Patents Examined by Naomi Small
  • Patent number: 8957770
    Abstract: A vehicle automatic networking apparatus with a first component and a second replaceable component includes a first identity recognition module on the first component and a second identity recognition module on the second component. The second module in a networking mode transmits a low frequency wake up signal through a low frequency signal transmission circuit to wake up the first module. A first identity recognition module low frequency sensor circuit senses the low frequency wake up signal, and responds by transmitting an identity code of the first component through a low frequency signal transmission circuit. A second module low frequency signal receiving circuit receives and stores the first component identity code. In a following data transmission, the second module sends data with the identity code, and a first component receiving apparatus identifies it. The first and second modules are both located rearward of a second component connection hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Junfeng Hu, Weihua Shi, Wei Li
  • Patent number: 8952800
    Abstract: A system and method includes sensors configured to measure conditions of a vehicle. A monitoring module is configured to evaluate the conditions input thereto from the sensors. The monitoring module is further configured to determine a state of a mobile device located within the vehicle. Based upon a combination of the conditions of the vehicle and the state of the mobile device, a determination of improper use of the mobile device is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Bantz, Thomas E. Chefalas, Leslie S. Liu, Steven J. Mastrianni, James R. Moulic, Dennis G. Shea
  • Patent number: 8952807
    Abstract: A location tracking device is provided. Wireless communications circuitry is configured to transmit position data representative of the location of the tracking device to a remote location, and communicate locally within an auxiliary device. The tracking device has a first operational mode in response to the absence of communication with the auxiliary device, where the tracking device is maintained in a normal operational mode. The tracking device is configured to enter a second operational mode in response to communication being established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device, where in the second operational mode at least a portion of the tracking device is placed in a reduced operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Satellite Tracking of People LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Freathy, Paul Pridmore, Steven W. Logan
  • Patent number: 8941463
    Abstract: A system for an electric vehicle for authorizing the utilization of a reserve charge portion of a battery of the electric vehicle for powering the electric vehicle. The authorization system may include a remote device that communicates with the electric vehicle via a telematic link. Upon receipt of one or more data from the electric vehicle (e.g., reserve charge amount of the battery, recharge locations, warranty waiver information, billing information, previous authorization information, etc.) the remote device transmits an authorization signal to the electric vehicle for using at least part of the reserve charge portion of the battery based upon the data. The authorization system may incorporate live personnel for determining whether to authorize the electric vehicle or such authorization may be determined automatically by a processor of the remote device. The authorization system may be entirely local to the electric vehicle such that no remote device is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Rovik, Donald A. Restauri, III
  • Patent number: 8922334
    Abstract: A receiver interacts with a remote control to assist with one or more user-defined macros. In a first embodiment, the receiver may execute a macro recording program to record user input and create a macro based at least partially thereon. The receiver may associate the macro with a remote control selection element or a menu element of a menu operable to be displayed by the receiver on a display. The receiver may also transmit the macro to a storage medium. Subsequently, the user may trigger execution of the macro by the remote control or the receiver. In executing the macro, the remote control or the receiver may transmit instructions to entertainment system components or may signal the other to do so. In a second embodiment, the remote control may record the macro transmit it to the receiver for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, David A. Innes
  • Patent number: 8922387
    Abstract: A generally three-part EM gap sub comprising a first conductive cylinder incorporating a male tapered threaded section, a second conductive cylinder incorporating female tapered threaded section, both axially aligned and threaded into each other is described. One or both tapers incorporate slots whereby non-conductive inserts may be placed before assembly of the cylinders. The inserts are designed to cause the thread roots, crests and sides of the tapered sections of both cylinders to be spatially separated. The cylinders can be significantly torqued, one into the other, while maintaining an annular separation and therefore electrical separation as part of the assembly procedure. The co-joined coaxial cylinders can be placed into an injection moulding machine wherein a high performance thermoplastic is injected into the annular space, thereby forming both an insulative gap (the third part) and a strong joint between the cylinders in the newly created EM gap sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: XACT Downhole Telemetry, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Camwell, David D. Whalen
  • Patent number: 8917576
    Abstract: Utilizing a sonar system to determine if a structural member of an underwater support structure that is supposed to be filled with air is instead flooded with water. The determination that a supposedly air filled structural member is instead flooded with water provides an indication that the structural member is cracked or damaged, making it easier to find damaged members and effect suitable repair. The sonar system is located a distance from the structural member so that it is spaced from the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Harry J. Lichter, Joseph M. Cuschieri
  • Patent number: 8912891
    Abstract: An apparatus having at least one RFID chip (30), which is surrounded by a metallic outer casing (11) of a packaging unit (1), used for radio-frequency identification and having a circuit (32) and an antenna structure (31), and a transmitting/receiving unit (41) for transmitting a transmission signal (42) and/or receiving a response signal (43) from the RFID chip (30), wherein the response signal (43) can be evaluated using an evaluation unit (44) which is connected to the transmitting/receiving unit (41), where the RFID chip (30) has an operating frequency in a frequency band (50) below a range of a blocking frequency (54) which is determined by the conductivity of the metallic outer casing (11) and the thickness thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Eduard Balthes, Johannes Geser
  • Patent number: 8884770
    Abstract: A cost effective manometer is realized for accurately measuring back pressure in all types of vents and ducts. Common back pressure can be caused by restrictions, such as lint or soot buildup. The manometer consists of a main body having two reservoirs for storage of measuring fluid. The first reservoir contains measuring fluid during transit eliminating the need for end user to manually fill manometer prior to first use. Measuring fluid is transferred to second main reservoir prior to initial use. The second reservoir contains an adjustable bladder or plunger for obtaining a zero reading prior to measurement. The manometer can be used on all types of vents and ducts where positive or negative pressure exists. The manometer can be used for measuring positive or negative pressures as well as differential pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: David W. Kresge
