Contention Avoidance Patents (Class 340/10.2)
  • Patent number: 10959659
    Abstract: A system for detecting an incontinence event includes a pad which is deployable on a mattress and which, as deployed, has a first conductor and a second conductor and in which the first conductor and the second conductor are not in electrical communication with each other. The system also incudes an RFID reader subsystem having a processor and an array of two or more spatially distributed antennas. The system is adapted to A) command transmission of energy from the antenna array at a variety of powers and at various frequencies, B) monitor the antenna array for a return signal resulting from the spatially and temporally varying transmission, and C) communicate a WET or DRY status to a destination. The WET or DRY status depends on a moisture status indicator of the return signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin M. Monson, Marwan Nusair, Joseph T. Canter, John D. Christie, Dan Tallent, James D. Voll, Bryan Weidman
  • Patent number: 10891582
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for using a smart shipping to track one or more products contained therein. An embodiment operates by a transporting unit comprising a microcontroller, a transceiver, and a reliever, each of which is in communication with each other. The microcontroller is also in communication with a server external to the transporting unit. The transceiver is configured to o detect a transmitter attached to a product when the product is inside of the transporting unit. The receiver is configured to receive identifying information and a geographical location pertaining to the product. The microcontroller is then configured to send a message containing the identifying information and the geographical location pertaining to the product to the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Thomas Klingbeil, Sebastian Kliem, Uwe Keller, Andreas Koch, Christophorus Laube
  • Patent number: 10886770
    Abstract: A determination apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives magnetic field information from an antenna unit configured to receive a magnetic field generated by a power transmitting apparatus that transmits power wirelessly; a determination unit that performs a determination process for determining whether a strength of the received magnetic field indicated by the magnetic field information is not greater than a predetermined reference value; and a communication unit that transmits data indicating a result of the determination process to the power transmitting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Iori Aikawa
  • Patent number: 10848466
    Abstract: A method for data distribution includes: receiving a request for data distribution sent from a terminal; searching for raw association network data, wherein the raw association network data includes a set of nodes and a set of edges existing between the nodes; searching for a corresponding user grade according to a user identifier carried in the request for data distribution, and determining a privacy budget parameter corresponding to the user grade; determining the distributing probability distribution corresponding to the raw association network data to be distributed according to a pre-constructed Laplace Model and the determined privacy budget parameter; selecting an arbitrary value within the distributing probability distribution as a distributing probability for each network edge of the set of edges, generating a random number between 0 to 1 for each network edge, comparing the random number to the distributing probability, and distributing the corresponding network edge when the distributing probabilit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: PING AN TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianzong Wang, Zhangcheng Huang, Tianbo Wu, Jing Xiao
  • Patent number: 10816644
    Abstract: A computing device in a vehicle can emit a sequence of light pulses having a first speed, then receive a signal from another vehicle. Following this, the computing device can emit a message as a sequence of light pulses having a second speed based on the signal received from the vehicle, wherein the first speed is different from the second speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Patent number: 10751145
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, assemblies, and methods for localization of a tag in a tissue of a patient. For example, provided herein are systems, devices, and methods employing an implantable tag that emits sidebands at defined frequencies upon activation by a magnetic field generated by a remote activating device, and a plurality of witness stations configured to detect such sidebands. Also provided herein are herein are systems, devices, and methods employing a detection component that is attached to or integrated with a surgical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Elucent Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. van der Weide, Noah van der Weide, Eric N. Rudie, David Miel
  • Patent number: 10733818
    Abstract: A vehicle may include: a first antenna; a first receiver configured to receive a first radio signal through the first antenna, the first radio signal having a first frequency; a transmitter configured to transmit a second radio signal through the first antenna, the second radio signal having a second frequency; and a controller configured to acquire information indicating a current time included in the first radio signal, and to control operation of the transmitter so as to transmit the second radio signal including the information indicating the current time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Heun Lee, Dongjin Kim
  • Patent number: 10735411
    Abstract: A system is provided that determines a location of a user based on various criteria. The system may detect the location of a user based on the location of the user's device, as determined using a beacon signal, and an expected location of the user's device, as determined using schedule information. The system may process data representing the user's device location and expected location using a model to determine a confidence that a user is at a particular location. Based on the determined location, the system may perform various actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dick Clarence Hardt, Aaron Gowatch, Yu-Hsiang Cheng, Kevin Crews, Jonathan Alan Leblang, Nicolas Cyril Guillaume
