Conductor Identification Or Location (e.g., Phase Identification) Patents (Class 324/66)
  • Patent number: 11902142
    Abstract: A LAN cable conductor validation system includes controllable relays in-line with a portion of the twisted pair wires of the Ethernet cables. By temporarily open circuiting some of the Ethernet cable twisted pairs a drop in transmission speed can be detected for an active network component. This allows the active component's MAC address to be verified at a given physical location within the cable conductor network system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NFLEXON, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Y. Mei, George W. Brooks
  • Patent number: 11885854
    Abstract: A tester for testing an electrical component. The tester includes a database of testing specifications for electrical components, a tester connector for physically and electrically connecting to different electrical components, and an output device. The tester identifies an electrical component connected to the tester connector and provide corresponding identification data, retrieves a testing specification from the database using the identification data, commands a test of the electrical component according to the testing specification, and outputs an indication of a result of the test through the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Shaffer, Gustavo Sanchez Taccone, Aaron Cullen, Ronan Conneely, Stonewall Jackson Craig, III, Jimmy D Hart, Charles Wallace Thompson
  • Patent number: 11860210
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for identifying electrical phases connected to electricity meters are disclosed. Voltage time series data of electricity meters are collected over a preselected collection time period, and three initial kernels representing three line-to-neutral phases are generated based on voltage correlations of meter-to-meter combinations. Three new kernels are then generated based on correlation values calculated for each of the three initial kernels with each electricity meter, and electricity meters are clustered into three groups based on average correlation values associated with each electricity meter. Six new kernels representing six phases are then formed based on the average correlation value associated with each electricity meter, and a predicted phase is assigned to each electricity meter based on correlation values of the electricity meter with each of the six new kernels based on the voltage time series data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Yingjuan Du, Brendan Stellarum
  • Patent number: 11848723
    Abstract: Systems and methods of testing cables are provided. An exemplary testing system for testing radio frequency (RF) cables in a telecommunication system including a cable under test includes a termination element configured to be coupled to a distal end of the cable under test; and a controller in communication with the termination element, wherein the controller switches the termination element between two or more termination states selected from the group consisting of an open termination state, a short termination state, a load termination state, and a through state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: ECSite, Inc.
    Inventor: Subramanian S Meiyappan
  • Patent number: 11828784
    Abstract: A method for checking an output stage for controlling a load, wherein the output stage for controlling the load can be switched to a first switching state or to a second switching state. In the first switching state, a check for a first fault state may be carried out; in the second switching state, a check for a second fault state may be carried out; when the output stage is operated in the first switching state, the output stage is switched to the second switching state for a first control duration, the check for the second fault state is performed, and the output stage is switched back to the first switching state after the first control duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Manuel Malthaner, Lars Rinze, Markus Stumpp
  • Patent number: 11735871
    Abstract: Disclosed are network cable connectors with components such as switches, displays, and printed circuit with controllers. The disclosed network cable connector may be connected to a power over Ethernet (POE) power sourcing equipment (PSE). The printed circuit of the cable connector may request power for the display from the PSE. The switch of the cable connector may be operated such that at least one component of the printed circuit is disconnected from the PSE when an external powered device (PD) is connected to the cable connector. Disconnecting components of the printed circuit from the PSE may reduce the interference to the power negotiation between the PSE and external PD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Scherer, Jon Sholtis
  • Patent number: 11630162
    Abstract: Connection normality check of a pair of electric wires is simplified. A circuit check device 1 that checks connection normality of a pair of electric wires L1 and L2 includes, when the pair of electric wires is connected to an exchange 2, a voltmeter 11 that measures a first inter-wire potential difference between one end of an electric wire portion p1 of the electric wire L1 and one end of an electric wire portion p2 of the electric wire L2, a voltmeter 12 that measures a second inter-wire potential difference between the other end of the electric wire portion p1 of the electric wire L1 and the other end of the electric wire portion p2 of the electric wire L2, and a determiner 13 that determines whether the measured first inter-wire potential difference agrees with the measured second inter-wire potential difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Sato, Takaho Shibata, Tsuyoshi Nagai
  • Patent number: 11487680
