Patents by Inventor Benjamin G. Bates

Benjamin G. Bates has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20140197920
    Abstract: A method of controlling access to a movable container, the method comprising controllably locking the container using an electronically actuated locking mechanism; storing in a memory a desired geographical location; determining the geographical location of the container; and enabling the locking mechanism to unlock the container if the determined geographical location matches the desired geographical location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: BENJAMIN G. BATES
  • Patent number: 8633800
    Abstract: A method of controlling access to a movable container, the method comprising controllably locking the container using an electronically actuated locking mechanism; storing in a memory a desired geographical location; determining the geographical location of the container; and enabling the locking mechanism to unlock the container if the determined geographical location matches the desired geographical location. Apparatus, including secure cargo transportation systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Bates
  • Publication number: 20120296810
    Abstract: A method of controlling access to a movable container, the method comprising controllably locking the container using an electronically actuated locking mechanism; storing in a memory a desired geographical location; determining the geographical location of the container; and enabling the locking mechanism to unlock the container if the determined geographical location matches the desired geographical location. Apparatus, including secure cargo transportation systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Bates
  • Patent number: 8232865
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for wirelessly performing identification. A wireless communications apparatus comprising a cellular receiver communicatively coupled to the processing unit and a first antenna and configured to perform wireless communications via the antenna using a first protocol. The wireless apparatus further contains a short range wireless communications module coupled to a second antenna and configured to perform wireless communications via the second antenna by modulating a radio frequency field using a second protocol, the second protocol being different than the first protocol. In accordance with the second protocol the short-range wireless communications apparatus uses a random number as an identifier of the short-range wireless communications apparatus. The wireless device employs a location determining unit and a communication port configured to provide a control signal to a second device via a wired connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Bates
  • Patent number: 8130077
    Abstract: In one aspect, a wireless communications device includes a processing unit; memory communicatively coupled to the processing unit; at least one antenna; a cellular receiver communicatively coupled to the processing unit and the at least one antenna to perform wireless communications using a first protocol; and an identification device communicatively coupled to the processing unit and the at least one antenna to perform wireless communications by modulating a received signal using a second protocol different than the first protocol. The wireless communications device may further include a location-determining system communicatively coupled to the processing unit to determine a current location of the wireless communications device using a global positioning system (GPS), to allow the processing unit to perform a control operation based on the current location of the wireless communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Bates
  • Patent number: 7920047
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of wireless communications includes: storing identification information of a portable wireless communications device in memory coupled to a processing unit of the portable wireless communications device; determining a current location of the wireless communications device using a global positioning system (GPS); performing wireless communications with a cellular communications system using a cellular receiver controlled by the processing unit; generating a random number using an identification device controlled by the processing unit; and modulating a carrier provided from an interrogator wirelessly coupled to the identification device to provide the identification information, including the random number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Bates
  • Patent number: 7777608
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a wireless communications device comprising a processing unit; a location-determining subsystem communicatively coupled to the processing unit, the location-determining subsystem to determine a current location of the wireless communications device using a global positioning system (GPS); a first wireless communications subsystem coupled to the processing unit, the first wireless communications subsystem to communicate location information using a cellular communications system; and a second wireless communications subsystem coupled to the processing unit, the second wireless communications subsystem to modulate a radio frequency (RE) field provided by a remote interrogator to wirelessly provide a random number generated on the wireless communications device as an identifier of the wireless communications device; wherein the second wireless communications subsystem is switchable between transmitting in a passive mode and transmitting in an active mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Bates
  • Publication number: 20100148924
    Abstract: A method of controlling access to a movable container, the method comprising controllably locking the container using an electronically actuated locking mechanism; storing in a memory a desired geographical location; determining the geographical location of the container; and enabling the locking mechanism to unlock the container if the determined geographical location matches the desired geographical location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: ROUND ROCK RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin G. BATES
  • Patent number: 7253715
    Abstract: A method of controlling access to a movable container, the method comprising controllably locking the container using an electronically actuated locking mechanism; storing in a memory a desired geographical location; determining the geographical location of the container; and enabling the locking mechanism to unlock the container if the determined geographical location matches the desired geographical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Bates
  • Patent number: 7005961
