Sensing Of Electromagnetic Energy (e.g., Light, Infrared, Or Microwave) Patents (Class 340/545.3)
  • Patent number: 7986232
    Abstract: The IR sensor is configured to be mounted proximate to a door to be monitored. The IR sensor has an IR transmitter and an IR receiver. The IR transmitter has an active period and an idle period. The IR transmitter transmits control data packets which are provided by the processor during the active period. The IR receiver has an active period for detecting IR data and reflected data packets. Each of the reflected data packets has a packet IR reflectivity. The memory stores a door IR reflectivity associated with a door surface of the door, and the processor compares the packet IR reflectivity to the door IR reflectivity to determine at least a door position of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Safety Products Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Raman Kumar Sharma
  • Patent number: 7940177
    Abstract: A security zone is monitored for intrusion detection by dispersing therein a plurality of sensor nodes that, when an intrusion is detected, communicate with their neighboring sensor nodes without protocols other than a first tone. As the intrusion is detected by more sensor nodes, there is an increase in sensor node transmissions and, hence, an increase in the total power density in the security zone which is detected by a remote monitor for detecting and localizing the intrusion and providing an alert. In addition, certain of the sensor nodes also transmit a continuous second tone received by other sensor nodes. When an intrusion occurs, the transmission is blocked causing the receiving nodes to transmit the first tone to alert neighboring nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: Jerry A. Krill
  • Patent number: 7911339
    Abstract: A shoe wear out sensor (100,210,310) includes at least one detector (104,312) for sensing a physical metric that changes as a sole of a shoe wears out, a processor (102) configured to process the physical metric over time to determine if the shoe is worn out, and an alarm (106) for informing a user of the shoe when the sole is worn out. A body bar sensing system (500) includes a housing (502) with at least one detector (506) for sensing a physical metric that indicates a repetition movement of the housing when attached to the body bar, a processor (504) for processing the physical metric over time to determine repetitions thereof, and a display (508,512) for informing a user of the repetitions. A system assesses activity and displays a unitless activity value. A detector senses activity of a user. A processor reads sensed activity data from the detector. A display displays the unitless activity value. An enclosure houses the detector and the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis A. Vock, Perry Youngs
  • Patent number: 7902977
    Abstract: A security apparatus comprising a plurality of sensing elements, each adapted to detect intrusion into protected premises, each sensing element outputs a sensing signal representing a detected event, a signal processing section for examining each sensing signal and outputting a signature for each sensing signal, a computing section for translating each signature into a normalized threat value, ranging from “0” to “1”, modifying each normalized threat values by multiplying a weighting coefficient corresponding to a type of sensing element, storing for a temporary period of time, each modified normalized threat value, and an alarm generating section for adding each of the stored modified normalized threat values, outputting an aggregate threat value and generating an alarm enable signal based upon an analysis of the aggregate threat value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Howe
  • Patent number: 7893831
    Abstract: An entrapment prevention sensor detecting an entrapment of an obstacle between an opening and closing door of a vehicle constituting a first member and including a corner portion and a periphery of a body opening portion constituting a second member, includes a protector including an assembly portion and a hollow portion, the assembly portion assembled onto a fitting flange provided at one of the first and second members, the assembly portion prevented from being provided at the corner portion, a sensor main body accommodated within the hollow portion, and a corner member provided at the corner portion and including a receiving portion and a fixed plate portion, the receiving portion having a hollow and curved shape corresponding to a shape of the corner portion and accommodating the sensor main body, the fixed plate portion including a clip bore and fixed to the fitting flange by means of a clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Hoshina, Hironori Koeda, Toshio Nakaike
  • Patent number: 7872589
    Abstract: A system for controlling lighting of an instrument panel has a sensor for monitoring activity near the instrument panel. A lighting control unit is coupled to the sensor and a lighting system of the instrument panel. The lighting control unit controls the light intensity of the lighting system. The lighting control unit increases the intensity of the lighting system when the sensor monitors activity near the instrument panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Emma Romig, Jonathan T. Barrows, Michael S. Koehn
  • Patent number: 7834309
