Patents Examined by Christopher Gaines
  • Patent number: 8576049
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems, and computer program products for document authentication and identification using encoding and decoding are provided. A method includes receiving a digitized document and comparing the digitized document to a set of markers to determine whether the digitized document is an encoded document with one or more characters replaced. In response to determining that the digitized document is encoded, information is extracted from the set of markers using a decoder according to an encoding strategy. The extracted information and the set of markers are compared with data stored in encoding history to authenticate and identify the received digitized document. Markers in the encoded document may be hidden in plain sight, such that the encoding is not readily apparent to a casual observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: George E. Corbin, Anthony Grech, Thomas E. Murphy, Jr., Mark Nelson, Kevin H. Peters
  • Patent number: 8493194
    Abstract: One embodiment is a warning system for bicycles that sounds like a car horn and weighs less than a pound. The batteries are size AAA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Carl Shoolman
  • Patent number: 8493188
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a device and a method for providing a haptic motion feedback to user interacting with a simulated three-dimensional (ā€œ3Dā€) environment. In one embodiment, the device includes a base and a belt assembly, coupled to the base. The belt assembly includes a housing having an opening and a belt adapted to rotate within the housing for conveying a motion of an object moving in the simulated 3D environment. To indicate a horizontal component of object's motion, in one embodiment, the base is rotated, thus causing the belt assembly to rotate around its central axis. To indicate a vertical component of the object's motion, in one embodiment, the belt assembly is tilted. Optionally, the belt may include a plurality of protrusions and/or indentations on its surface for indicating to the user distances covered by the object within the simulated 3D environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Brian J Cragun
  • Patent number: 8344861
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a haptic motion feedback mechanism. One embodiment of an apparatus for communicating motion in a virtual space includes a base and a feedback mechanism coupled to the base, the feedback mechanism using forced air to convey motion in the virtual space. In another embodiment, a method for communicating motion in a virtual space using a feedback mechanism includes receiving a signal indicative of user motion from a computing device on which the virtual space is running and forcing air through the feedback mechanism in order to convey the user motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Brian J Cragun
  • Patent number: 8325009
    Abstract: An unlocking device for automobiles that is able to be mounted on the interior of an automobile's rear window to facilitate reentry inside the automobile once a driver is locked out. The unlocking device is rectangular in shape and is mounted on the glass with suction cups. It is a stand alone module that is non evasive of the oem electronics of the automobile. The device is designed to receive dtmf tones from a cellphone operating in bluetooth mode. The device is universal in nature in that it is designed to enable unlocking for any automobile manufacturer's vehicle that uses an oem keyfob transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Albert Virgil Anderson
  • Patent number: 8310347
    Abstract: A method and device for writing a binary count of a length n to a memory having a limited number of write cycles, a physical storage location of bits (R-bits) of the count in the memory are periodically changed, fixed bits of the count are stored at fixed physical storage locations, and a bit value pattern of the fixed bits is used as an indicator for the physical storage locations of the changing bits (R-bits).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Keller
  • Patent number: 8274365
    Abstract: An electronic access control and recording system includes a lock, a card reader, a key card configured to communicate with the lock and with the card reader, a database, and an administrator microprocessor configured to provide a user interface and to communicate with the database and with the card reader. At least one of the lock and the card contain a microprocessor and a non-volatile memory storing encrypted information. In use, the key card provides access to the lock and transfers the encrypted information between the lock and the database via the card reader and the administrator microprocessor. The administrator microprocessor provides a user interface for reviewing and administering the database. The user interface also provides account and password qualification for users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: James S. Piccirillo, Wayne J. Hooper, Christopher E. Lamourine, David A. Yudelson