Patents Examined by Anne V. Lai
  • Patent number: 8373561
    Abstract: An infrared detector comprising a plurality of bolometer detectors, bias circuitry for applying a bias to the bolometer detectors, and connectors for connecting the bolometer detectors together to form a network, wherein the bolometer detectors are arranged in an environment at substantially atmospheric pressure. A method for increasing the sensitivity of an infrared detector, having a plurality of bolometer detectors arranged in an environment at substantially atmospheric pressure so as to at least partly compensate for a reduction in the sensitivity of the infrared detector due to conduction of thermal energy from the bolometer detectors through the environment, the method comprising at least one of the steps of connecting the bolometer detectors together in at least one of series and parallel, and operating the bolometer detectors at a DC bias current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventor: Paul A Manning
  • Patent number: 8018322
    Abstract: A console for an RFID edge server can include a graphical interface to receive ALE filer information such that the graphical interface allows the selection ALE filters on an RFID edge server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Traub, Peter M. Gast
  • Patent number: 8009016
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tag identification system comprising: a plurality of tags, each tag being identifiable by an associated tag identifier, and at least one tag comprising at least one link to at least one other tag in said group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Backes, Thomas R. Gross, Guenter Karjoth
  • Patent number: 8004413
    Abstract: A system and associated tag for detecting and tracking people makes use of a low radio frequency detection tag. Each tag comprises an antenna operate at a at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver connected to the tag's antenna operable to transmit and receive data signals at low radio frequency, a data storage for storing the tag identification data, a data processor operable to process data received from the transceiver and the data storage device and causes the transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon the stored identification data, and an energy source to supply power for the operation of the tag's transceiver and data processor. The tag also includes a display operable to display data relating to the tag and to a person carrying said tag. A field antenna is used with a reader, a transmitter and a central data processor to provide communication between the tags and the central data processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Visible Assets, Inc.
    Inventors: John K Stevens, M Jason August, Paul Waterhouse, Kenneth Truong, Christopher W Verge, Michael J Vandenberg
  • Patent number: 7989769
    Abstract: Thermographic imaging equipment is incorporated directly into cabinets housing electrical switchgear to provide for dedicated, nearly continuous monitoring of the contained equipment. A mechanical scanning technique may allow low-cost sensors to provide essentially continuous thermographic monitoring. Dedicated thermal imaging equipment allows automatic analysis through predefined temperature threshold maps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Brandt, David L. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7983654
    Abstract: A private network emergency pager alert system as described herein can generally utilize a plurality of personal alert pager devices and a main controller in two-way communication with each personal alert pager device. Each personal alert pager device can be provided with a transceiver for receiving alerts from the main controller and for sending alerts to the main controller, a text display for receiving alert messages, switches for sending an alert to the main controller, and a GPS receiver for providing location data of the personal alert pager device to the main controller. The personal alert pager device could additionally be provided with an RFID module and/or a key pad for sending text messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: New Centurion Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Travis Shelton, Jordan J. Boyette, Gregory H. Williams
  • Patent number: 7973666
    Abstract: A lack of patient movement monitor and method. The monitor and method patient support includes a plurality of sensors located beneath a patient support to determine movement of a patient. An alarm is activated when patient movement over time is determined to be lacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Petrosenko, David Lokhorst, Mayur Yermaneni, Michael Z. Sleva, William L. Jacques, II, Karen Janoff, John A. Bobey, Jonathan H. Mueller, Richard B. Stacy, Andrew F. Skinner
  • Patent number: 7932815
    Abstract: Computer-readable media, systems, and methods for wirelessly communicating between a tractor and a set of trailers in a tractor-trailer environment are described. In embodiments, a tractor wireless communication device associated with a tractor is initialized and associated with a tractor initialization time. Additionally, a trailer wireless communication device associated with at least one trailer is initialized and associated with a trailer initialization time. In various embodiments, it is determined whether the tractor wireless communication device and the trailer wireless communication device are in physical proximity by comparing initialization times. Further, in various embodiments, tractor-trailer information events are communicated wirelessly between a tractor and a trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventors: Rene Martinez, Arvin Danielson
  • Patent number: 7907059
    Abstract: A sewage pipe alarm system includes a portable case seated exterior of the existing pipe. The system further includes a mechanism for detecting a blockage of fluid flow within the existing pipe by determining whether an internal water level within the existing pipe exceeds a threshold water level within the existing pipe. The system further includes a mechanism for notifying a user about the blockage of the existing pipe and a power supply source housed within the case. Such a power supply source is electrically coupled to the detecting mechanism and the notifying mechanism respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: James Guy
  • Patent number: 7884738
    Abstract: A visual warning assembly for disposal at an intersection of a plurality of roadways is disclosed herein. The visual warning assembly includes a housing with first and second openings facing first and second directions. The first and second directions are transverse to one another. The visual warning assembly also includes a first light assembly positioned in the first opening and having a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in pattern representing an emergency vehicle. The visual warning assembly also includes a second light assembly positioned in the second opening and having a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in pattern representing an emergency vehicle. The visual warning assembly also includes a signal receiver physically supported by the housings or one or both of the first and second light assemblies. The signal receiver or sensor is operable to receive and communicate a signal emitted by a signal emitter associated with an emergency vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: E-Light LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Speros Pappas, Richard William Carpenter, Anthony C. Savalle
