Patents Examined by Van Trieu
  • Patent number: 11590815
    Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and deriving a vehicle path to align a center of a hitch ball of the vehicle with a centerline of a trailer coupler within the image data. The controller also outputs a video image including a representation of a simplified path from the hitch ball to the coupler and outputs a steering signal to cause the vehicle to steer along the vehicle path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Li Xu, Kyle Simmons, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Katherine Rouen, Roger Arnold Trombley, Bo Bao, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny
  • Patent number: 10173639
    Abstract: The seat belt indicator light is a supervisory system monitors a seat belt reminder signal within a vehicle. The seat belt indicator light comprises a visual indicator, a control system, and a communication system. The visual indicator monitors the seat belt reminder signal and illuminates the externally visible signal when the seat belt reminder signal is illuminated. The logic module monitors and logs status of the seat belt reminder signal while the vehicle is in operation. The communication system provides remote and local wireless communication services between the control system and an appropriate authority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher Baumann
  • Patent number: 10163287
    Abstract: A multi sensor detection and disabling lock system includes detector cases for holding interchangeable detectors that sample for chemical, biological and radiological compounds, agents and elements, with each detector case disposed in or upon the monitored product. The detector case transmits detection information to a monitoring computer terminal and transmits a signal to a lock disabler engaged to the product to lock or disable the product's lock thereby preventing untrained, unauthorized and unequipped individuals from gaining access and entry to the product, and also preventing further contamination of the area. The detection system can be interconnected to surveillance towers scanning detector cases disposed at seaport docks, freight depots and rail terminals for monitoring containers being prepared for shipment or sitting on docks for long periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Larry Golden
  • Patent number: 10152876
    Abstract: An apparatus, including a first controller located at a vehicle which monitors, and detects an event regarding, a system, equipment system, component, device, or equipment, of the vehicle. The vehicle is a shipping container, pallet, tote, or piece of luggage. The first controller generates and transmits a first signal, containing information regarding the event, to a second controller. The second controller is located remote from the vehicle, automatically receives the first signal, and generates and transmits a second signal, containing information regarding the event, via the Internet or World Wide Web to a communication device located remote from the second controller. The apparatus activates, de-activates, disables, re-enables, or controls an operation of, the system, equipment system, component, device, or equipment, of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: GTJ VENTURES, LLC
    Inventor: Raymond Anthony Joao
  • Patent number: 10140859
    Abstract: A risk of at least one vehicle blocking an intersection is determined. One or more ameliorative actions are determined based on the risk. At least one of the one or more ameliorative actions are performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Greenberger, Zachary M. Greenberger, Clifford A. Pickover, Komminist Weldemariam
  • Patent number: 10131249
    Abstract: A vehicle seat occupancy detection system includes at least one capacitive sensor member having at least one sensing electrode, an impedance measurement circuit for determining a complex impedance or a complex admittance of the at least one sensing electrode, an evaluation unit for generating an output signal based on a determined complex admittance of the at least one sensing electrode and comparison of the determined complex admittance to at least one predetermined value, and at least one electrically conductive ground connecting member that is intentionally electrically connected to the reference electrode and that is arranged in close proximity to the at least one sensing electrode. The at least one ground connecting member and the at least one sensing electrode are galvanically separated such that, when the seat gets wet, the sensing electrode is directly electrically connected to the reference electrode by the at least one ground connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Guenter Goedert, Oleg Zeiler, Edmund Marx, Ingrid Scheckenbach
  • Patent number: 10130272
    Abstract: A software app for a mobile device is disclosed for alerting a custodian of a person to be protected of an emergency situation involving the person to be protected. The app includes software instructions for carrying out a method including: establishing a range of normal heart rates for the person using a heart rate monitor; detecting a heart rate for the person that is outside of the established range; activating at least one of a camera, a microphone, an accelerometer, and a location indicator on the mobile device carried by the person; establishing a wireless data connection between the mobile device and a communication network; and transmitting data to the custodian from the activated camera, microphone, accelerometer, or location indicator via the communication network. The app can notify a custodian of a medical or safety emergency as it is happening, giving that custodian the ability to immediately notify emergency personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Eric DeForest
  • Patent number: 10127440
    Abstract: An infrared spectrum video surveillance camera detects insect swarms in order to suppress false alarms and motion alerts. Messages to a security console are filtered when groups of pixels have high saturation, irregular movement, and low measures of edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Eagle Eye Networks
