Patents Examined by Kenneth M Lo
  • Patent number: 11277026
    Abstract: A power management apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive measurement information obtained by measuring a power of a facility connected to a power grid; and a transmitter configured to transmit a power control message. The transmitter transmits the power control message based on an output power amount of a distributed power supply provided in the facility, in addition to the measurement information. The measurement information is information indicating a total power flow amount from the power grid to the facility or a total reverse power flow amount from the facility to the power grid. The distributed power supply is a power supply that allows a reverse power flow from the facility to the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenta Okino
  • Patent number: 11269313
    Abstract: A controller includes a processor and a communication circuit. The controller controls an object of control by sequentially repeating, on a predetermined control cycle, the transmission of the output data, the reception of the input data, and execution of a control program for generating the output data using the input data. In the transmission of the output data, the processor executes: storing of the output data in a frame, the output data having been generated by the execution of the control program in a previous control cycle; and control of the communication circuit such that the frame, in which the output data is stored, is transmitted to the object of control. The processor executes, in a current control cycle, at least a part of the storing of the output data in a frame that is to be executed in a next control cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yoneda, Shigenori Sawada, Yasunori Fukuda
  • Patent number: 11268723
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides system and method for determining optimal decision parameters for a demand response (DR) event involving a District Cooling Plant (DCP). Most of conventional DR event techniques address control of building-level energy consumption loads alone while in presence of District Cooling (DC) has not received much attention when a plurality of buildings are served by a District Cooling Plant (DCP). The disclosed system and method determine set points of optimal decision parameters of the plurality of buildings and the DCP, by conditioning and un-conditioning on the DCP parameters such that a thermal discomfort of occupants residing in the plurality of buildings is minimum and achieves a maximum target energy demand reduction during the DR event. The disclosed system and method work for hundreds of buildings and able to determine the optimal decision parameters for each building and the DCP efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Tata Consultancy Services Limited
    Inventors: Srinarayana Nagarathinam, Harihara Subramaniam Muralidharan, Arunchandar Vasan, Venkatesh Sarangan, Anand Sivasubramaniam
  • Patent number: 11268730
    Abstract: A technical adapter system operates to wirelessly, remotely control a conventional thermostat and/or components of an HVAC system, HVAC/R system or both, to which the conventional thermostat is connected, and optimizing energy efficiency of the HVAC system components. This effectively heats and/or cools a space or volume that the HVAC and/or HVAC/R system is configured to heat and/or cool. An adapter device includes a processor, a memory and an adapter application program component, the adapter device configured to connect to the conventional thermostat, the HVAC system or both. A hand-held electronic device including a smart device application program component that operates to enable a hand-held electronic device user to wirelessly connect to the adapter device, and remotely control and command the adapter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Edward Helbling
  • Patent number: 11269312
    Abstract: A method, computer system, and a computer program product for identifying and rectifying one or more defects on a structure is provided. The present invention may include identifying the one or more defects on the structure. The present invention may then include dynamically creating one or more magnetic paths for one or more 3D printer vehicles to travel to one or more locations of the identified one or more defects associated with the structure, wherein one or more temporary magnetic coil arrays associated with the structure are utilized to create the one or more magnetic paths. The present may further include rectifying the identified one or more defects on the structured by utilizing the one or more 3D printer vehicles, wherein the one or more 3D printer vehicles utilize 3D printing methods to rectify the identified one or more defects on the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 11262745
    Abstract: A method for operating a redundant automation system having a plurality of subsystems, wherein one subsystem of the plurality of subsystems operates as a master and assumes process control and the other subsystem operates as a reserve during redundant operation, where measures are provided by which the availability of the redundant automation system is increased, and where regardless of whether transient errors occur on the subsystem of the plurality of subsystems operating as the master or on the subsystem operating as the reserve, a total failure of the automation system is largely avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Kleifges, Juergen Laforsch
  • Patent number: 11255563
