Patents by Inventor Gordon D. Fong

Gordon D. Fong 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: 20150070176
    Abstract: A system and method provides a wireless tether device for configuration with a first machine participating as a member of a tethered group of machines moving direction. Components within the wireless communication device are utilized to maintain a preset distance between the first machine and a second machine in the tethered group of machines. When the preset distance is not maintained, the system and method instruct the first machine to return to the tethered group of machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Gordon D. Fong, Cuauhtemoc Perez, C. Bart Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8890695
    Abstract: A system and method provides a notification to a user via a wireless communication device when the wireless communication device leaves a predetermined area. Components within the wireless communication device are utilized to determine the location of the wireless communication device. When the wireless communication device is no longer within the predetermined area, a notification is provided to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: TV-Tether, LLC
    Inventors: Gordon D. Fong, Cuauhtemoc Perez, C. Bart Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20140002268
    Abstract: A system and method provides a notification to a user via a wireless communication device when the wireless communication device leaves a predetermined area. Components within the wireless communication device are utilized to determine the location of the wireless communication device. When the wireless communication device is no longer within the predetermined area, a notification is provided to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: TV - Tether, LLC
    Inventors: Gordon D. Fong, Cuauhtemoc Perez, C. Bart Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8525683
    Abstract: A system and method provides a notification to a user via a wireless communication device when the wireless communication device leaves a predetermined area. Components within the wireless communication device are utilized to determine the location of the wireless communication device. When the wireless communication device is no longer within the predetermined area, a notification is provided to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: TV-Tether, LLC
    Inventors: Gordon D. Fong, Cuauhtemoc Perez, C. Bart Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8525684
    Abstract: A system and method switches a mobile device from a first wireless communication signal, to a second, different wireless communication signal to maintain or reestablish communication between the mobile device and a communication network. Switching occurs when the signal strength of the first wireless communication signal falls below a predefined threshold and a second communication signal is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: TV—Tether, LLC
    Inventors: Gordon D. Fong, Cuauhtemoc Perez, C. Bart Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8368546
    Abstract: Users are located to determine if the user is within, or has departed from, at least one bounded area established about a geographic location. The bounded area may be defined by setting one or more distance boundaries from the geographic location. A base station may monitor the location of a wireless device in proximity of the user. If the wireless device departs from a bounded area, a message containing information configured to be understandable and convey meaning to the user and/or a third-party is sent to the wireless device and/or the third-party. For example, the message may be configured to communicate to the user and/or third-party information pertaining to the departure from the bounded area, location information, navigation directions, instructions, etc. The message sent may include text and/or other symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: TV-Tether, LLC
    Inventors: Gordon D. Fong, Cuauhtemoc Perez, C. Bart Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20110269480
    Abstract: Users are located to determine if the user is within, or has departed from, at least one bounded area established about a geographic location. The bounded area may be defined by setting one or more distance boundaries from the geographic location. A base station may monitor the location of a wireless device in proximity of the user. If the wireless device departs from a bounded area, a message containing information configured to be understandable and convey meaning to the user and/or a third-party is sent to the wireless device and/or the third-party. For example, the message may be configured to communicate to the user and/or third-party information pertaining to the departure from the bounded area, location information, navigation directions, instructions, etc. The message sent may include text and/or other symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: GORDON D. FONG, TONY PEREZ, C. BART SULLIVAN
  • Patent number: 7944359
    Abstract: Users are located to determine if the user is within, or has departed from, at least one bounded area established about a geographic location. The bounded area may be defined by setting one or more distance boundaries from the geographic location. A base station may monitor the location of a mobile device in proximity of the user. If the mobile device departs from a bounded area, a message containing information configured to be understandable and convey meaning to the user and/or a third-party is sent to the mobile device and/or the third-party. For example, the message may be configured to communicate to the user and/or third-party information pertaining to the departure from the bounded area, location information, navigation directions, instructions, etc. The message sent may include text and/or other symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventors: Gordon D. Fong, Tony Perez, C. Bart Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20090303054
