Patents Examined by Crystal J Barnes
  • Patent number: 10895853
    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 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: DISTECH CONTROLS INC.
    Inventor: Francois Gervais
  • Patent number: 10886745
    Abstract: An apparatus in one embodiment comprises at least one processing device. The processing device comprises a processor coupled to a memory, and is configured to obtain energy usage data generated by advanced metering infrastructure of a particular energy usage location of an electrical distribution system, to model a virtual localized energy storage device for the particular energy usage location, and to execute an algorithm to control charging and discharging of the virtual localized energy storage device based at least in part on the energy usage data and associated pricing data of the electrical distribution system. The processing device is further configured to provide an interface through which a user can adjust one or more parameters for controlling energy usage at the particular energy usage location based at least in part on a charge state of the virtual localized energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventor: Edwin A. Cowen, III
  • Patent number: 10874490
    Abstract: A method for producing a dental prosthesis, the method including the following steps: affixing several prefabricated prosthetic teeth in a support; producing a prosthetic base according to a virtual model with a CAM method to create tooth sockets that lie parallel to each other; processing the prosthetic teeth basally and adjacent cervically while held in the support in accordance with the virtual model using a CAM method, so that the roots of the prosthetic teeth produced lie parallel to each other when the prosthetic teeth are inserted into the prosthetic base; and, inserting the processed prosthetic teeth together or in groups into the tooth sockets of the prosthetic base and attaching the processed prosthetic teeth in the tooth sockets. Also provided are a dental prosthesis produced by the method and a device for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Kulzer GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Ruppert, Stephan Dekert
  • Patent number: 10859985
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device to control a window or a window shading device, based on at least indoor temperature or indoor humidity, and a temperature setpoint or a humidity setpoint. The devices of the invention have a number of interesting applications, such as the control of temperature or humidity in the room. The invention also discloses embodiments including the detection of the presence or absence of a human being in the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: NETATMO
    Inventors: Chadi Gabriel, Frédéric Potter, Romain Paoli, Emmanuelle Thomas
  • Patent number: 10859986
    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: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Enel X North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Rebecca G. Wolkoff
  • Patent number: 10845794
    Abstract: A state identification device includes: a feature amount extraction unit that extracts a feature amount from physical data of a machine tool unit which shifts to a plurality of operation states; a feature amount storage unit in which a region is provided as a storage destination of the extracted feature amount for each of the plurality of operation states to which the machine tool unit shifts; a similarity calculation unit that calculates a similarity between the extracted feature amount and a feature amount stored in the feature amount storage unit; a state determination unit that determines an operation state of the machine tool unit based on the calculated similarity; and a storage destination determination unit that determines the region serving as the storage destination of the extracted feature amount based on a determination result of the state determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hideo Sakai, Masaaki Maeda, Yuichi Sakurai, Masayoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10843821
    Abstract: A method and system may be provided for determining a set of parameters for preparing a skin for assembly to a substructure. The skin may be nondestructively inspected to gather a data set relating to the skin thickness. Sets of as-built thickness values for the skin and of deviations from a nominal map of the skin thickness may be calculated. A mating area for the skin and substructure and a set of one or more locations for fastener holes in the mating area may be determined. A set of parameters for the one or more fastener holes and a set of one or more fastener lengths may be generated using the deviations. A tool may cut the one or more fastener holes using the set of parameters and the skin and substructure may be fastened using fasteners selected according to the generated set of one or more fastener lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Roger W. Engelbart, John William Adams, James C. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 10845768
    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 receives at least one environmental characteristic value (for example, at least one of a current temperature, current humidity level, current carbon dioxide level, and current room occupancy). The environment controller receives at least one set point (for example, at least one of a target temperature, target humidity level, and target carbon dioxide level). 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 based on the at least one environmental characteristic value and the at least one set point. The environment controller transmits the one or more commands to the controlled appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: DISTECH CONTROLS INC.
    Inventors: Francois Gervais, Carlo Masciovecchio, Dominique Laplante
  • Patent number: 10846715
    Abstract: An energy operation system, apparatus, and method capable of stably supplying energy and providing adjustment control based on prediction precision and planning precision for energy supply and demand. An energy operation apparatus includes a demand predictor, planner, evaluator, and solution quality controller. The demand predictor predicts demand and/or a power generation amount of future energy in a management area. The planner prepares a future energy supply plan in the management area based on a prediction. The evaluator evaluates supply and/or demand conditions including at least one of future weather in the management area, energy demand in the management area, a demand density and/or a generation density of future energy in the management area. The solution quality controller controls the quality of at least one of a prediction solution of the demand predictor and the energy supply plan of the planner based on an evaluation result from the evaluator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Tohru Watanabe, Isao Hagiya, Masamichi Nakamura, Yu Ikemoto, Masato Utsumi, Masashi Fukaya, Jyunpei Ogawa, Hiroaki Ogawa, Ikuo Shigemori, Hiroshi Iimura
  • Patent number: 10838371
    Abstract: Information is collected from a management target device having a drive unit such as a machine tool, and this collected information is more practically used. An information collection device includes a collection unit that collects, from management target devices having a drive unit, operating state information which is information indicating an operating state of the management target device while operating accompanying movement of the drive unit; and a comparison unit that extracts a plurality of sets of information matching in a predetermined condition from the operating state information thus collected, and outputs a comparison result of the plurality of sets of information thus extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORAITON
    Inventor: Tadashi Okita
  • Patent number: 10837665
    Abstract: An HVAC system within a building including a ventilator, a number of sensors, and a control device. The control device has a processor that is configured to receive a request to operate the ventilator. The control device is further configured to determine a status of a minimum runtime mode of the ventilator. The minimum runtime mode operates the ventilator for a minimum amount of each time in a predefined time period. The control device is further configured to determine an air quality value. The air quality value is based on one or more measurements provided to the control device by the plurality of sensors. The control device is further configured to operate the ventilator based on the air quality value being determined to be below an acceptable value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Ajax, Joseph R. Ribbich, Joseph Michael Ruggiero
  • Patent number: 10838375
    Abstract: Inference server and environment controller for inferring one or more commands for controlling an appliance. The environment controller receives at least one environmental characteristic value (for example, at least one of a current temperature, current humidity level, current carbon dioxide level, and current room occupancy) and at least one set point (for example, at least one of a target temperature, target humidity level, and target carbon dioxide level); and forwards them 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 based on the received at least one environmental characteristic value and the received at least one set point; and transmits the one or more commands to the environment controller. The environment controller forwards the one or more commands to the controlled appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: DISTECH CONTROLS INC.
