Patents by Inventor Thomas Alber

Thomas Alber 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).

  • Patent number: 11291719
    Abstract: Compounds and compositions for selectively modulating Akt3 are provided. Methods of using the compounds are also provided. Because Akt3 modulates the suppressive function of natural Tregs and the polarization of induced Tregs, the disclosed compounds are useful for modulating immune responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Samir N. Khleif, Mikayel Mkrtichyan, Iryna Lebedyeva, Thomas Albers
  • Patent number: 11297063
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for user administration of a field device of process automation technology, comprising the steps of connecting a transport medium, such as a smartphone, to a user database, synchronizing user data from the user database with the transport medium, and connecting the transport medium to the field device. The method also includes transmitting the user data from the transport medium to the field device, checking of the user data by the field device, and granting access to the field device on the basis of verified valid user data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER CONDUCTA GMBH+CO. KG
    Inventors: Björn Haase, Thomas Alber, Günter Jahl
  • Publication number: 20220094541
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for obtaining emergency device access for field devices in process automation technology by means of a security token. The method includes the field device receiving and storing a public key before an emergency occurs; connecting the security token to the field device; sending a challenge from the field device to the security token; calculating a response to the challenge by means of a private key on the security token and sending the response from the security token to the field device; and granting emergency access if the response is correct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Alber, Martin Lohmann
  • Publication number: 20210336773
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for verifying the origin of electronic modules of a field device. Each manufacturer of an electronic module classified as trustworthy is assigned a key pair. Public keys classified as trustworthy are stored in a list in the field device. Each electronic module contains the public key of the manufacturer and a manufacturer signature. The manufacturer signature confirms the public key as trustworthy. When an electronic module is exchanged or added, the field device checks whether that module has a key pair and a manufacturer signature, whether the public key of the manufacturer of the electronic module is listed in the list with the public keys of the manufacturers classified as trustworthy, whether the manufacturer signature matches the manufacturer and the electronic module, and whether the electronic module is in possession of a correct private key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas Alber
  • Publication number: 20210336783
    Abstract: A method for checking the authenticity of electronic modules is disclosed. Each electronic module is assigned a key pair confirming the identity of the electronic module, wherein each key pair consists of a public key and a private key, and wherein the public keys of the key pairs are stored in a list. The list is assigned to the field device, and: when an electronic module is exchanged or added, the field device checks: whether the exchanged or added electronic module has a key pair, and whether the public key of the exchanged or added electronic module is listed in the list of public keys, and whether the electronic module is in possession of the correct private key. Interaction of the changed electronic module with the field device concerning the functionality of the field device is permitted if the check is concluded with a positive result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Alber, Markus Kilian, Axel Pöschmann, Sascha Bihler, Simon Merklin
  • Publication number: 20210299711
    Abstract: A facility for treating or processing or transporting products, using materials made Of wood composite, paperboard or plastic, the facility includes at least: a machine and at least one sensor assigned to the machine which has a detection surface oriented essentially in a vertical direction V, and is subject to a contamination of the detection surface during the treatment or processing process. The at least one sensor is assigned its own blow-off device operating with compressed air which includes at least of: a compressed air generator, an overpressure container, a blow-off nozzle and an electrically controllable switching valve. The compressed air generator is connected to the overpressure container via a first line and the overpressure container is connected to the blow-off nozzle via a second line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas Albers
  • Patent number: 11036213
    Abstract: A module for a technical facility including a technical hardware for the execution of a technical sub-process, a control for a local control of the technical hardware, in which the control is adapted to control the technical hardware autarkical, and an external interface of the control, wherein the external interface comprises an administration shell, wherein the administration shell publishes at least one service relating to an output product of the module via a network, and wherein the external interface is adapted to request at least one service relating to an input product of the module via the network. Furthermore, a corresponding system for the execution of a process by means of a technical facility as well as a corresponding method for the execution of a technical process by means of a technical facility is claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Thomas Albers, Thomas Holm
