Patents by Inventor Thomas Rule

Thomas Rule 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: 12183306
    Abstract: Systems and methods permit or cause content to be displayed by a plurality of gaming displays, such as gaming machine displays and/or external displays. Content may be synchronously displayed by multiple gaming displays, such as one or more EGM displays and one or more external gaming displays, where the content which is displayed by the different displays may be the same or be different, and may be provided by a content controller and/or may be provided or triggered by a gaming machine. The systems and methods permit or cause content to be synchronously displayed across multiple gaming displays, such as in time and/or space. In some examples, the content is configured as a content “package” which is associated with one or more displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: AGS LLC
    Inventors: Anil Kumar Narra, Padma Kumari Bhimavarapu, Jose Mendoza Franco, Jasonlee Kissee Hohman, Pradeep Jayaraman, Jacob Kent Jennings, Journey Rose Jennings, Richard J. LaBrocca, Sigmund Hyunjai Lee, Cheng Li, John Thomas Rule, Cesar Alexander Sala, Craig Michael Selby, Jared Sheets, Tan Minh Tran
  • Publication number: 20240161716
    Abstract: Systems and methods permit or cause content to be displayed by a plurality of gaming displays, such as gaming machine displays and/or external displays. Content may be synchronously displayed by multiple gaming displays, such as one or more EGM displays and one or more external gaming displays, where the content which is displayed by the different displays may be the same or be different, and may be provided by a content controller and/or may be provided or triggered by a gaming machine. The systems and methods permit or cause content to be synchronously displayed across multiple gaming displays, such as in time and/or space. In some examples, the content is configured as a content “package” which is associated with one or more displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Anil Kumar Narra, Padma Kumari Bhimavarapu, Jose Mendoza Franco, Jasonlee Kissee Hohman, Pradeep Jayaraman, Jacob Kent Jennings, Journey Rose Jennings, Richard J. LaBrocca, Sigmund Hyunjai Lee, Cheng Li, John Thomas Rule, Cesar Alexander Sala, Craig Michael Selby, Jared Sheets, Tan Minh Tran
  • Patent number: 10804839
    Abstract: The present invention typically features integrative configurability for transportation/storage, and disintegrative configurability for operation. Two half-cases are coupled to obtain a case. A case is uncoupled to obtain two half-cases. Each half-case houses a solar panel (pivotably connected to the half-case) and a U-bar (pivotably connected to the solar panel). The solar panel is pivoted away from the half-case's interior to the angle-of-inclination desired for collecting solar energy. The U-bar is pivoted away from the solar panel's back to securely fit into one of plural parallel slots provided across the half-case's interior, the U-bar thereby holding the solar panel in place at the desired angle-of-inclination. The half-cases are laid flat individually to collect solar energy. A half-case is “compacted” by pivoting the U-bar proximate the solar panel's back and pivoting the solar panel proximate the half-case's interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Clint Justin Govar, Evan Thomas Rule, Eric Bennet Shields, Anthony C. Suggs, Richard Patrick Hardy
  • Patent number: 10110002
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing an electrical load in a facility with a building automation system, includes first receiving information for a demand response event from an automated demand response server at an automated demand response client. After receipt of a new demand response event, the system determines a plurality of devices of the building automation system to be controlled during the demand response event. Next, the system prepares a schedule of control actions for the plurality of devices during the demand response event. The system then sends control messages to the building automation system to execute the control actions for the plurality of devices according to the schedule of control actions for the demand response event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Raphael Imhof, Pornsak Songkakul, Michael J. Marchi, Thomas Rule, Paula Hiller, Florian Ersch
  • Patent number: 10024579
    Abstract: The present invention typically features integrative configurability for transportation/storage, and disintegrative configurability for operation. Two half-cases are coupled to obtain a case. A case is uncoupled to obtain two half-cases. Each half-case houses a solar panel (pivotably connected to the half-case) and a U-bar (pivotably connected to the solar panel). The solar panel is pivoted away from the half-case's interior to the angle-of-inclination desired for collecting solar energy. The U-bar is pivoted away from the solar panel's back to securely fit into one of plural parallel slots provided across the half-case's interior, the U-bar thereby holding the solar panel in place at the desired angle-of-inclination. The half-cases are laid flat individually to collect solar energy. A half-case is “compacted” by pivoting the U-bar proximate the solar panel's back and pivoting the solar panel proximate the half-case's interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Clint Justin Govar, Evan Thomas Rule, Eric Bennet Shields, Anthony C. Suggs, Richard Patrick Hardy
  • Patent number: 10007240
    Abstract: Management systems, methods, and mediums are provided. A method includes monitoring a value of a data point associated with a device in an automation system using a set of pairs of event enrollment objects and notification class objects configured to generate and communicate an alarm according to a first protocol. Each of the pairs of objects corresponds to one of a set of offsets defined according to a second protocol. The method also includes writing property values of the pairs of objects for different alarm monitoring modes using a set of command objects. Additionally, the method includes generating and communicating, in response to detecting the value for the data point meeting conditions in at least one of the event enrollment objects, an alarm according to a notification class object paired with the at least one event enrollment object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruno P. Landou, Thomas Rule
