Patents Issued in March 13, 2018
  • Patent number: 9916706
    Abstract: A customer vehicle management system includes fob devices that each include a customer portion and a key portion, that are separable and may be magnetically interlocked with a charging and communication link between them. The system provides dynamic association of fob customer portions, fob key portions and docking units housed within a cabinet. Customer portions are deployed to a customer (driver) who may later request retrieval of a vehicle the keys of which were left with an operator (valet). Vehicle requests are made through a wireless link. A communications and management module within a fob and key storage cabinet receives the request signal and activates an indicator on a docking unit associated with the customer portion and where an associated key portion is docked. The operator may then retrieve vehicle keys associated with the customer portion from which the request was made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: Wayne Gardner, Luke Gardner, Edwin T. Horton, Ronald Dir
  • Patent number: 9916707
    Abstract: An envoy device configured to perform a transaction with a further device. The envoy device comprises: a data store; a processor; communication circuitry for communicating with the further device; and a display. The envoy device is configured to respond to detection of the further device being within a predetermined physical proximity to trigger initiation of a transaction between the devices; and to respond to the transaction completing to display an object related to the transaction that it is determined the user may wish to select to initiate a subsequent action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ARM IP Limited
    Inventors: Hugo John Martin Vincent, Krisztian Flautner
  • Patent number: 9916708
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a signal processing system is provided, comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive at least one signal that comprises a plurality of multipath components; a verification unit configured to correlate at least one multipath component under test with a reference signal derived from one or more of said plurality of multipath components. According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding signal processing method is conceived. According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding computer program is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Arie Koppelaar, Frank Leong, Stefan Drude
  • Patent number: 9916709
    Abstract: To provide a coin batch insertion device which is capable of feeding a coin at high speed. In addition, to provide a coin batch insertion device which is capable of implementing space saving. A coin batch insertion device 1 that separates and feeds a plurality of inserted coins C, inserted as a batch, one by one, includes: a cylindrical portion 4; a rotor 5 arranged inside the cylindrical portion 4; and a floor portion 7 including a coin dropping hole 7a, in which the inserted coins C, maintained in an erect state, are fed by conveying the coins between an inner peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 4 and an outer peripheral wall of the rotor 5 along the inner peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 4 using rotation of the rotor 5 and dropping the coins into the coin dropping hole 7a one by one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON CONLUX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Kondo, Fumio Yuzawa, Fuminori Hongo
  • Patent number: 9916710
    Abstract: A coin-shaped detection object discriminating device may be used with a detection object in a coin shape, and the coin-shaped detection object discriminating device may include a passage through which the detection object is passed; a permanent magnet; and a magnetic sensor disposed opposite to the permanent magnet across the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shogo Momose
  • Patent number: 9916711
    Abstract: A standard sized coin roll holder is loaded with a stack of alternating coins and spacers such that a variable number of coins can be accommodated in a standard sized holder. The number of coins loaded into the holder can be configured to be one more than the number of spacers, starting with a coin, then a spacer and so on, such that a coin occupies both the first position and the last position in the stack and making a coin face visible at each end. A twenty coin holder can be loaded, for example, with 10 coins and 9 spacers or with 5 coins and 4 spacers. A compressible silicone rubber washer can also be included to account for slight variations in coin thickness, thus securing the stack within the available height inside a closed and sealed case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph R Yanarella, Jr., Stephen Lam, Max Spiegel
  • Patent number: 9916712
    Abstract: In an apparatus for checking sheet material a plurality of sensors is arranged along a sensor path along which the sheet material is transported. The sensors each have two components, which are arranged at opposite sides of the bank note transport path. For the functioning of many sensors it is necessary that the opposing sensor components are exactly aligned to each other. So as to achieve that the alignment of the sensor components arranged opposite each other is set with high accuracy and reproducible, the relative position of the sensor components opposing each other is defined by means of docking elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventor: August Häusler
  • Patent number: 9916713
    Abstract: Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, and methods of imaging coins are presented herein. A currency processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with an input area for receiving coins and receptacles for stowing processed coins. A disk-type coin processing unit is coupled to the coin input area and coin receptacles. The coin processing unit includes a rotatable disk for imparting motion to coins, and a sorting head adjacent the rotatable disk with shaped regions for guiding moving coins to exit channels through which the coins are discharged to the coin receptacles. A sensor arrangement mounted adjacent the rotatable disk includes one light emitting device for emitting light onto a coin surface at near-normal incidence. A photodetector senses light reflected off the coin surface and outputs a coin-image signal for processing the coin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Araz Yacoubian, Danny D. Yang, Tomasz M. Jagielinksi, Frank M. Csulits, Gary P. Watts
