Patents Examined by Daryl Pope
  • Patent number: 9514631
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using multi-criteria state machines to manage alarming states and pre-alarming states of a hazard detection system are described herein. The multi-criteria state machines can include one or more sensor state machines that can control the alarming states and one or more system state machines that can control the pre-alarming states. Each state machine can transition among any one of its states based on sensor data values, hush events, and transition conditions. The transition conditions can define how a state machine transitions from one state to another. The hazard detection system can use a dual processor arrangement to execute the multi-criteria state machines according to various embodiments. The dual processor arrangement can enable the hazard detection system to manage the alarming and pre-alarming states in a manner that promotes minimal power usage while simultaneously promoting reliability in hazard detection and alarming functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Jeffrey Lee
  • Patent number: 9510781
    Abstract: Appurtenances to wound dressings can include: a substrate configured to attach to a wound dressing; a fluid-activated voltaic cell attached to the substrate; a transmission unit attached to a surface of the substrate, the transmission unit including circuitry and at least one antenna, the transmission unit configured to transmit a signal in response to current generated by the fluid-activated voltaic cell; and a projection operably attached to the fluid-activated voltaic cell, the projection of a size and shape to extend into an interior region of the wound dressing and configured to sample a fluid within the interior region of the wound dressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Paul Duesterhoft, Nicholas Dykstra, Daniel Hawkins, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Mark K. Kuiper, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nels R. Peterson, Elizabeth L. Schubert, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9509754
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module maybe stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Rezvani, Edward B. Kalin, Jack L. Chen, Reza Jalili
  • Patent number: 9505343
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes: an automatic control for controlling an operation of the vehicle; and a lever having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the lever is selectively operable to turn the automatic control from an off state to an on state; wherein when the automatic control is in the off state, manual control is required for the operation of the vehicle; and wherein when the automatic control is in the on state, the automatic control is configured to control the operation of the vehicle on behalf of a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventors: Anita Au, Gerald Chan
  • Patent number: 9505350
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate. The mirror back plate includes an aperture extending therethrough and includes walls established at a first side of said mirror back plate by the plastic injection molding operation, with the walls at least partially circumscribing the aperture and extending outward from the first side of the mirror back plate. A heater pad is disposed between the rear side of the glass substrate and the second side of the mirror back plate. The heater pad has a light transmitting portion that is generally aligned with the aperture of the mirror back plate and with a light-transmitting portion of the mirror reflector. The walls include walls of a housing accommodating an indicator associated with a blind spot detection system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9495846
    Abstract: A tactile feedback apparatus is provided, which includes a signal generator and a tactile feedback structure. The signal generator provides a driving signal. The tactile feedback structure is connected to the signal generator and provides a tactile feedback signal in response to the driving signal when an object surface is touched or a housing of the tactile feedback apparatus is touched. The tactile feedback signal is related to a tactile sensation. The tactile feedback signal is related to an electrical property of the driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chih-Chia Chang, Chen-Pang Kung
  • Patent number: 9496105
    Abstract: Dynamically adjustable rotary actuator devices are described. As a knob is rotated on an electronic system such as a radio and a limit is approached and ultimately reached (such as a volume limit), the described systems and methods create a progressive haptic force on the knob to indicate to the operator that the limit is being approached and/or has been reached. For example, when a maximum volume limit has been reached in a radio application, the haptic force can prevent the knob from rotating any further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: KOSTAL OF AMERICA
    Inventor: Glen McAllister
  • Patent number: 9493115
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for monitoring powered assets for fueling. For example, in one embodiment, a fuel server can monitor the location of powered assets and fueling units. In response to determining, for example, that a powered asset that needs fuel is within a predetermined geofence defined around a fueling unit, the powered asset can emit a perceivable indication. The powered asset can then be authenticated for receiving fuel from the fueling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Tyler
  • Patent number: 9491224
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module maybe stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Rezvani, Edward B. Kalin, Jack L. Chen, Reza Jalili
  • Patent number: 9487215
    Abstract: Described is a technology by which ambient data related to a vehicle is sensed and processed, for use in determining a state change related to external traffic awareness. Based upon the state change, an allowed level of interactivity with a user interface may be changed, and/or a notification may be output. Images and/or depth data may be sensed as part of determining whether a user who is interacting with a device in a stopped vehicle is to be made aware of the changed condition with respect to other vehicles, pedestrians and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy S. Paek, Paramvir Bahl