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed. In the apparatus, a memory management unit includes: a first cache unit, adapted to store a plurality of first source operands and one first write address; a second cache unit, adapted to store at least one pair of a second source operand and a second destination address; a write cache module, adapted to discriminate between destination addresses of a plurality of store instructions, so as to store, in the first cache unit, a plurality of source operands corresponding to consecutive destination addresses, and to store, in the second cache unit, non-consecutive destination addresses and source operands corresponding to the non-consecutive destination addresses, where the first write address is an initial address of the consecutive destination addresses; and a bus transmission module, adapted to transmit the plurality of first source operands and the first write address in the first cache unit to a memory through a bus in a write burst transmission mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiaoyan Xiang, Yimin Lu, Chaojun Zhao
  • Patent number: 11486941
    Abstract: In a method for the determination of an electrical contact property in a contact region between a first contact element of a first plug device and a second complementary contact element of a second plug device, a property of a current path including the first contact element, the contact region, and from the second plug device only the second contact element is evaluated and an induction voltage is generated in the current path for a measurement in the current path to thereby enable to draw a conclusion about the electrical contact property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: AMAD MENNEKES HOLDING GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Markus Lubeley, Stephan Didam, Stefan Klos
  • Patent number: 11435495
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a device comprising an upper housing, a lower housing, an electronics module, an electronics button, a side button, and a strip magnet. The strip magnet is coupled to the lower housing. The strip magnet is constructed to cause resistance to motion across a metal fastener. The resistance to motion is perceptible to a user of the device. The resistance is indicative of a location of the metal fastener and, thereby, allows the user of the device to locate the metal fastener if the electronics module fails to detect the metal fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventor: Nick Rossi
  • Patent number: 11327253
    Abstract: An apparatus including a cable jacket, a plurality of connectors, a first light pipe and a second light pipe. The cable jacket may comprise one or more data carrying lines configured to transmit data and a tracing fiber. The plurality of connectors may each be connected to one end of one of the data carrying lines and be configured to connect to a communication port. The first light pipe may be connected to a first end of the tracing fiber. The second light pipe may be connected to a second end of the tracing fiber. The first light pipe may be configured to receive a light input and focus the light input by refraction into the tracing fiber. The tracing fiber may be configured to propagate the light input to the second light pipe. The second light pipe may emit the light input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Eminent Technologies Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jamyuen Ko
  • Patent number: 11313919
    Abstract: A socket tester device includes an electrical plug that is to be inserted into an electrical socket, a tester circuit electrically coupled to the electrical plug, a sound emitting device, a communication device, a processor, and a memory. The tester circuit outputs one or more signals indicating a wiring condition of the electrical socket into which the electrical plug is inserted. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive the one or more signals indicating the wiring condition of the electrical socket into which the electrical plug is inserted, control the communication device to wirelessly transmit a first message that includes data indicating the wiring condition of the electrical socket into which the electrical plug is inserted, and control whether the sound emitting device emits one or more sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Painting, Luis R. Silva
  • Patent number: 11218186
    Abstract: Novel cable designs and methods for mass-manufacturing long, 100 Gbps cables suitable for large communication centers. One illustrative cable embodiment includes: at least eight pairs of electrical conductors connected between a first connector and a second connector, each of said electrical conductors being 30 AWG or smaller in cross-section and about 10 meters or longer in length, each of the first and second connectors being adapted to fit into an Ethernet port of a corresponding host device, each of the first and second connectors including a respective transceiver that performs clock and data recovery on the electrical input signal to extract and re-modulate the outbound data stream for transit via at least four of the pairs of electrical conductors as differential NRZ (non-return to zero) electrical transit signals each having a signaling rate of at least 25 GBd to convey a total of at least 100 GBd in each direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Credo Technology Group Limited
    Inventors: Jiamin Lin, Baohua Chen
  • Patent number: 11199645
    Abstract: A locate wire grounding terminal having a body for encapsulating various components of the locate wire grounding terminal, a switch for changing the locate wire grounding terminal between a grounded configuration and an ungrounded configuration, at least one locating terminal in electronic connectivity with the switch and one end of a section of tracer wire and a grounding lug in electronic connectivity with the switch. A locate wire grounding terminal device that includes a printed circuit board that can be incorporated into a locate wire terminal system, a switch attached to the printed circuit board to change the locate wire terminal system between a grounded configuration and an ungrounded configuration, at least one locating terminal attached thereto wherein the at least one locating terminal is in electronic connectivity with the switch and one end of a section of tracer wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Tyler Harnden
