Patents by Inventor Daniel F. Donato

Daniel F. Donato 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: 20230058995
    Abstract: A method of object identification includes: capturing an image of an object having a material presenting surface artifacts; detecting a boundary within the captured image; selecting a portion of the image depicting the surface material within the boundary; based on the selected portion of the image, determining attributes of the surface artifacts; generating, based on the determined attributes of the surface artifacts, a physical identifier corresponding to the object; and storing the generated physical identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel F. Donato, James J. O'Hagan, Tom D. Bianculli, Stuart Peter Hubbard
  • Patent number: 11461566
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an event within a monitored area are provided. A transmitter emits an RF interrogation signal into the monitored area. An RF target positioned within the monitored area reflects the interrogation signal as a target signal when the interrogation signal impinges on the RF target. The RF target has a switch actuatable by a user between a switch-state in which the RF target operates in a first reflective state, and a switch-state in which the RF target operates in a second reflective state. A receiver receives the target signal from the RF target. Based on the target signal received by the receiver, a processor can detect an indication of the reflective state in which the RF target is operating. The processor triggers an action in response to the indication of the reflective state in which the RF target is operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James J. O'Hagan, Daniel F. Donato
  • Publication number: 20210182511
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an event within a monitored area are provided. A transmitter emits an RF interrogation signal into the monitored area. An RF target positioned within the monitored area reflects the interrogation signal as a target signal when the interrogation signal impinges on the RF target. The RF target has a switch actuatable by a user between a switch-state in which the RF target operates in a first reflective state, and a switch-state in which the RF target operates in a second reflective state. A receiver receives the target signal from the RF target. Based on the target signal received by the receiver, a processor can detect an indication of the reflective state in which the RF target is operating. The processor triggers an action in response to the indication of the reflective state in which the RF target is operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: James J. O'Hagan, Daniel F. Donato
  • Patent number: 10929622
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an event within a monitored area are provided. A transmitter emits an RF interrogation signal into the monitored area. An RF target positioned within the monitored area reflects the interrogation signal as a target signal when the interrogation signal impinges on the RF target. The RF target has a switch actuatable by a user between a switch-state in which the RF target operates in a first reflective state, and a switch-state in which the RF target operates in a second reflective state. A receiver receives the target signal from the RF target. Based on the target signal received by the receiver, a processor can detect an indication of the reflective state in which the RF target is operating. The processor triggers an action in response to the indication of the reflective state in which the RF target is operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James J. O'Hagan, Daniel F. Donato
  • Patent number: 10814642
    Abstract: A media processing device is disclosed. An example media processing device includes memory including machine-readable instructions; and a processor to execute the machine-readable instructions to control a printhead assembly, the processor being configured to communicate with the printhead assembly in accordance with a pin configuration, wherein the pin configuration includes pin groups, and each of the pin groups includes a signal line and a reference voltage, wherein the signal line pin is coupled to a source of changing values, and the reference voltage pin is coupled to a constant voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Dwight D. Dipert, Daniel F. Donato
  • Publication number: 20200147963
    Abstract: A media processing device is disclosed. An example media processing device includes memory including machine-readable instructions; and a processor to execute the machine-readable instructions to control a printhead assembly, the processor being configured to communicate with the printhead assembly in accordance with a pin configuration, wherein the pin configuration includes pin groups, and each of the pin groups includes a signal line and a reference voltage, wherein the signal line pin is coupled to a source of changing values, and the reference voltage pin is coupled to a constant voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Dwight D. Dipert, Daniel F. Donato
  • Patent number: 10569542
    Abstract: Printhead pin configurations are disclosed. An example printhead assembly includes an interface to place the printhead assembly in communication with a logic circuit; and a logic circuit configured according to a pin configuration, the pin configuration comprising pin groups, wherein each of the pin groups includes a signal line and a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Dwight D. Dipert, Daniel F. Donato
  • Publication number: 20180050538
    Abstract: Printhead pin configurations are disclosed. An example printhead assembly includes an interface to place the printhead assembly in communication with a logic circuit; and a logic circuit configured according to a pin configuration, the pin configuration comprising pin groups, wherein each of the pin groups includes a signal line and a reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Dwight D. Dipert, Daniel F. Donato
  • Patent number: 9849694
