Patents Examined by James Yang
  • Patent number: 9521221
    Abstract: A touch screen cover for a hand-held wireless communication device having a touch-sensing user interface and a telephone operational mode, in which, during an incoming call, a swipe-sensing user control zone of the user interface is activated together with a call-information display. The touch screen cover includes a protective panel, that in a shielding configuration, overlays a majority of the touch-sensing user interface of the hand-held wireless communication device. The protective panel has a touch-communicating portion that overlays at least part of the swipe-sensing user control zone of the user interface of the hand-held wireless communication device in the shielding configuration, the touch-communicating portion configured to receive a swiping touch engagement on an exposed outer surface thereof and responsively impart a sweeping capacitance-induced user actuation of the swipe-sensing user control zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: AEVOE INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Su Huang, Tzu-Ching Shao
  • Patent number: 9516370
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are presented for facilitating a presentation of media, including displaying, on a touchscreen of a mobile phone, a plurality of device identifiers; receiving input identifying one of the plurality of device identifiers that identifies a rendering device; providing information identifying a user of the mobile phone; receiving a message based on the information identifying the user of the mobile phone, the message comprising information identifying a playlist comprising a plurality of media item identifiers corresponding to media items ordered to be played in an arranged sequence; receiving, at the mobile phone, input identifying at least one media item identifier from the playlist; and directing, from the mobile phone, the rendering device to obtain a media item identified by the at least one media item identifier from a content server and to play the media item, the media item obtained without user input at the rendering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Black Hills Media, LLC
    Inventor: Martin Weel
  • Patent number: 9500499
    Abstract: A method of reporting information from a meter interface unit to a receiving device in which a data packet is transferred from the meter interface unit containing meter readings, which are associated with an indicator of the elapsed time since the reading was taken. The receiving device compares this elapsed time value with the actual elapsed time, based upon the internal clock of the receiving device, in order to determine any inaccuracies in the clock of the meter interface unit. In another embodiment, the data packet includes at least two nonsequential meter readings, separated by a multiplicity of reading intervals, on a rolling basis, such that data will not be lost as a result of a temporary obstruction that interferes with the transmission or receipt of meter readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: NEPTUNE TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.
    Inventors: William J Brennan, Jr., Joseph Quentin Easterling
  • Patent number: 9504074
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of providing proximity service communication between terminals. In accordance with an embodiment, a first terminal makes connection to a second terminal with network assistance. The first terminal requests information required to search for the second terminal from a network management server. The network management server determines a communication mode for proximity service communication. The network management server transmits a request message requesting communication between the first terminal and the second terminal in the communication mode to the first and second terminals. In accordance with another embodiment, a first terminal may switch its proximity service communication technology for better QoS without network assistance. The first terminal monitors link status. If the link status is deteriorated, the first terminal requests a second terminal to change proximity service communication technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Hyunho Park, Hyeong Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9497061
    Abstract: Systems and methods for characterizing an undersampled receiver generally comprise, in one embodiment, providing one or more probe signals to an input of an undersampled receiver. Each of the one or more probe signals has selective frequency components that ensure that aliases in a corresponding output signal of the undersampled receiver are unique. The undersampled receiver is then characterized based on the output signal(s) of the undersampled receiver. The selective frequency components of the one or more probe signals enable un-aliasing of the one or more output signals of the undersampled receiver and, as such, the undersampled receiver can be characterized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Bradley John Morris, Somsack Sychaleun
  • Patent number: 9489550
    Abstract: Manufacturing systems and methods are disclosed. In one example, a system includes a track to be positioned proximate a structure. The track has a length extending along an axis and a location indicator positioned along the length of the track. The location indicator provides a unique tag which identifies a location of the location indicator along the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Eric M. Reid
  • Patent number: 9490548
    Abstract: An apparatus (e.g., a wireless device) includes an antenna array and a separate antenna. The antenna array includes a plurality of antenna elements having a first antenna beam. The separate antenna includes an antenna element having a second antenna beam. The antenna element of the separate antenna is separate from the antenna elements of the antenna array. The antenna array and the separate antenna are active at different times in an operational mode. The antenna array may transmit and the separate antenna may be inactive in a transmit mode. The separate antenna may receive and the antenna array may be inactive in a receive mode. The antenna array may receive and the separate antenna may transmit in a test mode. Alternatively, the antenna array may transmit and the separate antenna may receive in the test mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Haim Mendel Weissman, Lior Raviv
  • Patent number: 9483951
