Patents by Inventor Neal Fairbanks

Neal Fairbanks 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: 10743141
    Abstract: A method of determining a location, using bilateration, of an electronic device that is spaced from transmitting devices is disclosed. The electronic device receives first and second signals of the same or different signal type from first and second transmitting devices, respectively, with a tunable antenna. The electronic device determines a signal quality of each signal based on: 1) a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or a received signal power and a received signal gain, and 2) signal propagation characteristics specific for the transmitting devices. The signals with the two highest signal qualities are used for location determination and the antenna is tuned for each of the signal types received. The distance from the transmitting devices can be determined based on one or more of: a received signal power and signal gain for both signals, a transmitted power and signal gain of both signals, or location information associated with the transmitting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Kenmar Corporation
    Inventors: Neal Fairbanks, Frederick R. Nader, Collin M. Rusk
  • Publication number: 20190373415
    Abstract: A method of determining a location, using bilateration, of an electronic device that is spaced from transmitting devices is disclosed. The electronic device receives first and second signals of the same or different signal type from first and second transmitting devices, respectively, with a tunable antenna. The electronic device determines a signal quality of each signal based on: 1) a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or a received signal power and a received signal gain, and 2) signal propagation characteristics specific for the transmitting devices. The signals with the two highest signal qualities are used for location determination and the antenna is tuned for each of the signal types received. The distance from the transmitting devices can be determined based on one or more of: a received signal power and signal gain for both signals, a transmitted power and signal gain of both signals, or location information associated with the transmitting devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Neal Fairbanks, Frederick R. Nader, Collin M. Rusk
  • Publication number: 20190205020
    Abstract: An adaptive user interface system may include a user interface device with memory and a processor communicatively connected to the memory to provide operations. The operations may include to receive media content and interactive content, correlate the media content and the interactive content, define an object boundary relative to one or more objects in media content, define interactive regions having a predefined gap relative to the object boundary, and display media content while hiding the interactive regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: Neal Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 9924452
    Abstract: Vehicle Communications using IEEE 802.1 lp WAVE functionality includes structure and method whereby a smart phone (SP) linked to an On Board Unit (OBU) having WAVE functionality, and incorporating Automotive Telemetry Protocol (ATP), has at least one processor to configure the SP as a GUI for the OBU, and to enable WAVE authentication of the SP through a networked Road Side Unit. Preferably, the OBU opens, after a command from an ATP Client, a virtual connection for streaming data between the vehicle data bus and a remote server providing an automotive scan tool. Also preferably, the SP uses either cellular or IEEE 802.11 control signals to trialaterate its geographic position with greater accuracy than GPS, and to hand off the geo-position fixes to the OBU. Preferably, accumulated geo-location information is reported to a remote server, providing a centralized geographic trend analysis of plural SPs operating with OBUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: Martin D. Nathanson, Neal Fairbanks
  • Publication number: 20170034774
    Abstract: Vehicle Communications using IEEE 802.11p WAVE functionality includes structure and method whereby a smart phone (SP) linked to an On Board Unit (OBU) having WAVE functionality, and incorporating Automotive Telemetry Protocol (ATP), has at least one processor to configure the SP as a GUI for the OBU, and to enable WAVE authentication of the SP through a networked Road Side Unit. Preferably, the OBU opens, after a command from an ATP Client, a virtual connection for streaming data between the vehicle data bus and a remote server providing an automotive scan tool. Also preferably, the SP may use either cellular or IEEE 802.11 control signals to trialaterate its geographic position with greater accuracy than GPS, and to hand off the geo-position fixes to the OBU. Accumulated geo-location information may be reported to a remote server, providing a centralized geographic trend analysis of plural SPs operating with OBUs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Martin D. NATHANSON, Neal FAIRBANKS
  • Patent number: 9503968
    Abstract: Vehicle Communications using IEEE 802.11p WAVE functionality includes structure and method whereby a smart phone (SP) linked to an On Board Unit (OBU) having WAVE functionality, and incorporating Automotive Telemetry Protocol (ATP), has at least one processor to configure the SP as a GUI for the OBU, and to enable WAVE authentication of the SP through a networked Road Side Unit. Preferably, the OBU opens, after a command from an ATP Client, a virtual connection for streaming data between the vehicle data bus and a remote server providing an automotive scan tool. Also preferably, the SP may use either cellular or IEEE 802.11 control signals to trialaterate its geographic position with greater accuracy than GPS, and to hand off the geo-position fixes to the OBU. Accumulated geo-location information may be reported to a remote server, providing a centralized geographic trend analysis of plural SPs operating with OBUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Paxgrid Telemetric Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin D. Nathanson, Neal Fairbanks
