Patents Examined by Anne V. Lai
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Patent number: 7173540Abstract: A flash-bang projectile that generates one or more noise pulses and one or more flashes of light. In generating a noise pulse, the flash-bang projectile provides a housing that includes a gas chamber that entraps air. The gas chamber includes a compression device that, when the flash-bang projectile is shot or otherwise ejected by a gun or other form of ejection device, compresses the air that is entrapped in the gas chamber. A burst disk forms one wall of the gas chamber and is configured to rupture a selected time delay after the air has been compressed. Rupturing of the burst disk releases the compressed air entrapped in the gas chamber, allowing the air to be released through a horn nozzle, thereby generating a noise pulse. The flash-bang projectile may have more than one gas chambers, with associated compression devices, whose burst disks are configured to rupture with diverse time delays, in which case the flash-bang projectile can generate multiple noise pulses with corresponding delays.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Optical Alchemy, Inc.Inventors: Marc Daigle, Heidi Burnham
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Patent number: 7173538Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method provide drying procedure information through a user interface. A monitoring device transmits drying procedure data measured by sensors within a structure undergoing the drying procedure to a server. In response to requests received through a communication network from a user interface, the server transmits the drying procedure information that is presented through the user interface. A variety of information and services related to the drying procedure may be provided through the user interface.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: RM2, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Pedraza, Richard G. Lubeski, Mark A. O'Connell
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Patent number: 7170396Abstract: An addressable smart speaker for use in a fire alarm system connects to and receives messages over a network, has plural taps for selecting audio power. In response to a command, a selector in an addressed smart speaker selects a tap to select a particular audio power.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: SimplexGrinnell LPInventor: Steven C. Kalafarski
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Patent number: 7164361Abstract: An animal is provided with an identifier for uniquely identifying it. The identifier is entered into a microprocessor-controlled programmable device to start a record for the animal and to record and store information pertaining to the animal into the record. After the recording and storing of information, an electronic unit is activated to indicate to an animal handler a next task to be performed related to the animal. The data may be entered by speech commands and voice recognition software, so that the user can avoid coming into close proximity to the animal. Further, the contents of the record can be processed to provide information to those along the chain from the producers to the feedlots, packing plant and wholesalers/retailers that will assist in the production of a better product.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Schering-Plough Animal Health CorporationInventor: Steven A. Poliska
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Patent number: 7154395Abstract: A wireless location and identification system includes a controller and a tag. The controller has a projector configured to generate a unique temporal sequence of light intensities for each pixel in an output image of the projector and a wireless transceiver configured to emit an output signal and receive an input signal. The tag includes a photo-sensor configured to sense the unique temporal sequence of light intensities of a particular pixel, a transducer configured to receive the output signal from the transceiver, and a means for modulating, according to the unique temporal sequence of light intensities, the input signal for the transceiver in response to receiving the output signal and sensing the unique temporal sequence of light intensities of the particular pixel to indicate a location of the tag to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Ramesh Raskar, Paul A. Beardsley, Jeroen van Baar, Paul H. Dietz
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Patent number: 7142118Abstract: The present invention contributes to advancements in the art of inventory management and distribution by providing a system and method for processing, distributing, and tracking reusable inventory items. Reusable articles, such as surgical garments and accessories, are adapted with radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags having unique identification numbers. A “reader” is used to retrieve stored information from the tags without requiring direct contact or clear line-of-sight. The reusable articles are processed and distributed using an inventory management system wherein lifecycle data is obtained for each reusable article. The reusable articles are distributed to the end users from central processing facilities, used, returned, cleaned, inspected, folded, sterilized, and returned to inventory for re-distribution. Periodic quality control inspections are conducted in response to predetermined usage parameters.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2004Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: SRI/Surgical Express, Inc.Inventors: John A. Hamilton, Mary L. McCoy, Charles Pope, Joseph A. Largey
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Patent number: 7138912Abstract: Movement of a movable barrier (10) such as, for example, a vertically-dropping fire door, can be controlled in an informed manner and with greater flexibility regarding the manner of movement via, in one embodiment, use of a motor (20) as a generator to resist the downward movement of the barrier. One or more dummy electrical loads (22) can be used in combination with the generator mode of operation to influence the degree of braking proffered by the motor. In various embodiments, one or more sensors (25, 26, 27) can be used to detect local and remote conditions of interest to thereby at least partially inform the barrier movement decision process. A display (90) (or displays) can serve to provide various kinds of information to authorized personnel and an operator control (120) can serve, at least under some operating circumstances, to permit a person to locally cause a closed barrier to move to at least a partially opened position.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Andrew Gavel, William Gioia
