Weather Patents (Class 702/3)
  • Patent number: 10429547
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for managing and regulating construction sites, particularly in light of inclement weather or hazardous conditions. In many jurisdictions, extreme weather conditions, including excessive precipitation, render a construction site closed, or unworkable, thereby wasting time and resources. This invention provides a system and processes to monitor, detect and measure precipitation on a construction site, and even several sub-sites on the construction site, from a remote location. The system and processes of the present invention also provide features to further investigate precipitation levels in a more efficient manner than conventionally available and to communicate the construction site conditions, e.g., precipitation levels, and whether the site has met the required regulatory thresholds for inspection. Moreover, the present invention may be used to determine the magnitude of rain events, and potential liabilities associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Curry
  • Patent number: 10433268
    Abstract: A device operates in a cellular communications network by detecting a timing signal from a serving base station, obtaining timing information from at least one other base station, and setting a value for a transmission time offset based on the detected timing signals from the serving base station and the at least one other base station. The device then transmits signals to the serving base station using the set value for the transmission time offset. The device may obtain the timing information from at least one other base station by detecting a timing signal transmitted by the at least one other base station, and subtracting the timing difference between the detected timing signals from the serving base station and the one other base station from a predetermined baseline time offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Osman Nuri Can Yilmaz, Erik Eriksson, Martin Hessler
  • Patent number: 10429201
    Abstract: A system and method provides a route and turn-by-turn directions based on estimates of current and future traffic along the route. A client device may request turn-by-turn directions between an initial and a final location. A server may identify a plurality of routes between the locations. Each route of the plurality of routes may be divided into route segments. For each route segment of a particular route, the server may estimate a travel time. The travel time may be based on estimated vehicle volume data generated from information received from other users vehicle Based on the estimated travel time for each route segment of a particular route, the server may estimate a total travel time for the particular route. The server may repeat this estimate for each of the plurality of routes between the locations and select the route with the lowest estimated travel time. Based on the selected route, the server may generate turn-by-turn directions and transmit the directions to the client device for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventor: David M. Barth
  • Patent number: 10424047
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a ground confidence map of a geographic area, comprising the steps of creating a ground confidence map of a geographic area, the ground confidence map having a plurality of pixels with each pixel corresponding to a particular geographic location; assigning the pixels in the ground confidence map with pixel values indicative of composite ground confidence scores; and storing pixel values indicative of a statistical probability that the geographical location represented by the particular pixels represent the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Frank Giuffrida, Stephen Schultz, Robert Gray, Robert Bradacs
  • Patent number: 10410375
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising: a storage device storing weather data representing a state of an atmospheric air in at least one of a plurality of areas existing within a predetermined range; and a control device computing a color of a cloud about at least one area by using the weather data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: JAPAN AGENCY FOR MARINE-EARTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ryo Onishi, Shintaro Kawahara, Keiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10402691
    Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques of adjusting the combination of the samples in a training batch or training set. Embodiments include techniques to determine an accuracy for each class of a classification model, for example. Based on the determined accuracies, the combination of the samples in the training batch may be adjusted or modified to improve the training of the classification model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Fardin Abdi Taghi Abad, Jeremy Edward Goodsitt, Austin Grant Walters
  • Patent number: 10386541
    Abstract: Techniques for analysis and prediction of cloud particle distribution and solar radiation are provided. In one aspect, a method for analyzing cloud particle characteristics includes the steps of: (a) collecting meteorological data; (b) calculating solar radiation values using a radiative transfer model based on the meteorological data and blended guess functions of a cloud particle distribution (c) optimizing the cloud particle distribution by optimizing the weight coefficients used for the blended guess functions of the cloud particle distribution based on the solar radiation values calculated in step (b) and measured solar radiation values; (d) training a machine-learning process using the meteorological data collected in step (a) and the cloud particle distribution optimized in step (c) as training samples; and (e) predicting future solar radiation values using forecasted meteorological data and the machine-learning process trained in step (d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Siyuan Lu
  • Patent number: 10385829
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for generating one or more farm-level power curves for a wind farm that can be used to validate an upgrade provided to the wind farm. The method includes operating the wind farm in a first operational mode. Another step includes collecting turbine-level operational data from one or more of the wind turbines in the wind farm during the first operational mode. The method also includes aggregating the turbine-level operational data into a representative farm-level time-series. Another step includes analyzing the operational data collected during the first second operational mode. Thus, the method also includes generating one or more farm-level power curves for the first operational mode based on the analyzed operational data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Megan Wilson, Stefan Kern, Siddhanth Chandrashekar, Dongjai Lee, Sara Delport, Akshay Ambekar, Subhankar Ghosh
