Patents Examined by Thomas McCormack
  • Patent number: 8963721
    Abstract: A device, system, and method of ensuring hand hygiene compliance is provided including a device for dispensing hygiene maintenance material that also monitors a detection zone to determine if an individual is present. The device, system, and method provide reminders and tracking of use of the dispensing device and the relation of that use compared to a desired use profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Harkap Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Howard B. Harris, Michael A. Kaplan, Todd Phillip Wayne Fricke
  • Patent number: 8963701
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automotive vehicle early open door warning system, including a first light device arranged in a first external area of a side of the vehicle, for emitting a warning light signal, prior to the opening of a door, a second light device arranged in a second area of the side of the vehicle spaced from the first area for emitting a warning light signal, and an electronic controller circuit in connection with the light devices, for controlling the first light device so that it emits the warning light signal prior to the opening of the door and the second light device so that it emits the warning light signal prior to or during the opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventors: Alejandro Rodriguez Barros, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8952779
    Abstract: A user can automatically change a user interface of a portable terminal into a user interface of an electronic appliance suitable for user's intention. A portable terminal recognizes a circumferentially existing electronic appliance based on a photographic image or a radio signal, and allows one or more applications having a user interface varying by electronic appliance to start and then be resident in a memory of the portable terminal. Then, when the portable terminal recognizes a predetermined electronic appliance, the portable terminal changes a user interface displayed on a display unit and an input unit of the portable terminal into a user interface of an application associated with the predetermined electronic appliance to enable a user to view the user interface. When a user puts the portable terminal to a predetermined direction, the portable terminal recognizes an electronic appliance existing in the direction and displays the corresponding user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: OPTiM Corporation
    Inventor: Shunji Sugaya
  • Patent number: 8952825
    Abstract: A monitoring device for an ungrounded electric network of a photovoltaic system. The monitoring device includes a short circuit measuring circuit having a first electric measuring circuit conductor connecting a first electric pole of the photovoltaic system with a reference point by means of at least one protective component, and second electric measuring circuit conductor for connecting a second electric pole of the photovoltaic system with ground be means of at least one protective component. A first component is connected between one of the measuring circuit conductors and ground, and a measuring device for measuring an electric parameter of the first component, wherein a non-zero value of the parameter and/or a change of the value of the parameter indicate an electric fault between the photovoltaic system and ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hoeft, Andreas Senger, Christian Bacht
  • Patent number: 8941498
    Abstract: A method and system for deactivating locks, locking the functionality of products and/or the product packing in which such products are sold, in particular remote-activation adhesive locks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: SP Technology
    Inventor: John S. Berg
  • Patent number: 8933793
    Abstract: An active contactless information storage device includes: an operation controller that determines whether mode information of the active contactless information storage device indicates a mode in which the device communicates with a reader/writer device; a carrier-sense controller that determines whether a first frequency in a first period and determines whether a second frequency in a second period, when the mode information of the active contactless information storage device indicates the mode in which the device communicates with the reader/writer device; and a command processor that performs communication with the reader/writer device when the carrier sense controller determines that the first frequency is sensed; wherein, when the mode information of the active contactless information storage device does not indicate the mode in which the active contactless information storage device communicates with the reader/writer device, the carrier-sense controller waits for a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Daisuke Yamashita, Shinichi Shiotsu, Hiroyasu Sugano, Hideki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8928491
    Abstract: To collect data, an electronic device transmits a signal on an output channel of the headset jack to provide an excitation signal to a sensor for measuring a physical quantity. A signal from the sensor is received via an input channel of the headset jack of the electronic device. Data based on the received signal may be sent from the electronic device to a remote location for further processing. The data may be used to detect a physical condition, e.g., a temperature, humidity, soil moisture, sound, vibration, pressure, motion, and/or pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Nexleaf Analytics
    Inventors: Nithya Ramanathan, Martin Ladislav Lukac
  • Patent number: 8922350
    Abstract: Techniques are presented for adaptively increasing power delivered to an RF tag. In one embodiment, a tag reader uses multiple transmit antennas to increase the power delivered to an RF tag without increasing the transmission power. The tag reader may perform transmit diversity (or a related antenna diversity schema) to ensure that transmitted signals from the multiple transmit antennas constructively interfere at the location of the RF tag. The tag reader may transmit a pilot signal and measure a phase associated with a received signal from the RF tag. The tag reader may then use the phase to determine a phase shift for each of the plurality of antennas. The phase shift may then be applied to any subsequent signals transmitted by the antennas to ensure that the signals interfere at the RF tag's location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Griffin, Azhar Hasan, Chenming Zhou
