Patents Examined by Jeffrey Donels
  • Patent number: 11254541
    Abstract: A lift system comprises a rail (1) and a carriage assembly (2) comprising a seat (21) or platform (21) for supporting a person to be conveyed along the rail (1), drive means arranged to engage the rail (1) and controllable to drive the carriage assembly (2) along the rail (1), energy storage means arranged to power the drive means, input means operable by a user to provide an input signal indicative of a desired movement of the carriage assembly (2) along the rail (1), and control means arranged to receive the input signal and control the drive means in response to the input signal. The system includes charging means arranged to charge the energy storage means when the carriage assembly (2) is at a first charging position on the rail (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ACORN MOBILITY SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: John Stewart Jakes, Keith Holdstock
  • Patent number: 11257471
    Abstract: An artificial intelligence (AI) method includes generating a first musical interaction behavioral model. The first musical interaction behavioral model causes an interactive electronic device to perform a first set of musical operations and a first set of motional operations. The AI method further includes receiving user inputs received in response to the performance of the first set of musical operations and the first set of motional operations and determining a user learning progression level based on the user inputs. In response to determining that the user learning progression level is above a threshold, the AI method includes generating a second musical interaction behavioral model. The second musical interaction behavioral model causes the interactive electronic device to perform a second set of musical operations and a second set of motional operations. The AI method further includes performing the second set of musical operations and the second set of motional operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sean O'Brien, Erick Wong, Julia Wong
  • Patent number: 11244663
    Abstract: A foot percussion device can include a rigid board defining an upper surface and a lower surface distal from the upper surface; a spacer secured to and extending from the lower surface of the board, the spacer being compressible and defining a height before compression, the spacer configured to isolate the board from contact with a floor surface on which the device is placed; an audio jack; and a sensor in contact with and secured to one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the board, the sensor configured to convert mechanical vibrations in the board to electrical signals transmittable through the audio jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Victoria Rose Advisors LLC
    Inventors: Victor J. Perkins, Jaia S. Perkins
  • Patent number: 11242227
    Abstract: In a method for carrying out an installation process in an elevator shaft of an elevator system, an assembly device is inserted into the elevator shaft. The assembly device includes a support component, a mechatronic installation component retained by the support component and a control apparatus. At least one assembly apparatus (tool, sensor or component) is arranged on the support component. The support component is fixed in a fixing position in the elevator shaft. After the support component has been fixed, an actual position of the at least one assembly apparatus is determined relative to the installation component. Using the determined actual position relative to the support component, the at least one assembly apparatus is received by the installation component and an assembly step is carried out using the received at least one assembly apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Erich Butler, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Patent number: 11242219
    Abstract: A story monitoring method when a robot takes an elevator is provided. The method including: obtaining gravity acceleration of the robot in a static state in an elevator and transient acceleration of the robot in a moving state in the elevator, a starting story number, and a story height of each story; obtaining an acceleration change waveform of the robot; comparing the acceleration change waveform by using an acceleration waveform classifier of the elevator, to obtain a movement status of the elevator at each moment; obtaining actual displacement of the elevator in a complete movement status of the elevator; and obtaining a story that the elevator is on after a complete movement status according to the actual displacement of the elevator, the starting story number, and the story height of each story.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiaolong Zhu, Shanmin Tang, Yongsheng Liu
  • Patent number: 11235953
    Abstract: A method and a mounting device for carrying out an installation operation in an elevator shaft of an elevator system include a mounting device having a carrier component and a mechatronic installation component held on the carrier component. In a displacement phase, the carrier component is displaced relative to the elevator shaft and positioned at different heights within the elevator shaft. In a mounting phase, a mounting step is carried out at least partially automatically, wherein a mounting device is removed from a magazine component disposed on the carrier component and installed on a shaft wall of the elevator shaft. In a stocking phase, a magazine component is stocked with mounting devices outside the elevator shaft and, in a loading phase, the stocked magazine component is disposed on the carrier component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Erich Bütler, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Patent number: 11225396
    Abstract: A shaft hoisting plant has a conveyance and an overwind brake device for the conveyance, a travel path for the conveyance, and an overwind path adjoining a lower and/or upper end of the travel path. The overwind brake device includes retaining bars arranged in pairs in a manner spaced apart from one another and extending in a longitudinal direction, energy-absorbing material arranged in the form of plates arranged one above another in the longitudinal direction between the retaining bars. A plow is movable relative to the retaining elements, such that, upon overwinding of the conveyance, the plow deforms and/or destroys the energy-absorbing material between the retaining elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: OLKO-MASCHINENTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Junge, Lars Rietz, Nicole Klein, Eduard Haberkorn
