Monitoring In Addition To Control (e.g., Supervisory) Patents (Class 340/3.1)
  • Patent number: 8373538
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for surreptitiously installing, monitoring, and operating software on a remote computer controlled wireless communication device are described. One aspect includes a control system for communicating programming instructions and exchanging data with the remote computer controlled wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Oceans' Edge, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Hildner, Thomas P. Shanley, Sam Emara, Nathan Klonoski, Robert Adam McKay, Jay Lukin, Tom Krussel, Paul Neuner
  • Patent number: 8373556
    Abstract: A portable patient communicator (PPC) includes a portable housing that supports a processor coupled to memory for storing medical firmware and wireless radio firmware, first and second radios, a processor, and a power source. Communications between a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) and the first radio of the PPC are effected in accordance with program instructions of the medical firmware, and communications between the second radio of the PPC and the wireless network are effected in accordance with program instructions of the wireless radio firmware. Data from the PIMD is received via the first radio to which a priority level is assigned, such as in a tiered manner. A data transport mechanism is selected among disparate data transport mechanisms based at least in part on the priority level. PIMD data is transmitted to the wireless network using the selected transport mechanism via the second radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. LaLonde, William Mass, Kenneth P. Hoyme, David C. Johnson, Joe Bange, Mark Gryzwa
  • Publication number: 20130033358
    Abstract: A non-limiting example system includes at least one sender, and a beacon signal sent from the sender is received by a portable terminal. In accordance with a sender ID included in the beacon signal, the portable terminal displays on an LCD a map image and a current position of the portable terminal or a user having the portable terminal, and displays on the LCD a guide image as for events or exhibition items in a predetermined place. Furthermore, the portable terminal stores state information included in the beacon signal for each sender (sender ID), and transmits or moves the state information to a central terminal at a predetermined timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hitoshi YAMAZAKI, Takao Sawano
  • Publication number: 20130033357
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a sensor interface module that delivers a supply voltage to a plurality of sensors, and which exchanges data signals between the plurality of sensors and a control unit (e.g., an ECU). The sensor interface often employs a single-bit comparator (or a coarse analog to digital converter (ADC), e.g., a 2-bit or 3-bit ADC) to track signals to be exchanged between the sensors and controller over the sensor interface. Compared to power hungry ADC with more bits (e.g., 32 bit ADC), the single-bit comparator/coarse ADC limits hardware complexity and power consumption. In addition, in some embodiments the sensor interface module can include an estimator and assist comparators to speed up the tracking ability of the sensor interface module. In this way, techniques provided herein facilitate reliable, low-power communication between a control unit (e.g., an ECU) and its corresponding sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 8368506
    Abstract: A sensing device includes a situation acquisition unit acquiring information on situation of a site of interest sensed; a sensing range change unit changing sensing range of the situation acquisition unit; a position identification unit identifying position of the situation acquisition unit; and a sensing operation controlling unit which detects inhibited content, a subject of inhibition of transmission, from the information on the situation of the site of interest. If the inhibited content has been detected, the sensing operation controlling unit calculates position of the inhibited content based on the position identification information from the position identification unit. The sensing operation controlling unit controls the sensing range change unit, based on the position identification information including the position of inhibited content calculated, so that the position of inhibited content is not contained in the sensing range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Funada, Tomohito Ando
  • Patent number: 8364546
    Abstract: A restroom monitoring system for monitoring attributes of fixtures within a restroom using sensors. Additional attributes are determined from the monitored attributes. Consumable usage levels are estimated based on predetermined consumption levels associated with usage states of the fixtures. The restroom monitoring system provides an indication of the need for replenishment of consumables based on the monitored attributes of the fixtures. In addition, restroom monitoring system may provide additional information regarding the restroom attributes to a service provider, a manager or a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: Edward Yenni, Peter J. Jahrling
  • Patent number: 8362872
    Abstract: An electronic system has a controller device, at least one controller responsive device operating in response to the controller device, and at least one status indicating device arranged to provide a control status output. The response mode of operation of the controller responsive device is predetermined dependent upon the control status output of a predetermined one or more of the status indicating devices, the control status output being one of a predetermined plurality of different output modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: P G Drives Technology Limited
    Inventors: Alex John Clapperton, David Huw Taylor
