46th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 54 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110282507 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADAPTING AT LEAST ONE SET OF PARAMETERS OF AN INTELLIGENT ELECTRONIC DEVICE - The disclosure concerns a method and an apparatus for adapting at least one set of parameters to at least one Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) of an electrical power network having a plurality of switching devices (CB). The method includes: a) reading the current network status of the electrical power network, wherein the network status includes the status of the plurality of switching devices; b) simulating at least one network fault in the electrical power network; c) deducing at least one new set of parameters for the at least one IED using a simulated fault current induced by the at least one simulated network fault under consideration of the present network status and the network topology of the electrical power network; and d) setting the at least one set of parameters in at least one of the at least one IED. The apparatus a) reads the current network status of the electrical power network, b) selects the at least one set of parameters for the at least one Intelligent Electronic Device out of a plurality of sets of parameters depending of the current network status; and c) sets the at least one set of parameters in the at least one IED. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282508 | GENERALIZED GRID SECURITY FRAMEWORK - The subject specification comprises a generalized grid security platform (GGSP) that can control power distribution and operations in a power transmission and distribution grid (PTDG) in real or near real time. The GGSP can receive data from one or more data sources, including a PMU(s) or an IED(s), which can obtain power system related data and provide at least a portion of such data to the GGSP at a subsecond rate. The GGSP can correlate data from the data sources based at least in part on a temporal, geographical, or topological axis. The GGSP can analyze the data, including performing predictive analysis, e.g., via simulation, root cause analysis, post mortem analysis, or complex event processing, when desired, to facilitate identifying a current or predicted future state of the PTDG, a cause or source of an abnormal condition, or a remedial action execution plan, new operation or maintenance guidance, etc. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282509 | OCCUPANCY BASED SWITCHING WITH ADVANCE NOTIFICATION - A system may include an occupancy sensor and an interface to couple the occupancy sensor to equipment that may perform a power reduction operation in response to the occupancy sensor. Another system may include an occupancy sensor and a switch to control power to equipment in response to the occupancy sensor, where an advance notification is sent to the equipment before the switch interrupts power to the equipment. In one embodiment, the switch may interrupt the power after a time delay from when the advance notification is sent. In another embodiment, the switch may not interrupt the power until a response to the advance notification is confirmed. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282510 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT - Provided are an apparatus and a method for energy management. The energy management apparatus includes: a receiving block configured to receive energy use information from at least one sensor; and an estimating block configured to calculate a sum and change of energy use per predetermined time slot from the received energy use information and estimate energy use or energy charge after a certain time based on the calculation of the sum and the change. The method includes: receiving energy use information from at least one sensor; and calculating a sum and change of energy use per hour from the received energy use information and estimating energy use or energy charge after a certain time slot based on the calculation of the sum and the charge. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282511 | Prediction, Communication and Control System for Distributed Power Generation and Usage - A system for predicting, communicating, displaying and utilizing data that is relevant to the distributed power generation and usage of electricity service via means that are easy to obtain, easy to interpret, and inexpensive. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282512 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD - An image forming apparatus, which operates in a normal mode or a power saving mode, includes a user interface, a first supply unit configured to supply power in the power saving mode, a second supply unit configured to supply power in the normal mode and supply no power in the power saving mode, a detection unit configured to detect abnormality of the second supply unit, and a control unit configured to perform control to supply power from the second supply unit to the user interface when the detection unit does not detect abnormality of the second supply unit and to start power supply from the first supply unit to the user interface when the detection unit detects abnormality of the second supply unit. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282513 | SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING CHARGE AND DISCHARGE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE - Disclosed is a technique using an electric vehicle. The technique enables a user to set the operation plan of the electric vehicle and the price of electricity used to charge/discharge an electric vehicle battery. The electric vehicle battery is charged, or the electric energy charged in the electric vehicle battery is collected, according to the set information. Accordingly, it is possible to charge the electric vehicle battery at the price approved by the user under variable pricing of electric energy. When the price of electricity increases or there is no operation plan of the electric vehicle, the electric energy stored in the battery is collected to operate electric devices or resell the stored electric energy to an electric power company, thereby obtaining economic benefit. As the spread of electric vehicles are extended, it can be expected to save a considerable amount of electric energy throughout the whole society. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282514 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FORECASTING SOLAR POWER - A solar power forecasting system can provide forecasts of solar power output by photovoltaic plants over multiple time frames. A first time frame may be several hours from the time of the forecast, which can allow utility personnel sufficient time to make decisions to counteract a forecasted shortfall in solar power output. For example, the utility personnel can decide to increase power production and/or to purchase additional power to make up for any forecasted shortfall in solar power output. A second time frame can be several minutes from the time of the forecast, which can allow for operations to mitigate effects of a forecasted shortfall in solar power output. Such mitigation operations can include directing an energy management system to shed noncritical loads and/or ramping down the power produced by the photovoltaic plants at a rate that is acceptable to the utility to which the photovoltaic plants provide power. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282515 | ZONE SHUT-DOWN CONTROL SYSTEM - A reconfigurable zone shut-down control system usable in an enclosure is provided, the system including: a field controller disposable within the enclosure; a control panel electrically connected to the field controller and disposable on the enclosure; a differential pressure switch electrically connected to the field controller; gas detectors electrically connected to the field controller; and a plurality of device controllers electrically connected to the field controller, wherein the plurality of device controllers includes a fresh air blower controller, a welding machine controller, an air compressor controller, or a gas torch controller. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282516 | METHOD AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR DETECTING A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION OF A VEHICLE - A method for detecting a dangerous driving condition of a vehicle located on a roadway is provided, which includes a step of receiving a first damping signal ( | 2011-11-17 |
20110282517 | Microcontroller having a computing unit and a logic circuit, and method for carrying out computations by a microcontroller for a regulation or a control in a vehicle - A microcontroller having a computing unit and a logic circuit. The microcontroller carries out computations for a regulation or control in a vehicle. The computing unit is connected to the logic circuit, and the logic circuit has an arrangement for computing an exponential function and is configurable. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282518 | G.P.S. Management System - A management system using Global Positioning System receivers for tracking remote units from a central office and quickly and conveniently determining if those remote units have varied from a set of predetermined parameters of operation. The system also includes provisions that allows information to be sent from the remote units to the central office and vice versa. The system also has safety features that promote the rapid dispatch of law enforcement personnel when requests for emergency assistance have been made from the remote units. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282519 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A REMOTE CONTROL WORK MACHINE - Control system for a remote-controlled working machine ( | 2011-11-17 |
