Patents Examined by Jeffery Hofsass
  • Patent number: 8674845
    Abstract: A system for controlling movement of a personal mobility vehicle near a restricted region is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a detector that is configured to be disposed on the personal mobility vehicle and that is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal transmitted to the restricted region. The system also includes a control unit configured to communicate with the detector. The control unit is further configured to determine proximity of the detector to the restricted region using information related to the signal received by the detector. The control unit is also configured to provide a command to inhibit movement of the personal mobility vehicle in response to the determined proximity of the vehicle to the restricted region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Carter, Jesse M. James, Stephen E. Hannah
  • Patent number: 8674836
    Abstract: This security system includes an activity detection portion detecting an activity of a monitored person in a house, a first communication portion acquiring a detection result (information about the activity) and an abnormality determination portion determining whether or not an abnormality is happening to the monitored person on the basis of the detection result and an activity history of the monitored person in the house and determining the extent of the abnormality of the monitored person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouichi Ishimoto
  • Patent number: 8669879
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for alerting a person to check a medical device while conserving battery power. The medical device initiates a status alert if a readiness condition of the medical device is no longer being met. The status alert includes notification periods during which an audible sound is emitted alternating with off periods during which substantially no audible sound is emitted. The audible sounds may include certain tones or at least one spoken word. At least one of the duration of successive notification periods or the duration of successive off periods may be varied. In this manner, the medical device may provide audible sound at different times during the day in an attempt to get the attention of a person. In addition, the medical device may sense an activity to determine when to provide the audible sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, Benjamin A. Flugstad, Glenn Morita
  • Patent number: 8669866
    Abstract: A process transmitter for measuring a process variable comprises a process sensor, transmitter circuitry, a transmitter housing, a mounting component, and a non-contact proximity sensor. The process sensor senses a process variable of a process fluid. The transmitter circuitry processes a signal from the process sensor. The transmitter housing receives the process sensor and transmitter circuitry. The transmitter mounting component is connected to the housing to isolate the sensor, the transmitter circuitry or the transmitter housing from the process fluid or an external environment. The non-contact proximity sensor system detects a spatial relationship between the transmitter housing and the transmitter mounting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Patent number: 8669864
    Abstract: A mobile terminal is used to assist individuals with disabilities. A mobile terminal such as a “smartphone” or other commercially available wireless handheld device may be loaded with software. The software may be configured to: (i) store criteria for managing communications between a disabled user of the mobile terminal and a remote caregiver, (ii) determine whether a criterion is satisfied, and if so (iii) initiate a communication from the mobile terminal to the remote caregiver, and (iv) receive a response from the remote caregiver. Thus, through this software, the mobile terminal may dynamically facilitate communications with specific remote caregivers based on specific situations that may confront disabled individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: HandHold Adaptive, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel E. Tedesco, Robert C. Tedesco, James A. Jorasch
  • Patent number: 8665113
    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: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Wavetronix LLC
    Inventors: David V. Arnold, Bryan R. Jarrett, Thomas W. Karlinsey, Jonathan L. Waite, Brad Giles, Randy St. John
  • Patent number: 8648695
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator controls access to a secured area which houses vehicles. The movable barrier operator is operable to move a movable barrier from an open to a closed position. A sensor controls the operation of a service-providing device through the controller of a movable barrier operator or by direct communication to a controller for the service-providing device. The sensing device senses whether a vehicle is present in the secured area. The sensor is operatively connected to the moveable barrier operator and is used to control the operation of at least one service-providing device without necessarily effecting movement of a barrier by the movable barrier operator. Operation of the service-providing device is effected upon sensing whether a vehicle is present in the secured area to effect an operation of the service-providing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Jeremy E. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 8633822
    Abstract: The present method enables an RFID repeater to be used in conjunction with an RFID tag to allow data in the RFID tag to be read using wireless packet switched technologies. For example, the present method enables an RFID repeater to be coupled with an RFID tag. The RFID repeater reads and records the data from the RFID tag and then transmits the retrieved data from the RFID tag over a wireless packet network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy Cunningham, Robert R. Miller
