Patents Examined by Nabil Syed
  • Patent number: 9652961
    Abstract: A sound amplification apparatus includes one or more microphones that convert collected sound into an audio signal and transmit the audio signal by radio and a sound receiving apparatus that receives the audio signal transmitted from the microphone and amplifies and outputs the sound based on the audio signal. The sound receiving apparatus is configured to perform sound output control in an emergency mode upon receiving an emergency signal transmitted in response to operation of an emergency switch of the microphone. With this configuration, it is possible to perform appropriate sound control in a dangerous situation such as intrusion of a suspicious person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Kawasaki, Ryosuke Kitago, Hirotaka Fukutsuka, Keiji Yamahai
  • Patent number: 9652960
    Abstract: A method for routing a medical alert to a selected staff member 151-153, the method comprising receiving an alert signal generated by an alert generation device 121-126, obtaining the current location and identity of multiple staff members from a location tracking system 141-146 configured to track the locations of the multiple staff members, upon receiving the alert signal, selecting from the multiple staff members a selected staff member by at least determining that the distance between a location of the alert generation device and the location of the selected staff member is shorter than the distance between the location of the alert generation device and the location of at least one of the multiple staff members other than the selected staff member, and sending an alert signal to an individually addressable mobile device associated with the selected staff member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Ingrid Christina Maria Flinsenberg, Roel Peter Geert Cuppen, Rosemarie Jolanda Elise Rajae-Joordens, Elke Marieke Lambert Daemen, Evert Jan Van Loenen
  • Patent number: 9644418
    Abstract: To further strengthen the security function of a money storage device, a money storage device which stores collected money is configured to: receive a locked state releasing instruction signal that instructs releasing of a locked state, from a money storage device managing server which manages the money storage device, via a communication network and a repeater by using wireless communication; and release the locked state in response to the reception of the locked state releasing instruction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Taki, Shigehisa Omatsu
  • Patent number: 9641418
    Abstract: Using timing delays associated with user devices on a network and the demographics of the neighborhood(s) in which the user devices reside to determine whether to generate a fraud alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven W. Moyer
  • Patent number: 9640005
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device includes a trainable transceiver and a remote button module. The trainable transceiver base station configured to be mounted in the vehicle at a first location and the remote button module separated from the base station and configured to be mounted in the vehicle at a second location. The remote button module is configured to wirelessly transmit a command signal to the base station in response to receiving a user input at a user input device, and the base station responds to receiving the command signal by transmitting an activation signal to the remote device, wherein the activation signal is formatted to control the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, Todd R. Witkowski, Bradley R. Hamlin
  • Patent number: 9641976
    Abstract: An item management apparatus includes a reader that reads a first identification of a first radio device carried by a user and a second identification of an alarm device correlated with an item deposited by the user. A memory stores the first identification and the second identification read by the reader in association with each other. A receiver receives a first signal from the first radio device. A processor determines a distance to the first radio device based on the first signal. A transmitter transmits a second signal for causing the alarm device to provide an alarm notice if the distance to the first radio device is determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihiko Kambe, Shinichi Kashiwagi
  • Patent number: 9626883
    Abstract: A store information sign, including a circuit in electrical communication with a lighting and an internet connector configured to send a store data, and a power supply in electrical communication with the lighting and the internet connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Jeremy Maynard
  • Patent number: 9620006
    Abstract: The emission of variable ultrasonic sound waves from a plurality of sound sources is controlled based on controlled signals generated by a controller. The plurality of sound sources emit ultrasonic waves towards a surface based on the control signals, creating a force which causes particles within a region proximate the surface to move in a desired manner with respect to the surface. The movement of the particles with respect to the surface changes the appearance of the surface. In this manner, the appearance of the surface may be changed in a desired manner to suit needs for home automation and security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: James H. Pratt, Ari Craine, Garrett Stettler, Marc Andrew Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9614811
