Modulation Technique Patents (Class 340/12.33)
  • Patent number: 11683875
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods using power line communication to control light fixtures. The system operates in two phases. In the first phase, a control device generates commands which are encoded on a control signal. The control signal is generated by encoding data using two sinusoidal waves, the second sinusoidal wave being a phase-shifted copy of the first sinusoidal wave. The resulting control signal is sent on a power line. The control signal is received by light fixtures and/or sensors through an ultra-narrow band filter, decoded and converted to executable instructions for the light fixtures and data parameters for sensors. In the second phase, the light fixtures are jointly controlled by the control device and the sensors. The control in phase two is hybrid open loop/closed loop control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Focus Universal Inc.
    Inventor: Desheng Wang
  • Patent number: 11463970
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system (100) for wireless reference signal distribution. The system (100) comprises an antenna array (135) comprising a plurality of transceivers (140a, 140b). The antenna array (135) is arranged to transmit and receive a in radio signal via the plurality of transceivers (140a, 140b). The system (100) further comprises a synchronization signal generator (110) arranged to transmit wirelessly at least one synchronization signal. Each synchronization signal comprises at least one time-dependent signal component, wherein the at least one synchronization signal has at least one time-dependent signal component with an amplitude above a predetermined threshold during a total duration of the at least one synchronization signal. Each transceiver (140a, 140b) is connected to a respective synchronization signal receiver (130a, 130b) arranged to receive the at least one synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Ulf Gustavsson, Ted Johansson, Erik Larsson
  • Patent number: 11256277
    Abstract: Methods of powering a radio that is mounted on a tower of a cellular base station are provided in which a direct current (“DC”) power signal is provided to the radio over a power cable and a voltage level of the output of the power supply is adjusted so as to provide a substantially constant voltage at a first end of the power cable that is remote from the power supply. Related cellular base stations and programmable power supplies are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael R Guerin, John Charles Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 11231174
    Abstract: The present disclosure deals with the detection of a blockage in the air-supply duct or flue of a burner assembly. In some embodiments, a method or system may detect blockages in the form of coverings and with burner assemblies to burn fossil fuels. For example, a control device may generate: a first air-control signal; a fuel-control signal by adjusting the actual values of the ionization current to the ionization-current setpoint; a setpoint increased by a specified amount from the ionization-current setpoint; and a changed fuel-control signal by adjusting the actual values of the ionization current to the increased setpoint in the case of a first air-control signal. The control device may evaluate the changed fuel-control signal generated based on the increased setpoint by comparing it with a specified maximum value and based on the evaluation, to detect a blockage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Bernd Schmiederer, Holger Holfelder, Rainer Lochschmied
  • Patent number: 11108391
    Abstract: A galvanically isolated switch system and method comprising a plurality of switches having at least one terminal in series electrical connection, at least one control input electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of switches, wherein the at least one control input is isolated from direct current voltages and at least one passive component connected across the plurality of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: TRIUNE IP LLC
    Inventors: Ross E. Teggatz, Wayne T. Chen
  • Patent number: 11010845
    Abstract: Improvements to IEC 61968-9:2013 meter reading schemas. These include significantly compressing messages into a single integer number which, when transmitted over a utility's communication system, is used to configure meters at utility user locations, obtain meter data, command and control operations at a utility location, and expand messaging capabilities. A method is disclosed for simplifying the IEC 61968-9:2013 schema for communications between a HeadEnd utility communications facility and the meter at an EndPoint so to enable use of the schema for operations it could not previously perform. While providing this enhanced capability, the IEC 61968-9:2013 schema's ability to function for its intended purpose; i.e., meter reading and control, is not compromised or impeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David Haynes, Timothy Dierking
  • Patent number: 10897283
    Abstract: The present invention provides an FM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation process that enable high-speed data communications over any transmission media and networks. The process is implemented with a modem device modulator and demodulator that provides communication with several other modem devices along any communication media that uses an FM OFDM modulation technique, a physical transmission medium such as power lines, or wireless (air), or cable, or twisted pairs communication media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventors: Charles Abraham, Hongbo Yan, James Fisch, Alexander M. Sutton
  • Patent number: 10802902
