Product Tracking (e.g., Having Product Or Carrier Identification) Patents (Class 700/115)
  • Patent number: 11789430
    Abstract: A method for creating a digital twin for a vehicle assembled on at least one assembly line includes assembly of a modular vehicle subassembly (MVS) in a plurality of MVS assembly zones by assembling at least one component at each MVS assembly zone, scanning the at least one component at each MVS assembly zone and acquiring scanned data, and storing the scanned data in a MVS temporary digital file assigned to the pre-assembled MVS. The method also includes updating a MVS permanently digital file assigned to the pre-assembled MVS after the at least one component at each of the MVS assembly zones has been assembled and storing the MVS permanent digital file when assembly of the MVS is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Galen Keith Thomas, Kerry Lance Paskell
  • Patent number: 11775992
    Abstract: A product obsolescence forecast system includes machine instructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the machine instructions. A processor executes the instructions to receive an identity of a first product and identities of one or more second products similar to the first product, each of the second products having gone obsolete; receive a determinant of obsolescence of one or more of the obsolete second products; generate one or more observations related to the first product by inputting each received determinant to a trained network; and generate a statistical analysis of the one or more observations to provide an expected value of an actual obsolescence date for the first product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Architecture Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Drew Sullivan, Evan Eaves, William Colligan
  • Patent number: 11740604
    Abstract: In a master device (control device) that employs a configuration list, setup change is performed easily without requiring a complicated operation with respect to a partial change in the configuration of a slave-side system on a slave side. A control unit (11) of a control device (10) is configured to perform communication for inquiring about device information to an address in an active configuration list through a communication unit (12), and determine to be abnormal when the result of the communication with respect to a common portion of a slave-side system (20) is different from the device information in the active configuration list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihisa Ouchi
  • Patent number: 11703837
    Abstract: A system for recommending a maximum quantity of work in process, in which one or more processors of a distributed storage device are configured to execute: acquiring at least part of production data stored in the distributed storage device, the production data includes quantity records and cycle time records of a production line in time periods, and the cycle time record of each time period includes a cycle time at each process station of the production line in said each time period; clustering the quantity records to obtain a plurality of initial classifications, each initial classification includes at least one quantity record; determining a portion of the initial classifications as preferred classifications; determining the maximum quantity of work in process at each process station; and a display device is configured to display the maximum quantity of work in process at each process station determined by an analysis device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guoliang Shen, Dong Chai, Haohan Wu, Tian Lan, Weihe Liu
  • Patent number: 11463858
    Abstract: An interactive beverage container includes a beverage container that defines an opening which may be sealed by a closure. The closure may further include circuity that is configured to transmit data to a mobile device. When the closure is in a closed configuration with the closure attached to the opening, the circuitry does not transmit data to the mobile device and when the closure is in an open configuration with the closure removed from the opening, the circuitry transmits data to the mobile device. The data may include nutritional information, marketing materials, videos, track loyalty programs, and/or provide games or contests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Campbell, Bruno Telesca
  • Patent number: 11418336
    Abstract: A system and method for recording, authenticating and verifying transactions of physical items between transacting parties. The system may include memory storing a digital ledger comprising a list of identifiers for a plurality of physical items, each physical item corresponding to a different respective identifier, each identifier being linked in the digital ledger to a public key of an owner of the corresponding physical item, and the list of identifiers and linked public keys being distributed among a plurality of blocks sequentially connected to one another in the digital ledger. The system may also include one or more processors configured to receive a cryptographically signed message including information regarding a transaction of a physical item, including the corresponding identifier of the physical item derived from scanning a label affixed to the physical. The system may verify the message and incorporate the information regarding the transaction into the digital ledger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Colin Bookman, Ryan Krebs
  • Patent number: 11354685
    Abstract: A product obsolescence forecast system includes machine instructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the machine instructions. A processor executes the instructions to receive an identity of a first product and identities of one or more second products similar to the first product, each of the second products having gone obsolete; receive a determinant of obsolescence of one or more of the obsolete second products; generate one or more observations related to the first product by inputting each received determinant to a trained network; and generate a statistical analysis of the one or more observations to provide an expected value of an actual obsolescence date for the first product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Architecture Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Drew Sullivan, Evan Eaves, William Colligan