    Abstract: An airborne system for detecting and avoiding atmospheric particulates, which include a sensor coupled with an aircraft and configured to capture electromagnetic signals from a flight path of the aircraft, including infrared wavelengths, an output device configured to provide visual and an aural messages to a flight crew, and a processor coupled with sensor, the output device, and a non-transitory processor-readable medium storing processor-executable instructions for causing the processor to: receive a signal from the sensor via an input port; calculate a temperature difference between a first and second infrared wavelengths; determine a presence of atmospheric particulates in the flight path based on the temperature difference; generate an aural message and/or a visual message indicative of the presence of atmospheric particulates; and provide the message to a flight crew. The processor may calculate an alternate flight path and provide the alternate flight path to the flight crew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick D. McCusker
  • Patent number: 9472087
    Abstract: An electric fence monitor is operable to provide an audible and/or visual indicator of an operating condition (i.e., falter no-fault) of an electric fence and electric fence box. The electric fence monitor is operable to remain continuously connected between the electric fence and earth ground during normal operation of the fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: John Bishop
  • Patent number: 9467209
    Abstract: A method for near field communication (NFC) radio frequency communication includes acquiring, second configuration information of established radio frequency communication, where the established radio frequency communication is radio frequency communication that a second NFC host performs with a remote NFC endpoint using a near field communication controller (NFCC); and if the second configuration information matches first configuration information of radio frequency communication to be initiated by the first NFC host, sending, to the NFCC, an activate request command used to activate a radio frequency interface corresponding to the first configuration information, so that the NFCC activates the radio frequency interface and the first NFC host performs the radio frequency communication with the remote NFC endpoint through the radio frequency interface. The embodiments of the present invention provide a radio frequency communication mechanism for an NFC device under a multi-host architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Miao Wang, Zhihao Jin, Xinmiao Chang
  • Patent number: 9467191
    Abstract: Techniques support data transmission and reception on multiple bands for carrier aggregation. In an exemplary design, an apparatus (e.g., a wireless device) includes first and second antenna interface circuits coupled to first and second antennas, respectively. The first antenna interface circuit includes a first quadplexer for first and second bands. The second antenna interface circuit includes a second quadplexer for the first and second bands. The first quadplexer may be a duplicate of the second quadplexer, which may simplify implementation. Each antenna interface circuit may further include a diplexer, a duplexer, a triplexer, another quadplexer, switches, etc. The first and second quadplexers may support data transmission and reception on two bands in a first band group. Other circuits in the first and second antenna interface circuits may support data transmission and/or reception on additional bands, possibly in one or more other band groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Haim M Weissman, Rimon E Mansour
  • Patent number: 9466872
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first antenna, a second antenna, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna comprise a common conductor, a variable load connected between the common conductor and a ground connection, wherein an impedance of the variable load is variable, and wherein an operating frequency of the first antenna and the second antenna depends on the impedance, and a selection switch coupled to the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the selection switch is configured to activate the first antenna and deactivate the second antenna in a first state, and wherein the selection switch is configured to activate the second antenna and deactivate the first antenna in a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge Fabrega Sanchez, Kiran Vanjani
  • Patent number: 9460599
    Abstract: A school perimeter security system includes a registry database including: registered student mobile device identifiers, registered non-student mobile device identifiers, and a matching of students with authorized non-students with whom the students are permitted to be paired with near the perimeter. At least three beacon devices are located within the school's perimeter, positioned to establish a boundary area near the perimeter, detect and establish communication with mobile devices entering the boundary area, obtain an identifier from each mobile device that enters the boundary area, and facilitate tracking of all mobile devices within the boundary area. The processor and beacon devices interact to identify every mobile device entering the boundary area, track their location within the boundary area, compare the identified mobile devices with identifiers in the registry database and, transmit an alert notice when a condition is satisfied but not transmit that alert when a different condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susann M. Keohane, Shawn P. Mullen, Johnny M. Shieh
  • Patent number: 9449497
    Abstract: An alarm system monitors a home, business, or other property for fire, burglary, break-in, or other event that may warrant raising an alarm. The alarm system is configured to detect tampering, whereby someone intentionally impedes the ability of the system to raise an alarm or otherwise interferes the system's operation. An alarm panel of the alarm system communicates with a server. At certain times, the alarm system transmits a series of packets to the server using a unidirectional protocol. Upon receipt of one of the packets, the server alternates between monitoring for an incoming packet and ignoring any incoming packets. Detection of an incoming packet during a monitoring time period causes the server to transition to ignoring packets for a sleep period of time. Completion of the sleep period of time causes the server to return to monitoring for the monitoring period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Numerex Corp.