  • Patent number: 8362873
    Abstract: An example display unit for facilitating operation of equipment includes a housing, an electronic display supported by the housing, and an electronic circuit located within the housing. The display unit may include one or more data receivers, such as a wireless receiver and/or an electrical interface. A biometric scanner, including a biometric sensor and proving an authorization signal when an authorized biometric input is detected by the biometric sensor, may be configured to electrically (and optionally mechanically) interconnect to the display unit. The example display unit receives an authorization status for operation of the equipment from the biometric scanner, and displays the authorization status and operational parameters relating to equipment use on the electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Deadman Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Scott Miller, Jack Vaughan, Oscar Allen LaDriere, Gino DiSimone
  • Publication number: 20130021225
    Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting an action associated with a power state transition of a head-mounted display (HMD) in the form of eyeglasses are disclosed. A signal may be received from a sensor on a nose bridge of the eyeglasses indicating if the HMD is in use. Based on the received signal, a first powers state for the HMD may be determined. Responsive to the determined first power state, an action associated with a power state transition of the HMD from an existing power state to the first power state may be selected. The action may be selected from among a plurality of actions associated with a plurality of state transitions. Also, the action may be a sequence of functions performed by the HMD including modifying an operating state of a primary processing component of the HMD and a detector of the HMD configured to image an environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Max Braun, Ryan Geiss, Harvey Ho, Thad Eugene Starner, Gabriel Taubman
  • Patent number: 8354937
    Abstract: When a wireless communications device is traveling a speed exceeding a first predetermined threshold but less than a second predetermined threshold, the device is presumed traveling in a motor vehicle. In order to inhibit operation of the wireless communication device when traveling, access to certain device functions or applications such as e-mail, text messaging, etc. are limited by requiring the user of the device to respond correctly to a randomly generated visual challenge, such as, for example, a CAPTCHA (in which a user is prompted to recognize the characters in a visually distorted string of text). This visual challenge presents a sufficient obstacle that the user will be less likely to use the wireless communications device for e-mailing or texting while operating a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Raymond Paul Vander Veen, Gerhard Dietrich Klassen
  • Patent number: 8350691
    Abstract: On a first level of the wireless building automation architecture, sensors and associated actuators communicate directly. The sensor performs control processes appropriate for the sensor and regardless of the type of actuator being used. The actuator performs control processes specific to the actuator regardless of the type of sensor being used. By direct wireless communication between sensors and actuators, the opportunity for a failed communications link using a hub and spoke arrangement may be avoided. Communication redundancy is provided by receiving the outputs of sensors at a controller, such as a controller on a second high speed or high bandwidth tier of the architecture. Regional control is implemented in the higher level tier. The higher level tier may override or control operation of components of the lower level tier as needed. The distributed control processing allows for more convenient room level integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman R. McFarland
  • Patent number: 8350911
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring an environment through a plurality of sensors, wherein a control system receives information from one or more sensors of said plurality and uses said information in order to monitor said environment. The method comprises a setup stage wherein an operator creates a model of an environment by defining a plurality of cells corresponding to areas of said environment, and then creates cell/sensor relationships by defining for each sensor at least one possible position which is associated with at least one cell. For each position the sensor is assigned by the operator a monitoring judgment for the associated cell. The method also comprises an operational stage wherein the control system, in order to perform a surveillance function, finds those sensors which can be used for carrying out the requested surveillance function and controls them based on the monitoring judgments and the cell/sensor relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Videotec S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giambattista Gennari, Giorgio Raccanelli, Ruggero Frezza, Angelo Cenedese, Fabio D'Alessi
  • Patent number: 8350692
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling one or more remote sensors includes wirelessly communicating with the sensors, monitoring operation of each one of the sensors, and causing any one of the sensors that is operating in an unauthorized manner to be disabled. In one embodiment, the sensors can include micro-mechanical structure supporting electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry is capable of monitoring at least one performance parameter of the sensor, comparing the monitored parameter to a preset limit, and disabling the sensor if the preset performance limit is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Orr, Jon A Brewster
  • Patent number: 8344863
