Patents Examined by John A. Tweel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11005953
    Abstract: A remote location monitoring system, for example, a home monitoring or weather monitoring system may include one or more sensors and/or receivers at a first location such as a residence or business to be monitored. The sensors and receivers may communicate with a remote central server via a gateway device and the detection data received from the sensors and receivers may be displayed via display circuitry coupled to a processor of the gateway device. The sensors, receivers, and gateway device may be controlled by users locally or remotely via the server. Users may register to receive remote notifications of weather events and other home monitoring events. Users may also access remotely sensors and receivers to configure alerts, notifications, and automatic responses for the devices and integrated appliances at the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: La Crosse Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Rolf Haupt, Allan McCormick
  • Patent number: 11002675
    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: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: VALOR FIRE SAFETY, LLC.
    Inventor: Matthew Erdtmann
  • Patent number: 11002129
    Abstract: A drilling area network hub is located proximate to a drill rig and includes an uphole transceiver in bidirectional communication with a downhole transceiver by utilizing the drill string as an electrical conductor. Certain information is collected including rig-based and/or location information. At least one field report is generated based on the certain information to characterize at least one of an inground operation, an operational condition of the downhole transceiver, an operational condition of the uphole transceiver, and an operational condition of the drill rig. A drilling area network server receives the field report from the Internet at a remote location and can generate a custom report and/or recommended actions based on field data. Region specific parameters can be applied to the operation of a drilling system. The drilling area network hub can transfer data logs to the remote location according to assigned priorities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hall
  • Patent number: 10994653
    Abstract: A vehicle proximity notification device for notifying a vehicle approach using a first speaker and a second speaker provided in the vehicle includes a sound source that outputs a signal that corresponds to a sound for notifying an approach of the vehicle and that is input to the first speaker and the second speaker; and an information processor that changes a phase of at least one signal out of a signal input to the first speaker and a signal input to the second speaker in accordance with a speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumiyasu Konno, Ichiro Ohno, Shinnosuke Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 10997858
    Abstract: A method for determining occupancy of a parking space using a heat map includes receiving sensor data from one or more sensors positioned such that a surface area is within a field of view, the sensor data at least indicating a speed and location of a traffic participant. Generating the heat map based on the traffic participant(s) and determining a heat index associated with each portion of the heat map. Determining a traffic participant is stopping, parking, or leaving a parking space based upon the change of speed movement between, high and low, and moving or parking, heat index portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ganesh Adireddy
  • Patent number: 10994746
    Abstract: A vehicle dynamic control monitoring system includes a vehicle, a warning indicator, at least one vehicle dynamic control system (VDC), a tire pressure sensor and an electronic controller. The vehicle has a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the vehicle. The warning indicator is installed to the vehicle at a location visible to a vehicle operator. The at least one VDC and the tire pressure sensor are installed to the vehicle. The electronic controller is connected to the warning indicator, the at least one VDC and the tire pressure sensor. The electronic controller is configured such that in response to determining that at least one of the wheels has a tire pressure that is below a predetermined tire pressure range, the warning indicator is displayed indicating that the at least one VDC will operate with reduced effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Paul Robson, Scott Warnecke
  • Patent number: 10997830
    Abstract: A compact, time-saving and efficiency-promoting electronic signaling device that is programmable by its user to display a predetermined sequence of visual signals, corresponding to destinations, where independent and identified tasks are to be performed, such as but not limited to use in merchandise collection for order fulfillment or restocking distribution, multiple steps relating to product manufacture that are performed at different workstations, and office routing of items or documents to multiple locations for needed review and/or approvals. Preferred embodiments have a signal component that during use one-at-a-time displays a series of visual signals with different characteristics, each signal in the programmed sequence coded to identify a specific destination in an office, storage facility, or manufacturing plant. Once a task is completed, the user advances the device to the next task in the programmed sequence. Once all tasks are completed, the device may be user reprogrammed for a next use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: David B. Thayer
  • Patent number: 10997381
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) system. The methods comprise: detecting movement of a plurality of security tags in a facility using Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”); identifying which security tags of the plurality of security tags are moving towards an exit of the facility or are in a surveillance zone; determining a number of the identified security tags that are coupled to unsold objects; comparing the number to a threshold value; and causing the EAS system to issue an alarm when the number is greater than or equal to the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventor: Eric F. Riggert
  • Patent number: 10991167
    Abstract: An information processing system includes: an identification unit that identifies a condition for use of a work site according to a purpose of visit of a visitor; and a presentation unit that presents candidates for the work site which satisfy the condition for use identified by the identification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazunori Ozeki
  • Patent number: 10990090
    Abstract: An occurrence of a predetermined event is detected within a stream of data and a classification for the event is determined. A message is sent to an application when the predetermined event is detected. The message is received at the application and the message is visualized to a user of the application. The stream of data from the industrial machine to the transceiver circuit, to the control circuit, and to the application occurs in real-time without substantial interruption allowing the user of the application to make decisions and determine insights concerning the industrial machine in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Veera Kishore Reddipalli, Vamshi Gandrapu
  • Patent number: 10986478
    Abstract: On-hoard equipment in a motor vehicle includes a C-V2X communication device receiving a first signal from road side equipment having a known position. The C-V2X communication device transmits a second signal having content that is dependent upon a length of time in which the first signal traveled from the road side equipment to the C-V2X communication device. A GPS device is communicatively coupled to the C-V2X communication device and receives the second signal from the C-V2X communication device. The GPS device estimates a position of the vehicle. The estimating is dependent upon the second signal from the C-V2X communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Sameh Willliam Tawadrous, Hans A. Troemel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10977925
    Abstract: Displaying an indicator of a usage of hygiene equipment by one or more operators, the system including a first receiving section configured to receive usage data from an equipment sensor arrangement, said usage data indicating a usage of said hygiene equipment; a calculation section configured to determine, based on said usage data said indicator; and an output section configured to provide display data to a display unit based on said indicator, said display unit being arranged so as to convey said display data to said one or more operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Håkan Lindström, Jenny Logenius
  • Patent number: 10974882
    Abstract: A container security system includes a container chassis and a closure subsystem coupled to the container chassis. The closure subsystem includes a closure chassis that prevents movement of a material between a container volume and an exterior of the container chassis via an aperture defined by the container chassis. The closure subsystem includes a closure security sensor that generates a closure sensor signal when the closure chassis experiences a tamper event. A first type communication interface is housed in the closure chassis and a security engine provided by the closure subsystem receives a sensor signal indicating that the closure chassis has experienced the tamper event. The security engine then provides, in response to receiving the sensor signal and using the first type communication interface, a notification to a corresponding first type communication interface that the closure chassis has experienced the tamper event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: IN-TECH ENTERPRISE LTD.