  • Patent number: 10386543
    Abstract: A set of characteristics of a period is extracted from a forecast that is applicable to the period and a geographical area. From a repository, a set of historical data is selected corresponding to a historical period, the set of historical data including a historical forecast related to the geographical area, and an actual measurement of wind at a location in the geographical area, the set of historical data having a subset of the set of characteristics. From the set of historical data, a function is computed to represent a discrepancy between the historical forecast and the actual measurement over the historical period. A bias value is computed from the function. By applying the bias to a value in the forecast, an adjusted forecast is produced of winds at a wind turbine located at a location in the geographical area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James P. Cipriani, Ildar Khabibrakhmanov, Younghun Kim, Anthony P. Praino, Lloyd A. Treinish
  • Patent number: 10387458
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for obtaining historical mold spore data. The system may have a computer with a processor. At least one database may be used which contains information correlating subregion codes of a geographic area with ones of predetermined climate classification codes associated with each of the subregion codes. The database further may have available historical mold spore data for the subregion codes and be configured to receive an input indicating a target subregion code that identifies an area falling within the geographic area; to identify a specific one of the codes that is associated with the target subregion code; and to obtain portions of the stored historical mold spore data which is associated with ones of the subregion codes falling within the geographic area that have the specific one of the codes associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: EMLab P&K, LLC
    Inventors: Harriet A. Burge, David F. Gallup, Malcolm J. Moody, Edward V. B. Chadez, Daniel M. Devine
  • Patent number: 10379259
    Abstract: An estimation apparatus includes an acquirer, a deriver, and a determiner. The acquirer acquires time-sequential observation data related to cloud-altitude. The deriver derives a first change in cloud altitude from at least a first altitude at a first time and a second altitude at a second time. The deriver derives a second change in cloud altitude from at least a third altitude at a third time and a fourth altitude at a fourth time. The determiner determines a cloud developmental stage based at least in part on the first and second changes in cloud altitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kobayashi, Aya Namiki, Fumihiko Mizutani, Takahiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10371863
    Abstract: A method for estimating adjusted rainfall values for a set of geo-locations using agricultural data comprises using a server computer system that receives, via a network, agricultural data records that are used to estimate rainfall values for the set of geo-locations. Within the server computer system, rainfall calculation instructions receive digital data including observed radar and rain-gauge agricultural data records. The computer system then aggregates the agricultural data records and creates and stores the agricultural data sets. The agricultural data records are then transformed into one or more distribution sets. The distribution sets are then used to determine regression parameters for a digital rainfall regression model. The digital rainfall regression model then is used to estimate adjusted rainfall values for a new set of geo-locations. The server computer system then generates a digital image that includes the geo-locations and the adjusted rainfall values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: The Climate Corporation
    Inventors: Bill Leeds, Valliappa Lakshmanan
  • Patent number: 10375182
    Abstract: A system for collecting and managing wind speed data via an external communications network comprises one or more wind stations, each including an anemometer producing wind speed signals, a station computing device converting the signals to wind speed data, a station memory securely storing the wind speed data on site and a station communication interface transmitting the wind speed data onto an external network. The system further comprises one or more data servers, each including a server computing device, a server communication interface receiving the wind speed data from the wind stations and a server memory storing the received wind speed data. The data server can determine if the received wind speed data satisfies predetermined conditions for certification and/or triggering a payout in accordance with a contract, and can thereafter transmit the appropriate data signals to another location on the external communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: New Paradigm Group, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley I. Meier
  • Patent number: 10374547
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an aggregation management apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to acquire position information and performance information of each photovoltaic power generation facility in a set of photovoltaic power generation facilities from a storage; and calculate an evaluation value of a predictive error of a total generated energy of the set of photovoltaic power generation facilities, based on the position information, the performance information, and a correlation level of the predictive errors of solar radiation information depending on a distance between two locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiromasa Shin, Mitsuru Kakimoto, Yusuke Endoh
  • Patent number: 10367924
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a network control system, a message that includes content and a header. The header identifies a propagation mode for sending the content via a network. The method includes, based on at least the propagation mode, obtaining location data regarding a plurality of devices connected to the network. The method also includes, based on at least the location data, identifying an intended recipient from the plurality of devices. The method includes transmitting the content to the intended recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Interwise Ltd.
