By Motion Detection Patents (Class 342/28)
  • Patent number: 11083414
    Abstract: A system for health condition monitoring includes a wearable device, a portable device and a server. The portable device is capable of communicating between the wearable device and the server. The system further includes a non-contact ECG acquisition module for capturing ECG signals from a user wearing the wearable device, a non-contact audio acquisition module for capturing a respiratory sound signal and a heart sound signal from the user wearing the wearable device, a first signal processing and analysis module for receiving and processing the ECG signals, the respiratory sound signal and the heart sound signal to perform QRS detection, HR calculation and ECG derived RR determination, and a second signal processing and analysis module for receiving and processing the ECG signals, the respiratory sound signal and the heart sound signal to perform heart sound localization, heart sound cancellation, respiratory sound restoration, and sound based RR determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: DELTA ELECTRONICS INT'L (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD, NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zhiping Lin, Yongkiang Yeo, Jianmin Zhang, Wee Ser, Yenpo Tai
  • Patent number: 11074800
    Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure provide a fall detection method and apparatus. The apparatus acquires information of radar reflection points belonging to a detected object in a predetermined number of consecutive frames, information on a radar reflection point including at least two of information on a position, information on a radial velocity and information on reflection signal strength, of the reflection point; determines whether the detected object has fallen according to a relationship between time and the information on radar reflection points in the predetermined number of consecutive frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Hongchun Li, Genming Ding, Qian Zhao, Lili Xie, Jun Tian
  • Patent number: 11052851
    Abstract: Developing intelligent systems which take into consideration the economical, environmental, and safety factors of the modern society, is one of the main challenges of this century. Progress in the fields of mobile robots, control architectures, artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, and computer vision allows us to now envisage a smart environment future. The rise of the connected objects known as the “Internet of Things” (IoT) will rival past technological marvels. This application discloses a time synchronous communication IoT network and IoT ranging device to monitor a smart environment. IoT ranging device uses a time of day (TOD), an absolute time, and a time slot assigned to it by IoT network for ranging in the smart environment in order to avoid interference and collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: Kiomars Anvari
  • Patent number: 11035940
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for monitoring a presence or a motion of an object in a proximity of an apparatus are described. In one example, a described apparatus is in a venue for wireless proximity monitoring. The apparatus comprises: a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor. The transmitter is configured for transmitting a wireless signal through a wireless multipath channel, wherein the wireless multipath channel is impacted by a motion of an object within a proximity of the apparatus. The receiver is configured for: receiving the wireless signal through the wireless multipath channel between the transmitter and the receiver, and obtaining a time series of channel information (TSCI) of the wireless multipath channel based on the wireless signal received by the receiver. The processor is configured for monitoring the motion of the object within the proximity of the apparatus based at least partially on the TSCI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: ORIGIN WIRELESS, INC.
