Patents Examined by Kam Wan Ma
  • Patent number: 10988109
    Abstract: A sound output apparatus and a sound output control method including a sound output controller placed in a vehicle having a door lockable and unlockable based on the result of communicated with mobile terminals are disclosed. The vehicle mounted with the sound output controller and a locking and unlocking system including the vehicle are also disclosed. The sound output controller outputs a sound that is different between when the door is unlocked by a specified mobile terminal and when the door is unlocked by other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Uenoyama, Etsuko Nakajima, Junya Masui, Akira Hoshino, Hideo Hasegawa, Keiko Nakano
  • Patent number: 10970954
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for managing and controlling network-enabled movable barrier operators is provided. A method for managing network-enabled movable barrier operator includes receiving a user account identifier and a movable barrier operator identifier from a user device, providing an instruction to perform a specified action with a movable barrier operator associated with the movable barrier operator identifier to the user device, determining a registration condition is met upon detecting that the specified action has been performed, and, upon the registration condition being met, associating the movable barrier operator identifier with the user account identifier to allow a user account associated with the user account identifier to control the movable barrier operator over a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan Ari Farber, James Scott Murray
  • Patent number: 10964192
    Abstract: A disaster preparation system may include a system controller. The system controller may include a device processor; and a non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions executable by the device processor to perform the following steps: receiving location data from a personal electronic device of a user; receiving forecast data regarding a predicted disaster; making a determination of a preparatory action to be executed on behalf of the user, based on the location data and the forecast data; and executing the preparatory action at a predetermined time relative to the predicted time of occurrence of the predicted disaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Meredith Beveridge Lecocke, Michael J. Maciolek, Robert Wiseman Simpson, Daniel Christopher Bitsis, Jr., Bobby Lawrence Mohs, Manfred Amann, Emily Margaret Gray, Donnette Moncrief Brown
  • Patent number: 10921250
    Abstract: Dust accumulation monitors are provided to autonomously monitor dust accumulations. The dust accumulation monitors include a casing having a translucent portion, a light sensor configured to output a sensing signal based on sensed light penetrating through the translucent portion, a controller coupled to the light sensor to receive the sensing signal and configured to output a dust alert signal based on the received sensing signal, and a communication interface coupled to the controller and configured to output an alert based on the dust alert signal output by the controller. A dust accumulation monitoring system includes a plurality of dust accumulation monitors, and a central monitor communicatively connected to each of the plurality of dust accumulation monitors and configured to receive dust sensing signals from each of the plurality of dust accumulation monitors. The dust accumulation monitors may communicate through wired or wireless links with the central monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER ENGINEERING & RISK CONSULTANTS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip James Parsons, Benjamin Stover, Yujie Hou
  • Patent number: 10909832
    Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for monitoring a resident of a residence. A confidence assessment may be performed based on a plurality of smart home devices in the residence. The residence may be identified as eligible for monitoring of the resident based on the confidence assessment. A learning process may be performed to create an ordinary behavior model. Data that is received from the plurality of smart home devices may be monitored to identify data indicative of behavior considered unusual based on the ordinary behavior model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10885761
    Abstract: In an example, an apparatus includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and an integrated management system. The first sensor is for capturing a first set images of a calibration target that is placed in a monitored site, wherein the first sensor has a first position in the monitored site, and wherein a physical appearance of the calibration target varies when viewed from different positions within the monitored site. The second sensor is for capturing a second set of images of the calibration target, wherein the second sensor has a second position in the monitored site that is different from the first position. The integrated management system is for determining a positional relationship of the first sensor and the second sensor based on the first set of images, the second set of images, and knowledge of the physical appearance of the calibration target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Magik Eye Inc.
    Inventor: Akiteru Kimura
  • Patent number: 10884386
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing remote device (e.g., thermostat, lighting, appliance, etc.) control and/or energy monitoring. A system monitors sensor data captured by one or more sensors that sense attributes relevant to user presence at one or more monitored properties and status of one or more energy consuming devices associated with the one or more monitored properties. The system analyzes the monitored sensor data and the monitored device status with respect to a set of one or more rules and performs an operation related to controlling the one or more energy consuming devices based on the analysis of the monitored sensor data and the monitored device status with respect to the set of one or more rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen Scott Trundle, Alison Jane Slavin, Jean-Paul Martin, David James Hutz
  • Patent number: 10885781
    Abstract: A method at a computing device for the computing device to act as an intelligent transportation system (ITS) station for a vehicle, the method including detecting that the computing device is proximate to the vehicle; determining whether ITS messages are being sent on behalf of the vehicle; and if the determining finds ITS messages are not being sent on behalf of the vehicle, the computing device acting as the ITS station for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Ian Christopher Drummond Doig, Stephen John Barrett, Nicholas Patrick Alfano, James Randolph Winter Lepp, Roland Emlyn Williams
  • Patent number: 10876396
    Abstract: A system, in some embodiments, comprises: a controller; and a mud pulse telemetry modulator coupled to the controller and configured to modulate a mud column using differential pulse position modulation (DPPM) code words comprising most significant bits and least significant bits, wherein the controller allocates the most significant bit in each of said code words to a first data parameter having a first importance value and the least significant bit in each of said code words to a second data parameter having a second importance value that is lower than the first importance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jianying Chu
  • Patent number: 10859692
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device intended for detection of non-authorised objects or substances carried by an individual in a protected access zone, comprising at least two columns defining a channel by which individuals to be checked can transit, windings distributed in the two columns, adapted to emit a magnetic field and adapted to detect the perturbations of the magnetic field caused when an individual travels between the two columns, microwave emitters and receivers arranged in the two columns, and means to analyse the signals to detect the presence of a metallic object carried by an individual to detect the presence of dielectric material carried by the individual transiting via said channel, and to set up the spatial correlations existing between the metallic objects and the dielectric materials detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Alessandro Manneschi
