stem Loading/unloading system serving a sheet cutting centre, feeding tray therefor and relative handling method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT A system for loading/unloading sheets is disclosed, some of which also being of metal, and handling method thereof, serving a laser cutting center. The system includes a pair of rails (1, 2), supported at a preset height above a feeding tray (T) of the cutting center, whereon at least one Cartesian robotized hand is movably mounted, capable of moving along horizontal axes X and Y as well as along a vertical axis Z, mutually orthogonal, and including at least two bridge cranes (3, 4) sliding along the rails (1, 2) each of which supports at least one pair of robotized hands (5-8), and the robotized hands (5-8) have an electromagnetic pick-up head which may be coupled with a suction-cup device (103). Feeding tray (T) consists of bars whereon small tesserae (204) of ceramic material are fitted. Full Article
stem Variable strength magnetic end effector for lift systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A device and method for adjusting the magnetic strength of a magnetic end effector for lift systems is described. The magnetic end effector is capable of lifting discriminate payloads by selectively varying the strength of the magnetic forces output by the magnetic end effector. An actuator can be operatively coupled to the variable strength magnet end effector, wherein the actuator is selectively actuatable to control the adjustment of the variable strength magnet. The actuator may also be configured to maintain the variable strength magnet at a desired magnetic force output strength once achieved for any given amount of time. Full Article
stem Head tool changer for use with deposition-based digital manufacturing systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A head tool changer for use with a deposition-based digital manufacturing system, the head tool changer comprising a tooling unit configured to retain a deposition head, a grip unit configured to engage with tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit, and a master unit operably mounted to a gantry and configured to engage with the tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit. Full Article
stem Welding tip replacement apparatus, welding tip replacement system, and method for replacing welding tip By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A welding tip replacement apparatus is used for a welding torch that includes a tubular tip connection body, a tubular retaining member fitted over the tip connection body, and a tubular welding tip fitted within the tip connection body, the welding torch being configured such that displacing the retaining member toward the proximal end of the tip connection body along the axis of the tip connection body causes the welding tip axially fastened to the tip connection body to be released. The apparatus includes a first grasping mechanism grasping the retaining member, a second grasping mechanism grasping the welding tip protruding from the retaining member in a direction away from the distal end of the tip connection body, a first driving mechanism driving the first grasping mechanism axially, and a second driving mechanism driving the second grasping mechanism axially. Full Article
stem Method and system for detecting fiber fault in passive optical network By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The disclosure provides a method and a system for detecting a fiber fault in a Passive Optical Network (PON). The system comprises an optical path detection device, a Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) coupler, a wavelength selection coupler, a branch fiber selector and a wavelength selection router. The detection system is attached to an original PON system, without influencing the operation of the original system while performing the detection. With the disclosure, the problem of being unable to determine whether there is a fault in a branch fiber due to the loss of an optical path detection reflection signal is solved, the branch fiber with a fault can be quickly located and fixed, thus the operational and maintenance costs of an operator are reduced. Full Article
stem Communication media multi-switch system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Exemplary systems and methods for testing communication media and devices are disclosed herein. An exemplary system may include a transmitting media support and a receiving media support, each including a plurality of communication media. The system may further include a movement support configured to selectively translate the receiving media support relative to the transmitting media support between a transmission position and a free position. In the transmission position, a receiving media may be engaged with the transmitting media to receive an initiated signal from the transmitting media. In the free position, a first end face of the receiving media may be spaced apart from a second end face of the transmitting media, thereby preventing contact between the first and second end faces. The movement support may be further configured to align the at least one of the receiving media with the transmitting media. Full Article
stem Optical communication system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical communication system includes an optical-signal transmission unit transmitting an existing optical signal and a low-rate-signal superimposition unit superimposing a low-rate signal on the existing optical signal by intensity modulation. It further includes: a low-rate-signal extraction unit that extracts the low-rate signal from the existing optical signal on which the low-rate signal is superimposed and converts the extracted low-rate signal into a low-rate electric signal; an add-on optical-signal transmission unit that transmits an add-on optical signal; a low-rate-signal superimposition unit that superimposes a low-rate signal on the add-on optical signal by the intensity modulation based on the low-rate electric signal; and a repeater that repeats the add-on optical signal on which the low-rate signal is superimposed, to a transmission destination. Full Article