    Abstract: The present invention relates to haptic augmented reality, and more specifically, to a method for providing haptic augmented reality that provides mixed results of a real environment and a virtual environment to a user. The present invention provides an apparatus for providing haptic augmented reality comprising a controller that calculates a repulsive force from an object and determines a driving force in consideration of the calculated repulsive force and preset stiffness; and a driver that drives a haptic device with the determined driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Postech Academy-Industry Foundation
    Inventors: Seungmoon Choi, Seokhee Jeon
  • Patent number: 8344847
    Abstract: A medical device system includes at least one controllable patient-worn or patient-carried medical device, and a plurality of controller devices that are capable of independently controlling features or functions of the patient medical device. Control commands and other data is wirelessly communicated among the patient medical device and the multiple controller devices. A number of techniques, protocols, and other measures are provided to coordinate wireless communication between the various devices in a medical device system. These control command coordination processes address situations where conflicting, redundant, or concurrent control commands might be independently issued by the multiple controller devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Ian B. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20120326834
    Abstract: System and methods for automated adjustment of device settings are described. An electronic device comprises a receiver for receiving environmental information related to a surroundings of the device, a setting configurator for determining a desired setting for the device as a function of the environmental information, and a setting adjuster for adjusting a device setting in accordance with the desired setting. Moreover, the device further comprises a sensor for receiving the stimulus from the surroundings, for determining the value of the stimulus, and for sending the value of the stimulus to the receiver. Further, the device setting includes a volume of a speaker or a headphone, a theme or a color of a background displayed by the display, a brightness of the display, a sharpness of the display, a user interface displayed on the display, an intensity of a backlight of the display, or a contrast of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Sean Patrick Kennedy, Andrew Lee Lawton
  • Patent number: 8340792
    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: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Condurso, Cynthia Yamaga, Robert Butterfield, Simon Morling, Clifton Pait, Patricia West, Timothy Vanderveen, Richard Crass
  • Patent number: 8335601
    Abstract: A system for automated fault analysis and execution of post-flight or pre-flight tests for an aircraft is provided. The system includes a maintenance test client system onboard the aircraft, and a ground-based maintenance test server system that is remote from the aircraft. The maintenance test client system is configured to collect fault data for the aircraft, and to wirelessly transmit the fault data to the ground-based maintenance test server system after the aircraft has landed. The ground-based maintenance test server system is configured to receive the fault data, to generate a test checklist that is influenced by the fault data, and to transmit the test checklist to the maintenance test client system. The maintenance test client system wirelessly receives the test checklist, and initiates execution of at least one test specified in the test checklist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Nagaraj Sham, Anil Kumar Pandit, Kiran Halappa
  • Patent number: 8330605
    Abstract: A system is described for providing real time locating and gas exposure monitoring. The system may include a memory, interface, and processor. The memory may store an alarm data item including an amount of gas exposure and a location identifier. The processor may receive the alarm data item from a sensor device of a first user. The processor may identify a relative location of the first user based on the location identifier. The processor may determine a second user located within a proximity of the first user. The processor may communicate to the second user the relative location of the first user and the gas exposure of the first user. The processor may receive, from the second user, an indication of whether an emergency responder should be contacted. The processor may initiate communication with an emergency responder if the indication indicates an emergency responder should be contacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited
    Inventors: Ernest K. Johnson, Jr., Mark J. Davisson
  • Publication number: 20120299695
    Abstract: A guidance system for a machine may include a scanning device configured to detect a presence of an object within a minimum desired distance of the machine, and a controller in communication with the scanning device. The controller may be configured to compare a number of times the object is detected during a time period to a number of times the object is permitted to be detected during the time period. The controller may be configured to adjust the number of times the object is permitted to be detected. Further, the controller may be configured to output an indication, when the number of times the object is detected is equal to or greater than the number of times the object is permitted to be detected, that the object is less than the minimum desired distance from the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Sean McDaniel
  • Patent number: 8319600
