Quiescent Patents (Class 340/3.4)
  • Patent number: 11821564
    Abstract: A method and system for pipeline purging with reduced environmental impact. A vacuum and/or compressor system purges air or other gases from at least a section of the pipeline to create a vacuum in the pipeline. The vacuum can then be replaced with a fuel gas, avoiding a mixing of fuel and oxidant in the pipeline. The vacuum and/or compressor system can include a fuel gas monitoring leak-detection system to monitor for fuel presence in the purging air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: OPERATIONS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, NEP
    Inventors: William Benincosa, Dennis R. Jarnecke
  • Patent number: 11814953
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, a system, and a method for detecting and indicating the operational position of a valve of wellsite equipment. The apparatus comprises a mount portion and a housing portion. The mount is operatively coupled to a non-moving part of the valve and the housing portion is configured to receive a sensor therewithin. The sensor is configured to detect the position of a moving part of the valve and to provide an output signal indicative of the position of the moving part of the valve. The position of the moving part of the valve is indicative of the operational position of the valve. The system comprises one or more such apparatus for detecting and indicating the operational position of one or more valves on a wellsite or well pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Duncan, Murad Mohammad, Lindsey William Harper
  • Patent number: 11672104
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for controlling the direction of cooling air flow across components of an electronic devices. In one or more embodiments, a device or information handling system includes an air flow generator that is able to generate air flow in different directions by activation of a button, a controller, or both. In one or more embodiments, a sensor measures air temperatures of air when the air flows in different directions, and an air flow direction is selected using the air temperature measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventor: Victor B Teeter
  • Patent number: 11598343
    Abstract: A fan system includes a motor, a rotatable hub, and a plurality of fan blades. The motor is coupled with the hub by a hollow drive shaft, such that the drive system of the fan system is gearless. The motor is controlled by a PFC-based control module, which is in communication with sensors that are configured to sense parameters associated with operation of the fan system. The control module is configured to react in certain ways to certain conditions detected by the sensors, such that the fan system uses feedback-based control algorithms. A remote control panel is in communication with the control module. The remote control panel is operable to display fault conditions detected by the sensors. Blade retainers prevent fan blades from falling when a fan blade breaks free from the hub. Pins prevent the hub from falling when the hub breaks free from the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: DELTA T, LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Oleson, J. Carey Smith, Mark A. Toy, Elios Klemo
  • Patent number: 11475758
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for monitoring control panels of a fire control system is described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a computing device comprising a memory, a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to receive, via a gateway device, data from a plurality of fire control panels of a fire control system, and detect an event associated with one of the fire control panels based on the received data, and a user interface configured to display information associated with the detected event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Deepika Sahai, Simon Foulkes, Karthik Kumar Davanam, Amit Jain, Rajesh Babu Nalukurthy
  • Patent number: 11438554
    Abstract: A system for monitoring for a gas leak from a gas containing structure is disclosed. The system includes a lens that directs an image of a scene of interest through an optical filter onto a detector. The filter is associated with the lens and the filter has one or more passbands that passes wavelengths which match one or more emission or reflectively wavelengths of the gas being monitored. A detector receives the image after the image passes through the lens and the filter. The detector generates image data representing the scene including the gas containing structure. A processor is configured to process the image data by executing machine executable code stored on a memory. The machine executable code processes the image data to identify turbulence flows in the image data such that turbulence flow indicates a gas leak, and generate and send an alert in response to the identification of a turbulence flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Mission Support and Test Services, LLC
    Inventors: Mary D. O'Neill, Mark Morey, David Terry
  • Patent number: 11378087
    Abstract: A fan, such as a ceiling fan, includes a learning mode of operation. This learning mode may permit a user to input a desired speed for the fan for a given condition, such as ambient temperature, and adjustments for other conditions would be automatically determined based on the user input. A subsequent selection of fan speed at that condition (such as, for example, for a different user) or a different condition setting would also be obtained, either during initialization or later, and then used as an updated measure of the desired fan speed for the condition. Related methods of controlling the operation of a fan are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: DELTA T, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Desmet, Alex Christopher Reed, Richard A. Oleson, Marshall White, Jason Bishop, Richard Lenser, David R. Banks
  • Patent number: 11028786
