Patents by Inventor Robert P. Thomas
Robert P. Thomas 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: 7848732Abstract: Mobile communications devices include sensors for monitoring for environmental hazards that an individual carrying the mobile communications device may encounter when moving from place to place. Examples of such environmental hazards are smoke, poisonous gases including carbon monoxide, and the like. Upon detecting an environmental hazard, the mobile communications device of the individual may take some action. The mobile communications device may generate a local alert to call the attention of the individual to the environmental hazard. The mobile communications device may originate an outbound emergency communication to inform other parties such as emergency personnel that the environmental hazard exists.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventor: Robert P. Thomas
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Publication number: 20090029716Abstract: Mobile communications devices include sensors for monitoring for environmental hazards that an individual carrying the mobile communications device may encounter when moving from place to place. Examples of such environmental hazards are smoke, poisonous gases including carbon monoxide, and the like. Upon detecting an environmental hazard, the mobile communications device of the individual may take some action. The mobile communications device may generate a local alert to call the attention of the individual to the environmental hazard. The mobile communications device may originate an outbound emergency communication to inform other parties such as emergency personnel that the environmental hazard exists.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventor: Robert P. Thomas
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Patent number: 7085361Abstract: Methods and systems for allowing communication between an exterior and an interior of a location, or a person associated with the location. A device positioned exterior to the location is connected to a communications system of the location. The device includes a signal generator for providing a signal responsive to input such as from a person on the exterior. In response, the communications system initiates or forwards a communication to a communications unit such as a wireless unit of a person associated with the location. The communication may be initiated or forwarded after a selected time. The device exterior to the location allows for participation in the communication. A voicemail or other system may be included for receiving a message if the communication is not answered. The device may be switchable to doorbell mode, in which case, the device does not generate the signal to the communications system and no communication is initiated or forwarded.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventor: Robert P. Thomas
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Patent number: 7047274Abstract: A computerized power management control system (10) includes a virtual modular relay device (82) for providing input and output data to and from a corresponding, actual modular relay device (47 or 49). Virtual modular relay device (82) is displayed in a window (90), with the upper left-hand corner of window (90) including a graphical depiction (92) of the modular relay device. Immediately below the graphical depiction (92) is a communications status indicator (94), which shows the status of communications (connected/disconnected) between the virtual device (82) and an inter-process communications server (52). Various fields (96) appear along the left-hand side of window to identify the modular relay unit (47 or 49). Below identification fields (96) are a plurality of buttons (98), each of which allow the user to activate a program module. Buttons (156 and 154) can be customized by the user to activate any program module.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2002Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert P. Thomas, James Petrizzi, Patrick Meagher, Sunil Mathur, Rajaiah Karanam, Geoff Butland
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Publication number: 20030061335Abstract: A computerized power management control system (10) includes a virtual modular relay device (82) for providing input and output data to and from a corresponding, actual modular relay device (47 or 49). Virtual modular relay device (82) is displayed in a window (90), with the upper left-hand corner of window (90) including a graphical depiction (92) of the modular relay device. Immediately below the graphical depiction (92) is a communications status indicator (94), which shows the status of communications (connected/disconnected) between the virtual device (82) and an inter-process communications server (52). Various fields (96) appear along the left-hand side of window to identify the modular relay unit (47 or 49). Below identification fields (96) are a plurality of buttons (98), each of which allow the user to activate a program module. Buttons (156 and 154) can be customized by the user to activate any program module.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventors: Robert P. Thomas, James Petrizzi, Patrick Meagher, Sunil Mathur, Rajaiah Karanam, Geoff Butland
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Publication number: 20020054096Abstract: A power management control system (“PMCS”) provides control and graphical representation of a plurality of electrical devices and components of an electrical distribution system. The PMCS includes a customized tabular display with database links for viewing selected, metered data provided by various intelligent electronic devices and components of the electrical distribution system. The Custom Table Wizard provides a simple method of selecting and displaying important parameters to the user during operation of the PMCS. The custom table graphic includes approximately 1 to 12 rows of information representative of selected, metered data of the selected device. The development of a custom table display is automated using software, namely a Custom Table Wizard. The Custom Table Wizard automates the configuration of the customized tabular display, which is user configurable, and thereby enables the integrator to generate a tabular data interface quickly without programming skills.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 1998Publication date: May 9, 2002Inventor: ROBERT P. THOMAS
