461 results about "Virtual sensors" patented technology

The present invention is directed to a machine with a position feedback system and a method for use thereof. The machine includes at least one movable element mounted for movement on a path and at least one programmable controller. The machine further includes at least two absolute or magnetostrictive sensors or the machine includes an absolute sensor and a non-absolute sensor. The programmable controller uses positional information from the sensors to determine the position of the movable elements on the path and control the movable elements. The method includes determining a known position for the movable elements, linking at least two magnetostrictive sensors into one virtual sensor, and / or performing commutation alignment for the movable elements. Determining the position and commutation alignment can occur when the movable elements are stationary or moving.

Methods and systems for capacitive proximity and contact sensing employ one or more simple sensors (which may be a conductive fiber or pattern of conductive ink) in communication with a microcontroller. Digital signal processing executed by the microcontroller enables resolution enhancement, automatic and continuous calibration, noise reduction, pattern recognition and the configuration of virtual sensors capable of detecting how an object incorporating the sensors is being manipulated.

A method and system may be provided to perform a process for controlling NOx emissions of an target engine. In one embodiment of the invention, the process may include determining predicted NOx values based on a model reflecting a predetermined relationship between control parameters and NOx emissions, wherein the control parameters include ambient humidity, manifold pressure, manifold temperature, fuel rate, and engine speed associated with the engine. Further, the process may include adjusting the model based on a determination of whether the predicted NOx values meet a predetermined criteria associated with actual NOx values. The adjusted model may be stored in a memory associated with the engine whereby NOx emissions exhausted from the engine may be reduced based on virtual NOx emission values determined from the adjusted model.

A method and apparatus of improving the navigation performance of robot are provided. The navigation method using a virtual sensor includes: generating information on positions of obstacles, the information which is estimated to be generated by virtual sensors that are virtually present, based on information on positions of the obstacles, which is generated by physical sensors; and controlling a movement of a robot according to the information on the positions of the obstacles. It is possible to overcome limits in the number and arrangement of previously installed physical sensors.

A mobile robot having a movable main unit section, a self location measurement unit for measuring a self location of the main unit section, a map database for storing map information on a travel range of the main unit section to a travel destination, a virtual sensor information calculation unit for extracting information on obstacles to movement of the main unit section in an arbitrary detection region on the map information based on self location information measured by the self location measurement unit and the map information stored in the map database, and for calculating virtual sensor calculation information, and a route calculation unit for calculating a travel route for the main unit section to travel based on the virtual sensor calculation information calculated by the virtual sensor information calculation unit.

The method for on-screen animation includes providing a digital world including image object elements and defining autonomous image entities (AIE). Each AIE may represent a character or an object that is characterized by i) attributes defining the AIE relatively to the image objects elements of the digital world, and ii) behaviours for modifying some of the attributes. Each AIE is associated to animation clips allowing representing the AIE in movement in the digital world. Virtual sensors allow the AIE to gather data information about image object elements or other AIE within the digital world. Decision trees are used for processing the data information resulting in selecting and triggering one of the animation cycle or selecting a new behaviour. A system embodying the above method is also provided. The method and system for on-screen animation of digital entities according to the present invention can be used for creating animation for movies, for video games, and for simulation.

Capacitive sensors used to detect force upon a transparency product for detecting and discriminating crash characteristics of a vehicle, as well as capacitive sensors used in conjunction with a conductive panel functioning as an airbag cover and ground plane for the capacitive sensors. The capacitive sensors are made up of electrodes, of which one may be a conductive coating. The capacitive sensors can be arranged upon a substrate and can include a reference sensor. Long term effects of temperature upon sensor output are compensated for with an algorithm comparing constant desired sensor output to low frequency drift due to temperature effects. Moisture upon a transparency product is distinguished from a nearby object due to the capacitance sensed. A sleep detection algorithm detects when a vehicle operator is drowsy. A capacitive sensor array having a nested circle sensor and L-shaped sensors, along with a dummy sensor is used in a sunroof-equipped vehicle for sensing occupant head position.