    Abstract: A method of controlling access to a movable container, the method comprising controllably locking the container using an electronically actuated locking mechanism; storing in a memory a desired geographical location; determining the geographical location of the container; and enabling the locking mechanism to unlock the container if the determined geographical location matches the desired geographical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Bates
  • Patent number: 6774762
    Abstract: A secure cargo transportation system includes a movable container including an enclosure having an opening; a door movable relative to the opening between a closed position, wherein the door restricts access to the enclosure, and an open position; a memory supported by the movable container and configured to store a location coordinate; and an electronic position determining system supported by the movable container and coupled to the memory, and configured to electronically unlock the door in response to determining that the movable container is within a predetermined distance of the location coordinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Bates
  • Publication number: 20030197591
    Abstract: A method of controlling access to a movable container, the method comprising controllably locking the container using an electronically actuated locking mechanism; storing in a memory a desired geographical location; determining the geographical location of the container; and enabling the locking mechanism to unlock the container if the determined geographical location matches the desired geographical location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Bates
  • Patent number: 6583713
    Abstract: A method of controlling access to a movable container, the method comprising controllably locking the container using an electronically actuated locking mechanism; storing in a memory a desired geographical location; determining the geographical location of the container; and enabling the locking mechanism to unlock the container if the determined geographical location matches the desired geographical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Bates
  • Patent number: 6420961
    Abstract: The present invention includes wireless communication systems, interfacing devices, communication methods, methods of interfacing with an interrogator, and methods of operating an interrogator. According to one embodiment, a wireless communication system includes a remote communication device; an interrogator configured to output a forward link wireless communication and receive a reply link wireless communication from the remote communication device responsive to the forward link wireless communication; and an interface device configured to interface with the interrogator using a wireless medium, the interrogator being configured to be controlled by the interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Bates, Scott Hahn
  • Publication number: 20020057191
    Abstract: The present invention includes wireless communication systems, interfacing devices, communication methods, methods of interfacing with an interrogator, and methods of operating an interrogator. According to one embodiment, a wireless communication system includes a remote communication device; an interrogator configured to output a forward link wireless communication and receive a reply link wireless communication from the remote communication device responsive to the forward link wireless communication; and an interface device configured to interface with the interrogator using a wireless medium, the interrogator being configured to be controlled by the interface device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: BENJAMIN G. BATES, SCOTT HAHN
  • Patent number: 6085805
    Abstract: A communications system for communications between a vessel and a fluid management system, the communications system comprising a proximity detector supported by the vessel and configured to detect presence of a fuel nozzle in a fluid entry port of the vessel; and an RFID supported by the vessel, coupled to the proximity detector, and configured to communicate with a RFID interrogator to identify the vessel to the RFID interrogator, and to communicate whether the nozzle is in the fluid entry port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Bates
  • Patent number: 6057779
    Abstract: A method of controlling access to a movable container, the method comprising controllably locking the container using an electronically actuated locking mechanism; storing in a memory a desired geographical location; determining the geographical location of the container; and enabling the locking mechanism to unlock the container if the determined geographical location matches the desired geographical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Bates
  • Patent number: 6024142
    Abstract: A communications system for communications between a vessel and a fluid management system, the communications system comprising a proximity detector supported by the vessel and configured to detect presence of a fuel nozzle in a fluid entry port of the vessel; and an RFID supported by the vessel, coupled to the proximity detector, and configured to communicate with a RFID interrogator to identify the vessel to the RFID interrogator, and to communicate whether the nozzle is in the fluid entry port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Bates
  • Patent number: RE41916
    Abstract: The present invention includes wireless communication systems, interfacing devices, communication methods, methods of interfacing with an interrogator, and methods of operating an interrogator. According to one embodiment, a wireless communication system includes a remote communication device; an interrogator configured to output a forward link wireless communication and receive a reply link wireless communication from the remote communication device responsive to the forward link wireless communication; and an interface device configured to interface with the interrogator using a wireless medium, the interrogator being configured to be controlled by the interface device .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Bates, Scott Hahn
  • Patent number: RE43313
    Abstract: The present invention includes wireless communication systems, interfacing devices, communication methods, methods of interfacing with an interrogator, and methods of operating an interrogator. According to one embodiment, a wireless communication system includes a remote communication device; an interrogator configured to output a forward link wireless communication and receive a reply link wireless communication from the remote communication device responsive to the forward link wireless communication; and an interface device configured to interface with the interrogator using a wireless medium, the interrogator being configured to be controlled by the interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Bates, Scott Hahn