Patents by Inventor Douglas Howard

Douglas 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).

  • Patent number: 9669303
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Patent number: 9621228
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Freelinc Technologies
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams
  • Patent number: 9621227
    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: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FREELINC TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams
  • Publication number: 20170099083
    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: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Patent number: 9609467
    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: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: FREELINC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Publication number: 20170083945
    Abstract: A system and method for wireless communication of proximity based marketing is provided. The method includes determining whether a proximity device and a mobile computing device are within a first proximity to each other, wherein the proximity device is associated with at least one of a product and a service, and communicating information indicating that the proximity device and the mobile computing device are within the first proximity to each other, when it is determined that the proximity device and the mobile computing device are within the first proximity to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Publication number: 20170030698
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an outer shell, a gauge ring, and a spring. The gauge ring is configured to rotate to a first position as a nut passes through an opening of the outer shell and contacts a bottom surface of the gauge ring, the first position permitting the nut to pass through the gauge ring and into a socket by aligning one or more gauge ring lobe slits with one or more outer shell lobe slits and one or more deformable lobes of the nut. The spring is configured to rotate the gauge ring to the second position after the nut passes through the gauge ring and into the socket, the second position preventing the nut from exiting the socket by preventing alignment of the one or more gauge ring lobe slits with the one or more outer shell lobe slits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Jamie M. Smith, Eric Grabow, Douglas Howard McKay, Matthew Timothy McKee, Russell Miller, René Jean Robért
  • Patent number: 9560505
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FREELINC TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Publication number: 20170016841
    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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Jamie M. Smith, Eric Grabow, Douglas Howard McKay, Matthew Timothy McKee, Russell Miller, David Andrew Nicholson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160365898
    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 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventor: Douglas Howard DOBYNS
  • Patent number: 9455771
    Abstract: A system and method for close proximity communication is disclosed. The method comprises detecting a signal transmitted by a close proximity communication (CPC) device at a distance of one of greater than and less than a CPC detection perimeter with a multi-mode magnetic induction communication (MMMIC) device having at least one antenna. The type of device transmitting the detected signal is identified. The MMMIC device is enabled to communicate with the close proximity communication device at one of the distance of greater than the CPC detection perimeter and less than the CPC detection perimeter based on the type of device that is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: FREELINC TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Patent number: 9400985
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: RADEUM, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Patent number: 9397726
    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: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: RADEUM, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Publication number: 20160197650
    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: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Publication number: 20160198299
    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: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Dobyns
  • Publication number: 20160191120
    Abstract: Technology for a spatially aware wireless network is disclosed. One embodiment comprises a plurality of near field magnetic induction nodes. One or more nodes is configured to communicate a polarized spatial position signal using near field magnetic induction (NFMI) to determine one or more of a position and an orientation of one or more nodes in the spatially aware wireless network. A detection module is operable to configure the spatially aware wireless network based one or more of a position and an orientation of one or more nodes in the plurality of nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams
  • Publication number: 20160068971
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and systems for hydrogen production using an electro-activated material (catalyst) are provided. The catalysts can be chosen from various elements that have characteristics that fall within a particular range. In some exemplary embodiments, a material can be electro-activated and used as a catalyst in a chemical reaction with a fuel such as water or another hydrogen containing molecule. Another fuel can also be added, such as aluminum, to generate hydrogen. Controlling the temperature of the reaction, the amount of the catalyst and/or the amounts of aluminum can provide hydrogen on demand at a desired rate of hydrogen generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Douglas Howard PHILLIPS
  • Publication number: 20160066143
    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: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams
  • Publication number: 20160065272
    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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams
  • Publication number: 20160066185
    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: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas Howard Dobyns, Michael Scott Abrams