Patents Examined by Ronald Hartman, Jr.
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Patent number: 9656428Abstract: A method for operating a three dimensional (3D) printer to limit unauthorized copying and provide authentication of 3D objects printed from authorized models fabricated on 3D printers. The method includes providing a digital file defining a 3D model of an object to the 3D printer. The 3D model includes a model of an identification (ID) element. The method includes processing the digital file to define print layers of the 3D model, and a number of the print layers include layers of the model of the ID element. The method involves operating the 3D printer to print the layers to form a 3D object with an integrally formed ID element. The ID element is embedded within object elements of the 3D object. The integrally formed ID element may be a radio frequency ID (RFID) tag providing identification data when read by an RFID reader scanning the 3D object.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Voris, Benjamin Foster Christen, Jorge Alted, David W. Crawford
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Patent number: 9658661Abstract: Climate regulation within an enclosure (e.g., a case of a workstation or a rack or cabinet of servers) may be achieved through a climate regulator featuring several selectable climate regulator settings (e.g., a variable-speed fan array). Controllers of such climate regulators often select climate regulator settings based on current conditions inside the enclosure, such as the temperature of one or more processors operating within the enclosure. However, such control fails to account for the climate of air outside the enclosure that is drawn in to provide climate regulation, even though the climate properties of inlet air may significantly affect the effectiveness of climate regulation. Accordingly, a controller of a climate regulator may be configured to detect inlet climate properties of air directed into the enclosure, and to map the inlet climate properties (alone or in combination with other factors) to a selected climate regulator setting for the climate regulator.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mark Shaw, Matthew Allen Faist, Eric C. Peterson, Harry Raymond Rogers
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Patent number: 9651928Abstract: The present disclosure is a method for controlling an information apparatus having a third display and being used in an information management system, the method causing a computer of the information apparatus to: display a display screen representing at least one floor plan of a building on the third display; display device icons representing target devices including a first target device and a second target device on the display screen, the device icons being movable by dragging the device icons; and when it is sensed that a device icon representing the second target device is dropped on a device icon representing the first target device, output to the information management system a first control command for displaying a confirmation screen on a first display of the first target device, the confirmation screen being for confirmation of a state of the second target device.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICAInventors: Takamitsu Sasaki, Eiichi Naito
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Patent number: 9650831Abstract: A system and method of controlling light distribution in a space including an installed light source, an external light source, at least one blind(s) for a window in the space, a lighting control unit and a daylight/blind control unit, the method includes, in the lighting control unit, estimating task illuminances from the installed light source and the external light source at a plurality of measuring areas within the space, determining an intensity level of each of the installed light source based on the estimated illuminances; and determining a first positioning of the blinds according to predetermined requirements and/or measurements, in the daylight/blind control unit, receiving the plurality of measuring areas data within the space, determining a second positioning of the blinds according to predetermined requirements, selecting either the first or second positioning of the blinds to provide optimal daylight comfort, glare prevention and view.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Dagnachew Birru, Yao-Jung Wen
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Patent number: 9645559Abstract: A head-up display screen improves the ability of operators to operate equipment, allowing operators to view the equipment through a transparent window and view information about the equipment on an at least semitransparent display screen overlapping the transparent window, while minimizing obstruction to the view of the equipment. A head-up display screen may include touch capabilities, allowing operators to modify a display while viewing the equipment. A head-up display screen may be rugged and durable for an oil rig environment.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2013Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: RIGMINDER OPERATING, LLCInventors: Gregory A. Ward, Evan L. Gooch
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Patent number: 9643251Abstract: A method for additive manufacturing a multilayered part includes optimizing a powder material based on at least one parameter characterizing the powder material. Each layer of the multilayered part formed from the optimized powder material is optimized based on at least one parameter characterizing the layer. The multilayered part is formed using additive manufacturing based on the optimized powder material and optimized layers constituting the multilayered part. The multilayered part is optimized based on at least one parameter characterizing the multilayered part.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: ZIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Bart F. Zalewski