    Abstract: A security sensor apparatus senses movement of an object. The sensor apparatus includes an electronics arrangement having an optical emitter and an optical receiver. The optical receiver has an axis of reception. The optical emitter emits a first beam along an axis of emission in an emission direction. The axis of emission diverges in the emission direction from the axis of reception at an angle of at least two degrees. The electronics arrangement is mounted in association a first surface of the object or a second surface of a structure disposed in opposition to the first surface. A reflector arrangement includes at least one reflective surface and is mounted in association with the other of the first surface and the second surface. The at least one reflective surface receives at least a portion of the first beam and produces a second beam directed at and received by the optical receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Security Systems, Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: David Anderson, William DiPoala, Jeffrey Swan
  • Patent number: 7825793
    Abstract: A communication system that provides communication of information between an end user device and a remote end user. The system includes a communication node mounted on the upper part of a utility pole, and drawing its power from the utility pole through a standard NEMA Locking 3 Pole Receptacle, and adapted to communicate with a nearby user device using the low-power communication protocol, such as the ZigBee protocol (ANSI IEEE 802.15.4) or Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) technology, and also adapted to communicate with a neighborhood mesh network of nodes mounted on utility poles. The neighborhood mesh network is capable of communicating, through a regional computer network, with the remote end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Sunrise Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vance P. Spillman, Craig H. Rosenquist, James G. Hall, Daniel C. Walker
  • Patent number: 7812721
    Abstract: A sensor protector adapted to be attached to either a body or a door of a vehicle includes a hollow portion for accommodating a touch sensor for sensing whether or not an object exists between the body and the door of the vehicle, an attaching base portion formed as a unit with the hollow portion and including a core material embedded therein, a recessed portion provided at the attaching base portion having a rectangular shape formed by cutting out the attaching base portion, plural block-shaped cover portions formed contiguously with respective cut surfaces of the attaching base portion for covering the respective cut surfaces, and mating plates provided at two cover portions formed contiguously with respective visible front walls of the attaching base portion, the mating plates having facing mating edges which mate together when the sensor protector is bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Hoshina, Hironori Koeda, Dalsuke Kudo, Youji Orimoto
  • Patent number: 7782199
    Abstract: A secure sealed container and mounting pole house any of a variety of security equipment. Sensing equipment, a high decibel siren, and strobes simulating police lights are removably attachable to a universal mount and control circuit. A control panel connected to the circuit enables and disables the alarm, and monitors system activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Issokson
  • Patent number: 7760089
    Abstract: A microwave direction of travel detector and method of detecting the direction of an intruder in a protected region. The microwave direction of travel detector transmits and receives, by a microwave transceiver a microwave signal directed toward a protected area. The microwave return signal is modulated by a moving target to produce a Doppler signal. The received Doppler signal is amplified by a chain of amplifiers having two or more amplifiers coupled to the microwave transceiver. A controller monitors the output of each chain of the amplifiers. The microwave sensor is configured for parallel sampling an amplified Doppler signal output from each amplifiers having a low signal output and each successive chain of the amplifiers a successively higher signal output. The controller determines if there is a direction of travel motion from the intruder and sends an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Wu, Leslie K. Green, James N. Helland
  • Patent number: 7750804
    Abstract: A circuit for operating a plurality of electrical devices such as lamps for outdoor illumination includes a plurality of motion sensor circuits for detecting motion relative thereto and a plurality of outputs conditioned upon motion detection. Additionally, a photocell sensor circuit for detecting a low ambient illumination level has an output command conditioned upon the detection of a predetermined illumination level that is electrically coupled to the control circuit for illumination of lamps at low ambient lighting levels. The present invention enables the activation of lamps by a plurality of motion sensors having differing fields of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: HeathCo LLC
    Inventors: Barry L. Atkins, Keith Alan Springs, Emmet Joseph Roche
  • Patent number: 7733226
    Abstract: The invention relates to an infrared intrusion detection device. It comprises a housing 1, a window 2, which is arranged at a front side of the housing and which is transparent for at least infrared radiation emitted by an intruder, an infrared sensor arranged inside the housing for detecting the infrared radiation emitted by the intruder. Further it comprises a light guide 7, which is arranged inside the housing, which has at least one light entrance facet and which has a plurality of light exit facets 3 being arranged at the front side of the housing. A light emitter 6 is arranged inside the housing for injecting light into the at least one light entrance facet of the light guide. A light detector is provided for detecting light reflected back into the housing by an obstacle in the vicinity of the window. A signal processing unit is arranged for triggering an alarm, when an absolute difference of the intensity of back-reflected light to a predetermined value exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Matthieu Richard
