Patents Examined by David Bilodeau
  • Patent number: 11272343
    Abstract: A display apparatus and a controlling method capable of enabling Near Field Communication (NFC) between the display apparatus and an external electronic device by embedding an NFC antenna inside the display apparatus are provided. The display apparatus includes a liquid crystal panel comprising a plurality of pixels; a backlight unit disposed behind the liquid crystal panel and configured to supply light to the liquid crystal panel; a liquid crystal panel driver configured to apply a voltage to the liquid crystal panel; a Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna disposed behind the backlight unit; and a controller configured to, based on an NFC mode being selected, control the liquid crystal panel driver such that at least one pixel in a region corresponding to a position of the NFC antenna among the plurality of pixels displays a white object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Doyoung Kim, Woosub Choi
  • Patent number: 11265827
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein disclose improving battery life while determining a location of a Bluetooth device. A corresponding method comprises receiving an identifier for a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device to locate in an environment comprising a plurality of access points (APs). The method further comprises identifying a first AP of the plurality of APs communicating with the BLE device at a first power level. The method also comprises instructing, using the first AP, the BLE device to increase a transmission power level of the BLE device until a threshold number of APs of the plurality of APs, including the first AP, receive communications from the BLE device. The method additionally comprises receiving an RSSI value from each of the threshold number of APs based on the communications from the BLE device. The method also comprises computing a location of the BLE device in the environment based on the RSSI values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Bhattacharyya, Huy P. Tran
  • Patent number: 11240741
    Abstract: A method for controlling a display device includes: transmitting, in a first status where the display device is not connected to an access point, first status information representing the first status; receiving an instruction to operate as an access point from an electronic device in a status where the first status information is received by the electronic device and where the electronic device is not connected to an access point; operating as a first access point in response to the receiving of the instruction; and transmitting first connection information for connecting to the first access point, to the electronic device, when operating as the first access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Shigemitsu
  • Patent number: 11240365
    Abstract: A system may include an electronic device that includes an enclosure having a transparent cover. The electronic device may also include a display positioned below the transparent cover and configured to display a first graphical user interface and a second graphical user interface different from the first graphical user interface, and a touch sensor positioned below the transparent cover and configured to detect touch inputs applied to the transparent cover. The system may also include a protective case that includes a shell defining a cavity and configured to at least partially cover the enclosure of the electronic device when the electronic device is positioned in the cavity, and a near-field wireless communication antenna coupled to the shell and detectable by the electronic device. In response to detecting the near-field wireless communication antenna, the electronic device may be configured to switch from the first graphical user interface to the second graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Hulbert, Jeremy D. Bataillou, Gemma A. Roper, Brian T. Gleeson, Miao He, Benjamin G. Jackson, David C. Burns
  • Patent number: 11239867
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a first antenna element that includes a first portion of a housing, and a second antenna element that include a second portion of the housing that is different from the first portion of the housing. The electronic device also includes a memory that stores feed conditions, each for applying a current to one of the first antenna element and the second antenna element. A tuner of the electronic device is controlled such that a first current flows to one of the first antenna element and the second antenna element, based on a first feed condition of the stored feed conditions, and a processor of the electronic device transmits or receives a signal in a specified frequency band based on an electrical path formed through the tuner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventors: Jeongwan Park, Seho Kim, Min Sakong, Moonsoo Son, Dongryul Shin, Sooyoung Jang, Yoonjae Lee
  • Patent number: 11232597
    Abstract: An identification method for identifying a target to be measured includes accepting, from an input section, an information representing a condition for acquiring spectral information specific to a target to be measured, capturing, by a spectrometry camera, an image of the target, acquiring the spectral information specific to the target based on the captured image, and identifying the target based on (i) the spectral information and (ii) a database, stored in a memory, containing a plurality of pieces of spectral information corresponding to a plurality of objects. Acquiring the spectral information includes preferentially acquiring the spectral information specific to the target in a specific wavelength region where the target is identifiable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventors: Ryoki Watanabe, Hikaru Kurasawa, Naoki Kuwata, Masashi Kanai
  • Patent number: 11232440
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that provide enhanced flexibility to merchants in the configuration of POS systems. One disclosed system includes a payment interface device having a first display, a means for receiving payment information, and a first payment flow display service (PFDS). The system also includes a display device having a second display and a second PFDS. The system also includes a secure wireless connection formed by a first short-range wireless protocol (SRWP) module on the payment interface device and a second SRWP module on the display device. The first and second PFDSs conduct an exchange of messages over the secure wireless connection to execute a payment flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Clover Network, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. James, Michael Reed Hampton, Blake Williams
  • Patent number: 11229717
