Patents Examined by Erin File
  • Patent number: 9661402
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to embed information in generated acoustic signals are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein to embed information in an acoustic signal output from an electric vehicle include obtaining a first audio signal to be used to generate the acoustic signal. Such example also include combining a second signal with the first audio signal, the second signal to convey first digital information that, when detected, indicates a presence of the electric vehicle. Such example methods further include providing the first audio signal with the second signal to an audio circuit that is to output the acoustic signal from the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Topchy, Padmanabhan Soundararajan, Venugopal Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 9661350
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating received error rates. In one embodiment, the estimation of received error rates is conducted in relation to a bus interface such as a high-speed High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) interface, and the method utilizes corrupted symbols that violate TMDS symbol rules, the corrupted symbols being easily detected and counted. In one exemplary implementation, a symbol error rate (SER) can be estimated from the number of detected invalid symbols. The SER can be used to diagnose the performance of the HDMI interface, and optionally as a basis for selecting or implementing corrective action(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Colin Whitby-Strevens
  • Patent number: 9654917
    Abstract: An identity, position, and/or health monitoring apparatus is provided. The identity, position, and/or health monitoring apparatus includes a retention feature, such as a wristband, configured to removably secure the monitoring apparatus to a person, such as a child. Particularly, the band of the monitoring apparatus may be a flexible and/or stretchable band that may be worn around a part of the body, such as a wrist or ankle. The band may be defined by a circumferential member and/or may include first and second ends and a clasping mechanism configured to clasp and secure the first and second ends together, such as around the wrist or ankle of the user. In certain instances, the monitoring apparatus is retained within the band, and in other instances, the monitoring apparatus may be removable from the band, and the clasping mechanism may be configured for allowing the monitoring device to be removably attached therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan J. Shaprio, Thomas Harrah
  • Patent number: 9652962
    Abstract: A system includes a first electronic device configured to attach to an industrial machine or one or more areas of an industrial facility. The first electronic device is configured to transmit a signal indicative of a potentially hazardous condition with respect to personnel of the industrial facility. The system also includes a second electronic device communicatively coupled to the first electronic device and configured to attach to a hardhat of the personnel of the industrial facility. The second electronic device is configured to receive the signal from the first electronic device, determine whether a parameter of the signal is above a threshold, and generate an alarm when the parameter of the signal is above the threshold. The alarm is configured to indicate the potentially hazardous condition to the personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Selaka Bandara Bulumulla, Michael Joseph Dell'Anno, Danijel Maricic
  • Patent number: 9652974
    Abstract: The present invention includes a security-monitoring platform adapted to automatically create associations between electronic monitoring security devices and security alerts on the fly. As alerts occur, the security-monitoring platform operator may select one or more electronic monitoring security devices to aid in processing the security alert, and the security-monitoring platform automatically identifies the selected electronic monitoring security device(s) and creates an association between the selected electronic monitoring security device(s) and the security alert. The security-monitoring platform will then automatically display the associated electronic monitoring security device to the operator when that same security alert is subsequently triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Sureview Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Roberts
  • Patent number: 9641293
    Abstract: A method of transmitting, by a transmitter, information in a wireless communication system, the method includes generating first and second symbols; generating first and second transmit vectors on the basis of an Alamouti code from the first and second symbols; and transmitting the first transmit vector through a first antenna and transmitting the second transmit vector through a second antenna. The first transmit vector consists of a first transmit symbol and a second transmit symbol. The second transmit vector consists of a third transmit symbol and a fourth transmit symbol. The first, second, third, and fourth transmit symbols are transmitted based on first and second resource indexes. The first symbol is a first modulation symbol for first information, and the second symbol is a second modulation symbol for second information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seung Hee Han, Moon II Lee, Yeong Hyeon Kwon, Hyun Soo Ko, Ja Ho Koo, Dong Cheol Kim, Jae Hoon Chung, Sung Ho Moon, Jin Sam Kwak, Min Seok Noh, Hyun Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 9629475
    Abstract: A smart crib is provided that includes a horizontal support platform and one or more vertical surfaces connected thereto that enclose a space above the horizontal support platform and/or define a space above the horizontal support platform. The horizontal support platform and/or the vertical surfaces may include one or more sensors that can be used to learn behavior of the crib occupant and/or determine conditions of the occupant and/or environment of the crib and/or the crib's surrounding area. The crib may receive responses from a client device and/or automatically act upon a detected condition in the crib or with the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Maxime Veron
  • Patent number: 9630557
    Abstract: Alarm indications of objects (431, 631) in spaces (113) subject to vehicle movements are provided using a scanner unit configured to provide indications of directions and distances of objects within a scan area. A computer compares the signal output from a scanner unit (121) and resolves the signal output to a pattern of the indications of directions and distances, and further resolve multiple instances of the indications over time to resolve the pattern of indications and distances to movement corresponding to the movement of the objects (431, 631). The indications are compared to render an indication of objects (431) partially blocked by other ones (631) of the objects from line-of-sight of the scanner unit (121). Predetermined relative movements of the objects (431, 631) as resolved by the computer render predetermined indicator or alarm signals (341, 342, 345).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SICK, INC.
