18271results about "Electric testing/monitoring" patented technology

Described is a sensor unit having a measured signal receiver, which registers a measured signal, an A / D converter for digitizing the measured signal, a transceiver device for wireless data communication to an environmental device, and a processor. The processor is a control processor for activating the measured signal receiver, the A / D converter, and the transceiver device. The digitized measured signal is transmitted directly via the transceiver device to the environmental device, without the complex and performance-intensive and therefore costly analysis occurring in the sensor unit.

A medical manipulator includes an actuator block having a motor, a coupler detachably mounted on the actuator block and having a rotor connected to a rotatable shaft of the motor, a distal-end working unit mounted on a distal end of a joint shaft, which extends from the coupler and is operatively connected to the rotor by a wire, an encoder for detecting an angular displacement of the motor, and a controller for reading a signal from the encoder and comparing the read signal with an operation command value for energizing the motor through a feedback loop. The controller outputs a signal having a level greater than the resolution of the encoder and a lower operation limit of the motor within a range in which the distal-end working unit remains still, and monitors the angular displacement of the motor for thereby determining whether the feedback loop is malfunctioning or not.

A medical robotic system comprises a number of components that may be monitored to determine their preventive maintenance needs by recording usage-related information for the monitored components into associated non-volatile memories. When usage of the component exceeds a specified usage threshold, the system displays a warning message on its display screen to have preventive maintenance performed for the component. If the usage continues without such maintenance and exceeds a higher usage threshold, the system displays an error message on its display screen and the system transitions into an error state during which medical procedures are not allowed to be performed. The usage-related information may also be communicated to a remote computer which gathers and processes usage-related information from a number of medical robotic systems to estimate resource requirements for timely performing preventive maintenance on the medical robotic systems, and anticipated service revenues from such maintenance.

A system is disclosed for detecting and calculating the level of ambient and / or environmental noise, such as electromagnetic interference generated by electric power lines, ambient lights, light dimmers, television or computer displays, power supplies or transformers, and medical equipment. In some embodiments, the system performs frequency analysis on the interference signal detected by light photodetectors and determines the power of the interference signal concentrated in the analyzed frequency bands. The worst-case interference level can be determined by selecting the maximum from the computed power values. In some embodiments, the determined interference signal power can be compared with the noise tolerance of a patient monitoring system configured to reliably and non-invasively detect physiological parameters of a user. The results of the comparison can be presented to the user audio-visually. In some embodiments, the system can be used to perform spot check measurements of electromagnetic interference.

Novel burst-free, sustained release biocompatible and biodegrable microcapsules which can be programmed to release their active core for variable durations ranging from 1-100 days in an aqueous physiological environment. The microcapsules are comprised of a core of polypeptide or other biologically active agent encapsulated in a matrix of poly(lactide / glycolide) copolymer, which may contain a pharmaceutically-acceptable adjuvant, as a blend of upcapped free carboxyl end group and end-capped forms ranging in ratios from 100 / 0 to 1 / 99.

A system for transmitting, collecting and displaying diagnostic and operational information from one or more motor vehicles to a central server connected to a wide area network. The system is designed to be used with an existing on-board diagnostic system found in most motor vehicles manufactured today. The system includes a translator device capable of translating the codes from an on-board diagnostic connector into computer readable files such as ASCII files. The translator device may be connected to an on-board computer that includes a wireless modem capable of connecting to a wireless communication network and eventually to a wide area network. A central server is connected to the wide area network which receives and stores information from the on-board computer. Authorized users may connect to central server via the wide area network and request information therefrom regarding selected motor vehicles. All of the information may be presented in a single interface.

This application describes completely in many unique ways and detail all the devices to reduce a vehicle's speed and / or reduce a machines RPMs and / or stop any piece of equipment's as well as guide it if mobile through automated controls. First to slow it down, and guide it and / or control it if necessary (i.e., other pieces of equipment). Secondly it discusses how to stop any piece of equipment completely. And thirdly, the invention secures it in a safe stationary position either entirely or any number of specific moving parts. Many of these systems are initially here described to slow, reduce speed, steer, stop and / or secure equipment functions. However, they also can be used to increase a piece of equipment's functions. In other words their variations are completely capable to serve any remote or automated controls on a vehicle in the future to provide full robotics systems, e.g., for automated transportation systems, automated manufacturing, etc., either through individually isolated remote control systems and / or interfaced with other off-board systems through communication links, gateway computers, computer networks and the world wide web for inexpensive long distance monitoring and remote control. The invention focuses on the automobile industry but as has always been maintained throughout all these applications these devices and systems are designed to control every piece of equipment. The invention includes various accountable protocols and commercial developments to control speed, brake and steering for an automobile shut down to be performed through automation to a safe controlled secured deactivated state to be considered as a basis for a standard in aggressive vehicle remote control and / or to control and guide a vehicle and / or piece of equipment through many different automated systems.

