Patents by Inventor John W. Howard

John W. Howard 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).

  • Publication number: 20180185734
    Abstract: A protective headgear includes, for example, a headgear body that is wearable on a head of the wearer having a top slot in a top portion of the headgear body, wherein the top slot runs from a front portion of the headgear body that covers a forehead of the wearer to a back portion of the headgear body that covers a back of the head of the wearer. A top piece slidably attaches to the headgear body to cover the top slot, wherein the top piece diffuses energy from an impact to the protective headgear by sliding within the top slot. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: THL Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Kennard, John W. Howard
  • Publication number: 20180192236
    Abstract: A wireless device includes a user interface that generates a pairing signal in response to an indication from a user to pair the wireless device to at least one remote device and generates a first location request signal in response to a second indication from a user to locate the at least one remote device. A short-range wireless transceiver communicates RF signals to pair the wireless device to the at least one remote device and that transmits a first RF paging signal to the at least one remote device in response to the location request signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: THL Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler, Robert M. Kennard
  • Patent number: 9943746
    Abstract: A protective headgear includes, for example, a headgear body that is wearable on a head of the wearer having a top slot in a top portion of the headgear body, wherein the top slot runs from a front portion of the headgear body that covers a forehead of the wearer to a back portion of the headgear body that covers a back of the head of the wearer. A top piece slidably attaches to the headgear body to cover the top slot, wherein the top piece diffuses energy from an impact to the protective headgear by sliding within the top slot. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: THE HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Kennard, John W. Howard
  • Patent number: 9942700
    Abstract: A wireless device includes a user interface that generates a pairing signal in response to an indication from a user to pair the wireless device to at least one remote device and generates a first location request signal in response to a second indication from a user to locate the at least one remote device. A short-range wireless transceiver communicates RF signals to pair the wireless device to the at least one remote device and that transmits a first RF paging signal to the at least one remote device in response to the location request signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: THL Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler, Robert M. Kennard
  • Publication number: 20170287302
    Abstract: Various embodiments include, for example, a wireless device that includes a short-range wireless transceiver to communicate RF signals including a beacon signal to identify the wireless device and to facilitate the association of the wireless device with the plurality of mobile communication devices in proximity to the wireless device. Each corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices includes a mobile communication device processor that executes a student application, downloaded from an app store associated with the operating system of the corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices that facilitates location of the corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices. Attendance data is stored indicating that a student associated each corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices is in a classroom associated with the wireless device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: THL Holding Company, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Howard
  • Patent number: 9715807
    Abstract: Various embodiments include, for example, a wireless device that includes a short-range wireless transceiver to communicate RF signals including a beacon signal to identify the wireless device and to facilitate the association of the wireless device with the plurality of mobile communication devices in proximity to the wireless device. Each corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices includes a mobile communication device processor that executes a student application, downloaded from an app store associated with the operating system of the corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices that facilitates location of the corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices. Attendance data is stored indicating that a student associated each corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices is in a classroom associated with the wireless device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: THL HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Howard
  • Patent number: 9711017
    Abstract: A wireless device includes a sensor module generates a wake-up signal and sensor data in response to motion of protective headgear, wherein the sensor data includes acceleration data. A device processing module generates event data in response to the sensor data. A short-range wireless transmitter transmits a wireless signal that includes the event data. A power management module selectively powers the short-range transmitter and the device processing module in response to the wake-up signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: THL HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler
  • Patent number: 9495847
    Abstract: A wireless device includes a sensor module that generates sensor data in response to motion of protective headgear, wherein the sensor data includes acceleration data. A device processing module includes an event processing module that analyzes the sensor data to generate power data that represents power of impact imparted to the protective headgear and that generates event data that includes the power data. A short-range wireless transmitter transmits a wireless signal that includes the event data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: THL HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler
  • Publication number: 20160278468
    Abstract: A protective helmet includes an outer shell. A bladder, coupled to the outer shell, provides shock absorption in at least one zone or protection. The bladder holds an absorption pack that contains a plurality of absorption particles and/or a fluid and has a relief valve for relieving pressure on the bladder when the pressure on the bladder is greater than a pressure threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: THL Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler
  • Publication number: 20160220902
    Abstract: Joystick display data is generated for display on a touch screen of an electronic device. The joystick display data creates a visual representation of a virtual joystick when displayed on the touch screen. Touch data from the touch screen is processed to determine when the touch data indicates user interaction with the virtual joystick. When the touch data indicates user interaction with the virtual joystick, the joystick display data is adjusted to reflect the user interaction with the virtual joystick, based on the touch data, and joystick data is generated based on the user interaction with the virtual joystick. The display of at least one other element on the touch screen can be adjusted based on the joystick data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Brian G. Howard, Jeremy R. Howa