  • Patent number: 10720969
    Abstract: A radio that has an advanced antenna system for providing a significant diversity benefit over the prior art. The advanced antenna system includes a first directional array and a second directional array that each include antenna sub-arrays. A sub-array in each of the directional arrays is offset to another sub-array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SKYLINE PARTNERS TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: David Andrew G. Lea, Kevin J. Negus
  • Patent number: 10692024
    Abstract: A system and associated interfaces are provided that permit the monitoring of workers within the workplace environment. In one aspect, a monitor having various sensing capabilities may be assigned to a monitored subject that records various parameters that are personal to the worker. For instance, it is appreciated that there may be sensor that can be attached to the monitored subject that is adapted to monitor certain parameters associated with the worker's environment. For instance, a sensor assigned to the monitored subject may be capable of determining the location of the subject, along with motion, impacts, altitude, and other environmental parameters that could affect the health or other condition of the worker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Triax Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin J. Morgenthau, William G. Eppler, Jr., William D. Hollingsworth
  • Patent number: 10684627
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for accelerometer-based external sound monitoring for position aware autonomous parking. An example vehicle includes accelerometers mounted on windows of the vehicle, a computing platform communicatively coupled to the accelerometers, and an autonomy unit. The computing platform receives, via the accelerometers, signals indicative of a stop command associated with a voice. Additionally, the computing platform validates the stop command when the voice either is authorized or originates from within an emergency zone. The autonomy unit prevents autonomous motion of the vehicle in response to receiving the validated stop command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Joshua Wheeler, Scott Andrew Amman, John Edward Huber, Leah Busch, Ranjani Rangarajan
  • Patent number: 10680680
    Abstract: This specification discloses methods and systems providing reader-mode performance enhancement for operating a device that communicates via inductive coupling. In reader-mode, Tx (transmitter) power of a reader device is maximized even though for some tags, the communication distance is limited by Rx (receiver) sensitivity. Therefore, power is wasted. Even worse, a too highly boosted Tx power demands a high Rx dynamic range and consequently a low Rx sensitivity. In turn, the communication distance may even be degraded by a too highly boosted Tx power. Therefore, in some embodiments, reader-mode performance enhancement is based on backing off Tx (transmitter) power when not needed (energy distance>communication distance) to save power and/or to relax reader-mode Rx (receiver) sensitivity requirements. In some embodiments, the backing off of Tx (transmitter) is also based on a sensor determining a geometric position/location of a reader device relative to a tag-mode device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Gernot Hueber, Ian Thomas Macnamara
  • Patent number: 10645651
    Abstract: Techniques for improving re-activation of an NFC-F based remote near field communication (NFC) device are described. A polling NFC device may be configured to determine that an NFC-F based remote NFC device was previously deactivated, and transmit a sense request message to enable the remote NFC device to receive an attribute request message as part of a device activation procedure. A polling NFC device may be configured to set a sleep flag to indicate that a deselected NFC-F based remote NFC device is in a sleep sub-state. The polling NFC device may be configured to determine that the remote NFC device is to be activated as a type 3 tag, as part of a device activation procedure, and reset the sleep flag to indicate that the remote NFC device is no longer in the sleep sub-state based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: John Hillan, Dubai Chingalande
  • Patent number: 10623679
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide setup, network connection, and/or other operations for network cameras. The operations may be initiated in response to placing a user device having proximity-based communications circuitry in proximity of a camera having proximity-based communications circuitry. The user device and the camera may exchange information responsive to placing the user device in the proximity of the camera. The information may include network information sent from the user device to the camera and/or camera information sent from the camera to the user device. The network information may include information associated with a network. The camera may be connected to the network using the network information. The camera may be added to list of accessible cameras on the user device when the camera is connected to the network. The proximity-based communications circuitry may be Near Field Communications circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Vlad Kardashov
  • Patent number: 10621395
    Abstract: In a configuration for detection of a movement state of a radio tag using a phase difference of a response wave from the radio tag, a phase ?[i] and a measurement time t[i] of a response wave from a radio tag measured are sequentially stored in a memory. A difference from a previous phase and a difference from a previous measurement time with respect to each phase ?[i] stored in the memory are calculated as a phase difference ??[i] and a time difference ?t[i]. A phase addition value ?sum[i] obtained by cumulatively adding a plurality of the phase differences ??[i] is calculated so as to correct a phase difference in which the corresponding time difference ?t[i] among the calculated plurality of the phase differences ??[i] exceeds a time threshold tsa [i], whereby the movement state of the radio tag is detected based upon the calculated phase addition value ?sum[i].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kohei Enomoto, Masayuki Ogawa, Yusuke Masuda
