Patents Examined by Firmin Backer
  • Patent number: 9318021
    Abstract: The vehicle mounted traffic light adds a mini-signal light located inside a vehicle on the deck behind the back seat of the vehicle, to enable its signaling units, such as signal lights, to be visible to other vehicles, such as cars, behind the vehicle. A wireless signal from a wireless transmitter associated with an originating signal system unit associated with a traffic signal light transmits the signal light state of the traffic signal light to a receiver associated with the vehicle, such located as inside the vehicle. The receiver relays the received signal light state information to a processor associated with the vehicle mounted traffic light, such as located inside the vehicle, which issues commands to the signaling units of the vehicle mounted traffic light to mimic or correspond to the received signal light state of the traffic signal light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: Jassem M. Al-Jasem Al-Qaneei
  • Patent number: 9309747
    Abstract: A method of processing parameter data includes: receiving at least one alarm value for a selected interval, the at least one alarm value generated based on a comparison of estimated parameter values at one or more respective interval points with limits at the respective interval points; performing, by a processor, a statistical analysis of the at least one alarm value over the selected interval; and generating an alarm indication associated with the selected interval, the alarm indication corresponding to a result of the statistical analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephan Dankers, Daniel Moos
  • Patent number: 9311815
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improvement of methods and systems used to configure electronic components and modules to a vehicle. A low cost programmer tool, or key fob dongle, may manage devices coupled to a vehicle communication network. The system is designed for on-board management of multiple vehicle network protocols to support configuration of various electronic modules to a vehicle. A method for using a key fob dongle is disclosed herein. The method includes inserting the key fob dongle into an on-board diagnostic (OBD)-II connector of a vehicle, transmitting a communication detection request to the OBD-II connector, and beeping a predetermined amount of times in response to the communication detection request, wherein the beeping a predetermined amount of times identifies a vehicle communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: RB Distribution, Inc.
    Inventors: Kris Ramchandani, Venkataramani Kumar
  • Patent number: 9304047
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for on-line measuring the inner temperature of a cable joint, the device includes a built-in temperature measurer and an outside receiver. The built-in temperature measurer measures the temperature of the cable joint or a core wire surface by means of direct contact measuring method, and transmits the data to the outside receiver through an insulating layer by means of the radio frequency identification technique. At the same time, the outside receiver supplies power energy to the built-in temperature measurer by means of the radio frequency signal, so it resolves the problem of supplying power to the built-in temperature measurer. The device of the invention has the advantage of accurately measuring temperature, small volume, superior applicability and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Zhejiang Tuwei Electricity Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qiang Huang, Chengcai Wu
  • Patent number: 9305191
    Abstract: A hand hygiene compliance (HHC) system that, in addition to monitoring hand hygiene, provides messaging and asset tracking capabilities to improve workflow amongst employees working at a facility. In one embodiment, the HHC system includes a control unit that is associated with a hand hygiene dispenser and programmed to enable use of a menu of icons each time the control unit detects use of the hand hygiene dispenser by as individual, wherein the icons allow the individual to, without limitation, communicate, enter, obtain, or update workflow information. More specifically, the menu of icons is displayed on a feedback device associated with the control unit, and users select icons by physically touching the feedback device. Alternatively, the control unit includes a gesture sense system which allows users to select one or more icons via touch-free gestures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: PROVENTIX SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Avery Dallas Long, Harvey Allen Nix, Matthew A Johnson, Romeo Maurice Burtis
  • Patent number: 9307178
    Abstract: A device receives a request from a controlling device, such as a remote control, smart phone, or the like, where the request is intended to have one or more target devices perform one or more functional operations. The device responds to the request by applying the optimum methodology to propagate one or more commands to each intended target appliance to cause each intended target appliance to perform the intended one or more functional operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Brian Barnett, Dan N. McKay
  • Patent number: 9300773
