Patents Examined by Firmin Backer
  • Patent number: 9481298
    Abstract: A reporting system has a first handheld device that locks and unlocks a door of a vehicle, and a second handheld device that communicates with the first handheld device. The first handheld device has an inside/outside determination unit that carries out wireless communication with the vehicle and acquires, with the vehicle, information of inside/outside determination on whether the first handheld device is inside the vehicle or outside the vehicle, and a transmitting unit that transmits the result of the inside/outside determination. The second handheld device has a receiving unit that receives the result of the determination from the first handheld device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Tomita, Manabu Sakai, Takahiro Inaguma, Koji Takizawa
  • Patent number: 9476590
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of testing gas supply of a gas appliance, which includes the steps of: monitoring a flow rate of a gas flow through a gas regulator of a pipeline to have a detected gas flow rate; comparing the detected gas flow rate with the ideal range of gas flow rate; and providing an alarm when the detected gas flow rate exceeds the ideal range of gas flow rate. The present invention further provides a compensating method when an abnormal condition is detected. The compensating method will change the gas flow rate or the air flow rate to get a proper air fuel ratio of the mixed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GRAND MATE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Chin Huang, Chin-Ying Huang, Hsin-Ming Huang, Hsing-Hsiung Huang
  • Patent number: 9480087
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for automatically generating an e911 alert are provided in a public safety answering point (PSAP) server including at least one messaging interface supporting message-based interaction with one or more user devices, wherein in response to a request for assistance message including location information associated with a user device, the PSAP server determines the emergency services resources proximate the requesting device and communicates location information associated with the requesting device toward the determined emergency services resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Brent
  • Patent number: 9479229
    Abstract: A backscattering type radio frequency identification (RFID) communication system, and more particularly, a backscattering type RFID communication system in which an RFID tag transmits a signal back to an RF reader by using energy of a carrier wave transmitted by the RFID reader. Provided is a backscattering type radio frequency identification (RFID) communication system RFID communications are performed efficiently without an error while interference between RFID readers does not occur even under an overcrowded reader environment. Interference of RF signals between the RFID readers does not occur, and RFID communications can be efficiently performed even under the overcrowded reader environment. Transmitting and receiving time steps of the RFID readers do not need to be synchronized with one another so that compatibility of the RFID readers can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: IDRO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yanggi Kang, Jungsung Park, Kwangjin Oh
  • Patent number: 9479913
    Abstract: A mobile communication device (10) that relays communication between a sensor device (50) located in a neighbor area and a server device (70) includes a biometric information receiving unit (20) that receives biometric information of a user wearing the sensor device (50) from the sensor device (50), a sensor unit (30) that detects a change of state in the mobile communication device (10), and a public network communication unit (40) that transmits the biometric information and information about the change of state to the server device (70) via a public network (60) and receives health management information generated in the server device (70) using the transmitted information. The biometric information receiving unit (20) transmits the health management information to the sensor device (50) for display on the sensor device (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kaoru Uchida
  • Patent number: 9472034
    Abstract: A system is provided including a smartphone configured to wirelessly communication with an electronic lock. The smartphone wirelessly transmits data relating to a personalized user interface configuration, and the electronic lock receives the data from the smartphone, implements the personalized user interface configuration, receives additional information from the smartphone, and performs at least one function based on the additional information and the personalized user interface configuration. A method is also provided including personalizing a user interface configuration, transmitting the personalized user interface configuration from a smartphone to an electronic lock, implementing the personalized user interface configuration to the electronic lock, and performing via the electronic lock a function based upon the personalized user interface configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Ahearn, Joseph Wayne Baumgarte, Gabriel Daniel Focke, Michael Scott Henney
  • Patent number: 9462948
    Abstract: The subject disclosure provides a system and method for a set-top box for monitoring telehealth and biometric sensors. A subject patient is associated with telehealth and biometric sensors which measure the subject patient's vital signs and other health related attributes. In one aspect, the system includes a set-top box for continuously gathering biometric and telehealth sensor data. The set-top box includes a sensor interface for interfacing with the sensors and supports wireless and wired connections to the sensors. The system additionally may include a system management station for providing feedback to the subject patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Lusheng Ji, Robert R. Miller, II
  • Patent number: 9466203
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for detecting “sneak” additions of water or other fluid into the mixing drum of a concrete delivery vehicle having an automated rheology (e.g., slump) monitoring system. Sneak fluid additions are detected based on continuous rheology monitoring, even where valves and flow meters on the delivery vehicle are not used for the fluid addition. The invention is effective for monitoring additions by truck drivers who might add water from an undocumented water source (e.g., hose) along the delivery route or at the site, to hasten pouring, placement, and finishing at the time of delivery. Once sneak fluid addition is detected, the methods and system provide for reporting in the form of alerts, alarms, or other indications that sneak fluid addition has occurred, including monitor graphs or printouts confirming existence and/or extent of sneak fluid added into the vehicle mixing drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: GCP Applied Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Richard K. Jordan, Mark F. Roberts, Eric P. Koehler
  • Patent number: 9462357
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for automatically tracking the presence or absence of multiple assets within a stationary or mobile location and differentiating among groups of assets or individual assets belonging to one or more parties within a single stationary or mobile location using multiple data correction and filtering techniques to provide accurate information to a plurality of users and/or service providers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Westick
  • Patent number: 9449514
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes connecting to a remote system and requesting data relating to a quality of air level in the vicinity of a known vehicle location. The method further includes receiving data relating to the quality of air level and comparing the data to one or more predetermined threshold levels of tolerance. If the data exceeds at least one threshold level of tolerance an automatic vehicle computing system response is instructed. In this example, the method also includes activating one or more vehicle systems in response to the data exceeding the at least one threshold level of tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Schunder, Gary Steven Strumolo, Krishnaswamy Venkatesh Prasad
  • Patent number: 9449500
    Abstract: In response to a detected presence of an intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances identity information associated with the intended target appliance is used to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance. When the icon is later activated, the controlling device is placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while the Universal Control Engine uses at least one of the communication methods to transmit at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Paul D. Arling
  • Patent number: 9442584
    Abstract: A reconfigurable keypad for enhancing user experience of an electronic device. The keypad includes a keypad display implemented as any type of display devices that can display different configurations of characters, symbols or images. The keypad display is placed adjacent an application display module. Both the keypad display and the application display module are covered with a common protective film, giving an appearance of a continuous top surface. The keypad also has a mechanism for providing tactile feedback to the user indicating whether the keypad was properly pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter Nils Skillman, Robert Yuji Haitani, Eric Liu
  • Patent number: 9436165
    Abstract: A personal digital ID device provides a digital identifier to a service for a predetermined duration in response to user interaction. The user interaction may include a button press. The personal digital ID device may be in the form of a bracelet, a key fob, or other form factor. The service may be provided by a mobile device, in the cloud, or elsewhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Tyfone, Inc.
