at Engine Block Heater Cord Set By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An engine block heater cord set. The cord set comprises an electrical power cord engagable with the engine block heater. A connector includes a plurality of power contacts, where the number of power contacts is four or more and a multiple of two. Each of the power contacts is electrically bonded to one of first and second electrical conductors. The power contacts are positioned symmetrically relative to one another on the connector with diagonally opposite contacts having a different polarity and spaced apart by a distance generally equal to the distance between the electrical terminals of the engine block heater. Full Article
at BATTERY CONNECTOR AND CIRCUIT MODULE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A battery connector is provided which is used to electrically connect a button battery. The connector has an insulating housing and positive and negative terminals. The housing has a limiting space for receiving and fixing the battery. The positive terminal has a positive contact portion which extends into the space and a first tail portion which maintains an electrical connection with a circuit board. The negative terminal has a negative contact portion which extends into the space so as to contact a negative electrode on a bottom surface of the battery, a second tail portion which maintains an electrical connection with the board, and a connection portion which is brought to move by the negative contact portion so as to electrically connect with the board when the battery is received in the space. The battery connector can be provided as part of a circuit module having an indicating member. Full Article
at TERMINAL ATTACHING/DETACHING DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A terminal attaching/detaching device includes a housing, an engaging member, and a movable member. The engaging member is configured to move in a first direction toward a terminal inserted in the housing to engage with the terminal, and is configured to move from the terminal inserted in the housing in a second direction to disengage from the terminal. The movable member is configured to move in concert with the engaging member in the moving process thereof in the first direction, and is configured to move the engaging member from the terminal inserted in the housing in the second direction, so that the engaging member is disengaged from the terminal. Full Article
at Device, system and method for providing zone-based configuration of socket structures By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Techniques and mechanisms for providing socket connection to a substrate. In an embodiment, a socket device includes a first socket body portion that is to provide for signal exchanges as part of a socket connector including the first socket body portion and a second socket body portion. The first socket body portion and the second socket body portion comprise respective zones, wherein, of the two zones, only one such zone has a first electro-mechanical characteristic. The first electro-mechanical characteristic is selected from the group consisting of an interconnect dimension, an interconnect material, an interconnect structure, a socket body material, and a shielding structure. In another embodiment, modular socket sub-assemblies each comprise a respective one of the first zone and the second zone. Full Article
at Linear edge connector with activator bar and contact load spring By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An example apparatus for connecting linear edge cards includes a housing to hold at least one set of conductive contacts facing perpendicularly towards a mating plane. The apparatus further includes an activator bar coupled to the housing, the activator bar to hold two parts of the housing apart via two opposing normal forces. The apparatus also includes a contact load spring coupled to the housing, the contact load spring to apply two forces parallel to the direction of the conductive contacts and against the two opposing normal forces of the activator bar. The apparatus further includes an ejector spring coupled to the contact load spring and the activator bar. The ejector spring is to apply a force perpendicular to the two opposing normal forces of the activator bar and in a direction of an opening of the housing. Full Article
at SOCKET APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A socket apparatus, including a plate for being held by sockets of a wall outlet in contact with a front surface of the wall outlet, the plate shaped complementary to the front surface of the wall outlet and comprising holes shaped and located corresponding to the sockets of the wall outlet; metal apertures, each extending from one of the holes of the plate, the metal apertures for receiving electric supply from the sockets of the wall outlet, and for inserting prongs of a plug of an electric appliance thereinto; an electric gadget, for providing an electric function; and an electric circuit, for receiving electric supply from the metal apertures, and for converting the electric supply to the electric function. The wall socket further includes a foldable or removable extension pin, for allowing attaching thereof to at least one of the prongs of the plug of the electric appliance, for extending thereof. Full Article
at Shock and Vibration Resistant Bulkhead Connector with Pliable Contacts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A high pressure and temperature, hermetically sealed bulkhead connector with pin and socket contacts for use in logging tools is described. The bulkhead connector comprises (a) one or more contact(s) placed within one or more channels wherein the channels provide a clearance path between contact(s) and bulkhead body and travel at least a partial longitudinal distance between proximal and distal ends. The contact(s) reside in the channel(s) and include at least; an optional movement limiter section, one central elongated section, and one fixed section where the contact(s) is attached to the bulkhead body at the distal end. The body correctly positions respective ends of the contact so that the body secures contact(s) to be parallel to each other and the contact(s) have terminal ends for connection. This arrangement provides at least one pivotable, pliable, free floating contact extending away from the fixed distal end of the bulkhead body. Full Article