    Inventors: Sofia Belikovetsky, Yossi Ben-Hagai, Ofer HaCohen
  • Patent number: 10366357
    Abstract: A central server containing a database receives snowfall data from weather stations that are contained at a multitude of different sites within a defined geographical area. The central server stores the snowfall data in the database, correlating the data with various user accounts. For instance, the data is correlated with the account of the owner of the site from which the data was received, and with the accounts of landscape contractors whom the owner of the site has engaged to clear snow from his site. The central server provides alerts to various user accounts based on the snowfall data. For instance, the server provides alerts to site owners based on the snowfall at their sites, and to landscape contractors based on the snowfall at sites they are engaged to clear snow from.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Telsco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkataramu L. Bangalore, William C. Savelle, Jr., Lex M. Mason, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10359543
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for forecasting lightning activity. Such a method may include obtaining radar reflectivity data from a radar detection device for multiple altitudes over an environmental region for a past period of time, and dividing the reflectivity data into multiple sub-regions within the region. The method may also include obtaining lightning discharge data for the environmental region from a lightning discharge detecting device for a past period of time, and establishing a customizable mathematical operator based on the radar reflectivity data and the lightning discharge data. The method may additionally include receiving forecast radar data for at least one of the sub-region for a future time period, and forecasting a probability of lightning strikes in at least one of the sub-regions based on applying the customizable mathematical operator to the forecast radar data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Vaisala, Inc.
    Inventor: Evan Ruzanski
  • Patent number: 10359206
    Abstract: A Thermal Performance Forecast approach is described that can be used to forecast heating and cooling fuel consumption based on changes to user preferences and building-specific parameters that include indoor temperature, building insulation, HVAC system efficiency, and internal gains. A simplified version of the Thermal Performance Forecast approach, called the Approximated Thermal Performance Forecast, provides a single equation that accepts two fundamental input parameters and four ratios that express the relationship between the existing and post-change variables for the building properties to estimate future fuel consumption. The Approximated Thermal Performance Forecast approach marginally sacrifices accuracy for a simplified forecast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Clean Power Research, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Hoff
  • Patent number: 10359359
    Abstract: A gas concentration-length quantification method, including: acquiring a first image including a gas plume with a camera; identifying and segmenting pixels corresponding to the gas plume in the first image; generating a background image corresponding to the first image using an image inpainting algorithm with the first image and positional information of the segmented pixels corresponding to the gas plume as inputs; calculating a gas concentration-length for each pixel corresponding to the gas plume in the first image, based on the first image and the background image data; and triggering an alert when the gas concentration-length for at least one pixel exceeds a threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Leiming Wang, Ting Xu
  • Patent number: 10354429
    Abstract: A patient monitoring system is described herein. In one example, the patient monitoring system comprises at least one processor programmed to generate an image which displays a patient condition as color weather radar on a map. In some examples, at least one monitored condition is positioned on the map so that the weather image expands, develops or moves over the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Lynn
  • Patent number: 10356317
    Abstract: A system for wide-scale light field imaging comprising: a network of multiple terrestrial cameras positioned at multiple known locations, where each of the cameras comprises a wide-angle lens directed towards the sky and configured to capture one or more images of the sky, and a processor configured to operate a wired and/or wireless communications infrastructure for transmitting the captured images; and a server configured to receive the wirelessly transmitted images and jointly process the received images, thereby producing a wide-scale light field image of the sky.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Technion Research & Development Foundation Limited
    Inventors: Yoav Y. Schechner, Dmitri Veikherman, Amit Aides
  • Patent number: 10338274
