meth Method for Starting the Normal Operation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for starting the normal operation of an electrical system with a fuel cell and a transducer from a stop mode is disclosed. The transducer absorbs the electrical power of the fuel cell, in which at least one reactant supply of the fuel cell was interrupted, where the interrupted reactant supply is resumed from a restart signal, and where a fuel cell voltage is prescribed and then regulated by the transducer. The prescribed fuel cell voltage is prescribed in a way that an electrical unloaded fuel cell supplied with reactants will exceed the prescribed fuel cell voltage in every case, and the current of the transducer necessary for maintaining the prescribed fuel cell voltage is measured, where the normal operation is released as of a prescribed current necessary to that effect. Full Article
meth HYDROGEN GENERATOR AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the invention provide a fuel cell system including a fuel cell coupled to a controller configured to route power generated by the fuel cell to at least one peripheral device. Embodiments include a hydrogen generator including a reactor vessel enclosed by a housing. The hydrogen generator is fluidly coupled to the fuel cell and configured to deliver hydrogen to the fuel cell. Embodiments include at least one water harvesting system fluidly coupled to the hydrogen generator and configured to deliver water or water vapor to the hydrogen generator using a controller. Some embodiments include at least one waste heat recovery system used to heat harvested water or water vapor delivered to the hydrogen generator. Some embodiments include a fuel cell system fueling method using the hydrogen generator fluidly coupled to the fuel cell including delivery of captured water or water vapor to the hydrogen generator. Full Article
meth PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A manufacturing method of a proton exchange membrane is provided, which includes the steps as follows. The hydroxyl groups are disposed on the surface of a substrate by a hydrophilic treatment. The hydroxyl groups on the substrate are chemically modified with a coupling agent by a sol-gel process. The substrate is exposed to an amino acid with a phosphonate radical so that the amino acid containing a phosphonate radical can be chemically bonded with the coupling agent. The chemically bonded substrate is immersed in phosphoric acid for absorbing the phosphoric acid. The substrate blended with the phosphoric acid is placed between at least two leak-proof films for the purpose of preventing the leakage of the absorbed phosphoric acid. The proton exchange membrane manufactured by this method enable to retain the phosphoric acid in organic/inorganic complex form and micron/nano complex pore size. Full Article
meth LITHIUM BATTERY ELECTROLYTE SOLUTION CONTAINING METHYL (2,2,3,3,-TETRAFLUOROPROPYL) CARBONATE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A battery electrolyte solution contains a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent phase comprising at least 10% by weight of methyl (2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl) carbonate. The solvent phase comprises optionally other solvent materials such as 4-fluoroethylene carbonate and other carbonate solvents. This battery electrolyte is highly stable even when used in batteries in which the cathode material has a high operating potential (such as 4.5V or more) relative to Li/Li+. Batteries containing this electrolyte solution therefore have excellent cycling stability. Full Article
meth POSITIVE ELECTRODE ACTIVE MATERIAL FOR NONAQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SECONDARY BATTERIES, PRODUCTION METHOD THEREOF, AND NONAQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SECONDARY BATTERY INCLUDING SAID MATERIAL By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a positive electrode active material that can be used to fabricate a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having excellent output characteristics not only in an environment at normal temperature but also in all temperature environments from extremely low to high temperatures. A positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, the positive electrode active material includes a boron compound and lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide of general formula (1) having a layered hexagonal crystal structure. The lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide includes secondary particles composed of agglomerated primary particles. The boron compound is present on at least part of the surface of the primary particles, and contains lithium. Li1+sNixCoyMnzMotMwO2 (1) Full Article
meth GARNET MATERIALS FOR LI SECONDARY BATTERIES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING GARNET MATERIALS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin ( Full Article
meth Method for Operating a Rechargeable Battery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a method for operating a secondary battery (1, 4) which comprises multiple interconnected, bridgeable battery subunits (A, B) and is situated in a compartment (3) of an electrically driven vehicle, in particular a watercraft, characterized in that the accessibility of each battery subunit (A, B) is detected, and the battery subunits (A, B) are activated in accordance with the accessibility of the particular battery subunits. Full Article
meth BATTERY MODULE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A battery module and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The battery module includes a case providing an internal space, a plurality of battery cells disposed in the internal space of the case, and at least one cooling unit interposed between the battery cells to be in surface contact with the battery cells and dissipating heat generated by the battery cells externally. Full Article
