Patents Examined by Hung T. Nguyen
  • Sensing device and corresponding apparatus and method
    Patent number: 9906845
    Abstract: A sensing device includes a barometric sensor, e.g., MEMS-based, and a processing unit coupled to the barometric sensor to receive therefrom a barometric signal. The processing unit is configured as a state machine having a plurality of states including an initial state and a final state with a set of transitions from the initial state to the final state. The transitions are triggered by the barometric signal reaching one or more triggering thresholds. The processing unit may include an expert system sensitive to state data and altitude data from the state machine for recognizing the final state being reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: EnricoRosario Alessi
  • Applying mesh network to pet carriers
    Patent number: 9906897
    Abstract: Mesh node modules are associated with pet carriers and companion nodes can dynamically form a mesh network which uploads location information of the nodes and in some cases additional information, e.g., temperature or pet physical parameter signals, to a network. The information may be downloaded to an owner's CE device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Milne, Gregory Peter Carlsson, Frederick J. Zustak
  • Undergarment wearable patient monitor
    Patent number: 9901488
    Abstract: A patient monitor apparatus utilizing a base member holding a moisture sensor to form a moisture sensor unit. The moisture sensor unit includes a plurality of perforations to permit passage of urine. The moisture sensor unit generates a signal upon the presence of urine. A tilt sensor is also mounted to the base member and generates a signal upon the absence of turning movements of the patient. The moisture sensor is covered by a porous sheet which prevents premature alarms from moist skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Paul D. Levin
  • Companion animal health monitoring system
    Patent number: 9894884
    Abstract: Systems and methods for companion animal health monitoring are described. In one embodiment, an animal health monitoring system including an electronic assembly located on a companion animal including a microprocessor, a power source connected to the microprocessor, and a transceiver and a microchip implanted in the companion animal and including memory storing identification data and a temperature sensor measuring the temperature of the companion animal, wherein the electronic assembly interrogates the microchip to obtain identification data and temperature data and transmits the identification data and the temperature data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Allflex USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Hill, Johan De Meulemeester, Brian Bolton, Robert Stewart
  • Method and apparatus for making status reporting devices for container handlers
    Patent number: 9896312
    Abstract: A mechanism and method for making status reporting devices for container handlers, including: providing a micro-controller module, and installing a program system into memory accessed by a computer directing the micro-controller module. The micro-controller module communicatively couples with means for wirelessly communicating and for sensing a state of the container handler. Means for wirelessly communicating may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location. The micro-controller module may be communicatively coupled to a separate means for determining location. An apparatus making the devices may include a second program system directing the invention's method through a second computer, which may control an assembly device in creating the micro-controller, coupled with the means for sensing and for wirelessly communicating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: HKI Systems and Service LLC
    Inventors: Henry S King, Toru Takehara
  • Method of collecting probe information, computer-readable recording media and travel time calculation apparatus
    Patent number: 9892636
    Abstract: There is provided a method of collecting probe information generated during travel of a vehicle, comprising: (a) receiving probe information including travel time information of a reference area, from a vehicle traveling a reference area that includes at least one of an intersection area that is an area from an approach to an intersection to an exit from the intersection and a road area that connects with the intersection area and is an area from the exit of the intersection to an approach of another intersection adjacent to the intersection in an exit direction; and (b) storing the received probe information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: ZENRIN CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Masutani, Hiroyuki Tashiro, Yoichi Mori, Motohiro Nakamura, Tomoki Kodan, Atsushi Ikeno, Yoshitaka Kato, Sadahiro Koshiba, Kazuteru Maekawa
  • Security system with shielded devices
    Patent number: 9881492
    Abstract: The shielding status of a security system may be determined based on shielding statuses of individual devices in the security system. The shielding status of each individual device in the security system may be determined based on whether it is in a secured state and is properly functioning. The shielding status of the security system may be determined based on equally or unequally weighted shielding statuses of the individual devices. The shielding status of the security system may be transmitted to a mobile device carried by a user who is outside of the monitored environment. The shielding status of the security system may also be transmitted to the security monitoring company, the device vendor, or the homeowner insurance carrier, which may advertise products or services or provide incentives to the user based on the shielding status of the security system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Alberto Abelardo Vildosola, John Jordan Nold
  • Method and apparatus for enhancing driver situational awareness
    Patent number: 9878619
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining, by a system comprising a processor, a driver profile according to a driver identity for a driver of a vehicle, selecting a driver-specific enforcement scenario for the vehicle according to the driver profile and traffic enforcement information that is associated with a vehicle location, and presenting an in-vehicle alert to convey the driver-specific enforcement scenario to the driver. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James G. Beattie, Jr., Jesse Chan
  • Method for detecting false alarm
    Patent number: 9865158
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting false alarm. The method includes receiving a measured value that is measured when an alarm is generated from a target for monitoring, measuring non-similarity between the measured value that is measured when the alarm is generated and a pre-stored normal pattern, measuring non-similarity between the measured value and pre-stored measured values related to a past false alarm if the non-similarity exceeds a predetermined threshold value and providing the generated alarm to a user if the non-similarity between the measure value and the pre-stored related values related to the past false alarm exceeds the predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-Hoon Kang, Soon-Mok Kwon, Dong-Ho Yoo, Seong-Mi Park
  • Tamper resistant electronic devices
