Patents Examined by Crystal J Barnes Bullock
  • Patent number: 11916377
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Zonit Structured Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Chapel, William Pachoud
  • Patent number: 11906984
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kotaro Takijiri, Ojiro Takamune
  • Patent number: 11904887
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventors: Munekuni Oshima, Taiji Yamashita, Seiji Yamagami
  • Patent number: 11842307
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Sensia Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Andrew Weatherhead, Edward Anthony Gray
  • Patent number: 11832562
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventor: Gordon Arthur Redman
  • Patent number: 11820036
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Shaper Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Alec Rothmyer Rivers, Ilan Ellison Moyer
  • Patent number: 11824351
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Budderfly, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Subbloie, Christopher J. DeBenedictis, Kenneth Buda, Jaan Leemet
  • Patent number: 11810090
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Freeman
  • Patent number: 11811549
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Jones, Neil R. Orchowski, David T. Saveri, III
  • Patent number: 11797652
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Glowforge, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Shapiro, Mark Gosselin, Anthony Wright, Dean Putney, Timothy Ellis, Lauren Banka
  • Patent number: 11781769
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Y. Chang, Kristoffer J. Donhowe, Ramya Bhagavatula, Jeffrey Gleeson, Kevin Chen
  • Patent number: 11762345
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: AVEVA SOFTWARE, LLC
    Inventors: Rajkumar Vedam, James Jude Kattapuram, Kishore Kumar Hemachandran, Sankararao Boddupalli, Pranav Bhaswanth Madabhushi, Gareth Hillier, Mallikarjun Avanna Lavate, Detong Zhang, Purt Tanartkit
  • Patent number: 11754308
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Jason Sullins
  • Patent number: 11754983
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Distech Controls Inc.
    Inventor: Francois Gervais
  • Patent number: 11747771
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Distech Controls Inc.
    Inventor: Francois Gervais
  • Patent number: 11725839
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai
    Inventors: Xuewei Wu, Huasheng Yang, Jingui Xie, Yuanchang Mao
  • Patent number: 11714814
    Abstract: The technology described herein solicits user feedback in order to improve the processing of contextual signal data to identify automation setting preferences. Users have limited availability or willingness to provide explicit feedback. The technology calculates an impact score that measures a possible improvement to the automation system that could result from receiving feedback. Feedback is solicited when the impact score exceeds a threshold. Other rules can be provided in conjunction with the impact score to determine when feedback is solicited, such as a daily cap on feedback solicitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Shira Weinberg Harel, Uri Zevulun
  • Patent number: 11695835
    Abstract: A method and system are provided that synchronize one or more appliances to one or more users' schedules. Sensor data may be obtained from a sensor. The sensor data may indicate a state of a first appliance. A user location may be determined. A first characteristic of the first appliance may be obtained. Based upon the user location and the sensor data, a schedule indicating when the user will desire a state change of the first appliance may be determined. A feature of the first appliance may be dynamically modified to cause the first appliance to operate according to the schedule. A notice may be sent to the user that contains information about the first appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: John Henry Grossman, IV, Scott Bartlett
  • Patent number: 11693375
    Abstract: Systems and methods may use a low speed controller in addition to an economic optimizer to achieve long-term objectives without significantly disrupting or destabilizing an electrical system. Specific long-term objectives include maximizing a capacity factor incentive and regulating battery degradation, but the methods and systems herein can be extended to more long-term objectives. A low speed controller can adjust one or more parameters of a cost function based on the relation between the projected state of the electrical system and the one or more parameters to effectuate a change to the electrical system to attempt to comply with the long-term objective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Enel X North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Rebecca G. Wolkoff
  • Patent number: 11689051
    Abstract: A system of modules which control and measure energy usage at a building which are in communication with a software program executing on a remote server controlled by a third party. The third party said usage via the software program which communicates with the modules to modify energy usage and demand for energy and is responsible or liable for energy usage charges the building where the third party does not actually use the energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Budderfly, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Subbloie