Patents by Inventor Chonglin Liu

Chonglin Liu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230160941
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for estimating an originating location of a power quality event in an electrical grid. Each of a plurality of sensor devices connected to the electrical grid detects an input signal generated by electrical activity on the electrical grid, generates an output signal based upon the detected input signal, and transmits power quality data to a computing device via a communications network, where the power quality data is based upon the output signal. The computing device is configured to analyze the power quality data from at least a subset of the sensor devices to determine a power quality event occurring in the electrical grid, estimate an originating location of the power quality event based upon the power quality data, and transmit a notification to one or more remote computing devices based upon the estimated originating location of the power quality event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Dale Sloop, Robert S. Marshall, Donnie Bixler, Chonglin Liu
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20210288521
    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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Dale Sloop, Robert S. Marshall, Donnie Bixler, Chonglin Liu
  • Patent number: 10877180
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are described herein for generating proxy reflectivity data associated with lightning activity. A computing device receives data associated with lightning activity for one or more geographical areas. The computing device determines the logarithmic scale of the combined in-cloud and cloud-to-ground flash rate (dBR) for one or more grids of lightning activity based on the received data. The computing device generates proxy reflectivity data based on the dBR of the grids, a rate of change of the dBR, and the geographical area of the lightning activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Earth Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Chonglin Liu, Robert S. Marshall, Elena Novakovskaia, Christopher Dale Sloop
  • Publication number: 20180321350
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for remote sensing to derive a calibrated power measurement for a power distribution point. Magnetic field sensors of a sensor module sense a magnetic field emitted by the power distribution point. A first processor generates an uncalibrated power measurement for each magnetic field sensor, the uncalibrated power measurement derived from the magnetic field sensed by the magnetic field sensor and a voltage carried by the power distribution point. A second processor determines a response of each magnetic field sensor to a known power load being drawn through the power distribution point. The second processor derives a transfer function using the response of each magnetic field sensor to the known power load. The second processor applies the transfer function to the uncalibrated power measurement for each magnetic field sensor to generate the calibrated power measurement for the power distribution point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Stan Heckman, Chonglin Liu, Christopher Dale Sloop, Scott Stickels, Donnie Bixler, Emily Stickels
  • Patent number: 10018701
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for identifying individual branch circuits coupled to a power distribution point. A sensor module positioned in proximity to the power distribution point and having a plurality of magnetic field sensors senses a magnetic field emitted by each of a plurality of branch circuits coupled to the power distribution point. A processor coupled to the sensor module determines a response of each magnetic field sensor to each of a plurality of changes in power associated with at least one of the plurality of branch circuits. The processor positions the responses of the magnetic field sensors to each change in power on a point in a multidimensional space, where each dimension of the multidimensional space corresponds to a magnetic field sensor. The processor identifies clusters of the points in the multidimensional space, each cluster representing a different branch circuit and having a different vector direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Whisker Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Stan Heckman, Chonglin Liu, Christopher Dale Sloop, Scott Stickels, Donnie Bixler, Emily Stickels
  • Publication number: 20180180770
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are described herein for generating proxy reflectivity data associated with lightning activity. A computing device receives data associated with lightning activity for one or more geographical areas. The computing device determines the logarithmic scale of the combined in-cloud and cloud-to-ground flash rate (dBR) for one or more grids of lightning activity based on the received data. The computing device generates proxy reflectivity data based on the dBR of the grids, a rate of change of the dBR, and the geographical area of the lightning activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Chonglin Liu, Robert S. Marshall, Elena Novakovskaia, Christopher Dale Sloop
  • Patent number: 9891345
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are described herein for generating proxy reflectivity data associated with lightning activity. A computing device receives data associated with lightning activity for one or more geographical areas. The computing device determines the logarithmic scale of the combined in-cloud and cloud-to-ground flash rate (dBR) for one or more grids of lightning activity based on the received data. The computing device generates proxy reflectivity data based on the dBR of the grids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Earth Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Chonglin Liu, Robert S. Marshall, Elena Novakovskaia, Christopher Dale Sloop
  • Patent number: 9810811