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes a controller, a number of input devices, a number of first sensors, a number of second sensors, and a number of alarms. Each input device comprises a switching circuit, an input circuit, and a connector. The connector is connected to a first sensor and a voltage source in series or connected to a second sensor and a current source in series. The controller controls the switching circuit of the input device to receive a voltage signal of the first sensor or a current signal of the second sensor and send out a corresponding detection signal. The input circuit transmits the detection signal to the controller. The controller controls the corresponding alarm to work according to the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8319614
    Abstract: A target parking position serving as a parking target of a vehicle is set, and a parking start position from which the vehicle can start to reach the target parking position while maintaining a predetermined steering angle is set. Then, a vehicle mark V indicating a current position, a target parking frame F1 indicating the target parking position, and a parking start frame F2 indicating the parking start position are drawn on a bird's eye image of a periphery of the vehicle, and a display device 5 is allowed to display an image in which the vehicle mark V, the target parking frame F1 and the parking start frame F2 are drawn on the bird's eye image. At this time, the parking start frame F2 is drawn on the bird's eye image so that a drawing mode thereof can be changed in response to a current steering angle of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teruhisa Takano
  • Patent number: 8319631
    Abstract: A modular portable patient communicator (PPC) 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 PPC with an external communications facility and have disparate communication protocols. The PPC is devoid of an external communications facility other than the radio and universal communications port. Life critical network software is executed in cooperation with an attached module to cause the PPC to transmit a request to a network access facility for a connection to the unsecured network, authenticate the PPC to the CA, and facilitate secured communication between the PPC and CA upon successful PPC authentication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: James Sievert, William Mass
  • Patent number: 8319599
    Abstract: An electrical appliance (100) comprises a digital control system (SC), configured for enabling the performance of a plurality of pre-determined basic functions, and an auxiliary device (200) comprises means (PM, 230-231) for acquiring and/or processing auxiliary information. The electrical appliance (100) and the auxiliary device (200) moreover comprise respective communication means (270), for setting up between them a bi-directional communication of data. The control system (SC) of the electrical appliance (100) is provided for enabling execution of additional functions with respect to the basic functions and for sending to the auxiliary device (200), via the communication means (270), requests for auxiliary information, necessary for the performance of said additional functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Indesit Company S.p.A.
    Inventors: Valerio Aisa, Paolo Santonicola, Valerio Cascio
  • Patent number: 8314679
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes a controller, a number of input devices, a number of digital sensors, a number of analog sensors, and a number of alarms. Each input device comprises a switching circuit, an input circuit, and a connector. The connector is connected to a digital sensor or connected to an analog sensor and a first power source in series. The controller controls the switching circuit of the input device to receive a digital signal of the digital sensor or an analog signal of the analog sensor and output a corresponding detection signal. The input circuit transmits the detection signal to the controller. The controller controls the corresponding alarm to work according to the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8314678
    Abstract: A consumable holder for use in an appliance configured to perform an operation cycle related to a consumable in the consumable holder, in response to a cycle structure, has or is enabled to acquire information about the cycle structure. The information about the cycle structure can be communicated to the appliance for use by the appliance to change the cycle structure and thereby change the operation cycle related to the consumable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew P. Ebrom, Mark E. Glotzbach, Joel A. Luckman, Richard A. McCoy, Christopher S. Moes, Andre O. Pires
  • Patent number: 8310337
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for state or status sensing of devices for a remote control or remote controlled system. The devices status indicator system 101 comprises a hand held remote control device 109, device status indicator 104, 106, 107, and device 103, 111, 112. In the alternative, a smart control device 110 can be used with or without a hand held remote control device 109. When the device 103, 111, 112 is turned ON or OFF in the remote controlled system, the device status indicator 104, 106, 107 will send a signal 102, 105, 108 to the remote control device 109 and/or the smart control device 110. This signal 102, 105, 108 triggers information to be stored in the remote control device 109 and/or the smart control device 110 that indicates that the device 103, 111, 112 is in an ON or OFF state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Monster Cable Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Noel Lee, Anthony Di Chiro, Demain Martin
  • Patent number: 8310335
    Abstract: A device may include a memory to store a home automation graphical application and a processor to operate based on the home automation graphical application to establish via a network a communication link with a home automation system, and provide a graphical user interface to permit a user to view state information of home devices or modify home automation configuration data to control home devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Premanand X. Sivakkolundhu
