04th week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 51 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140025159 | AXIALLY-RADIALLY NESTED EXPANDABLE DEVICE - Expandable medical implants for maintaining support of a body lumen are disclosed. These implants comprise an axially-radially nested, diametrically expandable, moveable vascular device for enlarging an occluded portion of a vessel. The device can be configured to allow for motion such as translating and/or slide and lock. One advantage of the axially-radially nested stent is that it maintains the expanded size, without significant recoil. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025160 | IMPLANTABLE PROSTHESIS HAVING THROUGH-HOLES - A prosthesis for intraluminal drug delivery can comprise a plurality of interconnected struts and links that form a tubular structure. The struts and links can have luminal surfaces facing radially inward, abluminal surfaces facing radially outward, and side surfaces connecting the luminal surfaces to the abluminal surfaces. At least some of the struts and links have through-holes in the side surfaces. At least some of the through-holes contain a drug, which can be carried in a polymer matrix. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025161 | SHAPE MEMORY BIORESORBABLE POLYMER PERIPHERAL SCAFFOLDS - Bioabsorbable scaffolds having high crush recoverability, high fracture resistance, and reduced or no recoil due to self expanding properties at physiological conditions are disclosed. The scaffolds are made from a random copolymer of PLLA and a rubbery polymer such as polycaprolactone. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025162 | SIDE BRANCHED ENDOLUMINAL PROSTHESES AND METHODS OF DELIVERY THEREOF - An expandable prosthetic device and method of delivery that allows the initial placement of multiple guidewires into selected target sites. The prosthesis includes a main body device. This main body device has a separate side branch guidewire lumen that passes through the main body device and through a side opening in the main body device. As the main body device is advanced, the side opening is self guided (by the side branch guidewire) and self-aligns to the side branch vessel ostium. The main body device is then deployed, leaving the side branch guidewire in place. A side branch device is then advanced along the side branch guidewire through the main body device, through the side wall opening and into the native side branch vessel. The side branch device can then be deployed to engage the main body device and the native side branch vessel. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025163 | SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SURGICAL AND PRECUTANEOUS REPLACEMENT OF A VALVE - The systems, devices and methods relate surgical and percutaneous replacement of a valve. The devices may include a frame and artificial leaflets. The devices may include one frame or two frames. The devices may also include a stent device in which the implant valve device may be implanted. The devices may also include a valve retainer device. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025164 | Disk-Based Valve Apparatus and Method for the Treatment of Valve Dysfunction - The present invention comprises a novel and safer mechanism of deployment using a self-positioning, self-centering, and self-anchoring method. To embody the present invention, a disk-based valve apparatus allowing the repositioning and retrieval of the implantable valve while working on a dysfunctional valve structure is disclosed. The disk-based valve apparatus may comprise one or more disks, either proximal or distal, a valve-housing component and a valve component. The one or more disks may be either proximal or distal, may be either connected to each other or disconnected from each other and may either be symmetrical or have different shapes and dimensions. The disk-based valve apparatus may be self anchoring, such as anchored by pressure from the one or more disk, or may be anchored using any anchoring. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025165 | INTRAOCULAR LENS DESIGN METHOD AND INTRAOCULAR LENS - Provided is a technique which, in the design of intraocular lenses, simplifies design work and makes it possible for aberration of the entire eyeball to more precisely match a target value when the designed intraocular lens is inserted into a patient's eye. This intraocular lens design method involves deriving an intraocular lens aberration target value from the aberration of the cornea and anterior chamber and a set value of the total eyeball aberration (S | 2014-01-23 |
20140025166 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR STABILIZING TISSUE AND IMPLANTS - An implant for repairing a joint between a first bone and a second bone includes a first section constructed of a substantially rigid material and a graft constructed of soft tissue having a first end and a second end. The first section has a first end surface configured for positioning against the first bone. The graft is configured for stabilizing the first section relative to the first bone. A first fastener is configured for mounting to the graft and the first section to anchor the graft to the first section. A second fastener is configured for mounting to the graft and the first bone to anchor the graft to the first bone. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025167 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CERVICAL DISTRACTION FOR REOPERATIVE PROCEDURES - A system is disclosed for distracting a disc space in a cervical spine at a level adjacent to a previously operated disc space where, in the previous surgery, a cervical plate has been applied to the anterior of the spine to span the previously operated upon disc space and where the cervical plate is attached to the vertebrae bodies on opposite sides of the previously operated upon disc space with the cervical plate covering at least a portion of the vertebrae bodies. A conventional distractor post is screwed into a third vertebrae body, and a second distractor post or member is fixedly and removably secured to the cervical plate. A conventional distractor instrument is applied to the posts of both distractor posts for applying a distraction force to the vertebrae bodies delimiting the disc space to be operated upon. A surgical method of distraction is also disclosed. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025168 | 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. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025169 | Expandable Intervertebral Implant and Associated Method of Manufacturing The Same - An expandable intervertebral implant ( | 2014-01-23 |
20140025170 | EXPANDING INTERBODY IMPLANT AND ARTICULATING INSERTER AND METHOD - A device to space vertebral members with first and second members that may have at least one ramped section. The first and second members may be positioned in a vertically overlapping arrangement with interior sides of the members facing together. The device may be positionable between a first orientation with the ramped section of the first member positioned away from the ramped section of the second member, and a second orientation with the ramped section of the first member positioned against the ramped section of the second member. The device may include a greater height measured between the exterior sides in the second orientation than in the first orientation. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025171 | DEVICES FOR DISTRACTING TISSUE LAYERS OF THE HUMAN SPINE - The present invention relates to methods of separating, supporting or both separating and supporting layers of tissue in the human spine. Such methods generally comprise inserting at least one member between layers of tissue in the human spine and changing the configuration of the member to define a support structure between the tissue layers. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025172 | LOCKABLE IMPLANTS AND RELATED METHODS - Total joint replacements for implants include a first member configured to attach to a first bone, a second member configured to reside in an adjacent second bone and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is configured to (i) lock the first and second members in alignment for full extension or other defined stabilized configuration and (ii) unlock to allow the first and second members to pivot relative to each other for flexion or bending. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025173 | GLENOID IMPLANTS HAVING ADJUSTABLE BASE PLATES - A glenoid implant for a shoulder prosthesis is adapted to be implanted in the glenoid of a patient. The glenoid implant includes an articular body for articulating the glenoidal implant with a humeral component. A plate supports the articular body. An anchoring mechanism for anchoring the glenoid implant along an anchoring axis is adapted to be secured to the glenoid. A securing mechanism secures the plate in position relative to the anchoring mechanism and the glenoid. An adjustment mechanism facilitates selectively adjusting the position of the plate, before it is secured in position by the securing mechanism, in rotation about the anchoring axis and in translation transversely relative to the anchoring axis. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025174 | LOCKABLE KNEE IMPLANTS AND RELATED METHODS - Total knee replacements for hinged knee implants include a tibial member, a femoral member, a hinge assembly having a laterally extending axle configured to hingedly attach the femoral member to the tibial member, and a lock mechanism in communication with the hinge assembly. The lock mechanism is configured to (i) lock the femoral member in alignment with the tibial member for a full extension or other defined stabile walking configuration to thereby allow an arthrodesis or stiff knee gait and (ii) unlock to allow the femoral and tibial members to pivot relative to each other for flexion or bending when not ambulating. