Door Or Lock Patents (Class 340/426.28)
  • Patent number: 11648912
    Abstract: A vehicle starting control system includes a server for managing a starting state of a vehicle and a vehicle-mounted device for controlling the starting state of the vehicle based on a control command for controlling the starting state of the vehicle provided from the server. The server is accessibly connected to a financial system and can monitor a status of payment of a predetermined charge for the vehicle via the financial system. When the payment of the predetermined charge for the vehicle is detected, the server can control the starting state of the vehicle by providing the vehicle-mounted device with the control command for controlling the starting state of the vehicle via at least one of a communication means, a mobile terminal, and an IC card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: GLOBAL MOBILITY SERVICE INC.
    Inventors: Tokushi Nakashima, Keita Danjyo, Satoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11383676
    Abstract: Vehicle door unlocking control methods, apparatuses, and systems for vehicles. The vehicle door unlocking control method can be carried out by the apparatuses and systems and includes: obtaining an acquisition trigger signal; controlling, based on the acquisition trigger signal, a first camera assembly disposed on a vehicle to acquire a first face image of a user; performing feature matching between the first face image and a pre-stored second face image; performing living body detection on the first face image; and sending a vehicle door unlocking instruction to at least one vehicle door lock of the vehicle in response to successful feature matching and successful living body detection. This door unlocking solution may be used to provide face-based vehicle door opening in a safe, convenient and reliable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI SENSETIME INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Han Huang, Cheng Huang, Chendi Yu, Wenzhi Liu
  • Patent number: 11280119
    Abstract: The door handle device includes: a contact sensing unit including a guide groove and a contact sensing electrode, the guide groove configured to guide a water droplet falling on a door, the contact sensing electrode disposed in the guide groove and configured to sense a contact with the door; a locking unit configured to execute unlocking and locking of a door; and a control unit configured to instruct to the locking unit to keep locking the door if determining that the water droplet is in contact with the door, on the basis of a sensing result by the contact sensing electrode. There are provided: a contact sensing device; a door handle device and a control method for such a door handle device; and an electronic key system, for preventing a misoperation due to a water droplet adhering to a door handle of vehicles, which has an electrostatic locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotoshi Usui
  • Patent number: 11214991
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door handle module (10) for a door handle unit (100) on a vehicle (200), in particular a commercial vehicle (200), said door handle module (10) being used to integrate an electronic unit (20) for the door handle unit (100). The door handle module (10) includes at least one covering element (11) on which at least one electronic element (21) of the electronic unit (20) is arranged, and at least one fastener (12), the door handle module (10) being securable to a module holder (110) on the door handle unit (100) by means of at least one fastener (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Lars Gabriel
  • Patent number: 11184340
    Abstract: A device, method and computer program for enabling a vehicle component and a vehicle-to-vehicle communication module. The device includes at least one interface for communication with a second vehicle component of the transportation vehicle. The second vehicle component is part of a secured cluster of vehicle components of the transportation vehicle. The device includes a control module to control the at least one interface and to receive at least one message from the second vehicle component via the at least one interface. The control module legitimates the second vehicle component based on the at least one message received from the second vehicle component. The control module enables the first vehicle component in response to the at least one received message implying that the second vehicle component has been enabled and in response to the legitimation of the second vehicle component being successful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventors: Timo Winkelvos, Alexander Tschache
  • Patent number: 11153715
    Abstract: A lost tracking device associated with a tracking system can be located by leveraging one or more community members by inviting these members to join a search party. Search party criteria can be identified and candidate search party members can be selected and invited based on the search party criteria. When invited candidate search party members accept the invitations, they are added to the search party. A last known location of the tracking device can be provided to the search party members, and the search party can remain in effect until the lost tracking device is located. The location of the lost tracking device is provided to the tracking system, which forwards it to the owner of the lost tracking device. A reward can be provided by the owner of the lost tracking device to the tracking system, which releases the reward to the search party member that located the lost tracking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Tile, Inc.
