Patents by Inventor Christopher Brophy
Christopher Brophy 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).
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Publication number: 20230376444Abstract: A building system of a building, the building system including an embedded computer, the embedded computer including one or more circuits configured to implement a universal serial bus (USB) host and communicate with peripheral USB building devices via the USB host, receive building data from at least one of the peripheral USB building devices, generate one or more control decisions for one or more of the peripheral USB building devices, and communicate the one or more control decisions to the one or more of the peripheral USB building devices via USB connection. The building system includes the peripheral USB building devices, wherein each of the peripheral USB building devices are connected to the USB host via at least one of a direct USB connection to the embedded computer or an indirect USB connection through another one of the peripheral USB building devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventors: Christopher Brophy, Justin J. Seifi, Alan J. Bronikowski
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Publication number: 20230326643Abstract: An actuator includes a solenoid including a coil and a plunger, a switch circuit coupled to the coil, and a control circuit coupled to the switch circuit. The control circuit is configured to receive a feedback signal representative of a plunger position. The control circuit is also configured to provide power to the solenoid via the switch circuit and reduce power to the solenoid via the switch circuit in response to the feedback signal being representative of the plunger being in a full travel position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2022Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Christopher Brophy, Jason Raasch, Kevin Dixon
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Patent number: 11770453Abstract: A controller in a building management system (BMS) includes an integrated wireless network processor. The integrated wireless network processor includes a wireless radio, a processor, and memory. The wireless radio is configured to exchange data communications with one or more BMS devices controlled by the controller. Both the processor and memory are in communication with the wireless radio. The memory includes communication stacks configured to facilitate communications using a building automation and control network communications protocol and a Wi-Fi communications protocol. The integrated wireless network processor is configured to provide a web page for rendering on the user device using the WiFi communications protocol.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Christopher Brophy, Kim K. Weller, Daniel R. Gottschalk, Ryan J. Bykowski, Tom Z. Zhuang
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Patent number: 11740601Abstract: A building system of a building, the building system including an embedded computer, the embedded computer including one or more circuits configured to implement a universal serial bus (USB) host and communicate with peripheral USB building devices via the USB host, receive building data from at least one of the peripheral USB building devices, generate one or more control decisions for one or more of the peripheral USB building devices, and communicate the one or more control decisions to the one or more of the peripheral USB building devices via one or more USB connections. The building system includes the peripheral USB building devices, wherein each of the peripheral USB building devices are connected to the USB host via at least one of a direct USB connection to the embedded computer or an indirect USB connection through another one of the peripheral USB building devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventors: Christopher Brophy, Justin J. Seifi, Alan J. Bronikowski
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Publication number: 20230266726Abstract: A device for use in a building management system (BMS) is a controller device. The device includes a base comprising a first processor and a base interface, the first processor being configure to provide control operations for a device in the building system, and a first module installable on and removable from the base. The first module includes a first module interface for receiving power from and communicating with the base via the base interface. In some embodiments, the device includes an optional a second module installable on and removable from the base, the second module comprising a second module interface for receiving power from and communicating with the base via the base interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2022Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Christopher Brophy, Daniel Disch, Kim Weller, Julie Ahl, Nathan Emlen
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Publication number: 20220275963Abstract: A flow control device for controlling flow in a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system is shown. The flow control device includes a valve body including an inlet path, an outlet path, a valve member, and a valve stem coupled to the valve member. The flow control device includes a first sensor configured to obtain pressure measurements within the valve body, a second sensor configured to obtain displacement measurements of the valve stem, and a controller including a processing circuit configured to determine a flowrate based at least on the pressure measurements from the first sensor and the displacement measurements from the second sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2021Publication date: September 1, 2022Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Jason J. Raasch, Christopher Brophy, Kevin A. Weiss, Duane S. Freimuth
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Patent number: 11196814Abstract: A controller in a building management system (BMS) includes an integrated wireless network processor chip. The integrated wireless network processor chip includes a wireless radio, a processor, and memory. The wireless radio is configured to exchange data communications with one or more BMS devices controlled by the controller. Both the processor and memory are in communication with the wireless radio and located on the same chip as the wireless radio. The memory includes communication stacks configured to facilitate communications using a building automation and control network communications protocol and a Wi-Fi communications protocol. The integrated wireless network processor chip receives data from the BMS devices via the wireless radio, formats the data using the processor, stores the data in the memory, and sends the data via the wireless radio without requiring any additional processing or communications components outside the integrated wireless network processor chip.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Christopher Brophy, Kim K. Weller, Daniel R. Gottschalk, Ryan J. Bykowski, Tom Z. Zhuang
