Patents Examined by Kerri McNally
  • Patent number: 9865159
    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: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Brian S. Amento
  • Patent number: 9858807
    Abstract: A wireless control system for controlling a remotely controlled device is disclosed. The wireless control system comprises a circuit assembly. The circuit assembly comprises a transceiver circuit and an input device in communication with a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to control the transceiver circuit in response to an input received from the input device. The circuit assembly forms a profile shape configured to be significantly disposed within a handle portion of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bradley R. Hamlin, Danny L. Minikey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9860689
    Abstract: In an approach for notifying a user of a location of a device, a processor receives a first location of a first device. A processor determines that the first device has been separated from a user of the first device. A processor determines a second device located at, within a first predetermined threshold, the first location. A processor sends a first notification to the second device, wherein the notification includes, at least, that the first device is located nearby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ira L. Allen, Gregory J. Boss, Andrew R. Jones, Kevin C. McConnell, John E. Moore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9852611
    Abstract: The problem of the vulnerability of an alarm system when its communication with an alarm central is lost or nonexistent is solved by maintaining a monitoring channel with the alarm system. A server establishes and maintains the communication channel with the alarm system via an interface module connected to the alarm system, and if the alarm system is unable to communicate with an alarm central receiver, or if the first communication channel is closed, then the server connects to one or both of the alarm central receiver and a user's phone, so as to communicate a message thereto indicative of a breach or failure of the alarm system. The alarm system is connected to the alarm central through the monitoring server which then acts as a gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Reseau Multi Networks Inc.
    Inventor: Gaétan Côté
  • Patent number: 9847022
    Abstract: A vehicle detection system includes a sensor mounted to establish a light curtain along a portion of a roadway, and a control unit operatively coupled with the sensor to detect a vehicle on the roadway. The light curtain defines a first zone and a second zone within the first zone such that detection of the vehicle in the first zone followed by detection of the vehicle in the second zone indicates a correct direction of travel of the vehicle, and detection of the vehicle in the second zone prior to detection of the vehicle in the first zone indicates a wrong direction of travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ace/Avant Concrete Construction Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Arpin, Jonathan L. Matson
  • Patent number: 9830791
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an RFID tag. The methods comprise: inducing current through a magnetic loop or solenoid disposed within the RFID tag that is caused by a inductive field, a magnetic field or an RF field being generated within a surrounding environment; using the current which is induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid to charge a capacitor disposed within the RFID tag; decreasing the amount of current induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid; receiving a detaching signal at the RFID tag; electrically connecting the capacitor to a detaching unit disposed within the RFID tag in response to the detaching signal; and activating the detaching unit by supplying current from the capacitor to the detaching unit, whereby the RFID tag can be detached from an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventors: Steve E. Trivelpiece, Alister Hosseini, Craig E. Trivelpiece
  • Patent number: 9824569
    Abstract: A communication system for hygiene compliance monitoring comprising a plurality of hygiene dispensers for dispensing hygiene product, each dispenser having a transmitter for transmitting data indicating the status of dispenser, such as product remaining in the dispenser to a central monitoring station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: David Snodgrass
  • Patent number: 9819537
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for providing adaptive user notifications. A method may include detecting an event. The method may further include determining usage of one or more connected apparatuses. The method may also include determining, based on the determined usage, a notification method for notifying of the event. The method may additionally include generating an event notification message based on the determined notification method. The method may further include causing the event notification message to be sent to a connected apparatus to trigger the connected apparatus to provide an alert indicative of the event in accordance with the determined notification method. Corresponding apparatuses are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Arto Palin, Juha Salokannel
  • Patent number: 9811494
    Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: CommScope Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Gregory Pinn, Chin Choi-Feng, G Mabud Choudhury, Michael G. German, Matias Peluffo, George Brooks
  • Patent number: 9812002
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for short-range low-power wireless communication of analyte information are provided. In some implementations, short-range low-power wireless communication of analyte information may include receiving an electromagnetic wireless communication signal and harvesting energy from the electromagnetic wireless communication signal. In some implementations, short-range low-power wireless communication of analyte information may include enabling capabilities associated with an external sensor in response to detecting the external sensor. In some implementations, short-range low-power wireless communication of analyte information may include detecting an analyte sample; determining an analyte concentration associated with the detected analyte sample; and transmitting an indication of the analyte concentration to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventors: Lei He, Marc B. Taub
  • Patent number: 9809165
    Abstract: A method and vehicle system for reducing driver distractions caused by a head-up display (HUD). The HUD projects one or more graphic elements onto a windshield in view of a driver of the vehicle. The vehicle system determines a content status of the one or more projected graphic elements. The vehicle system detects one or more objects within an environment of the vehicle. The vehicle system determines whether the content status of the one or more projected graphic elements satisfies a driver distraction criterion. The vehicle then notifies the driver of the one or more detected objects when the content status of the one or more projected graphic element satisfies the driver distraction criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teruhisa Misu, Hajime Yamada
  • Patent number: 9813535