    Inventors: Qinyi Xu, Yi Han, Hung-Quoc Duc Lai, Beibei Wang, Oscar Chi-Lim Au, K. J. Ray Liu
  • Patent number: 10984646
    Abstract: A fall detection system includes a plurality of sensors in which at least one of the sensors is coupled to or disposed near a floor. The fall detection system further includes a central monitoring system in signal communication with the plurality of sensors. The central monitoring system is configured to receive a response signal in response to an activation signal being transmitted from at least one of the plurality of sensors, and determine whether the response signal is indicative of a person being arranged in a prone position on the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schwab, Barry K. Gilbert, Clifton R. Haider, Mark E. Vickberg, Gary S. Delp, Christopher L. Felton, Patrick J. Zabinski
  • Patent number: 10852424
    Abstract: Sweeping radar devices and methods for detecting objects in the vicinity of a vehicle are provided. The sweeping radar device includes a transmitting device, receiving device, and a processor. The method involves transmitting an electromagnetic wave, receiving the wave, converting the wave to an electromagnetic signal, processing the signal to generate an output criterion, interpreting the output criteria and triggering at least one response by a vehicle, which may be an affirmative response, such as a siren or flashing lights, or may be a passive response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Inventors: Nathan Randall, Joshua Randall
  • Patent number: 10770035
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and systems that enable a smartphone-based radar system for facilitating awareness of user presence and orientation. The techniques and systems use a radar field to accurately determine a user's location and physical orientation with respect to an electronic device, such as a smartphone. The radar field also enables the device to receive 3D gestures from the user to interact with the device. The techniques allow the device to provide functionality based on the user's presence and orientation, and to appropriately adjust the timing, content, and format of the device's interactions with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Giusti, Ivan Poupyrev, Brandon Barbello, Patrick M. Amihood
  • Patent number: 10698098
    Abstract: A millimeter wave radar includes an antenna unit including a plurality of antennas that receive millimeter waves, each of the antennas having a prescribed reception range from which the millimeter waves are incident on the antenna; and a signal processing unit that detects, on the basis of a difference between outputs of the plurality of antennas that have received millimeter waves, a moving object moving across the reception ranges of the plurality of antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Izumi Igawa, Ryuichi Sunagawa, Yutaka Aoki
  • Patent number: 10667086
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the presence of a body in a network without fiducial elements, using signal absorption, and signal forward and reflected backscatter of RF waves caused by the presence of a biological mass in a communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Ivani, LLC
    Inventors: John Wootton, Matthew Wootton, Chris Nissman, Victoria Preston, Jonathan Clark, Justin McKinney, Claire Barnes
  • Patent number: 10628706
    Abstract: Systems and methods for augmenting real-time semantic information to a spatial rendering of a predefined space and providing a real-time situational awareness feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ambient AI, Inc.
    Inventors: Shikhar Shrestha, Vikesh Khanna
  • Patent number: 10588700
    Abstract: A method uses an electromagnetic tracking system, including a number of field transmitters and at least one receiver, to determine location information associated with a medical device. The method includes transmitting a set of electromagnetic signals, each signal having a frequency that is different than a frequency associated with each of the other signals, where each signal corresponds to a sum of sinusoidal functions, each of which includes an amplitude and a frequency. A field signal is received, and includes an undistorted field component and a distortion component. The amplitudes and frequencies of the sinusoidal functions are selected such that the distortion component includes a residual error arising from terms of at least a specified order in frequency. Field components corresponding to the field transmitters are extracted from the received signal, and the location information is determined based on the field components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc.
    Inventors: Raju Viswanathan, Jonathan Allen
  • Patent number: 10585191
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor in the invention includes an ultrasonic transmitter, an ultrasonic receiver, and a detector. The ultrasonic transmitter transmits pulse-shaped ultrasonic waves to a thin plate to excite the thin plate. The ultrasonic receiver receives direct waves and reflected waves among the ultrasonic waves propagating in the thin plate excited by the pulse-shaped ultrasonic waves, the direct waves propagating only in the thin plate, and the reflected waves radiating outward, then reflected by the object, and returning to the thin plate. The detector detects the object present near the thin plate on the basis of a difference between a time at which the ultrasonic receiver receives the direct waves and a time at which the ultrasonic receiver receives the reflected waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignees: NEW JAPAN RADIO CO., LTD., AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobumitsu Hirano, Hajime Fujiwara, Kenji Takebuchi, Hiroyuki Kuchiji, Akira Seshimoto, Kimiyoshi Yamasaki, Kenichi Taguchi, Masaya Otokawa
  • Patent number: 10451726
    Abstract: A new system and method for FWI of common-offset GPR data, particularly targeting the dimensions and infilling material of buried objects. The method is useful in situations where clear isolated diffraction hyperbolas indicate the presence of an underground object, but the object's dimensions and filling may be unknown. The present invention acquires GPR data and applies advanced numerical methods to get the depth and size of the underground object in a very accurate manner. An embodiment of the invention includes five main steps: GPR data processing, ray-based analysis to set a good initial model, 3D to 2D transformation of data, effective SW estimation, and FWI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Sajad Jazayeri, Sarah Kruse
  • Patent number: 10402421
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interest-driven data sharing in interest-driven business intelligence systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Workday, Inc.