  • Patent number: 9916714
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the utilization of inventory space for articles dispensable from an article dispensing machine is provided. A subset of articles in the article dispensing machine may be targeted for removal for various purposes. Based on a list of the subset of articles, the article dispensing machine may move the subset of articles from a storage unit to a predetermined area, such as a merchandising zone of the storage unit or a separate article removal bin. The subset of articles may be removed from the predetermined area, followed by loading of new articles to the predetermined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Franklin Smith, William Martinka, Jim Polubinski
  • Patent number: 9916715
    Abstract: A pharmacy medication verification system is particularly useful for verifying medications to be dispensed to hospital patients while minimizing or eliminating verification by a pharmacist. Typically, a technician or robot picks the medications from storage bins in accordance with a medical prescription or stocking order and uses various sensors to ensure that the correct medication was picked and enters a medication container. The system typically provides correct and incorrect medication indicators as well as correct and incorrect entry indicators. Error reports may be generated when appropriate to communicate any relevant errors to the pharmacist, who can then verify that the correct medications are in the container. In one aspect, the containers are in the form of patient drawers which fit within a cart for delivery to hospital rooms. A containment device may be used to secure the drawer of other container during the verification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: MICRO DATASTAT, LTD.
    Inventor: David J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9916716
    Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed that comprises a symbol selector configured to select a plurality of base symbols from a set of base symbols for display in a display area; and at least one set of additional symbols, each set of additional symbols including a plurality of additional symbols. The gaming system is configured to incorporate the additional symbols of an additional symbol set into the base symbol set so as to define a combined symbol set, and the gaming system is configured to select and display a plurality of base and/or additional symbols from the combined symbol set. The gaming system further comprises an outcome evaluator configured to determine a game outcome based on the selected base and/or additional symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Daniel Marks
  • Patent number: 9916717
    Abstract: A virtual entertainment system supports holographic display for multiple players. The system has multiple viewing screens, each screen displaying thematic events. Multiple carriages have seating supporting multiple audience members. A track system supports and directs the multiple carriages through a sequence of the multiple viewing screens. A processor accesses memory of more than one theme and multiple holographic data content related to a single theme to each of the video display screens. A theme selecting input system provides a signal identifying a single theme for display to a single carriage as it moves along the track system. The processor identifies location of individual carriages with respect to individual viewing screens. The processor provides thematic content of the single identified theme to the at least two players in the individual respective ones of the multiple carriages. The theme may be gaming activity and include gaming input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Joze Pececnik
  • Patent number: 9916718
    Abstract: A console for enabling play of a casino wagering game has: a video display screen; a player input system; a wager accepting and resolving system; a ball drop-and-capture gaming system; sensors for the gaming system; and a processor. Separate areas are provided on the video display screen for display of distinct results from at least two consecutive separate ball drop-and-capture events. The processor is configured to: a) receive information from sensors as to results of each ball drop-and-capture event; b) transmit viewable information to each separate area provided on the video display screen for each consecutive separate ball drop-and-capture event; and c) to compare all ball drop-and-capture events to a preselected number of memorialized ball drop-and-capture outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Joze Pececnik
  • Patent number: 9916719
    Abstract: An electronic method of gaming comprising, displaying a symbol evaluation area on a display of a gaming system, the symbol evaluation area comprising a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of symbol display positions; generating a game outcome by selecting a plurality of symbols to populate the symbol display area, the symbols being selected from first symbols having a size corresponding to the size of the symbol display positions and one or more second symbols, wherein each second symbol is at least the size of two display positions, the selecting of the symbols including selecting a display position of the evaluation area at which each selected first symbol will be displayed, and selecting one or more symbol display positions of the evaluation area at which part of each selected second symbol will be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ryan Paul Hawkins, Yanis Tsombanidis
  • Patent number: 9916720
    Abstract: A method for selecting content for delivery to devices is described herein. In some embodiments, the method can include registering a plurality of devices of one or more device types. The method can further include receiving usage information indicating usage of the devices and affinity information indicating user affinities associated with the devices. The method can further include detecting that a device of the plurality of devices is in-use. The method can further include determining, based on the usage information and the affinity information, game content for the device currently used. The method can further include transmitting, to the device, the game content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Richard B. Robbins, Damon E. Gura, Michael J. Irby, II, Scott A. Massing, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 9916721
