Patents Examined by Thomas J Mullen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7002481
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes one or more monitoring devices, positioned in sewer manholes, storm drains, etc., and a remote monitoring station that communicates wirelessly therewith. The monitoring device may be an integrated unit, including sensors, a two-way telemetry unit, a power supply, a processor, and supporting hardware, all located in an enclosed, waterproof housing. The monitoring device is placed within a manhole cavity to obtain depth (e.g., water level) measurements and report the measurements back to the remote monitoring station, which analyzes the data and responds to alert messages when a dangerous water level is detected. The sample and reporting rates of the device, as well as the water level threshold values, may be remotely programmable via commands transmitted from the remote monitoring station. An additional sensor may monitor the manhole cover for security purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignees: Aeromesh Corporation, Timothy Crane
    Inventors: Patrick R. Crane, Alan K. Pittman
  • Patent number: 7002486
    Abstract: A base station receives signals from highway traffic and sends signals to selected vehicles on the highway to command them to increase/decrease speed or charge lane in order to more closely conform to a virtual model for vehicular use of the highway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Malcolm G. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6998961
    Abstract: The subject device is an alarm mechanism having a voice message or other sound input wherein the mechanism incorporates a taping mechanism to receive and store voice or other audio sounds to be subsequently or simultaneously projected audibly as a signal to awaken the user of the alarm at a designated time comprising generally a caller mode coupled to a recording controller to activate an audio recorder which is in turn activated by a pre-set timer to project the recorded sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Shirley Ann Stihler
  • Patent number: 6998994
    Abstract: The present invention is a technique for locating and identifying a failed filter/arrester in an underground conveyance such as a fiber optic cable. A sensor is installed in the filter/arrester housing to sense grounding of a cable locating frequency. The sensor will monitor the cable locating signal that is normally on the cable and blocked by the filter arrester to ground. A small radio frequency oscillator (85 to 88 Hz), also installed inside the filter housing, is activated by the sensor. The RF signal is detected above ground with standard cable locating equipment. A warning indicator such as an indicator light may also be installed on the outside of the filter housing. The indicator is also activated by the sensor. In that way, the particular failed filter can be identified if multiple filters are installed at that location. The power that will be required to operate the RF transmitter and indicator will be obtained from the voltage passing through the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Connie H. Barnes, John K Boland, II, Hossein Eslambolchi, John Sinclair Huffman, Linard H. Miller, Randall G. Scholz
  • Patent number: 6999004
    Abstract: A system and method for vehicle detection and tracking in tunnels is provided. The method comprises the steps of capturing a plurality of image frames viewing at least one traffic lane; extracting at least one feature from the plurality of image frames; detecting at least one object indicative of a vehicle from the extracted feature; and tracking the detected vehicle over time to determine the detected vehicle's velocity. The system comprising at least one image capture device for capturing a plurality of image frames viewing at least one traffic lane; and a processor adapted for extracting at least one feature from the plurality of image frames, detecting at least one object indicative of a vehicle from the extracted feature, and tracking the detected vehicle over time to determine the detected vehicle's velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Corporate Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorin Comaniciu, Visvanathan Ramesh, Nikolaos Paragios
  • Patent number: 6982645
    Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of a transponder in its vicinity is provided, which comprises an antenna, a pulse generation unit, a unit adapted to feed the antenna with the pulses and a unit for measuring the damped oscillations of the antenna as a consequence of being fed with the pulses, the unit for measuring the damped oscillations of the antenna determining whether a transponder is present or not in the vicinity of the antenna on the basis of the characteristics of the damped oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignees: Overton Consultadoria E Serviços LDA
    Inventor: Claudio Ricci
  • Patent number: 6975234