  • Patent number: 9519393
    Abstract: Methods, mediums, and systems include use of a system manger application in a data processing system to manage a building automation system, to display a trend view chart on a graphical user interface, based on a trend view definition, showing the changing value of point data over time from a building automation system device, and to automatically display a comparative chart, based on the trend view definition, of historical point data from the building automation system device upon selection of a predefined comparative trend view button and an offset time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Hanspeter Grossele, Christof Lustenberger, Thomas Rule
  • Publication number: 20160118790
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing an electrical load in a facility with a building automation system, includes first receiving information for a demand response event from an automated demand response server at an automated demand response client. After receipt of a new demand response event, the system determines a plurality of devices of the building automation system to be controlled during the demand response event. Next, the system prepares a schedule of control actions for the plurality of devices during the demand response event. The system then sends control messages to the building automation system to execute the control actions for the plurality of devices according to the schedule of control actions for the demand response event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Raphael Imhof, Pornsak Songkakul, Michael J. Marchi, Thomas Rule, Paula Hiller, Florian Ersch
  • Patent number: 9310786
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing an electrical load in a facility with a building automation system, includes first receiving information for a demand response event from an automated demand response server at an automated demand response client. After receipt of a new demand response event, the system determines a plurality of devices of the building automation system to be controlled during the demand response event. Next, the system prepares a schedule of control actions for the plurality of devices during the demand response event. The system then sends control messages to the building automation system to execute the control actions for the plurality of devices according to the schedule of control actions for the demand response event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Raphael Imhof, Pornsak Songkakul, Michael J. Marchi, Thomas Rule, Paula Hiller, Florian Ersch
  • Publication number: 20160041537
    Abstract: Management systems, methods, and mediums are provided. A method includes monitoring a value of a data point associated with a device in an automation system using a set of pairs of event enrollment objects and notification class objects configured to generate and communicate an alarm according to a first protocol. Each of the pairs of objects corresponds to one of a set of offsets defined according to a second protocol. The method also includes writing property values of the pairs of objects for different alarm monitoring modes using a set of command objects. Additionally, the method includes generating and communicating, in response to detecting the value for the data point meeting conditions in at least one of the event enrollment objects, an alarm according to a notification class object paired with the at least one event enrollment object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Bruno P. Landou, Thomas Rule
  • Publication number: 20130086066
    Abstract: Management systems, methods, and mediums. A method includes identifying a name of a first object in a plurality of objects. The plurality of objects is associated with one more devices communicably connected to a building automation and controls network. The method includes parsing characters in the name of the first object to identify a plurality of name segments separated by one or more delimiters in the name in response to identifying the one or more delimiters. The method includes identifying a type of the first object and a location of a first device associated with the first object based on the plurality of name segments. Additionally, the method includes generating a hierarchical structure for the plurality of objects based on the type and the location, the hierarchical structure comprising a name for each of the plurality of objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Akeiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Anderson, JR., John Jeffers, Robert Gaffaney, Thomas Rule
  • Publication number: 20130086521
    Abstract: Methods, mediums, and systems include use of a system manger application in a data processing system to manage a building automation system, to display a trend view chart on a graphical user interface, based on a trend view definition, showing the changing value of point data over time from a building automation system device, and to automatically display a comparative chart, based on the trend view definition, of historical point data from the building automation system device upon selection of a predefined comparative trend view button and an offset time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Akeiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hanspeter Grossele, Christof Lustenberger, Thomas Rule
  • Publication number: 20120323393
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing an electrical load in a facility with a building automation system, includes first receiving information for a demand response event from an automated demand response server at an automated demand response client. After receipt of a new demand response event, the system determines a plurality of devices of the building automation system to be controlled during the demand response event. Next, the system prepares a schedule of control actions for the plurality of devices during the demand response event. The system then sends control messages to the building automation system to execute the control actions for the plurality of devices according to the schedule of control actions for the demand response event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Raphael Imhof, Pornsak Songkakul, Michael J. Marchi, Thomas Rule, Paula Hiller, Florian Ersch
