Monitoring In Addition To Control (e.g., Supervisory) Patents (Class 340/3.1)
  • Patent number: 8713232
    Abstract: An apparatus including a first circuit and a second circuit connected in parallel to the bidirectional communication path, and one of the first and second circuits being an active circuit monitoring a value of the data signal on the bidirectional communication path while the other of the first and second circuits being a passive circuit that is not monitoring the value of the data signal. The active circuit initially starts in a low gain state, but on detection of a transition by transition detection circuitry, it enters a high gain state where the switch circuitry disconnects the transition detection circuitry from the bidirectional communication path, and the drive circuitry is activated in order to drive the data signal on the bidirectional communication path to the opposite value. Once the data signal has been driven to the opposite value, the active circuit and the passive circuits switch states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Sudhir Kumar Satpathy, David Theodore Blaauw, Dennis Michael Sylvester
  • Patent number: 8710949
    Abstract: The invention relates to a remote ignition system for a vehicle with a remote ignition control device for activating a remote ignition by providing a release signal, means for detecting a driver's intention to start driving, and an engine control device which comprises the following: a first evaluation unit for evaluating a signal which has been received from the remote ignition control device, a unit coupled to the first evaluation unit for starting of the engine in response to a release signal and for stopping the engine in response to a blocking signal, and a second evaluation unit for evaluating signals which have been received from the means for detecting the intention to start driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Augi AG
    Inventor: Ingo Ledendecker
  • Patent number: 8710976
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable medium, and method for updating a decisioning algorithm are provided. In the method, operational parameter data from a first device is evaluated using a decisioning algorithm to determine if an alert should be sent. The alert indicates a possible performance issue associated with a component of the first device. The operational parameter data includes a value of an operating characteristic of the first device. When a determination is made to send the alert, an alert message including a first indicator indicating the possible performance issue of the component of the first device is created. The alert message is sent to a second device. The decisioning algorithm is updated based on a second indicator received from a third device. The second indicator indicates either that the alert was useful or that the alert was not useful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yibin Zheng, Fang Tu
  • Publication number: 20140111302
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling communication in a network comprising a plurality of interconnected network nodes, each network node comprises a processor and a memory in which a unique identity is stored; a sensor having at least two states; and an actuator performing functions in response to received signals. The method forming a relationship between a primary network node to which a first sensor is connected and at least one secondary network node to which one or more actuators are connected to establish a link there between. The primary and secondary network nodes are one of the plurality of interconnected network nodes; storing information of the link in the memory of each secondary network node; and controlling the one or more actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: ZOLIEX AB
    Inventors: Harald Merkel, Per Herolf, Stephan Mangold
  • Patent number: 8704630
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, an intelligent communications device is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed for controlling the operations of temperature-sensitive electronic devices in an enclosure, based on a requisite temperature range. The apparatus includes a main circuit board with a plurality of secondary circuit board connectors that are operative to connect secondary circuit boards to the main circuit board. The apparatus also includes one or more temperature sensors that are operative to sense temperature within the enclosure, and one or more selectively actuatable heating elements that are mounted to the main circuit board in proximity to the plurality of secondary circuit board connectors. Each heating element is operative to emit heat when actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Melvin, Jr., Robert Bryan Seal, Michael Dempsey, Tyler Charles Poschel, Jacob Ryan Magee
  • Patent number: 8704646
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided. The method includes the steps of connecting a rerouting processor to a communication port of an alarm panel, the connected processor capturing an alarm notification sent from the alarm panel through the communication port, said alarm notification including a destination telephone number of a first central monitoring station, the connected processor altering the captured alarm notification by deleting the destination telephone number from the captured alarm notification and the connected processor routing the altered alarm notification to a second central monitoring station that is different than the first monitoring station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Beach, Jim Chermak, Mark H. Schmidt, John Brandstetter
  • Patent number: 8704631