meth Method for controlling the local characteristics of a non-woven textile and related installation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST A crosslapper receives a card web and folds it into a lap intended to be needle-punched or consolidated by other ways. The web includes zones which are more condensed, having a spectrum of orientation of fibers with a component parallel to the width of the web, alternating with less condensed zones having a longitudinal unidirectional spectrum of orientations. The zones which are less condensed are used to form the edge zones of the lap. The result is that the lap has different respective spectra of orientation which pre-compensate for the unwanted changes produced by the needle-punching or other consolidation which follows. A needle-punched lap is obtained having a uniform MD/CD ratio (relationship between longitudinal and respectively transverse tensile strengths) or having a sought profile of the MD/CD ratio across the width of the lap. Full Article
meth Method for mixing short staple and down cluster by a dry processing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EDT A method for mixing short staple and down cluster by a dry processing utilizes an air tool to blow the short staple over, so that the scattered short staple is mixed in the down cluster. Stirring blades are further applied for stirring. Chemical agents are needless, no pollution is generated, and processing time is preferably reduced since the mixture does not have to be soaked in the chemical agent. Both the processing time and the manufacturing cost are decreased. Preferably, a proportion of the short staple to the down cluster is adjustable for different needs and divergent warmth retaining effects. Full Article
meth Method for operating a fleece layer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EDT The method for operating a fleece layer requires a fleece layer, to which the card web is supplied at variable card web infeed speed. To limit the amount of space required for the upper carriage at the rear of the machine, the average of the absolute values of the laying-carriage speed during the forward movement of the laying carriage in at least some laying cycles differs from the average of the absolute values of the laying-carriage speed during the return movement of the laying carriage, and the average of the absolute values of the laying-carriage speed in at least some laying cycles during the forward movement of the laying carriage differs from twice the average of the absolute values of the upper-carriage speed during the forward movement of the laying carriage. Full Article
meth Apparatus and methods for spreading fiber bundles for the continuous production of prepreg By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus for producing spread fiber bundles by strategic use of tension control throughout the device and use of higher differential speeds between driven rollers and line speed of the running fiber bundle are provided herein, along with methods for producing spread fibers, prepregs, and articles of manufacture therefrom. Full Article
meth Apparatus and methods for automatically training saw blades on a saw mandrel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Nov 2013 08:00:00 EST Apparatus and methods for automatically training (i.e., straightening) saw blades along a saw mandrel are disclosed. Full Article
meth Non-woven laying machine and a method for laying a non-woven fabric By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Nov 2013 08:00:00 EST In order to produce air-laid non-woven fabrics with an adjustable strength ratio of the production direction and 90° to the production direction, two non-woven laying machines are set at an angle to the production direction. Full Article
meth Carbon nanotube yarn, method and apparatus for making the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Dec 2013 08:00:00 EST An apparatus for making a carbon nanotube yarn includes a tube and a bobbin. The tube has an opening capable of introducing organic solvent into the tube. The tube further has an inlet and an outlet defined through lateral walls thereof. The inlet is capable of accepting one or more carbon nanotube yarn strings and the outlet is capable of accepting the carbon nanotube yarn. The bobbin is positioned around the tube for collecting the carbon nanotube yarn as it comes out of the outlet. Full Article
meth Method for the continuous production of laid staple fibre fabrics from finitely long reinforcing fibres with aligned fibre orientation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Jan 2014 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to a method for the continuous production of laid staple fiber fabrics with aligned fiber orientation, in which method the laid fabrics are produced by continuous plaiting down of carded fiber web at defined laying angles onto a synchronized transport belt (1), wherein the carding machine (2) and plaiting means (3) arranged downstream of it are arranged at an acute angle with respect to the advancing direction of the transport belt. Said laid staple fiber fabrics are used for producing high-strength fiber-reinforced plastic composites, as are used in wind power plants, aircraft construction and the automotive industry. In particular in the loading direction, said composites have high composite strengths and rigidities, to which end a defined fiber orientation is required. In addition to a defined orientation of the finite fibers, the laid fabrics also have a defined mass per unit area. Full Article
