Patents Examined by Eric Blount
  • Patent number: 10977922
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic method for monitoring a wearable device, the device being in communication with a receiving device, comprising the steps of, transmitting, from the wearable device via a wireless communications protocol, an encoded signal capable of being received by the receiving device, the encoded signal including information identifying the wearable device and information regarding the status of the device, wherein, upon receipt of the encoded signal, the receiving device decodes the signal, and dependent on the received information regarding the status of the wearable device, the receiving device performs one or more of sending a broadcast signal including the encoded signal via a transceiver, sending the encoded signal to a second receiving device via a wireless communications network, sending an alarm signal to a second device and sounding an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Norman Boyle
  • Patent number: 10976436
    Abstract: An obstacle detection device includes an ultrasonic sensor, an obstacle detector to determine presence of an obstacle of interest if an intensity of a received ultrasonic wave exceeds a threshold value, and a threshold value setter to set a short-distance detection threshold value as the threshold value for the obstacle detection in a short-distance detection area in a vicinity of the ultrasonic sensor and to set a long-distance threshold value as the threshold value for the obstacle detection in a long-distance detection area located farther from the ultrasonic sensor than the short-distance detection area, the long-distance threshold value being less than the short-distance detection threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Shinkai, Yushi Matsuzaki, Tomoya Omura, Tomofumi Fukunaga
  • Patent number: 10973701
    Abstract: A moisture management apparatus monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. An embodiment of the moisture management apparatus includes a substrate and one or more sensors supported by the substrate. The sensor(s) emit wireless signals indicative of the moisture-related information. A sensor event communication system forwards the sensor signals to another device, such as a notification device. The sensor event communication system may monitor other types of patient events. Portions of the moisture management apparatus and/or the moisture event communication system may be embodied in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Heil, Steven Alan Dixon, Laetitia Gazagnes, Timothy A. Lane, II, David Lance Ribble, Varad Narayan Srivastava, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Michael Scott Hood, Charles A. Howell, Kirsten M. Emmons
  • Patent number: 10977939
    Abstract: An infrastructure element includes a computer that includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor such that the computer is programmed to classify a traffic condition of a road segment based on data received from an object detection sensor with a field of view including the road segment and that is communicatively connected to the computer. The computer is programmed to broadcast, to an area including the road segment, a vehicle-to-vehicle communication parameter, determined based on the classified traffic condition and specifying one or more of (i) a channel identifier, (ii) a transmission rate, (iii) a transmission power, or (iv) a message size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Linjun Zhang, Helen Elizabeth Kourous-Harrigan
  • Patent number: 10974693
    Abstract: In system and methods for theft prevention or mitigation, driver-related data associated with one or more authorized drivers of an insured vehicle may be collected over time. The authorized drivers and the insured vehicle may be covered by an insurance policy issued by an insurance provider. Based upon the collected driver-related data, a database associated with the authorized drivers may be built. Current driver-related data associated with an individual currently driving, attempting to start, or sitting in a seat of the insured vehicle may be collected. It may be determined, using both the database and the current driver-related data, that the individual is not among the authorized drivers. A disablement of an operation of the insured vehicle may be caused, and/or the individual may be caused to be prevented from starting or otherwise operating the insured vehicle, to facilitate preventing or mitigating theft of the insured vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Potter, Mark E. Clauss, Dustin Ryan Carter, Douglas Albert Graff, Megan Michal Baumann, Atlanta Bonnom, Craig Cope, Jennifer Luella Lawyer, Curtis Simpson, Nathan W. Baumann
  • Patent number: 10957169
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a video doorbell system includes a video doorbell device on an exterior surface of a structure and a chime kit within an interior of the structure. A transformer can be coupled in-series via electrical conductors with the video doorbell device and the chime kit. The chime kit can include an energy storage device that is charged via the electrical conductors. When a user activates a button on the video doorbell device power control circuitry within the video doorbell device can transmit a signal on the electrical conductors. Button detection circuitry within the chime kit can detect the signal and respond by transferring power from the energy storage device to a chime. While the chime is activated the transformer can continuously supply the video doorbell device with power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Aron Rosenberg, John M. Long, Nick Stoughton
  • Patent number: 10944150