  • Patent number: 11347675
    Abstract: A system includes a first embedded controller to manage a management interface of a mobile device. A second embedded controller manages a display panel at the system. The first embedded controller receives a first event notification of an insertion of a sled in the system, and determines a pending storage mapping associated with the sled. The first embedded controller displays, at the management interface, information associated with the pending storage mapping associated with the sled. The second embedded controller generates a graphical user interface with information associated with the pending storage mapping associated with the sled. The graphical user interface is updated in response to user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Abella Poblete, Santosh Kumar Bidaralli
  • Patent number: 11137743
    Abstract: The present application concerns a system for tracing a product item (102, 104) on a production line (100) comprising a control unit (10) and a timestamp counter (11), wherein the control unit (10) is configured to receive a product signal related to the product item (102, 104) from at least one peripheral device (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26). According to the invention, the control unit (10) is further configured to carry out the method steps of receiving a plurality of product signals each relating to a product item (102, 104) and a peripheral device (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26), generating a plurality of event signals, wherein each event signal is based on one of the product signals, arranging the event signals in a sequence corresponding to an order in which the product signals were received, and associating a timestamp generated by the timestamp counter (11) with the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: SICPA HOLDING SA
    Inventors: Diego De Carvalho Costa, Nilton Marchetto
  • Patent number: 11061795
    Abstract: Methods and systems include receiving a product attribute that identifies a product. A first component attribute and a second component attribute are received The first component attribute identifies a first component included in the product and the second component attribute identifies a second component included in the product. The methods and systems further includes receiving first manufacturing data associated with the first component and second manufacturing data associated with the second component, applying a set of compatibility rules to the first manufacturing data and the second manufacturing data, determining pairing data from the application of the set of compatibility rules to the first manufacturing data and the second manufacturing data, applying a set of pairing rules to the pairing data, determining one or more actions from the application of the set of pairing rules to the pairing data, and performing the one or more actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: OPTIMAL PLUS LTD.
    Inventors: Shaul Teplinsky, Bruce Alan Phillips, Michael Schuldenfrei, Dan Sebban
  • Patent number: 11042148
    Abstract: In the disclosure, a scheduled route of a lot may be rescheduled to another fabrication tool performing the same fabrication processes as to expand the production line and throughput. The controlling method includes at least the following steps. The lot is scheduled with a predetermined route having a plurality of fabrication tools configured to process the lot with a plurality of fabrication processes in a sequence. The lot is monitored as the lot is being processed by the fabrication tools in each of the fabrication processes, and inspection data is generated for each fabrication process. The lot is rescheduled to another fabrication tool outside of the predetermined route for one of the fabrication processes according to a release rule and the inspection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Lin-Kai Huang, Wei-Chi Su, Yi-Ching Liu, Cheng-Hsuan Liu
  • Patent number: 11023696
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for detecting object location and generating alerts are disclosed herein. An example disclosed method includes determining an assigned area for an object being handled by a loader; detecting a first location of the loader; determining whether the first location corresponds to the assigned area for the object; and in response to the first location not corresponding to the assigned area for the object, generating a first output indicative of a difference between the first location and the assigned area for the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sunalini Sankhavaram, Christopher Wuest, Guy Solimine, Nicholas J. Ford, Vinh-Phuong T. Le, Edward W. Geiger, Yu Wan, Mahender R. Vangati, David Tan Nguyen, Sudhakar Reddy
  • Patent number: 10996959
    Abstract: A hybrid computer that comprises a sequential processor, a single instruction massively parallel (SIMD) processor, and shared memory module that is shared between the sequential processor and the SIMD processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: TECHNION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LTD.
    Inventors: Amir Morad, Leonid Yavits, Shahar Kvatinsky, Ran Ginosar
  • Patent number: 10977727
    Abstract: A hosted web-accessible system, computer program and methods are provided for generating comprehensive vehicle trim and detailed equipment information for clients, including providing comparative estimation based on underlying information regarding a particular vehicle. Comprehensive original vehicle data is obtained from vehicle manufacturers via a vehicle source interface, the data including a unique vehicle identifier for each of one or more vehicles associated with the respective source. A vehicle information request with a vehicle identifier is received from a client, and comprehensive original vehicle data is identified based on the unique identifier and the identifier from the client request. A client response interface displays vehicle data from the identified set of comprehensive original vehicle data. Vehicle valuation may be obtained from third party evaluators according to the vehicle request and based on the original vehicle data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Auto I.D., Inc.
    Inventor: Sean C. Smith
  • Patent number: 10929970
    Abstract: A component mounting system includes a component mounter, and a server. The component mounter includes a component information recognizer, and a data output unit. The component information recognizer recognizes component information by imaging a character of the component information printed on a surface of a component. The data output unit outputs the component information together with board information to the server, the component information being recognized by the component information recognizer, the board information being information of a board on which the component is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Nakamura, Syoichi Nishi, Noboru Higashi
  • Patent number: 10891453
    Abstract: A method of examining the product inspection is provided, which includes the following steps. Perform an inspection step multiple times to obtain the inspection data of the products, and record the inspection data in the product items in the database. The first party selects a plurality of product items from the product items in the database through the first electronic device. The data management system generates a check code corresponding to the check items, and generates a notification message. After the second party responds to the notification message through the second electronic device, the data management system determines whether the inspection data of each of the check items satisfies the corresponding check condition, and transfers the check items satisfying the check condition to the second electronic device. Thereby, it would be more convenient to examine the product inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventor: Rong-Der Hong
  • Patent number: 10871767
    Abstract: A production control system includes a plurality of processing machines configured to successively process a plurality of workpieces conveyed on a production line, and a system server connected to the plurality of processing machines, in which the system server acquires an operating status associated with a time from each of the plurality of processing machines, associates the acquired operating statuses with the plurality of workpieces successively arriving at the processing machines, and thereby identifies each of the plurality of workpieces conveyed on the production line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yohei Sano
  • Patent number: 10863052
    Abstract: A system of identifying end-user processes in a print environment receives job data corresponding to jobs that have been processed by one or more print devices in a print environment over a time period, and identifies a plurality of processing operations initiated by a user during the time period. The system determines whether the plurality of processing operations comprise a scan processing operation that was performed after a print processing operation and within a second time period from performance of the print processing operation. In response to determining that the plurality of processing operations comprise a scan processing operation initiated by the user that was performed within the second time period from a print processing operation, the system generates a digital representation of an end user process that includes the first processing operation and the second processing operation, and presents a visual representation of the end user process for validation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Fritz Francis Ebner
  • Patent number: 10796305
    Abstract: A computer system monitors a private network for presence of data traffic. In one embodiment, the private network is a retail environment in which a customer purchases an item scanned at a point-of-sale terminal. The data traffic can be point-of-sale transaction information generated in response to purchase of the item at the point-of-sale terminal. Subsequent to detecting presence of the data traffic in the network, the computer system analyzes the data traffic to identify private information in the data traffic. To protect the private information from improper disclosure to unauthorized entities, the computer system modifies the data traffic. Thus, techniques herein can include detecting occurrence of one or more point-of-sale events in a private network, anonymizing the event information (e.g., data traffic), and forwarding the anonymized event information associated with the point-of-sale events out of the private network to a remote resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Farrow, Malay Kundu, Joshua Migdal, Vikram Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 10692323
    Abstract: An apparatus may receive data. The data may include first data and second data. The first data may be received from a set of sensor devices located within one or more dispensing devices. The second data may be received from one or more devices located external to the one or more dispensing devices. The apparatus may process the data to generate a model. The apparatus may receive sensor data. The apparatus may determine a response action associated with the particular dispensing device based on the sensor data and the model. The apparatus may provide information associated with causing the response action to be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Accenture Global Solutions Limited
    Inventors: Giorgio Torresani, Jeffrey Scott Sawyer, Puneet Sawhney, Austin S. Groves, Drashti Sunit Patel
  • Patent number: 10651659
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques for reducing human exposure to wireless energy in wireless power delivery environments. In some embodiments, a wireless power reception apparatus configured to receive wireless power from a wireless charging system in a wireless power delivery environment is disclosed. The wireless power reception apparatus includes a control system and an antenna array. In some embodiments, the control system is configured to dynamically adjust transmission and reception radiation patterns of the antenna array to reduce human exposure to wireless radio frequency (RF) energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Ossia Inc.
