Patents Examined by Eric M. Blount
  • Patent number: 9773412
    Abstract: A system and a method for providing augmented reality (AR) notification are provided. The system includes a recognizing unit configured to recognize a ground region, which is a region corresponding to the ground, on an AR driving image and a controller configured to add a display element to the ground region and to control a notification output associated with driving through the display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Thinkware Corporation
    Inventors: Min Ji Yoon, Ye Seul Jeong, Youn Joo Shin, Won Jun Heo
  • Patent number: 9770084
    Abstract: A smart luggage system includes a smart luggage assembly having a case assembly with a first stowage compartment and a second stowage compartment. First and second lock assemblies retain first and second stowage compartments in a closed and locked orientation, respectively. A transport assembly is mounted to the case assembly to facilitate movement thereof. A smart handle assembly is also mounted to a case assembly. The smart handle assembly includes a controller having a wireless communication interface, and further includes a power supply. A smart luggage system also includes a smart luggage mobile interface which is operative on a mobile device, and is communicative with a controller of a smart handle assembly via a wireless communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: YS GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Haroon Shiekh
  • Patent number: 9764606
    Abstract: Ultrasonic transmitting elements in an electroacoustical transceiver transmit acoustic energy to an electroacoustical transponder, which includes ultrasonic receiving elements to convert the acoustic energy into electrical power for the purposes of powering one or more sensors that are electrically coupled to the electroacoustical transponder. The electroacoustical transponder transmits data collected by the sensor(s) back to the electroacoustical transceiver wirelessly, such as through impedance modulation or electromagnetic waves. A feedback control loop can be used to adjust system parameters so that the electroacoustical transponder operates at an impedance minimum. An implementation of the system can be used to collect data in a vehicle, such as the tire air pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: UltraPower LLC
    Inventors: Inder Raj S. Makin, Harry Jabs, Leon J. Radziemski
  • Patent number: 9761097
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a door or a window is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving, by a processor, an electronic signal from a motion sensor in response to movement of the door or window, determining a direction of movement of the door or window from the electronic signal by the processor, comparing the direction of movement to a predetermined direction by the processor, detecting, by the processor, an alarm condition of the door or window if the electronic signal indicates that the door or window is being opened, and transmitting, by a transmitter coupled to the processor, an alarm signal when the alarm condition has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolink Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lamb, Jay Stone, Michael Bailey, George Seelman
  • Patent number: 9751483
    Abstract: The occurrence of a vehicle collision is determined using an output signal of one satellite sensor disposed offset from a vehicle center line. A control device for an occupant protection device includes an acceleration sensor disposed at a front position of a vehicle; and a control unit that determines the occurrence of a collision based on an output signal of the acceleration sensor and operates an occupant protection device. The acceleration sensor is one satellite sensor disposed so as to be offset in a vehicle width direction from a vehicle front center position. The control unit includes: a first threshold setting unit that sets one or more thresholds so as to correspond to a traveling speed of the vehicle or a relative speed signal related to the relative speed between a vehicle and another movable objects such as another vehicle; and a determining unit that compares a level of the output signal of the acceleration sensor with the one or more thresholds to determine the occurrence of a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Yoriko Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9754476
    Abstract: A system for determining a location of a patient on a hospital bed comprising: at least one deformation sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of a deformation of a frame of the bed; a location determination unit for determining a lateral and/or longitudinal location of the patient based on the deformation of the frame. A method for monitoring an exit of a patient from a hospital bed comprising: determining a patient location on the bed based on measured deformation and generating an alarm signal if the determined location is outside a predetermined area. A weight sensing system for a hospital bed having a base with a suspended frame suspended from a fixed frame comprising: a load sensor connecting the suspended frame and the fixed frame via a suspension member which is unsecured from the fixed frame to allow free vertical movement of the suspended frame relative to the fixed frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: UMANO MEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Guy Lemire, Richard Labbé, Jimmy Laflamme, Sylvain Lacasse, Steve Bolduc, Luc Landry, Jean-Philippe Beaudet
  • Patent number: 9740211
    Abstract: A method for reducing a hazard to and/or by a vehicle situated on a parking lot, including the following: checking a communication link between a vehicle situated on a parking lot and a parking lot management system for operating the parking lot while the vehicle is driving at least partially assisted on the parking lot with the aid of the parking lot management system; and initiating one or multiple measures in the event of a disrupted or absent communication link to reduce a hazard to the and/or by the vehicle due to the disrupted or absent communication link. Also described is a corresponding device, a vehicle, a parking lot management system, and a computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Nordbruch, Stefan Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9731564
