Patents Issued in March 20, 2018
  • Patent number: 9921558
    Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and a ball throwing management computing device that assists with intelligently throwing a ball to a dynamically detected user includes receiving health information associated with a user from a user computing device. A location and height of the user associated with the received health information is detected. A speed, a direction, a trajectory and a frequency at which the ball can be propelled to the user is determined based on the received health information and the detected location of the user without user intervention. Propelling the ball to the user based on the determined speed, direction and frequency is assisted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Neel Kumar Kamidi
  • Patent number: 9921559
    Abstract: A condition control of a robot cleaner is performed or service is provided with a user using the robot cleaner to improve the convenience of the user. Various data items obtained through a network connection are used in the condition control or service providing to estimate/determine a behavior, condition, or request of the user. Specifically, the operation of the robot cleaner is controlled based on operations of other associated devices disposed in the same room where the robot cleaner runs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Tomomi Tsubota
  • Patent number: 9921560
    Abstract: A control device is provided with a task execution unit, a collection unit which collects variables which have been referenced and updated in a user program and a management unit which manages the collected variables. The user program includes a collection instruction program which instructs the collection of the variables by the collection unit. The collection instruction program further includes distinguishing information for a user to distinguish the location of the collection instruction program in the user program. When the collection of the variables has been instructed by the collection instruction program, the management unit associates the variables collected by the collection unit with the distinguishing information of the collection instruction program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yaoita, Masanori Ota, Yasunori Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 9921561
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes one or more processors configured to determine an instruction to be performed by a remote device. The remote device includes a plurality of preloaded instructions, and the plurality of preloaded instructions includes a preloaded instruction that matches the instruction. The processors are further configured to determine a token associated with the instruction. The remote device further includes a plurality of preloaded tokens associated with the plurality of preloaded instructions. The plurality of preloaded tokens includes a preloaded token that matches the token, and the preloaded token is associated with the preloaded instruction. The processors are further configured to transmit the token to the remote device. The remote device is configured to match the token to the preloaded token. Based on the match, the remote device is further configured to determine the preloaded instruction and perform the preloaded instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Secure Cloud Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Schoenberger, Timothy Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9921562
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a programmable switching system having N interconnected switching devices (ISDs), each of the ISDs having a unique network address. An ISD includes a switch operating in switching mode and programming mode, a communication interface, a microprocessor, and a memory. The microprocessor controls operation of ISDs when switch is in switching mode and programs ISD when switch is in programming mode. The memory includes a network address storage, and firmware. When the firmware is executed at the microprocessor, firmware is configured to: communicate with all ISDs of programmable switching system through communication interface over a network, receive user's inputs at switches of ISDs, and in response of the received user's inputs, to program ISDs, when switch is in programming mode, and receive user's input at the switch to perform switching functions of the ISD, when the switch is in switching mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: NANJING EASTHOUSE ELECTRICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hao Min
  • Patent number: 9921563
    Abstract: The inventor has recognized that industrial controllers may be updated after they are deployed in the field, while actively controlling an industrial process and without costly downtime, by storing a replacement machine-readable component in an allocated program space, locating and modifying one or more dependent machine-readable components copied in the allocated program space to instead depend on the replacement machine-readable component, re-linking a copy of the control program in the allocated program space, and redirecting execution to the control program in the allocated program space. Replacement machine-readable components could be instructions, libraries, or subroutines of the control program, and are not limited to user logic. The control program in the allocated program space may optimally be tested by verifying an operation before redirecting execution to the control program in the allocated program space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Viste
  • Patent number: 9921564
    Abstract: A PLC compares previously acquired device data with currently acquired device data when collecting device data on a control target device over three or more times within one polling time, and stores changed device data as changed data when they are different from each other. When transmitting the changed data to a PC in each polling, the PLC compares the changed data with collected device data. When the total amount of changed data is equal to or larger than the total amount of collected device data, the PLC restores collected device data by using the changed data and transmits the restored device data to the PC, and, when the total amount of changed data is smaller than the total amount of collected device data, the PLC transmits the changed data to the PC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 9921565
