configured for sending at least one carrier, the at least one sending pneumatic tube station being in signal communication with the at least one system control module, where the at least one carrier is sent through the system by pneumatic tubing. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274917 | VENDING MACHINE AND METHODS FOR VENDING ITEMS - A vending machine for use in a vehicle includes: a vending housing operable to dispense at least one of a plurality of items stored within the vending housing; a display screen; and a processor coupled to the display screen and the vending housing. A vending computer program is configured to execute on the processor. The vending computer program, when executing, displays a selection of items on the display screen that can be purchased and dispensed from the vending housing and receives an identification of at least one item to be purchased. The program then receives a payment indicator indicating that payment has been received for the at least one item and controlling the vending machine to dispense that at least one item for which payment has been received. The vending machine is compact enough to be placed into a vehicle such as a taxi cab. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274918 | Robot System Comprising A Robot And Two Devices That Can Be Connected To Said Robot In An Alternating Manner, And Method For Changing Said Devices - The invention relates to a method for changing devices (W | 2013-10-17 |
20130274919 | MOBILE BRAIN-BASED DEVICE FOR USE IN A REAL WORLD ENVIRONMENT - A mobile brain-based device BBD includes a mobile base equipped with sensors and effectors (Neurally Organized Mobile Adaptive Device or NOMAD), which is guided by a simulated nervous system that is an analogue of cortical and sub-cortical areas of the brain required for visual processing, decision-making, reward, and motor responses. The brain-based device BBD learns to discriminate among multiple objects with shared visual features, and associated “target” objects with innately preferred auditory cues. The brain-based device BBD is moveable, in a rich real-world environment involving continual changes in the size and location of visual stimuli due to self-generated or autonomous, movement, and shows that reentrant connectivity and dynamic synchronization provide an effective mechanism for binding the features of visual objects so as to reorganize object features such as color, shape and motion while distinguishing distinct objects in the environment. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274920 | AUTONOMOUS ROBOT - A method for communication between a charging station and a robot, via a pair of power lines coupled between a power supply in the charging station and a battery in the robot. In operation, the power supply is sequentially switched between a first voltage level and a second voltage level in accordance with a predetermined signal pattern. The voltage level on the power lines in the robot is monitored and correlated with a specific command to be executed by the robot. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274921 | ROBOT SYSTEM, CALIBRATION METHOD OF ROBOT SYSTEM, ROBOT, CALIBRATION DEVICE, AND DIGITAL CAMERA - A robot system includes a movable component with a mark thereon, a control unit that controls the movable component in a three-dimensional coordinate system on the basis of control information, a digital camera that outputs image data by imaging a range of movement of the mark, and a calibrator that creates a transformation parameter for correlating a two-dimensional coordinate system of the image data with the three-dimensional coordinate system on the basis of the image data obtained by imaging the mark at different positions and the control information. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274922 | TOOL GRIP CALIBRATION FOR ROBOTIC SURGERY - Telerobotic, telesurgical, and surgical robotic devices, systems, and methods selectively calibrate end effector jaws by bringing the jaw elements into engagement with each other. Commanded torque signals may bring the end effector elements into engagement while monitoring the resulting position of a drive system, optionally using a second derivative of the torque/position relationship so as to identify an end effector engagement position. Calibration can allow the end effector engagement position to correspond to a nominal closed position of an input handle by compensating for wear on the end effector, the end effector drive system, then manipulator, the manipulator drive system, the manipulator/end effector interfacing, and manufacturing tolerances. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274923 | Active Alignment Using Continuous Motion Sweeps and Temporal Interpolation - Methods and apparatus for actively aligning a first optical element, such as a lens, to a second optical element, such as an image sensor, use continuous scans, even absent a synchronization signal from one of the optical elements. During a scan, timed position information about the scanned optical element is collected, and then a relationship between position of the scanned optical element and time is estimated, such as by fitting a curve to a set of position-time pairs. This relationship can then be used to estimate locations of the scanned optical element at times when image data or other alignment quality-indicating data samples are acquired. From this alignment quality versus location data, an optimum alignment position can be determined, and the scanned optical element can then be positioned at the determined alignment position. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274924 | METHOD, MEDIUM AND APPARATUS CLASSIFYING AND COLLECTING AREA FEATURE INFORMATION ACCORDING TO A ROBOT'S MOVING PATH, AND A ROBOT CONTROLLED BY THE AREA FEATURES - A method of classifying and collecting feature information of an area according to a robot's moving path, a robot controlled by area features, and a method and apparatus for composing a user interface using the area features are disclosed. The robot includes a plurality of sensor modules to collect feature information of a predetermined area along a moving path of the robot, and an analyzer to analyze the collected feature information of the predetermined area according to a predetermined reference range and to classify the collected feature information into a plurality of groups. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274925 | Systems and Methods for Attachment Control Signal Modulation - In general, systems and methods for controlling work machine implements are described. In one embodiment, a system for controlling a hydraulically-powered third-party work machine implement includes a microcontroller-based conversion module capable of transforming implement control signals from their native format (e.g., PWM) to a signal format required by the implement to function properly (e.g., digital). A hydraulic flow activation signal can be simultaneously generated and transmitted to the implement so that hydraulic flow occurs only when control signals are received and the implement is caused to be in motion or otherwise activated. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274926 | PORTABLE TERMINAL AND DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A portable terminal includes two display units provided respectively on two housings; and a detection unit provided with one housing of the two housings and that detects the posture of the one housing. The portable terminal corrects data that represent the posture of the one housing, in which the data is detected by the detection unit at the time when the other housing of the two housings is placed in a predetermined posture, to data detected on the assumption that the one housing is placed in the predetermined posture, and acquiring the resultant correction value, and corrects the detection value detected by the detection unit using the correction value after the correction value is acquired, and notifies the application that is being executed on the other housing of the corrected detection value. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274927 | Walking Device - An improved walking device is disclosed wherein the walking device comprises an elongated body that is more than one foot in length, a movable arm coupled to the elongated body, a power source, and a first sensor, and wherein the first sensor is capable of detecting an orientation of the walking device and producing an electronic signal based on the orientation, and wherein the electronic signal is capable of at least partially causing a movement of the movable arm. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274928 | BACKGROUND SCHEDULE SIMULATIONS IN AN INTELLIGENT, NETWORK-CONNECTED THERMOSTAT - The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that initially aggressively learn, and then continue, in a steady-state mode, to monitor, learn, and modify one or more control schedules that specify a desired operational behavior of a device, machine, system, or organization controlled by the intelligent controller. An intelligent controller generally acquires one or more initial control schedules through schedule-creation and schedule-modification interfaces or by accessing a default control schedule stored locally or remotely in a memory or mass-storage device. The intelligent controller then proceeds to learn, over time, a desired operational behavior for the device, machine, system, or organization controlled by the intelligent controller based on immediate-control inputs, schedule-modification inputs, and previous and current control schedules, encoding the desired operational behavior in one or more control schedules and/or sub-schedules. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274929 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a customizable bio-manufacturing system which includes a manufacturing space having a first air handling system for providing supply air and a second air handling system for handling exhaust air, the supply air system being optionally provided with at least one of filtration, heating, cooling and or humidity control and a plurality of portable modules provided within the manufacturing space. At least one module having an interior capable of being interconnected with another module interior and each module's interior includes one or more components to perform at least one specific task of a biological, chemical, and/or pharmaceutical manufacturing process. At least one module includes an on-board environmental control system for controlling an environment within the module and a connection means for interconnecting the module interior with another module interior. The system also includes a central controller operating to at least perform one or more of operation and information collection for the operation of at least one of the system and one or more modules. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274930 | ENVIRONMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - A control system for governing temperature and humidity levels within a confined space including a controller communicatively coupled to a cooling system, a heating system, a duct system, a plurality of environmental sensors for detecting temperature and humidity levels within the confined space and external to the confined space, and an external air intake for introducing air external to the confined space to within the confined space. The control system may further include predictive heating and predictive cooling configurations having a computing device communicatively connected to the controller and to an environmental forecast source. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274931 | SHAPE ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM USING LASER PEENING - Systems which may be employed to adjust the shape of computer housing are provided. The systems may include a measurement apparatus that measures the positions of points on the housing. A determining apparatus may determine an offset between the position of the points and reference values. An adjustment apparatus may apply a laser to the computer housing having parameters based on the offset at each of the points. The adjustment apparatus can rely upon a laser beam that impinges on the surface of the computer housing causing a shock wave that, in turn, creates a force that elastically deforms the computer housing. This process may be repeated or otherwise continued until the offset is within a predetermined range of acceptable values. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274932 | Satellite Irrigation Controller - In one embodiment, the present invention provides a satellite irrigation controller that allows a user to insert a input/output card into any position in any sequence and be recognized as an input card or an output card. When the correct card type is determined, the card is service according to its specified functionality. In another embodiment, the satellite irrigation controller includes firmware which allows a user to program a range of stations at one time. In yet another embodiment, the satellite irrigation controller provides three user input programs that reduce the amount of input data needed to program the irrigation cycle of an irrigation station. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274933 | GRID IMPROVEMENT METHODS - A grid performance improvement method including simultaneous use of selected indicia of performance in a performance assessment program. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274934 | CHARGING AN ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE WITH A VARIABLE SPEED GENERATOR - Some embodiments relate to a power management system. The power management system includes a variable speed generator that provides a voltage output to a bus that is adapted to be connected to a load and an energy storage device. The power management system further includes a generator controller that controls the speed of the variable speed generator and monitors a charge level of the energy storage device. The generator controller also remotely displays information relating to the charge level of the energy storage device by supplying information relating to operation of the power management system over a network. The generator controller may remotely display information relating to the charge level of the energy storage device by supplying information relating to operation of the power management system over the Internet. The generator controller may also start/stop the variable speed generator based on the charge level of the energy storage device. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274935 | System and Method for Energy Storage Management - A method is provided for efficiently managing energy consumption using stored energy. The method accepts input energy (e.g., from a power utility) and maintains a record of energy consumption. An energy consumption peak is predicted in response to analyzing the record of energy consumption, and the input energy is augmented with stored energy during the predicted energy consumption peaks. More explicitly, a peak shaving value is selected based on a fraction of the predicted energy consumption peak, and the stored energy is used when energy consumption exceeds the peak shaving value. In one aspect, after a determination is made to use stored energy, it is simply used while it is available. Otherwise, it is supplied based upon an analysis of a predicted value of the stored energy. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274936 | BROADCAST ENERGY DEMAND SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A decision support system for energy use demand management manages energy consumption and costs. A one way broadcast communications capability transmits energy management data to a population of energy consumers. A receiver-controller changes the energy consumption of an apparatus in response to receiving the energy management data. An energy consumption monitor determines energy consumption information related, at least in part, to the energy consumption of the apparatus, and provides energy consumption information through a feedback path that can be correlated with the energy management data. The receiver-controller changes the energy consumption of the apparatus in response to an analysis of the energy consumption information. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274937 | COMPONENT FOR NETWORK SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME - Provided are a component for network system and a method of controlling the same. The method includes: inputting a driving factor of the component or the other component; and predicting result information when the component or the other component is driven based on the inputted driving factor. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274938 | NETWORK SYSTEM - A network system is provided. The network system includes: at least one component selected from an energy receiving unit receiving energy and an energy management unit managing the energy receiving unit. The energy receiving unit or the energy management unit receives energy rate related information; an energy usage amount or a usage rate of when the component is controlled on the basis of at least the energy rate related information is less than that of when the component is controlled without the basis of at least energy rate related information; if the energy rate related information is high cost information, a function of one component constituting the energy receiving unit is limited; and an operating time or an output of the energy receiving unit is adjusted in correspondence to the limited function of one component. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274939 | METHOD FOR COMPUTER-AIDED CONTROL OF THE ELECTRICAL POWER CONSUMPTION OF A PLURALITY OF POWER CONSUMERS IN AN ELECTRICAL POWER GRID - In a method for controlling the electrical power consumption of a plurality of power consumers in an electrical power grid, the power consumers represent network nodes of a distributed communication network made of a plurality of network nodes, in which the power consumers communicate with each other. The network nodes estimate the total power consumption of the network nodes based on the exchange of information with one other network node. Each network node, the power demand of which increases by a required amount of power, compares the total power consumption estimated by same plus the required amount of power to a predefined total power demand of the network nodes and initiates a delivery of the required amount of power from a power provider if the estimated total power demand thereof plus the required amount of power is less than the predefined total power demand by a threshold value. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274940 | CLOUD ENABLED BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM - A method of controlling energy consumption in a building. The method includes receiving occupant request data comprising a plurality of requests, wherein each of the plurality of requests corresponds to one of a plurality of zones in the building wherein the occupant request data is received via a cloud computing resource. The method also includes receiving weather data comprising at least one of current weather measurement data and weather forecast data wherein the weather data is received via a cloud computing resource. In addition, a facility management rule is received via a cloud computing resource. Further, the method includes generating a plurality of output control signals via cloud computing resource, wherein each of the plurality of output control signals is based on one of a plurality of requests and predicted occupant schedules, energy price data and the facility management rule. The control signals are generated by using simulation-based model predictive control method to determine a set of optimized control signals based on optimized energy use or optimized energy cost. The optimized control signals are transmitted to controllers. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274941 | EVENT PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM - A method and apparatus comprising an agent. The agent is configured to receive information from an electrical power grid. The agent is further configured to identify an event from the information. The agent is further configured to classify the event. The agent is further configured to determine whether to initiate an action based on a classification of the event. The agent is further configured to initiate the action in response to a determination to initiate the action. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274942 | RATE BASED POWER MANAGEMENT DEVICE - The present invention is a power management device for connecting a power consuming device to a power source so that the device switches the connection on and off automatically based on the power rate (price per kilowatt-hour) obtained from the power supplier. The user may specify a power usage specification, such as a maximum power rate that the user is willing to pay, and then the device disconnects the power from the power consuming device whenever the power rate is greater than the maximum power rate, and turns it on again when the power rate becomes less than or equal to the maximum power rate. The device includes a programmable controller, wireless and ethernet interfaces and can also act as a wireless access point. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274943 | CONTROLLER, NETWORK SYSTEM AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - Provided is a controller capable of making a user aware of a consumption amount of electricity at a preferred time. A home controller ( | 2013-10-17 |
20130274944 | ELECTRICITY MANAGEMENT APPARATUS AND ELECTRICITY MANAGEMENT METHOD - An electricity management apparatus includes: a communication unit for receiving electricity information through a smart grid electricity information network, or transmitting electricity management information on an electronic device connected to a network through an internal network; a reference value setting unit for setting a total area, and setting a maximum allowable electricity reference value and an inspection electricity reference value corresponding to the set total area; and a controller for performing controlling to determine a management mode for each electronic device connected to the internal network, in consideration of an electricity proportional value comparing a current accumulated used electricity value comparing a current time to a certain time, when a current inspection used electricity value exceeds the set inspection electricity reference value, and to transmit the electricity management information corresponding to the determined management mode. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274945 | PLUG ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALLEVIATING PEAK LOADS - Methods and arrangements for load-shifting time deferrable devices. An electrical load scheduling mechanism is provided, and this is placed in communication with an appliance. Electrical grid load conditions are assessed, and delivery of electrical power to the appliance is scheduled via the electrical load scheduling mechanism. The scheduling includes altering a predetermined delivery of electric power to the appliance based on the assessed electrical grid conditions | 2013-10-17 |
20130274946 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING A POWER PLANT - A power plant for providing alternating current (AC) power to an electrical grid is described. The power plant includes a first power converter couplable to the electrical grid at a first point of interconnection for receiving power from a first power source. The power plant also includes a second power converter couplable to the electrical grid at the first point of interconnection for receiving power from a second power source. The power plant also includes at least one sensor for measuring a voltage level at the first point of interconnection and a central controller for coordinating operation of the first power converter and the second power converter to determine an impedance of the electrical grid. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274947 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROUTING POWER ACROSS MULTIPLE MICROGRIDS HAVING DC AND AC BUSES - Systems and methods are described herein for managing the operations of a plurality of microgrid modules. A microgrid module includes transformers and/or power converters necessary for modifying the input AC or DC power sources to meet the required characteristics of the output power. The micro grid module further comprises a control software module and a power router software module. The control software module receives data from sensors in the microgrid module and controls the flow of power with controllable elements. The power router software module controls the operation of the power router. The power router can detect changes in demand for power within the microgrid module or from other microgrid modules. The power router can adjust the flow of power between the micro grid modules in response to changes in the supply of power to the microgrid module and changes in the demand for power from the microgrid module. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274948 | HEAT SOURCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE NUMBER OF OPERATED DEVICES IN HEAT SOURCE SYSTEM - The need for manual adjustment of a number-of-devices controller when a system is installed or when a new heat source device is added is eliminated, and operation with a high coefficient of performance is possible even when the temperature of a heat-source medium changes. A heat source system ( | 2013-10-17 |
20130274949 | HIERARCHICAL ACCUMULATED VALIDATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present disclosure generally relates to improvements in validating control specifications and more particularly pertains to a system and method to hierarchically validate graphically based executable logic control specifications. This method may include identifying, by a processor for hierarchically validating a graphically based logic control specification, a functional hierarchy of a first application of the control specification comprising a first feature. The method may include executing, by the processor, a specific first feature test case on the first feature to at least one of validate a structure of the first feature and validate that a specific functional requirement of the first feature is met. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274950 | SERVER REQUEST FOR DOWNLOADED INFORMATION FROM A VEHICLE-BASED MONITOR - A system for triggered request for downloaded information from a vehicle-based monitor comprises a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the transmitter and the receiver. The processor is configured to determine whether it is desired to receive one or more data from a vehicle-based monitor. In the event that it is desired to receive one or more data from the vehicle-based monitor, the processor is configured to provide an indication that it is desired to receive the one or more data from the vehicle-based monitor. The processor is configured to receive the one or more data. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274951 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING VEHICLE GENERATED CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS - A system is disclosed having a primary vehicle and a secondary vehicle that is carried by the primary vehicle when not in use. The system further includes at least one of an immobilizing device to immobilize the primary vehicle if the secondary vehicle is removed from the primary vehicle, a data storage device for storing information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, a user interface device for displaying information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, and a user prompt for providing information regarding potential opportunities for use of the secondary vehicle to encourage usage of the secondary vehicle and lower CO2 emissions. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274952 | PREDICTIVE POWERTRAIN CONTROL USING DRIVING HISTORY - A method and powertrain apparatus that predicts a route of travel for a vehicle and predicts powertrain loads and speeds for the predicted route of travel. The predicted powertrain loads and speeds are then used to optimize at least one powertrain operation for the vehicle. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274953 | Vehicle Location Navigation System - An apparatus includes a connector to an on board diagnostic (OBD) port of a vehicle, wireless communications circuitry, a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor the ignition state of the vehicle, and upon detecting an ignition off state, reporting at least the off state to a network-enabled communications appliance wireles sly paired for wireless communication with the apparatus. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274954 | Mobile Asset Data Recorder and Transmitter - An acceleration-based mobile asset data recorder and transmitter equipped with a wireless processing unit, an event recorder, a digital video recorder, a fuel level sensor, and an inertial navigation sensor board. The inertial navigation sensor board includes a 3-axis gyroscope, a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis magnetometer, and a microcontroller. The data recorder and transmitter allows for automatic orientation, automatic compass calibration, fuel compensation with pitch and roll, emergency brake application with impact detection, rough operating condition detection, engine running detection, and inertial navigation of a mobile asset. Users can use the normal operation of their mobile assets to locate and alert, in real-time, areas where their assets are encountering rough operating environments, to provide for quicker emergency response, and to validate the effectiveness of repairs and rerouting. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274955 | Method for analyzing operation characteristics of a vehicle driver - A disclosed method analyzes characteristics of a vehicle driver, especially for insurance purposes. The method is performed by a cooperation of an analyzing vehicle system in a vehicle and a stationary processing unit remote from the vehicle. The analyzing vehicle system determines a driver operation characteristics parameter from the driving vehicle and sends the parameter to the stationary processing unit. The stationary processing unit derives a metric from that parameter as driver operation characteristics. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274956 | System and Method for Vehicle Speed Monitoring Using Historical Speed Data - A target (not-to-exceed) speed for a vehicle over a road segment ahead of the vehicle is established based on a desired relationship with a speed profile of the segment. The speed profile is generated by analyzing a statistical distribution of historical speed data over the segment collected by probe vehicles. A driver alert is activated if the vehicle is likely to exceed the target speed based on at least one measured vehicle dynamic property. The target speed may be established by identifying a baseline road segment over which the vehicle has previously travelled and which is similar to the approaching road segment, comparing a past speed of the vehicle over the baseline segment with a speed profile of the baseline segment to determine a speed differential, and applying the speed differential to the speed profile of the approaching segment. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274957 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECORDING VEHICLE EVENTS AND FOR GENERATING REPORTS CORRESPONDING TO THE RECORDED VEHICLE EVENTS BASED ON DRIVER STATUS - In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for recording events in a vehicle based on driver status of a driver is provided. The apparatus comprises a vehicle interface device. The device is configured to receive a driver status signal indicative of the driver being one of a primary driver and a secondary driver. The device is further configured to receive at least one vehicle event signal corresponding to vehicle events in response to the driver status signal indicating that the driver is the secondary driver and to store the at least one vehicle event signal to record the vehicle events. The device is further configured to generate a report indicating the recorded vehicle events for transmission to at least one of the primary driver and the secondary driver. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274958 | VEHICLE INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - There is provided a vehicle information processing system for assisting a driver in a specified assistance area. The vehicle information processing system includes an operation pattern setting part for setting an operation pattern in the assistance area on the basis of driving operation information of the driver when the driver enters the assistance area and an assistance information determining part for determining assistance information for assisting the driver in the assistance area on the basis of the operation pattern in the assistance area which is set by the operation pattern setting part. According to this structure, it is possible to assist the driver using high-accuracy assistance information corresponding to the operation pattern and thus perform assistance suitable for the driver with high accuracy. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274959 | DRIVING SUPPORT APPARATUS, DRIVING SUPPORT METHOD, AND VEHICLE - An object of the present invention is to provide a technique wherein a traveling lane is set as definitely as possible to perform the warning or the support so that a vehicle is allowed to travel smoothly in the traveling lane. The present invention resides in a driving support apparatus for setting a traveling lane in which a vehicle can travel on the basis of a traveling-prohibited region and performing warning or support so that the vehicle is allowed to travel in the traveling lane if the vehicle is to be departed from the traveling lane; wherein the traveling lane is set while raising a level of reliability as information to recognize the traveling lane from the traveling-prohibited region if the traveling-prohibited region is continuous in a travel direction of the vehicle as compared with if the traveling-prohibited region is discontinuous in the travel direction of the vehicle. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274960 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR UTILIZING A COMMUNICATION CHANNEL OF A MOBILE DEVICE BY A VEHICULAR ASSEMBLY - A system, method, and computer program product are provided for utilizing a communication channel of a mobile device by a vehicular assembly. In operation, a vehicular assembly communicates with a mobile device having a wireless communication channel. Additionally, at least one vehicular assembly function is performed utilizing the wireless communication channel of the mobile device. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274961 | Self Tuning Vibration Isolation System - A system and method to isolate vibrations from a vibrating structure. The system includes an adjustable vibration isolator that creates a reacting force matching the vibratory force of the vibrating structure. The method includes continuously monitoring the reacting force and vibratory force with a sensor system operably associated with a control unit having an algorithm to determine if adjustment of the vibration isolator is required. If required, the control unit commands a driver to selectively adjust the vibration isolator. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274962 | Standby Aircraft Management System - A method and apparatus for operating an aircraft. An aircraft system comprises a housing, a standby aircraft management system, and a backup power system. The standby aircraft management system is associated with the housing and is configured to provide communications, navigation, and control of a number of aircraft systems needed for safe flight and landing of an aircraft in which the standby aircraft management system is located. The backup power system is configured to supply power to the standby aircraft management system when the power is unavailable from the aircraft. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274963 | EXTENSION OF THREE LOOP CONTROL LAWS FOR SYSTEM UNCERTAINTIES, CALCULATION TIME DELAY AND COMMAND QUICKNESS - A system includes a plurality of actuators and a control system operably associated with the plurality of actuators. The control system having a control logic architecture having a dynamic command input shaping model associated with an input command, a robust inner loop associated with the dynamic command input shaping model, and a time delay cancellation model. The method includes selecting a control law based upon a flight performance of an aircraft, decoupling the control law into a first individual component and a second individual component of the aircraft flight motion, analyzing each individual component separately, regrouping the component of flight motion, analyzing the control law with a time delay cancellation model and providing the necessary dynamic flight quickness with a different command input condition. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274964 | FLIGHT DATA MONITORING AND VALIDATION - A computer-implemented flight data monitoring method is provided for monitoring flight data, for example flight data obtained by a flight data recorder or quick access recorder on an aircraft. The method comprises receiving input flight data, performing flight data validation on the input flight data to generate validated flight data, and performing flight data analysis on the validated flight data to detect at least one predetermined type of flight event. The events may be useful for generating an aircraft safety report, for example. By validating the data before performing the analysis, the number of events which are falsely detected based on invalid or unreliable data can be reduced. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274965 | AUTOMATED TAKE OFF CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - Methods and systems for operating an avionics system on-board an aircraft are provided. In one embodiment, data associated with a take off roll is received, one or more v-speeds of the aircraft associated with the take off roll are calculated, and during the take off roll, the aircraft is controlled based on the one or more calculated v-speeds. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274966 | LOAD COMPENSATING DEVICE IN RAILWAY VEHICLES - Disclosed is a load compensating device in railway vehicles, the device including a pressure sensor detecting an air spring pressure in response to loads of the vehicles, an estimation unit outputting an estimated railway vehicle load by estimating each load of a plurality of railway vehicles, and a detection unit outputting a railway vehicle load by detection of fault in the pressure sensor. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274967 | TIERED, SUBTRACTIVE METHOD TO SOLVE A LINEAR CONSTRAINT FUNCTION ASSOCIATED WITH CONTROLLING A HYBRID POWERTRAIN SYSTEM - A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system includes employing a system constraints function to identify a feasible solution for an objective variable that satisfies a plurality of independent and dependent constraints for an objective function. The objective variable is associated with a parameter of the hybrid powertrain system. Upon determining that the system constraints function fails to provide a feasible solution for the objective variable that satisfies all of the independent and dependent constraints, a problem recomposition scheme is executed to remove all of the dependent constraints and then reapply and adjust selected ones of the dependent constraints to obtain a feasible solution for the system constraints function that achieves a preferred state for the objective variable. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274968 | ECO-CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM - An interior comfort control system that allows a driver and/or passenger of an electric vehicle to balance between driving range for the vehicle and interior comfort and thereby obtain an optimum driving range-interior comfort combination. The interior comfort control system can include an electric vehicle having an interior and an interior comfort control module (ICCM). The ICCM can have an Off-Mode, a Normal-Mode, and an Eco-Mode with the Normal-Mode operable to reach a desired vehicle interior temperature using a first air temperature change rate and the Eco-Mode operable to reach the same desired vehicle interior temperature using a second air temperature change rate, the second air temperature change rate being less than the first air temperature change rate. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274969 | Feed Forward and Feedback Adjustment of Motor Torque During Clutch Engagement - A hybrid electric vehicle having a motor and an engine that are selectively connected on a driveline and controlled by a controller. The controller is configured to schedule additional motor torque to compensate for engine inertia drag based upon a clutch pressure value and a clutch slip speed value during a period of clutch engagement. The controller is also configured to maintain vehicle acceleration using a proportional integral controller to adjust the motor torque during a period of clutch engagement. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274970 | POWER LIMITING SYSTEM AND METHOD BASED UPON BRAKE ROTOR TEMPERATURE DETERMINATION - A brake rotor temperature determination or estimation system and method for controlling output power of a power source in a vehicle. The system includes a brake rotor, a processor, a memory, a speed sensor and a temperature sensor. The speed sensor senses a speed of the vehicle. The temperature sensor senses a temperature of a brake rotor or ambient air in a vicinity of the brake rotor. Based upon data stored in the memory and inputs from the speed sensor or the temperature sensor, the processor determines if an output power of the power source should be limited based on rotor temperature thresholds. The power limits may be defined as discrete power limits corresponding to the particular thresholds of rotor temperature or may be defined as interpolated data values along a linear or nonlinear ramp or slope. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274971 | ADJUSTABLE REGENERATIVE LIMIT AND WARNING SYSTEM - An adjustable regenerative limit and warning system and method for controlling regenerative energy of a vehicle. The system includes a battery, a motor, a processor and an indicator. The motor provides regenerative energy to the battery during deceleration of the vehicle. The processor determines instantaneous or calculated traction loss of the vehicle and controls or limits the regenerative energy provided to the battery to avoid or reduce such traction loss. A drive mode having a predetermined regenerative energy capability is selected by the processor for limiting the regenerative energy. Sensors coupled with the battery sense characteristics of the battery for provision to the processor for determining a charge capability of the battery. If the charge capability for the battery is lower than the regenerative energy capable by the drive mode, the regenerative energy may be further limited and a warning or notification transmitted to a user of the vehicle. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274972 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A ONE-TIME DEPARTURE SCHEDULE SETUP FOR CHARGING BATTERY-ELECTRIC VEHICLES - A method and a system for making a one-time change to a primary departure schedule of a battery-electric vehicle for charging or pre-climate operations without affecting the future departure times of the primary departure schedule. The system can be a vehicle including an ECU, a memory, a battery, a charger connected to an external power source, a BMS, an HVAC and a display. The method may include receiving an alternate departure date and time different from the primary departure schedule, deactivating the charging or pre-climate operations based on the primary departure schedule and activating charging or pre-climate operations based on the alternate departure date and time. The method and system may also include receiving an immediate charge mode designation, deactivating the charging or pre-climate operations based on the primary schedule and immediately activating the charging operations without affecting the primary departure schedule. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274973 | STAIR CLIMBING WHEELED VEHICLE, AND SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MAKING AND USING SAME - A wheeled vehicle comprising a power-driven spider assembly for ascending and descending stairs. The vehicle includes an angular position sensor providing input to a controller operable to control a servo-motor to effectively lock the position of the spider relative to the frame, regardless of the hand truck's spatial orientation relative to a vertical plane, or any balancing of the hand truck. The angular position sensor provides input to the controller, which is programmed with predefined angular zones of instability, and causes the controller to accelerate rotation of the spiders through those zones when the wheeled vehicle is in the descent mode, to avoid instability of the hand truck. A hand truck may include a removable basket and/or a pivotable platform usable to transport loads. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274974 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING STATE OF CHARGE DISPLAY SEGMENTS AND RANGE - A method and a system for changing the segments of an SOC indicator of a vehicle at non-linear rates or for changing the number of the segments in an on state more slowly when the SOC is high or low as opposed to when the SOC is in the middle range. The system can be implemented with a vehicle including a battery, a sensor, a processor, a controller and a display. The method may include determining a display SOC based on the SOC of the vehicle, providing, by a display, three sets of lights including a low-SOC set, a middle-SOC set, and a high-SOC set, each light is illuminated or de-illuminated based on whether the display SOC has changed by an amount greater than the light's assigned power increment or decrement, where the middle-SOC power increments and decrements are less than the low-SOC or high-SOC power increments and decrements. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274975 | DIVERSION OF ENERGY FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING - A regenerative braking system for a vehicle utilizing diversion of energy for efficient use or maintaining consistent vehicle performance. The regenerative braking system includes a generator for producing regenerative energy during slowing and includes switches connected to a battery and a plurality of devices. A processor is connected with the battery and the switches for controlling the configuration of the switches based on a characteristic of the battery. If the battery has a state of charge exceeding a predetermined threshold, the processor controls the switches to route the regenerative energy to the other devices. The processor also controls the switches to provide regenerative energy to specific devices where it may most desirably be utilized. Heating and cooling units of the vehicle may be alternatively or simultaneously connected to receive the regenerative energy for providing consistent vehicle slowing performance when the battery state of charge exceeds the predetermined threshold. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274976 | VEHICLE, CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - The disclosed vehicle, control method, and program lead to improved fuel consumption, durability, and stability. When the vehicle starts to move, a clutch control performs controls so as to set the clutch to a half clutch state, in which a part of the motive force is transmitted, and thereafter to a connected state, in which the entire motive power is transmitted. When the clutch is the half clutch state, an electric motor control unit controls an electric motor to generate an assist torque when the vehicle starts to move equal to the difference between the torque requested by the driver and the idling torque generated when the engine is idling. The disclosed invention can be applied to hybrid vehicles. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274977 | HYBRID VEHICLE AND CONTROL METHOD FOR HYBRID VEHICLE - A hybrid vehicle intermittently operates and stops an engine, travels through control over torque generated by the engine and torque generated by a second motor generator, causes a fuel vapor gas purge system to carry out purging of fuel vapor gas when a predetermined condition, including a condition that a coolant temperature is higher than or equal to a permissible temperature, is satisfied, and sets the permissible temperature to a value lower when a specific driving operation state that includes a state where the number of times of accelerator operation per unit time is higher than or equal to a threshold has been detected than when the specific driving operation state has not been detected. When the specific driving operation state has been detected, the hybrid vehicle increases the updating rate of a concentration learned value of fuel vapor gas, and decreases the rate of increase in target purge rate. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274978 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR OPERATION - A control device for a hybrid vehicle, comprising a hybrid drive with an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, wherein the control device, during a purely electric powered operation, compares an actual position of a crankshaft angle of the internal combustion engine with a target position for an auxiliary activation of the internal combustion engine or a target position range for an auxiliary activation of the internal combustion engine, and wherein the control device then, when said device determines that the actual position deviates from the target position by more than a limit value, determines at least one actuating variable, on the basis of which the actual position of the crankshaft angle can be altered such that, prior to the auxiliary activation of the internal combustion engine, the actual position deviates from the target position by less than the limit value, or lies within the target position range. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274979 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A HYBRID VEHICLE - A method for operating a hybrid vehicle comprises conducting unfire operation in an internal-combustion engine in a fuel cut-off mode during a hybrid-mode ride in deceleration of the internal-combustion engine, disconnecting the internal-combustion engine from an output while maintaining the fuel cut-off mode, and reducing a transmission capacity of a clutch configured to couple the internal-combustion engine and an electric motor. During a hybrid-mode ride in deceleration of the internal-combustion engine for transition to the purely electric drive, the internal-combustion engine may be disconnected from the output and shut down. When the internal-combustion engine is operated unfired in a fuel cut-off mode, the internal-combustion engine may be disconnected from the output and shut down by reducing the transmission capacity of the clutch that is connected between the internal-combustion engine and the electric motor. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274980 | VEHICLE DRIVE FORCE CONTROL DEVICE - Provided herein is a vehicle drive force control. When a driver requests to start the vehicle with the brake OFF and depresses the accelerator pedal, a target drive torque exceeds a gradient load. To avoid excess current being supplied to the motor, the upper limit of motor speed, which is the input speed of a second clutch, is set to a value less than a slip detectable limit value at which it becomes possible to detect slip rotation, i.e. the difference over the output side rotation speed. When the target drive torque exceeds the gradient load, the lower limit of the input speed of the second clutch (the motor speed) is set to a value equal to or greater than the slip detectable limit value so that the required driving force can be achieved by the gradient load corresponding driving force control. | 2013-10-17 |
20130274981 | Method for Operating a Hybrid Vehicle - A method is provided for operating a hybrid vehicle equipped with an internal-combustion engine and an electric drive for generating vehicle propulsion. The vehicle selectively is driven in a first operating mode exclusively by the electric drive or in a second operating mode is driven by the internal combustion engine and by the electric drive, or in a third operating mode is driven exclusively by the internal combustion engine. In the first operating mode, the driver predefines a desired driving torque via a selection element. The first operating mode is maintained even if the desired driving torque is greater than a maximal driving torque that can presently be supplied by the electric motor. | 2013-10-17 |