Combined (e.g., Automatic Control) Patents (Class 134/18)
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Patent number: 11676708Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for managing hospital operating room turnover. One exemplary method includes communicating a request associated with a task to one or more users, receiving an acceptance of the request at an acceptance time by the one or more users, determining if the acceptance is on time, starting the task at a task start time, determining if the acceptance is on time based on comparing the task start time with the start due time to determine if the task start time is earlier or equal to the task start due time, indicating task completion by one or more users, recording task completion, and communicating availability of a room.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: CCDR GROUP LLCInventors: Richard C. Guarino, Damian Barker, Chris DiRusso
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Patent number: 11627859Abstract: A wash monitoring system including a water flow meter that transmits water flow readings of flow through a water line, chemical conduits with color sensors on the chemical conduits and configured to transmit color readings of a chemical within the chemical conduits, and chemical flow meters on the chemical conduits that transmit chemical flow readings of flow through the chemical conduits. The system includes a memory containing processor-executable instructions that cause processors to compare the water flow readings with a range of water flow readings, compare the chemical flow readings with a range of chemical flow readings, compare the color readings with a range of color readings associated with each of the one or more chemical conduits, and initiate an alarm if one of the water flow readings, the chemical flow readings, or the color readings are not within the respective ranges of readings.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: WASHGUARD LLCInventors: Andrew Kaner, Gary Estes, Daniel Devore, Alan Seiler
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Patent number: 11627861Abstract: Image classification is used to dynamically control one or more wash parameters in an automated cleaning machine. An imaging device installed in the wash chamber of the cleaning machine captures one or more image(s) of articles to be cleaned at various times throughout a cleaning process. A computing device analyzes the captured image(s) to classify the images as to an article type and a rack volume. Based on the article type classification and the rack volume, the computing device dynamically controls one or more parameters of the cleaning process to achieve a satisfactory cleaning and/or sanitizing result.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Conor Sylvester Smith, Paul Dominic Christian, Elizabeth Minhee Han, Paul R. Kraus, Rachel Marie McGinness
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Patent number: 11614744Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relates to a self-moving apparatus and a method for controlling same, the self-moving apparatus including: a housing; a movement module for driving the housing to move; an ultrasonic module configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal and receive an echo signal formed through reflection of an obstacle; and a control module installed on the housing and connected to the ultrasonic module, to implement an ultrasonic detection function by processing the echo signal, thereby controlling a movement mode of the movement module. The control module can control disabling of the ultrasonic detection function according to a received preset signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuanzhong Ran, Jiang Du, Kai Wang
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Patent number: 11585037Abstract: A dosing device or system for dispensing tablets, which can include at least one active ingredient for an automatic washing process, into an automatic washing machine, wherein the dosing device or system is for dispensing one or more, but not all, of the tablets at once into the automatic washing machine, and wherein the dosing device or system can be for dispensing only one tablet at once.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Finish B.V.Inventors: Henry Matthew Lawrence Fletcher, Max William Middleton, Colin Pryor, Simon Burge, Charles Kevin Dillon, Iain Christopher Smith, Mike Andrew Vilhauer, Thomas Murray Fry, Rosanna Elizabeth Parrish, Jörg Peter Pflug, Kai Werner Heppert
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Patent number: 11548040Abstract: A household dishwasher includes a receiving compartment for receiving an item to be washed, a pump sump, and a heat pump assembly through which, during operation, a heat transfer medium flows. The heat pump assembly includes a plate condenser configured to enable a transfer of heat from the heat transfer medium to a washing liquor circulating in the household dishwasher. A spray assembly supplies washing liquor to the item to be washed. A first flow path extends from the pump sump to the spray assembly for conducting the washing liquor, and a second flow path extends from the pump sump to the plate condenser. Means are provided to prevent or hinder foreign matter that is swept along with the washing liquor from adhering to a washing-liquor-facing surface of the plate condenser, or to detach foreign matter adhering to the washing-liquor-facing surface from said surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbHInventors: Naiara Arandigoyen Martínez, Sergio Casado Carlino, Esther Castillo Bergad, Eloy Merino Alcaide, Gustavo Moliner Murillo, Jose Maria Sadaba Chalezquer, Xabier Sagües García, Koldo Urdiain Yoldi, Ciro Sebastián Vereda Ortiz
