Rate Control Patents (Class 700/46)
  • Patent number: 11527985
    Abstract: A closed loop control system for controlling a plant comprises a controller includes an input arranged to receive a feedback signal from the plant. The controller is arranged to compare a value of the feedback signal to a set point value x(s) and to produce an error signal ?(s) that is at least partially dependent on a difference between the value of the feedback signal and the set point value. The controller also includes an output arranged to supply the error signal ?(s) to the plant. A monitor is arranged to compare a value of the error signal ?(s) produced by the controller to a threshold value and to produce a warning signal when the value of the error signal ?(s) exceeds the threshold value for a period of time greater than a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jonathan Mark Roadley-Battin
  • Patent number: 10904380
    Abstract: A method for controlling notifications from applications on a user device includes setting a priority for each application on the user device based on a predetermined priority input, defining a notification limit, wherein the notification limit defines a total number of notifications for presenting notifications allowed during a time period available to applications on the user device, and providing each application with a portion of the total number of notifications allowed during the time period based on the set priority. A computer program product, a computer readable memory storage unit, and a computing arrangement or user device may also execute the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Håkan Jonsson
  • Patent number: 9939328
    Abstract: Some examples of the disclosure are directed to systems, apparatus, and methods for temperature detection using multiple temperature controllers each having distributed temperature sensors that allow reading multiple sensor outputs in parallel for a wide range of covered area. The temperature controller may also have logic to calculate a local temperature controller maximum temperature, a maximum temperature of all sensors, provide software access to each sensor, easy software enablement through a software interface that allows access earlier than when chip operating system (OS) is booted, and the ability to enable and mask individual sensors or sensor groups through software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles Keith Bachand, Scott James Lemke, Ambarish Mukund Sule, Mohammad Ghasemazar, Osvaldo Franco
  • Patent number: 9005261
    Abstract: A therapeutic laser with a source of pulsed electromagnetic radiation, a control device for controlling the intensity and/or the duration of the therapeutic laser applied to the tissue, and a detection device for detecting optoacoustic signals triggered by irradiating the living tissue with the pulsed electromagnetic radiation. The therapeutic laser is characterized by an evaluation device that acts on the control device and is used for calculating a degree of quality B(t) from the optoacoustic signals detected by the detection device for individual laser pulses applied to a predetermined laser spot and determining a fit function f(t) at a predetermined point in time ?t1, the fit function f(t) approximating the mean curve of B(t) for 0?t??t1. The intensity and/or the irradiation time of the therapeutic laser is defined by the parameters for the predetermined laser spot, the parameters being determined for the fit function f(t).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Medizinisches Laserzentrum Luebech GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Brinkmann
  • Patent number: 8972032
    Abstract: A method for detecting a mechanical overload condition of an energized linear actuator to prevent commanding an activation signal to the linear actuator that may mechanically overload the linear actuator includes monitoring feedback variation of a movable element associated with the linear actuator including monitoring a present feedback signal of the movable element, monitoring a previous feedback signal of the movable element, comparing the present feedback signal and the previous feedback signal and determining the feedback variation based on the comparing. The feedback variation is compared to a feedback variation threshold. An input signal associated with the activation signal for controlling the linear actuator is monitored and the input signal compared to an input signal threshold. The electrical overload condition is detected when the feedback variation is less than the feedback variation threshold and the input signal is greater than the input signal threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lei Hao, Xiujie Gao, Sanjeev M. Naik
  • Patent number: 8923991
    Abstract: A controlling device has a transient operating quantity upper limit value storing portion storing a transient quantity upper limit value, effective at the time of a transient response due to a change in a setting value. A steady operating quantity upper limit value storing portion storing an operating quantity upper limit value, effective at the time of a steady operation. A setting value change detecting portion detecting a change in the setting value A transient response completion detecting portion detecting the completion of a transient response; an operating quantity upper limit value switching portion setting the operating quantity upper limit value as the operating quantity upper limit value is used in control calculations in a time band from the point in time of the change of the setting value to the point in time of the completion of the transient response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Kato
  • Patent number: 8862274
    Abstract: A work machine (10) comprises an operator interface (30), an auxiliary electro-hydraulic circuit (22 or 322) adapted to operate a hydraulic actuator (16) of an auxiliary tool (12) when the auxiliary tool (12) is attached to the work machine (10), and a controller unit (24) that communicates with the operator interface (30) and the auxiliary electro-hydraulic circuit (22 or 322). The controller unit (24) is adapted to receive from the operator interface (30) an electrical setpoint signal representative of a flow setpoint selected by an operator via the operator interface (30), and electrically operate the auxiliary electro-hydraulic circuit (22 or 322) so as to output flow from the auxiliary electro-hydraulic circuit (22 or 322) to the auxiliary tool (12) at a substantially constant magnitude represented by the flow setpoint. An associated method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Dennis P. Reiter, Paul J. Ernst, Glenn O. Scheer
  • Publication number: 20140257528
    Abstract: A method for adaptively and automatically adjusting a sampling rate in a feedback control system includes monitoring an error signal for a disturbance event, evaluating the error signal in response to the disturbance event to estimate a time constant of a control process, and determining a sampling rate for use in the feedback control system based on the estimated time constant. The error signal may be based on a difference between a setpoint and a feedback signal and the feedback signal may be received from the control process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Carlos Felipe Alcala Perez, Timothy I. Salsbury
  • Patent number: 8768864
    Abstract: A predictive tracking method and apparatus utilizing objective and subjective data in order to predict user states is provided herein. For example, some such embodiments may allow a user to track their mood or health symptoms in relation to retrieved data regarding their environmental in order to reveal patterns that can help forecast and proactively manage mood or health symptoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Yana Kane-Esrig
  • Patent number: 8463411
    Abstract: One or more techniques are provided for the sharing of variable trajectories between multiple controllers in a control system. In general, the present technique is based upon the sharing of predicted desired variable trajectories between multiple controllers requiring a common input variable. In one embodiment, a common input variable is shared between two controllers, wherein one controller is tuned to have dominant control with regard to the shared variable. Each controller determines and communicates their own desired trajectory for the shared variable to the other controller and in doing so, the constraints associated with each controller are shared and honored by the other controller. Based on the communicated trajectories, the dominant controller may exercise control over the shared variable, thus improving overall process control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kent Stephenson, Lina M. Rueda Velandia
  • Patent number: 8428755
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a signal normally provided by a proportional plus integral (PI) control module to a process system includes a processing circuit configured to modify the signal of the PI control module by exaggerating the rate of change of the signal and an output for providing the modified signal to the process system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Timothy Salsbury
  • Patent number: 8411901
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for calculating image recognition rate, which automatically calculates the recognition rate according to recognizing result obtained from an embedded image processing system whose images are provided by an image controlling apparatus. The image controlling apparatus provides an image frame each time according to a control signal issued by the embedded image processing system. The embedded image processing system receives the image frame and recognizes the same. After a plurality of image frames are recognized, it is capable of calculating the recognition rate according to the recognizing result of the embedded image processing system and the recognition rate is capable of being utilized to be a basis for optimizing the parameters used in recognizing logic of the embedded image processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Che-Chung Lin, Chi-Wei Lin, Dau-Chen Huang, Yu-Long Wang
  • Patent number: 8379255
    Abstract: A system for determining batch sizes for a print job may include a computing device and a computer-readable storage medium in communication with the computing device. The computer-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions for receiving a print job having a job size, receiving speed information for each of a plurality of document production devices in a production line, identifying a plurality of batches associated with the print job, performing a discrete event simulation to model a makespan for the print job in processing each of the plurality of batches on the plurality of document production devices using the speed information and repeating the identifying and performing until a plurality of final batches is determined, each having a unique final batch size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Sudhendu Rai, Jeremy John Tejada
  • Patent number: 8378612
    Abstract: A control system for a massage device. The massage device has a base, a carriage movably engaged with the base, a plurality of kneading heads mounted on the carriage, and a motor operative to drive the plurality of kneading heads to produce a kneading effect on a body of a user and to drive the carriage up and down relative to the base such that various areas of the body can be massaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Chichun Wu
  • Patent number: 8328527