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a key lock in a portable terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a keypad, a key buffer, and an input controller. The keypad has a plurality of key buttons and detects at least one key input. The key buffer temporarily stores input key information. The input controller stores the at least one key input, which is detected by the keypad, in the key buffer in a key lock state and determines if a combination of key inputs stored in the key buffer includes an unlock key combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Woo Lee, Won-Bae Jung
  • Publication number: 20140097934
    Abstract: A control system for automatically turning on/off device including at least an electronic device and a mobile communication device is disclosed. The mobile communication device includes a wireless communication unit and a control unit. The wireless communication unit is configured to be wirelessly connected with the electronic device and transmit the packet signals mutually between each other. The control unit determines whether a connection state between the electronic device and the mobile communication device is normal according to the packet signals. The electronic device is controlled to be turned on when the connection state is normal and turned off when the connection state is abnormal. The connection state may vary in accordance with the variation of the distance between the electronic device and the mobile communication device. Therefore the electronic device may be turned on/off conveniently and more electrical power may be saved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: POWERTECH INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chien Hsin SU, YU YUAN CHANG
  • Patent number: 8692905
    Abstract: A communication device including an image capturing device having a RF-ID unit for performing proximity wireless communication with a RF-ID reader/writer connected via an infrared communication path to a TV. The image capturing device includes: an antenna for the proximity wireless communication; a data receiving unit receiving an input signal from the RF-ID reader/writer; a nonvolatile second memory storing at least UID and an execution program; and a data transmission unit transmitting the UID and the execution program to the RF-ID reader/writer via the antenna according to the input signal. The UID is used to identify the communication device, and the execution program is executed by the TV with reference to the UID. The transmitted UID and execution program are transferred to the TV via the RF-ID reader/writer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Ikeda, Mitsuaki Oshima, Masaru Yamaoka, Tsutomu Mukai, Takahiro Sato, Ikuo Fuchigami, Tadanori Tezuka, Shohji Ohtsubo, Yosuke Matsushita
  • Patent number: 8692664
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses an alarm report method for cascaded equipments, comprises: after receiving link alarm information, a radio equipment determines the source of the link alarm information; the radio equipment selects one link alarm information report mode from multiple predetermined link alarm information report modes according to the result of determining the source; the radio equipment reports the link alarm information to a Radio Equipment Controller (REC) according to the selected link alarm information report mode. The disclosure further discloses an alarm report system and device for cascaded equipments. The disclosure can effectively lower the alarm information processing complexity of an REC and the correlation of alarms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Panke Zhang
  • Patent number: 8692648
    Abstract: A system for monitoring and/or controlling equipment in a hazardous area can include at least one sensor disposed within the hazardous area. Each sensor can be non-electrical and can be adapted to interact with the equipment and generate at least a first sensor output and second sensor output. The first sensor output can be indicative of a first equipment state and a second sensor output can be indicative of a second equipment state. The system can also include at least one converter disposed outside the hazardous area. Each converter can be in communication with at least one of the sensors. Each converter can be configured to receive the first and second sensor output and generate a converter output signal based on at least one of the first and second sensor outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools of Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Roy J. Dantas
  • Patent number: 8692665
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products notify of alarms in security systems. Sensor data is received from an alarm sensor, and an alarm condition is determined by an alarm controller. Video data associated with the alarm sensor is retrieved. An alarm message is sent over a wireless network connection, while the video data is send over a wireline broadband connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Publication number: 20140091897
    Abstract: The present invention contemplates a variety of methods and systems for providing an event experience by adjusting contents of an event based on emotional engagements of a specific participant of the event. In one embodiment, the computer-implemented method includes, identifying at least one behavior of the specific participant at a specific physical venue, when the specific participant is participating in an event on the network; determining emotional engagement of the specific participant based on the at least one behavior of the specific participant; and adjusting a content or a content flow of the event in substantial real-time based on the emotional engagement of the specific participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Net Power and Light, Inc.