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system receives first data comprising precipitation gauge measurements at a plurality of gauge locations. The system obtains second data comprising radar based precipitation estimates at the plurality of gauge locations. For each radar based precipitation value at the plurality of gauge locations, the system identifies one or more corresponding precipitation gauge measurement, computes a gauge radar differential value for the radar based precipitation estimate, and stores the gauge radar differential value with location data identifying a corresponding location of the plurality of gauge locations. The system then obtains a particular radar based precipitation estimate at a non-gauge location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: The Climate Corporation
    Inventors: Francisco Alvarez, Valliappa Lakshmanan
  • Patent number: 10339232
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to evaluate building heating fuel consumption is described. The evaluation can be used for quantifying personalized electric and fuel bill savings. Such savings may be associated with investment decisions relating to building envelope improvements; HVAC equipment improvements; delivery system efficiency improvements; and fuel switching. The results can also be used for assessing the cost/benefit of behavioral changes, such as changing thermostat temperature settings. Similarly, the results can be used for optimizing an HVAC control system algorithm based on current and forecasted outdoor temperature and on current and forecasted solar irradiance to satisfy consumer preferences in a least cost manner. Finally, the results can be used to correctly size a photovoltaic (PV) system to satisfy needs prior to investments by anticipating existing energy usage and the associated change in usage based on planned investments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Clean Power Research, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Hoff
  • Patent number: 10330826
    Abstract: A sensor based system for capturing localized weather data and a server system for communicating with a plurality of reporting and recipient mobile communication devices. The communication devices are enabled to capture additional weather information to supplement the sensor based system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Eugene T. Smyth, Deborah D. Fox, Roopak Hooda, Kristen Sara Mattson, Kristian L. Sanders
  • Patent number: 10331089
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a computer-implemented method of forecasting power generation. The method includes analyzing, using a processor, a set of historical weather data. A set of historical power generation data is analyzed using the processor. The processor then determines a plurality of clusters, where each cluster of the plurality of clusters represents weather data for a time period and power generated during the time period. The processor then receives a weather forecast for a future time period. The processor determines which cluster of the set of cluster contains weather data that is most similar to the weather forecast. The processor then uses the historical power generation data of the cluster to forecast power generation for the future time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ildar Khabibrakhmanov, Tarun Kumar, Rui Zhang
  • Patent number: 10325382
    Abstract: A contextual image manipulation apparatus may include an image part identifier to identify a part of an image, an information collector to collect information from at least one external source, a context identifier communicatively coupled to the information collector to determine contextual information from the collected information and at least one other contextual source, and an image manipulator communicatively coupled to the image part identifier and the context identifier to alter a feature of the image part based on the contextual information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Shahar Taite, Tomer Rider, Shay Pluderman
  • Patent number: 10314242
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises the steps of using a processor to calculate, for a current calendar date, an initial growing degree day (GDD) warmth value based at least in part upon a past GDD warmth value for a calendar date in a previous year corresponding to the current calendar date; calculate a present GDD warmth value; calculate a deviation value from at least the initial GDD warmth value and the present GDD warmth value; calculate for a future calendar date a future growing degree day (GDD) warmth value based at least in part upon a past GDD warmth value for a calendar date in a previous year corresponding to the future calendar date; and determine a predicted GDD warmth value for the future calendar date by applying the deviation value to the future GDD warmth value. An apparatus to perform the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Anand Persad
  • Patent number: 10317571
    Abstract: Real-time monitoring, parametric profiling, and regulating contaminated outdoor air particulate matter throughout a region, via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Green Vision Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Danny S. Moshe
