Condition Of Electrical Apparatus Patents (Class 340/635)
  • Patent number: 10651681
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a control circuit capable of generating and transmitting a test pulse through its attached circuit and any connected load while its contacts are open, with the breaker in the OFF, or TRIPPED, state, to determine if detrimental anomalies exist, such as a short circuit. In certain configurations, the control circuit can measure and store a circuit's parameters for a properly operating load when the breaker is in the OFF state, and subsequently with the breaker in the OFF, or TRIPPED, state, compare the stored parameters to determine if an alarm condition exists and thereby initiate appropriate alerts and actions. In an alternate configuration, the breaker can be commanded to the OFF position by the load sending a signal through the power connection, with the breaker then being able to store the load's reason for shut-down and report such information to a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Carling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 10588139
    Abstract: A wireless device may directly transmit and receive data using carrier sense multiple access and receive an indication of an operating mode of the at least one other wireless device for power saving. The wireless device may transmit a message with scheduling information indicating times that the wireless device is awake, wherein the message includes a duration field and a count field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: III Holdings 1, LLC
    Inventors: Brig Barnum Elliott, David Spencer Pearson
  • Patent number: 10581138
    Abstract: A support element of a keypad included in a keyboard of a data input device. The support element puts at least one dummy key of a printed circuit board under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: INGENICO GROUP
    Inventors: Jerome Andre, Michel Rossignol, Olivier Berthiaud
  • Patent number: 10540495
    Abstract: A method includes establishing a power link between a power source and a computing device using a cable assembly, the cable assembly including at least one indicator, monitoring a status of the power link at the computing device, determining if the status of the power link includes establishing a communication link, and upon determining the status of the power link includes establishing the communication link determining a direction of data flow along the cable assembly associated with the communication link, and generating a signal using the at least one indicator, the signal indicating the direction of data flow along the cable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Omri Amarilio, Katie Leah Roberts-Hoffman, Alexander Friedrich Kuscher
  • Patent number: 10534887
    Abstract: A method including creating a plurality of component groups in a circuit layout coupling multiple components in each component group of the plurality of component groups with a power rail, a ground rail, or a bulk, is provided. The method includes creating internal clusters based on a group cost and including the group cost in an overall cost function, forming a gap between two component groups of the plurality of component groups, and filling the gap with a first gap cell adjacent to a first power rail and to a first ground rail, and a second gap cell adjacent to the first gap cell. A system and a non-transitory, machine readable medium storing instructions to perform the above method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Sravasti Nair, Subhashis Mandal, Chandra Prakash Manglani, Nikhil Garg, Preeti Kapoor, Kanaka Raju Gorle
  • Patent number: 10474214
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the power storage capability of a secondary power source of a data storage device is provided. A capacitor is used as a secondary power source. A charging path and a discharging path are selectively generated for the capacitor. After being charged through the charging path, the capacitor is then discharged through the discharging path while the charging path is disconnected from the capacitor. Then, the capacitor is checked to determine whether its voltage level has dropped below a threshold level and thereby an evaluation result obtained from evaluating the capacitor is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SHANNON SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventor: Xiawei Ye
  • Patent number: 10433396
    Abstract: A portable electrical device, such as an electrical lighting device, comprises a charging channel configured for directing electrical power from the electrical device to a separate electrical device connected via the charging channel (e.g., a charging port). While the charging port is unused, the electrical device generates outputs (e.g., lighting outputs) at a first output power level (e.g., a first brightness). The electrical device also comprises an onboard controller configured to monitor the charging channel, and upon detecting an electrical device connected via the charging channel, the onboard controller decreases the output power to a second output power level (e.g., a second brightness) to conserve power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Energizer Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Brandon, II, Stephen E. Osmialowski, Liu Jing
  • Patent number: 10432080