    Abstract: A method via which tire modules can be associated with tire positions on a vehicle includes: inputting vehicle data and tire information via a mobile detecting device; analyzing the input information via the detecting device; providing an instruction to the user of the detecting device indicating the first tire for performing a first tire module identification; positioning the detecting device near the first tire which is specified by the detecting device; activating an inquiry signal having a transmission frequency specified by the detecting device and a specified signal amplitude to a tire module arranged in the tire, wherein the tire module includes at least one sensor for tire-pressure monitoring; capturing a response signal from the tire module, wherein the response includes the identification data of the tire module; and, evaluating the response signal of the tire module and associating the identified tire module with a tire position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Reifen Deutchland GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Lehmann, Adrian Cyllik, Joerg Hanna, Siva Sankar Surisetti, Andreas Scher
  • Patent number: 9728071
    Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided that include providing a plurality of wireless sensors of a security system that detect threats within a secured geographic area, displaying a list of at least some of the plurality of wireless sensors on a portable wireless device within the secured geographic area based upon a respective relative distance between the portable wireless device and each of the at least some of the plurality of wireless sensors, the portable wireless device transmitting a wireless instruction to one of the at least some of the plurality of wireless sensors based upon its location within the list, and the one of the at least some of the plurality of wireless sensors confirming the wireless instruction via a control panel of the security system and, in turn, executing the wireless instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Shaiju Janardhanan, Hemanth P V, Raghunathan T, Karthika Gopal
  • Patent number: 9724470
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and delivering medication to a patient. The system includes a controller that has a control algorithm and a closed loop control that monitors the control algorithm. A sensor is in communication with the controller and monitors a medical condition. A rule based application in the controller receives data from the sensor and the closed loop control and compares the data to predetermined medical information to determine the risk of automation of therapy to the patient. A system monitor is also in communication with the controller to monitor system, remote system, and network activity and conditions. The controller then provides a predetermined risk threshold where below the predetermined risk threshold automated closed loop medication therapy is provided. If the predetermined risk threshold is met or exceeded, automated therapy adjustments may not occur and user/clinician intervention is requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kenneth Day, Timothy L. Ruchti
  • Patent number: 9730024
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for storing, referencing, retrieving, and graphically displaying spatial and non-spatial related information of a mobile computing device, such as a laptop computer or a cellular telephone. The spatial-related information may be obtained by using positioning tracking systems such as a global positioning system, whereas the non-spatial related information may include communication activities associated with the mobile computing device, such as phone calls, e-mails, text messages, pages, etc. The present invention also provides methods and apparatus of sharing event information between mobile communication devices as well as related navigational information for traveling to an event from a real-time position of a mobile communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Telecommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sheha, Angie Sheha, Stephen Petilli, Mark Goddard
  • Patent number: 9721467
    Abstract: A traffic lamp and a method of controlling the traffic lamp based on a power signal are provided. The traffic lamp can include a controller and a light emitting element When a plurality of light emitting elements is included in the traffic lamp, each light emitting element is coupled with a separate controller. Each controller can be configured to include a predetermined light emitting timing sequence for the corresponding light emitting element. When the power signal is supplied to the traffic lamp, each controller determines a power signal characteristic such as a frequency or a period of the power signal and controls a light output of the light emitting element: based on the power signal characteristic and the light emitting timing sequence. A plurality of light emitting elements can be synchronized using the power signal applied to the traffic lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Morne Neser, Truong-Khoa Nguyen, Christian Poirier
  • Patent number: 9715796
    Abstract: A communicating circuit breaker architecture with automatic load center position identification links circuit breakers having electronics for reporting a self-status signal including operating data and a position identifier. Each breaker has light pipes with optical ports at its sides for communicating with its neighbors and preferably a mechanically operated optical shunt providing an optical path through the breaker in the event of a trip. Each breaker has optical data transceivers for the light pipes which transmit self-status information through the light pipes and receive and repeat neighboring breaker status signals to its neighbors. The breakers form a network via their aligned optical ports reporting to an aggregator device in a known position of the Load Center which transmits breaker status reports outside the load center. Each breaker has a logic unit for determining its position in the load center based on the received position of a neighboring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Reid
