Patents by Inventor Eric J. Hefner
Eric J. Hefner 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).
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Patent number: 11157058Abstract: An electronic device detects ambient contextual data and positioning data such as orientation and motion to determine an activity state of the electronic device. A controller sets a polling interval of an open/closed position sensor that is connected to a movable portion connected to a base to detect an open/closed event. In response to determining a first activity state, controller sets a first polling interval that mitigates power consumption. In response to determining a second activity state, the controller sets the polling interval to a second polling interval that is shorter than the first polling interval to reduce latency in detecting the open/closed event.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLCInventors: Eric J. Hefner, John S. Ratke, Jenna M. Zylema
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Patent number: 11047734Abstract: A method, an electronic device, and a computer program product for measuring light sensor output in an electronic device. The method includes receiving periodic synchronization signals from a display and generating one or more timing signals based on the received periodic synchronization signals. The method further includes tracking a number of timing signals and in response to each timing signal, recording output signals from a light sensor. The output signals correspond to a light level detected by the light sensor. The method further includes accumulating the recorded output signals over a threshold number of timing signals, The method includes determining if a value of the counter is at least equal to or greater than the threshold number. In response to determining that the value of the counter is at least equal to or greater than the threshold number, generating a composite output signal based on the accumulated recorded output signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2020Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLCInventors: John J. Gorsica, Eric J. Hefner
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Patent number: 10861298Abstract: A portable electronic device provides adaptive vibration noise reduction by generating a user alert vibration that is one of a first magnitude and a second magnitude, with the first magnitude being greater than the second magnitude. The portable device is configured to alert the user by providing a first magnitude alert vibration except when the device is lying flat and ambient noise at the device is low, and to provide a second magnitude alert vibration when the device is lying flat and ambient noise at the device is low.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLCInventors: Seungho L. Kim, John J. Gorsica, Eric J. Hefner
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Publication number: 20200379538Abstract: An electronic device detects ambient contextual data and positioning data such as orientation and motion to determine an activity state of the electronic device. A controller sets a polling interval of an open/closed position sensor that is connected to a movable portion connected to a base to detect an open/closed event. In response to determining a first activity state, controller sets a first polling interval that mitigates power consumption. In response to determining a second activity state, the controller sets the polling interval to a second polling interval that is shorter than the first polling interval to reduce latency in detecting the open/closed event.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2019Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: ERIC J. HEFNER, JOHN S. RATKE, JENNA M. ZYLEMA
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Patent number: 10659595Abstract: A method, a mobile device, and a computer program product for determining orientation of a mobile device. The method includes detecting, via an accelerometer, movement of a mobile device and calculating, by a processor, an orientation of the mobile device based on accelerometer data received from the accelerometer as the mobile device is moving. The method further includes tracking the orientation of the mobile device as the mobile device moves over a period of time and maintaining an image capture device and a display in an off state, while the mobile device is moving. The method further includes determining if the mobile device is in a landing position, based, at least partially, on the calculated orientation of the mobile device and in response to determining that the mobile device is not in the landing position, continuing to maintain the image capturing device in the off state such that power consumption of the mobile device is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLCInventors: Eric J. Hefner, John S. Ratke, Jenna M. Zylema
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Publication number: 20200128123Abstract: A method, a mobile device, and a computer program product for determining orientation of a mobile device. The method includes detecting, via an accelerometer, movement of a mobile device and calculating, by a processor, an orientation of the mobile device based on accelerometer data received from the accelerometer as the mobile device is moving. The method further includes tracking the orientation of the mobile device as the mobile device moves over a period of time and maintaining an image capture device and a display in an off state, while the mobile device is moving. The method further includes determining if the mobile device is in a landing position, based, at least partially, on the calculated orientation of the mobile device and in response to determining that the mobile device is not in the landing position, continuing to maintain the image capturing device in the off state such that power consumption of the mobile device is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2018Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: ERIC J. HEFNER, JOHN S. RATKE, JENNA M. ZYLEMA
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Publication number: 20190035236Abstract: A portable electronic device provides adaptive vibration noise reduction by generating a user alert vibration that is one of a first magnitude and a second magnitude, with the first magnitude being greater than the second magnitude. The portable device is configured to alert the user by providing a first magnitude alert vibration except when the device is lying flat and ambient noise at the device is low, and to provide a second magnitude alert vibration when the device is lying flat and ambient noise at the device is low.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Applicant: Motorola Mobility LLCInventors: Seungho L. Kim, John J. Gorsica, Eric J. Hefner
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Publication number: 20190035233Abstract: A mobile device includes a housing having therein at least one single-axis vibrator. A processor within the device is linked to the single-axis vibrator and in an embodiment is configured to drive the single-axis vibrator to provide an alert based on an orientation of the device, an ambient noise level at the device, and the vibrator noise level caused by the single-axis vibrator.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: January 31, 2019Applicant: Motorola Mobility LLCInventors: Seungho L. Kim, John J. Gorsica, Eric J. Hefner
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Patent number: 9560129Abstract: Disclosed are peer-to-peer group re-formation techniques. The techniques enable automatic reformation of a peer-to-peer group when the Group Owner (“GO”) device is lost. To do so, the techniques enable selection of a one of the peer devices in the peer-to-peer group as a next GO device responsive to detecting the loss of the original GO device. Then, the peer device selected as the next GO device automatically activates as the GO device, while the other peer devices scan for and connect to the next GO device.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLCInventors: Binesh Balasingh, Viji Alexander, Gabriel B. Burca, Ranjeet Gupta, Eric J. Hefner, Mary K. Hor-Lao, Ishwara Ja, Douglas A. Lautner, Sudhir C. Vissa
