Power Line (plc) Patents (Class 340/12.32)
  • Patent number: 11928304
    Abstract: A smart digital computer platform is disclosed that collects, analyzes, and/or renders appropriate information about fugitive emissions identified by a sensor network-based emissions monitoring system in a facility. More specifically to the methods used by the smart digital computer platform to analyze, filter, and transform the collected monitoring data into a visual output that is capable of being rendered on a graphical user interface (GUI) on a screen display with, in some embodiments, a restricted form factor. For example, smart analytics may be used to cull, filter, and transform the data displayed in a pop-up dialog box on a GUI. In another example, the transformed data may be translated into a visual, graphical element that conveys an abundance of appropriate, tailored information to a particular type of user viewing the GUI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Ling-Ying Lin, Alissa Nedossekina, Wenfeng Peng, Alexander Chernyshov
  • Patent number: 11929622
    Abstract: A method includes selectably controlling a power supply from a renewable energy source based power system and an energy storage device charged thereby and/or an Alternating Current (AC) power system to a computing system including one or more data processing device(s) and a set of loads using an electronic control system, and continuously updating, through a computing power management system associated with the electronic control system, a parameter of operation of the one or more data processing device(s) and/or the set of loads in response to analyzing data pertinent to prior energy usage/production and/or predicted energy usage/production relevant to execution of a high computational workload through the one or more data processing device(s). The method also includes optimizing the power supply from the renewable energy source based power system and/or the energy storage device to the one or more data processing device(s) based on the continuously updated parameter of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Sean Walsh
  • Patent number: 11888547
    Abstract: Provided are a coupling device, a surface wave coupling method, and an open wire surface wave wireless coverage system. The coupling device comprises: a high-order mode direct coupling module configured to couple a first electromagnetic wave from a transmitter to form a second electromagnetic wave propagating in a preset high-order guided wave mode; a mode converting and filtering module configured to convert the second electromagnetic wave into a third electromagnetic wave propagating in a superposition of a plurality of guided wave modes, and to filter the high-order guided wave mode in the third electromagnetic wave to obtain a fourth electromagnetic wave propagating in the preset low-order guided wave mode; and a mode matching module configured to convert the fourth electromagnetic wave into a fifth electromagnetic wave propagating along a surface of an open wire in a target guided wave mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: XI'AN ZHONGXING NEW SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hua Gao
  • Patent number: 11832392
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, at a circuit board, a power from a power supply. The method further includes filtering, at the circuit board and via a power filter having at least three choke filters, the power to produce a filtered power. The method further includes dividing, at a first portion of a circuit on the circuit board, a power associated with the filtered power into a first power and a second power, a characteristic of the first power differing from a characteristic of the second power by a factor of at least 1.5 or at most one half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Management Services Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Scott Morgan
  • Patent number: 11832414
    Abstract: A power distribution powerline networking management system includes a server rack. Each server device in the server rack includes a management subsystem, a power system th coupled to the management subsystem, and a server powerline networking engine that is included in the power system and that converts between dataline management communications and powerline management communications. A power distribution system is located in the server rack and includes a respective power connector coupled to the power system in each of the server devices, a respective power distribution powerline networking engine that is coupled to each respective power connector and that coverts between dataline management communications and powerline management communications, and a switching subsystem that is coupled to each respective power distribution powerline networking engine and that transmits dataline management communications between the power distribution powerline networking engines and a management system via a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Andrew Breedy
  • Patent number: 11811273
    Abstract: A load protection system and a method of protecting a load. The load protection system includes a PLC transmitter module and a PLC receiver module, which are configured to communicate a plurality of bits of data, each bit transmitted near a zero-crossing of a voltage on the power lines supplying power to the load, in the form of a high frequency burst of pulses. The pulses are structured in two patterns. The first pattern serves to identify the start of the second pattern, and the second pattern includes the data. The first pattern is unique and not represented within the second pattern. The load may be a motor, and the data may include a parameter value representing a parameter of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Cooper, Adrian Chavis, Thomas S. Wolf, Zachary K. Foster, Yaritza Brinker, Dalton H. Paull
  • Patent number: 11757664