    Abstract: Method and apparatus to provide a wireless tether system is described. In one embodiment, one or more wireless tether apparatuses are in wireless communication with one or more base units. A wireless tether apparatus may be configured such that when separated from a base unit greater than a predetermined distance, such a wireless tether apparatus provides information to the user of the wireless tether apparatus to aid a user such as a human, animal, or machine in finding their way back to a desired location. A predetermined distance may be configured to change over time to accommodate different tether distance requirements at different times, e.g., closer to a home location at night and further away from the home location during the day. In one aspect, wireless tether apparatuses and base units communicate using a plurality of different communication modes such that when one mode fails other modes are utilized to reestablish a connection therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Gordon D. Fong, Tony Perez, C. Bart Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7535369
    Abstract: Method and apparatus to provide a wireless tether system is described. In one embodiment, one or more wireless tether apparatuses are in wireless communication with one or more base units. A wireless tether apparatus may be configured such that when separated from a base unit greater than a predetermined distance, such a wireless tether apparatus provides information to the user of the wireless tether apparatus to aid a user such as a human, animal, or machine in finding their way back to a desired location. A predetermined distance may be configured to change over time to accommodate different tether distance requirements at different times, e.g., closer to a home location at night and further away from the home location during the day. In one aspect, wireless tether apparatuses and base units communicate using a plurality of different communication modes such that when one mode fails other modes are utilized to reestablish a connection therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Inventors: Gordon D. Fong, Tony Perez, C. Bart Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7312711
    Abstract: Method and apparatus to provide a wireless tether system is described. In one embodiment, one or more wireless tether apparatuses are in wireless communication with one or more base units. A wireless tether apparatus may be configured such that when separated from a base unit greater than a predetermined distance, such a wireless tether apparatus provides information to the user of the wireless tether apparatus to aid a user such as a human, animal, or machine in finding their way back to a desired location. A predetermined distance may be configured to change over time to accommodate different tether distance requirements at different times, e.g., closer to a home location at night and further away from the home location during the day. In one aspect, wireless tether apparatuses and base units communicate using a plurality of different communication modes such that when one mode fails other modes are utilized to reestablish a connection therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventors: Gordon D. Fong, Tony Perez, C. Bart Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7061385
    Abstract: Method and apparatus to provide a wireless tether system is described. In one embodiment, one or more wireless tether apparatuses are in wireless communication with one or more base units. A wireless tether apparatus may be configured such that when separated from a base unit greater than a predetermined distance, such a wireless tether apparatus provides information to the user of the wireless tether apparatus to aid a user such as a human, animal, or machine in finding their way back to a desired location. A predetermined distance may be configured to change over time to accommodate different tether distance requirements at different times, e.g., closer to a home location at night and further away from the home location during the day. In one aspect, wireless tether apparatuses and base units communicate using a plurality of different communication modes such that when one mode fails other modes are utilized to reestablish a connection therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventors: Gordon D. Fong, Tony Perez, C. Bart Sullivan
  • Patent number: RE44433
    Abstract: Method and apparatus to provide a wireless tether system is described. In one embodiment, one or more wireless tether apparatuses are in wireless communication with one or more base units. A wireless tether apparatus may be configured such that when separated from a base unit greater than a predetermined distance, such a wireless tether apparatus provides information to the user of the wireless tether apparatus to aid a user such as a human, animal, or machine in finding their way back to a desired location. A predetermined distance may be configured to change over time to accommodate different tether distance requirements at different times, e.g., closer to a home location at night and further away from the home location during the day. In one aspect, wireless tether apparatuses and base units communicate using a plurality of different communication modes such that when one mode fails other modes are utilized to reestablish a connection therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: TV—Tether, LLC
    Inventors: Gordon D. Fong, Cuauhtemoc Perez, C. Bart Sullivan