Patents Examined by Ryan W Sherwin
  • Patent number: 10569650
    Abstract: The method, system, and computer-readable medium facilitates monitoring a vehicle operator during the course of vehicle operation to determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired (e.g., distracted, drowsy, intoxicated) and alerting the vehicle operator using a haptic alert delivered by a wearable computing device worn by the vehicle operator when impairment is detected. The method, system, and computer-readable medium may monitor the vehicle operator, the environment surrounding the vehicle, and/or forces acting on the vehicle using a variety of sensors, including optical sensors or accelerometers. In particular, optical sensors may monitor the vehicle operator to detect eye blinks, head nods, head rotations, and/or gaze fixation. Optical sensors may also monitor the road ahead of the vehicle to detect lane deviation, lane centering, and time to collision. Accelerometers may detect acceleration in the direction of vehicle travel and/or lateral acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Riley, Sr., Gregory Dwayne Carter, James M. Freeman, Vaidya Balasubramanian Pillai, Jason Chang, David W. Thurber
  • Patent number: 10573156
    Abstract: A hand held probe (200) for detecting voltage in a body of water includes voltage sensors (VS) installed in a probe head (204) with each sensor separately sensing a voltage present in the water and supplying an electrical output signal representative of the voltage level. A processor (206) processes the signals and produces an output representing a voltage gradient, a resultant electrical current, and a direction of current flow. A multiplexer (214) interposed between the sensors and processor transmits signals from the sensors to the processor in a predetermined sequence. Results of the processing including any voltage gradient, the resultant electrical current, and the direction of current flow are displayed and this information is used to determine if a currently dangerous or potentially dangerous condition exists in the water, and if a voltage is present in the water, its source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventor: John Figura
  • Patent number: 10569698
    Abstract: A garment for cycling, having indicating lights associated with sleeves of the garment; first and second accelerometers provided on respective sleeves; and a controller configured to receive data from the accelerometers and determine from the date whether a wearer of the garment has raised an arm to indicate a maneuver. The controller is further configured to illuminate the appropriate indicating light depending on which arm has been raised, and to compare the data from the first and second accelerometers to filter out movements common to both the first and second accelerometers and determine when the sleeves are being moved independently of one another in a manner to indicate a turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
  • Patent number: 10564730
    Abstract: A device for delivering non-collocated haptic feedback includes at least one haptic playback device and a drive circuit for controlling the haptic playback device. A processor coupled to the drive circuit receives manipulation haptic information based on data received from a user interface. The processor generates a haptic signal is based on the manipulation haptic information. The haptic signal is provided to the drive circuit to produce the non-collocated haptic feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny Grant, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • Patent number: 10553085
    Abstract: An emergency guidance and advisement system is provided to automatically determine a floor map of a building and using the floor map for advising how to exit the building during an emergency, such as a fire. The system can automatically create an escape plan, based on pre-disaster and in-disaster motion detection of users within the home, and provide dynamic advisement to guide users out of the home during an emergency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: LGHorizon, LLC
    Inventor: Russell G. Derickson
  • Patent number: 10538199
    Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system includes an electronic controller and a wireless communicator. The electronic controller is configured to receive data representing points of interest on a vehicle and on a trailer towed by the vehicle, determine geometric relationships between the points of interest based on the data, and calculate an area surrounding the vehicle and the trailer based on the geometric relationships. The wireless communicator is operatively connected to the electronic controller and is configured to receive or transmit one of the data representing the points of interest, and the area based on the geometric relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Gibson, Roy Goudy, Jeremy Chambers, Neal Probert
  • Patent number: 10540892
    Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time detection and mitigation anomalous behavior of a remote vehicle are provided, e.g., vehicle behavior that is consistent with distracted or unexpectedly disabled driving. On-board and off-board sensors associated with a subject vehicle may monitor the subject vehicle's environment, and behavior characteristics of a remote vehicle operating within the subject vehicle's environment may be determined based upon collected sensor data. The remote vehicle's behavior characteristics may be utilized to detect or determine the presence of anomalous behavior, which may be anomalous for the current contextual conditions of the vehicles' environment. Mitigating actions for detected remote vehicle anomalous behaviors may be suggested and/or automatically implemented at the subject vehicle and/or at proximate vehicles to avoid or reduce the risk of accidents, injury, or death resulting from the anomalous behavior. In some situations, authorities may be notified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, John A. Nepomuceno, Scott Thomas Christensen, Duane Christiansen, Steven C. Cielocha, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Michael Bernico, Nathan L. Tofte, Steve Roberson
  • Patent number: 10533780
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a feedback device and a method of providing thermal feedback using the same. The feedback device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a thermoelectric module including a substrate having flexibility, a thermoelement disposed on the substrate and configured to perform a thermoelectric operation for thermal feedback, and a contact surface disposed on the substrate, and configured to transfer heat generated through the thermoelectric operation to a user through the substrate and the contact surface to output the thermal feedback; and a feedback controller configured to control the thermoelectric module, and wherein the feedback controller controls the thermoelectric module so that, after a temperature of the contact surface reaches a maximum temperature, the temperature of the contact surface is maintained within a predetermined temperature range during an entire thermoelectric operation time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: TEGWAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyoung Soo Yi, Ock Kyun Oh, Se Hwan Lim
  • Patent number: 10522016
    Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1500, 1600) for operating a Security Tag (“ST”). The methods involve communicating a Wireless Signal (“WS”) to ST (132) tag attached to an article (102) when a successful purchase thereof has been verified. WS includes a detach command. A mechanical component (922) of ST is caused to be released in response to a reception of WS at ST, whereby a pin (308) of ST transitions from an engaged position to an unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to ST. An end (1002) of the pin resides within an aperture (1102) formed in a first portion (312) of an enclosure (302) spaced apart from a second portion (310) of the enclosure by a gap when the pin is in the engaged position. The pin is fully retracted into the second portion when it is in the unengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Tsahi Z. Strulovitch, Edward P. Ellers, Melissa A. Loureiro, Wesley D. Ardley
  • Patent number: 10501090
    Abstract: A Cannabis testing system that is operable to provide competent demonstration of motor vehicle operation subsequent administration of an amount of Cannabis. The Cannabis testing system of the present invention includes monitored administration of an amount of Cannabis to an individual. The individual will utilize a test vehicle to perform motor vehicle tests prior to Cannabis administration. Ensuing performance of the initial motor vehicle tests the individual has administered thereto an amount of Cannabis. The amount of Cannabis present in the individual is measured in either a blood or urine test. The individual performs a second set of motor vehicle tests wherein the second set of motor vehicle tests are identical to the first set of motor vehicle tests. A comparison of the two motor vehicle tests are made and based on the results of the comparison a certificate and endorsement are provided to the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Inventors: James Kenneth Knutson, Sarah Elise Knutson
  • Patent number: 10504361
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and one or more processors. At least one proximity sensor component is operable with the one or more processors and can include an infrared signal receiver to receive an infrared emission from an object external to the housing. The one or more processors can operate the at least one proximity sensor component at a first sensitivity until the infrared signal receiver receives the infrared emission from the object, and then operate the at least one proximity sensor component at a second sensitivity after the infrared signal receiver receives the infrared emission from the object. A motion detector can be actuated when the infrared signal receiver receives the infrared emission from the object at the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Rachid Alameh, Patrick J Cauwels, Paul Steuer
  • Patent number: 10500957
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a meter cluster. The meter cluster includes a first luminous panel and a second luminous panel. The first luminous panel indicates first information. The second luminous panel is arranged in front of the first luminous panel. The second luminous panel indicates second information. Each of the first luminous panel and the second luminous panel has transparency. The first information of the first luminous panel is visible through the second luminous panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Jaber, Kazushige Hara, Gareth Webb
  • Patent number: 10487647
    Abstract: A hybrid electro-acoustic system for extending battery life of a downhole wireless telemetry system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, Scott William Clawson, Katie M. Walker
  • Patent number: 10467883
