Moisture Or Humidity (e.g., Rain) Patents (Class 340/602)
  • Patent number: 8890550
    Abstract: An electrical device for detecting moisture has a detection cable (10a, 10b, 10c) made up of a first element (1) and of a second element (2a, 2b, 2c) which elements are elongate and electrically conducting and separated by a polymer-based material (3), and an electrical resistance measurement appliance intended to measure the electrical resistance between the first and second elements of the the cable, where the material (3) is a non-soluble and moisture-sensitive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Laurent Tribut, Yann Breton, Ivar Granheim
  • Publication number: 20140333443
    Abstract: A method of detecting cooling-loss event early is provided. The method includes defining a relative humidity limit and change threshold for a given space, measuring relative humidity in the given space, determining, with a processing unit, whether the measured relative humidity is within the defined relative humidity limit, generating a warning in an event the measured relative humidity is outside the defined relative humidity limit and determining whether a change in the measured relative humidity is less than the defined change threshold for the given space and generating an alarm in an event the change is greater than the defined change threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Sergio A. Bermudez, Hendrik Hamann, Fernando J. Marianno
  • Patent number: 8878440
    Abstract: An illumination system can provide at least a first state and a second state of a luminaire equipped with at least one lighting subsystem. In the first state, the luminous intensity of the lighting subsystem is controlled based on the occurrence of a detected solar event or the occurrence of an expected solar event. In the second state, the luminous intensity of the lighting subsystem forms a visually distinct pattern based on the detection of atmospheric electrical activity exceeding a defined threshold by an electrical activity sensor disposed within the luminaire. The visually distinctive luminous output can alert persons within line of sight of the luminaire of the proximity of threatening atmospheric electrical activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 8760302
    Abstract: A dewatering system includes a selective calibrating sensor circuit configured to receive sensor readings from an electronic sensor, to determine if the electronic sensor is immersed in water, to allow a user to adjust a pump down time in the field, and to generate a control output signal accordingly. The selective calibrating sensor circuit periodically performs a self-calibration when the electronic sensor is not immersed in water to cancel the effect of potential contaminants deposited on the electronic sensor over its operating life. The selective calibrating sensor circuit inhibits calibration when the electronic sensor is immersed in water. In some applications with multiple electronic sensors, the selective calibrating sensor circuit disconnects from one of the electronic sensors before performing the self-calibration. In certain embodiments, a pump control circuit including the selective calibration sensor circuit can be configured to be mounted with a housing of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: SEEwater, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8730086
    Abstract: Disclosed is a satellite weather detection system that uses atmospheric precipitation density data. Subscribers detect the signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio of signals that are transmitted from the satellite. Upstream transmit power data is also collected, which is needed to achieve a given SNR at a gateway. The values of the downstream signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio data as well as the upstream transmit power data are normalized and compared with current atmospheric data. The data can be color coded and graphically displayed to show weather patterns. Location and velocity of high precipitation density cells can be tracked to predict movement of storms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond L. Mills
  • Patent number: 8692668
    Abstract: A wireless node for monitoring landslide conditions has at least one tubular probe body deployed in a borehole in a landslide prone area and anchored to rock below soil, multiple sensors carried by and deployed within and or outside of the tubular probe body for measuring geologic motion, hydrologic saturation and pressure at three or more levels of soil above the rock, a data acquisition board in communication with the sensors carried by and or deployed within or outside of the probe body, and a wireless transceiver in communication with the data acquisition board and accessible to a local area wireless network (LAWN). Geologic and hydrologic data of layers of soil above the anchor rock is from the sensors deployed on or near the probe body, the data qualified against threshold readings to provide graduating levels of alerts culminating in a warning of a landslide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
    Inventor: Maneesha V. Ramesh
  • Patent number: 8680971
    Abstract: In a wireless IC device, an insulating material, which has an electrical characteristic that is varied with a change in an environmental state, is provided between a feed circuit board and an antenna to detect the environmental state from a state of a communication characteristic between the wireless IC device and an external reader apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuki Ito
  • Patent number: 8643497
