Radiant Energy Patents (Class 318/480)
  • Patent number: 8129930
    Abstract: A method of controlling an operation of an induction actuated container cover includes the steps of (a) normally retaining a cover panel of the container cover in a closed position; (b) detecting a target movement of a user by a sensor; (c) generating a first actuating signal to an actuation unit when the sensor detects the target movement of the user; (d) generating an actuation output from the actuation unit to the cover panel of the container cover, wherein the actuation output contains a decelerating and torque enhancing force which moves the cover panel of the container cover at an opened position; (e) pivotally actuating the cover panel of the container cover at the opened position via the actuation output to expose a storage cavity, and (f) generating a second actuating signal to pivotally actuate the cover panel of the container cover back to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Xin Wang, Jiangqun Chen, ShiPing Wang
  • Patent number: 8125172
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to automated shade systems. An automated shade system comprises one or more motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use one or more algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures; shadow information; reflectance information; lighting and radiation information; ASHRAE clear sky algorithms; log information related to manual overrides; occupant preference information; motion information; real-time sky conditions; solar radiation on a building; a total foot-candle load on a structure; brightness overrides; actual and/or calculated BTU load; time-of-year information; and microclimate analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Mechoshade Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Berman, Jan Berman, Alex Greenspan, Stephen P. Hebeisen
  • Patent number: 8115426
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for preparing connection of a photovoltaic system (Q1) as a first energy source to a power grid (13) by way of a motor generator set (5, 6, 7) is presented. The DC motor (5) is coupled to a three-phase generator (7) by way of a shaft (6), wherein the three-phase generator (7) can be connected to the power grid (13). It has been observed that connecting this type of apparatus to the small or varying power output of the photovoltaic system (Q1) can be difficult and time-consuming. To enable a clean and quick connection, the DC motor (5) is powered with electric DC current from a second DC current source (Q2), wherein the operation of the three-phase generator (7) is matched to the conditions in the power grid (13) with the help of the second DC current source (Q2), and wherein the photovoltaic system (Q1) is connected to the DC motor (5) and the second DC current source (Q2) is disconnected from the DC motor (5) only after a complete match has been attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Adensis GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Beck, Thomas Neussner, Constantin Wenzlik
  • Patent number: 8067911
    Abstract: An interface module is operable to download data from an electrical machine. The interface module includes a cable for transferring data, the cable having a first connector at a first end thereof, a circuit board having a programmable device electrically coupled in circuit to the cable, and a memory connected to the circuit board and configured to store data related to the operating characteristics of the electrical machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Regal Beloit EPC Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Steven Mullin
  • Patent number: 8067912
    Abstract: An interface cord is operable to connect an external controller to an electrical machine. The interface cord includes a first connector having a first pin configuration, a cable coupled to the first connector, a second connector coupled to the cable and having a second pin configuration different from the first pin configuration, and a circuit board with a programmable electrically coupled in circuit between the first connector and the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Regal Beloit EPC Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Steven Mullin
  • Patent number: 8063593
    Abstract: An interface cord is operable to connect an external controller to an electrical machine. The interface cord includes a first connector having a first pin configuration, a cable coupled to the first connector, a second connector coupled to the cable and having a second pin configuration different from the first pin configuration, and a circuit board with a programmable electrically coupled in circuit between the first connector and the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Regal Beloit EPC Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Steven Mullin
  • Publication number: 20110220299
    Abstract: An automated shade system comprises one or more motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use one or more algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures; shadow information; lighting and radiation information; ASHRAE clear sky algorithms; log information related to manual overrides; occupant preference information; motion information; real-time sky conditions; solar radiation on a building; a total foot-candle load on a structure; brightness overrides; actual and/or calculated BTU load; time-of-year information; and microclimate analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Joel Berman, Jan Berman, Alex Greenspan, Stephen P. Hebeisen
  • Patent number: 8013561
    Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises a fixed housing, a movable housing on which an object to be driven is mounted and a driving motor which is operative to drive the movable housing to move linearly as well as to rotate relative to the fixed housing. An inductance-type encoder determines both linear and rotary displacement of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing, whereby to provide closed-loop control of the position of the object in both linear and rotary directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation Ltd
    Inventors: Wai Chuen Gan, Gary Peter Widdowson
  • Patent number: 8013562
    Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises a fixed housing, a movable housing on which an object to be driven is mounted and a driving motor which is operative to drive the movable housing to move linearly as well as to rotate relative to the fixed housing. An inductance-type encoder determines both linear and rotary displacement of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing, whereby to provide closed-loop control of the position of the object in both linear and rotary directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation Ltd
    Inventors: Wai Chuen Gan, Gary Peter Widdowson, Shiqiang Yao, Siu Yan Ho, Hon Yu Peter Ng
  • Patent number: 8008883
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a motorized solar protection installation (1) comprising a screen (3) that can be displaced by activation of an actuator (6) provided with an electronic position counting device (7) and means (9) of detecting an obstacle to the movement, comprising the following steps: storage of a first end-of-travel position, displacement of the screen by activation of the actuator towards the first stored end-of-travel position, continued beyond the first stored end-of-travel position as far as a position that can be assimilated to an end-stop, detected by the means of detecting an obstacle to the movement, measurement of the position difference between the first stored end-of-travel position and the position that can be assimilated to an end-stop, storage of this measurement in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Hoff, Eric Guillemot
  • Patent number: 7977904
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to automated shade systems. An automated shade system comprises one or more motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use one or more algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures; shadow information; lighting and radiation information; ASHRAE clear sky algorithms; log information related to manual overrides; occupant preference information; motion information; real-time sky conditions; solar radiation on a building; a total foot-candle load on a structure; brightness overrides; actual and/or calculated BTU load; time-of-year information; and microclimate analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Mechoshade Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Berman, Jan Berman, Alex Greenspan, Stephen P. Hebeisen
  • Patent number: 7965192
    Abstract: A photosensitive device for warning an individual that the interior light level on one side of the window is greater than the light level on the outside of the window includes first and second photo sensors, a comparator circuit and/or a logic circuit and an alarm. The device may also include a timer, an amplifier and rheostat as well as a visual indicator that remains in a on condition after an audible sound is turned off. A reset circuit is used to turn off the visual indicator. A method for accomplishing the same is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Fawzi Qasem Behbehani
  • Patent number: 7911169
    Abstract: An induction actuated container cover includes a control housing having a cover opening, a cover panel pivotally mounted to the control housing to pivotally move between a closed position that the cover panel covers at the cover opening and an opened position that the cover panel exposes the cover opening, and an automatic driving arrangement including a sensor mounted at the control housing for detecting a target movement of a user and an actuation unit supported in the control housing to operatively link with the sensor, wherein the actuation unit is actuated to generate a decelerating and torque enhancing force to move the cover panel between the opened and closed position in a hydraulic manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventors: Xin Wang, Jiangqun Chen, ShiPing Wang
  • Patent number: 7880663
    Abstract: A hand-held manipulator is an independent device and has a motor actuated circuit functioned to supply a 12-volt DC power and a motor speed adjustable actuated circuit provided with voltage adjustable function to regulate the motor actuated circuit to supply a regulated voltage smaller or greater than 12-volt DC power, and then the hand-held manipulator is particularly adapted to connect with a 12-volt DC power source for wireless or manual remotely controlling a remote-controlled spotlight by way of constant speed, slower speed or faster speed to adjust its lighting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Shih-Yung Chiu
  • Patent number: 7777637
    Abstract: A method for setting a safety threshold that triggers the sending, by an acceleration or movement sensor device (20), of a safety signal that causes a safety movement of a motorized screen (11) used as a closure or as a sunshade or for privacy, said method comprising the following steps: manual shaking of the screen, recording of a signal produced by a sensor means (33) during the manual shaking step, and determination of the safety threshold from this recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventor: Bernard Grehant
  • Patent number: 7772794
    Abstract: A wiper controlling apparatus capable of discriminating between a signal change at the time of a wiper blade passage and that at the time of a raindrop impact so as to allow a wiper control promptly responding to the change in the condition of the sensing surface is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuto Kokuryo, Yoshiteru Makino, Tetsuya Nakashima