stem System and method for infrared dongle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of controlling consumer devices using an infrared dongle coupled to a mobile device includes receiving power for the infrared dongle from the mobile device. The infrared dongle includes an infrared transmitter coupled to a microcontroller. One or more instructions are received in the microcontroller from the mobile device. The received one or more instructions are generated from codes stored in a memory of the mobile device. In response to the receiving, one or more infrared signals are transmitted via the infrared transmitter to at least one of the consumer devices. Full Article
stem Method and system for WDM transmission with chromato-temporal encoding By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A transmitter and a receiver for an optical telecommunication system of the WDM type are disclosed. In one aspect, the transmitter uses a chromato-temporal encoder which, with each block of symbols to be transmitted, associates a code matrix, where each element of the matrix corresponds to a wavelength and a use of the channel. The transmitter includes multiple modulators, where each modulator modulates a laser beam at a wavelength during a use of the channel by an element corresponding to the code matrix. The beams modulated in this manner are multiplexed in an optical fiber. Another embodiment using both a wavelength and a polarization encoding is also proposed. Full Article
stem Long-haul undersea transmission system and fiber By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An undersea long-haul transmission system includes an optical fiber transmission span and a coherent detection and digital signal processing module for providing dispersion compensation. The transmission span includes at least one fiber pair comprising substantially equal lengths of a positive-dispersion first fiber and a negative-dispersion second fiber that are configured to provide a signal output at transmission distances greater than 10,000 km, in which the combined accumulated dispersion across the operating bandwidth does not exceed the dispersion-compensating capacity of the coherent detection and digital signal processing module. Further described is a fiber for use in an undersea long-haul transmission span. At a transmission wavelength of 1550 nm, the fiber has a dispersion coefficient in the range of −16 to −25 ps/nm·km, and a dispersion slope in the range of 0.04 to 0.02 ps/nm2·km. Full Article
stem Wave-division multiplexing telecommunications system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fiber optic data transmission system includes an optical fiber and a data transmitter having a first laser having a first wavelength, a first phase modulator for phase modulating light from the first laser as a function of a first data input stream so as to create a first phase-modulated output data stream, a second laser having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and a second phase modulator for phase modulating light from the second laser as a function of a second data input stream so as to create a second phase-modulated output data stream. The transmitter also includes a combiner combining the first and second output data streams into a phase-modulated optical signal for transmission over the optical fiber. Full Article
stem Pre-emphasis control method and optical transmission system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pre-emphasis control method includes calculating an average value of transmission characteristics based on transmission characteristics of a plurality of light beams received by a receiver, and determining that, among signals of the plurality of light beams, a wavelength with a deviation from the average value is a wavelength at which control is to be performed, determining that the wavelength at which control is to be performed and a wavelength adjacent thereto are a group of wavelengths at which control is to be performed, obtaining an average of transmission characteristics of the group of wavelengths at which control is to be performed, and based on a difference between averaged transmission characteristics and respective transmission characteristics of the group of wavelengths at which control is to be performed, changing a light intensity output from each transmitter that transmits a group of wavelengths at which control is to be performed. Full Article
stem Optical transport network system, optical-signal transmission path selecting method, and optical transmission device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical transport network system includes a plurality of NEs, each transmitting wavelength-multiplexed optical signals. Each NE includes a routing information DB that is used to store reachable area information, which contains identifiers of other NEs in a range within which the optical signals can be transmitted from the own NE without using an REG. A FROM NE includes a path candidate searching unit that searches for a plurality of path candidates for transmitting optical signals from the FROM NE to a TO NE. The TO NE includes a path selecting unit that selects a path for transmitting optical signals from among a plurality of path candidates. The path selecting unit obtains the number of times for which the REG is used for each of the plurality of path candidates; and, based on each number of times that is obtained, selects a path for transmitting the optical signals. Full Article
