Patents by Inventor James A. Dougherty

James A. Dougherty 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: 20170055097
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for determining relative locations of wireless loudspeakers and performing channel mapping thereof ?n audio processing component utilizes sounds produced by wireless loudspeakers during setup/installation procedures, which are received by a microphone at locations in an acoustic space, to determine an amount of time between when the audio signal is initially transmitted and when the microphone signal is received. The audio processing component also utilizes wireless timing signals provided by a wireless transceiver, at locations in the acoustic space, to wireless loudspeakers and then back to the wireless transceiver to determine an amount of time between transmission and reception by the wireless transceiver. The timing delays are used to determine the locations of the wireless loudspeakers in the acoustic space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: James Dougherty, Juin-Hwey Chen
  • Patent number: 9564751
    Abstract: Circuit protection devices, power distribution systems, and circuit protection device monitoring in a zone selective interlocking (ZSI) system are described. In one example, a circuit protection device for use in a ZSI power distribution system includes a trip mechanism configured to interrupt current flowing through the circuit protection device, and a trip unit operatively coupled to the trip mechanism. The trip unit is configured to monitor current flowing through the circuit protection device, output a first signal when the monitored current is less than a threshold value, and output a second signal when the monitored current is greater than or equal to the threshold value. The first and second signals are different from each other and different than an absence of a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John James Dougherty, Marcelo Esteban Valdes
  • Publication number: 20160365719
    Abstract: Power distribution systems and methods are described. In one example, a method of testing a power distribution system including a first circuit protection device and a second circuit protection device coupled to the first circuit protection device downstream of the first circuit protection device is described. The method includes monitoring a status of a communicative connection between a ZSI output port of the first circuit protection device and a ZSI input port of the second circuit protection device with a ZSI monitor of the first circuit protection device, detecting whether the ZSI output port of the first circuit protection device is coupled to the ZSI input port of the second circuit protection device, and indicating the status of the communicative connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Lathom Alexander Louco, John James Dougherty, Craig Benjamin Williams
  • Patent number: 9488714
    Abstract: A computer for continuous calibration of circuit breaker trip units and metering devices includes a processor and a memory device. The computer is configured to request and receive circuit breaker current data from a plurality of circuit breaker trip units. The circuit breaker current data represents current data associated with the circuit breaker trip units over a collection interval. The computer is configured to receive main current data from a main trip unit. The computer is configured to determine a plurality of calibration factors for the circuit breaker trip units based upon the circuit breaker current data and the main current data. The computer is additionally configured to transmit the calibration factors to the circuit breaker trip units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John James Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9488689
    Abstract: A fault location system for locating a fault in a power distribution system is provided. The fault location system includes a grounding resistor assembly configured to generate, in response to detection of the fault, a tracing signal that alternates between on periods and off periods, and a plurality of power distribution networks, wherein a first power distribution network of the plurality of power distribution networks is configured to receive a synchronizing message that includes a timing for the on periods and the off periods, measure, based on the synchronization message, a current through the first power distribution network to attempt to detect the fault, broadcast a fault detection message to all other power distribution networks of the plurality of power distribution networks when the fault is detected at the first power distribution network, and determine whether the first power distribution network is the location of the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John James Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9426441
    Abstract: Methods for carrying and transmitting overlay depth data of an overlay of a stereoscopic image of a display device as a fraction of a viewer distance from the overlay are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: James Dougherty, Thomas Zato, Gianluca Filippini
  • Publication number: 20160141861
    Abstract: Circuit protection devices, power distribution systems, and circuit protection device monitoring in a zone selective interlocking (ZSI) system are described. In one example, a circuit protection device for use in a ZSI power distribution system includes a trip mechanism configured to interrupt current flowing through the circuit protection device, and a trip unit operatively coupled to the trip mechanism. The trip unit is configured to monitor current flowing through the circuit protection device, output a first signal when the monitored current is less than a threshold value, and output a second signal when the monitored current is greater than or equal to the threshold value. The first and second signals are different from each other and different than an absence of a signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: John James Dougherty, Marcelo Esteban Valdes
  • Publication number: 20160061879
    Abstract: A fault location system for locating a fault in a power distribution system is provided. The fault location system includes a grounding resistor assembly configured to generate, in response to detection of the fault, a tracing signal that alternates between on periods and off periods, and a plurality of power distribution networks, wherein a first power distribution network of the plurality of power distribution networks is configured to receive a synchronizing message that includes a timing for the on periods and the off periods, measure, based on the synchronization message, a current through the first power distribution network to attempt to detect the fault, broadcast a fault detection message to all other power distribution networks of the plurality of power distribution networks when the fault is detected at the first power distribution network, and determine whether the first power distribution network is the location of the fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: John James Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20150314250
    Abstract: A mixer for mixing an exhaust flow in an exhaust pipe includes a tubular housing having a first end, a second end and a center portion positioned between the ends. The center portion has a reduced size in relation to at least one of the first and second ends. The housing includes circumferentially spaced apart apertures extending through the center portion. A mixing element includes a body having a first peripheral portion and a second peripheral portion. The first peripheral portion is fixed to the center portion at a location adjacent to one of the apertures. The second peripheral portion is fixed to the center portion at a location adjacent to another one of the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Manoj K. Sampath, Rangan Chakravarthi, James Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20150263503