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for predicting the potential for severe weather. A computing device receives data associated with lightning activity, where the data includes lightning flash data. The computing device identifies cells of lighting activity based upon the lightning flash data and determines a movement speed, a movement direction, and a lightning rate of the cells of lightning activity based on the received data. The computing device compares the determined lightning rate to a threshold lightning rate, where the threshold rate is set based upon atmospheric conditions in a location of the cells of lightning activity. The computing device determines one or more geographical areas at risk based on the location, the movement speed, and the movement direction of the cells of lightning activity, and issues an alert to remote devices when the lightning rate exceeds a value of the threshold lightning rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Earth Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Christopher Dale Sloop, Benjamin E. Beroukhim, Chonglin Liu, Stan Heckman, Mark A. Hoekzema
  • Publication number: 20170205489
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for identifying individual branch circuits coupled to a power distribution point. A sensor module positioned in proximity to the power distribution point and having a plurality of magnetic field sensors senses a magnetic field emitted by each of a plurality of branch circuits coupled to the power distribution point. A processor coupled to the sensor module determines a response of each magnetic field sensor to each of a plurality of changes in power associated with at least one of the plurality of branch circuits. The processor positions the responses of the magnetic field sensors to each change in power on a point in a multidimensional space, where each dimension of the multidimensional space corresponds to a magnetic field sensor. The processor identifies clusters of the points in the multidimensional space, each cluster representing a different branch circuit and having a different vector direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Stan Heckman, Chonglin Liu, Christopher Dale Sloop, Scott Stickels, Donnie Bixler, Emily Stickels
  • Patent number: 9702959
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for remote sensing to derive a calibrated power measurement for a power distribution point. Magnetic field sensors of a sensor module sense a magnetic field emitted by the power distribution point. A first processor generates an uncalibrated power measurement for each magnetic field sensor, the uncalibrated power measurement derived from the magnetic field sensed by the magnetic field sensor and a voltage carried by the power distribution point. A second processor determines a response of each magnetic field sensor to a known power load being drawn through the power distribution point. The second processor derives a transfer function using the response of each magnetic field sensor to the known power load. The second processor applies the transfer function to the uncalibrated power measurement for each magnetic field sensor to generate the calibrated power measurement for the power distribution point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Earth Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Stan Heckman, Chonglin Liu, Christopher Dale Sloop, Scott Stickels, Donnie Bixler, Emily Stickels
  • Publication number: 20170090004
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for remote sensing to derive a calibrated power measurement for a power distribution point. Magnetic field sensors of a sensor module sense a magnetic field emitted by the power distribution point. A first processor generates an uncalibrated power measurement for each magnetic field sensor, the uncalibrated power measurement derived from the magnetic field sensed by the magnetic field sensor and a voltage carried by the power distribution point. A second processor determines a response of each magnetic field sensor to a known power load being drawn through the power distribution point. The second processor derives a transfer function using the response of each magnetic field sensor to the known power load. The second processor applies the transfer function to the uncalibrated power measurement for each magnetic field sensor to generate the calibrated power measurement for the power distribution point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Stan Heckman, Chonglin Liu, Christopher Dale Sloop, Scott Stickels, Donnie Bixler, Emily Stickels
  • Publication number: 20150134252
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for predicting the potential for severe weather. A computing device receives data associated with lightning activity, where the data includes lightning flash data. The computing device identifies cells of lighting activity based upon the lightning flash data and determines a movement speed, a movement direction, and a lightning rate of the cells of lightning activity based on the received data. The computing device compares the determined lightning rate to a threshold lightning rate, where the threshold rate is set based upon atmospheric conditions in a location of the cells of lightning activity. The computing device determines one or more geographical areas at risk based on the location, the movement speed, and the movement direction of the cells of lightning activity, and issues an alert to remote devices when the lightning rate exceeds a value of the threshold lightning rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Christopher Dale Sloop, Benjamin E. Beroukhim, Chonglin Liu, Stan Heckman, Mark A. Hoekzema
  • Patent number: 8836518
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for predicting the potential for severe weather. Data associated with lightning activity is received by a computing device. A location, a movement speed, a movement direction, and a lightning rate of one or more cells of lightning activity are determined by the computing device based on the received data. The lightning rate is compared, by the computing device, to a threshold lightning rate. One or more geographical areas at risk are determined by the computing device based on the location, the movement speed and the movement direction of the one or more cells of lightning activity. An alert is issued by the computing device to one or more remote devices monitoring the geographical areas when the lightning exceeds a value of the threshold lightning rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Earth Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Christopher Dale Sloop, Benjamin E. Beroukhim, Chonglin Liu, Stan Heckman, Mark A. Hoekzema
  • Publication number: 20130009780