  • Patent number: 10317575
    Abstract: The present application describes a means for utilizing mobile sensors to obtain estimated weather observations for use in enhancing climatological databases. Such mobile sensor data is incorporated into a database also containing data from fixed reference sensors. The mobile sensor weather data is combined statistically to derive pseudo-observations to be added to the database. The data from sensors and from prior pseudo-observations are used to perform quality analysis of the data in the database and invalidate outlier data values. The remaining data is used to generate a climatology database that enables generation of more accurate weather forecasts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Global Weather Corporation
    Inventors: William B Gail, William Myers, Danny Cheresnick, Joshua Thompson
  • Patent number: 10318558
    Abstract: Methods and arrangements for automating weather model configurations. Characteristics of a target geographical area are received, as are a plurality of existing weather model configurations which are implemented for undertaking weather modeling in other geographical areas. A subset of the existing weather model configurations is selected, the subset comprising configurations corresponding to geographical areas having characteristics similar to the characteristics of the target area. A weather model is run with respect to each configuration in the subset of existing weather model configurations. Based on the running of a weather model with respect to each configuration, an output set of weather model configurations is selected for undertaking weather modeling in the target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, UNIVERSITI BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
    Inventors: James Peter Cipriani, Thomas George, Saiful A. Husain, Rashmi Mittal, Anthony P. Praino, Yogish Sabharwal, Vaibhav Saxena, Lloyd Alan Treinish
  • Patent number: 10295704
    Abstract: An approach for forecasting local weather patterns. The approach includes a method that includes receiving, by at least one computing device, images that include weather related information. The method includes analyzing, by the at least one computing device, the images to determine particular types of weather phenomena. The method includes analyzing, by the at least one computing device, the images to determine a motion of the particular types of weather phenomena. The method includes determining, by the at least one computing device, a weather forecast based on the analyzed images and the motion of the particular types of weather phenomena.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATINOAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard M. Haas, Randy S. Johnson, Tedrick N. Northway, William H. Rinckel
  • Patent number: 10289760
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and machine-readable media for assessing potential water damage. One or more embodiments include surveying a structure with a sensor in communication with a mobile computing device, generating a model of the structure based on the survey of the structure, simulating water movement in relation to the structure to determine a potential for water damage to the structure, and determining whether to purchase flood insurance for the structure based on the simulation of the water movement in relation to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Charles L. Oakes, III, Bradly J. Billman, Wayne M. Hartman, Amanda Danko
  • Patent number: 10287739
    Abstract: This invention provides a disaster prevention system capable of taking an effective measure against a flood disaster. According to one embodiment, a disaster prevention system comprises a weather prediction unit configured to calculate a predicted rainfall in a region based on rainfall information necessary for protecting the region from a flood; an analysis unit configured to determine, based on the predicted rainfall calculated by the weather prediction unit, whether a flood can occur in the region; and a control unit configured to control to close a water stop gate provided in the region to protect the region from the flood if the analysis unit determines that the flood can occur in the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Satoshi Kida, Masakazu Wada
  • Patent number: 10282787
    Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing damage to a property associated with an insurance-related event are provided. According to certain aspects, a smart home controller or insurance provider remote processor may store data received from a plurality of smart devices disposed on or proximate to a property. The stored data may be used to develop a baseline for normal conditions associated with the property. When the insurance-related event is occurring, the smart home controller or insurance provider remote processor may receive a second set of data from the plurality of smart devices. The second set of data may be compared to the baseline to determine a sequence of events associated with the insurance-related event that caused the damage to the property. Subsequently, according to certain aspects, the smart home controller or insurance provider remote server may automatically generate an insurance claim for damage associated with the insurance-related event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Daryoush Hakimi-Boushehri, Jackie O. Jordan, II, Shawn M. Call, John H. Weekes, Ronny S. Bryant, Jennifer Criswell, Todd Binion, Elisabeth McDermeit, John Donovan
