Patents Examined by Chad Rapp
  • Patent number: 9153964
    Abstract: A method includes receiving at least one event parameter for a demand response event and identifying a pool of customers. The pool of customers includes a plurality of customers potentially usable to support the demand response event. Characteristics of each customer in the pool of customers are retrieved and a plurality of groups of customers are created from the pool of customers based on the retrieved characteristics and the at least one event parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rajesh Tyagi, Jason Wayne Black, Prasoon Tiwari
  • Patent number: 9144135
    Abstract: A controller is configured for and a corresponding method of adaptive monitoring and control of a lighting system are suited for adaptively establishing lighting parameters on a fixture by fixture basis. The controller includes a communication interface configured to communicate with a multiplicity of light fixtures, a memory for storing software routines and information associated with each of the light fixtures; and a processor coupled to the memory and the communication interface and configured to execute the software routines and selectively communicate with at least one of the multiplicity of light fixtures to adaptively establish lighting parameters for the at least one of the multiplicity of light fixtures. A method of facilitating the monitoring and control of the light fixture includes controlling a lamp circuit to provide one of a multiplicity of light levels; assessing performance parameters of the light fixture; and communicating with a central server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: LED Roadway Lighting Ltd.
    Inventors: Donald A. Cleland, Laurence E. Kubek, Carol A. Wong, Colleen D. McCarthy, Gordon A. Duval
  • Patent number: 9138848
    Abstract: A vibration suppressing method and a vibration suppressing device are disclosed. After detection of chatter vibration using at least one vibration detecting device, a stable rotation speed for suppressing the chatter vibration is calculated using a stable rotation speed calculating device. A determination device then compares a detection value detected by the vibration detecting device, a predetermined setting value, and/or a current value that is calculated based on at least one of the detection value and the setting value, to a predetermined determination reference value that is previously set. Thereafter, the determination device determines whether or not the stable rotation speed is adopted in accordance with the comparison result, and changes rotation speed of the rotary shaft to the stable rotation speed if the stable rotation speed is adopted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ueno
  • Patent number: 9129237
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated interfacing system for intelligent defect yield solutions. The integrated interfacing system is configured to have a web server, which initiates a web interface for containing a plurality of functional items provided for clicking to activate a corresponding function. Through the graphical user interface, users may select one or more functions for viewing the multiple solutions regarding wafer yield. The system uses a memory to store the computer-executable instructions for selectively performing corresponding functionalities. When the wafer images are inputted through the interface, the system performs a defect coordinate conversion, dashboard summary, defect screening, defect sampling, defect yield diagnosis, design for yield, yield prediction, pattern diagnosis, data management, and system administration. By the interfacing system, an additional viewing method is also introduced to provision of full-chip viewing over the data retrieved during the wafer manufacturing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ELITETECH TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Iyun Leu
  • Patent number: 9103732
    Abstract: A user computer device is provided that comprises a temperature sensitive touchscreen having a temperature sensitive user interface comprising multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices, such as thermocouples. The multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices are capable both of detecting thermal energy and emitting thermal energy. The temperature sensitive user interface generates thermal patterns that may be transferred to other thermally sensitive electronic devices or that may be used to authenticate the user computer device. The user computer device also can detect and thermally communicate with a thermal energy docking station and, based on thermal recognition, activate applications displayed on the temperature sensitive touchscreen. Further, the user computer device can auto-bias a temperature of the temperature sensitive user interface in order to better assure proper operation of the temperature sensitive user interface in all operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Rachid M. Alameh, Jiri Slaby, John Henry Krahenbuhl, Martin R. Pais
  • Patent number: 9090144
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a passenger compartment of an electric vehicle has a battery unit that is chargeable by supply of electric power from an external power source. The system includes a charge-level detection section to detect a charge level of the battery unit and an HEV controller has an integrated control of the whole of an electric vehicle including an air conditioner. Before a preparatory air-conditioning operation for air conditioning in the passenger compartment during charge, the HEV controller grants permission to enter air conditioning in the passenger compartment if the battery charge level is greater than a predetermined level. The HEV controller adjusts an amount of electric power usable for air conditioning in the passenger compartment based on a change in the charge level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kensuke Momose, Hideki Hashigaya