    Abstract: A portable generator includes a CO sensor module to sense CO levels in the environment surrounding the portable generator. The CO sensor module senses high levels of CO and sends a signal to shut down the engine on the portable generator. The CO sensor module alerts the user by emitting an LED light whether the CO sensor module is functioning properly, improperly or if high CO levels are detected. The CO sensor module is removable from a control panel of the portable generator to be replaced or maintained by the user per a replacement or maintenance schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan D. Janscha, Mark Willer
  • Patent number: 10862414
    Abstract: A carbon monoxide shutoff system for an engine of a portable electrical generator has a carbon monoxide gas sensor, a microcontroller, and an output indicator. The carbon monoxide gas sensor generates an output electrical current proportional to a detected concentration of ambient carbon monoxide. The microcontroller has an input connected to the carbon monoxide gas sensor, and an output connected to an operational control of the engine. A deactivation signal generated by the microcontroller in response to detection of a deactivation condition is based upon the output electrical current from the carbon monoxide gas sensor matching predefined value and duration thresholds. The deactivation signal is operative to stop the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Champion Power Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Sarder, Mark Kastner, Zhikun Zhong, James Dehn, Hiroaki Sato
  • Patent number: 10823185
    Abstract: A motor interface assembly configured to be operably coupled to a blower assembly, wherein the motor interface assembly is configured to measure a discharge air temperature, determine a difference between the discharge air temperature and a predetermined temperature, and operate the blower assembly based in part on the difference between the discharge air temperature and a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Mercer, Michael Smith, Sunny Ahmed
  • Patent number: 10805043
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a data transmission apparatus and a data transmission method, a reception. device and a reception. method, a program, and a data transmission system capable of surely switching transmission systems. A transmission unit capable of transmitting data by switching the plurality of transmission systems transmits a switching command for instructing to switch the transmission system. Then, as a measure against an error generated when the switching command is generated, an error correction code for correcting the error generated in the switching command is transmitted or it is confirmed whether the switching command has been successfully received or reception of the switching command has failed on the basis of the result of error detection relative to the transmitted switching command. The present technology is applied to, for example, a bus IF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Yokokawa, Hiroo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10788886
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus has a number of devices having a normal state and a quiescent state in which the device is ready for being placed in a power saving state. Each device provides at least one preference indication indicative of a preference to operate in the normal state or the quiescent state. A controller controls a common state transition process for transitioning each of the devices 4 between the normal state and the quiescent state based on the preference indication received from each device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: ARM limited
    Inventors: Dominic William Brown, Christopher Vincent Severino, Ashley John Crawford
  • Patent number: 10649934
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and the processor configured to poll and monitor a plurality of monitoring targets, wherein the number of times of monitoring a first monitoring target is greater than the number of times of monitoring a second monitoring target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Yuto Tamura
  • Patent number: 10540886
    Abstract: A method for a building system and corresponding data processing system. A method includes receiving, by a data processing system, a building system diagnostics configuration. The method includes receiving diagnostic data corresponding to the building system diagnostics configuration and processing the diagnostic data. The method includes generating a report based on the processed diagnostic data and storing or displaying the report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Hamilton, Ulrich Viereck, Shauna Jenkins
  • Patent number: 10455298
    Abstract: Systems and methods of fast wireless output device activation in a mesh network system are provided. Methods can include a parent device receiving data from a child device, the parent device determining if the data received from the child device requires an output, and if so, the parent device activating an output device associated with the parent device. In some methods, the parent device need not wait for instructions from a control panel or gateway before activating the output device. Accordingly, the latency time to activate the output device can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Andrea Frison
  • Patent number: 10317866
    Abstract: A state change management system of a manufacturing cell in a cell control system receives, from the manufacturing cell, event information items in different forms generated in multiple manufacturing machines constituting a manufacturing cell, via a communication device, to thereby monitor the changes in the states of the multiple manufacturing machines. Moreover, the state change management system converts the received event information items in the different forms into a standardized form, and outputs the event information items in the standardized form to a production planning device that performs production planning of a product manufactured by the manufacturing cell via the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideo Ogino
  • Patent number: 10218737
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for reporting sensor data over a communication network are provided. A data reporting instruction that identifies at least one of a sensor or a data reporting technique is received from a trust mediator over a communication network. The data reporting instruction is based at least in part on an identified risk. Sensor data is obtained from the sensor, and the sensor data is transmitted to the trust mediator over the communication network based on the data reporting technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Samuel A. Bailey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10078603
