Patents Examined by Glen Swann
-
Patent number: 6246323Abstract: A tagging system for tagging a target vehicle consists of a tracking device, a launching device, a receiving device and a monitor to display the position of the target vehicle. The tracking device includes a tracking chip contained in a pliable carrier, and is stored in and launched from a housing mounted in a pursuit vehicle's grill. The launching device includes a firing pad slidably retained within the housing and spring mounted to the housing rear end. Pad forks in communication with a solenoid retain the firing pad near the housing rear end until two switches in the pursuit vehicle are sequentially activated, whereupon the tracking device emits a tracking signal, the solenoid is activated, releasing pad forks and thereby launching the tracking device towards the target vehicle. The tracking device is in free flight until it impacts (“tags”) the surface of the fleeing vehicle, to which it adheres by means of the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1998Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Inventor: Trevor A. Fischbach
-
Patent number: 6218952Abstract: A system which monitors the functioning of safety and signal light circuits on a trailer and verify the lights are operating properly. The system connects into the signal and safety light circuits of the trailer and includes a unit which can be positioned within view of an operator of the vehicle towing the trailer. The unit has an appropriate visual display which warns the operator if one of the safety or signal light circuits have ailed. The visual display can be light emitting diodes which provide an appropriate visual signal. The unit can also include an audio signaling device to warn of a failure in the signal and safety light circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Inventors: Leslie R. Borland, Theodore Richard Haller
-
Patent number: 6215399Abstract: Zones of a passive infrared (PIR) motion detector lens are staggered at close range to provide for pet immunity. In a dual sensor, dual lens configuration, the sensor signal is acted on to generate an alarm only when the sensor signal is simultaneous, indicating that an infrared emitting object big enough to cross both staggered zones of a zone pair has been detected. To further enhance sensitivity and immunity to noise, two dual element PIR sensors are arranged in opposite polarity with their elements vertically parallel. The sensor output is simultaneous and of opposite polarity, and noise can be suppressed by blocking like-polarity signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1997Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Shmuel HershkovitzInventor: Pinhas Shpater
-
Patent number: 6215397Abstract: The present disclosure provides a security structure intended particularly for the construction of security containers and security rooms. The security structure has an alarm mat integral therewith. The alarm mat is constructed from one or more insulated, electrically conductive threads, wires, or the like, or from one or more light conducting, optical fibres. The thread or threads is/are disposed to form continuous meshes, loops, or eyes of the kind obtained when knitting or crocheting.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1998Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Lindskog Innovation ABInventor: Kjell Lindskog
-
Patent number: 6208248Abstract: An Ultra Wideband (UWB) short-range radar system is used for the detection of targets in clutter. Examples of targets on the ground include human walkers, crawlers and runners, and vehicles. The UWB sensor can also be used to detect small approaching boats in different levels of sea clutter or airborne targets like hang gliders. One of the primary differences between this device and other UWB radar sensors is the manner in which the bias on the threshold detector is set as well as the logic circuitry used to find targets in clutter while maintaining a low false alarm rate. The processing is designed to detect targets in varying degrees of clutter automatically. There may be no front panel controls other than an ON-OFF switch. The system is lightweight, low-cost, and can be easily installed in minutes.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: ANRO Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Gerald F. Ross
-
Patent number: 6198390Abstract: A personal alarm system remote unit (602) includes a navigational receiver (606) for receiving navigational information, a demodulator (608) for demodulating the received navigational information, timing circuits (610) for providing precise time-of-day information, a manually operated switch defining a panic button and having an output signal defining a switch status wherein operation of the panic button produces a change in the switch status, and a radio transmitter (614) for transmitting the demodulated navigational information, the precise time-of-day information, and the switch status. Additional embodiments define remote units for a man-over-board system, an invisible fence system, and a weather alarm system.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Inventors: Dan Schlager, William B. Baringer
-
