Patents Examined by Albert Wong
  • Patent number: 8400310
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved an automated hand cleaning reminder system having a disinfectant dispenser mounted proximate to an entranceway. When approaching the entranceway the visitor must first utilize a disinfectant dispenser to gain unalarmed entry or exit through the entranceway. When the disinfectant dispenser is utilized the disinfectant dispenser transmits a signal to a processor which then deactivates temporarily a motion/presence detector scanning an area immediately adjacent or close to the entranceway, and thus permits entry or exit for the visitor. At the same time, processor activates a light emitter to provide a visual indication to the visitor that passage is permitted, and, simultaneously also activates the access allowed audio tone to be played through a message conveying apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: G. Raymond Brow
  • Patent number: 8395498
    Abstract: A portable patient communicator (PPC) includes a portable housing supporting a processor, memory for storing medical and wireless radio firmware, first and second radios, a processor, an identity module, and a power source. The PPC and a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) communicate via the first radio in accordance with the medical firmware. The PPC communicates with a wireless network via the second radio in accordance with the wireless radio firmware. Data stored in the identity module is used to authenticate the PPC by the remote server prior to permitting PPC access to the remote server, and may also be used to authenticate the remote server by the PPC prior to permitting access to the PPC or the PIMD by the remote server or other device communicatively coupled to the wireless network, after which PIMD and other medical data is exchanged between the PPC and remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Gaskill, Mark Gryzwa, John LaLonde, Kenneth Hoyme, William Mass, David C. Johnson, Mike Barton
  • Patent number: 8395528
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for computing the carrier frequency of a transmitter using frequency modulated digital data to compensate for frequency shifting of the transmitter and the receiver local oscillators and for bandwidth adjustment of the receiver's filter. In particular, methods and apparatus are disclosed for binary systems transmitting “1” and “0” data using decoded or undecoded received signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Cahill-O'Brien, Mark K. Cornwall
  • Patent number: 8384523
    Abstract: Specialized battery assisted command set design methods are disclosed that provide for interference rejection using highly sensitive but relatively broadband RFID tags. The command set design also supports RFID system RF power control for further interference control. The command set design also allows for convenient expansion to active transmitters and receivers in tags operating within the same system. Embodiments of the present invention provide RFID systems having battery-assisted, Semi-Passive RFID tags that operate with sensitive transistor based square law tag receivers utilizing a plurality of tag receiver dynamic range states. Embodiments of the present invention are also enhanced with receiver training and synchronizing methods suited to the high tag sensitivity and need for dynamic range state switching. These enhancements may employ pseudo-random sequence based receiver training, activation signaling, and frame synchronizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Intelleflex Corporation
    Inventors: Alfonso Rodriquez, Farron Dacus, Johannes Albertus van Niekerk
  • Patent number: 8384565
    Abstract: An expanding operating device has a first connector, a second connector and a sensor. The first connector has a first shape physically and electrically connectable with a connector provided with an operating device. Thus, by connecting the first connector to the connector of the operating device, the expanding operating device can be used with the operating device as a single unit, which eventually adds the sensor to the operating device. On the other hand, the second connector has a second shape connectable with a connector with the first shape. This allows a connector conventionally connected to the connector of another operating device to be also connected with the second connector. Accordingly, if the connector of another device is connected to the second connector in a state that the first connector is connected to the connector of the operating device, the another device is eventually connected to the operating device via the expanding operating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Urata, Haruki Tojo, Jumpei Wada, Junji Takamoto, Noboru Wakitani, Kuniaki Itou, Junpei Ueki, Masato Ibuki, Fumiyoshi Suetake
  • Patent number: 8384558
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology subject matters for providing improved functionality of a meter in a 2-way communications arrangement, such as an Advanced Metering System (AMS) or Infrastructure (AMI). More particularly, the present technology relates to methodologies and apparatus for providing load sensing for utility meters which preferably are operable with remote disconnect features in an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) open operational framework. Meters per the present subject matter utilize a detection circuit, and separately utilize certain remote disconnect functionality. In particular, disconnect functionality is coupled with consideration of electric load information, such as load current as determined by the metering functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel M. Lakich
  • Patent number: 8378844
    Abstract: An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes a non-volatile memory and an RF transceiver. The non-volatile memory has a first and a second port, the first port configured to obtain commodity consumption data. The radio frequency (RF) transceiver is configured to receive an RF signal from an external source and obtain energy from the RF signal and provide the energy to a bias voltage input of the non-volatile memory. The RF transceiver is further operable to perform a data transfer operation responsive to the received RF signal, the data transfer operation including a transfer of meter-related data between the non-volatile memory and the RF transceiver using the second port of the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Junker, Gordon R. Burns
  • Patent number: 8368541
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a method of memory mapping disparate memories on a composite radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, where the RFID tag includes a plurality of individual RFID devices each having a memory store with a physical memory address range and mounted to a common substrate, where at least one of the individual RFID devices comprises memory configuration information, and where a memory addressing facility maps the physical memory address ranges of each of the individual RFID devices to a single logical addressing space and presents the address space as a single memory, where the memory addressing facility is included on a computing facility separate from the composite RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Tego Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Moore, Steve Beckhardt, David Puleston, Robert W. Hamlin, Leonid Mats
  • Patent number: 8368566
