Patents Examined by Van Trieu
  • Patent number: 9171471
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for identifying overlapping areas. For example, in one embodiment, telematics data can be collected as vehicles traverse various geographic areas. Then, the areas traversed by the vehicles can be displayed to identify overlapping areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 9171469
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for allocating parking spaces for vehicles in a parking area. In one embodiment, the invention provides a system comprising a sensor system for generating output representing measurements of vehicles in the parking area, a marking system for identifying parking spaces in the parking area, and a controller for calculating parking spaces for vehicles. The controller obtains defined measurements for the vehicles in the parking area, and calculates for each of the vehicles, a respective one parking space in the parking area. Embodiments of the invention dynamically allocate parking spaces based on: (1) Determining the minimum space that should be enough for the size of the car that is being currently identified for parking; and (2) Maximizing utilization of space by preventing improper fragmentation, where because of allocating fixed size spaces to all cars, big/small/medium, fragments of space would be wasted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rudranil D. Gupta, Kaushik Lahiri
  • Patent number: 9165448
    Abstract: An aperture member (15) is configured to be mounted to a receiving portion (22) provided to a main body (2), and includes a lower surface portion (15a) formed into an arc shape. The receiving portion (22) of the main body (2) includes a bottom surface portion (22a) formed into a shape corresponding to the arc shape of the lower surface portion (15a) of the aperture member (15) so as to be brought into contact with the lower surface portion (15a) of the aperture member (15). The aperture member (15) includes a light passage opening (15e) formed so that a center position (15ea) thereof substantially matches with a position of a center of curvature of the arc shape of the lower surface portion (15a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: NOHMI BOSAI LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi Kato
  • Patent number: 9163975
    Abstract: The bins are situated in locations at one or more sites. A monitoring station located remotely from the bins is operably connected to each of the bins. Each bin includes an internal compartment having a given capacity for retaining paper to be shredded. An IR-LED distance measuring sensor is mounted within each bin for generating an output which is a function of the level of paper present in the compartment. The bin electronics monitors the status of the sensor and the power input to the bin. Signals are transmitted the monitoring station when the output of the sensor indicates that bin is filled to a pre-set percentage of its capacity and when a sensor or power failure are detected. At the monitoring station, information as to the remaining capacity and operational state of each bin is displayed and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: BABACO ALARM SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Greg Haber
  • Patent number: 9152604
    Abstract: An exemplary logging system and a method are for detecting, conditioning and presenting installation-specific and/or process-specific operator control actions, process reports, alarm reports, system events, installation parameters and digital text messages for a technical installation or a technical process. The logging system having at least one input apparatus that automatically converts audible and/or spoken information and information that is present in written form into digital text messages and provides the information, together with information relating to operator control actions, information relating to navigation steps performed and further text information that is present in digitized form, for a processing unit, that can automatically attribute timestamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Martin Hollender, Mikko Rissanen
  • Patent number: 9153109
    Abstract: A cover for a mobile device includes an engaging portion for engaging an exterior surface of the mobile device to secure the cover to the mobile device, a back protective panel for protecting a back surface of the mobile device and at least one wall extending from an interior side of the back protective panel and contacting the back surface of the mobile device. A theft-detection device capable of generating a signal in response to passing through a field is positioned on the interior side of the back protective panel such that a height of the theft-detection device is less than a height of the at least one wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: TARGET BRANDS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert F. Foster, Lew Price, Stacy L. Abel
  • Patent number: 9140571
    Abstract: A display control apparatus that assigns display target contents to a plurality of areas configured as display areas in a screen of a display apparatus mounted on a vehicle is provided. The display control apparatus comprises a content manager for managing the contents in association with content information indicating attributes of the contents, an area manager for managing the areas in association with area information indicating attributes of the areas, and a content assignment controller for generating a content list listing the contents and determining content-area combinations based on the content information and the area information in an order of the content list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hitoshi Sugiyama, Shigeo Kato, Yoshihiro Ueda
  • Patent number: 9131811
    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: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Matthew J. Archer
  • Patent number: 9123240
    Abstract: A laser emitter for a traffic control preemption system, the laser emitter comprising a laser emitting diode or array configured to emit a laser beam, one or more optics coupled to the laser emitting diode and configured to shape the laser beam, and a control module configured to trigger emission of the laser beam at a predetermined frequency and for a predetermined duration in accordance with one or more requirements of the traffic control preemption system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Tomar Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott T. Sikora, Bart Millikan, David G. Worthy
  • Patent number: 9119566