at RADIALLY AND AXIALLY-COMPRESSED CERAMIC SEALING METHOD AND APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a system and method for providing a seal for an electrical penetrator in a subsea environment. More specifically, the present invention provides for a system for creating a seal about an electrical penetrator without using o-rings or independent seals. The present invention provides for a set of supporting apparatuses to be placed in compression about a central ceramic penetrator element. The geometry of the central ceramic penetrator element and the interior of the supporting apparatuses forms a hermetic seal when under a constant radial and axial, or axial compressive force. Full Article
at Multiport Radio Frequency Connector Isolation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Previously available elastomeric EMI gaskets provided for multiport RF connector assemblies have performance limiting drawbacks. Consequently, EM isolation provided by a previously available elastomeric EMI gasket is often inadequate. Various implementations disclosed herein include multiport RF connection arrangements that use a metal gasket arranged within at least a portion of an isolation space provided by a multiport RF connector. In some implementations, a multiport connection arrangement includes a substrate, a multiport RF connector and a fitted metal gasket. The substrate includes a first surface and a first plurality of connection ports. The multiport connector has a body that includes a second surface, a second plurality of connection ports, and includes an electromagnetic isolation boundary that defines an isolation space between at least two of the second plurality of connection ports terminating at the second surface. Mechanical fasteners are optional and are included to merely provide engagement, without substantial compressive force. Full Article
at COMMUNICATIONS CABLE WITH STATUS INDICATOR FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electronic device system can include an electronic device. The electronic device can include a receptacle, and a device logic driving status unit configured to generate a status signal indicating activity of the electronic device, and a communications cable. The communications cable can include a first plug configured to connect to the receptacle and receive the status signal, wherein the first plug includes a status indicator configured to indicate activity of the electronic device based on the status signal. Full Article
at Nano-fabricated structured diamond abrasive article By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention describes a microfabricated or nanofabricated structured diamond abrasive with a high surface density array of geometrical protrusions of pyramidal, truncated pyramidal or other shape, of designed shapes, sizes and placements, which provides for improved conditioning of CMP polishing pads, or other abrasive roles. Three methods of fabricating the structured diamond abrasive are described: molding of diamond into an array of grooves of various shapes and sizes etched into Si or another substrate material, with subsequent transferal onto another substrate and removal of the Si; etching of an array of geometrical protrusions into a thick diamond layer, and depositing a thick diamond layer over a substrate pre-patterned (or pre-structured) with an array of geometrical protrusions of designed sizes, shapes and placements on the surface. Full Article
at Methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond products using a selected amount of graphite particles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) fabricated by sintering a mixture including diamond particles and a selected amount of graphite particles, polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) having a PCD table comprising such PCD, and methods of fabricating such PCD and PDCs. In an embodiment, a method includes providing a mixture including graphite particles present in an amount of about 0.1 weight percent (“wt %”) to about 20 wt % and diamond particles. The method further includes subjecting the mixture to a high-pressure/high-temperature process sufficient to form PCD. Full Article
at Polycrystalline ultra-hard material with microstructure substantially free of catalyst material eruptions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Polycrystalline ultra-hard materials and compacts comprise an ultra-hard material body having a polycrystalline matrix of bonded together ultra-hard particles, e.g., diamond crystals, and a catalyst material disposed in interstitial regions within the polycrystalline matrix. The material microstructure is substantially free of localized concentrations, regions or volumes of the catalyst material or other substrate constituent. The body can include a region extending a depth from a body working surface and that is substantially free of the catalyst material. The compact is produced using a multi-stage HPHT process, e.g., comprising two HPHT process conditions, wherein during a first stage HPHT process the catalyst material is melted and only partially infiltrates the precursor ultra-hard material, and during a second stage further catalyst material infiltrates the precursor ultra-hard material to produce a fully sintered compact. Full Article
at Method for fabricating semiconductor device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes (a) depositing an insulating film on a semiconductor substrate; (b) forming a recess in the insulating film; (c) depositing a conductive film on the insulating film while filling the recess with the conductive film; and (d) polishing the conductive film. Step (d) includes a first polishing substep of using a first polisher pad conditioned with a first dresser and a second polishing substep of using a second polisher pad conditioned with a second dresser different from the first dresser. Full Article
