Patents Examined by Mark A Connolly
  • Patent number: 10447038
    Abstract: An energy system includes a microgrid including a network of at least one distributed energy resource and a plurality of loads, the at least one distributed energy resource being configured to supply power to the plurality of loads. The microgrid is configurable to connect to one of a plurality of feeder circuits of a main power grid at one of a plurality of coupling interface locations, respectively. The microgrid is also configurable to expand or shrink its power supply area according to the available power generation capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: University of Tennessee Research
    Inventors: Fei Wang, Xiaojie Shi, Leon M. Tolbert, Yiwei Ma, Yilu Liu, Lin Zhu
  • Patent number: 10416634
    Abstract: The system generally includes a crosspoint switch in the local data collection system having multiple inputs and multiple outputs including a first input connected to the first sensor and a second input connected to the second sensor. The multiple outputs include a first output and a second output configured to be switchable between a condition in which the first output is configured to switch between delivery of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal and a condition in which there is simultaneous delivery of the first sensor signal from the first output and the second sensor signal from the second output. Each of multiple inputs is configured to be individually assigned to any of the multiple outputs. Unassigned outputs are configured to be switched off producing a high-impedance state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Strong Force IOT Portfolio 2016, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Howard Cella, Gerald William Duffy, Jr., Jeffrey P. McGuckin
  • Patent number: 10414280
    Abstract: A selective battery control system includes a battery exchange station and an at least partially electric vehicle communicably coupled to the battery exchange station. The at least partially electric vehicle includes processing circuitry configured to determine a number of batteries needed for a trip, determine if the at least partially electric vehicle has a correct number of batteries, and in response to the at least partially electric vehicle having an incorrect number of batteries, add or remove batteries until the at least partially electric vehicle has the correct number of batteries for the trip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paxton S. Williams, Colby S. Williams, Scott L. Frederick
  • Patent number: 10409255
    Abstract: To provide a controller for a machining device that controls oscillation of a cutting tool used for oscillating cutting to become capable of reducing a probability of interference between an interfering object existing near a work as a cutting target and the cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoto Sonoda
  • Patent number: 10397427
    Abstract: The image processing apparatus in the present invention is an image processing apparatus that supplies roughness shape data to an image forming apparatus that forms a roughness shape based on a roughness shape of an object to be reproduced. The image processing apparatus includes: an input reception unit configured to receive an input of information representing the roughness shape of the object to be reproduced; an acquisition unit configured to acquire output characteristics relating to a roughness shape that the image forming apparatus can output; and a generation unit configured to generate roughness shape data that is supplied to the image forming apparatus based on the information representing the roughness shape of the object to be reproduced and the output characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Kubo, Hitoshi Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 10394224
    Abstract: A fabrication management system includes a fabrication control apparatus and a fabrication management server. The fabrication control apparatus includes a composite fabrication unit that fabricates multiple fabricated members in a single process, and a controller that controls fabrication performed by the composite fabrication unit. The fabrication management server includes a designing section that, from fabrication information about multiple first fabricated members for which a fabrication request has been made, designs a second fabricated member that holds all the first fabricated members in a removable manner, and an instructing section that instructs fabrication to be performed in accordance with fabrication procedure information, the fabrication procedure information indicating a procedure for obtaining a finished fabricated object by assembling together the first fabricated members and the second fabricated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hagiwara, Satoshi Tomita, Kazunori Onishi
  • Patent number: 10376238
    Abstract: A method for customizing a probe grip of an ultrasound probe for a user is presented. The method includes printing the probe grip in a three-dimensional shape of the probe grip based on grip data corresponding to the user. Further, the method includes installing the printed probe grip on the ultrasound probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Warren Lee
  • Patent number: 10379525
    Abstract: A method of designing and manufacturing a replica composite object based on an original object. The method identifies the structure and physical properties of an original object. Base materials, bodies, and structural templates, each of which includes associated physical properties, are utilized to generate a 3-dimensional model. The 3-dimensional model is discretized and tested to determine if the selected combination of base materials and bodies have physical properties that substantially equal the physical properties of the original object. If the physical properties do not equate, the 3-dimensional model is optimized by adjusting the combination of base materials, bodies, and structural templates. When the difference between the measured physical properties of the 3-dimensional model and the identified physical properties of the original object is less than a tolerance value, the method instructs an additive manufacturing system to generate a replica composite object based on the original object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Fluvio Lobo Fenoglietto, Jack Stubbs