    Abstract: A present-on-bed determination apparatus includes: a sensor unit usable with a bottom bedding and configured to measure biological displacement of a human subject on the bottom bedding so as to output a measurement signal showing a measurement result; a first signal processing unit configured to amplify the measurement signal with a first gain so as to output a first output signal; a first A/D conversion unit configured to output a plurality of first level values obtained by A/D conversion of the first output signal; and a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the human subject is present on the bottom bedding in accordance with a dispersion indicator that indicates dispersion degree of the plurality of the first level values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: TANITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshio Sakai, Takayuki Shiota, Chiaki Yamaya
  • Patent number: 9111440
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator, which includes a display part and a control part. The display part displays information. The control part controls the display part. The display part includes a first display part for displaying information related to an additional function except for a cooling function, and a second display part for displaying temperature information related to the cooling function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyoungjun Park, Yanghwan Kim, Museung Kim, Jongmi Choi
  • Patent number: 9098985
    Abstract: A restaurant service indicator system method and kit includes a table unit having a processor, memory, a request sent indicator and transmitter that are communicatively linked to server unit having a processor, memory, table status indicator and receiver; The invention also includes a method for receiving, transmitting and displaying service request messages utilizing at least one table unit and server unit; The invention also includes a kit comprising a plurality of table units communicatively linked to a single server unit, a charger and instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventor: James Hetterly
  • Patent number: 9096189
    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 individual's 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: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventor: Larry Golden
  • Patent number: 9092555
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with a patient activity alert tool are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a risk notification logic configured to receive a risk notification from a patient. The risk notification includes a threshold condition. The threshold condition may be a time interval during which the patient is at increased risk to experience an adverse event. The example system also includes a threshold logic configured to determine that the threshold condition has been met without receipt of a clearance notification from the patient. The threshold logic then generates an alert. An alert logic sends the alert to a caregiver selected by the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vasanthan Gunaratnam, Stuart Costley, Divya Shah, Alex Tam, Philip Foeckler
  • Patent number: 9076328
    Abstract: An acoustic guiding system of this invention comprises: an n-phase signal wiring which contains n wire lines and a common ground where n is an integer larger than or equals to three; a sound source which generates an electric current for a signal sound; a distributer which distributes the electric current from the sound source to each line of the n-phase signal wiring repeatedly; a controller which controls the signal sound in accordance with signal information required for traffic control or the like; and speakers connected to each line of the n phase signal wiring in the order of the phase number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Mamoru Kondo
  • Patent number: 9050891
    Abstract: An articulating instrument cluster, and a system and a method for managing an articulating information panel of a vehicle are provided. The system includes a state detection module to detect a state of the articulating instrument cluster; an information interfacing module to interface with a plurality of systems associated with the vehicle; an orientation module to determine an adjustment to a display based on the detected state; and a display driving module to control the display of the articulating information panel based on the determination of adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Upton Beall Bowden, Jeffrey Mark Schroeder, Dale O. Cramer, David Christopher Round
  • Patent number: 9053594
    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: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Salvador E. Chavez, David J. Delia, Wayne M. Delia
  • Patent number: 9044204
    Abstract: A person monitoring system is operable to predict the onset of an adverse condition of a person. The system receives first information corresponding to a feature of a person support apparatus and second information corresponding to a physiological characteristic of the person. The system calculates a condition score as a function of the first and second information. In some instances, the system alerts a caregiver if the condition score exceeds a predetermined threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the person monitoring system alerts a caregiver when a person supported on a person support apparatus is regaining consciousness by monitoring one or more of a change in position, a heart rate, and a respiration rate. A person monitoring system that monitors a person's quality of sleep and presents information concerning the quality of sleep to one or more interested parties is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl W. Riley, Timothy J. Receveur, David L. Ribble
  • Patent number: 9047776
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing drive assist information depending on a driving experience amount in a country and/or region where a host vehicle currently travels. The apparatus includes a processing unit configured to determine a country and/or region where a host vehicle currently travels, determine whether or not a driving experience amount of a driver in the determined country/region reaches a predetermined reference value, and to stop providing at least a part of the assist information related to the country and/or region where the host vehicle currently travels, if the driving experience value reaches the predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tasuku Saka
  • Patent number: 9044172
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems receive information, via at least one sensor, indicating an ergonomic characteristic of a user of a computing device. The information is user to determine if the ergonomic characteristic of the user is within a reference ergonomic boundary. In response to determining the ergonomic characteristic of the user is not within the reference ergonomic boundary, processing is executed to determine an adjustment for the user to make so that the ergonomic characteristic of the user is within the reference ergonomic boundary, the adjustment to include at least one of an adjustment to the ergonomic characteristic of the user and an adjustment to the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Amit S. Baxi, Vivek N. Darera, Vincent S. Mageshkumar