Patents Assigned to UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8368535
    Abstract: An intrusion detector comprising a passive sensor for detecting a person entering a space to be monitored, said intrusion detector comprising a housing provided with a window for said passive sensor, optical means for directing electromagnetic radiation from said person onto the passive sensor, alarm means connected to said passive sensor for generating an alarm in case the electromagnetic radiation from said person being detected by the passive sensor corresponds to a signal value that exceeds a maximum level or falls below a minimum level, a special feature being the fact that the optical means are provided with a mirror curved in two directions for forming at least one protective curtain extending in a vertical plane in the space to be monitored, wherein the passive sensor is disposed on the optical axis at the focus of the mirror, and wherein the mirror directs a beam of electromagnetic radiation from the person, rotated through at least 45°, preferably through at least substantially 90°, onto the passive
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Math Pantus
  • Publication number: 20130021155
    Abstract: A detection circuit for use in detecting hazardous conditions includes a first conductor (142) and a second conductor (144). The first conductor and the second conductor couple at least one initiating device (138) to a detection control panel (104) configured to detect hazardous conditions. A voltage-stabilizing device (140) is configured to stabilize a voltage between the first conductor and the second conductor. A method of assembling a detection system includes coupling a first conductor and a second conductor to at least one initiating device to form a detection circuit, and coupling a voltage-stabilizing device to the first conductor and the second conductor, wherein the voltage-stabilizing device is configured to stabilize a voltage between the first conductor and the second conductor. The first conductor and the second conductor are coupled to a detection control panel configured to detect a hazardous condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: UTC FIRE & SECURITY AMERICAS CORPORATION,INC.
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Perez Gandara, Jairo Munoz Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8345012
    Abstract: An interface device includes at least one programmable device and a display portion coupled to the at least one programmable device. The display portion is configured to convey a hierarchical relationship of a plurality of screen images that at least partially overlap each other. The hierarchical relationship includes the plurality of screen images defined in a series of logically related, ordered, and ranked groupings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Edward Becker
  • Patent number: 8335951
    Abstract: A method for verifying memory device integrity includes identifying at least one memory block corresponding to at least one memory location within a memory device. The memory block is associated with a prior checksum. It is determined whether the first memory block is designated read-only. A current checksum is calculated based at least in part on data within the memory block. When the first memory block is designated read-only, and the prior checksum represents expected data within the first memory block, it is determined whether the current checksum is equal to the prior checksum. When the current checksum is not equal to the prior checksum, a verification failure for the first memory block is indicated via a notification interface. A system for verifying memory device integrity is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Becker, Timothy Steven Potter, Bruce Montgomery, Jr., Dave Dopson
  • Patent number: 8335488
    Abstract: A key control system includes at least one premise, a lockbox capable of securing a key to the premise and at least one mobile telephone associated with a user and having a stored access device program capable of communicating an access request to the lockbox. The premise is subject to authorized access by others, such as the user, based on preferences of an approval party established with the system. If specified by these preferences, the mobile telephone automatically initiates a communication to a selected destination to request approval of the access request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Despain, James Petrizzi, Casey Fale, Jonathan G. Hays
  • Patent number: 8320617
    Abstract: A system, method and program product for camera-based discovery of social networks. The computer implemented method for identifying individuals and associating tracks with individuals in camera-generated images from a face capture camera(s) and a tracking camera(s), wherein the computer implemented method includes: receiving images of an individual from the face capture camera(s) on a computer; receiving images of a track(s) of an individual from the tracking camera(s) on a computer; automatically determining with the computer the track(s) from the images from the tracking camera(s); and associating with the computer the track(s) with the individual(s) and a unique identifier. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Nils Oliver Krahnstoever, Ser Nam Lim, Ting Yu, Kedar Anil Patwardhan
  • Publication number: 20120292335