    Abstract: A programming assist device for a PLC program and a programming assist method for a PLC program capable of easily preparing separate executable files for causing redundant CPUs of a PLC to operate and reliably preventing an emergency stop of the PLC due to a failure in converter software are provided. First and second intermediate codes are generated from an original program. An inverse conversion program is generated from the first intermediate code. A reconverted first intermediate code and a reconverted second intermediate code are generated from the inverse conversion program. In the case where the intermediate codes and the reconverted intermediate codes match each other, a first executable file is generated from the reconverted first intermediate code, and a second executable file is generated from the reconverted second intermediate code. The executable files are transferred to the PLC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenichi Ikegami
  • Patent number: 9921566
    Abstract: Fabricating a component is accomplished by operating a metrology system to obtain physical characteristics for an environment in which the component is to be installed. The physical characteristics for the environment are then transferred to a computer numerical control (CNC) machine and the component is fabricated to be compatible with the physical characteristics of the environment using the CNC machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Monica Tatar, Kevin G. Sweeney, Christopher M. Rhoads, Sidlaghatta N. Venkatesh
  • Patent number: 9921567
    Abstract: Improvements in a high speed smooth tool path is presented where the high speed smooth tool path to be used for primarily finishing for finishing any type of walls (negative/positive drafted) for any given bounded region be it 3, 4, 5, . . . n sided shape. The tool path incorporates a combined strategy for finishing the walls while removing any excess material leftover from a previous larger diameter cutter. This tool-motion can be utilized for roughing the regions by approximating the walls by offsetting the regions inwards. The finished boundaries are offset inwards and then cut using these methods. This is optimized as opposed to moving the cutter at a consistent speed in the cutting path. This is performed to eliminate the wasted tool-motion to the maximum extent. This technique is implemented for roughing any closed or open bounded areas regardless of the walls being straight, drafted (negative/positive or both).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Samarinder Singh
  • Patent number: 9921568
    Abstract: A trajectory measuring device that measures a moving trajectory of a moving target in a machine including three or more movable axes for the moving target, the trajectory measuring device including a trajectory calculating unit that calculates, for each plane having two movable axes among the movable axes as coordinate axes, the moving trajectory on the plane by using command conditions to the moving target including an inter-axis phase difference among the movable axes, command signals to the movable axes generated on the basis of the inter-axis phase difference, and feedback signals indicating positions of the movable axes at time when the movable axes are feedback-controlled such that the positions of the movable axes follow the command signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kotaro Nagaoka, Tomoya Fujita, Masahiro Ozawa
  • Patent number: 9921569
    Abstract: A field device commissioning system includes a commissioning tool configured to communicate with a repository and an input-output (IO) device, the IO device is configured to communicate with a field device. The commissioning tool includes a first processor configured to retrieve engineering data for the IO device or the field device from the repository, retrieve a first configuration parameter value for the IO device or the field device from the IO device, determine a second configuration parameter value for the IO device or the field device from the retrieved engineering data, the second configuration parameter corresponds to the first configuration parameter, determine if the first configuration parameter value is the same as the second configuration parameter value; and generate alert on a user interface with when the first configuration parameter value is not the same as the second configuration parameter value, wherein the IO device comprises a second processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Bobby Varghese Alexander, Senthilkumar Chockalingam
  • Patent number: 9921570
    Abstract: To provide a technique capable of making a schedule with good time efficiency in schedule making for the transport of substrates. A schedule making device makes a judgment as to whether a batch carrying-out procedure can complete the transport earlier than a sequential carrying-out procedure or not, and selectively employs these procedures in accordance with a result of the judgment. The sequential carrying-out procedure is a procedure in which substrates are transported to a predetermined transport destination in chronological order of the times at which the transport process can start, and the batch carrying-out procedure is a procedure in which a substrate the transport process of which can start is not transported until a time at which the transport process of a succeeding substrate can start, and the substrates are transported together to a transport destination at the time when the transport process of the succeeding substrate can start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Hirato
  • Patent number: 9921571
    Abstract: This application relates to methods for applying automated precision machining operations to an oversized workpiece with a compact computer numerical control (CNC) machining apparatus. By shifting an oversized workpiece through a working area of the CNC machining apparatus, the CNC machining apparatus can apply machining operations to any portion of the workpiece in an automated manner. To achieve precision results, a position of the workpiece is tracked as the workpiece is shifted through the working area. In some embodiments, a probe can be utilized to track the shifting of the workpiece by determining a location of a machined feature after a particular shift has been completed. In this way, a position of the workpiece can be tracked without having to rely upon tolerances inherent to a workpiece manipulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Wagner Crowley, Nathaniel H. Henderson, Christopher A. Hunt, Matthew S. Theobald
  • Patent number: 9921572
    Abstract: Finite element methods for compensating for springback in aircraft parts meet the visual appearance and aerodynamics of complex parts including those made of fabricated sheet metal. The methods can be used to make narrow parts (e.g., leading edge and slats) and double negative curvature parts, and do not need to leave marks on the surface of the sheet so that visual aspects are not adversely affected. The point to point compensation technique uses approach equations with constants adjustable for curves. The constant(s) used depend on geometry and type of forming (e.g., stretch or hydraulic press). Use of mechanical properties of the material is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Embraer S.A.