  • Patent number: 7750591
    Abstract: A method of controlling an operation of an induction actuated container cover includes the steps of (a) normally retaining a cover panel of the container cover in a closed position; (b) detecting a target movement of a user by a sensor; (c) generating a first actuating signal to an actuation unit when the sensor detects the target movement of the user; (d) generating an actuation output from the actuation unit to the cover panel of the container cover, wherein the actuation output contains a decelerating and torque enhancing force which moves the cover panel of the container cover at an opened position; (e) pivotally actuating the cover panel of the container cover at the opened position via the actuation output to expose a storage cavity, and (f) generating a second actuating signal to pivotally actuate the cover panel of the container cover back to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventors: Xin Wang, Jiangqun Chen, ShiPing Wang
  • Patent number: 7741801
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for automatically opening and closing a lid of a trash bin in noncontact fashion disposed in a lavatory unit of an aircraft. On the upper portion of a trash bin 100 disposed in a lavatory unit of an aircraft is attached a lid 50 that pivots via a shaft 250. The reflective infrared radiation sensor 200 attached to a lid frame 60 irradiates infrared radiation IR and detects an object. When the object is detected, a control means drives the DC motor 220 to pivot the shaft 250 via a rotating lever 240 and link arms 242 and 244 to open the lid 50 downward. The fully closed state and the fully opened state of the lid 50 can be detected by position detecting sensors 260 and 262.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventor: Masahito Fukuizumi
  • Publication number: 20100126553
    Abstract: An inverter for converting the direct current provided by a solar generator to alternating current includes a control providing a control signal for a drive of the solar generator, for allowing tracking the solar generator after the sun, wherein the control is integrated in the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicants: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V., CONCENTRIX SOLAR GMBH
    Inventors: Bruno Burger, Hansjoerg Lerchenmueller
  • Publication number: 20100117565
    Abstract: An active scanner bow compensator for use with a scanner is described. The scanner includes a moveable scanning platform supported within a frame. The active scanner bow compensator supports the scanner and includes a frame of reference, sensors, and an actuator. The sensors detect out-of-plane motion of the scanning platform relative to the frame of reference, and the actuators compensate for the out-of-plane motion by adjusting the orientation of the frame relative to the frame of reference. The active scanner bow compensator may be used in atomic force microscopy applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Katerina Moloni, Richard Arndt, Lucas Chasteen, Douglas M. Code, Adam Frost, Timothy K. Klemp
  • Patent number: 7714527
    Abstract: The garbage container, having a simple structure, a reliable performance, and being easy to install and cost effective, includes a container body, an infrared induction device, a movable cover automatically opened through infrared induction device, an infrared induction device, an automatic cover-opening device connected with the control unit, an output shaft of the driving motor connected with a cable-collecting wheel via a first set of reduction gears. One end of the cable is fixed to the cable-collecting wheel while the other end of the cable is connected with the cover. An output shaft of the cable-collecting wheel is connected with a cam via a second set of reduction gears. The protruding part of the cam is rotated to contact a cover-opening stroke switch and a cover-closing stroke switch respectively. The cover-opening stroke switch and the cover-closing stroke switch are connected respectively with the control unit through a data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventors: Xin Wang, Shenwei Wang, Jiangqun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20100090634
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for preparing connection of a photovoltaic system (Q1) as a first energy source to a power grid (13) by way of a motor generator set (5, 6, 7) is presented. The DC motor (5) is coupled to a three-phase generator (7) by way of a shaft (6), wherein the three-phase generator (7) can be connected to the power grid (13). It has been observed that connecting this type of apparatus to the small or varying power output of the photovoltaic system (Q1) can be difficult and time-consuming. To enable a clean and quick connection, the DC motor (5) is powered with electric DC current from a second DC current source (Q2), wherein the operation of the three-phase generator (7) is matched to the conditions in the power grid (13) with the help of the second DC current source (Q2), and wherein the photovoltaic system (Q1) is connected to the DC motor (5) and the second DC current source (Q2) is disconnected from the DC motor (5) only after a complete match has been attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Adensis GmbH
    Inventors: BERNHARD BECK, THOMAS NEUSSNER, CONSTANTIN WENZLIK
  • Patent number: 7696710