  • Patent number: 8629786
    Abstract: An autonomous system for automated monitoring of traffic patterns on a designated surface including at least one mobile monitoring and recording module. The at least one mobile monitoring and recording module includes at least one support and stabilization section and an erector section, at least one autonomous source of energy, at least one energy storage device, and at least one control and information storage unit. The at least one support and stabilization section incorporates a transportation subsection arranged to provide mobility when coupled to a source of a mechanical force and at least one stabilizing subsection arranged to stabilize the at least one mobile monitoring and recording module in a stationary traffic monitoring position. The erector section includes an erector arranged to erect at least one speed measuring device, at least one traffic imaging device, and at least one illumination device at respective predetermined heights above the designated surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventors: Jacobo Marcos Sirota, Jose Patricio Tillard, David Keshvar Mostofi, Donald Mitchell Cornwell, Jr., Miodrag Cekic
  • Patent number: 8629784
    Abstract: A method to selectively project graphical images upon a transparent windscreen head up display of a vehicle based upon visual information present in a peripheral zone of vision includes monitoring a location of visual information corresponding to critical information with respect to the windscreen, processing the location of the visual information to generate display requirements describing the visual information as present in the peripheral zone of vision, generating the graphical images to be projected based upon the display requirements, and projecting the graphical images upon the transparent windscreen head up display based upon the estimated operator gaze location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Szczerba, Linda S. Angell, Thomas A. Seder, Dehua Cui
  • Patent number: 8629780
    Abstract: A method, a fire alarm, and a fire alarm system enable detection and localization of a fire in monitored rooms, having two detector units for detecting a fire parameter, wherein an evaluation unit connected to both detector units is used for evaluation. According to the invention, the air in the monitored rooms is fed to the first detector unit via a first pipe conduit and to the second detector unit via a second pipe conduit. Both pipe conduits are arranged in each monitored room and provided with suction intakes. The air is supplied to both detectors by means of at least one suction unit, and the air speed in each pipe conduit is different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Goulet, Peter Stahl
  • Patent number: 8618918
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes an electronic control system with client browser software running on a general purpose operating system that connects with a remote server via a high speed network connection. The browser and operating system allows the patient support apparatus to access and run programs not designed exclusively for patient support apparatus electronics systems. A general purpose microprocessor along with network converter circuitry allows the patient support to deliver messages in frames having intended recipient addresses. The microprocessor communicates with one or more graphical user interfaces and with a control system that controls actuators of the patient support. The control system may comprise networked nodes, such as CAN nodes for example. Isolation circuitry isolates the patient support from a network of a care facility with which it communicates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan R. Tallent, James M. Allen, Keith A. Huster, William G. Pittenger, Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III, Christian Saucier, John T. Harrington
  • Patent number: 8618949
    Abstract: A lifting device sensor unit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sensor unit comprises a housing configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device. A first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver is coupled with the housing and is configured for determining a sensor unit position in three dimensions. A load monitor is coupled with the housing and is configured for monitoring a load coupled with the load line, including monitoring a load position and a load orientation of the load. A wireless transceiver is coupled with the housing and is configured for wirelessly providing information including the load position, the load orientation, and the sensor unit position, to a display unit located apart from the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kurt Maynard, John Cameron
  • Patent number: 8618928
    Abstract: Systems (224, 222, 700) and methods (800) for providing wireless health monitoring for a locator beacon (216). The methods involve: coupling a Transponder and Sensor Module (TSM) to the locator beacon such that at least one condition of the locator beacon or a battery (230) of the locator beacon can be remotely monitored; periodically detecting the condition by the TSM (224); and periodically and wirelessly transmitting, from the TSM to a wireless device (222, 700) located in proximity to the TSM, a signal including information describing the condition detected by the TSM. The TSM can include, but is not limited to a transponder (e.g., an RFID tag) and sensor. The wireless device, can include, but is not limited to a transponder interrogator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Weed, Endre Berecz