  • Patent number: 11181107
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system includes a turbine generator for producing electricity at a well site, the turbine generator producing electrical energy at a voltage. The system also includes an electric pump electrically coupled to the turbine generator and receiving operative power from the turbine generator. The system further includes switch gear arranged between the electric pump and the turbine generator, the switch gear distributing electrical energy from the turbine generator to the electric pump, wherein the voltage remains substantially constant from the turbine generator to the electric pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter
  • Patent number: 11169097
    Abstract: An apparatus for non-destructive testing of a sample includes a sample holder configured to contain or support the sample; an exciter configured to generate an oscillating electromagnetic field across the sample that operates with at least one predetermined excitation frequency; a receiver configured to detect harmonic electromagnetic signals resulting from induced electromagnetic fields oscillating with at least one frequency that is not equal to the at least one predetermined excitation frequency; a recorder configured to record the harmonic electromagnetic signals; and a processor programmed to construct an induced harmonic electromagnetic spectrum based on the harmonic electromagnetic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventors: Daniel K. Sodickson, Martijn Anton Hendrik Cloos
  • Patent number: 11169344
    Abstract: A fiber distribution hub includes a module mounting location disposed within the cabinet separate from a termination field. The module mounting location includes a plurality of spaces at which various types of modules can be mounted. For example, splitter modules, connector storage modules, and/or fiber storage modules can be installed at the module mounting location. The modules can be mounted in any order or configuration. Some of the modules may be tethered together before installation at the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. LeBlanc, Erik J. Gronvall, Kimberly Ann Haller
  • Patent number: 11145439
    Abstract: An insertion and plugging protection device includes: at least one first interface assembly; at least one second interface assembly; at least one connector, a first end of each connector being adapted to a corresponding first interface assembly, and a second end of each connector being adapted to a corresponding second interface assembly; a protection circuit forming a protection loop, the protection loop being configured to generate a preset electric signal when the first end of each connector is connected to the corresponding first interface assembly and the second end of each connector is connected to the corresponding second interface assembly; and a power source control circuit connected to the protection circuit and a power source module of the display device, and configured to control the power source module to output a first preset power source voltage signal in accordance with the preset electric signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignees: BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yifu Chen, Ting Dong, Yingying Qu, Yinlong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11127270
    Abstract: A detection system for measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes a fiber harness having at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light. The at least one fiber optic cable defines a node arranged to measure the one or more conditions. A control system is operably coupled to the fiber harness such that scattered light associated with the node is transmitted to the control system. The control system analyzes the scattered light to determine at least one of a presence and magnitude of the one or more conditions at the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Birnkrant, David L. Lincoln, Jennifer M. Alexander, Peter R. Harris
  • Patent number: 11095521
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and a system for identifying a communication port in a telecommunication network. The technology allows a field network operator to connect a network termination device (NTD) to a network access node (NAN) of the telecommunication network and automatically receive, on a mobile communication device, information related to physical and logical location of the communication port where the NTD is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: NBN Co Limited
    Inventors: Martin Kieliszek, Dean Bailey
  • Patent number: 11086089
    Abstract: High-connection density and bandwidth fiber optic apparatuses and related equipment and methods are disclosed. In certain embodiments, fiber optic apparatuses are provided and comprise a chassis defining one or more U space fiber optic equipment units. At least one of the one or more U space fiber optic equipment units may be configured to support particular fiber optic connection densities and bandwidths in a given 1-U space. The fiber optic connection densities and bandwidths may be supported by one or more fiber optic components, including but not limited to fiber optic adapters and fiber optic connectors, including but not limited to simplex, duplex, and other multi-fiber fiber optic components. The fiber optic components may also be disposed in fiber optic modules, fiber optic patch panels, or other types of fiber optic equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Terry Lee Cooke, David Lee Dean, Jr., Harley Joseph Staber, Kevin Lee Strause, Alan William Ugolini
  • Patent number: 11047766
