Patents Assigned to UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8139113
    Abstract: A method and a system for video camera assembly are provided. The video camera assembly includes at least one of a pan mechanism rotatable about a pan axis and a tilt mechanism rotatable about a tilt axis. The pan mechanism includes a pan motor and a pan position encoder. The tilt mechanism includes a tilt motor and a tilt position encoder. A controller is communicatively coupled to at least one of the pan mechanism and the tilt mechanism and is configured to apply a filter to a power drive signal of at least one of the pan motor and the tilt motor based on a determined corresponding rotational speed of the at least one of the pan motor and the tilt motor with the effect of reducing steady state vibrations which degrade the visual and audible qualities of said video camera assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth McCormack
  • Patent number: 8134846
    Abstract: An improved container configured to store a wireless-enabled device therein and also configured to prevent the wireless-enabled device from being activated by an external wireless signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Lang, Wayne F. Larson, Patrick Dale Riedlinger
  • Publication number: 20120055235
    Abstract: A CO detector includes a sensor configured to detect a presence of CO and generate a signal indicative of the presence of CO, and a controller in signal communication with the sensor. The controller is configured to measure a level of detected CO in response to receiving the signal generated by the sensor. The controller is further configured to detect a first trouble condition representative of an end-of-life condition of the sensor, and a second trouble condition different from the first trouble condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Harkins, Bradley B. Barnes
  • Patent number: 8132008
    Abstract: A security panel includes a processor, memory, and a network interface having a unique MAC address, and is configured to communicate over a network with a server. A method for registering the security panel with the server includes contacting the server utilizing a network address stored in the memory. A dealer ID, a line number, and a unique account number is sent to the server. The dealer ID, the line number, and the unique account number are stored in the memory. An encryption key is received for encryption of additional communication between the security panel and the server. The unique MAC address is sent to the server in an encrypted session to verify the security panel to the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald B. Fisher, Theodore A. Nesse, Sunil Kumar Neckaraje, Uwe H. Thomanschefsky
  • Patent number: 8104672
    Abstract: System, device and methods that provide proximate environmental and security intelligence to a guard making a security tour or round in an installation, as well as that provide for certifying that the guard has visited designated and known checkpoints on or about the times at which the guard is expected at those checkpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert James Mitchell, Jr., Bruce Gordon Barnett, Ewa Margaret Pigna, Kerry Bonin, Michael James Hartman, John Erik Hershey, Russell Miles, Timothy McClure, Marcin Kolasinski
  • Publication number: 20110292287
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the processing of images over bandwidth-limited transmission interfaces, such as processing of high resolution video images over standard analog video interfaces, using multi-stream and/or multi-resolution analog methodology. The disclosed systems and methods may also be implemented to provide video resolutions across standard analog video interfaces in a manner that supports digital capture and imaging techniques to obtain useful information from digitally zoomed and enhanced video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard G. Washington
  • Publication number: 20110287803
    Abstract: Reducing power consumption and interference in wireless communication is provided. For example, in one embodiment, a method is provided that listens for radio frequency (“RF”) activity on a receiver utilizing a first receiver antenna. When no RF activity is detected the receiver is switched “on” and a command is transmitted. If a reply to the transmission is not received the receiver is turned “off.” After an expiration of time, the receiver is again switched “on” and another command is transmitted on a second antenna coupled to the receiver. Thereafter, if a reply is not received the receiver is again turned “off.” Embodiments of the invention also include other methods, computer-readable mediums, apparatuses, and systems that contain features similar to the features in the above described method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Gertrudis Raymundus Verstraelen, Jacobus Robertus Andreas van Cann
  • Patent number: 8064712
    Abstract: A system and method for performing a facial image restoration is described. The system includes an active appearance model component for fitting an active appearance model to a facial image found in each of a plurality of video frames, a registration component for registering each pixel of each facial image with comparable pixels of each of the other facial images, and a restoration component for producing a restored facial image from the facial images. The method includes fitting an active appearance model to a facial image found in each of a plurality of video frames, registering each pixel of each said facial image with comparable pixels of each of the other facial images, and producing a restored facial image from the facial images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Wilson Wheeler, Xiaoming Liu, Peter Henry Tu
  • Patent number: 8059095
    Abstract: Methods, computer-readable mediums, apparatuses, and systems are provided. For example, a method is disclosed which includes identifying at least one security system function, in a plurality of security system functions, for blocked user access when a keypad is away from a predetermined location; and storing the plurality of security system functions on a processor. In another embodiment a security keypad is disclosed which includes an LCD having a static portion and a dynamic portion; a multiplexing LCD controller coupled to the dynamic portion; a static LCD controller coupled to the static portion; DC/DC converter coupled to the multiplexing LCD controller; a keypad processing unit coupled to the multiplexing LCD controller, the static LCD controller, and the DC/DC converter; and a power supply coupled to the DC/DC converter, the keypad processing unit, and the static LCD controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Johannes Gertrudis Raymundus Verstraelen
  • Patent number: 8058971
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Harkins, Casey Fale
  • Patent number: 8054188
    Abstract: A CO detector includes a sensor configured to detect a presence of CO and generate a signal indicative of the presence of CO, and a controller in signal communication with the sensor. The controller is configured to measure a level of detected CO in response to receiving the signal generated by the sensor. The controller is further configured to detect a first trouble condition representative of an end-of-life condition of the sensor, and a second trouble condition different from the first trouble condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Harkins, Bradley B. Barnes
  • Patent number: 8055783
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing streaming media by selectively removing a portion of the streaming media data, e.g., for storage and/or delivery over a computer network medium. The amount of data in a media stream itself may be selectively reduced for delivery and/or storage and, in one exemplary embodiment, 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 substantially consistent fashion. In another exemplary embodiment, 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: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Brannon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8052060
    Abstract: An improved physical access control system has an online portion and an offline portion. A smartcard is configurable to transport access control information between the online portion and offline portion. The smartcard is further configurable to receive an offline reader identifier from an offline reader, and to control access of the smartcard holder to an offline entry/exit point. The smartcard is further configurable to carry a revoked list that is transmitted to each offline reader accessed. Methods of operating the improved physical access control system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Khalil W. Yacoub, Anshuman Sinha
  • Patent number: 8047031
    Abstract: An electronic lock includes a rotatable core movable within an outer body. The rotatable core includes a piezo-electric actuator configured to move a tumbler blocking member into or out of interfering engagement with one or more tumblers. Tamper circuitry coupled with the piezo-electric actuator is configured to resist an externally induced acceleration of the electronic lock by shunting electrical power produced by an externally induced motion of the piezo-electric actuator back to the piezo-electric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk L. Bellamy, Charles E. Seeley
  • Patent number: 8040218
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer-readable media are provided for acquisition of a lockbox position. For example, in one embodiment a method is provided which receives positional data for a lockbox. After receiving the lockbox, when the lockbox is associated with one listing, the method determines proximity of the positional data to that one listing. If however, there is more than one listing within a predetermined distance of the positional data, the method compares the positional data with each listing in the plurality of listings. Thereafter, the method transmits a query, which includes at least, a result of the comparison. Embodiments of the invention also include other methods, computer-readable media, apparatuses, and systems that contain features similar to the features in the above described method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gordon Hays, Adam Purdue
  • Patent number: 8013755
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to integrate with existing fire system strobe/horn plates. The apparatus may be a mass notification plate. Also disclosed are embodiments of a strobe housing configured to mix and/or reflect light emitted from one or more light emitters, such as high intensity LEDs, through a lens. The lens may be configured to produce a mass notification pattern. Further disclosed are embodiments of systems and methods that may be configured to deliver strobe control signals and/or strobe color control signals over a two-wire fire system powerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Ted Rock, Steven Hein, Munro Howard Sykes, Gary Pollack
  • Patent number: 8009041
    Abstract: An access monitoring and control system is provided. The access monitoring and control system includes a sensing device configured to collect data points regarding at least one of movement of a person through an access portal and a state of the access portal and a processing unit configured to receive the data points from the sensing device and to form activity clusters from the data points based upon similar patterns of inactive or active behaviors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Catherine Mary Graichen
  • Patent number: 8004575
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically detecting the presence or absence of a bright object in the field of view of a video camera and/or for adaptively modifying video camera exposure level. A video camera system may be configured to enter and exit an adaptive exposure modification mode upon detection of the presence of a bright object in the field of view of a video camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Justiss, Michael J. Horowitz
  • Patent number: 7995652
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the processing of images over bandwidth-limited transmission interfaces, such as processing of high resolution video images over standard analog video interfaces, using multi-stream and/or multi-resolution analog methodology. The disclosed systems and methods may also be implemented to provide video resolutions across standard analog video interfaces in a manner that supports digital capture and imaging techniques obtain useful information from digitally zoomed and enhanced video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard G. Washington
  • Patent number: 7995985
    Abstract: Reducing power consumption and interference in wireless communication is provided. For example, in one embodiment, a method is provided that listens for radio frequency (“RF”) activity on a receiver utilizing a first receiver antenna. When no RF activity is detected the receiver is switched “on” and a command is transmitted. If a reply to the transmission is not received the receiver is turned “off.” After an expiration of time, the receiver is again switched “on” and another command is transmitted on a second antenna coupled to the receiver. Thereafter, if a reply is not received the receiver is again turned “off.” Embodiments of the invention also include other methods, computer-readable mediums, apparatuses, and systems that contain features similar to the features in the above described method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Gertrudis Raymundus Verstraelen, Jacobus Robertus Andreas van Cann