    Abstract: Disclosed are integral and/or portable, easy-to-install apparatuses for detecting and containing fluid leaked or otherwise discharged from a fluid-filled device and for facilitating testing and maintenance of the apparatus and fluid-filled devices. In one aspect of the disclosed invention, upon sensing a fluid discharge, the apparatus activates audible and/or visual alarms and directs the discharged fluid to a predetermined drainage area to prevent damage to areas surrounding the fluid-filled device. In another aspect of the present invention, no plumbing or electrical wiring is required to install the apparatus, thereby allowing an unskilled individual to easily and inexpensively install the apparatus. In yet another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus may be easily located since it is not dependent on gravity or a drainage pipe for discharge of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kevin M. Murphy, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Michael Murphy
  • Patent number: 8645067
    Abstract: A road data apparatus is disclosed that predicts road conditions comprising a land surface data generator which derives a land surface data output from a plurality of current and forecast weather and location data, said current and forecast weather and location data comprising surface temperature, subsurface temperature, and precipitation depth, a pavement data generator which derives a road temperature and a road condition from said land surface data output and a plurality of pavement generator input data, said plurality of pavement generator input data comprising road layer data; and a roadway status indicator generator which derives a roadway status indicator from said road temperature, road condition and precipitation data. In one embodiment, the roadway status indicator is communicated to an end user through a distribution network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Baron Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Gallagher, Robert J. Dreisewerd, John N. McHenry
  • Patent number: 8643495
    Abstract: A farm greenhouse monitor and alarm management system based on the Internet of things with real-time monitoring environmental parameters, which is aimed at monitoring and managing the growth of crops in the farm greenhouse, includes mobile inspection devices, data acquisition units, data receiving devices, REID devices and data storage servers. The system can automatically collect greenhouse environmental parameters such as air temperature, air humidity, illumination, soil temperature and soil moisture, etc. and also can automatically judge the critical value of every parameter and alarm. It utilizes ZigBee chip integrated wireless sensors and data collecting modules. This system provides inspection devices, which lowers the requirements for practitioners and reduces the cost of automatic management of the farm greenhouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventors: Zehua Lan, Lixia Ma
  • Patent number: 8634814
    Abstract: A method for passing content to at least one communicator device. The user of a communicator device registers with at least one service provider for delivering a plurality of different types of content to be passed to the at least one communicator device. A user defined priority is assigned to the at least one type of content. The user defined priority is stored on a computer readable medium. The different types of content are passed to the at least one communicator device based on the user defined priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Locator IP, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven A. Root, Michael R. Root
  • Patent number: 8629788
    Abstract: A system may include a sensor for coupling with a vehicle configured for atmospheric flight. The sensor may be configured for detecting a turbulence event, where the turbulence event is at least one of experienced by the vehicle or occurs proximal to the vehicle during atmospheric flight. The system may also include a transmitter coupled with the sensor. The transmitter may be configured for automatically remotely transmitting data regarding the turbulence event to a ground based entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Greenleaf, Richard S. Dove, Scott F. Bauler, Randy H. Jacobsen, Kirschen A. Seah
  • Patent number: 8614631
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically providing flood warnings to individuals are provided. The techniques include receiving a message regarding a water level observed in connection with a totem display at a geographic area, using the message and one or more items of available data to generate a flood level prediction for the geographic area, and sending a flood warning to one or more registered individuals if the flood level prediction for the geographic area exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Claudio Santos Pinhanez
  • Patent number: 8615329
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed for regulating the flow of a liquid from a liquid provider through a liquid distribution system. The distribution system has a major liquid distribution channel connected to a plurality of minor liquid distribution channels providing the liquid to a multiplicity of users. A plurality of controllable user valves are interposed in the multiplicity of user channels. A liquid monitor senses a liquid flow characteristic within the liquid distribution channel. A user control changes selective controllable user valves for restoring a desired liquid flow characteristic within the liquid distribution channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Water Optimizer LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 8588821
    Abstract: A computer-implemented technique includes receiving, at a mobile computing device including one or more processors, an input from a user, the input indicating a weather severity threshold for providing a notification at the mobile computing device. The technique includes determining one or more locations where the mobile computing device is likely to be, indicative of a likely location of a user, during a future period of time based on user-related data. The technique includes receiving a weather prediction for the future period of time for each of the one or more locations. The technique also includes automatically outputting the notification when the weather prediction for at least one of the one or more locations exceeds the weather severity threshold and at a time depending on distances between the one of more locations and a home location of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Hewinson