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining pump fillage, using data arrays of pump plunger position with respect to time and/or pump plunger load with respect to time. In this manner, well operators may be able to accurately monitor the pump fillage and control the pump accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Victoria M. Ehimeakhe
  • Patent number: 8301275
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling a process variable based upon a set point is disclosed. A process variable is measured, and a proportional term is assigned to a manipulated variable that is based upon a product of a proportional gain coefficient and an error magnitude between the process variable and the set point. An integral term is added to the manipulated variable under a first set of conditions, and a derivative term is added to the manipulated variable under a second set of conditions different from the first set of conditions. The sum of the proportional term, the integral term, and the derivative term is output, resulting in the process variable being responsively adjusted thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: STI srl
    Inventors: Flavio Tondolo, Roberto Valoti
  • Patent number: 8255085
    Abstract: A method for controlling a controlled variable of a building zone to minimize an error between the controlled variable and a setpoint includes receiving an input at a first interface regarding the controlled variable from a sensor provided in the building. The method further includes using a processing circuit to determine a sign of the error based on the input and the setpoint. The method yet further includes using the processing circuit to cause a controller configured to affect the controlled variable to respond to the error at a first rate when a first sign of the error is present. The method further includes using the processing circuit to cause the controller to respond to the error at a second rate when a second sign of the error is present, the first rate being slower than the second rate. The first sign of the error can be associated with a high energy expenditure required to minimize the error relative to an energy expenditure required to minimize the error relative to the second sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Timothy Salsbury
  • Patent number: 8242762
    Abstract: A transient recovery circuit for switching devices. The transient recovery circuit includes a detecting circuit for detecting a rapid transient in an output voltage of a switching device by detecting a rate of the output voltage transient; an auxiliary controlling circuit in a feedback loop of the switching device for correcting the output voltage by changing a bandwidth of the feedback loop if the rapid transient is detected; and an initializing circuit for initializing the feedback loop to expected operating points in a continuous conduction mode after correcting the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Cosmic Circuits Private Limited
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Bhagwat, Rupak Ghayal, Saumitra Singh, Pawan Gupta, Prakash Easwaran
  • Patent number: 8131400
    Abstract: One embodiment comprises a method of providing accurate mass flow controller flow rate data for a non-manufacturing-tuning-gas. The mass flow controller may be operated at a setpoint greater than 50%. Data may be recorded to a mass flow controller memory. The setpoint may then be changed to 0%. The recorded data may then be analyzed and one or more non-manufacturing-tuning-gas correction algorithm parameters may be calculated. The one or more non-manufacturing-tuning-gas correction algorithm parameters may be stored in a mass flow controller memory and subsequently used in at least one future mass flow controller operation involving the non-manufacturing-tuning-gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: Alexei V. Smirnov
  • Patent number: 8112163
    Abstract: A system and method of modeling, prediction, optimization and controlling an embedded alarm control having a plurality of independently controlled, manipulated variables, at least one controlled variables and one or more disturbance variables. The method includes determining simultaneously a set number of dynamic moves of the manipulated variables along with steady state values of the manipulated and controlled variables with steady state constraints relating to the manipulated and controlled variables as well as dynamic constraints relating to the manipulated and controlled variables including relating to the disturbance variables. Embedding alarm controls in the simultaneous dynamic control and steady state optimization with varying type of alarming situations and aiding operator in recovery actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Fakhruddin T Attarwala
  • Patent number: 8036777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a room atmosphere creating system having a microprocessor electrically connected to a sensing circuit, a storage memory, and a distributing unit. The distributing unit is connected to an atmosphere circuit. The microprocessor transmits the room atmosphere conditions in the storage memory to the atmosphere circuit via the distributing unit. The room atmosphere conditions controlled by the atmosphere circuit are divided into audio condition, light condition, and temperature condition. The light device, temperature device, and audio device generate corresponding room atmosphere effects to synchronously control the light, temperature, and audio effects in accordance with the room atmosphere mode set by the user, and in cooperation with the wireless circuit for receiving the room atmosphere conditions transmitted by the wireless remote control, remote controlling of the room atmosphere conditions is able to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Qlifeplus Co.