    Abstract: A method for determining an amount of moisture on a surface of a substrate includes a step of transmitting a transmitter signal to generate a wave. The transmitter signal has a first phase. The wave is propagated to vibrate the surface. Vibrations in the surface are detected and converted into a receiver signal. The receiver signal has a second phase different than the first phase. The method includes the step of sensing the temperature of the substrate. The amount of moisture on the surface is computed based on a phase shift between the transmitter signal and the receiver signal that has been compensated to account for surface temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: AGC Automotive Americas R&D, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin J. Byrne, Brent W. Pankey, Mitchell Max Rohde, Karl Grosh
  • Patent number: 7633251
    Abstract: System, method, and apparatus for commutating and controlling a multi-phase motor using one output rotor sensor and circuitry that measures time between rotor pole-to-pole transitions is disclosed. The exemplary system, method, and apparatus may utilize the polarity of the single-output rotor sensor and the measured time between the polarity transitions detected by the single-output rotor sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: IntelaSense, LLC
    Inventor: Mark E. Collins
  • Patent number: 7616895
    Abstract: A device and method for operating an optoelectronic safety sensitive edge (100) for the safeguarded motor-driven movement of a gate having a closing edge (141). The device has a deformable, hollow, elastic profile (110), a light transmitter device with a light transmitter (121a), and a transmitter control system (121b), by means of which at least one operating parameter of the light transmitter (121a) can be adjusted, a light receiver device (122) with a light receiver, the light transmitter device and the light receiver device (122) being coupled optically and electrically by the transfer of dynamic signals, an optical, dynamic coupling signal (K2, K2?, K2?) within the hollow profile (110); and an evaluating device (130) with means for detecting an electric, dynamic coupling signal (K2, K2?, K2?), the evaluating device (130), generating a release signal in response to the detected, dynamic, electric coupling signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Fraba NV
    Inventor: Achim Leeser
  • Patent number: 7609019
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules and a DC motor connected to a three-phase generator driven by a shaft. The three-phase generator is connected to a power mains. The electric power supplied to the DC motor by the plurality of photovoltaic modules is repeatedly measured and adjusted, by changing an external excitation current of the DC motor, to the peak power attainable at the current ambient temperature and the current incident solar radiation intensity. The peak power is preferably determined by incrementally changing the excitation current in predetermined time intervals, until the supplied electric power produces a power level which can be regarded as the peak power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Adensis GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Beck, Thomas Neussner, Constantin Wenzlik
  • Patent number: 7570003
    Abstract: A lid assembly for use with a garbage can having a frame that includes a lip at the bottom of lid and a housing. The housing is defined by a lower wall and a sidewall with an opening. A static electricity sensor is positioned in the housing. The lid assembly also includes a displaceable door that moves with the lip to open the garbage can. So that when the static electricity sensor detects the static electricity of a user, the displaceable door slides to open the garbage can and when the static electricity sensor does not detects the static electricity of a user, the displaceable door slides to close the garbage can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating, LLC
    Inventor: Chi Tau Chan
  • Patent number: 7504793
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of controlling a control circuit, which comprises a step in which a variation in a control parameter for the control circuit is effected, said variation being determined so that at least one emission characteristic of an unfavorable electromagnetic radiation is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Loic Flandre, Stephan Baudru, David Boudikian
  • Publication number: 20090020233
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to automated shade systems. An automated shade system comprises one or more motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use one or more algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures; shadow information; lighting and radiation information; ASHRAE clear sky algorithms; log information related to manual overrides; occupant preference information; motion information; real-time sky conditions; solar radiation on a building; a total foot-candle load on a structure; brightness overrides; actual and/or calculated BTU load; time-of-year information; and microclimate analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Joel Berman, Jan Berman, Alex Greenspan, Stephen P. Hebeisen
  • Patent number: 7477035
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a dynamic aperture for controlling the intensity of light of projection lens, more particularly to a dynamic aperture driving apparatus and method for reducing vibration by which vibrations are minimized in spite of command for sudden location change. The dynamic aperture driving apparatus comprises rotating means, driving means, sensing means and driving control means, whereas a location control signal is characterized by minimizing vibration when the rotating means arrives at a commanded location by an increase in rising time and/or falling time of a target location signal through an RC integral circuit within the driving control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Chil-Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 7466097