    Abstract: A portable electronic device may have a dock connector moisture infiltration indication structure for indicating whether moisture has infiltrated the device. The structure may be located within a dock connector port. The dock connector may have a viewing hole that enables viewing of the moisture indicator. The moisture indicator may have four layers: upper and lower moisture barriers, a wicking layer and a dyeing layer. After becoming wet, the moisture indicator may change from one color to another color. A menu button in the device may have a transparent and opaque member with a viewing aperture. A moisture indicator may be formed on the button and may be viewed through the viewing aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Adam D. Mittleman, Erik L. Wang, Jason Sloey
  • Patent number: 9300032
    Abstract: The present invention provides an RFID device having a substrate body, and an IC component and antenna disposed thereon. The RFID device may further include one or more spacing elements, wherein at least a portion of the substrate body is adapted to be disposed around at least a portion the spacing element, thus reducing the overall size of the substrate body with proper impedance matching. The RFID device may further include an EAS element coupled to the substrate body and/or the spacing element in order to create a combination RFID/EAS device with the ability to reduce its overall footprint without sacrificing the ability to provide both identification and article surveillance functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventor: Edward Day
  • Patent number: 9293033
    Abstract: A method for generating sensor data is presented. A number of wireless power signals is sent to a group of sensor units. A number of wireless data collection signals is sent to the group of sensor units after the number of wireless power signals have been sent to the group of sensor units. Sensor data in a number of wireless response signals is received from the group of sensor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jason P. Bommer, David William Minteer, Richard J. Nesting, Arun Ayyagari, Richard Neal Bostwick, Andrew Michael Robb
  • Patent number: 9279698
    Abstract: A metering and measuring point system for measuring and metering electrical energy/electricity drawn off and/or fed into a drawing off and/or feeding device at a fixed geographical point by a consumption unit, comprises one or more stationary drawing off and/or feeding devices that are connected to the power supply and configured for drawing off and/or feeding in electrical energy/electricity by means of consumption/generation units and at least one identifiable non-stationary functional unit for measuring and metering electrical energy/electricity that is conductively, via an electric conductor or inductively, drawn off or fed into one or more stationary drawing off and/or feeding devices by consumption/generation units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: UBITRICITY GESELLSCHAFT FUR VERTEILTE ENERGIESYSTEME MBH
    Inventors: Knut Hechtfischer, Frank Pawlitschek
  • Patent number: 9275532
    Abstract: The method, system, and computer-readable medium facilitates monitoring one or more eyes of a vehicle operator during a driving session to generate a plurality of gaze location logs with gaze location values and timestamps. The gaze location value may be generated by determining a focal point of the vehicle operator's gaze, determining which of a plurality of areas of the vehicle is associated with the focal point, and assigning the gaze location value based on the area of the vehicle associated with the focal point. The gaze location logs may be analyzed to determine the duration of the vehicle operator's gaze at each area of the vehicle. Based on the duration of the vehicle operators gaze, recommendations to improve vehicle operator performance may be determined and communicated to the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Bryan Allen Plummer, Parker Andrew Brown, Jibo He, Brian M. Fields, Steve Roberson, Steve Cielocha, Jufeng Peng
  • Patent number: 9259190
    Abstract: A method is provided for managing manual entries of blood glucose measures in relation to a structured collection procedure administered by a portable computing device. The method includes: receiving an expected time for an event associated with a structured collection procedure, defining an acceptance window for a given collection action associated with the structured collection procedure and creating a reminder for the given collection action in a persistent data store, where the reminder specifies a time at which to initiate a reminder. Upon receiving a data entry of a blood glucose measure, the reminder event is purged from the data store when the data entry is received prior to the time at which to initiate the reminder. Conversely, a reminder notification is presented to the user when the data entry has not been received in advance of the time at which to initiate the reminder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Reinke
  • Patent number: 9261620
    Abstract: System and method for deploying multiple antennas in an array configuration with unobstructed electromagnetic access to a formation outside of a casing, sequencing the transmitted signal to control the direction of transmission into the formation, receiving the reflected signals, and locating the position of the reflection based on the scanned transmission signal orientation and the direction of the received signal. Such a deployment of an antenna array with unobstructed electromagnetic access to the formation outside of the casing, sequencing of the interrogation signal, and analysis of the received signal relative to the transmitted signal direction form the basis for reflection image rendering as the transmitted signal is scanned by a sequenced stimulus signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventors: Micah Thomas Mangione, Paul Henson Townsend, Robert J. Duenckel
