Patents Examined by Thomas Mullen
  • Patent number: 9415722
    Abstract: A working vehicle perimeter monitoring system includes: a plurality of object detecting devices which are attached to a working vehicle and detect an object existing in a periphery of the working vehicle; and a controller which enables or disables of a generation of an alarm notifying an existence of the object based on a detection value of the object detecting device and a predetermined threshold value and sets the predetermined threshold value to be different inside and outside a predetermined region set in the periphery of the working vehicle based on an operation range of the working vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Eishin Masutani, Masaomi Machida, Takeshi Kurihara
  • Patent number: 9418328
    Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag comprises a flexible substrate and an integrated circuit embedded within the flexible substrate. The top surface of the integrated circuit is coplanar with the flexible substrate. At least one conductive element is formed on the flexible substrate. The conductive element is electrically connected to the integrated circuit. The conductive element serves as an antenna for the RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ruizhang Technology Limited Company
    Inventors: Glenn W. Gengel, Mark A. Hadley, Tom Pounds, Kenneth D. Schatz, Paul S. Drzaic
  • Patent number: 9413457
    Abstract: An LED light and communication system includes at least one optical transceiver, the optical transceiver including a light support and a processor. The light support has a plurality of light emitting diodes and at least one photodetector attached thereto, the light emitting diodes receiving power from a power source. The processor is in communication with the light emitting diodes and the at least one photodetector, the processor capable of illuminating the light emitting diodes to simultaneously create at least one first light signal, and at least one second light signal, the first light signal being observable to the unaided eyes of an individual and the second light signal not being observable to the unaided eyes of the individual. The second light signal includes at least one data packet. The at least one data packet comprises global positioning system (GPS) location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Federal Law Enforcement Development Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Pederson, Paul R. Brown, Timothy J. Vogt, James LeClaire, James Zimmerman, Brent Mikkelsen
  • Patent number: 9407510
    Abstract: Multiple visual indications are provided at a device in connection with multiple work orders. Each work order involves a respective connection using the device. The multiple visual indications are provided simultaneously for at least a part of the time the visual indications are provided. In one implementation, the visual indications differ from one another. What each visual indication looks like is displayed on a respective portable device configured to display information about the work order associated with that visual indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Pat Thompson
  • Patent number: 9399375
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring parameter values from an electrical input signal comprises a signal sampling device operable to sample the input signal and to produce a corresponding output comprising a measured parameter value; a signal level detector configured to detect changes in the level of the input signal by more than a threshold amount; and a controller co-operable with the signal sampling device and the signal level detector. The controller is configured to operate the signal sampling device to sample the input signal in response to the signal level detector detecting a change in the input signal level by more than the threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Schrader Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Samuel Strahan, Gary Smith
  • Patent number: 9398884
    Abstract: A biological information monitoring apparatus operable to measure biological information of a patient by detecting a biological signal of the patient, and operable to output an alarm, includes an alarm controller which changes the alarm. The alarm includes a first alarm of a first priority and a second alarm of a second priority. When a first condition is satisfied, the first alarm is output. When a second condition is satisfied after the first alarm is output, the alarm controller changes from the first alarm to the second alarm to be output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masami Tanishima, Masahiro Echigo, Rie Oyagi, Shinji Tezuka, Yoshinori Enomoto
  • Patent number: 9401082
    Abstract: A portable device, for example an offender monitor, can incorporate a location detector and an orientation detector. The orientation detector, for example an accelerometer, can provide orientation information. The location detector, for example a GPS receiver, can acquire location readings that the device transmits over a cellular network. The portable device can control the location detector based on the orientation information. For example, the device can acquire more location readings when the orientation information indicates that a person wearing the portable device is reclined than when the person is upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Numerex Corp.
    Inventor: Yoganand Rajala
  • Patent number: 9396631
    Abstract: A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermine period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Fawcett, Jeffrey A. Grant, Dennis D. Belden, Jr., Ronald M. Marsilio, Ian R. Scott
  • Patent number: 9396644
    Abstract: A method for a device to determine that it has been lost is provided. The method comprises the device determining its current location, the device comparing its current location to a plurality of stored locations, and the device determining that it has been lost when its current location is a stored location that has been designated as a location where the device is unlikely to be located or is not a stored location that has been designated as a location where the device is likely to be located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Certicom Corp.