    Inventors: Guilherme Chapiewski, Mayank Kumar
  • Patent number: 10995523
    Abstract: A security tag includes a tag body member, a connecting member releasably engageable with the tag body member, and a locking member having a locked position in a first thermal state configured to lock the connecting member to the tag body member, and having an unlocked position in a second thermal state configured to unlock the connecting member from the tag body member. The locking member includes a locking body comprising a shape memory alloy, and a clamping member connected to the shape memory alloy. A transition of the shape memory alloy element from the first thermal state to the second thermal state moves the clamping member from the locked position to the unlocked position, thereby enabling the connecting member to be detached from the tag body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. Claeys, Kelvin L. Hunter, Thomas P. Solaski, Sergio M. Perez
  • Patent number: 10863378
    Abstract: Techniques for message data compression in a live simulation environment are described. A message is compiled at a computing entity in a live simulation environment. The computing entity then determines a position and an orientation of another entity that will received the message through an over-the-air network in the live simulation environment. The computing entity then determines a compression level for the message, based upon the position and orientation of the second entity, and flags the message with the compression level. To preserve the resources of the over-the-air network, such as network bandwidth, the computing entity compresses the message according to the compression level prior to sending the message to its destination in the live simulation environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Craig Paxton Witte
  • Patent number: 10820146
    Abstract: A lost tracking device associated with a tracking system can be located by leveraging one or more community members by inviting these members to join a search party. Search party criteria can be identified and candidate search party members can be selected and invited based on the search party criteria. When invited candidate search party members accept the invitations, they are added to the search party. A last known location of the tracking device can be provided to the search party members, and the search party can remain in effect until the lost tracking device is located. The location of the lost tracking device is provided to the tracking system, which forwards it to the owner of the lost tracking device. A reward can be provided by the owner of the lost tracking device to the tracking system, which releases the reward to the search party member that located the lost tracking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Tile, Inc.
    Inventors: Guilherme Chapiewski, Mayank Kumar
  • Patent number: 10817710
    Abstract: Predictive theft notifications are used to coordinate appropriate responses to persons who are likely to commit acts of theft. Image data is generated and processed in a computer processing device to recognize the presence of a facial image comprising a face of a person. An analysis is performed of data representative of the facial image to determine a biometric match relative to one or more biometric models of facial images stored in a database. Based on this analysis, at least one predictive notification is generated with regard to a future potential theft of merchandise from the secured facility. The predictive notification is generated based upon a determination of the biometric match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Manjuprakash R. Rao, Surajit Borah, Hubert A. Patterson
  • Patent number: 10789840
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for detecting the presence of certain driving behavior are disclosed. Driving behavior is detected by capturing and characterizing image data and sampling vehicle telemetry data. Real-time characterization techniques include object and shape recognition analytics to detect specifically designated content in captured image data. Actions are triggered based upon such detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: COBAN Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry W. Boykin, Daniel P. Nooner
  • Patent number: 10755083
    Abstract: A vehicle terminal automatically registering a profile image of a user to a vehicle using images stored in a mobile terminal of a user and performing a face authentication includes a communicator that performs a data communication with the mobile terminal of the user, a camera that obtains a face image of the user, and a processor that registers the profile image of the user using an image among the images stored in the mobile terminal. The processor learns a facial feature of the user using the images stored in the mobile terminal as learning data and analyzes the face image obtained through the camera based on the learned facial feature of the user to perform the face authentication of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sam Yong Kim, Yu Jin Yun, Seong Sook Ryu, Hwal Ly Lee, Byoung Joon Lee, Jin Kwon Kim
  • Patent number: 10594362
    Abstract: A communication apparatus electrically connected to a first antenna through a first cable includes a second antenna that is substitutable for the first antenna; a first ground portion to which a second cable for grounding the first antenna is connected; an antenna detection circuit to detect a state of the first antenna; an antenna switching unit to switch from the first antenna to the second antenna, in a case where the antenna detection circuit detects an abnormality of the first antenna; and an insulating portion to insulate the first ground portion from a second ground portion around the first ground portion, in a case where the antenna detection circuit detects an abnormality of the first antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: ALPINE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Toshikatsu Murakami
  • Patent number: 10580456
    Abstract: A driving information recording apparatus that records driving information of a vehicle, the apparatus includes: a processor that: (i) associates, as a data file, information related to a driving condition of the vehicle with a driving mode of the vehicle at a time at which the driving condition occurred, and (ii) records the data file in a recording medium having a recording area. Thus, it is possible to provide a preferred technology for recording the driving information of the vehicle that has a switching function of driving modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO TEN Limited
    Inventors: Munenori Maeda, Minoru Maehata
  • Patent number: 10550601