meth Method for harvesting bast plants By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 08:00:00 EST A method for harvesting bast plants that have stalks, husks, and seeds. The method includes cutting the bast stalks from the bast plants and receiving the bast stalks onto a first belt. The method then orients at least a portion of the bast stalks on the first belt by moving a bar back and forth across the first belt in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction the first belt is moving, the bar elevated above the first belt and having spaced tines extending toward the first belt, the longitudinal axis of the at least a portion of the bast stalks being generally oriented in the direction the first belt is moving. The husks and seeds may be removed from the bast stalks. The bast stalks may be packaged. Full Article
meth In yarn production, apron cladding mechanism and method to the rollers coated with elastic material and found in the drafting and guiding zone, having shift structure and pre-tensioning mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST The purpose of the invention is to reduce the abrasive impact of the fiber or the yarn on the rollers coated with elastic material, which are used for drafting and guiding purposes in yarn production techniques, and thus keep the operating conditions and yarn quality parameters constant. The fiber on the top rollers coated with elastic material especially in the mechanical ring compact yarn production among the yarn production techniques, is an apron cladding method, over the top roller and the bearing guide arms connected to a bearing body found on the bearing unit placed on the pressure arm, in a way that it would cover these together. The method includes the operation steps of stretching the aprons by application of tension via a tension component and, while the fiber drafting operation continues, the bearing unit carrying the aprons being shifted in the horizontal plane in certain intervals. Full Article
meth Cottonseed delinters and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for removing material, e.g., linters, from seeds, e.g., ginned cottonseeds, are provided. The systems and methods involve rotating the seeds in a rotatable drum having a plurality of longitudinal brushes. The centrifugal force created by the rotation of the drum and the plurality of longitudinal brushes urge the seeds against an interior surface of the drum that is lined with a brush insert. In this way, work is performed that removes the material from the exterior of the seeds. The material is removed using reduced pressure and the processed seeds are removed. The system may include a brush insert that is easily removed from the rotatable drum. Other systems and methods are disclosed. Full Article
meth Method and device for the dry forming of a fiber web By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A method and a device for the dry forming of a fiber web, in which a multiplicity of fibers or fiber mixtures are fed to a forming head by means of an air flow is described. The forming head produces a fiber stream which is introduced into a clearance of a forming zone between the forming head and a laydown belt. To obtain as uniform a construction of the fiber layer as possible during the laying down of the fibers, the fibers of the fiber stream run through the clearance within the forming zone with free sections of different lengths. To this end, the forming head and the laydown belt are held in a non-parallel arrangement, with the result that the clearance is formed by different spacings between the laydown belt and the forming outlet of the forming head. Full Article
meth Module feeder system and method to use same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A module feeder system is disclosed. The module feeder system comprises a module feeder which has an unload bed, a feeder bed, a first side wall and a second side wall. A cutting device is attached to the feeder bed. At least one hydraulic cylinder is positioned on each of the first and second side walls. Each hydraulic cylinder is configured to project in a direction away from the sidewalls and over the feeder bed. A method used to unwrap a cotton module is also disclosed. Full Article
meth Processing agents for synthetic fibers, aqueous liquids thereof, processing methods for synthetic fibers and synthetic fibers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A processing agent containing five specified kinds of components including esters and ethers as required components is used in the production or fabrication process of synthetic fibers such that superior spinning property is maintained and synthetic fibers with superior yarn quality and dyeing property can be obtained. Aqueous liquids of such processing agents, processing methods using such liquids and synthetic fibers obtained by such methods are also presented. Full Article
meth Apparatus for pressure steam treatment of carbon fiber precursor acryl fiber bundle and method for producing acryl fiber bundle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A pressure steam treatment apparatus according to the invention includes a pressure steam treatment chamber and labyrinth sealing chambers. The labyrinth sealing chambers are respectively arranged on a fiber bundle inlet and on a fiber bundle outlet of the steam treatment apparatus, having a running path of the fiber bundle in a horizontal direction and having plural labyrinth nozzles on top and bottom of the running path. The difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of the distance in the perpendicular direction of the top and bottom side labyrinth nozzles, of a pair of opposing labyrinth nozzles is 0.5 mm or smaller when the ambient temperature of the labyrinth sealing chamber is 140° C. This structure ensures that the energy cost can be reduced, the deformation of the apparatus and also, the raise of fuzz on the fiber bundle and fiber bundle breakage can be prevented at the same time. Full Article
