With Particular System Function (e.g., Temperature Compensation, Calibration) Patents (Class 340/501)
  • Patent number: 8786424
    Abstract: An Error signal handling comprises a circuitry configured to receive an error signal from an external device indicating an error condition in the external device. The circuitry is further configured to receive a recovery signal indicating a mitigation of the error condition in the external device or indicating that a mitigation of the error condition in the external device is possible. Furthermore, the circuitry is further configured to output an error condition signal based on the error signal in response to a reception of the error signal if within a given delay time from the reception of the error signal, the circuitry does not receive the recovery signal and otherwise to omit outputting the error condition signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Antonio Vilela, Andre Roger
  • Patent number: 8786404
    Abstract: A multi-purpose protection system having a housing, an audio output device on the housing, an alarm activator on the housing, an external detector receptacle on the housing, an external audio output receptacle on the housing functioning to connect an external speaker and allows transmission of audio to the external speaker, a power switch on the housing, a power source housed in a battery compartment in the housing, a microprocessor operatively connected to each the alarm activator, the external detector receptacle, the audio output device, the power source, and the power switch, and a memory component operatively connected to the microprocessor having at least one audio file of a recording of a sound to be emitted when the alarm is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Tillman
  • Patent number: 8779915
    Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for improving motion sensing. In an example, provided is a method of mitigating an error in a motion sensor signal in a mobile device. A user input signal, based on a user input to the mobile device, is received. The user input can be a keystroke, and the user input signal can be a signal resulting from the keystroke. The user input signal triggers performing a function on a motion sensor signal for a period of time. The motion sensor signal can be an output from an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope. The period of time can be based on the duration of the user input signal, and can be in a range between substantially 100 milliseconds to substantially 700 milliseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventor: Joseph Czompo
  • Patent number: 8779923
    Abstract: A vehicle having a battery package as a power source includes a memory device for storing authentication information of battery modules in the battery package. A battery controller in the vehicle has an authentication unit. The authentication unit determines whether the battery module is a genuine product or not. When the battery module is not a genuine product, a control unit controls a communication unit to send information indicative that the battery module is not a genuine product. The information sent from the communication unit is recorded in a server of a public organization, such as an administrative organization or the like. The information recorded in the server of the administrative organization is utilized by the administrative organization or by a vehicle manufacturer, for an action that advises the user to use the genuine battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuya Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20140191861
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an alarm detector. Specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting an audible alarm and signaling a user regarding the detection of the audible alarm. The present invention further relates to methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen T. Scherrer
  • Patent number: 8773254
    Abstract: A method and system for configuring initiating devices in a fire alarm system is provided. Groupings of the initiating devices in the fire alarm system are determined entirely automatically (or partially automatically). For example, the fire alarm control panel may communicate with the initiating devices to receive grouping information from the initiating device (which may be input at the initiating device), and determine the grouping based on the communication. As another example, the fire alarm control panel may communicate with the initiating devices in order to determine some aspect of the fire alarm system (such as the wiring), and automatically determine the grouping based on the communication. Moreover, labels for the initiating devices in the fire alarm system may be generated entirely automatically (or partially automatically). Further, reporting of the alarm events by the fire alarm control panel may be based on grouping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventor: Joseph Piccolo, III
  • Patent number: 8766814
    Abstract: A motorman's cab display system includes a motorman's cab display apparatus that can automatically adjust display luminance of a display device without using an illuminance sensor. The motorman's cab display apparatus determines, based on location information of a train transmitted from a train information control system, whether the train is traveling in a tunnel, sets, when determining that the train is traveling in the tunnel, as the luminance of a display screen, luminance for inside of tunnel set in advance, and sets, when determining that the train is traveling outside the tunnel, as luminance of the display screen, luminance information for outside of tunnel set in advance. A display control method for motorman's cab display apparatuses includes: calculating a traveling location of the train; and adjusting the luminance of the display screen according to the luminance information output from a luminance determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Norishige Emoto, Kengo Kobatake
  • Patent number: 8768249
    Abstract: Methods and mobile devices for performing operations responsive to user actions are disclosed. The method includes prompting a user of a mobile device to make a particular action that is detectable by the mobile device, and prompting the user to select a particular operation that the user desires to have effectuated when the particular action is subsequently carried out. In addition, an indicator of the particular action is stored on the mobile device in connection with an indicator of the particular operation to associate the particular action with the particular operation. And after registration, when the particular action is sensed with the mobile device, the particular operation is effectuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm Innovation Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Phani Bhushan Avadhanam, Manas Abichandani, Nuthan Seegehalli Hanumanthappa
