Patents Examined by Christopher E Everett
  • Patent number: 9763356
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, from a temperature sensor disposed within an electronic device, temperature input relative to a first heat generating component; the first heat generating component being upstream of a cooling element of the electronic device; receiving, from a temperature sensor disposed within an electronic device, temperature input relative to a second heat generating component; the second heat generating component being downstream of the cooling element; and controlling the cooling element to cool the first and second heat generating components based on both the temperature input relative to the first heat generating component and the temperature input relative to the second heat generating component. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Marc Richard Pamley, Timothy Samuel Farrow, Omar Ali Ali, William Fred Martin-Otto
  • Patent number: 9760956
    Abstract: For optimizing a chronological development of consumption of electric power by a group of different consumers with regard to a supply of electric power including electric power from at least one wind or solar power generator, characteristic time curves of the consumption of electric power are determined at a high temporal resolution. A prognosis is made of a chronological development of the supply of electric power from the at least one power generator for a future period of time, and a plan for apportioning electric power to the individual consumers within the future period of time is made based on the characteristic time curves of the consumption of electric power by the individual consumers, the prognosis, and user goal setting by a user of the consumers resulting in different weightings of consumption of electric power by different consumers and supply of electric power by different power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Bjoern Magnussen, Christian Hoehle, Raimund Thiel
  • Patent number: 9746842
    Abstract: One or more commercial appliances for handling food and/or one of more subsystems of commercial appliances for handling food are linked to a master controller for controlling the operation of the commercial appliance(s) and/or its subsystem(s) via one or more CAN modules and a CAN bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Robert J. Reese, Jeffrey A. Stafford, David Robert Jones, Philip Gregory Geerling
  • Patent number: 9739498
    Abstract: A passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor system includes a non-contact thermopile detector for capturing infrared energy from a focused upon area in a room or zone deemed most likely to be occupied and generating a thermopile temperature signal therefrom, a pyroelectric detector for viewing through multiple passive lens elements (lenslets) that form PIR beams from a large portion of the room or zone and generating a pyroelectric signal therefrom, an ambient temperature sensor for sensing an ambient temperature in the room or zone and generating an ambient temperature signal detection threshold that is utilized in PIR detection therefrom and a microcomputer configured to process the thermopile temperature signal, the pyroelectric signal and the ambient temperature signal and determine whether the room or zone is occupied or unoccupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Fred Katz
  • Patent number: 9740182
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling manufacturing equipment are provided herein. In some embodiments, a manufacturing system may include an integrated controller having one or more inputs to receive input values corresponding to operating information of at least one of a process tool, a mass flow controller or at least one sub-fab auxiliary system, wherein the integrated controller is configured to receive the input values, determine that an error condition is matched based on the received input values, and control the at least one sub-fab auxiliary system to operate at a fail-safe operating mode responsive to the determined error condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel O. Clark, Youssef A. Loldj, Shaun W. Crawford, Maxime Cayer, Tony H. Tong, Eric Rieske
  • Patent number: 9732976
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing constant airflow based on direct motor power control and advanced motor system modeling are described. A power and speed of a motor may be determined based on static pressure in the system. A target airflow rate for the system may be obtained, and a target motor power that yields the target airflow rate in the system may be determined based on the determined speed of the motor and the obtained target airflow rate for the system. A determination of whether the determined motor power is approximately equal to the target motor power may be made, and the power of the motor may be adjusted when the motor power is not approximately equal to the target motor power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ZHONGSHAN BROAD-OCEAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jizhong Wang, Zheng Zhang, Yiqiao Zhou, Yong Zhao
  • Patent number: 9729012
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of active grid elements. Grid elements are transformed into active grid elements following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. A multiplicity of active grid elements function in the grid for supply capacity, supply and/or load curtailment as supply or capacity. Also preferably, messaging is managed through a network by a coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Causam Energy, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Forbes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9726392
    Abstract: A generic user interface for rapid application development on a stand-alone control platform. A user interface may be designed using generic menu methodology consisting of predefined tables, fonts, and templates, such that table entries and menu selections are made based on the platform. An example platform may be designed from function blocks from a function block engine. An application may be developed to run on the control platform (within the constraints of the hardware and function block engine), and a corresponding user interface may be automatically generated by populating the generic tables of the user interface methodology based on simple user input during placement of the function blocks, as an example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul C. Wacker
  • Patent number: 9718159
    Abstract: A tool may be configured at least with a fastener that can be accessed with a shaped bit. A controller portion of the tool can be arranged to predict bit deflection that enables a tool configuration to be adapted in response to actual bit deflection to conform to the predicted bit deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Shawn A. Ruden, Kevin J. Spiczka, Brad E. Rowell
  • Patent number: 9720394
    Abstract: A method for operating an automation system having automation units, a computer program for implementing the method and a computer system having such a computer program, wherein technology-oriented plant description data is stored in the automation system, the plant description data is organized in an object tree with nodes and edges, and wherein the plant description data comprises references to program data in individual automation programs and nodes of the object tree (36) containing references to program data are stored in or at least also in that automation unit which provides the respective program data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Pohlan
  • Patent number: 9715261
