Patents Assigned to HM Electronics
  • Patent number: 10756973
    Abstract: A communication system that includes a base unit and one or more end units that communicate over a primary communication link using a first communication protocol and a secondary communication link using a second protocol. The secondary communication link may be a shorter range communication link than the primary communication link. The secondary communication link may be used to transmit and receive registration information, configuration settings, and status information between the end units and the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David O'Gwynn
  • Patent number: 10756972
    Abstract: A communication system that includes a base unit and one or more end units that communicate over a primary communication link using a first communication protocol and a secondary communication link using a second protocol. The secondary communication link may be a shorter range communication link than the primary communication link. The secondary communication link may be used to transmit and receive registration information, configuration settings, and status information between the end units and the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David O'Gwynn
  • Patent number: 10735861
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing cross-talk between transmitted audio signals and received audio in a headset. The headset includes one or more of a set of earphones, a headset frame, a microphone boom with an array of MEMS microphone configured to isolate the earphone audio from the microphone audio, a VOX circuit, low crosstalk cable(s), and/or other components. Sets of microphones may be enabled and/or disabled to reduce cross-talk between received audio signals and transmitted audio signals. The VOX circuit is configured to reduce cross-talk between received audio signals and transmitted audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Butten, Karl Knoblock, Robert Snyder
  • Patent number: 10520629
    Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle detection and assessments of loop deterioration rely on changes in inductance of a loop sensor. The conductive element of the loop sensor is modeled using one or more inductances and one or more resistances. Sets of stimuli at different frequencies are provided to the loop sensor, and the resulting responses form the basis for vehicle detection and for an assessment whether the loop sensor has deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: David O'Gwynn, Shane Robert Petcavich
  • Patent number: 10484241
    Abstract: A communication system that includes a base unit and one or more end units that communicate over a primary communication link using a first communication protocol and a secondary communication link using a second protocol. The secondary communication link may be a shorter range communication link than the primary communication link. The secondary communication link may be used to transmit and receive registration information, configuration settings, and status information between the end units and the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David O'Gwynn
  • Patent number: 10263843
    Abstract: A communication system that includes a base unit and one or more end units that communicate over a primary communication link using a first communication protocol and a secondary communication link using a second protocol. The secondary communication link may be a shorter range communication link than the primary communication link. The secondary communication link may be used to transmit and receive registration information, configuration settings, and status information between the end units and the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David O'Gwynn
  • Patent number: 10237654
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing cross-talk between transmitted audio signals and received audio in a headset. The headset includes one or more of a set of earphones, a headset frame, a microphone boom with an array of MEMS microphone configured to isolate the earphone audio from the microphone audio, a VOX circuit, low crosstalk cable(s), and/or other components. Sets of microphones may be enabled and/or disabled to reduce cross-talk between received audio signals and transmitted audio signals. The VOX circuit is configured to reduce cross-talk between received audio signals and transmitted audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Butten, Karl Knoblock, Robert Snyder
  • Patent number: 10024993
    Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle detection and assessments of loop deterioration rely on changes in inductance of a loop sensor. The conductive element of the loop sensor is modeled using one or more inductances and one or more resistances. Sets of stimuli at different frequencies are provided to the loop sensor, and the resulting responses form the basis for vehicle detection and for an assessment whether the loop sensor has deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: David O'Gwynn, Shane Robert Petcavich
  • Patent number: 9917731
    Abstract: A communication system that includes a base unit and one or more end units that communicate over a primary communication link using a first communication protocol and a secondary communication link using a second protocol. The secondary communication link may be a shorter range communication link than the primary communication link. The secondary communication link may be used to transmit and receive registration information, configuration settings, and status information between the end units and the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David O'Gwynn
  • Patent number: 9905238
    Abstract: A base station for use in a communication system is configured to determine whether a set of access information provided by an end unit is acceptable to the base station. The access information facilitates identification by the base station of one or more codecs used by the end unit to encode and decode digital audio signals. Other end units may use different codecs to encode and decode digital audio signals. The base station is configured to simultaneously handle multiple different codecs. The communication system also comprises at least one end unit configured to determine the codec used by the base station, request registration to the base station, and set the determined codec as the codec to use for communications with the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David O'Gwynn
