Thomas S Robertson

US Patent:

8094034, Jan 10, 2012

Filed:

Sep 16, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/283869

Inventors:

Shwetak N. Patel - Atlanta GA, US
Thomas M. Robertson - Atlanta GA, US
Gregory D. Abowd - Atlanta GA, US
Matthew S. Reynolds - Durham NC, US

Assignee:

Georgia Tech Research Corporation - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

G08B 21/00

US Classification:

340657, 34031011, 340644

Abstract:

Activity sensing in the home has a variety of important applications, including healthcare, entertainment, home automation, energy monitoring and post-occupancy research studies. Many existing systems for detecting occupant activity require large numbers of sensors, invasive vision systems, or extensive installation procedures. Disclosed is an approach that uses a single plug-in sensor to detect a variety of electrical events throughout the home. This sensor detects the electrical noise on residential power lines created by the abrupt switching of electrical devices and the noise created by certain devices while in operation. Machine learning techniques are used to recognize electrically noisy events such as turning on or off a particular light switch, a television set, or an electric stove. The system has been tested to evaluate system performance over time and in different types of houses. Results indicate that various electrical events can be learned and classified with accuracies ranging from 85-90%.

US Patent:

8334784, Dec 18, 2012

Filed:

Dec 22, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/335045

Inventors:

Shwetak N. Patel - Seattle WA, US
Thomas M. Robertson - Atlanta GA, US
Gregory D. Abowd - Atlanta GA, US
Matthew S. Reynolds - Durham NC, US

Assignee:

Belkin International Inc. - Playa Vista CA

International Classification:

G08B 21/00

US Classification:

340657, 34031011, 340644, 340 1232

Abstract:

Activity sensing in the home has a variety of important applications, including healthcare, entertainment, home automation, energy monitoring and post-occupancy research studies. Many existing systems for detecting occupant activity require large numbers of sensors, invasive vision systems, or extensive installation procedures. Disclosed is an approach that uses a single plug-in sensor to detect a variety of electrical events throughout the home. This sensor detects the electrical noise on residential power lines created by the abrupt switching of electrical devices and the noise created by certain devices while in operation. Machine learning techniques are used to recognize electrically noisy events such as turning on or off a particular light switch, a television set, or an electric stove. The system has been tested to evaluate system performance over time and in different types of houses. Results indicate that various electrical events can be learned and classified with accuracies ranging from 85-90%.

US Patent:

8392107, Mar 5, 2013

Filed:

Jun 28, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/824204

Inventors:

Shwetak N. Patel - Atlanta GA, US
Khai N. Truong - Atlanta GA, US
Gregory D. Abowd - Atlanta GA, US
Thomas Robertson - Atlanta GA, US
Matthew S. Reynolds - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

Georgia Tech Research Corporation - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

G01C 21/30
G01C 21/00
G06F 17/00
G01S 1/24

US Classification:

701409, 701434, 342450, 342463, 34053914

Abstract:

Disclosed is an indoor location system that uses an electrical power line, power line signal injection devices, and portable position receivers (tags) to generate location data relating to positions of the tags in a structure such as a residence or business. The indoor location system fingerprinting of multiple signals transmitted along the power line to achieve sub-room-level localization of the positioning receivers. Details regarding power line positioning are described along with how it compares favorably to other fingerprinting techniques.

US Patent:

8494762, Jul 23, 2013

Filed:

Sep 15, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/560099

Inventors:

Shwetak N. Patel - Atlanta GA, US
Gregory D. Abowd - Atlanta GA, US
Matthew S. Reynolds - Atlanta GA, US
Thomas Robertson - Atlanta GA, US
Erich Stuntebeck - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

Georgia Tech Research Corporation - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

G08B 1/08
G06F 19/00
G01C 21/00
G01S 3/02

US Classification:

701408, 701434, 701300, 342450, 342463, 34053911, 34053913

Abstract:

An indoor location system uses an electrical power line, power line signal injection devices, and portable position receivers (tags) to generate location data relating to positions of the tags in a structure such as a residence or business. The indoor location system fingerprinting of multiple signals transmitted along the power line to achieve sub-room-level localization of the positioning receivers. In one embodiment, the fingerprinting techniques utilizes wideband power line positioning (WPLP) that injects up to 44 different frequencies into the power line infrastructure of a structure. The WPLP technique improves upon overall positioning accuracy, improved temporal stability and may be implemented in commercial indoor spaces.