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025175 | ASYMMETRIC TIBIAL COMPONENTS FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS - An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with an asymmetric periphery which promotes proper positioning and orientation on a resected tibia, while also facilitating enhanced kinematics, soft-tissue interaction, and long-term fixation of the complete knee prosthesis. The asymmetric baseplate periphery is sized and shaped to substantially match portions of the periphery of a typical resected proximal tibial surface, such that proper location and orientation is evident by resting the baseplate on the tibia. The baseplate periphery provides strategically positioned relief and/or clearance between the baseplate periphery and bone periphery, such as in the posterior-medial portion to prevent deep-flexion component impingement, and in the anterior-lateral portion to avoid undue interaction between the anatomic iliotibial band and prosthesis components. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025176 | ASYMMETRIC TIBIAL COMPONENTS FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS - An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with an asymmetric periphery which promotes proper positioning and orientation on a resected tibia, while also facilitating enhanced kinematics, soft-tissue interaction, and long-term fixation of the complete knee prosthesis. The asymmetric baseplate periphery is sized and shaped to substantially match portions of the periphery of a typical resected proximal tibial surface, such that proper location and orientation is evident by resting the baseplate on the tibia. The baseplate periphery provides strategically positioned relief and/or clearance between the baseplate periphery and bone periphery, such as in the posterior-medial portion to prevent deep-flexion component impingement, and in the anterior-lateral portion to avoid undue interaction between the anatomic iliotibial band and prosthesis components. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025177 | ASYMMETRIC TIBIAL COMPONENTS FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS - An orthopaedic tibial prosthesis includes a tibial baseplate with an asymmetric periphery which promotes proper positioning and orientation on a resected tibia, while also facilitating enhanced kinematics, soft-tissue interaction, and long-term fixation of the complete knee prosthesis. The asymmetric baseplate periphery is sized and shaped to substantially match portions of the periphery of a typical resected proximal tibial surface, such that proper location and orientation is evident by resting the baseplate on the tibia. The baseplate periphery provides strategically positioned relief and/or clearance between the baseplate periphery and bone periphery, such as in the posterior-medial portion to prevent deep-flexion component impingement, and in the anterior-lateral portion to avoid undue interaction between the anatomic iliotibial band and prosthesis components. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025178 | Interlocking Reverese Hip and Revision Prosthesis - A reverse hip prosthesis comprising an acetabular cup for implanting in an acetabular socket. The acetabular cup is secured to the acetabular socket. The acetabular cup has a stem extending from the center of a concave portion thereof and an acetabular ball is attached to the stem. A femoral implant has a femoral cup attached to the proximal end thereof. The femoral cup has a stem which can be made with several stem lengths in order to accommodate the various sizing requirements of patients. After implantation of the acetabular cup and ball and the femoral cup, the members are assembled together so that the femoral cup can articulate on the acetabular ball. The prosthesis of the invention has a wide range of motion and substantially improved tribology. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025179 | BRITTLE BIOCOMPATIBLE COMPOSITES AND METHODS - Reticulated composites are formed with a thin coating of a ductile biocompatible metal such as tantalum on a brittle biocompatible substrate such as vitreous carbon. Such composites exhibit physical properties that permit these monolithic composites to be morselized, or sized and shaped manually. Such composites exhibit surfaces with excellent ductile metal biocompatibility properties, but with strength and fracture physical properties that are more characteristic of the brittle substrate than of the ductile metal. Such composites fracture easily, and may be morselized or worked by manual sizing and shaping. Such morselization and working is accomplished by breaking or fracturing the composite, rather than plastically deforming it. Morselized or manually shaped reticulated composites exhibit excellent biocompatibility characteristics with micro- and nano-textured surfaces that promote rapid bone ingrowth and adhesion. When the composite is broken, the substrate is exposed. The presence of exposed substrate does not significantly impair the biocompatibility of these composites. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025180 | Anti-Migration Biliary Stent and Method - A stent and a method for implanting the stent are provided. The stent includes a generally tubular body having a lumen defined therethrough. The body includes a proximal portion having a curved portion where the curved portion is configured for placement proximal to a sphincter. The body also includes a substantially straight distal portion having first and second retaining members. The second retaining member is positioned on the distal portion and the first retaining member is positioned proximal to the second retaining member. The first and second retaining members are positioned on a common longitudinal axis extending along a wall of the distal portion and the first and second retaining members extend away from the body in a common direction so that a free end of the first retaining member and a free end of the second retaining member extend away from a distal end of the body. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025181 | METALLIC STRUCTURES HAVING POROUS REGIONS FROM IMAGED BONE AT PRE-DEFINED ANATOMIC LOCATIONS - A method of forming an implant having a porous region replicated from scanned bone, the method comprising imaging bone with a high resolution digital scanner to generate a three-dimensional design model of the bone; removing a three-dimensional section from the design model; fabricating a porous region on a digital representation of the implant by replacing a solid portion of the digital implant with the section removed from the digital representation; and using an additive manufacturing technique to create a physical implant including the fabricated porous region. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025182 | Small Motor Controller - A small motor controller (SMC) system includes a motor configured to control a position of a rotor, a sensor configured to detect position information of the rotor by detecting a feature on the rotor, the sensor including a detection zone having a first side and a second side, and a motor control unit. The motor control unit is configured to determine a position of the rotor corresponding to one of the first side of the detection zone and the second side of the detection zone based on whether the feature on the rotor is detected crossing the first side or the second side, respectively. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025183 | POLYMERIC PROSTHETIC AND ORTHOTIC DEVICES WITH HEAT CONTROL CAPABILITIES - Prosthetic liners, prosthetic sockets and prosthetic suspension sleeves, as well as orthotic components, having enhanced thermally conductivity and/or enhanced heat absorption capabilities. Such components may be used in various combinations to create assemblies and systems that are operative to better transfer heat away from and/or absorb heat produced by residual or intact limbs of a user. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025184 | Line Communication Method - Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods to communicate data over at least one wire line between units each associated with a control system. In an exemplary embodiment, a conditioned input AC signal serves as a reference signal for data to be transmitted. In phase or out of phase state of the conditioned reference signals is determined by dividing the reference signal into predetermined number of segments, generating a template signal frame and a data signal frame at predetermined segments, generating an interrupt signal in each control system on a predetermined location on the reference signal, logically ORing the template and data signal frames, transmitting the ORed signal, and analyzing the ORed signal to determine phase of the reference signal provided to each control system. If the reference signal is out of phase, the interrupting signal is shifted to correct the out of phase state of the reference signal. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025185 | NUMERICAL CONTROLLER FOR COMMUNICATION WITH I/O UNITS - A numerical controller is chain-connected with a plurality of I/O units so that it transmits DI/DO signals to and receives DI/DO signals from the I/O units by master-slave communication. The numerical controller counts signals generated by a timer circuit up to a predetermined number and sets, from among the plurality of I/O units, an I/O unit with which transfer of the DI/DO signals is to be performed for each count value. The DI/DO signals of the set I/O units are transferred according to the count value. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025186 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DEVICE COMMISSIONING AND DECOMMISSIONING - The embodiments described herein include a system and a method. In one embodiment, a system a system includes a commissioning system configured to operatively couple a field device to a control system. The system further includes a decommissioning system configured to operatively uncouple the field device from the control system. The system additionally includes a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to use the commissioning system, the decommissioning system, or a combination thereof, to operatively couple the field device to the control system, operatively uncouple the field device to the control system, or a combination thereof, by using a plurality of field device states. A linking device is configured to communicatively couple the field device to the control system. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025187 | Knowledge Quest Game Platform & Experience - A method, a system, and a computer program product for enhancing user experience at large scale events are disclosed. User-related information from a user is obtained from the user. A list of activities designed specifically for the user to perform is generated based on the obtained user-related information. At least one activity contained in the generated list of activities is performing using a computing device of the user. A result based on the at least one performed activity is generated. A predetermined value is assigned to the generated result. The generated results for all performed activities on the list of activities is accumulated. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025188 | DESIGN-TO-ORDER PERFORMANCE EQUIPMENT - Customization systems and methods are described in relation to performance devices and apparatus using a closed-loop feedback process for exploration, design and improvement of devices including performance devices. Crowdsourced knowledge bases, iterative improvements and centralized statistical, semantical and other technical analyses are employed to modify a baseline design. A baseline model defining modifications to a base device necessary to obtain a master device including modifications calculated to improve performance of the master device over the base device. Manufacturing instructions including CNC code can be produced and used to causes the production machine to manufacture the customized device. A design-to-order system is described as having of a simplified user interface, a queuing system, CAD/CAM capability and a repository of stored baseline models. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025189 | Method for Target Driven Charting in Flat Sheet Industries - Optimal charting patterns for charting of raw rolls/sheets from flat sheet industry are produced with a processing system and includes the steps of: (a) receiving user selected business objectives; (b) receiving user selected business preferences; (c) setting targets for user selected business preferences; (d) establishing charting constraint sets; (e) generating charting patterns based on user selected business objectives and targets for user selected business preferences; and (f) selecting charting patterns based on targets for user selected business preference using an objective function, wherein the objective function includes terms related to the user selected business objectives. Target driven charting assists users in knowing the bounds (upper and/or lower) of the values for various business objectives for an individual charting run. The analysis of bounds allows for explicit understanding of the trade-offs between various business objectives and enables users to prioritize their business goals separately for each charting batch or run. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025190 | Single-Action Three-Dimensional Model Printing Methods - Methods and techniques of using 3D printers to create physical models from image data are discussed. Geometric representations of different physical models are described and complex data conversion processes that convert input image data into geometric representations compatible with third party 3D printers are disclosed. Printing templates are used to encapsulate complex geometric representations and complicated data conversion processes from users for fast and simple 3D physical model printing applications. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025191 | Numerically Controlled Workpiece Processing Apparatuses and Related Methods - A method of processing structurally identical workpieces using a numerically controlled workpiece processing apparatus includes processing a first workpiece according to a first desired tool path specified for a tool of the numerically controlled workpiece processing apparatus by closed-loop controlling a working distance between the tool and the workpiece to achieve a defined desired distance, such that when processing the first workpiece, the tool is moved along a distance-controlled actual tool path. The method further includes optimizing the first desired tool path for a second workpiece based on the distance-controlled actual tool path of the first workpiece to provide a second desired tool path and processing the second workpiece according to the second desired tool path. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025192 | Machining Support Apparatus and Machining Support System - In order to easily verify an operation of the machine tool, a machining support apparatus includes a machining monitoring unit | 2014-01-23 |
20140025193 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PART - A method for producing a part is provided, the method including the following: a first step of a computer-aided simulation for a plurality of cross-sections of the part based on a 3D cross-sectional model and obtaining a first result, which represents shrinkage of the part basically caused by thermal and/or chemical reactions; a second step of a further computer-aided simulation for the plurality of cross-sections of the part based on a 2D shell model and obtaining a second result, which represents shrinkage of the part basically caused by thermal and/or chemical reactions; determining a scale factor for the second result in such a way that the second result corresponds to the first result; determining scale factors for any cross-sections which are between two adjacent cross-sections from the plurality of cross-sections, by interpolation; predicting a distortion of the part; and producing the part based on the predicted distortion of the part. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025194 | NUMERICAL CONTROLLER INCLUDING CORNER MULTIPLE CURVES INSERTING UNIT - A numerical controller configured to control a machine tool for machining the workpiece on the basis of a machining program composed of a plurality of blocks includes a corner multiple curves inserting unit. This corner multiple curves inserting unit inserts, between consecutive two blocks, three cubic polynomial curves in which a position, a direction and a curvature are continuous and the distances from these two blocks are within a prescribed allowable tolerance, if a direction or a curvature between these two blocks is discontinuous in the machining program. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025195 | Computer Numerical Control Devices Employing Accelerometers And Associated Feedback Method - A computer numerical control (CNC) device includes an integral accelerometer. A method of improving the accuracy CNC devices comprises integrating an accelerometer within the reader head of a linear feedback system. The feedback-system preferably incorporates acceleration feedback along with position feedback. The present CNC device can be incorporated in, and the method can be implemented for, machines including mills, lathes, routers, grinders, robotic devices, optical feedback systems, linear optical encodes, rotary optical encoders, servo drives and servo motors. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025196 | BOLT JOINING METHOD AND TOOLS THEREFOR - A method for carrying out a stud joining process by a tool performing a working step on a workpiece and the working step is carried out while taking into account at least one parameter value which is selected from a set of values, and the working step is to be carried out at a certain position on the workpiece, and the position determines the parameter value. The method comprises the steps of: storing the parameter value for the position in an RFID transponder; locating the RFID transponder on the workpiece in the region of the position before the working step is carried out, reading the parameter value out from the RFID transponder with an RFID communication device associated with the tool. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025197 | Apparatus for the automated Handling of workpieces - An apparatus for the automated handling of workpieces comprising an object recognition device for detecting the workpiece and a gripper arranged at a gripping arm for picking the workpieces and a control for evaluating the data of the object recognition device, for track planning and for controlling the gripping arm and the gripper and comprising a compensation unit which allows an evasion movement of the gripper, wherein the compensation unit only allows an evasion movement of the gripper on the exceeding of a predefined first load of the gripping arm and remains rigid below the first load, wherein the first load is larger than a load exerted on the gripping arm solely by the gripper and/or the picked workpiece. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025198 | Apparatus for the automated detection and removal of workpieces - An apparatus for the automated detection and removal of workpieces comprising an object recognition device for detecting the workpieces and a gripper for picking the workpieces; and a gripper for picking the workpieces; and a control for evaluating the data of the object recognition device, for track planning and for controlling the gripper, wherein the object recognition device is arranged at a travel arrangement by which it can be traveled from a position of rest into at least one measuring position and back. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025199 | OBJECT DISPENSER HAVING A VARIABLE ORIFICE AND IMAGE IDENTIFICATION - A method and apparatus for dispensing objects from automated storage and retrieval systems such as medications is disclosed which may also include a singulator to assure singulation (retrieval of singular objects). The singulator may be an imaging system to confirm and/or identify the objects being dispensed and/or a variable orifice dynamically adjustable to a specific object or pill size, and through which only a single object or pill is allowed to pass. The system may further include a flexible probe so as to reduce the size of the system where the movement of the probe relative to or while retrieving objects is accomplished by advancing/retracting a flexible tube. The method and apparatus may further include an imaging system. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025200 | SHARED CASH HANDLER - A cash hander can be coupled with multiple vending machines or other devices to enable the vending machines to accept cash. Through various interactions, the cash handler can provide status updates to the vending machines and relinquish control a particular vending machine to accept cash for that vending machine. The cash handler can also maintain a queue to manage and/or prioritize requests from vending machines to accept cash. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025201 | METHOD FOR PLANNING PATH FOR AUTONOMOUS WALKING HUMANOID ROBOT - The present invention provides a method for planning a path for an autonomous walking humanoid robot that takes an autonomous walking step using environment map information, the method comprising: an initialization step of initializing path input information of the autonomous walking humanoid robot using origin information, destination information, and the environment map information; an input information conversion step of forming a virtual robot including information on the virtual robot obtained by considering the radius and the radius of gyration of the autonomous walking humanoid robot based on the initialized path input information; a path generation step of generating a path of the virtual robot using the virtual robot information, the origin information S, the destination information G, and the environment map information; and an output information conversion step of converting the path of the autonomous walking humanoid robot based on the virtual robot path generated in the path generation step. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025202 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system includes: a robot arm; a robot hand provided on the robot arm; a contact unit provided on the robot hand for rotating a rotation body of a rotation device which includes the rotation body capable of housing a work and a fixed part rotatably supporting the rotation body and which performs a predetermined process on the work; a detection unit configured to detect a detection target part provided on the rotation body; and a first control unit configured to control operation of the robot arm and the robot hand so that the contact unit rotates the rotation body up to a predetermined rotational position according to a result of detecting the detection target part by the detection unit. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025203 | COLLISION DETECTION SYSTEM, COLLISION DETECTION DATA GENERATOR, AND ROBOT - A collision detection system includes a memory unit that stores first collision detection data corresponding to a first object and second collision detection data corresponding to a second object as collision detection data of objects, and a processing unit that performs a collision determination between the first object and the second object in the world coordinate system based on the first collision detection data and the second collision detection data. The memory unit stores representative point data obtained by discretization of depth map data of the objects as seen from a predetermined viewpoint in model coordinate systems of the objects using cubic areas set in the model coordinate systems as the collision detection data. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025204 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A SAFETY DEVICE FOR A HANDLING DEVICE, SAFETY DEVICE FOR A HANDLING DEVICE, AND HANDLING DEVICE - In a method for operating a safety device for a handling device, e.g., an industrial robot having a movable gripper device and at least one sensor device at least largely surrounding the gripper device for recognizing at least possible collisions with objects located in the motion path of the gripper device, a signal is output to a control unit upon recognizing a collision risk, resulting in a modified motion sequence of the gripper device on its motion path, which modified motion sequence is a controlled reduction in the motion velocity of the gripper device. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025205 | CONTROL SYSTEM, PROGRAM, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT - A control system includes a force sensor that has a mechanical mechanism (e.g., an end effector) and N (N is an integer equal to or more than two) triaxial force sensor units, acquires unit output values to which values resulting from the mechanical mechanism have been added from the respective triaxial force sensor units of the N triaxial force sensor units, and outputs force sense values based on the unit output values, a force sense value corrector that corrects the force sense values based on the force sense values output by the force sensor, and a controller that performs control of mechanical equipment (e.g., a robot) including the mechanical mechanism based on the force sense values corrected in the force sense value corrector. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025206 | DRUG MIXING PREPARATION MANAGING APPARATUS, DRUG MIXING PREPARATION MANAGING SYSTEM AND CONTROL PROGRAM - A method of managing a drug mixing preparation process includes obtaining a mixed injection preparation instruction (e.g., a prescription) and displaying a screen for an operator (e.g., a nurse) to make changes to the preparation instruction. When a change is made by the operator, a connection is made to an information processing terminal (e.g., a remote computer terminal, a smart phone, or tablet device) though a network and, a user (e.g., a doctor) of the information processing terminal is requested to approve the change to the preparation instruction entered by the operator. If the change is approved, a mixed injection preparation process is managed accordance with the changed preparation instructions. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025207 | COOLING SYSTEM CONTROL APPARATUS - A control apparatus is configured for adjusting a control value for a refrigerating machine of a cooling system and performing control of the cooling system in conformity with an environmental condition. A controller has a data base having environmental condition cells in which control values for the refrigerating machine are respectively registered in association with respective environmental conditions. The control apparatus outputs a control value suitable for the present cooling state to the refrigerating machine, registers the control value in an environmental condition cell conformed with the present environmental condition and changes the control value to construct the data base when the environmental condition varies, the controller refers to an environmental condition cell conformed with the environmental condition, corrects a control value registered at the environmental condition cell in accordance with a tendency that the control value has been changed, and outputs the corrected control value to the refrigerating machine. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025208 | Distributed Thermal Management System for Servers - An approach is provided in which a master thermal controller utilizes a primary fan manager to control fans included in a computer system to cool various devices. When the master thermal controller determines that the primary fan manager is unresponsive, the master thermal controller transfers master thermal control to a backup thermal controller. The backup thermal controller creates fan control information based upon sensor information corresponding to the various devices, and sends the fan control information to a backup fan manager. In turn, the backup fan manager adjusts the speed of the fans according to the fan control information. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025209 | THERMOSTAT WITH ELECTRONIC IMAGE DISPLAY - A programmable controller for homes and/or buildings and their related grounds, such as thermostat, that has a display and an external interface. The external interface may be use for uploading electronic images and/or other information from an external data source, and may use the uploaded electronic images and/or other information for programming and/or updating the controller and/or for viewing the electronic images and/or other information on the display of the controller. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025210 | NONLINEAR MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL FOR CHEMICAL LOOPING PROCESS - A control system for optimizing a chemical looping (“CL”) plant includes a reduced order mathematical model (“ROM”) that is designed by eliminating mathematical terms that have minimal effect on the outcome. A non-linear optimizer provides various inputs to the ROM and monitors the outputs to determine the optimum inputs that are then provided to the CL plant. An estimator estimates the values of various internal state variables of the CL plant. The system has one structure adapted to control a CL plant that only provides pressure measurements in the CL loops A and B, a second structure adapted to a CL plant that provides pressure measurements and solid levels in both loops A, and B, and a third structure adapted to control a CL plant that provides full information on internal state variables. A final structure provides a neural network NMPC controller to control operation of loops A and B. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025211 | DYNAMIC ASSESSMENT SYSTEM FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - A dynamic assessment system for monitoring high-voltage electrical components, which includes a computer system that is configured to receive data from a plurality of on-line sensors configured to monitor various operating parameters associated with the operation of a plurality of electrical components such as a plurality of electrical transformers. The computer system is configured to automatically and continuously correlate the data from the on-line sensors with data from various off-line databases and supervisory networks associated with monitoring the operation of the power distribution network, so as to generate dynamic operating condition assessments, including risk of failure assessments, of each of the monitored electrical components. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025212 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRICITY FLOWS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE - A method for distributing, during a given time period, electricity flows in a system having at least one production and one consumption element, and provides for measuring the state of charge of each storage element and electrical powers produced and consumed. Initialization steps include defining physical modeling parameters, defining a model, in the form of state representation using the physical parameters, defining optimisation parameters, and predefining an optimisation problem, over the given time period, for the distribution of the electricity flows using the model. Iterative steps, at successive updating times of the given time period, include measuring a state of charge of each storage element and the electricity production and consumption powers, updating a preview of the behaviour of the production and consumption elements for another given time period, defining the formulation of the optimisation problem for the other time period, solving the problem, and applying electricity distribution controls. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025213 | APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER SUPPLY AND DEMAND - According to one embodiment, an apparatus sends a request to adjust a power consumption to a plurality of request targets, based on power supply and demand. A minimum adjustment time of each request target is stored. The minimum adjustment time is an interval between a time when a request target receives the request and a time when the request target starts to adjust the power consumption. If an estimation value of the power supply is different from an estimation value of the power demand at a first time to start to adjust, at least one request target is selected from the request targets by using the minimum adjustment time. The at least one request target is acceptable for the request at a second time as a predetermined time prior to the first time. A first adjustment amount to the at least one request target is calculated until the second time. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025214 | ELECTRIC POWER CONTROL APPARATUS - A power control apparatus includes: a power supply device including multiple power supply elements; a power consumption device; a battery independently arranged from the power supply device and the power consumption device; a supply and consumption balance adjustment device for controlling the power supply device and the battery to supply the electric power to the power consumption device; a prediction device for predicting electric power supply from at least a part of multiple power supply elements and electric power consumption of the power consumption device; a guard value setting device for setting a guard value of a charging and discharging operation of the battery according to a prediction result of the prediction device; and an output device for outputting the guard value to the supply and consumption balance adjustment device. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025215 | SOFTWARE ABSTRACTION LAYER FOR ENERGY GENERATION AND STORAGE SYSTEMS - A software abstraction layer for energy generation and/or storage systems. In one embodiment, a method is provided that can comprise receiving, by a site gateway, one or more standardized operating parameters for a physical component of an energy storage system, and translating, by the site gateway, the one or more standardized operating parameters into one or more vendor specific parameters, where the one or more vendor specific parameters are specific to a vendor-defined communication protocol supported by the physical component. The physical component can then be controlled using the one or more vendor specific parameters. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025216 | CONTROLLING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER CONSUMPTION IN A SYSTEM OF POWER CONSUMING DEVICES - The invention relates to controlling power consumption of a group of plurality of groups of power consuming devices by determining power consumption control value for controlling power consumption of devices of the group by use of at least one of the following: load shedding flexibility value of at least one group of plurality of groups, wherein the load shedding flexibility value of the corresponding group indicates maximum amount of power, by which power consumption of devices of the corresponding group can be reduced such that minimum power consumption permissible in the corresponding group is maintained; load restoration flexibility value of the at least one group of plurality of groups, wherein the load restoration flexibility value of the corresponding group indicates maximum amount of power, by which the power consumption of devices of the corresponding group can be increased such that maximum power consumption permissible in the corresponding group is maintained. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025217 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SELF-HEALING CONTROL OF A MULTI-LEVEL POWER GRID - A device and method for self-healing control of multi-level power grid system are provided in the present invention. The requirements to be satisfied by the present invention are that: realizing interaction and balance between power supplies and loads; controlling and coordinating cooperation coordination and cooperation between various distributed power supplies, micro-grids in multi-levels and their main grids; automatically distinguishing an on-grid state or an isolated island state of a locale grid; and guaranteeing energy supply to the maximum. The device for self-healing control of multi-level power grid is connected in one or more levels of power grids of the multi-level power grid system, and the device includes: a parameter acquiring and monitoring unit, a central processing unit, a human-machine interface and configuration parameter setting and inputting unit, and a regulating and controlling unit. Using frequency as an information carrier to characterize the connection state and the area coverage and grids levels included in the power system, the device enables the loads and the power supplies in the power grid system to distinguish the states of their localized grids by themselves, and performs to perform automatic switching or regulating according to preset strategies. Using frequency as information tie, the device balances supply and demand of power by self-adjustment between the power supplies and the loads in the system, and guarantees the automatic balance and stabilization of the power grid system both in the on-grid state and in the isolated island state. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025218 | ELECTRICAL POWER CONTROL DEVICE, ELECTRICAL POWER CONTROL METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An electrical power control device is installed in each location in which an electric power generation facility and an electrical power storage facility are provided. The electrical power control device includes the processor that executes a process. The process includes storing therein, in an associated manner for each location, an evaluation value related to the electrical power transmission load of another location and the electrical power balance in the other location. The process includes selecting, based on the evaluation value and the electrical power balance stored in a storage when the electrical power balance in a subject location is less than a predetermined threshold, another location as the request destination of electrical power transmission. The process includes sending, to the other location selected at the selecting, a request indicating that electrical power needs to be transmitted from the other location to the subject location. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025219 | HOME ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH SABBATH COMPLIANT FUNCTIONALITY - A home energy management system simplifies the process of enabling and executing the Sabbath mode and similar operating modes on household devices. A central location, or central node device, is provided which enables the end user to selectively modify operation of the household devices, e.g., from a normal operating mode to the Sabbath mode. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025220 | TECHNIQUES FOR CONTROLLING ENERGY GENERATION AND STORAGE SYSTEMS - Techniques for controlling energy generation and/or storage systems. In one embodiment, a method is provided that can comprise receiving from a control server a plurality of schedules for controlling the charging and discharging of an energy storage device, where each schedule corresponds to a function that takes as input one or more input parameters and returns as output an output parameter corresponding to a power level for the energy storage device. The method can further comprise determining relative priorities for the plurality of schedules and controlling charging/discharging of the energy storage device based on the plurality of schedules and their relative priorities. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025221 | SMART ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AND ASSOCIATED NETWORKS - A control system ( | 2014-01-23 |
20140025222 | System and Method for Power Monitoring and Control - An improved system for power monitoring and control is an aftermarket method for improving power monitoring and control in end-user environments such as offices and homes. The disclosed is a wirelessly connected panel that monitors and/or controls power passed through a power interface and is intrinsically paired with that interface. The system uses an ultra low power panel that is associated with its power interface. The system can be detached and located at a distant remote location. The radio link is used to maintain control automatically paired with the power interface connection it is physically associated with. The panel and system use a hopping meshed radio network to insure full range of coverage within a building. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025223 | Performance Management of Subsystems in a Server by Effective Usage of Resources - An approach is provided in which a subsystem cooling manager detects an increased workload indicator corresponding to a computer subsystem's forthcoming workload requirement. The forthcoming workload requirement corresponds to future computing resources required by the subsystem to support one or more software programs executing on the computer system. The subsystem cooling manager determines that the forthcoming workload requirement exceeds a utilization threshold and in turn, directs one or more cooling systems towards the corresponding subsystem according. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025224 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE TOUCH SENSING MODULES AND HEAT DISSIPATING CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An electronic device with a plurality of touch sensing modules and a heat dissipating control method thereof are provided. The heat dissipating control method includes following steps: detecting whether an object approaches the electronic device or the electronic device is touched to generate a sensing result; recognizing an executable scenario solution according to the sensing result, and cooling the electronic device according to the executable scenario solution. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025225 | VEHICLE DRIVER BEHAVIOR MONITORING AND CORRELATION - What is disclosed are various methods of operating vehicle monitoring systems. One example method includes receiving activity information for a transportation vehicle, receiving mobile phone usage information associated with the transportation vehicle, and processing the activity information and the mobile phone usage information to determine behavior of a driver operating the transportation vehicle. The method could also include, in some examples, processing the activity information and the mobile phone usage information to identify the driver operating the transportation vehicle. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025226 | Method and Apparatus for Charging Station Guidance - A computer-implemented method, executable by a vehicle associated computing system, includes receiving a request for display of local refueling points. The method also includes determining current coordinates of vehicle and determining one or more fuel point locations within a defined map range. The method additionally includes displaying a map display containing the current vehicle location and the location of the one or more fuel point locations. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025227 | ROAD SHAPE ESTIMATING SYSTEM - A technique, which makes it possible to estimate a curve shape of a road more simply and more accurately, is provided. Disclosed is a road shape estimating system for estimating the shape of the road including a curve easement section in which a radius of curvature changes according to a clothoid curve and a circular curve section in which a radius of curvature is constant. The distance Lp from a curve starting point and the radius of curvature Rp of the curve at a vehicle position in the curve easement section, are determined on the basis of the information from a white line recognition camera of the vehicle, a yaw rate sensor and a wheel speed sensor, and the radius of curvature Rreal of the circular curve section is determined from an image of a road sign recognition camera. Then, the length Lclo of the curve easement section is derived by using the information as described above and a clothoid function to estimate the shape of the road. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025228 | MISSION RE-PLANNING FOR COORDINATED MULTIVEHICLE TASK ALLOCATION - A system and methods for mission re-planning are presented. Vehicles are monitored in real-time, and an incapacitated vehicle from among the vehicles that performs an incomplete task is detected. A remaining coverage set comprising a remaining coverage area for each of the vehicles is determined. A travel distance from a task completion location of each of the vehicles to a stopped point of the incapacitated vehicle is calculated to provide a travel set. An extra coverage set is determined based on the travel set and the remaining coverage set, and an incomplete coverage area for the incomplete task is calculated. The extra coverage set is compared to the incomplete coverage area and the remaining coverage area to provide a sufficiency list, and an assigned vehicle is selected from the vehicles based on the sufficiency list. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025229 | UNMANNED DEVICE INTERACTION METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Structures and protocols are presented for configuring an unmanned aerial device to participate in the performance of tasks, for using data resulting from such a configuration or performance, or for facilitating other interactions with such devices. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025230 | UNMANNED DEVICE INTERACTION METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Structures and protocols are presented for configuring an unmanned aerial device to participate in the performance of tasks, for using data resulting from such a configuration or performance, or for facilitating other interactions with such devices. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025231 | Device, Program Product and Computer Implemented Method for Touchless Metrology Using an Inertial Navigation System and Laser - A metrology device, computer program product and computer-implemented method generating survey data without having the device touch subsea objects being surveyed. The metrology device may be used with an underwater vehicle or diving personnel, and may comprise an inertial navigation system having gyroscopes to detect angular velocity and accelerometers for the detection of linear velocity and transported by an underwater robotic apparatus or diver, the inertial navigation system outputting position and orientation data of the device for storage; an aiding device for collecting image data of the subsea objects, the aiding device being positioned so that the distance and orientation between the optical scanner and the inertial navigation system is known; and a computer for using the position information and image data between a successively visited known point to determine the drift of the metrology device and to use the drift of the metrology device to correct measurements of same. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025232 | Method and Apparatus for a Near Field Communication System to Exchange Occupant Information - A system includes a plurality of antennas, positioned to be capable of receiving a wireless near field communication (NFC) device signal associated with a device located in any one of a driver's back pocket or front pocket, a center console or a passenger seat. The system also includes an NFC reader, in communication with the plurality of antennas. The NFC reader is operable to assign, based at least in part on a number of signals received and a signal strength, one of one or more devices associated with detected signals to a driver. The NFC reader is in communication with a vehicle computing system, operable to retrieve additional information associated with the device assigned to the driver and to apply that information to control vehicle settings. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025233 | UNMANNED DEVICE UTILIZATION METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Structures and protocols are presented for configuring an unmanned aerial device to perform a task, alone or in combination with other entities, or for using data resulting from such a configuration or performance. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025234 | UNMANNED DEVICE UTILIZATION METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Structures and protocols are presented for configuring an unmanned aerial device to perform a task, alone or in combination with other entities, or for using data resulting from such a configuration or performance. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025235 | UNMANNED DEVICE UTILIZATION METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Structures and protocols are presented for configuring an unmanned aerial device to perform a task, alone or in combination with other entities, or for using data resulting from such a configuration or performance. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025236 | UNMANNED DEVICE UTILIZATION METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Structures and protocols are presented for configuring an unmanned aerial device to perform a task, alone or in combination with other entities, or for using data resulting from such a configuration or performance. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025237 | FLIGHT CONTROL LAWS FOR CONSTANT VECTOR FLAT TURNS - An aircraft and method to control flat yawing turns of the aircraft while maintaining a constant vector heading across a ground surface. The aircraft includes a control system in data communication with a model, a lateral control architecture, a longitudinal control architecture, and an initialization command logic. The model decouples the directional movement of the aircraft into a lateral equation of motion and a longitudinal equation of motion. The lateral control architecture utilizes the lateral equation of motion to control the aircraft in the lateral direction, while the longitudinal control architecture utilizes the longitudinal equation of motion to control the aircraft in the longitudinal direction. The initialization command logic selectively activates the lateral control architecture and the longitudinal control architecture. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025238 | System and Method for Multiple Aircraft Lifting a Common Payload - A system and method are provided for controlling a plurality of aircraft to lift a common payload. The system comprises of multiple aircraft tethered to a common payload, where the group of aircraft form a swarm that is controlled by a pilot station. Each aircraft is autonomously stabilized and guided through a swarm avionics unit, which further includes sensor, communication, and processing hardware. At the pilot station, a pilot remotely enters payload destinations, which is processed and communicated to each aircraft. The method for controlling a multi-aircraft lifting system includes of inputting the desired location of the payload, and determining a series of intermediary payload waypoints. Next, these payload waypoints are used by the swarm waypoint controller to generate individual waypoints for each aircraft. A flight controller for each aircraft moves the aircraft to these individual waypoints. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025239 | VEHICLE FEEDBACK - A feedback method and system. The method includes identifying by a computing system, a user. A vehicular feedback software application is enabled for the user. A feedback software application in the computing system monitors a group of vehicle operation functions currently being executed by the user with respect to a vehicle. The feedback software application analyzes the group of vehicle operation functions with respect to a profile associated with the user. An analysis report is generated in response to the analysis. The analysis report is presented to the user. The computing system monitors a response to the first analysis report from the user. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025240 | KINETIC ENERGY CONSUMER MODE CONTROL - A system for providing a set point increase for a vehicle combustion engine includes a control that is operable to control vehicle secondary systems to control the power consumption of the vehicle secondary systems to increase a mechanical load to the vehicle combustion engine. The load increase of the combustion engine may be for increasing the lost heat, which enhances the filtering of exhaust gases of the vehicle combustion engine. The lost heat may be utilized to increase the heat of a carbon particle filter, through which exhaust gases flow. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025241 | VEHICLE DRIVE DEVICE - When both a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel are driven by first and second electric motors, and acceleration slippage occurs at either the left wheel or the right wheel, the acceleration slippage is reduced by decreasing the command motor torque (power drive torque) of the first or second electric motor connected to the wheel at which acceleration slippage was generated. The command motor torque of the first or second electric motor connected to the other wheel (wheel on the other side) on the right or left side that is opposite the wheel at which slippage occurred is increased, thereby making it possible to supplement the decrease in the driving torque of the wheel at which slippage occurred. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025242 | HYBRID VEHICLE - There is provided a hybrid vehicle that reliably prevents an increase in size or a breakage of a mechanism for fixing an output shaft of an engine and handles utilization as a plug-in HEV by effectively increasing drive power in an EV mode. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025243 | HYBRID VEHICLE - To protect an electricity storing means and improve engine startability at the same time by starting an engine while suppressing degradation of the electricity storing means as small as possible. Provided is a hybrid vehicle including: a charge state calculation means which calculates a charge state of the electricity storing means; a standard opening and closing means which turns off a contactor when the charge state calculated by the charge state calculation means is lower than a standard lower-limit value; and an engine startup opening and closing means which maintains the contactor in an on state when an engine startup signal is input even when the charge state calculated by the charge state calculation means is a value for turning off the contactor, wherein the contactor turning-on operation executed by the engine startup opening and closing means is executed when the charge state calculated by the charge state calculation means is higher than an engine startup lower-limit value set lower than the standard lower-limit value by a predetermined value. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025244 | HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) controller configured to determine a value of driver demanded torque to be supplied to a driveline of a HEV by first and second actuators of the vehicle based on a plurality of parameters, the parameters including: (a) a speed of a first actuator; and (b) a position of a driver-operated control, the controller being configured such that when the first actuator is not connected to the driveline a value of driver demanded torque is determined based on a virtual speed of the first actuator, the virtual speed being a speed at which the first actuator would be turning if the first actuator was connected to the driveline. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025245 | Tractor/Trailer Combinations - A tractor unit ( | 2014-01-23 |