  • Patent number: 8768556
    Abstract: An apparatus defines a protection envelope in an aircraft, including a processor and at least one sensor, each sensor being coupled with the processor, the processor executing at least one neural network based algorithm. The at least one sensor monitors flight parameters of the aircraft thereby generating monitored flight parameters. The processor divides the performance envelope of the aircraft into predefined flight regimes, wherein for each predefined flight regime, the processor defines and stores a suitable protection envelope. The processor determines an estimated flight regime of the aircraft using the neural network based algorithm based on the monitored flight parameters. The processor selects a respective suitable protection envelope for the aircraft based on the estimated flight regime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Elbit Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Gershon Ben-Arie, Ilana Segall, Asi Dotan
  • Patent number: 8768341
    Abstract: A wireless current sensor for measuring an electrical current flowing in an electrical conductor comprising a current transformer including a core arranged around the electrical conductor and forming a primary of the current transformer, and a winding around the core and forming a secondary of the current transformer in order to retrieve an electrical power when an electrical current flows in the electrical conductor, and an electronic circuit connected to the secondary of the current transformer, the electronic circuit including means for storing the generated electrical power, means for measuring the electrical current flowing in the electrical conductor, and a wireless data transceiver coupled to a microcontroller to send the measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Olivier Coutelou, Bertrand Masseboeuf
  • Patent number: 8754763
    Abstract: An alarm system having one or more computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions for providing notification of an alarm event to individual(s). The computer-executable instructions perform steps comprising: receiving an alarm event from an alarm system; determining a customer associated with the alarm event; determining at least one individual that is to be contacted based upon the customer that has been determined as being associated with the alarm event; selecting a transmission vector from a plurality of available transmission vectors; associating the selected transmission vector with the alarm event; sending an alarm event notification to the individual(s) utilizing the selected transmission vector; and awaiting a response to the alarm event notification. The response may provide a response vector which can be used to route the response to an appropriate agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Livewatch Security, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Bradford Morehead
  • Patent number: 8755839
    Abstract: A personal multimedia communication system and network for emergency services personnel includes a plurality of personal communication systems linked together and to a base station in a network. Each personal communication system includes a PDA device mounted on a PASS control console, a video camera mounted on the PDA device, a GPS unit, a microphone, and other electronic devices. The various electronic devices are all communicatively connected to the PDA device. Data from the various devices may be collected in the PDA device and wirelessly transmitted to any other node or device in the network, including other personal communication devices. Each personal communication device may serve as a repeater, thus providing a wireless communications link between a device located out of range of the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: STI Licensing Corp.
    Inventors: Craig Michael Parkulo, Wesley McChord Barbee, Jerald Robert Malin, Jeffrey Lynn Landis, Matthew Shannon
  • Patent number: 8755767
    Abstract: A method and system for determining and verifying a location of mobile and non-mobile devices in emergency situations. The method and system provide a current physical geographic location for a mobile device (e.g., building address, a building floor, a room on a building floor, campus, enterprise, city, state, region, country, continent, etc.), in an emergency situation such as an accident, fire, terrorist attack, military incident, etc. and forward the physical geographic location to a legacy 911 network or a Emergency Services IP networks (ESInet).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Redsky Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Maier, Gerald R. Eisner
  • Patent number: 8742918
    Abstract: An exemplary alarm management system and method for the management of alarm messages of a technical installation or of a technical process are disclosed. A data processing system receives alarm messages. A plurality of display modules display the alarm messages. The data processing system includes a module for creating alarm channels for different ways of representing the pending alarm messages. Each alarm channel created by the module is associated with one of the display modules, and the display modules present the pending alarm messages as ate least one of lists, alarm clouds, and displays in conjunction with at least one of acoustic signals and alarm records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Martin Hollender, Rene Söllner
  • Patent number: 8731772
    Abstract: In a dialogue system for a motor vehicle, the dialogue system including a plurality of control keys, assigning at least one of at least on of the control keys a function from a predefined set of functions in such a manner that the function is executed upon actuation of the control key. The control key can be assigned a primary parameter, which is automatically required for executing the function, and at least one secondary parameter which relates to the method for executing the function, in such a manner that the function is executed in the manner defined by the secondary parameter upon actuation of the control key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hermann Kuenzner
  • Patent number: 8723663