at Plastic soft composition for polishing and for surface protective material application By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A plastic soft composition is formed of soft base material constantly provided with plasticity, porous fine particles for polishing contained in the base material, and the like, and a polishing process and a coating process are performed to a painted surface and the like using the plastic soft composition. The fine particles for polishing are impregnated with a coating agent (a surface protective agent) added with an activator which is emulsified by contact with water, and the coating agent is held in concave portions formed in the fine particles. Both polishing work and coating work are achieved by sliding the plastic soft composition on a painted surface by a palm pressure of a user. Full Article
at Impregnated diamond structure, method of making same, and applications for use of an impregnated diamond structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A layer of matrix powder is deposited within a mold opening. A layer of super-abrasive particles is then deposited over the matrix powder layer. The super-abrasive particles have a non-random distribution, such as being positioned at locations set by a regular and repeating distribution pattern. A layer of matrix powder is then deposited over the super-abrasive particles. The particle and matrix powder layer deposition process steps are repeated to produce a cell having alternating layers of matrix powder and non-randomly distributed super-abrasive particles. The cell is then fused, for example using an infiltration, hot isostatic pressing or sintering process, to produce an impregnated structure. A working surface of the impregnated structure that is oriented non-parallel (and, in particular, perpendicular) to the super-abrasive particle layers is used as an abrading surface for a tool. Full Article
at Superabrasive cutting element and manufacturing method with high degree of control of distribution and crystallographic orientation of the micro cutting edges By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An abrasive element comprises a body of crystalline abrasive material. The body has an array of cutting elements formed of crystalline abrasive material which projects from a surface of the body. The shape, size and form of the projections is controlled in the production process. The body may be a natural or synthetic crystal. The body may be a film formed by deposition. The body may be diamond or cubic boron nitride. The body may be monocrystalline or polycrystalline. The projections may be aligned along a crystallographic plane or planes. Full Article
at Methods of fabricating a polycrystalline diamond body with a sintering aid/infiltrant at least saturated with non-diamond carbon and resultant products such as compacts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of fabricating a polycrystalline diamond compacts and applications for such polycrystalline diamond compacts. In an embodiment, a method of fabricating a polycrystalline diamond body includes mechanically milling non-diamond carbon and a sintering aid material for a time and aggressiveness sufficient to form a plurality of carbon-saturated sintering aid particles and sintering a plurality of diamond particles in the presence of the plurality of carbon-saturated sintering aid particles to form the polycrystalline diamond body. Full Article
at Coated CBN sintered body By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A coated cBN sintered body has excellent wear resistance, fracture resistance, adhesiveness between a substrate and a coating, and a tool life of which is elongated as compared with conventional cBN sintered bodies. The coated cBN sintered body has a cBN sintered body substrate and a coating coated on the surface thereof. The cBN sintered body includes 76 to 90% by volume of cBN, and 10 to 24% by volume of a binder phase and inevitable impurities. An average grain size of cBN is 0.5 to 5.0 μm, an average value of the thickness of the binder phase is 0.05 to 0.8 μm, and the standard deviation of the thickness of the binder phase is 0.8 μm or less. Full Article
at Cleaning material and abrasive material made from bamboo fiber By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention discloses a cleaning cloth, an abrasive cloth, a cleaning buff and an abrasive buff which are each formed by knitting/weaving bamboo fibers having excellent cleaning, abrasive capacity and excellent ignition resistance. Full Article
at Methods for orienting superabrasive particles on a surface and associated tools By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods of making a superabrasive tool precursor are disclosed, along with such precursors and associated tools. Particularly, methods are disclosed for orienting superabrasive particles in a viscous binding material in order to provide tools based thereupon and having desired performance characteristics. Full Article
at Polycrystalline diamond compact including a polycrystalline diamond table with a thermally-stable region having at least one low-carbon-solubility material and applications therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) comprising a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table including a thermally-stable region having at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed interstitially between bonded diamond grains thereof, and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate, and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting diamond-to-diamond bonding therebetween and defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table further includes at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The at least one low-carbon-solubility material exhibits a melting temperature of about 1300° C. or less and a bulk modulus at 20° C. of less than about 150 GPa. Full Article
