Scanning Patents (Class 340/518)
  • Patent number: 11248981
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect leaks based on temperature data are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a storage device to store spectral recording data associated with spectral recordings measured by an acoustic sensor of a node of a utility distribution system, and temperature data associated with the utility distribution system. The disclosed apparatus also includes a processor to select a portion of the spectral recording data based on the temperature data, where the processor is to generate a data packet based on the portion, and a transceiver to transmit the data packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Alan Cole
  • Patent number: 11131472
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes an outdoor heat exchanger in which N heat exchange units are spaced apart from one another sequentially in a vertical direction N expansion valves respectively connected to the N heat exchange units; N hot gas pipes respectively connected to the N heat exchange units; N hot gas valves respectively installed in the N hot gas pipes; and a controller configured to control the N expansion valves and the N hot gas valves to defrost the N heat exchange units, wherein the controller is configured to defrost a bottom heat exchange unit first, then defrost a top heat exchange unit, and defrost the heat exchange units located under the top heat exchange unit sequentially from a second highest heat exchange unit to the bottom heat exchange unit after defrosting the top heat exchange unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaewon Lee, Woojoo Choi, Jinhyoung Park, Youngjoo Shin
  • Patent number: 11132883
    Abstract: A control system of a detection system for measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes a control unit having at least one processor for implementing an algorithm and a fiber harness having at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light, the at least one fiber optic cable defining at least one node arranged to measure the one or more conditions. A sensor is operably coupled to the at least one node, wherein the sensor receives scattered light associated with the at least one node and generates signals corresponding to the scattered light. A switch is operably coupled to the sensor and to the control unit. The switch selectively provides signals from the sensor to the control unit for processing to determine at least one of a presence and magnitude of the condition within the predetermined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Birnkrant, Jennifer M. Alexander, Peter R. Harris, Jie Xi, Hui Fang, Yanzhi Chen
  • Patent number: 11100224
    Abstract: An interference detection device and a detection sensitivity adjusting method are provided. A signal generating circuit generates a detection signal. A delay circuit delays the detection signal to generate a plurality of delay signals with different delay time. A decision circuit selects one of the delay signals according to a first section signal for comparing with the detection signal to generate an interference detection result, where the delay signals are used for adjusting the detection sensitivity of the interference detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: ALI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wei-Ke Rao, Rui Yang, Hai-Hua Wen
  • Patent number: 11067457
    Abstract: A method of monitoring smoke, fire, and temperature conditions includes transmitting light through a first fiber optic cable, the fiber optic cable terminating at a node disposed to monitor a smoke or fire condition at one or more predetermined areas, transmitting light along a second fiber optic cable, the second fiber optic cable arranged to monitor a temperature condition at one or more predetermined areas, receiving scattered light from the first fiber optic cable and/or the second fiber optic cable at a control system, and analyzing the scattered light to determine at least one of the presence and magnitude of smoke, fire and/or a temperature condition along the fiber harness or at the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Birnkrant, Stefan Coreth, Kenneth Bell, Jennifer M. Alexander, Peter R. Harris, Antonio M. Vincitore
  • Patent number: 10955268
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating active protection of peripheral sensors. An example vehicle includes a sensor and a sensor protector. The example sensor protector is configured to, responsive to a vehicle collision, obtain diagnostic information from the sensor. The example sensor protector is also configured to determine whether to move the sensor from a first position to a second position based on the diagnostic information. The example sensor protector is also configured to cause the sensor to from the first position to the second position based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Somak Datta Gupta, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Swadad A. Carremm
  • Patent number: 10868692
    Abstract: The disclosure is related to monitoring a legacy device using at least one smart device. A gateway of an automation system may monitor an operation status of a target legacy device located in a service area of an automation system using at least one of smart devices participating in the automation system. In order to monitor, a monitoring request may be received for monitoring the target legacy device from user equipment associated with a user. At least one of monitoring smart devices may be controlled for monitoring the target legacy device. Monitoring results may be received from the at least one of monitoring smart devices. The received monitoring results may be provided to the user through the user equipment using at least one of outputting monitoring smart devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: KT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeong-Yeop Yang, Kyung-Eun Kong, Myung-Eun Kwon
  • Patent number: 10764397