  • Patent number: 10621841
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a tag. The methods comprise: placing the tag in a first operational mode in which an internal component (“IC”) necessary to facilitate communication between the tag and a tag reader (“TR”) are intentionally disabled; storing in the tag's data store a schedule specifying a scheduled time during which the tag is permitted to communicate with TR; selectively enabling IC at the scheduled time to permit the tag to communicate with TR; performing monitoring operations at the tag to determine when a predetermined condition has been detected; and causing the tag to autonomously perform an alerting function when the predetermined condition has been detected. The alerting function comprises (a) enabling a receiver of the tag to communicate with TR at an unscheduled time, and/or (b) activating an alert by enabling a hardware alerting component provided on the tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Steve E. Trivelpiece, Craig E. Trivelpiece, Hubert A. Patterson
  • Patent number: 10613226
    Abstract: A system simultaneously tracks multiple objects. All or a subset of the objects includes a wireless receiver and a transmitter for providing an output. The system includes one or more wireless transmitters that send commands to the wireless receivers of the multiple objects instructing different subsets of the multiple objects to output (via their respective transmitter) at different times. The system also includes object sensors that receive output from the transmitters of the multiple objects and a computer system in communication with the object sensors. The computer system calculates locations of the multiple objects based on the sensed output from the multiple objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: SPORTSMEDIA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard H. Cavallaro, James Orville McGuffin, John Roy Borton
  • Patent number: 10598760
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes at least one processor configured to receive, over a network, position data acquired by a position sensor, receive, over the network, an image of a first cargo transportation unit (CTU) acquired by a camera, and determine a location of the first CTU or a second CTU based on the position data and information in the image of the first CTU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Conrad Delbert Seaman, Stephen West, Derek John Kuhn
  • Patent number: 10541730
    Abstract: A server-based nuclear containment operations system can be used to monitor structures, systems, components, and personnel within the containment building of a nuclear power facility. The disclosed and claimed concepts relate generally to a method for utilizing near field communication (NFC) on a mobile client device having the dynamic capabilities of a logic-based computerized procedures system (CPS). The client permits the execution of procedures remotely in the field while monitoring the real-time current state and operation of the systems, components, and sensors of a large facility such as a nuclear power plant. This system consists of a client and server application which provide real-time monitoring of procedure adherence and place keeping, facility clearance information, and work order administration (including tracking an operator's procedure adherence) and further provides a capability for operator input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey G. Geisel, Gregory P. Barry, Brian J. Rupert
  • Patent number: 10534941
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for carrying out an inventory of a plurality of biological product containers, each container and/or each package including containers being provided with an identification label including a wireless communication chip. The method includes the steps of: providing a device including a gantry defining a direction of travel; providing a receptacle able to be moved, the receptacle carrying the plurality of containers; moving the receptacle in order to cross the gantry in the direction of travel; and reading the wireless communication chip of each container and/or package during the movement of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: BIOLOG ID
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Mongrenier
  • Patent number: 10507797
    Abstract: A radio key for an access system of a motor vehicle includes a receiver circuit with at least three LF receiver coils for reception of a low frequency signal. The receiver coils are oriented in different spatial directions. A central control circuit includes a microcontroller coupled to the receiver circuit. The control circuit with the microcontroller can assume an energy-reduced resting state and an active operating state. The receiver circuit is configured to awaken the control circuit from the resting state when a signal is received by the LF receiver coils. The central control circuit is configured to activate each of the LF receiver coils separately and to query a received signal strength. The central control circuit then selects the LF receiver coil with the highest signal strength for a subsequent signal reception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Boris Ziller, Thomas Skaletz
  • Patent number: 10507373
    Abstract: An automatic judging and display system for rock climbing competition includes a rock climbing wall with a plurality of spaced apart holds secured thereto. One set of holds is associated with a first color and another set of holds is associated with a different color. An RFID tag is located on the wall immediately beneath each hold and uniquely identifies that hold. The climber carries an RFID tag reader on his or her wrist which wirelessly transmits information to a computer system which then analyzes and records the signal and sends it to a display mounted adjacent the top of the wall to be viewed by spectators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Lehrer, Jonathan S. Roach
