Patents by Inventor John S. Holmes
John S. Holmes 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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Patent number: 7170405Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating between an appliance and a power line carrier communication system includes at least one power line carrier connection, at least one appliance connection, and processing circuitry for translating between an appliance communication protocol and a power line carrier communication protocol. The method and apparatus allow bidirectional communication between power line carrier and apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2000Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Wolfgang Daum, John S. Holmes, William H. Bicknell, Scott A. Horning, Tanveer Iqbal, Scott C. Evans
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Patent number: 6802186Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a first refrigeration chamber, a second refrigeration chamber in flow communication with said the first refrigeration chamber, a sealed system for producing desired temperature conditions in the first refrigeration chamber and the second refrigeration chamber, and a controller operatively coupled to the sealed system. The controller is configured to accept a plurality of user-selected inputs including at least a first refrigeration chamber temperature and a second refrigeration chamber temperature, and to execute a plurality of algorithms to selectively control the first refrigeration chamber at a temperature above the second refrigeration chamber and at a temperature below the second chamber. Various control algorithms are provided for maintaining desired temperature conditions in the refrigeration chambers.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2001Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John S. Holmes, Robert M. Bultman, Jerry J. Queen, II, Wolfgang Daum, Richard Hornung, Rollie R. Herzog
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Patent number: 6782706Abstract: A control system for a refrigeration system having a refrigeration compartment and a quick chill/thaw pan. A main controller board, electrically connected to a temperature adjustment board and a dispenser board through the serial communications bus, controls the temperature of the refrigeration compartment and the quick chill/thaw pan. The control system accepts a plurality of inputs to determine a refrigeration mode and to execute a plurality of software algorithms to control the refrigeration compartment as both a chill pan to rapidly chill food and beverage items without freezing and a thaw pan to timely thaw frozen items at controlled temperature levels.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John S. Holmes, Jerry J. Queen, II, Rollie R. Herzog, Mark Robert Mathews, Robert M. Bultman, Tim Holder, Wolfgang Daum
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Publication number: 20040050079Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a first refrigeration chamber, a second refrigeration chamber in flow communication with said the first refrigeration chamber, a sealed system for producing desired temperature conditions in the first refrigeration chamber and the second refrigeration chamber, and a controller operatively coupled to the sealed system. The controller is configured to accept a plurality of user-selected inputs including at least a first refrigeration chamber temperature and a second refrigeration chamber temperature, and to execute a plurality of algorithms to selectively control the first refrigeration chamber at a temperature above the second refrigeration chamber and at a temperature below the second chamber. Various control algorithms are provided for maintaining desired temperature conditions in the refrigeration chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2001Publication date: March 18, 2004Inventors: John S. Holmes, Robert Bultman, Jerry Queen, Wolfgang Daum, Richard Hornung, Rollie Herzog
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Patent number: 6668568Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a refrigeration control system that is modular and contains an algorithm to control the energy and temperature performance of side-by-side, top mount, and bottom mount type refrigerators. The control algorithm uses a two-dimensional control grid to determine the state of the refrigeration system based on the temperature of the freezer compartment and the fresh food compartment. The control algorithm then controls the rate of the fresh food fan, evaporator fan, and the damper and to bring the refrigerator-freezer to a desired state and maintain that state.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John S. Holmes, Jerry J. Queen, II, Robert M. Bultman
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Patent number: 6606870Abstract: A defrost control system for a self-defrosting refrigerator is configured to monitor a compressor load, determine whether at least a first defrost cycle is required based on the compressor load, execute at least one defrost cycle when required; and regulate the defrost cycle to conserve energy. A controller is operatively coupled to a compressor, a defrost heater, and a refrigeration compartment temperature sensor. The controller makes defrost decisions based on temperature conditions in the refrigeration compartment in light of other events, such as refrigerator door openings, completed defrost cycles, and power up events. Defrost cycles are automatically adjusted as operating conditions change, thereby avoiding unnecessary energy consumption that would otherwise occur in a fixed defrost cycle.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2001Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John S. Holmes, Wolfgang Daum, Jerry J. Queen, II