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Patent number: 11467553Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for initiating actions based on sequences of events. In one aspect, a process includes receiving, from each of multiple devices, data specifying an event detected by the device. The events are compared to configured scenarios that each specify a sequence of trigger events and an action to be initiated in response to detecting the sequence of trigger events. A determination is made that the events match a first scenario of the scenarios. In response to determining that the events detected by the multiple devices match the first scenario, a first action specified by the first scenario is initiated. A determination is made that a combination of one or more of the events detected by the multiple devices and the first action matches a second scenario. In response, a second action specified by the second scenario is initiated.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Accenture Global Solutions LimitedInventors: Matthew Thomas Short, Mary Elizabeth Hamilton, Grace T. Cheng, Michael E. Simanek, Andrew Albert Nat, III, Amir M. Khan, Joseph Pollock, Fadi Mahmoud, Michael Baroody
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Patent number: 11457559Abstract: A control device includes: an image acquiring section that acquires image data of an image of a work target of the work machine; a feature recognizing section that recognizes a feature about at least one of (i) a type of the work target of the work machine, (ii) a number or density of the work target, (iii) a shape of the work target and (iv) an appearance of the work target after work, based on the image data acquired by the image acquiring section; and a control parameter deciding section that decides at least either (i) a parameter for controlling travel of the work machine or (ii) a parameter for controlling work of the work machine, based on the feature recognized by the feature recognizing section.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoshi Haneda, Takamasa Udagawa, Makoto Yamamura, Masato Fujiwara, Ryuichi Kimata, Satoshi Onodera, Yutaka Tsuji, Hiroyuki Isegawa
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Patent number: 11434518Abstract: The present disclosure provides a monitoring device comprising a test composition, a test element comprising a test portion to which the test composition is releasably adhered, a detection reagent, and a container comprising a first end with an opening and a second end opposite the first end. The test composition comprises a predetermined quantity of tracer analyte. The container is configured to receive the test portion and configured to be operationally coupled to an analytical instrument. The tracer analyte and the detection reagent each are capable of participating in one or more chemical reaction that results in the formation of a detectable product. A method of using the monitoring device to assess the efficacy of a washing process is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: G. Marco Bommarito, Ting Liu, Timothy J. Nies
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Patent number: 11428360Abstract: A vertical barrel of an internal diameter to receive a pig having a selected uncompressible diameter, a reducer to compress the pig to a compressed diameter and a fluid system to introduce fluid pressure into the upper end of the barrel to drive the pig through the reducer.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: R.W. LYALL & COMPANY, INC.Inventor: William DeKeyser
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Patent number: 11419476Abstract: A method for controlling a domestic appliance includes the following steps: determining conventional operating parameters when the domestic appliance is in operation; determining a correlation of the operating parameters with respect to external information; and determining a proposal for operating the domestic appliance with the modified operating parameters if the external information deviates from a conventional value.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Michael Georg Rosenbauer, Volker Thaens, Sebastian Von Kummer
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Patent number: 11390981Abstract: A dosing device or system for dispensing tablets, which can include at least one active ingredient for an automatic washing process, into an automatic washing machine, wherein the dosing device or system is for dispensing one or more, but not all, of the tablets at once into the automatic washing machine, and wherein the dosing device or system can be for dispensing only one tablet at once.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: RECKITT BENCKISER FINISH B.V.Inventors: Henry Matthew Lawrence Fletcher, Max William Middleton, Joerg Peter Pflug, Kai Werner Heppert
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Patent number: 11363929Abstract: Apparatus and methods for training and operating of robotic appliances. Robotic appliance may be operable to clean user premises. The user may train the appliance to perform cleaning operations in constrained areas. The appliance may be configured to clean other area of the premises automatically. The appliance may perform premises exploration and/or determine map of the premises. The appliance may be provided priority information associated with areas of the premises. The appliance may perform cleaning operations in order of the priority. Robotic vacuum cleaner appliance may be configured for safe cable operation wherein the controller may determine one or more potential obstructions (e.g., a cable) along operating trajectory. Upon approaching the cable, the controller may temporarily disable brushing mechanism in order to prevent cable damage.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Brain CorporationInventors: Botond Szatmary, Vadim Polonichko
