Patents Examined by Crystal J Barnes
  • Patent number: 10775780
    Abstract: A causal relationship model building system includes a computer which processes information for building a causal relationship model relating to a manufacturing flow of an object to be controlled. The computer builds the causal relationship model by using monitor data representing a state of each of a plurality of steps of the manufacturing flow, and quality data as a result of an inspection step, and specifies an allowable range of the monitor data so as to satisfy a target value of the quality data, by using the causal relationship model and the target value, from prediction based on a causal relationship between a plurality of pieces of the monitor data. The computer graphically displays information including the causal relationship model and the allowable range of the monitor data on a display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuki Horiwaki, Kei Imazawa
  • Patent number: 10768015
    Abstract: A system for analyzing energy usage measures one or more parameters indicative of energy usage for a plurality of sub-circuits, where the sampling rate for the measuring is substantially continuous, and automatically transmits information related to at least one of the measured parameters at a rate that enables monitoring of current energy usage. The system further detects a significant change in a measured parameter, determines whether the significant change in the measured parameter is caused by a change in energy usage, and automatically transmits information related to the significant change in the measured parameter caused by the change in energy usage after detecting the significant change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: MelRok, LLC
    Inventors: Michel Roger Kamel, Paul W. Donahue
  • Patent number: 10772251
    Abstract: A setup support device that improves the efficiency of setup of a component mounter by guiding supplying of feeders to a component supply device as preparation for setting of the feeders. The support setup device includes: a preparation cart on which are loaded multiple of the feeders used to perform multiple production jobs; and a feeder identifying section configured to identify multiple of the feeders to be set on a component supply device among the multiple feeders loaded on the preparation cart. The preparation cart includes a guidance section configured to issue guidance all at once for the identified multiple feeders to an operator performing the setup so as to supply the identified multiple feeders to the component supply device as preparation for setting the identified multiple feeders on the component supply device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki Hayashi, Hiroyuki Haneda, Koji Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10760321
    Abstract: A thermal door release system is provided that includes a plurality of temperature sensors arranged within multiple environments; a controller; and a release apparatus; wherein the controller, using data from the temperature sensors, monitors the temperatures of the individual environments and when a temperature for an environment reaches a set temperature threshold for that environment, causes an action such as the release apparatus to operate a door to a specified position. The set points and actions to be taken can be set per environment by a user, such that different environments will have different set points. In an embodiment, the system can support staged logic such that at various different user-defined set point temperatures for an environment, specified actions can be taken, for example, sending an email to the facilities manager when the temperature is significantly above normal and closing the door when it reaches a higher set point value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventor: Rob J. Evans
  • Patent number: 10745841
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling one appliance using another appliance communicatively coupled thereto are provided. In one example aspect, a system includes a first appliance and a second appliance communicatively coupled thereto. The first appliance includes features that allow a user to control the first appliance and the second appliance from a single user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Je Kwon Yoon, Woong Jeon
  • Patent number: 10731905
    Abstract: A defrosting determination device includes: a condition specifying unit that specifies the air conditioning load condition corresponding to a pair of temperature inside the room and temperature outside the building based on condition information; a slope specifying unit that specifies the slope corresponding to the specified air conditioning load condition based on slope information; a frequency acquiring unit that acquires frequency information specifying the operation frequency of the motor; a calculation unit that calculates a threshold value by multiplying the operation frequency by the slope; a power information acquiring unit that acquires power information specifying power output to the motor; a decision unit that decides whether the power is equal to or less than the threshold value; and a determination unit that determines to start defrosting operation in response to the decision unit deciding that the power is equal to or less than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 10727784
