Audible Indication Patents (Class 340/384.1)
  • Patent number: 8674817
    Abstract: In further development of U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,540 B1, an audible signal device including a microprocessor or microcontroller and a sounder element, or a microprocessor or microcontroller in conjunction with electronic circuitry such as discrete components, inductors, or IC's with a sounder element where the resulting sound pressure level is controlled by changing the drive signal's frequency, size, shape, and/or duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mallory Sonalert Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Baldwin, Joshua K. Brown, Mark T. Monnett
  • Patent number: 8669879
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for alerting a person to check a medical device while conserving battery power. The medical device initiates a status alert if a readiness condition of the medical device is no longer being met. The status alert includes notification periods during which an audible sound is emitted alternating with off periods during which substantially no audible sound is emitted. The audible sounds may include certain tones or at least one spoken word. At least one of the duration of successive notification periods or the duration of successive off periods may be varied. In this manner, the medical device may provide audible sound at different times during the day in an attempt to get the attention of a person. In addition, the medical device may sense an activity to determine when to provide the audible sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, Benjamin A. Flugstad, Glenn Morita
  • Patent number: 8669858
    Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device is configured to emit a movement notification sound to an outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle will move. The notification sound control device is configured to operate the sound emitting device in response to occurrence of a vehicle condition. The notification sound control device setting the movement notification sound of the sound emitting device to a frequency in a range of 1.5 kHz to 6 kHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Yoshino, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura, Yuji Watanabe, Toshiyuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8669852
    Abstract: A reflex speaker which provides an acoustic signal generator for acoustic alarm signals is captured in a housing through which the acoustic signals project via ports at the exit end of the housing. The housing defines a compartment at the exit end with an opening which is covered so that the acoustic signals project out of the exit end around the compartment. The cover may be a transparent cover which provides a lens through which optical signals generated by optics in the compartment provided by either LEDs to provide an optical warning signal, or a video camera, such as a CCD, which responds to visual signals as from hazards at the rear of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Neufeglise, Daniel T. McCann
  • Patent number: 8659439
    Abstract: An offshore wind farm can include at least two wind energy installations for generating electrical power from wind, at least two acoustic warning devices, and a visibility measuring device for detecting visibility. After detection of a visibility below a visibility limit value, an activation signal can be applied to the at least two acoustic warning devices. One or more synchronization modules can be provided which determine the points in time of the acoustic signals to be emitted by at least one of the acoustic warning devices in relation to the acoustic signals of the other acoustic warning devices. Accordingly, this facilitates the navigation along an offshore wind farm and enables safe circumnavigation. Also, the impression of a contiguous area can be conveyed to the ships by the synchronized emission of the warning signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: REpower Systems SE
    Inventors: Lorenz-Heinrich Carstensen, Jens Altemark
  • Patent number: 8638201
    Abstract: The wildlife dislodging device outputs sound signal while a frequency is changed to a different frequency stepwise, and suddenly outputs a sound signal pulse of a high frequency in changing the frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventor: Hiroshi Annaka
  • Patent number: 8618920
    Abstract: Provided is a mobile device including: an audio output unit; an audio source unit which provides music information to the audio output unit; an adjustment unit which adjusts the audio volume of the audio output unit; an announcement information generation unit which provides announcement information to the audio output unit; and a control unit which forcibly selects a predetermined audio volume regardless of the adjustment made by the adjustment unit when announcing information by the announcement information generation unit from the audio output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahide Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8610564
    Abstract: An electronic device and method for providing customizing notifications is disclosed. Event generation and handling components are associated with different device event types and for generating a notification event upon occurrence of an event handled by the respective event generation and handling component is provided. Profile management component manages user profiles defining user preferences of notifications associated with different incoming device event types and managing profile exceptions defining one or more notification exceptions to the user profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Douglas Bocking, Cassidy Paul Gentle, Ronald Scotte Zinn, Ian Milligan, Darin White, Anthony Burns
