Transportation Patents (Class 235/384)
  • Patent number: 9369956
    Abstract: The base station includes: a determination unit for comparing states of traffic currently provided by the base station and other neighboring base stations and determining whether the base station has the lowest traffic; an information transmission unit for sending a sleep request and a handover request for handing over the user terminal associated with the base station to one of the neighboring base stations in case where the determination unit determines that the traffic currently provided by the base station is lowest; a receiving unit for receiving feedback information sent from the one of the neighboring base stations after admission control; and an executing unit for executing sleep decision after receiving handover request permitting information from the neighboring base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dongheon Lee, Sheng Zhou, Peng Yang, Chunguang Liu, Zhisheng Niu, Mika Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9361492
    Abstract: A multi-protocol RFID interrogating system employs a synchronization technique (step-lock) for a backscatter RFID system that allows simultaneous operation of closely spaced interrogators. The multi-protocol RFID interrogating system can communicate with backscatter transponders having different output protocols and with active transponders including: Title 21 compliant RFID backscatter transponders; IT2000 RFID backscatter transponders that provide an extended mode capability beyond Title 21; EGO™ RFID backscatter transponders, SEGO™ RFID backscatter transponders; ATA, ISO, ANSI AAR compliant RFID backscatter transponders; and IAG compliant active technology transponders. The system implements a step-lock operation, whereby adjacent interrogators are synchronized to ensure that all downlinks operate within the same time frame and all uplinks operate within the same time frame, to eliminate downlink on uplink interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Amtech Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly Gravelle, Steven J. Catanach, Robert W. Tiernay, Joseph H. Kao, Michael Melville
  • Patent number: 9342633
    Abstract: An array of boxes in one or more carts is closely associated with addresses in a database of a computer. This computer-box association is used to keep track of the sequence, placement and presentation of each window frame element to each workstation. This association is maintained until these frame elements are assembled into rectangular window frames. Then, individual window frames are tracked into other workstations using bar code labels. Temporary storage of frame elements between workstations constitute work banks to each workstation. In another aspect, the lengths of frame elements are adjusted to compensate for the melt factor of the specific welding head in which a joint will be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph François Haché
  • Patent number: 9312923
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein include techniques for enabling a mobile device to communicate with smart media in a manner that can sidestep the secure element of the mobile device—and the costs associated with it. The mobile device can communicate with the smart media using near-field communication (NFC) by creating an encrypted connection with a remote computer while bypassing a secure element of the mobile device. This allows the mobile device to provide point-of-sale (POS) functionality by reading and/or writing to the smart media, without compromising the security of the smart media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cubic Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm Lyne, David deKozan, Kay Paetzold
  • Patent number: 9296266
    Abstract: A method for correcting ID after installation of tire pressure sensors on a vehicle includes: ID reading, ID comparison, ID group setting up and ID burning. An ID setting device reads and compares ID codes of tire pressure sensors of all tires of the vehicle, then confirms the ID group of the ID codes and stores them in a memory module. Reading the ID code of one of the tire pressure sensors can obtain ID codes of the rest tire pressure sensors in the same ID group, therefore all tire pressure sensors can be reproduced without subjecting the receiver to the learning procedure. Or, when some of the sensors break down and the corresponding ID codes cannot be read, the ID codes of all the tires in the same ID group can be obtained by reading other ID codes of the rest tires in the same ID group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: E-Lead Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen Chen
  • Patent number: 9298335
    Abstract: An information processing device includes a first receiving unit that receives information specifying an area for pasting sticky information onto a board, the information being at least start point information indicating a start point for pasting sticky information within that area, and direction information indicating a direction in which to paste sticky information in order from that start point, an associating unit that associates sticky information pasted onto the board, on the basis of start point information and direction information received by the first receiving unit, and a display that displays a sticky information group associated by the associating unit so as to indicate the association on the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunori Horikiri, Nobuyuki Yamazoe
