Patents by Inventor Allen Houston
Allen Houston has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11769381Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for managing building pathway information. A building and/or security management system can detect, based on receiving input from multiple sensor devices, a possible safety issue in a first pathway to an egress of a building, determine, based on detecting the possible safety issue and based on information regarding other pathways in the building, a second pathway to the egress of the building, and indicate at least the second pathway to another system.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLPInventors: Jason Ouellette, James Bauerle, Allen Houston, Peter Lawrence, Kapang Lam
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Patent number: 11734981Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for granting entry through a checkpoint. The implementations include receiving a request for entry of a person through a checkpoint. The implementations include estimating, via a thermal sensor, a body surface temperature of the person, and generating, via a user interface, a notification that prompts the person to answer at least one verification question. The implementations include receiving, via the user interface, at least one user response to the at least one verification question. The implementations include determining whether the at least one user response and the body surface temperature match criteria for gaining entry through the checkpoint. Additionally, the implementations include granting the request for entry in response to determining that the at least one user response and the body surface temperature match the criteria.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventors: Jason M. Ouellette, Allen Houston, David S. Pinney, Lipphei Adam
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Publication number: 20230050055Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling access to a restricted area by an access control device includes obtaining a first image using a first sensor mounted at a first location. A second image is obtained using a second sensor mounted at a location different from a location of the first sensor. The second image is processed, using the second sensor, to obtain information regarding the detected objects in the second image. The information regarding the detected objects is sent from the second sensor to the first sensor. The first sensor compares the received information with a number of objects detected using the first image. A tailgating event is identified, in response to determining that the number of objects detected using the first image does not match the information regarding the number of objects detected using the second image. A tailgating notification is outputted, by the first sensor, indicating a tailgating event.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2021Publication date: February 16, 2023Inventors: Allen HOUSTON, Peter LAWRENCE, Terence NEILL
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Publication number: 20230024877Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for managing building pathway information. A building and/or security management system can detect, based on receiving input from multiple sensor devices, a possible safety issue in a first pathway to an egress of a building, determine, based on detecting the possible safety issue and based on information regarding other pathways in the building, a second pathway to the egress of the building, and indicate at least the second pathway to another system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2021Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Jason OUELLETTE, James BAUERLE, Allen HOUSTON, Peter LAWRENCE, Kapang LAM
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Publication number: 20220068070Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for granting entry through a checkpoint. The implementations include receiving a request for entry of a person through a checkpoint. The implementations include estimating, via a thermal sensor, a body surface temperature of the person, and generating, via a user interface, a notification that prompts the person to answer at least one verification question. The implementations include receiving, via the user interface, at least one user response to the at least one verification question. The implementations include determining whether the at least one user response and the body surface temperature match criteria for gaining entry through the checkpoint. Additionally, the implementations include granting the request for entry in response to determining that the at least one user response and the body surface temperature match the criteria.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Jason M. OUELLETTE, Allen HOUSTON, David S. PINNEY, Lipphei ADAM
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Patent number: 11204281Abstract: Example implementations include a method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for determining a set of temperature readings of a person attempting to proceed beyond an area. The implementations further include detecting the person entering the area and detecting a facial area of the person. The implementations further include sending location information of the facial area to a sensing device. The implementations further include generating a thermal image of the person and determining a first set of temperature readings. The implementations further include determining a first set of temperature differences comprising one or more temperature differences between the temperature readings in the first set. The implementations further include determining whether one or more of the temperature differences in the first set does not satisfy a threshold and generating a notification in response to the determination.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2021Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS, LLCInventors: Jason M. Ouellette, Allen Houston
