Patents Examined by Steven Garland
  • Patent number: 9667070
    Abstract: A network system includes at least one unit selected from between an energy consumption unit receiving energy and an energy management unit managing the energy consumption unit, wherein an energy usage amount or an energy usage cost of the energy consumption unit are controllable, and the energy usage amount or the energy usage cost when the unit is controlled based on information associated with at least an energy cost is smaller than an energy usage amount or an energy usage cost when the unit is controlled without using the information related to at least the energy cost, and a display device detachably coupled to the energy consumption unit, wherein availability of the display device is determined according to a communication signal transmitted to the energy receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Woonghyun Lee, Yanghwan Kim, Jungho Ahn, Hoonbong Lee, Koonseok Lee
  • Patent number: 9590426
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for managing a power distribution system in which has an improved system protection and fault section determination structure in consideration of distributed power supplies, has an improved server and communication structure for one-to-one synchronization measurement, and conducts real time system management and control. The system for managing the power distribution system uses field measurement data and an event signal to detect a protection coordination correction value of a protective device for protection of the system and a fault section of the power distribution system, performs real time system analysis using the field measurement data, and transmits control information including at least one of the protection coordination correction value, the fault section and the system analysis information to a DCP server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang-Yun Yun, Cheol-Min Chu, Seong-Chul Kwon, Il-Keun Song
  • Patent number: 9588504
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards automatically identifying, configuring, monitoring, controlling, managing, and maintaining a machine, via collection computers in communication with the machine components. The components include ID Tags that store identification data, such as a component type and a unique identifier. Interrogation of the ID Tags enables the automatic identification and configuration of the machine. Data provided by the sensors, during usage of the machine, enables the remote monitoring and managing of the usage, as well as maintaining of the machine. Machine maintenance includes automatically predicting and scheduling the replacement of various components. Embodiments provide suggestions for suppliers of replacement components, as well as suggestions for alternative components that may be better optimized for the configuration and usage of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: MIQ LLC
    Inventors: William McGinley Hill, Adam Monroe Livesay, Steven Richard Schwasnick
  • Patent number: 9589287
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards providing analytics and marketplace data to members of a user community. In some embodiments, the analytics and marketplace data are generated based on machine data provided by the members. The analytics and marketplace data may enable automatically identifying, configuring, monitoring, controlling, managing, and/or maintaining a machine or a collection/system of machine components. The analytics may include, but are not limited to analytics related to machine component reliability, machine maintenance conditions, machine prohibited conditions, machine usages, machine alert conditions, and the like. The marketplace data may include information relating to the maintenance of the machine, replacement components or alternative components for the machine, and the like for various machines. Marketplace data may include an aggregation of electronic (e)-commerce data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: MIQ LLC
    Inventors: William McGinley Hill, Adam Monroe Livesay, Steven Richard Schwasnick
  • Patent number: 9556887
    Abstract: A method for estimating health and remaining useful life of a hydraulic element of a machine is provided. The method includes determining a charge time of a hydraulic accumulator coupled to the hydraulic element in which a current pressure of a hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic accumulator reaches an upper threshold pressure, the current pressure being measured by a hydraulic accumulator pressure sensor coupled to the processor and the hydraulic accumulator. The method includes determining a discharging flow rate of the hydraulic element based upon the determined charge time of the hydraulic accumulator, a health indicator of the hydraulic element based upon a difference between the discharging flow rate and a stored discharging flow rate. The method includes determining a remaining useful life of the hydraulic element based upon the health indicator of the hydraulic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Andrew Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9547296
    Abstract: Regarding a method for operating an industrial controller, a control program executable in a processor that is arranged in the industrial controller is subdivided into a main block and several program blocks. The program blocks are processed under event control that takes a processing priority into consideration. The processor includes a multi-core processor having a plurality of independent sub-processors. The method includes assigning the main block to a first sub-processor, and executing a part program associated with the main block in the first sub-processor. The method also includes assigning each of the several program blocks to the additional sub-processors, and executing the part programs associated with the program blocks in the respective sub-processors. The method further includes operating a control device to evaluate as input variables the processing priority and an event assigned to the respective program block, and switching the sub-processors into active or inactive state using the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Grosch, Jan Richter