meth Device and method for forming a uniform or profiled fleece or a uniform or profiled fiber flock mat By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The device for producing a uniform or profiled fleece or a fiber flock mat includes a material dispensing device which produces a fleece and a transport device for the further transport of the fleece. The device also includes a measuring device to determine a transverse profile and a longitudinal profile of the fleece by measuring the mass per unit area of the fleece across its width, and a profile-changing device for supplying individualized fibers or fiber flocks to the fleece. A control unit controls the profile-changing device on the basis of the results of the measuring device in such a way that the profile-changing device supplies the individualized fibers or fiber flocks section by section in a targeted manner. Thus, depending on the purpose of the application, a uniform fleece or a fleece with a nonuniform transverse profile or longitudinal profile can be produced. Full Article
meth Adjustable Hanging System and Method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An adjustable hanging system comprising a first support portion with a first portion configured to be removably mounted to a fixture and a second portion configured to guide him to hold an article, a second support portion with a first portion configured to be mounted to a fixture and a second portion configured to hold an article, and a spacer configured to connect the first and second support portions at an adjustably selected separation distance. A method of use is also disclosed. Full Article
meth CONNECTION DEVICE FOR LOUDSPEAKER BOXES, ARRANGEMENT OF LOUDSPEAKER BOXES SUSPENDED BELOW ONE ANOTHER, AND METHOD AND TRANSPORT CART FOR SETTING UP THE ARRANGEMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A connection device for setting up an arrangement of a plurality of loudspeaker boxes that are suspended beneath one another comprises a first assembly rail which is provided for assembly on a first loudspeaker box and to which a latching part is attached, and a second assembly rail which is provided for assembly on a second loudspeaker box and to which a retaining element that interacts with the latching part is attached. Herein, a free path length of a longitudinal displaceability of the latching part in relation to the first assembly rail is preselectable. Furthermore, the position of the retaining element in relation to the second assembly rail is preselectable. Full Article
meth BAGGING STATION SUPPORT FRAME AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a bagging station support frame that includes a bagging station holder and a rail coupler coupled to the bagging station holder. The bagging station holder holds a bagging station. A bagging station holds a plurality of shopping bags ready to receive products purchased by a customer. The rail coupler couples the bagging station support frame to a rail. Rails are common fixtures throughout retail stores. The bagging station support frame can be coupled to a rail at various locations throughout the retail store. A bagging station coupled to the bagging station support frame will be available for customers to bag their purchases wherever the bagging station support frame with bagging station is mounted. By mounting bagging station support frames with bagging stations throughout the retail store, customers can easily bag their purchases as they shop, without having to find a checkout counter to obtain shopping bags. Full Article
meth Post Mounting Assembly and Method for Molten Metal Pump By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A molten metal pump apparatus that includes a base member, at least two (2) support members or posts, and a post socket. The lower end of each post is mounted to a mounting bore of the base member and forms a cement-less pump joint. The upper end of the post is connected to the post socket to form a cement-less pump joint. The post socket is defined by a first half and a second half that have an open or separated position for receiving the upper end of the post and a closed or joined position for securing the upper end of the post. Full Article
meth UNDERMOUNT DRAWER SLIDE POSITION ADJUSTMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An undermount drawer slide mounting clip releasably attaches a drawer to a drawer rail assembly mounted in a cabinet carcass. The apparatus is capable of effecting positional adjustments of the drawer in three directions without removing the drawer from the cabinet carcass. The apparatus is comprised of a body slidingly engaged with a bonnet. A trigger pivotally connected between the body and the bonnet. A spring loaded catch slidable within the bonnet and acted on by the trigger to releasably attach the apparatus to a drawer rail assembly. A threaded spindle rotates within the base and adjusts the horizontal position of the drawer. A ramp adjustably connected to the base adjusts the vertical position of the drawer. A plunger extends from a housing connected to the body to adjacent the drawer rail assembly and adjusts the depth of the drawer. Full Article
meth SEAT SUSPENSION SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF USING SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A suspension system has an isolator cylinder with a primary reservoir having a primary reservoir volume, a secondary reservoir having a secondary reservoir volume, a manifold and a primary duct fluidly connecting the primary and secondary reservoirs for controlling the flow rate of the fluid between the primary and secondary reservoirs, and optionally a valve for controlling a flow rate of a fluid through the duct, and a control system for operating the valve. A shock absorption system for a vehicle seat is provided comprising an isolator with at least one secondary pneumatic reservoir connected with a fluid duct to the primary reservoir of an isolator. The reservoir volumes, length and cross sectional area of the connecting duct and fluid flow control valves may be determined using methods including algorithms, experimental testing and models to determine the optimal values to achieve consistent shock mitigation across a range of seat loads. Full Article
