Light, Heat, Vibratory Or Radiant Energy Patents (Class 307/117)
  • Patent number: 11856671
    Abstract: A power switch adapted to provide power to a device is described. The power switch comprises a prong of a plurality of prongs adapted to receive the power; a receptacle adapted to receive a plug of the device receiving the power; a user interface comprising a microphone; and a control circuit coupled to the user interface; wherein the control circuit controls the application of the power to the receptacle in response to the detection of a voice of a user of the power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Smart Power Partners LLC
    Inventors: Stephen DeLano, John Joseph King
  • Patent number: 11782364
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit including a heater; a bidirectional thyristor for supplying electric power form an AC power source to the heater in a conduction state and for cutting off supply of the electric power from the AC power source to the heater in a non-conduction state; a control unit for outputting a control signal for controlling the conductive state or the non-conduction state of the bidirectional thyristor; and a DC voltage source for supplying electric power for conduction of the bidirectional thyristor by the control signal outputted from the control unit. The control unit controls the heater in a predetermined control cycle on a one half-wave unit basis of an AC voltage of the AC power source. The control unit outputs a plurality of control signals in one half-wave of the AC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Oi
  • Patent number: 11735377
    Abstract: A protection device for an electrical circuit comprising at least one circuit breaker comprising a control zone, suitable for receiving a tripping signal (S), and a power zone for the passage of electric current. The device also comprises a control circuit configured to produce and transmit the tripping signal to the control zone. The device further comprises a fuse connected in series between the first conductor and the circuit breaker and capable of supplying a supply voltage (V) to the control circuit, the control circuit being connected between the fuse and the control zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: MERSEN FRANCE SB SAS
    Inventors: Patrice Fleureau, Pierric Gueguen, Jean-François Oeuvrard
  • Patent number: 11448557
    Abstract: A method for determining the junction temperature of at least one die of a semiconductor power module, the semiconductor power module being composed of plural dies connected in parallel and switching between conducting and non conductor states according to pattern cycles, the method comprises the steps of: disabling the conducting of the at least one die during at least a fraction of one switching cycle, applying a current limited voltage to the gate of the at least one die during a period of time of the cycle wherein the at least one die is not conducting, the resulting voltage excursion having a value that does not enable the die to be conducting, measuring the voltage at the gate of the die, deriving from the measured voltage a temperature variation of the junction of the at least one die or the temperature of the junction of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ewanchuk, Stefan Mollov, Jonathan Robinson, Julio Brandelero
  • Patent number: 11367583
    Abstract: A seesaw type operation unit having a new configuration is provided. A swinging member is capable of swinging in a predetermined direction with a rotation axis at a center. An urging member urges the swinging member to a neutral position. A detector includes a rotating portion which is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis and rotates integrally with the swinging member, and outputs a signal depending on a rotation amount of the rotating portion. An operating member receives an operation from an outside and causes the swinging member to rotate in the predetermined direction by the operation. A supporting member rotatably and coaxially supports the swinging member and the operating member. In a case where the operating member is rotated in the predetermined direction, the operating member pushes an end of the swinging member to rotate the operating member, the swinging member, and the rotating portion integrally with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuko Iritani, Yoshinobu Shibayama, Yasuhiro Kojima, Shigeharu Aoki
  • Patent number: 11346711
    Abstract: For calculating an optical sensor's regular-discharge probability, a light detection system includes the optical sensor, an application voltage generating circuit for applying a drive pulse voltage to the optical sensor, a discharge determining portion for detecting the optical sensor's discharge, a first discharge probability calculating portion, a sensitivity parameter storing portion for storing the optical sensor's sensitivity parameters, and a second discharge probability calculating portion for calculating a discharge probability of the optical sensor's regular discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shun Onuma, Raita Mori
  • Patent number: 11294446
    Abstract: Examples for setting a system state as one of wakeable through a trigger and non-wakeable, are described. In one example, a value of an enabling time interval is obtained. Thereafter, it is determined if the enabling time interval has elapsed since the computing device has been in a low powered mode. Based on the determining, a system state is set as one of wakeable and non-wakeable through a trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Poying Chih, Raymond Liu, Shu Ming Kuo
  • Patent number: 11284495
