Patents Examined by Thomas J Mullen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5850180
    Abstract: A portable alarm system in which the alarm functions are contained within a portable enclosure, communication is maintained between the alarm system and wireless security devices, and the alarm is capable of initiating a telephone call to a S security monitoring station either by conventional hard-wired telephone lines within a building, by cellular transmission, or by 1900 megahertz PCS. The alarm is capable of initiating a call over the control channel of a cellular phone system. The latch key function allows a child to make his/her parents aware that he/she has arrived home safely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Tattletale Portable Alarm Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Hess
  • Patent number: 5850304
    Abstract: A programmable controller includes a photodetector for receiving data as pulses light from a video display and infra-red emitting diodes for transmitting pulses of light in a format recognized by the device to be controlled. The light from the video display is produced by generating a series of vertically displaced, horizontal lines on the screen of the display. Each line corresponds to a pulse of light and to one bit of information and one or more bytes are displayed per frame on the display. The display produces two initial lines that define a timing window for receiving the remaining data and produces a terminal line that toggles for error detection. The controller produces pulses in the format required by the controlled device by executing a sub-set of primitives from a set stored in the controller. The primitives are executed in a sequence determined by the data from the video display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Scottsdale Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Miles Martin Elmers, Michael Andrew Wood
  • Patent number: 5850182
    Abstract: A method for extracting a number of temporal frequencies occurring in a fire and false fire condition concurrently from two or more radiation detectors for receiving signals, a correlation detector for each frequency and sensor, and a storage buffer for the temporal frequencies extracted and sensors employed, so as to distinguish a small fire signal in the presence of a much larger false fire signal whether random in nature or not. The ratio of each extracted frequency following proper qualification is compared to the ratio band for fire and an output signal is generated when the ratio at one or more temporal frequencies indicates a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Detector Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Fred Schuler
  • Patent number: 5850181
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of transporting energy from a base station to energize a remote RF transponder having an energy store is described, comprising transporting power in pulses of frequencies chosen from a randomly ordered list of frequencies, wherein the time between pulses when little power is transmitted is less than the time taken for the remote transponder to deplete the energy store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Harley Kent Heinrich, Rene Dominic Martinez, Paul Jorge Sousa, Li-Cheng Richard Zai
  • Patent number: 5850183
    Abstract: An air restriction indicating device for measuring very low ranges of filter restriction (e.g., on the order of 0.0 to 1.5 inches of H.sub.2 O or 0.0 to 0.54 psi) in a micronfilter used in vehicular heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The indicating device includes a housing that is separated into two sub-chambers by a flexible diaphragm. A indicating member is carried by the diaphragm so that the diaphragm and the indicating member move, within the housing, responsively to changes in the pressure of the air flowing in the HVAC system caused by restrictions in or clogging of the micronfilter. To facilitate reading, the indicating device also includes structure that progressively locks the diaphragm and indicating member in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Engineered Products Co.