  • Patent number: 8581733
    Abstract: A drop detection part that detects drop of the device into the water, a light emitting body disposed in the housing, and a light-emission control circuit that makes the light emitting body emit light when the drop detection part detects the drop into the water are provided, and the rear face of the housing is made translucent, a lower part of a sealing member sealing the front housing and the rear housing is also made translucent, and a cover part covering the light emitting body is formed on this translucent part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Icom Incorporated
    Inventor: Kenichirou Ueda
  • Patent number: 8576083
    Abstract: A rain detector for use with an automotive vehicle. The rain detector includes a capacitance sensor mounted to the inside surface of a windshield. The sensor includes at least two output lines which vary in capacitance as the function of magnitude of rain on the outside surface of the windshield. A programmed microcontroller receives the sensor output lines as analog input signals and then compares the magnitude of the capacitance with a threshold capacitance. In the event that the sensed capacitance exceeds the threshold capacitance, indicative of raindrops on the outside surface of the windshield, the microcontroller generates an output signal to the wiper control circuitry of the vehicle to activate the windshield wiper system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Enterprise Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: David Pearson
  • Patent number: 8570169
    Abstract: A portable dispensing device is provided having a container configured to be moved to a plurality of locations. An access point at an opening of the container controls access into and out of the container. A scale is coupled to a bin within the container and is configured to measure a weight of the bin and contents of the bin. A computing device is in electrical communication with the access point and the scale and configured to allow or deny access to the container as well as receive the measured weight from the scale to determine a number of items in the bin. The computing device further associates an item removed from the bin with the individual or credits an item returned to the bin with the individual when the individual exits the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Job Site Resources, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Green, Kevin Hall
  • Publication number: 20130265167
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for reducing overflow caused by an appliance (100) using a liquid. The system comprises: a detector (200) arranged to detect if the appliance (100) has undesirably emitted part of the liquid, an internal server (300) being arranged to generate an alarm event in case the appliance (100) has undesirably emitted part of the liquid, and an external server. The external server is arranged to send, via a cellular network, a certificate to a predetermined first party in case an alarm event is generated. The certificate authorizes the first party to enter the location in which the appliance is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: ZAPLOX AB
    Inventors: Lars Tilly, Stefan Gripwall
  • Publication number: 20130265166
    Abstract: An electric apparatus including a display and a process unit is provided. The display has an active area and a peripheral area. The display panel including an active device array substrate, an opposite substrate opposite to the active device array substrate and a display medium between the active device array substrate and the opposite substrate. The active device array substrate has a plurality of active devices disposed in the active area and a humidity sensor disposed in the peripheral area. The humidity sensor is a thin film transistor having a metal oxide semiconductor layer. The process unit is electrically connected to the humidity sensor. The process unit calculates a humidity value according to a sensing current from the humidity sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: E INK HOLDINGS INC.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsuan Wang, Chia-Chun Yeh, Ted-Hong Shinn
  • Patent number: 8471513
    Abstract: During rain, including a light source (5) for radiating light such that the light is transmitted through a vehicle window (2), a light receiving element (6) for sensing an optical signal when the light radiated from the light source (5) is reflected from the raindrop fallen on the vehicle window (2) and performing a photoelectric transduction, and a receiver (9) for receiving the photoelectrically transduced signal from the light receiving element (6) and judging the level of rainfall. The light source (5) and the light receiving element (6) are inclined with respect to the surface of the vehicle window (2) such that the light of the light source (5) directly reflected from the vehicle window (2) exits to the outside of the light receiving element (6) and the light reflected from a raindrop (8) on the vehicle window (2) is received by the light receiving element (6) to operate a vehicle wiper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Sea Yeoun Han
  • Patent number: 8465184