    Inventor: Daniel Richard L. Brown
  • Patent number: 9393933
    Abstract: A hybrid or electric vehicle is immobilized while connected to a charging station. Immobilization may be overridden from the driver's HMI, in order to permit drive-away in the event of a threat to the vehicle or occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Robert Straugheir
  • Patent number: 9381859
    Abstract: Arrangements relate to providing assistance during reverse parking of a vehicle. A rear environment of the vehicle can be detected for one or more objects located in the rear environment. If an object is detected in the rear environment, a visual alert of the detected object can be provided. The visual alert can be provided in a rear interior portion of the vehicle. The visual alert can be substantially aligned with the location of the detected object in the rear environment. Thus, a rearward-looking driver can be visually alerted of the presence of the detected object in the rear environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsumi Nagata, Charan Lota
  • Patent number: 9376020
    Abstract: A combination display instrument in a vehicle has a plurality of display elements and/or display scales inserted into or attached onto a common base. A polarizing film, which is designed to correspond to the base, is arranged in the line of vision of an observer in front of the base. The polarizing film is held in position on the base in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner in an assembled state of the combination display instrument by corresponding molded sections in or on a housing of the combination display instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Süss, Isabel Hoffmann, Gerhard Kammerer, Heinrich Behrends, Martin Mayer, Nicolas Mehl, Peter Langer
  • Patent number: 9373258
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a computer that receives weather information from a weather service provider (“WSP”) server and automatic vehicle locating system (“AVL”) collected information from an AVL server, accesses a material performance specification for at least one treatment material, and determines, based on the weather information and/or AVL collected information and the material performance specification, a treatment recommendation for a selected roadway segment and/or route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Concaten, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin K. Groeneweg
  • Patent number: 9373242
    Abstract: A system for sensing occurrences of hand washing events includes a dispenser of a hand sanitizing solution and a motion sensor that is coupled to the dispenser. The motion sensor is configured to sense vibrations of the dispenser. When at least a threshold amount of movement is sensed, logic is configured to analyze samples from the motion sensor in order to determine whether the sensed vibrations result from activation of the dispenser. If so, the dispenser activation is logged and reported for use within a system, such as a system for monitoring compliance with a hand washing policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Synapse Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Conrad, David Ewing
  • Patent number: 9368034
    Abstract: A rear warning system for a vehicle that detects information regarding an area behind a vehicle and is operated based on the detected information. The system includes sensors configured to detect the information regarding the area behind the vehicle and a guiding device operated by a controller to provide a notification of the information regarding the area behind the vehicle received from the sensors. The sensors include an ultrasonic wave sensor configured to detect a target object spaced farther from the rear of the vehicle than a predetermined distance and a capacitance sensor configured to detect the target object closer than or equal to the predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Wonho Shin, Jongil Yu, Haijin Seo
  • Patent number: 9355535
    Abstract: A strobe device that operates in multiple modes is disclosed. The strobe device may include an LED-based strobe element and a controller. In response to receiving a command to generate an output, the controller determines in which of at least a first mode and second mode to operate, and sends one or more signals to the LED-based strobe element based on the determination. The first mode and the second mode may differ from one another in at least one aspect, such as duration, luminosity, current supplied to LED, or wavelength range. The controller may select both of the first mode and the second mode (such as alternating between the first mode and the second mode). Or, the controller may select one of the first mode and the second mode. For example, depending on the ambient light at or near the strobe device, the controller may select either the first mode or the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventor: Kenneth E Savage, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9333912
    Abstract: An automatic report to an appropriate destination can be sent in a short time when abnormality is detected with a vehicle. When the shock is determined to occur with the vehicle in step S1, inside/outside determination of a portable device for a vehicle is performed in step S2. In a case where the portable device is determined to be in the vehicle in step S3, an emergency organization is selected as a reporting destination in step S4, and in a case where the portable device is determined to be outside of the vehicle, a user's portable telephone device is selected as a reporting destination in step S5. Then, in step S6, a report is sent to the selected reporting destination. The present invention can be applied to, for example, an onboard apparatus for performing automatic report when abnormality occurs with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Tomita, Koji Takizawa, Yoshie Naruse
  • Patent number: 9332910
    Abstract: An absentminded state determination apparatus includes: a data obtaining element for obtaining a time series data of a physiological characteristic value of a participant, wherein a fluctuation component is overlapped on the time series data, and depends on a state of the participant including normal and absentminded states; a detection element for detecting reflecting portions of the time series data, which reflect on the fluctuation component; a counting element for counting the number of the reflecting portions of the time series data in a determination time period between a determination time and a certain past time; and a determination element for determining according to the number of the reflecting portions at the determination time whether the participant is in the absentminded state. The determination time period has a predetermined time width from the certain past time to the determination time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinya Matsunaga, Koji Oguri
  • Patent number: 9330564
    Abstract: A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Sinisa Durekovic, Nicholas E. Smith
  • Patent number: 9324198
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a fleet management system is provided for capturing, storing, and analyzing telematics data to improve fleet management operations. The fleet management system may be used, for example, by a shipping entity (e.g., a common carrier) to capture telematics data from a plurality of vehicle sensors located on various delivery vehicles and to analyze the captured telematics data. In particular, various embodiments of the fleet management system are configured to analyze engine idle data in relation to other telematics data in order to identify inefficiencies, safety hazards, and theft hazards in a driver's delivery process. The fleet management system may also be configured to assess various aspects of vehicle performance, such as vehicle travel delays and vehicle speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Davidson, John A. Olsen, III