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Patent number: 11361979Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holding portion which holds a substrate W. The substrate holding portion includes two movable holding pins and two fixed holding pins which sandwich the substrate. The substrate processing apparatus includes two support pins which support the substrate W held by the substrate holding portion from below. Each of the support pins has an inner portion which overlaps the substrate held by the substrate holding portion in a vertical direction. An upper end of the support pin is on a side below an overlapping portion of the substrate which overlaps the inner portion in the vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2018Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Nishida, Nobuaki Okita
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Patent number: 11357374Abstract: A cleaning device and a method therefor are provided. The cleaning device includes a vacuum cleaner including a dust collecting container and a docking station to which the dust collecting container is coupled. The docking station includes a suction device configured to move air from the dust collecting container to inside of the docking station, a collector configured to collect a foreign substance that is moved together with the air by driving of the suction device, a suction flow path along which air moves inside the docking station, a flow adjusting device configured to open or close the suction flow path, and at least one processor configured to control the suction device to operate based on the dust collecting container being coupled to the docking station, and control the flow adjusting device to periodically open and close the suction flow path in a state in which the suction device operates.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2021Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoonkyung Cho, Seehyun Kim, Jongsoon Kim, Gihyeong Lee, Seongu Lee, Ahyoung Lee, Jaeshik Jeong, Seungryong Cha
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Patent number: 11342167Abstract: A time period for cleaning performed to remove a deposit formed within a chamber main body can be reduced. A plasma processing method including the cleaning of an inside of the chamber main body of a plasma processing apparatus is provided. The method includes etching including a main etching of etching an etching target film of a processing target object placed on a stage in a low temperature by generating plasma of a processing gas containing a fluorocarbon gas and/or a hydrofluorocarbon gas; carrying-out the processing target object from a chamber; and cleaning the inside of the chamber main body by generating plasma of a cleaning gas in a state that a temperature of an electrostatic chuck is set to be high.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Jin Kudo, Taku Gohira
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Patent number: 11342202Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: spinning a wafer around an axis of rotation at a center of the wafer; applying a first stream of liquid along a line starting from an initial point on the wafer adjacent to the center of the wafer, through the center of the wafer, and ending at an edge of the wafer; applying a second stream of liquid to an inner third of the line starting at the initial point and ending at a boundary point; applying a third stream of liquid to a middle third of the line starting at the boundary point; applying a fourth stream of liquid to an outer third of the line ending at the edge of the wafer; applying a fifth stream of liquid along the line starting from the initial point and ending at the edge of the wafer; and applying a stream of gas along the line starting from the initial point and ending at the edge of the wafer.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chun-Yu Lee, Sen-Yeo Peng, Chui-Ya Peng
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Patent number: 11330959Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a sump that defines a transition fill level where the cross sectional area of the sump increases. A pressure sensor is operably coupled to the sump for monitoring sump pressure and wash fluid level. A controller opens a water supply valve to provide a flow of water into the sump and monitors the sump pressure using the pressure sensor. The controller determines when the water has reached the transition fill level corresponding to a known transition fill volume. The controller determines a fill flow rate based on the amount of time needed to reach the transition fill volume and uses the fill flow rate to determine a remaining fill time needed to reach a target volume.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Nasib Alhaffar, Adam Christopher Hofmann, Kyle Edward Durham
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Patent number: 11322346Abstract: A method of processing a substrate may include preparing the substrate, polishing the substrate, and cleaning the substrate using a double nozzle, which is configured to provide a spray and a chemical solution onto the substrate. The spray may include a deionized water, and the chemical solution may be diluted with the deionized water. The chemical solution and the spray may be spaced apart from each other by a distance of 7 cm to 12 cm.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2021Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Inventors: Yeongbong Park, Jisu Kim, Byoungho Kwon