  • Publication number: 20210165394
    Abstract: A module for a technical facility includes a technical hardware for executing a technical sub-process, a controller for locally controlling the technical hardware wherein the controller is configured to control the technical hardware autonomously and an external interface of the controller, wherein the external interface comprises an OPC-UA server. The OPC-UA server has a fixedly predetermined information structure having static information and dynamic information wherein the static information describes the technical hardware and the controller, and the controller writes the dynamic information as real-time values of the technical hardware into the information structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Thomas ALBERS, Thomas HOLM
  • Publication number: 20210158244
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for tamper-proof operation of a field device in automation engineering, comprising: creating an order ticket via or using an order management system, wherein the order ticket contains data authorizing a defined service technician to perform a defined work order on a defined field device, transmitting the order ticket to the defined field device, logging-in of the defined service technician to the defined field device by means of the order ticket or by additional input of authentication data, checking the order ticket or the authentication data by means of the field device, if the check is positive, authorization is given to perform the defined work order, performing of the defined work order by the defined service technician on the defined field device, and automatic creation of a confirmation ticket relating to the defined work order or its performance on the defined field device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Alber, Markus Kilian, Axel Pöschmann, Sascha Bihler, Simon Merklin
  • Patent number: 10990086
    Abstract: The invention relates to a module for a technical facility comprising a technical hardware for executing a technical sub-process, a controller for locally controlling the technical hardware wherein the controller is configured to control the technical hardware automatically and an external interface of the controller, wherein the external interface comprises an OPC-UA server. The OPC-UA server has a fixedly predetermined information structure having static information and dynamic information wherein the static information describes the technical hardware and the controller, and the controller writes the dynamic information as real-time values of the technical hardware into the information structure. Furthermore, a corresponding method for controlling a technical facility is claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Thomas Albers, Thomas Holm
  • Patent number: 10980878
    Abstract: Compounds and compositions for selectively inhibiting Akt3 are provided. Methods of using the compounds are also provided. Because Akt3 modulates the suppressive function of natural Tregs and the polarization of induced Tregs, the disclosed compounds are useful for modulating immune responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Augusta University Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Samir N. Khleif, Mikayel Mkrtichyan, Iryna Lebedyeva, Thomas Albers
  • Publication number: 20200390884
    Abstract: Compounds and compositions for selectively modulating Akt3 are provided. Methods of using the compounds are also provided. Because Akt3 modulates the suppressive function of natural Tregs and the polarization of induced Tregs, the disclosed compounds are useful for modulating immune responses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Samir N. KHLEIF, Mikayel MKRTICHYAN, Iryna LEBEDYEVA, Thomas ALBERS
  • Patent number: 10864938
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the condition of an electronic power steering apparatus or of at least one part of the electronic power steering apparatus of a motor vehicle includes continually capturing acceleration measured values in a region of the electronic power steering apparatus during a driving mode of the motor vehicle and continually providing the captured acceleration measured values to a damage computation section in the form of a damage meter that continuously sums the acceleration measured values and continually forms therefrom at least one variable characterizing a degree of damage to the electronic power steering apparatus or to the at least one part of the electronic power steering apparatus. The method further includes continually comparing the variable with at least one prescribed limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Schaenzel, Gerd Speidel, Thomas Alber, Michael Sturm
  • Publication number: 20200225627
    Abstract: A module for a technical facility including a technical hardware for the execution of a technical sub-process, a control for a local control of the technical hardware, in which the control is adapted to control the technical hardware autarkical, and an external interface of the control, wherein the external interface comprises an administration shell, wherein the administration shell publishes at least one service relating to an output product of the module via a network, and wherein the external interface is adapted to request at least one service relating to an input product of the module via the network. Furthermore, a corresponding system for the execution of a process by means of a technical facility as well as a corresponding method for the execution of a technical process by means of a technical facility is claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Albers, Thomas Holm