    Inventor: Charles Henry Berry, III
  • Patent number: 5847649
    Abstract: An EAS marker assembly is a packaging and delivery method for large numbers of individual ferromagnetic EAS markers. The assembly is especially suited for use with an automated or semiautomated EAS marker insertion system. The EAS markers have an adhesive layer on each side to allow the markers to be attached between pages of a book. The assembly includes a plurality of markers carried by a differential release liner. The finished assembly can be in either a roll or stack form. When the roll assembly is rolled up, or when a plurality of sheets of markers are assembled in a stack, the easy release side of the differential release liner contacts one of the adhesive layers, and the tight release side of the liner contacts the adhesive layer on the other side of the marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: William P. Collins, Peter J. Zarembo
  • Patent number: 5847655
    Abstract: Safety discharge circuit and method, capable of protecting workers from electric shocks during maintenance of high voltage electrical systems. A high voltage electrical system is placed inside a grounded box having a cover, releasably connected to the box. The circuit uses an electronic device adapted to sense the removal of the cover from the box and disable the high voltage electrical system. The electronic device is connected to the cover at its input and to the high voltage electrical system at its output, and is preferably a semiconductor controlled rectifier having a gate at its input. The semiconductor controlled rectifier is in a reverse blocking state when the cover is connected to the box, and is latched in a forward conducting state when the cover is removed from the box. The connection from the gate of the semiconductor controlled rectifier to the cover is made through mounting screws, which hold the high voltage electrical system connected to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Charles E. Nourrcier
  • Patent number: 5847652
    Abstract: An electronic whistle device (10) comprising a casing (12). A whistle producing circuit (14) is carried within the casing (12). A manually operated switch (16) is remote from the casing (12). An assembly (18) is for electrically connecting the manually operated switch (16) to the whistle producing circuit (14) within the casing (12). When the manually operated switch (16) is closed, the whistle producing circuit (14) will be activated to make a whistle sound (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: David Takao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5844494
    Abstract: Method of diagnosing failures in a production process of a synthetic filament yarn, in which a first process parameter dependent on the process control is continuously measured and evaluated, and in which as a function of the evaluation or course derived therefrom an indication signal is generated, there being continuously measured and evaluated at least a second reference parameter dependent on the process control, and the indication signal being generated, when an error-typical behavior is found in the first and in at least one additional parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventors: Jorg Spahlinger, Manfred Mayer, Ulrich Enders, Bernd Neumann
  • Patent number: 5844482
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a tag monitoring system network used for tracking object movement. The tags utilized in the system incorporate a motion sensor which detects object movement and includes a signal generation circuit adapted to generate a signal when motion is detected. A microcontroller is provided which is in electrical communication with the motion sensor and includes a transmitter activation circuit wherein said microcontroller includes a preprogrammed transmitter sequence which is activated by receipt of a signal from the motion sensor. A radio transmitter is also provided on the tag which is in electrical communication with the microcontroller, and generates radio signals at the direction of the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventors: Warren E. Guthrie, Joseph F. Pappadia, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5845215
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for of supporting a plurality of mobile station operation modes in a wireless communication system by user control. Presently, communication protocols exist for supporting end user equipment which operates in a single mode of operation. However, it is desirable to combine protocols from various technologies to form end user equipment which operates in multiple modes of operation. Thereby, the present method allows the mobile station to operate in a multi-mode environment where a user can invoke a certain mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
    Inventors: Raymond C. Henry, Alan E. Sicher, Karl-Erik Andersson, John Diachina, Lars Billstrom, Steven Prokup
  • Patent number: 5844489
    Abstract: An electronic containment system that confines an animal or a person to a predetermined confinement area. The system has a home base that transmits data on a partially modulated signal to a transceiver worn by an animal or a person. When the animal's or person's transceiver detects the data on the partially modulated carrier wave, the transceiver activates one of a number of different features of the transceiver unit. The electronic containment system deters the animal or person from leaving the predetermined outer perimeter, by activating an annoying noise, a deterrent shock, or both. The transceiver can also transmit a digitized word and data pertaining to the transceiver, battery power, and telemetry reading of the animal or person. The home base detects and reads the data transmitted from the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventors: Robert G. Yarnall, Jr., Robert G. Yarnall, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5844491
    Abstract: An apparatus for establishing and/or monitoring a predetermined filling level in a container is provided, in which a reception signal (E) is equal to the measurement signal, and in which a fixed phase difference (.DELTA..phi..sub.R), which is independent of the oscillation quality of the apparatus, exists between a first transmission signal (S.sub.1), and a reception signal (E) at a resonant frequency (f.sub.r).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co.