  • Patent number: 9092018
    Abstract: The range of electric currents that can be assumed by a supply electric current is categorized into a plurality of electric current ranges, where, for each electric current range category, there are combinations of functions, wherein the total value for the electric current required is less than the upper limit value, and no less than the lower limit value, for the electric current range established, and a table wherein these combinations are established is stored in memory. An actual value is detected for a supply current I to ascertain the category of electric current to which the supply electric current I applies, the combination of functions established for the applicable category of electric currents is read out from the table, and operation of the function circuit portions for the functions of the combination that has been read out is enabled, and operation of the other function circuit portions is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouichirou Murata, Kouji Okuda, Hiroaki Nagoya
  • Patent number: 9069018
    Abstract: A device for monitoring and measuring the electrical and mechanical parameters of a power line conductor. Sensors of the device measure conductor temperature, the angle of inclination of the overhead conductor, current flowing in the conductor, and voltage to ground. The device has a low-power mode in which parameters of the power line conductor are not measured. Upon detecting a change in an electrical or mechanical value of the power line conductor, the device measures parameters of the power line conductor for a predetermined length of time before returning to the low power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: UNDERGROUND SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Alan Alex, Duncan Breese, Larry Fish, Charles Lipsky, Chunchuan Xu
  • Patent number: 9037283
    Abstract: A safeguard method and system. The method includes receiving and analyzing apparatus data associated with an electro/mechanical apparatus. A type, mode, and state of the electro/mechanical apparatus are determined and a list of associated safeguard devices is generated and presented to a user. A selection for a safeguard device is received and it is determined if the safeguard device is currently present. In response, a specified action is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nadine M. Ellison-Marion, Mark A. Nelson, Kevin H. Peters, Louis R. Ruggiero
  • Patent number: 9031688
    Abstract: A nesting data generation device generates nesting data for cutting off a part from a work supported by plural support projections. The nesting data generation device includes a nesting data generating unit that generates the nesting data by arranging a geometry of the part on the work. The nesting data generating unit performs, upon arranging the geometry of the part on the work, an avoidance process for avoiding an impediment due to the support projections. According to the nesting data generation device, the part can be prevented from welding on the support projections and the support projections can be prevented from welding upon arranging the geometry on the work by considering positions of the support projections, so that a drop-off and an inclination of the cut part can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Tatsunori Himeno, Kazuhisa Nogi
  • Patent number: 9031676
    Abstract: An operation control apparatus includes a command generation portion that generates a command signal for commanding operation of a control surface, and first and second monitoring portions that monitor an abnormality of operation of first and second control portions, respectively, of the actuator control apparatus. The actuator control apparatus includes first and second control portions that generate a control signal for an actuator for driving the control surface and that are different in design, and a switching unit that switches the connection to the actuator from one of the first and second control portions to the other, when an abnormality is detected by the first and second monitoring portions. Accordingly, it is possible to monitor a generic failure, and realize redundancy enabling control of the overall operation of the actuator, from start to finish, when a generic failure has occurred, thus realizing further simplification and streamlining of the configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: NABTESCO Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Nakagawa, Atsushi Fukui
  • Patent number: 9008819
    Abstract: Provided herein is an automatic pouring method and equipment for the same that enable to inhibit the generation of residual molten metal in a ladle and thus the molten metal to be discharged therefrom can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Sintokogio, Ltd., Fujiwa Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Banno, Tadashi Nishida
  • Patent number: 9008823