stem System and method for compensating signal degradation in dual polarization optical systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for adjusting an optical signal includes determining a polarization dependent loss (PDL) value associated with the optical signal, determining an angle between the optical signal and one or more axes of PDL, determining an amount of nonlinear phase noise due to PDL and nonlinear effects upon the optical signal based upon the PDL value and the angle, determining a phase rotation based upon the amount of nonlinear phase noise, and applying the phase rotation to the optical signal. Full Article
stem Providing digital data services in optical fiber-based distributed radio frequency (RF) communication systems, and related components and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Optical fiber-based distributed communications systems that provide and support both RF communication services and digital data services are disclosed herein. The RF communication services and digital data services can be distributed over optical fiber to client devices, such as remote antenna units for example. In certain embodiments, digital data services can be distributed over optical fiber separate from optical fiber distributing RF communication services. In other embodiments, digital data services can be distributed over common optical fiber with RF communication services. For example, digital data services can be distributed over common optical fiber with RF communication services at different wavelengths through wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) and/or at different frequencies through frequency-division multiplexing (FDM). Power distributed in the optical fiber-based distributed communications system to provide power to remote antenna units can also be accessed to provide power to digital data service components. Full Article
stem Device identification apparatus and remote control system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The device identification apparatus includes: a remote controller signal detecting section for detecting an optical signal from a remote controller; a receiving section for receiving the optical signal from the remote controller; a signal decryption section for decrypting the optical signal received by the receiving section; and a transmitting section for transmitting a device identification signal when the optical signal is a device selecting signal, and configured such that operations of the receiving section, the signal decryption section, and the transmitting section are started in response to a detecting signal of the remote controller signal detecting section, thereby realizing a device identification apparatus in which power consumption during standby is minimized. Full Article
stem Intrapersonal data communication systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Intrapersonal communication systems and methods that provide an optical digital signal link between two or more local devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a first signal converter disposed at a first end of the optical digital signal link and configured to convert between electrical digital signals from a first local device and optical digital signals from the optical digital signal link. The system can include an optical connector having a non-contact portion configured to couple optical digital signals between the first signal converter and the optical digital signal link across a gap. The system can include a second signal converter disposed at a second end of the optical digital signal link and configured to convert between electrical digital signals from the second local device and optical digital signals from the optical digital signal link. Full Article
stem Clock and data recovery unit and power control method therefor and PON system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In the present invention, wasted power consumption caused when a clock and data recovery unit in an optical network unit in a PON system is activated from a power-saving state is reduced and rapid, secure communication is performed. A clock and data recovery unit includes a phase-locked loop that can be set to normal mode or power-saving mode and that includes a voltage-controlled oscillator and recovers a clock signal and a data signal from input signals. The clock and data recovery unit includes a reference clock multiplier circuit that multiplies a reference clock signal and outputs the multiplied reference clock signal; and a frequency training loop that includes the same voltage-controlled oscillator and performs synchronous oscillation training by the voltage-controlled oscillator using the reference clock multiplier circuit before the phase-locked loop transitions from power-saving mode to normal mode. Full Article
stem Network management system, repeater, and repeating method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A repeater includes a reception part configured to receive an optical signal transmitted by wavelength division multiplexing from a preceding repeater in a path from a source to a destination; a determination part configured to determine the channel allocation of the signal received by the reception part by determining a bit rate and a modulation technique with respect to each of channels in the received signal; and a detection part configured to detect a prohibited channel not to be included in the optical signal to be transmitted from the repeater, based on the channel allocation and a predetermined criterion. Full Article