  • Patent number: 8598997
    Abstract: An electromagnetic alarm device includes a current interrupter to interrupt an electricity supply to a coil on application of a self-excited voltage to oscillate a diaphragm with a moving core to generate a first alarm sound including a fundamental tone at a first predetermined frequency, when a switch is manipulated by an occupant. A proximity notification device includes an ultrasonic speaker to emit an ultrasonic wave, which is generated by implementing ultrasonic modulation on a proximity notification sound, to an outside of the vehicle for notifying a pedestrian of proximity of the vehicle, according to a traveling state of the vehicle and/or when a sensor detects a pedestrian. The ultrasonic speaker emits an ultrasonic wave, which is generated by implementing ultrasonic modulation on a second alarm sound including a fundamental tone at a second frequency, when the switch is manipulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Hayashi, Toshiaki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8595838
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for providing contextual feedback to a user of a computer system upon detection of an invasion of the computer system are provided herein. An invasion of the computer system is detected and a contextually appropriate alert is selected from a set of alerts. The alert is played immediately upon detection of the invasion so that the user is alerted to the invasion within close temporal proximity to the user's action that resulted in the invasion of the computer system. In addition, details of the invasion are logged to a diagnostic log file for later use by support personnel in repairing the computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: William Roberts Cheswick
  • Patent number: 8570184
    Abstract: A method for guiding, controlling or warning people, particularly for controlling and guiding people to a desired route, e.g. an emergency exit, in a dangerous situation, in which method, a person is guided by means of audio sources. In the method, audio sources (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h) arranged successively at a distance from each other are activated to produce sound, in which the audio sources successively arranged in the space guide the direction of an exit route by producing an audio signal with the audio source against the travel direction of the guided route (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Marimils Oy
    Inventor: Göran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 8564421
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an audio notification file for a computing device are provided. A first audio file associated with a first mental state is selected as a first section of the audio notification file. The audio notification file enabled for storage in a memory. The audio notification file is further enabled for processing by a processing unit to control a speaker. A final state of the audio notification file is determined, the final state designated as a final section of the audio notification file, the final state associated with a second mental state. At least one intermediate section of the audio notification file is generated, between the first section and the second section, by morphing the first audio file to the final state by processing the first audio file using a digital signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Bradley Shayne Ferringo, Gregory Jason Fields, Susan Tammy teWinkel, John Patrick Grenn, Joseph Leonard Dvorak, Michael Williams Suman
  • Patent number: 8547218
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle approach notification control apparatus for an electric motorcycle, which can output notification sound for notifying a walker or the like of approach of an electric motorcycle with an appropriate sound volume. The vehicle approach notification control apparatus for an electric motorcycle includes a speaker for generating notification sound equivalent to engine sound of an engine driven motorcycle of a vehicle category that is the same as a vehicle category of the electric motorcycle in response to a motor speed of an electric motor or a vehicle speed. The vehicle approach notification control apparatus includes a pseudo engine sound volume storage device configured to store sound volume data of engine sound with respect to the entire running sound upon running of the engine driven vehicle, and a control unit for controlling the notification sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Tamaki, Ryuji Akiba, Kazuhiko Tanaka, Takeshi Konno
  • Patent number: 8536992
    Abstract: Content reproducing apparatus and method of a mobile terminal are disclosed. During the reproduction of content, vibration pattern corresponding to content is detect or generated. The vibration pattern is synchronized with an audio signal during the reproduction of content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon Hark Oh, Hyong Uk Choi, Joon Ho Won, Jong Sung Joo
  • Patent number: 8526196
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for receiving, at least partially, an electric/electronic component in an internal housing area, in particular for commercial vehicles. A first housing component at least partially forms the internal housing area and a cover at least partially surrounds the internal housing area. The cover is designed such that at least one electrically conductive connecting element for electrically coupling the electric/electronic component to at least one additional electric/electronic component provided outside of the internal housing area is fixed by the cover. A method for assembling the apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Eichner, Thomas Uhland