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for managing the connections between a secure element and a server of a communication network, the secure element being incorporated in a host device. The method includes the following steps: —determination of a theoretical time period between two consecutive instants of connection, —determination of a real time period between two consecutive instants of connection between the secure element and the server, —comparison of the determined theoretical time period with the determined real time period, and if the determined theoretical time period is different from the determined real time period: —determination of a new theoretical time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: IDEMIA FRANCE
    Inventors: Jean-François Deprun, David Segalou, Eric Alzai
  • Patent number: 10630086
    Abstract: A programmable battery source architecture includes: a battery module, including a plurality of battery units, and a programmable battery connection circuit coupled to the battery module. The programmable battery connection circuit includes: a matrix intersection line module, electrically coupled to the battery module for forming a plurality of battery connection configurations; a switch group, disposed at each line intersection of the matrix intersection line module, for switching the battery connection configurations; and a control unit, for dynamically controlling the switch group based on a load requirement, for selecting at least a battery connection configuration from the battery connection configurations, and accordingly, the battery module outputting at least an output voltage based on the selected at least a battery connection configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chien-Tung Hsu, Shou-Hung Ling, Kai-Cheung Juang, Tzi-Cker Chiueh, Chuan-Yu Cho
  • Patent number: 10623950
    Abstract: A system (200) for protecting location information has beacons (240), a provider server (220) for providing at least one location based service, a location server (230) and mobile devices (210). The mobile device has a location engine (211) for controlling the location information and a location based application (212) for using the location information. The provider server generates unique data and authorizes the location based application, and subsequently provides location based services in dependence on an encrypted location. The location server determines the location based on a property of the radiation and encrypts the location. The location engine obtains a verification of customer data of the location based application, which indicates that use rights allow transfer of the location information to the location based application, and upon obtaining the verification transfers the encrypted location to the location based application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Sandeep Shankaran Kumar, Ashish Vijay Pandharipande
  • Patent number: 10572834
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for predicting a future state of a built environment with a sensor network are disclosed. One sensor network includes a plurality of sensors of a built environment and a controller. Each sensor is operative to generate a sense signal. The controller is operative to collect sense values that represent sense signals of the plurality of sensors, wherein the sense values are collected over time, classify each of the collected sense values based on a type of space of the built environment associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of sensors that generated the sense value, based on a timing of the sense value, and based on other available information of the built environment, predict a future state of each of the plurality of sensors based at least in part on the classifications of each of the sense values, and communicate the future state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Enlighted, Inc.
    Inventors: Tanuj Mohan, Vijayalakshmi Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 10571403
    Abstract: Systems and methods for testing and diagnosing malfunctions in a liquid dispenser are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a testing and diagnosing system including a pre-tester configured to test for and collect testing data regarding an operational status of the liquid dispenser and in communication with the liquid dispenser, a communication central module configured to receive information from the testing device and the pre-tester, and a database management system configured to operate, monitor and control the testing device, the pre-tester and/or the communication central module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Bao Zhong Hu, Ting Deng, Ruguo Hu, Michael Marszalec
  • Patent number: 10567598
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding image quality of an image, an arrangement unit that arranges the image on one or a plurality of pages, a comparison unit that compares the information regarding image quality of a plurality of the images arranged on the pages, for each page, and a notification unit that performs notification, if there is a difference in the image quality of the plurality of the images arranged on the pages as a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoko Saito
  • Patent number: 10397617
    Abstract: A display system includes a graphics controller, a difference injector, a display controller, a power measurement circuit, an arithmetic controller and an error detector. The graphics controller provides an image frame to the difference injector. The difference injector modifies the image frame by a known image artifact, and provides the image frame and the modified image frame to the display controller. The display controller displays the image frame and the modified image frame at a display screen. The power measurement circuit measures a first power characteristic of the display screen during the display of the image frame and a second power characteristic of the display screen during the display of the modified image frame. The arithmetic controller determines a differential power characteristic based on the first and second power characteristics. The error detector determines whether the differential power characteristics are indicative of the display of a known image artifact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ioseph Emmanuel Martinez Pelayo, Michael Andreas Staudenmaier, Brent Cameron Wylie
  • Patent number: 10365260