  • Publication number: 20160227362
    Abstract: A wireless device includes a user interface that generates a pairing signal in response to an indication from a user to pair the wireless device to at least one remote device and generates a first location request signal in response to a second indication from a user to locate the at least one remote device. A short-range wireless transceiver communicates RF signals to pair the wireless device to the at least one remote device and that transmits a first RF paging signal to the at least one remote device in response to the location request signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: THL Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler, Robert M. Kennard
  • Patent number: 9295024
    Abstract: A wireless device includes a user interface that generates a pairing signal in response to an indication from a user to pair the wireless device to at least one remote device and generates a first location request signal in response to a second indication from a user to locate the at least one remote device. A short-range wireless transceiver communicates RF signals to pair the wireless device to the at least one remote device and that transmits a first RF paging signal to the at least one remote device in response to the location request signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: THL Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: John W Howard, Richard Cutler, Robert M. Kennard
  • Publication number: 20160058093
    Abstract: A protective headgear includes, for example, a headgear body that is wearable on a head of the wearer having a top slot in a top portion of the headgear body, wherein the top slot runs from a front portion of the headgear body that covers a forehead of the wearer to a back portion of the headgear body that covers a back of the head of the wearer. A top piece slidably attaches to the headgear body to cover the top slot, wherein the top piece diffuses energy from an impact to the protective headgear by sliding within the top slot. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: THL HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Kennard, John W. Howard
  • Publication number: 20160055732
    Abstract: Various embodiments include, for example, a wireless device that includes a short-range wireless transceiver to communicate RF signals including a beacon signal to identify the wireless device and to facilitate the association of the wireless device with the plurality of mobile communication devices in proximity to the wireless device. Each corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices includes a mobile communication device processor that executes a student application, downloaded from an app store associated with the operating system of the corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices that facilitates location of the corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices. Attendance data is stored indicating that a student associated each corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices is in a classroom associated with the wireless device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: THL HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Howard
  • Patent number: 9262073
    Abstract: Joystick display data is generated for display on a touch screen of an electronic device. The joystick display data creates a visual representation of a virtual joystick when displayed on the touch screen. Touch data from the touch screen is processed to determine when the touch data indicates user interaction with the virtual joystick. When the touch data indicates user interaction with the virtual joystick, the joystick display data is adjusted to reflect the user interaction with the virtual joystick, based on the touch data, and joystick data is generated based on the user interaction with the virtual joystick. The display of at least one other element on the touch screen can be adjusted based on the joystick data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Brian G. Howard, Jeremy R. Howa
  • Patent number: 9129499
    Abstract: A wireless device for monitoring protective headgear includes a short-range wireless receiver that receives alarm data from the protective headgear in response to an alarm event at the protective headgear. A user interface emits a first detectable alert signal in response to the alarm data to assist the user in the monitoring of the protective headgear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: THL Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler
  • Patent number: 9082277
    Abstract: A wireless device includes a sensor module that generates sensor data in response to an impact to the protective headgear. The sensor module includes an accelerometer and a gyroscope and wherein the sensor data includes linear acceleration data and rotational velocity data. A device processing module generates event data in response to the sensor data. A short-range wireless transmitter transmits a wireless signal that includes the event data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: THL Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler
  • Patent number: 9078481
    Abstract: A charging device includes a plurality of charging ports, each charging port for selectively coupling to one of a plurality of wireless devices and for coupling a power signal to the one of the plurality of wireless devices based on an external power source. Each of the plurality of wireless devices includes a short-range wireless device transceiver that receives alarm data from the protective headgear in response to an alarm event at the protective headgear. A user interface emits a first detectable alert signal in response to the alarm data to assist the user in the monitoring of the protective headgear. A battery provides power to the short-range wireless device transceiver and the user interface. A connector couples the power signal from one of the plurality of charging ports to charge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: THL Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler
  • Patent number: 9041528
    Abstract: A bridge device includes a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver that receives event data via an incoming RF signal from protective headgear in response to an impact event at the protective headgear, wherein the incoming RF signal is formatted in accordance with a first wireless protocol. A second RF transceiver transmits the event data in accordance with a second wireless protocol to a first monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: THL HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler
  • Patent number: 8981952
    Abstract: A sensor includes a housing and a mass, suspended in the housing. The motion of the mass emulates dynamic behavior of a brain of the wearer along a plurality of axes. At least one sensing element is coupled to generate sensor data based on the motion of the mass, in response to an impact to a protective helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: THL Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler