Patents Examined by Hoi C. Lau
  • Patent number: 12293656
    Abstract: Provided is an information processing device including a control unit that: stores a plurality of first notifications for prompting a safety action in association with the safety action to be taken by a user; selects one first notification from among the plurality of the first notifications when a determination is made to prompt the user to take the safety action in accordance with a behavior of the user; and outputs a presentation instruction for the selected one first notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Kashimura, Takahiro Kato
  • Patent number: 12288465
    Abstract: A vehicle with an emergency reporting function includes a vehicle communicator, an emergency reporting switch, a user interface, and a processor. The vehicle communicator transmits an emergency report about an emergency involving the vehicle to a server to make a request for an emergency response. The processor generates an emergency report and causes the vehicle communicator to transmit the emergency report if the vehicle is involved in an emergency. If the emergency reporting switch is manually operated by an occupant of the vehicle upon occurrence of the emergency, the processor presents emergency category items to allow the occupant to select a category item among the emergency category items on the user interface, generates the emergency report based on a manual operation about the category item selected by the occupant, and causes the vehicle communicator to transmit the emergency report based on the manual operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masatoshi Tsuge
  • Patent number: 12280711
    Abstract: A work machine can include a machine frame; and a component box holding a plurality of electrical components mounted to a roof of the machine frame; wherein the component box includes a plurality of indicator light sets exposed on an outer surface of the component box, wherein the plurality of indicator light sets are configured to indicate to external personnel a mode of operation of the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Adam L. Berry, Ashley Dallas Menges, William Clayton Martin, Ryan P. Pecinovsky, Scott M. Toombs
  • Patent number: 12274903
    Abstract: A fire detection apparatus 1A includes a heat detection unit 110A provided such that a part of the heat detection unit 110A is accommodated in an outer cover 20A and another part of the heat detection unit 110A is exposed to an outside of the fire detection apparatus 1A through an insertion hole 120A formed in a top surface portion 22A, and a guard portion 130A which is provided to cover a periphery of the insertion hole 120A and another part of the heat detection unit 110A in the top surface portion 22A and has a plurality of ribs, in which a material of a rib corresponding to a first guard side rib 131A among the plurality of ribs is made different from a material of some other ribs, or a shape of the first guard side rib 131A among the plurality of ribs is made different from a shape of some other ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: HOCHIKI Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuharu Fujiwara, Isao Saeki, Hideki Takano
  • Patent number: 12277844
    Abstract: A security tag comprises a first arm including a first clamping surface and a pin housing proximate a distal end of the first arm; a second arm including a second clamping surface and a clutch mechanism proximate a distal end of the second arm; a hinge connecting proximal ends of the first and second arms; and a curved pin having a tip. The security tag is moveable between an open configuration, in which the arms are in an open position with respect to each other such that there is a first gap between the first and second clamping surfaces and the curved pin is in a disengaged position and at least partially housed within the pin housing, and a locked configuration, in which the arms are in a closed position with respect to each other such that there is a second smaller gap between the first and second clamping surfaces and the curved pin is engaged with the clutch mechanism to retain the arms in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Sekura Global IP LLP
    Inventor: Timothy Pryce-Hall
  • Patent number: 12274904
    Abstract: A fire detection apparatus 1A includes a heat detection unit 110A provided such that a part of the heat detection unit 110A is accommodated in an outer cover 20A and another part of the heat detection unit 110A is exposed to an outside of the fire detection apparatus 1A through an insertion hole 120A formed in a top surface portion 22A, and a guard portion 130A which is provided to cover a periphery of the insertion hole 120A and another part of the heat detection unit 110A in the top surface portion 22A and has a plurality of ribs, in which a material of a rib corresponding to a first guard side rib 131A among the plurality of ribs is made different from a material of some other ribs, or a shape of the first guard side rib 131A among the plurality of ribs is made different from a shape of some other ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: HOCHIKI Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuharu Fujiwara, Isao Saeki, Hideki Takano
  • Patent number: 12272237
    Abstract: Techniques for managing pedestrian and vehicular congestion are described herein. In an example, a congestion event at a location is identified. The congestion event may be a sporting event, entertainment event, road construction event, etc. A primary route to or from the congestion event is identified. In examples, a primary route conveys traffic to the location, and may be associated with commencement of the event. Alternatively or subsequently, a primary route conveys traffic away from the location, and may be associated with a conclusion of the event. A secondary route that could lessen traffic of the primary route is identified. In a first example, durations of vehicle traffic lights and pedestrian walk/don't walk signs are adjusted to encourage and to increase usage of the secondary route. In a second example, the secondary route is promoted by updating digital signage to send traffic on the secondary route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lee Kann, Mark K. Cornwall
