Patents Examined by Jeffery Hofsass
  • Patent number: 10049569
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting targets across beams at roadway intersections. Embodiments of the invention include tracking a target across a plurality of beams of a multiple beam radar system in a roadway intersection and updating track files for targets within a roadway intersection. Returns from a plurality of radar beams monitoring a roadway intersection are divided into range bins. Identified energy in the range bins is used to compute the position of targets within a roadway intersection. When the position of a target is computed, it is determined if the position is a new position for an existing target or if the position is the position of a new target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: WAVETRONIX LLC
    Inventors: David V. Arnold, Bryan R. Jarrett, Thomas W. Karlinsey, Jonathan L. Waite, Brad Giles, Randy St. John
  • Patent number: 10037685
    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: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: INTWINE CONNECT, LLC
    Inventor: David Martin
  • Patent number: 10008183
    Abstract: A display-and-audio output control device is provided. In the display-and-audio output control device, a display control unit preferentially allocates a display content having high display information value to a display area out of multiple display contents. An audio control unit allocates an audio content to an audio output device. An obtaining unit obtains audio information amounts of the audio contents and correspondence information between the audio contents and the display contents. Based on the audio information amount of a specific audio content, the management unit changes the display information value of a specific display content associated with the specific display content. The display control unit employs the display information value changed by the management unit to allocate the specific display content to the area for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ueda, Shigeo Kato, Hitoshi Sugiyama, Yuuichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9981603
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a fuel tank, a motor, a battery, a charger, and a notification mechanism. The battery is configured to supply electric power to the motor. The charger is configured to carry out external charging that charges the battery by use of electric power from an external power source. The notification mechanism is configured to notify, to an outside of the vehicle, information on a use index indicative of a degree of use of external charging in a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Ishida, Hiroaki Takeuchi, Hiroaki Arakawa, Shinji Ichikawa, Keita Hashimoto, Shigeki Kinomura, Akio Uotani, Kazuyuki Kagawa, Yusuke Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9953532
    Abstract: An obstacle warning apparatus in a vehicle specifies a position of an obstacle relative to the vehicle based on a detection result by an obstacle sensor. A warning determination section determines whether a warning about the obstacle needs to be executed, based on the specified position of the obstacle. The warning determination section determines that the warning about the obstacle does not need to be executed when an overlap determination section determines that a vehicle range overlaps with a range where the obstacle exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidenori Tanaka, Akihiro Kida
  • Patent number: 9947187
    Abstract: A system, method and program product for delivering haptic notifications to a user. A system is disclosed having: a plurality of wearable devices adapted to be worn on different parts of a user, wherein each wearable device is adapted to output a configurable haptic notification to the user; a host device that coordinates with at least two wearable devices to output a scheme of haptic notifications based on an associated rule in response to a detected event; and a learning system that analyzes feedback from the user to determine an efficacy of the scheme and causes the associated rule to be altered in response to the scheme being deemed ineffective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Sean Brown, Tania Ezra, Stefan Harrer, Christopher J. Pavlovski, Laurence J. Plant
  • Patent number: 9945712
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting phase separation in storage tanks is provided. At least one float has a density calibrated to detect a density differential among surrounding fluids. The float is buoyant on a relatively more dense lower layer of fluid such as phase separated fuel or pure water, while remaining submerged in a relatively less dense upper layer of fluid such as a gasoline/ethanol blend. A detection device sends a signal when the float rises or falls above or below a preset acceptable level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Donald P. Kenney, David R. Kruschke
  • Patent number: 9937857
    Abstract: A system and method for configuring an indication device is described. An on-demand service system arranges a transport service for a user to be provided by a driver. The system determines whether the user has specified an output configuration for an indication device in an account of the user. In response to determining that the user has specified an output configuration for the indication device, the system identifies data corresponding to the output configuration and transmits the data to a driver device of the driver to enable the driver device to control the indication device of the driver based on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Kalanick, Shalin Amin
  • Patent number: 9920947
    Abstract: A filter condition indicator system is described herein. A pressure differential switch monitors air pressure across a filter, and a transmitter coupled to the pressure differential switch sends a signal to a networked device. If the pressure differential near the filter triggers the switch, then a “dirty” signal is sent to or retrieved by a mobile device which indicates that the filter is dirty and should be replaced. The filter condition indicator is able to be used by bypassing a thermostat and sending an alert to a computer or mobile device wirelessly. Alternatively, the filter condition indicator system described herein is able to be used in conjunction with a previously installed furnace/thermostat system by utilizing the pre-existing thermostat wiring. The filter condition indicator system is able to be used with HVAC systems, air conditioning systems, other heating/cooling systems, or other systems or devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: BD Technology Partners
    Inventor: Stewart Breslin
  • Patent number: 9919560
    Abstract: A horn honking control method, system, and computer program product, include an advanced vehicle horn honking control according to a context of the vehicle where a differential horn honking action is performed based on the context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Wayne Brew, Michael S. Gordon, James Robert Kozloski, Ashish Kundu, Clifford A. Pickover
  • Patent number: 9921653
    Abstract: A system for authoring one or more haptic effects using a haptic effect authoring tool receives a haptification model that is based on a predetermined haptic effect style. The system receives an input that includes at least one of audio and video and a plurality of events. The system then, using the haptification model, recommends a haptic effect to be associated with a corresponding event from the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Jamal Saboune, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Patent number: 9914392