    Abstract: A wiper control method and a wiper control device are provided which can smoothly respond to rapid change of a rainfall situation at passage of a rainfall shutoff environment such as a tunnel. A wiping state control part 42 determines entry of a vehicle into the rainfall shutoff environment, sets a wiping level low for the low level of rainfall less than a predetermined rainfall level in response to this determination or sets the wiping level high for the high level rainfall at the predetermined rainfall level or more. A rainfall level generation part 32 detects adhesion of raindrops and determines the rainfall level. A wiper driving signal generation part 48 determines wiper operation based on the rainfall level determined by the rainfall level generation part 32 and the wiping level set by the wiping state control part 42.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuto Kokuryo, Yoshiteru Makino, Satoshi Furusawa
  • Patent number: 7463948
    Abstract: A robot control apparatus allows a plurality of mobile robots to carry out tasks at a reduced or minimized cost as a whole with consideration given to costs derived from an encounter with an obstacle is provided. An action optimization controller provided in the robot control apparatus generates an instruction for optimizing actions of the plurality of mobile robots so that the plurality of mobile robots carry out the tasks at a minimized cost, based upon locomotion plan information indicative of locomotion plans of the plurality of mobile robots. A possibility that any robots have an encounter with an obstacle is determined by comparing distances from the robots to the obstacles. A locomotion plan implementation cost is calculated with consideration given to the possibility of encounter, and thus an optimum route is selected based upon the locomotion plan implementation cost with the encounter-derived cost. In accordance with the optimum route, the locomotion plan for the robot is modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsuo Orita
  • Patent number: 7425805
    Abstract: A three-in-one control device for a ceiling fan includes a signal receiving module, which is able to receive segmented controlled signals, stepless controlled signals and wireless controlled signals respectively, for transmitting controlled signals to a micro computer control unit to process, analyze and code them. Then, the processed signals are transmitted to a driving unit to drive the blades of the ceiling fan to rotate. Therefore, when a control switch is replaced with another type, it is unnecessary to change the control device but just connect it to a corresponding control module, able to save manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventor: Hsia-Yuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 7420349
    Abstract: A device controller system incorporates an inexpensive Hall element to detect motion of a brushless DC motor. A magnet, which is part of a motor rotor, passes by the Hall element producing a Hall voltage each rotation. The Hall voltage is coupled through an interface port to a comparator within a process controller. A microprocessor within the process controller calculates a control response based on a comparator output signal. The interface port is rapidly reconfigured to provide signals produced from the control response as output to device drivers on the same input-output pins that receive the Hall voltage. The device drivers produce a current through fan coils producing an update in the magnetic field of each motor phase which updates the speed of the fan according to programming within the process controller. Rapid configuring and reconfiguring of the interface port allows all necessary components of the controller system to be used with a single rotational commutation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Marvin L. Kausch
  • Patent number: 7417397
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to automated shade systems that employ one or more algorithms to provide appropriate solar protection from direct solar penetration; reduce solar heat gain; reduce radiant surface temperatures; control penetration of the solar ray, optimize the interior natural daylighting of a structure and optimize the efficiency of interior lighting systems. The invention additionally comprises a motorized window covering, radiometers, and a central control system that uses algorithms to optimize the interior lighting of a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Mechoshade Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Berman, Jan Berman, Alex Greenspan, Steve Hebeisen
  • Patent number: 7348586
    Abstract: An exterior element sensor can include an optical element mounted on a window. The optical element can include a cylindrical lens having both ends shaped spherically and a central portion that exerts little or no influence on exterior element detection (such as rain, snow, ice, water, liquid, debris, or other materials) when visible light transmits therethrough. In addition, infrared or other light can be used to detect exterior elements located on the window. A black filter can be employed, if desired, which blocks visible light and transmits infrared light therethrough to separate visible light from infrared light, thereby allowing the exterior element sensor to be used together with an exterior light sensor without losing accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyomitsu Ishikawa, Hiroshi Takata
  • Patent number: 7256694