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Patent number: 11310993Abstract: The present invention provides an autonomous cleaning robot device for cleaning in the animal husbandry environment. The cleaning robot is composed of a master machine (autonomous moving controller) and a slave machine (self-propelled cleaning head). The master machine and the slave machine are connected by a robotic arm and a traction hose. The robotic arm can adapt to the movement of the cleaning slave machine to reduce the resistance and secondary pollution or damage caused by friction between the traction cable and the ground during the movement. The traction hose combined with the robotic arm allows slave machine to enter and exit the fence without opening and closing the door to improve efficiency. In the treatment of dirt, the excrement is collected by a suction driving device, and is centrally collected in a storage tank, and then is compacted into blocks by the excrement compression device.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Chung-Hsien Kuo, Yu-Cheng Kuo
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Patent number: 11315820Abstract: A substrate processing device is provided. A chamber has a side wall part and a top wall part and contains a substrate holding part. A first gas supply part is disposed in the top wall part and supplies a first gas toward a side on which the substrate holding part is positioned. A second gas supply part is contained in the chamber and supplies a second gas to an inside of the chamber. A control unit controls the first and second gas supply part. The second gas is a gas different from oxygen and an allotrope of oxygen. The second gas supply part has an air feeding port part which is positioned on an upward side of a holding position of a substrate by the substrate holding part in a vertical direction and is positioned on an outward side of the substrate holding part in a horizontal direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuo Ito, Noriyuki Kikumoto, Kazuki Inoue, Kunio Yamada
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Patent number: 11311172Abstract: A household dishwasher includes a dishwasher cavity for accommodating items to be washed, a controller apparatus configured to perform one wash program from a number of wash programs for washing the items to be washed arranged in the dishwasher cavity, an optical sensor configured to capture an optical sensor signal of the items to be washed arranged in the dishwasher cavity, and an evaluating unit configured to ascertain a loading state of the dishwasher cavity as a function of the captured optical sensor signal of the items to be washed.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2018Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbHInventors: Maria Terrádez Alemany, Kai Paintner, Matthias Heckes, Daniel Hitzler
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Patent number: 11285862Abstract: Provided is a vehicular lighting device (1) attached to a motorbike (100) that is capable of traveling around corners due to the vehicle body being tilted toward the direction for turning, wherein the vehicular lighting device (1) comprises at least two lamps and a sensor (7) for detecting the surrounding environment toward the rear of the vehicle. The vehicular lighting device (1) comprises a left lighting unit (2L) and a right lighting unit (2R) as the at least two lamps. The sensor (7) is disposed between the left lighting unit (2L) and the right lighting unit (2R) as viewed from rearward of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: KOITO MANUFACIURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroyuki Harada, Keisuke Fujii
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Patent number: 11287832Abstract: Provided is a robot-implemented, real-time, process to plan a coverage path, the process including: obtaining environment-sensor data indicating distances from the robot to surfaces in a portion of a working environment; obtaining odometry-sensor data; based on the environment-sensor data and the odometry-sensor data, determining at least a part of a coverage path of the robot through the working environment; and commanding an electric-motor driver to move the robot along the at least part of the path.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: AI IncorporatedInventor: Ali Ebrahimi Afrouzi
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Patent number: 11256180Abstract: A method includes transferring a wafer into a first processing chamber by using a robot arm mechanism, and applying a photoresist on the wafer in a first processing chamber. The wafer is transferred from the first processing chamber into a second processing chamber by using the robot arm mechanism, and the photoresist is exposed to a pattern of light in the second processing chamber. The method includes transferring the wafer from the second processing chamber into a third processing chamber by using the robot arm mechanism, and developing the exposed wafer in the third processing chamber. The method includes cleaning the robot arm mechanism in a dummy chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Fu-Chun Hsieh, Pei-Yi Su, Chih-Che Lin
