Remote Supervisory Monitoring Patents (Class 702/188)
  • Publication number: 20110131012
    Abstract: This invention allows for remote monitoring of the skier/skiing performance. The system consists of a various MEMS sensors embedded in skier clothing and equipment. These sensors measure instantaneous changes in acceleration in x/y/z axis and changes in earth magnetic field—relative to the skier position, to provide six degree of freedom in calculation of skier position as well as moments applied to the ski edge and forces experiences by the skier body. These sensors communicate with the monitoring application residing in the user wireless terminal (call phone) over the PAN wireless network. The instantaneous measurements are analyzed either locally or remotely and when the system is configured in an active mode, a corrective response to the MEMS actuators embedded in the ski or ski bindings may be send does changing the parameters of the run or provide enhanced safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: IPCOMM LLC
    Inventors: Stanislaw Czaja, Andrzej Bachleda-Curus, Tadeusz Nanowski, Ilona Stawski, Marty Czaja
  • Patent number: 7953571
    Abstract: In a sensor network system comprising a sensor terminal and a management server, the sensor terminal transmits observation data acquired using the sensor, the management server has a latest data storage manager which manages the latest observation data among observation data received from the sensor terminal, a history data storage manager which manages the history of the observation data from any time when data was received from the sensor terminal to the latest observation data, and a missing data manager which manages missing history data, and compensates the missing history data based on a predetermined rule, and when a request for such observation data is received, at least one of the latest observation data managed by the latest data storage manager, and history data wherein the missing data has been compensated and managed by the history data storage manager, is output according to the type of request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Odaka, Keiro Muro, Minoru Ogushi, Kei Suzuki, Shoji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7953570
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for continuous analysis of the transmission quality in fieldbus networks in automation systems with a plurality of fieldbus participants, which communicate with one another over the fieldbus network. Directly measurable logical and physical bus parameters are recorded from the line signal transmitted over the fieldbus network, and are stored with a predefinable retrospectivity. Operational parameters are derived from the measured bus parameters, these being weighted and the weighted bus parameters being linked together to form the operational parameter. The quantitative weighting of a bus parameter is functionally determined by at least one other bus parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Tilo Merlin, Peter Ude
  • Patent number: 7953561
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for applying at least one load to a specimen (12) according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise a mass (18). An actuator (20) mounted to the specimen (12) and operatively associated with the mass (18) moves the mass (18) along a linear displacement path (22) that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the specimen (12). A control system (26) operatively associated with the actuator (20) operates the actuator (20) to reciprocate the mass (18) along the linear displacement path (22) at a reciprocating frequency, the reciprocating frequency being about equal to a resonance frequency of the specimen (12) in a test configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Walter Musial, Darris White
  • Publication number: 20110125462
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method to inspect tubing by means of a free flying, autonomous inspection head that is not attached by wires to external control and data acquisition equipment. The inspection head travels through the tube with an attached module that integrates all the necessary support for the electronic and mechanical control of a nondestructive sensor within the inspection head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Lyman J. Petrosky, Jayne L. Boynton, Keith B. Lloyd
  • Publication number: 20110125412
    Abstract: The present invention provides a remote monitoring system for monitoring the operation of a fluid treatment system and/or the qualities, characteristics, properties, etc., of the fluid being processed or treated by the fluid treatment system. The present invention also relates to carbon nanotube sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Hach Company
    Inventors: Corey Alan SALZER, Charles Scholpp, Russell Martin Young, Michael Mario Carrabba, Vishnu Vardhanan Rajasekharan, Christopher Patrick Fair, Terrance William Fitzgerald, Frank Howland Carpenter, JR., John Edwin Lee
  • Patent number: 7949702
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, cookies are automatically synchronized across multiple client machines on a network. A user registers all of the client machines for which he desires cookie synchronization under a single account with a cookie synchronization server. Each of the client machines is equipped with software that monitors all changes made to cookies at that machine and sends notifications of the changes to the cookie synchronization server. The cookie synchronization server stores the cookie change information in a log and sends it out to the other client machine in the account, which then update their cookies accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Robert McGee, Christopher C. Mitchell, Michael John Morton, Brent A. Peters
  • Publication number: 20110115636
