Patents by Inventor Christopher Hulls
Christopher Hulls has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11988214Abstract: A sump pump system enables automatic determination and utilization of frequencies for mechanical shakers for sump pumps. These techniques may be implemented to detect a fault (e.g., a stuck impeller) with a sump pump and to identify a desirable frequency at which a mechanical shaker for the sump pump should vibrate to correct the fault.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2023Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Publication number: 20240141905Abstract: A sump pump system may detect and utilize motion or acceleration of water in sump basins when implementing control of sump pumps. To detect the motion or acceleration, the sump pump system may utilize a sensor that is configured to detect motion or acceleration, such as an accelerometer or gyroscope. The sump pump system may identify a water level in a sump basin based on the detected motion or acceleration, which may be compared to a reading or expected signal from the sump pump system's “typical” sensor (e.g., float switch) that is used to detect one or more water levels. In this manner, the sump pump system may detect a malfunctioning level sensor that is used by the pump to detect high-water and low-water marks at which the sump pump activates and deactivates, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John R. Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Publication number: 20240035478Abstract: Example systems and methods for manipulating control of sump pumps in order to extend lifespans of the sump pumps are disclosed. An example method includes activating a sump pump a first time; deactivating the sump pump when a first current water level in a sump basin in which the sump pump is disposed reaches a first low-water mark; and determining, by one or more processors, a time since a last activation of the sump pump wherein the last activation occurred when the sump pump activated the first time. When the time satisfies a threshold, the method activates the sump pump at second time, determines, by one or more processors, a second current water level in the sump basin, and in response to determining that the second current water level in the sump basin is below a second low-water mark corresponding to a bottom of an impeller of the sump pump, deactivates the sump pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John R. Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Publication number: 20240022248Abstract: Apparatus and methods for interfacing an integrated qubit control chip and a solid state qubit; detecting a qubit state with a transition pulse histogram; high resolution and high speed rectangular pulse generation; large-scale spin qubit state readout; and activity-based clock control.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2020Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventors: Stefano PELLERANO, Christopher HULL, Todor MLADENOV, JongSeok PARK, Ilya KLOCHKOV, Sushil SUBRAMANIAN
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Publication number: 20240003352Abstract: A sump pump system may implement adaptive learning and machine learning techniques to facilitate improved control of sump pumps. A sump pump system may implement the described techniques to generate, train, and/or implement a machine learning model that is capable of predicting or estimating one or more conditions of the sump pump system (e.g., water level in the basin, motor malfunction, stuck impeller, geyser effect, blocked outlet pipe, faulty level sensor/switch, faulty bearing, failure to engage pump at high-water mark, etc.) based on one or more detected input variables (e.g., acceleration or vibration patterns detected in water, on a pump, or on a pipe; capacitance values of water; audio signatures; electrical signatures, such as power or current draw; pump motor rotation speed; water pressure signatures or values, such as those detected at the bottom of a sump basin; etc.).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John R. Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Publication number: 20240003351Abstract: A sump pump system detects backflow from an outlet pipe in a sump pump system and implements control of the sump pump in light of the detected backflow (or lack thereof). The sump pump system may detect the backflow (or lack thereof) by detecting and comparing water rise rates in a sump basin before activation or engagement of the sump pump (e.g., immediately before the pump starts pumping) and after the pump has disengaged or deactivated (e.g., immediately after the pump stops pumping). The rises rates may be detected via sensors configured to detect motion or acceleration (e.g., accelerometers, inertial measurement units, or force acceleration sensors) placed in the sump basin such that detect motion of water in the basin corresponding to changing water levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John R. Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 11859620Abstract: A sump pump system may detect and utilize motion or acceleration of water in sump basins when implementing control of sump pumps. To detect the motion or acceleration, the sump pump system may utilize a sensor that is configured to detect motion or acceleration, such as an accelerometer or gyroscope. The sump pump system may identify a water level in a sump basin based on the detected motion or acceleration, which may be compared to a reading or expected signal from the sump pump system's “typical” sensor (e.g., float switch) that is used to detect one or more water levels. In this manner, the sump pump system may detect a malfunctioning level sensor that is used by the pump to detect high-water and low-water marks at which the sump pump activates and deactivates, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 11788535Abstract: Example systems and methods for manipulating control of sump pumps in order to extend lifespans of the sump pumps are disclosed. An example method includes activating a sump pump a first time; deactivating the sump pump when a first current water level in a sump basin in which the sump pump is disposed reaches a first low-water mark; and determining, by one or more processors, a time since a last activation of the sump pump wherein the last activation occurred when the sump pump activated the first time. When the time satisfies a threshold, the method activates the sump pump at second time, determines, by one or more processors, a second current water level in the sump basin, and in response to determining that the second current water level in the sump basin is below a second low-water mark corresponding to a bottom of an impeller of the sump pump, deactivates the sump pump.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 11773856Abstract: A sump pump system detects backflow from an outlet pipe in a sump pump system and implements control of the sump pump in light of the detected backflow (or lack thereof). The sump pump system may detect the backflow (or lack thereof) by detecting and comparing water rise rates in a sump basin before activation or engagement of the sump pump (e.g., immediately before the pump starts pumping) and after the pump has disengaged or deactivated (e.g., immediately after the pump stops pumping). The rises rates may be detected via sensors configured to detect motion or acceleration (e.g., accelerometers, inertial measurement units, or force acceleration sensors) placed in the sump basin such that detect motion of water in the basin corresponding to changing water levels.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 11761447Abstract: A sump pump system may implement adaptive learning and machine learning techniques to facilitate improved control of sump pumps. A sump pump system may implement the described techniques to generate, train, and/or implement a machine learning model that is capable of predicting or estimating one or more conditions of the sump pump system (e.g., water level in the basin, motor malfunction, stuck impeller, geyser effect, blocked outlet pipe, faulty level sensor/switch, faulty bearing, failure to engage pump at high-water mark, etc.) based on one or more detected input variables (e.g., acceleration or vibration patterns detected in water, on a pump, or on a pipe; capacitance values of water; audio signatures; electrical signatures, such as power or current draw; pump motor rotation speed; water pressure signatures or values, such as those detected at the bottom of a sump basin; etc.).Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Publication number: 20230220847Abstract: A sump pump system enables automatic determination and utilization of frequencies for mechanical shakers for sump pumps. These techniques may be implemented to detect a fault (e.g., a stuck impeller) with a sump pump and to identify a desirable frequency at which a mechanical shaker for the sump pump should vibrate to correct the fault.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Johathan Christopher Hull, John Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Publication number: 20230198575Abstract: A wireless communication device can include a channel matching network. The channel matching network includes a pair of coupled lines coupled to the input port, and a capacitive element coupled between the pair of coupled lines and an antenna load.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Ritesh Bhat, Stefano Pellerano, Christopher Hull
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Patent number: 11635080Abstract: A sump pump system enables automatic determination and utilization of frequencies for mechanical shakers for sump pumps. These techniques may be implemented to detect a fault (e.g., a stuck impeller) with a sump pump and to identify a desirable frequency at which a mechanical shaker for the sump pump should vibrate to correct the fault.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 11528066Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media are described to use multi-finger beamforming for multimeter wave communications. A base station associates with first and second user equipment. Weight sum rates are determined for the user equipment. Transmissions are scheduled to the user equipment based on the weight sum rates. Data is encoded for the first user equipment and transmitted based on the schedule. Data is encoded for the second user equipment and transmitted based on the schedule. The transmissions are multiplexed in the power domain.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2018Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Oner Orhan, Ehsan Aryafar, Brent Carlton, Nageen Himayat, Christopher Hull, Navid Naderializadeh, Hosein Nikopour, Stefano Pellerano, Mustafijur Rahman, Shilpa Talwar, Jing Zhu