    Inventors: John Glenn Eshleman, Kevin Scott Beyer, Brian F. Babcock, Carl-Christian Kanne
  • Patent number: 10393866
    Abstract: In a general aspect, a monitoring system detects presence of an object in a space, e.g., when no motion is detected. Motion of an object in a space is detected by analyzing a first set of signals based on wireless signals transmitted in a first time period. Lack of motion in the space is detected by analyzing a second set of signals based on wireless signals transmitted in a second, subsequent time period. Whether the object was present in the space during the second time period is detected by analyzing the second set of signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Cognitive Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Oleksiy Kravets, Yunfeng Piao
  • Patent number: 10382119
    Abstract: A data communication system includes an information acquiring unit and a selector. The information acquiring unit acquires positional information of a third party capable of detecting data communication performed between communication bodies, positional information of each of the communication bodies, and terrain information. The selector selects a fourth communication body from third communication bodies when transmission of transmission data from a first communication body to a second communication body out of the communication bodies is not successful. The third communication bodies are remaining communication bodies out of the communication bodies excluding the first and the second communication bodies and successful in receiving the transmission data from the first communication body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuma Mizutani, Yasuhiko Yanase
  • Patent number: 10346726
    Abstract: A method of recognizing a feature of an image may include receiving an input image including an object; extracting first feature information using a first layer of a neural network, the first feature information indicating a first feature corresponding to the input image among a plurality of first features; extracting second feature information using a second layer of the neural network, the second feature information indicating a second feature among a plurality of second features, the indicated second feature corresponding to the first feature information; and recognizing an element corresponding to the object based on the first feature information and the second feature information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seungju Han, Sungjoo Suh, Jaejoon Han, Chang Kyu Choi
  • Patent number: 10234552
    Abstract: A new method for FWI of common-offset GPR data, particularly targeting the dimensions and infilling material of buried pipes. The method is useful in situation where clear isolated diffraction hyperbolas indicate the presence of a pipe, but pipe dimensions and filling may be unknown. The invention is a method of taking GPR data and applying advanced numerical methods to get the depth and size of an underground pipe in a very accurate manner. An embodiment of the method consists of five main steps: GPR data processing, ray-based analysis to set a good initial model, 3D to 2D transformation of data, effective SW estimation, and FWI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Sajad Jazayeri, Sarah Kruse
  • Patent number: 10168427
    Abstract: A system and method are provided. The system includes a data reader having a processor for performing a signal frequency analysis, an ultrasound transmitter for transmitting ultrasound signals, and an ultrasound receiver for receiving reflected ultrasound signals. The system further includes a movable reflector for receiving the ultrasound signals and reflecting the ultrasounds signals back to the ultrasound receiver (a) as the reflected ultrasound signals without modulation when the movable reflector is stationary and (b) as the reflected ultrasound signals with modulation when the movable reflector is mobile. The system also includes a chip for storing a specification of motion states for the movable reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Li-Wen Hung, Reinaldo Vega
  • Patent number: 10103803
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Network access (for example, to the Internet) may be provided by detecting a UAV and fixing one or more beams from one or more ground terminals to the UAV. In one embodiment, the detection of a UAV includes forming and pointing beams from a ground terminal and ground gateways toward the UAV. The ground terminal may be configured to autonomously steer its antenna beam during initial installation to detect the reference signal from a UAV. In one variant, the ground terminals are steered to more finely track the position of the UAV based on a signal quality metric such as received signal strength. In one embodiment, the ground terminal antenna is initially manually pointed toward the UAV, and thereafter allowed to automatically steer to track the position of the UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Bridgewest Finance LLC
    Inventor: Ahmad Jalali
  • Patent number: 10001561