    Abstract: A wireless temperature measuring system, including multiple wireless temperature sensors, and multiple communication terminals; the wireless temperature sensors communicate with the communication terminals via RF, the wireless temperature sensor operates to obtain temperature signals from a temperature detection point, to perform cyclic-interleave and error-correction coding on the temperature signals whereby obtaining coded temperature signals, and to transmit the coded temperature signals to the communication terminals via RF; the communication terminal operates to receive and decode the coded temperature signals from the wireless temperature sensor, and to obtain decoded temperature signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Changhuan ZHANG
  • Patent number: 7945682
    Abstract: A method for improving a link schedule used in a communications network is disclosed. While the method applies generally to networks that operate on a scheduled communications basis, it is described in the context of a Foundation FIELDBUS. The method includes: scheduling sequences and their associated publications according to their relative priority, per application; minimizing delays between certain function blocks, and between certain function blocks and publications; and grouping certain publications. Accordingly, advantages such as latency reduction, schedule length reduction, and improved communications capacity are gained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Hodson
  • Publication number: 20110112473
    Abstract: A medication injection site is provided that includes a medication port and an identification sensor. The medication injection site, when coupled to a medication container, can wirelessly transmit data characterizing the contents of the medication container to a remote data collection system. The housing of the medication injection site has a shape and size enabling it to be held by a first hand of a user while the user administers medication from the medication container via the medication port using his or her second hand. In some implementations, the medication injection site can be placed on an IV drip line. Related apparatus, systems, and kits are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Walter John Bochenko, Shawn Wayne DeKalb, Winthrop De Childers
  • Patent number: 7937164
    Abstract: Methods and systems to detect abnormal operations in a process of a process plant include collecting on-line process data. The collected on-line process data is generated from a plurality of dependent and independent process variables of the process, such as a coker heater. A plurality of multivariate statistical models of the operation of the process are generated using corresponding sets of the process data. Each model is a measure of the operation of the process when the process is on-line at different times, and at least one model is a measure of the operation of the process when the process is on-line and operating normally. The models are executed to generate outputs corresponding to loading value metrics of a corresponding dependent process variable, and the loading value metrics are utilized to detect abnormal operations of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikola Samardzija, Ahmad A. Hamad
  • Patent number: 7937178
    Abstract: A charging method for a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus, which can appropriately and promptly distribute profits between a customer and a manufacturer according to the yield of semiconductor devices. An indicator related to the yield of the semiconductor devices is measured, and a fee is charged for the usage of the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus according to the measured indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Moriya
  • Publication number: 20110098937
    Abstract: A single chip wireless sensor comprises a microcontroller connected by a transmit/receive interface to a wireless antenna. The microcontroller is also connected to an 8 kB RAM, a USB interface, an RS232 interface, 64 kB flash memory, and a 32 kHz crystal. The device senses humidity and temperature, and a humidity sensor is connected by an 18 bit ?? A-to-D converter to the microcontroller and a temperature sensor is connected by a 12 bit SAR A-to-D converter to the microcontroller. The device is an integrated chip manufactured in a single process in which both the electronics and sensor components are manufactured using standard CMOS processing techniques, applied to achieve both electronic and sensing components in an integrated process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Timothy Cummins
  • Patent number: 7933736
    Abstract: A data logger is disclosed wherein a common housing includes different function blocks which are connected to one another. These function blocks include at least one analog/digital converter for conversion of measurement signals into digital input data, a memory unit for recording of digital data and of digitized event data, a timer, a processor unit for processing of data, a power supply source and input and output interfaces for measurement signals or digital data and event data. The processor unit is configured for conversion of digital input data and time data into a format which is compatible with standardized software (e.g., freely available) and which makes it possible to display the processed data using standardized software in tabular and/or graphic form on an output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Elpro-Buchs AG
    Inventors: Alois Bischof, Beat Rudolf
  • Patent number: 7930144
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems of tracking enterprise gas emissions such as greenhouse gas emissions. The systems and methods relate to collecting or entering data relating to one or more emissions source of an enterprise or an enterprise location, calculating emissions totals, and, according to certain embodiments, generating emissions reports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Verisae, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. McConnell, Paul Hepperla, Daniel T. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7930140
