Patents Examined by John Mortell
  • Patent number: 9489866
    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: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Randolph Wohlert, Milap V. Majmundar, Aaron Bangor, James H. Pratt, Guido Corona
  • Patent number: 9481331
    Abstract: A system for implementing strobing of existing vehicle hazard lights including an interface to a vehicle wiring harness configured to receive input to an existing vehicle flasher module, and a strobing circuit that responds to an activation signal from the vehicle wiring harness that is indicative of a hazard flasher deployment event by producing an electrical output through the interface to the vehicle wiring harness that causes a strobing of existing vehicle hazard lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: David M. Tucker
  • Patent number: 9468846
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for a tactile feedback instrument, and more specifically, some embodiments are directed toward methods and apparatuses for a tactile feedback stylus. Some embodiments of the invention provide a stylus used in conjunction with mobile devices. Further embodiments of the invention provide a game system, comprising a game console and a stylus. Within such embodiments, the stylus comprises an electric motor and a control circuit coupled to the electric motor that is in communication with the game console and controls the electric motor. Within some of these embodiments, the stylus can vibrate or rumble when the electric motor is activated in response to gaming activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Performance Designed Products LLC
    Inventors: Scott Michael Terrell, Antonio Meneses Ortega, Thomas John Roberts
  • Patent number: 9469247
    Abstract: An audio processing system may selectively identify certain environmental sounds and playing back these sounds, or a representation of these sounds, in the vehicle's cabin. The audio processing system may filter the environmental sounds to identify a particular sound that matches an event such as a bouncing ball, squealing tires, footsteps, and the like. The audio processing system may then provide an audio alert to an occupant in the vehicle. For example, the system may process the identified sound (e.g., amplify and/or isolate the sound) and use a speaker to output the processed sound into the interior of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the audio processing system may use environmental sounds as an audio masking sound for creating privacy zones within the vehicle. The audio processing system may filter the environmental sounds to identify a continuous sound which is then output to generate the privacy zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ajay Juneja, Stefan Marti, Davide Di Censo
  • Patent number: 9457626
    Abstract: A tire separation warning system and method that includes a sensor that senses pressure of a tire and a receiver that calculates the amount of change in tire radius from the pressure of the tire received from the sensor. In addition, the receive estimates tire separation risk. A display warns a driver of the tire separation risk, when the tire separation risk is transmitted from the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jong Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9460605
    Abstract: A housing for a computer system includes at least one first and one second housing opening, at least one first housing cover and one second housing cover, wherein the first housing opening can be closed by the first housing cover and the second housing opening can be closed by the second housing cover, and a switching element having a switching contact, wherein the switching element is arranged such that, both when opening the first housing cover and when opening the second housing cover, the switching contact is triggered to indicate that the housing has been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Friedrich Köhler, Lorenz Schelshorn
  • Patent number: 9460446
    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 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: MOTEDATA INC.
    Inventors: Peter Lupoli, Jay Kesan
  • Patent number: 9448627
    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: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo Chul Lim, Joon Ah Park
  • Patent number: 9446856
    Abstract: A system for improving the maintenance of aircraft where a head-worn computer with a head up display and communication and control capabilities similar to Google Glass, except for increased ability to access RFID tags, is used to aid an avionics technician by providing visually and aurally information for the technician to perform services in less time with increased quality of service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Roling
  • Patent number: 9438339
    Abstract: A method for automatically detecting an infrared blaster or an infrared receiver includes detecting receipt of an infrared device by a media device. The media device has an internal infrared receiver and a processor. The method further includes determining if the infrared device is an infrared extender or an infrared blaster. When the infrared device is an infrared extender, the method includes disabling the internal infrared receiver and connecting the infrared device to the processor of the media device. When the infrared device is an infrared blaster, the method includes connecting the infrared device to the processor of the media device and not disabling the internal infrared receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Yut Loy Chan, Michael Daniel Fuller
  • Patent number: 9405949
    Abstract: A system comprises a cavity being reflecting for RF waves and comprises at least one acoustic wave sensor exhibiting a resonance frequency band, coupled to a sensor antenna; and an interrogation/reception device for the sensor. The interrogation/reception device comprises: means for transmitting/receiving an RF signal transmitting within an interrogation frequency band comprising the resonance frequency band of the sensor; at least a first transmission/reception antenna and a second transmission antenna/reception, positioned within the cavity; means for dividing the signal into at least a first RF signal and a second RF signal, the first signal being transmitted to the first transmission/reception antenna and the second signal being transmitted to the second transmission/reception antenna; means for creating a phase-shift between the first RF signal and the second RF signal; means for analysing the power level of the received signal. An interrogation method used in the system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: SENSEOR
    Inventors: Luc Chommeloux, Jean-Michel Friedt, Christophe Droit, Jeremy Masson
  • Patent number: 9404810
    Abstract: A surface acoustic wave sensor system for use with a moving platform. The system comprises an interrogator for producing an RF interrogating signal transmitted from a first antenna. A substrate that supports surface acoustic waves is attached to the moving platform and an interdigital transducer (IDT) and reflector are mounted on the substrate. The IDT produces surface acoustic waves (SAW) responsive to the RF interrogating signal. The reflector produces reflected SAW responsive to the incident SAW and responsive to a characteristic of the moving platform. A position indicator produces a synchronization signal input to the interrogator for triggering the RF interrogating signal. The synchronization signal is timed to trigger the RF interrogating signal when the interdigital transducer is within a field-of-view of the first antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Mnemonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Madjid A. Belkerdid, Ed Struble, Nicholas Kozlovski
  • Patent number: 9400964
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for predicting asset availability in a supply chain, whereby assets are typically reusable assets such as packaging or bins which are expensive components yet hard to track. The present invention provides a mechanism for passively sensing when an asset enters or leaves a particular location in the supply chain and updates a database accordingly. This location and timing information is thereafter used in the present invention to model future movement of the assets for use in predicting whether a sufficient amount of the assets will be present at any particular location in the supply chain at any particular point in the future. An alert is generated if the modeling determines an insufficient amount is modeled to be present at the particular location. This allows a decision maker to make adjustments to ensure a sufficient amount of assets will be present at the particular location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Surgere, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Wappler, David J. Horvat
  • Patent number: 9384611
    Abstract: A system and method for automated discovery of wireless locks in a security system allows installers to assign each wireless lock to a slot on a wireless hub that provides wireless communications to the wireless locks. Device controllers poll the wireless hubs to discover the communications paths to each wireless lock. The device controllers store the information obtained from the polling, and present the information to a control system that manages the wireless locks. This eliminates the current practice of manually updating assignment information on the control system between wireless hub slots and the wireless locks in response to additions, deletions, or relocations of wireless locks within the security system. This is especially useful in installations that include hundreds or thousands of wireless locks within office buildings, hotels, or conference centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Tyco Integrated Security, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Dyk, Allan McLellan, Ken Brubaker, Tuckweng Tham, Kam-Yuen Ko
  • Patent number: 9383730
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system configured to trigger interactive experiences for guests. The system may be a zone based identification system that uses identification technology (e.g., RFID, image recognition, etc.) to detect and/or identify guests in zones prior to, during, and after an interactive experience. The zones may be physical areas where guests approach, participate in, and leave the interactive experience. The system may be configured such that as guests progress through zones prior to, during, and after the interactive experience, the system may access guest specific information before the interactive experience, present the guest specific information during the interactive experience, and then stop presenting the information responsive to the guest exiting the interactive experience. In some implementations, the system may comprise one or more objects associated with guests, one or more sensors, one or more processors, one or more host systems, and/or other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Kyle J. Prestenback
  • Patent number: 9370694
    Abstract: A compressible core with an RFID tag is described. The compressible core includes an RFID integrated circuit, a carrier material, a molded compressible core, and a fill material. The RFID integrated circuit includes a memory that stores at least one unique identifier. The carrier material includes an RFID antenna electrically coupled to the RFID integrated circuit. The molded compressible core has a center and a spherical surface. Additionally, the molded compressible core includes a molded impression that receives the carrier material with the antenna and RFID integrated circuit. The fill material fills the molded impression occupied by the inlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: EDGE TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Robert Luciano, Jr., Warren White, David Grieshaber
  • Patent number: 9361777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gate system which uses overlapping radiation patterns to deduce when an item is entering a warehouse and when an item is leaving a warehouse, for example, for loading onto a truck. The present invention stores information relating to the direction the item moved and actuates an alarm if the item is moved in an unexpected direction. The radiation patterns of the gates are angled such that one radiation pattern from a first antenna is directed towards the loading dock, while another radiation pattern from a second antenna is directed towards the interior of the building. Overlapping the radiation patterns allows the logic circuitry to account for the item as it moves from one side of the gate system to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Surgere, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Wappler, David J. Horvat
  • Patent number: 9355544
    Abstract: A fault indication method for equipment includes receiving a fault signal indicative of a fault of a device; energizing a light emitter based on the received fault indication, in which a luminous material is made to fluoresce based on receipt of light emitted by the light emitter; detecting fluorescence of the luminous material by a light detector, and outputting a voltage and/or current indicative of the fluorescence; and providing a fault output signal when the voltage and/or current exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Reginald D. Bean, Nathaniel P. Wyckoff, Brandon C. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 9354704
    Abstract: A system is provided that produces haptic effects. The system receives an audio signal that includes a low-frequency effects audio signal. The system further extracts the low-frequency effects audio signal from the audio signal. The system further converts the low-frequency effects audio signal into a haptic signal by shifting frequencies of the low-frequency effects audio signal to frequencies within a target frequency range of a haptic output device. The system further sends the haptic signal to the haptic output device, where the haptic signal causes the haptic output device to output one or more haptic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Satvir Singh Bhatia, David Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Amaya Becvar Weddle, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Patent number: 9351102
    Abstract: A primary portable device can access a vehicle by transmitting an activation message including a vehicle access credential to the vehicle. The primary portable device can additionally enable a secondary portable device to access the vehicle by transmitting the vehicle access credential to the secondary portable device. The connections between the primary portable device, secondary portable device, and vehicle can be based on a short-range wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth or Bluetooth LE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Tucker, Emily C. Schubert, Jesse L. Dorogusker, Joakim Linde, Stephen Chick