    Abstract: A system and method to provide notification of a controller fault in a multi-controller system using a message authentication code (MAC) involve receiving, at a security peripheral, a fault notification from a monitor of a first controller of the multi-controller system indicating that the first controller is faulty. The method also includes receiving, at the security peripheral, a key index from the first, and providing, from the security peripheral, a faulty MAC to the first controller based on the fault notification. The faulty MAC is different than the first correct MAC indicated by the key index from the first controller. A second controller among the controllers of multi-controller system receives a message from the first controller that includes the faulty MAC. The second controller determines that the message from the first controller cannot be trusted based on the faulty MAC not matching the first correct MAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jacob A. Kuiper
  • Patent number: 10700737
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing outbound interference in a broadband powerline communication system. Data is modulated on first and second carrier frequencies and is transmitted via respective first and second lines of the powerline system. A characteristic of at least one of the carrier signals (e.g., phase or amplitude) is adjusted in order to improve the electrical balance of the lines of the transmission system. This improvement in electrical balance reduces the radiated interference of the powerline system. Also disclosed is the use of a line balancing element on or more lines of the powerline system for altering the characteristics of at least one of the power lines in order to compensate for a known imbalance of the transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul Shala Henry
  • Patent number: 10601539
    Abstract: A jamming or MAS system is provided having multiple transmit antennas for transmitting respective transmit signals with spatial diversity to reduce multipath fading. The jamming or MAS communication system communicates with at least one receiver for receiving the transmit signals with no additional processing required at the receiver. In some embodiments, the jamming or MAS communication system includes an associated receiver for receiving and analyzing various signals. The jamming or MAS communication system in the present invention is able to help reduce the effects of multipath fading without modifications to the receiver. Prior art attempts to reduce the effects of multipath fading require some form of additional processing at the receiver. The invention is particularly useful when deployed in a Managed Access Service (MAS) system or a jamming system. In particular, such a system can be used in a facility (such as a prison, school, government building, etc) to prevent cellphone usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: J3 TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: John S Cooper, Jr., James A Xanthos
  • Patent number: 10422542
    Abstract: A system and method for crowd-sourced environmental system control and building maintenance includes a server for providing selective access to building occupants and managers. Users are permitted to generate building reports in the form of (i) thermal reports using a thermal report module, and/or (ii) maintenance reports using a maintenance report module. The reports are each geo-located to locations within the building, and are then captured, stored, and aggregated at the server. The aggregated reports are sorted according to their geo-locations and comfort rules are used to (i) permit a manager at a client computer to access the server to respond, and/or (ii) automatically respond and assign a response status to particular reports. An inspection checklist interface is generated and populated to display a list of preventative maintenance tasks, each of the tasks being user-selectable to designate completion, with the updated status of the reports being stored at the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: CROWDCOMFORT, INC.
    Inventors: B. Eric Graham, Galen C. Nelson, Chris Fuentes, Kevin Loos, Abdullah Daoud, Jeff McAulay
  • Patent number: 10318750
    Abstract: An electronic device has a lower power state in which power to a storage device is disabled. Predetermined information stored in a memory is useable to unlock the storage device during a procedure to transition the electronic device from the lower power state to a higher power state. The predetermined information is different from a credential for use in unlocking the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Valiuddin Y. Ali, Lan Wang, James Robert Waldron
  • Patent number: 10270491
    Abstract: Power-line communication (PLC) systems collect information over power lines from end-point devices respectively associated with customer sites, for assessment by a central processing circuit operated on behalf of a power utility company. In the PLC system, each of a number of PLC data-collector circuits includes a plurality of data interface units and PLC end-point device data computation circuit. Typically, one data interface circuit is located proximate, and another is distal, the location of the computation circuit. Each data interface unit includes a transformer circuit for selectively receiving data from a subset of the end-point devices via the power lines, a transformer-coupling circuit for selectively sending data to the subset of the end-point devices via the power lines, and a high-throughput data driver circuit for outputting data in accordance with a data-transfer protocol which is common to the other high throughput driver circuits which operate in accordance with the data-transfer protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart Haug, Damian Bonicatto, Rolf Flen, Robert Zeppetelle
  • Patent number: 10254338