    Abstract: A wireless communication device comprises a control unit, an antenna interface, an active wireless transceiver operable together with the control unit and antenna interface, a passive wireless transceiver operable together with the antenna interface and operable by harvesting power from received radio messages. The device is further configured to deactivate the one or more active wireless transceivers and control unit to an inactive state and, subsequently, by the passive wireless transceiver, activate the control unit and an active wireless transceiver to an active state when the passive wireless transceiver receives a message from the antenna interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN
    Inventors: Maarten Weyn, Philip Ludovic E Sanders
  • Patent number: 10919347
    Abstract: A system includes a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to acquire a first image of a tire of a vehicle upon shutdown of the vehicle. The instructions include instruction to then, upon startup of the vehicle, and in response to determining that the tire is unmoved since the shutdown and, in response, acquire a second image of the tire. The instructions include instruction to actuate a component of the vehicle in response to determining that the first image is different that the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Brian Bennie, Dilip B. Patel
  • Patent number: 10922940
    Abstract: Techniques are generally described for motion detection by supplying voltage pulses to a radio frequency (RF) circuit. In some examples, an RF motion detection circuit may output a first RF signal based at least in part on a first voltage pulse. In some further examples, the RF motion detection circuit may receive a second RF signal, the second RF signal being the first RF signal reflected from an environment external to the RF motion detection circuit. In some further examples, the first RF signal and the second RF signal may be mixed to generate a difference component signal. A first output voltage representing the difference component signal may be generated. In some examples, the first output voltage may be used to detect motion in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas Mark Chin
  • Patent number: 10916140
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for an ego vehicle. The method includes providing roaming data to a server, the roaming data describing a roaming pattern of the ego vehicle in a geographic area as a function of time. The method further includes providing a request to the server that describes a need for the ego vehicle to park. The method further includes receiving, from the server, a geographic location of an available parking spot and an estimated length of time the available parking spot will remain available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventors: Hongsheng Lu, Gaurav Bansal, John Kenney
  • Patent number: 10916130
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system displays a priority sign for a first road and a yield sign for a second road as a default right of way for a road intersection. The system receives signals from one or more X2X sensors detecting a traffic flow for a predetermined segment of road for each of the first and the second roads before the road intersection. If it is determined the traffic flow of the first road has no vehicle and the traffic flow of the second road includes at least one vehicle, the system initiates a first timer to count a predetermined time duration. If the traffic flow of the first road is determined to remain with no vehicle for the predetermined time duration, the system reverses the default right of way for the intersection so traffic signs for the first road displays yield and the second road displays priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventor: Fan Zhu
  • Patent number: 10885752
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a door or a window is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving, by a processor, an electronic signal from a motion sensor in response to movement of the door or window, determining a direction of movement of the door or window from the electronic signal by the processor, comparing the direction of movement to a predetermined direction by the processor, detecting, by the processor, an alarm condition of the door or window if the electronic signal indicates that the door or window is being opened, and transmitting, by a transmitter coupled to the processor, an alarm signal when the alarm condition has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ecolink Intelligent Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lamb, Jay Stone, Michael Bailey, George Seelman
  • Patent number: 10884470
    Abstract: A system for managing power supply devices includes a server including a database and a server end processing module. The server end processing module is configured to receive an alteration request from a user end electronic device and an alteration-confirmation signal from a service end electronic device, and send a confirmation response to the service end electronic device based on the received alteration request and alteration-confirmation signal in order for the service end electronic device to enable a target power supply device to update data stored therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Sheng Lin, Chia-Cheng Tu, Jen-Chiun Lin, Po-Yu Chuang, Yuh-Rey Chen, Te-Chuan Liu
  • Patent number: 10881285
    Abstract: A method (400) for modifying a user's oral care program. The method includes the steps of: (i) providing (410) a network (200) comprising a first personal care device (10a) in communication with a second personal care device (10b); (ii) cleaning (420) at least a portion of the oral cavity using the first personal care device; (iii) obtaining (440), while cleaning with the first personal care device, sensor data for the at least a portion of the oral cavity; (iv) communicating (450) the obtained sensor data to the second personal care device; and (v) modifying (460), based on the communicated sensor data, a function of the second personal care device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Steven Charles Deane, Rim Helaoui, Amir Hussein Rmaile, Yekaterina Borisenko, Vincent Jeanne, Marinus Karel Johannes De Jager, Aleksandro Grabulov