  • Patent number: 11217215
    Abstract: An accessory for modifying sound output of a musical instrument. The body of the instrument has a soundboard. The accessory includes a sound sensor, an actuator, a fastener, and a controller. The sound sensor engages the body and senses vibration of the body representing the sound output of the musical instrument. The actuator engages the soundboard and deforms the soundboard of the musical instrument so as to modify the sound output of the musical instrument. The sound sensor is preferably arranged distally to the actuator. The fastener engages the accessory to the musical instrument, to locate the actuator against the soundboard of the musical instrument. The controller is connected to the actuator and the sound sensor for receiving and analysing the sound output sensed by the sound sensor, and controlling the actuator in dependence on the sound output sensed by the sound sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Robert Coyle
  • Patent number: 11205409
    Abstract: A programmable signal processing and musical instrument setup system for stringed musical instruments, comprising at least one analog signal processing circuit, a control circuit operably coupled to at least one analog signal processing circuit, and a storage unit operably coupled to the control circuit, being arranged on the musical instrument for storing setup parameters for the musical instrument. The system comprises: a communication module with an individual identification information connected to the control circuit for enabling communication with an external programming device that has a storage unit configured for storing an individual identification information of at least one musical instrument, in association with the musical instrument in at least one configuration file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventors: András Bognár, Dániel Bognár, Sándor Bognár
  • Patent number: 11205408
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for generating music, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for generating music associated with a state contained within a communication, for a user interface for generating music associated with a state, for generated music to reflect movement between states, and for generating music to guide a user toward a desired state. In various embodiments, a computing system might analyze a communication of a user to determine at least one state contained within the communication. The communication may be a sensor communication, a biometric/health communication, a voice communication, a numerical communication, a textual communication, a picture/video communication, etc. Based on the determined at least one state, the computing system might generate music associated with the state or continuously control the generation of music to guide a user toward a desired state. A user interface for generating music may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Muvik Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Victoria A Grace
  • Patent number: 11198587
    Abstract: A method for deploying a controller to an elevator system includes generating a request to at least one other controller for obtaining at least one parameter relating to a deployment of the controller to the elevator system, receiving a response, and in response to detection that the at least one parameter in the response comprises a set of operational parameters, initiating a configuration procedure, and in response to detection that the at least one parameter in the response does not comprise the set of operational parameters, deriving an identifier of the elevator system included as the at least one parameter in the response and generating a request including the identifier of the elevator system for obtaining the set of operational parameters. An elevator system is configured to perform the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matti Mustonen, Jouko Kinnari, Jani Hautakorpi
  • Patent number: 11192752
    Abstract: A drive control method and system for controlling an inverter during power disruptions in the operation of an elevator drive includes the steps of predetermining whether a hoist motor of the elevator drive will be operating in a motor mode, a balanced mode or a regenerative mode on commencement of the power disruption, and controlling the inverter in accordance with the predetermined operating mode after commencement of the power disruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Roman Camenzind, Thomas Eilinger, Om Prakash
  • Patent number: 11192751
    Abstract: The invention concerns a rescue apparatus, an elevator as well as a retrofit kit. The rescue apparatus comprises a brake control unit having input terminals for connecting to a power supply, output terminals for connecting to a magnetizing coil of an electromagnetic brake, at least one controllable brake opening switch associated with at least one of the input terminals and adapted, in an open state, to prevent supply of current from the power supply to the magnetizing coil and, in a closed state, to allow supply of current from the power supply to the magnetizing coil. The rescue apparatus further comprises a control cable comprising one or more control signal wires and a remote control panel coupled via the control cable to the brake control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arto Nakari, Ari Kattainen
  • Patent number: 11195501
    Abstract: An electronic-drum module for connection to one or more electronic-drum pads is provided. The module includes an electronic display, a memory storing audio files for playback when the playback is triggered by a signal received from a pad, and one or more processors coupled to the electronic display and the memory. The processors are configured to play a portion of the audio files when the playback is triggered by the signal received from the one or more electronic-drum pads. The processors are also configured to display, on the display, a user interface for an application, which includes a waveform associated with recorded audio. The processors are also configured to display, on the display, tempo gridlines with a tempo-gridline spacing over the waveform. The module includes a control for adjusting the tempo-gridline spacing. The control is a wheel and is actuated by a rotation of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: INMUSIC BRANDS, INC.