  • Patent number: 8305208
    Abstract: A method for prompting an operator to reply to a first data link message before it expires includes receiving the first data link message, storing the first data link message, starting a timer at an initial timer value when the first data link message is received, determining whether a response to the first data link message has been input, determining whether the timer will expire in less than a predefined amount of time, requesting an input from the operator before the timer expires, determining whether the input has been received since requesting input, and determining whether the timer has expired before the input is received. In cases where the input is received before the timer expires, a second data link message is sent. In cases where the input is not received before the timer expires, a status for the first data link message is set to expired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Judd
  • Patent number: 8306478
    Abstract: A remote monitoring device is integrated as part of a cell phone or personal digital assistant. By sharing computing resources of a communications transceiver, the cost of a monitoring device can be significantly reduced, while still permitting sufficient functionality to effectively observe an area of interest, such as a child's sleeping area. An alert is generated and transmitted to an observer using a separate transceiver when activity at the monitored area (i.e., sound or video activity) meets a specified threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: John Nicholas Gross
  • Patent number: 8299930
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to training a user in controlling and limiting total calorie consumption, and consequently body weight, by encouraging the user to perform specified consuming actions such as chewing slowly, adjusting a time interval between bites, detecting the early points of satiation, etc. The disclosure is therefore a “calorie pacer” that naturally reduces calorie consumption by re-teaching a user how to eat on a step-by-step basis. The slower eating pace results in a person feeling full before the intake of excessive food portions. The result is fewer calories consumed. Sensors and microcontrollers throughout a place setting are utilized to prompt the user, for example, when to take bites, how big of a bite to take, when to take a drink, etc and record the data in an efficient manner that allows for analysis, monitoring of progress, and personalized feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Geert W. Schmid-Schonbein, Angelina Altshuler, Casey Gorish, Kunal Sukhija, Amanda Williams, Michael Wu
  • Patent number: 8299912
    Abstract: A system has a sensing device for detecting a signal and logic configured to discover the sensing device at a location on a user's body, the logic further configured to monitor the signal for an event and upon receiving information indicating an event has occurred the logic is further configured to transmit event data indicative of the event to a controller via a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Halo Monitoring, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris A. Otto
  • Patent number: 8299889
    Abstract: An apparatus in one embodiment is operable to receive, from a remote control device associated with a video display device, biometric input of a user. Responsive to a match of the biometric input with stored biometric data of the user, the user is authenticated. The remote control device and/or the video display device are then configured based on user settings associated with the stored biometric data of the user. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjeev Kumar, Labhesh Patel, Shmuel Shaffer, Mukul Jain, Arturo A. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20120268235
    Abstract: The use of user equipment, or distracting features thereof are restricted or prohibited to improve vehicle operation safety. The presence of user equipment within the operator's or driver's operational area is detected. The distracting features are then restricted either immediately or based on other conditions such as vehicle speed, motion, engine state, etc. When the conditions have been eliminated and/or the user equipment is vacated from the operator's operational area, the restrictions can be removed or removed after a threshold period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Fariborz M. Farhan, Babak Firoozbakhsh, Afshin Amini
  • Patent number: 8294566
    Abstract: An emergency warning system includes a plurality of emergency annunciators for installation in a physical zone, a zone controller and a master controller. Each emergency annunciator is operable to independently and periodically perform a self-test for verifying its capacity to annunciate an emergency and to transmit a report of the self-test result. The zone controller is operable to receive the reports from each emergency annunciator and generate and transmit a zone report representing a consolidation of the received reports. The zone controller can also transmit an activation command to the emergency annunciators based on a received zone activation command. A master controller is operable to receive the zone report and generate therefrom a user notification indicative of the self-test results as well as to transmit the zone activation command in response to a trigger condition. The system may be easily installable through addition of the above components to an existing computer networking infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Escherlogic Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lee Morwood, Stefan Georg Hax
  • Patent number: 8296413
