Patents Examined by Van Trieu
  • Patent number: 9733710
    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: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Ali Modarres, Liwen Wu, David Birnbaum
  • Patent number: 9728061
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for monitoring patient orientation, direction, altitude and location to determine the need for turns as well as to detect impending or actual bed exits or falls. A patient-worn sensor communicates with at least one host server through a mesh network of relay antennae to provide data representative of various patient characteristics. The sensor comprises one or more of an accelerometer, a magnetometer and an altimeter, along with optional other sensors. Various user interfaces are provided for managing patient care using the information developed by algorithms processed at the server based on data received from the patient sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Leaf Healthcare, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Z. Shen, Barrett J. Larson, Mark V. Weckwerth
  • Patent number: 9728072
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting, recognizing, and automatic disarming of an alarm control unit (3) for monitoring a secure space that is closed by at least one door, the system including the control unit (3), at least one autonomous detection and identification assembly including a proximity transmitter/receiver (4b) and at least one detection sensor (5b) making it possible to detect an opening of the door and/or a passage through the latter, and at least one active wireless communication portable medium (6) including an identification code. The method includes, following detection, in the armed state of the control unit, controlling the activation of the transmitter/receiver to activate it, then to deactivate it, after a predetermined time t0, to put it on standby and, in the disarmed state, to keep it on standby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: RADIO SYSTEMES INGENIERIE VIDEO TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Reibel
  • Patent number: 9721450
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an awareness enhancement apparatus and method for undesirable repeated behaviors, including but not limited to obsessive compulsive and related disorders, and most relevant to trichotillomania (hair pulling), onychophagia (nail biting), dermatillomania (skin picking) and thumb sucking, among others. More particularly, the invention relates to a sensing and feedback device and associated methods of use which indicates a behavior based on the user's physical gestures and positioning of the hands, these gestures and positions being related to these undesirable behaviors typical of such disorders and alerting the user so that he or she can reduce the behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Sameer A. Kumar
  • Patent number: 9719938
    Abstract: A method includes optically interacting a bulk material or powder stored in a hopper with an integrated computational element (“ICE”) configured to detect a characteristic of the bulk material or powder. The method also includes generating an output signal corresponding to the characteristic of the bulk material or powder, and receiving and processing the output signal with a signal processor to yield a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder. Also, the method includes transmitting a message flagging the hopper when it is determined that the bulk material or powder is not suitable for usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Kristin Katherine Holden, Robert Paul Freese
  • Patent number: 9723430
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, carried out by one or more processors, for vehicle to vehicle communication. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of receiving a first message selection, where the first message selection includes at least information associated with a road hazard. The method further comprises identifying a first directional RFID communicator of a first vehicle with a second directional RFID communicator of a second vehicle. The method further comprises, responsive to identifying the first directional RFID communicator of the first vehicle, sending the first message selection to the first directional RFID communicator from the second directional RFID communicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Bostick, John M. Ganci, Jr., Arvind Singh, Kimberly G. Starks
  • Patent number: 9704365
    Abstract: A heat alarm apparatus includes a housing defining a body, a sensor mounting panel located on the body and a heat sensor extending from the sensor mounting panel. A control circuit is configured to detect a temperature rise at the heat sensor and output an alarm signal in response thereto. At least the surface of the sensor mounting panel from which the heat sensor extends is a dark color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: SPRUE SAFETY PRODUCTS LTD.
    Inventors: Peter Brigham, Chris Bolger
  • Patent number: 9702920
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuital system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by means of a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example, the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Tasco Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven Thomas McCasland
  • Patent number: 9685092
    Abstract: A stationary object identification system includes memory and a transmitter. The memory has obstacle data stored therein that includes a plurality of parameters associated with each of a plurality of stationary obstacles located at a location, such as an aerodrome. The transmitter is in operable communication with the memory and is configured to generate a plurality of signals. Each of the signals is associated with a different one of the stationary obstacles and has a power level representative of the plurality of parameters associated with the stationary obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Yuriy Kurgan, Kevin J. Conner
  • Patent number: 9685057
    Abstract: A tag used for storing information related to chain of custody of an object is described. The tag is at least one of attacked to a physically associated with the object and the tag includes memory that has custody claim entries written thereto. When custody of the object is transferred from one entity to another entity or when an entity relinquishes custody of the object, a release record is also written to the tag. The custody claim entries and release records written to the tag can be used to verify the chain of custody of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY AB
    Inventors: Mark Robinton, Philip Hoyer
  • Patent number: 9678117
    Abstract: An electrical test switch has an integral energized circuit indicator. The energized circuit indicator is integrated into the front and/or rear covers of the test switch. The energized circuit indicator is passive and senses properties of the at least one conductor of the device being tested by being placed in proximity of the device. The voltage display provides personnel a visual indication of whether the electrical device being tested is energized without requiring a physical test or direct connection to the at least one conductor of the device being measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Timothy F. Masters, Roy Ball
  • Patent number: 9677923
    Abstract: A liquid intake tracking device for removable insertion into a beverage container in order to track an amount of liquid consumed, the rate of liquid consumption over time, and to provide alerts to the user. The device connects wirelessly to an application executing on an external electronic device which provides user with liquid consumption data and reports concerning the user's interaction with the beverage container. Methods for tracking liquid intake include disposing such a device within the container, calibrating the device relative to the container by processing pressure readings while the container is in an empty and full state, detecting changes in pressure within the container after the calibration step, in which the pressure is a function of a proportion of amount of liquid within the container at the time of detection, and wirelessly transmitting the measured pressure information to the external electronic device using a wireless communication module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: THIRSTI LTD
    Inventors: Phillip Daneyshar, Alexander Edward Smith, Tyrone Bedessy
  • Patent number: 9676404
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for preventing theft of mobile objects which are used by for temporary time period by anonymous users. The system is comprised of: at least one locking mechanism engaging a mobile object to a secure locking arrangement, wherein the locking mechanism can be unlocked by a remote communication device, an identifying tag attached to said mobile object including an identifying code, a controller network device including identification data of plurality of mobile objects, said controller device is enabled to send unlocking instruction to at least one locking mechanism and a mobile communication device enabled to send electronic message to said controller network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: NOMIL LTD.
