Patents by Inventor Fred Schleifer

Fred Schleifer 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: 20220236390
    Abstract: One or more types of laser scanner apparatuses perform object detection by emitting laser pulses and detecting corresponding reflected pulses by correlating a digitized detection signal against a correlation template representing a characteristic signal pulse. Regions of the digitized detection signal exhibiting high correlation with the template correspond to reflection pulses caused by backscattering of the emitted laser pulses. A calibration system and corresponding calibration method improve detection operations by such laser scanner apparatuses by producing a high-resolution correlation template. Among the several advantages associated with the system and method is the ability to produce correlation templates of high resolution, without requiring any increase in the base sampling rate of the digitizers used by the calibration system and the laser scanner apparatuses for digitizing their respective detection signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Takeshi Shoji, Fred Schleifer
  • Publication number: 20220236412
    Abstract: A laser scanner apparatus emits a laser pulse and monitors for pulse reflections, with the relative timing of a reflected pulse detected by the apparatus being translated into an object distance according to Time-of-Flight (ToF) measurements performed by the apparatus. According to an example configurations or an example method of operation, the apparatus adjusts its ToF determination for reflected pulses that are characterized as merged pulses formed by two or more overlapping reflected pulses. Among other advantages, the adjusted ToF determination yields a more accurate distance determination with respect to the earliest-arriving one(s) among the overlapping reflected pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Takeshi Shoji, Yoshiharu Tani, Adam Sowul, Fred Schleifer
  • Patent number: 10212771
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to providing a constant-brightness lighting power to one or more interconnected light strings. A light string power controller draws operating power from a power source that has a variable voltage. The light string power controller supplies constant-brightness lighting power to the one or more interconnected light strings connected thereto. The power controller can send a load-query signal the one or more interconnected light strings connected thereto. The connected light strings respond to the query with a load-response signal, which is indicative of a power level corresponding to an illumination value of the one or more interconnected light strings. The load-response signal can be indicative of a total number of lighting elements of the one or more interconnected light strings, for example. Similarly, the load-response signal can be indicative of a desired power level for a predetermined illumination level of the one or more interconnected light strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Seasons 4, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Loomis, Fred Schleifer
  • Publication number: 20180124881
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to providing a constant-brightness lighting power to one or more interconnected light strings. A light string power controller draws operating power from a power source that has a variable voltage. The light string power controller supplies constant-brightness lighting power to the one or more interconnected light strings connected thereto. The power controller can send a load-query signal the one or more interconnected light strings connected thereto. The connected light strings respond to the query with a load-response signal, which is indicative of a power level corresponding to an illumination value of the one or more interconnected light strings. The load-response signal can be indicative of a total number of lighting elements of the one or more interconnected light strings, for example. Similarly, the load-response signal can be indicative of a desired power level for a predetermined illumination level of the one or more interconnected light strings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Jason Loomis, Fred Schleifer
  • Publication number: 20170290121
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to providing a constant-brightness lighting power to one or more interconnected light strings. A light string power controller draws operating power from a power source that has a variable voltage. The light string power controller supplies constant-brightness lighting power to the one or more interconnected light strings connected to a light-string connector. The constant brightness operating power is both independent of the variable voltage of the power source and independent of a number, up to a predetermined maximum number, of the one or more interconnected light strings connected to the light-string connector. Additional light strings can be connected to the one or more interconnected light strings without affecting a brightness of the one or more interconnected light strings. The brightness of the one or more interconnected light strings is similarly unaffected by voltage variations of the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Jason Loomis, Fred Schleifer, Nash Rittmann
  • Patent number: 9781796
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to providing a constant-brightness lighting power to one or more interconnected light strings. A light string power controller draws operating power from a power source that has a variable voltage. The light string power controller supplies constant-brightness lighting power to the one or more interconnected light strings connected to a light-string connector. The constant brightness operating power is both independent of the variable voltage of the power source and independent of a number, up to a predetermined maximum number, of the one or more interconnected light strings connected to the light-string connector. Additional light strings can be connected to the one or more interconnected light strings without affecting a brightness of the one or more interconnected light strings. The brightness of the one or more interconnected light strings is similarly unaffected by voltage variations of the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Seasons 4, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Loomis, Fred Schleifer, Nash Rittmann
  • Patent number: 8768483
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving telemetry data from implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers with improved noise immunity is disclosed. Ambient noise levels and signal strength are monitored and used to adaptively adjust the detection sensitivity of the receiver. Filtering of the received signal is performed to remove both broadband and narrowband noise. Removal of narrowband noise is accomplished with notch filters that are dynamically adjusted in accordance with a detected noise spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Schmitt, Fred Schleifer, Joseph E. Bange
  • Publication number: 20130278434
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving telemetry data from implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers with improved noise immunity is disclosed. Ambient noise levels and signal strength are monitored and used to adaptively adjust the detection sensitivity of the receiver. Filtering of the received signal is performed to remove both broadband and narrowband noise. Removal of narrowband noise is accomplished with notch filters that are dynamically adjusted in accordance with a detected noise spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Steven Schmitt, Fred Schleifer, Joseph E. Bange
  • Patent number: 8489197
