Patents Examined by Jack K Wang
  • Patent number: 10060960
    Abstract: An ion measuring device to measure ionic activity in its vicinity is disclosed. The ion measuring device includes a housing to protect its internal components, such as an ion sensing assembly from damage due to exposure to environment. The housing allows the ion sensing assembly to conduct readings of the atmosphere while keeping debris and other elements that may skew the readings away from the ion sensing assembly. The ion measuring device include means to covert readings at the ion sensing assembly into digital data. The ion measuring device further includes electronic means that collects and records data gathered by the ion sensing assembly, and further be able to transmit the data to a remote base station for further processing and analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventors: Glenn Fox, Ellen A. Fox, Warren H. Fox
  • Patent number: 10053003
    Abstract: When an automatic transmission shift start condition is satisfied, an electronic control unit calculates a meter target rotational speed of an engine by adding a correction amount corresponding to the state of a torque converter to a turbine rotational speed corresponding to a post-shift gear stage, and makes a meter display rotational speed follow after the meter target rotational speed, fixes the correction amount to a value obtained at the time of shift start determination, when immobilization conditions including that the shift start condition for a downshift is satisfied and that the engine is driven are satisfied. When actual rotational speed display conditions are satisfied, it can be predicted that differences between an engine rotational speed and a turbine rotational speed before and after shifting are large, and so the electronic control unit sets a current engine rotational speed as the meter target rotational speed or ends the control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Teratani, Osamu Kanai, Yuki Murakami
  • Patent number: 10051446
    Abstract: Power level information is presented for a mobile device used with a scanner for processing information scanned therewith. The mobile device is polled from the RF scanner, in relation to a power level present in a battery source thereof. Responsive to the polling, checked power level data is reported to the scanner, processed and evaluated. Upon the evaluation detecting that the mobile device battery power level is low, presentation of a corresponding alert is commanded. The alert is presented on an indicator of the RF scanner. Data corresponding to the alert may also be presented at the mobile device and a remote computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Qinrong Zhu, Feng Qian, Zhongqi Liu, Zhifa Zong
  • Patent number: 10043366
    Abstract: A baseline historical record for a person is formed by monitoring information about the person derived from at least one information source over a baseline period of time. A baseline pattern of behavior of the person is established by applying analytic analysis to the baseline historical record. A current pattern of behavior of the person is determined by monitoring current information about the person derived from the at least one information source. A behavior change assessment is determined by comparing the current pattern of behavior to the baseline pattern of behavior. Whether the behavior change assessment for the person meets at least one safety concern criterion is determined by comparing the behavior change assessment to safety concern criteria comprising the at least one safety concern criterion. Responsive to determining the behavior change assessment for the person meets the at least one safety concern criterion, an action is automatically performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Gorzela, Asima Silva, Jaime M. Stockton
  • Patent number: 10037053
    Abstract: A wearable device assembly has a housing supporting a controller and a display. The display may comprise one or more light guides, where each guide is operatively coupled to an LED. Each LED may light the edge of a guide such that a refraction surface is illuminated. The controller may selectively illuminate the one or more light guides using the LEDs to indicate a level of activity of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Vikram Malhotra
  • Patent number: 10037697
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a driving assistance system and a vehicle-mounted device. Each vehicle-mounted device broadcasts own vehicle information, and transmits wide area vehicle information to a center. The wide area vehicle information includes the vehicle information and VIN of the own vehicle. The center receives the wide area vehicle information, and stores the vehicle information and the VIN in a correlated manner in a center end database. The vehicle-mounted device transmits an appearance information request signal to the center. The appearance information request signal includes generation time and location information of a different vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kuraoka
  • Patent number: 10032108
    Abstract: In the embodiments described herein, a RFID enabled license plate is constructed by using the license plate, or a retro-reflective layer formed thereon as part of the resonator configured to transmit signals generated by and RFID chip integrated with the license plate. Such an RFID enabled license plate can include a metal license plate with a slot formed in the metal license plate, and a RFID tag module positioned in the slot. The RFID tag module can include a chip and a loop, and the loop can be coupled with the metal license plate, e.g., via inductive or conductive coupling. In this manner, the metal license plate can be configured to act as a resonator providing increased performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Neology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Zhu, Chih-chuan Yen, Jason Liu, Joe Mullis