    Abstract: A printer/encoder system is provided for mounting to a mobile unit, such as a forklift-type vehicle. The printer/encoder system is adapted for printing and encoding one or more media units that may be stored in a media supply assembly of the printer/encoder system. The printer/encoder system may be mounted to the mobile unit using a mobile unit mounting assembly having a shock resistance system for protecting at least portions of the printer/encoder system from mechanical shocks or vibrations that are commonly associated with mobile unit movement. The printer/encoder system may include an encoder assembly structured to encode a transponder, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder, on a media unit. The printer/encoder system may include an encoder assembly having a modular design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Anthony Brown, Boris Y. Tsirline, Martin Schwan, Karl Torchalski, Tom Zwier, Daniel F. Donato
  • Patent number: 9613242
    Abstract: A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electro-magnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
  • Publication number: 20160371032
    Abstract: An example disclosed method includes querying, via a logic circuit, a media processing device memory for files that can be stored to a USB storage device, the USB storage device being connected to a USB Host port of the media processing device; receiving a selection of one of the files to be stored to the USB storage device; determining, via the logic circuit, if the selected one of the files is a particular type of file, and if the selected one of the files is the particular type of file, converting the selected one of the files from a first representation to a second representation; and storing the selected one of the files in the second representation to the USB storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Carol L. Hill, James E. Phillips, Mark Schaefer, Leo T. Lowy, Daniel F. Donato, Andrew J. Pekarske, Gordon E. Molek, David S. Feldman
  • Patent number: 9524460
    Abstract: Media rolls, support structures for the media rolls, and media processing systems are provided. A media roll may include an identification transponder having retrievable information regarding the media units and associated media unit transponders wound around a core of the media roll. A support structure may include a spindle for supporting a media roll and include an identification coupler for communicating with the identification transponder. In addition to the spindle having the identification coupler, the media processing systems may include a second coupler for encoding the media unit transponders and a printhead for printing indicia onto the media units. The information retrieved from the identification transponder may be used to adjust one or more encoding and/or printing settings of the systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Karl Torchalski, Martin Andreas Karl Schwan, Steven Kovanko, Anthony Brown, Chris Aiello, Daniel F. Donato, Robert Gawelczyk, Tom Zwier, William Shuff
  • Patent number: 9520630
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to isolation devices, systems, methods and various means, for isolating ignition causing signals and/or explosions from hazardous or explosive environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Edward A. Richley, Daniel F. Donato
  • Patent number: 9391675
    Abstract: An RFID communication system comprising a near field coupler that is capable of selectively communicating with a targeted transponder positioned among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The coupler is configured to receive communication signals from a transceiver and transmit the signals to a targeted transponder in a transponder operating region. The coupler includes a number of radiating elements spaced apart and a switching element. The switching element selectively couples one or more of the radiating elements to the transceiver. The coupled elements transmit the signals into the transponder operating region by emanating a near field effect. The pattern of the near field effect may be adjusted by changing the combination of the coupled radiating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ZIH CORP.
    Inventors: Yevgeniy Borisov, Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
  • Publication number: 20150372363
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to isolation devices, systems, methods and various means, for isolating ignition causing signals and/or explosions from hazardous or explosive environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Edward A. Richley, Daniel F. Donato
  • Publication number: 20150161426
    Abstract: A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electro-magnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
  • Patent number: 9000862
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to isolation devices, systems, methods and various means, for isolating ignition causing signals and/or explosions from hazardous or explosive environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Edward A. Richley, Daniel F. Donato
  • Publication number: 20140132399
    Abstract: A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electro-magnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ZIH CORP.
    Inventors: Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
  • Patent number: 8596532
    Abstract: A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electromagnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
  • Publication number: 20130300543
    Abstract: An RFID communication system comprising a near field coupler that is capable of selectively communicating with a targeted transponder positioned among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The coupler is configured to receive communication signals from a transceiver and transmit the signals to a targeted transponder in a transponder operating region. The coupler includes a number of radiating elements spaced apart and a switching element. The switching element selectively couples one or more of the radiating elements to the transceiver. The coupled elements transmit the signals into the transponder operating region by emanating a near field effect. The pattern of the near field effect may be adjusted by changing the combination of the coupled radiating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Yevgeniy Borisov, Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato