Patents Examined by Jeffery A. Hofsass
  • Patent number: 9440501
    Abstract: An ID code learning device includes a RF transceiving module, a received signal strength indication (RSSI) module, and a processing circuit. The RF transceiving module receives RF signals, and each of the RF signals contains an ID code. The RSSI module is electrically connected to the RF transceiving module to detect signal strengths of the RF signals received by the RF transceiving module. The processing circuit is electrically connected to the RF transceiving module and the received signal strength indication module respectively. The received signal strength indication module detects the RF signal with the highest signal strength, the processing circuit pairs the ID code thereof with a predetermined tire location code, and then the RF transceiving module transmits a pairing result out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MOBILETRON ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shiao-Hwa Huang, Kuan-Chih Huang, Yu-Liang Chou
  • Patent number: 9437087
    Abstract: A method includes receiving digital content data including audio data and/or video data, generating haptic data using at least some of the received digital content data, encoding the haptic data for efficient transmission over a communication network, multiplexing the encoded haptic data with the received digital content data, embedding information for decoding the encoded haptic data in metadata of the multiplexed data stream, and sending the multiplexed data stream over the communication network. The method may include analyzing the haptic data to determine at least one characteristic of the haptic data, and the encoding the haptic data may include encoding, based on the determined characteristic, the haptic data to meet a pre-defined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Loc Phan, Satvir Singh Bhatia, Stephen D. Rank, Christopher J. Ullrich, Jean Francois Dionne, Hugues Antoine Oliver
  • Patent number: 9430885
    Abstract: A device for determining if the absolute mileage of a vehicle has been manipulated is disclosed. The device includes a first sensor to determine a first absolute mileage of the vehicle and a second sensor to determine a second absolute mileage of the vehicle. The first and second sensors differ in terms of the sensor and computing method for determining the first and second absolute mileage. For example, the first sensor may be a convention mileage device and the second sensor may be a GPS-enabled device. A comparator determines a difference between the first and second absolute mileage. If the difference exceeds a prescribed limiting value, the comparator generates a warning signal, and stores this warning signal in the storage device. A display is used to display the first absolute mileage in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nikolas Wagner, Bruno Praunsmändel
  • Patent number: 9424396
    Abstract: Computer-based systems and computer-implemented methods are described for monitoring medication events for an individual. Computer-based systems include systems for monitoring medication events relating to an individual, including: circuitry for analyzing data for an identifier of a first medication event for an individual; circuitry for analyzing the data for at least one attribute of an individual; circuitry for analyzing the data for at least one attribute relating to a medication during the first medication event; circuitry for analyzing the data for at least one feature of visual information and at least one feature of non-visual information relating to the individual during the first medication event; circuitry for analyzing the received data for a time associated with the first medication event; circuitry for determining a compliance likelihood for the first medication event based on the analyzes of the received data; and circuitry for indicating the determined compliance likelihood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Mahalaxmi Gita Bangera, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9417650
    Abstract: A signal balance system, a light control system, and a signal balance method thereof are disclosed. The signal balance system includes a signal sensing module and a processing module. The signal sensing module is used for detecting an external signal source to generate a sensing signal. The processing module is used for generating an adjusting signal based on the sensing signal, wherein the processing module determines whether the sensing signal exceeds a first threshold; if yes, the processing module decreases the sensing signal to generate the adjusting signal so as to control a controlled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: WISTRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yi-Sheng Kao, Wen-Chin Wu
  • Patent number: 9418552
    Abstract: An Automatic-vacant-parking-place locator (AVPPL) system and method in which a community member may get (manually or automatically) information on a vacant parking place in an area he/she is searching for a parking place. Further an AVPPL community member may provide information on vacant parking place in different areas, he/she is driving through, to other AVPPL community members and/or to an AVPPL mutual database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: HI-PARK SOLUTIONS LTD.
