Patents Examined by George Bugg
  • Patent number: 9986312
    Abstract: A machine includes a first machine substrate and a second machine substrate and a monitoring system for the machine. The monitoring system includes a sensor subsystem including a sensor substrate integral with the first machine substrate and at least one sensor electromagnetic structure coupled to at least a portion of the sensor substrate. The at least one sensor electromagnetic structure includes at least one sensor conducting sub-component. The at least one sensor electromagnetic structure is configured to regulate electromagnetic fields incident thereto in response to at least one measurement characteristic of a machine measurand. The sensor subsystem is configured to obtain at least one measurement characteristic of the machine measurand proximate a machine sensing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ertugrul Berkcan, Yongjae Lee
  • Patent number: 9984169
    Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for search and notification are provided. A request to search for an item is received by a system from a client device. The request includes search parameters that identify the searched item. Sensor data that indicates items that are located within a predefined distance from a sensor is received. A determination that the search parameters match with a corresponding item among the items indicated by the sensor data as being located within the predefined distance from the sensor is performed by the system. A location of the searched item is determined by the system based on the match. The location of the searched item is displayed by the system in a user interface of an application on the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventor: Jigish Mehta
  • Patent number: 9981659
    Abstract: Provided is a driving assist device 10 that recognizes an object in the vicinity of a moving body, and assists a driver in driving the moving body, the apparatus including: an object detecting unit 12 that detects the object in the vicinity of the moving body; a three dimensional object detecting unit 13 that detects a three dimensional object in the vicinity of the moving body; and an object recognition unit 18 that recognizes the object at a predetermined detection position as a non-obstacle when the object information storing unit 16 stores the position of the object, and the three dimensional object information storing unit 17 does not store the position of the three dimensional object at the predetermined position in which detection is performed by both of the object detecting unit 12 and the three dimensional object detecting unit 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Urano, Katsuhiro Sakai, Toshiki Kindo, Kentaro Ichikawa, Masahiro Harada
  • Patent number: 9984355
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses, systems, and methods of monitoring product placement on shelves at a retail sales facility include at least one torque measurement sensor proximate at least one mounting location of a shelf on a sales floor of the retail facility. The torque measurement sensor is configured to measure a torque exerted by at least one product located on the shelf relative to a fulcrum of the shelf, and to send a signal to an electronic inventory management device including a processor-based control unit. The control unit of the electronic inventory management device is configured to receive electronic data associated with the at least one product and to estimate a weight distribution of the at least one product on the shelf based on the received electronic data and the measured torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Jones, Nicholaus A. Jones, Robert J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9978032
    Abstract: A method for tracking procedures performed on personal protection equipment (PPE) and actions of individuals includes the following steps. An article of PPE configured with a smart tag is provided to an individual prior to performance of a task. After the individual performs the task, the article of PPE is processed. Information is retrieved from the smart tag during at least one of: before, during and after processing the article of PPE. After the performance of the task, the individual's data is read and the individual enters into a designated area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Luca D. Farioli Brioschi, Luis V. Ramirez Chaidez, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Mark T. Anderson, Michael E. Hamerly
  • Patent number: 9978196
    Abstract: A banknote acceptor 1 for authenticating a banknote 2, has a sensing station S with detector 18 that produces image signals corresponding to a face the banknote. A processor 24 pre-processes the image signals and compares them with stored reference data corresponding to an acceptable banknote from memory 25 to determining the authenticity of the banknote and its denomination. A display device 29 displays an image 31 corresponding to the banknote under test based on the image signals from the detector 18, to allow the user to perform a visual check that the banknote detected at the sensing station corresponds to the banknote under test presented by the user. Also, the detected denomination of the banknote is displayed on device 32. The user can accept or reject the banknote using buttons 33 and 34, and retrieve images of previously accepted banknotes with button 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Crane Payment Innovations Limited
    Inventors: John Ashby, Andrew William Barson, Malcolm Bell, Les Hutton, Kevin Mulvey
  • Patent number: 9975030
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a time of a passing at a reference line of an RFID tag traveling along a route and a time of lapsing of the tracked RFID tag on the route, the system have a plurality of spaced apart tag reader systems for wirelessly obtaining tag reads, wherein at least one of the tag reader systems is space apart from the reference line. The timing system receives a plurality of tag reads and determines the time of passing of the RFID at the reference line responsive to the plurality of received tag read messages received from the plurality of tag reader systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Innovative Timing Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Kurt S. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9972176
    Abstract: Methods and systems for planning evacuation paths are provided to identify an optimum path for evacuation of every evacuee from a region of interest. Methods of the instant disclosure ensure that for each suggested evacuation path, the capacity of any edge on the path is not exceeded and the evacuation time is minimum. A path once identified is maintained. A randomized behavior model is employed to re-distribute evacuees in emergency situations. This provides optimum evacuation time that employs an improved technique with optimized run time and evacuation time after taking into consideration herd behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Tata Consultancy Services Limited
    Inventors: Arindam Pal, Gopinath Mishra, Subhra Mazumdar
  • Patent number: 9969344
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing accident information from a vehicle to an emergency responder when a vehicle accident occurs. One system includes a sensor and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to receive vehicle data from the sensor. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a child presence indication of whether a child is present in the vehicle based on the vehicle data. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a state of a windshield of the vehicle based on the vehicle data. The electronic processor is also configured to generate an emergency message including the child presence indication and the state of a windshield of the vehicle. The electronic processor is also configured to automatically transmit the emergency message to an emergency responder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Marcin KolasiƄski
  • Patent number: 9968255
