Patents by Inventor John J. Fowler

John J. Fowler 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).

  • Patent number: 8090817
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a space external to the system is disclosed. The system includes a microprocessor, a memory coupled to the microprocessor, a sensor configured to detect at least one environmental parameter of the space external to the system and configured to generate a sensor signal derived from the at least one detected environmental parameter of the space and at least one port for communicating with a network. The memory includes instructions for processing the sensor signal derived from the at least one environmental parameter of the space external to the system and the memory including a web server application. The at least one port is responsive to the microprocessor. The web server application is configured to provide a webpage associated with the sensor signal via the at least one port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Fowler, Gerard L. Cullen
  • Patent number: 8024451
    Abstract: The application discloses an apparatus including at least one sensor configured to monitor environmental conditions ambient to rack mounted computer equipment and a housing configured for mounting to an equipment rack. The housing includes a processor responsive to the sensor, at least one network interface responsive to the processor and configured for communication with a distributed computing network, a web server configured to provide a web page associated with information derived from the sensor, an email module configured to send notification of events associated with the sensor, and a simple network management protocol module configured to communicate with computer equipment external to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Fowler, Gerard L. Cullen
  • Patent number: 8005944
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring a space and its contents over a network. The system can include an embedded Java microprocessor to provide processing and network connectivity capability, and sensors to detect physical parameters associated with the space. The sensors can generate one or more sensor signals representative of the detected physical parameters. An analog-to-digital converter can convert the sensor signals to a digital format and can provide corresponding digital signals to the microprocessor. The system further includes instructions for processing the sensor signals and corresponding digital signals. An alarm signal can be generated when any of the physical parameters exceeds a corresponding threshold value. The system of the present invention can have at least one input/output port for communicating with the network and one or more memory modules for storing system data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Fowler, Gerard L. Cullen
  • Patent number: 7529838
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a network-enabled appliance. The appliance may aid the remote monitoring of various measured data. The device may monitor a variable or set of variables and output the data upon request. In addition, the appliance may issue alarms, alerts, warning and other notifications when a variable matches a setpoint or undergoes a specified change, deviation, and/or fluctuation. Further the appliance may be operable to communicate with other appliances. The communication may comprise periodic pinging of peer appliances. In this manner, a peer appliance may detect a failure in other network-enabled appliances when an anticipated ping is not received. Further, the communication may enable the establishment of a directory of capabilities of various appliances. In this manner, a group of appliances may perform more complex behaviors by grouping resources. Further, a group of appliances may act to reestablish the behavior of a failed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Primm, John J. Fowler, Gary Faulkner
  • Patent number: 7159022
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a network-enabled appliance. The appliance may aid the remote monitoring of various measured data. The device may monitor a variable or set of variables and output the data upon request. In addition, the appliance may issue alarms, alerts, warning and other notifications when a variable matches a setpoint or undergoes a specified change, deviation, and/or fluctuation. Further the appliance may be operable to communicate with other appliances. The communication may comprise periodic pinging of peer appliances. In this manner, a peer appliance may detect a failure in other network-enabled appliances when an anticipated ping is not received. Further, the communication may enable the establishment of a directory of capabilities of various appliances. In this manner, a group of appliances may perform more complex behaviors by grouping resources. Further, a group of appliances may act to reestablish the behavior of a failed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Primm, John J. Fowler, Gary Faulkner
  • Publication number: 20040160897
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring a space and its contents over a network. The system can include an embedded Java microprocessor to provide processing and network connectivity capability, and sensors to detect physical parameters associated with the space. The sensors can generate one or more sensor signals representative of the detected physical parameters. An analog-to-digital converter can convert the sensor signals to a digital format and can provide corresponding digital signals to the microprocessor. The system further includes instructions for processing the sensor signals and corresponding digital signals. An alarm signal can be generated when any of the physical parameters exceeds a corresponding threshold value. The system of the present invention can have at least one input/output port for communicating with the network and one or more memory modules for storing system data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: NETBOTZ, INC.