meth WEIGHT SYSTEMS AND METHODS STABILIZING OBJECTS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A weight system for supporting a free-standing object comprising first and second upper panels, a least one side panel, a lower panel, and a closure system. The panels are joined to define an upper wall and at least side wall, with the first and second upper panels defining a fill opening in the upper wall and a container defining an interior chamber. The closure system is arranged to allow the container to be configured in a closed configuration in which access to the interior chamber through the fill opening is substantially prevented and an open configuration in which access to the interior chamber through the fill opening is allowed. Full Article
meth CONDUIT SPACING AND MOUNTING SYSTEM AND METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A conduit spacing and mounting system and method are provided for prefabricating multilayered assemblies of conduits and mounting them end-to-end in a building. The system includes a pair of spacer plates, each having a same pattern of conduit-receiving openings, and a plurality of clamping assemblies, each including a bracket which is discrete from and individually attached to the spacer plate adjacent to one of the conduit-receiving openings. The clamping assemblies are oriented at different angles relative at different rows of the conduit-receiving openings to provide access for a clamp-tightening tool in the spaces between different rows of conduits. The use of spacer plates largely prevents lateral misalignments between the conduits, and the use of a separate bracket formed from a harder, stronger or thicker metal than the spacer plate greatly increases the strength and reliability of the clamping force applied to the conduits. Full Article
meth MOUNTING BRACKET METHOD AND SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are a method and/or a system of a mounting bracket. In one aspect, the mounting bracket includes a rectilinear faceplate. The rectilinear faceplate has three edges. The adjacent edges produce a specific angle between the adjacent edges. The rectilinear faceplate is capable of being attached to an item to be mounted onto a surface. The mounting bracket includes three walls where each edge is adjoined perpendicular to a corresponding wall. The mounting bracket includes three lips. Each lip is adjoined perpendicular to the corresponding wall such that each edge is associated with a corresponding lip. Each lip is capable of attaching to a fixture affixed to the surface. The mounting bracket allows the item to be mounted on the surface in two specific orientations. The two specific orientations are determined based on being able to rotate the item by a difference between 180 degrees and the specific angle. Full Article
meth Traveling wave air mattresses and method and apparatus for generating traveling waves thereon By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An air mattress apparatus includes an air mattress which comprised of an array of air bladder cells that are individually inflatable to quiescent pressure levels which provide comfortable support for the body of a human, and a pressure-pulse generator controlled by a wave sequence generator for introducing into ordered patterns of air bladder cells a wave-like time sequence of air pressure pulses which vary quiescent pressure levels in the cells, the pressure wave resulting in a traveling wave of support force variation which travels over the surfaces of the pulsed air bladder cells, thus inhibiting formation of bedsores. The wave pattern may optionally simulate water waves and/or rocking motions of a boat to produce relaxing effects. Full Article
meth Play yards and methods of operating the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Play yards and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example includes a collapsible upper frame, a collapsible lower frame, and posts to support the upper frame above the lower frame. The posts include respective tracks. The example also includes a foldable, frameless enclosure operatively coupled to the upper frame, the lower frame and the posts. The enclosure has a plurality of sides and a bottom to define an enclosure volume. The enclosure also has a plurality of corner beads dimensioned for receipt in a respective one of the tracks to secure the enclosure to the posts. Full Article
meth Bed vibration system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A bed vibration system to provide controllable vibrations beneath a mattress, which is located on a bed, the system comprising: a frame attachable to the bed by at least four suspension modules; at least two vibration modules, each vibration module having a rotatable element; at least two travel tracks attachable to the frame, the travel tracks configurable to have the at least two vibration modules respectively displaceable thereupon; and a vibration module control unit configurable to control vibrations and displacement of the respective vibration modules. Full Article
meth Transfer assistance device and operation method therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The transfer assistance device includes a front supporting part that supports the torso of the person being assisted; a set of sub supporting parts configured to be adjustable in position with respect to the front supporting part; a driving unit that propels and drives each of the set of sub supporting parts toward the person being assisted being supported by the front supporting part; a force sensor that detects a pressure proportional to propulsion of the sub supporting part by the driving unit and counterforce generated by contact of the sub supporting part with the person being assisted; and a computer that controls the driving unit based on the pressure detected by the force sensor so that tightening force on the person being assisted by the sub supporting part approaches prescribed tightening force. Full Article