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and method for monitoring movement in relation to locations about which data is available from one or more sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: BI Incorporated
    Inventors: James J. Buck, Jr., Joseph P. Newell, Cady Lynn Brooks
  • Patent number: 10469657
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for back-end failure redundancy in security and automation systems. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for back-end failure redundancy includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by a processor to detect an alarm event, and attempt to establish a connection between a control panel and a backend system. If no connection between control panel and backend system is made, the instructions may initiate a two-way cellular call between the control panel and a central station, and deliver a caller ID from the control panel to the central station via the two-way cellular call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jungtaik Hwang, Matthew J. Eyring, Jeremy Bruce Warren, James Ellis Nye
  • Patent number: 10442354
    Abstract: An awareness support device includes: an awareness level reduction detection unit configured to detect a reduction in a driver's awareness level based on vehicle information on a vehicle driven by the driver; an awareness level recovery detection unit configured to detect a recovery from the reduction in the driver's awareness level based on the vehicle information; and an interaction processing unit configured to: start an output of an interactive voice used for interaction with the driver when the awareness level reduction detection unit detects the reduction in the driver's awareness level; and terminate the output of the interactive voice when the awareness level recovery detection unit detects the recovery from the reduction in the driver's awareness level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Inoue
  • Patent number: 10433035
    Abstract: An apparatus includes telemetry registers, a memory, and a virtualized telemetry controller. The memory may store a set of telemetry profiles, including a first telemetry profile specifying a collection trigger, a set of telemetry registers, and a telemetry data destination. The virtualized telemetry controller may be to: detect a condition satisfying the collection trigger specified in the first telemetry profile; in response to a detection of the condition, read telemetry values from the set of telemetry registers specified in the first telemetry profile; generate a telemetry container including the telemetry values; and send the telemetry container to the telemetry data destination specified in the first telemetry profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ronen Chayat, Andrey Chilikin, John J. Browne, Chris MacNamara, Tomasz Kantecki
  • Patent number: 10424182
    Abstract: A device for detecting a being left within a vehicle includes a sensor that detects when a being (e.g. a pet, a child, etc.) is within a vehicle and the operator of the vehicle has moved away from the vehicle by more than, for example five feet. Upon detection of such, the device emits a sound to notify others nearby of the being that was left within the vehicle. The sound is preferably different than a sound of a typical vehicle theft alarm system. In a preferred embodiment, determination that the operator has left the vehicle is by a loss of a signal from a personal transmitter that is attached to the operator's key ring or worn by the operator. After moving away from the vehicle by more than five feet, the signal from the personal transmitter decreases and initiates determination if a being remains within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ancer, LLC
    Inventors: Carol Staninger, Andrew W. Oravecz, John Head, III, Richard Paul Spehr, Suzanne Spehr
  • Patent number: 10422213
    Abstract: A method for use in measuring a property of an environment or an object in, or adjacent to, an elongated space (10), comprises unspooling and/or spooling a line (6) attached to a tool (4) so as to move the tool along an elongated space. The method may comprise using the tool to measure a property of an environment or an object in, or adjacent to, an elongated space during movement of the tool along the elongated space. The method may comprise, determining an acceleration of the line, measuring an acceleration of the tool along the elongated space, and controlling damping of the movement of the tool along the elongated space according to the measured acceleration of the tool and the determined acceleration of the line. The elongated space may be located downhole or may be defined in, or adjacent to, an oil or gas well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: PARADIGM TECHNOLOGY SERVICES B.V.
    Inventor: Andre Van Der Ende
  • Patent number: 10425702
    Abstract: Techniques for detecting physical conditions at a physical premises from collection of sensor information from plural sensors execute one or more unsupervised learning models to continually analyze the collected sensor information to produce operational states of sensor information, produce sequences of state transitions, detect during the continual analysis of sensor data that one or more of the sequences of state transitions is a drift sequence, correlate determined drift state sequence to a stored determined condition at the premises, and generate an alert based on the determined condition. Various uses are described for these techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Christine Trainor, David Vavrasek