    Inventor: Chris Chang
  • Patent number: 8004226
    Abstract: A method of detecting one or more failed current sensor and estimating a phase current for the failed current sensor on a three-phase machine is disclosed. The method may include detecting one or more failed current sensor by determining if an absolute value of a sum of the phase currents of the motor is below an open circuit value. The method may also include determining which phase currents are approximately zero, for each phase current associated with each phase of the motor, if the sum of the phase currents of the motor is not below the open circuit value. The method may further include estimating the phase current for the failed current sensor by determining the phase current value for the failed current sensor, that when added to the phase currents of the remaining current sensors, will make the sum of all the phase currents equal to approximately zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Hartman, Jesse R. Gerdes, Gregory J. Speckhart, Jackson Wai
  • Patent number: 7991487
    Abstract: For a plurality of combinations of a plurality of operating states included in an operating range of an engine and for a plurality of combinations of a plurality of objective variables, a system, which calculates design variables, includes a calculating device for obtaining global optimal solutions of the design variables that minimize or maximize a sum of the plurality of objective variables, which respectively correspond to the plurality of combinations of the plurality of operating states; a receiving device for receiving designation of an upper limit or a lower limit of the plurality of objective variables; and a searching device for searching for global optimal solutions that result in the smoothest change in the design variables when changing the operating states in a range of the received upper limit to the received lower limit of the objective variables, with one of the global optimal solutions as an initial value set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Ono Sokki Co., Ltd., The Doshisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Hashimoto, Yuichiro Sampei, Tomoyuki Hiroyasu
  • Patent number: 7953520
    Abstract: A cooling fan controller is provided for controlling the revolving speed of a cooling fan that introduces outside air as a cooling wind to cool a fluid being cooled; in order to optimally control the revolving speed if the cooling fan in accordance with load, and to suppress noise caused by the cooling fan. The cooling fan controller includes a fluid temperature sensor 40 for sensing a temperature To of the fluid, an air temperature sensor 30 for sensing a temperature Ta of the air, and a control 20 for calculating a difference between the fluid temperature To sensed by the fluid temperature sensor 40 and the air temperature Ta sensed by the air temperature sensor 30, and setting a target revolving speed Nf of the cooling fan in accordance with a magnitude of the calculated difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7881826
    Abstract: A modular computing housing includes a housing structure having a plurality of component slots that each can receive one of a plurality of components, where at least one of the components includes a processor having an operating frequency. A cooling system provides airflow through each of the component slots. A thermal control system can be communicably connected to each of the component slots and each of the received component processors. The thermal control system receives configuration data from each of the component slots, retrieves throttle data corresponding to the configuration data, and directs at least one received component processors to reduce its operating frequency in accordance with the throttle data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sertac Cakici, John Farrugia, Ryan M. McBeth, Meghna Paruthi, Madeline Vega
  • Patent number: 7860584
    Abstract: A method, computer, and recording medium storing a program are provided which, based on local optimal solutions, more efficiently calculate an optimal global optimal solution in a global operating area. System calculates the global optimal solution by solving, using a genetic algorithm based on the local optimal solutions and the initial values, an equation, which should be satisfied by the plurality of design variables, by obtaining the plurality of combinations of design variables composing local optimal solutions for each design variable respectively calculated for each of a plurality of combinations of a plurality of operating states, and by obtaining initial values for the plurality of combinations of design variables used for calculating the global optimal solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignees: ONO Sokki Co., Ltd., The Doshisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Hashimoto, Yuichiro Sampei, Tomoyuki Hiroyasu
  • Patent number: 7848831
    Abstract: A real-time operating optimized method of multi-input and multi-output continuous manufacture procedure includes steps as follows: first, using plurality of pivotal operation conditions in the manufacture procedure as optimized variables, and using the technical target associating with the pivotal operation conditions as the objective function, then, calculating on line the grades vector between pivotal operation conditions and the technical target at current time according to historical data of pivotal operation conditions and the technical target, using correlation integral method or other methods, at last, using this grades vector to define the adjustment direction of the operation conditions. When the grades vector is positive or negative, the pivotal operation conditions should be adjusted in order to change the grades vector to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Jian Wang
  • Patent number: 7783740