    Abstract: A lock assembly for a door, the lock assembly including a first magnetic field sensor and a second magnetic field sensor. The first magnetic field sensor and the second magnetic field sensor are moveable with respect to the door to determine an open position of the door, a close position of the door, and a fault condition. In one embodiment, the first magnetic field sensor and the second magnetic field sensor move with respect to the door as the door moves from the open position and the close position. The first magnetic field sensor is spaced from the second magnetic field sensor such that each of the first and second magnetic field sensors detects a different value of magnetic field intensity. A controller determines a position of the door with respect to a door frame using signals provided by the first and second magnetic field sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Joseph W. Baumgarte, James D. Ohl, Jonathan Everson, Abdul Khadar Jailani Mannanayak
  • Patent number: 10471931
    Abstract: A vehicle door unlocking system that includes a mobile device that is provided with an interface for accepting an operation to unlock a plurality of doors provided on a vehicle, and is configured to transmit an operation signal when the interface has accepted the operation; and an on-board controller configured to perform, upon receiving the operation signal from the mobile device, control to unlock the plurality of doors based on the received operation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazutaka Naitou
  • Patent number: 10472867
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a door locking system includes a controller and at least one locking mechanism operatively connected to each of a plurality of doors. At least one lock switch connected to the controller selectively locks the at least one locking mechanism based at least partially on actuation of the at least one lock switch. At least one sensor array connected to the controller detects a vehicle condition from at least one of a first vehicle state and a second vehicle state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Lange, Jeffrey L. Konchan, Aaron P. Creguer
  • Patent number: 10425798
    Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a computer. The apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting wireless signals in communication with the computer. The apparatus includes a memory in communication with the computer. The apparatus includes a display in communication with the computer. The apparatus includes a first operational screen that appears on the display after the apparatus is turned on or woken up. The first operational screen is a first screen through which the computer can be activated and performed by the computer. The first operational screen having an emergency icon which when selected causes the computer to send with the transmitter a text stored in the memory to at least one remote contact stored in the memory along with location information from a GPS or tracking location system where the apparatus is currently located. A method for communicating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Inventor: Carolyn W. Hafeman
  • Patent number: 10385595
    Abstract: A vehicle door handle includes a sensor assembly for detecting an operation request. The door handle is fixed and actuates an electric lock. The sensor assembly includes a first capacitive sensor arranged in the door handle and oriented towards an inner side of the handle. It monitors a first handle section gripped when actuating the handle. Second and third sensors are arranged along an axial extension of the handle. The second sensor is oriented towards an outer side of the handle and monitors a touching from the outer side in a second handle section. The third sensor is oriented towards the inner side of the handle and monitors a touching from the inner side. The electronic control and evaluation device generates an opening signal when both the capacitive sensor detects a gripping of the door handle and the second sensor and the third sensor simultaneously each detect a touching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Witte, Andreas Beck
  • Patent number: 10367577
    Abstract: A communication system includes an earth station configured to receive a downlink transmission from a satellite and transmit an uplink transmission to the satellite. The communication system further includes a server in operable communication with the earth station, a beacon detector in operable communication with the server, an access point configured to operate within a proximity of the earth station, and a beacon transmitter disposed within close proximity to the access point. The beacon transmitter is configured to transmit a beacon signal to one or more of the server and the beacon detector. The beacon signal uniquely identifies the access point. The server is configured to implement a measurement-based protection scheme with respect to at least one of the downlink transmission and the uplink transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Paul Smyth, Lin Cheng, Jim O'Connor, Steve Arendt, Belal Hamzeh, Eric Winkelman
  • Patent number: 10360745
    Abstract: A smart lock for shared-ride and its control system comprising a smart lock body, a microcontroller, a close-range wireless communicator connected to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is connected to the mobile APP control end via wireless communication. The smart lock additionally has a mobile communication module, a lock controller and a lock actuator connected to the microcontroller. When the mobile APP control end sends an unlocking instruction, a close-range wireless communicator receives an unlocking signal, so that the lock controller controls a lock actuator for an unlocking action of the smart lock. The advantages of this utility model lie in its quick unlocking, high security and easy operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: VBikes Technology LLC
    Inventor: Yongjin Fan
  • Patent number: 10286876
    Abstract: A discriminating unit discriminates and detects a first unlocking operation performed on an unlock sensor by insertion of a user's hand into a space from a first direction, and a second unlocking operation performed on the unlock sensor by insertion of the user's hand into the space from a second direction. If the first unlocking operation is detected, an unlock order unit causes lock devices to unlock all the doors of a vehicle, and if the second unlocking operation is detected, the unlock order unit causes the lock device to unlock only the door of a driver's seat of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomonori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10271168
    Abstract: A lost tracking device associated with a tracking system can be located by leveraging one or more community members by inviting these members to join a search party. Search party criteria can be identified and candidate search party members can be selected and invited based on the search party criteria. When invited candidate search party members accept the invitations, they are added to the search party. A last known location of the tracking device can be provided to the search party members, and the search party can remain in effect until the lost tracking device is located. The location of the lost tracking device is provided to the tracking system, which forwards it to the owner of the lost tracking device. A reward can be provided by the owner of the lost tracking device to the tracking system, which releases the reward to the search party member that located the lost tracking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Tile, Inc.