  • Patent number: 8866599
    Abstract: A system and method for signaling users including a control device electrically connected to a transceiver. The transceiver has a specified frequency. A first mobile signal device being activated by a first user and electrically communicating with a first transmitter having a selectable signal frequency. The first transmitter electrically communicates with the transceiver using the specified frequency. A second signal device includes a second receiver for receiving an activation signal from the transceiver. The second receiver electrically communicates with the transceiver using the specified frequency. The second signal device is activated by the activation of the first mobile signal device using the transceiver for alerting other persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Delia, Wayne M. Delia, Edward E. Kelley
  • Patent number: 8866587
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for controlling remote display. In some examples, a method for controlling a remote display device using a handheld computing device includes receiving, by a handheld computing device, one or more data from one or more remote display devices over a wireless communication network, selecting a remote display device based on the received data and sending a control signal to the selected remote display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Young-Tae Chang
  • Patent number: 8866584
    Abstract: To provide a control system capable of avoiding communication with an unintended external device when a number of external devices exist outside the device. A control system includes a control device 200 that controls at least one function, and at least one external device 900-1 to 900-n (n is an arbitrary integer) existing outside the control device 200. Further, the control device 200 counts a number of reception signals received from the external device 900-1 to 900-n and suspends communication with the external device 900-1 to 900-n according to the counted number of reception signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoharu Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8854205
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for countering terrorism by monitoring shipping containers using an advanced communication system network for tracking and monitoring the container as it travels over international seas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Isaac S. Daniel
  • Patent number: 8841989
    Abstract: An electronic messaging device includes a receiver configured to receive a message at one of a first operational frequency and second operational frequency. The messaging device can operate using a time synchronous protocol and can receive commands through over-the-internet-programming (OTIP) and over-the-air-programming (OTAP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: American Messaging Services, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Nagel, J. Roy Pottle, Peter C. Barnett, David Andersen, Jamie Gordon Nichol, Sangsoo Kim
  • Patent number: 8830077
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a case, an angular velocity sensor fixed to the case, a data memory storing plural reference profiles, an output unit operating in a plurality of operation modes corresponding to the reference profiles, and a processor controlling the output unit. The angular velocity sensor sends a signal according to an angular velocity applied to the case. The processor is operable to receive the signal sent from the angular velocity sensor, to select a reference profile out of the plural reference profiles according to the received signal, and to cause the output unit to operate in an operation mode out of the plural operation modes corresponding to the selected reference profile. A user can operate this electronic device with a quick response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Uemura, Toshiyuki Nozoe
  • Patent number: 8810426
    Abstract: Low frequency alarm tones emitted by life safety devices are more likely to notify sleeping children and the elderly. Disclosed herein is a life safety device equipped with a novel, compact, circumferential resonant cavity which increases the low frequency (400-600 Hz square wave) acoustic efficiency of an audio output apparatus formed by acoustically coupling an audio output transducer to the resonant cavity. The resonant cavity is a compact circumferential acoustic resonator with a captured mass of air within a ring shaped cavity significantly reducing the overall size of the resonator, thereby permitting the audio output apparatus to fit within the housing of conventional size life safety devices such as, but not limited to, residential and commercial smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. The compact resonator is an acoustic compliant cavity with internal passages transforming axial traveling sound waves to circumferentially traveling sound waves thereby yielding a very compact geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Gary Jay Morris
  • Patent number: 8810394
    Abstract: A number of parameters related to the operation of a fluid delivery device are determined based on a pressure within the device sensed using a pressure sensor. In one example, the volume of therapeutic fluid added to or removed from a reservoir of a fluid delivery device is determined based on a sensed pressure of the reservoir. In another example, the volume of therapeutic fluid added to or removed from the reservoir is determined based on a sensed pressure of a refill port assembly of the device. In another example, an initial temperature of the reservoir as a therapeutic fluid is removed from the reservoir is estimated based on a sensed pressure within the device. In another example, a temperature of a therapeutic fluid added to the reservoir is estimated based on a sensed pressure within the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott L. Kalpin
  • Patent number: 8779901
    Abstract: A method, system, and device provide asymmetric round-trip-time (RTT) ranging with multipath correction. A RTT ranging determination using the resulting composite received signal contains multipath error, and compensation or correction of this error in a manner compatible with low-power, low-complexity devices, such as tag devices, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sunrise Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Gorday, Edgar H. Callaway, Jr., Frederick L. Martin
  • Patent number: 8773241
    Abstract: A transponder of a contactless data exchange system includes a unit to receive and transmit data provided with at least one first antenna loop and at least one second antenna loop in order to carry out a coupling with a reader. The transponder includes a phase shifter to shift a signal coming from the second loop by a phase shift of K*?, K being an odd integer greater than 0, to produce a phase shifted signal. The transponder includes an adder, to add a signal coming from said first loop and the phase shifted signal to produce a sum signal. The transponder also includes a unit to authorize or prevent a data transmission, depending on the sum signal. A reader of a contactless data exchange system includes a data sending/receiving unit provided with at least one antenna loop, at least one other antenna loop, and a phase shifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventors: Sylvain Bacquet, Ricardo Malherbi Martins, Jacques Reverdy, Elisabeth Crochon
  • Patent number: 8760294
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a portable electronic device sized and shaped to be received within a holster having a magnetic element. The portable electronic device includes an electronic compass adapted to measure a magnetic field of the magnetic element in at least two axes. When the measured pattern corresponds to a first pattern, the portable electronic device is adapted to determine that the portable electronic device is in the holster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Pertuit, Jace William Files, Marc Edward Holbein