Patents by Inventor Kirk Steven Tecu

Kirk Steven Tecu 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: 20240001809
    Abstract: A car seat safety device is disclosed which may be implemented to help ensure a car seat is correctly installed in a vehicle and/or if a child is left unattended in the car seat in the vehicle. An example car seat safety device includes at least one sensor for placement on or near a vehicle seat for monitoring a safety condition of a child car seat. The example car seat safety device also includes a first wireless communications module communicatively coupled with output from the sensor. The example car seat safety device also includes a second wireless communications module interacting with the first wireless communications module. The second wireless communications module is communicatively coupled with a companion device to output an alert corresponding to the safety condition of the child car seat based on output of the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Kirk Steven Tecu, Duncan Doyle, Sean Michael Shiers
  • Patent number: 11859968
    Abstract: When extending the leader or tape from a traditional tape measure over a large distance, a user situated away from the body of the tape measure is unable to determine the length that has been extended at the leading edge. Presented herein is a retractable measuring device in which the body of the measuring device is configured to compute and broadcast the amount of tape that has been withdrawn from the body to a receiver. The receiver may be located at the leading edge of the tape or comprise a secondary device such as a smartphone. Alternatively, the broadcast may include tactile, audible, or visual feedback relating to the distance that may be received directly by the user. Additionally, the retractable device may include an interface for setting a desired length and provide either the user or receiver with feedback when the desired length has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Kirk Steven Tecu, Duncan Doyle, Sean Michael Shiers
  • Patent number: 11768804
    Abstract: A method for generating a searchable file from a document. The method includes identifying an object within the document and a formatting attribute of the object, determining an inferred semantic characteristic of the object by comparing the formatting attribute with a plurality of inference rules, wherein the inferred semantic characteristic comprises an estimation of author-defined semantic characteristic of the object, generating metadata based at least on the inferred semantic characteristic and the formatting attribute of the object, wherein the metadata comprises text data that is searchable by a search application for the searchable file to identify the object within the searchable file, and generating, based on the document, the searchable file comprising the metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Steven Tecu
  • Publication number: 20230272636
    Abstract: A pool double safety cover with at least one protection protocol includes a first cover that is substantially impermeable to water, and a second cover that is substantially permeable to water. A track system having independent parallel tracks is provided for guiding the first cover and the second cover to open and close over a pool. At least one interlock switch is configured to generate a signal indicating whether the first cover and the second cover is in a fully open or fully closed state. A drive system is configured to open and close the first cover and the second cover over the pool according to a protection protection protocol based on feedback from the interlock switch and at least one sensor. In another example, the protection protocol is a freeze protection protocol. In another example, the protection protocol is a precipitation protection protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Kirk Steven Tecu, Duncan Doyle, Sean Michael Shiers
  • Publication number: 20230258011
    Abstract: An example pool double safety cover has an upper cover substantially impermeable to water, and a lower cover substantially permeable to water. An example pool double safety cover has a first pulley system for the upper cover and a second pulley system for the lower cover. Each pulley system has first and second pulley wheels at one end of the pool and third and fourth pulley wheels at the opposite end of the pool. Rotating at least one of the pulley wheels causes all of the pulley wheels of the corresponding pulley system to move either a first line connected to the upper cover or a second line connected to the lower cover. An upper track guides the upper cover to open and close over a pool opening, and a lower track guides the lower cover to open and close over the pool opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Kirk Steven Tecu, Duncan Doyle, Sean Michael Shiers
  • Patent number: 11719538
    Abstract: A plot measurement system which enables a user to singlehandedly mark boundaries and features of a sports field or construction site with improved accuracy. The system utilizes a plurality of vertex markers connected by measuring leaders to provide triangulation. A three-vertex marker system can be used to construct triangles, which can then be used to construct any n-sided shape. The concept is scalable and a four-vertex marker system is presented to quickly construct quadrangle plots such as an endzone. The disclosure presents mechanical and electrical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventors: Kirk Steven Tecu, Duncan Doyle, Sean Michael Shiers
  • Publication number: 20230193645
