Patents Assigned to EchoStar Technologies International Corporation
  • Patent number: 10310498
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for disabling UAVs are presented. An interrogation system may transmit an identifier request message to a UAV. The interrogation system may receive, in response to the identifier request message, a response message that indicates a UAV identifier. The interrogation system may access one or more UAV identifier databases that relate UAV identifiers with airspace definitions. The interrogation system may retrieve from the one or more UAV identifier database systems an airspace definition corresponding to the UAV identifier. The interrogation system may determine that the UAV is to be disabled based on: a location of the UAV, a restricted airspace definition, and the airspace definition corresponding to the UAV identifier. The interrogation system may then transmit a disablement instruction message to the UAV based on the location of the UAV and the airspace definition corresponding to the UAV identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation
    Inventor: Edmund Petruzzelli
  • Patent number: 10308477
    Abstract: One or more elevators can be more efficiently controlled by considering the then-current spatial capacity of the elevator. Camera images or other sensor data indicative of the occupied space in the elevator are received and processed by a control device to determine whether or not the elevator should stop at a requested floor. If the elevator is determined to lack space for additional passengers, then the elevator can bypass the requested stop and proceed without delay. If space remains, however, the elevator can stop to accommodate additional passengers. Measured spatial capacity can also be used to coordinate the actions of multiple elevators operating within a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bhavesh Patel
  • Patent number: 10294600
    Abstract: Discussed herein is a system for detecting an operating condition of a clothes washing machine or a clothes drying machine, which can include a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensor, the MEMS sensor being physically attached to the clothes washing or drying machine and a computerized controller, such as a home automation controller, can be in communication with the MEMS sensor. The computerized controller can receive signals from the MEMS sensor that indicate the state of the clothes washing or drying machine. After receiving signals indicating the state of the clothes washing or drying machine, the computerized controller can use the signals to determine the operating condition of the clothes washing or drying machine and send a notification to a user device about the clothes washing or drying machine including the operating condition of the clothes washing or drying machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation
    Inventor: William Michael Beals
  • Patent number: 10288307
    Abstract: Systems, devices and processes effectively and efficiently manage the energy consumption of shared workspaces such as meeting rooms and the like. A central control device receives scheduling information and/or sensor information relating to meeting attendees, for example, that can be used to activate or deactivate resources within the shared meeting space. Lights, computing equipment, heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) or other climate controls, electrical outlets, food or beverage preparation equipment and/or other energy-consuming resources within the workplace can be automatically controlled for efficient operation and energy conservation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bhavesh Patel
  • Patent number: 10187402
    Abstract: A request is received to reestablish a connection to an end device in a network. At least one datum is identified indicating an error condition, the at least one datum including one or more of a bit error rate (BER), a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value, and a foreign packet. Based on the one or more data values, user input is requested to deny the reestablish connection request. In response to the user input, the end device is prevented from reestablishing a link on the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation
    Inventor: William Michael Beals
  • Patent number: 10175690
    Abstract: Various arrangements relating to on-board autonomous device deactivation systems are presented. In some embodiments, a status signal is output to a transceiver and transmitted via a satellite antenna to a satellite. A timer is executed that indicates a time duration that has elapsed since receiving a previous permissible operation message via the transceiver and the satellite antenna. The time duration is compared with a stored deactivation time. Prior to the time duration reaching or exceeding the stored deactivation time, a permissible operation message indicative of the autonomous device being permitted to continue operation is received. In response to the receipt of such a permissible operation message, the time duration of the timer is reset such that operation of the autonomous device is uninterrupted. In some embodiments, if such a permissible operation message is not received, the autonomous device is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Echostar Technologies International Corporation
    Inventor: Darren Hamilton
  • Patent number: 10147318
    Abstract: A system for alerting drivers to the presence of oncoming emergency vehicles. According to an embodiment, the system includes: a first transceiver located in an emergency vehicle for transmitting GPS coordinates of the emergency vehicle, and second transceiver located in an automobile. The second transceiver is receives the transmitted information and determines a proximity of the emergency vehicle relative to the automobile. If the emergency vehicle is within a predetermined proximity of the automobile, the second transceiver causes selective attenuation of audio and video signals currently being output in order to raise driver awareness to audio/video alerts generated by the emergency vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Scott Gebers
  • Patent number: 10101717
    Abstract: A home automation data storage system is provided that can include a plurality of home automation components, each component including a storage device. The system can also include a controller database for storing control data for the home automation system. The system can also include an electronic device communicatively coupled to the plurality of home automation components, the controller database, and a computing device, the electronic device having programming instructions that cause the electronic device to receive data from the computing device, store at least a portion of the data in the storage device of a component from the plurality of home automation components, and store information associating the storage device of the component and the at least a portion of the data in the controller database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation
    Inventors: Neil T. Marten, Christopher B. Tirpak
  • Patent number: 10091017
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory, machine-readable media that facilitate personalized home automation control based at least in part on individualized protocol. First sensor data may be received, and may be indicative of an identified individual that is sensed by a set of sensors. A particularized pattern of activity of individual may be determined. Second sensor data may be indicative of an unidentified individual. Identification rules specified by a stored protocol record may include criteria for identifying sensed individuals. The second sensor data and/or identification information from another data source may be analyzed to identify the unidentified individual. A home automation rule may be determined based on the particularized pattern, which rule may include an anticipation of an operational setting of a home automation device. The home automation device may be instructed based on the determined home automation rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation
    Inventors: Kate Megan Carney Landow, Leslie Ann Harper, Rajiv Singh Cullen Pal, Marissa Brooke Mwendwa
  • Patent number: 10073428
    Abstract: The present technology relates to systems and methods for control of home automation activity based on user preferences. More specifically, the present technology relates to using a home automation system to control home automation activity based on user preferences. Example embodiments include receiving an input from a user including a set of preferences, generating a user profile using the set of preferences, receiving data indicating that a mobile device has moved from a first location to a second location, transmitting the user profile to the mobile device for application to the home automation system, receiving data indicating that the mobile device has been at the second location for a period of time, comparing the period of time to a predetermined threshold period of time, and applying the home automation settings associated with the second location to the home automation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher William Bruhn, Frank Nafe
  • Patent number: 10063641
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a systems and methods for finding wireless signals sufficient for installation of wireless home automation devices. Before such home automation devices are installed, or during the process of installing such home automation devices, the remote-control device of a wireless home automation hub may detect whether a suitable wireless signal is able to be received from the home automation hub or from a wireless repeater device at various locations on the customer premises and indicate that on the remote-control device. The remote control device may continue to display such an indication regarding the signal, or lack thereof, as the user moves about the customer premises with the remote control. In this manner, the user may find what locations on the customer premises are suitable for installation of home automation devices to communicate wirelessly with the home automation hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard A. McCarthy, III, David B. Lett, George Horkan Smith, Allan Richard Bly, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10060644
    Abstract: The present technology relates to systems and methods for control of home automation activity based on user characteristics. More specifically, the present technology relates to using a home automation system to control home automation activity based on user characteristics and weighting home automation sensors based on priority. Example embodiments include receiving an input including user preferences, assigning a weight to HVAC sensors using the preferences, generating a profile using the set of preferences and the weights, transmitting the profile to an HVAC system to run the HVAC system, receiving HVAC data recorded by the HVAC sensors, updating the HVAC profile, and transmitting the updated HVAC profile to be displayed on a television display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher William Bruhn, Frank Nafe
  • Patent number: 10049515
    Abstract: Various arrangements for determining and setting an authorization level for an unknown person are presented. Facial recognition may be performed on a received video stream. An authorized user may be recognized in the video feed. Additionally, an unknown person may be identified in the video feed. A provisional authorization level may be granted for the unknown person based on proximity between the unknown person and the authorized user in the received video stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory Greene
  • Patent number: 10027503