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Patent number: 6564561Abstract: A system for displaying a temperature of a refrigerator compartment including at least one temperature sensor is provided that emulates the function and behavior of a thermostat to control and display refrigerator compartment temperature in a simple and intuitive manner. The system includes a controller including a processor and a memory and operatively coupled to the temperature sensor. A human machine interface board includes a display and is coupled to the controller and configured for receiving user input of a refrigerator compartment setting. The controller is configured to accept a set temperature of the at least one compartment, monitor actual temperature of the compartment; and display a damped temperature value based on operating conditions of the refrigerator.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Wolfgang Daum, Steven Gray, John S. Holmes
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Publication number: 20030056526Abstract: A control system for a refrigeration system having a refrigeration compartment and a quick chill/thaw pan. A main controller board, electrically connected to a temperature adjustment board and a dispenser board through the serial communications bus, controls the temperature of the refrigeration compartment and the quick chill/thaw pan. The control system accepts a plurality of inputs to determine a refrigeration mode and to execute a plurality of software algorithms to control the refrigeration compartment as both a chill pan to rapidly chill food and beverage items without freezing and a thaw pan to timely thaw frozen items at controlled temperature levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2000Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventors: John S. Holmes, Jerry Queen, Rollie Herzog, Mark Mathews, Robert Bultman, Tim Holder, Wolfgang Daum
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Publication number: 20030010089Abstract: A reduced error measurement system for use in, for example, an appliance control system includes a multiplexor, a plurality of sensors coupled to the multiplexor, and a single amplifier circuit having an impedance path. The multiplexor is configured to selectively place one of the sensors into the impedance path of the amplifier. A transfer function of an amplifier circuit is dependent upon a selected sensor response when placed into the circuit, thereby allowing a controller to make control decisions based upon a voltage output of the single amplifier, thereby reducing errors attributable to a plurality of amplifier channels. An adjacent channel calibration technique is used to calibrate a hard mounted sensor to an integrated circuit that applies a calibrated offset value determined with a removable sensor coupled to the integrated circuit to the hard mounted sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2000Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventor: John S. Holmes
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Publication number: 20030005713Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a refrigeration control system that is modular and contains an algorithm to control the energy and temperature performance of side-by-side, top mount, and bottom mount type refrigerators. The control algorithm uses a two-dimensional control grid to determine the state of the refrigeration system based on the temperature of the freezer compartment and the fresh food compartment. The control algorithm then controls the rate of the fresh food fan, evaporator fan, and the damper and to bring the refrigerator-freezer to a desired state and maintain that state.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2001Publication date: January 9, 2003Inventors: John S. Holmes, Jerry Queen, Robert Bultman
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Publication number: 20030007503Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating between an appliance and a power line carrier communication system includes at least one power line carrier connection, at least one appliance connection, and processing circuitry for translating between an appliance communication protocol and a power line carrier communication protocol. The method and apparatus allow bidirectional communication between power line carrier and apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2000Publication date: January 9, 2003Inventors: Wolfgang Daum, John S. Holmes, William Bicknell, Scott Horning, Tanveer Lqbal, Scott Evans
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Patent number: 6486718Abstract: A self-power down circuit for a controller coupled to a battery to obtain power from the battery. The controller has a port, the state of which changes during powering up of the controller. The circuit includes a first switching device including a main current conducting path and a control terminal. The control terminal of the first switching device is coupled to the port for monitoring the state of the port. The circuit further includes a second switching device including a main current conducting path and a control terminal, and a switch. The port is coupled to the battery through the main current conducting path of the second switching device. The control terminal of the second switching device is coupled to the switch for actuation by actuation of the switch. The control terminal of the second switching device is also coupled to the main current conducting paths of the first and second switching devices through first and second voltage dropping elements, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Roche Diagnostics CorporationInventors: Raleigh B. Stelle, IV, John S. Holmes, II