US Patent:

20080073065, Mar 27, 2008

Filed:

Sep 17, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/856229

Inventors:

Farzad Samie - Franklin MI, US
Richard W. Carlson - Joliet IL, US
Thomas A. Robertson - Romeo MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - DETROIT MI

International Classification:

F28F 27/00
F01N 3/02
F28D 7/00

US Classification:

165 96, 165164, 60320

Abstract:

Transmission fluid is heated through a heat exchanger effective to transfer heat between transmission fluid of a transmission assembly and an exhaust gas feed stream of an engine.

US Patent:

20130124123, May 16, 2013

Filed:

Dec 17, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/717195

Inventors:

Georgia Tech Research Corporation - Atlanta GA, US
Thomas M. Robertson - Atlanta GA, US
Gregory D. Abowd - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

G01R 21/00
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

702 64

Abstract:

Activity sensing in the home has a variety of important applications, including healthcare, entertainment, home automation, energy monitoring and post-occupancy research studies. Many existing systems for detecting occupant activity require large numbers of sensors, invasive vision systems, or extensive installation procedures. Disclosed is an approach that uses a single plug-in sensor to detect a variety of electrical events throughout the home. This sensor detects the electrical noise on residential power lines created by the abrupt switching of electrical devices and the noise created by certain devices while in operation. Machine learning techniques are used to recognize electrically noisy events such as turning on or off a particular light switch, a television set, or an electric stove. The system has been tested to evaluate system performance over time and in different types of houses. Results indicate that various electrical events can be learned and classified with accuracies ranging from 85-90%.

US Patent:

61387363, Oct 31, 2000

Filed:

Oct 22, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/176925

Inventors:

Frank M. Ead - Roswell GA
Jeffrey W. Howard - Kennesaw GA
Thomas A. Robertson - Lithia Springs GA

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

B32B 3100

US Classification:

156579

Abstract:

A hand held, fluid driven film applique tool is disclosed for applying a film having an adhesive backing to a surface having a protrusion. The applique tool comprises a tool head including a hollow cylinder having an open end for receiving the protrusion and a closed end, the hollow cylinder being surrounded by an annular surface which is relatively flat and smooth. An elastomeric plug is slidably received by the hollow cylinder, the plug having a head portion forming the closed end of the hollow cylinder and a fluid pressure surface to which is applied a fluid under pressure to drive the elastomeric plug toward the open end of the hollow cylinder. A spring is provided for biasing the elastomeric plug away from the open end of the hollow cylinder and a switch is included for connecting a source of fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure surface of the elastomeric plug. Further, a handle is furnished for holding the tool. In operation, the tool head is placed over the protrusion so that the open end of hollow cylinder receives at least the protrusion and the film overlying the protrusion and the annular surface stretches and presses the film surrounding the protrusion against the surface.

US Patent:

60892994, Jul 18, 2000

Filed:

Sep 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/163973

Inventors:

Frank M. Ead - Roswell GA
Jeffrey W. Howard - Kennesaw GA
Thomas A. Robertson - Lithia Springs GA

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

B32B 3100

US Classification:

156579

Abstract:

A film applique tool is disclosed for manually applying a film having an adhesive backing to a surface having protrusions. The tool comprises a tool head having a hollow cylinder for receiving the protrusion, the hollow cylinder being surrounded by an annular surface which is relatively flat and smooth. A handle is provide for manually holding the tool, as well as a switch for connecting the hollow cylinder to a source of fluid under pressure. In operation, tool head is placed over the protrusion so that the hollow cylinder receives at least the protrusion and the film overlying the protrusion and fluid pressure is applied to the film by connecting the hollow cylinder to the source of fluid pressure to stretch and press the film firmly against both the protrusion and an area of the surface surrounding the protrusion to assure that the film is flatly and completely applied at the protrusion and to the surface in the area surrounding the protrusion.