Patents by Inventor Dale R. Liff

Dale R. Liff 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).

  • Patent number: 11941957
    Abstract: A security device for a retail store display and method of use. The security device includes a securing element moveable, relative the retail store surface, from a first position to a second position to allow customer access to a product. An electromagnetic or electromagnetic lock is configured to lock the securing element in the first position, to further limit the customer access afforded by the securing element. The lockdown provided by the secondary lockdown mechanism can be used for additional protection during times of need, such as after hours or if employees are not on the sales floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SENNCO SOLUTIONS INC
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Marszalek, Dale R. Liff, Andy Reynolds, Daniel L. Horvath, David Hefling
  • Patent number: 11888337
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling inductive power transfer in an inductive power transfer system and a method for designing an inductive power transfer system with power accounting. The method of controlling inductive power transfer including measuring a characteristic of input power, a characteristic of power in the tank circuit, and receiving information from a secondary device. Estimating power consumption based on the measured characteristic of tank circuit power and received information and comparing the measured characteristic of input power, the information from the secondary device, and the estimated power consumption to determine there is an unacceptable power loss. The method for designing an inductive power transfer system with power accounting including changing the distance between a primary side and a secondary side and changing a load of the secondary side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Philips I.P. Ventures B.V.
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Neil W. Kuyvenhoven, Esai E. Umenei, Dale R. Liff, Andrew C. Zeik, Mark A. Blaha, Jason L. Amistadi, Robert D Gruich
  • Publication number: 20240013641
    Abstract: A store monitoring system and method for reducing theft in a retail environment. The monitoring system includes a central control unit including a user interface and a plurality of configurable anti-theft devices connected with respect to the central control unit. The user interface allows the configurable anti-theft devices to be monitored, as well as adding, removing, moving, changing, and/or modifying devices. In the user interface, the anti-theft devices can be identified by location within the retail environment, or by the associated retail product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: SENNCO SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Dale R. Liff, Brian Peacock, Christopher Alan Marszalek
  • Patent number: 11755716
    Abstract: A method of establishing security monitoring functionality on a device on retail display includes obtaining, by a processor of a server computer, a mobile device management (MDM) startup message from the device, determining, by the processor, whether the device is enrolled for MDM supervision, and if the device is enrolled for the MDM supervision, downloading, by the processor to the device, configuration data to support the MDM supervision and implementation of the security monitoring functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SENNCO SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Peacock, Dale R. Liff, Stephen M. Strom, George Liff
  • Patent number: 11647849
    Abstract: A security gate for a retail store shelf having one or more products includes a header and at least one hinge arranged in a horizontal alignment with the header. A rigid frame is connected to the header with the at least one hinge and a guard is positioned across the rigid frame, the guard preventing a user from removing the products. A latching mechanism connects the rigid frame to the header and urges a customer to use two hands to open the security gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SENNCO SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Horvath, Christopher Alan Marszalek, Dale R. Liff, George R. Liff
  • Publication number: 20230042066
    Abstract: An electronic device configured for retail display includes an antenna, a memory in which security monitoring instructions are stored, and a processor configured to execute the security monitoring instructions to monitor a profile of wireless beacon devices detected via the antenna. The processor is further configured via the execution of the security monitoring instructions to, upon detection of a profile of wireless beacon devices that exceeds a threshold, initiate a security measure for the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Dale R. Liff, Brian Peacock, Stephen Strom, Christopher Marszalek, Elmer Huebner, II
  • Publication number: 20220284781
    Abstract: A system for security monitoring of an electronic device on retail display includes a transmitter configured to transmit a signal, a sensor configured for attachment to the electronic device, the sensor being configured to generate a security event notification based on whether the signal is detected by the sensor, and an alarm controller configured to generate a plurality of alarms upon receipt of the security event notification from the sensor, the plurality of alarms including an audible alarm and a message alarm. The alarm controller is further configured to send the message alarm to initiate a user interface lock on the electronic device in response to the message alarm. The alarm controller is configured to operate in a silent mode in which the audible alarm is not generated upon receipt of the security event notification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Dale R. Liff, Brian Peacock
  • Publication number: 20220245236
    Abstract: A method of establishing security monitoring functionality on a device on retail display includes obtaining, by a processor of a server computer, a mobile device management (MDM) startup message from the device, determining, by the processor, whether the device is enrolled for MDM supervision, and if the device is enrolled for the MDM supervision, downloading, by the processor to the device, configuration data to support the MDM supervision and implementation of the security monitoring functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Peacock, Dale R. Liff, Stephen M. Strom, George Liff
  • Publication number: 20220156413
    Abstract: An electronic device configured for retail display includes a persistent memory on which boot instructions are stored, a storage device on which security monitoring instructions are stored, and a processor configured to execute the boot instructions during a boot sequence to initiate execution of the security monitoring instructions. The processor is further configured, via the execution of the security monitoring instructions, to monitor the retail display of the electronic device for a security trigger event and, upon detection of the trigger event, lock a user interface of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Peacock, Dale R. Liff
  • Patent number: 11308201
    Abstract: A method of establishing security monitoring functionality on a device on retail display includes obtaining, by a processor of a server computer, a mobile device management (MDM) startup message from the device, determining, by the processor, whether the device is enrolled for MDM supervision, and if the device is enrolled for the MDM supervision, downloading, by the processor to the device, configuration data to support the MDM supervision and implementation of the security monitoring functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SENNCO SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Peacock, Dale R. Liff, Stephen M. Strom, George Liff
  • Patent number: 11238185
