Patents Examined by Albert K. Wong
  • Patent number: 11825250
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing that defines an interior space. The sensor assembly includes a sensor connected to the housing at the aperture. The sensor assembly includes a wireless power source disposed within the interior space. The sensor assembly includes electronics disposed within the interior space and configured to receive power from the wireless power source. The electronics include a communication board and a sensor connector, and the sensor is configured to transmit data to the communication board via the sensor connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: James Phillips, Don Recupido, Nathan Frost, Randy Scott Brown
  • Patent number: 11815365
    Abstract: A meter is provided having a communication interface for receiving and interfacing with a communication device for transmitting measurement and other data to a central computer station via the communication device. The meter includes a measurement module for obtaining measurement data and a processor having a memory for storing application software for communicating the measurement and other data to the communication interface. The data are then provided to the communication device via the communication interface. The communication device is preferably a plug-and-play PCMCIA-type card or other type of memory card having a processor and a connection port for connecting to a port adaptor of the communication interface for receiving the data via the connection port-port adaptor connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: EI ELECTRONICS LLC
    Inventor: Erran Kagan
  • Patent number: 11790748
    Abstract: The present invention relates to: a device and method for assessing the risk of lonely death using a door open sensor; and a LED system for assessing the risk of lonely death.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: INNOLEADINGSOLUTION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Yeon Kim, Young Lok Kim
  • Patent number: 11772687
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a low-energy-consumption grading and positioning method and system for a coal mine auxiliary transportation vehicle, which belongs to the technical field of mine tunnel transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou Kerui Mining Technology Co., LTD
    Inventors: Zhencai Zhu, Fan Jiang, Xingtao Huang, Gongbo Zhou, Niansheng Liu, Libing Wang, Chuansheng Zhang, Junfeng Guo, Gang Shen, Shuman Cheng, Jinlei Ma, Chaofan Zhang, Wenwen Yi
  • Patent number: 11755107
    Abstract: A system may include one or more finger devices that gather input from a user's fingers. The system may include control circuitry that sends control signals to an electronic device based on the input gathered with the finger devices. A finger device may include one or more proximity sensors that measure a distance to the user's finger. The proximity sensor may be a self-mixing optical proximity sensor having a laser and photodiode. The proximity sensor may have submicron resolution and may be configured to detect very small movements of the finger as finger pad is moved around by a thumb finger, by a surface, and/or by other finger movements. The proximity sensor may measure changes in distance between the proximity sensor and a flexible membrane that rests against a side portion of the user's finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmet Fatih Cihan, Stephen E. Dey, Adrian Z. Harb, Mengshu Huang, Yuhao Pan, Paul X. Wang
  • Patent number: 11754418
    Abstract: An electrical metering system capable of performing multiple metering functions, collecting data, and wirelessly provides the collected metering data to a utility operator. In the electrical metering system, at least one computing device for initiating a request for data. A first modem connects the computing device to an infrastructure. A wireless embedded modem for wirelessly connects an electric meter to an infrastructure, and the wireless electric modem receives a request from the computing device and wirelessly transmits the metering data to the computing device, thereby initiating the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: EI ELECTRONICS LLC
    Inventors: Wei Wang, Erran Kagan
  • Patent number: 11739567
    Abstract: An electronic article surveillance tag including a tag body member and a connecting member having a pin portion releasably engageable with the tag body member, wherein the pin portion extends along a first axis. The tag further includes a locking member having a clutch mechanism including a plunger member formed from a non-ferromagnetic material and an unlocking member connected to the clutch mechanism. The unlocking member is moveable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein during movement between the locked position and the unlocked position, the unlocking member moves the clutch mechanism between the first position corresponding to the locked state and the second position corresponding to the unlocked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Claeys, Sergio M. Perez
  • Patent number: 11740706
    Abstract: A keyboard touch electrode module includes a plurality of same electrode matrices, which are arranged along a lengthwise direction and a widthwise direction and formed by a plurality of series of first electrodes and a plurality of series of second electrodes which interlace with each other. Adjacent two of the electrode matrices in the widthwise direction are mis-aligned. The electrode matrices thereon define a plurality of key projection areas, each of which covers a same key-face electrode pattern. A touch keyboard includes a base, a plurality of keycaps, a plurality of supporting structures connected to and between the base and the keycaps, and the keyboard touch electrode module disposed between the base and the keycaps. The keyboard touch electrode module can senses a non-pressing movement on the keycaps. The keycap can move up and down relative to the base and the keyboard touch electrode module through the corresponding supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Wei-Yan You, Chin-Lung Chan, Po-Yueh Chou
  • Patent number: 11718997
    Abstract: Sensor intended to be positioned on a mobile portion of a deployable structure, and to emit an information signal to a transmission unit intended to be positioned on a fixed portion of the deployable structure, such that the sensor comprises a wireless emitter/receiver configured to receive an incident signal originating from the transmitting unit when the deployable structure is in a folded position; a processing logic unit adapted to decide on the emission of the information signal to the transmission unit by the wireless emitter/receiver; a standalone energy source configured to power the processing logic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventor: Serge Robin
  • Patent number: 11714494
    Abstract: An external device, such as a head-mountable device, can be operated with a ring input device worn on a finger of a user. Such devices can be operated to provide inputs that are received and acted upon by the external device. The inputs can be provided as rotating, tilting, and/or sliding at least a portion of the ring input device with another finger of the user. The ring input device can provide feedback to the user as confirmation that the inputs are being received. A feedback system can also be operated to limit or otherwise provide a force on the finger and/or another portion of the hand to simulate sensations perceived by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriele D'Amone, Muhammad F. Hossain, Ivan S. Marić, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Stephen E. Dey
  • Patent number: 11693519
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a proximity sensor and a proximity sensing method. The proximity sensor includes a sensing element and a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit is coupled to the sensing element and transmits a first driving signal and a second signal to the sensing element, respectively. The sensing element receives the first driving signal and the second driving signal, respectively, and generates a first sensing signal and a second sensing signal, respectively. The sensing circuit generates a proximity signal according to the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal. Therefore, the present invention may improve the accuracy of sensing the proximity of the human body whether near to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Sensortek Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Chih-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 11656381
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for calculating a formation shear-wave slowness. The system includes a borehole sonic logging tool and an information handling system. The borehole sonic logging tool may comprise a transmitter comprising one or more elements disposed at one or more radial distances from an axis of the borehole sonic logging tool and the transmitter is configured to transmit a first mode into a borehole. The sonic logging tool may further include one or more receivers disposed at a second radial distance from the axis of the borehole sonic logging tool and are configured to detect a second mode that one or more lobes than is a higher order than the first mode. A method may comprise broadcasting the first mode into the borehole, recording the second mode from the borehole with the one or more receivers, and calculating the formation shear-wave slowness from the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruijia Wang, Brenda Sue Jonathan, Richard Timothy Coates
  • Patent number: 11633847
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling a system are described. The system includes a plurality of sensors configured to be worn on a user's body. The plurality of sensors are configured to generate a plurality of signals in response to forces applied by corresponding portions of a user's body. The system also includes a processor configured to receive the plurality of signals. The processor is configured to identify commands from the user based at least partly on the plurality of signals and an operational range and/or null space of the plurality of signals for a task being performed by the user. The processor is configured to control an operation of the system based on the identified commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Haruhiko Harry Asada, Jacob Guggenheim
  • Patent number: 11615693
    Abstract: A vehicle safety system is for preventing child abandonment in a vehicle. The vehicle safety system may include a controller coupled to a flow sensor, a temperature sensor, and a seat sensor. The controller may be configured to detect when the vehicle is in a fueling state based upon the flow sensor, detect occupancy of a child safety seat based upon the seat sensor, and detect when a driver side door is in an open state based upon a driver side door sensor in the vehicle. The controller may be configured to when the driver side door has entered the open state, when the child safety seat is occupied, and when the vehicle does not enter the fueling state within a time period, then cause the vehicle to enter an alert state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: LICEC LLC