    Abstract: A system and method are provided. The system includes a data reader having a processor for performing a signal frequency analysis, an ultrasound transmitter for transmitting ultrasound signals, and an ultrasound receiver for receiving reflected ultrasound signals. The system further includes a movable reflector for receiving the ultrasound signals and reflecting the ultrasounds signals back to the receiver (a) as the reflected ultrasound signals without modulation when the reflector is stationary and (b) as the reflected ultrasound signals with modulation when the reflector is mobile. The system also includes a chip for storing a specification of motion states for the reflector. The processor performs the signal frequency analysis to detect a presence or an absence of modulated frequency components in a received ultrasound signal and outputs a first value or a second value respectively depending upon whether the presence or the absence of the modulated frequency components is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Li-Wen Hung, Reinaldo Vega
  • Patent number: 9846226
    Abstract: A motion detection device is provided. The motion detection device includes a first antenna, a voltage-controlled oscillator, a phase detector and a signal processing unit. The first antenna receives a first signal generated by a second signal reflected by a target object, so as to output the first signal to the phase detector or the voltage-controlled oscillator. The voltage-controlled oscillator receives first signal or the second signal and receives a frequency adjustment signal, so as to generate an oscillating signal according to the frequency adjustment signal and the one of the first signal and the second signal. The phase detector receives the oscillating signal and another one of the first signal and the second signal, and generates a first phase output signal and a second phase output signal. The signal processing unit estimates motion parameters of the target object according to the first and the second phase output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: National Sun Yat-sen University
    Inventors: Tzyy-Sheng Horng, Fu-Kang Wang, Yen-Chen Chiu
  • Patent number: 9799184
    Abstract: A method of detecting an occupancy state of a living space for controlling the on/off performance of a lighting apparatus. The method using a microwave motion sensor to detect a motion intrusion, wherein a microcontroller with program codes analyzes a time duration and a frequency pattern of the echoed microwave signal generated by the motion intrusion in the living space. The method using an occupancy counting APP to record, wherein an updated numerical value represents the number of occupants remaining in the living space for operating the illumination. The echoed microwave signal is judged with the frequency pattern being lower or higher than the frequency pattern of the microwave signal transmitted to adjust the numerical value. When the microwave motion sensor is operated with a frequency level below 20 GHz, a microwave confining device is required to limit a detecting capacity of the microwave motion sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Chia-Teh Chen
  • Patent number: 9787448
    Abstract: A method for transmitting signals to a user equipment at a base station in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes generating a user equipment specific reference signal sequence for the user equipment, determining transmission resources for mapping the user equipment specific reference signal sequence, based on a vertical sector in which the user equipment is located, mapping the user equipment specific reference signal sequence to the determined transmission resources, and transmitting the user equipment specific reference signal sequence to the user equipment using a second-dimensional planar antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kitae Kim, Sungho Park, Jaehoon Chung, Sunam Kim, Soocheol Kyeong, Jinmin Kim, Kyunghaeng Lee, Hyunsoo Ko, Jiwon Kang
  • Patent number: 9755741
    Abstract: A lighting device for illumination, data communication, and occupancy detection includes a processor and a transmitter circuit that is configured to generate a first electrical signal. During a first time duration, the first electrical signal is a carrier signal having a first frequency, and during a second time duration, the first electrical signal is a data encoded signal. The lighting device further includes a light source configured to emit a first visible light based on the first electrical signal. The lighting device also includes a receiver configured to receive a second visible light. The processor is configured to detect a motion in a monitored area based on the second visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Brian Eugene Elwell
  • Patent number: 9672710
    Abstract: A proximity exclusion is configured for at least one item in a commercial environment that precludes movement of the at least one item into a defined prohibited region within a structure associated with the commercial environment. Movement of the at least one item is detected within the structure associated with the commercial environment. A determination is made as to whether the movement of the at least one item results in the at least one item being located within the defined prohibited region within the structure associated with the commercial environment. In response to determining that the movement of the at least one item results in the at least one item being located within the defined prohibited region, a proximity exclusion alert is generated indicating that the at least one item is located within the prohibited region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nader M. Nassar, Annette S. H. Riffe, Robert J. Spremulli, Bernie K. K. Wong
  • Patent number: 9649033
