Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Doyle
Thomas F. Doyle 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).
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Patent number: 10674795Abstract: An apparatus for redundant retention of a device comprises a mountable device comprising a first side having a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion, at the first fastening portion, an elongated body having an inclined face parallel to and protruding from the first side and a flat face perpendicular to the first side, at the second fastening portion, a circular body with a smooth circular face, the circular body protruding from the first side, a removable device comprising a corresponding first side having a corresponding first fastening portion and a corresponding second fastening portion, at the corresponding first fastening portion, a first groove for receiving the elongated body and engaging a first retention mechanism, at the corresponding second fastening portion, a second groove for receiving the circular body and engaging a second retention mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Mars, IncorporatedInventors: Thomas F. Doyle, James C. Brailean
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Patent number: 10652821Abstract: A method for creating dynamic safe zones comprises determining, by a tracking device, the tracking device is outside a domicile, monitoring, by the tracking device, a location of the tracking device, in response to the location satisfying a condition, creating a safe zone for the tracking device, and while the tracking device is within the safe zone, reducing power consumption of the tracking device, wherein the method is performed using one or more computing devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Mars, IncorporatedInventors: Thomas F. Doyle, James C. Brailean, Kevin Lloyd
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Publication number: 20190307213Abstract: An apparatus for redundant retention of a device comprises a mountable device comprising a first side having a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion, at the first fastening portion, an elongated body having an inclined face parallel to and protruding from the first side and a flat face perpendicular to the first side, at the second fastening portion, a circular body with a smooth circular face, the circular body protruding from the first side, a removable device comprising a corresponding first side having a corresponding first fastening portion and a corresponding second fastening portion, at the corresponding first fastening portion, a first groove for receiving the elongated body and engaging a first retention mechanism, at the corresponding second fastening portion, a second groove for receiving the circular body and engaging a second retention mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Thomas F. Doyle, James C. Brailean
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Patent number: 10376020Abstract: An apparatus for redundant retention of a device comprises a mountable device comprising a first side having a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion, at the first fastening portion, an elongated body having an inclined face parallel to and protruding from the first side and a flat face perpendicular to the first side, at the second fastening portion, a circular body with a smooth circular face, the circular body protruding from the first side, a removable device comprising a corresponding first side having a corresponding first fastening portion and a corresponding second fastening portion, at the corresponding first fastening portion, a first groove for receiving the elongated body and engaging a first retention mechanism, at the corresponding second fastening portion, a second groove for receiving the circular body and engaging a second retention mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: MARS, INCORPORATEDInventors: Thomas F. Doyle, James C. Brailean
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Publication number: 20180262988Abstract: A method for creating dynamic safe zones comprises determining, by a tracking device, the tracking device is outside a domicile, monitoring, by the tracking device, a location of the tracking device, in response to the location satisfying a condition, creating a safe zone for the tracking device, and while the tracking device is within the safe zone, reducing power consumption of the tracking device, wherein the method is performed using one or more computing devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Thomas F. Doyle, James C. Brailean, Kevin Lloyd
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Patent number: 9974020Abstract: A method for creating dynamic safe zones comprises determining, by a tracking device, the tracking device is outside a domicile, monitoring, by the tracking device, a location of the tracking device, in response to the location satisfying a condition, creating a safe zone for the tracking device, and while the tracking device is within the safe zone, reducing power consumption of the tracking device, wherein the method is performed using one or more computing devices.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: MARS, INCORPORATEDInventors: Thomas F. Doyle, James C. Brailean, Kevin Lloyd
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Patent number: 9223783Abstract: Apparatus and methods for managing content, such as content captured by a mobile device, are provided. The apparatus and method include receiving a plurality of content, which includes tag information, e.g., date and location information and an identifier for the mobile device. In addition, the apparatus and methods may include automatically grouping the content based on the tag information, and automatically labeling the content based on the tag information. For example, determined groupings of the content may be placed into folders and labeled based upon the tag information.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2010Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventor: Thomas F. Doyle
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Patent number: 9167102Abstract: A billing system and method for providing both business and personal data access to a user of a wireless communications device is provided. A user enters an access request, and it is determined if the access request is a personal type access request or a business type access request. Personal type access requests are processed in order to provide billing for the personal requests to the user of the wireless communications device, and business type access requests are processed to provide billing to the business. Such systems and methods provide enhanced convenience to mobile workers while avoiding additional costs associated with such services being incurred by the business.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventor: Thomas F. Doyle
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Patent number: 9143623Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing separable billing services. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a memory for storing a data address associated with a first type of communication and a processor for receiving a data packet, the data packet comprising a destination data address. The processor compares the destination data address to the data address associated with the first type of communication, and routes the data packet to the destination data address if the destination data address matches the data address associated with the first type of communication and bills an account associated with the first type of communication.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Thomas F. Doyle, Craig Lauer
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Patent number: 9092963Abstract: An apparatus and method for a tracking device to inconspicuously track a person to be monitored (such as a child or at-risk adult) are presented. Some embodiments of the present invention combine a positioning receiver (e.g., a GPS receiver) and a locking mechanism to act as a tracking device, which attaches to an article of clothing or fabric wearable by the person to be monitored. Some embodiments of the present invention keep a positioning receiver and a radio frequency identification tag (RFID tag) or other RF tag, which are physically separate but in RF proximity of each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Dudley K. Fetzer, Thomas F. Doyle