    Inventors: Guilherme de Barros Chapiewski, Mayank Kumar
  • Patent number: 10192418
    Abstract: A perimeter security system for maintaining an object relative to a predefined boundary includes a plurality of water displacement devices configured to output fluid and to control a pressure of the outputted fluid when the object is within a first predetermined distance from the boundary. The system further includes a plurality of light sources configured to emit light toward the object when the object is within a second predetermined distance from the boundary. The system additionally includes an auditory system configured to emit an audible output when the object is within a third predetermined distance from the boundary, and a visual sensor configured to obtain images or video of at least a portion of the predetermined boundary and to transmit the images or video to a location other than the predefined boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Geoffrey M. Kern
  • Patent number: 10124915
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention involves a hold-down and release mechanism (“HDRM”) that includes a hold-then-release mechanism configured to hold an element until the hold-then-release mechanism is commanded to release the element; and an integral sensor configured to sense an amount of a parameter of interest associated with the HDRM and to communicate the sensed amount of the parameter of interest to a receiving device. The parameter of interest comprises one of tensile preload, temperature, vibration, shock, and time from application of an HDRM firing current to HDRM release of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ENSIGN-BICKFORD AEROSPACE & DEFENSE COMPANY
    Inventors: David Novotney, Geoff Kaczynski, Craig Boucher
  • Patent number: 10116381
    Abstract: A system for protecting a fixed satellite service site includes at least one earth station, a first beacon detector disposed within close proximity to the at least one earth station, a central server in operable communication with the fixed satellite service site and the first beacon detector, an access point configured to request authorization from the central server for resource allocation, and a beacon transmitter disposed within close proximity to the access point. The beacon transmitter is configured to transmit a beacon signal to one or more of the central server and the first beacon detector, and the beacon signal uniquely identifies the access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Cable Television Laboratories, Inc
    Inventors: Peter Paul Smyth, Jim O'Connor, Lin Cheng, Eric Winkelman
  • Patent number: 10060163
    Abstract: A door lock system includes a trunk partitioned from a passenger compartment of a vehicle, a hood that opens and closes the trunk, a door lock mechanism that locks a door of the vehicle independently from locking of the hood, a control unit that controls driving of the door lock mechanism in response to predetermined communication performed with an electronic key carried by a user, and an opening detection unit that detects whether the hood is open. If the opening detection unit detects that the hood is open, the control unit inhibits the door lock mechanism from locking the door even when the predetermined communication is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryo Morosawa
  • Patent number: 10034156
    Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a computer. The apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting wireless signals in communication with the computer. The apparatus includes a memory in communication with the computer. The apparatus includes a display in communication with the computer. The apparatus includes a first operational screen that appears on the display after the apparatus is turned on or woken up. The first operational screen is a first screen through which the computer can be activated and performed by the computer. The first operational screen having an emergency icon which when selected causes the computer to send with the transmitter a text stored in the memory to at least one remote contact stored in the memory along with location information from a GPS or tracking location system where the apparatus is currently located. A method for communicating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Carolyn W. Hafeman
  • Patent number: 10018982
    Abstract: This invention relates to a transponder key testing device and to a method of testing a transponder key. The transponder key may be used with any article using transponder key technology, typically a motor vehicle. The transponder key testing device has a first memory (30) in which is stored data relating to an article signal emitted by each one of a number of articles (10) and a second memory (32) in which is stored data relating to a response signal emitted by each one of a number of transponder keys (20). The testing device has a receiver (24) adapted to receive the article signal and the response signal. The testing device compares the article signal with data in the first memory, compares the response signal with data in the second memory, and determines whether or not the transponder key (20) is compatible with the article (10). There is also provided a method of testing a transponder key for compatibility with a particular article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventors: Gregory Chambers, Simon Ashby
  • Patent number: 9981598
    Abstract: An alighting notification device configured to identify when an occupant will get out of a vehicle, only when necessary is provided. The alighting notification device includes: an alighting determination unit that determines whether or not an occupant will get out of the vehicle; a surrounding area determination unit that determines whether or not a person or another vehicle in a surrounding area around the vehicle is approaching the vehicle; and a notification unit that notifies of alighting based on a result of determination by the alighting determination unit and a result of determination by the surrounding area determination unit. For example, when it has been determined that an occupant will get out of the vehicle, if a person or another vehicle is approaching the vehicle, the notification unit notifies the external target of alighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9894480