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for remote non-contact monitoring of vital signs of a living being. The present disclosure enables improved measurement accuracy and reliability, increased operating range and reduced likelihood of mistakenly detecting extraneous objects. The device comprises at least one measuring unit, at least one control and data processing unit, and at least one interface unit, connected to each other. The measuring unit comprises a radio transmitting module and a radio receiving module. The control and data processing unit is configured to generate control pulses for each of the radio transmitting and radio receiving modules delayed for arbitrary time periods between each other, and is additionally configured to generate control pulses of arbitrary duration for each of the radio transmitting and radio receiving modules. Each radio transmitting module and/or each radio receiving module contained in the measuring unit is made independent of the other modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Nanopulse, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduard Gusmanovich Ziganshin, Mikhail Andreevich Numerov
  • Patent number: 9648655
    Abstract: A computing device may identify one or more wireless broadcast signals that are each associated with a name that conforms to a specified wireless naming scheme. Responsive to identifying a particular wireless broadcast signal that is associated with a respective name conforming to the specified wireless naming scheme, the computing device may determine a signal strength of the particular wireless broadcast signal. The computing device may determine a likelihood that a remote device broadcasting the particular wireless signal is within a specified proximity of the computing device based at least in part on the signal strength of the particular wireless broadcast signal. Responsive to determining that the likelihood that the remote device is within the specified proximity of the computing device exceeds a specified threshold, the computing device may initiate an establishment of a wireless connection with the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Lee Gardner, III, Maurice Kyojin Chu
  • Patent number: 9618618
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods associated with determining position and/or movement information using ultrasound. A system may include one or more ultrasonic transmitters and/or receivers. An ultrasonic transmitter may be configured to transmit ultrasound into a region bounded by one or more surfaces. The ultrasonic receiver may receive direct ultrasonic reflections and/or rebounded ultrasonic reflections from one or more objects within the region. A mapping or positioning system may generate positional data associated with one or more of the object(s) based on the direct ultrasonic reflection(s) and/or the rebounded ultrasonic reflection(s). The mapping or positioning system may generate enhanced positional data by combining the direct positional data and the rebounded positional data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Eric D. Rudder, Desney S. Tan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Andrew Wilson, Jeannette M. Wing, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9613508
    Abstract: Provided is a security monitoring method including outputting a multi-tone sound wave configured with a linear sum of sine waves having a plurality of frequency components inside a security monitoring space, receiving the multi-tone sound wave and calculating a sound field, calculating and storing sound field information according to frequency through the sound field, comparing reference sound field information according to frequency with the currently measured sound field information and determining whether a sound field variation occurs, and analyzing whether the sound field variation occurs collected for a certain predetermined period and distinguishing at least two events among intrusion, motion and temperature variation situations on the basis of correlation between the reference sound field spectrum and consecutive sound field spectra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kang-Ho Park, Sung Q Lee
  • Patent number: 9594163
    Abstract: Provided is a security surveillance system and method capable of separately detecting fire and intrusion situations on the basis of a sound field variation, including a sound generating device outputting, into a set security surveillance space, a multi-tone sound wave formed of a linear sum of sine waves having a plurality of frequency components, a sound receiving device obtaining sound field information for each frequency represented as sound pressure and a phase from a sound wave received in the security surveillance space, and a sound field signal processing device storing sound field information for each frequency obtained from the sound receiving device in a preparation mode, comparing the stored sound field information with current sound field information for each frequency output from the sound receiving device in a surveillance mode, and determining occurrence of a security situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kang-Ho Park, Sung Q Lee
  • Patent number: 9524628
    Abstract: In a general aspect, motion is detected based on wireless signals. In some aspects, a modulation type of a first signal is identified at a motion detector device. The first signal is based on a wireless signal transmitted through a space by a transmitter device and received by the motion detector device. A demodulator at the motion detector device generates a second signal from the first signal by demodulating the first signal according to the identified modulation type. A modulator at the motion detector device generates a third signal from the second signal by modulating the second signal according to the identified modulation type. A channel response is generated based on the first signal and the third signal. The channel response is used to detect motion of an object in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Cognitive Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Mohammad Omer, Stephen Arnold Devison, Dustin Griesdorf
