Diverse Devices Patents (Class 340/12.53)
  • Patent number: 9954969
    Abstract: A multimedia generating method for use in a target electronic device includes: communicating the target electronic device with a central relay server (CRS) via internet to conduct an identity authentication; receiving an activation command from the CRS via internet; after receiving the activation command, activating a websocket server module in the target electronic device to establish one or more network sockets between the target electronic device and other electronic devices, so that the target electronic device and other electronic devices communicate control parameters via the websocket server module; generating one or more corresponding images according to control parameters received from other electronic devices; and displaying the one or more images on a display of the target electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.
    Inventor: Chen Ma
  • Patent number: 9951462
    Abstract: A method for supplying heated water from a water heater appliance to a washing machine appliance includes initiating a wash cycle of the washing machine appliance, directing heated water from a water heater appliance into the washing machine appliance if a set point temperature of the water heater appliance is equal to or greater than a specific temperature and/or if the water heater appliance contains a volume of heated water required for the wash cycle of the washing machine appliance, and delaying the wash cycle of the washing machine appliance if the set point temperature of the water heater appliance is not equal to or greater than the specific temperature and/or if the water heater appliance does not contain the volume of heated water required for the wash cycle of the washing machine appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan James Scheckelhoff, James Quentin Pollett, Shaun Michael Ward
  • Patent number: 9955025
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) services is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having an aggregator element that aggregates a number of IMS services, and a presentation element that presents a web page with the aggregated IMS services. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventors: Sreenivasa Gorti, David Wolter, Anil Doradla
  • Patent number: 9942304
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods to enable a mobile device to be used as a remote control, in order to control one or more remotely controllable objects. In possible embodiments of the invention, proximity-based (or other) remote controls include control authorization to enable the transfer or sharing of control between different remote controls being implemented on different mobile devices, in order to permit different users to transfer or share control of a same remotely controllable object, for example. In other possible embodiments of the invention, a proximity-based (or other) remote control uses control authentication to enable the pairing of a remote control implemented on a device and a remotely controllable object, for example. Various embodiments of control authority and control authentication are possible and anticipated by the invention to address a wide range of practical remote control applications and provide many benefits to users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: N99 LLC
    Inventor: Steven K. Gold
  • Patent number: 9942507
    Abstract: A remote control apparatus for setting a mode according to a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus is provided. The remote control apparatus sets operation modes based on information regarding a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus received from the broadcast receiving apparatus. The operation mode of the remote control apparatus is automatically set based on information regarding a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus, so less power is consumed in the remote control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Young-mi Jung
  • Patent number: 9921277
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for shutting down a magnet system. The device includes a portable housing, a communication unit, and a switch on the portable housing. The portable housing encloses a field shutdown initiation circuitry. The communication unit is disposed at least partially in the portable housing and the communication unit is configured to establish communication between the field shutdown initiation circuitry and the magnet system. The switch is configured to turn on the field shutdown initiation circuitry to initiate a magnet field shutdown in the magnet system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Steckner, Edwin Gonzalez, Joseph Prudic, Dale Allan Messner
  • Patent number: 9911304
    Abstract: A distributed control method in a distributed control system including a process executed by a by a first notification device, the process including notifying a detection of a first event to a second notification device, storing, in a storage device, acknowledgement information associating an event identifier indicating the first event with a device identifier indicating the second notification device when a negative acknowledgement is received from the second notification device, determining whether the event identifier indicating the first event is stored in the storage device or not when a request for a notification of the detection of the first event is received from a third notification device, and deleting, from the storage device, a device identifier associated with the event identifier indicating the first event when it is determined that the event identifier indicating the first event is stored in the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ueno, Kenichi Abiru
  • Patent number: 9905118
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for limiting service availability when a sensor device is non-operational due to a noise floor change. According to one aspect of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, a connected home system includes a controller device configured to monitor a plurality of sensor devices deployed within a premises, and a sensor device of the plurality of sensor devices. The sensor device can monitor radio frequency (“RF”) noise in a radio environment associated with the premises. The radio environment is associated with an RF noise floor. The sensor device can determine whether the radio frequency noise exceeds a noise threshold. In response to determining that the RF noise exceeds the noise threshold, the sensor device can cause the controller device to exclude the sensor device from being monitored by the controller device until the RF noise returns to below the noise threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Digital Life, Inc.
