Patents Examined by Ramesh B. Patel
  • Patent number: 11552501
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for detection and notification of electrical power outages and power quality. A sensor coupled to a circuit transmits a keepalive packet to a server. The sensor detects an input signal generated by electrical activity. The sensor generates an output signal based upon the input signal. The sensor monitors the output signal. During a clock cycle, the sensor determines whether a rising edge occurred and transmits a fault packet to the server when the rising edge occurred prior to a predetermined clock value or when no rising edge occurred. The server receives the fault packet from the sensor and listens for keepalive packets. The server transmits a power outage notification when no keepalive packets are received for at least a defined time period after the fault packet is received. The server transmits a power restoration notification when one or more keepalive packets are subsequently received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Whisker Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Dale Sloop, Robert S. Marshall, Donnie Bixler, Chonglin Liu
  • Patent number: 11547068
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods and systems of controlling irrigation. Some of these systems comprise: a connector of a controller interface (CI) coupled with an irrigation controller, wherein the connector is configured to receive a valve activation signal activated by the irrigation controller; a user interface of the CI; a processor of the CI configured to obtain valve transceiver (VT) programming with VT programming being received from inputs through the user interface, determine a station identifier, and identify as defined in the VT programming a remote valve associated with the station identifier and controlled by a remote VT; and a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit a wireless activation signal configured to be wirelessly received by the VT controlling the valve associated by the VT programming with the station identifier such that the VT is configured to control an actuator to actuate the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Michael James Tennyson, Angel Reyes Archundia, Frank Torre, Robert H. Jenkins, Brian Jeffrey Mueller
  • Patent number: 11549707
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling temperature in different zones of a premises. A method includes receiving a measurement of temperature sensed by a first fire detector positioned at a first zone of a premises. The method further includes receiving a measurement of temperature sensed by a second fire detector positioned at a second zone of the premises. The method also includes controlling the temperature by a thermostat in the first zone based on the measurement of the sensed temperature received from the first fire detector and in the second zone based on the measurement of the sensed temperature received from the second fire detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Pirammanayagam Nallaperumal
  • Patent number: 11544206
    Abstract: The process control unit is configured to execute a plurality of control processes, wherein a first control process executed on the process control unit is configured such that there is no provision for direct exchange of process variables with a second control process, but rather this exchange takes place via an interposed association module. An association specification is used to ascertain the control process(es) to which the process variable needs to be handed over. One advantage includes the increased flexibility in the exchange of process variables, which now takes place in the individual control processes by an association module. Restarts of the process control unit and associated production losses advantageously become unnecessary. Additional resources in the process control unit or in an engineering system may be reduced or avoided. The decreased complexity means that the control systems and engineering systems are developed more easily and hence also more quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Götz, Alexander Pelzer, Jürgen Reichmann
  • Patent number: 11531308
    Abstract: Systems and methods for training a surrogate model for predicting system states for a building management system based on generated data from a simulation model are disclosed herein. The simulation model is calibrated for a building of interest. The building of interest includes building equipment operable to control a variable state of the building. The simulated data of system states are generated using the calibrated simulation model. A surrogate model is trained based on the simulated data of system states from the calibrated simulation model. System state predictions are generated using the surrogate model. The surrogate model is re-trained based on updated operational data. An updated series of system state predictions is generated using the re-trained surrogate model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
    Inventors: Young M. Lee, Zhanhong Jiang, Kirk Drees, Michael Risbeck
  • Patent number: 11525594
    Abstract: An electricity automation application may automate control over an HVAC system in a consumer's home or other building to reduce or eliminate electricity consumption during a high-price or high-demand time interval. The consumer may grant authorization for the application to control the HVAC system at appropriate timepoints while maintaining an inside air temperature that is between minimum and maximum temperature setpoints set by the consumer. The application models temperature gains and losses for the home or building as a function of inside and outside temperatures and HVAC operating status. If a high-price or high-demand time interval is predicted, the application may determine a timepoint to precool or preheat the home or building to reduce or eliminate electricity use during the duration of the high-price or high-demand time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: NRG ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew C. Hinson, Mark D. Parsons, John Goodman, Gary Norris, Luke Martin, David Clausen, Adrian Samaniego
  • Patent number: 11518637
    Abstract: Medicine packaging apparatuses and methods for accurately determining a remaining sheet amount of a medicine packaging sheet are described. The apparatus includes: a roll support section to which a core tube of a medicine packaging sheet roll is attached; a sensor disposed in the roll support section for outputting a count value according to a rotation amount; a wireless reader-writer unit for writing information to a core tube IC tag and reading said information; an information generation section for generating information to be written to the core tube IC tag; a remaining sheet amount estimation section for estimating a current amount of remaining sheet based on the information and dimensional information of the core tube; and a controller which selectively performs an operation if a reference time-point count value is not yet written to the core tube IC tag and another operation if the count value is already written thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: YUYAMA MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsunori Yoshina, Tomohiro Sugimoto, Noriyoshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 11506414
    Abstract: A system for delivering power and data over a single wire via a hub, wherein the hub can control and power multiple low-power Class 2 circuits. The hub can be controlled remotely through a computing device such as a mobile phone or a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Domatic, Inc.
