Patents Examined by Darrin D Dunn
  • Patent number: 11556117
    Abstract: A method of detecting and classifying anomalies during semiconductor processing includes executing a wafer recipe a semiconductor processing system to process a semiconductor wafer; monitoring sensor outputs from a sensors that monitor conditions associated with the semiconductor processing system; providing the sensor outputs to models trained to identify when the conditions associated with the semiconductor processing system indicate a fault in the semiconductor wafer; receiving an indication of a fault from at least one of the models; and generating a fault output in response to receiving the indication of the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shahab Arabshahi, Michael Nichols
  • Patent number: 11553655
    Abstract: A system and method for providing irrigation management services is disclosed. The system may include a plurality of controllers, where each controller controls application of water by an irrigation system associated with the controller. A central computer that is remote from each of the controllers may be configured to implement an irrigation management plan that is individualized to each location and based, at least in part, upon one or more characteristics of the location as determined by an on-site visit. The irrigation manager may guarantee that the system will provide a return on investment within a predefined period of time. The system may also detect faults in the irrigation systems using water usage data from the controllers and diagnose the faults. A technician may be notified and dispatched to repair the faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Smart Rain Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Rudy Lars Larsen
  • Patent number: 11549713
    Abstract: A wireless controller (200) is configured to send commands to a mini-split HVAC unit (100) that thermostatically controls a temperature in a space (50) using the temperature sensed and a programmable set point. The wireless controller (212) may include an infrared (IR) transmitter (208), a temperature sensor (210), a user interface (214), a non-volatile memory (202), and a controller (212). The wireless controller (200) may store an IR database in the non-volatile memory (202) for each of a wide variety of mini-split HVAC unit (100). The wireless controller (200) may then allow a user to select a particular mini-split HVAC unit (100), and from the selection may identify a corresponding IR protocol in the IR database. During subsequent use, the wireless controller (200) may use the corresponding IR protocol during subsequent communication with the mini-split HVAC unit (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Zhifei Dong, Huanmin Bao, Ling Dong, Cameron K. Vreeland, Le Zhang
  • Patent number: 11536476
    Abstract: A building system for a building including one or more storage devices storing instructions thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to operate one or more pieces of building equipment associated with a building space based on a first operating mode. The instructions cause the one or more processors to receive an indication to update operation of the building space based on an emergency situation and responsive to receiving the indication to update operation of the building space based on the emergency situation, operate the one or more pieces of building equipment based on a second operating mode, wherein the second operating mode defines one or more second parameters for the one or more pieces of building equipment and is adapted to reconfigure the operation of the building space to address or mitigate the emergency situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
    Inventors: Clay G. Nesler, Jonathan Douglas, Kirk H. Drees, Bernard P. Clement, Joseph Pustai, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11536477
    Abstract: An operation method for reducing energy consumption and an electronic apparatus thereof are provided. The operation method includes obtaining, by the electronic apparatus, weather forecast information, inputting, by the electronic apparatus, the weather forecast information to an artificial intelligence model for predicting an amount of power to be consumed by a first air conditioner, and displaying, by the electronic apparatus, the predicted power consumption amount of the first air conditioner output from the artificial intelligence model, wherein the artificial intelligence model is trained to obtain correlation information between a weather condition and a power consumption amount of an air conditioner, based on a weather history and operations of a plurality of air conditioners related to the weather history, and predict the amount of power to be consumed by the first air conditioner based on the correlation information and the weather forecast information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeonje Cho, Inhwan Hwang, Huijung Kim, Yunhu Ji, Sehoon Kim
  • Patent number: 11533830
    Abstract: A cooling arrangement for an electronic device comprises a primary cooling device and a secondary cooling device. The primary cooling device includes a fluidic input line receiving a cooling fluid from a cooling fluid source and a fluidic output line returning the cooling fluid toward a drain. The primary cooling device is thermally connected to the electronic device, receives the cooling fluid from the fluidic input line and transfers heat from the electronic device to the cooling fluid before returning the cooling fluid via the fluidic output line. A flow detection device monitors a flow of the cooling fluid in the primary cooling device. The secondary cooling device is thermally connected to the electronic device. A processor activates the secondary cooling device to absorb and dissipate heat from the electronic device when the flow detection device detects a lack of flow of the cooling fluid in the primary cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: OVH
    Inventors: Christophe Maurice Thibaut, Patrick-Gilles Maillot, Henryk Klaba
  • Patent number: 11530828