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for predicting the potential for severe weather. Data associated with lightning activity is received by a computing device. A location, a movement speed, a movement direction, and a lightning rate of one or more cells of lightning activity are determined by the computing device based on the received data. The lightning rate is compared, by the computing device, to a threshold lightning rate. One or more geographical areas at risk are determined by the computing device based on the location, the movement speed and the movement direction of the one or more cells of lightning activity. An alert is issued by the computing device to one or more remote devices monitoring the geographical areas when the lightning exceeds a value of the threshold lightning rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Christopher Dale Sloop, Benjamin E. Beroukhim, Chonglin Liu, Stan Heckman, Mark A. Hoekzema
  • Patent number: 8275548
    Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for detecting lightning activity. Waveform data indicative of lightning activity is received by a waveform sensor from one or more signal converters. The waveform data comprises a group of electromagnetic waveforms. The waveform data is filtered by a processor to remove noise frequencies. One or more uncompressed portions of the waveform data are transmitted to a processing server. Digital filter data based on the one or more uncompressed portions of waveform data are received from the processing server. One or more frequencies are removed from the waveform data based on the digital filter data. The waveform data is compressed. The compressing includes selecting one or more points on a waveform, wherein the one or more points are above a predetermined threshold. The compressing includes determining an inflection of the selected points based on a predefined algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Earth Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Christopher Dale Sloop, Ralph Joseph Markson, Stan Heckman, Benjamin E. Beroukhim, Chonglin Liu
  • Patent number: 7953825
    Abstract: A method, system and program product for streaming of dynamic information content over an interactive media such as the Internet. The dynamic content, such as dynamic weather data, is collected from a plurality of collection sources such as geographically distributed local weather reporting stations. The data information can be relatively static or dynamic, constantly changing data. The dynamic content is stored in databases maintained on a direct access storage device at the dynamic content server. The selection of dynamic content to be transmitted to the end user client is based on a demographic profile that is completed at the time of end user client registration and which precedes delivery of any selected content in response to end user client requests. An application resident on the dynamic content server streams selected content simultaneously to a plurality of end user client devices for each end user client request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Earth Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Christopher D. Sloop, Chonglin Liu
  • Publication number: 20110040483
    Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for detecting lightning activity. Waveform data indicative of lightning activity is received by a waveform sensor from one or more signal converters. The waveform data comprises a group of electromagnetic waveforms. The waveform data is filtered by a processor to remove noise frequencies. One or more uncompressed portions of the waveform data are transmitted to a processing server. Digital filter data based on the one or more uncompressed portions of waveform data are received from the processing server. One or more frequencies are removed from the waveform data based on the digital filter data. The waveform data is compressed. The compressing includes selecting one or more points on a waveform, wherein the one or more points are above a predetermined threshold. The compressing includes determining an inflection of the selected points based on a predefined algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Christopher Dale Sloop, Ralph Joseph Markson, Stan Heckman, Benjamin E. Beroukhim, Chonglin Liu
  • Publication number: 20100082776
    Abstract: A method, system and program product for streaming of dynamic information content over an interactive media such as the Internet. The dynamic content, such as dynamic weather data, is collected from a plurality of collection sources such as geographically distributed local weather reporting stations. The data information can be relatively static or dynamic, constantly changing data. The dynamic content is stored in databases maintained on a direct access storage device at the dynamic content server. The selection of dynamic content to be transmitted to the end user client is based on a demographic profile that is completed at the time of end user client registration and which precedes delivery of any selected content in response to end user client requests. An application resident on the dynamic content server streams selected content simultaneously to a plurality of end user client devices for each end user client request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: AWS CONVERGENCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert S. MARSHALL, Christopher D. Sloop, Chonglin Liu
  • Patent number: 7653708
    Abstract: A method, system and program product for streaming of dynamic information content over an interactive media such as the Internet. The dynamic content, such as dynamic weather data, is collected from a plurality of collection sources such as geographically distributed local weather reporting stations. The data information can be relatively static or dynamic, constantly changing data. The dynamic content is stored in databases maintained on a direct access storage device at the dynamic content server. The selection of dynamic content to be transmitted to the end user client is based on a demographic profile that is completed at the time of end user client registration and which precedes delivery of any selected content in response to end user client requests. An application resident on the dynamic content server streams selected content simultaneously to a plurality of end user client devices for each end user client request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Christopher D. Sloop, Chonglin Liu