Patents Examined by Hoi C. Lau
  • Patent number: 11694532
    Abstract: A photoelectric smoke detector (14) connected to a signal line (12-1) drawn into a warning area from a receiver (10) transmits a fire signal including identification information of smoke caused in detection zones Z1 and Z2. In the detection zones, a sensor (18) for sensing a change of physical phenomenon other than smoke involved in fire is provided, and the sensor (18) is connected to the signal line (12-1) via a relay device (16). The sensor (18) is at least one of a CO2 sensor, a CO sensor, a fire sensor, and a heat sensor. A fire alarm control unit (48) of the receiver (10) causes an alarm to be given, when determining the identification information of the smoke by the photoelectric smoke detector (14) and a sensing value by at least one of the CO2 sensor, the CO sensor, the fire sensor, and the heat sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: HOCHIKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuya Nagashima
  • Patent number: 11686070
    Abstract: Systems and methods to activate one or more indicators, positioned on heavy hydraulic-based equipment to provide indication that the heavy hydraulic-based equipment is in an operation are described herein. The system may include a hydraulic initiation lever positioned proximate an operator's seat of the equipment and configured to be actuatable to an inactive position and an active position, the hydraulic initiation lever when in the active position configured to generate an unlock signal to thereby enable hydraulic operation of the heavy hydraulic-based equipment. The system may include one or more indicators configured to receive the unlock signal, the one or more indicators configured to activate in response to reception of the unlock signal and to deactivate in response to no reception of the unlock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventors: Kyle D. Jordan, Nicholas L. Schimmoeller, George M. Lixey
  • Patent number: 11676465
    Abstract: A distributed temperature system with at least one optical fiber is provided. Each optical fiber runs horizontally and vertically within at least one compartment of a ship. Each optical fiber connects to a distributed temperature system unit or is multiplexed to a single temperature system unit. The system employs Optical Time Domain Reflectometry to support measurements of optical pulses in processing bins defined along the fiber. The spatial fidelity of the measurement capability is sufficient to localize a fire detection in individual shipboard compartments. The system can diagnosis conflagration events that produce fire and also flooding in the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventors: Anthony A Ruffa, Charles M Traweek
  • Patent number: 11672370
    Abstract: A porch piracy parcel theft prevention system and method includes a delivery location apparatus configured for adaption to a building to receive a parcel, the delivery location apparatus including a sensor and a parcel locking mechanism. The sensor is configured to detect the presence of a delivered parcel placed into the line of sight of the parcel detecting sensor. When armed, the parcel locking mechanism is configured to trigger an alarm when the parcel detected locking mechanism detects removal of the parcel from the line of sight of the parcel detecting sensor. When disarmed, the package may be removed from the line of sight of the parcel detecting sensor without tripping the alarm. Among other uses, helps prevent parcel theft from single family dwellings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventor: Paul R. Juhasz
  • Patent number: 11670158
    Abstract: A method of hand hygiene compliance enforcement and hand hygiene system comprising at least one dispenser unit that has an interior chamber containing a volume of hand soap or sanitizer and a dispenser nozzle configured to dispense a measured volume of hand soap or sanitizing material upon a triggering event. The dispenser also has a control unit mounted therein, the control unit is in electronic communication with the dispenser nozzle and has at least one identity sensor, at least one alarm indicator and at least one transmitter. The hand hygiene system also has at least one proximity sensor in electronic communication with the control unit. The proximity sensor is located a spaced distance from the at least one dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Tuway American Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Koester, Craig Muscott
  • Patent number: 11663900
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided, comprising: a storage portion for storing, by each position on a patrol route, an equipment to be inspected in a plant which should be inspected by viewing by a patroller; a position acquisition portion for acquiring a position of a patroller on a patrol route; a first detection portion for detecting a viewed equipment which has been viewed by a patroller; and an alert portion for outputting an alert signal about the viewed equipment, in response to a fact that the equipment to be inspected, which corresponds to a position of a patroller on a patrol route, is not detected as the viewed equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yukiyo Akisada, Yasuki Sakurai
  • Patent number: 11647849
    Abstract: A security gate for a retail store shelf having one or more products includes a header and at least one hinge arranged in a horizontal alignment with the header. A rigid frame is connected to the header with the at least one hinge and a guard is positioned across the rigid frame, the guard preventing a user from removing the products. A latching mechanism connects the rigid frame to the header and urges a customer to use two hands to open the security gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SENNCO SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Horvath, Christopher Alan Marszalek, Dale R. Liff, George R. Liff
  • Patent number: 11647904
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring collection of subject condition data is provided. The method includes receiving a value of a parameter of subject condition data and a value of a sample time, for each of a plurality of sample times. The method also includes storing the subject condition data in a data structure including a first field for holding data indicating a current sample time and a second field for holding data indicating the value of the parameter. The method also includes determining a time gap defined by a duration between the current sample time and a most recent sample time and determining whether the time gap exceeds a time gap threshold and causing an apparatus to perform remedial action. A method for presenting the subject condition data on a display is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: University of Maryland, Baltimore
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Hu, Lynn G. Stansbury, Colin F. Mackenzie, Thomas M. Scalea, Deborah M. Stein, Shiming Yang
  • Patent number: 11649068
    Abstract: A landing zone indicator system which includes a battery that is configured to power a controller and a human vision output device, a controller that is configured to control human-visible light that is output by the human vision output device, and a human vision output device where the human-visible light output by the human vision output device generates an illuminated landing zone for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Robert Huntzinger, Dennis Young Kwon
  • Patent number: 11651422
    Abstract: Location data associated with an on-demand electric vehicle and an indication that an on-demand electric vehicle has fallen are received. It is determined that a rental associated with the on-demand electric vehicle has ended. Information indicating that the on-demand electric vehicle is in a fallen position is provided via a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Bird Rides, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis VanderZanden, William Scott Rushforth
  • Patent number: 11642962
    Abstract: A center information display system includes a center information display; a capturing device configured to obtain information on an occupant inside a vehicle; a rotating structure configured to adjust a view angle of the center information display; and a control device in communication with the capturing device, being configured to determine whether there is an occupant in a driver seat or a passenger seat, and control the rotating structure to rotate the center information display to a predetermined view angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: FUDING PRECISION COMPONENTS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD., FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Chia-Yen Lee
  • Patent number: 11634102
    Abstract: In system and methods for loss mitigation, accident data associated with a vehicle accident involving a driver may be collected. The accident data may be analyzed, and a likely severity of the vehicle accident may be determined based upon the analysis of the accident data. A communication related to emergency assistance or an emergency assistance recommendation may be generated based upon the determined likely severity of the vehicle accident, and transmitted, via wireless communication, from one or more remote servers to a mobile device associated with the driver. A wireless communication from the driver indicating approval or modification of the emergency assistance or emergency assistance recommendation may be received. A third party may be notified, via a communication sent from the remote server(s), of requested emergency assistance as approved or modified by the driver. An estimated insurance claim may also be generated based upon vehicle accident likely severity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Potter, Mark E. Clauss, Dustin Ryan Carter, Douglas Albert Graff, Megan Michal Baumann, Atlanta Bonnom, Craig Cope, Jennifer Luella Lawyer, Curtis Simpson, Nathan W. Baumann
  • Patent number: 11634103
    Abstract: A method of vehicle accident response includes generating, by a mobile device located inside a vehicle, telematics data associated with operation of the vehicle, and transmitting, from the mobile device to one or more processors via wireless communication, the telematics data. The method also includes analyzing the telematics data to determine that an accident involving the vehicle has occurred, analyzing the telematics data to determine a likelihood of injury due to the accident, and generating a communication (i) based upon the telematics data and the likelihood of injury and (ii) in response to determining that the accident has occurred. The method further includes transmitting, to the mobile device, the communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Potter, Mark E. Clauss, Dustin Ryan Carter, Megan Michal Baumann, Atlanta Bonnom, Craig Cope, Jennifer Luella Lawyer, Curtis Simpson, Nathan W. Baumann, Douglas Albert Graff
  • Patent number: 11631321