    Abstract: An air conditioner which is controlled to operate by executing an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm and/or a machine learning algorithm in a 5G environment connected for the Internet of Things and an operating method of an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner includes a communicator, a command input, an operation manipulator, and a controller. The communicator collects weather information and operation information of at least one connected devices. The command input receives a manipulation command of a user. An operation manipulator adjusts at least one of whether to operate the air conditioner for cooling/heating, a temperature, a wind volume, or a wind direction of the air conditioner. The controller derives a first customized value based on a manipulation command input by the command input and information collected by the communicator and controls the operation manipulator in accordance with the first customized value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Hyo Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 11254060
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for printing a three-dimensional (3D) object. A method for printing a 3D object may comprise receiving a computer model of the 3D object in computer memory and generating a parametric representation of the computer model of the 3D object. Next, a first edge in a parametric representation of a curved surface of the computer model may be selected, and a 3D tool path may be generated at least in part by: (i) selecting a first set of points on the first edge; and (ii) computing coordinates of a second set of points on a second edge parallel to the first edge in the parametric representation, wherein the first edge and the second edge define the 3D tool path. Printing instructions may then be generated for printing at least a portion of the 3D object along the tool path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Arevo, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter John Woytowitz
  • Patent number: 11251619
    Abstract: A method performed by a network controller of an electrical microgrid having a plurality of energy storages. Each of the energy storages is associated with a respective storage controller. The method includes receiving information about a measurement made at a remote location in the microgrid. The method also includes obtaining respective participation factors in respect of the remote location for each of at least a first energy storage and a second energy storage of the plurality of energy storages. The method also includes obtaining respective states of charge for each of the at least first and second energy storages. The method also includes, for each of the at least first and second energy storages, calculating a reference value for the energy storage, and sending the reference value to the storage controller with which the energy storage is associated. The calculating includes calculating the reference value based on the obtained participation factors and the obtained states of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignees: Hitachi Energy Switzerland AG, ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Ritwik Majumder
  • Patent number: 11249121
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for analysing utility consumption at a utility supply location is described. The method comprises the steps of: receiving utility consumption data corresponding to utility consumption at the utility supply location over a time period to be analysed; generating a recurring consumption model indicative of repeating consumption patterns in the utility consumption data; identifying divergences between the utility consumption data and the recurring consumption model; computing a diagnostic measure indicative of irregular consumption based on the identified divergences; and outputting the diagnostic measure. The diagnostic measure may be used to identify flexibility or irregularities in consumption and/or to control supply of the utility. The utility may be e.g. electricity, gas or water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: CENTRICA HIVE LIMITED
    Inventors: Timothy Wong, Neal Coady
  • Patent number: 11231699
    Abstract: A program analysis device divides a machining program into processes, obtains a command speed from the divided machining program for each process, and measures an actual speed of an axis for each process obtained when machining based on the machining program is performed. Then, the program analysis device calculates an integral value of the difference between the command speed and the actual speed, rearranges the order of the processes based on the calculated integral value, and creates screen data for displaying the sorted processes in order. Provided is an assistive technology for effectively improving the difference between the command speed of the machining program and the actual speed of an axis movement of a machine tool, based on the screen data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hisateru Ishiwari
  • Patent number: 11231692
    Abstract: An HMI renders on an HMI screen a process line which includes: a movable looper group part obtained by grouping at least one movable roll part and a plurality of line parts connected to the movable roll part; and a plurality of fixed roll parts connected to the movable looper group part. The HMI continuously obtains a process line length from an output signal of a monitoring target device. The HMI calculates a looper movement amount by dividing a difference between a process line total length and the process line length by the number of parts in the plurality of line parts which are shared by the movable looper group part with the plurality of fixed roll parts. The HMI changes a relative position between the plurality of fixed roll parts and the movable looper group part on the HMI screen according to the looper movement amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fujieda, Nobuo Shimizu, Akira Nojima