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system comprising PoE apparatus including midspans, switches and routers that can provide high powered PoE connections that enable the recovery of DC power in sufficient quantities that allow it to be converted to AC power by way of an inverter. The invention also provides a method for providing AC power, data and light to office workstations using a single PoE connection. The invention further comprises a common mode signalling system that operates independently of any TCP/IP signal transmitted through an Ethernet connection wherein said signalling system is adapted to communicate with and control PoE powered devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventors: Norman Boemi, David John Bull, James Bull, Stephan Meyer
  • Patent number: 11697314
    Abstract: A cable system for a truck trailer for reducing the number and/or size of wiring in a commercial trailer cable system from seven to four, three, or two, while also facilitating bidirectional communication with all connected electronic devices in the trailer. The cable system has a ground cable, a power cable, and zero, one or two additional communication cables that may carry analog and/or digital communications between the control circuit and components of the trailer such as turn signal lamps, brake lamps, backup cameras, environmental sensors, and the like. A transformer for increasing the voltage on the power cable is disclosed, allowing the power and ground cables to be smaller without reducing power delivered to the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Grote Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Slade, Sankalp Pampattiwar, Cesar Perez-Bolivar
  • Patent number: 11617266
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, at a circuit board, a power from a power supply. The method further includes filtering, at the circuit board and via a power filter having at least three choke filters, the power to produce a filtered power. The method further includes dividing, at a first portion of a circuit on the circuit board, a power associated with the filtered power into a first power and a second power, a characteristic of the first power differing from a characteristic of the second power by a factor of at least 1.5 or at most one half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Management Services Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Scott Morgan
  • Patent number: 11582047
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed a powered device that comprises a connector to connect a multi-conductor cable to the powered device and device circuits partitioned into a first partition and a second partition. The powered device is configured to receive power from a first cable circuit and a second cable circuit provided over the multi-conductor cable. The powered device is configured to separately power the first partition using power received from the first cable circuit and power the second partition using power received from the second cable circuit and to power isolate the first cable circuit from the second cable circuit. The powered device further comprises at least one isolation device coupled to the first partition and the second partition and configured to enable information to be communicated between the first partition and the second partition. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Van E. Hanson
  • Patent number: 11516043
    Abstract: A transceiver has a first interface supplied by a first supply voltage to interface with external devices operating in a first supply domain and a second interface supplied by a second supply voltage and adapted to interface to an external communication bus operating in a second supply domain. The transceiver has a first internal communication link, which is adapted to transfer transmit data generated by an external device operating in the first supply domain, from the first interface to the second interface, and a second internal communication link, which is adapted to transfer transmit data be supplied from the external communication bus operating in the second supply domain from the second interface to the first interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Evers, Gerald Kwakernaat, Matthias Berthold Muth
  • Patent number: 11501634
    Abstract: The present invention is an information management apparatus, capable of communicating with a plurality of vehicles, the apparatus comprising a receiving unit for receiving information indicating an occurrence of a failure in one vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, from the one vehicle, and a transmission unit for transmitting information based on the failure to the other vehicles of the plurality of vehicles, thereby, a recurrence of a similar failure in a predetermined region can be appropriately prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuya Takegoshi, Satoshi Nishimiya, Hiroki Muta, Teruki Hatano, Yoshimi Watanabe, Hibiki Koga
  • Patent number: 11485388
    Abstract: A vehicle control device is applied to a vehicle including at least a shift control system configured to switch a shift range. The vehicle control device is configured to control the vehicle to perform autonomous driving travel without depending on an operation of a driver in at least one driving operation. The vehicle control device includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine the propriety of travel by the autonomous driving travel according to a type of abnormality that occurs in the shift control system. The controller is configured to perform travel control of the vehicle according to the propriety of the travel by the autonomous driving travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Ueno, Yusuke Nakade, Kazuhiro Ozawa
  • Patent number: 11489336
