Monitoring In Addition To Control (e.g., Supervisory) Patents (Class 340/3.1)
  • Patent number: 9521731
    Abstract: The invention relates to the control of networked lighting systems, particularly large scale networked lighting systems, and more specifically to an efficient transmission of messages to control luminaries of a networked lighting system. A basic idea of the invention is to provide an efficient and flexible multicast, particularly group cast message that addresses several or a group of luminaires, and that can control the addressed luminaries in an efficient way by compressing the distributed light settings using a function in order to reduce the communicational overhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Oscar Garcia Morchon, Theodorus Jacobus Johannes Denteneer
  • Patent number: 9521098
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a system and method for providing personal safety for a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Alan Randall Blair
  • Patent number: 9489571
    Abstract: The inputted character candidate display section (1213)/inputted character string candidate display section (1214) cause candidates of a character/character string, which is predicted as an intended character/character string to be inputted by the user, to be displayed as inputted character candidates/inputted character string candidate, and the converted character string candidate display section (1215) causes converted character string candidates, which have been obtained by converting the inputted character string candidate, to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Michiaki Kuno
  • Patent number: 9475590
    Abstract: A maintenance system for use with an aircraft and a method of implementing a maintenance schedule for an aircraft with a maintenance system comprising multiple communication terminals located physically about the aircraft and in data communication with each other, the method includes executing a maintenance software program for a maintenance routine comprising maintenance tests corresponding to components of the aircraft and displaying the maintenance routine on at least one of the communication terminals to define a control terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Eric Daniel Buehler, Sally Mae Ward, Brion Lee Frost, Allan Anderson McCurdy, III
  • Patent number: 9474022
    Abstract: Saving power in a mobile terminal includes determining alignment processing moments after the mobile terminal enters a standby mode. Alignable wakeup events, which occur during alignment processing periods corresponding to each alignment processing moment, are thus controlled to commence related processing at each of the alignment processing moments. Power consumption caused by various wakeup events in a standby mode may thus be reduced and battery life of the mobile terminal may thus be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Li Lin, Jiukai Ma, Haonong Yu, Jun Qiu, Liangchuan Mi, Shail Dave, Zhichao Zu, Karthik Samynathan, Richard Clark
  • Patent number: 9453758
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining, by a sensor, a weight of an item placed in a locker compartment; transmitting, to a locker controller, data indicating the weight of the item placed in the locker compartment; receiving, from the sensor, the data indicating the weight; transmitting the data from the locker controller to a locker manager; receiving, from the locker controller, the data indicating the weight of the item placed in the locker compartment; receiving at the locker manager a reference weight for the item; verifying the weight of the item placed in the locker compartment based at least in part upon the received data and the reference weight for the item placed in the locker compartment; and generating and transmitting a report message indicating whether the item has been delivered to the locker compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuro Motoyama
  • Patent number: 9430024
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for waking up a main processor (MP) in a low power or ultra-low power device preferably includes the MP, and a sub-processor (SP) that utilizes less power than the MP to monitor ambient conditions than the MP, and may be internalized in the MP. The MP and SP can remain in a sleep mode while an interrupt sensor monitors for changes in the ambient environment. A sensor is preferably an interrupt-type sensor, as opposed to polling-type sensors conventionally used to detect ambient changes. The MP and SP may remain in sleep mode, as a low-power or an ultra-low power interrupt sensor operates with the SP being in sleep mode, and awakens the SP via an interrupt indicating a detected change. The SP then wakes the MP after comparing data from the interrupt sensor with values in storage or with another sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Changryong Heo, Kenhyung Park, Kiyeon Park, Yongyi Kim
  • Patent number: 9429960
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes, in one aspect, retrieving HVAC system information; converting the retrieved HVAC system information from one or more first data formats to a second data format; storing the converted HVAC system information; identifying first portions of the stored HVAC system information that pertain to a particular component; and generating one or more associations among the identified, first portions of the stored HVAC system information; receiving a request for HVAC system information that is used by a performance analysis algorithm; determining a type of component of the HVAC system that is related to the requested HVAC system information; and identifying one or more items of the stored HVAC system information that is of the requested HVAC system information; and transmitting the identified one or more items of the stored HVAC system information for use in execution of the performance analysis algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Xuesong Liu, Burcu Akinci, Mario Berges, James H. Garrett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9426551
    Abstract: In an audio speaker network, the individual speakers of the network have lamps on them that are controlled to present a light show in synchrony with the audio being played by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Peter Carlsson, James R. Milne, Steven Martin Richman, Frederick J. Zustak
  • Patent number: 9406210
