Power Control Patents (Class 340/425.2)
  • Patent number: 11007881
    Abstract: A transmission device includes a pair of terminals connected to an electrical coupler via a pair of signal lines, a transmission unit connected to the pair of terminals via a pair of capacitors, a direct-current (DC) power supply connected in series between the pair of terminals without interposition of the pair of capacitors, and switches disposed on opposite sides of the DC power supply. A transmission device includes a pair of terminals connected to an electrical coupler via a pair of signal lines, a reception unit connected to the pair of terminals via a pair of capacitors, a load resistor and inductances connected in series between the pair of terminals without interposition of the pair of capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuya Shigeeda
  • Patent number: 9990020
    Abstract: Described herein are systems, devices, techniques and products for minimizing disruption to network systems due to false detection of a Power over Ethernet (PoE) Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) as a Powered Device (PD). The disclosed systems, devices, techniques and products provide a way for a PSE to identify itself and avoid being detected as a legacy PD. The disclosed systems, devices, techniques and products further provide a way for a PSE to identify devices that do not require power from the PSE, such as another PSE or a device that is not a PD, and disable automatic PD detection, disable PoE, or otherwise prevent injection of power/current to the other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: ARUBA NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Kapil Jain, Nitin Agrawal, Arunachalaprabhu Gunasekaran, Rangaswamy Ramaswamy, Ritesh Kapahi
  • Patent number: 9030309
    Abstract: A vehicle having an item detection system is provided having at least one indicator for selectively emitting an alarm when activated, a vehicle alarm control module, at least one radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag, and a radio frequency (“RF”) interrogator. The vehicle alarm control module is in communication with the at least one indicator and includes control logic for sending an activation data signal to the at least one indicator to selectively activate the at least one indicator. The RFID tag is configured for receiving a query RF signal and transmitting a reply RF signal upon receipt of the query RF signal. The RF interrogator is in communication with the vehicle alarm and is located within a specified distance of the RFID tag. The RF interrogator has a processor, and includes control logic for transmitting the query RF signal to the RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Grost, Matthew M. Highstrom
  • Patent number: 8914012
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring apps in a vehicle to reduce driver distraction is disclosed. A controller operating inside or in combination with the head unit of the vehicle may monitor operation of the vehicle, and generate alerts indicative of operation of the vehicle (such as an alert indicative that the vehicle is operating at a predetermined speed). In response to the alert, the operation of the app in the vehicle may be modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Excelfore Corporation
    Inventors: John Edward Crosbie, Anoop Balakrishnan, Shrikant Acharya, Shrinath Acharya
  • Patent number: 8786401
    Abstract: An extendable flush door handle assembly for a door or liftgate of a vehicle includes a base portion and a handle portion movably attached to the base portion. The handle portion is movable between a recessed position, where the handle portion is at least partially received in the base portion, and a partially extended position, where the handle portion extends partially outward from the base portion and is graspable by a user. The handle portion is moved from the recessed position to the partially extended position responsive to a trigger, such as a signal from a key fob or a passive entry system or a vehicle door unlock button or the like. The handle portion, when in its recessed position, is at least partially received in the base portion so as to be not readily graspable by a user until the handle portion is moved toward its partially extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Keith D. Foote, Eric S. Deuel
  • Patent number: 8774707
    Abstract: A wireless node that bridges a wireless communications gap between a first wireless device, such as a smart meter, and a wireless network, such as a smart grid network, by repeating wireless communications received by the wireless node. The wireless node is integrated with another powered device common to buildings to provide a clandestine improvement to wireless communications. Additionally, the wireless node may effect testing of the powered device and provide results of the test wirelessly to remote devices. The wireless node may take the form of an exit sign, an emergency light, a speaker, and a combination of one or more of these devices. The wireless node may also track power consumption of the repeater portion of the wireless node to provide billing credit to power consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: George Flammer, III, Eli Marlin
  • Patent number: 8760295
    Abstract: A wound dressing includes a substrate, an optical energy emitting device, and a radio frequency receiving device. The substrate is configured to engage biological tissue of a patient. The optical energy emitting device is attached to the substrate, and the radio frequency receiving device is electrically coupled with the optical energy emitting device. The radio frequency receiving device is configured to capture energy from radio frequency transmissions. The radio frequency receiving device is further configured to direct at least a portion of the energy to the optical energy emitting device. Upon receipt of the energy from the radio frequency receiving device, the optical energy emitting device is configured to emit light onto biological tissue of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Ian J. Forster
  • Patent number: 8494439
    Abstract: A method of operating a personal electronic device and an in-vehicle infotainment system includes running an application on one of the personal electronic device and the in-vehicle infotainment system. It is sensed that the personal electronic device has been, or soon will be, moved into or out of a proximity of the in-vehicle infotainment system. Information regarding a state of the one of the personal electronic device and the in-vehicle infotainment system is transferred to the other of the personal electronic device and the in-vehicle infotainment system. An application is selected for the other of the personal electronic device and the in-vehicle infotainment system. The selected application is used to replicate the state of the one of the personal electronic device and the in-vehicle infotainment system on the other of the personal electronic device and the in-vehicle infotainment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Faenger
  • Patent number: 8401587
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power supply tap includes a first wireless reception module which receives a control request which is transmitted from a remote-control terminal by a first wireless signal, a power observation module which is activated in a case where the received control request includes a power information acquisition request, and observes a total amount of power including power supplied to an electric apparatus from a power output module and power consumed by a communication control module, a first wireless transmission module which transmits the observed total amount of power to the remote-control terminal by a second wireless signal, and a switch control module which turns off a switch in a case where the control request received by the first wireless reception module includes a power-off request, thereby shutting off power supply to the electric apparatus from the power output module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takashi Minemura
  • Patent number: 8400325
    Abstract: An exemplary temperature controlled power line device includes a cable operable to transmit power. The cable includes a core and an oxidizing layer. The core and the oxidizing layer may be in selective electrical communication so as to initiate and halt oxidation of the core. The core may oxidize as a result of a galvanic reaction and the cable may be connected to a control box. The control box may be used to monitor as well as control the oxidation of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: John Dale Littleton
  • Patent number: 8310352
    Abstract: While ECUs are connected with a distribution apparatus via a communication line, each of the ECUs sends status notification representing own status to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus creates status information representing status of the ECUs in accordance with status notifications received from the ECUs connected with the distribution apparatus. This status information is sent to other distribution apparatuses together with data for synchronizing a database. The other ECUs perform similar operations to those of the ECUs, while the other distribution apparatuses perform similar operations to those of the distribution apparatus. Therefore, each of the distribution apparatuses can recognize the status of all the ECUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Miyashita
  • Patent number: 8306526
    Abstract: In order to improve the reduction of interference among cells such as pico cells and ease operations of arranging and controlling the cells, a wireless communication area measuring apparatus includes: a signal measuring unit for calculating wireless environment indicators at measuring points based on measured data of received signal strength indicators of a plurality of base stations; a transmission power determination unit for adjusting transmission power of the base stations based on margins of the received signal strength indicators; and a display unit for outputting adjustment results of the transmission power of the base stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: KDDI Corporation
    Inventor: Kenya Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 8073570
    Abstract: An unified controller for controlling a plurality of air-conditioning systems which are capable of air-conditioning individual air-conditioning rooms of a building using different schemes. The unified controller is located under a Building Management System (BMS) controller which simultaneously manages a plurality of systems corresponding to arrangements of the building, and simultaneously controls a multiple air-conditioning system acting as one of the air-conditioning systems and a central air-conditioning system acting as the other one of the air-conditioning systems using a single control command. The unified controller performs error correction, addition of a new function, and update of pre-loaded functions upon receiving a request from the remote controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suhgoo Kim, Tanabe Takeshi, Hyeong Joon Seo, Gyoung Rok Kim, Jae Hyo Jeong
  • Patent number: 8059576
    Abstract: The present invention concerns analog signal repeater system solutions of the general kind. It concerns in particular stability with analog signal repeater systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Geir Monsen Vavik
  • Publication number: 20110121955
    Abstract: This invention related to a kind of energy-saving control circuit connected between the electrical appliance and commercial power for turning on and off the power supply of the electrical appliances, said energy-saving control circuit comprises a relay control circuit for connecting and disconnecting the power supply of the electrical appliance; a main control module; a power conversion module; a circuit for collecting working current signals; said energy-saving control circuit further features: comprising at least a remote induction circuit at least provided with features of induction and receiving of remote signals, said remote induction circuit is connected to the main control module, said main control module, after said remote induction circuit received remote signals, will export control signals to the relay control circuit for connecting the power supply of the electrical appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: NINGBO HUADIAN ENVIROTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: BING QIN
  • Patent number: 7724650
    Abstract: Wired data telecommunications networks can make advantageous use of a communications capability between and among more than two network devices. Such capabilities may be utilized in providing redundancy of data and/or inline power capabilities from a pair of network devices to a third network device receiving the redundant capability. Impedance modulated communications are provided in a wired data telecommunications network among at least a first, second and third network device coupled together via a Y device. The Y device couples the three network devices (higher order Y devices could couple more than three devices) allowing monitoring of communications and inline power provision so that one of the network devices may act in response to monitored conditions by communicating via impedance modulated communications with one or both of the other network devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger A. Karam
  • Publication number: 20100079265
    Abstract: While ECUs are connected with a distribution apparatus via a communication line, each of the ECUs sends status notification representing own status to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus creates status information representing status of the ECUs in accordance with status notifications received from the ECUs connected with the distribution apparatus. This status information is sent to other distribution apparatuses together with data for synchronizing a database. The other ECUs perform similar operations to those of the ECUs, while the other distribution apparatuses perform similar operations to those of the distribution apparatus. Therefore, each of the distribution apparatuses can recognize the status of all the ECUs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicants: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Miyashita
  • Publication number: 20090184810
    Abstract: A signal repeater for receiving and re-transmitting signals from environmental transducers and the like, and for mechanically and electrically cooperating with existing electrically powered fixtures. More particularly, the present invention includes a housing unit for mechanically and electrically coupling to the powered fixture, a transceiver unit, and a first power supply electrically connected to the transceiver circuit and housed by the housing unit. The repeater is adapted to maintain the functionality of the fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 7421290
    Abstract: A power supply subsystem configured for connection between a LAN switch and at least one node, the power supply subsystem providing electrical power to the at least node over communication cabling, the power supply subsystem comprising: a management and control unit; at least one port for connection to a LAN switch; a combiner combining power into the communication cabling substantially without interfering with data communication between the LAN switch and the at least one node; and current limiting circuitry controlling current of the power delivered into the communication cabling via the combiner, wherein the management and control unit is operative to interrogate the at least one node to which it is intended to transmit power over the communication cabling in order to determine whether the node's characteristics allow it to receive power over the communication cabling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Microsemi Corp.—Analog Mixed Signal Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Amir Lehr, Ilan Atias, Dror Korcharz, David Pincu
  • Patent number: 7271597
    Abstract: An electronic device has a first signal path, a first power supply path, and a connector that transmits to an external device the input signal on which the voltage has been superposed. The device also has a first power supply switch inserted into the first power supply path and an amplitude detector that detects at the connector an amplitude of the input signal, a control section that determines, based on a detection output from the amplitude detector, which a connection condition of the external device to the connector is a first condition in which the external device is not connected to the connector or a second condition in which the external device is connected to the connector. Based on the connection condition, the control section turns on or off the first power supply switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Takano
  • Patent number: 7233242
    Abstract: A transmit antenna (3) is supplied with energy by a power supply unit (2). An electrical value characteristic for the transmit power is compared to a comparison value and the length of a time interval is measured in which the characteristic value at least reaches or exceeds the comparison value. Depending on the length of this time interval the transmit power is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mark Elliott, Matthias Münch, Wolfgang Reiml, Dieter Sass
  • Patent number: 7212102
    Abstract: A system for, and method of, providing device integrated battery backup with power source monitoring and manipulation and a public safety communications infrastructure incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a power supply couplable to a primary source of electric power, (2) a network interface, coupled to the power supply and configured to allow the power supply to be remotely controlled and monitored, (3) a rechargeable backup source of electric power coupled to the power supply and (4) a nonrechargeable backup source of electric power coupled to the power supply, the power supply configured to monitor the primary source and the rechargeable backup source and select one of the primary source, the rechargeable backup source and the nonrechargeable backup source based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: PHC LLC
    Inventors: Henry D. Meitzen, Maurice L. Pipkin
  • Patent number: 6704181
    Abstract: Disclosed is a “smart” power circuit protection system in which the trip level of a circuit breaker is dynamically set based upon information communicated from the load over the power lines. The system is adaptable to configurations involving multiple loads protected by a single circuit breaker, and an adapter permits loads not incorporating a “smart” current reporting capability to be included in the circuit breaker load. The invention is intended to provide additional protection against line to neutral power faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Saksa
  • Patent number: 6687487
    Abstract: A repeater for use in a two way communication system for retransmitting information between a first device and a second device to help ensure reliable two way communication between the devices, comprising: a transmitter/receiver, the transmitter/receiver receiving signals from the first and second devices and transmitting the received signals for reception by the respective first and second devices; and further wherein a direct communication path for the information between the first and second devices is provided, the direct communication path being intermittently unreliable, the repeater providing an additional path for the information between the first and second devices; the repeater being spaced from said first and second devices by a specified distance, said specified distance being significantly less than a theoretical maximum communication distance thereby to ensure communication reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics, Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Mosebrook, David E. Houggy, Robert G. Palmer, Jr., Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: 6496103
    Abstract: A device, system and method for providing power in a secure manner to a network device connected to a network, such as an Ethernet network for example. The device is optionally implemented as an intelligent power supply, which is able to interrogate the network device before power is supplied, in order to determine the electrical capabilities of the device and/or whether the device is authorized to be connected to the network. Such an intelligent power supply preferably communicates with a low power communication device at each network device, which supplies the necessary information upon request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Congruency Inc.
    Inventors: Tal Weiss, Opher Yaron
  • Patent number: 6233689
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing network communications capability to a computer system in accordance with standard communication line protocols are described, including interface circuits which sense various characteristics of the communication lines to control or provide signals to control power to line drivers and/or other substantial power consuming circuitry to conserve power when communication line conditions indicate powering such circuits is not useful. Various embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Allen, Brett J. Fox, Sui Ping Shieh, Robert Bruce Denmark