Patents by Inventor Robert Martens

Robert Martens 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: 20130031617
    Abstract: System, method, and computer-readable instructions for use in communicating with an energy management device in a network that comprises one or more energy devices. First search results are created by searching for devices associated with a first energy management device identifier using a first discovery protocol. Second search results are created by searching for devices associated with a second energy management device identifier using a second discovery protocol. The first and second search results are combined to create a collection of candidate devices, and at least one candidate device of the candidate devices is validated to determine whether the candidate device is an energy management device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Myles Caley, Robert Marten Bultman, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Elmer Weston Brown, William Anthony Watts, Edward Robert Melski
  • Publication number: 20130018843
    Abstract: A system associated with a home energy gateway (HEG) is provided. The system includes a database having a plurality of data entry blocks, each block corresponding to a time interval and an internal database timing device configured to sync with an external real-time time server and maintain accurate time in the database. The home energy gateway is configured to add time-stamped data entries to the database. A homeowner may select a time period for a power outage so that the system sends an alert if the time period power outage is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Marten Bultman, Irena Jozic McDowell, Joshua Blake Huff
  • Publication number: 20120323391
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed that includes a controller that determines a sleep schedule for reduced function devices on a home network. The devices have various sleep schedules in which to operate in an active state or a reduced function state. The controller determines the different schedules by sending communication messages to each device via a communication module. A timer is used to determine a sleep schedule for reduced function devices (RFDs) on the network. The sleep schedule is used to monitor when the devices are communicating on the network and are no longer able to communicate with the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Jeff Donald Drake, Robert Marten Bultman, William Anthony Watts
  • Patent number: 8295990
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the operation of accessories in a home energy management system which manages a plurality of communication networks. The schedules are generated by using a central controller and interacting with a user interface found on a device separate from the central controller. The plurality of schedules are stored in the storage of the central controller, and a current schedule is selected from the stored schedules. The selected schedule is loaded onto an accessory through one of the communication channels for controlling the associate accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Michael Francis Finch, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, David C. Bingham, Jeff Donald Drake, William Anthony Watts, Kevin Farrelly Nolan, Cathy Diane Emery, Henry Kobraei
  • Publication number: 20120171955
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed that includes a controller that selects a frequency channel for a communication module joining a network of a home. Each module is assigned by the controller a frequency channel to communicate on that excludes channels already being used by a network of the home. Separate networks of a home are joined without communicating on the same frequency channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Jeff Donald Drake, Robert Marten Bultman
  • Publication number: 20120116597
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed that includes a central controller that takes energy data available from a power/energy measuring device, such as a “smart” meter that is located on a primary network and makes that data available to devices over a secondary network. The central controller is a home energy gateway that includes two communication modules, one of which is used to bind a meter as a router or end point on the primary network, and one which is used to form a secondary network here the central controller operates as network coordinator. The central controller also operates as an energy service portal for devices on the secondary network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Marten Bultman, Jeff Donald Drake
  • Patent number: 8102080
    Abstract: A control system for determining a magnitude of a voltage and controlling an application of the voltage to at least one load device of an appliance is disclosed. The control system includes a threshold-crossing circuit configured to receive a representation of the voltage and to provide an output signifying the voltage crossing a predetermined voltage threshold; and a processor which receives the output from the threshold-crossing circuit and determine the magnitude of the voltage based on the output and a line frequency based on the period of the output, determines an initial cooking profile from a group of cooking profiles based on a user selected initial setting for controlling the application of the voltage to the at least one load device, and adjusts the application of the voltage to the at least one load device based on the determined magnitude of the voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Julia Fonseca, Robert Marten Bultman, Bobby Hayes
  • Publication number: 20110264296
    Abstract: Provided is a method and system for updating of schedules to a device controlled by an energy management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jeff Donald Drake, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, Michael Francis Finch, Jay Andrew Broniak, Christopher Recio, Joseph Mark Brian
  • Publication number: 20110244834
    Abstract: The invention presently proposed relates to a method and an apparatus for intelligently composing a multimedia message for a mobile radio system. In this method, a digital voice message is received from a digital answering service, a blank multimedia message is generated and the received multimedia message is added, the available amount of data remaining in the multimedia message is calculated, the digital voice message is analyzed, and a suitable multimedia content is selected in dependence on the remaining available amount of data in the multimedia message and the analysis result, and finally the multimedia content thus selected is added to the multimedia message including the received digital voice message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Martens, Jan Martens
  • Publication number: 20110202196
    Abstract: A system and method of operating an energy data management and control system has a first communication network to transmit and receive data to and from a user interface, a second communication network to transmit and receive data to and from a Utility company, and a third communication network to access data from and provide data to accessories within a home. The system reformats the data from any of the first, second and third communication networks for communication with another of the first, second and third communication networks, wherein at least one of the communication networks operate on a protocol different from another one of the communications networks. The data defines various operations of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Michael Francis Finch, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, David C. Bingham, Jeff Donald Drake, William Anthony Watts, Kevin Farrelly Nolan, Cathy Diane Emery, Henry Kobraei
  • Publication number: 20110202190