    Abstract: A method of identifying and testing an optical fiber includes emitting light into the optical fiber. The light includes an identification signal and a testing signal. The method also includes reading the identification signal and the testing signal with a single device. The method further includes determining an identity of the optical fiber based on the identification signal with the single device and determining a status of the optical fiber based on the testing signal with the single device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Dale Eddy, Scott Prescott, Lee Woodworth
  • Patent number: 11012252
    Abstract: Accordingly, there are disclosed herein architectures and communication methods that enable mass-manufactured cables to perform robustly at per-lane PAM4 symbol rates up to 56 GBd and beyond. One illustrative cable embodiment includes conductor pairs connected between a first connector and a second connector. The first and second connectors are each adapted to fit into an Ethernet port of a corresponding host device to receive from that host device an electrical input signal conveying an inbound data stream to the cable, and to provide to that host device an electrical output signal conveying an outbound data stream from the cable. The first and second connectors each include a respective transceiver that performs clock and data recovery on the electrical input signal to extract and re-modulate the inbound data stream for transit via the conductor pairs as a respective electrical transit signal conveying a transit data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Credo Technology Group Limited
    Inventors: Yattung Lam, Baohua Chen
  • Patent number: 11009561
    Abstract: A method of identifying opposing ends of a cable within a cabling assembly having a plurality of cables. The method includes transmitting a signal to a first end of a cable of the plurality of cables, receiving the signal at a second end of the cable of the plurality of cables, transmitting an output signal from a connector operably coupled to the second end of the cable of the plurality of cables to a processor. The connector is one of a plurality of connectors. The method additionally includes identifying using an indicator device the connector of the plurality of connectors that is operably coupled to the second end of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: JABIL INC.
    Inventors: Wieslaw Mariusz Januszko, Hien Ly, Jennifer Lindsey Gamboa, Vincy Wan Sze Li, Corey Matthew Smith
  • Patent number: 10976349
    Abstract: Methods are described to provide a new and improved display of phase identification measurements in a three-phase power distribution network, that is easier and more intuitive to interpret and define tagging reference phase. A short sequence of individual phase measurements are displayed as dots inside a static phase attribute display circle. The 3 primary, 12 secondary, and 6 three-phase attributes are displayed around the outside of the phase circle. When using a touch screen Smartphone or Tablet display device, the user simply touches inside the phase circle to rotate the dots around the center of the phase circle, so they line up with the known conductor phase attribute. This rotation defines the tagging reference phase for the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Gregory Hubert Piesinger
  • Patent number: 10963027
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the safe negotiation of high current for a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) active cable assembly. In one embodiment, a method for detecting a Power for Cable Assembly (PCA)-capable source is disclosed, the method including: detecting, by a cable assembly, an assertion of a defined voltage on a power supply pin; forwarding an assertion of a hot plug detect signal pin, by the cable assembly, from a sink device towards the PCA-capable source; detecting, by the cable assembly, a reduction in the defined voltage on the power supply pin for a defined period of time in response to the forwarding; and detecting, by the cable assembly, a re-assertion of the defined voltage on the power supply pin subsequent to the lapse of the defined period of time. PCA dependent cable assemblies and PCA capable source devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Whitby-Strevens, Bob Ridenour
  • Patent number: 10944584
    Abstract: Mass-manufactured cables suitable for large communication centers may convert from differential PAM4 interface signaling to parallel single-ended NRZ transit signaling at 53.125 GBd to provide bidirectional data rates up to 800 Gbps and beyond. One illustrative cable embodiment includes: electrical conductors connected between a first connector and a second connector, each adapted to fit into an Ethernet port of a corresponding host device to receive an electrical input signal to the cable conveying an outbound data stream from the host device and to provide an electrical output signal from the cable conveying an inbound data stream to that host device. The electrical input and output signals employ differential PAM4 modulation to convey the inbound and outbound data streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: CREDO TECHNOLOGY GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: Lawrence Chi Fung Cheng, Rajan Pai
  • Patent number: 10923865
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus connection cable includes: a first plug including a first power reception terminal; a first switch coupled to the first power reception terminal; a power transmission line coupled to the first switch; a second plug coupled to the power transmission line; and a first light emitting element coupled to the power transmission line. The distance between the first light emitting element and the second plug is smaller than a distance between the first emitting device and the first plug. When the first power reception terminal receives a first input voltage and the first switch is conducted, the first light emitting element emits light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: ATEN INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsi-Pang Wang, Manu Chen
  • Patent number: 10852361