  • Patent number: 9260960
    Abstract: System and method for communicating the state of a downhole subsea well which includes a wellbore with at least one sensor disposed within it. Information from the wellbore is communicated to a seabed data governor which is disposed on the seafloor. The seabed data governor includes buoyant signaling devices and a release module allowing the release of the buoyant signaling devices which then travel to the sea surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Donald W. Ross
  • Patent number: 9251700
    Abstract: Disconnected from the powerline, a battery-powered receiver is configured to conserve power. The receiver communicates information between a local controller and a communication network that uses the powerline and a radio frequency (RF) band to propagate messages. An antenna wirelessly detects the presence of the powerline carrier signal that radiates into free space, which indicates a first message encoded onto the powerline. A computer processor wakes up from an inactive state based on the presence of the carrier signal and receives a second message via a second RF signal having a different frequency than the powerline carrier signal, and determines whether the device address in the second message is the assigned address of the receiver. If the message is not addressed to the receiver, the receiver returns to an inactive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: SmartLabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Brian Cregg, Marcus Paul Escobosa
  • Patent number: 9243492
    Abstract: A downhole assembly includes an apparatus for generating a fluid pressure pulse downhole. A disclosed apparatus for generating a fluid pressure pulse downhole includes an elongate, generally tubular housing defining an internal fluid flow passage and having a housing wall. The apparatus also includes a device for selectively generating a fluid pressure pulse, the device having a cartridge which can be releasably mounted entirely within a space provided in the wall of the tubular housing. The internal fluid flow passage defined by the tubular housing is a primary fluid flow passage. A secondary fluid flow passage has an inlet which communicates with the primary fluid flow passage. The cartridge houses a valve actuable to control fluid flow through the secondary fluid flow passage to selectively generate a fluid pressure pulse. Data relating to a measured downhole parameter or parameters can be transmitted to surface via the pressure pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Manufacturing and Services Limited
    Inventor: Simon Benedict Fraser
  • Patent number: 9240295
    Abstract: Disclosed is keypad circuitry operable to detect a pressed key while reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI). The keypad circuitry is operable to reduce EMI in two ways: a) reducing the voltage swing occurring at the row circuitry and column circuitry of the keypad, and b) reducing the number of signal transitions by restricting the signal transitions to occurring at the column and row corresponding to a pressed key. By limiting signal transitions to occurring only at the row and column corresponding to a pressed key, fewer signal transitions occur, and thus, less EMI is produced. Additionally, reduced voltage swings at the row circuitry and column circuitry results in reduced EMI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Hong Chean Choo, Kien Beng Tan, Gee Heng Loh
  • Patent number: 9240895
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods, systems and devices of providing multicast functionality through an energy portal such as a meter, which reduces bandwidth required for communication between the energy portal and a server. In accordance with one aspect, a method is provided of providing multicast functionality through an energy portal, which reduces bandwidth required for communication between the energy portal and a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Bradley Richard Ree
  • Patent number: 9232894
    Abstract: A remote patient management system comprising a display and a processor. Execution of instructions cause the processor to: determine at least one first boundary value between a safe zone and a warning zone for each of at least one patient vital sign; determine at least one second boundary value between the warning zone and an alert zone for each of the at least one patient vital sign; repeatedly receive the at least one patient vital sign; determine a status value indicating the safe zone, warning zone, or alert zone; calculate a transition risk value; and display a patient status indicator which indicates the status level and the transition risk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Aleksandra Tesanovic, Harald Reiter
  • Patent number: 9235273
    Abstract: A user interface device including a non-flexible part; at least one flexible part coupled to the non-flexible part; and at least one sensor, for detecting bending of a respective flexible part with respect to the non-flexible part, and for producing a command in response to sensing bending of the respective flexible part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Constantin Alexandru Opran, Peter Tjin Sjoe Kong Tsang, Stuart Ronald Pill, Cornelis Petrus Joseph Bink