    Abstract: A closet lighting system incorporates a light strip that extends around an inside perimeter of a closet doorway and is configured to automatically turn on when motion is detected in the doorway. Motion may be a closet door opening or a person moving into a closet doorway, either walking into or reaching in. A closet lighting system has one or more activity sensors to detect the motion in the closet doorway. A first activity sensor may be configured proximal to the control system or the connected end of the light strip to the controller. A second activity sensor may be configured on a distal end of the light strip and may send a motion signal through the light strip, such as through a data line or through a power line. A motion signal may a voltage signal passed through the power line below a voltage to activate the lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Luminook Lighting, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Stubbs
  • Patent number: 11277093
    Abstract: A switching device has a cover including: a hollow content area housing a plurality of connectors; one or more openings designed to allow passage of one or more conductors; and one or more reflective agents mounted on the cover such that changing a physical location of an entirety of the cover with respect to an enclosure of an electronic device changes a location of the one or more reflective agents. A sensor is configured to sense the one or more reflective agents and output an electrical signal depending on the location of the sensed one or more reflective agents mounted on the cover. The sensor is positioned outside of the hollow content area of the cover. A controller is configured to change a state of the electronic device according to the output electrical signal of the sensor. The cover is mounted on an exterior surface of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Guy Sella, Yoav Galin, Meir Adest, Ilan Yoscovich, Avi Rubinshtein, David Braginsky, Naseem Jamal, Reuven Savitzky, Ariel Cohen
  • Patent number: 11267159
    Abstract: Mobile assembly for cutting wood includes a base supported by wheels, and a plurality of posts extending upwards from the base. A frame is removably coupled to a distal post and a proximal post. The frame configured to pivot relative to at least one of the distal and proximal posts when coupled thereto, the frame configured for positioning at different heights along the at least one of the distal and proximal posts. An arm is supported by the frame, the arm configured for sliding about, and parallel to, the frame. The arm includes a chainsaw attached to a distal region of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Justin William Johnson
  • Patent number: 11257697
    Abstract: A temperature monitoring apparatus includes: a calculator configured to calculate a temperature monitoring waveform by a first-order lag function based on an elapsed time from a start of a temperature change from a first temperature to a second temperature, and a time constant calculated based on a locus of the temperature change; and a monitor configured to monitor a temperature changing from the first temperature to the second temperature based on the temperature monitoring waveform calculated by the calculator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Tatsuya Yamaguchi, Yasuaki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 11224098
    Abstract: A system configured for operation below a threshold temperature system includes a power supply, a housing, a temperature-sensitive electronic component, and a heating circuit. The temperature-sensitive electronic component is enclosed within said housing and electrically connected to the power supply, wherein the temperature-sensitive electronic component becomes susceptible to failure when the temperature of said temperature-sensitive electronic component decreases and crosses the threshold temperature. The heating circuit is at least partially enclosed within the housing and comprising a temperature-dependent resistor, the heating circuit electrically connected to the power supply and configured to generate heat energy within the housing when the temperature within the housing decreases and approaches the threshold temperature in order to maintain the temperature of the temperature-sensitive electronic component above the threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hendrik Pieter Jacobus de Bock, Darrall John Hicks, William Dwight Gerstler
  • Patent number: 11205031
    Abstract: A method for selecting components in a radiation tolerant electronic system, comprising, determining ionizing radiation responses of COTS devices under various radiation conditions, selecting a subset of the COTS devices whose radiation responses satisfy threshold radiation levels, applying mathematical models of the COTS devices for post-irradiation conditions to determine radiation responses to ionizing radiation; implementing a radiation-tolerant architecture using COTS devices from the selected subset, the implemented circuit may be tested for robustness to ionizing radiation effects without repeated destructive tests of the hardware circuit by using the mathematical models for simulating response to the ionizing radiation, and implementing a multi-layer shielding to protect the implemented circuit under various radiation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventors: Qiang Huang, Jing Jiang
  • Patent number: 11100736
    Abstract: A system is described for controlling a locking system restricting physical access (e.g. a door lock). The locking system is accessed (e.g., actuated and monitored) via dual communication path types used by a mobile wireless communication device. The locking system includes an electro-mechanical access control security device, and a receiving unit controlling the electro-mechanical access control security device. The receiving unit is paired with the mobile wireless communication device for receiving input from the mobile wireless device for activating the electro-mechanical access control security device using both low energy and high energy operating modes. The mobile wireless device is configured to access the locking system via both direct BLUETOOTH and indirect mobile wireless data network communications. Moreover, the operating range of the receiving unit is extended by connections to networked devices operating BLUETOOTH 4+LE at a high power—extended range mode through the use of an amplifier stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Delphian Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Myers, Ashok Hirpara, John D. Veleris, Michael Aaron Cohen