    Abstract: A system for monitoring variable parameters out of working parameters of a processing machine includes a selecting module, a frequency updating module, a first communicating module, a central processing unit (CPU), and a value processing module. The selecting module selects a number of variable parameters out of working parameters of the processing machine. The frequency updating module sets an updating frequency of the selected variable parameters according to the number of the selected variable parameters. The first communicating module converts the selected variable parameters into appointed formats. The CPU receives the converted variable parameters at the updating frequency, and gather the values of the received variable parameters. The value processing module receives the values of the selected variable parameters, and transforms the values of the selected variable parameters to display formats for presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Foxnum Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shen-An Chen
  • Patent number: 7930136
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting abnormal conditions and preventing abnormal situations from occurring in controlled processes. Statistical signatures of a monitored variable are modeled as a function of the statistical signatures of a load variable. The statistical signatures of the monitored variable may be modeled according to an extensible regression model or a simplified load following algorithm. The systems and methods may be advantageously applied to detect plugged impulse lines in a differential pressure flow measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Philip Miller
  • Patent number: 7927559
    Abstract: A disposable assay device that assays one or more samples, and transmits assay data or information to a remote receiving system. The device is provided with one or more assay context sensors configured to monitor one or more assay context factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Maarten Peter Bodlaender, Wilhelmus Gijsbert Johannes Joseph Stut, Erik Petrus Nicolaas Damen
  • Patent number: 7930143
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide devices, methods and systems, including without limitation data acquisition systems, that can provide flexible sensing and/or data acquisition solutions. An exemplary sensing device, which may be in communication with one or more computers, such as a server, etc., can include one or more sensor(s), a processor and/or a data store. The sensing device can, perhaps in response to instructions received from the computer, filter and/or otherwise process data acquired by the sensor before transmitting the desired data to the computer. The sensing device may store some or all of the acquired data locally and/or may transmit, replicate, etc. some or all of the stored data to the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Carlo Tarantola, Grezgorz Wojcik, Maciej Skolecki, Marcin Odrowaz-Sypniewski
  • Publication number: 20110087438
    Abstract: A system and method of using an adaptable interface for a medical device such as a scale. The scale includes a memory, a display, a processor, and a measurement component to measure one or more characteristics of a subject, such as height or weight. The adaptable interface includes a reconfigurable driver module that enables communication with different Electronic Health Record (“EHR”) systems. The interface can download new drivers or update drivers to reconfigure the driver module. The reconfigured driver module is then configured to communicate with an EHR system according to the particular EHR system communication protocol. The adaptable interface is modular and includes one or more mounting adapters to enable coupling to adjustable interface mounting assembly. The adjustable interface mounting assembly is also operable to receive other modular interface units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Dan Maeir, Richard L. Crandall
  • Publication number: 20110087461
    Abstract: A wireless data logging module for a test and measuring device is presented. The data logging module includes a test and measuring device that measures a variable of a process and a wireless transceiver coupled to the test and measuring device. The wireless transceiver includes a microprocessor for capturing and processing signals. The signals encode data and information including the measured variable from the test and measuring device. The transceiver also includes memory coupled to the microprocessor for storing the data, and communication circuitry coupled to the microprocessor. The communication circuitry includes input/output circuitry for transmitting and receiving the signals over a wireless communication path to a plurality of wireless devices. In one embodiment the process variable includes at least one of temperature, voltage, humidity, pressure, strain, resistance, motion, light, current, velocity and flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Milton B. Hollander, Michael A. Macchiarelli
  • Publication number: 20110087462
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a hardware architecture and reference platform family for constructing large-scale, long-lived, wireless data acquisition networks. Embodiments of the device are designed to enable data collection, data processing, data storage, and data communication across a broad range of sensor, storage, and communication technologies. When deployed at scale, the devices form an intelligent sensing fabric that can cover a large geographic area with minimal power requirements at a low cost. While the architecture was originally conceived to suit the requirements of the Intelligent River™ program, the architecture and its platform realizations provide value to a range of industry segments, from agriculture and utilities to defense and manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Jason O. Hallstom
  • Patent number: 7925552