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Patent number: 10968579Abstract: An avalanche control device includes a detonation initiator unit and a bio-degradable linear bag. The initiator unit is elongated and includes an ignition end, an inflation end, and a stepped transition zone in between that gets progressively greater in diameter as it extends from the ignition end towards the inflation end. The inflatable bag is adapted for connection to the inflation end of the initiator unit. The design of initiator unit is fixed and reusable, while the bag dimensions can be tailored to the desired blast strength for the end user, in terms of length, diameter, and mixture ratio.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Avy Blasters, LLCInventors: Christopher Brophy, Evan Neumann
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Publication number: 20200396297Abstract: A controller in a building management system (BMS) includes an integrated wireless network processor. The integrated wireless network processor includes a wireless radio, a processor, and memory. The wireless radio is configured to exchange data communications with one or more BMS devices controlled by the controller. Both the processor and memory are in communication with the wireless radio. The memory includes communication stacks configured to facilitate communications using a building automation and control network communications protocol and a Wi-Fi communications protocol. The integrated wireless network processor is configured to provide a web page for rendering on the user device using the WiFi communications protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Christopher Brophy, Kim K. Weller, Daniel R. Gottschalk, Ryan J. Bykowski, Tom Z. Zhuang
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Publication number: 20200387125Abstract: A building system of a building, the building system including an embedded computer, the embedded computer including one or more circuits configured to implement a universal serial bus (USB) host and communicate with peripheral USB building devices via the USB host, receive building data from at least one of the peripheral USB building devices, generate one or more control decisions for one or more of the peripheral USB building devices, and communicate the one or more control decisions to the one or more of the peripheral USB building devices via one or more USB connections. The building system includes the peripheral USB building devices, wherein each of the peripheral USB building devices are connected to the USB host via at least one of a direct USB connection to the embedded computer or an indirect USB connection through another one of the peripheral USB building devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Christopher Brophy, Justin J. Seifi, Alan J. Bronikowski
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Patent number: 10798177Abstract: A controller in a building management system (BMS) includes an integrated wireless network processor chip. The integrated wireless network processor chip includes a wireless radio, a processor, and memory. The wireless radio is configured to exchange data communications with one or more BMS devices controlled by the controller. Both the processor and memory are in communication with the wireless radio and located on the same chip as the wireless radio. The memory includes communication stacks configured to facilitate communications using a building automation and control network communications protocol and a Wi-Fi communications protocol. The integrated wireless network processor chip receives data from the BMS devices via the wireless radio, formats the data using the processor, stores the data in the memory, and sends the data via the wireless radio without requiring any additional processing or communications components outside the integrated wireless network processor chip.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Christopher Brophy, Kim K. Weller, Daniel R. Gottschalk, Ryan J. Bykowski, Tom Z. Zhuang
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Publication number: 20200092378Abstract: A controller in a building management system (BMS) includes an integrated wireless network processor chip. The integrated wireless network processor chip includes a wireless radio, a processor, and memory. The wireless radio is configured to exchange data communications with one or more BMS devices controlled by the controller. Both the processor and memory are in communication with the wireless radio and located on the same chip as the wireless radio. The memory includes communication stacks configured to facilitate communications using a building automation and control network communications protocol and a Wi-Fi communications protocol. The integrated wireless network processor chip receives data from the BMS devices via the wireless radio, formats the data using the processor, stores the data in the memory, and sends the data via the wireless radio without requiring any additional processing or communications components outside the integrated wireless network processor chip.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Christopher Brophy, Kim K. Weller, Daniel R. Gottschalk, Ryan J. Bykowski, Tom Z. Zhuang
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Publication number: 20200036795Abstract: A controller in a building management system (BMS) includes an integrated wireless network processor chip. The integrated wireless network processor chip includes a wireless radio, a processor, and memory. The wireless radio is configured to exchange data communications with one or more BMS devices controlled by the controller. Both the processor and memory are in communication with the wireless radio and located on the same chip as the wireless radio. The memory includes communication stacks configured to facilitate communications using a building automation and control network communications protocol and a Wi-Fi communications protocol. The integrated wireless network processor chip receives data from the BMS devices via the wireless radio, formats the data using the processor, stores the data in the memory, and sends the data via the wireless radio without requiring any additional processing or communications components outside the integrated wireless network processor chip.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Christopher Brophy, Kim K. Weller, Daniel R. Gottschalk, Ryan J. Bykowski, Tom Z. Zhuang