  • Patent number: 10019902
    Abstract: Two or more quiet vehicles traveling together sense each other and communicate to each other the condition of the respective drivers of the vehicles and announce their presence to pedestrians and other motorists using noise sounds. The characteristics of the emitted sounds are selected according to a level of threat presented by the quiet vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Allen Gee, Shafer Burch Seymour
  • Patent number: 10005460
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to determining whether a vehicle should continue through an intersection. For example, the one or more of the vehicle's computers may identify a time when the traffic signal light will turn from yellow to red. The one or more computers may also estimate a location of a vehicle at the time when the traffic signal light will turn from yellow to red. A starting point of the intersection may be identified. Based on whether the estimated location of the vehicle is at least a threshold distance past the starting point at the time when the traffic signal light will turn from yellow to red, the computers can determine whether the vehicle should continue through the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Jens-Steffen Ralf Gutmann, Andreas Wendel, Nathaniel Fairfield, Dmitri A. Dolgov, Donald Jason Burnette
  • Patent number: 10008084
    Abstract: A wearable, non-visible identification device provides reliable, tamper-proof, friendly-force identification and intruder detection. The device is integrated as a part of the wearer's uniform and includes a user input surface for periodic entry of a unit- or user-defined pass code. A timeout capability prevents the device and its identification signal from being used if the pass code is not entered within the specified time period. The preferred embodiment uses non-visible optical identification signals for 1-way identification using standard tactical equipment, making the device useful in the field during operations or at temporary security control points away from established bases. Alternative embodiments use radio-frequency, visible and reflective identification signals. Identification signaling methods are effective at stand off ranges to minimize threat to security personnel. Very low cost and low power embodiments for use by security forces in developing nations are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: James P Tolle
  • Patent number: 9988055
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring vehicle occupants using infrared and other sensors are disclosed. The systems may use infrared sensor data to identify each vehicle occupant using biometric signatures (such as heartbeat or facial recognition). Vehicle occupant characteristics may be determined that include skeletal characteristics of the occupants. Further monitoring of the occupants using sensor data may occur until an abnormal situation is detected. Abnormal situations may include medical emergencies, driver impairment, security threats, or similar situations requiring correcting action. The system may then determine and implement an appropriate response to the abnormal situation. Such responses may include generating alerts, adjusting vehicle environmental controls, taking control of operation of the vehicle (such as an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle), or initiating wireless communication with an outside party, such as an emergency service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Seth O'Flaherty, Sean Mahaffey, Ayush Kumar, Jacob Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9978256
    Abstract: The near-universal connection between control panels and monitoring stations is used to transmit status information for non-compatible control panels to connected services systems. In this way, connected services systems can incorporate monitoring and tracking of non-compatible control panels as well as compatible control panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventors: Alexandra Norton, Joseph Piccolo, III, Craig Trivelpiece
  • Patent number: 9969327
    Abstract: A vehicle load warning apparatus utilizing inductive proximity sensors to signal an alarm to an operator when a vehicle achieves a maximum weight. The vehicle load warning apparatus can also provide an intermediate warning to an operator when the vehicle approaches the maximum weight. The vehicle load warning apparatus can also utilize inductive proximity sensors at each end of both axles of a vehicle and provide imbalance warning signals if the weight on a vehicle is not equally distributed throughout the body of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin Zielezinski, Bryan Schieler
  • Patent number: 9973878
    Abstract: A mobile phone connected to a fleet of radio transceiver chips that can be individually identified by the mobile station, which automatically are associated with a photo when the phone camera is used in proximity. The transceiver chips have a small loudspeaker, vibrator and/or light emitter for producing an alarm, and the transceiver chip also can determine and send back its location to the mobile phone. The mobile phone deduces its location by GPS or triangulation, and has an application which can be programmed to check the location of items given predetermined criteria are met, or upon user request. For example the mobile phone can be used to program luggage lists, and check whether everything is with the user at a time. The best mode involves typically a smartphone with relevant application software and RFID tags enhanced by light emitter, loudspeaker and/or vibrator and adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Mikko Vaananen