    Abstract: A water release valve is disclosed for a pool safety cover on a swimming pool. An example water release valve includes an upper valve body and a lower valve body. The lower valve body is attached to the upper valve body through an opening formed in the pool safety cover. A valve actuator is configured to automatically open to release at least some water on top of the pool safety cover into the swimming pool to reduce water accumulation on top of the pool safety cover. In an example, the valve actuator automatically opens under the weight of the water on top of the pool safety cover. In an example, more than one water release valve may be provided at various locations on the pool safety cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Kirk Steven Tecu, Duncan Doyle, Sean Michael Shiers
  • Publication number: 20230107900
    Abstract: A plot measurement system which enables a user to singlehandedly mark boundaries and features of a sports field or construction site with improved accuracy. The system utilizes a plurality of vertex markers connected by measuring leaders to provide triangulation. A three-vertex marker system can be used to construct triangles, which can then be used to construct any n-sided shape. The concept is scalable and a four-vertex marker system is presented to quickly construct quadrangle plots such as an endzone. The disclosure presents mechanical and electrical systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Kirk Steven Tecu, Duncan Doyle, Sean Michael Shiers
  • Publication number: 20220390220
    Abstract: When extending the leader or tape from a traditional tape measure over a large distance, a user situated away from the body of the tape measure is unable to determine the length that has been extended at the leading edge. Presented herein is a retractable measuring device in which the body of the measuring device is configured to compute and broadcast the amount of tape that has been withdrawn from the body to a receiver. The receiver may be located at the leading edge of the tape or comprise a secondary device such as a smartphone. Alternatively, the broadcast may include tactile, audible, or visual feedback relating to the distance that may be received directly by the user. Additionally, the retractable device may include an interface for setting a desired length and provide either the user or receiver with feedback when the desired length has been reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Kirk Steven Tecu, Duncan Doyle, Sean Michael Shiers
  • Patent number: 11481507
    Abstract: A method for processing an image of a physical document to show a redacted portion including: identifying a tag associated with the redacted portion and including first user rights; obtaining, using the identified tag, a digital copy of the physical document including a non-redacted form of the redacted portion; receiving, from an external device, second user rights; determining that the second user rights match the first user rights; outputting, based on the determination, information indicating that the non-redacted form of the redacted portion is able to be shown; receiving, in response to the non-redacted form being able to be shown, an instruction to display the non-redacted form; and displaying, based on the instruction and using a projector onto a surface a predetermined distance from the physical document, the non-redacted form of the redacted portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Steven Tecu
  • Patent number: 11080547
    Abstract: A method for processing an image of a physical document to enable digital searching of the physical document includes: obtaining a digital copy of the physical document; receiving an instruction to search for a point of interest in the physical document; imaging the physical document and determining that the point of interest is on a surface of the physical document; and projecting, using a projector and onto the surface of the physical document, a visual-aid component that physically overlaps with the point of interest to highlight the point of interest on the surface of the physical document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Steven Tecu
  • Publication number: 20200210601
    Abstract: A method for processing an image of a physical document to show a redacted portion including: identifying a tag associated with the redacted portion and including first user rights; obtaining, using the identified tag, a digital copy of the physical document including a non-redacted form of the redacted portion; receiving, from an external device, second user rights; determining that the second user rights match the first user rights; outputting, based on the determination, information indicating that the non-redacted form of the redacted portion is able to be shown; receiving, in response to the non-redacted form being able to be shown, an instruction to display the non-redacted form; and displaying, based on the instruction and using a projector onto a surface a predetermined distance from the physical document, the non-redacted form of the redacted portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Steven Tecu
  • Publication number: 20200210744
    Abstract: A method for processing an image of a physical document to enable digital searching of the physical document includes: obtaining a digital copy of the physical document; receiving an instruction to search for a point of interest in the physical document; imaging the physical document and determining that the point of interest is on a surface of the physical document; and projecting, using a projector and onto the surface of the physical document, a visual-aid component that physically overlaps with the point of interest to highlight the point of interest on the surface of the physical document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Steven Tecu
  • Publication number: 20190303452
