Patents by Inventor Lee M. Whitman

Lee M. Whitman 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: 11128995
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for signaling an affinity of a peer device. According to one embodiment, the device receives a wireless signal from the peer device and determines the presence of the peer device based on the received signal. The device is able to detect the peer device when the peer device is within the vicinity or a certain proximity of the device. The received signal carries an affinity code of the peer device so that the device can detect the affinity of the peer device by comparing the received affinity code with its preset affinity code. If the two affinity code match, the device notifies the user of the presence of another user and signals that the two users share the same affinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: PROXFINITY, INC.
    Inventors: James W. Hutchison, Mitchell A. Carrel, Robert Matles, Christine A. Hutchison, Lauren R. Matles, Lee M. Whitman, Lisa A. Carrel
  • Publication number: 20190037369
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for signaling an affinity of a peer device. According to one embodiment, the device receives a wireless signal from the peer device and determines the presence of the peer device based on the received signal. The device is able to detect the peer device when the peer device is within the vicinity or a certain proximity of the device. The received signal carries an affinity code of the peer device so that the device can detect the affinity of the peer device by comparing the received affinity code with its preset affinity code. If the two affinity code match, the device notifies the user of the presence of another user and signals that the two users share the same affinity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: James W. Hutchison, Mitchell A. Carrel, Robert Matles, Christine A. Hutchison, Lauren R. Matles, Lee M. Whitman, Lisa A. Carrel
  • Patent number: 10097972
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for signaling an affinity of a peer device. According to one embodiment, the device receives a wireless signal from the peer device and determines the presence of the peer device based on the received signal. The device is able to detect the peer device when the peer device is within the vicinity or a certain proximity of the device. The received signal carries an affinity code of the peer device so that the device can detect the affinity of the peer device by comparing the received affinity code with its preset affinity code. If the two affinity code match, the device notifies the user of the presence of another user and signals that the two users share the same affinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: PROXFINITY, INC.
    Inventors: James W. Hutchison, Mitchell A. Carrel, Robert Matles, Christine A. Hutchison, Lauren R. Matles, Lee M. Whitman, Lisa A. Carrel
  • Publication number: 20160037317
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for signaling an affinity of a peer device. According to one embodiment, the device receives a wireless signal from the peer device and determines the presence of the peer device based on the received signal. The device is able to detect the peer device when the peer device is within the vicinity or a certain proximity of the device. The received signal carries an affinity code of the peer device so that the device can detect the affinity of the peer device by comparing the received affinity code with its preset affinity code. If the two affinity code match, the device notifies the user of the presence of another user and signals that the two users share the same affinity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: James W. Hutchison, Mitchell A. Carrel, Robert Matles, Christine A. Hutchison, Lauren R. Matles, Lee M. Whitman, Lisa A. Carrel
  • Patent number: 9172725
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for signaling an affinity of a peer device. According to one embodiment, the device receives a wireless signal from the peer device and determines the presence of the peer device based on the received signal. The device is able to detect the peer device when the peer device is within the vicinity or a certain proximity of the device. The received signal carries an affinity code of the peer device so that the device can detect the affinity of the peer device by comparing the received affinity code with its preset affinity code. If the two affinity code match, the device generates an the user to the presence of another user and signals that the two users share the same affinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: PROXFINITY, INC., a Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Hutchison, Mitchell A. Carrel, Robert Matles, Christine A. Hutchison, Lauren R. Matles, Lee M. Whitman, Lisa A. Brinkman
  • Publication number: 20130282818
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for signaling an affinity of a peer device. According to one embodiment, the device receives a wireless signal from the peer device and determines the presence of the peer device based on the received signal. The device is able to detect the peer device when the peer device is within the vicinity or a certain proximity of the device. The received signal carries an affinity code of the peer device so that the device can detect the affinity of the peer device by comparing the received affinity code with its preset affinity code. If the two affinity code match, the device generates an the user to the presence of another user and signals that the two users share the same affinity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: James W. Hutchison, Mitchell A. Carrel, Robert Matles, Christine A. Hutchison, Lauren R. Matles, Lee M. Whitman, Lisa A. Brinkman
  • Patent number: 8417777
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for signaling an affinity of a peer device. According to one embodiment, the device receives a wireless signal from the peer device and determines the presence of the peer device based on the received signal. The device is able to detect the peer device when the peer device is within the vicinity or a certain proximity of the device. The received signal carries an affinity code of the peer device so that the device can detect the affinity of the peer device by comparing the received affinity code with its preset affinity code. If the two affinity code match, the device generates an the user to the presence of another user and signals that the two users share the same affinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: James W. Hutchison, Mitchell A. Carrel, Robert Matles, Christine A. Hutchison, Lauren R. Matles, Lee M. Whitman, Lisa A. Brinkman
  • Publication number: 20110028129
    Abstract: A match-making system allows users possessing mobile communications devices such as cell phones and/or PDAs to be alerted to the proximity of other users that may be a romantic, professional or other “match” to the user of interest based on a comparison of profile properties. The system may operate via a near-field radio-frequency system such as Bluetooth or a cellular or other relatively far-field wireless system, or a combination of the two in a complimentary manner. The disclosed system also allows a connection between the users to be made if desired by both users, and otherwise allows one or the other user to decline a connection. Matching by the system may be used for social or business purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: James W. Hutchison, Mitchell A. Carrel, Robert Matles, Christine A. Hutchison, Lauren R. Matles, Lee M. Whitman, Lisa A. Brinkman
  • Publication number: 20110029611
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for signaling an affinity of a peer device. According to one embodiment, the device receives a wireless signal from the peer device and determines the presence of the peer device based on the received signal. The device is able to detect the peer device when the peer device is within the vicinity or a certain proximity of the device. The received signal carries an affinity code of the peer device so that the device can detect the affinity of the peer device by comparing the received affinity code with its preset affinity code. If the two affinity code match, the device generates an the user to the presence of another user and signals that the two users share the same affinity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: James W. Hutchison, Mitchell A. Carrel, Robert Matles, Christine A. Hutchison, Lauren R. Matles, Lee M. Whitman, Lisa A. Brinkman