    Abstract: An automatic headlight switching procedure for motor vehicles, designed to emit a beam of light from one lighting mode to another lighting mode. The process features the steps of when the headlights are in a first lighting mode, detecting the backscatter of the headlight beam onto a phenomenon of visibility disturbance; increasing the lighting range of the headlight beam in relation to a maximum authorized range in accordance with the detected backscatter; and switching the headlights to a second lighting mode when the backscatter is below a first determined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: David Hue, Julien Moizard, Patrice Reilhac
  • Patent number: 8442735
    Abstract: In one example, a first vehicle traveling on a road is provided. The vehicle comprises a communication device coupled in the first vehicle configured to receive information transmitted by a second vehicle traveling on the road, the information identifying road surface conditions experience by the second vehicle; and a controller configured to adjust a vehicle operating parameter of the first vehicle in response to receiving the transmitted information from the second vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Davor Hrovat, Michael Fodor, Mitch McConnell
  • Publication number: 20130093592
    Abstract: A farm greenhouse monitor and alarm management system based on the Internet of things with real-time monitoring environmental parameters, which is aimed at monitoring and managing the growth of crops in the farm greenhouse, includes mobile inspection devices, data acquisition units, data receiving devices, REID devices and data storage servers. The system can automatically collect such greenhouse environmental parameters as air temperature, air humidity, illumination, soil temperature and soil moisture etc. and also automatically judge the critical value of every parameter and alarm otherwise. It utilizes ZigBee chip integrated wireless sensors and data collecting modules. This system provides inspection devices, which lowers the requirements for practitioners and reduces the cost of automatic management of the farm greenhouse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Zehua Lan, Lixia Ma
  • Patent number: 8421636
    Abstract: A patient monitoring system according to one embodiment includes a real-time wetness sensor configured to detect the rate of change in wetness occurring within an associated diaper, and automatically adjusting the sensitivity of the sensor to account for a wetness event unrelated to urination. A monitoring unit may be utilized in such a manner that the monitoring system controller-monitors the wetness sensor and generates data associated with detected-wetness events relative to the diaper. A wireless transmitter configured with the monitoring unit and in communication with the monitoring system controller may be further utilized to send the generated data, through a host computer, to a caregiver unit having a caregiver system controller in communication with the host computer. The caregiver can then check the status of the patient, provide a service, and annotate the patients history by transmitting the recorded observation and service provided back to the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel R. Collette, Matthew Peter Napier
  • Patent number: 8416089
    Abstract: A leak detecting tray device featuring a base tray having a bottom surface and sides, wherein the sides and bottom surface together form an enclosure for collecting liquid, wherein the base tray is constructed from a material comprising silicone; a moisture sensor disposed in the base tray, the moisture sensor is configured to detect moisture; an alarm system with speaker; and a microprocessor operatively connected to the moisture sensor and the alarm system with speaker, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive a first sensor input signal from the moisture sensor when the moisture sensor detects moisture whereupon the microprocessor sends a first alarm output command to the alarm system to activate the alarm system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: James E. Clary
  • Patent number: 8412382
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a zone based energy management system includes controlling at least one network device at a site using the proximity detection of a mobile device which may be based upon the detection of a plurality of zones. The network device may be a thermostat associated with the HVAC system of the site or other energy consuming appliances. Each of the zones may be associated with a corresponding temperature set-point of the thermostat or other energy consuming device where the temperature set point corresponding to a zone may be different from the temperature set points corresponding with each of the other zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John Frederick Cottrell
  • Patent number: 8401741
    Abstract: A headlamp in an automobile, which is rotatable about a yaw axis when negotiating a bend, has a controller for controlling the rotary movement. In order to improve the illumination of a roadway lying in front of an automobile, the controller may take into account a driving profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Justus Illium, Torsten Kanning
  • Patent number: 8350710
    Abstract: An enclosed space monitoring system includes a controller and a plurality of sensors. The sensors may include a humidity sensor, a water presence sensor, a water pump operation sensor, a temperature sensor, a radon gas detector, a propane or natural gas detector, a smoke sensor, a carbon monoxide detector and a motion sensor. Environmental parameter data obtained by the sensors is stored within a memory connected to the controller. The controller sends the data to a remote facility periodically and/or when the data indicates a potential condition within the space needing attention or remediation. The sent data is stored at the remote facility and may be accessed by a technician or an owner of the space. Also, the data may be comparatively studied relative to earlier data from the same space and to data collected in similar spaces to discern a potential condition needing attention or remediation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: James A. C. Logan, Alvin C. West