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Patent number: 7119690Abstract: A tamper-resistant RFID wristband that becomes permanently disabled upon tampering. The wristband includes a plurality of holes for snugly securing the band to a wearer, an RFID circuit, and an electrically conductive loop disposed in the band. The RFID circuit and the conductive loop are electrically coupled to form a series circuit, severance of which disables the wristband. The electrically conductive loop includes a first layer and a second layer that are electrically isolated from one another, save for at least one electrical connection made preferably by a via at the end of the band distal from the antenna element. The first layer encircles the holes in a serpentine path on one layer of the band and the second layer encircles the holes in a complimentary serpentine path on a different layer of the band.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2005Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Proximities, Inc.Inventors: John W. Lerch, Joshua M. Girvin, John P. Norair, Peijen S. Mou
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Patent number: 7119682Abstract: A method and a facility for the protection of a crowd from terrorists by screening each individual in search of concealed prohibited articles possibly carried by one of the individuals in the crowd. Each individual is monitored by sensors controlled by a monitoring unit while passing in single line queue over a fenced walkway and through a confinement structure containing a one-way passage control device. When a prohibited object is detected, response is provided and the passage control device is locked to detain the suspect individual in the confinement structure interior. The confinement structure is configured to deflect the blast created by an explosion initiated therein, and to prevent harm to the individuals residing on the fenced walkway.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventor: David Fisher
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Patent number: 7116232Abstract: A holder (20a, 20b) is provided on a portable tool (2) having a housing (4), in which a transponder (26a, 26b) can be accommodated, which is a in particular part of an anti-theft system. The holder (20a, 20b) is, in the final assembled condition, delimited by an outer wall (18) of the housing (4) and at least on other structural element (16) of the tool (2), which after final assembly is applied to the outer wall (18).Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Hilti AktiengesellscahftInventors: Armin Below, Markus Hartmann, Stefan Zamel
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Patent number: 7113099Abstract: Tracking, presence verification, and locating features are incorporated into a security system that includes a user interface device with a display, keypad and associated transceiver. Wireless RF electronic tags are attached to different objects, e.g., an inanimate object, or a living being such as a child or pet. To verify the presence of an object associated with a tag, the user instructs the user interface device to transmit a wireless signal to the tag. The tag responds, when within range, by returning a wireless signal. In another aspect, a person is detected such as at the entry to a home, and a low-power transmitter at the entry sends a signal to the electronic tag. The electronic tag responds by transmitting data to the security system to cause it to take a desired action. The presence of a person, such as a child, in an unauthorized area can trigger an alarm.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Honeywell Internationakl, Inc.Inventors: Dan Tyroler, Alfred M. Lizza
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Patent number: 7091834Abstract: An antitheft device is provided, whereby a person who attempts to commit a theft of a vehicle can be captured, having an improved crime prevention performance to thefts of vehicles, electrical equipment mounted on vehicles, money and articles left inside vehicles and the like. The antitheft device includes an expansible body system to expand an expansible body for blocking the motion of an intruder in a prescribed space inside a vehicle, which emits a substance to be a base of foaming polystyrene inside the vehicle and applies steam to the substance so that the foaming polystyrene blocks the motion of an intruder, when the presence of the intruder inside the vehicle is detected.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Fujitsu Ten LimitedInventor: Shinichi Tanaka
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Patent number: 7088248Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) device detection system includes an RFID device reader configured to detect RFID devices within a predetermined designated area, and two or more jamming signal transmitters configured to prevent the RFID device reader from detecting and reading devices outside of the designated area. The jamming signal transmitters may include a pair of low-frequency field generator loops driven out of phase with one another. RFID devices for use with the detection system may have a pair of antennas, one for detection by the RFID reading system, and another antenna for use in receiving signals from the jamming signal transmitters, in order to prevent communication with a wireless communication device such as an RFID chip, to which the antennas are coupled. The two antennas may be coupled to the RFID chip in parallel, with the antennas each coupled to the same contacts of the RFID chip.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventor: Ian J. Forster
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Patent number: 7088253Abstract: A flame detector and burner fuel valve control has an ultraviolet sensitive, cold cathode, gas discharge tube in a DC quench circuit. In the presence of a flame, the circuit generates a pulse signal at a frequency related to the intensity of radiation from the flame. The pulse signal from a contaminated tube is at a higher frequency. A frequency discriminator circuit distinguishes between a flame responsive signal and a contaminated tube signal and controls the burner fuel valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Protection Controls, Inc.Inventor: Fred Grow