    Abstract: A circuit protection device having operational parameters configurable only via a separate programming device includes a memory configured to receive a selector identifying one of a plurality of operational parameters to be adjusted, and to receive a parameter value from the programming device. A processor is coupled to the memory and is configured to receive the selector from the memory, select the operational parameter of the circuit protection device based on the selector, and to receive a parameter value for the operational parameter from memory, and set the selected operational parameter to the parameter value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventor: John James Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9095827
    Abstract: A mixer for mixing an exhaust flow with a fluid injected into an exhaust pipe includes a tubular housing having a reduced size center portion positioned between first and second ends. The housing includes circumferentially spaced apart apertures extending through the center portion. A first mixing element includes a first peripheral portion positioned within one of the apertures and a second peripheral portion positioned within another one of the apertures. A second mixing element includes third and fourth peripheral portions positioned within other apertures of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Manoj K. Sampath, Rangan Chakravarthi, James Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20150168470
    Abstract: A method of detecting thermal hotspots in a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a conductive hub including a connection point for coupling to an electrical distribution component. The method includes measuring a first temperature of the conductive hub at the connection point, estimating a second temperature of the conductive hub at the connection point, and determining when a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature exceeds a first predetermined threshold. The estimation based at least partially on an amount of electric current flowing through the conductive hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John James Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9054513
    Abstract: A circuit protection device includes an adjustment device configured to provide a selected voltage, a memory configured to store a selector, and a processor coupled to the memory and to the adjustment device. The processor is configured to receive the selector from the memory, select an operational parameter of the circuit protection device based on the selector, receive a voltage value representative of a selected voltage provided by the adjustment device, and set the selected operational parameter to a parameter value based on the voltage value received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John James Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20140266039
    Abstract: A charging device for use with an electric vehicle including a power storage device is provided. The charging device includes a current control device configured to selectively enable current to be received at the charging device from an electrical distribution device and supplied to a power storage device connected to the charging device, and a processor coupled to the current control device. The processor is configured to assign, based at least in part on a connect time of the power storage device to the charging device, a current allocation to said charging device, and control the current control device to enable the current allocation to be at least one of received from the electrical distribution device and supplied by the charging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: John James Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20140278179
    Abstract: A computer for continuous calibration of circuit breaker trip units and metering devices includes a processor and a memory device. The computer is configured to request and receive circuit breaker current data from a plurality of circuit breaker trip units. The circuit breaker current data represents current data associated with the circuit breaker trip units over a collection interval. The computer is configured to receive main current data from a main trip unit. The computer is configured to determine a plurality of calibration factors for the circuit breaker trip units based upon the circuit breaker current data and the main current data. The computer is additionally configured to transmit the calibration factors to the circuit breaker trip units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: John James Dougherty
  • Patent number: 8830300
    Abstract: Techniques for converting 3D images using alpha maps are described. A left-view image and a right-view image may be determined from media data received by a 3D display system. An alpha map specifying a plurality of operations for a plurality of locations that correspond to the first plurality of locations in the images may also be determined. The plurality of operations specified in the alpha map may be applied by the 3D display system to process the left-view and right-view images, and to generate, based on the left-view and right-view images, a third image in an appropriate 3D format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gianluca Filippini, Reinhard Steffens, James Dougherty, Thomas Zato
  • Patent number: 8743178
    Abstract: Techniques for multi-view video format control are provided. In some embodiments, a display video format supported by a display panel is determined. A video format code is extracted from a coded bitstream in which a plurality of images is encoded in two or more source video formats. The video format code identifies a source video format in which a set of images in the plurality of images is encoded. A video format filter is selected to modify the set of images encoded in the source video format to generate another set of images encoded in the display video format. The other set of images encoded in the display video format is sent to the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gianluca Filippini, Reinhard Steffens, James Dougherty, Thomas Zato
  • Patent number: 8724274
    Abstract: A power distribution system includes a first circuit protection device and a second circuit protection device coupled to the first circuit protection device downstream of the first circuit protection device. The second circuit protection device includes a trip mechanism configured to interrupt a current flowing through the second circuit protection device, and a trip unit operatively coupled to the trip mechanism. The trip mechanism is configured to determine, for the second circuit protection device, a protective threshold, a blocking threshold that is lower than the protective threshold, and a backup threshold that is higher than the protective threshold, activate the trip mechanism based on a determination that the current flowing through the second circuit protection device exceeds the protective threshold, and transmit a first blocking signal to the first circuit protection device upon a determination that the current exceeds the blocking threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Marcelo Esteban Valdes, John James Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20140107914
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for determining proximity to a utility and using the location information of the utility are provided herein. In one example, a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon program instructions executable by a computing device is presented. When executed by the computing device, the program instructions direct the computing device to receive an indication of location of a utility, receive location information of a device, determine utility proximity information, and provide an indication of utility proximity information. The utility location information may then be used with map and other information, or used to control grading operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: James Toole, James Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20140104736
    Abstract: A circuit protection device includes an adjustment device configured to provide a selected voltage, a memory configured to store a selector, and a processor coupled to the memory and to the adjustment device. The processor is configured to receive the selector from the memory, select an operational parameter of the circuit protection device based on the selector, receive a voltage value representative of a selected voltage provided by the adjustment device, and set the selected operational parameter to a parameter value based on the voltage value received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John James Dougherty