    Abstract: Disclosed are traceable (e.g., networking) cables and cable components (e.g., telltales, switches, and controllers). The disclosed networking cables may be (e.g., indirectly) connected such that signals may be communicated from one cable to another cable. For example, some such cables are configured such that when a switch of one cable is actuated, a controller connected to the switch sends signals to other controllers of the same cable and controllers of other connected cables to activate, inactivate, and/or change the operating mode of telltale(s) of the same cable and/or of other connected cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jon Sholtis, Christopher B. Scherer, Braon Mosely
  • Patent number: 10837992
    Abstract: An RF cable includes a connector housing having an RF signal output interface, a cable body having a first end portion connected to the connector housing and a second end portion comprising an RF signal input interface, an RF signal transmission path formed from the RF signal input interface through the cable body and the connector housing to the RF signal output interface, and a power measurement device integrated into the connector housing and configured to measure a power value of an RF signal transmitted through the RF signal transmission path. The RF cable further includes a measurement signal output interface, and a measurement signal transmission line connecting the power measurement device to the measurement signal output interface, the power measurement device being configured to output a measurement signal indicating the measured power value of the RF signal at the measurement signal output interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Markus Gallhauser, Matthias Jelen, Martin Oetjen, Martin Roth, Waldemar Henrich, Esmeralda Strobel, Simon Schelkshorn
  • Patent number: 10775448
    Abstract: Electric power system phase detection systems and methods. One or more line mounted intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) measure voltage at various points of a power system. The measured voltage is timestamped with a reference signal and compared with a timestamped voltage at a location where a phase on each conductor of the power system is known. Pattern matching using the measured voltage may be used to determine the phase at locations where the phase is unknown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Shankar V. Achanta
  • Patent number: 10666788
    Abstract: A device and method for locking in button context based on a source contact of an electronic communication is provided. An electronic communication is received, via a communication interface, from a source contact. A controller detects that a button, of one or more buttons external to the device, has been activated, each of the one or more buttons mapped to activation of respective functions. The controller identifies a respective function mapped to the button. When the button is activated within a threshold time period after receiving the electronic communication, the controller performs the respective function using the source contact from which the electronic communication was received. When the button is activated after the threshold time period, the controller performs the respective function independent of the source contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Chi T. Tran, Goktug Duman, Yunchen Huang
  • Patent number: 10535961
    Abstract: A cable for communicating digital or analog signals between connectors at its opposite ends has means for indicating to an installer who has access to one end of the cable which connector is connected at the opposite end of the same cable. A light source is mounted in each connector that is powered by a battery in the connectors and can be turned on from a switch in the connector at the opposite end. The light source is configured to radiate light both transversely from its connector for an indicator function and also longitudinally from its connector for an illumination function. Implementation with logic circuits, microcontrollers and/or other semiconductor devices allows for a variety of embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventor: Ryan E. Cote
  • Patent number: 10481183
    Abstract: Traceable cables (e.g., networking cables, power cables, etc.). Some embodiments include a traceable power cable with a battery (e.g., that may be rechargeable from current from an external power source to which the power cable is electrically connected). Some embodiments include a traceable networking cable configured to draw power from power-over-Ethernet (POE) power sourcing equipment (PSE) even if the networking cable is not connected to a separate powered device (PD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Scherer, Jon Sholtis
  • Patent number: 10393792
    Abstract: An electrical outlet device includes a connection circuit having neutral, hot and ground terminals that are configured to be connected to a corresponding line of a power source. The device also includes an interface panel with a receptacle configured to receive a load. An indicator interface device is attached to the interface panel. The indicator interface device includes at least three sets of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and at least three switching circuits that are configured to turn the LED sets on and off. At least one combination of on/off states of the first, second and third LED sets indicates a correct connection or a unique type of error in a connection between the power source and the connection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Lin Yang, Tao Xiong, Chuanchuan Zhuang, Guiquan Lu, Fengguo Zhang
  • Patent number: 10382831
