Patents Examined by John Bamert
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Patent number: 8896437Abstract: A system includes at least one sensor and an equipment health monitoring (EHM) unit. The at least one sensor is configured to measure one or more characteristics of an asset, where the asset includes a piece of equipment. The EHM unit includes at least one sensor interface configured to receive at least one input signal associated with the asset from the sensor(s). The EHM unit also includes at least one processing unit operable to be pre-configured to identify a specified fault in the asset using the input signals and an asset-specific model that includes a combination of standard subsystem models. The EHM unit further includes at least one output interface configured to provide an indicator identifying the fault. The standard subsystem models could include standardized fault models configured to identify faults for standard assets.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Rajat Sadana
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Patent number: 8890650Abstract: A method of operating a communication device to interface with a machine system comprises projecting a human-machine interface (HMI) system for the machine system on a surface, wherein the HMI system comprises a plurality of commands associated with the machine system, detecting an input from a user, wherein the input comprises a fluid motion in air performed by the user corresponding to a selection of a command of the plurality of commands associated with the machine system, and transferring the selected command for delivery to the machine system.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Inventors: Thong T. Nguyen, Steven J. Scott
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Patent number: 8854196Abstract: An electric motorcycle includes a front cover for covering a head pipe of a vehicle body frame from a forward direction and a speaker for notifying an individual, such as a walker or the like, of the approach of a vehicle. The speaker has a sound emitting direction directed forwardly on the vehicle body and is disposed at a position on the opposite side to a key cylinder of a main switch, which is disposed in a vehicle body sideward direction of the head pipe, across the head pipe. A front stay support a front carrier disposed on the vehicle body front side of the front cover and is attached to the vehicle body front side of the head pipe is provided on the vehicle body rear side of the front cover. The speaker is disposed above the front stay as viewed in front elevation of the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Tamaki, Ryuji Akiba, Yoshihiro Nomura, Hiroyuki Shinmura
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Patent number: 8847784Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses may be provided for determining power usage within a meter. The systems, methods, and apparatuses may include providing, for a utility meter, at least one communications interface for communicating with a home area network (HAN); receiving or transmitting, via the at least one communications interface of the utility meter, information having a source or destination associated with the home area network (HAN); determining, by the utility meter, that the information is attributable to activity chargeable to a customer associated with the home area network (HAN); and updating, by the utility meter, a customer usage amount based upon the determination that the information is attributable to the activity chargeable to the customer.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bradley Richard Ree, John Christopher Boot
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Patent number: 8836481Abstract: In a method for operating a transponder (1, 41), the transponder (1, 4) receives a signal from a transmitter (2, 42). The signal comprises an information about a reference sensitivity and the transponder (1, 41) has an input sensitivity such that the transponder (1, 41) detects only signals above a certain power corresponding to the input sensitivity. In response to the received signal, the input sensitivity of the transponder (1, 41) is adjusted to the reference sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Quotainne Enterprises LLCInventor: Gerald Schaffler
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Patent number: 8803663Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of wireless communication which has low power consumption in a step for decoding an encoded signal to obtain data is provided. The semiconductor device includes an antenna configured to convert received carrier waves into an AC signal, a rectifier circuit configured to rectify the AC signal into a DC voltage, a demodulation circuit configured to demodulate the AC signal into an encoded signal, an oscillator circuit configured to generate a clock signal having a certain frequency by supply of the DC voltage, a synchronizing circuit configured to generate a synchronized encoded signal by synchronizing the encoded signal obtained by demodulating the AC signal with the clock signal, a decoder circuit configured to decode the synchronized encoded signal into a decoded signal, and a register configured to store the decoded signal as a clock (referred to as a digital signal).Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masato Ishii, Tomoaki Atsumi
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Patent number: 8797152Abstract: A haptic actuator apparatus and a method of making the same include an ultrasonically vibrating motor and its housing. The housing includes a guide structure coupled to the ultrasonically vibrating motor and at least one spring. The guide structure defines at least one path of motion of the ultrasonically vibrating motor. The at least one spring delimits the at least one path and generates human-detectable vibrations in response to an impact with the ultrasonically vibrating motor.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: New Scale Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David Henderson, Qin Xu