    Abstract: In an aggregation system comprising a control apparatus which is provided for each consumer and a server apparatus, the server apparatus calculates, for each of the consumers and as an allocation amount of the consumer, an upper limit value for the power which the consumer inputs from the system or a lower limit value for the power which the consumer is to output to the system, according to a requested power provision amount, and sends the respective control instructions designating the calculated allocation amount of each consumer to the control apparatus of the consumer, and the control apparatuses each control the charging and discharging of the corresponding power apparatus so that the power input from the system is equal to or smaller than the allocation amount designated in the control instruction or so that power equal to or larger than the allocation amount is output to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignees: HITACHI, LTD., IKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Kobayashi, Kouichi Hiraoka, Mitsumasa Takayama, Jun Takahashi, Yuji Fujiki, Takashi Imai
  • Patent number: 10719059
    Abstract: In one aspect, a device includes a processor, a communication interface accessible to the processor, and storage accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the processor to identify an activity associated with a user. The instructions are also executable by the processor to use the communication interface to transmit at least one command to a light output apparatus to adjust light from the light output apparatus based on the identified activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Stewart, John Carl Mese, Russell Speight Vanblon
  • Patent number: 10718447
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valve assembly including a valve moveable between an open position where hydraulic fluid flow is permitted between first and second ports of the valve and a closed position where hydraulic fluid flow is blocked between the first and second ports. A characteristic vibration is generated by turbulent hydraulic fluid flow within the valve when hydraulic fluid flow is first initiated between the first and second ports as the valve moves from the closed position toward the open position. The valve assembly also includes a controller for providing electrical current to control movement of the valve via a solenoid. The controller includes an accelerometer for sensing the characteristic vibration. The controller identifies an electrical current value of the electrical current at a time when the characteristic vibration is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Aaron Hertzel Jagoda
  • Patent number: 10710194
    Abstract: A laser processing system includes a wavelength tunable laser apparatus capable of changing the wavelength of pulsed laser light to be outputted, an optical system irradiating a workpiece with the pulsed laser light, a reference wavelength acquisition section acquiring a reference wavelength corresponding to photon absorption according to the material of the workpiece, a laser processing controller controlling the wavelength tunable laser apparatus to perform preprocessing before final processing performed on the workpiece, changes the wavelength of the pulsed laser light over a predetermined range containing the reference wavelength, and performs wavelength search preprocessing at a plurality of wavelengths, a processed state measurer measuring a processed state on a wavelength basis achieved by the wavelength search preprocessing performed at the plurality of wavelengths, and an optimum wavelength determination section assessing the processed state on a wavelength basis to determine an optimum wavelength us
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Kouji Kakizaki, Osamu Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 10696499
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for automated engaging of a truck trailer at a loading dock. Sensors measure a distance and an angle of alignment between the incoming trailer and a wall of the loading dock. An outside lighting system guides a truck driver backing the trailer toward the dock door. A vehicle restraint system fixates the trailer within the loading dock in response to signals from the sensors. An overhead dock door opens once the trailer is successfully fixated by the vehicle restraint system. A dock leveler deploys after the overhead dock door opens. An inside dock light indicates to dock personnel that the trailer is ready to be serviced. Once servicing of the trailer is finished, an automated release of the trailer from the loading dock may be initiated by PLC communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Niagara Bottling, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Paul Avalos
  • Patent number: 10700369
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing level sensor failure in a fuel cell water trap, the method may include: determining whether a water level of a level sensor is changed in a fuel cell water trap, adding an amount of charge according to an operating time and comparing the added amount of charge with a preset threshold amount of charge, according to the result of the forcibly opening a drain valve according to determining whether a channel voltage of a specific channel is abnormal as the result of the comparison, and diagnosing a failure of the level sensor according to determining whether the channel voltage of the specific cell is recovered as a normal state when the drain valve is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hyo-Seop Kim
  • Patent number: 10698469
    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: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Zonit Structured Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Chapel, William Pachoud
  • Patent number: 10693993