    Inventors: Yehuda Margalit, Ruth Margalit
  • Patent number: 9672719
    Abstract: A method for detecting an event occurring during operation of a vehicle includes receiving indications of a plurality of variables from an installed device communicatively coupled to the mobile device via an internal communication link. The method further includes analyzing the received indications of the plurality of variables to detect the event occurring during the operation of the vehicle. Still further, the method includes, upon detecting the event, initiating: (i) a first communication session between the mobile device and an entity outside of the vehicle, and (ii) a second communication session between the mobile device and the installed device, wherein the mobile device forwards content communicated via the first communication session to the installed device via the second communication session such that the installed device presents the content to the vehicle operator. In one aspect, air pressure wave sensor and accelerometer data may trigger automatic crash notifications to emergency responders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Hollenstain, Shawn C. Bennett
  • Patent number: 9671928
    Abstract: Devices and systems are provided for controlling electronic devices using a mobile remote control device. A mobile remote control device provides an interface to control a plurality of electronic devices. The mobile device has a unique identifier, and the electronic device transmits a presentation of a remote control to the mobile device. A user of the mobile device controls the electronic device by operating the “virtual” remote control displayed on the mobile device. The user may further define his or her custom remote control. The user may define batches of commands, or “macros” that transmit a specific series of commands to one or more electronic devices. Proximity and motion of a mobile device may be used as an input, such that the electronic devices are programmed to react in specific ways depending upon the position and movement of the user of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Barrett M. Kreiner, Jonathan L. Reeves, Ryan Schaub
  • Patent number: 9666045
    Abstract: Techniques are described for processing sensor data associated with product dispensers at an establishment. The system is configured to monitor the location of product dispensers at an establishment and the system detects an alarm event related to the monitoring system based on the monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventor: Stephen Scott Trundle
  • Patent number: 9659470
    Abstract: A window or door position detector includes an RFID tag attachable to a window or a 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 the door. The detector includes a transceiver that can communicate with both the tag and a displaced monitoring system control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Richard Alan Smith
  • Patent number: 9659480
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: obtaining, using a processor, a reminder, the reminder being triggered by a later access to a virtual location; thereafter determining, using a processor, a user is accessing the virtual location; and providing, using a processor, the reminder to the user. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Joaquin F. Luna, Grigori Zaitsev, Rod D. Waltermann, Brian Alan Burdette, Rachael Marie Luna
  • Patent number: 9658068
    Abstract: Position and proximity detection systems and methods are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing device may include a processor configured to determine a position coordinate of a first movable device. Further, the processor is configured to determine whether the position coordinate of the first movable device is a predetermined distance from a second movable device. The processor is also configured to signal the second movable device in response to determining that the position coordinate of the first movable device is a predetermined distance from a second movable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Ernest Troxler
  • Patent number: 9652645
    Abstract: Systems and methods to selectively attach and control antennas via diodes. In one embodiment, a system includes: a reader having a plurality of reader antennas of different polarizations to transmit radio frequency signals; and at least one radio frequency device. The radio frequency device includes: a plurality of tag antennas of different polarizations; a plurality of diodes coupled to the plurality of tag antennas respectively; a receiver coupled to the plurality of diodes to receive the radio frequency signals from the tag antennas when the diodes are forward biased; and a set of one or more current controllers coupled to the plurality of diodes. In a receiving mode the controllers selectively forward bias the diodes to receive the signals from the reader. In a transmitting mode the controllers selectively change the state of the tag antennas to transmit data via backscattering the radio frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: John R. Tuttle