    Inventor: Olavo Dos Reis Alipio da Cruz
  • Patent number: 9921573
    Abstract: In a slice image creation device, a peeling processor performs peeling on a peeling line segment in a circulation direction of the peeling line segment. When the peeling reaches an intersection at which line segments of contours cross each other, an intersection information acquisition processor acquires intersection information including an intersection angle defined at the intersection by the peeling line segment and each candidate line segment connected to the intersection in a direction that is the same as the circulation direction of the peeling line segment. A transfer processor sets one of the candidate line segments that has the smallest intersection angle as the line segment to which the peeling is going to be transferred next from the peeling line segment at the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ROLAND DG CORPORATION
    Inventor: Makoto Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9921574
    Abstract: A system and methods for incorporating disparate sources of collective feedback in the preparation and execution of an initial interaction between a social robot and a human being is disclosed. These methods include retrieving interaction content, assigning a life cycle to new content, detecting and removing expired life cycle content, modifying interaction scripts to include new interaction content and sending the modified interaction script to at least one social robot, wherein the at least one social robot executes the modified script during the period of time specified by the life cycle associated with the interaction topic to obtain an improved interaction with a human receiving, by the data management system, interaction log data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Brandon C. Annan, Joshua Cole, Deborah M. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 9921575
    Abstract: A process monitoring system includes: a plurality of field devices configured to measure state quantities in an industrial process implemented in a plant; a trend calculation unit configured to determine the variation trend of the state quantities based on time-sequence data output from each of the plurality of field devices and classify each of the variation trends of the state quantities into one of a pre-established plurality of statuses; a state change judgment unit configured to judge the existence or non-existence of a pre-indicator of a change in the plant state, in accordance with the existence or non-existence of a change in at least one of the statuses classified by the trend calculation unit; and a notification unit configured to notify of judgment results of the state change judgment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Kobayashi, Kimikazu Takahashi, Mihoko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9921576
    Abstract: A bioreactor monitoring and/or control system utilizing only non-dedicated user input and information display devices, a digital controller and software, which system comprises: i) at least one diagnostic probe for measuring operating conditions in a bioreactor; ii) signal conditioning and communication electronics which supply operating current and/or voltage to the probe and which convert the diagnostic signal into a format accessible by a digital controller which directly receives the format converted signal and transmits it to software which enables the display device to show the converted signal, and also instruct the controller to implement changes in the operating conditions in the reactor, and iii) a software-based virtual transmitter which substantially replicates the keyboard, display, menu-tree and response of a physical sensor transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Finesse Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Selker, Barbara Paldus
  • Patent number: 9921577
    Abstract: A method for monitoring and diagnosing anomalies in auxiliary systems of a gas turbine implemented using a computer device coupled to a user interface and a memory device, the method including storing a plurality rule sets in the memory device, the rule sets relative to the auxiliary systems of the gas turbine, the rule sets including at least one rule expressed as a relational expression of a real-time data output relative to a real-time data input, the relational expression being specific to parameters associated with the auxiliary systems of the gas turbine, receiving real-time and historical data inputs from a condition monitoring system associated with the gas turbine, the data inputs relating to process parameters associated with the auxiliary systems of the gas turbine, and estimating values for at least some of the parameters associated with the auxiliary systems of the gas turbine using the received inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Srl
    Inventors: David Bianucci, Abdurrahman Abdallah Khalidi, Antonio Pumo, Riccardo Crociani
  • Patent number: 9921578
    Abstract: A plurality of air data may be collected by a sensor within a data center. The plurality of air data is received by a processor. At least a portion of the received plurality of air data corresponding to at least one zone within the data center may be determined to satisfy a threshold. Coordinates of a geographical location associated with the zone that includes the sensor may be transmitted to a robotic filter. The robotic filter can be dispatched to the transmitted geographic location to filter the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shankar Km, Aiswarya L. Mohanasundaram
  • Patent number: 9921579
    Abstract: In some examples, an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided. The unmanned aerial vehicle may include a propulsion device, a sensor device, and a management system. In some examples, the management system may be configured to receive human gestures via the sensor device and, in response, instruct the propulsion device to affect an adjustment to the behavior of the unmanned aerial vehicle. Human gestures may include visible gestures, audible gestures, and other gestures capable of recognition by the unmanned vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederik Schaffalitzky