    Inventor: Dean Drako
  • Patent number: 10123752
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an analyte monitoring device having a user interface with a display and a plurality of actuators. The display is configured to render a plurality of display screens, including a home screen and an alert screen. The home screen is divided into a plurality of simultaneously displayed panels, with a first panel displays a rate of change of continuously monitored analyte levels in interstitial fluid, a second panel simultaneously displays a current analyte level and an analyte trend indicator, and a third panel displays status information of a plurality of components of the device. When an alarm condition is detected, the display renders the alert screen in place of the home screen, the alert screen displaying information corresponding to the detected alarm condition. Furthermore, the actuators are configured to affect further output of the analyte monitoring device corresponding to the detected condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Scott Harper, Annie C. Tan, Timothy Christian Dunn, Mark Kent Sloan, Kenneth J. Doniger, Michael Love, Phillip Yee, Gary Alan Hayter, R. Curtis Jennewine, Glenn Howard Berman
  • Patent number: 10127781
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for vandalism detection in a personal communication structure (PCS) are described. The PCS may include one or more vandalism detection systems which may be located in different system compartments of the PCS. Each vandalism detection system may include (or being communicatively coupled to) an accelerometer and may be able to differentiate forces associated with acts of vandalism from other forces. The vandalism detection systems may transmit alerts with accompanying data to a remote entity. The data allows for an appropriate response to the alert. The alert may be transmitted to a remote security center over a wired or wireless communications system. The controller may transmit the alert again or to other locations if an acknowledgement is not received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Civiq Smartscapes, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle R. Bowers, Kenneth J. Gray, Benjamin M. Lawler, Benjamin P. Lee, Parag N. Shah
  • Patent number: 10113338
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock status system is provided. That system includes a door lock actuator, a door lock status indicator for indicating lock status of the multiple motor vehicle doors, and a controller. The controller is connected to the door lock actuator and the door lock status indicator. Further, the controller is configured to provide a door open signal, an all doors closed and locked signal and a failure to lock signal. A related method of indicating door lock status of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: George Anthony Bernwanger, Jr., Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Pawan Gupta, John Thomas Ricks, Rajesh K. Patel
  • Patent number: 10111794
    Abstract: A person support apparatus includes a frame and a support surface cooperating with the frame to support a person. The person support apparatus also has a sensor coupled to one of the frame and the support surface. The sensor detects at least one characteristic associated with the person. A controller is coupled to the sensor. In response to at least one of a condition of the frame, a condition of the support surface, a position of the person, or a condition of the person, the controller operates to control the sensor by at least one of changing a gain of the sensor and changing a manner in which a signal from the sensor is filtered. In some instances, the controller turns the sensor off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl W. Riley, Timothy J. Receveur, David L. Ribble
  • Patent number: 10115306
    Abstract: A system includes a model generating component to generate a prediction tree model based on training data and an input component to receive input data including a destination in a geographical area. A computation component identifies at least one parking venue or at least one parking space near the destination in the geographical area and to generate at least one parking prediction corresponding to the at least one parking venue or the at least one parking space based at least in part on applying the input data to the prediction tree model. A presentation component presents the at least one parking venue or the at least one parking space and to present the at least one parking prediction to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Laxmikant Agrawal, Sudheer Pratipati, Audrey Colle, Jose De Oliveira, Jeff Couckuyt
  • Patent number: 10099608
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller that communicates with a wearable device having a haptic mechanism. In response to an alert event detected by the vehicle, the controller outputs a signal to activate the haptic mechanism. The wearable device may detect a physiological or biometric characteristic such as pulse rate. The controller may output a signal to activate the haptic mechanism further in response to the pulse rate being less than a threshold. Also, the controller may output a signal to activate the haptic mechanism while the vehicle is operating autonomously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Jialiang Le
  • Patent number: 10096222
    Abstract: A heat sensing module for a heat alarm apparatus comprises a base section having a concave surface, a cage, a heat sensor, and a control circuit configured to detect a temperature rise at the heat sensor and output an alarm signal in response thereto. A sensing part of the heat sensor is located in a space formed between the concave surface of the base section and the cage. The concave surface assists with reflecting, radiating and absorbing heat to increase the speed at which the heat sensor registers a change in temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: SPRUE SAFETY PRODUCTS LTD.