stem Toolholder assembly with internal coolant delivery system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A toolholder assembly includes a toolholder body having a coolant passage and a cutting insert seated within a recess of the body. The cutting insert includes an insert orifice extending between a top face and a bottom face that aligns with the coolant passage. A lock pin includes a lock pin orifice that aligns with and is in fluid communication with the coolant passage of the body. The lock pin orifice has an outlet port to allow the fluid to flow through the lock pin orifice and exit through the outlet port. A lock pin ring includes a coolant port in fluid communication with the outlet port of the lock pin to effectively discharge cooling fluid in the direction of a cutting area of the cutting insert. Full Article
stem Clamping system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to an indexable insert (1) for fitting in supporting tools (5) for the machining of workpieces, with an upper side (2) and an underside (3), on which clamping recesses are arranged, and with a circumferential geometry (4) joining the upper side (2) and the underside (3), wherein cutting corners and cutting edges (6) are arranged at the transition from the upper side (2) and the underside (3) to the circumferential geometry (4). In order that the clamping situation during machining is improved significantly, and at the same time the introduction of the clamping recesses is made easier, it is proposed that the clamping recess consists of grooves (10) which are arranged on two crossing straight lines (11), wherein the two straight lines (11) run at right angles in relation to each other and all the grooves (10) are arranged at the same distance from the center axis or longitudinal axis (12) of the indexable insert (1), and the crossing point (13) of the two straight lines (11) lies on the center axis or longitudinal axis (12) of the indexable insert (1). Full Article
stem Catalyzed SCR filter and emission treatment system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a catalyst article for simultaneously remediating the nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and gaseous hydrocarbons present in diesel engine exhaust streams. The catalyst article has a soot filter coated with a material effective in the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) of NOx by a reductant, e.g., ammonia. Full Article
stem Catalyzed SCR filter and emission treatment system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a catalyst article for simultaneously remediating the nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and gaseous hydrocarbons present in diesel engine exhaust streams. The catalyst article has a soot filter coated with a material effective in the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) of NOx by a reductant, e.g., ammonia. Full Article
stem Catalyzed SCR filter and emission treatment system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a catalyst article for simultaneously remediating the nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and gaseous hydrocarbons present in diesel engine exhaust streams. The catalyst article has a soot filter coated with a material effective in the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) of NOx by a reductant, e.g., ammonia. Full Article
stem Biosensors and bio-measurement systems using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A biosensor is provided. The biosensor is used to sense a biological sample and has a code representing features of the biosensor. The biosensor includes a substrate and a conductive layer. The conductive layer is disposed on a first side of the substrate and includes a first conductive loop and a second conductive loop. The first conductive loop is formed between a first node and a second node and has a first impedance. The second conductive loop is formed between the second node and a third node and has a second impedance. The code is determined according to a comparison result between the second impedance and the first impedance. Full Article
stem Apparatus, system, and method for collecting a target material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The cannula extends into a cavity at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. The collector includes a funnel at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. In one implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid to be expelled, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector. Full Article
stem System and method including multiple processing lanes executing processing protocols By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples. Full Article
stem Emissions treatment system with ammonia-generating and SCR catalysts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Apr 2016 08:00:00 EDT Provided are emissions treatment systems for an exhaust stream having an ammonia-generating component, such as a NOx storage reduction (NSR) catalyst or a lean NOx trap (LNT) catalyst, and an SCR catalyst disposed downstream of the ammonia-generating catalyst. The SCR catalyst can be a molecular sieve having the CHA crystal structure, for example SSZ-13 or SAPO-34, which can be ion-exchanged with copper. The LNT can be layered, having an undercoat washcoat layer comprising a support material, at least one precious metal, and at least one NOx sorbent selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth elements, rare earth elements, and combinations thereof and a top washcoat layer comprising a support material, at least one precious metal, and ceria in particulate form, the top washcoat layer being substantially free of alkaline earth components. The emissions treatment system is advantageously used for the treatment of exhaust streams from diesel engines and lean burn gasoline engines. Full Article
