Patents Examined by John Tweel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11049381
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring and conveying the health status of a user via a device configured to issue an audio-visual cue to the user to which he or she must respond. If the user does not respond to the cue within a specified amount of time, the system contacts pertinent emergency services, employers, and emergency contacts as elected by the user. A wireless communication radio of the system is used to contact the pertinent authorities, and a GPS device is employed to relay location data to expedite the arrival of help to the individual. The system may also be of use in the prevention of kidnapping or lost child scenarios as the system is configured to alert the relevant authorities when no response is detected from the user after a preset period of time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: William L. Sewell
  • Patent number: 11045127
    Abstract: A method for predicting an arousal level used by a computer of an arousal level prediction apparatus that predicts an arousal level of a user is provided. The method includes obtaining current biological information regarding the user detected by a sensor, and calculating a current arousal level of the user based on the current biological information. The method further includes obtaining current environment information indicating a current environment around the user, and predicting a future arousal level, which is an arousal level a certain period of time later, based on the current arousal level and the current environment information. Based on the predicted future arousal level, the method further issues a notification to the user, or controls an operation of a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignees: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Koichi Kusukame, Shinichi Shikii, Kazuki Funase
  • Patent number: 11051156
    Abstract: A tracking and accountability system and apparatus is provided and comprises a command unit and processing unit coupled to a wireless communication network, a first tracking device having a first mobile transceiver in communication with the wireless communication network and coupled to a first set of identification data of a first individual and being operative to transmit signals representing the first individual's location over the wireless communication network to the processing unit, and a second tracking device having a second mobile transceiver and coupled to a second set of identification data of a second individual and being operative to transmit signals representing the second individual's location (i) to the processing unit over the wireless communication network if the second tracking device is within a first distance; and (ii) to the first tracking device if the second tracking device is within the first distance to the first tracking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: 3AM INNOVATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Patrick O'Connor, Robert Samuels, Ryan David Litt
  • Patent number: 11043109
    Abstract: A fire detector is connected to a loop transmission path connected to a receiver. When the loop transmission path is normal, a communication connection is made from a transmitting unit to the fire detector to monitor fire. When a break fault occurs in the loop transmission path, a break monitoring control unit turns switching circuit units ON to connect a termination of the loop transmission path to the transmitting unit. To the loop transmission path, a relay detects a current normal direction at normal and a current reverse direction at the time of occurrence of a break for transmission to the receiver. When a break occurs in the loop transmission path, a break section determining unit of the receiver determines, as a break section, a section in which the current normal direction detected by a plurality of the relays is changed to the current reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: HOCHIKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Matsuda, Shigeru Kaneko, Takehiro Ono, Akira Ishida
  • Patent number: 11037421
    Abstract: A security device is provided that includes a seal and a tag assembly. The seal may be configured to be attached to a merchandise box. The tag assembly may include housing and an electronics assembly disposed within the housing. The housing of the tag assembly may be configured to slide onto the seal via sliding engagement between the housing and the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: EDGE SECURITY PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventor: Ningsheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 11029825
    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: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: La Crosse Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Rolf Haupt, Allan McCormick
  • Patent number: 11030889
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for dynamic traffic lane management. Example methods may include receiving traffic information associated with vehicles travelling on a portion of a multilane road; designating at least one lane of the multilane road as a managed lane based on the traffic information; transmitting, via a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications protocol, a message to the vehicles, the message indicative of the designation of the lane as the managed lane; and receiving a confirmation message from a vehicle, the confirmation message indicative of the vehicle's acceptance of travelling on the managed lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Helen Elizabeth Kourous-Harrigan, Oliver Lei, Joseph C. Jira, Frank Thomas Brown, Alan Hejl, Amy Robertson
  • Patent number: 11030875
    Abstract: A safety device that is worn by a worker in a manufacturing facility is presented. The safety device includes a microprocessor, memory, an antenna and transceiver and a plurality of sensors that sense environmental conditions surrounding the worker such as light levels, noise levels, temperature, humidity, air quality and CO levels. The safety device also tracks the position of the worker and includes an accelerometer that detects trips and falls. The safety device also includes an event trigger which can be activated by the worker when a notable event or near miss occurs. The environmental information recorded by the safety device is used to both track accidents and near misses and is aggregated in a database for datamining purposes so as to predict future accidents and near misses. This information is also used to create correlations and better understand the root cause of accidents and near misses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: MAKUSAFE CORP.
    Inventor: Gabriel Glynn
  • Patent number: 11026073
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for linking a terminal vehicle to a stationary data network. The disclosure provides that a base vehicle, which has an unmediated network access to the data network, uses a radio-based communication device to transfer data packets between the data network and the terminal vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Florian Haubner
  • Patent number: 11022437
    Abstract: A leveling sensor, a load port including a leveling sensor, and a method of leveling a load port using a load port are disclosed. In an embodiment, a sensor includes an accelerometer configured to detect leveling and vibration of a load port and produce a plurality of data; a plurality of indicator lights configured to display a level measurement and a level direction based on the leveling of the load port; a processor configured to process the data produced by the accelerometer; and a wired connection configured to connect the processor to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Lin Wang, Jung-Tang Wu, Chin-Szu Lee, Hua-Sheng Chiu
  • Patent number: 11022458
    Abstract: A navigation system includes: a control unit; a communication unit, coupled to the control unit, configured to determine a lane position on a current roadway for a free-drive mode; identify a restricted use lane based on a distance and the lane position ahead on the current roadways; and determine a roadway lane along with the restricted use lane and the lane position for displaying on a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Telenav, Inc.
    Inventors: Kok Wei Koh, Eric Wood
  • Patent number: 11009216
    Abstract: Various arrangements for light distribution incorporated as part of a device are presented. A circular light guide may be used that receives light from a plurality of light emitters that can be arranged in a circular pattern. A conical reflector may be used and may be positioned to reflect light emitted from the circular light guide onto an exterior of a case of the device. The conical reflector may reflect light such that light is reflected by the exterior of the case in the shape of a halo into an ambient environment of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: William Dong, Adam Mittleman, Bryan Macomber
  • Patent number: 11006832
    Abstract: A wireless sensor device capable of constant operation without replacement of batteries. The wireless sensor device is equipped with a rechargeable battery and the battery is recharged wirelessly. Radio waves received at an antenna circuit are converted into electrical energy and stored in the battery. A sensor circuit operates with the electrical energy stored in the battery, and acquires information. Then, a signal containing the information acquired is converted into radio waves at the antenna circuit, whereby the information can be read out wirelessly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Koyama
  • 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