  • Patent number: 7733043
    Abstract: In a method and system for controlling a revolving door that has a plurality of chambers defined by wings of a revolver, at least one imaging sensor is provided for acquiring images of a first area where the plurality of chambers rotatably pass by or through. A drive causes the revolver to rotate in a first direction from a first position where a user can enter a first chamber via the first opening. Images are acquired by the one imaging sensor and signals are acquired from a position sensor that is operative for outputting signals indicative of the angular position of the revolver. Based on the signals acquired from the position sensor, each imaging sensor or its output is disabled and/or each image acquired by each imaging sensor is ignored when each door wing is in field-of-view of the imaging sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: B.E.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary T. Casella, Michael F. Stadler, Thomas P. Schluep
  • Patent number: 7714716
    Abstract: A method of detecting a position of a movable building structure includes mounting a readable code in association with a first surface of the movable building structure or with a second surface of a second structure. A code reader is mounted in association with the other of the first surface and the second surface. The readable code is read by the code reader to thereby verify that the first surface of the movable building structure is disposed in opposition to the second surface of the second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: William S. DiPoala
  • Patent number: 7714718
    Abstract: A security assembly includes a first building structure at least partially defining a building opening. The first building structure has a first surface. A movable building structure is movable between a closed position in which the movable building structure covers the opening and an open position in which the movable building structure uncovers the opening. The movable building structure has a perimeter with a second surface disposed in opposition to the first surface when the movable building structure is in the closed position. An optical sensor apparatus includes an electronics module mounted in association with the first surface or the second surface. The electronics module has an optical emitter and an optical receiver. The optical emitter emits a first beam. A reflector arrangement is mounted in association with the other of the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: William S. DiPoala, David Anderson, Jeffrey Swan
  • Patent number: 7705730
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for use of ranging MW to decrease MW intrusion detector false alarms. A Doppler microwave system may be provided that is capable of detecting an object range and adjusting the sensitivity of an alarm stage of a MW detector to account for object size and range. Multiple range limited MW stages may be configured for different ranges to determine the general range of the moving object. Based on signal levels present on these MW stages, an approximate object range may be determined. The sensitivity of the MW alarm stage is then adjusted based on a MW alarm state sensitivity vs. object range function that is optimized to alarm on humans and ignore small animals and insects. The method and system may be used in detection systems incorporating a MW sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gregory Royer
  • Patent number: 7671739
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for use of ranging MW to detect range reduction in a dual (MW/PIR) intrusion detector. Embodiments of the invention utilize a Doppler microwave system capable of detecting an object range. Multiple range limited MW stages may be configured for different ranges to determine the general range of the moving object. Based on signal levels present on these MW stages, an approximate object range and size is determined. Embodiments of the invention recognize cases of PIR range reduction by use of range limited MW stages configured for different ranges to determine the general range of the moving object. If the MW recognizes a moving object of sufficient size within the coverage area, and if no PIR signal is present, the PIR is recognized as being blocked or disabled and notification is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gregory Royer
  • Patent number: 7656109
    Abstract: A trash can can include a sensor for detecting the presence of an object near a lower portion of the trash can. The detection of the object can be used to signal the trash can to open its lid. The trash can can include an electric drive unit for opening and closing the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Joseph Sandor
  • Patent number: 7646299
    Abstract: Security material such as cloth, either normal strength or armored, or fragile webbing into which electronic micro-devices are woven to detect and react to tampering of the monitored article at the scene or via a network. Also disclosed are the use of fuses connected in the cloth or webbing to further monitoring tampering and multi-layered cloth for use as circuit boards and sensors. Facilitates the monitoring of high value articles and facilities and automatically records or responds to tampering attempts to increase the level of security for personal and organizational uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: The John Hopkins University