    Abstract: A server includes a server communication unit, a server control unit, and a server storage unit, and is connected in a communicable manner to a first vehicle and a second vehicle via the server communication unit. The server control unit transmits an imaging start command to the second vehicle, which runs within a predetermined range from an accident site, in response to the reception of an accident notification associated with positional information on the accident site from the first vehicle, receives an imaged image from the second vehicle, and stores the imaged image into the server storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideo Hasegawa, Keiko Kameda, Misa Ejiri, Shintaro Naruse, Tadahiro Kashiwai, Naoya Oka, Kensuke Koike, Hiroyuki Monji
  • Patent number: 11625549
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media for receiving a confirmation signal to unlock the security tag from being locked to a merchandise, transmitting a RFID signal to the RFID device associated with the security tag to enable a controller to receive a release signal used to unlock the security tag from the merchandise, and transmitting the release signal to the controller to unlock the security tag from the merchandise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Manuel A. Soto, Adam S. Bergman, Steve E. Trivelpiece
  • Patent number: 11620903
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, systems, methods, and mediums for operating an autonomous driving vehicles (ADV) are described. The embodiments use a number of machine learning models to extract features individually from audio data and visual data captured by sensors mounted on the ADV, and then to fuse these extracted features to create a concatenated feature vectors. The concatenated feature vector is provided to a multiplayer perceptron (MLP) as input to generate a detection result related to the presence of an emergency vehicle in the surrounding environment. The detection result can be used by the ADV to take appropriate actions to comply with the local traffic rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Kecheng Xu, Hongyi Sun, Qi Luo, Wei Wang, Zejun Lin, Wesley Reynolds, Feng Liu, Jiangtao Hu, Jinghao Miao
  • Patent number: 11612363
    Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and kits are provided that buffer the time spaced glucose signals in a memory, and when a request for real time glucose level information is detected, transmit the buffered glucose signals and real time monitored glucose level information to a remotely located device, process a subset of the received glucose signals to identify a predetermined number of consecutive glucose data points indicating an adverse condition such as an impending hypoglycemic condition, confirm the adverse condition based on comparison of the predetermined number of consecutive glucose data points to a stored glucose data profile associated with the adverse condition, where confirming the adverse condition includes generating a notification signal when the impending hypoglycemic condition is confirmed, and activate a radio frequency (RF) communication module to wirelessly transmit the generated notification signal to the remotely located device only when the notification signal is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Cole
  • Patent number: 11610468
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides an exemplary system that includes radio frequency (RF) tags; positioned at locations throughout a roof; a tag reader configured to: generate reader RF signals at one or more frequencies to read the plurality of RF tags, and detect return RF signals from the plurality of RF tags; where the RF signals carry tag data comprising impedance values and tag identifiers; a processor of a computing device, programmed to receive the tag data; determine corresponding locations of the plurality of RF tags; and determine a wet state or dry state of the roof at one or more corresponding locations, and output an indicator of the wet state or the dry state of the roof at the one or more corresponding locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: BMIC LLC
    Inventor: Igor Alovert
  • Patent number: 11596823
    Abstract: Operating a fire control system is described herein. One method includes receiving, at a gateway device, first operational data of a first format from a control panel, determining a model associated with the control panel based on the first operational data, wherein the model includes correlations between the first operational data and alarm information of a second format, receiving second operational data of the first format from the control panel, and determining alarm information of the second format associated with the second operational data based on the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jayaprakash Meruva, Rajesh Babu Nalukurthy, Vipindas E K, Amit Jain, Rich Lau, Jesse Otis
  • Patent number: 11600181
    Abstract: A saddle-riding type vehicle includes: a front object recognition unit (54) which recognizes an object in front of a host vehicle (M); a side object recognition unit (54) which recognizes an object at the rear side of the host vehicle (M); a display unit (42) which notifies a driver of the existence of an object in the periphery of the host vehicle (M); and a notification control unit (160) which determines the existence of an object in front of the host vehicle (M) and the existence of an object at the rear side of the host vehicle (M) on the basis of the recognition result of the front object recognition unit (54) and the side object recognition unit (54) and controls the display unit (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Maeda, Hiroshi Tatsumi