  • Patent number: 9697732
    Abstract: A road marker and related light based warning device are described. The road marker or device includes a thermal sensor that triggers the illumination of at least one light-emitting diode at a predetermined temperature. The temperature may be associated with ice formation. The light-emitting diode(s) may flash to alert motorists to hazardous road conditions. The road marker or device utilize simple components to increase reliability, particularly when the device is subjected to high heat such as when the device is mounted into hot tar seal. The device further includes a switching element that prevents rapid on/off cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SOLAR BRIGHT LIMITED
    Inventors: Patrick John Martin, Paul Senior
  • Patent number: 9697713
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a multi-sensing hazard detector for detecting potential dangers may include a back plate and a front casing that is coupled with the back plate to define a housing. A circuit board and a plurality of components may be positioned within the housing. The circuit board may be communicatively coupled with the components. The components may include, among other components, an alarm device, an occupancy sensor, and a smoke chamber. The alarm device may be activatable upon the detection of a potential hazard to warn an occupant of a potential danger, the occupancy sensor may be configured to detect the presence and/or movement of objects external to the hazard detector, and the smoke chamber may be configured to detect the presence of smoke to cause a triggering of the alarm device. The housing may comprise a volume of less than 1024 cubic centimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Shigefumi Honjo, John Benjamin Filson, Eric B. Daniels, Fred Bould, Adam Mittleman, Andrew Goldenson
  • Patent number: 9691264
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining at least one operational condition of a premises based system including at least one premises device. The apparatus includes a processor configured to perform a diagno stic procedure. The diagnostic procedure includes determining operational data of the premises based system, the operational data indicating at least one of a premises device and the apparatus is operating outside a failure range and performing predictive analysis based at least in part on the received operational data. The predictive analysis indicates whether the at least one of premises device and apparatus is likely to operate within the failure range within a predefined period of time. The diagnostic procedure includes causing a notification alert to be transmitted to at least one of a user interface device and remote monitoring center based on the predictive analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ADT US HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Shapiro, Raymond North, Timothy Albert Rader, Jorge Perdomo, Anne-Marie Rouse, James Timothy Black
  • Patent number: 9688198
    Abstract: A vehicle back-up assist system that can be set up by the vehicle driver or a spotter and provides a unique visual aid to assist with safely and efficient unloading, loading, or parking a vehicle without requiring assistance from another person. The back-up assist system includes a pair of differently colored portable markers. The markers can be placed near a target location toward which the vehicle is backing. The markers can be positioned for alignment with opposite sides of the vehicle during backing. The markers can be illuminated for better visibility and can include advance features, such as onboard measuring devices and/or lasers, to assist in proper placement of the markers and to provide enhance backing guidance to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ConeSafe, LLC
    Inventor: George Owens
  • Patent number: 9680672
    Abstract: A haptic actuator may include a housing, at least one permanent magnet carried by the housing, a field member movable within the housing and comprising at least one coil cooperating with the at least one permanent magnet, and at least one mechanical limit stop between the housing and the field member. The haptic actuator may also include circuitry capable of generating a pulse width modulated (PWM) waveform for the at least one coil to move the field member from an initial at-rest position and without contacting the at least one mechanical limit stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Arman Hajati, Shingo Yoneoka, Jonah A. Harley
  • Patent number: 9663047
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for inferring the behavior or state of the driver of a vehicle, use of the method and computer program for carrying out the method The method comprises evaluating a series of descriptive functions of the conditions of interaction of the driver with the vehicle based at least on information from inertial sensors of an autonomous computation device, by comparing such evaluation with reference information associated with a behavior of the driver that is considered normal. The system is suitable for implementing the method of the invention. The use is for detecting behavioral changes of a driver. The computer program is suitable for performing the steps of the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: FICO Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Bande Martínez, Ariadna Bartra Cisa, Mireya Fernández Chimeno, Santiago Marco Colás, Juan Ramos Castro
  • Patent number: 9665177
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling the provision of differential haptic feedback to a user based on a particular degree of spatial interaction between a plurality of different user interface elements of a graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Janne Vihtori Kyllonen, Ashley Colley