Patents Examined by Sihong Huang
  • Patent number: 6215390
    Abstract: A dart target with a function of automatically displaying scores is disclosed. The dart target is installed with a damping panel. The damping panel is formed by at least one damping layer; the damping layers are made of flexible and transmitted cloth, such as sisal, non-woven cloth, etc. Thus, metal dart can be used. As the dart passes through the target panel, it can be damped by the damping layer and fixed. A pattern is formed at the surface of the first damping layer so that the dart player may identify the target. The target panel is a plane for being used by metal dart needle, and the score can be displayed properly. The target unit is constructed by a sisal block and a frame box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Brown Lin
  • Patent number: 6215408
    Abstract: In the present method and apparatus for processing a vibro-acoustic signal emitted by a high-voltage switching system, the vibro-acoustic signal is converted into a digital signal. The digital signal is rectified and the resulting rectified signal is applied to a convolutional filter with a spectral window to produce a smoothed signal. The smoothed signal is decimated to produce a decimated signal representing an envelope of the vibro-acoustic signal. A time realignment of the decimated signal is carried out with respect to a reference signature to produce a realigned signal. Time deviation values generate an alarm if they exceed a limit threshold. The realigned signal is added as a factor of means providing a reference signature and an actualized signature. Variances of the realigned signal are calculated with respect to the reference and actualized signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventors: François Léonard, Marc Foata, Claude Rajotte
  • Patent number: 6198385
    Abstract: In an entering detecting system for vehicles, a received ultrasonic signal is amplified by an amplifier circuit so that a Doppler signal may be generated from an amplified signal and a transmission signal for detecting an entering of unauthorized person into a vehicle compartment. An operational amplifier circuit of the amplifier circuit has an output limiter circuit. The output limiter circuit has diode series circuits which are connected to a feedback resistor of an operational amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kani, Fumio Asakura, Tadashi Nakamura, Toru Yoshida, Takeo Tsuzuki
  • Patent number: 6195015
    Abstract: An electronic parking meter which is capable of detecting presence of a parked vehicle, keeping track of the amount of money, including both U.S. and foreign coinage, in the meter, gathering statistics on the parking space and the meter, alerting the parking authority of meters that are expired in connection with vehicles still parked, and zeroing the remaining time off of any meter once the parked vehicle departs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Intelligent Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Jacobs, Vincent G. Yost
  • Patent number: 6191700
    Abstract: Luminous signs, specifically those with the ability to change the presented information sequentially, include an electro-mechanical system that produces the synchronized overlapping of two or more preprinted films with translucent properties, in such a way that with an internal luminous source, the sign is capable of creating the effect of real movement, and in the night or in the darkness, the information images displayed by the sign seem to float in the air. The present invention also provides an illuminated sign with the capability of displaying such information or images on more than one of its surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Visual Masters S.A.
    Inventor: Fabio Rafael Duque Cardona
  • Patent number: 6172606
    Abstract: An alarm or monitoring system for a computer network in which network devices are able to be “locked” onto the network, in which condition an alarm is raised if the device is removed. This occurs even when the device is switched off, as the monitoring of the presence of the device is performed by the network. Alternatively, the device may be “unlocked” from the network, in which condition no alarm is raised even if the device is removed. Control of whether a particular network device is subject to the alarm system is therefore in the hands of the user of the device and this is particularly useful for items such as lap-top computers which may quite legitimately be regularly connected to and disconnected from the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: 3COM Technologies
    Inventor: Terry Lockyer
  • Patent number: 6166640
    Abstract: A bicolor indicator is provided for a lighting control system which controllably switches one or more lkighting fixtures on or off in accordance with detected motion, ambient light level and a selected time out period. The indicator indicates when the lighting control system is operating in a bypass on or off mode (i.e., overriding controlled switching based on motion detection and ambient light level) or in an automatic time out mode. The indicator also indicates occurrences of motion detection and whether or not the ambient light level is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas S. Nishihira, David A. Blau
  • Patent number: 6160493
    Abstract: A low-cost and reliable radio warning system that alerts system users of potential hazardous conditions is disclosed. The system makes use of a transmitter and at least one receiver. The transmitter generates and transmits a radio warning signal that carries a digital data sequence that includes information concerning a particular potential hazardous condition from which the transmission was initiated, such as an approaching ambulance, fire truck, bus, train, or the like. Other information, such as GPS coordinates, may also be included. Through the use of digital encoding techniques, the system's susceptibility to false alarms or "false triggers" is minimized. The radio warning signal is transmitted in burst transmissions and may use a number of signaling techniques, including spread spectrum transmission, which increases system reliability and performance even in the presence of interference or multipath distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Estech Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene T. Smith
  • Patent number: 6157310
    Abstract: The present invention provides a monitoring system (30) for monitoring operation of dynamic plant apparatus (10, 100). Electronic processing means (31, 32, 33) is provided for processing the electrical parameter signals provided by sensors (11-15) and is capable of thereby producing a plurality of different fault signals. Display means (34) is provided for displaying fault information to a user of the monitoring system (30), the display means (34) being controlled by the fault signals produced by the electronic processing means (31, 32, 33). The electronic processing means (31, 32, 33) compares the values of at least some of the measured parameter signals with limit values stored in memory by the electronic processing means (31, 32, 33) and when the comparison shows that the value of a measured parameter signal is outside the respective limit value the electronic processing means (31, 32, 33) produces a respective basic fault token signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Intelligent Applications Limited
    Inventors: Robert William Milne, Charles Jarvis Nicol
  • Patent number: 6154140
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an intelligent personal underwater monitng system which recognizes when a swimmer is in trouble and transmits a warning signal. The system comprises a device worn by the swimmer which senses water pressure and transmits a first signal when a predetermined depth is passed by the swimmer. The system further comprises a device for receiving the signals generated by the device worn by the swimmer and a neural network processor for processing the signals and generating an output signal representative of whether the swimmer is in trouble and an alarm signal generation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Steven W. Thorpe, Robert C. Higgins
