Patents Assigned to Softronics, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 9316488
    Abstract: A system includes an emitter of electromagnetic radiation combined to the object and aligned with a detector for detecting the electromagnetic radiation from the emitter. A processor in communication with the detector is calibrated to recognize a change in alignment between the electromagnetic radiation from the emitter and the detector. The processor translates the change in alignment to the amount of force applied to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Softronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert H. Sternowski
  • Patent number: 9316719
    Abstract: A system suitable for determining a location of an emitter emitting a signal of interest from an unknown location has a vehicle with a location position determining apparatus to receive a location datum, so the location of the vehicle can be determined when the signal of interest is received. An antenna connected to a receiver is positioned on the vehicle to detect and receive the signal of interest at a plurality of locations. A processor having a program executing therein determines the power level of the signal of interest at each measurement location and determines the location of the emitter from the change in power level of the signal of interest between measurement locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Softronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Sternowski
  • Publication number: 20160025556
    Abstract: An optical sensing system for detecting objects passing through a volume of interest, wherein the sensing system has an emitter and a detector. The detector detects motion of object shadows generated as the object passes through the volume of interest between the emitter and detector. Motion detection algorithms, using computed motion vectors of the detected object, logically determine whether an object has traveled completely through the detection space, and can be used to discriminate a specific outcomes and/or impediments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: Softronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Sternowski, James G. Sliney, JR.
  • Patent number: 9244148
    Abstract: A system detects the location of an uncooperative emitter by measuring the power level in an RF signal using a grid of linear antennas. The linear antennas are arranged in an x,y axis with intersections strategically placed in areas of interest. A detector detects the power level in each of the leaky signal cables. A processor in communication with the detector identifies the cable intersection having the greatest power level and associates that intersection as the location of the uncooperative emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Softronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Sternowski
  • Patent number: 9239465
    Abstract: An image display to provide a realistic 3D stereoscopic image of a desired scene. The display device is comprised of directional pixels. Each directional pixel has a plurality of facets having a constrained viewing angle. Each facet has a point source of light that emits light with a controllable luminescence and hue. In this regard, each facet of the directional pixel has a constrained viewing angle and independent luminance and hue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Softronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert H. Sternowski
  • Patent number: 9173088
    Abstract: The presence of an RF signal in an expected location emanating from a mobile device within the expected location is detected by first antenna positioned in the expected location. False alarm discrimination is achieved by the square ratio of the operator's cellphone signal close to the antenna(s) versus the blocked external signals from much greater distance. A comparator compares the RF signal emanating from the mobile device in the expected location with a threshold signal and determines whether the mobile device is operating, and, if so, an alarm responsive to the comparator is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Softronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert H. Sternowski
  • Patent number: 8983656
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical vend-sensing system includes at least one biased member mounted on a side of the vend space having a first potential voltage. A contact strip with a second potential voltage is positioned beneath the biased member. A controller circuit senses when the biased member contacts the contact strip, which indicates that a article has been appropriately vended to the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Softronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Sternowski
  • Patent number: 8928964
    Abstract: An image display to provide a realistic 3D stereoscopic image of a desired scene. The display device is comprised of directional pixels. Each directional pixel has a plurality of facets having a constrained viewing angle. Each facet has a point source of light that emits light with a controllable luminescence and hue. In this regard, each facet of the directional pixel has a constrained viewing angle and independent luminance and hue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Softronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Sternowski
  • Patent number: 8891673
    Abstract: A image converter receives and mixes a plurality of input signals with an impulse signal to generate an alias signal spectrum. An analog post-processor receives the alias signal spectrum and separates out a plurality of bandlimited signals and recombines them into a transmit signal. A processor monitors a power level of the plurality of input signals and dynamically, separately modifies one of the plurality of bandlimited signals with a command signal to the analog post-processor in response to a change in power level in the corresponding input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Softronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert H. Sternowski
  • Patent number: 8693584
    Abstract: A circuit and method is provided for determining the frequency of a signal of interest in a wideband composite RF signal. An analog preprocessor is configured to receive a composite RF signal from an antenna and produce bandlimited frequency sub-bands S1 to Sn. An image converter is configured to receive and alias the bandlimited frequency sub-bands S1 to Sn to baseband and generate a first alias-band output signal and a second alias-band output signal. A processor is configured to receive the two alias-band output signals and determine the frequency shift of the signal of interest between the two alias-band output signals and calculate the frequency for the signal of interest using the frequency shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Softronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Sternowski
  • Patent number: 8689514
    Abstract: An expandable structure formed from a single piece of material is moveable between a stowed position and an extended position. The structure has a base and a plurality of support members integral with the base that move between a stowed position and an extended position. In the stowed position, the base and the plurality of support members are essentially a two dimensional shape. A biasing force makes the structure self-erecting and moves it to the extended position. In the extended position, the expandable structure has a hollow interior and a cross-section that is bounded by a closed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Softronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Sternowski