  • Patent number: 9523968
    Abstract: An electric device includes operation unit, working unit, and a number-of-times detecting unit that counts the number of times of instructions being against energy savings. In addition, the device includes time measuring unit that measures time from when the number-of-times detecting unit starts the counting, and a controller that generates a signal to induce a modification of a first energy-saving pattern. When the time is within a first predetermined period, the controller generates a signal that requires the modification of the first energy-saving pattern into a more lenient second energy-saving pattern, with the time being from when time measuring unit starts the measurement to when the number of the times counted by the number-of-times detecting unit reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kouda, Satoshi Tsujimura, Naofumi Nakatani, Toshihisa Ikeda, Yasuo Yoshimura, Kazunori Kurimoto
  • Patent number: 9519274
    Abstract: In a method for an electronic device to adjust fool-proofing functions of operations, an algorithm corresponding to each of the operations, and ranges for triggering the fool-proofing functions of the operations are preset. When an operation inputted by an operator is obtained, the method calculates a skilled value of the operation according to reference parameters of the operator and an algorithm corresponding to the operation. The method further determines a fool-proofing function of the operation that is triggered by the electronic device according to the skilled value and the ranges for triggering the fool-proofing functions, and adjusts the electronic device to execute the determined fool-proofing function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Shenzhen Airdrawing Technology Service Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ke-Fei Lin, Shan-Chuan Jeng, Chien-Fa Yeh, Chung-I Lee
  • Patent number: 9507353
    Abstract: A system and method disclosed herein are for providing local and remote control of home and enterprise heating systems (thermostats) via the Power line communication (PLC) networks configured to provide communication and power control capability within a local area network. The PLC based control unit allows the remote access and control of the thermostat of local heating systems from within and outside the PLC based local area network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation
    Inventors: Mingyao Xia, Eric Grubel, Dan Castellano
  • Patent number: 9496812
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a set point of an individual power output of each wind turbine. The wind turbines are grouped into a plurality of groups of wind turbines and each group associated to a sub control unit. A main control unit is adapted to determine a set point for a total power output of each group based on a reference set point for an overall power output of the wind park and on data being indicative for current characteristics of the wind park and adapted to distribute the determined set points between the sub control units via main control signals being provided to the sub control units. Each main control signal is indicative for the set point. Each sub control unit is adapted to determine a set point for an individual power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Martin Nygaard Kragelund, Joergen Nygaard Nielsen, Tjip Pasma, Jan Oestergaard Poulsen, Michael Stoettrup
  • Patent number: 9477211
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for controlling the operation of a machine (3) includes a device for monitoring the status of a safety device (2), in particular a safety switch for monitoring the closed status of a safety gate or similar of the safety device (2). When the safety device (2) is in the closed state, the apparatus (1) can provide an enabling signal for operation of the machine (3) and has a detection device (10) for detecting a locking insert (14). The insert can be effectively connected to the detection device (10), is portable, and can be removed from the detection device (10) without the use of a tool. When the safety device (2) is in the closed state, the apparatus (1) will provide the enabling signal only if the locking insert (14) is effectively connected to the detection device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: EUCHNER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Joachim Mailaender
  • Patent number: 9477238
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices useful for monitoring and controlling water to be used, for example, in oil and natural gas production and hydraulic fracturing processes. An on-line unit for measuring, controlling, and optimizing the quality of water being used during the hydrocarbon production or hydraulic fracturing processes is also disclosed. Optimizing and controlling can include measuring one or more properties associated with the production water to be sure that the one or more properties are within an acceptable range and, if the one or more properties are not within the acceptable range for each respective property being measured, causing a change in flow of one or more water sources and/or one or more chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Keizer, Jason R. Burney
  • Patent number: 9477219