    Inventor: Ronen Korman
  • Patent number: 9418522
    Abstract: An electronic hinged safety switch adapted for installation on protection barriers (B) of machines and/or automatic plants having one or more electric safety circuits (S). The switch comprises a substantially box-like fixed member (2) designed to be secured to a stationary part (M) of a protection barrier (B) and a movable member (3) designed to be secured to a pivotal part (P) of the protection barrier (B) and coupled to the fixed member (2) through hinge means (4). Sensing means (5) are housed in said box-like fixed member (2) for interacting with the hinge means (4) to send an electric control signal (SC) to one or more electric safety circuits (S) at a predetermined switching angle (?). The sensing means (5) comprise at least one sensor for generating a corresponding actuation signal (SA) at the switching angle (?), and an electronic control unit (8) operatively connected to at least one sensor (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: PIZZATO ELETTRICA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Pizzato, Giuseppe Pizzato
  • Patent number: 9406213
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for providing recommendations to users. One of the methods includes receiving data indicating a selection, by a user, of a notification option relating to a first entity, adding the first entity to an interest list for the user, determining, based at least on adding the first entity to the interest list for the user, to provide a notification relating to an entity, and providing, based on determining to provide the notification relating to the entity, the notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Baris Yuksel, Craig Nevill-Manning, Samantha Merritt
  • Patent number: 9400564
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a user identification subsystem operable to detect a driver; and an interactive display subsystem operable to generate output for display on a vehicle window based on detection of the driver, the output associated with a reminder specific to a questionable driving habit of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Jing Po Chou, Tina Brunetti Sayer, Jason A. Schulz
  • Patent number: 9387156
    Abstract: Computer-based systems and computer-implemented methods are described for monitoring medication events for an individual. Computer-based systems include systems for monitoring medication events relating to an individual, including: circuitry for analyzing data for an identifier of a first medication event for an individual; circuitry for analyzing the data for at least one attribute of an individual; circuitry for analyzing the data for at least one attribute relating to a medication during the first medication event; circuitry for analyzing the data for at least one feature of visual information and at least one feature of non-visual information relating to the individual during the first medication event; circuitry for analyzing the received data for a time associated with the first medication event; circuitry for determining a compliance likelihood for the first medication event based on the analyses of the received data; and circuitry for indicating the determined compliance likelihood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Mahalaxmi Gita Bangera, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9387761
    Abstract: An instrument panel display pointer having an electronic display and range display. The electronic display rotates with the pointer allowing the pointer to point to a face cover that is mounted to the base. The face cover has values that in one example are indicative of a range of values. Examples of value range would include vehicle speed, RPMs, gallons or liters of fuel remaining, etc. The electronic display is used to display a number which indicates a more precise value, while the pointer indicates a value within a range of values shown on the face of the cover. As the pointer rotates with the ring gear to a different speed, the electronic display pointer also changes the value shown on the electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvador Montero Montes de Oca, Daniel Alejandro Laguna Chavez, Jose Arturo Sanchez Lopez
  • Patent number: 9390610
    Abstract: Techniques for determining movement of a device away from a preferred location which provide notification. An example method includes receiving a signal from a beacon, determining a measure of a characteristic of the signal, performing a comparison of the measure of the characteristic to a predetermined threshold which is based upon a distance from the preferred location, determining that the device has moved at least the distance from the preferred location based upon the comparison, and issuing an alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Kamp, Gregory S. Egan, Gregory Sirmans
  • Patent number: 9390234
    Abstract: Computer-based systems and computer-implemented methods are described for monitoring medication events for an individual. Computer-based systems include systems for monitoring medication events relating to an individual, including: circuitry for analyzing data for an identifier of a first medication event for an individual; circuitry for analyzing the data for at least one attribute of an individual; circuitry for analyzing the data for at least one attribute relating to a medication during the first medication event; circuitry for analyzing the data for at least one feature of visual information and at least one feature of non-visual information relating to the individual during the first medication event; circuitry for analyzing the received data for a time associated with the first medication event; circuitry for determining a compliance likelihood for the first medication event based on the analyzes of the received data; and circuitry for indicating the determined compliance likelihood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Mahalaxmi Gita Bangera, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9371057