    Abstract: A method incorporating the steps of a display of a gas detection system depicting a map of a predetermined geographic area and a plurality of portable gas detectors on the map via a respective gas detector icon, a programmed processor of the gas detection system identifying a number of gas detectors of the plurality of portable gas detectors within a predetermined portion of the area depicted on the display, the number exceeding a threshold value and a programmed processor of the gas detection system replacing the icons of the identified gas detectors within the portion with a group icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Vijayapavan Amaravadi
  • Patent number: 10336472
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing health of a motor in an aircraft is presented. A first group of motor parameters and a second group of external bias parameters in sensor data received from a sensor system associated with the aircraft in which the first group of motor parameters is for an environment affected by operation of the motor in the aircraft and the second group of external bias parameters modifies an effect of the first motor group of motor parameters in identifying a health of the motor is monitored. The health of the motor is identified based on the first group of motor parameters and the second group of external bias parameters. An action is performed based on the health of the motor identified, wherein a controller enables increasing a confidence level in indicating the health of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eric Lee Nicks, David Allan Followell, Javier Cortez
  • Patent number: 10101366
    Abstract: A protective relaying system and a data collection method thereof capable of enhancing a data collection efficiency and effectiveness is provided. The protective relaying system may include a plurality of protective relaying modules respectively connected to a switch to control the operation of the switch; a server module coupled to one of the plurality of protective relaying modules, and connected to the plurality of protective relaying modules, respectively, to sequentially collect and store data of the plurality of protective relaying modules; and a remote monitoring unit connected to the server module to collectively receive and collect the stored data of the plurality of protective relaying modules from the server module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Byung Joon Jeon
  • Patent number: 10089221
    Abstract: Methods of mapping memory regions to processes based on thermal data of memory regions are described. In some embodiments, a memory controller may receive a memory allocation request. The memory allocation request may include a logical memory address. The method may further include mapping the logical memory address to an address in a memory region of the memory system based on thermal data for memory regions of the memory system. Additional methods and systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Walker, David A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9915538
    Abstract: In a method for operating a vehicle, a location assigned to a driving route of the vehicle is transmitted from the vehicle to an external server, and the server checks whether a zone is assigned to the transmitted location for which navigation data exist for at least partially automated vehicle driving within the zone. The navigation data are transmitted from the server to the vehicle when such a zone is assigned to the transmitted location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Fuehrer
  • Patent number: 9883368
    Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus used to establish a communication link via selection of a graphic of a person or group overlaid on a map, such as via use of a communication aircraft or satellite without timely knowledge by a caller, without lookup, of the called person's or group's identity and/or phone number. Communication is aided by personal communicators worn and/or carried by the caller and person or group called. The established communication is optionally and preferably supplemented with a local representation of the environment, such as terrain, natural resources, available man-made resources, identification of teams, weather, visibility, and/or competing elements. The communication link is optionally integrated into a firefighting command and control system, a friend network, a company group, and/or for a team so time is not spent looking up a phone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Rodney Goossen
  • Patent number: 9846191
    Abstract: Integrated circuit systems, such as sensor systems, having on-board-diagnostic (OBD) circuits for the detection of errors presenting internal to the systems are disclosed, along with related methods. In one embodiment, an ADC multiplexer receives analog output readback from an output driver and provides a signal triggering an OBD circuit for internal error indication performed completely independent of digital-to-analog converters (DAC) and output drivers, which can be the point of failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Granig, Harald Witschnig, Andrea Morici
  • Patent number: 9792884
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes an encoding unit that compresses an input image for each pixel block having a size smaller than a line to generate a plurality of compressed blocks, and store the compressed blocks in a frame buffer, a reading unit that identifies an object block to be expanded among the compressed blocks, and reads the object block from the frame buffer, a decoding unit that expands the object block to generate an expanded block, and an information acquiring unit that acquires, based on the expanded block, position information used by the reading unit to identify the block to be expanded, or decode information used by the decoding unit to expand another compressed block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Youhei Fukazawa, Keiri Nakanishi, Masashi Jobashi, Sho Kodama
  • Patent number: 9476417