  • Patent number: 8519863
    Abstract: A process instrument includes a transducer, a two wire interface, a microprocessor, a digital to analog converter, a first control circuit, and a second control circuit. A current passing through the two wire interface indicates a condition of the transducer. The microprocessor is interfaced with the transducer. The digital to analog converter receives a signal from the microprocessor indicating a current value. The first control circuit is coupled to the digital to analog converter and adapted to control the current passing through the two wire interface to the current value. The second control circuit is coupled to the digital to analog converter and supplies current to a secondary load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Wayne Arntson
  • Publication number: 20130196720
    Abstract: A device is configured to receive a request for two or more battery partitions; create the two or more battery partitions according to the received request, where each of the two or more battery partitions relate to a respective function of the device; calculate usage of the two or more battery partitions; present information regarding the usage of the two or more battery partitions; receive a request to change an allotment of at least one of the two or more battery partitions; and re-partition two or more battery partitions according to the received request to change of the allotment of the at least one of the two or more battery partitions. Additionally, the device can be configured to charge one or more battery partitions in an order of priority, re-assign one or more battery partitions to a different area, and provide notifications of usage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: Sundar X. SIVARAMAN, Maria M. Sagayaraj, Narayanadhoss X. Gopalakrishnan, Ganesh X. Ramasamy, Ramprasath X. Hariharan
  • Patent number: 8489021
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a communication interface unit configured to receive reference biosignal data, and a wireless interface unit configured to receive a plurality of candidate biosignal transmissions from candidate biosignal transmitters. A comparison unit of the apparatus is configured to compare the reference biosignal data with the candidate biosignal transmissions, thus resulting in comparison data. The wireless interface unit is configured to execute a pairing protocol with a candidate biosignal transmitter of a candidate biosignal transmission by utilizing the comparison data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
    Inventors: Niclas Granqvist, Juhani Kemppainen, Jukka Jaatinen, Pertti Puolakanaho
  • Patent number: 8482436
    Abstract: Drag experienced by a vehicle traveling through an environmental media, such as air or water, may be modified by one or more energy beams which may increase or decrease drag. Environmental media may be adjusted by microwave, chemical, ultrasonic, acoustic (including subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic), or electromagnetic energy. One or more energy beams may be directed toward a transition region between turbulent and laminar flow, at the leading edge of a laminar flow, or in the direction of a crosswind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: P Tech, LLC.
    Inventor: Peter M. Bonutti
  • Patent number: 8477960
    Abstract: Provided is an audio transmission system for use in environments having multiple televisions. An audio transmitter couples to a television via the television's audio output jack and frequency modulates the audio signal for transmission on a user selected channel. An audio receiver receives the frequency modulated audio signal and extracts the audio signal. The audio receiver may be charged in a charging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: WAVRYDR, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Mark Nicholas Hintzen
  • Patent number: 8471679
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a finger biometric sensor and an audio output transducer. The electronic device may further include a controller cooperating with the finger biometric sensor for determining at least one biometric characteristic of a user's finger. The controller may also cooperate with the finger biometric sensor for causing the audio output transducer to generate at least one musical tone changing based upon movement of a user's finger relative to the finger biometric sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Authentec, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur Leslie Stewart
  • Patent number: 8456321
    Abstract: A circuit is for checking the voltage of a battery. The circuit includes a regulator component, a pnp type transistor, an npn transistor, a diode, and an alarm. The circuit activates an alarm when the voltage of the battery is less than a preset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Zhao Huang
  • Publication number: 20130120124
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for producing an auditory alert that comprises sonic properties to an equipment operator wearing an auditory headset prior to the presentation of the auditory alert to the operator. The method comprises measuring an at-ear ambient noise spectrum, determining frequencies within the at-ear ambient noise spectrum that have relative minimum intensities and enhancing the magnitude of the determined relative minimum intensities. The method then generates the auditory alert incorporating the enhanced relative minimum intensities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Lancaster, Robert E. De Mers