    Abstract: A hinge (100) including a first flange (102) having a first sleeve segment and a portioned sleeve segment is disclosed. The hinge also includes a second flange (104) having a second sleeve segment. The second flange is configured to mate with the first flange such that the first sleeve segment, the second sleeve segment, and the portioned sleeve segment are substantially aligned. A pin (106) is configured to be removably inserted into the first sleeve segment and the second sleeve segment. Also disclosed are a method for assembling a hinge and a container assembly including a hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Oriol Agramont Barquet, Jose Maria Mednez Segui, Victor Lazaro Barranco, Miguel Angel Perez Gandara, Charl Du Plessis
  • Patent number: 8310365
    Abstract: A control system for a security system having a plurality of sensors includes a sensor communication device configured to communicatively couple to the plurality of sensors and to receive a plurality of sensor notifications from the plurality of sensors. Each sensor notification of the plurality of sensor notifications includes at least one of a detection type, a detection location, and a detection duration. The control system also includes a processor configured to receive the plurality of sensor notifications from the sensor communication device, associate a plurality of detection states with the plurality of sensor notifications such that at least one detection state of the plurality of detection states is entered upon receiving at least one combination of sensor notifications of the plurality of sensor notifications, and associate at least one detection response with each detection state of the plurality of detection states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Siegler, II, Eric Chabin
  • Patent number: 8279918
    Abstract: A method for temporal decomposition and reconstruction of an input video signal is disclosed. The method can use a prediction process and an update process in the framework of motion compensated temporal filtering (MCTF), the method can employ a block based video codec having an encoder and a decoder. A residual picture signal and a low-pass picture signal are received, the low-pass picture signal having a lesser precision than that of the residual picture signal, and in response to the residual picture signal being decoded in the decoder, the residual picture signal is clipped and reduced in precision, such that the low-pass picture signal, a reconstructed picture, and the residual picture signal have equal precisions. An inverse MCTF process, using a lifting scheme, can be performed on the clipped residual signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Diego Santa Cruz, Julien Reichel, Francesco Ziliani
  • Patent number: 8279283
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a video surveillance system include a plurality of video cameras, each including a field of view, the cameras are configured to at least one of zoom for changing the camera field of view, tilt for rotating the camera about a horizontal tilt axis, and pan for rotating the camera about a vertical pan axis. The system also includes a processor configured to receive a signal indicative of an image in the field of view of at least one video camera, recognize a target using the received signal, determine a direction to the target from the cameras that recognize the target, and transmit the determined direction to other ones of the plurality of video cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth McCormack
  • Patent number: 8269602
    Abstract: A security system to identify a true door forced open alarm is provided. The security system includes an electronic entry means configured to allow access through a door. The security system also includes a request to exit device configured to indicate a request to exit the door. The security system also includes a logic unit configured to control access through the door and determine whether an open state of the door is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Catherine Mary Graichen
  • Patent number: 8256254
    Abstract: An electronic lock includes a rotatable core movable within an outer body. The rotatable core includes an actuator configured to move a tumbler blocking member into or out of interfering engagement with one or more tumblers. In an unlocked state, the actuator moves the tumbler blocking member so that a movable locking member in the rotatable core that engages the outer body can be moved into the rotatable core. In a locked state, the actuator positions the tumbler blocking member to prevent the one or more tumblers from retracting and thereby retain the locking member in a channel of the outer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Dirk L. Bellamy
  • Patent number: 8249510
    Abstract: A method for reducing interference between radio frequency (RF) signals includes initiating a first communication session from a control system to a remote RF device using a first RF signal to transmit a first outgoing message, wherein the first RF signal within a first RF range, and detecting a second communication session transmitted from a system RF device to the control system using a second RF signal. The second communication session includes an incoming message, and the second RF signal is within a second RF range at least partially overlapping the first RF range. The method includes, when the second communication session is detected, interrupting the first communication session for a time period, receiving the second communication session during the time period to receive the incoming message, and, after the time period expires, resuming the first communication session with the remote RF device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Chabin, Daniel Joseph Dee, Kevin Gerard Stebbins, Uwe Hans Thomanschefsky
