1372 results about "Single axis" patented technology

Directional haptic feedback for a haptic feedback interface device. A haptic feedback interface device, in communication with a host computer, includes a housing physically contacted by a user operating the interface device, and a plurality of actuators producing inertial forces when the actuators are driven by control signals. Each of the actuators includes a rotatable eccentric mass positioned offset on a rotating shaft of the actuator, where the actuators are rotated simultaneously such that centrifugal forces from the rotation of masses combine to output the inertial forces substantially only along a single axis having a desired direction approximately in a plane of rotation of the masses.

The invention provides imaging apparatus and methods useful for obtaining a high resolution image of a sample at rapid scan rates. A rectangular detector array having a horizontal dimension that is longer than the vertical dimension can be used along with imaging optics positioned to direct a rectangular image of a portion of a sample to the rectangular detector array. A scanning device can be configured to scan the sample in a scan-axis dimension, wherein the vertical dimension for the rectangular detector array and the shorter of the two rectangular dimensions for the image are in the scan-axis dimension, and wherein the vertical dimension for the rectangular detector array is short enough to achieve confocality in a single axis.

A system and a method are disclosed for implementing a single-axis window manager on a mobile computing device to view and access multiple applications in a limited display area utilizing limited input capabilities. The mobile computing device initializes a virtual display space having a first dimension with a fixed size. For example, the virtual display space is initialized to have a horizontal dimension equal to the horizontal dimension of the display screen. At least one window is generated having a fixed size in the first dimension but also sizeable in a second direction. For example, the at least one window has a fixed horizontal dimension but is vertically sizeable. The at least one window is then inserted into the virtual display space and displayed on a display device.

A motion detector for detecting movement of a rail based vehicle and the direction of that movement is provided. The motion detector can be integral with or attachable to an end-of-train unit and can include a single axis accelerometer mounted at an angle from the rails for detecting acceleration in both the lateral and vertical directions. A systems controller, which can include an analyzer, can be provided to receive and analyze output from the accelerometer to determine a motion state and a direction. A power controller can be provided for supplying power to the accelerometer on an intermittent basis to conserve power. A calibration unit can be provided to both initially calibrate and to subsequently recalibrate the accelerometer after a stopped motion state is detected. Additionally, an input / output port and an output driver for conditioning the signal for output to the end-of-train unit can be provided.

A swing performance analysis device (10) is described. The device (10) includes a sole single axis accelerometer securable to an entity (60, 70) to be swung to measure centripetal acceleration. The accelerometer is arranged to communicate with a processor (30). The processor (30) is arranged to accept one or more parameters on the swing to be analysed and measurement data on the swing from the accelerometer, the processor being operative to determine the radius of curvature of the swing calculate in dependence on the one or more parameters and to determine one or more attributes on the swing in dependence on the radius and measurement data.

Methods, devices (such as computer readable media), and systems (such as computer systems) for performing movements of a tool of a medical robot along a single axis that are achieved by electronically limiting the medical robot's movement to produce movement of the tool along the single axis rather than mechanically restricting the medical robot's movement to produce the single axis movement. The tool's movement will be along the single axis even if a user is moving an input device linked to the medical robot in other axes during the single axis movement. In addition, techniques are disclosed for automating the single axis movement such that it can be programmed to stop at a target location and start at or near a second (e.g., starting) location, which is useful for a procedure such as a brain biopsy, breast biopsy or implantation, and such that a user can execute a command instructing the medical robot to perform the movement without the need for the user to manipulate an input device to cause real-time responsive movement of the medical robot.

A generic bone implant, or set of standardized implants, is created based on using a guide device to develop an axis normal to an articular surface of bone and collecting only one or two data points. A generic cutting tool is used to cut the bone to a point where a generic implant can be used. Several improved tools relating to the procedure for using such an implant, as well as methods for using implants consistent with the invention are further described, including: single-axis and biaxial drill guide tools and methods, generic single-axis implant methods and devices, generic biaxial implant methods and devices, tools and methods for holding or delivering an implant, removal or revision tools and methods, digital measuring systems and methods, and set of measuring gauges for determining the appropriate implant dimensions.