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Patent number: 7349427Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, the invention provides a modified Shortest Path First routing algorithm for use in a heterogeneous network. The routing algorithm is modified to include predetermined heterogeneous characteristics of the network nodes and to take these characteristics into account when calculating the shortest paths. For example, information may be included in the algorithm which identifies heterogeneous network nodes as it calculates shortest paths. Once a node has been identified as heterogeneous, i.e., capable of supporting at least two protocol sets, this information is carried over into subsequent path entries created by the routing algorithm. The algorithm then uses the encapsulation capability identifier in the calculation of the shortest paths by including the cost of auto-tunneling between heterogeneous nodes to be taken into account when determining the short path.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2002Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventors: Terence Canning, Derek Gilmore, Allen Houston
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Patent number: 6778541Abstract: The present invention relates to data tunnelling and in one embodiment to the tunnelling of IP (Internet Protocol) data across an OSI (Open Systems Interconnect) network. In the preferred embodiment, network elements include both an OSI stack and an IP stack, and a respective directory of OSI addresses and corresponding IP subnets. Each network element generates a routing data packet, conveniently a Link State Packet (LSP), which includes the OSI address and IP subnet(s) associated with that network element. The LSPs are distributed across the network in normal manner. Upon receipt of an LSP from another network element, each network element updates its respective directory in respect of said other network element. Thus, each directory is automatically updated to reflect changes in the network, particularly in respect of IP subnets. This arrangement significantly reduces the need for manual tunnel configuration in the network.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventors: Allen Houston, Paul Fee, Christopher Murton, Ewart Tempest, Philip Christian
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Publication number: 20030126284Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, the invention provides a modified Shortest Path First routing algorithm for use in a heterogeneous network. The muting algorithm is modified to identify bi-lingual network nodes as it calculates shortest paths. Once a node has been identified as bi-lingual, this information is carried over into subsequent path entries created by the routing algorithm. This arrangement reduces the computational burden on the routing algorithm when identifying bi-lingual routers. The algorithm may be modified to enable the use of an encapsulation capability identifier to indicate the encapsulation capability of bi-lingual routers, and the algorithm may be modified to use the encapsulation capability identifier in the calculation of the shortest paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventors: Allen Houston, Terence Canning, Nuala Sheerin
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Publication number: 20030120804Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, the invention provides a modified Shortest Path First routing algorithm for use in a heterogeneous network. The routing algorithm is modified to identify bi-lingual network nodes as it calculates shortest paths. Once a node has been identified as bi-lingual, this information is carried over into subsequent path entries created by the routing algorithm. This arrangement reduces the computational burden on the routing algorithm when identifying bi-lingual routers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2001Publication date: June 26, 2003Inventors: Allen Houston, Terence Canning, Nuala Sheerin
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Publication number: 20020067731Abstract: The present invention relates to data tunnelling and in one embodiment to the tunnelling of IP (Internet Protocol) data across an OSI (Open Systems Interconnect) network. In the preferred embodiment, network elements include both an OSI stack and an IP stack, and a respective directory of OSI addresses and corresponding IP subnets. Each network element generates a routing data packet, conveniently a Link State Packet (LSP), which includes the OSI address and IP subnet(s) associated with that network element. The LSPs are distributed across the network in normal manner. Upon receipt of an LSP from another network element, each network element updates its respective directory in respect of said other network element. Thus, each directory is automatically updated to reflect changes in the network, particularly in respect of IP subnets. This arrangement significantly reduces the need for manual tunnel configuration in the network.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2000Publication date: June 6, 2002Inventors: Allen Houston, Paul Fee, Christopher Murton, Ewart Tempest, Philip Christian
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Patent number: 6149371Abstract: A refuse handling assembly for use with a vehicle, including a receptacle for receiving refuse the receptacle having a delivery inlet opening at the forward end of the receptacle and a discharge outlet opening at the rearward end of the receptacle. The receptacle is operatively mounted to the vehicle for pivotal movement about a pivot mounting at or near the rear end of the vehicle for pivotal movement between a lowered position and a tilted position. There is further provided a compactor at the delivery inlet opening having a sweep blade which has its pivot axis laterally offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1998Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Garwood International Pty. LimitedInventors: Peter De Vries, Michael Allen Houston, Leslie James McHugh, David John Horrocks, Barry John Ommundson