Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100205103 | REAL-TIME CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSISTANCE USING COLLECTED CUSTOMER LIFE CYCLE DATA - A computer-implemented method is performed during an online chat session between a customer service representative (CSR) of a merchant, and the merchant's customer. Conversational text of the session is analyzed to determine a mood of the customer. Previously collected information about the customer is accessed, from a database that stores information about customers of the merchant. A tip is determined and sent to be displayed to the CSR. The tip is determined based on the mood and the accessed previously collected information. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 08-12-2010 |
20110072360 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY PERFORMING AN ONLINE CONTENT DISTRIBUTION CAMPAIGN - A computer implemented method is described. Data is collected about a number of member entities that have online interaction with a group entity. A predefined state is assigned to a selected one of the member entities automatically, in response to applying a predefined rule to analyze some of the collected data. The rule is defined in part by the group entity. The method automatically determines whether or not online content is to be delivered to the selected member entity, based on the assigned state. In another embodiment, online content that is to be delivered to the selected member entity is automatically personalized for the selected member entity, again based on the assigned state. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 03-24-2011 |
20130185215 | REAL-TIME CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSISTANCE USING COLLECTED CUSTOMER LIFE CYCLE DATA - A computer-implemented method is performed during a single communication session between a customer service representative (CSR) of a merchant, and the merchant's customer. The conversation between the CSR and the customer is analyzed to determine an issue. Previously collected information about the customer is accessed, from a database that stores information about customers of the merchant. A tip is determined and sent to be displayed to the CSR. The tip is determined based on the mood and the accessed previously collected information. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 07-18-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090112334 | Fixed-point virtual sensor control system and method - One aspect of the present disclosure includes a method for a control system of a machine. The method may include establishing a virtual sensor model indicative of interrelationships between at least one sensing parameter and a plurality of measured parameters related to the machine. The method may also include obtaining data and function information representing the virtual sensor model and converting the data information into fixed-point representation. Further, the method may include converting the function information into fixed-point representation and loading the converted fixed-point representation of data information and function information in the control system such that the control system uses the virtual sensor model in fixed-point arithmetic operation. | 04-30-2009 |
20090118841 | Virtual sensor network (VSN) system and method - A method is used for providing sensing data to a control system of a machine. The method may include providing a plurality of virtual sensors, each of which may have a model type, at least one input parameter, and at least one output parameter. The method may also include integrating the plurality of virtual sensors into a virtual sensor network; determining interdependencies among the plurality of virtual sensors; and obtaining operational information of the plurality of virtual sensors. Further, the method may include determining a first condition under which the virtual sensor network is unfit to provide one or more virtual sensor output parameter to the control system based on the determined interdependencies and the operational information; and presenting the determined first condition to the control system. | 05-07-2009 |
20090119065 | Virtual sensor network (VSN) system and method - A method is used for providing sensing data to a control system of a machine. The method may include providing a plurality of virtual sensors, each of which may have a model type, at least one input parameter, and at least one output parameter. The method may also include integrating the plurality of virtual sensors into a virtual sensor network; determining interdependencies among the plurality of virtual sensors; and obtaining operational information of the plurality of virtual sensors. Further, the method may include recording measurement data and performance information of the virtual sensor network and the plurality of virtual sensors; and generating one or more calibration certificate of the virtual sensor network based on the operational information, the measurement data, and the performance information. | 05-07-2009 |
20090293457 | System and method for controlling NOx reactant supply - A method is provided for a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for reducing a pollutant emission level in exhaust gas of an engine on a machine. The method may include providing a plurality of virtual sensors each having a model type, at least one input parameter, and at least one output parameter. The plurality of virtual sensors may include a first virtual sensor for measuring an emission level of a first component the pollutant and a second virtual sensor for measuring an emission level of a second component the pollutant. The method may also include integrating the plurality of virtual sensors into a virtual sensor network; operating the virtual sensor network to provide the first component emission level and the second component emission level; and calculating a ratio between the first component and the second component based on the first component emission level and the second component emission level. Further, the method may include determining a reactant injection rate of a reactant of the SCR system based on the ratio; and controlling the SCR system to apply the reactant at the reactant injection rate to reduce the pollutant emission level to a desired range. | 12-03-2009 |
20100050025 | Virtual sensor network (VSN) based control system and method - A method for providing a virtual sensor network based system. The method may include obtaining project data descriptive of a virtual sensor network to be used in a control system of a machine; establishing a virtual sensor network including a plurality of virtual sensors based on the project data. Each virtual sensor may have a model type, at least one input parameter, and at least one output parameter. The method may also include recording model information, measurement data, and performance information of the virtual sensor network including the plurality of virtual sensors; creating one or more calibration certificates of the virtual sensor network including a plurality of virtual sensors based on the model information, the measurement data, and the performance information; and generating a documentation package associated with the virtual sensor network. The documentation package may include at least an identification, the project data, and at least one calibration certificate of the virtual sensor network including a plurality of virtual sensors. | 02-25-2010 |
