Patents Examined by Edny Labbees
  • Systems and methods for hit and run detection based on intelligent micro devices
    Patent number: 8203425
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for providing information relating to damage incurred by a vehicle in an accident. A first plurality of markers with a first set of identifiers is embedded in a coating applied to a component of a first vehicle and a second plurality of markers with a second set of identifiers is embedded in a coating applied to a component of a second vehicle. Markers from the first vehicle are transferred to the second vehicle upon impact during an accident. The transferred markers are read by a marker reader and then processed to determine the identity of the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Reynaldo Medina, III, Michael P. Bueche, Jr.
  • Method and system for depicting visually predominant features on a flight display
    Patent number: 8188891
    Abstract: The system for presenting visual features to a pilot of an aerial vehicle contains a flight display. The flight display includes a display screen, a programmable device, an input device, and a memory. A plurality of visual features is contained in the memory. A plurality of feature characteristics is contained in the memory. Each of the feature characteristics is linked to at least one of the features. An environmental device communicates with the input device. The environmental device inputs an approximately present environmental condition of the aerial vehicle to the input device. The programmable device compares the approximately present environmental condition to the feature characteristics to determine which of the features stored in the memory to display on the flight display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Patrick Wipplinger, Andreas Sindlinger, Jason Clark
  • System, device and method for communicating over power lines
    Patent number: 8188855
    Abstract: A system, method and device for communicating over a power line are provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a controller, a first port in communication with the controller and configured to communicate over a power line via any of a plurality of frequency bands, and a second port in communication with the controller and configured to transmit and receive broadband communications. The first port may be configured to select one of the plurality of frequency bands for communications and the controller configured to provide routing functions for data received via the second port to be transmitted via the first port. The second port may comprise a wireless modem or a modem configured to communicate over a power line via broadband communications. The broadband communications may use a frequency band having a bandwidth greater than at least five of the plurality of frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Current Technologies International GmbH
    Inventor: Manu Sharma
  • Pinless security device
    Patent number: 8179267
    Abstract: A security device is removably affixable to an article. The security device includes a housing having a securing pad, a locking element and a strap. The locking element is disposed within the housing. The strap includes a first end having a latching region that is insertable into the housing and a second end having a securing region. The strap is slidingly movable between an open position and a locked position. The locking element engages with the latching region of the strap. When in the locked position, the strap secures the article between the securing pad and the securing region of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Luis E. Anderson, Oscar Rendon
  • Detecting and sharing road traffic condition information
    Patent number: 8174406
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer usable program product for detecting and sharing road traffic condition information are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A system receives a set of image inputs from a set of cameras that are stationary relative to a road and monitoring road traffic. The system combines the image inputs forming a view. The system determines whether an alarm condition exists in the view. If an alarm condition exists, the system maps the alarm condition on the view using a characteristic of the alarm condition, thus forming a part of a condition information. The system transmits the part of the condition information, such that the part of the condition information can be received by a motorist. The system may also receive a set of sensor inputs from a set of sensors and may combine the set of sensor inputs with the set of image inputs to form the view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: George Kraft, IV, Lawrence Frank Weiss
  • Method and system for the wireless remote control of marker lights
    Patent number: 8174408
    Abstract: A system for wirelessly controlling marker lights comprising a remote controller comprising a transmitter and one or more marker lights. Each of the marker lights comprise a receiver and processing means, and each of the marker lights have a configuration mode in which the processing means is adapted to cause the receiver to wirelessly receive data from the transmitter. This data comprises one or more group identifiers to assign one or more groups to the marker light. In addition, the processing means of each of the marker lights is adapted to cause the receiver to wirelessly receive one or more commands from the transmitter for controlling the operation of the marker light. The processing means is adapted to carry out the command when the commands comprise the same one or more group identifiers that correspond to the one or more groups to which the marker light was assigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Carmanah Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Brock Johnston, Jon Bulman-Fleming, Allister James Wilmott, Timothy R. Ducharme, Frederic Anthony Nordstrom, Donald Munro Goodeve