    Inventor: Plamen Vanchev
  • Patent number: 9905120
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for alarm initiation when a sensor is intentionally jammed. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a connected home system can include a controller device and a sensor device. The sensor device can include a processor and memory. The memory can store sensor instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the sensor device to perform sensor operations. In particular, the sensor device can detect a jamming signal originating, for example, from a jamming device that is intentionally attempting to jam operations of the sensor device. The sensor device can determine whether the jamming signal is above a jamming alarm threshold. If the sensor device determines that the jamming signal is above the jamming alarm threshold, the sensor device can generate a jamming alarm event that is directed to the controller device. The sensor device can send the jamming alarm event to the controller device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Digital Life, Inc.
    Inventor: Plamen H. Vanchev
  • Patent number: 9900173
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for automation control for personalized ambient temperature management are disclosed. First input corresponding to a first set of sensors may be processed. A location of a first occupant of a home may be determined based on the first input. Second input corresponding to a second set of sensors may be processed. A first temperature in the location may be determined based on the second input corresponding to the second set of one or more sensors. A first state of the first occupant in the location may be determined based on third input corresponding to the first set of sensors or corresponding to a third set of sensors. An adjustment may be determined based on the location, the first temperature, and the first state of the first occupant. One or more components of the home may be caused to adjust based on the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: David Robinson
  • Patent number: 9886504
    Abstract: The embodiments of the disclosure provide a method and device for audio file management and a storage medium. The method may include that: an album image corresponding to an audio file to be managed is acquired (S101); color analysis is performed on the album image to obtain a characteristic color of the album image (S102); a color label is set for the audio file according to the characteristic color of the album image (S103); and the audio file is managed according to the color label of the audio file (S104). According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the audio file may be managed on the basis of colors, so that diversity and intelligence of the means of audio file management are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: GuangZhou KuGou Computer Technology Co.Ltd
    Inventor: Weifeng Zhao
  • Patent number: 9870123
    Abstract: A home entertainment device eliminates the need to use multiple remotes. The device is connected (by wired and/or wireless links) to electronic consumer devices (ECDs) to be controlled. A user uses a portable display device to view pages served by the device, and thereby to communicate with the device and indirectly control the ECDs. In a first aspect, a HDMI-CEC communication is used to identify a codeset from a codeset database. In a second aspect, the codeset of a remote is identified by serving pictures of remotes to the user. The user selects a picture and the system looks up its codeset. In a third aspect, keys on an illustration of a remote are dragged and dropped to create a new custom remote. In a fourth aspect, the user supplies a digital photograph of a remote. The system performs optical recognition and identifies the type of remote and its codeset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Pope, Raymond O. Chock, Norman G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 9864632
    Abstract: To enable continuous execution of an application, a system and method for transferring an application state is provided. A gesture corresponding to a transfer act is detected by a gesture detection module in a first device executing the application. The first device communicates with a registration and relay server to determine eligible transfer recipients based on criteria such as location and/or devices that are currently executing the application. A transfer recipient is selected and platform independent application state Data Transfer Objects are generated that describe the state of execution on the first device. The application state DTOs are transferred via the server to the recipient device which enacts the application state DTOs to continue the execution of the application on the recipient device. Because the application state DTOs are platform independent, the application state can be transferred to almost any device that is able to execute the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Open Invention Network, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Hauser, Robert DeAnna, Paul Lipari
  • Patent number: 9852592
    Abstract: Augmented reality techniques are employed to improve emergency response and related tasks based upon data gathered from wireless monitoring of emergency equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: en-Gauge, Inc.