    Inventors: Francois Gervais, Carlo Masciovecchio, Dominique Laplante
  • Patent number: 10838470
    Abstract: A monitoring system may include a sensor configured to be mounted inside a computer chassis and generate sensor signals representative of a temperature associated with at least one computer component inside the computer chassis. The monitoring system may also include a sensor processor configured to receive the sensor signals and determine the temperature associated with the at least one computer component based at least in part on the sensor signals. The sensor processor may also be configured to compare the determined temperature with an expected temperature associated with the at least one computer component, and initiate a response when the determined temperature differs from the expected temperature by an amount equal to or greater than a threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: American Megatrends International, LLC
    Inventor: Kai Yau
  • Patent number: 10832192
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method for prioritizing one or more instructional control strategies to reduce time-variant energy demand of a built environment associated with renewable energy sources. The computer-implemented method includes collection of a first set of statistical data, fetching of a second set of statistical data, accumulation of a third set of statistical data, reception of a fourth set of statistical data and gathering of fifth set of statistical data. Further, the computer-implemented method includes parsing and comparison of the first set of statistical data, the second set of statistical data, the third set of statistical data, the fourth set of statistical data and the fifth set of statistical data. In addition, the computer-implemented method includes identification and prioritization of one or more instructional control strategies to reduce the time-variant energy demand associated with the built environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: CONECTRIC, LLC
    Inventor: Phillip Kopp
  • Patent number: 10820970
    Abstract: A method of making a dental restoration has the steps of: determining a virtual space available for accommodation of a dental restoration for a tooth to be restored; retrieving a predefined virtual master dental restoration surface from a database; fitting the virtual master dental restoration surface in the space to provide a virtual outer dental restoration surface; creating a virtual inner dental restoration surface independent of a shape of the tooth to be restored; providing a virtual model of a dental restoration based on a combination of the virtual outer dental restoration surface and the virtual inner dental restoration surface; and fabricating the dental restoration based on the dental restoration model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bastian Kirchner, Malte Korten, Gallus Schechner
  • Patent number: 10802475
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the positioning of a feature of a tray such that a robot may place a component in the feature are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Elite Robotics
    Inventors: Zachary Francis, Robert Kay
  • Patent number: 10795406
    Abstract: In the case where multiple individual work devices respectively executing a sequence of multiple tasks are controlled in an integrated manner by an integrated control device, log analysis among the multiple individual work devices is difficult. One of four individual work devices transmits time inquiry signal to main integrated control device via serial communication cable. Main integrated control device returns the time at time at which time inquiry signal was received to the one of four individual work devices to which time inquiry signal was transmitted. One of four individual work devices receives a reply from main integrated control device at time, adds the communication time to the time at time, and calculates the time at time. One of four individual work devices starts the calculation of the in-device time from calculated time as a starting point. One of four individual work devices logs based on in-device time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Asada
  • Patent number: 10775064
    Abstract: A method for real-time temperature management is described. In one embodiment, the method includes configuring a setting to trigger a thermal sensor to capture a thermal image of an area inside a premises and capturing, via the thermal sensor, a first thermal image of the area of the premises. In some embodiments, upon detecting the trigger, the method includes capturing, via the thermal sensor, a second thermal image of the area of the premises and identifying a thermal exchange in the area of the premises by comparing the first thermal image with the second thermal image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventor: JonPaul Vega
  • Patent number: 10775810
    Abstract: A controller apparatus for controlling IoT devices has a rotation disk, a rotation detection circuit, a control circuit, a wireless circuit, a circuit board and a housing. The rotation disk has a rotating shaft in an inner surface of the rotation disk for generating a rotation operation, where the rotation operation is either a clockwise rotation or a counterclockwise rotation. The rotation detection circuit is used for detecting the rotation operation of the rotating shaft. The control circuit retrieves the rotation operation from the rotation detection circuit, and generates a control instruction according to the rotation operation to the wireless circuit to control a corresponding external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: XIAMEN ECO LIGHTING CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Jiaqing Zhuang, Shuwen Zhou, Fengyu Yan
  • Patent number: 10775860
    Abstract: An example base management controller interface is provided herein. The base management controller interface includes a power monitoring interface, a temperature interface, and a flow control interface. The power monitoring interface is connected to a management software to distribute and monitor additional power to a host server. The temperature interface to monitor a temperature of the host server. The flow control interface to control a flow rate of liquid in a liquid cooling manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: James Lee Armes, John Norton