    Abstract: A system for controlling building services, the system including a services array supporting a plurality of service devices, an electronic controller that communicates with a client device to determine a selected profile defining service device settings and control the service devices in the services array in accordance with the service device settings defined by the profile, to thereby at least partially control building services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Eight Inc. Design Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Erik Christian Anderson, Abdul Basit Khan, Timothy Mathew Kobe, Ryan Marc Tate, Michael Ely
  • Patent number: 10677488
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for space conditioning based on weather information are described herein. One device includes a memory, and a processor to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive forecasted weather information, determine, based on the forecasted weather information, future weather conditions, determine based on the future weather conditions and historical setpoint data, whether conditioning of a space is expected, and generate an alert in response to conditioning of the space being expected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Marek Sikora
  • Patent number: 10675816
    Abstract: A method for detecting object border of 3D printer (4) includes following steps: obtaining a basic locating point (420) of a printing platform (42) of the 3D printer (4); projecting an imported 3D object onto a 2D plane of the 3D printer (4) for obtaining a plurality of 2D coordinates of the 3D object; calculating a 2D convex hull (60) according to the plurality of 2D coordinates; obtaining all vertexes (601) of the 2D convex hull (60); determining the position of the 3D object based on the basic locating point (420) in company with all the vertexes (601) of the 2D convex hull (60); and, permitting the 3D printer (4) to activate a printing procedure only if the 3D object is determined fully locating inside an effective range of the printing platform (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: XYZPRINTING, INC., KINPO ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Chung-Kang Chu
  • Patent number: 10660482
    Abstract: Intelligent dispenser of disinfectant gel for connection to disinfection habits monitoring system that includes a disinfectant gel dispenser, a user recognition device and an electronic device. The dispenser also includes a communicator device to transmit at least the user identification data and dispenser identification data to a computing device member of a disinfection habits monitoring system. The computing device can process the transmitted user identification data linking them to the individual dispenser transmitter of the identification data, permitting to determine the disinfection habits of each user individually, and the computing device can transmit to an information emitter information related with the users identified by the recognition device and information relevant to tasks performed or omitted by the users and/or in accordance with the sanitation protocols, or area information corresponding to the physical position of the individual dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Inventor: Rajaram Govindarajan Kamatchi
  • Patent number: 10663945
    Abstract: A numerical control device includes: a tool-side displacement measurement unit; a workpiece-side displacement measurement unit; a drive signal measurement unit; a relative displacement calculation unit between the tool and the workpiece; a relative displacement prediction unit calculating a relative displacement predicted value from the drive signal, from a prediction model representing a relationship between the drive signal and the relative displacement; a model parameter operation unit generating prediction model parameters constituting the prediction model, from the drive signal, the relative displacement, and the predicted value; and a command value correction unit outputting a post-correction position command obtained by correcting a position command to the drive unit using the prediction model parameters. The model parameter operation unit changes the prediction model parameters to reduce a difference between the relative displacement and the predicted value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kimata, Tomoya Fujita, Toshihiro Azuma, Tatsuya Ito
  • Patent number: 10641517
    Abstract: An electric fan capable of controlling a rotation range and a method of controlling the same are provided. The electric fan includes a head unit including a fan or a heater; a photographing unit configured to capture an image; an image analysis unit configured to recognize at least one service target through detection of a face region from the image; and a movement control unit configured to control a movement of the head unit in a range including the at least one service target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Inventor: Myung Eun Song
  • Patent number: 10641514
    Abstract: The invention concerns predominantly enclosed spaces, typically buildings, which are exposed to directionally and temporally varying levels of solar electromagnetic radiation, as well as temporally varying levels of ambient air temperature, flow velocity and direction. Such a building comprising at least one primary compartment and at least one secondary compartment. The primary compartment predominantly serves to achieve the primary purpose of the building. An electronic controller can modulate throughput or speed of active or passive air flow to and from the secondary compartment. The controller uses a descriptive model to predict thermal behavior of the building and to derive control signals. The control system acquires data from one or more sensors. In some embodiments the disclosed methods are at least partially incorporated in a home automation system, including internet connectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Inventors: Andreas Hieke, William Boone Daniels, II