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to disrupting signals (e.g., over Multimedia over Coax or from a service provider) to determine signal recovery. A first device may receive signals from a network. The first device may receive a first input to switch the received signals from a first communication path between the network and a second device, to a second communication path for a predetermined interval. The switching of communication paths may be done by a network disruption device. When the signals are switched to the second communication path, the signals may be blocked from being received at the second device. The network disruption device may then switch the signals from the first communication path to the second communication path to block the signals for the predetermined interval. The network disruption device may then switch the signals from the second communication path to the first communication path after the predetermined interval has expired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Clott
  • Patent number: 10241142
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuital system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by means of a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example, the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Tasco Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven Thomas McCasland
  • Patent number: 10200084
    Abstract: An electronic device, a cable, and a method of driving the same are provided. The cable that transmits data and power includes a notification device comprising notification circuitry configured to output a notification when the power is transmitted, a first connector positioned at one end of the cable, a second connector positioned at an other end of the cable, a wire connecting the first and second connectors and including a data line that transmits the data and a power line that transmits the power, and a cable controller connected to the power line and configured to identify a characteristic of power transmitted through the power line and to change a form of the notification output from the notification device based on the identified power characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wonseok Jang, Jaedeok Cha, Sangju Kim
  • Patent number: 10132703
    Abstract: A torque sensor terminal block structure includes an electric motor (1) which outputs driving force for driving a load (8), a strain body (3) interposed on a way of a power transmission system from the electric motor (1) to the load (8), a plurality of power detectors (4) which output a detection signal according to strain of the strain body (3) as a signal indicating the driving force, and a terminal block (6) which acquires the detection signal of the power detectors (4) and transmits the output result to a signal processing circuit section (10). The wirings to the signal processing circuit section (10) are twisted spirally as a single stranded wire, and an opening degree between single wirings when the stranded wire extending from the power detectors (4) to the terminal block (6) is unwound, is set to be same for each of the power detectors (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kanemoto, Kei Usui, Masahiko Osada, Masaaki Muromachi, Shun Ogiwara
  • Patent number: 10001514
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting theft of power in an electrical distribution grid. The system may include at least two communicating meters which form a transformer area network, a mechanism for measuring current and voltage at the meters, a mechanism for transmitting the measured current and voltage data to a data center with access to an electric grid database, and a mechanism that analyzes the transmitted data to inter unauthorized taking of electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignees: Astrolink International LLC, Dominion Energy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Henrik F. Bernheim, Jerritt H. Hansell, Marcia Reid Martin
  • Patent number: 9991649
    Abstract: A cable identification system includes a cable. A first connector is located on the cable and includes a first light emitting device. A first loop circuit includes the first light emitting device and a first diode. The first loop circuit is connected to a first wire that extends through the cable. A second connector is located on the cable and includes a second identification actuator that is configured to decouple the first wire from ground such that first radio waves produced adjacent the first loop circuit will induce a first current flow in the first loop circuit that causes the first light emitting device to emit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: John Nam Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9983242
    Abstract: A wireless mesh network is configured to manage a power grid. Each node within the wireless mesh network is configured to detect and classify voltage fluctuations in power supplied by an upstream transformer coupled to the power grid. When a given node detects a particular type of fluctuation (i.e., an “event”), the node generates a timestamped event classification that reflects the type of event and a time when the event occurred. A server configured to manage the wireless mesh network receives timestamped event classifications from each node within the wireless mesh network and then performs a time correlation with the received timestamped event classifications to determine which nodes detected similar events. When two or more nodes detected the same event at similar times, the server determines that those nodes are coupled to the same transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ITRON NETWORKED SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: George H. Flammer, III
  • Patent number: 9985472
    Abstract: A sensing device includes a main body, a first battery, a second battery, and a battery switching unit. The first battery includes a power terminal and an ID terminal having a length less than a length of the power terminal. When the battery switching unit detects that the power terminal and the ID terminal are both electrically connected to a connector positioned in the main body, the battery switching unit switches to the first battery and the sensing device is powered by the first battery; when the battery switching unit detects that the ID terminal is just disconnected with the connector, the first battery keeps providing power to the sensing device through the power terminal and the battery switching unit switches to the second battery so that the sensing device is powered by the second battery before the power terminal being disconnected with the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Chin-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 9964726
