Patents by Inventor Douglas A. Howard

Douglas A. Howard 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: 20180254802
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communication between near field communication devices within a target communication region using near field magnetic induction is disclosed. One method comprises generating a near field detectable signal at an active node having a power level sufficient to enable communication with a plurality of near field communication nodes located within the target communication region. Information is modulated onto the near field detectable signal using at least one of the near field communication nodes. The modulated information is detected at the active node. The information is then relayed on the near field detectable signal from the active node to at least one of the plurality of near field communication nodes within the target communication region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Patent number: 10038475
    Abstract: Technology is described for proximity based communications. A proximity boundary can be defined with dimensions defined by a communication range of one of a first Short Range Communication (SRC) device and a second SRC device. The first SRC device and the second SRC device can be configured to communicate using near field magnetic induction (NFMI). A proximity signal can be communicated in the proximity boundary between the first SRC device and the second SRC device. A security permission can be provided to enable selected data to be communicated from one or more of the first SRC device or the second SRC device in the proximity boundary when the proximity signal is detected between the first SRC device and the second SRC device. The selected data can be communicated from one or more of the first SRC device or the second SRC device using a radio frequency (RF) communication standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: FREELINC TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams
  • Patent number: 10028119
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an invention for pairing a plurality of wireless devices using wireless communications is disclosed. A method for pairing a plurality of devices comprises attenuating a pairing signal emitted from a wireless device within a pairing enclosure during a pairing procedure. A power level of the pairing signal that is emitted through the pairing enclosure is received at a pairing signal receiver. The pairing procedure is permitted to continue when the power level of the pairing signal is less than a predetermined power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: FREELINC TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Publication number: 20180123644
    Abstract: Spatially Enabled Communication technologies are disclosed. A proximity boundary can be defined by a communication range of one or more SRC devices configured to communicate using near field magnetic induction (NFMI) using at least two antennas to provide magnetic induction diversity. A data block can be securely communicated by interspersing the data between an short range communication (SRC) device for near field magnetic induction (NFMI) communication within the proximity boundary and a radio frequency (RF) radio for RF communication. Data received on the SRC device and the RF radio can be reassembled to form the data block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams
  • Patent number: 9960813
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communication between near field communication devices within a target communication region using near field magnetic induction is disclosed. One method comprises generating a near field detectable signal at an active node having a power level sufficient to enable communication with a plurality of near field communication nodes located within the target communication region. Information is modulated onto the near field detectable signal using at least one of the near field communication nodes. The modulated information is detected at the active node. The information is then relayed on the near field detectable signal from the active node to at least one of the plurality of near field communication nodes within the target communication region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: FREELINC TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Publication number: 20180097545
    Abstract: Technology is described for proximity based communications. A proximity boundary can be defined with dimensions defined, in part, by a communication range of one of a first Short Range Communication (SRC) device and a second SRC device. The first SRC device and the second SRC device can be configured to communicate using near field magnetic induction (NFMI). A proximity signal can be communicated in the proximity boundary between the first SRC device and the second SRC device, wherein at least one of the first and second SRC devices includes at least two antennas to provide magnetic induction diversity. A security permission can be provided to enable selected data to be communicated from one or more of the first SRC device and the second SRC device using NFMI when the proximity signal is detected between the first SRC device and the second SRC device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams
  • Publication number: 20180034513
    Abstract: A method for close proximity communication is disclosed. The method comprises detecting a signal transmitted by a close proximity communication (CPC) device at one of a distance of greater than or less than a CPC detection perimeter with a multi-mode magnetic induction communication (MMMIC) device with at least one antenna. The method further comprises identifying the type of device transmitting the detected signal. The method further comprises enabling the MMMIC device to communicate with the close proximity communication device at one of the distance of greater than the CPC detection perimeter and the distance of less than the CPC detection perimeter based on the type of device that is identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Douglas Howard DOBYNS
  • Patent number: 9838082
    Abstract: Technology is described for proximity based communications. A proximity boundary can be defined with dimensions defined, in part, by a communication range of one of a first Short Range Communication (SRC) device and a second SRC device. The first SRC device and the second SRC device can be configured to communicate using near field magnetic induction (NFMI). A proximity signal can be communicated in the proximity boundary between the first SRC device and the second SRC device, wherein at least one of the first and second SRC devices includes at least two antennas to provide magnetic induction diversity. A security permission can be provided to enable selected data to be communicated from one or more of the first SRC device and the second SRC device using NFMI when the proximity signal is detected between the first SRC device and the second SRC device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Freelinc Technologies
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams
  • Publication number: 20170338858
    Abstract: Technology is described for proximity based communications. A proximity boundary can be defined with dimensions defined, in part, by a communication range of one of a first Short Range Communication (SRC) device and a second SRC device. A security permission can be provided to enable selected data to be communicated from one or more of the first SRC device or the second SRC device. The selected data can be communicated from one or more of the first SRC device or the second SRC device using a radio frequency (RF) communication standard. An RF link can be established between the first SRC device and the second SRC device to enable selected data communications to continue between the first SRC device and the second SRC device even after one or more of the first SRC device or the second SRC device exits the proximity boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams
  • Publication number: 20170338857
