Patents Examined by Sheela S. Rao
  • Patent number: 9785210
    Abstract: A household appliance includes a controller operating on an energy supply network having a data network for exchanging data via the energy supply network, wherein the network may include smart metering. The controller has a first control component embodies as a computer, a second control component for settings data, a third control component for operating data, and a fourth control component connected with the first control component and including a graph algorithm. The first control component determines data for controlling actuators from the settings data and the operating data. Through cooperation of the first control component, the fourth control component and the graph algorithm, the data from the data network for the household appliance are taken into account so as to allow operation of the household appliance always to continue. A corresponding method for operating such household appliance is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Grimminger, Tanja Haberlander, Claudia Häpp
  • Patent number: 9772621
    Abstract: The application provides molds for the manufacture of intraluminal endoprostheses and methods for their manufacture. In particular embodiments, the methods comprise the steps of providing a 3D model of the mold, meshing the model, manufacturing a mold based on said meshed 3D model. Also provided herein are methods for manufacturing an endoprosthesis using said mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: MATERIALISE N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Verschueren, Jari Heikki Petteri Pallari, Koen Engelborghs, Wilfried Vancraen
  • Patent number: 9766639
    Abstract: There is provided a power management device including a load current control unit configured to set an upper limit on a load current supplied from a connected feeding device and to control the load current on the basis of the upper limit, and a determination unit configured to, when the load current control unit has reset the upper limit to a higher value, determine if the upper limit has exceeded a current capacity of the feeding device on the basis of a voltage drop level of an input voltage. The load current control unit may reset the upper limit in increments or decrements of a predetermined value, and the load current control unit may, when the determination unit has determined that the upper limit had exceeded the current capacity of the feeding device, control the load current by resetting the upper limit to a value not exceeding the current capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hidekazu Nakai
  • Patent number: 9731494
    Abstract: A method of determining a value of density of a heat absorbing agent to be applied to a target pixel on a medium, wherein the medium is distended, when heated, the value of density of the heat absorbing agent is a density value of the heat absorbing agent that is applied to the medium before heated, and density values of the heat absorbing agent are set for plural pixels on the medium, the method comprising, calculating a first average density value of first plural pixels in the vicinity of the target pixel among the plural pixels, calculating a second average density value of second plural pixels in the vicinity of the target pixel, and determining a density value of the heat absorbing agent based on the calculated first average density value and second average density value, when a density value applied to the target pixel satisfies a first prescribed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shuichi Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 9715242
    Abstract: Environmental characteristics of habitable environments (e.g., hotel or motel rooms, spas, resorts, cruise boat cabins, offices, hospitals and/or homes, apartments or residences) are controlled to eliminate, reduce or ameliorate adverse or harmful aspects and introduce, increase or enhance beneficial aspects in order to improve a “wellness” or sense of “wellbeing” provided via the environments. Control of intensity and wavelength distribution of passive and active Illumination addresses various issues, symptoms or syndromes, for instance to maintain a circadian rhythm or cycle, adjust for “jet lag” or season affective disorder, etc. Air quality and attributes are controlled. Scent(s) may be dispersed. Hypoallergenic items (e.g., bedding, linens) may be used. Water quality is controlled. Noise is reduced and sounds (e.g., masking, music, natural) may be provided. Passive and active pathogen controls are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: DELOS LIVING LLC
    Inventors: Dana S. Pillai, Nathan B. Stodola, Renato P. Termale, Richard A. Macary
  • Patent number: 9696774
    Abstract: A demand response apparatus receives from a supply resource utilizing apparatus a signal indicating whether power supply from the demand response apparatus to the supply resource utilizing apparatus is possible, estimates a first power usage of the demand response apparatus for a first time interval, changes an operation of the demand response apparatus, estimates a second power usage for a second time interval after the changing of the operation of the demand response apparatus, calculates supply power available to the supply resource utilizing apparatus based on the estimated first power usage and the estimated second power usage, and transmits information about the available supply power to the supply resource utilizing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Seoul National University R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Se-Hee Han, Joo-Yeol Lee, Yong-Tae Yoon, Young-Gyu Jin, Hyeong-Ig Kim, Si-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 9684288