  • Publication number: 20200182851
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus for determining at least one measurand of a measuring medium includes a first measuring device including a first measuring sensor structured to contact the measuring medium and configured to detect measured values of the at least one measurand, the first measuring device embodied to determine a first measured value that is dependent on the at least one measurand of the measuring medium, a sampling device structured to remove a sample from the measuring medium, a second measuring device including a second measuring sensor and embodied to determine a second measured value that is dependent on the least one measurand of the sample, and an electronic control apparatus configured to receive and process the first and second measured value and to perform a verification, calibration and/or adjustment of the first measuring device using the second measured value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Alber, Joachim Albert, Ralf Steuerwald, Michael Hanko, Angela Eubisch
  • Patent number: 10642238
    Abstract: Module 1 for a technical facility 90 comprising a technical hardware 10 for the execution of a technical sub-process, a control 20 for a local control of the technical hardware 10, wherein the control 20 is adapted to control the technical hardware 10 autarkical, and an external interface 22 of the control 20, wherein the external interface 22 comprises an administration shell 23, wherein the administration shell 23 publishes at least one service relating to an output product 140 of the module 1 via a network 62, and wherein the external interface 22 is adapted to request at least one service relating to an input product 130 of the module 1 via the network 62. Furthermore, a corresponding system for the execution of a process by means of a technical facility 90 as well as a corresponding method for the execution of a technical process by means of a technical facility 90 is claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Thomas Albers, Thomas Holm
  • Patent number: 10635061
    Abstract: A method for controlling a treatment process of a medium that includes a system input and output, wherein a change in a first parameter of the medium at the system input causes a change in a second parameter at the system output only after an elapse of a dead time, and a control system, the method including determining first values of the first parameter; determining set values for an output variable influencing the second parameter at the system output using the determined first values and a first proportionality factor recorded in the control system; applying the determined set values to adjust the output variable; determining second values of the second parameters; determining deviation values representative of a deviation of the second parameter from the first parameter; and using at least one of the deviation values and at least one of the set values to determine a second proportionality factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Alber, Joachim Albert
  • Patent number: 10636407
    Abstract: A method for masking and/or reducing disturbing noises or the conspicuousness thereof when a motor vehicle is being operated includes forming a compensation signal and/or a heterodyne signal based on disturbing noises that are detected in acceleration measurement signals that are received or based on operating states of the motor vehicle or at least of a component of the motor vehicle and using the compensation signal and/or heterodyne signal to modulate an existing control signal of an actuator of the motor vehicle such that the disturbing noises or conspicuousness thereof are reduced and/or at least in part masked. The method further includes influencing the heterodyne signal with a broadband signal or a tonal signal having the predetermined frequencies or arrangements such that the disturbing noises is masked or the conspicuousness of the disturbing noises are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Speidel, Michael Sturm, Thomas Alber
  • Publication number: 20200125974
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining at least one process variable of a medium, including steps of recording a sensor signal from a field device and determining a selected model from a set of at least two different models by means of a classifier. Each of the models is used for determining the process variable based at least on the sensor signal. The classifier is designed to select the selected model. The method also includes a step of determining the process variable based at least on the selected model and the sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Alber, Dieter Waldhauser, Philipp Leufke, Markus Kilian, Tobias Brengartner, Sergey Lopatin, Rebecca Page, Ruediger Frank
  • Publication number: 20200124461
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining at least one process variable of a medium. The method includes steps of recording a first value for the process variable by means of a first method for determining the process variable and recording a second value for the process variable by means of a second method for determining the process variable. The method also includes steps of selecting at least one of the detected values for the process variable by means of a classifier and outputting the selected value for the process variable. The present disclosure further relates to a computer program designed for executing a method according to the present disclosure, and to a computer program product having a computer program according to the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Sergey Lopatin, Dieter Waldhauser, Thomas Alber, Philipp Leufke, Markus Kilian, Tobias Brengartner, Rebecca Page