Patents Examined by Chad Rapp
  • Patent number: 8423163
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and device control method for the same are disclosed. The device control method for a mobile terminal having a touch screen, includes: downloading, during registration of a device capable of short-range wireless communication operating in a short-range communication mode, a user interface (UI) of the device; finding a list of registered devices, displaying the found list, selecting a device from the displayed list, calling the selected device, and connecting to the selected device; and displaying a device UI of the connected device on the touch screen, and controlling the connected device through the displayed device UI according to a touch operation. Electronic devices within a range can be easily and accurately controlled using a mobile terminal having a touch screen. In particular, the use of a user interface downloaded from an electronic device enables easy control of full functions of the device, enhancing user convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bum Sun Park
  • Patent number: 8423201
    Abstract: An assembly that has a rotator element, a sensor element coupled to the rotator element or assembly, and a controller element provides azimuth antenna control. The rotator element has a worm gear driven slewing ring having a through hole through which a feed line to an antenna may be inserted to accommodate continuous rotation of greater than 360 degrees or partial rotation in either direction of the antenna coupled to the rotator element. The controller element is coupled to the rotator element and to the sensor element, and the controller element receives feedback information concerning a current azimuth position of the antenna from the sensor element to control the rotator element to rotate to a future azimuth position of the antenna in accordance with a selected azimuth function and the feedback information provided by the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: United States Antenna Products, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph B. Burdette, James A. Martin
  • Patent number: 8417364
    Abstract: A computer program product, apparatus and system are disclosed for managing a manual assembly sequence by electronically referencing unique identifiers associated with physical components to be assembled in the sequence. Certain embodiments facilitate management of an assembly of a consumer product. In one embodiment, RFID tags are used as unique identifiers. Such embodiments may use RFID tags to determine the presence of the components before each assembly step in the assembly sequence and to determine that the components are being assembled in sequence. Other embodiments determine whether the components are properly assembled after being assembled, that the distance between the components falls within a predetermined range, and/or that the components for an assembly steps is properly orientation with respect to other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Seaman, Greg J. Boss, Peter G. Finn, Rick A. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8406937
    Abstract: A method of reducing electricity usage during peak demand periods includes the steps of establishing predetermined load reduction criteria representative of a desire by a power provider to reduce loading on an electricity supply grid, and coordinating with a facility having HIF lighting equipment to permit the power provider to turn-off one or more of the HIF lighting equipment by sending instructions to a master controller at the facility in response to the predetermined load reduction criteria, and establishing a list of HIF lighting equipment to be turned-off in response to the instructions, and configuring the master controller to send an override control signal to the HIF lighting equipment to implement the instructions, and configuring the HIF lighting equipment to send a response signal to the master controller providing a status of the HIF lighting equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Michael J. Potts, Jun Wang
  • Patent number: 8401690
    Abstract: In a method for processing a blank (1), in which the blank (1) can be densely sintered with shrinkage following machining and machining of the blank (1) is carried out in a machining device (7) allowing for an individual scale-up factor (F) relevant to the blank (1) for compensating for the shrinkage occurring during dense sintering, a linear measurement of the blank (1) is performed in one or more of the dimensions length, width, and height for determining the scale-up factor (F), wherein the measured linear measure (1) bears a known relationship to the scale-up factor (F), the type of blank (1) being known. Linear measurement of the blank (1) can be carried out in the machining device (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Gleditzsch, Franz Basler, David Figge
  • Patent number: 8401675
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for training, maintenance, trouble-shooting and repair of machinery and equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Intellischematic, LLC
    Inventors: Brad E. Jensen, Shane W. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8401706
    Abstract: A group of solar power stations with inverters are adjusted in order to achieve optimum power output in accordance with maximum power-point tracking (MPPT). The MPPT data is used to perform adjustments. Power measurement factors, including Maximum Power Points (MPPs) are established to represent a bus-voltage setting that produces the maximum power output from an individual photovoltaic panel. These settings are established for the group so as to optimize power output under a variety of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: ETM Electromatic
    Inventors: Jackson Moore, William L. Erdman, Edward Robert Nelson
  • Patent number: 8401708