  • Patent number: 9235604
    Abstract: A method for obtaining location information is provided. The method includes obtaining street-view image information corresponding to location information and storing correspondingly the street-view image information and the corresponding location information. The method also includes generating a two-dimensional (2D) bar code containing at least one of the street-view image information and the corresponding location information. Further, the method includes scanning the 2D bar code to obtain the at least one of the street-view image information and the location information, where searching the location information based on the street-view image information when the scanning of the 2D bar code obtains the street-view image information and searching the street-view image information based on the location information when the scanning of the 2D bar code obtains the location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Bin Ma, Mu Wang
  • Patent number: 9215561
    Abstract: A luggage tracking assembly includes a remote unit that may be carried by a user. A remote processor is coupled to the remote unit. A remote transceiver is coupled to the remote unit and the remote processor. The remote transceiver determines a location of the remote unit. A speaker is coupled to the remote unit and the remote processor. The speaker emits an alarm. An actuator is coupled to the remote unit and the remote processor. The actuator actuates the remote processor. A base unit may be coupled to an article of luggage. A base processor is coupled to the base unit. A base transceiver is coupled to the base unit and the base processor. The base transceiver determines a location of the base unit. The speaker emits the alarm when the base unit arrives at a trigger location with respect to the remote unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: Kambiz Arman
  • Patent number: 9202322
    Abstract: Premises access information can be distributed using a system having a ticket server coupled to a remotely located premises server. The ticket server receives a ticket request from a host device. After interacting with the premises server, the ticket server sends access-related information to a visitor device. The visitor device can later use the access-related information to gain access to a premises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Markus Kappeler, Paul Friedli
  • Patent number: 9202214
    Abstract: Pursuant to some embodiments, methods and apparatus for providing and operating an enhanced payment display card with network support are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: MasterCard International Incorporated
    Inventor: Sebastien Pochic
  • Patent number: 9177221
    Abstract: A parking lot with a plurality of parking spaces for vehicles that have OCR-readable license numbers and onboard units with radio IDs that can be read out via radio signals. The parking lot including a central computer for storing parking space reservations, a vehicle license number and an assigned radio ID, a radio beacon for the parking spaces for reading out the radio ID of an entering vehicle via radio and signaling the radio ID to the central computer, and at least one camera unit for each parking space for reading the license number of a vehicle and correspondingly signaling the license number to the central computer. The central computer checks whether for a radio ID signaled to the central computer the vehicle license number is subsequently signaled by the camera unit of this parking space, and to log instances in which this is not the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AG
    Inventor: Oliver Nagy
  • Patent number: 9147345
    Abstract: A real-time wireless parking enforcement system is provided that includes a remote parking enforcement system having a plurality of parking sensors disposed to gather parking occupancy data and at least one source of parking payment data, where the parking occupancy data and parking payment data is communicated to a central server in real-time, and a plurality of wireless mobile platforms are operated by a plurality of parking enforcement officers (PEO's). The wireless mobile platforms send and receive real-time and continuous parking occupancy data and parking payment data to and from the central server, where bidirectional communication exists between the central server and the wireless mobile platforms. When the PEO enters response information to a potential violation to the wireless mobile platform, the bidirectional communication updates the status of the potential violation to all the wireless platforms in real-time, where the information is used to reduce enforcement redundancies by the PEO's.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Streetline Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca E. Agrait, Erica C. Davis, Tod A. Dykstra, Jan M. Noworolski, James E. Reich, Peter K. Leiser
  • Patent number: 9111301
    Abstract: A plurality of consumer accounts are stored in a data store before being activated by consumers, each having a first pass code and a first PAN or other consumer account identifier. A data exchange module receives an SMS message including a second pass code and extracts a first phone number from the message. A consumer account activation module identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts by matching the second pass code with a selected one of the first pass codes, and stores the first phone number as a second phone number in association in the selected consumer account. A communication and routing module receives a charge request including a second PAN, and identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts by associating one of the first PANs with the second PAN. A transaction processing system then reduces a stored value of the identified consumer account based on the charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: BOKU, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Russell McGuire
  • Patent number: 9103692
    Abstract: A navigation method and apparatus of a mobile terminal displays only a particular point of interest (POI) existing by the roadside of a pre-set route when the POI is selected by the user, to thereby provide the user-selected POI without changing the route (or without re-searching the route). The navigation apparatus of a mobile terminal includes a display unit configured to display a route from a current location to a destination on map data, and a controller configured to search a first point of interest (POI) among the first POI located by the roadside of the route and a second POI located near the route, and display location information of the searched first POI on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chae-Guk Cho, Sung-Ha Choi, Yong-Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 9097614
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for testing a motorized vehicle's exhaust emissions in a non-controlled emissions testing environment. In one embodiment, the present system comprises a toll collection structure having a sensor for obtaining information about a registered owner of a motor vehicle and about the motor vehicle itself, as the vehicle travels on a lane which passes through the structure. At least one emissions detector, which is fixed to the toll collection structure, performs an emissions test on the vehicle by analyzing an exhaust plume emitted by the vehicle. Speed/acceleration of the vehicle is also measured. In various embodiments hereof, the emissions detector comprises a combination of dispersive or non-dispersive infrared detector and a dispersive or non-dispersive ultraviolet detector. Emissions data collected is automatically compared to emissions standards and an authority is notified if that the vehicle does not meet those standards. Various embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: George Cunha Cardoso, Lalit Keshav Mestha
  • Patent number: 9081650
    Abstract: A driving analysis server may be configured to receive vehicle operation data from vehicle sensors and telematics devices of a first vehicle, and may use the data to identify a potentially high-risk or unsafe driving behavior by the first vehicle. The driving analysis server also may retrieve corresponding vehicle operation data from one or more other vehicles, and may compare the potentially high-risk or unsafe driving behavior of the first vehicle to corresponding driving behaviors in the other vehicles. A driver score for the first vehicle may be calculated or adjusted based on the comparison of the driving behavior in the first vehicle to the corresponding driving behaviors in the other vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Margaret A. Brinkmann, Daniel Kraft, Nathan M. Bryer, Eric Huls, Thomas Michael Warden
  • Patent number: 9076273
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for providing identity, authentication, and access control services in a mobile environment utilizing data encoded tags. A server computing device receives tag data and user data from a mobile device, the tag data read from a data-encoded tag in proximity to the mobile device using a short-range communication protocol, and the user data stored on the mobile device. The server computing device authenticates a user of the mobile device based on the user data, determines whether the user is authorized to access an access point associated with the data-encoded tag, transmits a message to the access point that instructs the access point to grant user access if the user is authorized, receives a response from the access point indicating that user access is granted and transmits a message to the mobile device indicating to the user that access is granted to the access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Identive Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Smith, David Holmes, Joseph Tassone
  • Patent number: 9038896
    Abstract: A ticket reading system comprising a portable head section with an aperture and means for removably affixing the head section to a stationary fixture; in the head section, a camera with a field of view over the aperture to read visible code elements of a ticket; an RFID antenna and module adjacent to the aperture to read RFID/NFC code elements from a device or tag; a wireless network communication module to communicate data packets among a processor and a wireless network access point; means for ticket validation feedback; instructions which cause: receiving a ticket identifier value from the camera or RFID module; sending a request via the wireless network for a server computer to validate the ticket identifier value; receiving a ticket validation response from the server computer; based upon the response, driving the means for providing ticket validation feedback to generate either valid response feedback or invalid response feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: VENUENEXT, INC.