    Abstract: A lost tracking device associated with a tracking system can be located by leveraging one or more community members by inviting these members to join a search party. Search party criteria can be identified and candidate search party members can be selected and invited based on the search party criteria. When invited candidate search party members accept the invitations, they are added to the search party. A last known location of the tracking device can be provided to the search party members, and the search party can remain in effect until the lost tracking device is located. The location of the lost tracking device is provided to the tracking system, which forwards it to the owner of the lost tracking device. A reward can be provided by the owner of the lost tracking device to the tracking system, which releases the reward to the search party member that located the lost tracking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Tile, Inc.
    Inventors: Guilherme Chapiewski, Mayank Kumar
  • Patent number: 9773352
    Abstract: A work machine includes: an information generation unit that generates work machine information as information on the work machine; a division unit that divides the work machine information by a predetermined data amount to generate divided work machine information; an information assignment unit that assigns attribute information indicating an attribute of the divided work machine information to the divided work machine information; and a communication unit that transmits, to an outside of the work machine, the work machine information or the divided work machine information to which the attribute information is assigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroo Yamanobe, Shigeyuki Tada, Junya Morita, Shinya Komori
  • Patent number: 9730040
    Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a computer. The apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting wireless signals in communication with the computer. The apparatus includes a memory in communication with the computer. The apparatus includes a display in communication with the computer. The apparatus includes a first operational screen that appears on the display after the apparatus is turned on or woken up. The first operational screen is a first screen through which the computer can be activated and performed by the computer. The first operational screen having an emergency icon which when selected causes the computer to send with the transmitter a text stored in the memory to at least one remote contact stored in the memory along with location information from a GPS or tracking location system where the apparatus is currently located. A method for communicating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventor: Carolyn W. Hafeman
  • Patent number: 9580208
    Abstract: A transportable container assembly including a transportable container defining an enclosed interior space and having an opening member cooperatively engaging a mounting frame. The opening member has a closed position and an open position and access to the interior space is permitted in the open position. A localized device or system is attached to the transportable container and is coupled to an electrical power source. A reed switch apparatus coupled to the transportable container communicates the position of the opening member to the localized device or system. The localized device or system provides a localized function depending on the reported position of the opening member. The localized function includes at least one of a group consisting of a local lighting function, local locking mechanism action and local refrigeration system action/function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventor: Glendell N. Gilmore
  • Patent number: 9576457
    Abstract: A marking and identification system and method includes a dispersing device configured to disperse marker therefrom when in an activated mode. An activating device is configured to arm the dispersing device from an inactivated mode wherein the dispensing device does not disperse marker to the activated mode. A triggering device is configured to operate the dispersing device and disperse marker when in the activated mode. The marker can be identified at a later time to positively identify a person that triggered the marking and identification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Todd Mona
  • Patent number: 9563869
    Abstract: Documents related to delivery of loads shipped by trucking operators can be scanned or otherwise captured using mobile computing devices having document capture and/or document delivery functionality. Load related data can be manually input by drivers during the capture process. Such data can be incorporated into the scanned document as metadata. The concepts disclosed herein encompass establishing a logical connection between the mobile computing device implementing the document capture functionality and a vehicle ECU or vehicle data bus. The document capture application is configured to extract data from the vehicle ECU or vehicle data bus and incorporate that data into the document captured. Data, such as location data, can be similarly captured to establish a logical connection with a telematics device including a GPS component. Where the telematics device includes a wireless data link, the capture document can be wirelessly conveyed to a remote data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Michael McQuade, Michael Charles King
  • Patent number: 9354617