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for interfacing to a network. The system includes a network interface comprising an embedded network traffic analyzer (NTA) capable of network traffic analyzer filter and capture capabilities. The NTA also includes an artificial intelligence component that facilitates diagnosing and/or prognosing state and/or health of the network (and/or components thereof).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Siorek, Daniel J. Galdun
  • Patent number: 7782043
    Abstract: A method for controlling a measurement system includes providing a variable bandwidth DC bias loop for biasing a DUT; providing an AC measurement loop for measuring AC parameters of the DUT; disabling the AC measurement loop and selecting a high bandwidth for the DC bias loop when rapid changes to the DC bias are to be made; and selecting a low bandwidth for said DC bias loop and enabling the AC measurement loop when AC measurements of the DUT are to be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Keithly Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Sobolewski, Wayne C. Goeke
  • Patent number: 7782298
    Abstract: A user interface for multimedia centers advantageously utilizes hand-held inertial-sensing user input devices to select channels and quickly navigate the dense menus of options. Extensive use of the high resolution and bandwidth of such user input devices is combined with strategies to avoid unintentional inputs and with dense and intuitive interactive graphical displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Gregory C. Smith, Thomas J. Quinn, James J. Leftwich
  • Patent number: 7692628
    Abstract: A user interface for multimedia centers advantageously utilizes hand-held inertial-sensing user input devices to select channels and quickly navigate the dense menus of options. Extensive use of the high resolution and bandwidth of such user input devices is combined with strategies to avoid unintentional inputs and with dense and intuitive interactive graphical displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Gregory C. Smith, Thomas J. Quinn, James J. Leftwich
  • Patent number: 7657333
    Abstract: Systems and methods that vary multiple data sampling rates, to collect sets of data with different levels of granularity for an industrial system. The data for such industrial system includes sets of data from the “internal” data stream(s) (e.g., history data collected from an industrial unit) and sets of data from an “external” (e.g., traffic data on network services) data stream(s), based in part on the criticality/importance criteria assigned to each collection stage. Each set of data can be assigned its own unique data collection rate. For example, a higher sample rate can be employed when collecting data from the network during an operation stage that is deemed more critical (e.g., dynamic attribution of predetermined importance factors) than the rest of the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Bradford, Timothy Siorek, Martin George Gach, Mark Joseph Balewski, Robert J. Kretschmann, Kendal R. Harris, Kenwood H. Hall, Charles Martin Rischar
  • Patent number: 7647136
    Abstract: The present application is directed to an apparatus and method of managing transport of fluid commodities in a pipeline network. The method includes obtaining operational settings, which include equipment settings and measured parameters, associated with a pipeline network as a fluid commodity is transported through the pipeline network. From the operational settings, a recommendation is generated concurrently with the transport of the fluid commodity through the pipeline network to optimize at least one of the operational settings. The recommendation comprises revised equipment settings associated with equipment disposed along the pipeline network. The equipment settings in the recommendation may be based on empirical data from previous experience with the transport of fluid commodities through the pipeline network and/or based on theoretical data from modeling of the transport of the fluid commodity through the pipeline network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Keith C. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20090232662
    Abstract: The present invention provides highly accurate methods for directly calculating pump fillage which avoid the need and expense of a pump dynamometer card and subsequent calculations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas M. Mills
  • Patent number: 7584024
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the operation of a power generating plant using artificial intelligence techniques. One or more decisions D are determined for at least one consecutive time increment, where at least one of the decisions D is associated with a discrete variable for the operation of a power plant device in the power generating plant. In an illustrated embodiment, the power plant device is a soot cleaning device associated with a boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Pegasus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wroblewski, Alexander M. Katrompas, Neel J. Parikh
  • Publication number: 20090132065
    Abstract: A dispensing system is disclosed which utilizes an electronically powered key device and/or identification code associated with a refill container to preclude the need for mechanical keys. The system utilizes a near field frequency response to determine whether a refill container is compatible with a dispensing system. In particular, the refill container is provided with a coil terminated by one of a number of capacitors. The container is received in a housing that provides a pair of coils that are in a spatial relationship with the installed refill container's coil. By energizing one of the housing's coils, the other coil detects a unique electronic signature generated by the container's coil. If the signature is acceptable, the dispensing system is allowed to dispense a quantity of material. The system also provides a unique latching mechanism to retain the container and ensure positioning of all the coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Aaron R. Reynolds, Mark E. Rosenkranz, Paul Waterhouse
