24827 results about "Microcomputer" patented technology

PCT No. PCT/JP96/01254 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 2, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 2, 1997 PCT Filed May 13, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96/35368 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 14, 1996The present invention relates to a device for diagnosing physiological state based on blood pulse waves detected in the body. It is the objective of the present invention to provide a device which correctly diagnoses the current physiological state based on changes in physiological state measured over a specified period of time in the past while taking into consideration the cyclical variation exhibited in physiological state. In order to realize this objective, the device according to the present invention has as its main components: blood pulse wave detector 381 and stroke-volume-per-beat measurer 382 which respectively detect blood pulse wave and stroke volume in the body; blood pulse wave extraction memory 386 which extracts characteristic information from the detected blood pulse wave; memory 383 in which the physiological state calculated from the stroke volume and this characteristic information is stored; output portion 385 which outputs an alarm; and microcomputer 387 which controls each part inside the device. The microcomputer calculates the circulatory parameters based on characteristic information obtained from the waveform extraction memory, and stores the parameters in memory at specified time intervals. At these times, microcomputer 387 calculates the circulatory parameters from the stroke volume per beat and the characteristic information of the blood pulse wave at specified time intervals, and stores the parameters in memory 383. Further, microcomputer 387 reads out from memory 383 the circulatory parameters from a specified time interval in the past, and calculates the average value and standard deviation. Microcomputer 387 then determines whether or not the current circulatory parameters are within a specified range determined by their average value and standard deviation. When the circulatory parameters are determined to be outside this range, microcomputer 387 controls output portion 385 to sound an alarm.

A patient-worn energy delivery apparatus for imparting electrical therapy to the body of a patient responsive to an occurrence of a treatable condition includes a voltage converter for converting electrical energy from an initial voltage to a final voltage, and a defibrillator electrically coupled between the converter and the patient and having an energy reservoir for receiving the electrical energy. The defibrillator produces preshaped electrical pulses such as defibrillation pulses and cardioversion pulses. The apparatus additionally includes an energy delivery controller electrically coupled to the patient and the converter and the defibrillator. The controller causes the converter to provide the electrical energy to the defibrillator at a specific charging rate in response to an energy level in the reservoir. The apparatus may include a plurality of electrodes interposed between the defibrillator and the patient and each electrode preferably has an impedance reducing means contained therein. One embodiment of the apparatus may include a H-bridge to produce a positive-going pulse segment and the negative-going pulse segment within the biphasic exponential signals. The apparatus periodically measures the energy as it is being delivered to the patient and can pre-emptively stop or truncate the pulse in the event an error condition is detected, such as an overvoltage condition or if the energy level approaches a predetermined level. The electrical components which store and release the energy minimize the size and expense of the apparatus, while isolating the microcomputer from the high energy levels as the therapeutic pulse is delivered.

A method and system for tracking and redeeming smart card loyalty points includes storing loyalty program information related to transactions with at least one merchant in a loyalty register residing on a smart card microcomputer for the customer. Transaction information about transactions with the merchant is stored in a purchase log likewise residing on the smart card microcomputer for the customer. The stored transaction information is compared with the stored loyalty program information, and transaction information about one or more transactions with the merchant which is stored in the purchase log, but which is omitted from the loyalty register, is automatically identified. The stored loyalty program information is then automatically updated with the omitted transaction information. The transaction information includes, for example, a plurality of unique transaction numbers in ascending order, and identifying the omitted transaction information involves identifying one or more transaction numbers in the stored transaction information that is greater than any transaction number stored in the loyalty program information.

Disclosed are an automatic charging apparatus of an autonomous mobile robot and an automatic charging method using the same in that a moving robot can automatically detect infrared signals emitted from a charging station and can automatically induce charging station so as to automatically charge a battery of the robot, whereby improving convenience thereof. The automatic charging apparatus of the autonomous mobile robot, comprises a charging station having connecting terminals for charging the battery and an infrared signal generator for emitting infrared signals on a position information thereof; and a moving robot having an infrared receiving apparatus for receiving the infrared signals from the infrared signal generator in a cast that a remnant capacity of the battery is insufficient or a charging order is inputted, a microcomputer for controlling a traveling of the moving robot by using a detected position information of the charging station through the infrared signals received from the infrared receiving apparatus, and charging terminals for charging the battery with electricity through the contact with the connecting terminal.