  • Patent number: 10372111
    Abstract: Disclosed is a numerical control system, comprising a local NC device and a remote server connected therewith, and the remote server operates to process non-real-time tasks, comprising G code programming, coding and machining simulation, and to realize value-added functions. The server is connected with the NC device via a client disposed on the NC device, and the client operates to conduct virtual operation on the remote server via a HMI of the local NC device by using virtualization technology, thereby controlling operation on the server on the local NC device, and controlling NC machining by cooperation of the server and the local NC device. The invention also discloses a control method for the system. The invention is capable of realizing diversified, elastic and individual function configuration of the whole numerical control system, and improves the machining efficiency of the numerical control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jianzhong Yang, Bingyan Feng, Enming Hui, Guotao Ding, Yongliang Lu
  • Patent number: 10372098
    Abstract: A method for controlling a grid of plants, wherein the method includes interconnecting distributed control systems via a network, providing a hierarchical tree structure having at least two levels (LN) for the network, assigning each distributed control system to a node of the tree structure, receiving a data request at a parent node control system, determining whether the data request is resolvable by the parent node control system, where a reply to the data request is sent if the data request can be resolved by the parent node, and where the data request is forwarded to at least one of the child nodes of the parent node if the data request is unresolvable by the parent node such that monitoring and controlling of the entire grid with respect to the inclusion of further units and the modification of already existing units is achieved in a flexible manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Carsten Jordan, Matthias Jung, Klaus-Juergen Langer, Denis Schroff, Michael Unkelbach, Egon Wuchner
  • Patent number: 10359776
    Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, apparatus, and methods for power distribution operated under automatic generation control (AGC) based on comprehensive control performance standard (CPS) green zone control. Embodiments include a plurality of power generating resources operating within a control area; a plurality of power consuming loads; a power transmission network coupling the resources to the loads; and an energy management system (EMS) in communication with the resources and configured to control operation of the resources within the control area. The EMS is operative to: determine a control performance standard (CPS) green zone; operate an automatic generation control (AGC) system of the EMS in the determined CPS green zone; and output electricity to the loads from the resources under the control of the AGC of the EMS operating in the green zone. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventor: Dingguo Chen
  • Patent number: 10353371
    Abstract: A system and a method for safety relevant input to a control system, the control system including a PLC which includes a non-safety control module for controlling non-safety processes, and a safety control module for controlling functional safety of processes, the system further including an operator panel for user selection of safety-related object input, wherein the system includes two communication paths between the operator panel and the safety control module, that each of the communication paths uses a different communication protocol, that each communication path goes through the non-safety control module to and from the safety control module, that the first communication path transfers object code and the second communication path transfers masked object code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Yauheni Veryha, Heinrich Neupaertl, Thomas Ewald
  • Patent number: 10338662
    Abstract: A low power detection apparatus and a method for displaying information are provided. When a low power manager drives a proximity detection sensor to generate a proximity interrupt in a state within which the portable terminal is in an idle state, the low power manager drives a motion detection sensor and determines a motion of the portable terminal for a preset time. When there is no motion of the portable terminal for the preset time, the low power manager generates proximity data for displaying screen information and then transmits the generated proximity data to an application processor so as to display screen information which the user desires with low power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-Heon Oh, Hyun-Su Hong, Sung-Min Park, Jae-Myeon Lee, Hyun-Ki Jung
  • Patent number: 10330081
    Abstract: Historical power output measurements of a wind turbine for a time period immediately preceding a specified past time are received. Historical wind speed micro-forecasts for the wind turbine for a time period immediately preceding the specified past time and for a time period immediately following the specified past time are received. The historical wind speed micro-forecasts are converted to wind power values. Based on the historical power output measurements and the wind power output values, a machine learning model for predicting wind power output is trained. Real-time power output measurements of the wind turbine and real-time wind speed micro-forecasts for the wind turbine are received. The real-time wind speed micro-forecasts are converted to real-time wind power values. Using the machine learning model with the real-time power output measurements and the real-time wind power values, a wind power output forecast for the wind turbine at a future time is outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Varun Badrinath Krishna, Younghun Kim, Tarun Kumar, Wander S. Wadman, Kevin W. Warren
