Patents Issued in February 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9576464
    Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for alerting a user to household environmental sounds. Data representative of a sound may be captured using a microphone. A sound profile may be received, the sound profile may include a definition associated with the sound and an acoustic signature. A match may be identified between the data indicative of the sound recorded by the microphone and the sound profile. A message may be output to a television for visual presentation based on the definition from the sound profile identified as the match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar UK Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Mark Powley
  • Patent number: 9576465
    Abstract: A first antenna configured to receive a signal from each of a plurality of devices. A library contains at least one unique identifier for at least one target device. A second antenna is used to geolocate the target device once the first antenna locates it in the vicinity of the system. A processor is coupled to the first antenna to receive the signal from the plurality of devices and extract the unique identifier from the signal. The processor compares the unique identifier from the signal to the unique identifiers in the library. Upon a match, the second antenna is used to locate the target device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: L8NT, LLC
    Inventor: David James Schwindt
  • Patent number: 9576466
    Abstract: A method includes receiving an indication that an event has occurred in a physical space being monitored by a monitoring device that includes a plurality of sensors. In response to the indication, the method includes sending one or more primary notifications of the event over a computer-based network to each of one or more persons primarily associated with the physical space being monitored. If, after a designated amount of time, none of the primary notifications have been viewed by any of the persons primarily associated with the physical space being monitored, the method includes sending a backup notification of the event over the computer-based network to one or more persons designated as backup contacts. The backup notification is logically associated with information that the one or more backup contacts can access about the event. The logical association can be embodied by a link (e.g., a hyperlink) in the backup notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canary Connect, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam D. Sager, Jonathan D. Troutman, Timothy Robert Hoover, Christopher I. Rill
  • Patent number: 9576467
    Abstract: The emergency detection system includes a position information acquisition section, a presumption section, a determination section, and a notification section. The position information acquisition section acquires position information that indicates temporal changes of current positions of a plurality of portable terminals obtained using a GPS. The presumption section presumes a point of emergency occurrence on the basis of the position information acquired by the position information acquisition section. The determination section examines whether or not the point presumed by the presumption section corresponds to an exclusion area, and determines that the point presumed by the presumption section is the point of the emergency occurrence in the case where the point does not correspond to the exclusion area. The notification section notifies the point of the emergency occurrence, which is determined by the determination section, to terminals at a preset destination of the notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hironori Matsumasa, Satoshi Ueda, Yuya Kudo, Yasunori Ohta, Ryosuke Usami, Takamasa Yaguchi
  • Patent number: 9576468
    Abstract: A non-wearable Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) architecture is provided, having a synthetic aperture antenna based RF interferometer followed by two-stage human state classifier and abnormal states pattern recognition. Systems and methods transmit ultra-wide band radio frequency signals at, and receive echo signals from, the environment, process the received echo signals to yield a range-bin-based slow signal that is spatio-temporally characterized over multiple spatial range bins and multiple temporal sub-frames, respectively, and derive from the slow signal a Doppler signature and a range-time energy signature as motion characteristics of human(s) in the environment and optionally also derive location data as movement characteristics thereof. The decision process is carried out based on the instantaneous human state (local decision) followed by abnormal states patterns recognition (global decision).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ECHOCARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Rafael Zack, Omer Hadad
  • Patent number: 9576469
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide systems and methods of adaptively adjusting sensitivity of a sensor of a security system that provide a first sensor to detect a motion event of a door or window of a building, and a controller communicatively coupled to the first sensor, to determine whether the detected motion event is a human-caused motion event or a periodic motion event by a comparison between data of the detected motion event and stored motion data, and to generate a security exception when the detected motion event is determined to be a periodic motion event, where the controller adaptively adjusts a sensitivity of the first sensor to detect the motion event according to data aggregated by the first sensor over a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Yash Modi, Kevin Charles Peterson, Mark Rajan Malhotra
  • Patent number: 9576470
    Abstract: A combination of an articulated apparatus having an electromechanical actuator, a power supply and a control unit with a unique electronic address, and a cordless controller, the cordless controller becoming exclusively electrically paired to the articulated apparatus when common signals therefrom to the control box include the unique electronic address, thus enabling control of the articulated apparatus when located near the other apparatus having other electronic addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventor: Svend Erik Knudsen Jensen
  • Patent number: 9576471
