Patents Examined by Crystal J Barnes Bullock
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Patent number: 11979023Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining relative value of loads. In one embodiment the method comprises determining, for a load in a plurality of loads where (i) each load in the plurality has a weight and a value associated with it and (ii) the plurality is operating according to a primary solution where a net weight of all loads with an activated state satisfies a primary threshold, a change in operating state; determining a secondary solution for a subset of loads not including the load having the change, such that a net weight of all loads in the subset with an activated state satisfies a secondary threshold based on the primary threshold; and determining, based on the values of loads in the subset that have operating states in the secondary solution different from their operating states in the primary solution, an updated value for the load having the change.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.Inventor: Donald Richard Zimmanck
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Patent number: 11971186Abstract: An information processing apparatus performs a first estimation process based on a data set including a combination of information indicating a situation and information on power consumption when a first air conditioner, installed in a predetermined location, has been operated. The first estimation process is a process of estimating information on power consumption when the first air conditioner, installed in the predetermined location, is operated in a predetermined situation.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2020Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Tadafumi Nishimura, Kouji Nagasawa
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Patent number: 11953223Abstract: Detector (300) detects information regarding air quality. First communicator (330) is compatible with a first system for controlling equipment. Second communicator (340) is compatible with a second system for accumulating the information regarding the air quality. Controller (310) transmits the information regarding the air quality to the second system based on a state of the information regarding the air quality having been detected.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Kazuyuki Kobayashi
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Patent number: 11927357Abstract: A system includes a plurality of thermostats corresponding to a plurality of HVAC systems that serve a plurality of spaces and a computing system communicable with the plurality of thermostats via a network. The computing system is configured to, for each space of the plurality of spaces, obtain a set of training data relating to thermal behavior of the space, identify a model of thermal behavior of the space based on the set of training data, perform a model predictive control process using the model of thermal behavior of the space to obtain a temperature setpoint for the space, and provide the temperature setpoint to the thermostat corresponding to the HVAC system serving the space. The plurality of thermostats are configured to control the plurality of HVAC systems in accordance with the temperature setpoints.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventors: Kerry M. Bell, Bridget E. Kapler, Alan S. Schwegler, Leyla Mousavi, Kierstyn R. Robbins, Robert D. Turney, Matthew J. Ellis, Michael J. Wenzel, Mohammad N. ElBsat, Juan Esteban Tapiero Bernal, Brennan H. Fentzlaff
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Patent number: 11916377Abstract: A control system (300) allows recognized standard premise electrical outlets, for example NEMA, CEE and BS, among others to be remotely monitored and/or controlled, for example, to intelligently execute blackouts or brownouts or to otherwise remotely control electrical devices. The system (300) includes a number of smart receptacles (302) that communicate with a local controller (304), e.g., via power lines using the TCP/IP protocol. The local controller (304), in turn, communicates with a remote controller (308) via the internet.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Zonit Structured Solutions, LLCInventors: Steve Chapel, William Pachoud
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Patent number: 11904887Abstract: A traveling vehicle travels along a traveling path and includes a main body, a traveler to allow a main body to travel along the traveling path, an LED array provided at the main body to switch a display manner according to a state of the traveling vehicle, an imager to capture an image of the LED array at a traveling vehicle located ahead of the traveling vehicle, and a controller configured or programmed to acquire a state of the traveling vehicle ahead based on the display manner captured by the imager, and to control the traveler of the traveling vehicle based on the acquired state.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2019Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.Inventors: Munekuni Oshima, Taiji Yamashita, Seiji Yamagami
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Patent number: 11906984Abstract: Provided is a concentration control system that has only a small time delay, obtains accurate estimated values, and also enables partial pressure control having improved responsiveness and accuracy. The system includes a flow rate control device provided on a supply flow path that supplies gas to a chamber, and controls a flow rate of a gas in the supply flow path to match a set flow rate, a partial pressure measurement device for a gas inside the chamber, an observer having a model which estimates a state of the gas inside the chamber, where a flow rate of the gas flowing into the chamber and measured partial pressures are input into the model, and an estimated partial pressure of the gas within the chamber is output, and a controller that, based on a set partial pressure and on the estimated partial pressure, sets the set flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kotaro Takijiri, Ojiro Takamune
