Patents Examined by Jeffrey Hofsass
  • Patent number: 8648728
    Abstract: Apparatus for use with a vehicle is disclosed and comprises an interlock device. The device is adapted to, in use: at least while said vehicle is in motion, periodically generate a prompt; assess motion of said vehicle; at least when said vehicle is assessed by said device to be at rest, carry out an analysis operation wherein a breath sample is received and analyzed; and in the event that, within a predetermined period following a prompt, the device does not, while said vehicle is assessed to be at rest, carry out said analysis operation, enter an alarm state at least when the vehicle is in motion. The device can be adapted to carry out analysis operations only when the vehicle is assessed to be at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Felix J. E. Comeau
  • Patent number: 8638233
    Abstract: A cable connection component is receivable in a housing of a host information handling device for coupling to a circuit of the host device. The component has a status light and a light guide configured, in use with the component at least partially received in the host housing, to guide light from the status light to provide indications visible externally of the host housing. A connection device, a cable end connector and an SFP-type or SFF-type transceiver body are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jerry G. Aguren, Richard E. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8624725
    Abstract: The location of an electronic device can be tracked and updated in order to provide a user of the device accurate directions from the user's current location to a target location, for various types of environments. Upon detecting a trigger (e.g., detecting a QR code or detecting an access point signal), an example device can switch from using a first type of positioning element (e.g., GPS) to a second type of positioning element (e.g., using accelerometers, QR codes, etc.) in determining the user's current location. By using the appropriate type of positioning element for each environment, the device may determine the user's current location more accurately. The device may provide an overlay (e.g., arrows) for displaying the directions over images captured from the user's surroundings to provide a more realistic and intuitive experience for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher S. A. MacGregor
  • Patent number: 8493226
    Abstract: A reminder system for a portable-device charger is designed for determining when it is likely that the charger is about to be left behind. Detection which may be in real time can pertain, depending on the embodiment, to disconnection of a portable device from the charger, and/or movement of a portable device out of wireless range of the charger or a charger adaptor. In some versions, the onset of reminding is, upon detecting disconnection, tentatively postponed until a predetermined criterion is met, such as expiry of a predetermined time period. Or the criterion can be detection of an out-of-range condition based on distance between the portable device and an adaptor or charger. In some embodiments detection and reminder issuance are incorporated in a unit, such as a plug-in wall adaptor or the charger itself. The adaptor can be generalized rather than specialized for a charger of a particular make or model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Brian Tedesco
  • Patent number: 8446293
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a traffic sign system that has a number of information centers. A communication network provides a communication path between the information centers. The communication network is National Transportation Communications for Intelligent Transportation Systems Protocol (NTCIP) compliant. A sign controller is in communication with the information centers through the communication network. A first sign has a first address with a local control link to the sign controller. The local control link is not National Transportation Communications for Intelligent Transportation Systems Protocol compliant. A second sign has a second address with a second local control link to the sign controller. The second local control link is not National Transportation Communications for Intelligent Transportation Systems Protocol compliant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Skyline Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Stadjuhar, Jr., Eugene Daigle
  • Patent number: 8058977
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly includes a mirror back plate having a display receiving portion established thereat and being molded to have an integral light baffle at the display receiving portion. A display element attached to the display receiving portion of the mirror back plate and a light source is activatable to emit light through the display receiving portion and through the light baffle. The light baffle is configured to allow light emanating from the display element to pass through the light baffle at a predetermined angle so that light exiting the mirror reflective element when the light source is activated is viewable from one direction, while the light baffle substantially shields the light emanating from the display element so that the light is substantially non-viewable from another direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 7928839
    Abstract: Included are embodiments for asset management. At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving, at a performance assessment and optimization center, data from at least one asset, the asset being configured to service an environment and performing at least one calculation, from the received data, to determine whether the asset is operating properly. Some embodiments include in response to a determination that the at least one asset is not operating properly, providing an indication related to operation of the asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Prenova, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Chambers, Kenneth Van Meter, Edward M. Smith, Patrick T. Golden