stem Systems and methods of scene and action capture using imaging system incorporating 3D LIDAR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention pertains to systems and methods for the capture of information regarding scenes using single or multiple three-dimensional LADAR systems. Where multiple systems are included, those systems can be placed in different positions about the imaged scene such that each LADAR system provides different viewing perspectives and/or angles. In accordance with further embodiments, the single or multiple LADAR systems can include two-dimensional focal plane arrays, in addition to three-dimensional focal plane arrays, and associated light sources for obtaining three-dimensional information about a scene, including information regarding the contours of the objects within the scene. Processing of captured image information can be performed in real time, and processed scene information can include data frames that comprise three-dimensional and two-dimensional image data. Full Article
stem System and method for biological specimen mounting By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for mounting a section onto a substrate, the system comprising: a fluid channel including: a fluid channel inlet that receives the section, processed from a bulk embedded sample by a sample sectioning module positioned proximal the fluid channel inlet, a section-mounting region downstream of the fluid channel inlet, and a fluid channel outlet downstream of the section-mounting region; a reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid channel outlet; and a manifold, fluidly coupled to the reservoir, that delivers fluid from the reservoir to the fluid channel inlet, thereby transmitting fluid flow that drives delivery of the section from the fluid channel inlet toward the section-mounting region. Full Article
stem Peri-critical reflection spectroscopy devices, systems, and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Spectroscopy apparatuses oriented to the critical angle of the sample are described that detecting the spectral characteristics of a sample wherein the apparatus consists of an electromagnetic radiation source adapted to excite a sample with electromagnetic radiation introduced to the sample at a location at an angle of incidence at or near a critical angle of the sample; a transmitting crystal in communication with the electromagnetic radiation source and the sample, the transmitting crystal having a high refractive index adapted to reflect the electromagnetic radiation internally; a reflector adapted to introduce the electromagnetic radiation to the sample at or near an angle of incidence near the critical angle between the transmitting crystal and sample; and a detector for detecting the electromagnetic radiation from the sample. Also, provided herein are methods, systems, and kits incorporating the peri-critical reflection spectroscopy apparatus. Full Article
stem Terahertz-infrared ellipsometer system, and method of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A dual scanning and FTIR system for application in the Terahertz and broadband blackbody frequency range including sources for providing Thz and broadband blackbody range and electromagnetic radiation, at least one detector of electromagnetic radiation in the THZ and broadband blackbody ranges, and at least one rotating element between the source and detector. Full Article
stem Digital pathology system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention may include an illumination source; a TDI sensor having a plurality of rows of TDI pixels, wherein each of the TDI pixels have a 1:1 aspect ratio; a multicolor filter contacted to the surface of the TDI sensor, wherein the multicolor filter has alternating sections of a first color filter, a second color filter, and at least a third color, wherein adjacent rows of TDI pixels are grouped in order to form a plurality of rows of integrated multicolor pixels; an objective having a first end positioned proximate to the specimen; a second lens configured to focus light from the image path onto the TDI sensor; and an anamorphic optics element configured to magnify an image of the one or more specimens such that the image is magnified by a factor of three along a direction orthogonal to an integrating direction of the TDI sensor. Full Article
stem System and method for characterizing crude oil fractions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for characterizing crude oil fractions includes a maltenes sample reservoir, a first solvent reservoir, a second solvent reservoir, and a third solvent reservoir. The system further includes a valve in fluid communication with the first solvent reservoir, the second solvent reservoir, and the third solvent reservoir and a pump in fluid communication with the valve. The system further includes a packed bed in fluid communication with the maltenes sample reservoir and the pump, a flowthrough cell in fluid communication with the packed bed, a spectrometer operably associated with the flowthrough cell, and a computer operably associated with the spectrometer. A method for characterizing crude oil fractions includes providing a maltene sample, eluting saturates, aromatics, and resins of the maltene sample, determining an optical density of each, and determining a concentration of each of the saturates, aromatics, and resins based upon optical densities over time for each. Full Article
stem Surface wave assisted structures and systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A surface wave assisted system having an aperture layer with a surface and an aperture, and a plurality of grooves around the aperture. The plurality of grooves is configured to generate an optical transfer function at the aperture by inducing a surface wave for interfering with transmission of light of a range of spatial frequency. Full Article