  • Tactile device with force sensitive touch input surface
    Patent number: 8169332
    Abstract: A tactile device includes a touch input surface in any number of forms including a force sensitive touch screen. In this embodiment a cover captures a transparent screen located on capacitive sensors. Touching the screen produces signals from each sensor that can be combined to identify the location of the touch and the force exerted by that touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Pressure Profile Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Jae Son
  • Geese chasing system
    Patent number: 8164462
    Abstract: The geese chasing system includes of a housing encasing a visual signaling capability, sensor, and audio signaling capability. A plurality of housings can be installed upon the nose and wings of an aircraft in order to direct more signaling strength as well as to accommodate larger aircraft. The geese chasing system also include a cockpit alarm that provides a manual override as well as an automated signaling capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventors: Jacqueline Carmela Bose, August Richard Bose
  • Application of radio frequency identification
    Patent number: 8164457
    Abstract: A method for making a container including a radio frequency identification label is provide. In an embodiment the method includes placing a radio frequency identification (RFID) label into a mold; positioning the RFID label so that an outer portion of the label is substantially flush with the mold surface; and molding a container such that the outer portion of the RFID label is substantially flush with the outer surface of the side wall of the container. An article, which may be formed using the foregoing method, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Dunlap, William A. Slat
  • System and method for communication with a tracking device
    Patent number: 8154401
    Abstract: A system and method for providing communication with a tracking device are disclosed. An example tracking device includes a location detector, a communication device, memory, a processor, and a configuration routine. The location detector is operative to determine locations of the tracking device. The communication device is operative to communicate with a remote system. The memory stores data and code, the data including location data determined by the location detector and configuration data. The processor is operative to execute the code to impart functionality to the tracking device. The functionality of the tracking device depends at least in part on the configuration data. The configuration routine is operative to modify the configuration data responsive to communications from the remote system. Thus, functional access to the tracking device is provided to the remote system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Global Trek Xploration Corp.
    Inventors: Patrick E. Bertagna, Michael J. DiBella
  • Explosive detection portal
    Patent number: 8149115
    Abstract: This device will allow individuals to pass through explosive detection portals efficiently without undue delay. The airflow from a series of jets will dislodge embedded molecules and direct them to a sensor that will detect the presence of commonly found explosive materials. The molecules that are dislodged will be accomplished by air flow through an air tunnel or portal structure that is not invasive to the person yet allows real time detection of explosive material while not infringing on the privacy of the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Gianni Arcaini, Larry Strach
  • Electrostatic discharge protection device with phosphors and method of fabricating the same
    Patent number: 8144026
    Abstract: An exemplary electrostatic discharge protection device includes: an electrostatic discharge part configured for discharging electrostatic when the electrostatic is larger than a threshold value; and a light emitting part configured for emitting light when electrostatic discharge happens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Chimei Innolux Corporation
    Inventor: Shuo-Ting Yan
  • Vehicular display device and method of operation
    Patent number: 8138906
    Abstract: An information presentation system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a transmission operable in a plurality of gear states. The system comprises a sensor adapted to detect a gear state of the transmission, an electronic control system adapted to operate the transmission and to detect a gear state of the transmission, and a display device coupled to the sensor and to the electronic control system. The display device is adapted to receive a first signal indicating the gear state of the transmission, to receive a second signal indicating the gear state of the transmission, and to adjust an arrangement of visual elements in a manner influenced by the first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Orson S. Wang, Maureen L. Roth
  • Force/tactile feedback device
    Patent number: 8138895