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for supporting a safe living. An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for supporting a safe living that includes: an information receiving unit configured to receive information on a sensor, information on a device and information on a user; a pattern information generating unit configured to generate condition pattern information by use of sensing value information measured by the sensor and operation state information of the device; a condition assessing unit configured to assess a current condition by comparing the condition pattern information with the sensing value information and the operation state information; a profile unit configured to search for a control service of the device corresponding to the current condition; and a condition handling unit configured to perform a proper control the device corresponding to the current condition based on the control service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Instit
    Inventors: Ji-Yeon Kim, Eun-Jin Ko, Jong-Hyun Jang, Deock-Gu Jee
  • Patent number: 9408039
    Abstract: A device, system, and method include receiving via a first network, by a remote computer server, a customized application from a user. The customized application is transmitted, by the remote computer server, to one or more intelligent cellular communications gateway devices. The customized application can be automatically installed and configured. Each intelligent cellular communications gateway device can receive local information from a device. The local information is analyzed and the local device can be controlled by the intelligent cellular communications gateway device based oft the analyzed local information. In addition, the intelligent cellular communications gateway device can filter and/or compress the local information, and transmit via a cellular network, the filtered and compressed information, to the remote computer server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Feeney Wireless, LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Ralston, Justin D. Bloom
  • Patent number: 9408017
    Abstract: A communication apparatus having a first communication function of periodically transmitting a predetermined signal and communicating with another apparatus and a second communication function of communicating with another apparatus by producing an electric field or magnetic field determines whether a partner apparatus exists in a communicable range of the second communication function, and controls the first communication function to stop transmission of the predetermined signal in the case where it is determined that the partner apparatus exists in the communicable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masatomo Ouchi
  • Patent number: 9398373
    Abstract: When an indication is received from a user input, a name of an audio source from an ordered list of audio sources to which a headset is currently connected is output. Whenever a successive indication is received within a predefined amount of time, the name of the next wireless audio source in the list is output. If the next wireless audio source in the list is the last wireless audio source in the list, and the successive indication from the user input is received before the elapsed time exceeds the predefined value, the name of the audio source to which the headset is currently connected is output as the next selected wireless audio source in the list. When an amount of time greater than the predefined value elapses without a successive indication from the user input, the last wireless audio source that had its name output is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Naganagouda B. Patil, Rebecca DeVeer Crimmin, Douglas Warren Young
  • Patent number: 9383234
    Abstract: A sensor for acquiring measured values and for outputting data samples having at least one first register for storing a sensor time, which includes time information on phase position and/or period of the data samples, the first register being readable out externally. The sensor includes at least one second register, which is writable on externally, and by which the phase position and/or the period of the data samples is able to be set in the sensor. Also described is a sensor system having at least one sensor and an external control unit by which at least the first register is readable and at least the second register is writable. Also described is a sensor-fused system having at least one sensor system having at least two sensors. Also described is a method for setting the phase position and/or the period of data samples in a sensor system or a sensor-fused system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Gerhard Lammel, Rudolf Bichler, Guido Retz, Rainer Dorsch
  • Patent number: 9363840
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus, a computer program product and a method is provided for application based connectivity event triggering. The example embodiment comprises determining, at an apparatus, whether an active application satisfies predefined criteria for connectivity event, and triggering a radio module at the apparatus to enter into a device discovery mode for transmitting device discovery messages in response to determining that the apparatus is actively operating an application satisfying the predefined criteria for connectivity event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Arto Palin, Jukka Reunamäki, Tommy Ginman
  • Patent number: 9348976
    Abstract: An information processing method and an electronic device are provided. The method is applied to the electronic device. The electronic device includes a frame structure, a display module, a processor and a first type of sensor. The method includes: obtaining a first type of data which reflects a physical performance of the first user and is captured by the first type of sensor, in the case that the electronic device is fixed on an operation portion of the first user through the frame structure and the electronic device is functioning; obtaining configuration information at least based on the first type of data; and automatically setting a second type of sensor different from the first type of sensor, and/or a display screen, and/or at least one piece of application data which may be fed back by the electronic device, to suit the physical performance of the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: Beijing Lenovo Software Ltd., Lenovo (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xi Wan
  • Patent number: 9348384