  • Publication number: 20120326879
    Abstract: A chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons detection system is disclosed that comprises an array of spatially-disparate hazardous material sensors that all feed into a centralized system control center. This enables the embodiment to receive and coordinate in one place all of the hazardous material sensors spread over a wide area, and, therefore, enables an alarm to be quickly issued in the event of a real attack. To accurately reduce false alarms, the illustrative embodiment requires that at least N of M neighboring stations report an alarm for the same hazardous material within an interval of time, and that the values of at least one of N and M change and are based on at least one environmental factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott M. Maurer, Mark J. Derksen, Kevin J. Kofler
  • Patent number: 8338774
    Abstract: An optical sensor has an optical plate which is adapted to make surface contact on a pane, in particular a windshield of a motor vehicle. It further has one or preferably a plurality of photoreceivers arranged on the side of the optical plate facing away from the pane. An optical mask is arranged in the optical path upstream of each photoreceiver, the optical mask having light-blocking and light-transmissive surface areas. The light-transmissive surface areas each allow an optical path to traverse the optical plate, impinging on the photoreceiver and is delimited by the light-blocking surface areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Backes
  • Patent number: 8339219
    Abstract: The integration of surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters, microfabricated transmission lines, and sensors onto polymer substrates in order to enable a passive wireless sensor platform is described herein. Incident microwave pulses on an integrated antenna are converted to an acoustic wave via a SAW filter and transmitted to an impedance based sensor, which for this work is a photodiode. Changes in the sensor state induce a corresponding change in the impedance of the sensor resulting in a reflectance profile. Data collected at a calibrated receiver is used to infer the state of the sensor. Based on this principal, light levels were passively and wirelessly demonstrated to be sensed at distances of up to about 12 feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Jack L. Skinner, Eric Y Chu, Harvey Ho
  • Patent number: 8334972
    Abstract: A device for detecting soiling, having a light source, which emits a light beam, and a layer having a first boundary surface and a second boundary surface, whereby the light beam emitted by the light source first impinges on the first boundary surface, and part of a light beam fraction, which is scattered at the second boundary surface, impinges on a receiver and forms a measuring signal, and hereby the first boundary surface is set up to scatter part of the incident light beam, and the part impinging on the receiver of the light beam, scattered at the first boundary surface, forms a reference signal, and the device is set up further to determine a measure for the soiling of the second boundary surface from the comparison of the reference signal and measuring signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Pepperl & Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Marcus Thien
  • Patent number: 8330603
    Abstract: A dewatering system includes a selective calibrating sensor circuit configured to receive sensor readings from an electronic sensor, to determine if the electronic sensor is immersed in water, to allow a user to adjust a pump down time in the field, and to generate a control output signal accordingly. The selective calibrating sensor circuit periodically performs a self-calibration when the electronic sensor is not immersed in water to cancel the effect of potential contaminants deposited on the electronic sensor over its operating life. The selective calibrating sensor circuit inhibits calibration when the electronic sensor is immersed in water. In some applications with multiple electronic sensors, the selective calibrating sensor circuit disconnects from one of the electronic sensors before performing the self-calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: SEEwater, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Gibb
  • Patent number: 8325034
    Abstract: Systems and methods to generate weather alerts are provided. A particular system includes one or more sensors to detect weather data. The system also includes a weather band radio receiver to receive weather alert messages. The system also includes a processor to perform an analysis of the weather data, to determine based on the analysis whether the weather data indicates a dangerous storm condition, and to initiate a first alert when the analysis indicates the dangerous storm condition and a weather alert message has been received. The first alert is not initiated when the weather alert message is received and the analysis does not indicate the dangerous storm condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Jason Lee Moore
  • Publication number: 20120264393
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically providing flood warnings to individuals are provided. The techniques include receiving a message regarding a water level observed in connection with a totem display at a geographic area, using the message and one or more items of available data to generate a flood level prediction for the geographic area, and sending a flood warning to one or more registered individuals if the flood level prediction for the geographic area exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Claudio Santos Pinhanez
  • Patent number: 8265824
