Patents by Inventor Edward Donovan

Edward Donovan 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: 12651210
    Abstract: A system and method in which a user application on a mobile device facilitates hands-free fare validation and gateless entry/exit at a transit facility like a transit station or a transit vehicle. The user application communicates with a Bluetooth gateway to authenticate the device and provides device-specific information for device identification and location determination. The user application also sends a secure token to the gateway to validate an electronic ticket stored in the device. A positioning unit uses the device-specific information to generate a timestamped location data for the device. A camera monitors the device user's movement and generates another timestamped location data for the device. A controller driver compares two timestamped location data to determine that the user of the device is approaching a gateless entry point and allows the user to avail a transit service through the gateless entry point when the electronic ticket is valid and active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2026
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Micah Bergdale, Edward Donovan, Michael O'Haire, Nicholas Ihm, Ross Smith
  • Patent number: 12254477
    Abstract: This invention discloses novel systems and methods for providing visual confirmation that a passenger has a valid ticket and has previously paid for additional items such as luggage, suitcase, briefcase, bicycle, musical instrument, wheelchair, car, vehicle, motorcycle, automobile (in the case of, for example, a ferry). The visual validation display object allows tickets and additional items to be easily and quickly confirmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Micah Bergdale, Edward Donovan, Nicholas Ihm, Michael O'Haire
  • Patent number: 12108252
    Abstract: A system and method in which the Bluetooth technology is used in conjunction with a user application on a mobile device to facilitate hands-free fare validation at a transit station. The user app communicates with a controller driver in a controller unit that interfaces with a compliant fare gate. Bluetooth beacons are used to determine a passenger's proximity to the gate and camera-like devices determine whether a passenger has entered a fare validation zone. A user with a valid and active electronic ticket on their mobile device may simply walk through the fare gate “hands free” without the need to search for a physical ticket or a smartcard or a mobile phone. This hassle-free approach significantly improves the user experience and passenger throughput through fare gates. The Bluetooth-based automated fare validation system also detects passengers with valid electronic tickets and those without a valid permit for travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Micah Bergdale, Edward Donovan, Nicholas Ihm, Michael O'Haire, Kevin Rejko
  • Patent number: 11803784
    Abstract: A system and method in which various sensors collect and/or generate data that are analyzed to provide automated transit features. In the automatic capacity management feature, a transit operator is alerted of potential capacity issues in advance to enable the operator to handle the situation before a station or a vehicle reaches its capacity limit. The automatic trip planning feature allows a passenger to dynamically plan the fastest route to a destination according to real time data and historical data trends. The automatic fraud detection feature alerts a fare inspector to a ticket fraud or other fraudulent activity at a specific transit station or on a specific transit vehicle. The automatic vehicle routing feature dynamically routes autonomous transit vehicles to stations, notifies transit vehicle drivers to stop at a particular station, and/or notifies transit operators to route a vehicle to a particular station based on current and historical demand from passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Micah Bergdale, Edward Donovan, Michael O'Haire, Nicholas Ihm, Ross Smith
  • Publication number: 20220222684
    Abstract: This invention discloses novel systems and methods for providing visual confirmation that a passenger has a valid ticket and has previously paid for additional items such as luggage, suitcase, briefcase, bicycle, musical instrument, wheelchair, car, vehicle, motorcycle, automobile (in the case of, for example, a ferry). The visual validation display object allows tickets and additional items to be easily and quickly confirmed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Micah Bergdale, Edward Donovan, Nicholas Ihm, Michael O'Haire
  • Publication number: 20220150701
    Abstract: A system and method in which the Bluetooth technology is used in conjunction with a user application on a mobile device to facilitate hands-free fare validation at a transit station. The user app communicates with a controller driver in a controller unit that interfaces with a compliant fare gate. Bluetooth beacons are used to determine a passenger's proximity to the gate and camera-like devices determine whether a passenger has entered a fare validation zone. A user with a valid and active electronic ticket on their mobile device may simply walk through the fare gate “hands free” without the need to search for a physical ticket or a smartcard or a mobile phone. This hassle-free approach significantly improves the user experience and passenger throughput through fare gates. The Bluetooth-based automated fare validation system also detects passengers with valid electronic tickets and those without a valid permit for travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Micah Bergdale, Edward Donovan, Nicholas Ihm, Michael O'Haire, Kevin Rejko
  • Patent number: 10453067
    Abstract: Systems and methods using Bluetooth with a user application on a mobile device to facilitate hands-free fare validation at a transit station. Utilizes a set of signal strength detection data points and timestamps from a mobile device and synchronizes location data points and timestamps from a camera and determines an estimated location of the mobile device according to the set of signal strength detection data points and timestamps from the mobile device and the location data points and timestamps from the camera. This provides enhanced accuracy in determining the correct mobile device. The system computing device determines that the mobile device contains a valid ticket or does not, wherein the mobile device contains a valid ticket and the system computing device determines the estimated location of the mobile device is within a predetermined area the system computing device will mark the ticket as used and allow entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Inventors: Micah Bergdale, Edward Donovan, Nicholas Ihm, Michael O'Haire