  • Patent number: 9921580
    Abstract: An apparatus for switching between driving modes of a vehicle with an automatic driving system, including: an input unit for receiving an input to switch from automatic driving mode to manual driving mode; a speed sensor for determining a current speed of the vehicle; a display unit on which a first indicator indicating a current speed of the vehicle when the vehicle is in an automatic driving mode is displayed; a pedal sensor for determining a current displacement distance of an accelerator pedal; a controller for determining a virtual speed according to the current distance displacement of the accelerator pedal when an input is received that requests switching of the automatic driving mode of the vehicle to a manual driving mode if the vehicle is in the automatic driving mode and displays a second indicator indicating the virtual speed on the display unit, and for switching the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode when the virtual driving speed is similar to the current speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Hyungmin Park
  • Patent number: 9921581
    Abstract: A vehicle computing device has a data storage medium and a processing device programmed to execute instructions stored on the data storage medium. The instructions include detecting an emergency vehicle near an autonomous host vehicle, receiving operational data from nearby vehicles, and transmitting the operational data to the emergency vehicle. The operational data indicates whether one or more of the nearby vehicles is operating in an autonomous mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Finn Tseng, Imad Hassan Makki, Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 9921582
    Abstract: An automated guided vehicle system may include a plurality of automated guided vehicles arranged in a predetermined relationship with respect to each other for supporting a payload. Each of the automated guided vehicles has a plurality of rollers extending from the automated guided vehicle and engaging a ground surface. Furthermore, at least one locator extends from the automated guided vehicle and engages the payload. Each of the automated guided vehicles also has an on-board controller arranged within a housing thereof, with one on-board controller acting as a master controller and the remaining of the on-board controllers acting as slave controllers. The master controller communicates with the slave controllers to maintain position and speed control of each automated guided vehicle in both a lateral and a longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the slave controllers send feedback information to the master controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: John P Spicer, Ningjian Huang, Greg Vanderheyden, James O'Dell
  • Patent number: 9921583
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, method, and apparatus. A system includes package management system for operating a robotic vehicle configured to transport consumer items selected by a human shopper from a consumer shopping environment and placed in the robotic vehicle. The package management system includes circuitry for receiving data indicative of a transportation departure point accommodating a transfer of a consumer item from the robotic vehicle to a conveyance configured to transport the consumer item away from the consumer shopping environment. The package management system includes circuitry for routing the robotic vehicle to the departure point. In an embodiment, the package management system includes circuitry for managing a transfer of a consumer item acquired by the individual human shopper in the consumer shopping environment from the robotic vehicle to the conveyance at the departure point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Hon Wah Chin, William David Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9921584
    Abstract: A route examination system includes a thermographic camera configured to be logically or mechanically coupled with a vehicle that travels along a route. The thermographic camera is also configured to sense infrared radiation emitted or reflected from the route and to generate a sensed thermal signature representative of the infrared radiation that is sensed. The system also includes a computer readable memory device configured to store a designated thermal signature representative of infrared radiation emitted from a segment of the route that is not damaged. The system also includes an analysis processor configured to determine a condition of a first portion of the route relative to other portions of the route at least in part by comparing the sensed thermal signature and the designated thermal signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dattaraj Jagdish Rao, Nidhi Naithani, Anju Bind, Sreyashi Dey Chaki
  • Patent number: 9921585
    Abstract: A computer-readable detailed map format is disclosed. The map format can be used in the operation of an autonomous vehicle. The detailed map format includes a plurality of lane segments and a plurality of lane links. Each of the lane links can extend between two lane segments across a traffic intersection. Each of the lane links can also be associated with one of a plurality of traffic signals. A transition rule is associated with a first lane link and based on information associated with the one of the plurality of traffic signals associated with the first lane link. An interlock rule can be based on information associated with the one of the plurality of traffic signals associated with a second lane link. The first lane link and second lane link can be associated with different traffic signals and can extend between different lane segments across the traffic intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kentaro Ichikawa, Michael J. Delp
  • Patent number: 9921586