  • Patent number: 8441343
    Abstract: A pitch recognition and optimization angle detector is integrated into a portable handheld electronic device, such as a text messaging device, to alert the user of an incorrect pitch to avoid excessive neck strain and potential injury. The pitch detector determines the angle in which the messaging device is currently oriented and compares the angle to an acceptable angle range. The detection system communicates information pertaining to the pitch to the user via either a pitch level indicator or an alert when the device is held outside of the acceptable angle range. The alert can be an icon, a color-coded display, a tactile alert, and an audible alert. The user can select the alert type or types. The acceptable angle range can be a default or user programmable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Dean Fishman
  • Publication number: 20130094032
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for calibration of a media processing device are provided. The method may include providing a calibration sub-routine where the calibration sub-routine includes a plurality of calibration operations to be performed in sequence. The method may further include associating an audible note with each calibration operation and generating the audible note for each calibration operation as each respective calibration operation is performed, where the audible note is generated by a frequency of operation of a motor. The audible note associated with one calibration operation may be different from the audible note associated with another calibration operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan Hunt, Max Kielland
  • Publication number: 20130088337
    Abstract: A downloadable reminder application uses object recognition technology to recognize one or more objects appearing on a display screen of the mobile computing device and matches them to a set of known target objects. The downloadable reminder application process any associated trigger conditions for the target object. The downloadable reminder application then sets the future reminder for the target object to activate. The downloadable reminder application when it detects that a mobile computing device is satisfying the trigger condition for a target object for which it has set a future reminder on, then the downloadable reminder application in the mobile computing device fires the future reminder that was set for that target object and provides the alert to the user along with any triggerable contributions associated with that target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: AUTONOMY CORPORATION LTD.
    Inventors: Sean Mark Blanchflower, James Loxam
  • Patent number: 8378793
    Abstract: Improvements to existing diving tanks and dive computers are achieved through the use of an electronic device which employs audible, verbal, simulated, humanlike words or phrases to inform a user while underwater of dive information, including, but not limited to, gas volumes present in the tank, ascent rates, water temperature, depth levels, remaining time in the water, etc. In one embodiment a microcontroller can be used to facilitate the different settings and information that the talking tank or dive computer supplies. The electronic assembly of the present invention can be in communication with the existing pressure gauges, sensors, and valves associated with the talking tank or dive computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Terry Keith Bryant
  • Patent number: 8368537
    Abstract: An anti-theft security device is particularly useful with bottles and is typically secured to a bottle neck. The device may carry an onboard alarm. The device typically includes a catch member which engages the bottle neck to secure the device to the bottle and a blocking structure to help block access to the catch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ningsheng Zhang, Brian V. Conti
  • Patent number: 8362921
    Abstract: A vehicle external warning sound generation system and method. A transducer generates warning sounds external to the vehicle in response to an input sound signal. A sensor senses sound external to the vehicle and has an output signal that represents both sensed ambient noise and sensed warning sounds. A processing system, responsive to the sensor output signal, generates the sound signal that is provided to the transducer. The processing system includes an adaptive filter which reduces the level of the warning sounds in the sensor output signal, so that mostly ambient noise remains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Davis Y. Pan
  • Patent number: 8344899
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for alerting a person to check a medical device while conserving battery power. The medical device initiates a status alert if a readiness condition of the medical device is no longer being met. The status alert includes notification periods during which an audible sound is emitted alternating with off periods during which substantially no audible sound is emitted. The audible sounds may include certain tones or at least one spoken word. At least one of the duration of successive notification periods or the duration of successive off periods may be varied. In this manner, the medical device may provide audible sound at different times during the day in an attempt to get the attention of a person. In addition, the medical device may sense an activity to determine when to provide the audible sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, Benjamin A. Flugstad, Glenn Morita