  • Patent number: 10497049
    Abstract: Receiving and processing user orders may include receiving an order for an order quantity of a product from a user computing device, retrieving a threshold inventory quantity of the product, retrieving a last known inventory quantity of the product, comparing the threshold inventory quantity with the difference between the last known inventory quantity and the order quantity, performing an asynchronous reservation of the quantity of the product when the threshold inventory quantity is less than the difference between the last known inventory quantity and the order quantity, and performing a synchronous reservation of the quantity of the product when the threshold inventory quantity is greater than the difference between the last known inventory quantity and the order quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Home Depot Product Authority, LLC
    Inventors: Hari Ramamurthy, Angie Brown, Thomas Gamble, Stephen Jacobs, Todd Stormes
  • Patent number: 10492033
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a terminal for tracking the location of an article set by an individual and a location tracking system and method using the terminal. The terminal includes a possession location tracking terminal (100), including: an information input unit (110) to which information required for the selection of an identifier (ID) of one of possession tags (200) provided in possessions possessed by a possessor and a request for tracking of the location of a possession tag (200) provided in a corresponding possession having the tag ID is input; an information output unit (120) which has a liquid crystal display (121); an information storage unit (130) in which per-tag ID information is stored; an information communication unit (140) which performs a communication interface function of transmitting the information; and a control unit (150) which performs control such that the information is input, output, and transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Inventor: Kyungwon Kim
  • Patent number: 10460137
    Abstract: A method of interrogating a plurality of RFID tags comprises interrogating a first RFID tag with a read command comprising a masking value for a predefined portion of a User Memory Bank of the first RFID tag. The predefined portion stores state information for the first RFID tag. The masking value corresponds to a non-quiesced state relative to the read command interrogation. The method further comprises receiving a response from the first RFID tag that indicates that the first RFID tag is in the non-quiesced state. The method further comprises interrogating the first RFID tag with a write command that instructs the first RFID tag to write a predefined value to the predefined portion of the User Memory Bank, wherein writing the predefined value to the predefined portion places the first RFID tag in a quiesced state relative to a subsequent read command interrogation comprising the masking value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua David Landry, Sr., Christopher Raymond Grajewski, Oleg Kantor, Tak Keung Joseph Lui, David Bruce McCalib, Jr., Roman Shmulevich, Alton Paul Werronen, Fabien Lepoutre, Mark G. McDonald, Patrick Rubin
  • Patent number: 10417085
    Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag IC stores an identifier and a check code. The IC determines whether the stored identifier is corrupted by comparing it to the check code. If the stored identifier does not correspond to the check code then the IC may terminate operation or indicate an error. The IC may also reconstruct the correct identifier from the check code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Impinj, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Diorio
  • Patent number: 10397691
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for implementing an audio assisted dynamic barcode system. A gate validation system may include a barcode reader, a speaker, and a processor configured to perform operations including receiving, using the barcode reader, a first barcode from a portable electronic device indicating a request for passage through a gate. The operations may also include outputting, using the speaker, an audio signal having a predetermined feature. The operations may further include receiving, using the barcode reader, a second barcode from the portable electronic device indicating a detected feature of the audio signal. The operations may further include determining that the detected feature matches the predetermined feature and, in response to determining that the detected feature matches the predetermined feature, facilitating passage of a holder of the portable electronic device through the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Cubic Corporation
    Inventor: Tom Vilhelmsen
  • Patent number: 10393855
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the position of an RFID transponder. Separate signals of at least two electromagnetic alternating fields are emitted from at least two antenna to one RFID transponder. The antenna are spaced at a distance from each other so that the two electromagnetic alternating fields are emitted at a distance from one another. The emitted electromagnetic alternating fields to the one RFID transponder are reflected so that the reflected electromagnetic alternating fields are sent back to the antenna. The transit times of the electromagnetic alternating fields are determined from emission to receiving back at the antenna. The distances between the antenna and the RFID transponder are determined, and the position of the RFID transponder from the at least two distances is determined relative to the at least two antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Dietmar Terhoerst
  • Patent number: 10383112
    Abstract: Wireless client devices within a wireless network exchange data with other wireless devices during particular time slots determined by the network. More particularly, the system generates and wirelessly broadcasts synchronization information to the client devices, where the synchronization information contains individual masks to be applied to bit fields of individual client devices, where said time slots are determined in accordance with the masked bit fields. In such a manner, client devices can be coordinated to communicate with the system in a dynamic real-time tiered manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Proxense, LLC