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, for example an integrated circuit such as a microcontroller (MCU) or a digital signal processor (DSP), includes a semiconductor die coupled with a power supply line, a debug module coupled with the semiconductor die to exchange semiconductor die debug command and data signals with the semiconductor die, and a modem coupled with the power supply line. The debug module is arranged to convey the semiconductor die debug command and data signals over the power supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Nicolas Bernard Grossier, Lorenzo Guerrieri, Giuseppe Livio Gobbato, Daniele Zerbini, Martina Cordoni, Pasqualina Fragneto
  • Patent number: 10211630
    Abstract: A method of providing power to computer systems in a computer data includes receiving high-voltage power from one or more electric utility distribution systems; transforming the high-voltage power to medium-voltage power; and distributing the medium voltage power through a common medium voltage domain that serves a plurality of medium voltage-to-low voltage converters that are located in rows of computer racks in the computer data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Jimmy Clidaras, Cornelius B. O'Sullivan, Anand Ramesh
  • Patent number: 10163564
    Abstract: Disclosed are a wireless power transmitter and a method of controlling power thereof. A wireless power transmitter includes a power supply device to supply AC power to the wireless power transmitter; and a transmission coil to transmit the AC power to a reception coil of a wireless power receiver by resonance. The wireless power transmitter controls transmission power to be transmitted to the wireless power receiver based on a coupling state between the transmission coil and the reception coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Su Ho Bae
  • Patent number: 10153795
    Abstract: An amplifier circuit including opposing-phase electronic switches, and an output drive circuit that provides an output drive signal in response to output signals from the opposing-phase electronic switches. Each of the opposing-phase electronic are configured and arranged to rapidly switch back and forth in response to an amplifier input signal and based on a power source defined to provide a supply voltage to the switching amplifier circuit. Further, an output-amplitude control circuit is used to limit a maximum-achievable voltage that is applied (e.g., gate or source voltage) to at least one of the opposing-phase electronic switches, with each such applied voltage being less than the supply voltage provided by the power source. Consistent therewith, more specific aspects concern an arrangement or circuit-based system of wireless communication in an automobile, wherein an automotive battery is the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Hermanus Johannes Effing
  • Patent number: 10086719
    Abstract: This system for powering an overhead contact line, which includes a contact wire consisting of a plurality of conductive sections separated by insulating sections, includes power supply sub-stations, each conductive section being connected, on the side of an upstream end, to an upstream sub-station via an upstream controlled switch and, on the side of a downstream end, to a downstream sub-station via a downstream controlled switch. This system includes a detection device, associated with a conductive section, to be monitored, which includes a means for transmitting a characteristic signal to an upstream or downstream end of said conductive section and a receiving means able to receive the characteristic signal at the other end, the receiving means modifying the value of a state signal applied to a control circuit for actuating the opening of the downstream switch and/or of the upstream switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies
    Inventors: Emmanuel Flamanc, Pierre Authie
  • Patent number: 9909564
    Abstract: A wind turbine including a controller configured to periodically enter an Eigen frequency detection mode in which the controller gain is incremented in a controlled manner to detect the Eigen frequencies. During normal operations, the controller output may be monitored to detect the Eigen frequency which, if detected, may allow damage control operations to be undertaken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Erik Carl Lehnskov Miranda
  • Patent number: 9906270
    Abstract: An improvement in a Two Way Automated Communications System (TWACS) requires only three of six previously required vectors to communicate with remote communication equipment (RCE) devices installed in the three phases of a utility's low voltage distribution network for concurrent outbound signal communications over the TWACS. The reduction in vectors allows an outbound injection silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) array used for such purposes to be greatly simplified and further allows the SCRs in the array to be operated independently, and therefore concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLC
    Inventor: John B. Hessling, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9887629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pulsating current ripple cancelling circuit and a power converting system using the same cancelling circuit. The pulsating current ripple cancelling circuit includes a first transformer having a primary winding side and a secondary winding side; a second transformer having a primary winding side and a secondary winding side, wherein the primary winding side of the second transformer is electrically coupled with the primary winding side of the first transformer; a first diode electrically coupled with the secondary winding side of the first transformer; a first equivalent capacitor combination electrically coupled with the primary winding side of the first transformer; and a second equivalent capacitor combination electrically coupled with the secondary winding side of the second transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Ching-Tsai Pan, Ming-Chieh Cheng