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Patent number: 7084785Abstract: The method provides for determining an approach mode which has been selected by the pilot of the aircraft from among a plurality of predetermined approach modes, for selecting a characteristic segment (6) of an arrival path which relates to the selected approach mode thus determined, for determining the orientation of the projection on the ground of the said characteristic segment (6) with respect to the center line of the said runway (5) and, depending on this orientation, for determining an anchoring point of the said final approach path, the orientation (?) in a horizontal plane of the said final approach path and the slope (?) of the said final approach path.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2004Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Airbus FranceInventors: Patrice Rouquette, Olivier Coussat
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Patent number: 7084757Abstract: A portable terminal comprising a transmission part that transmits to information provision equipment or a server, a signal indicating presence at a prescribed location, presence of a communications counterparty at a prescribed location, a reception part that receives from the information provision equipment or the server, a signal indicating the position of a moving body, a moving body is approaching or is present at the prescribed location, an alarm part that issues an alarm using the moving body in position signal received at the reception part, indicating the moving body is approaching or is present at the prescribed location, a light detection part detecting the degree of brightness, a part deciding whether or not to transmit a present in prescribed location signal that decides, using the brightness as detected by the light detection part, whether or not to send a present in prescribed location signal from the transmission part.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventor: Koichi Terui
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Patent number: 7068158Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system having a monitoring unit that receives the output of a transmitted pressure sensor through a receiving antenna, and compares the output with a predetermined value to determine whether the tire pressure is proper, and informs a result of the determination to an operator by an indicator or alarm section connected to an onboard battery through an ignition switch. In the system, an operating switch is installed in a vehicle compartment to be operable by the operator for supplying the operating power to the indicator by connecting it to the battery, while bypassing the ignition switch. Alternatively, a portable terminal device to be carried by the operator is connected to the monitoring unit in such a manner that the monitoring unit transmits the result of the determination to the portable terminal device to inform the result of the determination to the operator by a second indicator provided at the portable terminal device.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Goro Komatsu, Makoto Bessho
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Patent number: 7053792Abstract: When a monitor apparatus judges that a vehicle has stopped at a predetermined position (step 705), the monitor apparatus transmits pseudo position information of the vehicle (dummy data) to an automatic charging apparatus (step 725). The automatic charging apparatus calculates a charge amount on the basis of the dummy data, and transmits the result of the calculation to the monitor apparatus. The monitor apparatus receives the result (step 735) and judges on the basis of the result whether the automatic charging apparatus is in an anomalous state (step 740). Since the above-described successive operations are performed only when the vehicle stays, the status of another automatic charging apparatus not monitored is not misidentified as the status of an automatic charging apparatus to be monitored.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuyuki Aoki, Masaki Kakihara
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Patent number: 7053785Abstract: An apparatus for prescreening an individual about to be subjected to a security screening including a magnetometer. The prescreening device comprises a base housing having a top panel, and a plurality of downwardly extending sidewalls. The base housing is adapted to adjustably support a metal detector within the base housing such that when an individual places an object, such as a shoe, in proximity to the base housing, the metal. detector detects the presence of metal, weapons, explosives, or other contraband in the object, thereby alerting the individual that the object may contain enough material to alarm the magnetometer. The individual may then take the necessary steps to remove the object from their persons, thereby possibly reducing the number of potentially false magnetometer alarms.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Inventor: James Edward Akins
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Patent number: 7049974Abstract: A vehicle occupant sensing system including a circuit carrier, an electric circuit with leads, and a sensor with a body and a plurality of formed terminals. Each of the terminals has a lower portion spaced a predetermined distance away from a plane defined by the bottom surface of the body. Moreover, the system has a plurality of conductive connectors each including a blade extending into the circuit carrier and into electrical communication with a lead of the electric circuit. The body is supported on the circuit carrier, and the terminals are supported by the top end of the connector. Also included is a method of manufacturing the same. The formed terminals allow the sensor to be more easily positioned relative to the connector, thereby facilitating assembly. Also, the connectors support the terminals when the connector attaches to the terminal, thereby inhibiting damage to the terminals that could otherwise occur.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Oliver J. Young, John F. Nathan, Christopher T. Ricard