    Abstract: A method and system for managing message-signaled interrupt-based events sent from an event source to a host or a guest is disclosed. A central processing unit instructs an event source to write a message-signaled interrupt to a designated address of a random access memory of the host. The host or a guest of the central processing unit executes a memory monitoring instruction to the designated address. The host or the guest enters a wait state. The host or the guest detects a write of the message-signaled interrupt by the event source to the designated address, the message-signaled interrupt comprising data items pertaining to an event to be performed. The host or the guest exits from the wait state. The host or the guest performs an atomic operation with respect to the event based on the data items in the message-signaled interrupt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Red Hat Israel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Tsirkin, Avi Kivity, Dor Laor
  • Patent number: 9973526
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for reporting sensor data over a communication network are provided. A data reporting instruction that identifies at least one of a sensor or a data reporting technique is received from a trust mediator over a communication network. The data reporting instruction is based at least in part on an identified risk. Sensor data is obtained from the sensor, and the sensor data is transmitted to the trust mediator over the communication network based on the data reporting technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Samuel A. Bailey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9940291
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to assigning processors to a memory mapped configuration. The processors having access to different buses of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) segment are quiesced. The quiesced processors are assigned a memory mapped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Anys Bacha, Thanh Minh Pham, Thomas Joseph Gorenc
  • Patent number: 9865016
    Abstract: A sensor mechanism in an environmental monitoring device provides sensor data that represents an environmental condition in an external environment that includes the environmental monitoring device. Then, a control mechanism in the environmental monitoring device generates subsets of the sensor data based on data privileges of different entities, where the data privileges of at least some of the entities are different from each other, and at least some of the corresponding subsets of the sensor data are different. For example, the data privileges may specify: different spatial extents in the external environment monitored by the sensor mechanism; and/or different types of information associated with the external environment. Next, an interface circuit in the environmental monitoring device provides the subsets of the sensor data to electronic devices associated with the entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Leeo, Inc.
    Inventors: Nina S. Joshi, Adam M. Gettings, Eddy Y. Chan, Andrew G. Stevens, Lucas D. Ivers, Bjorn H. Hovland
  • Patent number: 9803412
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting operating conditions of a vehicle that could lead to toxic levels of carbon monoxide (CO) is disclosed. The device is inserted into an On-board Diagnostics (OBD-II) plug on a vehicle. It monitors operating conditions of the vehicle and detects situations that could lead to a toxic buildup of CO. If the situation where the engine running but the vehicle speed is not moving is detected, a signal is generated to cause a garage door to open. As an alternative, the method is accomplished in a processing device integral to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventors: Isabella D. Fontanini, Kyle H. Wang, Kevin D. Kunz, Carlos W. von Borcke
  • Patent number: 9785142
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for processing data in a supervisory control apparatus. A data processing method in a supervisory control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include acquiring state data from at least one control and instrumentation target apparatus; checking the acquired state data; reading a prestored library corresponding to the state data; decoding the state data with reference to the read library; and outputting the decoded state data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jong Kab Kwak
  • Patent number: 9712552
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for reporting sensor data over a communication network are provided. A data reporting instruction that identifies at least one of a sensor or a data reporting technique is received from a trust mediator over a communication network. The data reporting instruction is based at least in part on an identified risk. Sensor data is obtained from the sensor, and the sensor data is transmitted to the trust mediator over the communication network based on the data reporting technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Samuel A. Bailey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9633550
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a node located in a structure, an indication of an evacuation condition. The structure includes a plurality of nodes in communication with one another. The method also includes sending, by the node, a message to one or more additional nodes. The message informs the one or more additional nodes that the node is going to determine an evacuation route in response to the indication of the evacuation condition such that the one or more additional nodes do not determine the evacuation route. The method also includes determining, by the node, the evacuation route based at least in part on the indication of the evacuation condition and at least in part on a layout of the structure. The method further includes providing, by the node, the evacuation route to the one or more additional nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: ONEEVENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Joseph Wedig, Daniel Ralph Parent, Tammy Michelle Wedig, Kristin Ann Sutter-Parent