    Inventor: Brendan T. McSheffrey
  • Patent number: 9836952
    Abstract: A processor accesses a plurality of time series of alarms of a plurality of alarm types that are produced by resources of a network function virtualization (NFV) system. The processor identifies clusters of the plurality of alarm types based on similarities between the plurality of time series and determine causal connections between alarm types in the clusters based on temporal proximity and ordering of the alarm types in the clusters. The processor then stores one or more causality templates representative of the causal connections in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Kushnir
  • Patent number: 9830672
    Abstract: A message bus is utilized for energy management/control. The publish/subscribe message bus present between site gateways, a central server farm, and other entities, facilitates exchange of messages pertaining to management and control of power generation and/or storage. On-site publishers/subscribers can include, e.g., PV inverters, battery devices, energy meters, etc. Non-site specific publishers/subscribers can include, e.g., web clients, database servers (for logging), and various server components of the message bus. Messages exchanged between publishers and subscribers can include control messages (e.g., begin charging battery X) and measurement messages (e.g., the current charge of battery X is Y). Embodiments may implement logic at a site gateway prioritizing transmission of messages to local site devices. Thus where a gateway cannot simultaneously transmit device control messages and device data acquisition messages (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Daniel Carlson, Karthikeyan Varadarajan, Franklin Aguinaldo
  • Patent number: 9787756
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods that enable a mobile device to be approximated with an object in order to enable control of the object. In one possible embodiment of a method of the invention, a mobile device is brought in physical proximity with an object, the identity of the object is determined wirelessly, based on such determination, a remote control user interface is presented by the mobile device, the mobile device receives input relating to a desired control action for the object, and the mobile device wirelessly communicates with a remote computer to facilitate control of the object. Various embodiments of the invention are possible to address a wide range of practical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Steven K. Gold
  • Patent number: 9781275
    Abstract: Provided is a mobile terminal including: a display unit to which an execution screen of an application for controlling at least one electronic apparatus is output; a memory unit in which at least one piece of operation command information relating to the electronic apparatus is stored; and a controller that generates an operation command for which at least one condition for a control command relating to driving of the electronic apparatus is set, based on a user input that is applied to the execution screen, in which the controller determines whether or not the stored operation command and the generated operation command form a loop, and in which, in a case where a result of the determination is that multiple operation commands including the generated operation command form the loop, the controller determines whether or not the generated operation command is stored in the memory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Dongik Kim, Namyoung Kim, Sunho Cho, Dongjun Son
  • Patent number: 9776847
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring safety of work vehicles and worksites. Work vehicles and worksites may be provided with target object sensor units for detecting a condition regarding safety determinative aspects of the work vehicle or worksite. The target object sensor units communicate data regarding the safety determinative aspects to a data acquisition and communication unit that produces safety status data. The safety status data is analyzed to determine whether to issue a notification to a notification unit to alert workers of an unsafe condition. The data acquisition and communication unit transmits the safety status data to a server/processing unit for further analysis. The server/processing unit may track the safety status data regarding each worksite or work vehicle and generate statistical data regarding the safety status data. The server/processing unit may communicate with user interface to display notifications and statistical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: RECON DYNAMICS, LLC
    Inventors: Indrasis Mondal, K. Deric Eldredge, Eric Ryan Clausen-Brown, Martin Jay Feuerstein, Nicholas Lee Smith, Adrian Men-Gee Yip, William Dale Webster, Jr., Douglas Neal Morrison
  • Patent number: 9775126
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for monitoring an activity of a person using a hierarchical node network having at least an ID node, a master node, and a server. The ID node is associated with a person, can monitor the person's activity, can communicate directly with the master node but is unable to directly communicate with the server. The master node can directly communicate with the server and separately communicate with the ID node. The master node associates with the ID node upon detecting a signal broadcast from the ID node. The server determines a location of the ID node. The ID node detects an actionable event related to the person's activity based upon the ID node location, and transmits a message to the master node reporting the actionable event. The master node notifies the server about the event. The server initiates a responsive action based upon the notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Ole-Petter Skaaksrud
  • Patent number: 9733816
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for enabling a user, through a user interface, to manage a correspondence that defines how information about a state of a first device at a first location is to be used to control a second device at a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Catalina Computing, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Williams Morss
  • Patent number: 9696802
    Abstract: In general, the short range wireless powered ring described herein pertains to a finger-worn ring. In one embodiment the ring has a small interaction area towards the palm of the hand that employs sensors to sense user input and can interpret this input and other data. For example, the ring can interpret user input as scroll and select input actions. The ring communicates user interactions and other data wirelessly using a low-power wireless solution. The ring contains a coil and other circuitry for energy harvesting from short range wireless enabled devices such as, for example, NFC enabled phones, while users interact with their devices. A built in rechargeable battery is used to store the scavenged energy. The ring may also contain physiological and inertial sensors. The ring can provide a readily available input device of small form factor that has an easily accessible energy source for ease of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Nissanka Arachchige Bodhi Priyantha, Douglas Christopher Burger, Gerald Reuben DeJean, Jie Liu, Dimitrios Lymperopoulos, Deepak Ganesan