  • Patent number: 9885799
    Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle detection and assessments of loop deterioration rely on changes in inductance of a loop sensor. The conductive element of the loop sensor is modeled using one or more inductances and one or more resistances. Sets of stimuli at different frequencies are provided to the loop sensor, and the resulting responses form the basis for vehicle detection and for an assessment whether the loop sensor has deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: David O'Gwynn, Shane Robert Petcavich
  • Patent number: 9639906
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a quick service restaurant intercom communication system. The system is configured such that communication between a customer and a staff member is accomplished in wideband audio. Intercom communication systems that utilize narrow band audio for communication between drive-through customers and staff members may be considered “good enough”. However, the low fidelity sound produced by narrow band audio systems often results in misunderstandings between customers and staff members, a high amount of background noise during communication, and/or other negative effects. Wideband audio may facilitate clearer communication between customers and staff members. Wideband audio communication may be costlier and/or more complicated to implement, but may result in increased staff efficiency and/or increased customer satisfaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David O'Gwynn
  • Patent number: 9484041
    Abstract: A communication system with a base station configured to determine a codec to use with end units, such that, in response to a determination that a first end unit uses a first set of access information, the base station registers the first end unit to the base station, setting the first codec to be used for communications with the first end unit, and, in response to a determination that a second unit uses a second set of access information, the base station registers the second end unit to the base station, setting the second codec to be used for communications with the second end unit. The communication system also comprises an end unit configured to determine the codec used by the base station and set the determined codec as the codec to use for communications with the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David O'Gwynn
  • Publication number: 20140279080
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a quick service restaurant intercom communication system. The system is configured such that communication between a customer and a staff member is accomplished in wideband audio. Intercom communication systems that utilize narrow band audio for communication between drive-through customers and staff members may be considered “good enough”. However, the low fidelity sound produced by narrow band audio systems often results in misunderstandings between customers and staff members, a high amount of background noise during communication, and/or other negative effects. Wideband audio may facilitate clearer communication between customers and staff members. Wideband audio communication may be costlier and/or more complicated to implement, but may result in increased staff efficiency and/or increased customer satisfaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David O'Gwynn
  • Patent number: 7920539
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for allowing communications between a base station and a group of mobile transceivers in a communications network used for a merchant facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Stanford, Scott Hoeptner
  • Patent number: 6522765
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel headset communication system and method for making same, wherein the headset includes at least one earpiece coupled to a transceiver unit via an electrical cable. The cable includes communication wires, and a strength member. The strength member extends axially along the cable providing durability for the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Towle
  • Patent number: 6507765
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a distributed computerized control and information system for a manufacturing system which generates a product from distinct components, where the manufacturing system includes a plurality of processing machines which generate signals indicative of parameters of the processing machines' operation. The system includes a plurality of sensors in communication with an associated processing machine for non-intrusively obtaining parameter signals in real-time from the processing machine so as to not interfere with the parameter signal generation and transmission. Also included is a plurality of command apparatus in communication with an associated sensor for providing real-time analysis of the received parameter signal of the associated processing machine, and a summary station in communication with the plurality of command apparatus for providing real-time summary and detailed analysis of received parameter signals from associated processing machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: HM Electronic Systems Limited
    Inventors: Scott Hopkins, William McGregor, Alec Moffat
  • Patent number: 6157908
    Abstract: An order point communication system and method employs a noise reduction circuit for enhancing the messages communicated to complete an order to improve substantially the speech to noise ratio thereof so that the perceived sound quality is enhanced in noisy environments. The circuit includes a device for separating noise content of portions of the messages, and another device for reconstructing the noise-removed portion of the messages to form a single substantially pure speech signal to serve as a reconstructed message for completing the order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. O'Gwynn
  • Patent number: 6020085
    Abstract: The battery pack construction includes a housing having a battery cell disposed therein. The housing includes a base member, battery contacts recessed from the base member, and a locating recess in the base member. The housing further includes an alignment arrangement at one end thereof and a latching assembly at another end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Towle
  • Patent number: D497357
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman A. Allum, Karen K. Robinson