  • Patent number: 11047920
    Abstract: Disclosed is a short detection system for an aircraft. The system includes a pair of alternating current sources defined by respective frequencies being offset by a predetermined value. The system includes a pair of sensor systems including respective measurement circuits coupled to respective sensor apparatuses to measure at least one parameter of an environment. The system includes an alternating current measurement system that includes a low pass filter having a cutoff frequency greater than the predetermined value such that a beat indicative of a difference between the respective frequencies passed through the pair of sensor systems is isolated by the low pass filter. The system indicates a short among the pair of sensor systems when the beat is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary M. McBrien, James A. Gosse
  • Patent number: 11016597
    Abstract: A device including a body configured to be grasped by a user's hand and a touch surface oriented on a first surface of the body, wherein the touch surface is configured to be engaged by an appendage of the user's hand when the body is grasped by the user's hand. The device also includes a friction modulator associated with the touch surface, wherein the friction modulator is configured to modulate a coefficient of friction between the user's appendage and the touch surface to provide haptic feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Patent number: 10976802
    Abstract: The present invention aims to appropriately prevent an excessive temperature rise of a portable apparatus according to a situation of a heat release property of the portable apparatus. For such a purpose, there is provided a portable apparatus which comprises: a temperature estimating unit configured to estimate a temperature of the portable apparatus; a heat release property determining unit configured to determine whether or not a heat release property of the portable apparatus satisfies predetermined performance, based on information related to an orientation of the portable apparatus; and a stop controlling unit configured to stop at least a part of functions of the portable apparatus, based on the temperature estimated by the temperature estimating unit and a determination result by the heat release property determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Iwasa
  • Patent number: 10943443
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing data between neighbors are provided. The apparatus may include the first and second communication devices. The first communication device in a first space includes a first processor that receives and processes information on a state of a first neighbor from an input interface and transmits a resultant state of the first neighbor to a display unit. The second communication device, in a second space spatially separated from the first space, includes a communication unit that communicates data with the first communication device, and a display unit that simultaneously displays the resultant state of the first neighbor transmitted from the first communication device. The resultant state of the first neighbor represents a degree of tolerance by the first neighbor over noise travelling between floors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventors: Sungpil Chun, Yongseob Lim
  • Patent number: 10840901
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device in which a field effect transistor is prevented from burning caused by an electric current flowing through a parasitic diode. This semiconductor device has a configuration including: a field effect transistor including a parasitic diode; a temperature detector that detects a temperature of the parasitic diode; and a controller that determines whether the temperature detected by the temperature detector is higher than or equal to a first temperature, and turns on the field effect transistor if the detected temperature is higher than or equal to the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuma Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 10670302
    Abstract: A device for igniting a pilot light for a heating appliance or for re-igniting the pilot. The device may monitor a thermopile at the pilot to determine if the pilot is lit and, if not, attempt to relight it. If the device fails to relight the pilot, it may continue attempting to relight the pilot until the stored energy is nearly depleted. Before the stored energy is depleted, the device may send a message indicating a failure to relight. The last of stored energy may alert a homeowner with an alarm that the appliance control has shut down and the pilot could not be relit. If the amount of energy stored drops below a specified threshold and the device successfully lights the pilot, it may restore the control to normal operation, and replenish the stored energy. The device may do a standing pilot or an intermittent pilot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, David Heil, Ravindra Khosla
  • Patent number: 10607985
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated power device including: an output transistor configured to drive an external load element; a temperature detection circuit configured to: output a first detection signal in reference to a temperature difference between a temperature of the output transistor and an ambient temperature; and output a second detection signal in reference to a temperature difference between a temperature of the output transistor and a first reference temperature; and a current limiter circuit configured to limit a current flowing through the output transistor according to the first detection signal and the second detection signal. The temperature detection circuit activates and inactivates the first detection signal or the second detection signal based on an output of a first hysteresis circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Uemura, Akihiro Nakahara
  • Patent number: 10600314