Patent number: 6198394Abstract: A system for remotely monitoring personnel status includes a plurality of sensors disposable on a soldier or other person for developing signals which may be used to determine the physiologicalal status. The sensors communicate with a soldier unit which can process the information to ensure that the sensor data falls within acceptable ranges and communicate with remote monitors. The soldier unit also includes a global positioning system. By using the sensor data and the global positioning system, leaders and medics can quickly and accurately track and treat casualties in battle. The system enables more rapid location of the casualty, as well as remote triage/initial diagnosis, thereby assuring that those who are most in need of treatment are attended to first. Typically, the system monitors both body surface and ambient temperature, heart rate, shivering, motion status and body condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1996Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Roland Wyatt, Stephen C. Peterson, Tomasz J. Petelenz
-
Patent number: 6191688Abstract: A method for determining if a motion detector is in a masked condition at the time power is applied to the detector. When power is first applied to the motion detector it enters a mask detection state which runs concurrently with activity and alarm detection routines. Any infrared motion that is detected after the detector has warmed up and stabilized will terminate the mask detection state. If a predetermined amount of microwave Doppler sensor activity is detected within the field of view without detection of infrared activity, a mask condition is declared.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventor: William T. Sprouse
-
Patent number: 6181245Abstract: A material used to form a biasing element for a magnetomechanical EAS marker has a coercivity that is lower than the coercivity of biasing elements used in conventional magnetomechanical markers. The marker formed with the low coercivity material can be deactivated by applying an AC magnetic field at a level that is lower than is required for deactivation of conventional markers. The marker with the low coercivity bias element can also be deactivated when at a greater distance from a deactivation device than was previously practical.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1997Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics CorporationInventors: Richard L. Copeland, Kevin R. Coffey
-
Patent number: 6169482Abstract: A resonant circuit for an anti-theft element consists of two spiral printed circuits and one dielectric layer. The spiral printed circuits are wound in opposing directions and arranged on opposite sides of the dielectric layer so that they at least partly overlap. At least one selected area is provided in which a conductive path arises between the two spiral printed circuits whenever a sufficiently high energy is applied by means of an external alternating field.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Meto International GmbHInventors: Richard Altwasser, Peter Lendering
-
Patent number: 6166644Abstract: To monitor a patient, an alligator clip is fastened to the patient by a cord having a length of between five inches and five feet. The other end of the cord is connected to a switch which is activated when the patient moves beyond the length of the cord to cause a message to be announced. A pressure pad is located under the patient and armed by the application of weight to the pad. Upon removal of the weight the alarm is given.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1998Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Senior Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Kristin Robert Stroda
-
Patent number: 6166643Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the whereabouts of an animal is affixed to the animal and selectively administers appropriate aversive stimuli effective to deter the animal from encroachment of boundaries in accordance with predetermined conditions based on the coding and/or timing of radio signals received from at least one transmitter, which may include a wire loop. The apparatus receives radio signals intermittently transmitted from the transmitters, wherein the radio signals define at least one boundary for the animal. The apparatus then selectively administers the appropriate aversive stimuli in response to determining that at least one of the received radio signals satisfies one or more of the predetermined conditions.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1999Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Inventors: Joseph J. Janning, Eugene A. Janning
-
Patent number: 6166639Abstract: An alarm system for sending distress information over a communication link includes a sensor to be worn by a user. Distress information is transmitted from the sensor when the user is in a predetermined position indicative of an emergency, when the user moves outside of a predetermined safety area, when the power supply supplying power to the sensor is low, when the user voluntarily activates the sensor, and when the user is not wearing the sensor. In response to the distress information, audio and/or video communication between the user and personnel monitoring the user at a remote central office is provided in response to the distress information.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Advanced Marketing Systems CorporationInventors: Douglas Pierce, Jeffrey S. Prough
-
Patent number: 6163260Abstract: A linerless label tracking system enables the tracking and identification of items such as airline baggage or delivery parcels at any point prior to their destination. The linerless label tracking system consists of an RF transponder which includes a memory for storing data that can be read by a user with conventional reading devices. The RF transponder comprises an antenna and an IC chip and is incorporated into a linerless label. The lineress label comprises an adhesive layer and an outer surface layer onto which indicia can be printed. The adhesive layer further comprises a pressure sensitive material. The outer surface layer comprises a direct thermal label or tag stock (paper, film, or combination). The RF transponder is incorporated into the linerless label in one of many ways and the linerless label is then applied to the item to be tracked.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1998Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.Inventors: Kevin Girard Conwell, Matthew T. Adams