    Abstract: A navigation control system for an autonomous vehicle comprises a transmitter and an autonomous vehicle. The transmitter comprises an emitter for emitting at least one signal, a power source for powering the emitter, a device for capturing wireless energy to charge the power source, and a printed circuit board for converting the captured wireless energy to a form for charging the power source. The autonomous vehicle operates within a working area and comprises a receiver for detecting the at least one signal emitted by the emitter, and a processor for determining a relative location of the autonomous vehicle within the working area based on the signal emitted by the emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventor: Mark J. Chiappetta
  • Patent number: 9921587
    Abstract: A spherical weight-shifting integral free-rolling tumbler (SWIFT) is provided for rolling along a surface in a command direction. The SWIFT includes a spherical shell, a cubic box within the shell held by spars, and a controller. The box has six panels, and each panel connects to a weight-shifter. Each weight-shifter includes an actuator and a movable mass. The controller for selectively activates the weight-shifter among the panels to translate the mass from the default position to the active position. The controller operates a first switch that corresponds to panels facing away from the surface, and in combination operates a second switch that corresponds to a weight-shifter approximately facing the command direction to roll the shell accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Gerhard W. Thielman
  • Patent number: 9921588
    Abstract: A method for determining a fluid composition parameter, e.g., a fluid identifier, a mixing ratio or a parameter describing heat transfer properties, of an unknown fluid in a mass flow controller is disclosed. A control valve of the mass flow controller is set so as to establish a constant flow, preferably zero flow, through the mass flow controller. A heating element of the flow sensor is heated, and at least one temperature value is measured with temperature sensors arranged on both sides of the heater while the fluid contacts the flow sensor. First calibration data (LUT1) are retrieved. The first calibration data have, as input values, temperature values measured with the flow sensor at the previously established constant flow and have, as output values, values of the fluid composition parameter. The first calibration data are used to determine the fluid composition parameter from the measured temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Sensirion AG
    Inventors: Mark Hornung, Remo Fürst, Thomas Huber
  • Patent number: 9921589
    Abstract: A method and a device for automatically deactivating a coasting operating mode in a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An activated coasting operating mode is deactivated if the current vehicle speed exceeds a threshold value. The threshold value is set as the sum of a minimum vehicle speed and of a maximum permissible increase in speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Goetz-Philipp Wegner, Urs Christen, Rainer Busch, Frederic Stefan
  • Patent number: 9921590
    Abstract: A heating control unit for a building with a heating system, which includes heat exchangers supplied by a boiler, a loop for circulating the heating fluid including a mixing valve, radiators, a return loop, and a control circuit which receives information on the indoor and outdoor conditions in order to control the mixing valve. The control unit includes elements for predicting and optimizing the heating needs of the users of the building and for providing the control circuit with modified information on the outdoor temperature likely to adjust the parameters of the heating system to the needs of the users and minimize power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: NEUROBAT AG
    Inventors: David Lindelof, Antoine Guillemin, Sohail Malik
  • Patent number: 9921591
    Abstract: An interlock function block system, method, and apparatus that reduces the necessity for a building automation programmer to program low-level instructions using a complex series of ANDs, ORs, and arithmetic functions to protect such devices is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Franz Renggli, Marcel Walti, William Thomas Pienta, Virgil Seribo, James J. Coogan
  • Patent number: 9921592
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus which comprises: a bandgap core to provide a control signal; and an output stage coupled to the bandgap core, the output stage to receive the control signal and to provide a low impedance output at an output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph Shor, George L. Geannopoulos, Fabrice Paillet, Lan D. Vu, Oleg Dadashev
  • Patent number: 9921593
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a detailed description of techniques for implementing a wideband low dropout voltage regulator with power supply rejection boost. More specifically, some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a voltage regulator comprising a voltage regulator core powered by a supply voltage and providing a regulated voltage output, and a power supply feed forward injection module delivering an injection signal to the voltage regulator core to effect a power supply rejection of the supply voltage variation from the regulated voltage. In one or more embodiments, the injection signal is determined from the supply voltage variation and a gain factor that is based on various design attributes of the output stage of the voltage regulator core. In one or more embodiments, the power supply feed forward injection module comprises a supply voltage sense circuit, a low pass filter, and one or more selectable transconductance amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: INPHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Lawrence Gorecki, Han-Yuan Tan
  • Patent number: 9921594