    Abstract: A control apparatus (100) for driving a luminaire with, a signal input (101), a signal output (102), and a signal processing apparatus (104), in which the signal input (101) is configured to receive a serial input signal (21) of the length N, the signal processing apparatus (104) is configured to shorten the input signal (21) by a control signal (23) of the length n, the signal output (101) is configured to output an output signal (22), which comprises the input signal (21) shortened by the control signal (23), and the signal processing apparatus (104) comprises a UART (11) and a switching element (10), the UART (11) being configured to switch the switching element (10) as the control signal (23) is input, with the result that the switching element (10) shortens the input signal (21) by the control signal (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Traxon Technologies Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Stahlkopf
  • Patent number: 8720500
    Abstract: A system and method for waking up a vehicle controller during a hydrogen gas refueling process for a high pressure hydrogen storage tank on a fuel cell vehicle. The system includes a first temperature switch mounted to the high pressure tank and enclosed within an insulation housing for monitoring the temperature within the tank and a second temperature switch for monitoring the temperature of the hydrogen gas at the refuel receptacle, where the second temperature switch is also enclosed within an insulation housing. If the temperature within the tank increases above a predetermined temperature, the first switch will close, and if the temperature at the refueling receptacle falls below a predetermined temperature, then the second switch will close, which causes a wake up signal to be provided to the controller to allow the controller to monitor the temperature of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Oliver Maier
  • Patent number: 8717161
    Abstract: An H2S (hydrogen sulfide) system includes a lockout configuration that temporarily disables wireless communication while leaving one or more H2S sensors and audible alarms still functioning in case an H2S hazardous event occurs during the lockout period. Example H2S systems and methods include various means for initiating or ensuring the lockout configuration is in effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Crook W. Gary
  • Patent number: 8710976
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable medium, and method for updating a decisioning algorithm are provided. In the method, operational parameter data from a first device is evaluated using a decisioning algorithm to determine if an alert should be sent. The alert indicates a possible performance issue associated with a component of the first device. The operational parameter data includes a value of an operating characteristic of the first device. When a determination is made to send the alert, an alert message including a first indicator indicating the possible performance issue of the component of the first device is created. The alert message is sent to a second device. The decisioning algorithm is updated based on a second indicator received from a third device. The second indicator indicates either that the alert was useful or that the alert was not useful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yibin Zheng, Fang Tu
  • Patent number: 8692665
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products notify of alarms in security systems. Sensor data is received from an alarm sensor, and an alarm condition is determined by an alarm controller. Video data associated with the alarm sensor is retrieved. An alarm message is sent over a wireless network connection, while the video data is send over a wireline broadband connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: John Alson Hicks, III
  • Publication number: 20140043158
    Abstract: Debo Alarm System Second Phase (D.A.S.S.P.) is a mobile Security System for the Home, Apartment, RV, Commercial Businesses, and Vacation Suite etc. . . . This alarm system is unique because it utilizes the existing wiring in the area you are trying to secure. The system works like a traditional alarm system with 911 and Carbon Monoxide function. This system not only has the ability to monitor the inside of your home it also allows you to monitor the perimeter of your home. The Debo Alarm System Second Phase has a detachable Mobile Module with 911 and Carbon Monoxide function. The Mobile Module can be used to monitor your home system and protect you at a second location. The Mobile Module can be plugged into a wall socket like a cell phone. The Mobile Module has an internal rechargeable battery to allow a wide range of security functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Durwin Keith Lasker
  • Publication number: 20140035741
    Abstract: An alarm system having one or more computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions for providing notification of an alarm event to individual(s). The computer-executable instructions perform steps comprising: receiving an alarm event from an alarm system; determining a customer associated with the alarm event; determining at least one individual that is to be contacted based upon the customer that has been determined as being associated with the alarm event; selecting a transmission vector from a plurality of available transmission vectors; associating the selected transmission vector with the alarm event; sending an alarm event notification to the individual(s) utilizing the selected transmission vector; and awaiting a response to the alarm event notification. The response may provide a response vector which can be used to route the response to an appropriate agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: LIVEWATCH SECURITY, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Bradford Morehead
  • Publication number: 20140035742
    Abstract: A security system comprises a system control panel for arming and disarming the security system. A door sensing unit comprises a first transceiver interconnected with the system control panel over a network. The first transceiver is mounted proximate to a door that defines at least a portion of a perimeter around an area to be monitored by the security system. The first transceiver has an detection field proximate to the door. A disarm device comprises a second transceiver that automatically transmits a disarm device packet. The first transceiver receives the disarm device packet when the second transceiver is within the detection field. The first transceiver sends a disarm message to the system control panel over the network to disarm the security system based on at least the disarm device packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Raman Kumar Sharma, Roger Parenteau, Juan Francisco Bogarin Munoz
