Patents Examined by Quan-Zhen Wang
  • Patent number: 11928956
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a vibrating finger device useful in a medical setting includes a device body configured to fit on a finger of a wearer, a vibrating unit, a touch sensitive sensor, and a control module including a computerized processor. The control module includes programming configured to monitor an activation input to the device, determine the monitored activation input to indicate a threshold desired vibration activation input, and activate a vibration cycle within the vibrating unit based upon the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Elizabeth Whitaker
  • Patent number: 11922797
    Abstract: To reduce a data amount required for tactile presentation while enabling driving of different types of tactile presentation devices corresponding to different physical amounts. An encoding device according to the present technology is provided with an encoding unit that generates coded data by performing encoding to compress an information amount by utilizing an interconversion property between physical amounts on a plurality of tactile signals representing different physical amounts. This makes it possible to obtain the tactile signals representing desired physical amounts within a range in which interconversion may be performed while compressing the information amount by utilizing the interconversion property between the physical amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Takeda, Shiro Suzuki, Shuichiro Nishigori, Jun Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11912296
    Abstract: Systems and methods for avoiding illegal stopping zones are provided. In example embodiments, a networked system identifies a destination of a driver providing a transportation service to a user. The networked system monitors a user device of the driver, and infers, based on the monitoring, that the driver is planning to stop in an illegal stopping zone located a predetermined distance to the destination. The inference is based on device data such as accelerometer data or location data that is triangulated with known or derived illegal stopping zones. In response, the networked system causes presentation of a notification on a user interface of the device of the driver. The notification provides an indication of the illegal stopping zone. In some embodiments, the notification also provides an alternative stopping location determined by the networked system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shailendra Ramineni Rao, Wesley KaiJie Leung, Eleanor Cady Wachsman, Jon Ryan Bowen
  • Patent number: 11915567
    Abstract: A system for RFID-based retail management that includes a set of antennas, an RFID transceiver connected to the set of antennas; and a microprocessor-based system manager that controls the RFID transceiver and transforms RFID response data from the RFID transceiver into RFID tag location data according to read probability methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Automaton, Inc.
    Inventor: Spencer Hewett
  • Patent number: 11907779
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) identification (RFID) system provides side-lobe blocking (SLB) functionality. The RFID system modifies a first RF signal to provide a modified signal. The first RF signal has an RF carrier frequency according to an RFID protocol, and a main directional antenna in the RFID system has a first main lobe extending in a first direction and is configured to radiate a first signal for reading one or more RFID tags according to the RFID protocol. The RFID system then provides the modified signal as an SLB signal to a secondary directional antenna having a second main lobe extending in a second direction different than the first direction to radiate a second signal toward one or more stray RFID tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. Raynesford
  • Patent number: 11908644
    Abstract: A system for collecting information related to an electrical switch. The system including a first switch, a second switch, and an external device. The external device is configured to receive the first and second signals corresponding to the first and second switches. Wherein the external device is located remotely from the first switch and the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: David Rhein, Angelo Rizzo
  • Patent number: 11897387
    Abstract: A vehicle monitoring device includes a positioning device, a distance calculator, a first imaging device, a volume calculator, and a work calculator. The positioning device measures a position of a vehicle including a loading platform. The distance calculator calculates a movement distance of the vehicle based on the position of the vehicle measured by the positioning device. The first imaging device captures an image of a load mounted on the loading platform. The volume calculator calculates a volume of the load based on the image captured by the first imaging device. The work calculator calculates a work of the vehicle based on the movement distance and the volume of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Okada, Kensho Teranishi
  • Patent number: 11899840
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: detecting, using a processor of an information handling device and in a virtual environment, a user input directed to a virtual human input device; accessing, from a data store, sensation data associated with user interaction with a real-world counterpart device of the virtual human input device; and providing, based on the sensation data and using a wearable haptic device, a haptic output responsive to the user input, wherein the haptic output emulates an interaction feel of the user input provided to the real-world counterpart device. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin Wayne Beck, Russell Speight VanBlon, Thorsten Peter Stremlau, Aaron Michael Stewart
  • Patent number: 11900788