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for efficient control and biasing of pass devices that include at least one thin pass device and a remaining of thick pass devices. When operated at extreme high and low voltages, the at least one thin pass device maintains operation in its saturation region of operation while the remaining pass devices may be driven into their triode regions of operation. The thin and thick pass devices are arranged in a cascode configuration that includes a plurality of stacked devices. Biasing of the thin and thick cascode devices can be according to a voltage division scheme which protects the devices when the voltage across the stack is high, and provides a skewed voltage division across the stacked devices that promotes a higher gate-to-source voltage of the thick pass devices for a lower RON. In one exemplary case, gate length of the at least one thin pass device may be reduced to provide a lower gate-to-source voltage of the thin pass device during operation in the saturation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: pSemi Corporation
    Inventors: David Kovac, Joseph Golat
  • Patent number: 9921595
    Abstract: A circuit includes a PMOS transistor having a source coupled to an input node and a drain coupled to an output node, a control circuit operating with a voltage of an internal line to control a gate voltage of the PMOS transistor, a comparator operating with the voltage of the internal line to cause a comparator output to change from a first state to a second state in response to a drop of voltage of the input node, a switch circuit configured to connect the input node to the internal line when the comparator output is in the first state, and to connect the output node to the internal line when the comparator output is in the second state, and a block circuit configured to block a path from the output node to the input node through the PMOS transistor when the comparator output is in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 9921596
    Abstract: A power supply noise reduction circuit and a power supply noise reduction method are provided. An integrated circuit includes an input node configured to receive a signal via a transmission line. The integrated circuit also includes termination circuitry configured to electrically couple the input node to a power rail of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit further includes a circuit component coupled to the power rail. The circuit component is configured to bleed off a portion of current on the power rail based on a determination that a voltage on the power rail meets or exceeds a high voltage threshold. The circuit component is also configured to bleed off a smaller portion of the current on the power rail based on a determination that the voltage on the power rail is less than the high voltage threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: MARVELL ISRAEL (M.I.S.L) LTD
    Inventor: Liav Ben Artsi
  • Patent number: 9921597
    Abstract: A HEMS 200 connects to equipment provided in a consumer through a communication network and controls the equipment. The HEMS 200 comprises a transceiver unit 210 transmitting control information for controlling the equipment to the equipment in each control cycle T and a control unit 240 controlling a transmission of the control information; the control unit 240 controls the transceiver unit 210 to retransmit the control information to the equipment when response information corresponding to the control information is not received within a timeout period t set to be shorter than the control cycle T from the transmission of the control information from the transceiver unit 210. The control unit 240 changes the timeout period t by controlling a retransmission possible frequency of the control information within the period of the control cycle T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naohisa Yoshitani
  • Patent number: 9921598
    Abstract: A current mirror includes an input transistor and an output transistor, wherein the sources of the input and output transistor are connected to supply voltage node. The gates of the input and output transistor are connected through a switch. A first current source is coupled to the input transistor to provide an input current. A copy transistor has a source connected to the supply node and a gate connected to the gate of the input transistor at a mirror node. A second current source is coupled to the copy transistor to provide a copy current. A source-follower transistor has its source connected to the mirror node and its gate connected to the drain of the copy transistor. Charge sharing at a mirror node occurs in response to actuation of the switch and the source-follower transistor is turned on in response thereto to discharge the mirror node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marco Pasotti, Laura Capecchi, Riccardo Zurla
  • Patent number: 9921599
    Abstract: A voltage switching circuit of an example includes a switching element that switches an electrical connection between a first terminal and a second terminal, a first control circuit that controls the switch element, a regulator circuit that generates a first internal voltage and supply the first control circuit with the first internal voltage, a voltage selection circuit that selects one of a first voltage from the first terminal and a second voltage from the second terminal and supply the regulator circuit with the selected one of the first voltage and the second voltage, a second control circuit that controls the voltage selection circuit, and a voltage generation circuit that generates a second internal voltage using at least one of the first voltage and the second voltage, the second internal voltage is supplied to the voltage selection circuit and the second control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Maomi Katsumata
  • Patent number: 9921600
    Abstract: A bias current topology with embodiments in current source, current reference, (pseudo bandgap) voltage reference, and bandgap voltage reference that operate at ultra low currents and low power supply voltages which may use main stream standard digital Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) processes. The bias current topology uses chiefly a self cascode (SC), whose active resistor MOSFET is paced in series with the gate input of the MOSFETs that help generate the proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) voltage that is applied to the active resistor MOSFET to produce a bias current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Ali Tasdighi Far