    Abstract: Monitor services deployable on device networks may be implemented using a modular approach, in which a core monitor service is mapped to one or more devices included in, or associated with, the device networks. Additional monitoring-related functionality may be provided to such devices using plug-ins, add-on services or service components, or other service modules, which interact with the core monitor service. The core monitor service(s) and any monitor service modules may be mapped, to specific ones of the devices, based on, for example, requirements of other services and/or relevant device metadata (e.g., capabilities) of the devices. In additional or alternative implementations, various protocols may be used to register new devices and deployed monitor service(s) with the distributed monitoring service(s) in a fast, secure, energy-efficient, and reliable manner, even as devices join or leave the device network(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Christof Bornhoevd, Brian S. Mo, Matthias M. Wiemann
  • Publication number: 20120262268
    Abstract: Method of communication in a home automation network allowing communication between command transmitters and/or command receivers associated with equipment in a building by means of messages transmitted in the form of frames, a frame comprising at least one data field comprising several functional segments, said method comprising a step of constructing a frame on the basis of an instruction written in a programming language, the instruction comprising words composed in the form of strings of alphanumeric characters and/or of signs and/or of icons, delimited by separators, in which each word gives rise to a functional segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Somfy SAS
    Inventor: Pierre Mignot
  • Patent number: 8289151
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless item locator doorbell system comprising a doorbell unit and a moveable item locator unit in communication with said doorbell unit wherein said doorbell unit further comprises a motion sensor configured to actuate a message device, wherein said message device is configured to provide a message upon activation of said motion sensor, an actuating mechanism in communication with said motion sensor and/or message device, a transmitter configured to deliver a wireless signal upon actuation of said actuating mechanism, wherein said moveable item locator unit further comprises a receiver configured to receive signals from said transmitter of said doorbell unit, and a second message device configured to provide a message upon activation by said receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventors: Weston S. Koennecke, Craig A. Zimmerman, Terry M. Jun
  • Patent number: 8289128
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes a controller, a plurality of sensors, a plurality of alarms, and a plurality of input/output devices. Each input/output device is connected between the controller and a sensor or an alarm. Each input/output device includes an input circuit, an output circuit, and a connector. The input circuit and the output circuit are connected between the controller and the connector. The connector is further selectively connected to a sensor or an alarm and a DC power in series. The controller controls a status of the input circuit and the output circuit. When the connector is connected to the alarm, the input circuit does not operate. The controller outputs a motion signal to the alarm via the output circuit. When the connector is connected to the sensor, the output circuit does not operate. The sensor outputs a detection signal to the controller via the input circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8290601
    Abstract: A plant control system includes at least one control apparatus, and an engineering apparatus for changing a security state of the control apparatus. The control apparatus includes: a security management part for accepting a security level change request downloaded from the engineering apparatus and changing a security level of the control apparatus by referring to a password held by the control apparatus; and a change permission part for permitting a change in the security level by the security management part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Oosako
  • Patent number: 8289147
    Abstract: A security system that can be used in a home, office, or other building in order to generate alarms or take other actions depending on conditions within the building. The security system may rely on sensors within the building which sense various conditions and collect other data. The information learned from the sensors can be communicated to a location outside the building for processing, such as, but not limited to, processing associated with a need to instigate an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Holdings LLC
    Inventor: James Poder
  • Patent number: 8284044
    Abstract: A system and method of handling poll-based alarms. The method begins by detecting a high-priority problem in a network. Next, network elements in the network related to the high-priority problem are mapped. The mapping step includes grouping network elements into focus groups wherein each focus group includes network elements having the same alarm. The mapped network elements are then polled for alarms. The polled alarms of the network elements are then correlated and processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: András Veres, Szabolcs Malomsoky, Gergely Szabó, Tamas Borsos, Péter Benkō, Peter Vaderna, Ferenc Kubinszky
  • Patent number: 8284047
    Abstract: A hospital bed has wireless communication circuitry operable to transmit wirelessly bed status data. A surface supported by the bed has wireless communication circuitry operable to transmit wirelessly surface status data. The wireless communication circuitry of the hospital bed and the wireless communication circuitry of the surface communicate with a network independently. A hospital bed with an integrated surface has wireless communication circuitry operable to transmit wirelessly bed status data and surface status data. The wireless bed status data and the wireless surface status data are received by wireless access points of a network of a healthcare facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Williams F. Collins, Jr., James M. Allen, Keith A. Huster, Carl W. Riley, Patricia A. Glidewell, Irwin J. Vanderpohl, Richard J. Schuman, Benjamin E. Howell, Timothy D. Wildman