  • Patent number: 9871559
    Abstract: In order to permit, in a motor vehicle on-board power system, data to be transmitted with low expenditure on cabling, even between multiple partial networks, a plurality of loads embodied, in particular, as sensors is respectively assigned a communication unit for transferring data. The communication units are embodied in such a way that, by utilizing the supply lines they set up a partially interlinked data network, and transfer data made available by the loads, with the result that communication via the partial networks is also made possible. As a result of the transmission of the data via the supply lines in combination with the setting up of a partially interlinked data network, signal transmission is made possible even if there is no direct connection between the respective sensor and a target unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: LEONI Kabel Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Koeppendoerfer, Rainer Poehmerer
  • Patent number: 9847814
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a switch control section configured to: determine whether a received signal is any one of a power signal and a data signal based on the received signal, and select any one of a power-reception operation and a data-transmission operation based on the determination of the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nakano, Shinichi Fukuda, Osamu Kozakai, Kenichi Fujimaki
  • Patent number: 9847638
    Abstract: A load control system for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to a plurality of electrical load includes a plurality of energy controllers. Each energy controller is operable to control at least one of the electrical loads. The load control system also includes a first broadcast controller that has a first antenna and a second antenna. The first antenna is arranged in a first position and the second antenna is arranged in a second position that is orthogonal to the first position. The broadcast controller is operable to transmit a first wireless signal via the first antenna and a second wireless signal via the second antenna. Each of the energy controllers is operable to receive at least one of the first and second wireless signals, and to control the respective load in response to the received wireless signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Mosebrook, Timothy S. Majewski, Gregory Altonen, Benjamin F. Bard
  • Patent number: 9846419
    Abstract: A method for controlling intelligent household appliances, comprising: acquiring an appliance control signal set and an initialization feedback signal set corresponding to the control signal set, and sending a control signal; receiving the control signal, sending the control signal to the household appliance to instruct the household appliance to perform an operation represented by the control signal; acquiring state information and a feedback signal of the household appliance; and calculating a variation amount of the state information, and judging a matching rate between the feedback signal and the initialization feedback signal The present invention also provides an intelligent socket, which can allow a terminal to obtain an actual control result after a control instruction being sent An intelligent socket based on a high power infrared emitting tube, wherein the high power infrared emitting tube is provided in a limiting hole for infrared emission in a direction away from a panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Shenzhen Galaxywind Network Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zemin Li
  • Patent number: 9844121
    Abstract: It is described an outdoor lighting apparatus (1) for fixed installation adapted to be connected to a power grid for being supplied with a grid supply voltage. The apparatus (1) comprises at least one light source (6), a driving circuit (30) of the at least one light source (6), a control and communication circuit (20) adapted to control the driving circuit (30) and adapted to communicate with a remote control device (60). The lighting apparatus (1) is adapted to be selectively supplied from the power grid with a first supply voltage value and with a second supply voltage value lower than the first voltage value. In that way, it is possible advantageously to supply the lighting apparatus (1) during the daytime with a safety voltage in order to reduce the electrical hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: ENEL SOLE S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giovanni Maria Pisani
  • Patent number: 9819508
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for remote configuration of one or more power supplies, particularly lighting power supplies, are disclosed. A configuration signal that includes a setting for a parameter is generated and then transmitted to a power supply. The power supply decodes the configuration signal and, if one or more certain conditions are met, configures the power supply according to information provided in the configuration signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ardai, Lin Yang, Suraj Gajendar, Sivakumar Thangavelu
  • Patent number: 9781071
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing automatic delivery of information to a terminal includes a communication element, a registry element and a proxy element. The communication element is configured to receive information corresponding to new content associated with a particular service. The registry element is configured to retrieve an identifier of an publisher associated with the particular service in response to receipt of the information. The proxy element is configured to push an indication of the new content to a receiving terminal having the identifier in a contact list of the receiving terminal in response to receipt of the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Ilya Baraev, Hannu Sakari Mettälä, Timo Pakkala, Timo K. Miettinen