    Abstract: A surveillance and remote alarm system for persons subject to limitation of freedom of movement includes a fixed unit placed in the area within which the person can move and a personal bracelet element attached to the person subject to limitation of freedom of movement. The fixed unit is arranged to establish an electromagnetic connection with the personal element and a connection via a telephone line to an operations center. The fixed unit is equipped with a CPU associated with a fingerprint reader and a radio receiver arranged to interact with a similar radio transmitter fitted in the personal element together with a CPU that controls its operation. A sensor is provided to detect any interruption and/or anomalies in the connection between the fixed unit and the personal element and to send an alarm to the operations center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Italdata Ingegneria Dell'Idea S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Boccacci
  • Patent number: 6967574
    Abstract: A multi-mode electromagnetic target discrimination sensor system for transmitting an electromagnetic signal and receiving a reflected signal from at least one target is disclosed having a variable inductance antenna having a variable inductance transmitter and a variable inductance receiver for varying at least one of operating bandwidth, sensitivity and size of the antenna, a processor for alternating between a time domain operating mode and a frequency domain operating mode, and controlling the variation of the inductance of the variable inductance antenna based on a current operating mode, and at least one processing algorithm for receiving signals from the receiver, discriminating targets from the received signals, and outputting the discrimination results is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: Carl V. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6963279
    Abstract: A communication device for relaying data associated with a surveillance system is envisioned. The communication device has a plurality of inputs for communicatively coupling the communication device with a plurality of surveillance sensors, each of the plurality of inputs associated with one of a plurality of surveillance sensor data streams. Also present is a wireless communication system for inputting and outputting a data stream, the data stream being directed to another remote wireless communication device. This data stream contains the surveillance sensor data. The communication device also has a communication junction communicatively coupled to the wireless communication device and the plurality of inputs. The communication junction coalesces the data from the plurality of inputs into the data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: International Microwave Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Martinelli, Moti Bordoley
  • Patent number: 6927682
    Abstract: A vehicle service indicator releasable secured within a vehicle. The vehicle service indicator includes a microprocessor able to monitor a distance traveled by the vehicle. A service task indicator is controlled by the microprocessor and includes a display indicating a desired function to be monitored. A step down odometer is connected to the microprocessor. The step down odometer includes a display for displaying a numeric value indicative of a distance to be traveled by the vehicle before the function displayed by the programmed service indicator is to be performed. An indicator is provided for producing an alarm signal. The microprocessor decreases the value displayed by the step down odometer relative to the monitored distance traveled by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventors: Jeff Touhey, Kathy R Clark
  • Patent number: 6922148
    Abstract: A patient identification system is disclosed that solves several problems associated with current ID bands such as easy removal, loss and inefficient patient identification. The patient identification system comprises an identification bracelet that is difficult to remove and has a lock and an identification mechanism. Further, the identification bracelet may require a separate unlocking device to unlock the lock. The unlocking device may also have a means to track how long the bracelet has been unlocked, an alarm system, and a display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Inventor: George J. Despotis
  • Patent number: 6919795
    Abstract: Method and an apparatus for registering and supervision of the positions and time of storage of articles entered into a cabinet or other delimited space. A preferred fields of application is refrigerators in which one or several cameras at selected occasions take pictures of the interior of the refrigerator. These pictures are treated in an image analyzer which transfers clear pictures of all articles stored on each shelf in the refrigerator to a computer for registration. In the computer there is stored for each article information on the time of entry in a list containing article denominations. For distance communication the computer can be connected to a central computer having information about all articles marketed on a national basis and including both pictures and denominations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Inventor: Rutger Roseen
  • Patent number: 6917299
    Abstract: A security system for electronic circuits (e.g. electronic circuits contained within a secure POS terminal) is provided that is both more tamper resistant, and tamper responsive and less expensive than the prior art epoxy potting. This is achieved by inserting an electrical connector between a first and a second circuit board contained within a case of the POS terminal. The first and the second circuit boards are any type of circuit board known in the art, including both not limited to, rigid circuit boards, flexible circuit boards, printed circuit boards, etc. If the case is opened the connector no longer provides an electrical connection between the first and the second circuit boards, triggering a tamper detection circuit. In some embodiments of the invention, a flexible conductive film is wrapped around the circuit boards and the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Shuzhen Fu, David C. Hanley, Raymond A. DeBruin, Jack R. Grenfell