20110282520 | IN-VEHICLE DEVICE CONTROL SYSTEM - In an in-vehicle device control system, a vehicle-side unit mounted in a vehicle controls an in-vehicle device in accordance with a result of checkup about a portable device performed by mutual communications, in which the portable device returns a response signal in response to a request signal transmitted from the vehicle-side unit. An ECU of the vehicle-side unit checks whether it is a regular checkup timing, and performs an exterior checkup if it is determined to be the regular checkup timing. The ECU sets in this case a communication frequency, which is higher in priority order, as a communication frequency to be designated to the portable device. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282521 | Aviation Application Setting Antenna Array and Integrated Temperature Sensor - An antenna array for use in an aviation application setting comprises an external covering and at least four radio frequency antennas that are disposed underneath and that are protected by the external covering. A deposit of phosphor material is also disposed beneath this covering. This external covering is at least partially permeable to radio frequency signals and will provide at least a substantial barrier against external moisture and objects that might otherwise harm the antennas. This external covering can be fixed to an exterior surface of an aircraft. The four radio frequency antennas are electrically discrete from one another though also being configured as an integral mechanical structure. The phosphor material, in turn, can serve to facilitate detection of a parameter of interest, such as temperature or airspeed. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282522 | GRAPHIC DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR ASSISTING VEHICLE OPERATORS - A system for converting audible air traffic control instructions for pilots operating from an air facility to textual format. The system may comprise a processor connected to a jack of the standard pilot headset and a separate portable display screen connected to the processor. The processor may have a language converting functionality which can recognize traffic control nomenclature and display messages accordingly. Displayed text may be limited to information intended for a specific aircraft. The display may show hazardous discrepancies between authorized altitudes and headings and actual altitudes and headings. The display may be capable of correction by the user, and may utilize Global Positioning System (GPS) to obtain appropriate corrections. The system may date and time stamp communications and hold the same in memory. The system may have computer style user functions such as scrollability and operating prompts. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282523 | Control System for Automatic Flight in Windshear Conditions - A flight control system is configured for controlling the flight of an aircraft through windshear conditions. The system has means for measuring values of selected flight performance states of the aircraft and a control system for operating flight control devices on the aircraft. A windshear detection system located on the aircraft uses at least some of the measured values of the selected flight performance states to calculate a gust average during flight for comparison to pre-determined values in a table for determining whether windshear conditions exist. The control system then operates at least some of the flight control devices in response to an output of the windshear detection system. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282524 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING WAKE TURBULENCE OF AN AIRCRAFT - System for detecting wake turbulence (SDWT) of a first aircraft, which can be embedded onboard a second aircraft, comprising:
| 2011-11-17 |
20110282525 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING DATA IN A LOCOMOTIVE CONSIST OR OTHER VEHICLE CONSIST - A communication system for a vehicle consist includes a control module that interfaces with at least one of a first router transceiver pair or a redundant router transceiver pair. Each of the router transceiver pairs can communicate network data between vehicles of the consist over a cable bus of the vehicle consist. The control module includes a monitor module and a switch module. The monitor module monitors operation of at least one of the first router transceiver pair or the redundant router transceiver pair. The switch module is operably coupled with the monitor module and controls the first router transceiver pair or the redundant router transceiver pair to communicate the network data over the cable bus if the other of the first router transceiver pair or the redundant router transceiver pair enters a failure condition for being unable to communicate the network data over the cable bus. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282526 | REMOTE TRIGGER OF AN ALTERNATE ENERGY SOURCE TO POWER A VEHICLE SYSTEM - The described method and system improve electric-power driving range for electric vehicles, i.e., electric-only, hybrid electric, and other vehicles that draw electrical power from an on-board storage system for propulsion and auxiliary functions such as HVAC, defroster, defogger, seat heaters, seat coolers, etc. The described system uses an alternate energy source off-board of the vehicle, e.g., the municipal power grid, to power and run vehicle systems while the vehicle is plugged into the grid. The system also provides the user with the ability to remotely choose via an electronic medium or telematics system among multiple available alternate sources of energy to power vehicle systems. The user may remotely trigger the use of the selected source and may also remotely activate and deactivate vehicle systems powered by the alternative energy source. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282527 | Multifactor Charging for Electric Vehicles - The described method and system improve electric-power driving range for electric vehicles, i.e., electric-only, hybrid electric, and other vehicles that draw electrical power from an on-board storage system for propulsion. The described system uses synergy among selected data sources to provide charging prompts and route assistance to allow the vehicle user to operate his or her vehicle in a more economical fashion by ensuring timely and cost effective charging. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282528 | SECTIONAL ELECTRIC DRIVE VEHICLE - A sectional electric drive vehicle includes a first motorcycle having a master electric control unit, a second motorcycle detachably connected to the first motorcycle in tandem by a connection mechanism and the second motorcycle including a slave electric control unit, and a system connector detachably connecting the master electric control unit and the slave electric control unit, to allow signals transmission between the master and slave electric control units. When the first and second motorcycles are combined and connected together via the connection mechanism and the system connector, the slave electric control unit relinquishes control to the master electric control unit, and the master electric control unit controls the cooperative motion of the first and second motorcycles. When the first and second motorcycles are detached, the first and second motorcycles are independently operable. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282529 | WALKING ASSISTIVE SYSTEM - The present invention discloses a walking assistive system comprising a motion module, a current detecting module and a central control module. Each motion module includes omni-directional wheels, motors, shaft encoders and servo controllers. The omni-directional wheels are connected to and driven by the motors. The motors are connected to the shaft encoders, and the rotation speed values are generated corresponds to the rotation speed of the motors by the shaft coder. The servo controllers connected to the shaft encoders and the motors receive the rotation speed values and control the motors. The current detecting modules connected to the motors detect the current of the motors and generate current values correspondingly. The central control module connected to the motion control module and the current detecting module controls the platform compliant motion control modules according to the rotation speed values and the current values. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282530 | Electric vehicle control device - When an electric vehicle outputs a torque instruction, firstly, a request torque is acquired and a judged whether the acquired request torque is positive or negative. Regardless of the sign of the request torque, it is judged whether the eco-switch is ON. If the request torque has a positive sign and the eco-switch is OFF, a map A is selected. If the eco-switch is ON, a map B which limits the maximum torque to a low value for the map A is selected. If the request torque has a negative sign, a map C is selected regardless of the eco-switch ON/OFF state and the maximum torque is not limited. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282531 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A BATTERY PULSE HEATING MODE OF A TRACTION BATTERY OF A HYBRID VEHICLE - A method and a device are provided for controlling a battery pulse heating mode of a traction battery of a hybrid vehicle. The method includes detecting a traction battery temperature (T) upon start-up of the hybrid vehicle. The method then includes determining a dependency of fuel consumption (V) during a battery pulse heating mode on the distance (W) travelled for at least one predefined road type at the detected traction battery temperature (T). The method continues by displaying the determined dependency on a display device ( | 2011-11-17 |
20110282532 | INVERTED TWO-WHEEL APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD AND CONTROL PROGRAM THEREOF - An inverted two-wheel apparatus includes drive means that drives wheels; control means that generates a torque command value to control drive torque of the drive means; and posture detection means that detects posture information of a vehicle. The inverted two-wheel apparatus is able to travel while keeping an inverted state. Furthermore, the control means performs control to dismount an occupant upon judgment that the torque command value that is generated is equal to or more than a predetermined value, which means in a saturation state, and inverted control is in a failure state based on the posture information detected by the posture detection means. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282533 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A DRIVE TRAIN - A method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle which includes at least an electric machine, as a drive aggregate, and a transmission which is positioned between the drive aggregate and an output, and a starting element positioned between the electric machine and the transmission. For and during the start, an expected drive resistance is calculated and then, if the expected drive resistance is lower than a first threshold value, starting takes place with the starting element engaged via the electric machine from a standstill, and if the expected drive resistance is larger than the first threshold value, starting takes place with the starting element disengaged, the electric machine is operated with a defined machine rotational speed in a rotation speed control mode, and thereafter, the starting element is engaged such that it transfers starting torque which depends on the a driver request. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282534 | Method and Device for Managing the Power From A Power Train of A Hybrid Motor Vehicle - The invention relates to a method and a device for managing the power from a power train of a hybrid motor vehicle, taking into account one or more operational parameters of at least one element of said power train. The method is characterised in that the determination of the consumption gain ( | 2011-11-17 |