    Inventor: Jerry A. Krill
  • Patent number: 7636048
    Abstract: A unit having a transmitting antenna (3a) and a receiving antenna (3b) connected through a coupling block (3) to a reference oscillator (1) and to a recording oscillator (2), the reference oscillator (1) is connected to a converter f/U1 (4) for measuring and changing frequency of the reference oscillator (1) to a voltage necessary for feedback check of the reference frequency, and to an analogue block (7) for measuring variation of the reference oscillator voltage. The recording oscillator (2) is connected to a converter f/U2 (5) for measuring and changing frequency from the detecting oscillator (2) to a voltage necessary for checking the received frequency. Converter f/U1 (4), analogue block (7), detecting oscillator (2) and converter f/U2 (5) are connected to a digital block (6) for recording, controlling, surveillance and regulating the respective operations and evaluating operation of the respective blocks. The digital block (6) is connected to the reference oscillator (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Ralen Research Centrum, s.r.o.
    Inventors: L'ubo{hacek over (s)} Krasula, Zdenko Kará{hacek over (c)}
  • Publication number: 20090295579
    Abstract: A remote door access monitoring system includes a central monitoring component and a remote monitoring component. The central monitoring component includes an optical source, an optical power level receiver, and a microcontroller. The optical power level receiver is in communication with the microcontroller. The remote monitoring component includes an optical switch that is operably associated with a door of a communications equipment cabinet. The communications equipment cabinet is located at a geographical location different from a geographical location of the central monitoring component. The optical source transmits an optical signal from the optical source to the optical switch and back to the optical power level receiver. The optical switch attenuates the optical signal in response to opening and closing of the door. The optical power level receiver is configured to detect an attenuated optical signal and then notify the microcontroller of the existence of an attenuated optical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: W. Larkin Crutcher, Anil Kumar Trehan
  • Publication number: 20090289786
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for securing the contents of a container (1) comprises a housing part (18); a magnetic device (6, 7) for attaching the housing part (18) to a first door (11) of the container; a sensor (5) for monitoring the interior of the container; a first switch (30) which can be actuated when the housing part (18), including the magnetic device (6, 7), is attached to the first door (11); and a second switch (24) which is actuated when a second door (12) of the container, which is disposed next to the first door (11), is closed. The sensor arrangement further comprises a microprocessor (25) for evaluating the alarm signals of the sensor (5); a power supply (35) and a transmitter (26). The first switch (30) can be actuated when the housing part (18) is attached to the first door (11) in order to switch on the power supply for activating the sensor arrangement (1). The second switch (24) is actuated when the second door (12) is closed in order to activate the sensor (5) for monitoring the interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Rainer Koch
  • Patent number: 7616895
    Abstract: A device and method for operating an optoelectronic safety sensitive edge (100) for the safeguarded motor-driven movement of a gate having a closing edge (141). The device has a deformable, hollow, elastic profile (110), a light transmitter device with a light transmitter (121a), and a transmitter control system (121b), by means of which at least one operating parameter of the light transmitter (121a) can be adjusted, a light receiver device (122) with a light receiver, the light transmitter device and the light receiver device (122) being coupled optically and electrically by the transfer of dynamic signals, an optical, dynamic coupling signal (K2, K2?, K2?) within the hollow profile (110); and an evaluating device (130) with means for detecting an electric, dynamic coupling signal (K2, K2?, K2?), the evaluating device (130), generating a release signal in response to the detected, dynamic, electric coupling signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Fraba NV
    Inventor: Achim Leeser
  • Patent number: 7608812
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting radiation from a source in a container is disclosed. A continuous optical fiber path is disposed in a medium which is part of or associated with a container and which encloses the volumetric space of the container. The optical fiber path provides a volumetric mass of optical fiber which is reactive to radiation from a radiation source in the container to cause an irreversible change in the light carrying capacity or other characteristic of the optical fiber. A light source is coupled to one end of the optical fiber path for introducing light having a predetermined characteristic. A light detector is coupled to the other end of the optical path for receiving light from the optical path. A circuit is coupled to the light detector and is operative to detect a total loss of light or a change in the predetermined characteristic of the light and to provide an indication thereof. A continuous wire path can be provided in an alternative embodiment, and which may include e-textiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Tamperproof Container Licensing Corp.