A RAM-based interrupt-driven interface device is disclosed for establishing a communication link between a universal serial bus (USB) host and a microcontroller device for providing a control function, the interface device being operative to receive digital information in the form of command, data and control packets from the host and to process the packets and communicate the processed digital information to the microcontroller device, and in response thereto, the microcontroller device being operative to communicate digital information to the interface device for processing and transfer thereof to the host. The interface device includes means for receiving a command generated by the host through a USB bus, means for storing the host-generated command and for generating an interface device interrupt signal upon storage of said host-generated command for use by the microcontroller device in responding to the host-generated command, a microcontroller bus for transferring microcontroller information and the interface device interrupt signal between the interface device and the microcontroller device. The interface device further includes means for receiving a microcontroller command from the microcontroller device in response to said interface device interrupt signal and means for storing the microcontroller command and it is operative to generate a microcontroller device interrupt signal upon storage of the microcontroller command for use by the interface device in developing an address for identification of the interface device to the host during subsequent communications therebetween, wherein during communication between the host and the interface device, the interface device-developed address is used by the interface device to identify host-provided information in the form of packets, and upon processing of the host-provided information, to provide the microcontroller device with the necessary information to allow it to respond to the host thereby allowing a generic microcontroller device to be flexibly interfaced with a USB, host for communication therebetween.

A vehicle includes a button switch and a remote controller for setting an autonomous or manual driving mode, a microcomputer which outputs a mask control signal that corresponds to the driving mode, a command control unit which inputs a command to the microcomputer to output the mask control signal that corresponds to the driving mode, and a forward obstacle sensor and a rearward obstacle sensor which detect an obstacle and output a detection signal. A first logic circuit generates an emergency stop control signal that indicates a need or no need for an emergency stop of the vehicle based on the mask control signal from the microcomputer and the detection signals from the obstacle sensors. An emergency stopping operation of the vehicle is controlled based on the emergency stop control signal from the first logic circuit.

A water faucet assembly providing touchless water temperature and water flow adjustment. The assembly comprises a spout, a water mixing valve, at least one proximity sensor, and a microcomputer. The water mixing valve provides a mix and controls the flow of hot water from a hot water supply and cold water from a cold water supply to the spout. The at least one proximity sensor provides a water temperature or water flow input signal having a value corresponding to the distance of an object from the sensor. The microcomputer is responsive to the value of the water temperature input signal to control the water mixing valve and generate a mixture of the hot and cold water corresponding to the distance of the object from the proximity sensor. The microcomputer is also responsive to the value of the water flow input signal to provide a flow of water from the spout corresponding to the distance of the object from the proximity sensor.

An automatic charging system of a robot cleaner includes: a rotating plate installed at a robot cleaner; an infrared ray receiving unit mounted at the rotating plate and receiving an infrared signal generated from a power supply unit while being rotated; a microcomputer for moving the robot cleaner to the power supply unit on the basis of the received infrared signal; and an ultrasonic generator for generating a stop signal when the robot cleaner nears to the power supply unit. A robot cleaner can be accurately and quickly moved to a power supply unit for a rapid charging operation, and a cost for implementing the robot cleaner can be reduced.

The present invention proposes the use of a surface or writing surface such as paper and a moveable element such as a pen or a stylus. The stylus comprises an input means such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) or digital camera, a microcomputer, memory, power supply, and a communications device, whereby the digital camera scans the surface for position-related information to determine the position and/or movement of the stylus relative to the surface. The path of stylus is determined by detecting a sequence of position-related information. An output signal from the digital camera or array of light sensitive elements is sent to a computer or processor and finally output to the user. The output can be in various forms including an image on a computer display or a computer printout. When writing on the surface, handwriting recognition software can be used to convert the handwritten text into a "keyboard-typed" representation.

A method and apparatus for internal data conveyance within a well from the surface to a downhole tool or apparatus and for returning downhole tool data to the surface, without necessitating the provision of control cables and other conventional conductors within the well. One embodiment involves sending telemetry elements such as tagged drop balls or a fluid having specific chemical characteristics from surface to a downhole tool as a form of telemetry. The telemetry element or elements are provided with identification and instruction data, which may be in the form of data tags, such as RF tags or a detectable chemical constituent. The downhole tool or apparatus is provided with a detector and microcomputer and is capable of recognizing the telemetry element and communicating with it or carrying out instructions that are provided in the telemetry data thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a one-chip microcomputer which permits the access time for an external memory to be equal to that for an internal memory. The one-chip microcomputer 10 includes an internal ROM 11, control circuit 12, output terminals 13, input terminals 14, control circuit 15, selector 16, instruction register 17, delay circuit 18, and fetch control signal select gate 19. For selection of the external ROM 30, a control arrangement 20 and a delay circuit 18 are employed in one embodiment to adjust the time at which ROM data is fetched by the instruction register 17, based on the delay time for accessing the external ROM 30.

The invention is a medical monitor including an electronic circuit configured to receive a signal from the physiological sensor. A microcomputer configured to process the signal from the physiological sensor generates a value representative of the physiological parameter. The microcomputer is also configured to cause the medical monitor to display an in-service help screen on a display on the medical monitor in response to a detection of a predetermined number of out of range values of the physiological parameter. The microcomputer can also be configured to process a second signal from a second sensor representative of a second parameter and the microcomputer configured to cause the medical monitor to display an in-service help screen on a display on the medical monitor in response to a detection of a predetermined number of out of range values of the second parameter.