  • Patent number: 12258242
    Abstract: The present disclosure presents systems and methods for assisting a crane operator. An imaging system automatically images each building material object contained within a shakeout field on a construction site and processes the images to determine each object's identifying indicium and its geometric properties. These values are compared with a construction site database to ensure that all necessary building materials are present. A positioning device tracks, in real time, the location of the imaging system, the location of structural members within the shakeout field, and/or other important features of the job site, such as obstacles that the crane operator will need to avoid while lifting a structural member from its initial location to its destination location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Structural Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Benzing, William R Haller, Seth T. Slavin, Marta Kasica-Soltan
  • Patent number: 12240375
    Abstract: An electronically controlled motor driven siren. The siren is electronically controlled to generate different sound profiles, while having advantages of a motor driven mechanical siren. In some embodiments, the siren is part of a system of multiple sirens. The phases of the rotors of the sirens of the system can be electronically controlled to generate different multi-siren combined sound profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent S. Fleszewski, Robert J. Hartke, Jeffery M. Loftus, Christopher Radzik
  • Patent number: 12243424
    Abstract: A vehicle flow monitoring system for detecting both a car count and direction of movement of vehicles passing a point of interest. The vehicle flow monitoring system generally includes a car counter which may include a microcontroller and a pair of distance sensors. Each of the distance sensors is oriented toward a unique point of interest. Each of the distance sensors includes a threshold distance reading which is used to detect whether a vehicle has passed underneath the car counter. The system may determine direction of travel of the vehicle based on which of the distance sensors is passed by the vehicle first. The microcontroller may assign an Event ID to each time a vehicle passes each of the sensors, with the Event ID being used to identify when and if the vehicle should be counted, or whether a non-vehicle object has passed the car counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Frogparking Limited
    Inventor: Donald H. Sandbrook
  • Patent number: 12236762
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to recoilers, merchandise security systems, and methods for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft. In one example, the merchandise security system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise and a base for removably supporting the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon. The system also includes a recoiler operably coupled to the sensor. The recoiler includes a rotatable member defining a helical recess. The system further includes a cable configured to connect to the sensor and to be unwound from and wound on the rotatable member as the cable is extended and retracted. The cable is configured to be extended from the recoiler in response to the sensor being lifted off of the base, and the cable is configured to be retracted into the recoiler in response to the sensor being moved to a seated position on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Berglund, Kyle Baker, Robert Bisesti
  • Patent number: 12227978
    Abstract: A method and a system for contactless obstacle detection for a motor vehicle having a front side door and a rear side door, using a single primary obstacle sensor provided on the motor vehicle, preferably in the form of a ToF sensor, which is configured to monitor an opening region of the front side door, and, at least as long as the front side door is closed, also to monitor an opening region of the rear side door, the method comprising the following step, which is carried out repeatedly: determining a current maximum allowed opening angle for the rear side door based on an output of a monitoring of the opening region of the rear side door by the primary obstacle sensor and taking into account a current opening state of the front side door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Tim Bartsch, Markus Link, Willibald Reitmeier, Philippe Grass
  • Patent number: 12213449
    Abstract: An animal marking control system includes: at least one transceiver communicatively coupled to a remote base station (BS) and configured to exchange data with the BS, the transceiver having a plurality of operation modes (OMs), each of the OMs defining a respective frequency of communication (FoC) of the transceiver with the BS; a marker unit configured to selectively mark the animal; a processing circuitry configured to: cause activation of the transceiver at a first OM of the OMs, wherein in the first OM the transceiver communicates with the BS in a first FoC; receive an indication of a marking need from the BS; upon receipt of the indication of a marking need, cause activation of the transceiver at a second OM of the OMs, wherein in the second OM the transceiver communicates with the BS in a second FoC; receive marker unit activation instructions; activate the marker unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: S.C.R. (ENGINEERS) LIMITED