    Inventor: Gilbert D. Beinhocker
  • Patent number: 7602286
    Abstract: A security arrangement includes a mounting device having an upstanding wall. The mounting device is mounted to a surface of a structure such that the wall is oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface. A security sensor senses an event that occurs outside of the security arrangement. A tamper detector is attached to the security sensor and includes an optical emitter, an optical receiver, and a slot disposed between the emitter and the receiver. The emitter transmits optical energy that is received by the receiver through the slot. The wall of the mounting device is received in the slot when the tamper detector is coupled to the mounting device to thereby block the transmission of the optical energy from the emitter to the receiver. A controller is communicatively coupled to the receiver and produces a tamper signal in response to the receiver receiving the optical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: William DiPoala
  • Patent number: 7592913
    Abstract: A wireless AV lighting fixture with automatic sensor includes a sensor, a light-emitting device, a camera, a connection port, a wireless remote-controlled unit, and a memory. The sensor is a passive infrared sensor. All of the light-emitting device, the camera, and the connection port are connected to the sensor. The wireless remote-controlled unit includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is connected to the sensor and transmits telecommunication signals to the receiver. The memory is connected to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Inventor: Chin-Mu Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20090174553
    Abstract: An electromagnetic door lock is described which includes at least two external generally planar surfaces and light emitting means; the light emitting means indicates the status of the lock and is arranged to emit light from the at least two external surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Tsung Chih Chang
  • Patent number: 7541924
    Abstract: An occupancy sensor includes an infrared sensor, a variable bandpass filter operably coupled to the infrared sensor and a controller operably coupled to the infrared sensor and the variable bandpass filter. The bandpass filter includes digital potentiometers adapted to control a gain of the bandpass filter, the tuning of the bandpass filter, and the ratio of a center frequency of the bandpass filter to a bandwidth of the bandpass filter. The controller includes a bandpass filter engine to control the variable bandpass filter, a Doppler shift engine to characterize the signals filtered by the variable bandpass filter, and an occupancy sensing engine to determine the presence or absence of the occupant within the defined region. The controller is adapted to filter the signals generated by the infrared sensor and process the filtered signals to determine the presence or absence of an occupant within a defined region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Brian Elwell
  • Patent number: 7511615
    Abstract: An anti-intruder system which sets up an alarm when being breached, the system comprises of plurality of posts deployed apart forming a peripheral fence, each post carries at least a master optical array and a slave optical array, each optical array has a multiplicity of infra-red transceivers, each transceiver includes a light source and a light detector, the master array is mounted oppositely to and facing the slave array of an adjacent post, wherein the light detector of each transceiver of each optical array is illuminated by more than a single light source of the transceivers of the opposite optical array and the intensity of illumination of the light sources of the transceivers of the master optical array are automatically adjusted according to the light intensity arriving to the light detectors of the transceivers of the slave optical array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: IntelGuard Ltd.