    Abstract: A lid opening and closing system for a waste container having an opening and a lid for covering the opening, the system including a proximity sensor, which may be a capacitive proximity sensor, for sensing the presence of a user's hand or body near the waste container and for sending a control signal. A drive system is connected to the lid for causing the lid to move from a closed position, where the lid covers the opening, to an open position, where the waste container is positioned to accept waste, and then back to the closed position in response to the control signal. The proximity sensor being more sensitive to the user's hand or body approaching from the top of the waste container rather than from the front, sides or back of the waste container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Biochem Environmental Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Joanne Papari, Chris Rusu, Leonardo Stefan
  • Patent number: 7248010
    Abstract: A wiper controller includes: a sensor for detecting a waterdrop on a windshield; a wiper for wiping the windshield; and control means for controlling operation of the wiper. The control means monitors a waterdrop reflection when the sensor detects the waterdrop. The waterdrop reflection is a diffuse reflection of light. The control means operates the wiper with an intermittent wiping operation having a time interval in such a manner that the time interval in a case where the control means decides nonexistence of the waterdrop reflection is set to be longer than the time interval in a case where the control means decides existence of the waterdrop reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Katsunori Michiyama
  • Patent number: 7242162
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for retracting an awning. A sensor detects an awning acceleration caused by wind impacting the awning, and generates a signal having an amplitude corresponding thereto. When the signal exceeds a certain threshold, the awning is retracted. The signal's amplitude may be converted into a frequency, and the frequency compared to the threshold. The signal typically must exceed the threshold for a set period of time to trigger awning retraction. A second threshold may dictate a maximum instantaneous or peak acceleration; when the signal exceeds this second threshold, regardless of the duration during which the second threshold is exceeded, the awning is retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventor: Mark Goth
  • Patent number: 7235944
    Abstract: A wiper control system for detecting an amount of raindrops landed on a windshield of a vehicle and driving a wipe operation of a wiper to wipe the landed raindrops. The wiper control system includes raindrop sensing means, average landed raindrop amount calculation means, vehicle acceleration sensing means, and wipe operation mode selection means. The raindrop sensing means is capable of detecting the amount of landed raindrops for each of a plurality of wipe cycles of the wiper. The average landed raindrop amount calculation means calculates an average value of the amount of landed raindrops for the plurality of wipe cycles. The vehicle acceleration sensing means detects an acceleration of the vehicle. The wipe operation mode selection means selects a wipe operation mode based on the acceleration of the vehicle and any one of the amount of landed raindrops and the average amount of landed raindrops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Taiji Morishita
  • Patent number: 7221858
    Abstract: A PWM motor speed control circuit (10) includes a PWM signal generator (20), a driver integrated circuit (IC) (101) and a photocoupler (30) coupled between the PWM signal generator and the driver IC. The photocoupler receives an original PWM signal generated by the PWM signal generator and outputs a new PWM signal in response to the original PWM signal, wherein a voltage parameter of the original PWM signal is isolated by the photocoupler from a voltage parameter of the new PWM signal. The new PWM signal is fed to the driver IC and used for controlling speed of a motor (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Long Ku
  • Patent number: 7199543
    Abstract: A cargo power drive unit includes a motor and at least one driver roller element coupled to the motor. The power drive unit further includes a light transmitter for emitting light and a light receiver for measuring light. The power drive unit measures an amount of ambient light and then measures an amount of total light after the light transmitter emits light. The power drive unit then determines whether a cargo container is present based on a calculation of reflected light and the measurement of ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Nicholas Hettwer
  • Patent number: 7193201
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in detecting and discriminating at least three states, respectively blue sky, white sky and direct sunlight. The discrimination between the three states is based, for example, on an intermediate detection distinguishing between either a homogenous state or a nonhomogeneous state of the sky. White sky means a sky saturated with humidity, with strong light diffusion and producing a high level of brightness. The method can be implemented, for example by using sensors or a monochromatic or color camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventor: Emeric Motte
  • Patent number: 7154241
    Abstract: There are provided a wiper control method and a wiper control device in which unnecessary wiping operation is not performed. When a fixed amount of water passing through a detection area 4, the water being carried by the wiping operation of a wiper 5b, is detected, the presence of impact of a raindrop on the detection area 4 is judged. When there is no impact of a raindrop on the detection area 4, it is judged that water that is carried by the wiper 5b and passes through the detection area 4 is caused by a factor other than rainfall, and control is carried out to decrease the frequency of wiping operation of the wiper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuto Kokuryo, Shinji Nagao, Satoshi Furusawa