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for a two-wire power delivery system that may be employed by a mobile device with a reversable cable. The described techniques allow for the two-wire power cable to be inserted in any orientation into the mobile device, without requiring a special keying or registration element, and without requiring any additional pins or wires. The mobile device includes a passive protection circuit that assists the two-wire power cable system in detecting the correct orientation for power delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Julian Arlo Binder, Brandon Baxter Harris
  • Patent number: 11456598
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for a two-wire power delivery system that may be employed by a mobile device with a reversable cable. The described techniques allow for the two-wire power cable to be inserted in any orientation into the mobile device, without requiring a special keying or registration element, and without requiring any additional pins or wires. The mobile device includes a passive protection circuit that assists the two-wire power cable system in detecting the correct orientation for power delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Julian Arlo Binder, Brandon Baxter Harris
  • Patent number: 11433720
    Abstract: A coupling control module according to the invention, comprises the coupling control module designed to transmit at least one configuration bus message to the at least one motor vehicle bus module via the bus interface, wherein the configuration bus message contains a configuration identifier to be entered in configuration data of the motor vehicle bus module, wherein the configuration identifier is provided so that when the motor vehicle continues to be operated, at least one motor vehicle bus module can execute at least one function according to the existence of the trailer coupling and/or according to bus messages received from the coupling control module on the basis of received configuration identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventors: Jorg Beutin, Torsten Kranz, Nikolas Pascher
  • Patent number: 11417292
    Abstract: Provided are a screen calibration method, apparatus and systems. The screen calibration method comprises steps of: acquiring the chromaticity coordinates of the display screen to be calibrated under different parameters, and storing the parameter corresponding to the closest chromaticity coordinate into a register to realize screen calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiaoliang Zhang, Dingzhou Yang, Jianping Wang
  • Patent number: 11378271
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for ceiling fan remote controls that allows the wall switches, pull chains and remote control transmitters to both separately and independently control the ceiling fan lights and fan. Systems, device and methods for over-riding a ceiling fan remote control so that a single wall switch can activate the ceiling fan light(s) if the remote control transmitter is not available. Systems, devices, and methods for ceiling fan remote controls that allows the wall switches, pull chains, and remote controls to both separately and independently control the ceiling fan lights and the fan. Systems, devices and methods for ceiling fan remote control receivers that can be connected to two separate wall switches that allows a ceiling fan remote control system that allows for both the wall switch and remote transmitter to each control the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Chien Luen Industries Co., Ltd., Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Bucher, Zachary Zauhar
  • Patent number: 11375599
    Abstract: Systems and methods which leverage the wireless communication capability present in wireless-enabled luminaires where the lamps include a short-range wireless transceiver and can be controlled by a smart appliance. The wireless capability of a luminaire may be paired with a compatible wireless interface system (e.g., adapter system) that allows for control of the luminaire via plug-in or hard-wired photocontrols and wireless network lamp control nodes. An adapter system may be provided that replaces a standard wired receptacle of a luminaire. The adapter system may include a wired interface to the luminaire which provides power to the wireless adapter system. The wireless adapter system may include a receptacle interface that receives a plug of a control node, such as photocontrol or a networked control node. The wireless adapter system may also include a wireless interface circuit that communicates control, status or other data between the connected control device and the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Arthur Vendetti, William G. Reed, Richard Dolf
  • Patent number: 11355961
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for fast reconfiguration of power supply grid in tens of milliseconds after power grid failure. The master station of fast reconfiguration of power grid concentrates the network status information from the client stations at transformer substations or power plants, and compares it with the built-in control strategy table which deals with possible faults. When an expected power gird disconnection fault is detected, the pre-start switch-on instruction is sent to the client stations with multiple breakers which can reconnect the grid. When the fault is cleared, the client stations shall identify the fault clearing time according to the local information, and send the instruction of synchronous switch-on to the corresponding local breakers which can reconnect the separated grids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: BEIJING SIFANG AUTOMATION CO., LTD., BEIJING SIFANG ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gang Duan, Xiaonan Lou, Qi Zhang, Yuhan Zhang, Nian Liu, Liangliang Zheng
  • Patent number: 11331783