    Abstract: In a general aspect, a sensitivity setting is adjusted in a motion detection system. In some aspects, a user interface is provided by a motion detection system, and user input data is obtained through the user interface. A wireless communication link is identified based on the user input data; the wireless communication link is provided by a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device. Based on the user input data, a value is assigned to a sensitivity setting associated with the wireless communication link in the motion detection system. The motion detection system obtains data for motion detection based on wireless signals communicated through a space on the wireless communication link. Motion of an object in the space is detected based on the data and the value of the sensitivity setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Cognitive Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Tajinder Manku, Oleksiy Kravets
  • Patent number: 10557884
    Abstract: An optocoupler is placed in series between the field ground pin of digital input circuitry and the field ground of an industrial controller. A capacitor to field ground is provided for each digital input. A resistor is provided to the input pin of the digital input circuitry. To detect a broken wire a test pulse is provided to the optocoupler connected in the ground path. This test pulse isolates the digital input circuitry from field ground. As current is always being provided from the field when the wire is not broken, the capacitor connected between the input and ground charges. After the test pulse has completed, the output signal of the digital input circuitry is examined. If the level indicates the input is high, the wire is not broken. If, however, the output remains low indicating that the input is low, the wire has broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Anant Shankar Kamath
  • Patent number: 10542903
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to physiological monitoring to determine the depth of consciousness of a patient under sedation. The monitor includes an EEG sensor and a depth of consciousness monitor. The depth of consciousness monitor can utilize treatment data, such as patient data and/or drug profile information with an EEG signal to determine whether the patient is adequately sedated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Ammar Al-Ali, Walter M. Weber, Faisal Kashif, Mohammad Usman, Balaji Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 10529156
    Abstract: A system is described for controlling a locking system restricting physical access (e.g. a door lock). The locking system is accessed (e.g., actuated and monitored) via dual communication path types used by a mobile wireless communication device. The locking system includes an electro-mechanical access control security device, and a receiving unit controlling the electro-mechanical access control security device. The receiving unit is paired with the mobile wireless communication device for receiving input from the mobile wireless device for activating the electro-mechanical access control security device using both low energy and high energy operating modes. The mobile wireless device is configured to access the locking system via both direct BLUETOOTH and indirect mobile wireless data network communications. Moreover, the operating range of the receiving unit is extended by connections to networked devices operating BLUETOOTH 4+LE at a high power-extended range mode through the use of an amplifier stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Delphian Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Myers, Ashok Hirpara, John D. Veleris, Michael Aaron Cohen
  • Patent number: 10530262
    Abstract: A resonance power conversion device includes a bridge circuit, a transformer, a current detection circuit, and a control circuit. The bridge circuit includes a plurality of switching elements and receives a DC power. The transformer is connected to an output side of the bridge circuit. The current detection circuit detects a value of a current flowing through at least one of the plurality of switching elements. The control circuit determines whether or not an abnormality is occurring in the resonance power conversion device, based on the value detected by the current detection circuit at a predetermined time during a switching control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kominami, Nobuaki Satoh
  • Patent number: 10523103
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method (200) and a control device (I) for controlling at least two power semiconductor switches (LHS1 . . . LHSn) connected in parallel for switching a total current (I_ges). The at least two power semiconductor switches (LHS1 . . . LHSn) connected in parallel each have a gate terminal for controlling the respective power semiconductor switch (LHS1 . . . LHS2). An input terminal (EA) for feeding the total current (I_ges), an output terminal (AA) for discharging the total current (I_ges), and a joint control terminal (S) for receiving a joint control signal (SI) that has the state ‘disconnect’ or ‘connect’ are provided. The at least two power semiconductor switches (LHS1 . . . LHSn) connected in parallel are connected to the input terminal (EA) at an input end and to the output terminal (AA) at the output end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Butzmann, Bernd Eckert, Peter Taufer
  • Patent number: 10511297
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for maintaining a stable power supply to a circuit when activating/deactivating a switch in order to accelerate the switching time of the switch. The gate of a FET is coupled to a switch driver. The switch driver is powered by a positive power supply and a negative power supply. When the switch is to be activated/deactivated, the gate is first coupled to a reference potential (i.e., ground) for a “reset period” to reduce any positive/negative charge that has been accumulated in the FET. At the end of the reset period, the gate is then released from the reference potential and the switch driver drives the gate to the desired voltage level to either activate or deactivate the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: pSemi Corporation
