Patents Examined by Ronald Hartman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9020615
    Abstract: In embodiments of a stability control system, a computing device includes a device housing that is integrated with a display device, and the device housing tilts for multiple display positions. Pivotable components are mechanically-linked and pivot in coordination to position the device housing in a display position, and sensors detect positioning inputs that are received to re-position the device housing. Clutch mechanisms are implemented to limit and/or resist movement of the pivotable components based on the positioning inputs. A stability controller can be implemented to control the clutch mechanisms based on sensor data from the sensors to position the device housing in a display position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard K. Rihn, Avi R. Geiger, Andrew W. Hill, Joseph B. Gault, Stephen C. Klein
  • Patent number: 9014835
    Abstract: A method on a processor customizes a fixation plate for repairing a bone fracture. A digital CAD model of an implant contains smooth analytic geometry representations including NURBS. The CAD geometry is directly manipulated to generate a customized implant CAD model that conforms to the desired region of the bone surface of a patient. Direct manipulation of NURBS geometry is computationally fast and suitable for interactive planning. The patient specific customized implant is produced directly from the generated customized CAD model with a standard CNC machine before surgery. The patient customized implant is implanted in the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sergei Azernikov, Suraj Ravi Musuvathy, Tong Fang
  • Patent number: 9008803
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a controller. The controller includes an input/output (I/O) module and a rule module. The I/O module is configured to present a question for a patient when communicatively coupled to a user interface and receive patient information in response to the question via the user interface. The rule module is configured to apply a rule to the patient information and generate a suggested insulin pump setting from application of the rule. Other devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Blomquist
  • Patent number: 9008802
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electrical instrument to which a user inputs a reservation time using a rotary dial includes, upon reception of power rates by time periods from a power provider, confirming power rate levels by time periods based on the received power rates, displaying a color window including the power rate levels by time periods around the rotary dial, and displaying the reservation time input by the user through the rotary dial on the clock window. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a user interface that displays power rate information by time periods such that the user intuitively recognizes the power rate information and sets a reservation time on the basis of the power rate information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han Bi Park, Dong Seok Cho, Min Jin Song, Lae He Ham, Hoon Kim, Tae Sik Nam
  • Patent number: 9008845
    Abstract: A network system is provided. The network system includes an air conditioner, a terminal, a power supply source, and a power management apparatus. The air conditioner includes a first communication module so as to enable communication. The terminal includes a second communication module which is communication-connected to the first communication module, and downloads predetermined information from a web server. The power supply source supplies power to the air conditioner. The power management apparatus manages power information supplied from the power supply source. On the basis of at least one of the power information and information on an operation of the air conditioner, the terminal displays power use information of the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sunguk Cho
  • Patent number: 9002495
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a bevel gear wheel, in particular for rudder propellers, the teeth of which have a macro geometry specific to the gear wheels, the teeth of which can be described by flank and profile lines, the flanks of which have a tooth flank micro topography and the bearing surface of which represents the contact region of the inter-meshing teeth. The crown of a tooth flank corresponds to the elevation of the tooth flank center with respect to the tooth flank edge, wherein the course of the height and width crowns of the flank surface is substantially shaped like a circular arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Schottel GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Heer
  • Patent number: 9002498
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process tool system that utilizes tool sensor data and an embedded or built-in tool model to facilitate semiconductor fabrication. The process tool system includes a sensor data component, the tool model, and an execution system. The sensor data component is configured to provide the tool sensor data. The tool model is built in a process tool and is configured to generate model outputs based on model inputs. The manufacturing execution system is configured to provide tool process data, including actual metrology and previous process data, to the sensor data component. Additionally, the execution system provides the model inputs to the tool model and receives the model outputs from the tool model. The execution system provides one or more execution system outputs based on the sensor data and the model outputs. The sensor data can include measured semiconductor device characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung-Cheng Chang
  • Patent number: 8996182
    Abstract: There are provided a fuel cell system capable of reducing power consumption by inhibiting an unnecessary operation of a DC-DC converter, and a power control method therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Mori, Kenji Umayahara
  • Patent number: 8996156
    Abstract: A method and system for automated repair of a machine component is provided. According to the proposed method, a first geometry of the component, including a damaged portion of the component, is digitalized. A trough is then machined over the damaged portion of the component. The machining is numerically controlled using digitalized geometrical data of the first geometry of the component. A second geometry of the component is then digitalized subsequent to the machining, the second geometry including the trough. Subsequently, a material is deposited over the trough. The deposition of the material is numerically controlled digitalized geometrical data of the second geometry of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Torsten Melzer-Jokisch, Dimitrios Thomaidis, Rolf Wilkenhöner
  • Patent number: 8983630
    Abstract: An automated event viewing method for a process control network that includes a plurality of distributed control system (DCS) servers that receive process event data from one or more industrial processes, wherein each DCS server is connected to one or more operator consoles for monitoring the one or more industrial processes. The method includes receiving process event data of the industrial processes in real time from the plurality of DCS servers and transmitting in real time the process event data of the industrial processes to one or more operator consoles that are not connected to the DCS server from which the process event data originated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Godwin, Jason Le-On Chong, Walter Kelly Tan De Jesus, David Granatelli, Chris Michael Gilbert, Craig Stuart Ashley
  • Patent number: 8977399