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a motion control system implementing an electronic motion profile for a load that is highly optimized for power efficiency by implementing several performance parameters that are non-overlapping with respect to time. Each performance parameter may characterize an acceptable level of performance or error with respect to the electronic motion profile. Performance parameters may include, for example, maximum position error, maximum velocity error, maximum error for regions or sections of the electronic motion profile, position settling time, position repeatability, position accuracy, position bandwidth, velocity bandwidth, acceleration time, motor thermal capacity, motor temperature and drive temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Schmidt, Gerry M. Nagel, Robert J. Miklosovic
  • Patent number: 9649237
    Abstract: An electric motor furniture drive for a piece of furniture having at least one furniture part. The electric motor furniture drive includes a control unit, at least one adjustment drive, and at least one operating unit configured as a multifunction operating part connected via an adapter device to the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: DEWERTOKIN GMBH
    Inventor: Steffen Loley
  • Patent number: 9636795
    Abstract: A controller 240 that gives an instruction of edging a spectacle lens, to a lens edger based on frame shape data outputted from a spectacle frame measuring machine, includes: recognition parts 240a, 240b that recognize a positional relation between a groove shape of the spectacle frame whose frame shape data is measured, and a measurement reference point being a reference when measuring the frame shape data, and a positional relation between a beveling instruction reference point being a reference when a beveling instruction is given to the lens edger and a bevel shape obtained by the beveling; and a beveling amount correcting part 240d that corrects a beveling amount when giving an instruction of beveling to the lens edger based on each positional relation recognized by the recognition parts 240a, 240b, so that the bevel shape is fitted into the groove shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9588502
    Abstract: Provided is a machine tool control device which does not require an operator to enter the execution order of machining programs before testing a machine tool, enabling easy debugging of the machining programs. A machine tool control device (100) sequentially executes a plurality of machining programs (S1, S2) in a unit of machining program block (S1-1, S1-2, S2-1, S2-2) to a wait command (da1-1, da1-2, da2-1, da2-2) in ascending order of the system number (1, 2) of the machining programs (S1, S2) without executing machining program blocks (S1-1, S1-2, S2-1, S2-2) in parallel between the machining programs (S1, S2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignees: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., Citizen Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kasuya
  • Patent number: 9533384
    Abstract: A method for accurately assembling and positioning a modular tooling structure for manipulating a workpiece includes receiving, at one or more computers, three-dimensional model information describing the workpiece; generating, at the one or more computers, three dimensional design information representing a configuration for the modular tooling structure, wherein the three dimensional design information includes position data describing a position for at least one engaging member of the modular tooling structure with respect to the workpiece; positioning a multi-dimensional gauge with respect to a base structure based on the position data; and assembling the modular tooling structure using the design information such that a first end of the modular tooling structure is connected to the base structure and the at least one engagement member is positioned at a second end of the modular tooling structure and is in engagement with the multi-dimensional gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Scott R. McCallum, Roger Allen James
  • Patent number: 9529349
    Abstract: An approach for control of users relative to access to controllers of a site in a hierarchy of controllers and building equipment. When a user of a customer has established a read write connection to a site controller, the customer does not necessarily want any subsequent user to establish a read write connection to the site controller or another controller within the same site and also make changes, for example, to settings of building equipment. Thus, a subsequent user may be allowed a read only connection and just be able to view building equipment information. When the first user has disconnected either intentionally or by inactivity, the site controller may be cleared allowing a subsequent user to obtain a read write connection. If the first user is inactive but fails to disconnect from the controller, an auto log-off provision may disconnect the user after a specified period of inactivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Marti, Sadiq Basha, Ajay N. Nair
  • Patent number: 9439369