    Abstract: Technology is described for proximity based communications. A proximity boundary can be defined with dimensions defined by a communication range of one of a first Short Range Communication (SRC) device and a second SRC device. The first SRC device and the second SRC device can be configured to communicate using near field magnetic induction (NFMI). A proximity signal can be communicated in the proximity boundary between the first SRC device and the second SRC device. A security permission can be provided to enable selected data to be communicated from one or more of the first SRC device or the second SRC device in the proximity boundary when the proximity signal is detected between the first SRC device and the second SRC device. The selected data can be communicated from one or more of the first SRC device or the second SRC device using a radio frequency (RF) communication standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams
  • Patent number: 9797856
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a housing and a plurality of electrical contacts. Each of the plurality of electrical contacts are arranged to sequentially contact a contact device as the contact device moves through the housing. The contact device comprises a first end configured to couple to a bolt, a second end opposite the first end, and a conductive region between a first insulated region and a second insulated region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Jamie M. Smith, Eric Grabow, Douglas Howard McKay, Matthew Timothy McKee, Russell Miller, David Andrew Nicholson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170303073
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an invention for pairing a plurality of wireless devices using wireless communications is disclosed. A method for pairing a plurality of devices comprises attenuating a pairing signal emitted from a wireless device within a pairing enclosure during a pairing procedure. A power level of the pairing signal that is emitted through the pairing enclosure is received at a pairing signal receiver. The pairing procedure is permitted to continue when the power level of the pairing signal is less than a predetermined power level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Patent number: 9780837
    Abstract: Spatially enabled secure communication technologies are disclosed. A proximity boundary can be defined by a communication range of one or more SRC devices configured to communicate using near field magnetic induction (NFMI) using at least two antennas to provide magnetic induction diversity. Secure data can be selected for NFMI communication on a spatially secure NFMI data link between the one or more SRC devices. Non-secure data can be selected for communication on one of a wireless local area network or a wireless wide area network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Freelinc Technologies
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams
  • Publication number: 20170266547
    Abstract: A computer game interface is disclosed, having controller inputs configured to receive an input signal from a user interface controller and to enable the user to control a user controllable element of a game on a computer. The computer game interface also has a controller output that sends an output signal to the computer, the output signal having information to control the user controllable element of the game. Another element of the computer game interface is a switching module in communication with the controller inputs and the controller output. The switching module selects an input signal from the input signals received by the controller inputs and communicates the input signal to the controller output. An additional element of the computer game interface is a timer controlling the switching module to switch the input signal communicated to the controller output based on a time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Publication number: 20170238155
    Abstract: A system and method for proximity based social networking is disclosed between mobile computing devices each having a short range communication (SRC) device using near field magnetic induction. The SRC devices can include at least two antennas to provide magnetic induction diversity. The method comprises defining a proximity boundary with dimensions defined by a communication range of the SRC devices. A proximity signal is communicated in the proximity boundary between the SRC devices. Information can be exchanged between the mobile computing devices based on the settings of a social networking filter module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas Howard DOBYNS
  • Publication number: 20170238132
    Abstract: A system and method for communication of proximity based content is disclosed between a mobile computing device having a Short Range Communication (SRC) device and a Proximity Short Range Communication (PSRC) device associated with a location or object using near field magnetic induction. The SRC device and/or the PSRC device can include at least two antennas to provide magnetic induction diversity. The method comprises defining a proximity boundary with dimensions defined by a magnetic induction diversity communication range of at least one of the SRC and PSRC devices. A proximity signal is communicated in the proximity boundary between the SRC device and the PSRC device. At least one action is performed by the mobile computing device or the PSRC device when the proximity signal is detected between the SRC device and the PSRC device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Publication number: 20170237468
    Abstract: A system for near field communications is provided. The system can include a near field generator configured to generate a near field detectable signal comprising information. The system can include a near field detector configured to receive the near field detectable signal and output the information. The system can include an Electro-Magnetic (EM) shield surrounding the near field generator to block EM radio frequency (RF) signals in the vicinity of the near field generator from interfering with operations of the near field generator. The EM shield does not prevent communication of the near field detectable signal between the near field generator and the near field detector. The EM shield can be configured to reduce magnetic field loss from eddy currents in the EM shield as the near field detectable signal passes through the EM shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Howard Bernard Dobyns, Jed Erich Woodard, Anthony Joseph Sutera
  • Patent number: 9722674
    Abstract: A method for close proximity communication is disclosed. The method comprises detecting a signal transmitted by a close proximity communication (CPC) device at one of a distance of greater than or less than a CPC detection perimeter with a multi-mode magnetic induction communication (MMMIC) device with at least one antenna. The method further comprises identifying the type of device transmitting the detected signal. The method further comprises enabling the MMMIC device to communicate with the close proximity communication device at one of the distance of greater than the CPC detection perimeter and the distance of less than the CPC detection perimeter based on the type of device that is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FREELINC TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Patent number: 9705564
    Abstract: Spatially Enabled Communication technologies are disclosed. A proximity boundary can be defined by a communication range of one or more SRC devices configured to communicate using near field magnetic induction (NFMI) using at least two antennas to provide magnetic induction diversity. A data block can be securely communicated by interspersing the data between an short range communication (SRC) device for near field magnetic induction (NFMI) communication within the proximity boundary and a radio frequency (RF) radio for RF communication. Data received on the SRC device and the RF radio can be reassembled to form the data block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Freelinc Technologies
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams
  • Patent number: D822084
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: BUHLER SORTEX LTD
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Hodgkiss