stem Optical system for occupancy sensing, and corresponding method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical system for occupancy sensing according to the invention includes a plurality of optical line sensors, each consisting of a linear array of light sensing elements; and an optical light integrating device that integrates light from rays with incidence angles subject to geometric constraints to be sensed by a light sensing element. Full Article
stem System and a method for inspecting an object using a hybrid sensor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system, that includes a hybrid sensor that comprises: a monochromatic portion that is arranged to obtain a monochromatic image of a first area of an object; a multiple-color portion that is arranged to obtain a multi-colored image of a second area of the object; wherein the monochromatic portion comprises monochromatic sensing elements that sense radiation of a same frequency band; wherein the multiple-color portion comprises color sensing elements of different types, wherein different types of color sensing elements are associated with different frequency bands. Full Article
stem Profile measuring apparatus, method for manufacturing structure, and structure manufacturing system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a profile measuring apparatus which measures a profile of an object including: a projection unit which projects a pattern on the object from a projection direction; a measurement unit, which is displaced at a difference position for the projection unit and takes an image of the pattern from a direction different from the projection direction to measure a position on a surface of the object based on an image data obtained with the taken image; an object-rotation unit which rotates the object in two directions; and a pattern-rotation unit which is connected to the projection unit so as to be able to rotate the pattern relative to the object-rotation unit. Full Article
stem Compact, low dispersion, and low aberration adaptive optics scanning system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Dec 2015 08:00:00 EST An adaptive optics scanning system using a beam projection module with four or more axes of motion that can project and control the position and angle of a beam of light to or from an adaptive optics element. The adaptive optics scanning system is compact in size, overcoming the challenges of a traditional lens and mirror based pupil relay design. The adaptive optics scanning system has little to no dispersion, chromatic aberration, and off-axis aberration for improved optical performance. The system and methods for calibrating and optimizing the system are described. A modular adaptive optics unit that scans and interfaces an adaptive optics element is described. Full Article
stem Ring binder mechanism having retaining system on ring members By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A ring binder has an elongate body and rings. Each ring includes ring members moveable between open and closed positions. The body and rings are made of one or more moldable polymeric materials. The binder suitably includes a retaining system operable to hold the ring members in the closed position. The retaining system has interlocking formations adjacent ends of the ring members that are moveable between a retaining position in which the retaining system holds the first and second ring members in the closed position and a non-retaining position. The ring members and body can suitably be formed together as one piece from a moldable polymeric material. Full Article
stem Contact organizing system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A contact organizing system has a ring device and a hole punching device. The ring device is shaped for holding the business cards. The hole punching device for adapted punching holes in the business cards. The hole punching device includes a hanging aperture through the hole punching device for hanging the hole punching device on the ring device. Full Article
stem Power conversion system with adjustable frequency By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power conversion system with adjustable frequency includes an electric transformer, a pulse width modulation driving controller, a switching transistor, a first and second voltage division resistors connected in series, an output diode and an output capacitor. The electric transformer receives the input power and generates the sensing current and induced current. The sensing current flows through the first and second voltage division resistors to generate the feedback signal. The induced current flows through the output diode and output capacitor to generate the output voltage to supply the load. The pulse width modulation driving controller determine whether the loading state of the load based on the feedback signal, and change the switching frequency according to the loading state and the input power, thereby increasing the whole efficiency of the power conversion system and achieving the aim of dynamically adjusting the optimal frequency. Full Article
stem Multi-level inverter control method and controller for a wind generation power system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system, method, and apparatus for providing three level inverter modulation is disclosed. In one embodiment, control signals can be provided to control a three level inverter in a power converter based on at least one feedback signal. Full Article
