Patents Examined by Mark Rushing
  • Patent number: 9311352
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for external equipment monitoring. The presenting invention uses a network of sensor-devices that constitute a system that provides information about entities within a facility, where entities may mean industrial equipment, personnel, parts, raw materials, etc. The invention allows the entities to be tracked; monitored and optimized without input from a user of what type of entity or what type of entity it is (e.g., users, rooms, etc. can be monitored. The present invention uses devices that do not require an electronic connection to the entity and with the ability for one entity to monitor the activity of another entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Zeinfeld
  • Patent number: 9310787
    Abstract: A particular device may configure one or more of other devices to accept and execute remote control commands from the particular device's remote control unit. This may be performed via one or more various communication links between the devices on that enables the devices to communicate with each other. For example, the remote control of a set-top box can be used to control both the set-top box and a television without a user having to specially program the set-top box or other universal remote control. One example of a communication link between the devices that enables the devices to communicate with each other is a device-to-device messaging protocol such as that provided by the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jon Richardson
  • Patent number: 9299255
    Abstract: A user device application transmits the device's location and unique identifier with a message requesting location information that corresponds to a vehicle associated with the user device's unique identifier. The application sends the request message over a communication network to a central computer. The central computer obtains location information corresponding to the vehicle from a device proximate the vehicle. The central computer compares the locations of the user device and telematics device and generates a location differential value corresponding to the distance between them. If the differential value meets predetermined criteria, the central computer causes an action, for example forwarding the location information corresponding to the vehicle to the requesting user device. Or, the central computer sends the requesting device a request denied message. The central computer may also deny the request when the vehicle is moving, or if the user device has requested the vehicle's location too frequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Verizon Telematics Inc.
    Inventors: Christina Yarnold, Richard Bennett
  • Patent number: 9291476
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are described herein for displaying MPA procedures on a display unit of an aircraft. An assigned MPA approach path to an arrival runway is received at the aircraft. Data regarding a number of predefined MPA approach paths associated with the arrival runway are retrieved, and the assigned MPA approach path is displayed on the display unit in conjunction with other of the predefined approach paths associated with the arrival runway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Corporation
    Inventors: Nima Barraci, Matthew B. Hendrian, Antonio Puentes
  • Patent number: 9294287
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for interrogating an authentication device are disclosed. For example, a mobile device can include an interrogator module that interrogates an authentication module in a mobile device accessory, for example, upon installation of the mobile device accessory. In some implementations, challenge-response pairs and a challenge-response distribution are stored in a memory of an interrogator module. The challenge-response distribution defines selection probabilities for the challenge values. In some instances, the interrogator module receives an authentication request from an authentication module, and in response to the authentication request, the interrogator module selects an initial challenge value according to the challenge-response distribution. The interrogator module sends the authentication module an interrogation message that includes the initial challenge value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Certicom Corp.
    Inventor: Robert John Lambert
  • Patent number: 9293020
    Abstract: Method for operating a magnetically controlled lock in an EAS tag (100) involves the application of a magnetic field to a plunger (322) within a housing (102) of the EAS tag. The applied magnetic field is used to cause a translational movement of the plunger in a first direction. The method can further involve causing a latch (320) to pivot about a pivot axis (807) by using the translational motion (1002) of the plunger to apply a torque (1004) to the latch. Rotation of the latch in this way causes it to move to an unlocked position which releases a locking pin (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventor: Thang T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9286796
    Abstract: A traffic flow measuring apparatus includes a processor configured to judge a size of a vehicle, depending on a detection frequency or a non-detection frequency of a reflected wave from the vehicle with respect to a transmission wave transmitted from a radar apparatus, within a detection time of the reflected wave from the vehicle, set according to the detection of the reflected wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Tomonori Ikeya, Kazuhiko Shite, Junko Kajiki, Mitsuru Ochi
  • Patent number: 9277296
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device for displaying information concerning a part such as a chair or keyboard tray having articulating components as well as a method of displaying information on the use of the components of a chair or keyboard tray. In particular this invention relates to a device for displaying video information concerning a part such as a chair or keyboard tray having articulating components as well as a method of displaying video information on the use of the components of a chair or keyboard tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Terry Cassaday
  • Patent number: 9266535
    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. The system will generally provide for an alarm to a smartphone or other remote notification device to improve the likelihood that the alarm will be received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Cars-N-Kids LLC
    Inventor: Gregory B. Schoenberg
  • Patent number: 9266471
    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 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Cars-N-Kids LLC
    Inventors: Gregory B. Schoenberg, Robert S. Steffen
  • Patent number: 9256847