  • Patent number: 8325937
    Abstract: A battery and speaker mounting apparatus includes a base member including a battery socket positioned adjacent a support surface on the base member, and a speaker chamber defined by the base member and separated from the battery socket by the support surface. A speaker module may be mounted in the speaker chamber, and a battery may be coupled to the battery socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Eldho Kuriakose
  • Patent number: 8299904
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle to emanate an audible alert including determining when the vehicle is operating, and controlling a speaker system in the vehicle to emanate the audible alert outside of the vehicle when the vehicle is operating based on stored information representative of an internal combustion engine (ICE) noise profile. The audible alert has a sound profile including a simultaneous emanation of first, second and third audible frequency components having first, second and third frequencies, respectively, with the first and second frequencies emanating at first and second sound pressure levels greater than first and second representative sound pressure levels of the ICE noise profile at the first and second frequencies, respectively, and the third frequency emanating at a third sound pressure level less than a third representative sound pressure level of the ICE noise profile at the third frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Heather Konet, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Manabu Sato, Toshiyuki Tabata
  • Patent number: 8289140
    Abstract: Advanced voice over safety apparatus for vehicles and equipment that operate in a reverse mode using Electro-mechanical or mechanical transmission means. The apparatus is configured for cars, buses, trucks, planes or any other vehicle that moves and uses batteries as part of its power supply. Disclosed embodiment comprises at least one of: a backing safety system, a school bus stop sign arm safety system, vehicle components pre-operation safety system, and a driver information safety system programmed to recognize dangerous vehicle situations and alert the operator of a vehicle in an audible manner the operating conditions to prevent accidents from occurring. The voice over safety apparatus further includes driver inspection program for use before the vehicle is put in operation or put to motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph Akwo Tabe
  • Patent number: 8289158
    Abstract: A mobile electronic device has a notification mechanism for notifying a user of device events in accordance with an active notification profile defining notification options and one or more exception notification profiles defining notification options based on specified attributes of a device event. A mechanism is provided for identifying one or more attributes in an incoming device event and for overriding the active notification profile with one of the exception notification profiles that has attributes corresponding to the identified attributes. The user is thus notified in accordance with notification options specified in the exception profile of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Bocking, Tony Burns, Scotte Zinn, Cassidy Gentle, Darin White, Ian Milligan
  • Patent number: 8255997
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for providing contextual feedback to a user of a computer system upon detection of an invasion of the computer system are provided herein. An invasion of the computer system is detected and a contextually appropriate alert is selected from a set of alerts. The alert is played immediately upon detection of the invasion so that the user is alerted to the invasion within close temporal proximity to the user's action that resulted in the invasion of the computer system. In addition, details of the invasion are logged to a diagnostic log file for later use by support personnel in repairing the computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: William Roberts Cheswick
  • Patent number: 8248003
    Abstract: A vibration frequency adjusting system and method measures energy of a vibration generated by a vibrator of an electronic device, and converts the vibration energy to a level of electric charge. The system and method further compares the level of electric charge with preset electric charge thresholds, and adjusts the level of electric charge to a preset level of electric charge according to the comparison. Then, the system and method converts the adjusted preset level of electric charge to a voltage, and outputs the voltage to vibrator, so as to adjust the frequency of the vibration according to the voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ying Zhou
  • Publication number: 20120188064
    Abstract: When attempting to recover a lost or stolen mobile device, it is often desirable to remotely command the device to play a sound in order to allow the device to be located or alert nearby people. In order to allow the owner of a lost device to remotely initiate the sound, a server generates a remote access user interface and it is displayed on a client computer that allows the owner to send a request the server to initiate the playing of the sound on the device. The interface may allow the user to customize the sound by selecting from a list of pre-configured sounds, recording a sound, uploading a sound, or purchasing a sound. The sound may also be input as text and converted to sound for playing on the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Lookout. Inc., a California Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Mahaffey, John Hering, James Burgess, Jonathan Stull, Bruno Bergher