    Abstract: A communication adapter attachment device in one aspect of the present disclosure is provided in a working machine, and includes an adapter housing portion, a cap, and a cap-side interface. The cap-side interface is configured to enable viewing of the adapter-side interface and/or an input operation to the adapter-side interface from outside of the working machine, in a state in which the communication adapter is accommodated in the adapter housing portion and the opening is closed with the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Tanaka, Hironori Ogura
  • Patent number: 11323786
    Abstract: The present invention provides a general purpose controller chip that can be used for remotely monitoring and/or controlling plurality of devices that require current and/or voltage adjustment. In an embodiment, the general purpose controller chip is capable of performing multiple algorithmic functions such as monitoring current and voltage, adjusting and controlling them, switching power, performing detection algorithms, such as arc detection, LED dimming and the like, as well as communication functions. The general purpose controller chip provides a significantly higher level of integration and thereby makes the design of the devices simpler and dramatically reduces the cost of implementation, while providing ease of maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventors: Zeev Collin, F. Matthew Rhodes
  • Patent number: 11307547
    Abstract: An anti-theft system and method for encoding power for distribution to a load (e.g., a house) and a decoding of the encoded power at the load for consumption. A meter with an integrated decoder may be installed proximate a house (or another load). In some embodiments, the combination meter/decoder system may be configured to replace a traditional meter on a standard service panel, to minimize any impact or changes to the home or other building. In other embodiments, an add-on decoder system may be configured for installation between a standard meter and a service panel (optionally, plug and play). Alternatively, an add-on decoder system may be installed with the meter positioned (electrically) between the add-on decoder system and the service panel of the house (or other type of load or consumer).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Selene Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Collin Stoner
  • Patent number: 11291117
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, at a circuit board, a power from a power supply. The method further includes filtering, at the circuit board and via a power filter having at least three choke filters, the power to produce a filtered power. The method further includes dividing, at a first portion of a circuit on the circuit board, a power associated with the filtered power into a first power and a second power, a characteristic of the first power differing from a characteristic of the second power by a factor of at least 1.5 or at most one half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Management Services Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas S. Morgan
  • Patent number: 11289942
    Abstract: A system for estimating faulted area in an electric distribution system. The system includes a database storing input data, a fault detection module to estimate, based on the input data, if a new faulted area estimation process is required, a condition estimation module to estimate condition of metered protective devices, un-metered protective devices, and metered devices (PMDs), an upstream to downstream module to assess condition of each metered protective device, un-metered protective device, and metered device (PMD), starting from a feeder circuit breaker towards feeder downstream, to estimate a tripped protective device and a last metered device upstream of a fault, and a downstream to upstream module configured to assess outaged electric loads or elements towards network upstream to find the common interrupting protective device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Operation Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Mohammad Reza Dadash Zadeh, Farrokh Shokooh, Jun Qiu
  • Patent number: 11237714
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods comprising a gateway located at a premise forming at least one network on the premise that includes a plurality of premise devices. A sensor user interface (SUI) is coupled to the gateway and presented to a user via a remote device. The SUI includes at least one display element. The at least one display element includes a floor plan display that represents at least one floor of the premise. The floor plan display visually and separately indicates a location and a current state of each premise device of the plurality of premise devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Control Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Sundermeyer, Paul Dawes, Jim Fulker
  • Patent number: 11227345
    Abstract: Energy usage of a plurality of appliances is measured using a single meter. A pattern of energy usage with respect to the plurality of appliances is determined dependent upon the measured energy usage, appliance details of the plurality of appliances, and usage hours of the plurality of appliances. The pattern is provided to a user of the appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Nagaraja Sundaresh, Pradeep Shetty, Rajesh Ramesh, Chandrashekar Padubidri, Rangesa Arakere, Ananda Huchappa Shastry
  • Patent number: 11221840
    Abstract: In an example, a system is provided and the system includes a motor vehicle component client, a server located in the cloud, and an application to be installed on a personal portable device, such as mobile phone or other portable, mobile electronic device. In some examples, the system enables efficient vehicle software updates to the Engine Control Unit (ECU), the head unit, or the like, or combinations thereof, and/or enables efficient wireless transmission of vehicle data analytics associated with diagnostic information, location information, or the like, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Airbiquity Inc.