    Inventors: Igor Getman, Sergej Lopatin
  • Patent number: 5844485
    Abstract: An inventory of goods is protected from theft by affixing to at least some of the items of the inventory an electronic article surveillance marker. An indicia which indicates the presence of the marker is also applied to the items of the inventory. In some cases, the indicia may be applied to goods to deter theft thereof even though no EAS marker is present on the goods. The indicia may include a code that indicates to store personnel that no EAS marker is in fact present. When a marker is present, the indicia may provide guidance as to how to activate or deactivate the marker. Information as to what kind of marker is affixed may also be included in the indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph M. Ryan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5841350
    Abstract: A resonant tag circuit useful as an electronic security device includes a layered planar structure having a dielectric substrate, a resonant circuit carried on both sides of the dielectric substrate and a semiconductive material having an ionizable salt dissolved therein. The semiconductor material provides a sermiconductive bridge across an activation or deactivation point in the circuit and connects the conductive circuit on both sides of the activation or deactivation point. The resonant tag circuit of this invention is stabilized against premature operation of the activation or deactivation point from electrostatic discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Appalucci, John H. Bowers, Gary T. Mazoki, Thomas J. McKeown, Anthony F. Piccoli, Mark J. Rankin, Stanley Tocker
  • Patent number: 5841353
    Abstract: Determination of the verticality of various structures such as high rise buildings and towers is enabled through various methods involving use of a series of tiltmeter devices, a remote positioning system, or a combination of both. These methods are particularly useful in monitoring deviations from vertical during construction work and adjusting a jumpform. The tiltmeters are typically arranged in a line on the structure and polled to characterise varying tilt states in which displacement of each device increases with height up the structure. The remote positioning measurements are typically made in real time using a satellite based system such as GPS. Departures of a survey point on the jumpform from a vertical target line may be used to monitor verticality during the construction process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Gary Sedman Chisholm, Jason Scott Daly, Michael Anthony Hansby
  • Patent number: 5841354
    Abstract: A position-sensing waking system and method includes an ear plug for slidably inserting into an ear of a person, a housing rotatably connected with the ear plug, an alarm mechanism for generating an alarm sound, a detection switch disposed inside the housing, a control circuit for controlling the position-sensing waking system, and a battery for supplying power to the position-sensing waking system, the housing containing the alarm system, the system switch, the detection switch, the control circuit and the battery, wherein the detection switch is activated according to a movement of the ear to generate the alarm sound by the alarm mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventors: Tae Hong Bae, Sang Yun Bae, Sang Il Bae
  • Patent number: 5839071
    Abstract: A base station (202) for a mobile telecommunications system, adapted to communicate with mobile stations (208,210) of the system which are within a cell area, the cell area being divided into an inner area (204) in which distances to the base station (202) are within a first predetermined range, and an outer area (206) in which the distances are within a second predetermined range, the base station (202) including a first transceiver operating at a first carrier frequency and adapted for communication with mobile stations (208) in the inner area, and a second transceiver operating at a second carrier frequency adapted for communication with mobile stations in the outer area (210).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Telstra Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Brian Johnson
  • Patent number: 5838239
    Abstract: A presence of a polarization altering substance on a specular surface is detected by transmitting light from a single strobed light source to the surface over a transmitting path and receiving the transmitted light from the surface. An intensity of the light is measured in both an optical non-isolator state and an isolator state by a same detector by delaying the non-isolated return light for a definite period of time before measuring it with the detector. The measured isolated and non-isolated intensities are converted to logarithmic form, range corrected, and compared to reference data established for the specific specular surface being investigated to detect the presence or absence of the polarization altering substance. Attenuation and backscattering effects of scattering and/or absorbing interference in the transmitted light are compensated so that the reference table is entered at the correct point. Using different intensities of transmitted light increases the dynamic range of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Stern, John Schaefer, Fereydoun Maali
  • Patent number: 5839074
    Abstract: In a process of allocating frequencies to base stations of a mobile radiotelephone network, which process is based on input information containing at least the number of frequencies required for each base station, the frequencies permissible in the mobile radiotelephone network and information on possible disturbance effects among the base stations in the case of identical and/or adjacent frequencies, the following steps are executed alternatingly: (a) selection of a base station from the number of those base stations to which not all contemplated frequencies have yet been allocated, according to a first base station selection criterion and, if necessary, further base station selection criteria, (b) selection of a frequency according to a first frequency selection criterion and, if necessary, further frequency selection criteria, (c) identification of the frequency from (b) as allocated to the base station from (a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Detemobil Deutsche Telekom Mobilnet GmbH
    Inventor: Juergen Plehn