    Abstract: First and second temperature check portions 7 and 8 determine whether an ambient temperature T1 is lower than 20° C. or not, whether an external surface temperature T2 of a windshield S is lower than 25° C. or not and whether a temperature difference (T2?T1) is lower than 20° C. or not, and a weather condition check portion 9 determines whether a condition that condensation occurs over the windshield S is met or not based on results of the checks. A wiper control portion 10 controls a driving operation of a wiper W based on a rainfall state checked by a low sensitivity rainfall check portion 5 when the condition that the condensation occurs is met, and controls the driving operation of the wiper W based on a rainfall state checked by a high sensitivity rainfall check portion 4 when a condition that the condensation does not occur is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignees: Niles Co., Ltd., Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Oishi, Tomoyuki Ohata
  • Patent number: 8248254
    Abstract: A system for certifying provenance of an alcoholic beverage includes a radio-frequency identification tag and a server. The radio-frequency identification tag, associated with a bottle containing an alcoholic beverage, periodically measures a plurality of values of an environmental condition of the bottle. The radio-frequency identification tag stores the plurality of measured values. The server receives the plurality of measured values for analysis. The server provides, via a user interface, a description of a provenance of the alcoholic beverage, the description generated responsive to an analysis of the plurality of measured values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: EProvenance, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Vogt, Ruth Churchill
  • Patent number: 8236164
    Abstract: A moisture sensor, for measuring moisture in a building without leaving visible scars to the building surface, is provided. The moisture sensor includes a flexible carrier carrying an antenna for receiving EM-radiation between 9 kHz and 11 MHz and a resonant circuit including a moisture reactive element. The moisture reactive element includes a hygroscopic electrolyte arranged between a first and a second electrode, wherein the electrolyte in the presence of moisture forms mobile ions and provides a complex impedance at least in response to the alternating voltage, which complex impedance varies with the moisture content of the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Acreo AB
    Inventors: Göran Gustafsson, Xavier Crispin, Magnus Berggren, Oscar Larsson, Xiaodong Wang
  • Patent number: 8219254
    Abstract: A combined water management and communication system for a water provider wirelessly communicating with selected ones of the multiplicity of user wireless transceiver for changing water distribution to selective ones of the multiplicity of independent users upon an undesired water flow characteristic within the water distribution channels. The multiplicity of user wireless transceivers communicating with proximate user wireless transceivers for forming a network for communicating information to a third party wireless transceiver unrelated to liquid flow. The invention is also incorporated into a remote controlled solar operated wireless irrigation valve. The invention is further incorporated into an improved water management irrigation system incorporating an adaptive weather based controller that is adjusted by a weather based sensor base controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Water Optimizer LLC.
    Inventor: Thomas M. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 8184009
    Abstract: A humidity-sensitive cutoff fuse RFID tag is provided with a bimorph element and thin conductive bridges positioned on an RFID tag substrate that can react to all changes in storage humidity conditions. The bimorph element is configured and positioned so that when it bends in response to one or more predetermined humidity levels, the bimorph element will break one of the conductive bridges and cause an open circuit that can be detected when the RFID tag is interrogated by a sensor. The humidity-sensitive cutoff fuse RFID tag can provide humidity information about numerous stored objects such as food, medicine, chemicals, batteries, explosives and munitions. Multiple humidity conductive bridge cutoff fuse RFID tag arrangements and methods for notifying the user when a predetermined storage humidity limit has been reached with a passive humidity-sensitive cutoff fuse RFID tag are provided. Since it does not require power to operate, the cutoff fuse is suitable for monitoring a long-term storage condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Yoonkee Kim
  • Patent number: 8180518
    Abstract: A system and a method for generating a microenvironment condition report. The microenvironment condition report is generated from information related to a plurality of vehicle conditions. The vehicle condition information is gathered from a plurality of in-vehicle technologies such as a stability control system, ABS, and navigation system. The vehicle condition information is sent to a remote terminal that organizes the information with respect to a set of microareas. The information for each microarea is analyzed and used to generate the microenvironment condition report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Dennis M. Petricoin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8174397
    Abstract: A multi function monitor for monitoring environmental conditions and events, the monitor comprising: a monitor panel having a plurality of monitors thereon; and a measuring device attachable at either end of the monitor panel for measuring the circumference of an object around which it is placed. The monitor panel includes: a temperature detection and display device; an ultraviolet radiation detection and display device; and a humidity detection and display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: Leigh Melanie Onslow