  • Patent number: 9475348
    Abstract: A method is provided to manage data transmitted between an RFID marker, which is mounted on a tire, and a wheel module, which is mounted on a rim. The wheel module includes a memory and at least one sensor. When the tire is mounted on the rim, a mounted assembly is formed, also known as a wheel, which is intended to be installed on a motor vehicle. According to the method, RFID data is transmitted between the RFID marker and the wheel module via an intermediate unit that is separate from the mounted assembly and the motor vehicle. The RFID data is stored in the memory of the wheel module. When the wheel module includes a sensor for detecting tire pressure, the RFID data stored in the memory of the wheel module is erased when a detected tire pressure is less than or equal to a predetermined pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventor: Marc Hammer
  • Patent number: 9473559
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module maybe stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Rezvani, Edward B. Kalin, Jack L. Chen, Reza Jalili
  • Patent number: 9459627
    Abstract: An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, James J. Dattolo, Robert J. Duggan, J. Douglas Field, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Matthew M. McCambridge, John B. Morrell, Michael D. Piedmonte, Richard J. Rosasco
  • Patent number: 9457661
    Abstract: Systems and methods for information management are provided. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a signal from a vehicle sensor, the signal related to a condition of a vehicle, determining a new alert from the signal, and comparing the new alert with a currently provided alert. Some embodiments include determining a priority of the new alert and, in response to determining that the new alert has a higher priority than the currently provided alert, determining whether to output the currently provided alert in a minimized form, providing the new alert for output on a primary output device, and providing the currently provided alert in the minimized form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A Restauri, III, Katsumi Nagata, Tuhin Diptiman
  • Patent number: 9454853
    Abstract: Electronic systems for verifying completion of security patrols include primary and secondary identifier elements distributed along a predetermined route of the security patrol. A portable electronic device is configured to confirm an officer's presence at each of the primary and secondary identifier element locations. The primary identifier element is machine readable while the secondary identifier element requires operator input to confirm the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CENTRIC GROUP LLC
    Inventor: Atul Gupta
  • Patent number: 9446634
    Abstract: A tire pressure sensor for motor vehicles includes a housing accommodating an integrated circuit (sensor IC), wherein the sensor IC has a microcontroller and a pressure sensor. The microcontroller, transfers pressure measurement values acquired by the pressure sensor to a receiver by wireless communication. The sensor IC has an internal memory, in which executable instructions and data can be stored, which, when executed, result in the acquisition and transference of the pressure measurement data. The sensor IC is coupled to an auxiliary memory module disposed in the housing. Numerous different data packets, with respective instructions or data, are stored in the memory module which can be activated via the microcontroller, in order to copy a selected data packet into the internal memory. The microcontroller controls the power supply for the auxiliary memory module such that the auxiliary memory can be switched over to an energy saving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Wagner, Benjamin Mueller
  • Patent number: 9446635
    Abstract: A tire pressure sensor for motor vehicles, includes a housing, which accommodates an integrated circuit (sensor IC), having a microcontroller and a pressure sensor. The microcontroller transfers pressure measurement values to a separate receiver device by wireless communication. The sensor IC has an internal memory, in which executable instructions and data can be stored, which, when executed, result in the acquisition and transference of the pressure measurement data. A power supply is disposed in the housing, and coupled to the sensor IC which is coupled to an auxiliary memory module disposed in the housing. Numerous different data packets, with respective instructions or data, are stored in the memory module. The auxiliary memory module can be activated via the microcontroller, in order to copy a selected data packet into the internal memory. The auxiliary memory module is coupled to the microcontroller of the sensor IC by a serial data interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Wagner, Benjamin Mueller
  • Patent number: 9447832
    Abstract: A vehicle brake monitoring system comprises at least one sensor for detecting relative rotational position of a brake camshaft during vehicle braking. The at least one sensor is unconnected to the camshaft for remotely detecting the position. Processing structure communicates with the at least one sensor, and processes the output of the at least one sensor to determine brake status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: NBS Innovative Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jamie Bishop Todd, Sam Jamison Todd, Jerid Allan Leclair
  • Patent number: 9442486
    Abstract: An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, James J. Dattolo, Robert J. Duggan, J. Douglas Field, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Matthew M. McCambridge, John B. Morrell, Michael D. Piedmonte, Richard J. Rosasco
  • Patent number: 9442492
    Abstract: An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, James J. Dattolo, Robert J. Duggan, J. Douglas Field, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Matthew M. McCambridge, John B. Morrell, Michael D. Piedmonte, Richard J. Rosasco