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamically balancing at least one load characterized by an associated energy reservoir with at least one renewable energy source where both the load and the renewable energy source coupled to a power transmission system. A central controller regulates energy delivery to one or more loads over the power transmission system by anticipating energy demand over an interval of time, accounting for the status of the associated energy reservoir. Each load is linked with at least one renewable energy source. The anticipated energy demand is synchronized with delivery of energy by the renewable energy source by commands delivered to a local switching and monitoring device coupled to the load and subject to override by a local user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Wilkins, Charles Grunewald
  • Patent number: 9715222
    Abstract: A data center infrastructure management (DCIM) system having an infrastructure control fabric (ICF) subsystem for enabling a manager component of an independent computing device to communicate directly with the DCIM system. The DCIM system, in one embodiment, may have a manageability subsystem engine for monitoring data being transmitted from the independent computing device. A domain model may be included that has an extension relating to information on the independent computing device. A services server may be used which provides a shared services infrastructure layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Avocent Huntsville, LLC
    Inventors: Arnaldo Zimmermann, Fanny Wakizaka, Marcelo E. Peccin, Vibhor Kalley, Steven Geffin, Bharat A. Khuti, Sean Nicholson
  • Patent number: 9705327
    Abstract: A power metering system includes any number of sites and a central database. Loads within a site are unmetered and a sensor data vector over time includes sensor data, operational data and external data. Iteration occurs over time intervals for all unmetered loads and the unmeasured power for each interval is disaggregated by matching a load type with a computer model in the central database having the same feature domain in order to predict the power usage of each load. Iteration again occurs over those intervals in which only a single load is operating; the power of that load is determined to be the unmeasured power minus miscellaneous power, and a new computer model is fitted for that single load and also uploaded to the database. The feature domain of an existing model may also be increased. Both iteration steps repeat until no more unmeasured power can be disaggregated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: RESTORE NV
    Inventor: Jan-Willem Rombouts
  • Patent number: 9701017
    Abstract: A process application robot system in which a process condition can be adjusted even when operation limitation regarding setting the condition is valid, while ensuring safety regarding management and operation of the process condition. The robot system includes a robot which carries out a predetermined process operation; a robot controller which controls the robot; a process controller which controls a processing treatment in the process operation; an interface part for setting, changing or adjusting a process condition which determines a content of the process treatment; and a process condition change managing part which carries out an operation limitation with respect to setting of or setting change in the process condition. The content of the process condition which is set when the operation limitation is invalid is determined as a reference condition, and the process condition can be adjusted within an adjustable range based on the reference condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shun Kotera
  • Patent number: 9696692
    Abstract: One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media having program instructions stored thereon for enhancing an automation environment is provided. When executed by a processor, the program instructions direct the processor to at least identify at least a primary data verification value generated by a primary control process that provides control in an industrial automation environment, and to identify at least a secondary data verification value generated by a secondary control process associated with the primary control process. The program instructions also direct the processor to compare the primary data verification value with at least the secondary data verification value to determine if an error has occurred with respect to the primary control process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Julien Chouinard
  • Patent number: 9696704
    Abstract: A motor control system is provided that includes a communication gateway that facilitates connection of components, such as a motor starter, an operator interface, and a terminal block, through a digital communication link. The communication gateway includes control logic designed to discover interface and operational components connected to the digital communication link upon start-up of the motor control system. The control logic may then set up an operational profile for the motor control system based on the discovered components. For example, the control logic may retrieve and load an operational profile that corresponds to the set of discovered components from a storage of the communication gateway. The operational profile can then be used during operation of the motor control system to govern the functionality of the motor control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dayin Xu, David D. Brandt, David Lee Jensen, Wayne H. Wielebski, Goulin Zhang, Ping S. Lee
  • Patent number: 9690306
    Abstract: A method of adjusting port parameters. A source device establishes an initial output voltage swing and an emphasis level for output signals from a display port interface as a result of executing a link training process with a target device. A processor determines that a prescribed temperature threshold has been exceeded by a source device temperature. The output voltage swing and emphasis levels are set to different output voltage swing and emphasis levels as a consequence of determining that the prescribed temperature threshold has been exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Jacob Warren Kimbrell
  • Patent number: 9690266
    Abstract: An arrangement configured to control an environmental parameter in a building space includes a building automation system. The building automation system includes a plurality of field devices configured to control the environmental parameter within the building space. The arrangement further includes a motion detector configured to determine a number of humans within the building space and a measure of movement for the number of humans. The building automation system is configured to control the field devices based at least in part on the determined number of humans and the measure of movement for the number of humans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventor: Pornsak Songkakul
  • Patent number: 9691110
    Abstract: Method and system for providing volume manufacturing of customizable items including receiving a data package including a plurality of manufacturing parameters, each of the plurality of manufacturing parameters associated with a unique item, verifying the received data package, and implementing a manufacturing process associated with the received data package is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Artem Boronvinskih, Qinghui Lu, Maneesh Dhagat, Shiva P. Sambu, Evgeny Timofeyev, Dmitry Sultanov, Anton Spiridonov, Ivan Ionov, Sergey Nikolskiy, Vasily Ivanov, Alexey Vishnevskiy
  • Patent number: 9677907
    Abstract: An intelligent receptacle (or receptacle device) enables individually monitoring and/or controlling consumption of utility service by one or more loads through a supply outlet that is associated with the receptacle device. A client device may enable a user to remotely control a provision of the utility service from the supply outlet through the receptacle device. Furthermore, a utility metering device may include a virtual metering device instance that is configured to collect utility consumption data associated with the supply outlet from the receptacle device and help calibration or synchronization of utility consumption readings of the receptacle device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Itron Inc
    Inventors: John Jay Knuth, Richard Nolan DeVries, Stephen Johnson