    Inventors: Tara Lemmey, Stanislav Vonog, Nikolay Surin
  • Publication number: 20140091898
    Abstract: A light grid (10) is provided having a plurality of light transmitters (14) for transmitting a respective monitoring light beam (38) and having a plurality of associated light receivers (22) to generate an objection detection signal (42a-d) depending on the reception of the monitoring light beam, having a control (30, 32) which is configured to divide the monitoring light beams (30) into groups and to consecutively activate the monitoring light beams (38) of the groups, wherein, in a group-wise parallel monitoring sequence, a respective monitoring light bream (34) of each group is activated in parallel, as well as having a first bus (34) over which the object detection signals can be output to the control (32) by the light receivers (26, 26). The light receivers (22, 26) are in this respect configured to output the object detection signals to the control (32) in a time multiplex process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: SICK AG
    Inventors: Jurgen BURGER, Stefan KIENZLER
  • Patent number: 8688280
    Abstract: A spa node comprising a spa controller, a power sense adapter configured to compute power being drawn by selected spa components; a spa network adapter, and a home network adapter, each of the three adapters including a wireless transceiver wherein the spa network adapter is configured to receive power data transmitted over a wireless link by the power sense adapter and to further receive status/performance data from the spa controller. The home network adapter is configured to receive power and status data transmitted by the spa network adapter over a wireless link and to convert that data to a form suitable for transmission to an Internet access point. The home network adapter is further linkable over the Internet to a central server, a dealer computer and a spa owner or user computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen S. Macey
  • Patent number: 8688306
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to limiting the use of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle by particular occupants based on permission data. More specifically, permission data may include destinations, routes, and/or other information that is predefined or set by a third party. The vehicle may then access the permission data in order to transport the particular occupant to the predefined destination, for example, without deviation from the predefined route. The vehicle may drop the particular occupant off at the destination and may wait until the passenger is ready to move to another predefined destination. The permission data may be used to limit the ability of the particular occupant to change the route of the vehicle completely or by some maximum deviation value. For example, the vehicle may be able to deviate from the route up to a particular distance from or along the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Nemec, Christopher Paul Urmson, Bradley Templeton, Nathaniel Fairfield, Anthony Scott Levandowski
  • Patent number: 8680991
    Abstract: A personal emergency system includes a motion sensor wearable by a human being to sense motion of the human being; a processor; wireless communications circuitry; computer code to match the acceleration signature with at least one of a plurality of stored acceleration signatures, wherein each stored acceleration signatures corresponds with one or more types of motion; and computer code to identify the type of motion of the object based on the matching of the acceleration signature. An optional positioning system can be included where the location of the user is determined based on times of arrival of signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Bao Tran
  • Patent number: 8675651
    Abstract: A powerline network may comprise powerline communication (PLC) devices of a first class of PLC devices that are incompatible with PLC devices of a second class of PLC devices. This can result in interference between communications of the first and the second classes of PLC devices. A dual mode PLC device that is compatible with the first and the second classes of PLC devices can be implemented for coexistence with both classes of PLC devices. The dual mode PLC device can determine whether the powerline network comprises a combination of PLC devices of the first and the second classes of PLC devices. One of a plurality of packet headers that is compatible with both the classes of PLC devices can be selected for transmission in response to determining that the powerline network comprises a combination of PLC devices of the first and the second classes of PLC devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: William J. McFarland, Srinivas Katar, Lawrence W. Yonge, III
  • Patent number: 8674804
    Abstract: A wireless deadman system for controlling operation of equipment from a portable device includes a base station with an equipment control system, the base station wirelessly transmitting operational parameters for the equipment. A portable display unit has a housing, an electronic display, an electronic circuit, and a data receiver. A portable authorization device includes a liveness sensor and transmits an authorization signal when the sensor detects a liveness input. The display unit receives an authorization status for operation of the equipment from the portable authorization device and receives the operational parameters from the base station, the display displaying the authorization status and the operational parameters of the equipment on the electronic display. The equipment control system allows the equipment to operate when the authorization signal is provided and prevents the equipment from operating after the authorization signal is no longer provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Deadman Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Scott Miller, Jack Vaughan, Oscar Allen LaDriere, Gino DiSimone
  • Publication number: 20140069951
    Abstract: The invention pertains to an electric apparatus with a sensor detection system for detecting the presence and/or movement of human beings within a predetermined proximity of the electric apparatus, the sensor detection system generating an electric output signal for controlling the electric apparatus. The sensor detection system comprises at least two sensors wherein a first sensor is designed for monitoring gross parameters of presence and/or movement and wherein a second sensor is designed for monitoring precise parameters of presence and/or movement. The second sensor is electrically post-connected to the first sensor such that the second sensor is activated depending on a first sensor signal of the first sensor upon gross detection of presence and/or movement by the first sensor, and generating a second sensor signal upon precise detection of presence and/or movement, the second sensor signal constituting the output signal of the sensor detection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: EnOcean GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Schmidt, Jim O'Callaghan, Eugene You