    Abstract: A collective objects data base management system for objects such as documents contained in file folders in drawers of file cabinets. Each file folder has an electrical circuit with a visible indicator mounted on the file folder. Each folder circuit has an object receptacle microcontroller with a unique system address which enables generation of a response signal whenever an incoming address from a source is a match and activation of the visible indicator. An object container microcontroller periodically polls the object receptacle microcontrollers in the cabinet and stores an updated version of the cabinet object data base. The cabinet object data base contents are sent to a host computer, which maintains the system data base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: iMICRODATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shengbo Zhu, Su Shiong Huang
  • Patent number: 9607190
    Abstract: A multi-mode, preferably dual mode, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is adapted for automatic detection of whether a RFID reader located within communication range of the RFID tag is transmitting a continuous wave (CW) or modulated wave types of RF signal, and accordingly, mandating a response from the tag in read-only (RO) mode or read/write (R/W) mode, respectively. The tag includes means for designating one of the RO and R/W operating modes as a default mode of the tag, and for switching the tag from its default mode to its other operating mode, and vice versa, according to a rule for determining the frequency of occurrence of a selected event related to signal type of the reader. A device-implemented method of this automatic detection, and a method of fabricating the tag, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: AMTECH SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly Gravelle, Robert W. Tiernay, Dale L. Scott, Charles A. Johnson, Filip Weytjens, Matthew K. Burnett
  • Patent number: 9603527
    Abstract: A person positioning and health care monitoring system includes a monitoring center, a RFID tag device, and a tracking module. The monitoring center includes positioning data corresponding to a target. The RFID tag device is located on the target and includes a memory storing a target identification (ID) number and an infrared LED. Each tracking module includes infrared cameras and an RFID device. The tracking module uses the RFID device to communicate with the RFID tag device so as to receive the target identification (ID) number. The tracking module communicates with the monitoring center so as to provide the target identification (ID) number and orientation data corresponding to the target for the monitoring center. The monitoring center determines coordinates of the target according to coordinates of the tracking module and the orientation data corresponding to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Chung Hua University
    Inventor: Jium Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 9600208
    Abstract: A passive detector includes a sensor configured to sense an environmental parameter and to generate an output signal at an output of the sensor in response to the sensed environmental parameter. An energy scavenging circuit is coupled to the sensor, the energy scavenging circuit configured to convert a first voltage, V1, across the sensor to a second voltage, V2, where V2>V1. A discriminator is powered by the second voltage and is coupled to the output of the sensor. A nonvolatile memory is coupled to an output of the discriminator. The discriminator is configured to compare the sensor output signal to a threshold and, in response to the sensor output signal being above the threshold, to provide a programming signal at the output of the discriminator. The programming signal is configured to cause data to be stored or erased in the nonvolatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: JengPing Lu, Christopher L. Chua, Alan G. Bell
  • Patent number: 9595195
    Abstract: Electronic equipment in vehicles may transmit and receive wireless messages. Each wireless message that is transmitted by a transmitter may include information on the vehicle from which it is being transmitted, information on the location of the transmitter within the vehicle, and other vehicle status information. Receiving equipment in vehicles may be used to receive the transmitted messages. Received signal strength indicator information may be associated with the transmitted messages. Using the received signal strength indicator information and information on the locations of the transmitters within the vehicles in which the transmitters are installed, equipment in a receiving vehicle may determine locations for nearby vehicles. Alerts may be presented to a driver of a vehicle and other suitable actions may be taken based on the locations of nearby vehicles, vehicle type information, and other information regarding traffic in the vicinity of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Devrim Varoglu, Ravisastry Parupudi
  • Patent number: 9575476
    Abstract: Systems and methods that use cloud-hosted control system back-up processing to replace the functionality of a failed control panel are provided. Systems can include a remote monitoring station, a remote control panel device, and a local control system installed in a region, the local control system including a local control panel and at least one device. When operating in a normal mode, the at least one device can communicate with the local control panel, the local control panel can communicate with the remote monitoring station, and the remote control panel device can be inactive. When operating in a back-up mode, the remote control panel device can be active, the at least one device can communicate with the remote control panel device, the remote control panel device can communicate with the remote monitoring station, and the local control panel can be inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Robert John Probin, David S. Zakrewski