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Patent number: 11253131Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher for washing the dishes or the cooking utensils by spraying washing water and steam and a controlling method therefor. The method of controlling a dishwasher includes: a steam supply step of supplying washing water to the sump from an external water source; and a steam generation step of maintaining a water level of the washing water existing inside the washing pump at a certain water level or higher and heating the washing water.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Yongtae Kwon
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Patent number: 11247246Abstract: A process of using a chemical gel cleaning formulation to clean a cooling tower fill, comprising the steps of applying a pre-rinse fluid to the fill; applying the chemical gel cleaning formulation to the fill, wherein the chemical gel cleaning formulation includes glycerin, at least one polysaccharide, at least one corrosion inhibitor, at least one surfactant, and at least one acid; applying a descaling fluid to the fill; applying a neutralizer solution to the fill to neutralize the pH of residual fluid on the fill surface; and rinsing the fill with a rinsing fluid to remove residual chemical gel cleaning formulation and descaling fluid, residual neutralizer solution, and dissolved deposits from the fill.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Inventor: Mark Rothenhausen
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Patent number: 11234574Abstract: An intelligent floor cleaner, including a vehicle body, a clean water tank, a control box, a dirty water tank, a floor cleaning apparatus, a manual steering apparatus, an autonomous steering apparatus, a navigation apparatus, and a mileage apparatus, where the clean water tank is located above the vehicle body and is fixedly connected to the vehicle body; the control box is located in a middle location above the vehicle body and is fixedly connected to the vehicle body; the dirty water tank is located at a rear side above the clean water tank and is fixedly connected to the clean water tank; the floor cleaning apparatus is located below the vehicle body; and the navigation apparatus includes a 3D laser and a laser mounting rack, and the navigation apparatus is located above the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Zhejiang Guozi Robot Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Weifeng Wu, Huafeng Yang, Lvjun Jin, Jiang Hong
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Patent number: 11237527Abstract: According to an example embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to cause a first parameter value set comprising at least one first parameter value to be provided to a first set of devices, obtain a fitness value associated with the first parameter value set in the first set of devices, determine, based at least in part on the fitness value and an optimization algorithm, at least one second parameter value set comprising at least one second parameter value, and cause the at least one second parameter value set to be provided to the first set or a second set of devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: ROVIO ENTERTAINMENT LTDInventor: Jyri Partanen
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Patent number: 11217267Abstract: A method, performed by an electronic device, of identifying location information of an external includes: obtaining map information including location information for each time interval of a mobile device based on the mobile device moving while generating noise near the external device; obtaining audio signal information about an audio signal including the noise generated by the mobile device, the audio signal being collected by a microphone of the external device; identifying, from the audio signal information, a time point at which a noise level of the noise generated by the mobile device is highest; obtaining, from the map information, location information of the mobile device corresponding to the identified time point; and identifying the location information of the external device based on the obtained location information of the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Changwoo Han, Minkyu Shin, Jonguk Yoo, Dokyun Lee, Kangseok Choi
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Patent number: 11209402Abstract: Integrated probes and probe systems suitable for attachment to a robotic arm of a remotely operated vehicle are disclosed. The probes and probe systems serve to perform cleaning operations and both cathodic protection (CP) voltage measurements and ultrasonic testing (UT) thickness measurements at an underwater surface. The cathodic protection measurement system includes one or more electrically conductive legs that extend outwardly from the probe. These legs are arranged about a cleaning tool and an ultrasonic sensor. When the integrated probe contacts the underwater surface, at least one leg contacts the surface, thereby providing a desired distance between the probe and the underwater surface for efficient cleaning and UT inspection. The underwater surface can be cleaned and CP and UT measurements can all be performed using a single, integrated probed during a single operation, without having to reposition the probe.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Ayman Amer, Fadl Abdellatif