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine is provided. In an entertainment game, utilization of an entertainment game element by a player may trigger a wager in accordance with a gambling proposition. Based on the outcome of the wager, the player may be awarded an intermediate in-game resource for use in the entertainment game. The intermediate in-game resource may be used by the player to acquire an entertainment game resource or element that may be used to enhance the player's play of the entertainment game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Frank Cire, Clifford Kaylin, Scott Shimmin
  • Patent number: 9916722
    Abstract: This concept is directed to methods of operating a gaming device to analyze game information that is part of a gaming event having a player interaction in advance of the player interaction to make a determination about the game play. These methods may be used for a variety of gaming devices such as slot machines, video keno devices, video poker machines, electronic table games, internet gaming terminals, etc. In each type of gaming device, these operation methods evaluate future game information during game play to determine one of multiple manners by which the game play will continue. These continuation manners may include changing the speed of game play, determining display characteristics of the game and outcome, providing tips or information to the player about the future game information, automatically initiating a subsequent game, or otherwise altering an aspect of the game play parameters in response to the evaluated game information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANY
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Patent number: 9916723
    Abstract: An application credit earning interleaved wagering system is disclosed, including an interactive controller configured to: communicate application telemetry; receive wager outcome display instructions; display a wager outcome; receive and display eligible awards; communicate an AC award request comprising an AC award from the eligible awards; and receive AC award instructions comprising the AC award; a wager controller constructed to: receive wager request; communicate wager outcome; and the application controller operatively connecting the interactive controller and the wager controller, the application controller also operatively connected to a patron management server and an AC management device, and constructed to: receive the application telemetry; determine whether to trigger a wager request; communicate the wager request; receive the wager outcome; communicate wager outcome display instructions; communicate the application telemetry; receive an AC value amount; communicate the AC value display instruct
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer, Frank Cire
  • Patent number: 9916724
    Abstract: A gaming machine (10) has a display (14) and a game controller arranged to control images displayed on the display (14). The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein one or more random events arc caused to be displayed on the display (14) and, if a predefined winning event results, the machine (10) awards a prize which is credited to a credit meter of the machine (10). The credit meter includes two meter displays, a first meter display (42.1) indicating credit which is available for expenditure in the machine (10) to play at least one game and a second meter display (42.2) indicating credit set aside by at least one of a player and the game controller and which credit is unavailable to the player for wagering on a game but which is only available by termination of a playing session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett, Natalie Bryant, Peter Stathis
  • Patent number: 9916725
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine that provides a gambling game and an entertainment game, including: a real world engine, an entertainment software engine, and a game world engine; the system constructed to provide a randomly generated payout of real world credit from a wager in a gambling game, wagers triggered during an entertainment game; and to collect parameter data indicative of player performance during the player's skillful execution of the entertainment game at each of a plurality of difficulty settings, the parameter data indicative of the player's actions during the player's skillful execution of the entertainment game and indicative of a rate of accumulation of game world credit during the entertainment game; and select a difficulty setting from the plurality of difficulty settings for the skill based entertainment game based upon the collected parameter data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer, Frank Cire
  • Patent number: 9916726
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a credit mechanism configured to receive credit input by a player for contribution to a credit balance and a display configured to display a plurality of standard symbol positions and optionally one or more additional symbol positions. The system also includes a betting module configured to determine a bet amount and game play instructions on commencement of a game input using a player interface, the bet subtracted from the credit balance. A symbol selector selects symbols for display in the plurality of standard symbol positions and, dependent on the amount wagered, further arranged to select and display symbols in the additional symbol position(s) to increase the probability of a win outcome being generated. An outcome determiner determines an outcome of the game based on the displayed symbol positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Claudio Daniel Dias Pires
  • Patent number: 9916727
    Abstract: A gaming machine, a method of controlling a gaming machine, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program wherein a first game and a second game are related to each other are provided. In a gaming machine, a first area and a second area sharing virtual reel strips are displayed, only the first area is set as a determination area in a first game, and both the first area and the second area are set as determination areas in a second game. Therefore, the first game and the second game can be provided in a form such that they are related.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: KONAMI GAMING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakamura, Jason Gilmore
  • Patent number: 9916728