  • Patent number: 8643484
    Abstract: A visual display system for a set-top box is includes a source of event data, a light emitting diode display adapted to display event data to a user in a standby mode of operation ,and a main processor configured to receive event data and control the light emitting diode display in response to the received event data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: IKouroush Mohebbi
  • Patent number: 8638215
    Abstract: A sensor unit that includes at least one sensor configured to measure an ambient condition is described. The controller can be configured to receive instructions, to report a notice level when the controller determines that data measured by the at least one sensor fails a report threshold test corresponding to a report threshold value. The controller can also be configured to obtain a plurality of calibration measurements from the at least one sensor during a calibration period and to adjust the threshold based on the calibration measurements. The controller can be configured to compute a first threshold level corresponding to background noise and a second threshold level corresponding to sensor noise, and to compute the report threshold value from the second threshold. In one embodiment, the sensor unit adjusts one or more of the thresholds based on ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Publication number: 20140022071
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a system of fans in a facility from a central system controller are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system of fans can be configured to shut down automatically during an emergency condition or event. For example, a fan system controller can be connected to the system of fans and provide a signal to each of the fans. While each of the fans receives the signal, power is connected to a motor on each of the fans. Upon detection of an emergency condition, the fan system controller disconnects the signal to the fans, thereby automatically simultaneously shutting down the entire system of fans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Daryl Duane Day, Brett A. Walford
  • Publication number: 20140022072
    Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring an analog process alarm in digital control devices are provided. In one example embodiment, a system may include a logic editor configured to create templates, including one or more alias names for corresponding one or more analog alarm sub-variables associated with an analog process variable, within the digital control system; a human-machine interface configured to provide to a user an analog alarm virtual block diagram visualizing processing logic associated with the analog process variable within the digital control system and to receive from the user a request to select a template from the created templates; and a template generator configured to automatically generate, based on the selection of the template, the alias names for the corresponding analog alarm sub-variables of the analog process alarm. The alias names may be defined directly on the analog process variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert William Grubbs, Lester D. Childs, Timothy Joseph Rhode
  • Patent number: 8635499
    Abstract: A server-based environment for reporting a status of a security, monitoring and automation controller is provided. Detecting cessation of an always-on persistent network connection between the SMA controller and the server is also provided. Reporting the cessation of the network connection to an end user and defined others is further provided. A further aspect provides for automatically reporting an alarm event to a central station, the end user, and others, in the event the cessation of the network connection occurs while the SMA controller is armed and after a zone fault event, and not receiving a disarm notification prior to expiration of a preset entry delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: iControl Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Wade Cohn, Gary Robert Faulkner, James Edward Kitchen, David Leon Proft, Corey Wayne Quain
  • Publication number: 20140015667
    Abstract: In a building, an identification number and positioning of a fire alarm is automatically compared either in a control panel or a mobile communication device of a user to automatically locate a fire alarm. Because no manual entries are required, erroneous entries are avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS ATKIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Dieter Kolb
  • Publication number: 20130341053
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing system prevents fires or other emergency conditions on a heating device, such as a stove. The system uses sensors to detect the emergency and alert an operator. The system dumps fire suppressant material onto the heating device. The system also may shut-off power to the heating device. An alarm circuit and associated functionality assures the system is in working order by using diagnostic tests and other checks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: J. Paul ROUSE, Richard BOLACK, Charles P. SCHAEFER
  • Patent number: 8599012
    Abstract: A temperature monitoring service in which remote monitoring units are distributed to customers who then set up monitoring as desired at their facilities. The devices may be registered through a web site using the Internet. Monitoring information may be communicated using a publicly available, wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network. The service may be provided with a system, including a server, which can deliver high levels of monitoring functionality. The server may support streaming monitoring information to a customer for analysis or sending a command activating a device connected to a remote unit. Remote units associated with the same location may be in a pool, comprising one active unit and one or more spare units, in which the server automatically identifies the active unit. The server may support analyzing monitoring information according to an expected cycle pattern of a ventilation system at the monitored facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Schechter Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Harry J. Schechter, Kevin Felichko
  • Patent number: 8599009
    Abstract: Configuration technologies for cost-effectively monitoring indicia of regimen compliance or noncompliance in response to one or more indications of symptoms or actions or other data on data-bearing media or in wireless transmissions, such as implementing techniques for providing or preventing access or otherwise acting on or communicating incremental or definitive indicia of compliance or noncompliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8600629