    Abstract: A vehicle security system has a driving function locking device movable between a locked position for disabling a driving function of a vehicle and an unlocked position. The vehicle security system includes a controller, a remote control and a chip card. The controller is connected to an electrical power supply of the vehicle and is in communication with a transceiver. The remote control and chip card each communicate with the transceiver to lock and unlock the driving function locking device or temporarily disable the driving function locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventors: Kamol Kantajaranit, Somchai Tiemsiriwat, Suwat Petcharapirat
  • Patent number: 9373239
    Abstract: A computing device, methods, and systems for providing in-vehicle prescription and medical reminders are disclosed. One example method for providing in-vehicle prescription and medical reminders includes identifying a vehicle occupant; determining, based on medical information associated with the occupant, whether a medical activity is due to be performed; and alerting the occupant if a medical activity is due to be performed. An example medical activity includes administering prescription medication. Example implementations include identifying the occupant based at least in part on biometric data; alerting the occupant by a visual, audible, or haptic alert; prompting the occupant to provide a response acknowledging the alert; and notifying designated third parties. The medical information can be received from an online profile or obtained through vital-sign sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Ebe
  • Patent number: 9373243
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are presented herein for providing lower level physical-layer gateway functionalities and upper-level application functionalities; a system designed with flexible configurations in order to support a wide range of connected applications. The system includes a processor that executes machine instructions to perform operations. The operations comprise: receiving sensor data from a sensor device located in a building; converting the sensor data from a raw state to a physical measurement; and activating an abatement device situated in the building as a function of the physical measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: INTWINE CONNECT, LLC
    Inventor: David Martin
  • Patent number: 9369656
    Abstract: A remote control is powered by multiple batteries connected in series. The remote control includes a voltage comparison circuit configured to compare a midpoint voltage from a node connecting two of the batteries to a reference voltage. The remote control is able to determine if there is a non-uniform drain rate in the batteries based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Innes, Harold Jaramillo, Alan Terry Pattison, Jeremy Stephen Mickelsen, Adam Michael Schafer
  • Patent number: 9369680
    Abstract: The present invention is a roadside safety system and method to communicate to a roadside personnel a potential danger created by an oncoming vehicle. The system includes a projection system that selectively projects a pattern of light in a direction along the roadside, a sensor system that includes a camera to detect the oncoming vehicle, an alert system connected directly or indirectly to the sensor system that selectively causes an alert to notify the roadside personnel when there is the potential danger; and a control system that selectively enables the projection system to project the pattern of light and causes the alert system to issue the alert. The projection system establishes a virtual flare on the road to warn oncoming vehicles of a emergency situation and a processor can process information received by the sensors and can then determine potential threats created by oncoming vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventors: Seth Teller, Berthold K. P. Horn
  • Patent number: 9355536
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, apparatus and methods for controlling a haptic transducer. In an example, a haptic controller can include an active termination driver having a configurable output impedance. The active termination driver can be configured to drive a haptic transducer and to process back electro-magnetic force (EMF) of the haptic transducer to provide motion feedback of the haptic transducer. In an example, the haptic controller can include a processor to provide a command signal to the active termination driver and to determine a resonant frequency of the haptic device using the motion feedback of the haptic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Philip J. Crawley, Majid Shushtarian
  • Patent number: 9349290
    Abstract: A trip plan is received at an in-vehicle application on a memory of an in-vehicle infotainment unit or at an application on a mobile device memory. The trip plan includes an expected trip duration and/or an expected trip return. An in-vehicle bus facilitates monitoring for a return event, or a mobile device monitoring system facilitates monitoring for a return event. In an example, a notification that the return event has been recognized is received at one of the applications. The return event is identified as having occurred prior to or at the expiration of the expected trip duration and/or return. In another example, one of the applications recognizes that the expected trip duration and/or the return has expired and that no notification of the return event has been received, and a pending alert notification is transmitted to another party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: General Motors LLC, GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jing Zhang, James M. Kortge