  • Patent number: 9699763
    Abstract: A network node, method, and mobile terminal for providing circuit-switched (CS) voice calls to a mobile terminal operating in a packet-switched (PS)-only network. A control node such as an EPC node in an SAE/LTE PS-only network is modified to mimic the messaging functionality of a Serving GPRS Service Node (SGSN). The EPC node is connected to an MSC/VLR in a CS network through a Gs interface. The EPC node registers the terminal with the MSC/VLR and provides a VLR TMSI to the terminal. When the MSC/VLR receives an incoming CS voice call for the terminal, the MSC/VLR notifies the EPC node, which sends a paging message to the terminal. To set up the CS voice call, the terminal sends a paging response directly to the MSC/VLR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Ann-Christine Sander
  • Patent number: 9685071
    Abstract: A system comprising an antenna module and a processor sub-module. The antenna module is configured to connect and send data to a network through a wireless connection. The network is configured to (A) connect to web services in a first mode and (B) integrate with user devices in a second mode. The processor sub-module is configured to provide a physical connection to (i) the antenna module, (ii) a plurality of output devices, and (iii) a plurality of sensors. The plurality of output devices are configured to implement a virtual receptionist. The plurality of sensors send data to the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Kuna Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Sai-Wai Fu, Haomiao Huang
  • Patent number: 9672727
    Abstract: Techniques are described for handling duress input. For example, techniques are described for handling duress input provided to a mobile application that controls a monitoring system located at a fixed property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Rose Blais Alexander, Rebecca Elisabeth Davenport, Alison Jane Slavin
  • Patent number: 9601001
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using multi-criteria state machines to manage alarming states and pre-alarming states of a hazard detection system are described herein. The multi-criteria state machines can include one or more sensor state machines that can control the alarming states and one or more system state machines that can control the pre-alarming states. Each state machine can transition among any one of its states based on sensor data values, hush events, and transition conditions. The transition conditions can define how a state machine transitions from one state to another. The hazard detection system can use a dual processor arrangement to execute the multi-criteria state machines according to various embodiments. The dual processor arrangement can enable the hazard detection system to manage the alarming and pre-alarming states in a manner that promotes minimal power usage while simultaneously promoting reliability in hazard detection and alarming functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Jeffrey Lee
  • Patent number: 9561696
    Abstract: A method for locating the wheels of a vehicle equipped with an electronic module, according to which the transmission, by transmitting antennas mounted on the vehicle, of a predetermined number of identification request signals is commanded, and the values representative of the rates of reception of these signals by the electronic modules are analyzed. According to the method, centroid calculations are performed to determine, for each wheel position, the “ideal position” {right arrow over (LAj)} for reception of the transmitting antennas covering the wheel position (a reception rate of 100%), and, for each electronic module, the “actual position” of the latter {right arrow over (WUi)} relative to the position {right arrow over (TAi)} of the transmitting antennas fitted to the vehicle, using as the criterion for determining this “actual position” {right arrow over (WUi)} the rate of reception, by the electronic module, of the signals transmitted by each transmitting antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Olivier Fudulea
  • Patent number: 9563596
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus controls a peripheral device by using a relay apparatus. The electronic apparatus includes an interface connected to the peripheral device; a communication unit that performs communication with the relay apparatus; a receiver that receives a control signal for controlling the electronic apparatus; and a controller that, when the control signal is received, performs an operation based on the control signal, and controls the communication unit to transmit information about the performed operation and information about the peripheral device to the relay apparatus in order to control the peripheral device to perform an operation that corresponds to the performed operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-young Lee, Sung-young Ji, Seung-dong Yu
  • Patent number: 9565031
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic device. The method comprises: a control terminal starting a service of a self-organizing network, and initializing and displaying an information table of electronic devices currently on the self-organizing network; sending, based on an electronic device selected from the electronic device information table by a user, an update request to the electronic device through a network route of the self-organizing network; receiving device function information fed back by the electronic device according to the update request, and establishing a function calling table according to the device function information; and displaying a control UI of the remote control terminal according to the function calling table and sending an execution instruction to the electronic device according to a function item selected by the user. A control terminal and a system for controlling the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN TCL NEW TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Zhimin Du
  • Patent number: 9549217