    Abstract: Systems for operating a Sudoku style hybrid game are disclosed. Sudoku style hybrid games can include a themed entertainment game in which a player places symbols into a Sudoku puzzle and events within the entertainment portion of the Sudoku style entertainment game can trigger wagers in a real world game of chance. Players may compete against each other to determine a winning player based on the amount of time taken to complete the puzzle of the Sudoku style entertainment game. The outcome of the wagers can result in payouts of real world credit and can also affect gameplay within the Sudoku style entertainment game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Frank Cire, Caitlyn Ross, Scott Shimmin
  • Patent number: 9916729
    Abstract: A method for integrating game products with sale and dissemination of digital media to players includes providing for players to purchase digital media for download at a purchase price that enters the player into a game wherein the player's downloaded digital media determines whether or not the player has won in the game. The purchased downloads are downloaded from a library, wherein a number of the digital media are stored in the library in their original format, and a defined number of the digital media stored in the library are modified from their original format to include an auditory or visual indication of a winning lottery play. The players download and listen to or view their downloaded digital media to determine if they have purchased a winning digital media in the lottery game. Players losing in the lottery game may be provided a downloaded digital media in its original format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9916730
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus, system, computer readable storage media, and/or method that involve or otherwise facilitate a card game or secondary card game played on a gaming device. The card game may be structured to use similar rules to a blackjack-styled card game. The card game may be played against an opponent, such as a computer, dealer, or another player. Alternatively, the card game may include the display of one or more cards and a process to determine if a total value of the cards meets a predefined criterion. A win against an opponent or satisfaction of the predefined criterion may progress the card game to another round of play. These rounds of play may continue until an opponent wins, or until the predefined criterion is not satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Bradley Berman
  • Patent number: 9916731
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a card game with an extra award for each winning hand including one or more extra hands of cards or a modifier for an extra award. In various embodiments, if the first hand includes any winning card combination from a first set of designated winning card combinations, the gaming system provides one or more extra hands of cards, wherein each extra hand initially includes one or more cards from the first hand and then provides one or more extra draws of cards to complete that extra hand. In various embodiments, when the first hand includes any winning card combination from a second set of designated winning card combinations, the gaming system provides a multiplier value which the gaming system applies to the award for the winning card combination from the first hand of cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Thomas W. Allen, II, Benjamin R. Holsclaw, James A. Sipaila
  • Patent number: 9916732
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus related to gaming are described. Some embodiments relate to a multi-tiered game involving multiple participants. Some embodiments relate to players from a plurality of gaming operators playing games with one another. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Lee Amaitis, Phillip Flaherty
  • Patent number: 9916733
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing mutable awards in gaming devices. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to include processes where various properties, functions, characteristics, displays, or other award components have some dynamic variability between game play events on a gaming system or within a gaming device. Although not all, or even one, of the award components needs to be changed or mutated between game play events, the processes are configured to allow such award components to be changed or mutated within a predefined time frame, within a defined game event, or within another measurable criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: Bradley Berman, Peter Berman, Jacob Lamb
  • Patent number: 9916734
    Abstract: A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes providing a first event eligibility-based equity relative to a first wagering game and converting the first event eligibility-based equity to an exchange medium. The exchange medium may be cash or a second event eligibility-based equity relative to a second wagering game. The first event eligibility-equity may be stored for later use on the first wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Mastropietro
  • Patent number: 9916735
    Abstract: Remote gaming cash voucher printing systems facilitate partial cash voucher payouts of cash value balances on electronic gaming terminals, such as to provide tips. Systems can include electronic gaming tables that host wager-based table games facilitated by live human dealers, cash voucher printers at the gaming tables, remotely located electronic gaming terminals that provide remote play at the electronic gaming tables, and a remote print server coupled with the gaming tables and gaming terminals. The remote print server debits a cash value of a partial monetary payout request from a gaming terminal credit balance, and routes the request from the gaming terminal to a gaming table printer for issuance of a cash voucher. The remote print server can communicate with an existing TITO server and emulate authorized TITO requests in some arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Jay Chun
  • Patent number: 9916736
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, an automated banking machine that allows a customer to employ a mobile wireless device for performing banking transactions. The customer may request assistance from a teller or other bank personnel at a remote location. An audio, and optionally video, communication may be initiated between the remote location and the customer. The customer may use either the automated banking machine, mobile wireless device, or both for communicating with the remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