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving telemetry data from implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers with improved noise immunity is disclosed. Ambient noise levels and signal strength are monitored and used to adaptively adjust the detection sensitivity of the receiver. Filtering of the received signal is performed to remove both broadband and narrowband noise. Removal of narrowband noise is accomplished with notch filters that are dynamically adjusted in accordance with a detected noise spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Schmitt, Fred Schleifer, Joseph E. Bange
  • Patent number: 8018353
    Abstract: Zone selection logic in an area monitoring device increases the number of unique monitoring zone selections that can be selected using a limited number of discrete zone selection inputs, without compromising the safety critical operation of zone selection. The device monitors the logical state of each input in a set of individual inputs and recognizes each unique logical combination of zone selection inputs as a different zone selection. For example, each of two or more configured monitoring zones is associated with a different combinatorial zone selection pattern of asserted zone selection input signals. Correspondingly, a control circuit within the area monitoring device is configured to monitor the discrete zone selection inputs and activate a given one of the configured monitoring zones based on recognizing the associated combinatorial zone selection pattern of asserted zone selection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Omron Scientic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Schleifer, Christopher Alan Dums, Alejandro Ruiz Sanchez, John Drinkard
  • Publication number: 20090322549
    Abstract: Zone selection logic in an area monitoring device increases the number of unique monitoring zone selections that can be selected using a limited number of discrete zone selection inputs, without compromising the safety critical operation of zone selection. The device monitors the logical state of each input in a set of individual inputs and recognizes each unique logical combination of zone selection inputs as a different zone selection. For example, each of two or more configured monitoring zones is associated with a different combinatorial zone selection pattern of asserted zone selection input signals. Correspondingly, a control circuit within the area monitoring device is configured to monitor the discrete zone selection inputs and activate a given one of the configured monitoring zones based on recognizing the associated combinatorial zone selection pattern of asserted zone selection signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: OMRON SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Fred Schleifer, Christopher Alan Dums, Alejandro Ruiz Sanchez, John Drinkard
  • Patent number: 7551965
    Abstract: A system and method for removing narrowband noise from an input signal in which notch filters having notch frequencies corresponding to the noise are dynamically adjusted in accordance with a detected noise spectrum. The method may be applied to telemetry systems for implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers to result in improved noise immunity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Bange, Steven Schmitt, Fred Schleifer
  • Publication number: 20070135865
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving telemetry data from implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers with improved noise immunity is disclosed. Ambient noise levels and signal strength are monitored and used to adaptively adjust the detection sensitivity of the receiver. Filtering of the received signal is performed to remove both broadband and narrowband noise. Removal of narrowband noise is accomplished with notch filters that are dynamically adjusted in accordance with a detected noise spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Schmitt, Fred Schleifer, Joseph Bange
  • Publication number: 20070115022
    Abstract: A power supply comprises a rectifier, a transformer, a switching member, a controller and a voltage blocking clamp. A power supply can receive an alternating current (AC) input voltage having any magnitude within a wide range of AC input voltage magnitudes and can produce from any such AC input voltage magnitude a direct current (DC) output voltage. The voltage blocking clamp comprises at least one transistor connected between the rectifier and the transformer and switching member that limits the amount of rectified AC input voltage applied to the transformer and switching member to a predetermined amount when the rectified input voltage exceeds that predetermined amount. When the rectified input voltage exceeds the predetermined amount, the amount of the rectified input voltage above the predetermined amount is applied to the at least one transistor instead of the transformer and switching member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Rodney Hemminger, Mark Munday, Fred Schleifer
  • Patent number: 7203545
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving telemetry data from implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers with improved noise immunity is disclosed. Ambient noise levels and signal strength are monitored and used to adaptively adjust the detection sensitivity of the receiver. Filtering of the received signal is performed to remove both broadband and narrowband noise. Removal of narrowband noise is accomplished with notch filters that are dynamically adjusted in accordance with a detected noise spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Schmitt, Fred Schleifer, Joseph E. Bange
  • Publication number: 20070013512
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to tracking systems and methods for monitoring the location of an asset or group of assets. In particular, the present invention provides systems for monitoring the location of a large group of assets. Furthermore, the present invention provides systems and methods for identifying an asset within a group of assets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Gregory Burneske, Fred Schleifer
  • Publication number: 20060142821
    Abstract: A system and method for removing narrowband noise from an input signal in which notch filters having notch frequencies corresponding to the noise are dynamically adjusted in accordance with a detected noise spectrum. The method may be applied to telemetry systems for implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers to result in improved noise immunity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Bange, Steven Schmitt, Fred Schleifer
  • Patent number: 7016739
    Abstract: A system and method for removing narrowband noise from an input signal in which notch filters having notch frequencies corresponding to the noise are dynamically adjusted in accordance with a detected noise spectrum. The method may be applied to telemetry systems for implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers to result in improved noise immunity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Bange, Steven Schmitt, Fred Schleifer
  • Publication number: 20050242947
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to tracking systems and methods for monitoring the location of an asset or group of assets. In particular, the present invention provides systems for monitoring the location of a large group of assets. Furthermore, the present invention provides systems and methods for identifying an asset within a group of assets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Applicant: TraceTech Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory Burneske, Fred Schleifer
  • Publication number: 20040030364
    Abstract: A system and method for removing narrowband noise from an input signal in which notch filters having notch frequencies corresponding to the noise are dynamically adjusted in accordance with a detected noise spectrum. The method may be applied to telemetry systems for implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers to result in improved noise immunity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Bange, Steven Schmitt, Fred Schleifer