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, apparatuses, and systems for receiving feedback during transport. Embodiments include a transportation system comprising a tractor, a dolly attached to opposing ends of a first and second trailer, and a sensor feedback system. Sensor feedback system may include a tilt sensor system mounted on at least one of the dolly, the first trailer, and the second trailer, and a user feedback system mounted within the tractor. Tilt sensor system may measure tilt of at least one of the dolly, first and second trailers, and first and second containers attached to the first and second trailers, to obtain tilt information, and send tilt information to the user feedback system via a communication system. User feedback system may receive the tilt information and alert a driver of the tractor if the tilt information is above a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cross Road Centers, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald H. Mains, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9915609
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, detection of a fire event via detection of scattered light of at least two wavelengths is based on rates of change between measurements of the scattered light of the different wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: VALOR FIRE SAFETY, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Erdtmann
  • Patent number: 9916758
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a traffic light for cooperative vehicle-infrastructure and a method for controlling the same. The traffic light for cooperative vehicle-infrastructure includes: a communication module, a central processing module, a Global Positioning System GPS module and a scheduling module. The communication module is configured to receive a set of messages sent by vehicles periodically. The GPS module is configured to locate the position of the traffic light. The central processing module is configured to perform calculations and analyses on the received set of messages and the position of the traffic light, dynamically set lasting times of red and green lamps of the traffic light, and send a control signal carrying the set times to the scheduling module. The scheduling module is configured to control the lasting times of the red and green lamps of traffic light according to the control signal carrying the set times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: LEAUTO INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY (BEIJING) CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Zou, Wenrui Li, Yong Xu, Kunsheng Chen, Dan Li, Wei Lin, Peng Liu
  • Patent number: 9916757
    Abstract: Lanes sensors are used to count the number of wheel assemblies on vehicles passing over roadway sensors. Lane sensors can also be used to classify vehicles at single and multiple lane sites for tolling and/or traffic planning. For counting vehicles, the Smart Loop Treadle of the present invention is designed for both tire and wheel assembly detection using inductive loop sensors for toll roads in single (Conventional) lane applications. The sensors detect the tire assemblies of both vehicles and vehicle trailers being towed to provide the sum of axle assemblies. For vehicle characterization, the sensor arrangement can have a combination of unique sensors that include tire/wheel detection sensors and vehicle lane position sensors. The characteristics of the vehicle, travel direction, speed, in lane position of the vehicle can be detected using combination of these sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: William Ippolito, Balaji Gurusala Sreeramulu
  • Patent number: 9907998
    Abstract: A method includes: receiving, by a wrist device, a notification of an event, wherein the notification is indicated to a user of the wrist device; in response to receiving the notification, initiating at least one measurement; determining, based on the at least one measurement, that a predetermined condition is met; and in response to the determining that the predetermined condition is met, performing an action having an effect on the indication of the notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: POLAR ELECTRO OY
    Inventor: Mikko Repka
  • Patent number: 9911309
    Abstract: A personal proximity warning device for alerting a user to an approaching object includes a housing that defines an interior space. The housing is configured to couple to an article that is coupled to a user. A power module and a transmitter are coupled to the housing and positioned in the interior space. The transmitter is operationally coupled to the power module and is configured to communicate an alert to an electronic device of the user. The electronic device is configured to audibly communicate the alert to the user through one or more speakers that are coupled to the user, such as earbuds and headphones. A sensor is coupled to the housing and operationally coupled to the power module and the transmitter. The sensor is configured to detect motion in an area proximate to the user and to compel the transmitter to communicate the alert upon detection of the motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Randal K. Kumagai
  • Patent number: 9911291
    Abstract: A portable device for outputting virtual vibration is provided. The portable device includes a controller configured to generate a control signal corresponding to a detected event. The portable device also includes vibrators configured to output virtual vibration based on the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soochul Lim, Joonah Park, Seungchan Kim, Jungsoon Shin
  • Patent number: 9903814
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for handling temperature variation with optoelectronic components of a hazard detection system are described herein. A power characteristic of an optoelectronic component of the hazard detection system may be used to determine a temperature of an environment of the hazard detection system. A power characteristic of an optoelectronic component of the hazard detection system may be used to determine a smoke condition of an environment of the hazard detection system. Optoelectronic components of the hazard detection system may be optically coupled to determine a smoke condition of an environment of the hazard detection system. Multiple optoelectronics of the hazard detection system may be operative to detect forward scatter and back scatter of one or more types of light to determine a characteristic of a hazard particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Ian C. Smith, Morakinyo John Aina, Andrew W. Goldenson, Dietrich Ho, Anurag Gupta
  • Patent number: 9903755
    Abstract: Determining time spent outdoors. A method includes, at a first time, using one or more primary criteria including one or more criteria related to information provided by a first hardware input sensor on a device, to determine that the device is outdoors. The method further includes at one or more other times, using one or more secondary criteria, different than the primary criteria, the secondary criteria related to information provided by one or more second hardware input sensors, to determine continuity of the device being outdoors from the first time to the one or more other times. The method further includes based on determining that the device is outdoors and determining continuity of the device being outdoors from the first time to the one or more other times, identifying a total amount of time that the device has been outdoors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Haithem Albadawi, Han Yee Mimi Fung, Farah Shariff