The present invention relates to a handheld printing device (1) having a print head for printing a printout on a printout surface. The handheld printing device (1) comprises an interface for mechanical and electrical connection to a handheld mobile unit (9) capable of communicating with other units for information retrieval. The entire unit, including the handheld mobile unit (9) and the connected handheld printing device (1) is manually steered over said printout surface with the aid of one or more positioning sensors disposed in the printing device 1 and co-operating with a micro controller circuit. Thereby information retrieved by the mobile unit, or stored therein, can be printed by said printing device (1). The invention also relates to a handheld mobile unit (9) connectable to said handheld printing device (1).

An improved meter and its operation is described. The meter can be a part of a larger automated meter reading process that allows for remote reading of the meter though power line communication. Using a microcomputer core, the meter processes incoming analog data and can calculate several relevant data values need by utility providers. The meter can also be used to monitor and detect tampering dry connect/voltage free devices, such as gas and water meters, connected to the meter.

Disclosed is a remote automatic meter reading (AMR) system for image-sensing, reading and transmitting metering values. The AMR system includes an AMR terminal, a collector and an AMR server. The AMR terminal includes an image sensing module for sensing an image signal of a metering value displayed on a display panel of the meter. A character recognition module performs pattern recognition of the image signal, and a communication module transmits digital data from the character recognition module to the AMR server side. The character recognition module may include a microcomputer and an ID setting During power saving mode, the microcomputer wakes up and decodes received data; and when a meter reading command is received, the image sensing module receives the image signal of the metering value, performs pattern recognition, generates the numeral code to form a packet together with the terminal ID, and transmits the packet to the communication module.

The present invention provides an intelligent health watch for automatically measuring and recording health data and an intelligent health system, wherein the intelligent health watch comprises the following components: a single-chip microcomputer module which is used for controlling operation of the intelligent health watch; a display module which is connected with the single-chip microcomputer module; a dynamic monitoring module which is used for tracking multidirectional motion and is connected with the single-chip microcomputer module; and a data acquiring module which is used for acquiring physiological and non-physiological data of the user and is connected with the single-chip microcomputer module. The intelligent health watch settles the insufficiencies in the prior health data management method, and provides a way which is convenient and can fully satisfy daily health management requirement. The intelligent health watch has the following functions: teaching and helping to exercise, reminding to perform daily activity and take medicine, checking the physiological condition accurately at any time and timely, recording and reporting in a diversified manner, automatically assisting and asking for help in emergency, etc.

A payment card comprises a plastic card with a magnetic stripe for user account data. Internal to the plastic card, and behind the magnetic stripe, a number of fixed-position magnetic write heads allow the user account data to be automatically modified. For example, a data field that counts the number of times the card has been scanned is incremented. A payment processing center keeps track of this usage-counter data field, and will not authorize transaction requests that come out of sequence. For example, as can occur from a magnetic clone of a card that has been skimmed and tried later. A card-swipe detector embedded in the plastic card detects each use in a scanner, and it signals an internal microcomputer which changes data bits sent to the write heads. Once scanned, the payment card can also disable any reading of the user account data for a short fixed period of time.

A battery capacity measuring device in accordance with the present invention has a fully-charged state detector (80e), a detected current integrator (80a), a divider (80b), and a corrector (80c) incorporated in a microcomputer (80). The fully-charged state detector detects that a battery is fully charged. The detected current integrator integrates current values that are detected by a current sensor during a period from the instant the battery is fully charged to the instant it is fully charged next. The divider divides the integrated value of detected current values by the length of the period. The corrector corrects a detected current using the quotient provided by the divider as an offset. Furthermore, a remaining battery capacity calculating system comprises a voltage detecting unit (50), a current detecting unit (40), an index calculating unit, a control unit, and a calculating unit. The voltage detecting unit detects the voltage at the terminals of a battery. The current detecting unit detects a current flowing through the battery. The index calculating unit calculates the index of polarization in the battery according to the detected current. The control unit controls the output voltage of an alternator so that the index of polarization will remain within a predetermined range which permits limitation of the effect of polarization on the charged state of the battery. When the index of polarization remains within the predetermined range, the calculating unit calculates the remaining capacity of the battery according to the terminal voltage of the battery, that is, the open-circuit voltage of the battery.

Disclosed are a moving distance sensing apparatus for a robot cleaner and a method therefor capable of determining a precise moving distance with respect to the robot cleaner by setting a long distance sensor and a short distance sensor having respectively different sensing method from each other on the same sensing line in the robot cleaner to sense the long distance and the short distance for the same direction, and then by determining coherency to each moving distance on the basis of information provided by the two different sensors, the moving distance sensing apparatus comprising: a long distance sensor for sensing a moving distance with respect to a long distance; a short distance sensor mounted on the same sensing line in one-to-one correspondence with the long distance sensor, for sensing a moving distance with respect to a short distance; and a micro computer for determining a moving distance error on the basis of moving distance information with respect to the same direction provided by the long distance sensor and the short distance sensor.