  • Publication number: 20190019199
    Abstract: This invention discloses novel systems and methods for providing visual confirmation that a passenger has a valid ticket and has previously paid for additional items such as luggage, suitcase, briefcase, bicycle, musical instrument, wheelchair, car, vehicle, motorcycle, automobile (in the case of, for example, a ferry). The visual validation display object allows tickets and additional items to be easily and quickly confirmed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Micah Bergdale, Edward Donovan, Michael O'Hair, Nicholas Ihm
  • Publication number: 20180293523
    Abstract: A system and method in which various sensors collect and/or generate data that are analyzed to provide automated transit features. In the automatic capacity management feature, a transit operator is alerted of potential capacity issues in advance to enable the operator to handle the situation before a station or a vehicle reaches its capacity limit. The automatic trip planning feature allows a passenger to dynamically plan the fastest route to a destination according to real time data and historical data trends. The automatic fraud detection feature alerts a fare inspector to a ticket fraud or other fraudulent activity at a specific transit station or on a specific transit vehicle. The automatic vehicle routing feature dynamically routes autonomous transit vehicles to stations, notifies transit vehicle drivers to stop at a particular station, and/or notifies transit operators to route a vehicle to a particular station based on current and historical demand from passengers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Micah Bergdale, Edward Donovan, Michael O'Haire, Nicholas Ihm, Ross Smith
  • Publication number: 20180211188
    Abstract: A system and method in which a user application on a mobile device facilitates hands-free fare validation and gateless entry/exit at a transit facility like a transit station or a transit vehicle. The user application communicates with a Bluetooth gateway to authenticate the device and provides device-specific information for device identification and location determination. The user application also sends a secure token to the gateway to validate an electronic ticket stored in the device. A positioning unit uses the device-specific information to generate a timestamped location data for the device. A camera monitors the device user's movement and generates another timestamped location data for the device. A controller driver compares two timestamped location data to determine that the user of the device is approaching a gateless entry point and allows the user to avail a transit service through the gateless entry point when the electronic ticket is valid and active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Micah Bergdale, Edward Donovan, Michael O'Haire, Nicholas Ihm, Ross Smith
  • Publication number: 20180068315
    Abstract: Systems and methods using Bluetooth with a user application on a mobile device to facilitate hands-free fare validation at a transit station. Utilizes a set of signal strength detection data points and timestamps from a mobile device and synchronizes location data points and timestamps from a camera and determines an estimated location of the mobile device according to the set of signal strength detection data points and timestamps from the mobile device and the location data points and timestamps from the camera. This provides enhanced accuracy in determining the correct mobile device. The system computing device determines that the mobile device contains a valid ticket or does not, wherein the mobile device contains a valid ticket and the system computing device determines the estimated location of the mobile device is within a predetermined area the system computing device will mark the ticket as used and allow entry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Micah Bergdale, Edward Donovan, Nicholas Ihm, Michael O'Haire
  • Publication number: 20170352216
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access through a door are provided. Certain of the systems and methods described herein include a detection sensor that detects the proximity or contact by a user to a door handle or other portion of a door. According to one aspect, upon detection of such proximity or contact, a reader is controlled to change from a low power mode to an operational mode to read a credential. According to another aspect, upon detection of such proximity or contact, an access notification system generates a perceptible signal inside the access-controlled location that a user is at the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Edward Donovan
  • Publication number: 20050033612
    Abstract: The present claim repricing system generally includes a processor and a program and data memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores the requisite database tables, as well as program instructions for repricing several different types of claims, including physician, inpatient, and outpatient claims. The claim repricing system includes instructions for determining availability of insurance plan coverage to the patient based on an effective date of the employer insurance plan, as well as determining the availability of the physician or provider based on an effective provider date. The claim repricing system further handles specialty codes and exceptions. For example, the claim repricing system includes instructions for determining the presence of anesthesia specialty codes, and for determining the correct number of anesthesia units and an anesthesia repricing indicator. The anesthesia repricing indicator may be a percentage discount, for example, or a rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Edward Donovan, Wendy Towner, Christian Berthaud