    Inventors: Dan Williams, Brandon Stout, Renaud Casanova
  • Patent number: 9035773
    Abstract: A tag includes an integrated circuit thereon, including memory, antenna means for RF transmission of data acquired by the integrated circuit, a sensor sensing environmental conditions to which the sensor is subjected, the sensor providing signals based on the environmental conditions to the integrated circuit, a thermistor device of increasing the accuracy of the tag by confining on-board calculation data to a resistance domain and leaving conversion of the data to a temperature domain for an external device once the data is retrieved from the tag's memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ADVANCED ELECTRONIC TRACKING
    Inventors: Michael Petersen, Alan Wilson, Dean Brotzel
  • Patent number: 9030299
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating a RFID system comprising at least one reader (1) and a plurality of wireless data carriers (2), each of which comprise at least one data processing element with slow response (5), wherein the method controls the at least one reader (1) to continuously communicate with one of the plurality of wireless data carriers (2), while at least another one of the plurality of wireless data carriers (2) is processing data with its at least one slow response element (5). The invention further relates to a RFID system comprising at least one reader (1) and a plurality of wireless data carriers (2), each of which comprises at least one slow response element (5), wherein the system is capable to continuously communicate with at least one of the plurality of wireless data carriers (2), while at least another one of the plurality of wireless data carriers (2) is processing data with its at least one slow response element (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Christian Scherabon, Bernhard Gruber
  • Patent number: 9026459
    Abstract: A method and system for conducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item for purchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchase amount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchase the item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which the payment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobile communication device of the user. The method further includes receiving a result of the payment authorization from the payment entity through the mobile communication device; and completing the payment transaction based on the result of the payment authorization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Michelle Fisher
  • Patent number: 9016564
    Abstract: A product quality monitoring system includes: an RFID tag which is attached to a first packing container in which a product is packed, and transmits atmospheric history information and an identifier for a product distribution history; a QR code which is attached to a second packing container and stores the identifier and address information of a product quality predicting server; a product distribution history DB which stores the atmospheric history information and the identifier which are received from the RFID tag; a user terminal which connects with the product quality predicting server corresponding to the address information stored in the captured QR code, and requests a quality index of the product; and the product quality predicting server which calculates the quality index of the product or a time when the product has a specific quality index, from the atmospheric history information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Korea Food Research Institute
    Inventors: Byeong Sam Kim, Ji Young Kim, Jong Hoon Kim, Ouiwoung Kim, Ki Hyun Kwon, Yoon Sook Kim, Hwan Soo Cha
  • Patent number: 9015064
    Abstract: A method and system for conducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item for purchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchase amount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchase the item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which the payment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobile communication device of the user. The method further includes receiving a result of the payment authorization from the payment entity through the mobile communication device; and completing the payment transaction based on the result of the payment authorization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Michelle Fisher
  • Patent number: 9007183
    Abstract: Provided are a terminal having a radio frequency identification (RFID) function and a method of processing information of the terminal for allowing intuitive interaction between a screen manipulation and an RFID manipulation with respect to using an RFID related service. The method of processing the information of the terminal including a screen and an RFID recognition unit, includes detecting a screen area corresponding to a position of the RFID recognition unit disposed at a predetermined position of the screen; displaying an RFID icon at a position of the detected screen area; recording information in an RFID tag based on the RFID tag contacting the RFID icon, and recognizing the information from the RFID tag the RFID tag contacting the RFID icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-jun Han, Dae-Hyun Kim, Bo-mi Kim, Bo-hyun Kyung, Myoung-soon Choi, Kuk-hyun Han, Pil-seung Yang, Hark-joon Kim
  • Publication number: 20150090786
    Abstract: A method for continuous determination of a person's presence in a public transport conveyance is proposed, where a customer medium comprising an RF transceiver is assigned to the person, where at least one reading device per passenger compartment or car is provided for data communication with the customer media in the conveyance, which is connected to a computer serving as an on-board unit for the purpose of data communications, where these are also connected to each other in the case that several reading devices are provided, where an on-board unit serving as the main on-board unit is assigned to a passenger compartment or car if several passenger compartments or cars are present, and the other passenger compartments or cars are assigned to on-board units serving as secondary on-board units, which are connected to the main on-board unit for the purpose of data communication, where the customer medium is in a “sleep” mode upon entering the transport in order to keep energy consumption as low as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Reinhard SURKAU, Charles EGLI, Francois FER, Eric PIRET, Jean-Claude FOURNIER, Fabien MAUPAS, Oliver PREVOST