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Patent number: 9639071Abstract: A method and system for transferring between combustion modes in a gas turbine engine is provided. A processor generates data representative of an initial set of splits for providing at least one of fuel and air to at least one combustor in the gas turbine engine. A gas turbine engine model module generates data representative of at least one engine operating condition. A first split calculation module generates data representative of at least one set of active control splits to control the engine in a first combustion mode, using as an input the initial split data. A second split calculation module generates data representative of at least one set of passive control splits to control the engine in at least a second combustion mode. Transfer between combustion modes may be accomplished via use of at least one of the active control splits and the passive control splits.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Prabhanjana Kalya, Steven William Backman, Laura Lea Boes, David Spencer Ewens, Trevor Valder Jones
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Patent number: 9631608Abstract: A wind power plant connected to an electric grid. A central plant controller is configured to carry out a method of controlling an electric output of the wind power plant in the event of a transient low-voltage fault of the electric grid. The central plant controller is configured, after a fault stage in response to detection of a low-voltage fault during which the wind turbines ride through the grid fault, to control the wind power plant during a post-fault-support stage to provide only real power, or perform voltage control. The central plant controller is configured to resume control of the wind power plant according to the nominal-grid operation mode, which prevailed before the low-voltage fault, in a nominal-grid operation stage.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventor: Jorge Martinez Garcia
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Patent number: 9625896Abstract: A method for carrying out a stud joining process by a tool performing a working step on a workpiece and the working step is carried out while taking into account at least one parameter value which is selected from a set of values, and the working step is to be carried out at a certain position on the workpiece, and the position determines the parameter value. The method comprises the steps of: storing the parameter value for the position in an RFID transponder; locating the RFID transponder on the workpiece in the region of the position before the working step is carried out, reading the parameter value out from the RFID transponder with an RFID communication device associated with the tool.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: NEWFREY LLCInventors: Jochen Hain, Frank Schmidt
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Patent number: 9626142Abstract: A server is configured to store a library of printable content and to select an item from the library in response to a user request. Instead of the user specifying a particular item, the server can automatically select from a number of different items. The server may automatically determine a printer type for the user and select a suitable, corresponding model for immediate fabrication by the printer.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: MakerBot Industries, LLCInventors: Nathaniel B. Pettis, Joseph Neal
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Patent number: 9625886Abstract: A conditionally active limit regulator may be used to regulate the performance of engines or other limit regulated systems. A computing system may determine whether a variable to be limited is within a predetermined range of a limit value as a first condition. The computing system may also determine whether a current rate of increase or decrease of the variable to be limited is great enough that the variable will reach the limit within a predetermined period of time with no other changes as a second condition. When both conditions are true, the computing system may activate a simulated or physical limit regulator.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Sanjay Garg, Ryan D. May
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Patent number: 9622835Abstract: Methods for recognizing a virtual tooth surface, defining a virtual tooth coordinate system, and simulating a collision between virtual teeth are provided. Methods include receiving input data specifying a point on the rendered surface model associated with a tooth, deriving a perimeter on the surface model of the tooth based on the input data, and analyzing the surface model along a plurality of paths outwardly extending from points on the perimeter along the three-dimensional surface to produce gingival margin data. Methods also include receiving point input data that defines a point on the virtual tooth, receiving axis input data that defines first and second axes associated with the virtual tooth, computing a substantially normal vector for a portion of the tooth surface surrounding the point, and computing a coordinate system based on the axis input and the computed vector.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Peter See, Richard E. Raby, Nicholas A. Stark
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Patent number: 9618929Abstract: An inventory tracking system and method for use in semiconductor manufacturing provide for generating a priority score that determines the order in which lots of substrates should be run. The priority score is generated using an algorithm that takes into account external lot priority considerations, inventory factors in the manufacturing facility, and processing tool capability factors. The processing tool capability factors include factors related to tool status and tool restrictions and the inventory factors include factors related to line balance, WIP (work-in-progress) forecasts and various downstream considerations. The priority score is generated dynamically and displayed at each processing operation for each lot that is queued for processing at the indicated operation. Various algorithms are used and different weights are assigned to many factors in calculating numerical values for several factors that combine to produce the priority score.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: WAFERTECH, LLCInventors: Masreth Siddiqui, Philip Yu, Maria Gonchoroff, Robert Hood, Andy Brogan, Philip Hunter