    Inventors: Dale Hoepner, Monisha Shivanna, Aaron Rothmeyer, Don Alexander
  • Patent number: 9635044
    Abstract: Electromagnetic (EM)/radio frequency (RF) emissions may be detected and corresponding EM personas may be created. One or more EM personas may be associated with a super persona corresponding to a particular entity. EM personas, super personas, and/or supplemental identifying information can be used to enforce security protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Bastille Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert John Baxley, Christopher Jay Rouland, Michael Thomas Engle
  • Patent number: 9628950
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for location based messaging. In one embodiment a mobile device is configured to receive a first recipient selection input identifying a second mobile device, a first content message associated with the first recipient selection input, and a first geofence input associated with the first content message, wherein the first geofence input identifies a first delivery area. The mobile device then initiates communication of the first content message from the mobile device to the second mobile device via a network, wherein the first content message is configured for presentation on the second mobile device when the second mobile device is within the first delivery area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Investment Asset Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Eric Noeth, Zachary DeWitt, Matthew Diepenbrock
  • Patent number: 9619996
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting and managing wildfires is described. The system and method deploy a plurality of fixed sensors in an area to be monitored. Each fixed sensor is operable to detect ambient conditions in the vicinity of the fixed sensor and to relay that information to a central control center. A plurality of mobile sensors are deployed with responders, where each mobile sensor is capable of detecting ambient conditions near the respective responder and conditions of the responder. The plurality of mobile sensors are in communication with the central control center. The system then determines attributes of the wildfire from the collective data from the plurality of fixed sensors and the plurality of mobile sensors and coordinates the activity of responders in response to the wildfire using the collective data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Kyle B. Smith
  • Patent number: 9617850
    Abstract: A communication system comprises: (A) a first transmitter that is acoustically coupled to a column of fluid located within a wellbore of an oil, gas, or water well, wherein the first transmitter transmits sound waves wirelessly through the column of fluid located within the wellbore, and wherein the sound waves are encoded with data; and (B) a first receiver that is acoustically coupled to the column of fluid located within the wellbore, wherein the first receiver receives the data-encoded sound waves, wherein the data-encoded sound waves communicate information about the well or a component of the wellbore. A method of communicating information wirelessly in a wellbore of an oil, gas, or water well comprises: providing the communication system; and causing or allowing the first transmitter to communicate information about the well or a component of the wellbore to the first receiver via the data-encoded sound waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Fripp, Kevin D. Fink, Donald G. Kyle
  • Patent number: 9619681
    Abstract: Provided are a device detecting the spatial variation of the complex permittivity and an article presence/absence detection system which are capable of detecting the presence or absence of an article by using a UHF-band RFID tag. A device detecting the spatial variation of the complex permittivity includes an RFID tag, a conductor electrode unit, and a dielectric tag base material. The RFID tag performs communication using an electromagnetic wave in a UHF band. The conductor electrode unit communicates with the RFID tag by using the electromagnetic wave in the UHF band. The dielectric tag base material is provided between the RFID tag and the conductor electrode unit and separates the RFID tag from the electrode unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keishi Kosaka
  • Patent number: 9622070
    Abstract: Various methods are described for providing updated network subscription information for a device to one or more other devices. One example method may comprise establishing a first subscription associated with a first network operator for a device. The method may further comprise transferring the device from the first subscription associated with the first network operator to a second subscription associated with a second network operator. Additionally, the method may comprise updating one or more other devices identified in a connection map associated with the device of the transfer to the second subscription. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Silke Holtmanns, Rune Lindholm