    Abstract: A method for compensating for planter shut off delay in a planter includes automatically calculating by an intelligent control associated with the planter, a time delay look-ahead distance based on groundspeed of the planter and a time delay, and a total look-ahead distance based on the time delay look-ahead distance and a distance delay look ahead distance. The method further includes determining by the intelligent control if seeding should be off or on at a point in the field at the total look ahead distance, and sending a signal to a row shutoff device of the planter to control the seeding. A control system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: AG Leader Technology
    Inventor: Roger R. Zielke
  • Publication number: 20130300558
    Abstract: A hospital monitoring system for monitoring hospital personnel, a plurality of patient locations for patients, and associated devices is configured to control the associated devices based on the presence of hospital personnel or alarms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Ryan A. REEDER, Kenneth L. Kramer, William L. Jacques, Carl W. Riley, Richard J. Schuman
  • Publication number: 20130300557
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing an alert message comprises receiving input from a user specifying a destination to which an alert message is to be sent in the event of an interruption of an execution of a process; monitoring the execution of the process to determine if the execution is interrupted; creating an interruption alert if the execution of the process is interrupted; and sending the interruption alert to the specified destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joe J. Ackerson, Jared T. Chelko, Chaise A. Crosby, Doel L. Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20130300572
    Abstract: A system and method for cleansing hands is disclosed. The hand cleansing system comprises at least one sensor. The hand cleansing sensor is configured to detect whether a clinician is cleansing their hands. An identification unit is coupled with the hand cleansing sensor and is configured to determine the identity of the clinician cleansing their hands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Carl Nee-Kofi Mould-Millman
  • Publication number: 20130293372
    Abstract: A monitoring service is described that allows flexible response through operators taken from a group of chosen individuals. When an alarm state is triggered the chosen individuals may act collaboratively as operators to manage alarm conditions for a particular user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Philip, Geoffrey Vanderkooy
  • 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: 8556831
    Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed including a clothing article with an embedded Data Measurement and Processing Module configured to measure a dynamic characteristic of a predefined significant impact to the user of the clothing article, and further including a video capturing device which provides video scenes related to the impact. In various embodiments, the embedded data collection and measurement module includes a multi-axis accelerometer and a processor, such as a microcontroller, coupled with the accelerometer to calculate a magnitude and direction of the imparted force, and a video camera that is configured to relate its different captured scenes to predefined significant impacts within each scene. In other various embodiments, the processor and/or the video capturing device may communicate collected and/or calculated data to a storage device and/or an external host computer for future analysis and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Branch Faber, Ataullah Arjomand
  • Publication number: 20130257611
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for temporarily disarming a barrier alarm in a security system is described. In one embodiment, a method for temporarily disarming a barrier alarm is described, comprising receiving an indication to disarm the barrier alarm, the indication generated at the barrier alarm by a user, disarming the barrier alarm in response to receiving the indication, re-arming the barrier alarm upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Lamb, Carlo Petrucci
  • Patent number: 8547226
    Abstract: A temperature monitoring service in which remote monitoring units are distributed to customers who then set up monitoring as desired at their facilities. The devices may be registered through a web site using the Internet. Monitoring information may be communicated using a publicly available, wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network. The service may be provided with a system, including a server, which can deliver high levels of monitoring functionality. The server may support streaming monitoring information to a customer for analysis or sending a command activating a device connected to a remote unit. Remote units associated with the same location may be in a pool, comprising one active unit and one or more spare units, in which the server automatically identifies the active unit. The server may support analyzing monitoring information according to an expected cycle pattern of a ventilation system at the monitored facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Schechter Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Harry J. Schechter, Kevin Felichko
  • Patent number: 8544423
    Abstract: A control for a water heater is provided that comprises a pressure switch for sensing a predetermined level of airflow sufficient for maintaining proper burner operation, and a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank. The control further comprises a processor for controlling the operation of the burner to maintain the water temperature above a predetermined value. When the processor receives a signal from the pressure switch or temperature switch indicating a malfunction, the processor shuts down the burner and subsequently attempts to restart the burner. The processor will lock-out further burner operation after a predetermined number of consecutive shut downs occurs, and will communicate any malfunction information to a remote display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: G. Scott Vogel, John S. Haefner, Edward B. Evans
  • Publication number: 20130234848