  • Patent number: 8217767
    Abstract: A vehicular horn device of an existing electromagnetic type is used as a dynamic speaker so as to generate a false engine sound. The shortage of a low-pitched sound in a parametric speaker device is complemented with a false engine sound which the vehicular horn device generates. Thereby, without need of mounting a large-sized dynamic speaker such as a woofer in a vehicle, a false engine sound is generated so as to model for a real engine sound. In addition, as the vehicle approaches a pedestrian, a sound tone of the false engine sound which the pedestrian hears changes, enabling the pedestrian to easily notice the approach or presence of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8217766
    Abstract: A vehicle presence notification apparatus uses several ultrasonic transducer devices to generate a notice sound by emitting an ultrasonic wave in mid air based on an ultrasonic signal modulated according to an audible sound. At least one of the speaker-use ultrasonic transducer devices is a two-way transducer device that is enabled to perform not only transmission but also reception of an ultrasonic wave. When a vehicle velocity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the two-way transducer device is caused to function as an ultrasonic sensor. Thus, even when the generation of any notice sound is unnecessary due to the vehicle velocity being fast, the vehicle presence notification apparatus can be used as an ultrasonic sensor to measure a distance with an obstacle outside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20120169486
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a device and method for extending alerts for a wireless device. In one embodiment, a method for extending alerts for a wireless device includes linking the wireless device through a wireless connection with a wireless ringer module; wherein the wireless ringer module is removably coupled to a device having an interface for receiving and coupling with the wireless ringer module. The method further includes transmitting a signal to the wireless ringer that triggers an alert feature of the wireless ringer for notifying a user of an incoming communication in response to the wireless device receiving an indication of an incoming communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Sweeney, Michael C. Robinson, Robert J. Morrill
  • Patent number: 8212656
    Abstract: A vehicle presence notification apparatus generates a notice sound by emitting an ultrasonic wave in mid air based on an ultrasonic signal modulated according to an audible sound. During proceeding in mid air, the modulated ultrasonic wave is self-demodulating to become an audible sound. The audible sound posterior to the self-demodulation has a significant directionality like the ultrasonic wave. The notice sound is thus conveyed mainly to a pedestrian who is present in a dangerous area range where a danger needs to be taught. In addition, the vehicle presence notification apparatus includes a sensor-use ultrasonic transducer device having a transducers. The transducer device serves as a vehicle velocity sensor by transmitting an ultrasonic wave towards a road surface based on an ultrasonic wave signal or modulated ultrasonic wave, thereby enabling the vehicle presence notification apparatus to acquire vehicle velocity information by itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Nakayama, Toshio Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8193919
    Abstract: A peripheral load driver that utilizes the power, wiring, and primary load of a conventional doorbell system to drive a doorbell system peripheral load at a higher current without risk of inadvertently energizing the primary load of the conventional doorbell system. The peripheral load driver comprising a power converting means for converting power extracted from the conventional doorbell system from a higher-voltage-at-a-lower-current to a lower-voltage-at-a-higher current wherein the higher-voltage-at-a-lower-current is insufficient to energize the primary load of the conventional doorbell system and the lower-voltage-at-a-higher-current is compatible with the doorbell system peripheral load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Langer, Douglas C. Cinzori
  • Patent number: 8179234
    Abstract: A sound generation apparatus for an electric vehicle that is being operated by a driver comprising: a sound generation circuit attached to a wheel of the electric vehicle; Faraday generators for supplying pulses of electrical current within the circuit while the wheels of the vehicle are rotating; a battery for supplying battery power within the circuit; a pulse activated power controller that is activated upon the receipt of an initial pulse form one of the Faraday generators and controls the supply of battery power within the circuit; and a programmed microcontroller that uses the battery power to simulate a motor sound for the electric vehicle and uses additional pulses from the Faraday generators to determine whether the vehicle is accelerating, decelerating or moving in reverse and, based upon its state of motion, modifies the simulated motor sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Atwood Bell, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Atwood
  • Patent number: 8179284