    Inventor: Chengkai Luo
  • Patent number: 10499547
    Abstract: A thermal control process for an electronic power device including a multi junction integrated circuit may include defining a first and at least one second groups of junctions, with each group including one first and at least one second junctions, and associating a thermal detector with each group. A first group control may be executed which detects group electric signals representative of the temperature detected by the thermal detectors, processes the group electric signals with reference to a group critical thermal event, identifies a critical group when the corresponding group electric signal detects the critical group thermal event, and generates group deactivating signals suitable for selectively deactivating the first and the at least one second junctions of the identified critical group with respect to the remaining junctions of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L., STMICROELECTRONICS APPLICATION GMBH
    Inventors: Domenico Massimo Porto, Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Manuel Gaertner, Sergio Lecce
  • Patent number: 10464524
    Abstract: Disclosed is an alarming and unlocking device. The alarming and unlocking device is installed in a passenger carriage and includes a control switch (10), a communication device, and a locking device, wherein the control switch (10) is provided with an alarming position (11) and an unlocking position (12); the control switch (10) is in signal connection with the communication device; when the control switch (10) is located at the alarming position (11), the communication device is started to receive and send a voice signal; the locking device is installed on a door so as to control the door to lock or unlock; the control switch (10) is in signal connection with the locking device; and when the control switch (10) is located at the unlocking position (12), the locking device performs an unlocking operation. According to the alarming and unlocking device, the problem that a structure for an alarming and unlocking device on a vehicle is relatively complex in the conventional art is solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo Chen, Xiaojie Yu, Lijun Ma, Qing Tian, Huiqing Zhang, Qingjun Han, Xin Jiang, Jianying Liang
  • Patent number: 10467395
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to system and method for powering ON electronic devices. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a movement pattern provided by a user using the electronic device during a switched OFF state of the electronic device, recording a mechanical movement of a spring-loaded pendulum in response to the movement pattern, validating the mechanical movement against one or more pre-stored patterns, and powering ON the electronic device from the switched OFF state based on a validation. The spring-loaded pendulum is housed within the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Wipro Limited
    Inventors: Vijay Kumar, Thomas Chittakattu Ninan, Shagun Rai
  • Patent number: 10445281
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a positive data input/output terminal configured to be connected with a positive data line of a USB device, wherein the positive data input/output port is weakly pulled up to a first voltage potential through a pull-up resistor, a negative data input/output terminal configured to be connected with a negative data line of the USB device, wherein the negative data input/output terminal is connected to a second voltage potential, a window comparator having an input detecting a voltage across the two data input/output terminals and a wake-up signal generator connected to an output of the window comparator, wherein the wake-up signal generator is configured to generate a signal for adjusting a switching frequency of a power converter after the USB device is connected to the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Active-Semi (BVI) Inc.
    Inventor: Narasimhan Trichy
  • Patent number: 10447150
    Abstract: A method for maintaining reliability of a distributed power system including a power converter having input terminals and output terminals. Input power is received at the input terminals. The input power is converted to an output power at the output terminals. A temperature is measured in or in the environment of the power converter. The power conversion of the input power to the output power may be controlled to maximize the input power by setting at the input terminals the input voltage or the input current according to predetermined criteria. One of the predetermined criteria is configured to reduce the input power based on the temperature signal responsive to the temperature. The adjustment of input power reduces the input voltage and/or input current thereby lowering the temperature of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Adest, Lior Handelsman, Yoav Galin, Amir Fishelov, Guy Sella, Yaron Binder
  • Patent number: 10418986
    Abstract: An electrical circuit includes a monolithic integrated circuit (IC) switch device that includes a first pin, a second pin, and a power switch that connects the first pin to the second pin through the power switch when the electrical circuit is turned ON. The monolithic IC switch device includes an adaptive safe operating area (SOA) circuit that limits allowable current through the power switch based on temperature, such as the temperature of the power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Nguyen, Ying Xiao
  • Patent number: 10410511