    Abstract: An electronic control module associated with a fire alarm control panel (FACP) and a wander detection system in communication with security system input detection equipment is disclosed herein. The control module disconnects each of the initiating detection circuits (IDC) in each of the one or more zones of the FACP, preventing manual activation of any of the security system equipment affiliated with the respective IDCs to prevent a wandering patient from otherwise activating and engaging the system. By electronically maintaining at least one leg of the normally open (N.O.) circuit in the open position, in effect utilizing the protective loop of the N.O. circuit in a strategic “open circuit” condition, the module prevents any electronic signal from being sent back to the FACP as is typically the case when a manual pull station is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Zwirn Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Zwirn
  • Patent number: 11893878
    Abstract: An alert generation system includes an alert generating device comprising an audial indicator and a visual indicator at one end. The system further includes a handheld alert generating device comprising a second audial indicator. A computing system is in data communication with the alert generating device and the handheld alert generating device. The computing system sends a signal to the alert generating device and the handheld alert generating device, and the alert generating device activates an alert via at least one of the audial indicator and the visual indicator, in response to the signal. The handheld alert generating device activates a second alert via the second audial indicator, in response to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Spartan Alert, LLC
    Inventors: Darin James Burau, Nathan Robertus
  • Patent number: 11892703
    Abstract: A haptic feedback system is provided, including a sensing unit, a haptic feedback module, and a circuit assembly. The sensing unit is configured to detect contact with an object. The haptic feedback module is configured to transfer the contact force to the sensing unit. The circuit assembly is electrically connected to the sensing unit and the haptic feedback module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Yi-Ho Chen, Ying-Jen Wang, Ya-Hsiu Wu
  • Patent number: 11887460
    Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of receiving a first health characteristic of an occupant from a first device affixed to a transport, responsive to the first health characteristic being at or outside a threshold, receiving a second health characteristic of the occupant from a second device affixed to the occupant, and sending a notification to other devices that were proximate the second device when the second health characteristic is outside the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Simon P. Roberts, Yang Ding, Daniel Warren Reaser, Christopher J. Macpherson, Keaton Khonsari, Derek A. Thompson, Sergei Gage
  • Patent number: 11879286
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a motor unit for an overhead door opener. The motor unit comprises a motor and transmission components configured to transmit power from the motor to a shaft of an overhead door opener. The motor unit also includes a case having one or more vertical panels. The case houses the motor and the transmission components. The motor unit also includes guide bearings on an edge of the vertical panels that accommodate a shaft of an overhead door with the case supported by the shaft. The transmission components comprise a shaft-engaging member configured to be secured around the shaft by affixing the shaft-engaging member to the shaft. The transmission components transmit power from the motor to the shaft of the overhead door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R Hall, Jerome Miles
  • Patent number: 11881096
    Abstract: A method for managing movement includes determining a current location of a subject in a monitoring area, comparing the current location to a risk area location in the monitoring area, determining a likelihood of injury based on a result of the comparison, and generating control information based on the likelihood of injury to the subject. The control information may control activation of a haptic effect in a device worn or carried by the subject. The haptic effect may correspond to at least one stimulus that notifies the subject of the potential risk area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Ali Akbar Ahmad Samadani, Portia Erin Singh, Daniel Jason Schulman
  • Patent number: 11872927
    Abstract: A system for controlling a function of a vehicle by activation of a vehicle button includes a vehicle component configured to receive a signal and to perform an electrical or mechanical function in response to receiving the signal. The system further includes a physical structure located on an exterior of the vehicle and having an integrated button such that at least one of manual actuation of or physical proximity to the physical structure initiates a button selection event. The system further includes an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the vehicle component and to the integrated button and configured to identify the button selection event and to transmit the signal to the vehicle component in response to identifying the button selection event to cause the vehicle component to perform the electrical or mechanical function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin J. James, Taun-Min Chan
  • Patent number: 11874967
    Abstract: A force sensing module with vibration feedback is disclosed, comprising: a substrate, a frame and a plurality of magnetic sensors; the substrate is disposed with at least one tactile actuator, and the substrate has a touch operation surface and a mounting surface on opposite sides, the tactile actuator is mounted on the mounting surface; the frame is disposed with at least three buffer spacers, the buffer spacers connect the frame to the substrate; the magnetic sensor includes a magnet and a Hall element, one of the magnet and the Hall element is disposed on the frame, and the other is disposed on the substrate; thereby when a force is applied on the touch operation surface to make the substrate generate an offset, the Hall element outputs a force signal due to the voltage change caused by the approaching magnet, and the signal drives the tactile actuator to generate a vibration feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOPRAY MEMS INC.