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing energy within an inhabitable environment are provided. An energy storage system includes storing and managing energy. The storage of energy may be based on user preferences. The management of energy includes directing energy within the inhabitable environment according to user preferences and mapping data. Mapping data includes matching an electrical outlet to a location and/or device within the inhabitable environment. Instructions are provided by the computing device to the electrical components based on the mapping to control the electrical components and electrical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventor: Kevin J. Williams
  • Patent number: 9351239
    Abstract: A communication device for performing near-field wireless communication with an electronic device includes: a display circuit; a near-field wireless communication circuit that performs the near-field wireless communication; and a control circuit. The control circuit receives information related to a state of the electronic device using the near-field wireless communication when the communication device comes close to the electronic device; and displays the received information related to the state on the display circuit and causes the communication device to transition to a mode corresponding to the information related to the state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kentaro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9344907
    Abstract: In some aspects, a wireless-spectrum analysis technique includes obtaining, at a computer system, a simulated spatial distribution of a wireless signal parameter (e.g., spectral power). The simulated spatial distribution is based on a computer-simulation of wireless signal propagation in a geographic region. A measured spatial distribution of the wireless signal parameter is obtained at the computer system. The measured spatial distribution is based on measurements performed by wireless sensor devices in the geographic region. Each of the wireless sensor devices is configured to provide local parameter measurements based on wireless signals detected by the wireless sensor device. The simulated spatial distribution is compared with the measured spatial distribution. In some instances, the simulated spatial distribution geographic region is modified based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Cognitive Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Oleksiy Kravets
  • Patent number: 9325575
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method comprises automatically uploading device information from a first network device in a first operating state to a second network device in response to an event, such as an initial power up. The second network device is part of the cloud, and thus, providing cloud-based services. Subsequent to the uploading of the device information, the first network device receives information controlling the operation of the first network device based on the device information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: ARUBA NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Gordon Paul Gray, Anthony Burke, David Munro, Yan Liu
  • Patent number: 9289125
    Abstract: The vision protection method and system thereof is provided to ensure a viewer to rest his/her eyes after viewing on an electronic device for a certain period, wherein the eyesight protection method includes the steps of detecting one of more working parameters of the viewer in responsive to a preset working threshold in a working mode of the electronic device during the viewer is working on a current work displaying by the electronic device; switching the working mode of the electronic device to a resting mode; and switching the electronic device from the resting mode back to the working mode to resume the display of the current work of the electronic device. Therefore, the viewer is enforced to rest his/her eyes after every certain period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Roger Li-Chung Wu
  • Patent number: 9290970
    Abstract: A door handle system for a door of a vehicle includes a door handle assembly, a locking mechanism, a control and a near field communication device. The door handle assembly is configured to mount at a handle region of a vehicle door of the vehicle. The near field communication device is operable to receive signals from a smartphone that is within a threshold distance from the near field communication device. The control, responsive to the near field communication device, is operable to determine whether or not a smartphone that is within the threshold distance and that is communicating with the near field communication device is an authorized device. The control is operable to actuate the locking mechanism to unlock the vehicle door responsive to a determination that the smartphone within the threshold distance and communicating with the near field communication device is an authorized device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Justin E. Sobecki, Eric S. Deuel
  • Patent number: 9277577
    Abstract: A method for configuring a first device for a near-field communication with a second device, wherein a peer-to-peer mode is selected if the second device draws the power supply of its circuits from a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignees: Proton World International N.V., STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Olivier Van Nieuwenhuyze, Alexandre Charles
  • Patent number: 9221510
    Abstract: A lamp has a body 100 with a printed circuit board 102 and a battery 104 mounted in the body. An LED 105, mounted on an emitter plate 101, and a reflector 106 are housed on the body at an opposite end to a charging port 103. Adjacent to the port 103 an array of three illumination status blue LEDS 108 and an array of five battery-status red LEDs 109 are provided. Components 103 to 109 are connected to a power management circuit 110, including an Integrated Circuit 111, mounted on the PCB 102. The PCB 102 further includes a capacitive Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometer 123.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: Roger Lionel David Sparrow
  • Patent number: 9217578