The invention provides a method for detecting traffic state based on mobile phone signals. A virtual sensor network is set up to acquire the real-time signal data sent from all mobile phones within a time interval from a mobile phone network at a fixed time interval, a virtual sensor section and the traveling speed vi can be obtained according to the real-time signal data sent from an i-th mobile phone; the virtual sensor section is superposed onto a road network to obtain the road network section and the traveling speed Vi of the i-th mobile phone; a real-time traffic flow intensity K and a section traffic flow Q can be obtained by collecting the number n of the mobile phones on each road network section and the traveling speed V of each road network section; and finally, through a traffic parameter prediction model, the predicted traffic flow speed V, the traffic flow intensity K and the section traffic flow Q can be obtained. The method has the advantages that the large range of real-time traffic data acquisition in the city can be completed in a short time by fully relying on the existing mobile communication network resources, and utilizing the information in the existing mobile phone communication network, meanwhile, the initial investment is relatively small, the data coverage is wide, and data accuracy is high.

The invention concerns a method and a device for inspecting pipelines, in particular for detecting defects in pipelines by means of ultrasound. Towards this end, measuring sensors transmit ultrasound signals during passage through a pipeline. The signals reflected on boundary regions of a pipeline wall, e.g. surfaces or defects, are then measured and evaluated. The invention is characterized in that partial regions of the measuring sensors (virtual sensors) formed of a plurality of neighboring sensor elements irradiate ultrasound signals into the pipe wall at at least one radiation angle which is inclined with respect to the normal to the pipe wall and the signals reflected at boundary regions of the pipe wall are received by same and / or other partial regions of the respective measuring sensors, wherein defects in the pipe wall are determined by evaluation of the acoustical signals reflected by different boundary regions.

A method, system, and computer readable medium for facilitating a process performed by a semiconductor processing tool. The method includes inputting data relating to a process performed by the semiconductor processing tool, and inputting a first principles physical model relating to the semiconductor processing tool. First principles simulation is performed using the input data and the physical model to provide a virtual sensor measurement relating to the process performed by the semiconductor processing tool, and the virtual sensor measurement is used to facilitate the process performed by the semiconductor processing tool.

A method is provided for a virtual sensor system. The method may include starting at least one established virtual sensor process model indicative of interrelationships between a plurality of input parameters and a plurality of output parameters and retrieving calibration data associated with the virtual sensor process model. The method may also include obtaining a set of values of the plurality of input parameters and calculating corresponding values of the plurality of output parameters simultaneously based upon the set of values of the plurality of input parameters and the virtual sensor process model. Further, the method may include determining whether the set of values of input parameters are qualified for the virtual sensor process model to generate the values of the plurality of output parameters with desired accuracy based on the calibration data.

An adaptive real time thermal processing system is presented that includes a multivariable controller. The method includes creating a dynamic model of the MLD processing system and incorporating virtual sensors in the dynamic model. The method includes using process recipes comprising intelligent set points, dynamic models, and / or virtual sensors.

A method is provided for a virtual sensor system. The method may include obtaining data records associated with a plurality of input parameters and at least one output parameter and adjusting values of the input parameters based on autocorrelation of respective input parameters. The method may also include reconfiguring the input parameters based on cross-correlation of respective input parameters relative to the output parameter and establishing a first virtual sensor process model indicative of interrelationships between the adjusted and reconfigured input parameters and the output parameter.

A sensor system for combining first and second sensor signals, and generating a physical parameter values dependent on said sensor signals used in autocalibrating sensors improving the performance and quality of existing sensor signals and virtual sensors realising new sensors by combining and integrating in adaptive filter models sensor signals representing same or different of physical parameters.