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a renewable energy system monitor. In one embodiment, information is received in a server from solar power stations across a network. The information includes operational data for each solar power station identified by a particular power station identification (ID). The information is stored in a database and grouped data groups corresponding different solar power stations. Data groups are processed using different models associated with different power stations to control the different power stations. Software or parameters may be sent to different devices in the different power stations to control the power stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Ben Tarbell, Peter Rive, Chebar Ivan Cooper, Roland Poklemba, Nelson David Ho
  • Patent number: 7925471
    Abstract: Brings the response time of a Web server and the like closer to a targeted value. A controller controlling the average response time elapsed between reception by information processing apparatus of a processing request and response of information processing apparatus to the processing request. The controller including: a section for obtaining a response time goal which is a target value of the average response time; a section for calculating a predicted response time which is a predicted value of the average response time at the time point when a predetermined reference period has elapsed from setting an operation mode in the information processing apparatus, the operation mode being any of a plurality of operation modes which provide different throughputs; and a section for setting the operation mode in the information processing apparatus if predicted response time calculated by the predicted response time calculating section is less than goal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Nakaike, Hideaki Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20110082654
    Abstract: The invention compares geographically remote locations on a power grid by determining at each location the amount of change to phasor measurements for a period of time, and then comparing the determined change values from each location to determine relative differences in values as an indicator of the stability of the power grid. One embodiment calculates the product of the node's most recent phasor and a complex conjugate of that nodes previous phasor sample to produce a phase difference phasor for that node. The various phase difference phasors are sent to a monitoring location (which may be local for one of the phasors) and comparisons made among the phase difference phasors to assess the amount of load imbalance among the nodes that are being compared. In one embodiment those comparisons are done by determining “relative” phase change rate phasors by calculating the product of one incoming phase difference phasor with the conjugate of another incoming phase difference phasor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventor: Richard T. Dickens
  • Patent number: 7920988
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for capturing interactions in a system is disclosed. The method includes receiving a selection of a first component of the system and receiving a selection of a second component of the system. The method further includes receiving a selection of an interaction between the first component and the second component, and displaying a list of functions performed by the selected interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Moretti, Cole D. Hagen, David A. Guldan
  • Patent number: 7920989
    Abstract: A central test facility transmits wirelessly test data to a local test facility, which tests electronic devices using the test data. The local test facility transmits wirelessly response data generated by the electronic devices back to the central test facility, which analyzes the response data to determine which electronic devices passed the testing. The central test facility may provide the results of the testing to other entities, such as a design facility where the electronic devices were designed or a manufacturing facility where the electronic devices where manufactured. The central test facility may accept requests for test resources from any of a number of local test facilities, schedule test times corresponding to each test request, and at a scheduled test time, wirelessly transmits test data to a corresponding local test facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Y. Khandros, Benjamin N. Eldridge
  • Publication number: 20110077910
    Abstract: Disclosed are a universal adapter for the personal health device (PHD) standardization of a non-standardized healthcare device and an operating method thereof. The universal adapter includes: an adapter interface device communicating with a non-standardized healthcare device, which does not follow PHD standardization, to collect measurement data measured by the non-standardized healthcare device; and a universal adapter device receiving the measurement data from the adapter interface device, generating a PHD standard message including the received measurement data, and transmitting the PHD standard message to a PHD gateway according to a PHD standard communication scheme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Joon Ho LIM, Chan Yong Park, Soo Jun Park, Seon Hee Park
  • Publication number: 20110073771
    Abstract: A ground-based system that provides quasi real-time measurement and collection of snow-water equivalent (SWE) data in remote settings is provided. The disclosed invention is significantly less expensive and easier to deploy than current methods and less susceptible to terrain and snow bridging effects. Embodiments of the invention include remote data recovery solutions. Compared to current infrastructure using existing SWE technology, the disclosed invention allows more SWE sites to be installed for similar cost and effort, in a greater variety of terrain; thus, enabling data collection at improved spatial resolutions. The invention integrates a novel computational architecture with new sensor technologies. The invention's computational architecture is based on wireless sensor networks, comprised of programmable, low-cost, low-powered nodes capable of sophisticated sensor control and remote data communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Jeff L Frolik, Christian Skalka