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Patent number: 6380949Abstract: A power management control system provides control and graphical representation of a plurality of electrical devices and components of an electrical distribution system. The control system includes a virtual three-dimensional annunciator panel for displaying an indication of the status or condition of a plurality a plurality of electrical devices of an electrical distribution system. The virtual annunciator panel includes an array (6×8) of indicator buttons that represent a particular device, event or group of events of the PMCS. The buttons are displayed in different colors to indicate different alarm systems. The annunciator panel functions to notify the user/operator of an alarm condition of a device, as well as permits the user to acknowledge alarms. The development of the virtual annunciator panel display is automated using software, namely an Annunciator Panel Wizard.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert P. Thomas, James V. Petrizzi
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Patent number: 6377283Abstract: A power management control system (“PMCS”) provides control and graphical representation of a plurality of electrical devices and components of an electrical distribution system. The PMCS includes a customized tabular display with database links for viewing selected, metered data provided by various intelligent electronic devices and components of the electrical distribution system. The Custom Table Wizard provides a simple method of selecting and displaying important parameters to the user during operation of the PMCS. The custom table graphic includes approximately 1 to 12 rows of information representative of selected, metered data of the selected device. The development of a custom table display is automated using software, namely a Custom Table Wizard. The Custom Table Wizard automates the configuration of the customized tabular display, which is user configurable, and thereby enables the integrator to generate a tabular data interface quickly without programming skills.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1998Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Robert P. Thomas
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Patent number: 6366301Abstract: A three dimensional power management control system provides control and graphical representation of a plurality of electrical devices and components of an electrical distribution system. The PMCS includes a graphical representation of tagout/lockout displays (i.e., Danger and Ground Tags) representative of a physical lockout/tagout tag attached locally to a device of the electrical distribution system. The graphical displays include a large bit map representative of a Danger tag and a Ground Tag installed on a device, and representative symbols displayed at other graphical and tabular data displays associated with the tagged device. The implementation of the virtual lockout/tagout displays is automated using software, namely a Tagging Wizard. The Tagging Wizard provides automated configuration of the lockout/tagout graphic and the ability to install and remove virtual tagout displays associated with the graphical representation of the device of the distribution system.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1999Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert P. Thomas, John S. Vandevanter, Geoff Butland
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Publication number: 20010009425Abstract: A power management control system provides control and graphical representation of a plurality of electrical devices and components of an electrical distribution system. The control system includes a virtual three-dimensional annunciator panel for displaying an indication of the status or condition of a plurality a plurality of electrical devices of an electrical distribution system. The virtual annunciator panel includes an array (6×8) of indicator buttons that represent a particular device, event or group of events of the PMCS. The buttons are displayed in different colors to indicate different alarm systems. The annunciator panel functions to notify the user/operator of an alarm condition of a device, as well as permits the user to acknowledge alarms. The development of the virtual annunciator panel display is automated using software, namely an Annunciator Panel Wizard.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2001Publication date: July 26, 2001Inventors: Robert P. Thomas, James V. Petrizzi
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Patent number: 6219046Abstract: A power management control system provides control and graphical representation of a plurality of electrical devices and components of an electrical distribution system. The control system includes a virtual three-dimensional annunciator panel for displaying an indication of the status or condition of a plurality a plurality of electrical devices of an electrical distribution system. The virtual annunciator panel includes an array (6×8) of indicator buttons that represent a particular device, event or group of events of the PMCS. The buttons are displayed in different colors to indicate different alarm systems. The annunciator panel functions to notify the user/operator of an alarm condition of a device, as well as permits the user to acknowledge alarms. The development of the virtual annunciator panel display is automated using software, namely an Annunciator Panel Wizard.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1998Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert P. Thomas, James V. Petrizzi