  • Patent number: 7768428
    Abstract: A Safety Warning Device which when the visual tape and laser mechanisms are components of vertical posts (both primary and corresponding), can be mounted to a base (permanent or portable) or customized to fit on a flatbed trailer, which when the visual tape is extended and the laser mechanism is activated provides both an audible and visual warning, notifying person(s) when they are in danger or in a restricted/unauthorized area. The tape is a visual warning which is high enough to be seen by person(s). The height can be adjusted on both the primary and corresponding posts. The laser is both a visual warning (as the light/laser beam is visible) and an audible warning when the laser connection is disturbed or interrupted. This can be an immediate warning as well as a signal sent to an alternative warning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Rodney Lynn Leisure
  • Patent number: 7292154
    Abstract: A monitor can sense the difference in temperature between the inside and the outside of an enclosure containing electrical power equipment. The monitor has a case adapted for mounting at the enclosure. Also included is a first and a second sensor for producing a first signal and a second signal, respectively. The first sensor is mounted at the case and is adapted for insertion through an opening in the enclosure. The second sensor is adapted to sense temperature at a location remote from the first sensor. Specifically, the case is mounted so that one of the sensors is inside the enclosure and the other is outside. The monitor also includes an alarm system mounted at the case and coupled to the first and the second sensor for producing a warning signal in response to the first and the second signals from the first and the second sensor signifying a temperature difference exceeding a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Delta T Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Frederick A. Baier, Christopher Barton, Stephen Chapman
  • Patent number: 7292135
    Abstract: A system for automatically integrating various patient monitoring equipment into a nurse call system is implemented by incorporating a software system agent that translates communications in the patient monitoring equipment communication channel to a software system readable format. By translating the patient monitoring system's communications, a software system or computer can interpret the communications and act accordingly by signaling staff members, doctors, etc., in a manner that was not feasible by the hardware of the patient monitoring system. By interpreting the communications and having a nurse call system translation feature in the software system agent, nurse call systems can be “coupled” to the patient monitoring system to enable a synergy between systems that were here thereto incompatible or had limited functional capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Edwards Systems Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Bixler, Scott Hutchinson, Brent Bergwall
  • Patent number: 7271739
    Abstract: For traffic routing in a walking zone in public buildings, complexes of buildings and traffic zones, which have a plurality of destinations interconnected by traffic routes there are arranged along the traffic routes continuous visual orientation lines which each are associated to one destination, end at the associated destination and can readily be distinguished from each other. The orientation lines are equipped with univocal indicator features pointing towards the associated destination. It is preferably effected by remote control that the orientation lines are composed of display devices which are selectively activated in sections. Remote control is performed in particular by a central control center via a network to which also the control units are connected, which activate the display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Higelin
  • Patent number: 7230536
    Abstract: In the present invention, any change of devices in possession by a user who gets on or gets off, for example, a vehicle is detected by comparing the devices detected by wireless communication at the time of getting on or getting off, thereby enabling the easy and sure prevention of any personal belongings of the passenger from being lost or left without constantly monitoring them. The property management apparatus sums up in time series the detection results by the plurality of property detection apparatuses for notifying the user the place of where the user loses the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Shinada, Kenji Matsumura
  • Patent number: 7183936
    Abstract: A closure cap (10) is provided with an audible warning when the cap (10) is removed from a container (12). The closure cap (10) preventing the inadvertent consumption of pharmaceutical products, bleaches or other products by children or other minors. In use, the closure cap (10) may be provided with child resilient means and can be screwed on to any standard container (12). When the cap (10) is removed from the container (12), mechanical energy is expended by the user and such mechanical energy is converted to sufficient electrical energy using a piezoelectrical element (14) contained in the cap (10). The electrical energy generated is then conditioned and stored using signal conditioning electronics (26) such that and alarm signal of sufficient level is sounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Peter Alvin Ritson
  • Patent number: 7142117
    Abstract: An electronic circuit for a contactless tag includes a rectification circuit that rectifies an induced electromotive force caused by bringing an antenna coil into close proximity to a reader/writer to generate a rectified voltage and a secondary battery. A charging/discharging circuit is provided that charges according to the rectified voltage and discharges the secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7113071