    Abstract: A method for generating a searchable file from a document. The method includes identifying an object within the document and a formatting attribute of the object, determining an inferred semantic characteristic of the object by comparing the formatting attribute with a plurality of inference rules, wherein the inferred semantic characteristic comprises an estimation of author-defined semantic characteristic of the object, generating metadata based at least on the inferred semantic characteristic and the formatting attribute of the object, wherein the metadata comprises text data that is searchable by a search application for the searchable file to identify the object within the searchable file, and generating, based on the document, the searchable file comprising the metadata.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Steven Tecu
  • Patent number: 10366051
    Abstract: A method for file conversion includes obtaining an original file including content, that includes objects. The method further includes rendering each object of the multiple objects into a page description language (PDL) format to obtain rendered objects, and extracting, from the original file, a tag for an object of the multiple objects. The method further includes generating object composition metadata based on a composition rule corresponding to the tag. The object composition metadata includes a description of a composition of the object in the original file, and is added with the rendered objects to a PDL file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Steven Tecu
  • Publication number: 20180307696
    Abstract: A method for searching content a page description language (PDL) file that was converted from an original file includes: receiving a search request specifying a description of graphics object in the original file; identifying, in response to the search request, a location of the description in an invisible layer of the PDL file; and displaying a portion of a visible layer of the PDL file that includes the image object in response to the portion of the visible layer overlapping the location. The PDL file includes an image object converted from the graphics object, object composition metadata for the image object generated based on a composition rule corresponding to a type of the graphics object and formatting attribute of the graphics object included in the original file, a visible layer comprising the image object, and an invisible layer comprising the object composition metadata for the image object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Steven Tecu
  • Patent number: 10048913
    Abstract: A method for managing an electronic document (ED) using an electronic content management (ECM) system, including: receiving a submission comprising the ED; generating a unique identifier (UID), a first version number, and a first mapping linking the UID and the first version number to the ED; inserting a first symbol corresponding to the UID and the first version number into the ED; generating a first archived document corresponding to the ED and comprising the first symbol; distributing the first archived document; receiving a submission comprising a revised version of the ED from a user; generating a second version number and a second mapping linking the UID and the second version number to the revised version; inserting a second symbol corresponding to the UID and the second version number into the revised version; and generating a second archived document corresponding to the revised version and comprising the second symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Steven Tecu
  • Patent number: 9864750
    Abstract: A method for objectifying non-text content within a non-native file includes objectifying an object of the non-text content by determining a tag for the object, the tag defining a portion of the object in native file format, and creating an objectified object including the object and the tag. The method further includes generating, based on the objectified object, metadata including composition information for the objectified object, at least part of the composition information being text data capable of being searched by a native application for the native file, and generating a new native file including the objectified object appended with the metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Steven Tecu
  • Patent number: 9798724
    Abstract: A method for document discovery includes receiving a scan of a physical copy of a document with a non-text object, determining a tag for the non-text object defining a portion of the non-text object in an original file, and generating, based on the tag, non-text object metadata with composition information of the non-text object. The method further includes searching, using the non-text object metadata, electronic documents stored in a data repository, where each of the electronic documents has an object and searchable metadata associated with the object, comparing the non-text object metadata with the searchable metadata, and providing a location of the original file to a user when the non-text object metadata matches the searchable metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Steven Tecu
  • Publication number: 20170075905
    Abstract: A method for file conversion includes obtaining an original file including content, that includes objects. The method further includes rendering each object of the multiple objects into a page description language (PDL) format to obtain rendered objects, and extracting, from the original file, a tag for an object of the multiple objects. The method further includes generating object composition metadata based on a composition rule corresponding to the tag. The object composition metadata includes a description of a composition of the object in the original file, and is added with the rendered objects to a PDL file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Steven Tecu