    Patent number: 9858780
    Abstract: A tamper resistant device comprises a matrix material and a microcapsule in the matrix material. The microcapsule has a first compartment, a second compartment, and an isolating structure separating the first and second compartments. The isolating structure is rupturable in response to a stimulus, such as temperature increases or compressive forces. The first compartment contains a first component, and the second compartment contains a second component. The first and second components react exothermically (produce heat) when in contact with each other. Thus, in some examples, a temperature change in the device resulting from the rupture of the isolating structure in the microcapsule due to physical tampering efforts can be used to trigger a security response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Sarah K. Czaplewski, Joseph Kuczynski, Timothy J. Tofil
  • Notifying a user of an available media object
    Patent number: 9857956
    Abstract: Among other features, notification is presented on a mobile device to a user to advise the user of the availability of a media object that (a) has been received from a server and stored on the mobile device without the user having been aware of the receipt or storage, or (b) has newly become available for streaming from the server to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Penthera Partners, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam L. Berger, Gary N. Wallace, Jr., Michael J. Wener
  • Smart bedtime
    Patent number: 9858788
    Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving occupancy data, identifying characteristics of the occupancy data, determining an occupant's location relative to the premises at a predetermined time, and generating a notification based at least in part on the determining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Warren, Matthew J. Eyring, James E. Nye
  • Contextual driver behavior monitoring
    Patent number: 9849887
    Abstract: A database of high risk locations is formed and high risk causal factors for the high risk locations determined. Driver behavior is monitored at the sites in the database using data collection devices such as electronic logging devices or mobile phones to see if the drivers exhibit the same specific behaviors that are considered contributing factors to specific accident types at risk of occurrence at those sites. Warnings are provided to drivers approaching the specific sites to prompt behavioral changes which may further be monitored by the data collection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Intelligent Imaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Heath, Wayne Malkin
  • System for tracking items stored in a safe
    Patent number: 9852320
    Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) system for tracking items stored in a safe. The RFID safe system may include at least a safe and an RFID system. An RFID antenna may be fixed inside the safe. For example, the RFID antenna may fixed on an inner surface of a door to the safe such that the RFID antenna sends and receives signals across multiple angles as the safe door opens and closes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Michael M. Mardkha
  • Method and apparatus for detecting a status of an electrical connection with an object
    Patent number: 9840119
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an object behind a vehicle are provided. The method includes determining a status of an electrical connection between an object and the vehicle; detecting a forward movement of the vehicle; based on the status of the electrical connection and the detecting of the forward movement, detecting the object behind the vehicle; and controlling to output a notification that alerts of the status of the electrical connection. The method and apparatus may be used to alert an operator when the trailer is electrically disconnected from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Melaragni
  • Electronic article surveillance
    Patent number: 9836935
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a point of sale (POS) structure that is includes an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Universal Surveillance Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Adel O. Sayegh, Edgardo Redublo, Rafael Sayegh, Radim Hotovec, Vladimir Hotovec
  • Vehicle positioning guide lights
    Patent number: 9836970
    Abstract: A system that assists a driver with properly positioning a vehicle. Such systems may include an interface to information from vehicle sensor(s), light strip(s), and computing device(s) including one or more tangible computing elements. The computing device(s) may perform steps that include determining a position of the vehicle using the information from the vehicle sensor(s), and generating optical indication(s) using the light strip(s) of an action that the driver should take based on the position. In some aspects, the system is deployed in a carwash bay and assists the driver with properly positioning the vehicle in the carwash bay. The optical indication may be green light to indicate that the vehicle should be moved forward, blue light to indicate that the vehicle should be moved backward, and red light to indicate that the vehicle should be stopped. Also, associated methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: HydroSpray Wash Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Reed, III, Robert Lee Fye, Jr.
  • System and method for alarm signaling during alarm system destruction
    Patent number: 9830805
    Abstract: A system and method provide for the immediate transmission of a potential alarm to a remote alarm signal escrow site and from the escrow site to a host station in the event where a control panel or an alarm signaling device is tampered with or destroyed by a disablement tactic, e.g., a “crash and smash intrusion.” A system and method may also send an alarm signal during such an attack by using predictive analysis of real-time events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen Scott Trundle, Alison Jane Slavin, Jean-Paul Martin
  • System and method for determining tread wear of a tire
    Patent number: 9831922
    Abstract: A system for determining tread wear of a tire includes a first wireless communication chip located at an inner surface of the tire and a second wireless communication chip located at an outer surface of the tire. The second chip resides in a slot extending through a housing located in a groove in a tread of the tire. The second chip moves in the slot toward the bottom of the groove in response to the tread wear. Methodology entails transmitting a first signal from a first chip, receiving the first signal at the second chip, transmitting a second signal from the second chip in response to receipt of the first signal, receiving the second signal at the first chip, computing a time delay between transmission of the first signal and receipt of the second signal, and determining tread wear of the tire in response to the time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Robert Lindsay Robinson
  • Smoke detector system with expanded capabilities
    Patent number: 9824565
    Abstract: A smoke detector system functionally integrates several systems into a common housing, including smoke/carbon monoxide detection, motion sensing, camera, lighting and audio systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Ricky Patel