    Abstract: A method for detecting and localizing a valve leak in a piston machine having a shaft includes: attaching one or more vibration sensor to a valve block of the piston machine; measuring the vibrations from at least one of the vibration sensors; attaching a sensor to the piston machine where the sensor is designed to produce, directly or indirectly, an angular shaft position signal for the shaft; determining, directly or indirectly, an angular shaft position signal for the shaft; transforming vibration signals from the one or more vibration sensors into one envelope signal representing an instant vibration level; using the angular position signal for constructing window functions that pick the envelope signal in selected angular shaft sectors; using the window functions to find sector based averages of the vibration level; and comparing said averages with a critical ambient vibration level to detect and localize leaks in one or two valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO NORWAY AS
    Inventors: Åge Kyllingstad, Pål Jacob Nessjøen
  • Patent number: 9434265
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle having a storage device for storing electrical energy for an electric machine of the motor vehicle, a charging device having a charging interface for connecting a charging component for externally charging the storage device and a side bodywork section. The side bodywork section includes a vehicle door for opening and closing a person entry region which leads into a driver and/or passenger accommodating space of the motor vehicle. The charging interface is arranged in the lateral direction of the motor vehicle behind the side bodywork section, so that it can be protected by the side bodywork section against environmental influences and/or unauthorized access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventors: Florian Mayer, Marcel Hessel
  • Patent number: 9400867
    Abstract: A method and system (20) is provided for condition based monitoring reliability maintenance capabilities for an asset (70), such as one or more machines, by establishing a network including of a sensor (60) or a plurality of sensors installed, temporarily or in generally fixed locations, on asset (70), wherein sensor (60) provides time sequenced operational information in the form of data based on vibrations, temperature, electrical signals, or other operating conditions. Sensors (60) are connected to a local controller (40) which transmits the data via a local or wide area network (45), either through wired or wireless communication paths, in data packets, each containing divided portions of the operational information. The data packets are mapped and stored into multiple, dedicated databases for ease of retrieving and analyzing the data. Preferably, a cloud-based storage arrangement (120) is employed to storing the mapped data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: CBM Enterprise Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Cindy L. Boyd, Majdi Rajab, Anatoly Borodaev, Vladimir Fedishov
  • Patent number: 9373247
    Abstract: A disaster monitoring and pre-warning system comprises a disaster informing system, peer-to-peer wireless communication devices, a monitoring host and a pre-warning message issuing host. The disaster informing system transfers at least one first disaster information. The peer-to-peer wireless communication devices sense at least one disaster event to generate at least one second disaster information. The at least one second disaster information is transferred by a peer-to-peer technology. The monitoring host receives the at least one first disaster information and the at least one second disaster information to generate a first pre-warning information. The pre-warning message issuing host issues the first pre-warning information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: INSTITUTE FOR INFORMATION INDUSTRY
    Inventors: Kuen-Han Li, Tien-Wei Huang, Ding-Jie Huang, Shu-Min Chuang, Shih-I Chen, Chia-Nan Wang
  • Patent number: 9347807
    Abstract: A system for determining densities and proportions of phases in a multi-phase fluid flow (MFF) that can include an oil phase, a water phase, and a gas phase from a well. The system includes a first density sensor that senses the MFF at locations where the phases of the MFF are often separated, a second density sensor senses the MFF from the output of a phase mixer-homogenizer, and a third density sensor that senses, in real time, the MFF where the gas phase starts to separate or has separated from the liquid phase but where the liquid phases have not separated. The system also includes one or more processors for executing one or more programs to determine a density of the oil phase, a density of the water phase, a density of the gas phase, and proportions of phases including a water cut and a gas volume fraction based on readings from the first, second, and third density sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Xiaolei Shirley Ao, Oleg Alexander Khrakovsky, Yue Ma, Shawn Li Doria, Jin Chang Xu
  • Patent number: 9041531
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to a radiation safety system comprising radiation emitting medical equipment; a radiation safety system controller connected to the radiation emitting medical equipment through a first communication means configured to determine a number of people within a radiation room housing the radiation emitting medical equipment and prevent the radiation emitting medical equipment from performing radiation emitting functions if the radiation safety system controller determines that more people than a maximum allowed number of people are presently in the radiation room; and a scanner connected to the radiation safety controller through a second communication means configured to detect people in the radiation room and communicate to the radiation safety system controller that a person has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Maitland M. DeLand
  • Patent number: 8976017
    Abstract: A method for inspecting down hole drilling systems for identifying indications of flaws in material. The method can include removing particulate, disposing a wave coupling medium on an area of interest, attaching a probe to a sound carrying wedge, engaging the sound carrying wedge over the wave coupling medium, transmitting inspection signals to the area of interest, manipulating the probe to produce detection signals, transmitting the detection signals to a data storage, presenting the detection signals and a known reference level to a user, and comparing the detection signals to the known reference level to determine if the detection signals are within a standard deviation of the known reference level. The method can include adapting a sound carrying wedge to form-fittingly couple to an area of interest of a down hole drilling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Shawn Paul Cannon