A magnetic anomaly sensing system and method uses at least four triaxial magnetometer (TM) sensors with each of the TM sensors having X,Y,Z magnetic sensing axes. The TM sensors are arranged in a three-dimensional array with respective ones of the X,Y,Z magnetic sensing axes being mutually parallel to one another. The three-dimensional array defines a geometry that forms at least one single-axis gradiometer along each of the X,Y,Z magnetic sensing axes. Information sensed by the TM sensors is to generate scalar magnitudes of a magnetic anomaly field measured at each of the TM sensors, comparisons of the scalar magnitudes to at least one threshold value, distance to a source of the magnetic anomaly field using the scalar magnitudes when the threshold value(s) is exceeded, and a magnetic dipole moment of the source using the distance.

A catheter is provided with improved position and / or location sensing with the use of single axis sensors that are mounted directly along a length or portion of the catheter whose position / location is of interest. The magnetic based, single axis sensors are provided on a single axis sensor (SAS) assembly, which can be linear or nonlinear as needed. A catheter of the present invention thus includes a catheter body and a distal member of a particular 2D or 3D configuration that is provided by a support member on which at least one, if not at least three single axis sensors, are mounted serially along a length of the support member. In one embodiment, the magnetic-based sensor assembly including at least one coil member that is wrapped on the support member, wherein the coil member is connected via a joint region to a respective cable member adapted to transmit a signal providing location information from the coil member to a mapping and localization system. The joint region advantageously provides strain relief adaptations to the at least one coil member and the respective cable member from detaching.

An interface device providing haptic feedback to a user is in communication with a host computer. The device includes a housing, at least one sensor for detecting user input, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a grounded flexure suspension coupled to an inertial mass which moves when the actuator assembly is energized to cause inertial sensations. The inertial mass includes a pole piece surrounding a magnet, and a grounded coil between magnet and pole piece causes the motion of the inertial mass when current is flowed therethrough. Another embodiment provides directional haptic feedback to a user and includes at least two actuator assemblies oriented such that the inertial masses oscillate substantially orthogonally, and can be controlled to output the inertial sensations approximately along a single axis having a desired orientation.

A semiconductor wafer processing system including a multi-chamber module having vertically-stacked semiconductor wafer process chambers and a loadlock chamber dedicated to each semiconductor wafer process chamber. Each process chamber includes a chuck for holding a wafer during wafer processing. The multi-chamber modules may be oriented in a linear array. The system further includes an apparatus having a dual-wafer single-axis transfer arm including a monolithic arm pivotally mounted within said loadlock chamber about a single pivot axis. The apparatus is adapted to carry two wafers, one unprocessed and one processed, simultaneously between the loadlock chamber and the process chamber. A method utilizing the disclosed system is also provided.

Provided is an ice maker that includes a mold including a plurality of cavities for receiving water to be frozen into ice pieces, a driver operatively connected to the mold for adjusting a position of the mold to a plurality of different locations during an ice making cycle, and a controller. A limit switch is located at a plurality of different positions along a range of travel of the mold to be actuated and transmit a signal indicative of the mold's arrival at the different locations. The mold can travel along path including first portion having a first axis of rotation and a substantially vertical portion, and can be driven by a motor with a drive shaft rotatable about a single axis of rotation. The motor can drive both the mold and a bail arm, and the mold can be leveled upon reaching a predetermined location. The ice maker can perform a Dry Cycle in response to detecting an anomaly during ice making.

A solar tracking system with a plurality of tracking assemblies moved by a single motor. A method and system that prevents overloading the motor or tripping a circuit breaker due to an obstructed or impeded tracker includes sensing movement of the tracker assemblies and entering into obstruction clearing modes. Obstruction clearing mode 1 (OCM1) is a high frequency adjustable mode that prompts movement for an adjustable period of time. If movement commences, the system returns to a normal mode. If there is no movement, the system enters into an obstruction clearing mode 2 (OCM2) with is an adjustable lower frequency series of attempts. If there is no movement, no further attempts are made. Each of these steps are monitored and controlled remotely. There are two types of secure connections for drivelines, torque tubes or affixing driveline linkages for high torque conditions.

The invention provides an attitude estimation method of a maneuvering acceleration-assisted extended Kalman filter (EKF) attitude and heading reference system (AHRS). The state quantity of the EKF contains an error of three attitude angles, a null bias error of a three-axis gyroscope and a three-axis carrier maneuvering acceleration error of a carrier system, and the observed quantity of the EKF contains a three-axis acceleration error and a three-axis earth magnetic field error. A strapdown attitude algorithm and the nine-state EKF algorithm are subjected to data fusion to acquire attitude estimation of the AHRS. A single-axis turntable experiment, a vehicle-mounted dynamic experiment and a flight experiment prove that the maneuvering acceleration-assisted nine-state EKF data fusion algorithm has stable attitude angle accuracy under different maneuvering conditions, and the mean square deviation of the attitude angle can be limited within 2 degrees.

