Patents Examined by Mark Rushing
  • Patent number: 8547224
    Abstract: An infrastructure information collecting device collects measurement information including location information regarding a plurality of wireless access devices disposed in an indoor space based on an indoor map, and a positioning system generates information regarding a wireless communication infrastructure of the corresponding indoor space based on the thusly collected measurement information. The positioning system then provides the generated wireless communication infrastructure information to a terminal of which location is desired to be measured, and then the terminal measures its location based on the wireless communication infrastructure information and signals received from nearby wireless access devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Youngsu Cho, Byung Doo Kim, Sungjo Yun, Myungin Ji, Wan Sik Choi, Dong Yong Kwak
  • Patent number: 8542102
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an RFID network consisting of a number of read-write stations (1, 2, 3, 11, N0-N17), for which a reader service signal (9, 105) is modulated onto a read-write signal that is required to process a number of electronic labels (6). According to the invention, the following steps are carried out: at least one read-write station (1 2, 3, 11, N0-N17) is entrusted with the function of a master (100) that has stored a network structure (110) comprising structure data and a co-ordination plan containing co-ordination data; the master or masters transmit(s) (100) at least corresponding data for an organized synchronous network operation to the read-write stations (1, 2, 3, 11, N0-N17) periodically and/or on demand, so that the read-write stations (1, 2, 3, 11, N0-N17) do not interfere with one another during the read-write operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventors: Patrick Deuber, Roland Kueng
  • Patent number: 8537005
    Abstract: A checkout system employs a bi-optical workstation having dual windows and a main reader for electro-optically reading indicia on products to be processed at the workstation through at least one of the windows. The workstation is supported by a countertop and has a raised housing extending upwardly away from the countertop. An auxiliary cordless reader is used for electro-optically reading the indicia in a handheld mode when the main reader is not operated. A cradle bounds a compartment in which the auxiliary cordless reader is removably received when not in the handheld mode. The cradle is supported by the raised housing above and remote from, and out of direct contact with, the countertop to form a zero-footprint therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Barkan, John Britts, Christopher Warren Brock, Mark Drzymala
  • Patent number: 8531273
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a plurality of RFID tags. A system includes a plurality of serially connected transmitters along a transmit path, where each of the serially connected transmitters are configured to relay a received transmitter selection signal when the transmitter selection signal identifies a selected transmitter as being further along the transmit path than the serially connected transmitter and transmit an identification impulse using a transmit antenna when the transmitter selection signal identifies the serially connected transmitter as being the selected transmitter. A system further includes a control unit responsive to a plurality of transmit paths, the control unit being configured to send the transmitter selection signal along a selected transmit path, where the transmitter selection signal identifies one of the plurality of serially connected transmitters along the selected transmit path as the selected transmitter for transmitting the identification impulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: OSA Acquisition, LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Overhultz, John W. Pyne, Gordon E. Hardman
  • Patent number: 8508361
    Abstract: A personal locator device includes a housing that has a processor being coupled to a bus and a memory being coupled to the bus in the housing. The personal locator device also has a global positioning system comprising a receiver and a transmitter being coupled to the bus. The memory comprises an identification code. The personal locator device also has a mobile communication unit being coupled to the bus and a user interface comprising at least two inputs disposed on the housing. The personal locator device also has a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Paul S. Paolini
  • Patent number: 8502658
    Abstract: A security system implemented with a communication device includes a remote communication device, a local communication device, a main controller and at least one main sensor. The remote communication device and local communication device are connected via communication connection. Each main sensor detects status of a monitoring location. When each main sensor is triggered, each main sensor sends an output signal to the main controller. The main controller collects and processes each output signal, and transmits the processed output signals to the local communication device. The local communication device transforms receives output signals into a text warning message. The text warning message transmits to remote communication device via Short Message Service whereby a user is informed of the status occurred in a remote monitoring location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Fu-Cheng Pan
  • Patent number: 8497776
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system used to perform electronic article surveillance comprises a RFID tag and a RFID reader. The RFID tag is affixed to an object, and the RFID reader, having a plurality of antennas, is in radio frequency (RF) communication with the RFID tag. The plurality of antennas are arranged to have a spatial relationship with one another to monitor and communicate with the RFID tag such that a likelihood of a security breach of the RFID tag is determined. Determining the likelihood of the security breach is based, at least in part, on a signal strength of a read of the RFID tag at each antenna relative to the plurality of antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Miklos Stern
  • Patent number: 8493185
    Abstract: Turning now to the drawings, systems and methods for reading RFID transponders utilizing readers in which the Q-factor of the resonant antenna of the reader shifts over the course of the reader's interrogation cycle in response to the detection of data from FDX and HDX RFID transponders in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment having a dynamically adjustable Q-factor, wherein the reader transmits an activation signal configured to activate half duplex and full duplex transponders includes a signal source configured to drive a resonant antenna and a dynamic switching circuit configured to set the Q-factor of the resonant antenna to a first value during the transmission of the activation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Aleis Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Leigh Bateman
  • Patent number: 8487760
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program are provided. The method comprises: determining that an event has occurred; obtaining, from at least one detector, a detection of one or more bio-signals from a user; and processing the detection of the one or more bio-signals to decide whether to control at least one user output device to initiate a user alert, contemporaneously with the occurrence of the event, indicating that the event has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jari Kangas, Leo Kärkkäinen, Mikko Nurmi, Ville Ojanen, Ilkka Salminen, Sunil Sivadas, Akos Vetek