    Abstract: Short range wireless location and motion sensing devices and reporting methods are provided herein. An example device includes a housing configured to couple with a power port of a vehicle. The housing includes a wireless interface, a motion sensor that senses at least one of velocity, acceleration, and orientation of the vehicle, a processor and a memory that stores logic that is executed by the processor to receive motion signals from the motion sensor and transmit the motion signals on the wireless interface to a mobile device that is communicatively coupled with the wireless adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventors: David B. Benoit, Phillip A. Giancarlo
  • Patent number: 9805585
    Abstract: The present invention includes a device for the transmission of a distress signal utilizing solving a graphic overlay to initiate the transmission of the distress signal. The distress signal can be transmitted discreetly and with the device's current GPS location and/or pre-loaded user profile information and/or continuing to connect the now confirmed intended Distress Signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Wendy Geller
  • Patent number: 9798992
    Abstract: A method for tracking procedures performed on personal protection equipment (PPE) and actions of individuals includes the following steps. An article of PPE configured with a smart tag is provided to an individual prior to performance of a task. After the individual performs the task, the article of PPE is processed. Information is retrieved from the smart tag during at least one of: before, during and after processing the article of PPE. After the performance of the task, the individual's data is read and the individual enters into a designated area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Luca D. Farioli Brioschi, Luis V. Ramirez Chaidez, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Mark T. Anderson, Michael E. Hamerly
  • Patent number: 9799038
    Abstract: A method for tracking procedures performed on personal protection equipment (PPE) and actions of individuals includes the following steps. An article of PPE configured with a smart tag is provided to an individual prior to performance of a task. After the individual performs the task, the article of PPE is processed. Information is retrieved from the smart tag during at least one of: before, during and after processing the article of PPE. After the performance of the task, the individual's data is read and the individual enters into a designated area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Luca D. Farioli Brioschi, Luis V. Ramirez Chaidez, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Mark T. Anderson, Michael E. Hamerly
  • Patent number: 9789786
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various aspects of a buckle assembly for use with a child safety seat. The buckle assembly comprises a buckle sensor, the buckle sensor configured for determining whether fasteners of the child safety seat are secured into the buckle assembly; a processor coupled with the buckle sensor; and a transceiver coupled with the processor, the transceiver for communicating with a control system of a vehicle. The transceiver is configured to receive a signal from the control system, the signal indicating at least what gear the vehicle is in and whether the vehicle's ignition is “on” or “off”; and signal the control system after a first period of time has passed after receiving a signal that the vehicle's ignition is “off” and the fasteners remain secured into the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Amber Westmoreland
  • Patent number: 9792790
    Abstract: A collective objects management system with enhanced security for objects contained in object receptacles distributed throughout the system. Each object receptacle has a microcontroller with a unique system address which enables generation of a response signal whenever an incoming address from a source is a match. An object container microcontroller periodically polls the object receptacle microcontrollers in the cabinet and stores an updated version of the cabinet object data base. When an object is detected as missing, the object container microcontroller checks whether the absence of the object was authorized by a host computer. If not, a local alarm is activated and the host computer is informed. The host computer can take additional security measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: MICRODATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shengbo Zhu, Su Shiong Huang
  • Patent number: 9792822
    Abstract: A convoy travel control apparatus includes: a communication portion; a travel control portion; and a joining control portion, wherein when an own vehicle is travelling in convoy while being incorporated in a group of convoy vehicles travelling in convoy, if the communication portion has received, from an independent vehicle not incorporated in the group of convoy vehicles travelling in convoy, request information to incorporate the independent vehicle into the group of convoy vehicles, then the joining control portion determines a positional relationship between a position of the group of convoy vehicles and a position of the independent vehicle, and wherein if the independent vehicle is travelling along a side of the group of convoy vehicles, then in order to incorporate the independent vehicle into the group of convoy vehicles, the joining control portion exercises control on the group of convoy vehicles via the communication portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuji Hiroma, Mahito Ishiyama, Masako Miyazawa, Hiroyuki Tanabe, Michi Yamane, Naoto Sen, Junpei Yashima, Hideo Nakahama
  • Patent number: 9792815
    Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus determines whether or not a road section corresponding to a current location of an own vehicle corresponds to a no-passing zone. A leading vehicle present ahead of the own vehicle is detected. An operation state of the detected leading vehicle is recognized. A passing maneuver performed by the own vehicle to pass the detected leading vehicle is detected. A warning operation to output a warning to a driver of the own vehicle is performed, when the passing maneuver is detected under a condition that the road section corresponding to the current location is determined to correspond to the no-passing zone. The warning operation is prohibited when the recognized operation state of the leading vehicle meets a predetermined passing-allowed condition that is a condition under which passing is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jian Hu
  • Patent number: 9789970
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for preventing inadvertent slide deployment for an aircraft, comprising at least one sensor for sensing the proximity of a person in front of an aircraft door, and at least one optical warning means operable to provide an optical indication in the vicinity of a slide arming lever when the sensor detects the proximity of a person in front of the aircraft door. The system according to the invention provides an effective prevention for inadvertent slide deployment that is capable to guide trained and untrained persons to the information they need in order to disarm the slide in sufficient time before the door handle is gripped and pulled to open the aircraft door in normal operation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignees: Airbus Operations GmbH, Airbus S.A.S.
    Inventors: Hans-Gerhard Giesa, Michael Weidel, Valérie Renauldon-Dumain