  • Patent number: 6154126
    Abstract: A communication system and a method for communicating simple coded messages from one vehicle to another are provided. The communication system includes a signaling module that includes a light source configured and placed so that the light source is visible to occupants of other vehicles. The system includes a control module in communication with the signaling module that is readily accessible to the driver or other occupant of a vehicle. Responsive to the selection of one of a series of possible messages by the driver or occupant, the control module causes the light source to turn on and off in a predetermined sequence of flashes. The predetermined sequence of flashes represents a code corresponding to the selected message. The messages associated with use of the communication system are selected for enhancement of safety and to avert the negative responses associated with road rage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Positive Driving Systems LLC
    Inventors: Jerry L. Beasley, E. Scott Geller
  • Patent number: 6140932
    Abstract: Pictorially adorned drinking container (10) having integral audio playback, including a two-part structure with an upper part forming a drinking cup (12) and a lower or base part forming a chamber (16) for containing electronically recorded data (38) and means for using the data (18) to generate an audible message and/or music segment. The two parts are removably connected together to form a single unit. Affixed to the exterior of the unit by painting, silk-screening or other graphics replication process is the depiction f a memorable sports event or the related to the depicted event and an electronic mechanism which, upon user actuation (54, 48), plays back (50) the sound track so as to enable the cup user to relive the experience or event depicted (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: CrunchTime, Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall P. Frank, Leslie J. Isralow
  • Patent number: 6140933
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly is disclosed for use in a vehicle that includes a mirror housing, a mounting structure for pivotally mounting the mirror housing to the vehicle such that the mirror housing may be both vertically and horizontally tilted, a compass sensor disposed in the mirror housing and coupled to a compass processing circuit, and a tilt detector for detecting when the mirror housing has been tilted from a prior position and for generating and transmitting a tilt detection signal to the compass processing circuit. The compass processing circuit may then respond to the reception of the tilt detecting signal by compensating the compass reading and/or display or by recalibrating the compass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Bugno, Jon H. Bechtel, Frederick T. Bauer, Donald L. Tapley, Timothy A. Bonardi, Robert R. Turnbull
  • Patent number: 6140926
    Abstract: A system includes multiple modules, each powered by a different power source, and a status indicator for a first of the modules. Any of the multiple modules can drive the status indicator. Each of the modules monitors the operation of the first module, driving the status indicator when the first module fails. Thus, even if a failure within the first module prevents the first module from driving the status indicator (e.g., a power failure), the status indicator is still driven by a second module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Todd Hayden, Jay D. Reeves, Lyle D. Kraft
  • Patent number: 6137398
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided with a frame including an operator's compartment having an entrance, a drive mechanism supported on the frame, a material handling unit coupled to the frame, and a device including an actuator located across the threshold of the entrance of the operator's compartment. The device generates an alert signal when a portion of an operator's body engages the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Danny L. Dunlap, Patrick A. Soder, John A. Turner, Martin E. Romer, Daniel W. Kahlig, Larry A. Niemeyer
  • Patent number: 6133829
    Abstract: Walk-through ferrous metal detector and method in which potential carriers of weapons and other ferrous metal objects pass through a surveillance area in which the earth's magnetic field is monitored, and disturbances in the field due to movement of ferrous metal objects are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: FRL, Inc.
    Inventors: James Christian Johnstone, Sidney Glenn Freshour
  • Patent number: 6133851
    Abstract: A truck light warning system for automatically alerting a driver near a truck that they are either following too closely or within a truck's blind spots. The inventive device includes a rear sensor, a front sensor, a pair of side sensors, an engine control module (ECM), an instrument control panel (ICP), a rear indicator, a front indicator and a pair of side indicators all electrically connected. A plurality of side movement lights are electrically connected to the ECM for informing the driver of a vehicle that they should drive past the side of the tractor and trailer. A plurality of strobe lights may be included that are activated when the fog lights of the tractor are activated for warning drivers during inclimate weather conditions. When a vehicle is in one of the four blind spots surrounding the tractor and trailer, the ECM activates the appropriate indicator to warn the driver that they are in a blind spot or following too closely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Dennis B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6133857
    Abstract: An aircraft instrument system that informs the pilot of whether, during the takeoff roll, the aircraft's acceleration rate is sufficient to ensure that V1 speed will be achieved at the expected time (and thus distance), and, if not, how far in distance the aircraft is lagging behind the required acceleration schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventors: Wayne C. Millard, Carl W Millard
  • Patent number: 6124789
    Abstract: A park system alarm is provided which is energized when operation of the park mechanism fails to open the park system switch, even though the shift lever is in the park position, and the driver initiates the process of opening his or her door. An external alarm is also energized through the park system switch and a seat switch if the driver leaves his normal driving position when the shift lever is not in park and when the shift lever is in park but the park system is broken or maladjusted. A put-in-park alarm is energized through the park system switch, a gear switch, and a door switch if the driver initiates the process of opening his or her door with the shift lever in any position except park.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventor: William A. Barr
  • Patent number: 6124808
    Abstract: A light fixture with a detection system includes a sensor subsystem with vehicle and personnel sensors. The detection system also includes an indicator/display subsystem with empty space, moving vehicle and personnel present indicators. The detection system further includes a control subsystem mounted in the light fixture and connected to the sensor and indicator subsystems for actuating the indicators in response to the signal inputs from the sensors. Applications of the detection system in parking structures and industrial facilities are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: William F. Budnovitch Revocable Trust
    Inventor: William F. Budnovitch