  • Patent number: 6909371
    Abstract: A method for automatically changing the address and telephone number of an occupant when the occupant moves from one internal address to another internal address. The foregoing is accomplished by placing a radio frequency identification tag in occupant's nameplate, wherein the tag contains encoding information that identifies the occupant so that when the occupant changes his/her location, the nameplate may be used to update a data base and determine the occupant's new address and telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Deborra J. Zukowski, Brian M. Romansky, Ronald Reichman
  • Patent number: 6897779
    Abstract: A tone generating system 100 has a motion detection terminal 11 and a tone producing device. The Motion detection terminal 11 has a motion sensor MS which is attached to the back of a hand, and transmitting unit 11a. The Motion sensor MS detects a torsional motion of the hand to which it is attached. The Transmitting unit 11a transmits motion information on the torsional motion. A Tone producing device 10 receives the motion information, generates control information based on the motion information, and produces a tone on the basis of the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Nishitani, Satoshi Usa, Eiko Kobayashi, Akira Miki
  • Patent number: 6879260
    Abstract: A load indicator for an electric motor, comprising a first means (II, IU, CPU) for repeated determination of the motor load, a second means (CPU) for comparing the current motor load, as determined by the first means, with a preset load limit, and a third means (CPU), PP) for indicating that the current motor load exceeds the load limit. Moreover, a meant (T, CPU) is arranged to initiate a presetting of the load limit. This means is adapted to be actuated, when the motor runs in normal operation, for presetting of the load limit as the current motor load changed by a predetermined deviation value stored in the load indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Emotron AB
    Inventors: Lars-Olof Olofsson, Martin Ranger, Per Zellman
  • Patent number: 6870471
    Abstract: A wheel unit (E1, E2, E3, E4) for a system for monitoring the wheels (R1, R2, R3, R4) of a motor vehicle (10) for error states, in particular for incorrect tire inflation pressures comprises that it can be activated by touching a wheel component, in particular with a hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Nikolas Bergerhoff, Martin Fischer
  • Patent number: 6867697
    Abstract: A system for guiding of the visually handicapped includes a continuous electrical conductor, in the nature of a wire or strip, having a substantially uniform conductivity embedded within a walkway to be traversed by the handicapped person. The system also including a proximity for detecting the conductor in which the detector may be in a shoe of the user or a tip of a walking cane. The system further includes a signalling element, in the nature of a vibrator, in electrical communication with the detector such that, through the presence of such vibration, the visually handicapped person is able to determine his proximity to the electrical conductor to determine that he is proceeding in a proper direction within or along the walkway. The signalling element is preferably provided with a switch, for example, a mercury switch, so that the shoe or cane circuit will become energized only upon the occurrence of movement or motion of the shoe or cane within which the proximity detector is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventors: Pravin L. Nanayakkara, Anya R. Nanayakkara, Lakdas Nanayakkara
  • Patent number: 6856250
    Abstract: A remotely-locatable tracking device and system is presented for use with a projectile that contacts a mobile target. The device is particularly useful with hunting arrows that contact a target animal. The device detaches from the arrow and attaches to the animal upon impact. The device is preferably comprised of a passive transponder and the system preferably uses a handheld transceiver to locate the transponder attached to the target animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Randy Hilliard
  • Patent number: RE38838
    Abstract: A monitoring system provides for monitoring of a person and taking an action to dissuade the person from a course of action. The system has a device attached to the person which includes mechanisms to provide for an intervention to dissuade the person from the course of action. The intervention may be in the form of delivery of either a medication or an electrical shock to the person. The system may further include monitoring of a bodily function of the person or positional tracking of the person. Various scenarios are described to provide for activation of the intervention. The system may include a second device in possession of a restrictor person with positional tracking of this person and comparison relative to the positional location of a restrictee person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventor: John E. Taylor, Jr.