  • Publication number: 20140070917
    Abstract: An apparatus for managing biometric information for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprising a first key, a second key, and a vehicle controller. The first and the second key each for transmitting an access signal to the vehicle. The vehicle controller for receiving the access signal from one of the first key and the second key to enable operation of the vehicle. The vehicle controller being operably coupled to a biometric database for storing first data indicative of an administrator and second data indicative of at least one of a member and biometric information for the member. The vehicle controller being configured to receive the access signal from each of the first key and the second key and to determine that a user is the administrator in response to receiving the access signal from each of the first key and the second key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Maria Eugenia Protopapas
  • Patent number: 8669869
    Abstract: A device and methods are provided for monitoring and reporting activity including providing an alert based on detected activity. In one embodiment, a method includes is monitoring activity relative to a device based on activity detected by the device, determining a baseline activity level for the device, and detecting a change in the baseline activity level. The method may further include transmitting an electronic message via a network connection based on the change in baseline line activity, the electronic message providing an alert based on the change in baseline activity level. The device and methods may advantageously allow for providing alerts based on inactivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Norifumi Takaya
  • Patent number: 8665075
    Abstract: A method and system for configuring a universal remote control (URC) to control a remote-controlled device includes establishing a communication link between the URC and the remote-controlled device in response to detecting a gesture motion of the URC. Device information may be received from the remote-controlled device and used by the URC to program the URC to control the remote-controlled device. The URC may be configured to control a plurality of remote-controlled devices. The communication link may be a near field wireless communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Marc Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8667116
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to supervise a network, in which a first device supervises a network node element, and a second device partially supervises the network node element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Arati Manjeshwar, Falk Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8666518
    Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for managing one or more electronic devices. Performance of an electronic device is monitored and presented to a user through a digital agent interface. The performance of the electronic device is controlled automatically by digital agent through the digital agent interface. The invention also enables automatic testing of the electronic device through the digital agent interface by setting up test configurations, activating test signals, and interpreting any error codes that may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: NeoPhotonics Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ticknor, Jinghong Li, Robert Lombaerde
  • Patent number: 8665082
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for efficiently collecting data at a remote device with a device that is able to use both analog and digital signals, especially those that are compliant with serial data interface twelve (SDI-12) protocol. The collected data is compressed into a packet and sent to a base station where it is made available. Additionally, the present invention is able to produce alarms in response to the detection of an alarm condition. This data is able to be viewed from virtually anywhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Arthroscopic Surgery Associates Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory M. Glenn, Damon Silva, Timothy Henry
  • Patent number: 8659422
    Abstract: A sensor module includes a number of environment sensors and condition sensor interfaces. Each condition sensor interface is configured to couple with a condition sensor capable of sensing an attribute of a component exposed to the environment. The sensor module may be embedded within a structure associated with the component. For example, in the context of a solid rocket motor, the sensor module may be embedded within the exhaust plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Terry A. Tracy, Behzad Moslehi, Gregory A. Ruderman
  • Patent number: 8653934
    Abstract: An electronic device can include: a communication unit; a display unit for display contents; and a controller configured to: display a user interface for querying whether to continuously display the contents or stop a display of the contents on the display unit, when the electronic device enters a high rate time slot determined based on electricity rate information received through the communication unit, receive an input for stopping the display of the contents through the user interface, and output a power ON signal and source information of the contents to a replacement electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Haesoo Lee, Jaehong Kim
  • Patent number: 8655275
    Abstract: A first wireless device is configured to be used with a second wireless device. The configuration is performed after the first wireless device establishes a connection with the second wireless device. The first wireless device identifies services supported by the second wireless device without user intervention, and passes identified services to a plugin system in the first wireless device. The plugin system includes plugins that are associated with the identified services. The plugins present configuration options that are associated with the identified services via a user interface. From the user interface, the first wireless device receives a selection of the configuration options and is configured according to the selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.