  • Patent number: 8912916
    Abstract: Method and apparatus using at least one process to reduce a data set using a data adaptive down-sampling scheme comprising a plurality of non-uniform down-sampling factors. The method may include separating the data set into a plurality of data windows, where each of the plurality of data windows corresponds to one of the plurality of non-uniform data-sampling factors; applying the down-sampling factors, and transmitting the reduced data set from a downhole location to the surface. The data set may include an NMR echo train. The apparatus may include an NMR tool configured to acquire NMR data and at least one processor configured to perform the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Holger Tietjen, Mouin Hamdan
  • Patent number: 8907799
    Abstract: A sensor unit comprising a heat resistant shell, the shell having a plurality of viewing windows spaced around the shell exterior to define a 360° view around the unit, each viewing window being optically coupled to an infrared pyroelectric sensor and an infrared thermopile sensor, the interior of the shell defining a chamber containing at least two different smoke detectors, the shell having ventilation holes communicating with the chamber and temperature sensors mounted on the unit, the shell housing at least one printed circuit board coupled to the sensors and detectors and supporting a computer and radio transmitter, and a rechargeable power source powering the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Flamesniffer Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Cameron McKenna
  • Patent number: 8902048
    Abstract: Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter adaptors, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed. A method of adapting an RF transmitter for using in controlling a radio controlled (R/C) device having an RF receiver includes receiving a pulse-position modulation (PPM) signal from the RF transmitter, automatically selecting a channel assignment map based on the PPM signal, and generating, from the PPM signal, an RF communication signal compatible with the RF receiver for use in controlling the R/C device based on the selected channel assignment map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hobbico, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal Cloud, David Johnson, Kevin Waite, Zhou Zhenmin
  • Patent number: 8878693
    Abstract: A driver assistance device to be disposed in a vehicle includes a traffic signal information acquiring section, an intersection distance acquiring section, a target speed calculating section, and an outputting section. The traffic signal information acquiring section acquires traffic signal information that includes current and future lighting colors and lighting times of respective lighting colors of a traffic signal located in a traveling direction of the vehicle. The intersection distance acquiring section acquires an intersection distance between the vehicle and an intersection at which the traffic signal is located. The target speed calculating section calculates a target speed range to enable the vehicle to enter the intersection in a state where the lighting color of the traffic signal is green. The outputting section outputs the target speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michinaga Nagura, Seigou Kumabe
  • Patent number: 8872640
    Abstract: Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for monitoring a status of a driver when driving a vehicle. A system including a set of sensors configured to be disposed in the vehicle to collect driver status data. The system processing the driver status data to determine whether the driver is experiencing a health condition or crisis, and whether the driver's body position is ergonomic. In response to a health condition, generating a health alert indicative of the health condition. In response to the driver a health crisis generating a health alert indicative of the health crisis and inhibiting operation of the vehicle. In response to the driver's body position not being ergonomic, identifying and providing adjustments in the body position of the driver that need to be made for the driver to be positioned in a an ergonomically acceptable body position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Samantha J. Horseman
  • Patent number: 8749353
    Abstract: A system for setting up a wireless connection between two temporarily connected devices includes a device interconnector having a first end provided with a first wireless communication identifier and a second end provided with a second wireless communication identifier, a first device having a first interconnector mating unit, a first wireless communication unit and a first reading unit and a second device having a second interconnector mating unit, a second wireless communication unit and a second reading unit. The wireless communication units of each device is configured to receive an identifier being read by the corresponding reading unit as the device interconnector is attached to the corresponding mating unit and the wireless communication unit is configured to employ this identifier in setting up, together with the other wireless communication unit, a wireless connection between the two devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Lennart Balgard, Niclas Ericsson, Ewa Hansen, Mikael Gidlund
  • Patent number: 8742892
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for simplified setting and imprinting the touch icons of a touch pad used for electrical devices and appliances in homes, other residences and other building by installing the touch pad directly on walls or an electrical wall box individually and in a cascaded chain connected via a bus line with or without power feed, including the attaching of the pads to each other for providing aligned larger sized touch panel, wherein the setting of the touch icon is via loading data to a memory or via setting switches and the imprinting is selected via a program provided for printing a pre-formatted and pre-cut decorative sheet attached to the touch pad by a front cover with self-locking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Elbex Video Ltd.