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Patent number: 11842307Abstract: A method may include receiving, via at least one processor of a cloud-computing system, an indication that a portion of a workflow is complete. Here, the workflow is associated with commissioning one or more well devices at a hydrocarbon site. The method may then include identifying one or more subsequent portions of the workflow to be performed and sending the one or more subsequent portions to one or more computing devices associated with one or more users assigned to the one or more well devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2021Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Sensia Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Andrew Weatherhead, Edward Anthony Gray
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Patent number: 11832562Abstract: Methods and systems for providing nutrients to a plant are provided herein in which a feed solution containing water and solubilized nutrients are delivered to the plant at a desired ratio of concentration of water to fertilizer at each watering event in order to provide the plant with a consistent water to mineral ratio within their vascular system.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Inventor: Gordon Arthur Redman
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Patent number: 11824351Abstract: A system and method for dynamically and automatically adjusting the load on a power grid through micro adjustments of equipment coupled to the consumer side of the power grid. The system allowing for the automatic adjustment of equipment to either decrease or increase instantaneous power demand on the grid in response to peak demands and demand valleys to smooth the demand curve on the power grid. The system able to balance demand within the grid to adjust demand within various different portions of the power grid and allowing for reducing the power buffer supplied by electric utilities to reduce waste and carbon emissions.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Budderfly, Inc.Inventors: Albert Subbloie, Christopher J. DeBenedictis, Kenneth Buda, Jaan Leemet
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Patent number: 11820036Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate generally to facilitate performing a task on a surface such as woodworking or printing. More specifically, in some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to mapping the surface of the material and determining the precise location of a tool in reference to the surface of a material. Some embodiments relate to obtaining and relating a design with the map of the material or displaying the current position of the tool on a display device. In some embodiments, the present disclosure facilitates adjusting, moving or auto-correcting the tool along a predetermined path such as, e.g., a cutting or drawing path.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Shaper Tools, Inc.Inventors: Alec Rothmyer Rivers, Ilan Ellison Moyer
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Patent number: 11810090Abstract: A key-duplicating system comprises a network that includes a multiplicity of kiosks at a multiplicity of different locations, each of the kiosks having a customer interface and a processor coupled to the customer interface. A remote central server coupled to the kiosks is adapted to receive, from the kiosks, information identifying master keys to be duplicated. A key analysis module uses the information identifying master keys to be duplicated to derive information required to produce duplicates of the identified master keys, and a key duplicating module uses that information to produce duplicates of said identified master keys.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Freeman
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Patent number: 11811549Abstract: A control system may comprise a plurality of audio output devices (e.g., controllable speakers), and a remote control device having at least one button for selecting a preset, where the preset defines different commands for at least two of the audio output devices. The at least two audio output devices may be configured to be controlled according to the different commands (e.g., starting, pausing, or stopping playback, adjusting volume, etc.) in response to an actuation of the button of the remote control device. The control system may also comprise a load control device, such as a dimmer configured to control an intensity of a lighting load to a predetermined intensity in response to the actuation of the button of the remote control device to select the preset. The audio output device may be configured to play a feedback signal indicating an operational characteristic of the dimmer.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Christopher M. Jones, Neil R. Orchowski, David T. Saveri, III
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Patent number: 11797652Abstract: An execution plan segment of an execution plan can be received at a control unit of a computer numerically controlled machine from a general purpose computer. The execution plan segment can define operations for causing movement of a moveable head of the computer numerically controlled machine to deliver electromagnetic energy to effect a change in a material within an interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine. The execution plan segment can include a predefined safe pausing point from which the execution plan can be restarted while minimizing a difference in appearance of a finished work-product relative to if a pause and restart are not necessary. Operations of the computer numerically controlled machine can be commenced only after determining that the execution plan segment has been received up to and including the predefined safe pausing point by the computer numerically controlled machine.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Glowforge, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Shapiro, Mark Gosselin, Anthony Wright, Dean Putney, Timothy Ellis, Lauren Banka