  • Publication number: 20150090787
    Abstract: A system for detecting customer media comprising an RF transceiver in a public transport conveyance is proposed, where the system for each passenger compartment or car includes a number of reading devices, which are interconnected and connected to an on-board unit for the purpose of data communication, where the entire interior of passenger compartment or car is covered by a number of reading devices, where the reading devices are arranged in such a manner that any two reading devices are provided on opposite lateral walls of the passenger compartment or car, which cover the room up to the opposite wall, where each two reading units are arranged in the roof area or floor area symmetrically around the central longitudinal axis of the passenger compartment or vehicle, where the detection range of the respective two reading devices is substantially identical and substantially covers the entire width of the passenger compartment or car in the floor area or roof area, where the floor area or the roof area is cover
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: REINHARD SURKAU, Charles Egli, Fabien Maupas, Oliver Prevost
  • Patent number: 8988200
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for translating, transcribing, and/or converting a printed label on a surface of an RFID tag into electronic data, which are writable to a non-volatile storage inside the RFID tag, are disclosed. In one example, the apparatus comprises an image reader for scanning a printed label on the surface of an RFID tag, a UHF antenna module, a UHF tag access module for reading from or writing into the RFID tag, and a computer interface to display various parameters and control the apparatus. A tag-holding plate containing batches of RFID tags can be brought to an access range of the image reader using a conveyor belt or another moving mechanism. Once positioned within the access range, the apparatus can read and translate a printed label on a RFID tag and write the converted electronic data into a non-volatile storage inside the RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hana Micron America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Hyun Lee, Toan Tran
  • Patent number: 8985464
    Abstract: A system for managing bar or restaurant tabs includes a payment card storage apparatus, such as a carousel, to receive and store payment cards under computer control, and a payment card reader to read identifying information from the payment cards that are to be stored in the payment card storage apparatus. The system permits a server to conveniently receive and store a payment card to secure a patron's tab, and then return it to the patron at the time the tab is closed and paid out. An associated point-of-sale system displays tab information and a list of names of those patrons having open tabs. A particular patron's card can be returned from the payment card storage apparatus by selecting the patron's tab from the list. The system may further be applied in any situation in which a debt or obligation can be secured by the possession of a personally-identifiable token that has, holds or permits access to value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventors: Carlos Tovar, Francois Pierre deVilliers, George Newman Alexy
  • Patent number: 8981907
    Abstract: A system to multiplex antennas for radio-frequency communication uses one or more antenna shorting circuits to selectively enable RF communication via one of a plurality of antenna matching networks. The system is cost-efficient compared to alternatives. The RF communication includes read and/or read/write communication with, e.g., radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven David Lavache
  • Patent number: 8976029
    Abstract: A system of managing product at a location in which a weight-sensing RFID tag is utilized to determine the weight or pressure applied to a substrate and then this information is read by an RFID reader and then transmitted to a data storage repository and processing program for further handling of the data. The data storage repository and processing program may be near the RFID reader or may be remotely located with respect to the RFID reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Annette Cote McTigue
  • Patent number: 8967466
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for refueling a vehicle are discussed herein. According to one embodiment, a vehicle charging station includes a power distribution interface, a receiver component, and an authorization component. The power distribution interface is configured to electrically couple with and provide electrical power to a power receiving interface of a vehicle. The power distribution interface includes a power cable extending from the vehicle charging station and the power cable includes an outlet plug. The receiver component is located within the power cable and is configured to receive identification information that uniquely identifies the vehicle from an identification component of the vehicle. The receiver component is positioned to align with the identification component to allow electrical communication between the identification component and the receiver component when the power receiving interface is electrically coupled to the power distribution interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Powertree Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacey Reineccius, Franklin Gobar, John C. Sellers
  • Patent number: 8960541
    Abstract: A dynamic identity matching facility that enables an operator to determine the status of an individual based on identification information contained on an identification record provided by the individual. The operator scans the individual's identification information from the identification record using a scanning device. The facility decodes the scanned identification information and identifies a number of candidates based on the decoded identification information. For each identified candidate, the facility generates a candidate score. Based on the candidate score of each identified candidate, the facility selects a number of the identified candidates for display. The facility displays the selected candidates to the operator along with the candidate's criminal or other acts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Intellicheck Mobilisa, Inc.