    Abstract: A method of semiconductor fabrication is provided. The method includes providing a model for a device parameter of a wafer as a function of first and second process parameters. The first and second process parameters correspond to different wafer characteristics, respectively. The method includes deriving target values of the first and second process parameters based on a specified target value of the device parameter. The method includes performing a first fabrication process in response to the target value of the first process parameter. The method includes measuring an actual value of the first process parameter thereafter. The method includes updating the model using the actual value of the first process parameter. The method includes deriving a revised target value of the second process parameter using the updated model. The method includes performing a second fabrication process in response to the revised target value of the second process parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Hsu, Jin-Ning Sung, Shin-Rung Lu, Jong-I Mou
  • Patent number: 9471069
    Abstract: A thermostat including a controller operates to provide a guided programming sequence of two or more screens to a display. The guided sequence of screens prompts the user to provide system configuration information for updating the system configuration and providing a system summary screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
    Inventors: John B. Amundson, Heidi J. Finch, Brent D. Vick
  • Patent number: 9459600
    Abstract: A method and an automation system for processing information extractable from an engineering drawing file. The automation system includes a controller which models in the engineering drawing file (20) at least two objects (302, 304) in a predefined format by adding at least two entities (34) to the engineering drawing file (20) (S501) and by adding support information (35) to the engineering drawing file (20) (S502) to provide the extractable information (S401), provides a program sequence (80) in an automation application (50) to establish a correlation of the extractable information (S402), correlates the extractable information by executing the program sequence (80) (S403), and generates output data (12, 15) based on the established correlation of the extractable information (S404). The correlation of the extractable information is established only while the program sequence (80) of the automation application (50) is being executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Tennessee Valley Authority
    Inventor: Brian Jason Huffine
  • Patent number: 9434108
    Abstract: A method, computing system, and one or more computer-readable storage media for fabricating full color three-dimensional objects are provided herein. The method includes transforming a three-dimensional model into instructions for a fabrication device by slicing the three-dimensional model into layers with color information preserved, generating two-dimensional polygons for each layer based on colors on faces, colors on textures, and/or gradient colors, and determining a tool path for fabricating an object from colored materials based on the two-dimensional polygons for each layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yulin Jin, Emmett Lalish, Kris N. Iverson, Jesse McGatha, Shanen J. Boettcher
  • Patent number: 9429928
    Abstract: A method of controlling a numerical control machine tool, includes generating a flag which designates a kind of operation of the numerical control machine tool and an operating variable which is used for controlling the operation of the numerical control machine tool, based on an instruction used for controlling a three-dimensional measuring device different from the numerical control machine tool, storing the flag in a flag storage area and storing the operating variable in an operating variable storage area, selecting an operation to be executed by the numerical control machine tool by referring to a value of the flag stored in the flag storage area, and executing a control of the selected operation of the numerical control machine tool in accordance with a value of the operating variable stored in the operating variable storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirokazu Michiwaki
  • Patent number: 9411321
    Abstract: Methods and system for minor loop feedback fallback are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a minor loop feedback having a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is to output a first value used to control a process control device in a normal operation. The second mode is to output a second value used to control the process control device during a failure condition. The apparatus includes a controller to transition between the first mode and the second mode based on an identification of the failure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Junk
  • Patent number: 9411791
    Abstract: A device control method and system that sets a control setting through a user interface generated by using an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) document is provided. Operation control of a device is set through a user interface that is generated using an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) document. A user interface is generated for control settings of a device based on received first information, second information corresponding to control setting values is input through the user interface, and the second information is transmitted to the device and corresponding control settings of the device are set. Accordingly, operation control of the device can be controlled through a user interface by using a single standardized document regardless of the type of device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-seong Yang, Chi-tack Chang, Tae-kyung Hwang
  • Patent number: 9403238
    Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Culp