  • Patent number: 9537670
    Abstract: An environment monitoring method and an apparatus therefor are provided. The environment monitoring apparatus includes a charging unit configured to charge power necessary for monitoring environments, a sensing unit configured to receive the power from the charging unit and to sense peripheral environments through a plurality of different sensors which are selected according to a request of a user, a controller configured to control settings of the sensing unit according to the peripheral environments; a communication unit configured to transmit the sensed information of the sensing unit to a server so that the server shares the sensed information with a plurality of smart devices, and a display unit configured to display the sensed information to the user and to display a notification according to the sensed information to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: CENTER FOR INTEGRATED SMART SENSORS FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Hyun Tae Cho, Chong Min Kyung
  • Patent number: 8656034
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of data transmission in a network of distributed stations. In this case, the network contains a network connection switching unit which sets up desired connections between network subscriber stations arranged in a star formation. The network system under consideration has provision for network stations to log on in the network using a logon message and to log off using a logoff message. Regular turn-on and turn-off operations allow these logon and logoff messages to be sent. One problem is that when the network cable for a network station is manually decoupled from the network connection switching unit (11) the decoupled network station is no longer able to transmit the proper logoff message. The invention solves the problem through additional means in the network connection switching unit. These detect the decoupling of a network station. The detection means then initiate the automatic sending of the proper logoff message by the network connection switching unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Ingo Huetter
  • Publication number: 20120105193
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for detecting presence in a predefined space. The system comprises cascade connected sensors (s1, s2, . . . , sn), an output device (1), a control unit (2) and a processing unit (3). The method comprises the steps of activating a first sensor (s1) in the cascade and waiting until the first sensor detects presence. When presence is detected, a successive sensor (s2, . . . , sn) in the cascade is activated, and when the successive sensor (s2, . . . , sn) also detects presence the step of activating the successive sensor is repeated until all sensors in the cascade have been activated. If the successive sensor (s2, . . . , sn) does not detect presence the method returns to the waiting step of the first sensor. When the ultimate sensor in the cascade (sn) detects presence, a confirmation message is sent to the output device (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Tommaso Gritti
  • Patent number: 8134448
    Abstract: A method and also a control and data-transmission system is presented, with which the installation location of at least one safety bus component connected to the control and data-transmission system (10) can be checked. For this purpose, in two separate communications cycles, a respective position identifier, which had been allocated to the safety bus components (60) in a prior configuration process, is transmitted to each safety bus component via a non-safety communications control device (30). The safety bus components compare the position identifiers received in the two communications cycles to the contents of a memory, in which a reference position identifier has already been stored or which is still empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Viktor Oster, Joachim Schmidt, Steffen Horn
  • Publication number: 20120056711
    Abstract: A system for remotely operating endpoint devices, such as valves for utility services, comprises a server, one or more network access hubs, and one or more endpoint devices. The network access hubs communicate with the server through a network and communicate wirelessly with the endpoint devices. The network access hubs transmit instructions to the endpoint devices to control the operation of the endpoint devices. The network access hubs may also comprise earthquake detection circuits to detect possible earthquakes and transmit instructions to the endpoint devices to close valves accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: QMI Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hanrahan, Raymond Wood
  • Publication number: 20090167484
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a for remote control of an electrical circuit, comprising an RFID source, a remotely-mounted switch operatively coupled to an RFID tag, and an RFID receiver operatively coupled to an electrical circuit, wherein a change in state of the remotely-mounted switch is detected by the RFID tag and transmitted to the RFID receiver to control the electrical circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Jeremy Burr
  • Patent number: 7446647
    Abstract: Building monitoring and control systems including bi-directional radio frequency links between master and remote units wherein the remote units operate in a low power, non-receiving state a majority of the time is disclosed. The bi-directional capability allows coordinated scheduling which aids in allowing the remote units to transmit data only at periodic time intervals to extend battery life. The bi-directional capabilities also allow for re-read requests for alarm validation and for putting remote units in armed and disarmed states for power conservation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Helgeson
  • Patent number: 7015789