    Inventors: Nelson Ludlow, Steve Zehm
  • Patent number: 8954344
    Abstract: Interconnected methods of card-based fare collection at computer-based service access validation terminals are disclosed. The first method is characterized by periodically propagating to the validation terminals card transaction data originated at other validation terminals. This method is most pertinent to the public transit fare systems utilizing open-loop payment cards and vehicle-installed terminals. The second method is characterized by actualizing the validation terminals' data by way of data broadcasting or multicasting. This method makes the first method practical and improves performance of open-loop and closed-loop card systems implementing offline validations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Evgeny Lishak
  • Patent number: 8952787
    Abstract: An archive apparatus is provided for storing and archiving laboratory samples including radio frequency identification means. The apparatus comprises a support structure or cabinet (4), a drawer (6) translatable in a translation direction (12) into and out of the support structure (4), and sample support means comprising ribs (8) associated with the drawer (6) for supporting an array (10) of samples or slides (20) spaced along the translation direction (12) for movement with the drawer (6). A radio frequency reader antenna (14) is connected to the support structure (4) adjacent to the drawer (6) and recording means (34, 38) are adapted to operatively communicate with the reader antenna (14) to store information obtained from the radio frequency identification means of laboratory samples or slides (20) supported by the drawer (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Fergus Hughes
  • Patent number: 8950670
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for converting barcode media to magnetic media. In one aspect, a method for converting a barcode media into a magnetic stripe media is provided. The method includes reading data encoded on a barcode media. The data includes information indicative of a transit purchase and an identifier of the barcode media. The barcode media is authenticated by checking the identifier against a list of issued barcodes and determining that the barcode media is unused by checking the identifier against a list of used barcode media. The method includes converting the data from the barcode media into magnetic data storable on a magnetic media and writing the magnetic data onto the magnetic media. The method includes distributing the magnetic media containing the magnetic data and communicating information related to a conversion transaction. The information includes an indication of the distribution of the magnetic media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Cubic Corporation
    Inventor: Gavin R. Smith
  • Patent number: 8941471
    Abstract: A radiofrequency identification (RFID) multiplexer, which may be in a network, interprets an RF signal from an RFED reader as RFE) tag interrogation data. A single cable directs an RF signal from the RFID reader and RF control signals and/or RF power through the multiplexer. An RF sampler may be coupled to the cable; and an RF detector detects the RF signal from the cable via the RF sampler. A data decoder decodes and interprets the RF signal as the RFID tag interrogation data and forwards the RFID tag interrogation data to a control logic circuit as a MUX channel-change command. The logic circuit and decoder may be combined in a microcontroller, and an RF backscatter modulator coupled to the cable enables reverse communication with the RFID reader to determine whether another RFID multiplexer is coupled to the RFID multiplexer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventor: Gary Mark Shafer
  • Patent number: 8937531
    Abstract: An RFID system has an active tag with one antenna inside, and one outside, an RF-blocking enclosure having a port with a selected shortest dimension. The RFID reader is located outside the enclosure and uses a selected RF read frequency range. The RFID tag simultaneously transmits on a plurality of frequencies corresponding to respective wavelengths smaller than the selected shortest dimension, so that a respective beat frequency is defined between two of the frequencies. The beat frequency is within the selected RF uplink frequency range. The tag transmits a first signal at a first one of the plurality of frequencies using the interior antenna and a second signal at a second, different one of the plurality of frequencies using the exterior antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Donald Saul Rimai, Mark P. Hinman
  • Patent number: 8937559
    Abstract: A surveillance system for monitoring a plurality of vehicle license plates comprising a portable license plate reader including a camera for automatically imaging a license plate and extracting a character string from the image for each of a plurality of moving vehicles that pass through a field of view of the camera without detection by the moving vehicles. A mobile surveillance unit positioned in proximity to the license plate reader for receiving the extracted character string from the reader, comparing each extracted character string with a list of target plate numbers, and generating an audible alarm and a visual display when a match is found. An operations center for communicating with the mobile surveillance unit to receive each extracted character string from the mobile surveillance unit and to update the list of target plate numbers stored at the mobile surveillance unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Edward D. Ioli Trust