    Abstract: A device configured in a unitary housing which includes a computing device with memory that stores energy information. A power supply and prongs attach to the power supply in the same unitary housing, wherein the prongs are configured to plug into a wall outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Michael Francis Finch, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, David C. Bingham, Jeff Donald Drake, William Anthony Watts, Kevin Farrelly Nolan, Cathy Diane Emery, Henry Kobraei
  • Publication number: 20110202910
    Abstract: A premises data management system includes a first communication network configured to transmit and receive data to and from a user interface. Another communication network is configured to access data from and provides data to accessories within the premises management system. A gateway of the system includes a first interface channel and another interface channel. The gateway receives the data from the first communication network, via the first interface channel. The gateway reformats the data from the first communication network for communication to the other communication network via the other interface channel. The gateway also requests data from the accessories via the other interface channel and replies to the user interface via the first interface channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Michael Francis Finch, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, David C. Bingham, Jeff Donald Drake, William Anthony Watts, Kevin Farrelly Nolan, Cathy Diane Emery, Henry Kobraei
  • Publication number: 20110202198
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the operation of accessories in a home energy management system which manages a plurality of communication networks. The schedules are generated by using a central controller and interacting with a user interface found on a device separate from the central controller. The plurality of schedules are stored in the storage of the central controller, and a current schedule is selected from the stored schedules. The selected schedule is loaded onto an accessory through one of the communication channels for controlling the associate accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Michael Francis Finch, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, David C. Bingham, Jeff Donald Drake, William Anthony Watts, Kevin Farrelly Nolan, Cathy Diane Emery, Henry Kobraei
  • Publication number: 20110202783
    Abstract: A device configured in a unitary displayless housing, including a computing device that stores, manipulates and communicates energy data, and the displayless external surface of the unitary housing, including status indicator lights to show the status of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Michael Francis Finch, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, David C. Bingham, Jeff Donald Drake, William Anthony Watts, Kevin Farrelly Nolan, Cathy Diane Emery, Henry Kobraei
  • Publication number: 20110202189
    Abstract: An energy data management control system is configured to allow a user to control operation of the data management among a plurality of modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Michael Francis Finch, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, David C. Bingham, Jeff Donald Drake, William Anthony Watts, Kevin Farrelly Nolan, Cathy Diane Emery, Henry Kobraei
  • Publication number: 20090294434
    Abstract: A control system for determining a magnitude of a voltage and controlling an application of the voltage to at least one load device of an appliance is disclosed. The control system includes a threshold-crossing circuit configured to receive a representation of the voltage and to provide an output signifying the voltage crossing a predetermined voltage threshold; and a processor which receives the output from the threshold-crossing circuit and determine the magnitude of the voltage based on the output and a line frequency based on the period of the output, determines an initial cooking profile from a group of cooking profiles based on a user selected initial setting for controlling the application of the voltage to the at least one load device, and adjusts the application of the voltage to the at least one load device based on the determined magnitude of the voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Julia Fonseca, Robert Marten Bultman, Bobby Hayes
  • Publication number: 20090167085
    Abstract: An appliance is provided with an improved power management system for controlling the total amount of current provided to at least a first load device of the appliance. The power management system is comprised of a microprocessor, an alternating current voltage source, a voltage regulating circuit, a clamping circuit, at least one load device, and a MOC and a triac for each of the at least two load devices. The clamping circuit outputs a fixed voltage of 5.7 volts during the positive portion of the ac cycle and a fixed voltage of ?0.7 volts during the negative portion of the ac cycle. The fixed voltages are input to a microprocessor which utilizes these inputs to control the average voltage and the amount of time the current is turned on to each of the at least first and second load devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Julia Fonseca, Robert Marten Bultman, Bobby Hayes
  • Publication number: 20080154099
    Abstract: A system for ongoing collection, transmission, storage, analysis, and presentation of physiological and other personal data from individuals is provided. The information is collected through a communications network from sources such as physiological sensors, existing databases, keyboard/keypad/mouse input, interactive voice response (IVR) systems, and web interfaces. Storage of information is provided by secure network data servers. Analysis algorithms are applied to the information at multiple points within the system to generate reports and alerts that may be presented through various interfaces to authorized system users, including patients, medical doctors and other Caregivers. The system also analyses and parses data, generating queries to the user/patient to complement the analysis, providing alerts, reminders and both lifestyle and medical-related feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: SASKATCHEWAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS
    Inventors: Dan Aspel, Robert Martens, Colin McAllister
  • Publication number: 20060136238
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for monitoring compliance in reporting unclaimed property. The method is capable of identifying both potential non-reporters and potential under-reporters. In this regard, potential under-reporters may be identified as a result of a multilevel review that may take into account the recent reporting history, both in terms of frequency and the type and quantity of unclaimed property that has been reported. The potential non-reporters and potential under-reporters may then be further evaluated, such as by means of an audit or other follow up procedure, to insure compliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Nancy Froude, Stephen Galvin, Jeremy Katz, Lynden Lyman, Robert Martens, Kenneth Weeks, David Whiteside, Vincent O'Rorke
  • Patent number: 7005983
    Abstract: A detection apparatus for detecting refrigerator door openings is coupled to at least one switch configured to be activated by a door opening. When the door is opened, the switch is activated and inputs a signal to the detection apparatus. The detection apparatus rectifies the signal; and phase-shifts the rectified signal so that it leads or lags the line voltage. The shifted output signal is fed to a processor that detects the opening of the door based upon the shifted signal. Signals output by a plurality of switches that generate a signal when activated mixed using an opto-coupler. Relative impedance of the lead and lag circuits may be adjusted to differentiate a phase shift of one shifted signal relative to another signal. The processor converts a value in degrees of phase shifting of the mixed signal to a time value, and based upon the time value, the processor determines which of the doors is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Steven Holmes, Jerry J. Queen, II, Rollie Richard Herzog, Mark Robert Mathews, Robert Marten Bultman