    Abstract: A driving device of a semiconductor device includes a plurality of protection factor detection units, an identification signal generation unit, a continuation signal generation unit, a signal selection unit, and an alarm signal output unit. The protection factor detection units detect an occurrence of a protection factor. The protection factor requires a protection operation of a semiconductor device. The protection factor detection units output a protection factor generation signal. When any protection factor detection units output the protection factor generation signal, the identification signal generation unit generates a protection factor identification signal. The continuation signal generation unit generates a protection factor continuation signal while the protection factor detection unit outputs the protection factor generation signal. The signal selection unit selects the protection factor identification signal and the protection factor continuation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenshi Terashima
  • Patent number: 10418063
    Abstract: A data storage library system includes at least one data storage library comprising at least one library frame and at least one environmental conditioning unit, the at least one environmental conditioning unit configured to control one or more environmental conditions within the at least one library frame. The system further includes at least one access door for providing access to an interior portion of the data storage library, a library controller, and at least one warning indicator associated with the data storage library and in electronic communication with the library controller. The at least one warning indicator is configured to provide an indication to an operator when the conditions within the data storage library are such that the at least one access door may be opened and when the conditions within the data storage library are such that the access door should not be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ernest S. Gale, Icko E. T. Iben, Leonard G. Jesionowski, James M. Karp, Michael P. McIntosh, Shawn M. Nave, Lee C. Randall
  • Patent number: 10416126
    Abstract: A “periodic signal parameter” (PSP) indicates periodic patterns in an autocorrelated vibration waveform and potential faults in a monitored machine. The PSP is calculated based on statistical measures derived from an autocorrelation waveform and characteristics of an associated vibration waveform. The PSP provides an indication of periodicity and a generalization of potential fault, whereas characteristics of the associated waveform indicate severity. A “periodic information plot” (PIP) is derived from a vibration signal processed using two analysis techniques to produce two X-Y graphs of the signal data that share a common X-axis. The PIP is created by correlating the Y-values on the two graphs based on the corresponding X-value. The amplitudes of Y-values in the PIP is derived from the two source graphs by multiplication, taking a ratio, averaging, or keeping the maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Computational Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stewart V. Bowers, III, Robert D. Skeirik
  • Patent number: 10411697
    Abstract: A voltage detection circuit is disclosed. The voltage detection circuit includes a threshold voltage detection circuit, a current leakage compensation circuit and a low voltage detection circuit. The threshold voltage detection circuit detects the voltage of a power source and determines whether the voltage is dropped over a threshold voltage, so as to wake up the low voltage detection circuit. The current leakage compensation circuit determines whether a voltage difference between the first voltage and the second voltage exceeds a preset value, so as to generate a trigger signal to activate the low voltage detection circuit. As a result, the voltage detection circuit can have high efficiency and low power consumption, and can detect the voltage drop more accurately in environment with current leakage, temperature variation, or process variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Po-Sheng Chen, Yeh-Tai Hung
  • Patent number: 10395171
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for providing event-processing rules in an event-processing environment. The method includes providing at least one generalised event-processing rule to a customer, receiving customer input of rule customization to produce a customized rule, and storing the customized rule in Polish notation for processing using stack-based processing. The method also includes receiving notification of an event for a customer, retrieving a customized rule relating to the customer, and processing the customized rule using stack-based processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Bittles, Jonathan P. Bond, David Granshaw, Daniel J. McGinnes
  • Patent number: 10389301
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a reconfigurable multicore inductor capacitor (LC) oscillator comprising a plurality of oscillator cores. The oscillator may be configured at run-time, at manufacturing, or at production, which may allow for the tailoring of operating characteristics of the oscillator, such as phase noise, electromagnetic interference, or power consumption, for a specific application after production. The cores are coupled through an interconnect network to a common electrical signal output. A subset of the cores may be selectively enabled while the remainder of the cores is disabled. The ability to enable only a subset of the cores allows the total number of enabled cores to be reconfigurable. Furthermore, the direction in which oscillation current flows through the inductor of the cores may be configured. Reconfiguring the number of enabled cores and/or the oscillation current direction in the cores allow operating characteristics of the oscillator to be tailored after production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSEMI SOLUTIONS (U.S.), INC.
