Patents Issued in August 16, 2022
  • Patent number: 11415915
    Abstract: When an excess period, which is period in which the total of the power predicted by a power predicting unit and power stored by a power storing unit exceeds a predetermined power, exists during continuous feeding, the power supply to a plurality of heating elements by an power control unit is adjusted so that the total of the power supplied to the plurality of heating elements and power stored by the power storing unit does not exceed the predetermined power at least during the excess period, and, after the excess period, the transport interval is adjusted so that the temperature rising to a target temperature of the plurality of heating regions by supplying power in which the adjustment is cancelled is completed before the arrival of the recording material to the fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Momiyama
  • Patent number: 11415916
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image former, a fuser, a first sensor, and a processor. The image former is configured to form an image on a recording medium. The fuser is configured to fix the image on the recording medium. The first sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the fuser. The processor is configured to cause the recording medium to be supplied to the fuser after warming up the fuser to a warm up temperature. The processor is also configured to supply power to the fuser after causing the recording medium to be supplied to the fuser, an amount of the supplied power being based on the temperature detected before starting the warming up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 11415917
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image formation engine configured to form an image on a sheet, and a re-conveyer configured to convey the sheet having an image formed on one surface thereof by the image formation engine to the image formation engine again along a re-conveying path. The re-conveyer includes a conveying roller configured to convey the sheet in a re-conveying direction toward the image formation engine, a first guide member configured to be swingable between a first position at which the first guide member defines a portion of the re-conveying path upstream of the conveying roller in the re-conveying direction and guides the sheet to the conveying roller and a second position for exposing the potion of the re-conveying path, and a support member configured to swingably support the first guide member and rotatably support the conveying roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichiro Ichinose, Kenta Tosuji
  • Patent number: 11415918
    Abstract: Example implementations relate to a system comprising a memory resource to store instructions executable by a processing resource. In some examples, the processing resource can execute instructions to perform a calibration procedure for a printing device including a printing component. Responsive to the calibration procedure, the processing resource can execute instructions to deliver a print material arranged in a compound shape to a calibration image on the printing component included in the printing device. Responsive to performing the delivery, the processing resource can execute instructions to measure a print material density of the print material on the calibration image of the compound shape during the calibration procedure via a density sensor included in the printing device. Furthermore, the processing resource can execute instructions to detect an abnormality in the print material density via signal analysis instructions and provide a notification regarding the print material density abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael Kenneth Allen
  • Patent number: 11415919
    Abstract: A printing device may include a first print engine to print a first image in a first area of a web substrate and leave blank a second area of the web substrate, a second print engine in series with the first print engine to print a second image on the second area of the web substrate in simplex. The printing device may also include an optical sensor to identify a number of alignment indicators on the web substrate, and a controller to engage the second print engine with the web substrate based on the identification of the alignment indicators by the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Yaron Cohen, Noam Zorero, Ofer Eluk
  • Patent number: 11415920
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet, a reading unit for reading the image on the sheet and an inspection unit for inspecting whether an image formation failure has occurred by comparing the image read by the reading unit with a reference image registered in advance. The image forming apparatus executes the inspection with the inspection unit in a first inspection mode or a second inspection mode. The first inspection mode is a mode in which the inspection unit executes the inspection on all sheets on which the image is formed by the image forming unit. The second inspection mode is a mode in which the inspection unit executes the inspection on some of the sheets on which the image is formed by the image forming unit, and the inspection unit does not execute the inspection on the other sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinnosuke Iwadate
  • Patent number: 11415921
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control portion, a switching processing portion, a determination processing portion, and a release processing portion. The control portion includes a detection portion that detects abnormality regarding an image forming portion, and controls the image forming portion. When the abnormality detected by the detection portion is a first abnormality, the switching processing portion switches an operation mode of the image forming apparatus from a normal mode to a stop mode in which the control portion is stopped. When a specific operation is performed in a case where the operation mode is the stop mode, the determination processing portion determines whether or not a second abnormality is continued, based on a record result of detection of the abnormality. When it is determined that the second abnormality is continued, the release processing portion releases regulation on a removal of a developer storing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masayuki Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 11415922
