Patents by Inventor Joe Mullis

Joe Mullis 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: 11373079
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for the design and manufacturing of a radio-frequency identification (RFID)-enabled license plate. In one aspect, a proposed RFID-enabled license plate includes a metal plate and a RFID assembly integrated with the metal plate. The RFID assembly further includes a front cover attached to a first side of the metal plate and a back cover attached to a back side of the metal plate opposite to the front cover, and the front cover and the back cover substantially overlap with each other. The RFID assembly additionally includes a RFID tag sandwiched between the front cover and the back cover and is affixed to at least one of the front cover and the back cover. As such, the RFID tag is substantially tamper-proof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis
  • Publication number: 20220172520
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various examples of a self-declaring wireless device installed on a vehicle operable to automatically detect, determine and declare occupancy information of the vehicle traveling on a restricted traffic lane to an electronic toll collection (ETC) system. According to one aspect, a process for performing self-declaration by a vehicle traveling on a restricted traffic lane includes the steps of: receiving sensor data collected by one or more sensors installed on the vehicle; determining occupancy data of the vehicle based on the received sensor data; and controlling a wireless transceiver installed on the vehicle to communicate with an electronic toll collection (ETC) system associated with the restricted traffic lane based on the determined occupancy data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis, Bobby Leanio
  • Patent number: 11334782
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) switch tag is disclosed. This RFID switch tag includes a base component having an ultra-high frequency (UHF) booster, and a detachable component having at least one UHF RFID module and a high frequency (HF) RFID module. In some embodiments, the detachable component is positioned in close proximity to the base component in a first configuration of the RFID switch tag such that the at least one UHF RFID module is sufficiently coupled to the UHF booster in the base component to form an UHF RFID system having a desired performance. The detachable component can also be separated from the base component to obtain a second configuration of the RFID switch tag, and the HF RFID module remains functional within the detached detachable component so that the detachable component can be used as a standalone HF RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis
  • Patent number: 11332098
    Abstract: A self-declaring electronic license plate (e-plate) system for a vehicle is disclosed. This self-declaring e-plate system includes: an input device; a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader coupled to the input device; and an RFID-enabled license plate. In some embodiments, the input device is configured to receive vehicle occupancy information and triggers the RFID reader to write the received vehicle occupancy information to the RFID-enabled license plate in response to receiving the vehicle occupancy information. The RFID reader is configured to write at least a portion of the received vehicle occupancy information to the RFID-enabled license plate. The RFID-enabled license plate is configured to provide at least a portion of the received vehicle occupancy information to an electronic toll collection (ETC) reader. In some embodiments, the received vehicle occupancy information includes a current number of occupants self-declared by a user, such as a driver or a passenger inside the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis, Bobby Leanio
  • Patent number: 11301745
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) enabled mirror includes a mirror comprising a reflective layer. The reflective layer comprises at least one layer of a metallic material. At least one portion of the reflective layer is removed to form a booster antenna from a remaining portion of the reflective layer. A dielectric coating is applied to the mirror where the reflective layer was removed. The RFID-enabled mirror further includes an RFID chip coupled to the booster antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis
  • Patent number: 11288565
    Abstract: A Non-transferable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) assembly for attachment to an article comprises a RFID module; and a antenna module coupled with the RFID module, the antenna module comprising a conductive layer, a substrate, and an adhesive modification layer between the conductive layer and the substrate, the adhesive modification layer configured such that when the assembly is attached to the article and attempt to remove the assembly will cause the substrate to release and leave the conductive layer intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joe Mullis, Steve Gonzalez, Emily Olanoff
  • Patent number: 11282067
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) switch tag is disclosed. This RFID switch tag includes a base component having an ultra-high frequency (UHF) booster, and a detachable component having at least one UHF RFID module and a high frequency (HF) RFID module. In some embodiments, the detachable component is positioned in close proximity to the base component in a first configuration of the RFID switch tag such that the at least one UHF RFID module is sufficiently coupled to the UHF booster in the base component to form an UHF RFID system having a desired performance. The detachable component can also be separated from the base component to obtain a second configuration of the RFID switch tag, and the HF RFID module remains functional within the detached detachable component so that the detachable component can be used as a standalone HF RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis
  • Patent number: 11250647
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various examples of a self-declaring wireless device installed on a vehicle operable to automatically detect, determine and declare occupancy information of the vehicle traveling on a restricted traffic lane to an electronic toll collection (ETC) system. According to one aspect, a process for performing self-declaration by a vehicle traveling on a restricted traffic lane includes the steps of: receiving sensor data collected by one or more sensors installed on the vehicle; determining occupancy data of the vehicle based on the received sensor data; and controlling a wireless transceiver installed on the vehicle to communicate with an electronic toll collection (ETC) system associated with the restricted traffic lane based on the determined occupancy data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis, Bobby Leanio
  • Publication number: 20210287203
    Abstract: An account is managed using information read from a dual frequency transponder. Information stored on the dual frequency transponder can be read by a NFC-enabled device and by a UHF RFID reader. The information links, corresponds, or otherwise provides access to account information stored at a remote server. For example, a NFC-enabled device can read the information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to enable instant and on-the-spot recharging of a toll account. In addition, a UHF RFID toll reader can scan information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to debit toll charges from the correct toll account. The dual frequency transponder can be embedded in a license plate and read using a reader placed in the road. Additionally, the transponder can be configured to function at the correct frequency only when a valid vehicle registration sticker is applied to the license plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Francisco Martinez de Velasco Cortina, Joe Mullis, Manfred Rietzler, Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Rodolfo Monsalvo
  • Patent number: 11030613
    Abstract: An account is managed using information read from a dual frequency transponder. Information stored on the dual frequency transponder can be read by a NFC-enabled device and by a UHF RFID reader. The information links, corresponds, or otherwise provides access to account information stored at a remote server. For example, a NFC-enabled device can read the information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to enable instant and on-the-spot recharging of a toll account. In addition, a UHF RFID toll reader can scan information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to debit toll charges from the correct toll account. The dual frequency transponder can be embedded in a license plate and read using a reader placed in the road. Additionally, the transponder can be configured to function at the correct frequency only when a valid vehicle registration sticker is applied to the license plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Francisco Martinez de Velasco Cortina, Joe Mullis, Manfred Rietzler, Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Rodolfo Monsalvo
  • Patent number: 11003977
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for the design and manufacturing of a radio-frequency identification (RFID)-enabled license plate. In one aspect, a proposed RFID-enabled license plate includes a metal plate and a RFID assembly integrated with the metal plate. The RFID assembly further includes a front cover attached to a first side of the metal plate and a back cover attached to a back side of the metal plate opposite to the front cover, and the front cover and the back cover substantially overlap with each other. The RFID assembly additionally includes a RFID tag sandwiched between the front cover and the back cover and is affixed to at least one of the front cover and the back cover. As such, the RFID tag is substantially tamper-proof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis
  • Publication number: 20210125019
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) switch tag is disclosed. This RFID switch tag includes a base component having an ultra-high frequency (UHF) booster, and a detachable component having at least one UHF RFID module and a high frequency (HF) RFID module. In some embodiments, the detachable component is positioned in close proximity to the base component in a first configuration of the RFID switch tag such that the at least one UHF RFID module is sufficiently coupled to the UHF booster in the base component to form an UHF RFID system having a desired performance. The detachable component can also be separated from the base component to obtain a second configuration of the RFID switch tag, and the HF RFID module remains functional within the detached detachable component so that the detachable component can be used as a standalone HF RFID tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis
  • Patent number: 10963771
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) enabled mirror includes a mirror comprising a reflective layer. The reflective layer comprises at least one layer of a metallic material. At least one portion of the reflective layer is removed to form a booster antenna from a remaining portion of the reflective layer. A dielectric coating is applied to the mirror where the reflective layer was removed. The RFID-enabled mirror further includes an RFID chip coupled to the booster antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis
  • Patent number: 10929835