  • Patent number: 10274620
    Abstract: A system for predicting occurrence of earthquakes greater than magnitude 4.5 within 24-48 hours includes a plurality of sensor stations in communication with a data center. The sensor stations collect data from three induction magnetometers, two ion detectors (positive and negative), a geophone, and temperature and humidity sensors. Infrared data for the area around the station is also collected and evaluated at the data center. Other sensors may be deployed to detect, identify, and eliminate signals that are attributed to noise. Noise sources may include solar storms, lightning, vehicles, electric trains, and other local machinery or man-made sources. Using the captured data, the data center applies signal-processing algorithms to identify patterns in the collected data that match known data patterns which have immediately preceded earthquakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: STELLAR SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Bleier, Karl Kappler, John Doering, Laura MacLean, Dan Schneider, James Lemon, Dan Coughlin
  • Patent number: 10267950
    Abstract: A populace centric weather forecast system, method of forecasting weather and a computer program product therefor. A forecasting computer applies a grid to a forecast area and provides a weather forecast for each grid cell. Area activity data sources indicate human activity in the forecast area. A dynamic selection module iteratively identifies grid cells for refinement in response to the weather forecast and to indicated/expected human activity. The dynamic selection module provides the forecasting computer with a refined grid for each identified grid cell in each iteration. The forecasting computer provides a refined weather forecast in each iteration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Victor Fernandes Cavalcante, Ricardo Guimaraes Herrmann, Kiran Mantripragada, Marco Aurelio Stelmar Netto, Lucas Correia Villa Real, Cleidson Ronald Botelho De Souza
  • Patent number: 10234595
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for precipitation prediction is provided. In exemplary embodiments, the method may comprise, at a server having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors: decomposing climate model attractors; receiving ground data in a region from a client as well as global data; reweighting and reordering the relative importance of the climate model attractors based on a rank and incorporating the ground data; reassembling a selected group of data including the ground data, thereby adding information to the climate model; and generating a prediction of regional weather based on the reassembled selected group of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: OFS FITEL, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J Luvalle
  • Patent number: 10223819
    Abstract: A method for visualizing weather data via a GUI accessible via a computer display is provided. The GUI provides a map view for displaying a weather map image and an interactive time selection view for displaying a time selection image. The method comprises composing the time selection image that depicts an arrangement of symbols jointly representing a current time period, each symbol representing a respective sub-period of time within the current time period and having an appearance that is descriptive of at least one precipitation characteristic in one or more precipitation data records that include weather data for the respective sub-period of time; receiving an indication of a user-selected time instant; and composing the weather map image by overlaying a weather image on a map image, wherein the weather image is derived on basis of a precipitation data record that includes weather data for the user-selected time instant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Vaisala Oyj
    Inventors: Douglas Paris, Teppo Rouvi, Antti Sulanto, Hannu-Pekka Valo
  • Patent number: 10215840
    Abstract: A method for processing weather data, where the method includes receiving, at a vehicle and from a base station, a request for weather data, wherein the request comprises an indication of a specified location in space for the weather data. The method further includes determining two or more parameters, wherein a first parameter of the two or more parameters comprises a distance between the vehicle and the specified location in space. The method further includes calculating a confidence level based on the two or more parameters, wherein the confidence level indicates an estimated accuracy for the weather data obtained from the vehicle. The method further includes determining whether the confidence level exceeds a threshold level and determining whether to transmit the weather data to the base station based on whether the confidence level exceeds the threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Haiming Wang