    Inventors: David C. Gill, Daniel Francis Recchia
  • Patent number: 11189257
    Abstract: A wall-mountable jukebox and cover assembly in which a jukebox chassis is exposed by the cover in a display screen and in one or more payment receptors for pay-for-play payment collection devices. The jukebox chassis and cover are designed to enable the jukebox chassis to detachably slide-on to the cover. Various securing mechanisms and access mechanisms may be configured. The jukebox and cover assembly is configured for use in commercial venues and can be customized to each location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: TOUCHTUNES MUSIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vitalie Arefti, Michel Bryant, Jean Gauthier, Leo Maheu, Daniel Hamric, Michael Tooker
  • Patent number: 11185254
    Abstract: A processing device in one embodiment is configured to generate a first sound cue of a first type, the first sound cue comprising a primary entrainment cue for an entrainment sonification system, to generate one or more additional sound cues of a second type, each of the one or more additional sound cues comprising an auxiliary entrainment cue for the entrainment sonification system, to provide the first sound cue and the one or more additional sound cues to one or more audio devices of the entrainment sonification system for generation of sound for audible presentation to a user, to receive from one or more sensors of the entrainment sonification system one or more feedback signals, and to adjust one or more characteristics of at least one of the first sound cue and the one or more additional sound cues based at least in part on the one or more received feedback signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Muvik Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Victoria A. Grace, Paul Batchelor
  • Patent number: 11182420
    Abstract: Management or coordination of playback of digital media assets by an electronic device (e.g., a computing device), that supports media playback is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the electronic device can be controlled such that a user is able to schedule playback of distinct digital media assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, John Benjamin Filson, Kyle Yeates
  • Patent number: 11175882
    Abstract: A personal monitoring system for musicians playing in a group situation, wherein each musician is allowed to change his or her own personal mix audio signals coming from the other musicians and the sound of his or her own instrument. Each musician has a personal mixer which can receive audio signals wirelessly from the remaining musicians in the group. The mixer also has a wired input for receiving the audio signal from the musician's own musical instrument. The mixer may also be configured to receive mix control commands from a mobile wireless controller device operated by the musician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: TYXIT SA
    Inventor: Raphael Buache
  • Patent number: 11173598
    Abstract: A method for moving a manipulator arm. The manipulator arm includes a movable distal portion, a proximal portion coupled to a base, and joints between the distal portion and the base. The method involves calculating a first movement of the joints in accordance with a first objective. The method further involves calculating a second movement of the joints in accordance with a second objective. The first and the second movements are in a null-space of a Jacobian of the manipulator arm. The method also involves determining a combined movement of the joints by combining the first and second movements while limiting an overall magnitude of the combined movement without changing a direction of the combined movement, and/or combining the first and second movements while limiting a magnitude of the combined movement degree-of-freedom by degree-of-freedom. The method further involves driving the joints to effect the combined movement of the joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Arjang M. Hourtash
  • Patent number: 11174125
    Abstract: An overwinding buffer device and method are employed for a vertical hoisting system including a derrick and a hoisting container. A hydraulic buffer device is disposed on the derrick, the hydraulic buffer device including at least one buffering hydraulic cylinder and buffering pressure rollers disposed corresponding to the buffering hydraulic cylinders; the buffering hydraulic cylinders are disposed on the derrick; piston rods of the buffering hydraulic cylinders are disposed horizontally and outer ends of the piston rods face towards the hoisting container; the buffering pressure rollers are horizontally fixed on an outer side wall of the hoisting container and arced surfaces of the buffering pressure rollers face towards the piston rods of the buffering hydraulic cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: TAIYUAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ziming Kou, Juan Wu, Jianwei Yang, Guijun Gao, Jing Zhang, Peng Zhang, Liangji Zhao