    Abstract: An image forming system comprises first and second sheet feeding trays and first and second inserter trays. If sheets that are loaded in the first inserter tray run out during execution of a job in which a sheet feeding source of an insertion sheet is set to the first inserter tray, the system switches from the first inserter tray to the second inserter tray and continues execution of the job. If sheets that are loaded in the second sheet feeding tray run out during execution of a job in which a sheet feeding source is set to the second sheet feeding tray, the system temporarily stops execution of the job without switching from the second sheet feeding tray to another tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Wakana
  • Patent number: 11415923
    Abstract: A transport device includes a transport roller, a nip section, and first and second transport path surfaces. The transport roller transports a transport target material sent from an accommodating unit. The nip section nips the transport target material with the transport roller, and prevents multi-feed of the transport target material. The first transport path surface is disposed upstream of the nip section in a transport direction to face a transport roller side of the nip section. The first transport path surface includes a top portion protruding toward the transport roller side beyond a nip line between the transport roller and the nip section. The second transport path surface is disposed downstream of the nip section in the transport direction to face the transport roller side of the nip section. The second transport path surface includes a top portion protruding toward the transport roller side beyond the nip line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Shinya Hasegawa, Toyohide Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11415924
    Abstract: A sorting device includes a base portion, a tray portion, and a tray driving portion. The tray driving portion includes a motor, a supporting shaft, an input member, an output member, a link mechanism, and an urging member. The input member includes a first boss portion movably supported on the supporting shaft, and is reciprocatable up and down along the supporting shaft. The output member has a second boss portion coupled with the first boss portion via a ratchet mechanism. The link mechanism converts a rotary motion of the output member to a linear motion of the tray portion. The ratchet mechanism operates such that, when a predetermined or heavier load is applied to the output member via the tray portion, the input member is pushed down against the urging force of the urging member and engagement between the first and second ratchet teeth is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Tomoyasu Yamada
  • Patent number: 11415925
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes a sheet receiving part, a first discharge part, a sheet conveyance path, an escape conveyance path, a branch guide, an escape tray, a second discharge part, and a first sheet detection part. When a device failure occurs, the branch guide switches the conveyance direction such that the sheet remaining on the sheet conveyance path is discharged on the escape tray by the second discharge part, through the escape conveyance path sequentially. Then, the second discharge part stops a discharging of the sheet in a state where the sheet remains in the second discharge part when the sheet is a last sheet to be conveyed to the escape tray. Then, a receiving of a new sheet to the sheet receiving part from the image forming apparatus is inhibited while the first sheet detection part detects the last sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Sachio Izumichi, Takuya Nishimura
  • Patent number: 11415926
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a plurality of heating elements, a plurality of first terminals, a second terminal, a movable member, a first conductive circuit and a second conductive circuit. The heating elements are arranged in a main scanning direction and generate heat. The first terminals are electrically connected to the heating elements. The second terminal is electrically connected to a power supply that supplies electric power to the heating elements. The first conductive circuit and the second conductive circuit are provided on a surface of the movable member. The first conductive circuit is configured to electrically connect a first combination of one or more of the first terminals with the second terminal. The second conductive circuit is configured to electrically connect a different, second combination of one or more of the first terminals with the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yohei Doi
  • Patent number: 11415927
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to aspects of the present disclosure includes a cover, an interlocking mechanism, a sensor, a separation mechanism, a controller. In a state where the cover moves from a closed position to an open position while no power is supplied to the controller, a state of the interlocking mechanism changes from a first state to a second state. In a state where the sensor does not detect that the interlocking mechanism is in the second state when power supply to the controller is started, the separation mechanism keeps the developing roller located at a separation position at the separation position. On the other hand, in a state where the sensor detects that the interlocking mechanism is in the second state when power supply to the controller is started, the separation mechanism moves the developing roller located at a contact position to the separation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Ikegami, Shintaro Sakaguchi, Kotaro Haruta
  • Patent number: 11415928
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a feeding device to feed residual toner, discharged from an image forming portion, toward a first collecting container and a second collecting container selectively. The feeding device includes an aggregate feeding passage to aggregate the residual toner discharged from a first or second image forming portion and feed the residual toner in an aggregate feeding direction traversing an up down direction. A vertical conveyance passage is provided along the up down direction and connected to the aggregate feeding passage, and a lateral feeding passage is connected to the vertical conveyance passage and capable of feeding the residual toner in a lateral feeding direction traversing the up-down direction. The feeding device feeds the residual toner in the lateral feeding passage toward the first collecting container and the second collecting container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Tajima, Toshiaki Ohata