    Inventors: Hatem Ibrahim Zeine, Siamak Ebadi, Alireza Pourghorban Saghati, Anas Alfarra, Douglas Williams
  • Patent number: 10565352
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for managing healthcare environments are provided. In embodiments, a real-time status of a clinical device, along with a location, is received. The location of the clinical device is obtained via a clinical device identifier that is tracked by a plurality of sensors in a healthcare environment. A clinical device may be identified as inappropriate for use and an alert presented to a clinician including the problem of the clinical device and the location thereof. A replacement clinical device may be located, using clinical identifiers, and presented to the clinician. Such monitoring and location awareness facilitates efficient responses to healthcare situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Eaton, Jr., David L. Compton, Justin Nelson, Paul Cannon, Mark Nolte
  • Patent number: 10520649
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image-capturing apparatus and methods, a recording medium, a program and a display device that allows for the displaying of enhanced integral images. In particular, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and methods, a recording medium, a program and a display device and a display method which provide images of an object having enhanced three-dimensional resolution while allowing various viewpoints of the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventors: Keith Lubell, M. Henry Jones, Thomas Eilbacher, Paul Eilbacher, David McCormack
  • Patent number: 10390201
    Abstract: An interactive beverage container includes a beverage container that defines an opening which may be sealed by a closure. The closure may further include circuitry that is configured to transmit data to a mobile device. When the closure is in a closed configuration with the closure attached to the opening, the circuitry does not transmit data to the mobile device and when the closure is in an open configuration with the closure removed from the opening, the circuitry transmits data to the mobile device. The data may include nutritional information, marketing materials, videos, track loyalty programs, and/or provide games or contests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Campbell, Bruno Telesca
  • Patent number: 10367968
    Abstract: A system of identifying end-user processes in a print environment receives job data corresponding to jobs that have been processed by one or more print devices in a print environment over a time period, and identifies a plurality of processing operations initiated by a user during the time period. The system determines whether the plurality of processing operations comprise a scan processing operation that was performed after a print processing operation and within a second time period from performance of the print processing operation. In response to determining that the plurality of processing operations comprise a scan processing operation initiated by the user that was performed within the second time period from a print processing operation, the system generates a digital representation of an end user process that includes the first processing operation and the second processing operation, and presents a visual representation of the end user process for validation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Fritz Francis Ebner
  • Patent number: 10181730
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques for reducing human exposure to wireless energy in wireless power delivery environments. In some embodiments, a wireless power reception apparatus configured to receive wireless power from a wireless charging system in a wireless power delivery environment is disclosed. The wireless power reception apparatus includes a control system and an antenna array. In some embodiments, the control system is configured to dynamically adjust transmission and reception radiation patterns of the antenna array to reduce human exposure to wireless radio frequency (RF) energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ossia Inc.
    Inventors: Hatem Ibrahim Zeine, Siamak Ebadi, Alireza Pourghorban Saghati, Anas Alfarra, Douglas Williams
  • Patent number: 10026632
    Abstract: A system for processing a wafer may use a wafer identification (ID) assigned by a wafer manufacturing company as an ID code of the wafer in managing the wafer by a semiconductor manufacturing company.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hoon Shin, Heyun Su Jang, Chang Ho Lee, Hee Young Shin, Eun Jin Jung
  • Patent number: 9979095
    Abstract: According to certain inventive techniques, a system includes a plurality of shelves in an interior chamber of a cold-storage apparatus, an RFID antenna assembly in the cold-storage apparatus, and a controller. Each of the shelves can support items that are connected a corresponding RFID tag. The RFID antenna assembly includes a plurality of RFID antenna elements that direct a transmission of radio frequenc(ies) towards the plurality of shelves. The controller is in communication with the RFID antenna assembly and can individually and separately control each of the RFID antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: PROMEGA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Sehmer, Brian George, Joe Pleshek, Travis Phillips
  • Patent number: 9921570