  • Patent number: 7129660
    Abstract: A motor-current square value calculation section 45 calculates, as a motor-current square value, the sum of respective square values of two phase currents converted from three phase currents flowing through an electric motor. A temperature estimation calculation section 44 performs low-pass filtering for the motor-current square value, and calculates temperature increases of the mass portion and coils on the basis of the filtered motor-current square value. In the low-pass filtering, filtering calculation is performed in a manner which changes depending on rotational speed RV of the electric motor; i.e., whether the electric motor is in a rotating state or in a stopped state. The temperature increase of the mass portion is added to ambient temperature of the electric motor to thereby estimate temperature of the mass portion, and the temperature increase of the coils is added to the estimated temperature of the mass portion to thereby estimate temperature of the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuji Fujita, Atsuo Sakai
  • Patent number: 7122987
    Abstract: A safety garage door apparatus includes a garage door, two tracks, a controller, a linking device and a detecting device. Two tracks are installed on two sides of the garage door, respectively. The controller includes a motor, a driving device connected to the motor, and a microprocessor. The linking device includes a rail, a rack slidably mounted in the rail, and a linkage with one end connected to the rack and the other end connected to the garage door. The rack is connected with the driving device. The detecting device is mounted in the controller to continually detect a location of the rack so that a moving speed of the rack is determined by the microprocessor to compare with a predetermined rate to determined whether an operation of opening or closing the garage door needs to be stopped or reversed, or a maintenance of the garage door apparatus is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Equus Inc.
    Inventor: Duke Chen
  • Patent number: 7081724
    Abstract: An electrical mains-powered actuator designed to operate a closing, darkening or solar protection element, having in a common enclosure, a direct current motor, a board controlling the motor power supply and an AC/DC voltage converter, the control board including a radio-wave receiver, such that the voltage converter enables lowering of the voltage and includes at least one switch controlled at a frequency (F1) such that it is at most equal to twice the mains sector frequency or such that its ratio to the radio-wave receiver frequency (F0) ranges between 2.2 10?5 to 2.2 10?4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventors: Marc Bouix, Serge Bruno
  • Patent number: 7045984
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the adjustment and automatic readjustment of the lamp in a microscope. The present invention is used for adjusting the lamp in a microscope. In the solution according to the invention, the tilting direction of the glass body relative to the lamp cap is marked at the lamp. The lamp cap is likewise marked for oriented insertion of the marked lamp so that the tilting direction of the lamp lies in direction of the optical axis of the collector after insertion. For adjusting, the collector-reflector unit is displaced in direction of the optical axis of the collector and the lamp cap is then oriented in vertical direction of the optical axis of the collector. For automatic readjustment, the lamp cap has an actuating drive. A reference variable is determined for the actuating drive by a control unit by evaluating lamp voltage or lamp current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Gonschor
  • Patent number: 7019476
    Abstract: A method for recognizing an obstructed situation of a traveling element. The method includes evaluating a variable containing information about the motor's rotational speed as the motor is driving the element. Starting from a current detection time point, the sequence of values of the variable determined at immediately preceding detection time points are observed. Change in behavior of the sequence of observed values of the variable with respect to one another over time are then compared with a value range of the variable that is indicative of the element being obstructed. A sufficient match between the value range of the variable and the sequence of observed values of the variable exists if at least three successive observed values of the variable fall within the variable value range. The element is determined to be obstructed upon the existence of a sufficient match. The variable includes the duration of motor time periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Königshaus
  • Patent number: 7006799
    Abstract: In an access control system, a method and system for conserving battery life comprising an electronic control processor in a motor-driven locking subsystem for measuring samples of back electromotive force from a DC motor within the motor-driven locking subsystem. The samples of the back electromotive force are summed by the electronic control processor to form a comparison parameter value. The comparison parameter value is compared to a pre-determined threshold value to form a decision parameter. An action is taken by the electronic control processor in the motor-driven locking subsystem based on the decision parameter. This action comprises one of commanding the battery source in the motor-driven locking subsystem to increase the voltage level to the motor, generating a fail signal, or detecting and indicating a lock or unlock condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Harrow Products LLC
    Inventors: James F. Wiemeyer, Zhen Liu