    Inventor: David Elberbaum
  • Patent number: 8730016
    Abstract: A non-contact communication device is disclosed comprising: an antenna having an input impedance and being for receiving an AC signal having a voltage and a current, a main unit comprising a power-extraction unit and a communication unit and having a main unit impedance, a tuning circuit, and a matching network for matching the input impedance to the main unit impedance, characterized in that the tuning circuit comprises a phase detector for detecting a phase difference between the voltage and the current and is configured to adjust the impedance of the matching network in dependence on the phase difference. Also disclosed is a method for tuning a non-contact communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Rachid El Waffaoui, Giuliano Manzi
  • Patent number: 8698643
    Abstract: Seat-occupancy-detection-sensor-element featuring double-body/compression/spring (DBCS) in a recess of a base-member (BM); and slidable-member (SM) having a force-application-side (FAS) and inside facing the BM; measuring-coil (MC) arranged in the recess and surrounded by the DBCS and having wound-coil-wire (WCW); and current-generating/measuring/evaluating-unit (CGMEU) connected to the WCW; the DBCW abutting the BM on one side and being fixed to the SM on the side of the SM compressed by a force on the FAS, from a spring length either uncompressed or compressed by a predetermined extent; spring wire ends connected and electrically forming a spring-coil (SC); MC and SC coils constituting an inductively-coupled coil assembly (ICCA); and the CGMEU applying AC to the MC inducing AC in the DBCS, measuring voltage on the MC proportional to the ICCA's impedance, and ascertaining force on the SM's FAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: SCHERDEL INNOTEC Forschungs-und Entwicklungs-GmbH, Forschungs-und Transferzentrum Leipzig e.V. and der HTWK Leipzig
    Inventors: Marco Schmitt, Jan Seitenglanz, Thomas Fiedler, Gisela Barthold, Hans-Martin Rambold, Fabian Wiessner, Michael Eiserbeck
  • Patent number: 8638203
    Abstract: An alarm system for an articulated vehicle includes a first part adapted to attach to a vehicular hitch member, and a second part adapted to attach to a trailering hitch member. The first part includes a conductive post extending vertically between first and second electrical contacts. The post and the first and second electrical contacts form parts of an alarm circuit. The second part includes first and a second arms horizontally extending towards the post in a common plane at an angle with respect to each other. When attached, the first and second parts are disposed so that the first arm moves the post into contact with the first electrical contact as the articulated vehicle turns in a first direction, and so that the second arm moves the post into contact with the second electrical contact as the articulated vehicle turns in a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Howard Beuter Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Howard Raines
  • Patent number: 8618938
    Abstract: Gas cylinder and RFID (radio frequency identification) transponder assemblies and related methods are disclosed that utilize fixed orientations for RFID transponders to overcome problems existing with previous solutions. The disclosed embodiments provide an advantageous solution for utilizing metal plates, such as metal identification plates, to house RFID transponders and to fix the orientation of the RFID transponders to overcame the adverse effects of metal structures distorting the magnetic fields associated with gas cylinders. This fixed orientation combined with a transponder embodying a copper wire antenna wound around a longitudinal axis of a ferrite core and the use of PSK (phase shift keying) modulation allows for adequate reader performance despite the presence of interfering metal structures such as a metal plate used to house an RFID transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Trovan, Ltd.
    Inventor: Joseph V. Masin
  • Patent number: 8599006
    Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device is configured to emit a movement notification sound to outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle will move. The notification sound control device is configured to operate the sound emitting device to emit a movement notification during a period from when a vehicle speed becomes equal to or smaller than a prescribed value until a prescribed amount of time has elapsed in a situation where the vehicle speed becomes equal to or smaller than the prescribed value while the forward movement notification sound is being emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Hideo Yoshino, Yuji Watanabe, Toshiyuki Yamamoto