Patents Examined by John A. Tweel
  • Patent number: 11393302
    Abstract: An electronic system sharing power of a doorbell includes a switch circuit and an electronic device. The first and second connection terminals of the switch circuit are respectively coupled to two doorbell contacts. The second and third connection terminals of the switch circuit are respectively coupled to two ends of a doorbell. Two power terminals of the electronic device are respectively coupled to two switch contacts. A function circuit of the electronic device is coupled between the two power terminals. In a normal mode, the first connection terminal is conducted to the second connection terminal inside the switch circuit, and the two power terminals are disconnected from each other by a doorbell actuating unit of the electronic device. In a ringing mode, the doorbell actuating unit short-circuits the two power terminals, and the first connection terminal is conducted to the third connection terminal inside the switch circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: CHICONY ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chia-Liang Wei
  • Patent number: 11393303
    Abstract: A system for monitoring traffic in aircraft cabins includes conductive wire in aisle carpeting and sensors to register pressure via capacitance changes. The system identifies the volume and location of traffic in aircraft aisles via registered changes to voltage, current, and/or conductivity of the conductive wire, and sensors embedded in the carpet. Measurements over time establish changes in traffic flow and directionality which may be used to direct crew members in flight. Lighting elements may be incorporated into the carpet to provide signals to passengers and crew via the lighting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Fabriek Inventum B.V.
    Inventors: Arnau Castillo Gonzalez, Hans Huijsing
  • Patent number: 11379101
    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 remote location such as a residence or business to be monitored. The sensors and receivers may communicate with a central server via a gateway device, and 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 remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: La Crosse Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Rolf Haupt, Allan McCormick
  • Patent number: 11380199
    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: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventors: Serge Beaudry, Alexandre Langlois
  • Patent number: 11380194
    Abstract: To control vehicular congestion at intersections, a method includes detecting a group of two or more vehicles stopped at an intersection regulated by a traffic light, where for each of the vehicles in the group, movement through the intersection in response to a change in a state of the traffic light is affected by movement of at least one other vehicle in the group. The method further includes determining a time when the state of the traffic light changes to allow the group of vehicles to start moving through the intersection, determining acceleration parameters for a certain vehicle in the group in view of potential and/or actual movement of the other vehicles in the group through the intersection, and providing guidance to a device operated by a driver of the certain vehicle regarding the determined acceleration parameters, in accordance with the determined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Cliff Chin Ngai Sze, Catherine Cardinal
  • Patent number: 11367350
    Abstract: A feature-rich, improved vehicle traffic signal control system that uses network technology is provided herein. For example, the improved vehicle traffic signal control system may include a control box and light heads that include processors. The control box in the improved vehicle traffic signal control system may include fewer components and/or fewer wires extending therefrom as compared to a typical control box. In particular, the control box in the improved vehicle traffic signal control system may not include relays, a conflict monitor, or other similar components. Rather, the improved control box may simply include a controller that is coupled to various light heads via Ethernet cables. The Ethernet cables can carry electrical power, thereby providing power to the light heads. The light head processors can use network technology to control light activation, to perform conflict monitoring, to receive data from various sensors to adjust traffic flow, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Systems Analysis & Integration, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Anthony Pomatto
  • Patent number: 11368831
    Abstract: A system is disclosed comprising a smartphone 2 and an aerosol generation device, such as an electronic cigarette. The smartphone 2 is configured to establish a communicative interaction with the electronic cigarette 4, preferably using a wireless protocol like Bluetooth® so that the devices can exchange data. The smartphone 2 comprises a positioning module, such as a GPS receiver 26, and is adapted to store a position in a data storage unit 28 each time a communicative interaction is established. In this way, the user can retrieve the last stored position from the data storage unit 28 and display it on a map on the smartphone display screen 22 so that they can be assisted in locating the electronic cigarette 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Frederic Claude Hervé Estripeau
  • Patent number: 11361635
    Abstract: Merchandise security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a merchandise security system includes a plurality of security devices arranged in a wireless network, wherein the plurality of security devices are arranged in a planogram and each configured to protect one or more items from theft, each of the plurality of security devices configured to wirelessly communicate data with a remote device. The system also includes a plurality of electronic keys arranged in the wireless network and configured to wirelessly communicate data with the plurality of security devices and/or the remote device. Each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to operate the plurality of security devices. The system also includes a gateway configured to receive the data from the plurality of security devices and electronic keys via wireless communication, wherein the gateway is configured to communicate the data to the remote computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Baker, Gary A. Taylor, Steven R. Bohon, Jeffrey A. Grant, Christopher J. Fawcett, James Richard Terrell, II
  • Patent number: 11363107
    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: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: La Crosse Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Rolf Haupt, Allan McCormick
  • Patent number: 11361636
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system provides anti-tampering protection for gunshot sensor units and a control panel. The control panel monitors for tampering events, including monitoring for changes to configuration settings. When the settings are changed, even by an authorized user, the control panel generates a tampering alert and sends the alert to an operator of the control panel and/or administrators for the gunshot detection system. A similar notification might also occur when a sensor is taken offline or when an anti-tamper sensor on a housing of the gunshot sensor unit detects manipulation or opening of the housing. The control panel also monitors for tampering using machine certificates associated with the gunshot sensor units. In one example, the gunshot sensor units sign event data using the machine certificates and an arbitrary reference number known to the control panel. The control panel then verifies the signed event data to detect tampering events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III, Timothy L. Ficarra