  • Publication number: 20150319681
    Abstract: Vehicle Communications using IEEE 802.11p WAVE functionality includes structure and method whereby a smart phone (SP) linked to an On Board Unit (OBU) having WAVE functionality, and incorporating Automotive Telemetry Protocol (ATP), has at least one processor to configure the SP as a GUI for the OBU, and to enable WAVE authentication of the SP through a networked Road Side Unit. Preferably, the OBU opens, after a command from an ATP Client, a virtual connection for streaming data between the vehicle data bus and a remote server providing an automotive scan tool. Also preferably, the SP may use either cellular or IEEE 802.11 control signals to trialaterate its geographic position with greater accuracy than GPS, and to hand off the geo-position fixes to the OBU. Accumulated geo-location information may be reported to a remote server, providing a centralized geographic trend analysis of plural SPs operating with OBUs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: MARTIN D. NATHANSON, NEAL FAIRBANKS
  • Publication number: 20140047483
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing additional information associated with an object visually present in media content in response to selection of the object in the media content by a user is provided. Object parameters are established in association with the object. The object parameters are stored in a database. The additional information is linked to the object parameters. Selection event parameters are received in response to a selection event by the user selecting the object in the media content during playback of the media content. The selection event parameters are compared to the object parameters in the database. The method determines whether the selection event parameters are within the object parameters. The additional information is retrieved if the selection event parameters are within the object parameters such that the additional information is displayable to the user without interfering with playback of the media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Neal Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 8065615
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of retrieving information (10) associated with an object (12) present in a media stream (14). The method includes the steps of accessing the information (10) during playback of the media stream (14) on any device and defining user-selectable regions (18) in a layer (20) separate from the media stream (14). The layer (20) is preferably a clear applet for receiving and storing the user-selectable regions (18). The defining of the user-selectable region (18) is performed without editing individual frames of the media stream (14). A link (34) is associated between the user-selectable region (18) and the information (10) associated with the object (12) to identify the location where information (10) associated with the object (12) is stored. In operation, the layer (20) is disposed adjacent the media stream (14) without interfering with playback of the media stream (14) in the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventors: James H. Murray, Neal Fairbanks
  • Publication number: 20040104926
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of retrieving information (10) associated with an object (12) present in a media stream (14). The method includes the steps of accessing the information (10) during playback of the media stream (14) on any device and defining user-selectable regions (18) in a layer (20) separate from the media stream (14). The layer (20) is preferably a clear applet for receiving and storing the user-selectable regions (18). The defining of the user-selectable region (18) is performed without editing individual frames of the media stream (14). A link (34) is associated between the user-selectable region (18) and the information (10) associated with the object (12) to identify the location where information (10) associated with the object (12) is stored. In operation, the layer (20) is disposed adjacent the media stream (14) without interfering with playback of the media stream (14) in the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: James H. Murray, Neal Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 6636237
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of providing information to a viewer of a video through a video player (14) on a display such as a computer screen or television screen. A program allows an operator to create links between specific information and dynamic objects (10) within the changing scenes (12) of the video. The subject invention uses a program to establish and store the links. The operator can create the links manually or the program can identify features of the object (10) and then maintain the link when the dynamic object (10) changes in size or shape. The program records all of the links and compiles the information into an interface (18). The interface (18) is transparent and is positioned over the video player (14) on the screen (16). The program synchronizes the links to the video. A viewer, while watching the video, can select one of the objects (10) in the scene (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventors: James H. Murray, Neal Fairbanks