    Abstract: A method, digital tool, device, and system for detecting movements of objects and/or living beings in a radio range, which enables easily with a minimum of hardware complexity an automated movement detection based on a Single-Sensor, is provided. The method includes collecting as input data for the movement detection based on received radio signals of an intended or unintended communication between a transmitting radio terminal being mobile or fixed and a receiving local fixed radio device in the radio range “Received Signal Strength”-values related quantities, determining a change in the received radio signals, which are derived from the facts that the movement influences the transmitted radio signal in the radio range based on the RSS-values related quantities by the indication of a statistical parameter value, and assessing the statistical parameter value until the statistical parameter value in accordance with a threshold check provides a reliable statement for controlling purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Kyle MacKenzie, Alejandro Ramirez, Corina Kim Schindhelm
  • Patent number: 10394269
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving photovoltaic output from a solar module, the solar module comprising a plurality of solar panels electronically connected together by a plurality of strings, wherein the photovoltaic output corresponding to any given one of the strings is limited by the lowest performing solar panel in said given one of the strings; determining a reflection profile for the solar module, wherein the reflection profile describes an illumination pattern of light incident onto the solar module; and increasing, based upon the determined reflection profile, the photovoltaic output of the solar module to match a requested photovoltaic output, wherein the increasing comprises electrically reassigning one or more solar panels within the solar module from one string to a different string, such that each string electrically ties together solar panels that produce a photovoltaic output within a predetermined range of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kalyan Kanti Dasgupta, Pankaj S. Dayama, Jagabondhu Hazra, Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, Manikandan Padmanaban
  • Patent number: 10368394
    Abstract: A heating arrangement has a positive temperature coefficient (“PTC”) heater. A resistor is electrically in series with the PTC heater sized and configured to limit current through the PTC heater and the resistor below a selected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Jon Shearer, Carl Aeschliman, George F. Owens, Kevin Edward Roach
  • Patent number: 10359227
    Abstract: According to an embodiment for a refrigerator, a plurality of touch parts may be manipulated to enter into a special mode, thereby preventing the refrigerator from malfunctioning. The touch sensitivity adjustment of the refrigerator due to the touch manipulation of the refrigerator may be visualized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Seungje Park
  • Patent number: 10331149
    Abstract: A power strip may automatically disconnect a wired connection in response to received weather alert data based on a configuration file including one or more user preference settings. The power strip may include a receiver for a National Weather Service Specific Area Message Encoding system message including an alert type. The power strip may process the message and disconnect a wired connection based on the preference settings. A timer function may also define a time period that the power strip monitors its receiver for weather alert data and automatically disconnects and reconnects the wired connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Jackie O. Jordan, II
  • Patent number: 10247417
    Abstract: A sensitivity parameter storing portion stores, as known sensitivity parameters owned by a flame sensor, reference received light quantity, reference pulse width, probability of regular discharge, and probabilities of non-regular discharge in advance. The discharge probability is calculated based on the number of drive pulses applied to the flame sensor and the number of discharges determined to have occurred in the flame sensor having received the drive pulses. The calculated discharge probability and the known sensitivity parameters are used to calculate the received light quantity per unit time received by the flame sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventor: Raita Mori
  • Patent number: 10231365
    Abstract: A thermal control process for an electronic power device including a multi junction integrated circuit may include defining a first and at least one second groups of junctions, with each group including one first and at least one second junctions, and associating a thermal detector with each group. A first group control may be executed which detects group electric signals representative of the temperature detected by the thermal detectors, processes the group electric signals with reference to a group critical thermal event, identifies a critical group when the corresponding group electric signal detects the critical group thermal event, and generates group deactivating signals suitable for selectively deactivating the first and the at least one second junctions of the identified critical group with respect to the remaining junctions of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L., STMICROELECTRONICS APPLICATION GMBH
    Inventors: Domenico Massimo Porto, Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Manuel Gaertner, Sergio Lecce
  • Patent number: 10156482
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip temperature estimation device that estimates the temperature of a semiconductor chip incorporated together with a thermistor in a semiconductor module includes a first estimation unit which calculates a first estimation value of a chip loss of the chip, a memory which stores in advance a correlation between a temperature rise of the temperature sensor and the chip loss of the chip, a second estimation unit which calculates a second estimation value of the temperature rise of the temperature sensor, and a third estimation unit which calculates a third estimation value of the temperature of the cooling element. The temperature of the semiconductor chip is estimated by using the third estimation value as a base temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Imakiire, Akihiro Odaka, Shinichiro Adachi
  • Patent number: 10075093
