Patents Examined by Edwin C. Holloway, III
  • Patent number: 11069169
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for remotely controlling locks on depositories, primarily locks used for the purpose of securing things using a scanning device and at least one identification token. Each lock (215) is provided with a token (112) that contains identification information related to its depository system (221). A scanning device (111) is needed to decode (211) the token (112) and communicate its information to an online database (212) for authorization to access the depository (221). If the scanner (111) is authorized to access the depository (221), the online database (212) will communicate a command (213) to the lock (215) to open. This operation will need to be repeated each time the depository needs to be opened. In some embodiments, the scanning device (111) may be operatively connected to a power source that can transfer power as a means of powering depository (221).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Alex Jen Huang
  • Patent number: 11062545
    Abstract: Entrance and exit of a person is efficiently managed by simple authentication and registration of entrance and exit using a communication terminal carried by the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoaki Nakao, Yukie Hasegawa, Kenji Harada, Kenichi Urasawa
  • Patent number: 11052967
    Abstract: A bicycle electric component comprises a wireless communicator, a power source, and a switcher. The wireless communicator is configured to receive a wireless signal. The power source is configured to supply a first electric power to the wireless communicator. The switcher is configured to change an electric connection state between the wireless communicator and the power source. The switcher includes an electric generator configured to generate a second electric power by an external input to a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Takafumi Suzuki, Takaya Masuda, Toshihiko Takahashi, Masafumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11050754
    Abstract: An electrical device can include at least one electrical device component and at least one sensor that measures at least one parameter. The electrical device can also include an integrated control interface disposed on a housing of the electrical device and coupled to the at least one electrical device component, where the integrated control interface allows for manual control of the at least one electrical device component. The electrical device can further include an access controller communicably coupled to the at least one electrical device component and the at least one sensor. The access controller can receive, from the at least one sensor, a communication sent by a user. The access controller can also control, based on determining that the user has the authority to control the at least one electrical device component, the at least one electrical device component based on instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Paul Boudreau, Russell Leake, James Richard Christ
  • Patent number: 11043051
    Abstract: The present invention concerns method for enabling provision of temporary access to an area controlled by a network-connected endpoint device, the method including the steps of: enrolling an access partner in an account for the endpoint device maintained at an access server; receiving from the access partner at the access server, requests for temporary access to the endpoint device; and activating the requests with the endpoint device such that the access partner is provided with temporary access to the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventors: Raymond Hawkins, Geoffrey Baker, Simon Ray Kelly, Zachary Colin Duthie
  • Patent number: 11043050
    Abstract: A method and system that allows authorized individuals access into controlled access locations and the ability to grant temporary and limited access to guests into these locations. The method and system allows for navigational services to be provided to members and guests, and real-time tracking and confirmation to members and administrators that guests have arrived at their destination and did not enter any unauthorized areas. The method preferably can work through a system of wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons communicating with member and guest's electronic devices. Members and administrators can send one or more temporary electronic access keys to a guest's smartphone or other electronic device. Wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons provide an access control and location tracking system with real-time data about the member and guest whereabouts, allowing for the confirmation and tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: COLLATERAL OPPORTUNITIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Howard Kusens, Michael Kusens
  • Patent number: 11037388
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for securely creating passwords for performing various keyless operations upon a vehicle. In an exemplary method, a computer receives a request for creating a password for a phone-as-a-key (PaaK) device. The computer determines that the PaaK device is present inside the vehicle and that the vehicle engine has been placed in an accessory state or a run state by an authorized PaaK device located in the vehicle. The computer further determines that a passive entry passive start (PEPS) key fob is present inside the vehicle. A prompt is provided for entry of a password. The computer checks to determine if an entered password has been already assigned to another PaaK device. If unassigned, the computer links the password to the PaaK device and authorizes the entered password as a valid keyless starting password for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Matthew DeLong, Eugene Karpinsky, Cameron Smyth, Timothy Thivierge, Jr., Daniel M. King, Kevin Thomas Hille, Farhan Ehsan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Santosh Kumar Lalwani
  • Patent number: 11030836
    Abstract: A door lock system includes a first circuit performing a first communication to request a response for determining availability of unlocking a door, a second circuit performing a second communication for determining availability of unlocking the door and transmitting a reception result of the second communication to an outside of the door lock system, and a control circuit controlling operations of the first circuit and the second circuit. The control circuit stops one of the first communication and the second communication from being performed in a case where the other one of the first communication and the second communication is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaaki Koizumi, Yuki Hayashi, Rikako Kotani, Takehiro Tabata
  • Patent number: 11017643
    Abstract: Methods and systems for augmentative and alternative communication are disclosed. An example method can comprise receiving a candidate input, classifying the candidate input as an intentional input, and generating a signal in response to the intentional input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Richard Hurtig, Benjamin Berkowitz, Blake Earl Martinson, Zihan Zhu, Richard Rives Bird
  • Patent number: 11019403
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to one or more transcoder devices in communication with an input device such as a remote control device and multiple destination devices in which the transcoder device(s) facilitate communication between the remote control and the various destination devices in the vicinity. The transcoder device(s) can also provide the user with an environmental awareness of conditions and events surrounding the user. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Bran Ferren
  • Patent number: 11010995
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for administering access to resources in an access control system. In one implementation, the access control system comprises an electronic lock for restricting access to a resource. An electronic key can deliver a signal based on an access credential to the electronic lock to initiate an unlocking event for facilitating access to the resource. An access validation engine can process access control information related to access conditions. Access to resources may be granted according to scheduled access permissions. In other aspects, access to resources can be granted based on access conditions. The access validation engine can evaluate whether access to a resource is authorized based on a determination that one or more access conditions are satisfied. An unlocking signal can be delivered to the electronic lock in response to a determination that the one or more access conditions are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Videx, Inc.