  • Patent number: 11415929
    Abstract: A high-voltage electrical circuit board is located in a first region that is a region at one side of photosensitive drums in a first direction and outside of the photosensitive drums in the first direction. A first motor drives a conveyance mechanism. A second motor is located in a second region and drives each photosensitive drum. A third motor is located in the second region and drives each developing roller to rotate and to drive a separation mechanism configured to individually move the developing rollers between a contact position and a separation position. A control board is located in the second region. The control board includes a controller configured to control a first applying circuit, the first motor, the second motor, and the third motor. The first motor, the second motor, the third motor, and the control board are located at different positions from one another in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Takahashi, Masaaki Wakizaka, Kentaro Aoyama, Shunsuke Hachiya, Toshinori Araki, Keita Inoue, Shinta Sugiura
  • Patent number: 11415930
    Abstract: An assembly for an image forming device includes an electrical connector that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position an electrical contact of the electrical connector is disengaged from a corresponding electrical contact of a replaceable unit when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the electrical contact of the electrical connector is engaged with the corresponding electrical contact of the replaceable unit. A camming member is operative to move the electrical connector between the extended position and the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Darren Adam Keese, James Richard Leemhuis
  • Patent number: 11415931
    Abstract: A branch frame has a first guide surface and a second guide surface. In a state where a first cover is located at an open position, at least part of the first cover is located in a space through which a fixing device passes when the fixing device is detached from a mount portion, and the fixing device is unattachable to and undetachable from the mount portion through a first opening. In a state where the branch frame is attached to a main housing, at least part of the branch frame is located in the space, and the fixing device is unattachable to and undetachable from the mount portion through the first opening. In a state where the first cover and the branch frame are detached from the main housing, the fixing device is attachable to and detachable from the mount portion through the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Ikegami, Yuichiro Ichinose
  • Patent number: 11415932
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a housing, a cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a drum cover, a drawer, a first guide, and a contacting portion, is provided. The drum cover is movable with respect to the photosensitive drum between a first position, in which the drum cover covers a part of the photosensitive drum, and a second position, in which the part of the photosensitive drum is exposed. The drawer is movable with the cartridge mounted thereon between an inner position and an outer position. The first guide is configured to guide the cartridge when the drawer with the cartridge mounted thereon moves from the outer position to the inner position. The contacting portion is configured to contact the drum cover and move the drum cover from the first position to the second position in a state where the cartridge is being guided by the first guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Kazuna Taguchi
  • Patent number: 11415933
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a developing electrode and a supply electrode. The developing electrode includes a first electrical contact in contact with a developing roller shaft, and a second electrical contact positioned closer to the developing roller shaft than a second agitator gear is to the developing roller shaft. The second electrical contact is positioned farther from the developing roller shaft than the first electrical contact is from the developing roller shaft. The supply electrode includes a first electrical contact in contact with the supply roller shaft, and a second electrical contact positioned closer to the developing roller shaft than the second agitator gear is to the developing roller shaft. The second electrical contact of the supply electrode is positioned farther from the developing roller shaft than the second electrical contact of the developing electrode is from the developing roller shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keita Shimizu, Tomoya Ichikawa, Takashi Shimizu, Kazuna Taguchi
  • Patent number: 11415934
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device, a printing device and a method of operating a printing device. The device comprises an air flow path extending from an intake to an outlet. The intake is to be mounted in a printing device and comprises a proximal intake segment and a distal intake segment along the air flow path. A proximal air flow path from the proximal intake segment to the outlet is shorter than a distal air flow path from the distal intake segment to the outlet. Each of the proximal and distal intake segments comprises a wall segment with at least one hole. An opening ratio of an area of the at least one hole and an area of the respective wall segment is larger in the distal intake segment than in the proximal intake segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Javier Deocon Mir, Francisco Guerrero Carvajal, Diego Lopez Ubieto
  • Patent number: 11415935
    Abstract: A holographic communication system and method can include: determining a user parameter for one or more users, generating a set of views based on the user parameter, and displaying the set of generated views.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Looking Glass Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexis Hornstein, Shawn Michael Frayne
  • Patent number: 11415936