    Inventors: Hormoz Djahanshahi, Srinivasa Rao Madala
  • Patent number: 10374593
    Abstract: A signal indicating temperature of an IGBT chip, after input into an overheat detection terminal, is simultaneously input into a first comparator for protection operation and a second comparator for precaution. At a normal time when the chip temperature is low, a first transistor connected to an alarm signal output terminal via a resistor and a second transistor connected to the alarm signal output terminal via a Zener diode are turned off, and the alarm signal output terminal whose voltage is pulled up by an external pull-up circuit is set to high level voltage. When the second comparator detects a precaution condition, the second transistor is turned on, and the alarm signal output terminal is set to intermediate level voltage. When the first comparator detects chip overheat, the first transistor is turned on, and the alarm signal output terminal is set to low level voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Taoka
  • Patent number: 10360776
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to security systems and, more particularly, to a power and/or alarming security system for electrical appliances. In an example embodiment, an apparatus comprises a socket and a circuit. The socket can be configured for detachable electrical connection with an electrical appliance. The circuit can be configured to (1) provide power to a connected electrical appliance through the socket, and (2) calibrate an alarm limit for a security function for the socket based on a plurality of electrical characteristics of the connected electrical appliance that are measured via the socket, wherein the electrical characteristics comprise an admittance characteristic and a current draw characteristic of the connected electrical appliance. Furthermore, the circuit can calibrate the alarm limit for the socket according to a plurality of calibration phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: MOBILE TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Steven R. Payne, Kenneth A. Boehlke, Kimberly Porter Miyake, Wade Carter Wheeler
  • Patent number: 10355487
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes power generators configured to generate power utilizing sunlight, inverters configured to convert the power generated by the power generators into alternating-current power output to a power system, a first limiter configured to limit output power of the inverters not more than a predetermined capacity, a second limiter configured to limit output power of at least one of the inverters to a level exceeding the predetermined capacity limited by the first limiter, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and an inverter controller configured to control the output power of the inverters, based on the first limiter or the second limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Terazono, Naoki Fujiwara, Yoshio Tsuji, Shuji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10324495
    Abstract: A base of tablet computer includes a housing, a moving member, and an interface assembly. The housing has a trench, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall connected to the first sidewall. The first sidewall forms a portion of the trench and has a first opening. The second sidewall forms another portion of the trench and has a second opening. The moving member is configured to move relative to the housing to selectively enter or exit the trench via the first opening. The interface assembly protrudes to a side of the second sidewall adjacent to the trench via the second opening, and is configured to rotate relative to the second opening based on an axis. The interface assembly is operatively connected to the moving member, so as to be rotated by the moving member while the moving member is moved relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Jui-Yuan Lee, I-Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 10284285
    Abstract: An autonomous anonymity system includes a universal access transceiver. The universal access transceiver is designed and arranged to selectively provide a notification when autonomous aircraft operation is authorized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: FREEFLIGHT ACQUISITION CORPORATION
    Inventors: John DeBusk, William Luetkemeyer
  • Patent number: 10247763
    Abstract: A voltage detecting glove comprises a glove liner and an outer glove shell. A conductive antenna is disposed inside the outer glove shell but separated from the glove liner by a buffer. The antenna is connected to electronic circuitry configured to sense a voltage indicative of the proximity of the antenna to an AC electric field resulting from energized AC source, and to activate an alarm if the strength of the field exceeds a preselected threshold limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Wei Wu, Gregory Scott Blackman, Jeffrey Scott Meth, Kimberly K. Hockman
  • Patent number: 10203666
    Abstract: A cell controller includes an inside information acquiring unit for acquiring the inside information of the plurality of manufacturing machines, and an inside information comparing unit which compares, with regard to a first manufacturing machine and a second manufacturing machine, which are selected by the comparison object selecting unit, first inside information and second inside information, which are acquired, and the inside information comparing unit extracting a difference therebetween. The cell controller also includes an abnormality cause finding unit for finding a cause of an abnormality that occurs in the first manufacturing machine or the second manufacturing machine, based on the difference, and an abnormality cause conveying unit for conveying the cause of the abnormality to the outside of the cell controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Takahashi, Toshimichi Aoki
  • Patent number: 10181725