    Inventors: James Block, H. Thomas Graef, Paul D. Magee, Donald Nelson, James Meek, Daniel S. McIntyre, Mark A. Depietro, Natarajan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 9916737
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method, system and assembly for storing components of a point-of-sale (POS) station while keeping the electronic components live and updated. All non-electronic and electronic components of a POS station are disassembled. The non-electronic components except for a cash box with an open face are removed from the sales floor. The electronic components are stored within the inner cavity of the cash box. The open face of the cash box is securely covered using a shroud. The electronic components are kept live and updated using an network and electricity pole resting in a hollow opening of the cash box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua David Osmon, Tricia Mcpherson Hicks, Lori Lee Wise
  • Patent number: 9916738
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detection and notification of pressure waves are described herein. A lighting unit (100) may include one or more light sources (104) such as LEDs, a pressure wave sensor (106), a communication interface (108), and a controller (102) operably coupled with the one or more LEDs, the pressure wave sensor, and the communication interface. In various embodiments, the controller may be configured to receive a signal from the pressure wave sensor, the signal representative of one or more pressure waves detected by the pressure wave sensor. The controller may be configured to determine, based on the signal received from the pressure wave sensor, that the detected one or more pressure waves satisfy a predetermined criterion. The controller may be configured to transmit, to one or more remote lighting units via the communication interface, notification that the predetermined criterion has been satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Tatiana Aleksandrovna Lashina, Philip Steven Newton, Dzmitry Viktorovich Aliakseyeu, Jonathan David Mason, Bartel Marinus Van De Sluis, Tim Dekker
  • Patent number: 9916739
    Abstract: A communication adapter in one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of outer surfaces comprising at least two outer surfaces, an interface device, an antenna, and a transmission device. The interface device is provided at at least one outer surface of the at least two outer surfaces and electrically coupled to an electric working machine through the at least one outer surface. The antenna is provided at another at least one outer surface, which is different from the at least one outer surface, among the plurality of outer surfaces, and configured to be capable of transmitting a radio wave for wireless communication with a communication device other than the electric working machine from the another at least one outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9916740
    Abstract: A signal display lamp is provided that is capable of performing display in diverse modes and hence capable of increasing the quantity of transmittable information and capable of improving the reliability of information transmission. The signal display lamp includes a display portion that is capable of performing display in a plurality of display colors and that is capable of changing a position or a size of a display region in each display color, a display color determining means for determining the display color based on first information, a display region determining means for determining a position or a size of a display region in a display color determined by the display color determining means based on second information, and a display portion control means for controlling the display portion based on a display color determined by the display color determining means and based on a position or a size of a display region determined by the display region determining means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: PATLITE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Shigematsu
  • Patent number: 9916741
    Abstract: Method, device, and computer readable medium for generating haptically enabled messages. One disclosed method comprises the steps of receiving a user generated input, mapping the user generated input to a predetermined haptic feedback, assigning a haptic feedback command to the predetermined haptic feedback, inserting the haptic feedback command into a text message, and sending the text message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin B. Ramsay, Pedro Gregorio, Jason D. Fleming, Natasha M. Flaherty
  • Patent number: 9916742
    Abstract: A notification system, method, and/or computer program product that provides an automatic real-time notification to an owner of a property is provided. Further the notification system, method, and/or computer program determines a location with respect to an electronic lockbox associated with the property and generates a geo-fence environment with respect to the property based on the location. Then, the notification system, method, and/or computer program monitors movements of a user device with respect to the geo-fence environment to determine whether a breach of the geo-fence environment has occurred and outputs the automatic real-time notification to the property owner in response to a determination that the breach of the geo-fence environment has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Adam Kuenzi
  • Patent number: 9916743
    Abstract: A monitoring device arranged to be fitted to a door, wherein the door includes an operating bar mounted on the door for angular movement about its axis and a handle which is connected to the operating bar by a pivotal connection; wherein the device comprises a body element and a cover element arranged to slide relative to the body element and the two elements having a closed configuration and an open configuration in which the cover element is extended relative to the body element thereby allowing the device to be fitted to a door; the body and cover elements being shaped so that when in the closed configuration a pocket is formed that substantially surrounds an operating bar and further wherein the cover element comprises a portion extending over a region of a handle of a door to which the device is fitted such that that handle is prevented from rotating relative to the door; and monitoring circuitry arranged to monitor the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Guardfreight Worldwide Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Harrison