    Abstract: A system and method for an effective cleaning and disinfecting protocol includes a portable computing device operable for wireless communications and having a machine-readable computer program. The system and method further includes a remote computing device operable for wireless communications and having a machine-readable computer program. The portable computing device wirelessly receives information in the form of digital data from at least one identification tag for use with the machine-readable computer program on the portable computing device to perform the cleaning and disinfecting protocol. The remote computing device wireless receives information in the form of digital data from the machine-readable computer program on the portable computing device for use with the machine-readable computer program on the remote computing device to verify the prescribed cleaning and disinfecting protocol has been properly performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: ANNIHILARE MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Marion E. Paris, Jr., Clay Parker Sipes
  • Patent number: 11223384
    Abstract: Technology for a low-noise signal chain is disclosed. The low-noise signal chain can include a signal path configured to carry a signal. The low-noise signal chain can include a bypassable amplifier communicatively coupled to the signal path. The low-noise signal chain can include a switchable band pass filter communicatively coupled to the signal path. The low-noise signal chain can include an amplifier bypass path communicatively coupled to the signal path. The signal can be configured to be directed to the amplifier bypass path to bypass the bypassable amplifier. The low-noise signal chain can include a band pass filter bypass path communicatively coupled to the signal path. The signal can be configured to be directed to the band pass filter bypass path to bypass the switchable band pass filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Wilson Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Lee Cook, Christopher K. Ashworth, Michael James Mouser
  • Patent number: 11205267
    Abstract: A method for localizing an intracranial electrode in a subject's brain is provided. The intracranial electrode has at least one electrode contact. The method includes: acquiring a first brain image reconstructed from first image data acquired after electrode-implantation; acquiring a second brain image reconstructed from second image data acquired before the electrode-implantation; co-registering the first brain image and the second brain image to acquire spatial transformation parameters; extracting a first coordinate of the electrode contact from the first brain image; converting the first coordinate into a second coordinate in the second brain image by using the spatial transformation parameters; co-registering the second brain image and a universal brain atlas to define functional zones in the second brain image; and defining a corresponding functional zone where the second coordinate is located. Another alternative method and a system for localizing an intracranial electrode are also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: NATIONAL YANG MING CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Syu-Jyun Peng, Cheng-Chia Lee, Chien-Chen Chou, Hsiang-Yu Yu
  • Patent number: 11195002
    Abstract: An image sensor includes an active pixel array including a number of pixels and image sensor control circuitry configured to perform a read operation only on a subset of the pixels of the active pixel array such that pixels not in the subset remain inactive. By reading out only the subset of pixels in the active pixel array and keeping the remaining pixels inactive, the temperature of the active pixel array may be reduced compared to a conventional read out process, thereby reducing thermal noise in the resulting pixel data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Ideal Industries Lighting LLC
    Inventors: John Roberts, Ronald W. Bessems, Robert Bowser
  • Patent number: 11178913
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a technique that enables the status of components in a smoking substitute device to be monitored through a portable communication terminal (e.g. mobile phone). The smoking substitute device is configured to communicate wirelessly with the portable communication terminal, e.g. via a wireless personal area network, to transmit component status information. The status information is processed either locally or in the cloud to provide feedback or other notifications to a user of the device or to other parties. The component status information is used to calculate a predicted remaining component lifetime. The feedback can enable pre-emptive action to be taken, e.g. before a component of the device fails or reaches the end of its usable life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Nerudia LTD
    Inventors: Daniel Fard, Oliver Talbot
  • Patent number: 11178113
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a first apparatus that provides protocol isolation includes a controller, one or more re-configurable data communication devices operable to provide alternative transport of data for a native data communication device on a second apparatus to an external device, and one or more data converters coupled to the one or more re-configurable data communication devices. The protocol isolation method performed by the first apparatus includes establishing a local communication channel with the second apparatus. The method further includes exchanging the data via the local communication channel with the second apparatus according to a first protocol. The method also includes converting the data to a second protocol different from the first protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: PPIP, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Fong, Neric Hsin-Wu Fong, Ryan Mark Speers, Mohamad Ahmad Foustok
  • Patent number: 11171410
    Abstract: Embodiments of wireless audio systems and methods for wirelessly communicating audio information are disclosed herein. In one example, wireless transceiver includes a first antenna, a second antenna, and a radio frequency (RF) module. The first antenna and second antenna are configured to establish communication links with an audio source and another wireless transceiver. The RF module is configured to receive audio information from the audio source based on a first communication link using the first antenna and the second antenna and receive audio play information from the another wireless transceiver based on a second communication link using the first antenna and the second antenna. A data transmission proportion of the first communication link allocated between the first antenna and the second antenna is dynamically adjusted based on qualities of data communicated by the first antenna and the second antenna through the first transmission link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: BESTECHNIC (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weifeng Tong, Liang Zhang, Bin Luo, Fei Luo
  • Patent number: 11172331
    Abstract: A method allowing the synchronizing collection of motion and ground reaction forces data at the start of a sporting event which are received from motion and force sensors embedded in insoles worn in the user's footwear. Furthermore, this method allows synchronization of said data with video or television transmission, and if used during, for example, during ski racing, provides information of skis' pitch, roll and heading in a 3-D space, as well as linear and angular velocity, g-forces, and the location and distribution of pressure points and ground reaction forces transferred to the user's feet in a numerical or a graphical form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: IPCOMM LLC.