    Abstract: A force/tactile feedback device feeding back a force sense to a fingertip of an operator includes a fingerstall to which the fingertip of the operator is inserted, a position feedback means for feeding back a position to the fingertip held by the fingerstall, a fingertip contact point feedback means for feeding back a fingertip contact point to the fingertip held by the fingerstall and an unnecessary moment removal means for supporting the fingertip contact point feedback means so that unnecessary moment is not generated at a tip portion of the position feedback means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Kato, Kenichiro Nagasaka, Masakuni Nagano, Yasunori Kawanami
  • Automated antenna trim for transmitting and receiving semiconductor devices
    Patent number: 8134467
    Abstract: A radio frequency communication device and methods of testing and tuning an antenna attached thereto are described. A radio frequency communication device comprises internal circuitry and an antenna having a plurality of antenna segments associated therewith. Each antenna segment is associated with the antenna in either series or parallel relation through at least one of a fuse and an antifuse. In testing and tuning, a comparison is made to indicate whether the antenna is too short or too long.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Cathey
  • Abnormality detecting apparatus
    Patent number: 8125336
    Abstract: An abnormality detecting apparatus includes a power supply portion applying a voltage to electrodes provided at both surfaces of a light control glass adapted to be provided at a vehicle to change a transparency of the light control glass, a detection portion detecting a detectable amount obtained on the basis of the voltage applied to the electrodes, and an abnormality determination portion determining whether or not an abnormality occurs to the light control glass based on a predetermined detectable amount and the detectable amount detected by the detection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Ieda, Yuichi Murakami, Hiroki Okada
  • Terminal including light emitting device, method of notifying selection of item using the terminal, and method of notifying occurrence of event using the terminal
    Patent number: 8106786
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of notifying the selection of an item using a plurality of light emitting devices provided in a terminal, including: selecting an item of at least one item displayed on a display included in the terminal, and notifying the selection of the item using the plurality of light emitting devices. Disclosed herein is also a method of notifying the occurrence of an event using a plurality of light emitting devices provided in a terminal, including: notifying the occurrence of the event using the light emitting devices according to the detection of the occurrence of the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Huhn Kim, Young Suk Oh, Hyun Ho Kim
  • Seat cushion retention and monitoring in an aircraft
    Patent number: 8094041
    Abstract: An aircraft seating system comprises a seat frame having a top side, a seat cushion having a bottom side, a plurality of conductive first sides of a hook-and-loop fastener system attached to the bottom side of the seat cushion in a first pattern, a plurality of conductive second sides of the hook-and-loop fastener system attached to the top side of the seat frame in a second pattern, and a sensor connector connected to the second pattern. The plurality of conductive first sides and the plurality of conductive second sides engage each other and create a closed circuit for the sensor connector when the bottom side of the seat cushion is placed on the top side of the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Wentland, Bret L. Lamoree, James P. Sohalla, Bradley J. Mitchell
  • Pick-resistant lock system
    Patent number: 8094018
    Abstract: A pick-resistant lock system includes a locking means. The locking means includes a displacement sensor for sensing displacement so as to generate a displacement signal, the displacement sensor comprising a micro electromechanical gyroscope, a second counterpart, a second alarm, and a second control unit for receiving the displacement signal so as to start the alarm. A key includes a control switch, a second counterpart corresponding to the second counterpart, a second alarm, and a second control unit for receiving the displacement signal transmitted from the locking means so as to start the second alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignees: Silitek Electronic (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Tzu-Wei Chang
  • Electronic flight data display instrument
    Patent number: 8085168
    Abstract: An electronic display instrument configured to secure in a desired position over multiple pre-existing instrument holes in a dashboard of an aircraft in place of multiple conventional display instruments, each conventional instrument having a conventional readout. The instrument comprises a display screen having a plurality of readouts corresponding to the conventional readouts of the multiple conventional instruments that the electronic display instrument replaces. The instrument further includes a body having a front and a back opposite the front and a top and a bottom opposite the top. The body is positioned adjacent and connected to the display screen. The instrument also includes an electronics module protruding from the back of the body to position in one of the pre-existing instrument holes in the dashboard panel of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Bethel