  • Patent number: 9916744
    Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies and methods of fabrication are provided which include a multi-layer stack having multiple discrete component layers stacked and electrically connected together via a plurality of electrical contacts in between the component layers. Further, the tamper-respondent assembly includes a tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure embedded within the multi-layer stack. The tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes at least one tamper-respondent sensor embedded, at least in part, within at least one component layer of the multiple discrete component layers of the multi-layer stack. The tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure defines a secure volume within the multi-layer stack. For instance, the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure may be fully embedded within the multi-layer stack, with monitor circuitry of the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure residing within the secure volume within the multi-layer stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Busby, Phillip Duane Isaacs, William Santiago-Fernandez
  • Patent number: 9916745
    Abstract: A container fraud detection system and method using one or more wireless communication tags attached to a container in specific ways to ensure the authenticity of the contents. The tag is affixed to the container in such a way that the tag is destroyed upon opening of the container, thereby indicating fraud upon scanning. The tag may be affixed to the container by an adhesive strip, polymer film or wax composition. The tag may be affixed to an adhesive strip prior to application of the strip to a container. Two tags on the container or strip may be cryptographically linked. The tag information is accessible through a scanning device which communicates with a database that stores information about the container and analyzes the probability of fraud with an algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: Steven M. Glamuzina, Jr., Jeffrey C. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9916746
    Abstract: A security system is coupled to a door lock system. A sensor is at a dwelling. The sensor is coupled to a drive shaft of a lock device to assist in locking and unlocking a lock of a lock device at a door. An engine, an energy source and a memory are coupled together. The engine is coupled to the sensor. The memory provides information relating to open or closed status of a door to a dwelling occupant or a third party designated by the dwelling occupant. At least one motion detection device is provided to detect a person at or near a door or window at the dwelling. A security system includes a video apparatus that captures video and coupled to the motion detection device to take a video of an image of the person or an outline of the person, wherein the video is configured to begin before motion detection begins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: August Home, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Johnson, Herve Jacques Clement Letourneur, Luca Baradel, Christopher Dow
  • Patent number: 9916747
    Abstract: An allergy warning and protection system and method to proactively warn a user and protect a dependent individual, such as a child, suffering from allergies. The system comprises a beacon housed within a wearable, such as a bracelet, that is worn by the dependent. The beacon has an associated identifier that is linked to data stored on a server that corresponds to the allergy and sensitivity levels of the dependent individual with an allergy, indicating that the child is allergic to peanuts, eggs, gluten and/or other allergens. When in use, the beacon transmits identification data to a handheld device operated by a user which is utilized to retrieve the allergy and other confidential information, such as emergency contact information, from the server and to issue an alert notification to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a layer of privacy is provided so that a user must first be “trusted” before receiving confidential information about a person with allergies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Avram Weissman
  • Patent number: 9916748
    Abstract: A system for detecting and stopping flooding from a residential water heating system. A central controller is coupled to one or more flooding sensors and one or more automatic valves. In response to the sensors' detecting water, the controller causes the automatic valves to close, shutting off flow of water into or out of the water heating system. Advanced modular galvanic sensors and low-voltage, high-torque automatic ball valves may be used to improve the energy efficiency and responsiveness of the system. When flooding is detected, a variety of visual and auditory signals are generated by the controller, providing advance warning to the blind, deaf, or elderly that flooding is occurring and prompt attention is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Robert D. Yadvish
  • Patent number: 9916749
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a system effective to monitor an amount of a material that includes a portable container, wherein the material is within the portable container; a sensor in the portable container, the sensor effective to detect a first level of the material in the portable container when the portable container is at a first location and to generate a first data signal based on the first level; and a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor effective to receive the first data signal and effective to generate a report based on the first data signal, the report relating to an amount of the material in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Economy Mud Product Company
    Inventors: Manjit Chowdhary, Walter White, Bobby Hyatt
  • Patent number: 9916750
    Abstract: A method for a terminal to perform reminding includes outputting first reminding information according to a first event alarm of an event flow alarm clock at a first reminding time of the first event alarm. The event flow alarm clock contains at least two event alarms. The method further includes, when there exists a second event alarm having a second reminding time later than the first reminding time, outputting second reminding information according to the second event alarm at the second reminding time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Xiaomi Inc.