    Abstract: A method of using an electronic locking system to access one of a plurality of lockers includes programming the system by recording at least one biometric characteristic of a user, storing the recorded biometric characteristic of the user in memory, and associating the recorded biometric characteristic of the user with one of the lockers so that the user is authorized to access the locker. The method also includes locking the locker, re-recording the biometric characteristic of the user, after the re-recording step, comparing the re-recorded biometric characteristic of the user with the recorded biometric characteristic of the user and unlocking the locker if the re-recorded biometric characteristic of the user matches the recorded biometric characteristic of the user. The system is newly reprogrammed for each subsequent user of the locker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventors: Jordan Cayne, Mark Adams, Colin MacAlpine, Robert Laidlaw, Laurence Thomas
  • Patent number: 7075453
    Abstract: A method for setting a product address in a home network system is disclosed. The method includes a step for requesting a temporary address in which a network controller designates redundant addresses with a predetermined range to each product and requests an arbitrary address among the redundant address as a temporary address; a step for designating a temporary address in which each product designates an arbitrary address among the redundant addresses as a temporary address and informs to a network controller; and a step for confirming an address in which the network controller sequentially sets one of the redundant addresses for each address not doubled among informed temporary addresses from each product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Koon Seok Lee, Seung Myun Baek, Sam Chul Ha, Hwan Jong Choi, Ja In Koo, Dae Woong Kim, Jeong Hyun Lim, Sung Hwan Kang
  • Patent number: 7023913
    Abstract: A fully digital camera system provides high-resolution still image and streaming video signals via a network to a centralized, server supported security and surveillance system. The digital camera for collects an image from one or more image transducers, compressing the image and sending the compressed digital image signal to a receiving station over a digital network. A plurality of image transducers or sensors may be included in a single camera unit, providing array imaging such as full 360 degree panoramic imaging, universal or spherical imaging and field imaging by stacking or arranging the sensors in an array. The multiple images are then compressed and merged at the camera in the desired format to permit transmission of the least amount of data to accomplish the desired image transmission. The camera also employs, or connects to, a variety of sensors other than the traditional image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: David A. Monroe
  • Patent number: 6992569
    Abstract: A safety shutdown system is provided for use with a fluid delivery system, such as used on a delivery vehicle. The safety shutdown system includes a plurality of sensors for sensing characteristics of a fluid delivery system. A controller includes a query timer function initiated in response to the sensed characteristic of the fluid delivery system and/or in response to activation of selected vehicle functions. The operator may repeatedly reset the query timer before it times out by pressing a button on a wireless transmitter. If the timer times out, however, the controller automatically shuts off a vehicle engine and/or closes a valve to prevent further fluid delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: PGI International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Spencer M. Nimberger, Kevin Cessac
  • Patent number: 6989769
    Abstract: A method and system is utilized to produce an output corresponding to a safety level, particularly in relation to an activity on a moving body. The method involving producing an output corresponding to the ability to perform an operation within a safe limit on a moving vessel. The method comprising the steps of acquiring real time data from instrumentation on the vessel indicative of first and second elements of vessel motion relevant to the safety of the operation. Processing the data relating to each element of motion. Scaling the data relating to each element to a common scale to provide first and second values relating to the respective elements of vessel motion. Determining which value is of greatest significance and providing a output indicative of the greatest value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: MacTaggart Scott (Holdings) Limited
    Inventor: Anthony James Gray
  • Patent number: RE38908
    Abstract: The present invention is a security monitoring system which effectively monitors a large number of areas in a cost effective manner using already existing communications infrastructure. More specifically, the method and apparatus of the present invention warns at least one security post of an undesired condition at a monitored area by sending a fax of an image of the monitored area via a phone line and/or by sending an E-mail of a color image via a global telecommunications network such as the Internet. Generally, the present invention includes a camera for creating a first image of the monitored area at a first time point and for creating a second image of the monitored area at a second time point. In addition, a data storage device stores the first image and the second image, and an image processor, coupled to the data storage device, compares the first image with the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Biscom, Inc.
    Inventors: Shu-Kuang Ho, Xiu-Wei Zhao