  • Patent number: 11221598
    Abstract: A method of controlling devices connected to a controller includes receiving, from a server, a service rule including a trigger condition and a device executing action which is an action to be performed by one of the devices according to whether the trigger condition is satisfied, selecting one of the devices connected to the controller based on the received service rule, modifying the received service rule to control the selected device, and controlling the selected device according to the modified service rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuzhi Xie, Feng Tang
  • Patent number: 11221607
    Abstract: A system includes a first asset disposed at a first location in an industrial system configured to perform one or more operations, a second asset disposed at a second location in the industrial system, and a server device communicatively coupled to the first asset and the second asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Edward A. Gray, Norman A. Weatherhead, Srikanth G. Mashetty
  • Patent number: 11213955
    Abstract: A system and method for operating at least one stowable automated robotic pod in a workplace having a workpiece is disclosed. The pod includes a robot on a base that can also include one or both of a tool nest and process equipment. A door to subfloor storage allows the pod to raise its base vertical, placing the robot into the desired vertical position in the workspace. Once operations on the workpiece are complete, the pod withdraws back to the subfloor storage and the doors to the storage volume close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Michael G. Nelson, Timothy A. Brownlee, Robert J. Santen, Didier M. Rouaud, Douglas B. Polkinghome
  • Patent number: 11216051
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for smart sockets in a communication network. A smart socket can be implemented to monitor one or more power quality characteristics of a power supply providing energy to the smart home environment. Smart sockets implemented to monitor power quality characteristics can sense when power fluctuations are present in the power supply, and shut down connected devices to prevent damage. A plurality of coordinating smart sockets can be implemented to optimize power utilization when the smart home environment is operating on backup power, during low electricity tariff periods, or when operating on a renewable energy source. The plurality of coordinating smart sockets can be implemented to autonomously schedule tasks based on a context of operation of other devices in the smart home environment. The plurality of coordinating smart sockets can be implemented to achieve configurable energy targets for the smart home environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Skanda Kumar Kaipu Narahari, Chirag Manojkumar Kharvar, Dishant Srivastava, Sourabh Jana, Jagdeep Kumar Hans
  • Patent number: 11217995
    Abstract: A power-distribution-system management apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication unit that acquires an amount of insolation, which is a measurement value measured by a pyranometer, via a communication network, which is used to collect a measurement value of a smart meter that measures electric energy, and a meter-data management apparatus and a power-generation-amount estimating unit that estimates, on the basis of the amount of insolation, a power generation amount of each of two or more solar power generation facilities connected to a power distribution line of a high voltage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Itaya
  • Patent number: 11215975
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a path pattern of devices that produces a defective product in a production line where a product is produced via a plurality of device is provided. The device is configured to estimate a path pattern quality indicating a quality of a group of products produced through a production path included in a path pattern, based on a production path quality and an association relationship between a path pattern and a production path indicating devices via which the product is produced and an order of passing through the devices; and to identify a path pattern suspected to be defective based on the estimated path pattern quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Tatedoko, Tsuyoshi Higuchi, Kiyoto Kawauchi, Takeshi Yoneda
  • Patent number: 11209804
    Abstract: One or more first parameters associated with an electronic device manufacturing process are monitored. An artificial neural network associated with the one or more first parameters is determined. One or more second parameters are determined using the artificial neural network. The one or more first parameters are adjusted using the one or more second parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Banqiu Wu
  • Patent number: 11212937
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes detecting reverse rotation of a fan inserted into a modular electronic system comprising at least one other fan, wherein the reverse rotation of the fan is caused by a back pressure generated by the other fan rotating in a forward direction, applying current pulses to stop reverse rotation of the inserted fan and start rotation of the fan in a forward direction, and operating all of the fans with rotation in the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Paolo Sironi, Emanuele Umberto Giacometti, Rohit Dev Gupta, Joel Richard Goergen