    Inventors: Hongqiang Wang, Yi Gao, Hai Long
  • Patent number: 9916751
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for learned overrides for home security. A sensor of a security system may be armed. A trip signal may be received indicating a tripping of the sensor. It may be determined that the trip signal can be automatically overridden based on matching an identity of the sensor and a state of the security system with a pattern in a model. The pattern may represent a state of the security system in which automatically overriding the trip signal from the sensor is permitted. The trip signal from the sensor may be automatically overridden without input from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Mark Rajan Malhotra, Sophie Le Guen, Jeffrey Alan Boyd, Jeffery Theodore Lee, Todd Hester
  • Patent number: 9916752
    Abstract: A multiplexing communication system is capable of maintaining an appropriate response speed of a control with respect to an electromagnetic motor based on an encoder signal during multiplexing and transmission of the encoder signal. A transmission data composition processing section of a multiplex communication device multiplexes encoder signals ENCD1 to ENCD8 output from a linear scale and a rotary encoder into frame data FRMD and transmits the data. The transmission data composition processing section sets the encoder signals ENCD1 to ENCD8 to bit positions of the frame data FRMD respectively corresponding to the linear scale and the rotary encoder. At the bit positions where the encoder signals ENCD1 to ENCD8 are set, the encoder signal ENCD and information showing the presence or absence of the data of the encoder signal ENCD are alternately set for each cycle of transmission of the frame data FRMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI MACHINE MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuo Nagasaka, Yasuaki Imadera, Naomichi Ishiura, Shigemoto Hirota
  • Patent number: 9916753
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods in which a controllable device transfers to the remote device, such as to a remote control application (“app”) located on a smartphone, a data structure identifying various functions that can be controlled by a remote device, together with the identity of the signal type that will achieve the desired operation. The remote device, upon accepting input directly from the remote device, can then allow the remote device user to select how controls of the various functions are to be configured and presented to, or otherwise selectively arranged for a user on a user interface of the remote device. In this way, the present disclosure provides a single highly customizable system. Distributors, resellers, and/or manufacturers of various electronic devices will be able utilize the same controllable device instructions, yet visually distinguish its brand name from other solutions using the same instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: CSR Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Vladislav Aginsky, Dani Shaket
  • Patent number: 9916754
    Abstract: Arrangements related to proximity-based vehicle location alerts are described. A vehicle can include a location signaling mode. In the location signaling mode, an alert is automatically provided by the vehicle responsive to detecting an authorized portable communication device being located within a predetermined alert distance from the vehicle. In the way, an indication of the location of the vehicle is provided to a user of the portable communication device. However, responsive to determining that the vehicle is located in a predetermined special location, the location signaling mode can be altered in one or more respects. In one or more arrangements, altering the location signaling mode can include disabling the location signaling mode. Thus, an indication of the location of the vehicle is not provided responsive to detecting that the portable device is located within the predetermined alert distance from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsumi Nagata, Yuichi Ochiai, Hiroaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 9916755
    Abstract: An on-demand, crowdsourced, roadway stewardship system with video reporting features is disclosed. The invention described herein is comprised of a system that allows users with mobile device cameras to record and report roadway safety incidents, traffic violations, crimes and infrastructure problem. Users are encouraged to become stewards by engaging in the system's rewards program. An on-demand style cloud infrastructure is presented which speeds up video processing and citations. Objects of the invention are to enhance safety and increase public participation in safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Jayant Ratti
    Inventor: Jayant Ratti