    Inventor: Bastien R. D. Nocera
  • Patent number: 8653967
    Abstract: A method for selectively transmitting communication signals from a communications buoy to a remote receiver, the communications buoy including a sensor and an emitter device, includes: detecting conditions local to the communications buoy using the sensor; generating local conditions data corresponding to the local conditions detected by the sensor; using the local conditions data, determining and/or predicting a clear transmission time during which communication signals from the emitter device have an adequately clear transmission path to the remote receiver for successful transmission of communication signals from the emitter device to the remote receiver; and adaptively transmitting communication signals from the emitter device to the remote receiver as a function of the determined and/or predicted clear transmission time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick Vosburgh
  • Patent number: 8653933
    Abstract: A system of devices comprises a plurality of sensor devices and a central gateway device. Each sensor device comprises communicating means for communicating with the central gateway device, storage means storing a unique identifier, and display means displaying a location identifier. The central gateway device comprises communicating means for communicating with the plurality of sensor devices, and storage means storing the unique identifiers of the plurality of sensor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Mark L. Hitchin
  • Publication number: 20140043135
    Abstract: A first device is configured to receive, from a second device, an indication of a presence of a third device inside of a vehicle, where the first device is located inside of the vehicle. The first device is further configured to receive data associated with the vehicle, determine a vehicle condition, of the vehicle, based on the data associated with the vehicle, and deactivate a function associated with the third device based on the vehicle condition. The first device may prevent the third device from performing the deactivated function when an instruction to perform the deactivated function is received by the third device via manual input. The first device may permit the third device to perform the deactivated function when the instruction to perform the deactivated function is received by the third device via a hands-free device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Lalit R. KOTECHA, Matthew W. NELSON, Sagiv DRAZNIN
  • Patent number: 8648690
    Abstract: A sensor board includes at least one sensor in communication with a controller having a single board address to facilitate sensor polling by standard, product-independent modules of a circuit board for a computer server or network appliance. Miniature low-cost sensor boards can be placed in multiple locations on circuit boards without the necessity of being specified and integrated into the circuit board during the design phase to reduce or eliminate associated design risks or delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Anton Bougaev, Aleksey Urmanov, James Britton
  • Publication number: 20140028435
    Abstract: A camera detects devices, such as other cameras, smart devices, and access points, with which the camera may communicate. The camera may alternate between operating as a wireless station and a wireless access point. The camera may connect to and receive credentials from a device for another device to which it is not connected. In one embodiment, the camera is configured to operate as a wireless access point, and is configured to receive credentials from a smart device operating as a wireless station. The camera may then transfer the credentials to additional cameras, each configured to operate as wireless stations. The camera and additional cameras may connect to a smart device directly or indirectly (for instance, through an access point), and the smart device may change the camera mode of the cameras. The initial modes of the cameras may be preserved and restored by the smart device upon disconnection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: WOODMAN LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard T. Brockway, III, Jeffrey S. Youel, John S. Chen, Fabrice Barbier
  • Patent number: 8638189
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for controlling an air conditioner and method for controlling the same, and more particularly, to a system for controlling an air conditioner and method for controlling the same which can make real time control for maintaining system reliability, can make real time control of air conditioners while minimizing a network load to minimize a load on a server, and can prevent transmission and reception delay of a data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Byoung Keun Cha, Duck Gu Jeon, Jae Sik Jung, Jong Hyun Han
  • Patent number: 8638213
    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: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Rezvani, Edward B. Kalin, Jack L. Chen, Reza Jalili
  • Patent number: 8638221