    Inventors: Peter Brigham, Chris Bolger
  • Patent number: 10089168
    Abstract: Self-healing charging devices and techniques for identifying and/or troubleshooting causes of performance degradation in user devices are described. A charging device described herein can receive first data from a user device connected to the charging device and analyze the first data to determine diagnostic data associated with the user device. Based at least in part determining the diagnostic data, the charging device described herein can provide an indication via at least one of the charging device or the user device, the indication signifying available actions that can be taken to improve performance of the user device. The charging devices described herein can enable users to easily identify issues causing and/or leading to performance degradation on their user devices and remedy and/or prevent problems that cause the performance degradation while corresponding user devices are charging via the charging devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Herb, Ahmad Arash Obaidi, Jonathan Soini
  • Patent number: 10085905
    Abstract: A person support apparatus includes a first transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver of a headwall interface that is positioned off of the person support apparatus. A communication link is automatically established between the first and second transceivers without requiring a user of the person support apparatus to activate a designated control and without requiring the user to identify the headwall interface. The first transceiver includes a unique identifier assigned to the headwall interface in its messages to the headwall interface. The first transceiver may also automatically transmit a disconnect signal to the headwall interface indicating the termination of the communication link is not accidental. The disconnect signal is sent based on one or more of the following: (1) a brake being off, (2) an A/C power cord being unplugged; and/or (3) a signal strength between the transceivers decreasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Krishna Sandeep Bhimavarapu, Annie Désaulniers, Michael Joseph Hayes
  • Patent number: 10082874
    Abstract: A system is provided that converts an input, such as audio data, into one or more haptic effects. The system applies a granular synthesis algorithm to the input in order to generate a haptic signal. The system subsequently outputs the one or more haptic effects based on the generated haptic signal. The system can also shift a frequency of the input, and also filter the input, before the system applies the granular synthesis algorithm to the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres, Liwen Wu, David Birnbaum
  • Patent number: 10083588
    Abstract: A method of notifying a driver of a fault associated with a vehicle system is disclosed. The method includes receiving one or more fault signals from a vehicle system. Each fault signal includes a fault source, a fault time, and a fault description. The method includes determining a fault value associated with the received one or more fault signals. The fault value associated with a period of time or a number of events from an initial received fault signal. The method also includes executing on the computing processor a behavior system. The behavior system receives the fault signal and executes one or more behaviors from a first level of behaviors in response to the fault value being less than a first threshold value, and one or more behaviors from a second level of behaviors in response to the fault value being greater than the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Amit Kapoor, Robert M. Andres, Dennis Ziesmer
  • Patent number: 10082875
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating tactile stimulation includes vibration actuators disposed on opposing sides of a finger, and a sensor configured to detect a position and a pointing direction of the finger, wherein the vibration actuators apply vibration to the finger with intensity and duration determined by the position and the pointing direction of the finger detected by the sensor, and wherein illusory stimulation is generated within the finger by the vibration generated by the vibration actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jaeha Kim, Jaeyoung Park, Yonghwan Oh