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) remote controller device comprises radio frequency (RF) circuitry operably coupled to an antenna arrangement and arranged to transmit and receive RF signals to and from controllable devices. The RF remote controller device further comprises signal process logic operably coupled to the RF circuitry and to a user interface. The antenna arrangement is arranged to comprise a directivity characteristic. The signal processing logic upon receipt of a command input from the user interface, is arranged to: determine at least one link quality value that is at least partly dependent upon the directivity characteristic for the at least one controllable device; and select the controllable device for remote controlling based on the determined at least one link quality value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Nicusor Penisoara, Razvan-Mihai Lucaci
  • Patent number: 9576472
    Abstract: A facility comprising systems, methods, and techniques for collecting data indicative of energy consumption and/or energy production by energy systems and devices and providing the data to interested users and devices in real-time is described. The facility may comprise an energy gateway device coupled to one or more monitored devices, one or more energy data extraction servers, and one or more client computers. The energy gateway devices and energy data extraction servers are coupled to a network and are configured to collect energy consumption and/or energy production data from one or more devices and provide an indication of the collected data in real-time or near real-time. The facility may collect current energy consumption or production rates, predicted energy consumption or production levels over a future period of time, and/or amounts of energy that has been consumed or produced by the device over a previous period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Tendril Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Koch
  • Patent number: 9576473
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system annotation of meta-data through a capture infrastructure are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of a client device includes applying an automatic content recognition algorithm to determine a content identifier of an audio-visual data. The client device then associates the content identifier with an advertisement data based on a semantic correlation between a meta-data of the advertisement provided by a content provider and/or the content identifier. A capture infrastructure annotates the audio-visual data with a brand name and/or a product name by comparing entries in the master database with a closed captioning data of the audio-visual data and/or through an application of an optical character recognition algorithm in the audio-visual data. The content identifier may involve a music identification, an object identification, a facial identification, and/or a voice identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: FREE STREAM MEDIA CORP.
    Inventors: Ashwin Navin, David Harrison, Josh Smallman
  • Patent number: 9576474
    Abstract: A method and a system for providing vehicle services to at least one communication device located at a vehicle via a vehicle telematics unit. The method carried out by the system includes the steps of: receiving a request at the vehicle telematics unit for first vehicle services from a first communication device located at a vehicle; associating a first identifier with the first communication device; and providing the first vehicle services to the first communication device, wherein the vehicle services are provided according to at least one services parameter associated with the first identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J Macdonald, Jonathan L Gerlach, Dipankar Pal, David George
  • Patent number: 9576475
    Abstract: A wireless-enabled tension meter is disclosed. The wireless-enabled tension meter can include a pulley arrangement through which a portion of a guiding member is routed for use during a pull of conductor through a conduit network. A tension force is exerted on the guiding member during the pull as the guiding member is pulled through the pulley arrangement. The wireless-enabled tension meter can also include a sensor for measuring the tension force, a wireless network interface, and a control module for performing operations. The operations performed by the control module can include capturing data corresponding to the tension force and causing the wireless network interface to send the data to a wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Southwire Company, LLC
    Inventors: Tim R. Bardin, Chad Garrish, Allan Wayne Daniel, James Phillip Tuggle, Richard Temblador
  • Patent number: 9576476
    Abstract: A method for controlling at least one peripheral device and associated electronic device and control system are provided. The method includes: detecting existence of a first mobile device by checking a wireless connection associated with the first mobile device; and when the existence of the first mobile device is detected, obtaining user data of the first mobile device through the wireless connection, and broadcasting the user data of the first mobile device to the peripheral device(s) for controlling a setting of each peripheral device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventor: Lin-Hao Yang
  • Patent number: 9576477
    Abstract: Electrical equipment includes a power supply unit, a signal receiving unit, a rectifying and filtering unit, a switch unit, and a control. The rectifying and filtering unit rectifies and filters remote signals received by the signal receiving unit to generate first voltage signals. The switch unit connects the power supply unit to an external power in response to receiving the first voltage signals. The control identifies a current mode of the electrical equipment and determines whether the first voltage signal persists longer than a predetermined time or not. The control outputs a second voltage signals in response to the duration time of the first voltage signals being greater than the predetermined time. The switch unit further connects the power supply unit to the external power according to the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal to start the electrical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: AMBIT MICROSYSTEMS (SHANGHAI) LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhi-Ming Zhang, Bin Jiang
  • Patent number: 9576478
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: based on received traveller data, the traveller data representing polled traveller usage of a particular traffic lane, designating the particular traffic lane as a restricted-use lane, the designation for use in subsequent navigation guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: HERE GLOBAL B.V.