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Patent number: 9509670Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for managing secure communications in an ad-hoc network having three or more users including a first user, a second user and a third user. Each user is associated with at least one communication device, and has a set of keys associated with the user for managing secure communications between the at least one communication device of the user and the at least one communication device of another one of the three or more users. Each set of keys includes a private key and a public key, where the public key is shared with the communication device of the other ones of the three or more users with which the user has been authenticated, and the private key is used to decrypt communications encrypted using the corresponding public key from the same set of keys.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLCInventors: Binesh Balasingh, Viji Alexander, Gabriel B. Burca, Ranjeet Gupta, Eric J. Hefner, Mary K. Hor-Lao, Ishwara Ja, Douglas A. Lautner, Sudhir C. Vissa
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Patent number: 9354722Abstract: A method, device, system, or article of manufacture is provided for low-power management of multiple sensor chip architecture.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLCInventors: Gabriel B Burca, Douglas A Lautner, Scott P Debates, Mary K Hor-Lao, Eric J Hefner, Ryan D Jones, Daniel T Moore, Robert Wiegand
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Patent number: 9348434Abstract: A method, device, system, or article of manufacture is provided for low-power management of multiple sensor chip architecture.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLCInventors: Jason Jae Hyun Koh, Douglas A Lautner, Scott P Debates, Mary K Hor-Lao, Eric J Hefner, Ryan D Jones, James A Rumpler
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Publication number: 20160057117Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for managing secure communications in an ad-hoc network having three or more users including a first user, a second user and a third user. Each user is associated with at least one communication device, and has a set of keys associated with the user for managing secure communications between the at least one communication device of the user and the at least one communication device of another one of the three or more users. Each set of keys includes a private key and a public key, where the public key is shared with the communication device of the other ones of the three or more users with which the user has been authenticated, and the private key is used to decrypt communications encrypted using the corresponding public key from the same set of keys.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2014Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Binesh Balasingh, Viji Alexander, Gabriel B. Burca, Ranjeet Gupta, Eric J. Hefner, Mary K. Hor-Lao, Ishwara JA, Douglas A. Lautner, Sudhir C. Vissa
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Publication number: 20160028802Abstract: Disclosed are peer-to-peer group re-formation techniques. The techniques enable automatic reformation of a peer-to-peer group when the Group Owner (“GO”) device is lost. To do so, the techniques enable selection of a one of the peer devices in the peer-to-peer group as a next GO device responsive to detecting the loss of the original GO device. Then, the peer device selected as the next GO device automatically activates as the GO device, while the other peer devices scan for and connect to the next GO device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Binesh Balasingh, Viji Alexander, Gabriel B. Burca, Ranjeet Gupta, Eric J. Hefner, Mary K. Hor-Lao, Ishwara JA, Douglas A. Lautner, Sudhir C. Vissa
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Publication number: 20140351558Abstract: A method, device, system, or article of manufacture is provided for low-power management of multiple sensor chip architecture.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Gabriel B. Burca, Douglas A. Lautner, Scott P. Debates, Mary K. Hor-Lao, Eric J. Hefner, Ryan D. Jones, Daniel T. Moore, Robert Wiegand
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Publication number: 20140347274Abstract: A method, device, system, or article of manufacture is provided for low-power management of multiple sensor chip architecture.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Jason Jae Hyun Koh, Douglas A. Lautner, Scott P. Debates, Mary K. Hor-Lao, Eric J. Hefner, Ryan D. Jones, James A. Rumpler
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Patent number: 8699990Abstract: A method for requesting location information, for example, Enhanced Observed Time of Arrival timing information, from mobile wireless communications in wireless communications networks. The exemplary location request (300) includes multiple response interval field (310) specifying intervals at which multiple responses to the location request must be sent or maximum intervals between which multiple responses to the location request must be sent, a final response time field (320) specifying a maximum time interval during which a final response to the location request must be sent, and an initial response time field (330) specifying when an initial response to the location request must be sent.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLCInventors: Christopher F. Bussan, Eric J. Hefner
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Patent number: 7630722Abstract: A method and apparatus for suppressing subsequent re-request of a location request, for example a MO-LR request in a GSM communication system, by a mobile station (MS) (110) to the network. The method in the mobile station comprises transmitting (302) a location request message to a network. Then, at the MS, determining (304) that the network can not provide the requested location information. Creating (306) an indicator in a memory of the device that the network is not capable of providing the requested location information and finally suspending (308) subsequent transmission of location request message to the network.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2005Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Michelle Hao Xiong, Eric J. Hefner
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Publication number: 20040180645Abstract: A method for requesting location information, for example, Enhanced Observed Time of Arrival timing information, from mobile wireless communications in wireless communications networks. The exemplary location request (300) includes multiple response interval field (310) specifying intervals at which multiple responses to the location request must be sent or maximum intervals between which multiple responses to the location request must be sent, a final response time field (320) specifying a maximum time interval during which a final response to the location request must be sent, and an initial response time field (330) specifying when an initial response to the location request must be sent.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Christopher F. Bussan, Eric J. Hefner
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Patent number: 6477372Abstract: A method for allowing a radiotelephone to scan for alternate radiotelephone systems, where each cellular radiotelephone system is within a corresponding geographic area and each cell has a base station providing paging and voice communication, includes a first step of registering the radiotelephone on a radiotelephone system. A next step includes establishing whether alternate technology scanning has been enabled for the radiotelephone. If alternate technology scanning is disabled, the radiotelephone receives paging messages from the base station and acknowledges the paging messages addressed to the radiotelephone. If alternate technology scanning is enabled, the radiotelephone scans for an alternate technology while the base station repeats any paging messages addressed to the radiotelephone and ignores a lack of acknowledgement from the radiotelephone for paging messages addressed to the radiotelephone.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Marcia J. Otting, Eric J. Hefner, Stephen A. Howell