  • Patent number: 10861293
    Abstract: A personal emergency rescue beacon device. The device includes a balloon operably connected to a helium supply tank which is disposed within a waterproof housing. The waterproof housing is securable to a user's clothing via a clip fastener, or alternatively may be kept in a user's bag. A control operably connected to the helium supply tank is configured to automatically inflate and release the balloon when activated. The balloon includes a light source thereon that is configured to flash in a desired pattern for increased visibility. The balloon is affixed to a tether having a retraction mechanism that can be used automatically retract the balloon when actuated. The control is further operably connected to a GPS module that is configured to determine and transmit a location of the housing via a wireless transceiver to an emergency services department or other remote locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Leonard Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 10847018
    Abstract: A server accesses a security system profile of a first security system. The security system profile identifies a plurality of sensors connected to the first security system. The server identifies a second security system based on at least a first sensor of the plurality of sensors coupled to the first security system. The server then generates a notification sharing profile for the first security system based on the security system profile. The notification sharing profile indicates that the second security system corresponds to the first sensor. A first event triggered by the first sensor causes a first notification to the second security system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Nortek Security & Control LLC
    Inventors: Taufiqul Kazi, Laura Elizabeth Knight
  • Patent number: 10823590
    Abstract: An environmental sensor for measuring physical quantities associated with a surrounding environment includes one or more sensor elements that detect the physical quantities, and a communication unit that transmits, when a physical quantity detected by at least one of the sensor elements included in the environmental sensor changes in accordance with a predetermined rule, a predetermined maintenance signal including unit identification information identifying at least the environmental sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Ryusuke Sakai, Naotsugu Ueda, Kayo Nakamura, Takanobu Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 10798805
    Abstract: A method of automatically programming a new load control device that replaces an old load control device takes advantage of a remote identification tag (e.g., an RFID tag) located in the vicinity of the old device. The remote identification tag stores an identifier that is representative of a location in which the old device is installed. The method includes the steps of: (1) storing a setting of an old device in a memory of a controller; (2) associating the setting with the identifier of the old device in the memory of the controller; (3) the new device retrieving the identifier from the remote identification tag after the new device is installed in the location of the old device; (4) the new device transmitting the identifier to the controller; and (5) the controller transmitting the setting of the old device to the new device in response to receiving the identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Dragan Veskovic
  • Patent number: 10777875
    Abstract: A loop antenna transmits and receives a radio wave including a signal. A RFID detection circuit includes a circuit terminal and a circuit terminal connected with the loop antenna. A switch circuit switches, according to a state of an object to be detected, between a gain reduced state in which a gain of the loop antenna is reduced and a gain unreduced state in which the gain of the loop antenna is not reduced. The switch circuit has a first point of action and a second point of action for reducing the gain of the loop antenna, when ? is a wavelength of the radio wave, the point of action is located within a gain reduction range that represents a range on the loop antenna from the circuit terminal to a position of ?/32 away from the circuit terminal in a direction in which the loop antenna extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: You Yanagida, Ryoma Toyoda
  • Patent number: 10769899
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for projecting light to indicate a device status are provided. In accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, systems for projecting light to indicate a device status are provided, the systems comprising: a hardware processor that: determines a light status; determines whether to turn a light source on; selects a light format corresponding to the light status; projects light of a light source according to the light format; and determines whether to turn the light source off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventor: Vincent Dureau
  • Patent number: 10766455
    Abstract: A sound output apparatus and a sound output control method including a sound output controller placed in a vehicle having a door lockable and unlockable based on the result of communicated with mobile terminals are disclosed. The vehicle mounted with the sound output controller and a locking and unlocking system including the vehicle are also disclosed. The sound output controller outputs a sound that is different between when the door is unlocked by a specified mobile terminal and when the door is unlocked by other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Uenoyama, Etsuko Nakajima, Junya Masui, Akira Hoshino, Hideo Hasegawa, Keiko Nakano
  • Patent number: 10759387
    Abstract: A self-declaring electronic license plate (e-plate) system for a vehicle is disclosed. This self-declaring e-plate system includes: an input device; a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader coupled to the input device; and an RFID-enabled license plate. In some embodiments, the input device is configured to receive vehicle occupancy information and triggers the RFID reader to write the received vehicle occupancy information to the RFID-enabled license plate in response to receiving the vehicle occupancy information. The RFID reader is configured to write at least a portion of the received vehicle occupancy information to the RFID-enabled license plate. The RFID-enabled license plate is configured to provide at least a portion of the received vehicle occupancy information to an electronic toll collection (ETC) reader. In some embodiments, the received vehicle occupancy information includes a current number of occupants self-declared by a user, such as a driver or a passenger inside the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis, Bobby Leanio
  • Patent number: 10757769
    Abstract: A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Shoumin Liu, Dalibor Zulim, Mark Norton, Richard Lee Westrick, Jr., Ryan Zaveruha, Justin Bierschbach, Frank Pelliccio, Tiberiu Almasi
  • Patent number: 10741065
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enforcing plugin vehicle parking regulations are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: capture parked vehicle images of a parked vehicle in a parking location from a plurality of cameras on electric vehicle service equipment systems (EVSEs) in a parking facility; compare the parked vehicle images to a plurality of plugin vehicle type images in a database; and sound an alarm if the parked vehicle is not a plugin vehicle or if the parked vehicle is not charging from the electric vehicle service equipment systems associated with the parking location within a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jimmy Kapadia, Khalid Ahmed, Daniel Lewis Boston