    Inventor: Leon Oliver Stenneth
  • Patent number: 9576479
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques and systems to guide a visually impaired user through an urban area, such as, across a crosswalk. A mobile device may receive messages broadcast by wireless beacons deployed in an area and determine a path, for example, across a crosswalk, based on the messages. The mobile device can then provide feedback to guide a visually impaired user across the crosswalk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL IP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eddy Kvetny, Raan Kahn, Nachman Cohen, Ilan Carmel
  • Patent number: 9576480
    Abstract: Systems and methods to determine vehicle safety conditions are provided. Techniques include receiving one or more vehicle conditions from vehicle sensors and sending the data to a centralized server. The data is aggregated based on vehicle identifier and location to determine the type and location of the safety condition. The determined safety condition is sent to one or more vehicles in the vicinity of the determined safety condition to alert the drivers of the hazard. The safety condition can be displayed as an overlay on a map to aid the driver in locating it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventor: Itzhak Shoshan
  • Patent number: 9576481
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method, apparatus, system and computer program configured to process traffic data and provide relevant information to a driver of a vehicle. A method that is disclosed includes receiving probe data from mobile probes; deriving, from the received probe data, an approximate traffic jam shape and traffic jam area; determining when and at what point a vehicle enters the traffic jam area, and an estimated trajectory of the vehicle within the traffic jam area; and based on the step of determining, generating and sending a message to the vehicle informing the vehicle of at least an estimated time when the vehicle will exit the traffic jam area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: HERE GLOBAL B.V.
    Inventors: Jingwei Xu, Arnold Sheynman, Bruce Bernhardt, Tony Belkin, Weimin Huang
  • Patent number: 9576482
    Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of mobile object servers respectively assigned to a plurality of regions in a geographic space, the plurality of mobile object servers including at least one mobile object server including a mobile object agent assigned to a moving object in the assigned region; and a plurality of event servers operable to manage events occurring in the geographic space; wherein each mobile object server is operable to transfer the mobile object agent to one of the plurality of mobile object servers assigned to a neighboring region in response to the moving object moving to the neighboring region, and execute the mobile object agent to collect information of events from at least one event server, and provide the moving object with information that assists the moving object with traveling in the geographic space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Gaku Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9576483
    Abstract: A device for a traffic flow assistant for a vehicle includes a surroundings sensor system, which recognizes traffic-relevant objects on a traffic lane, on which the vehicle is traveling, and on at least one further adjacent lane, gaps in the traffic are recognized with the aid of the surroundings sensor system and vehicle-dynamic parameters of the objects are determined and future gaps in the flow of traffic are able to be predicted therefrom. For these recognized gaps and predicted gaps, lane change options are ascertained and, from this and the present and/or predicted presence of gaps in the traffic suitable for changing lanes and the vehicle-dynamic state of the vehicle, a signal for the lane selection is generated, which is dependent on the lane change options and an optimization strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Maass
  • Patent number: 9576484
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vehicular traffic with a laser rangefinding and speed measurement device utilizing a shaped divergent laser beam pattern. In accordance with the present invention, a traffic monitoring device is disclosed which comprises a light emitting diode having a die element producing an asymmetric beam pattern, an aperture for at least partially precluding some portion of the beam pattern in a first direction while allowing the beam pattern in a second orthogonal direction to pass therethrough and a lens associated with the aperture for causing the laser beam exiting the aperture to diverge providing a cone-like beam of laser energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: Laser Technology, Inc., Kama-Tech (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Jiyoon Chung, Jeremy G. Dunne
  • Patent number: 9576485
    Abstract: One embodiment of a traffic intersection lane and signal system for improving intersection capacity and safety. Through traffic is stopped by signal means (22) a distance away from the intersection. Turning traffic on turn lanes (10) and (14) have an option to proceed and queue on lane segments (12) and (16) respectively, then complete the turning maneuvers during phase ?7 and phase ?1 respectively. The through traffic released from signal means (22) arrives at the intersection at the time opposing left turn phase ?5 expires and through phase ?6 starts, and passes through the intersection without significant delay. A set of detectors (50) and signal means (52) located before the presignal help drivers to make stop decisions, and another set of detectors (54) and signal means (56) located before the intersection provide last second warning to drivers who ran the red light at the presignal. This system accommodates left-handed or right-handed driving conventions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Lijun Gao
  • Patent number: 9576486