    Abstract: A camera takes an image of a user. A room environment information sensor detects room environment information about an environment in a room where the user is present. An estimation unit estimates a concentration degree of the user based on the image of the user taken by the camera and the room environment information sensed by the room environment information sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keita Kitagawa, Takuya Kazusa, Youichi Handa
  • Patent number: 11526158
    Abstract: A display device that displays productivity of a manufacturing facility that performs processes to manufacture products, wherein the manufacturing facility includes constituent element groups, each including constituent elements, constituent elements selected from the constituent element groups perform a corresponding one of the processes. The display device includes: an obtainer that obtains manufacturing log information from the manufacturing facility; a calculator that calculates an indicator showing productivity of each combination of a first constituent element and a second constituent element, based on the manufacturing log information; and a display that displays the indicator showing the productivity of each combination at a position of an intersection point corresponding to the combination on a productivity indicator map including a vertical axis along which first constituent elements are arranged and a horizontal axis along which second constituent elements are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichi Higuchi, Hiroshi Amano, Yosuke Tajika, Taichi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11513486
    Abstract: A building automation system may control ultraviolet lights to intelligently disinfect susceptible environments based on occupant density. The system comprises multiple occupancy sensors, a disinfection environment tracking engine, and an ultraviolet light control engine. The multiple occupancy sensors generate real time occupancy data associated with multiple objects detected within an area. The disinfection environment tracking engine determines real time occupant density of the multiple objects detected within the area based on the real time occupancy data generated by the multiple occupancy sensors. The ultraviolet light control engine controls operation of one or more ultraviolet lights to disinfect the area based on the real time occupant density determined by the disinfection environment tracking engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Timur Kupa, Robert Baker, Pornsak Songkakul
  • Patent number: 11512861
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for anomaly detection in a data processing system comprising a processor and a memory comprising instructions which are executed by the processor, the method including: receiving, by the processor, a real-time airflow pattern detected from an airflow alerter, wherein the real-time airflow pattern is generated by a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in a particular facility; comparing, by the processor, the real-time airflow pattern to a predetermined airflow pattern for the HVAC system; and when the real-time airflow pattern is different from the predetermined airflow pattern, receiving, by the processor, an alert message indicating an anomaly from the airflow alerter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wayne Francis Tackabury, Cesar Augusto Rodriguez Bravo, Doga Tav
  • Patent number: 11507048
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a detector and reflector for automation cell safety and identification are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a method for machinery safety comprises transmitting, by an active transponder, at least one interrogation signal. The method further comprises receiving, by at least one passive transponder located on a user or on an item, the interrogation signal(s). Also, the method comprises generating, by a non-linear device of the passive transponder(s) in response to the interrogation signal(s), at least one response signal. In addition, the method comprises receiving, by the active transponder, the response signal(s). Additionally, the method comprises determining, by at least one processor, a location of the passive transponder(s) based on the response signal(s). Further, the method comprises determining, by the processor(s), whether the passive transponder(s) is located within a threshold distance away from machinery by using the location of the passive transponder(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Tanni Sisco, Mark Albrecht
  • Patent number: 11506410
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control system for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system. The control system includes a user interface configured to receive a first input indicative of a first expected operating range of a first parameter in a first zone and to receive a second input indicative of a second expected operating range of a second parameter in a second zone. A first set point for the first parameter is within the first expected operating range and a second set point for the second parameter is within the second expected operating range. The control system includes a controller configured to manage operation of the HVAC system and to provide a first alert in response to the first parameter being outside of the first expected operating range and a second alert in response to the second parameter being outside of the second expected operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Theresa N. Gillette, Brian D. Rigg, Jonathan A. Burns, John W. Uerkvitz
  • Patent number: 11470825
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling an aquatic habitat. The system for includes a server, a bridge, and a habitat component. The server includes a database containing information associated with a habitat component. The server also includes a communication interface for transmitting operating data for the habitat component. The bridge has a first communication unit configured to communicate with the server communication interface and transmit the operating data received from the server to the habitat component. The habitat component has a second communication unit for receiving operating data from the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: EcoTech, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Lawyer, Patrick Clasen, Timothy Marks