at Coatings for cutting tools By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one aspect, cutting tools are described having coatings adhered thereto. A coated cutting tool, in some embodiments, comprises a substrate and a coating adhered to the substrate, the coating comprising at least one composite layer deposited by chemical vapor deposition comprising an aluminum oxynitride phase and a metal oxide phase, the metal oxide phase including at least one oxide of a metallic element selected from Group IVB of the Periodic Table. Full Article
at Polishing composition and method utilizing abrasive particles treated with an aminosilane By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The inventive method comprises chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with an inventive polishing composition comprising a liquid carrier and abrasive particles that have been treated with a compound. Full Article
at Abrasive articles including abrasive particles bonded to an elongated body, and methods of forming thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An abrasive article includes an elongated body, a bonding layer including a metal overlying a surface of the elongated body, and a coating layer including a polymer material overlying the boding layer. The abrasive article further includes abrasive grains contained within the bonding layer and coating layer, and wherein the bonding layer comprises an average thickness (tbl) at least about 40% of the average grit size of the abrasive grains. Full Article
at CVD coated polycrystalline c-BN cutting tools By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT CVD coated cutting tools are provided. A coated cutting tool described herein, in some embodiments, comprises a PcBN substrate and a polished coating adhered to the substrate including one or more layers of Al2O3 deposited by chemical vapor deposition, wherein the coating has a surface roughness (Ra) less than about 600 nm in an area of the cutting tool for contacting a workpiece. Full Article
at Cutting tool with multi-layer coating By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a cutting tool comprising a main part and a multilayer coating applied thereon. A first layer A made of a hard material is applied on the main part, said hard material being selected from titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN), titanium aluminum silicon nitride (TiAlSiN), chromium nitride (CrN), aluminum chromium nitride (AlCrN), aluminum chromium silicon nitride (AlCrSiN), and zirconium nitride (ZrN), and a second layer B made of silicon nitride (Si3N4) is applied directly over the first layer A. Full Article
at ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND SIGNAL GENERATING CIRCUIT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electronic device including a signal generating circuit and a movable sensing circuit is provided. The signal generating circuit generates a sensory signal through a signal source. The movable sensing circuit generates a feedback signal in response to a detection signal from the signal generating circuit, and transmits the feedback signal to the signal generating circuit. The signal generating circuit obtains a first distance value between the signal source and the movable sensing circuit based on the feedback signal, and adjusts the intensity of the sensory signal according to the first distance value. Full Article
at DETECTION APPARATUS, UNDERWATER DETECTION APPARATUS AND RADAR APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A Continuous Transmission Frequency Modulated (CTFM) detection apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a projector, a sensor, and a hardware processor. The projector is configured to transmit a frequency modulated transmission wave at a given transmission period. The sensor is configured to receive a reflected wave, the reflected wave comprising a reflection of the transmission wave on a target object. The hardware processor is programmed to at least generate a beat signal based at least in part on the transmission wave and the reflected wave, extract asynchronously from the transmission period a processing signal from the beat signal, and generate information related to the target object based on the processing signal. Full Article
at A METHOD, A SYSTEM, A TRANSPONDER, AND A POSITION DETECTION APPARATUS FOR A PRECISE MEASUREMENT OF A POSITION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a system for determining a distance, a transponder, a position detection apparatus, and a method therefor. The method for determining a distance comprises providing a position detection apparatus (101), and a transponder (105). The method further comprises generating (201) a pseudo number sequence, transmitting (202) the pseudo number sequence, receiving (203) the pseudo number sequence; modulate (204) the received pseudo number sequence by means of delaying the recieved pseudo number sequence a predetermined number of clock cycles from a group of at least two predetermined number of clock cycles. The method further comprises transmitting (205) the modulated pseudo number sequence, recieving (206) the modulated pseudo number sequence, detecting (207) a path time of the pseudo number sequence, by means of delaying and correlating the generated pseudo number sequence with the received modulated pseudo number sequence, wherein the delay time corresponds to the path time, The method further comprises detecting (208) a clock correction factor for the transponder (105) using the received modulated pseudo number sequence, calculating (209) a flight time of the pseudo number sequence between the position detection apparatus and the transponder by means of the path time, the clock correction factor, and the predetermined number of clock cycles of the transponder, and calculating (210) the distance between said position detection apparatus and said transponder by means of the flight time. Full Article