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of controlling a hazard alert system with a control device and multiple release mechanisms connected to the control device, wherein the release mechanisms are each connected to at least one alarm device. The initialisation step consists of identification data being assigned to the release mechanisms, and then a control signal is transmitted by the control device to activate or deactivate the alarm devices to all the release mechanisms, wherein the control signal transmits identification data from one or more release mechanisms, and the identification data transmitted by the control device is compared, by the release mechanisms, to the identification data assigned to them. If the release mechanisms determine that the identification data compared with one another matches, they send a control signal to activate or deactivate the alarm devices connected with them, so that the alarm devices are activated or deactivated synchronously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Job Lizenz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Röpke, Stefan Janus
  • Publication number: 20130229277
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security system with power saving feature and device comprises an electric magnet and a corresponding iron plate. The electric magnet is connected to a G-sensor module and the iron plate has a pressing face to contact with the G-sensor module. When the door is opened, the electric magnet does not supply power; when the door is closed, the electric magnet with electromagnetic attraction attracts the iron plate and the pressing face presses the G-sensor module. That is, the electromagnetic lock usually stays in a low-energy attraction state; however, when the G-sensor module is triggered, the electromagnetic lock returns to a normal lock state for achieving power saving effect and control of the external force detection improvement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: LI-SHIH LIAO
  • Publication number: 20130229276
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure can include systems, methods, and apparatus for providing hand washing and sanitizing alerts. Certain embodiments of the disclosure can improve hand hygiene by pairing an alert with the action of cleansing. In one embodiment, a method for providing hand washing and sanitizing alerts can be provided. The method can include generating an alert based at least in part on detecting a person entering or exiting an area. The method can further include ceasing the alert based at least in part on detecting the person sanitizing his or her hands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Desiree Hunter
  • Publication number: 20130222130
    Abstract: An alarm system for a smoke or fire barrier, including alarm circuits have a normally closed switch position. A control circuit connected to the alarm circuits applies a voltage to create a non-activation situation or remove a voltage to create an activation situation when the switch is open. The alarm circuit further including either a series connected resistance or a normally open switch position in parallel to the normally closed switch position, to create a “fault” condition in the absence of detection of the resistance, or an open switch position and a closed switch position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew Paul Cooper, Victoria Louise Ford, Philip Shaw
  • Publication number: 20130207800
    Abstract: An Error signal handling comprises a circuitry configured to receive an error signal from an external device indicating an error condition in the external device. The circuitry is further configured to receive a recovery signal indicating a mitigation of the error condition in the external device or indicating that a mitigation of the error condition in the external device is possible. Furthermore, the circuitry is further configured to output an error condition signal based on the error signal in response to a reception of the error signal if within a given delay time from the reception of the error signal, the circuitry does not receive the recovery signal and otherwise to omit outputting the error condition signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Antonio Vilela, Andre Roger
  • Publication number: 20130201015
    Abstract: An alarm system includes two subsystems: a security subsystem that performs critical alarm condition monitoring and reporting; and an auxiliary subsystem that allows execution of other non-critical software components. The security subsystem may monitor the performance of the auxiliary subsystem, and maintain the performance by resetting and/or otherwise controlling the execution of software and use of hardware at the auxiliary subsystem, providing increased overall reliability of the security system, without compromising its ability to monitor security conditions at an associated premises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Tyco Safety Products Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason A. Breed, Stephane Foisy, Gregory W. Hill
  • Patent number: 8494861
    Abstract: An automated movable barrier control system component (11) as comprises a part of a movable barrier control system (10) has an audible speech output device (21) operably coupled thereto. These elements can share a common housing (22). The audible speech output device (21) can audiblize one or more items of stored speech content relating to one or more aspects of the component itself, other components within the system, and/or the system itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Robb, Eric Gregori, Robert Daniel-Wayman, James J. Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: 8493203
    Abstract: An alarm device includes: a wireless circuit section which wirelessly exchanges event signals with an other alarm device; an alert section which outputs an alarm; an operation section which accepts predetermined operations; a sensor section which issues an abnormal condition detection signal when an abnormal condition occurred is detected within a monitoring area; an abnormal condition monitoring section which, upon receiving the abnormal condition detection signal from the sensor section, outputs an abnormal condition alarm as a linkage source from the alert section, and transmits an event signal indicating an abnormal condition to the other alarm devices, and conversely, upon receiving an event signal indicating an abnormal condition from the other alarm device, outputs an abnormal condition alarm as a linkage destination from the alert section; a communication test transmission processing section which, at a predetermined timing, transmits an event signal indicating a communication test to the other alarm
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hochiki Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Egawa, Hidenari Matsukuma