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating at least one distributed energy resource comprising a refrigeration system (1) with a number of cooling entities, wherein a power consumption information is communicated to a smart-grid setup (SG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: DANFOSS A/S
    Inventor: Torben Green
  • Patent number: 10182484
    Abstract: A technique for determining when to replace protection circuitry in electronic devices, such as lighting fixtures, is provided. Protection circuitry is provided between AC supply rails and in front of circuitry to be protected. A protection circuit sensor is located and configured to measure a characteristic of the protection circuitry and provide a corresponding sensor output. Control circuitry will monitor the sensor output of the protection circuit sensor on a continuous, periodic, or aperiodic basis. Next, the control circuitry will determine at least one metric indicative of an extent of damage inflicted on the protection circuitry 30 based on the sensor output. Based on the at least one metric, the control circuitry will determine when the at least one metric exceeds a threshold indicative of a need to replace the protection circuitry while the protection circuitry remains operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerry Farrel Thornton, Xin Jiang
  • Patent number: 10164357
    Abstract: A connecting terminal in a power distribution unit includes a connecting plate and a first wire joint. The connecting plate includes first and second ends. The first end defines a first locking hole. The first wire joint is configured to be connected to an end of a wire, the connecting terminal is connected a power interface of an external device through the first locking hole. The power distributing unit having the connecting terminal is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Cloud Network Technology Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Peng Wang, Gi-Lung Lin
  • Patent number: 10148018
    Abstract: A power distributing socket in a power distributing unit includes an insulating chassis and a circuit unit embedded in the insulating chassis. The circuit unit includes an input end and an output end, each end is connected to a locking terminal. Each of the locking terminals defines a first locking hole. The power distributing unit is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Cloud Network Technology Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Peng Wang
  • Patent number: 10101144
    Abstract: A method for detecting a spacing defect between two adjacent strands of a layer of a fiber fabric includes positioning of the fiber fabric on a metal plate, the fiber fabric covered by an air-tight casing, removing air from between the metal plate and the casing, displacing an inductive sensor relative to the fiber fabric and identifying a defect based on a signal generated by the inductive sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Denis De Mattia, Christian Vivier
  • Patent number: 10088348
    Abstract: An ultrasonic gas flow meter based on FPGA and DSP consists of ultrasonic gas transducers and sensor components, transmitting/receiving signal channel switch circuits, a driving signal generation and amplification circuit, an echo signal conditioning and collection circuit, a time sequential controlling and signal processing circuit, a man-machine interface, a serial communication module and a power management module, propagation time of ultrasonic echo waves is calculated by adopting a variable ratio threshold and zero-crossing detection method of tracking maximum peak of the echo signal to obtain gas flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: HEFEI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kejun Xu, Min Fang, Wei Wang, Wenjiao Zhu, Ziwen Shen
  • Patent number: 10061736
    Abstract: Embodiments described are generally directed to a mass storage unit possessing a plurality of non-volatile data storage devices each possessing non-transitory mass storage memory hardware, a drive message router possessing with a plurality of different light sequence instructions retained therein, a motherboard that is connected to each of the non-volatile data storage devices and the drive message router via a bus that is adapted to transfer data via a data storage protocol arranged for mass data storage, a bezel electrically connected to the drive message router via an electrical cable that is adapted to transfer signals in a non-data storage protocol, a plurality of lights visibly disposed on the bezel. The drive message router is adapted to receive a data packet in the data storage protocol from the motherboard via the bus. Once received, an execution instruction is extracted from the message to carry out a subset of the light sequence instructions in a particular order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Spectra Logic, Corp
    Inventors: David John Fatzer, Matthew John Ninesling, Matthew Thomas Starr
  • Patent number: 10055007
    Abstract: Methods and systems for conserving reserve energy for a communication module for a vehicle are provided. The occurrence of an event is detected. The communication module is placed in a first mode upon the detection of the event. The communication module is placed in a second mode after the communication module has been in the first mode for a predetermined amount of time. The first mode comprises an energy reserve conservation mode that uses less energy than the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Carlos S. Jabbour
  • Patent number: 10026445
    Abstract: A data storage library system includes at least one data storage library comprising at least one library frame and at least one environmental conditioning unit, the at least one environmental conditioning unit configured to control one or more environmental conditions within the at least one library frame. The system further includes at least one access door for providing access to an interior portion of the data storage library, a library controller, and at least one warning indicator associated with the data storage library and in electronic communication with the library controller. The at least one warning indicator is configured to provide an indication to an operator when the conditions within the data storage library are such that the at least one access door may be opened and when the conditions within the data storage library are such that the access door should not be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ernest S. Gale, Icko E. T. Iben, Leonard G. Jesionowski, James M. Karp, Michael P. McIntosh, Shawn M. Nave, Lee C. Randall
