Patents Examined by Kerri McNally
  • Patent number: 9997033
    Abstract: A safety rail monitoring system, and associated methods of operation, for monitoring use of a safety rail that borders a footpath to help prevent injuries while the user traverses the footpath. The safety system includes a sensor system for detecting the presence of a user on the footpath and the presence of a contact by the user on the safety rail. A sensor observation system in communication with the sensor system receives signals indicating whether the user is present on the footpath and whether the user is holding on to the safety rail. If the user is not holding on to the safety rail, the sensor observation system generates an alert signal to the user to remind the user to hold the safety rail. In some embodiments, the safety system may include a barrier that prevents the user from continuing along the footpath without contacting the safety rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Elizabeth E. Nugent, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9994099
    Abstract: A system, method, and device for operations of an electrically motorized vehicle. The vehicle can utilize an electrically motorized wheel to convert a non-motorized wheeled vehicle to an electrically motorized wheeled vehicle. One system includes a server in communication with the device of each of a plurality of electrically motorized wheels, the server operable to track a position of each of the electrically motorized wheels and communicate the position thereof to a transportation network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Superpedestrian, Inc.
    Inventors: Assaf Biderman, Ruben Cagnie
  • Patent number: 9993180
    Abstract: A cross-leg alert device comprising a cross-leg detector for detecting a cross-legged posture and an alert generator is disclosed. The alert generator is to generate an alert to a user upon the cross-leg detector detecting a change in posture from a non-cross-legged posture to a cross-legged posture. The cross-leg detector is for detecting a cross-legged posture and the alert generator is for generating an alert signal to a user when the cross-leg detector has detected a change in posture from a non-cross-legged posture to a cross-legged posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: WINDRIDER R.S.B AVIATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Tsz Ming Lou
  • Patent number: 9997060
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for disrupting bone conduction signals. According to one aspect, a device can receive a signal via a communication path that is external to a body of a user associated with the device. The device can generate a disruption signal to disrupt the signal. The device can send the disruption signal through the body of the user to disrupt the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Brian S. Amento
  • Patent number: 9984576
    Abstract: A method includes steps of: establishing a wireless connection between a dashboard device of a vehicle and a mobile device; recording a position of the mobile device as an entry of recorded position data at predetermined time intervals; transmitting a notification signal to the mobile device via the wireless connection to enable the mobile device to make a determination as to whether the mobile device is currently able to receive a positioning signal; and determining the position of the mobile device based on the positioning signal to serve as the last position of the vehicle in the affirmative, and determining the last position of the vehicle based on a latest entry of the recorded position data when otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Sheng Lin, Yi-Yang Tsai, John C. Wang, Ming-San Huang, Chih-Feng Hsu, Chi-Hui Hsu, Te-Chuan Liu, Li-Hui Chen, Ping-Chen Su
  • Patent number: 9984183
    Abstract: A method of identifying and classifying social complex behaviors among a group of model organisms, comprising implanting at least one RFID transponder in each model organism in said group of model organisms; enclosing said group of model organisms in a monitored space divided into RFID monitored segments; RFID tracking a position of each model organism by reading said at least one RFID transponder in each model organism over a period of time; capturing a sequence of images of each model organism over said period of time; and calculating at least one spatiotemporal model of each model organism based on time synchronization of said RFID tracked position of said model organism with said sequence of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tali Kimchi, Aharon Weissbrod, Genadiy Vasserman
  • Patent number: 9984540
    Abstract: A system for exerting forces on a user. The system includes a user-mounted device including one or more force exerting devices, one or more sensors configured to acquire sensor data, and a processor coupled to the one or more force exerting devices and to the one or more sensors. The processor is configured to determine, based on the sensor data, at least one of an orientation and a position associated with the user-mounted device. The processor is further configured to compute a force to be exerted on the user via the one or more force exerting devices based on a force direction associated with a force event and at least one of the orientation and the position, and generate a control signal for the one or more force exerting devices based on the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jaime Elliot Nahman, Stefan Marti, Davide Di Censo
  • Patent number: 9984570
    Abstract: A traffic control method, a network side device and a terminal are provided. The traffic control method includes steps of: determining a matching relationship between vehicles and roads in accordance with vehicle data of all vehicles on the roads forming an intersection, and sending traffic control signals to the vehicles meeting a certain condition in accordance with the matching relationship between the vehicles and the roads. With such technical solution, it is able to control the vehicles moving toward the intersection without any traffic light control system, thereby reducing the risk of traffic accidents there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: China Mobile Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Kun Yao, Tingting Zhao, Jiakang Shi, Yi Liu, Jing Yang
  • Patent number: 9975476
    Abstract: An illuminated vehicle foot pedal assembly is provided that includes a foot pedal and at least one light source located on the foot pedal. The assembly further includes at least one proximate sensor disposed on the pedal for sensing an operator's foot proximate to the pedal. The at least one light source may illuminate the pedal and the foot well and may indicate a vehicle condition such as a driving mode or a warning. The sensed proximity of the foot may be used to control the lighting or a pedal adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Christopher Anthony Danowski, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 9965738
    Abstract: There is disclosed methods and systems for managing drop boxes. Events reflecting outputs from one or more sensors are detected. Information that is a function of the detected event is forwarded to a drop box management system. This information, along with additional information received by the drop box management system, is utilized to generate instructions including display instructions for each drop box. Displays of drop boxes are then updated based on the instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: FedEx Corporate Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Caldwell, Erika J. Raeth, James S. Staggs, Kevin B. Reasons
  • Patent number: 9955870
    Abstract: An identifying and monitoring system to be worn at all times that includes a bracelet that can locate lost or missing children, adults, and pets. The bracelet provides emergency personnel with pertinent identifying information including medical history and family contacts. The system includes GPS capabilities and the use of the internet and a web page to upload and download information per each individual bracelet. The bracelet also incorporates a unique locking system that when disengaged from a wearer's wrist an emergency signal and location information is immediately sent to emergency responders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Allis Dunlavey
  • Patent number: 9959741
    Abstract: A method of locating peripheral device applied to an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device is connected or electrically connected to a peripheral device. The method includes: obtaining a first location information via a locating unit; when the first connecting unit is connected to the second connecting unit, sending the first location information to the peripheral device; after the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit are separated, obtaining the first location information sent by the second transmitter via the first transmitter; obtaining a second location information via the locating unit; comparing the first location information and the second location information to determine the relative position of the electronic device and the peripheral device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Chen-Yi Liang, Jui-Hung Sun
  • Patent number: 9959718
    Abstract: An alarm for a door is operable to generate an alarm signal when a rotary grip member of the door is rotated to a particular position, such as an unlocked position. The alarm comprises a housing having a strap retainer configured to receive and retain a strap to hold the housing to the rotary grip member. The alarm comprises a tilt switch for switching when the housing is tilted. Control circuitry is interconnected to the tilt switch and to an annunciator and is operable to activate the annunciator dependent on a state of the tilt switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: William S. Hendrie
  • Patent number: 9959724
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of indicating safety of a hydrogen tank when a vehicle fire occurs are provided. The apparatus includes a hydrogen storing tank and a thermal pressure relief device (TPRD) mounted within a valve of the hydrogen storing tank. In addition, a controller is configured to detect a flow rate of hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen storing tank, using a sensor to determine whether the detected flow rate of discharged hydrogen is within a predetermined reference flow rate range. The controller is also configured to transmit a warning signal when the detected flow rate of discharged hydrogen is included within the predetermined reference flow rate range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Chang Ho Kim, Sang Hyun Kim, Ji Hyun Shim
  • Patent number: 9959766
    Abstract: Information regarding moving bodies (00) that are in danger of colliding is collected at an appropriate frequency in accordance with the degree of danger. This information-collecting device has a risk calculation unit and a transmission-interval determination unit. The risk calculation unit receives, from a plurality of moving bodies, state information that includes locations and velocities and is transmitted at provided time intervals. The risk calculation unit also computes the distance between and relative velocities of two moving bodies. The transmission-interval determination unit computes an interval such that the higher the relative velocities of two moving bodies are relative to the distance therebetween, the shorter the interval is, and provides the computed interval to the moving bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Etsuko Ichihara, Kenichiro Fujiyama, Koji Kida
  • Patent number: 9953517
    Abstract: The present application discloses a risk early warning method and apparatus. An implementation of the method includes: monitoring, in real time, search traffic for a predetermined location from users using an online map within a preset period; determining whether the search traffic exceeds a preset search traffic threshold; and sending early warning information of a crowd gathering risk if the search traffic exceeds the preset search traffic threshold. The implementation effectively utilizes the map search traffic capable of reflecting the intention of users and realizes the early warning for the crowd gathering risk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Baidu Online Networks Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jingbo Zhou, Hongbin Pei, Haishan Wu
  • Patent number: 9955301
    Abstract: An autonomous system with no Customer Network Investment is described, wherein the system is configurable to operate on in a band in addition to the LTE band. Such system allows the definition of hybrid operations to accommodate the positioning reference signals (PRS) of LTE and already existing reference signals. The system can operate with PRS, with other reference signals such as cell-specific reference signals (CRS), or with both signal types. As such, the system provides the advantage of allowing network operator(s) to dynamically choose between modes of operation depending on circumstances, such as network throughput and compatibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: POLTE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Felix Markhovsky, Truman Prevatt
  • Patent number: 9936900
    Abstract: A system and method are described herein for a sensor device which biomechanically detects in real-time a user's movement state and posture and then provides real-time feedback to the user based on the user's real-time posture. The feedback is provided through immediate sensory feedback through the sensor device (e.g., a sound or vibration) as well as through an avatar within an associated application with which the sensor device communicates. The sensor device detects the user's movement state and posture by capturing data from a tri-axial accelerometer in the sensor device. Streamed data from the accelerometer is normalized to correct for sensor errors as well as variations in sensor placement and orientation. Normalization is based on accelerometer data collected while the user is wearing the device and performing specific actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Lumo BodyTech, Inc
    Inventors: Andrew Robert Chang, Monisha Perkash, C. Charles Wang, Andreas Martin Hauenstein
  • Patent number: 9940811
    Abstract: A system and method are described herein for a sensor device which biomechanically detects in real-time a user's movement state and posture and then provides real-time feedback to the user based on the user's real-time posture. The feedback is provided through immediate sensory feedback through the sensor device (e.g., a sound or vibration) as well as through an avatar within an associated application with which the sensor device communicates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Lumo BodyTech, Inc
    Inventors: Andrew Robert Chang, Monisha Perkash, Chung-Che Charles Wang, Andreas Martin Hauenstein
  • Patent number: 9940814
    Abstract: An apparatus for an embedded sensor cable assembly, where a first cable assembly includes a cable portion and a connector portion. The cable portion includes a first embedded sensor and a second embedded sensor, where the first embedded sensor is electrically coupled to the second embedded sensor and where the first embedded sensor and the second embedded sensor is capable of registering orientation measurements. A microcontroller is electrically coupled to the connector portion, first embedded sensor and the second embedded sensor, where the microcontroller is capable of receiving the orientation measurements from the first embedded sensor and the second embedded sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dawn N. Ahukanna, Fraser I. MacIntosh, Laura F. Storey, Dominik Ullmann, Matthew J. Warren