    Inventors: Stanislaw Czaja, Lora O'Leary
  • Patent number: 11166143
    Abstract: A lead device with positioning capabilities can be initiated. The lead device can poll wireless enabled devices within a wireless range. Device identification information associated with the polled wireless enabled devices can be removed. Density can be calculated within the wireless range based on the number of polled wireless enabled devices within the wireless range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James McDonagh, Lan Ngoc Hoang, Paolo Fraccaro, Laura-Jayne Gardiner, Peter Yoxall
  • Patent number: 11159931
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed to a method for facilitating pairing of multiple entities. The method can include obtaining a vehicle pairing request for an autonomous vehicle of a vehicle provider comprising vehicle identification data. The method can include determining a temporary pairing code associated with the autonomous vehicle. The method can include providing the temporary pairing code to the vehicle provider. The method can include obtaining a device pairing request via an application executed by a user device, the device pairing request comprising the temporary pairing code and an operational certificate, the operational certificate comprising device identification data associated with the user device. The method can include pairing the user device and the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the device pairing request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Atibhav Mittal, Ashwin Neurgaonkar, Nihal Pathuri, Zelin Liu, Zhuofu Li
  • Patent number: 11152970
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting worn and/or unworn status of a wearable host device includes one or more first antennas, a second antenna, and a radio-frequency (RF) circuit to measure a dielectric loading based on an RF isolation. The second antenna is placed within a portion of the wearable host device that is substantially in contact with the skin of a user, and the RF isolation is between at least one of the one or more first antennas and the second antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Istvan J. Szini, Jim C. Hwang, Yoav Feinmesser
  • Patent number: 11151404
    Abstract: A processor(s) processes multiple image frames of a scene for object recognition by applying a first process of a plurality of visual recognition processes using different grid sizes, to one or more image frames. The first process divides the image frame(s) into an m×m grid to determine bounding boxes for identifying one or more objects. Based on detecting passage of a predefined time interval, less than a period of time represented by the image frames, processing dynamically switches to a second process to process one or more other image frames. The second process is applied to the other image frame(s), dividing the other image frame(s) into an n×n grid to determine bounding boxes for identifying one or more other objects in the other image frame(s), where the n×n grid used by the second process is different from the m×m grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jhilam Bera, Vijay Kumar Ananthapur Bache, Lizet Ernand, Vijay Ekambaram
  • Patent number: 11135723
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein include a robotic wearable device testing system with a track drive system that includes one or more tracks having a plurality of attachment pads configured to attach to one or more wearable devices. Each track of the one or more tracks is configured to move along a path defined by the track. In addition, the robotic wearable device testing system includes a tap point drive system that includes one or more tap point sliders configured to slide laterally with respect to the track drive system. Each tap point slider of the one or more tap point sliders includes a tap point configured to wirelessly communicate with the one or more wearable devices when the one or more wearable devices are in close proximity with the tap point. Each tap point slider of the one or more tap point sliders also includes an electronic interference door configured to block wireless signals between the one or more wearable devices and the tap point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Aaron Berry, Miguel Antonio Montijo, Jr., Brian Keith Copeland