    Inventors: John J. Fowler, Gerard L. Cullen
  • Publication number: 20040163102
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a space external to the system is disclosed. The system includes a microprocessor, a memory coupled to the microprocessor, a sensor configured to detect at least one environmental parameter of the space external to the system and configured to generate a sensor signal derived from the at least one detected environmental parameter of the space and at least one port for communicating with a network. The memory includes instructions for processing the sensor signal derived from the at least one environmental parameter of the space external to the system and the memory including a web server application. The at least one port is responsive to the microprocessor. The web server application is configured to provide a webpage associated with the sensor signal via the at least one port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: NETBOTZ, INC.
    Inventors: John J. Fowler, Gerard L. Cullen
  • Patent number: 6759954
    Abstract: A multiple dimension vector-based occupancy sensor. One or more sensors (for example, ultrasonic and/or infrared sensors) are used to produce one or more occupancy estimator vectors. The individual dimensions of the one or more occupancy estimator vectors are combined using a fusion based detection algorithm to produce a combined estimator signal. The combined estimator is then used to switch electrical loads when the combined estimator signal is above a predetermined threshold. The result is an occupancy sensor that has a very high probability of occupancy detection and a low probability of false tripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas D. Myron, John J. Fowler, Dennis M. O'brien
  • Patent number: 6714977
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring a space, and in particular, an enclosure, and its contents over a network. The system can include an microprocessor to provide processing and network connectivity capability, and sensors to detect physical parameters associated with the space. A converter can convert sensor signals to a digital format and provide the signals to the microprocessor. The system includes instructions for processing the signals. An alarm signal can be generated when any of the physical parameters exceeds a corresponding threshold value. The system of the present invention can have at least one port for communicating with the network and memory modules for storing system data. The system of this invention can have a network-based interface such as an HTML interface for providing programming instructions to the microprocessor and for receiving monitoring status and alarm information from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Netbotz, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Fowler, Gerard L. Cullen
  • Publication number: 20020124081
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a network-enabled appliance. The appliance may aid the remote monitoring of various measured data. The device may monitor a variable or set of variables and output the data upon request. In addition, the appliance may issue alarms, alerts, warning and other notifications when a variable matches a setpoint or undergoes a specified change, deviation, and/or fluctuation. Further the appliance may be operable to communicate with other appliances. The communication may comprise periodic pinging of peer appliances. In this manner, a peer appliance may detect a failure in other network-enabled appliances when an anticipated ping is not received. Further, the communication may enable the establishment of a directory of capabilities of various appliances. In this manner, a group of appliances may perform more complex behaviors by grouping resources. Further, a group of appliances may act to reestablish the behavior of a failed device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: NetBotz Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Primm, John J. Fowler, Gary Faulkner
  • Patent number: 6415205
    Abstract: A multiple sensing technology-based occupancy sensor. Ultrasonic and infrared sensors are used to produce first and second occupancy estimator signals that are combined using a fusion based detection algorithm to produce a combined estimator signal. The combined estimator is then used to switch electrical loads when the combined estimator signal is above a predetermined threshold. The result is an occupancy sensor that has a very high probability of occupancy detection and a low probability of false tripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Mytech Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Myron, Vadim A. Konradi, Bruce G. Williams, John J. Fowler, Timothy W. Woytek, Jonathan D. Williams, Gerard L. Cullen
  • Patent number: 6078253
    Abstract: A multiple sensing technology-based occupancy sensor. Ultrasonic and infrared sensors are used to produce first and second occupancy estimator signals that are combined using a fusion based detection algorithm to produce a combined estimator signal. The combined estimator is then used to switch electrical loads when the combined estimator signal is above a predetermined threshold. The result is an occupancy sensor that has a very high probability of occupancy detection and a low probability of false tripping. In addition, infrared sensitivity is adjusted based upon an estimation of the background noise in order to minimize the occurrence of false tripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Mytech Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Fowler
  • Patent number: 5986357
    Abstract: A multiple sensing technology-based occupancy sensor. Ultrasonic and infrared sensors are used to produce first and second occupancy estimator signals that are combined using a fusion based detection algorithm to produce a combined estimator signal. The combined estimator is then used to switch electrical loads when the combined estimator signal is above a predetermined threshold. The result is an occupancy sensor that has a very high probability of occupancy detection and a low probability of false tripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Mytech Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Myron, Vadim A. Konradi, Bruce G. Williams, John J. Fowler, Timothy W. Woytek, Jonathan D. Williams, Gerard L. Cullen