  • Patent number: 8952803
    Abstract: A regional security system includes a control panel which can receive one or more delay parameters, associated with a type of sensor or detector, or a portion of a region being monitored. The delay parameters can be stored in a programmable storage unit. When an alarm indicator has been received from one of the sensors or detectors, an alarm indicating message along with an associated, programmed and pre-stored delay can be forwarded to a central station. If the system is disarmed before the delay interval has terminated, a cancel message can be sent to the central station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Blum, Raymond J. Jordan, Catherine C. Sottile-Ramos
  • Patent number: 8903616
    Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the safety of a vehicle, a region about the vehicle being scanned and a distance between at least one location on the vehicle and a physical limit of this region is measured in at least one direction. Subsequently, it is checked whether the distance exceeds a specifiable threshold value and finally, a warning signal is output and/or the vehicle is braked, if the result of the checking is positive. Moreover, a central processing unit for a corresponding driver assistance system and a driver assistance system are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Meike Fehse
  • Patent number: 8791839
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of recognizing the presence of a passenger in front of a door of a transit vehicle comprises directing an ultrasound transmitter/receiver at a volume of space adjacent the door, emitting an ultrasound pulse into the empty volume, recording and integrating intensity of the echoes and storing the integrated value as a standard value, repeatedly emitting an ultrasound pulse into the volume, and comparing the integrated values to the standard value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Citta, Robert Urman
  • Patent number: 8742925
    Abstract: A device (1) for preventing and detecting the falling of an object or of a person on a line (2) of a railway station having a platform (3). The device (1) includes at least one detection device (7) having at least one emitter (8) of a beam (10) and a sensor (9) able to detect the beam (10), and a detection calculator (13) for processing the signals obtained from the sensors (9) and able to communicate safely with at least one signaling system (16a, 16b, 16c) of the railway station, barriers (4) able to be arranged on the platform (3) to prevent falls of the object or of the person, the barriers (4) delimiting between door opening areas (5), a detection device (7) being arranged in each of the door opening areas (5) to detect a fall on the line (2) of the railway station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Transport SA
    Inventors: Charlie Vacher, Michel Carnot
  • Patent number: 8527000
    Abstract: A method enables a communication between a process client and a wireless process server to carry out an area-specific process in an area. The method includes a step of transmitting it message from a wireless process server to a wireless communication device operated by the process client. The message includes information related to the area-specific process for enabling the process-client to better arrange time before the area-specific process is scheduled to carry out in the area. In a specific embodiment, the wireless communication server sends a message to notify the process client about a location and an estimate time for the process client to carry out the area-specific process. In another preferred embodiment, the communication system enables the process client to employ a wireless communication device owned by the process client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Bo-In Lin
  • Patent number: 8482399
    Abstract: Asset including an arrangement for monitoring objects in an interior of the asset includes a sensor system arranged on or in the asset to obtain data about the asset or an object in the asset and a communication system arranged on the asset and coupled to the sensor system. The communication system transmits the data obtained by the sensor system to a remote facility via the Internet. A data reception system is arranged on the asset arranged to obtain data to enable the position of the asset to be determined, i.e., at the remote facility, and is coupled to the communication system which transmits the data to enable the remote facility to determine the location of the asset. The sensor system may be integrated with a cell phone or PDA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Patent number: 8395489
    Abstract: A vehicle burglar alarm circuit includes a transformer including an input unit having taps and a center tap, and an output unit magnetically coupled to the input unit; a first and a second power source each having one electrode connected to the center tap to respectively output a higher voltage and a lower voltage; a driving unit including switching elements respectively having one ends connected to the taps and another ends respectively connected to the other electrodes of the power sources; a PWM controller outputting signals by which the switching elements are alternately turned on and off; and a power selecting unit for selecting one of the power sources. The PWM controller generates a first on-duty ratio when the first power source is selected and a second on-duty ratio when the second power source is selected such that the first on-duty ratio is smaller than the second on-duty ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Abe
  • Patent number: 8384538
