Patents Examined by John A. Tweel
  • Patent number: 11176790
    Abstract: Distance notification systems are described herein which, in some embodiments, are wearable by a user to maintain proper social distancing in any environment. Additionally, distance notification systems described herein can be applied to motorized equipment and/or other machinery in efforts to maintain a safe workplace, such as in factories, construction sites, warehouses, and/or other logistics operations. In one aspect, a distance notification system comprises a signal component, and a receiving component for processing encoded signal generated by the signal component into system user notifications. The encoded signal has power in excess of a predetermined threshold within a set distance between the signal component and the receiving component, wherein less than 10 percent of system user notifications are produced by encoded signal reflected from one or more surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: IDEAL INDUSTRIES LIGHTING, LLC
    Inventor: Kory Liszt
  • Patent number: 11170619
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system includes gunshot sensor units with microphones for detecting gunshots and capturing audio data depicting the detected gunshots and other ambient sounds, an environmental board with various environmental sensors for generating environmental data indicating environmental conditions. The audio data, environmental data, and position information can be stored locally on local nonvolatile storage of the gunshot sensor unit for later retrieval by law enforcement entities. In one embodiment, the gunshot sensor units include a wired and/or wireless data transfer interface for transferring the audio data, environmental data and/or position information to handheld units of law enforcement entities. The gunshot sensor unit can also stream live captured audio data for live monitoring by a control pane, and might also include speakers for providing audio playback of audio data from the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III
  • Patent number: 11160507
    Abstract: Information and passive biometric capture systems and methods. The information system includes a housing having a cavity configured to receive tangible items therein. A transparent, touch-sensitive display device is positioned over the cavity and configured such that in response to pixels of the display being black, the tangible items behind the black pixels are visible through the transparent display. A controller is programmed to receive from a remote server an alarm signal, and in response thereto, cause the display to change its state to indicate an alarm condition on the display. In response to receiving an input from the touch-sensitive display, a keypad is displayed, and inputs thereon are communicated to the remote server. The display can also display personal photographs stored in the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Palatiumcare, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Gordon Gray, Lucas Alexander Narbatovics
  • Patent number: 11164432
    Abstract: A system for directing an emergency evacuation within a building composed of a plurality of rooms separated by entryways is provided. The system comprising: a plurality of fire detectors configured to detect a fire in each room; and a plurality of signs configured to display evacuation information, each of the signs being in communication each of the fire detectors and configured to determine an evacuation route to an exit located nearest to each sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Berta Carballido Villaverde, Rodolfo De Paz Alberola
  • Patent number: 11158178
    Abstract: An example smoke detector includes a smoke detection circuit operable to detect smoke, a piezo buzzer, a single color visual indicator, and a transceiver operable to communicate with at least one other smoke detector. A processor is operatively connected to the smoke detection circuit, piezo buzzer, single color visual indicator, and transceiver. The processor is operable to provide distinct notifications for each of a plurality of modes of the smoke detector including at least one alarm mode that indicates detected smoke, at least one maintenance mode that indicates a maintenance condition of the smoke detector, and at least one network configuration mode. Each notification includes one or more audio tones from the piezo buzzer, one or more illuminations of the single color visual indicator, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gabriel Anzziani
  • Patent number: 11158182
    Abstract: An earthquake alarm assembly includes a disk that can be mounted to a wall in a building. A motion sensor is positioned in the disk and the motion sensor senses acceleration and deceleration of the disk to sense when the disk is being moved due to an earthquake. A speaker is positioned in the disk and the speaker is turned on to emit an audible alert when the motion sensor senses motion of the disk. In this way the speaker can alert occupants of the building that an earthquake is occurring. A plurality of intensity indicators is each coupled to the disk and a respective one of the intensity indicators is turned on to communicate the intensity of the earthquake to the occupants of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: Randy Pettway
  • Patent number: 11158191