A machine learning module may generate a probability distribution from training data including labeled modeling data correlated with reflection data. Modeling data may include data from a LIDAR system, camera, and / or a GPS for a target environment / object. Reflection data may be collected from the same environment / object by a radar and / or an ultrasonic system. The probability distribution may assign reflection coefficients for radar and / or ultrasonic systems conditioned on values for modeling data. A mapping module may create a reflection model to overlay a virtual environment assembled from a second set of modeling data by applying the second set to the probability distribution to assign reflection values to surfaces within the virtual environment. Additionally, a test bench may evaluate an algorithm, for processing reflection data to generate control signals to an autonomous vehicle, with simulated reflection data from a virtual sensor engaging reflection values assigned within the virtual environment.

A method is provided for a virtual sensor system. The method may include establishing a virtual sensor process model indicative of interrelationships between a plurality of sensing parameters and a plurality of measured parameters, and obtaining a set of values corresponding to the plurality of measured parameters. The method may also include calculating the values of the plurality of sensing parameters simultaneously based upon the set of values corresponding to the plurality of measured parameters and the virtual sensor process model, and providing the values of the plurality of sensing parameters to a control system.

The invention relates to a high-precision radio positioning method and a system thereof based on multidiameter scattering information, which can be applied to various positioning environments, particularly the rich multidiameter conditions with an intense scattering environment and many barriers near a mobile terminal that needs to be positioned, such as urban areas, hilly areas and the like. The method is a high-precision practical positioning technology and comprises the following steps: firstly, a reasonable multidiameter scattering radio positioning model which is transmitted by non-line-of-sight electric waves is established according to the actual communication environment; then the scattering information is estimated by the positioning data of the multipacket and multidiameter scattering information detected by a plurality of sensors; then a group of analog sensors are reconfigured by the scattering information; and finally, at the time of final positioning, a new judgment rule and a new algorithm obtained by revision and used for the multidiameter scattering information are put forward, so as to realize precise target positioning. The high-precision radio positioning method and the system thereof can effectively inhibit non-line-of-sight communication errors, and have the advantages of low cost, low energy consumption and very high positioning precision.

A method is provide for providing sensors for a machine. The method may include obtaining data records including data from a plurality of sensors for the machine and determining a virtual sensor corresponding to one of the plurality of sensors. The method may also include establishing a virtual sensor process model of the virtual sensor indicative of interrelationships between at least one sensing parameters and a plurality of measured parameters based on the data records and obtaining a set of values corresponding to the plurality of measured parameters. Further, the method may include calculating the values of the at least one sensing parameters substantially simultaneously based upon the set of values corresponding to the plurality of measured parameters and the virtual sensor process model and providing the values of the at least one sensing parameters to a control system.

A CW lightwave modulated by a continuously reiterated autocorrelated spectrum-spreading signal is launched into an end of a span of ordinary optical fiber cable. Portions of this lightwave back propagate to the launch end from a continuum of span locations because of innate fiber properties including Rayleigh effects. This is picked off the launch end and heterodyned producing an r.f. beat signal. The beat signal is processed by a plurality (can be thousands) of multifunction despreader, autocorrelator and de-multiplexer units respectively operated in different time delayed relationships to the timing base of launch signal reiteration. This provides r.f. time-domain reflectometry outputs representative of acoustic, or other signals incident upon virtual sensors at positions along the fiber corresponding to the various delay relationships. Material attenuation of undesired noises (e.g., reflections due to presence of couplers in the fiber cable line) is effected by the spectrum spreading and de-spreading.

A method of estimating quality parameters for a plurality of engine components of a gas turbine engine is provided. The engine components have at least one sensor responsive to the engine component operation. The method includes providing an engine model having virtual sensor values and quality parameters corresponding to the plurality of sensors of the engine components; comparing the virtual sensor values to actual sensor values of the plurality of sensors of the engine components to determine the difference between the actual and virtual sensor values; amplifying the difference by a predetermined gain; generating a plurality of quality parameter deltas in response to the sensed difference; iteratively updating the embedded engine model by inputting a predetermined portion of the generated quality parameter deltas into the embedded engine model; adjusting the embedded engine model for engine operating conditions; and recalculating the virtual sensor values.