at GENERATING ESTIMATES OF UNCERTAINTY FOR RADAR BASED PRECIPITATION ESTIMATES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method and system for estimating uncertainties in radar based precipitation estimates is provided. In an embodiment, gauge measurements at one or more gauge locations are received by an agricultural intelligence computer system. The agricultural intelligence computer system obtains precipitation estimates for the one or more gauge locations that correspond to the gauge measurements and computes the differences between the precipitation estimates and the gauge measurements. Using the precipitation estimates and the computed differences, the agricultural intelligence computer system then models a dependence of the uncertainty in the precipitation estimates on the value of the precipitation estimates. When the agricultural intelligence computer system receives precipitation estimates for a location where gauge measurements are unavailable, the agricultural intelligence computer identifies an uncertainty for the precipitation estimate based on the value of the precipitation estimate and the model of the dependence of the uncertainty on the precipitation estimate values. Full Article
at Method and Device for Chronologically Synchronizing a Kinematic Location Network By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Methods and devices are presented for synchronizing positioning signals in a kinematic location network. In particular, methods and devices are presented for synchronizing a unique positioning signal generated by a positioning-unit device to a reference positioning signal generated by a reference transmitter, where the positioning-unit device and the reference transmitter are moving relative to each other. In certain embodiments the reference transmitter or the positioning-unit device, or both, self-monitor trajectory data comprising one or more of location, velocity or acceleration, e.g. using inertial navigation systems, and broadcast that data in their positioning signals. The trajectory data enables estimation of Doppler shifts and propagation delays associated with the positioning signals, allowing measurement and correction of clock drift for synchronization of the positioning signals. Full Article
at RADAR APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A vehicle-mounted radar apparatus includes transmission antenna members and a transmitting section provided with an oscillator and phase shifters, a controller controlling the phase shifter, a reception antenna member, and a receiving section. The oscillator generates radio waves for the radar waves transmitted from the transmission antenna. Each phase shifters changes a phase of the radio waves generated and supplies the phase-shifted radio waves to a corresponding one of the transmission antenna members. The reception antenna member receives reflected waves of the radar waves. The receiving section generates a reception signal including the reflected waves. For the noise reduction process, the controller controls the phase control, so that, of the received signals generated at the receiving section, a first leak component which is from reflected waves from objects other than a target object is subtracted from a second leak component leaking from the transmitting section to the receiving section. Full Article
at METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A POSITION OF USER EQUIPMENT, AND AN ANTENNA SET THEREFOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a method for positioning of user equipment. The method for positioning of user equipment, includes: receiving, by the user equipment, a signal from an external antenna, the signal being radiated in a cyclic pattern; measuring, by the user equipment, strength of the received signal, characterizing, by the user equipment, the measured strength to form a signal pattern over a time period; and determining a position of the user equipment based on the signal pattern. Full Article
at POLARIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR SUPPRESSION OF HARMONIC COUPLING AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system comprising: an interrogator device, comprising: a first transmit antenna configured to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals circularly polarized in a first rotational direction; and a first receive antenna configured to receive RF signals circularly polarized in a second rotational direction different from the first rotational direction; and a target device, comprising: a second receive antenna configured to receive RF signals circularly polarized in the first rotational direction and a second transmit antenna configured to transmit, to the interrogator device, RF signals circularly polarized in the second rotational direction. Full Article
at RADAR SENSOR, CORRESPONDING OPERATING METHOD AND VEHICLE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A radar sensor for detecting at least one object, having a control device to receive a control input signal; a signal generator to generate a transmit signal having a multitude of signal cycles, each signal cycle having a multitude of signal sequences, and a series of blocks being formed, each block having precisely one frequency ramp of each signal sequence, and the signal generator furthermore being designed to select a predefined quantity of blocks from the transmit signal based on the control input signal and to output them as output signal; an antenna device to transmit the output signal that is output by the signal generator and to receive a receive signal; and an evaluation device which is designed to ascertain, by superpositioning the transmit signal and the receive signal, a quantity with regard to an angle and/or a distance and/or a relative speed of the at least one object. Full Article
at ON-BOARD RADAR APPARATUS AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A radar apparatus generates a strength distribution indicating a correspondence relationship between a relative speed parameter related to an observation point relative speed and a reflection strength parameter related to reflection strength of radar waves reflected at an observation point, for a plurality of observation points. Furthermore, the radar apparatus determines that a traveling vehicle is detected when the reflection strength parameter decreases as the relative speed parameter increases from a center relative speed parameter that is the relative speed parameter corresponding to a peak in the reflection strength, the reflection strength parameter decreases as the relative speed parameter decreases from the center relative speed parameter, and a distribution of the reflection strength parameter is symmetrical with the center relative speed parameter at the center. Full Article
at ROTATING ATTITUDE HEADING REFERENCE SYSTEMS AND METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide orientation and/or position data from an orientation and/or position sensor (OPS) while it is rotating. A system includes a logic device configured to communicate with an OPS that is rotationally coupled to a mobile structure. The logic device is configured to receive orientation and/or position data from the OPS while the OPS is rotating relative to the mobile structure and determine rotationally corrected orientation and/or position data referenced to the mobile structure, a rotationally actuated sensor assembly mounted to the mobile structure, and/or an absolute coordinate frame. Full Article
at SNOW QUALITY MEASURING APPARATUS AND SNOW QUALITY MEASURING METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A snow quality measuring apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of reflectors, at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, and a measuring device. The plurality of reflectors are respectively arranged at a plurality of prescribed heights above the ground. The transmitter emits radio waves towards the plurality of reflectors, and the receiver receives the reflected waves of the radio waves from the plurality of reflectors. The measuring device measures snow quality of snow on the ground at the prescribed plurality of heights based on the respective reflected waves to from the plurality of reflectors as received by the receiver. Full Article
at FREQUENCY MODULATED CONTINUOUS WAVE RADIO ALTIMETER SPECTRAL MONITORING By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, a radio altimeter tracking filter is provided. The filter comprises: a wireless radio interface; a processor coupled to the wireless radio interface; a memory coupled to the wireless radio interface; wherein the wireless radio interface is configured to wirelessly receive a radio altimeter signal and convert the radio altimeter signal to a baseband frequency signal, wherein the a radio altimeter signal sweeps across a first frequency spectrum between a first frequency and a second frequency; wherein the processor is configured to pass the baseband frequency signal through a filter executed by the processor, the filter comprising a passband having a first bandwidth, and wherein the filter outputs a plurality of spectral chirps in response to the baseband frequency signal passing through the first bandwidth; wherein the processor is configured to process the plurality of spectral chirps to output characteristic parameters that characterize the radio altimeter signal. Full Article
at VEHICLE WATER DETECTION SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to determining the presence of flowing water (B) in the vicinity of a vehicle. It relies on a pair of sensors (6a) emitting periodic signals, receiving reflected signals and comparing them to each other to determine the presence of flowing water in the area surrounding the vehicle. Another approach relies on a single sensor and analyses perturbations in the signal of said sensor. Preferably, the invention uses sensors already installed, namely parking sensors and a radar. Full Article
at ON-BOARD RADAR APPARATUS, NOTIFICATION SYSTEM, AND TRAVELLING VEHICLE DETECTION METHOD OF ON-BOARD RADAR APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A radar apparatus detects an observation point distance and an observation point azimuth. In addition, the radar apparatus calculates an observation point lateral position and an observation point vertical position based on the observation point distance and the observation point azimuth. Furthermore, the radar apparatus determines that a traveling vehicle is detected when a number of observation points included within a side determination range is equal to or greater than a predetermined traveling vehicle determination count, based on the observation point lateral position and the observation point vertical position. The side determination range is set so as to include a passing determination line so as to extend in a direction at 90 degrees relative to a front-rear direction of the vehicle to the side of the vehicle. Full Article
at INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A portable terminal includes a GPS unit configured to receive a GPS signal, a GPS processing section configured to detect GPS accuracy at an interval and detect the position of a vehicle on the basis of the GPS signal received by the GPS unit, and an information processing section configured to detect entrance timing, which is timing when the GPS accuracy is detected when the vehicle is located at an entrance point of a multi-storey parking structure, on the basis of transition of the GPS accuracy detected by the GPS processing section at the interval. Full Article
at APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING LOCATION OF USER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A terminal for identifying a location of a user includes a transmitter configured to transmit data, a receiver configured to receive the data, a sensor configured to sense at least one piece of context information, and a controller configured to determine a priority order of area information, service set identifier (SSID) information, global positioning system (GPS) signal information, and the context information corresponding to each location, identify the location based on the priority order, and determine the priority order of the SSID information and the GPS signal information in response to retrieving a number of SSIDs. Full Article