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Patent number: 11203094Abstract: In a substrate cleaning device, with a polishing head in contact with one surface of a substrate rotated by a spin chuck, the polishing head is moved at least between a center and an outer periphery of the substrate. Thus, the one surface of the substrate is polished by the polishing head, and contaminants present on the one surface of the substrate are removed. At this time, capacity for removing contaminants by the polishing head is changed according to a position in a radial direction of the substrate. The capacity for removing contaminants refers to capacity for scraping contaminants adhering to the one surface of the substrate, and suction marks, contact marks and the like remaining on the one surface of the substrate by polishing. It is possible to change the capacity for removing contaminants by adjusting a pushing force exerted on the one surface of the substrate from the polishing head, for example.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Inventors: Hiromi Murachi, Ryuichi Yoshida, Koji Nishiyama, Toru Momma, Chikara Sagae
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Patent number: 11198161Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning the inside of a monocrystal pulling apparatus includes a main tube part that is capable of being inserted into a pull chamber and a wire cleaning mechanism that is provided at an upper portion of the main tube part and is configured to clean a pulling wire to be inserted into the main tube part. The main tube part includes a continuous extension mechanism that adds together and joins a plurality of joint tube parts in an axial direction and allows the plurality of joint tube parts to be sealed and connected to each other. Accordingly, the cleaning device is configured to efficiently clean the wire by preventing powdery dust from adhering thereto again.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2017Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: SUMCO CORPORATIONInventor: Kenji Okita
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Patent number: 11191416Abstract: A dishwasher and method utilize an image-based position sensor that is positioned to sense the rotational position of a discretely directable tubular spray element driven by a tubular spray element drive.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.Inventors: Bassam Fawaz, Robert M. Digman, Joel Boyer
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Patent number: 11192648Abstract: A rotary-wing drone and a method of blowing air by an air blowing device integrated with the rotary-wing drone are described. The rotary-wing drone includes a plurality of rotary propellers, an extendable cone, a centrifugal propeller unit, and one or more batteries, in the air blowing device. The rotary-wing drone further includes a camera configured to obtain images of surrounding environment of the rotary-wing drone, and a processing circuitry configured to analyze the images to determine dust characteristics on a solar panel and to obtain one or more parameters of the air blowing device and the rotary-wing drone, to enable the rotary-wing drone to clean the solar panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2021Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: King Abdulaziz UniversityInventor: Mohannad Bayoumi
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Patent number: 11191420Abstract: A dishwashing appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a tub, a pump, a spray assembly, a first fluid path, and a second fluid path. The first fluid path may extend from a first path inlet to a first path outlet to recirculate air within a wash chamber. The first path inlet may be defined in fluid communication between the wash chamber and the first path outlet. The second fluid path may extend from a second path inlet to a second path outlet to direct ambient air to the wash chamber. The second path inlet may be defined in fluid communication between an ambient environment surrounding the dishwashing appliance and the second path outlet. The second path outlet may be defined in fluid communication between the second path inlet and the wash chamber downstream from the second path inlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Ramasamy Thiyagarajan, Matthew David Mersch
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Patent number: 11185200Abstract: A robot cleaner including: a main body, a driving unit configured to move the main body, and a suction device provided in the main body and configured to suction outside foreign substances, and the suction device may include a first suction member having a suction port provided at a bottom surface of the main body and configured to suction the foreign substances, and at least one second suction member formed to move relative to the first suction member and having a suction port configured to suction the foreign substances.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Seok Man Hong, Sung Jin Park, Young Jae Park, Jin Wook Yoon, Dong Woo Ha
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Patent number: 11179729Abstract: A method and apparatus for washing and separating pieces of plastics material from contaminating material that also includes metal elements includes a stirring device having a plurality of blades which are driven in a washing fluid to generate a turbulent stirring action to mechanically remove part of the contaminating material from the plastics material. The tilt of the blades and the rotation speed of the stirring device are chosen carefully to generate an upward thrusting action to maintain the plastics material with a specific weight that is greater than the specific weight of the fluid in a floating condition. The plastics material is retained inside the container for sufficient time to obtain a desired degree of purity and decontamination for the plastics material, after which it is evacuated by controlled overflow.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Inventor: Flavio Previero