    Abstract: A modular patient communicator provides for communications with a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) and connectivity with a central authority (CA) via an unsecured network. Medical firmware and a radio facilitate wireless interrogation of the PIMD and acquisition of PIMD data. A universal communications port facilitates mechanical and signal connectivity with one or a multiplicity of disparate detachable modules, some of which provide the communicator with an external communications facility and have disparate communication protocols. The communicator is devoid of an external communications facility other than the radio and universal communications port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Sievert, William Mass
  • Publication number: 20140022049
    Abstract: A controlling device interacts dynamically with a plurality of appliances using state information known to a master appliance. The master appliance conveys to the controlling device the state information and the controlling device uses the state information to dynamically configure itself to command functional operations of one or more of the plurality of appliances. The master appliance also causes a graphical representation of the current configuration of the controlling device to be displayed on a display device that is associated with the master appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Kohanek
  • Patent number: 8633809
    Abstract: The present invention relates to coupler device, processing apparatus and method of processing a plurality of body-coupled communication signals which have been detected by using an electrode arrangement with a plurality of electrodes or electrode segments (40, 42; 40, 43). Respective transmission parameters of the body-coupled communication signals are estimated and at least one of a selecting and weighting processing is applied to the detected body-coupled communication signals based on the estimated transmission parameters. Then, the processed body-coupled communication signals are combined to generate a diversity output signal. Thereby, robustness against coupler misplacement and user convenience is increased in body-coupled or body-based communication systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Tim Corneel Wilhelmus Schenk, Johannes Aldegonda Theodorus Marie van den Homberg, Alberto Fazzi
  • Publication number: 20140018058
    Abstract: Systems and methods with device interaction are provided. In this regard, a representative system for interacting with a secondary device includes: an electronic device selectively operative in a first mode and a second mode, the electronic device having a device detection system operative to detect presence of the secondary device and a mode selection system operative to automatically alter operation of the electronic device from the first mode to the second mode based, at least in part, on the detected presence of the secondary device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Dunko
  • Patent number: 8629753
    Abstract: A mobile terminal, an operating method thereof, and a refrigerator are disclosed. The operating method of the mobile terminal includes receiving state information of the refrigerator from the refrigerator, displaying the state information of the refrigerator on a screen, and transmitting a control signal based on a control operation to the refrigerator. Therefore, it is possible to readily control the refrigerator using the mobile terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kwanho Yum, Sangoh Kim, Bongmun Jang
  • Patent number: 8630722
    Abstract: A system and method of managing therapy provided to patients in an institution. The system monitors all aspects of the medication delivery to a patient, as well as other information related to the patient, such as values of vital signs, laboratory results and patient factors such as history, diagnosis, allergies and the like. The system includes one or more databases of information, including institutionally developed rules, guidelines and protocol representing the best medical practices of the institution. The system provides alerts and/or recommendations based on the application of the rules to the information being monitored, and alerts care givers accordingly, providing for dynamic adjustment of the patient's therapy. The system also monitors the status of the alerts, and if no action is taken in a selected period of time, may escalate the priority of the alert and/or halt the delivery of medication to the patient until the alert is resolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Condurso, Cynthia Yamaga, Robert Butterfield, Simon Morling, Clifton Pait, Patricia West, Timothy W. Vanderveen, Richard Crass
  • Patent number: 8624704
    Abstract: A safety apparatus has a configurable safety controller (10) and a configuration means, wherein the safety controller (10) has at least one input (18) for the connection of a sensor (20a-c), at least one output (22) for the connection of an actuator (24a-b), and a control unit (14) configured to carry out a control program which generates a control signal at the outputs (22) in a dependence on input signals at the inputs (18) by means of logic rules. The logic rules are settable by means of the configuration means. A number code representing the logic rules can be generated in the configuration means, and the safety controller (10) includes an interface (30) for the input of the number code. The control unit (14) is configured to carry out a control program with the logic rules represented by the number code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventor: Patrick Bornstein