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Patent number: 8797144Abstract: An RFID reader system has an RFID tag and an RFID reader. The tag authorizes the RFID reader by receiving a plurality of successively-transmitted initial RFID read signals and determining respective initial-read signal power levels of the received initial RFID read signals. Using the determined initial-read signal power levels, a controller automatically selects an authorization sequence. A plurality of successively-transmitted authorization RFID signals are received sequentially, and respective authorization-signal power levels of the received authorization RFID read signals are determined. The determined authorization-signal power levels are automatically compared to the authorization sequence using the controller, so that the RFID reader is authorized if the determined authorization-signal power levels correspond to the authorization sequence.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Mark P. Hinman, James Alan Katerberg
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Patent number: 8786410Abstract: An electronic device determines information for configuring control of the device by a remote, generates a matrix codes including the information, and transmits the matrix code to a display device. The remote then captures the displayed matrix code, decodes the information, and configures itself to control the electronic device. Configuration of the remote may include pairing, configuring selection elements of the remote, and so on. In some implementations, the electronic device may interact with another device and the information may be for configuring the remote to control the electronic device in the context of the other device. Additionally, in various implementations, the remote may transmit identifying information to the electronic device which may configure itself to further communicate with the remote utilizing such information. Moreover, in various implementations, the remote may capture matrix codes generated by other devices in order to configure the remote to control those devices as well.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: William Michael Beals, Henry Gregg Martch
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Patent number: 8786400Abstract: An access device for a system having at least one lock that is configured to receive instructions and to energize a lock mechanism to unlock the at least one lock and a computer is disposed at a remote location from the at least one lock and the access device. The computer is connected to a primary wireless communication path. The access device comprises at least one key configured for communicating with the computer via the primary wireless communication path and to communicate with the lock over a secondary wireless communications path and wherein the at least one key further is configured as authorized to unlock the at least one lock absent a de-authorizing instruction from the computer.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Harkins, Casey Fale
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Patent number: 8773287Abstract: A vehicle detector (10) comprises a vehicle sensor (14) arranged for sensing disturbances caused by a vehicle, a digitizer of a microprocessor (20) connected to the vehicle sensor (14). The vehicle detector (10) further comprises a memory (18) connected to the digitizer and arranged for storing the digital representation, an antenna (12) and a transmitter of a radio unit (40). The microprocessor (20) also comprises a controller arranged for controlling operation of the vehicle sensor (14), and the transmitter. The vehicle detector has a housing (49) enclosing the vehicle sensor (14), the digitizer, the memory, the transmitter and the controller. The housing (49) provides protection against mechanical damage and moisture, thereby enabling the housing to be placed under ground. The antenna (12) is provided outside the housing (49) and at a distance from the housing (49) for enabling placement of the antenna (12) within a roadway surface coating.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Sensebit ABInventors: Fredrik Zettergren, Patrik Söderberg, Karl Nilvér, David Kulander
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Patent number: 8773277Abstract: A routing facility (1) for a subsea electronics module (7) has on a single circuit board (2) a facility (5) for routing data packets between segments of a differential serial bus, and at least one input/output interface (14, 15, 16) for digital and/or analog process values, wherein the process values are accessible via the differential serial bus.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2006Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Endre Brekke, Vegard Horten, Vidar Steigen
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Patent number: 8742934Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the execution of law enforcement duties and enhancing anti-terrorism and counter-terrorism capabilities is disclosed. More particularly, according to one aspect of the invention, an electronic system and associated method is configured to facilitate the performance of law enforcement duties by quasi-instantaneously providing actionable intelligence to its users, such as front-line law enforcement officers, in response to a real-time query. According to another aspect of the invention, a system implements a set of automated status classifications for subjects with suspected or confirmed involvement in criminal and/or terrorist activities. The status classifications specifically and concisely establish the subject's involvement in criminal and/or terrorist activities.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2013Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Intel-Based Solutions, LLCInventors: Russel William Sarpy, Sr., Wesley Trenton Fortune, Robert Lee Fortune, Jr.