  • Patent number: 10197610
    Abstract: Method for measuring the power line thermal rating or maximum allowable current rating of an overhead power line with respect to a suspended/anchored cable span (2), comprising at least the following steps of: monitoring a motion of at least one point P of said suspended/anchored cable span (2) over a time interval; monitoring actual line current I, in A, over said time interval; determining an actual sag of said suspended/anchored cable, as a variable of actual line current; measuring or determining the effective wind speed of said suspended/anchored cable span (2) over said time interval; determining a sag reserve DF, in m, for thermal rating, which is the distance between the actual sag and a maximum allowable sag; determining the rate of change, tan(?), in m/A2, of the actual sag versus the square of the line current for the effective wind speed; and determining the power line thermal rating of the overhead power line, or ampacity, linked to a corresponding safety clearance, at measured or determined
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ampacimon S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Lilien, Huu-Minh Nguyen, Bertrand Godard
  • Patent number: 10197706
    Abstract: A system and method employing a hybrid method for predicting sub-seasonal forecasts of winter storms and cold air outbreaks (CAOs). In various embodiments, the method includes, deriving a lead-time series of forecasted indices describing a state of stratospheric mass circulation from a plurality of forecasts generated by an operational numerical model for seasonal weather forecasts, detecting one or more PULSE events in the lead-time series of forecasted indices describing a state of stratospheric mass circulation to determine a state of the stratospheric mass circulation during the detected PULSE events and generating a sub-seasonal forecast of winter snowstorms and cold air outbreaks (CAOs) by linking the state of stratospheric mass circulation during the detected PULSE events to one or more maps of surface temperature and wintery precipitation based on historical observation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Cai, Yueyue Yu
  • Patent number: 10197705
    Abstract: The calculation of the variance of a correlation coefficient matrix for a photovoltaic fleet can be completed in linear space as a function of decreasing distance between pairs of photovoltaic plant locations. When obtaining irradiance data from a satellite imagery source, irradiance statistics must first be converted from irradiance statistics for an area into irradiance statistics for an average point within a pixel in the satellite imagery. The average point statistics are then averaged across all satellite pixels to determine the average across the whole photovoltaic fleet region. Where pairs of photovoltaic systems are located too far away from each other to be statistically correlated, the correlation coefficients in the matrix for that pair of photovoltaic systems are effectively zero. Consequently, the double summation portion of the calculation can be simplified to eliminate zero values based on distance between photovoltaic plant locations, substantially decreasing the size of the problem space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: CLEAN POWER RESEARCH, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Hoff
  • Patent number: 10192185
    Abstract: A farmland management system includes an information detection unit configured to acquire information relating to a crop being cultivated, a storage unit configured to store crop registration information for estimating a growth condition of the crop, a growth estimation unit configured to refer to the crop registration information and estimate the growth condition of the crop based on the information relating to the crop and the crop registration information, and a display unit configured to display the growth condition estimated by the growth estimation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tomii, Shohei Matsumura, Takashi Noguchi, Kensuke Masuda, Kohji Oshikiri, Takeshi Denda, Hirokazu Takenaka, Yuji Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 10178835
    Abstract: A platform may receive raw data from a remote system and may then applies various forms of analysis to convert the raw data into parameters of interest in a garden. These parameters include but are not limited to soil moisture, soil salinity, air temperature, soil temperature, and pH. The platform enables inexpensive and simple sensors to be deployed in the garden. The platform may also use other data, such as the data from a weather service, to predict actions that should be taken in the garden to provide optimal growing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: GroGuru, Inc.