20140170617 | Monitoring System for a Machine - A system for reporting operator performance of a machine includes a plurality of sensors and a communications interface. A portable computing device is removably mounted on the machine and has a user identification data code unique to a machine operator. A controller determines an identity of the machine operator based upon the user identification data code, determine the operating conditions based upon signals from the sensors. The controller generates a performance report based at least in part upon performance data and provides the performance report to at least one of the portable computing device and a system remote from the machine. | 06-19-2014 |
20140172127 | Instrument System with Portable Computing Device - A system for operating a machine includes a portable computing device removably mounted on the machine. A controller is configured to determine authorized functionality of the machine based upon the data codes from the portable computing device, to determine the operating conditions of the machine and images to be displayed on a display, and generate operating commands based at least in part upon the authorized functionality. A method is also disclosed. | 06-19-2014 |
20140172128 | Remote Control System for a Machine - A controller implemented method of remotely operating a machine includes determining, for each of a plurality of operating conditions of the machine, a predetermined configuration of a machine instrument array and removably mounting a portable computing device on a remote control console. The method further includes defining a configuration of a console instrument array of the remote control console in which, for each of the plurality of operating conditions, the configuration of the console instrument array is generally identically to the predetermined configuration of the machine instrument array. A system is also disclosed. | 06-19-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130257059 | COMPACT GASIFIER-GENSET ARCHITECTURE - A compact biomass gasification-based power generation system that converts carbonaceous material into electrical power, including an enclosure that encases: a gasifier including a pyrolysis module coaxially arranged above a reactor module, a generator including an engine and an alternator, and a hopper. The generator system additionally includes a first heat exchanger fluidly connected to an outlet of the reactor module and thermally connected to the drying module, a second heat exchanger fluidly connected to an outlet of the engine and thermally connected to the pyrolysis module, and a third heat exchanger fluidly connected between the outlet of the reactor module and the first heat exchanger, the third heat exchanger thermally connected to an air inlet of the reactor module. The system can additionally include a central wiring conduit electrically connected to the pyrolysis module, reactor module, and engine, and a control panel connected to the conduit that enables single-side operation. | 10-03-2013 |
20130264831 | GASIFIER WITH CONTROLLED BIOCHAR REMOVAL MECHANISM - A biochar and electric power generator that receives carbonaceous material and outputs variable amounts of electrical energy and char, including a pyrolysis module, a reaction module, and a char removal mechanism arranged between the pyrolysis module and the reaction module, an engine module including an engine and an alternator, configured to convert gaseous fuel produced by the reaction module into electric power and to provide waste heat to the pyrolysis module, and a flare configured to burn tar gas and to provide waste heat to the pyrolysis module. | 10-10-2013 |
20140250784 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOWNDRAFT GASIFICATION - A downdraft gasifier for producing a gaseous fuel to be used in an engine from a carbonaceous material with a pyrolysis module, a reactor module, and a heat exchanger system that cooperate to produce the gaseous fuel from the carbonaceous material and to extract particulates from the gaseous fuel from the reactor. The heat exchange system includes a first heat exchanger coupled to the dryer module that heats the carbonaceous material with the gaseous fuel output of the reactor module to dry the carbonaceous material; a second heat exchanger coupled to the pyrolysis module that heats the dried carbonaceous material with the exhaust from the engine to pyrolyze the dried carbonaceous material into tar gas and charcoal; and a third heat exchanger coupled to the reactor module that heats air used to combust the tar gas with the gaseous fuel output of the reactor module to preheat the air. | 09-11-2014 |
20140259925 | HYBRID FIXED-KINETIC BED GASIFIER FOR FUEL FLEXIBLE GASIFICATION - A gasification system including: a casing defining: a solid material inlet; a fixed bed drying zone proximal the solid material inlet; a fixed bed pyrolysis zone arranged below the drying zone along a gravity vector, distal the solid material inlet across the pyrolysis zone; a kinetic bed combustion zone surrounded by the pyrolysis zone; and a fluidization channel extending through the drying zone and pyrolysis zone and fluidly connected to the combustion zone, the fluidization channel defining a kinetic bed reduction zone fluidly isolated from and thermally connected to the pyrolysis zone and the drying zone by the fluidization channel. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262725 | SIMULTANEOUS PYROLYSIS AND COMMUNITION FOR FUEL FLEXIBLE GASIFICATION AND PYROLYSIS - A biomass thermal conversion system including a fixed bed drying zone; a fixed bed pyrolysis zone fluidly connected to the drying zone; a combustion zone fluidly connected to the pyrolysis zone by a material path; and a comminution mechanism arranged across the material path between the pyrolysis zone and the combustion zone, configured to grind char off a pyrolyzed surface of solid biomass and reduce a dimension of the solid biomass below a threshold size. | 09-18-2014 |
20150232768 | DOWNDRAFT GASIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A gasifier configured to receive biomass, including: a pyroreactor defining a first end, a second end, and an interior lumen, the first end defining a biomass inlet, the second end defining a pyroreactor outlet; a reduction basket arranged proximal the pyroreactor outlet, the reduction basket including a closed end and a basket opening opposing the closed end; a set of air manifolds fluidly connected to the interior lumen of the pyroreactor through a set of air inlets arranged between the first and second ends, proximal the second end; and a gasifier housing enclosing the pyroreactor, reduction basket, and set of air manifolds within a housing lumen. | 08-20-2015 |