  • Patent number: 9729200
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a power-line communication apparatus provides data over a power-line communication network by transmitting data symbols to endpoint circuits over a power line. The power-line communication apparatus includes a signal-processing circuit configured to combine a plurality of different data streams, each of the plurality of different data streams respectively formatted according to different communication schemes, to form a signal that represents a combination of the different data streams and corresponding communication schemes. Further, the power-line communication apparatus includes a pulse-modulation circuit configured to convert the signals, as combined, as a pulse-width modulated or a pulse-density modulated signal, the pulse-modulation circuit configured to switch at a frequency higher than frequencies of the different communication schemes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Virden, Verne Olson, Damian Bonicatto
  • Patent number: 9705555
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises two or more SIM card connectors in a communication system configured to operate according to a plurality of communication protocols and coupled to at least one processor (610) for processing communication signals, a control unit (632) configured to generate a control signal to select a communication path (629-1, 629-2, 631-1, 631-2, 645-1, 647-1, 647-2) dedicated to an associated SIM card connector, and a switch (630) responsive to the control signal to switch the communication signals received from or transmitted to any one of the two or more SIM card connectors using the selected communication path. An apparatus comprises a plurality of radio frequency integrated circuit RFICs (640-1, 640-2) coupled to a plurality of RF interfaces of a digital baseband (600) of a communication apparatus, the plurality of RFICs includes a programmable state machine that executes programmed instructions to perform write to the RFICs, thereby enabling RF control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Daniel D. Ezekiel, Srinath Ananthaswamy, John Jelonnek
  • Patent number: 9705330
    Abstract: A system and method for remotely monitoring, measuring and controlling power to furniture having an electrically powered feature is disclosed herein. The furniture is preferably modular furniture (such as a cubicle) and the electrically powered feature is at least one of lighting or a power outlet. Alternatively, the furniture is a lectern and the electrically powered feature is at least one of lighting or a power outlet. Alternatively, the furniture is a charging cart and the electrically powered feature is at least one of lighting or a power outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Best Energy Reduction Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Scott J. Yetter
  • Patent number: 9698866
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing scheduling for charger and electric vehicle communication in a PLC system are described. In an illustrative embodiment, a method performed by a PLC device. In a further embodiment, the PLC device may be configured to operate according to a narrow-band PLC communication protocol. In a further embodiment, the narrow-band PLC communications between PLC devices in the charger and the electric vehicle are conducted over a pilot wire coupling the charger to the electric vehicle. In still a further embodiment, the pilot wire may be one of a standard set of existing wires in a standard cable used for connecting the charger to the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ramanuja Vedantham, Xiaolin Lu, Kumaran Vijayasankar
  • Patent number: 9686038
    Abstract: A method for communication includes generating a data transmission for transmission to a target receiver, and generating at least one jamming transmission having an amplitude that changes multiple times during the data transmission. The data transmission is transmitted to the target receiver using an antenna array, and the at least one jamming transmission is simultaneously transmitted using the antenna array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: CELENO COMMUNICATIONS (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventor: Nir Shapira
  • Patent number: 9674807
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems that may help a WiMAX base station function without a GPS signal by providing a high-stability reference signal via a subcarrier of a broadcast signal, such as an FM radio signal. An exemplary broadcast station may therefore be configured to phase-lock a subcarrier signal to a GPS signal, and include this subcarrier in its broadcast signal, thereby providing the subcarrier signal for use by a base station as a high-stability reference signal for local-oscillator stabilization at the base station. The broadcast station may further modulate a timing signal onto the subcarrier signal. An exemplary base station may therefore receive the broadcast signal, decode the broadcast signal to acquire the subcarrier signal, and use the subcarrier signal to stabilize its local oscillator, rather than using a GPS signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Clearwire IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Walter Rausch, Harry Perlow
  • Patent number: 9660694
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method performed by a radio unit (10) operable in a base station system of a wireless communication network, for reducing interference at the RU. The base station system comprises a baseband unit (30) the radio unit (10) and a plurality of radio heads (21-26) wherein the radio unit is connected to the plurality of radio heads via a number of metallic conductors (40), and wherein a signal is to be communicated to the radio unit at a first frequency range over one of the number of metallic conductors from one of the plurality of radio heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Per-Erik Eriksson, Miguel Berg, Chenguang Lu, Elmar Trojer