    Abstract: An apparatus manages vehicle parking services in a flexible and cost efficient manner. Service information for vehicle parking in a spatial and time varying parking area is received at a vehicle from a parking service management apparatus. A geographical position of the vehicle relative to the parking area is determined and forwarded to the parking service management apparatus. These communications can trigger issuance of a vehicle parking ticket at the parking service management apparatus based on the geographical position of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Tobias Engelbert, Gordian Jodlauk
  • Patent number: 9576487
    Abstract: A global positioning system including a processor configured to determine a route of travel based upon satellite data that identify a current location of the global positioning system and traffic data obtained from a traffic flow control system, and a display configured to display the current position and a determined route of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Intellectual Fortress, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Hwading Chu, Yangyang Chen, Xiran Wang
  • Patent number: 9576488
    Abstract: Animation and visualization of roadway performance analytics in a dashboard presentation in an integrated performance measurement system comprises analyzing collected traffic data to generate measured congestion information that reflects current conditions in one or more links, segments, or corridors comprising a roadway. The measured congestion information is presented in one or more sets of indicia on a graphical user interface so that current congestion conditions can be viewed and analyzed by a user. The measured congestion information is represented as gauges displaying percentage increases or decreases relative to a particular time, as animated maps showing a selectable set of current congestion conditions, as one or more graphs of current congestion conditions over time, as chart-based displays of costs and causes of current congestion conditions, and a data feed listing textual live updates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ITERIS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert C. Hranac, Karl F. Petty, Eric Mai, Brian A. Derstine, Nicholas Hartman
  • Patent number: 9576489
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for providing safe driving information. The method includes building a database including group information obtained by grouping driving environment information and driving situation information according to attributes of the driving environment information and the driving situation information, and provision forms and provision timings of safe driving information determined according to conditions in groups; collecting driving environment information, driving situation information, obstacle information, and information on a driver's line of sight in real time; determining a provision form and a provision timing of safe driving information based on the collected information and the database; and providing the safe driving information according to the determined provision form and timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Hye Sun Park, Chang Rak Yoon, Kyong Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9576490
    Abstract: A navigation system for a transportation device, such as a vehicle, includes a controller and is at least partially operated by a driver. An off-board control module is operatively connected to a remote server and configured to communicate with the controller. The off-board control module is not physically connected to the controller. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method of determining a personalized route for travelling from a start location to an end location. The controller is programmed to divide each of the plurality of routes into a respective plurality of nodes, such that adjacent ones of the plurality of nodes define a respective path (i). The personalized route is selected based at least partially on a weighted consumption score reflecting various preferences of the driver, such as fuel consumption, speed, distance travelled and other preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Peggy Wang, Eric Chen, Wenjing Yang, Ron M. Hecht
  • Patent number: 9576491
    Abstract: A system for tracking school buses and school children to enhance the security and safety of schoolchildren and provide real-time information about the location of students and buses to teachers and administrators and parents. The system utilizes GPS components to determine a location of the school buses and biometric scanning technology to determine the identity of the students. The system transmits location and student identity data to a Main Station using a radio network component. Parents and school teacher and administrators can access the data to monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventors: Tian Wu, Li Jiang
  • Patent number: 9576492
    Abstract: A vehicle collision mitigation system (2) and method having a detecting device (3) and a control unit (4). The detecting device (3) being arranged to detect a certain field of view (6) defining a trigger area having an adjustable trigger width that is defined by trigger borders (9a, 9b; 10a, 10b) and is adjustable between a minimum trigger width (wmin) and a maximum trigger width (wmax). The collision mitigation system (2) is arranged to issue a system trigger signal at least in dependence of an object being determined to at least partly being present within the trigger borders if a collision is predicted to occur. The adjustable trigger width (w) is adjustable in dependence of the number of system trigger signals that have been issued during a certain time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Erik Rosen, Benny Nilsson
  • Patent number: 9576493