    Abstract: Provided is a power conversion device capable of suppressing common-mode voltage fluctuation resulting from output voltage transitioning. A power conversion device 1 is provided with N voltage control units 21 to 2N, a full-bridge conversion unit having four switches QB1 to QB4, a clamp unit having holding switches QC1 and QC2, and a control unit 5. The control unit controls the four switches QB1 to QB4, the holding switches QC1 and QC2, the pairs of regenerative switches Q11 to Q1N and Q21 to Q2N and pairs of input switches Q31 to Q3N and Q41 to Q4N of each of the N voltage control units 21 to 2N. As a result, the control unit can switch an output voltage V1 between 2N+3 levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Iwamatsu, Shusaku Goto, Akira Terasawa
  • Patent number: 9979209
    Abstract: A battery management system for a battery module string includes battery modules. The battery modules are electrically connectable to poles of the battery module string and individually electrically disconnectable. The battery module string is configured to generate an AC voltage by disconnecting and connecting the battery modules. The battery management system is configured to assign a respective first time period to each first battery module of the battery modules based on position of each first battery module in a battery module list. Each of the first battery module is electrically connected within a half-cycle of the AC voltage during the respective first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans-Joerg Wolff, Hans Partes, Joachim Fetzer, Stefan Butzmann
  • Patent number: 9953204
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensing system comprising a device connection interface including a device reference potential input, a sensing arrangement, and sensing reference potential providing circuitry. The sensing arrangement includes multiple sensing structures and read-out circuitry connected to each of the sensing structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: FINGERPRINT CARDS AB
    Inventors: Rolf Sundblad, Emil Hjalmarson, Erik Säll, Allan Olsson, Klaas-Jan De Langen
  • Patent number: 9876357
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing demand on a power grid through demand side management includes receiving assigned priorities from a customer for smart appliances and for appliances plugged into sockets of one or more smart plugs of the customer, the assigned priorities indicative of a customer-preferred sequence for disconnection of, or adjustment of power to, the appliances from the power grid. The system determines whether to disconnect or adjust power to at least one of the appliances of the customer; and selects at least one of the appliances according to the assigned priorities to reduce demand on the power grid. The system sends one or more commands, the one or more commands indicative to the one or more smart plugs to disconnect or adjust power to the selected at least one of the appliances based on selecting at least one of the appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited
    Inventors: Sanjoy Paul, Anitha Chandran, Gary Titus
  • Patent number: 9795453
    Abstract: Robotic surgical tools, systems, and methods for preparing for and performing robotic surgery include a memory mounted on the tool. The memory can perform a number of functions when the tool is loaded on the tool manipulator: first, the memory can provide a signal verifying that the tool is compatible with that particular robotic system. Secondly, the tool memory may identify the tool-type to the robotic system so that the robotic system can reconfigure its programming. Thirdly, the memory of the tool may indicate tool-specific information, including measured calibration offsets indicating misalignment of the tool drive system, tool life data, or the like. This information maybe stored in a read only memory (ROM), or in a nonvolatile memory which can be written to only a single time. The invention further provides improved engagement structures for coupling robotic surgical tools with manipulator structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Tierney, Thomas Cooper, Chris Julian, Stephen J. Blumenkranz, Gary S. Guthart, Robert G. Younge
  • Patent number: 9772671
    Abstract: An alarm detector for use in an alarm detection system is provided. The alarm detector includes: a microphone, a processor, and a sensing circuit. The microphone is for detecting an incoming acoustic signal. The sensing circuit is for determining whether the incoming acoustic signal comprises a specific audible alarm, and awakening the processor into a working mode from a sleep mode upon determining the incoming acoustic signal comprises a specific audible alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: CLIMAX TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Pin-Chia Lee, Ku-Fang Wang
  • Patent number: 9774637
    Abstract: A method for establishing control relationships between at least two networked devices is conceived. Further a corresponding configuration device, networked device and non-transitory computer program product are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Ewout Brandsma, Maarten Christiaan Pennings, Aly Aamer Syed, Timo van Roermund
  • Patent number: RE49828
    Abstract: A low-cost, simple ultrasonic sensing system has an increased detection range. The ultrasonic sensing system may be implemented as part of a load control system for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load. The load control system may comprise a load control device for controlling the power delivered to the electrical load, an ultrasonic receiver for receiving ultrasonic waves characterized by an ultrasonic frequency, and an ultrasonic transmitter located remotely from the ultrasonic receiver. The load control device controls the power delivered to the electrical load in response to the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic receiver. The load control device may include the ultrasonic receiver and may be a wall-mounted load control device. The ultrasonic receiver may be a wireless ultrasonic receiver for transmitting wireless signals to the load control device in response to the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Greg Edward Sloan