-
Patent number: 6163261Abstract: A method of applying at least one of a stimulus and a warning signal to an animal includes selecting a maximum desired distance between the animal and a transmitter, transmitting a radio frequency signal from the transmitter at a first point in time, and receiving the radio frequency signal with a receiver attached to the animal. An ultrasonic frequency signal is transmitted from the transmitter at a second point in time. A first time difference between the second point in time and the first point in time varies inversely with the selected maximum desired distance. The ultrasonic frequency signal is received with the receiver at a third point in time. A second time difference between the third point in time and the first point in time is calculated. It is determined whether the animal is beyond the maximum desired distance from the transmitter by comparing the second time difference with at least one threshold time difference.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Innotek Pet Products, Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Westrick
-
Patent number: 6157300Abstract: Flexible tags are secured to parcels moving upon a conveyor belt. The flexible tags each contain a transponder circuit in electrical communication with a transponder antenna. The transponder circuit contains a unique digital code containing data relating to the parcel. A reader circuit located in proximity to the conveyor is in electrical communication with a reader antenna. The reader circuit generates a signal in the presence of a flexible tag, which is transmitted to the transponder antenna located on the flexible tag. The signal energizes the transponder circuit in the flexible tag, which sends a unique digital code via the transponder antenna back to the reader antenna. The digital code is transmitted from the reader antenna to the reader circuit, where the digital code is analyzed to identify the contents of the parcel. The flexible tags are agitated by forced air from a fan to orient the flexible tags in non-parallel alignment in relation to the reader antenna as they move along a conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1999Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: James Gerard Quaderer, Victor Allen Vega
-
Patent number: 6154131Abstract: A system of sensors to prevent cheating at a casino gaming table, where the sensors are strategically positioned about a casino gaming table to monitor the movement about certain established areas on the gaming table during certain established times during the play of the game. The tripping of a sensor in response to the detection of unauthorized movement about a certain area of the table sends a signal to a monitoring system which in turn alerts the casino so that the casino may respond to the unauthorized movement accordingly. The system of sensors can be used with a wide variety of card-based or chip-based casino gaming tables.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1998Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Inventors: Griffith Jones, II, Griffith Jones, III
-
Patent number: 6150942Abstract: An interactive prescription compliance, and life safety system provides remote and on site verification of procedures related to the health status of a person, including taking of medicines, responsiveness to queries, and attendance of health care and service providers in the home by providing for signals to and from a person's location, with alarm activation when a deviation from a preprogrammed procedure occurs.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Inventor: Charles T. O'Brien
-
Patent number: 6144307Abstract: A device which relates to the monitoring of things such as cranes and hoists and seeks to improve on known so-called capacity limiters or overload devices usually associated with the hoist or chain rope. A monitoring device for use with a crane or hoist having a drive roller with a drive shaft and a gearbox directly or indirectly attached to the drive shaft. The monitoring device includes a means of resisting rotational movement of the gearbox located between the gearbox and an adjacent rigid structure, the means between the gearbox ad the adjacent rigid structure being such as to allow a limited degree of movement of the gearbox, and there being a means to react to the movement of the gearbox associated with the means of resisting rotational movement.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1998Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: Street Crane Company LimitedInventor: Peter John Elliot
-
Patent number: RE37493Abstract: An automated fire extinguishing apparatus includes a turret with a nozzle connected to a water supply. A plurality of sensors are used to detect a fire monitored by the apparatus. The signals from the sensors are used to aim the nozzle toward the fire and to initiate water ejection therefrom. After the fire is extinguished the water is turned off.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1998Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Inventor: Alan E. Thomas