  • Patent number: 9620020
    Abstract: A method for detecting noncompliance with aviation regulations and operating procedures is disclosed herein. The method analyzes communication associated with a host aircraft to identify key information, stores the identified key information in a data storage device, and determines whether a particular aviation regulation or operating procedure applies to the host aircraft. After determining that a regulation or operating procedure applies, the stored key information is compared against reference information maintained in a database in association with the regulation or operating procedure. An alert is generated when the comparing detects a discrepancy between the stored key information and the reference information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Guoqing Wang, Chuan Jiang, Robert E De Mers
  • Patent number: 9619985
    Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving occupancy data associated with a home. The method may further include automatically selectively broadcasting an audio stream to at least one of a plurality of speakers in the home based, at least in part, on the received occupancy data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmy Stricker, Craig Matsuura, Ryan Carlson, John Vogelsberg, Michael Allen Tupy, Matthew Mahar, Matthew J. Eyring, Clint Gordon-Carroll, Jeremy B. Warren, James Ellis Nye, Jefferson Lyman
  • Patent number: 9609973
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for providing electronic notifications of physical delivery of mail. Realtime geolocation services are leveraged to trigger one or more automated notifications. The notifications are delivered via a modern delivery means such as email, SMS text or pre-recorded voice message. No extra equipment is needed to implement the system from the perspective of postal workers since many postal workers already carry a GPS-enabled device. Instead of people passively waiting around for an imprecise time of delivery, people can go about their lives and can respond to actual delivery of paper-based mail via a notification and notification type of their choosing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Anthem Andrew Pleasant
  • Patent number: 9610013
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods for, among others, tracking sensor insertion locations in a continuous analyte monitoring system. Data gathered from sensor sessions can be used in different ways, such as providing a user with a suggested rotation of insertion locations, correlating data from a given sensor session with sensor accuracy and/or sensor session length, and providing a user with a suggested next insertion location based upon past sensor accuracy and/or sensor session length at that location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine Yerre Koehler, Leif N. Bowman, Rian Draeger, Laura Dunn, Eli Reihman
  • Patent number: 9605536
    Abstract: Acoustic data acquired in a MWD/LWD system can be compressed for transmission to the surface. The compression technique can include semblance processing acoustic signals received at a plurality of receivers spaced apart from a transmitter to generate a semblance projection at each of a plurality of depths. Peaks of the semblance projection can then be telemetered to the surface, with each peak including a slowness (velocity) value and a coherence (semblance) value. The telemetered values may be processed at the surface to generate logs as a function of depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Medhat Mickael
  • Patent number: 9609462
    Abstract: A boiler control device may include a housing and a wireless communication module for receiving coded control signals from the thermostat device. The boiler control device may also include boiler control circuitry for selectively controlling activation of the boiler-based heating system according to the coded control signals from the thermostat device. An onboard antenna disposed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the wireless communication module, and an interface configured to receive an auxiliary antenna. The auxiliary antenna may be disposed outside of the housing. Detection circuitry may detect times when the auxiliary antenna is communicatively coupled to the interface. Switching circuitry may interrupt communication between the onboard antenna and the wireless communication module during the times when the auxiliary antenna is communicatively coupled to the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Warren, Honjo Hirofumi, Anthony M. Fadell, Richard W. Holbrook, Shigefumi Honjo