    Abstract: Arrangements of integrated door lock and position sensor devices are presented. A wireless interface may be configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more remote computerized devices. A sensor may be incorporated into the device that detects when the door is open or closed. A lock may be incorporated into the device that, when engaged and the door is closed, prevents the door from being opened from at least one side of the door may be incorporated into the device. A controller may be configured to determine when the door is open, shut, locked, and/or unlocked using information from the lock and the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward Kelley Patrick, William Sean Mahan, Daniel Nadeau
  • Patent number: 10007272
    Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicle docking systems and methods are presented herein. A UAV can hover in a hovering position above a docking pad of the UAV docking system based on positioning measurements. An on-board camera can image a machine-readable code present on the docking pad. The hovering position of the UAV above the docking pad can be adjusted based on imaging of the machine-readable code and ranging measurements to the docking pad. A tether can be extended from the UAV towards the docking pad. The hovering position of the UAV and extension of the tether can be adjusted such that a mating device present on a distal end of the tether engages with a coupling device of the UAV docking pad. The tether can be reeled in to the UAV to assist in lowering the UAV from the hovering position to a landing position on the docking pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Boyd Tirpak, Danny J. Minnick, Keith Gerhards
  • Patent number: 10002468
    Abstract: Various arrangements for servicing autonomous devices via satellite-based communication links are detailed herein. A satellite transponder stream of data may be monitored via a tuner for an identifier indicative of an autonomous device. An update linked with the identifier may be acquired from the satellite-transmitted transponder stream of data. The acquired update may be stored at least until the autonomous device communicatively pairs with the network-independent maintenance device. The autonomous device may be communicatively paired with the system or device that received the satellite-broadcast update. In response to having acquired the update linked with the identifier from the transponder stream of data and the autonomous device being communicatively paired with the system or device, the acquired update may be transmitted to the autonomous device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Darren Hamilton
  • Patent number: 9996066
    Abstract: Identifying errors with home HVAC systems and notifying the homeowner of the error and potential remedial steps can be useful. In some embodiments, a method is provided including receiving, at an electronic device, a temperature value and an airflow value from sensors located at a vent grate of the HVAC system. A temperature delta value can be calculated using the temperature value and an ambient temperature value. The temperature delta value can be compared with predetermined temperature delta threshold value. The airflow value can be compared with predetermined airflow threshold value. Based on comparing the temperature delta value step and/or the comparing the airflow value step, an error with the HVAC system can be identified. A notification of the error and subsequent potential remedial steps can be sent from the electronic device to the homeowner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: William Michael Beals
  • Patent number: 9989507
    Abstract: Various arrangements for detecting and mitigating toxic gases are presented. Components of a home automation system may be used to monitor gas concentrations in home. Changes or elevated levels of gas concentrations may trigger mitigation or diagnosis procedures. Diagnosis procedures may include correlating the gas sensor readings with the activity of components of a home to identify possible causality. The activity of components may be changed and altered to test correlations or determine causality between components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation
    Inventor: Mala Benn
  • Patent number: 9983011
    Abstract: Systems and methods for indicating an emergency exit path upon detection of a fire in a building structure. The systems and methods may include detecting a signal indicating presence of the fire in the building structure and determining an evacuation situation is present based on a risk assessment. In response to determining the evacuation situation is present, the systems and methods may include mapping the emergency exit path out of the building structure based on an identified location of the fire and an identified location of a person in the building structure, and operating a plurality of lighting devices in the building structure to indicate the emergency exit path out of the building structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dale Llewelyn Mountain
  • Patent number: 9978228
    Abstract: Various doorbell monitoring devices and methods are presented herein. Such arrangements may be configured to be integrated with a previously-installed doorbell and a previously-installed chime unit. A first power source may be configured to power the doorbell monitor device separate from the previously-installed doorbell and the previously-installed chime unit. A plurality of electrical connectors may be present and may be configured to be attached with preexisting terminals of the previously-installed chime unit. An actuation sensor may be present and configured to detect an actuation of the previously-installed doorbell via the two or more electrical connectors. A communication module may also be present and configured to transmit a wireless signal indicative of the ring to a receiver device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Wilson, Roopkumar Parthasarathy rao