    Abstract: The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for separating blood and other types of cellular components, and can be combined with holographic optical trapping manipulation or other forms of optical tweezing. One of the exemplary methods includes providing a first flow having a plurality of blood components; providing a second flow; contacting the first flow with the second flow to provide a first separation region; and differentially sedimenting a first blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components into the second flow while concurrently maintaining a second blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components in the first flow. The second flow having the first blood cellular component is then differentially removed from the first flow having the second blood cellular component. Holographic optical traps may also be utilized in conjunction with the various flows to move selected components from one flow to another, as part of or in addition to a separation stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: ABS GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Mueth, Joseph Plewa, Jessica Shireman, Amy Anderson, Lewis Gruber, Neil Rosenbaum
  • Patent number: 11415937
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, devices, and systems for displaying three-dimensional objects by individually diffracting different colors of light are provided. In one aspect, an optically diffractive device includes: first and second diffractive components and a color-selective polarizer therebetween. The first diffractive component is configured to diffract a first color of light in a first polarization state incident at a first incident angle with a first diffraction efficiency at a first diffracted angle, and diffract a second color of light in a second polarization state with a diffraction efficiency substantially less than the first diffraction efficiency. The color-selective polarizer is configured to rotate the second polarization state of the second color of light to the first polarization state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Pacific Light & Hologram, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamran Qaderi, Stephen John Hart, Robert Alan Hess, Jonathan Seamus Blackley
  • Patent number: 11415938
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a detector that detects a direction of movement of a user relative to an image formed in an air, and a controller that controls formation of the image based on the detected direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventor: Kengo Tokuchi
  • Patent number: 11415939
    Abstract: A device for controlling the functions of a watch, which includes a crown connected to a stem, an optical action system actuated in one position of the stem from among three possible positions to determine the direction of rotation of the stem, and an electronic mechanical arrangement for controlling the functions. A guide element can rotate on a support and which has a rounded end in an annular groove of the stem to be driven in rotation, and a selection part can rotate on the support above the annular groove to be driven in rotation. The selection part includes at least one contactor for contacting a first electrical terminal on a printed circuit board in a first position of the stem, with no electrical contact in a second position of the stem, and for contacting a second electrical terminal in a third position of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Vittorio Zanesco, Damien Porcherie, Louis Hêche
  • Patent number: 11415940
    Abstract: A timepiece movement includes a control unit that determines a position of an indicating hand by detecting a rotation state of a rotor, and a train wheel that transmits a drive force of a stepping motor to the indicating hand, and that has a first gear, and a second gear and a third gear which mesh with the first gear. The first gear has a reference load unit that causes fluctuations in a load applied to the rotor in each case of meshing with the second gear and the third gear. A first line segment which connects a center of the first gear and a center of the second gear to each other forms an angle smaller than 180° with a second line segment which connects the center of the first gear and a center of the third gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ihashi, Katsuya Mugishima
  • Patent number: 11415941
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to adjusting the oscillation frequency of an oscillating system for a watch movement, including: selecting a hairspring, selecting a balance belonging to a predetermined class, without a balance rim, at least two weight elements for balancing in a predetermined batch, pairing the hairspring with the balance and the at least two weight elements, measuring an oscillation frequency of the oscillating system including the hairspring, the balance and the at least two weight elements, and selecting at least one of a balance of another class or of the at least two weight elements of another batch if the measured oscillation frequency does not correspond to a desired oscillation frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: WCP (WATCH CONNAISSEUR PROJECT) SA
    Inventor: Karsten Fraessdorf
  • Patent number: 11415942
    Abstract: A timepiece transmission mechanism, with a differential mechanism with inputs or outputs including a first wheel set cooperating with a first train and a second wheel set cooperating with a second train, this differential mechanism kinematically connecting the first wheel set and second wheel set in the coupling position, and separating them in the uncoupling position, the first wheel set carrying a planet wheel set which meshes with a toothing of an arbor integral in rotation with the second wheel set, and with a crown-wheel forming another input or output of the differential mechanism, which includes control means arranged to lock or release the crown-wheel to perform the coupling or the uncoupling function, depending on the position given to the control means by a selector arranged to cooperate with an actuator of a timepiece movement, or to be operated by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Zaugg
  • Patent number: 11415943
    Abstract: A display member including a plate member which has light transparency, a display insertion section which is provided in the plate member such that a front surface thereof is convex and a rear surface corresponding to the convex portion is concave, and a light reaction material which is embedded in the display insertion section emits light in response to light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Okamura, Kentaro Maru