  • Patent number: 7884712
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solution to mistaken location calculations based on multipath effects. The present invention utilizes tags attached to objects that transmit signals at various power levels for reception by sensors stationed throughout a facility. Sensor readings at the various power levels are utilized to determine the location of the tagged object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Awarepoint Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolas C Nierenberg, Dyami Caliri
  • Patent number: 7880586
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling system for a mobile terminal for wireless communication comprising a rotating fan (1) for reducing the heat generated by the mobile terminal and at least one weight (3) for causing an unbalance of the rotation of the fan (1) in order to cause vibration of the fan, whereby said weight is activated when the rotational speed of the fan (1) exceeds a predefined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Gustav Fagrenius, Olof Simonsson, Göran Schack
  • Patent number: 7852213
    Abstract: A security system is disclosed for detecting intrusions at a plurality of predetermined locations having moveable closure members. The system comprises a plurality of intrusion sensors disposed at the locations for detecting movement of the closure members. Primary and secondary optical fiber sensor lines are routed through the intrusion sensors, and primary and secondary scanning units pulse signals along the sensor lines and receive reflected signals back from the sensor lines. A processor processes the reflected signals to determine if a reflection and/or attenuation change has occurred in a reflected pulse signal signifying a prescribed level of unauthorized intrusion activity which matches a signature intrusion signal. In the event of a cut through in the sensor lines, the primary sensor line monitors the sensors downstream of the break, and the secondary sensor line is activated to monitor the sensors upstream of the break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Woven Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Browning, Jr., Randall E. Wooten, Mark C. Phillips, Mary H. Owens, Sam S. Shasteen
  • Patent number: 7834752
    Abstract: A brake-actuated message device. An illustrative embodiment of the brake-actuated message device includes a device casing having a front panel, a plurality of lights carried by the front panel, a message panel carried by the front panel generally adjacent to the plurality of lights, a message provided in the message panel, a lighting module connected to the plurality of lights and brake circuit wiring connected to the lighting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Jed K. Kuvantrarai
  • Patent number: 7834743
    Abstract: It is possible to prevent an unauthorized read-out from both active tags and passive tags. Antenna emission is turned on and off by using a switch, or attenuated by using a resistor. A part of the antenna may be chipped. With these configurations, it is possible to lower the emission level of the antenna thus preventing an unauthorized read-out of important information from a remote reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Minehisa Nagata, Satoshi Tagiri, Izumi Usuki, Shinya Kemi, Hiroaki Niimi, Shunsuke Kuhara
  • Patent number: 7825817
    Abstract: A sensor and alarm system having a power-on sequence. The system has a power supply permanently-like connected to a power line of a facility. There may be a power interrupt to the power supply, which may initiate a power-on sequence of alarms. The sequence of alarms may indicate whether the system is wired properly and operating normally. If the sequence does not occur in a pattern as expected, then there may be a problem with the system. Also, the sensor portion of the system may set off an alarm pattern if a sensed gas has a concentration greater than a first magnitude. The system may set off another alarm pattern if a sensed gas has a concentration greater than a second magnitude. If a sensing element of the sensor portion goes out of calibration, then the system may set off still another alarm pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Bray, Adrienne G. Thomle, Donald L. Harju, Mark B. Panzer, Robert G. Schermeister
  • Patent number: 7808369
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide evidence that a person who is intended to make a required inspection was actually physically present at a predefined location associated with the inspection, so that the inspection could have been done, and if not, to provide an indication of the failure to perform the inspection. This invention is particularly well suited to determine if required pre/post-trip inspections of vehicles have been performed. Detecting a triggering condition, such as powering on (or off) equipment, indicates the beginning of a period of time during which the inspection is to be performed. The monitoring system waits for a predetermined event to occur, which indicates the period of time has expired and determines if data corresponding to the inspection have been received. If not, it is concluded that the inspection has not been performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Zonar Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Brinton, William Brinton, Jr., Daniel Mayer, Eric S. Manegold, Charles Michael McQuade
  • Patent number: 7800514
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the determining of a refresh rate of a dynamic billboard. A system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a system for obtaining traffic flow information; a system for determining the refresh rate per minute of the dynamic billboard based on the traffic flow information, wherein the refresh rate is equal to 60 mph/V, wherein V is equal to an average velocity in miles per hour of vehicles passing the dynamic billboard; a system for determining a percent change in the traffic flow information over a predetermined period of time, and comparing the percent change in the traffic flow information to a predetermined threshold value; and a system for changing a display provided by the dynamic bill board in accordance with the refresh rate only if a magnitude of the percent change in the traffic flow information is greater than the predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ruthie D. Lyle, Xiaohu S. Yao
  • Patent number: 7796014
    Abstract: A computer readable medium can be a metadata-based description of the configuration of an RFID reader. An RFID edge server can interact with the metadata-based description to configure the RFID reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: BEA Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Traub, Steven Rosenthal, Marc H. Horowitz, Eric Gieseke, Peter Gast
  • Patent number: 7764173
    Abstract: A speedometer, a fuel gauge, an odometer, left and right turn indicators, and an ignition indicator are arranged in a meter panel of a meter unit. An IC tag into which an ID code in standardized data form is registered is installed on the back surface of the meter panel. The IC tag is resin molded and is installed on the back surface of the meter panel made of resin. The mold resin and the meter panel are both made of a resin material having transmissivity to electromagnetic waves. Information is wirelessly transferred to and from the IC tag, and may be managed using a data management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Yamagiwa