  • Publication number: 20110071794
    Abstract: An industrial process control transmitter includes a first input configured to couple to a first sensor, and a second input configured to couple to a second sensor. Measurement circuitry is configured to couple to the first and second sensors and provide an output related to a sensed process variable. A multiplexer is configured to selectively couple the first and second sensors to the measurement circuitry. An equalizer circuit is coupled to the first and second sensors and configured to equalize a voltage potential between the first sensor and the measurement circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew J. Bronczyk, Charles E. Goetzinger, Jason H. Rud, Clarence E. Holmstadt, Douglas W. Arntson
  • Publication number: 20110072379
    Abstract: Methods, computer systems and computer readable media for receiving data from infusion pumps in a healthcare setting and displaying the data on a user device are provided. Centralized clinician views are provided to manage individual and multiple patient infusions. Embodiments provide near real-time graphical displays of infusion data to clinicians on separate user devices. In addition, near real-time graphical displays of patient physiologic data is displayed simultaneously to a clinician along with the infusion data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: CERNER INNOVATION, INC.
    Inventors: MARY GANNON, LISA KELLY, STEPHANIE ROGERS, AMANDA BUCKLEY
  • Patent number: 7912678
    Abstract: A system for identifying a piece of oilfield equipment having an exterior surface, the system having an identifier assembly that includes an RFID tag storing a unique identifier, an enclosure receiving and retaining the RFID tag, and a reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Denny, Edward E. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7912677
    Abstract: A remote generator fuel monitoring system is provided. The system can include graphical user interface logic and connection logic. The graphical user interface logic typically provides a user with periodically updated data points associated with a fuel monitor coupled to an AC plant. The connection logic typically connects to a monitoring server and receives the periodically updated data points associated with the fuel monitor, the monitoring server being coupled to a number of fuel monitors via a network. Methods and other systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: C. Pat James
  • Publication number: 20110066309
    Abstract: An electric vehicle information system prevents circulation of non-authentic batteries and battery components for electric vehicles. An electric vehicle data processing system is employed that performs, on an electric vehicle battery module having a plurality of battery cells installed therein, authentication of individual battery cells and the battery module itself in a hierarchical manner using a microcomputer. An electric vehicle is configured so as to cause the microcomputer of the data processing system to accumulate voltage history and charge history of the batteries in a nonvolatile storage circuit. The history information and the electric vehicle ID can be gathered by a maintenance device and a data server via an electronic control unit of the electric vehicle. A maintenance service system may thus be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunari Matsuoka, Akira Yamazaki, Jun Miyake, Masayuki Hirokawa
  • Patent number: 7908035
    Abstract: A controller for use in monitoring at least one operating wind turbine is communicatively coupled to the at least one operating wind turbine, to a server sub-system, and to a user interface device. The controller is configured to receive operational data from the at least one operating wind turbine and select at least one formula based on the received operational data, wherein at least one of a predetermined formula is selected, a formula is selected via the user interface device, and a formula is selected via the server sub-system. The controller is further configured to determine at least one site level parameter using the at least one selected formula, and transmit at least one of operational data, the at least one selected formula, and the determined parameter to the server sub-system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vivek Kumar, Hemanth Kumar A, Chery Jose, Sandeep Kumar Vidiyala
  • Publication number: 20110060525
    Abstract: A moored buoy floating at the ocean surface and anchored to the seafloor precisely measures acceleration, pitch, roll, and Earth's magnetic flux field of the buoy over a limited sampling period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Chung-Chu Teng, Rodney Riley, Richard Bouchard
  • Patent number: 7901546
    Abstract: The present invention includes systems, methods and apparatus for continuously, independently and in some cases remotely monitoring the operation of a current interrupter used to test a cathodic protection system, or the cathodic protection system itself, for verification of proper operation. Embodiments of the invention include electronic devices that may be temporarily attached to a current interrupter that is being used to test a cathodic protection system, or directly to the cathodic protection system itself. Embodiments of the invention monitor the activity of an interrupter by sampling the output (voltage and time) to identify the cycle(s) of the interrupter. The invention provides truly independent verification since it does not need to know in advance the sequence or cycle times of the current interrupter being monitored. The information obtained by the invention is output so that it may be provided to a user, displayed, downloaded or stored for future reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: M.C. Miller Co.