  • Patent number: 11415944
    Abstract: A timepiece including a device for opening a cover including a fixed pendant mounted inside a middle part and a movable pendant for sliding within the fixed pendant towards the center of the case, the movable pendant having a guide element for moving along an axial guide groove, then in a circumferential guide groove into which the axial guide groove opens out and which is delimited by a boundary, such that, when the movable pendant is pushed, this movable pendant can be firstly displaced axially, then pivoted by an angle defined by the place at which the guide element abuts against the boundary, the movable pendant having a helical groove which comes into contact with at least one pin arranged with a clearance between the movable pendant and the locking spring and which is axially displaced towards the locking spring when the movable pendant is pushed, then pivoted, such that the pin presses against the locking spring and releases the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Omega SA
    Inventor: Olivier Silvant
  • Patent number: 11415945
    Abstract: A musical watch case including a case middle with surfaces receiving and supporting a cover with a bezel, or a case back, and a casing ring, the case including at least one gong fixed to the case middle with a resonant part distinct from the walls of the case middle, which supports the cover via lugs included in the bezel or the case middle and which are arranged to allow vibration of the cover assembly at frequencies from 4 kHz to 6 kHz, these distinct and distant lugs forming, with at least one gasket, the only direct contacts between the bezel and the case middle, between which each lug includes a thin, elastic, median strip, more flexible than its solid distal end, and of smaller thickness than the smallest cross-section of these gongs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Younes Kadmiri
  • Patent number: 11415946
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a mechanical oscillator, formed by a balance and a piezoelectric balance spring, and a regulating device for regulating the frequency of the mechanical oscillator which is arranged to be able to produce time-separated regulating pulses, each consisting of a momentary decrease in an electrical resistance applied by the regulating device between two electrodes of the balance spring relative to a nominal electrical resistance. Each regulating pulse produces a variation of rate which varies as a function of its moment of starting in a half-period of the mechanical oscillator, the characteristic function of this variation of rate relative to the moment of starting of at least one regulating pulse respectively in at least one half-period of the mechanical oscillator being negative in a first temporal zone of at least one half-period and positive in a second temporal zone of at least one half-period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Laurent Nagy, Alexandre Haemmerli, Lionel Tombez
  • Patent number: 11415947
    Abstract: Technologies are provided for time-to-digital conversion without reliance on a clocking signal. The technologies include a clockless TDC apparatus that can map continuous pulse-widths to binary bits represented via an iterative chaotic map (e.g., tent map, Bernoulli shift map, or similar). The clockless TDC apparatus can convert separated pulses to a single asynchronous digital pulse that turns on when a sensor detects a first pulse and turns off when the sensor detects a second pulse. The asynchronous digital pulse can be iteratively stretched and folded in time according to the chaotic map. The clockless TDC can generate a binary sequence that represents symbolic dynamics of the chaotic map. The process can be implemented by using an iterative time delay component until a precision of the binary output is either satisfied or overwhelmed by noise or other structural fluctuations of the TDC apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Kratos SRE, Inc.
    Inventor: Seth D. Cohen
  • Patent number: 11415948
    Abstract: An electric motor control device includes a feedforward controller, a feedback controller, and an adder-subtractor. The feedforward controller receives a position command signal to specify a target position of a control target load and outputs signals representing a target position, target speed and torque of the electric motor. The feedback controller outputs a feedback torque command signal representing a torque command to perform feedback control in such a manner that an electric motor position signal and a feedforward position command signal coincide with each other. The adder-subtractor subtracts a load acceleration feedback torque signal obtained by multiplying a load acceleration signal representing acceleration of the control target load by a load acceleration feedback gain from a torque command signal obtained by adding a feedforward torque command signal and the feedback torque command signal, and outputs a result of the subtraction as a torque command correction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujiwara, Toru Tazawa
  • Patent number: 11415949
    Abstract: Optically controllable windows and an associated window control system provide a building security platform. A window controller or other processing device can monitor for window breakage, cameras associated with windows can monitor for intruders, and transparent displays can provide alerts regarding detected activity within a building. A window control system can detect deviations from expected UV characteristics of an optically controllable window during normal operation of the window (tint transitions, steady state conditions, etc.) and/or during application of a security-related perturbing event, and provide alerts upon their occurrence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Dhairya Shrivastava, Stephen Clark Brown, Gordon E. Jack, Rob Puth, Illayathambi Kunadian, Oner Bicakci, Sridhar Karthik Kailasam, Fabian Strong, Brandon Tinianov, Joseph Lunardi
  • Patent number: 11415950