20140025246 | SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR A THREE-WHEELED VEHICLE - An apparatus includes a vehicle frame, a swing arm and a fuel tank. The vehicle frame includes a front portion and a rear portion and defines a longitudinal centerline therebetween. The front portion is configured to support a recumbent seat. The rear portion is configured to be coupled to the swing arm and. The swing arm defines a longitudinal centerline and includes a wheel mounting portion configured to be coupled to a wheel assembly. The wheel mounting portion defines a radial axis that is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle frame in at least one plane. The fuel tank is coupled to the rear portion of the vehicle frame such that the fuel tank is above the longitudinal centerline of the swing arm. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025247 | HYBRID VEHICLE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A hybrid vehicle which runs on power from at least one of an electric motor and an engine. When a required output exceeds a sum of an output of the electric motor which is driven by electric power supplied from a battery and an output of the engine while the hybrid vehicle is running on a drive mode in which at least the engine works as a drive source with a clutch engaged, a transmission ratio changing unit increases a ratio of electrical transmission to mechanical transmission of the output of the engine, and an engaging/disengaging control unit releases the clutch at a time point when the mechanically-transmitted output of the engine becomes 0, with the clutch engaged. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025248 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A HYBRID DRIVETRAIN AND BATTERY DEVICE IN THE HYBRID DRIVETRAIN - A method for controlling a hybrid drivetrain in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, which has a crankshaft and an electric machine which can be operated as a motor and generator, having a rotor operatively connected to the crankshaft, having a torsional vibration damper operatively connected to the crankshaft, having a battery device for exchanging electrical energy with the electric machine, and having a control unit for controlling the battery device and the electric machine, and a corresponding battery device. To operate the electric machine with rapidly changing motor and generator operation without damaging the battery device, the electric machine is operatively connected to at least first and second electric batteries of the battery device, where at least part of the time one of the batteries is charged in the rhythm of occurring residual vibrations of the torsional vibration damper, while the other is discharged. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025249 | DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING CONTINUOUS AND INTERMITTENT FAULTS - A method for diagnosing a device of a vehicle, includes: generating samples of a parameter of the device; indicating whether each of the samples passed or failed based on comparisons of the samples with one of a predetermined value and a predetermined range; tracking a first number of consecutive samples compared, a second number of the first number of samples that failed, a third number of the first number of samples that failed consecutively, and a fourth number of a last predetermined number of samples compared that failed; selecting one of a normal control mode, a temporary default action mode and a permanent default action mode based on the first, second, third, and fourth numbers; and selectively setting a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) in memory when in the permanent default action mode. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025250 | NON-DETERMINISTIC MAINTENANCE REASONER AND METHOD - A system and method for supplying a corrective maintenance plan for a system includes supplying diagnostic data to a processor. The diagnostic data are representative of a set of two or more potential independent faults within the system, and each of the potential independent faults in the set has a unique corrective maintenance plan associated therewith. The diagnostic data are processed, in the processor, to select only one of the corrective maintenance plans. Maintenance plan data representative of the selected corrective maintenance plan are generated in the processor. For identical sets of two or more potential independent faults, the selected maintenance plan is not always the same. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025251 | System and Method For Wheel Assembly Acoustical Evaluation - A vehicle service or inspection system including a load roller for applying a radial load to a vehicle wheel assembly consisting of a tire mounted to a rim, with at least one sensor for acquiring measurements of acoustical energy generated by the wheel assembly during loaded rotational movement. The vehicle service or inspection system is configured with a programmed processor to evaluate the acquired measurements to provide a measure of tire road noise, identification of tire defects, and/or identification of sources of noise, vibrations, or acoustical energy on the tire surface such as tire flat spots, cupping, bubbles, embedded foreign objects, or other defects. The processor is further configured with software instructions to utilize the acquired measurements to provide a consumer with a figure of merit associated with the acoustics of the tire undergoing testing | 2014-01-23 |
20140025252 | VEHICLE COLLISION EVENT ANNOUNCING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A vehicle collision event announcing system is provided. The system includes: a processor; an image capturing unit, coupled to the processor, for capturing vehicle images from at least a part of the vehicle; a collision sensing unit, for detecting whether the vehicle is running into a probable collision event; and a feature image comparison unit, coupled to the processor, for when the collision sensing unit detects the probable collision event, comparing the vehicle images before and after the probable collision event to determine whether the probable collision event is a real collision event which causes damage to the vehicle and/or the seriousness of the damage of the real collision event. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025253 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTRACTION AND TELEMETRY OF VEHICLE OPERATIONAL DATA FROM AN INTERNAL AUTOMOTIVE NETWORK - Systems, methods, and related computer programs are provided wherein vehicle operation data is extracted from an internal automotive network. In an embodiment, a method comprises: i) obtaining data available on the internal automotive network via iterative interrogation; ii) analyzing the obtained data to identify a set of candidate data values having at least one common feature within a suitable proximity margin; and iii) heuristically selecting a candidate data value best matching one or more selection criteria to identify a true value. These systems and methods allow data to be extracted from proprietary and non-proprietary busses in the internal automotive network. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025254 | DISTRIBUTED VEHICLE EVENT RECORDER SYSTEMS HAVING A PORTABLE MEMORY DATA TRANSFER SYSTEM - Data transfer systems for vehicle event recorders are provided as: a vehicle event recorder, a vehicle event recorder resident memory, and upload module in conjunction with, a communication port suitable for coupling with, a portable memory device, a server computer datastore, a server download module in conjunction with, a similar cooperating communications port. The portable memory device is arranged to operably couple with the communications ports of both the vehicle event recorder and the server computer and to be repeatedly moved between the two. The upload/download modules are arranged to transfer data to/from the portable memory in an orderly fashion in which no files are removed from the vehicle event recorder resident memory without first having been successfully transferred to the server computer datastore. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025255 | Accurate Range Estimation System for Electrical Vehicles - A range estimation system for battery-powered vehicles which has a means for manually entering desired destination information, a processor, and a display. The system is capable of retrieving state-of-charge information from the vehicle's battery, is configured to obtain available road and terrain information regarding potential paths from the vehicles current location to the desired destination, and is configured to use said road and terrain information to compare said state-of-charge information to said desired destination and provide information to the user about whether the battery has sufficient charge to power the vehicle to the desired destination. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025256 | DYNAMIC MONITORING OF MOBILE RAILWAY CAR UNDERCARRIAGE - What is disclosed is a mobile railway car monitoring system. The mobile railway car monitoring system includes a plurality of sensor nodes coupled to an undercarriage portion of a railway car, and a control node coupled to the railway car. Each of the plurality of sensor nodes is configured to monitor the undercarriage portion of the railway car when in motion and transmit information about the undercarriage portion to the control node. The control node is configured to receive the information about the undercarriage portion, process the information to determine a fault condition for the undercarriage portion, and wirelessly report the fault condition to a collection system. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025257 | Drive Assist Apparatus Assisting Driver To Drive Vehicle Based On Degree Of Fatigue Of Driver - A drive assist apparatus that assists the driver of the vehicle to appropriately drive the vehicle includes: a detecting unit, a drive assist unit, a fatigue calculating unit and a setting unit. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025258 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING MASSAGE FUNCTIONS OF A MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT - A method for controlling and selecting massage functions of a motor vehicle seat and include the steps of: switching the system to a selection mode and starting the selection mode; scrolling through massage functions that are organized in a block-by-block manner, wherein the massage functions that are organized in a block-by-block manner include a specific massage zone per block; confirming a selection of the massage block by way of a user selection; and terminating the selection mode. | 2014-01-23 |