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Patent number: 11469709Abstract: A biasing scheme for a frequency multiplication circuit, and transceiver using LO signals provided by the frequency multiplication circuit are described. A frequency doubler is cascaded with a mixer to provide a mm-wave oscillator signal. The combination provides a frequency triple that of the LO frequency supplied to the frequency doubler from a PLL. A small-sized replica of the frequency doubler is used to determine biasing of transconductance devices of the frequency doubler. A voltage output of the replica is amplified and the difference between the output and a reference voltage is supplied as feedback to the control terminal of the transconductance devices to bias the transconductance devices to near threshold. The biasing is replicated at the frequency doubler to compensate for PVT variations. A PTAT current source tied to the output of the replica regulates an average output current of the frequency multiplication circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Abhishek Agrawal, Stefano Pellerano, Christopher Hull
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Publication number: 20220200532Abstract: A biasing scheme for a frequency multiplication circuit, and transceiver using LO signals provided by the frequency multiplication circuit are described. A frequency doubler is cascaded with a mixer to provide a mm-wave oscillator signal. The combination provides a frequency triple that of the LO frequency supplied to the frequency doubler from a PLL. A small-sized replica of the frequency doubler is used to determine biasing of transconductance devices of the frequency doubler. A voltage output of the replica is amplified and the difference between the output and a reference voltage is supplied as feedback to the control terminal of the transconductance devices to bias the transconductance devices to near threshold. The biasing is replicated at the frequency doubler to compensate for PVT variations. A PTAT current source tied to the output of the replica regulates an average output current of the frequency multiplication circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Abhishek Agrawal, Stefano Pellerano, Christopher Hull
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Patent number: 11218183Abstract: A transmit receive switch (TRSW) system is disclosed. The system has a transmission line, a transformer based matching network, a shunt switch, an amplifier and circuitry. The transmission line is connected to an antenna port. The transformer based matching network is connected to the transmission line and has a first coil and a second coil, wherein the second coil is connected to the transmission line. The amplifier can be configured as a shunt switch when inactive. The shunt switch, including the amplifier configured as the shunt switch, can be connected to the first coil of the transformer based matching network. The circuitry is configured to cause the shunt switch to be ON during an inactive mode and create a short across the first coil. Combined, the length of transmission line needed to complete the impedance transformation is reduced, thereby lowering the overall insertion loss of the transmit/receive switch.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Steven Callender, Christopher Hull, Stefano Pellerano, Woorim Shin, Ka Chun Kwok
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Publication number: 20210364595Abstract: Radar circuitry can include an isolator and a mixer. The isolator can isolate a transmission signal path and a reception signal path from each other, and generate a mixing (e.g. oscillation) signal based on a transmission signal. The isolator can be coupled to the mixer such that the drive signal drives the mixer (e.g. serves as the local oscillation signal of the mixer). The mixer mixes a received signal and the drive signal to generate a converted signal (e.g. a down-converted signal). The isolator can be a hybrid transformer or electrically balanced duplexer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Woorim Shin, Christopher Hull, Stefano Pellerano
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Patent number: 11112489Abstract: Radar circuitry can include an isolator and a mixer. The isolator can isolate a transmission signal path and a reception signal path from each other, and generate a mixing (e.g. oscillation) signal based on a transmission signal. The isolator can be coupled to the mixer such that the drive signal drives the mixer (e.g. serves as the local oscillation signal of the mixer). The mixer mixes a received signal and the drive signal to generate a converted signal (e.g. a down-converted signal). The isolator can be a hybrid transformer or electrically balanced duplexer.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Woorim Shin, Christopher Hull, Stefano Pellerano
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Publication number: 20210044318Abstract: A transmit receive switch (TRSW) system is disclosed. The system has a transmission line, a transformer based matching network, a shunt switch, an amplifier and circuitry. The transmission line is connected to an antenna port. The transformer based matching network is connected to the transmission line and has a first coil and a second coil, wherein the second coil is connected to the transmission line. The amplifier can be configured as a shunt switch when inactive. The shunt switch, including the amplifier configured as the shunt switch, can be connected to the first coil of the transformer based matching network. The circuitry is configured to cause the shunt switch to be ON during an inactive mode and create a short across the first coil. Combined, the length of transmission line needed to complete the impedance transformation is reduced, thereby lowering the overall insertion loss of the transmit/receive switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: Steven CALLENDER, Christopher HULL, Stefano PELLERANO, Woorim SHIN, Ka Chun KWOK