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes at least one indoor unit and a wired controller connected to the indoor unit through two lines to receive power from the indoor unit and to perform data communication with the indoor unit. Each of the indoor unit and the wired controller includes a communication unit that modulates a low-frequency communication signal into a high-frequency communication signal and transmits the high-frequency signal and demodulates a received high-frequency signal into a low-frequency signal. When a plurality of indoor units and a wired controller perform communication, a communication signal is transmitted after being modulated into a high-frequency signal and linking the high-frequency signal with DC power. This reduces the inductance of an inductor required to separate the linked high-frequency signal into DC power and a communication signal and the capacitance of a capacitor required to link the signal with DC power, reducing PCB size and inductor and capacitor costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Su Ho Jo, Kwan Joo Myoung, Ji Eun Lee, O Do Ryu
  • Patent number: 9205828
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the location of a vehicle. According to one aspect the method and apparatus the movements of motor rotors in a vehicle are monitored and used to determine speed, travel distance and/or travel path of a vehicle may be determined. Using various navigation techniques, the distance and travel path may then be used to determine the vehicle's location. Furthermore, movements of the motor rotors may also be used to report the positions of the steering and drive systems for the purpose of informing the vehicle controller as a method of feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Craig Lombrozo, Carsten Jensen, Andrew Barton-Sweeney, Russell Smith, Daniel Lynn Larner
  • Patent number: 9168853
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to car seat control assembly having a car seat control module installable in a motor car seat and a cable set for components of the seat. The car seat control module is non-separably connected with the cables of the cable set. Each of the respective cables has a plug connector for connection to the component associated with the cable on a terminal end opposite the car seat control module. In this arrangement, the assembly requires minimal packaging space enabling the arrangement to be installed in the motor car seat in a quick and simple manner, for a secure connection between car seat control module and components of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jasmin Ebert
  • Patent number: 9164867
    Abstract: An appliance network comprising a networked appliance and capable of communicating with a consumable such that information related to the consumable is communicated to the networked appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew P. Ebrom, Wallace J. Elston, III, Mark E. Glotzbach, Layne E. Heilman, Anthony E. Jenkins, Stephen D. Krefman, Richard A. McCoy, James P. O'Shaughnessy, Randy A. Voss
  • Patent number: 9164457
    Abstract: An image forming device provided with a restart unit and a deletion unit. If processing requiring a restart of the image forming device is requested by another terminal device that is connected via a communications circuit, the restart unit causes the image forming device to restart. If the processing requiring the restart is requested by the other terminal device while a service process relating to image processing is being provided by a service process provision device that is connected via the communications circuit, the deletion unit deletes data relating to use of the service process before the image forming device is restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Machida
  • Patent number: 9141645
    Abstract: In general, user interfaces for controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user interface is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. The user interface is further configured to illustrate graphically a size of a group, the larger the group appears relatively, the more plays there are in the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Lambourne, Nicholas A. J. Millington
  • Patent number: 9130389
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission apparatus includes at least one power transmission antenna for transmitting a wireless power signal in a magnetic resonance manner by using a resonant frequency having different bandwidths from each other; a wireless power signal generating module for generating the wireless power signal; at least one wireless power converting module for converting a power level of the wireless power signal generated by the wireless power signal generating module and having different power level conversion ranges corresponding to the bandwidth of the resonant frequency of the power transmission antenna; a multiplexer matching module for selectively connecting the wireless power converting module to a corresponding power transmission antenna; and a control unit for selectively connecting the power transmission antenna and the wireless power converting module according to a required power of a device to be charged to adjust the power level of the wireless power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: LS CABLE & SYSTEM LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-Hyung Lee, Lae-Hyuk Park, Un-Kyoo Park
  • Patent number: 9117191
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically inventorying a plurality of devices is disclosed herein. A secure, trusted connection is established between a remote device each device of a plurality of devices. The remote device automatically extracts device information from each device of the plurality of devices. The remote device creates an inventory of the plurality of devices based on the extracted device information. The remote device automatically maintains the inventory including automatically extracting at least updated device information associated with an update event of the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bruce Bowman, Charles C. Scheinost, Mike Harris, Amit Kishnani, Matthew Hamlin
  • Patent number: 9092029
    Abstract: An example reconfigurable vehicle monitoring arrangement includes a housing securable relative to a vehicle, a communication base at least partially disposed within the housing, and a universal connector assembly configured to selectively operatively connect the communication base with a plurality of different modules. At least one of the modules is configured to communicate data gathered from a plurality of vehicle data sources to the communication base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Poisson