    Inventor: Haim Shahar
  • Patent number: 7495556
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor (8) for use with an automatic door comprising at least two detectors (10, 12) based on different technologies, a processor (14) for processing the signals generated by at least two detectors (10, 12) in that it simultaneously uses the signals in order to combine the signals and to accurately detect the situation in a surveillance area (20, 22) sensed by the sensor (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: B.E.A. s.a.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Eubelen, Stephane Bronsard, Thierry Jongen
  • Patent number: 7482924
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting radiation from a source in a container is disclosed. A continuous optical fiber path is disposed in a medium which is part of or associated with a container and which encloses the volumetric space of the container. The optical fiber path provides a volumetric mass of optical fiber which is reactive to radiation from a radiation source in the container to cause an irreversible change in the light carrying capacity or other characteristic of the optical fiber. A light source is coupled to one end of the optical fiber path for introducing light having a predetermined characteristic. A light detector is coupled to the other end of the optical path for receiving light from the optical path. A circuit is coupled to the light detector and is operative to detect a total loss of light or a change in the predetermined characteristic of the light and to provide an alarm indication thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Tamper Proof Container Licensing Corp.
    Inventor: Gilbert D. Beinhocker
  • Patent number: 7468660
    Abstract: A cargo sensing apparatus for a cargo container such as a semi-trailer includes a laser line scanning unit. In a preferred embodiment, first and second laser line generators are mechanically scanned in synchronism with a solid-state imager to identify and map the contents of the cargo container. The map is analyzed to detect cargo items stored in the container, and the cargo status is reported to a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Griffin, William W. Fultz
  • Patent number: 7456739
    Abstract: A leaky cable having radiation directivity which varies with frequency transmits electric waves in different frequency bands. A measurement apparatus outputs measurement information including signal intensity and phase of a reflected electric wave in each frequency band which is reflected by a target and is received by another leaky cable, and propagation delay time. A calculator groups the measurement information by target on the basis of signal intensities and phases of the reflected electric waves in different frequency bands, and calculates the position of the target with respect to the longitudinal direction of the leaky cables and the distance between the target and the leaky cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Inomata, Takashi Hirai
  • Patent number: 7456740
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a detector device and, more particularly, to a detector device comprising a self-diagnosis means for monitoring the correct performance or otherwise of the device. During testing, the device, which normally operates using the Doppler shift principle, is arranged to influence the phase and/or amplitude of the received signal in response to an applied test signal. The received signal may be a Doppler shifted version of a transmitted signal. Combining the phase and/or amplitude shifted version of the received signal and the signal from the local oscillator produces an IF signal that is indicative of the phase and/or amplitude shift. If the device is operating correctly, that signal should have a predetermined range of characteristics. If the self-diagnosis means determines that the produced signal falls outside of the predetermined range of characteristics, an alarm is raised to alert, for example, maintenance personnel to the problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Microwave Solutions Limited
    Inventor: Ian Richard Aldred
  • Patent number: 7453351
    Abstract: An access control mechanism such as a movable barrier operator (70) has a first time window unit (72) that is responsive to one or more triggers (71) (such as a delayed-closure button). An event detector (73) then monitors for one or more events of interest during a corresponding first time window. For example, the event detector can monitor for evidence that a vehicle is moving towards a garage exit or has effected an exit from the garage. A second time window unit (74) responsive at least to the event detector and optionally as well to the first time window unit then responds with a second time window. Upon conclusion of the second time window, a movable barrier closer (75) initiates movement of the corresponding movable barrier towards a closed position (or other position of interest).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Walter Parsadayan
  • Publication number: 20080224864