    Abstract: To provide a technique capable of making a schedule with good time efficiency in schedule making for the transport of substrates. A schedule making device makes a judgment as to whether a batch carrying-out procedure can complete the transport earlier than a sequential carrying-out procedure or not, and selectively employs these procedures in accordance with a result of the judgment. The sequential carrying-out procedure is a procedure in which substrates are transported to a predetermined transport destination in chronological order of the times at which the transport process can start, and the batch carrying-out procedure is a procedure in which a substrate the transport process of which can start is not transported until a time at which the transport process of a succeeding substrate can start, and the substrates are transported together to a transport destination at the time when the transport process of the succeeding substrate can start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Hirato
  • Patent number: 9796496
    Abstract: An apparatus for packaging dosed quantities of solid drug portions includes multiple storage containers and dosing elements for storing and dispensing first dosed quantities of drug portions, multiple moving collecting containers for collecting and outputting drug portions to a packaging station, and fall tubes for guiding the drug portions dispensed by the dosing elements to the collecting containers. An ancillary dosing station has multiple buffer receptacles for storing and delivering second dosed quantities of drug portions to the collecting containers. A conveyor moves the collecting containers between multiple locations along a predetermined path. A controller controls closure members of the buffer receptacles depending on the positions of the moving collecting containers so that drug portions temporarily held in the buffer receptacles are output to selected collecting containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: BD Switzerland Sàrl
    Inventors: John Van De Koot, Eddy R. Lokkers
  • Patent number: 9727762
    Abstract: A wireless communication module includes an antenna on a first conductive wall among the conductive walls enclosing a closed space; a tag reader connected with the antenna to read an RFID tag in the closed space; and a reflective part having a thin film or plate shape between the first and second conductive walls facing each other. The reflective part partitions the closed space into first and second spaces. The antenna radiates a radio wave that is reflected by the reflective part to become a first reflected wave in the first space. The radio wave also transmits through the reflective part, reflected by the second conductive wall, and transmits through the reflective part to become a second reflected wave in the first space. The position of the reflective part is determined so that the first and second reflected waves are canceled by each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ashida, Yoji Ohashi
  • Patent number: 9696343
    Abstract: An asset management system comprising an asset management server connected to a plurality of distributed HF sensitive measurement devices each having at least one inseparable asset tag being located outside a high frequency shield which shields an internal circuitry of the measurement device from external high frequency signals and being configured to provide asset data of the respective measurement device to be processed by the asset management server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Harald Ripp, Hans-Joachim Mann, Michael Winkler
  • Patent number: 9495273
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying blade chassis data are provided. One system includes a memory for storing computer code comprising a blade chassis information module and a processor capable of being in communication with a blade chassis. The processor, when executing the computer code comprising the blade chassis information module, is configured to receive the blade chassis data, create a user interface for the blade chassis data, and display the blade chassis data on the user interface. One method includes receiving blade chassis data, creating a user interface for the blade chassis data, and displaying the blade chassis data on the user interface. Also provided are physical computer storage mediums including a computer program product for performing the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD
    Inventors: Todd M. Eischeid, Mary S. Johnson, Mark E. Molander, Ryan P. Randolph, Devon D. Snyder
  • Patent number: 9459469
    Abstract: The present invention will provide a vision correction device which makes use of wireless transmissions and/or wireless charging to transfer data between the vision correction device and an external device. More specifically, the present invention will incorporate radio frequency technology onto a contact lens, including passive and active embodiments, and may further include wireless charging capability. This is accomplished by positioning an extremely small RF device onto a contact lens, along with an antenna and/or battery, and using a fluid medium to enhance the signal to and from an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventors: David T. Markus, Michael C. Hayes
  • Patent number: 9448841
    Abstract: A resource management node includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes computer readable program code that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform operations. The operations can include identifying an unproductive group of guest virtual machines (VMs) that satisfy a defined rule for being unproductive on an first group of physical host machines based on infrastructure of a distributed computing system used by the first group of the physical host machines to host the guest VMs. A relocation scenario is generated for relocating the unproductive group of the guest VMs from the first group of the physical host machines to a second group of the physical host machines. An effect of the relocation scenario on infrastructure usage of the distributed computing system is estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: CA, Inc.
    Inventors: Lara Virginia Greden, Peter James Gilbert, James B. Mercer, Richard John Wcislicki Lankester, Dhesikan Ananchaperumal, John Wiley Ashby, Jr., Salvatore Pilo, Francois Marie Bruno Cattoen, Paul David Peterson
  • Patent number: 9367788
    Abstract: Arrangement for connecting set values concerning performance relating to an electronics device to the electronics device, more particularly to a power electronics device, such as a frequency converter, which arrangement includes a rating plate part. The rating plate part is a separate unit belonging to the nameplate arrangement of the electronics device, which unit may be affixed to the electronics device. The rating plate part includes a memory member, in which values concerning the performance of the device are recorded. The rating plate part further includes an area in which information corresponding to the information recorded in the memory member is printed and which area remains visible when the rating plate part is affixed to the electronics device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: VACON OYJ
    Inventor: Janne Kuivalainen
  • Patent number: 9058567
    Abstract: One aspect related to design of systems and methods for manufacturing products that include technology in skilled areas is configuring a production station for use by an operator without specialized skills. The present invention contemplates an approach to designing a station configurable to perform one or more of incoming inspection, assembly, testing, and branding. A preferred approach includes verifying data associated with units prior to accepting them for incorporation, preventing incorporation of an incorrect unit, and guiding an operator in possible remedial action. This approach includes storing data in a server and making such data substantially instantly accessible to production stations once written in the server. Such data preferably includes software to configure the production station such that the operator need not have specialized skills. A production station designed using this approach is particularly useful in the manufacture of an outdoor unit of a split-mount microwave radio system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Aviat U.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Kesavan Srikumar, Frank Pong
  • Patent number: 9031682
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens supplying system for supplying an eyeglass lens to a plurality of eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes: a plurality of conveyer line units, each of which includes: at least one conveyer line conveying a tray; a tray moving unit separating at least two trays from the conveyer line to move the trays to standby positions, and put the tray on the conveyer line; and a control unit obtaining processing information from a host computer; a carrying-in conveyer line connected to the conveyer line of the conveyer line unit; a carrying-out conveyer line connected to the conveyer line of the conveyer line unit; a main control unit communicating with each of the control units, and determines the processing apparatus to process the lens in the tray on the carrying-in conveyer unit, or determines the conveyer line unit to convey the tray on the carrying-in conveyer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoshi Tanaka, Yuya Nakako
  • Patent number: 9008836
    Abstract: A method and system to optimize the parameters of a robot used in an assembly process. The assembly process is categorized based on its nature which may be cylindrical, radial and multi-stage insertion. The search pattern and search parameters are specified. The parameters are optimized and the optimized parameter set are verified and when a predetermined criteria such as assembly cycle time set and/or success rate is met the optimization process stops. When the optimization stops the verified parameters are used to cause the robot to perform the categorized assembly process. If the parameters do not meet the predetermined criteria, another round of optimization using the same or other parameters can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: George Zhang, Hui Zhang, Jianmin He, Jianjun Wang
  • Publication number: 20150073580
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of capturing unique device identifiers (“UDI”) associated with products to track movement, time, location via and into a computerized network and then combining the data with additional data outside of the product UDI related data and meta-data such as shipping, distribution, workers, date, and time. In one implementation, Such tracking may be performed in real-time to determine if a leakage or loss alarm or warning threshold has been met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Paul Ortiz
  • Patent number: 8972037
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring product through a batch manufacturing plant is provided. The system includes, a parallel flow mode when product flows concurrently from at least two units to a single unit; and a serial flow mode where product flows from one unit to another at a given time, wherein the batch manufacturing plant is modeled based on the parallel and serial flow modes. A lot association is built based on product flow and a parent/child record is created for lot association. The system also includes a data collection system that collects phase information for every unit and a procedure identifier is used to create a batch identifier, where a batch identifier is associated with each lot on each unit through which product is flowing to and/or from at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Vigilistics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J Scalfani, Donald L Gaudino, Craig A Nelson, Steven C McCormick, Therese M Sonnenfeld, Todd A Soutar
  • Patent number: 8965552
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a device for titling, which can achieve automatic correction when deviation occurs between a real titling position of a product to be titled and a preset titling position, so as to avoid an ID shift phenomenon, and thus ensure accuracy of titling positions and improve titling efficiency. The titling method provided in the present disclosure comprises: determining a real titling position of a product to be titled; comparing the real titling position with a preset titling position; and titling the product to be titled in accordance with the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Beijing Boe Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fengguo Wang