    Abstract: A computer receives a reservation for a location. The computer detects if a user is present in the location. The computer then determines if the user is allowed to be present in the location by comparing identification information of the user with identification information of the reservation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent C. Conzola, Mark E. Molander
  • Patent number: 9251698
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a location. Soil sensor units are deployed in the location in a forest from a group of aerial vehicles. Information is generated about a number of soil conditions in the location in the forest using the soil sensor units in the location. The information is transmitted from the soil sensor units to a remote location for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: John Lyle Vian, Charles B. Spinelli, Brian J. Tillotson, George Michael Roe, Joshua Przybylko
  • Patent number: 9228854
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for remotely reading fluid meters, according to which a meter comprises a module having a metering clock and a wireless transmitter for transmitting a frame of time-stamped remote-reading information to a server which comprises a server clock; after every N frames are transmitted, the meter module enters a receiving mode (Rx) for a period of time (?Rx); upon receiving a frame of time-stamped information, the server determines the difference between the time information contained in the received frame and the time information provided by the server clock; then, if the difference is greater than a predetermined limit (?L), the server sends a reset message to the meter; upon receiving the reset message, the module of the meter updates the meter clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: SUEZ ENVIRONMENT
    Inventor: Philippe Calvez
  • Patent number: 9230373
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided wherein the method includes the steps of a downstream controller of a security system advertising a service type of the downstream controller on a sub-network, a gateway controller of the security system detecting the advertisement and authenticating the downstream controller as being part of a group that also includes the gateway controller, the gateway controller sending a connection request to the downstream controller, the gateway and downstream controllers establishing an L4 connection based upon the connection request, and the gateway and downstream controllers establishing a L5 session channel through the L4 connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: John A. Dziadosz, Shiyuan Qi
  • Patent number: 9230378
    Abstract: A system and a method for causing a garage door to open using a garage door opener having a wireless receiver is provided. The system comprises an interface coupled to an environment sensor and configured to receive data from the environment sensor. The system can include processing electronics coupled to the interface and configured to receive the data from the interface and to use the received data to determine whether an environmental condition exists. The processing electronics provide a command to cause the garage door opener to open the garage door based on the determination of whether the environmental condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard J. Chutorash, Philip J. Vanderwall
  • Patent number: 9218560
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging device and method, using which a RFID tag which is designed to attach an object is first linking the object information of an object and an RFID tag with programmed memory data or UID (unique identification) code, being scanned and detected in view of optimizing the RFID tag's signal strength and its effective read rate as well so as to determine a position for the RFID tag to attach thereat while allowing the detection to the RFID tag to be prevented from being adversely affected by metals or magnetic materials, and promising to achieve the optimization of the RFID system applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: CLARIDY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Horng-Ji Chen
  • Patent number: 9208363
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products self-identify an electronic device to a remote control. The remote control queries the electronic device, and the electronic device sends a response. A collision avoidance mechanism is invoked to determine if the response self-identified the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Arnold Chester McQuaide, Jr., Maria Adamczyk
  • Patent number: 9207650
    Abstract: A personal digital ID device provides a digital identifier to a service for a predetermined duration in response to user interaction. The user interaction may include a button press. The personal digital ID device may be in the form of a bracelet, a key fob, or other form factor. The service may be provided by a mobile device, in the cloud, or elsewhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Tyfone, Inc.
    Inventors: Siva G. Narendra, Prabhakar Tadepalli, Saurav Chakraborty
  • Patent number: 9195804
    Abstract: A group of locking medical storage are connected together using a daisy-chain connection based on i2C protocol. Each of the storage cabinets has one or more locking compartments. A control PC computer is connected to a first one of the cabinets, and that cabinet is connected to each of the other cabinets using i2C daisy chain cabling. The cabinets each have a control circuit module that controls locking and unlocking of doors and drawers, and sensors to detect open or closed status and locked or unlocked status. RFID readers detect which items or medications have been removed from the cabinet. Each cabinet is assigned a unique independent address for identification when it is joined to the daisy chain, which can include an unlimited number of cabinets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: S & S X-Ray Products
    Inventors: Norman A. Shoenfeld, Christopher Childs
  • Patent number: 9188965
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control device for remotely controlling other devices. The control device comprises a first device interface for transmitting control signals to a first device that is remote from the control device, a second device interface for receiving an input signal from a second device, a user interface corresponding to a function of the first device, and a protocol translator. The control signal is in accordance with a first communication protocol. The input signal is in accordance with a second communication protocol. The user interface is operable by a user so as to cause a control signal to be transmitted by the first device interface, for use by the first device. The protocol translator is configured to convert signals received by the second device interface from being in accordance with the second communication protocol to being in accordance with the first communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ARRIS Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Apoorv Srivastava