at Electrically Short Antennas with Enhanced Radiation Resistance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Various methods, apparatus, devices and systems are provided for electrically short antennas for efficient broadband transmission. In one example, among others, a system includes a segmentally time-variant antenna and a segment controller that can control conductivity of individual segments of the segmentally time-variant antenna. The conductivity of the individual segments is modulated to allow a pulse to propagate from the proximal end to the distal end of the segmentally time-variant antenna and impede a reflection of the pulse from propagating back to the proximal end of the segmentally time-variant antenna. In another embodiment, a method includes injecting a pulse at a first end of a segmentally time-variant antenna and modulating conductivity of individual segments to allow the pulse to propagate to a second end of the segmentally time-variant antenna and impede a reflection of the pulse from propagating back to the first end. Full Article
at Auxiliary Antenna Array for Wideband Sidelobe Cancellation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Described embodiments provide sidelobe cancellation for Simultaneous Transmit and Receive systems. The sidelobe cancellation system includes an array having a primary aperture and an auxiliary array. The auxiliary array includes a plurality of antenna elements disposed adjacent to at least one side of the primary aperture. Each element of the auxiliary array is coupled to a variable attenuator, a variable phase shifter or a variable true time delay unit. A controller tunes the auxiliary array to cancel sidelobes of the primary aperture by adaptively selecting an attenuation value of the variable attenuator, a phase shift value of the variable phase shifter and a time delay value of the variable true time delay unit for each element of the auxiliary array. The auxiliary array operates as an adaptive finite-impulse response (FIR) filter with each antenna element of the auxiliary array operating as an adaptive tap of the adaptive FIR filter. Full Article
at BASE STATION AND COMMUNICATION CONTROL METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A base station including: a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and the processor configured to: estimate a plurality of angles of arrival based on a plurality of received signals from a plurality of wireless device respectively, each of the plurality of angles of arrival being an angel of a horizontal plane relative to each direction from which each of the plurality of received signals arrives, and control at least one tilt angel based on the plurality of angels of arrival, each of the at least one tilt angle being an angle of the horizontal plane relative to each direction to which at least one beam is formed. Full Article
at DETERMINING A TOPOLOGY OF THE SURFACE OF A MATERIAL FILLED INTO A CONTAINER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A fill level measurement device for determining a topology of a filling material surface in a container including an antenna apparatus, a receiver and control circuitry. An emission angle of the antenna apparatus and a spatial position of the antenna apparatus relative to the filling material surface is settable by the control circuitry. A resultant emission direction of the fill level measurement device is changeable by the control circuitry by controlling a position of the antenna apparatus and by controlling an emission and/or receiving angle of the antenna apparatus. Full Article
at POSITION SENSOR, DIRECTION ESTIMATION METHOD, AND SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A sensor includes a reception antenna, a parasitic antenna terminating in a variable load, a controller, a transmitter transmitting a transmission signal, a receiver, a memory, and a processor. The controller sets an impedance value of the variable load. The receiver receives a first signal formed of signals received by the antennas and derived from the transmission signal, and the signal received by the parasitic antenna corresponding to the impedance value. The memory stores a first signal strength value of the first signal corresponding to the impedance value. The processor sets candidates of a complex propagation channel, calculates second signal strength values of a second signal respectively corresponding to the candidates, estimates a target complex propagation channel by selecting a candidate corresponding to a minimum difference among differences between the first signal strength value and the second signal strength values, and estimates a direction of arrival of the first signal. Full Article
at METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING TARGET OBJECT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for detecting a target object by a radar device for a vehicle. The method includes recognizing the situation that causes the deterioration in the function of a radar, and preventing the performance from deterioration through a signal processing technology. The apparatus includes: a signal transmitting unit that transmits a transmission signal for detecting a target object; a signal receiving unit that receives a reception signal generated by a reflection of the transmission signal; a signal analyzing unit that calculates frequency spectrum information of the reception signal, and extracts periodicity information for determining a periodicity of the frequency spectrum information; a determining unit that determines whether a clutter structure exists; and a target detecting unit that detects a target object by deleting a peak value component of the periodicity information when it is determined that the clutter structure exists. Full Article