  • Patent number: 9995382
    Abstract: A method for determining timing of oil filling for a ball screw can determine whether the oil film in a specific time period is sufficient, falling or insufficient, and then know the optimum timing of oil filling, by comparing the sum of the slope values within respective time periods with a predetermined value. The method is further capable of determining the timing of oil filling even when the rotation speed of the ball screw changes. The method includes a step of signal acquisition, a step of converting signal, a step of defining and saving eigenvalues, a step of calculating eigenvalues, and a step of determining oil filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HIWIN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Wei-Ying Chu, Hsiao-Ting Wen, Yih-Chyun Hwang
  • Patent number: 9986622
    Abstract: Provided is a lighting apparatus and a method for controlling the same using a mobile device. A lighting system may include a mobile terminal, a hub configured to communicate with the mobile terminal, and an LED lamp configured to communicate with the hub. The mobile terminal may be configured to display an image captured or focused using a camera at the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal may transfer to the hub information corresponding to a selection of a region of the image. The hub may provide a wireless signal corresponding to the information received from the mobile terminal for changing a color of light emitted by the LED lamp. The LED lamp may be controlled based on the ZigBee communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Youjoo Min, Jooyeon Kim, Jisun Lee, Jisook Lee, Grami Ryu, Moonsung Kim, Jeonghwa Yang, Jongsun Jeon
  • Patent number: 9960936
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes a connector that couples a signal path to a receiver, an equalizer that performs an equalization operation on received signals to be input to the receiver via the connector, a controller that calculates a coefficient controlling an operation of the equalizer and sets the coefficient in the equalizer, and a detector that detects a mating fault of the signal path in the connector in response to the coefficient configured by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Manabu Shibata
  • Patent number: 9958622
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving light from a light generating device at a port of a network device, the port comprising a port optical element positioned within a path of the light, receiving a cable assembly comprising a plug at the port, the plug comprising a plug optical element positioned for alignment with the port optical element when the cable assembly is coupled with the port, and processing the light at the port optical element and the plug optical element. The processed light is emitted from a portion of the plug extending from the port when the cable assembly is coupled with the port to provide a visual indication of compatibility between the cable assembly and the port. An apparatus is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Robert Gregory Twiss, Charles Calvin Byers, Chad M. Jones
  • Patent number: 9940801
    Abstract: Examples are directed towards providing a set of hub devices for providing per-room monitoring of an area associated with a structure. A set of hub devices monitors movements of a user through the monitored area to generate user traffic data. A dynamic map of the monitored area is generated based on the user traffic data. The set of hub devices detects sounds occurring within the monitored area. The detected sounds are identified. Some of the detected sounds are amplified and replayed on speaker(s) within the monitored area. Notifications of some detected sounds are provided to user device(s) to notify at least one user of the occurrence of the detected sounds. If a detected sound indicates a safety issue, a safe route leading from a current location of the user to a different potentially safer location is generated and provided to the user to facilitate an evacuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Benjamin Phillips
  • Patent number: 9880214
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detection and adaption to an end-of-line resistor in a notification appliance circuit (NAC) of a control panel or power booster of, for example, an alarm system, and for ground fault localization in the alarm system are provided. The apparatus can include the NAC where the NAC includes first and second analog input terminals, where the NAC includes first and second external output terminals, and where the NAC includes an end-of-line resistor. Current can be driven through the NAC via the first and second analog input terminals, and voltage can be measured at each of the first and second external output terminals. The measured voltage can be indicative of one of a value of the end-of-line resistor or that a state of the NAC is one of open, shorted, ground faulted, or normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Donald M. Boettger
  • Patent number: 9875168
    Abstract: In an approach to automatic connection detection in an environment, the environment including a first device and a switching device, a first port on the first device being connected to a second port on the switching device, automatic connection detection occurs by associating a fifth port on the switching device to the second port. In response to detecting an identifier of a sixth port on a third device at the first port on the first device, it's determined that the sixth port on the third device is connected to the fifth port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chang W. Chen, Jin Yan Huang