    Abstract: An electronic device configured for retail display includes a persistent memory on which boot instructions are stored, a storage device on which security monitoring instructions are stored, and a processor configured to execute the boot instructions during a boot sequence to initiate execution of the security monitoring instructions. The processor is further configured, via the execution of the security monitoring instructions, to monitor the retail display of the electronic device for a security trigger event and, upon detection of the trigger event, lock a user interface of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: SENNCO SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Peacock, Dale R. Liff
  • Publication number: 20210375106
    Abstract: A security device for a retail store display and method of use. The security device includes a securing element moveable, relative the retail store surface, from a first position to a second position to allow customer access to a product. An electromagnetic or electromagnetic lock is configured to lock the securing element in the first position, to further limit the customer access afforded by the securing element. The lockdown provided by the secondary lockdown mechanism can be used for additional protection during times of need, such as after hours or if employees are not on the sales floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: SENNCO SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Marszalek, Dale R. Liff, Andy Reynolds, Daniel L. Horvath, David Hefling
  • Publication number: 20210334925
    Abstract: An electronic device configured for retail display includes an antenna, a memory in which security monitoring instructions are stored, and a processor configured to execute the security monitoring instructions to monitor a profile of wireless network communication devices detected via the antenna. The processor is further configured via the execution of the security monitoring instructions to, upon detection of a change in the profile of wireless network communication devices that exceeds a threshold, lock a user interface of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Brian Peacock, Dale R. Liff, Raymond Devito
  • Publication number: 20210106148
    Abstract: A security gate for a retail store shelf having one or more products includes a header and at least one hinge arranged in a horizontal alignment with the header. A rigid frame is connected to the header with the at least one hinge and a guard is positioned across the rigid frame, the guard preventing a user from removing the products. A latching mechanism connects the rigid frame to the header and urges a customer to use two hands to open the security gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: SENNCO SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel L. HORVATH, Christopher Alan MARSZALEK, Dale R. LIFF, George R. LIFF
  • Publication number: 20210083522
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling inductive power transfer in an inductive power transfer system and a method for designing an inductive power transfer system with power accounting. The method of controlling inductive power transfer including measuring a characteristic of input power, a characteristic of power in the tank circuit, and receiving information from a secondary device. Estimating power consumption based on the measured characteristic of tank circuit power and received information and comparing the measured characteristic of input power, the information from the secondary device, and the estimated power consumption to determine there is an unacceptable power loss. The method for designing an inductive power transfer system with power accounting including changing the distance between a primary side and a secondary side and changing a load of the secondary side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: DAVID W. BAARMAN, JOSHUA K. SCHWANNECKE, NEIL W. KUYVENHOVEN, ESAI E. UMENEI, DALE R. LIFF, ANDREW C. ZEIK, MARK A. BLAHA, JASON L. AMISTADI, ROBERT D. GRUICH
  • Patent number: 10862335
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling inductive power transfer in an inductive power transfer system with power accounting. Parasitic metal in proximity to the primary unit can be more accurately detected by accounting for changes in known power losses during operation. The amount of power loss during inductive power supply transfer in an inductive power supply system can vary depending on the alignment of the primary unit and the secondary device. The amount of power loss during inductive power supply transfer can also vary as a function of changes in the operating frequency of the switching circuit in the primary unit or as a function of changes in the secondary device load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Philips I.P. Ventures B.V.
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Neil W. Kuyvenhoven, Esai E. Umenei, Dale R. Liff, Andrew C. Zeik, Mark A. Blaha, Jason L. Amistadi, Robert D. Gruich
  • Publication number: 20200252430
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a device on retail display includes receiving, by a processor of a server computer, a message from the device indicative of whether security instructions stored in a memory of the device are being executed on the device, determining, by the processor, whether time elapsed since the message was received exceeds a threshold, and, if the time elapsed exceeds the threshold, sending, by the processor, a command to automatically cause the device to enter into a locked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Brian Peacock, Dale R. Liff, Stephen M. Strom, George Liff
  • Publication number: 20200250299
    Abstract: A method of establishing security monitoring functionality on a device on retail display includes obtaining, by a processor of a server computer, a mobile device management (MDM) startup message from the device, determining, by the processor, whether the device is enrolled for MDM supervision, and if the device is enrolled for the MDM supervision, downloading, by the processor to the device, configuration data to support the MDM supervision and implementation of the security monitoring functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Brian Peacock, Dale R. Liff, Stephen M. Strom, George Liff
  • Publication number: 20190180581
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a product on display includes a display pedestal configured to secure the product to a fixture to which the display pedestal is mounted. The display pedestal includes a tether to allow movement of the product relative to the fixture. The system includes a sensor system including a capacitive sensor pad. The capacitive sensor pad is supported by the fixture and configured to detect the movement of the product via the tether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Marszalek, Dale R. Liff, Joseph Ryan, Jr., Joseph Ryan, III
  • Patent number: 10277279
    Abstract: A communication system that uses keyed modulation to encode fixed frequency communications on a variable frequency power transmission signal in which a single communication bit is represented by a plurality of modulations. To provide a fixed communication rate, the number of modulations associated with each bit is dynamic varying as a function of the ratio of the communication frequency to the carrier signal frequency. In one embodiment, the present invention provides dynamic phase-shift-keyed modulation in which communications are generated by toggling a load at a rate that is a fraction of the power transfer frequency. In another embodiment, the present invention provides communication by toggling a load in the communication transmitter at a rate that is phase locked and at a harmonic of the power transfer frequency. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides frequency-shift-keyed modulation, including, for example, modulation at one of two different frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: PHILIPS IP VENTURES B.V.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Norconk, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Colin J. Moore, Joshua B. Taylor, Neil W. Kuyvenhoven, Dale R. Liff, Jason L. Amistadi, Robert D. Gruich, Arthur Kelley, Kenneth C. Armstrong