Proximity programmed, globally synchronized irrigation controller and system
US Patent 10,194,598
February 5, 2019
An irrigation control system having an irrigation controller with a unique identifier and configured to execute irrigation schedules, collect, store and forward watering metrics and determine global time, together with a power source, a global time receiver in communication with the microcontroller and configured to provide time from an outside source to the microcontroller and a transceiver in communication with the microcontroller configured to send messages including its unique identifier, predefined irrigation schedules, stored watering metrics and current global time. The system further includes a mobile computer having a microprocessor, a wireless transceiver configured to receive the messages from the irrigation controller transceiver and transmit instructions to the irrigation controller via a communication link and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store predefined irrigation schedules, and watering metrics. Methods for providing watering metrics and controlling an irrigation control system or value controller are also disclosed.
Systems and methods for semantic sensing
US Patent 10,191,149
January 29, 2019
A semantic sensing system includes a first sensing entity and a semantic engine coupled with the first sensing entity. A memory is associated with the semantic engine and stores a plurality of semantics. The memory further stores a first semantic inference rule for a first semantic. The semantic engine is configured to perform a control action by inferring a first semantic based on an input from the first sensing entity at a first time and the first semantic inference rule, adjusting a weight for the first semantic based on an external input, and perform the control action based on the adjusted weight for the first semantic.
Purge dam and method of use
US Patent 10,189,109
January 29, 2019
A purge dam assembly confines a volume within an assembly of pipes, including a distal pipe and a proximal pipe together arranged for butt welding at a seam. A distal disk is covered at its periphery with a distal sock including gasketing material. A proximal disk is covered at its periphery with a proximal sock including the gasketing material. Each disk is sized such that the sock contacts but does not completely seal against an inner surface of one of the tubes or pipes permitting a purging flow of gas from the volume and past each disk. A cross-member having a proximal and a distal end, the proximal end is affixed to the proximal disk and the distal end is affixed to the distal disk to preserve the spatial separation between the proximal disk and distal disks and to maintain the proximal and distal disks in coaxial alignment.
Inductively heatable fluid reservoir for various fluid types
US Patent 10,189,038
January 29, 2019
In various embodiments, a fluid delivery pod includes a first surface, a second surface that opposes the first surface, a reservoir body, an outlet port, a heating structure, and a valve assembly. The reservoir body is between the first and the second surfaces. The reservoir body is configured to house a fluid. The outlet port is positioned on a surface of the pod. The surface is between the first and the second surfaces. The heating structure is thermally coupled to the fluid housed within the reservoir body. The heating structure wirelessly receives energy from an energy source that is external to the fluid delivery pod. The wirelessly received energy heats the fluid housed within the reservoir body. In response to an application of compression forces on the first and the second surfaces, the valve assembly dispenses the heated fluid through the outlet port and out of the fluid delivery pod.
Plant labeling system and garden tools
US Patent 10,188,047
January 29, 2019
A plant labeling system includes an adjustable, malleable support made of weather-resistant material, a tag made of weather-resistant material removably secured to the support and a label removable affixed to the tag corresponding to a predetermined type of plant. The system may also include an electronic identification beacon removably attached to at least one of the support, tag or label. A method for manufacturing a plant labeling system includes preparing a malleable support made of weather-resistant material having one end configured to stake into the ground; mixing malleable material that becomes weather resistant when cured; rolling out the malleable material onto sheets having a support matrix; cutting malleable material to predetermined size and shape for plant tag; integrating the malleable material with the support; shaping resulting integrated material and support into predetermined size and shape; and curing the integrated material and support into the finished labeling system.
System and method for retrofitting vehicles with onboard monitoring equipment
US Patent 10,183,629
January 22, 2019
Embodiments are directed to a cable harness. The cable harness may include a female connector, a male connector, main wires, and branch wires. The female connector and the male connector may each comply with a Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1962 standard and may each have a plurality of pins. Each of the main wires may electrically couple a respective one of the pins of the male connector to a corresponding respective one of the pins of the female connector. Each of the branch wires may electrically couple to a respective one of the main wires via a respective T-splice. A first pair of the branch wires may provide a branch connection to a first Controller Area Network (CAN) bus wire combination. A second pair of the branch wires may provide a branch connection to a second CAN bus wire combination.
Vegetable stick maker
US Patent 10,183,410
January 22, 2019
A vegetable stick maker includes a plunger and a hollow body, each of which has a height which is much greater than its width. The body is configured with one or more blades extending across the hollow interior of the body so that a vegetable pushed through the body by the plunger will encounter the blades and be sliced accordingly. The plunger includes a terminal end that diverges into a plurality of legs configured to receive the blades to facilitate slicing. A cap on the plunger prevents the plunger from extending beyond a rim of the body.
Spiral slicer
US Patent 10,183,409
January 22, 2019
A spiral slicer for producing spiral-cut fruits and vegetables, includes a main body supporting a shaft operated by a crank handle. Rotation of the crank handle selectively moves a pusher, which attaches to a fruit or vegetable toward a set of julienne blades and a main slicing blade. The fruit or vegetable is cut by the julienne blades and then by the main blade, with the sliced portion passing through a gap positioned between the julienne blades and the main blade
Systems and method for automatically detecting an MRI environment for patient implanted with medical device
US Patent 10,183,166
January 22, 2019
Methods, medical devices, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems are provided. A patient implanted with a medical device is exposed to a time-varying magnetic field having a signature, thereby inducing mechanical vibrations in at least one component of the medical device. A vibrational characteristic of the mechanical vibrations induced in the component(s) is detected. The vibrational characteristic is analyzed, and the signature of the magnetic field is identified based on the analyzed vibrational characteristic. The medical device is automatically switched from a first operational mode to a second operational mode when the signature is identified.
Audible feedback for input activation of a remote control device
US Patent 10,181,260
January 15, 2019
A method of informing a user of an identity of an input of a remote control device is presented. In the method, user activation of one of the inputs of the remote control device is detected. An audible signal associated with the activated input is determined. Each of the inputs of the remote control device is associated with a unique one of a plurality of audible signals. The audible signal associated with the activated input is produced to inform the user of the identity of that input.