  • Patent number: 9862239
    Abstract: An antenna driving device includes an antenna driving circuit arranged to generate driving current of a transmission antenna, a power supply circuit arranged to generate an output voltage from an input voltage so as to supply the output voltage to the antenna driving circuit, and a logic circuit arranged to control the antenna driving circuit and the power supply circuit. The power supply circuit has a function of temporarily disabling current feedback control so as to perform voltage feedback control using a reference value just before halting the drive of the transmission antenna when the power supply circuit restarts to drive the transmission antenna, or has a function of performing variable control of a reference value for current feedback control in accordance with a rising edge of the driving current when the power supply circuit restarts to drive the transmission antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Takahashi, Masaki Omi, Muga Imamura, Yohei Okuno
  • Patent number: 9857411
    Abstract: An electronic device including a printed circuit board has a degradation detection circuit that detects degradation of the printed circuit board at a plurality of different degradation levels, and a warning output unit that outputs a warning in accordance with the degradation level detected by the degradation detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunari Aoyama, Kunitaka Komaki, Yasumichi Sakoda
  • Patent number: 9839104
    Abstract: An electric fence control unit includes a signal generator, a first signal receiver, a second signal receiver, a signal processing and control unit, and a communications interface. The signal generator generates and transmits an adjustable power signal along a conduction path of the electric fence. The signal receivers sample signal outputs at a driven end and at an open end of the fence line. The signal processing and control unit receives and analyzes the first signal output and the second signal output. The communications interface transmits results from processing the first signal output and the second signal output to a service center. The power signal is adjustable to any capacity power level between a maximum power level and a minimum power level to match a load of the electric fence. Methods of monitoring the electric fence, including adjusting a power level of the adjustable power signal, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRIC GUARD DOG, LLC
    Inventors: Jack DeMao, Steve Batti, Michael Baxter, Mark Roberts
  • Patent number: 9831667
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a load control system in which a power cable of a DC or AC is used for on/off control and dimming of connected load devices without adding significant hardware structure. The control is achieved through a change in the DC or AC bus voltage. A grid controller can perform on/off control and dimming for an entire group of connected load devices by changing the bus voltage. Connected load devices that do understand or want to make use of this feature will be unaffected. In order to reduce the effects of voltage drop, a calibration procedure is provided. The calibration procedure first triggers the connected load devices into a calibration mode and then initiates a number of predefined output level commands that allow the load devices to build an individual correction for the undesired voltage drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Lennart Yseboodt, Matthias Wendt, Ulrich Boeke
  • Patent number: 9817461
    Abstract: An abnormality display device for an electronic apparatus includes power source circuits (1) each being used inside systems of the electronic apparatus and generating each of system voltages, a voltage monitoring circuit (2) that turns on an input power source of the electronic apparatus and detects whether each system voltage normally rises up before the electronic apparatus rises, display elements (6b to 6d) that show whether an abnormality occurs in any of the system voltages through input of a signal from the voltage monitoring circuit (2), and switching elements (5a to 5c) in which a switching signal is input after each system voltage rises. The switching signal switches the display elements from a display mode used to show the abnormality of each system voltage to a display mode other than the display mode used to show the abnormality of each system voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori Ohida, Shimpei Sonoda
  • Patent number: 9791422
    Abstract: A “periodic signal parameter” (PSP) indicates periodic patterns in an autocorrelated vibration waveform and potential faults in a monitored machine. The PSP is calculated based on statistical measures derived from an autocorrelation waveform and characteristics of an associated vibration waveform. The PSP provides an indication of periodicity and a generalization of potential fault, whereas characteristics of the associated waveform indicate severity. A “periodic information plot” (PIP) is derived from a vibration signal processed using two analysis techniques to produce two X-Y graphs of the signal data that share a common X-axis. The PIP is created by correlating the Y-values on the two graphs based on the corresponding X-value. The amplitudes of Y-values in the PIP is derived from the two source graphs by multiplication, taking a ratio, averaging, or keeping the maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Computational Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stewart V. Bowers, III, Robert D. Skeirik
  • Patent number: 9792786