    Inventor: Edward D. Ioli
  • Patent number: 8915431
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for enabling effective use of a contactless payment device in a transit system. The invention may be implemented in a manner that separates the authentication process from the pre-authorization process, thereby permitting a transit system patron to access and begin use of the transit system prior to authorization of the transaction by the issuer of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: William Chi Yuen Chan, Kong Boon Ng
  • Patent number: 8899478
    Abstract: A system for transferring medical data includes a computer network upon which an electronic medical record of a patient is stored. A mobile computer presents a bar code on a graphical display. A medical device is communicatively connected to a bar code scanner and receives patient information and mobile computer information from the bar code scanner. The medical device further performs a medical test to generate test result data. The test result data is transmitted to the mobile computer based upon the received mobile computer information. A method of medical data transfer includes receiving a medical data transfer request. A bar code is scanned to input the patient information and mobile computer information into the medical device. A medical test is performed with the medical device to produce test result data that is transmitted to the mobile computer based upon the mobile computer information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gordon Ian Rowlandson, Tyler M. Brown
  • Patent number: 8896421
    Abstract: A wide area radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes: a first RFID cell and a second RFID cell. The first RFID cell and the second RFID cell each include a reader and tags. The readers access the tags using ultra-wide band signaling. The RFID cells each include: a communications interface operable to communicate with a network operations center, and a communications gateway which supports direct communications between RFID cells. The method includes accessing the second RFID cell from the first RFID cell, and the accessing is performed using the communications gateway that can cover a range of at least five hundred meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Zebra Enterprise Solutions Corp.
    Inventor: Gideon Kaplan
  • Patent number: 8872673
    Abstract: An automatic identification apparatus includes a control module configured as an integrated component of a vehicle and an electrical power interface receptive to a power signal from the vehicle. The electrical power interface provides electrical power to the control module. The automatic identification apparatus also includes an antenna electrically connected to the control module. The antenna transmits a radio wave indicative of a unique identification. The antenna is configured as an integrated component of the vehicle and is located to communicate the radio wave external of the vehicle. The automatic identification apparatus further includes a memory interface assembly configured as an integrated component of the vehicle. The memory interface assembly is receptive to a memory device encoded with the unique identification. The memory interface assembly communicates the unique identification to the control module when the memory device is received in the memory interface assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Philmore H. Colburn, III
  • Patent number: 8857709
    Abstract: Described herein are an automatic package delivery and retrieval apparatus, system and method. The automatic package delivery and retrieval includes a Package Delivery Kiosk (PDK), associated front end and back end package delivery management systems, portals for the consumer and the retailer, portals for the common carrier, sender, and recipient, a package inventory management system, integrated retailer access, a real and automated retailer bidding system and a kiosk for distribution. In one embodiment, a system for automated package retrieval and delivery includes a kiosk, package retrieval apparatus, and various computing systems for running the systems. A method for providing packages to customers includes providing a notification with a code to a user that a package is available for retrieval. The method includes storing a package in the kiosk. The method further includes receiving the code from a user at the kiosk and retrieving the package with the automatic retrieval mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen H. Hancock, Norman B. Desrosiers, Eric Fiest, John Rupert
  • Patent number: 8827156
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for facilitating the payment and collection of transit system fares using a mobile device. The inventive system utilizes a contactless element embedded within a mobile wireless device, such as a mobile phone, PDA, or the like. The smart element is integrated with the circuitry of the mobile device to permit the data to be accessed and manipulated (e.g., read, written, erased) using the wireless communications network as the data transport channel. The data required to enable a user to access a transit system and for the system to conduct fare calculations may be provided to the memory in the contactless element using the wireless network. Such data may include access control data (keys, passwords, identification data) or data required for fare calculations (rates, historical data on system use).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Visa U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Ayman Hammad, Phil Dixon