  • Patent number: 11467554
    Abstract: A position correcting system, method and tool for guiding a tool during its use based on its location relative to the material being worked on. Provided is a system and tool which uses its auto correcting technology to precisely rout or cut material. The invention provides a camera which is used to track the visual features of the surface of the material being cut to build a map and locate an image on that map used to reference the location of the tool for auto-correction of the cutting path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: SHAPER TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Alec Rothmyer Rivers, Ilan Ellison Moyer
  • Patent number: 11451056
    Abstract: The present invention provides a processing apparatus (10) including: an acquiring unit (11) which acquires an adjustment request specifying a control time period and a control amount for controlling power demand; a determining unit (12) which, on the basis of the adjustment request, determines a first consumer whose power demand is to be controlled, and a control amount of the first consumer and a time period during which power demand of the first consumer is controlled; and an inference unit (13) which infers whether, if power demand of the first consumer were controlled in accordance with a determination result made by the determining unit (12), power demand of the first consumer before and/or after control would change from power demand of the first consumer if the power demand were not controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Takeuchi, Hidekazu Kimura
  • Patent number: 11444464
    Abstract: A portable hybrid generator may comprise a sturdy portable housing configured for easy movement and transport, an inverter for managing renewable and non-renewable energy sources, one or more batteries with or without a battery management system, one or more solar panels and solar panel combiner box, a communications systems, and a generator. In some instances the portable hybrid generator may comprise a communications system equipped to simplify the usage, maintenance, and control of the portable hybrid generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: GOAL ZERO LLC
    Inventors: Walker Ford, Sterling Robison, Hank Howell, Preston Evan Price, Norm Krantz, Keyvan Vasefi
  • Patent number: 11434871
    Abstract: Embodiments herein described provide systems and techniques for performing black start operations. For example, one embodiment provides a method for performing black start operations. The method generally includes operating a wind turbine in a wind park in a first mode to provide power to an alternating-current (AC) grid using a control system. The control system may include a reactive power control leg and an active power control leg. The method also includes switching operation of the wind turbine from the first mode to a second mode based on an indication to perform a black start of an electrical grid and by activating a controller with an integral action to thereby increase output power of the wind turbine, the controller being coupled between the reactive power control leg and the active power control leg, and providing power to the electrical grid while operating in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Tusitha Abeyasekera
  • Patent number: 11428432
    Abstract: A method and computing device for inferring an airflow of a controlled appliance operating in an area of a building. The computing device stores a predictive model. The computing device determines a measured airflow of the controlled appliance and a plurality of consecutive temperature measurements in the area. The computing device executes a neural network inference engine using the predictive model for inferring an inferred airflow based on inputs. The inputs comprise the measured airflow and the plurality of consecutive temperature measurements. The inputs may further include at least one of a plurality of consecutive humidity level measurements in the area and a plurality of consecutive carbon dioxide (CO2) level measurements in the area. For instance, the controlled appliance is a Variable Air Volume (VAV) appliance and a K factor of the VAV appliance is calculated based on the inferred airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Distech Controls Inc.
    Inventors: Francois Gervais, Dominique Laplante, Carlo Masciovecchio, Jean-Simon Boucher
  • Patent number: 11428426
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system that obtains at least one of a recommended temperature and an operation mode to be set on an air conditioner by applying a position of a user and an ambient temperature of the air conditioner to a learning model trained by using an artificial intelligence algorithm, and sets at least one of the obtained recommended temperature and the obtained operation mode on the air conditioner. In this case, the learning model may be, for example, a model generated by using at least one of machine learning, a neural network, or a deep learning algorithm as the artificial intelligence algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang-kyung Lee, Jae-hong Kim, Hee-jin Suh, Chang-soo Lee, Bo-kun Choi
  • Patent number: 11422532
    Abstract: A method for facilitating part fabrication, such as by automated toolpath generation, can include one or more of: receiving a virtual part; modifying the virtual part; and/or determining toolpaths to fabricate the target part. The toolpaths preferably define an ordered series of additive and subtractive toolpaths, more preferably wherein the additive and subtractive toolpaths are interleaved, which can function to achieve high manufacturing efficiency and/or performance. The method can additionally or alternatively include: generating machine instructions based on the toolpaths; fabricating the target part based on the machine instructions; calibrating the fabrication system; and/or any other suitable elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Mantle Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. Connor, Alex S. Goldenberg, Jonathan Hsu, Benjamin D. Voiles, Theodore Charles Sorom