Patents by Inventor Tom Packert

Tom Packert 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: 8395480
    Abstract: A system has tags communicating by means of low frequency (below 1 megahertz) with routers which in turn communicate with nameservers. The tags have IP addresses, either explicitly programmed into the tags or associated in a virtual way with the tags. Lookups analogous to domain lookups permit human-friendly inquiries of tag status and location. Static (battery-backed) RAM in a tag permits great versatility in the localized function of the tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Visible Assets, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Stevens, David Cramer, Tom Packert, Paul Waterhouse, James Cassidy, Rodney Gilchrist
  • Patent number: 8115628
    Abstract: The system employs full transceivers, each having peer-to-peer, client/server, and IP networking capabilities, and covering open-area ranges of up to 100 feet. The system uses Low Frequency for data communications so it can achieve both low cost (less costly than many RF-ID tags) and long battery life (10-15 years). Additionally, since these tags have batteries, static RAM maybe be added at very low cost, as well as sensors, LED's displays etc. The system also employs a sidewinder that communicates to said tag regularly, said sidewinder keeps the IP address of said tag. The system also employs an embedded VPN. The VPN includes a suite of diagnostic tools that run on a laptop. The system also includes a visibility data server that communicates to the sidewinder by the VPN. The data server includes a virtual tag data base, said virtual tag data base updated by the sidewinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Visible Assets, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Stevens, David Cramer, Tom Packert
  • Publication number: 20100322168
    Abstract: The system employs full transceivers, each having peer-to-peer, client/server, and IP networking capabilities, and covering open-area ranges of up to 100 feet. The system uses Low Frequency for data communications so it can achieve both low cost (less costly than many RF-ID tags) and long battery life (10-15 years). Additionally, since these tags have batteries, static RAM maybe be added at very low cost, as well as sensors, LED's displays etc. The system also employs a sidewinder that communicates to said tag regularly, said sidewinder keeps the IP address of said tag. The system also employs an embedded VPN. The VPN includes a suite of diagnostic tools that run on a laptop. The diagnostic tools talk direct to the sidewinder, the tools read and program said tag providing the tools have correct IP address of the tag. The system also includes a visibility data server that communicates to the sidewinder by the VPN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Visible Assets, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Stevens, David Cramer, Tom Packert
  • Patent number: 7667606
    Abstract: Activities of individuals and the movements/usage of products are monitored in an operating room during a surgical procedure by disposing in the operating room a first transceiver operating in a long wavelength mode in which 99.99% or more of radiated energy is in the form of a magnetic field, for example 131 KHz. A distinguishable radio frequency-enabled identification tag is associated with each of a plurality of persons assigned to the surgical procedure, including for example, doctors, nurses, and/or the patient, and optionally with products to be monitored. A signal is transmitted from the first transceiver and responses from the identification tags are monitored. A log is created from the monitored responses indicative activities of each of the persons in the operating room or of movements of tagged products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Visible Assets, Inc
    Inventors: Tom Packert, Jay Pierce, Robert J. Griffin, John K. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20080246610
    Abstract: Activities of individuals and the movements/usage of products are monitored in an operating room during a surgical procedure by disposing in the operating room a first transceiver operating in a long wavelength mode in which 99.99% or more of radiated energy is in the form of a magnetic field, for example 131 KHz. A distinguishable radio frequency-enabled identification tag is associated with each of a plurality of persons assigned to the surgical procedure, including for example, doctors, nurses, and/or the patient, and optionally with products to be monitored. A signal is transmitted from the first transceiver and responses from the identification tags are monitored. A log is created from the monitored responses indicative activities of each of the persons in the operating room or of movements of tagged products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: VISIBLE ASSETS, INC.
    Inventors: Tom Packert, Jay Pierce, Robert J. Griffin, John K. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20080129456
    Abstract: A system has tags communicating by means of low frequency (below 1 megahertz) with routers which in turn communicate with nameservers. The tags have IP addresses, either explicitly programmed into the tags or associated in a virtual way with the tags. Lookups analogous to domain lookups permit human-friendly inquiries of tag status and location. Static (battery-backed) RAM in a tag permits great versatility in the localized function of the tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: VISIBLE ASSETS, INC.
    Inventors: John K. Stevens, David Cramer, Tom Packert, Paul Waterhouse, James W. Cassidy, Rodney D. Gilchrist
  • Publication number: 20080100453
    Abstract: A system uses an antenna at a portal, the antenna coupled to equipment which can send and receive information to and from radio tags, each having a unique identity. The equipment detects, for example, a tag attached to an asset. The equipment looks to see if an associated badge is in the detection area of the portal. If the badge and asset match, the user bearing the badge is permitted to exit the portal. Otherwise the user is not permitted to exit the portal. An asset such as a ski can be equipped with such a tag, the tag in this case being a low-frequency tag. The low-frequency tag permits locating the ski even if it is not visible because it is under snow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: VISIBLE ASSETS, INC.
    Inventors: John K. Stevens, Paul Waterhouse, David Cramer, M. Jason August, Tom Packert, Jay Pierce
  • Publication number: 20080094177
    Abstract: The system employs full transceivers, each having peer-to-peer, client/server, and IP networking capabilities, and covering open-area ranges of up to 100 feet. The system uses Low Frequency for data communications so it can achieve both low cost (less costly than many RF-ID tags) and long battery life (10-15 years). Additionally, since these tags have batteries, static RAM maybe be added at very low cost, as well as sensors, LED's displays etc. The system also employs a sidewinder that communicates to said tag regularly, said sidewinder keeps the IP address of said tag. The system also employs an embedded VPN. The VPN includes a suite of diagnostic tools that run on a laptop. The diagnostic tools talk direct to the sidewinder, the tools read and program said tag providing the tools have correct IP address of the tag. The system also includes a visibility data server that communicates to the sidewinder by the VPN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: VISIBLE ASSETS, INC.
    Inventors: John Stevens, Dived Cramer, Tom Packert