Patents Examined by Van Trieu
  • Patent number: 9418529
    Abstract: Generally, smart sensors, logic to process messages from smart sensors, and smart sensor systems are described herein. Embodiments may comprise logic such as hardware and/or code to communicate events as messages via a messaging system to post the messages to a messaging account. The messaging system may be a texting service like Twitter™ that captures the messages and then re-broadcasts the messages, e.g., immediately as a tweet or a cellular text message. In some embodiments, the smart sensor comprises a communications module with a Twitter™ application program interface (API) on a communications platform with a software/hardware framework to interconnect with one or more pluggable monitors with sensors. In other embodiments, the communications module may be integrated with one or more monitors. Further embodiments comprise a smart-device, which can provide status updates and event notifications to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Frohlick, Xiaofan Chen, Srinivas Eerpina, Ronaldo J. Guarin, William D. Angell
  • Patent number: 9418214
    Abstract: In the present invention systems and methods to perform the biometric anonymous enrollment of an individual into an anonymous biometric engine are disclosed. An enrollment authority or client verifies the credentials of an individual and collects the biographic/demographic and biometric information. The biographic demographic information is stored by the enrollment authority and a token is generated for the individual; the biometric information and the token are sent to a biometric engine for storage. The stored information may be used to identify or verify individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ImageWare Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David Harding
  • Patent number: 9418548
    Abstract: A display control device includes a controller that, if an obtainer obtains first-segment speed limit information, controls a displayer so that it creates a first predetermined image, indicating a first-segment speed limit, and displays the first predetermined image on a display medium, and includes a determiner that, if second-segment length information is obtained after the first-segment speed limit information has been obtained, determines whether the second-segment length is shorter than a threshold. The controller makes a switchover from control under which the displayer creates the first predetermined image and displays it on the display medium to control under which the displayer creates a second predetermined image, indicating a second-segment speed limit, and displays the second predetermined image on the display medium in different control ways depending on whether the second-segment length is shorter than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eriko Ohdachi, Koichi Emura, Makoto Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 9409513
    Abstract: A braking intensity indicator system for a vehicle of a type that includes a foot operated brake pedal and at least one brake light may include a proximity sensor to be associated with the brake pedal and a controller. The controller may be configured to cooperate with the proximity sensor to determine a plurality of brake pedal positions versus time during foot operation of the brake pedal, and selectively adjust an intensity of the at least one brake light based upon the determined plurality of brake pedal positions versus time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Weiner, John Bloomfield
  • Patent number: 9406234
    Abstract: A method is provided for automatically activating a car's side view camera during lane changes and displaying the camera feed on a dashboard mounted display, thereby eliminating blind spots and making the maneuver safer. The system can be configured to anticipate an upcoming lane change based on use of the turn signal alone, or the turn signal in combination with vehicle speed and/or determination of a second vehicle located in the primary car's blind spot. The display of the camera's data feed is terminated after completion of the lane change, where lane change completion is typically based on deactivation of the turn signal or the vehicle crossing over the lane markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ATIEVA, INC.
    Inventors: Yadunandana Yellambalase, Philip R. Graham
  • Patent number: 9400201
    Abstract: Rising water alarms include a generally elongated alarm housing having an alarm end and a detection end, an alarm circuit, a source of electrical current connected to the alarm circuit, an audible alarm carried by the alarm end of the alarm housing and electrically connected to the alarm circuit and a pair of spaced-apart sensor contacts carried by the detector end of the alarm housing and electrically connected to the alarm circuit. The sensor contacts activate the alarm circuit upon establishment of electrical contact between the sensor contacts by rising water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventor: Aub N. Ward
  • Patent number: 9396653
    Abstract: A traffic lane control method for controlling lane traffic around an intersection is provided. The method includes dividing a road into one or more lanes. The method also includes providing a control line with a traffic light system or a lane control light system. Further, the method includes providing a control area with a pre-determined length before or after the control line in the direction of the traffic. The method also includes controlling traffic movement on the road by permitting a vehicle on one or more lanes to pass the control line, and controlling a traffic movement on the road by prohibiting a vehicle on other lane to pass the control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: AEIO GROUP INC.
    Inventor: Jiantong Ni
  • Patent number: 9390616
    Abstract: A system for determining maintenance needs and validating the installation of an alarm system are provided. The system may include a central monitoring station configured to receive operational measurements and apply maintenance rules to the operational measurements and a maintenance history for the alarm system to determine maintenance needs of the alarm system. Additionally, the central monitoring station may be configured to receive points and status updates and apply installation rules to the points and status updates to determine whether the installation of the alarm system if valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: TYCO SAFETY PRODUCTS CANADA LTD.