    Abstract: Notification controls regarding television viewing are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, a notification condition can be created and by one or more components of a notification system. Actions regarding viewing of television content are then monitored and compared with the notification condition. Once the notification condition is satisfied, a notification is sent, which can be in real time or near-real time, as the television is being watched. Notification conditions may be satisfied with any of a variety of triggers, and the notifications can be sent in a variety of forms to any of a variety of devices. The notification system can redirect a television to a predetermined television channel and/or request authorization to access certain content. Notification controls can be created, viewed, and/or managed using any of a variety of devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventor: Zane Eaton
  • Patent number: 9535474
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, energy manager includes first estimator, second estimator, creator and controller. First estimator estimates power amount of power generator. Second estimator estimates energy demand. Creator creates schedule of devices based on estimated power amount and energy demand. Controller controls the devices based on the schedule. Second estimator includes storage, extractor and calculator. Storage accumulates load data. Extractor extracts load patterns including different load data. Calculator calculates weight for each of extracted patterns. Creator includes simulator and scheduler. Simulator simulates evaluated value of each schedule based on the pattern and weight. Scheduler creates schedule based on evaluated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kazuto Kubota, Masahiko Murai, Tomohiko Tanimoto, Kiyotaka Matsue, Kyosuke Katayama, Masayuki Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 9513648
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of active grid elements. Grid elements are transformed into active grid elements following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. A multiplicity of active grid elements function in the grid for supply capacity, supply and/or load curtailment as supply or capacity. Also preferably, messaging is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Causam Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Forbes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9514631
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using multi-criteria state machines to manage alarming states and pre-alarming states of a hazard detection system are described herein. The multi-criteria state machines can include one or more sensor state machines that can control the alarming states and one or more system state machines that can control the pre-alarming states. Each state machine can transition among any one of its states based on sensor data values, hush events, and transition conditions. The transition conditions can define how a state machine transitions from one state to another. The hazard detection system can use a dual processor arrangement to execute the multi-criteria state machines according to various embodiments. The dual processor arrangement can enable the hazard detection system to manage the alarming and pre-alarming states in a manner that promotes minimal power usage while simultaneously promoting reliability in hazard detection and alarming functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Jeffrey Lee
  • Patent number: 9491224
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module maybe stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Rezvani, Edward B. Kalin, Jack L. Chen, Reza Jalili
  • Patent number: 9483628
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for detecting or recognizing a user and intelligently altering or adjusting user device settings appropriate for the detected user. In an embodiment, a method comprises detecting, electronically by a processor, a first user interacting with a user device via a user input interface of the user device; determining, electronically by the processor, one or more characteristics associated with a primary user of the user device; determining, electronically by the processor, the first user is not the primary user based at least in part on comparing interactions of the first user with the user device and the one or more characteristics associated with the primary user of the user device; and altering one or more settings of the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Chatterton, Ramaneek Khanna, Timothy C. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9465397
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of active grid elements. Grid elements are transformed into active grid elements following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. A multiplicity of active grid elements function in the grid for supply capacity, supply and/or load curtailment as supply or capacity. Also preferably, messaging is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Causam Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Forbes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9462409
    Abstract: Mobile control unit comprising: first communication elements (COM1) adapted for communication according to a local protocol (P1); second communication elements (COM2) adapted for communication according to a second communication protocol (P2); elements (IHM, MEM, Rx_COM2, Rx_COM1) of detecting at least one event (EVT) involving the sending of at least one message (MSG) to at least one electrical equipment item (11, 12, 13, 14, GTW); elements (?P, MEM, COM1, COM2, IHM) of automatically selecting the communication elements (COM_TX) to be used for the sending of the at least one message (MSG); and elements (?P, MEM, COM1, COM2) of generating the at least one message (MSG) according to the event (EVT) detected and the selected communication elements (COM_TX).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SOMFY SAS
    Inventor: Pierre Mignot
  • Patent number: 9454853
    Abstract: Electronic systems for verifying completion of security patrols include primary and secondary identifier elements distributed along a predetermined route of the security patrol. A portable electronic device is configured to confirm an officer's presence at each of the primary and secondary identifier element locations. The primary identifier element is machine readable while the secondary identifier element requires operator input to confirm the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CENTRIC GROUP LLC
    Inventor: Atul Gupta
  • Patent number: 9424729
    Abstract: A mobile tracking unit includes a controller having a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by the processor to communicate with a control unit of an automation and security system, determine a position of the mobile tracking unit relative to a base station using a low power location module, and communicate the position of the mobile tracking unit to at least one of the base station and a control unit of the automation and security system. When the mobile tracking unit is outside a specified range from the mobile tracking unit, the controller continues tracking the position of the mobile tracking unit with the low power location module. When the mobile tracking unit is inside the specified range, the controller determines the position of the mobile tracking unit using a high power location module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Warren, James E. Nye