    Abstract: A method and system of an embodiment may include a system comprising a touch screen display panel, and a tactile panel with one or more raised surfaces wherein the touch screen display panel is positioned on top of the tactile panel and the tactile panel creates one or more raised surfaces on the touch screen display panel providing tactile information to a user of the touch screen display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: George Higa
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8368579
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a remote controller apparatus including: preset holding means for holding, per preset code, preset information representative of correspondence between buttons of a plurality of trial-targeted remote controllers on the one hand, and an output signal given when each of the buttons is pushed on the other hand; evaluation value creating means for counting, out of the preset information held in the preset holding means, the number of preset codes of which the output signal is the same for each of the pushed buttons, before setting the largest count as an evaluation value of the button in question; and button presenting means for presenting as a trial button the button of which the evaluation value is the smallest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Yamamoto, Tomoko Kumagai, Masayuki Kihara, Atsushi Naoi
  • Patent number: 8362919
    Abstract: A system for sensing and communicating in a pipeline that contains a fluid. An acoustic signal containing information about a property of the fluid is produced in the pipeline. The signal is transmitted through the pipeline. The signal is received with the information and used by a control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Cooper, Alan K. Burnham
  • Patent number: 8364406
    Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole measurement and communications are disclosed. The system includes a communications medium, at least partially disposed in a drillpipe, a processor coupled to the communications medium, at least two sensor modules coupled to the communications medium, where at least one of the sensor modules is along a drillpipe, and at least one communications coupler to couple at least one sensor module to the communications medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel D. Gleitman
  • Patent number: 8362917
    Abstract: A device and method for determining communications parameters such as signal strength is provided. The device includes a plurality of meters, each having an associated transceiver configured to receive a different communications protocol. Communications signals are received by a communications module and transmitted to the plurality of meters. The plurality of meters provide an indication of a signal parameter, such as signal strength for example, to allow the operator to decide which communications protocol the end device should use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Feldman, Chi Yao Chen, Thomas Q. Wong, Michael Parobek, Vivekanand Shiwmangal, Costas Magoulas
  • Patent number: 8358196
    Abstract: A method for granting access with a touch sensitive display is provided. The method includes displaying a security access interface on a touch sensitive display, wherein the security access interface has at least one polyhedron object; changing the at least one polyhedron object from a first state to a second state according to detections of inputs/contacts with the touch sensitive display; recording parameters of the at least one polyhedron object in the second state; determining if the recorded parameters satisfy the predetermined values; granting access when the record parameters satisfy the predetermined values. A security system using the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Song-Ling Yang
  • Patent number: 8358218
    Abstract: A data entry device including a housing formed of at least two portions, data entry circuitry located within the housing, at least one case-open switch assembly operative to sense when the housing is opened and tamper indication circuitry operative to receive an input from the at least one case-open switch assembly and to provide an output indication of possible tampering with the data entry circuitry located within the housing. The at least one case-open switch assembly includes an arrangement of electrical contacts arranged on a base surface and a resiliently deformable conductive element, which defines a short circuit between at least some of the arrangement of electrical contacts only when the housing is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Verifone, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. H. Neo, Mehran Mirkazemi-Moud, John Barrowman, Christian Eric Schulz
  • Patent number: 8358214
    Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed for providing sensor enhanced safety, recovery, and activity evaluation systems. Sensors that monitor user activity and behavior are worn by a user and/or placed in the user environment. Data from the sensors are processed to obtain a safety, recovery, and/or activity evaluation. Based on the evaluation, recommendations or adjustments to the terms of an insurance policy covering the user, the user's employer, or a facility providing health care to the user to accurately reflect the risks associated with the user, employer, and/or facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Hartford Fire Insurance Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Amigo, Michael Gingrave
  • Patent number: 8354921
    Abstract: A self-illuminating handle assembly for a release mechanism of an emergency egress system for a vehicle. The handle assembly includes a sensor for sensing a predetermined condition and providing a sensor signal in response thereto, and a sensor-activated switch assembly for causing the handle assembly to self-illuminate in response to the sensor signal. The sensor could be a so-called tilt sensor for sensing when the vehicle orientation is tilted beyond a threshold tilt orientation, or an acceleration sensor (accelerometer) for sensing when the vehicle has undergone an acceleration or deceleration beyond a threshold, indicative of a crash or the vehicle having been exposed to an explosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Ibis Tek, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Helms, Michael L. Hafften
  • Patent number: 8350729
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device and an associated method are provided. The handheld electronic device includes a keyboard assembly, a display positioned adjacent the keyboard assembly, a processor structured to receive inputs from the keyboard assembly and to output to the display as a function of the inputs, the processor further structured to run a disambiguation routine. The keyboard assembly includes a printed circuit board, a primary conductor portion, a secondary conductor portion, and a keyboard assembly. The printed circuit board has a plurality of electrical contacts. The conductor assembly has a plurality of primary conductors and a plurality of secondary conductors, each the primary conductor and secondary conductor structured to correspond to, and engage and close, at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts. The keyboard assembly has a plurality of keys each having one or more indicia thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Mihal Lazaridis
  • Patent number: 8350688
    Abstract: A method of indirect tire pressure monitoring for indicating when a pneumatic tire on a wheel at one end of a motor vehicle axle is underpressurized relative to a pneumatic tire on a wheel at an opposite end of the axle while the vehicle is being driven on a road surface. ABS wheel sensors are used as inputs to a devoted processor for indirect tire pressure monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Zhengming Wang, Gregory A. Jean-Baptiste, Huihui Duan