    Inventors: Eugene Hyun, Jeffery Smith, Kevin Brown, Andrew Wolverton
  • Patent number: 9449206
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a system and method of identifying a cable terminal plug and port on a computer system. An aspect includes a method having a step of positioning a cable plug adjacent to a computer port, the cable plug having a passive transponder. An RF signal is transmitted to the passive transponder. The passive transponder is activated with the RF signal. An identification signal is transmitted based on receiving the RF signal. It is determined that identification signal matches an identification value of the computer port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Casimer M. DeCusatis, Anuradha Rao
  • Patent number: 9451311
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for a handheld device, such as a smart phone, to obtain device configuration data of a controlled device via machine-readable media, such as a two-dimensional barcode. The device configuration data may be used to allow a user to select one or more features reflected in the device configuration data and supported by the controlled device. The handheld device may obtain device configuration data of multiple controlled devices and, based on the device configuration data, may allow a user to control the multiple controlled devices using the handheld device. In a related technique, a computing device obtains printer driver data of a printing device via machine-readable media. The computing device decodes information encoded in the machine-readable media in order to install a printer driver for the printing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yue Liu
  • Patent number: 9444540
    Abstract: A wireless electronic device may include switching circuits that perform time division duplexing by toggling between a first configuration in which radio-frequency signals received from antennas are routed to the transceivers and a second configuration in which the antennas are coupled to antenna switching circuitry. The antenna switching circuitry may receive radio-frequency transmission signals from the transceivers and route the transmission signals to a selected one of the antennas. The antenna switching circuitry may be controlled by control circuitry such as baseband circuitry and/or storage and processing circuitry on the device. The antenna switching circuitry may be controlled to accommodate antenna transmit diversity without affecting reception of radio-frequency signals, because the switching circuits that perform time division duplexing may form signal reception paths that are unaffected by the configuration of the antenna switching circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Qishan Yu, James T. Yang
  • Patent number: 9445445
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing, transmitting and displaying data received from an analyte sensor, such as a glucose sensor, are provided. In an embodiment, a method for transmitting data between a first communication device associated with an analyte sensor and a second communication device configured to provide user access to sensor-related information comprises: activating a transceiver of a first communication device associated with an analyte sensor at a first time; and establishing a two-way communication channel with the second communication device; wherein the activating comprises waking the transceiver from a low power sleep mode using a forced wakeup from the second communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Miller, Mark Dervaes, Phong Lieu, Peter C. Simpson, Shawn Larvenz, Jacob S. Leach, Sebastian Bohm
  • Patent number: 9436816
    Abstract: A computer may identify an individual according to one or more biometrics based on various physiological aspects of the individual, such as metrics of various features of the face, gait, fingerprint, or voice of the individual. However, biometrics are often computationally intensive to compute, inaccurate, and unable to scale to identify an individual among a large set of known individuals. Therefore, the biometric identification of an individual may be supplemented by identifying one or more devices associated with the individual (e.g., a mobile phone, a vehicle driven by the individual, or an implanted medical device). When an individual is registered for identification, various device identifiers of devices associated with the individual may be stored along with the biometrics of the individual. Individuals may then be identified using both biometrics and detected device identifiers, thereby improving the efficiency, speed, accuracy, and scalability of the identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Nir Nice, Eyal Krupka
  • Patent number: 9439024
    Abstract: A chip card for use in a terminal device assigned to a communications network, having at least one data field containing variable parameter data. To modify parameter data stored on the chip card, the chip card has an application, which is implemented on the chip card, in addition to the at least one data field containing variable parameter data, that the application is designed for generating and/or providing variable parameter data, and that an interface is provided between the application and the at least one data field containing variable parameter data. In addition, a terminal device having such a chip card is described, the terminal device additionally having an input application for generating parameter data for the chip card and for providing the generated parameter data in the application for generating and/or providing variable parameter data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: VODAFONE GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Helmreich, Dierk Dohmann