  • Patent number: 9652638
    Abstract: An electronic device has a lower power state in which power to a storage device is disabled. Predetermined information stored in a memory is useable to unlock the storage device during a procedure to transition the electronic device from the lower power state to a higher power state. The predetermined information is different from a credential for use in unlocking the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Valiuddin Y. Ali, Lan Wang, James Robert Waldron
  • Patent number: 9641219
    Abstract: Systems and methods for routing protocols for power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method performed by a PLC device, such as a PLC meter, may include selecting one or more transmit sub-bands on which to transmit frames, where the transmit sub-bands comprise groups of carrier frequencies. The PLC device then generates a frame comprising a tone map that indicates which transmit sub-bands are used to carry data for the frame. The tone map using two bits per transmit sub-band to indicate a status of each transmit sub-band. The PLC device then transmits the frame on the selected transmit sub-bands. A resolution bit and a mode bit may be used to provide additional information about the transmit sub-bands, such as an amount of power adjustment that has been applied to carrier frequencies and whether dummy bits are transmitted on unused carrier frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tarkesh Pande, Anand Dabak, Kumaran Vijayasankar, Ramanuja Vedantham, Il Han Kim
  • Patent number: 9634703
    Abstract: A method and receiver for detecting a signal wherein the signal is encoded the signal with a pair of spaced predetermined frequencies and wherein energy is detected in each of the pair of predetermined frequencies and in a predetermined frequency between the pair of predetermined frequencies. Energy detected in each of the pair of predetermined frequencies is compared with the energy detected in the predetermined frequency between the pair of predetermined frequencies. The detecting includes passing the encoded signal through narrow band filters, each one of the filters being tuned to a corresponding one of the pair of predetermined frequencies and the predetermined frequency between the pair of predetermined frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Zhaoyang C. Wang, Steven M. Lardizabal
  • Patent number: 9577707
    Abstract: An impedance stabilization network is disposed between a power supply and a mains entry of a power-line communication (“PLC”) device. The network may include: a first branch electrically coupled to a phase terminal of the power supply and electrically coupled to the phase line of the mains; a second branch electrically coupled to a neutral terminal of the power supply and electrically coupled to the neutral line of the mains; and a third branch electrically coupled to one or both of the phase terminal and the neutral terminal of the power supply and to the earth line of the mains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Antonio Jimenez de Parga Bernal
  • Patent number: 9559735
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes switching resonant filter circuits and methods. In one embodiment, a circuit includes a plurality of resonant switching circuits arranged in a three (3) or four (4) element PI network. In one embodiment, an undesired signal frequency is applied to two resonant switching circuits and a carrier frequency of an RF signal is applied to the other two resonant switching networks so that the network attenuates the undesired signal frequency and passes the carrier frequency. In another embodiment, the resonant switching circuits are configurable to shift a peak impedance so that undesired signals may be attenuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jungdong Park, Hong Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 9439369
    Abstract: A controlling and monitoring system for irrigating localized areas includes a first power and control unit supplying power to multiple power outlets; a first plurality of controllable valves connectable to a water pipeline and positioned at first specific areas, each connected by a first control line to a power outlet; a return line interconnecting all of the first plurality of valves and the first power and control unit; a second plurality of controllable valves connectable to the pipeline and positioned at second specific areas, each controlled by a valve control unit having first and second inputs; and a second power and control unit having a first power and control output connected to the return line with the first inputs of the valve control units, and a second power and control output connected to the second input of each of the valve control units via a second control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: S-RAIN CONTROL A/S
    Inventor: Tom Nohr Christiansen
  • Patent number: 9436648
    Abstract: A method of matching signal transmission between two electronic devices connected to one another with a physical interface and each have a transmitter and a receiver, wherein signals are transmitted from the transmitter of one device along a transmission link to the receiver of the other device and wherein the transmission link has at least two signal lines (+, ?) for differential transmission of the signals including A) detecting signal values on the receiver of the first device separately for each of the two signal lines (+, ?), B) evaluating a mismatch between the signals from the two signal lines (+, ?) on the receiver of the first device on the basis of the detected signal values, and C) changing one or more parameters of the transmitter in the second device for at least one of the two signal lines (+, ?), wherein at least A) and C) are performed iteratively until a predetermined termination criterion is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert Depta