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) switch tag is disclosed. This RFID switch tag includes a base component having an ultra-high frequency (UHF) booster, and a detachable component having at least one UHF RFID module and a high frequency (HF) RFID module. In some embodiments, the detachable component is positioned in close proximity to the base component in a first configuration of the RFID switch tag such that the at least one UHF RFID module is sufficiently coupled to the UHF booster in the base component to form an UHF RFID system having a desired performance. The detachable component can also be separated from the base component to obtain a second configuration of the RFID switch tag, and the HF RFID module remains functional within the detached detachable component so that the detachable component can be used as a standalone HF RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis
  • Patent number: 10891533
    Abstract: A Non-transferable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) assembly for attachment to an article comprises a RFID module; and a antenna module coupled with the RFID module, the antenna module comprising a conductive layer, a substrate, and an adhesive modification layer between the conductive layer and the substrate, the adhesive modification layer configured such that when the assembly is attached to the article and attempt to remove the assembly will cause the substrate to release and leave the conductive layer intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joe Mullis, Steve Gonzalez, Emily Olanoff
  • Patent number: 10891530
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) switch tag is disclosed. This RFID switch tag includes a base component having an ultra-high frequency (UHF) booster, and a detachable component having at least one UHF RFID module and a high frequency (HF) RFID module. In some embodiments, the detachable component is positioned in close proximity to the base component in a first configuration of the RFID switch tag such that the at least one UHF RFID module is sufficiently coupled to the UHF booster in the base component to form an UHF RFID system having a desired performance. The detachable component can also be separated from the base component to obtain a second configuration of the RFID switch tag, and the HF RFID module remains functional within the detached detachable component so that the detachable component can be used as a standalone HF RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis
  • Patent number: 10885418
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) switch tag is disclosed. This RFID switch tag includes a base component having an ultra-high frequency (UHF) booster, and a detachable component having at least one UHF RFID module and a high frequency (HF) RFID module. In some embodiments, the detachable component is positioned in close proximity to the base component in a first configuration of the RFID switch tag such that the at least one UHF RFID module is sufficiently coupled to the UHF booster in the base component to form an UHF RFID system having a desired performance. The detachable component can also be separated from the base component to obtain a second configuration of the RFID switch tag, and the HF RFID module remains functional within the detached detachable component so that the detachable component can be used as a standalone HF RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis
  • Publication number: 20200401864
    Abstract: An account is managed using information read from a dual frequency transponder. Information stored on the dual frequency transponder can be read by a NFC-enabled device and by a UHF RFID reader. The information links, corresponds, or otherwise provides access to account information stored at a remote server. For example, a NFC-enabled device can read the information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to enable instant and on-the-spot recharging of a toll account. In addition, a UHF RFID toll reader can scan information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to debit toll charges from the correct toll account. The dual frequency transponder can be embedded in a license plate and read using a reader placed in the road. Additionally, the transponder can be configured to function at the correct frequency only when a valid vehicle registration sticker is applied to the license plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Francisco Martinez de Velasco Cortina, Joe Mullis, Manfred Rietzler, Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Rodolfo Monsalvo
  • Patent number: 10872478
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide various examples of a low cost, low power, fully automated, unobtrusive, and vehicle-independent radio frequency (RF) communication device to be plugged into a standard on-board diagnostic (OBD) port inside a vehicle to access OBD diagnostic data. According to one aspect, an OBD device for a vehicle is disclosed. This OBD device includes: an OBD adapter configured to be plugged into an OBD port of a vehicle and a first RFID module electrically coupled to the OBD adapter. The first RFID module is further configured to receive OBD data of a vehicle from an associated OBD port via the OBD adapter and communicate at least a portion of the received OBD data to a first RFID reader when the first RFID module is queried by the first RFID reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sheshi Nyalamadugu, Joe Mullis, Alexander Boellaard, Birektawit Waktola, Raymond Freeman
  • Publication number: 20200380331
    Abstract: In the embodiments described herein, a RFID enabled license plate is constructed by using the license plate, or a retro-reflective layer formed thereon as part of the resonator configured to transmit signals generated by and RFID chip integrated with the license plate. Such an RFID enabled license plate can include a metal license plate with a slot formed in the metal license plate, and a RFID tag module positioned in the slot. The RFID tag module can include a chip and a loop, and the loop can be coupled with the metal license plate, e.g., via inductive or conductive coupling. In this manner, the metal license plate can be configured to act as a resonator providing increased performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey Zhu, Chih-chuan Yen, Jason Liu, Joe Mullis