  • Patent number: 9494678
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a distance sensor (10). In the method, a transmission signal (S1) is radiated as transmission radiation (S2), reflected as reflection radiation (S3) by an object (16), the distance (D) of which is to be measured, and received as a reflection signal (S4). The reflection signal (S4) present at a receiver input (28) and a reference signal likewise occurring at the receiver input (28) are controlled to a specified ratio, the distance (D) being determined during the adjusting process. The invention further relates to devices for performing the method. The method is characterized in that microwaves are used as the transmission radiation (S2) and a cross-talk signal (S5, S6) from the transmission signal (S1) directly to the receiver input (28) with suppressed radiation of the transmission signal (S1) is used as the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Balluff GmbH
    Inventors: Sorin Fericean, Martin Osterfeld
  • Patent number: 9497790
    Abstract: A computing device may identify one or more wireless broadcast signals that are each associated with a name that conforms to a specified wireless naming scheme. Responsive to identifying a particular wireless broadcast signal that is associated with a respective name conforming to the specified wireless naming scheme, the computing device may determine a signal strength of the particular wireless broadcast signal. The computing device may determine a likelihood that a remote device broadcasting the particular wireless signal is within a specified proximity of the computing device based at least in part on the signal strength of the particular wireless broadcast signal. Responsive to determining that the likelihood that the remote device is within the specified proximity of the computing device exceeds a specified threshold, the computing device may initiate an establishment of a wireless connection with the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Lee Gardner, III, Maurice Kyojin Chu
  • Patent number: 9425649
    Abstract: A device includes a connection receiving power from a power source under normal conditions and circuitry configured to determine, based on an input from the connection, when the power from the power source is absent; output, when the power source is absent, a test signal at the connection; and generate a detection signal based on current flow generated following the output of the test signal, wherein the detection signal indicates a position of a switch connecting the circuitry to the connection and the generated detection signal indicates the switch is closed when the current flow is above a threshold. The circuitry is configured such that when the power from the power source is absent, the switch is closed, and plural devices are connected on the supply side of the switch, the plurality of devices on the supply side appear as a substantially open circuit to the test signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: CAPSTONE LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventors: Neil Singer, John Anthony Granata, Kenneth Alan Pasch, Stewart Wallach
  • Patent number: 9410823
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for detecting foreign objects. In one aspect an apparatus for detecting a presence of an object in a magnetic field is provided. The apparatus includes a power circuit configured to generate the magnetic field and transfer power wirelessly at a level sufficient to power or charge a load via the magnetic field. The apparatus further includes a detection circuit configured to transmit signals and detect, based on a reflection of the transmitted signals, a frequency of vibration of the object caused by the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Hanspeter Widmer, Markus Bittner, Lukas Sieber, Marcel Fischer
  • Patent number: 9404742
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a distance determination system for a vehicle includes an apparatus for generating and displaying a pattern generated by a holographic encoded medium in operable communication with an actuator and in communication with an electromagnetic radiation source configured to produce coherent electromagnetic waves. The distance determination system also includes an imager and a distance determination module in communication with the imager. The imager is configured to acquire image data representative of a field of view from the vehicle. The distance determination module is configured to locate at least one feature of the pattern in the image data and determine an estimated distance between the vehicle and the at least one feature based at least in part on a known position of the apparatus, a known position of the imager, and a layout of the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Fred W. Huntzicker, James N. Nickolaou, Paul R. Williams
  • Patent number: 9389310
