Patents Examined by Curtis King
  • Patent number: 8922363
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an animal training apparatus for locating a collar transceiver using a Global Positioning System (GPS), and a method of controlling the the same. The animal training apparatus includes a portable device, and a collar transceiver. The portable device includes a portable device GPS reception unit, a key input unit, a portable device control unit, a display unit, and a portable device wireless communication unit. The collar transceiver includes a collar wireless communication unit, a collar GPS reception unit, a photodetector, a light output unit, a beep tone output unit, and a collar control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: Min Jae So
  • Patent number: 8922357
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method for programming keys to a vehicle to establish primary keys and secondary keys to control vehicle functionality is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a key identification signal from a first key. The method further comprises generating a key status signal indicative of whether the first key is one of a primary key and a secondary key in response to the key identification signal. The method further comprises transmitting the key status signal to a vehicle interface display. The method further comprises allowing a user to change a status of at least one of the first key and an additional key with the vehicle interface display in response to determining that the key status signal corresponds to the primary key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Scott Alan Watkins, Michael L. Gusta, Eric L. Reed
  • Patent number: 8902042
    Abstract: A method of controlling access to a real estate property includes installing a dynamic electronically-controlled lockset on an exterior door of a real estate property, maintaining, at a remote location, a reference device adapted to present a value of a second dynamic access code to one or more users located in the real estate office, receiving, at the real estate agent location, a request from a user for a current value of the second dynamic access code, examining the reference device to determine the current value of the second dynamic access code, and providing the current value of the second dynamic access code to the user for input into the electronically-controlled lockset. The lockset is adapted to unlock upon receiving a value corresponding to a first dynamic access code programmed therein. The second dynamic access code is time-synchronized with the first dynamic access code programmed in the electronically-controlled lockset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: LPD, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Lynne Parker Davis, Barrett Davis
  • Patent number: 8896416
    Abstract: One or more media is provided for performing a method of operating an electronic locking mechanism. Initially, a request from a requesting mobile device is received at a computing device via a sensing device. The request includes an identifier utilized in an initial validation sequence having the following steps: identifying a device identity according to the identifier, transmitting the device identity with a request that a message be communicated to a target mobile device, and determining validation data. Upon receiving the request, a communications network identifies the target mobile device, based on the device identity, and communicates a message with validation data therein. The mobile device conveys authentication information to the computing device, where the authentication information is based on the validation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Michael T. Lundy, Jason K. Whitney
  • Patent number: 8890672
    Abstract: A machine tooth for heavy equipment can be monitored by coupling an RFID tag to the heavy machine tooth and positioning an RFID reader to read the RFID tag. The RFID reader provides an indication that the heavy machine tooth is separated from the heavy machine. The heavy machine tooth is configured, for example, to be mounted on a bucket of a heavy machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Miller
  • Patent number: 8884757
    Abstract: An anti-tampering protection assembly for sensing tampering with at least one conductor, the anti-tampering protection assembly including unpredictably varying signal generating circuitry, connected to the at least one conductor, for providing unpredictably varying signals on the at least conductor and tampering sensing circuitry for sensing tampering with the at least one conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Verifone, Inc.
    Inventors: Efi Sasson, Yuval Ben-Zion, Ofer Itshakey
  • Patent number: 8878667
    Abstract: A biodegradable, bio-compatible material is described for use in wireless biosensors for point-of-care applications. The biosensor made from this biomaterial is capable of sensing environmental effects and as well as presence of bio-logical entities in the environment of concern simultaneously. Such a sensor can be used for evaluating point-of-care environmental preparedness for a specific patient through continuous monitoring of patient health performance due to environmental exposure. A two-tier network architecture is established for real-time monitoring (static case) that also provides warning of accumulated exposure. Wavelet analysis can be used to identify anomalies in the sensed data to initiate a warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Oxfordian, LLC
    Inventors: Ravi Doraiswami, Michael G. Pecht, Arvind Sai Sarathi Vasan, Yunhan Huang, Andrew Michael Kluger
  • Patent number: 8878699
    Abstract: A method and device for providing a pilot warning signal is provided, where such method can include providing a first signal to indicate a pedal angle of a pedal, providing a second signal which is directly dynamically dependent on the pedal angle, pairing up values of the first signal and the second signal at specific times, determining an angle change of the pairs of values and an increment of the pairs of values at two successive times, and generating the pilot warning signal when actuation of the pedal and a stimulated tumbling movement of the aircraft are ascertained and if the determined angle change of the pairs of values is greater than a first threshold value or the determined angle change of the increment of the pairs of values is greater than a second threshold value. A computer program product and a warning device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Gerd Giesseler
  • Patent number: 8878657
    Abstract: An haptic interface including a knob manipulated by a user, a rotation shaft with a longitudinal axis to which the knob is fixed in rotation, an interaction element with a magneto-rheological fluid in rotation with the shaft, the fluid, a system for generating a magnetic field in the fluid, and a control unit capable of generating orders to the system for generating the magnetic field to modify the magnetic field. The system includes a coil type mechanism generating a variable magnetic field, and a permanent magnet type mechanism generating a permanent magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Florian Periquet, Samuel Roselier, Jose Lozada, Moustapha Hafez
  • Patent number: 8860565
    Abstract: An efficiency gauge from a vehicle information display may incorporate vehicle range information in addition to an efficiency indicator. The range information may be displayed as an area on the efficiency gauge indicating a safe operating region for average driving in order for the vehicle to reach a target destination entered by a driver before an on-board energy source is depleted. By maintaining a vehicle's average trip efficiency within the safe operating region through driving behavior, the display may convey that the vehicle will be able to make it to the target destination. Over the course of a trip, the safe operating region may be constantly updated to reflect the current state of the battery and the remaining distance to the target destination. If no target information is received, a default target distance value based on an initial distance to empty estimation may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technlogies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Skaff, Dale Gilman, Paul Aldighieri