A method is provided for a virtual sensor system. The method may include establishing a first process model indicative of interrelationships between a plurality of input parameters and a plurality of output parameters and establishing a second process model indicative of interrelationships between at least the plurality of input parameters and modeling errors of the first process model. The method may also include operating the first process model to generate values of the plurality of output parameters and simultaneously operating the second model to generate estimated deviations between the values of the plurality of output parameters and desired values of the plurality of output parameters. Further, the method may include compensating the values of the plurality of output parameters with the estimated deviations to generate the desired values of the plurality of output parameters.

A CW lightwave modulated by a continuously reiterated binary pseudorandom code sequence is launched into an end of a span of ordinary optical fiber cable. Portions of the launched lightwave back propagate to the launch end from a continuum of locations along the span because of innate fiber properties including Rayleigh scattering. This is picked off the launch end and heterodyned to produce a r.f. beat signal. The r.f. beat signal is processed by a plurality (which can be thousands) of correlator type binary pseudonoise code sequence demodulators respectively operated in different delay time relationships to the timing base of the reiterated modulation sequences. The outputs of the demodulators provide r.f. time-domain reflectometry outputs representative of signals (e.g., acoustic pressure waves) incident to virtual sensors along the fiber at positions corresponding to the various time delay relationships.

A sensor system for combining first and second sensor signals, and generating a physical parameter values dependent on said sensor signals used in autocalibrating sensors improving the performance and quality of existing sensor signals and virtual sensors realizing new sensors by combining and integrating in adaptive filter models sensor signals representing same or different types of physical parameters.

The invention relates to a multi-underwater robot semi-physical simulation system and a control method thereof. The system comprises a visual scene display computer, a virtual environment computer, an electric switching device and an airborne autopilot. The visual scene display computer is in network communication connection with the virtual environment computer; kinematics models and dynamics models of each robot are stored in the virtual environment computer, and various kinds of virtual sensor device information is generated through model computation; the electric switching device switchesa standard cable interface of an expansion card of the virtual environment computer to be an interface capable of conveniently connecting the multi-underwater robot airborne autopilot; the airborne autopilot is a real underwater robot soft hardware control system, and is used for generating the executor control quantity according to own motion planning and closed loop, transmitting the executor control quantity to the virtual environment computer through the electric switching device and transmitting cooperation information to other robots through the virtual environment computer according tomission requirements. The multi-underwater robot semi-physical simulation system and the control method thereof are convenient to expand sensors and device nodes, and the system is excellent in expandability, high in transportability and convenient to configure various kinds of underwater robots.

Embodiments include processes, systems, and devices for developing a virtual sensor. The virtual sensor includes one or more inference models. A decision engine utilizes an inference model associated with a mobile device to determine another inference model that is configured to accept physical sensor data from another mobile device. In this way, the virtual sensor can be developed for use with many mobile devices using initial inference models developed for a small number of mobile devices or a single mobile device. Embodiments also include methods to select mobile devices from which to request physical sensor data for virtual sensor input. Embodiments also include architectures that provide a library of virtual sensors.

A system and a method for information acquisition of Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) data as a cloud based service are provided. An apparatus in the system including a WSN, a service cloud, and a device, includes a virtual sensor configured to receive data from a physical sensor in the WSN. The apparatus further includes a virtual sensor controller configured to receive a request for the data from the service cloud or the device, and spawn a virtual machine (VM) based on the request. The apparatus further includes the VM configured to transmit the data to the service cloud or the device.

The invention discloses a state monitoring method and device for a wind generating set. The method comprises the steps that a sensor mounted on the wind generating set is utilized for measuring the actual values of n characteristic quantities of the wind generating set, wherein n is an integer larger than 0; based on a virtual standard control system of the wind generating set and a virtual sensor system of the sensor mounted on the wind generating set, the theoretical values of the n characteristic quantities are calculated according to current wind condition data; when the correlation coefficient between the actual value and the theoretical value of each of the n characteristic quantities is larger than a first threshold value, it is judged that the wind generating set has no anomaly.