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Patent number: 11781769Abstract: Techniques for performing an emissions demand response event are described. In an example, a cloud-based HVAC control server system receives an emissions rate forecast for a predefined future time period. Using the emissions rate forecast, a plurality of emissions differential values are created for a plurality of points in time during the predefined future time period. The emissions differential values represent a change in predicted emissions over time. Based on the plurality of emissions differential values and a predefined maximum number of emissions demand response events, an emissions demand response event is generated during the predefined future time period. The cloud-based HVAC control server system then causes a thermostat to control an HVAC system in accordance with the generated emissions demand response event.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Samuel Y. Chang, Kristoffer J. Donhowe, Ramya Bhagavatula, Jeffrey Gleeson, Kevin Chen
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Patent number: 11762345Abstract: Real-time dynamic optimization of a process model in an online model-based process control computing environment. A mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) solver utilizes grouping of first-principle model units to implement constraints of the underlying process. A group identifier parameter and a group complement parameter enable the grouping behavior through association with the first-principles model units.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: AVEVA SOFTWARE, LLCInventors: Rajkumar Vedam, James Jude Kattapuram, Kishore Kumar Hemachandran, Sankararao Boddupalli, Pranav Bhaswanth Madabhushi, Gareth Hillier, Mallikarjun Avanna Lavate, Detong Zhang, Purt Tanartkit
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Patent number: 11754983Abstract: Method and environment controller for inferring via a neural network one or more commands for controlling an appliance. A predictive model generated by a neural network training engine is stored by the environment controller. The environment controller determines at least one room characteristic. The environment controller receives at least one environmental characteristic value and at least one set point. The environment controller executes a neural network inference engine, which uses the predictive model for inferring the one or more commands for controlling the appliance. The inference is based on the at least one environmental characteristic value, the at least one set point and the at least one room characteristic. The environment controller transmits the one or more commands to the controlled appliance.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Distech Controls Inc.Inventor: Francois Gervais
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Patent number: 11754308Abstract: A system and method for cooling a building using cool fresh outside air is disclosed. When the integrated thermostat is operating during a heating period, the integrated thermostat operates a remote air conditioning unit, such as a furnace, an HVAC unit, an electric baseboard heater, or a heat pump, to heat air provided to the building interior. When the integrated thermostat is operating during a cooling period or a fresh air cooling period, the integrated thermostat compares the indoor air temperature with the temperature of the outdoor fresh air. The integrated thermostat operates a remote fan, such as a whole-house exhaust fan, to draw the cooler fresh air into the building interior in response to the outdoor air temperature being less than the indoor air temperature and/or in response to the indoor temperature being greater than a fresh air cooling set point stored in the memory.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Inventor: Jason Sullins
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Patent number: 11747771Abstract: Inference server and environment controller for inferring via a neural network one or more commands for controlling an appliance. The environment controller determines at least one room characteristic. The environment controller receives at least one environmental characteristic value and at least one set point. The environment controller transmits the at least one environmental characteristic, set point and room characteristic to the inference server. The inference server executes a neural network inference engine using a predictive model (generated by a neural network training engine) for inferring the one or more commands for controlling the appliance. The inference is based on the received at least one environmental characteristic value, at least one set point and at least one room characteristic. The inference server transmits the one or more commands to the environment controller, which forwards the one or more commands to the controlled appliance.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Distech Controls Inc.Inventor: Francois Gervais
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Patent number: 11725839Abstract: An air conditioner control method includes: determining whether a local air conditioner detects a positioning marker; when the local air conditioner detects the positioning marker, determining whether there are any other air conditioner which detect the positioning marker simultaneously with the local air conditioner; and if so, obtaining a position relation between the local air conditioner and the other air conditioners according to the positioning marker.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2019Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of ZhuhaiInventors: Xuewei Wu, Huasheng Yang, Jingui Xie, Yuanchang Mao