  • Patent number: 8860574
    Abstract: A cabinet lock for protecting merchandise within a merchandise display cabinet having an inner door and an outer door. The cabinet lock includes a strike plate affixed to the inner door and a lock housing affixed to the outer door such that the cabinet is in a locked configuration that prevents access to the merchandise when the lock housing is operably engaged to the strike plate. A programmable electronic key communicates a security code with the cabinet lock and transfers electrical power to the cabinet lock to operate a lock mechanism between the locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. An indicator is provided for indicating whether the cabinet lock is in the locked configuration or the unlocked configuration. The indicator includes a first segment and a second segment that can be energized to visually indicate the status of the cabinet lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Grant, David N. Berglund, Hrishikesh P. Gogate, Justin A. Richardson, William M. Warren, Andrew W. Moock
  • Patent number: 8854211
    Abstract: An integrated circuit card system that includes a radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit configured to wirelessly communicate with an integrated circuit card reader; and an integrated circuit card, which is connected to the RF integrated circuit by a single wire, the integrated circuit card configured to change an amount of current of a data signal output from the integrated circuit card according to a transmission speed of a data signal input to the integrated circuit card from the RF integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki Hong Kim
  • Patent number: 8823510
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for wirelessly programming a prescription bottle cap. In an embodiment, the system includes a base station comprising an inductor and processor configured to receive prescription dosage instructions and instruct the inductor to alter a magnetic field in a manner representative of the prescription dosage instructions. In an embodiment, the system further includes a wirelessly programmable cap comprising a sensor configured to detect the magnetic field and to generate the prescription dosage information based on the magnetic field. A control unit is configured to instruct the wirelessly programmable cap to send an alert at a time designated by the prescription dosage information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: KlinDown, LLC
    Inventors: Laura A. Downey, Steven J. Klink, Jonathan Bautista Labayo, Virginie Agathe Frizon-Hubert, Matthew Oran Moore, Jessica Louise Palmer, Matthew Robert Runchey
  • Patent number: 8786401
    Abstract: An extendable flush door handle assembly for a door or liftgate of a vehicle includes a base portion and a handle portion movably attached to the base portion. The handle portion is movable between a recessed position, where the handle portion is at least partially received in the base portion, and a partially extended position, where the handle portion extends partially outward from the base portion and is graspable by a user. The handle portion is moved from the recessed position to the partially extended position responsive to a trigger, such as a signal from a key fob or a passive entry system or a vehicle door unlock button or the like. The handle portion, when in its recessed position, is at least partially received in the base portion so as to be not readily graspable by a user until the handle portion is moved toward its partially extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Keith D. Foote, Eric S. Deuel
  • Patent number: 8786434
    Abstract: A subscriber may interact with a mobile device to control a security system. For example, a panel interface that may correspond to a control panel of the security system may be provided to the mobile device. The subscriber may then interact with the panel interface to control the security system. Additionally, an activation indication from a component of the security system may be provided to the mobile device via an activation interface. The activation interface may include information such as an alarm type, zone, or the like that may be associated with the activation indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: DeWayne Allan Sennett, Brian Kevin Daly
  • Patent number: 8779889
    Abstract: A system for regulating access to a resource by a plurality of users is provided. The system comprises: a plurality of portable access keys, each being provided to one of the users and having an associated variable access parameter; an access barrier, having an open state allowing passage through and a closed state denying access to the resource, and defining an access queue; a sensor that determines an access queue characteristic related to a number of users in the access queue; a controller, which sets an access criterion based on the determined access queue characteristic; and a detector, located at the access barrier and which determines the variable access parameter of a portable access key when it is brought into the vicinity of the detector. The controller sets the access barrier in its open state if the variable access parameter determined by the detector meets the access criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: LO-Q PLC.
    Inventors: Christopher Bayne, Christopher Butler, Leonard Sim
  • Patent number: 8779923
    Abstract: A vehicle having a battery package as a power source includes a memory device for storing authentication information of battery modules in the battery package. A battery controller in the vehicle has an authentication unit. The authentication unit determines whether the battery module is a genuine product or not. When the battery module is not a genuine product, a control unit controls a communication unit to send information indicative that the battery module is not a genuine product. The information sent from the communication unit is recorded in a server of a public organization, such as an administrative organization or the like. The information recorded in the server of the administrative organization is utilized by the administrative organization or by a vehicle manufacturer, for an action that advises the user to use the genuine battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuya Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8779888
    Abstract: A communication system is installed in information home appliances controlled by an operation system connected to an IP network. The communication system includes a first communication apparatus connected to the IP network; and a second communication apparatus connected to the first communication apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Ken Takebayashi, Nobuko Kimura
  • Patent number: 8773248
    Abstract: A vehicle control device mounted on a vehicle has a search signal transmission unit that transmits a search signal for searching a position of a portable device, which remotely operates the control device, a determination unit that determines a bright and dark state of outside of the vehicle, and a storage unit that stores a determination result of the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Omron Automotive Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Ebizawa, Hideyuki Ohara
  • Patent number: 8773249
    Abstract: A car alarm apparatus includes a first horn; a second horn; an electrical source; a theft detection section; a horn switch; a first relay closed when the horn switch is operated; a first fuse connected to the electrical source in series with the first relay and the first horn; a second fuse connected to the electrical source separately from the first fuse; and a second relay connected to the electrical source in series with the second fuse and the second horn, wherein the second relay includes a first contact that connects the second horn to an electrical source through the first fuse and the first relay in parallel with the first horn and a second contact that connects the second horn to the electrical source through the second fuse, and closes the second contact when the occurrence of the theft is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Horie