An apparatus includes a narrow elongate probe is adapted for insertion into the body of a living subject. The probe may be flexible and has a plurality of sensors consisting of single coils of very fine wire wound about a backbone of the probe, which transmit signals proximally via fine connecting wires to a position processor. The position processor analyzes the signals to determine position coordinates at multiple points along the length of the probe.

A prosthetic knee provides a single axis of rotation and includes a hydraulic damping cylinder, a microprocessor, and sensors. Based on input from the sensors, the microprocessor selects a flow path within the hydraulic cylinder in order to provide the proper amount of knee resistance to bending for a given situation. The resistance of each flow path within the hydraulic cylinder is manually preset. Changes in gait speed are accommodated by employing a hydraulic damper with intelligently designed position sensitive damping. Moreover, the knee need not be un-weighted to transition from the stance phase to the swing phase of gait. As a result, the knee safely provides a natural, energy efficient gait over a range of terrains and gait speeds and is simpler, less costly, and lighter weight than the prior art.

A prosthetic knee provides a single axis of rotation and includes a hydraulic damping cylinder, a microprocessor, and sensors. Based on input from the sensors, the microprocessor selects a flow path within the hydraulic cylinder in order to provide the proper amount of knee resistance to bending for a given situation. The resistance of each flow path within the hydraulic cylinder is manually preset. Changes in gait speed are accommodated by employing a hydraulic damper with intelligently designed position sensitive damping. Moreover, the knee need not be un-weighted to transition from the stance phase to the swing phase of gait. As a result, the knee safely provides a natural, energy efficient gait over a range of terrains and gait speeds and is simpler, less costly, and lighter weight than the prior art.

A headlamp (10) that is aimed by rotation. The headlamp (10) includes a head mount (20) and a body (22) having a light source (60, 62). The head mount (20) is held to a user's head by a strap (12). The body (22) rotates relative to the head mount (20) about an axis so that the body (22) remains the same distance from the user's forehead as the light emitted from the light source is pivoted up and down.

The invention relates to a magnetometer correcting method and a magnetic gradiometer correcting method, in particular to a three axis magnetometer correcting method and a three axis magnetic gradiometer correcting method. Under the conditions of no standard three-axis coil, no standard magnetic field and no normalized three-axis magnetometer, the invention corrects the error and carrier magnetic interference generated due to the inconsistent nonorthogonality, interaxial coupling and sensitivity of the three axis magnetometer and the three axis magnetic gradiometer. The invention adopts an ordinary three-axis coil, a scalar quantity magnetometer and a high precision current source to form a correcting device which has the correcting precision at the same order of magnitude as the single axis test precision of a corrected three axis magnetometer. The invention does not need to turn a corrected three axis magnetometer and a corrected three axis magnetic gradiometer during correcting, thereby having a simple operation process and high correcting precision and improving the test precision of magnetic field vector by the three axis magnetometer and the three axis magnetic gradiometer.

A rotational accelerometer using piezoelectric material, preferably quartz, in a shear orientation. Piezoplates and conducting seismic masses, each having bores therethrough, are bolted to posts that are symmetrically mounted to a body in such a manner that the bolt passes through the piezoplates but does not make contact. The accelerometer can be assembled as a single-axis accelerometer by mounting a pair of posts symmetrically about the body along the measured axis; additionally, the accelerometer may be assembled as a double or triple axis accelerometer by symmetrically mounting additional pairs of posts to the body. The total weight of the seismic masses and the crystals of the shear-type accelerometer halves should be equal. The invention sets forth a novel rotational accelerometer that reduces or eliminates the need for signal-processing electronics.