    Abstract: A system is described herein for controlling an inverter comprising an artificial neural network (ANN) and a space vector pulse-width modulation converter. The ANN comprises an input layer, plurality of hidden layers, an output layer, and a processor. The ANN receives a plurality of input signals and produces output signals that control a SVPWM converter. The ANN is trained to minimize a cost function and to implement optimal control based on ADP. Further, the ANN can be configured to handle rated current and PWM saturation constraints in providing volt/VAR control functions. Finally, the ANN uses averaged feedback signals instead of instantaneous feedback signals to improve volt/VAR control performance of parallel inverters. Performance evaluation shows that an ANN controller has a strong ability to maintain volt and VAR control at the grid edge and prevent fighting between inverters thereby allowing an inverter to work effectively in parallel with other ANN-controlled inverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
    Inventors: Shuhui Li, Yang Sun, Malek Ramezani, Yang Xiao
  • Patent number: 11415951
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods to selectively emit scent control material responsive to local conditions of a scent control device. The local conditions may dictate the effectiveness of a given set of output parameters of a scent control device. The scent control device accepts as input, one or more conditional inputs carrying information about the local conditions around the scent control device, such as weather conditions, elevation, barometric pressure, or functional status of the scent control device. Operational programs corresponding to the conditional inputs may be automatically selected based on the combination of conditional inputs to cause the output parameters of the scent control device to match or take into account the local conditions. The scent control device then outputs scent control material such as ozone at a rate effective to control one or more scents to a level that is not perceivable by animals or humans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: Scott A. Elrod
  • Patent number: 11415952
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method, an apparatus, and a storage medium for controlling a heating system in a combined heat and power system. The method includes: establishing a load flow model of the heating system, in which the heating system includes pipelines and nodes; the nodes include loads and heating sources; the load flow model includes an objective function and constraints; the objective function for maximizing and minimizing an inlet water temperature of each load or each source; solving the load flow model to obtain an upper limit and a lower limit of the inlet water temperature of each load or each source; and controlling the inlet water temperature of each load or each source based on the upper limit and the lower limit of the inlet water temperature of each load or each source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hongbin Sun, Qinglai Guo, Bin Wang, Guanxiong Yin, Tongtian Sheng, Zhaoguang Pan
  • Patent number: 11415953
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting a ground capacitor that is connected between a ground of a circuit board included in a battery pack and a vehicle chassis. The apparatus includes a checking module configured to check a ground location on the circuit board; a selecting module configured to select a reference location on the circuit board, based on the ground location checked by the checking module; a calculating module configured to calculate a distance from the reference location selected by the selecting module to a nearest ground location as a reference distance; a computing module configured to compute a reference frequency by using the reference distance calculated by the calculating module; and a choosing module configured to choose a recommended capacitor, based on the reference frequency computed by the computing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventors: Jang-Soo Ock, Young-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 11415954
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating with and controlling load control systems of respective user environments from locations that are remote from the user environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: John B. Nill, Matthew Bamberger, Jason M. Swails, Christopher M. Jones
  • Patent number: 11415955
    Abstract: A system for updating a device in a building management system (BMS). The system includes a third-party device and a device manager of a control network. The device manager updates the third-party device and includes a processing circuit that determines that the third-party device has been discovered on the control network. The processing circuit further populates a template with a set of received data from the third-party device and maps the third-party device with control network based on the populated template of received data. The processing circuit further configures the third-party device to operate in the control network, wherein configuring the third-party device comprises transforming a data exchange format of the third-party device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Lisa E. Strand, Vivek V. Gupta, Benjamin D. Sanfelippo, Mark T. Fischbach, Adam Scott
  • Patent number: 11415956
    Abstract: A system with at least one control unit and a bearing arrangement that includes at least one sensor unit for measuring a quantity. The system is configured to find out with the help of the at least one sensor unit first values of the quantity in a first time span for a first set of instants of time. The system is further configured to infer second values of the quantity for a second set of instants of time from third values measured via the at least one sensor unit in a second time span. The first set of instants of time is different from the second set of instants of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Per-Erik Larsson, Fredrik Sundquist
  • Patent number: 11415957
    Abstract: A ladder display system includes: a first controller having a first ladder program; and a second controller having a second ladder program that performs input/output processing with the first ladder program. An input/output signal table generating unit generates an input/output signal table relating an input/output signal of the first ladder program to an input/output signal of the second ladder program. An external reference execution unit specifies a signal of the second ladder program and requests transmission of at least a part of the first ladder program. A ladder program output unit transmits at least a part of the first ladder program including a signal corresponding to the specified signal to the second controller. A ladder program display unit displays at least the part of the first ladder program output by the ladder program output unit on the second controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Hiraishi