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of communicating with an unmanned aerial vehicle includes transmitting a first message via a communications transmitter of a lighting assembly for receipt by an unmanned aerial vehicle. The first message includes an identifier associated with the lighting assembly, and the lighting assembly is located within a proximity of a roadway. The method also includes receiving a second message from the unmanned aerial vehicle via a communications receiver of the lighting assembly. The second message includes an identifier associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle. The method further includes transmitting a third message via the communications transmitter of the lighting assembly for receipt by the unmanned aerial vehicle. The third message includes an indication of an altitude at which the unmanned aerial vehicle should fly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: John A. Jarrell
  • Patent number: 9576494
    Abstract: An automated resource resolver system receives a client request for a learning resource. The system selects a format for a target resource, to be delivered to the client device, based on user information and context information for the client device. Thus, the selected format will be accessible by the client device, utilizing the capabilities of the device, and will be the best-fit format for the user. After the system selects the format, the system determines whether the target resource stored at a resource repository is in the selected format. If not, then the system selects an instance of the target resource, not in the selected format, to convert to the selected format. The system converts the selected resource instance to produce an instance of the target resource that is in the selected format. The system makes the target learning resource, in the selected format, available to the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Apollo Education Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Narender Vattikonda, Shridhar Navanageri, Sudhakar Subashchandrabose, Raghavendra Reddy, Anil Maipady
  • Patent number: 9576495
    Abstract: An on-line teaching, learning and assessing system provides a teacher rapid feedback while teaching a classroom lesson on STEM principles by measuring student progress in learning the principles wherein student progress is measured by students' correct answers to assessment questions. The system includes at least one teacher computer and a plurality of student computers linked to the at least one teacher computer by a communications network. Each computer includes an input device and a touch sensitive screen for receiving handwritten input. The teacher inputs the teacher computer with at least one assessment question and at least one corresponding correct answer to the question, both inputs being handwritten using math expressions and STEM sketches. The student inputs the student computer with at least one student answer corresponding to the assessment question, the answer being handwritten using math expressions and STEM sketches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Fluidity Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald P. Carney, Andrew Forsberg
  • Patent number: 9576496
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for training a subject to recognize the onset of hypoxia, the system including (i) a flight simulation system, and (ii) a hypoxia induction system, wherein the flight simulation system is operably linked to the hypoxia induction system. The system provides a tool for pilot training to a pilot, allowing for the delivery of standardized training programs where the tasks required for the operation of an aircraft are able to be coordinated with an induction of hypoxia in the subject. Such a system is also able to provide an assessment tool to demonstrate when a pilot has had sufficient training in recognizing the effects of hypoxia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BIOMEDTECH AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventor: Oleg Bassovitch
  • Patent number: 9576497
    Abstract: A chord playing attachment and related method is disclosed. The chord playing attachment may be attached to a guitar or similar stringed instrument, and the user may use the chord playing attachment to learn to play the instrument. Unlike other chord playing attachments, the present invention discloses a design that does not function as a capo, which allows the user play chords in standard keys. The present invention also discloses tabs that may be removed or swapped by the user to allow the user to play some chords by pressing the strings directly and some by pressing a finger pad. The present invention encourages novices to learn to play the instrument in stages and eventually remove the invention entirely. A companion teaching manual is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Travis Perry
  • Patent number: 9576498
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for training transcription system trainees is provided. The system includes a memory, at least one processor coupled to the memory, and a training component executable by the at least one processor. The training component is configured to evaluate performance of at least one transcription system trainee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: 3Play Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger S. Zimmerman, Christopher S. Antunes, Jeremy E. Barron, Sharon Lee Tomasulo, Claudia W. Fiore, Christopher E. Johnson, Anatole Khesin, Joshua Miller
  • Patent number: 9576499
    Abstract: A system for delivering targeted content based on user behavior stores multiple behavior change models, generates a user record containing information regarding a user, selects a behavior change model from the multiple stored models based on the information in the user record, and delivers to the user targeted content based on the selected behavior change model, the targeted content being adapted to influence the user to change behavior according to the selected behavior change model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: MediResource Inc.