  • Publication number: 20150045932
    Abstract: The invention is a system that facilitates integration of laser or dot peen marking systems into factory automation networks using the standard EtherNet/IP protocol. Built-in support for the EIP protocol greatly simplifies the PLC programming task, and lowers the cost of integrating the marking system into factory operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: David Morgan Sweet, Pavel Kyn, Robert Herman Flanagan
  • Patent number: 8930010
    Abstract: A manufacturing system and method for manufacturing a product include storing product-related information with the product. The product-related information may be stored on one or more tags secured to a portion of the product and may be used to facilitate or control an aspect of manufacturing. During manufacturing, product-related information may be updated, for example, to reflect completion of a manufacturing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Philip C. Hanses, Michael A. Drago
  • Patent number: 8874252
    Abstract: A system for determining a group of semiconductor manufacturing process steps with a similar influence on individual semiconductor products. The system generates a first table including time stamps for the individual semiconductor products. The system creates a second table including Q-times based on the first table. The Q-times refers to time differences between every pair of the time stamps. The system forms a dependency table by grouping the Q-times with similar dependencies together. The system identifies groups of the similar dependencies. The system extracts semiconductor process steps belonging to the groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Basement, Tomasz J. Nowicki
  • Patent number: 8862264
    Abstract: In a supplying system using containers for supplying groups of filter elements to smoking article assembling equipment, each container has a unique source of information that travels with the container. An unloader receives and unloads the containers. An automated data reader is proximate the unloader for reading the source of information for each container before it is unloaded. A computerized controller uses the information read by the automated data reader to obtain information from a database. The information from the database is compared to information from another source to verify that the proper filter elements are being supplied. The computerized controller allows, or instructs, the unloader to unload correctly supplied filter elements, and stops the unloader from unloading incorrectly supplied filter elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Hung Phan, Tim Goodman, Greg Williams, Gary Wood, Brent Carter
  • Patent number: 8849447
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a production of items on a production line, wherein a digital image of each of said items is processed so as to obtain at least identified product type data and identified item data, said identified product type data and identified item data being further used for determining a reliable production volume per product type and per associated item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sicpa Holding SA
    Inventors: Joao Augusto Scheid Budzinski, Philippe Amon, Myron Seto
  • Patent number: 8844814
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification automatic detecting system with an antenna net includes a radio frequency identification module, an enhancing surface wave-guide coaxial cable structure including a coaxial cable having at least one aperture region without an outer conducting layer, a receiving apparatus having a plurality of receiving spaces and a plurality of extension wires disposed adjacent to the receiving spaces and coupled or connected to the outer conducting layer of the coaxial cable. The electromagnetic field is formed in nearby regions adjacent to the receiving spaces because the electromagnetic wave caused by the current generated from the radio frequency identification module is transmitted by the outer conducting layer and extension wires. The radio frequency identification electronic tag on the object is triggered automatically when the object is moved toward or moved out from the respective receiving space such that the automatic detecting effect is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Tai-Hwa Liu, Yi-Chun Sung
  • Patent number: 8843403
    Abstract: Methods and computer systems are provided managing and valuating inventory. In one embodiment, a computer system may assign every item of goods which is entering a working process to an identifier. The computer system may then track the goods in the working process. Further, the computer system may update a given identifier when the goods assigned to this identifier enter another stage in the working process, assign at least one price to each stage in the working process, determine the content of one or more identifiers, and calculate a price for goods in the working process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Udo Laub, Ralf Kuehner, Manfred Metz
  • Patent number: 8812146
    Abstract: Apparatus, method, and system for combining a plurality of items into a batch having a set number of items. Number of items are put together onto a production line to form a batch along with non-batch items which are not suitable for inclusion within the batch onto the production line. The batch is advanced on the production line as a partial batch without the non-batch item being added to it when a batch is not complete. A reminder batch is created after the non-batch items have been added to the production line and the remainder batch includes the number of items that must be added to the partial batch to make a full batch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Marel Food System HF.
    Inventors: Hordur Einarsson, Arni Einarsson, Hrafnkell Eiriksson