  • Patent number: 9413810
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module maybe stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Rezvani, Edward B. Kalin, Jack L. Chen, Reza Jalili
  • Patent number: 9407684
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module may be stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Rezvani, Edward B. Kalin, Jack L. Chen, Reza Jalili
  • Patent number: 9407685
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module maybe stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Rezvani, Edward B. Kalin, Jack L. Chen, Reza Jalili
  • Patent number: 9401950
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module may be stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Rezvani, Edward B. Kalin, Jack L. Chen, Reza Jalili
  • Patent number: 9396649
    Abstract: A system and method for using an universal remote control to access extended operational functions of a device. A consumer causes the universal remote control to transmit a code data value selected from the library to a target device while observing the effect of the transmitted code data value on the target device. When the target device responds in a manner desired by the consumer, the consumer may tag the code data value that caused the desired effect and assign the tagged code data value to a programmable key on the universal remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kimthoa Thi Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9342934
    Abstract: There is provided a device, system, and method for generating vehicle-specific diagnostic reset procedures using a data signal representative of vehicle identifying information. Diagnostic reset procedures corresponding to a vehicle are generated in response to converting vehicle identifying information into a data signal representative of the vehicle's VIN or license plate number, and matching the data signal with corresponding reset procedures stored in a reset procedure database. The vehicle-specific reset procedure(s) may be displayed on a mobile communication device, such as a smart phone, for instructing the user to manually perform the corresponding reset procedure(s). Alternatively, the corresponding reset procedure(s) may be communicated directly to the vehicle's electronic control unit for electronically implementing the corresponding reset procedure(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Innova Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ieon C. Chen
  • Patent number: 9342687
    Abstract: Detecting synthetic keystrokes by maintaining a record of one or more keystrokes of physical keyboard input detected by an operating system of a computer, detecting a keystroke received at a computer application process that is executed by the computer, determining that the keystroke received at the computer application process is absent from the record of keystrokes of physical keyboard input, and identifying the keystroke received by the computer application process as being a synthetic keystroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Mickey Boodaei
  • Patent number: 9298334
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with providing a user interface having a guided task flow among a plurality of devices are described. According to one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a first device, a request from a second device requesting a user interface. The request includes a parameter describing a configuration of the second device. The second device is remote from the first device and includes a display. The method also includes generating, from a template user interface, a user interface for the second device based, at least in part, on the parameter. The user interface includes a task flow for controlling the first device to perform a series of tasks. The method includes providing the user interface to the second device for display on the display of the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: MARVELL INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Gary D. Zimmerman, DeVerl Stokes, Brian Mahaffy, Bryan Allen
  • Patent number: 9277027
    Abstract: A method and device for providing a message in a remote User Interface (UI) system are provided. The method includes, if a notification message to be sent to a second device connected to a first device is generated in a remote server or the first device communicating with the remote server, the first device generates access information to the notification message, includes the access information in a notification message event indicating occurrence of the notification message, and sends the notification message event to a plurality of second devices in a multicast transmission. Upon receiving a request for the notification message from the plurality of second devices, the first device sends the notification message to the second device whose IDentifier (ID) is identical to a device ID included in the access information, among the plurality of second devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ho-Yeon Park, Young-Wan So
  • Patent number: 9250715
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having an input device for receiving a gesture based input from a user is used to control a navigation operation of an appliance. The portable electronic device receives via the input device the gesture based input and uses one or more parameters stored in a memory of the portable electronic device and one or more characteristics associated with the gesture based input to cause the portable electronic device to transmit a navigation step command to thereby control the navigation operation of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Arsham Hatambeiki, Jeffrey Kohanek, Pamela Eichler Keiles, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 9245441
    Abstract: The present invention features a smart remote controller system which can also receive phone calls from any mobile device via Bluetooth. The system comprises a remote controller, at least a smartphone, and an optional docking station. This remote controller has speakers and can stream music from the mobile device via Bluetooth while the device is charging on the docking station. The smart remote controller is banana shaped remote which fits comfortable in a user's palm. The top curved area is to control TV, DVR and other devices needing remote controller. The inner face is designed to be a comfortable ear to mouth piece to make/answer calls via the mobile device. One side is a Wi-Fi speaker system playing back music from any mobile device. The handset can be conveniently charged on the docking station when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ICONNECTZONE, INC
    Inventor: Sanjay Poojary