  • Patent number: 11415958
    Abstract: A data extracting apparatus comprises: a processor configured to execute a program; and a storage device configured to store the program, the data extracting apparatus being configured to access: configuration information that defines a work environment including a group of sensors; and a data extraction rule, which is used for extraction from the configuration information, and is defined for each event that indicates one of a change and abnormality of the work environment, and the processor being configured to execute: detection processing of detecting a specific event based on sensor data from the group of sensors; extraction processing of extracting related data related to the specific event from specific configuration information corresponding to an acquisition time of the sensor data out of the configuration information, based on a specific data extraction rule corresponding to the specific event; and output processing of outputting the related data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Ishii, Yuji Ogata
  • Patent number: 11415959
    Abstract: A method for generating a movement path of a tool configured to utilize a virtual path to generate a correct path that fits an allowable error is provided. The method includes a receiving step implemented by receiving the virtual path and a precision data; an auxiliary point establishing step implemented by adding a plurality of auxiliary points in a plurality of arc sections; a moving and detecting step implemented by controlling the tool to sequentially move to a plurality of predetermined points and the auxiliary points according to the virtual path; and a calculating step implemented by amending the predetermined points or the auxiliary points in the virtual path if a difference between a real-time position coordinate and corresponding one of the predetermined points or the auxiliary points is greater than the allowable error to generate the correct path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: MIRLE AUTOMATION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hao-Wei Yen, Ming-Chih Hsiao, Chen-Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 11415960
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for energy-efficient execution of a safety function used for safeguarding a technical installation. A safety device detects a triggering event of the safety function, and a processing unit executes a safety-related reaction of the safety function based on the detection by the safety device. The apparatus is selectively operable in a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the safety device and the processing unit operate according to a first quality level, and, in the second operating mode, at least one of the safety device and the processing unit operates according to a second quality level. The second quality level is lower than the first quality level and at least one of (a) the safety device and (b) the processing unit is operable with a reduced capacity in the second operating mode to save energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dietmar Doettling
  • Patent number: 11415961
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method carried out on a computer system for parsing a software model to identify manufacturing requirements for a designed product and comparing those requirements, along with received user preferences. to corresponding attribute information from potential suppliers that is stored on a database, so as to automatically select a preferred supplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Desprez, LLC
    Inventors: James L. Jacobs, II, John E. Cronin, Christopher M. Huffines, Steven M. Lynch
  • Patent number: 11415962
    Abstract: Using three-dimensional shape data, the shape of a blade, which is an additive manufacturing product, is divided into multiple layers according to the height of a bead. Each layer of the additive manufacturing product that has been divided into multiple layers is divided by fitting regions of a set shape. By determining connecting lines for connecting the divided regions to each other and computing the extension directions of protrusions, planned lines for bead formation along said extension directions are determined. The additive manufacturing product is shaped by forming beads along planned bead formation lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takemasa Yamasaki, Tatsuya Fujii, Shinji Sato, Takeshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 11415963
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing power search and harvesting in a drone device provide execution of one or more tasks, wherein one of the tasks has a higher priority than the remaining tasks. A power mode is determined for executing the highest priority task by sequentially determining whether the highest priority task can be executed in one of a plurality of execution scenarios including from a charging pad associated with the drone, from another location using energy harvested from an existing energy source, from another location using energy harvested from an energy source enabled by the drone, or from another location using battery power alone. The highest priority task is executed in keeping with the first usable execution scenario found during the sequential determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: John Gorsica, Michael Russell, Rachid Alameh
  • Patent number: 11415964
    Abstract: To provide a numerical controller that can detect a position in a machining program at which a speed control abnormality is likely to occur due to an insufficient look-ahead blocks that are used to determine an acceleration/deceleration operation, and start a look-ahead processing function from the position in parallel with looking ahead at the machining program from the start of the machining program in order to stabilize feed rate, cutting speed and other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Uenishi, Chikara Tango