    Abstract: Arrangement and method for monitoring a structure at a fixed location, e.g., a house, parked boat or parked airplane, includes a monitoring or sensor system arranged to obtain information about the structure, an exterior of the structure and/or an interior of the structure different than the location of the structure, and a communication system coupled to the sensor system and being provided with a location of the structure. The communication system transmits the information about the structure obtained by the sensor system and the location of the structure to a remote facility. The remote facility can therefore monitor the structure, and take steps to ensure the integrity of the reservoir and the fluid therein. To enable wireless and powerless monitoring, a power source independent of a power grid extending outside of the fixed structure may be provided to supply power to the sensor system and the communications unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Patent number: 8299932
    Abstract: In a closed-loop monitoring system, a host device is operable to output encoded signals at a coupling side to a single transmission line. Each of monitoring devices includes: a current inducting generating unit generating induced encoded signals when the encoded signals pass through a signal current generating element coupled across an input side coupled to the transmission line; a control unit identifying a monitoring signal from the induced encoded signals generated by the current inducting generating unit; and a detecting unit detecting, in response to the monitoring signal, whether each of electronic devices coupled thereto is activated ox deactivated and transmitting a reply signal associated with states of the electronic devices to the transmission line based on a detection result made thereby. The host device receives the reply signal from each monitoring device through the transmission line and the coupling side to obtain state information associated with the electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: HICO Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Lin Tang, Nan-Jan Huang, Ruei-Cheng Liu, Wang-Cheng Chen, Cheng-Chung Yeh
  • Patent number: 8035506
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, in a scanner, at least one radio-frequency (RF) signal from a sensor proximate to the scanner. The method also includes storing location information, corresponding to a location of the scanner, and signal strength information corresponding to the scanner. The method further includes calibrating location records according to the signal strength information and location information. There is also a system for calibrating location records. The system includes a plurality of sensors each configured to transmit an RF signal. The system also includes a scanner configured to receive at least one RF signal from a sensor proximate to the scanner, store location information corresponding to a location of the scanner, and store signal strength information corresponding to the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Huseth, Andrew G. Berezowski, Henrik Holm, Sonmitri Kolavennu
  • Patent number: 8004415
    Abstract: Methods, systems and program products are provided for monitoring an article for fluid exposure. A plurality of liquid sensors is incorporated into an article beneath an outer layer in a furnishing installation. In response to a fluid-detected or no-fluid-detected state, polling the sensors and sometimes other data, a processor component determines fluid exposure, sensor failure and tampering events and stores event data in a memory. Pairs of the sensors are sometimes provided within expected liquid exposure saturation footprint areas. GPS coordinate, weather condition data and structural component positioning data may also be associated with event data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, Peter G. Finn, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, James W. Seaman, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 7978071
    Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of an object in a detection zone is provided. The device includes a transmission line, a generator which is connected to an input of the transmission line and which is able to generate an input signal, and a receiver which is connected to an output of the transmission line and which is able to measure an output signal, the transmission line being able to radiate a radiated signal in the detection zone when the generator generates the input signal, the detection device further including analysis means which are able to detect the presence of an object in the detection zone in accordance with the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignees: Alstom Transport SA, Inrets-Institut National de Recherche sur les Ti
    Inventors: Didier Van Den Abeele, Marc Heddebaut, Fouzia Boukour, Jean Rioult
  • Patent number: 7907047
    Abstract: An apparatus and concomitant method of reducing the number of synchronization pulses transmitted to the alarm units for increasing the reliability of the overall alarm system is disclosed. The synchronization signal is implemented as a reference or reset signal from which the alarm units derive a reference time to begin activation of the alarm units. Thus, when an alarm unit receives a reference synchronization pulse, the alarm unit applies the reference synchronization pulse as a reference point in time to trigger a series of flashes or audio tones. A second signal sent in close proximity to the synchronization signal is implemented to trigger a second function of the alarm units, such as a silence function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Wheelock, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Curran, Joseph Kosich
  • Patent number: 7852205
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, in a scanner, at least one radio-frequency (RF) signal from a sensor proximate to the scanner. The method also includes storing location information, corresponding to a location of the scanner, and signal strength information corresponding to the scanner. The method further includes calibrating location records according to the signal strength information and location information. There is also a system for calibrating location records. The system includes a plurality of sensors each configured to transmit an RF signal. The system also includes a scanner configured to receive at least one RF signal from a sensor proximate to the scanner, store location information corresponding to a location of the scanner, and store signal strength information corresponding to the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Huseth, Andrew G. Berezowski, Henrik Holm, Soumitri Kolavennu