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining, by a system comprising a processor, a driver profile according to a driver identity for a driver of a vehicle, selecting a driver-specific enforcement scenario for the vehicle according to the driver profile and traffic enforcement information that is associated with a vehicle location, and presenting an in-vehicle alert to convey the driver-specific enforcement scenario to the driver. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James G. Beattie, Jr., Jesse Chan
  • Patent number: 11151863
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a communication interface and a controller. The communication interface receives first alarm information indicating an alarm of a plant from a control apparatus and receives second alarm information, obtained by processing the first alarm information, from an alarm management apparatus that receives the first alarm information. The controller makes a judgment of whether the alarm management apparatus is usable, selects, in accordance with the result of the judgment, one of the first alarm information and the second alarm information received by the communication interface, and outputs third alarm information, obtained by the controller processing the selected alarm information, to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Sakata, Takashi Sato, Kulasara Mahanama Siriwardena, Motoichi Kuwatani
  • Patent number: 11138878
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining, by a system comprising a processor, a driver profile according to a driver identity for a driver of a vehicle, selecting a driver-specific enforcement scenario for the vehicle according to the driver profile and traffic enforcement information that is associated with a vehicle location, and presenting an in-vehicle alert to convey the driver-specific enforcement scenario to the driver. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James G. Beattie, Jr., Jesse Chan
  • Patent number: 11137133
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a lighting apparatus includes a cup housing, a light source module, a protective cover and a light passing cover. The cup housing includes a platform and a first surrounding wall. The light source module has multiple LED modules mounted on the platform surrounded by the first surrounding wall. The platform may be a flat plate or a curve surface. Holes, protrusion or other structures may also appear on the platform. In some embodiments, the platform provides positioning structures for aligning and installing the light source module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: XIAMEN ECO LIGHTING CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Zhenkun Huang, Shouqiang Hou, Caibin Li
  • Patent number: 11135110
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a base frame, lift mechanism supporting an upper frame relative to the base frame, a load frame, and a plurality of deck sections, a patient support surface, and a number of barriers positioned about the patient supporting surface. The patient support apparatus includes a notification system for visually notifying a caregiver of a condition or status of a component of the patient support apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, Richard H. Heimbrock, Arpit Shah, Aziz A. Bhai, Bradley T. Smith, Catherine M. Wagner, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Clay G. Owsley, Dan R. Tallent, Daniel Nachtigal, David L. Bedel, David J. Brzenchek, David J. Hitchcock, David P. Lubbers, Douglas A. Seim, Douglas E. Borgman, Eric D. Benz, Florin Iucha, Frank E. Sauser, Gavin M. Monson, James W. Pascoe, James L. Walke, Jared Rude, John G. Byers, John D. Christie, Jonathan D. Turner, Joshua A. Williams, Karen Lanning, Kathryn R. Smith, Kirsten M. Emmons, Mary Kay Brinkman, Michael Buccieri, Nathaniel W. Hixon, Neal Wiggermann, Richard J. Schuman, Sr., Scott M. Corbin, Sravan Mamidi, Todd P. O'Neal, Todd S. Ventrola, Travis Pelo, Unnati Ojha, John Goewert
  • Patent number: 11132884
    Abstract: A device for detecting a hazardous condition in an area includes a housing defining a chamber. There is at least one smoke sensing device for detecting the presence of smoke in the chamber. An extremely-high frequency detector includes at least one extremely-high frequency transmitter positioned relative to at least one extremely-high frequency receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Jose-Rodrigo Castillo-Garza
  • Patent number: 11122774
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for pet monitoring during unattended delivery. In some implementations, a monitoring system monitors a property includes sensors located throughout the property and generates sensor data. A monitor control unit receives a first indication that a resident of the property will be receiving a delivery during a delivery time. Based on the sensor data and during the delivery time, the monitor control unit determines that a pet, that resides at the property, has been restrained. The monitor control unit provides, to a delivery person, a second indication that the pet at the property has been restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bedell, Abraham Joseph Kinney, Jace Jawn Bauer, Robert Nathan Picardi, Matthew Daniel Correnti
  • Patent number: 11127269