    Abstract: A method for operation of a distance sensor emits a transmission signal as transmission radiation, reflected by an object, the distance of which is to be measured, as reflection radiation, and received as a reflection signal. The reflection signal and a reference signal that occur at a receiver input are regulated to a predetermined ratio. The distance is determined during the regulation process. An auxiliary transmission antenna emits an auxiliary transmission signal as auxiliary measurement radiation, directly toward a reception antenna. Microwaves are used as the transmission and auxiliary transmission signals. The reception antenna receives the reflection radiation reflected by the object and passes it on to the receiver input as a reflection signal. The reception antenna receives the auxiliary measurement radiation directly and passes it on to the receiver input as an auxiliary reception signal which is evaluated as a reference signal when measurement radiation emission is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Balluff GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Osterfeld, Sorin Fericean
  • Patent number: 9369891
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes, by an RF transceiver of a wireless communications device associated with a first user of an online system, transmitting an RF reference signal to each antenna of multiple antennas coupled to the transceiver. The method also includes, by a processor of the wireless communications device, determining, for each antenna of the multiple antennas, at least one characteristic of the RF reference signal reflected back from the antenna. The method further includes, by the processor of the wireless communications device, characterizing, based on the at least one determined characteristic, at least one aspect of an environment around the device to determine that an object is approaching the device. The method also includes, by the processor of the wireless communications device, retrieving from the online system, based on determining that the object is approaching the device, information associated with the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Yael Maguire
  • Patent number: 9311793
    Abstract: Disclosed is a motion detection system for use in entryways or areas wherein a user may wish to monitor activity, comprising a wireless emitter and detector or system thereof. The emitters utilize a plurality of infrared or other media sensors to emit outgoing signals detecting an object blocking a pathway prescribed by an area between the emitter and a predetermined barrier. Reflections of the outgoing signals are received by the detector and an internal processor calculates an action based on the received input. An automatic calibration is conducted to match the physical reflectivity of the area to minimize false alarms, while the direction of a passing object is determined by a calculated reflection strength gradient and/or time-delay in signal reflectivity. The emitters may be programmed to emit certain alerts based on their input or send signals to a base station, which is communicated to via wireless transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: Andrew Lohbihler
  • Patent number: 9235735
    Abstract: A card reader device is configured to carry out communication with a contactless readable card according to standard ISO/IEC 14443 type B. In order to provide that a modulation index, which self-adjusts in close range in a presence of a contactless readable card, corresponds to a desired specified modulation index, the magnetic field is received and evaluated via a reception antenna of the card reader device. The modulation index is controlled or regulated accordingly in case of deviations between a measured modulation index and a specified value for the modulation index in order to approximate the measured modulation index to the specified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH, IDENTIVE TECHNOLOGIES (INDIA) PVT LTD
    Inventors: Florian Peters, Duraipandianadar Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 9223045
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to compare the size of a target from the first sensor information with the size of the target from the second sensor information to determine whether an anomaly exists based upon the size comparison. In one embodiment, the size of the target from the first sensor information is affected by dielectric constants for at least one material of interest associated with the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Waseem Naqvi
  • Patent number: 9191829
    Abstract: In particular embodiments, a wireless communications device includes an RF transceiver, a plurality of antennas coupled to the transceiver, and processing circuitry. The device may transmit an RF reference signal using the RF transceiver. When the RF reference signal is reflected back from each of the plurality of antennas, the device may determine at least one characteristic of the RF reference signal (e.g., amplitude, phase, dispersion, waveform shape, or distortion). The device may then characterize at least one aspect of the environment around the device based on the characteristic and control a function of the device based on the at least one aspect. For example, the device may detect that an object (e.g., a hand or other body part) is approaching the device but not yet in contact with the device and activate a first feature of the device based on the characterization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Yael Maguire
  • Patent number: 9151836
    Abstract: A detection and tracking radar includes a hazardous zone set within a preset radius based on a main body having a radar, a plurality of detection and tracking sectors configured to detect a high speed mobile approaching the main body within detection areas, the detection areas being defined by diving the hazardous zone based on an azimuth angle, and a controller configured to recognize the high speed mobile as a target based upon signals received from the detection and tracking sectors and track the target. Accordingly, rapid detection and tracking of the high speed mobile can be allowed. Also, since the detection and tracking sectors can be independently run, expansion of a radar system can be free by virtue of addition of the detection and tracking sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Jong-Min Lee, Sun-gu Sun, Byunglae Cho, Jungsoo Lee, Sangsoon Park, Youn Sik Kang