  • Patent number: 9572748
    Abstract: A container includes a chamber to hold a medication, a lockable lid that covers an opening of the chamber, a biometric sensor, a scale, and one or more processors. The container may store prescription information indicating how often the medication should be provided. The container may measure a weight of the medication held by the chamber using the scale. The container may receive biometric information sensed by the biometric sensor. The biometric information may indicate a biometric feature of a person attempting to open the container. The container may selectively unlock the lockable lid based on at least one of the prescription information, the weight of the medication, or the biometric information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Celico Partnership
    Inventors: Kevin Lim, Alex Hoyos, Rahim A. Charania
  • Patent number: 9576477
    Abstract: Electrical equipment includes a power supply unit, a signal receiving unit, a rectifying and filtering unit, a switch unit, and a control. The rectifying and filtering unit rectifies and filters remote signals received by the signal receiving unit to generate first voltage signals. The switch unit connects the power supply unit to an external power in response to receiving the first voltage signals. The control identifies a current mode of the electrical equipment and determines whether the first voltage signal persists longer than a predetermined time or not. The control outputs a second voltage signals in response to the duration time of the first voltage signals being greater than the predetermined time. The switch unit further connects the power supply unit to the external power according to the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal to start the electrical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: AMBIT MICROSYSTEMS (SHANGHAI) LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhi-Ming Zhang, Bin Jiang
  • Patent number: 9571164
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a processing device comprising NFC interface circuitry, network interface circuitry, a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processing device is configured to establish an NFC connection with an NFC tag using the NFC interface circuitry, establish a network connection with an authentication server using the network interface circuitry, and forward one or more messages between the NFC tag and the authentication server, the one or more messages comprising messages of a challenge/response authentication protocol performed between the NFC tag and the authentication server. Responsive to a successful completion of the challenge/response authentication protocol between the NFC tag and the authentication server, the processing device is authenticated to the authentication server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Guoying Luo, Ari Juels
  • Patent number: 9562384
    Abstract: Disclosed are alternate embodiments of various components of a barrier operator system. and methods of operation, including of the mechanical drive subsystem with segmented and self-locking rail unit, rail mounting supports, belt and chain drive tensioning, and drive assembly carriage and interface; the electronics and software routines for controlled operation of the various barrier operator functions; wall console communications with the barrier operator; encryption and decryption of access codes; establishment and monitoring of travel limits and barrier speed and force profiles; thermal protection of barrier operator drive motors; and establishment and control of communications from the barrier operator to accessories by way of a wireless adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Kenneth Siegesmund, Mark Raymond Wilzbach
  • Patent number: 9558651
    Abstract: Convertible wireless remote controls for controlling a variety of media devices are described. The convertible wireless remote controls function in a non-PC mode and a PC mode. The convertible wireless remote controls transition between modes offering control of a variety of devices in the different modes and are shaped with usability and power consumption in mind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Blake Charles Ramsdell, Robert Deming Dickinson, III
  • Patent number: 9551327
    Abstract: A power generation switch apparatus including multiple switch keys, a power generation apparatus that is driven to perform power generation by an operation force applied to the multiple switch keys, multiple switches being supplied with an electric power generated by the power generation apparatus and performing a switching movement by an operation of the multiple switch keys, and a switch signal transmission circuit being driven by the electric power from the power generation apparatus and outputting multiple switch signals that are different from each other in correspondence with the switching movement of the multiple switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD., Honda Access Corp.
    Inventors: Toshio Kaneko, Nobutaka Tsuneyoshi, Hidetaka Umeoka