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a smoke detecting circuit and a display panel using the smoke detecting circuit. The circuit includes a smoke sensor, a smoke detecting module, and a first switch module. When the circuit is triggered on fire or smoking because of a short circuit, the smoke sensor is able to detect a smoke signal, the smoke detecting module is able to export a controlling signal immediately to control disconnection of the first switch module, cutting off a power source of a load, and protecting the load immediately while an accident happens. The load can be a display panel. The smoke detecting circuit is used for detecting the smoke signal of the display panel, without any additional external multi-function card, which reduces the installation space of the display panel with an easier arrangement of flat cables, and protects the display panel right away from accidents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: UNILUMIN GROUP CO., LTD
    Inventors: Min Xing, Wenlong Fan, Luhong Zhou
  • Patent number: 11120678
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fire detection system includes a combustion gas detection sensor, first chemical sensor configured to detect a first gas, and alarm configured to operate based on detection signals of the combustion gas detection sensor and the first chemical sensor and notify fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Sugizaki
  • Patent number: 11120672
    Abstract: Provided is a garment comprising fabric and at least one seam, said garment comprising at least one vibrotactile actuator configured for producing a vibrational pattern based on audio and/or messaging information provided by an information signal from an external device. The vibrotactile actuator is contained within the seam. Also provided is a system, circuit and method for transmitting audio and/or messaging information to a user. The system comprises the garment, the external device, and a conversion unit comprising a microcontroller that converts the audio and/or messaging information into a driving signal to be provided to the vibrotactile actuator. The circuit comprises the microcontroller and the vibrotactile actuators coupled to one another by a ribbon of a flexible material. The method evaluates the delay between the vibrational pattern produced by the vibrotactile actuator and acoustic and/or visual signals produced by the external device based on the audio and/or messaging information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SANKO TEKSTIL ISLETMELERI SAN. VETIC A.S.
    Inventors: Jitka Eryilmaz, Ozgur Cobanoglu, Kadir Ozkan, Fehim Caglar
  • Patent number: 11107339
    Abstract: An integrated communication and smoke detection system includes a fiber harness having at least one fiber optic cable for transmitting light, the at least one fiber optic cable defining a node arranged to measure one or more conditions at a predetermined area. A light source is operably connected to the fiber harness to transmit light along the at least one fiber optic cable to the node. A control system operably coupled to the fiber harness such that scattered light associated with the node is transmitted to the control system, wherein the control system analyzes the scattered light to determine at least one of a presence and magnitude of the one or more conditions at the node. The control system is configured to allow multiple inputs and outputs for communication of information through the fiber harness and node using modulated light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marcin Piech, Michael J. Birnkrant
  • Patent number: 11107335
    Abstract: An anti-theft system that can be applied in a commercial environment such as a watch store. The products on display in-store are secured by an electronic tag (4) attached to the product. The tag is provided with a chip (16) which emits a first signal which can only be received within a defined perimeter around the chip. An electronic transmitting device (5) is located within this perimeter, which sends the data transmitted within the first signal in the form of a second signal which further contains a value relative to the distance between the tag and the transmitting device. The second signal is managed by one or more computers, preferably of the portable type (6), which are equipped with a digital application configured to analyse the second signal to check for the presence of the tags (4) within a defined security zone (10) around the transmitting device (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Alexandre Lamontagne, Jonathan Bregnard, Cédric Nicolas
  • Patent number: 11099565
    Abstract: A method for providing personal stowage using a highly or fully automatically operated vehicle includes receiving a request signal, which includes information about a desired provisioning location for providing a personal stowage, ascertaining the location of the requested personal stowage, and transmitting a provisioning signal to an automatically operated vehicle for providing the personal stowage at the provisioning location using the automatically operated vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Brettschneider
  • Patent number: 11100788
    Abstract: An alarm management system includes a plurality of data sources configured to provide data relating to an event at a building and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive the data from the data sources, apply a Bayesian network model to the data to generate a probability score for each of a plurality of possible causes of the event, identify the most probable cause of the event as a first cause of the plurality of possible causes having a highest probability score, execute an action with respect to the identified most probable cause of the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Donagh S. Horgan, Eamonn O'Toole