stem Secure control mechanism for distributed photovoltaic system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for controlling photovoltaic electricity production equipment having photovoltaic modules each equipped with a DC/DC microconverter connected to a DC bus, a DC bus manager, and an inverter for converting the direct current from the photovoltaic panels into alternative current intended for an electrical distribution network. Power is injected into the DC bus when the voltage of the DC bus is less than a minimum voltage until the minimum voltage is reached. Each of the microconverters injects a maximum power from the photovoltaic modules into the DC bus when the voltage of the DC bus is between a first voltage and a second voltage. The injecting of power from the photovoltaic modules into the DC bus is stopped when the voltage of the DC bus is less than a low threshold voltage or greater than a high threshold voltage. Full Article
stem Series resonant power converter system and method with improved efficiency By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A series resonant power converter includes a power stage comprising a switching circuit operating at least a resonant frequency. To achieve soft switching and provide current at a voltage through an inductive element. The power converter can also include a control circuit for controlling a phase angle of the current, for controlling a duty cycle of the switching circuit. Full Article
stem Power conversion system and drive chain comprising the power conversion system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a power conversion system that includes a first transformer adapted to be connected to an AC network, the first transformer including a first primary winding and two first secondary windings, and two power converters, each being connected to a first respective secondary winding. The system further includes a second transformer and a secondary electrical device, the second transformer including a second primary winding and two second secondary windings, each second secondary winding being connected to a respective first secondary winding, and the secondary device being connected to the second primary winding. Full Article
stem Systems and methods for zero voltage switching in power conversion systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT System and method for regulating a power converter. A system for regulating a power converter includes a controller, a first switch, and a second switch. The controller is configured to generate a first switching signal and a second switching signal. The first switch is configured to receive the first switching signal, the first switch being coupled to an auxiliary winding of the power converter further including a primary winding and a secondary winding. The second switch is configured to receive the second switching signal and coupled to the primary winding of the power converter. The controller is further configured to, change, at a first time, the second switching signal to open the second switch, maintain, from the first time to a second time, the first switching signal to keep the first switch open, and change, at the second time, the first switching signal to close the first switch. Full Article
stem System, portable electronic device, and method for peer-to-peer communication of media By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A wireless media player and a related system and methodology are disclosed. One aspect of the wireless media player system pertains to a virtual connector system, apparatus, and method for the automatic establishment of wireless connectivity with other electronic devices. In one embodiment, the media player device employs the use of integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to exchange communication settings, media capability, and other parameters with an external device that also has integrated RFID technology. The automatic exchange of settings and other information via a proximity-based RFID data exchange allows a media player to quickly establish a secure communication link with another device via a commonly supported wireless protocol such as Ultra Wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a method of using the captured media capability of the connecting device to customize certain menu options and software parameters in the media player. Full Article
stem Orthopedic devices, systems, and methods of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Orthopedic devices, systems, and methods of using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, an orthopedic device intended for use with at least one moveable body part of a user may comprise a tubular body forming an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tubular body may include at least one opening and one or more shrinkable materials. The tubular body may be moveable between a first position, wherein the tubular body is configured to at least partially receive and at least partially surround the at least one moveable body part of the user, and a second position, wherein one or more portions of the tubular body are configured to generally conform to and at least partially restrict movement of the at least one moveable body part in one or more directions. The tubular body may be configured to move from the first position to the second position in response to a treatment. Full Article
stem Shoulder orthosis having a supportive strapping system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A shoulder orthosis is provided having an arm support and an optional arm spacer connected to the arm support. The arm support includes an arm retainer and a supportive strapping system. One optional arm spacer includes a pair of individual pillows which are attachably combinable with one another at a first face of the first individual pillow and a face of the second individual pillow to form one combined pillow having a first shape. The individual pillows are alternately attachably combinable with one another at a second face of the first individual pillow and the face of the second individual pillow to form another combined pillow having a second shape different from the first shape. Full Article