  • Patent number: 7664574
    Abstract: A method of displaying information regarding a building includes a step of storing a model of a building system in a memory, the model comprising a plurality of building objects. The building objects include building space objects and building automation device objects. Each object has a first field referencing at least one related object. The method also includes generating display information regarding a first object. The method further includes identifying a second object referenced in the first field of the first object and generating display information regarding the second object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Raphael Imhof, Thomas Rule, Osman Ahmed, Pornsak Songkakul, George Phoenix
  • Patent number: 7643891
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a first computer having a first operating system, the first computer having a memory containing software derived from field controller software executed on physical field controllers of a building control system. The physical field controllers employ a second operating system. The software further contains an operating system abstraction layer operable to convert at least some operating system calls of the field controller software to corresponding calls in the first operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Rule, Mark Maslov
  • Patent number: 7526364
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a control station for use in a building control system, the building control system having a plurality of field panels operable to communicate with the control station. The control station has a memory and processing circuit that is configured to execute programming instructions in the memory. The memory is configured to store instructions operable to cause the processing circuit to: execute a first operating system; execute software compiled from a set of instructions that are substantially similar to instructions used to compile firmware for at least one of the field panels, the at least one field panel employing a second operating system; and execute software performing at least one supervisory control operation for the plurality of field panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Rule, Mark Maslov
  • Patent number: 7164972
    Abstract: An arrangement for coordinating data representative of a building system includes a process connected to a memory. The memory stores a plurality of building space objects and at least one building automation device object. At least one building space object includes a reference to at least one of the group consisting of a parent building space object and a child building space object, a reference to at least one graphic file containing a graphic image representation of the building space, and a reference to information regarding one or more building automation devices associated with the building space object. At least one building automation device object includes a reference to a corresponding building space object, a reference to at least one operating value of the building automation device, and a reference to a link to a file containing information regarding the at least one building automation device object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Raphael Imhof, Thomas Rule, Osman Ahmed, Pornsak Songkakul, George Phoenix
  • Publication number: 20060247797
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a control station for use in a building control system, the building control system having a plurality of field panels operable to communicate with the control station. The control station has a memory and processing circuit that is configured to execute programming instructions in the memory. The memory is configured to store instructions operable to cause the processing circuit to: execute a first operating system; execute software compiled from a set of instructions that are substantially similar to instructions used to compile firmware for at least one of the field panels, the at least one field panel employing a second operating system; and execute software performing at least one supervisory control operation for the plurality of field panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Rule, Mark Maslov
  • Publication number: 20060009862
    Abstract: A software interface is disclosed for a model of a building system stored in a memory, wherein the model comprises a plurality of building space objects. The software interface comprises: (a) logic for receiving a call comprising a function identifier and at least one object identifier, the function identifier representative of a function applicable to a plurality of object types; and (b) logic for employing the function identifier and the at least one object to call a software function in a function library, the software function corresponding to the function applicable to the object type that corresponds to the at least one object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Raphael Imhof, Thomas Rule, Osman Ahmed, Pornsak Songkakul, George Phoenix
  • Publication number: 20060010388
    Abstract: A method of displaying information regarding a building includes a step of storing a model of a building system in a memory, the model comprising a plurality of building objects. The building objects include building space objects and building automation device objects. Each object has a first field referencing at least one related object. The method also includes generating display information regarding a first object. The method further includes identifying a second object referenced in the first field of the first object and generating display information regarding the second object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Raphael Imhof, Thomas Rule, Osman Ahmed, Pornsak Songkakul, George Phoenix