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Patent number: 9055475Abstract: A method for a tracking device optimizing power to remain reachable for a desired period based on evaluated wide-area-network conditions. The tracking device may communicate via a power-intensive long-range transceiver and may continually measure service conditions related to network communications. The tracking device may periodically calculate statistical information describing the service conditions, such as a percentage of time in which the tracking device was out-of-network-service. Based on the statistics, the tracking device may operate in an optimization mode to conserve power when out-of-network-service. In an embodiment, the tracking device may calculate the statistics based on evaluation periods defined by predefined numbers of out-of-network-service occurrences, predefined time periods, and/or a hybrid of both.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Catalin Lacatus, Harleen K. Gill, Eric C. Rosen, Hemish K. Parikh, Thomas F. Doyle
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Patent number: 9002575Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating a vehicle operator. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an input device for allowing entry of vehicle operator identification information, a transceiver for transmitting a message and receiving a response to the message, an interface for allowing a processor to communication with a vehicle sub-system, and a processor connected to the input device, the transceiver, and the interface, the processor for receiving the vehicle operator identification information from the input device, for generating the message comprising the vehicle operation identification information and providing the message to the transceiver, for receiving the response from the transceiver and for controlling the vehicle sub-system, via the interface, based on the response.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2009Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Omnitracs, LLCInventors: John Harvey, Thomas F. Doyle, Michael L. Segal
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Patent number: 8988214Abstract: A method and system for tracking exercise and personal security includes providing hardware for a portable computing device that allows the device to be worn on a person. The method includes receiving a selection of an exercise option with the portable computing device and receiving a selection of an automated alert option for personal security with the portable computing device while a person trains or competes. The portable computing device that is worn may display one or more biological outputs on a display and it may provide a user interface which has one or more selectable instant alert options. The user interface may also support two-way audio communications.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Steven R. Altman, David Vigil, Thomas F. Doyle, David J. Ross
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Patent number: 8892116Abstract: A wireless communication device transmits location information associated with a mobile worker at a first interval when the worker is assigned to a work task. When the worker is not working on the work task, the wireless communication device does not transmit location information, or transmits the location information less persistently. In this manner, business value of tracking mobile worker location is achieved while also allowing for enhanced privacy for the mobile worker when not working on a work task.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2006Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Omnitracs, LLCInventor: Thomas F. Doyle
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Patent number: 8874088Abstract: An integrated communication system comprises a first communication device connected to a second communication device using a data link. When the first communication device is out of network, a dispatch center can indicate to the use a communication is waiting or wanted by sending a communication request signal to the second communication device. The second communication device transmits the communication request signal to the first communication device over the data link alerting the user of the first communication device to the requested communication.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Omnitracs, LLCInventor: Thomas F. Doyle
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Publication number: 20140274225Abstract: A method for a tracking device optimizing power to remain reachable for a desired period based on evaluated wide-area-network conditions. The tracking device may communicate via a power-intensive long-range transceiver and may continually measure service conditions related to network communications. The tracking device may periodically calculate statistical information describing the service conditions, such as a percentage of time in which the tracking device was out-of-network-service. Based on the statistics, the tracking device may operate in an optimization mode to conserve power when out-of-network-service. In an embodiment, the tracking device may calculate the statistics based on evaluation periods defined by predefined numbers of out-of-network-service occurrences, predefined time periods, and/or a hybrid of both.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: Catalin LACATUS, Harleen K. GILL, Eric C. ROSEN, Hemish K. PARIKH, Thomas F. DOYLE
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Patent number: 8831678Abstract: The various embodiments provide methods, devices, and systems for conserving power by controlling a first radio based on a second radio. In various embodiments, the first radio may be generally on or periodically on, and in communication with or attempting to establish connections with a first radio network. The device may determine whether to energize or turn on a second radio to connect with a second radio network based on one or more connections or the absence of connections established by the primary radio. This determination may be further based on various factors, such as a beacon or identifier sent over a primary radio connection, information obtained from or regarding the first radio network, one or more data structures stored within the device, or previously recorded states of the device.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventor: Thomas F. Doyle
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Patent number: 8660709Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating a vehicle operator. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an input device for allowing entry of vehicle operator identification information, a transceiver for transmitting a message and receiving a response to the message, an interface for allowing a processor to communication with a vehicle sub-system, and a processor connected to the input device, the transceiver, and the interface, the processor for receiving the vehicle operator identification information from the input device, for generating the message comprising the vehicle operation identification information and providing the message to the transceiver, for receiving the response from the transceiver and for controlling the vehicle sub-system, via the interface, based on the response.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Omnitracs, Inc.Inventors: John Harvey, Thomas F. Doyle, Michael L. Segal
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Patent number: 8644798Abstract: Separable billing of business and non-business calls to/from a remote station or wireless communications device is provided. Business calls may be billed to the business, or other entity that provides a telephone to a user, and non-business calls may be billed to a user personally. When a call is desired to be connected, it is determined if the number of the call is a business number. If the number is a business number, the call is placed and billed to the business. If the number is not a business number, the call is placed and billed to the user when the user approves personal billing for the call. If the user does not approve personal billing of a non-business call, the call may be denied.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2007Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Omnitracs, Inc.Inventors: Thomas F. Doyle, Craig Lauer, Susan Hennefent, Thomas Thibault
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Patent number: 8594624Abstract: Systems and methods to provision a non-handset target device with wide-area communication service, such as wireless wide area network (WWAN) technology. Identifying information of the target device can be provided to a provisioning service provider (PSP) via a mobile provisioning device over a communication network. The PSP can determine the service carrier associated with the mobile provisioning device and enable the provisioning of the target device with the wide-area communication service to the service carrier via the mobile provisioning device. A billing plan can be instituted for the service of the target non-handset device relating to a billing plan of the mobile provisioning device.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventor: Thomas F. Doyle