    Abstract: A telecommunications assembly including a housing and a plurality of modules mounted within the housing. The modules includes a rear face in which is mounted at least one fiber optic connector. Within an interior of the housing are positioned at least one fiber optic adapters. Inserting the module through a front opening of the housing at a mounting location positions the connector of the module for insertion into and mating with the adapter of the housing. The adapters within the interior of the housing are mounted to a removable holder. A method of mounting a telecommunications module within a chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Ponharith Nhep, Trevor D. Smith
  • Patent number: 9960852
    Abstract: Devices are provided including an SFP interface and a further interface for wire-based data transmission. A conversion circuit converts between SFP interface signals and wire-based interface signals. The interfaces and the conversion circuit may be, but need not be, provided on a same circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Lantiq Beteiligungs-GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Gerling
  • Patent number: 9929516
    Abstract: A device having first and second connectors configured for physical connection with a cable having first and second wires, wherein each of the first and second connectors includes a first pin for connection with a first wire of the cable and a second pin for connection with a second wire of the cable, includes a ground terminal connected to the first pin of the first connector and to the second pin of the second connector; a first pull-up resistor connected to the second pin of the first connector; a second pull-up resistor connected to the first pin of the second connector; and a signal detecting circuit connected to the second pin of the first connector through the first pull-up resistor and to the first pin of the second connector through the second pull-up resistor, the signal detecting circuit being configured to detect a signal level of second pin of the first connector and to detect a signal level of first pin of the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sasagawa, Yuko Mori
  • Patent number: 9871701
    Abstract: A method in a communication system (20) including endpoints (24) that connect to one another using cable channels, includes injecting one or more test signals to a cable channel, which has first and second ends and is potentially connected to a first endpoint at the first end and to a second endpoint at the second end. One or more serial measurements are performed on the cable channel so as to sense the test signals. Based on the serial measurements, a decision is made as to which of the first and second endpoints are indeed connected to the cable channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: HCS KABLOLAMA SISTEMLERI SANAYI VE TICARET A.S.
    Inventor: Shay Yossef
  • Patent number: 9851403
    Abstract: A safety device capable of being connected between a circuit breaker device and an electric installation powered by an electric grid providing three-phase current having a first associated frequency, using a line for conveying electric current including three phase conductors, a neutral conductor and a protection conductor. The safety device makes it possible to verify at least one electric safety condition following a cut off of electric power of the electric installation by the circuit breaker device. The safety device comprises circuitry or a processor configured to verify presence of a residual voltage above a predetermined safety threshold on at least one of the conductors, and verify isolation between a tested pair of conductors, among the phase conductors. The safety device can be used to perform an associated safety verification method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Alexandre Laporte, Francois Vincent, Christian Pellegrin
  • Patent number: 9810732
    Abstract: The present document describes an assembly for connecting a test unit to a wiring harness or equipment to be tested, and a method for testing using the assembly. The assembly may comprise a test box unit, a generic mate-in interface, an intermediate mate-in interface and at least one specific mate-in interface. The intermediate mate-in interface comprises an input/output connector connected between the generic-to-intermediate connector and the intermediate-to-specific connector, for enabling at least one of inputting a signal into the intermediate mate-in interface and outputting a signal from the intermediate mate-in interface. The assembly is used for performing tests on the equipment using at least one of a device adapted for generating a signal and a device adapted for measuring at least one attribute of a signal or circuit which is/are connected to the input/output connector of the intermediate mate-in interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ziota Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Lussier
  • Patent number: 9776558
    Abstract: A flasher interface module for a vehicle having factory or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) lights. The flasher interface module includes a plurality of input and output ports corresponding to the factory lights of the vehicle and a plurality of leads corresponding to each of the input and output ports. The flasher interface module is configured such that the input and output ports operate independently of the vehicle such that factory lights are independently controlled by the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Upfitters, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Amanda Marissa Piersing, Roger Bodie Bracken