Patents Examined by Daniel Wu
  • Patent number: 9041520
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed in which in a conventional non-grounding man-machine interface having no reaction base on the human body and for giving the existence of a virtual object and the impact force of a collision to a person, a haptic sensation of a torque, a force and the like can be continuously presented in the same direction, which can not be presented by only the physical characteristic of a haptic sensation presentation device. In a haptic presentation device, the rotation velocity of at least one rotator in the haptic presentation device is controlled by a control device, and a vibration, a force or a torque as the physical characteristic is controlled, so that the user is made to conceive various haptic information of the vibration, force, torque or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Norio Nakamura, Yukio Fukui, Masataka Sakai
  • Patent number: 9038124
    Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Personalized Media Communications, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Harvey, James W. Cuddihy
  • Patent number: 8994512
    Abstract: An antenna is disposed near a route of mobile object. A fixed tag is disposed at a location where a radio wave can be received from the antenna. When receiving a read command from the antenna, a mobile tag attached to the mobile object and the fixed tag send back a response signal at prescribed timing. A signal received from the fixed tag by the antenna is substantially constant. The signal from the fixed tag cannot be read while buried in a signal transmitted from the mobile tag to the antenna while the mobile tag is positioned at a location where communication with the antenna is expected. Conversely, when the mobile tag is at least a prescribed distance away from the antenna, the signal from the mobile tag cannot be read while buried in the signal from the fixed tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kasai, Hidekatsu Nogami, Kazushi Yamasaki, Shuichi Matsui
  • Patent number: 8981902
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling location information at a computer device such as a mobile telephone. Location information is intercepted and obtained by, for example, intercepting it from an Application Programming Interface destined for a location application. The location application is identified, and a rule is determined for applying to the location information on the basis of the identified location application. The rule is applied to the location information to give amended location information, and the amended location information is then sent to the location application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: F-Secure Corporation
    Inventors: Jarno Niemelä, Veli-Jussi Kesti, Pirkka Palomäki
  • Patent number: 8970394
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for the reporting of status changes, such as but not limited to power outages and/or power restorations, throughout a smart grid system. Through the use of location-based reporting period selection and/or status change report aggregation, embodiments may provide efficient reporting processes that timely and accurately report status change information from the point(s) of the change to a back-end system via an access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Trilliant Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Michel Veillette
  • Patent number: 8970403
    Abstract: A method for actuating a tactile interface layer of a device that defines a surface with a deformable region, comprising the steps of deforming a deformable region of the surface into a formation tactilely distinguishable from the surface, detecting a force from the user on a deformed deformable region, interpreting the force as a command for the deformable region, and manipulating the deformable region of the surface based on the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tactus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Michael Ciesla, Micah B. Yairi, Nathaniel Mark Saal
  • Patent number: 8970356
    Abstract: A vehicle approach notification apparatus for an electric motorcycle, which outputs notification sound for notifying a walker or the like of approach of a vehicle from a speaker attached to a vehicle body includes a control unit for controlling the notification sound. The control unit is attached to a position, displaced rather forwardly of the vehicle body, of a bottom face in an accommodating box disposed below a seat of the electric motorcycle. A cover plate, which configures part of the bottom of the accommodating box, is removably disposed above the control unit. A low voltage battery as a power supply for auxiliaries is accommodated on the bottom of the accommodating box displaced rather rearwardly of the vehicle body from the control unit. The cover plate is disposed so as to cover an upper portion of the low voltage battery in flush with an upper face of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Tamaki, Ryuji Akiba, Yoshihiro Nomura, Hiroyuki Shinmura
  • Patent number: 8970345
    Abstract: An improved barrier door one way wireless communication system for operating a barrier, such as a garage door, includes the transmission and reception of multibit code hopping data packets in combination with automatic RF channel switching. Packet data is transmitted automatically on more than one RF channels in a switching style while sending two or more redundant multibit code hopping data packets on each of the RF channels. The system also provides for the learning of a transmitter to a receiver where two or more code hopping data packets must be received and decoded by the receiver on all RF channels before a transmitter can be learned to a receiver. Once the transmitter is learned, actuation of the transmitter during a learn mode can open a window for learning of a single channel transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Grant B. Carlson, Brett A. Reed
  • Patent number: 8963690
    Abstract: A method of identifying a plurality of transponders, the method comprising receiving at an interrogator one or more data transmission blocks from each transponder, wherein the first data block contains a uniquely detectable transponder identity and zero or more further data blocks defining a set of data blocks making up a transponder transmission. The first data transmission block also contains in transmission block number; one or more further data transmission blocks containing additional block data and a respective transmission block number; the block number being changed, by decrement or increment, automatically as each data block is transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Zih Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher Gordon Gervase Turner, Albertus Jacobus Pretorius
  • Patent number: 8963685
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and system for and method of registering, admitting and testing of a candidate. Test candidate can be registered and admitted through verification of identity using biometric comparisons and third party identification systems. Scanning of identification documents and comparison with security information database can authenticate the validity and authenticity of identification documents. Authentication of testing candidates can be accomplished by comparison of biometric data of candidate against biometric data contain in identification document. Testing can be conducted on an apparatus remotely located from a proctor monitored administrative station or apparatus. The remote testing station can detect and prevent individuals from cheating, detect unauthorized objects, and can prevent or detect unauthorized copying of an examination or portions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Innovative Exams, LLC