20110282535 | POWER GRID LOAD MANAGEMENT FOR PLUG-IN VEHICLES - Methods and systems are provided for controlling the charging of an onboard energy storage system of a plug-in vehicle using a remote command center, such as a vehicle telematics service. An embodiment of such a method involves the transmission of a charge request for the onboard energy storage system to a remote command center associated with the plug-in vehicle. In response to the charge request, a charge command is received from the remote command center. The charging of the onboard energy storage system is regulated in accordance with the received charge command, which may be a charge enable command or a charge disable command. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282536 | Vessel hull robot navigation subsystem - A vessel hull robot navigation subsystem and method for a robot including a drive subsystem onboard the robot for driving the robot about the hull. A sensor subsystem onboard the robot outputs data combining robot and vessel motion. A memory onboard the robot includes data concerning the configuration of the hull and a desired path of travel for the robot. A fix subsystem communicates position fix data to the robot. A navigation processor onboard the robot is responsive to the memory data, the sensor subsystem, the position fix data, and the data concerning vessel motion. The navigation processor is configured to determine the position of the robot on the hull by canceling, form the sensor subsystem output data combining both robot and vessel motion, the determined vessel motion. The navigation processor controls the drive subsystem to maneuver the robot on the hull based on the fix data, the configuration of the hull, the desired path of travel for the robot, and the determined position of the robot on the hull. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282537 | VIRTUAL VEHICLE INTERFACE - The present invention discloses a virtual vehicle interface system for use in a motor vehicle. The system can include a screen having a screen region and an image module that is operable to display an image of a portion of the motor vehicle on the screen region. The image can display a feature of the motor vehicle and an information tag can also be displayed and be proximate to the feature. The screen and the image module are operable to rotate the image of the motor vehicle and display different views of the motor vehicle using a remote control device or by pressing an object such as an individual's finger onto and moving it across the screen. In addition, a change of a setting and/or state of the motor vehicle can be altered by activating the information tag. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282538 | CONTROL METHODOLOGY OF PEDESTRIAN KINEMATICS USING THE ACTIVE HOOD LIFT SYSTEM - A method and device for use in pedestrian-vehicular collisions in which an active hood lift system is deployed to a first elevated lift position and maintained at the deployed position for an interval after which it is lowered, thereby controlling pedestrian impact kinetics and reducing forces that can result pedestrian injuries. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282539 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND MEASURING DEVICE OF MASS FLOW RATE OF NOx RECIRCULATED TO INTAKE PASSAGE WITH BLOWBY GAS - A mass flow rate of NOx which is recirculated to an intake passage with a blowby gas is obtained with high precision, and based on the result, a state of an internal combustion engine can be accurately diagnosed. A control device for an internal combustion engine of the present invention measures a NOx concentration in an intake passage downstream from a position where the blowby gas is recirculated, and similarly measures an oxygen concentration in the intake passage downstream from the aforesaid position. Further, the control device measures a mass flow rate of fresh air taken into the intake passage. The control device calculates a mass flow rate of the blowby gas recirculated to the intake passage from the oxygen concentration and the mass flow rate of the fresh air. Next, the control device calculates a mass flow rate of all gases in the intake passage from the mass flow rate of the fresh air and the mass flow rate of the blowby gas. Subsequently, the control device calculates the mass flow rate of NOx in the aforesaid intake passage from the mass flow rate of all the gases and the NOx concentration. The present control device diagnoses the state of the internal combustion engine based on the mass flow rate of NOx thus calculated. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282540 | 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. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282541 | MONITORING APPARATUS FOR A MULTI-CYLINDER INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A monitoring apparatus including a catalytic converter, an upstream air-fuel ratio sensor, and a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor; calculates a sub feedback amount to have an air-fuel ratio represented based on an output value of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor coincide with a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio; and controls an fuel injection amount based on an output value of the upstream air-fuel ratio sensor and the sub feedback amount, in such a manner that an air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to an engine coincides with the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282542 | METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR ACQUIRING AND ANALYZING VEHICLE DATA AND GENERATING AN ELECTRONIC REPRESENTATION OF VEHICLE OPERATIONS - Geo-referenced and/or time-referenced electronic drawings may be generated based on electronic vehicle information to facilitate documentation of a vehicle-related event. A symbols library, a collection of geo-referenced images, and any data acquired from one or more vehicles may be stored in memory for use in connection with generation of such drawings, and a drawing tool graphical user interface (GUI) may be provided for electronically processing vehicle data and geo-referenced images. Processed geo-referenced images may be saved as event-specific images, which may be integrated into, for example, an electronic vehicle accident report for accurately depicting a vehicle accident. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282543 | SEAT BELT MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE - A method of monitoring the status of rear seat belts includes the following steps namely attaching wireless belt sensors including a belt portion to a seat belt and an anchor portion to a seat belt anchor; and installing a monitor into the vehicle; and turning on the belt sensors and the monitor; and sending wireless signals from the sensors to the monitor confirming the seatbelt engagement status; and displaying the seat belt status to the driver of the vehicle with a monitor display. Preferably the method includes the step of displaying the seat belt status visually with visual signals displayed by the monitor. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282544 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING DECREASE IN TIRE AIR PRESSURE AND PROGRAM FOR DETECTING DECREASE IN TIRE AIR PRESSURE - An apparatus for detecting a decrease in air pressure of a tire attached to a vehicle. The apparatus includes a rotation speed detection means for periodically detecting rotation speeds of tires of respective wheels of the vehicle; a rotation wheel speed ratio calculation means for calculating, based on rotation speed information obtained by the rotation speed detection means, a rotation wheel speed ratio between front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle with regard to a plurality of predetermined speed regions; a wheel torque calculation means for calculating a wheel torque of the vehicle; an initialization means for obtaining, with regard to the respective speed regions, a relation at a normal internal pressure between the wheel torque and the rotation wheel speed ratio between the front wheels and the rear wheels; a storage means for storing the relation obtained by the initialization means; a comparison means for comparing, with regard to the respective speed regions, the rotation wheel speed ratio obtained by the rotation wheel speed ratio calculation means with the rotation wheel speed ratio at a normal internal pressure obtained from the wheel torque obtained by the wheel torque calculation means and the relation stored by the storage means; and a determination means for correcting the comparison result by the comparison means by a front-to-rear direction acceleration and for determining, based on the resultant corrected value, whether there is a tire having a decreased air pressure or not. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282545 | VEHICLE PEDAL APPARATUS WITH USER ACTUATION SENSOR, AND RELATED OPERATING METHOD - A pedal system for a vehicle is disclosed. The pedal system includes an accelerator pedal, a sensor, a sensor detection circuit, and a controller. The pedal has a footpad, and the pedal moves in response to user actuation of the footpad. The sensor, which is coupled to or integrated into the footpad, has a first state when the footpad is actuated and a second state when the footpad is not actuated. The sensor is independent of and distinct from any physical position sensors of the pedal. The detection circuit, which is electrically coupled to the sensor, can distinguish between the first state and the second state. The controller, which is coupled to the sensor detection circuit, controls operation of the vehicle in a manner that is influenced by the first state or the second state. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282546 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR MODULE - Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for identifying a plurality of tire pressure sensor modules. Data wirelessly transmitted from the tire pressure sensor modules are received by using a signal cable connected between a wheel speed sensor module and a control module. The control module identifies the pressure sensor modules mounted on vehicle tires according to the intensities of received signals. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282547 | METHOD FOR ESTIMATING AMOUNT OF HEAT RECEIVED BY REFRIGERANT AND CONTROLLER - A method for estimating the amount of heat received by refrigerant by an ECU comprises a step for detecting an estimation factor including the intake air amount of an internal combustion engine, and a step for estimating the amount of heat received from exhaust gas by cooling water of the internal combustion engine in a water-cooled exhaust manifold based on a detected estimation factor. Preferably, the estimation factor further includes at least any one of the cooling water temperature, the intake air temperature of the internal combustion engine the number of revolutions of the internal combustion engine. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282548 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTINUOUSLY DETERMINING WHEEL STATE VARIABLES OF A WHEEL - In order to more accurately determine wheel state variables of a wheel, physical variables of the wheels are continuously measured and evaluated on the vehicle side. In addition, physical variables of the wheel are intermittently measured on the wheel side. The variables measured on the wheel side or the evaluated measurement results thereof are used to correct the variables measured on the vehicle side and/or the determined wheel state variables. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282549 | LANE MAINTENANCE CONTROL METHOD - Disclosed herein is a lane maintenance control method to control a vehicle to travel while accurately remaining in a given lane. The lane maintenance control method performs brake steering control in which, when a vehicle departs from a lane, a brake torque is applied to wheels of the vehicle close to the lane to generate an appropriate moment for lane maintenance, which allows the vehicle to finally move in an opposite direction of a direction in which the vehicle departs from the lane, resulting in accurate lane maintenance. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282550 | STEERING APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE - A steering apparatus for a vehicle is provided in which since a steering wheel ( | 2011-11-17 |
20110282551 | POWER STEERING APPARATUS - A power steering apparatus includes a power cylinder configured to assist a steering force of a steering mechanism; a bidirectional pump; a flow speed detecting section configured to detect or estimate a flow speed of working fluid flowing in a hydraulic circuit constituted by the power cylinder, the bidirectional pump and the like; a fluid temperature detecting section configured to detect or estimate a temperature of working fluid; a torque sensor configured to detect a steering torque which is applied to the steering mechanism; an electric motor configured to drive the bidirectional pump; and a motor control circuit configured to control the electric motor. The motor control circuit includes a base-current command value calculating circuit configured to calculate a current command value on the basis of the steering torque, a corrected-current command-value calculating circuit configured to calculate a corrected-current command value from the current command value to cause the corrected-current command value to become larger as the flow speed is higher and as the working-fluid temperature is lower, and a motor drive circuit configured to drive the electric motor on the basis of the corrected-current command value. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282552 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING AN ABSOLUTE POSITION OF A MOTOR SHAFT IN AN ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM - A system and a method for determining an absolute position of a motor shaft in an electric power steering system during an ignition off state are provided. The system includes a microprocessor that energizes first and second position sensors to generate first and second signals, respectively, at a first time, and third and fourth signals, respectively, at a second time. The microprocessor determines a first relative position value based on the first and second signals, and a second relative position value based on the third and fourth signals. The microprocessor determines an amount of relative rotation of the shaft during the ignition off state based on the first and second relative position values, and determines a current absolute position value based on a previously stored absolute position value and the amount of relative rotation of the rotatable shaft. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282553 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING PEDESTRIAN VEHICLE IMPACT - An apparatus ( | 2011-11-17 |
20110282554 | Agricultural Spraying Equipment Boom Level Control System - A system and method for controlling the level of a moveable first wing in a vehicle mounted spray system. The vehicle mounted spray system comprises of the moveable first wing and a moveable second wing mounted to a common support structure to form a pair of opposed independently moveable wings extending laterally from the vehicle. The method and system comprise a first step of determining an initial control signal for the moveable first wing based on a position of the moveable first wing | 2011-11-17 |
20110282555 | VEHICLE OPENINGS - Added openings are provided for sport utility vehicles (SUV), pick-up trucks, two and four door vehicles, vans, minivans, sedans, station wagons, or other vehicles. The opening(s) may utilize doors, gates, windows, sunroofs, or lids that provide more physical and/or visual access to the interior space, cargo, and/or seating within the vehicles that currently are not easily accessible, viewed, seen-by, or displayed-on conventional opening means. These openings may also provide the ability to place cargo within the space of the vehicle that current vehicles prohibit from being carried therein, or they may provide decorative, descriptive, or electronic displays for such vehicles, for example, advertising on taxi cabs. Among the embodiments, this invention results in a new 2 door or a 4 door SUV vehicle having added rear side doors, and a new 2 door or 4 door sedan that in effect functions likes a pick-up. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282556 | Depth Adjustment of Trailing Arm Furrow Openers - A furrow opener apparatus has a trailing arm pivotally attached to a seeding implement and extending rearward. A packer wheel is rotatably mounted at a rear end of the trailing arm, and a furrow opener is mounted to the trailing arm forward of, and in alignment with, the packer wheel. A bias element exerts a downward bias force forcing the packer wheel downward against the ground. An actuator is operative to move the packer wheel up and down through a range from a lowest vertical position with respect to the furrow opener to a highest vertical position with respect to the furrow opener. A remote control is operative to activate the actuator from the towing vehicle, and a microprocessor is programmed to adjust all furrow openers on the seeding implement by an equal amount when desired. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282557 | DRIVE STATE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE - An on-demand-type drive state control apparatus for a vehicle is provided. In the case where acceleration slippage occurs at drive wheels (rear wheels) of a vehicle when a drive system is in a two-wheel drive state, the drive system is switched from the two-wheel drive state to a four-wheel drive state. That is, the maximum transmittable torque of a multi-disc clutch mechanism increases from “0” to a predetermined value. In the four-wheel drive state, the maximum transmittable torque decreases stepwise from the present value by a predetermined value every time the vehicle travels over a predetermined distance in a state in which none of the wheels cause acceleration slippages. That is the clutch drive current supplied to the multi-disc clutch mechanism decreases gradually (stepwise or in a plurality of steps), and the drive torque distributed to the front wheels (rear wheels) decreases (increases) gradually. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282558 | ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL METHOD ON INCLINE - Disclosed herein is an adaptive cruse control method on an incline to improve traveling performance and stoppage maintenance performance on an incline. During adaptive cruise control, a gradient of a road is estimated based on a vehicle acceleration and longitudinal acceleration to enable compensation of a resistance torque with respect to the gradient of the road, which prevents deterioration of a traveling speed of a vehicle on an incline. Also, compensating for a brake torque to prevent the vehicle from being pushed rearward when the vehicle is stopped or starts to go on an incline may prevent deterioration of performance on an incline. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282559 | Vehicle-use speed control apparatus - The vehicle-use speed control apparatus sets a virtual preceding vehicle assumed to run at a target speed at a predetermined initial distance ahead of the own vehicle when the brake pedal is operated causing a relative speed between the actual vehicle speed and the target speed exceeds a predetermined value, calculates an initial value of a performance index for approach and alienation based on the initial distance and the target speed. Thereafter, the vehicle-use speed control apparatus repeatedly calculates a following distance to the virtual preceding vehicle based on a time elapsed from when a speed control condition is satisfied, the current relative speed and the initial distance, and a target relative speed based on the initial distance, the initial value of the performance index and the following distance, and controls the vehicle speed based on the difference between the target relative speed and the actual relative speed. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282560 | ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT FOR DETERMINING AN ITEM OF DATA REPRESENTING A PARAMETER OF THE AIR AND SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH A CIRCUIT - An electronic circuit, and a system including such a circuit, for determining a datum representative of a parameter of air surrounding an aircraft, including: a mechanism receiving, from a plurality of sources, a plurality of respective measurement data representative of a measured value of the parameter; a mechanism determining the datum representative of the parameter based on the measurement data; and a mechanism transmitting the datum representative of the parameter to a computer associated with an aircraft engine. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282561 | CONTROLLER OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE | 2011-11-17 |