    Abstract: The electric power supply and demand control device judges whether or not electric power shortage is occurred or whether or not electric power surplus is occurred in the electric power supplier and demander provided with the electric power supply and demand control device based on data on total electric energy, the amount of maximum electric power demanded, and the amount of total electric power demanded of the following day in each electric power supplier and demander, predicted by a neural network; receives electric power from other electric power suppliers and demanders provided with the power generation devices and/or the electrical storage devices in the case where electric power shortage is occurred in the electric power supplier and demander; and controls to deliver electric power to other electric power suppliers and demanders in the case where electric power surplus is occurred in the electric power supplier and demander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: VPEC, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nagata, Akio Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8380360
    Abstract: In a temperature control method in which a target temperature is given in a thermal treatment furnace and plural heaters are controlled according to the target temperature, the correlation of the each heater and plural profile temperature sensors provided in the thermal treatment furnace is determined, a virtual temperature is calculated on the basis of the detection temperature of each profile temperature sensor and a weighting factor calculated from the correlation, and the each heater is controlled so that the virtual temperature is coincident with the target temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventor: Hideto Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8374716
    Abstract: A computer program product stored in a computing device has a processor and a communication interface to determine cooling specifications of a remote housing. The computer program product includes a machine-readable storage medium and machine-readable program code, stored on the machine-readable storage medium. The machine readable program code includes instructions, which when executed, to cause the processor to interact with a user to obtain fan motor operating parameters and conditions. Motor operation is then controlled in accordance with the user-provided operating parameters and conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Frankel, Eric Hardt, Masaaki Matsubara, Nigel Strike, Yukihiro Tanada
  • Patent number: 8364320
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the highly precise regulation of load-variable heat sources or heat sinks, and to a device for controlling the temperature of a dynamic heat source, especially of pump diodes for solid-state lasers. According to said method, the calculated mean value of the forward flow temperature and the return flow temperature is preset as an actual value for regulating the power, in order to ensure a stabilization of the heat source even without any information on the type of thermal load and the heat quantity to be dissipated, by the mean reference temperature for the heat flow to or from the temperature-controlling medium being maintained at a constant value irrespective of the heat quantity to be dissipated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Arges Gesellschaft für Industrieplanung und Lasertechnik M.B.H.
    Inventors: Markus Guggenmos, Martin Hartmann
  • Patent number: 8335594
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating a wind farm intended for connection to an electric power network, which wind farm includes at least three wind turbine generator systems. At least one actual value for a wind speed or a parameter associated with wind speed is determined for each wind turbine generator system which are divided at least temporarily into predetermined groups. A first disconnect value is assigned to one group of wind turbine generator systems and a second different disconnect value is assigned to a second group of wind turbine generator systems. Actual values are assigned to disconnect values, and compared thereto. When the actual value exceeds the disconnect value the associated group of wind turbine generator systems is automatically disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: REpower Systems AG
    Inventors: Jens Altemark, Martin von Mutius, Dirk Steudel
  • Patent number: 8326467
    Abstract: A controller for a power system including a plurality of power system components includes a memory for storing computer-executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions program the processor to determine an operating condition of at least one first power system component and at least one second power system component of the plurality of power system components. The processor is also programmed to determine whether a predetermined condition is met based on at least one operating condition, and transmit a command to at least one other controller to at least one of electrically couple the first power system component to the second power system component and electrically decouple the first power system component from the second power system component based on whether the predetermined condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Cecil Rivers, Jr., Seth Adam Cutler, Michiel Hoogmartens
  • Patent number: 8326441
    Abstract: In the case of a control system (1) for a plurality of consumers (10) arranged in a distributed manner, in particular for lamp operating devices, having at least one command generator (5), a control line (2) which connects the command generator (5) with each consumer (10) and associated with each consumer (10) a transmission and reception unit (11) provided for communication with the command generator (5), an operating address is allocated to each consumer (10) via which the consumer (10) can be contacted by the command generator (5). In accordance with the invention there is associated with each consumer (10) a memory element (20), separate from the consumer (10), for storing the operating address, wherein the memory element (20) is connected with the associated consumer (10) via the control line (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Zumtobel Lighting GmbH