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Patent number: 11155245Abstract: A wash equipment assembly for a car wash and method of operating the equipment are described. For example, the assembly includes a cleaning element configured to clean a vehicle, an arm assembly operably attached to the cleaning element and configured to move the cleaning element to a vehicle cleaning position, the arm movably fixed to a support at a first end and the cleaning element mounted on the arm at a second end, a controlled locator for positioning the arm relative to the support such that the cleaning equipment is moved to the vehicle cleaning position, and a sensor for evaluating an actual orientation of the cleaning element relative to a default orientation of the cleaning element. In certain implementations, the controlled locator can modify the position of the arm in response to a signal from the sensor, thereby providing a closed loop control system.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Innovative Control Systems, Inc.Inventor: Kevin Detrick
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Patent number: 11149371Abstract: A washing machine including an auxiliary washing tub in a washing tub, and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The washing machine includes a main washing tub and an auxiliary washing tub through which different laundry can be classified according to the weight or category of laundry such that the classified laundry can be separately washed. As a result, user convenience increases, and the entire washing time and unnecessary energy consumption can be reduced. When the main washing tub and the auxiliary washing tub are simultaneously operated, when only the main washing tub is independently operated, or when only the auxiliary washing tub is independently operated, laundry can be effectively washed in different ways in the washing tub and the auxiliary washing tub according to an optimum washing algorithm achieved by a combination of washing-tub rotation and pulsator rotation, such that laundry can be less damaged and washing performance can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ji Hyun Woo, Ji-Yu Lee, Sang Up Lee, Sang Yeon Pyo
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Patent number: 11140819Abstract: An intelligent lawn mower includes a cutting blade for cutting grass, a deck for supporting the cutting blade, at least one wheel rotatably supporting the deck, a first drive motor to provide torque to the at least one wheel, a mowing path generation module to set multiple target positions on a first virtual boundary and a second virtual boundary of a mowable area boundary according to a preset path and generate a mowing path from the target positions, and a controller electrically connected to or communicated with a display interface and the mowing path generation module to control the intelligent lawn mower to perform mowing tasks along the mowing path generated by the mowing path generation module.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Nanjing Chervon Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Weipeng Chen, Hongwei Wang, Dezhong Yang, Weibin Kou
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Patent number: 11116379Abstract: An air jet generator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an impeller which applies centrifugal force to washing water flowing in a forward direction; a decompression portion which decreases a pressure of the washing water that flows; an air suction portion which is opened to allow air to flow into the decompression portion; a pressing portion which increases pressure so as to crush the air introduced from the air suction portion; an air tap which has a plurality of holes so as to crush the air contained in the washing water that passed through the pressing portion; and a reverse spray nozzle which sprays the washing water toward the air tap in a reverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Yongjin Choi, Shinwoo Han
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Patent number: 11110475Abstract: A paint sprayer array may include an array frame. The array frame may include a first support member. The paint sprayer array may include an array mount. The array mount may include an array support member. The array mount may be detachably mountable to the array frame. The paint sprayer array may include a plurality of sprayers. Each sprayer of the plurality of sprayers may be detachably mountable to the array support member of the array mount and operable to selectively atomize paint. The paint sprayer array may include a sprayer activation assembly. The sprayer activation assembly may be operable to selectively activate at least a portion of the plurality of sprayers. The paint sprayer array may be selectably mountable to an aerial work platform. The aerial work platform may move the paint sprayer array to paint a large work surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Foreman Technologies Inc.Inventor: Nicholas William Hegeman
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Patent number: 11084642Abstract: An inflation device for pressurized inflation of an un-inflated package, the package comprising two layers, which are generally flat prior to inflation, and an inflation opening, the inflation device comprising an inflation tool, for contacting the package at the inflation opening to inflate the package through the inflation opening using inflation fluid from a pressure source, the inflation tool having an enclosing surface to enclose the inflation opening externally of the package. The inflation tool is larger than the inflation opening so as to ensure that the inflation opening is actually enclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Airguard Ltd.Inventors: Shlomo Nevo, Moshe Malik, Asaf Levin
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Patent number: 11076742Abstract: A method for obtaining information about a load of articles to be cleaned in a dishwasher is provided. The method may include stopping a pump from pumping liquid through a spraying system of the dishwasher at a point of time; recording a pressure signal in a sump of the dishwasher from the point of time the pump was stopped; measuring a time period, said time period being measured from the point of time the pump stopped until the pressure signal is essentially stable; and comparing the time period with reference values for obtaining information about the load in the dishwasher. A corresponding dishwasher, computer program, and computer program product may be provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Inventors: Maurizio Ugel, Giuseppe Dreossi, Francesco Cavarretta
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Patent number: 11078446Abstract: A method for monitoring cleaning of a surface includes applying an amount of transparent indicator material to an area of a surface and measuring the amount of transparent indicator material remaining on the surface. The transparent indicator material may be fixed on the surface by drying and, when a fluorescent material, may be measured through exposure to ultraviolet radiation.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Kleancheck Systems, LLCInventor: Philip C. Carling
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Patent number: 11080576Abstract: A system and method offer a garment provider the ability to automatically scan and track garments at multiple locations without adding processing stations. Various embodiments of this invention allow garment providers to achieve greater processing efficiencies and implement reporting and tracking protocols to provide customers with important data regarding garments in their program with a higher level of confidence. This invention is implemented in various embodiments with a system and/or method for tracking clothes and other textile articles utilizing multiple RFID reading modules throughout the system or method to achieve greater accuracy for reporting and tracking the items. One aspect of various embodiments of this invention is the reading of RFID tags on articles being dried in a commercial dryer. The movement of the articles induced by the action of the dryer provides for increased exposure of the RFID tags on the articles for more reliable detection.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Cintas Corporate Services, Inc.Inventors: Richard R. Bing, Patrick J. Chilenski, David S. Mesko
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Patent number: 11049735Abstract: A method for operating an electronic device manufacturing system is provided that includes introducing an inert gas into a process tool vacuum pump at a first flow rate while the process tool is operating in a process mode, and introducing the inert gas into the process tool vacuum pump at a second flow rate while the process tool is operating in a chamber clean mode. Numerous other embodiments are provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2017Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Daniel O. Clark, Phil Chandler, Jay J. Jung
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Patent number: 11045065Abstract: A method of operating a dishwashing appliance includes filling the sump of the dishwashing appliance with an initial fill of water of a current operational cycle and measuring a temperature of the initial fill of water. The method also includes comparing the temperature of the initial fill of water to a reference temperature and calculating an energy demand for the dishwashing appliance to heat the initial fill of water to the reference temperature based on a heat rise rate. Based on the calculated energy demand, for example based on a comparison of the calculated energy demand with a predetermined energy demand for an external heating unit, the dishwashing appliance decides whether to heat the initial fill. The heat rise rate may be calculated during a characterization of the dishwashing appliance prior to the current operational cycle.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Adam Christopher Hofmann, Paul Edward Newsom, II
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Patent number: 11019979Abstract: Provided are a method of detecting a change in process water flow of a circulation pump in an appliance for washing and rinsing goods, and an appliance performing the method. An appliance for washing and rinsing goods may be provided including a circulation pump, a sensing arrangement arranged to measure a property indicating torque of the circulation pump, and a controller. The controller may be arranged to average a first set of values of the measured property, thereby creating a first average, average at least a further set of values of the measured property, thereby creating at least one further average, compare the first average with the at least one further average, and to detect change in process water flow of the circulation pump based on a difference between the first average and the at least one further average.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2016Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Electrolux Appliances AktiebolagInventors: David Persson, Arne Nensén