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic storage box comprising a bottom case, a receptacle set, a receptacle, a top cover, and a rotary cover set. The inner surface of the bottom case is concaved to form an accommodation basin. A battery bay and a proximity sensor set are respectively arranged at two sides of the accommodation basin, and a dynamic device is arranged therebetween. The receptacle set and the receptacle are respectively detachably installed to the base case. The inner portion of the top cover is concaved downward to form a recess, and the lower rim of the top cover has a positioning element used to engage with the receptacle set. The rotary cover set is arranged above the top cover and pivotally coupled to the receptacle set. When the proximity sensor set detects the approach of a human body, the dynamic device instantly drives the movable cover to rotate to open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Tsung-Huan Shih
  • Patent number: 7394368
    Abstract: An electronic proximity switch employs two oscillators coupled through two electrical paths, one associated with an antenna serving as a proximity switch sensor. Absorption by an object near the antenna changes the coupling between the oscillators producing a dramatic phase shift that may be detected and used for switching purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Richards
  • Patent number: 7388483
    Abstract: A wireless position sensing device is provided for monitoring railyard equipment status. The device comprises a gravity sensing mechanism for sensing an angular displacement with respect to a substantially vertical line, and for generating a displacement signal upon sensing a change in angular displacement exceeding approximately 40 degrees. A processing mechanism, operatively coupled to the gravity sensing mechanism, receives the displacement signal. A radio frequency transmitter, responsive to the processing mechanism, transmits a data signal indicative of the angular displacement. The processing mechanism is programmed to activate the radio frequency transmitter upon receipt of the displacement signal. The gravity sensing mechanism is affixed, attached, or mechanically coupled to railyard equipment comprising at least one of a manually operated rail switch or a safety indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Brakeley Welles, Rahul Bhotika, David Michael Davenport, John Erik Hershey, Robert James Mitchell, Emad Andarawis Andarawis
  • Publication number: 20080129500
    Abstract: A processing device is connected to a sensor for generating an electrical signal varying in connection with approach of a detection target and processes the electrical signal. The electrical signal is extracted from a superposition signal in which the electrical signal varying in connection with the approach of the detection target and a high frequency signal higher in frequency than the electrical signal are superposed. The approach of the detection target is judged from the waveform of the electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shoji Mafune, Kazuhiro Negoro, Yasuhiro Satoh, Naoyuki Ishihara, Tadao Nishiguchi
  • Publication number: 20080111685
    Abstract: Verbal warning labels and other audible warning systems for use with different devices, containers, products and other things in various environments are disclosed herein. An audible warning system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a device having a standardized textual warning associated therewith, and a sound playback system operably coupled to the device. The sound playback device can be configured to audibly output a verbal warning corresponding to the textual warning. The verbal warning can be provided by at least one of a manufacturer, supplier, distributor or retail vendor of the device, and the verbal warning can supplement or replace the standardized textual warning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Josiah N. Olson, Marty Olson
  • Patent number: 7372367
    Abstract: A method of measuring hand hygiene compliance includes the steps of maintaining a computer database, and determining whether any person entered a first area independent of whether the any person includes a sensor. The method also includes the steps of determining whether the any person left the first area and entered a second area, and determining whether the any person performed hand hygiene before leaving the first area. Moreover, the method includes the step of sending information associated with whether the any person performed hand hygiene before leaving the first area to the computer database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: AMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Lane, Kevin Strauss, Mary Coyne
  • Patent number: 7362224
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermally sensitive array device for detecting a presence of a target object in a surveillance area. The device comprises a plurality of at least two thermally sensitive sensors provided in an array arrangement, each thermally sensitive sensor being associated with one of a corresponding plurality of at least two surveillance spots comprised in the surveillance area. Each thermally sensitive sensor comprises a sensitive element adapted to absorb a portion of thermal infrared radiation emitted from one of said plurality of targets located inside the surveillance cone corresponding to the thermally sensitive sensor. The thermally sensitive sensor can be a thermopile, a bolometer, or any other type. Electronic circuits in each thermally sensitive sensor are adapted to measure a signal generated in the thermally sensitive sensor as a consequence of the temperatures of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: B.E.A. s.a.
