Patents Examined by Kerri McNally
  • Patent number: 9633541
    Abstract: A display system for tracking large numbers of persons or objects in real-time is disclosed. The display system utilizes a tracking system that employs various types of technologies, such as RFID, to determine the location of the person and/or objects being tracked. The displays of the present invention utilize colors, graphics, and the physical groupings of related data on a display device, usually a computer monitor, to present tracking information in a compact, readily changeable, and easily analyzed format in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TimeKeeping Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry J. Markwitz, Paolo Argentieri, Brent G. Bowers, Jason D. Doyle, John E. Hansley, II, John W. Hoffman, Roger W. Stahl, Mary T. Upham
  • Patent number: 9633563
    Abstract: In one aspect, an object warning system for a machine is disclosed. The object warning system includes an object detection system and an operator interface having a visual display, and a controller in communication with the object detection system and the operator interface. The controller is configured to control the display to represent a warning level as a function of a status of the machine and a distance of an object relative to the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ferid Gharsalli, Clayton D. Reitz
  • Patent number: 9623840
    Abstract: An anti-theft and child safety device for an automobile including a rearview mirror mounted to an interior of an automobile. The rearview mirror has a mounting support, a mirror support, a reflective mirror mounted within the mirror support, and a front casing continuously disposed around an outer edge of the reflective mirror. At least one infrared sensor is disposed on the rearview mirror, and a solar panel is disposed on a roof of the automobile. A central processing unit, a rechargeable battery, and a wireless transmitter are disposed within the mirror support of the rearview mirror. The central processing unit is configured to activate the at least one infrared sensor when an engine of the automobile is turned off and remains off for five consecutive minutes, and the at least one infrared sensor is configured to activate an alarm of the automobile when heat is detected in the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Kurtis Mantooth
  • Patent number: 9613532
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing directions to available parking spaces via dynamic signs is provided. A plurality of available parking spaces is determined. Two or more parking signs in a proximate location are identified. One sign is located prior to the other sign. At least one of the available parking spaces is selected from the plurality of parking spaces for providing directions via the identified signs. A direction of the available parking space is determined for each of the parking signs in relation to that parking sign. The direction of the available parking space from each parking sign is displayed on that parking sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: CONDUENT BUSINESS SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Sylvia Smullin, Robert T. Krivacic
  • Patent number: 9606226
    Abstract: A detection system for detecting a residential pest, the detection system may include a trigger module that is configured to generate triggering signals for inducing a residential pest to increase an acoustic-detectable activity of the residential pest; and a sensor that is configured sense signals responsive to a generation of the triggering signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: WALL SENSOR Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosef Korakin, Nir Geva, Oren Shriki
  • Patent number: 9609625
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to multichannel preferred device notification. A system includes a memory having computer readable instructions and a processor for executing the computer readable instructions. The computer readable instructions include receiving an electronic notification for a user and determining whether a device group including a plurality of electronic devices is defined for the user. A notification subgroup is identified that includes more than one of the electronic devices located within a predefined overlapping notification range based on determining that the device group is defined for the user. A primary device is identified from the notification subgroup based on a notification priority defined for each of the electronic devices in the notification subgroup. Generation of a notification output corresponding to the electronic notification is triggered on the primary device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell O. Bleakley, Michael P. Etgen, Stephen J. Kenna
  • Patent number: 9598010
    Abstract: An alert system for a vehicle includes a tracking device, lighting system, control module, and sensor that can detect hazards. The tracking device can detect a driver's line-of-sight. The lighting system can be disposed about the vehicle and can emit light visible to the driver. The control module can determine a location of the hazard relative to the line-of-sight, and to operate the lighting system in a first mode in response to the hazard being outside of an angular threshold of the line-of-sight, and a second mode in response to the hazard being within the angular threshold. When in the first mode, a first region of the lighting system that corresponds to a general direction of the hazard can be illuminated. When in the second mode, a second region of the lighting system that corresponds to a specific location of the hazard is illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: Denso International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin Nespolo, Kyle Golsch, Sibu Varughese, Vikas Upmanue, Yu Zhang, Justin McBride, Laith Daman, Cary Horvath, Thomas Krzyzak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9600947
    Abstract: A lock system including a first device which has at least two states and is embodied as a control device, and an associated second device which is embodied in the manner of an electronic key, an ID signal generator, a chip card or the like. The two devices have transmitters and/or receivers for, in particular, electromagnetic signals. In particular, at least one of the signals transmitted between the second device and the first device is an encoded operating signal for authenticating the second device, with the result that after positive evaluation of the transmitted operating signal in the case of an authorized second device it is possible to bring about a change in the state of the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Marquardt GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Obergfell
  • Patent number: 9592762
    Abstract: A vehicle driving assistance apparatus includes a coherent light source, a road surface projection optical system, a road surface wet information retention section, and a control circuit. The road surface projection optical system scans a light source beam emitted from the coherent light source to output a projection beam, and thereby project the light pattern on the road surface around the own vehicle, the light source beam being light. The control circuit is configured to stop the output of the projection beam during a period in which the road surface wet information retention section retains information indicating that the road surface around the own vehicle is wet. The projection beam enters the road surface around the own vehicle at a shallow angle, and projects the light pattern toward a road surface near a boundary of a traveling lane where the own vehicle is traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Okamoto, Hidekazu Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 9589398
    Abstract: Premises access information can be distributed using a system having a ticket server coupled to a remotely located premises server. The ticket server receives a ticket request from a host device. After interacting with the premises server, the ticket server sends access-related information to a visitor device. The visitor device can later use the access-related information to gain access to a premises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Markus Kappeler, Paul Friedli
  • Patent number: 9586448
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system includes a plurality of tire pressure monitoring sensors including low frequency wireless receivers and high frequency wireless transmitters. The system further includes a plurality of low frequency transmitters each being disposed proximate one of the plurality of tire pressure monitoring sensors. The system further includes a control module in communication with the plurality of tire pressure monitoring sensors through the plurality of low frequency transmitters. In a first phase of operation the control module causes the low frequency transmitters to transmit low frequency wireless signals to the tire pressure monitoring sensors causing the tire pressure monitoring sensors to transmit data to the control module at a rate. In a second phase or operation the tire pressure monitoring sensors transmit data to the control module at a second rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. McIntyre, Jean-Christophe Deniau, Brian J. Farrell, Yasser Gad
  • Patent number: 9591385
    Abstract: This invention teaches a system for measuring utility data consumption using a smartphone or similar digital device in a crowd-sourced process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Henry Crichlow
  • Patent number: 9584881
    Abstract: A tire-pressure information device should receive wheel information within a demanded detection time. A transmission controller of a sensor unit transmits wheel information as a radio signal at the timing when the turning position ? of the sensor unit detected by an acceleration sensor arrives at the transmission setting location ? after 1 minute has passed since the last transmission of the wheel information. This transmission setting location ? is set to a turning position which is advanced or retarded a setting adjustment angle ?? (for instance, 146 degree) set to a value which is not a divisor of 360, with respect to the turning position ? when the last wheel information is transmitted last time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuji Taki
  • Patent number: 9576457
    Abstract: A marking and identification system and method includes a dispersing device configured to disperse marker therefrom when in an activated mode. An activating device is configured to arm the dispersing device from an inactivated mode wherein the dispensing device does not disperse marker to the activated mode. A triggering device is configured to operate the dispersing device and disperse marker when in the activated mode. The marker can be identified at a later time to positively identify a person that triggered the marking and identification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Todd Mona
  • Patent number: 9576167