  • Patent number: 9973913
    Abstract: A mobile phone connected to a fleet of radio transceiver chips that can be individually identified by the mobile station, which automatically are associated with a photo when the phone camera is used in proximity. The transceiver chips have a small loudspeaker, vibrator and/or light emitter for producing an alarm, and the transceiver chip also can determine and send back its location to the mobile phone. The mobile phone deduces its location by GPS or triangulation, and has an application which can be programmed to check the location of items given predetermined criteria are met, or upon user request. For example the mobile phone can be used to program luggage lists, and check whether everything is with the user at a time. The best mode involves typically a smartphone with relevant application software and RFID tags enhanced by light emitter, loudspeaker and/or vibrator and adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Mikko Kalervo Väänänen
  • Patent number: 9958943
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for the modulation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. A method of creating haptic feedback using ultrasound is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of ultrasound waves with a common focal point using a phased array of ultrasound transducers, the common focal point being a haptic feedback point, and modulating the generation of the ultrasound waves using a waveform selected to produce little or no audible sound at the haptic feedback point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Ultrahaptics IP Ltd
    Inventors: Benjamin John Oliver Long, Thomas Andrew Carter, Sriram Subramanian
  • Patent number: 9953531
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: receiving, by a computing device, images of adjacent vehicles parked directly adjacent to an open parking space; determining, by the computing device, visual factors and non-visual factors of the adjacent vehicles based on the images; determining, by the computing device, risk scores for each of the adjacent vehicles based on the visual factor and the non-visual factors; determining, by the computing device, a parking position within the open parking space based on the risk scores; and outputting, by the computing device, information regarding the parking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James E. Bostick, John M. Ganci, Jr., Martin G. Keen, Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 9953495
    Abstract: An active automated anti-boarding device for a maritime asset security system includes a housing for mounting the device on a maritime asset. The deterrence device includes visual and sound deterrence emitters within said mount to disperse a directional fan pattern of sight and visual deterrence response outward from the housing to unauthorized boarders. An active automated anti-boarding maritime asset security system includes detection devices configured to mount to maritime asset, the detection devices each including emitters and receivers for generating and detection beams that form a virtual fence to form a detection network on a portion or around an entire maritime asset. Deterrence devices responsive to the interruption of the spaced apart detection beams produce a deterrent response that is non lethal. The deterrence response can be a law enforcement level of deterrence, it can induce discomfort and/or disorientation to deter unauthorized boarders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: TRIDENT GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas B. Rothrauff, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9949104
    Abstract: A crash detection system is disclosed that utilizes a mobile computing device to detect a vehicular accident via one or more sensors integrated into the mobile computing device. The system monitors the sensor metrics measured by one or more sensors and generates an event sensor profile that may include the plurality of sensor metrics and additional status data, such as an indication of whether the mobile computing device was located within a vehicle when the event occurred. By comparing the plurality of sensor metrics to other crash sensor metrics, a determination may be made whether the event requires emergency assistance, which may be confirmed by determining whether the data included in the event sensor profile meets one or more exception conditions. If the event requires emergency assistance and an exception condition is not met, the mobile computing device may place a call to the appropriate emergency response personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Shawn M. Call, Michael Shawn Jacob, Scott T. Christensen, Jackie O. Jordan, II, Gregory Dwayne Carter, Shawn C. Bennett
  • Patent number: 9944296
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for determining vehicle driver distractions. More particularly, apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for determining distractions associated with vehicle driving routes based on postures of vehicle occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth Jason Sanchez, Aaron Scott Chan, Muhammad Ibrahim Saeed, Dirk Patrick Maloney, Narendra Anilal, Vibhakar V S Vemulapati, William Cho Hseih, Richard Zhou