  • Patent number: 7505829
    Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for determining a productivity rate of a manufacturing system are provided. The manufacturing system has a first and second manufacturing cells. The first and second manufacturing cells has first and second machines, respectively. The method includes predicting a first cycle time indicating a time duration that a part is disposed in the first manufacturing cell. The method further includes predicting a second cycle time indicating a time duration that the part is disposed in the second manufacturing cell. The method further includes calculating a productivity rate of the first and second manufacturing system cells based on the first and second cycle times of the first and second manufacturing cells, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Raghunath P. Khetan, Pravin Khurana, Ravi Duggirala
  • Patent number: 7415393
    Abstract: A reliability buffering technique applies a reliability time buffer to a project planning model having activities. The reliability time buffer is placed before an associated downstream activity to provide a buffered downstream activity. The reliability buffer is provided having a time duration value and an activity time precedence relationship, including a lead or lag value, with at least one upstream activity. The time duration value and the activity time precedence relationship are generated so as to reduce the overall schedule delay resulting from possible time delays that occur in the one or more upstream activities and to increase the overall project schedule advance from possible schedule advances in the one or more upstream activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Feniosky Peña-Mora, Moonseo Park, SangHyun Lee, Michael Li, Margaret Fulenwider
  • Patent number: 7346403
    Abstract: A PID parameter adjustment device includes: a model storage section (1) for storing an equation model to be controlled; a PID controller storage section (2) for storing a control algorithm; a constraint condition storage section (3) for storing a constraint condition for the operation; a simulation operation section (5) for executing simulation of a control system according to the constraint condition; an ideal control result storage section (6) for storing an ideal control response characteristic; an evaluation function operation section (7) for calculating the evaluation function value indicating the closeness between the simulation result and the ideal control response characteristic; and a PID parameter search operation section (8) for executing simulation while modifying the PID parameter and searching a PID parameter at which the evaluation function value is optimal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Yamatake Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Tanaka, Seiji Kato
  • Patent number: 7269481
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a device and a controller to the device. The controller is adapted to calculate a temperature estimate of the device and to control access to the device in accordance with the calculated temperature estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: David S. De Lorenzo, Stephen W. Montgomery, Warren R. Morrow, Robin Steinbrecher
  • Patent number: 7242989
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that generates an estimate of a property of a batch process uses a non-parametric model to generate a plurality of rate of reaction estimates associated with the batch process. Each rate of reaction estimate may correspond, for example, to a particular time during the batch process. The plurality of rate of reaction estimates are then integrated to generate an estimate of a property of the batch at the particular time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence L. Blevins, Ashish Mehta
  • Patent number: 7231266
    Abstract: A digital control device for tracking a sine wave according to the present invention has a compensator, a control object and a feedback gain. An input into the compensator is a signal obtained by subtracting a control quantity from a reference value. An input into the control object is a signal obtained by subtracting an output of the feedback gain from an output of the compensator. A transfer function of the compensator is (k2z+k1)/(z2?2z cos ?T+1), where ? is an angular frequency, T is a sampling period, z is a z operator, and k1 and k2 are constants. Thus, a second-order compensator can be configured, with which a sinusoidal reference waveform can be tracked simply and with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Toshiji Kato
  • Patent number: 7218974
    Abstract: A method for optimizing an industrial process data is disclosed. The method includes collecting data from a plurality of sensor elements, wherein each sensor element collects data from a portion of the industrial process and verifying the data collected. The method further includes analyzing the data collected for efficiency and generating at least one recommendation for optimizing the industrial process. The method further includes presenting the at least one recommendation generated to an administrator of the industrial process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Zarpac, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Rumi, Paul J. Zepf, John Baird, Chris Norris-Lue, Tim Rintjema, Yvonne Wu
  • Patent number: 7218999