meth Patient support apparatus and also a positioning method for positioning a patient's head within a surgical head restraint unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A patient support apparatus having a support table, a transfer plate, which is disposed movably in relation to the support table in a direction and on which a patient is supported for a surgical intervention and/or a medical imaging examination, and a surgical head restraint unit, which is disposed on the transfer plate is provided. The patient support apparatus includes a position monitoring apparatus for monitoring and/or checking a position of the surgical head restraint unit. Full Article
meth Cellular cushions including support material and methods of fabricating same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cellular cushion includes a base, a plurality of hollow cells, and support material. The base includes at least a first layer and a second layer. The plurality of hollow cells are coupled to, and extend outward from, only one of the first layer and the second layer. Each of the plurality of cells extends from a root defined at only one of the first layer and the second layer outwardly to an outer end. The plurality of cells are coupled together in flow communication via a plurality of channels extending between the cells. The support material is inserted within at least one of the hollow cells. The second layer coupled to the first layer such that the support material is between an inner surface of said at least one of the hollow cells and the second layer. Full Article
meth Distributed Sensing Systems nad Methods with I/Q Data Balancing Based on Ellipse Fitting By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system includes an optical fiber and an interrogator to provide source light to the optical fiber. The system also includes a receiver coupled to the optical fiber. The receiver includes at least one fiber optic coupler that receives backscattered light and that produces optical interferometry signals from the backscattered light. The receiver also includes photo-detectors that produce an electrical signal for each of said optical interferometry signals. The system also includes at least one digitizer that digitizes the electrical signals. The system also includes at least one processing unit that calculates I/Q data from the digitized electrical signals, corrects the I/Q data based on ellipse fitting, determines phase values based on the corrected I/Q data, and determines distributed sensing parameter values based on the phase values. Full Article
meth REFRIGERATOR AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for controlling a refrigerator may comprise controlling at least one of a temperature and humidity of at least one storage area of the refrigerator based on first storage information, receiving, from a second refrigerator different from the refrigerator, second storage information of the second refrigerator, and controlling at least one of the temperature and the humidity of the at least one storage area of the refrigerator based on the received second storage information. Full Article
meth INPUT DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD OF INPUT DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An input device according to an embodiment includes a vibration element, an acquisition unit, and an element controller. The vibration element causes an operation surface to vibrate. The acquisition unit acquires information on at least one of a traveling state and a traveling environment of the moving body. The element controller causes the vibration element to vibrate at a vibration strength according to at least the one of the traveling state and the traveling environment. Full Article
meth CAR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A car management system includes, for example, a second terminal generating first and second tokens in response to a request from a first terminal to use a vehicle, and sending the first token to the first terminal; and a third terminal authorizing the first terminal to use the vehicle by generating an access key that provides authority to use the vehicle using the first token and the second token in response to a request from the first terminal for the access key, and providing the generated access key to the first terminal. Full Article
meth METHOD FOR MONITORING ACCESS AUTHORIZATIONS BY AN ACCESS MONITORING SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method of monitoring access authorizations by an access monitoring system by a first method, the data carriers or the mobile electronic devices, on which a valid access authorization or an ID is assigned, are detected and the carriers/devices current positions are determined by trilateration or multilateration. A second imaging method is executed, parallel to the first method, and the current position of all persons presented in the entry area is detected by cameras. All persons, with and without valid access authorization, in the entry area are detected so that an ID map and a people map are created. The ID map corresponds to people who have valid access authorization and the people map corresponds everybody in the entry area. An overlay map is created by matching the ID map with the people map, to identify persons with valid access authorization or ID and the people without valid access authorization. Full Article