  • Patent number: 8618931
    Abstract: A position-monitoring device for persons in tunnel systems having an evaluation device. Reliable determination of the position of persons in the tunnel system is achieved because a locally distributed arrangement of wireless transceiver units is installed in the tunnel system, at fixed anchoring points known to the evaluation device, in the spaces to be monitored. Persons are equipped with mobile sensors. Transceiver units have wireless data-transmission interfaces via which, on one hand, can be placed in a wireless data-transmitting connection to the mobile and, on the other hand, can be placed in a wire-bound or wireless data-transmitting connection to the evaluation device. Programs with which the position of the persons can be determined on the basis of detection data of the transceiver units are stored in the evaluation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Rittal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Rossmann, Johannes Hertel
  • Patent number: 8614628
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for providing a task reminder are disclosed herein. A computer readable medium including programming instructions for performing a method that includes identifying task information including a task location. The method includes receiving a location of a user of a mobile communication device. The method includes receiving historical presence information identifying least one of a number of times the user is present at the location and an amount of time the user is present at the location. The method includes providing a reminder of the task for presentation based on the historical presence information, the task location, and the location of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Ektimisi Semiotics Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Munindar P. Singh, Mona Singh
  • Patent number: 8614626
    Abstract: A driving support device includes: a position detector; a traveling direction detector; a map data memory; a map matching element for matching a current position of a vehicle on a road of map data; a traveling segment estimation element for estimating a current segment of the vehicle in the parking place road when a matched road is the parking place road; a main road search element for determining whether a segment of a main road of an express way is disposed in a predetermined search distance from an estimated current segment; and a reverse run determination element for determining whether the vehicle travels reversely when the main road search element determines that the segment of the main road is disposed in the predetermined search distance from the estimated current segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Toyota Jidosya Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuya Higuchi, Kiyoshi Tsurumi, Tomoki Kodan, Motohiro Nakamura, Masatoshi Takahara, Shogo Sugimoto, Naoto Miura
  • Patent number: 8614629
    Abstract: A dynamic position reporting and/or logging scheme is described herein. Position reporting and/or logging for a mobile device may be dynamically determined based on one or more reporting and/or logging constraints. The constraints may be based on time, distance, events, operating parameters, operating conditions, or some combination thereof. The constraints that dynamically trigger position reporting may be the same as, overlap, or be distinct from the constraints used to trigger position logging. The reporting and logging constraints can be selected to provide a more accurate indication of a track or route traveled by the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Christopher John Verbil
  • Patent number: 8610590
    Abstract: A method and associated system for monitoring electrical demand performance in a building, industrial complex or university campus is disclosed. According to a preferred method, historical data is initially complied and statically analyzed to determine demand forecast for a baseline day. Further according to the method, electrical demand is plotted with another indication, more particularly outside air temperature. Additionally the invention provides an electronic alert to building engineers when demand falls outside the expected demand range. Still further a control chart is provided with the expected electrical load range. Outside air temperature is also optionally considered historically and in real time in the method. The invention further contemplates commissioning building engineers to reduce demand when a real time demand is higher than an expected energy demand. A system is also disclosed herein having instrumentation and electronic devices controlled by software and transmitting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Intregated Building Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Zinovy Radovilsky, Eugene Gutkin, Scott J. St. Germain, Marion Prado, Eugene Roberov, Francisco J. Ruiz, Patrick Tsunehiro
  • Patent number: 8610601
    Abstract: A kitchen exhaust hood assembly having a fire suppression system with built-in redundancy and monitoring capabilities is presented. The fire suppression system includes one or more fire suppression devices associated with the kitchen hood for extinguishing a fire within the vicinity of the exhaust hood. The fire suppression devices can be triggered by a series of manual actuators or fire sensors. A switching circuit including a plurality of switches operatively connected to the manual actuators or fire sensors triggers the fire suppression devices by enabling either a first or second actuating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Captive-Aire Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Glaub, William Brian Griffin