  • Patent number: 8233043
    Abstract: Systems and methods that may be employed to visually locate and/or track objects equipped with active RFID tags. The disclosed systems and methods may employ an articulated camera/s, such as closed circuit television (“CCTV”) or other suitable type of articulated camera/s, that is equipped with an antenna array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard G. Washington
  • Patent number: 8224037
    Abstract: A method for face model fitting comprising, receiving a first observed image, receiving a second observed image, and fitting an active appearance model of a third image to the second observed image and the first observed image with an algorithm that includes a first function of a mean-square-error between a warped image of the second observed image and a synthesis of the active appearance model and a second function of a mean-square-error between the warped image of the second observed image and an appearance data of the first observed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Liu, Peter Henry Tu, Frederick Wilson Wheeler
  • Patent number: 8207814
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes embodiments of a power-over-ethernet (“POE”) controller and an access control system comprising the same. In an embodiment, the access control system includes a POE controller configured to couple with a Fire Access Control Panel of an automated Fire Detection System. The access control system may further include one or more peripheral devices coupled with the POE controller and configured to be powered with electrical power received via an ethernet port of the POE controller. The peripheral devices may include an access device, a door strike, and a digital output device. Embodiments of a kit containing one or more partially or fully assembled components of the access control system are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Herzog Biles, Charles Russell Eurich, James Michael Festa, Steven George Hemmer, Alex Rodriguez, Khalil W. Yacoub
  • Publication number: 20120126936
    Abstract: An access device for a system having at least one lock that is configured to receive instructions and to energize a lock mechanism to unlock the at least one lock and a computer is disposed at a remote location from the at least one lock and the access device. The computer is connected to a primary wireless communication path. The access device comprises at least one key configured for communicating with the computer via the primary wireless communication path and to communicate with the lock over a secondary wireless communications path and wherein the at least one key further is configured as authorized to unlock the at least one lock absent a de-authorizing instruction from the computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Harkins, Casey Fale
  • Publication number: 20120131219
    Abstract: Portions of streaming media are selectively removed for storage and/or delivery over a computer network medium. The amount of data in a media stream itself may be selectively reduced for and, the amount of data in the media stream may be selected for delivery and/or storage so that it is reduced in a manageable and consistent fashion. Data within a media stream of a given temporal duration may be selected for delivery and/or storage in such a way that leads to a proportional increase in the maximum speed at which data from the given temporal duration of the media stream may be transmitted and reviewed while simultaneously providing the benefit of reducing overall storage capacity requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Brannon, JR.
  • Patent number: 8167203
    Abstract: An improved battery-powered credential reader, which may be used in security and other applications, includes include a micro-power proximity detector. The micro-power proximity detector is configured to lengthen battery life by reducing power consumption requirements of the credential reader during periods when no credential is present. An antenna formed about a perimeter of a printed circuit board is configured to propagate an electrostatic sense field adjacent to and through the credential reader using only microamps of electrical current. A control circuit of the micro-power proximity detector is configured to activate the credential reader from a “sleep” state when a disturbance in the electrostatic sense field caused by a credential is detected and/or registered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven George Hemmer, Charles Russell Eurich
  • Patent number: 8154600
    Abstract: A method and system for distributed tracking of multiple targets is disclosed. Multiple targets to be tracked by a plurality of trackers are detected in a frame. The motion state variable of each of the plurality of trackers is calculated in the E-step of a variational Expectation-Maximization algorithm. Further, the data association variable of each of the plurality of trackers is calculated in the M-step of the algorithm. Depending on the motion state variable and the data association variable, the multiple targets are tracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ting Yu, Peter Henry Tu, Ambalangoda Gurunnanselage Amitha Perera, Jens Rittscher, Nils Oliver Krahnstoever, Xiaoming Liu