    Inventors: James Armand Baldwin, Gladys Yuan Yan Wong, Hedley C. Davis, Peter Ian Macdonald, Andrew Walters
  • Patent number: 11507041
    Abstract: Systems and methods for boosting resiliency of a power distribution network (PDN) are provided. A distributed energy resource (DER) hosting process can be used to boost network resiliency through the use of locally installed DER systems that can be operated, dispatched, and/or controlled as individual power plants. A unique critical infrastructure (CI) ranking scheme can be used to prioritize CIs to be optimally located close to the DER while increasing the DER hosting capacity of the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: THE FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: Arif I. Sarwat, Temitayo O. Olowu, Shamini Dharmasena
  • Patent number: 11504806
    Abstract: A three-dimensional laser machine includes a machine head, a controller for positioning the machine head and controlling an orientation of a nozzle, and a sensor for detecting a distance between a workpiece and the nozzle. The controller is capable of performing a profile control of correcting the position of the machine head based on the detected distance. When the machine head has reached a predetermined position part way through an approach process of moving the machine head from an approach start position to a machining start position while controlling the pose of the nozzle, the controller performs the profile control to move the machine head to the machining start position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: KOMATSU INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryuji Taniguchi, Keita Yakabi
  • Patent number: 11499738
    Abstract: A building management system, such as a small or medium business, having one or more control devices. Assigning codes to devices, and reading and listing them may aid in configuring the devices. Templates may be used for dynamic configuration of devices and equipment. Representing terminal assignments and wiring diagrams of control devices may be intuitive in that they resemble real hardware for ease of complete installation. The present system and approach may provide an intuitive way of securely registering devices with cloud usage, for example, involving a mobile phone with no manual entry of data so that a user can complete this process with ease. An intuitive, automatic and asynchronous device configuration downloading may be seen, such as to multiple control devices in a single shot. There may be seamless configuration data synchronization, for example, in view of replacement devices, or so the latest data is readily available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Shreya Ratakonda, Nagasree Poluri, Foong Yeen Chan, Prabhat Ranjan, Ashu Rawat
  • Patent number: 11499388
    Abstract: An autonomous BOP system is provided for stopping an uncontrolled flow of formation hydrocarbons comprising two or more sensors distributed along a length of a subsea blowout preventer to monitor a drill pipe inside a blowout preventer and measure critical parameters. A computer using predictive-software monitors a blowout preventer along with material critical parameters and calculates a blowout preventer configuration and sequence to arrest a well blowout. Blowout preventer components are fine-tuned and operational modes are added to aid an arrest of a well blowout under realistic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventors: Wanda Papadimitriou, Jason A Papadimitriou, Nicholas A Papadimitriou
  • Patent number: 11499734
    Abstract: An integrated energy optimizer having an edge side and a cloud side. The edge side may incorporate an energy optimizer, a building management system connected to the energy optimizer, a controller connected to the building management system, and equipment connected to the controller. The cloud side may have a cloud connected to the energy optimizer and to the building management system, and a user interface connected to the cloud. Data from the field sensor may go to the optimizer and the building management system. The data may be processed at the optimizer and the building management system for proper settings at the building management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Chunfu Li, Petr Endel, Karel Marik
  • Patent number: 11499731
    Abstract: A forced air handling system includes an automated monitoring system. A method of operating the automated monitoring system includes initiating a calibration mode of operation via a controller. A plurality of dampers may then close via the controller. Once closed, a duct in communication with the plurality of dampers may be pressurized. A first air flow measuring exiting each one of the plurality of dampers may be obtained by a flow sensor. The duct is then depressurized and a second airflow measurement is taken, via the controller, exiting each one of the plurality of dampers. The controller calculates a statistical difference between the first and second airflow measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kushal Mukherjee, Rohan Chabukswar, Anarta Ghosh
  • Patent number: 11497100