    Inventors: Siva G. Narendra, Prabhakar Tadepalli, Saurav Chakraborty, Donald Allen Bloodworth
  • Patent number: 9436294
    Abstract: An adjusting method for button functions, used in an electronic device having a plurality of buttons respectively corresponding to at least one key value, is disclosed. The method includes determining an angle of the electronic device corresponding to a predefined direction; and adjusting the relationship between each of the plurality of buttons and the at least one key value according to the angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Chien-Ming Chu
  • Patent number: 9437105
    Abstract: A device receives a request from a controlling device, such as a remote control, smart phone, or the like, where the request is intended to have one or more target devices perform one or more functional operations. The device responds to the request by applying the optimum methodology to propagate one or more commands to each intended target appliance to cause each intended target appliance to perform the intended one or more functional operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Paul D. Arling
  • Patent number: 9430937
    Abstract: Methods and systems for allowing interaction between devices are described. At a first device, an application is executed. The application operates interactively with a remote control application executing on a second device. One or more information items are transmitted to the second device for display as one or more selectable display items. Each respective information item is associated with an action definition. The action definition includes a command to be sent by the second device to the first device in response to a user selection of the respective information item. A command is received from the second device in response to a selection of a first one of the selectable display items by the user. A predefined action is performed in response to receiving the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Jeff Ting Yann Lu
  • Patent number: 9431813
    Abstract: A system and method for providing redundant wired pipe-in-pipe telemetry is described. The redundant wired pip-in-pipe telemetry system includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe disposed within the outer pipe. Within the outer pipe, two or more conductive elements may be provided as well as a wired path controller that may selectably switch between available conductive paths. The wired path controller may identify conductive paths with good electrical characteristics and select those paths for transmission. If a conductive path develops a fault, the wired path controller may select one of the alternative redundant conductive paths for transmission to avoid the fault. The wireless controller may further transmit information about the location of faults to a drill operator at the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Clive D. Menezes, Richard T. Hay
  • Patent number: 9424697
    Abstract: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To allow easy and convenient access to empty portable electrical energy storage device compartments within the vehicles, if the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as a key fob or other wireless device of a user, an empty portable electrical energy storage device compartment that is closed or locked, is unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically. Also, if the portable electrical energy storage device compartment is in another desired state to have the compartment unlocked, such as having a portable electrical energy storage device in the compartment that has a charge level below a particular threshold, the compartment will likewise be unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Tsung Wu, Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Jui Sheng Huang, Matthew Whiting Taylor, Huang-Cheng Hung
  • Patent number: 9423503
    Abstract: A tracker used to analyze a desired borepath prior to horizontal directional drilling operations. The tracker analyzes an amount of interference present at a plurality of different frequencies at multiple locations along the borepath and maps a plot of the interference at the different frequencies. The lower the point on the plot, the less interference present at that frequency at the location analyzed. The tracker summarizes the overall interference along the desired borepath for the different frequencies analyzed and will recommend a preferred frequency. An operator may program the beacon prior to boring operations to emit a beacon signal at the preferred frequency. The operator may also tune the tracker to receive the preferred frequency. The tracker and beacon may then communicate during boring operations at the preferred frequency in order to detect the position of the beacon underground relative to the tracker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott B. Cole, Brian J. Schrock
  • Patent number: 9417093
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and several types of devices for converting meter reading signals into data messages including a first message (40) having meter data (44) representing consumption of a utility, and meter diagnostic status data (43), and a second message (60) having meter reverse flow data (63-65) and meter diagnostic data (66) particular to an electronic flow meter, and receiving, said first message (40) and said second message (60) and converting first message and said second message to radio frequency signals (25) and transmitting said radio frequency signals (25) to a receiver (22, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Badger Meter, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Olson, Ronald D. Benson