    Inventors: Melvin C. Miller, Marcelo Jakubzick, Juan Pablo Gutierrez
  • Publication number: 20110046920
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to methods and systems anticipating a potentially threatening or dangerous incident, and providing varying levels of response to a user. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides varying levels of assistance to a user prior to, during, and after a threatening incident occurs. By providing assistance prior to a threatening incident occurring, the system may be able to thwart potential attacks, bodily harm, robberies, break-ins, and other criminal or dangerous activity. The assistance can be, for example, in the form of deterrents, alerting first responders to go to the scene, sending security personnel to the scene, remotely monitoring the scene, remotely interacting with the scene, providing information and advice to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: DAVID AMIS
  • Publication number: 20110046889
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring, storing and communicating measurements of a dog, cat, other animal or inanimate object's environment. The apparatus may take the form of a collar, bridle, tag, harness or other mechanism worn by the animal or a device to be shipped with the animal or inanimate object. The apparatus may include mechanisms to initiate and terminate measurement and may include the ability to detect and report values exceeding specified limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Donald Ray Bryant-Rich, Diana Eve Barshaw-Rich
  • Patent number: 7893824
    Abstract: An alarm control apparatus which collects alarms from an equipment of a plant and handles the alarms includes a support information collecting section which adds support information for managing the equipment to the alarms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Okada
  • Patent number: 7895018
    Abstract: A method for event monitoring for a wind turbine is described. The method includes measuring a first signal pattern representing a characteristic selected from a characteristic group, the characteristic group consisting of: a mechanical characteristic of a wind turbine, emitted noise of a wind turbine, emitted noise of a part of a wind turbine; power output of a wind turbine, surface conductivity of parts of a wind turbine, operational data of a wind turbine, temperature of parts of a wind turbine, outside temperature, wind velocity, wind direction, and outside air humidity or other weather conditions; measuring at least a second signal pattern representing a different characteristic selected from the characteristic group; analyzing the first and the second signal pattern or a combination of the first and the second analyzed signal pattern with an analyzing method, wherein analyzed data is generated; and evaluating the analyzed data, wherein the evaluation provides a result indicative for an event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jacob Nies
  • Patent number: 7895000
    Abstract: An environmental sensor including an inlet and an outlet such that a flow of fluid moves from the inlet to the outlet, a particle detection portion to detect particles in the fluid, and a controller connected to the particle detection portion. The environmental sensor can be in communication with a data acquisition system (e.g., via a wireless access point) to form a particle counting system. Also disclosed are methods of operating the environmental sensor and methods of operating the particle detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Venturedyne, Ltd.