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a disclosed method involves transmitting a first transmit signal(s) having a first signal strength and/or a first field of view (FOV), thereby establishing a first radiation region. The method further involves receiving a first receive signal(s) radiated from an EMID tag(s). Also, the method involves transmitting a second transmit signal(s) having a second signal strength and/or a second field of view (FOV), thereby establishing a second radiation region. In addition, the method involves receiving a second receive signal(s) radiated from an EMID tag(s). Additionally, the method involves subtracting the second radiation region from the first radiation region to determine a difference region. Also, the method involves determining which of the EMID tags are located within the difference region by using the first receive signal(s) and the second receive signal(s). Further, the method involves determining a location of the EMID tag(s) located within the difference region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Anil Kumar, Winfeng Li, Arun Ayyagari, Kevin Y. Ung, Sudhakar S. Shetty
  • Patent number: 9575179
    Abstract: An object detection apparatus is installed in a movable body and detects an object. The apparatus includes a first detection section which transmits search waves in a moving direction of the moving object, and receives reflected waves as detection information to detect the object, a second detection section which transmits search waves in the moving direction, and receives reflected waves as detection information, an obstacle determination section which determines that an obstacle is present in the moving direction, based on detection results of the first and second detection sections, and a crossing determination section which determines that the obstacle has crossed, in a state where the obstacle determination section determines that the obstacle is present, if the determination that the obstacle is present is made by continuous detection, and if a state where the object is continuously detected changes to a state where the object is not detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masumi Fukuman, Motonari Ohbayashi, Akihiro Kida
  • Patent number: 9574861
    Abstract: Disclosed is tagged ammunition, methods for making it, using it and detecting it to reduce gun violence. When implemented together with a smart phone coupled readers, standalone readers, or at a security center, software is included to allow integration of signals detected by multiple readers in the vicinity to map detectable ammunition detected by readers designed to detect tagged ammunition as a proxy for loaded firearms. This makes possible securing an area of interest, when combined with placing of at least one networkable reader in the vicinity of the area of interest; and connecting the one or more readers to a monitoring center. Such monitoring centers may be associated with schools, shopping malls, streets, public meetings, public events, housing complexes, an area being swept for loaded guns, an area being monitored for gang activity, or even a residence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventors: Nihaal Nath, Rattan Nath
  • Patent number: 9566944
    Abstract: Fuel anti-theft systems, apparatus, and methods. Embodiments provide fuel anti-theft systems including a circuit and sensors which define nominal (secure) and tampered-with states. The tampered-with states are indicative of the sensor(s) being absent. Controllers of the current embodiment, moreover, senses a combined state of (all of a pre-selected number of) the sensors and determines therefrom whether all of the sensors are present and secure. In some embodiments, the controller senses the sensors (which can be wired in parallel) via a vehicle chassis ground. If desired, a resistor (which is about electrically equivalent to one of the sensors) and/or a geo-positioning system can be connected to the controller. The sensors can include normally open switches and clamps, cable ties, adhesives, etc. which close the switches. Some sensors include grounding straps while others include ground return leads. In some embodiments, sensors are positioned at vehicle fuel caps and/or fuel filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventors: Elom Tsogbe, Antonio Arocha
  • Patent number: 9566017
    Abstract: A method for identifying a user of an electronic device is presented. In the method, for each of a plurality of users, a bioelectrical impedance of the user is measured, a value based on the measurement is generated, and the value is associated with information corresponding to the user. A bioelectrical impedance of a current user of the electronic device is also measured, and a value based on this measurement is generated. The value associated with the current user is compared with at least one of the values associated with the plurality of users. In response to the comparison, the electronic device is operated based on the information corresponding to one of the plurality of users in response to the current user interacting with the electronic device if the value associated with the current user indicates the current user is the one of the plurality of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: David A. Kummer
  • Patent number: 9569962
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assigning an identity certificate (I1, I2) transmitted by a vehicle (16, 18) to an object (O1, O2, O3, O4), which is detected by a sensor device (28) in identification apparatus (22) external to the vehicle. To this end, the identification apparatus receives the identity certificate (I1, I2), measures by means of the sensor device (28) a first value (V1) relating to at least one operating parameter of the object, receives a second value (V1, V2) of the vehicle (16, 18) relating to the at least one operating parameter and determined by the vehicle (16, 18) itself, compares the first value and the second value of each operating parameter with each other and assigns the identity certificate (I1) to the object (O1) if the two values for each operating parameter match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Florian Schuller