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an alarm management system intended to be carried onboard an aircraft. More precisely, the invention is aimed at improving the certainty level relating to the integrity of the announcements of faults or information intended for the pilot and based on voice syntheses. For this purpose, the present invention proposes a device and a method for detecting the digital origin of an analog signal providing a validity signal (VAL) enabling the voice announcements made to the pilot to be rendered secure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Christian Pitot, Jacques Phelippeau, Philippe Bieth
  • Patent number: 8169305
    Abstract: A warning device (610) includes a horn A (630) for generating a first horn sound having a volume level satisfying the legal standard and a horn B (632) for generating a second horn sound satisfying at least one of a condition that it has a volume level equal to or lower than that of the first horn sound and a condition that it is of a type different from that of the first horn sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsunari Matsumoto, Takeshi Ishida, Hirosato Ishigaki
  • Patent number: 8164429
    Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle is disclosed. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include at least one driven wheel and a drive assembly adapted to selectively drive the rotation of the at least one driven wheel. The drive assembly may include at least one electric motor, a battery assembly including at least one battery and adapted to provide a plurality of voltages to the at least one electric motor, and at least one user input device positioned to receive inputs from a child sitting on the at least one seat, and adapted to select among the plurality of voltages and to apply that selected voltage to the at least one electric motor; and an electronics system adapted to detect the applied voltage to the at least one electric motor and to generate at least one of an audio output and a visual output based, at least in part, on the applied voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Reynolds, Richard A. Zirnheld
  • Patent number: 8150025
    Abstract: A subscriber associates a ring-tone media selection based on a media genre, author, or title to a calling number. When an incoming call is detected, a particular ring-tone media selection, based on the subscriber's association, may be streamed from a central server to the subscriber's customer premises equipment and then played. Alternatively, when an incoming call is detected, a particular ring-tone selection indicator, based on the subscriber's association, may be sent from a central server to the subscriber's customer premises equipment which then plays a pre-stored ring-tone selection media associated with the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Daniel Koser, Jeffery L. Scruggs, Stephen Mark Mueller
  • Publication number: 20120075076
    Abstract: There is provided a terminal for use in determining which of one or more candidate RFID tags having unique data stored thereon is a target RFID tag within a line-of-sight of the terminal. The terminal can comprise program instructions to direct an RFID reading device of the terminal to perform a number of reads of the one or more candidate RFID tags in response to determining that an object is present in the line-of-sight, to calculate an accumulated RSSI of each of the one or more candidate RFID tags, and to determine the target RFID tag from a highest accumulated RSSI. In one embodiment, the unique data can be an EPC. There is also provided a terminal for use in converting an EPC into a decoded bar code. The terminal can comprise program instructions to transmit the decoded bar code to a computer such as an electronic cash register.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ynjiun P. Wang
  • Publication number: 20120065882
    Abstract: A method of processing location data at a portable computing device is provided and includes receiving information associated with a user defined location at the portable computing device. The information includes a central point and an entry indication perimeter. An entry alert associated with the user defined location is received at the portable computing device. The location of the portable computing device is monitored to determine when the portable computing device crosses the entry indication perimeter associated with the central point of the user defined location indicating that the portable computing device is proximate to the user defined location. The method further includes switching the portable computing device from a roaming state to an entry state indicating that the portable computing device is about to enter the user defined location. An indication can be provided to the user that the portable computing device has switched to the entry state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Sean Scott ROGERS
  • Patent number: 8130086
    Abstract: A linear vibration generator is disclosed. The linear vibration generator may include: a stator having a coil, which induces a magnetic field when an electric current is applied; an oscillator having a magnet, which has one side facing the coil; a spring member, which is joined to the stator, and which elastically supports the oscillator such that the oscillator moves linearly; a damper, which prevents the oscillator from contacting the stator according to the linear motion of the oscillator; and a guide portion, which guides the linear motion of the oscillator. This linear vibration generator makes it possible to generate stable linear vibration, prevent generation of touch noise when the oscillator impacts the stator, and prevent right/left vibration due to an external impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon Choi, Min-Young So, Hwa-Young Oh