    Inventors: David L. Brown, Fred S. Hirt
  • Patent number: 10360777
    Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that pass through a portal in a venue are read by a portal RFID reader, and identified as being tags having a higher priority as compared to other RFID tags in the venue that have a lower priority. The identities of the high-priority tags are transmitted to an overhead RFID reader, which preferentially reads the high-priority tags over the low-priority tags in the venue. Only the high-priority RFID tags are located and tracked in the venue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Lauria, Richard J. Lavery, Russell E. Calvarese
  • Patent number: 10362558
    Abstract: A radio network node receives a page request from a core network node. The page request indicates to page a wireless communication device. The radio network node determines a next occurrence of a monitoring window during which the wireless communication device will monitor a paging channel associated with the radio network node. If the amount of time until the next occurrence of the monitoring window exceeds an amount of time that the radio network node can store the page request, the radio network node discards the page request and sends a response to the core network node indicating that the page request was discarded; the response includes a paging timer value that indicates when the core network node should repeat the page request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: John Walter Diachina, Paul Schliwa-Bertling, Martin Israelsson, Nicklas Johansson
  • Patent number: 10355750
    Abstract: A method for a communication device includes determining whether a first radio frequency (RF) signal at a level of at least a first predetermined field threshold is detected. The method also includes generating a second RF signal at a level of at least a second predetermined field threshold greater than the first predetermined field threshold, when the communication device receives an instruction to generate the second RF signal and the determining determines that the first RF signal at the level of at least the first predetermined field threshold is not detected. The method further includes receiving a load modulated RF signal in response to the second RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kunihide Fujii, Tadashi Morita, Shigeru Arisawa, Yoshihisa Takayama
  • Patent number: 10346647
    Abstract: In some aspects, material processing head can include a body; an antenna disposed within the body; a first tag, associated with a first consumable component, disposed within a flux communication zone of the body at a first distance from the antenna, the first tag having a first resonant frequency; and a second tag, associated with a second consumable component, disposed within the flux communication zone of the body at a second distance from the antenna, the second tag having a second resonant frequency that is different than the first resonant frequency, where the first and second resonant frequencies are tuned based upon at least one of: i) a difference between the first distance and the second distance; or ii) a characteristic (e.g., shape) of the flux communication zone in which the first tag and/or the second tag is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hoffa, E. Michael Shipulski
  • Patent number: 10331991
    Abstract: An RF tag circuit including a power storage unit is provided, in which an increase in time required for a voltage change occurring when an impedance is adjusted is reduced. The RF tag circuit is connected to an antenna and a load. The RF tag circuit includes a rectification circuit, a matching circuit, a power storage unit, and a control unit. The rectification circuit rectifies a radio wave received by the antenna and supplies DC power. The matching circuit, of which an impedance is changeable, is interposed between the antenna and the rectification circuit. The power storage unit stores DC power input from the rectification circuit and supplies the stored DC power to the load. The control unit disconnects the power storage unit from the RF tag circuit and adjusts the impedance of the matching circuit such that the amount of the power supplied by the rectification circuit increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Yase, Tetsuya Nosaka
  • Patent number: 10325229
    Abstract: A system and associated interfaces are provided that permit the monitoring of workers within the workplace environment. In one aspect, a monitor having various sensing capabilities may be assigned to a monitored subject that records various parameters that are personal to the worker. For instance, it is appreciated that there may be sensor that can be attached to the monitored subject that is adapted to monitor certain parameters associated with the worker's environment. For instance, a sensor assigned to the monitored subject may be capable of determining the location of the subject, along with motion, impacts, altitude, and other environmental parameters that could affect the health or other condition of the worker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Triax Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin J. Morgenthau, William G. Eppler, Jr., William D. Hollingsworth
  • Patent number: 10325427
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device comprising an electroencephalography (EEG) sensor for enabling access to a transit system. The device may also include a device transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a request signal to a gate receiver. The device may further include a device processor configured to receive an EEG signal from the EEG sensor, analyze the EEG signal to determine that the transit user is attempting to enter the transit system through a particular gate, generate the request signal identifying the transit user and indicating that the transit user is attempting to enter the transit system through the particular gate, and wirelessly transmit, using the device transmitter, the request signal to the gate receiver. The EEG signal may be based at least in part on the transit user viewing a visual stimuli displayed by the particular gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Cubic Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Dyne