    Inventor: Ruben Garcia
  • Patent number: 8963708
    Abstract: An implantable device includes at least one solid structure having an external surface and a volume beneath the surface. One or more of a first conductor or set of conductors is disposed externally and/or internally on or within the structure and an array of elongate electrically conductive elements are disposed radially outwardly within the volume. A breach is detected when a conductive fluid intrudes into the volume through the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sensurtec, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Y. Chen
  • Patent number: 8963687
    Abstract: A system and method for Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC) between beacons and onboard units of a road toll system, wherein the beacons have a system-wide key and the onboard units have only individual keys, which are respectively formed from the system-wide key on the basis of a derivation code specific to the onboard units, wherein upon a communication from the onboard unit the derivation code is transmitted to the beacon in order to enable the beacon to emulate the individual key to encrypt/decrypt the communication with the onboard unit and/or for access to data stored in the onboard unit, and wherein upon communications with consecutive beacons the onboard unit transmits varying derivation codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AG
    Inventors: Jasja Tijink, Refi-Tugrul Güner, Georg Karner
  • Patent number: 8963733
    Abstract: A system includes more sensors configured to measure one or more characteristics of rotating equipment and a blind fault detection device. The blind fault detection device includes an input interface configured to receive at least one input signal from the one or more sensors. The blind fault detection device also includes a processing unit configured to identify a fault in the rotating equipment using the at least one input signal. The blind fault detection device further includes an output interface configured to provide an indicator identifying the fault. The processing unit is configured to identify the fault by determining at least one family of frequencies related to at least one sensor point, determining an average energy for the at least one sensor point based on the at least one family of frequencies, and comparing the average energy to a baseline value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Chinmaya Kar, Rajat Sadana, Joydeb Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 8957779
    Abstract: A method of detecting impairment of a driver of a vehicle. The method includes sensing, using a sensor, a position of the driver's head at a plurality of time points; determining, using a microprocessor, changes in the position of the driver's head between the plurality of time points; evaluating, using a microprocessor, whether the changes in the position of the driver's head between the plurality of time points exhibit at least one of a periodic and a quasi-periodic pattern; determining whether the driver is impaired based on the pattern of the changes in the position of the driver's head; and if the driver is impaired, alerting the driver using an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Riheng Wu, Jason Turner, Caleb Browning, Travis Brummett
  • Patent number: 8957769
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle includes receiving a radio frequency signal and determining that the radio frequency signal has at least one characteristic indicative of the vehicle entering a tunnel. A setting of a vehicle system is automatically modified in response to the determining step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Shree Jaisimha, Mohammed Reza Kanji, Tatsuya Fujisawa, Roopa Chandrashekar
  • Patent number: 8952828
    Abstract: A system for evacuating persons from a vehicle includes a light signal generating device, which is adapted to emit at least one visual light signal that indicates at least one preset escape route for at least one person to be evacuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Kohlmeier-Beckmann, Anja Niemeyer, Fred Raszpir
  • Patent number: 8952792
    Abstract: A tuning circuit in an RFID tag may be used to match antenna and integrated circuit (IC) impedances to maximize the efficiency of IC power extraction from an incident RF wave. The tuning circuit, which requires less power to operate than the IC, adjusts a variable impedance to improve the impedance matching between the IC and the tag antenna and thereby increase the IC power extraction efficiency. The IC may begin operating according to a protocol when it extracts sufficient power from the RF wave or when an optimal impedance matching and power transfer is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Impinj, Inc.
    Inventors: Shailendra Srinivas, Jay Kuhn, Ronald A. Oliver, John D. Hyde, Christopher J. Diorio
  • Patent number: 8952786
    Abstract: A method for tracking non-motorized vehicle commuting activity includes providing a tracking system having a tag reader at a commute destination, wherein the tag reader is adapted to detect the presence of an RFID tag, and to generate and transmit a detection signal indicating a time of detection and one or more attributes of the detected RFID tag. The RFID tag is secured to a non-motorized vehicle used in commuting to the commute destination, and is secured in a manner to enable detection by the tag reader at the commute destination, and to prevent tampering therewith. Information obtained by the tracking system is accessible by one or more of a system administrator and a commuting participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Everlast Climbing Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Steege, Rolf Scholtz, Colin Klotzbach, Mark Skoine
  • Patent number: 8947203
    Abstract: An aftermarket, sound activated, wireless, vehicle door unlocking device comprising a sound sensor, processor, memory, and an RF transmitter, transponder, or transceiver capable of generating an unlocking signal, and method of using the device. The device may be easily installed by unskilled users without modifying the vehicle wires or structure. The operator of the device will program the device with an unlocking sound sequence, and the RF unlocking codes needed to unlock the vehicle door. The device continually monitors the sensor for unlocking sounds, and delivers a door unlocking signal when this sound is detected. Various embodiments, including embedded RF key embodiments, solar powered embodiments, and alternative ways of programming the device are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: John Clinton Kolar
  • Patent number: 8947204
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying an object are provided. An encoded substrate includes at least one layer of material having a matrix of zones arranged on surface thereof to represent optically coded information. At least one zone of the matrix of zones is configured to absorb a predetermined first wavelength of an electromagnetic radiation. A scanner is configured to receive a reflected electromagnetic radiation associated with the matrix of zones. The optically coded information is extracted from the reflected electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Philip Dunlap, Alan Z. Ullman