    Inventor: Farooq A. Anjum
  • Patent number: 10175387
    Abstract: In an approach, a computer receives an observation dataset that identifies one or more ground truth values of an environmental variable at one or more times and a reforecast dataset that identifies one or more predicted values of the environmental variable produced by a forecast model that correspond to the one or more times. The computer then trains a climatology on the observation dataset to generate an observed climatology and trains the climatology on the reforecast dataset to generate a forecast climatology. The computer identifies observed anomalies by subtracting the observed climatology from the observation dataset and forecast anomalies by subtracting the forecast climatology from the reforecast dataset. The computer then models the observed anomalies as a function of the forecast anomalies, resulting in a calibration function, which the computer can then use to calibrate new forecasts received from the forecast model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: The Climate Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Kleeman, Holly Dail
  • Patent number: 10157451
    Abstract: A technique to remove fog from an image more appropriately has been called for. An image processing system is provided, including: a luminance evaluation value deriving unit that derives a luminance evaluation value of an at least partial region of an image; a saturation evaluation value deriving unit that derives a saturation evaluation value of the at least partial region of the image; a contrast evaluation value deriving unit that derives a contrast evaluation value of the at least partial region of the image; and a haze depth estimating unit that derives a haze depth estimate value of the image based on the luminance evaluation value, the saturation evaluation value, and the contrast evaluation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: EIZO Corporation
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashi, Takashi Nakamae, Reo Aoki
  • Patent number: 10145732
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to measuring ultraviolet (UV) exposure. One example system includes an electronic sensor chip that includes a UV sensor that measures a UV intensity reading, an inertial measurement unit that acquires movement data of the UV sensor, and at least one processor. The system further includes a light pipe that guides light towards the UV sensor and a diffuser that has an angle-dependent transmission function and covers an end of the light pipe. Example operations can be performed by the processor include determining a solar incidence angle between a direction of the sun and a normal direction of the UV sensor, computing an estimation of a maximum UV intensity at normal incidence based on the UV intensity reading, the solar incidence angle, and the angle-dependent transmission function of the diffuser, and outputting a UV index based on the estimation of the maximum UV intensity at normal incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventor: David Gibson
  • Patent number: 10140401
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system's configuration specification can be inferred by an evaluative process that searches through a space of candidate values for the variables in the specification. Each variable is selected in a specific ordering that narrows the field of candidate values. A constant horizon is assumed to account for diffuse irradiance insensitive to specific obstruction locations relative to the photovoltaic system's geographic location. Initial values for the azimuth angle, constant horizon obstruction elevation angle, and tilt angle are determined, followed by final values for these variables. The effects of direct obstructions that block direct irradiance in the areas where the actual horizon and the range of sun path values overlap relative to the geographic location are evaluated to find the exact obstruction elevation angle over a range of azimuth bins or directions. The photovoltaic temperature response coefficient and the inverter rating or power curve of the photovoltaic system are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: CLEAN POWER RESEARCH, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Hoff
  • Patent number: 10120004
    Abstract: A power consumption analyzing server and a power consumption analyzing method thereof are provided. According to the user data, the power consumption analyzing server clusters users into a plurality of groups. For each group, the power consumption analyzing server generates M+1 number of encoded outputs by inputting total power consumption time sequence data corresponding to a reference user in the group into an autoencoder. For each group, the power consumption analyzing server receives an actual appliance measurement data from an energy management system apparatus of the reference user, and labels M number of encoded outputs of the M+1 number of encoded outputs to map them to M categories of appliances. Finally, for each group, the power consumption analyzing server establishes a non-intrusive load monitoring system model of the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Institute For Information Industry
    Inventors: Chia-Wei Tsai, Yung-Chieh Hung, Kuei-Chun Chiang
  • Patent number: 10117248
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for mitigating interference caused by tropospheric ducting are provided. Tropospheric ducting causes interference by propagating signals transmitted from one base station, which may be received by a second base station in a neighboring market operating on the same frequencies as the first base station. Atmospheric conditions are monitored to determine an interference probability, or a probability that tropospheric ducting is occurring, while an interference level is also determined. Based on the interference level and interference probability, it is determined whether to utilize a ducting mitigation mode in which the frequencies operating by antennas at the first base station are different than frequencies operating by antennas at the second base station. Upon determining whether to utilize the ducting mitigation mode, adjustments may be made to the antennas in accordance with the ducting mitigation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew Mark Wurtenberger, Sreekar Marupaduga, Rajveen Narendran, Ryan Patrick Dreiling