    Inventors: Paul S. Kostoff, Stephen Newport
  • Patent number: 9576500
    Abstract: A training supporting system has a training supporting apparatus and an exercise form analyzing apparatus, the both apparatuses being connected to each other through a communication network. The training supporting apparatus is worn on the arm of a user and measures acceleration rates of motion of the user's body where the apparatus is fitted on, at least in the three directions along X-, Y- and Z-axes, while the user is walking or running. Receiving the measured acceleration rates from the training supporting apparatus through the communication network, the exercise form analyzing apparatus analyzes an exercise form including balance between arm swing and foot landing, and sends back the analysis result of the exercise form to the training supporting apparatus through the communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Aoki, Yoshiharu Houjou, Kazuko Hayashi, Koji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9576501
    Abstract: In one aspect, a device includes a processor, a display accessible to the processor, and memory accessible to the processor. The memory bears instructions executable by the processor to provide sound corresponding to a portion of text presented on the display with at least one portion of the sound being provided as if originating at least substantially from a location on the display at which the portion of text is presented on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Lucio Mitsuru Seki
  • Patent number: 9576502
    Abstract: A training adapter (28) for an automated external defibrillator (AED) (10) which provides for safe training use of any AED. The training adapter includes a circuit which ensures that any defibrillation voltage/current is shunted away from the trainee, training electrodes (26), and patient simulation equipment. The training adapter simultaneously provides to the AED a simulated patient ECG signal which causes the AED to operate as if an actual cardiac rescue were occurring, thus heightening the realism of the training experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hans Patrick Griesser, Dennis E. Ochs
  • Patent number: 9576503
    Abstract: A cart for transporting a simulation system configured to control a simulation manikin, a recording system configured to record information about a simulation session, and a playback display device configured to display a playback of the recorded information. The cart includes a cart body supported by a plurality of wheels, and a power supply coupled to the cart body. The cart body has an upper work surface, and an interior storage space configured to store the manikin. The work surface is configured to support user input devices configured to provide user input to the simulation system, and the recording system. The playback display device is mountable to first and second spaced apart upright support assemblies mounted on the cart body. The power supply is connectable to an external power source, and configured to provide power to the simulation manikin, the playback display device, and the simulation and recording systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
    Inventor: Donald A. Stephanian
  • Patent number: 9576504
    Abstract: A hydraulic model of the cardiovascular system for illustrating a plurality of physiological concepts and relationships including arterial compliance, venous compliance, and peripheral resistance, said model comprising: a.) a cardiac subsystem for moving a fluid in a singular direction in a closed hydraulic system; b.) an arterial subsystem for modeling arterial compliance, the arterial subsystem fluidically coupled with the cardiac subsystem to receive the fluid discharged from the cardiac subsystem; c.) a peripheral resistance subsystem for modeling peripheral resistance, the peripheral resistance subsystem fluidically coupled with the arterial subsystem to receive the fluid discharged from arterial subsystem; d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: University of Scranton
    Inventor: Terrence E. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 9576505
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reorganizing display of a railway timetable diagram. A method of reorganizing the display of a railway timetable diagram, including: generating a relational graph by using a multiple of stations in the railway timetable diagram and correlations between the stations; partitioning the relational graph according to a partition rule, where the partition rule reduces lines crossing in at least one page and/or section in at least one page in a reorganized railway timetable diagram, where the lines representing an association between respective stations along a path in the reorganized railway timetable diagram; and displaying a reorganized railway timetable diagram based on a result of the partitioning. An apparatus for reorganizing the display of a railway timetable diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peng Gao, Wen Ting Mo, Wei Sun, Bao Hua Wang, Feng Juan Wang, Zhi Hu Wang, Xin Zang
  • Patent number: 9576506
    Abstract: A structure is configured to be flat in an unassembled position and to form a three-dimensional structure in an assembled position. The structure includes a plurality of adjacent panels coupled together along fold lines with each panel including a foam core covered on one surface by a flexible skin. The flexible skin is continuous between the adjacent panels that are coupled together for forming a respective fold line for the adjacent panels to be brought together at a right angle to each other along the fold line. The foam core of each panel includes a mitered surface along abutting edges to form a miter joint when adjacent panels are brought together. Slots are formed in the panel cores adjacent to mitered surfaces. Brackets span a miter joint between adjacent panels, holding the spanned miter joint and panels together in a three-dimensional structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: EPS Specialties Ltd., Inc.