  • Patent number: 7839277
    Abstract: The present invention provides A monitoring system comprising a display device, an abnormality detection means for monitoring an object and when detecting an abnormality of the monitored object, outputting an abnormality signal, and a display control means for causing the display device to present an abnormality display, further comprising a latch means for retaining the output state resulting from receipt of an abnormality signal, thereby continuing to output a latch signal until reset, and a reset device for resetting the latch device, wherein the display control device determines in what manner the display device presents an abnormality display, depending on whether an abnormality signal and a latch signal are each transmitted or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Yamatake Corporation
    Inventor: Hirofumi Hirayama
  • Patent number: 7714735
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring a plurality of electrical assets comprise an electricity distribution infrastructure, including a plurality of electrical asset sensors coupled to the electrical assets for monitoring an operating condition of the electrical assets as well as any fault conditions. The sensors may include a current transformer for obtaining a current waveform, a GPS receiver for applying a synchronized time-stamp to the waveform data, and a mesh network radio for transmitting the time-stamped waveform data. Data from the plurality of sensors may be encrypted and transmitted over a mesh network to one or more gateways that are in communication with a central command processor. In response to an abnormal operating condition of any electrical asset, the central command processor may determine a probable fault location, a probable fault type, and a fault response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel Rockwell
  • Patent number: 7705721
    Abstract: Environmental sensors are distributed in a computer system to sense environmental conditions, and the sensors are polled at polling intervals which are adjusted in response to changing environmental conditions, thus allowing deteriorating or improving conditions to be recognized and monitored more or less closely as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Network Appliance, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Yi Chen, Mitalee Gujar
  • Publication number: 20090256699
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, in a scanner, at least one radio-frequency (RF) signal from a sensor proximate to the scanner. The method also includes storing location information, corresponding to a location of the scanner, and signal strength information corresponding to the scanner. The method further includes calibrating location records according to the signal strength information and location information. There is also a system for calibrating location records. The system includes a plurality of sensors each configured to transmit an RF signal. The system also includes a scanner configured to receive at least one RF signal from a sensor proximate to the scanner, store location information corresponding to a location of the scanner, and store signal strength information corresponding to the scanner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steve HUSETH, Andrew G. BEREZOWSKI, Henrik HOLM, Soumitri KOLAVENNU
  • Publication number: 20090231119
    Abstract: A method of remotely communicating with a control panel (CP) of an alarm system (A) so to access information about the system and its operation. A communication's connection is first established between the control panel and a remote location (R). The communications channel preferably uses the internet (I). Once a communication's link is established, a login algorithm is exchanged in order to validate permissions once complete, analog values from various detectors are retrieved, as is other requested information about the system and its operation. Different people with different responsibilities as to the system have controlled levels of access to the system. Downloaded information is used to prepare various reports as to the status of the system, necessary maintenance and repairs, and performance evaluations such as incidence of false alarms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: VIKING ELECTRONIC SERVICES LLC
    Inventor: Jordan S. Cohen
  • Patent number: 7580361
    Abstract: In the present network system, a printer 10 periodically transmits an update request at different timings respectively to an apparatus management PC 30 and to a directory service 50 which are monitoring apparatuses for monitoring network apparatuses (such as the printer 10). Each of the monitoring apparatuses 30, 50 determines a state of the printer 10 based on the update request from the printer 10. Especially in the present system, if the apparatus management PC 30 determines that the update request from the printer 10 is not received, it notifies the directory service 50 by transmitting a delete request. As a result, early detection of disconnection of the printer 10 by the directory service 50 is possible without causing substantial increase in the network traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Ohara
  • Patent number: 7574608
    Abstract: A device scanner system at a security checkpoint queries a powered on electronic device for device-reported data via a network connection. The device-reported data includes the operational status of at least one component of the electronic device, a configuration of the electronic device, and a current ownership of the electronic device. Responsive to receiving the device-reported data, the device scanner system retrieves expected data for the electronic device. The device scanner system assigns a security level to the electronic device indicating whether the device-reported data matches the expected data, such that the electronic device is screened based on data reported by the powered on electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Jr., Clifford Jay Spinac