A single-axis receiver processing, for example, complex vestigial sideband modulated signals with an equalizer with forward and feedback filters. Forward and feedback filters have parameters that are initialized and adapted to steady state operation. Adaptive equalization employs linear predictive filtering and error term generation based on various cost criteria. Adaptive equalization includes recursive update of parameters for forward and feedback filtering as operation changes between linear and decision-feedback equalization of either single or multi-channel signals. An adaptive, linear predictive filter generates real-valued parameters that are employed to set the parameters of the feedback filter. In an initialization mode, filter parameters are set via a linear prediction filter to approximate the inverse of the channel's impulse / frequency response and a constant modulus error term for adaptation of the filter parameters. In an acquisition mode, equalization is as linear equalization with a constant modulus error term, and possibly other error terms in combination, for adaptation of the filter parameters. In a tracking mode, equalization is as decision feedback equalization with decision-directed error terms for adaptation of the filter parameters. For some equalizer configurations, feedback filtering is applied to real-valued decisions corresponding to complex-valued received data, and includes real-part extraction of the error term employed for recursive update of filtering parameters. Where a training sequence is available to the receiver, initial parameters for forward filtering are estimated by correlation of the received signal with the training sequence.

A catheter has single axis sensors mounted directly along a portion of the catheter whose position / location is of interest. The magnetic based, single axis sensors are on a linear or nonlinear single axis sensor (SAS) assembly. The catheter includes a catheter body and a distal 2D or 3D configuration provided by a support member on which at least one, if not at least three single axis sensors, are mounted serially along a length of the support member. The magnetic-based sensor assembly may include at least one coil member wrapped on the support member, wherein the coil member is connected via a joint region to a respective cable member adapted to transmit a signal providing location information from the coil member to a mapping and localization system. The joint region provides strain relief adaptations to the at least one coil member and the respective cable member from detaching.

Due to an ever growing shortage of conventional energy sources, there is an increasingly intense interest in harnessing solar energy. Broadly this invention deals with the general concept of method, apparatus, and consequences of focussing light. Specifically the Coherent-Micro-Macro-Collector of this invention is the unique total solar collector system consisting of concentrator and receiver. Method and apparatus are detailed for systems with: 1. Passive or non-tracking. 2. Semi-Passive tracking 2. Single-axis tracking. 3. Two-axis tracking. Also detailed are means for operating the collector system of micro-optics and receiver on the ground and protection means. A particularly important object of the CMMC is the focussing of sunlight for solar power conversion and production.

Inertial sensors with reduced sensitivity to quadrature errors and micromachining inaccuracies include a gyroscope incorporating two specially-configured single-axis gyroscopes for sensing rotations about two orthogonal axes (the axes of sensitivity) in the device plane, where each single-axis gyroscope includes a resonator having two rotationally-dithered shuttles interconnected by a fork and each shuttle is configured to tilt out-of-plane along a tilt axis perpendicular to the axis of sensitivity and includes corresponding Coriolis sensing electrodes positioned along an axis perpendicular to the tilt axis (i.e., parallel to the axis of sensitivity). The two single-axis gyroscopes may be interconnected, e.g., by one or more in-phase or anti-phase couplings interconnecting the forks and / or the shuttles.

An apparatus including a controller, a workpiece transport in communication with the controller having a movable portion and a transport path, and a multi-dimensional position measurement device including at least one field generating platen attached to the movable portion and at least one sensor group positioned along the transport path and in communication with the controller, the field generating platen is configured for position measurement and propelling the movable portion, each sensor in the at least one sensor group is configured to provide but one output signal along a single axis corresponding to a sensed field generated by the at least one field generating platen and the controller is configured calculate a multi-dimensional position of the movable portion based on the but one output signal of at least one of the sensors in the at least one sensor group, the multi-dimensional position including a planar position and a gap measurement.

An apparatus including a controller, a workpiece transport in communication with the controller having a movable portion and a transport path, and a multi-dimensional position measurement device including at least one field generating platen attached to the movable portion and at least one sensor group positioned along the transport path and in communication with the controller, the field generating platen is configured for position measurement and propelling the movable portion, each sensor in the at least one sensor group is configured to provide but one output signal along a single axis corresponding to a sensed field generated by the at least one field generating platen and the controller is configured calculate a multi-dimensional position of the movable portion based on the but one output signal of at least one of the sensors in the at least one sensor group, the multi-dimensional position including a planar position and a gap measurement.

The invention provides a three-dimensional laser radar based on a MEMS scanning micro-mirror and a range finding method in view of the complex structure, the small scanning field of view, and the low refresh rate of a conventional laser radar based on a double-axis MEMS scanning micro-mirror. A single-axis MEMS scanning micro-mirror and an optical component with a one-dimensional amplification function are used in cooperation to realize two-dimensional surface scanning. A photoelectric detector composed of a linear detection unit is used for achieving laser echo detection. The three-dimensional laser radar is simple in structure, large in scanning field of view, and high in refresh rate.