meth WIRELESS ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM INCLUDING CLOSED DOOR POSITION AND INTERIOR AREA REMOTE ACCESS WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE BASED LOCK SWITCHING AND RELATED METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A wireless access control system may include a remote access wireless communications device and a lock assembly to be mounted on a door. The lock assembly may include a lock, a door position sensor, interior and exterior directional antennas, lock wireless communications circuitry, a touch sensor, and a lock controller. The lock controller may be configured to unlock the lock based upon the touch sensor, determine when the door is closed after being opened based upon the door position sensor, determine whether the remote access wireless device is in an interior or an exterior based upon the directional antennas, switch the lock to the locked position when the door is closed and when the remote access wireless device is in the interior, and not switch the lock to the locked position when the door is closed and when the remote access wireless device is in the exterior. Full Article
meth SECURITY SYSTEM, MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, PERMISSION APPARATUS, TERMINAL APPARATUS, SECURITY METHOD AND PROGRAM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT At the time of setting authority, a management apparatus stores a database in which authority information corresponding to authority to physically drive a drive apparatus, which is a tangible object, using a terminal apparatus, and registration identification information corresponding to a subject that is given the authority are associated, and outputs information representing any of the registration identification information; and a permission apparatus receives and stores the information. At the time of exercising the authority, the terminal apparatus outputs information representing identification information, and the permission apparatus receives the information and, when the identification information corresponds to registration identification information comprised in setting information, outputs information representing authority exercise information required to exercise the authority. The terminal apparatus receives the information representing the authority exercise information and outputs a drive signal corresponding to the authority exercise information. By this drive signal, a drive apparatus, which is a tangible object, is physically driven. Full Article
meth WIRELESS ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM INCLUDING CLOSED DOOR POSITION AND EXTERIOR AREA REMOTE ACCESS WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE BASED LOCK SWITCHING AND RELATED METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A wireless access control system may include a remote access wireless communications device and a lock assembly to be mounted on a door. The lock assembly may include a lock, a door position sensor, interior and exterior directional antennas, lock wireless communications circuitry, and a lock controller. The lock controller determine whether the lock is manually unlocked, determine when the door is closed after being opened based upon the door position sensor, and determine whether the remote access wireless device is in an interior or an exterior based upon the directional antennas. The lock controller may also switch the lock to the locked position when the door is closed and when the remote access wireless device is in the exterior, and not switch the lock to the locked position when the door is closed and when the remote access wireless device is in the interior. Full Article
meth APPARATUS, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING FUNCTIONS OF A VEHICLE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Apparatuses, methods and computer programs for controlling functions of a vehicle. The apparatus for an information system of a vehicle includes a communication module for communication with a mobile device and a control module for controlling the communication module. The control module obtains a key signal and information about a user profile from the mobile device via the communication module. The user profile includes user settings for functions of the vehicle. The information about the user profile includes data about at least one subset of the user settings. The control module controls a locked state of the vehicle based on the key signal and controls at least one subset of the functions of the vehicle based on the information about the user profile. Full Article
meth SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO GENERATE HAPTIC FEEDBACK FOR SKIN-MEDIATED INTERACTIONS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system includes a sensor configured to sense an input at a skin surface, a processor configured to receive an output signal from the sensor and generate a haptic control signal based on the output signal, and a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect based on the haptic control signal. Full Article
meth MULTI SPECTRAL DETECTION DEVICE INCLUDING AN ACOUSTIC ARRAY, A PROTECTION SYSTEM, AND RELATED METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A multi-spectral detection device is provided that includes a housing, a bezel spacer, a microphone, an end cap and electro-optical sensors mounted to the end cap. The housing has an inner chamber that holds sensor components. The bezel spacer has a first end and an opposed, second end. The first end of the bezel spacer extends from a first end of the housing. The bezel spacer has a central bezel passage leading to the inner chamber of the housing. The bezel spacer further has at least four side walls. Each side wall is positioned 90 degrees away from an adjacent side wall. A microphone is coupled to each side wall of the bezel spacer in such a manner that each microphone is faced 90 degrees with respect to an adjacent microphone to form a compact acoustic array. The end cap is coupled to the second end of the bezel spacer and the electro-optical sensors are mounted to the end cap. Full Article