  • Patent number: 8169329
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are described for detecting moisture on a mattress cover. Conductive leads affixed to the mattress cover are configured in loop patterns, and adjacent conductive loops are positioned equidistant to one another to provide equal sensitivity to moisture at any location on the mattress cover. A quick-release connector allows the conductive leads to be quickly connected to an electrical monitoring circuit. The continuity of each conductive lead is periodically checked using a test signal. Moisture is detected by applying a different voltage level to adjacent conductive leads and measuring the current flowing between the leads. When moisture or a broken conductive lead is detected, an alarm signal is communicated to an attendant. The alarm signal is repeated at periodic intervals until the electrical monitoring circuit detects that the alarm condition has been corrected. The attendant's response time is recorded for future performance evaluations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventors: Arthur Koblasz, Ronald Paul Crisman
  • Patent number: 8149102
    Abstract: An interface is provided that configures itself dynamically based on sensor information received from a sensor assembly or actuator information received from an actuator assembly. The interface may be configured to interoperate with sensor assemblies including analog transducers, smart transducers providing digital outputs and various actuators. The sensor information or the actuator information may include information for managing power consumption associated with the operation of the sensor or the actuator. Using the sensor information or the actuator information, a power management scheme may be implemented to reduce power consumption and extend the operational time of a module. The sensor information also includes information about the sensor signal generated by the sensor. The information about the sensor signal allows the module to interoperate with more diverse types of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Memsic Transducer Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew Miller, Alan S. Broad
  • Patent number: 8144021
    Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of bodily fluid, the device including a detector (1) means having two spaced apart electrodes (2, 3), each electrode is connected to a signal generating means via a lead (6, 7). The electrodes are encased in a flexible non-conductive material with each including at least one protruding conductive element (4). The protruding elements are separated by the same distance as the spacing between the two electrodes. The device also includes a signal processing means that detects a change of state across the electrodes produced by the introduction of a fluid and an alarm actuated by the change of state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignees: Whalley, Robin as Trustee of the Olfarse Trust, Le Gros, Paul Donald as Trustee of the Olfarse Trust
    Inventor: Anthony Edward Page
  • Patent number: 8134462
    Abstract: Disclosed is a floating sensor system having a casing that encloses a microcontroller. The microcontroller includes a digital processor and a non-volatile memory. The casing also encloses a data bus that connects the microcontroller to an external environment sensor, an RF transceiver, and a battery. The non-volatile memory includes a history file that maintains a record of events sensed by the external environment sensors. The digital processor is configured to establish a pattern of expected external environmental behavior based on the record of events. The digital processor is also configured to emit a signal through the RF transceiver from the system when an unexpected event occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Nghia Tran, Michael R. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 8089356
    Abstract: Systems and methods to generate weather alerts are provided. A particular system includes a weather band radio receiver to receive weather alerts. The system further includes a processor to perform an analysis of the received electromagnetic radiation and to determine based on the analysis whether the electromagnetic radiation indicates rotation in a storm system. The processor initiates an alert when the analysis indicates rotation in the storm system and a weather alert has been received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Jason Lee Moore
  • Patent number: 8078362
    Abstract: An electrostatic seat occupant detecting system of a vehicle has a vehicle body and a seat. The electrostatic seat occupant detecting system includes an antenna unit that includes a main electrode and a sub-electrode disposed near the main electrode, an AC power source, a switch unit for switching supply of AC voltage to the antenna unit to form one of a first electric field between the vehicle body and the main electrode thereby providing a seat-occupant detecting mode and a second electric field between the main electrode and the sub-electrode thereby providing a wet condition detecting mode, and a seat-occupant detecting ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichi Yamanaka, Tsutomu Kamizono, Masahiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8072335
    Abstract: An antenna assembly is provided suitable for use with a remote communications module such as, for example, a keyless entry module, a tire pressure monitoring module, etc. The antenna assembly generally includes a support, a folded metallic antenna element mounted on the support, an amplifier coupled to the folded antenna element, and a transmission line coupled to the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ayman Duzdar, Haiyang Wang, Huzefa Abdulkader Bharmal, Joseph M. Combi