    Inventors: Chin-Sung Liu, Shin-Ter Tsai, Hsiao-Ming Chien
  • Patent number: 11869335
    Abstract: An alarm management apparatus of the present disclosure presents a trigger alarm, which should be presented to an operator, to the operator when the trigger alarm is included in an alarm that is received or generated. The alarm management apparatus stores a suppressed alarm related to the trigger alarm, without presenting the suppressed alarm to the operator, when the suppressed alarm is included in the alarm and presents the stored suppressed alarm to the operator based on an operation by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kengo Honda, Yusuke Ono, Naoki Okubo, Motoichi Kuwatani
  • Patent number: 11868533
    Abstract: A slip sensation simulation apparatus includes a base, a first haptic assembly, and a second haptic assembly. The first haptic assembly includes a first synchronous belt, a plurality of first synchronous wheels, and a first motor. The first motor is in a transmission connection with one of the first synchronous wheels, to drive the first synchronous wheels and the first synchronous belt to rotate. The second haptic assembly includes a second synchronous belt, a plurality of second synchronous wheels, and a second motor. The second motor is in a transmission connection with one of the second synchronous wheels, to drive the second synchronous wheels and the second synchronous belt to rotate. The first synchronous belt is located at an inner side of the second synchronous belt. Rotational axial directions of the first and second synchronous belts are different. The first synchronous belt is in contact with the second synchronous belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yu Zheng, Ruoxuan Jiang, Xiong Li, Xinyang Jiang, Zhengyou Zhang
  • Patent number: 11868097
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for configuring a management unit connected to at least one home automation equipment comprising at least one home automation device (D) and at least one central control unit (U), the method being implemented by a management unit (Sv) and comprising the following steps: configuring (EcfSv2) an alert (Al) corresponding to the triggering of an alert notification and/or an action when a triggering condition (Cnd) is produced relating to at least one state variable for a home automation device (D), a group of home automation devices (D), a type of home automation device (DT) or a group of types of home automation devices (DT); the step of configuring an alert (Al) being carried out on the basis of instructions of a first user (Usr1) having a first user profile type; declaring (ECfUsr26) the monitoring of an assembly of home automation devices (D) comprising at least one home automation device (D) for which at least one alert (Al) has been configured by a second user (Usr2
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITIES SA
    Inventor: Sylvain Pognant
  • Patent number: 11858653
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to foreign object detection with respect to passenger-accessible stowage compartments are provided. According to one example, sensor data is captured via a sensor subsystem that includes a sensor associated with each of a plurality of stowage compartments. For each of the stowage compartments, a baseline condition is identified in which foreign objects are absent from the stowage compartment. A foreign object is detected within a stowage compartment based on the sensor data received for the stowage compartment and the baseline condition identified for the stowage compartment. An audit of the stowage compartments is conducted, and based on the audit, an indication that the foreign object is detected within the stowage compartment is output. This indication may identify the stowage compartment containing the foreign object among the plurality of stowage compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ralf Rene Cabos, Nils Kneuper, Jennifer Mayer