    Inventor: Leon Hong
  • Patent number: 11205894
    Abstract: A multi-port system and method implements fault detection using a resistor connected to each port controller where the resistors of at least two port controllers are connected together in parallel. Each port controller supplies a predetermined current to the associated resistor and senses the resistor voltage of the parallelly connected resistors to detect for a fault condition. A failure condition is indicated when the resistor voltage is outside of a given threshold window. In this manner, for a single point failure, such as a short along the power path of a port controller, the other port controller senses a change in the resistor voltage and can assert a fault signal. In one embodiment, the fault signal is an open drain output and operates to pull down on a fault bus, which disables all the port controllers in the system through a disable input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor International LP
    Inventor: Michael Scheel
  • Patent number: 11152856
    Abstract: A device for limiting a power loss during the sampling of a digital signal is illustrated. The device comprises a circuit disposed in the signal path of the digital signal, the circuit being configured to reduce a current flow along the signal path in response to a control signal which indicates a sampling pause.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Andreas Patzelt, Christian Voss
  • Patent number: 11129246
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for systems and methods that employ a control component and/or power source integrated in an LED based light source to control and/or power the LED light source wirelessly. In embodiments, the LED based light source may take the form of a standard light bulb that plugs into a standard lighting socket or fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Recker, David B. Levine
  • Patent number: 11108434
    Abstract: Examples for logical to physical mapping of aircraft electronic components are presented. A system may include aircraft electronic components coupled sequentially to a power wire, corresponding controllers, and a master computing device. The computing device may receive a first identifier for a first component from a first controller in response to the first controller receiving power at a first time from the power wire and a second identifier for a second component from a second controller in response to the second controller receiving power at a second time from the power wire. The second time is subsequent to the first time. The computing device determines locations for the first and second component within the aircraft based on an order of reception of the identifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin S. Callahan, Dennis Whetten
  • Patent number: 11057239
    Abstract: Two communication ECUs which can be disposed in different areas on a vehicle are equipped with respective communication relays which are connected to each other by an interarea connection unit. The functions of each of the communication relays are simplified and separated from the functions of a router. When receiving a signal, the communication relays outputs the signal to another, belonging to the same system as the communication line from which the signal has been received, of communication lines and to the router. The router controls a route of a signal to be transmitted between different systems of communication lines that are one of the communication lines and one of the communication lines. Since the communication relays are low in cost and can operate at high speed and the number of routers is decreased, the components cost can be lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Terumitsu Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 11055228
    Abstract: An apparatus is described. The apparatus includes memory controller logic circuitry to interface to a multi-level memory having a higher memory level to act as a memory side cache for a lower memory level. The memory controller logic circuitry having policy determination circuitry to prevent lesser accessed data items from occupying space in the higher memory level at the expense of more frequently accessed data items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Wu, Zhe Wang
  • Patent number: 11017369
    Abstract: Introduced is a technology for processing transactions on behalf of a merchant employing a legacy system, where the processing includes managing inventory data and bundle pricing data associated with transactions occurring at various point-of-sale (POS) devices that include both legacy and non-legacy POS devices. Briefly described, the technology involves a payment processing system (PPS) working in coordination with a legacy merchant system. The PPS includes a payment processing database system, a adapter module installed at the merchant system, and a payment processing engine installed at a cloud-based server system. The payment processing engine, via the adapter module, can receive the most up-to-date inventory data and bundle pricing rules from the legacy merchant system. Based on the bundle pricing rules, the payment processing engine can compute one or more minimum-price carts that apply pricing discounts to eligible items for transactions occurring at the POS device(s) associated with the PPS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Brock, Grace Huey Chen, Benjamin Hartard, Mark Jen, Kathryne Hollie Hawthorne
  • Patent number: 11011922