  • Patent number: 8830087
    Abstract: A beacon with a transceiver for radio communication with vehicle OBUs of a road toll system, wherein the transceiver has a directional antenna and is configured to communicate wirelessly with OBUs on a selected channel directed via the directional antenna wherein the transceiver is additionally equipped with an omnidirectional antenna and is configured to transmit, before the beginning of a directional radio communication, by means of the omnidirectional antenna a channel reservation message and/or to check, before the beginning of a directional radio communication, by means of the omnidirectional antenna whether the selected channel is free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AG
    Inventors: Jasja Tijink, Robert Povolny, Gerald Zottl
  • Patent number: 8825517
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes interacting with a gate access device that is capable of preventing access to a location, where the gate access device subsequently sends an authorization request message to an issuer for approval, the authorization request message including a request to charge a predetermined amount of money to pay for access to a location, and entering the location if the gate access device receives an authorization response message indicating that the charge is authorized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Visa U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Ayman Hammad, Phil Dixon, Khalid El-Awady, Patrick Faith, Mark Carlson
  • Patent number: 8807428
    Abstract: A method is provided for navigation of a mobile device. Spatial information of at least one beacon detected in an image relative to the image is determined. The image includes an image of the at least one beacon within at least part of an environment surrounding the mobile device. A position of the mobile device based on said spatial information is determined using encoded visual information of the at least one beacon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Michael Morgan
  • Patent number: 8800868
    Abstract: Credit card transactions are processed and managed for a fleet of motor vehicles for hire. A plurality of simultaneous wireless communication connections is maintained between a respective plurality of vehicles in the fleet and a central control center. A plurality of messages is received at the central control center, each one of said messages including credit card transaction information. For each vehicle, the messages and said credit card transaction information are stored in the central control center in real-time or near real-time. A credit card transaction reconciliation report can be produced at any time, in response to a user request, for a motor vehicle identified in the user request. The credit card transaction reconciliation report utilizes the messages and credit card transaction information collected and stored in the central control center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Creative Mobile Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jesse H. Davis, John J. Backof, II
  • Patent number: 8797162
    Abstract: A detection unit positioned on a package includes a magnet, a first magnetic switch, a second magnetic switch, a processor, and a clock. The first magnetic switch outputs a first control signal or a second control signal according to magnetic flux density of the magnet. The second magnetic switch outputs a third control signal or a fourth control signal according to the magnetic flux density of the magnet. The first control signal is the same as the third control signal; the second control signal is the same as the fourth control signal. When the processor receives the first control signal and the third control signal at the same time, the processor reads a first real-time clock (RTC) signal from the clock. When the processor receives the second control signal and the fourth control signal at the same time, the processor reads a second RTC signal from the clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Pei Chang, Zong-Yuan Sun, Da-Hua Xiao
  • Patent number: RE45205
    Abstract: When an IC card is passed over an external card reading and writing apparatus, the IC card starts communication with the card reading and writing apparatus via a wireless interface, so that a change in the internal state of the IC card is reported to an external device via an external wired interface or a dedicated control signal line, thus allowing a specific application to be enabled on the external device or allowing a controller to be powered on and activated. Alternatively, the controller is powered off and deactivated. Accordingly, processing according to the communication state between the IC card and the card reading and writing apparatus or the internal state of the IC card can be smoothly initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Arisawa, Akihiko Yamagata