    Abstract: A target value processing unit, includes: an input section to which a target value signal showing a target value of a control process is inputted; a target value shaping unit shaping the target value signal inputted to the input section, into a signal form which is proper for a control treatment of a regulator implementing the control process; and an output section outputting to the regulator a shaped target value signal which is shaped by the target value shaping unit. The target value processing unit realizes the high-level control process without improving the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Nobutomo Matsunaga, Shigeyasu Kawaji, Ikuo Nanno, Masahito Tanaka, Takaaki Yamada, Yosuke Iwai, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Kazuo Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 7184020
    Abstract: An operation instructing device is included substantially at the center of a portable apparatus, and has a sensor for detecting motion values of the portable apparatus. A user performs various movements instructed by an instructing unit, while holding the portable apparatus. The motion values detected by the sensor are normalized by an analyzing unit, and then an area setting unit sets a movement detecting area personally for the user. An assigning unit obtains operation instructions for each function of the portable apparatus, and generates an operation instruction table in which each instruction operation is assigned to a sub area of the movement detection area. A judging unit judges within which sub area the motion value notified by the analyzing unit falls, and outputs the operation instruction that is assigned to the sub area within which the judging unit judged that the notified motion value falls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gantetsu Matsui
  • Patent number: 7110834
    Abstract: A kiln thermal and combustion control. A predictive model is provided of the dynamics of selected aspects of the operation of the system for modeling the dynamics thereof. The model has at least two discrete models associated therewith that model at least two of the selected aspects, the at least two discrete models having different dynamic responses. An optimizer receives desired values for the selected aspects of the operation of the system modeled by the model and optimizes the inputs to the model to minimize error between the predicted and desired values. A control input device then applies the optimized input values to the system after optimization thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Pavilion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory D. Martin, Eugene Boe, Stephen Piche, James David Keeler, Douglas Timmer, Mark Gerules, John P. Havener, Steven J. McGarel
  • Patent number: 7103439
    Abstract: A method for initializing process controllers based on tool event data includes providing a tool having a process controller adapted to employ a control model to control an operating recipe of the tool; receiving a tool event notification; and initializing the control model in response to receiving the tool event notification. A manufacturing system includes a tool and a process controller. The tool is adapted to process wafers in accordance with an operating recipe. The process controller is adapted to employ a control model to control the operating recipe in accordance with a control algorithm. The process controller is further adapted to receive a tool event notification and initialize the control model in response to receiving the tool event notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Bode, Alexander J. Pasadyn, Anthony J. Toprac, Joyce S. Oey Hewett, Anastasia Oshelski Peterson, Thomas J. Sonderman, Michael L. Miller
  • Patent number: 7057366
    Abstract: A method for estimating load inertia and system for controlling motor speed using inverse model are provided, suitable for an alternating current (AC) servo module. An inverse system is connected to an actual system to inversely deduce a substantial torque output, wherein when the value of the speed signal generated by the actual system gradually increases, a net inertia ratio is accumulated; whereas when the value of the speed signal generated by the actual system increases to a fixed value, the net inertia ratio is updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Hsiung Tsai, Jia-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 7050883
    Abstract: An off-line feed rate scheduling method of a CNC machining process includes selecting a constraint variable and inputting a reference value related to the constraint variable; estimating a cutting configuration where a maximum constraint variable value (CVV) occurs through ME Z-map modeling; receiving the estimated cutting configuration and estimating a specific rotation angle (?s) where the maximum constraint variable value occurs through constraint variable modeling; calculating a feed rate that satisfies the reference value of the constraint variable at the estimated specific rotation angle; and applying the calculated feed rate to the NC code. Cutting force or machined surface error may be selected as a constraint variable depending on machining conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: POSTECH Foundation
    Inventors: Dong-Woo Cho, Jeong-Hoon Ko, Han-Ul Lee
  • Patent number: 7039475
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling nonlinear process control problems. This method involves first utilizing modeling tools to identify variable inputs and controlled variables associated with the process, wherein at least one variable input is a manipulated variable. The modeling tools are further operable to determine relationships between the variable inputs and controlled variables. A control system that provides inputs to and acts on inputs from the modeling tools tunes one or more manipulated variable inputs to achieve a desired result like greater efficiency, higher quality, or greater consistency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Pavilion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bijan Sayyarrodsari, Eric Hartman, Celso Axelrud, Kidir Liano