    Abstract: A cutter chatter monitoring method comprises the steps of capturing a cutting vibration acceleration signal; dividing the cutting vibration acceleration signal in each predetermined time period into a plurality of segments; determining whether the vibration acceleration signal of each segment is increased by a multiple greater than a threshold value; performing a Fast Fourier Transform of the cutting vibration acceleration signal in each predetermined time period; calculating a vibration frequency; determining whether the vibration frequency of the cutting vibration acceleration signal is a multiple of a cutter passing frequency; and increasing a main shaft rotating speed of a cutter to avoid cutter chatters if both aforementioned conditions are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Shih-Ming Wang, Chien-Da Ho
  • Patent number: 8996150
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for a person to communicate customized design information for an object, such as a product at a time prior to its manufacture. A network accessible communications channel and user interface is provided that enables the person to communicate design information, including a visual representation of the product, prior to its manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: W.A. Krapf, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis W. Ambrose, Christian Q. Krapf
  • Patent number: 8996187
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to manage energy system by receiving load forecasts and power generator forecasts with uncertainty specification; performing stochastic optimization on the load and power generation forecasts; determining an optimal storage sizing for energy balancing; and validating the optimal storage sizing; wherein the power generator is connected to an energy storage device with the optimal storage sizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ratnesh Sharma, Sudipta Dutta
  • Patent number: 8983645
    Abstract: The system comprises a conveyor for conveying a plurality of molds along a production path on which is located a plurality of stations, each of which can execute at least one corresponding operation. Each mold carries an electronic identification device including memory devices from and to which information or data can be read and written without contact by means of an antenna. Each station is provided with an electronic unit including a processor, having memory devices and at least one antenna, and designed to read and/or write information or data from or to the memory devices of a mold passing through the station. An initial input station transfers or writes to the memory devices of each mold passing through it information identifying the products to be formed in the mold and relating to corresponding forming operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Soremartec S.A.
    Inventors: Eugenio Alessandria, Massimo Giacosa
  • Patent number: 8972071
    Abstract: A computing device for use with a demand response system is provided. The computing device includes a communication interface for receiving customer data of a plurality of customers, wherein the customer data includes a participation history and historical consumption values for each customer for participating in at least one demand response event. A processor is coupled to the communication interface and is programmed to select at least one customer from the plurality of customers by considering the participation history and the historical consumption values for each of the customers. The processor is also programmed to estimate a future reduction in energy consumption for the customer based on the customer data and to determine whether the estimated future reduction in energy consumption is substantially accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Meyerhofer, James Joseph Schmid, Jerry Steven Massey, Bobby Antione Wilson, Anthony Steven McCulley, Jaime Alberto Sierra, Sthitaprajna Acharya
  • Patent number: 8965537
    Abstract: A method for ascertaining process values for a process control is provided. The method includes detecting a measured value, providing a model that simulates the process, and, on the basis of the model, calculating a calculated real value and a calculated measured value. The method also includes comparing the calculated real value with the calculated measured value to obtain a delay compensation value, and adding the delay compensation value to the measured value to obtain an accelerated value indicative of the process value to be ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Xiao-Yi Zhang, Lucas Fischer, Evan Foy
  • Patent number: 8954182
    Abstract: A robot system includes a manipulator; a work table arranged within a movement extent of the manipulator; an imaging unit for taking a two-dimensional image of the workpieces loaded on the work table; a workpiece supply unit for supplying workpieces onto the work table; and a control system for controlling operations of the manipulator and the imaging unit. The control system includes an imaging control unit for controlling the imaging unit to take the two-dimensional image of the workpieces loaded on the work table, a workpiece detecting unit for detecting a position and a posture of each of the workpieces loaded on the work table by comparing the two-dimensional image taken by the imaging unit with templates stored in advance, and a manipulator control unit for operating the manipulator to perform a work with respect to the workpieces detected by the workpiece detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Takeshi Okamoto, Kenji Matsufuji, Takurou Yano, Takuya Murayama, Yoshihisa Nagano
  • Patent number: 8948917
    Abstract: A system and method for the welding of drill bits using an automated robot or robots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Alan J. Massey