    Inventors: Jason A. Breed, Fahim Mirzazada
  • Patent number: 9390603
    Abstract: A dual EAS-RFID tag. In one embodiment, the invention can be a tag comprising a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; an electronic article surveillance (EAS) element comprising an EAS antenna, the EAS antenna on the first surface of the substrate; and a radio frequency identification (RFID) element, the RFID element comprising: a far field antenna on the second surface of the substrate, the far field antenna comprising a first pole portion, a second pole portion, and a connecting portion connecting the first pole portion and the second pole portion; a near field loop antenna on the second surface of the substrate, and an integrated circuit operably coupled to the near field loop antenna; wherein the far field antenna, the near field loop antenna, and the EAS element are located on the substrate so as to be physically isolated from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventors: Morui Li, Richard A. Howe, II
  • Patent number: 9373234
    Abstract: A security tape comprises a mesh sensor strip in which a filament is woven or otherwise provided to serve as a single continuous signal path across substantially the entire area of the mesh strip. The filament may be an electrical wire or an optical fiber to carry, respectively, an electrical signal or an optical signal. A layer of flexible insulative material is bonded to each side of the mesh strip by an adhesive on the bonding surface of each of the layers. During bonding of the layers to the mesh strip, the adhesive flows into the mesh structure and structurally fixes the filament in its position in the mesh. The mesh sensor strip and bonded layers can be cut to any desired length and each end of the filament is connectable to respective connector units. One connector unit is connected to a signal source, and the other connector unit is connected to a signal receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: 3D FUSE TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Gilbert D. Beinhocker
  • Patent number: 9368022
    Abstract: Using wireless features, a public service agency is enabled to provide alert information to first responders. An automatic call back from the first responder triggers a voice call launching a location fix on the current location of the first responder. Preferably delivery confirmation that the responder has received the message is received. Once the location fix has been completed, then driving directions with map images are sent to the first responder based on their current location and desired destination for response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Telecommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Titus, Joseph Pohutsky
  • Patent number: 9368019
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a mobile application that, after being installed and activated on a mobile device, detects whether there are network signals. After the invention detects network signals, the mobile application asks the user whether or not there is an occupant in the vehicle. If the user responds that there are one or more occupants in the vehicle, the invention starts checking for interruption of the network signals. When the network signals are no longer available, the invention sends a notification to the user requesting him/her to respond to the notification. If the user does not respond to the notification, the invention sends alerts to a preprogrammed list of several people and/or emergency services. The alerts may include the location information of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Tamir Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 9368023
    Abstract: Remote notifications are provided by a security system. When the security system detects a visitor, a first notification is sent to an authorized user. The first notification may include an image or video, thus allowing the user to recognize the visitor. If the user approves the visitor, the security system deactivates for a period of time. The visitor may thus enter a home or business for some purpose. However, if the visitor lingers beyond the period of time, the security system reactivates and sends a second notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Y. Cobb, Jeffrey Feldstein, Daniel George Jean
  • Patent number: 9361773
    Abstract: A window or door position detector includes an RFID tag attachable to the window or door, and a transceiver. The transceiver emits an activating signal to the tag. The tag in turn responds with an identifying RF signal indicative of a predetermined position of the window or door. The detector includes a transceiver which can communicate with both the tag and a displaced monitoring system control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Richard Alan Smith
  • Patent number: 9361934
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to improve usability of a vehicle-mounted electronic device. The vehicle-mounted electronic device is configured to execute, when unauthorized content is detected by an unauthorized content detecting unit, an audio reproduction restriction on a display device, and when a volume change operation is executed during the audio reproduction restriction, to cause the display device to display a message indicating that the volume change operation has been executed during the audio reproduction restriction. More specifically, the displayed message indicates that the audio reproduction restriction associated with the unauthorized content reproduction is executed and the volume change operation is also executed during the execution. Therefore, the volume can be changed when next content is reproduced, resulting in preventing unexpected high-volume audio from being outputted and thus improving usability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keizo Yuki
  • Patent number: 9357888
    Abstract: A hygiene compliance monitor for a dispensing container that dispenses material when a dispensing nozzle is actuated, includes a flexible main section having a receiving aperture through which the dispensing nozzle extends, so as to enable the main section to be removably attached to the dispensing container. Extending from the main section is a secondary section that is terminated by an attachment sleeve that is configured to removably retain the dispensing nozzle therein. A token, such as a magnet, is carried by the attachment sleeve and is detected by a sensor carried by the main section. Thus, when the dispensing nozzle is actuated to dispense material, the sensor detects the presence and non-presence of the token and accordingly updates a count value that is presented on a display that represents the number of actuations of the dispensing nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Matthew J. Archer
  • Patent number: 9342719
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for verifying and tracking identification information. In an embodiment of the invention, a system for delivering security solutions is provided that includes at least one of the following: a radio frequency (RF) identification device, an identification mechanism (e.g., a card, sticker), and an RF reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Francisco Martinez de Velasco Cortina, Manfred Rietzler
  • Patent number: 9342975
    Abstract: Using wireless features, a public service agency is enabled to provide alert information to first responders. An automatic call back from the first responder triggers a voice call launching a location fix on the current location of the first responder. Preferably delivery confirmation that the responder has received the message is received. Once the location fix has been completed, then driving directions with map images are sent to the first responder based on their current location and desired destination for response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Telecommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Titus, Joseph Pohutsky
  • Patent number: 9342932
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a plurality of objects in motion (OIMs) along a static route using a plurality of sensory detection devices, the static route having a plurality of route portions, each route portion having an entering boundary and an exiting boundary, at least one OIM being a designated OIM and having a tag indicating the location of the designated OIM along the route, the system comprising a plurality of sensory detection devices corresponding to the plurality of route portions for monitoring activity in each of the plurality of route portions and for providing monitor output representing activity within each of the plurality of route portions, a plurality of data stores corresponding to each of the plurality of route portions for receiving and storing the monitor output for each of the plurality of route portions, and a plurality of location detectors communicative with the tag of the designated OIM for identifying the location of the designated OIM, each location detector providing output when the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Salvador E. Chavez, David J. Delia, Wayne M. Delia
  • Patent number: 9333118
    Abstract: An absorbent article for absorbing liquid discharge of a wearer when worn in the crotch region includes an absorbent core for doing the absorbing of the liquid discharge. A conductive layer is in electrical contact with the absorbent core. The article includes at least one set of first and second electrical contacts secured in intimate physical and electrical contact with the conductive layer such that when an electric potential is applied between the first and second electrical contacts, an electric current travels between them and through the conductive layer in such a way so as to follow a first relatively high impedance path along the conductive layer when the absorbent core is dry and a relatively low impedance path when the absorbent core is wet. This system allows a system verification check, even in the dry state, and the determination of the extent of the wet portion of the absorbent core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventors: Allan Elfström, Anders Gustafsson