Patents by Inventor Brian R. Dobeck

Brian R. Dobeck 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: 20170168082
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided including processing circuitry configured to determine a gravity vector of a device, detect a motion of the device, calculate a force vector of the motion, compare the force vector to the gravity vector to determine a vector difference, and determine if the vector difference satisfies a predetermined difference threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Donald Matthew Johnson, Brian R. Dobeck
  • Patent number: 9443406
    Abstract: A tag controller is configured to interface with a tag on a product in a monitoring environment that includes first and second monitoring zones. The first monitoring zone includes first locator devices, and the second monitoring zone includes second locator devices. The tag controller includes processing circuitry configured to facilitate operation of the tag in a first mode to employ wireless communication with the first locator devices or the second locator devices to generate position information usable for locating the tag in the monitoring environment. The first mode defines communication parameters associated with the wireless communication. The processing circuitry may also be configured to determine whether mode switch criteria are met, and direct the tag to switch to operation in a second mode to employ different communication parameters relative to wireless communication with the first locator devices or the second locator devices responsive to the mode switch criteria being met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Merril F. Bradshaw, Zachary Cody Hazelwood, Donald Matthew Johnson, Brian R. Dobeck
  • Publication number: 20160180669
    Abstract: A tag controller is configured to interface with a tag on a product in a monitoring environment that includes first and second monitoring zones. The first monitoring zone includes first locator devices, and the second monitoring zone includes second locator devices. The tag controller includes processing circuitry configured to facilitate operation of the tag in a first mode to employ wireless communication with the first locator devices or the second locator devices to generate position information usable for locating the tag in the monitoring environment. The first mode defines communication parameters associated with the wireless communication. The processing circuitry may also be configured to determine whether mode switch criteria are met, and direct the tag to switch to operation in a second mode to employ different communication parameters relative to wireless communication with the first locator devices or the second locator devices responsive to the mode switch criteria being met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Merril F. Bradshaw, Zachary Cody Hazelwood, Donald Matthew Johnson, Brian R. Dobeck
  • Publication number: 20160180673
    Abstract: A tag controller is configured to interface with a security tag adapted to be disposed on a corresponding product in a monitoring environment. The tag controller includes processing circuitry configured to perform a tag position estimation by receiving information indicative of signal strength measured at the security tag relative to each of a plurality of locating beacons disposed in the monitoring environment, defining an order of a selected number of the locating beacons based on signal strength, determining a first midpoint between two of the selected number of the locating beacons having the lowest signal strengths, determining at least a second midpoint between the first midpoint and a locating beacon having a next lowest signal strength, and determining a location of the security tag at least in part based on the second midpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Hoehn, Zachary Cody Hazelwood, Merril F. Bradshaw, Brian R. Dobeck
  • Publication number: 20160180674
    Abstract: A security system controller may include processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to receive information indicative of motion of a security tag disposed on a product in a monitoring environment, track motion of the security tag responsive to information received via wireless communication between the security tag and a plurality of locator devices of a first locating system, and determine whether a potential foil bag condition exists relative to the security tag based on a loss of communication with the security tag while tracking motion of the security tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Hoehn, Zachary Cody Hazelwood, Merril F. Bradshaw, Brian R. Dobeck
  • Patent number: 9373237
    Abstract: A tag controller is configured to interface with a security tag adapted to be disposed on a corresponding product in a monitoring environment. The tag controller includes processing circuitry configured to perform a tag position estimation by receiving information indicative of signal strength measured at the security tag relative to each of a plurality of locating beacons disposed in the monitoring environment, defining an order of a selected number of the locating beacons based on signal strength, determining a first midpoint between two of the selected number of the locating beacons having the lowest signal strengths, determining at least a second midpoint between the first midpoint and a locating beacon having a next lowest signal strength, and determining a location of the security tag at least in part based on the second midpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Hoehn, Zachary Cody Hazelwood, Merril F. Bradshaw, Brian R. Dobeck
  • Patent number: 7577516
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a portable data terminal generally comprising a battery: a central controller, a GPS system, and an auxiliary processor. The central controller that has a sleep state wherein at least some of the functionality of the central controller is limited to conserve battery power. The auxiliary processor may be selected based, at least in part, on power draw. In particular, it is desirable for the auxiliary processor to use less power than the central controller when the central controller is fully activated. The auxiliary processor monitors the output of the GPS system and wakes the central controller from a sleep state based on the output of the GPS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Dobeck, Adam E. Meggitt, Jim T. Sauerwein, Daniel Duane Yeakley
  • Patent number: 6947612
    Abstract: An improved method and device for capturing image data benefits from having a single central processor execute the operating system, and the image capture, decode and processing programs. A method for capturing of image data comprises transmitting image data from an imager, assembling the image data, assigning a memory address to the assembled image data and transferring the assembled image data into system memory. This method is capable of central processing whereby the capturing of image data is executed via the main processor without having to invoke a dedicated processor or incorporate external components, such as additional PCBs, external digital signal processing or external data storage. Additionally, an imaging device comprises an image builder module that receives image data from the imager bus and assembles the data, and a transfer controller that initiates the image builder module and controls the transfer of image data into and out of memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gil W. Helms, Brian R. Dobeck, Jeffrey D. Harper
  • Publication number: 20020039457
    Abstract: An improved method and device for capturing image data benefits from having a single central processor execute the operating system, and the image capture, decode and processing programs. A method for capturing of image data comprises transmitting image data from an imager, assembling the image data, assigning a memory address to the assembled image data and transferring the assembled image data into system memory. This method is capable of central processing whereby the capturing of image data is executed via the main processor without having to invoke a dedicated processor or incorporate external components, such as additional PCBs, external digital signal processing or external data storage. Additionally, an imaging device comprises an image builder module that receives image data from the imager bus and assembles the data, and a transfer controller that initiates the image builder module and controls the transfer of image data into and out of memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gil W. Helms, Brian R. Dobeck, Jeffrey D. Harper