    Inventors: Karlheinz Fenkart, Bernhard Klocker
  • Patent number: 8301286
    Abstract: A remote high-performance computing material joining and material forming modeling system (100) enables a remote user (10) using a user input device (20) to use high speed computing capabilities to model materials joining and material forming processes. The modeling system (100) includes an interface module (200), an application module (300), a computing module (400), and a scheduling module (500). The interface module (200) is in operative communication with the user input device (20), as well as the application module (300), the computing module (400), and the scheduling module (500). The application module (300) is in operative communication with the interface module (200) and the computing module (400). The scheduling module (500) is in operative communication with the interface module (200) and the computing module (400). Lastly, the computing module (400) is in operative communication with the interface module (200), the application module (300), and the scheduling module (500).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Edison Welding Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudarsanam S. Babu, Chris Conrardy, Shuchi P. Khurana, Wei Zhang, Wei Gan
  • Patent number: 8301290
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method of correcting systematic, design-based, parametric variations on integrated circuit chips to minimize circuit limited yield loss. Processing information and a map of a chip are stored. The processing information can indicate an impact, on a given device parameter, of changes in a value for a specification associated with a given process step. The map can indicate regional variations in the device parameter (e.g., threshold voltage). Based on the processing information and using the map as a guide, different values for the specification are determined, each to be applied in a different region of the integrated circuit chip during the process step in order to offset the mapped regional parametric variations. A process tool can then be selectively controlled to ensure that during chip manufacturing the process step is performed accordingly and, thereby to ensure that the regional parametric variations are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Culp, John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Kirk D. Peterson, Jed H. Rankin
  • Patent number: 8301307
    Abstract: A pneumatic actuator system (200) is provided according to the invention. The system (200) comprises a pneumatic actuator (100) including an actuator component (108), with the pneumatic actuator (100) being configured to include a first actuation phase and a second actuation phase. The system (200) further comprises one or more feedback sensors configured to provide one or more actuation feedback values, an actuator valve (213) coupled to and providing a first pneumatic pressure and a second pneumatic pressure to the pneumatic actuator (100), and a controller (240) coupled to the one or more feedback sensors and the actuator valve (213). The controller (240) is configured to receive the one or more actuation feedback values from the one or more feedback sensors and control the actuator valve (213) in order to actuate the actuator component (108) according to an actuation profile and according to the one or more actuation feedback values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Norgren GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Theo Paulus, Florain Braun, Frank Schnur, Norbert Giesen
  • Patent number: 8295956
    Abstract: A production machine can be controlled by a control device in accordance with a control program which is stored in the control device. The production machine has at least two elements having interfaces, which are connected to one another at the interfaces. The control device stores element descriptions of possible elements, which respectively comprise at least one list of the existing interfaces, such that the control device can determine which elements can be connected to one another. The control device also stores a desired expansion description which at least comprises which elements the production machine has and which interfaces are said to connect the elements to one another. The control device has an operator interface which an operator of the production machine can use to request the desired expansion description which can be output to the operator on the basis of the request and can be changed by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Hertinger, Martin Kiesel
  • Patent number: 8295973
    Abstract: A control arrangement for an electric drive with a control which processes desired values and actual values of the electric drive in relation to a desired-actual control is provided. A determination device determines a derived variable in an iterative manner in accordance with the actual values and the derived variable is fed to an evaluation device. The evaluation device associates the derived variables with position values of the drive and determines, after accumulating several derived variables, characteristic values of a systematic error in the desired values and/or the actual values. In accordance with the determined characteristic values, the evaluation device determines correction values and switches the correction values to the desired values, the actual values or the difference of desired and actual values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Roland Finkler, Hans-Georg Köpken
  • Patent number: 8295984
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for detecting the position of a closure element of a movement reversal device in a dishwasher. The device determines the position of a closure element via a comparison of a value corresponding to a predefined reference position of the closure element with a signal value of a circulation pump of the dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Heisele, Anton Oblinger, Andreas Reiter, Michael Rosenbauer, David Semerad, Christian Wolf