    Abstract: Building monitoring and control systems including bi-directional radio frequency links between master and remote units wherein the remote units operate in a low power, non-receiving state a majority of the time is disclosed. The bi-directional capability allows coordinated scheduling which aids in allowing the remote units to transmit data only at periodic time intervals to extend battery life. The bi-directional capabilities also allow for re-read requests for alarm validation and for putting remote units in armed and disarmed states for power conservation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Helgeson
  • Patent number: 6982625
    Abstract: An electronic event recorder for attachment to a vehicle is provided which can broadcast encrypted signature and data, thereby leaving behind an electronic version of a “fingerprint” in the event of an accident or traffic violation. The fingerprint, captured by an external data acquisition system or another vehicle so equipped, provides a history of events related to the vehicle. The event recorder is preferably integrated on a smart card and housed in a tamper proof casing. In a first mode of operation, monitoring stations along the roadways periodically send an interrogation signal, such as when radar detects that the vehicle is speeding. Upon receiving the interrogation signal the smart card transmits the vehicle's signature information to the monitoring station where it is time and date stamped along with the speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Chainer, Claude A. Greengard, Charles P. Tresser, Chai W. Wu
  • Patent number: 6892115
    Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit breakers, a plurality of node electronic units, and wherein each associated circuit breaker is electrically coupled with each respective node electronic unit. The system also includes at least one digital network, and at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) wherein each CCPU includes a first power system global information set, and each CCPU is communicatively coupled to the plurality of node electronic units. The method includes transmitting at least one digital message from each node electronic unit to each CCPU over a respective network, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital message, and transmitting at least one multicast message from each CCPU to each node electronic unit such that the circuit breakers are operable from each CCPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ertugrul Berkcan, Daniel White Sexton, Scott Charles Evans, Marc Robert Pearlman, Emad Andarawis Andarawis, Austars Raymond Schnore, Jr., Charles Scott Sealing, William James Premerlani, Changting Wang, Terry Michael Topka
  • Patent number: 6737954
    Abstract: An electronic event recorder for attachment to a vehicle is provided which can broadcast encrypted signature and data, thereby leaving behind an electronic version of a “fingerprint” in the event of an accident or traffic violation. The fingerprint, captured by an external data acquisition system or another vehicle so equipped, provides a history of events related to the vehicle. The event recorder is preferably integrated on a smart card and housed in a tamper proof casing. In a first mode of operation, monitoring stations along the roadways periodically send an interrogation signal, such as when radar detects that the vehicle is speeding. Upon receiving the interrogation signal the smart card transmits the vehicle's signature information to the monitoring station where it is time and date stamped along with the speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Chainer, Claude A. Greengard, Charles P. Tresser, Chai W. Wu
  • Patent number: 6590758
    Abstract: A wakeup circuit is disclosed that allows for provision of a circuit completing ground connection in response to actuation of a control for a networked accessory such that a resting system may draw zero current when not in use and respond upon actuation through the powering of a central control module and networked accessories. A safety circuit is also disclosed for removing power from networked accessories in the event communication with a central control module is lost. A combination circuit is disclosed wherein the safety circuit is integral with the wakeup circuit to provide a circuit appropriate for use in a system of networked accessories wherein energy conservation is a priority and improved safety in the form of improved power termination reliability is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventors: John Friede, Dan Boddicker, Mitchell P. Schmalz
  • Patent number: 6529530
    Abstract: When a CPU core 53 of a node detects change of data which comes into the node from a load 60 connected thereto on the input side, and thereby the CPU core 53 and a transmission control circuit 52 wake up, the node transmits a frame for waking-up to a transmission line 4. However, when the node receives a frame for waking-up from another node via the transmission line 4 and thereby wakes up, the node does not transmit a frame for waking-up. Thus, an increase in traffic at the time of waking up is reduced and data transmission in a normal operation mode is started soon, so that the speed of data transmission is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Ichii, Hiroo Moriue
  • Publication number: 20030011486
    Abstract: A power management system and associated method therefore includes a plurality of local wireless energy control units at remote sites for controlling power delivery to customer loads, and a central station with a wireless transmitter for broadcasting commands to the wireless energy control units. The wireless energy control units each comprise a bank of switches for controlling power delivery to electrical loads at each local site. The controllable switches preferably have a deformable bimetal member controlled by a heated coil for engaging and disengaging electrical contacts. Each wireless energy control unit is capable of being pre-configured so as to specify the order or priority in which electrical loads are disengaged, in response to commands to reduce power consumption received from the central station. The central station may issue power reduction commands according to different priority levels or alert stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Yingco Electronic Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ying