  • Patent number: 10884502
    Abstract: Systems and methods of providing mediated social interactions are provided. For instance, a user input from a first user indicative of a request to facilitate a provision of emotive contextual signals to a second user can be received. One or more emotive contextual signals to be provided to the second user can be determined based at least in part on the user input. The one or more emotive contextual signals can include one or more haptic feedback signals intended to facilitate a mediated social interaction associated with the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventor: Kelly Elizabeth Dobson
  • Patent number: 10885758
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first position data from at least one of a TOF sensor or a LIDAR. The first position data is representative of a position of a human within a hazardous environment. The method further includes receiving second position data associated with a plurality of wearable sensors associated with a plurality of personnel. The method further includes comparing the first position data to the second position data to identify a match between the first position data and the second position data. The method further includes sensing a signal to an alert device associated with the hazardous environment such that the alert device issues an alert in response to the first position data failings to match the second position data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Transocean Sedeo Forex Ventures Limited
    Inventors: Paul Johnson, Travis Mcguire
  • Patent number: 10878672
    Abstract: There is provided a numerical controller that automatically acquires detailed information on a wired device prior to connection setting. The numerical controller is connectable to a plurality of devices, and includes a connection information acquisition unit that acquires connection information on each of the devices, including information indicating a connection order and a kind of each of the devices by communicating with each of the devices in a hardware level, a connecting data creation unit that creates connecting data using the connection information, a connection processing execution unit that executes connection processing with each of the devices in a software level using the connecting data, and a detailed information acquisition unit that acquires detailed information from each of the devices subjected to the connection processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Kyouhei Wada
  • Patent number: 10869785
    Abstract: A liquid sensor for a diaper, and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The liquid sensor includes a plurality of electrochemical cells in series connection. Each of the plurality of electrochemical cells includes an anode, a cathode and a liquid-porous layer including an electrolyte solution. The liquid-porous layer electrically connects the anode to the cathode such that each cell has a respective predetermined potential difference across the cell. Two or more of the plurality of electrochemical cells are operable to be electrically connected by a liquid to form a single electrochemical cell having a potential difference lower than the sum of the predetermined potential differences of the two or more electrochemical cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: AGENCY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Jackie Y. Ying, Guolin Xu, Rensheng Deng, Min Hu
  • Patent number: 10861313
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable marine beacon system, including: at least one transmitter, at least one receiver conducting radio frequency (RF) wireless communication with the at least one transmitter to receive data of the at least one transmitter, and at least one smart handheld device wirelessly communicating with the at least one receiver to assess and process data from the receiver through Wi-Fi communication. The smart device comprises a central processing unit (CPU), a main memory, and a touch screen. The main memory stores a marine beacon manager application (App), and the touch screen is operated to instruct the CPU to execute the App, such that a transmitter management interface, an activity planning interface, a security patrol interface, and a record playback interface can be operated through the touch screen to provide for personal real-time tracking and functions of distress alert and precautionary safety protection for offshore and onshore positioning/rescuing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventors: Yu-Lung Wang, Mei-Yun Shen
  • Patent number: 10843626
    Abstract: A warning system for detecting approaching vehicle and method thereof are provided. The system includes a detection unit detecting a relative distance with respect to the approaching vehicle and a driving path of the approaching vehicle; a storage unit storing a warning information; and a processing unit receiving the detection signal to acquire the current time to collision and the current driving path. When the time to collision is equal to or shorter than the predetermined time to collision, and the driving path falls in the warning area, and the driving path fulfills the confirmation condition, the processing unit sends a warning signal. Therefore, a potentially dangerous approaching vehicle is accurately judged, and the warning is correctly sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: CUBTEK INC.
    Inventors: San-Chuan Yu, Cheng-Foo Chen, Chi-Yu Hung, Jyong Lin, Yu-Jen Lin