    Abstract: An apparatus in which electric power is generated for an electrical load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced there at; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials cause a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: NXP AERONAUTICS RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Syracuse, Chad D. Tillman
  • Patent number: 10985802
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for delivering broadband video data to an end user device comprising transmitting broadband video data via a radio frequency transmitter to a home radio frequency receiver located at a residential power transformer providing electrical power to a home; coupling the broadband video data from the home radio frequency receiver to a first modem onto a copper power line electrically coupled to the residential power transformer; receiving the broadband data on a second modem from the copper power line; and sending from the second modem, different portions of the broadband data to each of a plurality of end user devices in the home. A system and computer program for performing the method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property 1, L.P.
    Inventor: Adrian Matthews
  • Patent number: 10954948
    Abstract: Systems, devices, controllers and methods for providing a DC (direct current) motor controller for ceiling fans, that can include retrofitting a DC motor controlled ceiling fan with a single remote control device. Another embodiment is for providing a DC motor controller for ceiling fans, that can include retrofitting a DC motor controlled ceiling fan with a single remote control device within the ceiling fan with a WiFi control device within the ceiling fan. Other embodiments can include using combinations of a wireless remote controller with a smart phone and with mechanical switches and/or with hardwired wall mounted controls, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Chen Luen Industries CO., LTD., INC.
    Inventors: Tien S. Lowe, Charles E. Bucher, Zachary Zauhar
  • Patent number: 10924014
    Abstract: A controller for a switching regulator includes an error amplifier configured to receive a feedback voltage indicative of the regulated output voltage and a reference voltage, and to generate an error signal indicative of the difference between the feedback voltage and the reference voltage; a loop calculator configured to generate an output signal in response to the error signal, the output signal being used by the switching regulator to generate the regulated output voltage having a voltage value related to the reference voltage; and an output voltage adjust circuit configured to receive a sense current signal indicative of a current flowing through the load and to generate a voltage adjust signal in response to the sense current signal, the voltage adjust signal being applied to generate the reference voltage relative to a predetermined set voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor (Cayman) Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Schmitz, Edward Mun Lam, Daniel Edward Brown
  • Patent number: 10914458
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an intelligent induction miner's lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: LEDLUCKY Holdings Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Shaoqing Luo, Jinming Li, Zheng Xiao, Peng Luo
  • Patent number: 10908627
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a controller may include a circuit. The circuit may include a network interface configured to couple to a network, a plurality of input/output (I/O) ports configured to couple to a respective plurality of devices, a processor coupled to the network interface and to the plurality of I/O ports, and a memory accessible to the processor. The memory may be configured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive data from one or more of the plurality of I/O ports, automatically apply semantic tags to the data, automatically combine the data into a single data stream to determine a pattern, and selectively adjust one or more of a plurality of building operations management tasks in response to determining the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventor: Alper Uzmezler
  • Patent number: 10864996
    Abstract: A portable wireless aircraft security monitoring system including first, second and third apparatuses configured to removably attach to an exterior of an aircraft via vacuum suction mounting devices that may include one or more suction cups. The first and second apparatus may include a camera, a motion sensor, a microphone/speaker, and a data processor; and wherein the camera, motion sensor, and the microphone provide information to the data processor, which wirelessly communicates with the device of the third apparatus to communicate via the Internet to a user smartphone software application. The third apparatus may include a Wi-Fi wireless router hotspot configured to connect to the Internet and may broadcast a Wi-Fi signal which allows the Wi-Fi enabled first and second apparatus to connect to the internet to send/receive data alerts to the user's smartphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventor: Husam J. Abdalwahid
  • Patent number: 10848343
