Patents Examined by Mancil Littlejohn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10062049
    Abstract: Systems and processes for tracking the status of an item are disclosed. Systems and processes for decommissioning identifying information from pharmaceutical product containers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas J. Pizzuto
  • Patent number: 10062229
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes integrated garage door opener electronics including one or more antennas, and a processor coupled to the integrated garage door opener electronics and in communication with a touch screen. The processor is configured to detect, at the one or more antennas, a garage door opener signal from a garage door opener transmitter, determine, based on the detected garage door opener signal, one or more characteristics of a respective garage door opener associated with the garage door opener transmitter, and in accordance with a determination that instructions for programming the integrated garage door opener electronics to operate the respective garage door opener are available, display, on the touch screen, the instructions for programming the integrated garage door opener electronics to operate the respective garage door opener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: FARADAY & FUTURE INC.
    Inventor: Mark Lewis Zeinstra
  • Patent number: 10049571
    Abstract: The disclosure includes implementations for executing one or more computations for a vehicle. Some implementations of a method for a vehicle may include identifying one or more computations as being un-executable by any processor-based computing device of the vehicle. The method may include generating a query including query data describing the one or more computations to be executed for the vehicle. The method may include providing the query to a network. The method may include receiving a response from the network. The response may include solution data describing a result of executing the one or more computations. The response may be provided to the network by a processor-based computing device included in a hierarchy of processor-based computing devices that have greater computational ability than any processor-based computing devices of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventors: Rahul Parundekar, Kentaro Oguchi, Veera Ganesh Yalla, Preeti Jayagopi Pillai
  • Patent number: 10044075
    Abstract: An electronic device that displays a battery status is described. In particular, based on the occurrence or presence of an environmental condition (such as an extrinsic environmental factor and/or a current electronic-device usage factor), the electronic device may determine an inaccessible-charge condition of a battery in the electronic device. For example, the environmental condition may include: a temperature of the battery less than the temperature threshold value; and/or a discharge rate of the battery greater than the discharge threshold value. In response to the inaccessible-charge condition, the electronic device may display indications of two or more battery-charge parameters, including: an accessible battery charge, an inaccessible battery charge that is currently unavailable for use because of the environmental condition, and/or a total battery charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nalin Chaturvedi, Stephen D. Sterz, Soundararajan Manthiri
  • Patent number: 10036119
    Abstract: A thimble assembly that includes an arch portion connecting a first leg portion to a second leg portion. The thimble assembly may also include a peripheral groove extending substantially along an outer surface of the first and second leg portions and the arch portion. The thimble assembly may also include a plurality of connectors extending from a first lip of the peripheral groove and connecting to a second lip of the peripheral groove. The connectors may traverse the peripheral groove across the first and second leg portions and the arch portion. The thimble assembly may include a length of cord with a plurality of strands that traverses the peripheral groove. The strands may enclose the connectors such that the strands are woven around the connectors. In one embodiment, the thimble assembly may include a wireless tension detector connected to the thimble that includes a sensor that senses radial expansion and contraction of the cord under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Daniel Madsen, Benjamin Taylor, Joe Fox, Lloyd J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10008109
    Abstract: A method for training a programmable transceiver is provided that includes scanning frequencies within a desired range for a first signal, and detecting the first signal at a first frequency. The method also includes computing harmonic frequencies and subharmonic frequencies of the first frequency, and scanning the harmonic frequencies and the subharmonic frequencies for a second signal at a second frequency. The method further includes comparing a first magnitude of the first signal to a second magnitude of the second signal. In addition, the method includes training the programmable transceiver based on the second signal if the second magnitude is greater than the first magnitude, otherwise training the programmable transceiver based on the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Ivo Ivanov Bonev, Plamen Chavdarov Stoyanov, Stefan Rumenov Nikolov
  • Patent number: 10002519
    Abstract: The invention is a service for sending and/or receiving messages in a first format intended for a recipient or authority, where the service identifies for the intended recipient a second format for receiving messages, and where the service formats a communication for delivery to the intended recipient, where the message is prepared to be presented to the recipient in the first and/or the second format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: InFlight Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Bekanich
  • Patent number: 10002533
    Abstract: An emergency vehicle route management method, system, and non-transitory computer readable medium, include analyzing a map to plot roads, a user including user data, and an emergency vehicle including emergency vehicle data on the map, determining an intersection of the roads within a predetermined radius of the emergency vehicle, and delivering an action for the user based on a road on a path of the emergency vehicle being determined by the determining to intersect with a road of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amos Cahan, Ruchi Mahindru, Valentina Salapura, Syed Yousaf Shah
  • Patent number: 9997000
    Abstract: An electronic key actively executes wireless communication following a keyless entry communication and passively executes wireless communication following a RFID communication. A vehicle control device is mounted on a vehicle and actively executes wireless communication following each of the keyless entry communication and RFID communication. An ECU/BCM unlocks a door by communicating with the electronic key using the keyless entry communication and issues a password to the electronic key in relation to this action. When a door knob or handle is pulled, an RFID-IC acquires the password issued by the ECU/BCM from the electronic key using the RFID communication and unlocks the door by authenticating the acquired password.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ikuhei Kimura, Makoto Yasutake
  • Patent number: 9996163
    Abstract: A method and system for positioning based device control. The method includes receiving device control instructions associated with function control of a device based on a positioning of a wearable hardware device of a user. Communications between the device and the wearable hardware device are synchronized and a position signal indicating a current position of the wearable hardware device with respect to a body of the user is received. In response, a command associated with controlling a specified function of the device is received and a command is executed resulting in the specified function of the device being modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa Seacat Deluca, Clifford A. Pickover, Dana L. Price, Aaron J. Quirk
  • Patent number: 9984552
    Abstract: A system and method are described for alerting a user that an area they have entered or are about to enter has a restriction on carriage of a firearm. Methods include detecting the presence of a firearm within an intelligent article of luggage, detecting the current geographic location, comparing the current geographic location to a set of restricted carriage locations, and presenting an alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: American Rebel, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Andrew Ross, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9978238
    Abstract: This patent specification relates to apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for providing home security/smart home objectives. More particularly, this patent specification relates to a plurality of devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected devices, that communicate with each other and/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system to provide any of a variety of useful home security/smart home objectives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Yoky Matsuoka, David Sloo, Shigefumi Honjo, Scott A. McGaraghan, Michael Plitkins, Maxime Veron, Isabel Guenette
  • Patent number: 9972184
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for monitoring a vehicle operator and for monitoring the environment of a vehicle operator. In particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining a physical position of an operator within a vehicle and for determining environmental conditions surrounding the vehicle operator. The systems may include at least one of: an image sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a microphone or a combination or sub-combination thereof. The methods may determine a position and/or an orientation of a vehicle operator's head, arms, hands, legs, feet, etc., a combination thereof or a sub-combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Jason Freeck, Alex Ewing Ford, Paul Sloan, Ryan Thomas Schmidt, Mihir Dilip Angal, Neel Kothari
  • Patent number: 9969328
    Abstract: A child seat occupancy warning device for warning a driver of an occupied child seat includes an alarm. The alarm is configured to couple to a child safety seat that is positioned in a vehicle. The alarm is reversibly and operationally couplable to a driver's side seatbelt of the vehicle. The alarm is activated upon coupling to the driver's side seatbelt. The alarm is compelled to issue a warning upon decoupling of the alarm from the driver's side seatbelt. The alarm is positioned to couple to the driver's side seatbelt such that the driver's side seatbelt is fixed in an extended configuration. Decoupling of the alarm from the driver's side seatbelt is required for a driver to exit the vehicle. Decoupling of the alarm from the driver's side seatbelt compels the alarm to issue a warning to the driver that there is an occupied child safety seat in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Mobolaji Dada
  • Patent number: 9961185
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for establishing a wireless connection based on a touch screen of a wireless device. The wireless device includes a slide-out processing section for determining, in response to a slide-out from an edge of the touch screen, a first slide-out parameter for determining by the other wireless device an object to be connected, and broadcasting the first slide-out parameter. The wireless device further includes a slide-in processing section for determining a slide-in parameter in response to a slide-in from the edge of the touch screen and reception of a second slide-out parameter directionally transmitted from the other wireless device. Furthermore, if the determined slide-in parameter matches the second slide-out parameter, then the slide-in processing section establishes a wireless connection between the wireless device and the other wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yan Chen, Xiao He, Kuang Hu, Guo Jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 9951611
    Abstract: A telemetry system with a plurality of controllers and telemetry systems, where the controllers are configured to obtain information from one or more sensors and transmit that information on one or more of the plurality of telemetry systems. The configuration of a controller may be changed so as to change which information is transmitted on a given telemetry system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Justin C. Logan
  • Patent number: 9950664
    Abstract: An environmentally-friendly vehicle sound generator apparatus. The apparatus includes a vehicle state sensing unit, a sound source storage unit, a sound source playback unit, a sound source amplification unit, a sound output unit, and a control unit. The control unit receives a sensing signal from the vehicle state sensing unit and controlling the operation of the sound source playback unit so as to play back the operating sound in different playback methods to control and change the operating sound according to the received sensing signal. The vehicle state sensing unit senses a vehicle speed, and if it is determined according to a vehicle speed signal that the vehicle speed reaches a preset speed range, the control unit fades out the output of the sound output unit at a preset ratio of the vehicle speed to a time elapsed after the vehicle speed reaches the preset speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: LS AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dae Woo Kwon
  • Patent number: 9945944
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for assisting a driver of a first vehicle where a second vehicle is detected by a sensor of the first vehicle and a driver of the first vehicle is informed that the second vehicle is at the side of the first vehicle when the second vehicle leaves an area monitored by the sensor, the area monitored by the sensor being an area behind the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Mauderer
  • Patent number: 9942627
    Abstract: In embodiments, apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media are described that are associated with a context-based information presentation system (“CIP”). The CIP may be configured to modify presentation of information to a user during performance of a physical activity. The CIP may be configured to receive information describing the physical activity and to identify a context for the physical activity based on the received information. The identification of the context may be performed through application of one or more context rules to the information describing the physical activity received by the CIP. The CIP may be configured to modify presentation of information to the user based on the identified context. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kahyun Kim, Paul F. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 9927874
    Abstract: An input apparatus has a touch sensor 11 configured to receive an input, a load detection unit 12 configured to detect a pressure load on a touch face 11a of the touch sensor 11, a tactile sensation providing unit 13 configured to vibrate the touch face 11a, and a control unit 15 configured to control drive of the tactile sensation providing unit 13, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit 12 satisfies a standard to provide a tactile sensation, such that a click sensation is provided to an object (means) pressing the touch face 11a. Thereby, a realistic click sensation similar to that obtained when a push-button switch is operated is provided when an operator operates the touch sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Tomotake Aono