An industrial plant asset management system comprising of a synchronized multiple view graphical user interface combining simultaneous real time and database display capability, a database including a knowledge manager and having input and output interfaces, a normalizing data acquisition module with real time and database interfaces, and a variety of device dependent data collector modules with associated signal conditioning and processing devices for providing an environment for development and deployment of visual models for monitoring plant assets.

A system and method for monitoring a semiconductor manufacturing process is disclosed. The system communicates with one or more process tools, and monitors each tool during a predetermined process window time. Errors and warnings are provided to users, allowing corrective action to be taken. Additionally, the system of the present invention can initiate automatic adjustment of the process tools to maintain an efficient manufacturing operation.

A security system 63 and an electronic group 62 to be stored in a home network 6 are controlled by a home sever 61. A home network management facility 5 obtains status information showing the status of the electronic device group 62 from home server 61 when a user of electronic device group 62 operates a terminal 1 to make a request to home network management facility 5. Next, home network management facility 5 displays a screen for showing the status of electronic device group 62 on a display unit of terminal 1 based on the received status information, generates display information for displaying a screen for prompting input of a control instruction of the home-located electronic devices to the user on the display unit of terminal 1, and transmits the display information to terminal 1. And, home network management facility 5 performs remote control of electronic device group 62 based on the received control instruction via home server 61 when obtaining the control instruction from terminal 1.

A method and system of controlling devices with digitally stored content. Devices such as home electronic appliances, lighting systems, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, home security systems and home entertainment systems are controlled from a single, centralized device. A set top box (STB) stores scripts that include program content for controlling the operation of a plurality of these devices from the STB. A user of the STB selects the desired scripts, and the STB accesses the selected scripts from storage based on a triggering mechanism such as time, content, event, etc. The STB selectively controls operation of certain devices designated in the script. The method provides ease of control over multiple and diverse devices, applications and media within a user's own home environment, with more functionality and flexibility than currently available.

A device and method for providing power line communications via an underground residential distribution power system is provided. One embodiment of the present invention includes a medium voltage interface device that may include a first port configured to communicate over the power line and a network interface. A first amplifier may form part of a first communication path between the first port and the network interface and be configured to amplify data signals transmitted via the first port. In addition, a second amplifier may form part of a second communication path between the first port and the network interface and be configured to amplify data signals received via the first port. In addition, the embodiment may include a diplexer forming part of the first communication path between the first amplifier and the first port and forming part of the second communication path between the second amplifier and the first port. The device may include an electro-optic converter coupled to the network interface to convert between electrical and optic data signals, wherein the network interface is configured to communicate via one or more fiber optic conductors.

The invention comprises a unit and system for remote monitoring and controlling of various conditions in a container during cargo. The system includes a local wireless or cable (wired) network with a local station and access points positioned in the vicinity of location of containers, a remote central station connected with the Internet and a container-mounted means for monitoring and control of reefer equipment, each of which includes a processor (CPU) and a transceiver of wireless local communication, a GPS-receiver and a transceiver of cellular communication (with all of them being connected to the said processor). In addition the processor (CPU) of the device is connected to the controller of reefer equipment, while the transceiver of wireless local communication is made so that the creation of Personal Area Network (PAN) with mobile electronic devices (e.g., Notebook, Pocket PC, PDA) is possible, and establishment of wireless communication with a communication gateway of the said local network is also possible.

Activity-based or experienced-based operations are created and defined during an initialization or setup session for one or more system component, with minimum or no user interaction. The system components include legacy and / or non-legacy devices, which are configured and managed within a controlled environment, such as a home or business peer-to-peer or client-server network. During an initialization or setup session, relevant device information and device metadata are collected via a conventional or discovery protocol interface. For a legacy device that is not automatically discoverable, a user adds the legacy device to the controlled environment by inputting the device information. The device information can also be automatically collected from an accessible database. Once the device information has been collected, the system components are configured to support one or more activity-based or experienced-based operations.