    Abstract: In a communication device, a communicator communicates with a communication counterpart using a first communication mode or a second communication mode. When a communication by the communicator with the communication counterpart using the second communication mode is reset due to a first cause, if the communication with the communication counterpart using the second communication mode is acceptable, a communication controller causes the communicator to resume communication with the communication counterpart using the second communication mode, and if the communication with the communication counterpart using the second communication mode is unacceptable, the communication controller causes the communicator to start a communication with the communication counterpart using the first communication mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Endo, Masahiro Ishihara, Yohei Miyaura, Yoshiro Murakami, Yasushi Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 10849197
    Abstract: A lighting device comprises rectification circuitry configured to produce rectified alternating current (AC) from input AC comprising a plurality of cycles. The lighting device further comprises lighting circuitry coupled to the rectification circuitry. The lighting circuitry comprises first, second, and third sets of LEDs. The sets of LEDs are configured to turn on in sequence at least twice per cycle to together develop an output level of at least about 2000 lumens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: IDEAL INDUSTRIES LIGHTING LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Dan Bendtsen, Kurt S. Wilcox, John Sobieski
  • Patent number: 10841874
    Abstract: An embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub for integration with an appliance and associated systems and methods. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: an embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprising a wide area network (WAN) interface to couple the embedded IoT hub to an IoT service over a network, and a local wireless communication interface to communicatively couple the IoT hub to one or more IoT devices; an IoT hub slot interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a first plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads within an IoT hub slot of an appliance when the embedded IoT hub is inserted into the IoT hub slot; and a modular antenna interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a second plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads on a modular antenna to be coupled to the embedded IoT hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar Zakaria, Joe Britt, Houman Forood
  • Patent number: 10827148
    Abstract: A system and method for filling light for signal communication are provided. The system may include at least one transmission controller. The at least one transmission controller may include a closed loop suppression module coupled to a node and a Video Output, wherein the Video Output is configured to output a reverse control signal, the node is coupled to the Video Output and is configured to receive the reverse control signal, and the closed loop suppression module is configured to: receive the reverse control signal, and adjust at least one of a voltage of the node or a voltage of the Video Output according to the voltage of the reverse control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG DAHUA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhiji Deng
  • Patent number: 10812174
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a client node device having a radio configured to wirelessly receive downstream channel signals from a communication network. An access point repeater (APR) launches the downstream channel signals on a guided wave communication system as guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium and to wirelessly transmit the downstream channel signals to at least one client device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10799718
    Abstract: A system and method of integrating a first computer and a second computer is disclosed. The first computer executes a software application having a graphical user interface. The second computer renders the graphical user interface, receives an identification of an event that has occurred in the software application, and identifies an action to be performed by the second computer in response to the occurrence of the event, the action being identified from a predefined sequence of actions. The second computer performs the identified action to modify the rendering of the graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: ELEKTA LIMITED
    Inventor: Adrian Maxwell Smith
  • Patent number: 10797781
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a client node device having a radio configured to wirelessly receive downstream channel signals from a communication network. An access point repeater (APR) launches the downstream channel signals on a guided wave communication system as guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium and to wirelessly transmit the downstream channel signals to at least one client device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 10785854
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting system that can control lighting using a PLC communications while reducing an increase in cost for equipment. The lighting system includes a controller configured to communicate through a PLC communications, and a lighting apparatus group having a plurality of lighting apparatuses. The plurality of lighting apparatuses includes a master configured to communicate through the PLC communications, and a slave capable of communicating with the master. The master communicates with the slave through a communications that is different from the PLC communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhito Hirauchi, Shinji Matsuda