    Inventor: Edgar L. Wilkinson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9576507
    Abstract: A placard holder has a clamp member with an enlarged head and an elongated stem. The head defines a narrow slot such that a card containing visually perceptible or machine readable information can be mounted to the head by a friction fit of an edge of the card inserted into the slot. The clamp member attaches to a supporting article such as a display stand by extending the stem through a hole of a thin wall of the support and placing a lock washer over the stem opposite the head. The lock washer is forced along the stem end to compress the wall between it and the head. Compression is maintained by prongs of the lock washer that engage radially protruding teeth disposed along the elongated stem. Paper or plastic placards such as business cards, credit cards, place cards, gift cards can be placed in the placard holder for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: PURR-FECTION BY MJC, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Stanley Helmholz, Martin Joseph Castro
  • Patent number: 9576508
    Abstract: A label and related method of manufacture that includes a fabric made of yarn. The yarn includes a fiber that has been recycled, that is recyclable, that is organic, that is biodegradable, and/or that can be derived from a material that is known to be environmentally friendly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Amy Stiel, Terence Leung, Barry Van Dyk
  • Patent number: 9576509
    Abstract: A unitary sheet-like merchandise labeling article that has a labeling tag flatly conjoined along a unifying flat bond zone with a flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag and includes an elastic fastening loop. The loop sides that define the loop are wider than the thickness of the elastic layer. Further, the flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag has a thickness greater than the thickness of the tag and has a dispersion zone adjacent the unifying flat bond zone. The dispersion zone allows dissipation of elastic loop in-line stretching forces sufficiently to reduce transmission of such forces into the bond zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BEDFORD INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert B. Ludlow, John B. Linquist, Colin M. O'Donnell, Ryan M. Korpela
  • Patent number: 9576510
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of display technology, and particularly relates to a bendable flexible display device. The display device comprises a display screen, a back plate arranged on the back of the display screen, and a support, the back plate being arranged on the support, wherein the back plate is a spliced back plate, and the display screen is a flexible display screen; and the back plate allows the display screen to be converted between a curved display state and a flat display state. The display device can be converted between a curved display state and a flat display state, to implement various viewing modes and meet different demands of all kinds of people.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yan Ren, Zifeng Wang
  • Patent number: 9576511
    Abstract: A sign comprising a surface having a display, and a plurality of sources of visible light. The sources of visible light are oriented to illuminate at least a portion of the display, and include solid state light emitters and/or luminescent materials. Line segments drawn on a Chromaticity Diagram connecting coordinates of some of the illumination color hues define a shape which encompasses coordinates of the display color hue(s). Also, a sign comprising a surface having a display having a surface area of at least 4 square meters, and at least 100 sources of visible light including solid state light emitters and/or luminescent materials. Also, a sign comprising a white light source and at least one additional source of light. Also, methods of illuminating signs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Paul Van De Ven, Gerald H. Negley
  • Patent number: 9576512
    Abstract: A display panel including a display part including a plurality of sub-pixels configured to display a plurality of colors, and a plurality of data lines connected with the sub-pixels; a first test part configured to supply a test signal to (2K?1)th data lines (‘K’ is an integer above 0) by each color for the sub-pixels among the plurality of data lines; and a second test part configured to supply a test signal to 2Kth data lines by each color for the sub-pixels among the plurality of data lines when the first test part supplies the test signal. Further, a polarity of the test signal supplied by the second test part is opposite to a polarity of the test signal supplied by the first test part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Chul Park, Je Hyung Park
  • Patent number: 9576513
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing an EL display apparatus including a light-emitting portion in which a light emitting layer is disposed between a pair of electrodes, a thin film transistor array device for controlling light emission of the light-emitting portion, and an EL display panel in which a plurality of pixels of colors of R, G, and B are disposed. After production of the EL display panel, an inspection step is performed to apply, to each of the pixels, a voltage which is preset for each of the colors of R, G, and B of the pixels, the voltage applied in the inspection step is a potential difference that is a reverse bias voltage opposite to an anode voltage and a cathode voltage during lighting, and the potential difference allows a faulty pixel to turn to a dead dot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: JOLED INC
    Inventor: Akinori Shiota