    Abstract: An HVAC controller, a method of starting a HVAC unit and a HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive a delay originating signal and (2) a processor configured to automatically generate an offset delay value for the HVAC unit upon receipt of the delay originating signal and delay starting identified components of the HVAC unit based on the offset delay value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter, Alan E. Bennett, Richard A. Mauk
  • Patent number: 8972068
    Abstract: During operation of at least one power generator (EE) in a power supply network, a reactive power transfer between the two upper voltage levels (1, 2) is sensed at a first transformer (T1) connecting these levels, and the voltage at a first network connection point (5) at the lowest voltage level (3) is ascertained. The amount of a reactive power demand served by the power generator (EE) is calculated as a function of the ascertained voltage value in order to maintain the voltage ascertained at the lowest voltage level (3) within a predefinable voltage range, wherein a means (WR) of the power generator (EE) is activated for a reactive power draw or a reactive power delivery, based on the calculated reactive power demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Adensis GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Beck
  • Patent number: 8972064
    Abstract: A system incorporating an actuator. The actuator may have a motor unit with motor controller connected to it. A processor may be connected to the motor controller. A coupling for a shaft connection may be attached to an output of the motor unit. The processor may incorporate a diagnostics program. The processor may be connected to a polarity-insensitive two-wire communications bus. Diagnostic results of the diagnostics program may be communicated from the processor over the communications bus to a system controller. If the diagnostic results communicated from the processor over the communications bus to the system controller indicate an insufficiency of the actuator, then an alarm identifying the insufficiency may be communicated over the communications bus to the system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Cory Grabinger, Torrey William McNallan, Daniel Waseen, Adrienne Thomle, Scott McMillan
  • Patent number: 8972030
    Abstract: Method of operation of a control device for a home-automation appliance, wherein the method comprises at least one step of selecting a possible control command from among a plurality of predefined control commands, that may be sent by the control device and at least one step of displaying the command selected by this control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventors: Pierre-Emmanuel Cavarec, Pierre Mignot
  • Patent number: 8948899
    Abstract: Provided are a substrate processing apparatus, a display method thereof, and a substrate processing system capable of detecting any change in the condition of each component of a substrate processing apparatus. In the substrate processing system including the substrate processing apparatus for processing a substrate and a group management apparatus connected thereto, the substrate processing apparatus is configured to acquire monitor data representing at least the condition of each component of the substrate processing apparatus, aggregate a plurality of the monitor data to generate package data including at least one of a maximum value, an average value, and a minimum value of the monitor data, and transmit the package data to the group management apparatus. The group management apparatus is configured to receive the package data from the substrate processing apparatus and readably store the same therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhide Asai
  • Patent number: 8938320
    Abstract: According to embodiments, a regional energy integrated management device for managing energy in a region containing multiple buildings includes an information acquisition unit, an information generator, and an instruction transmitter. The information acquisition unit acquires energy management information containing energy shortage and surplus information of a building from the multiple buildings. The information generator generates regional energy management information for mutually adjusting energy supply between different buildings in the management target region based on the energy management information on the multiple buildings thus acquired. The instruction transmitter transmits the generated regional energy management information to the corresponding buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Ooba, Nobutaka Nishimura, Hideki Oono
  • Patent number: 8938314
    Abstract: A method for optimizing energy efficiency in a manufacturing process includes monitoring power consumption of each of a plurality of manufacturing entities of the manufacturing process using a power metering device assigned thereto; collecting, from the power metering devices, a first data stream that includes information about the power consumption; collecting a second data stream that includes information about the manufacturing entity and process; determining an optimized product routing of products to be manufactured by the manufacturing process from one manufacturing entity to another manufacturing entity, based on the collected first and second data streams, by simulating different product routings and determining the optimal product routing with respect to the overall energy consumption of the manufacturing process; and adjusting, via a manufacturing control system, the manufacturing process based on the optimized product routing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Rainer K. Krause
  • Patent number: 8930033
    Abstract: A demand response (DR) system, computer-readable medium and method are disclosed. The DR system controls a high-power-consumption load to be pre-operated or post-operated in a low-power-rate interval instead of a high-power-rate interval, and reduces an amount of power consumption required for a high-power-rate interval, resulting in reduction of power rates. In addition, limitation to household appliance operation is minimized, to greatly reduce inconvenience of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang Beom Yang, Jung Won Park, Seong Wook Jeong, Chang Hern Lee, Seong Chan Gim, Young Ho Jang, Jae Min Lim, Sung Ho Cho, Sun Il Jin, Chang Ho Son, Young Jin Baek
  • Patent number: 8909381
    Abstract: An irrigation control device having a modulator that modulates data onto an alternating power signal by distorting amplitude of a first leading portion of selected cycles of the alternating power signal, and permit effectively a full amplitude of the alternating power signal on a following portion of the selected cycles, wherein the first leading portion and the following portion are either both on a high side of a cycle or both on a low side of a cycle of the alternating power signal. The irrigation control device further includes an interface configured to couple the modulator to a multi-wire interface coupled to a plurality of irrigation devices to permit the alternating power signal to be applied to the multi-wire interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy J. Crist
  • Patent number: 8909383
    Abstract: A method to reduce large temperature over/undershoot in a computer system. Using workload data, the method proactively modifies controls of mechanical cooling system to anticipate power and take appropriate actions to maintain temperature. Workload control modifies workload and scheduling to reduce power transients and subsequent temperature deviations. In addition, workload control allows more even distribution of temp across chips, allowing for even wear and reduction of small/ripple/noise temp oscillations. A system and program product for carrying out the method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott J. Hadderman, Daniel J. Kearney, Wei Huang, K. Paul Muller, William J. Rooney, Guillermo J. Silva, Malcolm S. Ware, Emmanuel Yashchin, Peter B. Yocom