    Abstract: An automotive communication method includes installing a sensor within a vehicle such that the sensor is submerged in a liquid during operation of the vehicle and/or substantially surrounded by a metallic structure during operation of the vehicle. A long wave magnetic signal is transmitted from the sensor. The signal is indicative of a condition sensed by the sensor. The signal is wirelessly received at a controller disposed within the vehicle. Receipt of the signal at the controller is responded to by adjusting a display and/or a setting within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Vivek Jain, Lakshmi Venkatraman, Thomas Hogenmueller
  • Patent number: 9302618
    Abstract: A child safety and alert system and method that detect and monitor access and egress for assignable locations within a motor vehicle by identifying designated positions within the vehicle, by monitoring at least one of the motor, the driver door and other doors or closures in the vehicle, by activating a timer if the motor is stopped or the driver door is opened and closed, and by triggering an alarm if the designated doors or closures are not opened within a predefined time interval after the motor stops or the driver door is opened. The alarm can be deactivated from the driver seat or by a remote device. The system and method are similarly useful for alerting a driver to retrieve objects from storage locations within a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas J Shaw
  • Patent number: 9157902
    Abstract: A status monitoring device for a fenestration unit is provided. The device is positioned in or on the fenestration unit and includes a panel position sensor and a lock status sensor. The device is capable of transmitting panel position data and lock status data to a remote device, trigger an audible alarm on the device or the remote device, trigger a visual alarm on the device or the remote device, or a combination of these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Andersen Corporation
    Inventors: Sachin Gore, David Plummer, Daniel Timmerman
  • Patent number: 9045110
    Abstract: A portable identification transmitter for a passive access system of a motor vehicle includes an electrical buffer store which is coupled to an LF circuit assembly in order to charge the electrical buffer store via an energy draw from electromagnetic fields coupled in via LF antennas. Also included is an electronic switching device which can decouple a battery from a microcontroller of the passive access system. The microcontroller and the LF circuit assembly are coupled to the buffer store so that when the buffer store is charged beyond a specified charging level, the open electronic switching device can be activated to couple the battery to the microcomputer via the microcontroller while energy is supplied to the microcontroller from the buffer store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: HUF HUELSBECK & FUERST GMBH & CO.
    Inventors: Bernd Steegmann, Boris Ziller
  • Patent number: 9000901
    Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a door of a vehicle relative to a door frame of the vehicle is provided. The position of the door is sensed and a door open command or a door close command is received. Opening or closing of the door at preselected speeds is initiated based on the command received. The length of time that the open command or close command is continuously received is then determined. The door is moved at a relatively slow speed for a predetermined initial time period and after the predetermined initial time period has ended the door is moved at a relatively faster speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Control Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Michael McKee, Nick Scholtes, John Hayden
  • Patent number: 9000889
    Abstract: Method for determining spurious contacts on a contact detection sensor for a handle of an automobile door, the sensor defining a locking area and being connected to an onboard electronic locking and unlocking system, includes: a) detecting a contact on the locking area when, for an engagement time of the locking mechanism, the number of charge transfers from the sensor is less than a threshold number of charge transfers, b) evaluating the number of charge transfers, starting from the time of the minimum value of the number of measured charge transfers and for an evaluation time in order to distinguish detections of contacts made by the user from detections of spurious contacts, c) if the contact detections are spurious, matching the threshold number of charge transfers in order to be able to detect any next contact originating from the user on the locking area in the presence of spurious contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Baudru, Maxime Cordier, Olivier Elie, Xavier Hourne
  • Patent number: 8938337
    Abstract: A laser sensor is located close to a rotation axis of a vehicle door and configured to emit a laser beam to a surface of the vehicle door and accept reflected light reflected from an obstacle for scanning a scanning plane shifted in a door-opening direction, in which the vehicle door is openable. A determination section determines whether an obstacle, which is possible to make contact with the vehicle door, exists in the door-opening direction of the vehicle door, based on a result of emission and acceptance of the laser beam of the laser sensor. An opening regulating section regulates an opening of the vehicle door in response to determination of the determination section that the obstacle exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Yohei Nakakura, Toshiyuki Konishi, Hideki Hioki, Yoshihisa Okada, Mitsuyasu Matsuura, Toshiki Isogai
  • Patent number: 8928454
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fastener system, in particular a system for improving computer room security, that reduces energy consumption. This invention provides a fastener system comprising at least one fastener for fastening a first element to a second element, the at least one fastener having a sensor to determine status of that fastener; a trigger box having an LED panel; a junction box capable of receiving and relaying authorization access; and an IP-connected control appliance with relay input/output for access control applications. This invention is particularly useful within server racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventors: Steven M. Brown, Andrew Jimenez, Timothy D. Holloway