  • Patent number: 9086833
    Abstract: Status information representing the status of a device which performs predetermined processing is acquired from the device. The acquired status information is stored in a memory. The status information is output in response to input of a request to output the status information of the device. When the request is input after the lapse of the first time from the time corresponding to acquisition of the status information stored in the memory, status information is newly acquired from the device in accordance with the request, and the status information already stored in the memory before the input of the request is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yusuke Hattori
  • Patent number: 9049304
    Abstract: Each of the cellular phones includes a specification information storage unit for specifying the cellular phone itself, an image information storage unit that stores image information, an operation information creation unit that creates operation information for operating a display image, and a transmission unit that transmits, to the communication terminal, a communication signal including the specification information, the image information and the operation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohisa Hangai
  • Publication number: 20150145640
    Abstract: A wireless monitoring method is implemented through a plurality of wireless monitor devices. Each of the plurality of wireless monitor devices includes a state detection unit to produce a state data, a micro control unit and a communication module. To implement the wireless monitoring method, the wireless monitoring device gets a device identification code of another wireless monitoring device in a connection range thereof, and judges whether the device identification code is stored therein and belongs to a monitor group. If the judging outcome is positive, the wireless monitoring device gets another state data of the another wireless monitoring device. After judging the state data and the another state data meet a state control condition, at least one control signal is output to trigger at least one electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: EVERSPRING INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHIEN-MING CHIANG
  • Patent number: 9041508
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an inventory condition of objects based on captured images are described. An exemplary inventory control system or method utilizes a highly efficient and economical approach to apply suitable imaging parameters for capturing images of a storage drawer being accessed by a user, or for manipulating the captured images of the drawer. An inventory condition of the drawer is determined based on the captured images or manipulated images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephen L. Glickman, David A. Jackson, Matthew J. Lipsey, Preston Phillips, David C. Fly, Jason L. Weeks
  • Patent number: 9041509
    Abstract: A facility monitoring/controlling system and method enabling provision of a screen display function having an adequate real-time property in the range of a low rate, e.g., around 64 kbps. An on-site facility monitoring/controlling subsystem (10) operates/controls a controlled facility (200) by an on-site input means (14) through an on-site manipulation screen means (30) showing the visualized operating state of the controlled facility (200). A center facility monitoring/controlling subsystem (20) reproduces/displays a remote manipulation screen (30?) with the same contents as the on-site manipulation screen (30) on a center display means (22), and controls the controlled facility (200) by a center input means (23) and remotely operate/control the controlled facility (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: ENECYBER CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Shouji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9041620
    Abstract: An interface (303) between adjacent ones of light guide sections (310) is inclined with respect to an incident surface (301) and an emission surface (302) of the light guide element (300A) so that an incident surface (311) of at least a part of the light guide sections (310) overlaps a part of a display region (202) in a liquid crystal panel (200A) and an emission surface (312) of said at least a part of the light guide sections (310) overlaps at least a part of a frame region (203) above which an image on the display region (202) is to be displayed. Furthermore, a relation 5°<?<85° is met, where ? indicates an angle between a direction of a borderline between adjacent light guide sections (310) on a plan view and a direction in which pixels (201) adjacent to the frame region (203) are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Watanabe, Shigeto Yoshida, Kentarou Imamura
  • Publication number: 20150137935
    Abstract: A smartphone or other mobile computer app that causes a smartphone or another mobile computer device to actively control a configuration of footwear structural elements located in both footwear of a device user. Sensors are located in both footwear soles and in the device of the user. The footwear structural elements are configured for computer control by the device. Instructions of the app cause the device to: first, control the footwear structural elements by establishing a first configuration of the footwear structural elements for a first device user locomotion test; second, control the footwear structural elements by establishing a second, different configuration of the footwear structural elements; third, process sensor measurement data from the first and second tests; fourth, compare the test data with a preferred data set; fifth, select and establish a configuration of the footwear structural elements from the test data closest to matching the preferred data set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Frampton E. Ellis
  • Patent number: 9035764
    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: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, James D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 9030300