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Patent number: 8736427Abstract: Systems and methods for associating a remote controller with a device are provided. The systems and methods generally relate to receiving a request from a remote controller to pair the remote controller to a device at several devices and determining at each of the several devices the strength of the wireless pairing request signal received by that device. If a device determines that its received signal is the strongest, the device may be paired with the remote controller. If instead a device determines that its received signal is not the strongest, it may ignore subsequent communications received from the remote controller.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2008Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Nicholas Vincent King
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Patent number: 8704638Abstract: A method for detecting metal using an electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) system. The EAS system includes a transmitter and a receiver. An EAS interrogation signal is transmitted to establish the interrogation zone. The EAS interrogation signal is used to detect EAS markers and metal objects within the interrogation zone. The EAS signal is received and a metal object present in the interrogation zone is detected during a metal detection cycle. The metal object is detected based upon perturbations in the received EAS interrogation signal. The metal detection cycle is periodically interspersed with at least one EAS detection cycle.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2009Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security Services GmbHInventors: Ming-Ren Lian, Manuel A. Soto, Douglas A. Narlow
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Patent number: 8686833Abstract: The control system has a structure in which sensor apparatuses each having a data communication function are connected to an electronic control apparatus through a common communication line, and the sensors of the sensor apparatuses are connected to the electronic control apparatus through separate individual signal lines to transmit sensor signals to the electronic control apparatus. The electronic control apparatus is configured to, prior to transmitting communication data to one of the sensor apparatuses through the communication line, set the signal line connected to the selected sensor apparatus in a state in which the voltage of the signal line is outside a variation range corresponding to a voltage range of the sensor signal, and set the signal lines connected to the other sensor apparatuses to each of which the communication data is not addressed in a state in which the voltage of the signal line is within the variation range.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Toshikazu Hioki, Housyo Yukawa, Masayuki Kaneko, Fumitaka Sugimoto, Hirohumi Isomura
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Patent number: 8680975Abstract: A haptic actuator system and a method of making the same include an ultrasonically vibrating motor body. A shaft is coupled to the vibrating motor body, the shaft arranged to rotate in at least one direction in response to the vibrating motor body. At least one unbalanced mass is coupled to and is moveable with the shaft to generate human-detectable vibrations in response to a motion of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: New Scale TechnologiesInventors: David A. Henderson, Qin Xu
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Patent number: 8669855Abstract: An indicator portion (55) includes a first indicator portion (110) and a second indicator portion (112). The first indicator portion (110) indicates an accelerator pedal opening degree that changes in accordance with an operated amount of the accelerator pedal by the driver. The second indicator portion (112) includes a division line (114) and regions (116, 118) divided by the division line (114). The division line (114) shows an accelerator pedal opening degree where traveling modes (EV mode and HV mode) are switched. The regions (116, 118) show the ranges of accelerator pedal opening degrees where traveling is performed in EV mode and HV mode, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoto Suzuki, Motohiro Nakashima
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Patent number: 8659428Abstract: An integrated electronic article surveillance (“EAS”)/metal detection system. The system includes a transmitter operable to transmit an EAS interrogation signal, where the EAS interrogation signal establishes an interrogation zone and is used to detect EAS markers and metal objects within the interrogation zone. The EAS interrogation signal is transmitted at a first frequency during an EAS detection cycle and at a second frequency during a metal detection cycle. The system includes a receiver operable to detect a signal received from an EAS marker, and a metal detector module operable to detect a metal object in proximity to the integrated EAS/metal detection system, where the metal detector module includes a filter tuned to substantially filter out the first transmission frequency.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbHInventors: Manuel A. Soto, Erik Lee Dinh, Adam S. Bergman
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Patent number: 8648719Abstract: A container unit for the storage and protection of laboratory substances includes a protective housing and at least one dosage-dispensing unit. The at least one dosage-dispensing unit includes a reservoir container and a dispensing head. To prepare the at least one dosage-dispensing unit for operation, the protective housing can be removed from the dosage-dispensing unit. The protective housing has a bottom part with at least one suitably shaped recess to provide a stable seat for the at least one dosage-dispensing unit, as well as a bell-shaped top. The top can be connected to the bottom part, so as to form a tightly sealed interior space. For transportation and storage purposes, the at least one dosage-dispensing unit is arranged in the interior space of the closed protective housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AGInventors: Matthias Gietenbruch, Sandra Ehrbar