    Abstract: A controlling and monitoring system for irrigating localized areas includes a first power and control unit supplying power to multiple power outlets; a first plurality of controllable valves connectable to a water pipeline and positioned at first specific areas, each connected by a first control line to a power outlet; a return line interconnecting all of the first plurality of valves and the first power and control unit; a second plurality of controllable valves connectable to the pipeline and positioned at second specific areas, each controlled by a valve control unit having first and second inputs; and a second power and control unit having a first power and control output connected to the return line with the first inputs of the valve control units, and a second power and control output connected to the second input of each of the valve control units via a second control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: S-RAIN CONTROL A/S
    Inventor: Tom Nohr Christiansen
  • Patent number: 9423781
    Abstract: A method to control an power generation plant including: applying control settings to operate the plant; collecting plant data indicative of the performance of the plant; applying the control settings to a model of the plant; collecting prediction data from the model; comparing the plant data to the predicted data and adjusting the control settings applied to the plant and model; perturbing the control settings and applying the perturbed control settings to operate the plant and the model; collecting perturbed plant data and perturbed prediction data, and modifying the model if the perturbed plant data represents an improvement as compared to the perturbed prediction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Victor John Morgan, Tomas A. Velez
  • Patent number: 9411356
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting power from distributed power supply resources are provided. The method includes transmitting a signal for inquiring whether supply of demand-side power supply resources is possible to a providing side that provides demand-side power supply resources, selecting demand-side power supply resources to be utilized, based on power supply resource-related information for each of available demand-side power supply resources, which is received from the providing side, and notifying the selection results to the selected demand-side power supply resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Se-Hee Han, Joo-Yeol Lee, Yong-Tae Yoon, Young-Gyu Jin, Hyeong-Ig Kim, Si-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 9406036
    Abstract: An industrial control system is provided. The system includes tagged data that is collected from a plurality of sustainability factor-associated data sources across an industrial automation environment, where the tagged data is associated with a portion of a process that is attributed to the sustainability factor data sources. A manufacturing model is associated with the tagged data, where the manufacturing model is employed to enhance the efficiencies of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Philip John Kaufman, Marcia Elaine Walker, Steven Anthony Lombardi
  • Patent number: 9405302
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for controlling temperature of data card. The method includes the following steps: sampling the temperature of protected element on the data card; regulating the data transmission speed of the data card according to the sampled temperature to control the temperature of the data card. With the disclosure, the element aging or element damage of a wireless data card is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hailong Wen, Hai Jian, Bo Gao
  • Patent number: 9395718
    Abstract: A method incorporating an antenna and RF circuitry into the object acting as a substrate includes modeling the object as a three-dimensional object, and designing the antenna and RF circuitry for direct placement on the surface of the object. The step of designing is at least partially based on the size, three-dimensional shape, and material properties of the surface of the object acting as the substrate. The step of designing is preferably performed through use of an evolutionary optimizer implemented using parallel computing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Sciperio, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Church, Robert M. Taylor, Michael J. Wilhelm, Hao Dong, Yanzhong Li
  • Patent number: 9367055
    Abstract: A Model Predictive Control (MPC) framework is implemented as part of the run-time system function features of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) system. Optimal control calculations are performed in the run-time MPC function block of the PLC. The optimal control function is determined by an MPC block in an engineering tool of the PLC, using a system dynamic matrix containing measurements from a unit step response test performed by the PLC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Kun Ji
  • Patent number: 9347293
    Abstract: Displaying data associated with drilling a borehole. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: reading data associated with drilling of a first borehole, at least one datum of the data based on a controllable parameter; calculating an operational value related to drilling the first borehole, the calculating in real-time with reading the data and the operational value based on the data; determining a target value of the operational value, the determining in real-time with reading the data and the target value at least in part based on the data; displaying a first borehole trajectory on a display device; superimposing a first coordinate system over the first borehole trajectory on the display device, the superimposing proximate to a distal end of the first borehole trajectory; and plotting, within the first coordinate system, an indication of the operational value and an indication of the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robello Samuel, Umesh N. Reddy, R. Daniel Colvin, Ramakrishna R. Chada, Olivier R. Germain