  • Patent number: 8482435
    Abstract: The invention concerns a wind power installation comprising a flight warning light arrangement. In accordance with the invention it is proposed that the flight warning light arrangement is switched on only when a vehicle or craft, preferably an aircraft, approaches the wind power installation to a predetermined spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 8482387
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for judging a movement direction of an RFID tag in a case where read information acquired from a first region and read information acquired in a second region which overlap the first region indicate that the RFID tag has moved out of a part of the first region which part does not overlap the second region. The described embodiments include a movement direction judging section, a detection frequency information acquisition section, a movement judging section, an output judging section, and an output section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventor: Naomasa Iwahashi
  • Patent number: 8482397
    Abstract: A deceleration-activated brake light system for a vehicle featuring a speed sensor, a brake sensor, a throttle sensor, and an engine brake switch; and a microcontroller operatively connected to a standard relay switch functioning to activate a standard brake light system of the vehicle, the microcontroller is configured to receive input signals from the sensors when the sensors detect deceleration of the vehicle more than a predetermined percent, coasting of the vehicle more than a predetermined amount of time, application of the brake pedal; or engagement of the auxiliary brake whereupon the microcontroller generates an output command to the relay to cause activation of the standard brake light system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Rex M. Tajiri
  • Patent number: 8477024
    Abstract: Systems and methods which provide for an alarm or notification that a child is in a car seat. The systems generally determine if a child is in the seat and that the seat, and therefore the vehicle, is not in motion. Upon detecting both situations, the notification or alarm is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Cars-N-Kids LLC
    Inventors: Gregory B. Schoenberg, Robert S. Steffan
  • Patent number: 8477009
    Abstract: An automated asset management and security system for providing selective authorized access to an asset disposed within or associated with a remotely located lockable device, including: a control console, including: a processor executing one or more algorithms operable for identifying a user, authorizing a predetermined level of access based upon the identity of the user, receiving a command from the user to provide access to the asset disposed within or associated with the remotely located lockable device, and generating a corresponding command for the lockable device; and a communications channel for delivering the corresponding command to the lockable device; wherein the lockable device includes: a controller having a unique address executing one or more algorithms for implementing the corresponding command; and an actuation mechanism operable for selectively providing access to the asset disposed within or associated with the lockable device responsive to the corresponding command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Marcon International, Inc.
    Inventor: L. Stephen Baucom
  • Patent number: 8471710
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a wireless tag includes a base member that is flexible and on a surface of which a wiring pattern is formed, a wireless circuit chip that is mounted on the base member and connected to the wiring pattern; protective members that cover the base member and the wireless circuit chip and are lower in hardness than the base member, and a plurality of spherical projections that are arranged on the surfaces of the protective members, higher in hardness than the base member, and so arranged as to interfere with other adjacent spherical projections when at least the protective members are bent beyond a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Frontech Limited
    Inventors: Shunji Baba, Shigeru Hashimoto, Tsuyoshi Niwata, Satoru Nogami, Yoshiyasu Sugimura
  • Patent number: 8451093
    Abstract: An improved RFID Tag, Interrogator, and system wherein at least one tag modulates a radio frequency signal by modulated backscatter operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Vital Wireless, LLC
    Inventor: Vitaly Drucker
  • Patent number: 8421585
    Abstract: An alarm apparatus for sensing occurrence of abnormality in a plant that manufactures products by processing substrates, the alarm apparatus includes: means responsive to an inspection result of a surface of the substrates during manufacturing the products for aggregating degree of occurrence of defects for each monitoring unit region to produce an aggregation result, the monitoring unit region having a prescribed size configured for each type of the abnormality; means for comparing the degree of occurrence of defects in each of the monitoring unit regions with a reference; and means responsive to detection of the monitoring unit region with the degree of occurrence of defects being higher than the reference for transmitting an alarm and outputting the aggregation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yasuo Namioka
  • Patent number: 8416061
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for controlling a range of a radio frequency identification tag signal. The process identifies an operative range for the radio frequency identification tag signal of a radio identification tag. The process then selects a set of conductive paths in the radio frequency identification tag corresponding to the desired operative range. The set of conductive paths controls the range of the radio frequency identification tag signal in the radio identification frequency tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Selcuk S. Eren, Brian J. Jaeger, Douglas A. Law, Thomas S. Mazzeo, Paul A. Roberts, Shawn K. Sremaniak
  • Patent number: 8410915
    Abstract: A portable telephone device (10) includes: a noncontact IC card communication unit (30) that performs a noncontact IC card communication; a vibration alert unit (22) that notifies the user by vibration that the noncontact IC card communication unit (30) is performing the noncontact IC card communication; and an IC card vibration alert control unit (44) that performs the control to regulate the vibration of the vibration alert unit (22) so that the vibration of the vibration alert unit (22) does not affect the communication state of the noncontact IC card communication unit (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 8400277
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for monitoring a transfer of fluid between a syringe and a fluid reservoir. A syringe may include a chamber for holding fluid transferred between the syringe and a fluid reservoir, a distal end comprising a point of attachment for a needle enabling transfer of fluid between the syringe and the fluid reservoir, and a first signaling tag carried by the syringe. The first signaling tag may be positioned to enable the first signaling tag to come within a sufficient proximity of a second signaling tag carried by the fluid reservoir to trigger a state of a signal emitted by at least one of the first signaling tag or second signaling tag to change when the needle is inserted through a membrane of the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: McKesson Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph Braun, Shawn T. Greyshock