  • Patent number: 8922357
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method for programming keys to a vehicle to establish primary keys and secondary keys to control vehicle functionality is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a key identification signal from a first key. The method further comprises generating a key status signal indicative of whether the first key is one of a primary key and a secondary key in response to the key identification signal. The method further comprises transmitting the key status signal to a vehicle interface display. The method further comprises allowing a user to change a status of at least one of the first key and an additional key with the vehicle interface display in response to determining that the key status signal corresponds to the primary key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Scott Alan Watkins, Michael L. Gusta, Eric L. Reed
  • Patent number: 8922340
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly includes a first proximity sensor on a first side of a door handle and a second proximity sensor on a second side of the door handle. The assembly also includes a latch operative to latch the door closed and to unlatch the door to allow the door to open. The assembly further includes control circuitry for activating the latch to unlatch the door based on an object such as an operator's hand sensed with both the first and second proximity sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Yun Shin Lee, Pietro Buttolo, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • Patent number: 8907787
    Abstract: A programmable interface module includes a linear power regulator to control and provide power to interfaced components on an as needed basis. The interface module is implemented in, for example, a sensor pack and multiplexed to a plurality of sensor modules. In a first mode, the linear voltage regulator provides a relatively small amount of power which allows a sensor module to output a signal responsive to detecting an environmental condition (e.g., gamma or x-ray radiation, extreme temperatures, etc.). The interface module can switch the linear voltage regulator to a second mode in which the linear voltage regulator ramps up the amount of power provided to a detecting sensor module. The sensor module can then provide a level indicative of a concentration or intensity of the environmental condition. If the level surpasses a predetermined threshold, the sensor pack can output an alert signal to security server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: FTC-Forward Threat Control LLC
    Inventors: Francis S. Zajac, James Peverill, Tony Bachta
  • Patent number: 8872621
    Abstract: A capacitance type detection device may include a sensor electrode forming a capacitor with respect to a peripheral conductor; a measurement unit measuring the floating capacitance of the sensor electrode, which changes correspondingly to a positional relation between the sensor electrode and the detection object; and a judgment unit judging the approach of the detection object in a case in which there is satisfied an approach detection condition including a fact that a magnitude correlation between a time rate-of-change of the floating capacitance measured by the measurement unit and a predetermined time rate-of-change which is defined correspondingly to a combination of the detection object and an object to be discriminated so as to be different from the detection object lies in a predetermined relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sumida Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Miura, Hitoshi Moriya, Takanobu Rokuka
  • Patent number: 8874324
    Abstract: The invention relates to a modular unit (10) comprising a sensor device (11) for actuating a movable part (1, 33), in particular a flap (1) of a motor vehicle. Said unit comprises a support element (12), on which the sensor device (11) comprising at least one sensor (21, 22, 23) is situated, in order to detect (3) an object (4) in a detection region (5, 6, 40) that borders the motor vehicle (2), the detection operation (3) initiating the actuation of the movable part (1, 33). According to the invention, the modular unit (10) is designed as an individual module (10) that is easily fitted in such a way that said unit (10) can be fixed to the motor vehicle (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Eggers, Wolfgang Buss, Norbert Heller
  • Patent number: 8849663
    Abstract: A system and method may be provided to segment and/or classify an audio signal from transformed audio information. Transformed audio information representing a sound may be obtained. The transformed audio information may specify magnitude of a coefficient related to energy amplitude as a function of frequency for the audio signal and time. Features associated with the audio signal may be obtained from the transformed audio information. Individual ones of the features may be associated with a feature score relative to a predetermined speaker model. An aggregate score may be obtained based on the feature scores according to a weighting scheme. The weighting scheme may be associated with a noise and/or SNR estimation. The aggregate score may be used for segmentation to identify portions of the audio signal containing speech of one or more different speakers. For classification, the aggregate score may be used to determine a likely speaker model to identify a source of the sound in the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Intellisis Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Bradley, Robert N. Hilton, Daniel S. Goldin, Nicholas K. Fisher, Derrick R. Roos, Eric Wiewiora