    Inventors: Alon Fichman, Mordehay Cohen
  • Patent number: 12198526
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for pathogen detection. One of the methods includes providing, to a classifier, sensor data for a physical area, at a property, to cause the classifier to generate output data using the sensor data; receiving, from the classifier, the output data that indicates whether a pathogen was likely detected; detecting, using the output data, a likely pathogen in the physical area; determining whether to provide an alert given the detection of the likely pathogen; and in response to determining whether to provide the alert given the detection of the likely pathogen, selectively providing, to a device, the alert to cause the device to present the alert or determining to skip providing the alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventor: Ramy Samir Aziz ElDelgawy
  • Patent number: 12195306
    Abstract: Based upon the identification of a structural member, a projective path and final attachment location for the structural member is presented to the crane operator. Further, the dimensions of each structural member are determined and compared against a construction site database. Structural members not conforming to the dimensions listed in the construction site database are identified and the crane operator alerted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Structural Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Benzing, William R Haller, Seth T. Slavin
  • Patent number: 12188745
    Abstract: A holster includes a system for providing an audio and/or a visual notification differentiating a lethal weapon from a less lethal weapon when one of these weapons is removed from its holster. The holster includes a sensor for detecting the presence of a weapon therein as well as removal of the weapon. Upon receiving a signal from the sensor indicating drawing of the weapon, a microcontroller actuates a speaker and/or a visual display to indicate the type of weapon which was drawn. Others are made aware of the type of weapon being drawn or which is currently deployed. The wearer of the holster is also made aware of a mistake if the incorrect type of weapon is drawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Zyno Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Salazar, Daniel J. Keys, Allison Davidoff
  • Patent number: 12190730
    Abstract: A parking space management system includes a bistable reflective display, such as an electrophoretic display, which is sunlight-readable and only requires power when the information on the display is updated. One or more detectors are configured to determine the presence of an object within a bounded space, such as a parking space, and communicate that status to the bistable reflective display, thereby causing the bistable reflective display to show the presence of an object within the bounded space to an observer. Such a system is easy to implement and will save drivers' time because they don't have to hunt for a parking spot. Such a system also reduces tailpipe emissions because it is not necessary to drive up and down multiple aisles of cars looking for an open parking spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Zhen Bao, George G. Harris, Brian D. Bean
  • Patent number: 12189145
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rotary-type display apparatus using, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) which is a semiconductor light-emitting device, wherein the apparatus can be applied to technical fields related to display apparatuses. According to the present invention, a rotatory-type display apparatus using a light-emitting device comprises: a fixing part including a motor; a rotating part located on the fixing part and rotated by the motor; and a light source module which includes at least two rod-shaped panels coupled to the rotating part and arranged radially, and light-emitting device arrays respectively disposed on the panels in the longitudinal direction, wherein the height of the at least two panels from the rotating part may be different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Sungwhan Lee
  • Patent number: 12183194
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a computer that receives weather information from a weather service provider (“WSP”) server and automatic vehicle locating system (“AVL”) collected information from an AVL server, accesses a material performance specification for at least one treatment material, and determines, based on the weather information and/or AVL collected information and the material performance specification, a treatment recommendation for a selected roadway segment and/or route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Concaten, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin K. Groeneweg
  • Patent number: 12179695
    Abstract: A method of vehicle accident response includes generating, by a mobile device located inside a vehicle, telematics data associated with operation of the vehicle, and transmitting, from the mobile device to one or more processors via wireless communication, the telematics data. The method also includes analyzing the telematics data to determine that an accident involving the vehicle has occurred, analyzing the telematics data to determine a likelihood of injury due to the accident, and generating a communication (i) based upon the telematics data and the likelihood of injury and (ii) in response to determining that the accident has occurred. The method further includes transmitting, to the mobile device, the communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Potter, Mark E. Clauss, Dustin Ryan Carter, Megan Michal Baumann, Atlanta Bonnom, Craig Cope, Jennifer Luella Lawyer, Curtis Simpson, Nathan W. Baumann, Douglas Albert Graff