    Inventors: Jacky Sai Ping Tsang, Cheuk Kuen Chim, Gordon Christopher Pope, Wing Hung Cheung
  • Patent number: 10974748
    Abstract: A vehicle advisory system and method determine whether a vehicle system moving along a route is within a designated distance of a feature of interest, initiate a distance-based alert sequence of an advisory device of the vehicle system in response to determining that the vehicle system is at or within the designated distance of the feature of interest, and generate advisory signals using the advisory device according to the distance-based alert sequence. The advisory signals are indicative of passage of the vehicle system by the feature of interest during the distance-based alert sequence. The distance-based alert sequence dictates one or more of plural different commencement locations or commencement distances at which advisory signals are generated by the advisory device. The distance-based alert sequence also dictates one or more of plural different termination locations or termination distances where generation of the advisory signals by the advisory device is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Angel, Ann Grimm
  • Patent number: 10970988
    Abstract: In an apparatus configured to monitor a person in a predetermined area, location information indicating a location of the person and information indicating a destination of the person in the predetermined area are acquired for each of a plurality of persons present in the predetermined area. A contact between the persons is detected using the location information. Using the information indicating the destination of each of the persons detected as having contacted, it is determined whether the contact is an unauthorized contact, and a determination result is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ritsuko Otake
  • Patent number: 10971258
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, are provided for assisting users with adherence to a medication regimen. An attachable device includes a sensor module releasably attached to an adapter, which is in turn attached to a medication container using a connector. The sensor module can be removed from the adapter to change an included battery without removing the adapter from the medication container. The sensor module is in communication with a user device, such as a smart phone. A user can use an app on the user device to create a medicine regimen, or schedule, and send the schedule to the sensor module. The user can also set notification preferences on the user device to be sent to the sensor module. The sensor module includes audio and/or visual transducers that notify the user to take the medication at the scheduled times. The sensor module further includes one or more buttons that are pressed when a user opens the medication container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Rajesh Rawal, Sreenivasan Narayanan
  • Patent number: 10960848
    Abstract: A vehicle security system may be automatically activated when a vehicle (e.g., car or truck) is temporarily stopped. Specifically, if a car is stopped at a gas station or other type of temporary stop (e.g., where a car would not be fully closed and locked) the vehicle security system may engage (e.g., based on opening of a gas cap cover). The vehicle security system monitors for theft of contents from inside a vehicle in a temporary stopped state. Sensors monitor if a passerby reaches into an open (or partially open) window to grab a parcel, handbag, phone, etc. from inside the vehicle. In a temporary stop condition, a vehicle may not be fully locked to engage a standard anti-theft security system. If a driver's attention is diverted away from the vehicle during the temporary stopped condition a quick and quiet theft scenario (e.g., a reach and grab) may be attempted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: WEBRAM LLC
    Inventor: Randall Keith Weber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10957428
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for automating a monitoring process is executed on a computing device and includes obtaining encounter information of a patient encounter. The encounter information is processed to determine if the encounter information is indicative of a potential medical situation. An inquiry is initiated concerning the potential medical situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Owen, Garret N. Erskine, Mehmet Mert Öz
  • Patent number: 10943464
    Abstract: Machine learning systems, methods, and techniques for detecting damage and/or other conditions associated with a building, land, structure, or other real property using a real property monitoring system are disclosed. The property monitoring system is used in conjunction with machine learning techniques to determine and/or predict various conditions associated with the real property, including particular damage thereto, e.g., based upon dynamic characteristic data obtained via on-site sensors, static characteristic data, third-party input descriptive of an event impacting the building, etc. Accordingly, damage and/or loss associated with the building/real property is more quickly and/or accurately ascertained so that suitable mitigation techniques may be applied. In some scenarios, previously undetectable or uncharacterized damage and/or other conditions may be discovered and mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory L. Hayward, Meghan Sims Goldfarb, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Erik Donahue
  • Patent number: 10943479
    Abstract: A system and method of acquiring and maintaining location information associated with traffic apparatus deployed in connection with a traffic flow monitoring or regulation system are disclosed. In some implementations, an apparatus identifier may distinguish a particular traffic apparatus from others that are deployed in proximity, and a functional identifier may define a functionality of the particular traffic apparatus; positioning, orientation, and movement or acceleration data may also be provided for real-time or near real-time system applications. These apparatus data may be used to derive and to maintain a record of location data associated with each traffic apparatus deployed in a particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventors: Serge Beaudry, Alexandre Langlois