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Patent number: 9609997Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting appliance pump cavitation or dry state are provided. An exemplary appliance can include a current measurement circuit configured to provide a feedback signal that describes an inverter current drawn by an inverter providing three-phase power to the pump motor. A control unit of an appliance can detect pump cavitation and dry state by monitoring the feedback signal. Another exemplary appliance can include a motor speed detection circuit configured to provide a motor speed signal describing the speed of the pump motor. The control unit of the appliance can monitor variance in pump motor speed to detect pump dry state or cavitation. An exemplary method includes monitoring either an inverter current used by an inverter to drive a motor or a variance in a rotational speed of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2013Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Mark Thomas Fryman, Meher Prasadu Kollipara
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Patent number: 9604287Abstract: Disclosed are a setting method and a control device of a depth of cut in an initial axial direction for a rotating cutting tool. A setting method of a depth of cut in an initial axial direction for a rotating cutting tool according to the present disclosure includes when a tool T is mounted on a spindle S, receiving an overhang length L of the tool T, the diameter D of the tool T, an overhang length ratio reference value C, and an axial depth of cut reference value E; calculating an axial depth of cut Y; and setting the axial depth of cut Y as an initial axial depth of cut of a cutting process.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Doosan Machine Tools Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kang Jae Lee, Jin Suk Song, Han Kee Jang
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Patent number: 9600046Abstract: In a multiphase electrical power construction and assignment, a processor: determines a phase and voltage configuration for bi-directional power device pairs; determines a given bi-directional power device pair is to be coupled to a given phase connection based on the configuration; determines whether the given bi-directional power devices in the given bi-directional power device pair are to be coupled to each other; confirms that the given bi-directional power device pair is not coupled to any of the plurality of phase connections; couples the given bi-directional power device pair to the given phase connections, where power signals of the given bi-directional power device pair are synchronized with a power signal of the given phase connection; and in response to determining that the given bi-directional power devices are to be coupled to each other, couples each of the bi-directional power devices to a short bus.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: STEM, INC.Inventors: Lynn Smith, Stacey Reineccius
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Patent number: 9600016Abstract: A control device includes: a receiving unit that receives a control request signal indicating a request for controlling a total power amount during a predetermined period to be equal to or lower than a predetermined limit; an obtainment unit that obtains a power consumption amount; and a control unit that controls an apparatus to operate according to the control request signal and controls the total power amount to be equal to or lower than the predetermined limit. The control unit determines a first time in the predetermined period based on the power consumption amount obtained by the obtainment unit, controls the apparatus to operate during a first period up to the first time with power higher than average power, and controls the apparatus to operate during a second period from the first time with power lower than the average power.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Yuki Waki
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Patent number: 9588512Abstract: Disclosed is a setting method of revolutions per minute on a real time of a rotating cutting tool, and a control device, and more particularly, a vibration characteristic is consistently evaluated and analyzed when a cutting process is in progress to suppress and avoid suppression.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Doosan Machine Tools Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kang Jae Lee, Jin Suk Song
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Patent number: 9581983Abstract: An automated guided cart (AGC) that is configured to travel along a cart path according to generally non-precision movements is implemented to support a build process requiring precise positioning of vehicle build devices. In an example of a method of use, a vehicle build device for the build process is engaged with the AGC. When the AGC travels proximate a build operation area, the AGC can be secured in a dimensionally fixed position, with the result that both the AGC and a vehicle build device engaged with the AGC are located in precise positions. Based on the precise location of the vehicle build device, the vehicle build device can be interfaced with robots or other automated equipment according to preprogrammed and/or precise movements to carry out a build process.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2013Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: COMAU LLCInventors: Velibor Kilibarda, William J. Maybee
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Patent number: 9582942Abstract: An error logging method for a coating plant is disclosed. The error logging method generally includes capturing an error during running of process data records for the coating plant, wherein the individual process data records are ordered according to the given time of operation of the coating plant and each of which contain various process data of the coating plant. The method may further include storage of the captured process data records, detection of a possible error condition of the coating plant, and/or production of an error code when detection of an error condition of the coating plant occurs. The various examples may also relate to storage of the error code in chronological order with the stored process data records.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2007Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Durr Systems GmbHInventors: Frank Herre, Dietmar Wildermuth, Roland Wolf