  • Patent number: 11361638
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system provides integration with building management systems installed in a common building. Distributed devices of the building management systems (e.g. light fixtures, smoke detectors, thermostats, exit signs) are positioned throughout the building, and gunshot sensor units of the gunshot detection system are incorporated with, attached to and/or combined with the building management distributed devices. The gunshot sensor units share a common housing with the distributed building management devices, attach to the devices via attachment mechanisms, and/or are incorporated into hybrid devices that include gunshot sensor and building management elements. The gunshot sensor units might comprise reflectors for collecting and focusing sound waves onto microphones of the gunshot sensor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III
  • Patent number: 11361637
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system continually monitors ambient noise throughout a building, learns the building's auditory patterns, and alerts users when sounds are found to be unusual or generally indicative of a dangerous situation. For example, gunshot sensor units positioned throughout the building include microphones. During a learning period (e.g. during normal conditions), these microphones capture ambient noise. The gunshot detection system generates ambient noise models representing the ambient noise during the normal conditions. The gunshot detection system then continually processes currently captured audio data depicting ambient noise (and potential acoustic anomalies) against the ambient noise models to detect and/or identify the acoustic anomalies and to determine whether to generate an alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III
  • Patent number: 11361639
    Abstract: A gunshot detection system includes a control panel that receives event data from gunshot sensor units detecting gunshots and generates location information pertaining to a shooting event based on the event data. The control panel includes a display on which a graphical user interface (GUI) is rendered. The GUI displays maps of a building with icons overlaid on the maps based on the generated location information. In one example, the GUI displays a map with an icon representing the active shooter, the position of the icon with respect to the floorplan image corresponding to an area of the building. In another example, the GUI displays a map with icons representing different gunshot sensor units, the icons having different visual characteristics to indicate that the gunshot sensor units detected the gunshots and/or which of the gunshot sensor units was determined to be closest to the detected gunshots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Thomas Wysong Connell, II, Alan Levin, III, Timothy L. Ficarra
  • Patent number: 11346141
    Abstract: An overhead roll-up door assembly having a door controller, a door panel and a drum on which the door panel is wound and unwound to open and close a doorway, opening and closing of the door being controlled by the controller. The door assembly includes a safety system comprising at least one light, the at least one light being positioned to emit light proximate a first side of the doorway, the light from the at least one light being projected onto a lower boundary of the doorway and forming a strip or stripe proximate the first side of the doorway, wherein emission of the light from the at least one light is controlled by the controller in conjunction with the controller opening and closing the doorway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: RYTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daniel Gregoriou
  • Patent number: 11348430
    Abstract: A danger response evaluation device estimates the content of a possible danger through simulation using observation data acquired from an external device. Then, when the estimated content of the danger exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the danger response evaluation device gives, to a user terminal of a user, notification of an alarm that prompts a response to the danger. Thereafter, when having acquired the content of a response of the user to the danger from the user terminal of the user, the danger response evaluation device determines how much the content of the response corresponds to execution of a plan of a response to the danger stored in a storage unit in advance. Then, the danger response evaluation device evaluates, based on a result of the determination, how much the content of the actual response of the user contributes to a damage prevention effect related to the danger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Megumi Uesu, Tomohiro Kokogawa
  • Patent number: 11348447
    Abstract: An alarm management system of the present disclosure includes an alarm management apparatus, a monitoring terminal, and a controller. The alarm management apparatus generates an alarm based on information received from the controller or receives an alarm from the controller, receives information related to a filtering condition from the monitoring terminal, performs filtering on the alarm based on the filtering condition, and presents the alarm subjected to the filtering to an operator via the monitoring terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Ono, Kengo Honda, Kazuki Murayama, Motoichi Kuwatani
  • Patent number: 11341849
    Abstract: A method and apparatus according to the invention can include energizing a wireless communication device coupled to a processor of a vehicular entity thus establishing a secure channel or communication area around the vehicular entity; exchanging information and data with other vehicular entities entering the established channel or communication area; regulating some vehicle parameters of said vehicular entity for driving the departure and/or travelling of the vehicular entity according to the received information and data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto Troia, Antonino Mondello
  • Patent number: 11341835
    Abstract: A battery powered do-it-yourself (DIY) security and safety monitor that is removably mounted by a self-centering magnet mount onto a ferromagnetic wall plate. The monitor has numerous sensors that report anomalies to the owner's smart device or a pay-for-use monitoring service through cellular communication. There is a smart hub incorporated directly to the various sensors or to the sensors through the main system microprocessor to allow communication and control of the various sensors and modules (if applicable) via the owner's smart device. The monitor may be hard wired into the premises if required by code, or it may be battery powered by long lasting Lithium batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Graham Speier Hausler
  • Patent number: 11328580
    Abstract: Disclosed is an alarm unit electrically connected to a loop circuit in a networked alarm system, the loop circuit being electrically connected to a first power source and a first controller, the alarm unit including: a current sink, a second controller for controlling the current sink, wherein the second controller performs an alarm unit status test including: receiving instructions from the first controller to actuate the current sink, and actuating the current sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: AUTRONICA FIRE & SECURITY AS
    Inventor: Per Johan Vannebo
  • Patent number: 11325763
    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: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: In-Tech Enterprise Ltd.
    Inventors: Jacky Sai Ping Tsang, Cheuk Kuen Chim, Gordon Christopher Pope, Wing Hung Cheung