    Abstract: A portable telemetry device includes a measurement component, a unidirectional radio, a bidirectional radio, and a communication component. The measurement component is configured to receive, from at least one sensor, physiological data representative of a physiological condition of a patient. The unidirectional radio is configured to transmit signals in a first wireless frequency band. The bidirectional radio is configured to transmit and receive signals in a second wireless frequency band different from the first wireless frequency band. The communication component is configured to transmit the physiological data using the unidirectional radio and transmit and receive control data using the bidirectional radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO-MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 9972200
    Abstract: A method and system for estimating traffic signals. The method and system can include constructing trajectories of probe vehicles from GPS data emitted by the probe vehicles, estimating traffic signal cycles, combining the estimates, and computing the traffic signal timing by maximizing a scoring function based on the estimates. Estimating traffic signal cycles can be based on transition times of the probe vehicles starting after a traffic signal turns green.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Julien Dumazert, Christian Claudel
  • Patent number: 9972017
    Abstract: A method for tracking procedures performed on personal protection equipment (PPE) and actions of individuals includes the following steps. An article of PPE configured with a smart tag is provided to an individual prior to performance of a task. After the individual performs the task, the article of PPE is processed. Information is retrieved from the smart tag during at least one of: before, during and after processing the article of PPE. After the performance of the task, the individual's data is read and the individual enters into a designated area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Luca D. Farioli Brioschi, Luis V. Ramirez Chaidez, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Mark T. Anderson, Michael E. Hamerly
  • Patent number: 9972197
    Abstract: Provided is a remote control, including: a wireless communication unit configured to be capable of sending a control signal for controlling a device by means of wireless communication; and a determining unit configured to transmit a device detection request by means of the wireless communication unit, and to identify installation locations of a plurality of devices as one or more zones, respectively, based on responses from the plurality of devices having received the device detection request, each of the responses including measurement information reflecting an installation location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC
    Inventor: Yoshinori Ohashi
  • Patent number: 9965932
    Abstract: An alarm system includes a detector positioned to detect when an object experiences an unauthorized removal and which produces an alarm signal when the object experiences an unauthorized removal. The alarm system includes a global positioning system (GPS) and a transmitter in communication with the detector which transmits wirelessly an alarm alert signal with coordinates of the transmitter's location when the transmitter receives the alarm signal. The alarm system includes a power supply control portion in communication with the transmitter which controls power to the transmitter. A method for protecting an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventor: Edwin Prugh Wilson
  • Patent number: 9965244
    Abstract: Embodiments are described herein that provide a dedicated command device that is bonded to a zone player or zone to perform adjustments to the zone player or zone. In an example implementation, a command device receives an instruction to pair with a first playback device that is associated with a group of playback devices that includes the first playback device and at least one additional playback device. The group of playback devices is associated with at least one group variable controlling playback by the playback devices of the group. The command device receives an input to adjust a first group variable of the at least one group variable and transmits, via a wireless communications interface, a command that causes an adjustment of the first group variable for the group of playback devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Reichert, David John McCaffree Amaranto
  • Patent number: 9958877
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for use in delivery of items to a storage unit. The storage unit can include one or several storage receptacles and a control unit that controls and monitors the status of the one or several storage receptacles. The storage unit may be included in a storage unit system that can include one or several storage units and a central control unit. The central control unit can communicate with the one or several storage units, and can receive status and availability updates from the one or several storage units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Nan K. McKenzie, William A. Tartal, Victoria K. Stephen, Michael J. Amato
  • Patent number: 9958878
    Abstract: A pump control system includes a controller coupled to first and second pressure sensors. The sensors couple serial pressure related information to the controller. The controller can evaluate respective liquid levels, in response to received pressure related information from the sensors. A current sensor coupled to the controller can provide signals indicative of operation of one or more pumps coupled to the controller. The controller includes circuits to detect the presence of predetermined, prioritized, faults and to emit a wired or wireless fault indicator in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Kochan, Jr., Casey W. Barker, Anton Belehradek
  • Patent number: 9955912
    Abstract: A magnetometer-based monitoring system comprising a magnet integrated with an object whose disposition is to be monitored, a first magnetometer secured in proximity to the object, and a second magnetometer secured at a fixed distance from the first magnetometer in proximity to the object. The monitoring system further comprising a processor to receive data from the first magnetometer and the second magnetometer, and calculate a measurement vector to determine the disposition of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Getchell Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Readdie, Jeremy G. Chatwin, Omondi L. Nyong'o
  • Patent number: 9959721
    Abstract: An anti-theft system and an operating method are provided. The anti-theft system includes a wearable device and a portable electronic device. The wearable device includes a first wireless module and a first processing module. The portable electronic device includes a second wireless module, a second processing module and a positioning module. The first wireless module and the second wireless module are in a wireless connection with each other. The second wireless module detects a received signal strength indicator value of the wireless connection. If the received signal strength indicator value is lower than a predetermined signal strength value, the positioning module is enabled to generate plural position data within a predetermined time period. Moreover, the second processing module calculates a displacement of the portable electronic device according to the plural position data and determines whether a warning mode is enabled according to the displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Shi-Jie Zhang, Che-Yen Huang, Ying-Che Tseng, Wen-Pin Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9959728
    Abstract: A method, system or computer usable program product for a smart appliance to interact with a user through a mobile device including detecting whether a mobile device associated with a first user is outside a user configurable proximity range of a smart appliance; detecting a status of the smart appliance via a set of sensors; and responsive to detecting that the mobile device is outside the user configurable proximity range, sending a user configurable message to the mobile device associated with the first user including the status of the smart appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joseph A. True