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operational parameters of a wireless reader device and/or one or more other devices based on proximity of the wireless reader device to a wireless electronic circuit. At a first location, the wireless reader device and/or the one or more other devices are controlled based on a first operational parameter. At a second location, interrogation signals are transmitted from the wireless reader device, and response signals are received at the wireless reader device. The response signals are transmitted from the wireless electronic circuit in response to receiving the interrogation signals from the wireless reader device. The response signals convey a control parameter to the wireless reader device that is associated with a second operational parameter. Thereafter, the wireless reader device and/or the one or more other devices are controlled based on the second operational parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Edward Jones
  • Patent number: 9031545
    Abstract: A method of encouraging safe driving of a vehicle using a remote starter device installed at a vehicle is provided. The remote starter device determines whether it is in signal communication with a remote starter application operating at a mobile computing device separate from the remote starter device. When the remote starter device is in signal communication with the remote starter application, the remote starter device permits ignition of the vehicle. When the remote starter device is not in signal communication with the remote starter application, the remote starter device prevents ignition of the vehicle. During operation of the vehicle, one or more communication features at the remote starter device may be restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Rothana Srey, Matthew James Manzella
  • Patent number: 9030326
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing, a display on a surface of the housing, an infrared sensor in a first region of the surface of the housing, the first region facing one side of the display, an indicator in the first region and configured to emit light, a first controller, and a second controller. The first controller turns on and off the display in accordance with a detection output of the infrared sensor. The second controller is configured to blink the indicator in a first blinking pattern in which a ratio of an ON time to a blinking cycle is smaller than that of an OFF time to the blinking cycle, when an event of which a user is notified occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akira Imamura, Ryuhei Yokota
  • Patent number: 9024716
    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: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kwanho Yum, Sangoh Kim, Bongmun Jang
  • Patent number: 9024734
    Abstract: The present invention provides a remote control device, a far-end device, a multimedia system and a control method thereof. Said remote control device comprising: a communication unit for establishing a connection with a far-end device and performing communication; an operating unit for operating a specific program in said far-end device by the operation of the user; and a mode change unit for switching a operating mode in said remote control device according to feedback information associated with the specific program which is fed back by said far-end device in response to the operation in said operating unit. Through the remote control device, the far-end device, the multimedia system and the control method thereof, it may be operated in any device possessing communication function in despite of the hardware and system configuration of said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Chun Xu
  • Patent number: 9019107
    Abstract: A method for reporting vehicle operator impairment criteria is provided. The method determines, using a substance detection device installed inside a vehicle, a level of a substance or combination of substances associated with vehicle operator impairment; obtains vehicle status data from a plurality of sensors onboard the vehicle; determines a level of risk associated with vehicle operator behavior, using the obtained vehicle status data; and generates a report, comprising the determined level of the substance or the combination of substances and the determined level of risk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William A. Biondo, David T. Proefke
  • Patent number: 9019067
    Abstract: An electronic lock with power failure control circuit includes a lock mechanism having a latchbolt movable between extended and a retracted positions and an electrically powered lock actuator to lock and unlock the latchbolt. The power failure control circuit includes a microcontroller and the lock is connected to a primary power source and an auxiliary power source, preferably supercapacitors and charger that can be turned on by the microcontroller and off when the charger signals a full charge. A power monitor circuit detects low voltage on the primary power supply and sets a power failure interrupt causing the microcontroller to execute power failure instructions that control the actuator so that the lock is placed into a desired locked or unlocked final state during the power failure. upon detection of the return of good power, the system resets the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark D. Bryla, Steve Morse, Chris Wren
  • Patent number: 9019066
    Abstract: A terminal, such as an automated teller machine, comprises: a customer identification device; a sensor for detecting presence of a customer at the terminal; and a controller coupled to the customer identification device and the sensor. The controller is programmed to (i) track the customer's location, (ii) create a session on identification of a customer, and (iii) close the created session when a customer absence criterion is fulfilled. The functions of the customer identification device and the sensor may be performed by a single unit. The customer absence criterion may comprise a time period during which the customer is not detected at the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Black, Michael R. McNamara
  • Patent number: 9016580
    Abstract: A method of reading multiple two dimensional barcodes includes the steps of obtaining an image including a plurality of positioning patterns and the two dimensional barcodes, defining a reading area within the image according the positioning patterns, dividing the reading area into a plurality of reading blocks, which contain the two dimensional barcodes, respectively, and reading the two dimensional barcodes in the reading blocks individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: National Cheng Kung University
    Inventors: Pei-Hsuan Tsai, Chun-Pin Yeh