  • Patent number: 9146311
    Abstract: A homodyne motion sensor or detector based on ultra-wideband radar utilizes the entire received waveform through implementation of a voltage boosting receiver. The receiver includes a receiver input and a receiver output. A first diode is connected to the receiver output. A first charge storage capacitor is connected from between the first diode and the receiver output to ground. A second charge storage capacitor is connected between the receiver input and the first diode. A second diode is connected from between the second charge storage capacitor and the first diode to ground. The dual diode receiver performs voltage boosting of a RF signal received at the receiver input, thereby enhancing receiver sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Peter C Haugen, Gregory E Dallum, Patrick A Welsh, Carlos E Romero
  • Patent number: 9146310
    Abstract: An object detection device comprises an active sensor, an amplifying circuit configured to divide and amplify a sensor signal outputted from said active sensor with respect to each a plurality of frequency bands through each amplifier, and a determining unit determining the presence or absence of a detection target object by comparing an output of said amplifying circuit with a predetermined threshold value. A noise determining unit controls a switching circuit so as to turn off a switch inserted between said determining unit and an amplifier having a band pass including a noise of a particular frequency, when determining that the noise of the particular frequency is produced constantly by using an analysis result outputted from a frequency analyzer detecting intensity of each frequency of the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi Murakami, Tamami Ono, Shigeo Gotou
  • Patent number: 9140791
    Abstract: In a method for functional testing of an ultrasonic sensor on a motor vehicle, the ultrasonic sensor is controlled in such a way that it emits an ultrasonic signal having a frequency of a secondary mode of the ultrasonic sensor, the ultrasonic signal is reflected by a surface in the region around the vehicle, and at least one transmission path or one transmitting unit of the ultrasonic sensor is classified as functional if the reflected signal is received by the ultrasonic sensor itself or by another ultrasonic sensor on the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Albrecht Klotz
  • Patent number: 9087247
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for a truly passive trigger in a hands-free device, e.g. an RFID system. Specifically, the present invention includes a passive trigger antenna, an RFID reader system, and an associated passive triggering method. The passive trigger antenna may include any type of antenna solely for the purpose of reverse power detection, i.e. the passive trigger antenna is another antenna associated with the RFID reader system solely for detecting near field obstructions. The present invention utilizes detected near field obstructions as a passive trigger thereby eliminating manual activation of the system. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a passive trigger for a hands-free RFID system, such as a wearable RFID device. Advantageously, the passive trigger overcomes a requirement for a user to manually trigger a button or other activation mechanism for RFID reading thereby making the RFID system truly passive and hands-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Bellows
  • Patent number: 9070271
    Abstract: An asset tracking device includes a mounting bracket and a housing attached to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a magnetic portion, first apertures that receive first fasteners for attaching the mounting bracket to the asset, and second apertures that receive second fasteners. Third apertures in the housing, aligned with the second apertures in the mounting bracket, receive the second fasteners for attaching the housing to the mounting bracket. When the housing is attached to the mounting bracket, the housing makes the fasteners in the mounting bracket inaccessible so that the mounting bracket cannot be removed from the asset. When the housing is removed from the mounting bracket, a magnetic switch changes state and triggers a controller to generate a tamper alert with location information indicating the location of the tracking device. A wireless transmitter wirelessly transmits the tamper alert and location information to a central monitoring station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Spireon, Inc.
    Inventors: Levi M. Baade, Ezra T. Peachey
  • Patent number: 9041592
    Abstract: A radar sensor and a method of detecting an object by using the same are provided. The method includes: receiving at least one radar signal reflected from the object; converting the received at least one radar signal to at least one signal in a frequency domain; accumulating the converted at least one signal for a predetermined time and extracting at least one feature from the accumulated at least one signal; and identifying the object by comparing the extracted at least one feature with at least one reference value stored in a database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ki-Yong Jeon