  • Patent number: 9921601
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fractional bandgap circuit and method to provide a same reference voltage value in a variety of circumstances of operation, including variations in manufacturing process, temperature, and a supply voltage. The disclosed fractional bandgap circuit and method also allows for low supply voltage operation within a compact layout area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: RUIZHANG TECHNOLOGY LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: William Schnaitter, Steve Wang
  • Patent number: 9921602
    Abstract: In steady-state voltage stability analysis, as load increases toward a maximum, conventional Newton-Raphson power flow Jacobian matrix becomes increasingly ill-conditioned so power flow fails to converge before reaching maximum loading. A method to directly eliminate this singularity reformulates the power flow problem by introducing an AQ bus with specified bus angle and reactive power consumption of a load bus. For steady-state voltage stability analysis, the angle separation between the swing bus and AQ bus can be varied to control power transfer to the load, rather than specifying the load power itself. For an AQ bus, the power flow formulation is only made up of a reactive power equation, thus reducing the size of the Jacobian matrix by one. This reduced Jacobian matrix is nonsingular at the critical voltage point, eliminating a major difficulty in voltage stability analysis for power system operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Joe Hong Chow, Scott Gordon Ghiocel
  • Patent number: 9921603
    Abstract: A staging operation unit has a base member having a convex portion, a rotary member, a bearing member fixed on the convex portion that rotatably mounts the rotary member thereon with respect to the base member, and an accessory. The rotary member has a pushed-in movable member that accepts a push-in operation in a direction along a rotation axis of the bearing member, a rotary operation detection unit that detects rotation of the rotary member and outputs a signal corresponding to a result of the detection of the rotation to outside, and a push-in operation detection unit that detects the push-in operation of the pushed-in movable member and outputs a signal corresponding to a result of the detection of the push-in operation to outside. At least a part of the accessory is housed inside the convex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Ono, Takehiko Furuta
  • Patent number: 9921604
    Abstract: An electronic accelerator pedal may be provided that includes a pedal arm including a hinge; a spring, and a spring support beam A first end of the spring support beam is fixed to a fixing end of a housing and a second end of the spring support beam is provided with a friction member which contacts the hinge. When an external force is applied to the spring support beam, the spring support beam rotates about the fixing end of the housing within a predetermined range. At least one protrusion is formed on the first end of the spring support beam. A thickness of the at least one protrusion in a direction in which the elastic force is applied to the pedal arm by the spring is thinner than a thickness of the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: KYUNG CHANG INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sung-il Byun
  • Patent number: 9921605
    Abstract: Receiving an indication of a frequency ratio of first and second clocks; generating an indication of a number of clock pulses of the second clock occurring between first and second clock pulses of the first clock; and generating an indication of a time offset between (1) a clock pulse of the second clock occurring between the second clock pulse and a third clock pulse of the first clock, and (2) the second clock pulse of the first clock. Also, receiving an input data word representing a fractional number, a first part of the input data word comprising an integer portion of the fractional number and a second part comprising a decimal portion of the fractional number; providing a first output data word that is either the first part of the input data word or an increment by one of the first part; and providing a second output data word that is an integer multiple of the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Deutschland GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Menkhoff
  • Patent number: 9921606
    Abstract: An apparatus for positioning service element interface devices is provided. A gate is affixed to a computing rack by a gate hinge, wherein the gate hinge rotates on a first axis. A first tray affixed to the gate at a side edge of the first tray. A second tray affixed to the first tray at a bottom edge of the first tray by a hinge that rotates on a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. A first display and a first keyboard affixed to an outer surface of the first tray. A second display and a second keyboard affixed to an outer surface of the second tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard M. Ecker, Steven C. McIntosh, Robert K. Mullady, John G. Torok
  • Patent number: 9921607
    Abstract: A portable user interface device receives user inputs in two modes. The user interface device includes a central portion attached to two side portions. Relative rotation between the central portion and the side portions converts the user interface device between the two modes. In the first mode, the user interface device is suspended on the front of a user's torso. In the second mode, the user interface device may be placed on a substantially flat horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SOLATIDO INC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Sherlock