  • Patent number: 8626953
    Abstract: A system used by a local health care facility to communicate with a remote health care facility via a data communication network. A controller at the local health care facility controls communication on the data communication network, including data communicated between the local health care facility and the remote health care facility. One or more devices located at the local health care facility transmit data to the remote health care facility via the data communication network. Additionally, the one or more devices receive control data via the data communication network and perform one or more functions in response to the received control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: St. Louis University
    Inventor: Richard D. Bucholz
  • Patent number: 8624728
    Abstract: A device and method for accessing, monitoring, and controlling home appliances in a media exchange network by establishing a communication link between a communication initiation device and at least one home appliance and communicating at least one command from the communication initiation device to the at least one home appliance via the communication link. The at least one home appliance then generates at least one response to the at least one command. The commands may include turning the home appliance(s) on and off, parameter adjustment commands, access commands, monitoring commands, mode change commands, and programming commands. Appliance responses may include powering on, powering off, changing a mode of operation, sending a status to the communication initiation device, adjusting an operational parameter, and changing a programmed operational step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, James D. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20140002233
    Abstract: A device for monitoring and controlling the operation of an individual piece of Utilization Equipment or an Alternate Electrical Source, the Module linked to an individual piece of Utilization Equipment or an Alternate Electrical Source via a Docking Apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: INTERACTIVE CONTROL SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J Miller, James Good
  • Patent number: 8620218
    Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting and using power in a near field communications mode, includes a host device with operating components. A first near field communication (NFC) device is contained in the host device and is configured to be selectively coupled to one of the operating components. The first NFC device harvests energy from a second NFC device and converts the harvested energy to electrical power. The first NFC device receives information from the second NFC device and power on the operating component as a function of the information received from the second NFC device. The first NFC device transfers data to or from the operating component when the operating component is powered on. The first NFC device powers off the operating component when the transfer of data between the first NFC device and the operating component has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Mohamed Awad
  • Publication number: 20130342309
    Abstract: Provided are custom computing devices, program codes and methods for limiting the use of an electronic display, by determining whether a user is viewing an electronic display by obtaining the location of the user relative to the display, measuring the overall time during which the user views the display, and deactivating the display when the overall time reaches a threshold or in response to an administrator's request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Ming Jiang
  • Patent number: 8614620
    Abstract: In a method for parametering a field device of process automation technology, wherein the field device is connected via a bus system with a control unit, parameter values are packaged in telegrams of cyclic services and transmitted to the field device whose parameter values are to be changed. No acyclic services are required for changing parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alain Chomik, Udo Fuchs, Pierre Harnist
  • Patent number: 8612751
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for securely transferring entitled data from one or more devices in a customer's network to a vendor's network via a public network is described. The data is obtained from a collection module communicatively coupled to the devices. The obtained data is transformed into a format that is recognized by a backend server present in the vendor's network. The transformed data is then assorted by associating the transformed data with corresponding one or more devices. Finally, the assorted data is then encrypted and sent to the backend server securely via the public network along with entitlement attributes corresponding to the one or more devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ammar Rayes, Subrata Dasgupta, Tom Deckers, Venkataraman Sivasankaran