    Inventors: Tammy A. Davis, Michael L. Popenoe
  • Patent number: 11012030
    Abstract: A shut-down apparatus for a string of photovoltaic panels electrically connected in series wherein it comprises a plurality of control modules comprising: an initial control module operatively associated to a corresponding photovoltaic panel; one or more intermediate control modules, each operatively associated to a corresponding photovoltaic panel; a final control module operatively associated to a corresponding photovoltaic panel. Each control module is adapted to cause the shut-down of a corresponding photovoltaic panel in response to a received input shut-down signal, said control modules sequentially receiving said input shut-down signals at subsequent shut-down instants, each pair of subsequent shut-down instants being separated by a corresponding time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Sauro Macerini
  • Patent number: 11001338
    Abstract: A bicycle electric component comprises a wireless communicator, a power source, and a switcher. The wireless communicator is configured to receive a wireless signal. The power source is configured to supply a first electric power to the wireless communicator. The switcher is configured to change an electric connection state between the wireless communicator and the power source. The switcher includes an electric generator configured to generate a second electric power by an external input to a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Takafumi Suzuki, Takaya Masuda, Toshihiko Takahashi, Masafumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10988112
    Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to store an electronic ledger that specifies an authorized operation for an entity to perform for a vehicle, receive a request, including an entity identifier for an entity making the request, to perform a requested operation, query the electronic ledger to determine that the requested operation is the authorized operation, and actuate the vehicle based on the authorized operation. The electronic ledger is a distributed electronic ledger shared between at least the vehicle and the entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Bedard, Clifford Anthony Bailey, Willie Ham, Ali Hassani, Michael Kruntovski, Lauren Peng
  • Patent number: 10977588
    Abstract: An apparatus for sharing information in a space comprising a first two dimensional outer emissive surface, a first two dimensional inner emissive surface, a support structure resting on and extending upward from the support floor, the support structure supporting the first outer emissive surface with a first outer surface bottom edge at a work surface height, a first outer surface top edge at a ridge height above the work surface height and supporting the first inner emissive surface with a first inner surface bottom edge at a valley height below the work surface height, a first inner surface top edge at a height above the work surface height, the first inner emissive surface spaced behind the first outer emissive surface by at least twelve inches to form a space between the first outer emissive surface and the first inner emissive surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A Baloga
  • Patent number: 10976462
    Abstract: Video inspection systems using personal communications devices for information display, control and storage are disclosed. In one embodiment a video inspection system includes a cable storage drum, a push-cable, a rotatable support for carrying the drum, a camera head coupled to the push-cable, and a personal communications device operatively connected to the camera head through a wired or wireless communications link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventor: Mark S. Olsson
  • Patent number: 10970950
    Abstract: Systems and methods for activating a security action responsive to proximal detection and identification of a wireless device are provided. Such systems and methods can include a wireless radio of a door mounted contact sensor of a security system receiving a broadcast message that includes a device identifier from the wireless device. Then, such systems and methods can include determining whether the device identifier corresponds to any of a plurality of authorized devices enrolled with the security system, determining whether a signal parameter of the broadcast message satisfies a preconfigured access condition, and responsive thereto, performing the security action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Ferro
  • Patent number: 10960849
    Abstract: An actuation system used to actuate one or more buttons on a remote control device, such as a key fob of a vehicle, based upon commands generated from a mobile device, such as a smartphone. The actuation system includes a key fob drawer that defines an isolation enclosure that prevents RF signals from entering into or leaving the isolation enclosure. A controller receives the command signals from the mobile device and converts the command signals into position commands that are used to activate a button actuator to move a plunger into alignment with one of the buttons on the key fob. The button actuator moves the plunger into contact with one of the buttons which generates an RF signal from the key fob. The key fob is contained in the isolation enclosure and the system includes a RF receiver and transmitter to re-transmit vehicle command signal for receipt by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Blue Eclipse, LLC
    Inventor: Craig A. Tieman
  • Patent number: 10964141
    Abstract: An Internet-of-Things (IoT)-enabled lock is provided to control access to a secure physical asset. Disparate authorized systems make requests for an access and receive authorization to access the asset. An authorized user with an authorized mobile device is dispatched to the asset pursuant to a request. Proximity-based mobile device authentication is performed when the mobile device is in a configured proximity of the asset and the mobile device establishes a wireless connection to the lock. A second factor authentication is performed on the user that operated the mobile device. A One-Time Code (OTC) is generated and provided to either the lock or the mobile device for access to the asset. Access events and service information for the asset are stored in a shared data repository. Each system has access through to the shared data repository to all auditing information associated with the asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Robert Burris, Jodessiah Sumpter
  • Patent number: 10956690
    Abstract: A management system monitors a set of objects of a user by wirelessly communicating with one or more location components associated with the objects, and each object of the set has a respective location component. The monitoring includes ascertaining by the management system, based at least in part on data obtained via wireless communication with the location component(s), a spatial centroid of the set and a spatial separation of an object in the set from the spatial centroid, and correlating the ascertained spatial centroid to a context classification of multiple context classifications. The management system further determines whether a difference between the ascertained spatial separation and the average spatial separation of the location component(s) for the correlated context classification exceeds an acceptable spatial separation tolerance. Based on the difference exceeding the acceptable tolerance, the management system provides an electronic alert to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akil Khamisi Sutton, Edward C. McCain, Yufei Wu, Kennedy Cheruiyot, Ali Y. Duale