20110282562 | IGNITION TIMING CONTROL SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - An ignition timing control system for an internal combustion engine, for controlling an ignition timing of the engine, is provided. A charging efficiency of the engine is calculated according to the intake air flow rate and the engine rotational speed which are detected, and a knock limit ignition timing is calculated according to the engine rotational speed and the charging efficiency. A knock correction value is calculated according to the knocking detection result by a knock sensor, and a learning parameter table, in which first and second learning parameters are set, is updated based on the engine rotational speed and the knock correction value when the knocking is detected. The learning parameter table is retrieved according to the engine rotational speed, to calculate the first and second learning parameters. Each-cylinder correction values are calculated corresponding respectively to a plurality of cylinders of the engine using the charging efficiency, the first learning parameter, and the second learning parameter and the ignition timing of the engine is controlled using the knock limit ignition timing and the each-cylinder correction value. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282563 | Onboard Controller System - A system and method for safely slowing or controlling a vehicle's speed or engine speed by selectively replacing a genuine engine control signal with a spoofed engine control signal to slow or control the vehicle. The operator is allowed control of the vehicle (e.g. genuine engine control signal) if the speed is below a threshold speed and the operator is denied control of the vehicle (e.g. spoofed engine control signal) if the speed is above the threshold speed; similarly, a maximum idle engine speed and time to idle before shut-down is enforced by selectively replacing a genuine engine control signal with a spoofed engine control signal, responsive to a set threshold for each. The threshold is set over the air (OTA). | 2011-11-17 |
20110282564 | VEHICLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A vehicle management system is provided, which includes an RFID tag storing vehicle information, a mobile vehicle management device generating management information from position information and the vehicle information received from the outside, and a server generating operation information by analyzing the management information. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282565 | SURFACE HOLD ADVISOR USING CRITICAL SECTIONS - The Surface Hold Advisor Using Critical Sections is a system and method for providing hold advisories to surface controllers to prevent gridlock and resolve crossing and merging conflicts among vehicles traversing a vertex-edge graph representing a surface traffic network on an airport surface. The Advisor performs pair-wise comparisons of current position and projected path of each vehicle with other surface vehicles to detect conflicts, determine critical sections, and provide hold advisories to traffic controllers recommending vehicles stop at entry points to protected zones around identified critical sections. A critical section defines a segment of the vertex-edge graph where vehicles are in crossing or merging or opposite direction gridlock contention. The Advisor detects critical sections without reference to scheduled, projected or required times along assigned vehicle paths, and generates hold advisories to prevent conflicts without requiring network path direction-of-movement rules and without requiring rerouting, rescheduling or other network optimization solutions. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282566 | COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT, INTER-VEHICLE COMMUNICATION CONTROL METHOD AND INTER-VEHICLE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - An object of the present invention is to provide communication equipment, an inter-vehicle communication control method, and an inter-vehicle communication system by which information can be efficiently transmitted to a designated range even at a blind intersection or on a curved road. Communication equipment that received transfer data including data to be transferred, position information of a destination of the data to be transferred, position information of relay points used to determine a route to the destination, and position information of the last transferring vehicle determines a standby time that becomes shorter as a distance between the position of the last transferring vehicle and the position of the host vehicle becomes longer in the case where the host vehicle is not located in a predetermined range on the basis of the relay points. In addition, the communication equipment determines the standby time that becomes longer as a distance between the position of the host vehicle and the position of the relay point becomes longer in the case where the host vehicle is located in the predetermined range, and performs a process of transmitting the transfer data after the standby time passes. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282567 | REAL-TIME TRAFFIC CONDITION MEASUREMENT AND PRESENTATION OF USER-BASED ROUTE DATA - In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for identifying a first location, at time one, of a plurality of automobiles using cell phone tower triangulation to locate a cell phone within each of the plurality of automobiles, identifying a second location, at time two, for each of the plurality of automobiles using cell phone tower triangulation to locate the cell phone within each of the plurality of automobiles, calculating a vehicle speed for each of the plurality of automobiles using the first and second locations already identified, and creating a traffic condition measure for a route in proximity to the first and second locations. The computer program product may repeat this process in real-time to calculate a real-time traffic condition measure that may be a traffic density measure the computer program product may use to predict a travel time, and may respond to a user's request with an audio alert on the user's cell phone that comes from a speaker on the cell phone that can also be combined with a wirelessly-enabled speaker in an automobile or a wirelessly-enabled headset. The audio alert may be displayed in conjunction with at least one navigation option pertaining to the route. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282568 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN IMPROVED IN-TRAIL PROCEDURES DISPLAY - Systems and methods for improving situational awareness on an in-trail procedures display. The present invention provides a display with visual identification and indication for aircraft that do not meet the ITP criteria. In the in-trail procedures display, feedback is provided when a pilot selects an invalid ITP flight level, unambiguous feedback is provided to the pilot upon selection of a valid flight level, and valid inter-target aircraft located in intervening flight levels after selection of a valid flight level are positively identified and invalid target aircraft for selection are uniquely identified. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282569 | Route data compression method - A route data compression method to compress the recording points of a line of a route planning data by means of setting the values of predetermined distance, predetermined angle and predetermined number of compression points and then determining whether or not the distance between every two recording points is greater than the predetermined distance and whether or not the contained angle of the two link lines of every three recording points is greater than the predetermined angle. After determination of all recording points, the recording points are compressed. If the number of points after compression is greater than the predetermined number of compression points, increase the value of the predetermined distance, and then repeat the determination procedure. When the number of points after compression becomes smaller than the predetermined number of compression points, the compression is done. Thus, the amount of storage data that records the route is greatly reduced, saving data storage space and enhancing data transmission speed. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282570 | Method and System for Providing Navigation Assistance on a Mobile Device - Methods and systems for providing navigation assistance on a mobile device are provided. A method may include extracting information from at least one of a first map image and an address image, wherein the first map image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized map and the address image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized written address. The method may also include communicating the extracted information to a mapping service server. The method may further include receiving, from the mapping service server in response to communicating the extracted information, a second map image including routing information for assisting navigation of a user of a mobile device. The method may additionally include displaying the second map image including the routing information. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282571 | METHODS FOR PREDICTING DESTINATIONS FROM PARTIAL TRAJECTORIES EMPLOYING OPEN- AND CLOSED-WORLD MODELING METHODS - The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate inferring probability distributions over the destinations and/or routes of a user, from observations about context and partial trajectories of a trip. Destinations of a trip are based on at least one of a prior and a likelihood based at least in part on the received input data. The destination estimator component can use one or more of a personal destinations prior, time of day and day of week, a ground cover prior, driving efficiency associated with candidate locations, and a trip time likelihood to probabilistically predict the destination. In addition, data gathered from a population about the likelihood of visiting previously unvisited locations and the spatial configuration of such locations may be used to enhance the predictions of destinations and routes. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282572 | Method of Collecting Information for a Geographic Database for Use with a Navigation System - A method for operating a navigation system computes a pedestrian route for travel by a pedestrian. A request for the pedestrian route between a first location inside a building and a second location inside the building is obtained. A geographic database associated with the navigation system is accessed for data representing a plurality of pedestrian paths. A solution pedestrian route from the origin to the destination comprising a series of connected pedestrian paths between the first location and the second location is determined. A guidance message that identifies a feature visible from at least one of the pedestrian paths is provided. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282573 | Route planning method - A route planning method used with an electronic device formed of a processor, a transmission interface, an I/O port and a storage unit and a GPS formed of a CPU, a transmission interface, a storage unit, a display unit, a satellite positioning unit and an antenna is disclosed to input the location data of the predetermined destination into the electronic device through the input/output port of the electronic device so that the processor of the electronic device produces and compresses a route planning data and then transmits the route planning data to the GPS for enabling the GPS to convert the geographic coordinate data of the current location received from the satellite and the compressed route panning data received from the electronic device into a planar or 3D navigation map for display on the display unit thereof. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282574 | LOCATION BASED FULL ADDRESS ENTRY VIA SPEECH RECOGNITION - A computer implemented method, system and/or computer program product confirm an orally entered address to a mobile navigation device. The mobile navigation device receives a global positioning system (GPS) root address component from a GPS. The GPS root address component is a text name of a root location at which a mobile navigation device is currently located. The mobile navigation device receives an orally entered address that comprises an oral root address component and an oral subunit component of the oral root address component. In response to the converted root address component matching the GPS root address component, the orally entered address is partitioned into the oral subunit component and the oral root address component, and any additional speech-to-text conversion of the orally entered address after the oral root address component is terminated. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282575 | MAP INFORMATION GUIDANCE DEVICE, MAP INFORMATION GUIDANCE METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - Devices, methods, and programs update map information stored in a storage medium based on map update information distributed from a map distribution center. The devices, methods, and programs search for a vehicle route based on the stored map information, perform first guidance along the route, and identify a target area on the route that will be updated when the map information is updated. The devices, methods and programs determine whether the update of the target area will be complete when the vehicle reaches the target area. If the update of the target area will not be complete when the vehicle reaches the target area, the devices, methods, and programs request second guidance for the target area from the map distribution center, switch from proving the first guidance to providing the second guidance through the target area, and return to performing the first guidance when the vehicle exits the target area. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282576 | Display Method And System For A Vehicle Navigation System - Traffic information, including traffic flow information and traffic incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be presented to a user on a user display in the vehicle. The traffic information may be presented to the user in several circumstances, either as cued by the user, or automatically presented by the traffic management system. The user display may also automatically display traffic flow and traffic incident information for the direction that the user is traveling or along a route calculated by the navigation device. Further, a window displaying information about an upcoming traffic incident such as distance to the incident and incident details may automatically appear in the user display. Alternately, the user may select a roadway, freeway, or area for which traffic information is desired. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282577 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF RECOGNIZING TRAFFIC LANE USING THE SAME - Provided are a navigation system and a method of recognizing a traffic lane using the same. The navigation system includes an electronic map in which information about roads and spatial data of topographical features around roads are stored, a satellite navigational device that calculates a position and a transverse point of a vehicle on the road using satellite navigation information and the road information, a radio communication unit that receives information about positions of the navigational satellites from a base station, and a lane recognition unit that calculates the number of lane-specific visible satellites and the number of real visible satellites on the basis of information about a lane position of the electronic map, spatial data of the topographical feature located at the transverse point, and the position information of the navigational satellites, and that compares the number of lane-specific visible satellites with the number of real visible satellites to recognize a lane along which the vehicle is traveling. Thus, there are no restrictions in the aspects of installation and maintenance, and accurate lane recognition is possible without an influence on the weather conditions around the road. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282578 | Method of generating a Geodetic Reference Database Product - A method of generating a geodetic reference database product is disclosed The method comprises acquiring mobile mapping data captured by means of digital cameras, range sensors and position determination means including GPS and IMU mounted to a vehicle driving across the earth surface, the mobile mapping data comprising simultaneously captured image data, range data and associated position data in a geographic coordinate system. Linear stationary earth surface features are derived from the mobile mapping data by processing the image data, range data and associated position data. 3D-models are generated for the linear stationary earth surface features in the geographic coordinate system from the image data, range data and associated position data and stored in a database to obtain the geodetic reference database product. A 3D-model could include an image representing the colors of the surface of the 3D model or a set of smaller images representing photo-identifiable objects along the model. The 3D-models could be used to rectify aerial imagery, to correct digital elevation models and to improve the triangulation of digital elevation models. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282579 | SYSTEM WHICH MEDIATES PROVIDING OF MAP INFORMATION, SERVER WHICH MEDIATES PROVIDING OF MAP INFORMATION, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MAP INFORMATION - When a map acquisition judgment means judges that the acquisition of map information is required, a terminal device transmits spot position information calculated by a spot information calculation means to a server which mediates providing of the map information, via a first map information providing server where the terminal device is positioned. The server causes an area judgment means to judge according to the spot information an area of providing map information including the spot, identifies a map information providing system on the basis of the judgment, and requests providing of the map information including the spot to a second map information providing server in the area according to the spot position information. The terminal device synthesizes map information held by the terminal and map information provided by the second map information providing server by a map synthesis means and displays the synthesized map information on a display means. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282580 | METHOD OF IMAGE BASED NAVIGATION FOR PRECISION GUIDANCE AND LANDING - A method to improve landing capability for an aircraft is provided. The method includes storing calibrated-offline-reference images of at least one runway in the aircraft and capturing real-time images of a destination runway during an approach to the destination runway. The destination runway is one of the at least one runway. The method further includes comparing the real-time images of the destination runway with the calibrated-offline-reference images of the destination runway to select respective closest calibrated-offline-reference images from the calibrated-offline-reference images for the associated real-time images; evaluating translational differences and rotational differences between associated real-time images and selected closest calibrated-offline-reference images; and determining errors in translational coordinates and rotational coordinates provided by a navigation system in the aircraft during the approach based on the evaluated translational differences and rotational differences. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282581 | OBJECT AND VEHICLE DETECTION AND TRACKING USING 3-D LASER RANGEFINDER - A method and system for detecting and tracking objects near a vehicle using a three dimensional laser rangefinder. The method receives points from the laser rangefinder, where the points represent locations in space where the rangefinder senses that some object exists. An algorithm first estimates the location of a ground plane, based on a previous ground plane location, data from onboard sensors, and an eigenvector calculation applied to the point data. Next, a plan view occupancy map and elevation map are computed for stationary objects, based on point data in relation to the ground plane. Finally, dynamic objects are detected and tracked, sensing objects which are moving, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, and animals. The output of the method is a set of stationary and dynamic objects, including their shape, range, and velocity. This output can be used by downstream applications. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282582 | DYNAMIC COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The use of dynamic collision avoidance parameters in connection with automatic dependent surveillance, broadcast, as well as for other purposes in systems and methods may assist collision avoidance and/or advisory systems in properly identifying intruders for reporting to pilots. For example, a method can include monitoring for a triggering event with respect to at least one of geographic coordinates and a flight path of an aircraft. The method can also include detecting the triggering event. The method can further include altering at least one characteristic of at least one of a traffic alerting system and an advisory system based on detecting the triggering event. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282583 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WELL POSITIONING USING A TRANSVERSE ROTATING MAGNETIC SOURCE - Systems and methods for well-drilling operations involving magnetic ranging with a rotating magnetic dipole are provided. In one embodiment, a system for determining a relative location of a magnetic dipole includes a three-axis magnetometer configured to obtain measurements of a time-dependent magnetic field caused by the magnetic source rotating about an axis and data processing circuitry configured to determine a transverse angle of rotation of the measurements such that one of two transverse components is in phase with one axial component when the transverse angle of rotation is used to transform the measurements. The data processing circuitry may determine a spatial relationship between the magnetic source and the three-axis magnetometer based at least in part on the transverse angle of rotation. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282584 | SHALE ANALYSIS METHODS - Methods and systems are provided for rapidly estimating the hydrocarbon production potential of a subsurface hydrocarbon shale prospect or prospects. In short, the methods disclosed herein provide rapid mechanisms to determine sorbed gas storage of a shale reservoir with minimal delay and resource expenditure to aid operators in determining which prospects to exploit. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282585 | HEPATIC DISEASE-EVALUATING APPARATUS, HEPATIC DISEASE-EVALUATING METHOD, HEPATIC DISEASE-EVALUATING SYSTEM, HEPATIC DISEASE-EVALUATING PROGRAM AND RECORDING MEDIUM - In a hepatic disease-evaluating apparatus, an indicator calculating unit calculates an index indicating the degree of hepatic fibrosis from amino acid concentration data to be evaluated including amino acid concentration value, based on one or more indices of fractional expression having amino acid concentration as variable. A disease state evaluating unit evaluates the disease state of the hepatic disease to be evaluated, based on the index value. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282586 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO DETERMINE OPTIMAL DIAMETERS OF VESSEL SEGMENTS IN BIFURCATION - Systems and methods to determine optimal diameters of vessel segments in bifurcation. In at least one embodiment of a method for determining a diameter of a segment of a bifurcated vessel of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of identifying a diameter of a first segment of a bifurcated vessel, identifying a diameter of a second segment of the bifurcated vessel, and determining a diameter of a third segment of the bifurcated vessel based upon the diameter of the first segment and the diameter of the second segment, wherein the determination is further based upon an exponential relationship of or about 7/3 for each diameter. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282587 | COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUMS, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR NORMALIZING CHEMICAL PROFILES IN BIOLOGICAL OR MEDICAL SAMPLES DETECTED BY MASS SPECTROMETRY - Described herein are computer-readable storage mediums, methods and systems useful for analyzing samples via mass spectrometry. Aspects described herein include methods for normalizing mass spectrometry data that include providing a reference set of mass spectrometry data obtained from a first external standard sample having one or more isotopic standards, wherein the reference set of mass spectrometry data comprises one or more m/z intensity ratios. Methods described herein are useful for reducing errors based on instrument response and ionization efficiencies and improve reproducibility of data from instrument to instrument and from day to day. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282588 | Method to automatically identify peaks and monoisotopic peaks in mass spectral data for biomolecular applications - A method for automatically identifying peaks in mass spectral data includes estimating m/z-dependent levels of background and noise, detecting all peaks with signal-to-noise ratio above a user-specified threshold, and compiling a list of all detected peaks including their m/z positions and intensities. The method can be extended to automatically detect monoisotopic peaks, to detect monoisotopic peaks in the presence of chemical noise, and to detect resolved isotopic clusters at high mass. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282589 | METHOD OF MEASURING PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF NATURAL GAS - The invention relates to a method for measuring physical-chemical parameters of natural gas. The pressure and the temperature of the natural gas are measured. The value of a control parameter is determined when said control parameter is used. The physical-chemical parameters corresponding to the parameters of the natural gas are selected. The data on the physical-chemical parameters of the natural gas is transmitted to a data output device. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282590 | DETERMINING PARTICLE PROPERTIES BY MEANS OF SUPERIMPOSED FIELDS - The aim of the invention is to model the gravitational field-induced or centrifugal field-induced separation of particles of a dispersion by means of one or more additional force fields that also influence the migration of the particles. Said aim is achieved by detecting and measuring the modified separation behavior with the help of concentration-measuring sensors. The force acting upon the particles can be calculated from the change in velocity of the particles, and the corresponding particle properties can be calculated if the respective field intensities are known. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282591 | PIPELINE INSPECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD USING RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION AND INERTIAL NAVIGATION - A pipeline inspection device, for example a pipeline inspection gauge or pig, is configured for inspecting a pipeline. The pipeline includes a plurality of pipes of varying orientations and a radio frequency identification device (RFID) provided on each pipe. Each RFID contains information indicative of the identity of each respective pipe. The inspection device includes a RF transceiver configured to receive the identity information from each RFID; an inertial navigation unit configured to generate three-space position information indicative of the position of the inspection device in the pipeline; and a processor configured to synchronize the identity information of each RFID with the position information to determine a three-space location of each pipe in the pipeline. A method of inspecting a pipeline that has a plurality of pipes includes collecting identity information indicative of the identity of each pipe; generating three-space position information indicative of the position of each pipe; and synchronizing the identity information and the position information. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282592 | METHOD OF DETERMINING AN EDGE OF AN ANOMALY, METHOD OF DETERMINING INTERACTION, METHOD OF ALIGNING, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, AND DATA CARRIER - Method of determining an edge of a first anomaly in a wall of a pipeline from a first set of data elements representing measurements of the wall of the pipeline. An element of the first set comprises a first coordinate, a second coordinate, and a parameter being indicative for the presence and/or severity of the first anomaly a position along the wall indicated by the first and second coordinate. The method comprises determining a data element that is associated with a maximum in the severity of the first anomaly; evaluating a value of the parameter by comparing with a predetermined threshold; determining an initial edge data element for which the parameter has reached the threshold; determining a next edge data element; determining further edge data elements; and determining the edge of the first anomaly by combining the first and second coordinates of the determined edge data elements. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282593 | WELD CHECK STATIONS - A method of manufacture for a portable computing device is described. In particular, methods and apparatus for assessing a quality of weld joints used to connect one or more components of the portable computing device are described. The weld joints can include one or more weld points. At a weld check station, using a vector network analyzer, a test signal generated can be passed through the weld joint and a response signal can be measured. The measured characteristics can be used to assess a quality of the weld joint. In one embodiment, the vector network analyzer can be used to generate a number of high frequency test signals that are passed through the weld to perform a time domain reflectometry measurement where the weld joint can be accepted or rejected based upon the measurement. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282594 | Board Sports Sensing Devices, And Associated Methods - A system assesses activity of a sportsman engaged in board sports. At least one sensor detects movement of the sportsman, and a processor processes data from the sensor to assess activity of the sportsman. Activity of sportsmen engaged in human powered sports is compared. A plurality of activity sensing units is associated with the sportsman. Each of the units (a) attach to one of either the sportsman or to a human powered vehicle ridden by the sportsman, and (b) wirelessly communicate activity to a remote location. The activity comprising one or more of airtime, speed, drop distance, power and energy absorbed. A database, accessible by Internet and connected to the remote location, provides access to the activity via the Internet. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282595 | THERMAL ICING CONDITIONS DETECTOR - A sensor for detecting icing conditions in an airstream includes a flow housing mounted on an aircraft and in which one or more probes are mounted. At least one of the probes subjected to impingement of the airstream and liquid moisture droplets in such airstream. The heat removal, or cooling effect on the probe in the airstream carrying liquid droplets is determined. A temperature signal indicating the airstream temperature is combined with signals from the at least one probe for determining whether or not icing conditions are present. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282596 | Apparatus Configured to Detect Gas Usage, Method of Providing Same, and Method of Detecting Gas Usage - In some embodiments, an apparatus can be configured to detect gas usage. The apparatus can include: (a) a processing module configured to run on a computational unit; and (b) a sensing unit configured to be coupled to a gas regulator, the sensing unit having: (1) at least one acoustic sensor configured to detect two or more acoustic signals produced by the gas regulator and convert the two or more acoustic signals into one or more first data signals; and (2) a transmitter electrically coupled to the at least one acoustic sensor and configured to transmit the one or more first data signals to the computational unit. The processing module is configured to use the one or more first data signals to determine the gas usage. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282597 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A VISCOSITY PARAMETER OF A MOTOR OIL AS WELL AS A CONTROL DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL - A method for determining a viscosity parameter of a motor oil in an internal combustion engine, wherein a plurality of operating parameters characterizing an operating state of the internal combustion engine are detected and/or determined for an electronic engine control. Several parameters allowing at least a rough prediction on the viscosity of the motor oil are each evaluated for an individual prediction on the viscosity of the motor oil at different times from these operating parameters, and changes in the individual predictions for comparable working points of the internal combustion engine relative to a state of new motor oil are detected. The viscosity parameter is determined from the changes in the several individual predictions. A corresponding control device for the electronic engine control is also provided. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282598 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING LEAKS IN THE INTAKE TRACT OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A method for detecting a leak in an intake tract of an internal combustion engine including the following steps: operating the internal combustion engine at a first operating point having a rotational speed and a first pressure difference between the ambient pressure and the pressure in the intake tract of the internal combustion engine; computing a first expected mass flow into the intake tract; measuring a first mass flow into the intake tract and computing a difference between the measured first mass flow and the first expected mass flow; operating the internal combustion engine at a second operating point having the same rotational speed and a second pressure difference between the ambient pressure and the pressure in the intake tract of the internal combustion engine, the second pressure difference being different from the first pressure difference; computing a second expected mass flow into the intake tract; measuring a second mass flow into the intake tract and computing the difference between the measured second mass flow and the second expected mass flow; and comparing the mass flow differences ascertained at the first and at the second operating point. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282599 | METHOD FOR ACCURATELY MEASURING FLUID IN A VESSEL - A system and method for accurately measuring fluid level in a vessel is provided. Generally, the system contains an elongated portion being a coaxial tube having a hollow center, an arm being coaxial in shape, and a sensor containing a transmitter capable of creating and transmitting an excitation electromagnetic pulse for traversing the elongated portion and the arm, and a receiver for receiving reflected pulses, wherein a proximate end of the elongated portion joins a distal end of the arm in a manner to create a waveguide for an electromagnetic pulse provided by the sensor. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282600 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC PLANT POWER CURVE MEASUREMENT AND HEALTH MONITORING - A photovoltaic (PV) plant power curve measurement system determines normalized irradiation data in response to algorithmic software based on measured or calculated irradiance at one or more desired PV plant locations. The measurement system also measures PV plant electrical power and generates an estimated power curve map of corresponding photovoltaic plant electrical power as a function of the normalized irradiation data and the measured PV plant electrical power, such that corresponding power curve data can be compared to historical, theoretical or simulated power curve data based on normalized irradiation data for the photovoltaic plant to detect degradation of the photovoltaic plant in a desired time frame. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282601 | Computer-Implemented System And Method For Estimating Power Data For A Photovoltaic Power Generation Fleet - A computer-implemented system and method for estimating power data for a photovoltaic power generation fleet is provided. Solar irradiance data is assembled for locations representative of a geographic region. The data includes a time series of solar irradiance observations electronically recorded at successive time periods spaced at input time intervals. Each observation includes measured irradiance. The data in the time series is converted over each time period into clearness indexes relative to clear sky global horizontal irradiance and the clearness indexes are interpreted as irradiance statistics. Each location's irradiance statistics are combined into fleet irradiance statistics applicable over the geographic region. Fleet power statistics are built as a function of the fleet irradiance statistics and the fleet's power rating. A time series of the power statistics is generated by applying a time lag correlation coefficient for an output time interval to the power statistics over each input time interval. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282602 | Computer-Implemented System And Method For Efficiently Performing Area-To-Point Conversion Of Satellite Imagery For Photovoltaic Power Generation Fleet Output Estimation - A computer-implemented system and method for efficiently performing area-to-point conversion of satellite imagery for photovoltaic power generation fleet output estimation is provided. Satellite imagery data of overhead sky clearness for a geographic region is accessed. Pixels within the satellite imagery data corresponding to a bounded area are identified. Each pixel represents collective irradiance within the bounded area. An area clearness index for the bounded area is set as an average of point clearness indexes derived from the collective irradiance for each point. A variance of the area clearness index is expressed as an average of the variance of the point clearness indexes. The variance of the area clearness index is proportioned to an area metric corresponding to each pixel's physical coverage area. A variance of the point clearness index is determined for one point as a ratio of the variance of the area clearness index and each pixel's physical coverage. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282603 | TECHNIQUES FOR DETERMINING PLATFORM ENERGY USAGE - Techniques for monitoring platform energy consumption. One or more operational states of the platform are monitored during a period of time. For each of the one or more operational states, a portion of the period of time that the platform was in the respective one or more operational states is determined. Energy consumption information corresponding to the one or more operational states is retrieved. The energy consumption information and the portions of the period of time are utilized to determine an energy consumption for the period of time. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282604 | BATTERY PACK, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND INSPECTION METHOD OF BATTERY PACK - A battery pack includes: a chargeable and dischargeable battery; and a microcomputer that acquires information on a voltage drop across the battery in a condition equivalent to no load and stores the information therein. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282605 | MOTOR DRIVING CIRCUIT - A test signal generating circuit generates an AC test signal. A driving unit supplies, to a motor, a driving voltage on which the test signal has been superimposed. A current detection circuit generates a detection signal that corresponds to an actual current that flows through a coil of the motor. A filter extracts, from the detection signal, a frequency component that corresponds to the test signal. A coil constant calculation circuit calculates the resistance value and the inductance value of the motor based upon the amplitude of the detection signal output from the filter, the amplitude of the test signal, and the phase difference between these signals. | 2011-11-17 |
20110282606 | Scalable capacitive touch system and method - A scalable capacitive touch system includes a header unit having a processor, an internal communication unit, and an external communication unit adapted to communicate button identification data to an external device; and at least one adder unit. Each adder unit can include at least one capacitive pad, a controller for monitoring the at least one capacitive pad, and a communication interface adapted, to communicatively connect to at least one of the header unit and another adder unit, and to communicate button actuation data to the header unit for processing by the processor to identify a user-activated capacitive pad. | 2011-11-17 |