    Abstract: A searchable binder which is operationally compatible with a binder management system having a cabinet with shelves or a file cabinet with file drawers for removable storage of searchable binders. Each binder has a body with front and rear covers and a spine. Inside the body is a binder mechanism for removably retaining sheet media. Each binder has a pair of binder contact mechanisms mounted to the spine at opposite ends, a binder identification circuit electrically coupled to the binder contact mechanisms, and a visible indicator. Each binder contact mechanism has a base element and a sliding element. The sliding element can be manually set to a retracted position in which the sliding element is extended a first distance and an extended position in which the sliding element is extended a second greater distance. In the retracted position, the sliding elements can make contact with conductive elements of a binder cabinet when a binder is placed on a shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: MICRODATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shengbo Zhu, Su Shiong Huang
  • Patent number: 9785509
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a device receives a router advertisement message after a power outage event in a network. The device joins the network, in response to receiving the router advertisement message. The device sends a power restoration notification message via the network. The device selectively delays a disconnected node from joining the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Hui, Jean-Philippe Vasseur, Wei Hong
  • Patent number: 9755509
    Abstract: A power supply circuit is configured including a control circuit together with an output circuit including an external circuit component. A switching controller controls a switching transistor and a synchronous rectification transistor each configured as a switching element. A degradation detection circuit monitors a detection signal having a correlation with characteristic degradation of the circuit component, and detects the degree of characteristic degradation of the circuit component. The switching controller is capable of changing its operation according to the degree of characteristic degradation of the circuit component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Maede, Isao Yamamoto, Shinya Karasawa, Shigenobu Shimohagi, Yuichi Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 9756513
    Abstract: A method in a radio access node performs a sleepy cell test which can determine a cell state for a cell served by a radio access node. Fulfilment of a predetermined triggering condition is detected in a radio access node. Following detection of the fulfilled triggering condition, one or more user equipment to be paged is determined. The radio access node initiates a page response timer period and performs paging of the user equipment until there is time out of the timer period or a page response is received from the one or more user equipment. The paging responses received while performing the step of paging the user equipment is assessed. A cell state alert message reflecting the result from the paging is generated and sent to a receiving entity. Related radio access nodes configured to carry out the sleepy cell test and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Pontus Sandberg, Peter Östrup
  • Patent number: 9749342
    Abstract: An authentication procedure utilizes multiple independent sources of data to determine whether usage of a device, such as a desktop computer, is authorized. When a comparison indicates an anomaly from the base-line usage data, the system, provides a notice that access of the first device is not authorized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Frederick J. Krage, Paul A. Westmeyer, Russell F. Wertenberg, Jack F. Riegel
  • Patent number: 9729251
    Abstract: Power distribution modules in distributed antenna systems include fan monitoring circuits for indicating an alarm condition to head-end equipment. The alarm condition can be used by system operator/owners that a fan is drawing excessive power, thereby detracting from system performance, or indicating that the fan may fail. The alarm condition signal can be returned to the head-end equipment via an uplink communication path between a remote unit powered by the module and the head-end equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Terry Dean Cox, Ami Hazani
  • Patent number: 9720044
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter apparatus for plug-in connection to a panel board. The circuit interrupter apparatus includes a line terminal for plug-in connection with a line power member provided as part of the panel board, a load terminal for plug-in connection with a load power member provided as part of the panel board, a moveable contact moveable between a closed position, where the line terminal is electrically coupled to the load terminal, and an open position, where the line terminal is not electrically coupled to the load terminal. The circuit interrupter apparatus also includes a sensor module for a plug-in connection to a number of signal conductors provided as part of the panel board. The sensor module detects whether the moveable contact is in the closed position or the open position and output a signal to at least one of the signal conductors indicating a current position of the moveable contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: LABINAL, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Wellington Mills, Kevin Francis Hanley, James Michael McCormick
  • Patent number: 9713231
    Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to a networked light switch. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a light switch that, in response to detecting a local input or motion, transmits a communication that causes another light switch to change a state of a light. This disclosure further relates to techniques for detecting an abnormal current draw state of an electrical device such as a lighting device are described; systems including in-wall network devices having a user-facing restore button for restoring some or all of the customizable settings to a factory default state; and techniques for controlling device operations in accordance with scenes or modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Belkin International Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Michael Kelly, Jon Plummer, Ryan Yong Kim, Li-ter Chen