    Inventor: Alain Zambon
  • Patent number: 7352284
    Abstract: Security material such as cloth, either normal strength or armored, or fragile webbing into which electronic micro-devices are woven to detect and react to tampering of the monitored article at the scene or via a network. Also disclosed are fasteners that permit reuse of the cloth and webbing. Facilitates the monitoring of high value articles and facilities and automatically records or responds to tampering attempts to increase the level of security for personal and organizational uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: Jerry A. Krill
  • Patent number: 7336160
    Abstract: In a device for reading out from sensors in a motor vehicle, the sensors can be read out particularly easily if each sensor has a transponder, the motor-vehicle has a coil provided for the energy transmission and the motor-vehicle has at least one reading antenna for the sensors to be read out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Thomas Niemann
  • Patent number: 7330115
    Abstract: An electronic device control system includes a base unit that includes a housing. A power input and a power output are each mounted in the housing and are electrically coupled to each other. The power input comprises a male plug and the power output comprising a female plug. A processor is electrically coupled to the power input and the power output. The processor is adapted for selectively turning on electrical power from the power input to the power output. A primary motion detector is mounted on an outer surface of the housing and is electrically coupled to the processor. The primary motion detector is adapted for sending a motion signal to the processor when the motion detector detects motion. The processor turns on power to the power output when the processor receives the motion signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: John P. Zuba
  • Patent number: 7319392
    Abstract: A glass breakage detector (100) having an acoustic transducer (102) for sensing first acoustic waves (130) and for providing a first analog signal (110) representative of the received first acoustic waves (130), an analog to digital converter circuit (104) adapted to convert the first analog signal (110) to a digital signal (112), processing circuitry (106) adapted to process the digital signal (112) to determine if the received first acoustic waves (130) are a result of glass breakage and generate an alarm signal (116) when it is determined that the received first acoustic waves (130) are a result of glass breakage, and a memory circuit (108), wherein the processing circuitry (106) is adapted to cause the memory circuit (108) to store the digital signal (112) for subsequent retrieval and analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S Babich, Kevin G Piel, Richard A Smith, Thomas R Petek
  • Publication number: 20070279223
    Abstract: An anti-theft system includes a detecting device, a processing unit, and an alarm unit. The detecting device includes a first detecting unit that is operable so as to transmit a first signal, and a second detecting unit that transmits a second signal to the first detecting unit in response to the first signal. The processing unit verifies the second signal, and enables the first detecting unit to continue to transmit the first signal upon successful verification of the second signal. The alarm unit generates an alarm signal upon unsuccessful verification of the second signal. A container that is safeguarded by the anti-theft system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: SYRIS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventor: Chien-Sheng Chiu
  • Patent number: 7265670
    Abstract: A surveillance detector comprising a light emitter and a light guide which is optically connected to the light emitter, which light guide includes reflectors mounted therein, a special feature being the fact that the light guide is capable of converting the light from the light emitter at least in part into a light beam to be built up in the space to be kept under surveillance, and in that the light guide is capable of guiding light from the light beam that is reflected by an object in the space to be kept under surveillance to a light receiver of the detector, which is optically coupled to the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Math Pantus, John Julicher, Jan Van Woezik, Maurice Deusings
  • Patent number: 7259658
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of a passive infrared sensor, a passive infrared sensor 1 where an infrared sensing element 5 and an optical system 4 that sets a detection area A1 of the infrared sensing element 5 are covered with a cover 2. The passive infrared sensor 1 includes: a light emitting element 6 that emits infrared light from the inside of the cover 2 to the outside through the optical system 4; a reflective region 2b that is disposed outside the cover 2 and reflects at least some of the infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 6; and a light receiving element 7 that receives the infrared light reflected by the reflective region 2b, transmitted through the optical system 4 and reaching the inside of the cover 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: OPTEX Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michinori Noguchi, Cholmin Seo