  • Patent number: 10311264
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) technique is disclosed. The technique includes a printed RFID antenna array including at least three printed RFID antenna elements and an RFID reader device with at least one RFID reader antenna sized to transmit excitation energy to a number N>1 of printed RFID antenna elements of the printed RFID antenna array, where N is less than a total number of printed RFID antenna elements of the printed RFID antenna array. The RFID reader antenna is configured to receive a plurality of compound signals from respective subarrays consisting of N of the printed RFID antenna elements of the printed RFID antenna array. The RFID reader device also includes a demodulator, a decoder, and an output interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher P. Caporale, Alberto Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10312570
    Abstract: A long-distance radio frequency anti-metal identification tag is provided. When a bottom surface of an insulating spacer plate is attached to the surface of a metal object and an electronic tag reading device is used to read a radio frequency identification chip on a second antenna. A resonant cavity is formed between a slot of a first antenna and the surface of the metal object through the isolation of the insulating spacer plate, such that the second antenna located at the position of the resonant cavity resonates with an electromagnetic wave signal reflected on the surface of the metal object by the first antenna. The electromagnetic wave signal is transmitted to the radio frequency identification chip, or the feedback signal of the radio frequency identification chip is transmitted out. The overall UHF electronic tag is resistant to a metal interference and has the performance of long-distance reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Read Tag Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chi Ju Wu, Shirl Mei Chang, Alexander Chan, Chin Hsien Ting, Hsi Jui Chan
  • Patent number: 10311268
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to adaptive RFID communication. A tag device includes a storage configured to store content that is executable by a proxy device associated with a reader device. The tag device includes a communication component configured to transmit the content to the reader device, the content, when executed by the proxy device, causing an action associated with the tag device to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Liang He, Zhen Duo Liu, Chun Lei Xu, Geng Wu Yang, Feng Zheng
  • Patent number: 10305685
    Abstract: An identification information transmitter encrypts identification information for identifying a person or an object using an encryption key, transmits the encrypted identification information, and, after receiving another encryption key, switches the encryption key from the encryption key to the other encryption key. A server receives the encrypted identification information from the identification information transmitter, determines whether the encryption key is to be switched, and, if the encryption key is to be switched, generates the other encryption key. Another server authenticates the identification information that an identification information receiver receives from the identification information transmitter, and, if authentication is successful, acquires the other encryption key from the server, and transmits the other encryption key to the identification information receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kawase, Masahiko Itoh, Fumihiko Itoh, Tadanori Ryu, Kei Inaba
  • Patent number: 10296768
    Abstract: A method for tracking objects in a two-dimensional space includes first tracking devices that are activated to read tagged objects within the reading ranges of the first tracking devices. Second tracking devices are activated to read tagged objects within the reading ranges of the second tracking devices. The tagged objects read by each first tracking device are compared to the tagged objects read by each second tracking device, and based on the locations of the tagged objects read by the first and second tracking devices, the locations of the tagged objects are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente Klein, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Patent number: 10255466
    Abstract: The invention provides method for organizing the disinfection of one or more items contaminated with biological agent(s) comprising (a) attaching a radio-frequency ID (RFID) tag to an item(s) to be disinfected; exposing the item(s) of (a) to a disinfecting means for a period sufficient to disinfect the item; and (c) obtaining a signal from the tagged item when disinfection is complete thereby organizing the disinfection of one or more items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventor: Chetan Jinadatha
  • Patent number: 10255174
    Abstract: A system having a common cache pool (CCP) includes a computing device having a plurality of applications executable on the computing device, each of the applications being in a particular application category, at least a first portion of the plurality of applications configured to utilize a cache. The CCP including a plurality of sub-caches associated with a respective particular application category, a sub-portion of applications associated with a sub-cache based on the particular application category, a first application of the sub-portion of applications accessing a first sub-cache when operated by a first user, and a second application of the sub-portion of applications, when operated by the first user, accessing the first sub-cache if the first application and the second application are of the same particular application category. A method to implement the system and a non-transitory computer-readable medium are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Fangling Liu, Xiao Zhi Yan, Yingjie Weng
  • Patent number: 10250336
    Abstract: A laser beacon may be attached to a vehicle, object, or personnel, or be incorporated into an existing vehicle optical emitter via software and/or hardware, that allows the vehicle, non-vehicle object, or associated personnel to be uniquely identified using a small telescope with a high-speed photodetector. The telescope may be an amateur telescope with a high speed-photodetector, which significantly reduces cost over more complex optical telescopes. Beacons may also be attached to objects that become space debris, such as fuel tanks, rocket stages, cubesat dispensers, and the like. The beacon may be suitable for use in space, in the air, on water, or on land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Triad National Security, LLC
    Inventor: David Palmer
  • Patent number: 10235864
    Abstract: A method for alerting a user when an item is missing from a container. The method comprising implementing, by an item tracking system, a plurality of steps. The steps comprise determining an expected set of items for the container, using an item sensor associated with the container to determine a current set of items in the container, comparing the current set with the expected set to detect whether any of the expected items is missing from the container, determining a packing area for the container, tracking a location of the container, and causing an alert to be outputted via a user interface, in response to the container leaving the packing area with any of the expected items missing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David Mowatt, Terry Farrell
  • Patent number: 10229078
    Abstract: Multiple master modules are connected to a bus, each having bus communication logic for initiating a transaction over the bus. The bus communication logic is able to detect when the bus is busy (or apparently busy), and in response will wait before initiating a transaction of its own. Further, a distributed reset sub-system is provided, comprising an instance of a reset mechanism at each of a plurality of the master modules. Each reset mechanism recognizes a timeout condition indicative of the detected busy state being due to error, and in response performs a staged reset. This reset process first attempts a local reset which resets the respective bus communication logic of its respective master module. If the local reset fails to clear the error, the staged reset process then attempts one or more further resets to reset bus communication logic of one or more other modules connected to the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Abraham Cornelius Van Der Zande, Jurgen Mario Vangeel
  • Patent number: 10192157
    Abstract: RFID driven display system components such as wireless displays (visual RFID tags) and multi-antenna wireless RFID readers that monitor/control the RFID driven displays in order to provide visual real-time information to display viewers and/or provide useful information to a central processing station that monitors the status of and/or updates the RFID driven displays, networks including one or more of the components, and methods for using the RFID driven display system components to monitor assets in applications such as inventory control and manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: OMNI-ID CAYMAN LIMITED
    Inventors: Andre Cote, Edmund S. Nabrotzky
  • Patent number: 10192373
    Abstract: In a tag identification system, active tags are configured to emulate at least one passive tag so that existing passive identifications systems, such as passive radio-frequency (RFID) systems or near field communication (NFC) systems, can be retrofitted to operate with the active tag without having to make expensive hardware updates to the readers within the system. The active tag permits continuous monitoring of its movement or status, as may be desired, regardless of its proximity relative to the readers thereby allowing a system to capture more data regarding the tag's location and use. In addition, the active tag may be compatible with different passive identification systems thereby permitting it to operate with disparate passive identification systems and obviating the need of the user to carry multiple passive tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SYNAPSE WIRELESS, INC.
    Inventor: Wade C. Patterson
  • Patent number: 10142930
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method of an MTC terminal with low power consumption, which includes: sending, by the MTC terminal, a wireless channel request message to a base station through a random access channel; receiving, by the MTC terminal, an immediate assignment message delivered by a wireless network; and sending, by the MTC terminal, an MTC data report message to the wireless network, where the MTC data report message includes a unique identifier of the MTC terminal, authentication information and service data. The embodiments of the present invention further provide an MTC terminal with low power consumption, and a communication method and system of a wireless network with low power consumption, which can reduce power consumption of a wireless terminal during communication, so that the MTC terminal can maintain communication for a longer period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weiming Duan, Miao Fu, Ming Fang, Yanqiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10128910
    Abstract: A mobile device with the NFC function includes an NFC chip, multiple SIM card slots, a power supply unit, and an eSE integrated into the NFC chip. One SIM card slot is connected to a first power port on the NFC chip. The power supply unit is connected to a second power port on the NFC chip. When the mobile device performs near field communication, the second power port on the NFC chip is triggered to output a first level signal. Each of the rest SIM card slots is connected to the power supply unit. The eSE is connected to the power supply unit. The power supply unit is configured to supply power to the eSE and the SIM card slot that is connected to the power supply unit, when the first level signal is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhonghui Peng, Heng Wang, Yonggang Wang, Dongjin Chen, Yang Gao