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Publication number: 20200032466Abstract: An avalanche control device includes a detonation initiator unit and a bio-degradable linear bag. The initiator unit is elongated and includes an ignition end, an inflation end, and a stepped transition zone in between that gets progressively greater in diameter as it extends from the ignition end towards the inflation end. The inflatable bag is adapted for connection to the inflation end of the initiator unit. The design of initiator unit is fixed and reusable, while the bag dimensions can be tailored to the desired blast strength for the end user, in terms of length, diameter, and mixture ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Applicant: Avy Blasters, LLCInventors: Christopher Brophy, Evan Neumann
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Patent number: 10484478Abstract: A controller in a building management system (BMS) includes an integrated wireless network processor chip. The integrated wireless network processor chip includes a wireless radio, a processor, and memory. The wireless radio is configured to exchange data communications with one or more BMS devices controlled by the controller. Both the processor and memory are in communication with the wireless radio and located on the same chip as the wireless radio. The memory includes communication stacks configured to facilitate communications using a building automation and control network communications protocol and a WiFi communications protocol. The integrated wireless network processor chip receives data from the BMS devices via the wireless radio, formats the data using the processor, stores the data in the memory, and sends the data via the wireless radio without requiring any additional processing or communications components outside the integrated wireless network processor chip.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Christopher Brophy, Kim K. Weller, Daniel R. Gottschalk, Ryan J. Bykowski, Tom Z. Zhuang
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Publication number: 20190321666Abstract: A method for reducing smoke in a building fire includes integrating a non-halogen flame retardant into a printed circuit board, installing the printed circuit board in an electronic device, and installing the electronic device in an air handling space.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Wesley J. Irek, Toni M. Ruel, Christopher Brophy, Gerald P. Nagl
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Patent number: 10278048Abstract: Implementations herein relate to visualization of interaction with a building management system (BMS). Such interaction may be facilitated with a smart headset that displays a three-dimensional model of an image with real-time data from the BMS to enable monitoring and control of the BMS. In one implementation, a system for locating a target in a building includes a server, a first wireless emitter, and an application on a mobile device. The first wireless emitter is associated with the target and configured to emit a first emitter identifier within a first range. The application is configured to detect the first emitter identifier when the mobile device is within the first range. The application is also configured to transmit the first emitter identifier to the server in response to detecting the first emitter identifier. The application is also configured to receive a first content from the server.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Vikas Sharma, Sudhanshu Dixit, Ashok Sridharan, Shubhankar S. Roychoudhury, Jeeva S, Christopher Brophy, Justin J. Seifi, Mark G. Freund, Ankur Thareja
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Publication number: 20180206096Abstract: Implementations herein relate to visualization of interaction with a building management system (BMS). Such interaction may be facilitated with a smart headset that displays a three-dimensional model of an image with real-time data from the BMS to enable monitoring and control of the BMS. In one implementation, a system for locating a target in a building includes a server, a first wireless emitter, and an application on a mobile device. The first wireless emitter is associated with the target and configured to emit a first emitter identifier within a first range. The application is configured to detect the first emitter identifier when the mobile device is within the first range. The application is also configured to transmit the first emitter identifier to the server in response to detecting the first emitter identifier. The application is also configured to receive a first content from the server.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Vikas Sharma, Sudhanshu Dixit, Ashok Sridharan, Shubhankar S. Roychoudhury, Jeeva S, Christopher Brophy, Justin J. Seifi, Mark G. Freund, Ankur Thareja
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Patent number: 9571986Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and using equipment location in a building management system are provided. Location information is measured by one or more measurement devices at a physical location of building equipment. The measured location information is used to automatically determine the physical location of the building equipment in or around a building. The location of the building equipment is integrated with an architectural model of a building served by the building equipment and a graphical visualization of the integrated model is generated. The location of the building equipment can be used to automatically associate the building equipment with other building equipment or with a building zone, to automatically generate control parameters and control algorithms, and/or to generate an augmented reality display of the building equipment in the building.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Donald A. Gottschalk, Troy A. Goldschmidt, Christopher Brophy
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Publication number: 20160330285Abstract: A controller in a building management system (BMS) includes an integrated wireless network processor chip. The integrated wireless network processor chip includes a wireless radio, a processor, and memory. The wireless radio is configured to exchange data communications with one or more BMS devices controlled by the controller. Both the processor and memory are in communication with the wireless radio and located on the same chip as the wireless radio. The memory includes communication stacks configured to facilitate communications using a building automation and control network communications protocol and a WiFi communications protocol. The integrated wireless network processor chip receives data from the BMS devices via the wireless radio, formats the data using the processor, stores the data in the memory, and sends the data via the wireless radio without requiring any additional processing or communications components outside the integrated wireless network processor chip.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Christopher Brophy, Kim K. Weller, Daniel R. Gottschalk, Ryan J. Bykowski, Tom Z. Zhuang