  • Patent number: 9438119
    Abstract: A switching power supply comprises one or more power supply stages that receive power from an input power source and that generate a regulated output voltage for powering a load by alternately opening and closing a set of switches. Controller circuitry monitors the input power source for loss of power as well as a state of the load. When loss of power is detected, the controller circuitry saves a state of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hwang
  • Patent number: 9439269
    Abstract: A system and method for a lighting control system to control street lighting fixtures using modified geometric harmonic modulation for communications over a powerline. At least some of the lighting fixtures have another communications capability that enables RF communications. The communications may by messages be sent to the lighting fixtures to read RF enabled meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael James Hartman, Bruce Gordon Barnett, John Erik Hershey, Michael Joseph Dell'Anno, Stanislava Soro
  • Patent number: 9342713
    Abstract: An electronic device has a lower power state in which power to a storage device is disabled. Predetermined information stored in a memory is useable to unlock the storage device during a procedure to transition the electronic device from the lower power state to a higher power state. The predetermined information is different from a credential for use in unlocking the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Valiuddin Y. Ali, Lan Wang, James Robert Waldron
  • Patent number: 9283887
    Abstract: An emergency vehicle control system includes, among other things, one or more functional warning units positioned in various positions in an emergency vehicle. A central controller is configured to generate a desired state of the functional warning units and encode the desired state into a packet. Each of multiple remote controllers is functionally connected to at least one of the functional warning units. A functional connection between the central controller and the multiple remote controllers is configured to transmit the encoded packet from the central controller to each of the remote controllers. The remote controllers are configured to parse the desired state of each of the functional warning units in the encoded packet and set the state of each of the functional warning units based on the parsed encoded packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Emergency Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Carpenter, Kyle Israels, William S. Buehler, Michael Walma
  • Patent number: 9205710
    Abstract: Various embodiments may include methods and systems for determining a tire pressure status. The system may include at least one computer. An input defining an inflation status of one or more vehicle tires, as well as tire inflation data of the one or more tires, may be received. A specific value associated with an inflation event of the one or more vehicle tires may be calculated based on the inflation data. Further, one or more messages for outputting the specific value from one or more vehicle components may be generated and transmitted to the one or more vehicle components. The specific value may be output as one or more messages from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dilip B. Patel, Steven Yellin Schondorf, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Brian Bennie, Gregory Swadling
  • Patent number: 9206920
    Abstract: An electro-pneumatic device includes a sensor portion and a valve portion. The sensor portion, which includes a sensor, receives and transmits electronic control signals of a plurality of frequencies. The sensor portion is powered by a first of the frequencies of the received control signals. The valve portion electrically communicates with the sensor. The valve portion includes a valve that is alternately set to an open state and a closed state based on a second of the plurality of frequencies of the received control signals. The sensor senses a delivery pressure of the valve and transmits electronic data signals representing the delivery pressure at a third of the plurality of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: Daniel P. Zula
  • Patent number: 9160168
    Abstract: A control system (300) allows recognized standard premise electrical outlets, for example NEMA, CEE and BS, among others to be remotely monitored and/or controlled, for example, to intelligently execute blackouts or brownouts or to otherwise remotely control electrical devices. The system (300) includes a number of smart receptacles (302) that communicate with a local controller (304), e.g., via power lines using the TCP/IP protocol. The local controller (304), in turn, communicates with a remote controller (308) via the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: ZONIT STRUCTURED SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Chapel, William Pachoud
  • Patent number: 9092971
    Abstract: A method for controlling a group of wirelessly controlled appliances comprising at least one appliance in a home automation network comprising a master controller, characterized in that it comprises: a reception step in which the master controller receives a wireless command intended for an appliance of the group, then a connection step in which the master controller connects the appliance to mains power, if the appliance was previously disconnected from the mains power, then a disconnection step in which the appliance is automatically disconnected from mains power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Somfy S.A.S.
    Inventors: Lionel Symoën, Rémi Sourain