  • Patent number: 8284018
    Abstract: A first proximity sensor array arranged on a first side of a stall-door comprises three linearly aligned sensors whereby left-to-right movement of a patron's hand within the sensing zone causes a bathroom stall door to open. A second proximity sensor array arranged on a second side of the stall door comprises three linearly aligned sensors whereby right-to-left movement of a patron's hand within the sensing zone causes the door to close. A second right-to-left movement across the same second sensor array causes the stall door to lock and a first display array arranged on the first side of the door and a second display array arranged on the second side of the door alight, indicating the stall is occupied and locked. A left-to-right movement across the second sensor array causes the stall door to unlock and open, and the display arrays indicate the stall is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Fadi Ibsies
  • Patent number: 8283937
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes a controller, a number of sensors, a number of alarms, and a number of input/output devices. Each input/output device is connected between the controller and a sensor or an alarm. Each input/output device includes an input circuit, an output circuit, and a connector to selectively connect to the sensor or the alarm. The input circuit and the output circuit are connected between the controller and the connector. The controller controls status of the input circuit and the output circuit. When the connector is connected to the alarm, the controller controls the alarm to work via the output circuit. When the connector is connected to the sensor, the sensor outputs a detection signal to the controller via the input circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8284043
    Abstract: A method for communicating a data link message is provided. The method comprises transmitting a data link message from a sender to a receiver, storing the transmitted data link message, and starting a message timer when the data link message is transmitted. The method further comprises determining whether a response to the data link message has been received, and determining whether the message timer has expired if the response has not been received. The sender is notified when the message timer has expired and the response has not been received. Input is requested from the sender whether or not to retransmit the data link message. If input is received from the sender to retransmit, the data link message is displayed to the sender for review and edit. The data link message is then retransmitted from the sender to the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Judd, Thomas F. McGuffin
  • Patent number: 8283938
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes a controller, a number of input and output devices, a number of sensors, and a number of electronic devices. Each input and output device includes a switching circuit, a first input circuit, a second input circuit, and a connector. The connector is connected to a sensor or an electronic device. The controller controls the switching circuit to receive a detecting signal of the sensor or supply power to the electronic device. The first input circuit and the second input circuit are connected between the switching circuit and the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20120249284
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling battery conditions. The system includes a network access device battery. The network access device battery powers a network access device. A heating element may be connected to the network access device battery. The heating element may be a resistive load for determining a status of the network access device battery or the heating element may be activated based on a heating schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Edward Almquist, Martin Krajci, James Blasko
  • Publication number: 20120249285
    Abstract: A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: determining that a computing device that was presenting an item has been transferred from a first user to a second user; and presenting, via the computing device, one or more highlighted portions of the item, the one or more highlighted portions being highlighted in response, at least in part, to said determining. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, JR., Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Patent number: 8276996
    Abstract: A status of one or more subsystems positioned on one or more trailers is communicated to a tractor electrically and mechanically connected to the trailer. The status may be automatically supplied by the subsystem or may be requested either by the operator of the tractor/trailer combination or automatically by another subsystem on either the tractor or the trailer. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of a respective subsystem is superposed on the power bus. The status of the respective subsystem can then be determined from the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the status of the subsystem is indicated to an operator positioned on the tractor. A command for controlling a subsystem on a trailer can also be communicated from the tractor to the trailer over the power bus. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the command is produced on the power bus, and the subsystem is controlled based on the spread spectrum data communications signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Power Talk, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Lesesky, Bobby Ray Weant