    Abstract: A load control system may be configured using a graphical user interface (GUI) software. The GUI software may be implemented to collect control devices and add the control devices to the load control system for configuration. Programming data may be automatically determined for the added control devices based on the type of control device, the location of the control device, and/or the load type controlled by the control device. The programming data may include control settings for a scene, a schedule, or an automated control feature. The programming data may be displayed for being viewed and/or adjusted by a user. The programming data may be transmitted to the control devices and/or a system controller for being implemented in performing load control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Craig Alan Casey, Erica L. Clymer, Christina Evans, Christoper Matthew Jones, Sanjeev Kumar, John Nill, Neil R. Orchowski, Brent Protzman
  • Patent number: 11493222
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for advanced monitoring of an HVAC system. In some implementations, a voltage measurement across at least two interface terminals of a thermostat that controls an HVAC system of a property is obtained. The voltage measurements are analyzed. A likely power cycling activity of a component of the HVAC system is determined based on analyzing the voltage measurements. Whether the HVAC system is operating properly is determined based on the likely power cycling activity of the component of the HVAC system. Data indicating whether the HVAC system is operating properly is generated and outputted based on determining whether the HVAC system is operating properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald Byron Kabler, Murali Pasupuleti
  • Patent number: 11493221
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a controller for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system. The controller is configured to operate in a first defrost mode or a second defrost mode, determine that feedback from a first sensor of the HVAC system is unavailable, receive feedback from a second sensor of the HVAC system, and operate the HVAC system in the second defrost mode instead of the first defrost mode in response to unavailability of the feedback from the first sensor and based on the feedback from the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Steven A. Tice, Shaun B. Atchison, Noel A. Grajeda-Trevizo, Andrew M. Boyd
  • Patent number: 11486598
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a fan driving device, and the fan driving device comprises a sensing unit and a processing unit, wherein the sensing unit at least comprises a microwave sensing module; the sensing unit is at least used for sensing whether any human activity exists within the action range based on microwave sensing according to a certain microwave sensing cycle, and outputting a sensing signal to the processing unit periodically; and the processing unit is used for processing the sensing signal, so that the driving device can adaptively control the turn-on and turn-off of the fan and adaptively regulate the working power of the fan. Based on this, a dynamic intelligent fan driving device without a user's turn-on and turn-off action and based on environmental state sensing is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventors: Jun Hu, Yongming Deng, Ping Liu
  • Patent number: 11486594
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that include devices and a pipe constituting a refrigerant circuit and a remote control connected to the indoor unit. Each of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit includes a sensor configured to detect temperature states of the devices and the pipe. The outdoor unit or the indoor unit includes a memory configured to hold sensor information indicating a result of the detection by the sensor and control information indicating control states of the devices. The remote control includes a microcomputer configured to receive information indicating states of sections based on the sensor information and the control information, output an estimated cause of trouble as output values, and compute a value corresponding to a possibility of being cause of trouble by using a neural network, and a display unit configured to display a result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Koizumi, Masafumi Tomita
  • Patent number: 11480354
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a camera to capture an image of a drain pan inside the air conditioner. An air-conditioning management device acquires, from the air conditioner, captured image information indicating an image of the drain pan captured by the air conditioner. The air-conditioning management device compares the captured image information with reference image information indicating a captured image of the drain pan used as a reference to calculate a dirtiness degree. The air-conditioning management device transmits, to a monitoring terminal, information useful for monitoring of the drain pan, such as the capture image information, information indicating the dirtiness degree, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Taichi Ishizaka