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Publication number: 20020171464Abstract: A self-power down circuit for a controller coupled to a battery to obtain power from the battery. The controller has a port, the state of which changes during powering up of the controller. The circuit includes a first switching device including a main current conducting path and a control terminal. The control terminal of the first switching device is coupled to the port for monitoring the state of the port. The circuit further includes a second switching device including a main current conducting path and a control terminal, and a switch. The port is coupled to the battery through the main current conducting path of the second switching device. The control terminal of the second switching device is coupled to the switch for actuation by actuation of the switch. The control terminal of the second switching device is also coupled to the main current conducting paths of the first and second switching devices through first and second voltage dropping elements, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2001Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventors: Raleigh B. Stelle, John S. Holmes
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Publication number: 20020126544Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an appliance control system includes a controller having a processor and a memory including at least a first memory area and a second memory area so that a multiple write architecture may be used for storing data. The processor is configured to acquire appliance status data on a periodic basis, write the refrigerator status data to the first memory area and to the second memory area, and perform error detection upon the written data during refrigerator power-up. Upon power up, the controller determines the validity of data in one of the memory locations, or pages. If the data is determined to be invalid on one memory page, another memory page is used. Thus, by storing data redundantly in multiple memory pages with appropriate security measures, data may be retained for use on power-up without the expense of additional electronic components.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: John S. Holmes, Robert Bultman
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Publication number: 20020112488Abstract: A system for displaying a temperature of a refrigerator compartment including at least one temperature sensor is provided that emulates the function and behavior of a thermostat to control and display refrigerator compartment temperature in a simple and intuitive manner. The system includes a controller including a processor and a memory and operatively coupled to the temperature sensor. A human machine interface board includes a display and is coupled to the controller and configured for receiving user input of a refrigerator compartment setting. The controller is configured to accept a set temperature of the at least one compartment, monitor actual temperature of the compartment; and display a damped temperature value based on operating conditions of the refrigerator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2000Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Wolfgang Daum, Steven Gray, John S. Holmes
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Publication number: 20020088238Abstract: A defrost control system for a self-defrosting refrigerator is configured to monitor a compressor load, determine whether at least a first defrost cycle is required based on the compressor load, execute at least one defrost cycle when required; and regulate the defrost cycle to conserve energy. A controller is operatively coupled to a compressor, a defrost heater, and a refrigeration compartment temperature sensor. The controller makes defrost decisions based on temperature conditions in the refrigeration compartment in light of other events, such as refrigerator door openings, completed defrost cycles, and power up events. Defrost cycles are automatically adjusted as operating conditions change, thereby avoiding unnecessary energy consumption that would otherwise occur in a fixed defrost cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Inventors: John S. Holmes, Wolfgang Daum, Jerry J. Queen
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Patent number: 5594906Abstract: A serial data interface includes a receive data terminal, a received serial data out terminal and an operating power supply terminal. A zero-power receive detector for the serial data interface includes a source for furnishing operating power to the interface. The supply of power from the source is controlled through a microcontroller for switching power to the interface. The microcontroller is coupled between the source and the operating power supply terminal of the interface. A light source portion of an optical isolator is coupled to the receive data terminal, and a light activated switch portion of the optical isolator is coupled to the microcontroller.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1994Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim CorporationInventors: John S. Holmes, II, Joe E. Anderson
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Patent number: 5371687Abstract: A system is provided for adapting one of a number of different types of instruments to a common protocol. Each instrument has a serial input-output (I/O) port, a control for the serial I/O port, and an input for operating power to the instrument. The system includes a different type of housing for each different type of instrument. Each different type of housing includes openings through which selected controls and displays of a respective one of the instruments are accessible. Each different type of housing includes couplers for coupling to a respective type of instrument's serial I/O port, and to a respective type of instrument's operating power input, and a data processing module including a first multiple conductor. Each type of housing includes a complementary second multiple conductor connector for connecting to the first multiple conductor connector when a respective housing is mated to the data processing module.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1992Date of Patent: December 6, 1994Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim CorporationInventors: John S. Holmes, II, Joe E. Anderson
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Patent number: D269140Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1981Date of Patent: May 31, 1983Inventor: John S. Holmes