    Inventors: David L. Chandler, Daniel Edward Cain, Glenn Y. Kozuma, Joe Somoza
  • Patent number: 7895016
    Abstract: A controller for use in managing an operational lifetime of at least one wind turbine is communicatively coupled to at least one wind turbine and a server sub-system. The controller is configured to receive operational data from the wind turbine, transmit the operational data to the server sub-system, and transmit a request for historical data corresponding to the wind turbine to the server sub-system. The controller is further configured to receive a response from the server sub-system, wherein the response includes historical data corresponding to the wind turbine, and to determine an estimate of a time failure of the wind turbine based on at least one of the operational data and the historical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sameer Vittal, Subrat Nanda, Amit Joshi, Donna Green, Hesham Azzam
  • Patent number: 7894944
    Abstract: Processes and techniques for environmental monitoring in a data facility are described. A network of environmental sensors is arranged to monitor a variety of environmental conditions of the facility. The sensors can be queried to generate data describing specific environmental conditions, and the data can be processed to generate an environmental image of all or part of the data facility. The environmental image can optionally be viewed by data facility personnel and can be used to manipulate one or more environmental conditions of the data facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jie Liu, Feng Zhao, Nissanka Bodhi Priyantha
  • Patent number: 7895267
    Abstract: This invention provides an extensible method for performing management operations on known and unknown targets. The extensible method is implemented on a fully extensible system where management software and triggers that cause these management operations to be run are easily extended in the field. The triggers may include information indicating a change in inventory, product state, or an event, and may originate directly from a product or from an information store containing information about installed products. The management software facilitates mining this information, parsing the information through a manifest of the triggers, and selecting functions to determine if a management operation should be executed, and if so, which management operation. Generally, the management software executes the selected management operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur Millican, Jonathan Fletcher
  • Patent number: 7890301
    Abstract: Representative embodiments are directed to distributed sensor systems from which measurement data is extracted using mobile devices. Representative embodiments record access attempts by the mobile devices and calculate the probabilities of future access by a mobile device to sensor devices using the recorded information. Collection points are selected in response to the probabilities of future access. Additionally, memory management and data prioritization may occur that is at least partially dependent upon the probabilities of future access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jogesh Warrior, John C. Eidson
  • Patent number: 7890299
    Abstract: Providing for event-controlled continuous logging for a mobile operating environment is described herein. For instance, collection of mobile device operating system (OS) log data can be initiated and terminated as a result of one or more predetermined events. The events can both trigger collection as well as terminate collection of the log data. Further, limiting collection/termination of log data to particular log index codes is also described herein, enabling logging of data pertinent to one or more determinable events. As described, the subject specification discloses mechanisms to initiate and to terminate continuous logging of mobile OS log codes as a result of occurrence of one or more determinable events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: QUALCOMM, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenny Fok, Eric Chi Chung Yip, Mikhail A. Lushin
  • Patent number: 7890302
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for astronomical activity monitoring and imaging using a plurality of distributed remotely-reprogrammable observing devices communicating with a server, and providing astronomical activity monitoring and imaging information. In one embodiment the observing devices may also have sensors coupled to provide atmospheric data that further characterizes the astronomical activity monitoring and imaging information. Furthermore, remote reprogramming of observing device by broadcast data transmitted by a satellite is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Health Hero Network, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Brown
  • Patent number: 7890300
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a field device connected via a data bus with a control unit. To prevent unauthorized tampering with the field device, the control unit requests, at intervals of time, an individual identifier of the field device. The requested individual identifier is compared with an identifier stored in the control unit. An alarm is produced or a warning, in the case of a change in the requested individual identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Vincent De Groot, Philipp Zumoberhaus
  • Patent number: RE42166
    Abstract: There is provided a monitoring apparatus that can reduce the processing load when a plurality of such monitoring apparatuses are centrally managed. The monitoring apparatus is capable of communicating with a management apparatus that centrally manages a plurality of monitoring apparatuses. The monitoring apparatus manages maintenance information relating to a plurality of peripheral apparatuses, including at least operation information. The maintenance information relating to the peripheral apparatuses is managed. Confirmation information including identification information identifying the monitoring apparatus, and the managed maintenance information is periodically transmitted. The management apparatus generates monitoring object management information based on a history of transmissions of the transmitted confirmation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Oya