Patents Examined by John Mortell
  • Patent number: 10198947
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a device for configuring an infrared (IR) emitter. The device includes a support structure and a microprocessor attached to the support structure. An interface circuit is also attached to the support structure and is configured to provide communications between the microprocessor and a portable computing device. A memory, which is attached to the support structure, is coupled to the microprocessor and is configured with instructions. Execution of the instructions by the microprocessor cause the microprocessor to communicate with an application executing on the portable computing device and initiate transmission of configuration data received from the application to the IR emitter. A transmitter is attached to the support structure and is coupled to the microprocessor. The transmitter is configured to transmit the configuration data to the IR emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Global Traffic Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles B. Meyer, Kevin Eichhorst, Timothy J. Hall
  • Patent number: 10192160
    Abstract: A radio-frequency identification device of the non-contact type, suitable for fixing to an object to be identified that includes a module with at least one electronic chip and at least one electrical and/or magnetic so-called primary antenna used to supply signals to the at least one electronic chip, and an electrical and/or magnetic so-called secondary antenna. The secondary antenna is a conductive element that forms part of the object or is produced by modifying a constituent of the object, the secondary antenna being coupled to the primary antenna without an electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TAGSYS
    Inventors: Christophe Loussert, Philippe Martin
  • Patent number: 10163368
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for acoustic representations of environments. A processor can execute an acoustic representation service. The processor can receive a request to provide acoustic representation data to a device. The processor can obtain input data from the device. The input data can include captured data. The processor can analyze the input data to recognize an object represented in or by the input data and a path associated with the object. The processor can generate acoustic representation data representing the object and the path, and provide the acoustic representation data to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intelllectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randolph Wohlert, Milap V. Majmundar, Aaron Bangor, James H. Pratt, Guido Corona
  • Patent number: 10152127
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for controlling a vibration transfer between vibration devices. The apparatus for controlling a vibration transfer may change vibration values of a plurality of vibration devices according to a movement of a virtual vibration body, thereby providing a user with a sense of touch of a movement of the virtual vibration body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo Chul Lim, Joonah Park
  • Patent number: 10147032
    Abstract: A method, system and tag for low power radio frequency communication is described. In one embodiment, the RF tag comprises: an energy harvesting unit operable to convert incident RF energy to direct current (DC); a storage unit operable to store recovered DC power; one or more sensors for sensing; a backscatter communicator to backscatter energy to communicate; and a microcontroller coupled to the energy harvesting and storage units, the one or more sensors, and the backscatter communicator, the microcontroller operable to wake up from a sleep state and cause the radio to communicate sensed data from at least one of the one or more sensors while powered by energy previously harvested and stored by the energy harvesting and storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignees: RICOH CO., LTD., DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ken Gudan, Sergey Chemishkian, Jonathan J. Hull, Matthew S. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 10136253
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for tracking a vehicle's course using geolocation data is provided. The method comprises obtaining a set of predetermined GPS locations representing a closed course; tracking movements of a user using a GPS controller; authenticating the movements of the user against the set of predetermined GPS locations while the client terminal is within a predetermined distance of at least one of the set of predetermined GPS locations; and presenting consolidated timing information about the user's movements along the set of predetermined GPS locations. The system comprises a central processing server in communication with a computer network and configured to obtain information from a central database; and one or more client terminals in communication with the central processing server via the computer network, and configured to provide a graphical user interface for user interaction with the central processing server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Lapking Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Vincent G. Monteleone, Jerry Lee Chappell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10126423
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stopping distance selection are provided. The method includes displaying an image from a camera facing an area around a vehicle, detecting a selection of an object in the image, determining a stopping distance from the selected object, and performing an operation if the vehicle is within of a threshold distance of the stopping distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventors: Bryan Fowler, Mohannad Murad
  • Patent number: 10128661
    Abstract: An indicator device includes a housing configured to be coupled to positive and negative DC wire lines that supply power from an energy generation source to an inverter. The indicator device further includes a current sensor for measuring a current level on the positive and negative DC wire lines, and voltage sensors for measuring a first voltage across the positive and negative DC wire lines, a second voltage across the positive DC wire line and a ground terminal, and a third voltage across the negative DC wireline and the ground terminal. A circuit block compares the measured current level to one or more threshold current levels, and further compares the measured first, second and third voltages to one or more threshold voltage levels, and in response provides an output signal. A visual indicator receives the output signal from the circuit block, and in response provides a visual indication of whether voltage and current levels on the positive and negative DC wire lines are at levels that may harm humans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Mayer, Sandeep Narla
  • Patent number: 10117004
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that apply multiuser detection (MUD) analysis to an aggregated RF response from a plurality of simultaneously queried RFID tags, so as to distinguish the individual tag responses. The claimed method thereby significantly reduces RFID detection latency when multiple tags are simultaneously queried. Some embodiments transmit carrier waves at more than one frequency, such as a plurality of equally-spaced frequencies, so as to enhance the MUD analysis by incorporating a multi-frequency dimension. Other embodiments incorporate additional spatial dimensions by deploying multiple RF detection antennae at separated locations. The number of colliding tag responses must be estimated before MUD analysis can be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Collision Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Niedzwiecki, Prabahan Basu
  • Patent number: 10114991
    Abstract: Focusing on providing a plurality of device antennas along a transfer path of the RFID media, and providing a device antenna for verification, the reading and writing verification device comprises: a data reading and writing unit having a first device antenna, a second device antenna and a third device antenna provided sequentially in the transfer path; and a data verification unit having a fourth device antenna provided on a downstream side of the third device antenna, reading and writing of medium data being made sequentially executable by wireless data communication between the data reading and writing unit and the RFID medium, and in the data verification unit, the medium data being read from the RFID medium to enable verification of the medium data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: SATO HOLDINGS KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoki Kowata
  • Patent number: 10109162
    Abstract: A haptic effect enabled system generates a haptic effect using an electric potential responsive fluid. A haptic enabled apparatus includes a fluid and a substrate. The fluid is responsive to an electric field. The substrate is at least partially flexible and defines a channel. The fluid is positioned within at least a portion of the channel. A portion of the substrate proximal to the fluid is stiffer than a portion of the substrate spaced from the fluid, thereby creating a haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mansoor Alghooneh, Vahid Khoshkava, Juan Manuel Cruz Hernandez, Mohammadreza Motamedi
  • Patent number: 10102722
    Abstract: A wearable haptics-enabled apparatus comprises a wearable article comprising an actuator and an input device. A controller is electrically connected to the actuator and the input device. The controller is configured to selectively transmit operation and haptic drive signals to the actuator, and to generate the haptic drive signal upon receiving an input signal from the input device. The haptic drive signal embodies a message. A method of delivering haptic feedback through a wearable article comprises: selectively generating a non-haptic drive signal and applying the non-haptic drive signal to an actuator; and selectively generating a haptic drive signal and applying the haptic drive signal to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Vahid Khoshkava
  • Patent number: 10083460
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating product or service information to a potential purchaser. A product or item describing a service are scanned to obtain both a product or service code and an advertisement promotion code provided by a vendor/retailer or manufacturer of the product or service using a smartphone of a first user. A barcode is generated on the smartphone by combining the product or service code and the advertisement promotion code with information from the smartphone associated with the product or service and with an advertiser code that uniquely identifies the first user. The barcode is communicated to a communication device of a second user that is the potential purchaser of the product or service. When the communication device is presented to a point of sale (POS) terminal, the terminal scans the barcode, decodes the barcode, and compensates the first user according to the advertisement promotion code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: MOTEDATA INC.
    Inventors: Peter Lupoli, Jay Kesan
  • Patent number: 10068443
    Abstract: Systems, arrangements, barriers and methods for detecting illicit attempts to compromise or penetrate a physical barrier are disclosed. The systems, arrangements, barriers and methods detect illicit attempts to pry, remove or compromise a security barrier from the surface or location it protects, by insider/outsider adversaries, when any type of cabled continuity sensor (optical, electrical) is woven, embedded, or interlaced through the security barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Scott H. Brooks, Christian J. Hartwigsen
  • Patent number: 10043329
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for detection and protection against jam intercept and replay attacks. An example disclosed key fob includes a first wireless transceiver tuned to communicate via a first frequency band, second wireless transceiver tuned to communicate via a second frequency band, and a communicator. The first frequency band is different than the second frequency band. The example communicator sends a first message via the first wireless transceiver in response to activation of a first button. Additionally, the example communicator, in response to not receiving a second message via the second wireless transceiver, provides an alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allen R. Murray, Oliver Lei
  • Patent number: 10032342
    Abstract: A storage apparatus designed to store a plurality of items and notify a user of a number of the items stored therein. A exampled implementation of a storage apparatus includes a base member having a container to store the plurality of items, a microcontroller coupled to the base member and able to generate item information pertaining to the number of items stored in the container, a color LEDs and a display operably connected to the microcontroller and able to provide a notification to the user corresponding to the item information, and a communication unit operably connected to the microcontroller and able to transmit the item information to a remote user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Aislan Gomide Foina
  • Patent number: 10016336
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cardiopulmonary resuscitation feedback are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes determining a force. The method also includes, in response to determining the force, acquiring spatial orientation data, remove the effects of gravity, and wirelessly or wired method of communicating the spatial orientation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: NuLine Sensors, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Holifield, Jonathan R. Mohlenhoff, Rolf Schuler, Benjamin M. Downey, Johann-Jakob Schmid, Michael J. Vosch
  • Patent number: 10015166
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, devices, and machine-readable mediums for implementing gesture-based signature authentication. In one embodiment, a method may involve recording a first gesture-based signature and storing the recorded first gesture-based signature. Then the method compares the first gesture-based signature with a second gesture-based signature. Then the method verifies the first gesture-based signature as authentic when the first gesture-based signature is substantially similar to the second gesture-based signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos Carrizo, Claudio Ochoa, Lucas Massuh
  • Patent number: 10008106
    Abstract: A self-configuring sensor and method of operation of the sensor is described. In one embodiment, the self-configuring sensor comprises a first sub-sensor for determining a first status of a door or window, a second sub-sensor for determining a second status of the door or window, a wireless transmitter, a memory for storing processor-executable instructions, and a processor coupled to the first sub-sensor, the second sub-sensor, the wireless transmitter and the memory for executing the processor-executable instructions that cause the sensor to monitor the first and second sub-sensors for detecting changes in a first sub-sensor state and a second sub-sensor state, respectively, and determine an installation configuration based on the changes in the first sub-sensor state and the second sub-sensor state, the installation configuration comprising a type of hardware where the self-configuring sensor has been installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolink Intelligent Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Anderson, Todd Bernhagen, Andrew Permenter, Carlo Q. Petrucci
  • Patent number: 9986379
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a system for generating shopping incentives for users based on purchasing patterns of the users. The system performs operations including determining one or more zones within a venue based on wireless signals transmitted by one or more wireless sensors. The operations further include, for at least one zone, determining a current state associated with the zone, monitoring the zone, and, in response to detecting a device entering the zone, notifying the device of the current state associated with the zone. Each zone is assigned to a zone owner. A current state associated with a zone is based on a real-time location of a device carried by the zone owner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Gerken, III, Jeremy A. Greenberger