    Inventor: Cecil Lee Hunter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11600161
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor unit includes an outer housing including a top plate and a base member that together define an interior space, the top plate being configured to directly receive and support the leg of the piece of furniture, a load cell provided within the interior space configured to measure forces imposed by the leg on the top plate, the load cell including a planar metal plate having a deformable element to which the top plate is mounted and a sensor element mounted to the planar metal plate at a location at which the deformable element extends from the remainder of the planar metal plate, and an internal platform provided within the interior space and associated with the base member that supports the planar metal plate of the load cell in a manner in which the deformable element of the planar metal plate is free to deform when a force is imposed by the leg on the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Reese Kyle Starowesky, Carlos Eduardo Pena Duran, Autar Kaw, Ali Yalcin, Carla Vandeweerd
  • Patent number: 11586208
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for executing tasks with unmanned vehicles is provided. The system includes an unmanned vehicle comprising: a chassis; a propulsion system configured to move the chassis; sensor(s) configured to sense features around the chassis; a memory storing feature reference data; a communication interface; and a processor configured to: receive, using the interface, a command having task data and a location associated with a given feature; control the propulsion system to move the chassis to the location; while the chassis is moving to the location, determine, using the sensor(s), that the given feature is detected based on the feature reference data; and, responsive to the given feature being detected, control the propulsion system to execute a task based on the task data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Clearpath Robotics Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Christopher Gariepy, Yan Ma, Alex Bencz
  • Patent number: 11565714
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for determining a posture of an operator of a device that transmits vibrations to the operator, wherein the system comprises at least one vibration sensor for measuring vibrations at at least one location on the body of the operator and/or the device, and a posture determining means for detecting one or more characteristics of the measured vibrations assigned to a predetermined posture and for determining the predetermined posture as the posture of the operator when the characteristic is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Research Institute Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Marius Hofmann, Herbert Janssen, Hermann Winner
  • Patent number: 11530607
    Abstract: An interventionless system and method: of detecting a downhole activation device are provided. The system includes a first detector disposed downhole in a fluid pathway and; a second detector disposed downhole of the first detector in the fluid pathway. In one exemplary embodiment, the detectors include a pair of ultrasonic transducers that generate signals indicative of fluid pathway flow. Differences in the signals between the detectors are indicative of the presence of the downhole activation device within the fluid pathway. The system also includes a deployment port disposed above the second detector from which the downhole activation device may be deployed into the fluid pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank D. Kalb
  • Patent number: 11516560
    Abstract: A wireless sensor assembly includes a housing defining a first aperture for receiving an external sensor, and a second aperture defining a communication port, a wireless power source mounted within the housing, and electronics mounted to the housing and configured to receive power from the wireless power source and to be in electrical communication with the external sensor. The electronics include a wireless communications component, and firmware configured to manage a rate of data transmittal from the wireless communications component to an external device. The communication port is configured to receive a wire harness connected to the external sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James B. Phillips, Don Recupido, Nathan Frost, Randy Scott Brown
  • Patent number: 11505969
    Abstract: An electronic article surveillance tag including a tag body member and a connecting member having a pin portion releasably engageable with the tag body member, wherein the pin portion extends along a first axis. The tag further includes a locking member having a clutch mechanism including a plunger member formed from a non-ferromagnetic material and an unlocking member connected to the clutch mechanism. The unlocking member is moveable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein during movement between the locked position and the unlocked position, the unlocking member moves the clutch mechanism between the first position corresponding to the locked state and the second position corresponding to the unlocked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Claeys, Sergio M. Perez