  • Patent number: 10329784
    Abstract: A customizable pool automation control system includes a system housing defining a protective enclosure. A processor is located within the housing. A plurality of expansion slots are formed with the housing, and operatively communicate with the processor. A plurality of modular external expansion cards are adapted for being custom selected by a user and inserted into respective expansion slots. The expansion cards are selected from a group consisting of a chlorine generator control, a water level control, a camera control, a valve actuator control, and a relay control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: WINCOR, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Corwin
  • Patent number: 10324439
    Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to food freshness management. A freshness triggering event may be identified for a food item. The freshness triggering event may indicate that a criterion related to the food item has been achieved. A food freshness management action may be determined. The food freshness management action may be determined to respond to the freshness triggering event for the food item. The food freshness management action may be initiated. The food freshness management action may be carried-out with respect to the freshness triggering event for the food item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt, Jenny S. Li, Pamela A. Nesbitt, Xinlin Wang
  • Patent number: 10293548
    Abstract: A cross-sectional image generating apparatus includes a mask placer to place a mask on a first cross-sectional image such that a target pixel of the first cross-sectional image corresponds in position to a center pixel of the mask, a calculator to calculate a final value of a random variable for each of the pixels of the first cross-sectional image to be regarded as the target pixel corresponding in position to the center pixel, a colored pixel setter to set a printed pixel to be a colored pixel in accordance with the final value of the random variable calculated, a non-colored pixel setter to set the printed pixel or non-printed pixel to be a non-colored pixel in accordance with the final value of the random variable calculated, and a cross-sectional image generator to add color information to the colored pixel, and generates a second cross-sectional image representing the colored and non-colored pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: ROLAND DG CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kouichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10295986
    Abstract: A numerical controller which controls a machine tool acquires tool information including a shape of a tool, a machining condition in machining, and information related to a machining result of a workpiece after machining. A machine learning device performs machine learning on tendency of the information related to a machining result with respect to the tool information and the machining condition based on the tool information and the machining condition used as input data and based on the information related to a machining result used as teacher data, so as to construct a learning model. The machine learning device determines whether or not a machining result is good by using the learning model based on the tool information and the machining condition before the machine tool machines a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Saitou, Toshinori Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 10281155
    Abstract: A heating power control device includes a storage in which first information is stored, the first information being on a cooking process being executed using a cooking appliance, a receiver that receives second information indicating an absence of a user of the cooking appliance or a presence of the user, and a controller that determines whether or not the user is absent for a predetermined period of time based on the second information, determines, based on the first information, whether or not the cooking process is a heating process when the user is determined to be absent for the predetermined period of time, determines, based on the first information, a control method of controlling heating power of the cooking appliance when the cooking process is determined to be a heating process, and controls the heating power of the cooking appliance by the control method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Aso, Masao Nonaka
  • Patent number: 10281970
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a control device includes a calculator and a setting unit. The calculator is configured to calculate a system processing time indicating a time required for processing executed after a system, the system including a plurality of elements, power to each element being individually controlled, resumes from a sleep state in which the number of elements supplied with power is limited to a predetermined number and an operation of the system is stopped. The setting unit is configured to set a mode indicating an operation state of the system according to the system processing time calculated by the calculator when a resume factor indicating a factor for resuming the system from the sleep state occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Haruki, Koichi Fujisaki, Junichi Segawa, Satoshi Shirai, Yusuke Shirota, Akihiro Shibata, Masaya Tarui, Tetsuro Kimura, Tatsunori Kanai, Haruhiko Toyama